How to Money

Time for a Friday Flight- our little sampling of the week’s best financial news and what it means for your personal finances. There are a lot of headlines out there, but we boil them down to specific takeaways that will allow you to kick off the weekend informed and help you to get ahead with your money. In this episode we explain some relevant and helpful stories like: Stocks at all-time highsBag fees and fuel surchargesSurging HOA feesThis old houseSpending those tax refundsYou’re owed some moneyUnclaimed.orgMissingMoney.comDon’t be a victimDegree doubtsFree degreesUpper-middle class ascendencyTough times for rideshareLife insurance in the back of a LyftLife Insurance: A Step By Step Guide Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Credit card perks: our favorite credit cardsOther money nerds:HTM Facebook group!Newsletter:HTM newsletterMoney Gears:what to do with your moneyMG7:HowToMoney.com/Advisor And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money! Best friends out! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let's talk about Social Security. More than music, clothing, or even political views, Social Security might be the single biggest generational fault line in America right now. Boomers are thrilled to finally be collecting on a promise decades in the making while Millennials and Gen Z are quietly wondering if there'll be anything left by the time we get there. And honestly? That concern isn't crazy! Social Security almost certainly isn't going away entirely, but it's probably not going to look exactly the same as it does today either. Mike Piper, CPA and Social Security expert, joins the show today to explore the future of Social Security, optimal claiming strategies, and how to plan for retirement amid uncertain benefits. Specifically covered: Can’t get enough How To Money? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Mike Piper:Oblivious InvestorOpen Social SecurityCredit card perks: our favorite credit cardsMoney Gears:what to do with your moneyNewsletter:HTM newsletterOther money nerds:HTM Facebook group! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money! Best friends out! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re kicking off the week by answering your listener questions! And if you have a question that you’d like for us to answer on the show, we’d love for you to submit your own via HowToMoney.com/ask , send us your voice memo. Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, we want to hear it! 1 - Free Fidelity Funds: Are they the “cheap” option or a great way to get wealthy?! 2 - 3% Cashback: Will paying for a Robinhood Gold membership allow me to get my hands on the Gold credit card? 3 - Rising Insurance Premiums: What’s the deal with opting for higher deductibles for lower premiums? 4 - Social (in)Security: Why don’t lawmakers raise the income cap in order to help keep the trust fund solvent? 5 - PTO Cash-Out: Should I cash-out my paid time off to pay off our house sooner, or actually kick back a little more? Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Credit card perks: our favorite credit cardsOther money nerds:HTM Facebook group!Newsletter:HTM newsletterMoney Gears:what to do with your moneyMG7:HowToMoney.com/Advisor During this episode we enjoyed a Soft Static by Inner Voice! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money! Best friends out! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re kicking off the week by answering your listener questions! And if you have a question that you’d like for us to answer on the show, we’d love for you to submit your own via HowToMoney.com/ask , send us your voice memo. Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, we want to hear it! 1 - How should I account for inflation when using the 25x rule to forecast my retirement? 2 - Are sites like RateGenius and Autopay legit places to refinance my car? 3 - I have the cash on hand to build an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), but should I use a construction loan instead? 4 - Should I stick $6,500 into a Roth IRA, a Health Savings Account, or a 457b? 5 - Listener win: reaching out directly to a company resulted in cash in my mailbox! Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Credit card perks: our favorite credit cardsOther money nerds:HTM Facebook group!Newsletter:HTM newsletterMoney Gears:what to do with your moneyMG7:HowToMoney.com/Advisor And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money! Best friends out! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“The Budgetnista” needs no introduction, but here’s a quick one anyways: Tiffany Aliche has helped millions of people change the trajectory of their finances through her books, courses, and podcasts. What I especially love about Tiffany is that she’s a teacher at heart which is something shaped by a decade in the classroom and a master’s degree in education. Her passion for helping people truly thrive with money is contagious. It’s been 7 years since we’ve had Tiffany on the podcast so listen as we discuss a range of topics from practical approaches to budgeting, to dealing with financial shame and anxiety. Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: The Budgetnista:GetGoodWithMoney.comCredit card perks: our favorite credit cardsMoney Gears:what to do with your moneyNewsletter:HTM newsletterOther money nerds:HTM Facebook group! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money! Best friends out! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re kicking off the week by answering your listener questions! And if you have a question that you’d like for us to answer on the show, we’d love for you to submit your own via HowToMoney.com/ask , send us your voice memo. Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, we want to hear it! 1 - Coast FIRE: How are we doing based on how much we’ve got in our state retirement accounts? 2 - Savings Bonds: What do I do with these 30 year old savings bonds that I was gifted back in the 90s!? 3 - Frugal or Cheap: Is it worth spending 4 hours disputing a $3.60 incorrect charge on a medical bill? 4 - S&P 500: After recently wising up and switching to fully invest in the S&P, how do I eventually rebalance before retirement? 5 - Appliance Land: Refrigerator died so what should we keep in mind as we buy our new one? Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Coast FI:Not FIRE, But Not Retirement. Something in Between.Credit card perks: our favorite credit cardsOther money nerds:HTM Facebook group!Newsletter:HTM newsletterMoney Gears:what to do with your moneyMG7:HowToMoney.com/Advisor During this episode we enjoyed a Blonde Fat Ale (CORRECTION: Fatale… I’m guessing bc of the ABV? But it really looks like Fat Ale on the can) by Backpocket Brewing – thanks Clint for sending this one along to us! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money! Best friends out! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Time for a Friday Flight- our little sampling of the week’s best financial news and what it means for your personal finances. There are a lot of headlines out there, but we boil them down to specific takeaways that will allow you to kick off the weekend informed and help you to get ahead with your money. In this episode we explain some relevant and helpful stories like: Best affordable eyeglassesStellar staycationsAvoiding travel fuel surchargesRecession reminderDr. Doom sounds reasonable!Pay cut gut punchWhere you work mattersNursing your way to middle class(Don’t) Stop contributing to your 401kSam’sNetflixpostal service getting priceyDevilish destination feesEV & hybrid searches spike Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Credit card perks: our favorite credit cardsOther money nerds:HTM Facebook group!Newsletter:HTM newsletterMoney Gears:what to do with your moneyMG7:HowToMoney.com/Advisor And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money! Best friends out! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You might expect someone who experienced homelessness as a kid to grow up angry at the financial system. Instead, John Hope Bryant set out to understand it and help more people succeed within it. Our guest today believes financial literacy isn’t just helpful but foundational to economic opportunity and even human dignity. John is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE, one of the nation’s leading organizations focused on financial literacy, credit access, and economic empowerment. Today, we’re talking about his personal story, economic mobility, entrepreneurship, and what it really takes to build a financial system that works for everyone. We cover: Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: John Hope Bryant:Operation HopeCapitalism For All: Inclusive Economics and the Future-Proofing of AmericaCredit card perks: our favorite credit cardsMoney Gears:what to do with your moneyNewsletter:HTM newsletterOther money nerds:HTM Facebook group! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money! Best friends out! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re kicking off the week by answering your listener questions! And if you have a question that you’d like for us to answer on the show, we’d love for you to submit your own via HowToMoney.com/ask , send us your voice memo. Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, we want to hear it! 1 - Marriage goals: Now that we have more cash coming in, should we invest more or have a wedding? 2 - Skipping life insurance: Why shouldn’t I just forego term life if I can claim social security survivor benefits? 3 - DCFSA: Is it legal for my partner to claim our new daughter in order to contribute more to a dependent care flexible spending account? 4 - New cars: First-time mama asking what the best rides are with a baby in tow? 5 - $100,000: What should we do with an inheritance if we have a serious medical condition but also have investing goals? Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Credit card perks: our favorite credit cardsOther money nerds:HTM Facebook group!Newsletter:HTM newsletterMoney Gears:what to do with your moneyMG7:HowToMoney.com/Advisor During this episode we enjoyed a Wonder Struck by Singlespeed Brewing – thanks Clint for sending this one along to us! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money! Best friends out! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Time for a Friday Flight- our little sampling of the week’s best financial news and what it means for your personal finances. There are a lot of headlines out there, but we boil them down to specific takeaways that will allow you to kick off the weekend informed and help you to get ahead with your money. In this episode we explain some relevant and helpful stories like: Tooth fairy inflationWTD with Long Airport LinesQsensorRent now pay laterAccidental landlordsI regret buying a houseTreasury taking over student loansPersonal loans are poppingBlundering credit bureausBad credit = expensive home owners policyPlasma paydaysPlasma Pay CalculatorBurden of healthcare Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Credit card perks: our favorite credit cardsOther money nerds:HTM Facebook group!Newsletter:HTM newsletterMoney Gears:what to do with your moneyMG7:HowToMoney.com/Advisor And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money! Best friends out! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This show exists to help you make smart decisions with your money. But if we’re being honest, How To Money might not be as necessary if the financial system weren’t so confusing in the first place. For a lot of people, navigating modern money realities feels like swimming in shark-infested waters with high stakes, unclear rules, and the potential for costly mistakes at every turn. Our guest today is Professor John Campbell, author of the book Fixed: Why Personal Finance is Broken and How to Make It Work for Everyone. John is an economics professor at Harvard, who believes the financial system has a responsibility to serve ordinary people with products they can understand, afford, and safely use. Today, we’re talking about what’s broken in personal finance and what real solutions could look like. We specifically discuss: Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: John Campbell: John’s new book, FixedCredit card perks: our favorite credit cardsMoney Gears:what to do with your moneyNewsletter:HTM newsletterOther money nerds:HTM Facebook group! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money! Best friends out! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re kicking off the week by answering your listener questions! And if you have a question that you’d like for us to answer on the show, we’d love for you to submit your own via HowToMoney.com/ask , send us your voice memo. Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, we want to hear it! 1 - International investing: Should I look outside of the US if I’m concerned about “Mag-7-nondiversification” in the S&P? 2 - Grunt work: Is it frugal or cheap to work for beer at my local craft brewery? PLUS a healthcare question… 3 - 13 credit cards: As we eliminate our credit card debt should I close my cards or keep them around? 4 - Cell service: Where to go for the most affordable home internet and cell service? 5 - Tax refund: What’s the best use of a $2,000 refund that I’m expecting to receive? Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Credit card perks: our favorite credit cardsOther money nerds:HTM Facebook group!Newsletter:HTM newsletterMoney Gears:what to do with your moneyMG7:HowToMoney.com/Advisor During this episode we enjoyed a Fire, Skulls, and Money by Toppling Goliath – thanks Clint for sending this one along to us! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money! Best friends out! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thanks to Justin for having Joel on his show, FI Minded! --- The FI community is incredibly good at effort, optimization, and doing hard things for a long time. But somewhere along the way, many of us forget how to stop. Even after gaining more control over our time, we fill it back up with projects, commitments, and expectations, leaving us busy, tired, and quietly stretched thin. Joel Larsgaard shares what it looked like to recognize that “doing it all” was no longer sustainable, even when the work was meaningful. After front-loading years of effort through saving, investing, and building How to Money, Joel began intentionally pulling back: working fewer hours, prioritizing family and health, and even taking a six-week sabbatical. This conversation explores why doing less isn’t laziness, but a necessary evolution after years of striving. You’ll hear how financial independence can be used as a tool for time, not just wealth, along with practical ways to say no, resist constant expansion, and create space without losing ambition. If you’ve reached a point where more effort isn’t improving your life the way it used to, this episode offers a healthier path forward - one built on balance, presence, and intentional choices. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Time for a Friday Flight- our little sampling of the week’s best financial news and what it means for your personal finances. There are a lot of headlines out there, but we boil them down to specific takeaways that will allow you to kick off the weekend informed and help you to get ahead with your money. In this episode we explain some relevant and helpful stories like: Star Craft CocktailsNot so high prices at the pump?Spooked mortgage interest ratesWarflationHeadphones or elseDoes expensive oil lead to higher returns?24/7 oil futuresFive minute betsTicketmaster LiveNation is the worstGambling on the missile strikesWill Kalshi get shutdown?Drones in our backyardDownpayment assistance programsAttractive ARMs$40 billions towards youth sports Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Credit card perks: our favorite credit cardsOther money nerds:HTM Facebook group!Newsletter:HTM newsletterMoney Gears:what to do with your moneyMG7:HowToMoney.com/Advisor And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money! Best friends out! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every year, patients are billed and stuck with $14 billion in medical debt that should be wiped out under existing hospital financial assistance rules. This debt isn’t inevitable, it’s unnecessary! Given the fact that medical debt is the number one cause of bankruptcy and a huge source of stress for families, is it a step too far to say that there is a medical debt crisis in America? We don’t think so and our guest today is doing something about it. Jared Walker is the founder of DollarFor, an organization helping people crush hospital bills they don’t legally owe. Since 2012, DollarFor has helped eliminate more than $125 million in medical debt nationwide. Some of the topics covered today: Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Dollar For: DollarFor.orgCredit card perks: our favorite credit cardsMoney Gears:what to do with your moneyNewsletter:HTM newsletterOther money nerds:HTM Facebook group! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money! Best friends out! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re kicking off the week by answering your listener questions! And if you have a question that you’d like for us to answer on the show, we’d love for you to submit your own via HowToMoney.com/ask , send us your voice memo. Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, we want to hear it! 1 - Mortgage recast: Should we take a windfall and recast our mortgage or use the lump sum to invest? 2 - Trump accounts: Where should 530a accounts land among the Money Gears… high or low priority? 3 - Thin credit: What should I do since I was denied a credit card due to a thin file? 4 - Used cars: Is buying a car from a private seller the best option and where’s the best place to look? 5 - Debt relief: So it turns out the company I signed up with for debt relief might be a scam, what should I do?! Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Credit card perks: our favorite credit cardsOther money nerds:HTM Facebook group!Newsletter:HTM newsletterMoney Gears:what to do with your moneyMG7:HowToMoney.com/Advisor During this episode we enjoyed a Wavelength by Equilibrium Brewery! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money! Best friends out! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Time for a Friday Flight- our little sampling of the week’s best financial news and what it means for your personal finances. There are a lot of headlines out there, but we boil them down to specific takeaways that will allow you to kick off the weekend informed and help you to get ahead with your money. In this episode we explain some relevant and helpful stories like: Rivian repairRobinhood Platinummortgage underwritingour taxesSide hustle salad days56% of Zoomers hustlingSullen saversMore actively managed assets (is what we don’t need)Same with new venture fundsReal estate headwinds for investorsTariff refunds on the wayTicking tax bomb on forgiven student loans Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Credit card perks: our favorite credit cardsOther money nerds:HTM Facebook group!Newsletter:HTM newsletterMoney Gears:what to do with your moneyMG7:HowToMoney.com/Advisor And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money! Best friends out! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joel married into a family of teachers. His father-in-law has spent nearly 40 years in the classroom, his mother-in-law has taught for 30, and his brother-in-law is an outstanding Spanish teacher. While it’s clear that every one of them truly loves their work, we also know that passion alone doesn’t pay the bills. Teaching requires some real sacrifice, especially in today’s economy. And while no one enters the profession expecting to get rich, we believe that shouldn't mean teachers are destined for a life of financial stress or a mediocre retirement. In fact, our guest today argues that those assumptions are flat-out wrong. While educators face unique financial hurdles, they also have powerful, underused advantages. When those tools are understood, retiring comfortably isn't just a dream - it’s a reality. Shaun Morgan is a full-time teacher who is just as passionate about teaching personal finance to his fellow educators as he is about his work in the classroom. Some of the topics covered in this episode: Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Teacher Money Show:Teacher Money ShowCredit card perks: our favorite credit cardsMoney Gears:what to do with your moneyNewsletter:HTM newsletterOther money nerds:HTM Facebook group! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money! Best friends out! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re kicking off the week by answering your listener questions! And if you have a question that you’d like for us to answer on the show, we’d love for you to submit your own via HowToMoney.com/ask , send us your voice memo. Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, we want to hear it! 1 - Raise vs lifestyle: Should I take a 50% pay increase or maintain the flexibility of working from home? 2 - Nvidia: How do I go about rebalancing my portfolio when I have $800,000 of Nvidia in my brokerage account? 3 - Feedback: Maybe Joel is being cheap not frugal and should you really let a medical bill go to collections? 4 - Insurance: What’s the best way to get an agent to shop multiple different providers to get me the best deal? 5 - Books: My son is 25 years old - what book should I get him to help kick off his personal finance journey? Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Credit card perks: our favorite credit cardsOther money nerds:HTM Facebook group!Newsletter:HTM newsletterMoney Gears:what to do with your moneyMG7:HowToMoney.com/Advisor During this episode we enjoyed a Delirium Tremens by Huyghe Brewery! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money! Best friends out! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Time for a Friday Flight- our little sampling of the week’s best financial news and what it means for your personal finances. There are a lot of headlines out there, but we boil them down to specific takeaways that will allow you to kick off the weekend informed and help you to get ahead with your money. In this episode we explain some relevant and helpful stories like: Jump at the pumpWe have ‘oil insurance’Most fuel efficient carsCheapest new carsFewer work from home rolesLack of job-hopping leverageWe’re all time poor401k raidersHELOC pillagersSmall biz 401k plans on the riseJoel hates cashmerePrinter companies have us over a barrelAffordable Apples Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Credit card perks: our favorite credit cardsOther money nerds:HTM Facebook group!Newsletter:HTM newsletterMoney Gears:what to do with your moneyMG7:HowToMoney.com/Advisor And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money! Best friends out! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.