The Personal Finance Podcast
Host: Andrew Giancola
Episode: Money Expert: Why You Should Give Before You’re Rich (With Derrick Kinney)
Date: September 3, 2025

Episode Overview

In this inspiring episode, host Andrew Giancola welcomes financial thought leader Derrick Kinney to discuss one of the least talked-about — but most transformative — aspects of wealth: giving. Kinney advocates flipping the traditional approach to money on its head by making generosity, not wealth accumulation, the foundation of your financial journey. The episode explores how giving fuels purpose, motivation, and lasting impact — and why you shouldn’t wait until you’re rich to start. Additionally, Kinney shares practical strategies for setting income goals, overcoming limiting beliefs, teaching generosity to kids, and the critical importance of communication skills for the rising generation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Money Purpose vs. Money Goals (03:26–06:31)

• Purpose Before Wealth:
  Many chase financial goals without a sense of purpose, which leads to burnout and dissatisfaction, even among the outwardly successful.
  • Kinney recounts a client story (“Dave”) who regained passion and business momentum by linking his work to a meaningful cause (building a school for a village).
  • Quote: “They want to be like him... but inside, they were like this wilting flower... I feel purposeless. I feel burned out... I don’t feel like I’m accomplishing what I really want in the world.” — Derrick Kinney (03:47)
• Transformative Power:
  Once Dave connected profits to purpose (“Generosity Purpose”), his business sales soared and he felt reinvigorated.

2. The Good Money Framework (06:31–11:04)

• Building Wealth Around Mission:
  Instead of “status leads to satisfaction,” Kinney’s approach focuses on aligning personal, spiritual, professional, physical, and other life goals, then building a financial plan that supports them.
• Practical Goal Setting:
  The Kinney family’s year-end tradition of setting goals in five areas, then placing written reminders in daily view, has dramatically improved their results.
  • Quote: “Unless you tell life what your goals are for it, life has its own set of goals for you...” — Derrick Kinney (07:18)

3. Finding Your Generosity Purpose (11:04–15:22)

• Why Give Before You’re Rich?
  • Giving (even small amounts) creates control, immediate impact, and compels you to grow.
  • The future value of unfocused savings can’t match the opportunity cost of immediate impact.
  • Quote: “A smaller amount today is worth a larger amount tomorrow because of the impact you make right now.” — Derrick Kinney (11:04)
• Psychology of Giving:
  • Giving is one of our purest acts of control and can be a powerful motivator, even attracting like-minded people and clients.

4. The Business & Motivational Edge of Giving (15:22–20:18)

• Science of Small Acts:
  Illustrates studies where people felt more happiness from giving, even small sums.
• Attracting Opportunities:
  Talking about your generosity purpose can actually open more doors and scale your impact.
  • Quote: “If you don’t talk about it, you’re missing an opportunity not just to share the impact you have, but secretly you’re opening a door so other people... have an excuse to join the cause as well.” — Derrick Kinney (17:29)

5. The Three Main Levers: Earn, Save, Give (20:18–24:15)

• The Infinite Power of Income:
  Many accept artificial income “lids.” Kinney counters with the “sunroof theory” — you can always aim higher.
  • “Giving is one of the purest forms of control that you have. You get to choose exactly where this dollar goes.” — Derrick Kinney (21:28)
• Earning More Fuels Giving:
  Don’t wait to give what’s “left over”— start now and make giving part of your financial DNA.

6. Income: The Most Powerful Wealth-Building Lever (24:15–27:51)

• Why Not Just Cut Back?
  Cultural advice often glorifies cutting out joy; but real wealth comes from expanding income, not just shrinking expenses.
  • Coffee with someone inspiring isn’t an expense—it's an investment.
• Get the Whole Family Involved:
  Even $75/month (in small business gifts) helped Kinney attract million-dollar relationships.

7. Setting Income Targets & The Rule of Five (27:51–32:52)

• Concrete (Not Lofty) Goals:
  Set clear, trackable income targets just like any other goal.

• Break It Down:

  • Analyze if your current job can pay more (and how).
  • Communicate and collaborate with your boss.
  • If capped, consider side hustles or job changes.
  • Rule of Five: Take five daily actions towards your goal — persistent effort brings inevitable results.

• Memorable motivational quote:
  “You can complain about your current salary, or you can burn brain cells to figure out how to get the income you want.” — Derrick Kinney (27:51)

8. Balancing Earning, Saving, and Giving Without Overwhelm (34:45–38:01)

• Take One Step at a Time:
  When overwhelmed, pause, choose one task, act, and regain momentum.
• Communication is Money:
  High-stakes conversations (job negotiations, presentations) are often where financial breakthroughs happen; practice “low and slow” authority.

9. Rejecting Guilt-Driven Money Advice (38:01–42:16)

• Spend on What Brings Value:
  It’s okay to invest in things that save you time or make you money—like outsourcing chores or networking Ubers.
• Learn to Say No:
  Saying no is a learned skill that preserves your energy and focus for what really matters.

10. Confronting Guilt Around Money (42:16–44:46)

• Write Down Your Values:
  Set goals and don’t apologize for wanting to make money—especially when tied to good causes.
  • Quote: “If you want to help the poor, don’t become one yourself.” — Dan Miller, referenced by Derrick Kinney (43:28)

11. Money Is a Tool, Not the Goal (44:46–48:26)

• Defeating Limiting Beliefs:
  Many people are held back by inherited beliefs about what they deserve (or don’t) financially.
  • Kinney shares a powerful story about helping a client overcome a guilt/fear that limited her for decades, leading to her career breakthrough.
  • Quote: “People who have money make even more mistakes. It’s the next play that counts.” — Derrick Kinney (47:14)

12. Teaching Generosity and Communication Skills to Kids & Teens (53:36–72:10)

• Real-World Experiments:
  Kinney recounts his “$5 Challenge” for students to multiply a small sum using creativity and hustle, illustrating hands-on learning.

• The Communication Gap:
  Through his new “Simple Teen Success” course, Kinney is empowering teens to confidently engage with adults—unlocking opportunities for jobs, mentorship, and scholarships.

  • Quote: “The key is just to get started.” — Derrick Kinney (13:47)
  • Communication skill-building tips (e.g. “Say ‘nice to see you’ instead of ‘nice to meet you’ to avoid awkwardness," and practice smiling for strong first impressions).

• Parents and Teens:

  • Kinney offers psychology-based approaches for parents who want kids to actively engage with these lessons (e.g. let them “opt in” rather than force participation).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Purpose:
  “Most people have money goals, but they lack a money purpose.” — Andrew Giancola (03:26)
• On Giving First:
  “A smaller amount today is worth a larger amount tomorrow because of the impact you make right now.” — Derrick Kinney (11:04)
• On Income:
  “Please do not think that giving makes up for poor service, poor quality, and poor work...giving is the bonus.” — Derrick Kinney (22:06)
• On Wealth:
  “We have a sunroof family, not a lid family. That's what wealth is.” — Derrick Kinney (74:40)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 03:26 — Defining Money Purpose vs. Money Goals
• 07:18 — Kinney Family’s Goal-Setting Ritual & “The Good Money Framework”
• 11:04 — Discovering Your Generosity Purpose & Why to Start Now
• 15:22 — Studies on the Psychological Impact of Giving
• 20:18 — The Lid Theory vs. The Sunroof Theory (Income Mindset)
• 24:15 — The “Coffee is the Smell of Money” Analogy & The Power of Income
• 27:51 — Setting Income Targets & The Rule of Five (Action Steps)
• 34:45 — Strategies to Overcome Financial Overwhelm
• 38:01 — Flipping the Guilt-Driven Narrative on Spending
• 42:16 — Letting Go of Guilt Around Money/Impact
• 44:46 — How Beliefs About Money Hold People Back (Client Story)
• 53:36 — The $5 Challenge: Teaching Kids About Money and Initiative
• 58:39 — Kinney’s “Simple Teen Success” Course and the Communication Skill Crisis
• 67:30 — What Skills Every Teen Should Learn Before College

Episode Tone & Takeaways

Andrew and Derrick’s rapport is energetic, positive, and practical, with a dash of humor and deep personal reflection. Derrick mixes storytelling with actionable advice, and Andrew constantly grounds bigger concepts with real-life examples from his own experience.

Core Takeaway: Start giving now — not because you’re already wealthy, but because giving will give your financial journey meaning and direction. When you marry your income and purpose, you unlock greater wealth, impact, and joy than traditional goal chasing ever could.

Resources & Further Learning

• Derrick Kinney’s website: DerrickKenney.com
• Simple Teen Success course: SimpleTeenSuccess.com
• Instagram: @derrickkenney

“If you want to help the poor, don’t become one yourself.” — Dan Miller (via Derrick Kinney, 43:28)

“We have a sunroof family, not a lid family. That’s what wealth is.” — Derrick Kinney (74:40)

For listeners:
Start small, link your giving to your purpose, and be the agent of change—for yourself and the world around you.