Wealthy people aren't wealthy because they win every day. They use systems that make losing hard. In this episode, Brennan Schlagbaum (former Deloitte CPA, financially free at 32) answers listener questions on building real wealth with money you already have.

Brennan breaks down whether Bitcoin belongs in a 21 year old's portfolio, the exact investment framework he teaches inside Budgetdog Academy (the 15% rule, the checklist before touching crypto), and why a $140K earner can still have no clue where their money goes. He walks through the three document system every household needs: a balance sheet, a budget, and an amortization schedule.

He also tackles the debt vs. Roth IRA debate (spoiler: your buddy is wrong), how newlyweds should actually merge finances without the guilt and shame spiral, the behavioral psychology behind why couples fight about money, and a step by step approach to landing a raise by thinking like a business owner instead of an employee.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

The investment framework: 15% to retirement before anything else

The 6 box checklist before investing in crypto

Why Bitcoin is different from the rest of the crypto market

The 3 documents every household needs to control cash flow

Why high earners still feel like they're faking it

The real order of operations: credit card debt before Roth IRA

How to merge finances after marriage without the blame game

How to ask for a raise without making it weird

ABOUT BRENNAN

Brennan Schlagbaum is a former Deloitte CPA who reached financial freedom at 32 and now helps families build real wealth with the money they already have. He's the founder of Budgetdog Academy.

RESOURCES & LINKS

Join the Budgetdog Academy: https://budgetdogacademy.com/?el=youtube&htrafficsource=youtube&hcategory=bio_link

Check out our beginner Millionaire Club: https://www.budgetdogacademy.com/millionaire-club

Get my new book: https://budgetdogacademy.com/roadmap-opt-in

Download my FREE budget template: https://budgetdogacademy.com/download-budget-template

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DISCLAIMER: Budgetdog, LLC, including but not limited to any guests appearing in his videos, are not financial/investment advisors, brokers, or dealers. They are solely sharing their personal experience and opinions; therefore, all strategies, tips, suggestions, and recommendations shared are solely for entertainment purposes. There are financial risks associated with investing, therefore, do not act or refrain from acting based on any information conveyed in this video, webpage, and/or external hyperlinks. For investment advice please seek the counsel of a financial/investment advisor(s); and conduct your own due diligence.