Why aren’t there more millionaires? The basic formula is straightforward: spend less than you earn and invest the surplus in low-cost, diversified index funds. It’s not an exaggeration to say that if you stick to these simple steps, you could be sitting on millions by the time you retire. It’s truly that simple – but simplicity doesn’t always mean it’s easy. As it turns out, the biggest obstacle to building wealth isn’t external factors, it’s us. We are often our own worst enemies when it comes to achieving financial success – or any other goals in life. To help us unpack this idea, we’re joined by behavioral scientist Dan Egan. Dan is the Director of Behavioral Finance and Investing at Betterment, and today we’ll dive into how human psychology shapes our financial decisions, the first steps to correcting money mistakes, the power of setting meaningful goals, managing expectations, and much more!

Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances:

• Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.

• Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical.

• Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group.

• Find the best credit card for you with our new credit card tool!

• Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.

• Don’t be cheap and forego getting a life insurance policy. Compare rates with Policygenius.

During this episode we enjoyed a Dale’s Pale Ale by Oskar Blues! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!

Best friends out!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let’s dive into the week with some fresh listener questions we have lined up for you! And don't just stand on the sidelines- if you have a question you’d like us to answer, toss your voice memo our way. It only takes about 90 seconds to record and you can find a step by step guide over at HowToMoney.com/ask . Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, we want to hear it!

1 - Can you help me crunch the numbers to determine: lump sum or a monthly pension?

2 - How should I invest down payment money for a home purchase?

3 - Should my relative consider annuities for a large inheritance?

4 - Did I invest in the S&P 500 correctly?

Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances:

• Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.
• Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical.
• Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group.
• Find the best credit card for you with our new credit card tool!
• Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.

During this episode we enjoyed a Breakfast Ante Meridiem by Monday Night Brewing! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!

Best friends out!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Time for a Friday Flight- our little sampling of the week’s financial news and what it means for your personal finances. There are a lot of headlines out there, but we boil them down to specific takeaways that will allow you to kick off the weekend informed and help you to get ahead with your money. In this episode we explain some relevant and helpful stories like: car stereo hacks, auto IRAs, abysmal hedge fund returns, Travel Tuesday, unlimited vacation clubs, gave up the Spirit, skiplagging to save, sports betting problems, no thanks Tropicana, retail return hassle, deferred interest on store cards, and the rise of second hand gifting.

Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances:

• Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.

• Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical.

• Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group.

• Find the best credit card for you with our new credit card tool!

• Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.

And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money. Have an awesome weekend!

Best friends out!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.