We take a deep dive into student loans, the FAFSA, and the best borrowing strategies. We all have a unique financial situation, and where our kids decide to go to school, and what they decide to study has everything to do with the price tag of their education and their ability to pay down their debt. Thankfully, there are options for everyone, and Christine Roberts, Head of Student Lending at Citizens Bank, helps us break them all down. (Yes, we tackle the all-important “save, spend, or borrow” question!) In Mailbag, we dive into saving for our kids + our own retirement.

HerMoney with Jean Chatzky

Ep 289: Student Loan Strategies

What does it mean to invest for the financial goals that we have outside of retirement, and how (and where) can we do more of it? Lorna Kapusta, Head of Women Investors at Fidelity, helps guide us through our questions about the money we'll need in 5, 10 or 15 years time. (Hint: There is a real opportunity cost to not investing.) In Mailbag, Jean advises a listener who is selling her home, and a woman who is wondering if she should have asked for a larger raise. In Thrive, the phrases you should avoid saying in a job interview, and what to say instead.

Ep 288: Investing For Short-Term And Long-Term Goals

We're taking a deep dive into all things college + education costs, answering listener questions. (Got a question for us? Email us at mailbag@hermoney.com!) We sit down with Rita Assaf, squad leader for Retirement and College Leadership at Fidelity Investments, to help us tackle all your questions. Jean and Rita discuss: Paying for college while you're in college, making up for lost time if you haven’t been able to save, how to help cover college costs for a niece and nephew, and more.

Bonus Mailbag #31: Saving For College

What really makes us happy when it comes to our money? We often talk about the numbers, but what about the joy? Wes Moss, author of What the Happiest Retirees Know, shares what the happiest retirees in the world have in common, and how we can all walk a more joyful path as we age. In Mailbag, we discuss starting to save for retirement in your 40s, and the best resources for young women just starting their financial lives (Hint: Our new HerMoney book, How To Money, is the perfect place to start!) And in Thrive, what to do if you know you’re going to miss a credit card payment.

Ep 287: How To Retire Happy

We dive into all your questions on whether you can be “too IRA focused,” what the truth about backdoor Roths really is, and whether or not you need a “Super Roth.” We also talk about saving in a SEP IRA when you have a full-time job + a side gig, and rolling a 401(k) into an IRA, all with the help of Ed Slott, CPA and author of: The New Retirement Savings Time Bomb. (You may have heard him on Episode 265: IRAs: Everything You Need To Know, and on Bonus Mailbag 26: The Ultimate Guide To IRAs.) If you have questions for an upcoming episode, please write to us at mailbag@hermoney.com!

Bonus Mailbag #30: Your IRA Questions, Answered

This week’s episode tackles the sensitive topic of financial abuse, which may be difficult for some to hear. A staggering 99% of people in abusive relationships experience financial abuse, and this episode is dedicated to ensuring that all our listeners are able to get to a safe and secure place with their money. We sit down with Katie Hood, CEO of The One Love Foundation, and Rebecca, a woman who bravely shares her personal story of the financial abuse she endured, and was eventually able to escape from. We discuss what financial abuse looks like, how to escape, and how to help a friend.

Ep 285: Facing Financial Abuse

Are you looking to buy or sell a car? New and used vehicles have increased in price by 30% since the start of the pandemic, and women buy or jointly purchase 85% of all cars. This week, we take a deep dive into all your car questions, whether you're looking to buy new, buy used, or sell, with Scotty Reiss, founder of A Girls Guide to Cars. In Mailbag, we talk about cars damaged in natural disasters, and saving for retirement in your 30s + following the FIRE movement. And in Thrive, how not to get fired from your full-time job because of your side hustle.

Ep 284: An Insider’s Guide To Cars: Buying & Selling

This week we dive into all things body positivity, self-love, health and wellness, with Jessamyn Stanley, an internationally acclaimed voice in the wellness space. She’s the author of two books: Every Body Yoga and YOKE: My Yoga of Self Acceptance, which explores issues of self-love, body-positivity, and race. We discuss the intersection of health and money, the pandemic's impact on Black women, and more. In Mailbag, we discuss prioritizing student loans, a 401(k) and emergency fund, and how to invest a $130,000 profit on a home sale. In Thrive, how to save money on travel.

Ep 283: The Self Love, Self Worth Connection

“Success” can be a loaded word — the journey there is not always healthy. There are sacrifices. There is burnout. And sometimes big paychecks translate into big headaches. But it’s possible to walk a path to greatness that feeds our soul without crushing it. Brad Stulberg, author of The Practice of Groundedness, shares what a sustainable model for success really looks like. In Mailbag, we talk about saving too much + what to do with your car if you’re moving overseas. In Thrive, how to know if your new job offer is really worth making the jump.

Ep 282: Finding Success Without Losing Yourself

Need a wardrobe refresh? In this week’s bonus Mailbag, we’re dishing on everything that goes into our closets. What should we be looking for at thrift stores? Is tailoring really worth it? What about dry cleaning? And when we head back to the office, what should we be wearing to work? Fashion and beauty expert Jacqui Stafford (who recently joined us for Episode 273: Help! I Have Nothing To Wear) is back to answer all your questions with her practical ‘best girlfriend’ style advice.

Bonus Mailbag #29: What To Wear: Tailoring, Thrifting and Work Attire

44% of couples admit to arguing about money, and 18% of us identify money as our greatest relationship challenge. The truth is, we all need to be talking about our money more — a lot more. Stacey Watson, head of Life Event Planning at Fidelity Investments, shares how couples can get to a better, more empowered place in our relationships. In Mailbag, we discuss how to have a "retirement budget" and paying for private elementary school. In Thrive, why you already have a prenuptial agreement…even if you didn’t sign one.

Ep 281: The Truth About Couples And Money 

The reason why risks seem like such a big deal is because we never really know if we’re going to be successful. We might fail. But what if we could approach our risk-taking with a better understanding of what’s required to achieve lasting success? Or with more faith that we could find a silver lining in the face of failure? Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, author of Choose Possibility, offers the ultimate guide to decision-making and risk-taking for anyone who's ever been afraid of making the wrong choice. In Mailbag, where to invest an extra $3,000 a month, and buying a home while earning $48,000. In Thrive, inherited wealth for millennials.

Ep 280: Taking Risks and Making Choices

How can we ensure a healthy retirement for ourselves + a successful financial start for our children? This Mailbag-only episode is all about college and retirement. We talk 529s, 401(k)s. paying for college as a single mom, life insurance, and what to do if you're facing college bills + retirement in quick succession. If you have a question you'd like Jean to tackle, write to us at mailbag@hermoney.com!

Bonus Mailbag #28: Paying For College + Retirement

How often do you say "yes" to things you don't want to do? We all have our boundaries tested from time to time, but we have to guard our free time and protect our sanity. The good news is, it can be done! Terri Cole, psychotherapist and author of Boundary Boss, helps us all learn how to say “no” when we’re used to saying “yes,” and put up guardrails when we need them. In Mailbag, we look at buying a home when you're planning to move in 3-5 years. In Thrive, a breakdown on tailoring your clothing — is it really worth it, and where do you go?

Ep 279: Becoming A Boundary Boss: You Can Say No 

Even though we're back sharing real-life hugs and kisses instead of just texting digital hearts back and forth, the truth is, we're lonely. 61% of Americans report being lonely, despite the fact that we're all more "connected" now than at any point in history. Adam Smiley Poswolsky, millennial workplace expert, and author of Friendship in the Age of Loneliness: An Optimist’s Guide To Connection, shares how we can meet new people, maintain friendships, and dive deeper into the relationships we love most. In Mailbag, we look at the best accounts to set up for children, and in Thrive, how to create a post-pandemic budget that you can actually stick with. 

Ep 278: We're Lonely. Let's Fight It With Friendship.

Anyone who tells you women don’t need financial advice specifically for them is wrong. Women, whether they’re the caretakers, the breadwinners, or both, face a unique set of financial challenges. That’s where Her Money comes in. In her frank, often funny, but always compassionate way, Jean Chatzky takes every audience of women through the steps they need to take today to live comfortably (and worry-free) tomorrow, offering the latest research, expert tips and personal advice.

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HerMoney with Jean Chatzky

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