You budgeted. You planned. Then one big, beautiful bill hits — and everything’s wrecked.

In this episode of Plebonomics, we talk about that bill. The rent. The loan. The payment that eats half your paycheck. We explore why these big bills matter so much, how to prepare for them, and what they reveal about your overall financial health.

🏡 Fixed costs vs. financial freedom
💳 Smart strategies to shrink big bills
📊 Why “affording” something doesn’t mean it’s affordable

Because mastering your money starts with managing the big stuff — and that one beautiful, brutal bill is a great place to start.

💰 Inflation, Interest Rates, and the Sneaky Power of the Money Printer

You didn’t vote for them. You can’t opt out. But central banks — like the Federal Reserve — quietly shape your entire financial life. And sometimes? They tax you without ever calling it a tax.

In this episode of Plebonomics, we pull back the curtain on how central banks control the money supply, move interest rates, and accidentally (or not) make your paycheck worth less over time.

We break down:
🧠 What central banks actually do
📉 How inflation acts like a silent tax on your savings
📈 Why raising or lowering rates hits your rent, debt, and even your job
💵 How printing money can feel good… until it doesn’t

No tinfoil hats here — just a clear, real talk explainer on how power flows through the financial system, and why you feel it every time you swipe your card.

Let’s talk money, control, and the invisible levers behind the economy.

📈 Not just for rich people in suits. Seriously.

Ever wonder what the stock market actually is? Like… who decides when it goes up or down? Why does it react to interest rates, earnings, or Elon Musk’s tweets?

In this episode of Plebonomics, we demystify the stock market — no MBA required. From the basics of buying shares to the bigger picture of market trends, we break it all down in plain, pleb-friendly language.

We cover:
💹 What a stock really is (and why people want them)
📊 How markets are built — and who’s trading what
💥 Why crashes happen (and how to not freak out)
💼 What it means for your money — even if you don’t invest (yet)

Whether you're a total newbie, a crypto refugee, or just stock-curious, this episode has what you need to get smarter in under an hour. Let’s decode the market — and your future wallet.

Social Security: A Slow-Motion Crunch
2033 = RIP Retirement 💸

A decades-old program, some grim government projections, and suddenly your future check might bounce? What’s going on?

In this episode of Plebonomics, we unpack the 2025 Social Security Trustees Report — the one that says the main trust fund could run dry by 2033. Yeah, that 2033.

We’re talking:
📉 Why the money’s running out (hint: math + boomers)
🍼 How birth rates, wages, and immigration play into it
💼 What it means for your taxes, benefits, and maybe even your retirement dreams

No boring lectures — just a plainspoken, slightly savage look at the system meant to support you when you're old and tired. Let’s break it down before it breaks down on us.

Fed Up: Why the Fed Funds Rate Controls Everything

A tiny interest rate set by a room full of economists — and suddenly your rent, car loan, and credit card bill all go wild. What gives?

In this episode of Plebonomics, we break down the mysterious Fed Funds Rate and why it holds so much power over the economy — and your personal finances. From inflation and unemployment to mortgage rates and credit cards, this one number drives it all.

💵 How the Fed raises and lowers the rate
🏠 Why borrowing gets more expensive
📉 What it means for inflation, jobs, and even the stock market

No econ degree needed — just a curious mind and maybe a little caffeine. Let’s decode the rate that runs your financial life.

Stocks: Like… Chicken Nuggets?

Hook: Want to build wealth but have no idea what a stock actually is? You’re not alone.

In this episode of Plebonomics, we break down stocks in the simplest way possible — no suits, no jargon, just real talk. You’ll learn what a stock is, why it exists, and how buying just one share makes you a part-owner of a company like Apple, Nike, or Netflix.

🎮 The “cheat code” behind long-term wealth
📈 How stocks make (and sometimes lose) money
🍕 Pizza, sneakers, and stock market analogies that make sense

If you’ve ever felt like investing was only for rich people or math nerds — this episode is for you.

Index Funds: The Lazy Genius Way to Invest

Hook: Want to invest without obsessing over stock charts or Reddit threads? Index funds are your lazy genius move.

In this premiere episode of Plebonomics, we unpack the magic of index funds — the simple, low-cost way to build wealth that even billionaires like Warren Buffett recommend. You’ll learn what they are, how they work, and why they might just be the smartest (and chillest) strategy for everyday investors.

🧠 No stress, no guessing
💸 Set it, forget it, grow it
📊 Real-life examples to help you get started

Investing doesn’t have to be loud or complicated — sometimes boring is brilliant.

Bonds Explained: So You Don’t Fumble the Bag

So you’ve heard of stocks, crypto, and maybe even that guy who won’t stop talking about gold. But bonds? What are they, why do governments and companies love them, and how do they even make you money?

In this episode of Plebonomics, we break down bonds in a way that actually makes sense — no econ degree required. From coupon rates and maturity dates to the difference between junk bonds and the ones your grandma brags about, we’ve got you covered.

💡 Whether you're saving up, stacking cash, or just trying to avoid sounding like an NPC when someone mentions “the bond market,” this episode is your no-BS intro to fixed income.

🔑 TL;DR: Bonds are basically IOUs with benefits. Tune in so you don’t fumble the financial bag.

Two funds enter. One gets your money. We break it down in a no-nonsense showdown.

In this episode of Plebonomics, it’s ETF versus Mutual Fund — a financial face-off for the ages. We break down the key differences, the hidden costs, and the real-life pros and cons of each, all in plain English.

Which one gives you more control? Which one eats your money in fees? And which one makes more sense for the average Pleb just trying to grow their savings?

🥊 Fees vs. flexibility
📈 Performance myths busted
🧠 Real-world scenarios to help you choose

If you’ve ever been confused by what’s what — or just want to know where your money should actually go — this episode is for you.

Bonus Episode: Inside California’s $321 Billion Budget: What the 2025-26 Plan Means for You

Hook: Fires, federal shifts, and financial strain — California’s facing a massive shortfall. So how did they balance a $321 billion budget?

In this special episode of Plebonomics, we break down the 2025 Budget Act of California — no spreadsheets required. We explain what caused the shortfall, how lawmakers patched the gap, and what it means for everything from schools and healthcare to housing, climate, and public safety.

💰 Where the money’s going — and where it’s not
🏥 Big wins, hard cuts, and rejected proposals
🔥 The economic ripple of the LA fires and rising program costs

Whether you live in California or just want to understand how big-state budgets really work, this episode gives you a clear, Pleb-friendly look into one of the largest public budgets in the world.

Everyone pools their cash, someone manages the decisions. Sound familiar? That’s basically a mutual fund.

In this episode of Plebonomics, we break down mutual funds in the most relatable way possible. What are they? How do they work? And are they still worth your money in a world full of index funds and ETFs?

We’ll talk management styles, hidden fees, and how mutual funds stack up for regular folks trying to grow their wealth — without getting lost in finance-speak.

👥 Team-based investing
💸 Active vs. passive management
🔍 What to watch out for before you buy in

Because investing doesn’t have to be solo — or confusing.

Hate picking stocks? Don’t want to babysit your investments? Meet the ETF — the Exchange-Traded Fund that’s quietly transforming how everyday people grow wealth.

In this episode of Plebonomics, we break down what ETFs are, how they work, and why they’re the go-to tool for lazy, smart investing. From sector funds to total market ETFs, you’ll learn how to build a simple, personalized portfolio without the stress or the jargon.

📈 Simple explanations
💡 Real-world examples
🧠 Tips to start using ETFs today

It’s time to invest like you mean it — without making it your full-time job.