How do you align your money with your life so it feels meaningful—not just optimized? This episode breaks down money and life alignment in a way that finally makes sense. In this episode of Real Money, Real Life™, Linda Grizely sits down with Carl Richards, Certified Financial Planner™, author, and creator of The Sketch Guy column in The New York Times. Carl shares why money is never just math, how behavior drives financial decisions, and what it really looks like to connect your financial choices to what matters most in your real life. From simple sketches to powerful mindset shifts, this conversation strips away complexity and brings financial wellness back to clarity and intention. We Talk About: • How to align your money with your life in a practical way • Why financial decisions are driven by behavior, not optimization • The difference between "your money or your life" vs. "your money and your life" • Why complexity keeps people stuck in personal finance • How awareness—not budgeting—can improve spending habits • The role of emotions in financial decision-making • Why clarity matters more than perfect financial planning About Carl Richards: Carl Richards started The Sketch Guy column in The New York Times from the hills of Utah, crafting clear, relatable insights about money with just card stock and a Sharpie. The column ran weekly for a decade. This journey began when Carl applied for what he thought was a job as a "security guard," only to find out the ad actually said "securities." That slight misstep sparked a lifelong dedication to reshaping how we think about money. Since then, Carl has become a Certified Financial Planner™, built and sold a successful investment firm, and spoken at financial and investment events worldwide—from Australia to South Africa, the UK, and major economic centers across Europe, Canada, and the United States. His bestsellers, The Behavior Gap and The One-Page Financial Plan, have been translated into over ten languages and continue to resonate globally. Through his daily podcast, Behavior Gap Radio, which now has over 1,000 episodes and over one million downloads, Carl shares new perspectives on aligning our resources with what truly matters. His latest audio project, 50 Fires, backed by executive producers Chip and Joanna Gaines, explores the intersections of money and meaning with guests like Pete Holmes, David Whyte, Krista Tippett, and his favorite guest by far, his wife, Cori. Carl founded The Society of Advice, a community of financial planners dedicated to the craft of advice. They gather for a monthly online workshop and frequent retreats in Park City, Utah. In 2025, Carl will release a new book that, true to form, will be unlike anything seen in the personal finance section—and you better believe there will be sketches (97 of them, to be exact). When he's not exploring ideas about money, Carl, a Wilderness First Responder, can be found navigating Utah's high mountain ridges on foot, skis, or bike. Married to Cori since 1995, they have four kids, whom they consider their best friends. Connect with Carl: Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Money-Reimagining-Wealth-Sketches/dp/1804091715 Bulk order: https://bulkbooks.com/products/your-money-reimagining-wealth-in-simple-sketches Instagram: https://instagram.com/behaviorgap LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thinkingcarl/ X: https://x.com/behaviorgap About Linda Grizely: Linda Grizely, CFP®, is a personal finance expert and financial wellness speaker who helps people build confidence and clarity with their money. She is the creator of the MeMoney™ Method, a mindset-first approach that helps people feel more in control of their financial decisions — without judgment or lecture. Linda focuses on blending the numbers and tactics (real money) with the human side of money (real life), helping individuals and organizations replace overwhelm with empowerment through practical, emotionally grounded financial education. She is the host of the podcast Real Money, Real Life™. Connect with Linda: Website: https://www.LindaGriz.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindagrizely Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelindagrizely LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-grizely YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LindaGrizely TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lindagrizely X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/LindaGrizely Resources/Freebies: What's Your Money Personality Quiz: https://bit.ly/MonPersQuiz What's Holding You Back from Financial Confidence Quiz: https://bit.ly/FinConfidQuiz Join Linda's Free Community: https://bit.ly/RealMoneyRealLifeCommunity Useful Personal Finance Checklists and Flowcharts: www.lindagriz.com/resources ℹ️ Important Disclosures: Real Money, Real Life™ is hosted and produced by Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC. Linda Grizely, CFP®, is an Investment Adviser Representative of Nectarine, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC is separate from and unaffiliated with Nectarine. The views expressed on this podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect the views of Linda Grizely, Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC, or Nectarine. Guests on the podcast may express opinions or discuss financial strategies that are their own and should not be considered recommendations or personalized financial advice. This podcast is provided for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities or financial products. Listeners should consult their own financial, legal, or tax professionals regarding their specific situation. For additional disclosures, please visit: https://hellonectarine.com https://www.lindagriz.com/disclaimers