rich & REGULAR with Kiersten and Julien Saunders

When we published our book Cashing Out in 2022, we knew we were making bold claims about work, money, and freedom. What we didn’t know was just how fast the world would catch up to them.In this episode, we revisit our book 3 years after its release to reflect on the stories, predictions, and uncomfortable truths that still hold up in 2025. We also share what we’ve learned since, and why the book continues to resonate with people across different industries, life stages, and income levels.You’ll hear: Why Cashing Out still ranks in the Top 250 Budgeting & Money Management books on Amazon Why financial independence was always about identity, not just math What we saw coming with AI, leadership churn, and the collapse of “safe” careers The surprising reason your first dollar outside of work changes everything Why over-specialization and “career loyalty” quietly keep people stuckWe also share our reflections on the book’s impact and what we’d add if we wrote it today.If you haven’t read Cashing Out yet, now’s a perfect time. And if you’ve already read it, it’s a great time to read it again with your 2025 eyes.Last but not least, if you know someone starting their career or rethinking their future, it makes a great giftLinks: Cashing Out AudiobookCashing Out Hardcover Cashing Out Kindle   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’s episode is a rare one that we recorded the same day it’s released, because… well, life is happening fast.After taking a much-needed break, we returned to headlines that changed the tone of the summer and the temperature of the market. In this episode, we’re talking about how to manage your investments during times of global instability and uncertainty. This isn’t advice or hype, it’s our perspective, grounded in history, patterns, and what actually works.We’re not here to guess what happens next. Our goal is to inspire you to think better, especially when everything feels chaotic. We cover: How market reactions to conflict usually play out (with receipts)The difference between bad news and uncertainty, and why markets care more about the latterWhy mimicking “insider” trades or reacting to media spin is riskier than it looksThe 3 big reasons why trying to capitalize on global conflict backfiresWhat you can do if you’re tempted to make a move anywayWhether you’re just getting started with investing or feeling anxious about protecting your gains, this episode is designed to keep you cool when the headlines are anything but.Links: Ep 211: what tariffs teach us about financial literacyEp 188: the political divide is more than just red vs. blueOur investing class - Making Money Grow  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

Youth sports are not just sports anymore. They’re a $40 billion+ industry and in this episode, we’re getting all the way into it. We’re talking about the emotional pressure, the social expectations, the team group chats, the $75 photo packages that somehow still exist in 2025, and why nobody tells you the signup fee is just the beginning. Whether you're new to the world of cleats and concession stands or already halfway through a season with three backup uniforms and a mini mortgage in gear, this episode will help you take a breath and get a grip.We break down the four types of spending most sports parents face:Sign-up costs (AKA the cover charge)Gear and equipment (plural. Always plural.)Lifestyle expenses (snacks, meals, coach gifts, and “team bonding” events that cost real money)Development extras (private lessons, apps, camps, and the “just in case they’re great” category)We also cover several practical tips like the importance of setting a seasonal sports budget that your kid can help manage, why used gear is your best friend and where to find it, and the right time to say no and how to skip guilt with it. Whether you're trying to be the "fun" parent, the budget-conscious one, or just trying not to lose your mind, this one’s for anyone raising kids in sports. Links: Project Play survey: Family spending on youth sports rises 46% over five yearsEpisode 183 - Why NIL is a game changer for young athletes 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

Deciding to quit your job isn't always about the money. Explore three crucial questions that help you evaluate your career and spot when it's truly time to go. Learn how to identify hidden life lessons from your work and why some jobs can feel more like emotional traps than career opportunities. Discover the importance of aligning your job with your values and the need for self-reflection before making any big moves. Prioritize your well-being and regain confidence in your decision-making process!

Most money advice assumes you’re either bad at math or just need more discipline, but what if the real reason your budget isn’t working is because it was never designed for how you actually spend?In this episode, we revisit a section from our book Cashing Out that recently got new life thanks to a great piece written by our friend Leo Aquino for Business Insider. It’s all about the three emotional spending profiles we’ve seen over and over again: Fast Spenders, Financially Insecure, and what we call "The Middle".And no, these aren’t zodiac signs. You’re not locked in for life, but recognizing your dominant spending energy right now can help you stop fighting your habits and start building wealth around them.We break down what drives each type’s spending behavior, what actually works for them (that they’ll stick with), and what absolutely does not work, no matter how many times the internet suggests it. Links:Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away Leo Aquino’s article on Business Insider - How 3 Types of Spenders Can Build Wealth  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

Graduates facing a chaotic job market learn to embrace 'getting paid to learn' as a crucial strategy. Instead of chasing high salaries, they discover the value of gaining skills and experience. The hosts discuss the difference between being used and being taught, urging listeners to ask better questions in interviews. Personal stories illustrate that even lower-paying jobs can lead to valuable skill development. Emphasizing adaptability and a diverse skill set, they inspire new professionals to assess opportunities that foster growth and resilience.

Sometimes you need a little extra money, but what you don’t need is another boss, a second shift, or a business plan you’ll never finish. In this episode, we’re walking through some of the most overlooked ways to earn extra income. Everything from plasma donation, junk hauling, voiceovers, waiting in line, and a few others I can’t put in the description without attracting a bunch of bots. We’re challenging the idea that income only comes from jobs. We talk about the emotional (and sometimes physical) tradeoffs, how to spot seasonal bonuses and low-competition opportunities, and why the best side hustles don’t always look like work.These are the kind of gigs that don’t require a résumé or a 5-year commitment, just a willingness to try something different. Whether you’re saving for a trip, refilling your emergency fund, or just need to solve a $500 problem fast, there’s something in here for you.In this episode, we cover:Why so many people default to getting another job and what to try insteadThe emotional cost of “just one more shift” when you’re already stretched thinHow overlooked, seasonal, or location-based gigs can fill a short-term income gapThe surprising ways people are using their bodies, tools, and free time to get paidWhat makes a side hustle worth doing without turning into a second careerHow to think creatively about short bursts of work that solve real-life money problems 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 conversation dives deep into the decision-making dilemmas faced by entrepreneurs. Emotional choices can be pricey, and the hosts share their own costly mistakes. Drawing inspiration from poker strategy, they explore how to take calculated risks amidst uncertainty. The debate on branding versus budgeting showcases the complexities of early business decisions. Listeners are encouraged to confront fears and adopt a broader perspective on risks, highlighting resilience as a key to navigating entrepreneurial challenges.

The podcast tackles the impact of rising tariffs on personal finances, emphasizing how they distort prices and affect consumer behavior. It delves into the complexities of outsourcing and the challenges of reviving U.S. manufacturing. The speakers discuss shrinkflation, where product sizes decline instead of prices rising, highlighting the need for price literacy. They argue that understanding the global economic landscape empowers consumers, allowing for smarter investments and spending decisions in a rapidly changing market.

This week, we’re breaking down bankruptcy in the way it should’ve been explained all along: without shame, without legal jargon, and without the “womp womp” energy we’ve all been taught to bring to it.You’ve probably heard of Chapter 7. Maybe even Chapter 13. But unless you’ve filed for bankruptcy, or know someone who has, you’ve likely never learned what it actually means.We kick things off with the viral rise of the “debt strike” trend on TikTok and Instagram, where people are publicly declaring they’re done paying back debt and explore what it says about our cultural relationship to money, morality, and relief.Then we get into:What Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11 actually areWho qualifies and howWhat a “means test” is and how it worksWhat happens to your credit score and your sanityThe real costs (financial, emotional, and social) of filingAnd why bankruptcy might more of a mental health intervention than we give credit for Along the way, we myth-bust the stereotypes and unpack why bankruptcy, like divorce, might just be a legal reset that deserves more empathy and way less side-eye.Links: Episode 174: A spike in bankruptcy (Topic #2)  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