Savvy Women Talk Money

A great company doesn't automatically make a great investment. Join Catherine and Rachel as they reveal how smart investors evaluate valuation, expectations, and long-term fit to determine whether an IPO is truly worth it. With new IPOs regularly capturing investors' attention, it can be difficult to separate opportunity from excitement. Learn why successful investors focus on a disciplined invest...

High-profile IPOs (Initial Public Offerings) often generate excitement, headlines, and fear of missing out—but does buying on day one really make sense? In this episode of Savvy Women, Catherine and Rachel explore when an IPO actually becomes a good investment and why patience can sometimes be one of an investor's greatest advantages. Learn how IPO investing differs from long-term investing, why m...

Most families don't realize the true cost of passing down a home until years after the decision has been made. In this episode of Savvy Women, Catherine and Rachel explore the hidden cost of passing down a family home and why some of the most well-intentioned decisions can create unexpected financial consequences for future generations. Many families focus on what feels right emotionally—but overl...

Retirement is supposed to be the season of life when you finally have the time and freedom to enjoy the experiences you've been putting off for years. But how do you make travel a meaningful part of retirement without jeopardizing your financial future? In this episode, Catherine Magaña and Rachel Ivanovich explore why so many retirees struggle to balance their desire for adventure with concerns a...

Retirement can last 20, 30, or even 40 years—but how do you know if your money can keep up? The reality is that many retirees aren't worried because they're spending too much. They're worried because they don't know if they're spending too much. One extra vacation, helping a child through a difficult season, or tackling a major home project can suddenly raise a much bigger question: Am I still on...

Think Non-Qualified Stock Options are just a tax issue? Think again. In this episode of Savvy Women , Catherine and Rachel explore the often-overlooked planning opportunities hidden inside NSOs. While many professionals focus on the immediate tax consequences of exercising stock options, the bigger question is how those decisions fit into a long-term financial strategy. You'll learn how NSOs can i...

Markets fluctuate. Inflation rises. Headlines create fear. But what if the biggest investment risk isn't the market itself… it's misunderstanding risk altogether? In this episode of Savvy Women, Catherine and Rachel break down the different types of financial risk affluent women face — from market volatility and inflation to concentration risk, emotional investing, and retirement timing decisions....

What happens when a promotion changes not just your paycheck—but your entire tax strategy? In this episode of Savvy Women Talk Money, Catherine and Rachel break down the hidden complexity behind incentive stock options (ISOs) and non-qualified stock options (NSOs)—and why many professionals accidentally create massive tax problems without realizing it. From Alternative Minimum Tax surprises to ris...

Your portfolio may look diversified on the surface—but is it really? In this Savvy Series episode, Catherine and Rachel unpack one of the most misunderstood concepts in investing: diversification. Because owning "a little bit of everything" doesn't always mean your portfolio is actually protected. From concentrated tech positions and employee stock options to overlapping investments and hidden ris...

Non-qualified stock options can be powerful, but only if you understand what actually happens to your taxes when you exercise. In this Savvy Series episode, Catherine and Rachel break down the hidden tax trap behind non-qualified stock options—and why timing matters more than most investors realize. It's common to wait for a higher stock price before acting, but timing plays a larger role than mos...

Mutual funds are one of the most widely used investments—yet many investors hold them without fully understanding how they work, what they cost, or how they fit into a bigger strategy. In this Savvy Series episode, Catherine and Rachel go back to basics to break down the structure, purpose, and common misconceptions around mutual funds—so you can make more informed, confident decisions. From how f...

How do bonds actually generate income—and are they as "safe" as you think? In this episode of Savvy Women , Catherine and Rachel go back to basics to break down one of the most commonly owned—but least understood—investments: bonds. They explain how bonds really work, why they're often considered the "stable" part of a portfolio, and how they generate income through interest payments. But here's t...

What if the thing most investors own… is the thing they understand the least? In this Savvy Women Talk Money episode, Catherine and Rachel break down one of the most fundamental building blocks of investing: stocks—and why understanding them can completely change how you react to the market. Inside this episode: What a stock really represents (hint: it's ownership, not a ticker symbol) Why thinkin...

Stock options can feel like a reward… until tax season tells a different story. In this episode of the Savvy Series, Catherine and Rachel break down what stock options and RSUs really mean for your financial life—and why so many high earners get caught off guard. From hidden tax traps to costly planning mistakes, this conversation uncovers what most people don't realize until it's too late. Inside...

Tax season isn't just about filing — it's a window into your entire financial life. In this episode, Catherine and Rachel break down what your tax return is really telling you… and what most people completely miss. With the deadline fast approaching, they unpack why reviewing your return can reveal hidden planning gaps, costly surprises, and opportunities to get ahead this year — not just react to...

That old 401(k) you've been meaning to deal with? It might be one of the most overlooked—and expensive —decisions you'll make. In this episode, Catherine and Rachel uncover what really happens when you leave a job and why a simple rollover isn't always so simple. Behind the scenes, there are tax traps, missed opportunities, and strategic windows that most people never see coming. They break down y...

A job change can feel exciting, stressful, or sometimes unexpected—but financially, it's one of the biggest transition points people experience. In this Savvy Series conversation, Catherine and Rachel break down why the first 90 days after a job change matter far more than most people realize. A new role doesn't just mean a new paycheck. It can trigger shifts in taxes, benefits, risk exposure, and...

Money decisions are never purely logical—especially after loss. In this thoughtful episode, Catherine Magaña and Rachel Ivanovich explore the emotional side of financial decision-making after losing a spouse , and why even simple choices can suddenly feel overwhelming. They unpack something many widows experience but rarely hear explained: grief literally changes how the brain processes informatio...

Losing a spouse is emotional. Making financial decisions during that time? Even harder. In this important episode, Catherine and Rachel walk through what really happens to your income after loss — and the surprises many women don't see coming. From Social Security survivor benefits (and why you don't get to keep both checks) to pension elections that can dramatically impact long-term income, timin...

When it comes to IRAs, one wrong move can cost you tens—or even hundreds—of thousands of dollars. In this Savvy Series episode, Catherine and Rachel break down the confusing world of spousal vs. non-spousal inherited IRAs, the 10-year rule, RMDs, Roth considerations, and why rushing into a rollover could trigger unintended taxes and penalties If you're a widow, under age 59½, inheriting from a par...

In this tender and deeply important episode, Catherine and Rachel walk through what really matters in the first 90 days after losing someone you love. When everything feels urgent, they gently remind listeners that very little actually is. They break down what needs attention right away—death certificates, cash flow, Social Security, pensions, life insurance—and what can (and should) wait. From av...

What does real independence actually look like—and how do you protect it as life evolves? In this episode, Catherine Magaña and Rachel Ivanovich dive into the often-overlooked financial decisions that quietly shape your freedom, confidence, and control. From being "house-rich and cash-poor" to the risks of outdated estate documents, this conversation shines a light on the difference between wealth...

The start of a new year isn't about chasing the hottest investment or obsessing over last year's returns—and in this episode, that truth gets a spotlight. The conversation explores how wealthy women approach money with intention, strategy, and clarity, asking smarter questions like "Is my plan still aligned with the life I want?" rather than "Did I beat the market?" You'll hear why diversification...

Money conversations don't have to be awkward—but avoiding them can be expensive. In this Savvy Series episode of Savvy Women Talk Money, Catherine Magaña and Rachel Ivanovich dive into the financial conversations women tend to avoid—and why January is the perfect time to finally have them. From talking money with a spouse or partner, to navigating aging parents, adult children, and your own long-t...

The start of a new year can feel loud —big resolutions, bold promises, endless to-do lists. In this Savvy Women episode, Catherine and Rachel turn down the noise and focus on what actually lasts: intentional goals, a meaningful word of the year , and the mindset behind every financial decision. You'll hear how revisiting core values can reshape goals that truly fit this season of life from family...