Wed, 30 October 2019
Money can be a huge source of stress, but it doesn’t have to be. Today I’m going to share 5 ways you can simplify your finances so you two can enjoy your marriage and money! Simplify and Reboot Your MoneyHow do you feel about the progress you’ve made this year with your finances? If you’re not quite happy with where you are right now, don’t panic. There’s still plenty of time to reset and reboot things with your money. Since my Dump Debt Together session aired last Monday as part of the Mamas Talk Money Summit, I have been keeping busy answering some of your questions about changing things up for the better. I’ve noticed that the biggest concern is getting the ball rolling. You’re more than welcome to dig around the site and podcast. With over 1,000 articles and 300+ episodes, we cover a lot here on Couple Money. But I know that approach can make you feel overwhelmed so today I want to wrap up this special series on the podcast with how you can get started. In this episode we’ll look at:
Hope you enjoy! Resources to Hit Your Money GoalsIf you two are looking to improve how you talk and work together with your finances (and lives), please check out these resources.
If you want to discuss talking with your spouse about money, ask questions, or share your own tips please join us over at Thriving Families on Facebook. 5 Ways to Simplify Your FinancesWhether you’re the spreadsheet king or queen or more the big-picture person, I think we can all agree that we want to streamline our finances so you can focus on the people and things that matter to us. You can really dive into the weeds with finances and debate the minute, but if you’re looking for big wins not only with your money but your marriage, here are 5 things you need to focus on. #1: Go on Regular Money DatesWhy do I talk about money dates so much? It’s because they work! Pretty much every couple whose paid down debt, saved a significant amount, or is on the path to financial freedom does this. They may call it something else (like Andy and Nicole with their budget parties 🙂 ), but the idea is the same. Having a regular time where you’re in a relaxing and low key environment to get together to discuss your dreams and your money It can be a night out at one of your favorite restaurants or you’re just in the backyard relaxing with a glass of wine by the firepit. Wherever and however you have your money date, you want to make sure you look at the goals you’ve created together (your WHY) and then review your numbers. Knowing your budget, your monthly cash flow, and net worth is smart. If you’re not sure how to start or even begin the conversation about finances, pick up my Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money. I take you step by step through money dates, with conversation starters and ice breaks. I also share a 4-week plan to get you two on the same page with money. #2 Switch to a 50/30/20 BudgetIf the idea of making a budget makes you break out in hives, then you have to switch things up. Typically when someone is complaining about a budget, there are a few key reasons. The root of it for many is that there’s no room in the budget for what matters to you. It’s so strict, you can’t any fun with things. And while that might look like a good idea on paper – you think you’re going to get out of debt faster or hit your goal sooner – it’s usually an exercise in frustration. Sustainable is the way to go and for most couples, it’s a process and one of the best budgets to get you started on that path is the 50/30/20. As you probably figured out, your money (net income in this case) goes into one of three ‘buckets’ of expenses.
#3: Automate Your BudgetA simple trick that’s helped us is scheduling the bills to come out 48 hours after the deposits gone in. You can use track your progress with apps and options such as:
Don’t forget that along with bills, you want to automate things like your debt snowball or if savings if that’s your goal. #4: Only Use Cash When Eating OutChances are eating out is a big expense with your monthly budget. Those quick lunches with coworkers seem small, but those constant convenient and on the go meals typically add up to more than you estimated. Something that I’ve seen that’s helped me curb my spending is using cash. There are families that like to use cash for multiple expenses and they stash them into different envelopes to track things down, but for me, that was too much work. I’ve found that just using cash for lunches keeps me aware of what I‘m spending and minimizes me breaking the budget. #5: Develop Laser Focus on Your GoalsDon’t try to work on all your expenses across the board. You can burn out quickly trying to slash multiple expenses at once. I think one reason systems like Dave Ramsey’s baby steps are so effective is that they have you laster focus in on one step or goal at a time. You begin with a starter emergency fund, then it’s all in with paying down debt, then you can fully fund your savings, and so on. While you don’t have to be as gazelle intense as some people are – it can actually backfire with getting your spouse on board – having a priority can be powerful. Want to optimize your spending? Try monthly challenges with one thing. Give the cash envelope a go next month. I want you to build better habits, not go for quick wins that get undone by the next month. If you’re pressed for time, there are options like Trim that can save you money by canceling subscriptions, finding deals with insurance, or negotiating with your cable bill. Just focus on one thing at a time each month and by the end of the year, you’ll have some big wins. Support the Podcast!Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!
Music CreditLike the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere
Direct download: Bonus_5_Easy_Ways_to_Simplify_and_Reboot_Your_Money.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 11:05am EST |
Wed, 23 October 2019
Today we’re into how you can shift into your debt-free journey with one question! Dump Debt TogetherIt’s on! All this week the Mamas Talk Money Summit is hosting sessions about family finances, investing, career, and kids. My session was out Monday night – Dump Debt Together (When You Can’t Agree How). I had a fantastic time! While the session was on, I was live in the chat speaking and answering questions about how to get your spouse on board with knocking out this debt. People had some wonderful questions and were kind enough to share their biggest money challenges. We got into creating a budget when one spouse has irregular income, secrete debts, and conversation starters for those initial chats about money. But I’m not the speaker in this event. There are about 40 amazing mama speakers that are a part of the summit and their sessions cover not only the ‘essential’ goals like paying off debt, saving, and investing but also topics they may not have as much exposure or have accessible resources. Brynne Conroy is one of the speakers. She’s going to be this Friday as part of the kids and money sessions. I’ve had her on the podcast when she released her book, The Feminist Financial Handbook. She’s also the creator of Personal Finance By Women. Her session is Managing Your Finances With a Special Needs Child. In this episode we’ll look at:
Hope you enjoy! Resources to Hit Your Money GoalsIf you two are looking to improve how you talk and work together with your finances (and lives), please check out these resources.
If you want to discuss talking with your spouse about money, ask questions, or share your own tips please join us over at Thriving Families on Facebook. Support the Podcast!Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!
Music CreditLike the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere
Direct download: Bonus_4_Mindset_Micro_Habits_and_Mamas_Talking_About_Money.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 7:48am EST |
Wed, 16 October 2019
Can’t agree on how to tackle your finances? Learn how you work together on some of your biggest money issues! Working Through Money Issues TogetherLast month, in the newsletter I mentioned that for October I was going to be focused on the theme of r resetting and rebooting your finances so you can hit your goals before 2019 ends. I’m doing a special mini-series this month on the podcast, but that’s not the only project I’m doing. I’m also a part of a big event happening next week that follows this idea of pushing through on your financial goals – The Mama Talk Money Summit. The event is happening next week – October 21st through 25th. All week during the summit, there will be sessions from over 40 incredibly financially savvy mamas and speakers. We’re talking all about:
And much, MUCH more! So whether you’re trying to knock that credit debt, get some savings stashed away, or are looking to invest for long term goals, this summit will have at least a few sessions that can help you make it happen. And 2019 Mamas Talk Money Summit is a FREE conference that’s 100% online! This was an important point for me because I know we’re all at different points in our financial journey, so having it be free to register was one of the reasons I wanted to join in. The reason I’m bringing this summit up is 1) I think it’s an incredible event and resource and 2) my session is going to be about a specific hurdle that we as couples can sometimes have when we’re trying to improve our finances, such as paying off debt. In fact, my session is called Dump Debt Together (When You Can’t Agree How). So you’re all ready to knock debt out, but your spouse….not so much. I’ll be sharing some ways you can dig into the real reason they’re hesitating and some ways you can use that to come up with a debt-free plan they’d want to join in on. So if you’d like to grab your free pass, catch that session and more, please just head over here. So the session will be a deep dive on the topic, but I want to touch on today this idea of trying to get on the same page. Adam Kol is joining me today. He’s a former Tax Attorney and a Certified Mediator who is now focusing on helping couples working through some of their issues. Today we’re going to take a situation and question from someone in the community. In this episode we’ll look at:
Hope you enjoy! Resources to Hit Your Money GoalsIf you two are looking to improve how you talk and work together with your finances (and lives), please check out these resources.
If you want to discuss talking with your spouse about money, ask questions, or share your own tips please join us over at Thriving Families on Facebook. Adam Kol: Couples Financial CounselorHe’s a former Tax Attorney and a Certified Mediator who is now focusing on helping couples working through some of their issues as a couples financial counselor. Adam is providing individually-crafted, fundamentally-sound Couples Financial Counseling and training. Support the Podcast!Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!
Music CreditLike the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere
Direct download: Bonus_3__How_to_Work_Together_with_Money.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 12:07pm EST |
Wed, 9 October 2019
Learn how you can create goals to achieve your big financial goals while avoiding burn out! Knocking Out Your Big Financial GoalsWhen we started this mini-series last week about rebooting your money, I talked about how to hit those goals you have to change things up a bit. Karen Cordaway went over how we could reframe things around the quality of our lives. It’s not paying off debt, it’s about having money to travel more. You’re not just saving money in the bank, you’re giving yourself a building a sizable downpayment to buy a house. This can be a powerful way to motivate yourself. There’s another side to that puzzle – creating the goals themselves. Since most people don’t achieve those big results that they hope for, is there a way to make them work for you so that you do make them happen? I think so. I believe there’s a way to achieve those ambitious goals without burning out. And I think Joseph Hogue is the perfect person to break it down. Since I’ve met Joseph at a conference a few years ago, I’ve seen how well he’s done with following through on his plans and goals. Joseph Hogue worked in private wealth management and venture capital for more than a decade before freelancing as an investment analyst. He now teaches regular people how to beat debt, make more money side-hustling and invest. So I thought having him break down his approach would be helpful. In this episode we’ll discuss:
Hope you enjoy! Mama Talk Money SummitSpeaking of hitting those money goals, next week we’re talking about a special event that I’m a part of to help you do just that – Mama Talk Money Summit. Chelsea Brennan from Smart Money Mamas has put everything together. For 5 WHOLE days, the Mamas Talk Money Summit is bringing you presentations from over 40 incredibly financially savvy mamas who have TONS of valuable advice to share with you all about finding your financial swagger, raising kids who are money masters, and connecting with a tribe of moms who are getting smart with their money. We’re talking all about:
And much more! So whether you’re trying to knock that credit debt, get some savings stashed away, or are looking to invest for long term goals, this summit will have at least a few sessions that can help you make it happen. Along with the session, there will be a live Q&A with each speaker. For example, for my session – Dump Debt Together (When You Can’t Agree How) – I’ll be online in the chat so you can ask me questions while watching it. It’s all online and you can register and watch the sessions for FREE! This was an important point for me because I know we’re all at different points in our financial journey, so having it be free to register was one of the reasons I wanted to join in. The event is happening on October 21st through the 25th. Now what I love with how Chelsea is putting this together, is that she has some fun giveaways and prizes along with the summit. There will be over $15,000 in giveaways of money tools, courses, swag, and gifts for moms throughout the event! So you not only can catch the most useful sessions to help you knock out your big money goal, but you can also pick up some fantastic and helpful prizes. I hope you’ll join me and other mamas. Just make sure you grab your FREE ticket by signing up here! Resources to Hit Your Money GoalsIf you two are looking to improve how you talk and work together with your finances (and lives), please check out these resources.
If you want to discuss talking with your spouse about money, ask questions, or share your own tips please join us over at Thriving Families on Facebook. Support the Podcast!Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!
Music CreditLike the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere
Direct download: Bonus_2_How_to_Set_and_Reach_Your_Big_Financial_Goals.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 6:15am EST |
Thu, 3 October 2019
Today we’re looking at how you reboot your money by not focusing on the finances! It’s now October. The year is officially wrapping up and for many, it’s a busy season. Do you have any plans coming up? This month we have a family trip planned to see some of our friends and family for Virginia. We're looking forward to it. But I also know that this time of year can also be one of reflection and review. We've knocked out some goals like saving up for my husband's next car, but we're still working on our big goal for the year - paying an extra $11k on our mortgage. How about you? How close are you to hitting your goals? If you’re behind on them, it’s okay. There is still time for you to reset and reboot your finances. And I want to help out. So this month I want to turn things around by doing a mini-series on the podcast. Each week we’re going to be tackling some of the big hurdles you might be having with your goals. One reason I’ve noticed people get behind is that they’ve lost that some of that momentum and motivation. Let's be honest if you’re dealing with something big - like trying to become debt-free, you could be in it for a while depending on how much debt you have now. So how can you not only keep on making progress but actually enjoy yourself? Something that can help you is reframing your goals. And today, Karen Cordaway is here to talk about how. She’s the author of The Everyday Bucket List. If you subscribe to the newsletter - and you really should ;) - you’ll remember it’s one of three books I recommended this summer. In this episode we’ll discuss:
Let’s get started!
Direct download: Bonus_1_Rebooting_Your_Money_and_Knocking_Out_Your_Everyday_Bucket_List.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 1:47pm EST |
Thu, 29 August 2019
Today we’re looking at how you can knock out a debt or two before this year wraps up! Knock Out a Debt QuicklyWho doesn’t want to unload a debt before this year wraps up? Paying off debt is usually one of the top three goals people make for the year, but struggle to achieve. That’s not going to happen with you. I want you to make some headway with your debt-free goals which why we’re finishing up with season with a call to action – we’re going to knock out debt. Of course, to do this we need money. There are three ways you’re going too free up money so to speak to pay off those debts faster:
We’ve talked about different ways you can save this season, with housing, cars, and how to bake in automatic savings so today I want to look at the other two options. David Jacobs, VP of Consumer Lending at Coastal Credit Union, is going to talk about the differences between HELOCs and home equity loans. If you going that route, you really need to understand how they work. We’re also looking at using side hustles to earn that extra money. Can you really knock out your debts with a side gig? Kevin is a member of our community and was kind enough to reach out to me about his experience. He’s done both delivery driving with GrubHub and ride-sharing. What’s cool – at least to me – is that he’s an accountant in his day job. So when he did the side hustles he was tracking not only his earnings but expenses. I think you’ll enjoy hearing his take on whether it’s a viable way to earn some extra cash. In this episode we’ll discuss:
Let’s get started! Resources to Pay Off a Mountain of DebtIf you two are ready to pay off your debt, here are some handy resources to check out:
Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal!Support for this podcast comes from Coastal Credit Union! If you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better, come check out Coastal today. They want to help you achieve your biggest goals! Support the Podcast!Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!
Music CreditLike 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.
Direct download: S9E11_How_To_Dump_Debt_Before_The_Year_Wraps_Up.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 8:39pm EST |
Thu, 22 August 2019
No parent wants their kids to go deep in debt, but whether it’s college or trade school, education can be pricey. Learn what options are available and how to best save up for your kid’s college expenses! Paying for Your Kid’s Education and College ExpensesWith student loans seeming like a weight on many college grads, I think most parents who kids are thinking about either college, trade school, or vocational schools are trying to find ways to ease the burden. And the advice typically given is to save ahead. But the price of getting an education is rising pretty quickly. How do you do that when you juggling your current family expenses and saving up for other goals? To help me out today is Drew Snider. He’s a director in Financial Planning at Coastal Wealth Management. He’s also a parent of a 12-year-old daughter and yes, he’s been thinking about this as well. So he’s looking at this from both sides. In this episode, we’ll get into:
Let’s get started! Tips on Paying for CollegeIf you two are looking to help your kid skip out on student loans, here are some resources to help you save up.
Key Takeaways on Paying for Your Kid’s College ExpensesBefore we close up I want to focus on some key takeaways I got:
If you’d like to chat more about ways to save for your kid’s college and education expenses, please join us in our private and free Facebook group, Thriving Families! Support the Podcast!Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!
Music CreditLike 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.
Direct download: S9E10_Best_Money_Saving_Plans_to_Pay_for_Your_Kids_College_Expenses.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 7:04am EST |
Thu, 8 August 2019
Learn how you can talk to your parents about money, their retirement, and beyond with less stress! Helping Your Parents Prepare for Retirement and BeyondWe talk about how to discuss money as a couple and make those conversations less stressful. And I hope you two feel more relaxed when you’re talking about your goals and finances. I also know that just because you two can talk about money, doesn’t mean that you’re cool with those money chats with everyone. Especially when it comes to your parents. My mom is getting closer to retirement I want to make sure that she’s in a good spot. Healthwise things look alright, but I also know that’s not given. We’ve other relatives have some significant health issues, including dementia and injury and it does make us wonder, how prepared are we to make sure our parents are taken care of? It’s easy to put it off, but do we really want to? So how do you start those conversations? How do you prepare for when you need to step in and help out your parents? Journalist and personal finance author Cameron Huddleston had to deal with it firsthand when helping her mother who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Her latest book is Mom and Dad: We Need to Talk is a fantastic guide on how to come together as a family now so down the line, everyone is on the same page. So I’m we have her on today. We also have financial advisor Jonah Kaufman sharing his take as he’s had to help families navigate through these delicate conversations. In this episode we’ll discuss:
Let’s get started! Resources for Parents and RetirementHere are some fantastic resources to help you two get more comfortable talking about retirement and more with your parents.
Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal!Support for this podcast comes from Coastal Credit Union! If you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better, come check out Coastal today. If you want to be better prepared financially, please consider Coastal’s Retirement Planning Program! Support the Podcast!Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!
Music CreditLike the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere.
Direct download: S9E9_Helping_Your_Parents_Plan_for_Retirement_and_Beyond.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 5:00am EST |
Thu, 1 August 2019
When you’re buying a house, there is a ton of paperwork and terminology thrown at you. Today we’re going to decipher and explain all the essentials you need to know to get a great deal on your mortgage! Getting a Great Mortgage When Buying a HouseEven if you’re excited and ready to buy a house, it can still be stressful. Last week I mentioned that my mom is moving into the Raleigh area after getting a job offer. She’s getting all that paperwork done for work and keeping her current home in tiptop shape since it’s on the market to sell. And whenever she’s in town to take care of her work stuff, we’re also driving around looking at places and neighborhoods. Being with her reminds me of our own house hunt and I remember how at times things seemed overwhelming. Buying a home is a huge purchase and while you’re trying to make sure it’s the right fit for you, you’re also sorting through all this paperwork. When you’re getting a mortgage, your lender is combing through your finances and it feels like they request every scrap of information they can get. And then when you do find a home, you make the offer – hopefully they accept. You have a home inspection, have the house appraised, and get paperwork like title insurance done. It’s a lot. And the first time around, we knew we paid a fair price, but we were a little lost. The second time, though, we felt confident about buying the house. One part that made a huge difference for us was getting our loan officer to walk us through. Having your loan officer in your corner, along with a great agent makes the process enjoyable and rewarding. We’re so grateful to have had that. And I want you to feel the same way. So if you’re in the market to buy or you know in the future you’d want to buy a home, I think you’ll enjoy this episode. I’m sharing one of my favorite interviews on the topic, my chat with Wendy Dawson. She’s the Vice President of Mortgage Lending at Coastal. In this episode we’ll discuss:
I want you to feel comfortable and confident you’re getting a great deal with your mortgage. I hope you enjoy! Resources on Getting a Great Deal on Your MortgageIf you’re looking to buy, here are some resources to help you find a great deal with your mortgage
Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal!Support for this podcast comes from Coastal Credit Union! If you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better, come check out Coastal today. See how Coastal can help you with your mortgage needs! Key Takeaways on Buying a HomeI want to focus on some key takeaways I got from talking with Wendy and our own experience:
If you’d like to chat more about buying or even selling your house, please join us in our private and free Facebook group – Thriving Families. Hope to see you there! Support the Podcast!Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!
Music CreditLike the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere.
Direct download: S9E8_Best_Mortgage_Tips_for_Home_Buyers.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 10:59am EST |
Thu, 25 July 2019
Today we’re going over home buying tips so you can snag a great deal on your dream house! What You Need to Know About Buying a HouseThis summer is wrapping up, but things are about to get busier for us. My mom was recently offered a job in the area and so she’s asked me to help her with buying a house. The problem is that here in the Raleigh/Triangle area, it’s very much a seller’s market. Since we bought our house three years ago, prices have gone up on homes. The median price of homes currently listed in Raleigh is $330,000. Which means we need to be savvy house hunters. I’m excited about this, but it’s going to be a challenge for sure. And if you’re looking to buy a house, you might be facing the same challenges. Which is why I’m so happy to have Louis Guillama on today to offer his expertise. He’s the Vice President of Real Estate Operations over at Coastal Credit Union. He has decades of experience with the real estate agent side as well as home renovations. In this episode we’ll discuss:
Hope you enjoy! Resources on Buying a HouseIf you’re looking to buy, here are some resources to help you find an affordable place you love!
Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal!Support for this podcast comes from Coastal Credit Union! If you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better, come check out Coastal today. If you need an agent, Daymark Realty has a fantastic team ready to help find the perfect house for you in the Triangle area! Support the Podcast!Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!
Music CreditLike the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere.
Direct download: S9E7_Home_Buying_Tips_for_Finding_Your_Dream_House.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 7:09am EST |
Thu, 11 July 2019
How do you feel about managing money? Is it something you enjoy doing or do you see paying the bills, knocking out debt, saving for your future, etc. a bit much? When we were first married it was honestly a little overwhelming. We had the bills to pay, a car loan, and eventually student loans that were going to come due. The idea of getting a financial system seemed complicated. The good news is it wasn’t. With a little organization so we had our acct info in front of us. It was a one evening thing. And it’s made a huge difference for us. We’ve paid off over $30,000 of debt, bought our cars with cash, started investing for retirement, and giving more. Through the years, we’ve had to take a step back to help out loved ones and deal with our family. With two little ones as our priority, we sometimes have put money conversations on the back burner. The automated system allowed us to still take care of the essentials and not miss a beat. But I also know that the idea of setting up a system sounds like a ton of work. Truth is the initial set up typically isn’t as difficult as you think and the benefits are more than just the money. To make this easier we’re going over:
I hope you enjoy! Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal!Support for this podcast comes from Coastal Credit Union! If you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better, come check out Coastal today. They have fantastic options to make online banking easy! Resources to Stay on Top of Your MoneyHere are some resources to make managing your money much easier!
Support the Podcast!Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!
Music CreditLike the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere.
Direct download: S9E7_How_to_Automate_your_Personal_Finances_A_Guide_for_Busy_Couples.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 8:44pm EST |
Sat, 6 July 2019
With the FIRE (financial independence/retire early) movement growing, many families are wondering if it's an option for them. Today we look at the key numbers parents need to consider when pursuing financial independence while raising kids! What choices do we need to make as a family now to become financially independent? Helping me to dig into this is Jonah Kaufman. He’s a financial advisor at Coastal Wealth Management. And while he’s not here for specific financial advice – that’s something you need to do one on one since everyone has unique financial circumstances – we are going over some things to consider and talk about as a family. In this episode we’ll discuss:
Hope you enjoy! Handy Tools to Start Your FI JourneyIf you’re looking to get ahead with your finances as a family by pursuing financial independence, here are some resources to check out:
FI CommunityToo many to number, but here are just a few of my favorites!
If you’d like to chat more your money system, please join us in our private and free Facebook group – Thriving Families. We’re families looking to support and help one another out. Hope to see you there! Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal!Support for this podcast comes from Coastal Credit Union! If you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better, come check out Coastal today. If you want to be better prepared financially for retirement, please check out Coastal’s Retirement Planning options! Support the Podcast!Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!
Music CreditLike the music in this episode? It’s provided by Lee Rosevere.
Direct download: Simplify_and_Enjoy_Preview_How_to_Balance_Family_and_Financial_Independence.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 7:43am EST |
Wed, 3 July 2019
Looking to raise kids while pursuing financial independence? Here are some tips from Simplify and Enjoy to help you reach your goals and enjoy the journey! How to Simplify Your Finances and Enjoy Your FamilyAs I mentioned in the last episode, this week is going to be a bit different. I’m going on vacation with my family soon but I wanted to leave you with some bonuses. As you already heard, I started a new podcast – Simplify and Enjoy. While here on Couple Money we talk about getting on the same page with money as a couple, Simplify and ENjoy is more focus on families especially with young kids who are interested in pursuing financial independence. Besides looking at the numbers, of course, we’re going to be looking at how to design your life around your family. How do you make the finances work so you are hitting your goals but you’re also enjoying the journey? So this week I’m going to share the first two episodes from the series – easy ways to manage your money when you’re busy and then the second episode is finding your path to financial independence when you’re raising young kids. I hope you enjoy these episodes and that they help you with your own journey to financial freedom and independence as a family! Handy Tools to Save MoreIf you’re looking to get ahead with your finances as a family, here are key resources to check out!
Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal!Support for this podcast comes from Coastal Credit Union! If you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better, come check out Coastal today. They have competitive rates on checking and savings accounts! Support the Podcast!Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!
Music CreditLike the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere.
Direct download: Simplify_and_Enjoy_Preview_How_Busy_Families_Can_Making_Manging_Money_Easier.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 7:34am EST |
Thu, 27 June 2019
Want to get the most out of your 401(k)? Learn the key guidelines on how you can choose the best investment options for you! Want to get the most out of your 401(k)? Learn the key guidelines on how you can choose the best investment options for you! Making the Most of Your 401(k)Chances are if you’re investing for your retirement, the bulk of that money is stashed away in your 401(k). For those whose employers offer them, they’re an easy option to sign up for and contribute towards. But are how comfortable are you with how it is doing? To help sort things out, Jonah Kaufman is joining me for this episode. Jonah is a financial advisor at Coastal’s Wealth Management Services. These will give you some starting points and ideas on what you need to talk about. In this episode we’ll discuss:
Hope you enjoy! Just to make sure we’re on the same page, this episode is NOT about specific investment advice. You would need to consult a qualified financial professional who can evaluate your unique circumstances. Resources to Stay on Top of Your 401(k)Here are some resources to make managing your money much easier!
Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal!Support for this podcast comes from Coastal Credit Union! If you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better, come check out Coastal today. If you want to be better prepared financially for retirement, please check out Coastal’s 401(k) Planning Calculator. Key Takeaways on Optimizing Your 401(k)Before we wrap up I want to focus on some key takeaways I got from speaking with Jonah and preparing for this episode:
If you’d like to chat more about your financial goals, please join us in our private and free Facebook group – Thriving Families. Hope to see you there! Support the Podcast!Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!
Music CreditLike the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere.
Direct download: S9E6_Mastering_Your_401k_How_to_Choose_The_Best_Investments_for_You.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 5:53am EST |
Thu, 20 June 2019
Today we’re talking about how you two can really review the big picture and make sure you hit YOUR big money goals! Financial Check-upsThe first half of this year is about over, so how are you guys doing right now? It’s funny how time seems to speed up and slow down. Looking back we have had some big ups and downs in the past four or so weeks, both financially and in our lives. Last month our adorable cat had some seisures and other issues and in a span of week – if that – he went from sick to passing away. It was so fast, the vets were trying to figure out what happened. And because a few issues, we just got his remains last week and paid his final expenses. Thankfully we have savings, but between emergency hospital exam, tests, and his vet visits, it definitely was pricey. Besides that weight, we had good things to celebrate. We were invited to two baby showers and then last weekend we went to two graduation parties. And of course, they are bunched together. But that’s life, right? At least for us. And I find it so easy to let certain things slip by because there are more pressing or immediate things happening. The danger is by focusing only on the thing right in front of you, that you miss important stuff. We should have a game plan for our money and a system that allows us to put in place so when things come up – and they will- our finances keep chugging along. Which is why I’m so glad Cathrine Bryant is joining in today’s episode. She’s a financial advisor at Coastal Wealth Management. In this episode we’ll discuss:
Let’s get started! Resources to Stay on Top of Your MoneyWant some help staying on top of your money? Here are some resources to make managing your money much easier!
Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal!Support for this podcast comes from Coastal Credit Union! If you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better, come check out Coastal today. If you want to be better prepared financially, please consider Coastal’s Retirement Planning Program! Support the Podcast!Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!
Music CreditLike the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere.
Direct download: S9E5_Marriage_and_Money_What_You_Need_to_Know_About_Financial_Planning.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 4:41pm EST |
Thu, 13 June 2019
Today we’re going to show you how to get the best deal when buying a car! What You Need to Know About Car LoansCars and car payments are a way of life for many couples. According to the latest data I could find, there’s a record 2.5 million auto loans originated. That’s certainly a big chunk of their budget going to cars. We’re a bit different. Once we paid off our car loan with the Jetta, we’ve bought our cars outright. As a personal and financial decision, we choose to go debt free with cars. And if you’re curious about how that works, then you’ll want to read our guide on buying cars with cash, which takes you through how we save up and buy our cars. It’s helped us skip having a car payment for the past 10 years. And personally, I feel like going debt free on cars is the best option, but every couple is different. Maybe you have a car that’s having to have repairs and because you’ve been throwing money to keep it going you don’t have much of a down payment? Or you’d like to go for a used car, but your spouse is hesitant and isn’t willing to go that route? Throughout the seasons, I’ve put out the offer to you to send in your money questions. I did a call for this season as well. And guess what? Car loans came up. A lot. Which isn’t surprising, considering that 85% of new car purchases and 53% of used car purchases use a loan. But if you get a car loan, is there a way to make sure it’s extremely affordable and if you decide to pay it off sooner, would the numbers work in your favor? It’s a challenge that I want to tackle today. By examining the numbers and pushing away the hype and ads, I think you can get a clearer picture of the real costs and then figure out what’s the best option for you. I’m extra excited because one of you lovely listeners is the guest. And Maggie actually pitched this topic to me in person. Yep, a Raleigh listener. Maggie and her husband Ben are trying to figure out what their options are for buying a car. And they were kind enough to share their situation and questions. What’s cool to me about is that David Jacobs VP of Consumer from our sponsor and partner this season, Coastal Credit Union is going to give us some insights on the lending side. In this episode we’ll discuss:
I want you two to be able to feel confident that you’re getting the best deal you can. Let’s get started! Essential Resources for Buying a CarIf you two are thinking about buying a car soon, here are some handy resources to help you get the best deal on them!
Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal!Support for this podcast comes from Coastal Credit Union! If you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better, come check out Coastal today. If you are hunting for a car loan, take a minute to review competitive rates and deals Coastal is offering now to make buying a car easier! Key Takeaways on Car LoansBefore we close up I want to focus on some key takeaways I got when researching for this episode:
If you’d like to chat more about saving more, please join us in our private and free Facebook group – Thriving Families. We’re families looking to support and help one another out. Hope to see you there! Support the Podcast!Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!
Music CreditLike the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere.
Direct download: S9E4_Car_Buying_Tips_Getting_the_Best_Deals_on_Car_Loans.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 11:42am EST |
Thu, 6 June 2019
Double Your SavingsThis week in the community newsletter I asked a question – can you really save half your income? Think about that for a second. Why is this important? Whether you’re paying off debt, saving up to buy a house, start family, travel, or invest more for your future – all of these goals have something in common. They need money. How much you save of your income can have an incredible impact on how fast you reach your big financial goals. Now unless you have a stash of cash under in house or an inheritance, that money is probably coming out of your budget. Now another quick question – do you know the average savings rate in the U.S. now? Take a guess. It’s around 6%. As you probably guess that’s not going to cut it if you want to knock out any of those big goals soon. There’s no way around it. If you want to hot those goals fairly quickly, you have to master the art of saving. But half your income? That’s a bit much, right? Don’t let anyone tell that’s not a huge deal because it is. However, it is possible to start working on bumping up that savings rate and one of my goals this summer is getting you to double yours. We’re bringing back the summer of savings. In this episode we’ll discuss:
Oh and stay tuned until because we’re also bringing back the summer of savings giveaway! Let’s get started! Handy Tools to Increase Your Savings RateIf you’re looking to get ahead with your finances as a family, here are key resources to check out!
Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal!Support for this podcast comes from Coastal Credit Union! If you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better, come check out Coastal today. They have competitive rates on checking and savings accounts! Support the Podcast!Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!
Music CreditLike the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere.
Direct download: S9E3_How_to_Double_Your_Savings_Rate.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 6:38pm EST |
Thu, 30 May 2019
Wedding planner Megan Gillikin as plenty of insider tips to help you plan a fantastic wedding (and still stick to your budget)! Even though it’s about 13 years ago, I remember being stressed at times when planning our wedding. Just like we heard at the top of the show, as soon as you announce your engagement it can feel like you’re being swarmed with questions about the big day. But as much as your loved ones mean well, it can be easy to forget how personal this is. For some, it’s something they planned and dreamed for years while others are looking for a very laid back and casual affair. It’s a celebration and a promise that you to make to each other in front of your loved ones depending on the wedding you have. There can be plenty of moving parts which can be overwhelming and stressful. The two of you need to sit down and start talking about which things you’d like to have and which things are must-haves You also may have family members who want to help out. You have venues, vendors, and maybe some out of town guests to make arrangements for. Oh, and of course paying for it. Which is why I’m happy Megan Gillikin is on the podcast today. She’s the owner and lead consultant for A Southern Soiree Wedding and Event Planning so she has plenty of insider tips to help you have a fantastic wedding! In this episode we get into:
Hope you enjoy! If you want to hear from another bride who had a beautiful wedding on a small budget, listen to my interview with Jessi Fearon. She and her husband Pat managed a sweet and special wedding for $500! Resources to Plan Your WeddingIf you’re getting married, please check out these resources so you can plan out your special day without going into debt.
Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal!Support for this podcast comes from Coastal Credit Union! If you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better, come check out Coastal today. They have competitive rates on checking and savings accounts! Meet Megan GillikinMegan is the owner and lead consultant for A Southern Soiree Wedding and Event Planning. I also do wedding and hospitality business consulting. She’s also the host of the fantastic and informative podcast Weddings for Real. Support the Podcast!Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!
Music CreditLike the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere.
Direct download: S9E2_Best_Wedding_Planning_Tips_from_an_Insider.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 11:55am EST |
Thu, 23 May 2019
Need to talk about money, but worried about starting a fight? Learn easy and stressless ways you two can have the money talk and get on the same page with your finances!
How to Talk About Money (without Starting a Fight)While it makes for good TV drama, finding out your spouse has been hiding massive debt is so not the way to start talking about money. But how do you do that – how do you start talking about money? Certified Financial Planner and NY Times best-selling author Carl Richards is on today to share some ways you can begin. In this episode we get into:
Hope you enjoy! If you’d like to hear more from Carl, please listen to our first interview about creating a one-page financial plan! Resources to Help the Money Talk Go EasierIf you two are ready, here are some fantastic resources to make talking about (and managing) money much less stressful!
Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal!Support for this podcast comes from Coastal Credit Union! If you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better, come check out Coastal today! Meet Carl RichardsCarl Richards is a Certified Financial Planner™ and creator of the Sketch Guy column, appearing weekly in the New York Times since 2010. Carl has also been featured on Marketplace Money, Oprah.com, and Forbes.com. In addition, Carl has become a frequent keynote speaker at financial planning conferences and visual learning events around the world. Through his simple sketches, Carl makes complex financial concepts easy to understand. His sketches also serve as the foundation for his two books, The One-Page Financial Plan: A Simple Way to Be Smart About Your Money and The Behavior Gap: Simple Ways to Stop Doing Dumb Things with Money. Keep Takeaways for Talking About MoneyBefore we close up I want to focus on some key takeaways I got:
If you’d like to chat more about getting on the same page with your spouse about money, please join us in our private and free FB group – Thriving Families. We’re families looking to support and help one another out. We’re over at couplemoney.com/fb Hope to see you there! Support the Podcast!Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!
Music CreditLike the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere.
Direct download: S9E1_How_to_Talk_About_Money_with_Your_Spouse_Without_Starting_a_Fight.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 5:00am EST |
Fri, 5 April 2019
Need to reset your money? Learn how to do some spring cleaning with your finances to start building momentum with your biggest goals! For some reason, I like to use April is a sort of reminder to review our financial progress. Maybe because of the deadline for taxes. Or maybe it’s because it’s financial literacy month. Anyways, during April I’ll poke around all our accounts, including investments to make sure we’re moving in the right direction. I’ll also review our goals for the year and see if we need to adjust anything. If you’ve signed up for the community newsletter you got a look at a few of our goals for this year. We’re looking to:
And if you haven’t, go ahead and take a little extra time checking your goals and numbers. Things can be going smoothly, which is awesome. But it’s not – like you’re behind on a goal or you two can’t seem to make any headway on something, this episode is for you. We’re going to look at how you can reset things, do some financial spring cleaning, and build up some momentum. In this episode we get into:
Hope you enjoy! Resources to Stay on Top of Your MoneyWant to learn more about getting a redo on your money? Here are some resources to check out:
Support the Podcast!Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!
Music CreditLike the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere.
Direct download: S8E11_How_To_Reset_Your_Money_With_a_Financial_Spring_Cleaning.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 10:43am EST |
Fri, 29 March 2019
Today we’re going to see how you can prepare your finances so you can buy a house without going broke! Things are about to get hectic around here. We just heard from our neighbor that the developer is going to start building the townhouses across the street from us starting next week. Buying a House – Always a Smart Move?Here in Raleigh if there’s a sliver of land, they’ll develop it. It’s a hot market right now and homes are going up at a rapid pace. Our property value has been rising since we bought our house three years ago. We’ve received mail from realtors and have seen upticks with estimates from real estate sites like Realtor, Zillow, and Redfin. We take these estimates with a grain of salt, but they are a reflection of the home value growing. Seeing this growth you might think we’re firmly in the camp of every one needs to buy a house. But we’re not. And here’s the kicker – not every couple benefits from becoming a home owner. In this episode we get into:
Hope you enjoy! Resources on Buying a HouseIf you’re looking to buy, here are some resources to help you find an affordable place you love!
Support the Podcast!Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!
Music CreditLike the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere.
Direct download: S8E10_How_Much_House_Can_We_Really_Afford_to_Buy.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 2:10pm EST |
Thu, 21 March 2019
Interested in knocking out your debt faster, saving for a big goal (like a house down payment), or pivoting your career path? Use these tips to not only start a business but grow a sustainable side hustle! Launching a Side HustleStarting a business, work from home, side hustle - you don’t have to be online for 5 seconds before you see an ad, site, or read someone saying how easy it is to get started. It’s kind of half-true. I would say there are more low-cost ways to get started with making money on the side, but free? No. Whether you’re working on the side through an app like Uber, Wag, or GrubHub, flipping furniture and other yard sale treasure for profit, or working strictly online, starting a business is probably the easiest part. Running and growing one? That’s the work. I know some of you are interested in knocking out your debt faster or you’re to save up for a big goal. Maybe a buy a house or bump up your savings for your little one’s arrival and you’re thinking, could a side business be what I need? Honestly, it could. There is a flexibility that you have when you’re in charge. But it’ no cakewalk. So today I want to share my chat with Marc over at Vital Dollar about his journey from working in an office, starting a side hustle, to working from home full-time. In this episode, we’ll discuss:
Let’s get started! ResourcesHere are some fantastic resources to check out:
Support the Podcast!Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!
Music CreditLike the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere.
Direct download: S8E9_Tips_for_Starting_and_Building_a_Sustainable_Side_Hustle.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 9:41am EST |
Fri, 15 March 2019
Do you want to go on a fabulous family vacation, but you’re still paying down debt? Learn how you can save big on your next getaway while still knocking out your debt! Saving Up for a Fun and Frugal Family VacationWhen’s your spring break? Our oldest has hers next month, but she’s already counting down the days. There’s something we love about having a little getaway as a family. The challenge for families that are on their debt free journey is how to make it work. ‘How do we take family vacations while we’re still paying off debt?’ I totally get it. You’re not going to put your life on hold just because you’re in debt. That said, you’re going to have to get savvy with how you plan your trip. In this episode, we’ll discuss:
Let’s get started! Resources for Cheap Family TripsLooking for ways to save on your next family getaway? Here are some fantastic resources to check out:
Support the Podcast!Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!
Music CreditLike the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere.
Direct download: S8E8_How_to_Go_on_a_Fabulous_and_Frugal_Family_Vacation.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 6:12pm EST |
Thu, 7 March 2019
Learn how you can protect your loved ones financial abuse and how to minimize the damage if it happens! Financial Scams and Protecting Your FamilyA few years ago, my husband’s nana had sent over money to a scammer pretending to be him. She had thought he needed help and so she generously sent it in. It was a wake call for us . After looking into this and talking with others, our family isn’t the only one who’s had to deal with this. Last year, a record 24,454 suspected cases of elder financial abuse were reported to the US Treasury Dept by banks. I can’t tell you for certain why they’re being targeted, but there are two key factors to consider. By 2030 US Census Bureau estimates 1 in 5 people will be 65 or older. Two, there’s a significant amount of money tied to our older friends and family. According to the American Bankers Association, 70% of bank deposits are with people over 50. So you have a growing and market that is appealing to scammers. So what can we do to protect our grandparents, parents, and other older loved ones? Today Joe Mecca from Coastal Credit Union is back. In this episode, we’ll discuss:
Hope this helps! If you want to hear more from Joe and find out more about credit unions please check out my interview here. We discuss how credit unions can be a better option for couples looking to grow their wealth. Resources to Win with Your MoneyWant to go ahead and tackle your big marriage and money goals? Here are the resources we mentioned in today’s episode along with some extras!
Support the Podcast!Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!
Music CreditLike the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere.
Direct download: S8E7_Protecting_Your_Family_from_Elder_financial_Abuse.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 9:49am EST |
Thu, 28 February 2019
Learn how you can prepare and save for the costs of retirement! How Much Do We Need to Save for Retirement?If you’ve used those free online calculator to find your retirement number, you probably were amazed at how much they say you need. A million, two million, maybe more for just one of you. How do you feel when you see those numbers? Considering that 1 in 3 Americans has less than $5,000 saved for retirement, chances are there’s room for improvement. Unless you’re living in denial about retirement, you’re probably dealing many of the hurdles couples deal with when it comes to saving and investing for retirement. 1- You have a full plate right now. As parents with two little ones, we always have something to do. We’re not complaining – this is really a fun season of life right now – but realistically our time and attention are focused around them. 2- Bills and debts. You may not be able to save more because there’s not much to give right now. If you have to pay credit cards, car loan, student loans and have a mortgage, your money is pretty much spent already. 3 – You’re not a financial planner. Hop online and you’’ll quickly see that there is endless free advice about what you should be doing. And it can be overwhelming at best and wrong for you at worst. Sifting through all that can be a mess. Running the numbers is also difficult. Especially with one area of retirement that we have to deal with now – healthcare costs and insurance. How do you know how much you’ll need years, decades down the line? The answer is there is no way to perfect predict how much you need. But there are ways you can start drawing a plan that fits your circumstances and your goals. Which is I’m happy Danielle Kunkle Roberts is here on today’s episode. Danielle is the co-founder of Boomer Benefits. Boomer Benefits specializes in Medicare supplement and Medicare Advantage insurance. Which you may be thinking, I’m too young for Medicare, but I think she’s perfect because she has a close up of view of how prepared people really are for retirement. She’s going to offer suggestions, ideas, and tips on what you can do now so you can be better equipped to handle the costs of retirement. And how your health insurance choices now can help or harm you later. In this episode, we’ll discuss:
Hope you enjoy! Resources to Win with Your MoneyWant to go ahead and tackle your big marriage and money goals? Here are the resources we mentioned in today’s episode along with some extras!
Support the Podcast!Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!
Music CreditLike the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere.
Direct download: S8E6_How_to_Prepare_for_Retirement_and_Healthcare_Expenses.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 1:06pm EST |
Thu, 21 February 2019
Today I’m answering your biggest tax questions. We’re doing a quick and easy take covering what you need to know this year when you file, how to maximize your refund, and set yourselves up with your finances for next year! How to Maximize Your Tax Refunds with Credit and DeductionsThere are some people in this world who are giddy right now because it’s tax season. Yeah, this is like the SuperBowl for some money nerds. And while I admit to being a number cruncher at times, I have to say taxes aren’t really that exciting for me. Yep, guilty as charged. However, I’ve seen how important getting our tax done has been for our finances. Both with planning throughout the year as well as using our refunds to reach our financial goals faster. And I want you to see taxes in a better, maybe less stressful light so today I’ll tackle the big questions. Heads up, even though I enjoy covering personal finances, I’m not a tax expert. There will be plenty of resources in today’s show notes for sure. But this episode I will do my best to break things down and talk like a normal, non-money nerd. In this episode, we’ll discuss:
Hope you enjoy! Resources to Tackle Your TaxesLooking to make taxes less stressful? Here are some of my favorite resources!
Support the PodcastThank you so much for listening!
I appreciate your help. Let’s make talking about marriage and money fun! Music CreditLike the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere
Direct download: S8E5_How_to_Tackle_Your_Taxes_and_Maximize_Your_Refund_This_Year.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 10:21am EST |
Thu, 14 February 2019
Can you have nice things when you're paying off debt? What millionaire habits can you pick up today? Personal finance author and money expert Anthony O'Neal shares his tips and thoughts!
Busting Common Money Myths
Many times we mismanage our money because we’ve developed ideas and habits that are harmful to our financial health.
If we want to change or help our spouse to change, it means we have to examine those money myths and habits.
And it can be hard to change.
That's why I’m really happy to have personal finance author and millennial money expert Anthony O'Neal on today. He’s made the leap himself.
At age 19, Anthony ONeal was deep in debt and short on hope with no direction of where his life was headed. But after hitting rock bottom, he turned his life around and committed to helping students find and pursue their passions.
We met up over at the NC State University's bell-tower before his Smart Money event last week for a chat about money myths and habits.
In this episode we get into:
Hope you enjoy!
Resources to Build Good Money Habits
Looking to become debt free and build wealth? Here are some resources to help you build smart money habits.
Support the Podcast
Thank you so much for listening!
I appreciate your help. Let’s make talking about marriage and money fun!
Music Credit
Like the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere
Direct download: S8E4_Busting_Money_Myths_and_Building_Millionaire_Habits_with_Anthony_ONeal.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 9:59am EST |
Wed, 6 February 2019
Think your home is an investment? For most people, it's not. Learn how to rethink real estate so you can build your wealth and become financially independent! Buying a house is usually the biggest purchase we make.
Right now in the United States, the median price of homes that sold is $225,900.
For those living in high cost of living areas like California and DC, you’re looking at closer to 350k to $400k respectively.
Just considering the numbers, you can see that you really need to do your homework when it comes to buying your house.
A misstep or mistake can cost you a significant amount of money.
I don't want that to happen to you. When \ever you buy your home I want it to feel like a blessing and a burden.
We’ve had several episodes about the house hunting, getting a mortgage, and finding the best home for you.
Today, though, I want to get into the root of every bad decision we made when it comes to real estate - how we approach it.
I can’t even count how many people had such strong opinions when we were house hunting.
And not all of them were right.
There so many justifications for buying any house.
People were saying this and they no idea what kind of house or neighborhood we were looking at.
That’s not to say buying a house is a mistake.
It can actually be a smart move when done right. And if you’re looking at investing and are willing to put in the work, real estate can be an income stream.
But how you approach it makes all the difference.
Which is why I asked Julien and Kiersten, the creators and the couple behind Rich and Regular to come on today. They are not only are homeowners, but they are also real investors who are working towards financial independence.
Their properties are a part of their plan so I thought they would be perfect to talk about how to approach real estate wisely.
In this episode we’ll discuss:
Hope you enjoy!
Resources for Buying a House
If you two are ready to get the balll rolling with buying a house or start looking at real estate investing, here are some resources to check out:
Support the Podcast
Thank you so much for listening!
I appreciate your help. Let’s make talking about marriage and money fun!
Music Credit
Like the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere
Direct download: S8E3_How_to_Rethink_Real_Estate_as_an_Investment_to_Build_Wealth_with_Rich_and_Regular.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 8:00am EST |
Wed, 30 January 2019
Today Grant Sabatier, the author of Financial Freedom, goes through how he was able to become a millionaire and financially independent by 30.
More importantly, he also discusses how you can create your own path based on your goals and priorities.
Get on the Path to Financial Freedom
It’s almost the end of January, how are things going for you?
Over at our FB group, Thriving Families, I've been keeping an eye on some of the goals you’ve been sharing and I’m really impressed.
We some tackling debt, many mentioning their student loans. Meal prepping is also on the list. That’s a fantastic money saver and will help you tremendously with your health goals.
Quite a few talked about earning more, both through their regular 9-5 job as well as side hustles.
On the surface, these goals seem to go in different directions, but when we chat in the group and get into the whys behind the goals, I noticed a recurring theme.
Having more flexibility and security for our families.
And for many, that path includes reaching financial independence.
But when you’re deep in debt or just starting out, it can seem overwhelming and in some cases out of reach.
However, you can take steps now to get your finances in a great spot and open up more options for your family.
Today Grant Sabatier, the author of Financial Freedom and the creator of Millennial Money, goes through how he was able to become a millionaire and financially independent by 30.
More importantly, he also discusses how you can create your own path based on your goals and priorities.
In this episode, we get into:
Hope you enjoy!
Resources to Get on the Path to Financial Freedom
If you two are ready to make some real progress on your big goals, here are helpful resources to check out.
Connect with Grant and Millennial Money
Dubbed “The Millennial Millionaire” by CNBC, Grant Sabatier went from $2.26 to $1 million in 5 years through entrepreneurship, side hustling and investing.
After reaching financial independence at the age of 30, Grant founded Millenial Money, where he writes about making and investing money and co-hosts the Millennial Money Minutes podcast.
Since launching in 2015, Grant has reached over 10 million readers and listeners through his blog and podcast.
Grant is also the author of Financial Freedom: A Proven Path to All the Money You’ll Ever Need.
Grant has been featured in over 200 international media outlets including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, National Public Radio, Money Magazine, ABC Nightline, Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Inc. Magazine, Forbes, The Sydney Morning Herald, and many others.
Support the Podcast
Thank you so much for listening!
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Music Credit
Like the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere
Direct download: S8E2_Financial_Freedom_for_Families.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 6:04am EST |
Thu, 24 January 2019
Does your family budget feel tight? Learn 3 key ways on how you can save hundreds of dollars each month while raising your kids and still having fun!
Saving More as a Family I know that financial independence is a buzzword in the personal finance sphere. You got stories where people are saving 60, 70% of and retiring in 5, 10 years.
I commend anyone is who simplifies their lives and removes the needless excess so they can achieve the goal.
What I do see missing in some of these dramatic stories are the numbers, details, and well, relatability.
Saving 70% of a $200k income is an achievement, but so is saving 20% of a $50,000.
And to be helpful to families of different incomes, we need to look at the principles behind and it really comes down to mastering the art of living well on less.
Notice I didn’t say living on less. You do have to spend less than you earn- that’s a core financial principle - but the other is living well.
Now, before you can pay off your debts, have an emergency fund, or invest for your future you have to have some money, right?
We have to develop our muscle with saving more.
Which is why we have Ansley Fender on today. She’s a Personal Finance Coach and Writer.
Ansley helps people make sense of their money by designing spending plans that align with their goals and lifestyle preferences.
She also understands firsthand what it’s like to accumulate $100,000 in student loan and consumer debt while climbing her way out as a new mom.
In this episode, we get into:
I hope you enjoy!
Resources to Save Money
Want to start boosting your savings rate? Here are some resources to check out:
Support the Podcast!
Thank you so much for listening to the podcast!
Music Credit
Like the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere.
Direct download: E8E1_How_to_Save_More_as_a_Family_and_Still_Have_Fun.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 7:36am EST |