I almost bought a camera I didn’t need.

And the only thing that stopped me wasn’t discipline, budgeting, or some amazing financial habit.

It was friction.

After a recent filming trip to Napa Valley, I convinced myself I needed a new camera. I had the use case. I had the specs picked out. I had the business justification. I was ready to buy it.

Then the seller made it slightly harder for me to pay.

That tiny inconvenience gave me enough time to go home, look at the gear I already owned, and realize something:

I didn’t need the camera.

In this episode of Growing Money, I talk about why making spending TOO easy can work against us, how we turn wants into “needs,” and why intentionally adding friction back into your financial life might save you more money than relying on willpower.

I also share the simple 48–72 hour rule I’m trying to use before bigger purchases and the opportunity-cost question that completely changed how I looked at this one:

Would I rather have another camera… or a plane ticket that could actually help me grow my business?

Sometimes the smartest financial decision isn’t “never.”

It’s just: not now.

Let me know in the comments: What’s something you almost bought, or actually bought, because you convinced yourself you “needed” it?

I sat down with Adam Van Deusen from Kitces.com to talk about something we don't discuss enough in personal finance: what "enough" actually means for you.

We got into why so many people worry they'll never have enough to retire, even when they're doing the right things, and why comparing yourself to influencers or the next tax bracket is a losing game.

We talked about the arrival fallacy, why hitting your number doesn't automatically make you happy, and how to actually give yourself permission to spend money you worked hard to save. I loved his take on buying back your time instead of just buying more stuff.

What does "enough" actually look like for you right now?

I sat down with Jack Heintzelman, partner at Altara Wealth and board member of the Financial Planning Association.

We went way past budgets and spreadsheets into what money actually means to people, why couples avoid the money talk until it blows up their relationship, and why the $2M client and the $20M client are often losing sleep over the exact same fears.

Jack broke down why the most powerful financial habits are the boring ones, why compound interest beats chasing hot investments, and how one simple net worth statement can pull you out of feeling overwhelmed.

What's one money habit you've built that's completely changed your financial life?