tie-dye pattern
147. 2025 Expense Review Part 1 – From $93K to $192K, A Tale of Four Households
Jan 25, 2026

Analyzing where every dollar goes provides the ultimate leverage for financial independence, and in this annual tradition, we’re pulling back the curtain on our 2025 household spending. From finished decks and water filters to personal trainers and pilates, we break down the total expenses for all four co-host households. We explore how intentionality often trumps deprivation, whether that means slashing Amazon spending by 90% or investing in quality athletic gear. Join us for an honest look at what it actually costs to live life on your own terms in today’s economy—and find out who spent the lowest and highest this year (it might not be who you’d guess!).

Liz, Andrew, Erica, and Greg join this week’s podcast as we talk about:

Total 2025 spending breakdown across four different households

– How major one-time expenses can skew annual data

– The soaring cost of medical insurance in early retirement

– Shifting from a mindset of accumulation to “decumulation”

– Our goals of memory dividends

– Real-world impacts of “voting with your dollars” by drastically reducing Amazon and Target reliance

– Leveraging secondhand shopping for furniture and clothing to save money and the planet

 

Show References:

Follow and connect with Inside Out Money: