In this episode of Drip Trickle Flow Flood, we dive into the real cost of the holidays. Not just the dollars, but the emotions, expectations, and financial landmines that show up between November and January. From family pressure to overspending guilt to creative alternatives that keep the joy (and ditch the debt), we share honest personal stories, practical scripts, and a few hilarious holiday fails. This is your permission slip to celebrate intentionally, spend mindfully, and ditch the holiday perfection myth once and for all.

We discuss:

1. “Perfect holidays” are expensive — but meaningful ones don’t have to be.

Social expectations and family pressure can lead to overspending, but simple traditions, thoughtful gifts, or inexpensive games can create even more joy.

2. Boundaries are the ultimate financial wellness tool.

Scripts like “I love you, and I’m being mindful of my budget this year…” help you honor both your wallet and your energy without guilt.

3. Creativity beats consumerism.

Story bowls, side-dish-only dinners, and “favorite foods night” prove you don’t need a big budget to make big memories.

4. Avoid the December debt hangover with ‘joy dollars.’

Budget for holiday fun with intention — spend on what genuinely lights you up, not on obligation, pressure, or last-minute panic.

5. Holiday seasons can be abundance seasons.

For creatives, makers, side-hustlers, and small businesses, November–December can become a strategic earning opportunity, from markets to seasonal offerings to smart holiday sale upgrades.

Our Links

Tony’s website

Melissa’s website

Drip Trickle Flow Flood T-Shirts

We’ve got merch! That’s right, Drip Trickle Flow Flood t-shirts are officially here and they’re as comfy as they are conversation-starting.

Grab yours!

Rate and Review

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to rate and review Drip Trickle Flow Flood on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners discover the show and it makes our day. Thanks for listening!

Subscribe to this newsletter for income ideas that drip, trickle, flow, and flood into your life.

https://driptrickleflowflood.substack.com/

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. The opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are solely their own and do not reflect the views of any companies or organizations they may be affiliated with.

Listeners should conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment or financial decisions. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee that the information presented is complete, current, or applicable to your specific situation. Investing involves risk, including potential loss of principal.

By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree that the hosts, guests, and producers are not responsible for any financial decisions you make based on the content discussed.

In this episode we’re talking to Eric, the creator of Ducktown Weekly—a nostalgia-packed print publication that brings back everything you loved about the funny pages. If you were the kid who raced to the comics before anyone else touched the newspaper, this episode is your warm hug. We dive into how Eric revived a nearly extinct format, why print can still feel magical, what it takes to start a newspaper in 2025, and why hundreds of people are rediscovering the joy of comics, puzzles, national park features, and more.

We discuss:

• Why holding a physical paper, looking forward to the mail, and escaping screens for a few minutes still gives people real joy.
• Comics are a multigenerational love language. Whether you connect with classics or discover new favorites, comics hit an emotional sweet spot.
• Starting a “newspaper” today is shockingly accessible. With modern software, syndicate licensing, and outsourced printing, one person can build something that used to take a whole newsroom.
• Side hustles can be passion projects. Eric runs Ducktown Weekly while also working full-time as an economist, proving that joy-driven projects can still thrive.
• The value of analog connection is rising. People crave real mail, quiet moments, and screen-free experiences, making Ducktown Weekly a refreshing alternative to algorithm-driven everything.

Our Links

Tony’s website

Melissa’s website

Drip Trickle Flow Flood T-Shirts

We’ve got merch! That’s right, Drip Trickle Flow Flood t-shirts are officially here and they’re as comfy as they are conversation-starting.

Grab yours!

Rate and Review

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to rate and review Drip Trickle Flow Flood on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners discover the show and it makes our day. Thanks for listening!

Subscribe to this newsletter for income ideas that drip, trickle, flow, and flood into your life.

https://driptrickleflowflood.substack.com/

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. The opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are solely their own and do not reflect the views of any companies or organizations they may be affiliated with.

Listeners should conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment or financial decisions. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee that the information presented is complete, current, or applicable to your specific situation. Investing involves risk, including potential loss of principal.

By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree that the hosts, guests, and producers are not responsible for any financial decisions you make based on the content discussed.

In this episode, we dive into research that reveals a hard truth: our emotions - stress, anxiety, and full-on avoidance - are driving far more of our financial decisions than we might admit. More than half of Americans report being stressed about money. And the generational breakdown? Even more surprising. Melissa and Tony unpack why this happens, how to break out of avoidance mode, and the small steps that can dramatically improve your sense of control and confidence around money.

We discuss:

1. Avoidance is more common than we think.

Nearly half of adults are actively avoiding opening account statements because facing the numbers feels overwhelming, which only worsens the problem.

2. Gen Z is the most stressed generation financially.

Between student loans, job market struggles, and cost-of-living increases, young adults report the highest levels of money stress, but this generational trend has always skewed young.

3. Conversations about money reduce fear.

Talking openly with trusted friends, partners, or family members helps break shame cycles, normalize stress, and often leads to shared solutions.

4. Small, consistent actions beat big, overwhelming ones.

Canceling one subscription, making one phone call, lowering one interest rate… these tiny moves create momentum and reduce anxiety far more than grand “fix everything” plans.

5. Multiple income streams = less stress.

The Drip Trickle Flow Flood mindset gives you stability and resilience. When one stream slows, another picks up, creating a sense of agency and reducing fear around “what ifs.”

Our Links

Tony’s website

Melissa’s website

Drip Trickle Flow Flood T-Shirts

We’ve got merch! That’s right, Drip Trickle Flow Flood t-shirts are officially here and they’re as comfy as they are conversation-starting.

Grab yours!

Rate and Review

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to rate and review Drip Trickle Flow Flood on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners discover the show and it makes our day. Thanks for listening!

Subscribe to this newsletter for income ideas that drip, trickle, flow, and flood into your life.

https://driptrickleflowflood.substack.com/

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. The opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are solely their own and do not reflect the views of any companies or organizations they may be affiliated with.

Listeners should conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment or financial decisions. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee that the information presented is complete, current, or applicable to your specific situation. Investing involves risk, including potential loss of principal.

By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree that the hosts, guests, and producers are not responsible for any financial decisions you make based on the content discussed.

Ever dreamt of turning your creative hobby into a career? In this episode, we chat with Tristin Rieken, a food photographer, recipe developer, and founder of Fresh Flavorful, who turned her love of cooking, adventure, and photography into a thriving content business. From early blogging days to landing brand deals and learning to value her work, Tristan shares what it really takes to build multiple income streams doing what you love.

Tristin shares:

1. Start before you’re ready. Tristin began sharing her food photography before it was even called “content creation”, proof that imperfect action beats waiting for permission.
2. Know your worth. Transitioning from free product to paid partnerships was a major mindset shift.
3. Diversify to stay steady. Between her food blog, photography gigs, a family business, and job, Tristin has built income that flows from multiple streams.
4. Follow what fuels you. After years of tight deadlines and brand deals, Tristin stepped back to create content she truly enjoys, and the money still followed.
5. Play the long game. From viral apple cookies to a black charcoal cocktail that earns passive income years later, patience and consistency are key to creative success.

Check out Fresh Flavorful

Tristin’s Apple Cookies

Full Moontini Charcoal Cocktail

Our Links

Tony’s website

Melissa’s website

Drip Trickle Flow Flood T-Shirts

We’ve got merch! That’s right, Drip Trickle Flow Flood t-shirts are officially here and they’re as comfy as they are conversation-starting.

Grab yours!

Rate and Review

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to rate and review Drip Trickle Flow Flood on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners discover the show and it makes our day. Thanks for listening!

Subscribe to this newsletter for income ideas that drip, trickle, flow, and flood into your life.

https://driptrickleflowflood.substack.com/

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. The opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are solely their own and do not reflect the views of any companies or organizations they may be affiliated with.

Listeners should conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment or financial decisions. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee that the information presented is complete, current, or applicable to your specific situation. Investing involves risk, including potential loss of principal.

By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree that the hosts, guests, and producers are not responsible for any financial decisions you make based on the content discussed.

When homeownership feels out of reach due to rising interest rates, steep down payments, or complex mortgage qualifications, rent-to-own offers an intriguing alternative. In this episode, we dive into the pros and cons of rent-to-own from both the tenant and landlord perspectives.

Whether you’re looking to move into your dream house, grow your investment portfolio, or just get creative in today’s real estate market, this one’s packed with insight.

We discuss:

• What Rent-to-Own Really Means
• Why Landlords Might Say Yes
• Creative Investor Strategy
• Structure + Protection
• Why Emotions Matter Too

Listen to the Rent or Buy episode.

Our Links

Tony’s website

Drip Trickle Flow Flood T-Shirts

We’ve got merch! That’s right, Drip Trickle Flow Flood t-shirts are officially here and they’re as comfy as they are conversation-starting.

Grab yours!

Rate and Review

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to rate and review Drip Trickle Flow Flood on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners discover the show and it makes our day. Thanks for listening!

Subscribe to this newsletter for income ideas that drip, trickle, flow, and flood into your life.

https://driptrickleflowflood.substack.com/

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. The opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are solely their own and do not reflect the views of any companies or organizations they may be affiliated with.

Listeners should conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment or financial decisions. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee that the information presented is complete, current, or applicable to your specific situation. Investing involves risk, including potential loss of principal.

By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree that the hosts, guests, and producers are not responsible for any financial decisions you make based on the content discussed.

What happens when you combine incredible cookies, a vintage 1954 trailer, and a whole lot of entrepreneurial spirit? You get GIRLnDOG Cookies, a Bellingham, WA-based cookie business built on joy, quality ingredients, and one woman’s dream of doing one thing really well.

In this episode, we chat with Meredith, the founder of GIRLnDOG, about how she turned her love for baking into a business, why she’s staying focused on cookies (and not pastries, thank you very much), and what it’s like to juggle family life, solo entrepreneurship, and scaling a growing brand from inside the cutest trailer you’ve ever seen.

We discuss:

• Sticking to what you do best. Why Meredith doesn’t try to be everything to everyone.
• It’s not just a cookie, it’s an experience. From the vintage trailer to the menu to the lighting, every part of the GIRLnDOG brand is intentional.
• Running a “simple” business is anything but simple. From commissary baking to ingredient sourcing to marketing, Meredith wears every hat.
• Saying yes to growth means getting creative. She’s exploring wholesale, cookie subscriptions, and events to build sustainable income streams.
• Balancing business and life takes boundaries. Powering down after events is essential for longevity and sanity.

Visit GIRLnDOG

Website

Instagram

Our Links

Tony’s website

Melissa’s website

Drip Trickle Flow Flood T-Shirts

We’ve got merch! That’s right, Drip Trickle Flow Flood t-shirts are officially here and they’re as comfy as they are conversation-starting.

Grab yours!

Rate and Review

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to rate and review Drip Trickle Flow Flood on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners discover the show and it makes our day. Thanks for listening!

Subscribe to this newsletter for income ideas that drip, trickle, flow, and flood into your life.

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. The opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are solely their own and do not reflect the views of any companies or organizations they may be affiliated with.

Listeners should conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment or financial decisions. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee that the information presented is complete, current, or applicable to your specific situation. Investing involves risk, including potential loss of principal.

By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree that the hosts, guests, and producers are not responsible for any financial decisions you make based on the content discussed.

Ever wonder how podcasters make money, and what goes on behind the scenes before the checks roll in? In this candid episode, we pull back the curtain on how Drip Trickle Flow Flood went from a book idea to a podcast, and now to a growing brand with its very first income stream.

We share:

1. How this project originally started as a book, but quickly pivoted into a podcast to test ideas, gather audience feedback, and create community before publishing.
2. Our first monetization play - a super soft, conversation-starting Drip Trickle Flow Flood T-shirts.
3. DTFF 1:1 consulting sessions to help others analyze their own drip, trickle, flow, and flood income streams, with a focus on spotting low-hanging fruit for new revenue.
4. Rather than rushing into ad networks, we’re exploring brand partnerships that align with the mission and tone of the podcast. No scammy diet pills here.
5. What we’re not doing to monetize, and why.

Our Links

Tony’s website

Melissa’s website

Drip Trickle Flow Flood T-Shirts

We’ve got merch! That’s right, Drip Trickle Flow Flood t-shirts are officially here and they’re as comfy as they are conversation-starting.

Grab yours!

Rate and Review

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to rate and review Drip Trickle Flow Flood on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners discover the show and it makes our day. Thanks for listening!

Subscribe to this newsletter for income ideas that drip, trickle, flow, and flood into your life.

https://driptrickleflowflood.substack.com/

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. The opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are solely their own and do not reflect the views of any companies or organizations they may be affiliated with.

Listeners should conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment or financial decisions. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee that the information presented is complete, current, or applicable to your specific situation. Investing involves risk, including potential loss of principal.

By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree that the hosts, guests, and producers are not responsible for any financial decisions you make based on the content discussed.

Is it better to build a brilliant product or just market the heck out of an average one? Do honest founders win in the long run, or are deceptive tactics more profitable? And when it comes to success, is impact more important than money?

In this episode of Drip Trickle Flow Flood, we break down an article from Entrepreneur magazine that analyzes how 7,000 founders ranked the ingredients for startup success. Expect real talk, lived experience, and a few strong opinions (as always).

We discuss:

• Execution > Marketing? The data suggests founders who prioritize execution outperform those who lead with hype. But in a noisy world, does marketing still matter?
• The Deception Dilemma: Some entrepreneurs do build their entire business model on misleading tactics.
• Fame vs. Impact: Many founders are obsessed with looking good instead of doing good. But investors (and customers) don’t always care about your version of “impact.”
• Blunt Honesty Isn’t Always Best: Interestingly, the data showed that while honesty ranked high, blunt honesty ranked lower, suggesting nuance matters in communication.
• Consumers Have Power: While you can’t control every shady business model, you can make thoughtful buying choices and vote with your dollars to support what matters to you.

Whether you’re building a startup or just love analyzing founder psychology - this one’s for you!

Our Links

Tony’s website

Melissa’s website

Drip Trickle Flow Flood T-Shirts

We’ve got merch! That’s right, Drip Trickle Flow Flood t-shirts are officially here and they’re as comfy as they are conversation-starting.

Grab yours!

Rate and Review

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to rate and review Drip Trickle Flow Flood on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners discover the show and it makes our day. Thanks for listening!

Subscribe to this newsletter for income ideas that drip, trickle, flow, and flood into your life.

https://driptrickleflowflood.substack.com/

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. The opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are solely their own and do not reflect the views of any companies or organizations they may be affiliated with.

Listeners should conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment or financial decisions. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee that the information presented is complete, current, or applicable to your specific situation. Investing involves risk, including potential loss of principal.

By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree that the hosts, guests, and producers are not responsible for any financial decisions you make based on the content discussed.