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What happens when one spouse downshifts their career—and the money dynamic in a marriage suddenly changes? This week, Pete, Kristen, and Dame tackle a thoughtful (and spicy) listener dilemma: after years of splitting everything 50/50, one partner takes a step back from full-time work and plans to fund their share of expenses by pulling $30,000 a year from investments. The other partner says… absolutely not. Is this about taxes? Fairness? Control? We dig into the emotional and financial layers of modern marriage: Does everything have to stay 50/50 forever? Is selling investments for “independence” actually costing more than it’s worth? And how do couples redefine “fair” when life changes? Because sometimes the biggest money decisions aren’t about math—they’re about identity.

Millennials say the system is broken. Boomers say, “Try buying a house at 18% interest.” So… who’s right? This week, Pete, Damian, and Kristen step into one of the most emotionally charged financial debates out there—and do something rare: they put numbers behind the noise. From income to housing, college costs to overall wealth, the crew breaks down what each generation actually faced at the same stage of life. And the results aren’t as clear-cut as social media would have you believe. Yes, Millennials are dealing with sky-high home prices and student loan debt that follows them for decades. But Boomers battled double-digit inflation and mortgage rates that made monthly payments brutal. And when you zoom out? Millennials may actually be ahead in net worth at this point in life—though Boomers still control the majority of total wealth in America. So what’s really going on? This episode reframes the entire argument: it’s not about who worked harder or who had it worse—it’s about timing. When you entered the economy shaped what was possible for you, from buying a home to building wealth. The bigger takeaway? Most people, regardless of generation, feel like the game is harder now. And that might be the most important signal of all. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “They had it easier,” or “Why does this feel so hard?”—this conversation will give you clarity, context, and a much-needed reset. Here’s why it matters: You don’t get to choose your economy. But you do get to choose how you operate within it.

Gas prices are climbing again, and if you’re like most people, it feels like your entire financial life just got more expensive overnight. But did it? This week, we take a step back from the headlines and ask a better question: who is actually feeling the impact of higher gas prices—and who just thinks they are? Because the truth is, a 50-cent jump at the pump doesn’t hit everyone the same way. For some households, it’s real financial pressure. For others, it’s more of an emotional reaction than a budget breaker. We break down: The hidden ways oil prices sneak into your daily spending The lifestyles that are most exposed (and least exposed) Why convenience might be costing you more than you think And how to calculate your own personal “gas price impact” By the end of the episode, you’ll know whether rising gas prices are something you need to change your behavior over… or just change your mindset about. Because when it comes to your money, not every headline deserves your stress.

The U.S. economy has been sending troubling signals for months now in the form of high energy prices, rising inflation, modest hiring and slowing growth of gross domestic product. Then the United States began attacks on Iran in late February. Stalled tanker traffic at the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted the global oil market, and stock investors have yo-yoed along with mixed signals from Washington, D.C., about America’s goals for the war. IBJ personal finance columnist Pete the Planner sees signs that point toward recession in the U.S., as well as a humanitarian crisis in Asia. In this week’s podcast, Pete parses a passel of new challenges and layers on the potential impact of tariff refunds and rising mortgage rates. He also is concerned about the Trump administration’s apparent attempts at influencing investor sentiment with statements about America’s intentions in Iran.

You just graduated, landed a $52,000 job, and moved to Des Moines. You’ve got $35,000 in student loans… and suddenly, real life is very real. This week, Pete, Kristen, and Dame break down what life actually looks like on that salary—from take-home pay to rent, groceries, debt, and everything in between. But instead of just talking about it, they turn it into a game: can each of them build a working monthly plan… without wrecking the future? Along the way, they uncover the real tension every new grad faces: how do you balance survival, stability, and actually enjoying your life? If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I doing okay… or already behind?”—this episode is for you.

You finally upgrade your home. More space, better fit for your family, and—on paper—you can absolutely afford it. So why does it suddenly feel… heavier? This week, Pete and Kristen unpack the emotional side of a financial upgrade that no one really talks about. From “payment shock” to the psychological weight of a bigger life, they explore why even smart, responsible decisions can come with unexpected stress. If you’ve ever made a move that made your life better—but also made your brain a little louder—this episode is for you.

High schools across the country are making a big shift—replacing traditional economics classes with personal finance. On the surface, it sounds like a win. After all, most of us could’ve used a better understanding of credit cards, debt, and how money actually works when we were 18. But is this really progress… or just a tradeoff? In this episode, Pete, Damian, and Kristen break down what’s changing—and what might be getting lost in the process. Is the goal of high school to create informed citizens who understand the economy, or functional adults who can manage their own money? And can we realistically do both? Then the team builds the ultimate personal finance class from scratch. What do teens actually need to know before they leave home? From cash flow and credit to compounding and big life decisions, they cover the essentials—and call out what most adults still get wrong. Finally, they bring it home. Because let’s be honest—most of us didn’t get this class either. So what can parents and families do now to teach these lessons in real life, without turning dinner into a lecture? If you’ve ever thought, “Why didn’t anyone teach me this?”—this episode is for you.

Last Valentine’s Day, listener Lucas from North Carolina wrote in about retiring early and “taking our foot off the gas.” This year, life looks very different. Lucas and his wife recently received a diagnosis for their almost two-year-old daughter that means she may never live independently. That news sent Lucas down a deep research rabbit hole involving wills, trusts, and something called a third-party special needs trust. What started as a plan for early retirement has now become a much bigger question:How do you financially protect a child who may depend on you forever? To help answer that question, Pete and the crew are joined by estate planning attorney Shawn Scott, who specializes in helping families navigate these exact situations. In this episode we discuss: What a special needs trust actually is The difference between first-party and third-party special needs trusts Why leaving money directly to a child with disabilities can create major problems Common mistakes families make with DIY estate planning When online legal tools are okay — and when you really need an attorney How grandparents and other relatives should structure gifts or inheritances Lucas’s story reminds us that estate planning isn’t just about wealth.Sometimes it’s about love, protection, and making sure your child is cared for long after you’re gone. Also: Pete attempts a North Carolinian accent (results may vary).

A surge in oil prices tied to rising tensions involving Iran has economists and investors whispering a word we haven’t heard much since the 1970s: stagflation. But what exactly is it—and should you be worried? In this episode, Pete breaks down why spikes in oil prices can ripple through the entire economy, how stagflation happens when inflation and economic slowdown collide, and why energy shocks have historically been the trigger. More importantly, he explains what this moment actually means for households, your budget, and the broader economy. Is stagflation coming… or is this just another scary economic headline? Pete separates the signal from the noise.

This week’s listener question comes from a self-described “Type-A podcast listener girlie” who—financially speaking—is absolutely crushing it. At 32 years old, she’s earning about $100,000, saving 25% for retirement, and has already built roughly $450,000 in Roth accounts, plus a brokerage account and cash savings. Her partner, the same age, entered the workforce later after earning an advanced degree and currently makes about $60,000 while saving 12%. They’re planning to get married soon, combine finances, buy a home in the next few years, and maybe even retire early someday. But here’s the twist. She’s comfortable with the idea that her early savings created a large portion of their future financial security. Her partner isn’t so sure. Coming from a blue-collar, dual-income household built around pensions and Social Security, he feels uneasy about benefiting from wealth that largely came from her earlier discipline and opportunity. In other words: When the traditional earning dynamic flips, how do couples navigate the psychology of fairness, partnership, and shared success?

They’re 42. They’re doing everything right. $185,000 household income. 15% to retirement. Emergency fund solid. Almost no debt. And yet… they’re exhausted. This week’s email comes from a couple who can absolutely afford help — but still live like they’re one missed paycheck away from disaster. They mow their own lawn. Scrub their own bathrooms. Meal prep every Sunday. Fix everything themselves. They optimize every dollar. Then a simple debate changes everything. A cleaning service would cost $4,200 a year. Invested for 20 years? Roughly $100,000. Or… 40 Saturdays back with their kids. That question hits hard: At what point does buying time become wiser than squeezing every dollar? In this episode, Pete, Dame, and Kristen tackle one of the most uncomfortable financial transitions of midlife — shifting from survival mode to optimization mode. You’ll hear: • Why scarcity mindset can linger long after you’re financially secure • The three currencies of life: money, time, and energy • When convenience spending is actually smart leverage • How to tell the difference between efficiency and lifestyle creep • The “Regret Test” that instantly clarifies big decisions Is hiring help irresponsible… or strategic? Is frugality always virtuous… or sometimes just fear in disguise? If you’ve ever calculated the future value of skipping Starbucks while secretly wishing for one less thing on your weekend to-do list, this one is for you. Because the goal isn’t to die with the highest net worth. The goal is to use money in a way that honors your finite time. You can always earn more money. You cannot earn another Tuesday.

Lauren and her husband are 35. Two kids. Solid income. No credit card debt. $70,000 saved. They’re doing everything right. And now their landlord just dropped the bomb: he’s probably selling the house. They’ve been paying $2,750 a month in rent. Buying a similar home would run about $2,900 a month with taxes, insurance, and PMI. On paper, that’s only a $150 jump. In reality? It feels like stepping into a financial thunderstorm. Because everywhere they turn, they hear the same thing: “Terrible time to buy.” “Wait for rates to drop.” “The market’s about to shift.” So the question becomes: Are they crazy for even considering it? This week, Pete, Dame, and Cricket break down what Americans everywhere are wrestling with in 2026: Is this actually a “bad” housing market — or just an uncomfortable one? What does 8% down really mean in terms of risk and flexibility? How much emergency savings should a young family protect at all costs? Is a $2,900 payment on $155,000 income responsible… or reckless? And most importantly — what’s the real cost of waiting? We’ll walk through the math, but we’ll also unpack the psychology. Because this isn’t just about interest rates. It’s about stability. Kids. Lifestyle. Career mobility. And whether owning a home still means what it used to mean. Plus, we’ll tackle the dangerous myth floating around right now: that there’s some magical “perfect time” to buy. If you’re renting and wondering whether to jump into the market… If you’re watching rates like they’re a playoff game… If you’re scared to move but scared to stay… This episode is for you. Because sometimes the smartest financial decision isn’t about timing the market. It’s about knowing your own numbers — and your own tolerance for risk. Are Lauren and her husband crazy? Or are they just standing at the most normal financial crossroads of their generation? Let’s find out.

You can now bet on inflation, elections, interest rates, wars, and whether the Fed blinks—and people are calling it “information,” not gambling. This week on The Pete the Planner Show, we dig into prediction markets: what they are, why they’ve exploded in popularity, and what they really tell us about the economy, politics, and our collective anxiety about the future. Platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi claim that markets can forecast the future better than polls, experts, or pundits. But can they actually predict what’s going to happen—or are they just pricing fear, confidence, and narrative momentum? In this episode, we break down: How prediction markets work (in plain English) Why they sometimes outperform polls—and when they completely fall apart The role of incentives, emotion, and thin liquidity Why “probability” often gets mistaken for “certainty” What prediction markets get dangerously wrong during volatile moments Most importantly, we translate all of this into real life. Because while betting on the future can feel productive, it often replaces the boring, effective work of financial planning. If your financial plan requires you to correctly predict elections, rate cuts, or recessions… your plan is already broken. This episode isn’t about whether prediction markets are legal, smart, or fun. It’s about what they reveal: not about the future—but about us. Because fear has always been a terrible financial advisor.

Gold is pulling back. Silver is getting smacked. Tech stocks feel heavy, crypto feels frozen, and investors everywhere are asking the same question: If things are so uncertain, why aren’t the “safe” assets working? This week, Pete breaks down the psychology of a cranky market — one that isn’t panicking or crashing, but is deeply skeptical and increasingly impatient. We’ll explain why gold can fall even when people are uneasy, why silver drops harder when growth expectations soften, and how rising real yields, industrial demand, and investor fatigue all collide at the same time. This isn’t fear-driven selling. It’s narrative exhaustion. And understanding the difference matters for how you invest, rebalance, and stay disciplined when markets stop being exciting. If you’re feeling uneasy, bored, or quietly annoyed by your portfolio right now, this episode is for you.

Did retirement get harder — or did it just change? A listener writes in with a question a lot of people are quietly asking: Is the kind of retirement our parents and grandparents had even possible anymore? They remember a time when retirement felt automatic — pensions, Social Security, paid-off homes, and far less anxiety about markets or running out of money. Today, even people doing “everything right” feel like retirement is something they have to constantly manage and second-guess. In this episode, Pete breaks down what actually changed, why retirement feels more fragile now, and what we’re really chasing when we say we want “that kind of retirement.” This isn’t a nostalgia tour or a lecture about saving more — it’s a clear, honest look at how responsibility shifted from institutions to individuals, and what that means for modern households. If you’ve ever felt like you’re behind despite being responsible — or wondered whether peace of mind is still attainable — this episode is for you. Because retirement didn’t disappear. The system did.