Why do we stay in jobs, relationships, and financial patterns we know aren't working? Author and journalist Simone Stolzoff is back on the show to talk about his new book, How to Not Know — and the surprising answer has everything to do with our relationship with uncertainty. We're getting into the three certainty traps keeping you stuck, why more information is actually making your anxiety worse, the difference between one-way and two-way door decisions, and what it really takes to break the cycle when you can see the problem but can't seem to move. This is one of the most powerful conversations we've had on this show, and one you'll want to send to everyone you know. Simone’s links: How to Not Know: https://bookshop.org/a/90037/9781324089452 Learn the exact strategies to save money, pay off debt, improve your money mindset, increase your net worth, in The $100K Club. Get the details here: ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠. 00:00 Intro  01:08 Why Uncertainty Feels Worse Than Bad News 03:14 Three Certainty Traps: Comfort, Hubris & Control 04:49 Why We Struggle to Admit We Were Wrong 05:36 Identity, Doubling Down & Changing Your Mind 10:23 Why Our Tolerance for Uncertainty Is Declining 14:28 More Information, More Anxiety 16:18 Escalating Commitment 16:52 Stop Loss Strategies & Rules-Based Decision Making 20:13 Outsourcing Your Willpower & Knowing Your "Enough" 28:08 Connie & Andrew's "Year of Living Dangerously" 30:21 How to Run Your Own Low-Stakes Life Experiment 35:16 One-Way Door vs. Two-Way Door Decisions 44:39 Ghost Ships: Making Peace with the Paths Not Taken 50:39 The Miscarriage, the Uncertainty & Finding Your Anchors 54:54 How to Not Know Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You might be the loneliest you've ever been — and have no idea why. One of my favorite guests and favorite humans, Liz Moody, is back on the show to talk about why loneliness isn't an exposure problem. It's not about being around more people. It's a discomfort problem. We're getting into why our frictionless, optimized lives are quietly killing our ability to connect, what it actually takes to build real friendships from scratch, why vulnerability is the shortcut nobody wants to take, and the one shift you can make this week that will move you toward deeper connection — no new plans required. Liz’s links: Website: https://www.lizmoody.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizmoody/  Podcast: https://www.lizmoody.com/the-liz-moody-podcast/  Book: A Hundred Ways to Change Your Life: http://Bookshopbookshop.org/a/90037/9780063333710  Not sure what to do with your money? Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ and take our FREE Money Plan Quiz to get your personalized money plan, and find any resources mentioned on our show! 00:00 Intro 00:13 Why We've Never Been More Connected — Yet More Alone 02:34 The "Creation Era" of Friendship & Why Discomfort Is the Price of Connection 03:23 The Cozy Era vs. The Creation Era of Friendship 06:17 Loneliness Is a Discomfort Problem, Not an Exposure Problem 11:37 Misdiagnosing Loneliness — What You're Actually Missing 13:05 The Harvard Study of Adult Development & the #1 Predictor of a Long Life 14:59 Face-Down Phone Theory & What Your Phone Is Costing Your Relationships 11:27 Match Theory: Stop Impressing, Start Finding Your People 17:32 The 50-Hour Rule: How Long It Really Takes to Make a Friend 21:17 From Transaction to Connection — Getting Past Tit for Tat 21:13 Human Beings vs. Human Doings: Productivity Culture & Friendship 38:21 Shared Experiences, Novelty & Building Deeper Bonds 38:16 "Abouts" — The Secret Ingredient to Lasting Friendships 50:24 Healthy Solitude vs. Loneliness (and Why Most of Us Never Actually Rest) 58:20 The One Shift to Make This Week If You Feel Lonely Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if every bill you're already paying could get you closer to a free flight? Today I'm talking to Shakeemah "Keem" Smith — founder of Bills to Boarding Passes, solo travel educator, and the woman her family literally nicknamed The Passport Abuser — to talk about how she's traveled to nearly 100 countries without paying out of pocket for a single flight in three years. And no, you don't need a high-limit credit card or a six-figure salary to do this. Keem breaks down her Bills to Boarding Passes method, the airline partnerships most people have never heard of, why solo travel might be the most powerful thing you do for yourself this year, and the exact first steps to take this week, no matter your income, your debt situation, or your starting point. You’re gonna want to share this episode with a friend! Ready to turn your everyday bills into free flights? Sign up for our FREE Bills to Boarding Passes workshop with Keem & Tori: ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ Compare the cheapest flights from all major airlines at ⁠Skyscanner.com⁠ Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to find our credit card recommendations and any other resources mentioned on our show! 00:00 Intro 01:36 Your Bills Are Your Boarding Passes 04:07 Airline Miles vs. Credit Card Points: What's the Difference? 07:05 How Airlines Make Money When You're Not Flying  09:32 Earning Miles on Your Utility Bills (NRG Partnership) 11:03 How Keem Got to Her First 20 Countries for Under $100  13:55 How to Travel for Free Without a Credit Card  16:22 What Started Solo Travel: A Friendship Betrayal in Amsterdam 19:10 Learning to Enjoy Your Own Company at 30 21:29 Traveling as a Black Woman — Safety, Research & Real Talk 28:24 Actionable Steps for the Woman Who Thinks She Can't Afford to Travel 31:44 Japan for $6 — Three Times (and Other Receipt-Worthy Receipts) 35:19 Treating Retailers Like You Treat Men: The 2-Out-of-3 Rule 38:44 Country That Surprised Me Most: Kuwait 39:31 The One Thing I Always Pack: A Carbon Monoxide Detector 41:27 Worst Travel Disaster: Saint Kitts Airport Scam 44:45 Best Flight Deal: $5 Flights as a Lifestyle 45:42 Most Underrated Solo Destination: Antigua and Barbuda 47:20 Final Message to the Woman Who Thinks Travel Isn't for Her Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yes, my $100K story has been in the New York Times, Business Insider, and on ABC News — and yes, I did it in 2019. But every time it goes viral, my DMs say the same thing: "Cool for you, Tori, but that was a different economy." So let's actually talk about it. In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly what I would do differently if I were starting from zero in my early 20s today — what still works from my original system, what I'd change, and why hitting your first $100K in 2026 is harder, but absolutely not impossible. This isn't a motivation episode. This is a framework episode built for the economy we're actually living in, with real numbers, real talk about systemic barriers, and a step-by-step system you can plug into your own money starting today. Want to build your first $100K, but not sure where to start? Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to get my free guide. Get my HYSA recommendation, my book, Financial Feminist, and more resources from this episode at ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ How I Saved $100K at 25: ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/financial-feminist-show-notes/how-to-save-100k/⁠  00:00 Intro 00:18 How Tori Hit $100K (Origin Story) 00:55 What Actually Went Into It 02:43 What Tori Didn't Have 03:28 Why 2016–2019 Was Different Than Now 07:18 What's Genuinely Harder Today 09:10 The Latte Factor Era Is Dead 10:03 The System Still Works 11:57 If I Was Starting Today 12:11 Step 1: Stop Trying to Be Perfect 15:22 Step 2: Don't Write Off Someone's Story 17:35 Step 3: Redefine What Your $100K Means 19:43 Step 4: Automate Your Savings 22:19 Step 5: Focus on Growing Income 23:57 Negotiate Every Job Offer 26:01 Step 6: Start Investing Now 29:11 Step 7: Values-Based Spending 31:11 The Full Plan Recap & Free Resource 32:28 Closing: You're Not Behind Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if you never had to choose between building wealth and honoring where you came from? Bricia Lopez didn't –– and she built something incredible because of it. She grew up translating for her immigrant parents, learned money by watching her family create and lose and rebuild, and went on to become a restaurateur, cookbook author, and the woman behind one of LA's most iconic Oaxacan restaurants, Guelaguetza. Today she's sharing everything, the mindset, the hard lessons, the margarita vs. martini moment that changed how she thinks about her own worth. Come for the food, stay for the money talk. Bricia’s links: Website: https://www.ilovemicheladas.com/ Join the savings sprint to get your finances on track and take control of your money: https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod.  00:00 Intro  00:20 The First Money Lesson: You Can Just Make It 02:57 Being the Family Translator & Business Partner at 12 05:25 Redefining Success at Every Decade 09:08 Cutting Personal Comfort, Not Quality, During Hard Times 16:58 Why Bricia Talks Money Openly With Her Friends 17:22 The Margarita vs. Martini — Running Your Own Race 25:52 Why Customers Hesitate to Pay for Quality Mexican Food 26:37 The Importance of Knowing Your Worth 38:47 How Wealth Is More Than a Number 29:00 Building Something Meaningful Without Abandoning Your Roots 31:09 When Women Are Financially Free, the World Changes 32:38 Rapid Fire: Best Dish to Order, Desert Island Ingredients & More 38:58 Where to Find Bricia & What's Coming Next To stay up to date and find any other resources mentioned on our show visit: ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you've ever thought, "I know what I'm supposed to be doing with my money, so why can't I just do it?"–– this episode is going to change everything. I'm sitting down with Dr. Nick, a licensed neuropsychologist and executive cognition specialist, to unpack the brain science behind why smart, capable women still make emotional financial decisions. We're going into the dopamine deficit that makes long-term financial goals feel impossible to start, the norepinephrine surge that only kicks in when things become an emergency, and why "I'm bad with money" is a story your brain makes up — not a fact about who you are. Dr. Nick breaks down how emotional dysregulation silently drives impulse spending, financial avoidance, and the boom-bust cycle so many of us know too well, and more importantly, how to build systems, practice self-compassion, and rewire your brain's relationship with money, one small win at a time. Dr. Nick’s links: Website: https://www.drnicolemurray.com/ Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠⁠ to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show. If you're feeling stressed about money, we've created a money plan to help you, no matter where you're getting started. Taking a quick 2-minute quiz to get your money plan at https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod In this episode: 00:00 How Emotional Decisions Shape Your Finances 01:47 Why Knowing Isn't Enough: The Brain Science 02:56 The Role of Dopamine in Financial Decisions 05:11 How to Create Urgency Before a Crisis 07:52 "I'm Just Bad With Money" — Debunked 10:15 What Is Emotional Regulation (And Why It Matters) 14:52 The Intensity Gauge: Rating Your Emotions 15:02 Managing the "Always at an 8" vs. Numb Baseline 17:29 Making Financial Decisions at a 5, 6, or 7 19:19 Replacing Mindless Spending With Systems 29:54 Willpower Is a Myth — Here's What Actually Works 32:11 The Case for Self-Compassion Over Willpower 35:43 The Boom-Bust Cycle of Financial Motivation 39:28 How Emotional Regulation Changes With Age 42:24 Preparing for Life's Transitions 49:00 Rebuilding Trust With Yourself and Your Money Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you've ever power posed in a bathroom mirror or blasted a Beyoncé song before a big negotiation hoping it would make you believe in yourself, this episode is going to completely change the way you think about confidence. I'm sitting down with return guest Kara Loewentheil, founder of The School of New Feminist Thought, host of the internationally top-ranked podcast Unfuck Your Brain, and author of the instant New York Times bestseller Take Back Your Brain, and we're getting into the real, evidence-backed truth about what confidence actually is — and why everything you've been told about building it is probably doing you more harm than good. Kara breaks down her Confidence Compass framework — self-knowledge, self-compassion, self-belief, and self-actualization — and why real confidence has nothing to do with a feeling or a pose, and everything to do with building a trusting relationship with yourself so you can take risks, go after your financial goals, and create the life you actually want. Kara’s links: Website: http://unfuckyourbrain.com/HSC  Unf*ck Your Brain podcast: https://schoolofnewfeministthought.com/podcasts/  Take Back Your Brain book: https://www.takebackyourbrainbook.com/  Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to read the transcript and find any resources mentioned in this episode! 0:00 Intro 0:59 Confidence Is a Skillset, Not a Feeling 2:08 Why Power Poses and Beyoncé Songs Don't Work 4:19 Does "Fake It Till You Make It" Actually Work? 5:19 Kara's Background: Yale, Harvard Law, and Becoming a Coach 5:34 Betting on Yourself Without Feeling Confident 7:55 Confidence vs. Certainty and Control 9:30 Confidence as a Relationship with Yourself 12:02 The Confidence Compass Framework 14:40 Money, Shame, and Which Block Shows Up Most 16:47 How Shame Disguises Itself as Responsibility 19:37 The Permission Slip Problem 27:31 How to Uncouple Shame and Build New Beliefs 38:28 Unlearning Selflessness Without Feeling Selfish 43:04 Confidence Doesn't Come from Having Things — It Creates Them 45:37 Using the Confidence Compass for Money Goals 48:52 The Seeds of Who You Want to Be Are Already in You Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer travel is something most of us look forward to all year. But without a plan, it can leave you with a maxed-out credit card and a lot of financial stress to come home to. In this episode of Financial Feminist, I'm breaking down exactly how to budget for summer travel so you can enjoy your trip without the money anxiety hanging over you the whole time. I'll walk you through how to set a realistic trip cap before you ever open a flight search tab, why travel is a known predictable expense and not just a fun splurge, and how to build a sinking fund so the money is already there when it's time to book. If you’re craving a getaway this summer, I'm giving you a step-by-step framework, plus my favorite money-saving tools and practical tips, so you can travel well and come home financially intact. *Important note: this episode was recorded in January 2026, before the increase in gas prices Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠⁠ to get my free Travel Budgeting Spreadsheet!  00:00 Intro 00:16 Why Summer Travel Feels So Expensive 02:50 Step 1: Set Your Total Trip Cap 03:49 A Budget Is Not a Killjoy 05:46 Let Flight Deals Decide Where You Go 07:55 Step 2: Break the Trip Into Real Categories 12:22 Step 3: Plan Backwards 15:13 Step 4: Cut Costs Without Ruining the Trip 17:48 Book Experiences in Advance & Pick Your Splurges 19:21 Use Credit Card Points 19:58 What to Do If You Can't Afford the Trip You Want 22:05 Travel Is Part of a Rich Life Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If paying off debt is starting to feel like it's swallowing your whole life–– this episode is for you. Today I’m getting honest with you about something the personal finance world doesn't say enough: debt payoff isn't just a numbers problem, it's an emotional one. The mental load of tracking balances, watching interest undo your progress, and feeling like you have to earn joy before you've hit zero is exhausting, and it's not what sustainable financial freedom looks like. In this episode, I'm giving you the pep talk you actually need, breaking down why hyper-vigilance around debt isn't discipline, what to do when debt payoff has consumed your entire personality, and four practical ways to protect your energy so you can keep going without burning out. Watch How to Payoff Credit Card Debt FAST: ⁠https://youtu.be/qLR-x0Zg4eY⁠  Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to join the free 5-Day Debt Payoff Challenge!  00:00 Intro 00:23 The Pep Talk You Need 01:16 Debt as Cognitive Labor 01:50 Why Debt Payoff Feels So Hard 02:28 Shame & Moral Failure Around Debt 03:02 The Invisible, Unpaid Work of Debt 03:52 Hyper-Vigilance Is Not Discipline 04:15 When Debt Becomes Your Whole Identity 05:22 You Don't Have to Suffer to Be Responsible 08:02 4 Ways to Protect Your Energy 08:09 #1 – Automate Everything 09:00 #2 – Stop Checking Your Accounts Daily 10:52 #3 – Give Yourself Permission to Have a Personality 11:24 #4 – Slow Progress Beats Burnout 11:33 Closing Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If there's one episode I need every woman in your life to hear, it's this one — because what Erin and I unpack together has the power to completely transform the way you show up for yourself and the women around you. Erin Gallagher is the CEO and founder of Hype Women, an inclusive network unlocking women's access to human, social, and financial capital, and the author of the book Hype Women. In this episode, we get into the real reason women are conditioned to put everyone else first, how to tell the difference between anxiety and intuition, and why you cannot build real wealth, real friendships, or a real life until you stop abandoning yourself. We walk through the three stages of metamorphosis, and break down the spectrum from mean girl to hype woman so you can finally audit the women in your life (and the woman inside your head). This episode is the pep talk you didn't know you needed. Erin’s links: Website: www.hypewomen.com  Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to see the show notes and read the transcript of this episode! 00:00 Intro 01:08 The Phrase That Changed Everything 02:55 Why Women Abandon Themselves 06:40 The Constant Threat Assessment 09:45 Remembering Who You Are 13:30 The Difference Between Intuition and Anxiety 17:40 Is It Still Working? 21:00 The Three Stages: Caterpillar, Cocoon, Monarch 25:10 Looking Around at 40 29:30 Renegotiating Your Life 33:15 The Mean Girl Inside of Us 37:00 You Can't Hype Others Until You Hype Yourself 41:45 Recognizing Your Conditioning 46:00 The Five Types on the Spectrum 51:00 Learning to Hype Yourself 56:00 Building Your A-Team 60:00 The Power of Women's Communities Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve been doing everything "right" financially and still feel like you’re failing, this episode is for you. In this third installment of the millionaire mindset series, I'm talking about one of the most transformative (and underrated) wealth skills there is: parenting yourself. I'm breaking down why self-discipline without self-care is just self-abandonment, how your unmet basic needs are quietly costing you money and momentum, and the practical, tactical ways you can start treating yourself like someone worth taking care of––starting right now. Because you can't out-hustle a dysregulated nervous system, and the most successful people I know aren't bullying themselves into success. They're parenting themselves into it. Mentioned in this episode: millionaire mindset: taking risks - https://herfirst100k.com/financial-feminist-show-notes/millionaire-mindset-taking-risks/  millionaire mindset: time wealth - https://herfirst100k.com/financial-feminist-show-notes/millionaire-mindset-time-wealth/  Amanda Goetz episode - https://herfirst100k.com/financial-feminist-show-notes/earn-more-money-without-hustle/  Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to get your free daily reset worksheet & any other resources mentioned on or show! 00:00 Intro 00:23 What Millionaire Mindset series is about 02:08 Taking care of yourself like a child 03:35 Seeing future you as someone to take care of 06:16 Becoming someone you can rely on 07:37 Self-discipline without self-care is self abandonment 13:09 Create a bedtime routine 16:16 Building transitions into your day 17:58 Talking to yourself 19:21 Creating safety within your own brain and body 21:21 When feeling emotionally overwhelmed 23:19 Self-talk scripts to try 25:41 Finding joy and play again 28:42 Free daily reset sheet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you want to land a job you actually love and make more money in 2026, this episode is one you’ll come back to again and again. I’m joined by Claire Wasserman––bestselling author, founder of Ladies Get Paid, and one of the smartest people I know when it comes to navigating the job market, negotiating pay, and owning your worth at work. We break down how to position yourself for higher compensation, why everything is a negotiation, and how to stop sabotaging your own success with guilt, fear, or hustle culture. From negotiating raises and reframing your value to job searching smarter, building relationships, and redefining success on your own terms, this conversation will change how you think about your career. Claire’s links: Website: https://www.coachmeclaire.com/ Ladies Get Paid: https://ladiesgetpaid.com/ Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to see the show notes and read the transcript of this episode! 0:00 Intro 01:15 Knowing Your Worth Changes Everything 03:30 Being Underpaid and Taking Action 06:40 Why This Work Matters for Women 09:45 Negotiating with Yourself First 13:30 Getting Data to Confirm You're Underpaid 17:40 The LLC of Me Framework 21:00 Translating Your Value to Dollars 25:10 Mistakes Women Make in Negotiations 29:30 Beyond Your Job Description 33:15 Building Relationships at Work 37:00 Navigating a Tough Job Market 41:45 Fractional Work as an Alternative 46:00 Managing the Job Search While Working Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Try Mimi’s app, Activations, with a free 14-day trial and exclusive discount at activations.com/financialfeminist 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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: 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices