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Can you have nice things when you're paying off debt? What millionaire habits can you pick up today? Can you be generous and rich?
Personal finance author and millennial money expert Anthony O'Neal shares his tips and thoughts!
Mastering Your Money Habits
Many times we mismanage our money because we’ve developed ideas and habits that are harmful to our financial health.
If we want to change or help our spouse to change, it means we have to examine those money myths and habits.
And it can be hard to change.
That's why I’m really happy to have finance author and millennial money expert Anthony O'Neal on today. He’s made the leap himself.
At age 19, Anthony ONeal was deep in debt and short on hope with no direction of where his life was headed. But after hitting rock bottom, he turned his life around and committed to helping students find and pursue their passions.
We met up over at the NC State University's bell-tower before his Smart Money event last week for a chat about money myths and habits.
In this episode we get into:
- how you can have nice stuff while paying off debt
- what millionaires do
- to financially prepare your kids for the real world
Hope you enjoy!
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Resources to Build Good Money Habits
Looking to become debt free and build wealth? Here are some resources to help you build smart money habits.
- Best Budget and Money Apps: Personal Capital, Tiller, Mint
- Automatic Saving:
- Free 401(k) Analysis:
- Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money
Meet Anthony O'Neal
At age 19, Anthony ONeal was deep in debt and short on hope with no direction of where his life was headed. But after hitting rock bottom, he turned his life around and committed to helping students find and pursue their passions.
A Wall Street Journal National Best-Selling Author, Anthony has helped thousands of students make good decisions with their money, relationships and education to live a well-balanced life.
Now Anthony has joined Ramsey Solutions to spread this encouraging message to students nationwide as a Ramsey Personality.
You can see him live during his Smart Money and Smart Parent events or grab a copy of his book The Graduate Survival Guide: 5 Mistakes You Can't Afford To Make In College.
Busting Money Myths and Going Beyond the Numbers
If you’ve haven’t seen Anthony live during one of his speaking events as a Ramsey personality, you got to catch him on his YouTube channel.
He’s really done a fantastic job making personal finance accessible.
And I’m not just talking about breaking down the numbers with buying a car, saving up an emergency fund, and creating a budget.
I’m also talking about discussing the motivation and dreams behind it. Why are you spending or saving investing the way you are?
When talking about this, especially when you’re married you discover that we all have these ideas about what money is or what money does?
And sometimes we find out we or our spouse this misconception or you can call it a money myth which has been harming us financially.
And one of those money myths is that you can’t have nice things if you’re trying to pay off debt.
And for some couples, this is why their husband or wives kind of drag their feet with the budget or in some cases just break it.
They feel like they have to give up all the fun stuff.
And let’s be honest there are some spouses who are well-meaning, but kind of hardcore.
And that friction leads to a money fight.
The good news though that having nice things is possible, even when you're on the debt free path.
Setting Your Priorities with Money
How we spend our money is, in some ways, a reflection of what we value.
You have nice stuff, pay off your debts, and take care of your goals, but you have to have a plan. You have to set priorities.
What’s really important to you?
I think for most of us there are several things we’d love to do now. But realistically we need to be an order.
Talking this over together can help you and your spouse create a spending plan or plan that fits you two like a glove.
Now how do you approach it those talks?
If you’ve been listening to the podcast grabbed my book Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money, I mention how important it is to start off by sharing goals.
This is fun! You don’t need to be formal or have a ton of spreadsheets. You can have these conversations in casual relaxed on your money dates.
It’s a habit that will not only help your relationship, but it can really build up your finances.
Millionaire Habits to Pick Up
Speaking of habits, if we’re looking to change for the better, it does pay to look at what we’re doing now.
Anthony has mentors who millionaires and he's noticed certain habits they have that have helped them reach their goals.
“You know Dave Ramsey is a long time millionaire but he's probably one of the cheapest guys that I know
If we're in a meeting and it's like ‘why does this cost $500?'
Like $500 for Dave is $5 to you and I. It's like, that's not a lot of money, but he's still like, ‘I have my wealth because I'm how I spend it.'
…when I see that I'm like, ‘Wait a minute. If a millionaire is careful spending this money and I just throw away five dollars, what in the world?…
And so my mentors have taught me it would be a good steward to just because you have the wealth doesn't mean you need to walk around like you're wealthy.
Financially Preparing Your Kids for the Real World
We want to make sure when our kids leave the house, they are ready.
Key Takeaways on Smarter Money Habits
Before we close up I want to focus on some key takeaways I got from speaking with Anthony O’Neal:
- Your finances should reflect your priorities.
- Find some financial mentors.
- I’m taking this straight from Anthony – The choices you make today determine the caliber of your future.
Those are my takeaways, I’d love to hear from you. What are you going to use from today’s episode?
Come let me know on our free FB group Thriving Families!
Support the Podcast
Thank you so much for listening!
- Spread the word! If you enjoyed this episode and think it can help a buddy get on the path to dumping debt and become financially free, please share.
- Leave a review. Honest feedback and reviews make a big difference and gets the word out about the podcast. I’d love for more couples to work together to dump their debt and pursue their dreams together! Please leave your review on Apple or Stitcher.
- Grab a copy of Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money. My book is designed for a busy couple to set up their finances in 4 weeks. Get tips and tools that have worked for other couples on their journey of building their marriage and wealth together!
I appreciate your help. Let’s make talking about marriage and money fun!
Music Credit
Like the music in this episode? Our theme song is by Gentle Regime. Additional music by Lee Rosevere
In order to produce this podcast I work with partners so this post may contain affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure for more info.