Meaning Over Money

Happy new year! As you’re listening to this, we hope you find yourself fondly reflecting on the year that was, and dreaming about the year that could be. Speaking of, why not this year? Maybe this is the year you finally ______. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton makes the case that this should 100%, absolutely, without question be the you finally ______. Let’s make it the best one yet! If yo...

Humans crave two things: meaning and security. Unfortunately, these two ideas sometimes conflict with one another. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton makes the case for always pursuing meaning, even if it reduces security. We discuss this topic through the lens of Meaning Over Money co-founder, Cole Netten, and his interesting (and highly insecure) career. ChiefsAholic Trailer: https://www.yo...

Do you ever find yourself dwelling on all the things you want? Oh, good, glad we’re not alone! In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains the importance of choosing contentment over a life of more. Instead of coveting the next thing, we can improve our happiness and contentment by simply being grateful for all that we do have.  If you have questions or would like to connect with us outside o...

Interested in individual stocks, crypto, gold, or other forms of investments? As you know, we are a big believer in patiently investing in broad, cheap, U.S. stock market indexes. We will die on that hill. However, it’s okay if you want to dabble in other things. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains how we can do so in a healthy way by establishing (and honoring) clear boundaries. If y...

“How do I stop overspending?” Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as “Just stop overspending.” After all, we’re humans. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton shares four simple practices that can help us combat overspending in our lives. They are simple, but powerful. They are simple, but difficult to master. However, once we do, we can largely wave bye-bye to overspending.  If you have questions...

We often throw around the term “lifestyle creep,” but we typically don’t dive deep enough to truly look at its impact on our culture. In today’s unedited episode, host Travis Shelton shares a cautionary tale of one particular family. It’s the story of success, growth, pain, and unintended consequences. It’s THE definition of the American Dream, which often looks more like the American Nightmare. W...

One of the biggest missteps we make in our journeys is setting the wrong anchors. We set arbitrary goals or parameters based on the wrong reasons, which often leads us down dead-end streets and into unwinnable situations. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains this concept through the story of his friend, who desperately wants to quit his job to go full-time with his new business……but hi...

2024 has been a great year in the stock market! Are you crushing it? In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains why you may not be doing as well as you think. He shares the story of a friend who was excited to learn from his financial advisor that he’s received an 18% return over the last 12 months. This sounds great……except for the fact the U.S. stock market returned approximately 34% in th...

In our last episode, we discussed the little tells that indicate whether we are (or aren’t) in the right career path. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton shares one piece of feedback from this content, as well as his public response. Yes, it’s okay to hate your job, but we think you deserve better. This is one area of life where you can have your cake, and eat it, too. Let’s live a life where...

Do you look forward to Fridays? Dread Mondays? Fantasize about vacations? These might be little tells that you’re not in the right work. Conversely, the reverse might also be true. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discusses the importance of listening to the little tells in our life. If we’re attuned to them, it can help us understand if we’re where we need to be, or if a shift might be war...

Another unedited episode as Producer Cole gets his life straightened out after having his third child in four years…..they are all blessed and healthy! Selecting a college is a microcosm for a much grander concept in our lives. Yes, we’re making a key decision about the next four years of our life; that’s obvious. However, there’s something bigger at play. That decision doesn’t impact just the nex...

How much do you spend on Christmas gifts? What started as an innocent question quickly transformed into a broader concept. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains how we humans have a tendency to normalize whatever we want to be normal. Instead of taking normal at face value, perhaps it’s time we ask the deeper questions to decide what the actual right thing is.  If you have questions or...

Today’s topic is on the morbid side of the ledger. The reality is each one of us will die someday. Will your family be prepared when that happens? In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discusses an often-ignored topic: preparing our finances and our spouse to take the reins if/when something happens to us. We talk through the various components of how we can simply and methodically gather the ne...

According to Producer Cole, there are three psychological forces in our lives that, when working simultaneously, can wreak havoc on our lives. After much consideration, Cole is absolutely right. Each of these three forces can be detrimental, but working together, they are destructive. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explores Cole’s theory and talks through the dynamics and implications of...

Millions of families will soon enjoy the holiday season. The movies, decor, food, and gifts. It’s awesome! Unfortunately, millions of people will also enter a brutal season of financial stress, guilt, and regret. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains why this always seems to happen, and what we can do to combat it. You deserve a peaceful and joyous holiday season, and we can help you cr...

Businesses serve a unique role in our society: To add value to people’s lives and strive to serve them with excellence. Nothing will stop the positive momentum like a business owner who decides to weaponize their own values through their business. Many businesses are suffering from this, and as a result, society is suffering as well. Business owners, we can do better. If you have questions or woul...

Equity markets screamed upwards on the heels of President Trump being re-elected, increasing by 2.5% the day following the election. The cultural sentiment is that Donald Trump winning the election means we are heading into a great economic season. That may or may not be true (in the short run), but one thing is for sure: There WILL be a recession. The stock market WILL crash. In today’s episode,...

The election is coming to an end…..yay!!!! Unfortunately, as one madness ends, another shall begin. That’s just the way our world works. Many of us delay doing the things we’re meant to do, simply because we’re waiting for the timing to be better. Waiting for “normal” to return. Waiting for the situation to be more ideal. Unfortunately, there will always be something to create choas in our world a...

Never underestimate a human’s ability to justify any purchase he/she wants to make. Regardless of how impractical, unaffordable, and detrimental it may be to our lives, we’ll find a way to justify it. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton shares some recent versions of this he’s seen, and how we can combat this phenomenon in our own lives.  If you have questions or would like to connect with us...

It’s generally easy to push forward toward our goals when things are going well. Momentum is on our side, we see meaningful progress, and we feel in control. However, that’s not always how life works out. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton parallels the story of Tyler Joseph (Twenty One Pilots) and one of his coaching clients. When adversity strikes, we need to ensure our mission is important...

In today’s raw and unedited episode, host Travis Shelton talks about the importance of living with margin. This concept applies to our finances, work, and personal lives. It’s so easy to push ourselves to the limit and feel like we’re genreally in a good place. However, it only takes one unexpected event to push us over the edge and into a tough situation. Instead, if we intentionally choose to li...

Do you remember when the stock market started “crashing” in late July and early August? People began freaking out and making rash decisions about their investments. We addressed this in two separate episodes (linked below). As always, ignoring the noise was the best strategy. The stock market just hit new all-time highs, and those who remained calm and patient during the recent volatility were gre...

Buying nice things is fun! Having nice things is fun! One problem, though. Every time we get more, it makes us want more; thus, the race begins. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton talks about the slippery slope of materialism and how it’s running millions of families into the ground. We believe you deserve better than more. Let’s talk about it. If you have questions or would like to connect w...

We like our comfort zone. It’s safe in there. We know what we’ll get in there. It provides security and peace. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains why saying “yes” and getting out of our comfort zone is the gateway to a much richer and more fulfilling life. It will be uncomfortable, and surely push you to painful places, but there’s beauty on the other side of “yes.”  If you have ques...

In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton asks ChatGPT to review the Meaning Over Money Podcast. Wait until you hear the criticisms…… If you have questions or would like to connect with us outside of the podcast, here's where you can find us:  Podcast website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.travisshelton.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Daily Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://t...