WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.120 Welcome back to the Deep Dive. Today we are tackling 00:00:02.120 --> 00:00:06.839 a really critical subject, not just how to survive, 00:00:07.139 --> 00:00:10.279 but how to truly thrive and find financial confidence 00:00:10.279 --> 00:00:12.560 when you're relying on a single household income. 00:00:13.179 --> 00:00:15.660 We know this topic often comes, you know, wrapped 00:00:15.660 --> 00:00:17.899 in a lot of stress, a feeling of limitation. 00:00:18.140 --> 00:00:20.640 For sure. So we took a whole stack of research 00:00:20.640 --> 00:00:23.000 articles, expert analyses, practical guides, 00:00:23.199 --> 00:00:26.219 and we've tried to distill a clear, actionable 00:00:26.219 --> 00:00:28.679 playbook for you. Our mission here is to transform 00:00:28.679 --> 00:00:31.899 that feeling of overwhelm into, well, into intentional 00:00:31.899 --> 00:00:34.539 living and real financial control. And what's 00:00:34.539 --> 00:00:37.200 so fascinating about all the material isn't the 00:00:37.200 --> 00:00:39.979 math really, but the mindset. The core idea across 00:00:39.979 --> 00:00:42.700 all these sources is that living on one income 00:00:42.700 --> 00:00:45.200 isn't about deprivation. Right. It's not about 00:00:45.200 --> 00:00:47.179 sacrifice. Exactly. It's fundamentally about 00:00:47.179 --> 00:00:50.119 strategy, about intentionality, and the teamwork. 00:00:50.259 --> 00:00:52.159 I mean, when you manage your resources proactively, 00:00:52.380 --> 00:00:55.039 the clarity and the focus you get, that actually 00:00:55.039 --> 00:00:57.259 becomes your greatest advantage. I love that 00:00:57.259 --> 00:00:59.219 framing, an advantage. It just shifts the power 00:00:59.219 --> 00:01:01.280 dynamic instantly, doesn't it? It really does. 00:01:01.520 --> 00:01:04.159 But before we get to the tactics, the research 00:01:04.159 --> 00:01:08.439 is absolutely ruthless about the starting point. 00:01:08.579 --> 00:01:11.859 It has to be. We need an honest, sometimes painful 00:01:11.859 --> 00:01:15.000 look at reality. We're calling this phase one, 00:01:15.180 --> 00:01:18.659 assessment. So what are the foundational steps 00:01:18.659 --> 00:01:21.340 recommended before anyone even tries to build 00:01:21.340 --> 00:01:24.040 a budget? Okay, so the initial step is, it's 00:01:24.040 --> 00:01:27.079 just... non -negotiable data gathering. You need 00:01:27.079 --> 00:01:29.859 a meticulous, say, three -month tracking period. 00:01:29.920 --> 00:01:31.840 Just two months. Yep. We're talking about charting 00:01:31.840 --> 00:01:34.260 every single dollar of income, salary, bonuses, 00:01:34.519 --> 00:01:37.459 any small side gigs, and mapping every expense. 00:01:37.959 --> 00:01:41.439 But the key isn't just listing them. It's categorizing 00:01:41.439 --> 00:01:44.799 them strictly. Fixed. Variable and discretionary. 00:01:44.859 --> 00:01:46.659 You have to know what's necessary and what's 00:01:46.659 --> 00:01:48.659 a choice. Tracking every dollar for three months. 00:01:48.760 --> 00:01:50.819 That sounds like homework nobody wants to do. 00:01:50.939 --> 00:01:53.599 Why is that level of detail so necessary? Can't 00:01:53.599 --> 00:01:55.879 we just, you know, estimate? Estimation is the 00:01:55.879 --> 00:01:58.019 enemy here. It really is. Meticulous tracking 00:01:58.019 --> 00:02:00.000 leads you directly to what all the sources call 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:02.359 financial leakage. Financial leakage. Okay. It 00:02:02.359 --> 00:02:04.079 refers to those small insidious expenditures 00:02:04.079 --> 00:02:06.920 that just silently drain your resources. These 00:02:06.920 --> 00:02:08.699 aren't your big mortgage payments. They're the 00:02:08.699 --> 00:02:12.490 habitual, often regretted micro -purchases. Think 00:02:12.490 --> 00:02:15.009 of the three streaming services you never watch 00:02:15.009 --> 00:02:18.310 or that auto renewal for software you used once. 00:02:18.490 --> 00:02:22.210 Or the daily $5 copy that suddenly is $150 a 00:02:22.210 --> 00:02:26.409 month. That's the one. The power comes from analyzing 00:02:26.409 --> 00:02:29.210 your last 90 days of bank statements, not for 00:02:29.210 --> 00:02:32.819 big fraud. But for those small emotional spending 00:02:32.819 --> 00:02:35.020 decisions you wish you could take back. That 00:02:35.020 --> 00:02:36.740 is empowering, though, because it shows you where 00:02:36.740 --> 00:02:39.000 the fat is, right? Where money is just disappearing 00:02:39.000 --> 00:02:41.599 without adding any value to your life. Exactly. 00:02:41.599 --> 00:02:44.180 So once we stop the bleeding, we need motivation. 00:02:44.360 --> 00:02:46.860 That brings us to setting clear financial goals. 00:02:47.000 --> 00:02:49.080 You have to know where you're going. And crucially, 00:02:49.180 --> 00:02:52.020 these have to be shared goals if you're in a 00:02:52.020 --> 00:02:54.840 partnership. Oh, that's key. Shared goals create 00:02:54.840 --> 00:02:58.069 unity. They give you the motivation to make those 00:02:58.069 --> 00:03:00.770 hard choices a little bit easier. You define 00:03:00.770 --> 00:03:03.270 your short -term goals like, say, funding that 00:03:03.270 --> 00:03:05.810 emergency reserve, and your long -term ones like 00:03:05.810 --> 00:03:08.129 retirement or a college fund. And after all that, 00:03:08.189 --> 00:03:10.349 you have what you call the baseline. You have 00:03:10.349 --> 00:03:12.169 your baseline. It's your financial fingerprint, 00:03:12.389 --> 00:03:15.750 a snapshot of your reality that you use to measure 00:03:15.750 --> 00:03:18.389 progress. Yeah. And the sources stress using 00:03:18.389 --> 00:03:21.330 this not just for measurement, but as a tool 00:03:21.330 --> 00:03:24.520 to celebrate small wins. Like what? Like, did 00:03:24.520 --> 00:03:26.439 you stick to the grocery budget for the month? 00:03:26.740 --> 00:03:29.319 That's a win. Did you pay off that nagging credit 00:03:29.319 --> 00:03:32.680 card? Huge win. Celebrating these reinforces 00:03:32.680 --> 00:03:35.680 those positive habits. Fantastic. So phase one, 00:03:35.819 --> 00:03:38.319 diagnosis complete. We know where the money is 00:03:38.319 --> 00:03:40.599 going. We have shared goals. Now we move into 00:03:40.599 --> 00:03:44.159 phase two, the tactical plan. For most listeners, 00:03:44.340 --> 00:03:46.860 budgeting feels like a financial straitjacket. 00:03:46.860 --> 00:03:49.740 How do the sources redefine the purpose of a 00:03:49.740 --> 00:03:51.870 budget? They're very clear on this. A budget 00:03:51.870 --> 00:03:55.150 is a roadmap, not a restriction. Its main purpose 00:03:55.150 --> 00:03:57.289 is actually to reduce financial stress. To reduce 00:03:57.289 --> 00:03:59.530 stress. Interesting. It ensures your essentials 00:03:59.530 --> 00:04:01.610 are covered. It allocates funds automatically 00:04:01.610 --> 00:04:04.370 toward your savings and goals. And it prevents 00:04:04.370 --> 00:04:07.289 that constant anxiety of living paycheck to paycheck. 00:04:07.590 --> 00:04:09.530 It's about empowering you to tell your money 00:04:09.530 --> 00:04:11.689 where to go instead of wondering where it went. 00:04:11.889 --> 00:04:14.550 Exactly. And the most effective strategy, highlighted 00:04:14.550 --> 00:04:17.089 again and again, is zero -based budgeting, or 00:04:17.089 --> 00:04:19.959 ZBB. It sounds intimidating, but it's really 00:04:19.959 --> 00:04:22.060 just about accountability, isn't it? It is absolute 00:04:22.060 --> 00:04:23.939 accountability. Zero -based budgeting basically 00:04:23.939 --> 00:04:27.360 means that every single dollar of your income 00:04:27.360 --> 00:04:30.980 gets a specific job. A purpose. A purpose, be 00:04:30.980 --> 00:04:33.660 it for expenses, savings, or debt repayment, 00:04:33.680 --> 00:04:36.800 so that your total income minus your total allocations 00:04:36.800 --> 00:04:40.100 equals precisely zero. No leftover money just 00:04:40.100 --> 00:04:42.439 floating around. So what's the process? How do 00:04:42.439 --> 00:04:44.720 you actually do it? It's rigorous. You list all 00:04:44.720 --> 00:04:47.649 your monthly income. Then you list all necessary 00:04:47.649 --> 00:04:50.370 expenses and savings goals in strict order of 00:04:50.370 --> 00:04:53.790 priority. Assign the amounts. Then, and only 00:04:53.790 --> 00:04:56.449 then, do you adjust discretionary spending until 00:04:56.449 --> 00:04:58.430 that budget balances to zero. But here's the 00:04:58.430 --> 00:05:00.449 challenge, right? Especially on a tight single 00:05:00.449 --> 00:05:03.269 income. How do you forecast those variable expenses 00:05:03.269 --> 00:05:05.670 like a car repair or a medical bill when you 00:05:05.670 --> 00:05:08.009 need every dollar accounted for right now? That 00:05:08.009 --> 00:05:11.290 is the technical heart of ZBB. Its success relies 00:05:11.290 --> 00:05:14.399 on two key things. sinking funds, and buffer 00:05:14.399 --> 00:05:16.680 categories. Okay, break those down. Sinking funds 00:05:16.680 --> 00:05:19.060 are just savings goals for big, predictable, 00:05:19.220 --> 00:05:22.180 but irregular expenses. Think property taxes, 00:05:22.379 --> 00:05:24.879 annual insurance, or holiday spending. You divide 00:05:24.879 --> 00:05:27.480 the total cost by 12, and you save that amount 00:05:27.480 --> 00:05:30.160 every month. So the cost just sinks into the 00:05:30.160 --> 00:05:32.560 budget. I see. So it doesn't feel like a surprise 00:05:32.560 --> 00:05:36.139 hit. Never. And the buffer category is also crucial. 00:05:36.360 --> 00:05:39.259 Yeah. This is a small intentional pool of money 00:05:39.259 --> 00:05:41.579 for the current month to absorb minor unexpected 00:05:41.579 --> 00:05:44.139 shocks, a slightly higher gas bill or whatever. 00:05:44.600 --> 00:05:46.240 It gives you flexibility without breaking the 00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:48.860 whole system. That makes ZBB sound much more, 00:05:48.939 --> 00:05:52.639 well, human. It has to be. Okay, let's talk expense 00:05:52.639 --> 00:05:55.220 reduction. We all know the basics, cook at home, 00:05:55.339 --> 00:05:57.819 use coupons. But what are the deep dive strategies 00:05:57.819 --> 00:06:00.139 for reducing costs without feeling like you've 00:06:00.139 --> 00:06:02.019 sacrificed your quality of life? Right, it's 00:06:02.019 --> 00:06:04.420 about choosing wisely, not just cutting back. 00:06:04.560 --> 00:06:06.899 Exactly. So let's focus on the high impact areas. 00:06:08.019 --> 00:06:11.040 Groceries. Go beyond meal planning. The real 00:06:11.040 --> 00:06:13.639 power is in tracking unit cost. Cost per ounce, 00:06:13.740 --> 00:06:16.180 that sort of thing. Exactly. Stop looking at 00:06:16.180 --> 00:06:18.019 the total price and start calculating the cost 00:06:18.019 --> 00:06:21.120 per item to find the true value. The research 00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:23.480 also suggests a 90 -10 rule buying store brands 00:06:23.480 --> 00:06:26.639 90 % of the time gives you huge savings with 00:06:26.639 --> 00:06:28.600 almost no difference in quality. And what about 00:06:28.600 --> 00:06:30.439 housing and utilities? Those are usually the 00:06:30.439 --> 00:06:32.800 biggest fixed costs. That's where negotiation 00:06:32.800 --> 00:06:36.060 and efficiency are paramount. You review every 00:06:36.060 --> 00:06:39.180 service contract internet phone. You call your 00:06:39.180 --> 00:06:41.160 provider and ask specifically for the retention 00:06:41.160 --> 00:06:45.100 department. Ah, the magic words. They are. Negotiating 00:06:45.100 --> 00:06:47.939 those bills can save hundreds a year. For utilities, 00:06:48.120 --> 00:06:50.579 it's about strategic investments, like smart 00:06:50.579 --> 00:06:54.060 thermostats or sealing air leaks. And yes, in 00:06:54.060 --> 00:06:56.759 extreme cases, the sources do say that re -evaluating 00:06:56.759 --> 00:06:59.899 housing downsizing, maybe moving, could be the 00:06:59.899 --> 00:07:01.540 highest impact decision you could make. That's 00:07:01.540 --> 00:07:03.889 a big one. It is. And before we move on, we have 00:07:03.889 --> 00:07:06.250 to talk about the emergency fund. Right. Why 00:07:06.250 --> 00:07:09.089 three to six months of essential expenses? Why 00:07:09.089 --> 00:07:11.589 isn't less OK, especially when the budget is 00:07:11.589 --> 00:07:15.449 so tight? Because saving that much can feel paralyzing. 00:07:15.529 --> 00:07:18.170 I get it. But it's the difference between temporary 00:07:18.170 --> 00:07:21.910 discomfort and total derailment. Three months 00:07:21.910 --> 00:07:24.149 is the minimum buffer for a minor job change 00:07:24.149 --> 00:07:26.790 or medical issue. Six months gives you the runway 00:07:26.790 --> 00:07:29.810 for a serious illness or a long job search. And 00:07:29.810 --> 00:07:32.290 for a single income household, the risk is higher. 00:07:32.790 --> 00:07:35.310 Catastrophically higher. This fund is your primary 00:07:35.310 --> 00:07:37.750 tool for maintaining your mental health and avoiding 00:07:37.750 --> 00:07:40.029 high interest debt when a crisis hits. Peace 00:07:40.029 --> 00:07:43.850 of mind is priceless. Okay, phase three, the 00:07:43.850 --> 00:07:46.230 growth engine. We've locked down the budget. 00:07:46.389 --> 00:07:49.449 Now, how do we increase income creatively without 00:07:49.449 --> 00:07:51.709 pushing the single earner into total burnout? 00:07:51.970 --> 00:07:54.129 The goal here is leveraging what the sources 00:07:54.129 --> 00:07:57.290 call your existing human capital. Monetizing 00:07:57.290 --> 00:08:00.230 skills you already have. So freelancing. Freelancing 00:08:00.230 --> 00:08:02.550 in design, writing, coding, consulting in your 00:08:02.550 --> 00:08:04.949 professional field. These opportunities command 00:08:04.949 --> 00:08:07.410 a higher rate and require fewer hours than, say, 00:08:07.490 --> 00:08:10.389 an entry -level side job. You want flexible, 00:08:10.490 --> 00:08:12.449 results -based work that respects the family 00:08:12.449 --> 00:08:14.550 schedule. And then there's the gig economy. Right. 00:08:14.629 --> 00:08:17.759 But look beyond just basic ride -sharing. Think 00:08:17.759 --> 00:08:19.860 about niche services like specialized tutoring 00:08:19.860 --> 00:08:22.740 or managing social media for small local businesses, 00:08:22.980 --> 00:08:26.120 things that provide income spikes with time flexibility. 00:08:26.420 --> 00:08:29.319 And of course, the holy grail, passive income, 00:08:29.480 --> 00:08:32.019 money that flows in with minimal effort after 00:08:32.019 --> 00:08:34.519 that initial setup. But how does a single income 00:08:34.519 --> 00:08:37.259 family with maybe not a lot of starting capital 00:08:37.259 --> 00:08:40.299 even begin that journey? The low barrier entry 00:08:40.299 --> 00:08:42.909 points are key. Forget buying rental properties 00:08:42.909 --> 00:08:46.009 right away. Focus on digital assets. Creating 00:08:46.009 --> 00:08:48.490 an inexpensive e -book, an online course based 00:08:48.490 --> 00:08:51.110 on a hobby, or printable resources you can sell 00:08:51.110 --> 00:08:53.789 multiple times with zero inventory cost. For 00:08:53.789 --> 00:08:56.509 investing, start small. Use dividend reinvestment 00:08:56.509 --> 00:08:59.250 plans and fractional shares. Consist in contributions 00:08:59.250 --> 00:09:02.110 even $50 a month into low -cost index funds. 00:09:02.330 --> 00:09:05.029 That harnesses compounding interest early. Time 00:09:05.029 --> 00:09:07.250 is your biggest asset. And what about maximizing 00:09:07.250 --> 00:09:10.190 resources you already have? Yes, the small but 00:09:10.190 --> 00:09:13.759 crucial stuff. Actively sell high -value unused 00:09:13.759 --> 00:09:17.120 items, furniture, old electronics. Don't just 00:09:17.120 --> 00:09:19.700 store them. Use cashback apps for everything, 00:09:19.860 --> 00:09:22.679 not just groceries. And most importantly, make 00:09:22.679 --> 00:09:25.440 sure you're maximizing employee benefits. Are 00:09:25.440 --> 00:09:27.139 you getting the full employer match for retirement? 00:09:27.320 --> 00:09:30.080 Are you using an HSA? Those are dollars just 00:09:30.080 --> 00:09:32.399 being left on the table. Exactly. Phase four 00:09:32.399 --> 00:09:35.440 is, I think, maybe the most crucial for long 00:09:35.440 --> 00:09:38.139 term success. The relationship in the mindset 00:09:38.139 --> 00:09:41.080 shifts. Let's be honest, relying on one income, 00:09:41.179 --> 00:09:43.360 asking a partner to stick to a strict budget 00:09:43.360 --> 00:09:46.139 that can create enormous stress. It can create 00:09:46.139 --> 00:09:48.000 resentment. Absolutely. So how do you turn this 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:50.019 potential stress point into a point of strength? 00:09:50.080 --> 00:09:52.460 You've hit it. Money is the number one cause 00:09:52.460 --> 00:09:54.700 of conflict. The research suggests the fix is 00:09:54.700 --> 00:09:58.580 absolute transparency and nonjudgmental communication. 00:09:59.000 --> 00:10:01.340 Easier said than done. It is. But you have to 00:10:01.340 --> 00:10:03.259 schedule financial check -ins, maybe weekly. 00:10:03.759 --> 00:10:06.080 And you have to treat them as problem -solving 00:10:06.080 --> 00:10:08.360 sessions against the budget, not arguments against 00:10:08.360 --> 00:10:10.639 each other. Blame has to be off the table. And 00:10:10.639 --> 00:10:13.159 teamwork, I assume, goes beyond just the budget 00:10:13.159 --> 00:10:15.799 meetings. Oh, absolutely. It's about defining 00:10:15.799 --> 00:10:18.500 roles based on what people are good at. Maybe 00:10:18.500 --> 00:10:20.399 one person handles the tracking and bill paying 00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:22.820 because they're organized, and the other focuses 00:10:22.820 --> 00:10:25.679 on investment research. And crucially, if one 00:10:25.679 --> 00:10:27.860 partner is spending time on a side hustle, the 00:10:27.860 --> 00:10:30.240 distribution of household labor must be adjusted 00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:33.799 to prevent resentment. Equity and chores is essential. 00:10:34.100 --> 00:10:36.740 Equity, not equality. That's a vital distinction. 00:10:37.159 --> 00:10:39.559 Now let's talk about the deep psychological shift 00:10:39.559 --> 00:10:43.399 required. From scarcity to what? Intentional 00:10:43.399 --> 00:10:45.500 living. Intentional living. The shift has to 00:10:45.500 --> 00:10:48.690 happen daily. Scarcity thinking focuses on what 00:10:48.690 --> 00:10:51.629 you lack. Intentional living means focusing every 00:10:51.629 --> 00:10:54.210 purchase on maximizing your family values. So 00:10:54.210 --> 00:10:56.549 if your value is travel. The budget says no to 00:10:56.549 --> 00:10:58.610 dining out, but a big yes to a travel sinking 00:10:58.610 --> 00:11:01.330 fund. You're intentionally saying no to random 00:11:01.330 --> 00:11:04.029 consumption and focusing instead on experiences, 00:11:04.330 --> 00:11:06.970 health, connection. It's choice. And there's 00:11:06.970 --> 00:11:08.809 a power in that choice, right? The resourcefulness 00:11:08.809 --> 00:11:12.220 of it all. A huge psychological benefit. Embracing 00:11:12.220 --> 00:11:15.799 DIY projects, inventive cooking, finding low 00:11:15.799 --> 00:11:18.340 -cost family entertainment, it fosters a sense 00:11:18.340 --> 00:11:20.820 of accomplishment. You're not too poor to buy 00:11:20.820 --> 00:11:24.080 something. You are choosing to be creative. That's 00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:26.740 a powerful shift away from envy. Okay, we've 00:11:26.740 --> 00:11:28.580 established the system, secured the foundation. 00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:32.580 Let's move to the final piece. Phase five, planning 00:11:32.580 --> 00:11:35.639 for long -term future security. This is where 00:11:35.639 --> 00:11:37.279 we make sure the family doesn't just survive, 00:11:37.320 --> 00:11:40.190 but flourishes. Right, because long -term success 00:11:40.190 --> 00:11:42.230 is built on the power of compounding interest. 00:11:42.509 --> 00:11:45.409 You have to start investing early, even if the 00:11:45.409 --> 00:11:47.809 amounts feel small. Consistency is so much more 00:11:47.809 --> 00:11:49.710 important than trying to time the market. So 00:11:49.710 --> 00:11:51.990 you maximize tax -advantaged accounts first. 00:11:52.190 --> 00:11:55.529 First and always. Your IRAs, your employer 401ks, 00:11:55.570 --> 00:11:58.769 529 plans for college. The goal is to let time 00:11:58.769 --> 00:12:00.769 and tax efficiency do all the heavy lifting for 00:12:00.769 --> 00:12:02.909 you. And the final piece of resilience planning 00:12:02.909 --> 00:12:05.289 for uncertainty. This is like the financial equivalent 00:12:05.289 --> 00:12:08.000 of wearing a seatbelt. It is. Proactive planning 00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:10.460 means regularly reviewing all of your insurance. 00:12:10.860 --> 00:12:13.559 Do you have adequate life insurance to replace 00:12:13.559 --> 00:12:16.320 that single income stream? Do you have disability 00:12:16.320 --> 00:12:19.039 insurance if the primary earner can't work? And 00:12:19.039 --> 00:12:21.879 legal documents. Are your wills, trusts, and 00:12:21.879 --> 00:12:24.580 legal documents up to date? This level of planning 00:12:24.580 --> 00:12:26.860 is all about eliminating the potential for financial 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:30.029 panic when life... You know, it inevitably throws 00:12:30.029 --> 00:12:32.509 you a curveball. That combination of aggressive 00:12:32.509 --> 00:12:35.690 present day budgeting and robust future protection. 00:12:35.950 --> 00:12:38.549 That is what defines true financial control. 00:12:38.750 --> 00:12:40.690 It's a powerful integrated system. Absolutely. 00:12:40.889 --> 00:12:43.210 So let's quickly recap the main pillars of this 00:12:43.210 --> 00:12:45.690 deep dive for you. First, assess your financial 00:12:45.690 --> 00:12:48.129 reality. Track everything. Find that leakage. 00:12:48.470 --> 00:12:51.350 Second, implement a zero based budget using sinking 00:12:51.350 --> 00:12:54.500 funds to make it work. Third, creatively increase 00:12:54.500 --> 00:12:57.779 your income. Leverage your skills. Fourth, strengthen 00:12:57.779 --> 00:13:00.179 your relationship foundation through nonjudgmental 00:13:00.179 --> 00:13:02.759 communication. And finally, plan for the future 00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:05.220 with consistent investing and resilience planning. 00:13:05.460 --> 00:13:07.539 And I think the ultimate key takeaway is this. 00:13:07.899 --> 00:13:10.340 Strategic management of a single income lifestyle 00:13:10.340 --> 00:13:13.700 provides a kind of clarity and an unparalleled 00:13:13.700 --> 00:13:16.600 financial control. You're exchanging the complexity 00:13:16.600 --> 00:13:21.710 of two careers for... For focus and intentionality, 00:13:21.769 --> 00:13:23.909 you're simplifying your life in a really meaningful 00:13:23.909 --> 00:13:26.600 way. The journey to thriving on one income really 00:13:26.600 --> 00:13:29.340 is a creative family project. It's designed to 00:13:29.340 --> 00:13:32.139 build profound resilience. So let me leave you 00:13:32.139 --> 00:13:33.919 with a provocative thought that builds on this 00:13:33.919 --> 00:13:36.559 idea. If you treated your financial plan less 00:13:36.559 --> 00:13:38.620 like a restriction and more like an opportunity 00:13:38.620 --> 00:13:40.960 to deepen your connection, what's the very first 00:13:40.960 --> 00:13:43.620 non -monetary success, an experience, an act 00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:45.399 of gratitude, or just a feeling of connection 00:13:45.399 --> 00:13:47.639 that you would intentionally celebrate this week? 00:13:47.799 --> 00:13:50.659 Think better. Live simpler. Feel freer. We'll 00:13:50.659 --> 00:13:51.980 see you next time on The Deep Dive.