This episode is a special one, inspired by a listener suggestion based on a recent event Kiersten spoke at with Ally and UnitedMasters called SelectCon! We're diving into the concept of the "soft life" and how it relates to money, financial goals, and entrepreneurship.Here's what we cover:SelectCon: We start by discussing our experience at SelectCon, a unique event hosted by UnitedMasters, an alternative to traditional record labels that empowers artists to retain ownership of their work. We ...

It's graduation season and the Class of 2024 faces a unique set of challenges: crushing student loan debt, a competitive job market, and the constant pressure to "hustle." In this episode, we're cutting through the noise and giving real, actionable advice for the new world of work.In this episode, we talk about:The truth about student loan debt: How it influences career choices and the need for financial securitySide hustle as a strategic move: Why this generation is turning to side gig...

Is summer break a vacation, a project, or a chaotic mess? In this episode, we're diving into the reality of childcare during the summer months, exploring why even high-income families rely on relatives, and why traditional camps and daycare might not be the answer. Join us as we unpack the reality of summer childcare and discover creative solutions to make the break a time for growth, connection, and even some fun!Links: Most Parents Don't Have Any Formal Child Care Arrangements via US C...

The job market is more competitive than ever. Even with the perfect resume and impressive credentials, landing your dream job (or even a decent one) feels impossible. What's the missing piece?This episode dives into the unspoken truth: you need to learn how to sell yourself.We're tackling the tough questions:Why is self-promotion so important in today's world? We explore how the digital age has changed the game, requiring you to be "twice as findable" as you are qualified.Isn't bragging "icky...

This week we're discussing the inspiring journey of Kim Lewis, CEO of CurlMix, as she shares her experiences and insights on building a successful business and challenging societal norms. The conversation highlights the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, her experience with Shark Tank, fundraising insights and how her relationship with money has changed throughout her entrepreneurial journey. It’s a must-listen for anyone looking to challenge the status quo and build a life of purpose a...

This week we’re chatting with Jannese Torres, the proud Latina behind the new book "Financially Lit!" and the Yo Quiero Dinero community. We talked about her incredible journey to financial independence, breaking free from traditional paths and the importance of redefining success and wealth. Jannese opened up about her experience being laid off from her corporate job and realizing she needed to be her own safety net. We discussed the importance of representation and seeing ourselves ref...

In this conversation, Yvette Sadler Butler, CEO and founder of Hive Wealth, discusses her journey in the financial services industry and how it influenced the creation of Hive Wealth. In it, she shares her vision of making finance more inclusive and accessible to everyone through financial planning powered by AI.The conversation explores the rise of Black investors in the stock market, the importance of financial planning, the need for budgeting tools and how AI (artificial intelligence) is i...

If you want to know the secret to stress-free cooking at home this episode is for you! This week, we're exploring the world of kitchen technology that can help you save money, eat healthier, and make cooking at home easier and more enjoyable. We'll discuss our personal experiences with various gadgets, highlighting the benefits for both novice and experienced cooks.  Key Takeaways: Cooking at home is a major opportunity for savings, but it's important to remove pain points and...

Ken and Mary Okoroafor based out of the UK and founders of The HumblePenny.com discuss their life and new book Financial Joy. In this conversation, they share their journey of starting their blog and the importance of representation in the personal finance space. They discuss the advantages of raising their children to be investors and the importance of being aligned as a couple. They also emphasize the value of using everyday situations as teachable moments for their children. Ken shares...

This week we’re joined by author and personal finance expert Lynnette Khalfani-Cox to discuss the importance of financial resilience and the strategies for bouncing back from setbacks. Lynnette dives into the core concepts from her book "Bounce Back: “The Ultimate Guide to Financial Resilience and explores the emotional side of financial challenges. In this refreshingly candid interview, Khalfani-Cox gets real about the psychological toll of money woes and those dreaded "Ds" that can decimate...

To get your copy of the FREE Financial Technology Toolkit, click here and we'll send your guide directly to your email address.    To learn more, visit the rich & REGULAR blog here Tech literacy isn't a one-and-done skill. It requires continuous learning and adaptation as innovation marches on. And there are very few areas that are being transformed by technology as rapidly as personal finance and fintech. To help bridge this literacy gap, we're introducing a free Fintech Toolkit aimed...

In this episode, we’re discussing how to manage a windfall, whether it's a sudden influx of money from investments, bonuses, or unexpected events. We share our personal experiences with windfalls and the importance of splurging and treating yourself to experiences. We emphasize the need to resist the urge to act quickly and instead create a wish list and categorize priorities. We also discuss the importance of waiting and considering tax implications, as well as managing expectations and...

In this episode,  we respond to an email from a woman who wanted to know when to give up on a trucking business she started with her husband. The conversation covers topics such as faith, confidence, financial planning and finding the right partners, and we provide advice on calculating the cushion needed to support the business, as well as the importance of psychological resilience in entrepreneurship.  This episode explores the differences in the role credit cards play in personal and...

Happy Women's History Month 2024! What does it mean to be a perfectionist? Is it a blessing or a curse? How does it affect your relationship with money, yourself, and others? In this special solo episode, Kiersten chats with Katherine Morgan Schafler, a psychotherapist and coach who helps people overcome perfectionism and live authentically.  They talk about the different kinds of perfectionism, how social and historical forces shape them, and how they can be harnessed for good or bad. They...

In this episode, we’re talking about how we parent our son Beau and teach him about money. We share our philosophy of raising a rich kid, not by giving him everything he wants, but by teaching him the value of saving and investing from a young age. We also talk about the pressure we feel as parents to provide more for our child, and how we use self-imposed constraints to teach him responsibility. We explain how we use video games and sports as metaphors to help Beau understand the concepts of...

In this episode, we talk about the concept of overconfidence in investing, also known as the confidence trap. We explain why confidence is important and how it can either help or hinder us in achieving our goals. We also examine the role of ego in investing and how it affects our self-image as investors and use culinary references and personal stories to make our points. We stress the difference between investing and gambling, and the need to understand and manage risk. The episode ends with...

In this episode, we discuss capsule wardrobes and how this approach can help people save time and money.  In it, they explore how men and women differ in their adoption of the tactic.  Specifically, men are more likely to call a capsule wardrobe a uniform.  They also discuss the high costs associated with maintaining a professional wardrobe and what they did during their corporate careers to manage it. During the conversation, Julien and Kiersten are joined by a special guest, Winston...

This week we're diving deep into the heart of the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement and asking whether it's really a movement...or just a quirky personal finance trend. We explore the intersections of history, finance, work culture, technology, and societal change and discuss what defines a movement, how FIRE has benefited from several larger societal shifts, and how even the tiniest seeds of change, like feelings of embarrassment, fatigue, or frustration, can spark...

What does it mean to be a Costco member in 2024? This week we’re loud budgeting our grocery bill and discussing our recent decision to get a Costco membership. We share our initial impressions of the store, the perks we have enjoyed so far, and a few factors to consider when deciding whether a Costco membership is right for you.  Food is a Big 3 expense for most households and with recent price surges, many people are feeling the squeeze on their budgets.  Throughout the episode, we...

This week our guest is Jamila Souffrant, host of the Journey to Launch podcast and author of the new book, Your Journey to Financial Freedom. In this conversation, we discuss her journey to financial independence and the lessons she has learned along the way.  We talked about how she reached her breaking point and decided to pursue financial independence, how the FIRE movement inspired and challenged her, the importance of including various options in personal finance education, and the...

In this episode, we’re peeling back the layers of the recent layoff phenomenon, a storm that’s been brewing and hit hardest in 2023. Our take is that it’s not just about job loss; it’s a cultural shift within organizations that leaves a lasting imprint. This episode is here to help you navigate this storm, armed with insights and strategies that improve your chances of success. We’ve identified four common mistakes that people often stumble into post-layoff: assuming it won’t happen again,...

This week, we have a special guest: JL Collins, the Godfather of the Financial Independence movement. He’s here to talk about his new book, ‘Pathfinders’, where he shares the stories of people who have achieved financial freedom in different ways. He shows us that there is no one-size-fits-all formula for success, and that we have to find our own path based on our values, goals and circumstances. He also tells us why we should embrace failure as a learning opportunity, how he measures quality...

This episode is about three stories that will change the way you invest, spend, and earn your money in 2024. They aren't predictions, but trends that are already happening and will likely continue. We start by reviewing what happened in 2023 and how it changed our perspective on money. Then we go into the first story, which is how the stock market was dominated by the Magnificent Seven tech stocks, thanks to their innovation and scale. The second story is about how fintech and buy now, pay...

If paying down debt is one of your 2024 goals, this episode is for you. This week we're telling the story of the greatest gift we've ever given ourselves - debt freedom. We paid off $200,000 in five years, but that's not the whole story or the most interesting part. In this episode, we explore the emotional impact of debt, the different approaches to debt payoff, and the role of shame and regret in debt payoff.   We also discuss the need to anticipate setbacks in the debt payoff journey, and...

If you want help cutting back on drinking using neuroscience, try the Reframe App for free with a 1-month trial using Julien's referral link. A few years ago, we decided to experiment with drinking less alcohol and participated in Dry January. It was supposed to be a one-time thing but it changed how we think about alcohol. We were surprised by how much money we saved and how much better we felt and realized we were part of a larger movement of people who were questioning their relationship...