Navigating Now: What Earnings Season Is Telling Us The Pete The Planner® Show podcast

10:42

In today’s CalmCast, we’re following the money — from Wall Street to your driveway. P/E Ratio – Is the stock market overvalued? We unpack what investors are really paying for and whether the math makes sense. Producer Price Index (PPI) – A leading indicator of inflation. If it costs more to make things, guess who eventually pays more? (Hint: It’s you.) Car Affordability – The average car payment is now over $700 a month — and that’s not including insurance, maintenance, and rising loan terms. For many households, the new car smell now comes with old mortgage vibes. We’ll help you make smarter decisions in the face of rising costs and financial pressure.…

The Pete the Planner® Show

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Waiting for the world to change will crush you 1:07:36

6 days ago1:07:36

1:07:36

There’s always a reason to wait. Maybe it’s the Fed. Maybe it’s student loan forgiveness. Maybe it’s the housing market finally “cooling off.” But here’s the truth: financial progress doesn’t happen in theory—it happens in action. In this episode, we’re talking about the dangerous game of waiting for someone else to fix your financial life. Whether it’s PSLF hanging in the balance, interest rates hovering, or the SAVE plan in limbo, you still have decisions to make. Good medicine is still good medicine—even when the world feels like a mess. Let’s stop outsourcing our momentum to headlines and hypotheticals.…

The Pete the Planner® Show

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Navigating Now: Three Tools to Calm Your Finances in a Shaky Economy 10:34

7 days ago10:34

10:34

In today’s CalmCast, Pete breaks down three essential tools for staying steady in a shaky economy. First, we look at how diversification can protect your portfolio from market swings — because when one sector zigs, you want another to zag. Then, we wade through the latest economic data and recession chatter to explain what a slowdown really means and how often it actually happens. Finally, we spotlight the unsung hero of financial calm: the sinking fund. It’s not glamorous, but it is how you survive a car repair, a vacation, or the holidays without panic. This episode is your friendly reminder: you can’t predict the economy, but you can prepare for it.…

The Pete the Planner® Show

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Storytime with Pete: Filtering everyone's money advice 5:49

8 days ago5:49

5:49

You won’t always have perfect data, unanimous advice, or a spreadsheet that answers all your questions—and that’s okay. In this episode of Storytime with Pete , we break down how to take in feedback, sort the good from the garbage, and make smart, confident financial decisions right now , not just “someday when you know more.” Featuring Maya Angelou, a baking metaphor, and a few spicy takes on bad advice. Spoiler: doing your best is enough—until it isn’t. Then you just do better.…

The Pete the Planner® Show

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Navigating Now: What you need to know about GDP 10:39

9 days ago10:39

10:39

The latest GDP numbers are in—and they tell a story of a cooling economy amid policy shifts and global uncertainty. In today’s CalmCast, Pete breaks down what that actually means for your wallet. We’ll look at which parts of the economy are shrinking, what sectors are still showing strength, and how tariffs and interest rates are shaping the growth story. Then we shift gears to explore why asset allocation—not stock picking—is the bedrock of a stable portfolio, especially in times like these. Finally, we wrap with a fresh take on your credit score: what really moves it, and how to use it as a tool—not a source of stress.…

The Pete the Planner® Show

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The $84k Flood That Might Just Change Everything 1:05:07

13 days ago1:05:07

1:05:07

When a pipe burst turned their dream townhouse into a soggy mess, this week’s listener found themselves with a surprise $84,000 insurance check and a big decision: buy the forever home now or wait out the madness of the housing market? In this episode, Pete, Dame, and Kristen break down whether selling a damaged home as-is is a smart financial move, what “forever home” really means in an unpredictable economy, and whether renting for a year could be a secret financial power play. If you’ve ever wondered whether now is the time to jump into the housing market—or stay on the sidelines—this is the episode for you. Want your financial dilemma on the show? Send it to us at askpete@petetheplanner.com. This episode is sponsored by Indiana529. Terms and conditions apply. Go to MyIndiana529.com to learn more.…

The Pete the Planner® Show

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Navigating Now: How Not To Cut Your Market Returns In Half 10:37

14 days ago10:37

10:37

In today’s episode, Pete the Planner breaks down three key money topics that matter more than you think: why time in the market always wins over timing the market, what the Federal Reserve's latest pause means for your wallet, and how your debt-to-income ratio quietly controls your financial stress level. Whether you're investing for the long haul, waiting for mortgage rates to drop, or just trying to breathe easier when the bills come in, this CalmCast is your 10-minute financial reset.…

The Pete the Planner® Show

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Storytime with Pete: The Awkward Truth About Being Born on Third Base 3:53

15 days ago3:53

3:53

In today's Storytime with Pete , we get honest about something success stories often skip: luck. Pete shares a personal realization about being born on third base — and why acknowledging luck doesn’t diminish hard work, it actually makes success more meaningful. We explore why hearing about privilege feels complicated, how luck factors into building careers and wealth, and how you can put yourself in the path of opportunity without losing your hustle. This is a refreshing, empathetic take on success, luck, and financial growth that just might shift how you see your own journey.…

The Pete the Planner® Show

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Navigating Now: What You Need To Know About Interest 10:34

16 days ago10:34

10:34

Today on the CalmCast: We're navigating the stormy waters of a market correction, checking the pulse on rising interest rates, and breaking down the difference between using interest to grow your money — and letting it crush you. Stay calm, stay sharp, and stay in control.

The Pete the Planner® Show

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The Passive Aggressive Economy 1:11:03

20 days ago1:11:03

1:11:03

You’re not crazy — your bank account is under attack. This week, Pete, Kristen, and Dame dive into the sneaky financial forces draining your money (and your patience), even as inflation cools on paper. From tipping screens on $4 coffees to subscriptions you forgot existed, it’s not just about how much things cost — it’s how cleverly they get you to pay for them. Pete explores the emotional toll of "death by a thousand charges," Dame unpacks the data behind financial creep, and Kristen delivers the full-body eye-roll we’re all feeling at checkout. Plus: Kristen’s latest wallet regret, Dame’s subscription shame, and Pete’s escalating feud with digital convenience. Oh, and yes — we’ve got this week’s Biggest Waste of Money and a round of financial news you actually care about.…

The Pete the Planner® Show

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Navigating Now: What Earnings Season is Telling Us 10:34

21 days ago10:34

10:34

Earnings season is here, and Wall Street is grading corporate America. But what do these earnings tell us about the economy you’re actually living in? In this episode, we break down the big surprises and what they mean for your money. We also unpack the latest trends in wage growth—and how inflation is still playing referee. Finally, Pete shares why “pay yourself first” isn’t just financial advice—it’s a financial life raft. This 10-minute CalmCast is your antidote to the noise. Market context, economic insight, and personal finance you can actually use.…

The Pete the Planner® Show

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Storytime with Pete: Are you financially ethical? 5:35

22 days ago5:35

5:35

In this episode of Storytime with Pete , we shine a harsh but hilarious light on your financial ethics. Are you as honest with your money as you think you are? Or are you quietly fudging the rules when no one’s looking—except your credit card statement? Pete walks you through a self-evaluation that’s part confessional, part comedy, and fully necessary. From tipping habits to Netflix mooching, we’re asking the tough questions… so you don’t have to lie to yourself anymore. Grab your ego and let’s go.…

The Pete the Planner® Show

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Navigating Now: Bear and Bull Markets Explained 10:39

23 days ago10:39

10:39

In today’s CalmCast, we break down the emotional zoo of the stock market—why bulls charge, bears retreat, and what it all means for your money. Then, we take a deeper look at the monthly Jobs Report—beyond the headlines—uncovering what it really tells us about the economy, interest rates, and your paycheck. Finally, we bring it home with a personal finance concept that deserves more airtime: Power Percentage —your monthly measure of financial momentum, and a surprisingly calming number in volatile times. Stay calm. Stay curious. And don’t let Wall Street animals scare you out of smart decisions.…

The Pete the Planner® Show

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What Does Not Needing Money Look Like at Different Stages of Your Life? 1:10:55

27 days ago1:10:55

1:10:55

What if “not needing money” doesn’t mean being rich—but being free ? In this episode of The Pete the Planner Show , we explore how the concept of not needing money evolves as you age. From the beautiful ignorance of childhood, to the messy middle of adulthood, all the way to the promised land of retirement—we unpack what it really means to live with financial freedom at every stage. You'll hear: Why not needing money as a kid doesn’t count (but it was nice, wasn’t it?) How adulthood tricks you into thinking you need more than you really do What retirees get right—and wrong—about feeling financially untouchable If you've ever fantasized about not worrying about money, this episode is your reality check (and maybe your roadmap). Thoughtful. Honest. And just a little snarky.…

The Pete the Planner® Show

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Navigating Now: Consumer Confidence Predicts The Future 10:36

28 days ago10:36