The Personal Finance Podcast

Bills first, savings with whatever is left. That is how almost everyone runs their money, and it is supposed to be backwards. Andrew flips the whole sequence and automates every step of it.

👉 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 eight-step order every paycheck runs through, and why investing comes first

Why your checking account should only ever be a pass-through

How to cluster your bills so cash flow stops surprising you

The weekly credit card habit that kills revolving balances

Which savings buckets to build once the emergency fund is done

What the whole system looks like on a $6,000 paycheck

Whether an emergency fund belongs in cash or a brokerage account

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

Hostinger → Build your vision step by step at ⁠⁠Hostinger.com/PFP⁠⁠ and use code PFP for 10% off now

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

Compound Interest Calculator https://mastermoneyresources.com/investment-calculator-page

Episode/s Mentioned

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

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

Watch Next

The 7 Habits of Great Investors https://youtu.be/TxI_S5rP9X4

How to Reach Financial Independence Without Putting Your Life on Hold with Justin Peters https://youtu.be/UuY_c3OuQ6I

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

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 is your current order of operations when a paycheck hits? Post it in the comments.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The best investors in the world do not share a strategy, but they do share a set of habits. If you learn these habits of great investors instead of their stock picks, your portfolio would probably do better.

👉 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 seven habits successful investors share, regardless of their strategy

How automatic increases helped people nearly quadruple their savings rate without feeling it

What a 1% fee costs over a career, including one example where it takes $4 million off the ending balance

Why the best days in the market tend to show up right next to the worst ones

The research showing just 4% of companies created all the net wealth in the stock market

Practical ways to keep your emotions from wrecking your returns

Plus listener questions on paying off 23% credit card debt, getting a spouse engaged with money, preparing an investment plan while still in debt, and whether to use a bonus on low-interest loans or a Roth IRA

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

Hostinger → Builds your vision step by step. Create your website today at ⁠Hostinger.com/PFP⁠ and use code PFP for 10% off now

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

Compound Interest Calculator https://mastermoneyresources.com/investment-calculator-page

Book/s Mentioned

The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

The Little Book of Common Sense Investing by John Bogle

The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins

A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton Malkiel

The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing

Warren Buffett's shareholder letters, free at https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/letters/letters.html

Episode/s Mentioned

The Business Show https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHvdISl-a2chNMWZfkJra-15dS_vlKEt3&si=m0TPEfzeyMjIzEPb

Watch Next

How to Reach Financial Independence Without Putting Your Life on Hold with Justin Peters https://youtu.be/UuY_c3OuQ6I

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

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 seven habits do you already have, and which one are you still working on?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Hostinger → Builds your vision step by step. Create your website today at ⁠Hostinger.com/PFP⁠ and use code PFP for 10% off now

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

Hostinger → Builds your vision step by step. Create your website today at Hostinger.com/PFP and use code PFP for 10% off now.

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