Inside Out Money

Liz joins this week's podcast, and we talk about all things emergency funds. We start with why it’s so important to have an emergency fund and what emergency funds are meant to be used for versus not. We dig into all of the things you need to know about emergency funds, from where to keep it to how much you need in one. In addition to giving some general guidance on how much to keep in your emergency fund, we provide a specific tool and formula to help you decide on your own circumstances. Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/055-our-formula-for-how-much-to-keep-in-your-emergency-fund/

Andrew joins this week's podcast, and we talk about all of the things we don’t spend money on. We’re all about intentional spending, and we spend a lot of time talking about what we do spend our money on, and it’s interesting to also reflect on what we’re not spending money on. Check out which of us isn’t spending on car washes, house cleaning services, yard care services, haircuts, clothing, makeup, and more! Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/054-15-things-we-dont-spend-money-on/

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/

Greg joins this week's podcast, and we share why and how we’re migrating our investments from Wealthfront to Fidelity, which will save us $20K+ in fees over the next ten years. We share how this will save us money, allow us to receive dividends instead of auto reinvesting them, better control our portfolio, and improve our performance. We share the backstory of why we started investing with Wealthfront 10 years ago and why it’s no longer serving us in the future. And Maggie’s brother Alex happens to call right as we’re wrapping up and joins for an impromptu conversation. Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/052-simplifying-finances-how-were-saving-20k-by-ditching-robo-investing/

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/

Andrew joins this week's podcast, and we discuss a metric we love but think many people likely don’t track. We explain the lifetime gross savings rate (aka lifetime wealth ratio), how to calculate it, and why we like this particular metric. This is the one metric that can encapsulate your lifetime financial progress combined with the efficiency of your earnings. It’s also one of a few metrics that allows you to benchmark yourself against others and normalize and adjust for different earnings and income levels. Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: Andrew joins this week's podcast, and we discuss a metric we love but think many people likely don’t track. We explain the lifetime gross savings rate (aka lifetime wealth ratio), how to calculate it, and why we like this particular metric. This is the one metric that can encapsulate your lifetime financial progress combined with the efficiency of your earnings. It’s also one of a few metrics that allows you to benchmark yourself against others and normalize and adjust for different earnings and income levels. Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/045-the-one-metric-you-likely-dont-track-lifetime-gross-savings-rate/

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/

Liz joins this week's podcast, and we share all the things you should and shouldn’t do to leave a job the right way, whether it’s a voluntary or involuntary leave. We discuss understanding what you agreed to in your employment contract, legally getting the key information you need, being smart about your benefits, and keeping it professional so you don’t burn bridges. How you start and leave your jobs impacts your finances in the short and longer term, and we’re giving you the guidance you need to do it right. Oh, and we share some details about Cobra we think many people aren’t aware of! Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/043-burning-bridges-or-building-boats-how-to-leave-a-job-the-right-way/

Erica joins this week's podcast, and we discuss conscious consumerism and the trifecta of value it can add to your life: it’s good for the world, makes you feel food, and can save you money. We define conscious consumerism and talk through some actionable tips for how to incorporate more of it into your life. We discuss how it can improve the control and agency over your life, which can feel good in a world of more and more things we can’t control. We also share how to educate and influence kids and other friends and family in your life. Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/042-6-ways-to-be-a-more-conscious-consumer/

Andrew, Liz, and Greg join this week's podcast and we deep dive into what we each spent on food, utilities, internet, and cell phones in 2023. This is part two of last week’s episode on what we spend during 2023. Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here:https://www.insideoutmoney.org/041-what-we-spent-in-2023-part-2-food-utilities-internet-and-cell-phones/

Andrew, Liz, and Greg join this week's podcast and share what we each spent during 2023. We share our top spending categories, what we feel good about, and what we want to improve in 2024. Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/040-what-we-spent-in-2023-part-1/

Andrew joins this week's podcast, and we bare all and share what’s in our financial “wallet,” from our accounts to the specific index funds inside them. We talk through the different types of accounts from high-yield savings to 529s to brokerage accounts. We share which brokerage companies we use and like and dig into the specific index funds we invest in. We also discuss the value and importance of a simple portfolio. Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/039-whats-in-our-wallet-our-index-funds-accounts-and-more/

Happy New Year! Greg joins the first podcast of 2024, and we discuss why and how improving your finances is an inside job. We discuss the mindset connection to your finances, the importance of mindfulness, how to stop letting others dictate your values and goals, and how to change your definition of success. We also discuss the concept of enough and the importance of finding wise people to emulate. We hope this discussion helps start your new year on the right foot! Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/038-the-inside-job-of-improving-your-finances/

All of the Inside Out Money co-hosts join for our final episode of 2023. We’ve got Liz, Andrew, Erica, Greg, and Maggie on this week’s episode and share some of our favorites from 2023. We share our favorite books, podcasts, best and worst purchases of the year, big financial wins, and more. We might get off track now and then as we get into mustaches, bromances, and OnlyFans. A huge thank you to all of our listeners and supporters this year! We appreciate all of you and happy holidays! Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/037-best-and-worst-purchases-of-2023-superlatives-onlyfans-and-so-much-more/

Liz joins this week's podcast, and we discuss how we’d get lean if needed for a job loss, recession, or serious emergency. We start with a reminder of why building an emergency fund and tracking your expenses is important. Then, we dive into multiple phases of what we’d cut and why. Throughout the discussion, we’re reminded that we’d be okay and happy without many of the things we spend money on, yet we can still enjoy the conveniences and luxuries while we can afford them. Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/from-canceling-netflix-to-selling-our-homes-what-wed-do-in-a-recession/