How to Money

Let’s kick off the week with some fresh listener questions we have lined up for you! And don't just stand on the sidelines- if you have a question you’d like us to answer, toss your voice memo our way. It only takes about 90 seconds to record and you can find a step by step guide over at HowToMoney.com/ask . Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, we want to hear it!   1 - Tax help: where should I find a tax professional and how much should one cost? 2 - Frugal or cheap: should I continue to reuse ziploc bags if I have millions in the bank? 3 - Revocable trust: does it make sense to update my parents' trust or should they scrap it for a brand new one? 4 - Savings rates: what’s going on with HYSA interest rates? 5 - Termites: is it time to take matters into my own hands or do I just pay to renew the termite warranty?   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Learn how you can take on some DIY pest control that will give you professional results at a fraction of the cost. And a Bug-A-Salt gun is fun and actually works- especially on house flies! Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   During this episode we enjoyed a The Scars on Greedy Palms by Burial! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Time for a Friday Flight- our little sampling of the week’s financial news and what it means for your personal finances. There are a lot of headlines out there, but we boil them down to specific takeaways that will allow you to kick off the weekend informed and help you to get ahead with your money. In this episode we explain some relevant and helpful stories like: Candy buyback Eating roadkill?! Affordable Thanksgiving dinner Discount burnout Bubble trouble What even is “bearish” High on gold Leveraged ETFs Bummed after winning the bidding war Renters rejoice Luxury apartment con job Gen Z credit hurdles   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: I’m not sure who needs to hear this but Health Savings Accounts, or HSAs, are the ultimate retirement accounts. Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money. Have an awesome weekend!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A financial advisor WON’T magically fix your money problems, but many folks assume that by hiring a professional, they’re well on their way to financial success. Maybe, but maybe not, because a bunch of different factors come into play. And who better to have this discussion with other than award-winning investor advocate and financial educator Pam Krueger. She began her career as a stockbroker before moving into financial media, where she created and co-hosted the PBS series MoneyTrack where her work emphasizes transparency, investor protection, and understanding how advisors are compensated. Pam is also the founder and CEO of Wealthramp, a platform that connects consumers with vetted fiduciary financial advisors and today we discuss:  Determining if you should DIY or delegate The one silver bullet in everyone’s financial journey Conflicts of interest and the fiduciary standard Fee-only advisors, unbiased advice without commissions Expecting transparency in advisor fees Paying for “meh” financial advice Breaking up with an advisor if you’re unhappy How Wealthramp advisors are vetted and finding the right advisor for you!   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Head to HowToMoney.com/advisor if you’re interested in a SOLID financial advisor who will be a great fit for you. Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Find a thriving community of fellow money nerds by joining the HTM Facebook group! Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let’s kick off the week with some fresh listener questions we have lined up for you! And don't just stand on the sidelines- if you have a question you’d like us to answer, toss your voice memo our way. It only takes about 90 seconds to record and you can find a step by step guide over at HowToMoney.com/ask . Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, we want to hear it!   1 - Savings rates: how should I account for a disability payment when calculating my savings rate? 2 - $300,000: if I want to retire early in a couple years, what should I do with a settlement payout? 3 - 401k faux pas: WTD with my 401k that I overcontributed to last year? 4 - New car: how should I save up for a new ride I might buy in 5-6 years? 5 - Credit repair: student loan autodraft got dropped, credit score busted, now pay to get it fixed?    Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Calculating your savings rate and knowing that single metric can give your finances the boost needed to achieve early retirement. Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   During this episode we enjoyed a Presence of Another World by Bissell Brothers! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Time for a Friday Flight- our little sampling of the week’s financial news and what it means for your personal finances. There are a lot of headlines out there, but we boil them down to specific takeaways that will allow you to kick off the weekend informed and help you to get ahead with your money. In this episode we explain some relevant and helpful stories like: The running industrial complex Exorbitant cost of running tourism Lead in the protein powders More money leading to sloppier habits Moneyless millionaires AI takes on ecommerce Subs for the suds Silly names are killing craft beer Credit card churning Premium cards with premium fees HSAs are going mainstream Rx vending machines   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: I’m not sure who needs to hear this but Health Savings Accounts, or HSAs, are the ultimate retirement accounts. Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money. Have an awesome weekend!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Figuring out your money is tough enough if you’re flying solo. Doing it with your partner ramps up the difficulty level because you're throwing in varied money history, habits, and goals. It can create a lot of friction! Our guests today have a lot of great advice for couples looking to do better with their finances and create a ‘team vibe’ with their partner. If you looked up the definition of ‘power couple’ in the dictionary, you just might see a picture of Doug and Heather Boneparth next to it. Doug has built his own successful financial advisor firm while simultaneously tweeting hilarious memes. Heather is a former corporate attorney and director of business affairs for that firm, Bona Fide Wealth. They’ve written the fabulous new book ‘Money Together’ which launches next week on the 28th, and today we discuss: How understanding individual money histories is crucial for couples Impact of shame around finances Balancing individual and shared goals Creating positive financial vibes Regular money dates  Investing in one area often requires sacrifices in another It's important to recognize the contributions beyond monetary income And plenty more!   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: DoMoneyTogether.com is where you can go to learn all about Heather and Doug’s book. ReadTheJointAccount.com is their newsletter and BoneFideWealth.com is their wealth advisory firm. Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Find a thriving community of fellow money nerds by joining the HTM Facebook group! Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let’s kick off the week with some fresh listener questions we have lined up for you! And don't just stand on the sidelines- if you have a question you’d like us to answer, toss your voice memo our way. It only takes about 90 seconds to record and you can find a step by step guide over at HowToMoney.com/ask . Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, we want to hear it!   1 - Credit card no-nos: after getting a $900 welcome offer should I take advantage of one year of no interest? 2 - HSA: what’s the best way of keeping up with medical expenses so I can invest my HSA funds? 3 - 403b: should I participate in my 403b if I don’t think I’ll stay long enough to vest? 4 - Roth IRA: explainlikeimfive, how exactly do I invest in my Roth?! 5 - Medium term investing: is 2-3 years long enough to invest a down payment?   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   During this episode we enjoyed a Twin by Living Waters Brewing! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Time for a Friday Flight- our little sampling of the week’s financial news and what it means for your personal finances. There are a lot of headlines out there, but we boil them down to specific takeaways that will allow you to kick off the weekend informed and help you to get ahead with your money. In this episode we explain some relevant and helpful stories like: Government shutdown federal layoffs Deploying a Bare Bones Budget Accidental landlords Ending capital gains on primary residences Space heaters to the rescue $30 home (mint)ternet Rent vs attending a wedding WFH premium Debilitating debt Perceived importance of college College discounts The necessity of creative destruction   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money. Have an awesome weekend!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest today is a self professed personal finance oddball! Len Penzo spent 35 years in the aerospace industry before retiring at age 58 as an electrical engineer. Along the way he launched LenPenzo.com in December 2008 (he even helped to give Joel a start writing personal finance content back in the day). Since then, the blog has drawn millions of readers and earned awards from publications like Kiplinger. Len’s work has appeared in outlets like Forbes, Time, Business Insider, CBS MoneyWatch, and he’s been featured on radio and TV segments. And he now has a new book out called True Money Stories that’s about the intersection of money and family life. We discuss: Intelligence vs. financial management Running household finances like a business The importance of honesty in personal finance Allowing children to make financial mistakes The annual sandwich survey and inflation Navigating retirement and long-term care And much more!   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Check out Len’s book True Money Stories, more of his writings at his site, and follow over on X. Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Find a thriving community of fellow money nerds by joining the HTM Facebook group! Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let’s kick off the week with some fresh listener questions we have lined up for you! And don't just stand on the sidelines- if you have a question you’d like us to answer, toss your voice memo our way. It only takes about 90 seconds to record and you can find a step by step guide over at HowToMoney.com/ask . Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, we want to hear it!   1 - eBay: when to list and when to sell locally? 2 - Quarterly estimates: making estimates vs increasing withholding to avoid the tax shock 3 - Backdoor Roth IRA: is the window closing to make backdoor Roth IRA contributions? 4 - Buying a home: when it makes sense to make an as-is offer? 5 - Selling a home: what should I do if the appraisal comes back below the offer price?   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: We referenced this holistic tax planning conversation with CFP Cody Garrett. Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   During this episode we enjoyed a Rice Lager by Hi-Wire Brewing! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Time for a Friday Flight- our little sampling of the week’s financial news and what it means for your personal finances. There are a lot of headlines out there, but we boil them down to specific takeaways that will allow you to kick off the weekend informed and help you to get ahead with your money. In this episode we explain some relevant and helpful stories like:  The refi revival 2026 investing limits Ditching the S&P Private equity in target date funds Falling behind on payments Debt collections on the rise Delay pay disaster Travel now pay later Landline loving Avoiding chatbots Getting paid for your data   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money. Have an awesome weekend!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Demographics are destiny” is a phrase we’ve all heard. And while the future of America isn’t a foregone conclusion, declining birth rates, rising inequality, and the dramatic increase of single-parent households are having a profound impact on our society, impacting the overall economy. With all of this in mind, another question is raised: how should we respond and what money choices should we be making now? To help answer this question, we’re joined by Melissa Kearney who is an economist known for her extensive research on social policy, poverty, inequality, and the economics of families and fertility. Melissa is author of the book, The Two-Parent Privilege, and she’s a professor of economics at Notre Dame. We discuss: How pessimism about the economy often contrasts with individual financial well-being Declining birth rates are a global concern with potential economic consequences Marriage is not just a romantic arrangement, it has economic implications too Immigration could be a solution to counteract declining birth rates Declining birth rates could lead to challenges in social security systems Investing strategies may need to adapt to demographic changes   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Be sure to check out Melissa’s book, The Two-Parent Privilege! Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Find a thriving community of fellow money nerds by joining the HTM Facebook group! Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let’s kick off the week with some fresh listener questions we have lined up for you! And don't just stand on the sidelines- if you have a question you’d like us to answer, toss your voice memo our way. It only takes about 90 seconds to record and you can find a step by step guide over at HowToMoney.com/ask . Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, we want to hear it!   1 - Credit card autopay: how do I avoid getting hit with an interest charge? 2 - Timing a HELOC: should I apply and open a line of credit before my income drops significantly? 3 - Solar panels: should I take the plunge with solar in order to mitigate monthly expenses in retirement? 4 - Family money talk: how do I convince my parents that taking out a loan for some HVAC work is foolish? 5 - Cellular for wearables: what’s the best option if we’re adding a line for our kid’s watch?   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Negotiating severance during an impending layoff by Financial Samurai. Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   During this episode we enjoyed a It’s Complicated Being A Wizard by Burlington Beer Co! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Time for a Friday Flight- our little sampling of the week’s financial news and what it means for your personal finances. There are a lot of headlines out there, but we boil them down to specific takeaways that will allow you to kick off the weekend informed and help you to get ahead with your money. In this episode we explain some relevant and helpful stories like:  Government shutdown Streaming price hikes Underwater autos Best high mileage vehicles Car insurers that have your back Freelancers FTW Side hustle scams E-fund idiocy Employer matched savings Employer provided financial advice TrumpRx Pharma ads   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money. Have an awesome weekend!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest today says, “you can’t transform the world if you’re living paycheck to paycheck.” We couldn’t agree more! And money literacy is at the heart of avoiding that fate. Not only did Professor Kristen Carioti literally write the personal finance textbook, but she also found a way to make personal finance classes a requirement at her school, Mount Mary University. Kristen is boots on the ground, teaching the next generation how to think about and handle their finances effectively. We discuss: Students are eager to learn about personal finance, indicating a demand for a money education Building good money habits early can lead to long-term financial success Budgeting should be viewed as a plan rather than a restriction Trade-offs in financial decisions are often overlooked by young adults Financial tools should be chosen based on individual needs and effectiveness And plenty more!   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Check out Kristen’s site to learn more about her, the personal finance book, and reach out to her on LinkedIn to connect professionally! Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Find a thriving community of fellow money nerds by joining the HTM Facebook group! Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let’s kick off the week with some fresh listener questions we have lined up for you! And don't just stand on the sidelines- if you have a question you’d like us to answer, toss your voice memo our way. It only takes about 90 seconds to record and you can find a step by step guide over at HowToMoney.com/ask . Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, we want to hear it!   1 - Switching banks and HSAs: what’s the break-even dollar amount for it to be worth it? 2 - Best early retirement accounts: should I prioritize a 457b over a 403b? 3 - Social Security timing: do I start drawing down at 62 and let my retirement portfolio grow or vice versa? 4 - Building an ADU: should I tap a HELOC or save up the cash to build? 5 - Affordable healthcare: what are actual costs if we opt out of actual health insurance?   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Paying the $50 might be worth it for a detailed Social Security analysis. If you’re looking for a very affordable health care alternative (like by a factor of 6x) that isn’t technically insurance, then you definitely need to check out Medi-Share. Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   During this episode we enjoyed a Cordial Offering: Peanut Butter Cup by Edmund’s Oast! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Time for a Friday Flight- our little sampling of the week’s financial news and what it means for your personal finances. There are a lot of headlines out there, but we boil them down to specific takeaways that will allow you to kick off the weekend informed and help you to get ahead with your money. In this episode we explain some relevant and helpful stories like:  Coffee tariffs Avoiding the import tax Just in case financial planning Startup investing Investing like Nance Quitting quarterly earnings Consumer caste system Vegas surge pricing Noble Mobile Credit scores crashing A better scoring model?   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: You need a Bare Bones Budget! Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money. Have an awesome weekend!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The supposed luxury of avocado toast, along with the latte, has become an “ok boomer” personal finance tip. “Stop frivolously spending your money and you’d be rich!”... we don’t actually believe that here at HTM and even if there’s a modicum of truth to that statement, it presents other challenges like: how long do you sacrifice in the short-term in order to achieve long-term financial success? Which is why we’re pumped to have financial counselors Justin & Haley Browns-Wood join the podcast today because these are the types of questions they guide their clients through on the reg.   Justin & Haley share their story which includes paying off six figures in debt – all on teacher’s salaries, despite burning through a $600,000 settlement. The couple behind Price of Avocado Toast discusses how lifestyle inflation led to their out of control debt, why debt consolidation is risky without behavioral change, examples of how tracking expenses are essential for gaining financial clarity, how shame around debt can be a common barrier to financial progress, but then we also talk about OkCupid and the intersection of intimacy and Dave Ramsey – it turns out that transformative experiences can strengthen relationships!   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Head to PriceOfAvocadoToast.com to learn about everything Justin & Haley, including their financial coacking. Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Find a thriving community of fellow money nerds by joining the HTM Facebook group! Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let’s kick off the week with some fresh listener questions we have lined up for you! And don't just stand on the sidelines- if you have a question you’d like us to answer, toss your voice memo our way. It only takes about 90 seconds to record and you can find a step by step guide over at HowToMoney.com/ask . Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, we want to hear it!   1 - Selling a home and renting instead: what do we do with cash from the closing table? 2 - Best credit card for groceries: but what about ethical fatigue from asking for annual fee waiver? 3 - High income Roth investors: how do we go about (legally) shoehorning some dollars in there? 4 - Car rental deals: is is worth it to go with the ultra cheap car rental that’s a fraction of the regular cost? 5 - Debt payoff: what’s the best method for knocking out 4 credit card balances?   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Use Undebt.it to help you figure out a get-outta-debt plan If you make too much to directly contribute to a Roth, the "backdoor Roth" might be just the thing to get you invested. Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   During this episode we enjoyed a Fat Pug by Maplewood Brewing! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Time for a Friday Flight- our little sampling of the week’s financial news and what it means for your personal finances. There are a lot of headlines out there, but we boil them down to specific takeaways that will allow you to kick off the weekend informed and help you to get ahead with your money. In this episode we explain some relevant and helpful stories like:  RATE CUTS Pricey porch pumpkins Recency bias and expecting the rosiest returns Twitter for trading Job hugging Tips only please (no taxes on tips) 401k raiding to pay down debt Sticking it through a divorce (bc the mortgage rate is too good) Saving for a spouse AI for investing advice   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money. Have an awesome weekend!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.