Fifty years ago, the Manhattan Project of money management was quietly assembled in the financial industry's backwaters, unified by the heretical idea that even many of the world's finest investors couldn't beat the market in the long run.

The motley crew of nerds, including economist wunderkind Gene Fama, humiliated industry executive Jack Bogle, bull-headed and computer-obsessive John McQuown, and avuncular former WWII submariner Nate Most, succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. 

Passive investing now accounts for more than $20 trillion, equal to the entire gross domestic product of the US, and is today a force reshaping markets, finance and even capitalism itself in myriad subtle but pivotal ways.

Yet even some fans of index funds and ETFs are growing perturbed that their swelling heft is destabilizing markets, wrecking the investment industry and leading to an unwelcome concentration of power in fewer and fewer hands.

In Trillions, Financial Times journalist Robin Wigglesworth unveils the vivid secret history of an invention Wall Street wishes was never created, bringing to life the characters behind its birth, growth, and evolution into a world-conquering phenomenon. 

Have a money question? Email us, ask jill [at] jill on money dot com.

Please leave us a rating or review in Apple Podcasts.

"Jill on Money" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.

Fifty years ago, the Manhattan Project of money management was quietly assembled in the financial industry's backwaters, unified by the heretical idea that even many of the world's finest investors couldn't beat the market in the long run.

The motley crew of nerds, including economist wunderkind Gene Fama, humiliated industry executive Jack Bogle, bull-headed and computer-obsessive John McQuown, and avuncular former WWII submariner Nate Most, succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. 

Passive investing now accounts for more than $20 trillion, equal to the entire gross domestic product of the US, and is today a force reshaping markets, finance and even capitalism itself in myriad subtle but pivotal ways.

Yet even some fans of index funds and ETFs are growing perturbed that their swelling heft is destabilizing markets, wrecking the investment industry and leading to an unwelcome concentration of power in fewer and fewer hands.

In Trillions, Financial Times journalist Robin Wigglesworth unveils the vivid secret history of an invention Wall Street wishes was never created, bringing to life the characters behind its birth, growth, and evolution into a world-conquering phenomenon. 

Have a money question? Email us, ask jill [at] jill on money dot com.

Please leave us a rating or review in Apple Podcasts.

"Jill on Money" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.

Here we go, the latest early retirement question. This time from a couple currently 59 and 60 and looking to call it quits in the near future and do some extensive travel. Doable?

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"Jill on Money" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.

A record-breaking 4.3 million workers quit their jobs in August, the highest number ever recorded. People from all across the pay spectrum resigned, some because of low pay, others from burnout and the desire for a better work-life balance.

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"Jill on Money" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.

Rather than pay more in fees, does it make sense to replicate a target date fund on your own with individual index funds?

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Retirement at 62 is not always a given, but when you have an amazing perk that most don't, it certainly makes things a lot more doable.

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"Jill on Money" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.

Just because you're officially retired doesn't mean the questions stop. Sometimes that's when the questions just begin, especially when it comes to old workplace retirement plans.

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"Jill on Money" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.

Does knowing that you have an awesome pension down the road give you permission to pull back a bit on your current savings rate?

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For years you've done a great job of saving for retirement and now it's time to start tapping your various accounts. Is there any rhyme or reason as to which should be accessed first?

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"Jill on Money" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.

It feels like we're treading water with our personal finances. Are we, or am I just being overly dramatic?

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"Jill on Money" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.

When it comes to our savings strategy, should we be doing a little of everything or should we be focusing on one area in particular?

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"Jill on Money" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.

The Department of Education announced an overhaul on a student loan forgiveness program, which could help over half a million borrowers erase their debt. I joined CBS Mornings to explain who will benefit from the changes.

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"Jill on Money" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.

Earlier this year we chatted with a listener who was drowning in credit card debt. It was a call that certainly struck a nerve with the audience. Did he take any steps to right the ship? Today we have a quick update.

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"Jill on Money" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.

With employees now spending more and more time working from home, is it a good idea to splurge on a home office?

Have a money question? Email us, ask jill [at] jill on money dot com.

With an extra $500 each month, how should the money be allocated? Build up the emergency reserve? Pay off the car loan? Something else?

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"Jill on Money" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.

Prepping for retirement and the next phase brings all sorts of questions, such as whether to pay for a new house with cash or take out a mortgage? Or should you forget buying and just rent?

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"Jill on Money" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.

How to you get a boat load of extra cash flow? You pay off $600,000 in student loans, that's how! Boom! That's what our latest caller did, $600k in student loans. Incredible.

Have a money question? Email us, ask jill [at] jill on money dot com.

Preparing for retirement can be tricky as you're juggling two very different things, saving and determining how much you can spend.

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"Jill on Money" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.

Achievement often comes at a cost. Angst, restlessness, frayed relationships, exhaustion, and even substance abuse can be the unwanted side effects of an obsession with outward performance. While the high of occasional wins can keep you going for a while, playing into the always-on, never enough hustle culture ultimately takes a serious toll.

In The Practice of Groundedness, author Brad Stulberg shares a healthier, more sustainable model for success.

At the heart of this model is groundedness, a practice that values presence over rote productivity, accepts that progress is nonlinear, and prioritizes long-term values and fulfillment over short-term gain. 

To be grounded is to possess a firm and unwavering foundation, a resolute sense of self from which deep and enduring, not shallow and superficial, success can be found.

Groundedness does not eliminate ambition and striving; rather, it situates these qualities and channels them in more meaningful ways.

Have a money question? Email us, ask jill [at] jill on money dot com.

Please leave us a rating or review in Apple Podcasts.

"Jill on Money" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.

Achievement often comes at a cost. Angst, restlessness, frayed relationships, exhaustion, and even substance abuse can be the unwanted side effects of an obsession with outward performance. While the high of occasional wins can keep you going for a while, playing into the always-on, never enough hustle culture ultimately takes a serious toll.

In The Practice of Groundedness, author Brad Stulberg shares a healthier, more sustainable model for success.

At the heart of this model is groundedness, a practice that values presence over rote productivity, accepts that progress is nonlinear, and prioritizes long-term values and fulfillment over short-term gain. 

To be grounded is to possess a firm and unwavering foundation, a resolute sense of self from which deep and enduring, not shallow and superficial, success can be found.

Groundedness does not eliminate ambition and striving; rather, it situates these qualities and channels them in more meaningful ways.

Have a money question? Email us, ask jill [at] jill on money dot com.

Please leave us a rating or review in Apple Podcasts.

"Jill on Money" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.