Inside Out Money

Erica joins this week's podcast, and we talk about exhaustion, how it’s impacting our finances, and how we can mitigate exhaustion to improve our lives. We start off by discussing an article in TIME magazine about exhaustion, which shares three often overlooked causes of exhaustion: unsustainable lifestyles, stress beyond our control, and financial insecurity. We share our thoughts on how to adjust our lifestyles and finances to aim for less exhaustion and a healthier happier life. Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/053-why-were-more-exhausted-than-ever-and-how-its-impacting-our-finances/

Financial expert Greg discusses migrating investments from Wealthfront to Fidelity to save $20K+ in fees. They explain the benefits of receiving dividends, better portfolio control, and improved performance. The decision is driven by concerns over fees, underperformance, and a preference for simplicity through index funds. They also touch on optimizing investments, consolidating accounts, minimizing taxable events, and transitioning to traditional index funds for better financial structure.

Liz joins this week's podcast for a very impromptu discussion where we reveal our Amazon and Target purchases for the last few months. We review each other’s purchases and discuss what we’re spending our money on lately and how it makes us feel. We each aim to focus on intentional spending, and reviewing your expenses with a friend is a fun way to check your spending. Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/051-taming-target-and-amazon-we-pull-up-our-order-history-for-you-to-judge/

For the 50th Inside Out Money episode, Maggie interviews two early-retiree couples at campFI: Stacey & Andy and Amber & Bob. They share their stories of how they prepared for early retirement, challenges and learnings along the way, and much more. They also talk about their feelings along the journey, how they’re maintaining a sense of purpose and fulfillment without traditional work, the value of finding your tribe, and the power of asking interesting questions. We also take a few questions from our live audience. Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/050-from-cubicles-to-campfi-an-interview-with-two-early-retiree-couples/

Andrew joins this week's podcast, and we discuss the difference between deprivation and discipline, how they are interrelated, and why it all matters. We dig into the reality of needs versus wants and how reframing deprivation as discipline can help you improve your finances and other aspects of your life. We wrap up the discussion with recommendations for improving your discipline. Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/049-is-it-deprivation-or-discipline-and-will-it-improve-my-finances/

Greg joins this week's podcast, and we share five cell phone savings hacks that can save you thousands of dollars. We share how to get the cheapest and best cell phone coverage, how to use eSIM cards for international travel, our favorite Otterbox cases and how to leverage their lifetime warranty, how to get free cell phone insurance protection from your credit cards, and how and when to buy the cell phones themselves. Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/048-5-cell-phone-hacks-to-save-you-thousands/

Erica joins this week's podcast, and we discuss the economics of happiness and what research shows will and won’t make you happier. We share the macronutrients of happiness, according to David Brooks and Oprah, and how we should be striving to be happier versus a fixed ideal nirvana state of happiness. We talk through each of the factors that can have a meaningful influence on our happiness, and, just as importantly, what doesn’t correlate to our happiness.  Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/047-the-economics-of-happiness-will-a-bigger-house-or-shorter-commute-make-you-happier/

Liz joins this week's podcast, and somehow, we’re deciding to smash or pass common financial rules. We explain many common financial rules around savings, investing, and buying a house and car and dig into whether we’d smash or pass on the rule and why. In addition to a lot of laughing, we hope you also learn something new. Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/046-smash-or-pass-common-financial-rules/

Financial expert Andrew discusses the lifetime gross savings rate metric, explaining its calculation and benefits. This metric reflects financial progress and efficiency, allowing for benchmarking and comparison across different income levels. The podcast explores the importance of tracking this metric for financial awareness and improvement, highlighting its role in achieving financial independence through smart decision-making and the power of compound interest.

Greg joins this week's podcast, and we share how we met and how our financial and life discussions progressed to end up early retiring together in 2022. Did you know research supports that saving money is a sexy quality in a partner!? We talk about love and money more generally, and how you can keep a relationship strong without spending a lot of money to show your love for each other. Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/044-love-dont-cost-a-thing-our-love-and-money-story/