Meaning Over Money

Have you ever been hit with a chaotic season of life? Are you in one now? As you've probably experienced, finances are one of the first areas of our life to get neglected when we're experiencing chaos. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton shares his six steps to keeping our finances afloat during a chaotic season. You got this!

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We're trying something new. This is the first in an ongoing "on the road" series where Travis will remotely record episodes while on his various trips. In today's episode, recorded while on a family camping trip in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Travis discusses the common belief that we need money to create memories.....therefore proving that money = happiness. Our argument is that while yes, some memories cost money, all memories are created equal and money is not a prerequisite to making memories. Hope you enjoy!

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Do you ever feel guilty when you travel? Or maybe feel a financial hangover after you travel? In today's episode, host Travis Shelton shares some ideas on how to prepare well, view it with a healthy perspective, and execute the plan with joy and intentionality. Travel is amazing, and it should stay that way!

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Do you ever intend to do something, but procrastinate because you don't currently have the time/ability to get it perfect? Do you ever intend to finish that project, but drag your feet because it's just not good enough yet? In today's episode, host Travis Shelton discusses why we so often fall into the trap of perfection. Though we have the bets intentions, we're practicing self-sabotage in so many ways. Instead, we should seek to simply move the ball forward and make a difference.....because it will never be perfect.

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When we look at the millions of Americans in credit card debt, our typical reaction is to shake our heads and think to ourselves, "If they just would have been responsible, they wouldn't be in credit card debt." In today's episode, host Travis Shelton makes the argument we have it backward. Rather than people going into credit card debt out of irresponsibility, it's because they are trying to be responsible.....with the other areas of their life. Our responsibilities are often aligned, but they begin to collide when we experience financial stressors. Therein lies the trap.

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Today's episode comes to you from a mobile podcast recorder in West Texas. That wasn't the plan, but when technical issues rain on our parade, we improvise. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton discusses the importance of stepping up to the plate, even when there's a chance of striking out. It's uncomfortable, and oftentimes scary, but that's the entry price to impact.

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If sugar is what makes cake taste good, why don’t we just replace all the flour with more sugar? It would taste like crap, that’s why. However, we live in a culture that continually tells us that we should replace the flour in our lives with more and more sugar. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explores the idea of finding a healthy balance of sugar (leisure and fun) and flour (work, purpose, and impact) in our lives. Just as we don’t want a life full of just flour, neither should we pursue a life of just sugar. We don’t need to be flourless cakes. 

Compounding is a powerful phenomenon, but it’s staggering how much so for young people. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton shares some insights from a recent talk he gave to young adults. In short, young adults have a particularly massive opportunity to embrace the power of compounding. All it requires is the willingness to start…..and a ton of patience.

This money stuff should be simple, but simple doesn’t mean easy. In fact, some of the simplest things in the world are the hardest to actually do. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discusses this important distinction, and will challenge you to aggressively and obsessively pursue simple. While it might be tremendously difficult, it might also be one of the best things you ever do. 

Humans have an interesting knack of overestimating the probability of something bad happening, but underestimating the severity of said bad outcome. The net result of these dynamics can be utterly destructive. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discussed the importance of understanding the true downside risks of xyz decision. If we do, we’ll make better choices and protect our family from potentially devastating outcomes. 

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Worried about a possible stock market crash? You aren’t alone! With the volatility we’ve experienced in the first three months of 2025, many people are getting nervous. Will the market crash? Is this just a bump in the road? Are bad days ahead? We aren’t fortune tellers, but we can say with 100% certainiy that a stock market crash will happen……at some point. If true, what do we do with that information. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton shares some historical context. Bad news: A crash WILL happen. Good news: History tells us not to worry. 

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Did you know that host Travis Shelton recently had a midlife crisis? Well, that’s what most people would call it, anyway. In the Meaning Over Money world, we simply calling it living for the meaning, not for the money. In today’s episode, on the one-year anniversary of Travis purchasing an 18-year-old Nissan 350Z, Travis discusses the costs, benefits, and overall takeaways. In short, it’s pretty freaking awesome!

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Would you spend $10 per day on things you don’t need? Every day, every week, every month, every year. In some ways, this idea sounds crazy and irresponsible. Host Travis Shelton wrote a blog about this recently, and his readers agreed. Spending $10 on wants every single day sounds grossy reckless. However, would you believe that almost every person who listens to this episode already does that…..and more? We don’t think of it this way, but most of us spend far more than $10 per day on things we don’t need. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discusses the implications of this reality…..and it might not be what you think. 

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No, that daily coffee isn’t ruining your financial life…..by itself. We love to pigeonhole certain expenses in our life as the ones that are hurting us. Truth is, most probably aren’t. It’s okay to spend money on fun things like coffess, drinks, clothes, and dining out. There’s nothing inherently wrong with buying fun things. However, we can’t have ALL the fun things. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discusses the importance of prioritizing our fun spending on things that actually add value to our lives. When we do, these things become blessings instead of burdens. We can have fun things, but not ALL the fun things. 

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One of the biggest financial stressors in people’s lives is the tension they experience waiting to see if x bills will be paid before y paycheck arrives (or vice versa). Just one or two days can be the make or break, and the stress that creates in our lives is tremendous. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains why it’s critical to take timing off the table. More importantly, he simply explains how to remove this situation from the discussion. if done right, proper budgeting will allow us to completely ignore timing. In fact, as Travis points out in this episode, he doesn’t even know when a single one of his bills is due. That’s the beauty of executing this concept well!

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Have you ever been jealous of someone in your life? Of course you have! Often, we get jealous of the upside of someone’s decisions (such as the house they live in or the car they drive). However, we rarely think about the cost of these decisions. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains why we must factor in both sides of the equation before we form an opinion (or become jealous). Often, if we actually knew the consequences of such decisions, we wouldn’t be jealous at all. When we look at life and decision-making through this lens, we all might get a little less jealous. 

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People are once again starting to get nervous about the stock market. It makes sense, as the market has recently experienced some negative volatility. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton makes his argument why it’s so important that we stop. Stop worrying. Stop reacting. Stop adjusting. Stop doing. We just need to stop. When we stop, take a deep breath, and see things through a proper lens, this investing stuff doesn’t have to be scary. And if history is any indication, we’re all fine……or far better than fine!

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Most tales of financial struggle have a starting point. People can often trace back their turmoil to a single event. Maybe it’s one poor decision, or a misfortune, or a mistake. We call those landmines. And when we step on a landmine, it becomes more likely to step on another. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discusses the importance of avoiding landmines, but when we do step on them, how to bounce back. Don’t let the landmines in your life bring you down. You got this!

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Do you do your own taxes? If so, please listen to this episode. We believe that one of the simpliest and most important decisions you can make in your financial life is to get a trusted tax professional. It’s about far more than just getting your taxes done each spring. For many families, this one decision can make a world of difference! In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains the implications of having (or not having) a trusted tax professional.

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What would happen to your family if something happened to you? What would happen to you if something happened to your spouse? In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains why it’s critically important to protect our families with life insurance, how much you might need, and how to get it. If we’re struck with the most heartbreaking of tragedies, we need to make sure our family is protected financially. It’s enough to mourn the loss of a partner…..we don’t need sudden financial turmoil to strike at the same time. While never fun to discuss, this topic can quickly, easily, and cheaply be taken care of.

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Whenever we talk about investing, it’s almost always through the lens of retirement investing. Retirement investing is awesome, no doubt. However, most families, in their pursuit of focusing their energy on retirement, miss out on an important and powerful opportunity. What if you need/want some of your assets before age 60? A wedding? A car? College? An earlier-than-60 income stream? Most people must bide their time until they hit the magical retirement age to tap their assets. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains another angle to approach your investing game. Your future self will thank you for this one!

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One of the hardest nuances to manage in our finances is dealing with an inconsistent income. While some people might get a salary or work a consistent set of hours, many rely on commissions, royalties, bonuses, and varying hours to feed their family. One month might pay $15,000, and the next $2,000. It can be a whipsaw of emotion, ranging from euphoria to panic. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains how he coaches families through this dynamic. If done well, we can take the most volatile income on earth and make it more stable than even salaried positions. If you have an inconsistent income, this one could transform the way you handle money. 

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More than nearly every aspect of personal finance, we here at Meaning Over Money will die on the hill that married couples should combine finances and view everything through the lens of “ours.” However, it’s inevitable that tensions and stress will arise at some point. In most marriages, the tension doesn’t come from the big decisions, but rather the small everyday purchases. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton walks through the concept of personal spending in marriage, and how just a few small tweaks could change everything. This is one of the easiest strategies to implement, with immediate and lasting payoff! Happy spending.

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On the heels of our Budgeting 101 episode, host Travis Shelton dives deep into sinking funds. What they are, why they matter, and how to easily and effectively execute them. If you’re looking to improve your saving game, this is the episode for you. The implementation of sinking funds can be the game-changer your financial life needs to take you to the next level. 

Today marks the beginning of a series we are calling 101. Based on listener feedback and common questions, we’re getting back to basics on how to logistically and mechanically execute on several ideas we regularly discuss on this podcast. Today, we’re starting with budgeting because, well, we believe budgeting well is the key that unlocks all other doors. If we can get this part right, so many more options open up for us. As we always say, budgeting isn’t about spending less, but rather spending better. Let’s dive in!

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Most Americans are willingly but unknowingly throwing away 25% of their life savings. Yes, one-quarter of people’s assets are literally vanishing from under their nose? How, investment fees. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains why even a 1% fee on your investments can rob you blind. This one episode might save you millions.

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Millions of Americans struggle with financial hoarding…..or the weight of feeling guilt when spending. Much of this stems back to our childhoods, when we were continuously told not to buy things we don’t need, to quit spending, to save more, etc. After decades of this narrative, many people haven’t developed a healthy relationship with money and live in a perpetual state of guilt, regret, and hoarding. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton addressed this phenomenon head-on and provides simple steps to help overcome it. Even more important, we discuss how to raise our own kids better so they don’t experience this later in life. 

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Achieving goals is hard. After all, life doesn’t slow down or do us any favors to make it easier. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton talks about the importance of measuring the things we want to accomplish. This is a critical part of his financial coaching process, and with visibility, intentionality, and discipline comes massive results. If you sometimes struggle to make progress on your goals, this episode is for you! Perhaps it’s time to start measuring. 

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How impactful is investing $25/month? Not much, actually. However, that’s not the point. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discusses the power of starting. From a behavioral science perspective, the most important (and difficult) part of any endeavor is to simply start. Even if it’s slow, or small, a start is still a start. In the case of investing, starting at even $25/month is the gateway to a better path. 

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400 episodes!?!? In a world filled with a million great ideas and endless talk, it’s the people taking action who win. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discusses the power of just doing. It’s not always sexy. It’s not always enjoyable. It’s not even always successful. However, there’s a power in moving forward and putting one foot in front of the other. Perhaps it’s time to put your idea into motion. 

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When asked why they don’t leave their job for a better one, one of the main answers people provide is they don’t want to “throw away” what they’ve built. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton addresses this concern head-on. In short, nothing is thrown away. Instead, everything is repurposed. Every skill, relationship, experience, and achievement. Nothing is wasted. The moment we realize this is the moment we can give ourselves the freedom to shift and pursue a more meaningful life. 

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Whenever we consider buying something, we typically look at the cost to purchase it and make our decision accordingly. However, the initial purchase price is just part of the story. Instead, in order to give ourselves a fuller context, we need to look at the costs behind the cost. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discusses why it’s critical that we account for all the costs involved with owning a product, financial and otherwise. 

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Wow, what a 10-year stretch we just experienced in the stock market. In today’s episode, host Travis discusses how what we’ve been through over the past decade is a perfect microcosm of what stock market investing is all about. It’s a bumpy ride, but the results continue to speak for themselves. That’s been the case for the last 10 years, but also the 140 years before that. We hope this episode provides context that continues to build your confidence and conviction. The simple way is always the best way.

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Happy new year! As you’re listening to this, we hope you find yourself fondly reflecting on the year that was, and dreaming about the year that could be. Speaking of, why not this year? Maybe this is the year you finally ______. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton makes the case that this should 100%, absolutely, without question be the you finally ______. Let’s make it the best one yet!

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Humans crave two things: meaning and security. Unfortunately, these two ideas sometimes conflict with one another. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton makes the case for always pursuing meaning, even if it reduces security. We discuss this topic through the lens of Meaning Over Money co-founder, Cole Netten, and his interesting (and highly insecure) career.

Do you ever find yourself dwelling on all the things you want? Oh, good, glad we’re not alone! In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains the importance of choosing contentment over a life of more. Instead of coveting the next thing, we can improve our happiness and contentment by simply being grateful for all that we do have. 

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Interested in individual stocks, crypto, gold, or other forms of investments? As you know, we are a big believer in patiently investing in broad, cheap, U.S. stock market indexes. We will die on that hill. However, it’s okay if you want to dabble in other things. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains how we can do so in a healthy way by establishing (and honoring) clear boundaries.

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“How do I stop overspending?” Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as “Just stop overspending.” After all, we’re humans. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton shares four simple practices that can help us combat overspending in our lives. They are simple, but powerful. They are simple, but difficult to master. However, once we do, we can largely wave bye-bye to overspending. 

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We often throw around the term “lifestyle creep,” but we typically don’t dive deep enough to truly look at its impact on our culture. In today’s unedited episode, host Travis Shelton shares a cautionary tale of one particular family. It’s the story of success, growth, pain, and unintended consequences. It’s THE definition of the American Dream, which often looks more like the American Nightmare. We hope you take something away from this episode and use it to assess your own journey. 

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One of the biggest missteps we make in our journeys is setting the wrong anchors. We set arbitrary goals or parameters based on the wrong reasons, which often leads us down dead-end streets and into unwinnable situations. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains this concept through the story of his friend, who desperately wants to quit his job to go full-time with his new business……but his wrong anchor is crushing his dream. 

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2024 has been a great year in the stock market! Are you crushing it? In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains why you may not be doing as well as you think. He shares the story of a friend who was excited to learn from his financial advisor that he’s received an 18% return over the last 12 months. This sounds great……except for the fact the U.S. stock market returned approximately 34% in the 12 months ending 11/30/2024. We hope this episode is eye-opening, and after you’re done listening, you race to pull out a recent account statement.

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In our last episode, we discussed the little tells that indicate whether we are (or aren’t) in the right career path. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton shares one piece of feedback from this content, as well as his public response. Yes, it’s okay to hate your job, but we think you deserve better. This is one area of life where you can have your cake, and eat it, too. Let’s live a life where we have meaning in our personal life AND our professional life. 

Do you look forward to Fridays? Dread Mondays? Fantasize about vacations? These might be little tells that you’re not in the right work. Conversely, the reverse might also be true. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discusses the importance of listening to the little tells in our life. If we’re attuned to them, it can help us understand if we’re where we need to be, or if a shift might be warranted. Ultimately, we believe work that matters matters. Hopefully, this episode will give you something to think about.

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Another unedited episode as Producer Cole gets his life straightened out after having his third child in four years…..they are all blessed and healthy! Selecting a college is a microcosm for a much grander concept in our lives. Yes, we’re making a key decision about the next four years of our life; that’s obvious. However, there’s something bigger at play. That decision doesn’t impact just the next four years of our life; it has lasting implications for decades. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains why it’s so important to think about the next 40 years, not just the next four. It’s the key to maximizing the meaning in our lives, and also the impact we make. Shout-out to the young lady (and her father) who Travis recently spent time with…..awesome people!

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How much do you spend on Christmas gifts? What started as an innocent question quickly transformed into a broader concept. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains how we humans have a tendency to normalize whatever we want to be normal. Instead of taking normal at face value, perhaps it’s time we ask the deeper questions to decide what the actual right thing is. 

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Today’s topic is on the morbid side of the ledger. The reality is each one of us will die someday. Will your family be prepared when that happens? In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton discusses an often-ignored topic: preparing our finances and our spouse to take the reins if/when something happens to us. We talk through the various components of how we can simply and methodically gather the necessary info into one central location where our family members can pick up the ball and run. It’s not a fun endeavor to think about, but it’s a priceless way we can say “I love you” to those we cherish the most. 

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According to Producer Cole, there are three psychological forces in our lives that, when working simultaneously, can wreak havoc on our lives. After much consideration, Cole is absolutely right. Each of these three forces can be detrimental, but working together, they are destructive. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explores Cole’s theory and talks through the dynamics and implications of these hidden psychological forces working together. Let’s arm ourselves with awareness and humility, so we can overcome and live a truly meaningful life. 

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Millions of families will soon enjoy the holiday season. The movies, decor, food, and gifts. It’s awesome! Unfortunately, millions of people will also enter a brutal season of financial stress, guilt, and regret. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains why this always seems to happen, and what we can do to combat it. You deserve a peaceful and joyous holiday season, and we can help you create it. 

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Businesses serve a unique role in our society: To add value to people’s lives and strive to serve them with excellence. Nothing will stop the positive momentum like a business owner who decides to weaponize their own values through their business. Many businesses are suffering from this, and as a result, society is suffering as well. Business owners, we can do better.

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Equity markets screamed upwards on the heels of President Trump being re-elected, increasing by 2.5% the day following the election. The cultural sentiment is that Donald Trump winning the election means we are heading into a great economic season. That may or may not be true (in the short run), but one thing is for sure: There WILL be a recession. The stock market WILL crash. In today’s episode, host Travis Shelton explains why this is a certainty of life, and why that’s ok. If we look at it through the proper lens, we don’t need to lose sleep, get scared, or act in fear. Context always matters. 

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