Brown Ambition

In September 2016, Sharon Epperson was at the gym when she felt a relentless, migraine-like pain shoot through her head and neck. One S.O.S. call to her husband and several hours in the hospital later, she learned she was one of 30,000 people in the U.S. who suffer a brain aneurysm rupture each year. Two in five die instantly and African Americans are twice as likely as whites to suffer from one.Sharon, who is the senior personal finance correspondent at CNBC, was one of the lucky ones. On today’s show, she calls the experience one of the great blessings of her life and shares her story with Mandi, including:Her early days in rehabilitation when she had to relearn everyday tasks.“That road had so much pain on it. There were people in those rooms who I know probably wouldn’t make it…I remember thinking I just have to look at the door straight ahead. If I look in these rooms I’m going to fall down.”What it was like to return the air at CNBC after 13 months of rehabilitation.“I am recovered in that I can do that job but I’m doing it differently and better than I’ve ever done it before.”The financial choices she made that protected her family’s finances during her recovery and time off from work.“There couldn’t have been a rainier day for my rainy day fund. The fact that I had an emergency fund was key. It meant I didn’t have to do what many people may have to do which is dip into a 401(k) or their retirement savings to pay for a medical bill.” The key steps Sharon says everyone should take to protect their families if they become disabled—Build an emergency fund—Sign up for disability insurance—Secure a power of attorneyLearn more about brain aneurysm research here: bafound.org(This episode originally aired April 18, 2018) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode of Brown Ambition: Dual milestones, different days as TIff rings in her fabulous 40th and Mandi preps for an epic baby shower Wildest dreams: After asking you to share your wildest dreams with us on last week's show, we got a flood of responses! We'll share some of our faves on the air. The magic number to save in your emergency fund is $2,467, according to a new study. Job tips: Why you should never put your expected salary on a job application and we tackle a question from a listener who's torn between her dream job in a city she hates and the life she left behind in her hometown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's show: —We take a question from a listener wondering how she and her husband can begin to tackle their combined $40,000 debt load — including credit cards, personal loans and student loans.—Another listener is trying to build credit but keeps getting denied for cards...what's a girl to do? We've got some ideas!—A Reddit group is under fire for requiring members to prove they are "black enough" by sharing photos of their ... forearms? We tackle this problematic topic and talk about how to protect minorities in online safe spaces like Reddit and Facebook groups Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy Brown Ambition Wednesday (and International Podcasts Day!) On today's show: —Tiffany recaps the epic wedding of pal and social commentator Luvvie Ajayi (haven't listened to our interview with Luvvie yet? Go back and check out Ep. 50!). Congrats Luvvie!—When it's better to spend the money and hire a professional vs. take the time to DIY —We take a question from a listener who's torn between being car debt-free or purchasing a newer ride and a young woman who's new boyfriend has some *feelings* about the fact that she earns more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy Brown Ambition Wednesday!On today's show:—Yep. It is possible to get fired in less than 24 hours. Tiffany explains.—How to get around monthly maintenance fees at your bank—What to do when friends want to plan a lavish vacay and you're on a budget Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy Brown Ambition Wednesday y’all!On today’s show: -Tiffany’s got a 40th bday resolution to start sticking up more for herself when she’s shortchanged — the same way she goes to bat for her Dream Catchers, family and friends.-Choosing the right credit card for household purchases-Whether or not you should use a windfall to pay off credit debt or put it in the bank for savings-When to tell if it’s time to sell a house vs hold onto it-Engaging in the rumor mill at work and how it can be toxic As mentioned on the show: The best home improvements to make if you want to make a return on your investments later: https://www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2019/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy Brown Ambition Wednesday!Here are a few links to resources mentioned on today's show: Equifax Data Breach Settlement sources FTCEquifaxbreachsettlement.com The "Momference" Tiffany's new fave vintage shop in NJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy Brown Ambition Wednesday!On today's show: -Tiffany's weekend at the GirlTrek Stress Protest-Questions on paying down debt with stocks, and buying a house while a recession looms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're BACK after a brief hiatus with a brand new show. You've seen the headlines about a pending recession, but is it really time to start preparing? And how could you prepare yourself for the next downturn if you wanted to? We've got some tips. Also on the show, we tackle some brand new questions from our listeners:—Should I use a car accident settlement to pay off my loan debt or invest it instead? —I'm becoming a stay-at-home mom. Should I cash out my 401(k) when I leave my job? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.