I've been quietly working on something behind the scenes that I'm finally ready to share with Budget Dog Academy students, exclusive access to private real estate deals that were previously only available to wealthy, accredited investors. This isn't just another investment opportunity; it's a game-changer that removes the traditional barriers that keep everyday people locked out of these high-return deals.

In this episode, I break down exactly what this new real estate business is, why I built it, and how it benefits Academy students. I'll explain what "accredited investor" status means, the typical barriers to entry (like $1 million net worth requirements and $50-100k minimums), and how I've negotiated with top syndicators across the country to bypass these old rules while actually getting students better terms than going direct.

This business venture was a natural evolution built on years of relationships, vetting, and leverage I've developed in the industry. I'm not just giving students access; I'm giving them vetted deal flow with shared incentives where everyone wins when the deals perform well.

Leverage Your Network: Years of relationship building and reputation can be turned into business opportunities that serve your community.

If you're ready to move beyond just budgeting into wealth acceleration, this episode shows you what's possible when you're in the right community with the right access. Academy students aren't just learning about money—they're getting exclusive opportunities to build real wealth.

Episode Description

Investing $72,000 in yourself might sound crazy, but it was one of the best business decisions I've ever made. In this episode, I break down why I joined an exclusive mastermind of 225 highly successful entrepreneurs and how it's already paying dividends in ways I never imagined.

This wasn't an impulsive purchase or ego play. This was about proximity, getting access to the right people in the right rooms who could collapse my timeline to success. Within just five days of joining, I've already received deal flow worth more than my investment, access to 32 SOPs from $100 million businesses, and mentorship that's shifting how I think about wealth building entirely.

Most people focus on cost instead of value. They ask "How much does it cost?" before understanding what they're getting. Wealthy people think differently, they calculate ROI first. When you shift from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset focused on value and proximity, everything changes.

Episode Timeline & Highlights

[0:00] – The $72,000 investment that changed everything
[0:48] – What proximity really means and why access beats content
[1:27] – Cost vs. value: The guacamole analogy that explains wealth mindset
[2:30] – How to collapse your timeline by 5-10 years
[3:33] – Why most people ask the wrong questions about investments
[5:15] – The CPA firm deal that already covered my investment
[7:28] – Scarcity vs. abundance: The two roadblocks to wealth
[9:41] – Why failure is part of the game (the Call of Duty analogy)
[10:49] – From $0 to $1 million the hard way vs. $1 million to $5 million with access
[15:04] – My mentor's reaction to my "$10 million goal" (and why I needed that challenge)
[18:04] – Being "too tolerant" as a leader—and how it was holding me back
[20:23] – Why you need to be the dumbest person in the room
[22:05] – The cost of waiting: How hesitation hurts your family

Key Takeayways

Access Trumps Content: You're not buying information; you're buying proximity to people who've already achieved what you want.

ROI Over Cost: Wealthy people ask "What's the return?" before "What's the price?" This mindset shift changes everything.

Proximity Collapses Time: The right rooms can speed up your journey by years or even decades.

Challenge Breeds Growth: You need people who will push your limits and challenge your comfort zone.

Quotables

"What I bought wasn't content. What I bought was access."

"You're either going to pay with time or money, just realize that."

"I've been the smartest person in the room for way too long, and it's time to level up."

"The shortcut isn't buying another PDF or course. It's getting proximity to people playing the game at the level you want to rise to."

Links & Resources

Learn more about Budgetdog Academy: https://budgetdog.com

My book, The Roadmap to Financial Freedom: https://budgetdogacademy.com/order-now

Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/budgetdog

Ready to join BudgetDog Academy? Book a call with my team in the show notes below.

If this episode shifted your mindset about investing in yourself, share it with someone who needs to hear this message. And don't forget to rate, follow, and review, it helps more people break free from scarcity thinking and start building real wealth.

Hustle culture nearly destroyed my health, my marriage, and my ability to be present for my daughters. In this deeply personal episode, I share why I stopped glorifying the grind and learned that working smarter not harder is the real path to sustainable success.

From leaving Deloitte to build BudgetDog while caring for my daughter with Dravet syndrome, to discovering toxic mold that threatened our entire family's health, this is the raw truth about what endless hustle really costs. I'll walk you through the moments that forced me to choose between proving my worth through output and actually being present for what matters.

Episode Timeline & Highlights

[0:00] - Why hustle culture almost broke me

[1:04] - The Big Four grind: Last man standing from my starting class

[2:31] - Building a business from scratch isn't what Instagram tells you

[3:44] - The moment everything changed: Logan's first seizure at 5 months

[6:46] - October 2022: Turning the car around in a Michigan snowstorm

[11:17] - The diagnosis that explained everything: Mold mycotoxins

[14:19] - $300,000 gone in two months—and why we had to leave everything behind

[20:04] - Dallas ice storm: Heart rate of 203 and another house rejection

[23:13] - The health markers that scared us straight

[29:10] - Making $1 million sitting by the pool vs. hundreds of thousands in a cubicle

[32:34] - My new operating model: High-intensity spurts, not endless hustle

[34:56] - Setting boundaries that actually stick

Key Takeaways

1. Seasons of sacrifice are necessary staying there forever is dangerous - There's a time to grind, but knowing when to stop is what separates success from self-destruction

2. Your biggest breakthroughs come from rest, not burnout - The most strategic moves happen when you step back and think, not when you're drowning in details

3. Health markers don't lie - When your cortisol is shot and your testosterone drops, your body is telling you something the hustle bros won't

Quotables

"I made $1 million sitting at a pool. I made a couple hundred thousand sitting in a cubicle at Deloitte."

"You can run on the treadmill to get in shape, but if you run on it forever, you're going to fall off and hurt yourself."

"Sustainable success comes from clarity, not chaos."

"Our disadvantage led to our advantage if my daughter didn't have that seizure, we would've stayed in that toxic house much longer."

Links & Resources

Learn more about BudgetDog Academy: https://budgetdog.com

Connect with me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/budgetdog

My book, The Roadmap to Financial Freedom: https://budgetdog.com/book

If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear that rest isn't giving up it's gearing up for what's next. And remember to rate, follow, and review the podcast to help others find their way off the hustle hamster wheel.

Investing can feel overwhelming with all the strategies, opinions, and noise out there. That's why in this episode, I break down eight simple, time-tested rules of thumb that will help you cut through the confusion and make smarter decisions with your money. These aren't rigid formulas—they're practical guidelines to keep you on track whether you're just getting started or fine-tuning your portfolio.

From understanding how long it takes your money to double, to calculating your "freedom number," to knowing whether to prioritize retirement or college savings, these rules will help you create clarity and confidence in your financial journey.

Episode Timeline & Highlights

[0:00] – Introduction
[0:54] – Rule #1: The Rule of 72—how long it takes for your money to double
[2:00] – Rule #2: Why you'll only need about 70% of your income in retirement
[2:46] – Rule #3: How to calculate your "freedom number" with the 4% rule
[3:11] – Rule #4: Safe withdrawal rates in retirement (why I lean conservative)
[3:52] – Rule #5: Net worth benchmarks by age and income
[4:33] – Rule #6: Asset allocation by age—and why risk tolerance matters more
[5:52] – Rule #7: Always take the 401(k) match—it's free money
[6:32] – Rule #8: Child's education vs. retirement (and why retirement comes first)

Key Takeaways

1. Money Compounds Faster Than You Think – Use the Rule of 72 to visualize long-term growth.

2. Retirement Needs Less Than You Earn Now – Strategic withdrawals and fewer expenses change the math.

3. Put Yourself First – You can borrow for college, but you can't borrow for retirement.

Quotables

"You can get scholarships for school—but you can't get scholarships for retirement."
"Aim to have your investments double every ten years at a bare minimum."
"Please don't listen to anyone who says you can pull 12% from your portfolio. That's a disaster waiting to happen."

Links & Resources

• Learn more about BudgetDog Academy: https://budgetdog.com

• My book, The Roadmap to Financial Freedom: https://budgetdog.com/book

• Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/budgetdog

If this episode helped simplify investing for you, share it with a friend who needs these rules of thumb. And don't forget to rate, follow, and review the podcast—it helps more people build wealth with confidence and clarity.

In this episode of Money on My Mind, I dive into 17 powerful budgeting rules of thumb that will give you a clear roadmap for managing your money—whether you're just getting started or looking to refine your financial game.

From how much of your income should go toward a mortgage or rent, to the 50/30/20 rule, emergency funds, cars, student loans, and even how to handle windfalls, these are the guidelines that will keep you on track without overcomplicating things. I also share how these rules evolve as you build real wealth and why financial freedom often changes the "game" you're playing.

This is practical, actionable advice that you can apply today to build discipline, avoid common money traps, and set yourself up for long-term success.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

00:53 Rule #1: Mortgage payment ≤ 25% of take-home pay (exceptions up to 30%)

03:01 Rule #2: Home price = 3–5x annual gross income

03:37 Rule #3: Refinance if rates drop ≥ 1%

04:20 Rule #4: Save 1% of home value annually for maintenance

05:10 Rule #5: Rent ≤ 25% of take-home pay

05:44 Rule #6: Pay off debt vs. invest: when each makes sense

06:55 Rule #7: Total debt ≤ 36% of gross income (DTI ratio)

07:22 Rule #8: Student loans ≤ starting salary

08:00 Rule #9: Cars: cash preferred, or follow the 20/4/10 rule

09:17 Rule #10: Lifetime cost of a car = 3x sticker price

11:11 Rule #11: Replace car when repairs > car's value

11:46 Rule #12: Emergency fund = 3–6 months of expenses

12:52 Rule #13: The 50/30/20 rule: needs, wants, and savings/investments

13:35 Rule #14: The 30-day rule for big purchases

14:14 Rule #15: Food budget = 10–15% of gross income

15:10 Rule #16: Windfalls: spend 1–5% on fun, invest the rest toward goals

16:37 Rule #17: Estimate annual income: hourly wage × 2, add 3 zeros

17:32 Why these rules matter more in the beginning stages of wealth building

18:00 How financial freedom changes the rules beyond budgeting basics

21:53 Final thoughts: mastering each stage of wealth and knowing when to level up

Quotables

"If you can stay within these rules of thumb, you're going to do really, really well—even if you're not perfect."

"A mortgage should be a blessing, not a curse."

"Discipline is what separates those who win with money from those who struggle."

Links

The Roadmap to Financial Freedom

https://budgetdogacademy.com/order-now

Budgetdog

https://budgetdog.com

In this episode, I share the story behind why I built BudgetDog and the mission that drives me every single day. From starting out $304,000 in debt as a 22-year-old CPA, to becoming a millionaire in seven years, I explain how personal finance systems transformed my life—and why I knew I had to share them with others.

This isn't about quick fixes or get-rich-quick schemes. It's about creating simple, automated systems that work for real families in the real world. I also talk about the deeper "why" behind my work—from my daughter Logan's fight with Dravet Syndrome, to our family's $1 million donation goal, to the long-term community we're building through BudgetDog Academy.

Episode Timeline & Highlights

[0:00] – Introduction

[1:33] – My own financial struggles after college and the wake-up call that changed everything

[2:29] – How I paid off $304K in debt and built a millionaire net worth in just seven years

[3:06] – From sharing online casually to building a national bestseller and full-time business

[5:05] – Why our six-month roadmap works for families at every stage

[7:04] – The power of simplifying and automating your money systems

[9:24] – Why money matters when it comes to making an impact—especially in the fight against Dravet Syndrome

[13:29] – Reframing budgeting: not restriction, but aligning your money with your values

[16:15] – The hidden burden of decision fatigue—and how automation solves it

[18:16] – Why I pour into students even when it's not the most "commercially profitable" choice

[23:32] – Why I don't view other financial platforms as competition

[25:25] – Fatherhood, motivation, and building for the next generation

Key Takeaways

1. Systems Beat Discipline – Financial freedom comes from automation and simplification, not white-knuckled discipline.

2. Money Creates Impact – Wealth isn't just about you; it's fuel for making a bigger difference in the world.

3. Play the Long Game – Success—both financial and entrepreneurial—is a marathon, not a sprint.

Quotables

Links & Resources

• My book, The Roadmap to Financial Freedom: https://budgetdog.com/book

• Learn more about BudgetDog Academy: https://budgetdog.com

• Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/budgetdog

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who needs encouragement on their financial journey. And don't forget to rate, follow, and review the podcast—your support helps more families discover the path to freedom and impact.

In this episode of Money on My Mind, I break down why mastering money isn't about complicated formulas or secret investment hacks—it's about your relationship with money.

At its core, money is simple: spend less than you make, invest the difference, and let time compound your returns. But fear, guilt, shame, and identity conflicts often sabotage even the smartest strategies. I share how subconscious beliefs, childhood programming, and emotional barriers can keep you stuck in a cycle of avoidance and scarcity, and I give you practical steps to reset your money mindset for long-term success.

This conversation will challenge your beliefs, push you to confront your fears, and give you a framework for aligning your identity with abundance.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

00:37 How your emotions about money make it complicated

01:38 The 3-step playbook: spend less than you make, invest the difference, let time work

02:27 The role of fear, guilt, and mindset blocks in your relationship with money

05:12 The unknown factor: why people fear investing like they fear the "unknown villain" in a movie

07:02 Scarcity and procrastination: why people hoard money instead of investing

08:10 Subconscious programming and avoidance behaviors

10:40 Guilt and shame: linking mistakes with self-worth keeps people stuck

11:42 Why avoiding your budget or bank account makes the problem worse

13:03 Identity conflict: "I grew up poor, I'm not supposed to be rich"

16:06 How labels hold you back from achieving your financial goals

18:02 Victimhood vs. ownership: why externalizing blame disempowers you

21:40 Breaking from the matrix mindset and thinking independently about money

24:53 Personal story: saving every paycheck at McDonald's, losing $1M in potential investments

28:35 Why environment and belief systems dictate results (Budget Dog Academy framework)

33:02 The two keys to success: focus and not giving up

36:00 Conviction, belief, and aligning your identity with your desired outcome

Quotables

"If you save money and don't invest it, you are guaranteed to lose money through inflation."

"You are your own problem, therefore you are your own solution."

"Your confusion, fear, and avoidance—not money itself—are the real enemy."

Links

The Roadmap to Financial Freedom

https://budgetdogacademy.com/order-now

Budgetdog

https://budgetdog.com/

Brennan Schlagbaum

https://www.instagram.com/budgetdog