I have recorded and released the latest episode of the No Credit Needed Podcast.

I mention this for two reasons.

First, I hope that you will click over and listen to the latest episode of the NCN Podcast.

Second, I wanted to be able to tell you a little bit more about “podcasts” in general.

What is a podcast?

A podcast is an online audio or video file, organized by release date, available for download, streaming, and subscribing.

Most podcasts are released as mp3 files - audio files that you can download to your computer.

How do I listen to a podcast?

First, you can simply “stream” the podcast, straight from the podcast web page, to your computer. Just click on the podcast file, and it should open in your browser or your media player. Some podcasts, like mine, have a handy built-in player. Simply click the “play” button and you can listen.

Second, you can download the podcast, straight to your computer, so that you can listen to it at a later date. Just “right-click” on the podcast file and select “save link as” or “save file as”. The file will download to your computer’s hard drive. Once the download is complete, click the file and you can listen to the podcast.

Third, you can subscribe to podcast “feed”. This way, whenever a new podcast episode is released, it will automatically be downloaded to your computer.

How do I subscribe to a podcast?

You will need a program like iTunes.

Download and install Itunes.

Navigate to a podcast page - like www.ncnpodcast.com - and look around for a “feed button” -

The “feed button” will look something like one of these -

or

If you click on the iTunes “feed button”, iTunes should open and begin to download the latest episode of the podcast.

If you right-click on the “feed button”, you can copy the “feed url” - (The feed url will usually have the word “feed” in it.)

Open iTunes, click the Advanced tab, and click Subscribe to podcast -

Paste the feed url into the Subscribe to podcast field and click OK.

Your download will begin.

Do I Need An iPod To Listen To The Podcast?

NO! You can play the file from your computer - and if it’s a standard mp3 file, you can transfer it to ANY portable mp3 player or mp3-capable smart phone.

I Am Still Confused!?!

If you are still confused, feel free to leave a comment or a question. Don’t be afraid of this “new” technology. My dad, who is a total tech-newbie, loves podcasts - especially mine.

If you are looking for even more podcasts, checkout Podcast Pickle - an awesome directory with thousands of podcasts.

Oh yeah - For those of you who are fans of my friend, Big Honkin’, you might want to check out his new podcast - about the new Terminator series - SkyNext.

Now, head over to No Credit Needed Podcast and get to listening!

• 8 Comments

I have recorded and released Episode 52 of the No Credit Needed Podcast.  Click over to listen to the podcast - and you’ll see that I’ve added a new “feature” to the podcast - a listener line!  That’s right.  Now you can pick up the phone and leave me a voice mail.  Plus, I announce a new contest - with a prize pack worth $50!  For more information and all of the details - you’ll have to head over to the No Credit Needed Podcast and listen to the latest episode.  (By the way, you do NOT need an mp3 player or special device to listen to the podcast!  You can “stream” an episode directly from the website, download an episode to your computer, or subscribe to the podcast using iTunes.  If you have questions about “how” to listen to a podcast, feel free to contact me and I’ll try to answer them.)

• 1 Comment

My son’s daycare was closed Thursday and Friday, so he has been home with me the past two days.  My daughter was sick Thursday, so I had both kids.  I covet days like these - days I can spend playing with the kids, taking them out for lunch, putting them down for naps, reading books to them - so I’ve been busy just hanging out with them.  My son, he’s 3, is learning to write and read (a little) and I’m amazed by how quickly he is changing.  He has started using the phrase, “well, actually,” when he wants to change his mind or express a previously unexpressed opinion.  Isn’t that the best?  My daughter, she’s 7, is growing up so fast - and I’m amazed at how much she’s learning at school.  Hanging out with the kids for a few days helps to “center” me.  I see a lot of folks who get frazzled when they have their kids around - but I actually find that I am able to relax and really, really be myself.  Of course, more time spent with the kids means a little less time blogging!  So, I thought I’d write this post and include a few updates -

I have been thinking about buying a newer minvan.  In fact, I’ve spoken with a few dealers and I’ve visited several websites, looking for a nice, used minivan.  I will admit, when I first heard the news that my transmission was dying, I ‘freaked out’ - I began to panic, just a bit, but I quickly recovered.  In fact, I’ve been talking to my wife about the situation, and I think we are going to wait until January to make a purchase.  The van is still running - and my wife can drive the Accord - so we’ll just pile up as much cash as we can between now and then and then make the deal.  Saving up for the van will, more than likely, alter my savings plans for 2007, but I have managed to fully-fund our Roth IRAs and my 403b, so I’m cool.

New readers might not realize that I also have a weight loss / fitness blog - No. Calories Needed.  I’ve spent the past few hours updating the look of the site and I have decided to “get back into the game”.  I will admit, paying off debt (at least for me) was much easier than losing weight.  So, I’m starting over - redesigning the website to match the look and feel of my main site - and rededicating myself to the weight loss.  I’ll be “officially” releasing the new site design Sunday, but feel free to head on over and check things out.

I have released a new episode of the No Credit Needed Podcast.  I’m calling this episode the Late Night Special Episode.  Why? I recorded it at 2AM while sitting up with my daughter, who was sick at the time.  Needless to say, this episode is rather “mellow”.  I should be releasing episode 50 sometime in the next few days.  I want to thank all of you who went to the Business Podcast section over at Digg - and dugg the NCN Podcast.  It’s now at number 12, pretty solidly positioned on the front page, and only a few votes from the top 10.

• 5 Comments

Here’s a quick look at all that’s been happening here at No Credit Needed.

I have released Episode 49 of the No Credit Needed Podcast.

You can download the podcast mp3 file directly to your computer, stream it straight from the podcast site, or subscribe to the podcast with iTunes or your favorite pod-catcher. In other words, if you want to listen to the podcast, you can!

The No Credit Needed Network is on fire! I just added the 234th member. Click here to view the latest chart updates and here to see a list of the newest members.

Speaking of networks, No Credit Needed is now a member of the Money Blog Network.

My post about creating a budget if you have irregular income made it to the front page of Consumerist. I’d like to thank “Martha” for her email, requesting that I write a post about irregular income!

If you haven’t already done so, consider subscribing to the No Credit Needed RSS Feed. Or, if you prefer email, fill out the form below and subscribe to No Credit Needed via email. Every morning, you will receive an email of the latest posts!

• 1 Comment

Here are few of my favorite No Credit Needed (subscribe) posts from September 2006:

• Ramp Up Your Debt Reduction: 5 Quick And Easy Steps
• Ramp Up Your Debt Reduction: 5 More Steps
• You Need A Budget Interview With Jesse By NCN
• Preparing For A No Credit Christmas

Here are a few of my favorite No Credit Needed (subscribe) posts from September 2005:

• Time For A Change…Actually Three Changes
• Simple Debt Reduction Strategies
• Personal Finance
• Lessons To Live By

(If you notice that there are very few comments associated with these older posts, please realize that I moved my site in early 2007 and most of the comments were “left behind”.  So, feel free to add you own, awesome comments!)

• 2 Comments