Margin & Meaning
Newsletter Archive
Hi there —
Welcome to the full archive of Margin & Meaning™ — a newsletter about money, mindset, and building a life (and business) that feels as good as it looks.
New editions are added regularly and sorted with the latest up top. Whether you’re here to catch up, dig deeper, or read the newest issue, you’re in the right place.
💼 Business owner? Look for editions labeled Business Finance for real-world strategies, client wins, and lessons from the field.
🏠 Focusing on personal finance? Stick with the Personal Finance category for practical tools and mindset shifts to help you use your money with clarity and intention.
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See you in your inbox,
— Andrew
2025 Didn't Quite Go To Plan
Marcus wasn’t overspending, and he wasn’t in debt. But when we reviewed his annual totals, he was unsettled. Not guilty — just ready for change. This edition is about the quiet clarity that comes from looking back… and choosing to do things differently.
Lessons From A $10,000 Mistake
After extending grace too far, I learned a hard lesson about fit, follow-through, and the real cost of serving the wrong client. Here’s how I’m using that clarity to fuel growth.
The Year That Changed Me
2025 was a year of massive transition — a new baby, a new home, and a new chapter as both a coach and a father. In this personal reflection, I share what changed in our finances, our family, and my business — and what I’m choosing to carry forward into 2026.
The Clearest I've Felt All Year
Most business owners are juggling too much and trying to grow without a clear target. In this edition, I share how I rewrote my mission for the current season and made powerful tradeoffs to align with my highest-value work. The clarity it brought changed everything.
What's the Mission Right Now?
If you feel like you’re working hard but still falling short, the problem may not be your effort — it might be your expectations. This essay explores how to define the season you’re in, write a mission for it, and finally feel aligned again.
One Big Project at a Time
When your business finally finds stability, the temptation is to do everything at once. But clarity means choosing what matters most. Here’s why focusing on one big project at a time creates better results — and how to decide what deserves your energy now.
More Is Not the Goal — Enough Is
Hard work isn’t the issue — misalignment is. If you’ve been pushing without a clear destination, it’s time to define what “enough” looks like… so your effort leads to a life that actually fits.
Designing Your Steady State
A big win is exciting — but turning it into a sustainable, repeatable system? That’s what separates real growth from one-time chaos.
When the Switch Flips
That moment when it stops feeling theoretical and starts feeling real. Here’s what changes when your financial plan actually starts working.
The Light Switch Moment
That moment when it finally clicks. Here’s what the Light Switch Moment looks like — and how to build the systems that get you there (and keep you there).
The Region Beta Trap
Some situations aren’t bad enough to force a change… and that’s the problem. In this edition, I explore the Region Beta Paradox — and why raising your standards might be the only way forward.
Business Lessons From a Toddler
A lesson in leadership from my 3-year-old: being responsible doesn’t mean doing everything yourself—it means making sure the job gets done. This edition explores what it looks like to own the outcome in your business, even after you delegate.
The Math Is Less Important Than You Think
Sometimes the best financial decisions happen before the math. Learn why asking the right questions matters more than finding the “right” answer — plus how I cut my cycling costs by 90%.
Success Creates New Problems
What happens when demand outpaces your systems? This edition unpacks how one designer is revamping her inquiry flow — and how you can do the same to protect your time, streamline onboarding, and get paid sooner.
When the Paycheck Doesn't Come
What happens when your paycheck doesn’t come? This edition explores a real client’s experience navigating the federal shutdown — and what it teaches us about resilience, margin, and staying financially afloat when income hits pause.
Profit Is Not Selfish
Profit isn’t selfish — it’s strategic. In this edition, we’re breaking down why paying yourself isn’t optional, what profit is really for, and how to build a business that takes care of you while you take care of others.
From Mine & Yours to Ours
Managing money as a couple isn’t just about combining bank accounts — it’s about navigating values, priorities, and habits together. In this edition, I break down why partnership requires a fresh approach to finances, how one couple reset their system from scratch, and what you can do to start building trust and momentum today.
Spend More to Earn More
Spending less doesn’t always strengthen your business. This edition explores when it’s actually smarter to spend more — and how to make those calls with clarity and confidence.
Fund What Matters
We’re just weeks away from welcoming our second child — and our financial plan is shifting to reflect what matters most in this season. This edition shares how we’re approaching it, and how you can apply the same principles in your own life.
Your Business Is Not Your Emergency Fund
Too many business owners quietly sabotage growth by pulling from their business without a plan. This edition kicks off An Owner’s Perspective with a fresh strategy for building a business that supports your life — not one that runs it.