Are you a spender or a saver? A credit card maximizer or a debit-only minimalist? In this episode, we unpack the everyday decisions that quietly shape your financial life — from Warren Buffett’s investing advice and exchange-traded funds to subscription overload, budgeting habits, and whether new cars are really a trap.

We get real about the hidden costs of homeownership, surprise expenses (hello, childcare and dryer fires), Costco vs. Sam’s Club loyalty, coupon codes, name brands vs. generics, and even how much the outfit you’re wearing right now actually cost.

Plus: Do dogs cost as much as kids? Should you obsess over your credit score? What would you never spend money on? And ultimately — can money actually buy happiness?

It’s practical, honest, and with one of our favorite guest David Leake. Just the way money conversations should be.

In this episode, we somehow go from a local Kalamazoo shovel thief to the complex moral hierarchy of stealing. Along the way, we break down why eBay has tiers of acceptable spending, unpack a very literal interpretation of Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda,” and learn more about Sir Mix-a-Lot’s surprisingly serious intentions behind “Baby Got Back.” We also check in on Gen Z’s changing relationship with alcohol, explore Kalamazoo’s alcohol-free bar scene, and try to make sense of the growing trend of “wellness raves,” coffee clubbing, and sauna dance parties. It’s a chaotic tour through petty crime, pop culture, and the strange new ways people are trying to party without the hangover.

From exploding-tree myths and weather balloon drama to drugstore monopolies and extreme cold warnings, this episode is all over the map—in the best way. We cover MVP’s snow blower mishap, why measles is back, quitting Walgreens after some truly wild Nabumetone pricing, and why GRR weather forecasting kinda sucks. Toss in hobby dogging, minimalist hot takes, Costco meatballs, Animal Crossing rage, and what we’ve been watching lately—and you’ve got a classic Not Just Rainbows and Unicorns episode.

Season 5 starts strong with news about tax credits for dogs, some surprising Apple Watch health predictions, and all the essentials keeping us warm this winter — from rechargeable hand warmers to space heaters. We also break down the dog toys our pups picked up, the elaborate Lego/puzzles we built over the holidays, and a big list of what we’ve been watching across Netflix, Amazon, Peacock, and more.

In this episode, Nicole kicks things off with a deep dive into angel tree chaos—from confusing toy requests to the wild world of K-Pop Demon Hunters and rich-kid Christmas haul culture. Then Michael brings us into dog-land, where thyroid drama, Facebook group zealots, DIY dog beds, and tiny Wagwear boots all make an appearance. We wrap with free money tips, a new MVP coat, vacuum opinions, and everything we’ve been watching lately.

Nicole and Michael are back with a rapid-fire round of questions, confessions, and chaotic honesty. But first — Nicole has something she just needs to talk about: the viral collector craze behind the 2025 Glass Starbucks Bearista Cup (and a little reminder of last year’s $60 Barbie Stanley mayhem). From there, they dive into everything from nemeses and algorithms to zombie apocalypse plans and whether aliens are real. It’s a little bit deep, a little bit unhinged, and completely them.

In this episode, we cover everything from waterproof dog fashion and waterless shampoos to spooky Halloween backdrops and surprisingly germy hand dryers. We also dive into the competitive world of hobby horses (yes, really), an art heist at the Louvre, and a daylight-saving recap. All that plus what we’ve been streaming.

In this episode, Nicole and Michael share updates on Marigold’s weight journey and Henry’s latest bout with stress colitis, talk pet nutrition, allergies, and supplements, and dive into the world of AI-generated content—from spotting fakes to using tools like Sora 2. Plus, they debate printers, streaming costs, and what’s worth watching this week.

In this episode, Nicole and Michael are joined by David to unpack the chaos surrounding Charlie Kirk’s death, firings across politics and workplaces, and the oddities of how different states and institutions responded. They dive into the symbolism of flags, sports tributes, and the grim reality of school shootings—asking what safety even looks like for kids today, right down to the idea of bulletproof backpacks.

In this episode, Nicole and Michael spiral through a well stocked buffet of topics—from debates in the dog training community about collars and methods, to favorite products like coffee machines, leashes, boots, and pet first aid kits. They also touch on practical home and garden items, insurance considerations, and wrap up with a binge-watch roundup of new and classic shows across streaming platforms.