In this episode of Money on My Mind, I answer a question from one of my Budgetdog Academy OGs, Joe Sullivan, about the step-by-step process of starting a business. Whether you’re dusting off an old business idea or just getting serious about entrepreneurship, this no-fluff episode breaks down six essential steps—from finding your niche to scaling—without the distractions of logos, websites, or admin tasks.

I’m sharing hard-learned lessons on why most people aren’t cut out for entrepreneurship, common mistakes new business owners make, and what truly matters when starting out. Ready to stop talking and start doing? This episode’s for you.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:29 The harsh truth: 95% of people aren’t built to start a business—and why that’s okay.

03:28 Why your niche, product, and real results matter more than branding

07:28 Proving your concept and providing services that will make money

09:30 Making your business repeatable without trading time for money

12:13 Simple scales, fancy fails: Why overcomplicating your business is a recipe for disaster

14:02 Focusing on sales and marketing

17:41 Hiring talent from networking instead of job boards

22:12 Learning to delegate to scale your business the right way

23:14 Systemizing your business through SOPs and other tools

31:36 The importance of communication within your team

Quotables

“Ideas are pointless. Everyone has them. What matters is who takes action and gets paid for them.”

“Simple scales. Fancy fails. The more complex you make it, the worse your product probably is.”

“If you can’t sell it more than once, it’s not a business. It’s just a hustle.”

Links

Budgetdog

https://budgetdog.com

Asana

https://asana.com/

Quickbooks

https://quickbooks.intuit.com/

In this episode, I break down the five key aspects of human nature that often hold us back from achieving financial success. I dive into the psychology of money, emotional decision-making, and the societal pressures that shape how we manage our finances. Along the way, I share actionable solutions to help you overcome these natural tendencies and provide insights into creating lasting wealth through discipline, patience, and self-awareness.

Join me for relatable stories, practical advice, and a clear roadmap to help you navigate and conquer common financial pitfalls.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

02:16 The role of psychology in your success

03:34 Reason 1: The natural instinct to avoid pain

07:21 How to overcome the instinct to avoid pain

08:36 Reason 2: Survival instincts and short-term thinking

11:52 Understanding the difference between your needs and wants

13:30 Reason 3: Emotional decision-making

14:20 Logic vs emotions in wealth-building

17:58 Reason 4: Groupthink and trends

20:31 How to overcome groupthinking

24:28 Reason 5: The desire for good social standing

28:53 Starting the work with your mindset

Quotables

“Building wealth often requires embracing pain—it’s part of the process of growth.”

“If you always chase short-term gratification, you’ll never achieve long-term financial success.”

“The more self-aware you are about your psychology, the better your financial decisions will be.”

Links

Budgetdog

https://budgetdog.com

In this actionable episode of Money on My Mind, I share my step-by-step playbook for securing a raise, drawing from my personal experience of achieving a 17% raise during my time at Deloitte. I tackle common misconceptions about earning more, emphasizing that providing value is far more important than relying on tenure. I break down the critical strategies of gathering market data, tracking your performance metrics, and delivering a confident, compelling pitch.

Whether you’re looking to level up in your career or gain insight into employee dynamics, this episode is packed with powerful tools to help you achieve professional growth.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:01 Shifting your mindset to understand the difference between time and value

02:48 How you should approach the idea of asking for a raise

04:24 Gathering market data and benchmarking salaries

06:22 Understanding your role’s market demand and timing your request

08:12 Exchanging value for money

12:36 The power of tracking performance data to quantify your contributions

15:29 Preparing for the big discussion: How to structure your pitch
16:36 The value of taking the lead

19:26 Presenting yourself confidently to get your raise

20:25 The importance of having a fallback position to strengthen your negotiation

23:55 Framework recap: How to get a raise

Quotables

“Time does not equal more money.”

“If you want a raise, you need to show up with facts, data, and confidence—it’s not just about asking.”

“Leaders naturally rise to the occasion—if you want to earn more, start thinking and acting like one.”

Links

Budgetdog

https://budgetdog.com

In today’s episode of Money on My Mind, I’m sharing the shocking experience of watching my credit score drop 115 points after paying off my mortgage. Let’s talk about the mechanics of credit scores, breaking down the five key factors that impact them and explaining why the credit industry penalizes debt-free living. I’m also sharing personal stories, practical tips, and thought-provoking insights to help you navigate the “credit game” without feeling trapped by it.

Whether you’re focused on achieving financial freedom or looking to improve your credit, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you stay in control.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:26 How my credit dropped to 115

03:06 What happens to your credit when you pay off your debts?

04:19 The 5 components of a credit score

05:08 How closing credit cards can impact your credit score

07:11 Why playing “the credit game” is a losing strategy

09:26 The marketing tactics of credit card companies and how they target consumers

11:44 Being a “slave to the lender” forever

13:02 Why simplifying your financial life is the ultimate freedom

Quotables

“The credit gods didn’t like that we paid off our debt—they punished us for leaving their game.”

“The borrower is always a slave to the lender, no matter the interest rate.”

“Simplify your life, focus on what truly matters, and get rid of the noise that keeps you on the financial treadmill.”

Links

Budgetdog

https://budgetdog.com

In this reflective and thought-provoking episode of Money on My Mind, I share why I’m letting go of traditional goal-setting in favor of a powerful mindset shift. I open up about a pivotal realization inspired by my CPA exam journey, explaining how operating with a scarcity mindset can hinder progress, even when you’re hitting milestones. I discuss the importance of trusting yourself, setting broad intentions instead of rigid goals, and embracing abundance over scarcity.

Whether you’re an ambitious goal-setter or looking for clarity in your financial journey, I hope this episode inspires you to rethink how you approach your objectives for a more fulfilling and impactful life.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

02:10 Living with intentionality

03:27 My journey taking the CPA tests: Lessons from failure and persistence

07:20 How overcoming the scarcity mindset affects your results

09:11 Shifting to a mindset of abundance and trusting innate skills

12:34 Why I decided to quit my goals this year

13:49 How changing your mindset can change the results you’re going to achieve

Quotables

“You can trust yourself to get there without stressing yourself out to get there.”

“Goals framed by scarcity can push you onto a treadmill of endless moving goalposts.”

“Shifting from scarcity to abundance is the key to operating at a higher level.”

Links

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

https://www.amazon.com/Subtle-Art-Not-Giving-Counterintuitive/dp/0062457713

Atomic Habits

https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299

Budgetdog

https://www.budgetdog.com

In this heartfelt and powerful episode of Money on My Mind, I’m sharing with you a life-changing ordeal involving mold toxicity that has left my family without a home and facing significant financial challenges. I share the emotional and financial impact of this event, detailing how we’re managing over $300,000 in unexpected expenses while caring for our immunocompromised daughter.

This episode dives deep into the importance of financial preparedness, resilience in the face of adversity, and the mindset needed to overcome life’s toughest challenges. Packed with raw honesty and actionable insights, my goal is to provide a wake-up call to take control of your finances before disaster strikes.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:11 What do you value the most in life?

02:44 Managing financial and emotional stress

05:31 The two routes when facing adversity: Fight or flight

07:59 What the mold crisis really looked like for us

12:12 How much this situation cost us

13:48 The importance of financial preparedness and living below your means

20:11 The impact of having sustainable and automated systems

22:44 Developing a mindset that can weather every storm

Quotables

“You can only lose if you give up. Resilience is the key to overcoming any adversity.”

“Life isn’t fair, but sitting in excuses won’t fix anything. You have to act.”

“Financial freedom isn’t about luxury; it’s about having the muscle to handle life’s hardest moments.”

Links

Budgetdog

https://budgetdog.com

This week, I’m diving into a question that so many of us have asked: “Where do I start financially?” Whether you’re overwhelmed by information, held back by fear, or unsure where to begin, I’ve got you covered. In this episode, I lay out the essential first steps to take control of your finances, from setting up foundational documents to understanding how to track, grow, and protect your money. Plus, I share practical advice on building financial literacy, staying patient, and managing emotions around money—key components to long-term success. Grab a notebook because this one is packed with actionable steps to jumpstart your journey to financial freedom!

Timeline of Key Moments:

[0:00] - Introduction

[0:14] - The big question: Where do I start financially?

[2:22] - Why breathing and managing emotions are the first steps to financial clarity.

[7:10] - The three critical documents you need to track your financial progress.

[10:15] - Free vs. paid financial education: Understanding the value of investing in yourself.

[13:45] - Why patience is essential in your financial journey and how it reduces stress.

[17:07] - Breaking down the “Track, Grow, Protect” framework for managing money.

[20:00] - Building a financial system: How to link your goals, budget, and investments.

[24:10] - The importance of estate planning, tax strategies, and protecting your financial future.

Links & Resources:

• Free financial tools and templates: https://budgetdogtemplate.com/bonus-training

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rX4-EsIvUmx6cLVp7NG_JR-hD1e72-Ad/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=114928106753728252238&rtpof=true&sd=true

• Join the Budgetdog Academy: https://budgetdog.com/

• Donate to Dravet Syndrome research: https://dravetfoundation.org/donate/

Closing Remark:

Thanks for tuning in! If you’re ready to take bold steps toward your financial goals, don’t just listen—take action today. If you found this episode helpful, share it with someone who needs a financial boost and subscribe so you never miss a tip. See you next week, and let’s keep mastering our money together!

In this raw and deeply personal episode, I take you into the chaos of our current life—a home filled with mold and mycotoxins, a battle for my daughter Logan’s health, and the unyielding determination it takes to keep moving forward. From navigating her rare condition, Dravet Syndrome, to uncovering the hidden dangers in our environment, we’ve faced challenges that test us daily. Through these trials, we’ve learned that giving up is the only way to truly lose.

Join me as I share the incredible miracles we’ve experienced, like finding groundbreaking care at Infinity Functional Neurology, and how unexpected connections and perseverance are shaping our journey. Whether you’re facing health, financial, or personal obstacles, this episode is a reminder that your strength and faith can lead you through anything.

Timeline Summary:

[0:00] - Introduction

[0:27] - Setting the stage: A messy, mold-infested home and a battle to stay hopeful.

[1:08] - Logan’s health journey: From 22 seizures in 2022 to a brief, hopeful respite in 2023.

[2:28] - Discovering the problem: Mycotoxins in our new home and their devastating impact.

[4:02] - Finding hope: A life-changing trip to Infinity Functional Neurology in Iowa.

[7:00] - Miracles unfold: A nutritionist’s dream, Logan’s incredible progress, and newfound optimism.

[10:57] - Celebrating milestones: Logan’s newfound energy, confidence, and joy at the park.

[17:10] - The cost of perseverance: Financial sacrifices, emotional resilience, and unwavering focus.

[20:47] - A powerful reminder: Why giving up is the only way to lose.

Links & Resources:

https://bookwithbudgetdog.com/ped
https://www.iowainfinity.com/

Closing:

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need encouragement. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and stay connected for more inspiring stories and practical insights. Until next time, remember: You only lose if you give up.