“If things haven’t been buttoned up, wow, that really distracts from the grieving process.”

Our hosts, Natalie and Dan Slagle, address the elephant in the room for many families: how to talk to aging parents about their finances. When you're talking about $124 trillion changing hands over the next couple of decades, this stops being someone else's problem and becomes everyone's reality.

Dan gets vulnerable about his experience after his mom passed away unexpectedly, sharing everything from finding her handwritten financial notebook in the attic to the surreal moment of teaching his dad how to use an ATM. He reminds us that we might not know as much about our parents' financial lives as we think.

They’re not saying be greedy or pushy. Rather, it’s about making sure your parents' wishes actually get carried out and sparing everyone the administrative nightmare that comes with poor planning. Dan's story proves that having these tough talks early means you can focus on what really matters when loss hits: healing and remembering, not hunting down account passwords.

Natalie admits she took a more direct approach with her own parents, basically telling them, "Handle this or it becomes my problem." It might not have been the most tactful way to put it, but it worked. The lesson there is to find your family's communication style and lean into it.

Start the conversation now, before you're forced to figure it out in crisis mode.

Key Topics:

● The $124 Trillion Wealth Transfer (04:08)

● Breaking Communication Barriers (06:35)

● Dan's Personal Loss Experience (10:42)

● Essential Planning Steps (13:38)

● Family Meeting Strategies (24:37)

Resources:

· Helping a Parent Navigate Finances After Loss (blog post)

Natalie Slagle, CFP® and Dan Slagle, CFP® are the founding partners and lead financial planners at Fyooz Financial Planning — an independent firm dedicated to helping high-earning couples in their 30s and 40s confidently navigate the complexities of managing money together.

At Fyooz, they specialize in turning financial stress into strategy, guiding couples through everything from cash flow and investing to aligning money with shared goals.

Disclaimer: For updated disclosures, please visit fyoozfinancial.com.

“Do we want to set our money aside for our child’s future education? I don’t think the answer should be an automatic yes.”

Our hosts, Natalie and Dan Slagle, discuss the question many young parents are asking: How much should you save for your child’s college, and when should you start?

Drawing from client stories and their own experience, they break down why this decision isn’t one-size-fits-all, how to calculate future costs, and how tools like 529 plans (and even family Ugift links) can help make the goal more manageable.

For the Slagles—and many of their own clients—it all starts with talking honestly about priorities with your spouse. Saving for a child’s education isn’t a given; it’s a decision couples should make intentionally, based on values, not guilt.

They unpack how much college might cost in 18 years (spoiler: close to $300K!), and how the 529 plan helps families make the most of time and compounding. Beyond tax benefits, they explore a go-to hack for many parents today: the ability to share a contribution link with family and friends for birthdays or holidays.

Starting early—even small—can lead to powerful results. To Natalie, the joy that comes from successfully building your child’s future is more satisfying than any number in your retirement account!

Key Topics:

• The Emotional Cost of Graduation (01:18)
• How Much Will College Cost? (11:59)
• 529 Plan Benefits & Setup (18:40)
• New Roth IRA Transfer Rule (24:17)
• Using the 529 Ugift Link (26:38)

Natalie Slagle, CFP® and Dan Slagle, CFP® are the founding partners and lead financial planners at Fyooz Financial Planning — an independent firm dedicated to helping high-earning couples in their 30s and 40s confidently navigate the complexities of managing money together.

At Fyooz, they specialize in turning financial stress into strategy, guiding couples through everything from cash flow and investing to aligning money with shared goals.

Disclaimer: For updated disclosures, please visit fyoozfinancial.com.

“I have anxieties around the same exact situation as you, but you have a different feeling from it.”

Our hosts, Natalie and Dan Slagle, know that even in a happy, communicative marriage, the topic of money can be a bit of a minefield. But what happens when one partner is way more anxious about money than the other? That’s the question Dan and Natalie are looking to unpack.

To start with, they each take the “spendthrift-tightwad” test—a scale developed by researchers to measure how freely (or not) you spend. Dan scores a 12, making him a cusp neutral “unconflicted consumer.” Natalie lands squarely in “tightwad” territory between 8 and 9. The results don’t surprise either of them, but they do open the door to a deeper discussion.

Natalie shares that her need to track every dollar stems from a tendency toward control, especially when it comes to long-term security. Dan, meanwhile, is more focused on balance—enjoying the present while still saving for the future. This mismatch in money mindset often leads to friction, but also opportunities for growth.

It’s not about changing each other—it’s about understanding the “why” behind each partner’s money habits. With the right tools and ongoing conversations, Natalie and Dan believe that financial tension can become a bridge, not a barrier.

Key Topics:

• Spendthrift vs Tightwad Mindsets (06:53)
• Natalie and Dan’s Spendthrift-Tightwad Test Results (11:46)
• Causes for Financial Anxiety (16:59)
• Steps to Reduce Financial Anxiety Within Marriage (19:51)
• Tools for Better Financial Communication (23:39)

Resources:

• The Tightwad-Spendthrift Scale

Natalie Slagle, CFP® and Dan Slagle, CFP® are the founding partners and lead financial planners at Fyooz Financial Planning — an independent firm dedicated to helping high-earning couples in their 30s and 40s confidently navigate the complexities of managing money together.

At Fyooz, they specialize in turning financial stress into strategy, guiding couples through everything from cash flow and investing to aligning money with shared goals.

Disclaimer: For updated disclosures, please visit fyoozfinancial.com.

Homeownership versus renting—each choice comes with its own set of emotions, cultural influences, and practicalities.

Turns out, earning a good income doesn’t magically make homeownership easy—a lesson our hosts, Natalie and Dan Slagle, know all too well. Despite making over $300K a year, they still find themselves doing the math, wondering if homeownership is really worth it.

They’ve owned before—briefly—and after moving out west, they switched back to renting. Now, with a toddler in the picture, the idea of “putting down roots” feels like it could be the right choice.

But the numbers? Yikes. Renting their current home costs about $4,000/month. Buying that same house would double the payment, thanks to today’s interest rates. That’s not even counting the down payment and closing costs.

There’s this deeply ingrained idea that owning a home equals stability, especially for families. But is that true? Natalie admits she craves that security, but also knows her daughter’s sense of safety comes from her parents, not the mortgage.

Ultimately, they make a strong case that buying a home is about more than finances. It’s about how you want to live, what trade-offs you're willing to make, and how much house you really need to feel “settled.”

Key Topics:

• Buying vs Renting Mindset (03:36)
• Emotional Pull of Homeownership (04:42)
• Financial Realities of Buying Today (08:49)
• Equity Myths & Retirement (12:00)
• Lifestyle Trade-Offs (15:55)
• Affordability Benchmarks (22:16)
• Why There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Answer (27:45)

Natalie Slagle, CFP® and Dan Slagle, CFP® are the founding partners and lead financial planners at Fyooz Financial Planning — an independent firm dedicated to helping high-earning couples in their 30s and 40s confidently navigate the complexities of managing money together.

At Fyooz, they specialize in turning financial stress into strategy, guiding couples through everything from cash flow and investing to aligning money with shared goals.

Disclaimer: For updated disclosures, please visit fyoozfinancial.com.

Creating purpose and intention around travel funds is so important.

Our hosts, Natalie and Dan Slagle, tackle a financial topic that flies under the radar more often than it should—travel. Sure, vacations are meant to be a way to decompress and have some fun after a good period of work, but they can also quietly sabotage your budget if you're not careful!

Pulling from both their own marriage and stories from clients, the Slagles break down how to make travel a *planned* part of your financial life instead of an expensive surprise.

Their approach? Be intentional. Every December, they sit down and map out the year ahead, figuring out which trips are non-negotiable (like weddings, family reunions, or that annual visit to Grandma’s) and which ones are just for fun. They set a big-picture travel budget—$15,000 for 2025—and leave some wiggle room for spontaneous adventures.

To keep trips from messing with their monthly cash flow, they automate savings into a travel-only account and swipe with a dedicated credit card just for those expenses. That way, when it’s time to book flights or splurge on dinner in Paris, it’s already covered—no guilt, no stress.

Travel doesn’t have to throw your finances into chaos. With correct planning, a realistic budget, and some clear priorities, even last-minute trips can stay low-stress.

Key Topics:

• The Travel Planning Problem (01:12)
• How Travel Budgeting Started for Them (02:10)
• Annual Planning & Obligations (04:25)
• Budgeting for Flexibility (08:39)
• Spontaneity Without Stress (09:52)
• Different Funding Strategies (14:54)
• Guilt-Free Travel Spending (17:38)
• Making Budget Fit Your Values (20:50)

Resources Mentioned:

• Fyooz Blog Post: We’re Financial Planners, This is How We Travel

Natalie Slagle, CFP® and Dan Slagle, CFP® are the founding partners and lead financial planners at Fyooz Financial Planning — an independent firm dedicated to helping high-earning couples in their 30s and 40s confidently navigate the complexities of managing money together.

At Fyooz, they specialize in turning financial stress into strategy, guiding couples through everything from cash flow and investing to aligning money with shared goals.

Disclaimer: For updated disclosures, please visit fyoozfinancial.com.

"Resourcefulness is not just about making do with what you have; it's about reimagining what you can achieve with your resources, no matter your income level."

Our hosts, Natalie and Dan Slagle, open up about a surprising financial truth: even households earning over $300,000 can feel financially stretched. They explore how invisible expenses like taxes, daycare, and retirement savings chip away at what looks like a high income on paper.

Dan explains how, before money ever hits the bank account, much of it is spoken for—healthcare premiums, 401(k) contributions, taxes, etc. He and Natalie reflect on their own budget, noting how a $30K raise can feel like just a few hundred extra dollars per month.

Clearly, income without intentionality easily leads to lifestyle inflation and spending creep.

Financial strain isn’t always about income—it’s about life stage, priorities, and the mental load of modern expenses. Grace, planning, and perspective are key, even for high earners.

Key Topics:

• Big Income, Small Margin (02:06)
• What “Middle Class” Really Means (06:40)
• Resourcefulness vs. Spending Power (10:53)
• Daycare vs. College Costs (18:29)
• Housing and Lifestyle Creep for High Earners (21:11)
• Giving Yourself Grace (25:50)

Resourced Mentioned:

• Cost of living in coastal cities like San Francisco, New York, Seattle and Miami means that families on $300,000-a-year are living paycheck to paycheck

Natalie Slagle, CFP® and Dan Slagle, CFP® are the founding partners and lead financial planners at Fyooz Financial Planning — an independent firm dedicated to helping high-earning couples in their 30s and 40s confidently navigate the complexities of managing money together.

At Fyooz, they specialize in turning financial stress into strategy, guiding couples through everything from cash flow and investing to aligning money with shared goals.

Disclaimer: For updated disclosures, please visit fyoozfinancial.com.

"Role-swapping in financial responsibilities can lead to a sense of relief and highlight the importance of staying proactive with money management.”

Our hosts, Natalie and Dan Slagle, dig into a topic that hits close to home for many a married couple: the mental load of managing household finances.

It’s not just about dividing tasks, but understanding the mental space each task requires. Tracking expenses is one thing. Communicating them? That’s another. Especially when it means saying, “Hey, we need to cut back this month.”

Dan points out that when he took over budgeting a few years back, it gave Natalie real relief. The money didn’t change, but the load did. That simple shift proved that good systems matter, but so does checking in.

They walk through all the roles couples play—investing, taxes, reimbursements, cash flow decisions—and how uneven division or lack of communication can create stress, even resentment. And while Natalie and Dan are both financial professionals, they acknowledge most couples don’t speak this language fluently. That’s where a third party, like a Financial Planner, can help level the field.

The takeaway? Mental load isn’t always visible, but it’s real. Whether one person manages the money or it’s shared, the key is ongoing, honest check-ins. Who’s doing what? How’s it feeling? Does anything need to shift?

Because finances aren’t just math—they’re communication, clarity, and care. And the more you talk about it, the lighter the load becomes.

Key Topics:

• The Hidden Load of Managing Household Finances (01:39)
• Deciding Your Roles with Your Spouse (03:46)
• Communicating to Avoid Overspending (08:33)
• Creating an Investment Strategy with Your Spouse (13:41)
• Having Hard Conversations (16:39)
• Key Takeaways (22:36)

Resources Mentioned:

• If you want to learn more about how we organize our credit cards and bank accounts, grab our cash flow guide here: https://www.fyoozfinancial.com/moneytools and scroll down to "The Millennial's Cash Flow Guide."

Natalie Slagle, CFP® and Dan Slagle, CFP® are the founding partners and lead financial planners at Fyooz Financial Planning — an independent firm dedicated to helping high-earning couples in their 30s and 40s confidently navigate the complexities of managing money together.

At Fyooz, they specialize in turning financial stress into strategy, guiding couples through everything from cash flow and investing to aligning money with shared goals.

Disclaimer: For updated disclosures, please visit fyoozfinancial.com.

"Who knew that late-night study sessions for financial exams could lead to both a thriving marriage and a successful business?"

Financial planning power duo Natalie Slagle and Dan Slagle break down how Fyooz Financial came to life—and why they built it for couples like themselves.

They met in college, reconnected after graduation, and started dating while cramming for finance exams. Over time, they both landed jobs at traditional firms. The work was solid, but something felt off. Most clients were much older, and the advice didn’t match the decisions younger people were making—things like moving, getting married, or starting families.

So they decided to build what was missing. Fyooz reflects what they wanted to create: a place where two people could bring different money experiences and still build something strong together.

Natalie and Dan share how their own backgrounds shaped their thinking. Natalie learned to work hard and take money management seriously early on. Dan picked up a love of gift-giving and self-employment from his family. Those habits still show up in how they handle money today—sometimes in sync, sometimes not.

They talk about money mistakes, mindset gaps, and how even as financial planners, they don’t always agree.

They leave us with two questions: What was money like for you growing up? and How does that show up now?

Fyooz wasn’t born in a boardroom—it grew out of real conversations, real day-to-day tension within a relationship, and the belief that financial planning should feel more human.

Key Topics:

• Their Origin Story & Early Careers (02:24)
• The Move That Sparked Change (06:06)
• Why They Built Fyooz Financial (08:34)
• What “Fyooz” Means (11:39)
• Money Values & Childhood Lessons (13:25)
• How Money Shaped Their Relationship (24:38)
• Questions You Should Ask Your Partner (28:29)

Natalie Slagle, CFP® and Dan Slagle, CFP® are the founding partners and lead financial planners at Fyooz Financial Planning — an independent firm dedicated to helping high-earning couples in their 30s and 40s confidently navigate the complexities of managing money together.

At Fyooz, they specialize in turning financial stress into strategy, guiding couples through everything from cash flow and investing to aligning money with shared goals.

Disclaimer: For updated disclosures, please visit fyoozfinancial.com.