We were supposed to be home in two days.

That's what we thought when Amanda flew alone to Austin, Texas to meet our brand-new son — four pounds, three ounces, and so tiny it took your breath away. Jonathan stayed back in Omaha with a sick kid and a house to hold together. It was supposed to be a quick NICU stay. Feed and grow. Home by the weekend.

It was anything but.

In this episode, we're telling the whole story — the adoption tell-all our community has been waiting for. We're talking about the email that came on our other son's birthday and what it felt like when we both just knew. We're talking about the NICU honeymoon that turned into a medical emergency. We're talking about the flight out of Omaha that should have already left — and somehow wasn't gone yet. We're talking about walking into a Maronite Catholic church across the street from a children's hospital and hearing a priest say our son's name out loud before the Liturgy.

We're talking about the moment it became impossible to believe any of this was accidental.

This one doesn't have a lot of financial teaching in it. That's okay. Sometimes a story is just a story — and this one is one of the best ones we've ever lived.

Peter is home. He is loved. And God had His hands on every single detail.

This episode is brought to you by the WalletWin Spring Bundle of Joy — the Catholic Money Academy, WalletWin Kids Courses, and the MoneyTogether Couples Workshop, all bundled together for one special price. Because you've blessed us, and we want to bless you back. Sign up before Thursday night to snag your own Bundle of Joy at WalletWin.com/peter

Baby Teixeira #5 has arrived and we are soaking up every single moment. We'll be back with fresh episodes soon — in the meantime, we are reaching into the vault for some of our all-time favorites. This one is absolutely worth your time.

How are we, as Catholics, to interact with stuff? Let's explore Catholic Minimalism with author and speaker, ⁠Katie Sciba⁠, in one of the most popular sessions from the ⁠Catholic Money Summit⁠.

Amanda and Katie sit down in the WalletWin studio to unpack what Catholic Minimalism actually is — and what it has to do with your faith, your calendar, your wardrobe, and even your marriage. Katie shares how downsizing her 1200 square foot home with three kids changed everything, why the story of the Rich Young Man is at the heart of this conversation, and how letting go of things — and commitments — creates space for the Lord to work.

Get access to all 40+ talks at ⁠CatholicMoneySummit.com⁠

We're taking a little time away welcoming our newest Teixeira to the world! While we're soaking up all the newborn snuggles, enjoy this episode from the vault — it's one of our favorites, and honestly, perfect for right where we are in the liturgical year.

🎧 Jonathan loves stuff. Here's his plan to shift his attention from things of this world to those of the next.

We are swimming in a consumeristic culture — and it is shaping us whether we realize it or not. In this episode, Jonathan shares his personal plan for overcoming materialism, and yes, I get to hold him accountable.

Detachment is a necessary part of our faith. You don't get to skip it. And this conversation is a great place to start — especially during Lent.

🎸 Music in this episode is by Dylan Gardner – ⁠check out his album Almost Real⁠ on ⁠iTunes⁠, ⁠Spotify⁠, or wherever you listen to great music.

Jonathan and Amanda reveal why tithing isn’t a good idea.At least not in the way many Catholics think about it.In this episode of The Catholic Money Show, they unpack the common assumption that Catholics are required to give a strict 10% tithe and explain why the Church actually calls us to something deeper than a simple percentage. In this episode they discuss:• What the tithe meant in the Old Testament• Why the Catholic Church does not mandate a strict 10% tithe• How to discern how much you should give• Why budgeting helps you give more intentionally• Practical ways to support your parish, diocese, and other ministriesYou’ll also hear guidance for common questions like whether giving should be based on gross or net income, what to do if you’re in debt, and how to balance generosity with caring for your family.Note: This is a repost of an older episode that remains highly relevant for Catholics thinking seriously about generosity and stewardship today.Resources Mentioned:Learn how to start budgeting in minutes:https://www.walletwin.com

Most budgeting advice assumes you get paid the same amount on the first and the 15th like clockwork. But what if you’re self-employed, commission-based, fundraising, running a business, or juggling side hustles?

In this episode of The Catholic Money Show, Jonathan and Amanda share the exact system they’ve used for over 14 years to budget successfully with irregular income. From fundraising missionaries to entrepreneurs, their income has rarely looked the same two months in a row — and budgeting still works.

They break down:

• The three expense numbers you must know (bare minimum, comfortable, and dream budget)
• How to analyze your income patterns without guessing
• Why most “budget as you get paid” advice fails irregular earners
• The income pad strategy that smooths out feast-and-famine cycles
• The powerful “get a month ahead” system that brings real stability

If you’ve ever said, “Budgeting doesn’t work because my income is unpredictable,” this episode will show you why that’s a myth — and what actually works.

Whether your income swings by hundreds or thousands each month, this framework will help you create peace, predictability, and long-term stability.

Resources Mentioned:

📘 Free Catholic Guide to Budgeting
https://catholicbudgetguide.com

In this episode of The Catholic Money Show, Jonathan and Amanda tackle one of the most common (and emotionally charged) issues in marriage: how to talk about money with your spouse without starting a couples war. Drawing from their own early money struggles and years of coaching Catholic couples, they unpack why these fights happen and how to prevent them.

In this episode:

• Why wives are usually the ones pushing for financial change (and why husbands resist)
• How temperament (sanguine, choleric, melancholic, phlegmatic) affects money fights
• The importance of assuming good intent and choosing the right moment
• Why a shared vision does more heavy lifting than any budget conversation
• How to take one small step this week toward financial oneness

Shownotes & Resources

• 💍 Money Together Workshop
  Get on the same financial page as a couple:👉 https://walletwin.com/moneytogether

  
  

• 📘 Catholic Budget Guide👉 https://walletwin.com/catholicbudgetguide/

  
  

• 🎓 Catholic Money Academy👉 https://walletwin.com/academy/

We didn’t think we would ever say this out loud… but we quit homeschooling.

In this episode of The Catholic Money Show, Jonathan and Amanda share the real story behind that decision — what was working, what wasn’t, and why they ultimately chose something different for this season of family life.

If you’ve ever felt tension around schooling decisions — whether you homeschool, do hybrid or in person school — this episode will likely feel relatable in the best way because sometimes faithfulness means pivoting.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why we originally chose homeschooling

• The unexpected stressors that emerged

• How this decision affected our daily rhythms and finances

• The pressure Catholic families can feel around schooling choices

• How to discern schooling decisions without ego or comparison

  
  

Resources Mentioned:

Catholic Guide to Budgeting
👉 https://catholicbudgetguide.com

Catholic Money Academy
👉 https://walletwin.com/academy

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who might need to hear an honest conversation about schooling and discernment.

And if you have thoughts, you can always reach us at:
📧 [email protected]
📞 Leave us a voicemail: https://walletwin.com/voicemail

We weren’t shopping for a camper van… and then an auction popped up. Seventy-two hours later, we owned one.

In this episode of The Catholic Money Show, Jonathan and Amanda walk through how an unexpected opportunity turned into a confident, peaceful financial decision—and why it didn’t involve panic, debt, or overthinking.

They share the real story behind buying a camper van quickly, how they evaluated whether it made sense financially, and the framework they use to make big decisions without stress.

Along the way, they talk about market demand, cash flow, risk management, season-of-life boundaries, and why having a solid budget gives you the freedom to say yes when the right opportunity comes along—or no when it doesn’t.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make big financial decisions without fear, regret, or constant second-guessing, this episode gives you a practical look at what that actually looks like in real life.

Resources Mentioned :
Catholic Guide to Budgeting
👉 https://catholicbudgetguide.com

In this episode of the Catholic Money Show, Jonathan discusses three financial ideas proposed by President Trump, analyzing their implications from a Catholic perspective.

The conversation covers the proposal to cap credit card interest rates, the idea of banning private equity from buying homes, and the controversial 50-year mortgage. Each idea is examined for its potential impact on consumers and the economy, with a focus on the moral and ethical considerations surrounding these financial policies.

Sign up for our Weekly Newsletter: walletwin.com/weekly/

In this episode of The Catholic Money Show, Jonathan and Amanda turn their attention directly to those working in Catholic ministries, parishes, and organizations. The question at hand is uncomfortable but necessary: how do we avoid causing financial scandal while serving the Church?

Drawing from their years as FOCUS missionaries, Jonathan explains why fundraising for salaries can be good, biblical, and necessary—and why that reality also comes with a serious moral responsibility. When your income comes from sacrificial donors, the way you manage money matters more, not less.

The episode covers:

• Why fundraising for ministry salaries is legitimate and often beneficial

• How visibility increases responsibility and the risk of scandal

• What “right-sizing” income really means for missionaries and staff

• Why Catholic workers must practice financial virtue, not just financial literacy

• The difference between enjoying normal human goods and living irresponsibly

• Why Catholic institutions must offer real financial formation to their staff

🔔 Resources Mentioned

• Financial Examination of Conscience:
  https://walletwin.com/examination

• Catholic Budget Guide:
  https://catholicbudgetguide.com

• Catholic Money Academy:
  https://walletwin.com/academy