The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom is a personal finance book and speaking program focused on practical, structured money frameworks for young professionals and organizations.

#1 Amazon Bestseller

Financial Freedom Shouldn’t Be Complicated.

Simple frameworks. Clear next steps. Less stress.

We help young professionals and organizations build money confidence with practical systems you can actually follow, taught in plain language without hype.

Buy the BookSpeaking & Workshops
Steve Short and Mark Schlipman with a TV host
Steve Short and Mark Schlipman with a TV host
Steve Short and Mark Schlipman in Times Square with a book billboard behind them

Organizations we’ve worked with and outlets that have featured our work

Featured organizations and outlets include Cancer for College, ECCO Select, Enterprise Rent-A Car, Quincy University, The Kansas City Chiefs, The University of Kansas, UMKC, CEO Weekly, The Wall Street Times, and WGEM (NBC affiliate).

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Media & PodcastsAbout Simple RoadFree Gift With PurchaseLinks
Inside the book

Inside the book, you’ll discover:

A practical roadmap built for young professionals, recent graduates, and anyone who wants a clearer system for money.

How to use the Save-First 50/20/30 Model™ – our twist on the classic rule that puts saving first so wealth builds automatically.
Beginner investing made simple – clear steps for 401(k)s, IRAs, and HSAs, even if you are starting from zero.
How to unlock “free money” – from employer matches to overlooked benefits that accelerate progress without extra effort.
The power of delayed gratification – why small decisions today create lasting financial security and flexibility.
The 20-to-$1M Method™ – a simple way to understand how consistent saving can compound into long-term wealth.

The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom is a practical personal finance guide that covers budgeting, investing, employer benefits, and long-term planning using simple frameworks like the Save-First 50/20/30 Model™, the 20-to-$1M Method™, and STL Moments™.

Speaking

Practical financial literacy that changes behavior

We deliver clear, structured sessions that help people stop guessing and start making confident money decisions. Ideal for employers, universities, and teams who want a simple, repeatable framework.

Explore Speaking & Workshops
Speaker Sheet (PDF)Volume Pricing (PDF)
What readers say

⭐ Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by readers on Amazon (as of February 2026)

“Great book! It was an easy read and made personal finance way less intimidating. I learned a lot and feel more confident about managing my money.”

Amazon Reviewer (Annie W.)

“As a community bank CEO, I come across a lot of young people who are innately curious about the best methods to accumulate future wealth. Mark and Steve have given them the roadmap in this book.”

Amazon Reviewer (Community Bank CEO)
Impact

Impact beyond the book

A portion of proceeds supports college scholarships for cancer survivors through Cancer for College.

Next step

Ready for a simple roadmap?

Start with the book, or bring Simple Road to your organization through a speaking session.

Buy the BookSpeaking & Workshops
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Media & Podcasts

Selected appearances and coverage

A curated set of podcast conversations and media coverage focused on financial literacy, practical money systems, and clarity-first decision making.

Topics include budgeting systems, investing fundamentals, retirement planning, money behavior, and practical financial education for young adults and families.

Media and podcast appearances for The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom by Steve Short and Mark Schlipman. Selected podcasts, articles, and television coverage highlighting financial literacy frameworks including a savings-first 50/20/30 approach, a three-bucket system, and clarity-first decision making.

Selected Podcasts

  • Steve Short and Mark Schlipman with the FI for Kids host during a podcast interview

    FI for Kids

    Episode: FI for Kids

    Helping parents and educators teach saving, investing, and money habits that stick.

    Listen (Spotify)

  • Steve Short and Mark Schlipman on Bartelle’s Money Talk podcast episode artwork

    Bartelle’s Money Talk

    Episode: Broke with Big Pay

    A calm, systems-based approach to reducing financial stress and avoiding lifestyle creep.

    Listen (Spotify)

  • Grow Your Impact, Income & Influence

    Episode: From Confusion to Clarity

    A clarity-first framework for simplifying investing, retirement planning, and long-term decisions.

    Listen (Spotify)

  • Life Stories podcast artwork featuring the episode with Steve Short and Mark Schlipman

    Life Stories

    Episode: Money, Mindset, and The Simple Road

    How money fits into a meaningful life — as a tool, not the goal.

    Listen (Spotify)

These are selected appearances. Additional media and podcast references available upon request.

Selected Press & Articles

Television Appearances

  • WGEM TV

    Quincy wealth advisor’s new book gains best seller status with help from Will Ferrell

    Watch / read coverage

Booking & media inquiries: Speaking & Workshops

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About Simple Road

Why We Wrote the Book

Simple Road was created to make financial literacy easier to understand and easier to apply.

We wrote The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom after countless conversations about the need for more financial literacy, especially for the younger generation. We saw students and new grads enter the workforce with minimal understanding of many money concepts despite their high school and college degrees.

Our approach is intentionally simple: clear priorities, foundational habits, and practical steps that are easy to follow and repeat. We do not sell financial products.

Founders

Mark Schlipman

Co-Author • Speaker • Financial Advisor (AIF®, CEPA)

Mark Schlipman is the co-author of The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom and a financial advisor with more than 25 years of experience.

He focuses on helping individuals and families simplify decisions around saving, investing, and long-term planning with clear systems that are easy to follow and repeat.

Through Simple Road, Mark helps students and early-career professionals build wealth with confidence by teaching practical habits, avoiding common “costly mistakes,” and taking advantage of opportunities many people miss.

LinkedInAmazon Author

Steve Short

Co-Author • Speaker • Retired C-Suite Leader

Steve Short is the co-author of The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom and a retired C-suite leader with more than 30 years of experience driving growth, innovation, and operational excellence across travel, technology, legal, and retail.

He is passionate about making money management practical and approachable, especially for students, new grads, and early-career professionals who want a clear system to follow without the jargon.

Through Simple Road, Steve helps audiences build confidence with simple habits, stronger defaults, and a focus on “what gets measured gets managed.”

LinkedInAmazon Author
Looking for speaking & workshops? Visit the Speaking page.

Speaking

High-energy, practical financial literacy talks for organizations

See how we help teams build clarity, confidence, and momentum with money.

What We Cover

Our talks are engaging, insightful, and practical, built around exclusive frameworks from The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom that employees can actually use.

  • 50/20/30 Save-First Model™: Save first, then live on the rest, without lifestyle whiplash.
  • 20-to-$1M Method™: A clear path showing how consistent habits can build long-term wealth over time.
  • STL Moments™ (Stop. Talk. Listen.): A decision framework to avoid costly money mistakes and act with confidence.
  • Unlocking Free Money: How to use match, HSAs, and autosave so employees stop leaving money on the table.
  • Mindset & Confidence: Financial clarity that reduces stress, improves focus, and strengthens day-to-day decision-making.

The result: employees leave with clarity, confidence, and practical tools they can apply immediately, reducing financial stress while strengthening focus, engagement, and organizational outcomes.

Why book us: no sales pitch, highly practical, and designed to give people a clear first move. A portion of proceeds supports young cancer survivors.

Request a DateSpeaker Sheet (PDF)Volume Pricing (PDF)Order the Book

Photos

Mark Schlipman presenting a financial literacy session to an audience
Steve Short presenting a Simple Road financial literacy talk

Photos from Simple Road talks for businesses and universities.

Speaking FAQ

Do you provide personalized financial advice?
No. All sessions are general education only.
Who are these talks best for?
Companies, universities, and organizations supporting employees or students at any stage.
How long are sessions?
Sessions are typically 60 minutes including Q&A, and can be tailored.
Do you offer virtual sessions?
Yes, both virtual and in-person formats are available.

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