If sugar is what makes cake taste good, why don’t we just replace all the flour with more sugar? It would taste like crap, that’s why. However, we live in a culture that continually tells us that we should replace the flour in our lives with more and more sugar. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explores the idea of finding a healthy balance of sugar (leisure and fun) and flour (work, purpose, and impact) in our lives. Just as we don’t want a life full of just flour, neither should we purs...
May 28, 2025•10 min•Ep. 423
Compounding is a powerful phenomenon, but it’s staggering how much so for young people. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton shares some insights from a recent talk he gave to young adults. In short, young adults have a particularly massive opportunity to embrace the power of compounding. All it requires is the willingness to start…..and a ton of patience. Podcast website: https://www.travisshelton.com/podcast Daily Blog: h...
May 14, 2025•10 min•Ep. 422
This money stuff should be simple, but simple doesn’t mean easy. In fact, some of the simplest things in the world are the hardest to actually do. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discusses this important distinction, and will challenge you to aggressively and obsessively pursue simple. While it might be tremendously difficult, it might also be one of the best things you ever do. Podcast website: https://www.travisshelton.com/podcast Daily Blog: ...
May 06, 2025•10 min•Ep. 421
Humans have an interesting knack of overestimating the probability of something bad happening, but underestimating the severity of said bad outcome. The net result of these dynamics can be utterly destructive. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discussed the importance of understanding the true downside risks of xyz decision. If we do, we’ll make better choices and protect our family from potentially devastating outcomes. If you have questions or would like to connect with us outside of the...
Apr 16, 2025•11 min•Ep. 420
Worried about a possible stock market crash? You aren’t alone! With the volatility we’ve experienced in the first three months of 2025, many people are getting nervous. Will the market crash? Is this just a bump in the road? Are bad days ahead? We aren’t fortune tellers, but we can say with 100% certainiy that a stock market crash will happen……at some point. If true, what do we do with that information. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton shares some historical context. Bad news: A crash WIL...
Mar 31, 2025•10 min•Ep. 419
Did you know that host Travis Shelton recently had a midlife crisis? Well, that’s what most people would call it, anyway. In the Meaning Over Money world, we simply calling it living for the meaning, not for the money. In today’s episode, on the one-year anniversary of Travis purchasing an 18-year-old Nissan 350Z, Travis discusses the costs, benefits, and overall takeaways. In short, it’s pretty freaking awesome! If you have questions or would like to connect with us outside of the podcast, here...
Mar 26, 2025•11 min•Ep. 418
Would you spend $10 per day on things you don’t need? Every day, every week, every month, every year. In some ways, this idea sounds crazy and irresponsible. Host Travis Shelton wrote a blog about this recently, and his readers agreed. Spending $10 on wants every single day sounds grossy reckless. However, would you believe that almost every person who listens to this episode already does that…..and more? We don’t think of it this way, but most of us spend far more than $10 per day on things we ...
Mar 24, 2025•11 min•Ep. 417
No, that daily coffee isn’t ruining your financial life…..by itself. We love to pigeonhole certain expenses in our life as the ones that are hurting us. Truth is, most probably aren’t. It’s okay to spend money on fun things like coffess, drinks, clothes, and dining out. There’s nothing inherently wrong with buying fun things. However, we can’t have ALL the fun things. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discusses the importance of prioritizing our fun spending on things that actually add val...
Mar 19, 2025•11 min•Ep. 416
One of the biggest financial stressors in people’s lives is the tension they experience waiting to see if x bills will be paid before y paycheck arrives (or vice versa). Just one or two days can be the make or break, and the stress that creates in our lives is tremendous. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains why it’s critical to take timing off the table. More importantly, he simply explains how to remove this situation from the discussion. if done right, proper budgeting will allow ...
Mar 17, 2025•9 min•Ep. 415
Have you ever been jealous of someone in your life? Of course you have! Often, we get jealous of the upside of someone’s decisions (such as the house they live in or the car they drive). However, we rarely think about the cost of these decisions. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains why we must factor in both sides of the equation before we form an opinion (or become jealous). Often, if we actually knew the consequences of such decisions, we wouldn’t be jealous at all. When we look a...
Mar 12, 2025•11 min•Ep. 414
People are once again starting to get nervous about the stock market. It makes sense, as the market has recently experienced some negative volatility. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton makes his argument why it’s so important that we stop. Stop worrying. Stop reacting. Stop adjusting. Stop doing. We just need to stop. When we stop, take a deep breath, and see things through a proper lens, this investing stuff doesn’t have to be scary. And if history is any indication, we’re all fine……or fa...
Mar 10, 2025•13 min•Ep. 413
Most tales of financial struggle have a starting point. People can often trace back their turmoil to a single event. Maybe it’s one poor decision, or a misfortune, or a mistake. We call those landmines. And when we step on a landmine, it becomes more likely to step on another. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discusses the importance of avoiding landmines, but when we do step on them, how to bounce back. Don’t let the landmines in your life bring you down. You got this! If you have questi...
Feb 26, 2025•15 min•Ep. 412
Do you do your own taxes? If so, please listen to this episode. We believe that one of the simpliest and most important decisions you can make in your financial life is to get a trusted tax professional. It’s about far more than just getting your taxes done each spring. For many families, this one decision can make a world of difference! In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains the implications of having (or not having) a trusted tax professional. Referenced Episodes: 405 - Budgeting 101...
Feb 24, 2025•14 min•Ep. 411
What would happen to your family if something happened to you? What would happen to you if something happened to your spouse? In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains why it’s critically important to protect our families with life insurance, how much you might need, and how to get it. If we’re struck with the most heartbreaking of tragedies, we need to make sure our family is protected financially. It’s enough to mourn the loss of a partner…..we don’t need sudden financial turmoil to str...
Feb 20, 2025•19 min•Ep. 410
Whenever we talk about investing, it’s almost always through the lens of retirement investing. Retirement investing is awesome, no doubt. However, most families, in their pursuit of focusing their energy on retirement, miss out on an important and powerful opportunity. What if you need/want some of your assets before age 60? A wedding? A car? College? An earlier-than-60 income stream? Most people must bide their time until they hit the magical retirement age to tap their assets. In today’s episo...
Feb 18, 2025•20 min•Ep. 409
One of the hardest nuances to manage in our finances is dealing with an inconsistent income. While some people might get a salary or work a consistent set of hours, many rely on commissions, royalties, bonuses, and varying hours to feed their family. One month might pay $15,000, and the next $2,000. It can be a whipsaw of emotion, ranging from euphoria to panic. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains how he coaches families through this dynamic. If done well, we can take the most volat...
Feb 12, 2025•17 min•Ep. 408
More than nearly every aspect of personal finance, we here at Meaning Over Money will die on the hill that married couples should combine finances and view everything through the lens of “ours.” However, it’s inevitable that tensions and stress will arise at some point. In most marriages, the tension doesn’t come from the big decisions, but rather the small everyday purchases. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton walks through the concept of personal spending in marriage, and how just a few s...
Feb 10, 2025•17 min•Ep. 407
On the heels of our Budgeting 101 episode, host Travis Shelton dives deep into sinking funds. What they are, why they matter, and how to easily and effectively execute them. If you’re looking to improve your saving game, this is the episode for you. The implementation of sinking funds can be the game-changer your financial life needs to take you to the next level. Referenced Episode: 405 - Budgeting 101: https://pod.fo/e/2a82dc If you have questions or would like to connect with us outside of th...
Feb 05, 2025•20 min•Ep. 406
Today marks the beginning of a series we are calling 101. Based on listener feedback and common questions, we’re getting back to basics on how to logistically and mechanically execute on several ideas we regularly discuss on this podcast. Today, we’re starting with budgeting because, well, we believe budgeting well is the key that unlocks all other doors. If we can get this part right, so many more options open up for us. As we always say, budgeting isn’t about spending less, but rather spending...
Feb 03, 2025•24 min•Ep. 409
Most Americans are willingly but unknowingly throwing away 25% of their life savings. Yes, one-quarter of people’s assets are literally vanishing from under their nose? How, investment fees. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains why even a 1% fee on your investments can rob you blind. This one episode might save you millions. If you have questions or would like to connect with us outside of the podcast, here's where you can find us: Podcast website: https://www.travis...
Jan 29, 2025•13 min•Ep. 404
Millions of Americans struggle with financial hoarding…..or the weight of feeling guilt when spending. Much of this stems back to our childhoods, when we were continuously told not to buy things we don’t need, to quit spending, to save more, etc. After decades of this narrative, many people haven’t developed a healthy relationship with money and live in a perpetual state of guilt, regret, and hoarding. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton addressed this phenomenon head-on and provides simple ...
Jan 27, 2025•12 min•Ep. 403
Achieving goals is hard. After all, life doesn’t slow down or do us any favors to make it easier. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton talks about the importance of measuring the things we want to accomplish. This is a critical part of his financial coaching process, and with visibility, intentionality, and discipline comes massive results. If you sometimes struggle to make progress on your goals, this episode is for you! Perhaps it’s time to start measuring. If you have questions or would li...
Jan 22, 2025•10 min•Ep. 402
How impactful is investing $25/month? Not much, actually. However, that’s not the point. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discusses the power of starting. From a behavioral science perspective, the most important (and difficult) part of any endeavor is to simply start. Even if it’s slow, or small, a start is still a start. In the case of investing, starting at even $25/month is the gateway to a better path. If you have questions or would like to connect with us outside of the podcast, her...
Jan 21, 2025•11 min•Ep. 401
400 episodes!?!? In a world filled with a million great ideas and endless talk, it’s the people taking action who win. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discusses the power of just doing. It’s not always sexy. It’s not always enjoyable. It’s not even always successful. However, there’s a power in moving forward and putting one foot in front of the other. Perhaps it’s time to put your idea into motion. If you have questions or would like to connect with us outside of the podcast, here's whe...
Jan 16, 2025•12 min•Ep. 400
When asked why they don’t leave their job for a better one, one of the main answers people provide is they don’t want to “throw away” what they’ve built. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton addresses this concern head-on. In short, nothing is thrown away. Instead, everything is repurposed. Every skill, relationship, experience, and achievement. Nothing is wasted. The moment we realize this is the moment we can give ourselves the freedom to shift and pursue a more meaningful life. If you have...
Jan 13, 2025•16 min•Ep. 399
Whenever we consider buying something, we typically look at the cost to purchase it and make our decision accordingly. However, the initial purchase price is just part of the story. Instead, in order to give ourselves a fuller context, we need to look at the costs behind the cost. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discusses why it’s critical that we account for all the costs involved with owning a product, financial and otherwise. If you have questions or would like to connect with us outs...
Jan 08, 2025•13 min•Ep. 398
Wow, what a 10-year stretch we just experienced in the stock market. In today’s episode, host Travis discusses how what we’ve been through over the past decade is a perfect microcosm of what stock market investing is all about. It’s a bumpy ride, but the results continue to speak for themselves. That’s been the case for the last 10 years, but also the 140 years before that. We hope this episode provides context that continues to build your confidence and conviction. The simple way is always the ...
Jan 06, 2025•13 min•Ep. 397
Happy new year! As you’re listening to this, we hope you find yourself fondly reflecting on the year that was, and dreaming about the year that could be. Speaking of, why not this year? Maybe this is the year you finally ______. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton makes the case that this should 100%, absolutely, without question be the you finally ______. Let’s make it the best one yet! If you have questions or would like to connect with us outside of the podcast, here's where you can find ...
Jan 01, 2025•10 min•Ep. 396
Humans crave two things: meaning and security. Unfortunately, these two ideas sometimes conflict with one another. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton makes the case for always pursuing meaning, even if it reduces security. We discuss this topic through the lens of Meaning Over Money co-founder, Cole Netten, and his interesting (and highly insecure) career. ChiefsAholic Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Uuv9-IAA3k If you have questions or would like to connect with us outside of the ...
Dec 30, 2024•13 min•Ep. 395
Do you ever find yourself dwelling on all the things you want? Oh, good, glad we’re not alone! In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains the importance of choosing contentment over a life of more. Instead of coveting the next thing, we can improve our happiness and contentment by simply being grateful for all that we do have. If you have questions or would like to connect with us outside of the podcast, here's where you can find us: Podcast website: https://www.travisshelt...
Dec 25, 2024•9 min•Ep. 394
