Brown Ambition

Happy Brown Ambition Wednesday! On today's show: Black Panther won the weekend and we are still processing y'all. We take a listener's question about dealing with a collection bill after a hospital visit Shoutout to the kids of Parkland, FL who are rallying together to call for more gun control Mandi reveals the project management tool she can't live without (Spoiler alert: it's called Trello!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thanks to everyone who's completed our listener survey! There's still time for you to take it here: https://goo.gl/forms/0nM2A9rv7JMDLKA63 On today's show: We debate the merits of homeownership in today's housing market. Are we making the biggest mistake ever? Mandi breaks down "mortgage amortization" and how you can beat the bank by making extra mortgage payments. Tiffany takes a break from the folks hating on Michelle Obama's official portrait by Amy Sherald (seriously guys?) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy Brown Ambition Wednesday! Show us the love by taking this SHORT 2-min survey so we can get to know our listeners better: https://goo.gl/forms/Oxo6wEtuCnRxtdHR2 On today's show: -Mandi's got some BIG news...and does the one thing she said she never thought she'd do in New York. -Tiffany's back and recovering well from surgery. -Mandi offers some perspective on the EPIC stock market drop felt 'round the country last week and explains WHY it really happened. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode originally aired in September 2017. Thanks for your support as Tiffany is recovering from surgery (all is well! Just needs a little R&R!). Feel free to shoot her a get well message @theBApodcast or on Facebook on the Brown Ambition page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's show, we take a question from listener Kim, who wants to know: Do you really need to put down 20% on a house? Send us your money and career questions at brownambitionpodcast.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have a question for us on finances or your career? Hit us up at brownambitionpodcast.com! You can remain anonymous, just let us know when you leave our question. On today's show: Yes, we address the S**thole comment, with a focus on some of the beautiful responses from people around the world. Tiffany has a health update! Shoutout to the cofounders of the Black Lives Matter movement who have a new joint memoir out this week: When They Call You a Terrorist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2018 is well underway and Brown Ambition is back! On today's show: Golden Globes: Queen O rocks the world with her speech on female empowerment; celebs walk the red carpet in black alongside activists like #MeToo movement founder Tarana Burke Holiday debt: Mandi reveals how much holiday debt Americans took on in 2017, from the latest MagnifyMoney survey. The most important number you can know: Your net worth! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy New Year to all! Brown Ambition returns with fresh episodes (and a special NET WORTH edition!) on January 9. In the meantime, we are re-airing our most popular episode of 2017 — our interview with our favorite money and career expert, Lynette Khalfani-Cox aka "The Money Coach". On the show, Lynette shares her best advice on how to negotiate on the job Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy holidays, BA Fam! This is our last show for 2017 but we will be BACK with fresh new episodes starting Jan. 10! On the Brown Ambition menu for this week... Holiday anxiety Work gripes when tools don't work Tiffany's having The Big Talk with her mom about retirement Also...guess who bought some Bitcoin! Question: Listener Brittany asks: Should I leave my financial job and move to NYC to become a writer? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey BA Fam! We hope you're not going too crazy with all the holiday hoopla. We're all on our grind at work so we can take a few days off to spend with family but remember to take some deep breaths, take it one day at a time, and be kind to yourself. Hit us up with your financial resolution questions at [email protected] or visit brownambitionpodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today show: Tax reform! #@$* is getting real. Here's what you need to know. Listener "Mrs. Newlywed" has a question about managing her budget and bills with her new husbae. We have a few suggestions. Have a question for us? Please send us a note at [email protected] or head over to BrownAmbitionPodcast.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thanks for listening! Please share the love by leaving us a review on iTunes. brownambitionpodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's show: Tiffany's epic travels continue We talk Black Friday don'ts Anonymous listener "Shonda" wants to know whether or not she should move forward with a voluntary repossession of her car. Check out more episodes at Brownambitionpodcast.com! And please get in the holiday spirit a little early and write us a quick review on iTunes! xx Mandi & Tiffany Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of our all-star guests is back on the show! Patrice Washington, America's money maven, author, speaker and new podcast host joins us to talk about the last two years. She gets real about the moment in her kitchen that changed the trajectory of her business two years ago and opens up about her new philosophy about managing career, marriage, and motherhood all at once. Check out Patrice at Patricewashington.com and her new podcast, Redefining Wealth on iTunes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're back after a brief absence (!) as Tiffany took an epic adventure to Aussieland. On today's show: Tiffany's Australia trip wrap-up, including spending time with the founders of the Black Lives Matter movement. Mandi's half marathon win Tax reform! The GOP's new tax reform plan is out. We'll touch on how it might impact your wallet. It's Open Enrollment season and time for millions to choose a new health plan! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy Brown Ambition Wednesday! On today's show... We take some of your burning credit card questions and reveal the little known truth about those free credit scores that so many sites and credit cards offer these days. As promised, here's the MagnifyMoney guide to getting your free credit score > Please leave us a review while you're here! It is such a huge help because it helps others find our show on iTunes. xx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy 100th episode BA fam! Help us celebrate by leaving us a review on iTunes! xx On today's show, we talk about the sneaky little secret Mandi has been keeping. She's a cash hoarder! And it's finally time to start thinking beyond the basic savings account and 401(k) and exploring other ways to invest, which we'll cover on today's show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Watching the latest sexual harassment bombshell unfold, this time in the face of media mogul Harvey Weinstein, has been another opportunity to reflect on the enormous courage it takes to speak up and speak out against harassment. We also cover Jemele Hill's recent suspension* by ESPN and the Dove Ad that is stirring up controversy. One more episode till 100!!!! *Correction: Hill was suspended not fired. Sorry for the mistake. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our hearts are with the victims of the senseless attack in Las Vegas, as well as our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico still struggling in the wake of hurricane Maria. GoFundMe has a page for Las Vegas shooting-related fundraisers: https://www.gofundme.com/raise-funds/las-vegas-shooting You can also show solidarity by signing up to donate blood wherever you live: http://www.redcross.org/give-blood Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a packed show, per usual! We address the NFL/Trump drama, cover an unexpected bump in the road for Tiffany and Superman's home purchase, and talk about the pros and cons of cooking in bulk (Hey - it's not for everyone). Today's question is from listener Tiyana. She asks: Can I rebuild my credit with a secured card? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's show: -What can you do to protect your identity after the MASSIVE Equifax data breach? We've got you covered! As mentioned on the show, check out the MagnifyMoney Guide to Credit Monitoring and Identity Theft Protection and our tips on what to do after the hack. -Tiffany's got a house update! Is it good news? -#EmmysSoBrown Today's question from listener Tracy: "What do I do when my landlord's home goes into foreclosure and they want to evict me?" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy Brown Ambition Wednesday! That's right — Brown Ambition is now airing Wednesday mornings. On today's show... -Mandi shares the truth about struggling at work — sometimes the struggle is really proof that you're growing. -Tiffany has a housing update! Find out what happened with the foreclosure property she and Super Man placed a bid on this month. Today's Question: Did my credit card company really just cancel my account because I fell behind on payments? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sorry, Tuesday, Brown Ambition found a new bae called Wednesdays. Beginning Wednesday Sept. 13 catch new episodes of Brown Ambition every Wednesday! Sorry in advance for all the bad hump day jokes... On today's show: -How to get out of a bad auto loan? -How do I know it's a good idea to move cities? -Tiffany's house hunt continues Brownambitionpodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ATTENTION BA FAM: Beginning Sept. 13, Brown Ambition will be airing on Wednesday mornings! We are giving you a heads up so we don't catch anyone by surprise. Enjoy the show! As ever, please send us a note at brownambitionpodcast.com. And while you're at it, please leave us a review! :) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's finally here, BA Fam! A show entirely dedicated to YOUR questions about student loan debt. To find a list of resources mentioned on the show, check out this link > http://bit.ly/2vavfwP We are joined by Angela Howze, a financial aid expert and owner of the Financial Aid Strategist, a nonprofit company that aims to help students and their families plan and pay for college without drowning in debt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's show, we discuss the importance of being your own self advocate in your life and especially in your career — even if it feels like the most uncomfortable thing in the world. Thank you for your continued support! Please leave us a review on iTunes to let us know how you feel about the show. xx Yours in Brown Ambition, Mandi & Tiffany Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Evita Robinson, Founder of the Nomadness Travel Tribe, joins the show to talk about how she created the company from scratch at the forefront of the black millennial travel movement, her plans to grow and how she deals with her competitors. This episode originally aired June 27. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We wish you all a happy Black Women's Equal Pay Day. Check out this report by the Economic Policy Institute on the gender/racial pay gap that is effecting women of color in the U.S. — and some myths about why Black women are still so far behind in the fight for equal pay. As always, stop by brownambitionpodcast.com to reach out with questions. And please don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes! Your support helps us keep growing more and more with each episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's show, we swap medical billing nightmares and take a question from listener Latoya who says she was pursued for a medical debt she didn't owe. We offer tips on how to fight back when debts appear on your credit report that you know you don't owe, and share how Latoya was able to resolve her own medical billing nightmare. As mentioned on the show, here's a link to https://clearhealthcosts.com/, where you can compare prices for many medical procedures in different ZIP codes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's show...Tiffany does a quick debrief on Jay Z's 4:44 album and the financial lessons hidden in the lyrics...Mandi recaps her visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.Tiffany gives us a big health update after an awkward (?) yet educational visit to the doctor We take a question from a listener who wants to know how she can prepare when she knows she'll be laid off and has nearly $40,000 worth of debt at the same time. A recent survey found the average U.S. employee has only taken about half (54%) of their PTO days in the past 12 month. And we have just one question: BUT WHY THO???Link mentioned in the show: MagnifyMoney's Balance Transfer comparison tool Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are BACK with a packed show. On the agenda for today:Tiffany reveals how she got $18k of her student loan debt *POOF* forgiven! And we are spinning off this segment into an entire show dedicated to student loan debt. That means we need YOU to send us your student debt questions by visiting brownambitionpodcast.com or sending us an email at brownambitionpodcast[at]gmail[dot]com. We discuss Essencefest and Tiffany's observation that some of the most powerful women in business are secretly...MISERABLE? Apparently money can only buy so much happiness. Then we take your questions: -How do I remove myself as a cosigner on my relative's auto loan? -Should I get a credit card outside of my credit union? (As promised, here's a link to MagnifyMoney's credit card search tool) -How do my husband and I split the mortgage now that we're married?Other updates:Check out the latest issue of Fast Company! Brown Ambition was listed among the top 10 business podcasts to listen to. Thank you for your support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In September 2011, Evita "Evie" Robinson created the Nomadness Travel Tribe, "an online social community for travelers all around the planet, who have the similarity of an urban background and were looking for likeminded travelers to connect with around the world."What she did was kick off a new travel revolution, spurring thousands of travelers, the majority of whom are millennial black women, to pack a bag and see the world. These days, Evie is laser focused on how to take Nomadness to the next level, from hosting events around the world to purchasing vacation properties and, of course, staking her claim as the mother of the black travel movement. This Fall, her first TED talk, in which she discusses the history of travel in African American communities from the days of Jim Crow and segregation to Nomadness today, will hit the web. On facing adversity: "Sometimes the universe edges you into things. Life is really rough with me because I think it knows I can handle it. Sometimes it'll just kick you off the cliff and you've gotta free fall a little bit before you realize how to fly on your own."On her four-year journey to a profitable business: "I'm not gonna make money one way. I'm gonna make money 10 ways...it's all about diversifying your income." On facing competition from other black travel upstarts: "It's about innovating and thinking outside of the box and staying true as hell to who you are regardless of what other people are doing in your space."Learn more about Nomadness at http://www.nomadnesstv.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Throughout her entire career in the banking industry, Marsha Barnes was always a diligent saver. But she never understood what she was saving for until two years ago. It was then that she decided to launch The Finance Bar, a startup mobile — yes, as in wheels — personal finance hub meant to empower people to take control of their finances. The journey wasn't always easy — Marsha sunk over $35,000 of her own savings into the business and didn't make money right away. When she finally quit her job in December 2016 to focus on the business, she took a huge gamble — on herself."What if you just wake up one day and there's something different that you want to do in life? How do you pivot? For me, one day I woke up and I said 'I want to leave my job to do something that I really love to wake up and do.' And that is why I was saving money all along. I just didn’t realize it." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode has it all! We are joined by our favorite money and career expert, Lynette Khalfani-Cox aka "The Money Coach". Lynette went from a career as a journalist to an entrepreneur commanding $12,500 speaking fees, authoring over a dozen books, and crafting financial courses for consumers and businesses alike. Her website is Askthemoneycoach.com. On the show, Lynette shares her best advice on how to negotiate on the job. Her biggest tip? Know what your minimum salary requirement is before you even walk into an interview! And she has tips on how to find YOUR perfect number on today's show. Then, Lynette not only answers YOUR questions about managing the cost of college, she tells you personal lessons she learned after sending off her eldest daughter to college last year. Like many kids in college, her daughter struggled to adjust and when her GPA dropped below the 3.5 minimum for her tuition scholarship, Lynette and her family were suddenly faced with a $50,000 out of state tuition bill. She tells Brown Ambition the unique and BRILLIANT way she and her hubby decided to tackle that hurdle and shares other tough lessons she's learned about preparing her kids for college life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our hearts are with the families and victims of last night's attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester. Spread a little love in the world today, BA fam — we could all use some!--Want to ask a question or share a story with us?Hit us up on our Facebook page: Facebook.com/brownambition Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As mentioned on the show, check out these helpful resources to find about more about student loan refi options: MagnifyMoneyLoan consolidation vs. refinancing Curious about opening an FSA? Check out these explainers. What's an FSA? - Healthcare.gov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're back! If you're new to the show and want to show your support, we would so appreciate it if you could leave us a review on iTunes. It gives us a huge boost and helps others find the show!Yours in brown ambition,Mandi & Tiffany Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thanks for letting us take a mini hiatus, BA Fam!We are back with a packed show. So. Much. Has. Happened! Serena's preggo?Bill O'Reilly is out of a job? Shea Moisture lost their damn minds? We cover it all.And today's reader question comes from D: Was I right to tell my sister I wouldn't co-sign her mortgage?Then, don't miss our interview with Blavity.com co-founder Morgan DeBaun, who's talking all about her new lifestyle brand 21ninety.com and how she's working to help other women -- including herself -- take better care of themselves both at work and at home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is our last episode before we take a brief hiatus so that Mandi can enjoy her honeymoon!We will be back the week of May 8 with a brand new episode!In the meantime, we are going out with a bang. On this episode, we're cleaning out our inbox and answering some of your burning questions: 1. How did Tiffany really build her six-figure business? She is opening up and telling us the REAL truth -- the ugly truth -- about entrepreneurship. 2. What do I do if I'm not happy with my employer's 401(k) options?3. How am I supposed to balance work, life, relationships and health? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You know how family sit coms used to always do one "wedding episode" and the entire thing revolved around all the drama surrounding the Big Day?After a year of planning, our girl Mandi is FINALLY tied the knot April 7 in Savannah. Tiffany was there and she's spilling all the details. Check out some pics of the Big Day below: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

*Today's show is dedicated to Titi Branch — a phenomenal woman, entrepreneur, and sister. We love and thank you for every contribution you made toward helping women embrace their natural beauty.*Miko Branch, the phenomenal cofounder of Miss Jessie's sits down with Mandi and Tiffany to talk about creating the Miss Jessie's hair care line with her big sister Titi in their Brooklyn brownstone over a decade ago. The sisters mixed their products in the kitchen of their Brooklyn brownstone and bootstrapped the company themselves without any of the usual trappings of entrepreneurship (they didn't have MBAs, or a team of wealthy investors to back them). Word spread about their signature product, their "curly pudding", and soon enough they went from begging NYC-area stores like Ricky's to carry their products to lining up deals with major retailers like Target.But, of course, there were some bumps along the road to success. After Titi's sudden passing in 2014, Miko has made it her mission to not only continue to grow the company they created as a team but also to focus even more on her own personal happiness, health and balance in life. "I make happiness and health a priority right up there with business," she says. "I think money is a tool that you can use to do many things but I don't think money has much to do with your character or your decision making." Check out Miko's book, "Miss Jessie's: Creating a Successful Business from Scratch---Naturally". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it possible to save TOO much? And should you quit your job if you've got a shot at getting your student loans forgiven if you stick it out?We're answering your questions today on BA. If you have a question on life, money or career, hit us up at brownambitionpodcast.com. But first... we recap the movie "Get Out" that has EVERYONE talking *Major spoiler alert -- skip ahead if you haven't seen it yet!).We talk about the mind tricks money can play on us... and when it's sometimes not such a good thing to be cheap all the time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Check out www.brownambitionpodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's show, an EXCITING update on Tiffany's real estate adventure.-How she found her dream home (and what she's doing to make sure the deal goes through!) -The strategy she's using to become a homeowner once again after facing a foreclosure during the recession If you're a first time homebuyer, check out this guide Mandi mentioned on today's show: Have a question for us? Drop us a line at brownambitionpodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have questions about money or your career? Hit us up at brownambitionpodcast.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a Mad World, y'all. We couldn't start our show today without acknowledging the troubling events of the last few days.We eventually get down to business and take reader Angelique's question on sold off debt."When a lender sells my debt and closes the account, do I still owe that debt?"We've got an answer for her and a huge Brown Ambition hug to everyone out there impacted by Lord Voldemort's refugee and muslim immigrant ban. If you'd like to share your story, send us a note at Brownambitionpodcast.com or at [email protected]. Much love,Mandi & Tiffany Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you dumped your big bank yet? On today's show, we've got a super special guest: Lisa Servon, author of the new book "The Unbanking of America: How the New Middle Class Survives" joins us for a conversation about how payday lenders and check cashing facilities are taking the place of big banks in our neighborhoods. Lisa didn't just write about these businesses. She actually worked for months at a check cashing business in the South Bronx in New York City and a payday lender in Oakland, California, where she talked to real people using these services to find out why — and how banks have let them down.On Servon's website, she has tips on how to ditch your big bank and find banks with lower fees: https://www.lisaservon.com/Also on today's show: Suffering from an Inaugural hangover? Here's one way to feel better: Speak Up! Contact your local representatives and tell them how you feel about the direction our country is heading. We have voices. Let's use them! Here's where to find your local reps: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officialsToday's listener question: "Should I stop paying an account that's been charged off?" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So much to cover, so little time! First of all, thank you for making January our biggest month for downloads yet!If you haven't, please take 2 minutes to leave us a review on iTunes. This is a HUGE factor in how many people are able to find our show on iTunes, and every review counts!Here are the hot topics and links we covered on today's show: Mandi's Brown Boost this week featured two of her favorite money- and time-saving tools (these are NOT paid endorsements!)LevelMoney: Find out exactly what you can afford to spend each day.andHello Fresh: How she makes great dinners without ever going to the store. Today's question: How do I even begin to find a financial planner? Resources: LearnVest Financial Planning Review via MagnifyMoneyHidden Investment Fees to Watch Out ForMandi's $246 Flights to ItalyFor the full scoop on how Mandi used credit card points to book her honeymoon to Italy for $246, check out this post on Yahoo Finance > Tiffany's win this week featured Lucinda Cross, founder of the "Activate Movement." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've missed you and we're BACK BA Fam! On today's show:-Find out how Mandi booked a European honeymoon for FREE and Tiffany got her wedding dress for FREE. We are kind of killing this wedding planning thing, y'all. -All you need to know about joining Tiffany's Live Richer Challenge: Credit Edition, a free online program that will help you finally pay down your credit card debt. To sign up visit http://LRCCredit.com.-Balance Transfer: What it is, how to use one and mistakes to avoid.-Mandi shares a Ted Talk that blew her mind and Tiffany opens up about learning to be a taker as well as a giver. See the Ted Talk here > Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.