With Valentine’s Day tomorrow, we decided to romance you with an entire show dedicated to your taxes. We shouldn’t have, right? But we did—because this will be the first filing season that taxpayers see the full effects of the tax reform that was passed in 2017. And given that this was one of the biggest overhauls of the tax code in over 30 years, there will be tons of changes. Will they affect you? Let’s find out. Our date and tax expert this week is Maggie Klokkenga, senior advisor at Clayton ...more
“Becoming a millionaire is not a private country club—it’s a result of many many years of hard work.” This week we’re back with retirement expert and Ramsey Personality, Chris Hogan, who’s out with his new book, “Everyday Millionaires: How Ordinary People Built Extraordinary Wealth—and How You Can Too.” Chris and the Ramsey research team surveyed over 10,000 U.S. millionaires to discover how they reached six-figure status. Not surprisingly, it starts with getting in the right headspace. Oh, and ...more
Building on last week’s episode on the FIRE movement, this week we sit down with Jamila Souffrant, creator of the blog and podcast, Journey To Launch, in which she chronicles her and her family’s experience towards financial independence. “For most people who hear about FIRE movement it seems overwhelming,” says Jamila. “I like to modify it and say it [financial independence] can mean anything you want it to mean. In my case, it meant I wanted to retire from my corporate job to do work I love.” ...more
Only you can prevent running out of money in retirement. OK, we’ll cool it with the fire and Smokey The Bear puns. This savings crisis is one we’ve covered before, but this week we’re discussing what thousands of people are calling the solution: The FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) Movement. Our two experts, Jonathan Mendonsa and Brad Barrett, co-hosts of the ChooseFi podcast, explain what it is, its “simple math” and why it’s so popular: “You know, I think all of us kind of understand...more
Double lives. Deception. Shame. Nope, it’s not an episode of “Dirty John” (though it could be)—it’s this week’s podcast. Abby Ellin, an award-winning journalist and author of the new book: “Duped: Double Lives, False Identities, and the Con Man I Almost Married,” is in the studio and does she have a story to tell! She also equips us with advice for how to be smarter even when we’re confronted with some of the most-skilled liars. Then, in Mailbag, we discuss how you can ask for more financial res...more
We’re in the second week of 2019 — and with our New Year’s resolutions fresh in our minds — we thought it’d be an opportune time to talk about abundance. Or rather, the art of abundance with Leisa Peterson. Leisa is a wealth coach, business strategist, podcaster and author, who is known for her ability to quickly identify the exact issues that are holding us back from achieving our goals. She’s helped thousands of people (including us) develop practical skills for attracting greater wealth, free...more
Happy New Year HerMoney! Goodbye 2018 and goodbye investing confidence gap. After decades of focusing on why women weren’t investing, the broader conversation is shifting to why — and how — women are growing their wealth. We’re kicking off another fantastic year of important conversations with HerMoney’s champion from day one, Kathy Murphy. She’s the president of personal investing at Fidelity, which is out with new research on women and investing. A finding we’re thrilled to hear: Over 70% of w...more
Too many of us can relate to the fact that personal finance wasn’t something we were taught growing up. It’s a big reason why this show exists and it’s also why Dina Shoman founded inherQuests, a company that creates financial education products for kids. She’s on a mission to increase financial literacy for our future generations, starting with little girls. She shares what’s working, what isn’t and how we can start talking to our kids about money in a way that sticks. In Mailbag, we answer you...more
This week, we’re tackling the subject of aging, which, according to new research, more women are looking forward to. Excuse us? Yep, financial challenges aside, more women are excited about aging, particularly about what their lives will look like as they age. It’s rooted in the idea of, “The best is yet to come.” But the best will only come if you’re feeling your best, and that means taking care of yourself. Enter: The always-wonderful Jillian Michaels. Just days after losing her home in the Ca...more
We’ve got the O.G. B.F.F. (best financial friend) on the show this week. Shannon McLay is the founder and CEO of The Financial Gym, a financial services company that’s disrupting the industry’s approach with women (and some men) on how they overhaul their relationships with money and work towards financial success. We discuss why women want (and need) different financial advice, what’s working, what isn’t and how Shannon is successfully raising capital for her company from men who ca...more
Earlier this year, America’s student debt hit 1.5 trillion dollars — and guess who holds most of it? Yep, us ladies. We hold nearly two-thirds of all student loan debt in the United States. To bring it closer to home, the average graduate walked off campus with around $39,400 last year, which is up six percent from 2016. It’s trending up, so what can we do for ourselves and our loved ones to lower the cost? One (big) option: 529 college savings plans. We have Abby Chao, co-founder an...more
If you texted, emailed, Slacked and DM’d with people more than you talked to them face-to-face today, then this week’s episode is for you. Erica Keswin, author of the new book, “Bring Your Human to Work: 10 Surefire Ways to Design a Workplace That Is Good for People, Great for Business, and Just Might Change the World,” is all about learning how to speak in a human voice, finding the sweet spot between tech and connect and meetings that won’t waste your time. She...more
Finding roommates and funding businesses are no easy feats. Ask Elien Becque. She’s the founder and CEO of RoomZoom, a roommate matching web app designed to take the stress, financial risk and guesswork out of finding a roommate. We’ve covered the trend of more couples cohabitating before marriage to save money, but we haven’t discussed a similar trend of more Americans — in non-romantic relationships — choosing to room together for the same reason. Elien is our new guide for how to find t...more
TGIF! To celebrate, we’re taking you back to our live show at the PRX Podcast Garage in Boston. After our interview with Harvard’s Brigitte Madrian and our Mailbag (listen to both in Episode 134), we hosted a HerMoney Happy Hour. Grab your favorite beverage and enjoy 30+ minutes of women getting real about their relationships with money.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a wantrepreneur (our favorite new word) or neither, the ability to market yourself is crucial. We all need to be able to create strong brands — personal and professional — and this week we get advice on how from the best. Tina Wells, CEO and founder of Buzz Marketing Group, an agency that creates marketing strategies for clients within the beauty, entertainment, fashion, financial, and lifestyle sectors, gives us a private consultation. In Mailbag, Kelly and...more
HerMoney recently went on a road trip to Boston for a live show with Harvard’s Brigitte Madrian at the PRX Podcast Garage. We discuss her extensive research on 401(k)s — savings rates, leakages and the possible relationship they have with credit card debt — if you were auto-enrolled into yours, then you definitely want to tune in. We also explore the idea of sidecar plans. Have you heard of them? In our live Mailbag, we answer attendees’ questions on how to get more of our girlfriends talk...more
We (and by we, we mean the entire personal finance community) talk a lot about saving for retirement, but not enough about how to make our money last as long as we’re going to. So we’re going to change that. One possible solution for better guaranteeing income in retirement: annuities. One woman who’s making annuities sound much sexier than they are: Elaine Larsen. At speeds of over 280 mph, Elaine has made a career out of going as fast as possible for five seconds down a strai...more
With giving season upon us, we started asking ourselves how we can make bigger impacts — not just at the end of the year — but perhaps year round? We all have causes we care about, but when does it make sense to take donating money, time or resources a step further? When does it make sense to start a charity or not-for-profit organization of your own? To help us answer these questions, we’re sitting down with Scott Harrison, founder and CEO of the non-profit organization charity: water, which fo...more
The loss of an identity. The loss of a paycheck. Sometimes they’re one in the same. This week we’re discussing how to navigate major life changes with two of my favorite women, Lisa Oz and Jill Herzig, great friends and hosts of the new podcast, “You Turns by HowStuffWorks.” We love the name — and the concept. We sit down with both to discuss the good, the bad and the sometimes ugly when making personal and professional transitions (e.g. sending a kid off to college or lo...more
For many of us, the tables eventually turn, the roles reverse and it becomes time to take care of the people who took care of us for so many years. Becoming caregivers for our parents is often uncomfortable, emotional and comes at a time when many of us are still revving up at work (and, yes, women are more likely to leave the workforce for this, too). Stories like this week’s guest, award-winning journalist Soledad O’Brien’s, remind us that we’re not alone in this. Soled...more
Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, oh my! This week we’re getting hormonal with my good friend, Randi Hutter Epstein, author of the new book: “Aroused: The History of Hormones and How They Control Just About Everything” — which, by the way, includes our finances. We talk emotions (and money), birth control (and money), egg freezing (and money) and how to save, yes, money, on shopping for medical care. In Mailbag, Kelly and I answer your questions on selling stocks, protec...more
The fear that you’ll run out of money in retirement is big and real and daunting. Which is why we’re always excited to hear about it when someone — somewhere — has a new idea to help us conquer the challenges of making our money last. This week’s hero: Morningstar’s Head of Behavioral Science, Dr. Stephen Wendel. He outlines how a handful of modest (and specific!) changes, when made simultaneously, can amount to much bigger nest eggs. So, calm your retirement anxieties — ...more
This week we’re speaking with a woman who’s on a mission to make other women, “really f***ing rich.” And who doesn’t like the sound of that? Cindy Eckert, founder and CEO of Sprout Pharmaceuticals is leading this charge, while simultaneously supercharging our sex lives. Her company — which she sold for $1 billion and bought back for practically nothing — created Addyi, the first ever FDA-approved drug for low sexual desire in women. We talk hormones, big pharma, negotiations an...more
It’s college application season for thousands of high school seniors across the country — and the ones who love them. Whether you’re up against the deadline this year — or see it coming around the corner — it’s never too early to start strategizing. We sat down with independent university admissions counselor and founder and CEO of IvyWise, Dr. Kat Cohen, to talk not just about reigning in the cost of college, but the cost of applying itself. In Mailbag, we answer your questions on w...more
We have that back-to-school spirit over here and it inspired us to do a Bonus Mailbag! Here’s what’s on the syllabus: Ideas outside of retirement for investing “for fun,” the perks of making additional mortgage payments (but also whether you should? Think ROI!), 529 alternatives, why someone might put her home in a trust and how to build an emergency fund and pay down debt at the same time. Yes, it’s both possible and encouraged. Have a great weekend!
Dear HerMoney listeners, this week we’re getting up close and personal about our spending habits with Refinery29’s work & money director, Lindsey Stanberry. She’s here to discuss her new book, “Refinery29 Money Diaries: Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Your Finances… And Everyone Else’s” — inspired by the viral series she launched that gives readers inside looks into the spending habits of millennial women across the country. (Warnin...more
A few episodes back, we talked about one of our friends in the personal finance community achieving a perfect credit score. Yes, a score of 850. I like to say you’re not your credit score, but in Washington Post columnist Michelle Singletary’s case, you might want to be. She’s on this week to discuss her quest for perfection (honestly, she didn’t even have to try that hard), paying for college for her kids on a journalist’s salary, spending in line with your values and how to l...more
This week’s big question: Do you trust your bank? Since 2008, the answer for many Americans has been…not so much. We’re diving into all your feels around our country’s banking system with UPenn’s Lisa Servon, author of “The Unbanking of America: How the New Middle Class Survives.” We discuss her take on banks large and small and why more Americans continue to flee traditional ones for both credit unions and fintech alternatives. In Mailbag, we answer your ques...more
Were you raised to be financially independent? Or did your childhood (rocky or otherwise) motivate you to seek financial independence out? These are questions inspired by this week’s guest MSNBC LIVE anchor Stephanie Ruhle, who spent 14 years working in finance before turning to a career in television. She opens up about her upbringing, offers her most important career advice and weighs in on financial advice she thinks women like us need most. In Mailbag, we answer your questions on SEP I...more
We’ve talked about the wage gap and the leadership gap — and we’ll keep talking ’til they’re closed — but we haven’t focused on a gap that is arguably at the root of all the others: The confidence gap. This week we dig deep with master life coach and fellow podcaster, Cara Alwill Leyba. She’s out with her new book: “Like She Owns The Place, Give Yourself The Gift of Confidence and Ignite Your Inner Magic.” We discuss what confidence means, looks like, feels like and how you, to...more
When it comes to saving, investing and all things financial independence, Stella & Dot CEO and founder Jessica Herrin walks the talk. With the idea that nine-to-five doesn’t work for everybody, Herrin set out to reinvent what flexible income — and home business opportunities — look like for the modern woman. She speaks to the importance of saving and investing, but she and I agree that your most important investment is the one you make in your skill set — especially if you’re in ...more
Kevin Arnold, we get it. Just like you fell for Winnie Cooper on The Wonder Years, we’ve fallen for Danica McKellar IRL. (Case in point: When she played Monopoly growing up, she’d create emergency cash cushions by hiding her money from herself.) It’s no surprise that the actress many of us grew up with is also an internationally-recognized mathematician, who has her own theorem (yes, a theorem) and is the author a number of books aimed at helping girls in particular become more...more
What does it take to become self-made? For Nely Galán, the first Latina President of Entertainment for a U.S. television network (Telemundo), it required strategy, sacrifice and a whole lot of self-control. She joins us this week for an inspiring conversation on immigration, building wealth (if you’re interested in investing in real estate, this show’s for you) and why overachievers (hint, hint) need to slow down in order to accomplish more on our ever-growing to-do lists. In Mailbag...more
What’s your definition of success? Did your mind go straight to career? Family? Both? This week we’re tackling this loaded question with Hana Schank and Elizabeth Wallace, authors of the new book: “The Ambition Decisions: What Women Know About Work, Family, and the Path to Building a Life.” We discuss all things women and ambition — the realities of work-life balance, motherhood, what “counts” as ambition, success and more. Also, see if you’re a “High-Achiever...more
Happy 4th of July HerMoney fam! To celebrate, we’re answering your questions. We discuss tuition reimbursement programs and the pros and cons of using a 0% APR credit card to cover it until your employer does. We bounce ideas around for one listener on how she can use her stellar financial habits — and credit — to boost her partner’s. Plus: How to waive annual fees on credit cards (and to justify them), the value of prenups for later-in-life marriages and negotiating your promotion p...more
“You lose your keys — not your loved ones,” so says Laurie Burrows Grad, whose husband died a few years back and who put her feelings into a wonderful book, “The Joke’s Over, You Can Come Back Now: How This Widow Plowed Through Grief and Survived.” In a conversation filled with heart, insight and laughter, she gives us a window on widowhood, schools us on what to say — and what not to say — to our friends and family who are grieving, tells us why you should let your widow...more
You asked, we listened: This week we’re talking about divorce — an important topic for all women whether you’re single, engaged or married. That’s why we brought in one of our go-to sources, divorce expert Stacy Francis, who recently wrote a white paper about the many financial challenges women face during and after divorce — based on first-hand research with 150 women. We discuss her surprising findings (e.g. many women feel most confident in their abilities to handle money when we&...more
Don’t get us wrong, we love talking about money — but we love talking about dating and relationships, too. And the two intersect in more ways than you might expect — which is why we decided to follow our hearts and invite a matchmaker on the show. This week we’re with Meredith Golden, former psychotherapist and founder of Spoon Meet Spoon, which specializes in dating apps. We learn how matchmaking is big business in the U.S. and how dating in general can add up to big bucks for you. ...more
Calling all nice girls — yes, you! We’re diving into the conflicted relationship women have with being nice — especially in the workplace — with the ultimate nice girl (and our new girl crush), Fran Hauser. She’s out with her first book, “The Myth of the Nice Girl: Achieving a Career You Love Without Becoming a Person You Hate.” It’s important, because it’s a fine line to walk. When you’re nice, you can be seen as weak or ineffective. When you’re a...more
Is history repeating itself when it comes to your money? Neither your savings nor debts are heading in the right directions. You still don’t understand how your 401(k) is invested and you can’t seem to get yourself to tackle the other money items on your list. Well — and we mean this in the nicest way possible — maybe it’s you. That’s what human lie detector and life coach Lauren Handel Zander tells us. The author of “Maybe It’s You: Cut the Crap, Face Your Fears, L...more
How do you feel about what you’re doing with your time? Is it shaping your world — or the world in general — in a way that makes you feel good? Do you feel like you’re having an impact? And, if not, how can you go about shaking that up? That’s the topic we tackle this week with Facebook’s Head of Groups and Community Jennifer Dulski. She’s out with the new book, “Purposeful: Are you a manager or a movement starter?” She helps us answer that question and ...more
There are many things women are better at than men, but taking care of our health isn’t necessarily one of them. A study from ZocDoc shows that when we’re sick, roughly 66% of us would rather wait it out than make a doctor’s appointment (only half of men say the same, by the way). We’re also more likely than men to put off preventative care. Sometimes we do this for financial reasons…sometimes because we just don’t want to go. That’s why it helps to have a doctor you like, one you ca...more
Here’s a scary stat: In 10 years, 50% of today’s occupations will be extinct. Not a good mic-drop moment. That’s why, when it comes to our careers, it’s time to start thinking like a futurist. Executive coach Liz Bentley is here to get our heads in the game. We discuss the importance of knowing your audience, asking for feedback and how both will help you constantly evolve. We also talk about failure and why Liz thinks it’s so great: “…it means you’...more
“Freeze your eggs. Free your career.” That was the headline on an April 2014 cover of Bloomberg Businessweek featuring this week’s guest, Brigitte Adams. While egg-freezing had long been a proposed (and provocative) way to have it all, this put the practice under an international spotlight. But as Adams, who went on to found Eggsurance, an egg-freezing education site, tells us, things don’t always go according to plan. She gets granular on the process and educates us on t...more
Talking about money can be awkward. Talking about death can be awkward. Talking about them in the same conversation? Don’t even get us started. That’s why we invited Rebecca Soffer and Gabrielle Birkner, authors of the website and now book, “Modern Loss: Candid Conversation About Grief. Beginners Welcome.” And that’s exactly where we start. We discuss grief, family dynamics, inheritances, wills, the importance of having good executors and what to say to people when it feels lik...more
Does women + Investing = Fear? It might, according to some new research our guest, Libby Leffler, brings to the show this week. Libby, who was Sheryl Sandberg’s business lead during the time Lean In went from a kernel to a full-fledged movement, is now VP of Membership at SoFi. She gives us her take on how to get more involved with your investments (and why it’s so important), and shares the best advice Sandberg ever gave her. Then, Kelly and I answer your questions on when to cash i...more
We’re keeping the #EqualPayDay conversation (which is everyday for us, btw) going with Kate White, author of The Gutsy Girl Handbook: Your Manifesto for Success. She’s got some new and surprising advice for the best way to negotiate for more…and it flies in the face of everything we’ve ever heard. Plus, we dish on why you need to be facile enough to reinvent and how being a good girl can hold you back — with work and money. Kelly and I answer your questions on credit repa...more
No offense to any of our other guests, but Sheila Nevins might be our favorite. The longtime executive producer and President of HBO Documentary Films has spent years telling other people’s stories. But in this episode she opens up about her own. We have a no-holds-barred conversation on what it was like to be a career-driven woman in the 1970s, the #MeToo movement, her relationship with money (she wants to blow a bundle at Missoni, but something’s holding her back), her feelings abo...more
No matter where you are in your financial life, you’ll be able to relate to Cait Flanders’ story. After paying off $30,000 of consumer debt in two years — and upping her savings game — she found herself shopping, and shopping, and shopping some more, because she never addressed why she got into debt in the first place. Her solution? A two-year shopping ban during which she discovered her spending was more emotional than anything else. In her book, The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shop...more
No matter what you’ve heard, 30 isn’t the new 20, and 40 isn’t the new 30, especially when it comes to work, relationships and your finances. It’s time to start approaching each year — and each decade — more intentionally. This week we’re diving into why this is true with the therapist every millennial (including Kelly) wishes she had on speed dial, Dr. Meg Jay, author of The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter And How to Make the Most of Them Now. Dr. Jay tea...more
Originality is a muscle. It’s a skill. In this podcast, you’ll learn how to become an idea machine — and put your best ideas to work. That’s just one of the takeaways from our conversation with Adam Grant, organizational psychologist, Wharton’s top-rated professor, bestselling author and host of the new TED original podcast “WorkLife.” We dive into his surprising research on originals, including the fact that they are more likely to procrastinate, more likely ...more
Happy Friday HerMoney listeners! In our final Bonus Mailbag for this week, we answer your questions on tax brackets in retirement, credit cards for business expenses, balancing student loan repayments with retirement savings and getting the whole family on board for an estate planning discussion. Thank you for celebrating our 100th episode with us! Please keep the questions coming at JeanChatzky.com.
After all of the recent data breaches, do you question whether to hand over your Social Security number (and other personal information) when signing up for financial apps and services? Us, too. In today’s Bonus Mailbag, we discuss when it’s likely safe and when it’s not. We also answer your questions on using trust money for student loans and managing finances as freelancers.
In today’s Bonus Mailbag, we cover Roth IRA conversions, high-yield online savings accounts and loans for flight school.
Happy 100th episode, HerMoney! To celebrate, we’re with Dan Harris, talking happiness, meditation and money. Dan is a longtime ABC News anchor, author of 10% Happier and Meditation For Fidgety Skeptics (which certainly speaks to me) and fellow podcaster. We tend to think happiness is dependent on external factors… but science says, “Happiness is a skill. You can train your mind just the way you can train your bicep in the gym.” Dan certainly feels that way. He started his...more
In today’s Bonus Mailbag, we answer your questions on entertaining pyramid schemes, exploring retirement plans for small businesses, using savings bonds to repay student loans and buying gold as an investment.
In celebration of our 100th episode, we’re doing a full week of Bonus Mailbags! In today’s show, we answer your questions on financial planners, retirement specialists, HSAs for long-term care and when to pull your credit report in the home-buying process. Keep the questions coming at JeanChatzky.com — and please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. We love hearing from you.
You probably knew this already: We’re girl’s girls (or if you prefer women’s women). We love supporting, empowering and working with other women, which are just a few of the reasons we were so happy to grab time with Gianna Wurzl and Ashley Sumner, the founders of Quilt, the new female-only coworking start-up that enables women to work out of one another’s homes. We talk purpose, passion, productivity, matchmaking (you’ll have to tune in to figure out how that came up) an...more
You’ve all heard the joke, right? You tack this phrase onto an otherwise innocuous comment, and you get a supposedly witty — most times dirty — joke. In the midst of the #MeToo movement, we’re not laughing — and neither is Joanne Lipman, former editor-in-chief of USA Today and author of the new book by the same title. (Subtitle: What Men Need to Know (And What Women Need to Tell Them) About Working Together.) She’s got real, actionable solutions for closing the salary gap — by ...more
The markets have had us blasting Katy Perry’s “Hot N Cold” on repeat, which means a HerMoney Headline is in order. In this Friday special, we bring back my friend David Bach. He’s a personal finance superstar and author of the bestseller “Smart Couples Finish Rich” (which he just released a new edition of). We answer all of your questions on how to handle volatile markets (and trying to time them). We also discuss whether to dip a toe into Bitcoin or one of th...more
Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! Are you rolling your eyes? That’s okay. We still want you to know we love you, and we’re happy to have you as a listener. And to celebrate our love for you, we invited positive psychology experts and wife-and-husband duo Suzann Pileggi Pawelski and James Pawelski to discuss their new book, Happy Together: Using the Science of Positive Psychology to Build Love That Lasts. The Pawelskis have clued into the fact that how we behave with money can make a b...more
Your elevator pitch is important, but so is the full story. This week we’re talking power, purpose and legacy with Pattie Sellers, founder of Fortune Magazine’s Most Powerful Women (MPW) franchise and SellersEaston Media. You’ll learn the importance of knowing and sharing your story for personal and professional success. You’ll hear the stories and advice from some of the world’s most powerful women. You’ll learn why we should kick away the idea of having a ca...more
The gender pay gap is infuriating, no question. But there’s talking about it, and then there’s taking action to close it — starting with knowing your value and communicating it effectively. That’s Mika Brzezinski’s mission. As co-host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” and the force behind the “Know Your Value” movement, she shares proven how-to strategies that you can borrow and then pass along. Then, Kelly and I discuss personal loans, whether it’s a good idea to prepay mor...more
No such thing as the perfect time? Think again. Daniel H. Pink, author of six provocative books, including his newest, “When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing,” says timing is a science — not an art. Research shows we can make systematically better “when” decisions at work, at school, at home — and for our wallets. We cover short- and long-term financial decisions, including when you should get married (seriously) and how to identify your “chronotype” — the pattern of circadi...more
HerMoney recently headed to Washington, D.C. to AARP’s Family Caregiving 2018 summit — a day focused on what’s new in family caregiving (politically, technologically, professionally, personally and, yes, financially). We had amazing conversations with bestselling author Lee Woodruff (who cared for her husband, ABC’s Bob Woodruff, after he suffered a traumatic brain injury while reporting in Iraq), Sheila Lirio Marcelo, founder, chairwoman and CEO of Care.com (who founded the si...more
When the worst headache of her life turned into a near-death experience, CNBC’s senior personal finance correspondent Sharon Epperson was forced to stop, reevaluate and reinvent almost every facet of her life —including how she manages her family and career. The best news is that she’s healthy, she’s back and she’s here to share how she navigated personally and financially. From emergency savings to having the proper insurances and estate-planning documents in place, her story ...more
Happy New Year, and welcome to the very first show of 2018! When I was thinking about who I wanted to have on this show, it took me maybe all of two minutes to decide — my NBC TODAY sisters Jill Martin and Joy Bauer. For the past few years, we’ve teamed up for segments at the start of the year to help all of you kick off your money, health and organization-related resolutions. And that’s exactly what we’re doing in this episode. From skinny cocktails to fatter wallets to creating a closet that h...more
“Know your worth and then add tax.” Our final show of 2017 is filled with empowering statements — and new life mantras — courtesy of our new girl crush Robin Arzon. Successful lawyer-turned-health-and-wellness-influencer, Arzon is the bestselling author of “Shut Up And Run,” and the Head Instructor and Vice President of Fitness Programming for Peloton. (I first met her on my bike.) As we shift gears for 2018, she gets us focused on our health and wealth so that we can mak...more
As we head into the home stretch of 2017, it’s time for a little honesty and introspection: Are you happy at work? Does your job excite you? Does it make you feel fulfilled? Does it make you feel like you have a purpose? We know it sounds idealistic — and no, you’re not going to love everything you do every single day — but fulfillment at work is possible. This week Kathryn Minshew, CEO & founder of TheMuse.com, tells us how in a lively, exciting conversation. Oh, and, for the re...more
This week we’re having a conversation with Sheila Bair, who Forbes named the second most powerful woman in the world — twice. As Chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation from 2006 to 2011, she steered the agency through the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression and was the woman responsible for the successful safekeeping of $6 trillion of Americans’ savings. Her leadership earned her nicknames like — the “new sheriff of Wall Street” and the “little guy’s protector in ...more
Last week the world celebrated Giving Tuesday, the unofficial kickoff for the charitable giving season. We know that many of you will be giving back this holiday season. We also know that with over a million charities in the United States alone, figuring out where to direct your money can be an overwhelming decision. Is this cancer/hunger/social justice/fill-in-the-blank organization the right one? How will your donation line up with your values and goals — not to mention, change the world? Yes,...more
If anything’s a taboo on this show, it’s not talking about money. But for nearly half of Americans, they’d rather talk about politics, religion or death before discussing anything related to personal finance. That’s why we brought in Kathleen Burns Kingsbury, wealth psychology expert and author of the new book Breaking Money Silence: How to Shatter Money Taboos, Talk More Openly about Finances, and Live a Richer Life. Because, as she says, in a world where money can grant self-worth, power...more
Back away from the shopping carts! Before you do any shopping this week — either in-store or online — take 35 minutes to listen to this episode. We’re with Dan Ariely, professor of psychology and behavioral economics at Duke University. He’s out with his new book, Dollars and Sense: How We Misthink Money and How to Spend Smarter. He gifts us — and our wallets — with a holiday shopping game plan and answers questions like: Why does paying for things often feel like it causes actual pa...more
Back in June, we took you with us to an event called “Winning Play$: Black Women, Feminism & Empowerment.” It was hosted by the fabulous Stacey Tisdale, a fellow financial journalist, who has reported on business and finance for more than 15 years. We sat down with her and Gloria Steinem for a discussion on race, money and power. The thing is, we barely scratched the surface. And some of you wrote us — including Whitney, who you’ll meet in Mailbag — and said: “More, p...more
We dove into our Mailbag this week — Daffy Duck-style — for another bonus episode. In this show, we answer your questions on taking on a mortgage in retirement, buying a new car, using rewards credit cards strategically and more. Plus, new app alert! There’s a new app in town, and it’s targeting your credit card debt. Please keep the questions coming. You can submit yours right here at JeanChatzky.com.
Sleep debt. It’s a real thing, and it affects two-thirds of women. When we shut off the lights and can’t shut off our brains, what should we do? This week, we sit down with Nancy H. Rothstein, The Sleep Ambassador, to get the answers. We discuss why our sleep is suffering, how to turn it around and why doing so is in our finances’ best interest as well. Speaking of which, Kelly and I answer your questions on personal loans for five-figure debt and where to keep emergency savings for ...more
Raising a child isn’t cheap. The DOA estimates it’ll cost a quarter million to raise a child born in 2015 — and that’s without college. But what if your child has special needs? One study estimates the lifetime costs of treating and caring for an individual with autism can rise to $2.4 million. That’s the boat Judith Newman is in. She’s the author of To Siri with Love: A Mother, Her Autistic Son, and the Kindness of Machines, a collection of touching and — surprisin...more
Open Enrollment — the limited time period in which you can sign up for health insurance on the individual market — starts on Wednesday, November 1, and it runs through December 15. Yes, Obamacare still exists. Likewise, Medicare Open Enrollment and the Open Enrollment period for many employers is also underway. Buying health insurance has never been more complicated, and we know you’ve probably got questions. So, with the help of Nate Purpura, VP of Consumer Affairs at eHealth.com, we̵...more
In the last few years, Dr. Nancy Snyderman lost her father, left her job at NBC News, let go of her identity as a Journalist (capital J) and had to figure out who she was without all of them. She talks about going through what was essentially an existential crisis and how she learned the importance of knowing herself at her core as work identities come and go. We also discuss caretaking and how to handle a loved one’s affairs. Then we tackle your questions about credit reports. (What if th...more
Biologists say conversations are essential to our survival, yet we’re having less of them and getting worse at them. We talk about money every week in hopes of inspiring you to do the same. But we know. It’s hard. Celeste Headlee is here to help. The author of the new book “We Need to Talk: How to Have Conversations That Matter” shares five ways we’re holding ourselves back from being better communicators. Then, Kelly and I answer your questions on credit freezes an...more
In this week’s Mailbag, we discuss short sales and reverse mortgages. Then, Hayden comes in and shares how she helped a listener save over $350 on her cable bill. And if you recently experienced a customer service nightmare — or feel like a company has ripped you off — send your complaint our way at JeanChatzky.com.
Being a mother is hard. Going at it alone? Even harder. There are 10 million single moms in the United States, and they’re on track to become the majority, with 57 percent of millennial mothers being unmarried. That’s why we invited Emma Johnson, author of the upcoming book The Kickass Single Mom: Be Financially Independent, Discover Your Sexiest Self, and Raise Fabulous, Happy Children, to come on the show. Johnson, a single mom of two, has been kicking ass for herself — and fellow single...more
Pour yourself a cocktail (a cup of coffee works, too), and put your hair in a messy bun, because this week’s show feels like a HerMoney happy hour. We’re talking with “professional oversharers” Catherine Belknap and Natalie Telfer — aka Cat & Nat. They head up a rapidly-exploding online community of like-minded moms, who tune in daily on YouTube and Facebook to watch them rewrite the paradigm of “the perfect mom.” They’re known for saying what you’re...more
Like a fine wine, Hoda Kotb keeps getting better with age. This week she takes us through the pain points of her 40s — cancer, divorce and thinking children might not be in her future — and how all of them made her fearless. She also tells us how now, in her 50s, she’s in a job she pushed for, in a relationship that makes her happy and, best of all, a mother to her baby, Haley Joy, who she adopted earlier this year. She’s living her life by her own rules and sharing how you can do th...more
Starting a new job, buying a house, getting married, getting divorced, having a baby or having a baby move back home — all of these events not only shake up your life, but your finances, too. And, as it turns out, research from Fidelity shows not all events are created equal when it comes to the impacts they have on your physical and financial health. Fidelity’s senior vice president of Thought Leadership, Jeanne Thompson, takes us through the research, how it specifically applies to women...more
Long before “Catch Me If You Can” was made into a movie, Frank Abagnale was one of my go-to sources on all things identity-related. In the years since, he’s consulted with companies, governments and organizations big and small about how to keep their data (and yours) safe. I’m thrilled he was available to chat about what we need to do now that 143 million of us have had our Social Security numbers or other personal info swiped in the Equifax breach. So, don’t panic....more
Think of the last time you really blew something. Was it a meeting, an interview, a test or a date? Did the setback stop you in your tracks — or did it give you the push you needed to move forward? Because, when it comes to long-term success (however you choose to define it), how you fail is more important than the failure itself. This week, author and educator Rachel Simmons gives us a private lesson on failing well (adapted from her popular course at Smith College). We also touch on the cultur...more
As she was doing research for her last book, Gretchen Rubin started noticing that people respond to internal expectations (the ones you set for yourself) and external expectations (the ones others and society set for you) in four different ways. She also discovered that knowing which of the four you are — a Questioner, Obliger, Upholder or Rebel — is essential when it comes to breaking habits and making new ones. She’s here to tell us about it and her new book, The Four Tendencies: The Ind...more
C’mon, admit it. You’ve thought about starting a business, launching a side gig or taking that brilliant idea of yours and seeing if it actually has legs. You’re not alone: The number of women-owned businesses jumped by 45 percent between 2007 and 2016. And JJ Ramberg, host of Your Business on MSNBC and founder of Goodshop.com, can help you make it happen. We dissect the DNA of successful female entrepreneurs, their common characteristics and their money musts. Then, Kelly and ...more
It took a former rocket scientist to figure out that investing isn’t all that complicated after all. Alice Finn’s career has taken her from NASA to wealth management to author. In her new book, Smart Women Love Money, and in our conversation, she lays out the only five things you need to do to guarantee financial success — and why embracing your inner investor is feminism’s final frontier. Then Kelly and I dig into your questions about maximizing a post-divorce nest egg and the...more
What happens when you go all in? Can you have work, friends, a relationship, kids and money all on your own terms? Ann Shoket, the longtime editor of Seventeen magazine and author of The Big Life, says it’s possible. It may be messy. It may stress you out at times. It may not look like what you thought life was going to look like, but it’s there, and she tells us how to take it. Then Kelly and I answer your questions about combining finances before marriage and health savings account...more
HerMoney recently had the opportunity to sit down with Gloria Steinem (yes, the Gloria Steinem) and fellow personal finance journalist, Stacey Tisdale, at the Winning Play$: Black Women, Feminism, & Empowerment event. We cover financial independence, reproductive rights and how the pay gap is wider for black women. Then, Kelly and I answer your questions on using a Roth IRA to repay student loans, playing catch-up on retirement savings after co-signing on a loan and choosing a debt managemen...more
The average woman buys 64 items of clothing every year, then wears each one just three times or less. If that makes you stop and count, then this week’s episode will be an eye-opener. Jennifer Hyman, founder and CEO of Rent The Runway, says Instagram (and the fact that many folks don’t want to be snapped in the same outfit more than once) has completely changed the way we shop for clothes. She argues it makes more sense to rent — not just for a special occasion, but for day-to-day. (...more
If you were to write a kiss-off letter to that whopping student loan or credit card bill you’re carrying, what would it say? How would it feel to get all of those thoughts and emotions out into the open? Blogger Melanie Lockert, author of the book Dear Debt, knows the answers. Melanie shares how she finally made the critical mid shift from complete denial of her own $81,000 in student loan debt, to being obsessed about paying it off — and then got other people to face the financial music, ...more
So many questions, so little time, so we’re sending out another Bonus Mailbag edition of HerMoney. Kelly and I answer your questions about whether extra cash should go to home improvements or paying off debt, hiding debt in a relationship, buying rental properties and more. And…drum roll please…our colleague Hayden is a mad genius when it comes to getting money back from companies that have done you wrong. Listen to her success stories, then send her your issues for our new seg...more
We’re in the heart of summer and it’s time to sloowww dowwwnn. That means shifting out of your comfort zone as a type-A person, who wears busy as a badge of honor, to dropping the ball (à la Tiffany Dufu — check her out on episode #57) and saying “no” more often. This week we break that down with my friend Caren Osten, a certified positive psychology life coach. She helps her clients find balance, resilience and positivity during transitions and challenging times, and she walks us through ...more
Keep it simple. A mantra I share with my friend and makeup maven Bobbi Brown, who literally changed the face of cosmetics when she launched Bobbi Brown Essentials over 25 years ago with her barely-there makeup message of confidence. Bobbi recently left her company to embark on her next chapter (which includes curated shops in Lord & Taylor, launching a boutique hotel and the new book “Beauty from the Inside Out”). We talk confidence, business savvy and how to use makeup to enhanc...more
We’re at the halfway mark of 2017, making it a fine time to check in on the resolutions, or goals, you made for yourself at the start of the year. Did you just grimace? Don’t feel bad if they went by the wayside. This week we’re talking with The Wharton School’s Katy Milkman. Her research uses big data to explain why changing our behaviors can be so difficult, and — best of all — how to finally make the changes we want for good. In Mailbag, we answer your questions on how to pr...more
Think you have a great idea but hate the idea of asking family, friends and strangers for money? Meet The Crowdsourceress: Alex Daly. She discovered she was so good at helping other people use crowdfunding to bankroll their businesses, creative ideas and charitable campaigns that she turned it into a business. We got her to pull back the curtain on her secrets. Then, Kelly and I answer your questions about balancing family goals and a newborn — and aligning your investments with your personal va...more
You know my pal David Bach, author of (newly updated and expanded bestseller) The Automatic Millionaire, from his years of giving great financial advice. What you don’t know is that he just came back from an 18-month sabbatical where he realigned his priorities and even learned to meditate. We hone in on the power of all three — automation, meditation and sabbaticals — and how they can lead to a richer life. Then, Kelly and I answer your questions on pet insurance, discuss the case for ren...more
You think the ranks of women rising in corporate America are thin? Take a look at the Marine Corps, where fewer than 7.6 percent are women — and far fewer are in leadership roles. Angie Morgan, Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps and author of “Spark: How to Lead Yourself and Others to Greater Success,” is here to help us change that. We dig into whether you’re spending so much time helping others that you’re holding back your own growth (ummm, yes), letting go of the things...more
The HerMoney Mailbag is overflowing and we LOVE it. But we HATE only being able to get to a few questions in each episode. So, here’s something NEW: A Mailbag Bonus. In this episode, we answer your questions on student loans, Roth IRAs, investing for the self-employed, married couples balancing contributions to 401(k) plans, how to manage your spending when you’re planning to live until 99 years old (you, go!) and more. Please let us know what you think about this concept. If you lik...more
This week, we’ve got a ramen-to-riches story for you. Kyle Taylor, founder and CEO of The Penny Hoarder (a booming personal finance site) had a spending addiction and could not, would not, ask his parents to bail him out one more time. So he started gigging (i.e. beer auditing, movie preview auditor). Then he started blogging about how you could do the same. And that blog has now become big business. If you’ve ever wanted to earn some extra money on the side — or write (profitably) a...more
Politics, sex, religion or money: Which of these topics is most likely to make you uncomfortable if it came up at a dinner party? For many, the answer is money. It’s one of the reasons why we started this podcast and one of the reasons why YouTuber Gaby Dunn started hers, Bad With Money. She’s here this week to discuss her (former) bad habits, I discuss mine and then we talk strategies for bettering your personal relationship with money. Then, Kelly and I tackle your questions on hom...more
Two personal finance nerds walk into a bar… If you think you know how this conversation goes, you’re wrong. Jill Schlesinger — who does what I do on CBS and hosts the “Better Off” podcast — and I break it all down: markets, investing, health care and why it’s all more important to get right if you’re a woman. Then, Kelly pops in, and we tackle your questions about consolidating debt and what to do with a windfall. Plus, there are changes coming to your credit ...more
It only takes a one-night stay in the hospital to understand how healthcare has become a $3 trillion industry in the US. Even getting lab work done out-of-network can put this into perspective. And don’t even get us started on prescription drug costs. Help is here in the form of Dr. Elisabeth Rosenthal, author of the new bestseller: An American Sickness: How Healthcare Became Big Business and How You Can Take It Back. Then, Kelly and I talk about choosing the best credit card, financial pl...more
Good wife, good mother, good daughter, good sister, good friend, good worker. Isn’t enough enough already? The inspiring Tiffany Dufu, author of the new memoir and manifesto, “Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less,” says yes. You really don’t need to do it all. She gracefully guides us to uncover what matters most, to let go of those unrealistic expectations and to balance your best self. Then, Kelly and I tackle your questions about credit score changes and when to...more
Are you sitting on a business idea that’s always been your dream? Turn it into a reality with this week’s guest, Christy Wright. She’s a certified business coach, Dave Ramsey Personality and author of the new book Business Boutique: A Woman’s Guide for Making Money Doing What She Loves. Then, we have a very special Mailbag this week with my friend Joe Saul-Sehy, host of the Stacking Benjamins podcast. He joins us to tackle your questions about investing on a dime, pulling...more
At Stanford University, students wait in line for rock star professor Bill Burnett’s course-turned-bestseller, Designing Your Life. You don’t have to. He’s here to share the principles of the course and his best-selling book (subtitled: How To Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life). Burnett says that if you want to live the life you want — and improve your relationships at home and at work — you have to face your problems head on, including the money ones. By the end of the interview...more
Calling all broke millennials: This week we have Erin Lowry, millennial personal finance expert, blogger and author of the upcoming book Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping By and Get Your Financial Life Together. She’s here to help you set your priorities straight, confront the “B” word (ahem, budget) and tackle your debts. For a chance to get your hands on a copy of her new book, write us and tell us why you need it. Then, Kelly and I tackle your questions on how to use credit ca...more
Congratulations! After a year spent applying to colleges, your brilliant offspring has landed. Unfortunately, so has the tuition bill. Don’t panic — we’ve brought in financial aid expert Kelly Peeler to help you parse those maddeningly complex financial aid offers (and tell you how to negotiate for more). Then, Kelly and I turn to your questions on investing when starting your first adult job, medical school debt, target date funds, buying your first home and more. Thanks for the gre...more
The ultimate badass, success coach and motivational cattle prod Jen Sincero shares the secret sauce that allowed her to triple her income in three months, morphing from a broke 40-year-old living in a garage to making seven figures. With tips from her new book, You Are a Badass at Making Money, she advises: Get very clear on what lights you up, stop making excuses and much more. Then, Kelly and I tackle your questions about student loan defaults, employer pensions and public vs. private school. ...more
Direct deposit, Apple Pay, Venmo — money moves so quickly and transparently that it’s hard for kids to understand the value of a dollar when we rarely touch one. To the rescue: Financial literacy expert and best-selling author Beth Kobliner with her new book, Make Your Kid A Money Genius (Even If You’re Not). We talk about the financial facts of life — and what’s appropriate to know when — beginning at age 3 and going up to college. Then, Kelly and I dive into when the right ti...more
Betty Liu, Bloomberg anchor and founder of Radiate, Inc., has interviewed some of the top CEOs in the world, but saying yes to an initial job offer literally cost her $50,000. She’s here to teach us how to learn from her mistake (one she never made again, by the way), and to help us build our emotional intelligence (EQ) to become more effective leaders at work — and at home. Then, Kelly and I talk about when to keep a credit card open “just in case,” financial preparation for h...more
If you’ve got questions about retirement, this episode’s got answers. Chris Hogan — a booming (think Barry White) and trusted voice on retirement — says retirement isn’t an age, it’s a financial number. He explains what that means and tells us how to calculate and achieve it. It can be as simple as saving $10 a day. Then, Kelly and I answer your questions on how and when to close store credit cards, how to become a financial planner or coach and the best money gifts for c...more
Say it with me: The thing standing in the way of me being a success with money is, yes, me. Capital M. Capital E. Self-sabotage can be one of the most damaging behaviors in our lives. It can hold us back with our relationships, our careers, and when it comes to our money, it can be particularly destructive. Fortunately, the Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen is on hand to help us get self-sabotage to stand down. She says giving up isn’t failure if it moves us forward — and sometimes k...more
No matter how long you think you’re going to live, chances are you’re going to live longer. Especially if you’re a woman. And since your health and financial life are critically intertwined, I joined forces with Dr. Michael Roizen of the Cleveland Clinic to literally write the book — out just this week — to help you AgeProof your life. Kelly and I also tackle your questions about health spending accounts, how to dig out of a personal family debt crisis, how to get ready to buy ...more
Money and sex. They’re the two things couples fight about most and talk about least, so we’re turning up the heat with love and relationships expert Dr. Pepper Schwartz. You know Pepper from Married At First Sight, and she says there are ways to keep your relationship on track even when your finances are in flux. Plus, if you’ve ever hidden a credit card or a purchase from your loved one, you need to hear our segment on financial infidelity. And Kelly and I tackle how to play c...more
Investing isn’t hard, but we know taking the first step can be. Did you know women are actually better investors than men, yet they tend to make more excuses for not starting? This week we’re cutting the excuses with Kathleen Murphy, the President of Personal Investing at Fidelity Investments. Murphy breaks down how and why to start investing in your 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and beyond. We answer your questions about gift cards, how long to save pape...more
Just in time for Valentine’s Day… If you, your adult kids or your friends are single and looking, it may be time to run the numbers. “Date-onomics” author Jon Birger says the real problem is, quite literally, supply and demand. The “man deficit” is a real thing, but there are ways to increase your odds and we’ve got ’em. Then, Kelly and I answer your questions about getting the right financial planning advice for you and whether you can pay your mo...more
Do you feel like your business idea is an impossible dream? It doesn’t have to be. This week, we sit down with Kathryn Finney, founder and managing director of digitalundivided, a social enterprise that supports women of color entrepreneurs. As one of the most respected voices in startups, innovation and tech, Finney shares her clear-cut advice for how to start and grow a burgeoning business. Then, Kelly and I answer your questions on how to calculate your risk tolerance when saving to buy...more
Is your job “have laptop, will travel”? Or more “Home Alone”? Or are you still part of the 9-to-6 (and counting) workforce and are looking for solutions to give you more of a life? Jennifer Berrent, Chief Culture Officer at WeWork — the communal office space company that’s quickly spreading across the globe — takes us through how she creates a culture and work space that reflects the needs of the new and dynamic workforce in it …and how you can do the same in ...more
I believe people seek financial advice when something major happens in their lives: a marriage, a divorce, a new baby, a new job, a job loss or a death in the family. That’s why Kelly and I decided to dedicate another episode of HerMoney to your most pressing questions. In this second Mailbag special, we cover teaching kids about money, saving for college, life insurance, online wills, splitting the dishes in divorce, HSAs, tax deductions for home offices and more. As always, we love heari...more
Work-life wellness expert Samantha Ettus says the answer to that question is yes (although perhaps not on the same day) and that you can eliminate guilt as part of the process. Our conversation was music to my ears — you’ve heard me complain about guilt before — but Sam’s strategies for releasing your inner badass made me feel significantly better. I think they’ll do the same for you. Plus, she’s offering some free copies of her new book, “The Pie Life,” for o...more
We were looking for a little kick in the financial butt to get us off to a smashing start in 2017 — so we invited Tiffany Aliche (rhymes with ceviche), “The Budgetnista,” to make a house call. Tiffany, the Energizer Bunny of personal finance, is famous for saving $40,000 in two years on a $35,000 salary (yes, you read that right). She used that money to buy a house and secure her own financial future, and now she’s helping others do the same. Plus, Kelly and I answer your quest...more
A perennial on the list of the top New Year’s Resolutions: “Spend less, save more.” That’s always an important goal, but next year — with 2016 winding down and interest rates inching up — it’s more important than it has been in a while to your bottom line. Liz Weston, who literally wrote the book on how to get your credit score into tip-top shape, is here to help us do just that — plus how to hire a financial planner (now that she’s become one) and how to maxi...more
It’s science: Women are better investors than men. This week we tell you why and share secrets for investing success, courtesy of one of my go-to sources on all things behavioral finance and investment management, Dr. Daniel Crosby, psychologist and bestselling author, who is out with his new book: “The Laws of Wealth: Psychology and the Secret to Investing Success.” We also answer your questions on HSAs and credit counseling services. Then, we offer year-end tax tips that can ...more
Are you feeling frantic this holiday season? How about on a daily basis? If you feel like you spend wayyyyy too much time trying to be perfect at everything you do, only to disappoint the ones you love — and yourself — at every turn, this show is our holiday gift to you. “Present Over Perfect” author Shauna Niequist sat down with me, and the resulting conversation was good for my — and I hope your — soul. Kelly and I chatted about where to put money when saving for a home and figurin...more
There’s no disputing that millennials have had it rough — taking it all in as their parents stressed through the recession and graduating college in a lousy job market with a mountain of student loan debt. But that was yesterday. Today, just like the rest of us, millennials need to get their financial acts in gear. Financial expert Stefanie O’Connell has lived it (including a stint living on $225 a week), and now she’s sharing the wealth of her wisdom with the rest of her gener...more
The earlier release of the FAFSA (Free Application For Federal Student Aid) this year has brought on a lot of confusion and stress. We’re here to help. This week’s guest, Kelly Peeler, CEO and founder of NextGenVest (a company that hooks incoming students up with money mentors) breaks down the process of applying for aid, choosing a college and even the question of whether you can “negotiate” (colleges hate that word) for more money from a school you really want to attend...more
Before you start shopping this holiday season, this episode is full of tips and tricks you need. We talk to consumer psychologist Kit Yarrow about the phenomenon called “bargain brain” (if your pulse gets racing at a sale, you have it), the allure (and danger) of the outlet mall and how 50% off may actually be the real price. Plus, data from Foursquare on the best times for you to shop for pretty much everything on your list. Then, Kelly and I talk about how to safely close credit ca...more
You may know that Barbara Corcoran, real estate mogul and ABC “Shark Tank” investor, parlayed a $1,000 loan from a friend into a $5 billion empire. But how about the fact that in order to triumph, she — like so many of us — needed to declare war on the negative voice inside her head. This week, she tells us how to push forward to succeed, even when you’re at your most afraid. Then, Kelly and I answer your questions about supplementing your income during maternity leave and wher...more
Are you happy with your job? Or do you feel like you’re wasting time in the wrong career — but don’t know what your next move would be anyway? Career coach (and podcaster) Maggie Mistal has tactical advice for how you can switch it up while simultaneously increasing your take-home pay. And if you’re looking to get back into the workforce? We’ve got re-entry advice from Cheryl Casone, author of “The Comeback.” Plus: Advice for rolling over your retirement plan ...more
Would you believe me if I told you that you could jet around the world in six-figure style for only $300? We’ll teach you how your credit card points and airline miles can make it possible for you. But first, we embrace the power of positivity with Daryn Kagan, former CNN anchor and author of the new book “Hope Possible.” Kagan opens up about her journey from losing her job and being single, to a new career and happily married to Trent Swanson — this week’s Thrive guest. ...more
Work because you want to, not because you have to. How good does that sound? Radio host, columnist and my friend Clark Howard knows more about how to save money than anyone I know. He shares everyday hacks that can turn into big payoffs. And if you have some credit card debt you’d like to zap away, Lauren Greutman, author of the new book “The Recovering Spender,” shares how she broke her spending addiction, dug out of $40,000 worth of credit card debt and saved her sanity. Plus, Kell...more
What’s it like to be in business with your best friend? Ann Friedman, co-host of the hot podcast for besties everywhere, Call Your Girlfriend, joins us for some no-holds-barred conversation on this week’s episode of HerMoney. We also discuss how best to negotiate your salary when you’re doing it all of the time? And is the sip-and-click (aka shopping with a little buzz) really all that bad? Then, Kelly and I dish on the best ways to save for retirement without a 401(k) and what...more
Do you make your financial decisions based on fear? Stress? Guilt? Impulse? Or some all-too-random combination of the above? We dive into a better way to go about it with best-selling author (and birthday girl) Suzy Welch, including tips on how to stand up and face your financial fears. Then we sit down with Bobbi Rebell, author of the new book “How to Be a Financial Grownup.” (If you want a copy, listen to the episode then tweet us your answer. We’ve got a bunch to give away.)...more
HerMoney recently took a road trip to San Diego, California, to record a LIVE episode from FinCon, the world’s largest financial content expo, where journalists, bloggers, financial services companies and up-and-comers in fintech all come together to nerd out about money. We took over the mainstage to record a special episode featuring money bloggers Sarah Li Cain of High Fiving Dollars and Chelsea Fagan of The Financial Diet. Both get candid about their once rocky relationships with money...more
Whether you’re obsessed with HGTV (I am) or devour the real estate listings as they were People Magazine (I do), you know that your house is not just where you lay your head — it’s a pricey line item on your budget. Particularly when things need fixing. That’s why I invited Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List, to drop by. She fills us in on how not to get ripped off on home repairs, as well as how she grew her firm from a company of two into a juggernaut with 1,800 emplo...more
168 hours. That’s how many each of us have in a single week. So how come it seems that some women seem to get it all done, no sweat, while others struggle to pack it all in? The brilliant Laura Vanderkam has some solutions — including how you can be the boss of your schedule (and your technology) rather than the other way around. After talking to her, I’m feeling better already and I think you will, too. Plus, Kelly and I answer your questions about apps to track your spending and cr...more
Would you tell a friend what you get paid? Would you do it if you knew it would help her get paid fairly? Meredith Rollins, editor in chief of Redbook magazine has done it — and she says we all should follow suit. The stats don’t lie. It’s been years and despite a lot of headlines and head scratching, we haven’t made much progress closing the wage gap. Could this sort of transparency help? Rollins thinks so and after talking to her, I agree. (Please let me know what you think!)...more
Student loans, credit card debt, retirement, oh my! Your questions have been rolling in over Twitter, Facebook and email. And so this week we decided to devote the entire episode to answering them. How to finance graduate school? What’s the fastest and cheapest way to pay off $30,000 of credit card debt? Annuities in retirement — yea or nay? Please keep the questions coming — and share the episode with anyone you think would benefit from the answers.
If you want the next half of your life to be just as good as the first, then you’ve got to get a grip on these three things, says Jo Ann Jenkins, the new CEO of AARP (and the one in their ads telling us all that we “don’t know AARP”). We talk about how to reimagine the life you’re living now to put yourself on a healthier, wealthier and more self-satisfied track. We also hear about Jenkins’ path to helm this mega-organization as, often, one of the few African ...more
Confession: Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg started theSkimm — the daily email newsletter you, I, and 3.5 million other readers start their morning with — by floating it on their credit cards. It wasn’t until this year that they dug their way out. And that’s only one of the things we learned when the HerMoney team sat down with theSkimm founders. Tune in to find out how they got their mojo and stick around for the outtake to find out why we were in the “Munch” conferenc...more
As my listeners know, I’m good with money. Tech? Not so much. But after interviewing technology and social media expert Randi Zuckerberg, I feel much better. And I think you will, too. She helps untangle our wired lives, showing ways to use tech to hack your daily tasks and even bring the family closer together. We also discuss our lives online and off. Just how much screen time is good for your kids — and for you, too? Then, Kelly joins me to answer questions about starting a business and...more
A bubble bath, a nice scotch and some slow jazz? Which are wants? Which are needs? I thought I knew until I sat down with behavioral economist Sarah Newcomb for this week’s episode of HerMoney. Newcomb, the author of a new book called “Loaded,” figured she could solve all of her own money problems getting tactical and practical — she even studied personal financial planning in business school. Yet, she still struggled with her money. Eventually a course on money psychology set ...more
To paraphrase Sara Bareilles: We want to see you be brave managing your money. And who better to inspire us to get there than best-selling author and preeminent TED talker Dr. Brené Brown? It’s an obstacle she’s tackled in her own life, as she admits, “I don’t understand everything that I feel like I’m supposed to understand, [and] not understanding puts me at risk.” Sound familiar? Brené helps us understand these feelings of vulnerability and the fact that they don’...more
No more midlife crises! Tired of all the negative talk surrounding the word “midlife”? So was my friend and psychotherapist Dr. Robi Ludwig — so much so, she wrote a book about it: “Your Best Age Is Now.” That’s why we’re re-framing the conversation on this week’s episode of HerMoney. Research shows women in their 40s, 50s and 60s are living longer and younger. In fact, despite the myths, midlife is the most creative time for us, because we know ourselve...more
All those tips come courtesy of PureWow editor Jillian Quint. If you’re not familiar with PureWow, it’s a newsletter written like a note from your smartest girlfriend, who is always ahead of what’s trending when it comes to lifestyle, parenting and, yes, money. With Jillian, we take on sticky situations like splitting the check at a group dinner and talking with your parents about their retirement plans. And play along with us as we get down and dirty about when to save and whe...more
Practice with me: “Yes, thank you. I’m very proud of that FILL IN THE BLANK accomplishment.” I know it’s hard for women to go from a “we” world to a “me” world. We’re all about the team. Less about ourselves. The problem is when we do this we don’t rise through the ranks, make more money and simply get credit for all the good work we’ve done. Just how can women learn to be more assertive at work and at home without being called bi...more
I am so proud to call Jane Bryant Quinn a friend as well as a mentor. You know her as a female pioneer and personal finance advocate, trusted by millions as a columnist for Newsweek, a reporter for CBS News and a prolific author, but to me, she is an inspiration. Jane showed me –– and so many others –– there was a space in the world for women to talk in a smart, intelligent and understandable way about money. So this week we dig in and get granular about the biggest financial fear going: Outlivi...more
“I lost my job, I lost my breasts, I lost my hair and I found myself.” That’s Rene Syler, former anchor for CBS News’ The Early Show, on HerMoney explaining what happened in a tumultuous two years of her life. In this week’s episode, Rene candidly shares with us her transition from network news to entrepreneur, author and host of her new web series “The Good Enough Mother.” Rene is one of those women who makes me feel better about my parenting skills –– ...more
Candid. If I had to pick one word to describe Jennifer Weiner, author of “Good in Bed,” “In Her Shoes” and so many other great reads, I’d pick that one. Though, smart, funny and fearless also come to mind. I knew I wanted her on the podcast the minute I read her frank essay about the fact that she and her new husband are polar opposites financially. (Though I confess, I am also an avid follower of her savvy Bachelorette Twitter feed, which I read while I watch). Any...more
Dave Ramsey asks, “Will The 50-Year-Old You Be Mad At The 25-Year-Old You?” This week I traveled to Nashville to sit down with financial powerhouse Ramsey and his daughter Rachel Cruze. We talk about how the baby steps to take control of our own financial lives haven’t changed in the 25 years Dave and I have been doing this – and how they have. In particular, we dive into the impact social media is having on our spending and saving (not always for the good) and how you can rais...more
Grit – and a grand! In this episode of HerMoney, I fill you in on how I found over $1,000 in missing money (my own, embarrassingly) and how you can do the same. And, I get the down and dirty on GRIT and how the power of “Guts, Resilience, Initiative and Tenacity” can take you from ordinary to extraordinary. Advertising aces Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval, authors of a great new book on the subject, share how two girls from the Bronx with no special advantages, rose through the m...more
Tell your children how much money you make! That’s what Ron Lieber, NYT best-selling author, personal finance columnist and father says to do if you want to raise kids who are grounded, giving and yes, smart, about money. Ron caused quite a flurry when he challenged that generational taboo, and this week on HerMoney, we talk with Ron about money basics for parents and kids, starting with the tooth fairy through cell phones to college tuition. Get paid for chores? No! Have a say in how the family...more
We all know Jillian Michaels is an expert at getting people motivated to change their lives, but she struggles with a work/home balance just like the rest of us. Jill admits money is an uncomfortable topic for her, but she sees psychological parallels in building strong fitness and financial habits. As she heads toward the altar with her partner of many years, we get personal with advice about setting up a financial life that works – and she asks my advice about how to teach her 5 and 3-year-old...more
This week on HerMoney: Building your brand, honing your credit and Giada De Laurentiis. The Food Network star and restaurateur talks candidly about rising to the top in the male-dominated food world and how hard it’s been to be both heard and respected. She candidly talks about her life after a tough divorce and how she’s raising her 8-year-old daughter to know and respect the value of money. And since we are all essentially “brands” these days, she shares advice about how she honed hers and ho...more
Sex. Money. Power. Joanna Coles, the editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan, is very much in tune with the voice of her magazine. She is comfortable talking about anything. And this week nothing is off the table. She speaks candidly with me about how money can be the greatest stress in a relationship, why women need to reasonably know their worth in negotiations and how earning more makes women feel empowered. We also discuss sexuality in the workplace and how social media is impacting our culture for ...more
They call her “The Chairwoman” on CNBC’s Fast Money, but hedge fund manager Karen Finerman also manages life at home including two sets of twins. Learning to balance work and life, Karen has come to a number of surprising conclusions – including her belief that working from home is “the worst.” She tells us why. Driven to make a lot of money since she was a teen, Karen talks bluntly about why women must be financially independent, and how many women get in the way of their own succes...more
Arianna Huffington, one of the most influential women in the world, was falling apart at work because she was – literally – exhausted. This week she shares her inspirational wake-up call with us. Her new book, The Sleep Revolution, is based on science-based secrets that can help us all sleep our way to success. Arianna says lack of sleep costs the U.S. economy $63 billion a year and takes a huge toll on us as individuals hitting us in our financial, physical and emotional lives. No surprise, it&...more
It’s Criminal! I’m hooked on the hit podcast “Criminal”, so I am thrilled to have the show host and producers Phoebe Judge and Lauren Spohrer join me for this week’s episode of HerMoney. P and L proudly tell us how they had the courage to take a huge risk many women fear, using their own money to pursue their passion and start their own business. We talk about their struggle to juggle two jobs, recording at night after their day jobs in a closet full of clothes to s...more
More money won’t always make you more happy, but how you use and manage your money can. This week, Jean chats with happiness guru and best-selling author, Gretchen Rubin, and they explore how you may effectively build better habits for both. Hear about Gretchen’s Happiness Manifesto, the importance of knowing yourself before creating or changing habits and learn why you should make your bed every day. We answer your financial questions, and in our Thrive segment, you’ll learn w...more
Anyone who tells you women don’t need financial advice specifically for them is wrong. Women, whether they’re the caretakers, the breadwinners, or both, face a unique set of financial challenges. That’s where HerMoney comes in. In her frank, often funny, but always compassionate way, Jean Chatzky takes every audience of women through the steps they need to take today to live comfortably (and worry-free) tomorrow, offering the latest research, expert tips and personal advice.