The Reframe

Ep. 95 - Annual Food Spending for a Food-Loving FIRE Family

23 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Who doesn't love snooping on others' spending? Tune in to hear all the details about what we spent on food and alcohol in 2025 as a food-lovin...

Ep. 94 - Reframing Career with Ashley, a FI-Minded, Travel-Hacking, DIY-ing Physician

16 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

You won't want to miss this episode with Ashley, an ER physician who retrained to specialize in palliative care. Tune in to hear all about designi...

Ep. 93 - Strategies for Crushing A "No New Things" Challenge

09 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We have so much stuff -- too much stuff -- right? But have you considered a No New Things Challenge? Whether you're craving a hard reset on a shopping...

Ep. 92 - Reframing Career with Meg and Kerri, Podcasters in Their Second Acts

02 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This is Part Two of an interview series, where I discuss reframing our careers and approaches to life at critical junctures. This week, tune in to hea...

Ep. 92 - Reframing Career with Meg and Kerri, Podcasters in Their Second Acts

02 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This is Part One of an interview series, where I discuss reframing our careers and approaches to life at critical junctures. This week, tune in to hea...

Ep. 91 - Local Love Days: A Hint of Delight in Deep, Dark Winter

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Want to beat the winter blues -- support local businesses -- and deepen your ties within the community? Look no farther than a Local Love Day! Tune in...

Ep. 90 - Low Stakes Hot Takes (Points and Miles Edition)

16 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Tune in for a fun -- and maybe ever-so-slightly spicy -- set of against-the-grain opinions on points and miles earning. From signup bonus strategy t...

Ep. 89 - Reframing Career with Kristin, A FI-Focused Social Worker Turned Award-Winning Realtor

09 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

You won't want to miss this conversation with ⁠Kristin Weekley⁠. Kristin is an award-winning Boston-area realtor on a thought-provoking financial ...

Ep. 88 - What's In My Wallet? Earning Points and Miles as a FIRE Family

02 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Each year, we all face the card strategy questions: what should stay, and what should go? Tune in this week to hear my slightly unconventional approac...

Ep. 87 - Friction Is Our Friend (For Getting Stuff Done)

26 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Let's talk friction -- specifically, how understanding it can help us dial in systems and build lives we love. This week, we discuss five friction...

Ep. 86 - Winter As a Feature, Not a Bug?

19 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Anyone else tend towards a little winter gloom?If so, tune in this week to hear a rundown of science- and mindset-based ways to see winter as a featur...

Ep. 85 - Listener Questions, Answered!

12 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week, let's discuss four sets of listener questions on a range of topics:1. Setting kids up for financial success (including credit card auth...

Ep. 84 - "Analogue" Is My 2026 Word of the Year

05 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Is it trending among the zoomers? Perhaps. Is it a through-line in my 2026 goals? Absolutely! Tune in to hear all about "analogue" as a Word...

Ep. 83 - Let's Talk 2026 Goals!

29 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Comin' in hot with seven joyful and adventure-filled categories this year: (1) health and wellness, (2) family, (3) solo fun, (4) friend fun, (5) ...

Ep. 82 - 2025 Goals Recap: The Good, the Bad, and the Surprising

22 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's that time of year! I shared my 2025 goals way back in episode 30, and now it's time to review successes, flops, and everything in between...

Ep. 81 - 13 Things I Learned From A Year of Thrifting Fashion

15 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tune in to hear 13 lessons -- from practical to philosophical -- that I learned from a year of thrifting fashion!No new clothing purchases made their ...

Ep. 80 - Joyful Planning with Sarah Hart Unger, author of Best Laid Plans

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What a treat we have this week! Dr. Sarah Hart Unger -- author of the upcoming Best Laid Plans book -- joins me this week to discuss joyfully planning...

Ep. 79 - The Unexpected Benefits of Going Part Time Between Achieving Financial Independence (FI) and Retiring Early (RE)

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you're at FI and reading to FIRE, it's tempting to go from 100 to 0 in a day. But what if there are some unexpected benefits of taking a step-down ...

Ep. 78 - Travel Hacking 101 - Burning, Part 5: Suggests for Tracking Redemptions

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We've spent nine in-depth episodes talking about earning and burning points. Let's round this out with one final piece: how to track your points and t...

Ep. 77 - Travel Hacking 101 - Burning, Part 4: The Pros and Cons of Travel Portals

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Travel portals: a simple booking dream, or a potential nightmare? Tune in this week to learn the pros and cons of booking your points-based travel thr...

Ep. 76 - Travel Hacking 101 - Burning, Part 3: Hotel Redemptions

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let's chat about redeeming points for hotel stays! From private plunge pool luxury to road trip spots to lay your head, we cover it all. This week, we...

Ep. 75 - Travel Hacking 101 - Burning, Part 2: Flight Redemptions

03 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is a monster episode, packed with 10 principles and tools to help you find and book the best flight redemptions with your hard-earned points. Tun...

Ep. 74 - Travel Hacking 101: Burning, Part 1: Transfer Partners and Points Pooling

27 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's back, baby -- another series on travel hacking basics, this time focused on burning all those hard-earned transferrable points we've stas...

Ep. 73 - Reality Check - Are We Already Living Our Dream Lives? (Or At Least Something Pretty Darn Close)

20 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's easy to focus on the gaps. Let's focus on the gains. In this week's episode, we discuss four practical ways to see how we're much closer to livin...

Ep. 72: Are You In Your In-Sourcing Season, Or Your Out-Sourcing Season?

13 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our insourcing and outsourcing decisions vary by life season. This week, we discuss mental frameworks for making these decisions -- including both goo...

Ep. 71 - The Lies We Tell Ourselves - “Good Adults” Grind Away for 40 Years

06 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let's discuss this pernicious myth, its risks to our health, and how we can push back to protect our well-being and sense of peace. Tune in for he...

Ep. 70 - Travel Hacking 101 - Earning, Part 5: Beyond the Points with Checking Account Bonuses and Cash Back Cards

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let's wrap this series on points and miles earning by going beyond points and miles. How to conjure up cash for non-points travel, with very littl...

Ep. 69 - Travel Hacking 101 - Earning, Part 4: Earning Points on All Your Spending

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Points earning goes well beyond swiping your card at a store. This week, we discuss how to earn points and miles for paying major expenses such as you...

Ep. 68 - Travel Hacking 101 - Earning, Part 3: The Power of Shopping Portals

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back for Part 3 of our points earning series! Today we launch into shopping portals: what they are, how to use them, and how they can make the...

Ep. 67 - Travel Hacking 101 - Earning, Part 2: Earn Points With Category Multipliers

08 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tune in this week to learn how to earn big on major categories of spending using category multipliers. From groceries to dining, online retailers to t...

Ep. 66 - Travel Hacking 101 - Earning, Part 1: Earn Points With Sign-Up Bonuses

01 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tune into the Part 1 in a 5 part series on the "earning" side of travel hacking. Today we explore seven key principles related to earning vi...

Ep. 65 - A Personal Update: 100% Financially Independent; 80% to Early Retirement

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For the first 64 episodes of this podcast, I've talked generally about FI and FIRE. In episode 65: here's the skinny on where we stand in this...

Ep. 64 - Can a Frugal or FIRE Lifestyle Be “Aesthetic?”

18 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let's put to rest the silly myth that a frugal or FIRE-focused lifestyle can't also be an aesthetically-pleasing one, filled with loads of lovely adve...

Ep. 63 - Is FIRE Ethical?

12 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Hot takes, throw downs, you name it -- let's talk about whether FIRE (financial independence, retire early) is ethical. We'll explore angles f...

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: The Minimalish Mom Podcast is now The Reframe

05 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

All you want to know (and more?) about this re-naming, re-framing adventure!

Ep. 62 - Family Travel Lessons Learned: An Annual Debrief on What Worked and What Didn’t

04 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From travel planning... to time in the sky... to on-the-ground family rhythms, today's episode shares our "lessons learned" (and sometim...

Ep. 61 - Family Points and Miles Travel: Booking a Dream Trip for Five to Greece, Malta, and Paris!

28 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let's talk global points and miles adventuring for families, made easy. Points and miles travel doesn't require a George Costanza wallet fat with 40 a...

Ep. 60 - Fuel Your Happiness… And Save The Planet?

21 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let's chat about how we can step up our personal wellbeing game while also showing the Earth a little love! Today we dive into how we can "fe...

A Mea Culpa on Audio Quality... And A Promise That It's on the Upswing!

20 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Man, I goofed on the last episide. But audio quality is getting better going forward! Thanks for your patience.

Ep. 59 - A Listener Money Story: Jennifer, a 31-Year-Old Scottish Veterinarian

14 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, please join to hear listener Jennifer tell her money story! Jennifer's story started in Northern Scotland as the daughter of two parents wi...

Ep. 58 - 45 Things I've Learned In My First 45 Years

07 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tune in to hear 45 lessons I've learned in my first 45 years, ranging from friendship to finances, marriage to style, work to parenting.Join in, and p...

Ep. 57 - The What, Why, and How of a Super Fun “Use It Up” Challenge

30 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let's talk philosophical "whys" and tactical "hows" of undertaking a challenge to Use It Up all throughout the house. Join for discussions of Granny H...

Ep. 56 - Tiny Home System Improvements with Big Payoff

23 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Feeling frustrated with how your systems at home are working (or not working)? Let's talk about applying principles of minimalism to improve our home ...

One Year of Podcasting!

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

One Year Podcast Anniversary! A big warm thank you, and a small request…

Ep.55 - Are You FI-Curious? Part 3: Doing the Deep Work of Finding Your “Enough”

16 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Reaching FI moves from fantasy to reality as we define what our "enough" is. Join this week when we discuss how to find our own highly-personal versio...

Ep. 54 - Are You FI-Curious? Part 2: Controlling Large Fixed Expenses, The Earlier The Better

09 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In Part 2 of the "Are You FI-Curious" series, let's go ahead and anger the Fancy House People, the Private School People, and the Countr...

Ep. 53 - Are You FI-Curious? Part 1: Finding Your Favorite Flavor of Financial Independence

02 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Face off: Jimmy Choos + ZoomLife to 65, or the freedom to shape our days when we still have a spring in our steps? This week we start a three-week se...

Ep. 52 - Are We Trading Time We Don’t Have for Money We Don’t Need?

26 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are we trading time we don’t have for money we don’t need? Hot take alert: probably yes, for lots of us. Join me this week as we talk about valuin...

Ep. 51 - Putting Stoicism Into Practice With A Cancer Diagnosis

19 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Surprise! (Bad surprise, but still... surprise!). This week we talk about using stoic principles to help walk through hard times with a special and ve...

Ep. 50 - My Money Story (Special Mother's Day Edition)

12 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In Episode 41, we walked through questions to ask ourselves when exploring our money stories. Today, I share a little sliver of my own money story, fo...

Ep. 49 - Taking A Family of 4 to Japan for... $98?

05 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss 101-level booking strategies to help you travel the world for pennies on the dollar, using our family's recent trip to Japan...

Ep. 48 - A Gadget Free Form of the Quantified Self? Yes, Please!

28 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's an Oura ring v. Moleskin notebook faceoff, y'all. Not really, but in this week's episode we discuss how to engage in a little "q...

Ep. 47 - Checking Up on Q1 "25 for 25 Goals"

21 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Well, seems I talked into the ether for too long last week... we had to break up the episode into two parts! Here's the second one, checking in on...

Ep. 46 - Q1 Update on 2025 Goals!

14 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Goals are fun. Let's check in to see how the 2025 goals are progressing after Q1!

Ep. 45 - Break the Shopping Habit — and Discover What You’re Really Seeking

07 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you have a lil' shopping habit? Back in the day, I did, for sure. But it felt a little icky... not great for the wallet, not great for the eart...

Ep. 44 - Let's Do a Capsule Wardrobe!

31 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Love the idea of a streamlined, mix-and-match, elegant and minimalist wardrobe? But does the idea of paring down forever and finding your One True Sty...

Ep. 43 - FI is Fun/ Making the Journey to Financial Independence A Game

24 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Love the idea of Financial Independence but find it intimidating... or fear it's a killjoy? Tune in to learn how pursuing FI can be fun, and how y...

Ep. 42 - Let’s Use the Good Stuff — Because Today is Worth Celebrating

17 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Time to haul out the fine fabrics, the bling-y baubles, and all the special things you've been "saving" for some unspecified future time...

Ep. 41 - What’s Your Money Story?

10 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our experiences with money as children and young adults shape our earning, spending, and saving throughout the rest of our lives. So let's dive deep o...

Ep. 40 - The Joy of Buy It For Life (Or At Least A Very Long Time)

03 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you love the idea of buying a classic, well-made piece and keeping it for life? In this episode we discuss whether the buy-it-for-life approach nec...

Ep. 39 - The Art of Reframing: Frugality As Luxury

24 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join for the second episode in a mini-series on reframing our thinking to enhance our lives.This week, we address the idea of frugality as luxury. Wha...

Ep. 38 - The Art of Reframing: Inconvenience As Opportunity

17 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week and next, join as we discuss the art of reframing our thinking to enhance our lives.Today’s episode: how can we re-examine minor inconveni...

Ep. 37 - Stylish Sustainability with Kelly of the Points and Miles Doc

10 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Can a sustainable, Earth-lovin' life also be stylish and adventurous? Can we see the world while saving the planet? Join me for a conversation with Ke...

Ep. 36 - Want to Be Financially Free? It’s the Lexus… and the Lattes

03 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Does financial independence seem like a pipe dream? Not only is it more achievable than many people realize, but small changes can make a big differen...

Ep. 35 - Who Cares What "They" Say? Embracing Our True Selves in Middle Age

27 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Were you "a pleasure to have in class?" Worry about what "they" will think if you show your true self? In this episode, we talk about the process of s...

Ep. 34 - Maggie of Inside Out Money on the Why of FI (Financial Independence)

20 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ever considered how it would feel to be financially independent... fully work-optional... and even retire early? Tune in to this week's episode with ...

Ep. 33 - How My Family Enjoyed $58,000+ In Free Travel in 2024 — And You Can Too!

13 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Want to show your family the world, but don't want to tank your dreams of financial independence? Hit "play" for an in-the-weeds "travel hacking" disc...

Ep. 32 - INs and OUTs for 2025

06 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mocha mousse brown, whimsical peplums, and statement bracelets? Nah. Let's keep inching up Maslow's hierarchy of needs and get to the really good stuf...

Ep. 31 - Is 2025 Really the Year of NO AMAZON?

30 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A big, hairy, audacious goal... or a silly one? An achievable aim, or bound to fail? Whatever you think of it, join in to hear the WHY and the HOW of ...

Ep. 30 - 2025 Goals!

23 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the last of a three-part series on goals, let's walk through 2025 goals! I share my Word of the Year, 25 for 25 list, and 2025 big goals. Cheers t...

Ep. 29 - 2024 Big Goals Recap

16 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If last week's "24 for 2024" recap whetted your appetite for more goals talk, you're in the right place. This week we talk about how goals can interac...

Ep. 28 - 24 for 2024 Goals Recap!

09 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We're wrapping up 2024, which means it's time for a "24 for 2024" recap. What goals kept inspiring throughout the year, and what did I selectively kic...

Ep. 27 - Celebrating the Holidays -- "Yes, Please!" ... and "Hard Pass!"

02 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Let's talk what we LOVE doing during the holidays, and what's a hard pass. What really brings joy... as compared to what do we feel like we're suppose...

Ep. 26 - Declutterbug: Freeing Ourselves of 1000 Things by the End of the Year

25 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Anyone else have the end-of-year decluttering bug? Let's wrap 2024 with a Big Purge: 1000 items, responsibly decluttered, by the ball drop on December...

Ep. 25 - Do Good, Feel Good: Finding An Awesome Volunteer Gig

18 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Let me help you figure out how you can help others! In this episode, we cover the seven key questions to ask yourself when identifying meaningful and ...

Ep. 24 - Self Care During Hard Seasons

11 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We all have hard seasons -- too much stress, too busy, too many expectations -- but a little planning can help make those hard seasons a bit easier. J...

Ep. 23 - Special Guest LizGetsLoaded Talks MVPing Your Life

04 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Want to try something new, but feel intimidated about getting started? This week, Liz -- she of the Liz Gets Loaded and Inside Out Money podcasts -- c...

Ep. 22 - Leveling Up Your Family Travel Game: Maximum Fun, Minimal Hassle, Optimized Costs: Part 2 of 2

28 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Coming at you with Part 2 of 2 in our series on leveling up your family travel game. Let's talk optimizing costs on flights, accommodations, food,...

Ep. 21 - Leveling Up Your Family Travel Game: Maximum Fun, Minimal Hassle, Optimized Costs: Part 1 of 2

21 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Want to level up your family's travel experiences? Let's dive into a two-part series on how to maximize fun and minimize hassle, while optimiz...

Ep. 20 - Building a Better Life with Travel Rewards - Part 2 of 2 (Guest: Kelly of Points and Miles Doc)

14 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tune in to learn about redeeming travel point and miles with the whip-smart surgeon, travel hacker, and world traveler Kelly of Points and Miles Doc. ...

Ep. 19 - Building a Better Life with Travel Rewards - Part 1 of 2 (Guest: Kelly of Points and Miles Doc)

07 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tune in to learn about earning travel point and miles with the whip-smart surgeon, travel hacker, and world traveler Kelly of Points and Miles Doc. Th...

Ep. 18 - Conducting a Home Eco Audit

30 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Let's undertake a step-by-step exploration of how we're using energy and resources in our homes, figuring out the good, the bad, and the impro...

Ep. 17 - Fostering Neighborhood Connections

23 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Let's chat about how to foster deeper, happier neighborhood connections -- with those immediately around you, and in your broader local community....

Ep 16 - Developing and Executing on FUN Goals!

16 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's not the new year, but we can still talk goal-setting, right? This week's episode dives into setting fun goals, and reflecting on our goal...

Ep. 15 - Building a Walkable Life

09 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Want to improve your health and wellbeing, deepen connection to your community, AND save a little cash all while decreasing your impact on the Earth? ...

Ep. 14 - The Joys of Gamification

02 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Or... how switching my caffeine source funded a high-end weekend beach trip. This week, let's discuss how gamifying elements of our finances and ...

Ep. 13 - Embracing Summer Magic... When Work Doesn't Slow Down

26 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have a big, busy job that doesn't take a summer slow-down, but you still want to feel the magic of summer? Listen for a tips and tricks on how to ...

Ep. 12 - Embracing the Can-Do, Beginner Spirit

19 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Let's talk about breaking out of our routines and ruts to learn new skills! We'll discuss the why, how, and what of embracing the can-do spiri...

Ep. 11: Developing A Giving Plan

12 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are you interested in giving more strategically, intentionally, and regularly? Welcome to this week's episode, filled with practical and actionabl...

Ep. 10: Creating Our Life Templates

05 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week we discuss what makes our week days and weekends better, and how to build life templates that support these pursuits. Thanks for tuning in!

Ep. 9: Creating Our Personal Commandments!

29 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week we explore identifying and living into our "personal commandments" as part of building a more satisfying and joyful life.

Ep. 8: Living Lagom (Meals)

22 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Part 5 of 5 on the Swedish concept of "lagom" or "just the right amount."

Ep. 7: Living Lagom (Relationships)

15 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Part 4 of 5 on the Swedish concept of "lagom" or "just the right amount."

Ep. 6: Living Lagom (Clothing)

08 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Part 3 of a 5 part series on Living Lagom -- the Swedish concept of "just the right amount."

Ep. 5: Living Lagom (Finances)

01 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 of a 5 part series on Living Lagom -- the Swedish concept of "just the right amount."

Ep. 4: Living Lagom (Time and Scheduling)

24 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Part 1 of a 5 part series on Living Lagom -- the Swedish concept of "just the right amount."

Ep. 2: The Origin Story of "More Joy, Less Hedonic Treadmill"

17 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. 1: Welcome to the Minimal(ish) Mom Podcast!

17 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. 3: 40 Acts of Kindness Before 40!

17 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas