Young professionals making $100K… even $400K… but still living paycheck to paycheck? Johnny sits down with Steve Short and Mark Schlutman, authors of The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom, to lay out a clear, doable path from stressed to set.

In this episode:

• The real culprits: inaction, lifestyle creep, and “it’s only $400/mo” traps

• A simple plan you can start today: 50–20–30 (needs–save–wants), the 3-bucket system, and auto-investing ($25+ is enough to begin)

• Beating fear of the market with history, habits, and risk-appropriate steps

• Late-in-the-game catch-up strategies (it’s not too late)

• How to find unclaimed money that might be yours

• Why their Amazon-bestselling book includes a foreword from Will Ferrell and supports Cancer for College

Why listen: You’ll walk away with a roadmap, not theory—budget moves, savings targets, and automation steps you can plug in this week.

Listen & support:

• Grab The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom (print, eBook, audio) and leave a review to help others find it.

• Learn more/resources: simpleRoadBook.com • bartellescoaching.com

• Coaching: 830-252-0320

#BartellesMoneyTalk #FinancialFreedom #YoungMoney #Budgeting #Investing #DebtFreeJourney #PersonalFinance

Are you an empty nester—or getting close? In this fun, honest convo, Johnny & Theresa sit down with Rick and Clancy from The Loud Quiet to talk about rediscovering your spouse, building community, and handling money once the kids launch (or… boomerang 😅).

• How to reconnect as a couple after the last kid leaves

• Practical ways to build new friendships (especially for men)

• Travel-on-a-budget ideas & why learning to say “yes” matters

• Launching kids wisely: university vs. trades, letting them lead, redefining “launch” in today’s economy

• Money shifts in the empty nest (club sports → college costs, 529s, retirement first)

• “All-inclusive vacations” with adult kids (a.k.a. traveling with parents 😉)

Rick & Clancy – The Loud Quiet
• Website & newsletter (free Travel Tips & Gear guide): theloudquiet.com
• Facebook community for empty nesters: search “The Loud Quiet”

00:00 Welcome & why this episode matters for empty nesters
00:30 Meet Rick & Clancy + the story behind The Loud Quiet
01:54 Thriving > doom & gloom: reframing the empty nest
03:05 “Do we still like each other?”—the real feelings
06:20 First-weekend playbook: micro-trips, new places, fresh eyes
08:35 The “Say Yes” habit (and when to dial it back)
09:33 Date nights, self-care, and modeling a healthy marriage
11:44 Date nights on a budget (at-home ideas that still feel special)
13:33 Fun vs. finances: balancing spontaneity with a budget
16:35 Friendship gap for men & why community adds years to life
18:57 Launching kids: giving control, multiple paths, less pressure
21:48 Today’s costs: redefining “launch,” multi-generational living
22:45 Money shifts after kids: tuition vs. club sports, real talk
27:20 Don’t “spend the savings”—redirect old expenses to saving/investing
30:03 For parents of HS kids: 529s, retirement first, grandparent gifts
33:24 Two golden nuggets to close: Say yes + see opportunity
35:18 Where to find Rick & Clancy (free travel download!)

• Learn to say yes. Small adventures rebuild connection and identity.

• Launch ≠ one path. Trades, university, and staggered independence all count.

• Pay yourself next. When an expense ends (e.g., club fees), route part of it into savings/investing.

• Retirement first. There are loans for college—not for retirement.

• Community isn’t optional. Men especially: pursue friendships on purpose.

• The Loud Quiet (newsletter + free travel guide): theloudquiet.com

• Bartelle's Financial Coaching (free consult): 830-252-0320

Educational content only; not financial, legal, or tax advice.

If you’re serious about changing your family’s financial story, this episode is your blueprint. Johnny & Theresa sit down with Marcus Howard—hedge fund manager and founder of Tradecology Academy—to talk practical wealth building for families and teens, the inner work behind outer success, and why real security starts with peace, not paychecks.

• Why wealth starts on the inside (abundance vs. scarcity)

• How parents can teach financial literacy even if they’ve made mistakes

• A simple path to start a side business/consulting using AI tools

• The pressure men carry—and healthier outlets that protect marriage & family

• Four pillars of holistic wealth: health, finances, relationships, and walk with God

Marcus Howard — Professional investor & hedge fund manager; founder of Tradecology Academy, teaching middle/high schoolers (and parents) personal finance & investing.
• IG/Threads/X: @marcushowardhq
• Learn more: tradecology.com

00:00 Welcome & intro
00:27 Who is Marcus Howard? From credit repair to hedge funds
03:18 Hedge fund manager—what it really means
04:45 Should money education start at home or in school?
07:09 Marcus’s backstory & early money mindset
10:32 “God led my steps” & calling
11:28 The inner game of wealth (unconscious performance limits)
16:21 External strategies: business, consulting, and using AI
19:12 Coaching families: talking money without shame
24:54 A word to men about vision, pressure, and peace at home
31:37 Three golden takeaways (peace, pillars, and practical habits)
36:39 How to reach Marcus & episode close

1. Cultivate peace daily. Practice 10–20 minutes of stillness to call up peace on command.

2. Build a tiny business. One focused hour a day can double your income over time.

3. Teach principles, not hype. Model conversations about money rooted in wisdom, not fear.

• Tradecology Academy (families & students): tradecology.com

• Marcus: @marcushowardhq on social

• Bartelle's Financial Coaching (Free consult): 830-252-0320

Disclaimer: This conversation is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice.

👉 Subscribe for weekly, practical money conversations that build legacy.
👍 Like this video & drop a comment: What’s one mindset shift you’re making this week?

#GenerationalWealth #FamilyFinance #FinancialLiteracy #Tradecology #BartelsMoneyTalk #ChristianFinance #Mindset #PeaceOverPressure #InvestingForBeginners #FaithAndFinance

In this episode of Bartelle's Money Talk, we’re joined by Lisa Haynes, former CFO and author of Retired and Killing It. She opens up about the often-overlooked non-financial side of retirement—the identity shifts, social changes, and emotional challenges that come when the paychecks stop but life keeps going.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why financial planning alone isn’t enough for a fulfilling retirement.

• The biggest psychological and social mistakes retirees make.

• Lisa’s “KILLING IT” formula for creating purpose and passion in retirement.

• How to set boundaries with family and protect your time.

• Why legacy, networks, and passion matter just as much as money.

📚 Grab Lisa’s Book: Retired and Killing It

In this episode of Bartelle's Money Talk, we’re joined by Mark Newsome (aka Mr. Marketing), a seasoned marketing strategist who warns entrepreneurs about the hidden dangers of relying 100% on social media.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why social media is like “sleeping on your ex-in-law’s couch”—and how quickly you can lose everything.

• The real cost of building on rented land vs. owning your marketing channels.

• Why email marketing is not old school—it’s smart school.

• The eight most powerful words in marketing (hint: McDonald’s has used them to build empires).

• How to create referrals 24/7 without massive ad spend.

• A “magic question” every business owner should ask to unlock leverage and partnerships.

📩 Connect with Mark: YouCanMarketOnlineNow.com

On this episode of Bartelle's Money Talk, we welcome Anthony Weaver, host of the About That Wallet Podcast. Growing up in a seven-person household in Baltimore, Anthony saw firsthand the financial struggles of his mom working three jobs to make ends meet. Those experiences shaped his passion for empowering others to master their money, shift their mindset, and build generational wealth.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why Anthony believes budgeting should be called a spending plan.

• How to align your money with your vision, values, and boundaries.

• The truth about emotions and spending—and why peace really is expensive.

• Practical budgeting strategies, including Anthony’s favorite 50/30/10/10 rule.

• Why legacy planning matters and how to start building one today.

📩 Connect with Anthony: aboutthatwallet.com
📱 Instagram: @AboutThatWallet

In this episode of Bartelle's Money Talk, we sit down with Ann from LifeGiver Legacy to uncover two game-changing financial strategies:

1. How to pay off your mortgage in 5–7 years without changing your income or lifestyle.

2. How to generate $10K in monthly income by purchasing and managing established businesses with the right team.

Ann shares her personal journey of moving 15 times, discovering the “30-Year Mortgage Lie,” and finally finding a system that allowed her to pay off $200,000 in just two years—all while creating options for her family during uncertain times.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why the traditional 30-year mortgage may be costing you hundreds of thousands of dollars.

• How a line of credit approach (popular in Australia & New Zealand) can work for American homeowners.

• The simple “two phone calls” that can radically change your financial future.

• How everyday families can leverage business acquisitions for extra income—even without upfront capital.

📩 Connect with Ann: [email protected]

In this episode of Bartelle's Money Talk, Johnny and Theresa sit down with Fuquan, CEO and fund manager of NNG Capital Fund, who built $50 million in real estate assets over his 26-year journey.

Fuquan shares how he got started at just 24 years old, the lessons learned from the 2008 financial crisis, and why hunger, grit, and perseverance are the real keys to success. From house flips to luxury spec homes and affordable multifamily housing, Fuquan explains how he overcame setbacks, rebuilt after major losses, and mastered the art of raising capital.

If you’re a real estate investor—or thinking about becoming one—you won’t want to miss this powerful conversation about resilience, financial literacy, and building long-term wealth.

🔑 Key takeaways:

• Why cash flow beats quick flips in the long run

• The difference between managing people vs. managing money

• How to get started in real estate with the right education and mindset

• Insights into raising capital and working with accredited investors

👉 Subscribe, share, and leave us a review to help more people access financial empowerment through Bartelle's Money Talk.

Looking for another asset to grow your business income? Government contracts might be your most overlooked revenue stream. Our guest Melinda Colon—business strategist and pattern-recognition pro—has helped clients win $4.4B+ in awards with a 75% win rate (vs. ~22% industry average). She walks us through an ethical, proven system to win federal, state, and local contracts—even if you’re small or just starting.

• Why money’s love language is multiplication (parable of the talents → business)

• The government is the #1 buyer of goods & services—90,000+ agencies

• Who can sell? Virtually any business (salons, cleaning, IT, trades, creative…)

• Melinda’s 5-step GovCon Sales Strategy: Prepare → Target → Strategize → Submit → Track

• Pricing truth: cheapest ≠ best; agencies want problem-free delivery

• A real David vs. Goliath win: a solopreneur beats 11 firms for $1.4M in <30 days

• First two moves: register locally + don’t quit (play the long game)

00:00 Are you leaving money (and purpose) on the table?
00:28 Meet Melinda Colon
01:54 The parable of the talents → money as multiplication
07:28 Connecting faith, legacy, and enterprise
08:27 Who can sell to government? (Answer: any business)
10:52 How to start: the 5-step system
11:17 Step 1: Prepare (vision, business plan, leverage prior experience)
14:10 Step 2: Target (find the right buyers among 90k+ agencies)
16:05 Step 3: Strategize (positioning, “momentum language,” stand out)
16:35 Case study: the $1.4M solopreneur win (vs. 11 competitors)
19:47 Step 4: Submit (price to fulfill—cheapest ≠ best)
22:36 Step 5: Track (debrief wins/losses; success leaves clues)
25:29 No one can guarantee an award (avoid scams)
26:55 Timelines & mindset (it’s a long game)
27:23 How to reach Melinda (LinkedIn)
27:53 Two nuggets: register locally + stick with it (+ bonus: keep your core biz)

Find Melinda Colon on LinkedIn to see upcoming virtual trainings and resources.

If this helped you, like, share, and subscribe for weekly conversations on mindset, money, and mission.

Are you letting money decide your mood, your marriage, or your future? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Nicholas Michels, author of Rich by Choice, to unpack practical tools for becoming rich in money and in life.

• Why money is a tool—and how to make it serve your values

• How a single mom of four went from counting coins to multimillionaire (true story)

• The vision statement exercise that saved a marriage and aligned a family

• Finding your Money Emotion (security, independence, generosity, legacy, etc.)

• How to start from $10/month and leverage compounding in every area of life

• Facing fear of the stock market + choosing advisors you can trust

• Why small, consistent steps beat big, inconsistent ones

00:00 Are you letting money control your happiness?
00:31 Meet Dr. Nicholas Michels
01:00 The 1996 moment that changed everything
03:45 When money grows but happiness doesn’t
05:35 The couple’s vision statement that changed everything
07:45 A word to women walking through divorce
09:35 $10 in an envelope → hope → wealth
10:40 Find your Money Emotion (independence, security, impact)
14:20 Money is a tool, not your identity
18:05 1% → 2% → wealthy: the power of starting small
21:10 Myths about money, budgeting, and “boring” fundamentals
24:10 What you’re really investing in (hint: everyday products)
26:18 Aligning money with purpose and calling
29:00 Two quick steps to feel financially secure
32:20 Free gift: the Compounding chapter (applies to life, not just money)

Dr. Nicholas Michelss — Author of Rich by Choice
🎁 Free chapter (“Compounding”) + contact: richbychoicebook.com → Free Gift → Compounding

If this helped you, please like, share, and subscribe. New episodes every week on mindset, money, and mission.

#MoneyMindset #PersonalFinance #RichByChoice #Budgeting #MarriageAndMoney #FinancialFreedom #Compounding #BartellesMoneyTalk