There can be a fine line between frugal and cheap, but taking the time to define your own spending philosophy can help to sharpen that line. We tackle our own frugal versus cheap identity crises and define what it truly means to spend intentionally. We share specific examples of what we have trouble spending on and explore how fear and scarcity can turn a healthy money habit into pathological cheapness. By defining your own spending rules and evaluating your daily habits, you can confidently spend on what brings you joy while gracefully letting go of the rest.Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/173-frugal-vs-cheap-how-to-build-your-personal-spending-philosophy/

I can’t believe what we spent during the first half of 2026!? Our expenses have definitely added up and even surprised us, which is why we think tracking them is so important. We lay out all of our mid-year expenses and discuss unexpected life events, house repairs, and intentional shifts in daily habits that affect everyone's expenses. This is a fully transparent look at our real-life expenses and how we feel about them. Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/172-mid-year-2026-expense-review-broken-bones-new-roofs-and-130-airport-meals/

We often focus on the tactical side of wealth, but true financial independence requires mastering your mindset and building an unbreakable relationship with yourself. I recently made a massive investment in myself—dropping $9,000 for three months of coaching with mindset and lifestyle coach Cru Mahoney—and today I am pulling back the curtain to share exactly what I learned with you for free. We unpack why I felt stuck despite early retirement, the danger of outsourcing authority over your own life, and the power of radical self-respect. By exploring Cru’s extreme frugality, 5:00 a.m. wake-ups, and 2,900-day running streak, we uncover how tackling hard things and keeping daily promises to yourself creates a compounding effect that transforms both your mental and financial well-being.Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/171-i-spent-9000-on-a-mindset-coach-so-you-dont-have-to-how-to-build-an-unbreakable-relationship-with-yourself/

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.org/170-waffle-week-on-walking-pads-dupes-telehealth-whole-foods-hsas-sleepy-ties-and-more/

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, ditch the scarcity mindset, and start intentionally steering your life in the direction you actually want to go.Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/169-the-choices-we-make-and-the-ripple-effects-they-have-compounding-your-life-and-finances/

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 to align our habits with our true values. Developing a personal spending philosophy empowers you to stop sweating the small stuff and confidently put your dollars where they bring the most joy.Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/168-from-25-airport-muffins-to-12-underwear-the-weird-irrational-psychology-of-how-we-spend/

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 that work for us.Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/167-how-we-automate-and-track-our-expenses-our-favorite-monarch-tips-tricks/

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 behavioral pitfalls and economic challenges, we can stay disciplined and focused on the boring yet proven path to building wealth. Embracing this journey is the key to achieving your financial goals.Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/166-the-complicated-path-to-wealth-why-the-simple-path-isnt-easy/

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’ve each saved for our kids. And we remind you all that you have more flexibility than you think, especially with the recent SECURE 2.0 Act. Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/165-the-529-dilemma-how-much-do-you-actually-need-to-save-for-college/

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 fruitfully. Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/164-the-math-of-worth-it-is-comparison-shopping-worth-the-time-and-money/