Simplify and Enjoy Podcast

Simplify and Enjoy is a podcast and community focused on helping families have less stress and more options by finding the right path and pace to financial freedom that fits them!

Credit Unions: Better Banking Option Your Family? 10/18/2023

Credit Unions: Better Banking Option Your Family? Not happy with the service you’re getting from your bank? It may be time to switch. Learn how credit unions work and see if they’re a better banking option for you! Move Your Money to a Better Banking Option Where you bank matters. For most families, their checking and savings accounts are the foundation of their financial system. When it's not working, it just makes everything harder. We know because we’ve had some really bad experiences with a few of the big banks. Whether it was poor customer service, needless fees, and minimum balances requirements (even though the interest rates they were offering were abysmal), we just felt like it was a headache and chore dealing with them. Years ago we decided to move our money to where we could get great service and get perks like better rates with savings. One of the places we picked was a credit union, specifically Coastal Credit Union. We’ve been happy with switching over, but the focus today is not on us, but on you. It doesn’t matter to me whether you choose a community bank, credit union, online, or yes, one of the big players. I just want you to be happy where you bank. Seriously. Which is why I’m happy to have Emily Nails, VP of Cooperative Strategies and Executive Director of the on the show today. Not only are they a sponsor of this podcast, but they’ve also been our credit union for over ten years. In this episode, we’ll get into: how credit unions work the benefits that credit union members can enjoy how credit unions benefits their communities Let’s get started! Resources to Easily Manage Your Money Your money should be working as hard as you, but managing it should be easy. Here are some of my favorite tools and resources to stay on top of your finances! Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab Your Copy of My Book: <- Our bank 😉 Send in your family and financial questions ! If you’d like to chat more your money system, please join us in our private and free Facebook group – . We’re families looking to support and help one another out. Hope to see you there! Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! Come check out Coastal today if you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better. As a credit union, Coastal serves its members first and foremost including an annual loyalty bonus. We've been members for years and love their service and competitive rates on and accounts! /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/28348643

Open Enrollment: Finding Affordable Health Insurance For Your Fmaily 10/16/2023

Open Enrollment: Finding Affordable Health Insurance For Your Fmaily Open enrollment season is here and I want you to be prepared. Learn what you need to know so that you can choose an affordable healthcare insurance plan that covers your family's needs! Finding Affordable Health Insurance How would you like to help set up your finances for this next year so that it runs smoother and that you are gonna be hitting your money goals faster? That might very well be the case if you take time to carefully to go over your options with Open Enrollment. I know it might not seem like the most exciting thing when you get that packet, but you can have a huge and significant win with your finances if you take the time to really research your options and make sure that you're maximizing your benefits. With open enrollment, there are going to be so many Health insurance is typically the biggest decision families worry about, and understandably so. Health insurance can be expensive. A recent health employer benefits survey found that the . That includes what your employer pays. However, most only a percentage. On average, employees are . Now you add in copays and your deductible and it can be pricey, well you can see how important it is to find the right health insurance plan for you. You might feel like we did – trying to strike a balance. On one hand, handing over that much money month after month when we basically use it for annual well visits seemed like such a waste. But we didn’t want to be under covered either. Have you’ve seen those bills from the doctor’s office or hospitals? If you’re fortunate, your HR department will have prepared a side by side analysis, comparing the major components of your different options. Still, depending on your family’s particular needs such as dealing with a chronic health issue, you may have dig through that digital or paper packet to find answers about whether or not a specific things is covered. So how do you sort through things? Today we’re dive into some of essential things you need to know so you can work together as a family and find the best option for you. In this episode we discuss: exactly how copays, coinsurance, deductibles, and more work so you know what coming out of your pocket and what's covered compare how typical base plans work versus high deductible health plans the ins and outs of health savings accounts We have a lot to cover so let’s get started! Resources to Build Better Family Budgets If you’re looking to start or revamp your budget so you can reach your family and financial goals faster, check out some of these resources below! Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab Your Copy of My Book: Send in your family and financial questions ! If you’d like to chat more your money system, please join us in our private and free Facebook group – . We’re families looking to support and help one another out. Hope to see you there! Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! If you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better, come check out Coastal today. We’ve been Coastal members for a few years have been happy with their services. Did you know that Coastal offers a ? If you have a high deductible health plan, you need to take advantage of an HSA. Find out more about what ! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on or . Grab a copy of . My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in 4 weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together! /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/28336865

How to Raise Money-Smart Kids 10/03/2023

How to Raise Money-Smart Kids Teaching kids about money doesn't have to be boring! Discover how to make learning about finances fun and engaging for your children! Teaching Kids Smart Money Habits As parents we want to prepare out kids so when they decide to go off on their own, they’re equipped with not just the essential life skills, but also have wisdom on knowing when and how to use those skills. Believe it or not, part of showing them the ropes is teaching them about money. Because if we don’t, they’ll have a much harder time pursuing their goals because they’ll be weighed down by the consequences of bad money habits such as carrying a massive amount of debt. Sadly carrying debts seems to the case for many Americans as I was reviewing some numbers from . Average credit card debt $5,733 Average personal loan debt $11,281 Average monthly new car payment $736 Average monthly used car payment $523 That’s a lot of baggage to carry Here’s the thing, though – how do you start those lessons? It really is a family project. We have a big role as parents, but others in our circle can also be a wonderful help with getting our kids smarter with their money. Paul Vasey is on the show to talk about how. He’s financial educator and the creator of which is all about helping families have a fun time learning about finances through games. He also recently published a book – . As you can guess from the title is focused on the grandparents, but most of those topics apply to parents as well. In this episode we get into: the power of conversations and games in shaping your child's financial mindset how to navigate discussions about budgeting, saving, and making choices within a limited budget creative ways to engage your kids in hands-on experiences that make learning about money fun and relevant to their lives We have a lot to cover, so let’s get started! Resources to Build Better Family Budgets If you’re looking to start or revamp your budget so you can reach your family and financial goals faster, check out some of these resources below! Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab Your Copy of My Book: FamZoo Send in your family and financial questions ! If you’d like to chat more your money system, please join us in our private and free Facebook group – . We’re families looking to support and help one another out. Hope to see you there! Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! Come check out Coastal today if you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better. As a credit union, Coastal serves its members first and foremost including an annual loyalty bonus. Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. ☕: Get access to exclusive behind the scenes videos, chats, and more! Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on or . Grab a copy of . My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in four weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together! /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/28212197

Juggling Parenthood and Family Finances 09/20/2023

Juggling Parenthood and Family Finances Are you a parent trying to juggle your family's budget while still enjoying life? We’re going to walk you through how to find a balance with raising your kids, managing your money, and have fun! Parenting on a Budget: Strategies for Juggling Kids, Money, and Happiness When you’re a parent, it can sometimes feel like there are so many demands on your finances and times. As we raise our kids, we may have to deal with daycare, school trips, extra curricular activities, family vacations, saving for college or trade, the list goes on and on. Oh wait, you’re also expected to save for your own retirement. It feels like a lot, right? The pressure we feel from others or that we put on ourselves can make it seem like the price of parenthood is too much. While we do have more responsibilities as we raise our kids, there are some real joys with it. The trick is find a way to identify your family’s particular priorities and manage your money in a way that balanced and fits the particular season of life you’re in. Which is why I’m so glad Melissa McCollough from Coastal Credit Union is here to join us. Not only is she the Digital Marketing Manager behind Coastal’s blog, but she’s also a mom who knows firsthand the juggling act of parenthood. I love someone in the trenches chatting with me about making this work well. In this episode we get into: common challenges parents and families face when it comes to budgeting, and how to get through them effective strategies for saving money on kid-related expenses without sacrificing quality or experiences tools and resources, both online and in your community, that can make it easier to stay on top of your money so you have more time with your kids So, whether you're a parent looking to navigate the complexities of family finances or simply curious about the art of budgeting, this podcast episode is a must-listen. We have a lot to cover, so let’s dive in! Resources to Build Better Budgets If you’re looking to start or revamp your budget so you can reach your family and financial goals faster, check out some of these resources below! Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab Your Copy of My Book: Send in your family and financial questions ! If you’d like to chat more your money system, please join us in our private and free Facebook group – . We’re families looking to support and help one another out. Hope to see you there! Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! Come check out Coastal today if you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better. As a credit union, Coastal serves its members first and foremost including an annual loyalty bonus. We've been members for years and love their service and competitive rates on and accounts! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. ☕: Get access to exclusive behind the scenes videos, chats, and more! Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on or . Grab a copy of . My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in four weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together! /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/28098302

10 Fun and Effective Monthly Money Challenges to Try Out 09/15/2023

10 Fun and Effective Monthly Money Challenges to Try Out Are you looking to have some fun while saving up for your goals? We'll explore ten monthly money challenges that you and your family can try out! Taking On Monthly Money Challenges As I mentioned last week, there's a wonderful opportunity for you to reset things with your finances and have a big win with your family and financial goals. There's three full months or 15 weeks, depending on how you want to look at it left in the year. You can knock out some really big goals in that time. One thing that can help you out with that is monthly money challenges. We got a variety of challenges that we're going to cover today that can help you develop new habits and routines. You can use that money to put towards whatever goal you're working on. There are some great challenges you can do throughout the year like the 52-Week Savings Challenge and the 365-Day Nickel-Saving Challenge, which I’ll include in the show notes. There are also wonderful weekly challenges you can take on too. However for this episode, I want to focus on monthly goals. I feel like that's a big enough chunk of time where you can effectively knock out something. And it gives you enough flexibility that if you're having a bad week, you can still finish up on a high note. In this episode, I’m going to cover: the psychology monthly money challenges go over the different types of money challenges you can take on highlight ten money challenges We have a lot to cover, so let’s get started! Resources to Build Better Budgets If you’re looking to start or revamp your budget so you can reach your family and financial goals faster, check out some of these resources below! Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab Your Copy of My Book: Send in your family and financial questions ! If you’d like to chat more your money system, please join us in our private and free Facebook group – . It’s a group Andy, Andrew from , and myself run as a team. We’re families looking to support and help one another out. Hope to see you there! Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! Come check out Coastal today if you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better. As a credit union, Coastal serves its members first and foremost including an annual loyalty bonus. We've been members for years and love their service and competitive rates on and accounts! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. ☕: Get access to exclusive behind the scenes videos, chats, and more! Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on or . Grab a copy of . My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in four weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together! Photo Credits: /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/28049652

Five Ways to Make Managing Your Money Easier 09/08/2023

Five Ways to Make Managing Your Money Easier Today we’ll go over five steps on how to reset and achieve your big family money goals for before the year wraps up! How to Reset and Reach Your Family and Financial Goals It’s the first full week of September. How are things going of you this year so far? Looking back at 2023 so far, it’s honestly been a year of ups and downs for us. Summer break for example had us taking two family trips around North Carolina which we certainly needed. Unfortunately my mom was in the hospital in the first part of July so our focus was on her for a few weeks. Thankfully she’s doing better now. Honestly, though, I cut back on projects and some work I had planned here on the site and podcast. I also feel a bit weird saying this on the podcast, but yeah, I wasn’t as diligent as I usually am with finances. Here’s the thing though – for the most part we’re still on track for our goals. How? As we have tackled our family and financial goals like saving down debt, saving for emergencies, and investing, we’ve developed habits and a financial system that has made it easier to stay on our goals. Cause I really do believe that there are times you need to give your family attention. If you have your financial system up, you can feel less stressed and better able to handle life’s curveballs. I’d like to show you some ways you can manage your goals if you ‘re in a similar situation, where your focus hasn’t been on your finance because of family obligations. The good news? You still have sixteen full weeks before this year is over. There is still plenty of time for you to make progress on your family and financial goals! Resources to Build Better Budgets If you’re looking to start or revamp your budget so you can reach your family and financial goals faster, check out some of these resources below! Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab Your Copy of My Book: Send in your family and financial questions ! If you’d like to chat more your money system, please join us in our private and free Facebook group – . It’s a group Andy, Andrew from , and myself run as a team. We’re families looking to support and help one another out. Hope to see you there! Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! Come check out Coastal today if you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better. As a credit union, Coastal serves its members first and foremost including an annual loyalty bonus. We've been members for years and love their service and competitive rates on and accounts! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. ☕: Get access to exclusive behind the scenes videos, chats, and more! Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on or . Grab a copy of . My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in four weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together! Photo Credits: , , and /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/27983370

The Real Deal About Real Estate Investing 06/23/2023

The Real Deal About Real Estate Investing Are you curious about ? Today, we're going to hear from two people who have made that leap and started building up their income streams through real estate! Getting Started in Real Estate Investing in real estate can be profitable and exciting, but it can also seem daunting, especially if you haven't got started yet. One of the favorite things I like to do, here on the podcast is to share stories from people in real life. What was it like to achieve their financial goals? is no different. I've had already done . Even this year, I've shared stories from and about their own financial journeys into real estate and they each had different avenues that they took that were successful for them. Today I want to add two more stories to that list. Toni from debt-free divas and Aja from principles of increase are going to be discussing each of their journeys into real estate. In this episode, we're going to get into: how they acquired their first properties the mistakes they made with and the wins that they've had with their properties their advice they would give now for those looking to jump into it. We have a lot to cover so let's get started! Resources on Real Estate If you’re looking to buy, here are some resources to help you find an affordable place you love! Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab Your Copy: Principles of Increase <- Easy and simple way to invest in single-family rental properties If you’d like to chat more your money system, please join us in our private and free Facebook group – . We’re families looking to support and help one another out. Hope to see you there! Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! Come check out Coastal today if you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better. As a credit union, Coastal serves its members first and foremost including an annual loyalty bonus. We've been members for years and love their service and competitive rates on and accounts! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. ☕: Get access to exclusive behind the scenes videos, chats, and more! Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on or . Grab a copy of . My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in four weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together! /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/27247902

Finding Your Dream Home: Essential Tips for House Hunting 06/09/2023

Finding Your Dream Home: Essential Tips for House Hunting Today we’re going over essential house hunting tips so you can find your dream house! The Dos and Don'ts of House Hunting: Expert Advice from a Real Estate Agent Welcome back! These past few weeks, we’ve been focused on our home buying series. We started off with preparing finances to handle becoming a homeowner and building your credit. Next, we got the inside scoop on what lenders are looking for to make it easier to get a great deal on your mortgage. Now we’re talking about the last key step – house hunting. For many this both the fun part of the process, but also the most stressful, especially if you’re buying in a market. One concern families have is trying to find that hidden gem of place and avoid getting with a money pit. Which is why I’m happy to have Real Estate Agent/Broker Liz Mary Caban from Daymark Realty on. She’s sharing her expertise to make the process easier. In this episode we get into: how to navigate with your house hunting and find your dream home how to be prepared to move quickly while still staying objective and within your budget what red flags to watch out for when you’re checking out homes We have a lot to cover, so let’s get started! Resources on Buying a House If you’re looking to buy, here are some resources to help you find an affordable place you love! Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab My Book: Daymark Realty | Work with <- Want to save thousands of dollars while buying your dream home? Adam’s course takes you through contemplation to closing If you’d like to chat more your money system, please join us in our private and free Facebook group – . We’re families looking to support and help one another out. Hope to see you there! Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! If you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better, come check out Coastal today. If you're thinking of buying a home here in the Triangle, take a look at ! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. ☕: Get access to exclusive behind the scenes videos, chats, and more! Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on or . Grab a copy of . My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in four weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together! /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/27090930

Insider Tips for Getting a Great Deal on Your Mortgage 05/31/2023

Insider Tips for Getting a Great Deal on Your Mortgage Are you thinking of buying a home soon? Get the inside scoop on what lenders are looking for so you can get a great deal on a mortgage! How to Find the Best Rates for Your Mortgage It's home buying season and depending on where you live, it could be a hot market. It’s certainly that here in Raleigh, NC. As a buyer that can be additional pressure on finding the right place for you, but if you’re prepared and you snag a great deal on your mortgage, you’ll have a leg up. This is why to have on the show today. She’s the Vice President of Mortgage Lending over at . She’ll be sharing her expert insights on how to shop around and snag a great deal on your mortgage. In this episode we’ll get into: What lenders look for when assessing a potential borrower's financial position potential down payment assistance programs for first-time homebuyers how to stay level-headed during your house hunt your new place is a blessing and not a burden We have a lot to cover, so let’s get started! Resources on Buying a House If you’re looking to buy, here are some resources to help you find an affordable place you love! Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab My Book: <- Want to save thousands of dollars while buying your dream home? Adam’s course takes you through contemplation to closing If you’d like to chat more your money system, please join us in our private and free Facebook group – . We’re families looking to support and help one another out. Hope to see you there! Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! If you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better, come check out Coastal today. If you're thinking of buying a home here in the Triangle, take a look at ! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. ☕: Get access to exclusive behind the scenes videos, chats, and more! Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on or . Grab a copy of . My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in four weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together! Photo by /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/27002634

How To Get Your Finances Ready to Buy a House 05/25/2023

How To Get Your Finances Ready to Buy a House Buying a house can be overwhelming. Learn how to get your finances ready for homeownership so your new home is a blessing and not a burden! Preparing Your Finances to Buy a House Buying a house is a huge personal and financial milestone for many families, but it can also be a stressful and complicated process. One part of the stress is buying a house that’s affordable. You want to be financially prepared There’s plenty of advice on buying a house and not all of it is good. Have you heard ‘buy as much house as you afford’? I mean sounds good on paper, but the reality is if someone is telling you that you’re probably pushing your house budget in a direction that could be a huge problem once you sign those papers. Or how about the suggestion of building your credit by getting a credit card? I don’t want you to fall into a trap where your finances are so tight that the house you buy makes your miserable. Today we’re going over some key areas of where you needed to pay attention and prepare your finances so that when you a buy a house, it’s a blessing and not a burden. Which is why I’m happy to have Steve Stewart on the show today. In this episode we’re going to look at: preparing your finances so you can comfortably buy a house the role credit scores play and how to raise it building credit without accumulating debt with alternative ways to report credit history to lenders We have a lot to cover, so let’s get started! Resources on Buying a House If you’re looking to buy, here are some resources to help you find an affordable place you love! Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab My Book: <- Want to save thousands of dollars while buying your dream home? Adam’s course takes you through contemplation to closing If you’d like to chat more your money system, please join us in our private and free Facebook group – . We’re families looking to support and help one another out. Hope to see you there! Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! If you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better, come check out Coastal today. As a credit union, Coastal serves its members first including an annual loyalty bonus. We've been members for years and love their service and competitive rates on and accounts! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. ☕: Get access to exclusive behind the scenes videos, chats, and more! Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on or . Grab a copy of . My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in four weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together! Photos by and /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/26947383

How to Find Deals for Your Next Family Vacation 05/20/2023

How to Find Deals for Your Next Family Vacation Are you looking to have a true vacation where you can relax and enjoy, but are afraid it’s going to break your budget? Learn how to score amazing deals and travel hack on your next trip! Finding the Best Family Vacation Deals During the last two episodes, we talk about building a better budget. We wanted to see how you can create a budget that allows you to pay the bills, but balances your future financial goals with some fun here and now. We’ve found that you’re more likely to stick to your budget if you include room for things and experiences you enjoy. For many families, travel falls into that category. It does for us. Actually we recently took a trip to Florida and had an incredible time relaxing and catching up with some loved ones in the area. I know some families though are worried about the . I just saw recently that ! Then you factor in service industry staff issues, it also almost seems like you’re getting less, but paying more. However, with some planning you can take a wonderful vacation affordably. I’d like to share a few of the highlights so you can see how you can snag some travel deals for your next vacation. I’m also happy to have Zac Hood of our partner on the show. He’s going to share how travel hacking works and how to approach searching for the right rewards card for you. We have a lot to cover so let’s get started! Resources to Optimize Your Travel Rewards and More Looking for ways to save on your next family getaway? Here are some fantastic resources to check out: Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab Your Copy of My Book: If you’d like to chat more your money system, please join us in our private and free Facebook group – . We’re families looking to support and help one another out. Hope to see you there! Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! If you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better, come check out Coastal today. As a credit union, Coastal serves its members first including an annual loyalty bonus. We've been members for years and love their service and competitive rates on and accounts! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. ☕: Get access to exclusive behind the scenes videos, chats, and more! Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on or . Grab a copy of . My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in four weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together! Photo by and /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/26901984

Nuts and Bolts of Creating a Budget That Works 05/10/2023

Nuts and Bolts of Creating a Budget That Works Are you ready to start building a budget that works and you actually love? Learn the nuts and bolts on how to quickly and easily make a flexible family budget! Creating a Budget That Actually Works for You Last week I mentioned that one report found 73% of millennials are living paycheck to paycheck. When you’re in that situation you can be an added weight on shoulders because if one thing goes wrong – and it will- it can make a mess of your finances. For this week, I want to go from the big picture view we took on the potentials with budgets and get into the nuts and bolts. How do you build a budget? Which is why I’m happy to have Warren Murray on the show today. Warren works Financial Well Being Manager over at Coastal Credit Union where he and his team help members live better by managing their money more efficiently. In this episode we’ll get into: why having a financial snapshot your finances is important and how to do it how building your budget around financial wellness is more efficient and sustainable creative ways to include fun into your budget while still working towards your financial goals We have a lot to cover, so let’s get started! Resources to Build Better Budgets If you’re looking to start or revamp your budget so you can reach your family and financial goals faster, check out some of these resources below! Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab Your Copy of My Book: If you’d like to chat more your money system, please join us in our private and free Facebook group – . It’s a group Andy, Andrew from , and myself run as a team. We’re families looking to support and help one another out. Hope to see you there! Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! Come check out Coastal today if you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better. As a credit union, Coastal serves its members first and foremost including an annual loyalty bonus. We've been members for years and love their service and competitive rates on and accounts! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. ☕: Get access to exclusive behind the scenes videos, chats, and more! Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on or . Grab a copy of . My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in four weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together! Photo by /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/26800065

Creating a Flexible Budget That Works for Your Family 05/03/2023

Creating a Flexible Budget That Works for Your Family Budgets don't have to feel like deprivation. Learn how to create a flexible family budget that fits in what you love while hitting your financial goals! Why Your Family Needs a Flexible Budget Raise your hand if the first time you made your budget it was exactly what you needed and was a perfect for your situation. Yeah, I don’t personally know anyone who got their budget right the first try and there’s a few reasons for that. Chances are what you put down on paper doesn’t match real life. Either you have a money leak you’re not aware of or like what you just heard in the teaser, you get thrown for a loop. It’s enough to make you just want to trash the ideas of budgeting, but that would be a mistake. Right now more families are living paycheck to paycheck. I was reading a . Millennials, though, seem to be in worse shape as that %. That can be pretty scary. One hiccup or an emergency can totally throw off your finances. If you ready to break the cycle then please listen in. Personal finance author and podcaster Allison Baggerly from is not just sharing her story, but some fantastic tips on how to create a flexible budget that works for your family's unique needs and circumstances. In this episode we’ll get into: how shifting her mindset about budgets transformed her finances and life why having a flexible budget is key to long-term success and financial stability practical tips on how to get started if you hate budgets We have a lot to cover, so let’s get started! Resources to Build Better Budgets If you’re looking to start or revamp your budget so you can reach your family and financial goals faster, check out some of these resources below! Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab Your Copy of My Book: Allison’s Book: If you’d like to chat more your money system, please join us in our private and free Facebook group – . It’s a group Andy, Andrew from , and myself run as a team. We’re families looking to support and help one another out. Hope to see you there! Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! Come check out Coastal today if you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better. As a credit union, Coastal serves its members first and foremost including an annual loyalty bonus. We've been members for years and love their service and competitive rates on and accounts! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. ☕: Get access to exclusive behind the scenes videos, chats, and more! Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on or . Grab a copy of . My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in four weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together! /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/26734215

Listener Mailbag: Cheap Ways to Travel, Saving Money on Groceries, and Real Estate 03/08/2023

Listener Mailbag: Cheap Ways to Travel, Saving Money on Groceries, and Real Estate We’ve brought back the listener's mailbag. Today we’re answering your family and finance questions about keep your grocery bills manageable, deciding on how to travel with kids, and getting started with real estate! Listener Mailbag: Spring 2023 One of my favorite parts of creating Simplify and Enjoy is the community. While I’m happy to share our journey as a family, it’s fun when you chime in with your wins, stories, and questions. Today we’re going to be diving into your family and finance questions. First, we’ll look at how to save money on your grocery bill. Next, we’ll talk about how to adjust or if needed, revamp your budget. There’s still plenty of time to have some big wins with your family and financial goals. Finally, we’re following up from last week’s episode about different options in real estate. There are so many different paths. Which is why I’m so glad to share a fun and informative conversation I had with Hosts Crystal Hammond and Alan Corey. We get into their own journeys and they have advice on what to consider if you’d like to get started with . We have plenty to cover, so let’s get started! Resources to Stay on Top of Your Money If you’re ready to jump into the year and knock out some of your health and wealth goals, here are a few of my favorite resources and includes what we covered in the podcast. Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab Your Copy: Connect with Crystal: Connect with Alan: Alan's Books: | If you’d like to chat more your money system, please join us in our private and free Facebook group – . We’re families looking to support and help one another out. Hope to see you there! Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! Come check out Coastal today if you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better. As a credit union, Coastal serves its members first and foremost including an annual loyalty bonus. We've been members for years and love their service and competitive rates on and accounts! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. ☕: Get access to exclusive behind the scenes videos, chats, and more! Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on or . Grab a copy of . My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in four weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together! /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/26167341

Exploring Your Investing Options in Real Estate 03/01/2023

Exploring Your Investing Options in Real Estate Are you interested in getting started in but don't know where to begin? We’ll uncover some opportunities and niches out there that could be a good fit for you! Adventures in Real Estate Investing In our community we have families at different points in their financial journeys. This year we have some who are focused on that have been weighing them down. We also have families who or saving up for a huge goal including , maybe , or . Then some, including us are in thephase of things. That foundation is in place and we’re considering options that can give us more flexibility with our schedule while still producing income. can be a great way to be a solid path towards that and . By investing in a property, you can generate passive income through rent. However there’s more to it than what you see on HGTV, Magnolia, or those real estate flip channels on YouTube. Buying property takes money and finding good tenants and contractors takes time. You may also worry about being trapped with a money pit. Which is why I’m happy to have Rachel Hernandez on the show. Rachel is an award-winning mobile home investor with over ten years of experience and author of several books about real estate including . In this episode we’ll get into: her journey into and what made her choose to hone in with investing in mobile home different options out there besides flipping and buying holding property an honest look at the good and the bad with real estate so you have a clearer idea of what to expect Hope you enjoy! Resources If you’re ready to achieve your family and financial goals and want to explore real estate, here are a few of my favorite resources, including what we covered in the podcast. Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab Your Copy: Connect with Rachel : | and Rachel's other books on If you’d like to chat more your money system, please join us in our private and free Facebook group – . We’re families looking to support and help one another out. Hope to see you there! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. ☕: Get access to exclusive behind the scenes videos, chats, and more! Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on or . Grab a copy of . My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in four weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together! Photo by /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/26091318

How to Design a Beautiful, Productive, (and Low Maintenance) Garden 02/23/2023

How to Design a Beautiful, Productive, (and Low Maintenance) Garden Do you want to start a garden this year, but are you worried that you can't keep the plants alive? I'm going to share how you can create an easy to maintain garden that's fun! Learning to Grow a Garden Before we get into gardening, I want to be upfront about something- I used to be the person who kept cacti around because it was the only plant I could keep alive. It's true. I am not someone who naturally has a green thumb. This is something that I had to build up from and learn. Good news, though, is now I'm hunting through seed catalogs each season, picking out what we're going to grow. I enjoy seeing how much of our own food we can grow from the garden. Obviously, this was not an overnight process, but surprisingly, it wasn't as hard as I thought. A key part of me enjoying gardening is by starting off small and going with easy to grow plants. With some small, but powerful wins I was motivated to dive into this new hobby that I love. The good news is if I can do it, you can do it. If you are thinking of starting a garden, but you're worried about your skills or if it's gonna be a lot of work, I want to help you out. I want you to have an incredible and awesome year of gardening without a ton of hassle. So in this episode, we're gonna get into how to design your garden so that it's productive. Yet easy to How to decide which plants to grow. And some of my favorite garden tips to get you started on the right foot. We have a lot to cover. So let's get started! In this episode, we’ll get into: how to design your garden so that it’s productive yet easy to maintain how to decide what to grow some of my favorite garden tips to get you started on the right foot Hope you enjoy! Resources to Easily Jumpstart Your Garden If you’re ready to start growing your garden, here are a few of my favorite resources and includes what we covered in the podcast. Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab Your Copy: Send In Your Family and Finance Questions for the Listener Mailbag episodes ! If you’d like to chat more your family and financial goals, please join us in our private and free Facebook group – . We’re families looking to support and help one another out. Hope to see you there! Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! Come check out Coastal today if you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better. As a credit union, Coastal serves its members first and foremost including an annual loyalty bonus. We've been members for years and love their service and competitive rates on and accounts! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. ☕: Get access to exclusive behind the scenes videos, chats, and more! Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on or . Grab a copy of . My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in four weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together! Photos by and /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/26016762

Switching to Part-Time Work and Having a Rich Life with Your Family 02/15/2023

Switching to Part-Time Work and Having a Rich Life with Your Family Want to have more work-life balance in your life? Today we’ll explore how the principles of FI can help you make the transition to part-time work! Finding Work-Life Balance as Parents Work- life balance can be a struggle for parents, especially if your kids are young. You wand to have this time with them, but you also have to take care of the essentials like bills. Or maybe you have a job you really enjoy, but it’s very demanding of your time. You want some flexibility so you can work, but still be there with your little ones. What if you want to work, but just not the traditional full-time? Our culture and the way office work is structure makes that difficult. Family first employers can be hard to find. It’s an all or nothing approach. Part-time work is regulated to lower paying work, which may not be viable for families. It’s almost easier to just have one stay home while the other works full-time. If you want something different, in most cases, you have to carve out your own path. We had to do that and so have other families. Which is why I’m thrilled to have Marriage, Kids, and Money creator and my buddy Andy Hill on the show. Andy and his wife Nicole have carved out that path of family and work that’s flexible and allows them to work part-time and hang out with their kids. In this episode we get into: conversations you two need to have create a plan you’re both happy with how to use principles from FI to build flexibility so you can switch to part-time work key financial milestones to help prepare you for the transition Hope you enjoy! Resources to Pivot Your Career If you’re ready to jump into the year and knock out some of your health and wealth goals, here are a few of my favorite resources and includes what we covered in the podcast. Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab Your Copy: : Andy’s fantastic podcast and site dedicated to building family wealth and happiness. Send In Your Family and Finance Questions for the Listener Mailbag episodes ! If you’d like to chat more your money system, please join us in our private and free Facebook group – . It’s a group Andy, Andrew from , and myself run as a team. We’re families looking to support and help one another out. Hope to see you there! Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! Come check out Coastal today if you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better. As a credit union, Coastal serves its members first and foremost including an annual loyalty bonus. We've been members for years and love their service and competitive rates on and accounts! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. ☕: Get access to exclusive behind the scenes videos, chats, and more! Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on or . Grab a copy of . My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in four weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together! /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/25938198

Building Connections: Networking Tips for Busy Parents 02/08/2023

Building Connections: Networking Tips for Busy Parents Learn how you can get back into the swing of things and effectively network! Effective Networking Tips for Busy Parents For better and worse the pandemic has shifted how we work. For some families, working from home has now become an option. That’s blessing for sure. Some companies have shifted how they communicate, with in-person meeting being replaced with chats, emails, and video conferencing. However, there’s benefits for in-person events like conferences and team strategy sessions for a big project or to connect with coworkers. With in-person events opening back up, you may feel a bit rusty with essential skills like networking. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, remote worker, or back full time in the office, it’s vital that you That’s why I’m thrilled to have Michelle Jackson on the show today. She’s an author and content creator and the founder of where she helps entrepreneurs dial in and design a profitable and authentic business that positively impacts their community. I’ve known her for probably 10 years now and I can tell you she has a gift for connecting with people and networking. In this episode, we’ll get into: why the old model of networking doesn’t work where and how you can organically connect with people how to develop a strategy that’s a effective and fun Hope you enjoy! Resources If you’re ready to jump into building your career and finances, here are a few of my favorite resources that we covered in the episode plus more. Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab Your Copy: Connect with Michelle: If you want to chat more about creating better money habits, questions, or share your own tips, please join us on Facebook. We’d love to see you there! Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! Come check out Coastal today if you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better. As a credit union, Coastal serves its members first and foremost including an annual loyalty bonus. We've been members for years and love their service and competitive rates on and accounts! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. ☕: Get access to exclusive behind the scenes videos, chats, and more! Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on or . Grab a copy of . My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in four weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together! /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/25872459

Cashflow FI: More Flexibility with Your Budget and Schedule 02/01/2023

Cashflow FI: More Flexibility with Your Budget and Schedule Want more flexibility with your budget and life? Learn how master your cash flow brings you closer to financial freedom! How to Have More Options with Cashflow FI It can be a challenge to break out of the paycheck to paycheck cycle. One recent survey found that . You might be thinking that it is because of income and for sure that’s a major issue, but your income is only part of the equation. Fortune reported that . Again there are various reason why people are struggling even with a healthy income and we’ll cover a few of them here in future episodes, but one big factor is they haven’t taken the time to prioritize their spending. Whether you’re looking to pursue financial independence or something in the more traditional time frame, you have to master your cash flow. When you have a gap between what you’re spending and earning while still enjoying life, you’re giving yourself more options and flexibility with your budget and schedule. It’s not automatic though, it’s skill you have to learn. That’s why I’m happy to have Cody Berman on today’s show. He's the co-founder of the and the co-founder of . In this episode, we’ll cover: why financial independence is more than just leaving the rat race diversifying your income in a way where you’re not trading your time for money why Cody is focused on cash flow FI vs waiting to hit a more traditional FI number We have a lot to go over, so let’s get started! Resources to Hit Your FI Number Faster Ready to knock out your debt? Check out these tools and resources to easily manage your family’s finances! Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab a copy of my book: Reach Your Money Goals with my FREE course: Cody’s Podcast: by Tim Ferris : Another fantastic FI blog Frugalwoods If you want to chat more about creating better money habits, questions, or share your own tips, please join us on Facebook. We’d love to see you there! Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! Come check out Coastal today if you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better. As a credit union, Coastal serves its members first and foremost including an annual loyalty bonus. We've been members for years and love their service and competitive rates on and accounts! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. ☕: Get access to exclusive behind the scenes videos, chats, and more! Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on or . Grab a copy of . My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in four weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together! /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/25797498

How to Be Happy with Money and Have a Happy Life 01/25/2023

How to Be Happy with Money and Have a Happy Life Do you have a huge financial goal you’re chasing, but you’re not sure how to fit it in with everything you have going on right now? Learn how you can be happy with your money and your life! Finding a Healthy Balance with Your Money and Your Life I find one of the biggest challenges when you’re working on family and financial goals is finding that balance. It can be easy to go from one extreme to the other without even realizing it. Before we started knocking out our debts, I wouldn’t say I gave much attention to finances. However there’s this other extreme where you’re completely focused on your financial goals. It can get to the point where you say, ‘We’re going to do this when we pay this debt off, or have this much invested, or XYZ‘, you get the idea. This approach can rob you of joy of the journey and can add undue stress to your family. Taking care of your family and financial goals can be enjoyable and fun. It can also be more holistic, where you also improving different areas of your life including being more social, mental health, and more. That’s why I’m thrilled is on the show today. He’s the author of , and his new one one, . In this episode we’ll: look at finances through a holistic lens share how you can make sure that you're enjoying the journey how to take care of yourself and your family We have a lot of cover, so let’s get started! Resources to Find More Balance with Your Health and Wealth If you’re ready to jump into the year and knock out some of your health and wealth goals, here are a few of my favorite. Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab Your Copy: Jason's Books: and Connect with Jason: and : Unlike other programs, Zoom’s psychological focus uses small goals to help users create lasting habits and lose weight for good. You'll get fitness tips, recipes, a coach, and more to stay motivated. If you’d like to chat more your money system, please join us in our private and free Facebook group – . We’re families looking to support and help one another out. Hope to see you there! Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! Come check out Coastal today if you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better. As a credit union, Coastal serves its members first and foremost including an annual loyalty bonus. We've been members for years and love their service and competitive rates on and accounts! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. ☕: Get access to exclusive behind the scenes videos, chats, and more! Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on or . Grab a copy of . My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in four weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together! Photos by and : /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/25724613

Creating a Fun and Affordable Everyday Bucket List for Your Family 01/18/2023

Enjoying a Rich Life: Wealth in Health 01/11/2023

Enjoying a Rich Life: Wealth in Health Has the last few years been a much for you and it’s taken a toll on your health? Today we’re focusing on how you can have a rich life by getting fit! The Challenge: Fit at 40ish These past three years have been quite the ride. The pandemic has definitely affected me. Nothing dramatic, but when you put it together I can see how things have shifted. Good and bad. I have family and friends who are vulnerable to COVID because of health issues they already had, so I’ve been more cautious and that’s translated to me worrying a bit more. On the plus side, I knew that social isolation wouldn’t be good for me or my family we started meeting up with others outdoors. I believe that was real helpful with keeping in touch with our friends and getting that fresh air. Same thing with eating. On the plus side we cooked and ate more at home, but looking at the meals we picked, comfort foods topped the list. Again, nothing crazy, but you stack these together for a few years and it starts. I see it on the scale, with my energy levels, and more. So I’m turning that around this year and I’m prioritizing my health. Because I think it’s a core component to that rich life we talked about last week. I want to enjoy hanging with our kids, become more active, and maybe find a new activity or hobby. Besides the obvious physical benefits of getting fit, there’s also a mental and an emotional boost when you’re taking care of yourself that spills over to other areas of your life. Which is why I’m thrilled to have Rich Jones on the podcast. He’s the award-winning creator founder of and the where he discusses holistic health for high achievers. A few years ago, Rich had his own transformation. By focusing on his mental and physical, Rich had some incredible personal and professional wins. In this episode we’ll get into: Rich’s amazing journey of sobriety to becoming a national track champion healthy habits you can adopt to have meaningful improvements to your health how to take and make your health goals into reality We have so much to cover, so let’s get started! Resources to Get Healthy If you’re ready to jump into the year and knock out some of your health and wealth goals, here are a few of my favorite resources and includes what we covered in the podcast. Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab Your Copy: : Rich’s podcast focused on holistic wellness for high achievers : Hear from Rich about his journey with finding balance. : This habit can be an eye-opener and a way to reset how you view things If you’d like to chat more your money system, please join us in our private and free Facebook group – . We’re families looking to support and help one another out. Hope to see you there! Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! If you live in the Triangle area of North Carolina and you’d like someone to work with you on your goals, you really want to check out Coastal’s Wealth Management team. They’d love to help you ! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. ☕: Get access to exclusive behind the scenes videos, chats, and more! Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on or . Grab a copy of . My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in four weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together! /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/25575432

How to Create a Rich Life for Your Family in 2023 01/04/2023

How to Create a Rich Life for Your Family in 2023 Ready to rest and fresh your family and financial goals? This year we’re exploring how to have a rich life! The Challenge: Make 2023 A Rich Life Okay, that’s a pretty bold statement – have a rich life. Let first back track on how I came up with this theme for the season and then we can talk about what a rich life looks like. Even before we wrapped up this last season in November, something had been nagging me about the podcast. Besides Simplify and Enjoy, I also write and run Couple Money which is focused on helping married couples get on the same page with their finances. I’ve really loved it. As we were paying off debts, stashing and growing our financial cushion, and eventually becoming a CoastFI family, it’s been fantastic to hear from you and other families on the milestones you’re reaching. Between the two, I’ve been writing and or podcasting about personal finance for over 12 years and it’s been incredible. However as important as getting your finances squared away, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. So I took time off throughout last year including one in October where I just disconnected from the work. I allowed myself to explore and read other topics besides finances to see if I could add something to this podcast that would help you and other families have not just an amazing year with your finances, but really allow you to enjoy things. The first think that clicked for me was a quote from Cal Newport. It served as a jumping-off point for me as I looked at 2023 and what I wanted to do. Do less. Do better. Know why. Instantly, I knew I wanted to dig into this. Initially, I thought about how it would in with podcast. Do less. Families are stressed out because they’re doing so much. There’s always this list of a million things you need to do to get your money straight. Or here’s how you work, be a FT parent, and have a side hustle. It’s too much noise and nonsense. I want to keep things simple and flexible so you can build and design your life as needed. Do better. With time and energy freed up because we’re no doing a ton of things, how can we use that to create something special? Let’s put energy into building up our relationships, levelling up on skills with work, and taking on a projects and hobbies that are meaningful to us. Know why. Productivity culture almost elevates being busy like it’s a virtue, but the real challenge is having and knowing your purpose for what you’re doing. This definition can then be used so you can gauge when you have enough. Resources If you’re ready to jump into the year and knock out some goals, here are a few of my favorite resources and includes what we covered in the podcast. Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab Your Copy: If you’d like to chat more your money system, please join us in our private and free Facebook group – . We’re families looking to support and help one another out. Hope to see you there! /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/25502286

Listener Mailbag: Best Personal Finance Books, CoastFI, and More! 11/10/2022

Listener Mailbag: Best Personal Finance Books, CoastFI, and More! Is pursuing CoastFI a smart move for families? Looking for the best personal finance book for you? We dive into these questions and more in this mailbag episode! Listener Q&A: CoastFI Questions and More We’re wrapping up this season of the podcast by focusing on one of my favorite parts of Simplify and Enjoy: our community. While I’m happy to share our journey as a family, it’s fun and inspiring to hear your stories, ideas, and questions. I usually come away with something to explore and I hope you do too. In this episode, we’ll get into Which personal finance books to read Whether or not CoastFI is a good goal to pursue Which numbers should you track We have so much to cover, so let’s get started! Handy Tools to Start Your FI Journey If you’re looking to get ahead with your finances as a family and look at pursuing financial independence, here are some resources to check out: Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab Your Copy: If you want to chat some more about creating better money habits, questions, or share your own tips please on Facebook. Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! If you live in the Triangle area of North Carolina and you’d like someone to work with you on your goals, you really want to check out Coastal’s Wealth Management team. They’d love to help you ! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on , or . Grab a copy of . My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in 4 weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together! Photo by /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/24968529

Money Goals: Doing Year End Review 11/03/2022

Money Goals: Doing Year End Review With the year wrapping up soon, now is a wonderful time to do a year-end review of your money goals and set yourself up for an incredible year ahead! Reviewing Your Money Goals for the Year It’s that time of year again! Besides our , one of the things we do is a . It’s a way to review the numbers, celebrate wins, and adjust our system as needed to achieve our goals. Everyone has their own system, but the bones of the process are usually the same. We start by pulling up the goals we made for the year. We review all our accounts – top to bottom – to see where we stand. We discuss what worked and what didn’t for us. We then take that information and use it to plan out the next year. On paper, it’s a fairly straightforward process, but believe it or not, it can be fun and empowering, which may sound a bit crazy to you, but I hope to show how you can enjoy it. In this episode, I want to: take you through a high-level view of how it works point out ways you can make the review run smoothly so you’re not scrambling to see all of your accounts talk about how you can use your review to set things up for big wins next year I hope you enjoy! Resources to Easily Stay on Top of Your Family’s Finances Money Apps to Track Your Progress: , Pay Your Mortgage Off Faster: Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! If you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better, come check out Coastal today. We’ve been Coastal members for a few years have been happy with their services. Find out more about what ! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on or . Grab a copy of . My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in 4 weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together! /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/24897255

Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft Data Breaches and Scams 10/26/2022

Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft Data Breaches and Scams Data breaches and identity theft are becoming a regularly part of our lives. Learn how you can protect and secure your personal information! How to Secure Your Info from Data Breaches Identity theft, data breaches, and scams are something that many of us are dealing with way too frequently. Recently, I got a letter from the medical system that we use for doctor's appointments and, it, went a little, something like this: Dear Valued Patient: We're committed to improving the health and well-being blah blah blah Earning and maintaining the trust of our patients is paramount and reflected in demonstrating transparency, accountability more stuff to soften what we have to admit In support of these principles we are writing to let you know that information related to your use of our health portal may have been transmitted to a completely different and unrelated company in error. Ooops Crazy thing is this isn't the first or worst notification we received about our data being possibly compromised or shared. If you've ever shopped at a Target, been a T-Mobile user, or used Facebook, chances are you got notified about one. I just named a few big ones, but basically you can check out sites like Wired to find what new data breach is in the news. Protecting our personal information and identity is getting harder. You have scammers, and identity thieves getting smarter going beyond phishing emails. They could be using skimming devices when you shop. Then there are hackers breaching company's databases or an employee illegally accessing and dumping data like with what happened with Capital One. It's a lot to worry about. While nothing is foolproof and guaranteed, there are relatively simple steps you can take to make it harder for them to steal your information. In this episode we'll get into: how you can secure your information offline protecting yourself online resources to help you if you're a victim of identity theft Alright, let's get started! Resources to Protect Your Personal Information and Finances If you're looking to stay on top of your money and protect your personal information, here are some helpful resources to check out! Best Budget and Money Apps: , , : Free way to review each of your credit reports : Submit a form to get out of the junk mail For freezing your accounts or putting an alert you need to contact the credit bureaus. Equifax: 1-888-766-0008 Experian: 1-888-397-3742 TransUnion: 1-833-395-6938 If you want to chat more about creating better money habits, questions, or share your own tips, please join us on Facebook. Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! Come check out Coastal today if you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better. As a credit union, Coastal serves its members first and foremost including an annual loyalty bonus. We've been members for years and love their service and competitive rates on and accounts! We’re grateful for wonderful partners like . Not only do they support the podcast, but they help make managing your money so much easier. Did you know that it’s estimated that there are currently over 24 million “forgotten” 401(k) accounts? In fact, . And because of the Great Resignation, you or someone you know might be changing jobs even more It’s an extreme case of out of sight and out of mind. Is your old 401(k) in there somewhere, left behind at a job you're no longer with? One huge benefit of an IRA is choosing how your money is invested, not your old employer. If you want to consolidate your old 401(k) and have more options with how you invest, it may be time to roll them over into an IRA. With , they handle the process from start to finish – for FREE and yes that includes calling the 401(k) provider on your behalf. Find out how and ! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on or . Grab a copy of . My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in 4 weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together! Photo Credits: and /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/24809433

Should We Switch to a Credit Union? 10/19/2022

Should We Switch to a Credit Union? Are you frustrated with your bank? Are you getting hit with needless fees? Or feeling like you have to fight to get some good customer service? Today, we're going to look at credit unions and we're going to see why they may be the right option for you. Why Where You Bank Matters One of the most important decisions you can make with your money is choosing where you bank because it's the foundation of your family's finances. Ideally, you want a banking system that allows you to take care of your essential bills, save up for important goals, and set aside something for fun, like vacations. As you heard in the teaser, though – that can be difficult when your bank is working against your best interest. The good news is that those banks that are on the news aren’t your only option. You can get better services and competitive rates by moving your money. One overlooked option that can give you both is switching to a credit union. Joe Mecca from and I are discussing and answering some big questions families typically have about credit unions. Now, if you’ve been a part of this community, you already know Coastal Credit Union is a sponsor. However, you may not know that we have been members of Coastal years before they came on board here. I’ll include a link so you can hear the details, but a very long story short, we had been burned and were frustrated by our old bank, which happened to be one of the big banks. I’m almost embarrassed at how long we waited, but finally, we had enough, so we looked for other options. Eventually, I discovered Coastal and yeah, it’s been like night and day. We've been happy with their service. I’d like you to have the same win. Whether you're in this area and you use Coastal, some other credit union, or a different banking option, the key thing is I want you to review your finances and make sure you're happy with whoever you decide to bank with. In this episode, we’ll get into: How credit unions work Benefits of being a credit union member How Coastal works for the community We have a lot to cover, so let’s get started! Resources to Easily Manage Your Money Your money should be working as hard as you, but managing it should be easy. Here are some of my favorite tools and resources to stay on top of your finances! Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab Your Copy: <- Our bank 😉 Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! Come check out Coastal today if you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better. As a credit union, Coastal serves its members first and foremost including an annual loyalty bonus. We've been members for years and love their service and competitive rates on and accounts! Rollover Your 401(k) Easily with Capitalize We’re grateful for wonderful partners like . Not only do they support the podcast, but they help make managing your money so much easier. Did you know that it’s estimated that there are currently over 24 million “forgotten” 401(k) accounts? In fact, . And because of the Great Resignation, you or someone you know might be changing jobs even more It’s an extreme case of out of sight and out of mind. Is your old 401(k) in there somewhere, left behind at a job you're no longer with? One huge benefit of an IRA is choosing how your money is invested, not your old employer. If you want to consolidate your old 401(k) and have more options with how you invest, it may be time to roll them over into an IRA. With , they handle the process from start to finish – for FREE and yes that includes calling the 401(k) provider on your behalf. Find out how and ! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on or . Grab a copy of . My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in 4 weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together! /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/24733989

How to Maximize Your Work Benefits During Open Enrollment 10/12/2022

How to Maximize Your Work Benefits During Open Enrollment Open enrollment season is here and I want you to be prepared. Learn how you can avoid some of the biggest mistakes and instead maximize your workplace benefits to their fullest potential! Open Enrollment FAQs How would you like to help set up your finances for this next year so that it runs smoother and that you are going to be hitting your money goals faster? That might very well be the case if you take time this weekend to go over your options with open enrollment. I know it might not seem like the most exciting thing when you get that packet, but you can have a huge insignificant one with your finances if you take the time to really research your options and make sure that you're maximizing your benefits. With open enrollment health insurance is typically the biggest decision families worry about an understandably. You're trying to strike that balance of getting the best coverage for your family at an affordable price, which can be a struggle. However, that's just one piece. There are other benefits that I want to make sure you are maximizing as much as possible. How do you know where to start and which workplace benefits you should focus on? That's why I want to share a discussion I had with Matt minor awhile ago about which areas to give your attention to and what essential conversations you should be having as a family to get a clearer picture of optimizing your workplace benefits. Matt is a fee only fiduciary advisor with and he specializes in helping families make sure that their finances are aligned with their goals, priorities, and values. He's also the creator and host of the work pants, finance podcast. In this episode, we're going to be covering: some of the most common and biggest mistakes families make when they go through open enrollment with their benefits how disability insurance works and why you should consider it, even if you are young and healthy what to look out for for other possible benefits and keeping an eye on your 401(k) Hope you enjoy! Resources to Maximize Your Family's Finances Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab a copy of my book: Build Up Your Travel Fund Faster with my FREE course: If you want to chat more about creating better money habits, questions, or share your own tips, please join us on Facebook. Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! Come check out Coastal today if you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better. As a credit union, Coastal serves its members first and foremost including an annual loyalty bonus. We've been members for years and love their service and competitive rates on and accounts! Rollover Your 401(k) Easily with Capitalize We’re grateful for wonderful partners like . Not only do they support the podcast, but they help make managing your money so much easier. Did you know that it’s estimated that there are currently over 24 million “forgotten” 401(k) accounts? In fact, . And because of the Great Resignation, you or someone you know might be changing jobs even more It’s an extreme case of out of sight and out of mind. Is your old 401(k) in there somewhere, left behind at a job you're no longer with? One huge benefit of an IRA is choosing how your money is invested, not your old employer. If you want to consolidate your old 401(k) and have more options with how you invest, it may be time to roll them over into an IRA. With , they handle the process from start to finish – for FREE and yes that includes calling the 401(k) provider on your behalf. Find out how and ! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on or . Grab a copy of . My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in 4 weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together! /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/24650838

Essential Travel Tips for Parents with Young Kids 10/05/2022

Essential Travel Tips for Parents with Young Kids Traveling as a family can be a fantastic way to connect and to experience new things together. If you have little ones, it can also be stressful. Today we're going to go over some travel tips and hacks that parents can use to make things less stressful and still snag a great deal on your next family trip! Taking a Trip with Children Are you guys planning to travel this season? We are. These past few years, we’ve developed a rhythm where we travel to catch the changing of the leaves. I will say with the girls now 11 and 7, trips are a lot more fun. We get to have some great conversations in the car. We explore new places to eat or hike together. My kids have gotten really good with recording pictures and videos of our trips. Now rewind a few years, and things felt different. We still enjoyed traveling when they were babies and toddlers – got the pics to prove it – but it was a little challenging. Vacations were a bit of work at that stage and maybe you feel the same. The good news is that there are different tricks that can make family vacations more enjoyable for everyone. We’re about to enter a busy season of travel, so today I want to help you save money and have fun together as a family. In this episode, we’ll get into: Travel tips if you have young kids to make it less stressful Snagging last-minute deals Some ideas on affordable and fun family trips this season Alright, let’s get started! Resources for Affordable Family Vacations Looking for ways to save on your next family getaway? Here are some fantastic resources to check out: Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab a copy of my book: Build Up Your Travel Fund Faster with my FREE course: Check Out the on If you want to chat more about creating better money habits, questions, or share your own tips, please join us on Facebook. Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! Come check out Coastal today if you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better. As a credit union, Coastal serves its members first and foremost including an annual loyalty bonus. We've been members for years and love their service and competitive rates on and accounts! Rollover Your 401(k) Easily with Capitalize We’re grateful for wonderful partners like . Not only do they support the podcast, but they help make managing your money so much easier. Did you know that it’s estimated that there are currently over 24 million “forgotten” 401(k) accounts? In fact, . And because of the Great Resignation, you or someone you know might be changing jobs even more It’s an extreme case of out of sight and out of mind. Is your old 401(k) in there somewhere, left behind at a job you're no longer with? One huge benefit of an IRA is choosing how your money is invested, not your old employer. If you want to consolidate your old 401(k) and have more options with how you invest, it may be time to roll them over into an IRA. With , they handle the process from start to finish – for FREE and yes that includes calling the 401(k) provider on your behalf. Find out how and ! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on or . Grab a copy of . My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in 4 weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together! /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/24594843

How to Teach Your Teens About Money 09/28/2022

How to Teach Your Teens About Money Not sure how to start talking to your kids about money? One mom shares how she's teaching her teens about budgets, investing, giving, and more! Guiding Your Teens with Finances One of parenthood's joys (and responsibilities) is guiding your kids and teens into adulthood. We all want them to live happy and meaningful lives. That’s a huge goal to work towards, and it takes all 18 years (and then some!) to build them up. One essential skill set they need to get a handle on is their finances. We know money isn’t the goal, but it is a handy tool to help them take care of their bills, save up for big goals, and yes, have a bit of fun. The huge question, however, is where do we start? How do we teach our kids, especially teens, about finances? How do we show them the ropes of budgeting, investing, and giving? How can we help them feel comfortable with handling finances and make wise choices? This is why I’m glad Aja, creator of Principles of Increase and author of . She’s also a mom of two teens. In this episode, we get into: When to begin those conversations and ways you can make them meaningful and interesting Introducing teens to investing whether it’s funds or real estate Involving them with the finances so they’ll be prepared and confident with their skills Let's get started! Resources to Teach Your Kids about Money If you're looking for ideas and resources to prepare your kids to be money-savvy, here are some to check out! Best Budget and Money Apps: , , Grab Your Copy: and ! Have fun while learning about money with this board game! Rally your family and friends together to support your kids' gifts. Goalsetter allows them to give meaningful gifts that support their dreams! If you want to chat more about creating better money habits, questions, or share your own tips, please join us on Facebook. Thank You to Our Sponsor Coastal! Support for this podcast comes from ! Come check out Coastal today if you’re living in the Raleigh Durham area and looking to bank better. As a credit union, Coastal serves its members first and foremost including an annual loyalty bonus. We've been members for years and love their service and competitive rates on and accounts! Rollover Your 401(k) Easily with Capitalize We’re grateful for wonderful partners like . Not only do they support the podcast, but they help make managing your money so much easier. Did you know that it’s estimated that there are currently over 24 million “forgotten” 401(k) accounts? In fact, . And because of the Great Resignation, you or someone you know might be changing jobs even more It’s an extreme case of out of sight and out of mind. Is your old 401(k) in there somewhere, left behind at a job you're no longer with? One huge benefit of an IRA is choosing how your money is invested, not your old employer. If you want to consolidate your old 401(k) and have more options with how you invest, it may be time to roll them over into an IRA. With , they handle the process from start to finish – for FREE and yes that includes calling the 401(k) provider on your behalf. Find out how and ! Support the Podcast! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, here are some ways to support it. Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share. Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. Leave your review on or . Become a Member. Photo Credits: and Related /episode/index/show/simplifyandenjoy/id/24514263

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