How to Money

You heard it here: Dave Ramsey is wrong and your credit score is way more important than you think! In this episode we cover what is a credit score, why you need good credit, and then specifically we discuss how to improve your credit score. There are some key factors that you need to know since they make up your credit score.

The 5 factors that make up your credit score:

Payment history, 35%Credit utilization or amount owed, 30%Length of credit history, 15%Credit mix, 10%New credit, 10%

And some good sites where you can check your credit score for free are Credit Sesame and Credit Karma. Most credit cards are also offering a free credit score, but Joel and I are both fans of Discover's Credit Scorecard. And at the beginning of this episode we both opened a bottle of Oak-Aged Vanilla World Wide Stout by Dogfish Head, which you can find and learn all about on Untappd. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and review us in iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts!

For specific links and additional information about this episode, head over to our site: HowToMoney.com . Best friends out!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Investing for your retirement is way simpler and easier than you think- and I'm going to prove it. Do these 2 things and you'll be a millionaire by the time you retire (I'm not even exaggerating one bit!):

1. Open your retirement accounts:401k – If your employer offers a retirement plan like a 401k, especially with a match, start contributing immediately!!! Since a ton of employers offer a 50% match, you won't be able to find a better return on your investment anywhere. At the very least contribute up to your employer match, or you can really get after it and fully fund it at $18,500.IRA – Next thing to consider is opening an IRA (individual retirement account), specifically a ROTH IRA given the recent changes in tax law. This is not an employer offered retirement plan, so anyone can open one of these accounts. It's as easy as opening a savings account online, no joke. The only downside to the IRA is that your contributions are limited at $5,500 per year (but don't forget you can open a spousal IRA too, so $11,000 combined!). We highly recommend Vanguard.2. Start investing:Take Warren Buffett's timeless advice and only buy funds or etfs that are widely diversified and have low expense ratios (like around .05%).Joel is 100% invested in VTSAX and I'm 100% invested in VOO. Again we are both big fans of Vanguard but both Fidelity and Schwab have some good low-cost funds as well.Keep investing and don't stop. That's it!And at the beginning of this episode we cracked open a couple local brews by Ironmonger Brewing Company- Damascus IPA and Anvil DIPA which you can find and learn all about on Untappd. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and review us in iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts!

For specific links and additional information about this episode, head over to our site: HowToMoney.com . Best friends out!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finally, an entire episode that is only about the beer... and saving money of course! Joel and I spend this episode talking about how we get a deal on craft beer and we also touch on what we're NOT willing to do in order to save a buck. Is it worth it to brew your own beer at home? Do you know what styles of beer to avoid if you're shopping the discount shelf? Are any of the beers at Aldi good? Have a listen to find out as we dedicate this episode to getting a deal on craft beer.

At the beginning of this episode we cracked open a lambic- Lindemans Oude Kriek Cuvee Rene which you can find and learn all about on Untappd. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and review us in iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts!

For specific links and additional information about this episode, head over to our site: HowToMoney.com . Best friends out!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Traveling and going on vacation doesn't have to break the bank. In this episode we spend most of our time talking through some tips that will help you save money the next time you book some travel. But first, we want you to think about the aspects of travel that you enjoy the most, and then center your trip around that (like breweries and the outdoors- a couple of our favorites!). March to your own drum! Don't give in to the pressures of taking the touristy route or doing the activities that you have no interest in. It might seem like an obvious point to make, but this is the crucial first step before you even begin to plan your trip. You be you!

Once you've covered the 'why am I doing this?' question, it's time to start saving money! Here are the practical tips we have for traveling:Consider staying in the United StatesBe flexible with your dates AND your destination. Huge cost savings here.Go with friends to cut down on costsMake sure to have a credit card with no foreign transaction feePlus a bunch of other awesome stuff- be sure to listen for the rest!And at the beginning of this episode we cracked open a double IPA- Hopslam by Bell's Brewery which you can find and learn all about on Untappd. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and review us in iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts!

For specific links and additional information about this episode, head over to our site: HowToMoney.com . Best friends out!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We spend this entire episode covering what you should do with your tax refund! First of all, you shouldn't be receiving a big refund when April 15th rolls around- if you are, talk to HR and have your tax withholding decreased so the IRS is taking a smaller bite out of your paycheck. We would rather see you proactively do something with that money on a regular basis as opposed to waiting on that 'windfall' once a year. So do that first. Next, here are the top 5 things you need to be doing with your tax refund:

Pay off high interest debt - any debt with an interest rate approaching double digits, or higher, wipe it out.Emergency fund - at least have $1000 for an emergency fund, preferably 3-6 months of living expenses.Invest it - put that money to work whether it be in a 401k, real estate, or small business!Give it to charity - be generous. Check out Give.org and become a better giver.Treat yo self - but avoid those pony expenses.And at the beginning of this episode we popped open a barrel aged saison- Joie by Westbrook Brewing which you can find and learn all about on Untappd. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and review us in iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts!

For specific links and additional information about this episode, head over to our site: HowToMoney.com . Best friends out!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Embrace the dorkiness, strategy board games are here to stay! Nerdy board games are a big part of our lives and for good reasons: they're fun (duh), they teach us to think strategically when it comes to managing limited resources, and of course they can help you save money by keeping you from going out and blowing through your entertainment budget! Plus, when was the last time you sat down face to face with your friends for some old fashioned analog fun? In this episode, Joel and I cover the many reasons why you need to be playing nerdy board games. And at the beginning of this episode we popped open a barrel aged sour ale - Golden Angel by Wicked Weed Brewing which you can find and learn all about on Untappd.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and review us in iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts!

For specific links and additional information about this episode, head over to our site: HowToMoney.com . Best friends out!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is all about investment properties: what are they, how did we get started with our first rentals, and some rules of thumb that will help you when it comes to purchasing your own! After our last episode on Airbnb we knew we needed to address investment property broadly, as they’re a pillar of our future financial security. We’ll have more episodes where we’ll get more specific and discuss things like return on investment (ROI), insurance, and screening tenants. But for now, we’re just covering the basics. And at the beginning of this episode we cracked open an IPA – Scatterbrain by Bearded Iris Brewing which you can find and learn all about on Untappd.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and review us in iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts!

For specific links and additional information about this episode, head over to our site: HowToMoney.com . Best friends out!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finding a sweet place to rent and spend the night is easy enough on Airbnb, but how easy is it to be a host? What are the pros and cons of hosting our very own Airstream or apartment? Am I actually going to dig out 2 feet of dirt in my basement to make room for a private apartment? In this episode Joel and I discuss the different options we're each considering and whether or not we're cut out to be Airbnb hosts. And at the beginning of this episode we popped open a Rodenbach Alexander which you can find and learn all about on Untappd. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and review us in iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts!

For specific links and additional information about this episode, head over to our site: HowToMoney.com . Best friends out!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone needs to be on a budget! A personal budget may not be the sexiest topic to discuss, but it's one of those things that needs to be talked about more. In this episode Joel and I cover our different approaches to budgeting to make sure that we're on track with our money every month - especially spending, whether on groceries, electronics, etc. You need to have a plan for your money every month, and at it's core, that's all a budget is. And this episode's beer is Tweak by Avery which you can find and learn all about on Untappd. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe in iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.

For specific links and additional information about this episode, head over to our site: HowToMoney.com . Best friends out!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We love biking. Anyone who knows Joel and myself knows that bikes are a big part of our life- but why? In this episode we talk about how biking saves us money, keeps us in shape, and puts us in touch with our community; all while having fun! During our discussion, we were enjoying a Backwoods Bastard by Founders which you can find and learn all about on Untappd. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe in iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.

For specific links and additional information about this episode, head over to our site: HowToMoney.com . Best friends out!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.