SimpleMoney: Recent Episodes
Dawn Starks
Financial planner Dawn Starks combines her love of personal finance with her passion for simple living. People often find personal finance complex and intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Listen in to find ways to make your financial life simpler.
Today’s guest is Shanna Goodman, brand strategist and president of Ampersand Business Solutions and creator of AMP’D online. We discuss running your home and personal finances like a business and…
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Are you overwhelmed thinking about big decluttering projects or your need to streamline your life? Dawn shares an easy practice to implement daily to help you further simplify your life.
Today’s guest is Chuck Jaffe, author and host of the Money Life podcast. Chuck shares his Halloween project, meant to help kids learn about money and risk, and maybe eat…
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Are you guilty of trying to keep up with the Joneses? We all are sometimes. Let’s look at that phenomenon and see what we can learn from it. Show transcript:…
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Today’s guest is Bobbi Olson, budget coach and host of the CentsAble Chat podcast. Bobbi and Dawn discuss their mutual money-nerdiness, as well as Bobbi’s 5-step process for budgeting. They…
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Are you a procrastinator? Dawn shares some strategies that have helped her with her tendency to procrastinate. Show transcript: Hey there, I’m Dawn Starks, author of Simplify Your Financial Life…
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Today’s guest is Chris Mamula, author of the book Choose FI. Chris and Dawn talk about FIRE, the importance of being a “valuist,” rethinking college, and how to travel for…
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You would probably agree that 2020 has been a weird, stressful year. It’s important for us to have some strategies to get ourselves back on track: personally, professionally, and financially.…
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Today’s guest is Leisa Peterson, author of the new book, The Mindful Millionaire. We talk about how important our thoughts are to being successful with money and what holds people…
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Have you ever had a friend that had more or less wealth than you? Did it cause awkward moments? Dawn talks about the issues that can occur and how to…
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Today’s guest is Shoshanah Dietz, a member of the SimpleMoney Community and founder of Mid-Life Minimalist. We talk about how she became interested in minimalism and how it impacted her…
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Dawn shares her thoughts about the shocking wealth difference between black and white households. Racial financial inequality is real. Show Transcript: Hey there, I’m Dawn Starks, author of Simplify Your…
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Today’s guest is Leia Smith, a member of the SimpleMoney Community. We talk about minimalism and Leia’s work with the homeless and poverty-stricken members of her community. Show Transcript: Hey…
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Dawn gives two reasons why using home equity to consolidate your credit card debt is a bad idea. One reason is strategic, one is behavioral. Show transcript: Hey there, I’m…
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Grant Sabatier, author of Financial Freedom, is today’s guest. We talk about his book, the FIRE movement, and his work with Vicki Robin. Show transcript: Hey there. I’m Dawn Starks,…
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Dawn reviews the progress she’s made on the four simplicity goals she established for the year. Let’s see how she did. Show Transcript: Hey there, I’m Dawn Starks, author of…
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Today’s guest is Ellen Scott Grable, a member of the SimpleMoney Community. We talk about the importance of goal setting and Ellen’s view of Essentialism, among other things. Show Transcript:…
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Do you like to declutter in the summer? Summer is the perfect time for purging. Here are three areas you can focus on to declutter this summer. Show Transcript: Hey…
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Today we have an interview with Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist. We talk about minimalism with families, decluttering, and Joshua’s secret weapon when it comes to simplifying his financial life.…
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Dawn shares several ways using a timer has helped her gain understanding and better efficiency in her quest to add more white space to her life. Show Transcript: Welcome to…
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Rowan Starks of Laurel Mountain Crafts is today’s guest. Dawn’s daughter discusses how she got started as a young entrepreneur and what she has learned along the way. Where to…
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Is managing your money like growing a garden? Dawn thinks so! Her theory is if you are a gardener, you are likely good with your money. Show transcript: Welcome to…
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Here are four quick tips to help you regain your focus during this time of crisis. Show transcript: Welcome to the SimpleMoney Podcast, where we make personal finance less intimidating.…
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Dawn gets into some specific strategies that her family is using to economize during a period of income reduction.
Whether you are retired or still working, here are some tips for managing this stressful time. Show transcript: Welcome to the SimpleMoney Podcast, where we make personal finance less intimidating.…
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Dawn offers some ideas for easy to do decluttering projects this spring. Show transcript: Welcome to the SimpleMoney Podcast, where we make personal finance less intimidating. I’m Dawn Starks, a…
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During this COVID-19 crisis, don’t sit around, worry, and watch videos all day! Use your newly created downtime in more positive ways. Show transcript: Welcome to the SimpleMoney Podcast, where…
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Now is not the time to panic. Dawn explains why remaining calm and steady through the market decline is the best approach to protect your long-term savings. Show transcript: Welcome…
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What do you do to regain your center when life feels chaotic? Looking for ways to insert some slivers of white space in your day can make all the difference.…
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Do you get caught up in negative talk with yourself about money? Here are some stories we might be telling ourselves that need to be rewritten. Show transcript: Welcome to…
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Focusing on special treatment (instead of lavish gifts) and managing expectations are the keys to making birthday celebrations simpler and more meaningful. Show transcript: Welcome to the SimpleMoney Podcast, where…
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You can’t be rich because you are spending all your money! Dawn covers the three things necessary for wealth building. Show transcript: Welcome to the SimpleMoney Podcast, where we make…
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Our traditional model of retirement is all but dead. Let’s talk about creating a new retire-mentality, as well as reasons to be optimistic about retirement going forward. Show transcript: Welcome…
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To Do lists can be very helpful to get yourself organized and accomplish a lot. But they can have a dark side, too. Show transcript: Welcome to the SimpleMoney Podcast,…
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In a follow up to last week, Dawn outlines her new goals for 2020 that will further simplify her life. Show transcript: Welcome to the SimpleMoney Podcast, where we make…
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Dawn explains how the year 2019 was a mixed bag for completing her simplicity-related goals. Show transcript: Welcome to the SimpleMoney Podcast, where we make personal finance less intimidating. I’m…
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When funds are tight, it is hard to know whether to pay down your debts or build your savings. Dawn discusses the pros and cons of each to help you…
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Kick off the new year with some goals! Dawn covers some strategies to help you find success with your goal setting. Show transcript: Welcome to the SimpleMoney Podcast, where we…
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In the spirit of the holiday, Dawn divulges the Christmas wishes she has for you listeners! Show transcript: Welcome to the SimpleMoney Podcast, where we make personal finance less intimidating.…
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In this short episode, engage in a thought experiment to brainstorm ways to increase the money flowing into your life. Show transcript: Welcome to the SimpleMoney Podcast, where we make…
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The year is almost over! What are some things you can do now to improve your financial life? Here are five smart year-end financial moves. Show transcript: Welcome to the…
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October was all about paying attention to energy levels and work patterns. Knowing your limitations is critical to simplify your life! Dawn continues her monthly series with a look at…
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Are you ready for the holiday season? Let’s talk about the stress the holidays can cause and how to simplify our holiday season with a bit of planning. Show…
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Dawn shares her darkest secret when it comes to her productivity and success. Show transcript: Welcome to the SimpleMoney Podcast, where we make personal finance less intimidating. I’m Dawn…
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No household decluttering happened in September, but Dawn did make some good decisions while she was traveling to attend two conferences. Little things add up! Show transcript: Welcome to…
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Do you increase your spending to keep up with increases in your income? This is “lifestyle creep.” Dawn continues her story about how lifestyle creep ramped up in her life.…
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Should I lease or buy a car? There are good reasons for both methods. But in this episode, Dawn talks about the experience of Jones-itis that lead to a dumb…
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Another month of small things that have supported Dawn’s efforts to achieve more simplicity in life. Show transcript: Welcome to the SimpleMoney Podcast, where we make personal finance less…
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Dawn discusses a Money Magazine article about the habits of millionaires. Show transcript: Welcome to the SimpleMoney Podcast, where we make personal finance less intimidating. I’m Dawn Starks, a…
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When your income rises, it is natural for you to want to increase your spending. This is “lifestyle creep.” Dawn continues her story about how lifestyle creep began to appear…
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The series continues with July’s installment of small things that add up over time to help simplify your life. Show transcript: Welcome to the SimpleMoney Podcast, where we make…
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For most people, more income equals more spending. That is called “lifestyle creep.” Dawn talks about the pervasiveness of lifestyle creep and begins the story of how it developed in…
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Should you give an allowance? And if so, should it be tied to chores or not? Dawn discusses the pros and cons of each method and emphasizes the importance of…
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In this milestone 100th episode of the podcast, Dawn discusses the Six SimpleMoney Power Habits that you can develop to improve your financial life. Show transcript: Welcome to the…
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In the continuing saga of “small things add up” when it comes to simplifying your life, Dawn shares the little things she worked on in June. Show transcript: Welcome…
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Dawn made goals in January related to further simplifying her life this year. In this episode, she reviews her progress at the mid-year mark. Show transcript: Welcome to the…
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Net worth is only a measure of your financial health at some point in time. But what are YOU really worth? Show transcript: Welcome to the SimpleMoney Podcast, where…
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Cars can be expensive, both to buy and to maintain. Here are several strategies to think about to reduce the cost of car ownership. Show transcript: Welcome to the…
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Dawn describes 5 more things she did in the month of May in her quest for a simpler life. Small things add up! Show transcript: Welcome to the SimpleMoney…
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Do you suffer from bad habits with your money? Start some new, excellent habits and declare your independence with your money! Show transcript: Welcome to the SimpleMoney Podcast, where…
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This is the second in a series of productivity tips. Time blocking has been revolutionary to Dawn’s ability to get her most important priorities accomplished. Show transcript: Welcome to…
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Another month, another handful of small things that have helped Dawn simplify her life. This time, she includes a decision her family made that actually made their lives more complicated.…
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Dawn reviews “You Need a Budget,” by Jesse Mecham – one of her favorite personal finance books! Show transcripts: Welcome to the SimpleMoney Podcast, where we make personal finance…
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Do you wish you were more productive? The key isn’t cramming more things into each day. The key is to organize your week. Using theme days is one way to…
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In this episode, Dawn gets into the nitty gritty about the difference between wages and profits. Don’t miss this episode if you want to improve your financial life! Show…
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It’s easy to blame outside causes when bad things happen in our lives. But we have control over how we respond to the curveballs that live throws our way. YOU…
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Does it feel like you will never be done simplifying your life? You are right! Simplifying is a process. Since life is always throwing curveballs, it is good to know…
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Interested in books about minimalism? Joshua Becker wrote a great one, and here is Dawn’s review of it. Show transcript: Welcome to the SimpleMoney Podcast, where we make personal…
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Another month, another handful of small things that have helped Dawn simplify her life. Don’t discount the power of baby steps! Show transcript: Welcome to the SimpleMoney Podcast, where…
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Here is the next episode in the series about small activities or shifts during a month’s time that add up to more white space and simplicity for Dawn. Hopefully you…
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Dawn kicks off a series in which she describes small activities or shifts during the prior months that add up to more white space and simplicity in her life. Get…
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Trying to time your investment into the stock market is a losing game. Instead, invest over time with a dollar-cost averaging strategy. Here is the plain English explanation of why…
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Want to revolutionize your financial life? Learn to be patient and wait. In this episode, Dawn explains why patience is indeed a virtue in the world we live in today.
Homeschooling your children can be really expensive, or with a little bit of planning, it can be inexpensive. As a homeschooling mom, Dawn has learned a lot about ways to…
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The earlier children learn about money, the more equipped they will be to manage their lives as adults. Here is why youth financial literacy is so important, and ways you…
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Your stuff costs much more than the initial price you pay to acquire it. In this episode, Dawn explains why it is important to factor in the lifetime cost of…
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Dawn travels frequently for work, and she has made it a challenge to find ways to save money while on the road. Feeding yourself when you are away from home…
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Do you feel like you don’t know anything about your finances? Don’t despair. Just start somewhere – every little bit of knowledge helps. This episode offers some places to start…
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Why can we not feel content with what we have? Why do we always seek more? Dawn examines some of the issues and offers some tips to develop the super…
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Do you ever get to the end of your monthly income before you get to the end of the month? It happens to everyone at some point! Here are some…
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Another episode in the series about the basics of investing. If you are new to investing or want to brush up on the basics, SimpleMoney is the place to get…
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Continuing with the theme started last week, Dawn tells about her lifelong struggle with weight management and exercise, and how she feels she might have the exercise conquered now!
Sorry, this isn’t about stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Investing in our health pays big dividends over the long term. Here are some ways you might consider investing in yourself!
Sometimes just asking yourself a simple question can help you curb spending that is out of control. This episode focuses on checking in with yourself on how meaningful a potential…
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Last episode we looked back over the prior year. This episode, let’s make some goals for the new year!
It’s nice to look back over your year and think about things that went well and things that didn’t. In this episode, Dawn reviews her year in terms of her…
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In this super short episode, Dawn encourages you to think small when it comes to making big changes over time in your financial life.
Financial experts tend to focus on ways to cut expenses in an effort to improve your finances. But what about income? Dawn discusses ways to improve the INCOME side of…
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Are you a busy person who aspires to the simple life? Are you conflicted because you want minimalism, but really, truly love your busy life? Dawn shares her journey and…
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How did you learn about money? Did you have good money role models growing up, or poor ones? Either way, you learned some lessons. Honor your past and vow to…
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Hear some about Dawn’s philosophy of insurance and whether a health savings account might help you achieve your financial goals.
All relationships need respect and some TLC to thrive. Your relationship with your money is no different. No, Dawn hasn’t lost her marbles. Treat your money with respect, and it…
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Saving for retirement is a fairly young phenomenon. Dawn explains why saving more for our own retirement is now necessary, and she outlines the main savings vehicles to use.
Decluttering can be done any time of year, but the crisp, cool air of autumn can really fire you up for cleaning out things you no longer need. Here are…
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How do you define the simple life? Most likely, your version is far different from the next person who embraces the lifestyle. Dawn shares more about her journey to simple…
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In the next in a series of episodes about retirement planning, Dawn shares both some obvious and some creative strategies for reaching your retirement goals.
Words are important. If the thought of a budget makes you feel anxious and deflated, call it a spending plan! It doesn’t matter what you call it, so long as…
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Do you ever freeze up while trying to declutter when you realize how much hard-earned money you spent on a particular item? Conquer that problem once and for all with…
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Throughout the year, take a few moments periodically to review your goals for relevancy and importance. In this episode, Dawn gives you the questions to ask yourself to make sure…
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Many factors play a role in why today’s retirement will look a whole lot different from the retirement our parents and grandparents had. Hear the bad news and the good…
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It’s never too late! Use a paper list or spreadsheet, but use this simple three-step method to get organized and manage your holiday budget. So many benefits come from approaching…
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When the Starks family travels by RV, they get back to the basics. Slower living and simple pleasures take the lead.
If you use coupons, good for you! Dawn does not, and she outlines her reasons in this short episode.
Estate planning is not just for the rich. Listen to this episode to find out what mistake you need to avoid when planning for what happens to your assets when…
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You are not going to like the answer, but it is very important to hear it. So put your big-girl panties on and find out what you need to know…
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Let’s put a positive spin on budgets, shall we? Learn to love budgeting as a way to bring awareness to your financial life. Focusing on your spending might just help…
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Adding some buffer in your life is incredibly valuable if you are trying to simplify. Whether it is space around your belongings or around your weekly obligations, white space matters.…
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Experts often disagree about whether you should pay your mortgage off faster. In this episode, Dawn outlines the arguments for and against paying off your mortgage and gives you a…
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Overwhelmed with the paper that comes into your life? Here are some quick and easy ways to eliminate it!
Do you vacation in an RV? Maybe you go camping, or perhaps “glamping” is more your style? The Starks family loves their part-time RV lifestyle. Here is how it has…
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Spending money on eating out, entertainment, and “retail therapy” can be detrimental to your budget. In this episode, learn a strategy to change your mindset and dial back your expectations…
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Starting a business, especially when it involves taking on substantial debt, is not for sissies. Dawn shares her own experiences and gives you a framework for thinking about risks you…
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When your finances are tight, sometimes sacrifices need to be made. When your finances are on track and doing well, you might expand your giving goals. Hear a run-down about…
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Yes! Another episode about goals! Come on, goals are important! Dawn shares a new strategy that might help you knock your financial goals out of the park.
Owning a home is part of the American Dream, right? Not so fast. Home ownership is not for everyone. In this episode, hear about what questions you should ask and…
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Dawn shares some stories about her family’s love for pets, and how priorities like introducing a pet into your life should factor into your budget planning.
Think you’ll work forever, and therefore you don’t need to save for retirement? Maybe that will pan out, and maybe it won’t. The best approach is to plan for financial…
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As a young college student, Dawn lived in Germany for a year pursuing her music studies. While she didn’t know it at the time, that experience was formative in her…
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Paying off debts once and for all can be quite a challenge. In this episode, Dawn gives tips to help you accomplish the MOST important step to getting your debts…
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Making meaningful changes of any sort in our lives requires work, persistence, and diligence. There are no easy fixes! Money is no different. Learn the two important steps to changing…
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A hallmark of simple living is to enjoy the small things. When our budgets are tight, it is easy to forget to provide some small enjoyments along the way. In…
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You can knock out all your laundry in one day and feel great. But it will be back! Most housework chores follow this pattern, and they are never-ending. Personal finance…
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Ignoring your finances can cause big issues. Don’t avoid dealing with your money just because it is complicated. And don’t avoid dealing with your money if you are experiencing a…
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This quick episode offers five ways you can streamline your financial life through automation.
Is your money just lounging around being unproductive, or worse yet, does it run right out on you and get into trouble? Whip those dollars into shape! In the second…
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Weddings can be stressful and expensive. In this episode, Dawn tells the story of her crazy, but inexpensive, wedding day.
Building a solid foundation is the key to creating a stable rock cairn AND a stable financial life. Dawn covers the questions you need to ask yourself to determine if…
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If you travel for extended periods of time, you will have to deal with your finances. This episode looks at some tips for dealing with paper, cash flow, and credit…
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Books! People love books, but books can easily multiply and fill up space in your home. Dawn shares her love of books and how she undertook a massive book purge…
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Simple living and minimalist books and blogs often tout the idea of “buying quality.” But perhaps that is not always the best approach. This episode looks at the pros and…
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Dawn gives insider tips on what to look for and questions to ask when you are interested in working with a financial professional.
While financial planning is important for both genders, women are particularly vulnerable. Listen while Dawn outlines seven reasons women need to pay particular attention to their financial life, and the…
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Do you have strange habits or quirks when it comes to your money? Let’s have some fun looking at some common weird things people do with their money.
Historically, women have not been empowered when it comes to their finances. Fortunately, that is changing. Dawn offers several money lessons that mothers should be sure to pass along to…
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Continuing where episode 17 left off, Dawn describes the basics you need to know about personal insurance coverage such as health, disability, life, and long-term care.
Insurance is one method of managing risk. In this episode, Dawn describes the basics you need to know about property insurance: home, auto, and personal property.
People have hang-ups about money, and often people think money causes nothing but trouble. But is that true? Let’s look at what money really is and how it can be…
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Are there good debts and bad debts? What is the best method to get out of debt once and for all? Dawn breaks it down and gives you the tools…
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Opposites attract in love AND money! Hear some strategies to manage your money when your spouse has a different money personality. Keep the peace by learning to work together on…
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Dawn shares some unorthodox ways to save money on a college education. Think outside the box!
Dawn gets down to basics on investing, describing what exactly stocks and bonds are, and why it is so important to diversify if you are an investor.
Hear about some awesome projects to detox your financial life, just in time for spring!
Making the unconventional choice to homeschool your children can save you money, IF you are careful. But there are also many ways this method of education could actually cost more than traditional schooling. Dawn shares her family's experience with both savings and additional costs through their decision to homeschool.
Continuing where episode 3 left off, Dawn digs deeper into how to set great goals and achieve them. Two techniques are covered - breaking goals down into bite-sized pieces and the concept of always moving the "goal post."
Special guest Rowan Starks makes her podcast debut as she and Dawn talk about kids and money.
Dawn dispels the myth of the get-rich quick scheme. So, what is the magic formula for getting rich slowly? Spend less and save more! She also covers ways to "just do it" when it comes to starting a saving program.
Dawn Starks outlines her path to SimpleMoney. She describes the great challenges she faced in building a financial planning practice, as well as the challenges of becoming a minimalist within her own family.
How can you begin on your financial journey without knowing your starting place? Learn how to build two important financial tools, a net worth statement and a cash flow statement, in order to pinpoint your current financial location.
In this two topic episode, Dawn discusses the difference between simple and frugal. Attention then turns to the concept of "living small," and why it makes all the difference when planning for your long-term financial goals.
Do you prefer your goals to be easily accomplished, or do you like a bigger challenge? Listen to find out how to best articulate your goals to maximize your ability to achieve them.
Gratitude - it's not just for Thanksgiving anymore! Discover how gratitude and two other magical keys can help you build lasting wealth.
Dawn Starks gives an introduction to the SimpleMoney blog and podcast and describes how the project is the intersection of her two passions - personal finance and simplicity.