
How to Money
Best friends Joel and Matt are the co-hosts of How to Money which is all about providing the knowledge & tools that normal folks need to thrive in areas like debt payoff, DIY investing, and crucial money tricks that will provide continuous help along your journey. We believe that access to unbiased and jargon-free personal finance guidance is more necessary than ever before. When you handle your money in a purposeful, thoughtful way that works for your lifestyle, you can really start living a rich life.
Latest episodes

Jun 6, 2025 • 38min
Friday Flight - Unemployment Uptick, Ridiculous Returns & The 4% Rule Debunked #993
Time for a Friday Flight- our little sampling of the week’s financial news and what it means for your personal finances. There are a lot of headlines out there, but we boil them down to specific takeaways that will allow you to kick off the weekend informed and help you to get ahead with your money. In this episode we explain some relevant and helpful stories like: Southwest sale extension, unemployment uptick, you too U3?, 401k contribution cutbacks, 4% rule debunked, avoiding the annuities, high priced mocktails, Gen Z forgoing the bar tab, Kirkland Sig old fashioned, dressed by the internet, golden age of secondhand shopping, and ridiculous returns. Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here. Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Find the best credit card for you with our new credit card tool! Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile. And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money. Have an awesome weekend! Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 4, 2025 • 56min
No New Things w/ Ashlee Piper #992
In this chat with Ashlee Piper, a political strategist turned sustainable living expert and author, listeners learn the art of mindful consumption. Ashlee discusses her book, emphasizing the journey of embracing the 'No New Things' challenge to combat consumerism. She shares the importance of creating a 'Love List' to curb impulse spending and highlights community involvement as a way to foster resourcefulness. The conversation touches on balancing financial stability while pursuing sustainability, making it a refreshing guide to living with intention.

Jun 2, 2025 • 51min
Ask HTM - Early Retirement Target Date Funds, Frugal Personal Hygiene, & Coercive House Painting #991
This episode dives into listener questions about early retirement and target date funds. Discover frugal tips for personal hygiene and the ethics of snagging incorrectly priced items. The discussion also addresses challenges with homeowners insurance and the peculiar demands of paint colors. Plus, it critiques high-cost FIRE ETFs and emphasizes low-cost investing strategies. A fun debate on razor choices brings humor to the topic of frugality, all while offering insights into proactive financial planning for a secure future.

May 30, 2025 • 34min
Friday Flight - TACO Trading, Pointless Points, & Millionaire Renters #990
Discover the quirky world of TACO trading and how it's influencing modern finance. Learn about navigating sleep apnea treatment affordably while also catching up on the latest airline policy shifts, particularly with Southwest. The conversation shifts to the rise of millionaire renters, revealing that wealthy individuals are now favoring rental flexibility over ownership. Plus, explore the creative option of house swapping for travel. It's a mix of fun insights and practical financial advice to kickstart your weekend!

May 28, 2025 • 56min
Pharmacist to Full Time Real Estate Investor w/ Ryan Chaw #989
Newer listeners may not realize how OBSESSED with investing in real estate we were back in the day. In fact, when we were batting around ideas for a podcast, we initially thought it might be focused only on real estate... Luckily we zoomed out enough to cover personal finance more broadly. And it’s not that we’re not excited about rentals anymore, although the current state of the economy has changed our personal approach. But our guest today, Ryan Chaw, is most certainly all-in on real estate which is why we’re stoked to have him join us. Ryan grew his net worth to an astonishing $1.5 million at the age of 28, he completely replaced his pharmacist salary when he was 31, and is now helping others to do the same as a real estate investing coach. We discuss stepping away from a lucrative career, Ryan’s unique strategy of rentals in college towns, using his PRIME method for maximizing profit, high standards when it comes to due diligence, scaling his operations, and much more! Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here. Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Find the best credit card for you with our new credit card tool! Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile. During this episode we enjoyed a Hell or High Twilight by 21st Amendment! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money! Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 26, 2025 • 51min
Ask HTM - Buying a Used Mattress, Best Use of an Inheritance, & Disqualified from a Roth #988
Explore the do's and don'ts of buying a used mattress—is it frugal or just cheap? Debate the best use of an inherited $150,000: pay off your home or invest? Learn how to handle excess Roth IRA contributions if you no longer qualify. Delve into car warranties and why understanding your coverage is crucial. Finally, get insider tips on switching brokerage firms for better investment options. Tune in for practical advice on making smart financial decisions!

May 23, 2025 • 36min
Friday Flight - Credit Crunch, MAGA Money, & Gas Gouging #987
This week dives deep into the financial trends affecting your wallet. Discover what a credit crunch really means and how MAGA money plays into the mix. Navigate the ethics of gas gouging and uncover strategies to save on fuel. Explore the rising costs of home internet, and why small businesses might be your best investment yet. Plus, get the scoop on turning nostalgic cereal tales into financial lessons. Get ahead by learning about gold versus real estate, and effective ways to manage your finances.

May 21, 2025 • 53min
Impoverished Upbringing to Money Monster w/ Listener Nick Gangwer #986
In this engaging conversation, listener Nick Gangwer shares his inspiring journey from an impoverished upbringing to achieving financial independence. He discusses the pivotal role scholarships played in his education and how saying 'yes' to opportunities fueled his success. Nick dives into his experiences with house hacking and the importance of resilience in overcoming adversity. He emphasizes setting realistic FIRE goals and the balance between ambition and personal well-being, all while encouraging continuous self-education. It's a must-listen for anyone seeking motivation in their financial path!

May 19, 2025 • 51min
Ask HTM - Special Roth Accounts, Investing During A Sabbatical, & Reverse Mortgages #985
Listener questions spark lively discussions about financial strategies. Discover the benefits of establishing Roth IRAs for kids, promoting early investing. The hosts tackle the complexities of reverse mortgages, shedding light on their risks. Explore how to effectively manage investments during a sabbatical and the importance of maintaining an emergency fund. Tips on spousal contributions to retirement accounts and choosing the right savings accounts round out valuable advice for navigating personal finance.

May 16, 2025 • 37min
Friday Flight - Streaming Sports, Trade-In Tradeoffs & AI Lies #984
Time for a Friday Flight- our little sampling of the week’s financial news and what it means for your personal finances. There are a lot of headlines out there, but we boil them down to specific takeaways that will allow you to kick off the weekend informed and help you to get ahead with your money. In this episode we explain some relevant and helpful stories like: home warranties, bringing down renovations costs, streaming sports, AMC Stubs, set-jetting to luxury resorts, Carvana making it too easy, car-free neighborhoods, ode to e-bike, AI lies, loneliness: there’s an app for that, Fortnite is back, tariff cease-fire, and financial anxiety. Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here. Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Find the best credit card for you with our new credit card tool! Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile. And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money. Have an awesome weekend! Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.