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episode 55. Sunnyside up (we're going solar!)

40m · Matrimoney · 26 Mar 07:01

In this episode, we discuss our first big financial decisions of 2018 in depth: going solar at the HiFi House! We describe the financials, how the system works, and how and why we made the decision we did (and boy was there a lot to think about!). In order to make the decision, we had to consider the following:

  • what our solar company, Sun Valley Solar Solutions, could really offer.
  • our power company's rate plan for customers who have solar panels.
  • how much we currently pay for power and what we might pay after adding the system.

We also address a GREAT listener question about balancing a longer commute with other life priorities. As we chat through the question, we recall our episode on our spherical living and what it means to either shrink the distance you have to get to places or extend that distance to reach things that are important to you.

Finally, in Love Notes, Chris compliments Kelsey on not letting his mindset age too fast, and Kelsey appreciates Chris forging ahead on solar when she might not have done it otherwise.

We'd love to hear what you think about commuting, solar energy options, and anything else you want to share! And you can Kelsey on Instagram at @kelswharton and Chris at @practicallyawesomechris.


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The episode episode 55. Sunnyside up (we're going solar!) from the podcast Matrimoney has a duration of 40:07. It was first published 26 Mar 07:01. The cover art and the content belong to their respective owners.

More episodes from Matrimoney

episode 61. Wrapping it up

Listeners, we're sorry to say this is our last episode (for now). We haven't been able to provide consistent podcast updates and we hate to keep people waiting! So, we're going to put Matrimoney up on blocks, at least for the time being. We hope to check back in every so often, and maybe if we can figure our scheduling out, we'll come back to this project with renewed consistency. But for now, we want to thank you for your incredible support, great questions and enjoyable conversations. We appreciate it!


As for the episode, we chat about our 2018 finances, offering a wrap-up of what we saved (not much) and spent (quite a lot), and how it compared to 2017. And we talk a bit about what we plan to do in the coming year.


In this episode, we mention:

  • The Girl Next Door podcast episode on Love Languages, which has already come out!
  • The possibility of offering Matrimoney updates in a new format, Instagram Stories. We'll see if and how that rolls out, but you can find Kelsey here and Chris here.


Thanks again, everyone, and remember to love your honey, not your money!


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episode 60. Breaking up with Costco

In this episode, we talk about our year-long dalliance, and eventual break-up, with Costco. We also talk through a listener question about the tension between keeping a household 'minimal' and using bulk shopping as a way to save money. In life news, Kelsey chats about the joys of leaving summer in the rear-view mirror and heading into fall (with record-breaking cool weather and precipitation in Arizona this October). And Chris asks listeners for some help figuring out what to do with clothes that don't fit anymore.


Stuff we mention on this podcast:

  • Costco annual memberships
  • Kelsey's instagram!
  • Letterboards (we got ours from Letterfolk)
  • Health halos
  • Mint.com

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episode 59. Shifting down while spending up

In this episode, we make an assessment of the major changes that have occurred this year in our saving, our spending, our jobs, and our use of time. Kelsey talks about how it's been to leave her full-time job, especially the downshifting in busy commuting and the uptick in home management. And Chris talks about how having an ebike for commuting and more responsibility at work fits in with this change. Finally, we discuss what it's like to basically take a full year off our assiduous savings schedule.


A few of the things we mention in this episode include:

  • Chris's Specialized Vado ebike.
  • Kelsey's favorite recent dinners, including a delicious Cashew Thai Quinoa Salad and Zesty Zoodles.
  • Enjoying our new Sunday ritual, including reading the Sunday Times.



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episode 58. The little (and sometimes bigger) things

In today's episode, we discuss all the badly needed house reorganization, repairs, and other updates we've put off for years and are finally pulling the trigger on. We talk about:

  • what we were able to do for free (like finally taking batteries, frayed cords, and old paint to our hazardous waste disposal).
  • what needed a small amount of money to handle or fix (like a closet organization or a refrigerator fix).
  • and how we financially planned for some bigger things coming up (like a lawn update).


We also give updates on our solar panel system and how it's performing (for details on the system we bought and how it works, check out episode 55). And we answer a listener question on how to mark the occasion of hitting savings goals when you aren't planning to spend that money on something anytime soon.


Other stuff we mention:

  • our current Trader Joe's obsession, the Southwestern Chopped Salad.
  • how to celebrate with a partner when you have financial successes (check out episode 9 for more on this).
  • a simple but delicious vegetarian dinner we made recently, the recipe of which we can find here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

episode 57. Goin' to San Antone

On this episode, we catch up after a very long, very fun 3-week trip to Texas. Kelsey also talks about life post-employment and we both chat about how things feel different (and better) at home.


We also drop another big piece of news: we invested in real estate! So, we discuss what it meant to do that, how it came about, and what we're hoping to get out of it.


And, in Love Notes, Chris thanks Kelsey for supporting him in a crazy purchase: buying an e-bike for extended commuting! (Chris bought the Specialized Turbo Vado 3.0.) And Kelsey appreciates how at home Chris feels with her family and being in Texas for so long.


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