
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

11 snips
Mar 28, 2025 • 31min
Friday Flight - Education Evisceration, BNPL Burgers, & Torched Teslas #963
Catch up on the latest financial headlines this week, from the implications of a new executive order on education funding to the impact of Buy Now, Pay Later options on dining choices. Explore the ongoing challenge of declining test results and how it ties into broader consumer trends. Discover the rising costs for Tesla owners and political impacts on car purchases. Finally, engage in a lively discussion about how shared meals boost happiness compared to spending on material goods.

25 snips
Mar 26, 2025 • 53min
Getting the Job You Want w/ Madeline Mann #962
Madeline Mann, an HR and recruiting leader and author of "Reverse the Search," shares her expertise on job hunting. She challenges traditional methods, promoting a 'job shopping' mindset to secure high-paying positions. Mann discusses the value of networking and the importance of tailoring resumes and LinkedIn profiles to stand out. She also provides insights into mastering interviews, negotiating salaries, and maintaining a positive outlook in the face of rejection. Her strategies empower listeners to navigate the evolving job market with confidence.

4 snips
Mar 24, 2025 • 52min
Ask HTM - Responding to a Rental App Denial, Crummy 529 Plans, and Buying Land as an Investment for Family #961
Listeners get savvy advice on responding to rental application denials and the role of credit scores in securing housing. There’s a deep dive into whether state 529 plans, despite higher fees, are worth the tax breaks. The conversation also touches on purchasing land as a family investment, highlighting innovative uses for land and potential pitfalls. Plus, practical tips are shared on balancing 401k contributions with emergency funds, along with the surprising costs of cell phone bills and the benefits of affordable plans for saving money.

10 snips
Mar 21, 2025 • 36min
Friday Flight - Appealing ARMs, Iterating Investments, & College Cost Cuts #960
Discover the intriguing world of adjustable-rate mortgages and their risks versus fixed rates. Explore how consumer behavior changes with housing market trends and the impact of political developments. Dive into the balance between instant gratification and long-term investment, peppered with entertaining stories. Unpack the value of community over exclusive memberships, and learn strategies for reducing college costs while navigating essential expenses like cell phone bills. Plus, find out how to invest wisely in high-quality items!

40 snips
Mar 19, 2025 • 52min
Make More Money, Do More Good w/ Derrick Kinney #959
Derrick Kinney, author of 'Good Money Revolution,' advocates for aligning wealth with personal values to create a positive impact. He shares insights on the moral implications of money and encourages conscious financial choices. The discussion highlights the transformative power of philanthropy and the importance of balancing generosity with financial responsibility. Listeners learn practical strategies for shifting their mindset from employee to entrepreneur, emphasizing that earning and giving can coexist harmoniously while fostering community ties.

10 snips
Mar 17, 2025 • 53min
Ask HTM - Mass Government Layoff Triage, If Declining Rental Income Is Still Worth It, and Generating Passive Income #958
Listeners dive into pressing financial queries! Discover steps to take after a job loss due to mass layoffs. Is holding onto that rental condo wise amidst declining income? Explore investing options for generating passive income, like REITs or ETFs. The hosts share insights on the worth of the Costco Visa and weigh the pros and cons of buying versus renting a home. Finally, enjoy some light-hearted banter on personal grooming, beer ratings, and the importance of professional financial guidance.

Mar 14, 2025 • 35min
Friday Flight - Tariff Tantrum, Southwest Succumbs, & The Greatest Grocers #957
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: Uber vs Lyft, tariff tantrums, Southwest succumbs, there’s a coach for that, investing your emergency fund, tapping the 401k, Chase blocking Zelle, unpaid toll scams, the greatest grocers, senior discounts, and free energy audits. 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.

Mar 12, 2025 • 53min
Cultivating a Wealthy Mindset w/ Shang Saavedra #956
Living on one partner’s income, stepping away from corporate America, firing up a serious side hustle… these are just a few of the topics we’re discussing with our guest today. Shang Saavedra is a financial coach, founder of the site Save My Cents, and now author of the new book “Wealth is a Mindset.” Shang lives at the intersection of mental health and financial wealth, and she uses her own personal experiences, like achieving financial independence by the age of 31, to help others to achieve their own financial goals. We discuss ambition, living in NYC, making sacrifices for a better future, and plenty more during our episode today! 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 Three Headed Monster by New Realm! 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.

Mar 10, 2025 • 53min
Ask HTM - Finding Travel Deals, 401k Match Changes, and Our Take on Long Term Disability #955
Let’s dive into the week with some fresh listener questions we have lined up for you! And don't just stand on the sidelines- if you have a question you’d like us to answer, toss your voice memo our way. It only takes about 90 seconds to record and you can find a step by step guide over at HowToMoney.com/ask . Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, we want to hear it! 1 - Should I be wary of changes made to my 401k match that are actually more generous? 2 - I already have my own long term disability policy in place, but should I drop if for one provided by my employer? 3 - How can I continue to contribute to my Roth IRA if I expect my income to continue to rise? 4 - What’s the best way to book a deal on some upcoming travel? 5 - Is it frugal or cheap to only charge my EV during off-peak hours? 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 Birramisu by Six Bridges Brewing! 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.

Mar 7, 2025 • 37min
Friday Flight - Student Loan Shakeup, Doom Spending, and the Mounting Mini-Stagcession #954
This week explores the 'mini stagflation' and the recent student loan shakeup. Discover how cultural events can boost mental health without breaking the bank. Dive into 'doom spending' versus 'doom saving' and the potential of a national crypto reserve. Plus, learn about the importance of personalized financial planning and the idea of an 'affordability czar' to combat rising prices. Lastly, the episode warns against trendy investment pitfalls while emphasizing the value of professional guidance.