Ep 63: The $300K Mistake That Taught Me the Value of Health Over Wealth

In this deeply personal episode of Money on My Mind, I walk you through the emotional and financial rollercoaster that followed what seemed like the perfect move for our family. We left everything behind to relocate for our daughter’s specialized medical care—only to discover our dream home was poisoning her. A hidden mold and mycotoxin issue triggered severe health setbacks and cost us nearly $300,000 in recovery expenses.

 

From dealing with a rare epilepsy diagnosis to losing almost all our possessions and scrambling to relocate again, this episode is a raw, transparent look at how fast life can shift. More importantly, I talk about the mindset and financial preparation that allowed us to move quickly and decisively—and how this experience completely redefined my understanding of wealth.

 

Timeline Summary

 

[0:00] - Why our dream home nearly destroyed our health and finances

[1:10] - Our daughter’s diagnosis with Dravet syndrome

[1:54] - Relocating to Texas for expert care and a miraculous 8-month stretch

[2:50] - Seizures return, triggering deeper investigation

[4:07] - Blood and urine tests reveal shocking mold exposure

[5:56] - Emergency travel to Iowa for treatment amid chaos

[7:19] - Realizing we had to abandon our home and everything in it

[8:52] - Financial pressure mounts as we scramble to protect our daughter

[10:00] - How years of financial planning helped us weather the storm

[14:04] - Losing 99% of our belongings due to contamination

[15:12] - The breakdown of the $300K cost: housing, health, and recovery

[16:46] - What money can’t fix—and what really matters

[18:46] - How this crisis reshaped my perspective on wealth

[20:25] - Preventative measures we’ve taken to safeguard our new home

[21:37] - What are you putting off that’s costing you peace of mind?

 

Key Takeaways

 

1. Prepare financially for the unexpected. You never know when a crisis will hit. Building financial flexibility gave us the ability to make life-saving decisions without hesitation.

2. Health is the real wealth. No amount of money is worth more than your family’s well-being. Prioritize health investments now before you’re forced to later.

3. Don’t wait for crisis to force change. If something is causing you low-grade stress or health concerns today, deal with it now—because the cost of waiting can be far greater.

 

 

Links & Resources

 

• Infinity Wellness Clinic (Josh, Iowa location)

• Dravet Syndrome Foundation: dravetfoundation.org

• Home air quality resources: AirDoctor, dehumidifiers, air scrubbers

 

If this episode made you think twice about how you define wealth, I’d love for you to rate, follow, and review the show. And if you know someone who could benefit from this story, share it with them. See you next week!