PopEnomics
Jesse W. Hurst, CEO, CFP
Spur Circle Publishing (2025)
ISBN: 979-8998731402
Reviewed by Stephanie Suesan Smith for Reader Views (01/2026)
PopEnomics: 12 Relatable (and not boring) pop culture insights for retirement success by Jesse W. Hurst uses stories from pop culture to illustrate twelve crucial concepts to retirement planning. This forms a roadmap from where you are today to where you need to be to retire and enjoy the life you want. First, you access where you are now. How much do you have saved? Second, you need to determine what you want your retirement to look like. Do you want to travel, stay home, or do some of both? Next, determine how much you need to have to retire to the life you want. The rest of the book is about how to get there.
Hurst discusses how to maximize your Social Security benefits, how to manage your fear about investing in a negative news environment, and how to manage your beliefs and behaviors that might cause you trouble while saving and investing for retirement. He also gives some context to your retirement situation by discussing economic cycles and investment history. He then discusses what role bonds and stocks need to play in your investment for retirement. Inflation is discussed as a danger to living your life in retirement as you want, and how to manage your money for it. He also covers the challenges that the rising age of the country and low birth rates pose for the future. Finally, he discusses how to enjoy retirement by spending reasonably. And explains the role of a good financial planner and how to use one to your best advantage.
I found this book useful. The pop references keep the book from being dry as dust and help explain some pretty complex concepts in a way I could understand. I learned a lot about the role of different beliefs and behaviors in both helping and harming the effort to save for retirement. I think the incremental way these concepts were explained by Hurst was helpful in building a complete picture of where I am and where I need to be. Just as important, Hurst explains how to get there in an understandable way. I think PopEnomics by Jesse W. Hurst is useful for every adult. The faster you understand the concepts of building wealth and start down that path, the better a retirement you will have.
At a Glance: A practical personal finance guide uses pop culture examples to explain retirement planning, investing, Social Security, inflation, and spending habits. It offers accessible retirement advice for adults who want clear, nontechnical guidance.
Best for Readers Who Enjoy: retirement planning books, personal finance, investing basics, Social Security strategies, pop culture explanations, money mindset, beginner-friendly finance, practical wealth-building