Brown Ambition

There's just one word we need to describe today's show: BEYONCE. If you have been living under a rock, please catch up here> Other important mentions in this week's show: Mandi's story highlighting 5 black business leaders who are changing the face of Silicon Valley. We're answering TWO questions on next week's show! Send us yours at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode: -Tiffany shares her Obamacare drama and Mandi gives tips on how to avoid a $695 tax penalty this year-We discuss the pros/cons of group dinners (OK, mostly cons)-And we answer something of a taboo question: What should a guy/girl REALLY spend on an engagement ring? Mandi tells you what the going rate for a rock is these days and has tips on how to save on that diamond. Important links from this week's episode!Exemptions for the Obamacare tax penalty>Mandi's Story on whether or not you should buy an engagement ring on Etsy > As always, email us at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com with questions or tweet us @thebapodcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brown Ambition fam... we have a star among us. Tiffany made her Good Morning America debut this week on a special segment called "Super Savers." Check it out here!Winter Storm Jonas couldn't hold us down this week! We are back to bidness talking about #OscarsSoWhite, the Flint Michigan water crisis and the personal finance blog post that had ALL the ladies talking this week: "The Story of an F-Off Fund". Have questions for the show? Drop us a line at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Six years ago, Aja McClanahan and her husband were $110,000 in the hole and in a constant tug-of-war with debt collectors. So they decided to make a drastic move in order to tackle their debt head one. Mandi sat down with Aja this week to chat about how they finally became debt-free and what advice she has for others out there feeling overwhelmed by their own debt."You don't need a lot of money to do this," she says. "Being disciplined helped."Also on this week's episode: -Hillary Clinton talks about how she's benefitted from white privilege -One woman attacks the #BlackGirlMagic movement-Networking strategies-Mandi's biggest complaint about wedding dress shoppingAs always, send us your questions at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or hit us up on facebook.com/brownambition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back Brown Ambition fam. This week, we take a reader question from a young woman who took a job before she realized how little it paid. Now she's stuck -- does she stay and remain loyal to her new employer, or should she start looking for new work and risk looking unreliable to future employers? PLUS: Tiffany shares her favorite book of the moment ... and how to manage career burnout. As always, join us on Facebook or Twitter. Email us your money and career questions at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! To kick off our first show of 2016, we talk about the results of a 75-year study on — what else? — the key to finding lasting happiness in life. Doing this ONE thing in your life can not only make you happier but healthier and, as a result, more likely to live longer. It's like tapping your own personal Fountain of Youth everyday...and here's a hint: it has nothing to do with going to the gym!Then, we take a question from a listener who's feeling torn — should she take a year off from work and travel, or is it too late for a little adventure? Have any career or money questions to help you ensure a prosperous new year? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or join the BA Fam on Facebook and Twitter. If you haven't signed up for Tiffany's Live Richer Challenge yet, what are you waiting for?! Visit Livericherchallenge.net for all the deets! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the last show of 2015 for Brown Ambition! Thank you all for an amazing run these past four months. We'll be back and better (browner?) than ever in 2016. To set us up for the New Year, we want to know what YOU want more of/less of from us next year. More guests? Fewer dance breaks? Different advice? Email us at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook with your thoughts.And if you haven't left a review for us on iTunes yet, now's your chance! It would be the best Christmas present ever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#TGIF BA Fam! After dealing with our edit issues, we're back this week with a brand new (and a little bit tardy) show for you. Enjoy! As ever, email us your money and career questions at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's our Sweet 16, BA Fam! Fair warning: if you have not yet watched The Wiz Live, spoilers are ahead! The cast...the music...the WARDROBE. It was truly a night of unforgettable black magic. On the down side, what's a groundbreaking moment for people of color without a little touch of racist shade? Ignorance was out in full force on the Twitterverse and we discuss in this week's Buzzworthy. Next up, is it ever OK to move in with a significant other simply to save on rent?And Tiffany has a question for Mandi: Which race do you identify with more? Anyone who has a mixed racial/ethnic background will relate to her answer.  WINS: While Tiffany packs up for a week in paradise (jealous!), Mandi shares a major update about work (and really hopes she hasn't jinxed herself!). We hope it inspires every woman out there to ask for what she deserves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sorry in advance for all the singing. We were a little giddy this week...but for the best possible reason! One of us has something MAYJAH to share today BA fam (and it may or may not involve a ring!). After we squeal, we discuss important events of the last week, such as the Soul Train Awards (Baby Face tribute? Win! Choosing creeper R. Kelly to close the show? Fail!) and why it's important to support minority-owned businesses this holiday season. For Brown Break, Mandi gets real about what it's like working in an open concept office — and how easy it makes it for outside work drama to get in the way of your work flow. Tiffany makes a confession about her social life (or lack thereof) and takes a brown break from staying home. We answer an excellent question from a reader who wants to know if it's worth it going to a financial advisor -- and how she's supposed to get the house and family she wants with a mound of student loan and credit card debt weighing her down. WE are here for you Carrre girl! As always, send us your money/career questions at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or hit us up on Twitter (@theBApodcast) or Facebook. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.