Fincon's Founder PT Money Talks About The Early Days

Philip Taylor, or commonly known only by his website as PT Money has been blogging about personal finance since 2007. He is also the founder of Fincon, the annual financial conference which boasts over 2,000 attendees which he started in 2011. Philip has both a flair for money, inspired by his father who is also a CPA, and a gift for writing which stems from his mother who was also a writer!
Welcome!

[3:22] If you could be any animal what would it be and why?
A bear- he likes to wrestle (PT likes to wrestle with his kids), or a night owl as he’s up late!

[4:18] It’s quite funny how you are literally the product of your parent’s two professions! So I have to ask, what made you want to get into blogging after becoming a CPA?
Didn’t start thinking he should do blogging, he stumbled into it in 2007.
Coming out of highschool PT didn’t have a particular desire to do anything
Appreciated the stability of his dad’s CPA designation and its ability to provide job security
Did blogging for 3 years before taking it full time, even on lunch breaks

[11:37] Let’s chat about FinCon! What inspired you to try put together a conference and what were the early days like?
Discovered the community and wanted to bring everyone together in person
There was a community before fincon existed, it just gave it ownership
Creating an additional business was exciting

[13:31] What unusual advice do you have for creators of content? Blogs, podcasts, vlogs etc.
If you’re not in the niche you might not get the advice of tap into the community
Look at people as collaborators
Big focus on Niching down right now- might be better to not go too deep.
Don’t be afraid to expand into other topics.

[15:16] Have you made any money mistakes that you wish you could undo?
Trying entrepreneurship early on, the income side has changed PTs life.
Automating savings early on

[16:58] You have a section on your website about Robo Advisors- what are they and what do people need to know about them?
They don’t give advice but more help you invest
There’s a big focus on retirement savings and it provides an education piece in them

Sponsor

[20:21] Value Link Round- Are you interested in attending Fincon? Check out chainofwealth.com/fincon to grab a ticket!

Value Link Round

[20:54] What is your saving or retirement plan?
Historically maxed out limits on retirement accounts, pay as little in taxes are you can.
Pushed towards saving more
Aim is to get to a point where he will never need money from anyone

[23:0] Do you have any other books or podcasts you can recommend?
Paula Pants – Afford Anything
Ramit Sethi- I will teach  you to be rich
David Bach – Automatic Millionaire

[23:52] Favorite Quote you like to live by?
Clean desk, clean mind

[24:22] Parting piece of advice?
What’s worked for PT is making goals for future a priority
Make savings and things automated