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

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

This week's blogpost - https://bahnsen.co/48y6UVz

Understanding Credit Scores: A Personal Journey and Practical Advice

In this episode of the Thoughts on Money Podcast, host Trevor Cummings and guest Blaine Carver explore the intricacies of credit scores. Trevor shares a personal story about discovering the complexities of credit scores when purchasing a second home. The discussion covers the surprising statistic that the average age of first-time home buyers is now 40, up from 28 in 1991. The episode delves into the various factors that impact credit scores, including payment history, derogatory marks, credit age, total accounts, hard inquiries, and credit usage. Practical advice is given on managing credit, highlighting the importance of being proactive in monitoring and optimizing one's credit score for better mortgage rates. This episode aims to educate listeners on the importance of credit scores and offers actionable tips to improve them.

00:00 Welcome to the Thoughts on Money Podcast

00:31 The Rising Age of First-Time Home Buyers

03:04 Understanding Credit Scores

06:45 The Importance of Credit Usage

07:12 A Personal Story: Buying a Second Home

11:46 Strategies to Improve Your Credit Score

17:31 The Impact of Simplicity on Credit Scores

18:33 Strategies to Increase Your Credit Limit

19:01 Understanding Credit History and Its Effects

20:33 The Importance of Monitoring Your Credit

21:31 Key Factors That Influence Your Credit Score

21:58 Real-Life Credit Score Challenges and Solutions

23:16 Proactive Steps to Improve Your Credit Score

25:38 The Role of Credit Mix and Total Accounts

29:50 Final Thoughts on Credit Scores and Home Buying

Links mentioned in this episode:

• http://thoughtsonmoney.com
• http://thebahnsengroup.com