Should You Save First or Pay Down Debt First?

Ever wish you could go back and give your younger self some honest, no-nonsense financial advice? In this episode, we’re talking about the money lessons we all wish we’d learned sooner. Today I’m joined by Courtney Alev, Intuit Credit Karma’s Consumer Financial Advocate. Courtney helps shape Credit Karma’s products with real people in mind—empowering millions to know, grow, and protect their wealth. Her insights have been featured in everything from The New York Times to Marie Claire, and she’s basically your financial big sister: here to make money feel less overwhelming and help you build confidence with every dollar. Together, we’re diving into credit, debt, savings, and how to make smarter financial decisions that give you more freedom and less stress.

Thanks to Credit Karma for sponsoring this episode! Get personalized, judgment-free insights on how to pay off debt and make your money work harder for you with Intuit Credit Karma! Visit: https://www.creditkarma.com/lp/financialfeminist 

Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!

00:00 – Intro: The Money Advice I Wish I Took Sooner — with Credit Karma’s Courtney Alev
01:10 – Why Money = Freedom
02:05 – How to Define What You Actually Want (Not What You “Should” Want)
03:10 – Credit 101: Building Credit in Your 20s
04:00 – Easy Credit Score Tips That Actually Work
05:30 – Tori’s Favorite Credit Utilization Trick
06:30 – Should You Keep Old Credit Cards Open? (Yes—Here’s Why)
07:15 – Why Credit Cards Are Tools—Not Traps
08:00 – How to Pay Off Debt and Improve Your Credit Score
09:15 – The Great Debate: Save First or Pay Off Debt First?
10:45 – Why Women Need an F-Off Fund
12:00 – Money ≠ Math: Why It’s Really About Emotions
13:20 – Letting Go of Shame Around Debt & Spending
15:00 – Why Avoiding Your Money Makes It Scarier
16:30 – Are High-Yield Savings Accounts Still Worth It?
17:20 – High-Yield vs. Regular Savings: What’s the Difference?
18:40 – Mindful Spending 101: Stop the Doom-Spending Cycle
20:15 – How to Curb Impulse Shopping Habits
22:00 – Ask Yourself: “Why Do I Want This?” Before You Buy
23:10 – The “Would I Move This?” Trick for Spending Less on Stuff
24:10 – Boundaries, FOMO, and Saying No to Overspending
26:30 – How to Handle the Cost of Weddings and Friend Events
29:30 – Budgeting with Irregular Income (Freelancers, Creators, etc.)
31:20 – Understanding & Paying Off Student Loans
34:00 – Credit Card Debt vs. Student Loans: What to Tackle First
35:20 – Saving for Retirement While Paying Off Debt
36:15 – The Power of Compound Interest (Explained Simply)
37:30 – How to Start Investing — Even with $20 a Month
38:00 – Final Thoughts + Where to Find Credit Karma’s Free Tools

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