If you’re thinking about quitting your job in 2026 and finally starting your own business, this episode is your practical roadmap. I’m joined by lawyer-turned-entrepreneur Sam Vander Wielen, who left corporate law with multi-six-figure student loans, built a multi-seven-figure digital products company, and learned firsthand what entrepreneurship can and cannot do for your happiness. We’re talking about how to financially plan your exit from a 9-to-5, what legal steps you need (LLC, contracts, trademarks), and how to stop tying your worth to income, vanity metrics, or job titles. If you want a sustainable, smart plan for quitting your job and building a profitable business in 2026, this conversation will show you how to do it without burning your life down in the process.

Sam’s links:

Get Sam’s book: https://www.samvanderwielen.com/book/ Listen to Sam’s podcast: https://www.samvanderwielen.com/podcast 

Sign up for Sam’s newsletter: https://www.samvanderwielen.com/easy-emails 

Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to see the show notes and read the transcript of this episode!

0:00 Intro

01:15 The Happiness Myth

04:30 Why We Tie Happiness to Milestones

07:30 What a Business Can (and Can’t) Give You

11:00 Money as a Tool for Safety and Choice

15:00 Sam’s Corporate Law Wake-Up Call

20:00 The Stability Myth of Corporate Jobs

25:30 Planning a Real Exit From Your 9–5

30:30  Legal Basics for Starting a Business

36:00 Why Entrepreneurship Doesn’t Fix Your Life

41:30 Redefining Success Before You Leap

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Millionaires don’t just buy things––they buy time. And if you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly busy but somehow never getting closer to the life you actually want, this episode is for you. In our second installment of the millionaire mindset series, I’m breaking down what I call time wealth. The idea that real wealth isn’t just about how much money you make, but how much of your life you get to keep. I’m sharing exactly how millionaires think about time, the sneaky ways you’re leaking it without realizing, and the small but powerful shifts you can start making right now to buy back your evenings, your energy, and your future—even if you’re not rich yet.

Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to get your free time audit worksheet!

Catch up on episode 1 of millionaire mindset: https://herfirst100k.com/financial-feminist-show-notes/millionaire-mindset-taking-risks/

00:00 Intro

00:44 What the millionaire mindset series is about

01:22 Time wealth: buying back your time

02:11 Time is your greatest asset, not money

05:15 Time leaks: where you're wasting time

05:36 Decision fatigue - spending too much time deciding

10:00 Doing $10 tasks with $100 goals

12:43 Reactive living - letting others' urgency dictate your day

14:26 Unpaid emotional labor

15:50 How millionaires audit their time ruthlessly

19:58 Delegating before you're ready

25:23 Habit stacking to maximize your time

30:17 Saying no early and often

33:25 Time wealth is self-respect

35:14 This week's wealth move

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Try Mimi’s app, Activations, with a free 14-day trial and exclusive discount at

activations.com/podcast/financial-feminist

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the “right” money things on paper but still feel anxious, stuck, or behind, this episode is for you. In today’s conversation, I’m joined once again by Mimi Bouchard––trailblazing entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and author––to break down how to shift your money mindset in 2026 by changing your identity, your beliefs, and the way you relate to yourself long before the numbers change. We talk about the psychology of money, why not all of your thoughts are true, how to stop bracing for financial disaster, and how small, daily mindset shifts can completely transform your financial behavior. Tune in to learn how to rewire your brain to see opportunity, rebuild trust, and start showing up like your future wealthy self so you can create lasting financial security and freedom this year.

00:00 Intro 

01:40 How your brain filters opportunity

03:50 Why mindset matters more than being good at math

06:10 How beliefs drive behavior before numbers ever do

08:30 Not all of your thoughts are true

11:50 The "why not me?" mindset shift

17:30 Women and the fear of wanting more

20:50 Identifying limiting beliefs in everyday moments

28:20 Bracing for impact - the low-grade money anxiety trap

35:10 The bounce back rate vs. perfectionism

42:50 Building trust with yourself around money

47:30 Adding positive habits instead of restricting

50:30 Getting comfortable with having more money

Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to see the show notes and read the transcript of this episode!

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If you’re making good money and still feel broke, stressed, or behind, something is off and it’s not you. Today, I’m joined by my friend Vivian Tu, former Wall Street trader, CEO and founder of Your Rich BFF, and New York Times bestselling author of Well Endowed, to talk about what it really takes to get rich and stay rich. We’re calling out why paying your bills and saving is not the finish line, how optimization culture keeps high earners trapped in a constant game of “never enough,” and how to start using your money as a tool to buy time, freedom, and real security instead of status symbols. This episode is about ditching performative wealth, building systems that quietly grow your money, and finally feeling powerful, calm, and in control of your financial life.

Vivian’s links:

Website: https://www.yourrichbff.com/

Grab your copy of Well Endowed: http://richbffbook.com/ 

Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!

00:00 Intro 

00:51 Money traumas from childhood & the Chinese buffet story

03:17 How money narratives dictate everyday decisions

06:16 Knowing the price of everything but the value of nothing

08:14 Money as a tool to buy your best life

10:47 What comes after financial basics (Finance 2.0)

13:01 Building infrastructure vs. working harder

15:38 Strategic spending: "Do I want this or do I want people to know I have it?"

18:33 The sleep investment story

24:48 Why HENRYs (High Earners Not Rich Yet) feel stressed

28:21 The B-plus life trap & lifestyle inflation

31:24 Wasted opportunity, potential, and time

33:20 Kids will make you poorer - childcare costs

36:10 The prenup with built-in raises for childcare

37:34 Unpaid labor & the "good mom" trap

38:53 Cooking as unpaid labor vs. celebrity chef art

40:06 Speaking kindly to yourself about money

42:31 Making peace with your own financial timeline

45:07 The all-or-nothing mindset is killing progress

49:56 15 minutes is better than no minutes

50:17 Book takeaway: Chase security, stability & freedom

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If you’re over 35 and constantly feeling like you’re behind financially, you’re not alone. In today’s episode, I’m joined by Jean Chatzky––longtime financial journalist, bestselling author, and founder of HerMoney––whose work has shaped generations of women’s financial literacy, including my own. Jean opens up about starting over at 40 after divorce, job loss, and losing a parent. She shares exactly what she learned about saving, investing, and rebuilding confidence when time feels limited. We talk about why so many women feel behind no matter their age, the biggest money mistakes women 35+ make, how to course-correct without panic, and how to use tools like retirement accounts, HSAs, and investing strategies to build a future that still works, even if you didn’t start early.

Jean’s links:

Investing Club: https://join.investingfixx.com/ 

Website: https://hermoney.com/ 

HerMoney Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hermoney-with-jean-chatzky/id1098802558

How She Does It Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-she-does-it/id1691787429 

Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!

00:00 Intro: Never too late to save

00:42 What "owning your money" means

02:00 Jean's story: Starting over at 40

03:49 What to prepare for & do differently

06:36 Biggest mistake: Too much cash, not enough invested

10:56 Why Gen X women feel behind

16:32 Financial boundaries with aging parents & adult children

21:06 HSAs as investing vehicles

27:15 Why "feeling behind" is universal

34:20 Quick-fire Q&A

42:29 Advice for women feeling paralyzed

45:51 Where to find Jean

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If money conversations keep turning into fights, it’s not because you’re bad with money, it’s because you were never taught how to talk about it together. In today’s episode I’m joined by Andy Hill, award-winning family finance coach, host of Marriage, Kids & Money, and author of Own Your Time, to talk about why money fights are rarely about money, how invisible labor and emotional labor quietly erode relationships, and what it actually takes to build a life that feels aligned instead of exhausting. We unpack how to stop repeating the same financial arguments, how to communicate more equitably with your partner, and how to redefine success so time (not just money) becomes your most valuable currency. Whether you’re partnered, parenting, or just rethinking what “having it all” really means, this conversation will help you build a life you don’t need to escape from. 

Andy’s links:

Website: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com 

Book: https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/book/ 

Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!

00:00 Intro

00:47 Why You Need to Dream About Your Time

01:49 The Mailbox Exercise: What Would You Stop Doing?

03:09 The FaceTime Birthday That Changed Everything

05:15 Karaoke Duets & Life Priorities

06:03 Debunking "Keep Your Head Down Until 65"

08:53 When Money Becomes Your Currency vs. Time

11:45 The Identity Crisis of Leaving Corporate

14:27 How to Know When a Role Isn't Working

16:30 Emotional Labor & Equity in Marriage

20:30 The Volcano Fight: When Money Arguments Aren't About Money

33:10 Financial Abuse & Protecting Yourself as a Stay-at-Home Parent

38:27 Prenups, Postnups & Why You Need One

41:27 The Expense That Saved Thousands Without Changing Happiness

43:38 Why Traditional FIRE Didn't Work for Our Family

48:36 The Power of Pivoting & Financial Confidence

50:26 First Steps Toward Time Freedom

55:03 Small Steps to Reclaim Your Life

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If you’ve already fallen off your New Year’s goals, or you feel like you’re constantly fighting yourself when it comes to money, health, or habits—this episode is for you. Today on Financial Feminist, I’m joined by returning guest Thais Gibson, a world-renowned expert on the subconscious mind, to explain why willpower alone doesn’t work, and what actually does. We break down how 95% of your behavior is driven by subconscious programming, why “self-sabotage” isn’t real, and how you can rewire limiting beliefs and build goals that stick in just three minutes a day. If you’re ready to start creating habits that actually stick, this conversation will completely shift how you think about motivation and success.

Thais’s links:Website: http://university.personaldevelopmentschool.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepersonaldevelopmentschool/?hl=en 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHQ4lSaKRap5HyrpitrTOhQ 

Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!

00:00 Intro

00:47 Intentional Goal Setting

01:54 Understanding Your Subconscious Mind

04:27 How Subconscious Blocks Prevent Goal Achievement

07:18 Step 1: Converting Goals into Subconscious Language

14:05 Step 2: The 21-Day Rewiring Process

20:32 Step 3: Linking Goals to Your Subconscious Needs

28:44 Step 4: Discovering Your Personal Subconscious Needs

38:38 Why Routine & Structure Matter for Habit Formation

51:00 Removing Limiting Beliefs: The 3-Step Framework

54:27 Why Avoiding Money Actually Creates More Stress

57:19 Your 3-Minute Morning/Evening Routine

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Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to register for our FREE workshop, Stock Market Secrets: Debunking Common Myths for Successful Investing.

If you’re waiting for the “right time” to invest, I need you to hear this––the right time is now. In this final part of my Personal Finance Cheat Sheet series, I’m breaking down exactly how to start investing in 2026 — step by step, without the jargon and without gatekeeping. Investing isn’t just for rich people; it’s how many people become rich, and I’m walking you through how compound interest, long-term strategy, and simple systems can help you build real wealth even if you’re starting with very little. If the stock market has felt confusing, intimidating, or downright scary, this episode will show you how to finally get off the sidelines and start making your money work for you.

00:00 Intro 

00:22 What Investing Really Is 

01:40 Why Investing Works Long-Term

03:00 Debunking "It's Too Confusing"

08:11 Time in the Market vs. Timing the Market

10:00 Step-by-Step Investing Roadmap

17:30 Where to Set Up Your Account

18:37 Biggest Mistakes New Investors Make

21:34 Long-Term Wins Over Short-Term Gains

Missed an episode in our Personal Finance Cheat Sheet series? Get caught up:

The 3 Mistakes You’re Making with Your Money Resolutions (Personal Finance Cheat Sheet Pt. 1): https://herfirst100k.com/financial-feminist-show-notes/money-resolutions/
How To Budget & Pay Off Debt (Personal Finance Cheat Sheet Pt. 2): https://herfirst100k.com/financial-feminist-show-notes/how-to-budget/

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If you’ve ever avoided budgeting because it felt stressful, restrictive, or shame-inducing, this episode is going to change everything. In part two of my Personal Finance Cheat Sheet series, I’m breaking down how to budget in a way that actually works and how to use that budget to finally pay off your debt without shame, stress, or tracking every single penny. We’re talking about why most budgeting methods fail, how to reframe your budget as a permission slip instead of a punishment, and the exact system I use to help you make real progress on credit cards, student loans, and more. If you want actionable clarity around budgeting and debt payoff in 2026, get ready to take notes!

Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to join our 5 Day Debt Challenge and find any resources mentioned in the show!

00:00 Intro

00:15 Why Budgeting Feels Restrictive

01:48 The Gas Gauge Analogy & Why Budgets Matter

03:11 Why Most Budgeting Methods Fail

04:14 The 50/30/20 Rule Explained

05:36 Why the 50/30/20 Rule Isn’t Perfect

06:56 Introducing the Three Bucket Budget

08:24 How to Automate Your Financial Goals

10:50 Progress Over Perfection: Flexible Budgeting

12:19 How to Prioritize Debt Payoff

14:39 Understanding Different Types of Debt

16:39 The High Cost of Credit Card Debt

18:08 The Snowball vs. Avalanche Method

19:47 Free Five-Day Debt Challenge Resource

20:22 How to Find More Money in Your Budget

21:44 Negotiating Your Bills & Saving More

23:41 You Are Not a Bad Person for Having Debt

24:59 Final Thoughts & What’s Next in the Series

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If your New Year’s financial resolutions already feel shaky, you might be sabotaging yourself without even realizing it. In this episode, I’m breaking down the three biggest ways people wreck their money goals before January is even over, from setting vague, emotionally disconnected goals to falling into an all-or-nothing mindset and failing to track progress. This is the first episode in our brand-new Personal Finance Cheat Sheet series, and I’m giving you practical, realistic tools to finally follow through in 2026 — without burnout, perfectionism, or shame. 

Not sure where to start on your financial journey? Take our FREE quiz and get your personalized money plan: ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠

Science Backed Goal Setting Episode: https://play.megaphone.fm/vtgw675btq6fuky50hmoeg

00:00 Intro

01:57 Why New Year’s Resolutions Often Fail

03:56 Mistake 1

08:44 How to Anchor Your Financial Goals

13:34 Reflection Prompts for Goal Setting

15:35 Mistake 2

24:14 Shiny Object Syndrome & Chasing Novelty

27:54 The Power of Consistency and Bare Minimums

30:08 Free Personalized Money Plan Resource

31:54 Mistake 3

36:34 How to Track Progress & Build Motivation

41:06 The Money Date Practice

43:46 Building Self-Trust and Accountability

47:06 Closing Thoughts & What’s Next in the Series

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If you thought “hacking” your money meant clipping coupons or extreme budgeting, today’s episode is going to blow you away. Earlier this year, I sat down with Chris Hutchins, of the All the Hacks podcast, to talk about how to maximize value in every area: spending, saving, earning, and traveling. Chris spoke to us about real, actionable hacks that go way beyond clipping coupons—including side hustles that don’t require starting a business, ways to “game the system” to cut costs on everything from groceries to luxury hotels, and how to rack up credit card points without going into debt. If you want to stop overspending, learn to travel smarter, or create extra income on the side, pull up a chair.

Chris’s links:

Website: https://allthehacks.com/ 

Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!

00:00 Intro

07:01 Side Hustles and Creative Money-Saving Strategies

20:03 Travel Hacking and Credit Card Points

24:59 Advanced Travel Hacking Tips

43:14 Negotiating Airbnb and Hotel Upgrades

46:58 Finding Unclaimed Money

55:51 Credit Card Application Strategies

01:00:16 Teaching Kids About Money

01:09:23 Bora Bora Travel Deals

01:12:36 Non-Money Related Life Hacks

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