Money On My Mind

Brennan Schlagbaum
  • 4.8 (36)
  • INVESTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

From $300k+ in debt to Millionaire status by 30 years old, I have realized the power of a budget. At 23, I was in a dreadful position, but I knew that the only person that could change that was ME! I dug deep and put together a financial plan that changed my life forever. Now I am debt free and just quit my 9-5 to pursue Budgetdog full time! I made this podcast to empower others with the same knowledge and tools that I use in my own personal finances!

  1. 4D AGO

    Pay Off Debt or Max Your Roth? The Answer Most People Get Wrong | The Budgetdog Breakdown S01 E07

    Wealthy people aren't wealthy because they win every day. They use systems that make losing hard. In this episode, Brennan Schlagbaum (former Deloitte CPA, financially free at 32) answers listener questions on building real wealth with money you already have. Brennan breaks down whether Bitcoin belongs in a 21 year old's portfolio, the exact investment framework he teaches inside Budgetdog Academy (the 15% rule, the checklist before touching crypto), and why a $140K earner can still have no clue where their money goes. He walks through the three document system every household needs: a balance sheet, a budget, and an amortization schedule. He also tackles the debt vs. Roth IRA debate (spoiler: your buddy is wrong), how newlyweds should actually merge finances without the guilt and shame spiral, the behavioral psychology behind why couples fight about money, and a step by step approach to landing a raise by thinking like a business owner instead of an employee. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN The investment framework: 15% to retirement before anything else The 6 box checklist before investing in crypto Why Bitcoin is different from the rest of the crypto market The 3 documents every household needs to control cash flow Why high earners still feel like they're faking it The real order of operations: credit card debt before Roth IRA How to merge finances after marriage without the blame game How to ask for a raise without making it weird ABOUT BRENNAN Brennan Schlagbaum is a former Deloitte CPA who reached financial freedom at 32 and now helps families build real wealth with the money they already have. He's the founder of Budgetdog Academy. RESOURCES & LINKS Join the Budgetdog Academy: https://budgetdogacademy.com/?el=youtube&htrafficsource=youtube&hcategory=bio_link Check out our beginner Millionaire Club: https://www.budgetdogacademy.com/millionaire-club Get my new book: https://budgetdogacademy.com/roadmap-opt-in Download my FREE budget template: https://budgetdogacademy.com/download-budget-template If this episode helped you, please follow the show, leave a rating, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. DISCLAIMER: Budgetdog, LLC, including but not limited to any guests appearing in his videos, are not financial/investment advisors, brokers, or dealers. They are solely sharing their personal experience and opinions; therefore, all strategies, tips, suggestions, and recommendations shared are solely for entertainment purposes. There are financial risks associated with investing, therefore, do not act or refrain from acting based on any information conveyed in this video, webpage, and/or external hyperlinks. For investment advice please seek the counsel of a financial/investment advisor(s); and conduct your own due diligence.

    15 min

  2. MAY 13

    High Income But Still Broke? Why Your Daily Wins Don't Build Wealth | Answering your Dms

    Why do so many people still feel stressed about money… even while making six figures? In this episode of The Budgetdog Breakdown, we answer real listener questions covering investing, retirement accounts, financial advisors, tax strategy, and building a financial system that actually creates peace of mind. We cover: • Why financial anxiety usually comes from lacking a system • The hidden cost of ignoring your 401(k) investments • How to think about financial advisors and insurance products • The ideal investing account order for building wealth • 529 plans vs taxable brokerage accounts • How to prioritize competing financial goals • Backdoor Roth IRAs and tax loss harvesting explained simply This episode is designed to simplify complex financial concepts and help you think more intentionally about your money. Because the goal isn't just making more money. The goal is building a system that makes losing hard.

    38 min

  3. APR 29

    Your Financial Advisor Is Costing You $2.1 Million | Answering The Most Asked Questions On My IG.

    What's the right life insurance? Should you be using an HSA? Is a 529 really the best way to invest for your kids? In this episode of The Budgetdog Breakdown, we answer real listener questions covering some of the most important and most misunderstood areas of personal finance. From avoiding expensive financial products… to building tax-efficient investment strategies… to navigating major life decisions like inheritance or starting a business, this episode is all about clarity. We cover: • Term life vs whole life insurance • How HSAs create triple tax advantages • Smart ways to invest for your children's future • How to avoid lifestyle creep after a raise • The true long-term cost of advisor fees • And how to plan a safe transition out of a 9–5 If you've ever felt overwhelmed by financial decisions or unsure what's actually right… this episode will simplify it. Because wealth isn't built by guessing. It's built by systems.

    33 min

  4. APR 22

    EP 04: Why Couples Who Avoid Money Talks Stay Broke Forever | The Budgetdog Breakdown

    Is 100K a year not enough anymore? In this episode of The Budgetdog Breakdown, we answer real listener questions from people navigating some of the most common and stressful financial situations today. From feeling broke on a six-figure income… to raises that don't change anything… to wondering if it's too late to build wealth in your 40s this episode breaks down the math behind what's really going on. We cover: • Lifestyle creep and why income alone won't fix your finances • How small changes can compound into millions over time • What "financial freedom" actually means (and how to calculate it) • Whether early retirement is realistic and what it takes If you've ever felt behind, stuck, or unsure if you're doing this right… this episode will give you clarity. Because personal finance isn't guesswork. It's math and math doesn't care where you're starting from.

    23 min

  5. APR 15

    EP 03: 6 Money Questions That Keep You Broke (Answered)

    Why Making $100K Still Feels Like You're Broke A six figure income used to mean financial security. Today, it often feels like just getting by. In this episode of The Budgetdog Breakdown, I answer five real questions from listeners navigating common financial challenges. From high earners with nothing left at the end of the month, to raises that disappear, to wondering if it is too late to build meaningful wealth. We break down the math behind lifestyle creep, investing later in life, defining financial freedom, and what it actually takes to retire early. This episode is about replacing emotion with numbers and helping you see your situation clearly. Episode Timeline and Highlights 00:00 Why $100K feels tight 01:45 Spending vs saving reality 04:30 The disappearing raise problem 07:30 Investing at 42 10:30 Defining financial freedom 13:30 Early retirement strategy 17:00 Are you actually behind Key Takeaways • Income without a system leads to stagnation • Lifestyle creep erases progress • It is not too late to start investing • Savings rate determines speed to freedom • Financial clarity removes unnecessary fear Quotables "Income does not create wealth. Systems do." "Your raise did not disappear. It just was not directed." "Math has no opinion about your past." If you feel behind, you are not alone. But once you understand the numbers, you can finally move forward with clarity.

    14 min
  6. EP 2: Q&A Show

    APR 8

    EP 2: Q&A Show

    Answering the Real Money Questions People Are Afraid to Ask After launching The Budgetdog Breakdown, hundreds of questions came in and a pattern became clear. Most people are stuck between knowing what they should do and actually doing it. In this episode, I answer six real questions covering investing, debt, behavior, and communication. We talk about starting investing later in life, why stock picking rarely works, how to evaluate your retirement accounts, and why debt keeps coming back even after progress. We also get into the harder conversations, including when debt consolidation makes sense and how to be honest with your partner about financial mistakes. This episode is about clarity, accountability, and taking action. Episode Timeline and Highlights 00:00 Why people feel stuck 01:30 Starting investing later in life 04:30 Stock picking vs index investing 07:30 Understanding your 401k 10:30 Breaking the debt cycle 13:30 Debt consolidation decisions 16:00 Financial honesty in relationships 18:30 Closing Key Takeaways • It is never too late to start investing • Most investors underperform due to behavior • Simplicity outperforms complexity • Debt cycles are behavioral not just financial • Honest communication is critical Quotables "It is not too late. It is just later than you planned." "Debt is not just a math problem. It is a behavior problem." "Honesty is where financial progress actually starts." If one of these questions felt personal, that is because it is. Nothing changes until you face it.

    18 min
  7. Ep 1: Q/A Show

    APR 1

    Ep 1: Q/A Show

    How to Tell If You Are Growing Or Just Drifting Most people assume that if something feels hard, it must be working. But not all pain leads to progress. In this episode, I break down how to distinguish between growth and misalignment, and why clarity is the foundation of every meaningful decision. We walk through how to define your core goals, simplify your focus, and build systems that allow you to move forward without constant stress. We also talk about how to reset when you feel overwhelmed and how to evaluate whether your current path is actually aligned with what you want. If you feel like you are working hard but not getting anywhere, this episode will help you step back, reassess, and move forward with intention. Episode Timeline and Highlights 00:00 Why pain can feel like failure 01:30 Defining your real goals 04:00 Prioritization and focus 06:30 Systems and iteration 09:00 Growth vs misalignment 11:30 Resetting your mindset 13:30 Evaluating your direction 15:30 The role of systems 17:30 Final lessons Key Takeaways • Clarity determines direction • Focus creates real momentum • Systems reduce chaos • Not all pain is productive • Alignment leads to sustainable growth Quotables "Not all pain is progress." "Clarity turns chaos into direction." "Systems protect you when life gets hard." If you feel overwhelmed, do not panic. Pause. Reset. Get clear. Then move forward with intention.

    25 min

  8. MAR 25

    Discomfort vs Misalignment: How to Know the Difference (and What to Do About It)

    How to Tell If You Are Growing Or Just Drifting Most people assume that if something feels hard, it must be working. But not all pain leads to progress. In this episode, I break down how to distinguish between growth and misalignment, and why clarity is the foundation of every meaningful decision. We walk through how to define your core goals, simplify your focus, and build systems that allow you to move forward without constant stress. We also talk about how to reset when you feel overwhelmed and how to evaluate whether your current path is actually aligned with what you want. If you feel like you are working hard but not getting anywhere, this episode will help you step back, reassess, and move forward with intention. Episode Timeline and Highlights 00:00 Why pain can feel like failure 01:30 Defining your real goals 04:00 Prioritization and focus 06:30 Systems and iteration 09:00 Growth vs misalignment 11:30 Resetting your mindset 13:30 Evaluating your direction 15:30 The role of systems 17:30 Final lessons Key Takeaways • Clarity determines direction • Focus creates real momentum • Systems reduce chaos • Not all pain is productive • Alignment leads to sustainable growth Quotables "Not all pain is progress." "Clarity turns chaos into direction." "Systems protect you when life gets hard." If you feel overwhelmed, do not panic. Pause. Reset. Get clear. Then move forward with intention.

    25 min
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4.8
out of 5
36 Ratings

About

From $300k+ in debt to Millionaire status by 30 years old, I have realized the power of a budget. At 23, I was in a dreadful position, but I knew that the only person that could change that was ME! I dug deep and put together a financial plan that changed my life forever. Now I am debt free and just quit my 9-5 to pursue Budgetdog full time! I made this podcast to empower others with the same knowledge and tools that I use in my own personal finances!

Information

  • Creator
    Brennan Schlagbaum
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    113
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    Money On My Mind

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