JL Collins: The (Still) Simple Path to Wealth

Hi, and welcome to The Long View. I’m Christine Benz, director of personal finance and retirement planning for Morningstar. Today on the podcast, we welcome back author and blogger JL Collins. JL’s first book, The Simple Path to Wealth: Your road map to financial independence and a rich, free life, was published in 2016 and has since sold more than 1 million copies. He has recently come out with a second edition of the book, which his daughter, Jess, collaborated on. In 2023, he published another book called Pathfinders: Extraordinary Stories of People Like You on the Quest for Financial Independence.

Background

Bio

The Simple Path to Wealth (Revised & Expanded 2025 Edition): Your Road Map to Financial Independence and a Rich, Free Life

Pathfinders: Extraordinary Stories of People Like You on the Quest for Financial Independence—And How to Join Them

The Simple Path to Wealth, 4% Rule, Inflation, and Stocks

“Case Study #1: Putting the Simple Path to Wealth Into Action,” by JL Collins, jlcollinsnh.com, July 10, 2023.

“Things Important, and Unimportant,” by JL Collins, jlcollinsnh.com, March 1, 2023.

“Stocks—Part XIII: The 4% Rule, Withdrawal Rates and How Much Can I Spend Anyway?” by JL Collins, jlcollinsnh.com, Oct. 15, 2023.

“Déjà Vu All Over Again,” by JL Collins, jlcollinshh.com, April 18, 2025.

“Stocks—Part IV: The Big Ugly Event, Deflation and a Bit on Inflation,” by JL Collins, jlcollinsnh.com, Nov. 16, 2023.

“Stocks—Part XXII: Stepping Away From REITs,” by JL Collins, jlcollinsnh.com, May 12, 2025.

“Stocks—Part XXVII: Why I Don’t Like Dollar Cost Averaging,” by JL Collins, jlcollinshn.com, Jan. 8, 2024.

“Stocks—Part III: Most People Lose Money in the Market,” by JL Collins, jlcollinsnh.com, Nov. 16, 2023.

“Time Machine and the Future Returns for Stocks,” by JL Collins, jlcollinsnh.com, July 10, 2023.

Debt Paydown

“Chainsaws and Credit Cards,” by JL Collins, jlcollinsnh.com, March 30, 2023.

“Stocks—Part XXVIII: Debt – The Unacceptable Burden,” by JL Collins, jlcollinsnh.com, May 12, 2025.

Other

“JL Collins: The Case for Simplicity,” The Long View podcast, Morningstar.com, April 5, 2022.

“JL Collins: Spotlighting the Many Paths to Financial Independence,” The Long View podcast, Morningstar.com, Oct. 31, 2023.

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index VTSAX

Bill Bengen

Mr. Money Mustache