I’ve got good news and bad news.
Let’s start with the bad news.
I’ve lived in the Indianapolis, Indiana area my entire life. I love it here. I love being a member of the community, and I love contributing to the city’s glory. There are certain institutions in Indy which have been part of my existence as long as I can remember. I started reading the Indianapolis Star newspaper when I first learned to read. Like most kids, I started with the comics. A couple year later, I started reading the sports section. And eventually the middle school version of Peter Dunn began to start my daily read with the Business section of the paper.
Fast forward 20 years. The Indianapolis Star asked me to write a weekly column based on the popularity of my blog—This blog you’re reading right now. I said yes. And every Monday morning I would spend 90 minutes writing a newspaper column. Eventually USA Today, owned by the same company that owns the IndyStar, noticed my work (I think my mom sent it to them), and they asked me to write for them too. Before I knew it, my 90 minutes of writing per week was in dozens of papers read by millions of people.
Oh yes, the bad news—The Indianapolis Star is no longer interested in running my column. This is only bothersome for two reasons. The first is sentimental. I like touching the financial lives of the members of my hometown. I’m selfish. I already do this on TV and radio, but I want to always be in people’s faces, including on Sunday mornings. The second reason why I’m bothered by this new development is the circumstances in which it happened.
I’ll spare you the details.
Now for the good news.
Well, everything. I still write for USA Today and their various other outlets. I’ve received several new offers in the last 24 hours to write for other publications, and my thriving business isn’t impacted at all. My company, Your Money Line, serves millions of people directly through their employers and indirectly through our partnerships with benefit companies and financial institutions.
Americans are hurting financially. I’ve never felt more passionate about creating ways to ease that pain.
Thanks for continuing to read.
Peter Dunn a.k.a. Pete the Planner® is an award-winning financial mind and a former comedian. He’s a USA TODAY columnist, author of ten books, and is the host of the popular radio show and podcast, The Pete the Planner Show. Pete is considered one of the foremost experts on financial wellness in the world, but he’s just as likely to talk your ear off about bass fishing.
Very sorry to hear this. Your column is one of the reasons I have kept my subscription to the Indianapolis Star. By the way we once met at a table at the downtown conference center at a meeting of the Indianapolis Economics Club. Glad to hear you are keeping up the good work through USA Today though.
So proud of you Pete!! The Star’s loss is Your gain. I’m still able to read your column even though we don’t get the Indy Star anymore. I think you just got kicked out of your local nest. Continue flying hi my friend
Good Luck, My Friend!
You’re one of the most Positive Men that I Know…& admire
Pete,
I have looked forward to reading your column in the Sunday paper for quite a few years. It is one of the best things in the Indy Star and will be missed. This news does make me think that the Indy Star may not be worth the cost without your column.
The column they didn’t post this week was outstanding. They failed you and their readers. Onward and upward.
Thought you were just on vacation when I didn’t see your column last Sunday! So sorry the Star made this poor decision! I’ll continue to follow your blog and thank you for all your great financial guidance.
We think very very highly of you Pete and I’m disappointed in the beancounters who made a silly financial decision to chop Ketzenberger, then you, then Michael Hicks. Don’t get it at all. I’ll follow your words wherever they land, all the places.
Sorry to hear this – I miss reading your column already. Best of luck – I’ll have to catch you on your blog!
This makes so sad. I loved reading your column in the Sunday Star over a cup of coffee.
I enjoyed your column in the Star and at some point realized that your parents attend the same church as we do. I told your dad how much we enjoyed your column. I think he was quite proud! I put it all together when I saw your photo and name and remembered when you were a sub teaching at the school when your mom was secretary. I sure hope I can find your column somewhere to read again. I have missed it the past few weeks, so am out searching for it and found this. Good luck to you and keep up the good work!
You and Matt Tully were the voices I looked forward to reading. Presently the STAR involves lots of articles about other localities, poor writing, and typos in every article. Fortunately, you are on multiple platforms, and we will follow you on those.The STAR will continue to die unless the parent company decides local journalism is valuable to creating an informed citizenry and invests accordingly.
Well that stinks! I look forward to reading your column too. I always read it aloud to my husband and then we get into a big discussion on retirement, which is looming and going to occur in the next 5-7 years. Other people commenting have said they will read your column elsewhere…where else can I find it? I can’t miss it!
Keep writing Pete. I throughly enjoy reading your books and columns
Just this past quarter, I did not renew my daily IndyStar subscription – it’s very over priced. I concluded I would go out and purchase a Sunday IndyStar just to read your column. I have grown more appreciative of your advise and have put some of your wisdom into my financial routines. Now, I have absolutely no reason to spend 2 bucks on the Sunday Star.
Will still enjoy your column. The Star isnt worth reading for the most part. They are more interested in their agenda then providing a useful new source. Glad you are still available.
The only reason I even bought the Sunday paper was to read your column, and also for the coupons. You share such good information, and make me laugh at the same time! Please keep us informed of other publications that print your column now and in the future. Do you write for the IBJ?
Pete maybe you should advise the Indy Star on how to stabilize it’s long term planning and investments, as I foresee multiple problems in maintaining readership with decisions like not having you in the paper!
I’m one of many Star readers that read your column each Sunday. I believe that the Star has made a poor decision. Many of your topics has help me in money planning. I guess its time to stop the Indy Star and start a new path. If you have time, would you let your readers know where we can find your column in print?
Sincerely,
C.A. Cook