Thanks to modern medicine, the average life expectancy has been on the rise for decades now, and women now have as much as a 15% chance of making it to their 100th birthday.

So while our parents may have planned for closer to 20 years in retirement, we need to save and invest for closer to three or even four decades. Deb Whitman, Chief Public Policy Officer at AARP and author of “The Second Fifty” joins us to talk about how to prepare financially, and otherwise, for the second half of our lives. 

CHAPTERS:

00:00 What is the “second fifty”?

06:00 Why women need to financially prepare to live longer than men

13:00 Rethinking partial retirement and lifelong learning 

23:00 Positive perspectives on aging

26:00 Mailbag Question 1: I’m about to inherit a significant amount of money, how should I invest it? 

29:00 Mailbag Question 2: I’m 62, am I on track to retire and continue to travel the way I want to? 

TAKEAWAYS:

• With women potentially reaching an average life expectancy of 90+ years by 2039, we need to save for a longer retirement. This requires proactive financial planning.
• Midlife is a time of new opportunities rather than decline. 
• Lifelong learning, career changes, and “encore careers” keep people engaged, purposeful, and financially prepared in midlife and beyond.

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 [email protected]. 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!

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 [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast, and to learn more about Airwave, head to www.airwavemedia.com.

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It’s clear there’s one thing HerMoney listeners can’t get enough of — retirement. There’s truly an endless amount to explore with this topic because whether you’re 65 or 25, we know the best time to start strategizing is NOW. 

And there’s one person that we turn to again and again for retirement advice, specifically when it comes to IRAs — Ed Slott. He's a CPA, a nationally recognized IRA distribution expert, and a best-selling author. This week, Ed was kind enough to join us again to tackle some questions from our community.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Understanding the complexity of IRAs

5:30 Why Roth conversions are so popular right now 

9:30 Withdrawal strategies for retirement 

13:30 Retirement options for small business owners

17:00 Choosing investments for your Roth IRA

TAKEAWAYS:

• Roth conversions are up significantly this year
• Making Roth conversions is a smart move even in strong market years.
• When planning withdrawals, start with taxable accounts and wait on tax-advantaged accounts.

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 [email protected]. 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!

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 [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast, and to learn more about Airwave, head to www.airwavemedia.com.

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We’re revisiting one of our most popular conversations with author and human performance expert Brad Stulberg, exploring what it means to achieve success without compromising your well-being or personal values. 

Brad explains how shifting from a traditional "if-then" mindset to a values-driven approach can help you find fulfillment, avoid burnout, and improve your life. Whether you’re aiming to make a career shift, reduce stress, or rethink your approach to investing, this conversation is packed with insights that will inspire you to find success on your own terms.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

05:00 Shifting from Goal-Driven to Values-Driven Success

11:00 How To Identify Your Core Values

20:00 Rest vs. Action to Address Burnout

Takeaways:

• By focusing on values rather than constant achievement, you’ll find deeper satisfaction and avoid the “hedonic treadmill” of always seeking more.
• Identify your core values by envisioning an ideal future self, reflecting on qualities you admire in others, and reconnect with the original motives behind your goals. 
• Grounding success in values reduces stress and improves performance by fostering a state of "relaxed striving."

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 [email protected]. 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!

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 [email protected] 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

What does the future of remote work really look like? Recently, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy mandated that employees must return to the office 5 days a week. So did Elon Musk for employees of both Tesla and X, which made us wonder: Are our remote or hybrid roles going to go the way of the dodo sometime soon? 

Nick Bloom, Stanford Professor of Economics weighs in on what the future holds for remote work, and how to get ahead in a remote or hybrid position. 

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction 

07:00 The Future of Remote Work

17:30 Finding the Right Hybrid Work Balance

29:00 Advice for Employees Facing In-Person Mandates

44:00 Mailbag Question 1: What allocation is ideal between Roth and 401(k)?

50:00 Mailbag Question 2: I’m very risk-averse, have I saved enough to retire? 

TAKEAWAYS:

• Remote work can enhance concentration but may hinder innovation.
• Hybrid work models can lead to increased job satisfaction and lower turnover rates.
• Employees should align their work-from-home preferences with their team's schedule.
• Remote work does not necessarily impact promotion opportunities if managed well.
• The future of work will likely involve more technology to facilitate remote collaboration.

Robert Half Report on Remote Work Trends and Statistics for 2024

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 [email protected]. 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!

Thank you to Gainbridge® for supporting the HerMoney podcast. Gainbridge® created ParityFlex™, a multi-year guaranteed annuity, to offer women security and flexibility at a time when they need it the most—retirement. Learn more about ParityFlex™ here.

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 [email protected] 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

If you listened to this week's episode with Michelle Singletary, personal finance columnist at the Washington Post, you know just how smart she can be about saving and investing, for her goals and for her family's long-term goals.

You probably also won't be all that surprised to learn that a few years ago, she achieved something many of us can only dream of. She woke up one morning and she found that she had the elusive perfect credit score of 850. Listen in to hear how she did it.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

06:00 Living below your means

09:00 Balancing college plans and retirement 

14:00 The 21-day financial fast

Takeaways:

• Achieving a perfect credit score means paying all your bills on time and maintaining a very low credit utilization.
• Prioritizing financial goals over lifestyle spending will allow you to save aggressively.
• A 21-day "financial fast" helps you avoid non-essential spending.

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 [email protected]. 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!

Thank you to Gainbridge® for supporting the HerMoney podcast. Gainbridge® created ParityFlex™, a multi-year guaranteed annuity, to offer women security and flexibility at a time when they need it the most—retirement. Learn more about ParityFlex™ here.

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 [email protected] 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

Getting older is pretty incredible. And that’s not just our opinion — lately, on the HerMoney podcast, we’ve been talking to some amazing women who have shown us that getting old is actually a life-affirming experience. 

We recently chatted with Tamsen Fadal on reinventing your career in your 50s. There was also Gwen Bounds, who took up Spartan Racing at age 47, and Bonnie Hammer who started a family in her 40’s. These women have shown us that there’s no timeline for accomplishing all of your dreams.

Michelle Singletary, personal finance columnist at the Washington Post, joins us to share some of the goals we should be meeting — or striving to meet — in every decade of our lives. 

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Jean’s Reflections on Turning 60

06:00 Financial Milestones for Your 30s

09:00 Financial Milestones for Your 40s

11:00 Financial Milestones for Your 50s

17:00 Financial Milestones for Your 60s and Beyond

32:00 Mailbag Question 1: What are the pros and cons of taking out a reverse mortgage?

38:00 Mailbag Question 2: I received a large settlement as part of my divorce. How should I invest it? 

TAKEAWAYS:

• Developing a healthy hatred for debt is crucial for financial success.
• Investing early and often is key to building wealth.
• Health should be prioritized to avoid future financial burdens.
• Creating a spending plan can help manage financial anxiety in retirement.
• Planning for retirement should involve sitting down with your partner and aligning on goals.
• Traveling and enjoying life should be part of retirement planning.

Learn more about our Finance Fixx program here. Use code PODCAST for a $100 discount. 

Thank you to Gainbridge® for supporting the HerMoney podcast. Gainbridge® created ParityFlex™, a multi-year guaranteed annuity, to offer women security and flexibility at a time when they need it the most—retirement. Learn more about ParityFlex™ here.

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 [email protected] 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

We are right on the eve of what is going to be a truly pivotal election. And this year, more than many others, it seems there's a unique urgency in the air. At least part of that is because each candidate has pledged to make changes to critical facets of American life — including to our personal finances. 

Catherine Rampell, nationally syndicated opinion columnist at the Washington Post, joins us to dissect the issues and how the 2024 election can impact the broader financial system (and our personal economies).

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Understanding Voter Awareness and Candidate Platforms

02:59 Inflation: Candidates' Influence and Economic Policies

09:05 Price Gouging and Its Implications

12:03 Student Loan Proposals and Their Impact

14:54 Social Security: Candidates' Stances and Future Challenges

18:08 Tax Policies and Their Economic Implications

21:01 Stock Market Trends and Candidate Influence

TAKEAWAYS:

• Inflation remains a top concern for American voters but Presidents have limited control over inflation and price levels.
• The Federal Reserve's independence is vital for economic stability.
• Student loan proposals vary significantly between candidates.
• Social Security faces financial challenges regardless of the elected candidate.
• Tax policies proposed by candidates could have long-term economic implications.
• Stock market performance is influenced by various factors beyond presidential control.

Learn more about our Finance Fixx program here. Use code PODCAST for a $100 discount. 

Thank you to Gainbridge® for supporting the HerMoney podcast. Gainbridge® created ParityFlex™, a multi-year guaranteed annuity, to offer women security and flexibility at a time when they need it the most—retirement. Learn more about ParityFlex™ here.

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 [email protected] 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

Every week on the HerMoney podcast, we talk about how to get control of your money, and in most cases, that means getting in control of your spending and knowing exactly where your money is going. Having this knowledge is so important because the truth is that many of us may be sabotaging ourselves financially. 

Sarah Newcomb, applied behavioral scientist at Edward Jones, and the author of Loaded: Money, Psychology, and How to Get Ahead without Leaving Your Values Behind, joins us to talk about why we financially self-sabotage and how to stop. 

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction

06:00 What is Financial Self Sabotage

17:00 Setting Long-Term Financial Goals

28:00 Impulse Spending and Emotional Triggers

38:00 Mailbag Question 1: Should I stretch my budget to purchase my dream home?

43:00 Mailbag Question 2: I’m in a lot of credit card debt, will credit card companies negotiate it with me? 

TAKEAWAYS:

• Financial self-sabotage can manifest in many unconscious ways.
• Women often prioritize caregiving at the expense of their financial goals.
• It's essential to balance short-term desires with long-term financial health.
• Emotional health is deeply intertwined with financial education and success.

Learn more about our Finance Fixx program here. Use code PODCAST for a $100 discount. 

Thank you to Gainbridge® for supporting the HerMoney podcast. Gainbridge® created ParityFlex™, a multi-year guaranteed annuity, to offer women security and flexibility at a time when they need it the most—retirement. Learn more about ParityFlex™ here.

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 [email protected] 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

If you listened to our episode with Sabrina Corlette, founder of the Center for Health Insurance Reforms, you are already armed with the information that you need to make a decision about which healthcare plan you want to choose when open enrollment rolls around.But no matter which one you choose, it's also inevitable that at some point you are very likely to receive a medical bill that you didn't expect.

That's where negotiation comes in. Our guest today, Braden Pan, founder and CEO of Resolve, a company that negotiates your medical bills on your behalf. He's joining us to talk about how you can do this yourself, how to negotiate your medical bills down, when to settle and pay up, and when to get your insurance company to step in and cover more.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

10:00 Tips For Negotiating Medical Bills

16:00 How To Be Your Own Advocate

25:00 What To Do If You Can’t Pay the Bill

Takeaways:

- Before negotiating, gather as much information as possible about your medical bills.

- Persistence is crucial when negotiating medical bills. 

- Make allies, not enemies. It may take multiple attempts to reach an agreement. 

- Many hospitals offer financial aid programs and will be flexible with you. 

Learn more about our Finance Fixx program here. Use code PODCAST for a $100 discount. 

Thank you to Gainbridge® for supporting the HerMoney podcast. Gainbridge® created ParityFlex™, a multi-year guaranteed annuity, to offer women security and flexibility at a time when they need it the most—retirement. Learn more about ParityFlex™ here.

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 [email protected] 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

It’s that time of the year again: yes, it’s spooky season, but it’s also time for open enrollment. This year, it’s absolutely essential that we do a thorough review of all our health insurance options, and make sure we’re choosing the best plan for us — without paying a penny more than necessary.

Sabrina Corlette, research professor, founder, and co-director of the Center on Health Insurance Reforms (CHIR) at Georgetown University shares the mistakes she wants you to avoid when choosing a healthcare plan this year. 

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

04:00 What’s New For 2025 Open Enrollment 

10:00 Evaluating Plan Options

22:00 Shopping Around For Healthcare

24:00 HSAs vs FSAs

29:00 Mailbag Question 1: Can I open an HSA outside of my employer? 

33:00 Mailbag Question 2: I’m coming up against hefty healthcare costs, how do I pay for them without draining my emergency fund? 

Learn more about our Finance Fixx program here. Use code PODCAST for a $100 discount. 

Thank you to Gainbridge® for supporting the HerMoney podcast. Gainbridge® created ParityFlex™, a multi-year guaranteed annuity, to offer women security and flexibility at a time when they need it the most—retirement. Learn more about ParityFlex™ here.

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 [email protected] 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

Today we are bringing you a mailbag with listener Amy. She’s in her early 40s and she is wondering if she should hit the brakes when it comes to saving for retirement because of the other things on her plate. She's working on paying down credit card debt and she wants to be able to afford to move into a nicer home. 

So, what's the order of operations here? We’ll dive into some timely advice for her.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Financial Priorities

02:57 Understanding Current Financial Situation

06:00 Exploring Debt Management Strategies

09:07 Retirement Contributions and Future Planning

12:12 Real Estate Considerations and Options

Have a personal finance question for us or want to jump on a call with Jean so you can get all of your follow-up questions answered? Write in at [email protected].

Learn more about our Finance Fixx program here. Use code PODCAST for a $100 discount. 

Thank you to Gainbridge® for supporting the HerMoney podcast. Gainbridge® created ParityFlex™, a multi-year guaranteed annuity, to offer women security and flexibility at a time when they need it the most—retirement. Learn more about ParityFlex™ here.

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 [email protected] 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