HerMoney with Jean Chatzky

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

We’re revisiting one of our most popular conversations with author and human performance expert Brad Stulberg, exploring what it means to achieve success without compromising your well-being or personal values. Brad explains how shifting from a traditional "if-then" mindset to a values-driven approach can help you find fulfillment, avoid burnout, and improve your life. Whether you’re aiming to make a career shift, reduce stress, or rethink your approach to investing, this conversation is packed with insights that will inspire you to find success on your own terms.Chapters:00:00 Introduction05:00 Shifting from Goal-Driven to Values-Driven Success11:00 How To Identify Your Core Values20:00 Rest vs. Action to Address BurnoutTakeaways: By focusing on values rather than constant achievement, you’ll find deeper satisfaction and avoid the “hedonic treadmill” of always seeking more. Identify your core values by envisioning an ideal future self, reflecting on qualities you admire in others, and reconnect with the original motives behind your goals.  Grounding success in values reduces stress and improves performance by fostering a state of "relaxed striving." 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

What does the future of remote work really look like? Recently, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy mandated that employees must return to the office 5 days a week. So did Elon Musk for employees of both Tesla and X, which made us wonder: Are our remote or hybrid roles going to go the way of the dodo sometime soon? Nick Bloom, Stanford Professor of Economics weighs in on what the future holds for remote work, and how to get ahead in a remote or hybrid position. CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction 07:00 The Future of Remote Work17:30 Finding the Right Hybrid Work Balance29:00 Advice for Employees Facing In-Person Mandates44:00 Mailbag Question 1: What allocation is ideal between Roth and 401(k)?50:00 Mailbag Question 2: I’m very risk-averse, have I saved enough to retire? TAKEAWAYS: Remote work can enhance concentration but may hinder innovation. Hybrid work models can lead to increased job satisfaction and lower turnover rates. Employees should align their work-from-home preferences with their team's schedule. Remote work does not necessarily impact promotion opportunities if managed well. The future of work will likely involve more technology to facilitate remote collaboration. Robert Half Report on Remote Work Trends and Statistics for 2024Learn 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!Thank you to Gainbridge® for supporting the HerMoney podcast. Gainbridge® created ParityFlex™, a multi-year guaranteed annuity, to offer women security and flexibility at a time when they need it the most—retirement. Learn more about ParityFlex™ here.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

If you listened to this week's episode with Michelle Singletary, personal finance columnist at the Washington Post, you know just how smart she can be about saving and investing, for her goals and for her family's long-term goals.You probably also won't be all that surprised to learn that a few years ago, she achieved something many of us can only dream of. She woke up one morning and she found that she had the elusive perfect credit score of 850. Listen in to hear how she did it.Chapters:00:00 Introduction06:00 Living below your means09:00 Balancing college plans and retirement 14:00 The 21-day financial fastTakeaways: Achieving a perfect credit score means paying all your bills on time and maintaining a very low credit utilization. Prioritizing financial goals over lifestyle spending will allow you to save aggressively. A 21-day "financial fast" helps you avoid non-essential spending. 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!Thank you to Gainbridge® for supporting the HerMoney podcast. Gainbridge® created ParityFlex™, a multi-year guaranteed annuity, to offer women security and flexibility at a time when they need it the most—retirement. Learn more about ParityFlex™ here.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

Getting older is pretty incredible. And that’s not just our opinion — lately, on the HerMoney podcast, we’ve been talking to some amazing women who have shown us that getting old is actually a life-affirming experience. We recently chatted with Tamsen Fadal on reinventing your career in your 50s. There was also Gwen Bounds, who took up Spartan Racing at age 47, and Bonnie Hammer who started a family in her 40’s. These women have shown us that there’s no timeline for accomplishing all of your dreams.Michelle Singletary, personal finance columnist at the Washington Post, joins us to share some of the goals we should be meeting — or striving to meet — in every decade of our lives. CHAPTERS:00:00 Jean’s Reflections on Turning 6006:00 Financial Milestones for Your 30s09:00 Financial Milestones for Your 40s11:00 Financial Milestones for Your 50s17:00 Financial Milestones for Your 60s and Beyond32:00 Mailbag Question 1: What are the pros and cons of taking out a reverse mortgage?38:00 Mailbag Question 2: I received a large settlement as part of my divorce. How should I invest it? TAKEAWAYS: Developing a healthy hatred for debt is crucial for financial success. Investing early and often is key to building wealth. Health should be prioritized to avoid future financial burdens. Creating a spending plan can help manage financial anxiety in retirement. Planning for retirement should involve sitting down with your partner and aligning on goals. Traveling and enjoying life should be part of retirement planning. Learn more about our Finance Fixx program here. Use code PODCAST for a $100 discount. Thank you to Gainbridge® for supporting the HerMoney podcast. Gainbridge® created ParityFlex™, a multi-year guaranteed annuity, to offer women security and flexibility at a time when they need it the most—retirement. Learn more about ParityFlex™ here.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 right on the eve of what is going to be a truly pivotal election. And this year, more than many others, it seems there's a unique urgency in the air. At least part of that is because each candidate has pledged to make changes to critical facets of American life — including to our personal finances. Catherine Rampell, nationally syndicated opinion columnist at the Washington Post, joins us to dissect the issues and how the 2024 election can impact the broader financial system (and our personal economies).CHAPTERS:00:00 Understanding Voter Awareness and Candidate Platforms02:59 Inflation: Candidates' Influence and Economic Policies09:05 Price Gouging and Its Implications12:03 Student Loan Proposals and Their Impact14:54 Social Security: Candidates' Stances and Future Challenges18:08 Tax Policies and Their Economic Implications21:01 Stock Market Trends and Candidate InfluenceTAKEAWAYS: Inflation remains a top concern for American voters but Presidents have limited control over inflation and price levels. The Federal Reserve's independence is vital for economic stability. Student loan proposals vary significantly between candidates. Social Security faces financial challenges regardless of the elected candidate. Tax policies proposed by candidates could have long-term economic implications. Stock market performance is influenced by various factors beyond presidential control. Learn more about our Finance Fixx program here. Use code PODCAST for a $100 discount. Thank you to Gainbridge® for supporting the HerMoney podcast. Gainbridge® created ParityFlex™, a multi-year guaranteed annuity, to offer women security and flexibility at a time when they need it the most—retirement. Learn more about ParityFlex™ here.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