Concerts are more expensive these days. But the secondary costs of concert merch or buying popcorn and soda at the movies will really get you! This spending is leading to increased credit card debt too. 


Ask HTM: A listener wants to know if he should sell his home even though he's only owned it for a year. It's typically a bad idea!


Buying used will almost always save you money over buying new. But new data finds that new homes actually cost a little bit less than old ones right now! Also, realtor commissions are starting to decline. Good news for home buyers! 


Ask HTM: What should you do when an unexpected lump sum falls into your lap?

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USA Today had a story about folks raiding their 401ks. It is true that you can access a portion of your 401k before retirement. But don't do it! Also, watch out for shady financial advisors.


Ask HTM: A listener is having extreme issues with his car. He might qualify for help under his state's lemon law!


Watch out for scams on payment apps like Zelle. You have less recourse when you pay that way. Credit cards still offer the most protection when you're spending money.


Ask HTM: Should you take out a HELOC to consolidate credit card debt? 

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We lead off the show talking about the difference between being frugal or cheap. It's an important distinction that needs to be made. 

Joel and Matt discuss the downsides to buying an EV from a fledgling startup. There's real risk that companies might not continue to be able to support the vehicles they're selling! And small cars are getting more love as the prices of trucks and SUVs continue to climb.

What's the secret to getting ahead at work? Is it 'rizz'? Probably not. Also, splitting the bill with friends can lead to hurt feelings. Proceed with caution.


Ask HTM: How should you budget for car expenses!?

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The media coverage over the stock market decline early in the week was completely nuts. We discuss how normal folks should respond to stock market declines.

Ask HTM: How should a pension factor into saving and investing for retirement? 


Also, watch out for the too-good-to-be-true online courses. Then we discuss ways to make extra money from the home you already own.


Ask HTM: How should a single female think about house hacking? It can be a great way to build wealth, but there are some potential downsides too.

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Streaming the Olympics. And the negative consequences of more uninsured motorists on the road. Paying by the mile might be a way for you to save on car insurance! 

Ask HTM: buying a house with a friend.

Young folks are worried about the future of social security and are taking matters into their own hands. 

Ask HTM: Invest or save for an upcoming car purchase!?

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Anxiety and avoidance are directing the financial lives of far too many Americans. Matt and Joel offer some ideas to remedy that. 

Ask HTM: Should you consolidate debt when buying home?

Bundling is back! It looks like it might save you money, but think again. 

Ask HTM: What to do with your investments when rolling over a retirement account.

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What's going on with the job market!? It's certainly not as red-hot as it was. We talk about how to navigate things now. Pus, more Americans are working a side hustle. We have mixed feelings about the benefits of side hustles. HTM dishes on the pros and cons. 

Ask HTM: Is it better to pay off a mortgage or put that money towards home improvements?

Know your rights in the aftermath of the Crowdstrike software mistake and the subsequent Delta meltdown. Also, the FTC is looking into a recent phenomenon called 'targeted pricing' where we are being charged more because of rampant data mining. 

Ask HTM: Javier wants to know how he can increase his 401k contribution after getting a raise but still maintain the same paycheck amount. 

Links: Do You Need Alternative Investments to Build Wealth?, Should You Buy a Refurbished Phone? Why the Costco Executive Membership is Worth it.

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Beware of neobanks. They're not as safe as the best real online banks! Also, more banks are offering big bucks for switching. Is it worth it? Reading the fine print is crucial.

Ask HTM: Linda wants to know what to do when her CD maturity date is coming up. 

Is it expensive to live a healthy lifestyle? Some will lead you to believe the answer is yes. But don't buy into the marketing hype. Also, is buying a home still part of the American dream?

Ask HTM: Anna wants to know if it's ok to invest in single stocks.

Links: Frugal Fitness: Cheap Ways to Stay Fit, The Dangers of Investing in Individual Stocks, Good Financial Habits to Live By, How to Finance a Used Car.

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Good news - personal finance education is coming to a high school near you in California! These courses go a long way towards delivering a much-needed baseline knowledge for a subject that impacts all of us every single day. Also, should you cohabitate with your girlfriend or boyfriend after just a few months of dating? It could save you money. But it might cost you if you're not careful! There are newfangled ways of tapping your home equity. But be careful. It could cost you way more than going with a traditional HELOC!

Free streaming services are picking up steam as more folks attempt to curb monthly costs. We live in the golden age of smartphone gambling. That's not good. Costco is raising the price of its membership. But it's still worth it for many Costco members. 403b fees can be out of this world! 

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Chase Bank threatens their customers with higher fees. Time to leave them for a better bank, folks! Checks are going the way of the dodo bird too by the way. Next, we take this question: should you try and buy the house you're renting?

Planned obsolescence is a real problem for consumers these days. We highlight a few that are doing things differently! Vanguard is the GOAT when it comes to low fees, but its customer service has fallen off a cliff. Then we talk about savings rates. Does paying off debt count as saving?

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