The Personal Finance Podcast

Investing is supposed to be simple: right accounts, low-cost funds, decades of consistency. If yours has become anything more complicated than that, one of these five signs is probably why. 👉 Want personalized help from Andrew? Join Master Money Academy at https://www.skool.com/mastermoneyacademy/about  👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginner’s Masterclass: https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21  👉 Live Call Registration Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqIw5xncfn5tZbGG_U22iZ3BUmyHe9fPvBQaC1vW_x1D7bJA/viewform  👉 One-on-One Coaching Application Form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12UHo5Zmu1AyY_G4Gmbrcx9vThIZhxqFnaJ5dIihZL24/edit  👉 Master Money Wealth Building Strategy Call https://calendly.com/irene-mastermoney/master-money-wealth-building-strategy-call?month=2026-09  What You'll Learn in This Episode Five habits that signal you are overcomplicating your portfolio Why owning more funds often means less diversification, not more The free tool that shows how much overlap your holdings actually have Why waiting for the right entry point keeps costing people years How often to check your accounts without it working against you Plus listener questions on cross-border estate taxes, surviving a 10-month school paycheck year, and what to do with money while living at home Andrew's honest take on day trading after a layoff, and what he would do instead A new brokerage transfer scam that a credit freeze will not stop Start Here  Join the community built to help you master your money, stay accountable, and reach financial freedom.   👉 Try Master Money Academy FREE for 7 days today! https://mastermoney.co/join/ 👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginners Masterclass https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21 👉 Join The Master Money Newsletter where you will become smarter with your money in 5 minutes or less per week Here! https://expert-hustler-605.ck.page/6aa7bb9a79 Partner Deals   Indeed → Get a $75 sponsored job credit http://Indeed.com/personalfinance  Wayfair → Up to  60% off | MEMORIAL DAY WAREHOUSE CLEAROUT http://wayfair.com    Monarch Money → The all-in-one financial tool + Get 50% Off at http://www.monarch.com/PFP  Polygenius →  Free life insurance quote http://policygenius.com  DeleteMe → 20% off with code PFP https://joindeleteme.com/PFP20/  Resource/s  Car Insurance https://secure.money.com/pr/gc43ce394da5  Best HYSA https://secure.money.com/pr/r453ecf4d190  Stock  Brokerage Accounts https://secure.money.com/pr/v8d06f8de92c   Best IRAs https://secure.money.com/pr/oe09b73d1952  Favorite Travel Credit Cards https://milevalue.com/best-credit-cards/?aff=mastermoney  Tool/s Mentioned  Coast FIRE Calculator https://visionary-raindrop-1fc22a.netlify.app/  Compound Interest Calculator https://expert-hustler-605.kit.com/aefaaad27e  Episode/s Mentioned  How to Save $100,000 on a Low Salary https://youtu.be/f8-BWWiDpKc  How to Never Worry About Money Again with Jesse Mecham https://youtu.be/_Zrin_NvjpY  The 1-3-6 Method For Building & Managing Your Emergency Fund https://youtu.be/rGdII_Z0hnw  Why Index Funds Are King (Plus My Favorite Index Funds!) https://www.thepersonalfinancepodcast.com/why-index-funds-are-king-plus-my-favorite-index-funds/  15 Reasons Index Funds Are Still My All Time Favorite Investment https://www.thepersonalfinancepodcast.com/15-reasons-index-funds-are-still-my-all-time-favorite-investement/  Index Funds VS. ETFs | Which One Is a Better Investment? (THE GREAT SHOWDOWN! https://www.thepersonalfinancepodcast.com/index-funds-vs-etfs-which-one-is-a-better-investment-the-great-showdown/  How to Put Together a Bulletproof Investment Plan (Set it and Forget it) https://www.thepersonalfinancepodcast.com/how-to-put-together-a-bulletproof-investment/  Watch Next The 5 Levels of FIRE (Coast, Lean, FI, Chubby, Fat) https://youtu.be/cpZCevuXW1U  Type A vs. Type B Money Personality: Which one are you? https://youtu.be/ZoyLEwBMQdQ  The 12 Worst Money Habits (Ranked!) https://youtu.be/VEgX_BT5dA0  How to Never Worry About Money Again with Jesse Mecham https://youtu.be/_Zrin_NvjpY  How to Save $100,000 on a Low Salary https://youtu.be/f8-BWWiDpKc  Connect with Andrew Instagram → https://bit.ly/Skool-Instagram  TikTok → https://bit.ly/Skool-TikTok  Facebook → https://bit.ly/Skool-Facebook  Podcast → https://bit.ly/Skool-Podcast  Youtube → bit.ly/Skool-Youtube  Newsletter → https://bit.ly/Skool-Newsletter  Website →⁠ https://mastermoney.co ⁠ X → ⁠https://x.com/mastermoneyco LinkedIn →⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-giancola-45027b340 ⁠ Question for you: Which of the five are you guilty of?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coast FIRE, Lean FIRE, Chubby FIRE, Fat FIRE. Five levels, five very different lifestyles, and one of them is the milestone Andrew thinks everyone should chase first.  👉 Want personalized help from Andrew? Join Master Money Academy at https://www.skool.com/mastermoneyacademy/about  👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginner’s Masterclass: https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21  👉 Live Call Registration Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqIw5xncfn5tZbGG_U22iZ3BUmyHe9fPvBQaC1vW_x1D7bJA/viewform  👉 One-on-One Coaching Application Form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12UHo5Zmu1AyY_G4Gmbrcx9vThIZhxqFnaJ5dIihZL24/edit  👉 Master Money Wealth Building Strategy Call https://calendly.com/irene-mastermoney/master-money-wealth-building-strategy-call?month=2026-09  What You'll Learn in This Episode The 25x rule and the math sitting underneath every level of FIRE All five levels explained, from the first milestone to the highest one Why Coast FIRE should be your first target no matter which level you ultimately want What Lean FIRE actually requires you to give up, and who it fits How to calculate your own number using last year's bank statements The difference between Chubby and Fat FIRE, and what the extra cushion buys you Why the withdrawal rate deserves a second look if you retire decades early The trap of the moving goalpost, and how to decide when enough is enough Start Here  Join the community built to help you master your money, stay accountable, and reach financial freedom.   👉 Try Master Money Academy FREE for 7 days today! https://mastermoney.co/join/ 👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginners Masterclass https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21 👉 Join The Master Money Newsletter where you will become smarter with your money in 5 minutes or less per week Here! https://expert-hustler-605.ck.page/6aa7bb9a79 Partner Deals   Indeed → Get a $75 sponsored job credit http://Indeed.com/personalfinance  Wayfair → Up to  60% off | MEMORIAL DAY WAREHOUSE CLEAROUT http://wayfair.com    Monarch Money → The all-in-one financial tool + Get 50% Off at http://www.monarch.com/PFP  Polygenius →  Free life insurance quote http://policygenius.com  DeleteMe → 20% off with code PFP https://joindeleteme.com/PFP20/  Resource/s  Car Insurance https://secure.money.com/pr/gc43ce394da5  Best HYSA https://secure.money.com/pr/r453ecf4d190  Stock  Brokerage Accounts https://secure.money.com/pr/v8d06f8de92c   Best IRAs https://secure.money.com/pr/oe09b73d1952  Favorite Travel Credit Cards https://milevalue.com/best-credit-cards/?aff=mastermoney  Tool/s Mentioned  Coast FIRE Calculator https://visionary-raindrop-1fc22a.netlify.app/  Compound Interest Calculator https://expert-hustler-605.kit.com/aefaaad27e  Episode/s Mentioned  Why Coast FIRE May Be The Perfect Strategy for You with Andy Hill https://www.thepersonalfinancepodcast.com/why-coast-fire-may-be-the-perfect-strategy-for-you-with-andy-hill/  Hit This Number and You Can STOP SAVING! (Even When You are Young) https://youtu.be/R2ebV44XaAY  Why Barista FIRE Is the Coolest Strategy There Is (Retire Faster Than You Thought!) https://www.thepersonalfinancepodcast.com/why-barista-fire-is-the-coolest-strategy-there-is-retire-faster-than-you-thought/  How to Retire in 10 Years or Less! https://youtu.be/nStwD03vJ64  Why a Mini Retirement Can Change Your Life https://youtu.be/o5HIfbIwfjI  Watch Next Type A vs. Type B Money Personality: Which one are you? https://youtu.be/ZoyLEwBMQdQ  The 12 Worst Money Habits (Ranked!) https://youtu.be/VEgX_BT5dA0  How to Never Worry About Money Again with Jesse Mecham https://youtu.be/_Zrin_NvjpY  How to Save $100,000 on a Low Salary https://youtu.be/f8-BWWiDpKc  How to Spot Fee That's Robbing You, Insure Your Kids' Future & Retire Two Decades Early - Money Q&A https://youtu.be/2y6bjDkgbgM  Connect with Andrew Instagram → https://bit.ly/Skool-Instagram  TikTok → https://bit.ly/Skool-TikTok  Facebook → https://bit.ly/Skool-Facebook  Podcast → https://bit.ly/Skool-Podcast  Youtube → bit.ly/Skool-Youtube  Newsletter → https://bit.ly/Skool-Newsletter  Website →⁠ https://mastermoney.co ⁠ X → ⁠https://x.com/mastermoneyco LinkedIn →⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-giancola-45027b340 ⁠ Question for you: Which level are you targeting: Coast, Lean, traditional FI, Chubby, or Fat? Comment your answer and why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are two money personalities. Type A or Type B? The one you decide to be changes everything in your life financially. 👉 Want personalized help from Andrew? Join Master Money Academy at https://www.skool.com/mastermoneyacademy/about  👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginner’s Masterclass: https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21  👉 Live Call Registration Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqIw5xncfn5tZbGG_U22iZ3BUmyHe9fPvBQaC1vW_x1D7bJA/viewform  👉 One-on-One Coaching Application Form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12UHo5Zmu1AyY_G4Gmbrcx9vThIZhxqFnaJ5dIihZL24/edit  👉 Master Money Wealth Building Strategy Call https://calendly.com/irene-mastermoney/master-money-wealth-building-strategy-call?month=2026-09 What You'll Learn in This Episode Four quick questions that reveal which money personality you are The superpowers each type has, and the traps each one falls into Why the zero-based budget fits one type and the reverse budget fits the other How Type A can over-optimize their way into worse results The phrase that quietly costs Type B people the most money How each personality should structure a portfolio they will actually stick with The five areas worth optimizing, and everything that is not worth your time How couples with opposite types can run money together without fighting about it Start Here  Join the community built to help you master your money, stay accountable, and reach financial freedom.   👉 Try Master Money Academy FREE for 7 days today! https://mastermoney.co/join/ 👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginners Masterclass https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21 👉 Join The Master Money Newsletter where you will become smarter with your money in 5 minutes or less per week Here! https://expert-hustler-605.ck.page/6aa7bb9a79 Partner Deals   Indeed → Get a $75 sponsored job credit http://Indeed.com/personalfinance  Wayfair → Up to  60% off | MEMORIAL DAY WAREHOUSE CLEAROUT http://wayfair.com    Monarch Money → The all-in-one financial tool + Get 50% Off at http://www.monarch.com/PFP  Polygenius →  Free life insurance quote http://policygenius.com  DeleteMe → 20% off with code PFP https://joindeleteme.com/PFP20/  Resource/s  Car Insurance https://secure.money.com/pr/gc43ce394da5  Best HYSA https://secure.money.com/pr/r453ecf4d190  Stock  Brokerage Accounts https://secure.money.com/pr/v8d06f8de92c   Best IRAs https://secure.money.com/pr/oe09b73d1952  Favorite Travel Credit Cards https://milevalue.com/best-credit-cards/?aff=mastermoney  Tool/s Mentioned  Master Your Money Goals https://www.skool.com/mastermoneyacademy/classroom/f1e5f000?md=5db7fc1e56a1474fbbded14211cff084  Automate Your Money in One Weekend https://www.skool.com/mastermoneyacademy/classroom/f8353a67?md=8e65293c65b2450186fb18ac56f6be97  Episode/s Mentioned  How to Never Worry About Money Again with Jesse Mecham https://youtu.be/_Zrin_NvjpY  Watch Next The 12 Worst Money Habits (Ranked!) https://youtu.be/VEgX_BT5dA0  How to Never Worry About Money Again with Jesse Mecham https://youtu.be/_Zrin_NvjpY  How to Save $100,000 on a Low Salary https://youtu.be/f8-BWWiDpKc  How to Spot Fee That's Robbing You, Insure Your Kids' Future & Retire Two Decades Early - Money Q&A https://youtu.be/2y6bjDkgbgM  4 Dead Simple Steps to Become Financially Free https://youtu.be/dM4DKC7-Y5s  Connect with Andrew Instagram → https://bit.ly/Skool-Instagram  TikTok → https://bit.ly/Skool-TikTok  Facebook → https://bit.ly/Skool-Facebook  Podcast → https://bit.ly/Skool-Podcast  Youtube → bit.ly/Skool-Youtube  Newsletter → https://bit.ly/Skool-Newsletter  Website →⁠ https://mastermoney.co ⁠ X → ⁠https://x.com/mastermoneyco LinkedIn →⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-giancola-45027b340 ⁠ Question for you: Type A or Type B? Comment which one you are and why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Twelve money habits, ranked from bad to absolutely devastating. Some of these you already know about  👉 Want personalized help from Andrew? Join Master Money Academy at https://www.skool.com/mastermoneyacademy/about  👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginner’s Masterclass: https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21  👉 Live Call Registration Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqIw5xncfn5tZbGG_U22iZ3BUmyHe9fPvBQaC1vW_x1D7bJA/viewform  What You'll Learn in This Episode The full ranking, from number 12 all the way down to the single worst habit on the board Why looking wealthy and being wealthy pull in opposite directions What a 1% fee actually removes from your ending balance over a career The buy now, pay later stats that show most users cannot afford what they are buying Why the monthly payment question is a sales tool, and what to ask instead What the data says about sports betting and retirement contributions How to let your lifestyle grow without letting it eat every raise The fix for each habit, not just the diagnosis Start Here  Join the community built to help you master your money, stay accountable, and reach financial freedom.   👉 Try Master Money Academy FREE for 7 days today! https://mastermoney.co/join/ 👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginners Masterclass https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21 👉 Join The Master Money Newsletter where you will become smarter with your money in 5 minutes or less per week Here! https://expert-hustler-605.ck.page/6aa7bb9a79 Partner Deals   Indeed → Get a $75 sponsored job credit http://Indeed.com/personalfinance  Wayfair → Up to  60% off | MEMORIAL DAY WAREHOUSE CLEAROUT http://wayfair.com    Monarch Money → The all-in-one financial tool + Get 50% Off at http://www.monarch.com/PFP  Polygenius →  Free life insurance quote http://policygenius.com  DeleteMe → 20% off with code PFP https://joindeleteme.com/PFP20/  Resource/s  Car Insurance https://secure.money.com/pr/gc43ce394da5  Best HYSA https://secure.money.com/pr/r453ecf4d190  Stock  Brokerage Accounts https://secure.money.com/pr/v8d06f8de92c   Best IRAs https://secure.money.com/pr/oe09b73d1952  Favorite Travel Credit Cards https://milevalue.com/best-credit-cards/?aff=mastermoney  Tool/s Mentioned  Total Cost of Ownership Calculator https://mastermoney.co/total-cost-of-ownership-calculator/  Automate Your Money in One Weekend https://www.skool.com/mastermoneyacademy/automate-your-money-challenge-live?p=2f4a172b  Episode/s Mentioned  The 1-3-6 Method For Building & Managing Your Emergency Fund https://youtu.be/rGdII_Z0hnw  The System to Pay Cash For Cars (and NEVER Have a Payment Again!) https://youtu.be/kgmjjQEN3Xs  Watch Next How to Never Worry About Money Again with Jesse Mecham https://youtu.be/_Zrin_NvjpY  How to Save $100,000 on a Low Salary https://youtu.be/f8-BWWiDpKc  How to Spot Fee That's Robbing You, Insure Your Kids' Future & Retire Two Decades Early - Money Q&A https://youtu.be/2y6bjDkgbgM  4 Dead Simple Steps to Become Financially Free https://youtu.be/dM4DKC7-Y5s  How to Build a Vacation Fund That Pays You For Life + (Money Q&A) https://youtu.be/SMDRQkqnA74  Connect with Andrew Instagram → https://bit.ly/Skool-Instagram  TikTok → https://bit.ly/Skool-TikTok  Facebook → https://bit.ly/Skool-Facebook  Podcast → https://bit.ly/Skool-Podcast  Youtube → bit.ly/Skool-Youtube  Newsletter → https://bit.ly/Skool-Newsletter  Website →⁠ https://mastermoney.co ⁠ X → ⁠https://x.com/mastermoneyco LinkedIn →⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-giancola-45027b340 ⁠ Question for you: What habit did Andrew leave off the list entirely? Tell him what belongs on the board.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is no such thing as saving money. You are only deferring spending, and the moment that clicks, the guilt you feel every time you touch your savings disappears. Jesse Mecham, founder of YNAB, explains why every dollar you own is meant to be spent.  👉 Want personalized help from Andrew? Join Master Money Academy at https://www.skool.com/mastermoneyacademy/about  👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginner’s Masterclass: https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21  👉 Live Call Registration Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqIw5xncfn5tZbGG_U22iZ3BUmyHe9fPvBQaC1vW_x1D7bJA/viewform  What You'll Learn in This Episode Why treating saving and spending as opposites keeps you stuck The question Jesse builds every money decision around How labeling your cash removes the guilt of spending it Why an expense you planned for stops feeling like an emergency Where people actually find the money to pay off debt, according to 100+ interviews Why a bigger paycheck does not fix a spending skill problem The approach that gets a hesitant partner on board instead of defensive What every household should have documented in case something happens to the money person How Jesse's seven kids learn to handle their own money, starting at age eight Start Here  Join the community built to help you master your money, stay accountable, and reach financial freedom.   👉 Try Master Money Academy FREE for 7 days today! https://mastermoney.co/join/ 👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginners Masterclass https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21 👉 Join The Master Money Newsletter where you will become smarter with your money in 5 minutes or less per week Here! https://expert-hustler-605.ck.page/6aa7bb9a79 Partner Deals   Indeed → Get a $75 sponsored job credit http://Indeed.com/personalfinance  Wayfair → Up to  60% off | MEMORIAL DAY WAREHOUSE CLEAROUT http://wayfair.com    Monarch Money → The all-in-one financial tool + Get 50% Off at http://www.monarch.com/PFP  Polygenius →  Free life insurance quote http://policygenius.com  DeleteMe → 20% off with code PFP https://joindeleteme.com/PFP20/  Resource/s  Car Insurance https://secure.money.com/pr/gc43ce394da5  Best HYSA https://secure.money.com/pr/r453ecf4d190  Stock  Brokerage Accounts https://secure.money.com/pr/v8d06f8de92c   Best IRAs https://secure.money.com/pr/oe09b73d1952  Favorite Travel Credit Cards https://milevalue.com/best-credit-cards/?aff=mastermoney  Book/s Mentioned  Never Worry About Money Again (Jesse's new book) — https://neverworryaboutmoneyagain.com  The Richest Man in Babylon The Millionaire Next Door  The Wealthy Barber Die With Zero Episode/s Mentioned  The 1-3-6 Method For Building & Managing Your Emergency Fund https://youtu.be/rGdII_Z0hnw  The Bucket Method For Managing Your Savings (Master Multiple Savings Goals) https://youtu.be/WvzYOCRBxwE  The Money Plan for Couples: How to Build Wealth as a Team (Step-by-Step) https://youtu.be/AEfhdlB9mcc  Watch Next How to Save $100,000 on a Low Salary https://youtu.be/f8-BWWiDpKc  How to Spot Fee That's Robbing You, Insure Your Kids' Future & Retire Two Decades Early - Money Q&A https://youtu.be/2y6bjDkgbgM  4 Dead Simple Steps to Become Financially Free https://youtu.be/dM4DKC7-Y5s  How to Build a Vacation Fund That Pays You For Life + (Money Q&A) https://youtu.be/SMDRQkqnA74  Hit This Number and You Can STOP SAVING! (Even When You are Young) https://youtu.be/R2ebV44XaAY  Connect with Jesse Mecham Personal:  Email → [email protected]  Podcast → https://youneedabudget.libsyn.com  Author Page →  https://www.ynab.com/author/jesse-mecham  Business: X → https://x.com/ynab  Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@ynabofficial  Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/ynabofficial  Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/ynab.official/  YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@ynabofficial  LinkedIn →  https://www.linkedin.com/company/ynab  Connect with Andrew Instagram → https://bit.ly/Skool-Instagram  TikTok → https://bit.ly/Skool-TikTok  Facebook → https://bit.ly/Skool-Facebook  Podcast → https://bit.ly/Skool-Podcast  Youtube → bit.ly/Skool-Youtube  Newsletter → https://bit.ly/Skool-Newsletter  Website →⁠ https://mastermoney.co ⁠ X → ⁠https://x.com/mastermoneyco LinkedIn →⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-giancola-45027b340 ⁠ Question for you: What is your money for? Answer it in one sentence in the comments.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices