We’ve talked a lot about what we’re “supposed” to do to be real adults and be considered successful on the right path. We've tackled everything from college to marriage to homeownership to having kids.Topics covered in this wrap-up episode* What makes an adult?* Do you really want to follow that Read More

Geo-arbitrage is the practice of moving from an area with a high cost of living to a place with a lower cost of living. It’s one of the bits of advice some FIRE enthusiasts suggest for those looking to reach financial freedom faster. But does using geo-arbitrage always make sense?Topics Read More

We’ve talked a lot about hustle culture and the grindset bros and girl bosses who drive the narrative that time is money and you must be productive all day, every day. But is being a workaholic really the way to make all the money?In this episode, we discuss how you Read More

A friend recently walked off a job that pays fairly well for this area because the work environment was toxic and he wasn’t getting the time and flexibility he needed to be with his son. In fact, an MIT Sloan Management Review survey from 2022 pegged a toxic work environment Read More

We hear it all the time from hustle bros and entrepreneurial gurus: the only way to live your best life is to quit the 9-to-5 ASAP and build your own business empire. Otherwise, you’ll die sad and alone and probably poor as well.It’s easy to disparage the “traditional” job. We Read More

There’s been much hand-wringing over birthrates in recent years. And, depending on where you grew up, you might even be told you’re selfish for not wanting to have children. Or mutliple chilren. In this episode, we’re going to look at the financial realities of having children and explore our society’s Read More

It Doesn't Make Cents is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.We’re often told that owning a home is the ultimate in adulting and achieving the American Dream. You hear a lot about “throwing money away” as a renter. Read More

Marriage is considered an essential part of life. Money is part of that. Recently, society has lamented the cost of being single. But sometimes the costs aren’t financial. And there’s a move—especially among those who identify as women—to eschew marriage.* The marriage age has risen over time, especially since Miranda Read More

As Gen Xers and millennials, we’re used to hearing that college is the way to success in jobs and life. But is a “traditional” four-year degree the way forward? We tackle the idea of college and whether it makes sense for you. Topics covered in this episode on higher education Read More

The whole point of It Doesn’t Make Cents is to look at different ways to do money. There are so many different strategies you can use to manage your finances. So we asked some friends what they do with their money—and you might be surprised at how it’s a little Read More