Ep 238: My book review of The Art of Spending Money by Morgan Housel

Kiersten here. This week’s episode is a solo one, and it’s inspired by a book I just finished called The Art of Spending Money by Morgan Housel. If you’re familiar with The Psychology of Money, you already know Morgan’s style: short chapters, clean sentences, and big ideas. This new book is about spending but not the kind most people are struggling with.In this episode, I unpack:Who this book is really forTwo core takeaways that stuck: the psychology of contrast and the sustainability of contentmentA personal reflection on second Christmases, cultural context, and spending through the lens of joyA nuanced breakdown of how happiness is framed in the book and why that definition isn’t one-size-fits-allI wouldn't call this a summary per se, it’s a review with a little reflection, a little pushback, and hopefully a fresh lens for whatever season you’re in.Hit play and let me know what you think. 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 a year full of work drama and career pivots, our most eye-opening lessons came from the places no one talks about on LinkedIn. Somewhere between the PTA meetings, school drop-offs, HOA group texts, and community events, we kept bumping into reminders that real work doesn’t always pay. And that’s kind of the point.This week, we’re unpacking what happened when we leaned all the way into volunteering and brought our professional skills to the party. Because chances are, you’re more needed than you think and more capable than you’ve been led to believe.We explore:How we went from “someone else will do it” to “we got it”Why so many systems rely on what we call assumed initiativeThe unexpected rewards of taking on community roles Why your first real leadership lessons usually start locallyHow these roles can transform your network and your confidenceWhy being present isn’t the same as being accountableHow to know when just showing up isn’t enough anymore 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

Kiersten here. It’s just me this week.It’s been two years since my ADHD diagnosis, and in that time I’ve learned a lot. In this episode, I’m sitting down solo to unpack what this label actually changed, what it didn’t, and what I’ve had to unlearn about focus, money, and identity along the way. I’m revisiting the journey to speak directly to anyone navigating their own diagnosis (or the suspicion of one), especially while trying to manage money, relationships, and modern life.If you ever wondered why your brain makes you avoid bills one day and build a budget for fun the next, this one’s for you.I discuss:Grieving the gap between naming a problem and solving itWhen hyperfocus turns into self-surveillanceWhy most ADHD systems feel like punishment (and what to do instead)Habit stacking, automation, and why I stopped chasing streaksHow a $3 snack usually does more for my brain than a $300 plannerHormones, sleep & the “why did my meds stop working” problemWhat movement really does for dopamine (and my money habits)Why dopamine placement determines my financial outcomes more than budgetingThe octopus metaphor that finally made my brain make senseLinks: Episode 172: A real conversation about ADHD, money, and relationships (or watch it instead)Episode 184: How to automate your savings and finally get ahead (or watch it instead) My Octopus Teacher trailerSecrets of the Octopus  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’re 30+ days into a government shutdown, SNAP benefits are disappearing, layoffs are ongoing, and a catastrophic storm just hit Jamaica. But beyond the headlines, people are privately struggling with job loss, evictions, food insecurity, and the mental toll of trying to “stay positive” when everything feels urgent.In this week’s episode, we talk about how to be resourceful in the real, messy, "make-it-through-the-week" kind of way. Whether you're giving help or in need of it, this episode will shift how you think about support, community, and what's really essential.And if you’re someone who feels like you're holding it all together with duct tape and prayer, this one's for you.We cover:How to stop waiting for help and start solving real problemsWhy a 7-day survival plan can calm your nervous systemPractical tips to navigate urgent vs. important tasksThe difference between refilling needs and replacing wantsHow to tap into mutual aid, libraries, 211, and other local lifelinesWhy resourcefulness is not a character trait, it’s a learned skillLinks: Ep 156: Survive & Advance | The Ultimate Guide to Financial Resilience with Lynnette Khalfani CoxEp 191: Rethinking Emergency Funds for Modern Times Ep 218: What to do with your money when the world feels unstable Ep 220: How to give yourself a raise without changing jobs Ep 226: What it takes to get through your hardest financial year Ep 76: Curbing Food Insecurity  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

It’s that time again…open enrollment season. And while we know this topic doesn’t get anyone out of bed in the morning, it SHOULD. Because buried in that HR email you ignored is a decision that could cost or save you thousands.This week, we’re breaking down why so many people just auto-renew last year’s health plan, what rising premiums in 2026 actually mean for your wallet, and how AI can help you stop making five-figure decisions based on casual conversations with your coworkers.We talk about:Why health insurance is quietly eating your raiseHow to sniff out hidden changes in your 2026 planUsing AI to compare plans without becoming an expertThe power of a good prompt and what to include in yoursWhy planning for next year’s pregnancy, braces, or mental health care needs to happen right now 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 recently teamed up with Consumer Reports on an eye-opening project that made us rethink how we evaluate, purchase, and engage with our homeowners insurance policy. This week’s episode is about what we learned.Here’s what we unpack:Why homeowners insurance is way more confusing and critical than we thoughtWhat’s driving double-digit rate hikes (even if you’ve never filed a claim)How your dog, HOA, or even local crime rates affect your premiumsOne of the most overlooked parts of your policy that could actually save youWhy checking your mail might be the most important financial task you do this weekHow to protect yourself with umbrella policies and avoid common trapsThis one’s shorter than usual, because we want you to take action: → Read your policy. → Shop around. → Check out CR’s list of top-rated homeowners insurance companies based on actual customer satisfaction, claim handling, and renewal transparency Links: Why are Homeowners Insurance rates going up right now?Homeowners Insurance & Extreme Weather: What you should know 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

Food prices are up (again), takeout is 4x more expensive than eating at home, and yet somehow..dinner still ends up on your doorstep. That’s exactly why we created Eat Better, a new video series that makes home cooking feel doable, even if you're not “a cooking person.”In this episode, we're breaking down why so many people aren’t cooking at home, and what it really takes to change that.Julien talks about how 20+ years of cooking at home and 7 years as a pro chef shaped our latest project, and Kiersten opens up about what’s kept her out of the kitchen. We also dig into how we think about food and money, and why this moment in time demands a better approach to nourishing yourself and your family.Listen to hear more about:The launch of our new video series Eat BetterWhy your favorite restaurants might all be serving the same food How people got to a point where cooking feels harder than it isThe emotional, cultural, and economic reasons behind the takeout trapWhy your kitchen might be working against youWhy cooking is a critical life skill, not just a nice-to-haveHow restaurant-quality meals at home are more doable (and cheaper) than you thinkLinks: Start here and leave your questions for Eat Better (full series HERE)“I tracked down the company ruining restaurants” via More Perfect UnionEp 158 - The secret to stress-free cooking at home | must-have kitchen tech for busy people (watch it instead) Eat Better on a Budget ebook 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

If talking about credit makes you anxious, confused, or just flat-out annoyed… you're not alone. In this episode, we break down the truth about credit scores and reports: what they are, how they work, the most common myths people believe, and why it’s time we stop treating credit like a moral compass.Whether you’re building credit for the first time, trying to bounce back from a rough patch, or just wondering why your score dipped after doing the “right” thing - we got you.We cover:The biggest myths about credit (including the one a lot of folks still repeat)Why your score is not a moral report cardHow to check your credit and why you must The rise of shady credit repair schemesSmart ways to build or rebuild without getting scammedCredit reports, analogies, and a little tough loveLinks: Episode 211 - Everything you were never taught about bankruptcy (or watch it HERE)Check your credit report for free at AnnualCreditReport.comNational Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC)Operation HOPE – Financial counseling and education 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 episode is sponsored by NordProtect. To save up to 59% on annual plans for NordProtect visit https://nordprotect.com/richandregular and use code RICHANDREGULARThis week, we’re breaking down three money identities we’ve seen over and over again. None of these are “good” or “bad,” they’re more like energies, instincts, patterns we’ve all lived at some point. And just like a horoscope, you might recognize yourself in all of them.We’ll walk you through a quick quiz so you can find out where you land, and then we’ll show you why the answer isn’t as simple as picking one lan​​e.In this episode we: Break down 3 money identities you’ll probably recognize in yourself (or your friends)Walk you through our quiz so you can see how they show up in real life and which energy you naturally lead withTalk about why sticking with just one money identity might leave you stuck 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

If budgets are supposed to keep us on track, why do so many of them make us feel stuck instead? In this episode, we talk about why the most common advice fails and what actually works when life keeps changing.The problem with budgets isn’t discipline, it’s design. Most advice assumes your income, expenses, and goals stay the same forever. Ours doesn’t, and neither should yours.We get into:Why the “stick to your budget no matter what” mantra sets you up to failHow to spot seasonal spending patterns and stop treating them like emergenciesThe difference between rules (non-negotiable facts of money) and richuals (flexible habits you can adapt)Why cash flow management matters more than month-to-month trackingHow to stop treating budgets as a once or twice-a-month activity and start managing them in real timeHow to use non-cash choices like skills, time, creativity, community as part of your default financial strategy.The problem with formulas like 50/30/20, and why they were never built for everyoneWhy sticking to the wrong budget doesn’t earn you extra credit and just ruins your motivation Links: Listen to Episode 224 - How to actually save money on groceries in 2025 or watch it hereListen to Episode 189 - Underconsumption Explained or watch it hereGeorgia residents - Mark your calendars for the Georgia PSC Election  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