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.

TEDxKC Speakers • #1 Amazon Bestseller

Financial Freedom Shouldn’t Be Complicated.

Simple frameworks. Clear next steps. Less stress.

We teach young adults the money skills they didn't learn in school through simple savings systems and lifelong financial habits.

Available in print, audiobook, and ebook formats

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 & Media Features

Featured organizations and outlets include TEDxKC, KCUR (NPR), Cancer for College, ECCO Select, Enterprise Rent-A Car, Quincy University, The Kansas City Chiefs, The University of Kansas, UMKC, KCTV (CBS).

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.

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.

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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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Speaking Inquiry

Let’s Start the Conversation

If you're interested in bringing this to your team, share a few quick details below and we’ll follow up shortly.

Happy to connect however you prefer — quick call or email.

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 • Wealth Advisor (AIF®, CEPA)

Mark Schlipman is a Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor at Carson Wealth, where he helps individuals and families make confident, long-term financial decisions. With more than 27 years of experience, he is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary Professional (AIF®) and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA).

He co-created The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom to simplify money decisions for the next generation.

Through his advisory work and speaking, he focuses on practical financial education that helps people build confidence and long-term stability.

Steve Short

Co-Author • Speaker • Former C-Suite Executive

Steve Short is a retired C-suite executive with more than 30 years of experience driving growth, innovation, and operational excellence across travel, technology, legal, and retail. During his career at Enterprise Holdings and as Chief Marketing Officer at Cordell & Cordell / Lexicon, he led large-scale initiatives, built high-performing teams, and helped drive billions in revenue.

He co-created The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom to make money management simple and accessible for the next generation.

Today, Steve focuses on financial literacy, speaking to young professionals and organizations about practical ways to build confidence, reduce financial stress, and create long-term stability.

Financial Freedom Presentations

Helping employees build confidence with money.

TEDxKC speakers and Amazon #1 bestselling authors helping 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.

  • Save-First 50/20/30 Model™: A simple system for saving first and building financial freedom without extreme budgeting.
  • The Middle Number Can’t Be Zero™: Why every paycheck needs a savings plan, even when someone cannot yet reach the full 20% goal.
  • Three Buckets™: How to organize money for short-term needs, medium-term goals, and long-term investing.
  • 20-to-$1M Method™: A clear path showing how consistent saving and investing can build long-term wealth over time.
  • Unlocking Free Money: How to use employer matches, HSAs, and automatic saving so employees stop leaving valuable benefits on the table.

The result: employees leave with a simple savings system, greater financial confidence, and practical tools they can apply immediately. Organizations benefit from employees who feel less financially stressed and better able to focus at work.

Why book us: TEDxKC speakers, Amazon #1 bestselling authors delivering practical, engaging financial education with no product pitch. A portion of proceeds supports young cancer survivors.

Photos

Photos from Simple Road talks for businesses and universities.

Speaking FAQ

Do you provide personalized financial advice?
No. All sessions are general financial education only.
Who are these talks best for?
Companies, universities, associations, and organizations supporting employees, students, or emerging professionals.
How long are sessions?
Sessions are typically 60 minutes including Q&A and can be tailored to fit your organization’s schedule and audience.
Do you offer virtual sessions?
Yes. Both virtual and in-person presentations are available.

Free gift download page for The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom purchasers: Annual Review Checklist PDF.

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