Master Your Money Podcast

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to Master Your Money: Budgeting, Saving, and Debt-Free Living

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Episode List

Emergency Fund vs Emergency Card: What Safety Really Looks Like

In this episode of *Master Your Money: Budgeting, Saving, and Debt-Free Living*, Nate Tanner explores why credit cards are not true emergency funds—and how even a small savings cushion can transform your peace of mind. You’ll learn how to start building a safety net one paycheck at a time and why financial preparedness beats points...
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The Myth of “Balance”: How to Budget for Real Life Without Guilt

In this episode of *Master Your Money: Budgeting, Saving, and Debt-Free Living*, host Nate Tanner dismantles the toxic myth of a ‘perfect’ budget. Learn why traditional budgeting guilt is sabotaging your progress and how the Triggator approach reframes balance as alignment—not restriction. With practical mindset shifts, listener stories, and a healthy dose of grace, you’ll...
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Paycheck Hijackers: How Tiny Decisions Derail Big Goals

In this episode of *Master Your Money: Budgeting, Saving, and Debt-Free Living*, host Nate Tanner calls out the sneaky spending habits that quietly steal your paycheck—and your progress. From impulse food delivery to forgotten subscriptions, you’ll learn how to spot these ‘hijackers’ and build friction, habits, and intentionality that keep your money aligned with your...
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Lifestyle Inflation Is Lying to You: Why More Income Isn’t the Answer

In this episode of *Master Your Money: Budgeting, Saving, and Debt-Free Living*, Nate Tanner unpacks the myth that more income automatically solves money problems. Through stories, stats, and Triggator strategies, Nate exposes lifestyle inflation and shows how to align new income with your goals—Budget, Save, and Pay Off Debt. If you’ve ever wondered why your...
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Christmas in May: Why Smart Savers Start Now

In this episode of *Master Your Money: Budgeting, Saving, and Debt-Free Living*, Nate Tanner explains why May is the perfect month to start your Christmas Alligator Fund. Discover how early planning turns a high-stress December into a peaceful, debt-free season. Nate breaks down average holiday spending, how to divide your goal across remaining paychecks, and...
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Side Hustle or Side Hassle?: Spotting the Difference

In this episode of *Master Your Money: Budgeting, Saving, and Debt-Free Living*, Nate Tanner breaks down the truth about side hustles. Are they boosting your financial goals—or just burning you out? Using the Triggator Triangle—Budget, Save, Pay Off Debt—Nate walks through how to tell if your hustle is helping or hurting. With real talk, real...
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Subscription Creep Strikes Back: Mid-Year Check!

In this episode of *Master Your Money: Budgeting, Saving, and Debt-Free Living*, Nate Tanner calls for a mid-year money checkup by tackling the rising wave of forgotten subscriptions and sneaky price hikes. With humor, insight, and actionable strategies, Nate shows how small leaks can quietly sink your Spending Plan—and how to fix them fast. Learn...
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The Rise of No-Spend Days: Are They Worth It?

In this episode of *Master Your Money*, Nate Tanner explores the trend of no-spend days. Are they a financial superpower or a crash diet for your wallet? Nate dives into the psychology, benefits, pitfalls, and how to align no-spend days with a healthy Spending Plan.
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Money Myths Busted: 7 Lies That Sabotage Your Spending Plan

In this episode of *Master Your Money: Budgeting, Saving, and Debt-Free Living*, Nate Tanner tackles seven of the biggest personal finance myths holding people back from success. From the idea that budgets are restrictive to the myth that it’s too late to start, Nate breaks down each lie and replaces it with actionable truth. He...
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Summer Spending: Planning Ahead to Avoid Financial Sunburn

In this episode of *Master Your Money: Budgeting, Saving, and Debt-Free Living*, Nate Tanner breaks down why summer spending can wreck even the best paycheck-based Spending Plan—and how to stay ahead of the game. Nate explains how to spot common summer money traps, adjust your Spending Plan for this year’s expenses, and start building alligator...
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About the Host

Hi, I’m Nate Tanner—co-creator of Triggator, host of the Master Your Money podcast, and a firm believer that financial freedom is about more than just numbers on a spreadsheet.

I started Triggator and this podcast because I know what it’s like to feel stuck, stressed, and overwhelmed by money—and I also know that it doesn’t have to be that way. Over the years, I’ve helped countless people trade in their budgets for something better: a spending plan that actually fits their life, lets them save with confidence, and ditch debt for good.

Each episode, I blend real-world experience with practical tips, a little tough love, and maybe even a few dad jokes (fair warning). Whether you’re living paycheck to paycheck, trying to finally build that emergency fund, or just want to stop losing arguments with your Amazon cart, I’ve got your back.

I’m passionate about making personal finance simple, motivating, and—dare I say—fun. I love sharing listener stories, answering real-life questions, and challenging you to make small changes that lead to big results.

When I’m not behind the mic, you can find me chasing my kids, working on the Triggator app, or plotting my next victory over an alligator-sized expense.

Welcome to the show—let’s master your money together!