Episodes

  • The (High) Cost of Kids w/ Emily Oster #902
    Nov 6 2024

    Here on the podcast we don’t shy away from the fact that we’re big fans of having kids- Joel has three, Matt has four. But that is not typical here in the United States where the average is 1.6 births per woman… but why? We think the costly nature of having kids is one of the reasons. Depending on which study you’re looking at and the cost of living cited, we’ve seen upwards of $400,000 per kid! But even still, should it be all about the numbers? Should that data drive all of our decisions? Luckily we’re joined by someone who is a parent and knows all about the data- Emily Oster. Emily is a professor of economics at Brown University, the author of books like Expecting Better, Cribsheet, and Family Firm, and now host of the new podcast Raising Parents. And while you might know her as the lady who says it’s ok to have wine and coffee in moderation while pregnant, or as the health economist who shared unpopular opinions on Covid policies during the pandemic, we’re excited to share our conversation that’s all about our money and kids: making career breaks and staying home with the kids, why we need to approach family decisions the way a business would, Emily’s take on allowances, and more!

    Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances:

    • Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.
    • Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical.
    • Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group.
    • Find the best credit card for you with our new credit card tool!
    • Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.
    • Don’t be cheap and forego getting a life insurance policy. Compare rates with Policygenius.

    During this episode we enjoyed an Ayinger Oktober Fest-Marzen! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!

    Best friends out!

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    47 mins
  • Ask HTM - WTD Rising Car Insurance, Tackling the Rent vs Buy Dilemma, & Socking Away Money for Kids #901
    Nov 4 2024

    Let’s dive into the week with some fresh listener questions we have lined up for you! And don't just stand on the sidelines- if you have a question you’d like us to answer, toss your voice memo our way. It only takes about 90 seconds to record and you can find a step by step guide over at HowToMoney.com/ask . Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, we want to hear it!

    1 - What can I do about my sky high car insurance premiums without getting penalized for shopping around?

    2 - Is it possible to be in good financial shape, without owning my own home?

    3 - How much time should I spend shopping around for the absolute cheapest utilities?

    4 - Should I open an IRA for my new baby if I’m wanting to help them out financially off in the future?

    Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances:

    • Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.
    • Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical.
    • Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group.
    • Find the best credit card for you with our new credit card tool!
    • Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.

    During this episode we enjoyed a Stranger Danger by Monday Night Brewing! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!

    Best friends out!

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    53 mins
  • Friday Flight - Paltry Predictions, Working for Wealth, & Black Friday Unfurled #900
    Nov 1 2024

    Time for a Friday Flight- our little sampling of the week’s financial news and what it means for your personal finances. There are a lot of headlines out there, but we boil them down to specific takeaways that will allow you to kick off the weekend informed and help you to get ahead with your money. In this episode we explain some relevant and helpful stories like: Costco/Halloween, paltry market predictions, generational investing, political odds markets, working for wealth, home equity temptations, hottest items on wedding registries, underpowered homeowner policies, $20k family auto insurance, Black Friday unfurled, and Amazon vs Walmart.

    Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances:

    • Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.
    • Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical.
    • Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group.
    • Find the best credit card for you with our new credit card tool!
    • Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.

    And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money. Have an awesome weekend!

    Best friends out!

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    36 mins
  • The Definitive Travel Rewards Episode w/ Chris Hutchins #899
    Oct 30 2024

    When it makes sense to buy points, sites that make redeeming your points a breeze, how he thinks about points deflation… these are just a few of the topics we cover with our friend Chris Hutchins. If you’re wondering, like we were, whether or not travel hacking is still worth the hassle then this is the episode for you. And Chris covers a range of topics on his podcast, All The Hacks, like ways to gain confidence, practical steps to strengthen relationships, and anti-aging with his diverse guests. Chris was a co-founder of Milk which was acquired by Google, then he was the founder and CEO of Grove which was subsequently acquired by Wealthfront- he’s quite the renaissance man, he loves technology and optimizing virtually everything, and we get into a variety of topics today!

    Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances:

    • Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.
    • Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical.
    • Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group.
    • Find the best credit card for you with our new credit card tool!
    • Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.
    • Don’t be cheap and forego getting a life insurance policy. Compare rates with Policygenius.

    During this episode we enjoyed a Flash Cat by Creature Comforts! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!

    Best friends out!

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Ask HTM - High Yield CHECKING Accounts, Avoiding Capital Gains with Vet School, & Discriminatory 401k Accounts! #898
    Oct 28 2024

    Let’s dive into the week with some fresh listener questions we have lined up for you! And don't just stand on the sidelines- if you have a question you’d like us to answer, toss your voice memo our way. It only takes about 90 seconds to record and you can find a step by step guide over at HowToMoney.com/ask . Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, we want to hear it!

    1 - How necessary are high yield checking accounts?

    2 - What is a way that I can use my investments to pay for veterinarian school, without paying capital gains tax?

    3 - How should I invest for retirement after my 401k failed non-discrimination testing?

    4 - Is it worth continuing to pay for short and long term disability insurance?

    5 - Frugal or Cheap: skipping Coinstar and going straight to a register?

    Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances:

    • Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.
    • Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical.
    • Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group.
    • Find the best credit card for you with our new credit card tool!
    • Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.

    During this episode we enjoyed a Kobzar 2022 by Big Spruce Brewing – a big thanks to our good buddy Andrew L for donating this one to the pod! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!

    Best friends out!

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    48 mins
  • Friday Flight - Fitness Inflation, Feasting for Less, & Debt Derailment #897
    Oct 25 2024

    Time for a Friday Flight- our little sampling of the week’s financial news and what it means for your personal finances. There are a lot of headlines out there, but we boil them down to specific takeaways that will allow you to kick off the weekend informed and help you to get ahead with your money. In this episode we explain some relevant and helpful stories like: why you probably need to life insurance ladder (layer), house of mou$e, fitness inflation, high cost of eating out, feasting for less, why you should love Spirit Airlines, privacy concerns, Canadian carpenter makes bank, farewell savings rates, certified pre-owned clothes, Boomer Stuff Avalanche, STEM degrees, debt derailment, and blue collar millionaires.

    Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances:

    • Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.
    • Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical.
    • Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group.
    • Find the best credit card for you with our new credit card tool!
    • Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.

    And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money. Have an awesome weekend!

    Best friends out!

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    37 mins
  • Harsh But Helpful Money Truths w/ Dr. Brad Klontz & Adrian Brambila #896
    Oct 23 2024

    “Broke is temporary, but an unexamined poor mindset can be permanent.” As we discuss with our guests today, your mindset makes all the difference and your finances are no exception. And speaking of guests, one is a CFP financial psychologist and the other is a former professional dancer for T-Pain, an unlikely pairing! Dr. Brad Klontz and Adrian Brambila are the co-authors of the new book “Start Thinking Rich: 21 Harsh Truths to Take You from Broke to Financial Freedom”. This book is all about delivering actionable solutions to increase and diversify income, to help you save what you make, and to discover ways to grow your money in your sleep. Externalizing your problems, taking a victim mentality, and constantly looking to others to provide for you are the exact wrong behaviors and the embodiment of an unhealthy mindset that will keep you from attaining your goals. Listen as we discuss some of their harsh truths like getting rid of poor friends, blaming yourself if you’re poor as an adult, and plenty more!

    Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances:

    • Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.
    • Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical.
    • Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group.
    • Find the best credit card for you with our new credit card tool!
    • Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.
    • Don’t be cheap and forego getting a life insurance policy. Compare rates with Policygenius.

    During this episode we enjoyed a Jewel City by Brewyard Beer Co – a big thanks to Better Joel, JO, 5am Joel for donating this one to the pod! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!

    Best friends out!

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    56 mins
  • Ask HTM - Supporting a Financially Struggling Friend, Ditching and Upgrading a Car, & Purchasing Long Term Care Insurance #895
    Oct 21 2024

    Let’s dive into the week with some fresh listener questions we have lined up for you! And don't just stand on the sidelines- if you have a question you’d like us to answer, toss your voice memo our way. It only takes about 90 seconds to record and you can find a step by step guide over at HowToMoney.com/ask . Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, we want to hear it!

    1 - What’s the best way to support a friend in the midst of a financial meltdown?

    2 - Given the expensive repairs I’ve made on my car, should I sell it and upgrade?

    3 - How do I afford long term care insurance if I retire early?

    4 - My husband wants to open a new joint bank account at a big local brick and mortar – how do I convince him otherwise?

    Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances:

    • Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.
    • Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical.
    • Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group.
    • Find the best credit card for you with our new credit card tool!
    • Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.

    During this episode we enjoyed an Ube Macapuno Delight by Brewyard Beer Co – a big thanks to Better Joel, JO, 5am Joel for donating this one to the pod! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!

    Best friends out!

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    53 mins