Here on How to Money, we often debate the merits of a purchase, not because we hate spending money and try to avoid doing so at all costs, but because we are constantly checking ourselves to avoid the MINDLESS spending of our money. It is a challenge to make every financial decision with the same level of intentionality but we find we are often more wasteful when we are feeling too tired or lazy to be intentional. But just being aware of some of the triggers and circumstances that lead us to spe...
Jun 12, 2019•39 min•Ep. 95
There is so much more to handling your finances and investing well, than just knowing the correct information. Oftentimes we’re blind to the factors all around us, including our own tendencies and biases which can have a much bigger impact on how well we money. Willpower is limited and context matters way more than we might think. That’s why we're pumped to sit down with Dr. Daniel Crosby- he is a psychologist and behavioral finance expert who helps folks understand the intersection of their min...
Jun 10, 2019•48 min•Ep. 94
Anyone who has heard of the different warehouse clubs like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s has also heard that they’re a great place to save you money. But are they? With the proliferation of discount grocery stores and the ability to easily find a great deal on pretty much any product online, some are questioning whether the annual membership fees are worth it. Have a listen as we break down a bunch of the benefits, but also some of the drawbacks associated with warehouse clubs. During this episod...
Jun 05, 2019•46 min•Ep. 93
This week on the pod we’re answering your questions! 1 - Having just started my career, how much should I have in my emergency fund? 2 - Should I still move forward with my credit freeze? 3 - My insurance agent is recommending an insurance policy with a cash value. Should I consider it? 4 - Should we get a variable or fixed rate mortgage for our first home purchase? 5 - How do I keep my car insurance rates down after getting in a wreck? And if you have a question for us, we’d love for you to sub...
Jun 03, 2019•36 min•Ep. 92
How much are you paying to invest in your 401k or IRA? You might see fees as an unavoidable cost of investing, but even a 1% fee could easily cost you more than a half million dollars over your investing lifetime. Fees not only erode how much money you have to invest now, but they lessen the amount of money that is compounding in your account year after year- the impact is twofold! Listen as we discuss the different types of fees, how to look for them, and then where to go in order to avoid fees...
May 29, 2019•30 min•Ep. 91
Pretty much everyone we know would love to have more hours in their day- more time to spend with friends and family, more time to read or exercise (or any time), or even some extra hours to work on that side hustle you’ve been thinking about. We are really excited to have time management expert Laura Vanderkam on the podcast as she helps people spend more time on what matters, and less on what doesn’t. We discuss her latest book, Juliet’s School of Possibilities where she says that “Expectations...
May 27, 2019•51 min•Ep. 90
How much are you spending on your car? Aside from housing, Americans spend more money on cars and transportation costs than any other category, accounting for 14% of the average budget. That’s $9,000 annually according to the US Consumer Expenditure Survey but it could be a lot less! Luckily, some cars cost WAY less than others to purchase and maintain, and in this episode we make some car recommendations for frugal folks. During this episode we enjoyed a Bitter by FORM Fermentery and Blendery w...
May 22, 2019•39 min•Ep. 89
This week on the pod we’re answering your questions! 1 - Is it possible to create a side hustle using the different grocery or exercise apps that promise to pay? 2 - Should I diversify and have more than one Roth IRA account? 3 - As a highschool teacher preparing my students for the real world, what personal finance topics should I be sure to include? 4 - What are the best methods for accepting rent? 5 - What are some ways to cut the cost of cosmetics? And if you have a question for us, we’d lov...
May 20, 2019•37 min•Ep. 88
Every month we waste a lot of money on utility bills that could be back in our pockets if we would only be more intentional about making our homes more energy efficient. Not only could we save more money now, but there is massive potential for what that money could grow into if we invested it every month - don’t forget the rule of 173! Regardless of whether you’re renting an apartment or living in your own house, listen as we discuss lots of different ways that you can cut your water, gas, and e...
May 15, 2019•44 min•Ep. 87
Is it possible to pay down $200,000 of debt while living in a big city, and still find enjoyment in everyday life? Yes! In this episode we’re lucky enough to sit down with Kiersten and Julien Saunders who blog at RichAndRegular.com where they document their journey to financial independence. During this episode we hear from Kiersten and Julien about the unique struggles of African Americans in the corporate world, how they stayed motivated to pay down debt, their approach to effective budgeting,...
May 13, 2019•54 min•Ep. 86
What is the best way to pay down debt? Americans are in tremendous amounts of debt (think over 400 billion on just credit cards alone)! Not only is this debt keeping folks from reaching their financial goals, but it’s also taking a toll on the mental health of borrowers. Knowing the best strategy to get out of this debt is a big deal and could be the difference between living paycheck to paycheck or achieving financial freedom. Listen as we cover both approaches so you can decide which is better...
May 08, 2019•32 min•Ep. 85
This week on the pod we’re answering your questions! 1 - What’s the difference between annuities and life insurance? 2 - Ways to improve my credit score after a chapter 7 bankruptcy? 3 - Robo advisors: are they too good to be true? 4 - Should I open a college savings account for my toddler? 5 - What kind of equipment do you use to record the podcast? And if you have a question for us, we’d love for you to submit your own via HowToMoney.com/Ask During this episode we enjoyed a Bio-Rhythm by South...
May 06, 2019•35 min•Ep. 84
We think it’s a great decision for almost everyone to invest in a Roth IRA. Second only to an employer matched 401k, a Roth IRA is very often the best retirement savings vehicle due to tax advantages and flexibility within that account. Listen as we cover some of the reasons we’re huge fans of the Roth IRA. During this episode we enjoyed a Superior BarleyLime by tripelroot - a big thanks to Heather for donating this delicious beer to the show! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscrib...
May 01, 2019•33 min•Ep. 83
It’s time to dispel the myth that you need to have a huge salary, or that you need to work and save for decades, in order to eventually retire. This week we’re excited to hear from Jillian Johnsrud as she shares with us how she became financially independent at the age of 32, despite her and her husband never making more than 60k a year. We cover how they paid cash for their first house, how they continue to save and invest with 5 kids at home, as well as the importance of their "quit list" as t...
Apr 29, 2019•53 min•Ep. 82
For most people car and home insurance policies are expected, necessary costs of owning those things. Because we automatically set up these policies, we tend to forget to continually shop them around- which may mean we’re significantly overpaying! Loyalty with a particular insurer doesn’t save you money over the years so continually shopping your provider is one of the best ways to get your rates down. Listen as we cover several other ways to save big on car and home insurance, plus we answer th...
Apr 24, 2019•36 min•Ep. 81
This week on the pod we’re answering your questions! 1 - Where should I keep money that I’m saving for a down payment for real estate? 2 - Should I be investing in my retirement while I still have student loan debt? 3 - When should I consider selling my clunker and buying a ‘new’ car? 4 - Is wrapping your car in ads a legit way to make money? 5 - What are some ways to save money while on the road touring with my band? And if you have a question for us, we’d love for you to submit your own via Ho...
Apr 22, 2019•41 min•Ep. 80
There are a host of reasons why renting a place instead of buying might be a great idea for you (we even dedicated an entire episode to the topic!). But when it comes to renting and entering into a lease agreement with a landlord, you want to make sure that you’re prepared and taking the proper steps to protect yourself. Listen as we cover everything from Wall Street landlords to negotiating leases to the low cost of renters insurance. During this episode we both enjoyed a Russell Kelly Pale Ale...
Apr 17, 2019•29 min•Ep. 79
What kind of life do you really want to lead? Does consumption and stuff dictate your life more than you’d like? It is so important to examine your own life to discover the small changes you can make right now to give you more freedom to do the things that truly matter most to you. For this interview, we sat down with Chris and Cristi from Life Opted Out to talk about how and why they chose to leave a life they loved in NYC for a much simpler, more affordable life traveling the country in their ...
Apr 15, 2019•55 min•Ep. 78
US households owe a total of $420 billion in credit card debt so it’s no surprise that everyone is looking for an easy solution. Debt consolidation (and debt settlement) companies offer a quick fix but they often cost you a lot, wreck your credit score, and they may even completely scam you without performing any of the promised work. Rather than consolidation and settlement companies, consider the sure route- ‘manually’ consolidating your own debt and, if needed, utilizing loan companies like L...
Apr 10, 2019•31 min•Ep. 77
Do you feel comfortable with the expectations of your job and the number of hours you work? Or do you sense impending burnout with the constant demands and grueling schedule required of you? This week's $Pro, Tanja Hester, is here to talk about how to begin making your job a smaller part of your life. Her first step to achieve this is saving up just enough money to shift that power imbalance that you may feel with your boss, and give you confidence and bargaining power. We will also cover three ...
Apr 08, 2019•41 min•Ep. 76
Even though the federal government published a report that determined the average cost of raising a child from birth to age 18 is $233,000- that doesn’t mean you HAVE to spend that much! When calculating how much YOU will spend on a child, start by asking yourself: what are my current expenses? Because really the best indicator of how much you’ll spend on your kids is how much money you are already spending on yourself. The cost of children will be an extension of your values and what you’re alr...
Apr 03, 2019•43 min•Ep. 75
It's always encouraging to be reminded that the hard work you're putting in and the sacrifices you're making now can mean a much smoother ride in the future when it comes to your personal finances. Our $Pro this week, Doc G, is here to discuss the compounding effects of extra work, saving, and investing early on. Even if you're not so young, this episode is a call to get started now- not next month or next year- get your money in order today! During this episode we each enjoyed an Aggressive Add...
Apr 01, 2019•40 min•Ep. 74
Nearly 80% of Americans wouldn’t be able to pay their bills if they missed a paycheck. When you’re used to living paycheck to paycheck, the idea of setting aside some extra money is almost laughable. How do you even consider setting financial goals when every dollar you make is already going somewhere necessary? In this episode we talk through how to choose to set goals regardless of your financial situation. The goal of an emergency fund for some breathing room and financial cushion is the very...
Mar 27, 2019•34 min•Ep. 73
Rampant consumerism and consumption is becoming the norm, and this is partly due to the fact that it is so easy to make purchases online. $Pro Katy Wolk-Stanley is challenging that notion by refusing to buy new stuff, and instead, she’s prioritizing her goals and values when it comes to consumption. Free piles of stuff on the sidewalk and your local Buy Nothing group can be great, but they’re not the only way to drastically cut back. Listen as we’re challenged by Katy and as we seek to save more...
Mar 25, 2019•40 min•Ep. 72
Working hard for money isn't a foreign concept, but working hard to receive good customer service often is- we so rarely advocate for ourselves! The first step when you're looking for great customer service is to be sure to do business with a reputable company. After that, there are plenty of additional elements to consider to not only save you money, but allow you to walk away from a transaction completely satisfied and raving about how great of an experience you had when you needed assistance....
Mar 20, 2019•40 min•Ep. 71
The cost of college is higher than ever. On average, students today are paying 213% more to go to college than their parents paid 30 years ago (and that includes adjustment for inflation!). $Pro Cody Berman is with us this week to discuss finding smart and creative ways to cut college costs, so that graduates can launch their professional careers unhampered by massive student loans. So whether you're in school, considering going back, or have kids - listen to hear some advice on ways to cut thos...
Mar 18, 2019•38 min•Ep. 70
People don’t invest in the stock market because of a perceived ‘risk’- their minds immediately jump back to the Great Recession or even the Great Depression. And then from that position of fear, they decide their money is better left in a nice and familiar savings account- except this is an instance where slow and steady doesn’t win the race. It turns out that one of the biggests, actual risks to your money is not investing at all, in an attempt to avoid ‘risk’ from the stock market. Listen as w...
Mar 13, 2019•30 min•Ep. 69
Do you have federal student loans? Are you wondering if you have any refinancing options? There is a lot to consider in a refinance beyond the advertised interest rate, and this week’s $Pro, Meagan Landress, will help us wade through it all. We also spend a large part of this episode answering specific student loan related questions from the How to Money Facebook group. During this episode we each enjoyed a Can Can (red wine barrel-aged) by Westbrook Brewing Co which you can learn all about on U...
Mar 11, 2019•32 min•Ep. 68
The difference between scoring a home vs. missing out can be incredibly small- and a lot of it comes down to your offer. There are lots of little things that can help your offer stand out and make the buying process move along smoothly. However, since most of us only buy a home once or twice in our lifetime, not knowing or forgetting a step can cost us a place we really want or cause us to make unwise decisions. Listen as we cover some important steps in the home buying process and how you can g...
Mar 06, 2019•34 min•Ep. 67
Over 45 million Americans are saddled with over 1.5 trillion in student loan debt- this is a nationwide epidemic! With such a massive burden, how do you even begin repaying your student loans? Our $Pro this week, student loan expert Meagan Landress, is here to shed some light on the many different student loan repayment programs and how to choose the plan that best fits your financial situation and goals. At the end of this episode we answer some specific student loan related questions from the ...
Mar 04, 2019•37 min•Ep. 66
