Should saving money on back-to-school shopping actually be this complicated? This week, Vivian breaks down exactly how to shop smarter this fall, and why the "back-to-school haul" mentality might be quietly draining your bank account.

In this episode, Vivian covers:

1. Why tech is the biggest back-to-school money trap, how trade-in programs and refurbished gadgets can save you hundreds, and the student discounts most people forget even exist.

2. The real cost of college essentials, why paying full price for textbooks is basically a scam, the "wait until you get there" rule for dorm shopping, and how 529 accounts and ESAs can make thousands of dollars in expenses tax-free.

3. What's actually changing with federal student loans in 2026, why timing your FAFSA and your borrowing matters more than people think, and the parent-tested hacks, from bulk-buying supplies to secondhand clothes, that cut costs without cutting corners.

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Should you rent or buy? Turns out the "adult" thing to do isn't always the smart financial move. This week, Vivian sits down with Amanda Pendleton, Home Trends Expert at Zillow, to break down why the old rules of real estate don't apply anymore, and what actually makes sense for your life instead of your parents' life.

In this episode, Vivian and Amanda cover:

1. Why the "buying means you've made it" mindset is so hard to shake, whether Gen-Z's fears about never owning a home are actually justified, and the cities right now where renters come out ahead financially, even over 30 years.

2. The real questions to ask before you ever open a mortgage calculator, whether "throwing money away on rent" is actually true, and the hidden costs, taxes, insurance, maintenance, HOA fees, that blow up most people's math.

3.What to do if you don't have 20% saved, the down payment assistance programs most first-time buyers don't know exist, and the one piece of conventional real estate wisdom Amanda thinks you should ignore.

Keep up with Amanda at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-pendleton-b0b98056/. 

Learn more about Zillow’s BuyAbility calculator https://www.zillow.com/homeloans/buyability/ and try out the rent vs buy calculator https://www.zillow.com/rent-vs-buy-calculator. 

Find the Zillow Plan tab https://www.zillow.com/plan. 

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Health insurance denials are out of control, and insurance companies are banking on you just accepting it and paying the bill. This week, Vivian sits down with Zach Veigulis, co-founder and Chief AI Officer at Claimable, to break down the villain origin story of health insurance and exactly how to fight back when your claim gets denied.

In this episode, Vivian and Zach cover:

1. Why claims get denied in the first place, which types of claims get denied at disproportionately high rates, and why you should never just accept a denial and pay the bill.

2. The exact steps to take to appeal a denial (and how fast you need to move), the magic words to use in an appeal letter, how to tell a real coverage denial from a bogus billing error, and what "medically necessary" really means.

3. What to do if you can't afford the bill while your appeal is pending, and the nuclear options, think state insurance commissioners and patient advocates, if you're denied at every level.

Check out Claimable at https://www.getclaimable.com/.

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Vivian gets brutally honest about her own biggest financial mistakes; the ones she made before she was Your Rich BFF, when she was just a broke twenty-something figuring out money the hard way. From a credit card mishap that tanked her score by 60 points to the retirement account she funded but never actually invested, this episode is a tour through every money misstep so you don't have to make them yourself.

In this episode, Vivian covers:

1. Why closing your oldest credit card can quietly wreck your score, the difference between "cheap now" and "cheap long term" and why buying stuff to impress people you don't even like never actually pays off.

2. The most common retirement mistake almost everyone makes and how to avoid it. Plus how to track down security deposits (and interest!) landlords conveniently "forget" to return.

3. Why comparing your finances to your friends' is a losing game, how unsupportive friendships can cost you more than money, and why your parents' financial advice might be stuck in an economy that no longer exists.

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Vivian dives into the "thinness economy" and the surprising ways weight bias can affect your finances, career, and earning potential. From GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy to workplace discrimination, social media beauty standards, and the booming weight loss industry, this episode explores the uncomfortable intersection of money, health, and appearance.

In this episode, you'll learn:

1. How weight bias impacts hiring, salaries, promotions, and long-term wealth, why obesity is a disease rather than a moral failure, and the hidden economic costs of discrimination.

2. The real financial tradeoffs of GLP-1 medications, including who can actually afford them, what insurance does and doesn't cover, and whether these drugs are a financial investment or simply another expensive response to societal pressure.

3. How the "thinness economy" is reshaping entire industries… from grocery stores and restaurants to airlines, fashion, and healthcare, and what these shifts mean for your wallet and the future of consumer spending.

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Vivian is sitting down with Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® Michelle M. Smith and breaking down how to protect your money before, during, and after a divorce. From the assets people fight over most, to the red flags that signal financial danger in a relationship, this episode is your guide to navigating a split without losing your shirt (or your sanity).

In this episode, you'll learn:

1. What a divorce financial specialist actually does, including what a typical session looks like and how "high-net-worth" is defined when it comes to dividing assets.

2. The most contested assets and common mistakes people make in divorce, plus the red flags that indicate someone may be in financial danger in their relationship, and misconceptions about why women are more often the ones filing.

3. How to protect yourself financially in a relationship, including what to do before you say "I do," Michelle's honest take on the tradwife and stay-at-home girlfriend trend, and the one piece of divorce advice she thinks is total garbage.

Learn more about Michelle and her work at https://savantwealth.com/

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Vivian is breaking down why everything feels so expensive right now and what you can actually do to fight back. From the real economic forces driving up your grocery bill and rent, to the apps and hacks that can save you hundreds a month, this episode is your guide to surviving the cost of living crisis without losing your mind (or your savings).

In this episode, you'll learn:

1. Why prices keep climbing, including the three types of inflation driving up costs, plus how tariffs, the conflict with Iran, and decades of housing under-building are all colliding to hit your wallet at once.

2. Which costs have risen the most, from energy and housing to your weekly grocery run, and the real reasons behind it, including supply chain issues, labor shortages, and corporations holding onto record profits.

3. Vivian's favorite money-saving hacks, including how to negotiate a rent abatement, apps like Ibotta, GetUpside, and Too Good To Go, the best day of the week to fill up your gas tank, and how to actually win a health insurance appeal.

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Vivian is breaking down how to look expensive without spending a fortune. From secondhand shopping and clothing rental subscriptions to cashback hacks, VAT refunds, and the psychology behind why we overspend on fashion in the first place, this episode is your guide to building a wardrobe you love without blowing your budget.

In this episode, you'll learn:

1. Why so many of us overspend on clothes, how social media and targeted advertising influence our shopping habits, and the mindset shift that can help you spend more intentionally.

2. How to refresh your wardrobe for less through secondhand shopping, clothing swaps, buyback programs, resale platforms, and clothing rental services that can save you hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars each year.

3. Vivian’s favorite fashion-saving hacks, including when to shop for the biggest discounts, how to stack coupons and cashback rewards, and how international travelers can use VAT refunds to save on luxury purchases abroad.

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Vivian is doing a much requested diving deep into the world of investing and breaking down exactly how you should be handling your money, whether you’ve got an arsenal of financial advisors or you’ve never bought a single stock. From choosing the right account to understanding ETFs, index funds, and robo-advisors, this episode is your step-by-step guide to building wealth through investing without getting overwhelmed by Wall Street jargon.

In this episode, you'll learn:

1. How to start investing from scratch, including the difference between brokerage accounts, IRAs, Roth IRAs, 401(k)s, and other investment accounts… and how to choose the right one for your goals.

2. Why finding the "perfect" stock is the wrong goal, how diversified investments like ETFs and index funds can help reduce risk, and what to look for when evaluating investment options.

3.How to build a long-term investing strategy that works in real life, including managing market volatility, balancing investing with debt repayment, understanding fees, and overcoming the fear that keeps so many people from getting started.

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Vivian sits down with Raina Moskowitz, CEO of The Knot Worldwide, for a conversation about the real cost of weddings and how to plan a celebration you love without sabotaging your financial future. From six-figure budgets and social media pressure to vendor negotiations and wedding debt, Raina breaks down what couples actually need to know before saying “I do.”

In this episode, you'll learn:

1. Why weddings have become so expensive, how social media has transformed the industry, and what couples should realistically expect when building a wedding budget in 2026.

2. The biggest financial mistakes engaged couples make during the planning process, how to spot overpriced vendors, and red flags to watch for when hiring people for your big day.

3. What’s actually worth splurging on versus saving on, plus practical strategies for sticking to your wedding budget, avoiding unnecessary debt, and planning a celebration that supports your long-term financial goals as a couple.

Check out The Knot!

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Check out the episode that covers everything you need to know about the job search here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z46_PadPH2o

Vivian gets real about all the financial advice she wishes someone had given her when she graduated college. From credit scores and student loans to negotiating your first salary and understanding retirement accounts, this episode is the crash course every recent grad actually needs before stepping into the real world.

In this episode, you'll learn:

1. The financial basics every new grad needs to understand immediately– including credit scores, student loans, budgeting, emergency funds, and why your first salary negotiation matters more than you think.

2. How to tackle debt strategically, build healthy money habits early, and set yourself up for long-term wealth through retirement accounts, investing, and compound interest.

3. Practical advice for navigating the 2026 job market, increasing your income, negotiating job offers, and building financial stability even if you’re still figuring everything out.

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