How to Money

There are a host of reasons why renting a place instead of buying might be a great idea for you (we even dedicated an entire episode to the topic!). But when it comes to renting and entering into a lease agreement with a landlord, you want to make sure that you’re prepared and taking the proper steps to protect yourself. Listen as we cover everything from Wall Street landlords to negotiating leases to the low cost of renters insurance. During this episode we both enjoyed a Russell Kelly Pale Ale by Telluride Brewing which you can find on Untappd. A big thanks to Tiffany in Colorado for donating these beers to the show! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts, Castbox, or wherever you get your podcasts- we’d love to hear from you. Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

What kind of life do you really want to lead? Does consumption and stuff dictate your life more than you’d like? It is so important to examine your own life to discover the small changes you can make right now to give you more freedom to do the things that truly matter most to you. For this interview, we sat down with Chris and Cristi from Life Opted Out to talk about how and why they chose to leave a life they loved in NYC for a much simpler, more affordable life traveling the country in their van. They share that so many of the lessons they’ve learned are not specific to life on the road, and can be applied to anyone looking for more purpose and fulfillment. During this episode we both enjoyed a Nothing Left to Give by Orpheus Brewing which you can find on Untappd. A big thanks to Jimmy for donating these beers to the show! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts, Castbox, or wherever you get your podcasts- we’d love to hear from you. Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

US households owe a total of $420 billion in credit card debt so it’s no surprise that everyone is looking for an easy solution. Debt consolidation (and debt settlement) companies offer a quick fix but they often cost you a lot, wreck your credit score, and they may even completely scam you without performing any of the promised work. Rather than consolidation and settlement companies, consider the sure route- ‘manually’ consolidating your own debt and, if needed, utilizing loan companies like Lending Club or SoFi- just make sure to do your homework and read the fine print! In the end, make sure you have a plan to keep yourself from taking on new debt- you don’t want to end up back in the same situation! During this episode we enjoyed a Secret Lovers - the Sequel by Wilmington Brewing Company which you can find on Untappd. A big thanks to Naomi for donating this beer to the show! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts, Castbox, or wherever you get your podcasts- we’d love to hear from you. Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Do you feel comfortable with the expectations of your job and the number of hours you work? Or do you sense impending burnout with the constant demands and grueling schedule required of you? This week's $Pro, Tanja Hester, is here to talk about how to begin making your job a smaller part of your life. Her first step to achieve this is saving up just enough money to shift that power imbalance that you may feel with your boss, and give you confidence and bargaining power. We will also cover three routes to consider taking to make work optional for you and the different ways that retirement can look. Let's take the proper steps now to make work more optional! During this episode we each enjoyed a Quadrahopic by Land-Grant Brewing which you can find on Untappd. A big thanks to Kayla for donating this beer to the show! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts, Castbox, or wherever you get your podcasts- we’d love to hear from you. Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Even though the federal government published a report that determined the average cost of raising a child from birth to age 18 is $233,000- that doesn’t mean you HAVE to spend that much! When calculating how much YOU will spend on a child, start by asking yourself: what are my current expenses? Because really the best indicator of how much you’ll spend on your kids is how much money you are already spending on yourself. The cost of children will be an extension of your values and what you’re already spending money on. Listen as we cover how much kids cost, ranging from specifics like the cost of car seats to a broader, principled approach towards entertainment and spending in general. During this episode we each enjoyed a Heavy Hands DIPA by Spindletap Brewery which you can find on Untappd. Another huge thanks to Leo for donating this beer to the show! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts, Castbox, or wherever you get your podcasts- we’d love to hear from you. Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

It's always encouraging to be reminded that the hard work you're putting in and the sacrifices you're making now can mean a much smoother ride in the future when it comes to your personal finances. Our $Pro this week, Doc G, is here to discuss the compounding effects of extra work, saving, and investing early on. Even if you're not so young, this episode is a call to get started now- not next month or next year- get your money in order today! During this episode we each enjoyed an Aggressive Additions IPA by Spindletap Brewery which you can find on Untappd. A huge thanks to Leo for donating this beer to the show! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts, Castbox, or wherever you get your podcasts- we’d love to hear from you. Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Nearly 80% of Americans wouldn’t be able to pay their bills if they missed a paycheck. When you’re used to living paycheck to paycheck, the idea of setting aside some extra money is almost laughable. How do you even consider setting financial goals when every dollar you make is already going somewhere necessary? In this episode we talk through how to choose to set goals regardless of your financial situation. The goal of an emergency fund for some breathing room and financial cushion is the very thing that will allow you to still pay your bills if you miss a paycheck! Even saving $1,000 can be enough to end the cycle and allow you to escape that paycheck to paycheck lifestyle. During this episode we each enjoyed a Roast Beast by Modern Methods which you can find on Untappd. A huge thanks to Krista for donating this beer to the show! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts, Castbox, or wherever you get your podcasts- we’d love to hear from you. Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Rampant consumerism and consumption is becoming the norm, and this is partly due to the fact that it is so easy to make purchases online. $Pro Katy Wolk-Stanley is challenging that notion by refusing to buy new stuff, and instead, she’s prioritizing her goals and values when it comes to consumption. Free piles of stuff on the sidewalk and your local Buy Nothing group can be great, but they’re not the only way to drastically cut back. Listen as we’re challenged by Katy and as we seek to save more of our money by spending less on junk we don’t need. During this episode we enjoyed an AZ Dreamsicle by Arizona Wilderness which you can find on Untappd. A huge thanks to Brandon for donating this beer to the show! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts, Castbox, or wherever you get your podcasts- we’d love to hear from you. Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Working hard for money isn't a foreign concept, but working hard to receive good customer service often is- we so rarely advocate for ourselves! The first step when you're looking for great customer service is to be sure to do business with a reputable company. After that, there are plenty of additional elements to consider to not only save you money, but allow you to walk away from a transaction completely satisfied and raving about how great of an experience you had when you needed assistance. Listen as we help you to make the best use of your time when advocating for great customer service. During this episode we each enjoyed an Atrial Rubicite by Jester King which you can find on Untappd. A huge thanks to Jerrod at BrainDead Brewing for donating this beer to the show! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts, Castbox, or wherever you get your podcasts- we’d love to hear from you. Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

The cost of college is higher than ever. On average, students today are paying 213% more to go to college than their parents paid 30 years ago (and that includes adjustment for inflation!). $Pro Cody Berman is with us this week to discuss finding smart and creative ways to cut college costs, so that graduates can launch their professional careers unhampered by massive student loans. So whether you're in school, considering going back, or have kids - listen to hear some advice on ways to cut those college costs. During this episode we each enjoyed a PowerShark by BrainDead Brewing which you can find on Untappd. A special thanks to Jerrod at @braindeadbrew for donating this beer to the show! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts, Castbox, or wherever you get your podcasts- we’d love to hear from you. Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

People don’t invest in the stock market because of a perceived ‘risk’- their minds immediately jump back to the Great Recession or even the Great Depression. And then from that position of fear, they decide their money is better left in a nice and familiar savings account- except this is an instance where slow and steady doesn’t win the race. It turns out that one of the biggests, actual risks to your money is not investing at all, in an attempt to avoid ‘risk’ from the stock market. Listen as we cover some popular perceived risks and then the real risks associated with investing in the stock market. During this episode we each enjoyed a Center of the Sun IPA by Civil Society Brewing which you can find on Untappd. A special thanks to our good buddy Pat with B10 union for donating this beer to the show! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts, Castbox, or wherever you get your podcasts- we’d love to hear from you. Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Do you have federal student loans? Are you wondering if you have any refinancing options? There is a lot to consider in a refinance beyond the advertised interest rate, and this week’s $Pro, Meagan Landress, will help us wade through it all. We also spend a large part of this episode answering specific student loan related questions from the How to Money Facebook group. During this episode we each enjoyed a Can Can (red wine barrel-aged) by Westbrook Brewing Co which you can learn all about on Untappd. A special thanks to Jeff at Peachtree Road Package Store for donating this beer to the show! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts, Castbox, or wherever you get your podcasts- we’d love to hear from you. Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

The difference between scoring a home vs. missing out can be incredibly small- and a lot of it comes down to your offer. There are lots of little things that can help your offer stand out and make the buying process move along smoothly. However, since most of us only buy a home once or twice in our lifetime, not knowing or forgetting a step can cost us a place we really want or cause us to make unwise decisions. Listen as we cover some important steps in the home buying process and how you can get a leg up when you are actually buying a home. During this episode we each enjoyed a Space Camper Cosmic IPA by Boulevard Brewing which you can learn all about on Untappd. A special thanks to Hillary and all of our friends at Boulevard for donating this beer to the show! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts, Castbox, or wherever you get your podcasts- we’d love to hear from you. Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Over 45 million Americans are saddled with over 1.5 trillion in student loan debt- this is a nationwide epidemic! With such a massive burden, how do you even begin repaying your student loans? Our $Pro this week, student loan expert Meagan Landress, is here to shed some light on the many different student loan repayment programs and how to choose the plan that best fits your financial situation and goals. At the end of this episode we answer some specific student loan related questions from the How to Money Facebook community. During this episode we each enjoyed a Nostalgia IPA by Slow Pour Brewing which you can learn all about on Untappd. A special thanks to our $Pro Meagan for donating and sharing this beer with us! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts, Castbox, or wherever you get your podcasts- we’d love to hear from you. Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Buying a house will likely be the most expensive purchase you’ll ever make, so it’s no surprise that it can be an intimidating process. But this is the very same reason you should be a well informed buyer- so much money is on the line! Today we’re covering several steps everyone needs to take before purchasing to make sure that you’re getting the best deal possible on a house that you love. During this episode we enjoyed an Ink Imperial Stout by Rhinegeist Brewery which you can learn all about on Untappd. A special thanks to Natalie and all of our friends at Rhinegeist for donating this beer to the show! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts, Castbox, or wherever you get your podcasts- we’d love to hear from you. Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com