The Pete the Planner® Show

IBJ Media Podcast Network
  • 4.6 (246)
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Discussing money can be emotionally charged, but not here on the Pete the Planner® Show where Personal Finance Expert, former comedian, and author Peter Dunn breaks down personal finance with humor, practical advice, and real-life scenarios to help you make smarter money moves. Pete and his co-hosts Kristen and Damian lead a guilt-free discussion of budgeting, investing, retirement planning, and any number of other topics meant to help you thrive in the present and future. Part of the IBJ Media Podcast Network.

  1. Pete's Pre-Holiday Pep Talk

    29M AGO · BONUS

    Pete's Pre-Holiday Pep Talk

    As the calendar barrels toward its final pages, Pete sits down for a solo episode to talk about the strange, sloppy, wonderful chaos of the year’s final weeks. From an economy that can’t decide what mood it’s in, to holiday spending that threatens to turn December joy into January regret, Pete breaks down what Americans are really wrestling with right now — and how to keep your financial head on straight while everything else gets weird. In classic Pete fashion, he mixes practical advice with self-deprecating humor, heartfelt reminders, and a gentle nudge toward sanity. If you're feeling behind on your goals, confused by the markets, or tempted to buy your nephew a $400 gaming headset “because it’s the holidays,” this is your permission to slow down, reset, and approach the end of the year with clarity instead of chaos. A funny, grounding, down-to-earth episode for anyone trying to finish the year strong — or at least finish it without crying into their January bank statement.

    8 min
  2. The King of All Bad Ideas -- The 50 Yr Mortgage

    4D AGO

    The King of All Bad Ideas -- The 50 Yr Mortgage

    On this week’s episode of The Pete the Planner Show, Pete tackles what might be the most misguided “solution” to housing affordability ever pitched: the 50-year mortgage. On the surface, it sounds like a clever way to make homes more affordable — smaller payments, easier approval, and a chance for more people to buy. But dig a little deeper, and it’s clear this “innovation” is really a long-term financial trap. Pete breaks down the math, explores who really benefits, and explains why stretching your loan to half a century could make you the bank’s favorite customer — and your future self’s worst enemy.

    1h 3m
  3. Willpower

    NOV 7

    Willpower

    This week, Pete is joined by veteran podcaster and political enthusiast Chris Spangle to wrestle with the myth and the muscle of willpower. Why do we think it’s the key to every success story—money, fitness, food, or habits—when in reality, it often lets us down? Pete and Chris explore how environment, emotion, and even exhaustion can overpower our best intentions. From political discipline to personal finance, from calorie tracking to credit card restraint, they break down what really drives behavior—and why relying on sheer willpower alone is like trying to bench press your way out of bad decision-making. Funny, honest, and occasionally self-incriminating, this episode will make you rethink how you “control yourself” and maybe show a little more grace when you can’t.

    1h 4m
  4. The truth about a mid-life crisis

    OCT 31

    The truth about a mid-life crisis

    Forget the convertible and the questionable haircut — the real midlife crisis happens when you open your retirement account and realize the math isn’t mathing. In this solo episode, Pete explores the emotional and financial crossroads that hit in your 40s and 50s — when time feels shorter, careers plateau, and money goals start bumping into real life. He unpacks why financial growth slows down, how priorities shift, and what to do when your sense of progress feels stuck on pause. From redefining success to right-sizing your lifestyle, this episode is part therapy session, part pep talk, and entirely relatable. Key takeaway: Your midlife crisis isn’t a breakdown — it’s a recalibration.

    54 min
  5. Spotting financial advisor red flags

    OCT 24

    Spotting financial advisor red flags

    Most people don’t know how to tell if their financial advisor is great—or just great at sounding confident. In this episode, Pete and Dame unpack the real red flags to watch for when you’re getting financial advice… without turning it into a witch hunt. They’ll break down the difference between a bad actor and a bad fit, decode advisor-speak (“We’ll rebalance with a tactical overlay!”), and show you how to spot when someone’s more interested in selling than solving. Plus, they’ll explain what good advice actually feels like—clear, consistent, and curious about your life. This isn’t an “advisors are evil” episode. It’s a smarter take on how to protect yourself and still believe in the power of good guidance.

    1h 1m
  6. AI vs Two Money Guys

    OCT 17

    AI vs Two Money Guys

    💥 This week, Pete and Damian face off against their newest (and possibly most intimidating) competitor: Artificial Intelligence. Can two seasoned money nerds outthink an algorithm? In each round, Pete or Dame tackles a real financial dilemma — from whether to raid an emergency fund to pay off debt, to deciding between a Roth or traditional 401(k). Then, they read the AI’s answer and debate which response wins on accuracy, empathy, and practicality. It’s human experience versus machine logic — and the results might surprise you. Who gives the better advice: the pros with decades of experience or the robot with instant access to infinite data? Tune in for laughs, sharp insights, and a fresh look at the future of financial guidance. 🎧 Featuring rounds like “The Credit Card Conundrum,” “The Roth Riddle,” and “The College Crunch.” 👾 Man. Machine. Money. Only one can win.

    59 min
  7. Why Smart People Do Dumb Things With Their Money

    OCT 10

    Why Smart People Do Dumb Things With Their Money

    Ever notice how the smartest people you know sometimes make the worst financial decisions? In this episode, Pete Dame unpack why intelligence doesn’t always translate to good money habits. From overconfidence and analysis paralysis to emotional blind spots and ego-driven decisions, we explore the psychology behind financial self-sabotage. We’ll share real-life examples of “smart” money mistakes — from chasing complex investments to ignoring basic budgeting — and discuss why simplicity often wins. Plus, we’ll reveal the subtle ways our brains trick us into believing we’re the exception to every financial rule. 💡 Being smart with money isn’t about IQ — it’s about self-awareness.

    1h 13m
  8. When supporting your adult children turns bad

    OCT 3

    When supporting your adult children turns bad

    This week on The Pete the Planner Show, we’re tackling one of the toughest money dilemmas families face today: when helping your adult children turns into hurting yourself. A listener writes in about her 31-year-old daughter who still lives at home, contributes nothing financially, and has become the center of a tug-of-war between supportive love and enabling behavior. Pete, Kristen, and Damian unpack the concept of financial enmeshment—those blurred parent/child roles where support becomes indefinite, boundaries vanish, and retirement plans quietly suffer. Why is this happening more than ever? Sky-high housing costs, student debt, and the return of loan payments all play a role, but so do fear, guilt, and a desire to shield kids from failure. We’ll explore the emotional conflict between partners who disagree on rules, the hidden cost of Parent PLUS loans, and why “support without structure is just deferred conflict.” Then, we’ll lay out practical tools for parents: aligning as a couple, having honest conversations with adult kids, and creating a phased transition plan that respects both love and limits. If you’ve ever wondered where generosity ends and enabling begins, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

    1h 6m
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4.6
out of 5
246 Ratings

About

Discussing money can be emotionally charged, but not here on the Pete the Planner® Show where Personal Finance Expert, former comedian, and author Peter Dunn breaks down personal finance with humor, practical advice, and real-life scenarios to help you make smarter money moves. Pete and his co-hosts Kristen and Damian lead a guilt-free discussion of budgeting, investing, retirement planning, and any number of other topics meant to help you thrive in the present and future. Part of the IBJ Media Podcast Network.

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