Meaning Over Money

We talk a lot about the idea of sinking funds, or as we like to call it, smoothing out the lumpy stuff. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton walks through the steps for a simple and effective execution. Enjoy!

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It’s quite common for us to think about the risk of making this decision or that decision. We (hopefully) objectively look at the choices before us, and assess the risk and rewards of each. However, we don’t often think about the risk of NOT doing something. Let's call it the risk of not taking risk. In many situations, we would argue, the risk of not taking risk is far greater than the risk we’d be taking. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton dives into the risk of complacency and how not taking risks is actually the biggest risk of all.

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Warning: This episode may offend personal finance traditionalists. There’s a shadow side to being completely locked in and focused on our goals. Sure, that focus allows us to crush our goals and make ridiculous progress. That’s amazing! However, it can also lead to burnout if we’re not careful. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discusses a weird and counter-cultural challenge he issued to one of his clients who was on the brink of burnout. For one month, they weren’t allowed to do anything “responsible” with their money. Instead, it was a full month of nothing but wants and fun….we’ll call it planned irresponsibility. It changed everything!

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Have you ever noticed that sports coaches never talk about their desire to quit working? They don’t say things like, “Only 5 more years until I can retire,” or “I can’t wait to finally hang it up.” Instead, they talk about their desire to coach as long as they are able. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discusses this unique dynamic, and why we all could learn a thing or two from the coaches in our life. This episode was inspired by the Long Beach State men’s basketball team, their coach Dan Monson, and the amazing story they lived out heading into March Madness. 

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When the idea of pursuing meaning over money is discussed, many people equate meaning to lack of money. We treat the decision as if we’re pursuing meaning OR money. However, that’s not how it works. Pursuing meaning is just that, pursuing meaning….and where that leads is a mystery to be unearthed. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discusses how the road to meaning is typically far better than we can ever imagine. It also gives Travis an excuse to talk about Cole behind his back. Trust us, Cole’s story is a beautiful example of the road to meaning. 

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Have you ever tried to help a loved one by telling them about a better way? Yeah, it doesn’t work very well, does it? In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains why our words often don’t make the impact we desire…..and in many cases, can have a negative effect. Instead of telling people what to do, we should simply show them through our own actions. When we live these meaning over money principles, other people can’t help but notice. Our lived example is more powerful than any words that could come out of our mouths. 

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What’s fascinating about human behavior is that our bar and definition of “boujee” varies wildly. What one person might consider boujee, another considers a “need.” Is one right? Is one wrong? The answer to that question doesn’t really matter. What matters is how these vastly differing opinions are twisting people up and causing them to make decisions that don’t align with their interests and values. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discusses this concept through a personal story

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Can we be honest? Delayed gratification sucks! When we want something, we want it NOW! We also live in a culture (with easy debt at our fingertips) that encourages us to just do it. It’s easy! It’s simple. It will make us “happy.” However, that doesn’t make it wise (or healthy). In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discusses the beauty of delayed gratification through the lens of his dream car (it’s a fun story!). 

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When we’re young, most of our financial fate rests in the hands of our future selves. We must invest, make good decisions, and invest some more. Then, one day in the very distant future, we’ll be in a solid financial position. As we age, however, future us has less time to make things happen. For this reason, it’s critically important that current us makes wise and proactive choices. When we do, we’ll eventually reach a point where we’re relying on our past selves far more than our future selves. There’s unparalleled freedom in this concept, and we want you to experience it first-hand. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton shares the story of one particular client, and how they are significantly grateful for their past selves. 

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Today’s episode is a cautionary tale about the American Dream—the nice house, the new cars, the stylish wardrobes, the exotic trips, and all the other trappings that accompany it. Having nice things is extremely cool…..and so much fun! However, for many Americans, the pursuit of this materialistic lifestyle is literally robbing them of their best life. Yeah, the stuff is enjoyable, but at what cost? The cost to many is a meaningful and fulfilling life that could have been. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton shares an all-too-familiar story about a family dancing around this tension. It’s absolutely a topic worth discussing head-on!

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Have you ever been made to feel guilty for spending money on something you don’t “need.” Oh good, glad we aren’t alone. There seems to be a toxic undercurrent in our money culture that says we should only buy things we need. This leads to guilt, regret, and hoarding tendencies. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discusses how destructive and counter-productive these mindsets are, and why it’s important to spend money on fun things that add value to your life. It’s ok to buy things you want. In fact, it’s healthy!

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There's no harder stage in life than being a young adult. You're still trying to figure out who and what you are, where you want to be, what you want to do, and likely have limited resources to get it all started. Further, no other stage of life brings so many significant life changes (marriage, kids, careers, houses, etc.). In today's episode, host Travis Shelton shares the six steps he advises young adults to take in order to set the foundation for an uncertain but awesome future.

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Nobody wants to think about their own mortality. It’s an awkward subject that can bring up a lot of emotions. This is one of the main reasons why most Americans die without a will. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains why it’s so important for each of us to have a will in place. Further, he lays out the key decisions we each must make when creating our wills. This is a can’t miss topic, and we hope you engage in these ideas with the significance it should carry. 

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Whenever someone passes away too soon, we tend to look at their situation as proof that we need to hurry up and get to retirement so we can “actually enjoy life” for as long as possible. We couldn’t disagree more with this sentiment. We, too, are impacted by these tragic situations. However, it’s quite the opposite for us. Instead, we believe these stories are proof that we need to find meaning in our lives today. Life shouldn’t be lived as a race where meaning and enjoyment happen on the other side of the finish line. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton makes his case for a journey filled with meaning, not the promise of “actually enjoying life” someday. 

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All work matters, but not all work matters to you. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discusses the importance of defining what gives our work meaning (regardless of what others think), then aggressively pursuing it. The episode is framed through the lens of a recent conversation with a friend, in which Travis was accused of being a hypocrite for some of his work. This is an important topic to attack head-on, and that's what we plan on doing today. 

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In episode 305 (linked below), we talked about how car debt is some of the most crippling debt to be in, but also some of the easiest to get out of. However, we noted that it’s emotionally difficult for people to unwind their car debt for one big reason: it’s a public decision. The act of selling a vehicle and downgrading is visible to everyone around us, which is tough. In today’s episode, we dive deeper into a reality we must all face. When we choose to make (or not make) financial decisions because of what people might think, we’re prioritizing our image over our family. We’re choosing status at the expense of our family’s livelihood. When we view it through that lens, it could (and should!) enable us to make different and better decisions. 

Referenced episode: 

Since aggressively launching into the topic of investing, listeners have been coming out of the woodwork with their own stories. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton shares examples from two of his friends who recently realized they were sold a terrible bill of goods. They trusted their investment professionals, only to be overcharged and underdelivered. However, there’s a silver lining. When we take a look in the mirror and face the issue head-on, it’s the beginning of a much brighter future. This isn’t about being smart or dumb (both of these people are brilliant in their own right). Rather, it’s about being aware, knowing what to expect, and demanding a better outcome. 

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We live in a culture that glorifies retirement. So much so that it causes us to tolerate crappy (but good paying) work, hoard as much money as possible, and race to an earlier-the-better finish line we like to call retirement. That’s a lot of pressure! Oh yeah, and it can also be void of meaning and fulfillment along the way. Instead of living a life where we grind, grind, and grind so that one day we can “enjoy life,” we think you deserve better. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discusses a different way to perceive and navigate work, retirement, and the journey. There’s an option on the table to live a meaningful life today, tomorrow, and down the road. 

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We've been talking a lot about taxable investing lately. The importance of it. The simplicity of it. The effectiveness of it. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton walks you through the very simple process of setting up and funding your taxable investment account. Have fun with it!

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We have a car crisis in America. Well, it's actually a much wider crisis, due in part to our crazy car-related decisions. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton discusses the most recent car loan data and explains why it's critical that we make different choices in this area of our financial lives. There's a better way, guys!

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We often reference the idea of taxable investing. In our opinion, it's one of the most overlooked and misunderstood topics in the investing arena. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton explains what it is (and what it's not), why it matters, how simple/powerful it can be, and what it can do for your financial journey.

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Have you made any mistakes or poor financial decisions in the past? Whew, glad we aren’t the only ones! We all have junk our our past: regret, frustrations, and lingering consequences. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains how we only have two options on how to approach it. We can either dwell on the past and sit in our regret, or we can put 100% of our energies and focus on the present and future. Since we can’t go back, our encouragement is to let the past live in the rear-view mirror and get busy moving into a better future. You are where you are, and that’s a good thing.

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The cultural narrative is that people simply don't "support" small businesses, which is why they end up closing down. In today's episode, we want to flip the script and look at this idea from the opposite perspective. Instead of us needing to support them, it's their job to earn our patronage, and then re-earn the right for us to come back again. When done well, it's amazing how much these businesses thrive.

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Instead of education and context, many financial professionals simply pander to people's irrational fear. Nobody wants to take undue risk, but what is risk? In today's episode, host Travis Shelton attempts to bring rationality into a significantly irrational topic: stock market risk. Without realizing it, millions of Americans are inadvertently costing themselves hundreds of thousands (or millions) of dollars by misunderstanding a few misworded questions.

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Conventional personal finance advice includes "have an emergency fund." It's simple advice, and it's good advice. But behind the general concept are many questions. How much? When do you need it? Where do you keep it? In today's episode, host Travis Shelton discusses the emergency fund through the lens of a 3-bucket concept. It's a simple idea, but we're finding this idea is a novel concept to most. Therefore, we decided to share it with you. Hope you enjoy!

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In today's episode, we shine a light on one particular family's investing situation. This family is living a similar reality that millions of Americans are unknowingly living. It's time to shine a light on it. Stick to the end to learn how this family transformed their entire financial future with just a 10-minute investment of their time.

Tax deductions are a business’s best friend…..and possible worst enemy. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discusses how many business owners, in a pursuit to reduce taxes, are actually impairing their profits and cashflow. Yes, tax deductions can be a good thing! But we shouldn’t throw away a dollar just to save a quarter on taxes.

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Death. It’s not a fun topic to talk about, but it’s an important one. Someday (hopefully far into the future), one spouse will pass away. When that day comes, will the surviving spouse be prepared to pick up the financial pieces? That season of life will be tremendously difficult, but finances don’t have to make it worse. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton walks through a simple but effective list of tasks couples can execute to prepare themselves.

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Do you ever make the seemingly right decision, only to have a bad feeling in the pit of your stomach about it? In today's raw, unedited episode, host Travis Shelton talks about gut checks and why listening to them is so important in our decision-making process. Yes, we need the mental part of decisions. Yes, we need the emotional part of decisions. But that third factor, the gut check, is critically important as well.

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In today's episode, we look back at the year that was. Wow, so much good stuff to be grateful for. We covered a lot of different topics and encountered many unexpected obstacles/opportunities. We also discuss the top 10 most downloaded episodes of the year. We're thankful for you and your continued desire to invest your time in this podcast. It means so much to us. Cheers to 2024!

Top 10 episodes of 2023:

Everyone on social media these days has a sure-fire way to make quick money. Life-changing money......right now! In today's episode, host Travis Shelton discusses the toxicity and risk of these types of mentalities. In a time when finances are feeling tight, these get-rich-quick ideas are spreading like wildfire, bringing a lot of people down along the way. You deserve better.

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We often put pressure on ourselves to constantly make progress on all our goals. In some seasons, however, that's not feasible. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton talks about the importance of giving yourself grace. When we do, it's easier to push pause on some goals so we can focus our efforts on others. It's not a forever decision, but a right-now decision.

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Have you noticed how people have wildly differing opinions on the severity and significance of inflation? If you take two similar people, one may say inflation is killing them, and the other may say inflation is being blown out of proportion. Why? No, it's not because one person is being irresponsible. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton uses an illustration to showcase why we have such vast opinions on the topic. In short, context matters.

Anyone else getting frustrated that dining out is getting significantly more expensive? This category is crushing many people's finances, but we have two choices: 1) be a victim, or 2) gain control. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton discusses the recent trend of people allowing restaurants to overcome their finances, and provides some insights on how to regain control.

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Have you ever noticed how we often covet, protect, and respect the expensive things in our lives, while the priceless (but not necessarily expensive) things get left in the dust? This is a common phenomenon. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton discusses this dynamic and invites listeners (and himself) to intentionally shift the focus.

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Our culture is full of narratives that are misleading at best, and destructive at worst. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton shines a light on one of them: investing in the US stock market. We hope this provides a fuller context on this issue, but also highlights a broader need to cut through the cultural narratives of half-truths that often lead us down the path of poor decisions.

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What should we do with the money we have sitting around? In today's episode, host Travis Shelton answers one of the most common questions he receives. As with many topics, context matters. We'll explore the different questions you should ask yourself to make the best decision for YOU. Enjoy!

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Money and happiness is a lot like the KFC logo. Once you see it, you can't unsee it (IYKYK). In today's episode, host Travis Shelton explores the often misunderstood dynamic between money and happiness, and what it means for our life. It's hard to see through the lens of our modern-day culture, but once we see it, we can't unsee it. This episode gets to the heart of the Meaning Over Money message.

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We all love to see positive results. A higher paycheck. More profit. A growing number of customers. The numbers matter. However, we think they matter for a different reason. In most cases, the numbers in and of themselves aren't the answer. They are the tell. They are an indicator we're doing the right things. Instead of dwelling on hitting the desired numbers, we should dwell on the positive behaviors that will ultimately result in the numbers.

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What do Cole, ESPN, and Taylor Swift have in common? You're about to find out. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton discusses why even when we achieve monumental things in our journey, the best is still to come. It may be a peak, but it's never THE peak.

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Studies show that 70% of Americans dislike or hate their job. It's an epidemic. Worse, it's an epidemic we're unknowingly passing on to our kids. Host Travis Shelton recently had the opportunity to share some insight and encouragement on this topic with 1,000 eighth and ninth graders. In today's episode, we're speaking to parents. As parents ourselves, we believe our kids deserve better than to wake up each morning for the next 40+ years with dread or indifference. We believe they can (and should) pursue a meaningful and fulfilling life. And one massive piece of that is work that matters. Let's talk about it!

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I often hear the question, "What would you do if you knew you were going to die tomorrow?" That question raises lots of emotions and triggers instant gratification impulses. Let's change the script. What if you knew you only had ten years left to live? If true, what changes would you make in your life? The answer(s) to that question may actually be a tell about who you are and what you really want in life. It's a question worth pondering!

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We often talk about the science of money and happiness, and the reality that money ultimately does not drive happiness. People on the other side of this aisle often use this as a reason why we should just completely disregard money altogether. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton explains why this isn't the answer. In fact, these types of behaviors can sabotage our efforts and lead us to a place where we end up dwelling on money (or rather money issues).

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We live in a culture obsessed with instant gratification. We want to put in the work, quickly get rewarded, then repeat. However, this isn't the way most of life works. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton explains how this instant gratification mindset is sabotaging our ability to achieve our goals. Instead, if we take a longer-term approach, we have the potential to accelerate to where we're trying to go.

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Let's face it, some jobs suck. We've all been there. You may be there right now. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton explains why even the worst work can have purpose and meaning. It may not be the work you want forever, but it just might be the ticket to help propel yourself to the better next thing.

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There are a lot of opinions about how best to achieve financial goals. Everyone thinks they are right, and technically they are.....sometimes for some people. The key, however, is to find the right approach for you. It's not a one-size-fits-all approach. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton explains a few different approaches and how you might integrate them into your life. You got this!

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