If Money Were Easy

In today's episode, Mary Beth Storjohann, CFP® and Neela Neela Hummel, CFP® explore the concept of financial freedom and how to know if you're on track to achieve it. They discuss the different interpretations of financial freedom, retirement planning, the FIRE movement (Financial Independence, Retire Early), the impact of savings and investment on achieving financial freedom, and the importance o...

On this episode of If Money Were Easy, Mary Beth Storjohann and Neela Hummel unpack the emotional fabric of financial planning through the lens of a journey both personal and common - infertility. Together, they explore the emotional and financial complexities of fertility treatments, the importance of setting a budget, the different financing options available, and how to navigate the intersectio...

Today we dive into the nuances of personal finance, challenge financial stereotypes, and explore how they might be influencing your relationship. In this episode, Mary Beth Storjohann and Neela Hummel discuss the common stereotypes around money management within relationships and share their personal experiences about how these assumptions have played out in their lives. They tackle a variety of t...

Today, Neela and Mary Beth delve into their personal journeys and the financial wisdom they've amassed since their early twenties. From Neela's credit card reckoning post-studying abroad to Mary Beth's strategic dance with student loans, they'll discuss the crucial early steps they wish they'd taken, like the timely kick-off of a Roth IRA and strategies for building personal wealth. Along the way,...

In today's episode, Kahne Krause joins Mary Beth and Neela to talk about the power of female communities. They discuss the strength of solidarity in women's lives, and understanding the power of investment strategy, particularly for women. They talk about the gender confidence gap and the unique challenges and opportunities women face in their financial lives. They also explore the transformative...

Join us today as hosts Mary Beth and Neela dive into the powerful role of the female consumer in today's economy. They discuss the significant impact women have on spending and how they are increasingly aligning their financial choices with their values. From supporting female-led content like the Barbie movie and Taylor Swift's tour to making solo travel and home purchases, women are taking charg...

Generosity isn't just about the dollars—it's the intention, impact, and legacy we build. In this episode, we're exploring what's at the heart of charitable giving. Mary Beth and Neela discuss the transformative power of donor-advised funds, and share their personal journeys of turning philanthropy into a family affair. They also untangle how to choose causes that align with values while making sur...

Today we are joined by Shruti Dhalwala, Vice President of Advisory at Acceleration Community of Companies where she co-leads public relations and strategy for the agency's PepsiCo business. In this episode we will dive deep into the tapestry of financial communication and unravel the power dynamics that shape the narratives of business and personal branding. Shruti brings invaluable insight on the...

On this episode of If Money Were Easy, Mary Beth and Neela are joined by their colleague and fellow partner at Abacus, Gabe Brenner, CFP® to discuss teaching children about the true value of money. They explore the hands-on "three jars method," also known as Spending, Saving, and Sharing Jars, navigating allowance, and the importance of allowing kids to make financial mistakes early in life. The t...

Today, Mary Beth and Neela delve into the intricacies of the gender risk tax and the glass cliff phenomenon. They unpack these widespread challenges, delving into their repercussions for women in the corporate world and propose practical approaches to surmounting them. From dissecting the subtleties of risk assessment to unveiling the eye-opening statistics surrounding the glass cliff, Mary Beth a...

Today we're joined by Abacus' co-CIOs, Lindsey Woodward, MBA, CFP® and Matt Rivera, CFA, CFP® , to discuss how the fourth quarter of last year turned out and how the markets and economy ultimately performed in 2023. Despite predictions of recession and high inflation, the market defied the odds, ending on a high thanks to disciplined investing. Mary Beth and Neela will talk with Lindsey and Matt a...

Welcome to a new year and a new season of the If Money Were Easy podcast. On today's episode Mary Beth and Neela dive deep into how to set yourself up for a financially strong year. They discuss the power of realistic goal setting, the smart habits that help you save effortlessly, and how investing in your mental health and relationships can bolster your finances. They share personal insights, ree...

As we wrap up 2023 with this final episode of the year, Neela Hummel and Mary Beth Storjohann discuss what it looks like as a day in the life of a CEO. They discuss their daily routines, challenges they face, and what about their roles as CEOs lights them up. They talk about the balances they try to find throughout their weeks and the importance of establishing and keeping boundaries. Join us toda...

On this episode of If Money Were Easy, we explore the journeys with alcohol, the rise of the sober curious movement, and the financial and personal impacts of alcohol consumption. From the day-to-day cash flow savings to the long-term impact on health care expenses, we examine the holistic effects of alcohol on our lives. With mindfulness and intentionality at the forefront, we explore the financi...

Today we're diving into an important topic, one that's often overlooked: the strength of your financial boundaries. We'll discuss the benefits of separate health insurance and retirement plans for dual-income couples, the significance of aligning your spending with your personal values, and the influence of societal pressure on our financial decisions. We'll also delve into big costs, like housing...

In today's episode, Mary Beth and Neela build out the topic of renovating your home in an eco-conscious way. Neela shares her expertise and passion for creating a sustainable living space as she's currently experiencing a renovation. She explains why eco-conscious home renovation is important – not just for the environment, but also for the health and well-being of your family. She highlights the...

Welcome back to another episode of the If Money Were Easy podcast. Today, Mary Beth and Neela dive into some financial items to check in on before the end of the year. They explore what to focus on when creating a 2024 budget and what to account for when eyeing future spending. They also discuss how to approach your charitable giving, understanding your "why", and help define which causes are trul...

In this episode, we delve into the world of financial planning as a solo business owner. Our guest, Ariel Ward , is experienced in helping small business owners navigate the complex world of finance to make smart decisions that ensure both personal and business success. With a focus on providing permission, managing risks, and strategic planning, Ariel explores timely topics like business budgetin...

Neuroscientists, psychologists, and experts have examined it, while other professionals have speculated and pursued the truth. Today, we delve into the age-old question: Can wealth genuinely make you happy? In this episode, we examine the correlation between money and happiness, explore happiness beyond financial means, and look at the factors that contribute to a truly happy life such as human co...

Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Joy Lere joins us to explore the profound impact that difficult times have on individuals and how they can navigate their ongoing challenges. She sheds light on the various cognitive changes and sacrifices made by people during the pandemic – particularly mothers – and how its lasting effects continue to shape lives. Dr. Lere also explores developing more emotion...

Today we dive into the meaningful topic of estate planning for families with young children with special guest, Bahar Geslin. Bahar is an estate planning attorney with a unique background in psychology, joins Neela and Mary Beth to shed light on the often overlooked aspects of financial planning for your children's future. From tax planning to guardianship decisions, Bahar shares valuable insights...

Whether you're approaching 60 or you're years away, it's never too early to be curious what retirement might look like. Today, we're joined by financial advisor Barrett Porter to help us explore the concept of retiring early and create a life where work is no longer a necessity. We dive into what options you have for retirement independence, the emotional readiness of actually retiring, and the id...

Looking for inspiration to navigate a career transition? On this episode of If Money Were Easy, we're joined by special guest, Susan Olson , CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst at Abacus Wealth Partners. Susan shares her inspiring journey of making a career pivot and finding success in an unexpected field. From taking a significant pay cut to feeling overwhelmed in...

On this episode of If Money Were Easy, we'll be diving deep into the fascinating yet challenging topic of self-leadership and "giving yourself permission." Our guest today is Amanda Flisher, who shares a captivating analogy that perfectly captures the process of pursuing our goals – from sitting on the dock, yearning for the future, and taking that brave step into the unknown. We discuss the impor...

Today we dive into the unique financial planning needs of the LGBTQ+ community. To navigate this often overlooked area of finance we talk with special guest Christopher Stroup , a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ with expertise in LGBTQ+ financial planning . Together, we explore the financial implications of marriage, adoption, surrogacy, and estate planning for LGBTQ+ individuals. We'll shed light on...