Inside Out Money

Welcome to another Waffle Week, where we ditch the agenda and just see where the financial conversation takes us. We cover the entire spending spectrum, from spending to saving and from pedicures to standing desks. Grab your favorite protein waffle and join us as we go on an n agenda-less adventure.  Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.or...

Every day we make decisions that seem isolated, but they actually send massive ripples through our long-term financial lives and overall well-being. From the friends we hang out with and the city we live in, to the partner we choose to navigate money with, your environment drastically shapes your wealth. Recognizing that you have agency over these decisions empowers you to stop feeling stuck, ditc...

We like to think we make rational financial decisions, but the reality is our spending habits are heavily driven by weird, internal cognitive biases. Today, we unpack the completely subjective psychology of how we value money, from price anchoring to mental accounting. By exploring our own financial quirks—like happily splurging on vacation while refusing to buy a $25 airport muffin—we uncover how...

We share our best tips for using Monarch Money to track expenses, manage separate accounts, and keep our financial lives completely organized. We discuss how to remove the friction from budgeting and expense tracking and why a consistent approach beats perfection every time. Whether you are already a Monarch power user or just looking for a better system, we are breaking down the exact strategies...

In today’s complex world, society often complicates matters and exploits our desire for quick fixes. We must confront the truth: while the "simple path" to wealth may seem straightforward, it is anything but easy. Understanding the mathematics of wealth-building is simple, but mastering the necessary psychology and mindset can take years. The encouraging news is that by identifying these...

College is expensive, and I think we’re all wondering if we’re saving enough and what’s the “right” amount to save? We are influenced by what our parents did, what we feel we can afford, and a slew of other factors. Ultimately, we need to make a decision, have a plan, and start saving. We break down the actual costs of higher education and our individual perspectives on what is enough and how much...

We break down the mechanics of comparison shopping to determine if it’s a high-value move or if you’re instead trading your limited life energy for pennies. We explore how to consider convenience and value without falling into the trap of decision fatigue. We share the tactical math behind the “worth it” threshold, along with specific tips and tricks to leverage comparison shopping efficiently and...

This episode promises to remind you what really matters in life. Billionaires might fly private, but they’re drinking the same Coke and scrolling the same iPhone as the rest of us. We explore the "wealth equalizers" that hit a quality ceiling regardless of your net worth, from the crunch of a Honeycrisp apple to the stream of a bidet. And while billions certainly come with some luxuries...

Time travel may just be the ultimate behavioral finance hack. We explore the neuroscience of how our brains perceive our future selves and how we can leverage this understanding to our advantage. By utilizing psychology, we share actionable strategies to bridge the empathy gap, helping us make financial and lifestyle choices today that our future selves will genuinely appreciate. Get the full show...

161. Our 91% vs. 9% of Life: 4 Lessons from 4 Years of Early Retirement These are the four big lessons we’ve learned from four years of early retirement, and they are perhaps even more applicable to people still working. After spending 91% of our lives following the schedules of teachers, bosses, and corporate deadlines, we’ve finally completed four years of total autonomy—the exact duration of a...

It’s hard to believe that a year has passed since Andrew walked away from his high-stress corporate job. He’s now living a life filled with purpose, time, and a passion for custom bike fitting. Andrew opens up about how his life has transformed. You’ll hear about his massive drop in anxiety, the joy of having full control over his schedule, and how having a financial buffer helps him sleep soundly...

We talk about friendship, money dates, pelotons, open tabs, expense tracking, and so much more in the first and highly requested no-agenda episode. We also answer some listener questions and discuss standard vs. itemized deductions on your taxes, rental income as an early-retirement strategy, spending levels in early retirement, when Liz is going to retire, how we track our expenses, and more. And...

We truly believe less is more, and so we’re challenging ourselves to focus more on subtraction and less on addition. The financial industry and broader world want us to believe that complexity is a necessary evil and will even improve our financial situation, but it’s just not true. We often say comparison is the thief of joy, but so is complexity! One of the most powerful financial moves we can m...

Who are your financial role models? Who we choose to emulate matters, and it’s important to avoid falling into a prestige trap. We are biologically hardwired to want to copy high-status individuals, even when these people often make poor choices and don’t emulate how we want to be in the world. We’re discussing our financial role models and why we want to be more like them. We also share some caut...

I used to consider sleeping in to be the ultimate flex, but I’ve learned the flex might actually be waking up. Creating a personal structure is a powerful gift you can give your future self. Greg and I discuss the surprising connection between your alarm clock and your bank account, exploring how getting your own routines in order naturally inspires your partner to do the same without sparking a d...

We’ve been told all of our lives that willpower, discipline, and more inner fortitude are what we need to accomplish just about any goal, but what if it’s not? True financial freedom doesn't actually come from trying harder; it comes from situational agency and designing an environment where your money takes care of itself while you are busy living. We explore why willpower is the least effect...

Overwhelm is more than a feeling; it is a hidden financial variable that makes sound long-term decision-making biologically impossible. We explore the reality of overwhelm and how reactive spending and convenience taxes can cost us. We discuss tactical ways to downshift your nervous system, fight overwhelm, and regain control of your money and financial decisions.  Get the full show notes, show re...

People profit from complexity, but some of the most successful investors prioritize their return on hassle (ROH), even over their ROI. We dig into the age-old debate of trading our time for our money and explore how complexity can make us become an employee of our own wealth. By shifting our focus from complex optimization to intentional simplicity, we can stop paying a "hassle tax" with...

We explore the art of stealth wealth, avoiding lifestyle inflation and living below your means. Stealth wealth is the practice of maintaining a modest lifestyle despite significant financial assets; it’s the original millionaire-next-door concept. Before we dive into the stealthy stuff, we riff on everything on our minds lately, from financial to general life updates.   Get the full show notes, sh...

This week, Andrew and I answer your money questions, starting with Andrew's own real-time question: should he invest a lump sum all at once, dollar-cost average, or hold onto it in an attempt to time the market? We also answer other listener questions, including how to calculate your net worth, how to account for a pension in your retirement calculations, how to roll over a 401k from a previou...

Maintaining your lifestyle doesn't have to come with a "Loyalty Tax" that rewards your silence with creeping costs. We explore how a few hours of "polite friction" each year can claw back thousands of dollars from service providers who spend a fortune to acquire you but very little to keep you. By applying the "Return on Hassle" framework, we show you exactly whic...

In a world that feels increasingly polarized, we explore how to use your capital as a tool for change without losing your mind or your net worth in the process. We dive into the practicalities of "voting with your dollars," acknowledging that while consumer spending drives nearly 70% of the U.S. GDP, achieving total moral purity in a global economy is nearly impossible. We share our pers...

We are continuing our annual expense review tradition by digging even deeper into our 2025 spending. In part two, we move beyond the totals to examine the specific categories that often make or break a budget—from rising insurance premiums to the actual cost of our cell phone plans. We also explore how we’re investing intentionally in our health and fitness to ensure our wealth includes wellness....

Analyzing where every dollar goes provides the ultimate leverage for financial independence, and in this annual tradition, we’re pulling back the curtain on our 2025 household spending. From finished decks and water filters to personal trainers and pilates, we break down the total expenses for all four co-host households. We explore how intentionality often trumps deprivation, whether that means s...

The initial thrill of optimizing your budget and automating your investments eventually fades into a long, quiet stretch known as the "Boring Middle." We dive into why this phase is actually the ultimate sign that you are doing everything right, even when the lack of dopamine makes you want to tinker with your portfolio. By shifting your focus from the spreadsheets to life design, you ca...