Two Finance Degrees. Zero Financial Literacy. - Brennan Schlagbaum

What if everything you thought you knew about personal finance was wrong—even after getting a finance degree?

In this episode of the 2 Comma Club Podcast, I sit down with Brennan Schlagbaum (aka @budgetdog) to uncover the emotional, behavioral, and practical truths about money that traditional education never teaches.

You’ll learn:
• Why automation creates momentum
• How to think emotionally and logically about finances
• How Brennan left Deloitte and built a 7-figure business rooted in simplicity
• Why your current financial system is broken—and how to fix it

💸 If you’ve ever felt like financial success is just out of reach... this one’s for you.

👇 Stay Connected:
• John: @john.marsch
• Brennan: @budgetdog
• Newsletter: https://2CCnewsletter.com

⏱️ Timestamps
0:00 – Meet Brennan (aka BudgetDog) & Why He Built a Simpler System
8:22 – How Your Environment Shapes Your Financial Future
11:48 – Subscribe to the 2CC Newsletter 
12:01 – The Leap of Faith that Forced Brennan to Choose: Career or Calling
20:52 – Why Financial Education Has to Be Self-Taught
25:14 – Don’t Be “Too Smart” for Your Audience (Marketing Lessons)
32:00 – How Brennan Nurtures Cold Leads into Raving Fans
38:41 – The Financial Education You Didn’t Get (and Why It Matters)
45:20 – Inside His Offers: Book, Challenge, & BudgetDog Academy
50:02 – 2025 Goals: Donations, Brokerage, and $1M/Month
54:49 – The Leadership Lesson That Changed Everything
57:29 – Where to Follow and Learn More from Brennan