Brennan Schlagbaum, CPA (Budgetdog)
CPA and author; budgeting, family wealth building, investing discipline, and financial independence.
Invest $20 Daily, Retire Millionaire Tax‑Free
$20 Millionaire 1. Open a Roth IRA 2. Contribute $20 per day 3. Choose low cost ETF's like $VTI In 30 years, you'll only pay $210k. But with (average) compound interest... You'll have $1,154,748 TAX FREE 🤯
Cheap $37/Mo Life Insurance Splits $3M Between Spouses
If I die tomorrow, my wife gets $2M. If my wife dies tomorrow, I get $1M. Our plan costs $37/mo. Here's our exact life insurance playbook (from a CPA & dad of 2):
Teaching Financial Literacy Before Wealth Ensures Lasting Success
My daughters will be millionaires by 30. But money doesn't matter if they don't understand it. 16 lessons I'm teaching them before they get a dime:
How We Turned Salary Into $102k Investment Income
When I married Erin, we made $92k/yr. Today, our investments alone pay $102k/yr. Here are the 5 steps we took as a couple to become "Middle Class Millionaires"...
Married Couples Can Pull $131k Tax‑free, No Advisor
Married couples in 2026 can... - Withdraw $131k from investments - Pay $0 in federal taxes - Without a financial advisor Here's exactly how:
23 Habits That Built My $1M Net Worth
I built a $1M net worth in 7 years. I didn't come from money. I didn't time the market. I didn't get lucky. Here are the 23 financial habits that made my family wealthy:
Inflation Eats Savings; Invest to Preserve Wealth
$100k today is worth the same as: - $82k in 2021 - $73k in 2016 - $68k in 2011 - $61k in 2006 - $54k in 2001 "Saving" is an oxymoron... So here's the easiest (and safest) way to invest your money:
Inflation Steals Value; Invest to Protect Wealth
Inflation is the tax that nobody votes for. The government prints money... Banks lend it out... And 25 years, every dollar you own is worth 46% less 😬 The ONLY solution is investing, and this is the easiest way to get started 😉 Share this...
Smart Families Brace for 2026 AI Job Wave
Layoffs this year: -> Dell: 11,000 -> Meta: 8,000 -> UPS: 30,000 -> Oracle: 20,000 -> Amazon: 16,000 2026 is the Great AI Displacement. Here's how smart families are preparing financially:
Legally Exploit Tax Code to Minimize Your Taxes
You get taxed on your income... To then get taxed on your home... To then get taxed when you buy... And when you invest your money... You get taxed when you profit. Here's how to LEGALLY use the tax code to pay as little as...
Your Latte's Cheap; Your Lifestyle Is Costing a Fortune
Things more dangerous than $8 lattes: - $50k wedding that lasts 5 hours - $80k degree to get replaced by AI - $60k SUV because you "deserve it" - $4k/mo apartment to flex for friends - $5k/yr on insurance you never shopped Cheap coffee won't...
Financial Checklist for 35: Essential Steps
By age 35 you should have: - A maxed Roth IRA - 1-5 low cost ETFs - A zero based budget - $0 non mortgage debt - Auto investments on payday - 4-6 months expense in a HYSA - Term life insurance for dependents What am I...
Moving States Can Slash $24k From $250k Salary
A $250k salary is worth: $180k after tax in Texas $173k after tax in Arizona $167k after tax in Illinois $162k after tax in New York $156k after tax in California A $500 U-Haul can save you $24k on taxes.
Simple Discipline Today Funds Generations of Wealth
Don't let social media trick you... - Act broke - Dress simply - Ignore judgement - Kill debt - Stack cash flow - Invest, invest, invest - Set yourself up for life A few years of discipline can fund a few generations of wealth.
One Rule to Retire Early and Achieve Financial Freedom
If you want to retire comfortably while you're young... There's only one rule you need to follow. How to become financially free at any age: