Money Guy Show

This episode brought to you by Abound Wealth. Take the relationship to the next level and become a client: https://moneyguy.com/become-a-client/ Building wealth, saving for retirement, and managing debt look different when you see the actual numbers. More than 20,000 Money Guy viewers shared their financial lives, and some results surprised even us. Brian and Bo break down net worth by age, household income, savings rates, car ownership, housing costs, credit cards, and emergency funds. How much are our viewers investing—and what spending habits stand out? Whether you’re in your 20s, navigating the messy middle, or gett...

Private equity is becoming more accessible to everyday investors—and it could eventually show up inside your 401(k) and target-date funds. But how does private equity actually work, and does it deserve a place in your investment portfolio? We break down private equity vs. the stock market, historical returns, illiquidity, leverage, the “2 and 20” fee structure, diversification, and the risks investors need to understand. Plus, we explain where alternative investments could fit within the Financial Order of Operations, why low-cost index funds remain the foundation for most investors, and what to research before putting retirement money into private markets.

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Should you keep investing during a career change, or build your emergency fund first? Brad and Haylee are in their 30s with three kids, a $173,000 net worth, retirement savings, and suddenly much less predictable household income. Brian and Bo break down how to manage money during a career transition, when to prioritize cash savings over Roth IRA and 401(k) contributions, why the employer match still matters, and how much emergency savings a family may need with variable income. They also explore financial advisor careers, retirement planning, family finances, cash flow, home-buying goals, and setting a realistic timeline for a...

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Americans are carrying staggering amounts of debt by age, but how does your debt compare? Brian and Bo break down the average debt for Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X, including credit card debt, student loans, car loans, and mortgages. More importantly, they explain which debts could derail your investing, retirement savings, emergency fund, and path to financial independence. Whether you're wondering how much debt is normal for your age, when to pay off debt...

You can check out Jasmine’s content here: https://www.youtube.com/@taxleverage Can viral tax hacks actually land you in prison? Tax attorney, CPA, and Enrolled Agent Jasmine DiLucci joins Brian and Bo to separate legal tax avoidance from illegal tax evasion. From writing off your car and home office to hiring your kids, deducting vacations, and moving to Puerto Rico, we're examining popular tax advice to find out what actually works—and what could create serious IRS problems. Plus, discover legitimate tax planning strategies involving 401(k)s, Roth accounts, real estate, business deductions, and the three tax buck...

⁠⁠⁠⁠Is viral financial advice helping you build wealth—or leading you toward costly money mistakes? Financial advisors Brian and Bo react to internet money gurus and break down the truth about 401(k) investing, Roth vs. traditional retirement accounts, financial advisor fees, real estate investing, tax deductions, and paying off your mortgage early. Should you cash out your 401(k) to buy rental property? Is paying a financial advisor 1% worth it? And when does a traditional 401(k) make more sense than a Roth? Discover how smart investing, tax planning, and the Financial Order of Operations can help you make better decisions for financ...

From retirement savings and 401(k)s to credit card debt, mortgage rates, car loans, student loans, and investing, these 10 mind-blowing money statistics reveal what's happening to Americans' finances in 2026. Brian and Bo break down why first-time homebuyers are getting older, Americans are saving less, workers are missing employer 401(k) matches, Gen Z is redirecting investment dollars toward sports betting, and nearly half of non-retirees question whether they'll ever retire. More importantly, you'll learn practical personal finance strategies for saving 25%, investing for retirement, eliminating high-interest debt, controlling lifestyle creep, and building long-term financial independence.

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How much income puts you in the top 10% of Americans? The answer might surprise you! According to U.S. income percentile data, earning around $163,000 annually puts an individual in the top 10% of earners. But does a six-figure salary actually make you wealthy? We break down average and median income, top 10% and top 1% income thresholds, and how age, education, and location affect your earning potential. Plus, discover practical ways to increase your income, avoid lifestyle inflation, improve your savings rate, and invest for long-term financial independence. Because building wealth isn't just about what you earn—it's about what you keep!

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Bring confidence to your wealth building with simplified strategies from The Money Guy. Learn how to apply financial tactics that go beyond common sense and help you reach your money goals faster. Make your assets do the heavy lifting so you can quit worrying and start living a more fulfilled life.

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Order Christy Carlson’s Romano’s new book ‘Once Upon a Trainwreck” here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Once-Upon-a-Trainwreck/Christy-Carlson-Romano/9781668082218 Follow Christy here: https://linktr.ee/TheChristyCarlsonRomano Former Disney star Christy Carlson Romano reveals what really happened to her money after Even Stevens, Kim Possible, and Cadet Kelly. From making seven figures at a young age to lifestyle inflation, financial mistakes, debt, budgeting, and eventually investing in index funds, Christy joins Brian and Bo to unpack the money lessons fame never taught her. They discuss how to recover from financial mistakes, build wealth after starting over, teach kids about money, u...

⁠⁠⁠⁠Roth conversions can be an incredible retirement tax-planning tool—but doing one at the wrong time could leave you paying more in taxes than necessary. Brian and Bo break down 5 situations where a Roth conversion may not make sense, including high-income years, future tax brackets, paying conversion taxes from your IRA, estate planning, and state income taxes. If you’re wondering when to do a Roth conversion, whether Roth or Traditional is better, or how Roth conversions affect retirement taxes and RMDs, this episode will help you understand the numbers you should consider before making the move.

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Start a free trial, and get 50% off your first year of Monarch Core Tier with code MONEYGUY at https://bit.ly/monarch-moneyguy Financial advisors react to hilarious money advice, investing memes, budgeting fails, sports betting, home buying, and viral personal finance clips from across the internet. Brian and Bo break down why gambling isn’t investing, whether simple S&P 500 index fund investing can beat an overly complicated strategy, how to budget and live below your means, and why buying a house feels so difficult right now. If you’re trying to build wealth, improve your investing strategy, save more...

DIY investing can be a powerful way to build wealth—but even experienced investors can make costly portfolio mistakes. Brian and Bo break down 7 common investing mistakes, including overlapping index funds and ETFs, poor asset location between Roth IRAs, 401(k)s and brokerage accounts, taking the wrong amount of investment risk, forgotten retirement accounts, outdated beneficiaries and trying to time the stock market. You’ll learn how diversification, tax-efficient investing, portfolio rebalancing, dollar-cost averaging and smarter retirement planning can help you build a more intentional investment strategy—and how to recognize when your financial life may be getting too comple...

Are you actually building wealth, or are your money habits quietly holding you back? Inspired by the traits in The Millionaire Next Door, Brian and Bo break down 7 habits of wealth builders and everyday millionaires—from living below your means and investing intentionally to avoiding lifestyle inflation, raising financially independent kids, and choosing a career that creates opportunity. Learn how disciplined saving, investing, budgeting, financial independence, and smart money decisions can shape your long-term net worth. If you’ve wondered how millionaires build wealth, what wealthy people do differently, or whether you’re on the path to financial freedom, these...

Making $400,000 a year sounds like financial freedom—but a high income doesn’t automatically build wealth. In this Making a Millionaire episode, Brian and Bo help a millionaire couple confront lifestyle creep, a 15% savings rate, HELOC debt, emergency savings, early retirement planning, Backdoor Roth IRAs, 401(k)s, and the real cost of spending more as your income grows. Can they retire early while traveling, raising kids, and enjoying their money today? See how a financial plan, higher savings rate, debt payoff strategy, and disciplined investing could turn their incredible income into lasting financial independence.

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⁠⁠⁠⁠Start a free trial, and get 50% off your first year of Monarch Core Tier with code MONEYGUY at https://bit.ly/monarch-moneyguy If you’re in your 30s or 40s, this could be one of the most important wealth-building periods of your life. Brian and Bo explain why ages 32–48 create a powerful “wealth window” where rising income, compound growth, retirement investing, and smart financial planning can work together. You’ll learn why reaching your first $100,000 invested matters, how much to save for retirement, why a 20–25% savings rate can be so powerful, and how lifestyle inflation, credit card debt, housing costs, and missed 40...

Home prices are falling in parts of the U.S. housing market, but does that mean 2026 is finally a good time to buy a house? We break down falling home prices, mortgage rates, housing inventory, first-time homebuyer affordability, and why new construction can now cost less than existing homes. You’ll also learn what today’s changing real estate market means for buyers and sellers, how to know how much house you can afford, and why our 3/5/25 home-buying rule can help keep housing from squeezing the rest of your financial life.

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Brian and Bo react to some of the most unbelievable personal finance advice, money mistakes, and investing decisions on the internet. From inflation and future home prices to buying too much house, spending while in debt, retirement withdrawal strategies, sequence of returns risk, and extreme frugality, they break down what smart money management actually looks like. Whether you’re trying to build wealth, save for retirement, get out of debt, buy a home, or reach financial independence, these real-world examples reveal why creating margin, investing consistently, and following the Financial Order of Operations can matter more than flashy financial sh...

Where do wealthy people put their money, and what money habits can you copy to build wealth yourself? Brian and Bo break down what the top 10% and millionaires actually own—from stocks, 401(k)s, real estate, businesses, and homes to the surprising ways wealthy people spend on time, health, and cars. You’ll learn how consistent investing, low-cost index funds, tax-advantaged retirement accounts, HSAs, smart homeownership, and responsible spending fit into long-term wealth building. If you’ve wondered how rich people invest, what millionaires do with their money, or how to build wealth without looking rich, this episode breaks down t...

Are you doing better financially than the average American in 2026? We want to find out - and see how Financial Mutants compare. In this episode, we break down median financial asset data by age and share how you can take the Financial Mutant Survey at moneyguy.com/survey to anonymously share where you are on your financial journey. We’ll use the results to explore financial assets by age, savings, investing, retirement progress, net worth benchmarks, and how serious money optimizers stack up against their peers.

Whether you feel ahead, behind, or unsure if you’re on trac...

At 28, Joe has gone from roughly $120,000 in student loan debt to a positive $70,000 net worth—but now he faces a major personal finance decision: should he aggressively pay off student loans or keep investing for retirement? Brian and Bo break down his budget, Roth IRA, HSA, Bitcoin, side hustle income, savings rate, debt avalanche strategy, and Coast FIRE goals to build a financial plan for his 30s. If you’re wondering how to pay off student loan debt, whether to invest while paying off debt, or how much you should save in your 20s, Joe’s financial journey shows just h...

How much money do you really need to retire, and what does a $1 million, $2 million, $3 million, or $5 million retirement actually look like? Brian and Bo break down retirement income, the 4% rule, Social Security benefits, monthly retirement spending, and the lifestyle each portfolio could support. Plus, see how much you may need to invest each month to reach these retirement savings milestones by age 65. From sequence-of-returns risk and healthcare costs to inflation, RMDs, tax planning, and estate planning, this is a practical look at building wealth, finding your retirement number, and planning for financial independence. ⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠⁠⁠⁠Sports betting has exploded in America—but can you actually make money betting on sports, or is it quietly hurting your ability to build wealth? We look at the rise of online sports gambling, why Gen Z and young investors are increasingly drawn to betting, how sportsbooks make money, and what the numbers reveal about long-term sports betting profits. Then we compare gambling with investing, retirement savings, Roth IRAs, 401(k)s, index funds, and the opportunity cost of losing money while you’re young. If sports betting is part of your entertainment budget, here’s how to think about it without sac...

Start a free trial, and get 50% off your first year of Monarch Core Tier with code MONEYGUY at https://bit.ly/monarch-moneyguy Is TikTok money advice actually helping you build wealth—or encouraging costly investing mistakes? Financial advisors Brian and Bo react to viral personal finance advice about saving money, emergency funds, Roth IRAs, index funds, stock picking, taxes, entrepreneurship, and financial independence. From investing $50 a week to claims of turning $2,500 into $100,000, they separate useful financial principles from risky shortcuts. If you’re wondering how to start investing, how much to save, whether the S&P 500 can build wealth, or w...

How much money should you have saved by your 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s? Brian and Bo break down net worth by age, retirement savings benchmarks, investing goals, and wealth-building strategies for your 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. See how your finances compare, what net worth targets to aim for, and how priorities like emergency savings, investing 25%, buying a home, tax optimization, catch-up contributions, and retirement planning change over time. Whether you’re wondering how much should I have saved by 30, 40, or 50, trying to become a millionaire, or building toward financial independence, this is your decade-by-decade roadmap to building we...

⁠⁠⁠⁠Retirement planning may need a major rethink as longer lifespans and earlier retirement stretch what was once a standard 30-year retirement into 40 years or more. Rebie and Bo explain how longevity risk, inflation, bear markets, healthcare expenses, required minimum distributions, Social Security taxes, Medicare IRMAA surcharges, and the widow’s tax can affect your retirement income. Plus, learn how tax diversification, the three-bucket strategy, HSA investing, and strategic Roth conversions can help create a more resilient retirement plan. If you’re wondering how much you need to retire, when to retire, or how to make retirement savings last, this is where to...

This episode brought to you by Abound Wealth. Take the relationship to the next level and become a client: https://moneyguy.com/become-a-client/

At 27 years old, Melissa has already built a $61,000 net worth on a $65,000 salary—proving you don't need a six-figure income to build wealth. Brian and Bo break down her investing strategy, Roth IRA contributions, 401(k), HSA, emergency fund, car loan, and savings rate while showing how small financial decisions compound into long-term financial independence. They also discuss the Financial Order of Operations (FOO), whether to prioritize investing or paying off debt, an...

Behind on retirement savings or starting to invest later in life? Brian and Bo break down how to catch up on retirement in your 40s and 50s, including how much you should have saved by age, retirement savings rates, 401(k) and Roth IRA strategies, catch-up contributions, Social Security, and the power of working longer. You’ll see how increasing your savings rate, reducing high-interest debt and fixed expenses, and growing your income can dramatically change your retirement trajectory. If you feel behind financially, learn the practical steps that can help you build wealth, invest for retirement, and create a re...

How much do you actually need to retire—and are your retirement savings on track today? We’re introducing the new Know Your Number retirement calculator, a completely free tool designed to help you estimate how much money you may need for retirement based on your age, spending, current investments, annual contributions, retirement age, expected returns, and withdrawal rate. We’ll walk through retirement planning examples for someone starting at 25, navigating the messy middle at 33, and catching up at 40. Whether you’re calculating your retirement number, evaluating your savings rate, or building a long-term investment plan, this tool can help you...

Start a free trial, and get 50% off your first year of Monarch Core Tier with code MONEYGUY at monarch.com

Financial advice on YouTube can sound convincing—but should you actually follow it? Brian and Bo react to viral money advice about 401(k) loans, investing, credit cards, covered calls, tax deductions, 529 plans, home buying, saving money, and building wealth. They break down which personal finance tips hold up, which leave out important risks, and why boring long-term investing can beat complicated strategies. If you’re trying to improve your finances, invest for retirement, build cred...

This episode brought to you by Abound Wealth. Take the relationship to the next level and become a client: https://moneyguy.com/become-a-client/ Want to retire early but worried your retirement money is locked up until age 59 and a half? Brian and Bo break down 5 early retirement strategies that can help you access your investments sooner, including taxable brokerage accounts, the Rule of 55, 72(t) distributions, Roth conversion ladders, and Coast FIRE. Learn how early retirement withdrawals work, the tax implications to consider, and why the best financial independence strategy may involve combining multiple account types. Whether you want to...

Retirement happiness isn’t just about how much money you’ve saved—so what actually matters most? Brian, Bo, and retirement researcher Wes Moss put it to the test with a Retirement Happiness Draft, taking turns building their ideal retirement from 12 choices like $100K of income, eight hours of sleep, close friends, travel, hobbies, a paid-off home, and multiple income streams. Who builds the happiest retirement? Along the way, they unpack new research on happy retirees, retirement planning, financial independence, health, relationships, and purpose after work—and reveal what the data says really separates a fulfilling retirement from an unhappy...

Watch Daniel & Hannah’s original episode here: https://youtu.be/vn4VyUtE1j8 This episode brought to you by Abound Wealth. Take the relationship to the next level and become a client: https://moneyguy.com/become-a-client/

One year after appearing on Making a Millionaire, Daniel and Hannah return to show what really happens when life interrupts your financial plan. Between a totaled car, emergency surgery, Disney vacation, new debt, and unexpected expenses, this couple still increased their net worth from $104,000 to $154,000. Brian and Bo revisit the Financial Order of Operations (FOO), emergency funds, Roth IR...

Choosing a financial advisor is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make—but do you actually need one? Brian and Bo break down the uncomfortable truth about financial advisors, including advisor fees, fiduciary standards, commission vs fee-only advisors, behavioral coaching, retirement planning, tax planning, estate planning, investing, and why portfolio management is only a small part of real financial planning. You'll also learn when DIY investing makes sense, how advisor value is measured, and the biggest mistakes people make when hiring an advisor. Whether you're building wealth, approaching retirement, or deciding if professional financial advice is worth the co...

Are you actually wealthy for your age—and how much money should you have saved by 30, 40, 50, or 60? We compare income, debt, net worth by age, retirement savings, and financial flexibility to reveal which numbers actually measure wealth. You’ll learn why a six-figure salary doesn’t necessarily make you rich, how investable net worth differs from traditional net worth, and how your retirement savings compare with other Americans. Plus, see the Money Guy wealth benchmarks by age to determine whether your savings, investments, and financial independence journey are on track—and what really matters when building long-term wealth.

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Financial Advisors React is back, and this time Brian and Bo break down some of the internet's funniest viral money clips—from confusing credit score advice and investing memes to entrepreneurship, student loans, stock market hype, budgeting, and even a monkey explaining retirement accounts. Along the way they separate great financial advice from misleading money myths using the Financial Order of Operations (FOO), long-term investing principles, index funds, credit score fundamentals, and practical wealth-building strategies. Whether you're trying to build wealth, improve your financial literacy, invest for retirement, understand personal finance, or simply enjoy hilarious internet finance content, this ep...

Start a free trial, and get 50% off your first year of Monarch Core Tier with code MONEYGUY at https://bit.ly/monarch-moneyguy

Building wealth doesn't require a huge income or a finance degree—it requires the right habits. In this episode, Brian and Bo break down five essential personal finance principles that anyone can use to become better with money, eliminate costly financial mistakes, harness compound interest, pay off high-interest debt, and start investing for long-term financial independence. Whether you're just beginning your financial journey or trying to rebuild after setbacks, these simple wealth-building strategies can help yo...

⁠⁠⁠⁠Record-high 401(k) balances may make retirement savers feel like they are finally getting ahead—but the numbers could be creating false confidence. Vanguard’s latest retirement savings data shows median 401(k) balances rising sharply, while much of that growth appears tied to strong stock market returns rather than improved saving habits. We explain why investment growth alone may not be enough, how the declining personal savings rate affects retirement readiness, and why increasing your contribution rate—even by 1%—can meaningfully strengthen your financial plan. Learn how much you should save for retirement, evaluate your 401(k), and become an active participant in b...

Check out Mindy on the Bigger Pockets Money podcast This episode brought to you by Abound Wealth. Take the relationship to the next level and become a client: https://moneyguy.com/become-a-client/

Building wealth is only half the battle—keeping it, enjoying it, and avoiding costly financial blind spots is where the real challenge begins. In this special Making a Millionaire collaboration, Brian and Bo sit down with Mindy from BiggerPockets Money and her husband Karl to analyze a nearly $10 million portfolio, uncovering hidden risks like concentration risk, margin loans, Roth conversion opportunities, tax pl...

Want to build wealth faster without gambling, chasing hot stocks, or taking unnecessary risks? In this episode, Brian and Bo break down the biggest wealth accelerators that actually move the needle—from increasing your savings rate, maximizing income, reducing debt, minimizing taxes, and automating your finances to advanced strategies like real estate investing, house hacking, equity compensation, entrepreneurship, and leveraged investing. Learn how to eliminate financial drag, optimize your investing strategy, reach financial independence sooner, and make smarter money decisions using proven financial planning principles. Whether you're just beginning your investing journey or already building serious wealth, these accelerators ca...