Millennial Money Matters

Thinking about buying a condo? Derek Mazzarella, CFP® and Kelly Turner break down everything you need to know before you sign on the dotted line. From HOA fees and special assessments to how the 2021 Surfside condo collapse completely changed condo mortgage lending, this episode covers the real pros and cons of condo ownership. Derek and Kelly dig into why condos are often 10-20% cheaper per squar...

We all made money mistakes in our 20s. The question is whether we learned from them. In this episode, Derek and Kelly are joined by guest Maggie Garden to talk about what they wish they knew at 25. From skipping the 401(k) to buying the wrong car to completely ignoring their credit scores, they get real about the financial decisions they'd do differently — and what you can do right now so you don'...

The conversation delves into the challenges and considerations of college planning, including the looming cost of college, the evolution of college, the impact of college reputation, the rise of trade schools, and the importance of flexibility in college planning. It also explores the various college savings and investment accounts available, the role of FAFSA in college planning, and the importan...

The internet is full of financial "facts" that sound smart but don't hold up. This week, Derek and Kelly put 10 of the most popular financial hot takes to the test. Topics covered: Do you actually need 20% down to buy a house? Are credit cards really that bad? Is all debt the enemy? Is the stock market basically gambling? Should you pay off your mortgage as fast as possible? Should you always refi...

Most people calculate their mortgage payment and think that's the number. It's not even close. Derek and Kelly break down every cost of homeownership that nobody warned you about — from the obvious stuff like utilities and lawn care, to the things that will blindside you at 10pm on a Sunday night. Kelly shares her two basement flooding stories (yes, two), Derek explains the 1% maintenance rule (an...

Is the S&P 500 all it's cracked up to be? Derek and Kelly break down everything you actually need to know about the most popular investment on the planet — what it is, why everyone recommends it, and why "just buy the S&P 500" isn't the complete answer. They cover how the index actually works (spoiler: it's not an equal split of 500 companies), why passive investing changed the game, the "...

The Connecticut housing market is chaotic right now and that's not necessarily a bad thing, depending on which side of the fence you're on. Jonathan Archer, our most listened-to guest and a Connecticut real estate agent, is back for round two. We cover the current state of the market, what's driving mortgage rate volatility, and what buyers and sellers actually need to know heading into the spring...

Millennials love to travel — and apparently, we really love to cruise. Derek and Kelly sit down with cruise expert and travel consultant Pam Sanzo (Pamrock Inspired / Cruise Brothers) for a deep dive into everything you need to know before booking your next vacation. From how to actually save money on a cruise to whether the drink package is worth it, this one is packed with real, practical advice...

We went to Reddit so you don't have to. Derek and Kelly (plus producer Justin, making a rare on-mic appearance) pulled the most common financial questions people are actually asking on Reddit and answered them straight. No jargon. No vague advice. Just real answers. In this episode: What's the right amount to spend on a car? (Kelly just bought a Rivian, so we're starting here) Student loans vs. 40...

Millennial Money Matters just got a visit from someone who might be running the most relatable business for parents right now. Kim Conti is the founder of Orbit Crates, a toy rental subscription that delivers curated toys to families with kids ages 0-6. Think of it like Netflix for toys. 500 titles to choose from, doorstep delivery, swap whenever the kids are done. No clutter. No waste. No more st...

Big news just dropped from the Federal Reserve—and it has real implications for your money. In this timely episode of Millennial Money Matters , Kelly Turner and Derek Mazzarella break down the announcement of a new Federal Reserve Chair, Kevin Warsh , and explain what this leadership change could mean for interest rates, mortgages, savings accounts, and the broader economy . Rather than reacting...

It’s a new year—and with it comes new financial trends, cultural shifts, and economic uncertainty. In this episode of Millennial Money Matters , Kelly Turner and Derek Mazzarella kick off the year by breaking down what 2026 could look like for millennials , from housing and investing to spending habits and lifestyle changes . This episode blends economic analysis with millennial culture , explorin...

Selling a home isn’t as simple as “throwing it on the market and seeing what happens.” In this episode of Millennial Money Matters , Kelly Turner and Derek Mazzarella are joined by Adam Clemens , broker-owner of Century 21 Clemens Group with nearly 25 years of experience, to break down what actually matters when selling your home in today’s market . We dive into the biggest misconceptions sellers...

Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy — it’s for anyone who wants to protect their family, business, and assets. In this episode of Millennial Money Matters , Derek Mazzarella sits down with Aaron Frankel of Franklin & Frankel to simplify what most people get wrong about estate planning and explain how to make smart legal decisions before it’s too late. We cover: The essential estate plan...

Is real estate actually a smart investment… or is it overrated? In this episode of Millennial Money Matters, Kelly Turner and Derek Mazzarella dive deep into the age-old debate: Real estate vs. stocks. Whether you’re a millennial thinking about your first home, or a seasoned investor looking to grow your wealth, this breakdown will change how you think about buying, renting, and investing in 2025....

Homeownership sounds exciting—until you need a new roof, deck, or windows. In this episode of Millennial Money Matters , Kelly Turner and Derek Mazzarella sit down with Corey Turner of Turner Home Improvement , a third-generation contractor and Kelly’s husband, to break down the real costs of home improvement, the truth about contractor quotes, and how to spot red flags before hiring anyone. We co...

Artificial Intelligence is everywhere — from ChatGPT to Siri to your inbox — but are we in danger of another tech bubble? In this episode of Millennial Money Matters , Kelly Turner and Derek Mazzarella break down the hype, history, and hard truths behind the AI investing craze. They compare today’s AI boom to the dot-com crash of the 2000s , explore how companies like OpenAI, NVIDIA, and Microsoft...

It’s the question every future homeowner asks: When is the right time to buy a house? In this episode, we unpack what “ready” really means—financially, emotionally, and practically. From savings and credit scores to lifestyle and long-term goals, we’ll help you figure out the signs that it’s time to make the leap into homeownership. And yes—we even talk about the real reasons people start house hu...

The Federal Reserve makes headlines every time it changes rates—but what does that actually mean for your mortgage, credit cards, car loans, or savings account? In this episode of Millennial Money Matters, Kelly Turner and Derek Mazzarella break down the Fed, Jerome Powell, and how interest rate decisions ripple through the economy in ways that impact millennials every day. We cover: Who the Feder...

You’ve seen the commercials. You’ve seen the billboards. But when it comes down to it—how do you know if you actually need a personal injury lawyer? In this episode, we sit down with Hailey Rice, personal injury lawyer extraordinaire, to answer the questions everyone has but rarely asks. Why choose a personal injury attorney over your regular practitioner? What’s the very first thing you should do...

We’re back—and bigger than ever! Season 3 launches with a fresh perspective, a brand-new studio, and a renewed commitment to bringing you the conversations that matter most. In this premiere episode, we dive into the “Big Beautiful Bill.” What is it? Why should you care? And most importantly—what does it mean for you, your wallet, and your future? We break it down in real talk, cutting through the...

It’s the season finale, and we’re flipping the script. For our last episode of Season 2, we’re handing the mic to our producer, Justin, who’s putting us in the hot seat. He’s asking your questions—yep, the real ones you slid into our DMs with. From “Should I pay off my student loans faster or invest?” to “What’s the deal with first-time homebuyer programs?”—we’re answering the stuff you actually c...

You’ve seen the TikToks: “Be your own bank,” they say — using life insurance to build wealth, borrow from yourself, and never deal with lenders again. Sounds like a cheat code, right? In this episode, we’re breaking down what that actually means. We’re diving into the concept of using whole life insurance as your own personal bank, where the hype comes from, who it actually works for, and why it f...

We’re in our “side hustle season,” and this week we’re diving into Airbnb culture with Jessica Starr, a top realtor with LPT Realty and a seasoned Airbnb host who manages multiple properties across multiple states. In this episode, we unpack what it really takes to run a successful short-term rental: startup costs, management tips, red flags to avoid, and how to know if it’s the right fit for you....

Your credit score can open doors—or slam them shut. In this episode of Millennial Money Matters , we’re joined by Stephen Robert, owner of BedRock Credit America, a nonprofit credit repair agency, to break down everything you need to know about credit. From fixing past mistakes to building strong financial habits, Stephen shares expert advice on boosting your score, navigating the credit system, a...