Dollar Decoder

Ben Carter
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  • Investing

Dollar Decoder is a short, no-jargon personal finance podcast. Host Ben Carter, a friendly former bank teller, translates finance-speak into everyday language — breaking down budgeting, saving, and smart money habits into quick, practical episodes you can actually use.

Episodes

  1. 6d ago

    Credit Scores Decoded: What Actually Moves the Number

    What a credit score is, the five FICO ingredients that build it, and why payment history and credit utilization matter most. Includes the simple homework that moves the number. "Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Host Ben Carter is not a licensed financial advisor, and nothing in this podcast creates an advisor-client relationship. Please consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions."

  2. Sep 30

    Debt Payoff Strategies: Snowball vs. Avalanche, Explained Simply

    - Framing: where to start when juggling multiple debts; example with three debts ($400 store card at 24%, $3,000 bank card at 19%, $8,000 car loan at 7%) - Shared core rule of both strategies: keep paying minimums on everything, throw all extra dollars at one target debt - Debt snowball: order by smallest balance, roll each freed payment into the next; works via psychology and early wins - Debt avalanche: order by highest interest rate first; saves the most money over time by killing the priciest debt - Choosing: avalanche if the savings matter and you can stick with it without an early win; snowball if you've quit before or want fast momentum - Ground rules: never pay less than minimums, stop adding new debt, keep a small cash cushion, automate the extra payment - Homework: list every debt with balance and interest rate, then circle the target Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Host Ben Carter is not a licensed financial advisor, and nothing in this podcast creates an advisor-client relationship. Please consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

  3. Sep 29

    Emergency Funds: How Much Cash Should You Really Keep?

    An emergency fund explained in plain English: what counts as an emergency, how much to save, and where to keep the money. - Emergency funds defined: cash set aside for true surprises (car breakdown, furnace failure, job loss), not vacations or sales - The 3-to-6-months-of-expenses rule, based on expenses not income - Choosing 3 vs 6 months: stable dual-income household vs self-employed, variable income, or sole earner - Where to keep it: high-yield savings account, separate from checking, insured, with automatic transfers - Build in layers: one-thousand-dollar starter cushion, then one month, three months, six months of expenses - Once the fund is full, redirect the savings habit to retirement or debt payoff; homework: calculate real monthly expenses and start an automatic transfer Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Host Ben Carter is not a licensed financial advisor, and nothing in this podcast creates an advisor-client relationship. Please consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

  4. Sep 29

    What a Budget Actually Is: The 50/30/20 Rule in Plain English

    Ben Carter explains what a budget actually is: a plan for your money, not a punishment. Using a simple three-thousand-dollar-a-month example, he breaks down the 50/30/20 rule for splitting take-home pay between needs, wants, and your future, plus a ten-minute homework assignment to get started this week. Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Host Ben Carter is not a licensed financial advisor, and nothing in this podcast creates an advisor-client relationship. Please consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

  • 4 Episodes

About

Dollar Decoder is a short, no-jargon personal finance podcast. Host Ben Carter, a friendly former bank teller, translates finance-speak into everyday language — breaking down budgeting, saving, and smart money habits into quick, practical episodes you can actually use.

Information

  • Creator
    Ben Carter
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ben Carter 2026
  • Show Website
    Dollar Decoder