This Week's Money Talking Points
We had such an awesome conversation with Jesse Hurst on the podcast this week, all about spending money in a healthy, intentional way. Spending doesn’t always have to feel like the enemy of building wealth. In fact, when you have a plan, it can actually be freeing!
1. Is all spending bad?
It might feel like every financial guru out there is shouting “Stop spending!” but here’s the truth: not all spending is bad. Spending is how we put our money to work for the life we actually want to live. In the episode, Jesse shared that financial planning isn’t about restriction; it’s about freedom. Once you know how much you need to save for retirement, debt payoff, or maybe even your kids’ college fund, the rest is yours to enjoy guilt-free. That perspective is a game-changer because it turns spending into something intentional rather than something to feel guilty about.
The key here is defining your “guardrails.” When you know your future goals are covered, you can decide with confidence how to use what’s left. Maybe that means taking a trip, upgrading your home, or even just going out for that nice dinner without second-guessing yourself. I love this idea because it gives permission to enjoy life today while still protecting tomorrow. Hit reply and tell me what’s an area of spending that you currently feel guilty about, but maybe don’t need to?
2. How can we develop a healthy relationship with spending?
Developing a healthy relationship with spending starts with knowing your numbers. Jesse walked us through how creating a financial roadmap gives you the confidence to spend intentionally. When you see that your retirement savings, emergency fund, and other goals are on track, it takes away the fear of enjoying your money. Without that clarity, it’s easy to either overspend out of impulse or underspend out of guilt, neither of which feels good.
For me, this looks like my wife and I sitting down each year for our “annual planning meeting.” We map out what we’re saving, what experiences we want to prioritize, and where we can spend freely. That intentional process has made spending a lot more fun instead of stressful. If you want to start building this habit, try tracking your spending for one month and then ask yourself, “Does this align with what I value most?” Over time, that awareness builds confidence.
3. How can we find the balance in spending to enjoy life vs saving for the future?
Finding that balance is one of the trickiest parts of money management, and honestly, I’m still figuring it out myself. The secret we talked about on the show is having a clear framework. If you know exactly how much you need to save each month to hit your long-term goals, then any leftover money is fair game for fun, generosity, or shared experiences. That’s the sweet spot where saving and enjoying life can coexist without guilt.
Jesse reminded us that financial planning is about freedom, not punishment. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. So go ahead and build that roadmap, identify your guardrails, and then let yourself actually live. What’s one experience you’d love to spend on if you knew your savings were on track? Hit reply and let me know!
Screenshot which talking point stands out to you the most and share it with a friend. Then, of course, go and have a money talk! And if you’re ready to take a 1% step today, try defining your spending guardrails. You’ll be surprised at how freeing it feels.
This week's Money Buddy
Jesse Hurst, CFP®, AIF®, is the Senior Wealth Manager and CEO of Impel Wealth Management. With over 30 years of experience, he helps individuals and families navigate retirement, investment, and estate planning with clarity and confidence. Based in Stow, Ohio, with his wife and children, Jesse is a music-loving, world-traveling financial educator known for making complex topics approachable. He also just wrote a book called Popenomics!
Enjoy your week and get out there and have a money talk!
