Hi, we're Lucas and Lyndsay! The creators of Dead Money Diaries.

We’re a husband-and-wife duo from Columbus, Ohio—fueled by caffeine, curiosity and a shared love for adventure. Lucas brings stories to life as a cinematographer and Lyndsay puts pen to paper as a graphic designer. Together, we enjoy hiking, snowboarding, pulling the perfect shot of espresso, photography, and spending time with our goofy golden retriever River.

We took our first big trip together to Colorado in 2021 and fell in love with the mountains and each other, and returned exactly three years later to say “I do.” When it comes to vacations, we always choose winding trails and wild landscapes over poolside resorts and we never stop moving—but it’s always worth it. Whether we’re exploring a new place or hiking to the top of one, we’re always on the lookout for our next great adventure—and the best cup of coffee to go with it.

Dead Money Diaries was born from a simple phrase we often say: “what good is money when you’re dead?” It’s our reminder to use the time and resources we have now—while we’re healthy, curious, and up for just about anything. Instead of saving all of our money and adventures for a distant “someday,” we’re living them now.

This isn’t necessarily a how-to guide or a checklist of must-see places. It’s a personal diary—something we can look back on in 50 years, and something that might inspire others to make bold, memory-rich choices too. We’ll share the highlights and the hiccups, with enough detail to be helpful for anyone planning a similar trip.

At the end of the day, you’ll make the money back—but you won’t get the time back. So here’s to spending both.