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The 5 Best (And Worst) Cars You Could Ever Buy (Financially Speaking, Of Course)

Pre-order Tyler's book, Real Wealth, at ⁠tyler.gardner.com/book⁠ [https://tylergardner.com/book] and be eligible for all monthly incentives between now and December 1st! And as always, a MASSIVE thank you to this week's sponsors: * ⁠⁠ [https://joingelt.com/tyler]Wispr Flow [https://wisprflow.ai/tyler]: → wisprflow.ai/tyler [https://wisprflow.ai/tyler] for one free month of Wispr Flow Pro free! (And to make your life immensely more efficient.) * ⁠ [https://livemomentous.com]⁠Copilot Money [https://www.copilot.money/tyler]⁠: → ⁠www.copilot.money/tyler⁠ [https://www.copilot.money/tyler] — use code TYLER2 for two free months and find out why my entire finance-friend group chat uses Copilot Money daily. * ⁠Bilt [https://joinbilt.com/tyler]⁠: → joinbilt.com/tyler [https://joinbilt.com/tyler] to see which credit card is right for you and to start getting rewarded for your biggest annual expense: your rent or mortgage!⁠ * ⁠Fabric⁠ [https://meetfabric.com/tyler]: → ⁠meetfabric.com/tyler⁠ [https://meetfabric.com/tyler] because if ANYONE depends on your income, getting term life needs to be moved to the top of your priority list today. And on to the show notes! The average American spends roughly $12,000 per year on their car. For many people, that’s more than they invest. In this episode, Tyler breaks down the real cost of car ownership — not just the sticker price, but the hidden financial drag of depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, and maintenance. Because most people buy cars emotionally… and only look at the math afterward. In this episode, Tyler covers: * Why the monthly payment is the least important number in a car purchase * The true long-term cost of luxury cars, trucks, and financed EVs * Why used Toyotas and Hondas dominate on total cost of ownership * The financial trap of buying older German luxury cars out of warranty * Why a financed Tesla can be far more expensive than people realize * The surprising math behind the Toyota Prius and Corolla * Why “boring” cars quietly create wealth over time * The difference between a vehicle as a tool vs. a lifestyle purchase Tyler also explains why he believes people should stop optimizing every dollar purely for efficiency. Because personal finance isn’t about removing joy from your life. It’s about being intentional enough to know which things are genuinely worth spending on — and cutting ruthlessly everywhere else. The episode ends with Tyler revealing the one category where he knowingly ignores his own financial advice: A brand-new GMC Sierra Denali. Not because it’s the best financial decision. Because it’s the thing he genuinely loves. The core idea: Don’t spend blindly. But don’t optimize the humanity out of your life either. Know your “no’s.” Then spend unapologetically on your “yes.” If the show’s been helpful, leaving a quick review on Apple or Spotify genuinely helps. Hope this gives you something to think about this week.

How to Divorce-Proof Your Finances (Whether You're Married, Divorced, or Somewhere In Between)

Pre-order Tyler's book, Real Wealth, at tyler.gardner.com/book [tylergardner.com/book] and be eligible for all monthly incentives between now and December 1st! And as always, a MASSIVE thank you to this week's sponsors: * ⁠Gelt [joingelt.com/tyler]⁠: → ⁠joingelt.com/tyler [joingelt.com/tyler] because Q2 is where strategic businesses make game-changing tax moves. If you're a business or a high-net worth individual, you might want to check this one out today. * Momentous [livemomentous.com]⁠: → ⁠⁠livemomentous.com [livemomentous.com]⁠ Use code Tyler for 35% for up to 35% off your first order! * Facet⁠ [facet.com/tyler]: → ⁠⁠facet.com/tyler [facet.com/tyler]⁠ for an exclusive $550 kickstart offer! * LMNT [drinklmnt.com/tyler]⁠: → drinklmnt.com/tyler [drinklmnt.com/tyler]⁠ Become an INSIDER by ordering the INSIDER Bundle–four boxes for the price of three, best value they offer–and get early access to limited time flavors like my new favorite, lemonade iced tea! And now, on to the show notes! Most people who get financially devastated by divorce didn’t lose because they were reckless. They lost because they weren’t prepared to operate independently when life changed unexpectedly. In this episode, Tyler breaks down the financial side of divorce — not just for people currently going through one, but for anyone building a life with another person. Because financial awareness inside a marriage is not distrust. It’s maturity. In this episode, Tyler covers: * Why both partners should fully understand the household finances * The importance of shared access to accounts, passwords, and financial documents * Why every adult should have their own individual emergency account * The financial reality of “winning” the house in a divorce * What a QDRO is — and why misunderstanding it can cost tens of thousands * Why beneficiary designations matter more than most wills * How to build independent credit before you need it * Why recently divorced people are especially vulnerable to bad financial advice * The importance of a 6–12 month financial freeze before making major decisions Tyler also explains how some advisors specifically target recently divorced people — and how to tell the difference between real guidance and someone capitalizing on vulnerability. The core idea: Financial independence inside a relationship is not a backup plan. It’s part of being an adult. Because whether a marriage lasts five years or fifty, every person deserves the ability to confidently understand and manage their own financial life. If the show’s been helpful, leaving a quick review on Apple or Spotify genuinely helps. Hope this gives you something to think about this week.

What I'd Do If $1,000,000 Landed in My Account Tomorrow: 3 Moves, 3 Mistakes, 3 Red Flags

Pre-order Tyler's book, Real Wealth, at ⁠tyler.gardner.com/book⁠ [https://tylergardner.com/book] and receive two chapters that didn't make the final cut in digital form in early June. And as always, a MASSIVE thank you to this week's sponsors: * Keeper [https://keepersecurity.com/tyler]: → keepersecurity.com/tyler [http://keepersecurity.com/tyler] for 60% off personal and family plans for our podcast listeners only! Use this link, so they know we sent you. * Anthropic [https://claude.ai/tyler]⁠: → ⁠⁠claude.ai/tyler [https://claude.ai/tyler]⁠to find out why they continue to be my number one strategic thought partner. * Thrive Market [https://thrivemarket.com/tyler]⁠: → ⁠⁠thrivemarket.com/tyler [https://thrivemarket.com/tyler] for⁠ $20 off your first three orders plus you’ll get a FREE $60 gift! * Copilot Money⁠ [https://www.copilot.money/tyler]: → ⁠www.copilot.money/tyler [https://www.copilot.money/tyler] — use code TYLER2 for two free months. And now on with the show notes! You wake up tomorrow morning and there’s $1 million sitting in your account. What’s the first thing you do? Most people think they know the answer. In reality, most people panic, freeze, or make expensive decisions out of emotion. In this episode, Tyler walks through exactly what he would do with a sudden lump sum of money — practically, immediately, and without turning it into a fantasy exercise. Because having money doesn’t automatically make people better with money. It just makes mistakes more expensive. In this episode, Tyler covers: * Why the first move is protecting the cash, not investing it immediately * The difference between parking money in a checking account vs. a money market fund * Why paying off high-interest debt is often the best guaranteed return available * The “bucket framework” for investing based on when you need the money, not your age * Why low-cost index funds still beat most “sophisticated” strategies * How investing in your primary residence can improve both lifestyle and tax efficiency * Why most people confuse complexity with competence in investing * The psychological traps that show up once you have money Tyler also explains why he wouldn’t immediately buy expensive depreciating assets — and why the goal is to get the principal working hard enough that the returns eventually pay for the lifestyle instead. The core idea: A million dollars isn’t the destination. It’s the infrastructure. The real question isn’t what you buy. It’s what kind of life the money gives you the freedom to build. If the show’s been helpful, leaving a quick review on Apple or Spotify genuinely helps. Hope this gives you something to think about this week.

My Interview with Burton Malkiel (That You Will Never Hear)

Pre-order Tyler's book, Real Wealth, at tyler.gardner.com/book [https://tylergardner.com/book] And as always, a MASSIVE thank you to this week's sponsors: * Fabric [https://meetfabric.com/tyler]: → ⁠meetfabric.com/tyler⁠ because if you have dependents, and you don't have term life, getting term life insurance is the financial step you need to take right now. * Gelt [https://joingelt.com/tyler]: ⁠→ ⁠joingelt.com/tyler because Q2 is where strategic businesses make game-changing tax moves * LMNT [https://drinklmnt.com/tyler]: → ⁠drinklmnt.com/tyler⁠ [http://drinklmnt.com/tyler%E2%81%A0] Become an INSIDER, just order the INSIDER Bundle–four boxes for the price of three, best value they offer–and get early access to limited time flavors and cool surprise gifts along the way. * Facet [https://facet.com/tyler]: → ⁠⁠facet.com/tyler⁠ for an exclusive $550 kickstart offer! And see for yourself why I've partnered with Facet for almost TWO YEARS! And now on with the show notes! What if the most important investing conversation you’ve ever had… never got recorded? That’s what happened here. In this episode, Tyler reconstructs a lost interview with Burton Malkiel, author of A Random Walk Down Wall Street, and uses it to tell a bigger story — one about index investing, behavior, and why the simplest strategy is still the hardest to follow. Because this isn’t just about theory. It’s about what actually works in real life — and why people still struggle to stick with it. In this episode, Tyler walks through: * The origin of index investing — and why Wall Street fought it for decades * Why most active managers fail to beat the market after fees * The role of academics like Markowitz, Fama, and Samuelson in shaping modern investing * How fear and behavior — not knowledge — derail most investors * Why trying to time the market (even when you’re right) can still cost you returns * The risk of concentration in modern index funds — and why it’s not a new problem * Malkiel’s core principle: you will never consistently outguess the market Tyler also shares one of the most important takeaways from the conversation: Even Burton Malkiel feels fear. He just doesn’t act on it. And that’s the difference. The core idea: Investing isn’t about being right. It’s about staying consistent when it’s hardest to do so. The episode closes with a broader reflection on retirement — not just how to invest, but how to live. Because according to Malkiel, the goal isn’t to stop working. It’s to stay engaged — with ideas, with learning, and with life itself. If the show’s been helpful, leaving a quick review on Apple or Spotify genuinely helps. Hope this gives you something to think about this week.

The 0% Tax Bracket Most Retirees Walk Right Past

As always, a MASSIVE thank you to this week's sponsors! * LMNT [drinklmnt.com/tyler]⁠: → ⁠drinklmnt.com/tyler⁠ [http://drinklmnt.com/tyler%E2%81%A0] Become an INSIDER, just order the INSIDER Bundle–four boxes for the price of three, best value they offer–and get early access to limited time flavors and cool surprise gifts along the way. * ⁠Bilt⁠ [joinbilt.com/tyler]: → ⁠joinbilt.com/tyler⁠ [http://joinbilt.com/tyler%E2%81%A0] to get rewarded for your biggest annual expense! * ⁠Copilot Money [try.copilot.money/tyler]⁠: → ⁠try.copilot.money/tyler [try.copilot.money/tyler]⁠ and use code TYLER2 for two free months. * ⁠Gelt [joingelt.com/tyler]⁠: → ⁠joingelt.com/tyler and see if you can get your business tax planning to the next level in 2026 and beyond! And now, on with the show notes! Most retirement withdrawal conversations focus on one number: 4%? 5%? 6%? But that misses a much bigger variable: Taxes. In this episode, Tyler revisits his $2 million retirement portfolio framework and explains why the real issue isn’t just how much you withdraw — it’s how much you keep after taxes. Because two retirees can withdraw the exact same amount and end up with very different lifestyles depending on how their accounts are structured. In this episode, Tyler covers: * Why after-tax returns matter more than headline portfolio returns * The hidden cost of relying too heavily on traditional IRAs and 401(k)s * How Roth conversions can reduce future tax pain * Why taxable brokerage accounts are one of the most underrated retirement tools * How the 0% capital gains bracket can legally lower taxes in retirement * Why withdrawal order matters: taxable, pre-tax, and Roth accounts each play different roles * How poor tax planning can quietly reduce spending power for decades Tyler also explains why the classic withdrawal-rate debate often misses the point entirely. A 6% withdrawal with poor tax planning may feel like 4.75%. A well-structured 6% withdrawal may feel like…6%. The core idea: The goal was never to withdraw less. The goal was always to keep more. This episode isn’t about tax gimmicks or loopholes. It’s about understanding the rules well enough to make smarter decisions with the money you’ve already built. If the show’s been helpful, leaving a quick review on Apple or Spotify genuinely helps. Hope this gives you something to think about this week.