Money-Smart Monday

with John Lanza

Hello, friends,

I'm back with more wisdom from my conversation with JL Collins and his daughter, Jess, on The Art of Allowance Podcast.

But before we dive into that insight, I have to share a laugh from my favorite LinkedIn post of the year. (You won't want to miss this one. I promise!)

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These guys nailed a persistent LinkedIn problem

While I realize it's passé, if not rude, to cite Louis C.K., he was spot-on when he said we overuse the word "awesome." If we describe a Wendy's chicken sandwich as "awesome," what are we going to say on our wedding day?

A similar hollowing out of the world "thrilled" is happening on LinkedIn: too many roll-your-eyes, cringy posts. And these guys nailed the trend with their spiky take.

Feel free to share this post with your LinkedIn connections.

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How modeling mitigates a "must-have" mindset

In the short video below, JL describes real-world parenting in action—where family values trumped peer pressure and thoughtful decisions shaped lasting habits.

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He and his wife didn't set out to model frugality; they simply lived it. So although Jess grew up in an affluent community, she didn't internalize a "must-have" mindset because experiences like travel were prioritized over material things.

I like this compelling example of how modeling and principled spending—not preaching—can guide kids toward healthy financial behaviors, even when they're surrounded by opposing social signals.

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Don't let the fear of black swans soil your nest

In this clip from our conversation, JL masterfully breaks down the logic behind The Simple Path to Wealth and directly addresses the fears that naturally arise during periods of market volatility and global upheaval.

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He explains why broad-based index investing—despite market crashes, black swan events or extended downturns—remains a powerful and rational strategy for building wealth over time. JL's calm, candid and occasionally humorous framing can help us grasp that while markets crash for all kinds of reasons, recovery is historically reliable.

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More ideas I found fun or interesting (or both)

➡️ "You Can't Put a Price on Mental Freedom"​
➡️ Ryan Holiday on staying informed​
➡️ The story of "The Most Dangerous Building in Manhattan"​

Until next week, enjoy the journey!

John,
Your Chief Mammal

📗 Get The Art of Allowance (for parents)​
📚 Get the "Share & Save & Spend Smart" series (for kids)​
🫱🏻‍🫲🏽 Become a partner (for businesses)

P.S. Please consult with a financial or investment professional before making any decisions that might affect your financial well-being.

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