Status Post Adulting

After four years and 210 episodes, Sammie and Michelle have decided to close out the Build A Wealthy Spirit podcast. In this episode, they reflect on the past four years, sharing their favorite memories and the deep gratitude they feel for all of you and everyone who has supported the podcast along the way. It's the end of an era in a beautiful way. Thank you to all of you who have listened to the podcast and joined us for different parts of this journey! Show Notes:Thank you to our podcast mentors! Joe Saul Sehy & Jordan “Doc G” GrumetInterviews mentioned: Areeb, Andrew Johnson, Oz Chen, Nick Gray, Paul Millerd (and Michelle on Paul's podcast!), Jess, Harris, Rychelle, Debt Free Guys, Doc G#18: FOMO, YOLO and Other Bad Reasons To InvestTop Five Episodes:2: How to Make New Friends as an Adult111. The Great Debate: Sabbatical vs FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early)112. Deprogramming from a Corporate Mindset105. The Pathless Path with Paul Millerd122. The Art of Planning A SabbaticalBonus - 1: What is Status Post Adulting? Rethink the Status QuoFavorite Personality Tests:The Four TendenciesSparketype AssessmentPersonal ValuesThe Five Love LanguagesMichelle's Writing CoachingFind more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

Show NotesUS Department of Health and Human Services on Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy's Advisory on the Devastating Impact of the Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation in the United StatesDr. Vivek Murthy's discussion regarding the Loneliness Epidemic at Yale School of ManagementFind your local death cafeMeetup.comBumble for FriendsThe 2-Hour Cocktail Party: How to Build Big Relationships with Small Gatherings by Nick GrayNick Gray discussing The 2-Hour Cocktail Party on Build a Wealthy Spirit episode 120Build a Wealthy Spirit's example of a friend database template on Notion. If you would like your own copy, just click the “duplicate” button in the top right-hand corner of the browser. You will need to have created a notion account to create a duplicate.Build a Wealthy Spirit's step-by-step guide on How to Build a CommunityCommunity ShoutoutThank you Kendall, Clay and TJ for listening to our episode with Jordan Grumet author of The Purpose Code. You will be receiving a free copy of The Purpose CodeThank you Lucca, Becky, Marina, Paul and Harris for your thoughts on our episode about The Four Tendencies. Speaking of Lucca! If you love creative storytelling, bold ideas, and a touch of daring inspiration, subscribe to Lucca's new newsletter The Tattooed Ghost. It's a newsletter packed with unique insights, captivating segments, and a serialized story you won't want to miss!Thank you Raina for listening to the podcast!Thank you Masha for your thoughts on Deprogramming From the Corporate Mindset. Richa Vadini Singh thank you for listening and your thoughts on our Death Clock Episode!. Writing Coaching With Michelle VargheseHow Can I Help:Gentle but firm accountability to help you write consistently - support in knowing when to push and when to pauseCritical and supportive essay feedback for up to 5 piFind more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

If you've ever wondered how you can better motivate yourself, this episode about The Four Tendencies is for you! Sammie and Michelle are big fans of The Four Tendencies.  Sammie is an Upholder and is the go to person to get things done, for herself and for anyone in her life. Michelle is a Rebel. She does not like to be told what to do, whether that's from the outside or even listening to herself. They also cover Questioners (needing to know the why) and Obligers (better at meeting outer expectations) in this episode. Sammie and Michelle found that understanding their tendency was a huge key in unlocking their own success.  Take Gretchen Rubin's The Four Tendencies Quiz: https://gretchenrubin.com/quiz/the-four-tendencies-quiz/Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

Jordan "Doc G" Grumet joins Sammie and Michelle to discuss the surprisingly anxiety producing question, "how to find your purpose" and the better way to reframe this whole idea. We're giving away five copies of The Purpose Code by Jordan Grumet to the first five people who reach out to us! You can email us at buildawealthyspirit@gmail.com or leave a comment at  buildawealthyspirit.com To Learn More About Jordan "Doc G" Grumet:Jordan's WebsiteThe Purpose Code by Jordan GrumetTaking Stock by Jordan Grumet Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

Show Notes:Everyday Millionaires by Chris HoganThe Trinity Study about the 4% RuleThe 4% Rule: The Easy Answer to “How Much Do I Need for Retirement?” by Mr. Money Mustasche List of Index Funds- Charles Schwab Vs. Vanguard Vs. Fidelity: How These Total Stock Market Index Funds CompareVanguard Funds: VTI vs VTSAX Comparison GuideCommunity Shout Outs:Thanks, India for your compliments on our sabbatical episode!Thank you Arul for listening we are excited to hear about your manifestation app and future podcast!Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

Show Notes:Visit the original post for this episode here: 112. Deprogramming From The Corporate MindsetReferenced Piece: Why You Should Take More Time Off from Work by Emma SeppalaCommunity Shout Outs:Thank you Sam for your compliments on our recent episode on A.C.T. The Writing Coaching Program with Michelle 1:1 CoachingWeekly 1 hour sessions to develop your writing strategy, refine your voice, discuss distribution ideas and overcome creative blocks.Writing FeedbackDetailed feedback on 1-5 drafts per month (up to 2500 words each) to strengthen your writing.Growth StrategyActionable tactics to grow your audience across newsletters and social media.Community SupportI'll create a WhatsApp group with everyone who joins so that there is an opportunity to connect with a tight knit group of writers supporting each other's journey.Monthly Group CallsLearn from peers, share wins, and get answers to your writing questions.Ready to transform your writing? Click here Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

Show Notes:Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your GuruHow to calculate FI number and CoastFI number: 165. How Financially Free Are You? The 4 Numbers You Need to Know“Trinity Study” - Retirement Savings: Choosing a Withdrawal Rate That Is SustainableCommunity Shout Outs:Thank you Sam for your compliments on our recent episode on A.C.T. Level Up Your Writing With Michelle Ready to transform your writing? Click here How Can I Help:Gentle but firm accountability to help you write consistently - support in knowing when to push and when to pauseCritical and supportive essay feedback for up to 5 pieces a month (1000-2000 words)Build your online audience authentically without compromising your creativity1:1 Coaching: Weekly 1 hour sessions to develop your writing strategy, refine your voice, discuss distribution ideas and overcome creative blocks.Writing Feedback: Detailed feedback on 1-5 drafts per month (up to 2500 words each) to strengthen your writing.Growth Strategy: Actionable tactics to grow your audience across newsletters and social media.Community Support: I'll create a WhatsApp group with everyone who joins so that there is an opportunity to connect with a tight knit group of writers supporting each other's journey.Monthly Group Calls: Learn from peers, share wins, and get answers to your writing questions.Ready to transform your writing? Click here Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

If you ever find yourself anxious about how you are spending your money, this episode is for you! Sammie and Michelle believe tracking your spending is one of the best first steps in taking control of your finances. They will be the first to admit, sometimes they stop the habit and feel the familiar pressure that can come with the uncertainty around where your money is going. They dive deep into how to track your spending, the benefits and why it's actually sexy. Check out our accompanying newsletter at buildawealthyspirit.com. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode and if you have considered tracking your spending! AirHelp: Partner For This EpisodeCheck out our partner for this episode, AirHelp. AirHelp is a part of the Association of Passenger Rights Advocates (APRA) whose mission is to promote and protect passengers' rights. Click this link if you've had a cancelled or delayed flight as well as support our podcast: AirHelp Affiliate LinkFind more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

It's giving thanks! Ok, could not resist. This episode, Sammie and Michelle dive into a different take on gratitude through writing a thank you letter to their past self. There are a lot of benefits to a gratitude practice, but we can often forget the person who's done the most for us, ourselves! Our past selves have weathered and grown through tough times. They've created happy moments for us. Sammie and Michelle discuss ways to approach a thank you letter to yourself and share themes from their own letters. You should do the exercise as well! When you do, let us know if something stuck out to you after writing your thank you letter. You can follow our podcast newsletter and leave a comment at buildawealthyspirit.comShow Notes:thank u, next by Ariana GrandeAirHelp: Partner For This EpisodeCheck out our partner for this episode, AirHelp. AirHelp is a part of the Association of Passenger Rights Advocates (APRA) whose mission is to promote and protect passengers' rights. Click this link if you've had a cancelled or delayed flight as well as support our podcast: AirHelp Affiliate LinkCommunity Shout Outs:Thank you Matt Cyr for your kind words about our podcast and we're happy to hear you are trying AirHelp out (though not happy to hear you had flying trouble!) Thank you Masha for sharing with us your favorite uses for tools like ChatGPT. We love that you tested out the prompt to ask ChatGPT about your values! Thank you Paul and Harris for sharing your love languages with us! We appreciate all the emails and comments we receive for each episode and love sharing them in the Community Time section of our podcast. Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

Show notesThe 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts by Gary ChapmanLove Languages quiz Lush massage bar AirHelp: Partner For This EpisodeCheck out our partner for this episode, AirHelp. AirHelp is a part of the Association of Passenger Rights Advocates (APRA) whose mission is to promote and protect passengers' rights. Click this link if you've had a cancelled or delayed flight as well as support our podcast: AirHelp Affiliate LinkFind more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

Show Notes:ClasspassChatGPTClaudeMacrofactorCommunity TimeThank you Jess for your tips on using ChatGPT for choosing meals while tracking macrosThank you Tamara for your kind words about the podcast and for listening regularly! Thank you Paul and Harris for your tips on using Chat GPTFind more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

The holiday season can quickly derail our year's progress as we face an onslaught of parties, rich foods, and shopping obligations from mid-October through December. Instead of letting these final months become a slide into chaos, this episode explores how to create a strategic game plan to maintain our healthy habits and stay focused on our goals. By setting clear boundaries and prioritizing rest during the holiday rush, we can finish the year strong rather than starting over in January. Show Notes:Alan Carr's book "Good Sugar Bad Sugar: Eat Yourself Free from Sugar and Carb Addiction."MacrofactorClaudeFind more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

Show Notes:Chat GPT AirHelp: Partner For This EpisodeCheck out our partner for this episode, AirHelp. AirHelp is a part of the Association of Passenger Rights Advocates (APRA) whose mission is to promote and protect passengers' rights. Click this link if you've had a cancelled or delayed flight as well as support our podcast: AirHelp Affiliate LinkFind more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

Show Notes:Taking A Sabbatical? 16 Coaches On How To Maximize The Time Off (Forbes)Sabbatical Mindset by MichelleBuild A Wealthy Spirit Episodes Referenced:104. Financial Runway120. How To Make Friends As An Adult feat. Nick Gray of The 2-Hour Cocktail PartyFind more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

Show NotesRamit Sethi on money dials: Money Dials: How You Spend & Why (Expert advice on spending)Antifragile by Nassim Nicholas TalebWhy You're Still Struggling with Money | Joe Dispenza Summit of Greatness Happy Money: The Japanese Art of Making Peace with Your Money by Ken HondaCommunity TimeThank you, Sam for your comments on episode 194. Reasons to Track Your Net Worth. Kat wants to hear more about how to save for your kid's future. What questions or recommendations do you all have about saving for your kids future? Comment below.AirHelp: Partner For This EpisodeCheck out our partner for this episode, AirHelp. AirHelp is a part of the Association of Passenger Rights Advocates (APRA) whose mission is to promote and protect passengers' rights. Click this link if you've had a cancelled or delayed flight as well as support our podcast: AirHelp Affiliate LinkThanks for reading the Build A Wealthy Spirit Podcast newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work.Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

Show NotesOur Halloween Intro is back for October! Check out this week's episode to hear this spooktacular version of our normal intro theme. Why Knowing Your Net Worth Is Important by InvestopediaCommunity TimeIsabel Thank you for your comments on Episode 188. I'm Too Scared To Quit My Job and for using the term “jobby mindset” haha!! We love that you are listening and finding it useful. Whenever you take the leap, let us know! Thank you Jess and Kevin for your thoughts on 192. Transformative Lessons from the Summit of Greatness. I love that you are also fans of David Goggins and Taking SoulsAirHelp: Partner For This EpisodeCheck out our partner for this episode, AirHelp. AirHelp is a part of the Association of Passenger Rights Advocates (APRA) whose mission is to promote and protect passengers' rights. Click this link if you've had a cancelled or delayed flight as well as support our podcast: AirHelp Affiliate LinkFind more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

Rychelle Moses is a relationship coach and Doctoral Candidate in the Criminal Justice department with a focus on domestic violence and sexual assault. She has worked as a domestic violence victim's advocate and prevention specialist.  Sammie and Michelle brought on Rychelle to discuss the financial barriers to escaping domestic violence because we believe it's an under appreciated struggle of people who find themselves in domestic violent situations. In speaking with Rychelle, we realized we hadn't even begin to consider all the details involved. Rychelle also shared the myriad of resources available to people in this situation and ways to give if you are looking to donate and support a domestic abuse shelter in your area. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month - Sammie and I encourage you to consider donating to your local shelter if you feel inspired by this episode. For our friends in South Carolina, we recommend My Sister's House!Also, if you're listening to this the day it comes out, Rychelle is hosting a free Confidence Workshop on tomorrow, October 2nd, for any person who is interested - Sign up here: https://lu.ma/28af8aehFollow Rychelle:Essays: Navigating RelationshipsConfidence Workshop October 2nd: https://lu.ma/28af8aehYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RychelleMosesX: https://x.com/RychelleMosesFind more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

Show NotesSummit of Greatness Dr. Joe DispenzaBreaking The Habit of Being Yourself: How to Lose Your Mind and Create a New One by Dr. Joe DispenzaEsther PerelMating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence by Esther Perel David GogginsCan't Hurt Me by David GogginsAllegory of the Cave by PlatoA Course in Miracles Omar Zaki Youtube Stuntman Thank you Paul and Harris for inviting us to Summit of Greatness! AirHelp: Partner For This EpisodeCheck out our partner for this episode, AirHelp. AirHelp is a part of the Association of Passenger Rights Advocates (APRA) whose mission is to promote and protect passengers' rights. Click this link if you've had a cancelled or delayed flight as well as support our podcast: AirHelp Affiliate LinkThanks for reading the Build A Wealthy Spirit Podcast newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work.Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

Show NotesUS Department of Health and Human Services on Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy's Advisory on the Devastating Impact of the Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation in the United StatesDr. Vivek Murthy's discussion regarding the Loneliness Epidemic at Yale School of ManagementFind your local death cafeMeetup.comBumble for FriendsThe 2-Hour Cocktail Party: How to Build Big Relationships with Small Gatherings by Nick GrayNick Gray discussing The 2-Hour Cocktail Party on Build a Wealthy Spirit episode 120Build a Wealthy Spirit's example of a friend database template on Notion. If you would like your own copy, just click the “duplicate” button in the top right-hand corner of the browser. You will need to have created a notion account to create a duplicate.Build a Wealthy Spirit's step-by-step guide on How to Build a CommunityCheck out our talk about community at Camp FI  Want to Join Michelle's Sabbatical Course?Michelle and Toby recently reunited with the first cohort of their sabbatical course. It is more than just a course, it is a community of people looking to think outside the corporate box. Anyone interested in sabbaticals is welcome to join. . Click here if you are interested in joining the course!Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

Show NotesThe Four Tendencies QuizThe Four Tendencies Book Here is a virtual accountability site, FocusMate, that our friend Jackie loves! ChatGPTCommunity Time:Thank you Laura for your comment on our episode “We are never going back to work”Thank you Kevin for inquiring about the term “Fi-Curious”Thank you LaLa ✿Indie Maker✿ for restacking our post 189. What If I Get Bored During My Sabbatical?Want to Join Michelle's Sabbatical Course?Michelle and Toby recently reunited with the first cohort of their sabbatical course. It is more than just a course, it is a community of people looking to think outside the corporate box. Anyone interested in sabbaticals is welcome to join. . Click here if you are interested in joining the course!Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

Show NotesChat GPTSparketype Quiz Values Quiz The Work of Byron KatieThe Sanctuary Academy of Magic & The Sanctuary StoreCommunity Time:Thank you Chet Bailey for your comments on our episode “188. I'm Too Scared To Quit My Job”. We loved this thought “The mental hurdles are the hardest. And especially the thoughts that people are going to judge you. When in reality very few people will even know”. As you know, Michelle and I LOVED CAMPFI and will be going again this year. Here is the YT video of our talk about How to Make Friends as an Adult!Want to Join Michelle's Sabbatical Course?Michelle and Toby recently reunited with the first cohort of their sabbatical course. It is more than just a course, it is a community of people looking to think outside the corporate box. Anyone interested in sabbaticals is welcome to join. You do NOT have to have been laid off to participate. Click here if you are interested in joining the course!Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

Show Notes167. How to Calculate Your Net WorthHow to calculate FI number and CoastFI number: 165. How Financially Free Are You? The 4 Numbers You Need to KnowThe Work of Byron KatieCampFITony Robbins: I Am Not Your GuruCommunity Time:Paul and Harris [HYPRfocus], thank you for your comments on our episode 185. We Are Never Going Back To Work. We hope your labs come back with amazing results! Tamara Herring Thank you for loving episode 187. Get Rich In Three Steps - The Simple Not Sexy Way. We want to keep hearing about your finance journey, awesome work!TJ Thank you for sharing your sabbatical journey in our comments on our substack for episode 185. We Are Never Going Back To Work. If you haven't read it, check out TJ's journey in the comments here! As you know, Michelle and I LOVED CAMPFI and will be going again this year. Here is the YT video of our talk about How to Make Friends as an Adult!Want to Join Michelle's Sabbatical Course?Michelle and Toby recently reunited with the first cohort of their sabbatical course. It is more than just a course, it is a community of people looking to think outside the corporate box. Anyone interested in sabbaticals is welcome to join. You do NOT have to have been laid off to participate. Click here if you are interested in joining the course!Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

This episode is for anyone who feels like they want to be better about saving and growing their money, building wealth, and just want the basics stripped down. Sammie and Michelle are answering the basic personal finance questions around the rules or steps to building wealth. These steps include saving money, safely investing your money and which numbers to know. There is a simple way to build wealth. It may not be easy. You may have to make adjustments based on your current season of life. But Sammie and Michelle found that learning these basic personal finance steps helped them start to be smarter with their money and build more wealth through the power of compounding. Show Notes:How To Thrive on Sabbatical - Michelle's live online Sabbatical Course starting in September! The Shockingly Simple Math Behind Early Retirement by Mr Money What Are Index Funds, and How Do They Work? from InvestopediaFI Number and Withdrawal Rates | Community Q&A by ChooseFILeave us a comment for this episode at buildawealthyspirit.com. You can join our newsletter which has an essay that accompanies this piece, has the links we mention and the opportunity for you to comment on this topic. We'd love to hear from you and you could get a shout out in a future episode! Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

Show Notes:10 Ways To Find Your Passion in Life (Tony Robbins)Don't put pressure on your passions - Big Magic by Elizabeth GilbertWhat did you enjoy doing as a child? - Happy Money: The Japanese Art of Making Peace with Your Money by Ken HondaPsychology Today MagazineBad BunnyWhat are your forgotten hobbies? - The Pathless Path by Paul MillerdSparked by Jonathan FieldsMasterclassPersonal Values AssessmentCommunity Time: Thank you Kendall Brown for listening to BWS and your comments!Thank you Abby for telling us about your quarterly review with your finance. Thank you Masha Vibrant Yoga for telling us how much you love the quotes “We are floating on a rock” and “You are exactly where you are meant to be”Thanks to Paul Millerd and Rajeshwari Roy for your comments on our last episode 185. We Are Never Going Back To Work and for re-stacking our post! Click here to support us and our partner for the episode, Riverside. fm! Riverside is a platform to record audio and video so that you can focus on your conversations, not worry about technical issues.  Want to Join Michelle's Sabbatical Course?Michelle and Toby recently reunited with the first cohort of their sabbatical course. It is more than just a course, it is a community of people looking to think outside the corporate box. Anyone interested in sabbaticals is welcome to join. You do NOT have to have been laid off to participate. Click here if you are interested in joining the course!Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

Show Notes:Values QuizWant to Join Michelle's Sabbatical Course?Michelle and Toby recently reunited with the first cohort of their sabbatical course. It is more than just a course, it is a community of people looking to think outside the corporate box. Anyone interested in sabbaticals is welcome to join. You do NOT have to have been laid off to participate. Click here if you are interested in joining the course!Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

Show Notes:Forget New Year's Resolutions and Conduct a ‘Past Year Review' Instead by Tim FerrisCampFICommunity Time:Thank you Tamara Herring for your pledge and for supporting our podcast! Pledges like this help us with podcasting costs like OUR NEW MICROPHONE! It helps us out so much :)Thank you, Paul and Harris HYPRfocus for your comments on our episode about uncertainty!Thank you, Lucca and Blaithin for listening to the podcast!Thanks to Alex Michael for your comments about the Byron Katie episode!Karinka thank you for listening to our net worth episode and for inspiring this episode today!Shout-out to David and Ann from Blis Spiritual Co-Op for listening to the podcast! If you are in Charleston and are curious about our Manifestation Group led by Chris, check out the Blis Spiritual Co-Op here!Thank you Kendall Brown aka Still Small for listening to our episode with Jordan Grumet and our episode on Coast FI. Check out her post hereWant to Join Michelle's Sabbatical Course?Michelle and Toby recently had a reunion with the first cohort of their sabbatical course. It is more than just a course, it is a community of people looking to think outside the corporate box. Anyone interested in sabbaticals is welcome to join. You do not have to have been laid off to participate. Click here if you are interested in joining the course!Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

When we pay to eliminate things, we pay for time and peace of mind. What are some ways you have used money to subtract things from your life? Show Notes:Chris Janson- Buy Me a Boat“Having money isn't everything, not having it is.” ― Kanye WestHappiness Through Subtraction by The Madfientist Nassim Nicholas Taleb defines Via Negativa as, “The principle that we know what is wrong with more clarity than what is right, and that knowledge grows by subtraction. Also, it is easier to know that something is wrong than to find the fix.Eckhart Tolle, the spiritual teacher who lived in a park for a year. “We buy things we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't like” -Dave Ramsey Community Time:Want to take a sabbatical? Michelle is hosting her second Sabbatical Course with Toby! Learn about sabbaticals and join a community of like-minded seekers. Thank you Paul and Harris at HYPRfocus for your comments on 180. Dependency is NOT a Bad Word. Check out The Mangineer & PHarris on YouTube- They recently went to Landmark and found it life-changing!Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

In 2019, I moved into “Mummy Daddy”'s House to save BIG for my retirement. I recently got into FIRE and was looking for a way to cut down on housing costs while living in the Bay Area. Though I was on the fast track to early retirement, my parents were barely on track for normal retirement. The culprit? A low savings rate. My parents spent too much money on things they did not care about. The would regularly spend $300 on groceries at Costco despite both of them eating very little. When I realized that criticism was not working, I decided to help them calculate their net worth and spending. We found that outside of her 401k contribution, my parents were saving very little. They were also

If you are finding yourself in an uncertain situation and wondering how to deal with uncertainty, this is the episode for you. Sammie and Michelle reflect on how uncertain life still feels in 2024 and share tips they've been using to deal with uncertainty. Show Notes:The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey Seven Ways to Cope with Uncertainty by Christine CarterThe Work of Byron KatieInsight TimerSame as Ever: A Guide to What Never Changes by Morgan Housel Click here to check out AirHelp, our partner for this episode! The team at AirHelp can assist you when you have a delayed or canceled flight and want to see if you can get compensation for your inconvenience. You give them your flight information, and they talk to the airlines for you! Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

If dependency is not a bad word, nobody told Michelle and me. Since we were children our mom has implanted us with the mantras: “You must be independent”, “Never depend on a man”, etc. Immigration to the United States of America probably self-selects for the most independent-minded people and we were brought up in an entire family of freedom lovers. Independence has served us well. We were eager to start working and provide for ourselves. We were eager to learn about financial independence. Did someone say we could be free from even outside sources of income? Count us in. So what's the only problem with independence? The fact that none of us are truly independent. We rely on others for social support, mentoring, financial security, diverse perspectives, new ideas, inspiration, and more. In the book Attached, the authors discuss how depending on another person like a romantic person can provide security that can allow for more creativity and adventure. Ironically, the sense of safety that comes from relationships provides us with more freedom in our lives. This week Michelle and I discuss how dependence can be beneficial and how actions like being vulnerable and expressing your needs can help create a mutualistic relationship. Show Notes:Attached by Amir Levine and Rachel HellerCommunity TimeWhat do you think about dependence? Let us know on our substack!AirHelp: Partner For This EpisodeCheck out our partner for this episode, AirHelp. AirHelp is a part of the Association of Passenger Rights Advocates (APRA) whose mission is to promote and protect passengers' rights. Click this link if you've had a cancelled or delayed flight as well as support our podcast: AirHelp Affiliate Link. Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

What can the dying teach us about how to live our lives? This week we replay our episode with Doc G, a hospice doctor, who wrote the book Taking Stock: A Hospice Doctor's Advice on Financial Independence, Building Wealth, and Living a Regret-Free Life. Our conversation with Doc G inspired me to think about how I am living my life. I stumbled upon this article I wrote last year on my blog. At that time, I had just recovered from my thyroidectomy and I was thinking a lot about how I was living vs how I wanted my life to look. I had made a schedule of what my current week looked like and what my “dream week' would look like. Listening to this week's episode with Doc G made me appreciate how we can be so reluctant to change our lives even though those changes will make our day-to-day so much better. When I created this “dream week” schedule, I thought I was dreaming too big. There was no work in my schedule at all. Is that ok? Was it fair? Was it safe? Maybe I could live that way for a few months but not forever, right? When I read this piece again, I was shocked to see that I am living the dream life I imagined one year ago. Though it is cliche, life truly is short. We don't have much time to waste being dissatisfied. Reflecting on my previous schedule, I can't imagine giving up that much of my time today. As Doc G puts it, if you imagine yourself on your deathbed saying- I wish I had the courage, energy or time to… what comes after that? Show Notes:Taking Stock: A Hospice Doctor's Advice on Financial Independence, Building Wealth, and Living a Regret-Free Life By Jordan GrumetFind more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

I remember reading Shonda Rhimes's Year of Yes shortly after moving to San Francisco. In the book, Rhimes discusses how she spent a year saying yes to every invitation, request, and opportunity to play with her children that came her way. She found the experience brought her so much joy as well as new friendships and opportunities. What did I feel when I read this book? Guilt. I felt guilty because I did not want to say yes. I was tired. At that time, I had a total three-hour commute and loads of paperwork after the workday. The last thing I wanted to do was say yes to anything extraneous. Michelle and I have realized that life comes with seasons of expansion as well as seasons of contraction, seasons of yes, and seasons of no. In our seasons of yes we bring in new friendships, new hobbies, new opportunities, and new experiences. We remember these seasons fondly as times when we were exploring. Just as important is the season of no. Derek Sivers puts it eloquently in his piece “No yes. Either Hell Yeah! or no”. Seasons of no are about clearing the calendar, the mind, and the home. No to everything extra! Hell yes or no is minimalism applied to our lives. Our “no's” create moments of stillness, quiet, and boredom where new insights and ideas grow and flourish. We see this with the collective calendar clearing brought on by COVID-19. Many people report they found clarity in their purpose and direction when they were forced to do less. What season are you in right now? Yes or no? What insights are you finding from this season of your life? Comment below. Show Notes:No yes. Either HELL YEAH! or no by Derek SiversYear of Yes by Shonda RhimesVeken Coffee Canister, Airtight Stainless Steel Kitchen Food Storage Container with Date Tracker and ScoopCommunity TimeI, Sammie, am saying no to extra spending!!! Is anyone else trying to reduce their spending? What things have you NOT bought lately? Comment below. AirHelp: Partner For This EpisodeCheck out our partner for this episode, AirHelp. AirHelp is a part of the Association of Passenger Rights Advocates (APRA) whose mission is to promote and protect passengers' rights. Click this link if you've had a cancelled or delayed flight as well as support our podcast: AirHelp Affiliate LinkFind more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

What if you could change from the negative to the positive without changing anything about your circumstances? No, this is not a multi-level marketing scheme! The key is changing our perspective. I remember when I was in my early twenties I would rarely have more than a few hundred dollars and I never felt any scarcity about this. When I think back on this I'm shocked. A flat tire, a broken arm, an unexpected night at a hotel could have demolished all my wealth, and yet I was walking around with no sense of insecurity. Reflecting on my twenty-year-old self, I realized that our sense of financial security exists solely in our minds. What if I could re-channel the abundance mindset that I naturally carried in my twenties? This week Michelle and I discussed strategies to change our perspective so we can radiate abundance and draw in all forms of wealth. Here are our strategies:Change the stories you tell yourselfMake and keep a list of everything you have manifested, positive blessings, even the little thingsHave Gratitude Show Notes:If you live in Charleston, check out Chris' Manifestation group here!My new deodorant that smells like a sugar cookieTony Robbins' Netflix Documentary: I Am Not Your GuruMerlin Birding App“Chain glow like Hallelujah” Megan Thee StallionCommunity TimeThank you Harris HYPRfocus and Paul for sharing your five parasocial relationships! Thank you, Aloni for your tweet about our last episode and the Merlin App. AirHelp: Partner For This EpisodeCheck out our partner for this episode, AirHelp. AirHelp is a part of the Association of Passenger Rights Advocates (APRA) whose mission is to promote and protect passengers' rights. Click this link if you've had a cancelled or delayed flight as well as support our podcast: AirHelp Affiliate LinkFind more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

Here are the 5 parasocial relationships I have decided to surround myself with: At Home with Byron Katie PodcastTony Robbins Podcast Eckhart Tolle: Essential TeachingsAudiobooks, currently Not Nice and Map of Consciousness Oprah's Super Soul PodcastCheck out the HYPRfocus Podcast by our previous guest Harris! If you like self-optimization and hearing inspiring stories about other people's lives you will love Harris' podcast Hyprfocus- she's hilarious and insightful. Show Notes:Motivational speaker Jim Rohn famously said that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. At Home with Byron Katie Community TimeThank you Greg for sharing your kind words about the podcast and your takeaways from our episodes. This means so much to us. Masha has been sending us great feedback from our episodes! She brought up a great point from our Sabbaticals vs FIRE episode, how do entrepreneurs take sabbaticals? What do you think? Comment below with any advice and we will share it on the podcastThank you Harris and Paul for complimenting our law of attraction episode. Thank you Vinamrata for your thoughts on our episode on Byron Katie. Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

Law of Attraction is a great way to start visualizing and manifesting your dreams. However, sometimes we are blocking ourselves without even realizing it. Sammie and Michelle dive into Law of Attraction, how to clearly visualize what you want and blockers they ran into. Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

Show Notes:Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover TawwabNot Nice by Aziz Gazipura The Alchemist by Paulo CoelhoCommunity TimeEpisode 173. Clearing the Mind: Using Byron Katie's Inquiry to Banish Negative JudgementsIDR WAIVER EXTENSION: Payment Count Adjustments Toward Income-Driven Repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness ProgramsAirHelp: Partner For This EpisodeCheck out our partner for this episode, AirHelp. AirHelp is a part of the Association of Passenger Rights Advocates (APRA) whose mission is to promote and protect passengers' rights. Click this link if you've had a cancelled or delayed flight as well as support our podcast: AirHelp Affiliate LinkFind more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

My sabbatical has been a journey inward. I deeply appreciate how we arrive at this “earth school”, Byron Katie's words, to break the disruptive thought patterns that otherwise play out repeatedly. For many years, I've enjoyed meditation in calming the mind and recognize thought patterns, but sometimes I need a little extra help when I am deep in my emotions. This is where I have found The Work of Byron Katie extremely helpful. Byron Katie uses four simple questions and their turnarounds to help us discover how we may be thinking in a way that brings us stress. Before answering the questions write down your belief and sit in the moment where you most strongly experienced the negative emotion. Is it true?Can you absolutely know that it's true?How do you react when you believe that thought?Who would you be without the thought?Turnarounds: Then turn the belief around in as many ways as you can. (Examples really help with this, check out this week's episode or the Byron Katie Podcast- At Home with Byron Katie- for examples). Show Notes:Byron Katie's Website At Home with Byron Katie Podcast Byron Katie's The Work AppMy Most Favorite Asenlin Backpack that fits underneath the seat and opens horizontally!Community TimeThank you Jackie and Seravin for introducing us to Byron KatieThank you Harris from HYPRfocus and Paul for noting that I have been hanging out before April 2025! I await an intervention about Google Docs. Thank you Masha for your thoughts on financial education! May you manifest everything you dream of!Andrew, Thanks for Sharing that you are reading Die With Zero. This is one of my favorite books!AirHelp: Partner For This EpisodeCheck out our partner for this episode, AirHelp. AirHelp is a part of the Association of Passenger Rights Advocates (APRA) whose mission is to promote and protect passengers' rights. Click this link if you've had a cancelled or delayed flight as well as support our podcast: AirHelp Affiliate LinkFind more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

Michelle and I first heard about taking a sabbatical in 2017 from a woman at Artesa Winery in Sonoma pictured above. This is the first time we had heard of anyone taking a long break from work. The woman, of Indian heritage like us, inspired us by her easygoing approach to life. She mentioned nothing about her previous work life and nothing about plans to return to work. She was simply enjoying each day with her sweet German husband as they traveled the world. It would be three years before we discovered FIRE or started planning for our own work breaks, but this moment sticks in both our memories as a brief insight into a potential future reality that we had never considered. Though we were deep in our consumeristic ways and would continue to be for a few more years, that meeting felt like a premonitory vision of what could be if we took a different path. This week we take a look at the two popular ways to escape the rat race: sabbaticals and the financial independence retire early (FIRE) movement. Is one better than the other? Is there a better fit for you in your personal finance journey?References Made In This Episode:CampFIArtesa WineryEat Pray Love by Elizabeth GilbertIndian Snacks: Samosas, pakora, vadaRiverside LinkThe Sabbatical ProjectSabbatical Quiz4% Rule for Financial IndependenceDie with Zero by Bill PerkinsReferenced Build A Wealthy Spirit Episode: 27. Compound InterestFind more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

We received this piece entitled “Millennials want to retire by 60. Good luck with that.” from Michael, a listener of this podcast who wanted to know our thoughts. This piece, published in USA Today, reflects the click-bait content that is out there to scare people while not providing guidance on how to make changes. In this episode, Michelle and I go through this piece and point out the flaws in the article. We also talk about how to think about whether we can retire or not using well-studied research like the Trinity Study and data about our individual spending and saving patterns. We target this piece, not because it is unique, but because so much information is out there that is meant to inflame without benefitting the reader. Have you seen a piece, TikTok, Youtube video, Instagram post, etc. that has done this? Post in the comments below so we can all evaluate it together. Show Notes:USA TODAY: Millennials want to retire by 60. Good luck with that.The Trinity Study on Withdrawal Rates: Retirement Savings: Choosing a Withdrawal Rate That Is SustainableOur episode about the 4% rule for calculating your retirement numberThe Shockingly Simple Math Behind Early Retirement by Mr. Money Mustache includes a savings rate chart.Community TimeAirHelp: Partner For This EpisodeCheck out our partner for this episode, AirHelp. AirHelp is a part of the Association of Passenger Rights Advocates (APRA) whose mission is to promote and protect passengers' rights. Click this link if you've had a cancelled or delayed flight as well as support our podcast: AirHelp Affiliate LinkFind more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

A sabbatical can change our perspective on time and money, changing how we perceive work. Since being on my sabbatical, I now prioritize my time over income. Of course, there may be jobs that provide me with both free time and a solid income, time freedom is the priority.When considering your priorities and options after a sabbatical, here are some key factors to think about:Time: How much time do you want to dedicate to work versus other activities or interests?Income: What level of income do you need or want to sustain your desired lifestyle?Location Flexibility: Are you open to working remotely, or do you prefer a job that requires you to be in a specific location?Travel: Is travel a priority for you, and do you need a job that allows for flexibility in this regard?Unconventional Schedule: Are you looking for a job with non-traditional hours or a flexible schedule?Interests: What types of work align with your passions and interests?Show Notes:No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.Community TimeCongratulations Carla on getting her Student Loans Forgiven!!April 30th is the final deadline to consolidate student loans. This is important for loan forgiveness Reasons to consolidate your loansFederal Student Loan link for consolidationCheck out our episode on student loansConfused about student loans? I'm happy to help!! Comment below and we can talk AirHelp: Partner For This EpisodeCheck out our partner for this episode, AirHelp. AirHelp is a part of the Association of Passenger Rights Advocates (APRA) whose mission is to promote and protect passengers' rights. Click this link if you've had a cancelled or delayed flight as well as support our podcast: AirHelp Affiliate LinkFind more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

This week Michelle and I discuss our insights after reading Same As Ever by Morgan Housel. In Same As Ever, Housel talks about how many things- patterns, behaviors, economic cycles- never change and how these constants can be more interesting than things that evolve. He quotes Naval Ravikant “In 1,000 parallel universes, you want to be wealthy in 999 of them. You don't want to be wealthy in the fifty of them where you got lucky, so we want to factor luck out of it … I want to live in a way that if my life played out 1,000 times, Naval is successful 999 times”. Michelle and I took the premise of this book and thought about how this affects us as individuals. What would be true about us if we were born into a thousand different realities where everything is different about us except our character traits? What similar struggles or triumphs would we endure in each lifetime because of these character traits? We discuss our thoughts during today's episode. What about you would be the same in multiple realities? Is it positive or negative or both? Is there anything you could do to change it if you wanted to? Let us know your thoughts below!Show Notes:Same as Ever by Morgan Housel Community TimeCongratulations Areeb from EPISODE 13 for his partnership with Amazon! Areeb started a recycling company called Glacier, check out his episode with us. Janice CK Takeaway thread from Paul Millards interview Thank you Abby for your oatmeal recipeHYPRfocus saw FI numbers at a real estate conference she attended! Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

This week we are re-visiting one of our favorite early episodes interviewing Andrew Johnson. Andrew Johnson is know for his guided meditations and hypotherapy sessions. He created the first meditation app ever!Michelle has been a huge fan of Andrew Johnson for years. She regularly uses his manifestation meditations and she genuinely feels these meditations helped bring in many of the blessings she received during her sabbatical. Michelle and I have been attending an "Intentional Living" Group here in Charleston regularly. We have been working on discovering our The ONE Thing based on the book The ONE Thing. Being on sabbatical, I had not thought about what my one thing or my one purpose is. Through the "Intentional Living" group, I realized that my purpose has started to narrow down on breaking down unhelpful ingrained thought patterns. Breaking negative patterns, allows us to be present and create positive patterns which I believe brings more positive outcomes into our lives. The hardest thing about breaking down these patterns is recognizing the patterns. Our brains are on autopilot and we are thinking thousands of thoughts a day without any awareness of this. This is where meditation is so helpful. Meditation helps us observe our thoughts so we can recognize and question the patterns we gravitate to. Andrew Johnson is also a trained hypnotherapist and he describes the parallels between meditation and hypnotherapy in this episode. Hypnotherapy also retrains our brain to unbreak deep patterns. By dissolving these negative patterns we can live more freely in the present moment and interact with the people around us with more kindness and love. Being in the energy of Andrew during this episode you can sense that he is someone who has dedicated time to this practice. Enjoy the discussion and comment below if you have had any breakthroughs with meditations or similar modalities. Show Notes:Relax Change Create Meditation (Apple, Android) Working Mindfully - “All the good stuff without the woo woo” (Apple, Android) Circles Live - Daily Live Meditations with Andrew Johnson Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

When I started calculating my net worth in 2019, I felt like a complete fraud. I had -$164,000 in student loan debt and I knew I would continue to have this debt until my student loan forgiveness period is completed in April 2025. Previously, I also assumed that my net worth would be negative until the loans were forgiven. This is where I was completely wrong. As I started tracking I found that with my deliberate saving and investing my net worth was rapidly increasing DESPITE still having -164k in student loan debt. Inspired by the change, I started saving and investing even more and in Jun 2020 my net worth was positive for the first time. The plan I had created for myself worked and it worked really well! I never admitted this out loud, but on that day I set an even more aggressive goal- to become a millionaire by the time my loans are forgiven. To be honest, I'm not 100% sure I will reach this goal, but I have already received drastic life-changing benefits from the wealth I have. I already get to spend my time the way I want to and, because of that, I am happier and healthier than I've ever been.Show Notes: Net Worth: What It Is and How to CalculateIt by Investopedia Not an advertisement: Our favorite savings account- Capital One Performance 360 SavingsCommunity TimeAirHelp: Partner For This EpisodeCheck out our partner for this episode, AirHelp. AirHelp is a part of the Association of Passenger Rights Advocates (APRA) whose mission is to promote and protect passengers' rights. Click this link if you've had a cancelled or delayed flight as well as support our podcast: AirHelp Affiliate LinkFind more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

When Michelle and I heard that James Clear, author of the renowned book Atomic Habits, launched Atoms, a habit-tracking app, we had to try it for ourselves. Michelle and I are HUGE fans of James Clear, to the point where Michelle may have had a less-than-wholesome dream about him ;). (ahahaha that's what happens when you let me write the newsletter, Michelle!) He is the captain of our generation's habit-forming ship. Putting Habit Tracking AppsMichelle and I tested out four different habit-tracking appsAtoms- James Clear's new identity-based AppHabit Tracker- A classic checkbox-style tracker Everyday- An aesthetic “don't break the chain” style tracker The Notes App- Yes, the yellow notepad that comes preloaded on every iPhoneIn our habit-tracking journey, we saw some recurring themes regarding habit tracking. Show Notes:Atomic Habits by James Clear Atoms the habit tracking app by James Clear Habit TrackerEveryday Tracker AppThe Notes AppCommunity TimeCheck out our Charleston Lady Podcaster friends!Harris of HYPRfocus podcast: On her podcast, Harris talks about self-optimization and self-development. Harris was on our podcast episode 157, check it out here!Sage and Kate of the SoroPod podcast: The Social Room podcast is an awesome podcast where hosts Sage and Kate interview different entrepreneurs in the Charleston Area. Thanks to everyone who signed up for or shared Michelle and Tobys' Sabbatical Course!AirHelp: Partner For This EpisodeCheck out our partner for this episode, AirHelp. AirHelp is a part of the Association of Passenger Rights Advocates (APRA) whose mission is to promote and protect passengers' rights. Click this link if you've had a cancelled or delayed flight as well as support our podcast: AirHelp Affiliate LinkFind more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

Michelle and I often talk about the “FI Number”: your annual spending x 25. This is the amount of money you need in your nest egg to retire [based on the Trinity study, see show notes]. By retire, we mean you can live off this amount forever assuming you take a 4% withdrawal every year for your annual spending. Knowing my FI number helped me set a goal that I could move toward, but knowing these three additional numbers gave me a clearer picture of what my finances really looked like relative to my future. Those three numbers are your (1) Coast FI number (2) Lean FI number (3) Fat FI number. Here are quick definitions from the How To Money blog. Coast FIRE: When you sock away enough in your early working years that later on, you don't need to prioritize saving and investing. Lean FIRE: Your investment portfolio can fund all of your basic needs in life, but not much else. Fat FIRE: A hefty annual stipend, enough for you to live off – and more.Show Notes:“What is F.I.R.E., the Different Types, and How to Achieve” It by How to Money“Trinity Study” - Retirement Savings: Choosing a Withdrawal Rate That Is SustainableHow to calculate your FI number by ChooseFIRich, Broke or Dead? Post-Retirement FIRE Calculator: Visualizing Early Retirement Success and Longevity RiskCoast FI calculatorCommunity TimeThank you Paul and Oz Chen for your thoughts on Slob KabobThank you to our partner Riverside! If you decide to launch a podcast, a video interview series or a creative project with audio and/video, we recommend Riverside! We use them for almost all of our 161 episodes. Click here to use our link to get started!Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

In this episode, Michelle and I discuss knowing two numbers, (1) monthly spending and (2) net worth, provides a great framework for understanding how much money we have available for our sabbatical. We also talk about two additional numbers, (3) FI number and (4) Coast FI number, that help create a clear picture of what our financial situation looks like relative to our overall spending needs. We also discuss the fear of unproductive time. I didn't want to be a “bum” on my sabbatical. We discuss how the entire paradigm of work and time shifts when you are on sabbatical. I am now in my seventh month and I'm surprised at how much I am enjoying not working and impressed and the shift in my view of life. My only regret? Waiting so long to pull the sabbatical trigger!Show Notes:“Trinity Study” - Retirement Savings: Choosing a Withdrawal Rate That Is Sustainable How to calculate your FI number by ChooseFIRich, Broke or Dead? Post-Retirement FIRE Calculator: Visualizing Early Retirement Success and Longevity RiskCoast FI calculatorCommunity TimeThank you, Arjun, for your off-boarding checklist- check it out hereThank you, Steph for sharing Michelle's Turn Your Layoff into a Sabbatical courseThank you Luca for recommendations on preparing sprouted oats: Check out Michelle's New Course…Turn your Layoff into a SabbaticalWhat you'll get out of this courseLayoff to LiberationYou'll be empowered to build a life beyond the walls of tech. Through authentic vulnerable sharing and guided conversations, you'll be able to deprogram yourself from seeing your layoff as a negative, but instead a golden opportunity to reinvent yourself and your career.You will be equipped to design your own sabbaticalYou'll receive curated exercises, readings, and reflection prompts to propel you on your journey.These will cover expected sabbatical challenges: identity loss, money scripts, ambition, lifestyle design, and how to answer the question "What do you do?"You will meet other creative thinkers in this spaceEmbarking on a sabbatical can seem lonely at times.The real magic happens when you start connecting with other people on similar journeys who understand your fears, celebrate your wins, and encourage your dreams.So we'll pair you with another person whose circumstances mirror yoursYou will gain a framework and vocabulary to think about your sabbaticalBoth co-hosts completed 12-month sabbaticals after leaving tech. In that time, we've published essays and worked alongside the leading sabbatical voices in this space.We'll share our framework and vocabulary to help you conceptualize the design and phases of your journeyClick here to sign upFind more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

The average adult makes 35,000 decisions a day. This tasks our willpower which slowly depletes throughout the day. Many of these little decisions waste our time and our decision-making bandwidth. Reducing decision fatigue helps us be more productive and reach our goals. Here are some strategies to combat decision fatigue:Create Structure: Group or batch routine tasks together. By doing similar tasks consecutively, you reduce the need to make different decisions repeatedly. Creating a list or schedule of actions can also help streamline your workflow.Put Things on Autopilot: For decisions that don't require significant mental effort or creativity, automate or delegate them. Setting up automatic payments for bills, meal prepping for the week, or using templates for repetitive tasks can help reduce the number of decisions you need to make manually.Just Quit: Sometimes, it's okay to say no or quit tasks that aren't essential or align with your goals. Simplifying your commitments can free up mental energy for more important decisions.Limit Options for Others: When asking others to make decisions, provide them with a limited number of options. This helps prevent decision paralysis and makes it easier for them to choose. Too many choices can overwhelm and contribute to decision fatigue.Show Notes:BAWS Student Loan Episode Community TimeCheck out Michelle's New Course… Turn your Layoff into a SabbaticalFind more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

If you've ever wondered if there is an alternative to the traditional corporate life, this episode is for you! Sammie and Michelle had the great pleasure of interviewing Paul Millerd, author of The Pathless Path. We are sharing this episode again because this conversation had a huge impact on us and our listeners. Since we originally aired this episode, Sammie is on the Pathless Path now!  Paul wrote The Pathless Path after straying off the default path. The default path was going to university, getting a good job in consulting, going to business school and back to work. He left his job with no plans, moved to Taipei and changed his life when he decided to walk the pathless path.Paul Millerd Information: The Pathless Path (book)The Pathless Path Podcast (Apple, Spotify) Boundless NewsletterFind the Others Community TwitterShow Notes:The Disadvantages of an Elite Education by William Deresiewicz“Every year I'm renewing my subscription to the company” - Brandon MooreLife Is in the Transitions: Mastering Change at Any Age by Bruce FeilerWe have a new giveaway for our replay episode! Send us an email at buildawealthyspirit@gmail.com or leave us a comment at buildawealthyspirit.com to get your copy! Paul has graciously donated books for us to give away.  Listen to Michelle on the Pathless Path Podcast!Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

If you want to save money but are afraid of being cheap, this episode is for you. Sammie and Michelle delve into why being cheap is considered bad but frugal is not. They look at the characteristics of cheap people and those of frugal people. A big difference is in values, people who know what they value, can say an enthusiastic yes to things they love and no to the things they don't. However, they don't complain or put other people out if they say no, they know it's something they won't be investing in.We believe we all can have cheap or frugal moments! We even share some of our funnier cheap moments. But it's all about adapting and evolving to become more considerate about your money and your values. Let us know if you're cheap or frugal at buildawealthyspirit.com!  Thank you to our partner Riverside! If you decide to launch a podcast, a video interview series or a creative project with audio and/video, we recommend Riverside! We use them for almost all of our 161 episodes. Click here to use our link to get started! Find more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!

This Valentine's Day Episode is for our single listeners and their busybody friends (you know who you are)! Oz Chen is a personal finance writer who decided to take his dating life out of the hands of Tinder, Hinge and Bumble. Instead of depending on the apps to match him with his soulmate, he took a couple creative turns. He created a "matchmaking program" which was a guide for his friends who knew people who could be a good match with Oz. To sweeten the deal, Oz added a referral bonus. The person who introduces him to his life partner will receive a nice little payday. Oz isn't a jaded dater though. He shares how he wanted to find new ways to meet people and keep dating fun. Inviting his friends to play the game of love with him was a wonderful way to meet interesting people and deepen his relationships with his current friends.  Find More on Oz Chen:Ozchen.comOz Chen's NewsletterOz's Matchmaker ProgramOz's Date-Me DocFind more show notes and interact with the Build A Wealthy Spirit community at buildawealthyspirit.com!