Ep 221: How to know if your car is costing too much

A lot of people are feeling financially squeezed right now, and they’re blaming everything except their car.Transportation is one of the top three household expenses. Between longer loans, higher interest rates, pricier insurance, and cars that lose value faster than ever, owning a car has gotten way more expensive in the last few years. And yet most of us still treat the car note like it’s untouchable…like it just is what it is.In this episode, we break down what’s really changed about car ownership, remind you that you’re not alone, and walk through what you can actually do if your car costs too much but you still need it to get to work tomorrow.Need to hear this but don’t want to admit it? We get it. But this isn’t about shame…Here’s what we cover:Why the average car payment is now $745 (new) and $521 (used)How the pandemic car bubble left so many people upside down on loansThe real cost of owning a car: loan, gas, insurance, maintenance, and depreciationSigns your car is eating more than its share of your paycheckWhat to do if you’re stuck with a car that no longer fits your lifeA reminder that walking away from a car isn’t failure, it’s financial maturity Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

We all want a raise, but what if you didn’t have to wait for your boss to give you one?In this episode, we’re breaking down how to actually give yourself a raise without changing jobs, negotiating with HR, or picking up a side hustle. From canceling forgotten subscriptions to rethinking professional services, we're exposing the cash leaks hiding in plain sight and showing you how to reclaim money that's already yours.If you’re looking for a 2025 mid-year financial review project that will have a real impact, this is it. You’ll learn how to:Stop paying for things you no longer use or value, including everyday services that quietly function like subscriptionsUse AI (yes, really) to audit your spending without uploading sensitive financial infoRevisit your debt terms to lower your interest or improve your cash flowTreat PTO and work benefits like the paycheck boosters they areRebuild confidence by remembering you can do more for yourself if you need or choose toBecause you know what they say…it ain’t always about how much you earn, it’s how much you keep Links:Episode 177 - Choosing a Debt Payoff Strategy and why it matters how you approach it Mid-Year Financial Review Archives2024 - Ep 171: Why you need a brokerage account (the Swiss Army knife of investing) 2023 - Ep 121: Mid-Year Review: Financially Conquer the Second Half of the Year2022 - Ep 67: Conducting your mid-year financial review  Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

When we published our book Cashing Out in 2022, we knew we were making bold claims about work, money, and freedom. What we didn’t know was just how fast the world would catch up to them.In this episode, we revisit our book 3 years after its release to reflect on the stories, predictions, and uncomfortable truths that still hold up in 2025. We also share what we’ve learned since, and why the book continues to resonate with people across different industries, life stages, and income levels.You’ll hear: Why Cashing Out still ranks in the Top 250 Budgeting & Money Management books on Amazon Why financial independence was always about identity, not just math What we saw coming with AI, leadership churn, and the collapse of “safe” careers The surprising reason your first dollar outside of work changes everything Why over-specialization and “career loyalty” quietly keep people stuckWe also share our reflections on the book’s impact and what we’d add if we wrote it today.If you haven’t read Cashing Out yet, now’s a perfect time. And if you’ve already read it, it’s a great time to read it again with your 2025 eyes.Last but not least, if you know someone starting their career or rethinking their future, it makes a great giftLinks: Cashing Out AudiobookCashing Out Hardcover Cashing Out Kindle   Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

This week’s episode is a rare one that we recorded the same day it’s released, because… well, life is happening fast.After taking a much-needed break, we returned to headlines that changed the tone of the summer and the temperature of the market. In this episode, we’re talking about how to manage your investments during times of global instability and uncertainty. This isn’t advice or hype, it’s our perspective, grounded in history, patterns, and what actually works.We’re not here to guess what happens next. Our goal is to inspire you to think better, especially when everything feels chaotic. We cover: How market reactions to conflict usually play out (with receipts)The difference between bad news and uncertainty, and why markets care more about the latterWhy mimicking “insider” trades or reacting to media spin is riskier than it looksThe 3 big reasons why trying to capitalize on global conflict backfiresWhat you can do if you’re tempted to make a move anywayWhether you’re just getting started with investing or feeling anxious about protecting your gains, this episode is designed to keep you cool when the headlines are anything but.Links: Ep 211: what tariffs teach us about financial literacyEp 188: the political divide is more than just red vs. blueOur investing class - Making Money Grow  Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

Youth sports are not just sports anymore. They’re a $40 billion+ industry and in this episode, we’re getting all the way into it. We’re talking about the emotional pressure, the social expectations, the team group chats, the $75 photo packages that somehow still exist in 2025, and why nobody tells you the signup fee is just the beginning. Whether you're new to the world of cleats and concession stands or already halfway through a season with three backup uniforms and a mini mortgage in gear, this episode will help you take a breath and get a grip.We break down the four types of spending most sports parents face:Sign-up costs (AKA the cover charge)Gear and equipment (plural. Always plural.)Lifestyle expenses (snacks, meals, coach gifts, and “team bonding” events that cost real money)Development extras (private lessons, apps, camps, and the “just in case they’re great” category)We also cover several practical tips like the importance of setting a seasonal sports budget that your kid can help manage, why used gear is your best friend and where to find it, and the right time to say no and how to skip guilt with it. Whether you're trying to be the "fun" parent, the budget-conscious one, or just trying not to lose your mind, this one’s for anyone raising kids in sports. Links: Project Play survey: Family spending on youth sports rises 46% over five yearsEpisode 183 - Why NIL is a game changer for young athletes Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

In this episode, we’re talking about how to know when it’s REALLY time to go. Not when your manager makes it unbearable, not when the reorg finally hits, but when YOU decide that staying is costing more than it’s worth.We break down the three questions that have helped us walk away from “good” jobs and build a better life on the other side. We talk about what your job is teaching you (even when you’re not paying attention), how to tell if you have any say in your future there, and why asking “would I say yes to this job today?” might be the cleanest filter of all.You’ll also hear:The truth about paper-pushing, middle management, and the skill sets that aren’t really transferableWhy some jobs don’t just feel like relationships, they are emotional trapsHow to rebuild self-trust before you make your next moveWhat it means to leave with your dignity intact and why that’s the real winIf you’re at a career crossroads or know someone who is, this one’s for you. Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

Most money advice assumes you’re either bad at math or just need more discipline, but what if the real reason your budget isn’t working is because it was never designed for how you actually spend?In this episode, we revisit a section from our book Cashing Out that recently got new life thanks to a great piece written by our friend Leo Aquino for Business Insider. It’s all about the three emotional spending profiles we’ve seen over and over again: Fast Spenders, Financially Insecure, and what we call "The Middle".And no, these aren’t zodiac signs. You’re not locked in for life, but recognizing your dominant spending energy right now can help you stop fighting your habits and start building wealth around them.We break down what drives each type’s spending behavior, what actually works for them (that they’ll stick with), and what absolutely does not work, no matter how many times the internet suggests it. Links:Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away Leo Aquino’s article on Business Insider - How 3 Types of Spenders Can Build Wealth  Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

Every year, we set aside an episode just for new grads, and this year’s version is an evolved view of last year’s advice to “Get Paid”. Because let’s keep it a buck, the Class of 2025 is graduating into a mess.The job market is weird, AI is replacing entry-level work, internships aren’t converting, and employers say they’re hiring, but for what? Meanwhile, everything is expensive and everyone online is yelling about branding yourself by Tuesday.So in this episode, we’re flipping the script on the typical “follow your dreams” fluff and offering a much-needed mindset shift: Get paid to learn. Not just money, not just skills. Both. Because learning is leverage and knowing how to spot a valuable opportunity might be the most important skill of all.This one’s for grads, career switchers, freelancers, and frankly anyone who wants to learn how to assess opportunities based on what they give you, not just what they demand.We talk about:Why “getting paid to learn” is the new cheat code for a strange economyThe difference between being used vs. being taught and how to tellWhy not every low-paying job is a bad one (and not every high-paying one is good)How to ask better questions in interviews that reveal the real value of a jobHow Kiersten builds her learning budgetA personal story from Julien about how a $40K contractor role helped build a six-figure skillsetLinks: Episode 203 - Gen Z deserves better financial adviceEpisode 164 - The New Rules of Success (Advice for Class of 2024) Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

Sometimes you need a little extra money, but what you don’t need is another boss, a second shift, or a business plan you’ll never finish. In this episode, we’re walking through some of the most overlooked ways to earn extra income. Everything from plasma donation, junk hauling, voiceovers, waiting in line, and a few others I can’t put in the description without attracting a bunch of bots. We’re challenging the idea that income only comes from jobs. We talk about the emotional (and sometimes physical) tradeoffs, how to spot seasonal bonuses and low-competition opportunities, and why the best side hustles don’t always look like work.These are the kind of gigs that don’t require a résumé or a 5-year commitment, just a willingness to try something different. Whether you’re saving for a trip, refilling your emergency fund, or just need to solve a $500 problem fast, there’s something in here for you.In this episode, we cover:Why so many people default to getting another job and what to try insteadThe emotional cost of “just one more shift” when you’re already stretched thinHow overlooked, seasonal, or location-based gigs can fill a short-term income gapThe surprising ways people are using their bodies, tools, and free time to get paidWhat makes a side hustle worth doing without turning into a second careerHow to think creatively about short bursts of work that solve real-life money problems Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

This week’s episode is about decision-making and how to know what’s actually worth it when you work for yourself.We recorded this right after speaking at a conference in Jamaica where we walked through some of our own real-life crossroads as business owners with a group of entrepreneurs. The talk resonated so deeply, the only feedback we got was: “Can you just put this all on one page?”This is our answer to that.We’re talking about those high-stakes, low-certainty moments every entrepreneur, side hustler, or freelancer has to face eventually like what to sell, when to say yes, how to price your work, when to hire help, whether to spend or play it safe. And, maybe most importantly, how to move when the pressure’s on and the money feels tight (or even when it’s flowing).We get into:Why emotional decisions are so expensiveWhat Annie Duke’s poker strategy has to do with entrepreneurshipThe $500 mistake we made early on that cost us doubleHow to protect yourself from thinking too small without blowing your budgetAnd the biggest difference between people who survive in business and people who burn out earlyWhether you’re self-employed, freelancing, or bootstrapping something new, your decision-making process should match the size of what you’re trying to build. If you’ve ever felt like your goals were too big or your fears were too loud… this one’s for you. Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow