Many of us spend decades saving for retirement. But what happens when it’s time to spend those hard-earned dollars…how do you make them last? On the most recent episode of Your Money Map, our weekly show with the Alliance for Lifetime Income, we talk about all things decumulation with the pros — Christine Benz, Director of Personal Finance and Retirement Planning for Morningstar, and David Blanchett, Research Fellow with the Alliance for Lifetime Income Institute.If you like this episode and want more, check out all of our Your Money Map episodes at protectedincome.org/your-money-map/ or tune in live every Wednesday at 12 PM ET on Facebook or LinkedIn.CHAPTERS:00:00 Retirement worries05:00 Why spending down our money in retirement can be so stressful16:00 Redefining retirement as financial independence25:00 Spending for maximum happinessTAKEAWAYS: Start by identifying your essential expenses and aligning them with guaranteed income like Social Security or annuities to cover the basics. Lifelong savers often struggle to spend their hard-earned money. To overcome this mindset, consider using strategies like “spending pots” for travel or hobbies, which allow you to enjoy your savings guilt-free. Adding guaranteed income (like annuities) to your retirement plan can provide peace of mind and allow you to spend more freely, knowing your essential needs are covered. Learn more about our Finance Fixx program here. Use code PODCAST for a $100 discount. Interested in learning more about investing alongside hundreds of other women? Join us every other Monday night on Zoom at investingfixx.com.Have a question for us? Write to us at mailbag@hermoney.com. While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe!Use promo code HERMONEY at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual plan at https://incogni.com/hermoney.The HerMoney with Jean Chatzky podcast is sponsored by Edelman Financial Engines. The podcast team and its host are neither employees nor clients of EFE, however, the show does receive fixed compensation and is a paid endorser and therefore has an incentive to endorse EFE and its planners. To learn more about the sponsorship, please visit PlanEFE.com/HerMoney.Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast, and to learn more about Airwave, head to www.airwavemedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The charitable giving landscape in 2024 is a tricky one. Because the truth is, Americans have become less generous in the last few years. Vox has gone so far as to say we’re in the middle of a “generosity crisis,” and fewer than half of us now give to charity on an annual basis. So, how can we make sure our favorite nonprofits continue to thrive? And how can we know what type of donations and philanthropic efforts will have the most impact?Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association shares her top tips for smart charitable giving in 2024.CHAPTERS:00:00 Charitable Giving Landscape in 202404:30 Women’s Heart Health16:30 The Power of Small Donations and Volunteering31:00 Mailbag Question 1: I have multiple HSAs, should I consolidate them now? 35:00 Mailbag Question 2: I have a variable annuity, how do I evaluate if it’s the best place to keep my money? TAKEAWAYS: Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are accounts that allow charitable contributions to grow tax-free, amplifying their impact over time. Automating your monthly giving offers nonprofits much-needed financial stability. Giving appreciated securities can save donors from paying capital gains tax while offering nonprofits the full value of the assets. Learn more about our Finance Fixx program here. Use code PODCAST for a $100 discount. Interested in learning more about investing alongside hundreds of other women? Join us every other Monday night on Zoom at investingfixx.com.Have a question for us? Write to us at mailbag@hermoney.com. While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe!Use promo code HERMONEY at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual plan at https://incogni.com/hermoney.The HerMoney with Jean Chatzky podcast is sponsored by Edelman Financial Engines. The podcast team and its host are neither employees nor clients of EFE, however, the show does receive fixed compensation and is a paid endorser and therefore has an incentive to endorse EFE and its planners. To learn more about the sponsorship, please visit PlanEFE.com/HerMoney.Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast, and to learn more about Airwave, head to www.airwavemedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this inspiring throwback episode, we sit down with Kyle Taylor, founder of The Penny Hoarder, a personal finance blog turned multi-million-dollar media company. Kyle shares his journey from being $50,000 in debt to building a business he eventually sold for $100 million. We discuss how to identify and monetize side hustles, maintain financial accountability, and avoid burnout while growing a business. You may even come away ready to launch a business of your own!Takeaways: Creative side gigs can help you earn extra cash, including working as a beer auditor or a movie preview evaluator. "Financial Sunday" is a weekly check-in with your budget to help you stay on track and manage spending. Creating a financially transparent household can help your children understand that good financial habits require consistent effort. Learn more about our Finance Fixx program here. Use code PODCAST for a $100 discount. Interested in learning more about investing alongside hundreds of other women? Join us every other Monday night on Zoom at investingfixx.com.Have a question for us? Write to us at mailbag@hermoney.com. While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe!Use promo code HERMONEY at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual plan at https://incogni.com/hermoney.The HerMoney with Jean Chatzky podcast is sponsored by Edelman Financial Engines. The podcast team and its host are neither employees nor clients of EFE, however, the show does receive fixed compensation and is a paid endorser and therefore has an incentive to endorse EFE and its planners. To learn more about the sponsorship, please visit PlanEFE.com/HerMoney.Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast, and to learn more about Airwave, head to www.airwavemedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are almost at the end of 2024, and many of us are looking to the New Year as a chance for a much-needed fresh start. Now is a great time to reflect on the past 12 months and set some big goals — financial and otherwise! — for the year to come. And if you’re looking for advice on how to get a new job, you aren’t alone.Erin McGoff, better known as “Advice with Erin” on TikTok shares her playbook on how to get a job in 2025.CHAPTERS: 00:00 Reflecting on 2024 and Setting Goals for 202507:00 How to Discuss Salary and Benefits in Job Interviews16:00 Why Networking Trumps Resumes20:00 When It’s Ok To Tell White Lies In Interviews35:00 Mailbag Question 1: Should I Pay Off My Zero-Interest Credit Card With a HAMP Loan?38:00 Mailbag Question 2: I need to liquidate $15,000 from one of my mutual fund accounts, which one should I choose? TAKEAWAYS:  Functional resumes focusing on skills rather than chronological experience can be effective, particularly for midlife career changes. Use AI as a support tool, not a substitute, and edit outputs to maintain authenticity. If salary limits are fixed, leverage non-salary benefits, like PTO or flexible schedules, and ask about these areas during negotiations. Learn more about our Finance Fixx program here. Use code PODCAST for a $100 discount. Interested in learning more about investing alongside hundreds of other women? Join us every other Monday night on Zoom at investingfixx.com.Have a question for us? Write to us at mailbag@hermoney.com. While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe!Use promo code HERMONEY at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual plan at https://incogni.com/hermoney.The HerMoney with Jean Chatzky podcast is sponsored by Edelman Financial Engines. The podcast team and its host are neither employees nor clients of EFE, however, the show does receive fixed compensation and is a paid endorser and therefore has an incentive to endorse EFE and its planners. To learn more about the sponsorship, please visit PlanEFE.com/HerMoney.Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast, and to learn more about Airwave, head to www.airwavemedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we are bringing you a mailbag question about retirement benchmarks, you know the ones: You want to aim to have one times your salary by age 30, three times by age 40, six times by age 50, eight times by age 60, and 10 times by the time you retire. These benchmarks are fabulous, but they're also not personal. Listener Tiffany joins us to ask how pensions, retiring early, and Social Security factor into these benchmarks. Learn more about our Finance Fixx program here. Use code PODCAST for a $100 discount. Interested in learning more about investing alongside hundreds of other women? Join us every other Monday night on Zoom at investingfixx.com.Have a question for us? Write to us at mailbag@hermoney.com. While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe!Use promo code HERMONEY at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual plan at https://incogni.com/hermoney.The HerMoney with Jean Chatzky podcast is sponsored by Edelman Financial Engines. The podcast team and its host are neither employees nor clients of EFE, however, the show does receive fixed compensation and is a paid endorser and therefore has an incentive to endorse EFE and its planners. To learn more about the sponsorship, please visit PlanEFE.com/HerMoney.Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast, and to learn more about Airwave, head to www.airwavemedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The holidays are right around the corner, which means the holiday “shopping season” is now in full swing. And while we love scoring a good bargain on just about everything, we score the best deal when we just don’t buy the thing in the first place. Shira Gill, an expert on minimalism, intentional shopping, and living your values shares how to stop ourselves from buying the thing BEFORE we buy the thing, and how to get creative with gift-giving, with heartfelt items that will mean a heck of a lot more to the recipient than something shiny and expensive. CHAPTERS:00:00 The allure of bargains 06:00 Minimalism and values-based decisions13:00 Intentional gifting26:00 Tips for a stress-free holiday season 34:00 Mailbag question 1: Retirement-Specific Book Recommendations36:00 Mailbag question 2: Managing Credit Card Debt and Balance TransfersTAKEAWAYS: Minimalism is about clarifying what matters most and removing distractions to create time, space, and freedom. Unique, heartfelt gifts—like sharing skills, creating experiences, or consumable items—often resonate more than material possessions.  Set a mission statement for the season. Identify what your family truly values, whether it’s a trip or simply quality time together and stick to it. Learn more about our Finance Fixx program here. Use code PODCAST for a $100 discount. Interested in learning more about investing alongside hundreds of other women? Join us every other Monday night on Zoom at investingfixx.com.Have a question for us? Write to us at mailbag@hermoney.com. While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe!Use promo code HERMONEY at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual plan at https://incogni.com/hermoney.The HerMoney with Jean Chatzky podcast is sponsored by Edelman Financial Engines. The podcast team and its host are neither employees nor clients of EFE, however, the show does receive fixed compensation and is a paid endorser and therefore has an incentive to endorse EFE and its planners. To learn more about the sponsorship, please visit PlanEFE.com/HerMoney.Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast, and to learn more about Airwave, head to www.airwavemedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you marking your calendars for Black Friday and Cyber Monday? So are we. It looks like shoppers are expected to spend more than ever this year — around $1,700 a person according to Deloitte. We thought it would be fun to bring our pals Jill Sirianni and Jen Smith, cohosts of the Frugal Friends podcast, and the new book: Buy What You Love Without Going Broke: Transform Your Spending and Get More of What Money Can’t Buy back on the show to answer all of your shopping questions. CHAPTERS:00:00 Holiday Spending Trends and Impulse Control06:14 Meaningful and Frugal Gift Ideas10:12 Navigating Unexpected Costs and Community Support16:02 Credit Card Use and Financial BoundariesTAKEAWAYS: Consider using last year's spending as a guide for this year's budget. Community support is crucial during unexpected financial hardships. Creative limitations can lead to better problem-solving and gift-giving. Don't rely on credit cards for holiday spending if you can't pay it off quickly. Thoughtful gifts can include experiences or personal items rather than material goods. Learn more about our Finance Fixx program here. Use code PODCAST for a $100 discount. Interested in learning more about investing alongside hundreds of other women? Join us every other Monday night on Zoom at investingfixx.com.Have a question for us? Write to us at mailbag@hermoney.com. While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe!The HerMoney with Jean Chatzky podcast is sponsored by Edelman Financial Engines. The podcast team and its host are neither employees nor clients of EFE, however, the show does receive fixed compensation and is a paid endorser and therefore has an incentive to endorse EFE and its planners. To learn more about the sponsorship, please visit PlanEFE.com/HerMoney.Use promo code HERMONEY at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual plan at https://incogni.com/hermoney.Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast, and to learn more about Airwave, head to www.airwavemedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re so excited to reshare this episode with Leanne Brown, New York Times bestselling cookbook author of Good and Cheap: Eat Well on $4/Day ahead of Thanksgiving.We get into how it's possible to eat healthy while saving money and her favorite pantry and freezer winter recipes from everything toasts to hearty stews.Chapters:00:00 Leanne Brown’s journey06:19 “Good Enough” cooking14:16 Favorite recipes and pantry essentials20:01 Navigating rising grocery store prices Takeaways: Simplify meals by using fewer ingredients per recipe, such as canned tomatoes, beans, pasta, and hearty greens. Use leftovers creatively, such as repurposing them into “stuff on toast” or hearty salads. Reframe cooking as a personal and flexible activity rather than a chore. Learn more about our Finance Fixx program here. Use code PODCAST for a $100 discount. Interested in learning more about investing alongside hundreds of other women? Join us every other Monday night on Zoom at investingfixx.com.Have a question for us? Write to us at mailbag@hermoney.com. While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe!The HerMoney with Jean Chatzky podcast is sponsored by Edelman Financial Engines. The podcast team and its host are neither employees nor clients of EFE, however, the show does receive fixed compensation and is a paid endorser and therefore has an incentive to endorse EFE and its planners. To learn more about the sponsorship, please visit PlanEFE.com/HerMoney.Use promo code HERMONEY at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual plan at https://incogni.com/hermoney.Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast, and to learn more about Airwave, head to www.airwavemedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to modern medicine, the average life expectancy has been on the rise for decades now, and women now have as much as a 15% chance of making it to their 100th birthday.So while our parents may have planned for closer to 20 years in retirement, we need to save and invest for closer to three or even four decades. Deb Whitman, Chief Public Policy Officer at AARP and author of “The Second Fifty” joins us to talk about how to prepare financially, and otherwise, for the second half of our lives. CHAPTERS:00:00 What is the “second fifty”?06:00 Why women need to financially prepare to live longer than men13:00 Rethinking partial retirement and lifelong learning 23:00 Positive perspectives on aging26:00 Mailbag Question 1: I’m about to inherit a significant amount of money, how should I invest it? 29:00 Mailbag Question 2: I’m 62, am I on track to retire and continue to travel the way I want to? TAKEAWAYS: With women potentially reaching an average life expectancy of 90+ years by 2039, we need to save for a longer retirement. This requires proactive financial planning. Midlife is a time of new opportunities rather than decline.  Lifelong learning, career changes, and “encore careers” keep people engaged, purposeful, and financially prepared in midlife and beyond. Learn more about our Finance Fixx program here. Use code PODCAST for a $100 discount. Interested in learning more about investing alongside hundreds of other women? Join us every other Monday night on Zoom at investingfixx.com.Have a question for us? Write to us at mailbag@hermoney.com. While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe!The HerMoney with Jean Chatzky podcast is sponsored by Edelman Financial Engines. The podcast team and its host are neither employees nor clients of EFE, however, the show does receive fixed compensation and is a paid endorser and therefore has an incentive to endorse EFE and its planners. To learn more about the sponsorship, please visit PlanEFE.com/HerMoney.Use promo code HERMONEY at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual plan at https://incogni.com/hermoney.Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast, and to learn more about Airwave, head to www.airwavemedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s clear there’s one thing HerMoney listeners can’t get enough of — retirement. There’s truly an endless amount to explore with this topic because whether you’re 65 or 25, we know the best time to start strategizing is NOW. And there’s one person that we turn to again and again for retirement advice, specifically when it comes to IRAs — Ed Slott. He's a CPA, a nationally recognized IRA distribution expert, and a best-selling author. This week, Ed was kind enough to join us again to tackle some questions from our community.CHAPTERS:00:00 Understanding the complexity of IRAs5:30 Why Roth conversions are so popular right now 9:30 Withdrawal strategies for retirement 13:30 Retirement options for small business owners17:00 Choosing investments for your Roth IRATAKEAWAYS: Roth conversions are up significantly this year Making Roth conversions is a smart move even in strong market years. When planning withdrawals, start with taxable accounts and wait on tax-advantaged accounts. Learn more about our Finance Fixx program here. Use code PODCAST for a $100 discount. Interested in learning more about investing alongside hundreds of other women? Join us every other Monday night on Zoom at investingfixx.com.Have a question for us? Write to us at mailbag@hermoney.com. While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe!The HerMoney with Jean Chatzky podcast is sponsored by Edelman Financial Engines. The podcast team and its host are neither employees nor clients of EFE, however, the show does receive fixed compensation and is a paid endorser and therefore has an incentive to endorse EFE and its planners. To learn more about the sponsorship, please visit PlanEFE.com/HerMoney.Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast, and to learn more about Airwave, head to www.airwavemedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices