Money Girl

1059. Host Laura Adams sits down with Courtney Alev, Consumer Financial Advocate and Director of Product Management for TurboTax. They discuss real listener questions about budgeting, tax refund strategies, and paying down debt. You’ll learn strategies and tips for saving more, managing debt wisely, adjusting tax withholding, and curbing impulse spending to improve your financial life.Key TakeawaysTreat savings like an essential bill or subscription by automatically transferring even a small amount into a dedicated savings account every payday before paying other expenses.Tracking your total monthly spending is the best way to take control of your cash flow and see where small cuts can make a big difference.Rent is the maximum you might pay per month, but a mortgage is the minimum, due to property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and unexpected repair costs.A large tax refund means you overpaid taxes throughout the year; however, you may be able to adjust your W-4 withholding for higher monthly paychecks.Tackle credit card balances from highest to lowest interest rate to save the most money over time.Pause for at least 24 hours before making a non-essential purchase over a certain amount to help eliminate impulse purchases.Discover more from Money Girl!FacebookNewsletterTranscripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com.Email: [email protected] or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

952. Not sure whether you need a financial advisor, or which kind to look for? Laura Adams explains the seven types of financial professionals: bankers, insurance agents, tax accountants, estate attorneys, stockbrokers, registered investment advisors (RIAs), and certified financial planners (CFPs). She covers what each one does, how each is paid, and which are fiduciaries legally required to act in your best interest.You'll learn the difference between fee-only, fee-based, and commission-based advisors, and how to spot conflicts of interest. Laura also shares where to search for and verify credentials, including LetsMakeAPlan.org, FINRA.org, AdviserInfo.SEC.gov, the IRS preparer search tool, and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors. She closes with a list of questions to ask in a first meeting. These are especially helpful after a windfall, a new business, a divorce, a growing family, or when you're planning for retirement.This episode originally ran in August 2025.Discover more from Money Girl!FacebookNewsletterTranscripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com.Email: [email protected] or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1058. With 10-year U.S. Treasury yields above 5.3%, many investors are asking if they should ditch stocks and play it safe with fixed income. Host Laura Adams answers a listener’s question about investing when retirement is ten years away. You’ll learn the basics of bonds and how to use a three-bucket strategy to lower risk without giving up long-term growth. Key TakeawaysA bond is a loan an investor gives an entity (like the federal government, a local municipality, or a corporation) in exchange for interest payments over a period.10-year U.S. Treasury bond yields have climbed above 5.3%, their highest rate in decades, providing an inflation-adjusted return of about 2%.The longer the maturity of a bond, the higher its interest rate will be. You can buy individual bonds or bond funds, which are diversified and an easy way to buy a preset portfolio of bonds from brokerages and investment platforms. Owning individual bonds to maturity eliminates price fluctuation risk, where a bond’s price shifts based on interest rates. Retirees can benefit from structuring their portfolio into three buckets: cash, bonds, and stocks, to protect against potential market losses.Discover more from Money Girl!FacebookNewsletterTranscripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com.Email: [email protected] or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1057. Few things are more frustrating than learning your flight has been canceled. But do you know what you’re legally entitled to when an airline grounds your plane? Host Laura Adams breaks down your rights as an air traveler and explains how to protect your wallet when flights get disrupted. Key TakeawaysIf an airline cancels your flight or changes your schedule by more than three hours domestically or six hours internationally, you’re entitled to a full refund if you choose not to rebook.Research your options using airline apps, by calling their domestic or international customer service, or by messaging their social media.Airlines are not required to issue vouchers for delays caused by factors they can’t control, such as severe weather, air traffic control shutdowns, cyberattacks, or unscheduled safety maintenance.Paying for your flight or award ticket taxes with a card that offers travel protections can help offset unexpected hotels, ground transportation, meals, and toiletries when your flight is canceled or significantly delayed.To claim credit card travel protections, request a "Statement of Delay" from the airline and keep itemized receipts for every expense.Discover more from Money Girl!FacebookNewsletterTranscripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com.Email: [email protected] or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1056. Should you buy your next home before selling your current one, or is it safer to sell first? How does an existing mortgage impact your ability to qualify for a new loan, and where should your down payment actually come from? Host Laura Adams answers a listener’s questions about navigating the tricky logistics of moving and whether to convert her current house into a rental property.Key TakeawaysYou can source your down payment from savings, home sale proceeds, a pre-arranged home equity line of credit (HELOC), or a short-term bridge loan.Carrying two mortgages at once counts toward a lender’s debt-to-income (DTI) ratio for underwriting.If you convert your primary home into a rental property, most lenders allow you to use 75% of rental income (backed by a signed lease) to offset your existing mortgage when qualifying for a new loan.A leaseback agreement allows you to sell your home, receive cash proceeds on closing day, and remain in the home as a tenant for up to 60 days.Holding two properties simultaneously usually requires higher credit scores and cash reserves. Consult a mortgage expert to calculate your exact borrowing limits under different scenarios before placing offers or listing your property on the market.Discover more from Money Girl!FacebookNewsletterTranscripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com.Email: [email protected] or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1055. Host Laura Adams interviews Natasha Madan, CMO and consumer advocate at Credit Karma, about the financial habits of Gen Z, credit myths, and wise ways to use AI tools. You’ll learn practical strategies to optimize your credit, get the best interest rates, and build wealth faster.Key TakeawaysTaking small, consistent actions, such as reducing your credit utilization or consolidating high-interest debt, adds up to slowly improve your finances.Paying bills on time and paying off credit card balances in full every month are ways to build credit without accruing interest charges.Beyond getting loans at lower interest rates, credit scores affect other parts of your finances, like your insurance rates (in most states) and whether you can rent a home or apartment.Always check and optimize your credit months ahead of applying for a major loan (like a mortgage or auto loan) so you can get approved for a competitive interest rate and cut interest.Younger generations, like Gen Z, want to enjoy life and plan wisely for the future, instead of sacrificing too much in the present moment.Discover more from Money Girl!FacebookNewsletterTranscripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com.Email: [email protected] or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Considering a mid-career change without sacrificing financial security? Explore transferable hard, soft, and system skills, promising fields with nationwide demand, and ways to test a new path before quitting. The discussion also covers remote work, licensing opportunities, relocation math, and building a cash runway for training, moving costs, and income gaps.

Before December 31, make seven smart money moves to lower your tax bill, boost retirement savings, and protect valuable benefits. Topics include maximizing workplace contributions, using FSA funds, booking care before deductibles reset, completing required distributions, accelerating deductions, claiming above-the-line breaks, and redeeming expiring credit card rewards.

Planning a child’s future down payment? Explore how inflation can erode decades of savings, why diversified index funds may be worth considering, and four account options, including brokerage, custodial, Trump, and Roth IRAs. The discussion also covers ownership rules, tax advantages, financial-aid effects, and when to shift investments into safer choices before buying.

College costs are rising, but 529 plans can help families prepare. Explore the differences between investment-based 529 savings accounts and prepaid tuition plans, from tax benefits and market risk to eligible expenses, school restrictions, and Roth IRA rollovers. Plus, learn how combining both strategies may provide tuition protection and financial flexibility.