Chris

I think budgeting kinda has a reputation problem. Like if you mention the word “budget” to most people and you get a look like you just suggested they give up coffee, cancel their streaming services, and move into a van. It totally sounds like restriction. Like punishment. Like the financial version of eating those styrofoam … Read more

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 our savings rate to the decimal. We’ve debated lean FIRE vs. fat FIRE vs. barista FIRE at a dinner table while those “normal” people talked about the game. Most of … Read more

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 funds? You bet, it’s boring and beautiful. FI number calculations? C’mon! People in this community have spreadsheets with 27 linked tabs for that stuff. But here’s what I’ve noticed after … Read more

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 off guard. Ya know? You walk in to a talk or session expecting to talk about those nerdy money stuff like withdrawal rates, savings percentages, and index fund allocations. Sure … Read more

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 in the stock market. That was the scene at the 2026 EconoMe Conference in Cincinnati. A few hundred money and personal finance nerds, some still desperately clutching their morning coffee … Read more

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 articles. They’ve also listened to hundreds of podcast episodes. You can bet these people have optimized their savings rate to levels that make their coworkers totally uncomfortable. These rockstars have … Read more

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 a universal and assumed truth at this point. People say this right before drop over a thousand bucks on an Android flagship without a second thought. Look you probably know … Read more

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 where you walk in thinking you know what you’re about, and walk out realizing you’ve been sleepwalking through some part of your life. But one session hit differently. Dr. DérNecia … Read more

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 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Okay, I’ll be honest with you. I wasn’t expecting to get all emotional at a conference. I figured I’d sit in … Read more

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 watch his clients crush it. But ya know what? The whole time he was quietly drowning. This guy couldn’t afford gas. Literally, searching under his car seats for loose change. … Read more