We talk a lot about the pursuit of a meaningful life. Knowing what matters most to you, prioritizing it over money, and aggressively living it out. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton asks the question, "what happens after you've lived your dream?" This stems from a recent situation in his own life where his wife is facing that exact situation. Not sure we have the answers, but maybe you do! Would love to hear your feedback. If you have questions or would like to connect with us outside of t...
Sep 12, 2022•11 min•Ep. 155
There are a lot of young adults who have chosen to take a debt-free path in life. Some started this journey when they were younger, while others made the decision down the road after accumulating some debt. One of the most common questions we get revolves around the idea of possibly meeting a love interest.....then discovering they have debt. Chances are, that WILL happen! If 80% of Americans are in debt, there's a high likelihood that the person you meet will have some level of debt. In today's...
Sep 07, 2022•13 min•Ep. 154
Since beginning this podcast in April 2021, we've been talking about the fact people under the age of 30 don't really know what it feels like when the world begins to melt. If that's you, congrats, now you do! It's a weird experience to watch your investments slowly erode week after week. It can be unsettling and perhaps even feel like you're moving backward. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton tried to frame up our current situation and provide some broader context for what we're experienci...
Sep 05, 2022•17 min•Ep. 153
Trying something new! This is the first in a possible ongoing series where we give a more behind-the-scenes look at our businesses, relationships, and lives. The idea is to periodically release extra episodes (in addition to our normal Monday & Wednesday rhythm) with content that's a bit different from what you typically see from us. Is it worthwhile listening? Hot garbage? Somewhere in between? Would love your feedback to help us decide if this is a worthwhile endeavor. If you have question...
Sep 02, 2022•52 min
Yes, saving is good. We need to save for future needs and wants. However, too much of a good thing isn't always a good thing. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton explores the idea of financial hoarding, why it's becoming more prevalent in our culture, and how destructive it can get. People often roll their eyes when we talk about this subject, but we see first-hand how damaging it can be for the people who fall into this trap. It can rob us of our contentment, our purpose, and the enjoyment ...
Aug 31, 2022•17 min•Ep. 152
What do humans and crabs have in common? Turns out, a lot more than we'd like to believe. We don't want to spoil too much in the episode description, so we will let the episode speak for itself! Hope you enjoy it! Let us know what you think by contacting us at one of the places listed below. If you have questions or would like to connect with us outside of the podcast, here's where you can find us: Join our podcast community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/370457478238932 Online Course: https:/...
Aug 29, 2022•27 min•Ep. 151
Big announcements were just released regarding federal student loans. We want to address anyone who currently has student loan debt. Some of you are ecstatic about this news, while some have mixed emotions. In either event, we think you should celebrate this unexpected blessing and be grateful for it. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton discusses how you can capitalize on this sudden momentum. Whether this makes you debt-free or you still have debt to pay off, the work isn't done. We hope th...
Aug 26, 2022•10 min•Ep. 150
Big announcements were just released regarding federal student loans. We want to address anyone who has already paid off their loans. Some of you are very angry. We get it....and we don't blame you. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton discusses why your accomplishments were worth far more than $10,000. We hope this content gives you a renewed perspective on your own situation, as well as some encouragement about what comes next. If you have questions or would like to connect with us outside ...
Aug 26, 2022•10 min•Ep. 149
It's back-to-school season! For host Travis Shelton, it's the first official full-time school season for his twin boys, who are starting Kindergarten. Like most parents, Travis and his wife thought long and hard about what path to take for their children's education. Ultimately, they chose a local private school. In today's episode, Travis discusses the cost, considerations, and consequences involved in this decision. It was a painful financial decision, but if you're a regular listener of this ...
Aug 24, 2022•13 min•Ep. 148
Risk is a weird thing with us humans. Sometimes we grossly underestimate risk, while other times we grossly overestimate it. The biggest reason we whiff? Fear! We tend to rely too much on emotion, and not enough on what really matters. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton talks through a simple but effective way to analyze and assess risk. It's based on an article he was working on for Brainz Magazine. If you'd like to read the article, you can find it in the link below. Brainz Magazine Artic...
Aug 22, 2022•29 min•Ep. 147
With benefit election season quickly approaching, we are going to spend some time on the topic of health insurance. Specifically, how to pick the plan that's right for you and your family's situation. Oftentimes, by default, people choose the plan with the best ongoing coverage. Lower deductibles, lower co-insurance, more coverage, etc. However, that's just part of the story.....and sometimes the smaller part of the story. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton discusses how each of us can simp...
Aug 17, 2022•15 min•Ep. 146
This is a very common question we receive from people who are working to pay off their debt. Many financial experts have a black-and-white approach to this question, but we believe it's nuanced....and each person needs to assess their own situation. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton explains the questions and considerations to ask yourself as you're assessing your own decision. There's not a hard and fast right and wrong, but we do believe there's a right for you. Let's figure it out! If y...
Aug 15, 2022•14 min•Ep. 145
When people want to make financial progress, one of our first pieces of advice is to NOT immediately start cutting back and slashing expenses. Doing so will cause them to burn out quickly or quit before they even get started. Instead, we walk them through a three-step process that is proven to work. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton explains these three steps, how to execute them, and why it's a proven method to create real, sustainable change. If you have questions or would like to connec...
Aug 15, 2022•9 min•Ep. 144
Fact: pursuing meaning over money can be hard.....very hard. Yes, it's an amazing and fulfilling journey. But it would be disingenuous for us to pretend it comes without a cost. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton explains some of the costs he and others have paid, how he perceives and navigates it, and why he's more convicted than ever about his decision to pursue the meaning. If you have questions or would like to connect with us outside of the podcast, here's where you can find us: Join o...
Aug 08, 2022•15 min•Ep. 143
We've all done things we regret. Poor decisions, mistakes, or actions resulting in significant negative consequences. We have in the past, and we will in the future. When this happens, we sometimes shrug it off and convince ourselves we don't regret it. Why? Because some positive things have likely come from it. One terrible decision can lead us down a completely different path in life.....and everything as a result (even the good stuff) can be traced back to the poor decision. So in a way, we j...
Aug 03, 2022•13 min•Ep. 142
We rarely take a polarized position on topics, but this is one hill we would die on: keeping our business and personal finances separate is critical. There's no better way to create uncertainty, lack of clarity, and frustration in our financial life than to muddy the waters between business and personal finances. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton shares why this is so important, and how to execute it simply. If you have questions or would like to connect with us outside of the podcast, her...
Aug 01, 2022•15 min•Ep. 141
One of our favorite days of the year is Amazon Prime Day. No, not because of the sales. It's one of our favorite days because that's when all the spend-shamers come out of the woodwork to demonize people for buying things they "don't need." In today's episode, host Travis Shelton explains why this is a toxic perspective, how it leads to financial hoarding and deep feelings of guilt, and why there's a better approach. If you have questions or would like to connect with us outside of the podcast, ...
Jul 27, 2022•13 min•Ep. 140
In past episodes, we've made the argument life can actually get more complicated the freer we become (out of debt, more income, etc.). One example of this is a situation we see time and time again. So many possibilities start to open up.....so we say "yes." And "yes." And "yes" again. If we're not careful, we can start to go down a dangerous road where we say yes to everything.....because we can. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton shares some stories from his experience working with clients...
Jul 25, 2022•15 min•Ep. 139
When host Travis Shelton was in high school, he worked at a cheese factory. This job taught him many lessons, but none greater than an older couple who worked there together. At the time, Travis looked at them as an example of what he didn't want to become in life. As time when on, however, and as Travis leaned into these ideas of meaning over money, this couple seemed wiser and wiser. See, this couple knew a secret so many of us don't. Meaning always trumps money, even when everyone around us i...
Jul 20, 2022•12 min•Ep. 138
As host Travis Shelton was recently loading up his family's vehicle for a family camping trip, a very clear and convicted idea crossed his mind: "I need a new car." It was clear his existing vehicle didn't have enough space, and playing Tetris with luggage and equipment was getting old. In today's episode, we discuss the idea of need vs. NEED. Sometimes we think we need something, but do we really NEED it? It may sound like we're splitting hairs, but knowing the difference can help us make much ...
Jul 18, 2022•15 min•Ep. 137
The stock market is a crazy world right now! Therefore, it's only natural more and more people are asking the question, "what should I do about it?" Our answer is always the same: if you're invested broadly and cheaply, simply do nothing. Let the market take care of itself. It's a hard thing to do, as we want to do something, but nothing is always better than something. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton explains why this is the hardest decsion......but the best decision. If you have questi...
Jul 13, 2022•14 min•Ep. 136
In episode 103, we discussed why most people are actually losing money from their credit card points. Our argument is a combination of psychological and tracking issues, resulting in a net loss even after receiving the benefit of various rewards, miles, and cash back. We received a lot of questions and feedback about this episode. The most notable question is whether we believe there's a way to use credit cards (through the lens of building credit) without subjecting ourselves to the negatives. ...
Jul 12, 2022•13 min•Ep. 135
In a previous episode, we talked about the idea of inventorying what really adds value to our life. We gave all the listeners (and ourselves) a homework assignment: make a list of the top 10 things that add value to your life. In today's episode, we discuss a reality most people will recognize when they do this exercise. The things that REALLY add value to most people's lives are either free or inexpensive. The takeaway? Most people are chasing more, more, and more, when the truth is what they r...
Jul 06, 2022•14 min•Ep. 134
There are certain months that will inevitably cause people a lot of frustration in their budgeting. The problem is they don't know everyone else is also struggling with them as well, so they can easily feel defeated. May, August, and December are particularly hard for most people. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton explains why some months are just harder than others, and what you can do about it. If you have questions or would like to connect with us outside of the podcast, here's where yo...
Jul 04, 2022•11 min•Ep. 133
From time to time, we have conversations with people who are experiencing financial success and/or finding meaning in their work, who feel somewhat guilty. Why? Because they are aware of how much stress and frustration other people around them are experiencing. Much of this stems from a high level of compassion, but there's also a piece where it can feel undeserving. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton shares why he doesn't think people should feel guilty for their progress. The biggest reas...
Jun 29, 2022•17 min•Ep. 132
We all have influence. The who, where, what, when, and how all vary, as does the size of our influence, but we all have influence. We're also living in a time where we have the tools and platforms available to say anything we want about anything we want.....and are encouraged to do so. We've spent so much time asking the question "can we?", that we perhaps have failed to answer the question, "should we?" Some of us, in our pursuit to be right, have voluntarily given up our influence in the lives...
Jun 27, 2022•14 min•Ep. 131
Countless people are experiencing a tremendous amount of pressure in life, and it's closing in from all angles. Financial, work, relationships.....sometimes it can feel like too much. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton describes a common scenario so many people are facing, how all the pieces are interconnected, and what you can do to unwind them. If any of this resonates with you, just know you aren't alone and it's never too late. This is heavy stuff, but there is hope.....lots of hope! If...
Jun 22, 2022•18 min•Ep. 130
Summer travel is upon us! We love travel, and suspect many of you do as well. The only down side: travel can cause financial stress that leaks into our everyday life. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton discusses a different way to look at and execute travel. It's a small but meaningful tweak that a could make all the difference in the world. If you have questions or would like to connect with us outside of the podcast, here's where you can find us: Join our podcast community: https://www.fa...
Jun 20, 2022•14 min•Ep. 129
We received a lot of feedback from episode 124 where we talked about the importance of not letting the selfishness of others steals our generous sprit. Today's episode is dedicated to one person's feedback. Our friend Jill shared how people will ask, "why would you do that?" whenever she talks about a major event she volunteers for or other acts of generosity. We've experienced similar questions whenever we discuss generosity with people in our lives. There seems to be a chasm between people who...
Jun 15, 2022•12 min•Ep. 128
The world tells us to do anything and everything to avoid failure. After all, failing = losing, right? We couldn't disagree more. Rather, we think failure is the entry price to growth and success. If we aren't willing to fail, or to take it a step further, actually pursue failure, we put an artificial cap on how far we can go. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton explains why this concept is so important and shares some recent examples of he and Cole's recent pursuits. This episode is actuall...
Jun 13, 2022•13 min•Ep. 127
