It's the first listener mailbag episode! Tim answers real money & personal finance questions from listeners about ethical investing, managing debt, and overcoming money-related shame. He explains how to easily invest according to your values, how to balance saving while paying off student loans, and when to use savings to tackle credit card debt. The conversation ends with a thoughtful reflection on emotional well-being — how to move past financial shame and build confidence through small, consistent wins.

Key Takeaways:

1. Ethical investing is more accessible than ever. Lower cost ESG & SRI funds allow everyday investors to align their money with their values without paying high fees.
2. Perfection isn’t required. There is no “clean” money, bank, company, or country — but choosing options that most closely reflect your ethics is better than sitting out entirely.
3. The 50/30/20 rule still applies — with flexibility. When paying off student loans or other debt, treat recurring payments as essentials (the 50%) and keep aiming for 20% savings when possible.
4. Tackle high-interest debt first. No amount of investing can outpace credit card interest, so pay those balances before focusing on long-term investments.
5. Let go of shame and rewrite your story. Shame is a story we tell ourselves — and if you're going to make up a story about yourself, it might as well be a good one! Start collecting evidence of good habits, look for supportive accountability, and celebrate even small wins.

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