{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/68c7e32f666ba430d6a7547c/68ee1b3006cd1a7c236f8679?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"The Index Card — Helaine Olen & Jonathan Clements","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/68c7e32f666ba430d6a7547c/1760434501212-e855391a-8198-4223-9f61-2e49392da032.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>In this episode of Summed, we deliver a complete <em>The Index Card</em> summary—a back-to-basics guide to simple, common-sense personal finance. Journalists Helaine Olen and Jonathan Clements lay out the rules that fit on one card: spend less than you earn, crush high-interest debt, automate saving, max out tax-advantaged accounts, invest in low-cost index funds, keep fees and taxes low, buy adequate insurance, and keep it simple so you actually stick with it. In ~20 minutes, you’ll get the no-fluff checklist to run your money on autopilot.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>About the authors</strong></p><ul><li>Helaine Olen — Personal-finance journalist and author known for cutting through industry myths.</li><li>Jonathan Clements — Veteran personal-finance writer and author focused on low-cost, behavior-first investing.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Key takeaways </strong></p><ul><li>Live below your means and build a cushion first.</li><li>Pay off high-interest debt before investing aggressively.</li><li>Automate: savings, bill pay, and investments on payday.</li><li>Use tax-advantaged accounts (where available) to cut taxes.</li><li>Prefer low-cost index funds/ETFs; avoid complexity and high fees.</li><li>Insure big risks (health, disability, term life); skip gimmicks.</li><li>Keep it simple so you’ll keep doing it.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>This week’s playbook</strong></p><ol><li>Set a payday auto-transfer to high-yield savings and to a broad index fund.</li><li>Do a debt triage: list balances/APRs; target the highest rate with automatic extra payments.</li><li>Open or increase a tax-advantaged contribution (e.g., RA/TFSA/IRA/401(k) equivalent).</li><li>Run a quick fee check on your funds; swap to lower-cost options if possible.</li><li>Complete a basic insurance audit: health, disability, term life.</li></ol><p><br></p>","author_name":"Summed Podcast "}