Today we’re diving deep into the world of Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE) with Shang Saavedra, founder of Save My Cents and author of Wealth is a Mindset: Change Your Mind, Change Your Money. Shang achieved FIRE at just 32 years old, and she’s here to share the ups, downs, and lessons from her journey.And don’t miss our mailbag segment, where Jean tackles questions about bond funds, ETFs, and making the most of prepaid rewards cards.Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Shang Saavedra’s book: Wealth is a Mindset: Change Your Mind, Change Your Money Shang’s platform: Save My Cents HerMoney’s Finance Fix and Investing Fix programs: Learn More Article: Wall Street Journal on bonds Learn more about InvestingFixx, our women’s investing club where you can vote on stocks, build a model portfolio, and grow your financial knowledge. Take the next step in your financial journey with FinanceFixx, our money makeover program.Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Jean Chatzky is joined by Karen Finerman, CEO of Metropolitan Capital Advisors, a CNBC Fast Money panelist, and co-founder of our InvestingFixx Club. Together, they reflect on the standout moments of 2024, take a deep dive into the forces shaping the markets in 2025, and offer insights into the year ahead.Whether you’re new to investing or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with actionable advice, thoughtful analysis, and inspiration to help you navigate the markets with confidence in 2025.Learn more about InvestingFixx, our women’s investing club where you can vote on stocks, build a model portfolio, and grow your financial knowledge. Take the next step in your financial journey with FinanceFixx, our money makeover program.Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s somehow the middle of January — which means if you’ve made your resolutions and you’re still sticking to them, congratulations are in order! You’ve made it past Quitters Day or the day when most people abandon their resolutions (it falls on the second Friday in January). But if you have fallen off of your financial resolutions, this is your sign to pick them back up. Because of his year, it’s time to get serious about building some financial stability, financial resiliency, and cultivate a healthier relationship with money. Matt Lundquist, a Columbia University-trained psychotherapist and founder of Tribeca Therapy digs into the root of our money issues and walks us through the steps we can take to improve our relationships with money once and for all. CHAPTERS:00:00 Improving financial habits in the New Year06:00 Common barriers to good financial behavior18:00 Why people overspend and use money to address emotional voids28:00 When to seek financial therapy33:00 Mailbag Question 1: What’s the best way to invest in Bitcoin with a small amount of money? 40:00 Mailbag Question 2: How do I best support my parents in paying back my student loans? TAKEAWAYS: Many financial behaviors, such as avoiding credit card statements or overspending, are tied to deeper psychological patterns rather than a lack of financial knowledge. Tackling small financial disagreements early as a couple can help build a framework for handling larger financial challenges later. Finding the right therapist involves looking for someone experienced in discussing money-related emotions or asking targeted questions about their experience with this topic. Learn more about Jean Chatzky's multiweek Money Makeover program FinanceFixx 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. Your first month is completely free. Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, in honor of #DryJanuary, we’re bringing back this episode with Laura McKowen, author of We Are the Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life.We explore the evolving conversation around alcohol consumption, sobriety, and how they intersect with women’s lives, careers, and finances. Laura also shares her personal journey with alcohol addiction, recovery, and how sobriety improved her financial habits and overall life.CHAPTERS:2:30: Alcohol and Culture: Why We Don’t Talk About It8:00: A Turning Point: Laura’s Sobriety Journey17:45: The Financial Cost of Drinking26:00 Practical Tips for the Sober CuriousAdditional Resources: “Is That Drink Worth It To You?” By Susan Dominus This Naked Mind by Annie Grace Learn more about Jean Chatzky's multiweek Money Makeover program FinanceFixx 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. Your first month is completely free. Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to 2025! It’s a New Year and it’s also a Presidental transition year which means we’re all wondering where things may be headed this year economy-wise. A little trepidation is always expected anytime a new President is due to take office, but Americans are feeling especially uncertain about how President-elect Trump’s decisions may have a ripple effect on our personal economies. Kathryn Edwards, PhD Economist shares how the US economy is really doing and what it could mean for our wallets in 2025.CHAPTERS:04:00 The lasting economic reverberations from the pandemic06:00 Structural economic inequality in the U.S.11:00 The economy’s cyclical nature14:00 Advice for investors17:00 The economic impact of tariffs22:00 The childcare market failureTAKEAWAYS: The pandemic's impact has left a long-lasting imprint, contributing to current economic uncertainty. The challenges Americans face are rooted in decades of structural economic inequality dating back to the 1980s. Tariffs increase consumer costs and create unpredictable economic ripple effects. Learn more about Jean Chatzky's multiweek Money Makeover program FinanceFixx 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. Your first month is completely free. Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is one of your New Year's resolutions to finally hire a financial advisor this year but unsure of where to start? We hear you. That’s why we’re bringing back this special mailbag episode with Pam Krueger, founder and CEO of WealthRamp, to tackle all your burning questions about financial advisors. From finding a fiduciary you can trust to navigating minimum asset requirements, we’ve got you covered.CHAPTERS:02:00 Key questions to ask a financial advisor07:00 Advisors and tax professionals: building a team14:00 How often should you meet with your financial advisor?22:00 Advisors who specialize in FIREAdditional Resources: Check out WealthRamp to get matched with a vetted fiduciary advisor. Explore the XY Planning Network for advisors who work with younger clients. Learn about the Association of African American Financial Advisors here. Learn more about Jean Chatzky's multiweek Money Makeover program FinanceFixx 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. Your first month is completely free. Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re diving headfirst into a question that has sparked both inspiration and existential angst for centuries: Finding your purpose. It’s a daunting idea, isn’t it? Purpose can feel abstract, elusive, and ever-shifting — something we’re constantly chasing but rarely confident we’ve fully grasped. Dr. Jordan Grumet, author of The Purpose Code: How to Unlock Meaning, Maximize Happiness, and Leave a Lasting Legacy has answers — and thankfully they’re not as complicated as you might think. CHAPTERS:00:00 The evolving nature of purpose 04:00 The difference between meaning and purpose07:00 Little p and Big P Purpose  22:00 Finding purpose using the magic of subtraction33:00 Mailbag Question 1: Retirement benchmarks vs. life priorities41:00 Mailbag Question 2: Rebalancing portfolios near retirement TAKEAWAYS: Purpose is created through meaningful actions. Rather than chasing lofty, big-picture goals, you should engage in daily activities that bring joy and fulfillment.  Leverage all available tools—time, energy, community, and passions—to build a life filled with meaning. Learn more about Jean Chatzky's multiweek Money Makeover program FinanceFixx 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. Your first month is completely free. Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re bringing back our episode with Melissa Bernstein, co-founder of the renowned toy company Melissa & Doug, to discuss the critical importance of mental health. Melissa opens up about her decades-long battle with anxiety, depression, and existential despair, sharing how she learned to channel her struggles into light and creativity. We explore why so many women feel isolated, the power of self-acceptance, and how to build authentic relationships.Learn more about Jean Chatzky's multiweek Money Makeover program FinanceFixx 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. Your first month is completely free. Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This holiday season has been….stressful. And if it feels like you’re feeling more holiday stress this year than your male partner, you probably are. A 2023 poll from Yahoo News and YouGov found that 43% of women said their level of stress and anxiety increases during the holidays (compared to 32% of men). Resiliency and stress expert Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe shares her top tips for entering the New Year with less stress. Because when we’re less stressed we have more space to manage our needs (including our financial needs), and we can start planning for the future. CHAPTERS:00:00 Why the holidays are so stressful06:31 Redefining resiliency 9:01 The five pillars of resilience20:31 A prescription for stress recovery33:46 Mailbag Question 1: What is a safe harbor account? 36:01 Mailbag Question 2: I’m 60 years old. Should I convert my traditional IRA into a Roth IRA? TAKEAWAYS: Resilience is often misunderstood. It’s not just about being born with it but building it through lived experiences and relationships.  Stress itself isn’t the enemy. It’s the overexposure to stress (distress) that harms us. Research suggests that swearing (when not directed at others) can improve pain tolerance. Learn more about Jean Chatzky's multiweek Money Makeover program FinanceFixx 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. Your first month is completely free. Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know we’re spending over 11% of our disposable income on food—the highest amount since 1991? It’s time to take control of our grocery bills and find joy in the kitchen. That’s why we’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes with New York Times food columnist Melissa Clark, author of Dinner in One, and over 40 other cookbooks.Melissa shares her genius tips for cutting down on time and effort in the kitchen while maximizing flavor. From one-pan wonders to her philosophy of simplifying recipes (and minimizing cleanup), she makes cooking accessible—even for those who think they’re too “lazy” to cook. Plus, Melissa talks about her must-have pantry staples, freezer essentials, and why she no longer keeps potatoes on hand.Learn more about Jean Chatzky's multiweek Money Makeover program FinanceFixx 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. Your first month is completely free. Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices