HerMoney with Jean Chatzky

In this special AMA Mailbag episode, Jean dives into your most pressing retirement questions with listeners Pam and Laurie.  First up, Pam, who inherited an IRA from her late mother, wonders whether to cash it out or invest it for the long haul. Then we hear from Laurie, a military spouse navigating what to do with her husband's TSP now that he’s out of the service. Should they roll it over? Keep...

This week, we're digging into one of the most pressing financial crises of our time: student loans. After a five-year pause, the Trump administration has officially restarted collections on defaulted federal student loans, and millions of borrowers could soon face wage garnishment, reduced Social Security benefits, and even hits to their credit scores. Joining us is Jillian Berman, author of the g...

Motherhood is personal and more than a little bit complicated. And today, we’re diving deep into the emotional and financial complexities of modern motherhood with journalist and author of The Mother Code: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Myths That Shape Us, Ruthie Ackerman. Ruthie’s journey includes freezing her eggs in her 30s, navigating a divorce, and ultimately becoming a mother at 43 through...

On today’s episode, Jean is sitting down with the brilliant Rachel Rodgers — bestselling author, CEO of Hello Seven, and mom of four — to talk about how we can help the next generation not just survive, but truly thrive. Rachel shares her fresh, practical roadmap for helping young people build wealth early: from learning to dream big (million-dollar big!) to teaching them the language of money, in...

In this AMA Mailbag episode, Jean sits down with two thoughtful guests navigating major financial crossroads. First up is Dawn from Joshua Tree, who is in the process of closing her beloved but unprofitable gift shop. Then we hear from Karyn in Washington, who owns a rental home in Denver and is torn between keeping it as an investment or selling it while market conditions are strong. 💡 Topics Co...

This week, we’re diving into a topic that’s on everyone’s mind right now—layoffs. Whether you’ve seen the headlines, heard the whispers in your own company, or been directly affected, the truth is: layoffs are on the rise again, and you need to know how to prepare for them. Our guest today, Peter Rahbar, is an employment attorney and workplace issues expert. He explains your post-layoff legal righ...

In this special Mailbag episode, we welcome back personal finance expert Dana Miranda, author of You Don’t Need a Budget, to tackle your most pressing money questions. From navigating early retirement goals to rebuilding credit post-divorce to whether or not you can justify your boutique Pilates membership, we’re getting real about money, self-care, and financial freedom. Mailbag Questions: 01:00...

Do you really need a budget to manage your money? Or is it time to delete the apps, toss the spreadsheets, and rethink everything? Today, we’re sitting down with Dana Miranda, author of the bold new book You Don’t Need a Budget: Stop Worrying About Debt, Spend Without Shame, and Manage Money With Ease. Together, she and Jean dig into why traditional “budget culture” can be just as toxic as diet cu...

We’ve all been there: endlessly scrolling through financial headlines, absorbing TikTok hot takes, or reading investing books with dreams of becoming the next Warren Buffett. But what if all that advice is doing more harm than good? On the most recent episode of Your Money Map, our weekly show with the Alliance for Lifetime Income, we sit down with Barry Ritholtz, host of Bloomberg’s Masters in Bu...

Climate news in the last few years has felt incredibly depressing.  Melting ice caps. Declining bee populations. Corporate greenwashing. It’s easy to feel like there’s nothing we can do that actually makes a difference. But what if you could take one simple action that not only helped the planet but also your wallet and your mental health? This week, we sit down with Ashlee Piper, award-winning su...

This week, we’re bringing back expert investor Jenny Van Leeuwen Harrington for a special mailbag episode. She’s answering all of your excellent saving and investing questions—from how to start investing outside of a retirement account to making the most of a short college savings window to figuring out which account to draw from in retirement.  Whether you're just getting started investing or rea...

Markets have been rocky—and if you’re feeling a little uneasy about where your money is sitting right now, you’re not alone. That’s exactly why we’re turning our attention to a strategy that’s all about dependable income and peace of mind: dividend investing. This week, we’re sitting down with Jenny Van Leeuwen Harrington, CEO of Gilman Hill Asset Management and author of Dividend Investing: Depen...

We’re not going to sugarcoat it, it’s been a brutal few days on Wall Street. Markets are reeling. Investors are spooked. And if you’ve peeked at your 401(k) with one eye open while sipping a very large glass of wine...you’re not alone. That’s why we asked Karen Finerman, co-founder of our InvestingFixx club, to join us to break down what this market chaos really means, how long it might last, and...

Are financial advisors worth the cost? How do you know when it's time to switch from DIY investing? What exactly should an advisor be doing for you?  In this special Mailbag episode, Pam Krueger, CEO of WealthRamp, answers all your biggest questions about working with a financial advisor. Plus, we tackle the #1 retirement fear—running out of money—and explain how to stress-test your finances to st...

Finding a trustworthy financial advisor can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.  Today, we’re joined by Pam Krueger, an investor advocate and the founder of Wealthramp, a referral service that connects consumers with vetted, fee-only fiduciary advisors, to break down how to find the right advisor for your financial goals. We dive into the biggest red flags to watch for, the difference be...

In today’s Mailbag, we're diving into your burning AI questions with Celia Quillian, author of AI for Life: 100+ Ways to Use Artificial Intelligence to Make Your Life Easier, More Productive…and More Fun! Whether you're navigating a career shift, streamlining home maintenance tasks, or planning a road trip, Celia shares how you can use AI to make your life easier.  Mailbag Questions: [02:00] “Can...

Artificial intelligence is here to stay, and instead of fearing it, we should learn how to make it work for us. Celia Quillian is an AI expert and author of the new book, AI for Life: 100+ Ways to Use Artificial Intelligence to Make Your Life Easier, More Productive…and More Fun!  She’s joining us to break down how generative AI can help us boost productivity, negotiate raises, manage our finances...

We're back with Ramit Sethi, bestselling author of Money for Couples, for a special Mailbag episode! You asked, and we’re diving into your biggest questions on love, money, and financial decision-making as a team.  From when to return to work to navigating financial resentment in a marriage, Ramit shares his expert insights (with a dose of tough love) on how to approach these tricky conversations....

Money and relationships — it’s complicated. But what if those tough conversations with your partner could actually bring you closer?  In this episode, Jean Chatzky sits down with personal finance expert and bestselling author Ramit Sethi to talk about how couples can stop fighting about money and start building their rich life together. Resources & Links Mentioned: 📚 Buy Ramit's Book: Money For C...

Scrambled, poached, or over-easy — Americans love their eggs. But lately, buying a carton at the grocery store has been an exercise in sticker shock. Why have egg prices skyrocketed? What role does bird flu play? And is relief on the way? In this episode, Jean sits down with Jadrian Wooten, Associate Professor of Economics at Virginia Tech, and Phil Lempert, the Supermarket Guru, to crack open the...

The markets are swinging. Inflation is making headlines. And President Trump just imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum. So… are we heading for a recession? And if we are, what does that mean for your wallet? On this special episode, we sit down with economist Kathryn Edwards to break down what’s really happening in the economy. Kathryn explains what a recession is, why economic indicators have so...

Do you ever wish you could be more confident, less anxious, or just a little more you, only better? Today we’re joined by Olga Khazan, staff writer at The Atlantic and author of Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change. Olga shares what she learned during a year-long experiment in tweaking her habits, mindset, and daily routines — and what actually works when it comes to perso...

Are you climbing the wrong ladder? Feeling stuck in a job that looks great on paper but drains your soul? In this Mailbag episode, Jean Chatzky and executive coach Keren Eldad tackle your biggest career and ambition dilemmas—whether you're burnt out in your 30s, reentering the workforce in your 40s, or wondering what’s next at 55. Mailbag Questions: [01:00] “I Did Everything Right… So Why Am I Mis...

Are you constantly chasing the next big achievement, but still feeling unfulfilled? You’re not alone. This week, we’re diving into the concept of empty ambition—that relentless pursuit of success that often leaves high achievers burnt out, anxious, and wondering, “Is this all there is?” Our guest, Keren Eldad, executive coach, TEDx speaker, and the author of Gilded: Breaking Free from the Cage of...

What does it truly mean to live a wealthy life? If you think it’s all about money, think again. On the most recent episode of Your Money Map, our weekly show with the Alliance for Lifetime Income, we sit down with Sahil Bloom, entrepreneur, writer, and author of The Five Types of Wealth, to explore a new, holistic approach to wealth-building. Sahil shares his personal journey of redefining success...