Money Girl

1059. Host Laura Adams sits down with Courtney Alev, Consumer Financial Advocate and Director of Product Management for TurboTax. They discuss real listener questions about budgeting, tax refund strategies, and paying down debt. You’ll learn strategies and tips for saving more, managing debt wisely, adjusting tax withholding, and curbing impulse spending to improve your financial life. Key Takeawa...

952. Not sure whether you need a financial advisor, or which kind to look for? Laura Adams explains the seven types of financial professionals: bankers, insurance agents, tax accountants, estate attorneys, stockbrokers, registered investment advisors (RIAs), and certified financial planners (CFPs). She covers what each one does, how each is paid, and which are fiduciaries legally required to act i...

1058. With 10-year U.S. Treasury yields above 5.3%, many investors are asking if they should ditch stocks and play it safe with fixed income. Host Laura Adams answers a listener’s question about investing when retirement is ten years away. You’ll learn the basics of bonds and how to use a three-bucket strategy to lower risk without giving up long-term growth. Key Takeaways A bond is a loan an inve...

1057. Few things are more frustrating than learning your flight has been canceled. But do you know what you’re legally entitled to when an airline grounds your plane? Host Laura Adams breaks down your rights as an air traveler and explains how to protect your wallet when flights get disrupted. Key Takeaways If an airline cancels your flight or changes your schedule by more than three hours domesti...

1056. Should you buy your next home before selling your current one, or is it safer to sell first? How does an existing mortgage impact your ability to qualify for a new loan, and where should your down payment actually come from? Host Laura Adams answers a listener’s questions about navigating the tricky logistics of moving and whether to convert her current house into a rental property. Key Take...

1055. Host Laura Adams interviews Natasha Madan, CMO and consumer advocate at Credit Karma, about the financial habits of Gen Z, credit myths, and wise ways to use AI tools. You’ll learn practical strategies to optimize your credit, get the best interest rates, and build wealth faster. Key Takeaways Taking small, consistent actions, such as reducing your credit utilization or consolidating high-in...

1054. Are you comfortable in your career but longing for change? Or maybe you want the freedom to move anywhere in the country without taking a financial step backward? Host Laura Adams answers a listener’s question about safe ways to pivot to a new career with a high earning potential and geographic flexibility. Key Takeaways: Break down your existing career expertise into hard skills (core work...

1053. Host Laura Adams walks you through seven ways to lower your taxes, maximize savings, and protect your hard-earned cash before midnight on December 31. Don’t let holiday chaos cause you to miss this critical deadline. Key Takeaways Employer-sponsored retirement plans like 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and 457s require employers to deduct contributions from paychecks by December 31. Zero out your flexible...

1052. Thinking about helping your kids buy a home decades from now? Host Laura Adams answers a listener’s question about the best ways to grow savings. You’ll learn how inflation impacts long-term savings and which growth-oriented accounts offer the best return for long-term goals. Key Takeaways: For long-term goals, low-yield options like CDs carry risk due to inflation. Broad-market index funds...

1051. Are you worried about the rising cost of college? In celebration of College Savings Month, Laura compares the two main types of education accounts: 529 savings plans and 529 prepaid tuition plans. You’ll learn their key differences and how to choose the right plan. Key Takeaways Both 529 savings and prepaid plans offer tax-free account growth and tax-free withdrawals when used for qualified...

1050. Buying a car can feel like a financial landmine. Host Laura Adams answers a listener’s question about buying a car before starting his first job. You’ll learn how to evaluate your current car, set a budget, secure financing, and find a great deal that doesn’t wreck your financial goals! Key Takeaways: Compare a car’s repair bill against months of new car payments and a potentially higher ins...

1049. Think building wealth requires a six-figure salary? Think again. Host Laura Adams breaks down five small, high-impact habits that lead to serious long-term wealth, regardless of your current income. You’ll learn how to turn quiet daily routines into big financial freedom! Key Takeaways Wealth is built on consistency. Setting up automatic transfers to high-yield savings and retirement ac...

1048. Receiving an inheritance can be a life-changing financial event, but passing a portion of those funds along to family members comes with a unique set of tax rules. Host Laura Adams breaks down the federal tax consequences of sharing an inheritance. You’ll learn how inherited assets are taxed at receipt, how the federal annual gift tax exclusion works, and smart tax-free strategies to help yo...

1047. Host Laura Adams cuts through the confusion and explains the basics of Medicare for anyone approaching 65 or helping a relative compare options. You’ll learn how parts of Medicare work, which expenses Medicare doesn’t cover, how to fill insurance gaps, avoid lifetime penalties, and the truth about costly Medicare myths. Key Takeaways: Medicare Part A covers hospital and inpatient care (premi...

1046. Did your teenager earn money from a summer or part-time job? Laura answers a listener’s question about two tax-advantaged savings accounts for minors: the Roth IRA and the new Trump Account. You’ll learn how both accounts work and where working teens or their parents should put their hard-earned dollars first. Key Takeaways: Minors can have a custodial Roth IRA when they earn income from W-2...

1045. Are you taking full advantage of tax-free retirement growth? While both workplace Roth plans and Roth IRAs offer tax-free growth, they come with vastly different eligibility limits, withdrawal rules, and investment options. Laura breaks down the key Roth differences so you can decide which option is right for you.  Key Takeaways: You can contribute up to $24,500 to $32,750 in a workplac...

1044. Are rising healthcare costs ruining your budget? Laura answers a listener’s question about how to maximize every tax advantage available for healthcare costs. You’ll learn the rules for deducting them on your tax return or paying them with tax-advantaged savings accounts like HSAs and FSAs. We’ll cover which expenses are tax-free and simple strategies to optimize your healthcare spending. Ke...

1043. Dreaming of your next getaway, but need to do it on a budget? Laura demystifies the world of “travel hacking” for complete beginners. You’ll learn how to leverage everyday spending to earn valuable reward points, maximize their redemption value for free travel, and strategically use credit cards without hurting your credit scores or accumulating debt. This is your secret weapon to travel mor...

On a road trip, tackling a summer cleanup, or just catching up on podcasts? QDT has you covered with Summer Saturday encores from your favorite shows. See the full Summer Saturday lineup on Spotify and enjoy this episode, which first aired in November, 2024. Laura reviews money rules for couples who want to avoid common pitfalls and have a healthy financial life. Money Girl is hosted by Laura Adam...

941. Should you buy a rental property before your first home? Laura answers a listener's question about the pros and cons of 'house hacking' as an investment strategy — including how much you really need to save, what lenders require for investment properties, and whether becoming a landlord first is actually a smart path to building wealth. Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Money Girl Newsl...

1042. Laura Adams interviews Mark Notarainni, an 18-year veteran at Intuit, to explore how integrated platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) are revolutionizing personal finance. Find out how combining tax data, credit histories, and everyday spending can help you take control of your financial life. Key Takeaways: Connecting your tax, credit, and spending data into a single ecosystem gives yo...

On a road trip, tackling a summer cleanup, or just catching up on podcasts? QDT has you covered with Summer Saturday encores from your favorite shows. See the full Summer Saturday lineup on Spotify and enjoy this episode, which first aired in July 2025. Laura provides tips for using money as a tool for getting more joy from life. Transcript: https://money-girl.simplecast.com/episodes/8-ways-to-spe...

1041. If you have extra cash, should you pay off a low-interest mortgage or invest it? Laura answers a listener’s question about balancing financial math with the emotional peace of mind that comes from being mortgage-free. Key Takeaways: Paying off a debt yields a guaranteed return equal to your loan’s interest rate. Make sure you have a healthy emergency fund before making extra debt payments. C...

1040. Laura explains the hidden risks of canceling credit card accounts. You’ll learn how credit utilization works, when closing an account is and isn’t worth it, and how to protect your credit if you do decide to close a credit card.   Key takeaways: Closing a credit card shrinks your available credit, which causes your credit utilization ratio to spike, resulting in an immediate reduct...

On a road trip, tackling a summer cleanup, or just catching up on podcasts? QDT has you covered with Summer Saturday encores from your favorite shows. See the full Summer Saturday lineup on Spotify and enjoy this episode, which first aired in July 2024. Take stock of your finances with Laura’s mid-year checklist for more money success. Money Girl is hosted by Laura Adams. A transcript is available...