Debunking Frugality Myths with Jen Smith and Jill Sirianni

Weird Finance

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In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco unpacks the hottest new personal finance trend of loud budgeting with frugality experts Jen Smith and Jill Sirianni from the Frugal Friends podcast. Jen and Jill delve into their stories: what prompted them to begin their frugal journeys, how they’ve changed their relationship to frugality along the way, and some of their frugal fumbles.

Jen and Jill tackle and debunk widespread myths about frugality head-on, from the false belief that being frugal is only for folks who are cheap and wealthy to reframing how frugality is not about deprivation but prioritizing what we value and being mindful of how we use our individual and shared resources.

Jen Smith & Jill Sirianni are co-hosts of the top-rated Frugal Friends Podcast. With over 300 episodes and 5 million downloads, Frugal Friends is changing how the world thinks about frugality. Jen uses her background in financial journalism to seek topics that help people overcome impulse spending and reach their financial goals. Jill is a licensed clinical social worker who enjoys exploring the connections between our money behaviors and mental health. Together, they’re helping people become better stewards of their money, time, space, and natural resources.

For more insights from Jen and Jill, tune in to their "Frugal Friends" podcast, sign up for their email newsletter, The Friendlette, and follow along on Instagram (@frugalfriendspodcast). And lastly, here is a picture of Jill’s wedding dress mishap.

A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode.

Thank you to Ramsey Yount and Andrew Howard for lending your voice to our special PSA.

The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon.

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