I used to think financial freedom was a number. Then I became a dad—and everything changed. In this episode, I share my personal journey from the hustle-and-grind definition of success to a more meaningful, family-centered vision of financial freedom. You’ll hear how my daughter Logan’s health challenges made financial freedom not just a goal, but an urgent mission. I dive into the emotional shifts, the mindset changes, and the practical steps that helped my wife and me build a life that gives us the time and presence our family needs—right now.

If you’re a parent who wants more than just a big bank account—and you’re ready to start living life on your own terms today—this episode is for you.

[0:00] - How fatherhood shattered my old definition of financial freedom.

[2:18] - Our path from $304,000 in debt to millionaires by age 30.

[3:19] - The hustle mindset: working nonstop, chasing an arbitrary number.

[5:22] - The moment my daughter Logan was born and how it redefined everything.

[7:02] - Logan’s first seizures and her Dravet syndrome diagnosis; the life-altering shift it caused.

[9:09] - The emotional punch of realizing time is more valuable than money.

[10:55] - How extreme sensitivity to noise and light made caring for Logan a full-time job.

[13:46] - Retiring my wife 363 days after committing to do it—despite the obstacles.

[14:13] - Moving across the country for Logan’s care and redefining priorities.

[18:19] - Why you shouldn’t wait for “someday” to start living your version of financial freedom.

[22:16] - Tactical steps: building emergency funds, investing for time freedom, and recurring revenue.

[24:21] - Redefining “rich” as the ability to live life on your own terms.

1. Time over numbers – Financial freedom isn’t about hitting a dollar amount, it’s about having time with those who matter most.

2. Start before you’re ready – You don’t need millions to design a life aligned with your values; you just need a plan.

3. Your “why” matters most – A deep, emotional reason will drive you further than any financial goal alone.

“Financial freedom is the ability to do whatever, whenever, with whoever.”

“Money buys time, and time with your kids is priceless.”

“Stop waiting for someday. Start building your freedom now.”

• Book a call with my team – Ready to map your path to financial freedom? Let’s build your custom plan: https://www.budgetdog.com/

• Join my free three-day financial freedom event – Learn practical steps to take control of your money now: https://www.budgetdog.com/

• Follow me on social media for daily tips and resources:

  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/budgetdog/

  • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@budgetdog

  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/budgetdog

If you found this episode valuable, please rate, follow, and share Money on My Mind. It helps other parents discover the tools they need to create the life they deserve. Stay intentional—and I’ll see you next week!

Hey everyone! In today’s episode of Money on My Mind, I’m bringing you a special treat: my recent interview on Self Improvement Daily with Brian Ford. We dug deep into one of the most powerful—and often overlooked—parts of your financial journey: your money mindset.

You’ll hear us unpack how your subconscious beliefs about money shape your financial outcomes, why many of us unknowingly hold ourselves back, and what you can do to break through old patterns. We also explore practical steps to take control of your finances by automating your plan and surrounding yourself with the right influences. This conversation is packed with actionable advice to help you build confidence, clarity, and consistency in your money journey. If you’re ready to transform the way you think about money and take charge of your financial future, you won’t want to miss this one!

Episode Timeline & Highlights

[0:00] – Welcome to a special episode: my conversation with Brian Ford on Self Improvement Daily.

[1:06] – Brian introduces my journey from CPA buried in debt to financial freedom advocate.

[2:05] – Why money mindset is the foundation of lasting wealth (and what most people miss).

[4:14] – Uncovering subconscious beliefs that sabotage financial progress—and how awareness changes everything.

[6:37] – How reframing challenges as opportunities can massively shift your financial trajectory.

[8:04] – Why wealthy people don’t see everything as a scam—and how scarcity thinking holds us back.

[13:40] – Overcoming childhood money beliefs that shape how we relate to finances as adults.

[15:44] – The power of environment: surrounding yourself with people who think abundantly.

[22:02] – Advanced planning and unemotional decision-making: key to staying on track with your goals.

[30:09] – The three financial statements you must track (and how automations protect your progress).

[34:09] – Using systems and calendar reminders to build a “system of awareness” and reinforce positive money habits.

Quotables

• “Awareness is usually the first step to really take it to the next level and become financially free.”

• “What you feed your mind is who you become.”

• “Build a moat around your plan so that even when life hits you hard, your financial progress keeps moving forward.”

• “You don’t need complexity—you need simplicity, clarity, and consistency.”

Links & Resources

• https://bookwithbudgetdog.com/ped

• Self Improvement Daily with Brian Ford – https://www.selfimprovementdailytips.com/brian-ford

Final Thoughts

Thanks so much for tuning in! If this episode inspired you to think differently about your money mindset, please rate, review, and share the podcast with someone who needs it. Make sure to follow Money on My Mind so you never miss a new tip on your path to financial freedom. Until next time, stay passionate about your journey and keep taking bold steps towards your money goals!

In this special episode, I’m sharing a powerful conversation I had as a guest on the Two Comma Club podcast with Jonathan Marsh. We got real about what it means to break free from the traditional 9-to-5, the mindset shifts that changed my financial future, and how I turned my personal finance struggles into a mission-driven business helping thousands of others.

You’ll hear my full journey—from crushing $300K of debt to building Budgetdog Academy into a thriving brand. We also dive into the practical tools that helped me, the challenges I faced leaving corporate life, and the strategies I use today to build a business with real impact. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or just ready to take control of your finances, this episode is packed with stories, lessons, and insights to fuel your path forward.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - Introduction

[0:43] - Kicking things off with a guest spot on the Two Comma Club podcast

[2:19] - Why I believe financial education should be simple and how we built Budgetdog

[4:20] - Growing up financially uneducated and learning through self-education

[8:08] - The pivotal role environment played in shaping my money mindset

[13:04] - The leap of faith: how I left Deloitte after being forced to choose

[21:20] - Why resilience and handling resistance is the true key to success

[26:17] - Behind the scenes: how we use content, email, and paid ads to grow

[30:04] - Game-changing business book: why Traction is a must-read

[36:12] - The importance of being real and not selling a fake lifestyle

[40:02] - Financial rules of thumb, automation, and building your financial moat

[46:22] - How our book, challenge, and academy help people change their lives

3 Key Takeaways

1. Self-education is a superpower. You don’t need a formal background to master your money—you need curiosity, discipline, and the right resources.

2. Automation is freedom. When your finances run on autopilot, you remove emotion and inconsistency—creating space for real growth.

3. Resistance builds strength. Success isn’t about avoiding hardship—it’s about enduring and overcoming it with intention.

Quoteables

• “The person who keeps the bar on their chest the longest builds the biggest chest.”

• “If someone knows, likes, and trusts you—and you solve their problem—they’ll work with you.”

• “You don’t have to be the most talented. You just have to outlast.”

• “Lock the system, and go live your life.”

Links & Resources

• Budgetdog Academy

• The Roadmap to Financial Freedom by Brendan

• Traction by Gino Wickman – Business systemization resource

• Brendan’s 3-Day Financial Challenge (more at Budgetdog.com)

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow, rate, and review Money on My Mind. Share it with someone who’s ready to build wealth and live with purpose!

Welcome back to Money on My Mind! Today’s episode is one of the most personal and powerful I’ve ever recorded. Despite battling a heavy heart and a tough cold, I felt compelled to sit down and share something deeply important: why we so often sabotage our own financial goals—and more importantly, how to break the cycle.

I open up about recent personal loss and the emotional struggles that come with it, tying it all back to how our mindset and subconscious beliefs can quietly but forcefully derail our money journey. We dive deep into childhood money scripts, upper limit beliefs, fear of success, and the psychological traps that keep us stuck. If you’ve ever wondered why it feels so hard to follow through with your financial plans, this episode is for you.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - Introduction

[0:41] - Why we set goals but never follow through—and why I still showed up to record today

[2:15] - How self-sabotage and upper limit beliefs shape your financial ceiling

[4:39] - The impact of childhood money scripts and subconscious programming

[8:27] - Personal story: learning money lessons the hard way as a kid

[13:05] - Fear of success and how our past can create hidden resistance

[16:58] - The tribal psychology of money and fear of outgrowing your circle

[21:07] - Stockholm Syndrome and why staying broke sometimes feels safer

[25:01] - Signs you’re sabotaging your success—spending sprees, over-research, and distractions

[29:31] - Tools to interrupt self-sabotage and shift your financial identity

[39:13] - Journal prompts to help rewire your beliefs and unlock new success

Quoteables

“Until people see themselves as someone who handles money well, they’ll keep proving the opposite.”

“Sometimes we’re not afraid to fail—we’re afraid to succeed and lose it all.”

“Money is energy. Money is value. Money is not time spent.”

“If I had money already, what would I be doing differently?”

“You don’t need to be great to start, but you need to start to become great.”

Links & Resources

• https://bookwithbudgetdog.com/ped

If this episode spoke to you, I’d be grateful if you rated and reviewed the show! Don’t forget to follow Money on My Mind and share it with someone else who might need to hear it. Your financial freedom starts with your mindset—let’s rewire it together.

In this deeply personal episode of Money on My Mind, I walk you through the emotional and financial rollercoaster that followed what seemed like the perfect move for our family. We left everything behind to relocate for our daughter’s specialized medical care—only to discover our dream home was poisoning her. A hidden mold and mycotoxin issue triggered severe health setbacks and cost us nearly $300,000 in recovery expenses.

From dealing with a rare epilepsy diagnosis to losing almost all our possessions and scrambling to relocate again, this episode is a raw, transparent look at how fast life can shift. More importantly, I talk about the mindset and financial preparation that allowed us to move quickly and decisively—and how this experience completely redefined my understanding of wealth.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - Why our dream home nearly destroyed our health and finances

[1:10] - Our daughter’s diagnosis with Dravet syndrome

[1:54] - Relocating to Texas for expert care and a miraculous 8-month stretch

[2:50] - Seizures return, triggering deeper investigation

[4:07] - Blood and urine tests reveal shocking mold exposure

[5:56] - Emergency travel to Iowa for treatment amid chaos

[7:19] - Realizing we had to abandon our home and everything in it

[8:52] - Financial pressure mounts as we scramble to protect our daughter

[10:00] - How years of financial planning helped us weather the storm

[14:04] - Losing 99% of our belongings due to contamination

[15:12] - The breakdown of the $300K cost: housing, health, and recovery

[16:46] - What money can’t fix—and what really matters

[18:46] - How this crisis reshaped my perspective on wealth

[20:25] - Preventative measures we’ve taken to safeguard our new home

[21:37] - What are you putting off that’s costing you peace of mind?

Key Takeaways

1. Prepare financially for the unexpected. You never know when a crisis will hit. Building financial flexibility gave us the ability to make life-saving decisions without hesitation.

2. Health is the real wealth. No amount of money is worth more than your family’s well-being. Prioritize health investments now before you’re forced to later.

3. Don’t wait for crisis to force change. If something is causing you low-grade stress or health concerns today, deal with it now—because the cost of waiting can be far greater.

Links & Resources

• Infinity Wellness Clinic (Josh, Iowa location)

• Dravet Syndrome Foundation: dravetfoundation.org

• Home air quality resources: AirDoctor, dehumidifiers, air scrubbers

If this episode made you think twice about how you define wealth, I’d love for you to rate, follow, and review the show. And if you know someone who could benefit from this story, share it with them. See you next week!

In this episode, I dive deep into the heart of why I created this podcast—and why I believe it’s about so much more than money. From humble beginnings and life-altering challenges to building a thriving community focused on purpose-driven financial freedom, I open up about the real reason this show exists.

You’ll hear my journey of going from a negative net worth to building a life of freedom, and why sharing not just the “how” but the “why” behind financial success is critical. This podcast isn’t just about spreadsheets and Roth IRAs—it’s about values, mindset, and overcoming adversity to build the life you deserve.

Episode Highlights & Timeline Summary

[0:00] - Why I launched this podcast and the deeper mission behind Budget Dog

[2:20] - From being financially clueless to a debt-free millionaire: my personal backstory

[3:06] - The story behind my national bestselling book and the cause it’s dedicated to

[6:48] - The moment I realized I wasn’t maximizing my financial potential in college

[8:06] - Why time is the most powerful wealth-building tool

[10:21] - My early misconceptions about investing and the transformative power of mentorship

[13:14] - How Budget Dog started with a raw idea and a photo of my dog

[17:03] - My wife’s key role in helping me see my potential

[20:48] - Going from anonymous IG posts to building a million+ follower brand

[24:06] - The unexpected and life-changing results students have achieved through my guidance

[26:22] - The unethical financial advice I fight against—and why it fuels my mission

[30:08] - Why this podcast won’t focus on technical tips but the habits and mindsets behind success

[33:21] - Personal challenges, including my daughter’s diagnosis, and the strength it’s built in us

[35:48] - A call to build wealth beyond money—and to do it together, as a community

Notable Quotes from the Episode

1. “It’s not about the spreadsheets. It’s about the values and character that build real wealth.”

2. “I didn’t choose social media—social media chose me.”

3. “You have to get strong yourself before you can truly serve others.”

4. “Everything worthwhile takes intentional hard work, whether you like it or not.”

5. “This podcast isn’t about woe is me—it’s about extreme ownership and overcoming.”

Links & Resources

• https://bookwithbudgetdog.com/ped

If you found value in this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s ready to take charge of their financial future. Let’s get wealthy together—beyond just the bank account.

I’m showing up raw and real in this episode—white tee, unfiltered, and straight from the heart. I take you behind the scenes of my journey from fear-filled moments to life-altering breakthroughs. From failing multiple CPA exams to quitting a secure job at Deloitte, from launching Budget Dog to facing my daughter’s rare medical condition—every leap was powered by fear. But not the kind that paralyzes; the kind that fuels you when there’s no other choice but to rise.

In this episode, I share how fear can either break you or build you. I recount how I used fear to pass the CPA exams against the odds, walk away from my 9-to-5, support my family through unimaginable challenges, and ultimately find our dream home after losing almost everything. This is the rawest, most powerful episode I’ve ever recorded—and I hope it lights a fire in you to lean into your own fears.

[0:00] Why I ditched the polished look for this episode and decided to go raw and real

[2:09] The pivotal moment that shifted my mindset after college

[4:11] My intense CPA study grind and early failures that nearly broke me

[6:13] The public humiliation that sparked a turning point

[11:04] The moment I finally passed the CPA exams—and what it taught me about fear

[13:30] How I transitioned from Deloitte to full-time entrepreneurship with Budget Dog

[16:12] The conversation that led me to leave my 9-5 earlier than planned

[18:05] Welcoming my daughter Logan and the life-changing diagnosis we faced

[23:08] Retiring my wife and relocating to Texas for Logan’s care

[28:22] Discovering mold and mycotoxins—and losing nearly everything

[33:55] Facing homelessness, uncertainty, and massive financial losses

[37:13] The moment we found our safe home and a new beginning

[40:59] Why fear has become my greatest motivator

• https://bookwithbudgetdog.com/ped

• National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA)

• Functional Neurologist & Health Journey Insights (referenced in Logan’s story)

If this episode moved you, I’d love for you to leave a review, follow the podcast, and share it with someone who needs to hear this. Thanks for tuning in—and remember, fear might just be the sign that you’re on the brink of greatness.

What if the only thing standing between you and a massive income jump was your mindset? In this episode, I walk you through the real-life transformation of one of my students, who went from juggling multiple part-time jobs and drowning in debt to landing a $500,000 per year position. Her story is more than just about money—it’s about reclaiming confidence, cutting loose the things that held her back, and stepping boldly into a new season of life.

We explore the three core shifts that led to her breakthrough: investing in herself, releasing dead weight (financial and emotional), and embracing a mindset of abundance. I also open up about my own recent family and business struggles to remind you that growth often comes disguised as adversity. If you’ve been stuck in fear or waiting for the right time to make a move—this episode is your wake-up call.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - Introduction

[1:11] - Why most people struggle with a scarcity mindset—even while making six figures

[2:54] - Miranda’s “sweaty palms” moment: confronting financial fear head-on

[5:01] - The marathon effect: building momentum through small wins

[10:07] - Taking the shot: lessons from a $26K failed investment (and why it still paid off)

[14:24] - How Miranda cut her expenses in half by walking away from a toxic relationship

[16:03] - Paying off $10K in 30 days and stepping into clarity and confidence

[27:22] - Accepting a $500K job offer and stepping into a life of purpose

[34:08] - Why serving others from a place of abundance brings unexpected rewards

[36:45] - The 3 keys to transformation: invest in yourself, release the weight, and think abundantly

Quotables from the Episode

Links & Resources

• https://bookwithbudgetdog.com/ped

• BudgetDog Academy: https://www.budgetdog.com

• Join our weekly free events and live Q&As on Instagram: @budgetdog_

Final Thoughts

Miranda’s story isn’t just inspiring—it’s proof that transformation is possible when you choose courage over comfort. If this episode spoke to you, don’t just sit on the motivation—take action. Start where you are, trust the process, and surround yourself with the right support.

If you found value in today’s conversation, I’d love for you to rate, follow, review, and share the podcast with someone who needs it. Until next time—stay focused, stay bold, and keep building your financial future.