How To Money

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

“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 c

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

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 ce

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 you

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

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 gr

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 expense

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 Un

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

Benjamin Franklin once wrote “... in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” It was true over 200 years ago and it’s true today! But we’re here to argue that there’s another certainty pertaining to taxes: that we all have the ability to change our individual tax rate by our own actions! Our guest today, Cody Garrett, has thoroughly internalized that reality. He is an advice-only CFP at Measure Twice Financial who specializes in helping folks make a comprehensive financial plan. That includes the role taxes play in your ability to meet your goals. His new book, Tax Planning To and Through Early Retirement, helps folks plan intentionally around a giant expense we all face, taxes.   We discuss the number of Americans, often involuntarily retiring before age 65, how Social Security should be factored into retirement planning but not solely relied upon, how small changes in savings rates can lead to significant retirement benefits, why flexibility in financial str

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 - Health spending and protein: what are the best ways to invest in health and get affordable protein? 2 - VA vs. conventional Loan: which mortgage option makes more sense? 3 - 529 accounts: how do I ensure that I’m getting the best investment options AND the state tax benefit? 4 - Insurance rate hikes: are rising home and auto premiums normal, or time to shop around? 5 - Gifting 529 funds: keep for education, cash out, or roll it into a Roth?   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 c

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: thinner iPhones, recipe for saving the most with cellular, flipping for cash, health insurance hikes, thrifty Teslas, the future of EVs, the most expensive hobbies, grim Googling, new homes cheaper than existing, Social Security is more valuable than you thought, & underperforming funds to avoid!   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

Want to live joyfully and abundantly on a shoestring budget? Is it even possible or is it something from a bygone era?! With headlines shouting that even high income earners making $300,000 are living paycheck, achieving financial freedom on a $40,000 salary sounds like a pipe dream. But our guest today is proof that it’s possible and that you can have a good time along the way, too. Hope Ware runs the site & YouTube channel Under the Median along with her husband Larry, to instruct and inspire others to spend less, save more, and live joyfully on a mid five-figure income. She emphasizes the importance of proactively prioritizing, tracking expenses, and setting financial goals. Hope discusses the mindset shifts necessary for effective money management, the significance of teaching kids about money and the emotional aspects of spending, the importance of balancing frugality with building wealth, e-bikes, and plenty more!   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get

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 - Is it time to sell my condo or should I continue to rent it out? 2 - How do I financially prepare for our special needs son? 3 - Should I utilize a line of credit at 1% to pay off some credit card debt? 4 - Passive real estate investing apps: yay or nay? 5 - What tips or tricks to get my 12 year old invested in his Roth IRA?   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,

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: Walden Pond and your wallet, stocks at all-time highs, more ETFs than you can shake a stick at, forgotten 401k, peaking pessimism, creating your own American Dream, loyalty is for losers, locking down 5 years of internet, Prime purge, travel tips, the cheapest flights, and what’s up with tariffs.   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Forgot about that 401k? Be sure and check out the National Registry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits. Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for th

A lot of folks discover personal finance podcasts like this one after hitting a few bumps in the road – most often with debt. Maybe you’ve maxed out your credit cards, or you’re juggling more Buy Now Pay Later payments than you can keep up with. That kind of financial stress is heavy, and it often comes with a side of shame. But what if your money struggles aren’t just about willpower? What if the financial services industry is stacking the deck against you? Our guest today, John Dinsmore, is a marketing professor at Wright State’s College of Business. He studies how banks and lenders use clever marketing tactics to steer us toward debt. And he’s here to reveal the traps and show us how to spot and avoid them. Listen as we discuss how cultural attitudes towards debt can normalize harmful practices, when psychological factors like loss aversion affect debt decisions, avoiding status symbols that can lead to irresponsible spending, and much more!   Want more How To

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 - Should I not take a higher paying job because of a 401k loan I still need to pay back? 2 - My wife and I are younger investors but are looking to ramp up the savings: 401k or Roth? 3 - Is it possible to leave match money on the table by front-loading the sacrifice? 4 - Will my homeowners premiums go up if I make a claim with my insurance company? 5 - What are some ways to curb our grocery and restaurant spending?   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 finan

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: job skill certificates that don’t pay, pre-K for pay, death of the one page resume, debit card spending growth, BNPL saying the quiet part out loud, helicopter savers, politics shmoliticks AKA partisan politics (makes you) poor, working past retirement age, & cookie cutter financial advisors.   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 i

Some families have lived on the same plot of land for generations… what’s more Americana than passing down the family farm to the next generation?! But the US also has a history of moving towards opportunity – the settling of the west and the gold rush in California, returning veterans moved at higher rates in the aftermath of WW2, and then more recently the pandemic led to an uptick in people reconsidering their living situation. BUT, what if the next great place to move to is an island in the Caribbean Sea? Not just because it’s beautiful, but because it offers certain tax perks that are unavailable anywhere else. Rachel Farris, CPA and tax strategist, joins the show to share the unique tax benefits of moving to Puerto Rico, particularly under Act 60, which offers significant savings for individuals and businesses. We discuss the implications of relocating including cultural adjustments of expat life, cost of living, the eligibility requirements for tax benefits, the appeal for W2 w