rich & REGULAR with Kiersten and Julien Saunders

This is the 100th episode of “Rich & Regular,” which explores life at the intersection of money! Today we investigate the question, “Are ‘collectibles’ investments?” From limited edition Legos, comic books, stamps, alcohol, sneakers, art, jewelry, and sports memorabilia, Kiersten and Julien explore if sinking money into collections of material items is worthwhile. Many collectibles do have app...

What’s the difference between mutual funds and EFTs (Exchange Traded Funds)? This week on the rich & REGULAR podcast, Kiersten and Julien ask registered investment advisor Rich Compson (Fidelity) this question and more.  Rich explains how direct indexing works, where you own a portion of all the stocks in an index, like the S&P 500. This enables you to have more personal preferences when i...

Has tipping culture gotten out of control? The typical American spends about $700 a year tipping in restaurants. And that’s just at restaurants. Tipping is often expected in hair salons and spas and for hotel housekeeping and valet service. But the rise of mobile payment technology and fast-casual restaurants have changed who we tip and how much. And there has been a push to move away from tipping...

Coupons no longer just come as junk in the mail, but have taken new forms online with promo codes, cashback offers, and more. Credit cards can be used to find discounts, especially with apps, like the AMEX app which provides savings at local restaurants, hotels, and more. Loyalty programs and email lists are also good sources of coupon offers. Today, Kiersten and Julien discuss tips and hacks for...

As inflation continues to rise, cell phone bills remain a top concern for many people trying to keep their finances in check. But with the constantly changing world of mobile devices, there are now more opportunities than ever to reduce this monthly expense. Join rich & Regular hosts Kiersten and Julien Saunders, in this must-listen episode as they explore the world of cell phone bills and off...

Have you ever tried to do a no spend challenge? It may seem intimidating but can be done in a way that’s tailored to your spending habits. Today, Kiersten and Julien provide all the options available for your challenge. You can focus on just one weekend a month if your spending gets out of control on weekends. Or go for a whole month of financial detox.  Create a motivational goal by deciding wher...

We’re in a repossession frenzy; they’re on the rise while many people are hurting financially. This week, Kiersten and Julien Saunders explain how repossessions work and how the industry is currently operating, with fewer repo companies in business and higher demand.  Kiersten and Julien discuss how to know when your car is stolen, towed, or has been repossessed. They talk about solutions if you f...

Are credit card balance transfers a good thing? While many are struggling with consumer debt at the moment and interest rates are rising, balance transfers can be a good financial choice for some.  Today, Kiersten and Julien talk about what credit balance transfers are, who they’re good for, and what you should be aware of. They discuss fees associated and partial transfers, as well as how promoti...

Medical tourism continues to grow and is here to stay. Americans are now going to many other countries for treatments, surgeries, prescriptions and more. Kiersten and Julien first heard about medical tourism from a friend who had four prescriptions filled for around $2.50 in Mexico. Other friends traveled to Mexico to have dental work done. A knee replacement in the USA can cost around $40,000, wh...

Most Americans make New Year’s resolutions and 40% are financial goals. Today, Kiersten and Julien discuss three categories of financial activities to meet your goals: organization, protection, and conversations.  They share tips for creating a system to get organized, including: automating savings, updating budgeting apps, and evaluating debt payment. In the new year, look at ensuring your data a...

Happy holidays! Julien is riding a wave from a recent visit to Aldi grocery store and he and Kiersten are here to share their thoughts on low-cost shopping options. They’ve noticed massive food and grocery inflation over the last couple of months. There’s also a heightened focus on food waste and food insecurity.  Today, they compare the prices between Whole Foods and Aldi, finding many prices to...

Healthcare is a big, complicated subject when it comes to finances. It’s especially nonsensical in the USA, where it’s designed to be intentionally confusing and expensive.  But healthcare is a fundamental part of life. Even if you maintain a healthy lifestyle, we're facing a trifecta of new covid variants, the flu, and RSV this winter. Kiersten and Julien Saunders (@richandregular) don’t wan...

“Although the number of people quitting their jobs is down from the peak in 2021, it still remains at the highest levels since the 1970s,” says Kiersten Saunders. “The collective American psychology towards work has changed. It's like we collectively experienced this psychological shock.” Julien and Kiersten dissect the Great Resignation one year later – who quit, why they decided to, and wha...

Americans spend $219 per month on subscription services on average. What’s worse – people guess that number is closer to $86 when asked. We used to only have subs for things like newspapers, magazines, gyms, and cable. Now we have streaming services, software, online courses, sports tv, vitamins, razors and more, all of which can erode your budget!  Today, Kiersten and Julien Saunders (@richandreg...

Talk about paying off debt may not be romantic. Money is the leading cause of divorce and separation in the USA. But money and marriage are one of Kiersten and Julien’s favorite topics, it’s woven into their everyday dialogue. Today they’re leading you through their core financial values to guide your thinking, as well as the three obstacles that get in the way of couples achieving their goals. Re...

More than 50 million people across the world consider themselves content creators. Kiersten and Julien (@richandregular) left the real estate industry to invest more in being creators through podcasting, blogging, making videos, and more. This week they share what the creator economy is and how people are monetizing their online content off platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Patreon. T...

It’s not uncommon for money or economy talk to come up at the Thanksgiving dinner table, which can result in heated disagreements with loved ones. Money is complicated and people can be irrational about it. Family can become defensive when talking about financial plans or make you second guess your own understanding and decision making. Meeting like-minded people is one of the best investments you...

Scammers love to target the vulnerable, especially in times of crisis. Do you know how to protect yourself? Julien and Kiersten (@richandregular) have fallen for scams, just like everyone else. Today, they talk about staying vigilant to prevent yourself and loved ones from getting scammed, what to say to a potential fraudster, and what to do if your personal information has been compromised. Order...

LinkedIn Premium gives you superpowers, putting you in the HoV lane to better jobs and more money. Julien and Kiersten (@richandregular) feel LinkedIn is one of the most overlooked social media platforms, with only 20% of users 35 and older. They talk about how to use it to connect, get exposure, find out what skills are in demand, and learn more about other candidates, as well as the benefits and...

“We, as Americans, believe that our cars are a part of our identity.” But gas and insurance prices keep skyrocketing and we continue to buy more and bigger cars, with record high loans and monthly payments.  Kiersten and Julien Saunders (@richandregular) have different and complicated histories with cars. Today, they’re providing financial solutions for the car obsessed, including selling and down...

Consumerism reaches an all-time high during the holidays. This week, Julien and Kiersten Saunders (@richandregular) highlight the cultural expectations and seasonal changes that coax us into spending more than we should, as well as their tips for when to snag the best deals. Order our book Cashing Out here: richandregular.com/cashingout See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.   Connec...

Going green is more than a personal endeavor—in many ways, lowering our carbon footprint can aid in our collective contribution to solving issues like the ones we've recently seen with Hurricane Ian and the war in Ukraine. Julien and Kiersten Saunders (@richandregular) share several ways to curb our use of natural resources and save money while doing it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

Some perks—like solid health insurance coverage or a corner office—make a job enticing, but don't let them determine your loyalty to a company. In the wake of the quiet quitting trend, Julien and Kiersten Saunders (@richandregular) discuss why we romanticize our jobs and, conversely, why we should be willing to view them with an honest lens. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

It's hard enough to cope with the loss of a friend or family member, much less the sticker shock that comes with laying them to rest. This week, Julien and Kiersten Saunders (@richandregular) give a line-by-line review of commons funeral costs and several tips to help curb some of the expenses. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.   Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our webs...

The "ramen diet" in college is often joked about, but it's an example of food insecurity. This week, Julien and Kiersten Saunders (@richandregular) define food insecurity and explain how those who are financially strapped can find meals or make smart decisions when it comes to grocery spending. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.   Connect with Julien and Kiersten o...