How To Money

Ask HTM: Alex wants to know how to handle a private student loan. The balance is growing by the day. Credit card debt has reached a new high. And defaults are rising. Not good! Ask HTM: Tom is spending more than he makes. What to do!? links:  Wealthramp review See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ask HTM: Esa wants to know if she's ready to open a taxable brokerage account. Prediction markets crushed it during the Super Bowl. You should still avoid them! Ask HTM: Ditching Amazon Prime - good idea or not? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 2: Many retired investors are trading just as much, if not more, than Gen Zers. They're too fixated on the daily machinations of the market!  Ask HTM: Abby has a nerdy question about taking HSA distributions. The President recently said that he wants home prices to go  up , to the chagrin of many younger would-be homebuyers. Ultimately, our country needs more housing in desirab...

Hour 1: Is skimpflation becoming more of a problem? Instead of shrinking packaging, some companies are reducing the quality of goods and services. Ask HTM: Daniel wants to know if her should let his medical bill go to collections or just pay it. The job market is stagnant. Individuals are now paying headhunters to help them find a job!  Ask HTM: Adam wants to know if he should ramp up st...

Hour 2: Carmakers are set to serve up ads on screens in your car. Also, are Chinese EVs the low-cost vehicle of the future?  Ask HTM: Mike from CA wants to know about when a Roth conversion makes sense. Where you live has a lot of influence over whether or not your income is keeping up with rising costs.  Ask HTM: A listener wants to know if she should sell her silver holdings or not.&nb...

Hour 1: Watch out for Mr. Beast's new cryptocurrency. Also, 'the lipstick effect' is in full swing in the US economy right now. Ask HTM: Amy wants to know if she should sell her iBonds or hold onto them. Vanguard has slashed fees for its customers again. Great news! Ask HTM: Michael wants to know if he should establish a trust. Is it worth the effort!? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...

Hour 1: US Mobile is taking care of its customers. They are also having an incredible sale right now. Also, tipping fatigue continues to grow. Ask HTM: Jonathan wants to know why money gear #2 comes before money gear #3. A question about investing vs paying off debt! You can file your taxes now. And the average American is going to get a bigger refund.  Jay wants to know what to do with...

Hour 2: Water sommeliers are apparently a thing now as fancy, single-source water gets the wine treatment. Ask HTM: Nina wants to know if she should contribute to her Roth 403b or not. Matt and Joel discuss the affordability crisis, and how to handle rising costs across almost every area of our lives. Ask HTM: Should the news about Greenland cause us to buy more gold!? See omnystudio.com...

Hour 1: Mocktails might help you drink less, but they won't save you money. Also, student loan wage garnishment has been paused...for now. Ask HTM: Phil wants to know how owning assets impact your credit score. The Bilt credit card will finally allow homeowners to pay their mortgage and earn credit card rewards. Turning the lights off doesn't actually save you much money. See omnyst...

Hour 2: Individual chatbots are becoming normalized...and they're very expensive. Ask HTM: Stephanie wants to know how to proceed with her investing goals after maxing out her Roth IRA. Elon Musk says saving for retirement is soon to become irrelevant thanks to AI. We still suggest saving and investing for your future though! Also, should all the Greenland talk change  how  we inves...

How To Money Hour 1 (01/18) - Matt and Joel talk about longevity calculators and why it's crucial to think about how long you might live! Also, caps on credit card interest rates are a bad idea. Ask HTM: Andy wants to know about liability as a landlord and how to protect himself. It's truly possible to get free rent for a month or two in many Sunbelt cities. Renters have more power to negotiate th...

How To Money Hour 2 (01/18) - Investing in Pokémon cards is being touted by influencers. But it's a highly speculative way to invest. Ask HTM: Josh (NC) wants to know about health sharing companies and whether they're a decent place to turn instead of traditional health insurance these days. Cable TV isn't on the decline like it used to be as streaming prices rise rapidly. As...

Many student loan borrowers are going to be in for a rude awakening as wage garnishments are set to start this month for borrowers who are in default. Ask HTM: Katie (WI) bought a camper with her emergency fund. Does tapping her HELOC to replenish the e-fund make sense?  Tickets to the World Cup ain't cheap. Matt and Joel talk about how to think about buying tickets to expensive sporting even...

Many young folks are becoming nihilistic when they think home ownership is no longer a possibility for them.  Ask HTM: Andrew wants to know how to break his lease because he's got a baby on the way! Overdraft fees are, once again, on the rise. We talk about how to avoid them altogether. Ask HTM: Erin (MD) wants to know the best way to save and invest for the next generation. See omnystudio.co...

Hour 1: HSAs access is growing. Also, dollar stores are in trouble for regularly overcharging customers. Ask HTM: Paul wants to know if he should pay off his mortgage or invest instead. Target date funds are getting more complex and less appealing. Ask HTM: Mary wants to know about more efficient ways to give to her church. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 2: Many real estate investors are finding themselves in a tight spot right now as market conditions soften. Ask HTM: Rajet might need to move back to India to take care of his parents. How should he prepare financially? The gamblification of America is getting worse, including supposed '100% cash back credit cards.' Matt and Joel issue a warning. Ask HTM: Ethan wants to know if he s...

Ask HTM: Max wants to know how much of a down payment to put down when buying a home. Trump accounts are here! Matt and Joel parse the details about how to get the free $1k and whether these accounts make sense for other families.  Ask HTM: Question about antics he experienced when buying a car. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ask HTM: Casey wants to prepare for his family now that he has a child with a disability. What is the poverty line in America? It's certainly not $140k the way some folks might make you think! Ask HTM: A HTM listener wants to know if annuities are a good investment product or not. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's getting harder to take advantage of high-end credit cards. Know the hurdles to earning rewards before you sign up for a card with an exorbitant annual fee! Ask HTM: Tim wants to know about the ethical nature of filing a claim for a new roof when it's not truly damaged.  Tariff rollbacks on popular grocery store items are quietly happening. It's a tacit admission that tariffs create highe...

Apple has launched a new 'sock' to store your phone. It costs $230! Joel & Matt talk about ridiculous overpriced items.  Ask HTM: Steve is worried about AI's impact on his small business. Should he change his investments?  Electric vehicles are losing their luster. And prices remain high on EVs. Run the numbers for how you drive before you opt for an EV over an ICE! Ask HTM: Jordan w...

How To Money Hour 2 (11/09) - Eating out for lunch is expensive! Eat leftovers instead, folks. Ask HTM: A Facebook poster wants to know if paying off his mortgage will harm his credit score. Ads are everywhere these days! They're getting incredibly annoying. Matt has a tip for avoiding ads on social media. Kelsey wants to know if she should stop investing for a bit in order to pay off debt. S...

How To Money Hour 1 (11/09) - Cars aren't cheap anymore, far from it, but Americans are making them cost quite a bit more because of their idiotic financing moves. A HTM listener has a question about open enrollment and how to choose his healthcare plan wisely. Also, what's going on with the job market right now!? Is AI really crushing starter jobs? HTM listener Wayne wants to know if we woul...

Joel and Matt discuss the state of the craft beer industry. And offer a little economic analysis for why craft breweries aren't thriving in 2025. HTM listener Morgan contributed too much to her 401k. It's a good problem to have, but it's still a bit of a problem. Plus, Credit card churning is popular with a certain segment of personal finance enthusiasts. It can be rewarding, but it can also trip...

Joel just ran his first marathon, but it's amazing how much money people are spending on what has been such a simple hobby! HTM listener Katie has a question about how to calculate her savings rate. Plus, the more money you have, the harder it gets to manage. Also, a HTM listener wants to use a recent settlement to boost his retirement savings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thinner iPhones are coming! But they're expensive. And way too many Americans seem to be fine with taking on debt to buy a new tech device. But that's a terrible idea!  Ask HTM: Clint wants to know about protein-loading on the cheap. Health insurance costs are on the rise. Matt and Joel offer tips to help folks cope with price hikes and benefit cuts.  Ask HTM: Chris wants to know if he should get...