The Math Is Less Important Than You Think
There’s a common misconception that financial progress is all about spreadsheets and calculators. And while we definitely use those tools in my coaching practice, the real magic — the secret sauce — is the thoughtful conversation that happens before we ever open them.
In fact, some of the best answers show up before we even do the math. (Kind of like when I realized I could save hundreds of dollars a month by making my own Gatorade… but more on that in a bit.)
This week, I’m sharing a story about why the questions we ask — and how we ask them — matter just as much (if not more!) as the answers we’re trying to find. Whether you’re thinking about buying a home, changing jobs, building resilient wealth, or home-brewing sports drinks, this one’s for you.
Let’s dive in.
— Andrew
In This Edition:
✏️ The real work starts before the math
📈 My $0.85 Gatorade hack
⚡ Better questions for smarter decisions
❓ What gives you confidence with money?
✏️ ONE BIG IDEA: Success starts before the spreadsheet.
Two days ago, a couple came to me with what sounded like a straightforward question:
“Can we afford to buy a house?”
They were wondering if it might make sense to dip into retirement savings to boost their down payment. What would the tax consequences be? Would that decision derail their long-term goals? Was it worth it?
They thought they needed a math answer.
I think they were surprised that I didn’t run a single calculation in the 45 minutes we talked.
This happens a lot. Someone brings me a “simple” financial question — and I start asking what might feel like unrelated ones:
What’s your current monthly spending?
How do you feel about your job and future income?
What do you want life to look like in 5 years? 15? How do you want your money to support that?
Do you have an emergency fund? How many months of expenses would it cover?
Any credit card debt? What interest rates?
What’s your retirement account projected to reach by the time you want to stop working?
Etc.
In moments like these, I can almost hear the thought:
“Can’t you just tell me the answer? Surely it's not really that complicated.”
But what we’re doing in those moments is critical. We’re framing the real question — and building the context we need to answer it thoughtfully.
Because of course: personal finance is personal. There’s rarely one right answer. But there is usually a best answer for you.
All those questions I ask? They’re about uncovering:
What you want (not just what’s allowed)
What matters most
Where your money needs to go
What tradeoffs you’re willing to make — and unwilling to make
Sometimes the answer shows up before we ever touch a spreadsheet.
There’s a saying:
“Asking the right question is half the answer.”
I’d argue it’s more like 75%.
Don’t get me wrong — we will build the spreadsheet. But the math is only helpful when it uses the right inputs, the right assumptions, and the right priorities.
So if you’re facing a big financial decision, don’t start with a calculator.
Start with a question.
And if you’re not sure what to ask — please know I'm here to help.
📈 A PERSONAL STORY: Bougie Gatorade vs. Powdered Potions
Many readers will know I’m an avid cyclist.
What you might not know is that I’ve been a lifelong athlete — school records, championship coaching, the whole deal. These days, I pour that energy into cycling… which happens to be notoriously expensive.
One thing I take seriously on long, fast rides is nutrition. I need steady carbs to keep my energy up and avoid bonking. In the cycling world, that means specialized drink mixes designed for performance.
But here’s the problem: those drink mixes run $4–8 per bottle.
And I drink one bottle per hour, on average.
Which means, with 10–15 hours of riding per week, I’d be spending $40 to $120 per week on bougie Gatorade.
Hard pass. It's not in the budget.
But skipping nutrition isn’t an option either — not if I care about performance, health, and longevity. (Which I do, in a big way.)
So I got curious.
With a little research, I found I could buy the exact same raw ingredients (maltodextrin, fructose, and sodium) in bulk… and mix my own bottles with a kitchen scale.
Now I prep bottles at home, and the unit cost?
Just $0.85 each.
That’s a 90% savings — same performance, same outcome, way lower cost.
Is this a silly example? Most certainly.
But it’s exactly how I approach financial decisions in my own life.
Start with priorities... Then run the numbers... Then find a creative solution that honors both.
⚡ QUICK TIP: Ask better questions! (Especially you, couples.)
Picking up on the theme yet? 😊
Before you run the numbers, try asking better questions. This is especially helpful for couples — but also for anyone trying to make decisions with clarity and care.
Here are a few prompts to try:
What do we want more of in our life right now?
What would this decision allow us to do?
What problem are we actually trying to solve?
Are we optimizing for freedom, certainty, fun, or something else?
What are we not willing to compromise on?
Once your priorities are clear, the math gets easier — and the conversations get way more productive.
Bonus: Your partner will feel more heard and understood, too.
❓ MONEY QUESTION: What helps you feel most confident when making a big financial decision?
Spreadsheet-driven math? Reassurance from a loved one? A grounding conversation? Knowing your other goals are already funded? Etc.
Want to talk with Andrew directly?
Schedule a 30-minute Free Clarity Session to get expert eyes on your financial questions and explore what support might look like.
→ Book your Free Clarity Session
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