From Trading Floors to Smartphones: Investing Today
This episode of Money Lessons explores the evolution of equity investing, highlighting how technology has transformed stock ownership from an exclusive privilege to a widely accessible opportunity.
Andy discusses the historical context of investing, the impact of regulatory changes, and the rise of online trading platforms. The conversation emphasizes the importance of financial literacy in navigating this new landscape, where accessibility does not guarantee wisdom in investment decisions.
The Mutual Fund Revolution
News Flash! The Saturday Morning Muse is now MONEY LESSONS with Andrew Temte, PhD, CFA!
Since the beginning of 2025, the show has been focused on the topic of financial literacy and we’ll be creating financial literacy lessons for the foreseeable future!
In this episode of Money Lessons, Andy discusses the evolution of equity securities markets, focusing on mutual funds and index funds.
He explains how these investment vehicles democratized access to the stock market, allowing ordinary Americans to achieve diversification and participate in equity markets. The episode highlights the historical context of mutual funds, the revolutionary impact of index funds, and the future of investing with technology.
A Crash Sparks The Rise of Market Regulation
In this episode of Saturday Morning Muse, Andy explores the evolution of financial markets, focusing on the investor optimism of the 1920s, the catastrophic market crash of 1929, and the subsequent regulatory reforms that shaped modern securities laws.
The discussion highlights the role of margin trading, the impact of speculation, and the necessity for investor protection through regulatory oversight.
The Ticker Tape Revolution
In this episode of Saturday Morning Muse, Andy explores the evolution of financial literacy and the impact of information technology on stock trading.
He discusses how the telegraph revolutionized communication in the 19th century, enabling faster and more efficient trading. The introduction of the stock ticker further democratized access to market information, but also led to new challenges such as manipulation and speculation.
Railroads and the Rise of Middle-Class Investors
In this episode of Saturday Morning Muse, Andy explores the evolution of stock markets, focusing on the democratization of equity investments through railroads in the 19th century. He discusses the rise of “the market” as an economic barometer, the impact of the Panic of 1873, the creation of the first stock market indices, and the fundamental shift in understanding investment versus speculation, culminating in the principles established by the “father of financial analysis,” Benjamin Graham.
The Dark Side of Compounding
In this episode of Saturday Morning Muse, Andy explores the dual nature of compound interest, highlighting its potential to build wealth while also revealing its darker side through the lens of compound debt.
The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding how compound interest works in both investing and borrowing contexts, particularly in relation to credit card debt. Temte provides practical advice on managing debt and making informed financial decisions to harness the power of compound interest for wealth building.