How to Money

Our guest on this episode is personal finance expert Farnoosh Torabi who has transformed what most would consider setbacks, into the very things that drive her forward. She found herself living in NYC at the age of 22 with over $30k in debt, but it was through the process of climbing out of debt that Farnoosh realized her desire to help others with their money. She has done it all, from reporting for Money Magazine, to hosting her own podcast, to writing multiple books including ‘Psych Yourself Rich’ & her latest bestseller ‘When She Makes More’. We’re excited to talk with Farnoosh about couples and all things related to money, but in particular how personal finance is so much more than just understanding the nuts and bolts.During this episode we enjoyed Petite Sour Raspberry by Crooked Stave- thanks to our friends there at the brewery! And as we ramp up the podcast with an additional Friday episode every week, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday episodes are all about the Great Lockdown, Covid-19, and your money. There’s a lot of news and information out there, but we are distilling that down to specific takeaways that will allow you to weather this surreal health and financial crisis. In today’s timely episode we cover a lot of good news we’ve come across in the past week. We also share our thoughts on some states reopening for business, getting refunds, and privacy concerns of working from home.And as we ramp up the podcast with an additional Friday episode every week, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of us have been stuck at home with extra time on our hands due to the quarantine. Even if your state or local government hasn’t made it an official order, it’s likely you’ve found yourself trying to figure out what to do with these free nights and weekends! And while we wouldn’t suggest that you must use all that additional time to work on your personal finances, it would helpful to use at least some of it to work on some money matters that typically get swept under the rug. So in this episode we’re talking about the chorelike, everyday money disciplines that are often skipped over. These are the kinds of money moves you may not be paying attention to, but they still have a big impact on your personal finances.During this episode we enjoyed an Adambier by Crooked Stave- thanks to our friends at the brewery for donating this one to the show! And as we ramp up the podcast with an additional Friday episode every week, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re kicking off the week by answering your questions! And if you have a question for us, we’d love for you to submit your own via HowToMoney.com/ask/1 - I have a lot of bonds in my portfolio- is now a good time to sell them and buy more stocks instead?2 - How are new student loans being affect by the health crisis?3 - I’ve recently started doing business with an insurance broker, saving me time and money! What’s the catch?4 - Are savings bonds a good product for my young daughter?5 - I’m considering law school but I also enjoy working with my hands- help me decide!During this episode we enjoyed a Nightmare on Brett by Crooked Stave- thanks to our friends at the brewery for donating this one to the show! And as we ramp up the podcast with an additional Friday episode every week, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday episodes are all about the Great Lockdown and your money. There’s a lot of news and information out there, but we are distilling that down to specific takeaways that will allow you to weather this surreal health and financial crisis. In today’s timely episode we cover a lot of good news we’ve come across in the past week. We also take a look at the changes we’ve seen to consumer spending, energy use as an indicator of what’s going on with the economy, and our thoughts on the housing market.And as we ramp up the podcast with an additional Friday episode every week, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A stimulus check, tax refund, or any large windfall doesn’t happen all that often, so it’s no surprise that we’re not all that great at doing something smart with that money. Most of us think of it as a bonus that we should spend! And for people who diligently prioritize saving and investing every single month of the year, that might be ok. But for most people, a more thoughtful approach is in order. Much of it depends on your specific situation, and so we have some thoughts as to what you should be doing with that money when it shows up in your account. We can approach it with the numbers in mind, or values front and center- where you do you land?During this episode we enjoyed a Space Lettuce by Monday Night Brewing! And as we ramp up the podcast with an additional Friday episode every week, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve all heard about the minimalist lifestyle- maybe you’re picturing a bearded hipster drinking coffee in his perfectly white dining room or an Instagram worthy, perfectly styled modern kitchen. It turns out that’s not what minimalism is all about- it’s about priorities. Also, we’ve all been spending more time in our homes than we’d probably like to be, and all that clutter might be getting to you. Here to talk with us today about minimalist living is Joshua Becker. While beginning the process of removing possessions from his life, Joshua started the site Becoming Minimalist and has written several fantastic books over the years including The More of Less and The Minimalist Home. Not only can a minimalist approach to life allow us to spend less & save/invest more, but it can have a positive impact in lots of areas of our life.During this episode we enjoyed an I Feel It All by Monday Night Brewing! And as we ramp up the podcast with an additional Friday episode every week, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday episodes are all about the coronavirus and your money. There’s a lot of news and information out there, but we are distilling that down to specific takeaways that will allow you to weather this surreal health and financial crisis. In today’s timely episode we cover a lot of good news we’ve come across in the past week. We also dive into some changes to retirement accounts due to the CARES Act as well as a topic on a lot of minds- stimulus checks. Who’s getting one, how much, and when are they showing up? And then we round out this episode by answering a question about taking out a loan to invest in a down market, as well as the likelihood of losing all of your money invested for retirement.And as we ramp up the podcast with an additional Friday episode every week, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

67 million people are anticipating having trouble paying their bills due to the fallout from Coronavirus. A lot of us have seen our income drastically cut, or maybe you don’t have ANY income at the moment. It’s important to prioritize our money now and conserve our cash, because in a tough economic cycle we might have more need for it. So the time has come for many of us to tighten our belts and cut some expenses so that our finances can survive the economic hardship that many of us are facing. There are changes that need to happen, but what expenses do we need to look to in order to make a dent in our monthly or annual expenses?During this episode we enjoyed a Mr. Blue 2019 Edition by TO ØL Beer- thanks to Jeremy in NC for donating this one to the show! And as we ramp up the podcast with an additional Friday episode every week, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re kicking off the week by answering your questions! And if you have a question for us, we’d love for you to submit your own via HowToMoney.com/ask/1 - What steps can be taken in order to prepare to become a single income household?2 - In addition to maxing out my Roth IRA, what else should I do if I want to save and invest more?3 - What are your thoughts on long-term care insurance?4 - As a newly married couple, how do we budget on a variable income?5 - What changes should I expect to see in my expenses as I’m moving from a very small town to a very large city?During this episode we enjoyed a Green by Treehouse Brewing- thanks to Bryan and Caitlin for donating this one to the show! And as we ramp up the podcast with an additional Friday episode every week, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday episodes are all about the coronavirus and your money. There’s a lot of news and information out there, but we are distilling that down to specific takeaways that will allow you to weather this surreal health and financial crisis. In today’s timely episode we cover a lot of good news, including more details on the CARES Act, aka the stimulus bill. Specifically we dive into unemployment, as well as the benefits that many small businesses are eligible for like Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) as well as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). And then we round the episode out by answering some questions pertaining to investing in a down market as well as paying back federal student loans.And as we ramp up the podcast with an additional Friday episode every week, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is essential for us to learn how to thrive while working from home. Our modern workforce has been heading towards working remotely for years, but of course the coronavirus has all but eliminated the ability for non-essential offices to continue to function as they had previously. The problem is that most of us don’t have home offices, or if we do, there are still countless distractions in our home that we’re not used to. And additionally, many of us have kids at home as well- while they are wonderful, they are likely distracting us from the other myriad tasks at hand! How do we work from home and do it well? We can’t continue with a system that hampers our ability to actually get work done, so we’re going to speak to how we as individuals can work from home without going crazy.During this episode we enjoyed a Same As It Ever Was by Monday Night Brewing, makers of some of Atlanta’s best craft beer. And as we ramp up the podcast with an additional Friday episode every week, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since we’re all spending a lot more time indoors, getting to know our kitchens a little better and not going to restaurants, we’re particularly happy to have Beth Moncel joining us today. Before Beth was a food blogger, she was a microbiologist after earning a degree in nutritional science. Now, she has a massively popular site called Budget Bytes where you can find simple, delicious recipes that are designed for folks with small budgets. Beth has published a cookbook and she has developed a really cool mobile app as she continues to help others discover the joy of cooking while saving money. After housing and transportation, for most of us food is our next biggest expense every month so we’re excited to talk with an expert who sits at the intersection of food and money.During this episode we enjoyed a Whimsical Nature by Phase Three Brewing - thanks to Doug for sending this one our way! And as we ramp up the podcast with an additional Friday episode every week, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday episodes are all about the coronavirus and your money. There’s a lot of news and information out there, and our goal is to distill that down to specific takeaways that will allow you to weather this surreal health and financial crisis. In today’s optimistic episode we cover a lot of good news coming down the pike, including the stimulus bill- how it looks like we’re all getting stimulus checks, unemployment benefits are being extended, and small business loans are getting amped up. Listen to learn how this bill will affect you.And as we ramp up the podcast with an additional Friday episode every week, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It doesn’t matter if the market is flying high, or if it’s dropping faster than we’ve seen in history, each one of us is capable of making the occasional dumb decision, and it’s simply because we’re human! There are certain tendencies ingrained in us that can cause us to approach the world and our personal finances in an irrational way. Some of the hardest money mistakes to correct are ones that we make habitually because we don’t recognize the patterns that may have led us there. In order to break those bad money habits, sometimes it means taking a step back and figuring out what those behavioral tendencies are! The better we are at identifying these behavioral tendencies, the more likely we are to be able to make better decisions that will have a positive impact on how we view and handle our money.During this episode we enjoyed an IDKFA by Ellipsis Brewing - thanks to Joel for picking this one up while he was down in Orlando. And as we ramp up the podcast with an additional Friday episode every week, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re kicking off the week by answering your questions! And if you have a question for us, we’d love for you to submit your own via HowToMoney.com/ask/1 - Should I utilize a VA loan to purchase a home?2 - As a graduate student, what do I need to keep in mind as I’m applying for my first credit card?3 - I’m repaying my student loans as part of the PSLF Program - should I make contributions to my Roth IRA?4 - What are your thoughts on day trading and the expensive courses teaching you how to ‘hack the stock market’?5 - Is there a danger in having too many credit cards?During this episode we enjoyed an I’m Already Pulled Over by Ellipsis Brewing - thanks to Joel for picking this one up while he was down in Orlando. And as we ramp up the podcast with an additional Friday episode every week, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. While you may not catch up with friends and family in person these days, it would really help out the show if you could share the podcast with others. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The economy and its effect on our personal finances continues to change due to the coronavirus, so our shorter Friday episodes are here to stay! Our goal is to provide you with timely and relevant information you need to be aware of so you can be in control of your money. In this episode we cover how to manage decreased or non-existent income along with bills that need to be paid, whether now is a good time to invest in stocks, and what you need to know about unemployment benefits.And as we ramp up the podcast with this additional Friday episode, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. While you may not catch up with friends and family in person these days, it would really help out the show if you could share the podcast with others. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maybe the reason you haven’t been able to stick with a budget is because you’re trying to use the wrong kind of budget! There are different approaches, apps, and methods out there, and finding the right one for you could be the difference between a failure to launch, and you becoming a budgeting pro. We’re here to remind you of the many benefits of having a budget- it’s not only about saving more money (but really, who needs more of a reason than that?!). We’ll share some universal tips that will help you get started as well as show how budgeting can look different based on your personality type.During this episode we enjoyed a Bourbon County Wheatwine Ale by Goose Island - a big thanks to Alex for donating the beers to the show this week! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you feel overwhelmed at the thought of investing in the stock market, especially amid these turbulent times, then look no further. We are fortunate enough to be speaking with the one and only JL Collins. JL is an expert in the arena of investing and is the author of the book “The Simple Path to Wealth”. In his book and on his site, JL writes about how truly straightforward and simple it is to invest your money in order to achieve financial independence. Not surprisingly, he’s also considered by many to be the godfather of the financial independence movement. We’re pumped to discuss all things related to investing in the market as well as topics like buying a new car and raising financially savvy kids.During this episode we enjoyed a Bourbon County Stout by Goose Island - a big thanks to Alex for donating this beer to the show! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a special edition of How to Money to address the financial effects of the coronavirus and what we should be doing with our money during these volatile times. With the spread of Covid-19, there are many changes impacting our lives we do not have control over. However, we do have control over what we do with our money- especially our investments. Take a quick listen as we answer several listener questions and address some additional areas of our lives that might be affected by the coronavirus.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feeling overworked?! Between trying to get ahead at your 9-5 and pursuing side hustles, chances are really high that you feel like your work-life balance is out of whack. We find ourselves chronically fatigued and exhausted because we give too much to our work, leaving little left for ourselves and those around us who we love. For instance, as a result most Americans don’t take all their vacation time- and when they do, they find it impossible to actually stop working! This ongoing cycle of never-ending work is leading more folks than ever to despise the work they once loved while other important areas in their lives like relationships, health, and hobbies continue to suffer. This is an important topic for us to cover as we seek to implement some practices to restore that work-life balance and then create boundaries to maintain that balance.During this episode we enjoyed an I Learned It by Watching You by Burial Beer Co and Other Half Brewing - a big thanks to our friends Waffles on Wednesday for donating this collaboration beer to the show. And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the podcast we’re answering your questions! And if you have a question for us, we’d love for you to submit your own via HowToMoney.com/ask/1 - What is a cash management account and should I have one?2 - Should I pay $9500 to exit a work contract early?3 - Aside from a 529 plan, how else can I invest on behalf of my young son?4 - Rule of 173, single family vs multi-family properties, and is my money safe with a brokerage like M1 and Vanguard?5 - Not a question- but a great house hacking tip for a steady pipeline of qualified tenants.During this episode we enjoyed a Hazelnut Mocha Latte stout by True Respite - a big thanks to our friends Waffles on Wednesday for donating this beer to the show. And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the proliferation of electric vehicles, you might be wondering if you should look into an EV for your next car purchase. The advancements in battery technology means that range issues aren’t nearly as much of a concern. And with more and more automakers releasing their own lines of EVs, it’s clear that the electric vehicle is here to stay. There are countless benefits that accompany an electric vehicle but that doesn’t mean that EVs are for everyone. In this episode we talk about the good and the bad, as well as the questions to ask yourself in order to help you decide whether or not you should be considering one for your next car.During this episode we enjoyed an Art is Hard by North Park Beer Co - another big thanks to John for donating beers to the show this week! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Delaying your college application a few months could cost you $20,000! This is just one of the many things we learned during our conversation with Certified College Counselor, Elisia Howard. She has been in education for fifteen years and worked in college admissions for five years before starting College Insights in 2015. At College Insights, Elisia helps students navigate college decisions through academic advising, resume building, and applying to the right schools. She is passionate about students avoiding the crippling financial burdens that tend to accompany student loans, so this is a really valuable conversation for anyone considering college, for students who are currently in school, and even for graduates who already have student loans as we cover that as well.During this episode we enjoyed a Hop-Fu! by North Park Beer Co - a big thanks to John for donating this beer to the show! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Working hard for money isn't a foreign concept, but working hard to receive good customer service often is- we so rarely advocate for ourselves! The first step when you're looking for great customer service is to be sure to do business with a reputable company. After that, there are plenty of additional elements to consider to not only save you money, but allow you to walk away from a transaction completely satisfied and raving about how great of an experience you had when you needed assistance. Listen as we help you to make the best use of your time when advocating for great customer service.During this episode we each enjoyed an Atrial Rubicite by Jester King. A huge thanks to Jerrod at BrainDead Brewing for donating this beer to the show! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the podcast we’re answering your questions! And if you have a question for us, we’d love for you to submit your own via HowToMoney.com/ask/1 - Should I pay off my credit card debt that has a 0% interest rate?2 - How much money should I have in my emergency fund since we’re house hacking with a duplex?3 - What do I do with money that I’ve inherited as a 401k?4 - Does whole life insurance make sense for me?5 - What does it mean if I don’t have a credit score?During this episode we enjoyed a Blair’s Breakfast Stout by Wilmington Brewing Company - a big thanks to Matt’s uncle in-law John for donating this beer to the show. And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You won’t be surprised to hear that we’re critical of the consumeristic society we live in. Our culture wants us to believe that buying things will lead to greater levels of happiness. And maybe we’ve been convinced because 70% of the overall economy is driven by consumer spending. Here’s an alternate take though: our generation seems to value experiences more than stuff, but are experiences a better use of our money? Will we be able to find more happiness through greater spending on a cool trip or nicer clothes? Regardless, we definitely want to put our money towards the things we actually value because it turns out that the far reaching effects of mindless spending can leave you broke and wanting more from your experiences and stuff.During this episode we enjoyed a Divided Sky Rye IPA by 4 Hands Brewing - a big thanks to Justin for donating this beer to the show! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest today, Doug Nordman starts every morning by checking the surf forecast to see how he’s going to spend the day. He and his wife are financially independent and live on the island of Oahu, which is a surfer’s paradise! Doug was able to achieve this amazing life by taking advantage of the financial benefits offered to him by the military, as well as through standard practices like budgeting and investing extra money towards retirement. He was enlisted in the Navy where he had a career as a submariner, and now he writes about money over at The-Military-Guide.com. And while most all of us have a chance to become financially independent, Doug believes members of the military are even better positioned for financial success. We’ve never had a member of the armed forces on the show before so we’re excited to hear some of the unique money challenges and advantages that members of the military experience.During this episode we enjoyed a Bodhizafa by Georgetown Brewing Company - a big thanks to Richard for donating this beer to the show! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There will be declines in the stock market, and you’ll likely see the amount of money you have invested begin to drop. This is normal during a bear market- stay calm! It’s also OK to feel a little nervous. We are emotional creatures after all, and while it’s fine to feel a little anxious if you’re hemorrhaging money in your investments, it is NOT fine to react to these declines by selling and getting out of the market. It doesn’t help that the 24-hour news cycle and media outlets are fueling any uncertainty you might have by proclaiming doom and gloom. So in this episode we’re going to discuss what actions we should take, before and during a market crash, and how to harden ourselves to weather the financial storms that accompany a major market decline.During this episode we enjoyed a Bretta Weisse by Firestone Walker - a big thanks to our friend Josh for donating this beer to the show! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the podcast we’re answering your questions!1 - Should I continue to balance my checkbook every month, or is it a waste of time?2 - I have 2 daughters who rarely drive- how can I reduce how much I spend on their car insurance?3 - Should I purchase a primary residence or a couple investment properties instead?4 - Is identity theft insurance worth the money?5 - As a small business owner, should I consider offering a SIMPLE IRA or a 401k?And if you have a question for us, we’d love for you to submit your own via HowToMoney.com/ask/During this episode we enjoyed an Agrestic by Firestone Walker - a big thanks to our friend Josh for donating this beer to the show, and as a friend of the show you’ve earned enough points and have officially reached ‘red status’! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you saving your money when instead you should be investing it? Or maybe you’ve been investing, but alternatively you should be saving! Folks get confused as those terms are often used interchangeably, but they are very different. For example, we call it “saving for retirement” when we are actually “investing for retirement.” Saving and investing are both important and have their place, and so the trick is knowing when you should be doing either. During this episode, we’ll cover some of the different indicators and considerations that will help you to determine whether you should be saving or investing. And it depends on your goals, but there’s a good chance you’ll need to do both!During this episode we enjoyed a Kong Double Hazy IPA by BarrelHouse Brewing Co - a big thanks to our friend Josh for donating this beer to the show! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wanna sell your house for a lot of money? Then it would behoove you to listen to this interview! Our guest today, Mindy Jensen, is a licensed real estate agent in Colorado and has been buying and selling homes for about 20 years. And not only does she buy and sell them for her clients, but she’s an investor herself and specializes in live-in flips. Mindy works for BiggerPockets.com where she helps investors learn the proper ways to invest in real estate and she also co-hosts the podcast BiggerPockets Money. In this episode we talk through how you can sell your home for the most money possible.We’re also going to give away 10 copies of Mindy’s book, “How to Sell Your Home: The Essential Guide to a Fast, Stress-Free, and Profitable Sale”. To be entered to win, just make sure you’ve left us a solid review over in Apple podcasts or Stitcher, and then shoot us an email at [email protected] with your screen name. That’s it!During this episode we enjoyed a Slammin at the Club by Casa Agria Specialty Ales- thanks to our buddy Josh for donating this one! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We live increasingly busy and complex lives and the same is true of our money. Repeatedly making smart money moves is hard. It’s easy for us to forget or just get plain lazy when it comes to doing the right thing with our funds. Between our different bank accounts, multiple credit cards, and debt obligations, it can be difficult for us to take action on a consistent basis that will have a long-lasting effect on our personal finances. That’s where automation comes in- it helps us to engineer money success ahead of time, instead of trusting ourselves in the moment to continually muster the willpower to make it happen. But like many of the financial tools at our disposal, it’s not all puppies and rainbows. So, in addition to the clear benefits, be sure to listen and learn why you should also be careful when it comes to employing automation in your personal finance life.During this episode we enjoyed a Dayglow IPA by Elysian Brewing Company - a big thanks to Joe in Minnesota for donating the beers to the show this week! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the podcast we’re answering your questions! Our family has outgrown our current car so our multiple road trips every year are getting cramped. Should we purchase a new (used) car, or rent a larger vehicle as needed? Does the 5 year holding period apply to my contributions of my Roth IRA? Should I purchase pet insurance? I’d like to save up a down payment for a home but I’m also currently paying down debts using the debt snowball method. What should I do? I have student loans and I also qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness- how can I reduce the minimum amount that I owe every month? And if you have a question for us, we’d love for you to submit your own via HowToMoney.com/ask/During this episode we enjoyed a King Sue by Toppling Goliath Brewing - a big thanks to Joe in Minnesota for donating this beer to the show! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Personal levels of indebtedness are at all time highs in our country. Consumer spending is growing, student loans are ever-present, and car loans are becoming even more of an issue as consumers take out 72 and 84 month loans. The reality and feeling of drowning in debt is compounded when folks don’t know how to get out from underneath this crushing weight. Where do you even begin?! What we need is a plan to help us get out of debt and get our feet set in the right direction this year. Now is the time to get your personal finances in order and creating a debt payoff plan is vital to achieving your financial goals.During this episode we enjoyed a Barrel Aged Yeti Imperial Stout- thanks to our friends there at the brewery for donating this one! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re thinking about starting your own side hustle, then this episode is a #MustListen! Vincent Pugliese is a husband, dad, and a professional photographer who started out at making $15 an hour working for the local newspaper, to paying off $140,000 in debt in 4 years. Through his journey to become debt free, he discovered the power of being self-employed, and the impact it can have towards not only achieving financial freedom, but time freedom and life freedom as well. During this process, Vincent wrote the book Freelance to Freedom which has inspired many who want to quit their day jobs and start their own businesses in order to take control of their lives.During this episode we enjoyed a S’Mores Yeti by Great Divide- thanks to our friends there at the brewery for donating this one! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We can only go so far with being frugal, before we venture into the realm of cheap. Now don’t get us wrong- frugality is a great tool in your personal finance swiss army knife. We’re frugal fellas ourselves, and we love seeing what money saving steps our friends and listeners are implementing into their lives, but frugality alone doesn’t cut it. There are times when you need to make larger cuts and prioritize the other tools in your personal finance swiss army knife to help you achieve your money goals. Today we’re going to discuss the role frugality should play in our financial lives and how to use the other tools at your disposal when adding more frugal hacks to your life just won’t do the trick.During this episode we enjoyed a Hibernation Ale by Great Divide- thanks to our friends there at the brewery for donating this one! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the podcast we’re answering your questions! 1 - I was overpaid by my employer, what should I do now? 2 - Should I convert my 401k into an IRA? What considerations should I keep in mind? 3 - I have some IRS debt. Should I prioritize my debt snowball or get after that tax debt owed to the IRS? 4 - What’s the deal with my savings account interest rate dropping? 5 - I have an ESPP that is offered at work. Should I participate, and if so, how should I go about taking advantage of my employee stock purchase plan?And if you have a question for us, we’d love for you to submit your own via HowToMoney.com/ask/During this episode we enjoyed a Mexican Chocolate Yeti by Great Divide - a big thanks to our friends there at the brewery! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For most normal people, personal finance is boring! There are many reasons why Americans have a really difficult time getting their money act together, but today we’re addressing the fact that we’d rather spend our time doing almost anything else. This is a problem as it takes intentional action for the rubber to meet the road and for our hopes and dreams to be turned into a debt slaying, wealth building reality. Gamifying our personal finances can help us to actually achieve some of those goals when it would otherwise be something we wouldn’t do at all. When we can figure out what it is about a particular game that we love, then we can bridge that gap and take some of the elements from the games we love and apply them to our personal finances. We really believe that gamification will level up your money game.During this episode we enjoyed a Astral Prism by Modern Times Beer- another big thanks to our friend Craig there at the brewery for donating this one! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s probably going to be hard, but waking up earlier this year can help you to get your personal finances in order! We’re excited to talk with our friend 5am Joel about how he got started waking up early and how this has impacted him personally. We both met Joel at a personal finance conference and immediately bonded over a mutual love of craft beer as well as talking about nerdy money things like investing in real estate and financial independence. He’s been waking up early for years now and we’re curious to hear how he does it so that we can begin implementing some of his tips into our daily routine as well.During this episode we enjoyed a Black House by Modern Times Beer- another big thanks to our friend Craig there at the brewery for donating this one! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When 80% of folks report that they’re living paycheck to paycheck, it’s clear that this lack of margin in our lives is a major contributing factor to why we have some much stress in our lives. It’s true of our money and it’s true of our time as well. And with it being the new year, it’s easier to believe that a new and better narrative is possible- and it is! We have the power to change our previous negative money associations and to start handling our personal finances better this year. In this episode we’ll cover why margin is so important, some of the different things that keep us from having more of it, as well as some practical steps that we can take in order to create more margin in our lives.During this episode we enjoyed a Visible World by Modern Times Beer - a big thanks to our friend Craig there at the brewery! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the podcast we’re answering your questions! 1 - Should I consider renting out a furnished spare room, and do I go about to vet possible roommates? 2 - How diversified are index funds? 3 - Can I use funds from a car loan to pay off some high interest credit card debt? 4 - When should I transition my side hustle to a legit small business and how do I start deducting my expenses come tax season? 5 - Should I invest in my 403b with pre-tax or post-tax dollars?And if you have a question for us, we’d love for you to submit your own via HowToMoney.com/ask/During this episode we enjoyed a Farmhouse Pale Ale by Oxbow Brewing Co - a big thanks to our friends there at the brewery! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays! In the midst of all the festivities, now is a good time to ask ourselves: “Buying new stuff makes us happy, right?” Well if you have a need that is now being met, there is certainly some value that item is now providing. But value isn’t the same as happiness. Hedonic adaptation, or the hedonic treadmill, helps us understand the effect of consumption. Coming to grips with that can help us end unhealthy cycles of mindless consumerism and set us on a path to a healthier way of thinking about money, spending, and saving for the future. Listen to the full episode to learn how hedonic adaptation can be terrible, how it can actually be a good thing, and then finally to learn how to hack it and truly control how happy you really are.During this episode we enjoyed a Mangifera Flux by Marz Community Brewing- a huge thanks to our buddy Andrew for bringing this beer all the way back from Chicago. And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest today is Keith Schroeder who began working in the backwoods of Wisconsin on a family farm fixing silo unloaders- not the kind of job most of us had growing up! But his passionate distaste for that work led him to file tax returns on the side and that hustle led to Keith being able to retire at age 22 however he didn’t stay retired for long. His tax preparation business exploded into a full on accounting firm where at his busiest, he was serving over 2,000 clients. He started his own blog in 2016 called The Wealthy Accountant to inspire people to “live life well” and also help them not screw up their taxes. In this episode we’ll cover Keith’s thoughts on the best tax advantaged retirement accounts, whether your side business should really be a hobby, and some important considerations as you begin to get your 2019 tax forms together!During this episode we enjoyed an Alpha Abstraction Vol. 9 by Wild Leap which you can learn all about on Untappd! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How we pay for things has a LOT of implications. Chances are whether you use “cash, debit, or credit” is more a result of habit than a thoughtful approach to your spending. “I use my check card because that’s just what I do- and it’s easy!”. But it’s important to note that some payment methods are more secure than others, while others provide better rewards, peace of mind, or might even cause you to spend less of your money. So how do you know whether you should be pulling out your debit or credit card? Or should you stick to using cash? We’ll discuss the pros and cons and why how you pay is so important.During this episode we enjoyed an Oro Negro by Jackie O's Brewery- a big thanks to Art, Mackenzie, and all of our friends there at the brewery! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the podcast we’re answering your questions! 1 - Should we go with a cash out mortgage refinance in order to pay off student loans? 2 - Can I contribute to a self employed retirement account while also contributing to my employer sponsored plan? 3 - What does it take to be a HUD landlord and how do I balance community renovation with gentrification? 4 - We have a lot of available credit through our credit cards, but we never use it. Should we keep those cards open or close those accounts? 5 - Considering the stock market is hot and a correction is imminent, is dollar cost averaging or lump sum investing a better approach for me?And if you have a question for us, we’d love for you to submit your own via HowToMoney.com/ask/During this episode we enjoyed an Ogee by Jackie O's Brewery - a big thanks to Art, Mackenzie, and all of our friends there at the brewery! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fees are a major pain and they’ve worked their way into so many different industries! We recently talked about travel lodging and discussed the annoyance of the countless fees that might get tacked on: resort fees are some of the most confusing, but parking and WiFi fees abound too! With fees becoming so prevalent across our financial lives, we need to be aware of how and when we encounter them so we can be vigilant and intentional to avoid them whenever possible. While we understand and will readily admit that certain services and products have a cost, we really don’t like it when those fees are hidden until the last minute or when companies go about adding them in an underhanded way.During this episode we enjoyed a Bourbon Barrel Dark Apparition by Jackie O's Brewery- a big thanks to Art, Mackenzie, and all of our friends there at the brewery! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On average, we lose 3 hours of productivity every single day due to distractions! There are countless ways that we’re distracted in our lives today, and these distractions are keeping us from doing the things we truly need to do. MAYBE YOU’RE CURRENTLY DISTRACTED RIGHT NOW. It is very easy to allow ourselves to be constantly barraged by notifications, social media, or by email and these distractions are keeping us from being good friends and family members at home, and they’re keeping us from being productive and engaged at work. This is why we’re stoked to be talking with distraction expert Curt Steinhorst today. Curt wrote the book Can I Have Your Attention? Inspiring Better Work Habits, Focusing Your Team, and Getting Stuff Done in the Constantly Connected Workplace. We often talk about ways to save money but today’s conversation will focus on how we can do a better job earning money by focusing our attention on what matters most.During this episode we enjoyed a Quatrefoil by Jackie O's Brewery- a big thanks to Art, Mackenzie, and all of our friends there at the brewery! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When 99% of American companies are small businesses, it’s no exaggeration to say that these businesses are the backbone of our country. These startups have been responsible for almost all new job creation over the past 3 decades! And not only are small businesses important to our economy but they’re important to us on a personal level as well. These are the storefronts and people who make up our communities and neighborhoods- they’re a part of our identity! However as technology marches on, small businesses also need to adapt and utilize this innovation to continue to reach their customers where and how they want to be reached. We’re going to cover some of our favorite ways that small businesses are able to use technology to stand out in really cool ways and contribute to their local community.During this episode we enjoyed a Double Purple Chroma by Other Half Brewing. Since we recorded this episode live in NYC, we were excited to enjoy a local craft beer from the borough of Brooklyn. And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the podcast we’re answering your questions! 1 - Should I close a credit card that has a $40 annual fee? 2 - As a minor with my first job, where should I save and invest my money? 3 - How do I get my spouse on board using one of the budgeting apps? And with those apps are there any security concerns? 4 - I have a chunk of money that I plan to live off of in the coming years- where should I put it? 5 - Should I consider financing a car in order to keep my credit score high?And if you have a question for us, we’d love for you to submit your own via HowToMoney.com/ask/During this episode we enjoyed a Chance IPA by Wild Leap Brew Co which you can learn all about on Untappd! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money!Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.