The Debt Free Dad Podcast

Latest Episodes:

398. If Everyone Is Broke, Why Are We Still Spending So Much? Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

Get our free Simplify My Money newsletter and start taking control of your finances: https://www.debtfreedad.com/newsletters/simplify-my-money

Everything feels more expensive right now, but higher prices aren’t the whole story.

In this episode, Brad, Amber, and Katie talk about why we keep spending even when money feels tight. From Buy Now Pay Later and subscriptions to food delivery, car payments, social media pressure, and doom spending, they break down how convenience and lifestyle habits can quietly drain your budget.

Plus, how to tell whether you have an income problem, a spending problem, or both, and what you can actually control starting today.

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

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Thanks For Listening

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397. Don’t Wait Until January: Reset Your Finances NOW Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

Get our free Simplify My Money newsletter and start taking control of your finances: https://www.debtfreedad.com/newsletters/simplify-my-money

If your financial goals went a little sideways this year, you do NOT have to write off the rest of the year and wait for January to start again.

In this episode of the Debt Free Dad Podcast, Brad, Amber, Chris, and Katie are finally back together and talking about what it really looks like to reset when you've fallen off track.

Whether your budget got messy, spending crept up over the summer, you've stopped making progress on debt, or you're simply tired of thinking about money, there's still time to turn things around.

We talk about why small actions matter more than trying to fix everything at once, how to rebuild financial habits, preparing for upcoming holiday expenses, finding your motivation again, and why accountability can make such a huge difference.

You don't need a perfect restart. You just need to start moving again.

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!

396. Why Most Budgets Fail (And How to Build One That Actually Works) Jul 09, 2026

Show notes

Get our free Simplify My Money newsletter and start taking control of your finances: https://www.debtfreedad.com/newsletters/simplify-my-money
Have you ever created a budget with the best intentions... only to abandon it a few weeks later?

You're not alone.

The truth is, most budgets fail because they're built for a perfect month instead of real life. Unexpected expenses, emotional spending, busy schedules, and life simply getting in the way can make even the best budget fall apart.

In this episode, Brad shares the biggest reasons budgets fail and, more importantly, how to build one that actually works. You'll learn why budgeting isn't about perfection, restriction, or giving up everything you enjoy. It's about creating a realistic plan that helps reduce stress and gives every dollar a purpose.

If you've been frustrated with budgeting in the past, this episode could completely change the way you look at managing your money.

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!

395. Are You Being Generous... or Feeling Guilty? Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

Get our free Simplify My Money newsletter and start taking control of your finances: https://www.debtfreedad.com/newsletters/simplify-my-money
Have you ever spent money you didn't actually want to spend... just because saying no felt uncomfortable?

Maybe you've covered the dinner bill, bought another fundraiser, loaned money you knew you probably wouldn't get back, or agreed to plans that weren't in your budget.

This episode isn't about becoming selfish. It's about learning the difference between generosity and guilt.

If people pleasing is quietly costing you your financial goals, this conversation may completely change how you think about money.

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!

394. The Real Reason You're Still Stuck Financially Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

Learn more about Roots here: https://www.debtfreedad.com/rootsmain
You're working hard. You're making money. You're trying to do all the right things.

So why does it still feel like you're not getting ahead?

In this episode, Brad shares why the problem isn't a lack of information, discipline, or effort. Most people already know what they should be doing with their money. The real challenge is creating systems, habits, and accountability that help you stay consistent when life gets busy.

If you've ever felt stuck financially despite your best intentions, 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!

393. When Everything Breaks at Once: Why Your Emergency Fund Matters Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

Get our free Simplify My Money newsletter and start taking control of your finances: https://www.debtfreedad.com/newsletters/simplify-my-money
What actually counts as an emergency?

In this solo episode, Amber shares how a crushed air conditioner, trailer repairs, a roof leak, a broken washing machine, and an unexpected vet bill all hit within a matter of months.

She breaks down the difference between a true emergency and an expense you should be planning for, why emergency funds are about more than money, and how to rebuild your savings after life drains it.

If you've ever wondered whether an expense belongs in your emergency fund, 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!

392. More Fun, Less Spending: 7 Ways to Enjoy Summer Without Breaking the Bank Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

👇 Get our free Simplify My Money newsletter and start taking control of your finances: https://www.debtfreedad.com/newsletters/simplify-my-money

Summer is supposed to be fun, but it can also become one of the most expensive times of the year if you're not careful.

In this solo episode, Amber shares 7 simple ways to enjoy your summer without draining your bank account or ending up with a credit card hangover in September.

From becoming a tourist in your own town to creating a summer adventure jar, these practical ideas will help you make lasting memories while staying focused on your financial goals.

Because the best summer memories don't have to come with a payment plan.

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!

391. The Financial Cost of Always Wanting More Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

If you've ever thought, "I'll be happy when I make more money," this episode is for you.

Today, Brad dives into the financial and emotional cost of constantly chasing more. From lifestyle creep and social media comparison to the psychology behind why upgrades stop making us happy, you'll learn why so many people feel broke even when they're earning more than ever before.

Discover how modern culture trains us to stay dissatisfied, why contentment isn't the same as giving up, and how learning what "enough" looks like can completely change your financial future.

If you're tired of feeling like you're always behind, this conversation might be exactly what you need.

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!

390. She Stopped Living Paycheck to Paycheck and Everything Changed May 26, 2026

Show notes

What happens when you finally get tired of the stress, the payments, and wondering where all your money went?

In this episode, Brad sits down with Sonya Kunz, who paid off more than $90,000 in debt after joining Roots in 2022. Since then, she became debt free, built a strong savings account, and even turned a side hustle into her own business.

Sonya shares the mindset shifts that changed everything for her, including overcoming emotional spending, using sinking funds, breaking free from paycheck-to-paycheck living, and learning how to think differently about money. She also opens up about marriage, raising kids, financial habits passed down from parents, and how debt freedom created opportunities she never imagined possible.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by debt or wondered if real financial change is possible, this episode will leave you inspired and motivated to keep going.

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!

389. How Paige Paid Off $51,553.34 in Less Than 3 Years on One Income May 19, 2026

Show notes

After nearly three years of hard work, setbacks, side hustles, and sacrifice, Paige is officially debt free.
In this episode, Paige shares how she paid off over $51,553.34 in just 2 years and 8 months on a single income. From budgeting and accountability to overcoming emotional spending and building a successful dog-sitting side hustle, she opens up about what really helped her change her financial life.
If you’ve ever wondered whether becoming debt free is actually possible for you, this episode will give you hope, and a real plan 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!

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