The Personal Finance Podcast

There is a point where saving another dollar starts costing you something worth more than the dollar. Justin Peters figured out exactly where that line is.

👉 Want personalized help from Andrew? Join Master Money Academy at https://www.skool.com/mastermoneyacademy/about

👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginner’s Masterclass: https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21

👉 Live Call Registration Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqIw5xncfn5tZbGG_U22iZ3BUmyHe9fPvBQaC1vW_x1D7bJA/viewform

👉 One-on-One Coaching Application Form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12UHo5Zmu1AyY_G4Gmbrcx9vThIZhxqFnaJ5dIihZL24/edit

👉 Master Money Wealth Building Strategy Call https://calendly.com/irene-mastermoney/master-money-wealth-building-strategy-call?month=2026-09

What You'll Learn in This Episode

Justin's four spending principles, including the fun fund and the oops budget

The "moments that matter" list, and how to decide what money should not get a vote on

The line between discipline and deprivation, and how to tell which side you are on

Why the last 10% of optimization costs more in life satisfaction than it saves

Small experiments that reveal what you actually value, no soul searching required

When lifestyle creep is healthy, and the mental trick that makes spending feel safer

The monthly money routine that takes 20 to 30 minutes

How Justin and his wife run money together, and the mistake both he and Andrew made early on

Start Here

Join the community built to help you master your money, stay accountable, and reach financial freedom.

👉 Try Master Money Academy FREE for 7 days today! https://mastermoney.co/join/

👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginners Masterclass https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21

👉 Join The Master Money Newsletter where you will become smarter with your money in 5 minutes or less per week Here! https://expert-hustler-605.ck.page/6aa7bb9a79

Partner Deals



Indeed → Get a $75 sponsored job credit http://Indeed.com/personalfinance

Wayfair → Up to 60% off | MEMORIAL DAY WAREHOUSE CLEAROUT http://wayfair.com

Monarch Money → The all-in-one financial tool + Get 50% Off at http://www.monarch.com/PFP

Polygenius → Free life insurance quote http://policygenius.com

DeleteMe → 20% off with code PFP https://joindeleteme.com/PFP20/

Resource/s



Car Insurance https://secure.money.com/pr/gc43ce394da5

Best HYSA https://secure.money.com/pr/r453ecf4d190

Stock Brokerage Accounts https://secure.money.com/pr/v8d06f8de92c

Best IRAs https://secure.money.com/pr/oe09b73d1952

Favorite Travel Credit Cards https://milevalue.com/best-credit-cards/?aff=mastermoney

Episode/s Mentioned

Why you NEED a Financial Independence Bucket List With Justin Peters https://youtu.be/ASEQtEjoUMI

The 5 Types of Wealth With Sahil Bloom https://youtu.be/DTzYvlbRiIs

How to Never Worry About Money Again with Jesse Mecham https://youtu.be/_Zrin_NvjpY

The 5 Levels of FIRE (Coast, Lean, FI, Chubby, Fat) https://youtu.be/cpZCevuXW1U

How to Double Your Income in One Year with Andrew Giancola https://open.spotify.com/episode/5mt4PuxjYDSGi4D0HOpntH?si=mNpWJbGKQxeYOIIGFaOZiw

Watch Next

5 Signs You’re Overthinking Investing! (Plus Money Q&A!) https://youtu.be/amtxpMBllmc

The 5 Levels of FIRE (Coast, Lean, FI, Chubby, Fat) https://youtu.be/cpZCevuXW1U

Type A vs. Type B Money Personality: Which one are you? https://youtu.be/ZoyLEwBMQdQ

The 12 Worst Money Habits (Ranked!) https://youtu.be/VEgX_BT5dA0

How to Never Worry About Money Again with Jesse Mecham https://youtu.be/_Zrin_NvjpY

Connect with Justin

Email → Justin@FIMinded.com

X → https://x.com/justinleepeters

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/justinleepeters

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinleepeters/

Pod.link (all players): https://pod.link/1496701179

Connect with Andrew

Instagram → https://bit.ly/Skool-Instagram

TikTok → https://bit.ly/Skool-TikTok

Facebook → https://bit.ly/Skool-Facebook

Podcast → https://bit.ly/Skool-Podcast

Youtube → bit.ly/Skool-Youtube

Newsletter → https://bit.ly/Skool-Newsletter

Website →⁠ https://mastermoney.co ⁠

X → ⁠https://x.com/mastermoneyco

LinkedIn →⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-giancola-45027b340 ⁠

Question for you:

What would go on your "moments that matter" list? Name one in the comments.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Investing is supposed to be simple: right accounts, low-cost funds, decades of consistency. If yours has become anything more complicated than that, one of these five signs is probably why.

👉 Want personalized help from Andrew? Join Master Money Academy at https://www.skool.com/mastermoneyacademy/about

👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginner’s Masterclass: https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21

👉 Live Call Registration Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqIw5xncfn5tZbGG_U22iZ3BUmyHe9fPvBQaC1vW_x1D7bJA/viewform

👉 One-on-One Coaching Application Form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12UHo5Zmu1AyY_G4Gmbrcx9vThIZhxqFnaJ5dIihZL24/edit

👉 Master Money Wealth Building Strategy Call https://calendly.com/irene-mastermoney/master-money-wealth-building-strategy-call?month=2026-09

What You'll Learn in This Episode

Five habits that signal you are overcomplicating your portfolio

Why owning more funds often means less diversification, not more

The free tool that shows how much overlap your holdings actually have

Why waiting for the right entry point keeps costing people years

How often to check your accounts without it working against you

Plus listener questions on cross-border estate taxes, surviving a 10-month school paycheck year, and what to do with money while living at home

Andrew's honest take on day trading after a layoff, and what he would do instead

A new brokerage transfer scam that a credit freeze will not stop

Start Here

Join the community built to help you master your money, stay accountable, and reach financial freedom.

👉 Try Master Money Academy FREE for 7 days today! https://mastermoney.co/join/

👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginners Masterclass https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21

👉 Join The Master Money Newsletter where you will become smarter with your money in 5 minutes or less per week Here! https://expert-hustler-605.ck.page/6aa7bb9a79

Partner Deals



Indeed → Get a $75 sponsored job credit http://Indeed.com/personalfinance

Wayfair → Up to 60% off | MEMORIAL DAY WAREHOUSE CLEAROUT http://wayfair.com

Monarch Money → The all-in-one financial tool + Get 50% Off at http://www.monarch.com/PFP

Polygenius → Free life insurance quote http://policygenius.com

DeleteMe → 20% off with code PFP https://joindeleteme.com/PFP20/

Resource/s

Car Insurance https://secure.money.com/pr/gc43ce394da5

Best HYSA https://secure.money.com/pr/r453ecf4d190

Stock Brokerage Accounts https://secure.money.com/pr/v8d06f8de92c

Best IRAs https://secure.money.com/pr/oe09b73d1952

Favorite Travel Credit Cards https://milevalue.com/best-credit-cards/?aff=mastermoney

Tool/s Mentioned

Coast FIRE Calculator https://visionary-raindrop-1fc22a.netlify.app/

Compound Interest Calculator https://expert-hustler-605.kit.com/aefaaad27e

Episode/s Mentioned

How to Save $100,000 on a Low Salary https://youtu.be/f8-BWWiDpKc

How to Never Worry About Money Again with Jesse Mecham https://youtu.be/_Zrin_NvjpY

The 1-3-6 Method For Building & Managing Your Emergency Fund https://youtu.be/rGdII_Z0hnw

Why Index Funds Are King (Plus My Favorite Index Funds!) https://www.thepersonalfinancepodcast.com/why-index-funds-are-king-plus-my-favorite-index-funds/

15 Reasons Index Funds Are Still My All Time Favorite Investment https://www.thepersonalfinancepodcast.com/15-reasons-index-funds-are-still-my-all-time-favorite-investement/

Index Funds VS. ETFs | Which One Is a Better Investment? (THE GREAT SHOWDOWN! https://www.thepersonalfinancepodcast.com/index-funds-vs-etfs-which-one-is-a-better-investment-the-great-showdown/

How to Put Together a Bulletproof Investment Plan (Set it and Forget it) https://www.thepersonalfinancepodcast.com/how-to-put-together-a-bulletproof-investment/

Watch Next

The 5 Levels of FIRE (Coast, Lean, FI, Chubby, Fat) https://youtu.be/cpZCevuXW1U

Type A vs. Type B Money Personality: Which one are you? https://youtu.be/ZoyLEwBMQdQ

The 12 Worst Money Habits (Ranked!) https://youtu.be/VEgX_BT5dA0

How to Never Worry About Money Again with Jesse Mecham https://youtu.be/_Zrin_NvjpY

How to Save $100,000 on a Low Salary https://youtu.be/f8-BWWiDpKc

Connect with Andrew

Instagram → https://bit.ly/Skool-Instagram

TikTok → https://bit.ly/Skool-TikTok

Facebook → https://bit.ly/Skool-Facebook

Podcast → https://bit.ly/Skool-Podcast

Youtube → bit.ly/Skool-Youtube

Newsletter → https://bit.ly/Skool-Newsletter

Website →⁠ https://mastermoney.co ⁠

X → ⁠https://x.com/mastermoneyco

LinkedIn →⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-giancola-45027b340 ⁠

Question for you:

Which of the five are you guilty of?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coast FIRE, Lean FIRE, Chubby FIRE, Fat FIRE. Five levels, five very different lifestyles, and one of them is the milestone Andrew thinks everyone should chase first.

👉 Want personalized help from Andrew? Join Master Money Academy at https://www.skool.com/mastermoneyacademy/about

👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginner’s Masterclass: https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21

👉 Live Call Registration Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqIw5xncfn5tZbGG_U22iZ3BUmyHe9fPvBQaC1vW_x1D7bJA/viewform

👉 One-on-One Coaching Application Form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12UHo5Zmu1AyY_G4Gmbrcx9vThIZhxqFnaJ5dIihZL24/edit

👉 Master Money Wealth Building Strategy Call https://calendly.com/irene-mastermoney/master-money-wealth-building-strategy-call?month=2026-09

What You'll Learn in This Episode

The 25x rule and the math sitting underneath every level of FIRE

All five levels explained, from the first milestone to the highest one

Why Coast FIRE should be your first target no matter which level you ultimately want

What Lean FIRE actually requires you to give up, and who it fits

How to calculate your own number using last year's bank statements

The difference between Chubby and Fat FIRE, and what the extra cushion buys you

Why the withdrawal rate deserves a second look if you retire decades early

The trap of the moving goalpost, and how to decide when enough is enough

Start Here

Join the community built to help you master your money, stay accountable, and reach financial freedom.

👉 Try Master Money Academy FREE for 7 days today! https://mastermoney.co/join/

👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginners Masterclass https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21

👉 Join The Master Money Newsletter where you will become smarter with your money in 5 minutes or less per week Here! https://expert-hustler-605.ck.page/6aa7bb9a79

Partner Deals



Indeed → Get a $75 sponsored job credit http://Indeed.com/personalfinance

Wayfair → Up to 60% off | MEMORIAL DAY WAREHOUSE CLEAROUT http://wayfair.com

Monarch Money → The all-in-one financial tool + Get 50% Off at http://www.monarch.com/PFP

Polygenius → Free life insurance quote http://policygenius.com

DeleteMe → 20% off with code PFP https://joindeleteme.com/PFP20/

Resource/s

Car Insurance https://secure.money.com/pr/gc43ce394da5

Best HYSA https://secure.money.com/pr/r453ecf4d190

Stock Brokerage Accounts https://secure.money.com/pr/v8d06f8de92c

Best IRAs https://secure.money.com/pr/oe09b73d1952

Favorite Travel Credit Cards https://milevalue.com/best-credit-cards/?aff=mastermoney

Tool/s Mentioned

Coast FIRE Calculator https://visionary-raindrop-1fc22a.netlify.app/

Compound Interest Calculator https://expert-hustler-605.kit.com/aefaaad27e

Episode/s Mentioned

Why Coast FIRE May Be The Perfect Strategy for You with Andy Hill https://www.thepersonalfinancepodcast.com/why-coast-fire-may-be-the-perfect-strategy-for-you-with-andy-hill/

Hit This Number and You Can STOP SAVING! (Even When You are Young) https://youtu.be/R2ebV44XaAY

Why Barista FIRE Is the Coolest Strategy There Is (Retire Faster Than You Thought!) https://www.thepersonalfinancepodcast.com/why-barista-fire-is-the-coolest-strategy-there-is-retire-faster-than-you-thought/

How to Retire in 10 Years or Less! https://youtu.be/nStwD03vJ64

Why a Mini Retirement Can Change Your Life https://youtu.be/o5HIfbIwfjI

Watch Next

Type A vs. Type B Money Personality: Which one are you? https://youtu.be/ZoyLEwBMQdQ

The 12 Worst Money Habits (Ranked!) https://youtu.be/VEgX_BT5dA0

How to Never Worry About Money Again with Jesse Mecham https://youtu.be/_Zrin_NvjpY

How to Save $100,000 on a Low Salary https://youtu.be/f8-BWWiDpKc

How to Spot Fee That's Robbing You, Insure Your Kids' Future & Retire Two Decades Early - Money Q&A https://youtu.be/2y6bjDkgbgM

Connect with Andrew

Instagram → https://bit.ly/Skool-Instagram

TikTok → https://bit.ly/Skool-TikTok

Facebook → https://bit.ly/Skool-Facebook

Podcast → https://bit.ly/Skool-Podcast

Youtube → bit.ly/Skool-Youtube

Newsletter → https://bit.ly/Skool-Newsletter

Website →⁠ https://mastermoney.co ⁠

X → ⁠https://x.com/mastermoneyco

LinkedIn →⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-giancola-45027b340 ⁠

Question for you:

Which level are you targeting: Coast, Lean, traditional FI, Chubby, or Fat? Comment your answer and why.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are two money personalities. Type A or Type B? The one you decide to be changes everything in your life financially.

👉 Want personalized help from Andrew? Join Master Money Academy at https://www.skool.com/mastermoneyacademy/about

👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginner’s Masterclass: https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21

👉 Live Call Registration Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqIw5xncfn5tZbGG_U22iZ3BUmyHe9fPvBQaC1vW_x1D7bJA/viewform

👉 One-on-One Coaching Application Form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12UHo5Zmu1AyY_G4Gmbrcx9vThIZhxqFnaJ5dIihZL24/edit

👉 Master Money Wealth Building Strategy Call https://calendly.com/irene-mastermoney/master-money-wealth-building-strategy-call?month=2026-09

What You'll Learn in This Episode

Four quick questions that reveal which money personality you are

The superpowers each type has, and the traps each one falls into

Why the zero-based budget fits one type and the reverse budget fits the other

How Type A can over-optimize their way into worse results

The phrase that quietly costs Type B people the most money

How each personality should structure a portfolio they will actually stick with

The five areas worth optimizing, and everything that is not worth your time

How couples with opposite types can run money together without fighting about it

Start Here

Join the community built to help you master your money, stay accountable, and reach financial freedom.

👉 Try Master Money Academy FREE for 7 days today! https://mastermoney.co/join/

👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginners Masterclass https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21

👉 Join The Master Money Newsletter where you will become smarter with your money in 5 minutes or less per week Here! https://expert-hustler-605.ck.page/6aa7bb9a79

Partner Deals



Indeed → Get a $75 sponsored job credit http://Indeed.com/personalfinance

Wayfair → Up to 60% off | MEMORIAL DAY WAREHOUSE CLEAROUT http://wayfair.com

Monarch Money → The all-in-one financial tool + Get 50% Off at http://www.monarch.com/PFP

Polygenius → Free life insurance quote http://policygenius.com

DeleteMe → 20% off with code PFP https://joindeleteme.com/PFP20/

Resource/s

Car Insurance https://secure.money.com/pr/gc43ce394da5

Best HYSA https://secure.money.com/pr/r453ecf4d190

Stock Brokerage Accounts https://secure.money.com/pr/v8d06f8de92c

Best IRAs https://secure.money.com/pr/oe09b73d1952

Favorite Travel Credit Cards https://milevalue.com/best-credit-cards/?aff=mastermoney

Tool/s Mentioned

Master Your Money Goals https://www.skool.com/mastermoneyacademy/classroom/f1e5f000?md=5db7fc1e56a1474fbbded14211cff084

Automate Your Money in One Weekend https://www.skool.com/mastermoneyacademy/classroom/f8353a67?md=8e65293c65b2450186fb18ac56f6be97

Episode/s Mentioned

How to Never Worry About Money Again with Jesse Mecham https://youtu.be/_Zrin_NvjpY

Watch Next

The 12 Worst Money Habits (Ranked!) https://youtu.be/VEgX_BT5dA0

How to Never Worry About Money Again with Jesse Mecham https://youtu.be/_Zrin_NvjpY

How to Save $100,000 on a Low Salary https://youtu.be/f8-BWWiDpKc

How to Spot Fee That's Robbing You, Insure Your Kids' Future & Retire Two Decades Early - Money Q&A https://youtu.be/2y6bjDkgbgM

4 Dead Simple Steps to Become Financially Free https://youtu.be/dM4DKC7-Y5s

Connect with Andrew

Instagram → https://bit.ly/Skool-Instagram

TikTok → https://bit.ly/Skool-TikTok

Facebook → https://bit.ly/Skool-Facebook

Podcast → https://bit.ly/Skool-Podcast

Youtube → bit.ly/Skool-Youtube

Newsletter → https://bit.ly/Skool-Newsletter

Website →⁠ https://mastermoney.co ⁠

X → ⁠https://x.com/mastermoneyco

LinkedIn →⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-giancola-45027b340 ⁠

Question for you:

Type A or Type B? Comment which one you are and why.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Twelve money habits, ranked from bad to absolutely devastating. Some of these you already know about

👉 Want personalized help from Andrew? Join Master Money Academy at https://www.skool.com/mastermoneyacademy/about

👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginner’s Masterclass: https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21

👉 Live Call Registration Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqIw5xncfn5tZbGG_U22iZ3BUmyHe9fPvBQaC1vW_x1D7bJA/viewform

What You'll Learn in This Episode

The full ranking, from number 12 all the way down to the single worst habit on the board

Why looking wealthy and being wealthy pull in opposite directions

What a 1% fee actually removes from your ending balance over a career

The buy now, pay later stats that show most users cannot afford what they are buying

Why the monthly payment question is a sales tool, and what to ask instead

What the data says about sports betting and retirement contributions

How to let your lifestyle grow without letting it eat every raise

The fix for each habit, not just the diagnosis

Start Here

Join the community built to help you master your money, stay accountable, and reach financial freedom.

👉 Try Master Money Academy FREE for 7 days today! https://mastermoney.co/join/

👉 Join Andrew’s FREE Investing for Beginners Masterclass https://event.webinarjam.com/q05p7/register/0o8z9io?webinar_id=21

👉 Join The Master Money Newsletter where you will become smarter with your money in 5 minutes or less per week Here! https://expert-hustler-605.ck.page/6aa7bb9a79

Partner Deals



Indeed → Get a $75 sponsored job credit http://Indeed.com/personalfinance

Wayfair → Up to 60% off | MEMORIAL DAY WAREHOUSE CLEAROUT http://wayfair.com

Monarch Money → The all-in-one financial tool + Get 50% Off at http://www.monarch.com/PFP

Polygenius → Free life insurance quote http://policygenius.com

DeleteMe → 20% off with code PFP https://joindeleteme.com/PFP20/

Resource/s

Car Insurance https://secure.money.com/pr/gc43ce394da5

Best HYSA https://secure.money.com/pr/r453ecf4d190

Stock Brokerage Accounts https://secure.money.com/pr/v8d06f8de92c

Best IRAs https://secure.money.com/pr/oe09b73d1952

Favorite Travel Credit Cards https://milevalue.com/best-credit-cards/?aff=mastermoney

Tool/s Mentioned

Total Cost of Ownership Calculator https://mastermoney.co/total-cost-of-ownership-calculator/

Automate Your Money in One Weekend https://www.skool.com/mastermoneyacademy/automate-your-money-challenge-live?p=2f4a172b

Episode/s Mentioned

The 1-3-6 Method For Building & Managing Your Emergency Fund https://youtu.be/rGdII_Z0hnw

The System to Pay Cash For Cars (and NEVER Have a Payment Again!) https://youtu.be/kgmjjQEN3Xs

Watch Next

How to Never Worry About Money Again with Jesse Mecham https://youtu.be/_Zrin_NvjpY

How to Save $100,000 on a Low Salary https://youtu.be/f8-BWWiDpKc

How to Spot Fee That's Robbing You, Insure Your Kids' Future & Retire Two Decades Early - Money Q&A https://youtu.be/2y6bjDkgbgM

4 Dead Simple Steps to Become Financially Free https://youtu.be/dM4DKC7-Y5s

How to Build a Vacation Fund That Pays You For Life + (Money Q&A) https://youtu.be/SMDRQkqnA74

Connect with Andrew

Instagram → https://bit.ly/Skool-Instagram

TikTok → https://bit.ly/Skool-TikTok

Facebook → https://bit.ly/Skool-Facebook

Podcast → https://bit.ly/Skool-Podcast

Youtube → bit.ly/Skool-Youtube

Newsletter → https://bit.ly/Skool-Newsletter

Website →⁠ https://mastermoney.co ⁠

X → ⁠https://x.com/mastermoneyco

LinkedIn →⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-giancola-45027b340 ⁠

Question for you:

What habit did Andrew leave off the list entirely? Tell him what belongs on the board.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices