Podcast Episode

The Hardest No in Your Personal & Financial Life

Emotional Balance Sheet with Paul Fenner··2 September 2026·7 min

About this episode

Work with Paul: Schedule a 30-minute conversation What's the hardest thing you've ever had to say no to, and was it really the nicer car, or was it something you actually loved? Today, I get honest about the "no" I'm worst at, turning down more of the work I genuinely love, and why that one is so much harder than turning down a bigger house or a nicer car. I talk about why this hits working parents hardest. When the income lever is always in reach, "enough" stops being a math problem and becomes a permission problem. And the cost of saying yes to more never shows up on the same page as the benefit. I share the number Theresa and I save at home that keeps me honest, the count of summers left with the kids, and the small practice I use to keep the no available. We close with one question worth asking before your next yes. Connect with Paul If you're a working parent juggling a senior-level career and a growing family, and you're tired of coordinating four different advisors to run your financial life, I offer complimentary 30-minute conversations. Schedule one here. For resources discussed in this episode, visit tammacapital.com/podcast. Follow Paul on LinkedIn. Resources Featured in This Episode: Aligning Your Spending and Time with Your True Values Time Is the Ultimate Planning Killer Inflated Expectations: The Hidden Force Undermining Financial Peace