The Budget Couple

We are the Budget Couple. We make a bi-weekly podcast that talks about life, family, and how to afford it. Join us on our budgeting journey as we explore the keys to budgeting, personal finance, and more.

Learn More

Episode 55: Controlling Impulse Spending

Nate discusses ways that he controls his impulse spending and how it can work for you. Show Notes Listener Question My husband and I are big impulse spenders. How do we change those habits?  You came to the right person. I would love to be an impulse spender. In fact, I often am. But I’m an impulse spender with a…

Episode 54: Where is my $2100 going?

Nate and Danielle answer a listener question about being able to save while having new expenses and planning on more expenses. Show Notes Listener Question I have a baby that is in daycare. I got a new job and stopped breastfeeding when I went back to work. Currently I spend $800 a month on daycare, $100 a month on formula…

Episode 53: Refinancing the House (again)

Nate and Danielle discuss their reasons for refinancing their house and what it means for the long term. They also talk about their reasons for doing so and what to look out for if you decide to do so as well. Show Notes Reasons to refinance Shorter payoff period Lower total interest charges Cash out of home Original loan: 25…

Episode 52: Summer Savings

Nate and Danielle discuss the three main ways they saved money this summer. Show Notes Car Cabin and Engine Filters ($10 each and takes ~1 min. Dealership charges over $50-100 for each) Recently needed new brakes. The dealership wanted $450 to do brakes and rotors. I looked around and the price was not out of line with other places. I…

Episode 51: Getting Your Spouse on Board

Nate and Danielle answer a listener question about getting their spouse to agree and stick to a budget. Show Notes Listener Question My husband and I just purchased our first home.  I am super obsessed about managing our finances. I’ve made my own templates for our budget on excel!  I understand his enthusiasm won’t ever match mine, BUT I don’t…

Episode 50: 2019 Quarter 2 Update

Nate and Danielle talk about their second mortgage, refinancing, and their other financial wants, needs, and aspirations through the year thus far. Show Notes 2019 Quarter 2 Update We have officially paid off our $30K second mortgage as of 6/18. All told we opened the loan in mid July 2018 and paid it off 11 months later. We paid $778.58…

Episode 49: Planning for Pets and 10 Month Income

Nate and Danielle discuss how to setup a budget that includes unknown expenses for older pets and how to plan for a 10-month income on a 12-month basis. Show Notes Listener Bihn How can I budget for an aging pet? It doesn’t happen often, but every once and awhile, a big vet bill falls into our laps. We have a…

Episode 48: 2019 Quarter 1 Budget Update

Nate goes solo and gives an update on the first three months of 2019. The couples’ current finances are discussed along with exciting news and long-term goals. Show Notes We are through the first quarter of 2019 already and we thought that we would bring you an update from our budget and how it’s going. Our budget nor income has…

Episode 47: Paying off the House vs. Retirement Savings

Nate and Danielle discuss their thoughts on paying down the house or contributing more towards retirement. Show Notes Listener response to a question [Our] goal was to get our mortgage down to a certain amount by paying extra but I’m rethinking this and I’m considering opening ROTH IRAs for us instead. I would ultimately like the house paid off in…