Finance Girlies: Money Conversations for Gen Z and Millennial Women

When we sent out a listener survey last fall, one topic seemed to be on everyone’s minds: investing. So many of you told us you don’t feel ready to invest yet. We relate to this deeply. Even after years of writing about investing professionally, talking to experts, and researching the topic, we still felt that hesitation ourselves. We kept setting what we jokingly call “procrastination goals” — te...

This week, we’re talking about the emotional and behavioral side of money with money coach Michelle Malawer. We explore what money coaching actually looks like, how it differs from working with a financial advisor, and why changing your finances often starts with understanding your patterns — not just your numbers. We also talk about the beliefs and challenges Michelle frequently sees with women a...

Today we’re joined by Sarah Turner — the mentor who brought us together and helped shape the way we think about building businesses, earning more, and how money shows up in our lives. In this episode, we talk about what it actually looks like to live authentically (especially when “bloom where you’re planted” feels more like rotting in the wrong soil), plus how Sarah’s money story evolved (and how...

We love travel — but we do not love unexpected airport chaos. On a recent work trip to Mexico, we each faced major delays. One of us was marked a no-show while physically inside the airport because we couldn’t get a boarding pass. The other experienced a domino effect — a missing gate agent, de-icing delays, a missed connection, a four-hour crew delay, and a mechanical issue that led to an overnig...

If Valentine’s Day has ever made you feel pressured, behind, or annoyed at how expensive it all seems — it’s not just you. In this episode, we’re unpacking how Valentine’s Day became a multi-billion-dollar industry, why it can feel so loaded emotionally (and financially), and how to opt out of overconsumption without opting out of joy. We share the surprising history of Valentine’s Day, the real d...

Parenthood has a way of turning even the most detailed budgeter into a “good enough and moving on” budgeter — and honestly, that’s not a personal failure. It’s reality. In this episode, we’re joined by Taylor Nelson (accredited financial counselor and the voice behind The Financial Planner Substack) to talk about what the “cost of kids” actually looks like in real life — and why it’s not just diap...

What if knowing your worth intellectually isn’t enough — and the real work has to happen in your body, your nervous system, and your everyday actions? In this episode, we’re joined by Claire Wasserman, founder of Ladies Get Paid, career coach, and writer who offers tactical advice and deep emotional insight in a way that feels grounding, honest, and actually doable. This conversation felt like par...

Budgeting is often framed as a discipline problem — try harder, be more consistent, stick to the plan. But what if the real issue isn’t effort or willpower… it’s that the system was never designed for your actual life in the first place? Today we’re joined by Kelsa Dickey, founder of Fiscal Fitness Phoenix and creator of the Spend First System. Kelsa is a former licensed financial advisor who inte...

If you’ve ever thought, “I’m doing okay with money… but am I doing the right things?” — this episode is for you. Whether you’re in your late 20s trying to build good habits, juggling family responsibilities, or quietly worrying about what the future version of you will need, this conversation meets you exactly where you are. Today we’re joined by Brigitte Killings, a 30-year veteran in financial s...

Tired of those overwhelming New Year's financial planning checklists? In this short episode, we break down a simple five-step exercise that takes about 30 minutes and actually helps you tackle your biggest money pain point — no perfectionism required. Listen in to learn how to:  Identify what's really bothering you Name the feeling you're chasing instead of just the goal And create...

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) might be hiding in your benefits package, and most people have no idea how powerful they actually are. In this episode, we're breaking down everything you need to know about HSAs — from whether you're eligible to how to treat them like a secret retirement account. Emily and Cassidy dive into the triple tax advantage that makes HSAs unlike any other account,...

If you've ever dreamed about traveling but thought you couldn't afford it, this episode is for you. Caroline Lupini has visited 120+ countries while building a successful career — and she's here to prove that both are totally possible without sacrificing one for the other. Caroline is a travel expert, digital nomad, and managing editor of Travel and Credit Cards at Forbes Advisor. I...

Do you ever see all those Instagram influencers flying business class using miles and points and think, “How TF do they do that?”  Well… we sat down with points and miles expert Ross Alcorn, CEO and founder of Itinerary Boss, to figure it out. Ross has helped thousands of people turn their everyday spending into five-star luxury travel — and honestly? It's probably more attainable than you mi...

Frugality doesn't have to feel like deprivation — and it definitely doesn't have to ruin your holidays. In this episode, we're sitting down with our friend Kristen, AKA The Frugal Girl, to talk about stretching your dollars while actually enjoying your life. We're breaking down practical grocery strategies for when budgets are tight, tackling the guilt around holiday spending,...

Food insecurity is closer than you think — and it's affecting 40 million Americans right now, including kids, seniors, and working families. In this episode, we're breaking down what's really happening with SNAP benefits, busting the myths that are causing real harm, and sharing concrete ways you can help — whether you need support or you're in a position to give it. We're...

We're diving deep with Lori Atwood, founder of Fearless Finance, who's worked with 2,000+ clients and isn't afraid to tell it like it is. After 25+ years in finance, she's seen every money mistake in the book — and she's here to share the uncomfortable truths nobody talks about. In this episode, we explore why your biggest financial problem might not be your budget at all....

It's dark. The candles are flickering, and you're about to hear some truly haunting tales. Not ghost stories, but money stories that will send shivers down your financial spine. From credit card curses to haunted house expenses, this episode is all about the scary side of money — and what we can learn from these frightening experiences. We asked our community to share their most terrifyi...

What happens when you're the higher earner in your marriage? When your 401(k) keeps growing while your spouse builds their own business? When you're navigating motherhood, career ambitions, and being the breadwinner all at once? We love talking about money and relationships, and we're not the only ones. This episode features Jessica Norwood, who co-hosts The Sugar Daddy podcast with...

Would you sign a contract governing half your assets and your entire financial future without reading it first? Because that's exactly what happens when you get married without a prenup. Harvard lawyer Aaron Thomas spent years watching couples drain their savings in divorce court before he realized something crucial: marriage is already a financial contract. You're just letting the state...

We just got back from FinCon — the biggest personal finance conference in the country — and we're buzzing with ideas, connections, and inspiration for The Finance Girlies community. If you've never heard of FinCon, picture this: around 2,000 personal finance creators, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs gathered in one place for three jam-packed days of learning, networking, and nerding...

Ever feel like you're constantly stressed about money even when you're technically doing okay? Or wonder why you still feel anxious despite having an emergency fund and being on track for retirement? You might be experiencing money dysmorphia — the disconnect between how we feel about our finances versus our actual financial reality. Julie Guntrip, Head of Financial Wellness at Jenius Ba...

What if your everyday money choices could actually change the world? Meet Kara Pérez, founder of Bravely Go and author of "Money for Change," who proves that aligning your finances with your values doesn't mean sacrificing your financial goals. From $20,000 in student loans to building a business around values-based financial education, Kara shares how she paid off debt in 10 months...

What if taking extended time off work could actually boost your lifetime earning potential? Meet Jillian Johnsrud, who by age 40 has taken over a dozen "mini retirements" — month-long career breaks that allowed her to travel to 27 countries, buy real estate, learn new skills, and completely reinvent her career. This conversation reveals why switching jobs combined with strategic breaks o...

Laura Shepherd's financial story didn't start at 22 with her first job or even at 30 with a promotion. It started in her 40s, when she opened her first bank account in her own name. For nearly 20 years, Laura lived in a financially controlling relationship where her ex handled all the money while she raised the kids. She'd internalized the story that she was "bad at math,"...

Financial advisor Zina Kumok grew up with something most American kids never get: total transparency about money. Her immigrant parents discussed salary negotiations, 401(k) matching, and insurance trade-offs over dinner like other families talk about the weather. The result? By college, she understood finances better than most. But here's the twist — even with all that knowledge, Zina avoide...