The Money School

Stocks get all the attention, but bonds? They deserve some love too. If the latest market swings have you feeling a little queasy, bonds can help balance your portfolio and create a steady stream of passive income. In today’s episode, Nicole sits down with a Money Rehabber who wants to start investing in bonds but isn’t sure where to begin. Nicole breaks down bond basics, key terms, and how to bui...

You may have seen the news last week that the consumer confidence index fell by 7 points this month, marking the largest drop since August 2021. Translation? People are getting nervous about a recession. But here’s the thing—you don’t have to panic just because the economy is. Even if you’re skeptical about the marco-economy, you can create confidence in your own micro-economy by taking the reins...

 How to Use Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) Like a Pro More than half of Americans feel behind on retirement savings, but the good news is, it’s never too late to level up your strategy. Today, Nicole walks you through Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs): what they are, how they work, and how they can help you build real wealth for retirement. She unpacks the key differences between Tradit...

Today’s episode is one of the most powerful we’ve ever done on Money Rehab. Nicole sits down with a listener named Erin, who reached out after being diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. Her message was simple, yet profound: “I need to get my finances in order to make sure my loved ones are taken care of.” What follows is a raw, courageous conversation about life, money, and legacy. Erin shares he...

PE is obsessed with this one sector right now: boring businesses. We're talking plumbing, pest control, cleaning companies— you know the ones. But this isn't just a move for PE investors; you can do it too. Nicole explains.

If your money is just sitting around in a savings account, chances are it could be working harder for you somewhere else. This is the exact situation facing the Money Rehabber Nicole talks to today. When they go a level deeper, Nicole discovers how anxiety around investing is also at play. If you’re feeling skittish around investing or just feel like your money could be doing more, this is for you...

With margin borrowing, you can give your investments a boost— but if you're not careful, you could also lose more than you gain. Nicole explains the concept, and whether it's a money move you should make.

Today, Nicole unpacks private equity (PE) by sharing how it works, who the big players are, and gives you the scoop on the deals that went really right and really wrong.

You could be invested in crypto, and not even know it. Nicole explains how this could happen, and what to do if you're secretly invested in this volatile asset.

Picture this: you have a job at a company with 401(k) benefits and then... you quit (or the job quits you). The good news is that money is still yours. But the retirement fairy won't just come and leave your 401(k) under your pillow. Nicole outlines the steps you need to take after leaving a job to make sure that your 401(k) is still working for you.

An estimated 160 million Americans are planning to travel for the holidays. If you're one of them, here are five ways you can save on one of the busiest— and most expensive— travel times of the year. 

Money can’t buy you love… but it sure can cost you a relationship, because financial conflict is a huge source of tension for many couples. Today, Nicole is joined by entrepreneur and author Jason Tartick about how to not let money ruin a relationship. Plus, Jason talks about his experience being scammed, which companies he’s bullish and bearish on, and what Elon Musk is like at a party. Find Jaso...

Today’s caller is living the freelance dream—flexible schedule, creative freedom, but… zero employer retirement benefits. If you’re self-employed and wondering how the heck you’re supposed to save for retirement without a 401(k), this episode is for you. Nicole breaks down the best retirement accounts for freelancers, how to reverse-engineer your savings plan, and how to turn “irregular income” in...

Confidence in the U.S. is shaky right now—and with ongoing tariff drama and mixed economic signals, it’s no surprise investors are feeling uneasy. But here’s the thing: the U.S. is not your only option. Today, Nicole explains why looking beyond U.S. borders could be the smartest move for your portfolio right now. From “blue-chip” countries like Japan and Germany to emerging markets like India and...

Money School Students want to know: can you negotiate your rent after signing a lease? Be a fly on the wall as Nicole negotiates her rent with her landlord! Can Nicole get a better deal? You’ll have to tune in to find out!

Wannabe first-time homebuyers: How are you doing? Are you hanging in? If you are having a hard time, you are certainly not alone; it is not a simple time to buy a home. So this episode is all about helping you develop a game plan that is right for you. To help break this down, Nicole is joined by Scott Trench, real estate investor and CEO of BiggerPockets - a platform that offers various stellar r...

As Nicole always says: when it comes to your money, it's not what you make, but what you keep, that matters. Today, Pamela Maass-Garrett (the brilliant lawyer behind the Law Mother firm and viral Instagram account) teaches you how to keep more of your money with simple financial protection strategies. Check out Pamela's book Legally Ever After here: https://www.lawmotherco.com/lea-fbook

You’ve heard the old investing advice: “buy low, sell high.” But what if we told you that selling isn’t the only way to make money from your investments? Today, Nicole breaks down three easy, low-maintenance ways to generate income: bonds, high-yield cash accounts, and dividend stocks. Whether you’re looking to diversify your portfolio or just want your money working for you while you do literally...

Today Nicole answers the #1 question she's been getting lately: what do I do with my money when the economy gets shaky? Nicole shares the investments that have historically stood the test of time during recessions, and even thrived in high-inflation environments

Consumer confidence in the U.S. is shaky right now—and with ongoing tariff drama and mixed economic signals, it’s no surprise investors are feeling uneasy. But here’s the thing: the U.S. is not your only option. Today, Nicole explains why looking beyond U.S. borders could be the smartest move for your portfolio right now. From “blue-chip” countries like Japan and Germany to emerging markets like I...

There's a chance that inflation may rise at the top of next year. To prep, Nicole shares four inflation-proof investments to help your portfolio.

Happy Open Enrollment, Money Rehabbers! When you pick your health insurance plan, you're likely going to encounter FSAs or HSAs. Today, Nicole explains the difference between the two— and how to get the most out of both of them.

If you're not negotiating these three things, you're leaving money on the table. It's your hard-earned money, you might as well fight for it! Listen to Nicole negotiate with her credit card company here: https://link.chtbl.com/IFiJEybg

Last year, Nicole had a medical scare... which only got scarier when the bills started rolling in. Today, Nicole shares how she negotiated her medical bills and takes you behind the scenes of a real conversation she had with a medical provider.

Nicole has always opted for slow-and-steady investing versus hyped-up, get-rich-quick trading. But, there are trading strategies that are more calculated, and can almost act as an insurance policy against risk of losses. To give us the masterclass on these strategies and more is investing expert Dominique Broadway. All investment and trading strategies involve risk of loss. The content you hear on...