Thoughts On Money [TOM]

Trevor Cummings
  • 5.0 (35)
  • INVESTING
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

THOUGHTS ON MONEY [TOM] is a podcast looking at simple truths on money. Everything from budgeting to investing to decision making. A great place to come for answers to your personal financial questions or to spark thought on how to improve your financial life.

  1. 6D AGO

    Are Your Market Expectations Realistic?

    This week's blogpost - https://bahnsen.co/4tQ4xaA Trevor Cummings hosts the Thoughts of Money Podcast with article author Blaine Carver and Brett Bonecutter, discussing Carver’s piece “Stock Market Expectations.” Using examples from relationships, premarital counseling, and sports fandom, they emphasize that expectations must be communicated early, clearly, and realistically to avoid disappointment, resentment, and poor decisions. They connect this to investing by explaining how stocks can fall even on good results when expectations are “priced to perfection,” why unrealistic return targets (e.g., 20–25% annually) break financial plans, and how compounding magnifies small percentage differences. 00:00 Welcome to the Thoughts on Money Podcast + Introducing Blaine & Brett 00:21 Under-Promise, Over-Deliver: Why Expectations Drive Everything 00:59 Vikings Season Story: Rock-Bottom Expectations → “Best” Year 02:05 From Football to Finance: Priced to Perfection & Pleasant Surprises 04:34 Expectations in Marriage (and Advisor-Client Relationships) 06:55 Unrealistic Return Targets: The 20% Conversation & Compounding Reality Check 10:39 Long-Run vs One-Year Thinking: Annual vs Annualized + Attribution 12:11 Strategy Whiplash: 2025 vs 2026 Reversal & Staying the Course 14:35 The Expectations Gap: Investors Want 12.6%, Advisors Model 7.1% 17:27 Why the Gap Exists: Valuations, History, and Risk Accountability (Bitcoin Example) 20:19 The “Road” Matters: Normal Drawdowns, Slow Recoveries, and the Bumpy Path 26:17 Coping Tools: Dividends, Business Fundamentals, and the 14% Intra-Year Drawdown 29:52 Optimists vs Pessimists: Experience, Confirmation Bias, and Fear of Running Out 37:37 Closing Reflections: Gratitude vs Grumbling + Final Thoughts & How to Reach Us Links mentioned in this episode: http://thoughtsonmoney.com http://thebahnsengroup.com

    42 min

  2. FEB 6

    Investment Du Jour

    This week's blogpost - https://bahnsen.co/3ZQiqYm In this episode of the 'Thoughts So Money' podcast, host Trevor Cummings, joined by Blaine Carver and Brett Bonecutter, discusses the perils of fad investing, drawing comparisons with the long-term success of a grounded investment philosophy. The conversation explores various speculative trends, including cryptocurrency and gold, and emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical context and adhering to investment principles rooted in consistent cash flow and dividend growth. The team shares personal anecdotes and insights on why relying on speculative investments can be detrimental, while having a robust and historically proven strategy is key to financial success. 00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome 00:25 Fad Investing Explained 03:27 The Comfort of a Consistent Investment Philosophy 06:40 The Psychology of Investing 08:53 Artificial Intelligence and Investment 19:19 Gold as an Investment 23:12 Understanding Gold's Value 23:40 Speculation and Investment Philosophy 24:20 Cryptocurrency and Digital Gold 25:30 Speculative vs. Cash Flow Investments 29:02 Real Estate Investment Examples 31:11 The Risks of Speculative Investments 38:11 Investment Philosophy and Consistency 49:24 Concluding Thoughts and Advice Links mentioned in this episode: http://thoughtsonmoney.com http://thebahnsengroup.com

    51 min

  3. JAN 30

    Five Home Financing Hacks

    This week's blogpost - https://bahnsen.co/4t4WLct In this episode of the Thoughts and Money Podcast (TOM), host Trevor Cummings sits with Brett Bonecutter, author of the Thoughts and Money blog, to discuss practical mortgage insights. Brett shares five essential 'mortgage hacks' for navigating home loans and refinancing. The hacks include choosing the right lender, understanding rate quotes, and being cautious of flashy promotions. Brett emphasizes the importance of using a knowledgeable broker, exploring rate tables, and being aware of FICO score variations. This episode is designed to help listeners make informed decisions when buying a home or refinancing, and provides valuable tips for advising younger family members entering the market. 00:00 Welcome to the Thoughts and Money Podcast 00:47 Brett's Background and Midwest Roots 01:29 Real Estate and Interest Rates Overview 04:20 Trevor's Mortgage Mistake 07:07 Choosing the Right Mortgage Provider 09:02 The Role of Brokers in Mortgage Lending 16:56 Beware of Online Rate Quotes 19:31 The Need for Patience in Financial Decisions 19:53 The Impact of Instant Gratification on Society 20:58 Book Recommendation: Amusing Ourselves to Death 21:49 Guiding the Next Generation in Home Buying 22:38 The Shift Towards Analog Living 23:29 Understanding Mortgage Rates and Risk Buckets 36:40 The Importance of Knowing Your Credit Score 39:22 Final Thoughts and Practical Advice Links mentioned in this episode: http://thoughtsonmoney.com http://thebahnsengroup.com

    44 min

  4. JAN 23

    Small-Cap Stocks are on a Tear!

    This week's blogpost - In this episode of the Thoughts and Money Podcast, hosted by Trevor Cummings, financial experts Blaine Carver and Brett Bonecutter delve into the recent performance of small cap stocks, specifically highlighting a 14-day streak of outperformance compared to large cap stocks. They discuss the difference between small cap and large cap stocks, the impact of interest rates on small companies, and the historical performance of small caps. Using analogies and practical examples, the hosts explain key concepts like market capitalization, risk and reward, and the importance of diversification. The episode underscores the necessity of a well-thought-out investment philosophy, anchored expectations, and the practical application of financial strategies. 00:00 Welcome to the Thoughts and Money Podcast 00:35 Introduction to Small Cap Stocks 01:53 Sweetwater: A Hypothetical Town 03:51 Investment Strategies and Risk 06:26 The Size Premium and Market Trends 15:48 Behavioral Finance and Long-Term Investing 21:58 Active Management in Small Cap Investments 22:51 Tailoring Investment Strategies to Individuals 23:51 The Importance of Diversification 24:04 Understanding Risk and Returns 25:25 Illiquidity Premium and Expected Returns 29:56 Private Equity and Leverage 34:56 Small Caps and Market Cycles 36:31 Building a Balanced Portfolio 42:01 Setting Realistic Investment Expectations 43:46 Final Thoughts and Listener Engagement Links mentioned in this episode: http://thoughtsonmoney.com http://thebahnsengroup.com

    47 min

  5. JAN 16

    Making Financial Decisions

    This week's blogpost - https://bahnsen.co/49AK0NH In this episode of the Thoughts On Money Podcast, host Trevor Cummings, along with guests Blaine Carver and Brett Bonecutter, delve into the intricacies of making financial decisions. They explore the importance of challenging assumptions, understanding biases, and considering second-order effects when making seemingly simple financial choices, such as funding a 401k plan. The episode emphasizes the benefits of consulting financial advisors to navigate complex financial landscapes and highlights the need for a holistic approach to financial planning. 00:00 Welcome to the Thoughts On Money Podcast 00:03 Introducing the Hosts and Special Guests 00:46 The Nuances of Financial Decisions 01:27 Challenging Simple Financial Assumptions 01:44 Psychological Insights into Financial Decisions 03:09 The Role of Assumptions in Financial Planning 08:08 Behavioral Economics and Financial Decision-Making 09:59 The Impact of Inheritance on Financial Behavior 14:09 The Importance of Second Order Effects 19:10 Understanding Tax Implications in Retirement 20:00 The Fork in the Road: Financial Planning Decisions 20:28 401k vs. Taxable Investment Accounts 22:27 Tax Diversification Strategies 25:25 The Complexity of Financial Advice 30:26 The Importance of a Financial Team 37:07 Final Thoughts and Listener Engagement Links mentioned in this episode: http://thoughtsonmoney.com http://thebahnsengroup.com

    40 min

  6. JAN 9

    Book Review: “The Fourth Turning, An American Prophecy”

    This week's blogpost - https://bahnsen.co/4szAiUr Decoding 'The Fourth Turning': Understanding Generational Cycles and Their Impact on Investment Philosophy In this episode of the 'Thoughts on Money' Podcast, hosted by Trevor Cummings and featuring guest Brett Bonecutter, the duo delves into the book 'The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy' by William Strauss and Neil Howe. They explore its generational theories and cyclical view of history, which posits that every 80-100 years, society undergoes a significant transformation. By breaking down the book’s framework and its predicted 00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome 00:18 Guest Introduction: Brett Bonecutter 01:08 Book Review: The Fourth Turning 02:17 Understanding Worldviews and Narratives 07:40 Historical Philosophies and Investment Implications 14:41 Generational Cycles and The Fourth Turning 18:10 Current Generations and Crisis Predictions 24:04 Exploring Fascinating Quotes 25:28 The Fourth Turning Predictions 26:45 Reflecting on Y2K and Similar Events 29:15 Philosophical Worldviews and Fear 33:53 Investment Strategies and Human Nature 39:46 Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook Links mentioned in this episode: http://thoughtsonmoney.com http://thebahnsengroup.com

    47 min

  7. 12/19/2025

    You Need to Be Bored

    This week's blogpost - https://bahnsen.co/48ZUDcG The Importance of Embracing Boredom In this episode of the Thoughts and Money Podcast, host Trevor Cummings and guest Blaine Carver discuss the insights from Blaine's recent blog article titled 'You Need to Be Bored.' They explore how constant stimulation from technology can detract from addressing meaningful, big-picture financial questions, and how creating moments of boredom can lead to better financial decisions. The conversation also covers the pitfalls of making impulsive investment decisions and highlights the importance of having a structured financial plan. Additionally, they touch on the need for prioritizing high-importance and high-urgency financial tasks over less impactful activities. The hosts share their personal experiences with managing boredom and financial stress, emphasizing the value of focusing on long-term planning. They also reflect on how market distractions can lead to suboptimal investment behaviors and the cultural difficulty of being bored in today's fast-paced, tech-driven world. 00:00 Welcome to the Thoughts and Money Podcast 00:16 The Importance of Boredom 00:57 Arthur Brooks' Influence 02:39 Cultural Challenges with Boredom 03:34 Investment Behavior and Boredom 04:35 The Impact of Technology on Investing 05:23 The Role of Boredom in Creativity 06:51 The Psychology of Investing 10:54 The Value of Long-Term Investment Strategies 18:27 Micro vs. Macro Financial Planning 19:28 Prioritizing Financial Decisions 21:06 The Importance of Addressing Major Financial Issues 24:00 Balancing Urgency and Importance 25:52 Creating a Comprehensive Financial Plan 29:11 The Role of Boredom in Financial Planning 33:08 Avoiding Financial Distractions 39:03 Final Thoughts and Holiday Wishes Links mentioned in this episode: http://thoughtsonmoney.com http://thebahnsengroup.com

    42 min

  8. 12/12/2025

    Looking for Wisdom in a World of Artificial Intelligence

    This week's blogpost - https://bahnsen.co/3XPJNko Finding Wisdom in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Navigating Investing, Emotions, and Technology In this episode of the Thoughts and Money Podcast, host Trevor Cummings and co-host Blaine Carver delve into the implications of artificial intelligence on the stock market and broader economy. Cummings, who authored a blog post titled 'Looking for Wisdom in a World of Artificial Intelligence,' discusses the importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) over IQ in investing, sharing insights on avoiding emotionally driven bad decisions. The discussion covers the risks and rewards of contrarian investing, emphasizing that being right is crucial, and the importance of wisdom and experience in financial planning. The episode concludes by exploring how AI can enhance, but not replace, the essential human element in financial advising and decision-making. 00:00 Introduction to the Thoughts and Money Podcast 00:17 The Rise of Artificial Intelligence in 2025 02:49 The Importance of Temperament in Investing 12:12 Contrarian Investing: Being Right Matters 20:12 The Both-And Philosophy at The Bahnsen Group 22:03 Embracing Technology with Timeless Wisdom 28:31 Conclusion and Listener Engagement Links mentioned in this episode: http://thoughtsonmoney.com http://thebahnsengroup.com

    31 min
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About

THOUGHTS ON MONEY [TOM] is a podcast looking at simple truths on money. Everything from budgeting to investing to decision making. A great place to come for answers to your personal financial questions or to spark thought on how to improve your financial life.

Information

  • Creator
    Trevor Cummings
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    259
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Trevor Cummings All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    Thoughts On Money [TOM]

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