In this episode of the Engineering Our Future podcast, Nicolai and I deliver a genuine, practical conversation about building real financial security through emergency funds and sinking funds. We draw from personal experience, sharing how our mindsets about money evolved and the crucial role that tailored, “bare bones” emergency funds play in handling life’s curveballs—like sudden car breakdowns or medical bills. Our stories underscore that financial mistakes happen to everyone but can be great teachers, reinforcing the benefits of incremental progress and making informed, individualized choices based on one’s comfort zone and risk tolerance.[15]

“Financial peace isn’t about having the perfect system—it’s about building habits that give you confidence to handle both emergencies and expected expenses without fear or debt.”

A central theme of our discussion is the distinction between emergency funds, meant for unexpected crises, and sinking funds, designed for predictable but irregular expenses such as holidays, birthdays, and home repairs. We provide actionable tips on setting up high-yield savings accounts, tracking various fund categories, and managing the psychological hurdle of using savings when needed. By emphasizing adaptable systems like customizable sinking funds and a strategic use of HSAs, this episode empowers listeners to start small, build habits, and gradually cultivate lasting peace of mind around money—the goal being to respond to both the expected and the unpredictable without fear or debt.

Lessons and Takeaways

* Build a tailored emergency fund - Calculate your personal “bare bones” monthly expenses and save 3-6 months’ worth in a high-yield savings account to handle unexpected crises without going into debt.

* Create separate sinking funds - Set up dedicated savings categories for predictable irregular expenses like holidays, birthdays, car maintenance, and home repairs to avoid financial stress when these costs arise.

* Start small and build gradually - Begin with manageable savings goals ($500-1000) for your emergency fund, then consistently add to it over time rather than feeling overwhelmed by trying to save everything at once.

* Optimize your health savings - Consider using HSAs strategically not just for medical expenses but as potential long-term investment vehicles with unique tax advantages.

* Develop systems that match your psychology - Create financial tracking methods that work with your personality and habits, making it easier to maintain good money management practices consistently.

Links and References

* Remit Sethi Podcast

* Psychology of Money

* Episode on Paying Debt

Hey everyone,

This week, I’m sharing my experience moving from a small firm to a big one—and what that’s meant for my career and growth over the last year nine months. This year had a lot of ups and downs (this episode was recorded in June and I am just getting it out…). I am happy for Nicolai’s support through this and I look forward to many more episodes coming out.

What would you like to see more of?

Personal takeaways:

* Flexibility: Turns out, the big company isn’t as slow-moving as I thought. Milestones and structure actually bring freedom to explore, innovate, and make mistakes.

* Expanded toolbox: The more people you connect with—across disciplines—the better you get at your job. Every new conversation and collaboration adds a new tool.

* Resources: There’s more access to technical codes, sample projects, and experts, but also space to build my own reusable tools, like spreadsheets for designs.

* Soft skills: Volunteering and joining internal networks (like Enlace for Hispanic engineers) have grown my network and boosted my confidence. These bigger companies have endless training resources.

* Endless career pivots: You can chart new paths, propose new ideas, and switch directions—all without leaving the company.

Action items for you:

* If you’re thinking of switching firm sizes or career tracks, connect with someone who’s done it. Be curious, not cautious.

* Start a conversation with colleagues outside your “bubble.” There’s wisdom everywhere.

* Volunteer, join an internal group, or attend a conference—don’t wait for permission, but do learn the process for asking.

* Reflect on whether your workflows and resources are making you more effective—and start building (or sharing) something reusable.

As always, keep an open mind. If your current job isn’t sparking joy, experiment with new options before making a leap. We’re here to help you navigate challenges!

If you’ve got questions, feedback, or just want to chat, reply to this email or visit luisfelipeduque.com/contact.

Thanks for tuning in. Let’s continue to engineer our future!

In this episode, we sit down with Danny to explore the powerful link between creativity and engineering. Danny explains how skills from music—attention to detail, organizing projects, and pushing boundaries—enhance his success as an engineer. The conversation also covers the challenges of balancing demanding work schedules with creative hobbies, and why setting boundaries is vital for long-term passion.

Key Topics:

• How artistic pursuits improve technical skills

• Balancing engineering projects and creative work

• Building confidence by stepping out of your comfort zone

• Personal advice on maintaining motivation and preventing burnout

• The connection between technical expertise and fulfilling personal passions

Watch the episode: [insert video link]

Connect with Danny/Rayo Lejano: [insert music or social link]

Share your thoughts!

What creative outlets help you succeed in your career? Send us your stories and questions!

5 Key Takeaways:

• Creativity boosts problem-solving and inspires innovation.

• Musical training supports project management and quality control.

• Work-life boundaries sustain motivation and passion.

• Trying new creative activities leads to growth and confidence.

• Combining creative and technical skills leads to a richer professional and personal life.

🎙️ Episode Overview

In this episode, Nicolai and I dive into what it’s like to step outside your comfort zone. I recently started taking piano lessons—something I’ve literally never done before. I grew up playing sports, so music was just never part of my world. But honestly? It’s been an awesome challenge, and I wanted to share what I’ve been learning with you all.

🤔 Why this matters (especially if you’re early in your career)

Engineering is all about constant learning. New tech stack, new process, new role—rinse and repeat. Picking up a hobby gives you a low-stakes space to practice that same growth mindset. You learn to be patient with yourself, push through when things get tough, and ask for help when you’re stuck. Plus, reflecting on what worked (and what didn’t) makes your next attempt way better. That feedback loop is crucial. (Forbes on reflective practice)

🎹 Piano, from my perspective

I’m starting completely from scratch. Reading sheet music felt like trying to read hieroglyphics at first. Getting an instructor has been a game-changer—I’m avoiding bad habits, getting real-time feedback, and following a clear plan instead of just fumbling around on YouTube. Same principle applies at work: good mentorship plus focused practice time is what actually moves you forward. (Deep Work)

🧵 Sewing, from Nicolai’s perspective

Nicolai thought he’d knock out an “easy” pillow project. Turns out, not so easy. He gave up for a bit, then realized the whole point wasn’t to make something perfect—it was to figure out how to learn something new. Now he’s back at it with a more realistic goal and some checkpoints along the way. It’s all about progress, not perfection. (Todoist on progress journaling)

📚 Handy links

* Deep Work by Cal Newport

* Forbes: journaling to learn

* Todoist: progress journaling

* ASCE mentorship programs

🏆 Your turn

Pick a hobby outside engineering this week. Two short sessions. Three lines of notes after each. Share with #EngineeringOurFuture—we’d love to shout out a few on the show.

💬 Stay in the Loop

* Newsletter: Weekly vibes, tips, and ep deep dives at luisfelipeduque.com/newsletter.

* Contact Us: Hobby ideas? Hit luisfelipeduque.com/contact.

* Rate Us: help us reach more engineers!

⚡ Key Timestamps

[00:00:00] Meet the engineering entrepreneurs who'll transform your career!

[00:01:15] My podcast journey: from zero to partnerships!

[00:03:36] Nicolai's secret: turning coaching into a thriving firm!

[00:07:04] The bare minimum that unlocks massive potential!

[00:09:50] Test ideas fast with just LinkedIn and Notion!

[00:12:41] Coffee business secrets: family venture revealed!

[00:15:20] Perfectionism kills businesses - Nicolai's eye-opening warning!

[00:18:00] Beyond money: the real reason entrepreneurs succeed!

[00:21:45] Final inspiration to launch your engineering side-hustle today!

Are you ready to launch your side hustle? In this Engineering Our Future episode, Nicolai and I begin a series on entrepreneurship, sharing two decades of insights from our diverse ventures—including podcasts, coaching businesses, engineering firms, and coffee sales. We're engineers like you, not business consultants, offering practical steps to start small, overcome analysis paralysis, and build a business that enhances both your passions and career.

We explore how to start with a core concept and your unique value proposition, test it through LinkedIn engagement, and create a simple Notion landing page to validate your idea. Nicolai reveals how he transformed Engineering YOU from one-on-one coaching into comprehensive courses, while I discuss developing podcast partnerships and my recent coffee importing venture. Our essential advice: launch with minimal resources, adapt based on feedback, and maintain your enthusiasm throughout the journey.

⚡ Actionable Takeaways

Audit your skills: List three career lessons you wish you knew earlier and brainstorm a side business around them.

Test one idea: Post on LinkedIn this week and track engagement.

Launch minimally: Create a Notion page outlining your offering by week's end.

Network: Connect with one mentor or peer for feedback.

Track progress: Set a monthly review to pivot based on results.

Apply these today to engineer your entrepreneurial breakthrough. Reach out via the newsletter for personalized advice—your future venture awaits.