Simplify and Enjoy Podcast

Taxes aren't fun, but if you're looking to optimize your finances, you have to get your taxes done right. Learn about key tax deductions and credits available to families! Mastering Your Taxes This Year Tax season is here.  And despite what TurboTax's Superbowl ad says, not all of us are tax people.  Most families I know are busy already and having to file taxes seems more like a chore than someth...

Not having a mortgage payment sounds like a dream, but is that a realistic goal for a family with young kids? Andrew shares how his family 'found' money to pay their mortgage off early and still have fun together!   Paying Off Your Mortgage Early How did you feel when you bought your home?  After you moved in, got all your stuff inside and arranged, what did you feel?  Were you thrilled? Exited ab...

 Plenty of advice on how to build a basic budget, but how do you strike that balance where you're saving and investing for financial freedom and independence while still having fun now with the kids?   We'll find out how today! What's the Best Budget for You?  Budgets, spending plans – whatever you call them, people have strong feelings about them.  Over the past ten years, I've talked to and inte...

Financial Independence seems almost impossible when you're trying to raise kids, but many families are doing it.  Matt Miner shares his family's journey along with some key takeaways!  Pursuing Financial Independence as Parents While finances are tracked and you are trying to optimize it, the real critical resource you're seeking is time.  To me, the point of financial independence is to give your...

Financial Independence seems almost impossible when you're trying to raise kids, but many families are doing it.  Matt Miner shares his family's journey along with some key takeaways!  Pursuing Financial Independence as Parents While finances are tracked and you are trying to optimize it, the real critical resource you're seeking is time.  To me, the point of financial independence is to give your...

Financial independence is a hot topic, but with so many different paths (FIRE, leanFI, FatFIRE, slowFI, etc), it can be difficult to figure out what's the best path for you.  Today we dive into some of the most popular 'flavors' of financial independence and weigh the pros and cons of them. We'll also get into how you can begin to calculate your FI number!  Is Financial Independence a Smart Path f...

Today we're showing you how to create a FI (financial independence) plan even while you're raising your kids! Financial Independence and Family In this final episode for the season, I want to go back to a question I asked at the beginning –  is it possible to become financially independent while raising kids?   I had gone over some myths people have about the FI movement, including that you had to...

With so many different options for investing – 401(k)s, IRAs, taxable accounts, you might be wondering where should we put our money?  Today we're looking at how you can invest for you and your goals! Where Should We Invest? How You talk to most families about investing, whether it's for retirement or another goal and you get this sense of overwhelm.  Part of it is due to having so many thing you'...

Today we're talking about how to get an HGTV worthy home on a budget! Home Renovations on a Budget Last episode we got into the  house hunt; finding one of the gems at a great price . Louis Guillama shared how you can snag a fantastic deal by going up with a fixer-upper with solid bones. Now we're getting into the nitty-gritty – turning that house into a home you love. We love those designs we see...

We've heard how you can snag a deal by going with a fixer-upper, but is that really true?  Today we're digging in on the dos and don'ts with house hunting! Finding and Buyer a Fixer Upper, Not a Money Tip Buying a house – – it's probably the biggest purchase you'll make.  And depending on where you live, it can be a crazy market. I know here in Raleigh everyone is saying it's a seller's market. An...

Most parents want their kids to not get stuck with a mountain of student loan debt. Learn the best ways to save now for your kid's college or trade school! How to Save for Your Kid's College / Trade School Education With student loans seeming like a weight on many college grads, I think most parents who kids are thinking about either college, trade school, or vocational schools are trying to find...

Today we're digging into how to take an awesome and cheap family getaway! Saving Big on Your Next Family Trip how We all need to decompress, connect as a family, and have a good time. Family getaways and vacations can wonderful ways to do that, but when you have young kids, there are challenges and a lot of moving parts. Are you  doing a road trip or taking a plane ? Where can you go where you're...

Learn the frugal foodie tactics and strategies on how to slash your food bills while eating well! The Art of Being a Frugal Foodie How much do you spend on food?  If you're like most families, chances are it's a big part of your budget.  The USDA puts together a monthly report that looks into average food expenses. They break it down into thrifty, low-cost, moderate, and liberal spending plans bas...

Today we're going to discuss whether or not a high deductible plan with a health savings account is really an affordable option for your family!  When we talk about optimizing expenses here on Simplify and Enjoy there are a few ground rules. Personal finance is personal so your budget will reflect your family's priority and goals.  Find ways to automate the tedious stuff because you have better wa...

Most people would love to become financially independent and have work be optional, but it is that realistic? Today we're looking at the real scoop about FIRE and whether it's the path for you! Financial Independence with Kids: Is That Really Possible? And while we would say we're on the FI path, it's not our focus. It's more the how. But is financial independence the right direction for you and y...

Welcome to Simplify and Enjoy, the podcast and community focused on helping families have less stress and more options thru minimalism and financial independence! I've been in the personal finance space for almost 10 years. Besides running Couple Money and now Simplify and Enjoy, I've also written for other sites like Business Insider, Turbotax, LendingTree, Entrepreneur,…you get the idea.  When p...