How to Money

Money fights are one of the most common, and most damaging, sources of tension in a relationship. Whether it’s spending, debt, or mismatched financial goals, those arguments can quietly erode trust and connection over time. But here’s the good news: money doesn’t have to be the thing that drives couples apart. When partners develop healthy financial habits and learn how to communicate about money, it can actually strengthen their relationship. Which is why we’re excited to welcome Dr. Sonya Lutter to the show today. She’s both a marriage therapist and a financial planner, and she leads the Financial Health & Wellness program at Texas Tech. She brings a rare, research-backed perspective on how couples can keep money from becoming a stumbling block and instead make it a source of teamwork. Today we discuss:
How financial therapy combines finance and emotional support
Perception of financial wellness often differs from reality
Financial stress impacts decision-making abilities
Biological responses to stress affect financial decisions
Regular financial conversations can prevent conflicts
The most common relational dynamic that leads to money fights
How financial infidelity can be as damaging as sexual infidelity
And much more!
Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances:
Sonya: All things Sonya over at her website, SonyaLutter.com
Credit card perks: Check out our favorite credit cards that we use to maximize rewards and optimize our spending.
Money Gears: knowing what to do with your money is crucial to your personal finance journey.
Newsletter: Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical.
Other money nerds: Find a thriving community of fellow money nerds by joining the HTM Facebook group!

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.

We’re kicking off the week by answering your listener questions! And if you have a question that you’d like for us to answer on the show, we’d love for you to submit your own via HowToMoney.com/ask , send us your voice memo. Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, we want to hear it!

1 - iBonds: What is the actual rate that I’m earning and should I dump them to fund an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit)?
2 - Trusts: Should I implement a trust in order to protect my sizeable investments in my taxable brokerage account?
3 - Roth conversion: Do I need to let my Roth conversion sit for 5 years before I’m able to tap it?
4 - Precious metals: Is now the time to sell the silver I invested in years ago?
5 - Down payments: To what extent is it illegal to tap a HELOC to fund my next home purchase?

Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances:
Credit card perks: Check out our favorite credit cards that we use to maximize rewards and optimize our spending.
Other money nerds: Find a thriving community of fellow money nerds by joining the HTM Facebook group!
Newsletter: Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical.
Money Gears: knowing what to do with your money is crucial to your personal finance journey.
MG7: and maybe you’re well on your way to financial independence but you’re looking for some financial reassurance, that’s when heading over to HowToMoney.com/Advisor and getting matched with a highly vetted financial advisor makes sense.

During this episode we enjoyed a Cerberus Nocturne Vanilla Porter by Incendiary Brewing - a huge thanks to Brandon for donating this one to the show! 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.

Time for a Friday Flight- our little sampling of the week’s best 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:
Mr. Beast meme coin
The Lipstick Effect
Non-negotiable travel
Travel as a work perk
Stretching your dollar with Goodwill
Vanguard making your investments more affordable
You’re now taking on nondiversification risk
Gold and silver tanks
In-car advertisements
Less Model X more Optimus
Affordable car insurance for FSD
Moving to lower COL states
DIY solar

Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances:
Credit card perks: Check out our favorite credit cards that we use to maximize rewards and optimize our spending.
Other money nerds: Find a thriving community of fellow money nerds by joining the HTM Facebook group!
Newsletter: Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical.
Money Gears: knowing what to do with your money is crucial to your personal finance journey.
MG7: and maybe you’re well on your way to financial independence but you’re looking for some financial reassurance, that’s when heading over to HowToMoney.com/Advisor and getting matched with a highly vetted financial advisor makes sense.

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.

Jumbo shrimp. Open secret. Bittersweet. We call these oxymorons - ideas that shouldn't work together, yet somehow do. Most people put 'frugality' and 'hedonism' in that same category, assuming you can't have a blast while saving a buck. But our guest today, Annie Raser-Rowland, is here to shatter that myth. An Australian horticulturalist and author, Annie argues that true pleasure isn't bought, instead it’s found in the more sensual and free moments we overlook when we're too busy working to pay for things we don't need. Today, we’re exploring how to live an excellent, joy-filled life that doesn't require a massive income or a single dreaded coupon. We specifically touch on:
Spending a quarter of the typical person
Why Annie believes that experiences provide more joy than material possessions
How community and interdependence enrich our lives
Setting long-term goals can motivate frugal habits
Literary figures and role models can inspire us to live more fulfilling lives
Advertising influences our spending habits negatively
And plenty more!
Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances:
Annie: The Art of Frugal Hedonism is the book, and learn more about Annie and what she’s up to at her site.
Credit card perks: Check out our favorite credit cards that we use to maximize rewards and optimize our spending.
Money Gears: knowing what to do with your money is crucial to your personal finance journey.
Newsletter: Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical.
Other money nerds: Find a thriving community of fellow money nerds by joining the HTM Facebook group!

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.

We’re kicking off the week by answering your listener questions! And if you have a question that you’d like for us to answer on the show, we’d love for you to submit your own via HowToMoney.com/ask , send us your voice memo. Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, we want to hear it!

1 - Money Gears: I’m confused… why do you recommend getting a 401k match before paying off high interest credit card debt?
2 - Cash windfall: What should I do with the rest of my inheritance?
3 - 403b: Should I opt for the new Roth version, stick with the traditional, or maybe it’s possible to do both?
4 - Greenland: With all the political upheaval we’re seeing, should shift all my investments to gold?
5 - Credit report: Where should I go to get my actual free credit report?

Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances:
Credit card perks: Check out our favorite credit cards that we use to maximize rewards and optimize our spending.
Other money nerds: Find a thriving community of fellow money nerds by joining the HTM Facebook group!
Newsletter: Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical.
Money Gears: knowing what to do with your money is crucial to your personal finance journey.
MG7: and maybe you’re well on your way to financial independence but you’re looking for some financial reassurance, that’s when heading over to HowToMoney.com/Advisor and getting matched with a highly vetted financial advisor makes sense.

During this episode we enjoyed a Bourbon Barrel Aged Wee Heavy w/Coconut Maple and Macaroons by Incendiary Brewing - a huge thanks to Brandon for donating this one to the show! 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.