Episode Details

I sat down with certified financial planner Jeffrey Panik - 26 years in the industry, former Army officer, and author, to talk about the personal finance education most of us never received and what to actually do about it. 

We get into why financial literacy is still missing from most school curriculums, why high earners can feel just as stressed about money as someone starting out, and why the advice you find online is usually trying to sell you something. Jeff breaks down why the first real step isn't investing or budgeting: it's taking a full inventory of what you actually have so you can make informed decisions instead of reactive ones. We also talk about what happens when couples merge finances with completely different money mindsets, how procrastination quietly destroys long-term wealth, and why starting small - even $50, beats waiting for the "right moment" every single time. 

The conversation gets personal too, touching on purpose, values, and what "enough" really means when you strip away the noise of what everyone else seems to be earning. If you've ever felt behind financially or overwhelmed every time you try to get your money in order, this episode is your starting point.

What's the one money habit you wish someone had taught you before you had to figure it out the hard way, and are you actually doing it now?