Most money advice is either extreme restriction or delusional optimism.

The truth is that real change happens in the middle, where you build systems that work with your actual lifestyle instead of the one you wish you had.

This week, I’m joined by Jen and Jill from the Frugal Friends podcast to talk about why we overcomplicate money resets, how to spend based on what we truly value, and what “frugal” really means in 2026.

We dig into the psychological reason we over-complicate New Year money goals, how values-based spending creates direction without deprivation, what the “radical middle” looks like in real life, the difference between being frugal and being restricted, and why paid-off debt and pretty spreadsheets aren’t a personality.

If you’ve ever set a financial resolution in January and rage-bought something by February, this episode is for you.

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