Update: I really have started my own podcast! I’ve joined Jim from Bargaineering to launch The Personal Finance Hour. Please stop by and give it a listen…

Occasionally I toy with the idea of creating a Get Rich Slowly podcast. (A podcast is like a short internet-based radio program. Think of it as an “audio blog”.) I think it would be a great way to explore topics in greater depth, and in ways that print just cannot handle. I’m also fascinated with the idea of interviewing regular people about their everyday money concerns.

I’m not ready to make the leap to podcasting just yet, but I have begun listening to other personal finance podcasts from time-to-time. Here are some of the best that I’ve found:

Money Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for a Richer Life — This professional podcast is probably the best personal finance show available right now. The episodes are succinct but informative, and offer practical tips for dealing with money: how to improve your credit score, good debt versus bad debt, how to adjust your withholding, and wealth secret number one. Episodes are short and transcripts are available. Highly recommended.

Marketplace — American Public Media’s Marketplace program is heard on public radio stations across the United States. It’s also available as in podcast format. Though Marketplace specifically covers business and economics, much of the material relates to personal finance. (My recent post about the outrageous cost of storing stuff was inspired by a Marketplace story.)

Vanguard’s Plain Talk on Investing — “Vanguard’s Plain Talk on Investing podcast is a biweekly series dedicated to helping you achieve financial success through practical, easy-to-follow steps. At Vanguard, we believe you can achieve your goals when you have the tools to do the job—and that’s what Plain Talk is all about.” This podcast comes highly recommended from my colleagues Jim and Nickel. Episodes include a wide range of investment topics.

Sound Investing — Paul Merriman produces what Money Magazine calls “the best money podcast”. This is a weekly radio program that has been on the air for eight years in Seattle. “Sound Investing provides clear, concise advice on money and retirement, and includes interviews with the most influential people in the money business including Vanguard’s Jack Bogle, Kiplinger’s Knight Kiplinger, and Money Magazine’s Jason Zweig.”

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance — One of the leading personal finance magazines posts a new podcast every Tuesday. In theory. In reality, I’m not sure it’s been updated for several weeks. Episodes run three to five minutes, and target topics of interest to baby boomers. (I like this podcast because it gives fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpses of how the magazine is put together.) The archives contain nearly 50 past episodes.

The Dave Ramsey Show — Dave Ramsey hosts a daily call-in show about personal finance. You can get an hour of the show each day as a free podcast, though if you want the entire thing, you have to pay to join Ramsey’s site. I’m a huge Dave Ramsey fan, though I don’t listen to him regularly.

Money Guy — Brian Preston, the Money Guy, offers a podcast covering advanced personal finance topics. If you’re interested in learning about equity-indexed annuities, the decline of the U.S. dollar, or creating a retirement withdrawal plan, this is a great resource. Preston covers the basics, too.

No Credit Needed — My colleague NCN at the blog No Credit Needed hosts a regular podcast. (Love the Southern accent!) NCN’s approach is down-home and personal, very much like a blog in spoken form. The episodes are a little long, often running to half an hour.

Feed the Pig — According to the site, “the Feed the Pig podcast series is one of several free resources available as part of the Feed the Pig national public service campaign. Sponsored by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Ad Council, the campaign helps 25-34 year olds work toward long-term financial security.” Topics include basics like student loans, emergency funds, and buying a new car.

Money Blogger Podcast — Though now defunct, Scott’s Money Blogger Podcast ran for about a year, first featuring interviews with popular personal finance bloggers. (I was interviewed in September 2006.) Toward the end of the show, Scott began to interview personal finance authors and columnists, such as Michael Mihalik, author of Debt is Slavery, which is one of my favorite personal finance books. Episodes run fifteen to thirty minutes.

Fidelity Personal Finance — Fidelity Investments experimented with a series of podcasts, too, though they seem to have given up on the project after only nine episodes. Topics covered include “the right way to consolidate debt”, “reacting to market declines”, “avoiding costly banking mistakes”, and “10 tips for buying a home”. Episodes are generally five to ten minutes long.

SEC “Your Money” Podcast — The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has even entered the fray, offering a series of podcasts about savings and retirement. Many of the shows are aimed at countering “get rich quick” schemes, though others cover topics like wise investing and asset allocation. Transcripts are available.

Bonus Podcast! Kimberly Palmer, who writes U.S. News and World Report’s Alpha Consumer blog, also has a weekly podcast. Her show doesn’t have its own page, but you can find links to subscribe on the right side of every Alpha Consumer entry.

I’m sure there are other personal finance podcasts out there that I haven’t heard yet. Do you have a favorite?

Addendum
Here are some personal finance podcasts recommended by Get Rich Slowly readers:

  • Financial Aid Podcast — “In a world that’s busier than ever, the Financial Aid Podcast delivers timely financial aid, scholarship, student loan, career, and personal finance information to you in just 10 minutes a day. Great for a walk to class or a commute, the Financial Aid Podcast helps you make the most of your money, in college and beyond.”
  • The Clark Howard Show — Howard is another radio personality with a show about money. I haven’t read or heard him, but he comes highly recommended.
  • Michelle Singletary’s The Color of Money podcast — Another NPR segment available in mp3 format. I haven’t read much from Singletary, but what I’ve read, I’ve liked.
  • The Ric Edelman Radio Show — I’ve only read a little from Edelman. He seems to be a contrarian at times (”never own a home outright”), but mainly he has good advice.
  • Pro Money Talk — “Pro Money Talk will take you deeper than most finance shows in traditional media. That’s because we have no product to sell or advertisers to please, and because podcasting is inherently more flexible than traditional media. And it’s all presented in an easy to understand manner that will allow you implement strategies to increase and protect your wealth. We hope you’ll come to think of us as friends and mentors. Here’s to your success!”

Keep ‘em coming!