The Pete the Planner® Show

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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Ep. 153: The Turn Around
I’m dedicating this entire episode to Barb! Barb, a wonderful audience member from a speech I gave last week in Michigan, asked the best question I’ve heard in years. What do you do when, 10 to 15 years from retiring,
40 min
402
Ep. 152: Kendall has a child with special needs...
M$D: April 29, 2047 Meet Kendall. Kendall’s main concerns, in her words:  We have a daughter with autism that we’re anticipating needing to care for the rest of our lives. Waiting for the state to set up ABLE account for her.
36 min
403
Ep. 151: Mailbag
This week, I dig into more of your questions. These are the ones I tackle: “Hello Pete, I’m a 23-year-old and I work as a chemist making $50,000 a year. I’m currently contributing 6% to my employer-sponsored Roth 401(k) and maxing out my Roth IRA.
40 min
404
Ep. 150: Renee has a new baby and some extra mo...
M$D: January 22, 2039 Meet Renee. Renee’s main concerns, in her words:  I feel like we have all of the pieces but I’m not sure how to prioritize.  My husband and I will probably gross around $85-$89k this year (ballparking numbers for his travel stipe...
27 min
405
Ep. 149: College Financial Literacy
This week, I talked with Phil Schuman, Director of Financial Literacy at Indiana University. Phil and I have been working together since last fall on a project to increase college financial literacy. The program, called Money Smarts U,
38 min
406
Ep. 148: CJ had a late start to his career, but...
M$D: October 10, 2041 Meet CJ. CJ’s main concerns, in his words:  We are an early 30’s married couple that is looking to have kids soon.  We have a house, but we are looking to upgrade that in the next few years as well.
26 min
407
Ep. 147: Youth Sports
This week on PTPTV, I talk youth sports with Travis Dorsch. He’s got quite the title, are you ready? Dr. Travis Dorsch: Former Professional Football Player, Assistant Professor, Founding Director of the Families in Sport Lab in the Department of Family,
38 min
408
Ep. 146: Cindy, recently divorced, is looking f...
M$D: June 10, 2036 Meet Cindy. Cindy’s main concerns, in her words:  My husband and I are separated and the divorce will be final in a couple of months. He no longer lives in the house, so it’s just my income providing for us.
34 min
409
Ep. 145: Rhonda needs to make a plan for retire...
M$D: August 26, 2049 Meet Rhonda. Rhonda’s main concerns, in her words: My husband and I recently paid off our businesses. We have been investing all our money into them and not saving much for retirement.
36 min
410
Ep. 144: Mailbag
On this episode of the Million Dollar Plan, I answer your questions. Do you want to send me some questions? Go ahead, hit me up at askpete@petetheplanner.com. Today I answer questions from Tim, Karen (spelled the way I think it should be spelled),
37 min
411
Ep. 143: Jack tries to sell me some life insurance
M$D: May 13, 2064 Meet Jack. Jack’s main concerns, in his words: I make $1,900 a month net, I also make some commissions although I’m still new so not entirely sure how consistent that will be! So, I would like to plan for just the $1,900.
32 min
412
Ep. 142: Tatiana’s husband just lost his job, b...
M$D: October 28, 2027 Meet Tatiana. Tatiana’s main concerns, in her words: Hello Pete, Our goal is to be debt-free except for our house by November 2019 if not sooner! What can we invest in that will increase our net worth and minimize our tax liabili...
32 min
413
Ep. 141: Power Percentage Part 2
It’s time we talk about Power Percentage. Again. Ever since my podcast on this topic a few weeks ago, I’ve been receiving lots of questions. If you have no clue what a Power Percentage is, check out Episode 120 or watch the first episode of PTPTV.
37 min
414
Ep. 140: Rey recently inherited a whopping half...
M$D: September 29, 2026 Meet Rey. Rey’s main concerns, in her words: I wouldn’t normally be contacting you, but I have come upon a not-normal situation. I am a RN ($52k), my husband is a fire captain ($58k) and we have 3 boys ages 10, 8 and 8 (yes,
30 min
415
Ep. 139: Parenting
My friend David Klain is a real estate czar, the owner of my favorite coffee shop (Zing Cafe), and a parent. So it’s no surprise that last week he and I got talking about our kids’ financial futures when I bumped into him. The conversation was so great,
38 min
416
Ep. 138: Mark has a pretty good financial life,...
M$D: January 28, 2024 Meet Mark. Mark’s main concerns, in his words: I have 300k in retirement savings. Putting $3000 a month toward retirement in Roth 401k and 457b plans (We make too much for a Roth IRA).  Have $170,000 in student debt.
32 min
417
Ep. 137: Financing
In this episode I talk about financing. Surprisingly, I haven’t touched on this topic much yet. But today, I got fired up about it. Over and over again, I’ve come across people who have ruined their financial lives by financing a purchase they couldn’...
39 min
418
Ep. 136: Penny just bought a house and now she’...
M$D: July 16, 2034 Meet Penny. Penny’s main concerns, in her words: Hi Pete. I just discovered your podcast a week ago and have listened to 30 episodes so far and have already made some changes to my financial life (like not having huge amounts of mon...
30 min
419
Ep. 135: Visualization
In this episode of the Pete the Planner® Show, I talk visualization. If you are wandering aimlessly through your financial life, this is the key you are missing. Visualizing the financial life you want is a great tool to get you motivated to achieve i...
38 min
420
Ep. 134 Bernard has a lot of good things going,...
M$D: June 16, 2033 Meet Bernard. Bernard’s main concerns, in his words: I’m not completely sure how to plan effectively for my retirement. My wife and I are both public school teachers. In our state, we will receive a pension when we retire.
34 min
421
Ep. 133 Princess Leia returns…just before jetti...
M$D: N/A Meet Princess Leia (or, if you’re a longtime listener and heard her first episode, welcome back Princess Leia) Leia’s main concerns, in her words: I was featured on your podcast a little over a year ago and you gave me the name Princess Leia…...
31 min
422
Ep. 132: Retirement Checklist
Topic: Retirement Checklist Special Kudos: Ann, our listener of the week who suggested this topic No matter what your age, you’re going to walk away from this episode with either a wake up call and a list of what to do next or…the opposite of a wake u...
39 min
423
Ep. 131: Aaron has a big housing decision to ma...
M$D: N/A Meet Aaron Age: 29 Aaron’s main concerns, in his words: We just got married on July 22nd and would like to be financially literate and on the same financial page. We are fortunate enough to have our condo paid off but I do have significant st...
25 min
424
Ep. 130: College Savings
Topic: College Savings Special Guest: Troy Montigney, ‘The 529 Guy’, Executive Director of the Indiana Education Savings Authority This week we talk saving for college, specifically Indiana’s 529 plan. You may have heard me talk about this before in t...
39 min
425
Ep. 129: Ed now has to make one full- and one p...
M$D: 10/3/2026 Meet Ed Age: 38 Ed’s main concerns, in his words: In 18 months, we went from supporting two people on two full-time incomes to supporting five people on one.  We now have 1 full-time and 1 part-time income.
25 min