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Choose A Personal Finance Roadmap
You need to know what a healthy relationship with money looks like. I have developed 3 ways/angles to choose from to view a roadmaps that guides you to a healthy relationship with money.
You are welcome to look through these roadmaps and pick at least 1 to use as your money guide/roadmap in life.
Life Event to Action
If you are a procrastinator/don't think about money then this roadmap is best for you. When an important event happens in your life, just review this map and take the next right step.
Event Table
Born, pre-leave home
Job/work ethic, giving and saving instead
Donate tithe to your faith
Save 1-3 months expenses
Maintain a spending plan/budget
College
Own health insurance
Try for debt free with jobs and scholarships
Rent
Renters insurance
Car
Car insurance
Married
Life insurance for both husband and wife.
Enroll in a financial education together.
Monthly & emergency budget meetings.
72 hour - 1 month food & water storage (not mentioned).
Decide when and if 2ndary insurances (vision, dental, identity theft, supplemental insurance not covered by major medical).
Save up to buy a home.
Have a child
College funding for children (but not before 15% for yourself in investments).
Write a will, create legacy drawer & keep it updated.
Health insurance for child.
First career job
Finish getting out of debt fast.
Save 3-6 months expenses.
Disability insurance.
401k with match and or Roth IRA mutual fund (some say at least 1% of your gross income).
4-12 month food & water storage (not mentioned).
Buy house
100% down or 15 year mortgage.
Home insurance.
Saving at least 1% of the value of your home each year for maintenance.
1st career job pay increase
Make sure you invest 15% or more of your income for retirement (take any investment matches, rest in Roth IRA).
Consider when to pay off the home early.
When you get 2nd career job pay increase or hit roth IRA ceiling
Contact a financial planner or counselor to discus protfolio diversification AKA other tax sheltering and investment vehicles.
Turn 35 or have large net worth
Decide when and if to get umbrella insurance.
Pinnacle point
Your money earns more than you do by working.
Possible retirment point
Your investments/assets earn more than you spend and inflation each year.
Turn 60
Long term care insurance.
Retire
Give as you can and enjoy your golden years.
Die leaving a legacy.
"Progress means getting nearer to the place you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turn, then to go forward does not get you any nearer.
If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man."
Based on this roadmap what should be your next step to take for personal finances?
Write your answer here.
Summary (made using NotebookLM by Google)
Key Takeaways:
This podcast series, "Money for Average Joe's," aims to provide essential financial education for the "average Joe" to help them make sound financial decisions, avoid common mistakes, achieve retirement, and build a financial buffer. The core concept presented is the necessity of a structured financial "road map" – a proven method for managing personal finances.
Main Themes and Important Ideas/Facts:
Actionable Items for the Listener (as presented in the source):
In Summary:
"Money For Average Joe's" introduces a framework for achieving financial security through a structured roadmap. It draws inspiration from established programs like Dave Ramsey and the LDS Church, emphasizes a connection between life events and financial actions, and provides a free digital resource to guide users. The podcast is framed as a personal journey of overcoming past financial struggles, encouraging listeners to take ownership, build good habits, and focus on individual progress. The initial episode sets the stage for comparing popular financial plans in future episodes.
Using read Aloud on Microsoft Edge I recorded this version of the podcast
Summary made using Grok AI
Host: Jason Weaver
Overview: A serial podcast designed to educate "Average Joes" on personal finance, offering a practical roadmap to avoid mistakes, retire comfortably, and live without financial stress.
Introduction to the Podcast
The Importance of a Financial Roadmap
Key Resource: Money Joe’s Financial Roadmap
Personal Insights from Jason Weaver
Actionable Steps for Listeners
Why Financial Alignment Matters
What’s Next?
Call to Action
Transcription Enhanced by Grok AI
Hosted by Jason Weaver
Welcome to Money for Average Joe's, a serial podcast dedicated to empowering everyday people with the financial knowledge they need to make smart decisions. In this episode, Jason Weaver introduces the concept of a financial roadmap—a tried-and-true method to avoid mistakes, retire comfortably, and build a buffer against life’s challenges. With personal stories, practical advice, and a touch of inspiration, this transcription is designed to be engaging, readable, and packed with actionable insights.
The Power of a Financial Roadmap
Hello, everyone! This is Jason Weaver with Money for Average Joe's. Our goal is simple: to cover the majority of what you need to know about money so that an average Joe can make the right decisions most of the time. The first thing you’ll want to understand is that you need a roadmap. Not just any plan, but a proven method that people have used for years to avoid costly mistakes, move in the right direction, and achieve goals like retiring comfortably or breaking free from living paycheck to paycheck.
This roadmap acts like a GPS for your finances. It helps you build a buffer between you and life’s unexpected challenges—whether that’s a car repair, a medical bill, or a job loss. A lot of what I’ll share in this podcast is heavily influenced by two sources: Dave Ramsey’s financial principles and a free personal finance course from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which I took with my spouse. I highly recommend pairing this podcast with a Christian-based financial course, whether it’s Dave Ramsey’s program or a free offering from the church. The podcast can be used independently but you’ll get the most value if you pair this with one of those courses.
Your financial journey starts with a clear roadmap.
Life Events to Action: A Practical Framework
One of the key ideas I’ve developed is what I call the “Life Event to Action” roadmap. Essentially, it’s a guide that connects major life events to the financial actions you should take. For example, I only considered getting life insurance after I had a son and a wife. That life event prompted me to take action. Similarly, when you move into your first apartment, you should get renter’s insurance. When you land your first career job, it’s time to start saving for a 3- to 6-month emergency fund, not just a one-month cushion. And if you buy a house, you should aim to save 1% of the home’s value each year for repairs. And so on the advice goes. Checkout the cards for each life event and associated action recommendation.
This framework is designed to make financial decisions intuitive. Instead of guessing what to do, you can look at your life stage and follow the corresponding action. It’s simple, but it works.
A Free Resource to Supercharge Your Journey
To make this roadmap accessible, I’ve created a free resource at Money For Average Joe’s. If you visit the site, you can access a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for your financial roadmap. Think of it as a Google Doc, but fancier. You can clone it over at Coda.io and use it to track your progress. It’s completely free, and it includes everything I mention in the podcast.
Here’s a pro tip: if you’re accessing the SOP on your phone, make sure to click into tables or expandable sections (like those marked with “...”). Otherwise, you might miss important details. Use this tool to take notes, set goals, and stay organized as you follow along with the podcast.
Clone the SOP and start organizing your financial plan today.
Learning from Mistakes: My Story
Let me get personal for a moment. I’ve made a lot of money mistakes over the years. My relationship with money hasn’t been great—not at the level of addiction, but definitely not healthy. Throughout this podcast, I’ll share some of those mistakes and the lessons I’ve learned. My hope is that by being open about my journey, I can help you avoid similar pitfalls.
One thing that’s helped me turn things around is adopting the right perspective. I love this quote from C.S. Lewis:
“Progress means getting nearer to the place you want to be. And if you take a wrong turn, then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road. And in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man.”
This quote reminds us that winning isn’t about being perfect—it’s about starting to walk in the right direction as quickly as possible. Comparing yourself to others won’t help. Trust me, I’ve tried it, and it didn’t work out well. Focus on your own roadmap, and you’ll make real progress.
How to Use the Roadmap
Here’s how to put the roadmap into action. First, go to Money For Average Joe’s and clone the SOP. Then, dive into the details. Ask yourself questions like: “When I have a kid, should I get life insurance?” or “When I buy a car, what insurance do I need?” Look for one or two areas where you’re on the wrong road—maybe you don’t have an emergency fund or you’ve skipped renter’s insurance. Then, make an about-turn and start walking in the right direction.
Once you’ve identified your next step, write it down in the SOP. For example, you might write, “Start saving $50 a month for an emergency fund.” This small action can set you on the path to financial stability.
Check off your financial goals one step at a time.
Books That Changed My Habits
Two books have been game-changers for me on this journey: Atomic Habits by James Clear and Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin.
These books helped me change my habits, improve my relationship with money, and align with my wife on our financial goals. Money and communication are two of the biggest reasons couples get divorced, so getting on the same page with your spouse is crucial.
What’s Next?
In the next episode, we’ll dive into a side-by-side comparison of Dave Ramsey’s financial plan and the free personal finance plan from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We’ll look at their philosophies, categories, and step-by-step approaches so you can decide what works best for you.
For now, here’s your homework:
Let’s go on this journey together. I’ve been able to walk a little faster and a little better on my financial roadmap, and I’m excited to help you do the same. See you in the next episode!
Take the first step on your financial journey today.
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