Part 3/4: Turning Goals into Plans with Patrick Geddes

Part 3/4: Turning Goals into Plans with Patrick Geddes

Author: Next Gen Personal Finance March 18, 2026 Duration: 58:29

In this episode of the NGPF podcast, investment professional Patrick Geddes walks listeners through the fundamentals of turning financial goals into actionable plans, covering topics like retirement planning, asset allocation, and how time horizons should shape investment decisions. He explains practical tools like the 4% withdrawal rule, walks through a concrete example of calculating how much a retiree will need in their portfolio, and discusses the pros and cons of target date funds. Patrick makes a strong case for low-cost, cap-weighted index funds over active management, arguing that the evidence in favor of indexing is overwhelming, and covers how to think about stock and bond selection across both taxable and tax-advantaged accounts. He also tackles the often-overlooked complexity of viewing your total portfolio across all accounts simultaneously, including a case study where listeners calculate a sample investor's true asset allocation. The episode wraps up with practical guidance on rebalancing, how often to check your accounts, and the importance of accounting for taxes when evaluating the real value of different account types.


Behind the mission of Next Gen Personal Finance-a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring every U.S. high school student takes a personal finance class-is a vibrant community of educators constantly refining their craft. The NGPF Podcast sits at the heart of that conversation. It’s a space where teachers, curriculum specialists, and sometimes even students share their real-world experiences and challenges in bringing financial literacy to life. You’ll hear practical discussions about what actually works in the classroom, from innovative lesson plans to navigating tricky topics like investing, credit, and behavioral economics. The episodes, often born from the organization's deep investment in teacher professional development, feel less like formal lectures and more like insightful coffee-break chats with colleagues who are just as passionate about empowering the next generation. Tuning into this podcast offers a direct line to the strategies and stories that are shaping financially capable young adults, all grounded in the high-quality resources NGPF is known for. It’s an essential listen for anyone invested in the practical side of financial education, whether you're in a classroom or simply believe in the critical importance of these skills for the future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

NGPF Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Abby Coyle and Katie Gracey from Class Bank [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:24
In this NGPF Podcast episode, Tim Ranzetta welcomes Abby and Katie, co-founders of ClassBank, to discuss their journey from teachers to tech entrepreneurs. They explore how ClassBank, a platform designed to simulate real…
Abby Coyle and Katie Gracey from Class Bank [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:24
In this NGPF Podcast episode, Tim Ranzetta welcomes Abby and Katie, co-founders of ClassBank, to discuss their journey from teachers to tech entrepreneurs. They explore how ClassBank, a platform designed to simulate real…
Professor Meir Statman, Santa Clara University, on Behavioral Finance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:19
In this NGPF Podcast episode, Tim Ranzetta welcomes Professor Meir Statman of Santa Clara University, where they discuss his latest insights on behavioral finance. Drawing on a rich academic career and his recent book, "…
NGPF Team Members Amanda Volz and Sonia Dalal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:01
In this NGPF Podcast episode, Tim Ranzetta is joined by Sonia Dalal (Director of Curriculum) and Amanda Volz (Director of Professional Development) from the NGPF Team. Sonia explores NGPF's expanded curriculum, focusing…
NGPF Team Members Amanda Volz and Sonia Dalal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:01
In this NGPF Podcast episode, Tim Ranzetta is joined by Sonia Dalal (Director of Curriculum) and Amanda Volz (Director of Professional Development) from the NGPF Team. Sonia explores NGPF's expanded curriculum, focusing…
Joe Lanza from Dow Jones Smart Money Partners [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:54
In this NGPF Speaker Series episode, Yanely interviews Joe Lanza of Dow Jones about their new educational initiative with the Wall Street Journal, aiming to enhance financial literacy resources for educators. Joe shares…
Coach Matthew Dougherty, Paul Smith's College [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:49
In this episode of the NGPF Podcast, Tim interviews Coach Matt Dougherty from Paul Smith's College, nestled in the Adirondacks. Coach Matt discusses his approach to integrating environmental education with athletics and…
Dina and Tony Isola on Improving Financial Literacy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:55
In this episode of the NGPF Speaker Series, Dina and Tony Isola tackle financial literacy with a focus on educators. They discuss psychological barriers to effective money management and share insights into teacher retir…
Rod Griffin from Experian on Credit Scores [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:21
In this NGPF Podcast episode, Yanely welcomes Rod Griffin from Experian to discuss the significant changes in the credit industry since 2019, including the rise of "Buy Now, Pay Later" services. Rod shares insights from…