Women's Money Wisdom

Medicare can seem like a mystery. Whether you are nearing the age to sign up or your parents have questions you’re trying to help them answer, this episode is dedicated to demystifying all the options. Melissa Joy and Joanne Giardini-Russell, Owner of Giardini Medicare, talk about what your healthcare can look like in retirement. Understanding Medicare and making informed decisions about enrollmen...

In this conversation, Melissa Joy and Sarah Silvennoinen of My Motivation Counseling, discuss the importance of effective communication, especially when it comes to talking about money. They highlight the need to understand different perspectives and backgrounds in order to avoid miscommunication. They emphasize the importance of identifying and communicating personal wants and needs, even if they...

The way you or your partner spends money can have real impact on your relationship. In this episode, Melissa Joy interviews Scott Rick, author of the book 'Tightwads and Spendthrifts: Navigating the Money Minefield in Real Relationships.' They discuss the different approaches people have towards spending money and how it can impact relationships. Scott defines tightwads as individuals wh...

Have you ever wondered how financial stress impacts mental health and what can be done to address it? In this episode, Melissa Joy and Lindsay Bryan-Podvin discuss the Financial Empowerment Initiative at the University of Michigan, focusing on the intersection of money and mental health. Lindsay shares insights from her work and the impact of the workshops on participants. They also explore the ch...

The rates are high in the mortgage world. There’s no denying it! In this chat, Melissa Joy dives into the ever-changing landscape of mortgages with guest Erica Powers, CMPS®, CDLP®, NMLS#739673. First Merchants Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and a Member FDIC. We’ll spill the beans on today’s mortgage scene, chat about savvy refinancing moves, and talk about some little-known home buying hacks. P...

This episode, originally aired on "is that cashmere?" hosted by Becca Hoeft and Anna Kincannon, explores the connection between fashion choices and financial decisions, especially during the pandemic.  Melissa Joy, CFP® joined Becca and Anna to discuss saving money, planning for the future, and teaching children about finance. This lively conversation covers how money impacts relationshi...

Looking to build your dream home? In this episode, Melissa Kennedy, President of Meadowlark Design+Build, and Design Director, Jen Hinesman discuss the process of building a custom home designed specifically for you. Using their 20 years of experience, Melissa and Jen explain all the important steps like planning, budgeting, choosing a location, and making sustainable choices. Listen and Learn: Th...

Planning a vacation can be overwhelming. But working with a travel expert can make it much easier to create amazing trips tailored for you. Vinal Desai Burbeck, Travel Consultant and Founder of Wanderlark, dives into the changing world of travel planning and how travel advisors create personalized experiences to fit your interests and budget. This episode also explores money strategies for afforda...

Struggling to balance work and childcare responsibilities? Heather Boneparth, Director of Business and Legal Affairs at Bone Fide Wealth, sheds light on the challenges parents face in today’s world. Learn helpful tips on dealing with changes in taking care of children, finding new ways to contribute besides earning money, and juggling family duties well. Listen and Learn: Tips for juggling work an...

Stressed about student loans? We’ve got you covered. In this episode, David Gourley, CSLP®  explains loan forgiveness programs and special payment plans based on your income in simple terms. Whether the loans are yours or your child's, you'll learn who qualifies, important deadlines, and easy tips to manage the debt better. Don’t miss out on key insights to tackle student debt.   Listen...

Want to make college more affordable? Listen to this episode with Ann Garcia, CFP® as she explores scholarship funding for college. Discover different scholarship types, application strategies, and the importance of early planning to minimize debt. Make sure you catch these tips to help set up your child's financial future.  Listen and Learn: Explore three main scholarship types to help reduc...

Social Security has been a staple of retirement planning for past generations. But will it be there for you when you decide to stop working? The cost of a comfortable retirement is rising so understanding how Social Security works is more important now than ever. Join Melissa Joy, CFP®, to learn how Social Security works and how it could impact your retirement. Listen and Learn: How Social Securit...

Melissa Joy, CFP® and Cathy Curtis, CFP®, dive into a serious topic: financial fraud against elders. Cathy explains that while scammers try to trick seniors into giving them money illegally, there are many ways to spot these scams and keep your elderly loved ones safe.  Listen to gain the know-how and tools to avoid fraud smoothly as you or your loved ones get older.   Listen and Learn: The common...

Do you dream of retiring early? Planning carefully is an important part of ending full-time work ahead of schedule. The path to early retirement is different for everyone - you have to look at your unique situation and decide your own goals. Alternatively, some people need to retire earlier than they intended to, so it's smart to have a strong retirement plan in place in case something unexpe...

Melissa Joy is joined by teacher Melissa Gordon to explore why it's crucial for kids to learn about money management early on. Melissa Gordon shares why it’s never too early to start developing budgeting, investing, and retirement planning skills. This episode discusses how having open money conversations at home and school can prevent future financial pitfalls. Listen for why your kids shoul...

Melissa Joy is joined by Dr. William Schulz, former Executive Director of Amnesty International USA to discuss the importance of staying hopeful during turbulent times. How can we stay positive during times of uncertainty? Dr. Schulz explores how hope can be a driving force for change - leading to improvements in our own communities as well as a more just world. The lessons taught in this episode...

Whether you’ve already filed your taxes or still need to request an extension, Melissa Joy shares her post-tax season tips and tricks. Discover how you can pave the way for a smoother tax season experience and take control of your money in the year ahead.  Listen and Learn:  Why it’s important to discuss taxes with your financial advisor  Which resources you should use during tax season and after...

Melissa Joy is joined by Financial Behavior Specialist®, Speaker, and Therapist Ashley Quamme LMFT, to discuss the intricate intersection of relationships and finances.  How do we talk about money with a partner when our perspectives differ? What are practical ways to navigate when one partner is a spender, and the other is a saver? Ashley dives into the complexities of love and money and how to n...

Melissa Joy is joined by philanthropist Aly Sterling, President and Founder of Aly Sterling Philanthropy, to discuss the transformative power of philanthropic giving.  Aly shares powerful insights from her experience in facilitating major gifts while offering guidance on how to make your charitable donations more strategic. In this thought-provoking conversation, you’ll discover how to maximize yo...

Struggling with financial dynamics in your relationship? You’re not alone. Melissa Joy delves into the power balance in marriage and money and explores how this affects all partnerships, offering valuable tips for combining finances, open communication, and shared planning. No matter the stage of your relationship, this conversation is for you.  Listen and Learn: Simple steps for couples looking t...

When should you get serious about saving for the future (older) you? It’s never too late to start or reassess your retirement strategy. Whether you’re a super saver, an average saver, or doing well but unsure if you’re on track to retire comfortably—this episode has something for everyone. Melissa Joy discusses options for multiple stages of retirement planning and what you can do if you’re tradit...

Dr. Sue McCreadie, a pediatrician and women's coach, joins Melissa Joy to discuss how mindset and emotions impact financial well-being. Drawing from her experience in pediatric care, Dr. Sue shares insights on promoting mothers' health and mindsets. This transformative conversation covers the connection between women's roles, taking control of one's life, and financial empowerm...

Join Melissa Joy as she discusses the nitty-gritty of handling extra cash and creating emergency funds. Melissa shares practical tips and personalized advice to help you navigate your financial journey - from stressing the importance of yearly check-ins to offering tailored recommendations to specific situations. Don’t miss out on this enriching episode that offers practical wisdom for effectively...

Melissa Joy explores a significant yet often overlooked trend: the increasing dependence of adult children on their parents for financial support. Drawing from a recent Credit Karma survey, which reveals that one-third of American adults rely on parental financial assistance, Melissa delves into the problems this trend can cause for parents while also providing practical measures to promote financ...

Melissa Fradenburg explores the complicated nature of receiving an inheritance, especially as a woman. You'll get practical guidance on managing inherited assets, honoring the wishes of passed loved ones, and making informed decisions during this sensitive time.  Listen and Learn: How to make what you inherit last & honor a loved one An easy way to prioritize the overwhelming list of to-d...