This week's Money Buddy
Cody Garrett, CFP®, is a financial planner and educator passionate about transforming the perception of financial planning by promoting core values of generosity and transparency. As the founder of Measure Twice Planners, he leads an educational community where new and experienced financial advisors enhance their expertise and confidence through practical application and collaborative learning. Cody is also the creator of Measure Twice Money, an educational platform dedicated to demystifying financial planning and showing the public what it looks and feels like in real life.
How can we avoid an echo chamber with money?
One of the best ways to break out of a financial echo chamber is to intentionally seek out perspectives that don’t mirror your own. It’s easy to get stuck in a loop where you’re only engaging with voices that affirm your current money mindset—whether that’s frugality, investing, or financial independence. But growth happens in the friction. In the episode, Cody and I talked about the value of surrounding yourself with people who have different lived experiences, whether that’s culturally, socioeconomically, or generationally. When you do that, you’re not just hearing alternative opinions—you’re expanding your capacity for empathy and understanding in financial conversations.
It’s also about staying curious rather than judgmental. Instead of hearing a financial decision and thinking “That’s wrong,” try asking, “I wonder why they did it that way?” That mindset opens the door to deeper conversations and mutual learning. Money is so deeply personal, and if we only engage with people who validate our current beliefs, we miss out on the richness of what we could learn from others.
How can you dip your toes into talking about money?
If money talk feels intimidating, start small. You don’t have to open with your net worth or how much you’re paying in rent—those deeper conversations come with trust and time. Try starting with your own questions instead. In the episode, Cody mentioned that curiosity is an amazing entry point. Something as simple as “How did you learn about credit cards?” or “What’s something you wish you knew earlier about saving?” can turn a potentially awkward topic into a natural, flowing conversation.
I’ve found that framing money conversations around shared goals or challenges can also make them feel more collaborative. Whether you’re chatting with a friend, sibling, or coworker, money can go from being a taboo topic to something you can learn about together. You don’t have to be an expert to talk about money—you just have to be willing to engage. That alone is powerful.
Who can you teach about money to help you learn it twice?
This is one of my favorite takeaways from the episode: if you want to really lock in your financial knowledge, teach it to someone else. Cody calls this “learning it twice.” Whether it’s a friend who’s just getting started budgeting, a younger sibling navigating student loans, or even your parents as they approach retirement, it’s wild how much you absorb when you try to explain a concept in your own words.
You don’t have to be a financial planner to be helpful, either. Just share what you know, where you’re at. Teaching forces you to slow down, question your own assumptions, and communicate clearly—skills that benefit you just as much as the person you’re helping. And bonus: it builds stronger relationships through trust and vulnerability. It’s a win-win.
Enjoy your week and get out there and have a money talk!
