The Investing for Beginners Podcast - Your Path to Financial Freedom
By Andrew Sather and Dave Ahern | Stock Market Guide to Buying Stocks like
By Andrew Sather and Dave Ahern | Stock Market Guide to Buying Stocks like
We make the complicated stock market simple. We show you how to take advantage of the emotions in the market with lessons from successful strategies such as value investing and dividend growth investing, with a few elements of growth investing and trend following.
2d ago
Want to go deeper on real companies with simple, long-term investing guidance? Subscribe to the Value Spotlight Newsletter , where Dave and Andrew share stock ideas, valuations, and lessons from real businesses straight to your inbox. In this episode, Dave and Andrew share a practical “back to basics” starter guide for new investors—focusing on the foundational decisions that matter before you ever pick a stock. They also cover the big beginner considerations—time horizon, risk tolerance, and fees—plus the most common starting paths like ETFs/index funds, 401(k)s (especially if there’s a match), robo-advisors, and eventually individual stocks. The throughline is simple: start small, stay consistent, and don’t interrupt compounding. Key Topics Covered: Start with your “why” so you don’t quit when motivation fades Think long-term: volatility is normal, time horizon is everything Risk tolerance matters more than “the perfect pick” Fees quietly destroy compounding (and add up fast) Simple starting paths: ETFs/index funds, 401(k) match, and easing into individual stocks Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 01:55 – Why invest: savings accounts vs. stock market returns + inflation 04:34 – Lifestyle inflation 05:24 – Compounding 07:16 – Volatility short-term vs. growth long-term 09:01 – Risk tolerance 11:36 – Don’t chase returns 12:24 – The “hole in the boat” that kills compounding 15:39 – Open a brokerage account (it’s easier than ever) 19:13 – 401(k) match: “free money” 20:45 – Robo-advisors: convenience vs. control 27:24 – Best time to start 29:08 – “Stock market is a casino” fear 32:42 – Final push Resources Mentioned: The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Go to auraframes.com and use promo code BEGINNERS at checkout to get $35 off https://auraframes.com/ Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
4d ago
You can download Evan’s free monthly budgeting spreadsheet here: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ In this episode of At Any Rate , Evan Raidt sits down with Sean Tepper, CEO and founder of TYKR , a platform designed to simplify stock analysis and help everyday investors buy and sell with more confidence. Sean shares how the 2008 crash became his wake-up call, why most beginners get stuck in analysis paralysis, and how TYKR’s “traffic light” system turns a mountain of data into a simple signal: on sale, watch, or overpriced. Sean also breaks down the “4M Confidence Booster” (math, meaning, moat, management), what signals can help you decide when to sell, and why long-term wealth is built by staying disciplined—especially when the market gets volatile. Topics Covered: The traffic light system: on sale (green), watch (gray), overpriced (red) Why analysis paralysis stops new investors from taking action The “$100 a week” investing mindset and consistency over time Reducing risk with the 4M framework: math, meaning, moat, management Individual stocks vs. index funds/ETFs depending on your timeline Timestamps: 00:00 Intro: Evan welcomes Sean Tepper 02:12 From investing frustration to building TYKR 02:56 The “traffic light” concept: simplify 100 data points into a decision 05:00 Analysis paralysis and why beginners freeze 07:00 From Excel stock analysis to software 08:30 Investing vs. trading (and why trading usually loses) 12:17 Treat investing like a “mandatory bill” 15:06 The 4M Confidence Booster: math, meaning, moat, management 20:16 Wealth building (10–15 stocks) vs. wealth protection (funds near retirement) 22:34 Dividend strategy in retirement 24:05 “Easy things get complicated” + staying disciplined 25:29 Why “never skip a month” matters (especially in volatility) 28:58 Recency bias vs. long-term market history 32:02 Where to find Sean + closing Resources Mentioned: TYKR (T-Y-K-R): https://tykr.com/ Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Email Evan: evan@einvestingforbeginners.com Have feedback or ideas for Evan? Comment below or email him at evan@einvestingforbeginners.com —your suggestions help shape future episodes. Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Go to auraframes.com and use promo code BEGINNERS at checkout to get $35 off Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
5d ago
Want to go deeper on real companies with simple, long-term investing guidance? Subscribe to the Value Spotlight Newsletter , where Dave and Andrew share stock ideas, valuations, and lessons from real businesses straight to your inbox. In this episode, Dave and Andrew break down the latest earnings from top SaaS and discount retail companies—Snowflake, MongoDB, Salesforce, CrowdStrike, Dollar Tree, and Five Below. They dig into cloud migration trends, SaaS valuation metrics like the Rule of 40, stock-based compensation, and the impact of economic shifts on discount retailers. Key Topics Covered: Snowflake, MongoDB, Salesforce, CrowdStrike, Dollar Tree, Five Below earnings Cloud migration and SaaS business models Rule of 40 and SaaS valuation Discount retailers’ performance in the current economy How to avoid chasing hot industries Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: episode overview and earnings call focus 00:00:48 – SaaS breakdown: Snowflake, MongoDB, CrowdStrike, Salesforce 00:01:21 – Snowflake’s earnings and cloud migration 00:03:24 – Data growth and Snowflake’s niche 00:04:27 – Stock performance and IPO context 00:06:01 – Salesforce: revenue, margins, CRPO 00:07:04 – Rule of 40 explained 00:08:00 – Salesforce’s AI products 00:09:51 – Acquisitions to profitability 00:12:03 – Management credibility and strategy 00:13:45 – Stock-based compensation 00:15:01 – MongoDB’s cloud shift and AI 00:18:35 – Growth, profitability, sector momentum 00:20:07 – CrowdStrike earnings and ARR 00:22:03 – CrowdStrike’s modules and platform 00:24:37 – Retail: Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Five Below 00:26:09 – Discount retailer performance 00:29:41 – Dollar General, tariffs 00:31:35 – Five Below’s growth and strategy 00:36:01 – Comparing sectors and metrics 00:41:05 – Avoiding hot industry chasing 00:41:58 – Closing thoughts and sign-off Resources Mentioned: The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Go to auraframes.com and use promo code BEGINNERS at checkout to get $35 off https://auraframes.com/ Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 11
Want to go deeper on real companies with simple, long-term investing guidance? Subscribe to the Value Spotlight Newsletter , where Dave and Andrew share stock ideas, valuations, and lessons from real businesses straight to your inbox. In this episode, Dave welcomes Nick Rossolillo from Chip Stock Investor for a deep dive into the semiconductor industry. They break down what semiconductors are, how the supply chain works, why the industry is so complex, and the critical companies powering technology today. Nick also shares why “semiconductors are not the new oil,” what’s driving industry growth, and how investors can avoid common mistakes. Key Topics Covered: What is a semiconductor? Why the industry is so complex and collaborative The AI boom, accelerated computing, and industry growth Moore’s Law, 3D stacking, and industry disruption How to track supply chain trends and avoid valuation traps Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & Nick from Chip Stock Investor 01:00 – What is a semiconductor? 03:00 – The chip supply chain explained 05:30 – Key companies: Synopsys, Cadence, ASML, TSMC, Nvidia, AMD 10:00 – How much tech do you need to know as an investor? 13:00 – Industry complexity & collaboration 16:00 – AI, accelerated computing, and industry growth 20:00 – Cyclicality, valuation traps, and supply chain signals 30:00 – Moore’s Law, 3D stacking, and future disruptions 40:00 – Investing lessons, capital allocation, and staying power 45:00 – Where to find more from Nick & Casey 47:00 – Sign-off: Invest with a margin of safety Resources Mentioned: The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Chip Stock Investor (Nick & Casey’s research): https://chipstockinvestor.com/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. https://www.shopify.com/beginners Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Go to auraframes.com and use promo code BEGINNERS at checkout to get $35 off https://auraframes.com/ Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 9
You can download Evan’s free monthly budgeting spreadsheet here: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ In this episode of At Any Rate , Evan Raidt breaks down the practical process of deciding how much to save, spend, and invest—using a clear, percentage-based system that works for any income. Evan walks through the 50-30-20 rule (and how he tweaks it himself), explains why percentages matter more than dollar values, and shows how to use a real-world budget outline (grab the free sheet here ). You’ll learn where to start, how to handle must-have savings like 401k matches and HSAs, and how to prioritize Roth IRAs and high-yield savings accounts with any leftover funds. Topics Covered: Why percentages matter more than dollar amounts The 50-30-20 rule (and Evan’s personal tweaks) How to find your true net income for budgeting The power of maxing your 401k match and using an HSA Using credit cards only as payment vehicles (not for emergencies) Timestamps: 00:00 Intro and why this topic matters 02:00 The problem with flashy dollar amounts—percentages are what count 04:30 How to use the free budget sheet 06:00 Setting your target percentages (50-30-20 and beyond) 09:00 Calculating net income and why it matters 12:00 Breaking down “needs” and why debt payments go here 15:00 Must-have savings: 401k match, HSA, home equity 18:00 Planning for big goals (cars, houses, etc.) 20:00 Prioritizing Roth IRA and high-yield savings accounts 24:00 Tracking and adjusting your “wants” 27:00 What to do with leftover funds 29:00 Final tips: avoid regular savings accounts, use credit cards for rewards only, and keep things hands-off with index funds 31:00 Wrapping up and how to get started Resources Mentioned: Free budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Roth IRA basics: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/rothira.asp High-yield savings accounts: https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/banking/high-yield-online-savings-accounts Vanguard VOO ETF info: https://investor.vanguard.com/investment-products/etfs/profile/voo Have feedback or ideas for Evan? Comment below or email him at evan@einvestingforbeginners.com —your suggestions help shape future episodes. Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Go to auraframes.com and use promo code BEGINNERS at checkout to get $35 off Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 8
Want to go deeper on real companies with simple, long-term investing guidance? Subscribe to the Value Spotlight Newsletter , where Dave and Andrew share stock ideas, valuations, and lessons from real businesses straight to your inbox. In this episode, Dave and Andrew break down Warren Buffett’s legendary Four Pillars of Investing, sharing strategies to help you become a better investor. They explore how to find quality information, why consistent earnings growth matters, how to build your own investment style, and the importance of management in long-term success. Key Topics Covered: Warren Buffett’s Four Pillars: quality of information, consistency of earnings growth, investment style, and management The dangers of relying on bad sources or viral info How to vet information and why annual reports matter Evaluating management: using 10-Ks, earnings calls, and incentive analysis Lessons learned from mistakes and the importance of qualitative research Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Buffett’s Four Pillars 01:10 – Pillar 1: Quality of Information 05:00 – Avoiding bad sources & social media pitfalls 10:20 – Using annual reports & direct sources 12:00 – Pillar 2: Consistency of Earnings Growth 15:10 – Compounding and durable earnings 18:30 – Moats and business strength 22:20 – Pillar 3: Investment Style & Circle of Competence 27:00 – Balancing narrative and numbers 31:00 – Pillar 4: Importance of Management 35:00 – Evaluating management: 10-Ks, calls, podcasts 38:00 – Incentives and compensation 40:00 – Final thoughts & Buffett’s timeless lessons Resources Mentioned: The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ What We Can Learn from Warren Buffett’s Four Pillars of Investing (blog post): https://einvestingforbeginners.com/what-we-can-learn-from-warren-buffetts-four-pillars-of-investing/ Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Go to auraframes.com and use promo code BEGINNERS at checkout to get $35 off Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 4
Want to go deeper on real companies with simple, long-term investing guidance? Subscribe to the Value Spotlight newsletter , where Dave and Andrew share stock ideas, valuations, and lessons from real businesses straight to your inbox. In this episode, Dave and Andrew welcome Brett Schaefer to talk about “emerging moats” and showcase his new research service. Brett breaks down why he’s focusing on companies with growing competitive advantages, and shares deep dives into two off-the-beaten-path stocks: Oscar Health and Kraken Robotics. The conversation covers what makes these businesses unique, the risks and rewards, and how investors can spot the next wave of winners outside the usual tech hype. Key Topics Covered: What is an “emerging moat” and why it matters Kraken Robotics: defense tech, contracts, and growth runway Oscar Health: ACA market, tech disruption, and scaling up The risk and reward of dilution, contracts, and regulation How to spot scalable competitive advantages What Brett looks for in small/mid-cap stocks The long-term opportunity in individual health insurance Timestamps: 00:00 Intro and Brett’s new research service 03:00 What are emerging moats and why focus on them? 07:00 Kraken Robotics: tech, contracts, and defense industry growth 13:00 Oscar Health: ACA, tech, and the innovator’s dilemma 26:00 Risk, reward, and scaling up 40:00 How Brett researches and what’s next for Emerging Motes 50:00 Wrapping up and links to research Resources Mentioned: The Value Spotlight Newsletter: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/value-spotlight-newsletter/ Emerging Motes Newsletter & Research: https://www.emergingmoats.com/ Chit Chat Stocks Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chit-chat-stocks/id1437766060 Have questions or want your story featured? Email the show at newsletter@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below. Your feedback shapes the podcast! Remember, invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. Have a great week, and we’ll talk to you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Go to auraframes.com and use promo code BEGINNERS at checkout to get $35 off Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 2
You can download Evan’s free monthly budgeting spreadsheet here: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ In this episode of At Any Rate , Evan Raidt sits down with Kim Butler—founder of Prosperity Thinkers, host of the Prosperity Podcast, and bestselling author of Live Your Life Insurance —to break down how life insurance can be used as a tool for building wealth (not just protecting your family). They dive into the mechanics of whole life insurance: how it works, how you can borrow against your cash value, and why it’s more flexible than most people realize. Kim covers the pros and cons, compares insurance to other savings vehicles, and highlights the importance of control and flexibility in your financial life. Topics Covered: Why saving comes before investing How whole life insurance works (and why it’s not just for death benefits) Borrowing against your policy: what really happens Pros and cons vs. high-yield savings, bonds, and the stock market Timestamps: 00:00 Intro and Kim’s financial awakening 03:00 Lessons from 4-H, cows, and early entrepreneurship 06:00 The real role of life insurance and why people misunderstand it 10:00 How to use whole life insurance as a savings tool 15:00 Borrowing against your policy: mechanics and benefits 20:00 Pros, cons, and comparisons to other savings options 25:00 Flexibility: loans, skipping premiums, and paying yourself back 30:00 Building control and opportunity into your financial life 33:00 Kim’s special resource for listeners 35:00 Where to find Kim and final thoughts Resources Mentioned: Kim Butler’s Website: https://prosperitythinkers.com/special/ Prosperity Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0T5efslEuybSsGH6rlp1nn?si=6ca2f4a7256a40dc Live Your Life Insurance (Book): https://a.co/d/9YF1lAf Kim’s Website: https://prosperitythinkers.com Free monthly budgeting spreadsheet: https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/ Have questions or feedback? Email Evan at evan@einvestingforbeginners.com or comment below—your thoughts help shape future episodes. Remember, financial freedom is built one smart move at a time. Keep it simple, keep it steady, and at any rate, we’ll see you next time. Timestamps are generated by artificial intelligence, and are not 100% accurate depending on the platform used for listening. Today’s show is sponsored by: Go to SHOPIFY.COM/beginners to start selling with Shopify today. Download the Plynk app today to start building your investing confidence: https://plynkinvest.app.link/IFB Go to auraframes.com and use promo code BEGINNERS at checkout to get $35 off Get your free quote and see how much you could save at SelectQuote.com/beginners Interested in how your company sponsor the show? Reach us at equity@einvestingforbeginners.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW Apple | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon | Tunein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
