Financial plans aren’t just about preparing for retirement; they’re important steps to prepare you for any major life event. In this episode, Kimberlee talks with financial advisor and BPP Wealth Solutions Founder Debra Schtazki about the importance of financial planning. Debra also shares some real-life stories of women she has helped and explains how she’s built a flexible work environment that sets women up for success. Episode Recap: Today we’re talking with wealth management professional Debra Schatzki (1:15) What made you decide to write “Chaos to Joy?” (3:50) Why are there so few women in financial advising, and what can we do about it? (5:58) Greater flexibility can actually help you business (13:02) Why is a financial plan so important pre-divorce? (21:20) Once you’ve done the plan, you can ask for what you need with more confidence (29:14) Can you share another case study from the book? (36:02) What are the 3 most important things for women building their net worth? (41:02) How to work with Debra (45:33) Resources: Find every episode of the Fiscal Feminist podcast “The Fiscal Feminist” book “Chaos to Joy” by Debra Schatzki BPP Wealth Website Follow Debra on LinkedIn Quotes:“I think that there’s so much more value when we allow our employees to actually have the freedom of being there for milestones and being really part of their families and having a balanced life. It’s critical. And then when I created my own consulting firm in 2010, we don’t have to go into the office. I think two days a week is fine. And there were times, I had my hips replaced last year, I didn’t go into the office for three months. And you know what? We did great!”“Luckily for your client, she had you to help her thread that needle. And what you gave her was advice for negotiation based on a financial plan. Yes, exactly. And what I gave her too was a voice. You know, I think that that’s our biggest problem — women more than men — is that we’re not taught how to really talk about money well. We’re not as educated yet about how to do plans and why plans are important. We’re getting there, I think women are signing up in faster percentages than men at this stage.”

Are you paralyzed by credit card debt and not sure where to start with paying it off? In our first episode on debt, diet and alcohol, Kimberlee explored the psychology of debt. Today, she’s sharing an actionable plan you can use to start paying off your debt today, and avoid falling back into it in the future. She also breaks down some key financial concepts like debt consolidation, good versus bad debt, and two common debt payoff methods. Episode Recap: Today we’re continuing our conversation on debt, diet and alcohol (01:31) Take a deep breath; then it’s time to create a budget (03:27) Understanding the debt avalanche method (0:04:30) Pros and cons of the debt snowball method (07:48) Should you consolidate your credit card debt? (10:14) Good debt versus bad debt (20:02) Once you’ve started paying off your debt, do these things (23:07) Resources: Visit the Fiscal Feminist Website Find every episode of the Fiscal Feminist podcast “The Fiscal Feminist” book “Debt, Diet and Alcohol Part 1” episode “Psychology of the Budget” episode Calculators for debt payoff Quotes:“So, I want to just make a quick note here about good debt versus bad debt. Is there good debt? Yes, there is good debt. All debt is not created equal, right? Debt used to build wealth is generally viewed as good debt: taking out a mortgage, investing in yourself by borrowing for more education so you can get a good job, small business loans, or debt consolidation. These are all forms of good debt that are going to help you build you net worth, either by getting an asset like a house or getting an education so that you can go get a better job, or eliminating high-interest rate credit cards so you can lower your interest rate and pay one payment and get all this debt eradicated over a certain, finite period of time.”“The first thing I recommend to everybody, because I know this works, is take a very deep breath. This is a doable strategy. You can do it. I know it’s overwhelming, and when you look at your credit card statements, sometimes you think ‘OMG, how did I get myself into this big mess. So take a deep breath. Anything can be accomplished if we put our minds to it.”

Building a real estate business can be much easier than many of us realize; in some cases, you don’t even need to own the property! In this episode, Kimberlee talks with Airbnb investor and educator Lauren Piller about her journey from nursing to working in real estate full time. Lauren explains how co-hosting helped her make the transition, and she shares some of her top tips for buying your first investment property, maximizing the value of your Airbnb, setting pricing, and more. Whether you’re completely new to real estate or want to learn more about the vacation rental space, Lauren has so much wisdom to share! Episode Recap: Today we’re talking with Lauren Piller about building a real estate business (1:02)  How did you end up doing real estate? (2:04) Basics you need to know when buying your first investment property (9:10) How does co-hosting work? (16:21) How to work with Lauren (20:58) Tips for choosing an Airbnb location (28:20) What can you do to set your listing apart, and what amenities are essential? (31:58) How does insurance work for vacation rentals? (36:17) What factors do you consider when setting your pricing? (37:55) Where to learn more from Lauren (42:27) Resources: Find every episode of the Fiscal Feminist podcast “The Fiscal Feminist” book Follow Lauren on Instagram and TikTok Learn more from Lauren Quotes:“No one knows anything about finances, investing and loans. I barely do, and I know more than most people. So it’s just crazy to me that we’re supposed to go out here and buy houses and do all these things, but I’m a millennial, so I have to learn as I go. So it’s interesting to see the lack of knowledge.”“Tell me a little bit about cohosting. Because I think a lot of people would be really interested in that because it has a low barrier to entry, right? You don’t have to buy a house, right? Yeah the most cost effective way to get your start and to learn, for sure.So what exactly does somebody do? How do they get involved with this, how do they find out about it, how do they find someone to cohost with, how does that work? The easiest way that I always recommend to my followers is to just ask a friend or a family member. You’d be surprised how many people have rental properties or already have Airbnbs that are either empty or not making as much as they could with their tenants. It’s an easy way to go in, that’s what I did with my parents, they were my first cohosting client. I was like ‘Let me take your rental property and throw it on Airbnb. I will definitely increase profits, I will do all the work, it’s a win-win here.’ I like it because it's another pivot for people, too. You can do it while you’re still working other jobs and just branch out to see if it’s even worth taking the jump for.”

Whether we realize it or not, many of us could benefit from some financial therapy. In this episode, Kimberlee talks with financial therapist Aja Evans about the work she’s doing, the inspiration behind it, and the practical advice she has for women about navigating their finances. Aja breaks down the relationship between our money and our self esteem, shares her top tips for navigating prenups, explains how you can get yourself out of a shame spiral, and much more! Episode Recap: Today we’re talking with Financial Therapist Aja Evans (0:58) What is a financial therapist? (1:58) Can you tell us about your financial awakening? (5:34) Self esteem directly impacts our relationship with money (9:27) If you’re struggling with a self esteem spiral, take a pause (13:18) Rewrite the narratives that aren’t serving you (21:19) Do you have any tips for navigating prenups? (32:19) What trends are you noticing in financial therapy? (41:15) Where to learn more from Aja (44:16) Resources: Find every episode of the Fiscal Feminist podcast “The Fiscal Feminist” book Follow Aja on Instagram and TikTok Aja’s website Quotes:“Any financial decisions we make when we’re heightened, when we're upset, when we’re anxious, usually are just about a quick fix. We are trying to get ourselves out of a place of discomfort and into comfort as quickly as possible, and a lot of times that is not the best strategy for your finances. So looking at taking the breath, making the plan, and then deciding how you’re going to execute and what you want that to look like. And be mindful of what emotional or financial triggers might come up for you that may cause you to spiral again.”“Have the conversation. Be awkward about it. Trip over yourself when you’re talking to each other. But if you cannot have these conversations about money, if you disagree or don’t disagree, we got other things. Because life is going to come at you hard and fast, and if you can’t talk to this person who you’ve decided you want to commit the rest of your life to, it’s going to be really difficult. It’s going to be very, very difficult, and we don’t need it to be that hard.” 

Linda Garcia has an incredibly powerful story, from overcoming a difficult childhood to building a six-figure career at Netflix to starting an organization that empowers other women to invest in the stock market. In this episode, Linda tells her story and focuses on some of the key moments when she learned to ask for what she was worth, overcome her scarcity mindset to start investing, and work to equip others with the mindsets they need to build wealth. This episode is full of both inspiration and practical tips, so you won’t want to miss it! Episode Recap: Today we’re talking with Linda Garcia of In Luz We Trust (0:00:57) Can you tell us about your career journey? (0:03:21) How does money impact our psyche and self esteem? (0:11:12) Learning to know your worth (0:14:42) It’s never too early to set up a 401(k), especially with employer match (0:20:33) Discovering the power of passive income (0:25:24) In search of the million dollar idea (0:32:04) Empowering people to overcome scarcity mindset (0:38:50) Counseling people through market downturns (0:50:49) What’s your next million dollar idea? (57:21) How to learn from Linda (0:59:12) Resources: Find every episode of the Fiscal Feminist podcast “The Fiscal Feminist” book “Wealth Warrior” by Linda Garcia In Luz We Trust website Follow Linda and In Luz We Trust on Instagram Join In Luz We Trust on Patreon Quotes:“I’ve watched my parents work multiple jobs. I've watched them work so hard to earn one dollar. And so the thought of money multiplying using other money was mind blowing. And so at that time I decided, ‘I'm going to double down, and instead of doing $200 a month, I’m going to do $400 a month.’”“It doesn’t matter how much financial literacy you take in. If you don’t identify your relationship with money and how toxic it can be, then you’re not going to be able to build wealth. I feel like it is almost impossible. If you really believe that wealthy people are greedy, then your subconscious will do everything to repel becoming wealthy because you don’t want to be greedy.” 

We often think of money solely in objective terms, but our finances are also emotional and spiritual. In this episode, Kimberlee talks with “The Money Witch” Jesse-Susannah Karnatz about the amazing work she’s doing to help people heal their relationships with money. Jesse-Susannah explains why so many people think they’re bad with money and describes how you can begin to shift that mindset to one of abundance. Jesse-Susannah is an author, leader of the Money Coven, and coach providing capitalism-critical, shame-free education. Episode Recap: Today we’re talking with “The Money Witch,” Jesse-Susannah Karnatz (0:56) Manifestation is about getting out of your own way (5:26) Can you tell us about the kinds of work you do? (8:00) Why do people think they’re bad with money? (15:30) There’s no shame in having debt (19:51) Abundance is a cycle (28:31) Your finances need love, not willpower (33:36) How to learn more from Jesse-Susannah (38:00) Resources: Find every episode of the Fiscal Feminist podcast “The Fiscal Feminist” book Money Witch Website Follow Money Witch on Instagram and YouTube Money Coven Money Witch products Apply for one-on-one coaching  “Money Magic” by Jesse-Susannah Karnatz Quotes:“My business subtitle is ‘Heal your finances.’ So, it’s Money Witch: Heal Your Finances. What I mean when I say healing is it’s a movement of energy. We want to experience shift. We want to experience ourself being able to respond differently to something we’ve been stuck in in the past. We want to come full circle to like a moment where we know, in the past I might have done this, but now I’m choosing to do this. More intentionality, less impulsivity, less reactivity. That’s what I see as healing.”“Your finances need more love, not more willpower. A lot of times when we’re trying to shift something in our financial life, we’re operating from a shame-based place, and we get into this willpower ethic thing, where we’re like, ‘I’m going to just try the same thing I’ve been trying, and I’m going to try it again, but this time I’m going to do it better because I’ll be a better person and I’ll just do it.’ And I don’t think that is very self-loving or very wise. We really have to dig in and look at what needs to iterate in the plan. If there’s something that you just cannot get done, whether it’s making a budget, doing your bookkeeping, filing your taxes on time without filing an extension, any of these things, really start looking at why that is and how can you iterate the plan and try something different.”

The average Black American has about 13 times less wealth than white Americans, so it’s time for something to change. In this episode, Kimberlee talks with Runway Founder and CEO Jessica Norwood about the massive wealth gap for Black Americans and the work she’s doing to change that. Through Runway, Jessica is empowering Black entrepreneurs with capital and mentorship, and she’s also a speaker, author, and podcast host at the forefront of conversations about the intersection of race and economics, and she has so many powerful insights to share in this conversation. Episode Recap: Today we’re talking with Jessica Norwood, founder and CEO of Runway (0:56) Can you tell us about your career journey up to this point? (4:14) Why is access to education so important for disadvantaged groups? (10:43) Black entrepreneurs just don’t have the same access to capital or mentorship (16:06) How is Runway helping Black entrepreneurs? (26:45) An intersectional approach to capital (38:33) What role can the government play in financial equity? (45:32) Where to learn more from Jessica (55:13) Resources: Find every episode of the Fiscal Feminist podcast “The Fiscal Feminist” book Runway website Preorder “Believe in You Money” by Jessica Norwood Road to Repair podcast Jessica’s website Quotes:“I wanted to better my community. I wanted to support the innovators and change makers and just brilliance that I saw all around me. But I also saw that there was this gap of being able to get access to the resources that people needed, and I couldn’t understand why.”“Wealth gets unequally distributed because of racial bias. And it looks like, at the time when I started Runway this was a piece of data that was so new, I want to say it was about 6 or 7 years ago, the data has since been updated. But the number then was that white people had $141,000 in wealth and Black families had about $11,000. And this was including the wealthiest wealthy that you could think of, right, on both sides of the equation. So I like to say it’s P Diddy and all my cousins in that number. And it’s about $10, 11 thousand. And then you’ve got uber, uber wealthy, wealthy folks, billionaire folks, and all your cousins in there. And still the number lays out to this disparity between almost 13 times, 14 times more than the other.” 

No one likes to talk about the worst-case scenario, but we need to be prepared for the unexpected. In this episode, Kimberlee talks with her colleague Sarah Leitzke, director of risk management at the Bahnsen Group. Sarah provides a primer on the 3 main types of insurance you should consider to secure your and your family’s futures. She also answers some of the most frequently asked insurance questions, like when to buy insurance,  how to find the right policy, and what insurance will actually cover. Episode Recap: Today we’re talking with risk management director Sara Leitzke (0:01:01) Mentorship is key for women in the workplace (0:05:57) What is risk management and why is it important? (0:11:03) What qualifies as a disability for insurance? (0:15:54) Whole life vs. term insurance: Which is right for you? (0:24:13) When should you buy long-term care insurance? (0:34:02) How to choose the right long-term care insurance (0:41:34) Should you purchase a joint or individual policy? (0:49:03) Long-term care is an investment for you and your family (0:51:05) Today is the best day to get coverage (0:58:00) Resources: Find every episode of the Fiscal Feminist podcast “The Fiscal Feminist” book The Bahnsen Group website Quotes:“I think some people think, especially when we’re younger, we think ‘I set up my emergency account, I'm investing, I’m saving money, I’m good.’ But we need to plan for other risks, because there are other risks in our lives that an emergency account just won’t cut it. If you need to change jobs and you’re maybe going without a job for a few months, your emergency account is probably going to get you there. But if you have suffered an injury that puts you out of work for a long time, if you have an illness that puts you out of work for a long time, your health insurance probably isn’t going to cut it because they’re not going to pay you to not have a job. So then you turn to different types of insurance. So maybe you need to buy some disability insurance to insure your income. Because your most important asset is your income.”“If you are thinking about getting coverage of any kind and you’re dragging your feet — which I have done and had to snap myself out of — you’re as young as you’ll ever be today, probably as healthy as you’ll ever be today, and all of this, every type of insurance we’ve talked about today, requires medical underwriting. And the best time to do it is today.”

No matter who you are or where you work, gender bias impacts every woman in the workplace. Amy Diehl has dedicated her career to understanding those biases, and in this episode, she’s sharing some of the most important findings from her new book, “Glass Walls.” Amy breaks down the six types of bias that hold women back the most, unpacks the common barriers that keep women from leadership positions, and shares some practical tips for dealing with gender bias. Whether you need some extra motivation to keep going in your career or you just want to learn more, this episode is packed with valuable insight! Episode Recap: Today we’re talking with gender equity researcher and author Amy Diehl (0:00:58) How did you discover your passion for gender equity? (0:02:51) No woman is immune to gender bias in the workplace (0:10:30) We’re missing out on major progress when we don’t give women opportunities (0:15:40) What are the six types of gender bias in your book? (0:22:02) Male privilege (0:22:21) Disproportionate constraints (0:27:25) Insufficient support (0:31:48) Devaluation (0:36:02) Hostility (0:37:55) Acquiescence (0:43:30) What are some of the critiques that keep women from leadership? (0:47:16) How can we respond to this inequity? (0:53:43) Where to connect with Amy (0:58:27) Resources: Find every episode of the Fiscal Feminist podcast “The Fiscal Feminist” book “Glass Walls” by Amy Diehl and Leanne M. Dzubinski Why Women are Held Back from Leadership article Ageism article Amy Diehl’s website Follow Amy on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter Quotes:“How many women don’t persist? Because they can’t. They make very rational choices to quit, or to stay where they’re at, or whatever. I think about the societal progress that we’re missing because we’re really holding back half of society. Half of the brain power, right?  — Amy“I’m not saying we have to be confrontational or rude or any of those things, but we have to be persistent and we have to be resilient. Don’t make yourself smaller, because we’ve already been going through that for a billion years. And to your point, Amy, if all women were able to do their job on an even playing field, not only would society be more productive, there’d be a million new inventions and things going on in the world, and our global economic   — Kimberlee

We all know debt is bad for our financial and mental health, so why do we have so much trouble staying away from it? In this episode, Kimberlee explores this question by digging into the psychology of debt. She shares several factors that may contribute to our debt struggles, from our relationships to our spending to our education, and she reminds us that managing debt is vital for our physical and mental health. And stay tuned for part 2, where we’ll talk about strategies for tackling debt! Episode Recap: Today we’re talking about the psychology of debt (1:02) Knowing something is bad for us isn’t always enough to stop us from doing it (2:12) Debt and health are directly linked (5:52) The average American has $5,700 of credit card debt (7:47) We incur debt when we don’t have a budget (12:12) We incur debt when we spend more than we make (14:14) Our debt grows when we don’t have enough cash flow for interest and expenses (17:16) Marriage problems can make debt worse (20:24) We struggle with debt when we don’t understand it (23:16) Don’t rob yourself of future stability (25:53) Resources: Find every episode of the Fiscal Feminist podcast “The Fiscal Feminist” book Quotes:“Don’t rob yourself of future financial stability because it will affect your health as well. If you have a health problem, you go to the doctor and try to figure out how to fix it so that you can stay healthy. This is as important as going to the doctor, because if you don’t, you may end up having health problems over it because you get so stressed out. So, the point of this podcast is for you to ponder the why of your debt honestly, and that is the first step to solving the problem.”“Most people fail to plan. They don’t have a budget, and they rely on intuition to regulate spending. ‘Should I be spending this? Eh, well I have a little bit of room.’ But they don’t know because they haven’t done a budget. And this is a really, really bad idea.”

How can we make the most of a system where the odds are stacked against us? In this episode, Randi Braun explains how we can set better boundaries and stop feeling so much guilt even as we’re working in an environment that puts women and other marginalized groups at a disadvantage. Randi is a coach, thought leader, and author of the bestselling book “Something Major: The New Playbook for Women at Work,” and she shares powerful insights that you can start applying to your life today! Episode Recap: Today we’re talking with Randi Braun, author of the bestseller “Something Major” (1:02) Can you tell us about your journey to where you are today? (2:16) Why are we moving backwards in terms of workplace equity? (7:17) How can we find success in a system that’s stacked against us? (11:56) Perfectionism does not always serve us (14:17) Are you feeling guilty, or are you afraid of validation? (19:04) Why do we struggle to set boundaries? (23:41) Here’s why you should remove “imposter syndrome” from your vocabulary (29:35) What is the productivity lie? (35:25) Stop saying these things! (40:32) Resources: Find every episode of the Fiscal Feminist podcast “The Fiscal Feminist” book Article on “The Productivity Lie” by Blessing Adesiyan Something Major Website “Something Major: The New Playbook for Women at Work” Follow Randi on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok Quotes:“The more we focus on being perfect, the less willing we are to take a chance, to throw out that creative idea, to make an ask that could actually unlock not just impact for ourselves, but impact for the people and the teams and the organizations and frankly some of the P&L that we serve.”“Guilt is what we feel when we violate our own personal code of conduct and our values. What you’re experiencing wasn’t guilt from how I’m hearing it, it was a fear of not getting external validation or a fear of what other people will think of you.”

With so many different ways to invest and build wealth, how do you find the path that’s right for you? In this episode, Haley Kowalewski breaks down some of the basic principles you should keep in mind when building an emergency fund, saving for retirement, starting to invest, and more. Haley is the founder of Femme Financial Coaching, where she’s helping women and other marginalized groups with all things personal finance and investing. She also talks about the different ways each generation views money and work, and she shares some practical tips for finding resources you can trust on social media.Episode Recap: Today we’re talking with Haley Kowalewski of Femme Financial Coaching (1:01) What inspired you to start this business? (2:55) Before you pivot, make sure you’re prepared for business and personal expenses (6:01) What are some barriers that stop marginalized groups from building wealth? (16:17) Have these foundations in place before you start investing (22:12) How to get started with investing (26:33) Should you open a taxable account? (29:25) How Gen Z and Millennials tend to view money and work (34:28) How to vet financial resources on social media (41:29) Can you share some client success stories? (43:55) Remember your future self (52:44) How to connect with Haley (55:56) Resources: Find every episode of the Fiscal Feminist podcast “The Fiscal Feminist” book Femme Financial Coaching Follow Haley on Instagram and TikTok Quotes:“Education is the way through, because the stock market doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t know what gender you are, what race you are, how old you are. Anyone has access to it, so that’s why it’s so important to educate people around it.”“You can make changes a lot faster than you think you can. And if you’re thinking, ‘I don’t want to be in this same spot I’m in at this time next year financially, you might be at that point where you’re like, ‘Alright, I’m ready to make a change.’ And if you’ve tried to do it on your own and you just keep falling off, then that’s a point where you can hire a coach or get some support, because that support is out there. And there’s no shame in doing that.”

Whether you’re preparing to divorce or about to get married, there are actions you can take today to make sure your financial future is protected. In this episode, Erica Lubans breaks down some of the most important concepts to know about prenups, state divorce laws, alimony, and much more. She shares practical advice for women about preparing for and navigating divorce proceedings, and she explains why communication around finances is one of the most important indicators of a successful marriage. Erica is an attorney at the California family law firm Wasser, Cooperman & Mandles, and she has so much expert insight to share! Episode Recap: Today we’re talking with divorce lawyer Erica Lubans (1:07) Why did you decide to become a divorce lawyer? (3:17) Your lawyer is not your therapist (6:59) The way you spend money matters less than how you communicate about it (10:15) What conversations should couples be having before they get married? (13:07) How do equitable distribution and community property laws affect divorce? (16:49) What to include in your prenup (25:30) Alimony vs. Settlements: Which is better (33:21) What are the different types of divorce? (39:18) Common mistakes to avoid (51:07) How do high-profile divorces differ from other divorces? (57:01) Resources: Find every episode of the Fiscal Feminist podcast “The Fiscal Feminist” book Divorce.com website Wasser, Cooperman & Mandles  Quotes:“In marriages, if there’s solid communication about money and people are being respectful of the other person’s concerns and making them feel safe, then you’re less likely to end up getting divorced because of financial issues.”“Have something for yourself, whether that’s a career or charity or whatever it is. Have something that is just for you during marriage, don’t just devote yourself to your husband and your kids. I know that’s how women are, we’re always putting ourselves last and being preoccupied with other people’s needs, and I’ve seen a lot of women that when the marriage breaks down, they are completely bereft because they didn’t keep anything for themselves.”

With so many stocks to choose from, how can you find the best investments for your portfolio? In this episode, Deiya Pernas shares an inside look at the work he does as an equity researcher and co-founder of Pernas Research. He weighs in on a variety of investment topics including risk mitigation, current economic conditions, and whether or not you should invest in companies you use. Deiya also shares an example of an investment type he’s especially interested in right now: consumer discretionary companies. Whether you’re new to investing or you have a large portfolio already, this episode is full of useful insight! Episode Recap: Today we’re talking with equity research expert Deiya Pernas (0:52) How did you end up working at Morgan Stanley? (3:56) There’s a need for unbiased equity research (9:41) Characteristics to look for when evaluating stocks (17:22) Should you invest in a company just because it’s something you like and use? (20:44) Where to find information about an investment (24:05) How do economic conditions affect your analysis? (30:29) A practical example of investing in the consumer discretionary space (33:44) What are the risks to watch out for and how can we mitigate them? (43:36) Top tips for getting started with investing (47:28) How did you prepare to make a career pivot? (49:31) Resources: Find every episode of the Fiscal Feminist podcast “The Fiscal Feminist” book Subscribe to the Pernas Research newsletter Quotes:“There’s not some magic spreadsheet out there or some magic research provider that has all these answers. At the end of the day, it’s hard work and asking the right questions, and having the discipline to follow up and answer all your questions in entirety. And after you do that you start to form a conviction of how good this company really is.”“When you’re investing in individual stocks — especially if, let’s so you’re a listener and you’ve dabbled maybe a little bit or a medium amount — number one, you have to understand risk and you have to be prepared to deal with risk. That’s why first and foremost I air on the side of caution when you’re investing in an individual name. And this also goes for the stuff we invest in, too. As much work as we do to try to gauge the risks to a certain company’s cash flows or business model, there is no company that we ever put a buyers recommendation on that is going to be immune for a large market sell.”

How might your approach to budgeting change if you started by prioritizing your goals, instead of thinking about the things you can’t have? In this episode, John and David Auten-Schneider (who you might know as The Debt Free Guys) explain how you can build a budget that works for your lifestyle, whether you’re doing it on your own or budgeting with a partner. John and David also talk about the biggest financial issues facing LGBTQ Americans, the importance of a prenup, 3 things to focus on when planning your financial future, and much more!Episode Recap: Today we’re talking with The Debt Free Guys, John and David Auten-Schneider (1:10) Finding the best city for LGBTQ people in each state (2:19) John and David’s journey to becoming The Debt Free Guys (11:02) Debt affects so many more people than we often realize (13:47) What did your tradition from your financial services jobs look like? (17:25) Once your financial life is in order, focus on these 3 things (24:08) What are the biggest financial issues facing LGBTQ people today? (29:26) Marriage is a partnership, and prenups help you have important conversations (35:04) Tips for creating a budget with a partner (39:40) When budgeting, try leading with your goals (43:06) What concerns you most right now? (50:10) How to learn more from David and John (56:47) Resources: Find every episode of the Fiscal Feminist podcast “The Fiscal Feminist” book Best LGBTQ City in Each State podcast “4: The Principles of a Debt-Free Life” book Debt Free Guys Website Queer Money Podcast  Quotes:“With the now 430-some plus anti-LGBTQ+ bills on the floors of state legislatures across the country, according to the ACLU, and Supreme Court Justices saying they specifically want to target marriage equality, a lot of same-sex couples specifically in the community are kind of feeling like we’re going back to 2014 or even earlier again, where we had to do this sort of patchwork of legal maneuvering to protect our assets and to protect the person we live with and love.” - John“Money is not a ruler, it’s a tool. And it’s not a ruler to be used to judge yourself against anyone else. There are amazing, beautiful, wonderful people in this world who make 40 or 50 thousand dollars a year. That doesn’t make them any less than the person that’s making 4,5,6 hundred thousand dollars a year. Does the outward appearance of their life look different? Absolutely. But there are plenty of ways to enjoy and have an abundant and happy life on a lower amount of money." - David

If you want to find greater success and balance in your career, you need to get comfortable with speaking up and having hard conversations. In this episode, the “Job Doctor” Tessa White shares some of her top tips for building your career on your terms. She explains why it’s so important to understand what your company values, and she gives practical advice about negotiating effectively, saving yourself some extra time, and making sure your career doesn’t control you. You won’t want to miss this episode!Episode Recap: Today we’re talking with “The Job Doctor” Tessa White (1:09) Can you tell us your journey to your current career? (2:19) You can have it all, but not all at once (7:37) What is deliberate work, and how do you determine what’s most important? (19:05) How do you approach difficult conversations with a manager? (28:11) To negotiate more effectively, understand your leverage (32:56) What is the 10% miracle, and how can we get better at saying no? (38:40) How is remote work impacting our careers? (42:52) 3 things we can do so our careers don’t control us (51:42) How to learn more from Tessa (54:38) Resources: Find every episode of the Fiscal Feminist podcast “The Fiscal Feminist” book The Job Doctor website Follow The Job Doctor on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube “The Unspoken Truths for Career Success” by Tessa White “The Job Doctor is In” podcast Quotes:“The real job description is not the job description on paper, it’s something else. And part of your job is figuring out what the company actually really does value and doing more of that and less of the things they could give a rip about.”“You can’t get married and expect to have a relationship work out without ever speaking up. And part of the solution to the dysfunctional workplaces and feeling taken advantage of and feeling like it’s toxic, part of it is learning to speak up, and maybe doing it in a way that isn’t broken glass or a bull in a china shop, but being able to speak up and share where you’re at is incredibly important. So many of my clients that feel like they’re overworked and they’re burned out, when I ask them, ‘Have they talked with their manager?’ They haven’t. And your manager doesn’t have a magic ball to say, ‘This person’s full.’ It does require your input and your help in order for them to understand.”

There’s a misconception that salary transparency will hurt businesses, but that is not the case. In this episode, Hannah Williams explains how her own career journey made her realize something needed to change, inspiring her to create Salary Transparent Street. Hannah shares her perspective on the benefits of salary transparency for employees and for businesses, and she opens up about the experience of turning a viral TikTok account into a business. Episode Recap: In this episode we’re talking with Hannah Williams of Salary Transparency Street (0:00:51) Can you tell us about your background leading up to today? (0:02:20) Colleges aren’t preparing people to negotiate for themselves (0:12:40) Work is a business decision for you and for your employer (22:52) Salary requirements aren’t a fair metric (25:28) Why is salary transparency important? (29:03) How did you turn Salary Transparent Street into a profitable business? (36:12) What is it like to work with an agent? (43:07) There’s this misconception that regulation around salary is bad (47:50) How to keep up with Hannah (1:03:59) Resources: Find every episode of the Fiscal Feminist podcast “The Fiscal Feminist” book Follow Salary Transparent Street on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Salary Transparent Street Website Quotes:“Work was not just a business relationship, it was a business decision on both sides. There’s profit and loss that comes into that. And ultimately when a company hires you, they’re not hiring you because they like you. They’re hiring you to complete a job, and they’re hiring you to pay a certain number. They have access to the same data that I do, market research. So they would know whether or not they’re paying a fair market rate, the same way that I realized I wasn’t getting it. And that was really disappointing, because I trusted my employer. I liked them, I was really proud to work for them. And that changed almost overnight.”“I did an interview with a company and they asked me the question that really got me fixated on salary transparency: ‘What are your salary requirements?’ And I realized, this question, I get it in every interview. And every single time I get it, I feel the responsibility to say what I think I should be paid, and whether that’s fair or not is placed on me instead of the company.”

Are you struggling to find a job you’re passionate about? Or do you find yourself working harder and harder without seeing your pay increase? This episode with J.T. O’Donnell is for you! J.T. is the founder and CEO of the online career growth club Work it Daily, and she shares her top tips for negotiating, working remotely, finding the right job for your current phase of life, and much more. Episode Recap: In this episode we’re talking with J.T. O’Donnell of Work It Daily (0:01:07) Can you tell us about your career journey up to this point? (0:03:00) There’s a difference between a job, a career, and a calling (0:10:03) Look for the common thread among companies you admire (0:22:49) What tips do you have for women about negotiating? (0:32:41) Negotiating is the way to build your net worth (0:49:50) How can women network when working from home? (0:53:28) How to connect with J.T. (1:00:48) Resources: Find every episode of the Fiscal Feminist podcast “The Fiscal Feminist” book Subscribe to the Work It Daily newsletter Join the Work It Daily membership Follow J.T. on LinkedIn and TikTok Quotes:“A lot of people say ‘Oh, I have to do this.’ The truth is you get to. Think about that. You get to do this. You get to build up your financial freedom. You get to build a career that you’re going to be so proud of. You get to be able to do those things so that when you’re living a longer life, you’re living it the way you want to on your terms. You get to.”“How you choose to brand yourself is going to determine your value. So if you’re never asking for more money, that translates into, you’re not creating any new value. That’s really important. Aren’t you learning and growing on your job every single day? Isn’t that creating more value for your company every single day? That means that you should get paid more over time to reflect that.”

The FIRE movement can sound incredibly appealing if you’re unhappy in your job or wanting to spend more time in retirement. But is FIRE a viable solution when interest rates are high and people are living longer than ever before? In this episode, Kimberlee breaks down the history of the FIRE movement and the formula its proponents use to save more and retire sooner. She looks closely at the pros and cons of the FIRE movement and encourages listeners to strive instead for “Financial Independence, More Options.” Episode Recap: Today we’re going to talk about FIRE, and whether or not it makes sense today (1:11) FIRE: Financial Independence, Retire Early (2:11) The FIRE movement became popular after the Great Recession (5:31) If you’re not enjoying your career, maybe it’s time to make a change (8:16) 3 approaches to FIRE (11:58) Here are some problems with the FIRE formula (16:36) If you want to retire early, make sure you have a bridge account (24:07) Aim for “Financial Independence, More Options” (28:52) Lessons we can learn from FIRE (31:30) Resources: Find every episode of the Fiscal Feminist podcast “The Fiscal Feminist” book “From Paycheck to Purpose” by Ken Coleman  Quotes:“We need to take the journey with our professional lives to explore, develop, and experience our professional goals and growth. FIRE cuts that off at a very early age. 30, 40 is very young. Like I said before, you could live to be 80, 90, or 100 years old in this time, and it’s a long time to be retired. Often, early retirees are running away from what they don’t like. They may not have thought about their true purpose or interests. Maybe they’re at a job they hate and they just want to stop and not deal with working at all. But again, throwing the baby out with the bath water in my opinion.” “Life is now very long for many of us (hopefully it is for me). Medical costs are high. And the time of easy money with low interest rates and low inflation may be a thing of the past. So, we need to redefine FIRE. We need to now call it, “Financial Independence, More Options.” That’s what I like. I think that’s a better version of FIRE, and it will make sure that you can live in your extended retirement in dignity.” 

Divorce, abuse, and loss of a spouse may not be fun to think about, but it’s still important to be prepared. In this episode, Stacy Francis shares her top tips for navigating a divorce, preparing yourself for a financial transition, talking to your children about money, and more. Stacy is a financial advisor and wealth manager at Francis Financial, as well as the founder of Savvy Ladies, a non-profit providing free financial education for women. Episode Recap: Get to know Stacy Francis (2:04) What inspired you to start a non-profit at 26? (5:00) Financial abuse will often escalate, and it’s easy to feel trapped (12:07) Have things changed for women today? (17:25) How to talk to your kids about money (23:44) Working with attorneys on divorce cases (30:42) If you’re planning for a divorce, start gathering your people and your records now (36:28) Who should be on your team when navigating a divorce? (40:25) Now is the time to learn about your money (42:45) Resources: Find every episode of the Fiscal Feminist podcast Francis Financial website “Unveiling the Unspoken Truth”  “Financial Help for Widows” “Financially Ever After” podcast  Savvy Ladies website Email Stacy to get involved with Savvy Ladies “The Opposite of Spoiled” by Ron Leiber Quotes:“Once women, particularly, are married, and especially if they have children, we essentially divide and conquer. And there's nothing wrong with that, but often the dividing and conquering of all the tasks that need to be done is that he’s managing certain things, which often are the investing, long-term financial planning, working with the CPA, and the accounting, she’s often doing the bill paying.” "The largest population above age 65 living in poverty are divorced women, and the second largest population are women who have been married and their spouses passed away.”