Understanding Money

Martin Kotze and Ruan Lubbe
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  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Biweekly

Hi, we’re Martin and Ruan. We believe money should be a tool, not a source of fear, shame, or confusion. That is why we started this channel: to help people understand money, make wise decisions, and remember there is hope for the future. On this channel, we share: • practical money principles • honest insight into financial struggles • guidance toward peace and margin • simple, purposeful conversations about money Our aim is simple: to help take the fear out of money and replace it with clarity, wisdom, and hope

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    6 Reasons You Struggle to Budget | UM Ep 7

    Budgeting is supposed to be the foundation everything else gets built on, but most people give up on it within the first few months. In this episode, we go through the most common reasons budgets fall apart and what you can actually do differently so yours sticks. Got a money question you'd like us to cover on the show? Send it to info.understandingmoney@gmail.com Find everything else we do here: https://linktr.ee/understanding_money Chapters:00:00 Introduction00:54 Welcome back to Understanding Money01:41 Recap: Building your first budget02:40 Reason 1: Being unrealistic with frameworks that don't fit04:22 Reason 2: Too easy to swipe05:47 Reason 3: Forgetting irregular and annual expenses07:22 Reason 4: Expecting perfection instead of playing the long game08:59 Reason 5: Not tracking your spending10:44 Reason 6: Ignoring emotional spending triggers12:12 Wrap up and how to get back on track #Budgeting #PersonalFinance #FinancialFreedom #MoneyManagement #SouthAfrica #BudgetingTips #FinancialPlanning #MoneyMindset #DebtFreeJourney #SavingsGoals #UnderstandingMoney #FinancialWellness #MoneyTips #ZeroBasedBudgeting #BudgetingForBeginners

    14 min

  2. Jun 9

    How To Build A Budget From Scratch — Step By Step | UM Ep 6

    Most people don't fail at budgeting because they're bad with money. They fail because their system is built on perfection instead of awareness. In this episode, we walk you through exactly how to build a budget that works in real life, step by step, no fluff. We cover how to choose the right start date for your budget, why you should always budget off your minimum viable income (not your best month), and how to structure your spending so that you're paying yourself first before anything else gets a chance to disappear. We also get into the difference between fixed and variable expenses, why listing them separately matters more than you think, and how seeing all your debt in one place might be the most important thing you do this month. If you've been putting off building a budget because it feels too complicated, this episode will change that. Got a money question? Send it to info.understandingmoney@gmail.com or find all our links at linktr.ee/understanding_money⁠ Chapters: 00:00 Why most budgets fail 00:41 Welcome and what we're covering today 01:08 How to actually build a budget 01:49 Step 0: Choose your budget start date 02:16 Step 1: Know your actual take-home income04:04 Step 2: Giving and generosity 05:29 Step 3: List all your debt payments 07:13 Step 4: Pay yourself first 09:22 Step 5: Fixed and variable expenses 13:14 Just start and how to use the budget template 14:02 Closing thoughts and how to connect

    14 min

  3. May 26

    Why your MONEY is DISAPPEARING - The Fundamentals of Budgeting | UM Ep 5

    Most people don't hate money, they hate not knowing where it went. In this episode, Martin and Ruan unpack the most important financial stewardship tool you'll ever use: the budget. Not as a restriction, but as a plan. They walk through what a budget actually is, why it's so emotionally charged, and how a zero-based approach gives every rand a job before the month even starts. If you've ever reached the end of the month wondering what happened, this one's for you. Got a money question? Email us at info.understandingmoney@gmail.com. We'd love to hear from you.🔗 https://linktr.ee/understanding_money

    21 min

  4. May 12

    Why You Should NOT Invest Yet: The Stability Roadmap for South Africans | UM Ep.4

    You've created margin. Now what? Most people's instinct is to throw money at the market — but that's not the next step. In this episode, Martin and Ruan walk you through the practical, intentional steps to go from financial breathing room to genuine, generational wealth. No noise, no hype, just a clear plan. 📩 Got a money question? Send it to info.understandingmoney@gmail.com 🔗 More from us: https://linktr.ee/understanding_money 00:00 Introduction 02:54 Everyone needs a clear plan 04:05 Starter Emergency Fund 04:54 Pay off debt (except the house) 05:29 Good debt vs bad debt 09:05 Fully-funded Emergency Fund 12:07 Investing 12:16 Tax-free Savings Account 12:56 Retirement Annuity 13:54 Pay off the house early 17:33 Continued Investing 17:47 Spend and Enjoy your money 19:12 Savings for kids' college/university 20:36 Generosity 22:03 Closing thoughts

    23 min

  5. Apr 28

    How to Actually Create Financial Margin (Practical Steps That Work) | UM EP 3

    Money is 80% behaviour — and this episode is about changing yours. In Episode 3 of Understanding Money, Martin and Ruan get into the nitty-gritty of how to actually create financial margin in your life. Last week, we covered why margin matters. This week, we get tactical. Whether you're living month to month, drowning in debt, or just trying to build an emergency fund — this episode is for you. We walk through practical, real-world ways to increase your income and cut fruitless expenditure, so you can start breathing again financially. Less excess now. Multiplied freedom later. 📩 Got a money question? Send it to info.understandingmoney@gmail.com 🔗 Find us at linktr.ee/understanding_money Chapters:00:00 Introduction 02:17 Who is this EP for? 04:45 Increasing Income 05:55 Bonus/Commission Structure Plan 06:22 Going after a Raise 07:30 Starting a Side Hustle 08:23 Decrease Expenses 08:57 Benchmarking 11:50 Car Insurance 12:30 Other Insurance Policies 13:00 Phone & Internet 13:28 Rent 14:15 Radical Ways of Creating Margin 14:52 Subscriptions 15:35 Entertainment 16:49 Impulse Buying 18:35 Vehicles 22:08 Your House 25:10 Vacations

    27 min

  6. Apr 14

    Why Earning More Won't Solve Your Money Problems | UM EP 2

    You've had the raise. You've had the promotion. So why does it still feel like there's nothing left? In this episode, we break down the one thing that separates people who build wealth from people who just earn money — and it's simpler than you think. 🔗 Connect with us:https://linktr.ee/understanding_money 📩 Got a money question? We'd love to hear from you:info.understandingmoney@gmail.com Chapters:00:00 Introduction58:24 What is margin02:56 Why you're stressed about money07:07 Why do we make bad money decisions10:42 The practical effect of living below your means12:49 Margin gives you options13:52 Margin builds generational wealth14:25 The tools to build margin18:54 What you need to do now

    20 min

  7. Mar 31

    4 Reasons You're Anxious About Money (And How To Fix It) | UM EP 1

    Money stress isn't about how much you earn — it's about what's going on underneath. In this first episode of Understanding Money, Martin and Ruan unpack the 4 root causes behind financial anxiety.This isn't another get-rich-quick podcast. It's 20 minutes of honest, practical conversation about stewarding your money well — so you can build margin, choice, and real hope for the future.💬 Which of these 4 gaps hits closest to home for you? Drop it in the comments.📩 Got questions? Email us at info.understandingmoney@gmail.com we want to hear from you.⚠️ Disclaimer: This is not financial advice. We're here to broaden your thinking and spark initiative — always seek professional guidance for your personal situation.🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on personal finance that actually makes sense.00:00 Introduction02:00 What is this show?04:55 Point 1: A Lack of Knowledge07:00 Point 2: A Lack of Discipline10:01 Point 3: Peer Pressure13:24 Point 4: A Lack of Vision15:43 What is causing you stress?#UnderstandingMoney #PersonalFinance #MoneyAnxiety #FinancialLiteracy #Budgeting #MoneyMindset #SouthAfrica

    19 min
  • 7 Episodes

About

Hi, we’re Martin and Ruan. We believe money should be a tool, not a source of fear, shame, or confusion. That is why we started this channel: to help people understand money, make wise decisions, and remember there is hope for the future. On this channel, we share: • practical money principles • honest insight into financial struggles • guidance toward peace and margin • simple, purposeful conversations about money Our aim is simple: to help take the fear out of money and replace it with clarity, wisdom, and hope

Information

  • Creator
    Martin Kotze and Ruan Lubbe
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Martin Kotze and Ruan Lubbe
  • Show Website
    Understanding Money