Is There a "War on Merit?" featuring The Financial Samurai - E47

Is There a "War on Merit?" featuring The Financial Samurai - E47

Author: Jesse Cramer February 1, 2023 Duration: 34:25

While the idea of living in a meritocracy is desirable, as it rewards those who do better, is it prevalent in today's society? 

 

With 25% of American households making less than $30,000 a year, do billionaires really offer 200,000 times the merit than them? At what age do we start to blame the poor kid, a victim of bad luck his entire life, for his poor circumstances? Is anyone really self-made? Or does everything unfold by mere chance?

 

I invite Sam Dogen, The Financial Samurai, to discuss the role merit plays in the real world and how you can position yourself to achieve success.

 

Mentions:

Jeff Bezos and the Meritocracy Kings: https://bestinterest.blog/meritocracy/
Learn About The Financial Samurai: https://www.financialsamurai.com/about/

How to Survive the War on Merit: https://www.financialsamurai.com/how-to-survive-the-war-on-merit/

Buy This, Not That on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Wz1G3L

 

More of The Best Interest:

Check out the Best Interest Blog at bestinterest.blog

Contact me at jesse@bestinterest.blog

 

The Best Interest Podcast is a personal podcast meant for educational and entertainment. It should not be taken as financial advice, and is not prescriptive of your financial situation.


Navigating the world of money can feel overwhelming, with a constant stream of conflicting tips and trendy, quick-fix schemes. Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors-The Best Interest cuts through that noise. Host Jesse Cramer brings a unique perspective to the conversation, transitioning from his background as an aerospace engineer to his work as a fiduciary financial advisor. This podcast is built on the principle that genuine wealth isn't built overnight through speculation, but through consistent, well-reasoned decisions made over decades. Each episode delves into the mechanics and mindset required for that journey, exploring topics like retirement planning, intelligent investing, and the behavioral aspects of managing money. You'll find discussions that go beyond surface-level advice, examining the "why" behind proven strategies and how to apply them to your own life. The tone is conversational and grounded, avoiding financial jargon in favor of clear explanations. It’s a resource for anyone tired of the hype and seeking a sustainable path forward. By focusing on evidence-based ideas and patient execution, this podcast aims to provide listeners with the tools and confidence to build a secure financial future on their own terms. Tune in for a thoughtful, long-term approach to personal finance that prioritizes your best interest.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors
Podcast Episodes
Target Date Funds: More Flawed Than Advertised (E137) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:05
Looking for a financial planner? → PlanWithJesse.com Jesse delivers a critical re-evaluation of target date funds—one of the most widely used "set-it-and-forget-it" retirement tools—arguing that while their simplicity is…
He Retired Early - Here's What No One Warned Him About (E136) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:49
In today's replay of episode 62, Jesse is joined by Fritz Gilbert—retirement blogger behind The Retirement Manifesto and former corporate executive turned early retiree—for a candid and experience-driven conversation abo…
Why Trump Accounts Fall Short  (AMA, E135) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:26
On his 15th Ask Me Anything episode, Jesse tackles a fresh set of listener questions with a throughline that centers on how to evaluate financial decisions in a world full of new ideas, policy noise, and competing priori…
Are You in a "Goldilocks" Retirement Range? (E132, AMA) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:51
On his 14th Ask Me Anything episode, Jesse tackles a set of listener questions that expose the messy, real-world edges of financial planning—where tax rules, behavioral tendencies, and long-term strategy collide. He begi…
Less Wealth, More Certainty: Why Annuities Are Rarely Worth It (E131) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:03
In this expansive and deliberately contrarian episode, Jesse takes on annuities—not with a sales pitch or a blanket dismissal, but by putting them under a rigorous planning lens rooted in risk, probability, and real reti…
Don't Let a Scary Economy Cause Bad Retirement Decisions (E130) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:36
Jesse is joined by Cullen Roche—financial writer, macro thinker, and founder of Discipline Funds—for a clear-eyed conversation about how money actually works, why so much financial commentary gets it wrong, and how inves…
"Isn't My Portfolio the Same as My Financial Plan??"  (AMA, E129) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:18
On Jesse's 13th AMA episode, he steps back from tactics and returns to first principles, answering listener questions that cut to the core of what financial planning actually is—and what it is not. He begins by dismantli…
11 "Bad" Financial Moves...That Are Actually Fine (E128) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:28
In this candid solo episode, Jesse walks through a series of financial decisions that look "wrong" on paper but make complete sense when viewed through the lens of real life, values, and tradeoffs. Using personal example…