HerMoney with Jean Chatzky

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

As 2024 comes to a close, it’s time to take control of your money and set yourself up for an even better 2025. How to do it? We’ve got nine actionable steps from HerMoney CEO Jean Chatzky. From rebalancing your investment portfolio after a booming stock market year, to making sure your cash is earning its keep in high-yield savings accounts, we share how to optimize your money. Takeaways: Gains in tech stocks may have caused your asset allocation to shift, increasing risk. Rebalancing protects you if the market dips. Shop for high-yield savings accounts, CDs, or annuities with rates around 4-5% before rates drop further. Offset capital gains by selling underperforming investments. 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

Katarina Blom, a psychologist and expert in Swedish death cleaning, explains this unique yet uplifting practice that encourages people to organize their possessions while contemplating their values. She shares how acknowledging mortality can enhance one's quality of life. Listeners will learn practical tips for starting the process and the emotional benefits of decluttering for loved ones. Also featured are insightful mailbag questions about managing multiple properties and credit card implications, offering valuable financial guidance.

The holidays are the perfect time to show gratitude to the people who make our lives easier, from housekeepers and hairstylists to restaurant servers and babysitters. But figuring out how much to tip — and how to fit it into our budgets — can feel overwhelming, especially with inflation making everything more expensive than it used to be. We’re bringing back this episode with Barbara Sloan, founder of Tipped Finance and author of Tipped: The Life-Changing Guide to Financial Freedom for Service Industry Professionals to discuss holiday tipping etiquette, budgeting strategies, and why tipping should feel good, not guilt-driven.Chapters:00:00 Showing gratitude during the holidays 09:00 Common tipping questions and answers16:00 The ethics of tipping20:00 Financial advice for service workers Takeaways: Many tipping norms, such as $2-5 per night for hotel housekeeping, haven’t changed in decades. Tipping should feel good and be reserved for personalized services where workers directly enhance the experience. If finances are tight, reduce the number of luxury services you use rather than tipping less. 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