How To Money

A new Vanguard study finds that folks with $2k in savings are much more financially resilient. So don't neglect your savings. Ask HTM: Ann in CA wants to avoid living paycheck to paycheck. Does she need a financial coach?  Slate Auto is launching a bare-bones electric truck for under $20k. Matt and Joel are excited! Ask HTM: Phil is saving up for a down payment. Should he be using a money market a...

More Americans are using BNPL to pay for groceries. That's not good! Ask HTM: Heather from OH has a question about her sister's student loan payments. Tariffs are already having an impact. Amazon was planning on displaying the cost of tariffs for specific products on its site. But that's no longer happening. We like the idea of price transparency on tariffs! Ask HTM: Matthew has a question about p...

The department of education is going to start collection actions on student loans on May 5. Matt and Joel discuss what you need to do to be prepared for that! Ask HTM: A listener wants to know if he should pay off student loans or not. With all the recent market volatility, what do you do if you need to sell investments in short order!? Ask HTM: Is it possible to report loans individuals make to t...

Retiring early can come with regrets. Be careful what you wish for! Ask HTM: Jonathan wants to know the role that faith plays in our approach to finances. Is attending a timeshare presentation a good way to get a cheap vacation? Maybe. But be careful! Ask HTM: Does it ever make sense to sell stock to pay off mortgage principal early? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consumers are panic pre-buying because of tariffs. But is that a good idea?  Ask HTM: Bryant wants to know if international investing makes more sense in today's environment. We're starting to see tariff surcharges, particularly from smaller companies. Ask HTM: Matt and Joel take listener questions about the downstream impacts of tariffs, ie China retaliation and gold prices. See omnystudio.com/li...

Do you need a 12-month emergency fund now!? That might be over the top. Ask HTM: How should one prepare for a layoff given the potential of a recession? And is it a bad idea to sell a home right now!? We don't love that a recession is more likely, but we do like that frugality is trending! Ask HTM: Does it make sense to take an early retirement offer from the federal government? See omnystudio.com...

Prioritizing cultural events in your budget can help alleviate depression. And they don't always have to cost big bucks! Ask HTM: Chelsey wants to know what to do when her employer changes their 401k match. Consumer Reports put out a list of the best new cars. We also discuss the best low-cost used cars. Opting for a used ride will massively help your transportation budget stay intact! Ask HTM: Mi...

A new article touts 'investing' your emergency fund. But that's a terrible idea! Ask HTM: Mary from MI wants to cultivate a secondary source of income. A new list of top grocery stores was just released. Trader Joes took the top spot! Ask HTM: Megan wants to know if the Costco credit card is worth getting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don't forget to file your taxes! Oh, and do smart stuff to make money progress with your tax refund too. Ask HTM: Cheyenne in TN just got married and has some questions about combining finances. What will the impacts of 'liberation day' be? It's not looking pretty for the American economy and for consumer prices.  Ask HTM: Miranda wants to know which retirement account to prioritize.  See omnystud...

Buying refurb can make sense - if you do it right! Ask HTM: Nate wants to make sure his parents are in a good financial position and specifically wants to know about long-term care.  Robinhood is about to start offering advice for a fee. But is it worth the cost? Also, BNPL transactions will start being factored into your credit score. Ask HTM: Listener Matthew wants to know how to budget for hobb...

Is a monthly car wash membership frugal or cheap during pollen season? Also, will abolishing the Education Department have negative downstream effects on your finances?  Ask HTM: Eric from OH wants to be well prepared for his home purchase. How much does he need to save when he has a lot of renovations planned. Frontier did a clapback at Southwest, instituting free checked bags for its customers....

The world happiness report just came out.  Ask HTM: Zane wants to know if cashing out his pension makes sense. Also, should a pension be factored into net worth calculations?  Insurance costs are on the rise. But bigger price hikes could be on the horizon for Tesla owners because of recent acts of vandalism. Ask HTM: Jose wants to know if he should pay off his mortgage or not. See omnystudio.com/l...

Housing prices are still high. That's making adjustable rate mortgages more enticing. Plus, the government is talking about making federal land open to create more housing supply. Ask HTM: Christa is investing like gangbuters. But her savings are paltry! The stock market has experienced greater levels of volatility recently. That's causing folks to tinker with their portfolios more! Be careful, th...

Expensive clubs in fancy cities are en vogue right now. But is that really necessary!? Ask HTM: Josh has an exciting investment opportunity he's keen on - buying land. There are some real pros and cons to consider first! College degrees don't make quite as much financial sense these days. BUT, some universities are making a higher education tuition free for many families.  Jamie wants to put money...

Make sure to check prices when using Uber and Lyft. The price discrepancy can be significant! Also, tariff policy is driving tons of market uncertainty and volatility.  Ask HTM: Nancy wants to know what to do after being laid off by DOGE cuts. Southwest is going to start charging for checked bags. Say it ain't so! Ask HTM: Chris wants to know if she should stick with being a landlord or not. See o...

A new article touts 'investing' your emergency fund. But that's a terrible idea! Ask HTM: Mary from MI wants to cultivate a secondary source of income. A new list of top grocery stores was just released. Trader Joes took the top spot! Ask HTM: Megan wants to know if the Costco credit card is worth getting.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 1: Prioritizing cultural events in your budget can help alleviate depression. And they don't always have to cost big bucks! Ask HTM: Chelsey wants to know what to do when her employer changes their 401k match. Consumer Reports put out a list of the best new cars. We also discuss the best low-cost used cars. Opting for a used ride will massively help your transportation budget stay intact! Ask...

Hour 2: Doom spending is en vogue as consumers increase spending based on worries about the future of the US economy. Ask HTM: Greg wants to know if the taxable brokerage account is a worthwhile investment vehicle for his retirement goals. We're getting an 'affordability czar'! But will it make a difference in prices for consumers? Ultimately, we all need to be our own affordability czars. Ask HTM...

If you want to snag cheaper airfare, HTM offers a few tips to help you save the most. Ask HTM: Austin wants to know if he should be using cash back or travel rewards credit cards. A CNET article talks about the secondary benefits of credit cards. Don't forget about the other ways choosing the right card can be financially beneficial! Also, are health sharing plans good or bad? The answer is somewh...

Plus, should you DIY your own taxes? That depends on a few specific metrics that Matt and Joel share.   Ask HTM: Sarah wants to buy a home and is trying to figure out the best way to do that in the coming years. A new report just came out highlighting the worst places to borrow money. Stay away from these debt purveyors! Ask HTM: Can you check your credit score for free? (yes, but watch out for pi...

Joel got a new portable sauna and loves it! The housing market is slowing down. This could be good news for buyers in the coming months. Ask HTM: Merv co-signed for his great niece and she's not making payments. What can he do!? More federal employees are being laid off. We talk about what to do in the aftermath of a layoff. Also, Apple has launched a new, cheaper iPhone. Ask HTM: Vicki in OH has...

Egg prices are through the roof. Does that mean you should get backyard chickens!? Ask HTM: Greg wants to know if tax loss harvesting in your investment accounts is worth the effort and additional expense. The President has proposed reciprocal tariffs, which wouldn't be great for American consumers. Tariffs are also hurting craft beer makers and companies are pivoting based on tariff proposals. As...

Hour 1: Joel talks about his homemade biltong-making hobby. Also, pennies are being abolished - and that's a good thing! Ask HTM: Melissa wants to know if she should save more or pay off high-interest credit card debt. Americans are having lots of fights about money. Matt and Joel talk about how to avoid money fights and how to approach money in a healthy way as a couple.  Ask HTM: Cade wants to k...

Hour 2: Millennials are wealthier than ever, but they don't  feel  like it. Also, you might be paying too much for home internet service. Ask HTM: Shane wants to finish his basement out. How to fund it!? A new survey shows that most folks are willing to pay more tax to keep social security around. The truth is, they might have to in order to keep the system solvent in the future! Is it frugal or c...

We're in a new era of Trumptastic Tariffs that almost were - and still might be!  Ask HTM: Alexis wants to know about whether she should sell a rental property or not. The CFPB is under fire from the Trump administration. Plus, egg prices are through the roof. Get ready to pay more for breakfast, especially when eating out! Ask HTM: Evan wants to retire early. What are the best resources available...