So, if you know anything about the FIRE (financial independence/retire early) community, they are totally and absolutely at an elite-level at optimizing, right? We know […]
The FIRE (Financial Independence/Retire Early) community can absolutely crush it when it comes to the accumulation game. Savings rates? They got that dialed in. Index […]
I’ve been coming to the EconoMe Conference for the past few years. And there is always a session, discussion or connection that kinda catches me […]
I want to tell you about a room full of people who all raised their hand at 9 a.m. when asked if they have money […]
There’s a specific kind of person who shows up at the EconoMe Conference. These are the people that read tons of blog posts and finance […]
You’ve probably heard it a thousand times. I know I have. Maybe you’ve probably even said it yourself. “Apple is so expensive.” It’s kinda like […]
I recently attended the 1% Better Conference, which I think will fast become one of my favorite events of the year. The kind of gathering […]
Trigger Warning: Dena’s talk included discussion of suicide and suicide attempt. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to the 988 […]
So check this out. There was a guy who spent years teaching other people how to build wealth, giving totally solid financial advice. He would […]
Let me paint you this picture. It’s a Tuesday night, February 24th, 2026. President Trump is at the podium delivering his State of the Union […]
Ah… Retirement. That magical finish line where you’re supposed to trade in the Monday morning alarm clock for a cup of coffee on the back […]
Look, I totally get how the dream of retiring in your 40s is basically the financial equivalent of your band playing an arenas. Everyone wants […]
YouTube’s biggest creator may have just made one of his boldest moves yet, and it has nothing to do with crazy YouTube challenges. Jimmy Donaldson, […]
So you just came into some money! Woah! Maybe you flipped a property or something and walked away with six figures. Maybe you got an […]
Recently, I was talking to someone who reached out to me by replying to my newsletter. He was asking some questions about what an Roth […]
There’s something I see over and over again when I talk with people about money. It usually starts with a deep breath, followed by something […]
Let’s talk about investing the way most people think it works. You open an app, you pick a few “hot” stocks, you feel like Warren […]
The $100K Dream Just Got a Serious Reality Check I remember when landing a six-figure salary felt like something pretend, or thinking nobody actually makes […]
This isn’t the conversation anyone wants to have. But if you’re reading this, chances are you may have noticed something. Maybe Mom forgot to pay […]
To outsiders, a mosh pit looks like financial Twitter on a red day. It appears as just pure chaos. It’s a bunch of flying limbs […]
I’m a fan of AI. I’m typically an early adopter of new technology in general. It has bit me in the ass a few times, […]
So here’s the deal. The job market has been a bit weird lately. If you’ve been looking for work or thinking about a career change, […]
When Playing by the Rules Looks Suspicious I was curious and wanted to learn more about how these criminal pricks actually swipe our credit card […]
The $23 Payment That Cost Me a Fortune So there I was, long-haired, leather jacket wearing, twenty-something years old, standing in that music store with […]
Finding Purpose Doesn’t Have to Feel Like Searching for Buried Treasure I’ll be honest with you. For years, I thought purpose was this massive thing […]
Nobody Wants to Talk About the Disconnect While driving the other day, I was listening to the Podcast The Business Show with Andrew Giancola on […]
Some Personal Finance Tips to Close This Year and Kickstart the New Year As another year wraps up, and we’ve attended the last concert of […]
Most investing advice sounds like it was written by robots in suits who’ve never actually struggled with money. But every once in a while, you […]
We’ve all been sold this idea that success follows a very specific playbook, right? We graduate high school, get a four-year degree, land a good […]
Why Tax Planning and Charitable Giving Should Be Best Friends Look, I know what you’re thinking. Taxes and charitable giving? That sounds about as exciting […]
So, I never thought I’d be writing about Hallmark Christmas movies on a personal finance blog. But here we are. And honestly? This might be […]
The Secret Subsidy Nobody Talks About Look, I get it. When you think “corporate sponsorship,” you probably picture soulless endorsement deals, slapping logos on everything, […]
Most of us are stuck in this weird cycle where we’re trading our lives for a paycheck, telling ourselves it’s just temporary. Just a few […]
Look, I’ll be honest with you. Choosing a health care plan ranks right up there with doing my taxes and going to the dentist on […]
When Everything You Know About Money Stops Working Look, I’m going to be straight with you. That financial advice your parents followed? The stuff about […]
Housing affordability is the craziest and hottest financial topic of the past decade. The prices are wicked-high, mortgage rates are stubborn, and those first-time buyers […]
The Economic Impact of Daylight Saving Time: Why Permanent Standard Time Makes Financial Sense Did you know Benjamin Franklin first proposed daylight saving time in […]
Don’t Sleep on 2026 Retirement Contribution Limits Listen up, my financial warrior friends! The IRS doesn’t hand out bigger retirement contribution limits like ear plugs […]
If you are like me you are probably sick and tired of hearing about inflation and how the prices of everything is going up. Let’s […]
Life’s Too Short to Live at Half Volume You know that moment when you crank your favorite song, and for those three minutes the whole […]
Are you ready to make some noise and get paid for it? The Meta Viewpoints app is putting money in users’ pockets in exchange for […]
In this world of economic uncertainty and financial jargon, the quest for true wealth can seem crazy complicated and daunting. Are the feds gonna do […]
So, ya know how we can’t go anywhere, listen to anything, or watch anything without someone talking about the Big Beautiful Bill? It’s ALL OVER […]
Babies Get $1000 at Birth! We’re talking about a financial windfall dropped straight into the crib! What is called a “Trump Account”, created by the […]
Back in the day, I thought I was just living a “normal” life. You know, working the day job that was kinda boring, while chasing […]
When anxiety meets a credit card and bad vibes become budget killers. Recently, you may have felt like the world’s on fire, so you might […]
A Metal Revival in Manufacturing There has been a lot of talk about bringing manufacturing back to the United States, and there is about to […]
If you’re still managing your money like it’s 1999, you’re getting left behind. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a lot more than some buzzword, AI is […]
Let’s turn Up the volume on budget travel. Summer is here, and the kids are out of school. It’s time to plan a family vacation […]
Are you ready to embark on a journey to financial greatness? Let’s unleash your inner metal warrior on the battleground of side hustles! In the […]
Hey there, metal faithful! Do you wanna take your squeeze out for a night on the town. You can wine and dine your special someone […]
The True Cost of Freedom Memorial Day. For many, it’s a long weekend, it’s a kickoff to summer, an excuse to fire up the grill […]
Let’s crank up the volume on this update. The FTC’s new rule, is now effective May 12, 2025. This requires that businesses and organizations selling […]
We know the U.S. student loan crisis seems to be never-ending. The total student loan debt in the United States has exploded past $1.7 trillion, […]
A Heavy Metal Guide to Escaping the Rat Race So you want to retire early? Hell yeah, you do! Imagine stepping away from the daily […]
It seams to come up often in discussions at our monthly Meetup Groups, Events, and conferences. This constant debate over if we should rent our […]
I recently recorded an episode of my podcast, The Extreme Personal Finance Show, with my friend Kevin. We talked about the importance of community. and […]
So, I’m a dude, and I do sometimes kinda feel like investing can be a bit of a boys’ club. In groups I go to, […]
Life is unpredictable and full of surprises. We just never know what can, or will happen. I have had not one, but two friends pass […]
Hello my friends, my warriors of wealth, and seekers of financial freedom! Haha! I thought it might be good time to go back to basics, […]
I have many blog posts, and I have many conversations about when saving for retirement to use your employer sponsored 401(k) retirement plan. I do […]
Some essential lessons every child should learn about money. When Do Kids Start Learning About Money? Did you know children start developing their money habits […]
Okay, we have constantly been hearing about the cost of living going up and inflation is crushing us. I feel that frugal living is no […]
When I began my personal finance journey I didn’t know much about anything. I assumed everyone had a mortgage, everyone had a car loan, and […]
As you may have heard, money can be a cause of fights or arguments among couples. Money can be a cause of conflict or be […]
This has kinda been crazy hearing about all the recent air traffic incidents. There have been mid-air collisions, runway crashes and near-misses. News of these […]
I remember over 20 years ago I heard that the government was asking the question, “Is it time to kill the penny?” The Penny has […]
For years, we would often think of this thing called “retirement” as an ultimate goal. You work hard, save up, and then relax. On the […]
I’ve always liked the idea of following your dreams. Ya know the saying, from Harvey Mackay that was “find something you love to do and […]
In all honesty I have probably forgotten most of what I learned about tariffs from when I was in my 8th grade civics class. I’m […]
Kids and young adults often dream of an elite college education. They fantasize about learning from, and with the best faculty, staff and students. With […]
My son recently told me he was thinking about joining the armed forces. He’s in is early 20s, and is trying to figure out what […]
Are you feeling overwhelmed by credit card statements and student loans? Is your debt just weighing you down? You’re not alone! According to this report […]
Who thought talking about Health Savings Accounts, or HSAs, would be fun?! Haha, well these types of accounts are awesome! They are one of the […]
What Every Taxpayer Needs to Know in 2025 We officially are in Tax Season! Whoo Hoo! Haha, I’m totally kidding. However I had started to […]
So, ya know that feeling when you’ve had just the right amount of your favorite dessert? That first bite is pure heaven, the second is […]
You know that feeling when you’re about to buy concert tickets, and suddenly the price doubles with mysterious fees? Trust me, I’ve been there. CURSE […]
Have you ever wondered why some people breeze through those loan applications while others face rejection? Or, why your friend got a better interest rate […]
Ever notice how losing your favorite coffee mug feels way worse than the joy of getting a new one? Or how that $50 parking ticket […]
Planning for retirement is a wicked big decision! Right?! It can be one of the biggest things we plan for in our lives. However, the […]
Some Top Personal Finance Tips to Close this Year and Kickstart the New Year As the year comes to an end, we start celebrating the […]
The time is here! We are officially into December and the holiday season. It’s a time of joy and celebration, but it can also be […]
Breaking down the generational divide in financial perceptions and what it means for your wallet. My buddy sent over a recent article that said that […]
As we approach 2025, it’s time to look at what’s changing in the world of retirement contributions. Thanks to the IRS’s recent announcement in Notice […]
Regardless of what we are learning, researching or practicing people often use the terms and concepts of efficiency and effectiveness interchangeably. I’m guilty of this. […]
Inflation has been a major issue lately, affecting everything from groceries to housing. With the 2024 election just a day away, some voters are curious […]
Understanding the differences to secure your family’s financial future. Life insurance is one of those things we should include for a solid financial plan. These […]
Discover why the unemployment rate matters to you and the overall economy. I wanna be honest, understanding the unemployment rate has always kinda been confusing […]
As we begin on our path to financial freedom can feel totally overwhelming, especially if you’re just starting out. However, managing your personal finances is […]
What is National Retirement Security Month? Not only is October my favorite month because of all things spooky and horror, It’s also what I like […]
Election years can shake up the economy, financial markets, and your personal finances in a big way. The uncertainty of policy changes, party agendas, and […]
When planning for retirement, there are so many different savings and investment vehicles available, and one of the lesser-known options is the IRA CD. But […]
When it comes to saving money, many people use the terms frugal and cheap interchangeably, but I think there are some key differences. While both […]
It will probably be some time before I purchase another vehicle. I’ll most likely drive my truck for several more years. But, I am fascinated […]
You may have heard that I’ve started the process investing in my very first commercial investment property. This will be the beginning of my migration […]
There was a time when I worked retail at Toys “R” Us during high school and college. While working there I had a 401k plan. […]
There has been some recent news about a significant security breach that exposed millions of Social Security numbers. This breach occurred when a major data […]
Taxes are an inevitable part of life, yet many people find the process of understanding and calculating them daunting. They really don’t teach this in […]
I’m always curious how other generations, including Generation Z are surviving and thriving in our current environment. Being that I’m father to two Gen Zer’s […]
I’m not afraid of saving money, and I’m proud of being frugal. I’ll always save money where I can, and if I find little value. […]
Waking up to the doom and gloom of the headlines and news that the US Economy is in a downward spiral reminds me that we […]
As we navigate through the rest 2024, a presidential election, and into 2025, many Americans are facing some significant financial challenges. Even though we have […]
As the back-to-school season approaches, parents, students, and retailers are gearing up for what is traditionally a significant shopping period. This year, the back-to-school spending […]
Hello! We are going to attempt to have fun and talk about something that typically that fun to talk about. I’m talking about the “D” […]
I had dinner with my buddy the other day and we were talking about a recent trip he went on. He mentioned that when he […]
I had recently talked about cool jobs that only require an Associates Degree. We explored the new Minnesota Northstar Promise program to help pay for […]
We’ve all been there. We walk past an end cap, or walk up to the checkout at the store, you think to yourself, “Oh I […]
For the last several months I’ve helped organize a local personal finance group sponsored by The Stacking Benjamins Show. A podcast that is about finance, […]
I was watching the local news the other day, and they were interviewing a business expert that was talking about “the feds” and “rate cuts” […]
Medical debt has often been a significant financial burden for many of us. Medical debt can lead to damaged credit scores and reduced access to […]
I’ve encountered many individuals, myself included, who sometimes feel guilty or have been shamed for choosing to pay for professional retirement asset management instead of […]
When it comes to retirement planning, choosing the right type of account can be super important. Among the many options available, Roth IRAs and Roth […]
The sunk cost fallacy is a common psychological trap that affects our decision-making processes, often leading us to throw good money after bad or continue […]
It seems you can’t go a day without hearing something about whether the U.S. is in a recession. With opinions flying left and right, it’s […]
The global debt has surged to a staggering $315 trillion this year, marking one of the most significant increases since World War II. This massive […]
There has been an incredible rise in 401(k) balances. Yes, you heard that right – despite what some naysayers might claim, 401(k) accounts continue to […]
Retiring with a million dollars might seem like a crazy distant dream, but it’s more achievable than many might think. A growing number of young […]
After reading the book “Die With Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life” by Bill Perkins, It kinda changed the way […]
The debate about whether or not to pay off your mortgage early is a topic that has garnered much attention. It can be significant financial […]
Updated! I had a great opportunity to spend the evening with my son as we attended a live concert downtown Minneapolis last night. It reminded […]
I was visiting my local UPS Store the other day, and I was chatting with the three Gen Z peeps that work there. We’ve talked […]
Being rich is a relative concept – what might be considered wealth in one state could be a mere drop in the bucket in another. […]
We’ve all dreamed of hitting it big – rolling in dough, swimming in a pool of cash like Scrooge McDuck. But here’s the reality check: […]
You may have seen in the news, or read some headlines about a new airline flight cancelation rule. This rule states that passengers may be […]
I had recently talked about the value in a two-year, associates degree. A four-year degree isn’t right for everybody, not to mention the crazy rising […]
Top Paying Two-Year Associates Degrees Let’s be real – the cost of a college education these days is absolutely nuts. With tuition prices skyrocketing and […]
There are so many people who are saddled with the burden of student debt, and have been for years. I’m sure there are tons of […]
The Social Security Contribution This is a follow up to the previous post, “How Does Social Security Work?” that was in response to the post […]
I had recently dropped a little article to help young adults or teams understand their paycheck. I didn’t realize the active conversation this would create […]
Being that we are into financial literacy month, I wanted to continue to help people understand some basic personal finance principles. One of the big […]
I had been listening to the Talking Real Money Podcast. The recent Episode titled Stocks Start Strong, from April 3rd there was a listener that […]
Life skills. What are life skills? I remember helping my kids learn what many call life skills. This can be things like doing the laundry, […]
Retirement – a time many of us envision as a carefree existence, filled with leisurely pursuits and newfound freedoms. Having the time to do whatever […]
Find Your People It can be hard to discuss personal finances with others. Many feel weird and uncomfortable when we discuss earning and investing our […]
As father of two young adult Gen Zers, It’s interesting to see their attitudes, and relationships with money, personal finance and investing. As many parents […]
I’ve talked about how I had to google terms like “how to budget” when I began my journey to Financial Independance. I had to Learn […]
I had often said that while I got started in my personal finance journey by listening to Dave Ramsey, however, have also expressed that I […]
We had a great conversation the other day in the Minnesota on Fire (Financial Independence, Retire Early) Group about renting vs. buying. I’ll be exploring […]
Hey there hustlers! Ready to pump up your bank account and turn your spare time into cash? Whether you’re saving for a killer vacation, some […]
It’s Never Too Late To Learn Something New I had a buddy reach out to me the other day, and we were talking through his […]
I was having a discussion with a friend about the cost of living in retirement. I’ll have a future post breaking down some lower cost […]
I’m Paying How Much For Late Fee? Imagine you and a buddy are at a show to see this killer band, and you borrowed some […]
Online gurus continually tell us we can make butt-loads of money using affiliate links and YouTube channels without showing your face! You can live life […]
Are you dreaming of retiring early? It’s an exciting prospect, right? However, achieving early retirement requires more than wishful thinking. Early retirement demands a lot […]
The Right Tool For the Job I was having a discussion with my young adult kids the other day, and it was clear that there […]
I had recently attended a couple personal finance meetups, and the discussion came up around where to live or if you were to move, where […]
Saving for retirement can be wicked-hard. Increasing the amount you save for retirement can be even harder. Here are some ways you can increase your […]
Hey! Are you ready to dive into the wonderful world of deductions and savings? You’re in luck because I’ve got some juicy tips to help […]
Working till 62 Isn’t That Bad, Right? When I began my journey to Financial Independence in 2017 after my divorce, I learned that by being […]
Join us for a California adventure packed with Hollywood glamour, spooky thrills, and a powerful realization about retirement. Recently, my kids and I embarked on […]
FinCon 2023 in New Orleans was an exciting event filled with networking opportunities and valuable insights. I wanted to share a quick post on my […]
When I first started investing in real estate, many people tried to tell me it was a mistake. I recall my grandma telling me it […]
I recently finished the book How to Calm Your Mind by Chris Bailey. There were so many great concepts and takeaways from this book. I […]
This was my 3rd time attending FinCon. The Conference where Money Nerds Unite and help personal finance content creators and brands create better content, reach […]
I was able to share my story of How I Almost Fell For A Romance Scam with Joe Saul-Sehy from the Stacking Benjamins Podcast! Being […]
Sex, Politics, Religion and Money There are many things that are considered “taboo” to talk about. Some people find it difficult to talk about those […]
In-Person and In Texas! Another FinCon in the books! Excitement and energy were in the air at the Austin Convention Center as Money Nerds united […]
Subscribe today! Apple Podcast • Spotify • Google Podcasts • Anchor For years we have heard the old adage, “Renting is just throwing money away!” […]
I had started a plan to have the option to retire by the age of 55. For the past year or so, I’ve been slowly […]
Subscribe today! Apple Podcast • Spotify • Google Podcasts • Anchor Our good friend April is back as a permanent co-host! We are taking this […]
Humans Need To Travel If we were to go back thousands of years, humans would Travel or what we’d call migrate. They’d migrate away from dangerous […]
Some of you have already been contributing to a 529 Savings Plan for your children. You may have been doing this for years. I’ll be honest, […]
In this post, I’m going to discuss healthy eating, weight loss, and being active. What does this have to do with personal finance? Well, I’m […]
Hello! Last year I asked myself the question… can I make money selling shirts online? I had set up a storefront, with a few designs […]
I have spoken many times about shopping generic can save you money. In this previous post, we discussed how the price differences on many things, […]
My Good friend April joins me for this look back on 2020. What goals were met, and what fell short with area for improvement. We […]
My Nine-year Plan I’ve decided to re-evaluate, and re-focus my journey to retirement. My goals and path were somewhat wishy-washy. As I was writing my […]
Wow…this year is crazy, right? I’ll be honest, 2020 keeps kicking me in the balls! We have a global pandemic, people dying everyday that are […]
Why didn’t I do this sooner?! Why didn’t I switch to Mint Mobile for my cellular service provider? As we have discussed in the past, […]
Hello readers, and members of the Heavy Metal Money Militia! As you may have noticed, I had taken a bit of a break in posting. […]
One thing that I’ve learned in the past while working with a software company, we had always set goals and had achievement milestones that we […]
Throughout my real estate investing journey, most of my deals have gone relatively smoothly. This is a story of the deal that did NOT go […]
While we personal finance bloggers often talk about how to save money, and how we may spend wisely and to not buy what you don’t […]
Investing in our retirement, real estate, or stock market are typically something we’ve all heard of, and often talk about. I’d like to take a […]
I’m not afraid of saving money, and I’m proud of being frugal. I’ll always save money where I can, and if I find little value. […]
Hey Money Nerds! I wanted to share how I’m saving and investing in 2020. Because I’ve worked hard to live frugally, on much less then I […]
I’ve talked with many people about how one of my favorite side hustles is real estate investing. I feel that real estate is a great […]
Hey! What’s up, members of the Heavy Metal Money Militia! Welcome to a new year and welcome to 2020. A new beginning. The new year […]
I used a simple budget to make this year’s state fair experience the best yet! By quickly setting up a budget, and planning ahead of […]
In this post we’ll look at if it’s worth it to rent your RV for fun and profit. While I may be a nerd, and […]
Should you pay off your mortgage? There has always been the debate if one should pay off their home mortgage or not. One can argue […]
The “D” Word. Divorce. I’ll not spend too much time on the actual separation and divorce from my wife of fourteen years. Divorce happens. It […]
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