Work Pants Finance artwork

Work Pants Finance

48 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 28 ratings

Work Pants Finance is the show for MBAs, entrepreneurs, and other professionals who want their financial plan to work as hard as they do.

Work Pants Finance's theme is learning through experience - the good, the bad, and the ugly!

Work Pants Finance sits at the center of life, business, career, and money and brings it all together with humanity, wit, and wisdom.

Careers Business Entrepreneurship lifeplanning personalfinance business careers entrepreneurship financialplanning investing
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Episodes

Management Consultant, Policy Wonk, and Christian Men’s Influencer: Interview with Aaron Renn, author of Life in the Negative World

February 02, 2024 22:17 - 44 minutes - 30.7 MB

Author of "Life in the Negative World", Aaron Renn, joins me to discuss his new book. Key take-aways are: Dig your well before you’re thirsty. As I reflect on Aaron’s career in business, influencing public policy, and now helping readers and listeners directly, It’s clear how each piece of the puzzle builds on what went before in his career. Aaron wouldn’t be doing what he’s doing today except for what he did in his past. To be heard, be prolific and consistent. One way Aaron gets notic...

Love Your Family and be the Classiest Corpse in the Graveyard – Interview with Abby O’Leary, founder of Fare Well Associates

June 15, 2023 08:00 - 35 minutes - 24.9 MB

Abby O’Leary is founder of Fare Well Associates, a consultancy that helps families deal with details during times of grief and loss. Key takeaways: 1. We’re all going to die, so die in style! Make an estate plan, then execute it and fund it. 2. You can make a business out of anything. Some businesses may be easier than others, but if there’s a way you want to help people, you can probably find a way to get paid! For more information, visit the show notes at https://Workpantsfinance.co...

Justice Bites and Redemption Restores – Interview with Attorney Josh Walthall of Boerema Blackton

June 08, 2023 08:00 - 35 minutes - 24.8 MB

Josh Walthall, a former prosecutor for New Hanover County and the North Carolina State Bar brings career and life advice – and great stories – for licensed professionals and everyone else trying to do the right thing in their job. Key take-aways are:     1.    Many situations that give rise to complaints or enforcement actions can be avoided by treating other people well. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.     2.    If you need professional help, get it. The best use of a ...

Marriage and Money with Elle Martinez of SimplifyandEnjoy.com

September 15, 2021 08:00 - 28 minutes - 19.5 MB

Marriage and Money are two parts of life where sparks fly. Elle and I reflect on dealing with the important topic of money in the thick of our most important relationship. For more information, visit the show notes at https://workpantsfinance.com/44

Miner Wealth Management

September 08, 2021 08:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MB

Today's show features a special announcement. Learn more about Matt's new business, Miner Wealth Management, at minerwealth.com

How I Help

September 01, 2021 08:00 - 11 minutes - 8 MB

Hear an overview of my financial planning process. If you’ve wondered what I do that helps clients, today’s show can help. For more information, visit the show notes at https://Workpantsfinance.com/42

Who I Help

August 25, 2021 08:00 - 13 minutes - 9.57 MB

Case studies are a WPF crowd-pleaser, and today has three of ‘em as I share the fictional situations of three type of clients and the questions they bring to my financial planning practice. You’ll learn about Zachary & Jasmine earning $290,000 combined, working for Honeywell and McKinsey and wanting to start their financial lives on the right foot. Next up are James and Heather earning $466,000 who are eager to be financially independent and work-optional sooner rather than later. Finall...

Six Fat Cow Years – Interview with Dr. Jim Newheiser of Reformed Theological Seminary and IBCD

August 18, 2021 08:00 - 39 minutes - 27.1 MB

Jim’s heart for godly stewardship of financial resources – specifically his commitment that everything we have is a gift from God and belongs to God – is front and center in our conversation. Most of our conversation takes this presupposition as its jumping off point. Key take-aways include: 1) You – and your children – can finish college at a young age. The university’s four-year program may or may not be the one that serves your student best. 2) Second, get creative and go big to find...

Built to Sell (to Adswerve) – Interview with Charlotte Whitmore, Co-Founder of Analytics Pros and La Pointe Foundation

August 11, 2021 08:00 - 48 minutes - 33.4 MB

Charlotte Whitmore shares her transition from “global expert to manager of her own estate” in her story of building and selling a consulting business. Wisdom is throughout the episode, including the fact that acquirers don’t care how nice (or junky) your office furniture is and, if you hate debt, it’s OK to skip it entirely! For more information, visit the show notes at https://Workpantsfinance.com/39

Too Much of a Good Thing - On the Road with Lacey Langford, the Military Money Expert

August 04, 2021 08:00 - 40 minutes - 28.1 MB

When it comes to post-high-school education, you can definitely have too much of a good thing. Today Lacey Langford and I discuss the traditional university route, college hacking, grad school, tech programs, entrepreneurship, and going to work in the trades. The key-takeaway in today’s episode boils down to asking and answering the question “why” as it relates to educational choices. Why this school? Why this degree program? Why grad school? Why grad school for this specific thing?...

Put in the Reps – Interview with John Lee Dumas of Entrepreneur on Fire

July 28, 2021 08:00 - 12 minutes - 8.91 MB

John Lee Dumas offers wisdom to put our efforts toward the things that matter – and let everything else fall away. For more information, visit the show notes at https://Workpantsfinance.com/37

Christmas in July? Money from the Feds hits YOUR Bank Account

July 21, 2021 08:00 - 6 minutes - 4.62 MB

Many listeners will find new money marked Federal Tax Refund in their checking accounts. If you are the kind of person who usually owes at least some federal taxes, this is your tax credit that would normally reduce what you owe next April 15th; at least at this point, this is not “extra” money like previous stimulus payments. What can you do? First, check the bank account where you normally pay your taxes or receive your tax refunds and see if you’re getting these payments. Most people a...

Get ‘er Done, Even if It Scares You – Interview with Jeopardy! Champion Robin Lozano

July 14, 2021 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.3 MB

Robin is an accomplished business leader, a great wife, mom, and friend, and now a Jeopardy! Champion too. She’s humble, relatable, and serves up massive value. Five Key Takeaways First, if a direction is clear in work, business, family, or game show competition, go for it, even if you’re scared. People regret the things they didn’t do more than things they tried and failed. Second, Robin tells the story of how the Clue Crew made her feel between show recordings. What can you do in you...

Executive Life and Leadership Coaching – Interview with Itir Keskiner, MBA, PCC

July 07, 2021 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MB

Executive Life and Leadership Coach Itir Keskiner shares her thoughts on how and when coaching plays an important role in our lives. For more information, visit the show notes at https://Workpantsfinance.com/34

Track Net Worth, Cultivate a Bias for Action, and Learn the Truth About Imposter Syndrome: Interview with J. Money of JMoney.biz

July 02, 2021 08:00 - 45 minutes - 31.2 MB

J.'s story highlights the benefits that come from not only participating in an industry, but also serving that industry. J found success as he curated content designed to support the personal finance bloggers. Key-takeaways are: First, if you're doing work that makes you miserable, get out, even if that work makes you money. Second, though J. ventures found success, he notes that 80% of his online startups fizzle. There's probably no reason for you to expect to do better. Third, stub...

Listener Q&A: Investments, Buying a House for Cash, and Swapping Money for Time at Work

June 30, 2021 08:00 - 26 minutes - 18.6 MB

Listeners call with their questions for Matt. Don’t miss your invitation for the next listener Q&A event. Sign up at https://workpantsfinance.com/resources

Budgeting for Homeschool Families – On the Road with Amy Sloan at HumilityandDoxology.com

June 25, 2021 08:00 - 36 minutes - 25.1 MB

What if you could cut your family’s food, entertainment, clothing, and miscellaneous budget from $2400 to $1600 per month, just by switching the payment method from credit card to cash? That’s what happened in the Miner family when we got serious about budgeting. And what if you could adopt this approach without handling physical currency? Amy and I discuss physical and virtual cash-envelope budgeting and other family budget hacks to live on one income. Big ideas from today’s conversat...

Listener Q&A: Disability Insurance, Student Loans, Starting New Work, and Kids & Money

June 23, 2021 08:00 - 35 minutes - 24.7 MB

Today’s show features new voices as listeners call in with their questions. For your invite to appear on the next Work Pants Finance Q&A show, sign up at workpantsfinance.com/resources.

Teach your Kids about Money: How Kids Can Work, Earn, Give, Save, and Spend

June 16, 2021 08:00 - 13 minutes - 9.39 MB

The topic of kids and money is a key part of your life plan, let alone your financial plan. Teaching children to work, earn, give, save, and spend will give them dignity, agency, learning, and experience. It will make them more helpful to you, and more interesting to other adults they meet – including prospective employers and clients! You start with your beliefs about work and money: What are your presuppositions? You’ll need a philosophy for money: Feel free to adopt mine: We work to e...

Homeschooling for Mere Mortals

June 11, 2021 08:00 - 41 minutes - 28.7 MB

My guest is my bride of 20 years, Charity Miner. She tells the story of how she got started on a homeschool career, why Charity and I believe this is the best education option for our family, and why homeschooling is more achievable than you think. If you'd like to exert control over your family's time and take vacations in may and late September, rather than July, or if you just want a glimpse of our family's story and habits, this episode is for you. For more information, visit the sho...

Kid Entrepreneurship: Interview with Josh Miner, the Small Batch Homeschool Roaster

June 09, 2021 08:00 - 14 minutes - 9.86 MB

Want more orders in your business? Try asking customers and prospects to buy! Josh Miner, the 14-year-old Small Batch Homeschool Roaster brings solid wisdom for entrepreneurs of any age. For more information, visit the show notes at https://Workpantsfinance.com/27

Serve an Industry and Create Financial Freedom: Interview with Philip “PT Money” Taylor of FinCon and PTMoney.com

June 02, 2021 05:00 - 43 minutes - 30 MB

Philip “PT Money” Taylor of FinCon and PTMoney.com serves up general wisdom and specific recommendations as he tells the story of his transition from work as a CPA to launching a successful blog and the industry event for creators in the Personal Finance and FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) world. Key takeaways from the episode include: The power of time-blocking in your job or business The importance of enjoying and appreciating where you are right now, even as you work to cr...

The Tension Between Intentions and Results

May 26, 2021 08:00 - 5 minutes - 3.87 MB

Delivering results is what lets your employer or client keep you on the payroll and never compromising who you are let’s you continue to sleep at night and smile at the guy or girl in the mirror when you shave or apply your makeup. For more information, visit the show notes at https://Workpantsfinance.com/25

Leadership, Presence, and Getting Out in the Woods: Interview with Laura Calandrella

May 19, 2021 08:00 - 45 minutes - 31.3 MB

Laura is a leadership coach, facilitator, sustainability strategist, and author of Our Next Evolution a book with a people-first model for leaders in business, non-profits, and the public sector to work on environmental issues. Huge thanks to Laura for bringing her big heart and unique wisdom to our conversation today. Key Take-aways are: 1) If you’ve got a mammoth project – like writing a book, or making a financial plan, get help and follow a process. 2) To make gains in your health...

Make Change Happen and Don’t Wipe Out

May 12, 2021 05:00 - 5 minutes - 3.92 MB

The advice to “move fast and break things” is at best incomplete. If you make change the wrong way you can create upset, chaos, and even risk blowing up your business, career, or an important relationship. For more information, visit the show notes at https://Workpantsfinance.com/23

The Hope Imperative

May 05, 2021 08:00 - 4 minutes - 3.56 MB

We hear “Hope is not a plan”, and it’s true. But without hope, even carefully conceived plans are doomed. For more information, visit the show notes at https://Workpantsfinance.com/22

Learn From Failure & How and When to Trust your Gut

April 30, 2021 08:00 - 8 minutes - 6.18 MB

Today’s show’s got a model for how to learn from failure, and the flip-side of the oft-heard advice to “trust your gut.” For more information, visit the show notes at https://Workpantsfinance.com/21

A Beautiful Balance Sheet: Wealth for MBAs, Docs, and High Earning Professionals in the First Few Years After School

April 23, 2021 08:00 - 26 minutes - 18.6 MB

With huge thanks to the Fuqua Finance Club and BLMBAO, we’ve got great Q&A focused on MBAs and other high earners. We tackle: Student loan payoff tactics How and how much house to buy An introduction to savings rate An outline financial plan – what order you do what things (basic budget, mini-emergency fund, get the employer match at work, big emergency fund, debt payoff, house down payment, increased market investing, including maxing employer plans and backdoor Roth IRAs, everythi...

Mentors, Investors, and Managing through Loss as an Entrepreneur – Interview with Brian Larsen, Co-Founder and CEO of RestoraPet

April 21, 2021 08:00 - 52 minutes - 36.5 MB

We all suffer tragedy and setbacks. How we respond to challenges is a defining part of what we accomplish in life. In today’s show Brian discusses the founding of RestoraPet, the death of his co-founder Kenny Kramm, and the importance of excellent mentors. Key Take-Aways: Maximize time with people you love – you never know how much time you’ve got. When it comes to taking on investors, do it at the right time – usually not too soon. And to bring on investors who can add value to the bus...

Engage Mentors, Attract Sponsors, and Spend Time with Amazing People through the magic of books

April 16, 2021 08:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MB

Today’s episode unpacks the theme of mentorship, connecting knowledge and skill, mentorship, and sponsorship in a model for career and business success. I’ve also got a major book report and update on my first Whole 30. For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.workpantsfinance.com/18

Estate Planning: Turn What’s in your Heart into an Effective Plan – Interview with attorney Paul Yokabitus of Cary Estate Planning

April 14, 2021 08:00 - 49 minutes - 34.5 MB

WPF 17 serves up a wide-ranging discussion of estate planning, entrepreneurship, and business processes. Paul Yokabitus and I discuss who needs an estate plan, when, and why – as well as the connection between bussing tables at age 14 and serving clients in a law practice twenty years later. Paul’s advice for entrepreneurs: Seek discomfort and take risk. By following his own advice you’ll hear about Paul’s experience taking a services business from a solo practice to more than a dozen em...

Don’t get wiped out: Risk-Management for a Family of Five (feat. Emergency Funds, Disability Insurance, Health Insurance, Property & Casualty Insurance, and Life Insurance Planning)

April 09, 2021 08:00 - 18 minutes - 12.7 MB

Today’s show features imaginary clients Mike and Jennifer Murray. Mike is a consulting engagement manager with a big-four accounting firm earning $250,000 per year. His wife homeschools their three children ages 10, 8, and 6. They own a $600,000 home in a leafy Atlanta suburb and we’re going to make sure they take the right steps to protect themselves in the event something terrible happens. This episode is not about insuring your iPhone or cordless drill. It’s about protecting what you ca...

Walking Shoes, Folding Bicycles, and Pallets of Toilet Paper – Interview with Joshua Sheats of Radical Personal Finance, Part 2

April 07, 2021 08:00 - 45 minutes - 31.4 MB

Joshua Sheats and I continue our risk management discussion as we dip a toe in the water of physical preparedness. Whether you wear a tinfoil hat is up to you, but everyone can learn the lessons of Covid-19 and the Great Toilet Paper Crisis of 2020. We discuss disaster preparedness planning and Joshua’s career in podcasting where he reminds us you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. We recommend coupling risk-taking in career and business with good financial planning. We address the r...

Emergency Fund Planning, Credit Cards, and Disability Insurance – Interview with Joshua Sheats of Radical Personal Finance, Part 1

April 02, 2021 08:00 - 1 hour - 50.2 MB

Today’s interview with Joshua Sheats of Radical Personal Finance is loaded with life and money wisdom focused on the broad topic of Risk Management. We begin our conversation with the seven stages of financial independence: Stage 0 – Total Financial Dependence Stage 1 – Financial Solvency Stage 2 – Financial Stability Stage 3 – Debt Freedom Stage 4 – Financial Security Stage 5 – Financial Independence Stage 6 – Financial Freedom Stage 7 – Financial Abundance Disability and ot...

First Own Your Failures, Then Own Your Success

March 31, 2021 08:00 - 15 minutes - 10.3 MB

Today’s show gives you the chance to learn from a failure I caused. Key takeaways are: Trust your gut Hope is not a plan Once you realize you need a change, make the change Results matter. Intentions and obstacles don’t. For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.workpantsfinance.com/13

Marketing that Doesn’t Suck and Makes Some People Hate You: Interview with Nick Palmisciano and Albert Chou of Diesel Jack Media

March 26, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 58.7 MB

It’s all about entrepreneurship, post-MBA career blues, and seizing the day. Nick Palmisciano, Albert Chou and I share their stories and experiences as serial entrepreneurs and conclude that the most important thing, whatever you want in life, is to start. I almost titled the show “Time Goes By and you Can’t Get it Back” but “Marketing that Doesn’t Suck” was too tempting. Learn more about Nick and Albert’s business at https://dieseljackmedia.com You can read more from our conversation ...

Gold, Guns, and other Hard Assets – How, Why, and How Much

March 24, 2021 08:00 - 17 minutes - 12.5 MB

In today’s show I talk about owning gold – how to own it, and in what quantities, as well as other hard assets I recommend you keep around home. You can read more at https://www.workpantsfinance.com/11

Passion, Compassion, and the Importance of Grit: Interview with Shane Dikolli of UVA’s Darden School of Business

March 19, 2021 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.8 MB

Shane imparts his passion for accounting and compassion for students, along with the importance of grit in any endeavor. We unpack the tried-and-true recipe to build wealth and wrap up our conversation with four rock-solid pieces of life advice plus five book recommendations. Read more at https://www.workpantsfinance.com/10

Everything We’re Doing Right Now is Because we did it Wrong First: Interview with Steven Valencsin of Growers.ag

March 17, 2021 08:00 - 36 minutes - 25.5 MB

In 2020, Steven Valencsin sold his business, Growers, to a publicly traded Israeli company, ICL. Steven stayed on as CEO and we share an open and honest conversation about the bald realities of life as a business owner and as the boss. Steven says, “I haven’t seen the glamorous side of entrepreneurship. It’s been a struggle the whole frickin’ time.” My favorite line from the interview is, ““It all has to get done, but it doesn’t all have to get done today.” Steven and I reflect on prioriti...

Good Eggs, Good Break and Teaming Up with Gretchen Rubin: Interview with Anne Mercogliano

March 12, 2021 15:00 - 53 minutes - 36.8 MB

Today’s show includes three conversations with Anne, beginning with her current work as business partner with Gretchen Rubin. We discuss how Anne designed her exit from Good Eggs to focus on family and board service, and we hear from pre-pandemic Anne about her post-MBA career and work at Good Eggs. These interviews were recorded in February 2021, July 2020, and January 2020. You can read more at https://www.workpantsfinance.com/8

Big Change Starts Small

March 10, 2021 09:00 - 18 minutes - 12.7 MB

A key theme in last week’s interview with Blair Sheppard was that to achieve sustainable and successful change, each of us must lead, follow, and serve locally in a way that, if carried through or expanded, benefits the world. This idea reminded me of Steven Covey’s circle of influence and circle of concern concept. The first half of the show focuses on Blair Sheppard’s arguments in favor of Local First. The second half of the show looks at Covey’s Circle of Influence, and then we tie bo...

Inflation, Deflation, and Habit Curation: Living Through the Pandemic and the Future of the Dollar

March 05, 2021 09:00 - 16 minutes - 11.8 MB

We put motives of folks providing financial information under the microscope, help you position your wealth for inflation or deflation, and discuss leveraging disruption to harness the force of habit to help you achieve your goals. For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.workpantsfinance.com/6

Leadership, Optimism, and Addressing Global Crises with Local Focus: Interview with Blair Sheppard, Global Head of Strategy and Leadership for PWC

March 03, 2021 09:00 - 57 minutes - 39.7 MB

Blair Sheppard, Global Head of Strategy and Leadership for PWC, shares his views of looming global crises driven by wealth disparity, technological disruption, polarization of people, and declining trust in society’s institutions, with demography (and COVID-19) accelerating these trends. We wrap up our discussion with a conversation about the MBA degree and the process of constant re-skilling and re-tooling that is imperative for global – and personal – flourishing. For more information,...

Informational Interviewing: Learn cool stuff, meet amazing people, and stack the deck in your favor

February 26, 2021 06:00 - 17 minutes - 12.4 MB

Informational Interviewing is your best tool if you’re in a transition or see one on the horizon. Today’s show covers what an informational interview is and how to conduct an excellent informational interview that leaves everyone smiling. You can read more at https://www.workpantsfinance.com/4

Count the Cost and Make the Leap

February 24, 2021 06:00 - 17 minutes - 12.2 MB

Have you dreamed of doing your own thing, going out on your own? Have you looked at your career and considered what it would take to hit the reset button and do something very different? If so, today’s show is for you. We talk through a fictional case study to illustrate how to make your side hustle your full-time gig. Michael is a consulting engineer earning $175,000 and Amanda is a private school teacher. They’ve got three school-age kids and we use a sample budget to illustrate the impa...

Vocation as Vacation - Aligning Work, Values, and Goals: Interview with Mary Beck White-Sutton of Duke's Fuqua School of Business

February 17, 2021 06:00 - 46 minutes - 32.2 MB

Mary Beck brings world-class tips to structure your life so that your work doesn’t feel like work, to create simplicity in the midst of complexity, and to build a career based on treating others the way you want to be treated. For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.workpantsfinance.com/2

Success Comes Slow, but It’s Worth the Wait: Interview with John Troy of Workmonger.com

February 11, 2021 19:30 - 33 minutes - 23.5 MB

Success, even when it happens, usually doesn’t happen as quickly as you wish. That’s the key message as I interview John Troy, founder and CEO of Workmonger.com, a business that matches employers and job seekers in the education industry. John speaks from the heart about creating the business you want, and what you may need to give up to launch a successful new venture. Key takeaways include: Even when it works out, entrepreneurship takes longer than you wish or expect. Have a big pile o...

Work Pants Finance – Get a Financial Plan That Works As Hard As You Do

February 10, 2021 06:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MB

Welcome to Work Pants Finance with Matt Miner, MBA, CFP®. It’s the show for MBAs, Entrepreneurs, and other professionals who want their financial plan to work as hard as they do. We’re here to separate the wheat from the chaff, the signal from the noise and to serve up the wisdom of experience. Work Pants Finance uses stories to tackle all the important topics – people and money, death and taxes, investments and insurance, career and entrepreneurship, education and debt and much, much more...