Archives: Episode

From his home studio in Longmont, Colorado, Mark Trautman discusses estate planning as friends are settling loved ones’ estates. He notes research suggesting only about 25%–47% of U.S. adults have wills.  He outlines key documents (will, durable power of attorney, healthcare proxy, living will) and explains intestacy, probate, and how trusts can reduce back-end work and keep matters private. He emphasizes using POD/TOD and beneficiary designations on accounts, reviewing them regularly, and understanding that beneficiary forms can override a will.  Continue Reading →

Mark welcomes his first in-person guest at his “home studio,” Roxanne Duckels aka “Finance Rox” to discuss Coast FI after recent mainstream coverage.  Roxanne defines Coast FI as saving enough for traditional retirement so compounding can carry you to your goal, freeing future cash flow for more spending, lower income, or fewer hours; she says she used all three over six years and reached full FI in February.  They walk through the math using a 35-year-old targeting $60,000/year via the Continue Reading →

Mark Trautman of Mark’s Money Mind and Jordan Grumet (Doc G) of Earn & Invest record a live collaboration at CampFI Midwest 2026, focusing on how in-person gatherings counter modern isolation and provide energy, courage, and connection.  Mark shares how attending his second CampFI in 2021 shortly after his wife’s death helped him find the community he didn’t know he needed, leading to deep friendships, travel, and even a move to Longmont.  Amber Smith describes going from early community involvement Continue Reading →

Host Mark Trautman returns to Mark’s Money Mind after a trip to Norway and explains Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) and how they differ from standard Treasury Bills, Notes and Bonds. TIPS have a fixed rate but adjust principal up or down with CPI; interest is paid on the inflation-adjusted principal and at maturity investors receive the adjusted principal or original principal, whichever is greater. Mark describes comparing yields between Treasuries and TIPS to calculate implied inflation and notes that TIPS are Continue Reading →

In this Fourth of July weekend episode, Mark highlights federal student-loan changes tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3) which go into effect as of July 1, 2026. He notes a new auto-pay incentive: as of July 1st, borrowers on auto payment receive a 1.00% interest-rate reduction (up from 0.25%), effective automatically for those already enrolled, with a Sept. 30 enrollment deadline for others.  He reviews the new loan rates for loans disbursed between July 1, 2026 and Continue Reading →