The Human Revolution with Dylan Bain

As humans, we need food, security, intimacy, self-esteem, and purpose. But we need money to fulfill these needs. In this episode, Dylan discusses Maslow's famous hierarchy of needs, how money impacts that hierarchy, and how understanding that hierarchy can help us build better, long-lasting relationships.   Show Highlights [03:46] Why finances are critical to relationships [07:36] What is Maslow's...

Taxes can be downright bewildering and scary – but that's exactly what you're made to feel. In this episode, we continue to embark on an enlightening journey through the world of taxes. This time, we learn about how to avoid them. Yes, avoid. It sounds wrong for most people, but tax avoidance is legal – entirely different from tax evasion. Essentially, you can avoid taxes if you know how to take a...

Welcome to another episode of Fiscally Savage as we talk about the Fed's latest moves to control inflation in the US economy. It can be challenging to figure out what this actually means, and easy to get lost among the weeds. Everybody online has their own spin on the news - which can make for a confusing picture at a time when you need the facts. What is their game plan in all of this? Is there a...

Taxes can be downright bewildering and scary – but that's exactly what you're made to feel. In this episode, we embark on an enlightening journey through the world of taxes. There's the complexities of federal income taxes, including standard deduction, capital gains, and payroll taxes. On the other side are the state income taxes, including sales and property taxes. Lastly, there's the age-old qu...

Join us on another episode of Fiscally Savage as we discuss the recent developments surrounding President Biden's student loan forgiveness plan.  What's the Supreme Court's role in government, and how did it come into play with their decision to strike out the program? What are the various opinions surrounding the plan, and what are Biden's next steps? Going beyond the headlines, let's respond to...

In this bonus episode of Fiscally Savage, let us remember what we are celebrating and join me as I read the Declaration of Independence. Happy July fourth!   Show Highlights   [00:33] A reading of the Declaration of Independence   Links and Resources   🟢 Fiscally Savage → FiscallySavage.com 🟢 Fiscally Savage Tools → FiscallySavage.com/tools 🟢 Instagram → Instagram.com/fiscallysavage 🟢 Facebook...

In this special July 4th episode of Fiscally Savage, let's dive deep into our historical roots, as we trace the impact of British colonial rule and the American Revolution on the current United States tax system.   From the origin of "no taxation without representation" to the main issues that fueled the revolution, we explore how hundreds of years worth of historical events shaped the tax policie...

In this episode of Fiscally Savage, we delve into supply-side economics — a macroeconomic theory that developed in response to the stagflation of the 1970s. We examine how it provided the foundation for former Pres. Ronald Reagan's economic policies in the 1980s, the key figures of this school, the major criticisms levelled against it, and more.   Show Highlights   [03:07] Why supply-side economic...

Living paycheck to paycheck might not seem so bad at first. After all, you have your basic needs accounted for, even if there isn't much left over at the end of every month.   But that's a position with very little sovereignty, if at all. There's no way to look ahead because you can't afford to save money, and there's no real security with your money today because you're overly dependent on your j...

This Friday on Fiscally Savage, we discuss the Chicago school of economics — an influential school of thought led by Nobel Laureate Milton Friedman that has left an indelible mark on economic theory and policy across the globe.   How did Friedman and his colleagues differentiate themselves from their contemporaries, like the Austrian economists? And how did their distinctive views on topics such a...

There are really only two games in life: finite and infinite.    People who focus on quick wins, short-term gains, and success at all costs play finite games. They swear by start and finish lines and insist on there being winners and losers.   If you want to lay an excellent foundation for your life, finite games won't cut it. You need to play infinite games instead.   In this episode, Dylan discu...

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is cracking down once again on crypto exchanges. Early last week, the SEC took aim at Binance and Coinbase — two of the most powerful forces in the world of cryptocurrencies — for allegedly breaching its rules.   In this episode, Dylan unpacks the cases against Binance and Coinbase and what their outcome could mean for the crypto sector.   Show Highligh...

We've all faced financial setbacks in one way or another. A bad investment, an unexpected bill, a business venture that didn't go according to plan — these financial hiccups can leave even the best of us feeling discouraged and unsure of how to move forward.   That's where After-Action Review (AAR) comes in. The AAR was originally developed by the US Army as a structured way to learn quickly from...

Dylan's back for another "Ask Me Anything" episode, answering Instagram follower-submitted questions about economic systems, dividend stocks, and money conversations as they pertain to relationships.   Show Highlights   [01:20] What is Ayn Rand's Objectivism? [07:37] Similarities between Objectivism and the Austrian school of economics [10:24] Differences between Objectivism and the Austrian schoo...

Navigating the emotional rollercoaster of any loss is one of the most difficult things you have to deal with. Financial losses are no exception.   The loss of a large amount of money can have a traumatic effect, particularly if the financial loss impacts life milestones like the purchase of a home or paying for your child's education. You may feel there's no coming back from the loss and, in turn,...

English economist and philosopher John Maynard Keynes is largely considered to be the father of modern macroeconomics. His ideas in the early 1900s have had a huge impact on both economic theory as a whole and the economic policies of governments worldwide.   In the second part of this three-part series, we discuss Keynesian economics, starting with a refresher on the classical and Austrian school...

Budgeting is one of the best tools you have to take control of your money, achieve your financial goals, and set yourself up for success. Unfortunately, it's not always a given. Many people avoid discussions about budgeting at all costs, mostly because they don't know where to start. Do they need to save money? Can they even save money? Should they invest it instead?   In today's episode, Dylan br...

Memorial Day wasn't always about long weekend road trips, backyard barbecues, or sales. The real meaning of this national holiday is more somber.   In this episode, Dylan talks about the origins of Memorial Day and what this holiday means — and should really mean — for Americans.   Show Highlights   [02:58] Why Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day [04:07] The origins of Memorial Day...

Once you've figured out what to invest in, you may be wondering how to get started. If you're like most people, you'll probably hire a financial advisor. But that's not the only option.   In this episode, we discuss the three ways you can go about investing and the pros and cons of each.   Show Highlights   [03:23] The pros of hiring a financial advisor [08:54] The cons of hiring a financial advis...

As humans, we all have different needs, and our actions are always influenced by those needs. This idea lies at the heart of what we'd come to know as the Austrian school of economics.    Unlike the classical economists from last week's episode, Austrian economists like Carl Menger believed that value is completely subjective; that a product's value is based on its ability to satisfy human wants;...

Investing can be an intimidating prospect for beginners, with a wide variety of asset classes to choose from. But even experienced investors tie themselves up in knots over which assets to add to their portfolios as if there's somehow a way to predict the future.   To be sure, the investment landscape is ever-evolving. But if you take the time to understand basic investment principles and the diff...

Economics is one of those things that fundamentally influences our lives on a day-to-day basis. Yet most of us only somewhat understand what it is and how it works.   In the first part of this three-part series, we'll take a look at classical economics — widely regarded as the first modern school of economic thought — and the historical conditions in which it arose. We'll also discuss the work of...

If you've reached the savings stage of your financial life and are thinking of saving for retirement, you're likely to come across 401(k), 403(b), and IRA account options. While all three can offer you similar benefits, there are some key differences to note among them.   In this episode, Dylan guides you through the similarities and differences between 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and IRAs to help you deter...

Early this week, the Supreme Court announced that it will hear a case aimed squarely at killing off the Chevron deference — the nearly-four-decade-old legal tool that gives federal agencies wide-ranging power to defend environmental rules in court.    But how did that case come about, and what could overruling the Chevron deference mean for government agencies, businesses, and us as citizens?   In...

Do you ever feel like no matter how hard you try, it's next to impossible to save money? You try to spend less and put money away, but something almost always comes up. Your car needs new tires, you went over on groceries, your kids have a sporting event — and just like that, saving money takes a back seat.   But while the topic of savings can be intimidating, you don't need everything to line up...