This week, we’re dissecting the art of the modern scam. We've all experienced the subtle unease of a pitch that just doesn’t feel right, but in an era where the line between marketing and deceit is dangerously thin, it’s important to stay aware so you don’t get hoodwinked and bamboozled. 

We Discuss:

• Why we need to stop confusing charm with legitimacy
• How corporations are now using MLM tactics
• Why companies who use hard-sells aren’t actually interested in your problems.
• Why financial fraud is about to hit an all time high and what to do about it.
• Why it's important to know the history of your "expert"
• How fake reviews and stock photography can get you into trouble
• Why anonymous instructors should raise a red flag
• That sometimes the product isn’t the product and it’s a recruiting tactic instead.
• And lastly how not having a password manager is as foolish as a newborn walking in the street (or at least that’s how Julien sees it).

Key Takeaways:

• The “free speech” era will unleash more digital scammers
• Learn to differentiate between a legitimate business and a scam, and where your responsibility lies in the purchase.
• Urgency is a primary tool of manipulation.
• Overly charismatic personalities and flashy presentations are not proof of legitimacy.
• You should be able to see who you’re giving money to, not just the brand's face.
• Real testimonials are verifiable, they’re not based on stock photography and manufactured bots.
• The best defense against manipulation is informed skepticism.
• That sometimes if you can buy a product, you’re being used to recruit.
• You must prioritize password changes and offline time as a preventative measure.

Links: 

• Financial technology toolkit
• The five levels of hype 

Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life.

Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by Forbes

If you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

This week, we're joined by entrepreneur, speaker, and author, Anthony O'Neal. You may know him from his incredibly popular YouTube channel or, maybe, from his previous book, "Debt-Free Degree." But Anthony's back with a new book called "Take Your Seat at the Table," which is all about taking control of your life, money, and future.

If you’re unfamiliar with his work, he’s not your typical financial guru. He’s a self-made entrepreneur who went from being homeless to building a 7-figure business, and he’s bringing his wisdom back to the communities that are systematically left out of the financial conversation.

This episode is for anyone tired of the same old financial advice and ready to take control of their future. Anthony challenges us to ditch the idea that wisdom comes solely from age and embrace the power of lived experience. He urges us to kill the comfort that's holding us back and encourages us to build our own tables and then invite in the people who truly align with our vision.

What we get into:

• The catch-up: We start this conversation like you would a chat with a good friend. We talk about what life is like now that his YouTube channel is booming, and we even get a little glimpse of his journey to find love 
• Challenging the status quo: We dig into the question, "Why should I listen to him?" and explore what it means to gain wisdom from life experiences over traditional credentials
• Leaving comfort behind: We dissect why so many folks are stuck in comfortable situations when they're clearly meant for more
• Formal vs. practical learning: Now that he’s working on his MBA, Anthony shares his thoughts on the value of a formal education alongside "street smarts" and why that balance is key to success
• His new book, "Take Your Seat at the Table:" You can't have a financial conversation without addressing ownership, power, and the folks who have a seat at YOUR table. We talk about why kicking out the wrong people is just as important as inviting in the right ones.
• How his recent trip to Ghana reframed his perspective on the Black community and the role it plays in building wealth.
• The future of making money: We discuss using platforms like YouTube and podcasts to build a better economic future.

Links: 

• Keep up with Anthony on his website, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok
• Get his new book: Take Your Seat at The Table: Live and Authentic Life of Abundance, Wellness and Freedom (Jan. 14, 2025)

Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life.

Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by Forbes

If you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

This week, we’re breaking down the top stories and trends that will shape how we all earn, spend, and invest our money in 2025. And we’re not just looking at the year ahead, we're confronting the messy reality of now.

If you're feeling like the financial ground is shifting beneath your feet and like the old rules don't apply anymore, then this episode is for you. If you're tired of feeling like you're chasing trends instead of building a future, or if you're ready to take control of how you earn, spend, and invest in a world increasingly influenced by algorithms and AI, then you need to tune in. 

We're not offering a magic bullet, but we are offering a real conversation with practical takeaways, designed for anyone who's ready to stop feeling overwhelmed and start making intentional choices with their money. This episode is for the curious, the proactive, and those who are determined to build financial well-being on their own terms.

We’re tackling:

• The 2024 Words of the Year including the meaning of "brain rot" and how it's affecting us all, mentally and financially
• The stock market's continued dance with AI, and what that really means
• Why getting clear about your risk tolerance is the most important financial decision you can make this year 
• The rise of "buy now, pay later" and its impact on consumerism
• The fact that the "future of work" is here, and how to adapt
• The surge in cryptocurrency, and what that could mean for your investments
• Why 2025 is the perfect time to redefine luxury and spend with greater intention
• The power of your own humanity and why it will become increasingly valuable

Links: 

• Episode 143: The top stories impacting your money in 2024

Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life.

Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by Forbes

If you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

Is your "purpose" making you anxious? Do you feel like everyone online is "living their best life" except for you? Then you've come to the right place. 

It's January and you're probably knee-deep in resolutions that may or may not last past the first week. But forget the trendy diets and the overly ambitious gym routines. This year, we're going deeper and talking about a purpose reboot - not the "new you" version fueled by fleeting motivation, but the kind built on self-awareness, intentional choices, and a healthy dose of skepticism about the pressures to optimize our lives. 

This week, we sit down with the brilliant Dr. Jordan Grumet (aka Doc G) to talk about his latest book "The Purpose Code." Jordan, a former hospice doctor and a 90s hip-hop head, is not here for the fluffy, Instagrammable version of purpose. He’s no stranger to the intersection of hard choices and meaning and he’s here to break down what actually makes life feel meaningful.

We dive into:

• The “Big P” purpose trap (think: social media, fame, riches, etc.) and why it might be sabotaging your happiness.
• The secret sauce of "Little P" purpose (think: the things that actually make you feel alive)
• How religion and social media can be both a blessing and a curse in the purpose department
• Why you need to be the hero in your story, not the victim of your past
• How to use your money as a tool for fulfillment, not a checklist of achievements
• The parental purpose myth (this one is controversial, y'all)
• What real legacy looks like…is our legacy up to us to decide? Or is it a story that will be told by the generations that follow?

Links: 

• Buy Jordan’s latest book The Purpose Code 
• Listen to The Earn & Invest podcast or join the Facebook group

Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life.

Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by Forbes

If you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

This week we’re diving headfirst into the one word that can save your budget and your sanity: No

Julien kicks things off with some personal stories about recent awkward moments when "friends" ask for money, which sets the stage for a much-needed conversation.

For some of us, saying "no" can feel just plain wrong, especially during the season of giving. This isn't your typical "budget better" advice, we're going deep into why saying "no" is so dang hard.

But we don’t stop there. We also discuss: 

• Holiday pressure and how the “season of giving” turns our good hearts into overdrawn bank accounts
• Survivor's guilt and our responsibility to lift as we climb 
• How a lifetime of people-pleasing can leave you feeling resentful
• How to say no to: acquaintances who suddenly need "just a little help", family and friends, and people you've helped before
• Actual useful tactics that work in real life, from setting dedicated budgets to learning the art of the "alternative offer," and how to say no without feeling like a total jerk
• Why "they'll figure it out" is so powerful and how letting people solve their own problems might be the best help you can give

This is a vulnerable episode for anyone who finds themselves saying "yes" just to avoid being rude, or because they think being generous is the only way to be a good person. We've been there, and hopefully, you find this helpful.

Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life.

Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by Forbes

If you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

The latest inflation report shows that grocery prices are back up, making something as basic as eating feel like a financial tightrope walk. So this week, we're rethinking how we define "good" food and making a case that the best meals can be both cheap and delicious by sharing 3 of our favorite cheap meals. 

Hopefully you walk away from this episode feeling slightly less guilty about that impulse takeout order (as long as you learn from it), inspired to rethink what's possible with your budget and your kitchen, and empowered to create satisfying meals that don’t break the bank.

We discuss:

• The joy (and necessity) of finding delicious, affordable food that doesn't taste like you’re pinching pennies (or just eating sadness)
• Practical tips for making flavorful, budget-friendly meals that are both nourishing and satisfying
• A closer look into our favorite meals, complete with pricing breakdowns and the secret ingredients to take them from "meh" to "magnificent"
• The importance of cross-utilization and how it can help you maximize your grocery budget.

Links:

- Food prices rose 28% in 5 years 
- Money on the Table S3:E3 “How much is enough?” feat. crispy skin salmon
- How to save money by trimming a beef tenderloin

Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life.

Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by Forbes

If you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

We’re still revisiting fundamentals and this week we’re asking: Is your emergency fund actually an emergency fund, or just a well-intentioned savings account collecting dust (and maybe a tiny bit of interest)? 

In this episode, we unpack the truth about financial emergencies and reveal the flawed logic behind the old ‘3-months of expenses’ rule. Let’s be honest, climate change, unexpected job losses, and ridiculously high repair costs have made the classic “cash only” emergency fund advice obsolete. We talk about building a real safety net, one that's flexible, accessible, and addresses everything from the cost of repairs to those unexpected crises that inevitably spring up in life

Building an emergency fund isn’t about striving for perfection; it’s about protecting what matters most. We’ll provide practical tips, address common anxieties, and leave you with a renewed sense of preparedness – all without losing your mind (or your savings).

We discuss:

• The Illusion of the "Checked Box": Why the standard 3-6 month emergency fund is inadequate for the unpredictable realities of 21st-century life 
• The importance of liquidity and accessibility: It's not enough to have the money, you need to be able to access it quickly and easily. We'll dissect the hidden fees and frustrating bureaucratic hurdles that can turn your carefully-saved emergency fund into a useless paperweight
• More than just cash: We discuss the overlooked role of insurance, lines of credit, and community resources in weathering life’s storms. This isn't just about finances; it's about creating a comprehensive plan that addresses all dimensions of an emergency
• The Multi-Layered Approach: Why cash is still surprisingly relevant, even in a cashless society.Real-life examples that illustrate why diversifying your financial institutions is no longer a "luxury" but a necessity
• The Rebuilding Phase: A practical plan for rebuilding your emergency fund in the wake of a crisis. Because let’s face it, emergency situations aren't one-and-done

Links:

• Episode 156: Survive & Advance | The Ultimate Guide to Financial Resilience with Lynnette Khalfani Cox (YouTube Link) 
• Episode 184: How to Automate your savings (and finally get ahead) (YouTube Link) 

Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life.

Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by Forbes

If you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

We took a mini-break (and you KNOW we needed it) but we're back, and today we're tackling the sacred cow of financial planning: BUY AND HOLD. 

Let's face it, investing isn't a spectator sport and the pandemic proved that even the most "set-it-and-forget-it" advice can get messy. Plus research shows investors are holding stocks for less time than ever before. So this week, we’re asking if the classic "buy and hold" strategy is still the cornerstone of financial wisdom, or has the rise of day trading, sports betting, and cryptocurrencies rendered it obsolete? 

Don't expect simple answers, because investor psychology isn’t that simple, but we promise some surprisingly insightful takeaways

We explore:

• Why “buy and hold” is the American way and what that means in the era of instant notifications and market fluctuations
• How the emotional and psychological realities of modern life challenge even the most well-laid financial plans
• The rise of “bro-conomy” investing, and why the appeal of day trading and sports betting is harder to resist
• How to use robo-advisors to tame your inner FOMO without losing your shirt (or your retirement funds)
• The importance of financial literacy and diversification, beyond the simplistic "buy and hold" mantra
• A peek behind the curtain into our own HSA investment strategy and a warning about the illusion of easy wins

Links:

• The Three Pillars of the Bro-Economy via The Atlantic 
• Episode 171: Why you need a brokerage account 

Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life.

Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by Forbes

If you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

This week, we’re unpacking the surprisingly trendy world of underconsumption. Is it a Gen Z TikTok trend? A millennial coping mechanism? A wise old soul's secret weapon? The answer is YES to all of the above.

In this episode, we cover:

How to avoid overspending this holiday season on food and gifts. We even share our hard-won lessons on dealing with impulsive buying, managing the expectations of our loved ones, and teaching our son to approach spending with intention (no, we didn't always get it right, but boy, have we learned!)

YOLO vs. YONO: Say goodbye to "You Only Live Once" and hello to "You Only Need One." We explore the global shift towards intentional purchasing, and how it's impacting everything from fashion to finances. (And yes, we do discuss the implications of the impending tariffs on that Zara haul you've been eyeing…)

The Price vs. The Cost: That cute little $25 item from TikTok Shop? It might cost you more in stress, maintenance, and anxiety than you think. We discuss the psychological (and very real!) costs of buying the "nice" stuff.

Hedonic Adaptation: The science of why buying more doesn't always lead to more happiness. We are not our things and learning this will actually save you money and the planet.

Key takeaways (because your time is valuable):

• Underconsumption is a lifestyle, not a trend
• Re-evaluate your values. Do the math
• Soup is not just for sick people (or soup kitchens)
• Embrace the power of the "thoughtful no"
• Quality over quantity (even with those darn shoes that don't last!)
• Pouches are the future. Get you a pouch.

Join us for a funny, insightful, and deeply satisfying conversation about changing your relationship with your stuff. It might just be the best self-care you do all year.

Links:
- The enshittification of everything 
- Self-gifting messaging is set to dominate Black Friday ads
- The kitchen tech we use to make cooking at home so much easier  

Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life.

Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by Forbes

If you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

This week, we’re unpacking the raw emotions and anxieties that followed the recent election. We explore the stark reality of a country deeply divided, not just politically, but also in terms of our visions for the future. 

This election wasn't just about who won. It was about a country that, frankly, feels more like it's been severed in half than unified. 

It’s a deep, messy reality and we question the easy labels and simplistic narratives that often dominate the political conversation.We explore the real, human stories behind the red and the blue and ask some tough questions about how to move forward with a more nuanced understanding of our political landscape.

Lastly, we talk about the pressures of a society driven by consumption, and how it can create a disconnect between those who have “too much” and those who don’t, which leaves many feeling left behind, overwhelmed, and unheard. 

If you’re ready for a conversation that goes beyond the surface, tap in for an honest, critical look at the state of our nation and how we can find a way to make meaningful progress together. 

Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life.

Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by Forbes

If you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow