Personal Finance Expert. Award-Winning Journalist. Best-Selling Author.
This week, we’re bringing back expert investor Jenny Van Leeuwen Harrington for a special mailbag episode. She’s answering all of your excellent saving and investing questions—from how to start investing outside of a retirement account to making the most of a short college savings window to figuring out which account to draw from in retirement.
Whether you're just getting started investing or reassessing your strategy later in life, Jenny and Jean break down the decisions that matter most—and remind us that successful investing is more about time in the market than picking the perfect stocks.
Mailbag Questions:
[1:30] “Is 59 too late to open a Roth IRA, and what should I invest in?”
[5:00] “We have 3 teens and not much saved for college yet. Where should we start?”
[7:30] “I'm a retiree, and I’d like to start pulling money on a monthly basis. Which account should I pull from first?”
[11:30] “I make $150,000 a year and put $1,000 into my 401k every month. If I want to retire in 15 years, what else should I be investing in?”
Looking for more financial confidence?
Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com. 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!
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Markets have been rocky—and if you’re feeling a little uneasy about where your money is sitting right now, you’re not alone. That’s exactly why we’re turning our attention to a strategy that’s all about dependable income and peace of mind: dividend investing.
This week, we’re sitting down with Jenny Van Leeuwen Harrington, CEO of Gilman Hill Asset Management and author of Dividend Investing: Dependable Income to Navigate All Market Environments.
Whether you're nearing retirement or just want to sleep better at night, this episode breaks down how you can build a dividend-focused portfolio tailored to your life and your risk tolerance.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
📍 Learn more about Jenny Harrington
📍 Support the Council for Economic Education
Looking for more financial confidence?
Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com. 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!
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We’re not going to sugarcoat it, it’s been a brutal few days on Wall Street. Markets are reeling. Investors are spooked. And if you’ve peeked at your 401(k) with one eye open while sipping a very large glass of wine...you’re not alone.
That’s why we asked Karen Finerman, co-founder of our InvestingFixx club, to join us to break down what this market chaos really means, how long it might last, and what you should (and shouldn’t) be doing with your money right now.
📊 Want more financial confidence? Join Jean and Karen at InvestingFixx.com. Our investing club for women meets next on April 14 at 8 PM ET, and your first month is free.
Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com. 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!
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Are financial advisors worth the cost? How do you know when it's time to switch from DIY investing? What exactly should an advisor be doing for you?
In this special Mailbag episode, Pam Krueger, CEO of WealthRamp, answers all your biggest questions about working with a financial advisor. Plus, we tackle the #1 retirement fear—running out of money—and explain how to stress-test your finances to stay on track.
Mailbag Questions:
[02:00] “When is it time to move from a robo-advisor to a real human?”
[07:00] “Can someone call themselves a fiduciary but still earn commissions?”
[9:30] “I only have $100k saved. Will a financial advisor work with me?”
[12:00] “Should my advisor help with budgeting, insurance, and college planning—or just investments?”
[15:00] “How can I make sure my retirement savings last a lifetime?”
Looking for more financial confidence?
Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com. 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!
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Finding a trustworthy financial advisor can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.
Today, we’re joined by Pam Krueger, an investor advocate and the founder of Wealthramp, a referral service that connects consumers with vetted, fee-only fiduciary advisors, to break down how to find the right advisor for your financial goals. We dive into the biggest red flags to watch for, the difference between fee-only and commission-based advisors, and how to take control of your money with confidence.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
Looking for more financial confidence?
Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com. 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!
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In today’s Mailbag, we're diving into your burning AI questions with Celia Quillian, author of AI for Life: 100+ Ways to Use Artificial Intelligence to Make Your Life Easier, More Productive…and More Fun!
Whether you're navigating a career shift, streamlining home maintenance tasks, or planning a road trip, Celia shares how you can use AI to make your life easier.
Mailbag Questions:
[02:00] “Can AI help me with a career pivot post-layoff?”
[06:00] “How can I use AI to keep track of things I need to get done around the house?”
[10:00] “What are the best free AI courses for beginners?”
[11:00] “Can AI help me plan a bucket list road trip?”
Looking for more financial confidence?
Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com. 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!
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Artificial intelligence is here to stay, and instead of fearing it, we should learn how to make it work for us. Celia Quillian is an AI expert and author of the new book, AI for Life: 100+ Ways to Use Artificial Intelligence to Make Your Life Easier, More Productive…and More Fun!
She’s joining us to break down how generative AI can help us boost productivity, negotiate raises, manage our finances, and even help book our next vacation.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
Looking for more financial confidence?
Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com. 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!
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We're back with Ramit Sethi, bestselling author of Money for Couples, for a special Mailbag episode! You asked, and we’re diving into your biggest questions on love, money, and financial decision-making as a team.
From when to return to work to navigating financial resentment in a marriage, Ramit shares his expert insights (with a dose of tough love) on how to approach these tricky conversations.
Mailbag Questions:
[01:00] “Should my inheritance fund my husband's early retirement?”
[07:00] “Should I go back to school for my dream job—even if it means taking on more debt?”
[13:00] “How do we raise financially responsible kids when we can afford to give them everything?”
Looking for more financial confidence?
Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com. 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!
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Money and relationships — it’s complicated. But what if those tough conversations with your partner could actually bring you closer?
In this episode, Jean Chatzky sits down with personal finance expert and bestselling author Ramit Sethi to talk about how couples can stop fighting about money and start building their rich life together.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
📚 Buy Ramit's Book: Money For Couples
🎙️ Listen to Ramit’s podcast: Money for Couples
📑 Download Ramit’s Conscious Spending Plan
Looking for more financial confidence?
Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com. 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!
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Scrambled, poached, or over-easy — Americans love their eggs. But lately, buying a carton at the grocery store has been an exercise in sticker shock. Why have egg prices skyrocketed? What role does bird flu play? And is relief on the way?
In this episode, Jean sits down with Jadrian Wooten, Associate Professor of Economics at Virginia Tech, and Phil Lempert, the Supermarket Guru, to crack open the real reasons behind soaring egg prices. They break down supply chain disruptions, grocery store pricing strategies, and what this all means for your wallet.
📚 Resources & Links Mentioned:
🔹 Jadrian’s article about why egg prices have outpaced chicken.
🔹 Phil’s writing about planning for the bird flu epidemic.
Looking for more financial confidence?
Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com. 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!
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The markets are swinging. Inflation is making headlines. And President Trump just imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum. So… are we heading for a recession? And if we are, what does that mean for your wallet?
On this special episode, we sit down with economist Kathryn Edwards to break down what’s really happening in the economy. Kathryn explains what a recession is, why economic indicators have so many people on edge, and how new trade policies could impact our financial future.
Looking for more financial confidence?
Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com. 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!
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