SeedTime with Bob and Linda Lotich

Most of us measure our money by how the month feels, and that's a lot like trying to lose 20 pounds by checking how tight your sweatpants are. In this live workshop, Linda and I walk you through the one number that actually tells you whether you're getting ahead, why we stopped calling it net worth, and what Proverbs 27:23 has to do with it. We get into why so many of us avoid looking at our finances, the two scoreboards that keep people anxious no matter how they're doing, our own first number (-$13,843) and where it was one year later, a 10-minute exercise to find your number, the four financial stages and what to do in each one, and your questions about money leaks, setting an enough number, giving when money is tight, and paying for kids in college. Not sure which of the four stages you're in? Take our short stage quiz (10 questions, about two minutes) and you'll get next steps for right where you are: https://seedtime.com/stage Timestamps 0:00 Cold open and intro 0:42 Seeing your whole financial picture on one page 1:47 Proverbs 27:23 and why God wants you to know your number 3:18 Why so many of us avoid looking 6:26 Step 1: Face the number 8:52 Visibility vs. discipline 10:50 Step 2: Swap the scoreboard 11:33 Your strength or God's strength 17:41 Why debt and net worth make bad scoreboards 20:30 Assets under management (AUM) 23:41 Step 3: Mark the starting line 24:28 Our first number: -$13,843 26:46 Where we were one year later 29:09 Find your number (live exercise) 36:55 The four financial stages 42:20 Stage 1: Surviving 45:50 Stage 2: Stable 49:21 Stage 3: Secure 51:35 Stage 4: Surplus Here's a little of what we cover in this episode: Why so many of us avoid looking at our finances, and what Proverbs 27:23 says about it The weight loss lesson that explains why most of us need more visibility with money, not more willpower Why debt and net worth both make lousy scoreboards What "assets under management" means and why the name matters Our first number (-$13,843) and where it was one year later How to find your number in about 10 minutes The four financial stages: Surviving, Stable, Secure, and Surplus The couple who thought they spent $200 a month eating out (it was $800) What an enough number is and how to set one Whether to give when you're in survival mode Bible Verses Mentioned: Proverbs 27:23 Genesis 13:2 Psalm 46:1 1 Corinthians 14:33 2 Kings 4:1-7 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 2 Kings 4:42-44 John 6:1-13 Proverbs 3:6 2 Corinthians 12:9 Exodus 14:10-22 Acts 8:39-40 Matthew 25:14-30 1 Kings 17:8-16 Resources Mentioned: AUM Spreadsheet AUM Printable Worksheet Financial Stage Quiz Simple Money, Rich Life (free book, just cover shipping) 30 Days of Prayer for Your Finances Mission Driven Millionaire True Financial Freedom Disclaimer: Obligatory legal disclaimer: I'm a financial educator, not your financial advisor, investment advisor, tax pro, or lawyer. This channel is for general education, not personalized advice, and nothing here should be taken as a recommendation to buy, sell, or use any specific investment, account, or financial product. I'm just sharing what I'm doing, what I'm learning, and what I find interesting. Markets can be humbling. Investing involves risk, including the risk of losing money, and my results are personal, may not be typical, and are not guaranteed. Do your own research, use wisdom, and talk with a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Some links are to our resources and some are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That helps keep the lights on around here, so thanks for the support.

You can be totally at peace with God, doing everything right, and still not get the thing you've been praying for. That one hit me hard. Annie F. Downs sat down with me and Linda to talk about her new book, Don't Let That Hold You Back. She's the host of the That Sounds Fun podcast, and she just got engaged after decades of being single. We talked about the idea that if you just get content enough, God will finally hand you what you want. She says that's not how it works, not even close. We got into what the Bible actually means by abundant life, and why the enemy's real target isn't your bank account, it's your dreams. We talked about her "board of directors," the people she lets speak into her biggest decisions instead of just asking ChatGPT. And we talked about why our company shuts down for three whole months every summer, fully paid, and what that has to do with a verse about letting a field rest. This one covers faith, waiting, money, and what it looks like to stop letting fear make your decisions for you. If you enjoyed this, we'd love to send you a free copy of our book. You just cover shipping. It has over 1,000 5-star reviews on Amazon. Grab it at: seedtime.com/free. What We Cover Here's a little of what we cover in this episode: Why Annie says the church stole something from every single person sitting in the pews The oddly specific bedding advice she gives every single woman (and why it matters more than you'd think) Why she thinks ChatGPT is a bad replacement for your own "board of directors" The difference between something that's stolen, killed, and destroyed, and why it changes how you should pray about it Why our company takes a fully paid, three month break every single summer The three step process Annie uses to test whether a dream is actually from God Why "just get content" is terrible advice if you actually want something to change Bible Verses Mentioned John 10:10 Matthew 7:7 Exodus 23 or Leviticus 25 (sabbath year) John 16:33 Ecclesiastes 3:11 Proverbs 14:4 Proverbs 11 or 15 (multitude of counselors) 2 Corinthians 2:15 Resources Mentioned Don't Let That Hold You Back by Annie F. Downs Disclaimer Obligatory legal disclaimer: I'm a financial educator, not your financial advisor, investment advisor, tax pro, or lawyer. This channel is for general education, not personalized advice, and nothing here should be taken as a recommendation to buy, sell, or use any specific investment, account, or financial product. I'm just sharing what I'm doing, what I'm learning, and what I find interesting. Markets can be humbling. Investing involves risk, including the risk of losing money, and my results are personal, may not be typical, and are not guaranteed. Do your own research, use wisdom, and talk with a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Some links are to our resources and some are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That helps keep the lights on around here, so thanks for the support.

You can do everything right with money and still not feel free. Budget in place. Debt gone. Emergency fund full. And underneath it, the same low hum of anxiety and comparison that was there before. Our friend Bryan built his entire financial life on three words he'd heard a thousand times: cash is king. He's a Dave Ramsey superfan. He did the debt-free scream. Then one day in the shower it hit him. Cash isn't king. Jesus is. That one shift exposed a money idol he never knew he had, and it changed how he makes every financial decision since. In this conversation we get into how to tell whether money has become your idol (it usually hides in a phrase you say every day), the two kingdoms your money can run on, a definition of financial freedom that has nothing to do with a dollar amount, and what happened when Bryan and his wife prayed about spending their last $12,000 and believed God said yes. To be clear, there is real wisdom in "cash is king." This is not a takedown. It's a conversation about what sits on the throne. We wrote down the 14 things we did to be able to give away $1 million by our 40th birthdays. It's free at: https://seedtime.com/GIVE1M Timestamps 0:00 Cold open and intro 2:57 The three words Bryan built his financial life on 3:51 The shower moment that flipped "cash is king" 7:30 Where the idol got built (and why he never saw it) 10:50 Two kingdoms, two operating systems 20:45 Money wants to give you what only God can 21:50 The stronghold you can't see 23:45 A definition of financial freedom that isn't a dollar amount 26:33 Nearly $1 million in cash to negative $3,000 29:46 The truck, and their last $12,000 31:59 Jesus math 34:01 You gotta ask God 41:19 "I have enough" What we cover: Here's a little of what we cover in this episode: The phrase you have heard a thousand times that might be a lie The two operating systems your money can run on Why financial freedom can't be a number in an account The last $12,000 decision that made no financial sense Why "you have not because you ask not" still challenges Bryan The first time Bryan ever thought "I have enough" Bible Verses Mentioned: Genesis 3 Genesis 41 Deuteronomy 27-28 Joshua 6 1 Kings 17 Proverbs 9 Proverbs 21: 20 Matthew 6: 26 Matthew 6: 33 Matthew 17: 27 Romans 1-3 James 4: 2 Resources Mentioned: Growth Tools Disclaimer: Obligatory legal disclaimer: I'm a financial educator, not your financial advisor, investment advisor, tax pro, or lawyer. This channel is for general education, not personalized advice, and nothing here should be taken as a recommendation to buy, sell, or use any specific investment, account, or financial product. I'm just sharing what I'm doing, what I'm learning, and what I find interesting. Markets can be humbling. Investing involves risk, including the risk of losing money, and my results are personal, may not be typical, and are not guaranteed. Do your own research, use wisdom, and talk with a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Some links are to our resources and some are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That helps keep the lights on around here, so thanks for the support.

When money is tight, a sneaky thought creeps in. If God was really pleased with me, wouldn't this be easier? I have wrestled with that question myself more times than I can count. So in this episode, Linda and I get honest about whether financial struggle means God is displeased with you. We talk about what blessed actually means, and why comparing your finances to everyone's highlight reel is a trap. We share seasons where we did everything right and money was still hard. And we look at why adversity might actually mean you're on the right path. This is for anyone quietly asking, am I doing something wrong? If you enjoyed this, we'd love to send you a free copy of our book. You just cover shipping. It has over 1,000 5-star reviews on Amazon. Grab it at: seedtime.com/free. What We Cover Here's a little of what we cover in this episode: The question almost every Christian asks about money but never says out loud Why your definition of blessed might be working against you The surprising salary that puts you in the top 1% of the world What seed time and harvest reveals about seasons that feel stuck Why adversity is not a sign that God is withholding blessing The advice I come back to every time I don't know what to do next Bible Verses Mentioned Galatians 6:9 Romans 8:28 Resources Mentioned Simple Money, Rich Life (the book) Disclaimer Obligatory legal disclaimer: I'm a financial educator, not your financial advisor, investment advisor, tax pro, or lawyer. This channel is for general education, not personalized advice, and nothing here should be taken as a recommendation to buy, sell, or use any specific investment, account, or financial product. I'm just sharing what I'm doing, what I'm learning, and what I find interesting. Markets can be humbling. Investing involves risk, including the risk of losing money, and my results are personal, may not be typical, and are not guaranteed. Do your own research, use wisdom, and talk with a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Some links are to our resources and some are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That helps keep the lights on around here, so thanks for the support.

Three different doctors told her she should be dead. She is still here, and still hosting live radio. For over three decades, Susie Larson fought Lyme disease and mold toxicity. It left seven areas of brain damage. She lost words on the air and forgot how to spell. At her lowest, IV bags filled the fridge where the groceries should have been. Her family had no money for food while their friends bought second homes. But something grew in the middle of all that pain. She learned how to trust God when the breakthrough was nowhere in sight. In this episode, Susie joins Linda and me to talk about her new book, More Than You Can Imagine. We dig into the real difference between faith and "name it and claim it." We talk about speaking God's Word over your money, your health, and your family. I also share the story of declaring life over our newborn son when he would not breathe. This one is about money, faith, healing, and what God actually does when you keep trusting Him. If you enjoyed this, we'd love to send you a free copy of our book. You just cover shipping. It has over 1,000 5-star reviews on Amazon. Grab it at seedtime.com/free. Timestamps 0:51 Why this conversation felt like a divine appointment 3:14 Three decades of Lyme disease, mold, and losing words on live radio 4:23 The wandering lamb and the two ways we drift from God 12:50 The bold stranger who told Susie not to quit, then vanished 16:04 Broke and sick, learning to say "let the weak say I am strong" 21:38 The longest 90 seconds: declaring life over a baby who would not breathe 24:15 Why telling a hurting person to "just say it" can backfire 32:41 Who Susie wrote More Than You Can Imagine for What We Cover Here's a little of what we cover in this episode: What three decades of chronic illness taught Susie about trusting God The real difference between faith and the "name it and claim it" trap Why some Christians end up making an idol out of their pain The strange encounter that stopped Susie from walking away from her calling What being broke and sick at the same time taught her about God as provider The prayer I prayed over our son when the room went silent What God does when you keep trusting Him with no results in sight Bible Verses Mentioned Ephesians 3:20-21 Joel 3:10 John 7:38 John 13:3-5 Romans 4:17 2 Corinthians 4:13 Hebrews 11:38 Mark 11:23 Resources Mentioned Free book offer More Than You Can Imagine by Susie Larson Susie Larson Live (her radio show and podcast) SusieLarson.com Disclaimer Obligatory legal disclaimer: I'm a financial educator, not your financial advisor, investment advisor, tax pro, or lawyer. This channel is for general education, not personalized advice, and nothing here should be taken as a recommendation to buy, sell, or use any specific investment, account, or financial product. I'm just sharing what I'm doing, what I'm learning, and what I find interesting. Markets can be humbling. Investing involves risk, including the risk of losing money, and my results are personal, may not be typical, and are not guaranteed. Do your own research, use wisdom, and talk with a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Some links are to our resources and some are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That helps keep the lights on around here, so thanks for the support.

If your budget keeps falling apart after two weeks, it's probably not your fault. I used to think I was just bad with money. Then I realized the budget itself was the problem, not me. In this episode, Linda and I walk through 10 reasons budgets break and what to do instead. We cover zero-based budgeting, unrealistic numbers, tracking expenses, and the credit card mistake almost everyone makes. We also share why building fun into your budget is one of the biggest secrets to actually sticking with it. And you'll hear how one person cut their spending in half by doing one simple thing. If you enjoyed this, we'd love to send you a free copy of our book. You just cover shipping. It has over 1,000 5-star reviews on Amazon. Grab it at: seedtime.com/free. What We Cover Here's a little of what we cover in this episode: The real reason 80% of budgets fail (it's not discipline) Why most people who say they budget actually don't The one habit that helped someone cut spending by 50% without changing anything else The credit card rule Linda and I follow that keeps us out of trouble The "gotta have it now" tax you're probably paying every month Why a miserable budget is a broken budget The Amazon cart trick I use to stop impulse buys Resources Mentioned Real Money Method course True Financial Freedom course Disclaimer Obligatory legal disclaimer: I'm a financial educator, not your financial advisor, investment advisor, tax pro, or lawyer. This channel is for general education, not personalized advice, and nothing here should be taken as a recommendation to buy, sell, or use any specific investment, account, or financial product. I'm just sharing what I'm doing, what I'm learning, and what I find interesting. Markets can be humbling. Investing involves risk, including the risk of losing money, and my results are personal, may not be typical, and are not guaranteed. Do your own research, use wisdom, and talk with a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Some links are to our resources and some are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That helps keep the lights on around here, so thanks for the support.

In this episode I walk through our entire 2026 investment portfolio: every account, every position, and exactly what I'm doing with our money. That includes a full update on gold (which has nearly doubled but I genuinely don't care), where we stand with Bitcoin at $65k, why I moved Linda's Roth IRA into a fixed indexed annuity after spending my whole career skeptical of them, our real estate split between Fundrise and Roots, the Tesla concentration problem in our stock portfolio, and what happened when I ran an app that automatically copies Nancy Pelosi's trades for 8 months — including the $1,500 I put in and the 12.4% it returned. If you enjoyed this, we'd love to send you a free copy of our book — you just cover shipping. It has over 1,000 5-star reviews on Amazon. Grab it at seedtime.com/free. WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE Here's a little of what we cover in this episode: The Christian fund I've held for a year that's down 3% while the S&P is up 17% — and why I'm not selling The app that automatically mirrors Nancy Pelosi's stock trades (Trump mentioned her record in the State of the Union) Why gold has nearly doubled — and why I genuinely don't care The Tesla concentration problem in our stock portfolio that every rebalancing strategy says to fix (but I won't) Why I spent my whole career skeptical of annuities — then moved Linda's Roth IRA into one What we're actually putting in crypto right now, and why 80% of it is in one coin Why I want as few US dollars as possible right now — and what I'm holding instead BIBLE REFERENCES Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25) RESOURCES MENTIONED Sound Mind Investing (FCTE / Full Cycle Trading Fund) Roots Fundrise Innovation Fund Alto IRA OneGold Autopilot app Webull DISCLAIMER Obligatory legal disclaimer: I'm a financial educator, not your financial advisor, investment advisor, tax pro, or lawyer. This channel is for general education, not personalized advice, and nothing here should be taken as a recommendation to buy, sell, or use any specific investment, account, or financial product. I'm just sharing what I'm doing, what I'm learning, and what I find interesting. Markets can be humbling. Investing involves risk, including the risk of losing money, and my results are personal, may not be typical, and are not guaranteed. Do your own research, use wisdom, and talk with a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Some links are to our resources and some are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That helps keep the lights on around here, so thanks for the support.