Category: Financial Literacy

A Readers’ Guide to Financial Independence

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Many people who know me are aware that I am a voracious reader! I am often asked for book recommendations on the topics I am most passionate about: personal finance, investing and financial independence. In an attempt to answer that question, and to offer a response that I can easily direct anyone toward, I have compiled a list of some of the top books that I feel may offer the biggest impact on one’s own journey toward financial independence. The Continue Reading →

Harness the Power of Compounding

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The one lesson I truly wish I had learned earlier in life than I did is the Power of Compounding. This one mathematical equation is the key element to achieving Financial Independence. Albert Einstein has even been rumored as saying “Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it … he who doesn’t … pays it.” Whether this quote is truly attributable to the Father of Relativity or not is unimportant, the content, however, Continue Reading →

A Financial Fresh Start

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For the past few years I have been volunteering my time co-hosting a financial literacy series at our local library in Crested Butte, Colorado. This program, called Common Cents for Colorado, was made possible by a grant from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation through Smart investing@your library®, a partnership with the American Library Association. The main program series consists of a 5-Part Seminar Series covering the topics of: Goal Setting & Financial Planning, Key Investment Concepts, Retirement Savings Vehicles, Common Investment Types, Continue Reading →

Mark and His Daughter

Make Some, Save & Invest, Live on the Rest

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For the initial blog post on Mark’s Money Mind, I thought it would best to give a quick introduction. My name is Mark Trautman and I live in Crested Butte, Colorado with my wife and daughter. I retired from full-time employment at the end of 2015 after a 28 year career in the financial services industry. During the latter 24 years, I was an equity mutual fund portfolio manager for a small closely held company. My passion has always been personal finance and I received Continue Reading →