Welcome to Matt’s Dad Says…—a space built for real people who are ready to take real steps toward financial freedom.

I’m Deane, the guy behind the education, the stories, and yes—the Matt’s Dad moment that’s changing everything. I’m not, in fact, Matt’s dad. I’m not a millionaire, a finance guru, or someone who grew up with perfect money habits. I’m just someone who was broke, burned out, and tired of worrying about money every single day—until I started doing things differently.

After years of living paycheck to paycheck, I finally made a few simple changes to my spending and budgeting habits. Those changes didn’t just help me get by—they helped me build a more comfortable, flexible, and fulfilling life.

I have since studied and earned certification from the University of Minnesota as a Financial Educator, and make most of my income writing and editing for financial websites and publications. I write primarily about, you guessed it, money.

Today, I travel much of the year with my wife, invest in real estate and the stock market, and help others learn how to make money work for them instead of the other way around.

And that’s what Matt’s Dad Says… is all about.

This isn’t about get-rich-quick schemes or complicated finance talk. It’s about learning the basics, building healthy habits, and finding a way to live well—no matter your income, age, or starting point.

Whether you’re deep in debt, just starting to budget, or finally ready to invest, you’ll find practical education here rooted in experience and backed up by sound financial principles.

Because sometimes the right information doesn’t hit until you’re ready to hear it. And when you are, Matt’s Dad Says… is here for you.

The Matt’s Dad Story

First things first, I’m NOT Matt’s dad.

You know how you can tell someone something over and over… and it just doesn’t land? That was me, giving my son golf advice. Same tips. Same swing. Same. “Try keeping your head down, buddy.” Nothing clicked.

Then one day, he goes golfing with a friend’s dad (Matt’s dad, to be precise) and comes home raving about this brilliant new tip that instantly improved his game. I just blinked and said, “Wow… sounds like that guy really knows his stuff.”

It was, of course, the exact same advice I’d been giving him for months.

That’s when it hit me – We don’t really learn something until we’re ready to hear it (like when Matt’s dad says it). And there’s no shame in that. Sometimes the message has to come from someone new (like Matt’s dad). Sometimes we need the right moment, the right mood, or maybe just the right metaphor.

That’s what Matt’s Dad Says… is all about. It’s not financial advice shouted from the rooftops. In fact, we’re all about education rather than advice. It’s practical, real-world wisdom for when you’re finally ready to hear it.

No judgment. No lectures. Just honest help from someone who’s been there, made the mistakes, and learned that budgeting is kind of like golf… you’re not going to hit a hole-in-one your first time out.

And learning has a lot to do with hearing what you need to hear when you need to hear it. Or, if Matt’s dad says it. (-:

Through our blog, online course, and resources, we help people take the first steps toward financial confidence—no jargon, no shame, and no $8 lattes required. Whether you’re drowning in credit card debt or just wondering where your paycheck disappears to each month, we’ve got down-to-earth tools to help you take control.

Because when you’re finally ready to stop feeling broke and start feeling better—Matt’s Dad Says… is ready too.