How To Money

This is our first ever listener question that we've addressed on the show - from Mark: “I was wondering about your thoughts on saving for a child’s education. My wife and I both work at colleges (she’s a professor, I’m a counselor) and we’re actually not sure what college will look like in 15 years and what the value proposition will be. Also will our kid(s) even want to go to college? We haven’t made decisions on a 529 or other account but starting to have the discussion. Thanks, fellas!” Mark is asking all the right questions and this was a great excuse for us to cover an important topic.In this episode we cover some of the pros/cons of 529 plans, discuss how you should prioritize saving for your kid's college in relation to saving for your own retirement, cover some alternative views on college, and then we share whether or not we're planning to save for our own kid's college.At the beginning of this episode we popped open and enjoyed a Champs de Fraises by Firestone Walker, a barrel aged wild ale fermente

You’ve worked hard for your money, so you should be able to keep every, single, penny. Right?! Well, aside from taxes, you have every legal right to keep your money- however, we’re here to tell you that you would be better off giving a portion of your money away. Whether that means a simple year-end charitable donation or taking the steps to set up a donor advised fund, there is room in your budget to be a giver. And even if you’re not able or willing to set aside a percentage of your income towards giving, you could start with giving away some of your time. Be a volunteer! In this episode we cover the important topics of why you should always be giving money away, some benefits of giving, and then we discuss some practical steps on how you can more effectively start donating your time and money, now!At the beginning of this episode we popped open and enjoyed a beer called Consecration by Russian River Brewing Company, a barrel aged sour ale which you can learn all about on Untappd. A special thanks to our fr

Talking about money with your partner can be extremely hard! We’ve all heard funny stories and countless anecdotes of money fights within relationships, but the fact remains that these disagreements often end in broken relationships. This week we have an honest and revealing conversation with our wives about how we talk about and handle our finances as couples. We also had some great questions that were posted in our Facebook group- some specific ones we get to are:Any advice for newlyweds in handling finances together? (from Chelsea)What was our biggest financial disagreement? (from Katy)Do we agree on the goal of financial Independence? (from Connor)(plus a bunch of other embarrassing and funny stories!)And since we recorded while at the beach down in Jacksonville, it was fitting that we stumbled upon a fantastic new local brewery! At the beginning of this episode we each cracked open and enjoyed a Bulletproof Denali by Southern Swells Brewing Co. which you can learn all about on Untappd. If you enjoyed thi

Conventional wisdom tells us that getting out of debt is smart. And while generally that might be true, we're here to explain how that approach may not be the best decision for you! Oftentimes keeping low-interest debt around while you're able to invest and maximize your returns elsewhere will easily make the most sense when you're looking at the numbers. In this episode we cover the characteristics of good debt and bad debt, and then we talk through some helpful pointers on how to manage your current debt.Remember this one thing: somewhere around 7% is the magic number that separates low interest debt from high interest debt. That's the interest rate that acts as a divider in our current market. Anything higher than that you'll want to pay off sooner than later, and anything lower than that, there is a good chance you can take those extra payments and invest to make a big enough return to make it worthwhile. Listen to the entire episode to hear us break it down because it's a very nuanced topic!At the beginn

Nearly half of Americans wouldn't be able to easily handle a $400 emergency! This is financial insanity. Considering the lack of any sort of margin in our lives today, it shouldn't be a surprise that Americans treat their money any differently than they treat their time. There just never seems to be enough, and any disruption (of money or time) brings a myriad of problems that must be addressed. Living paycheck to paycheck has unfortunately become the norm and it's a problem that needs to be addressed.The answer is to create an emergency fund! Having an emergency fund allows us to weather these small storms, and most importantly reduces stress. In this episode we discuss what an emergency fund is, what it is for (and not for), and how to get started on your own- including where to put that money! Listen to the entire episode to learn what steps you can take today, regardless of your financial situation.At the beginning of this episode we each cracked open and enjoyed a beer called Liliko'i Kepolo by Avery Bre

Commuting to work sucks! It’s likely one of your least favorite things to do everyday assuming you’re an individual commuter, driving along in your own metal box that costs you thousands to own and operate. It’s stressful dealing with traffic and not to mention our cars encourage us to be lazy and perpetuate the lifestyle of excess and consumption. I mean does it really require a $15,000+ luxury vehicle that weighs over 4,000 lbs to transport a single individual to work and back?! In this episode we discuss the alternatives to traditional commuting, and specifically how these alternatives benefit employees, employers, cities as a whole, and obviously the environment. Listen to the entire episode to learn what steps you can take today, regardless of your situation.At the beginning of this episode we each cracked open a couple beers from John, a local home brewer here in Atlanta- sorry, you won't be finding this one on your local grocery store shelf. It is called A Splinter in the Mind by Little Cottage, a flan

Investing advice is the number one reason why people hire financial advisors, and we're here to tell you that you're wasting your money!!! Certainly a financial advisors could help you with other things like financial goal setting and managing cash flow, but ultimately it still comes down to you doing the hard work yourself (plus, we've already covered those topics on previous episodes, have a listen)! The biggest reasons why you don't need a financial advisor is because financial advisors can be really expensive, and plus, they don't always point you in the right direction! Listen to the entire episode to find out why don't recommend financial advisors.So there you go- you DON'T need a financial advisor. Instead, you need to be investing in well diversified, low-cost index funds like our favorites, VTSAX and VOO. That's what Warren Buffett recommends and he was willing to prove it by making a 10 year bet against hedge fund managers (as if being the 3rd richest man in the world wasn't enough proof).And at the

Asking for a discount isn't something that most people enjoy doing, but we'd be willing to wager that you don't ask for discounts enough. It's your money after all- hang onto it! In this episode we discuss haggling, rejection, and some reasons why asking for a discount should be a healthy part of your financial life. We also go through some practical steps we take when asking for a discount and share a few stories of when we've gotten that sweet discount or when we've had to say 'thanks for considering!' and walk.It's an overused maxim, but that doesn't make it any less true: If you never ask for a discount, the answer will always be no.At the beginning of this episode we cracked open a couple beers that Joel brought back from Paris- we are so incredibly cultured y'all! Specifically we were a fan of the Blanc by Gallia Paris, which you can learn about on their website but good luck since it's in French! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and review us in Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever yo

Transportation costs are American's highest monthly expense (aside from housing of course), so how you buy a car can be a financial game changer! There is clearly a smart and legit way to buy a car and that's what we're talking about in this episode. Don't accept that you have to get a new car because yours is 'old'- avoid cultural and advertising driven spending and try and minimize the money you spend on cars! Listen to the episode to find out why and how everyone should be buying used cars.A quick tip for now: Only purchase used cars that are at least 5 years old- and no financing!And at the beginning of this episode we cracked open a growler of Sweetwater's Happy Ending aged in Four Roses Single Barrel, a special thanks to Quickie over at Park Bar for supporting the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and review us in Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts!For specific links and additional information about this episode, head over to our site: HowToMoney.com . B

Community is so incredibly important! In a culture today that values self-sufficiency and where it's every man for himself, we felt it was necessary to spend an episode covering one of the key fundamental values in our lives: community. Specifically we discuss how community can save you money, how it can help you out in a pinch, and how it contributes to a healthy and balanced life. Even though we love to talk about saving money, there are things you just can’t purchase that community provides, and we really had a great time covering those topics.We also spend a minute talking about digital communities and how they are awesome… but they shouldn’t replace physical and neighborhood community in your life.And at the beginning of this episode we shared a bottle of Hello Beautiful by Monday Night Brewing, which you can find and learn all about on Untappd. A special thanks to Monday Night Brewing for donating this amazing beer and supporting the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and review

Purchasing a home is always a good idea... right?! And renting is a huge waste of money- or at least that's what you've heard. In this episode we address these two huge assumptions and cover the benefits of renting and buying a home. There are a lot of things to consider like geographic mobility, financial flexibility, housing stability, and creative freedom! Listen to the full episode to hear why either renting or buying a home might be a good idea for you.A quick tip for now though: make sure that your rent or mortgage payment is no more than 25% of your monthly take-home pay. You don't want to be house poor!And at the beginning of this episode we each cracked open a couple of Juice Bar Pale Ales by Wrecking Bar, which you can find and learn all about on Untappd. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and review us in Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts!For specific links and additional information about this episode, head over to our site: HowToMoney.com . Best friends ou

Credit cards can be a double-edged financial tool, and in this episode we cover how you can use them like a pro. Do you find yourself carrying a balance from one month to the next? Or are you tempted to overspend when you know you can just put it on credit? If so, then credit cards are NOT for you. For everyone else there are awesome benefits like earning cash back and scoring huge sign up bonuses, not to mention it's easier to track your expenses (which is an important step when creating a budget). Listen to the full episode to hear us weigh the pros and cons of using credit cards!And at the beginning of this episode we popped open a bottle of Boulevard's Love Child No. 8, which you can find and learn all about on Untappd. A special thanks to Boulevard Brewing Company for donating this amazing beer and supporting the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and review us in Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts!For specific links and additional information about this e

Cutting your monthly bills is a big deal - they add up! You could save hundreds of dollars a month which might even be enough to fully fund a Roth IRA. In this episode, we talk about some general strategies on how to cut your monthly bills, but then we dive into some specific bills like our cell phone, internet, cable, and the online streaming subscriptions like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon.We also enjoyed a bottle of Boulevard's Grand Cru, which you can find and learn all about on Untappd. A special thanks to Boulevard Brewing Company for donating this amazing beer and supporting the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and review us in Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts!For specific links and additional information about this episode, head over to our site: HowToMoney.com . Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spending money is OK- as long as that spending aligns with your values! In this episode, we cover the challenging topic of: the big why that’s behind money. Why do we spend and save? All too often, we go through life doing the things that we're 'supposed to do' without actually considering whether or not those things bring us joy and align with our values. We find ourselves living stock lifestyles as we mindlessly subscribe to the spending patterns that we see around us- STOP! Instead let's try to spend our money intentionally and with purpose, where personal goals and mission statements guide us along.And at the beginning of this episode we each enjoyed a bottle of Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze IPA by New Belgium, which you can find and learn all about on Untappd. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and review us in iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts!For specific links and additional information about this episode, head over to our site: HowToMoney.com . Best friends out! Learn mor

Spring is here, so it's time to clean out your home and sell the junk you no longer use! We all have too much stuff in our lives and not only does it take up space in our homes, but it clutters our minds. Why not sell or even give it away? You won't regret it, plus you might end up with some extra cash in the bank. In this episode we cover minimalism, rules that help us decide what to get rid of, the best platforms for selling your unused items, and we also have a few tips to help you create a great listing so you can sell quickly and move on with life!And at the beginning of this episode we popped opened a bottle of Blueberry Ale by Cascade Brewing, which you can find and learn all about on Untappd. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and review us in iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts!For specific links and additional information about this episode, head over to our site: HowToMoney.com . Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.c

You heard it here: Dave Ramsey is wrong and your credit score is way more important than you think! In this episode we cover what is a credit score, why you need good credit, and then specifically we discuss how to improve your credit score. There are some key factors that you need to know since they make up your credit score.The 5 factors that make up your credit score:Payment history, 35%Credit utilization or amount owed, 30%Length of credit history, 15%Credit mix, 10%New credit, 10%And some good sites where you can check your credit score for free are Credit Sesame and Credit Karma. Most credit cards are also offering a free credit score, but Joel and I are both fans of Discover's Credit Scorecard. And at the beginning of this episode we both opened a bottle of Oak-Aged Vanilla World Wide Stout by Dogfish Head, which you can find and learn all about on Untappd. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and review us in iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts!For specific links and addit

Investing for your retirement is way simpler and easier than you think- and I'm going to prove it. Do these 2 things and you'll be a millionaire by the time you retire (I'm not even exaggerating one bit!):1. Open your retirement accounts:401k – If your employer offers a retirement plan like a 401k, especially with a match, start contributing immediately!!! Since a ton of employers offer a 50% match, you won't be able to find a better return on your investment anywhere. At the very least contribute up to your employer match, or you can really get after it and fully fund it at $18,500.IRA – Next thing to consider is opening an IRA (individual retirement account), specifically a ROTH IRA given the recent changes in tax law. This is not an employer offered retirement plan, so anyone can open one of these accounts. It's as easy as opening a savings account online, no joke. The only downside to the IRA is that your contributions are limited at $5,500 per year (but don't forget you can open a spousal IRA too, so $11

Finally, an entire episode that is only about the beer... and saving money of course! Joel and I spend this episode talking about how we get a deal on craft beer and we also touch on what we're NOT willing to do in order to save a buck. Is it worth it to brew your own beer at home? Do you know what styles of beer to avoid if you're shopping the discount shelf? Are any of the beers at Aldi good? Have a listen to find out as we dedicate this episode to getting a deal on craft beer.At the beginning of this episode we cracked open a lambic- Lindemans Oude Kriek Cuvee Rene which you can find and learn all about on Untappd. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and review us in iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts!For specific links and additional information about this episode, head over to our site: HowToMoney.com . Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Traveling and going on vacation doesn't have to break the bank. In this episode we spend most of our time talking through some tips that will help you save money the next time you book some travel. But first, we want you to think about the aspects of travel that you enjoy the most, and then center your trip around that (like breweries and the outdoors- a couple of our favorites!). March to your own drum! Don't give in to the pressures of taking the touristy route or doing the activities that you have no interest in. It might seem like an obvious point to make, but this is the crucial first step before you even begin to plan your trip. You be you!Once you've covered the 'why am I doing this?' question, it's time to start saving money! Here are the practical tips we have for traveling:Consider staying in the United StatesBe flexible with your dates AND your destination. Huge cost savings here.Go with friends to cut down on costsMake sure to have a credit card with no foreign transaction feePlus a bunch of other

We spend this entire episode covering what you should do with your tax refund! First of all, you shouldn't be receiving a big refund when April 15th rolls around- if you are, talk to HR and have your tax withholding decreased so the IRS is taking a smaller bite out of your paycheck. We would rather see you proactively do something with that money on a regular basis as opposed to waiting on that 'windfall' once a year. So do that first. Next, here are the top 5 things you need to be doing with your tax refund:Pay off high interest debt - any debt with an interest rate approaching double digits, or higher, wipe it out.Emergency fund - at least have $1000 for an emergency fund, preferably 3-6 months of living expenses.Invest it - put that money to work whether it be in a 401k, real estate, or small business!Give it to charity - be generous. Check out Give.org and become a better giver.Treat yo self - but avoid those pony expenses.And at the beginning of this episode we popped open a barrel aged saison- Joie by W