In 2010, Lauren Cobello (formerly Lauren Guetman) created an entire brand as “the coupon lady” after she shared her story of how she got her family out of $40,000 in debt by couponing and budgeting. By 2016, she was posting multiple times a day, wrote a few books about couponing and budgeting, and was filming family finance videos with her kids and her husband as main fixtures in her online universe. 

But here’s the thing about creating a brand and a community around your personal story — sometimes that story falls apart. By 2017, Lauren and her husband split, leaving her to navigate life as a single mom of four….and back in debt again. For a while, she continued to post to keep her brand alive but felt completely inauthentic doing it. Listen in to hear how she reinvented her career — and the personal finance hacks she still utilizes to keep her monthly budget in check.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction 

00:05:26 - Lauren's Personal Debt Experience and Recovery

00:09:41 - Therapy and Financial Healing

00:10:34 - Strategies for Managing Money and Avoiding Impulse Spending

00:16:14 - Couponing and Meal Planning

00:21:00 - Career Transition to Media and PR

00:29:12 - Mailbag

Takeaways:

• Get real with yourself and take control of your finances by focusing on what can be controlled.
• Meal planning and freezer cooking can save money on groceries.
• Building a brand using books and media can be a powerful strategy for business growth.

More money news when you need it! Get the latest and greatest updates on all things investing, budgeting, and making money. Subscribe to the HerMoney 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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In this special Mother’s Day Mailbag edition, Jean talks to mother-daughter duo Mollie and Chris about Mollie’s recent divorce. Jean addresses questions on how to make sure Mollie’s ex-husband's finances are no longer tied to hers, and we tackle how best to combine Mollie’s multiple retirement accounts. 

Join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe!

Takeaways:

• Closing a joint bank account and starting fresh is the best option after a divorce.
• Having an ex-spouse's name on a credit card does not impact the primary cardholder's credit, but it can be removed by contacting the credit card company.
• Rent payments can be reported to credit bureaus through services, which can help build credit for individuals with thin credit files.
• Consolidating multiple retirement accounts into one brokerage account can make it easier to manage and monitor investments.
• Converting traditional retirement accounts to Roth accounts can be beneficial for long-term growth, but it's important to consider the tax implications.
• Maintaining a good credit score and making solid financial decisions are key to navigating post-divorce financial challenges.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

03:03 Closing Joint Bank Accounts and Removing Ex-Spouse from Credit Cards

05:04 Building Credit with Rent Payments

09:03 Consolidating Retirement Accounts for Better Management

12:52 Considering Roth Conversion for Long-Term Growth

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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Money touches everything in our lives. And for women, who have long been documented to earn less than men, save less than men, and invest less than men, the stereotype is often that we’re doing money “wrong.” 

But it’s getting old. We know that statistically, women are better investors than men are, we fare better during times of recession, and we’re often more thoughtful about our budgets. Yet the stereotypes persist: the “girl math” trend of recent years tried to insinuate that we’re messy and unreliable with numbers, and countless female characters in pop culture (those in Fleabag, Sex and the City, and Girls, to name a few) just can’t seem to get their finances together, no matter how hard they try. 

We say enough is enough. And we aren’t the only ones. Jo Piazza feels the same way — which is exactly why she flipped the script for the main character in her new novel The Sicilian Inheritance. Listen in to hear her story. 

In Mailbag, we hear from a listener whose 18-year-old son is looking for the best ways to start to build credit, and we hear from a woman who is about to have her first baby and is being pressured by friends to make big (and expensive!) life changes. 

Chapters: 

00:00:00: Introduction 

00:06:32: Portrayal of women in finance and media

00:10:03: Strategies for managing work and family life

00:21:22: Managing the impact of social media

00:25:40: Transition to mailbag segment

00:26:01: Financial advice for young adults and credit cards

00:30:20: Lifestyle changes after having a baby

Takeaways: 

• Women are often portrayed as messy and unreliable in finance and media, perpetuating stereotypes that can be damaging and untrue.
• The influencer culture on social media can create an expectation gap between real life and the curated images and lifestyles portrayed online.
• Financial influencers should be approached with caution, as not all advice and recommendations may be reliable or suitable for individual situations.
• There is a need for better regulation and transparency in the influencer industry to protect consumers and ensure ethical practices.

More money news when you need it! Get the latest and greatest updates on all things investing, budgeting, and making money. Subscribe to the HerMoney 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

In this special Mailbag edition, Jean and Kathryn Tuggle, HerMoney CCO, are on the mic answering questions from our listeners. First, we hear from a recently retired listener who has all of her money in Certificate of Deposits (CDs) and is wondering what to do next. We also hear from someone who is looking for resources that can help teach her three kids about money. 

Join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe!

Takeaways:

• A financial advisor can help you understand your current investments and make your money last in retirement 
• Work with a fee-only financial advisor who is not paid by commissions for selling specific investments
• Teaching kids about money involves teaching them about investing and managing the money they have.
• Setting up a system like an electronic allowance can help kids learn how to budget and make choices with their limited resources.
• Kids should learn the value of money, how to budget, and how to save

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

04:50 The Benefits of Daily Money Managers

06:52 Financial Advisor Recommendations 

09:17 Teaching Kids About Personal Finances

12:08 Opportunities for Kids to Earn and Manage Money

13:21 Teaching Kids About Credit and Investing

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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Eleven years ago, Sheryl Sandberg’s “Lean In” hit the shelves and became an instant hit. Her feminist manifesto encouraged women to stop holding themselves back from working to reach positions of power and instead lean on other women’s experiences to help them. Now, many women are pushing back on the “lean in” approach that placed so much responsibility on individual women rather than the societal and economic structures around them. They’re also questioning if they really want to have it all in the first place. 

In her new book: “Fair Shake: Women And The Fight To Build A Just Economy,” Naomi Cahn and her coauthors explore why our “winner takes all” economy is the root cause of women’s continued economic inequality rather than our individual actions. She also talks solutions, starting with making deeper connections in our communities and reaching out to them for support when we need it. 

In Mailbag, we hear from a listener who’s feeling burned out in the healthcare field but knows her coworkers are already short-staffed and doesn't want to leave them in a bind, and Jean’s daughter Julia answers a listener's question on where to find friends that are as career-oriented as she is.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:03:12 - Interview with Naomi Khan

00:07:51 - Winner Take All Economy

00:10:18 - Intersection of Feminist Theory and Workplace Progress

00:14:43 - The Triple Bind Women Face in the Workplace

00:17:47 - Strategies for Women to Navigate Career Challenges

00:28:08 - Solutions to Combat the Winner-Take-All Economy

00:33:17 - Mailbag Segment Begins

Takeaways: 

• The gender wage gap remains a persistent issue, with women earning an average of 82% of what men earn.
• The winner-take-all economy, characterized by income inequality and a focus on individual financial success, holds women back in the workplace.
• Feminist theory is essential in addressing gender equity and dismantling the structures that perpetuate inequality.
• Systemic changes, such as increasing transparency, strengthening laws, and investing in individuals and communities, are necessary to build a just economy.

More money news when you need it! Get the latest and greatest updates on all things investing, budgeting and making money. Subscribe to the HerMoney 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

In this special Mailbag edition, we hear from a listener whose daughter is getting her first summer job. She’s wondering if it’s best to put the money in a high-interest savings account, or a Roth IRA. We also hear from someone who subscribes to the FIRE movement (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and is so focused on saving that she’s not able to keep money in an emergency account for true emergencies. 

In our news of the week, some steps you can take if you’ve been waiting weeks (or months) for your tax refund and why eating out may be your biggest budget-killer. 

Join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe!

Takeaways:

• Consider opening a Roth IRA for a teenager with earned income to take advantage of potential higher growth.
• A homegrown 401k can be a way to provide access to money for immediate needs while still saving for the future.
• Separate your money into different accounts with barriers to prevent easy access.
• Set up a separate account for vacations to pre-fund trips and avoid using credit cards.
• Loosen your grip on your financial goals and allow yourself to enjoy life today.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - News of the Week

00:03:08 - Benefits of Opening a Roth IRA for Your Kid

00:11:08 - Advice on Managing a High-Yield Savings Account

00:11:45 - FIRE Movement and Emergency Funds

00:18:12 - Setting Up Separate Savings Accounts for Different Goals

00:21:04 - Balancing Financial Independence with Living for Today

00:25:07 - Final Thoughts

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

Lately, have you been more intentional about the time you spend working? What about putting more effort into finding financial freedom? These are two hot-button topics with Millennials these days, particularly with regard to the time we spend working — specifically, the four-day workweek. 

About a month ago, Bernie Sanders proposed legislation that could make this the new reality for all of us. But Holly Trantham and her company, The Financial Diet, were ahead of the curve when they implemented a four-day workweek three years ago. Trantham joins us to talk about why they’ve never looked back, and how we can all realize a definition of financial freedom that works for us. 

In Mailbag, we hear from a listener who can’t seem to get past the first round of job interviews, and we dig into the finances of egg freezing. In our news of the week, we discuss why the Fed is flip-flopping on cutting interest rates this year, what the heck the Bitcoin “halving” means, and why starting a business may lead (counterintuitively) to less stress. 

Takeaways:

• Implementing a four-day workweek can lead to happier workers, lower turnover, and greater efficiency.
• Financial success should be measured by factors like financial stability, security, and the ability to live the life you want, rather than traditional markers like homeownership.
• The happiness threshold, or the idea that once you make a certain amount of money, your happiness plateaus is not a one-size-fits-all concept.
• Focusing on your future self and setting financial goals can provide motivation and a sense of security.
• Community and relationships play a significant role in personal finance and can contribute to overall happiness and well-being.

Chapters:

00:00:00 Introduction and Financial News Update

05:05 The Four-Day Work Week

08:09 Redefining Financial Success

27:58 Focusing on Your Future Self

35:25 The Importance of Community in Personal Finance

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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A recent essay in the Wall Street Journal made the case that women are both happier — but also overall but sadder — in our daily lives than men are. Why? We’re juggling countless competing priorities on our never-ending to-do lists, including managing our jobs, wrangling our kids' schedules, and keeping up with everything at home. 

Betsey Stevenson, economist and professor at the University of Michigan, has conducted groundbreaking research in this field. She joins us to talk about why women’s happiness has been on the decline since the 1970s — despite so many great strides for women’s equality since then. And while we have her, we also do a mini-economic check-in for 2024. What’s really going on in America’s economy right now? 

Use the code "PODCAST" TO GET $100 OFF OF OUR FINANCEFIXX PROGRAM: https://hermoney.com/shop/product/financefixx-finance-coaching-program-by-jean-chatzky/

Takeaways:

• Women's happiness has been declining despite progress in women's equality.
• Women constantly make trade-offs and face challenges in balancing multiple responsibilities.
• Income is correlated with life satisfaction but not necessarily day-to-day happiness.
• Women should prioritize mental health and well-being to improve life satisfaction.
• Men also face their own crisis in a changing economy.
• The economy is experiencing unexpected trends, such as low unemployment and higher inflation.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction and News Update

00:04:39 - Interview with Betsy Stevenson Begins

00:09:22 - Discussion on Women's Happiness and Economics

00:13:31 - Exploring Day-to-Day Happiness vs. Life Satisfaction

00:19:37 - Income, Well-being, and Gender Roles

00:27:32 - Economic Trends and the Role of Men and Women

00:34:48 - Current Economic Conditions and Future Outlook

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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Navigating money issues with your family is hard. Navigating money issues with your family is even harder when you’re a first-generation American. First-generation children of immigrants face unique cultural and emotional barriers and often find themselves at the intersection of building a financial life for themselves and supporting their parents financially. 

Gigi Gonzalez found herself facing this dilemma when she got serious about her finances and realized the information she was reading didn’t align with her lived experience or her values. So, she started posting about it on TikTok. Eventually, she quit her job in finance to become a full-time content creator. She offers her best advice on what to do when your personal finance goals clash with your family's money expectations. 

In Mailbag, we talk about the best investment options for a young kid, and a listener who doesn’t have much saved for retirement is wondering if she should take out a loan to pay her mortgage. In our news of the week, we cover the new magic number for retirement, the best time to sell your house this year, and what to do if you still owe the IRS money.

Use the code "PODCAST" TO GET $100 OFF OF OUR FINANCEFIXX PROGRAM: https://hermoney.com/shop/product/financefixx-finance-coaching-program-by-jean-chatzky/

Takeaways:

• TikTok can be a powerful platform for spreading financial literacy and building a personal brand.
• First-generation Americans face unique challenges in wealth building due to cultural expectations and a lack of financial education.
• Setting money boundaries with family can be challenging but necessary for financial well-being.
• It is important to find a balance between paying off debt and investing.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction and Financial News Update

00:06:07 - Gigi's Financial Education Journey

00:09:04 - Transition from Finance Job to Content Creator

00:11:43 - Challenges as a First-Generation American

00:15:24 - Setting Financial Boundaries with Family

00:23:55 - Improving Financial Habits in Marriage

00:26:01 - Investing While in Debt

00:27:49 - Mailbag Segment

00:29:59 - Listener Question on Investing for Child's Future

00:33:54 - Listener Question on Managing Finances Pre-Retirement

Buy Cultura and Cash: https://www.thefirstgenmentor.com/my-book

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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Think, for a second, about all of the things you do before you head to the gym or go out for a run. Do you wear special running shoes? How do you tie them? Do you give yourself a pep talk on days when you’re just not feeling it? Is there a certain playlist you always listen to? 

Dr. Mike Norton, author of: “The Ritual Effect: From Habit to Ritual, Harness The Surprising Power of Everyday Actions,” says while working out at a certain time of day may be a habit, all of these little things we do to get ready are rituals, and paying more attention to them can transform our lives (financially or otherwise).

Takeaways:

• The connection between rituals and financial habits.
• The difference between a ritual and a habit, with rituals adding emotion and meaning to actions.
• How to avoid taking ritualistic behavior too far.
• Insights on how rituals can help high performers manage stress.
• How to introduce rituals into the workplace without seeming forced or silly.

Chapters:

00:00:00: Introduction and News Segment

00:05:43: Interview with Michael Norton Begins

00:07:38: Connection Between Financial Habits and Rituals

00:10:16: The Emotional Aspect of Rituals vs. Habits

00:12:13: Defining Rituals and Their Impact

00:13:45: When Rituals Become Excessive

00:18:06: Rituals of High Performers

00:19:54: Using Rituals to Prepare for Stressful Situations

00:22:41: Workplace Rituals and Meaningful Work

00:25:24: Where to Take the Ritual Quiz and Find More Information

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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Money touches everything in our lives — including our health. And women know there’s one topic that has long been ignored in American society, to the detriment of millions of women: menopause. 

It’s a big deal. By 2030, 1 billion women worldwide will have entered (or will be about to enter) menopause and on average, medical costs for menopausal women ages 45 to 54 are 47% higher than they are for women of the same age who don’t exhibit menopause symptoms. Dr. Lisa Mosconi discusses her new book: “The Menopause Brain,” and explains how the transition impacts our brains and our lives. 

In Mailbag, HerMoney Editor-in-Chief Kathryn Tuggle is back to answer some down-to-the-wire tax time questions: A listener asks how she should prioritize paying the IRS vs. a credit card bill, and we hear from someone who’s having trouble getting a W2 for her daughter’s summer job. In our news of the week, why we still feel so bad about the economy and how stars mentioning a brand can move the needle on Wall Street. 

Takeaways:

• Menopause is a neuroendocrine transition state that impacts the brain as much as it does the ovaries.
• Neurological symptoms during menopause, such as hot flashes and memory lapses, are a result of the brain's response to hormonal changes.
• Finding the right healthcare provider who is knowledgeable about menopause is crucial for receiving appropriate care.
• Workplaces should implement changes to support women going through menopause, such as flexible schedules and a culture of understanding and inclusiveness.
• Menopause can be a time of personal growth and new beginnings, and women should prioritize self-care and mental well-being during this stage of life.

Chapters:

00:00:00: Introduction and News of the Week

00:06:24: What is Menopause, Really?

00:08:25: Neurological Symptoms of Menopause

00:13:50: The Reshaping and Rewiring of the Brain During Menopause

00:18:36: Life Contentment and Menopause

00:20:22: Financial Costs of Menopause

00:25:57: Navigating Menopause in the Workplace

00:28:36: Second Adulthood and "Menno-Start"

00:31:31: Mailbag Segment Begins

00:35:15: Discussion on Tax Debt vs. Credit Card Debt

00:39:12: Filing Taxes Without a W-2 and Roth IRA Concerns

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