Financial Decoder
Financial Decoder
Charles Schwab
Cognitive and emotional biases can have a big impact on your financial life. Each episode of Financial Decoder looks closely at one financial decision--and the biases that might cloud your judgment and cost you money. Host Mark Riepe, head of the Schwab Center for Financial Research, decodes the behavioral and psychological factors at play and shares strategies designed to improve the way you approach financial crossroads. Other experts join Mark to provide their unique perspective on behavioral economics, portfolio management, retirement planning, personal finance and more. Podcasts are for informational purposes only. This channel is not monitored by Charles Schwab. Please visit schwab.com/contactus for contact options.
What Can America's First 250 Years Teach Us?
For America's 250th birthday, Mark revisits stories from U.S. financial history and explores what debt, taxes, money, and markets can teach us today.
Jul 6
20 min
Could a Trust Fit Your Estate Plan?
Thinking about a trust? This episode explains how trusts work, what problems they solve, and why they may be useful for more people than you might expect.
Jun 22
32 min
How Do You Offer Financial Guidance to a College Grad?
Helping a college grad manage money starts with how you give advice. Learn what works, what backfires, and the key biases that shape early financial decisions.
Jun 8
18 min
How Can You Plan Beyond Next Year's Tax Bill?
Avoid letting short-term tax concerns drive long-term financial decisions. Learn how tax aversion, timing, and planning impact after-tax wealth over a lifetime.
Apr 27
20 min
What Do Both Sides of an Inheritance Need to Consider?
Inheritance raises practical and emotional questions. In this episode, Mark looks at how families plan, manage expectations, and make sound decisions when wealth changes hands.
Apr 13
11 min
What's the Best Way to Talk Money With Teens?
Parents play a key role in teens learning real-world money skills. This episode explores how open dialogue and hands-on experience help young people move toward financial independence.
Mar 30
29 min
7 Good Ideas for New Investors
New to investing? In this episode, Mark outlines seven good ideas that cover investing fundamentals designed to hold up across market cycles and changing conditions.
Mar 16
13 min
Why Is the 401(k) Crucial to Retirement Saving?
Learn how 401(k)s work, why their structure matters, and how smart contribution decisions can significantly shape long-term retirement outcomes.
Mar 2
24 min
What Should Investors Know About Cryptocurrency?
Learn how to evaluate cryptocurrency suitability and risk to consider if digital asset exposure aligns with your long-term investment goals.
Feb 16
26 min
(Bonus) From On Investing: 2026 Market Outlook
As we approach 2026, what can investors expect from the equities market, fixed income, and the overall U.S. economy in the new year?
Dec 15, 2025
1 hr 1 min
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