Whether you have a 9-5 job, are self-employed, or run a business, burn-out can be a real problem. Learn how you can avoid it ad setting up your finances to take the time off you need! 

Wrapping Up a Big Year at FinCon

LLast week, I went to Dallas to attend FinCon, a conference of independent personal finance publishers, fintech companies, and media focused on a positive money message.

I had an incredible week chatting with buddies in the personal finance space. We've chatted throughout the year via Zoom or Skype, but it's special to hang out in person. Many of us got started because we were getting out of debt or saving for a dream.

I also got to see what was going on with fintech. There are so many developments and right now, apps are coming out that are designed for couples. Got to enjoy some time with the HoneyFi team as well as a few others.

And I was especially honored and grateful that Couple Money won best family finance blog for the second year in a row!

But besides taking home a sweet trophy I also brought back a bug and I'm finally feeling more like myself. My voice is a little weak, but I didn't want to miss another week.

It's the season finale and I want to talk about a few things that have been on my mind and some of what I heard on yours.

In this episode, I want to discuss with you:

•  tackling big goals while avoiding burnout
• budgeting for time off
• upcoming plans for the podcast and this site

Hope you enjoy! 

Jumpstart Your Marriage and Money Course

Want to give your marriage and bank account a boost? Pick up Jumpstart Your Marriage and Money course.

Jumpstart focuses on the big wins including earning more. Get LIFETIME access to a four-week course design to help you:

• Stop fighting about money and create a budget that you BOTH LOVE
• Automate your money
• Pay off your debt faster
  Plus more!

You can get lifetime access here!

Music Credit

Like the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere and Logan from Music for Makers in this episode.

Not sure how to get your kids to understand budgets without boring them? Learn how a trip to the zoo gave our six-year-old a (fun) crash course on money! 

Think you can avoid money fights by not talking about it? Learn and use these conversation starters to develop financial intimacy, get on the same page with money, and have an extraordinary marriage! 

Financial Intimacy and Marriage

Normally people associate intimacy with physical or emotional, but a long-lasting marriage takes more.

You two can connect with intellectual activities, spiritual moral values, having fun and relaxing, and yes, financial intimacy.

If you been listening to the show for a bit, you know that the money itself is usually not the issue, but a symptom. To a degree, once the bills are paid, how we spend or use money is a reflection of our priorities.

It's all connected.
And we neglect or ignore talking and working through things, our marriage can suffer.

What if you've been married for some time, can you turn things around? Not only fix your finances but become more open as a couple.

Fortunately, Tony and Alisa DiLorenzo are on the show to share their story and help make things easier. They're the dynamic duo behind One Extraordinary Marriage where they explore developing a stronger marriage.

In this episode we get into:

• the challenges Tony and Alisa faced with debt
• how they started those conversations about money
• creating a system with their family finances they're both happy with

Hope you enjoy!

Resources to Building Your Marriage and Financial Intimacy

Looking to connect as a couple with money and more? Here are some wonderful resources to get you started!

• Connect Like You Did When You First Met
• Dave Ramsey's 7 Baby Steps to Financial Peace
• Money Matters
• Money in the Bank
• 6 Forms of Intimacy to Build a Strong Marriage

Jumpstart Your Marriage and Money Course

Want to give your marriage and bank account a boost? Pick up Jumpstart Your Marriage and Money course.

Jumpstart focuses on the big wins including earning more. Get LIFETIME access to a four-week course design to help you:

• Stop fighting about money and create a budget that you BOTH LOVE
• Automate your money
• Pay off your debt faster
  Plus more!

You can get lifetime access here!

Music Credit

Like the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere and Logan from Music for Makers in this episode.

Want to retire early, but your spouse isn't ready? Learn how Jamila and her husband got on the same page with financial independence and saved over $80,000 last year! 

Getting on the Same Page with Financial Independence

You're making a good income, but... you're not getting anywhere. It's frustrating.

Somehow, though, maybe through this podcast, some personal finance sites, or books, you've started running the numbers.

While there would certainly need to be some changes, you can see a path forward. You can get out of debt, save more, and invest towards retirement. Maybe even retire early.

But there's just one problem.

It's not just about you. You're in this with your spouse. And you're not quite sure how to get them on board.

As you heard at the top, today's guest Journey to Launch founder Jamila has been down this path.

In this episode, we get into:

• how she and her husband first handled their money and paid down debt
• discovering financial independence and winning him over
• how they work together with money and created a system that respects both their styles

Hope you enjoy!

Want to hear about another couple who worked out their differences? Check out my interview with Tai and Talaat from His and Her Money.

We discuss how they dumped their debt even though they are financial opposites! 

Working Towards Financial Independence

Special thanks to Jamila. Connect with her on Twitter and Facebook and learn more about their journey.

If you’re looking to get ahead with your finances as a family, here are more resources to check out!

• Retire Early By Rethinking Your Priorities
• How We Saved $85,000 in 2016
• Setting Up Your Retirement with the Right Tools
• The Shockingly Simple Math Behind Early Retirement

Jumpstart Your Marriage and Money Course

Want to give your marriage and bank account a boost? Pick up Jumpstart Your Marriage and Money course.

Jumpstart focuses on the big wins including earning more. Get LIFETIME access to a four-week course design to help you:

• Stop fighting about money and create a budget that you BOTH LOVE
• Automate your money
• Pay off your debt faster
  Plus more!

You can get lifetime access here. 

Music Credit

Like the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere and Logan from Music for Makers in this episode.

Looking to get off the treadmill and finally dump your debt? Learn how you can set your money to win and reach your goals faster! 

Have you ever been frustrated with your money? I know when we were first starting out, there were times where I felt like we knew where we wanted to go, but we weren't making the progress we hoped for.

Or maybe you're looking at that big pile of debt and it looks like it's impossible to tackle with the income you have.

Perhaps you'd love to retire early, but it's such a far off goal. 

Live Save Spend Repeat

Kim Anderson has been there. She's the creator of Thrifty Little Mom and the author of Live Save Spend Repeat.

She and her husband Cressel have been tackling some big dreams, including living a debt free life.

In this episode we get into:

• Why Kim prefers  cash over credit
• the changes needed to pay off $90k in 2 years
• why and how she and her husband are creating the life they want

Hope you enjoy! 

Resources to Simplify Your Finances and Dump Your Debt

Tired of being in debt? Here are some resources to help you dump it.

• Attacking Debt: Which One First?
• The Great Debt Dump: Running Toward Financial Freedom with the Power of Community
• Which Debt Payoff Method Is Right for You?
• Best Strategies to Get Out of Debt
• Should You Use Peer to Peer Lending To Get Out of Debt?
• Knock Out Your Credit Card Debt

Free 5 Days to $5K Course

You can sign up here!

Thank You to Our Partners

Support for this podcast comes from Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money Masterclass.

This self-paced course is designed to help you get on the same page with money, dump your debt faster, and build wealth as a team.

Give Yourselves Margin with a Side Hustle

• why a side hustle can be a wonderful option
• how you can start one in less than a month
• why and how a sustainable side hustle can also build your legacy

Hope you enjoy! 

Debt can be an enormous burden for many couples. Learn how you two can work together and get the resources you need to deal with depression and debt. 

This episode is part of the Suicide Prevention Awareness Month blog and now podcast tour in partnership with Debt Drop.

This is a heavier than normal topic, but I'm afraid too many people and couples suffer in silence. My focus today is giving you some jumping points and ideas.

You two can then discuss them and work out what's best for you.

I want to clear upfront - I've never had to deal with depression and debt, but I've dealt with both.

I remember clearly the anxiety and stress I had over debt.  Sleepless nights trying to figure which bill to pay with a limited income.

I've had periods in my life where depression robbed me of joy.  There was no specific trigger, but it was a win to get out of bed some days.

That said - I am not a medical professional.

I just want to share some encouragement and tips that have helped me and others. 

Resources to Fight Debt and Depression

If you two are looking for resources to not only knock down your debt but take care of yourselves, here some to check out: 

• If you are feeling suicidal, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741.
• Depressed About Debt? Expert Advice on How to Overcome Financial Anxiety 
• National Foundation for Credit Counseling 
• Dealing with Depression
• Recognize the Warning Signs of Suicide 
• The scary link between credit card debt and depression 
• Debt & Suicide: I Tattled Big Time And I Violated A Lot Of Things But I’m Still Proud 

Millions of Americans want to start a business, but where do you begin? Entrepreneur and start up co-founder Will DeShazo shares how you can find the right gig along with balancing marriage and entrepreneurship!

Finding Balance with Marriage and Entrepreneurship

We've had a quite a few shows about being a happily married entrepreneur I've been sharing my ups and downs working from home.

I've also interviewed couples who are running a business together like Justin and Rebekah Rhodes with Abundant Permaculture, couples who ventured on their own career paths like LaTisha Styles who explained how she and her husband successfully support each other.

And hearing them, you get this sense that's they're well-oiled machines. Things working out.

But what about that beginning stage?

How does a side hustle fit in with your current job and your marriage?

In this special episode Millennovator co-founder Will DeShazo and I discuss:

• how you can start earning some cash while exploring career options
•  the framework that will help you find the right gig
• opportunities for you to give yourself a raise at your current position using a side hustle

Hope you enjoy!

Resources for Entrepreneurs

Want to become an entrepreneur? Here are some more resources to check out!

• LaTishaTV on Facebook
• Your First $500
• Launch by Jeff Walker
• The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich
• Launching a Business as a Creative Entrepreneur
• Developing a Money Making Hobby
• Starting and Building a Side Hustle with Fiverr

Thank You to Our Partners

Support for this podcast comes from partners like Personal Capital. Easy to set up & easy to use. You can have all your investments, income, and expenses all pulled into one place.

Did I mention it’s free? Why don’t you give Personal Capital a try today?

Ready to take a last minute getaway or weekend trip? Use these travel apps and get the best deals!

Going away for the weekend doesn't mean you break your budget. With a little planning and the right resources, you two can score some nice trips and still save money.

So if you're looking at getting away from it all for a few days, save this post.

Travel Sites to Bookmark for Your Weekend Getaways

There are more sites than ever for travelers. Besides snagging last minute deals on popular tourist spots, you can also discover some awesome destinations.

• Airbnb: If you want to live like a local, Airbnb can help you find a bed or whole house for your next trip. We used the site when we went away for an anniversary trip and had a beautiful riverfront apt in Wilmington, NC for a fraction of the price of a hotel.
• Priceline: I'm a huge fan of their Name Your Own Price feature, which has helped us score plane tickets, hotel rooms, and car rental half off the advertised prices.
• Better Bidding: Speaking of bids, there are forums and sites online that can help you figure out what it will take to your bid accepted.

You might also want to keep an eye for flash deals with airlines like Southwest where you can score huge discounts on flights for select cities.

Apps to Help Score Great Deals and Keep Organized

With smartphones everywhere, apps have been developed to help travelers. Download these apps to help you get the best deals and explore your destination.

• Localeur: (iOS only) Locals share some of their favorite spots in 14 major U.S. cities.
• TripIt: With two kids in tow, I love to have one app to handle and organize all of the travel arrangements.
• Hopper: If you like to double check the deals on flights, Hopper is great. The app analyzes tons of flight prices and can suggest when it's a good time to purchase a ticket.
• Hipmunk: An all in one solution where you can find last minute deals and book them.

Even though you might not think of it as a travel app per se, GasBuddy can tremendously helpful if you're taking a road trip.

Thoughts on Weekend Getaways

I'd love to hear your ideas and stories. What has been your favorite getaway destination?

What has been your most recent travel deal you've taken? What travel apps are your favorite for planning?

Feeling trapped at a job because you're dealing with debt? Find out how you can pay off your debt faster. Whitney Hansen shares how she eliminated $30,000 in less than a year! 

Can you really have big wins from changing tiny, but key habits? Learn the critical key steps Chris Reining took to retire at 37!

Big Wins Through Tiny Habits

Going for the big wins is smart.

Too many times, though, those big wins mean big changes and for most, it's enough not to move.

But what if I told you there are certain tiny changes that can have a huge impact?

Today's guest Chris Reining has made those tiny habits stick and he's been able to retire at 37!

In this episode, we get into

• what pushed him to change his habits
• how he was able to slash his expenses without feeling he was missing out
• his system to build wealth

You can connect with Chris on his site. Don't forget to grab his free investment guide.

Hope you enjoy!

Early Retirement Links and Resource

If you want to learn more about early retirement, here are some resources to check out:

• Best Budget and Money Apps: Personal Capital, Tiller, Mint
• Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money
• The One Tiny Habit That Leads to Wealth
• Why We Don’t Micromanage Our Money
• Financial Independence and Parenthood
• The Joy That Comes When Less Is Enough
• The Shockingly Simple Math Behind Early Retirement
• How To Be Frugal: One Month At A Time
• The New Parents’ Guide to Financial Independence

Stressed over a huge amount of debt? Learn how you two can survive and thrive as you pay it off together! 

Dealing with Debt Together

Whenever I'm reading stories about marriage and money, things can easily become a caricature. I read about couples who've had their lives torpedoed after they said I do.

On the web, there seem to be plenty of gurus who apparently have made all the right money moves.

But on the podcast, I want to share real stories from couples who have been there or are working through things now like Lindsay and her husband Zach are. They made a choice they felt was a smart move.

It didn't turn out the way they hoped. They're now on a journey to pay off over $100,000 of debt.

Resources to Help You Get Out of Debt

Tired of being in debt? Here are some resources to help you dump it.

• Best Budget and Money Apps: Empower, Tiller, Mint
• Grab a copy of my book: Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money
• Free 5 Days to $5K Course
• Attacking Debt: Which One First?
• Which Debt Payoff Method Is Right for You?
• Should You Use Peer to Peer Lending To Get Out of Debt?
• Knock Out Your Credit Card Debt
• The Great Debt Dump: Running Toward Financial Freedom with the Power of Community

If you’d like to chat about your money moves for this year, you can join us in the Thriving Families Facebook community. We're a fun and supportive group.

We swap ideas, questions, stories, advice. When we try to help one another out with our family and financial goals.

We'd love to see you there!

Watch the New Year, New You Financial Summit Live

I'm finishing up a fourth season with the biggest event I've ever done - New Year, New You Financial Summit.

And it's happened in large part because of you - your support, ideas, and questions have made this possible!

This summit has been a work in progress for the past few months and I'm so thrilled with the response so far.

I've gotten to chat with some of you during the sessions which has made this all the more special to me.

In this episode, we'll get into:

• what goes behind the scenes to put together a summit
• what goes behind the scenes to put together a summit
• highlights from the summit so far
• some honest and personal answers we had in our Q&A sessions from a couple of our speakers

Hope you enjoy!

New Year New You Partners & Giveaways

In addition to the sessions, we partnered up with some wonderful companies. Special Shout out to Proactive Budgets, Republic Wireless, iBotta, and HoneyFi!

Besides offering really great service to help you save your money, they are sponsoring some incredible giveaways.

• Republic Wireless is offering credit for a free smartphone and three months service with them
•  
• HoneyFi gave away $100 through PayPal/Amazon gift card
•  
• iBotta will be doing a few drawings including one for $250 credit which can be cashed out
•  
• ProActiv is giving lifetime subscriptions to their app every day of the summit

Check out all the details here. We wanted to give people every reason to register for the New Year, New You Summit.

So if you haven’t already, please sign up!