AOA 080: “The Simple Path to Wealth”—With JL and Jess Collins

In this Art of Allowance Podcast episode, host John Lanza welcomes JL Collins and his daughter, Jess, for a conversation about financial independence and family money lessons. They discuss the principles of JL's bestseller, The Simple Path to Wealth, the process of writing and updating the book and the importance of teaching kids about money from a young age. John, JL and Jess also explore investing in index funds, navigating stock market fluctuations and why JL feels homeownership is misunderstood as an investment. Additionally, they address the challenges of maintaining smart money habits, the evolving perspective of Jess’s financial journey and the power of values-based spending.

JL Collins, often called the "Godfather of Financial Independence," has been investing in the stock market for five decades. He developed a worldwide following through his popular blog and his first book, The Simple Path to Wealth. This title has sold over a million copies across twenty languages and is now a New York Times bestseller.

Jess Collins is known as the "little girl who wouldn't listen," a nickname given to her by JL in his blog and books. From a young age, Jess began learning (perhaps against her will) about index funds, dividends and investments at the Collins family's kitchen table. Now in her 30s, she uses The Simple Path to Wealth to pave her way to financial freedom and her own fulfilled life.