How to Money

We don’t want you to cancel the holidays- we want you to cancel the overconsumption and debt that typically accompanies the holiday season. Americans racked up an average of $1,325 last year- how much more of a problem will it be this year as so many folks are still reeling from the impact of covid?! For many of us, our default way of thinking is that in order to have a “successful and fun” holiday season, we need to spend a ton of money. Even for frugal folks like us, it can be easy to get caught up in all the spending even if we are able to avoid the debt. So during this episode we talk about ways to resist overconsumption and how to enjoy the holidays without going overboard.

During this episode we both enjoyed an Owl Theory by Fieldwork Brewing Company- a big thanks to Tim for donating this one to the show! And as we’ve ramped up the podcast with an additional Friday episode every week, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!

Best friends out!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode we’re joined by a fellow personal finance podcaster: Rich Jones, host of Paychecks and Balances. Rich has also worked in human resources and recruiting for the better part of a decade, and so we’re particularly excited to talk with him about negotiating raises. Entrepreneurship tends to get all the attention, but for most folks, the steady 9-5 job with benefits is how they’re paying for life. It’s really important to talk about handling interviews, identifying transferable skills, and navigating performance review season because these are all factors in determining how much you’re paid! So if you’re interested in negotiating a fatter paycheck, then this episode is for you!

During this episode we enjoyed a Boss of the Plains by Fieldwork Brewing Company- a big thanks to Tim for donating this one to the show! And as we’ve ramped up the podcast with an additional Friday episode every week, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!

Best friends out!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's time for a holiday season Friday Flight! These episodes are all about the week’s news and the effects of Covid-19 on your personal finances. There are a lot of headlines out there, but we are distilling it down to specific takeaways that will allow you to not just weather this health and financial crisis, but to come out on the other side even stronger. In this episode we cover some interesting and helpful stories like federal tax credits for biomass stoves, Christmas tree sales spiking, Bitcoin blowing up, cooking at home pandemic fatigue, phone calls on US flights, a new study on car depreciation, spending your FSA money before the end of the year, and some final thoughts on customer service.

And as we’re looking forward to kicking things off with a bang in 2021, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!

Best friends out!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone knows that it’s good to have a high credit score- it’s true, but what is high enough? It can be tempting to spend an inordinate amount of time in pursuit of the perfect score, but we’re here to let you know that it’s a waste of time and energy. You’ll find that chasing after the elusive 850 will likely leave you feeling disillusioned, IF you even achieve it. There’s no pot of gold at the end of that rainbow! Yet, our credit scores impact a lot of different areas of our lives. They truly are important and they deserve our attention! So during this episode we talk about what we feel is a healthy credit score, where to track your score for free, as well as some actionable tips in order to raise it. Just don’t get sucked into the trap of thinking you need a perfect credit score.

During this episode we both enjoyed a Nuclear Seahorse by Booneshine Brewing - thanks for donating this one to the show Christopher! And as we’ve ramped up the podcast with an additional Friday episode every week, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!

Best friends out!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re kicking off the week by answering your questions! And if you have a question for us, we’d love for you to submit your own via HowToMoney.com/ask/ , send us your voice memo!

1 - Is it OK to put down less than 20% on a home if we can avoid PMI?

2 - Where else should I invest if I’m already maxing out my 401k?

3 - Are there investment platforms that non-US citizens can use to invest in the stock market?

4 - Will my teacher’s pension be enough when I retire at 53?

5 - Should we swap out our Hyundai for a pickup truck?

During this episode we both enjoyed a Photon Sphere by Olde Hickory Brewing - thanks for donating this one to the show Christopher! And as we’ve ramped up the podcast with an additional Friday episode every week, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!

Best friends out!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's time for a Friday Flight! These episodes are all about the week’s news and the effects of Covid-19 on your personal finances. There are a lot of headlines out there, but we are distilling it down to specific takeaways that will allow you to not just weather this health and financial crisis, but to come out on the other side even stronger. In this episode we cover some interesting and helpful stories like Amazon Pharmacy and other discount medication options, the most reliable car brands, & Zillow surfing. And then we also talk with Travis Hornsby of Student Loan Planner to discuss the future of student loans in 2021 with the forbearance period soon drawing to a close.

And as we’ve ramped up the podcast with an additional Friday episode every week, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!

Best friends out!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You only have two options when it comes to saving more money- you can either earn more or you can spend less. But which of these is more important? Depending on your personality, you might find it easier to focus on making more money without too much concern for being frugal. And other listeners are all about more tips to live frugally, but they rarely give much thought to how they can increase their earnings in the coming years. Which side of the fence are you on? In this episode we discuss the importance of both of these areas in our financial lives. We also cover the downsides that must be highlighted when you’re looking to earn more and when you’re spending less.

During this episode we enjoyed a Bad Bunny Pie by Tripping Animals! And as we’ve ramped up the podcast with an additional Friday episode every week, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!

Best friends out!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Starting a business is exciting- it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, it can be incredibly fulfilling, and you could make some good money while you’re at it! BUT, you want to make sure that you’re going about things in the correct way. You want to make sure that you’re going about things legally! Our guest today is Kae Gruner who is an entrepreneur and intellectual property lawyer, so she’s the perfect guest for this topic. She’s the founder of Start Up Heart Up which exists to bring entrepreneurship to everyone through DIY tools, education, and empowerment. With this episode we’re making sure that your side hustle gets through those awkward, middle school years and that you’re able to transform it into a legit money making business.

During this episode we enjoyed a Major Decisions by Mikkeller Brewing! And as we’ve ramped up the podcast with an additional Friday episode every week, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!

Best friends out!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's time for a Friday Flight! These episodes are all about the week’s news and the effects of Covid-19 on your personal finances. There are a lot of headlines out there, but we are distilling it down to specific takeaways that will allow you to not just weather this health and financial crisis, but to come out on the other side even stronger. In this episode we cover some interesting and helpful stories like overpaying for gas at the pump, free covid tests, open enrollment and affordable health coverage and health insurance alternatives, Tesla in the S&P 500, popular sides at Thanksgiving, grocery store restrictions, virtual real estate closings, instant paycheck access, and new business applications are through the roof.

And as we’ve ramped up the podcast with an additional Friday episode every week, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!

Best friends out!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This show exists to make sure that you know the best ways to earn, save, and invest your money so that ultimately you’re in a great financial position down the road. And a part of that journey towards financial independence includes making sure that you have the right attitudes towards money and that you’re not only looking to your own desires, but that you’re looking to the needs of others as well. This is why giving away money is such an important practice to begin implementing ASAP. It’s not a principle or stage of enlightenment that you might reach someday. Rather it’s like working out- the earlier in life you get started, the better off you’re going to be in the long run. Listen to the different reasons we should be giving away our money, how to vet charities, and how to actually go about implementing giving into our personal finance.

During this episode we enjoyed a Party Cup by North Park Beer Co - thanks to Craig for donating this one to the show! And as we’ve ramped up the podcast with an additional Friday episode every week, we could really use your help to spread the word- let friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to spread the word to get more people doing smart things with their money in these difficult times!

Best friends out!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.