Ep 77: Why I Created Budgetdog
Money On My Mind
In this episode, I share the story behind why I built BudgetDog and the mission that drives me every single day. From starting out $304,000 in debt as a 22-year-old CPA, to becoming a millionaire in seven years, I explain how personal finance systems transformed my life—and why I knew I had to share them with others. This isn’t about quick fixes or get-rich-quick schemes. It’s about creating simple, automated systems that work for real families in the real world. I also talk about the deeper “why” behind my work—from my daughter Logan’s fight with Dravet Syndrome, to our...
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Ep 76: Money is Simple. Your Relationship With It Isn’t.
Money On My Mind
In this episode of Money on My Mind, I break down why mastering money isn’t about complicated formulas or secret investment hacks—it’s about your relationship with money. At its core, money is simple: spend less than you make, invest the difference, and let time compound your returns. But fear, guilt, shame, and identity conflicts often sabotage even the smartest strategies. I share how subconscious beliefs, childhood programming, and emotional barriers can keep you stuck in a cycle of avoidance and scarcity, and I give you practical steps to reset your money mindset for long-term...
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Ep 75: How Kirk Became A Millionaire
Money On My Mind
In this episode, I sit down with one of BudgetDog Academy’s standout students, Kirk Hepker, to share his incredible transformation—from financial chaos and marital stress to millionaire status and lasting peace of mind. Kirk opens up about the struggles he and his wife faced with money, the constant tension in their relationship, and the breaking point that forced them to take control of their finances once and for all. You’ll hear how BudgetDog Academy not only changed Kirk’s bank account but also reshaped his marriage, his kids’ financial awareness, and even his role as...
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Ep 74: You Don’t Need More Discipline, You Need This
Money On My Mind
We’ve all told ourselves we just need more discipline—wake up earlier, spend less, invest more—but here’s the truth: discipline isn’t the real problem. In this episode, I reveal why discipline is overrated and why the real game-changer is building systems that do the heavy lifting for you. I share the exact framework I’ve used in my own life and with thousands of BudgetDog Academy students to eliminate decision fatigue, rewire limiting beliefs, and set up automated systems that drive lasting results. If you’ve been white-knuckling your way toward financial goals only to...
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Ep 73: The Scarcity Script: Where It Comes From and How to Rewrite It
Money On My Mind
“If I just made more money, everything would be fine.” Sound familiar? The truth is, your financial challenges likely have nothing to do with your income and everything to do with the scarcity script that was programmed into you long before you ever touched a dollar. In this episode, I unpack how childhood lessons, cultural beliefs, and even well-intentioned advice can plant deep-seated money scripts that keep you stuck in fear, lack, and limitation. I share my own journey of breaking free from these beliefs—and the exact steps you can take to rewrite your financial story...
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Ep 72: From CPA to Creator: The Hardest Part of Reinventing Myself
Money On My Mind
I thought I had it all figured out—steady career, financial security, and a clear path as a CPA at Deloitte. But deep down, I knew I was living someone else’s dream. In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of my biggest career pivot: leaving the corporate world to build BudgetDog from scratch. I share the surprising way I fell into accounting, the turning point that pushed me to walk away, and the emotional and financial hurdles I faced starting over from zero. This isn’t just about career change—it’s about identity, courage, and redefining success on your own terms. If...
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Ep 71: Sharing Logan's Journey
Money On My Mind
In this heartfelt guest episode, my wife and I are hosted by Josh Madsen as we share the deeply personal journey of our daughter Logan’s battle with Dravet Syndrome, a rare and challenging seizure disorder. We open up about the emotional rollercoaster we’ve experienced as parents, the frustrations of traditional medical advice, and the incredible transformation we’ve seen through alternative therapies. From discovering toxic mold in our home to seeing Logan climb rock walls and slide down playgrounds for the first time, this conversation highlights the power of persistence, hope,...
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Ep 70: How to Define Your "Enough" Number
Money On My Mind
In this episode, I open up about one of the most complex and personal aspects of wealth building—understanding when enough is truly enough. After achieving every financial milestone I once dreamed of—paying off six-figure debt, reaching millionaire status, and building a $4M+ net worth—I still found myself chasing the next number. Why? Because “enough” kept changing. I share insights from deeply personal experiences, pivotal conversations with my mother-in-law and behavioral psychologist, and journal prompts to help you define your own version of success. Whether you’re...
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Ep 69: When Winning Isn’t Worth It: Lessons from a Hyper-Focused Life
Money On My Mind
Ever chased success so relentlessly that everything else blurred into the background? In this raw and deeply personal episode, I pull back the curtain on the hidden costs of hyperfocus and high achievement. From my early days grinding at Deloitte to building a business from a hospital room, I share the real stories—both the highs and the hard lessons—that shaped my journey. This one’s not about tactics or checklists. It’s about the internal tug-of-war between ambition and presence, and what it truly means to win. Join me as I reflect on what I’ve learned about balancing the drive for...
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Ep 68: We Grew Our Net Worth by $310K in Q2: Here’s How and the System We Used
Money On My Mind
We just had our biggest financial leap ever, a $310,000 increase in our net worth in just one quarter. In this episode, I take you behind the curtain to reveal exactly how we did it. But this isn’t just about our win—it’s a blueprint for how you can do it too. I’m sharing the exact system we use (and teach inside Budget Dog Academy) that’s changing lives and stacking net worth gains for hundreds of our students. I’ll show you how simple financial tools—like a balance sheet, budget, and roadmap—when automated and aligned with your values, can completely transform...
info_outlineIn this deeply personal episode, I’m sharing the eight principles that helped me go from $304,000 in debt to a self-made millionaire by 30—and how those same principles are now fueling my fight for something far bigger: my daughter’s health.
You’ll hear the raw truth about what financial freedom really feels like when you’re also battling a life-threatening condition like Dravet Syndrome. I’ll walk you through the mindset, systems, and decision-making tools I’ve used for over a decade—tools that don’t just apply to money, but to health, family, fitness, and faith.
Whether you’re trying to fix your finances or rebuild your life after a crisis, these eight principles will give you a real-world, repeatable playbook for success. This one’s for anyone who feels stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin.
Key Talking Points of the Episode
00:00 Introduction
01:05 Living with Dravet Syndrome and the cost of true freedom
03:15 Financial freedom ≠ problem-free life
05:20 The Eight Principles of Success
07:51 Principle 1: Work hard—but work smart with systems
10:29 Principle 2: Set realistic timeframes for results (especially in health + money)
12:23 Principle 3: Consistency wins
13:23 Principle 4: Remove friction and make success easier with automation
14:40 Principle 5: Be proactive. Ask, research, and lead your own journey
16:37 Principle 6: Don’t wait for the “right time”, there isn’t one
17:38 Principle 7: Invest in yourself and seek education constantly
19:30 Principle 8: Apply it all and then give back
20:31 Why mastering every area of life matters
Quotables
“Just because you have money doesn’t mean your problems go away.”
“Don’t wait for life to happen—go make life happen. Be the general contractor of your own success.”
“Consistency and systems win every time, in money, health, relationships—everything.”
Links
Budgetdog