How To Money

Why 'buying the dip' as an investor is vastly overrated. Also, Robinhood walked back its intention to allow users to gamble on the Super Bowl in its app. Hooray! Ask HTM: Sarah wants to know if there are ways to save on her dogs surgery costs. More parents are working hard to help their kids build a healthy credit score. We think that's good - and not all that difficult to pull off. Ask HTM: Celes...

DeepSeek sent the stock market into a tizzy this week. How should Chinese AI advances impact how you invest? We discuss!  Ask HTM: Chelsea wants to know how to avoid fees on her old HSA account. Tax filing season has begun. There are ways to file for free. And beware the 1099-k that more filers will receive this year! Ask HTM: Kelly wants to know how to dial back on investing to save for upcoming...

Digital shoplifting is becoming a problem. But the people doing it don't think it's bad! Ask HTM: Amber has a question about online banks. The future of EVs is looking less certain as Trump executive orders are being signed right and left. Ask HTM: Joe wants to know if he should skimp on tires. Upgrade to the nice ones or opt for value? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How will the Trump presidency impact your personal finances? Matt and Joel have some thoughts. Ask HTM: A listener wants to know if he needs to get into real estate investing in order to be diversified. Marketwatch says that many folks should consider amassing an even larger emergency fund. But that's a tall order for most folks! Ask HTM: How to get rid of an RV without crushing your personal fina...

Are toys a scam? Most households have far too many that don't get played with! Ask HTM: Ophelia is trying to be strategic about buying a home in the coming years and wants some savings advice. Restaurant kiosks are being implemented more and more in an attempt to upsell consumers. Don't supersize or add extra items! Plus, renting is underrated. Ask HTM: Bonnie wants to know some details about how...

@HowToMoney (1/19) Hour 1: AI money advice is coming to an app store near you. But is it actually helpful? We think you should probably avoid it!  Ask HTM: Eric wants to know if real estate needs to be a part of his portfolio or not. Consumers flocked to BNPL apps this holiday season. That means they'll be paying off their holiday purchases for months to come.  Ask HTM: Florina wants to know the n...

@HowToMoney (1/19) Hour 2: It's easier than ever to become addicted to almost anything these days. And the WSJ details how men are getting addicted to trading stocks. Matt and Joel have an honest chat about the importance of pursuing boring investing methods! Ask HTM: Nathan wants to know if he should spend his HSA funds down or not to fund a dental procedure.  Skechers is crushing Nike and Adidas...

IRL hangs might be the key to saving money in 2025. Decision fatigue is real! Matt and Joel discuss how to make a wise choice when presented with too many options. Financial advice is more accessible than ever - and less expensive too. Matt and Joel document the best places to turn if you're in need of professional advice.  Ask HTM: Jeff is retiring early. Woo hoo! He has a question about reducing...

Binge shopping is a legit problem in the USA these days. We talk about how to combat that urge in order to reduce your spending this year!  Ask HTM: Mike wants to know if he needs an escrow account or if he can DIY it instead. Honey, the coupon code app, isn't as good as it seems. We detail the nefarious ways it has actually been taking advantage of creators and consumers. Ask HTM: Costco is selli...

Hour 1: Watch out for money influencers on social media. Their info is often misleading!  Ask HTM: Brandon wants to know if he's being frugal or cheap with a local small business. Changing employers won't net you nearly as much of a pay raise as it did back in 2022.  Ask HTM: A listener wants to know how to finance a study abroad trip See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 2: Sports betting is becoming more of a problem. And users are tapping their investments to bet on their favorite teams. Not good! Ask HTM: How to help a relative with a really big inheritance?  People are buying more stuff these days and are also making more returns. Joel and Matt talk about the importance of knowing specific retailer return policies.  Ask HTM: Mikail wants to know about how...

Hour 1: Joel discusses his Instacart hack to save money. Plus, should you stock up before tariffs in order to save? Joel and Matt share their big money wins for 2024. Should you be 100% invested in stocks? New research finds that you likely should!  Ask HTM: Joe wants to know what he should be doing to aid his finances before EOY. Links:  US Mobile Review: The Best Low-Cost Carrier See omnystudio....

Hour 2: Memecoins are getting even more ridiculous. Fartcoin is somehow worth more than $1 billion! Matt and Joel share a litany of listener money wins! A new study finds that owning a home means you will live longer. Plus, the median net worth of homeowners is FAR greater than it is for renters. Should you go out and buy a home tomorrow? Not so fast! It's time to share more listener money wins! S...

Hour 1: EV charging can be cheap or expensive. It all depends on  where  you charge your ride. A quick discussion about the ROI of rental property updates. Inflation remains stickier than hoped. Coffee prices are up bigtime. Plus, YouTube TV just raised its price by a significant amount too. Ask HTM: Chelsea wants to use her HSA properly. It's crucial to get those details right!  Links:  US Mobile...

Hour 2: New research finds that a big chunk of retirees still have credit card debt. That's not good! Ask HTM: Should this listener get whole life insurance? Real estate investors are being forced to sell because of market conditions. We talk about how to protect yourself as a real estate investor. Ask HTM: How do you know when you've saved enough for retirement and can slow down your investing ef...

Hour 1: Using cash for holiday shopping could help you from going overboard. Ask HTM: Lauren wants to know about how to use money she is getting from an UTMA. Minimalism isn't necessarily the solution to overconsumption. Balance is! Plus, the best use of AI we've seen yet. Ask HTM: Zach is having a problem with his student loan servicer. Ugh. links:  US Mobile is the best discount cell phone servi...

Hour 2: The airlines are raking in big bucks off seat and baggage fees. And they testified about their fee structure in front of Congress this week. Ask HTM: Dan's medium-term returns have not been good. What to do about it!? Launchpad jobs can help folks who avoid college make more money over time. And if you go to college, internships are the road to higher earnings and more job security! Ask HT...

Giving proactively to causes you care about is a surefire way to boost your mood and reduce stress. Ask HTM: Becky wants to help her in-laws make a smart car buying decision. Joel dishes his best Black Friday deal. Don't forget about price matching policies that many stores employ to help you save!  Ask HTM: How will 529 plan contributions impact financial aid for a kiddo? See omnystudio.com/liste...

Americans are drowning in toys! Matt and Joel discuss what to do about it given the higher stakes this holiday season. Ask HTM: Kirsten has a question about which retirement account she should prioritize. Americans would rather deep clean the bathroom than log into their bank accounts and face the financial facts. Ask HTM: Should Jessica get a home security system? Or are they a ripoff!? See omnys...

Spending small amounts of money can help you avoid spending bigger bucks on more expensive upgrades. Ask HTM: Trent wants to know about taking a future monthly pension or grabbing the lump sum insead. Travel Tuesday deals are on the way. Not only can you save on TVs and toys right now, but it can be a great time to buy travel too! Ask HTM: Sam has a classic personal finance question. She wants to...

Sports betting is becoming more of a problem. And users are tapping their investments to bet on their favorite teams. Not good! Ask HTM: How to help a relative with a really big inheritance?  People are buying more stuff these days and are also making more returns. Joel and Matt talk about the importance of knowing specific retailer return policies.  Ask HTM: Mikail wants to know about how to go b...

Hour 1: The real estate market is still a complete mess. And there's a new website that allows you to sell your home directly to other buyers.    Ask HTM: A listener is in between company cars and is trying to figure out how to get around   Buying gift cards comes with potential pitfalls. Beware!    Derek wants to know if he should tap his retirement accounts early. If so, how!?   Links.  Galleon....

Hour 2: The price of Bitcoin has been soaring. Should normal folks invest larger sums into the crypto space? Not so fast!   Ask HTM: What's the best account to save for a baby?    Why do people still buy pre-ripped jeans? It doesn't make any sense!   Ask HTM: Amanda wants to become a landlord and needs a solid rental agreement.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most Americans think they're really great with money. But they're not! Ask HTM: Andrea wants to tap her IRA for a home down payment. Is that a good idea?  Defying inflation trends, TVs are getting bigger and cheaper. In other good news, Americans are delaying the smartphone upgrade cycle. PLUS, there's a new rule that allows for automatic refunds if your flight gets delayed or canceled. Ask HTM: Q...

Watch out for money influencers on social media. Their info is often misleading!  Ask HTM: Brandon wants to know if he's being frugal or cheap with a local small business. Changing employers won't net you nearly as much of a pay raise as it did back in 2022.  Ask HTM: A listener wants to know how to finance a study abroad trip. Links:  Life insurance laddering See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...