rich & REGULAR with Kiersten and Julien Saunders

This week, we’re breaking down bankruptcy in the way it should’ve been explained all along: without shame, without legal jargon, and without the “womp womp” energy we’ve all been taught to bring to it.You’ve probably heard of Chapter 7. Maybe even Chapter 13. But unless you’ve filed for bankruptcy, or know someone who has, you’ve likely never learned what it actually means.We kick things off with the viral rise of the “debt strike” trend on TikTok and Instagram, where people are publicly declaring they’re done paying back debt and explore what it says about our cultural relationship to money, morality, and relief.Then we get into:What Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11 actually areWho qualifies and howWhat a “means test” is and how it worksWhat happens to your credit score and your sanityThe real costs (financial, emotional, and social) of filingAnd why bankruptcy might more of a mental health intervention than we give credit for Along the way, we myth-bust the stereotypes and unpack why bankruptcy, like divorce, might just be a legal reset that deserves more empathy and way less side-eye.Links: Episode 174: A spike in bankruptcy (Topic #2)  Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

Discover U.S. cities offering cash grants and other perks to lure new residents. Explore why moving domestically can be just as transformative as going abroad. Delve into the cultural and legal differences across states, especially in the context of relocation incentives. Learn how local governments are enticing remote workers post-pandemic and what to watch out for in fine print. Uncover effective strategies for researching potential new homes, from Facebook groups to street view tours, ensuring you're prepared for your next adventure.

Most people aren’t neutral about the idea of living in a car, and that’s exactly why we needed to talk about it.This week, we dig into the stigma, structure, and stories behind van life. It’s not a guide on how to gut a Sprinter or stealth-camp in a Target parking lot, it’s a deeper exploration of what it means to live differently and why that still freaks people out.From the viral story of Dawn Robinson of En Vogue (yes, *that* Dawn) who shared that she’s been living in her car by choice for the past three years, to our personal stories of barbers, truckers, and friends navigating life on the margins of “traditional” housing, we cover the full terrain of what it means to opt out of the norm. Spoiler alert: it’s complicated.We cover:Why alternative housing is still treated as “failure” unless it’s influencer-approvedThe invisible infrastructure that makes van life even possible and why it’s not always fully “off-the-grid”Why HUD, housing policy, and language matter more than you thinkThe difference between choosing van life vs. surviving itHow Black culture relates to nontraditional housing, and why we don’t often see ourselves in the #vanlife aestheticThe emotional, financial, and logistical costs of so-called “freedom”This is one of those “sit with it” episodes. It’s not about romanticizing struggle or glamorizing minimalism, it’s about challenging the way we define dignity, shelter, success, and the American dream.Because let’s be honest: if someone chooses to live in a van and finds peace, why does it make the rest of us so uncomfortable?Listen in. Challenge your definitions. And maybe, just maybe, reconsider what home really means. Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

Discover practical tips for navigating life on a single income, addressing not just financial management but also emotional dynamics in relationships. Explore the importance of communication and negotiation as a new love language amid budget discussions. Learn about the challenges of pride in seeking help and the emotional complexities of selling cherished items. Embrace the process of decluttering to generate income while fostering teamwork and resilience with your partner through financial challenges.

Links: Watch the 90-second trailer of Taste the Impact Watch the full-length "Taste the Impact" mini-doc nowRegister for the Shifting Wealth, Shaping Futures info session on March 26th Become a member of Invest for Better (it’s free!)This week’s episode is about something personal, political, and, up until recently, way too overlooked: food.We spend a lot of time talking about food, but not nearly enough time talking about how it shows up in our kitchens, grocery carts, or dinner tables. So today, we’re changing that.We’re introducing our latest creative project, Taste the Impact, which a short film (or op-doc, if you’re feeling fancy) that explores the relationship between investing and the food system. Not just what we choose to buy, but what we’re being sold. Because behind every recall, rising price tag, and empty produce shelf, there’s a money trail worth following.This is an episode that sits squarely at the intersection of life and money. It’s about challenging the status quo, asking uncomfortable questions, and recognizing that our financial choices have real-world consequences. In this episode, we get into:Why we made Taste the Impact now and and why storytelling is a financial tool just as much as spreadsheets areWhat visual media can do that numbers alone can’t (and how historical social movements have always known this)Why “values-aligned investing” only gets real when you zoom into something specific, like foodHow systemic failures are driving the wave of food recallsWhat’s behind the rising cost of food, and why it's not just inflation Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

Explore the compelling reasons behind the expat trend, from financial independence to political factors. Discover practical tips for testing life abroad with short stays and the Digital Nomad Visa. Learn about semi-permanent residency options and the complexities of transitioning to new citizenship. The discussion delves into the emotional and financial challenges of living a split life, emphasizing careful planning. Finally, rethink immigration as a fluid choice influenced by personal identity and adaptability in a globalized world.

Join a Shifting Wealth, Shaping Futures Circle today: https://investforbetter.org/swsf/ Not quite ready for a circle? Sign up for a free membership with Invest for Better: https://investforbetter.org/membership/Get your ticket to the Northeast FI Camp Women's Weekend: https://khbfinancial.com/northeastficamps/For information about future, co-ed events, sign up for their email list: https://eastcoastfi.kit.com/adab4cc93cFor most of history, women weren’t just left out of wealth-building, we weren’t even in the conversation. Fast forward to today: Women are investing more than ever, making up a record percentage of stock market participants, growing businesses, and holding more financial power than at any point in history. That’s the win.But here’s the fight: We’re still paid less, still have less wealth, and the traditional financial playbook assumes everyone earns, invests, and retires like a man. This means even when we do everything right, we’re often playing catch-up.So this Women’s History Month, we’re asking: What happens when we go from participating to leading?We discuss: Why the wealth gap still exists even as women invest more than everHow to rewrite the financial playbook so it actually works for usRedefining financial confidence and owning it  The investing strengths women already have and how to use them to winUsing community as a secret weapon and connecting with other women like “rich aunties” who’ve been through it and have the wisdom to share.  Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

Are you scratching your head trying to understand Gen Z's approach to…life? You're not alone! This week, we’re exploring the fascinating and sometimes frustrating world of Gen Z finances, why traditional financial advice often misses the mark with this generation, and what actually resonates with them.Every generation thinks they had it hard. And to be fair, most of them did. But Gen Z? They’re becoming adults in a world that looks nothing like the one we grew up in. Between AI disrupting entire industries, the attention economy turning regular people into millionaires overnight, and inflation making rent feel like a luxury item, it's no wonder their financial expectations (and anxieties) are sky-high.In this episode, we break down:Why traditional financial advice isn’t built for Gen Z’s realityThe real reason they think they need $600K a year to be successfulBudgeting vs. Earning: We debate whether traditional budgeting advice is still relevant in today's economy, or if Gen Z's focus on increasing income is the smarter approach.How careers, income, and investing have changed foreverThe biggest mistakes Millennials and Boomers make when advising themHow this approach is different from hustle culture And most importantly, we share what actually works: learning how to earn, invest, and live in a world where stability is no longer the default setting.Whether you’re Gen Z trying to figure it all out, or just someone trying to understand them better, this episode is for you. Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

This week, we’re talking about impact investing, which if we’re being honest, is a phrase we used to think was reserved for people who call their parents by their first names. Turns out, it’s one of the closest things we have to financial resistance (with receipts!).This episode drops on the last Monday of Black History Month 2025, a month that, for once, felt less performative. Not because there wasn’t Black history being made, there was, just like there is every day of the year…but because the usual corporate spectacle was dialed down. The hashtags were quieter, the campaigns were fewer, and the message was clear. But Black history isn’t something we just look back on, it’s something we build. And for more people than ever, that means thinking differently about where our dollars go, not just as consumers but as investors.Here’s what we get into:Why politicians keep telling us to “mobilize” but rarely mention moneyThe Target vs. Costco stock story that shows how companies respond when people start moving their moneyThe difference between boycotting as a consumer and influencing as a shareholderHow everyday investors now make up 25% of stock trading and why that mattersWhy ignoring your investments isn’t neutral and what it means to be intentional with your financial powerAnd because knowledge without action doesn’t change much, we’re also talking about real steps you can take. Kiersten shares her experience with Invest for Better Circles, a program that changed how she thinks about money and impact (and made her rethink her own investments in the process). Plus, if you’re a Black woman looking for a space to learn about this in community, there’s a new cohort designed just for us. Link below.TAKE ACTION:📌 Join the waitlist for the Shifting Wealth, Shaping Futures Circles for Black women 📌 Not a Black woman? No problem. Regular Invest for Better Circles are opening soon too  Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

Is the magic really gone, or are we just over it? This week's episode is a Quick Dip, where we're side-eyeing some old-school markers of success. We thought about calling this the "end of an era" edition but it might be too soon...you tell us! Think childhood trips to Disney, that diamond ring you're 'supposed' to want, and even that climb up the corporate ladder. We're wondering if these traditions still mean what they used to in a world that's changing so fast. The data suggests something is changing, but this episode is less about having all the answers and more about starting some real convos about what matters to us. First, we reference a recent Wall St. Journal article called “Even Disney is worried about the high cost of a Disney Vacation,” and talk about how rising costs are impacting families and challenging the park's cultural dominance. Then, we tackle the diamond industry and the growing popularity of lab-grown alternatives that promise the same quality at a fraction of the price. Finally, we dissect the current state of the corporate world, and talk about the current record high CEO turnover rates and what they signal about the evolving relationship between workers and employers. This episode also features leaked audio where JPMorgan's CEO, Jamie Dimon, uses explicit language when speaking to his employees.Key Takeaways:Manufactured Magic is Expensive: "Tradition" often comes with a hefty price tag, and it's time to question if the returns are worth the investmentEthical Consumption Matters: From lab-grown diamonds to supporting companies with values that align with our own, we have more power than ever to vote with our dollarsAuthenticity is the New Luxury: The pursuit of genuine experiences and personal meaning is replacing the need to acquire status symbols Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow