Surprising finding: When people talk about money early on while dating, it almost never changes the trajectory of the relationship - [Just discovered the guy you're dating has $43,000 of CC debt]: "We'll figure it out" - [She has $325,000 of student loans]: "We'll figure it out" - [They haven't ever made more than $37,500/year]: "We'll figure it out" Here's why I think this happens: 1. Most of us don't understand money ourselves so we never develop a strong POV on it. Compare this to the list of physical traits that almost everyone in America develops 2. Money is so abstract that we don't connect the dots to how our partner's finances will affect our lifestyle. For example, if our partner has to pay $2,250/month in CC debt payments, how will that affect both of us? Almost nobody asks questions like this 3. Money, like flossing, is one of those things we defer until "some day" Let me know what you think. I see this pattern often on my podcast

Spend extravagantly on the things you love, as long as you cut costs mercilessly on the things you don't

2 kinds of people in personal finance: #1: I don't need much. I prefer to live a simple life & spend less than I earn: - “I just don’t want much. Is that weird?” - “I’ve found the less I want the more content I am.” - “I’m pretty content with what I have. I’m not someone that has a ton of drive and needs, is constantly reaching for the next big thing.” - “I have what I need. And not aiming for the big-spending high life because I didn’t grow up with much and don’t need much more than I have.” #2: I want to experience X, Y, and Z. I'm willing to work really hard to make a lot of money and get the things I want: - “I’m front loading my suffering in order to enjoy the fruits later on.” - “One of my goals is to fly delta one with no guilt.” - “Being able to fly first class across the globe, and also being able to pay for our parents to fly first class with us.” I've always been #2. Which one are you?

What's your Rich Life? Here are a few examples of mine: Live in a walkable neighborhood with no car Eat mostly the same thing, mostly at home, every day. When I eat out, price doesn't matter Took my nephews on a college tour at Stanford Rent instead of owning Iron my own clothes Fruit & almond butter from the farmer's market Simple dates with my wife: coffee walk, Central Park, out w/friends. But also, a 3-month sabbatical to Barcelona, Paris, Marrakech, and Tokyo together with private tours and beautiful hotels Weekly haircut Unlimited spending on health

If you doubled your income today, would your money problems disappear?

The #1 financial red flag in a partner It's NOT... - Credit card debt - Student loans - A whole life insurance policy Can you guess what it is?

Reminds me of the marketing for trucks, which focuses on functionality and strength rather than status, which is a central reason that Americans buy them

The phrase "we can't afford it" should be banned in households if you want to create a healthy money culture

Degrees*

This is why your housing is so expensive

"We’re worth $1.5M but I refuse to buy new pants" youtu.be/SHbQQXPoSws?si=2UjA…

A couple that worries about money discovers they'll have $18 million at retirement

What's your Rich Life? You should be able to answer with incredibly specific answers Bad answers: - "Financial freedom" is just words - "So I can do what I want, when I want" is vague In my early 20s, my Rich Life was taking a taxi in the August NYC heat so I didn't have to sweat before a meeting Then it was affording appetizers because, as a kid, we couldn't). Get so specific that your Rich Life becomes unmistakably yours