Play ball

1 – First step in managing your finances – I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi

Twelve years ago, about a year after college, I stopped by my local library to pick up some books on personal finance. I grabbed some classics—Think and Grow Rich, Rich Dad Poor Dad, a few books by Dave Ramsey, and one by Suze Orman. They were all great reads, but the one that impacted me the most was a book by Ramit Sethi. The title felt a little gimmicky, so I wasn’t sure if it would be any good. However, Sethi has a way of simplifying the steps to take control of your personal finances.

He has since published a revised second edition that I should re-read to refresh my memory, but his original book was the only one that provided a clear, actionable structure for what to actually do—like which bank account to open, how to set up a Roth IRA, and more. It put me on the fast track to organizing my finances in a way that truly allows my family to live a “rich” life.

I highly recommend this book to any recent high school or college graduates. It offers a beginner-friendly approach to learning about personal finance. And once you’re hooked—like I was—you can dive into Sethi’s other resources to fully round out your knowledge on how to manage your money.

2 – Favorite Travel Youtuber – Peter Santenello –

I love traveling, so a good chunk of my YouTube subscriptions are travel-related. Peter Santenello is by far my favorite. I don’t remember the first video of his I watched, but I know it was years ago. What I love about his content is the way he covers different sides of the same city. It’s not just the highlights or “best things to do in X.” His journalistic approach—telling the stories of the people who live in an area—gives you a true sense of the place.

While he’s created plenty of international videos, my recent favorites are actually his explorations of the U.S. I highly recommend his videos on the Appalachian region. He’s able to share stories that many people would never otherwise hear.

https://www.youtube.com/@PeterSantenello

3 – Rant – Don’t Be One of These People

• People who park in handicap spots but aren’t actually handicapped.
• People who don’t return their cart at the grocery store.
• People who use family-designated restrooms but aren’t with a family.

Maybe it’s the way I was raised or something else, but I just don’t understand the selfishness behind these actions.

And you’re out. Have a great week

Josh