This week, we're joined by entrepreneur, speaker, and author, Anthony O'Neal. You may know him from his incredibly popular YouTube channel or, maybe, from his previous book, "Debt-Free Degree." But Anthony's back with a new book called "Take Your Seat at the Table," which is all about taking control of your life, money, and future.If you’re unfamiliar with his work, he’s not your typical financial guru. He’s a self-made entrepreneur who went from being homeless to building a 7-figure business, and he’s bringing his wisdom back to the communities that are systematically left out of the financial conversation.This episode is for anyone tired of the same old financial advice and ready to take control of their future. Anthony challenges us to ditch the idea that wisdom comes solely from age and embrace the power of lived experience. He urges us to kill the comfort that's holding us back and encourages us to build our own tables and then invite in the people who truly align with our vision.What we get into:The catch-up: We start this conversation like you would a chat with a good friend. We talk about what life is like now that his YouTube channel is booming, and we even get a little glimpse of his journey to find love Challenging the status quo: We dig into the question, "Why should I listen to him?" and explore what it means to gain wisdom from life experiences over traditional credentialsLeaving comfort behind: We dissect why so many folks are stuck in comfortable situations when they're clearly meant for moreFormal vs. practical learning: Now that he’s working on his MBA, Anthony shares his thoughts on the value of a formal education alongside "street smarts" and why that balance is key to successHis new book, "Take Your Seat at the Table:" You can't have a financial conversation without addressing ownership, power, and the folks who have a seat at YOUR table. We talk about why kicking out the wrong people is just as important as inviting in the right ones.How his recent trip to Ghana reframed his perspective on the Black community and the role it plays in building wealth.The future of making money: We discuss using platforms like YouTube and podcasts to build a better economic future.Links: Keep up with Anthony on his website, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTokGet his new book: Take Your Seat at The Table: Live and Authentic Life of Abundance, Wellness and Freedom (Jan. 14, 2025) 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

Prepare for 2025 as key money trends take center stage! Explore the concept of 'brain rot' and its mental health impact. Discover how AI is reshaping the stock market and what this means for investors. Understand the risks of buy now, pay later options and the necessity of knowing your risk tolerance. Dive into the future of work with tech-savvy generations and the crypto surge. Finally, redefine luxury amidst shifting consumer habits—it's all about valuing personal choice over brand allegiance!

Is your "purpose" making you anxious? Do you feel like everyone online is "living their best life" except for you? Then you've come to the right place. It's January and you're probably knee-deep in resolutions that may or may not last past the first week. But forget the trendy diets and the overly ambitious gym routines. This year, we're going deeper and talking about a purpose reboot - not the "new you" version fueled by fleeting motivation, but the kind built on self-awareness, intentional choices, and a healthy dose of skepticism about the pressures to optimize our lives. This week, we sit down with the brilliant Dr. Jordan Grumet (aka Doc G) to talk about his latest book "The Purpose Code." Jordan, a former hospice doctor and a 90s hip-hop head, is not here for the fluffy, Instagrammable version of purpose. He’s no stranger to the intersection of hard choices and meaning and he’s here to break down what actually makes life feel meaningful.We dive into:The “Big P” purpose trap (think: social media, fame, riches, etc.) and why it might be sabotaging your happiness.The secret sauce of "Little P" purpose (think: the things that actually make you feel alive)How religion and social media can be both a blessing and a curse in the purpose departmentWhy you need to be the hero in your story, not the victim of your pastHow to use your money as a tool for fulfillment, not a checklist of achievementsThe parental purpose myth (this one is controversial, y'all)What real legacy looks like…is our legacy up to us to decide? Or is it a story that will be told by the generations that follow?Links: Buy Jordan’s latest book The Purpose Code Listen to The Earn & Invest podcast or join the Facebook group 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

Discover the power of saying 'no' and protect your financial sanity. The hosts share personal stories about awkward money requests from friends, revealing the emotional toll of holiday giving. They tackle survivor's guilt and how a lifetime of people-pleasing can breed resentment. Essential tactics for gracefully declining financial asks are discussed, alongside the concept that letting others solve their own problems might be the best help. This conversation is perfect for those struggling to balance generosity with personal boundaries.

The latest inflation report shows that grocery prices are back up, making something as basic as eating feel like a financial tightrope walk. So this week, we're rethinking how we define "good" food and making a case that the best meals can be both cheap and delicious by sharing 3 of our favorite cheap meals. Hopefully you walk away from this episode feeling slightly less guilty about that impulse takeout order (as long as you learn from it), inspired to rethink what's possible with your budget and your kitchen, and empowered to create satisfying meals that don’t break the bank.We discuss:The joy (and necessity) of finding delicious, affordable food that doesn't taste like you’re pinching pennies (or just eating sadness)Practical tips for making flavorful, budget-friendly meals that are both nourishing and satisfyingA closer look into our favorite meals, complete with pricing breakdowns and the secret ingredients to take them from "meh" to "magnificent"The importance of cross-utilization and how it can help you maximize your grocery budget.Links:- Food prices rose 28% in 5 years - Money on the Table S3:E3 “How much is enough?” feat. crispy skin salmon- How to save money by trimming a beef tenderloin 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 still revisiting fundamentals and this week we’re asking: Is your emergency fund actually an emergency fund, or just a well-intentioned savings account collecting dust (and maybe a tiny bit of interest)? In this episode, we unpack the truth about financial emergencies and reveal the flawed logic behind the old ‘3-months of expenses’ rule. Let’s be honest, climate change, unexpected job losses, and ridiculously high repair costs have made the classic “cash only” emergency fund advice obsolete. We talk about building a real safety net, one that's flexible, accessible, and addresses everything from the cost of repairs to those unexpected crises that inevitably spring up in lifeBuilding an emergency fund isn’t about striving for perfection; it’s about protecting what matters most. We’ll provide practical tips, address common anxieties, and leave you with a renewed sense of preparedness – all without losing your mind (or your savings).We discuss:The Illusion of the "Checked Box": Why the standard 3-6 month emergency fund is inadequate for the unpredictable realities of 21st-century life The importance of liquidity and accessibility: It's not enough to have the money, you need to be able to access it quickly and easily. We'll dissect the hidden fees and frustrating bureaucratic hurdles that can turn your carefully-saved emergency fund into a useless paperweightMore than just cash: We discuss the overlooked role of insurance, lines of credit, and community resources in weathering life’s storms. This isn't just about finances; it's about creating a comprehensive plan that addresses all dimensions of an emergencyThe Multi-Layered Approach: Why cash is still surprisingly relevant, even in a cashless society.Real-life examples that illustrate why diversifying your financial institutions is no longer a "luxury" but a necessityThe Rebuilding Phase: A practical plan for rebuilding your emergency fund in the wake of a crisis. Because let’s face it, emergency situations aren't one-and-doneLinks:Episode 156: Survive & Advance | The Ultimate Guide to Financial Resilience with Lynnette Khalfani Cox (YouTube Link) Episode 184: How to Automate your savings (and finally get ahead) (YouTube Link)  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 took a mini-break (and you KNOW we needed it) but we're back, and today we're tackling the sacred cow of financial planning: BUY AND HOLD. Let's face it, investing isn't a spectator sport and the pandemic proved that even the most "set-it-and-forget-it" advice can get messy. Plus research shows investors are holding stocks for less time than ever before. So this week, we’re asking if the classic "buy and hold" strategy is still the cornerstone of financial wisdom, or has the rise of day trading, sports betting, and cryptocurrencies rendered it obsolete? Don't expect simple answers, because investor psychology isn’t that simple, but we promise some surprisingly insightful takeawaysWe explore:Why “buy and hold” is the American way and what that means in the era of instant notifications and market fluctuationsHow the emotional and psychological realities of modern life challenge even the most well-laid financial plansThe rise of “bro-conomy” investing, and why the appeal of day trading and sports betting is harder to resistHow to use robo-advisors to tame your inner FOMO without losing your shirt (or your retirement funds)The importance of financial literacy and diversification, beyond the simplistic "buy and hold" mantraA peek behind the curtain into our own HSA investment strategy and a warning about the illusion of easy winsLinks:The Three Pillars of the Bro-Economy via The Atlantic Episode 171: Why you need a brokerage account  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, we’re unpacking the surprisingly trendy world of underconsumption. Is it a Gen Z TikTok trend? A millennial coping mechanism? A wise old soul's secret weapon? The answer is YES to all of the above.In this episode, we cover:How to avoid overspending this holiday season on food and gifts. We even share our hard-won lessons on dealing with impulsive buying, managing the expectations of our loved ones, and teaching our son to approach spending with intention (no, we didn't always get it right, but boy, have we learned!)YOLO vs. YONO: Say goodbye to "You Only Live Once" and hello to "You Only Need One." We explore the global shift towards intentional purchasing, and how it's impacting everything from fashion to finances. (And yes, we do discuss the implications of the impending tariffs on that Zara haul you've been eyeing…)The Price vs. The Cost: That cute little $25 item from TikTok Shop? It might cost you more in stress, maintenance, and anxiety than you think. We discuss the psychological (and very real!) costs of buying the "nice" stuff.Hedonic Adaptation: The science of why buying more doesn't always lead to more happiness. We are not our things and learning this will actually save you money and the planet.Key takeaways (because your time is valuable):Underconsumption is a lifestyle, not a trendRe-evaluate your values. Do the mathSoup is not just for sick people (or soup kitchens)Embrace the power of the "thoughtful no"Quality over quantity (even with those darn shoes that don't last!)Pouches are the future. Get you a pouch.Join us for a funny, insightful, and deeply satisfying conversation about changing your relationship with your stuff. It might just be the best self-care you do all year.Links: - The enshittification of everything - Self-gifting messaging is set to dominate Black Friday ads- The kitchen tech we use to make cooking at home so much easier   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, we’re unpacking the raw emotions and anxieties that followed the recent election. We explore the stark reality of a country deeply divided, not just politically, but also in terms of our visions for the future. This election wasn't just about who won. It was about a country that, frankly, feels more like it's been severed in half than unified. It’s a deep, messy reality and we question the easy labels and simplistic narratives that often dominate the political conversation.We explore the real, human stories behind the red and the blue and ask some tough questions about how to move forward with a more nuanced understanding of our political landscape.Lastly, we talk about the pressures of a society driven by consumption, and how it can create a disconnect between those who have “too much” and those who don’t, which leaves many feeling left behind, overwhelmed, and unheard. If you’re ready for a conversation that goes beyond the surface, tap in for an honest, critical look at the state of our nation and how we can find a way to make meaningful progress together.  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 2024, and inflation is the number one concern for voters. Today we’re unpacking both candidates' distinct approaches to addressing it. We discuss Kamala Harris's and Donald Trump's plans for tackling the rising cost of living, taking a closer look at their proposals and the underlying political and economic philosophies that drive them. Prepare yourself for an interesting and honestly, maybe slightly frustrating, discussion of how the election could impact your wallet and your future.This isn't just a run-through of policy papers. We're talking about how these candidates are choosing to frame the fight against inflation, the cultural anxieties it reflects, and the real-world impact these choices will have on your everyday life.This election feels a lot like dating. Both candidates have got their "selling points", but it's up to you to decide what you're actually looking for in a long-term relationship and what kind of future you want to build together. Looking beyond inflation, this is a defining and consequential election. Your vote matters. Stay informed, stay engaged, and make your voice heard. 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