The Debt Free Dad Podcast

Latest Episodes:

388. Your Guide to Free Services and Savings Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

Katie, shares practical ways to cut costs and free up money for savings and faster debt payoff, drawing on her own journey of paying off over $254,762 on a single income. She describes getting a free haircut as a community college hair model and suggests similar savings through schools and training programs (cosmetology services, dental cleanings, trade-school auto repairs), plus free Home Depot workshops and trades training resources. She encourages using libraries for books and more, local buy/sell/trade and giveaway groups, community pantries, and reviewing workplace benefits for services and discounts. Other tips include using free trials carefully, working or volunteering at venues for concerts/sports, earning travel rewards, and maximizing restaurant rewards and birthday freebies, including apps like Flashfood and resources like food banks and Feeding America.

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387. How to Create Your Own Financial Luck Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

Subscribe to Simplify My Money: https://www.debtfreedad.com/newsletters/simplify-my-money

Are you waiting for a lucky break to fix your finances?

A lottery win. A big raise. Maybe even an inheritance someday.

The truth is, most people who become financially stable didn’t get lucky. They got intentional.

In this episode of the Debt Free Dad Podcast, Amber talks about the difference between hoping for financial luck and actually creating it. You'll learn why waiting for a miracle keeps people stuck and how small, consistent habits can completely change your financial future.

If you're tired of living paycheck to paycheck and ready to start making real progress with your money, this episode will show you where to start.

Support the show

The Totally Awesome Debt Freedom Planner https://www.debtfreedad.com/planner

Connect With Brad

Like what you hear? Please, subscribe on the platform you listen to most: Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Tune-In, Stitcher, YouTube Music, YouTube

We LOVE feedback, and also helps us grow our podcast! Please leave us an honest review in Apple Podcasts, we read every single one.

Is there someone that you think would benefit from the Debt Free Dad podcast? Please, share this episode with them on your favorite social network!

386. The Hidden Forces Keeping You in Debt Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

Subscribe to Simplify My Money: https://www.debtfreedad.com/newsletters/simplify-my-money

On the Debt Dad Podcast, Brad Nelson (founder of Debt Free Dad) explains why many people struggle financially even with decent income and hard work, arguing that daily money decisions are often shaped by outside influences: how you were raised, marketing, and social influence.

He discusses research on financial socialization, including that core money habits can form by age seven, and how inherited beliefs about stress, spending, saving, and debt can become default adult behaviors. He outlines how marketing targets emotions and promotes “easy payments,” causing people to stack obligations that consume future income. He also covers social comparison and findings from The Millionaire Next Door showing that affluent environments can increase pressure to spend, while modest surroundings can help build wealth.

Support the show

The Totally Awesome Debt Freedom Planner https://www.debtfreedad.com/planner

Connect With Brad

Like what you hear? Please, subscribe on the platform you listen to most: Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Tune-In, Stitcher, YouTube Music, YouTube

We LOVE feedback, and also helps us grow our podcast! Please leave us an honest review in Apple Podcasts, we read every single one.

Is there someone that you think would benefit from the Debt Free Dad podcast? Please, share this episode with them on your favorite social network!

385. Why You Make Good Money… But Still Feel Broke Mar 03, 2026

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Subscribe to Simplify My Money: https://www.debtfreedad.com/newsletters/simplify-my-money

If you’ve ever looked at your paycheck and wondered where it all went… this episode is for you.
Today we’re talking about the real cost of living with payments. Not just the interest. Not just the monthly bill. But the stress, the lost freedom, the reduced flexibility, and the opportunities that quietly disappear when your income is already committed.
Payments feel normal. Car payments. Credit cards. Buy now, pay later. Personal loans. Phone upgrades.
But normal doesn’t mean healthy.
In this episode, we break down how payments shrink big financial decisions into small “only” numbers… and why that mindset is keeping so many people stuck living paycheck to paycheck.
If you’re ready to think differently about debt and start building real financial margin, this conversation will challenge you in the best way.

Support the show

The Totally Awesome Debt Freedom Planner https://www.debtfreedad.com/planner

Connect With Brad

Like what you hear? Please, subscribe on the platform you listen to most: Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Tune-In, Stitcher, YouTube Music, YouTube

We LOVE feedback, and also helps us grow our podcast! Please leave us an honest review in Apple Podcasts, we read every single one.

Is there someone that you think would benefit from the Debt Free Dad podcast? Please, share this episode with them on your favorite social network!

384. The Simple System That Ends Money Panic Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

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Most financial “emergencies” aren’t emergencies at all. They’re predictable expenses we didn’t plan for.

In this episode, Amber breaks down what sinking funds are, how they work, and how to set them up step by step. She also shares how she’s teaching her 9-year-old granddaughter about saving for Disney Paris and why involving your kids can completely change your family’s money mindset.

If you’re tired of reacting to expenses and want to feel confident and prepared instead, this episode is for you.

Support the show

The Totally Awesome Debt Freedom Planner https://www.debtfreedad.com/planner

Connect With Brad

Like what you hear? Please, subscribe on the platform you listen to most: Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Tune-In, Stitcher, YouTube Music, YouTube

We LOVE feedback, and also helps us grow our podcast! Please leave us an honest review in Apple Podcasts, we read every single one.

Is there someone that you think would benefit from the Debt Free Dad podcast? Please, share this episode with them on your favorite social network!

383. Start Scared, Grow Confident With Money Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

Subscribe to Simplify My Money: https://www.debtfreedad.com/newsletters/simplify-my-money

If budgeting, saving, or paying off debt makes you feel awkward, overwhelmed, or just plain bad with money… this episode is for you.
In this episode, Brad shares a powerful story about teaching his son to drive, and why that experience perfectly explains what it feels like to start taking control of your finances.
Growth doesn’t feel good at first. It feels uncomfortable. It feels uncertain. It feels like you’re messing up.
But that doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re learning.
If you’ve ever blown your budget, overspent, hesitated to look at your debt, or felt anxious about money conversations, you’re not broken. You’re just new.
It’s time to move Fear Forward.

Support the show

The Totally Awesome Debt Freedom Planner https://www.debtfreedad.com/planner

Connect With Brad

Like what you hear? Please, subscribe on the platform you listen to most: Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Tune-In, Stitcher, YouTube Music, YouTube

We LOVE feedback, and also helps us grow our podcast! Please leave us an honest review in Apple Podcasts, we read every single one.

Is there someone that you think would benefit from the Debt Free Dad podcast? Please, share this episode with them on your favorite social network!

382. The 10 Budget Busters That Quietly Destroy Your Money Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

Subscribe to Simplify My Money: https://www.debtfreedad.com/newsletters/simplify-my-money

If you’ve ever made a budget and felt great about it, only to watch it fall apart, this episode is for you.

Budgets don’t fail because you don’t care. They fail because of sneaky habits that quietly drain your money month after month.

In this episode, Brad breaks down the top 10 budget busters he’s seen over the last decade — and how to fix them without making your life miserable.

Support the show

The Totally Awesome Debt Freedom Planner https://www.debtfreedad.com/planner

Connect With Brad

Like what you hear? Please, subscribe on the platform you listen to most: Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Tune-In, Stitcher, YouTube Music, YouTube

We LOVE feedback, and also helps us grow our podcast! Please leave us an honest review in Apple Podcasts, we read every single one.

Is there someone that you think would benefit from the Debt Free Dad podcast? Please, share this episode with them on your favorite social network!

381. Why Having Fun Can Actually Help You Get Out of Debt Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

Subscribe to Simplify My Money: https://www.debtfreedad.com/newsletters/simplify-my-money
In this episode of the Debt-Free Dad podcast, host Amber shares why overly strict budgets often fail and how incorporating planned fun into your budget can lead to better financial outcomes. Learn practical steps to include joy in your financial plan without derailing your debt-free goals. Discover how flexible, enjoyable budgeting can help you build consistency, avoid burnout, and achieve long-term financial freedom. Join us to find out how getting out of debt doesn't have to mean sacrificing all the things you love.

Support the show

The Totally Awesome Debt Freedom Planner https://www.debtfreedad.com/planner

Connect With Brad

Like what you hear? Please, subscribe on the platform you listen to most: Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Tune-In, Stitcher, YouTube Music, YouTube

We LOVE feedback, and also helps us grow our podcast! Please leave us an honest review in Apple Podcasts, we read every single one.

Is there someone that you think would benefit from the Debt Free Dad podcast? Please, share this episode with them on your favorite social network!

380. Building Financial Discipline Without Feeling Miserable Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

Subscribe to Simplify My Money: https://www.debtfreedad.com/newsletters/simplify-my-money

In today's episode, Brad Nelson, the founder of Debt Free Dad, discusses how to cultivate real financial discipline without the feelings of restriction or deprivation often associated with it. He highlights the misconceptions around discipline and willpower, emphasizing the importance of removing challenges and creating systems that make good financial choices easier. Brad offers practical advice for creating clear spending plans, allowing for enjoyment in your budget, automating finances, and focusing on consistency rather than perfection. Additionally, he discusses the emotional side of spending and provides strategies for managing it. If you're looking to break free from paycheck to paycheck living and want to build a strong financial foundation, this episode is packed with valuable insights and resources.

Support the show

The Totally Awesome Debt Freedom Planner https://www.debtfreedad.com/planner

Connect With Brad

Like what you hear? Please, subscribe on the platform you listen to most: Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Tune-In, Stitcher, YouTube Music, YouTube

We LOVE feedback, and also helps us grow our podcast! Please leave us an honest review in Apple Podcasts, we read every single one.

Is there someone that you think would benefit from the Debt Free Dad podcast? Please, share this episode with them on your favorite social network!

379. How a Small Emergency Fund Can Transform Your Financial Life Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

Subscribe to Simplify My Money: https://www.debtfreedad.com/newsletters/simplify-my-money

In this episode of the Debt Free Dad podcast, Brad Nelson discusses the importance of having a small emergency fund and how it can significantly change the way you handle money, reduce stress, and help you feel more prepared. Brad explains why an emergency fund is a crucial step towards financial stability and debt-free living. He also shares tips on how to start building an emergency fund, even if you're living paycheck to paycheck. Tune in to learn how creating a small buffer can provide peace of mind and lead to better money management.

Support the show

The Totally Awesome Debt Freedom Planner https://www.debtfreedad.com/planner

Connect With Brad

Like what you hear? Please, subscribe on the platform you listen to most: Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Tune-In, Stitcher, YouTube Music, YouTube

We LOVE feedback, and also helps us grow our podcast! Please leave us an honest review in Apple Podcasts, we read every single one.

Is there someone that you think would benefit from the Debt Free Dad podcast? Please, share this episode with them on your favorite social network!

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