Frugal Noodle: Recent Episodes
Cody
Frugal Noodle is the show dedicated to helping you understand finance, investing, and retirement planning better. We get into the FIRE movement that is taking more and more millennials down a path of financial wealth and health everyday.
Enter, some basic finances. This episode is the first in a series of simple coverage of finance topics that the podcast has otherwise deviated from since approaching the simple living realm.
Today is 401k and The Stock Market.
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The music in this episode was produced by CARBS.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
Why does simple living live so symbiotically with FIRE? Well if it ain't obvious, or to have your reasoning validated, listen to this week's episode!
We talk about the modern mindset of consumption and how we (my family) have deviated from the path to lead a simpler life and reach FIRE sooner.
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The music in this episode was produced by CARBS.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
"Wow, 2021 sure outdid 2020 didn't it?"
*Another year later
"Wow, 2022 sure outdid 2021 didn't it?"
We can let the year rule us, or we can rule the year. It's about what you choose to do. And I've talked about it plenty, how time and what you choose to do with it is everything. But it's not something people take very seriously.
This episode will cover what types of goals one might set for the year, with comparisons to the very real goals we set as a family. Be it a financial goal in general, setting a budget, investments, or just taking on a new skill or hobby- you've got a whole year to gain some mastery in it. Don't waste it!
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The music in this episode was produced by CARBS.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
Yowza, if I may, it has been a long while since an episode has been uploaded. If you're a previous listener and you recall, I took a hiatus to pursue a certification in my career, and I got that certification! And it paid off!
But now I'm back and excited to bring more episodes to you with a lot of coverage of the familiar and expanding into new territory.
This first episode of what we'll call season two will serve as a short welcome back and brief overview of things to come. So jump in and stick around for more FIRE movement talk, finance and investing, money and frugality, simple living and mindset discussion.
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Check out the new Etsy shop!
The music in this episode was produced by CARBS.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
We're at a quarter of one hundred episodes. What got us here? What on earth have I made you listen to so far? How have you made it this far!?
This is episode reflects on the past 24 episodes, and what we've discussed along the way. It's as much to share with new listeners as it is to remind the long-time listeners of what subjects to refer back to.
Stay tuned until the end of the episode for an important announcement about the show.
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The music for this episode was produced by CARBS.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
M I N I M A L I S M
What is the minimalist mindset when applied to our finances? How does one apply the concepts of financial minimalism to their life? Let's break it down and talk about how to lead a furgal and simple life through itty bitty baby steps into a full-blown financial minimalist life.
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The music for the episode was produced by CARBS.
The Buddhist on Death Row by David Sheff
The Heartbeat of Trees by Peter Wohlleben
That's a good question, and I have answers. There are so many avenues to invest your money in: Brokerage accounts, real estate, old-fashioned cattle-drawn grain mills, and precious metals to name a few. That third one not being as lucrative as it once was. But let me talk about how I would invest my own money in today's episode.
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The music for this episode was produced by CARBS.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
We're a species that has overcome magnificent odds to get to where we are today. From the ages of early man to modern man, we relied solely on ourselves and our tribes to acquire and survive on our needs. But have you ever wondered why our lives went from simply satisfying our needs, to working so hard for our wants?
On this week's episode we'll cover just how far we've deviated from the path of hunter-gatherer mindset, to the mindset of living that Gucci lifestyle the uber-rich live everyday. Prepare for some history, but of course, some lessons in how understanding finance and our own capabilities to provide for ourselves could mean an earlier retirement for us.
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The music for this episode was produced by CARBS.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
Do you have kids, want kids, or know someone who has kids? Do you know what kids are? If you say yes to any of those questions, then this episode will shed light on how you or someone else may be eligible for a class-action lawsuit against- No, I'm just kidding. This episode is about teaching your kids about finance at different ages.
How do you involve them in financial decisions that won't overwhelm them, or invest in their future? What lessons and skills can they be taught to make an even brighter individual as far as financial well-being and overall morality go? We'll cover a little bit of all of that today!
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The theme for this episode was produced by CARBS.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
No, we're not leaving you behind! No matter where you are in your life, what you face, there's a way to make things work. And this applies to retirement, as well. So, let's talk about some different examples of where one might be, and regardless of how hard it will be, you can still retire.
25 years old without any savings? Let's make it happen cap'n. 35 and only invest 3% of your income for the last 10 years? Chet-u-betcha we'll get you on track. 65 without a dime saved? Well, let's have a hard talk. We'll discuss these three scenarios, plus a BONUS scenario just so we cover a little bit of every potential situation.
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The music for this episode was produced by CARBS.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
Living with early retirement in mind, or living to want less, or living frugally, isn't just a part of anyone from birth. There are many concepts that need to be understood. So what led me to understanding this lifestyle and becoming a part of it? Why am I pursuing it today? That's what we'll discuss this week.
Apologies for missing an episode last week. Our daughter brought back a cold to share, so we were all quite wiped out and I made the ill-fated mistake of not pre-recording something before heading out on our camping trip. Stick around to the end of the episode to find out if we broke our $300 camping trip budget!
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The music in this episode was produced by CARBS.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
For all the people who aren't vacationing in Rome, there's plenty that lives by "when in Rome" on any trip. Who said you NEED to spend a ton of money just because you're on vacation? Of course, tourism marketing will tell you that. But why should you listen?
We vacation a few times a year. Often it's by camping, which is by far the cheapest way to vacation. But even when we're not camping we still manage to save as much as possible on our travel so we can put more money toward an early retirement. Listen on for what areas you can trim down costs, but still get that much-needed reset.
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The music for this episode was produced by CARBS.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
Wanting to retire early begets a frugal lifestyle. A frugal lifestyle begets a smaller environmental footprint. And thus, the FIRE movement is actually better for the environment. It means, buying less of the things you don't need, wasting less by wearing purchases out, and appreciating simpler things like nature, because it is a much more affordable experience over lavish cruises and the like.
This week's episode is a bit philosophical and is subjective of my own opinions. But, in this world, it's difficult to debate whether we should do the best for our planet, or not. Hint, we should. So, fasten in, and prepare yourself for a greener future, both financially and environmentally.
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The music for this episode was produced by CARBS.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
What can't you subscribe to nowadays? From entertainment to food, video games to cars. I shiver in fear of the future where no one owns anything, but rather pays for temporary access to the things we want and need. This week's episode doesn't necessarily discuss the social issues that subscriptions pose, so much as it discusses the financial aspect of our increasingly subscription-wired minds.
Let's talk about how there are many more subscriptions than those that call themselves a "subscription." Anything can be budgeted as a subscription if you do the right math. And through viewing our regular purchases in this light, it is much easier to understand how much we really spend on certain areas of our budgets.
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The music for this episode was produced by CARBS.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
Understanding where you are from the top of any mound, hill, or mountain is key to knowing how far you've got to go. The same is true for tracking your net worth compared to your financial goals. If you've determined that an early retirement is your goal, then you gotta figure out where you stand!
This week we'll talk about exactly that. And of course, I'll throw in an obscure analogy along the way.
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The music for this episode was produced by CARBS.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
Welcome back to the third and final part of the crypto series. We've covered the basics and history of crypto (in a very compressed fashion), now let's talk about how one might get involved in this movement.
There are many exchanges, many currencies, and many things to be aware of as you wade in these waters. I've got some tips to stay secure and protect yourself against scams that might lead you to a drop-off without your water wings.
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Affiliate links to where I invest.
The music for this episode was produced by CARBS.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
It's easy to look at your recent raise or your pay increase for your new job opportunity as a way to financially access nicer things. You're making just enough to get by one year, then the next year you can afford a nicer apartment and car, as well as some other goodies you couldn't before. But, should we be asking ourselves how we can afford more things? Or, how we can live with less?
This episode will cover the financial independence seeker's bane, lifestyle inflation. You make more, so you should be able to afford more, right? Technically, yes. But if you want to retire early and enjoy your time more than your things then maybe the answer should be no. Let's share the experience of your's truly so you can learn before making the same decisions as I have.
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The music for this episode was produced by CARBS.
Kurzgesagt's video that will make you appreciate your time more.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
Welcome back to the second part of the three-part series involving crypto! You've made it this far and now we're ready to cover some of the latest happenings and leading ups to today for crypto. It's an interesting world we find ourselves in. When imaginary currencies have their worth inflated by the richest man on the planet, and just as easily the same man pulls the rug from under them. Yes, I'm talking about Elon Musk and his hot and cold relationship with Bitcoin and Doge.
Let's cover some more of today's world in crypto and talk about my time spent in crypto before we return in part three where we'll cover how YOU can get involved in the scene. If that's what you're aiming for.
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The music for this episode was produced by CARBS.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
We, human creatures, are easily convinced by the flow of the crowd around us (most of the time). But one thing that the majority of us hardly question is if we should really be living in debt for the bulk of our lives just as most of our fellow human creatures are. And what makes it even harder to question the notion is when some debts are categorized as "good".
On the path to early retirement and financial independence, the question of taking on debt will come up often, especially earlier on. But, I think a shift in perspective on what debt really is makes the decision to take on more an easier one to make.
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The music for this episode was produced by CARBS.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
Finally, the first part of a three-part series covering crypto! There's a whole love to cover, and not even three episodes will cover everything. But, it will get you started in understanding crypto well enough to start taking advantage of it like so many other people already are.
Today, we'll cover the basics, define some terminology that will help us comprehend what crypto really is, and we'll do a quick overview of the history of crypto. Prepare to feel a little more confident when you stumble upon a conversation involving Bitcoin, Ethereum, or even Dogecoin.
Thank you for listening!
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The music in this episode was produced by CARBS.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
It's easy to get caught up in any mindset or lifestyle and neglect to enjoy the scenery, smell the roses, or appreciate the moment. I would wager that it's even easier to watch the time fly by when living a goal-oriented life like the FIRE movement. However, it doesn't have to be that way. And every effort to enjoy the moments on the route to early retirement will be the difference in being happy on this path, or miserable.
This week's episode shares the details of what our goals look like, and how we celebrate along the way.
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The music for this episode was produced by CARBS.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
There are many things, tangible or otherwise, that make us humans weak. The flu? Skipping breakfast and being asked to work through lunch? What about love? Or money?
Most of us would do anything for our loved ones, and a lot of us would do some silly things for money. But, what happens when two things that make us weak cross paths? Or even butt heads?
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The music for this episode was produced by CARBS.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
This pandemic has been eye-opening to many of us in many ways. We've learned a lot about ourselves as much as we have our fellow humans. The experience I share with my wife taught us that we never really took the time to understand our money or how to cultivate a brighter financial future.
Of course, we learned so much more than what we did about money. But on this week's episode, I'll be talking precisely what we learned about investing, debt, and early retirement through the pandemic.
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The music for this episode was produced by CARBS.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
I was terrible at saving money only a few years ago. I made a pretty terrible salary for my position, and made somehow more terrible decisions with my money despite it. My situation was entirely different, but so was my mindset. I had a financial awakening (having a child), which taught me to be better about where my money was going.
This episode, we'll talk about how much the average person saves, how you can save more, and why the standard savings account is actually a poor place to hold money for the long-term.
For all things related to the FIRE Movement, financial independence, retirement, investing, and debt, follow Frugal Noodle for the latest episodes!
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The music for this episode was produced by CARBS.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
I remember when I started my first job and HR asked me how much I wanted to contribute to my 401k. Late-teens me had no idea what a four-hundred-one "K" was. It took me a while to really understand what a 401k was, and then I discovered the Roth and Traditional IRA.
There's some complexity to retirement accounts, but this episode will shed some light on the basics!
We'll also discuss the basics of ETFs and Index Funds.
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The music for this episode was produced by CARBS.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
There are many ways to interpret where you stand financially. But what if your goal is Financial Independence? Where do you stand? Where are you headed? And where have you come from? Early Retirement is a lot easier to understand when you have a roadmap to guide you there!
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The music in this episode was produced by CARBS.
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Check out the Mint budgeting tool.
Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
There are more people that live in debt for the majority of their lives than not. It's astonishing to lead the lifestyle that's been so baked into us without stopping to consider that maybe there's another way. Do you need to have a car payment until the day you retire? What about a mortgage payment? Or a credit card bill that haunts you every month (or maybe several credit cards)?
Let's talk about how debt is easier to approach and eliminate from your life by switching up some lifestyle choices.
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The music in this episode was produced by CARBS.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
Sometimes we face a concept that takes math to understand and we say, "naww, I'm not making my brain work on that today." But I promise, understanding the math behind retirement is so much easier than AP Calculus or something similar. Heck, I graduated high-school only requiring two years of math and I can wrap my head around how I plan to FIRE (American schooling FTW).
Let's talk about early retirement and the 4% rule.
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The music in this episode was produced by CARBS.
There's a lot that can push you into chasing retiring early, but we all have our own reason unique to ourselves. As an introduction to the podcast, I want to share my reason for jumping in on the Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE) Movement.
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The music used in this episode was produced by CARBS.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.
What confuses you about money? If you're like me from only a few years ago, I had no idea how growing your money worked. Investments, retirement planning, and finance, in general, were quite lost on me for years. But now I've set down a road of educating myself on how money works, and how to make it work for me.
Let's talk about how you can take on your debt, start investing, and plan for your retirement today, in this show dedicated to explaining the confusing aspects of all of the above, and then some. Including what this FIRE movement that you'd be hard-pressed not to have heard of, is all about. Financial Independence, Retire Early. It's taking Millennials by storm, and Gen-Z is on board as well.
So don't miss out by subscribing and following Frugal Noodle on social media.
Disclaimer: This content is NOT financial advice. All financial decisions made by you as a result of this content are at your own discretion.