Episode 260

260. Money Mistakes That Cost Me Everything (And How To Avoid Them) with Nicole Lapin

Nicole shares her personal story of losing her home in the LA fires, two weeks after giving birth, and the painful lessons she learned in the aftermath.

Financial Feminist

November 4, 202555m 23s

Show Notes

We all make financial mistakes, but what happens when those mistakes literally cost you everything? In this episode, I sit down with money expert, author, and host Nicole Lapin, who shares her deeply personal story of losing her home and studio in the LA fires just two weeks after giving birth—and the painful lessons she learned in the aftermath. From skipping business insurance to the emotional toll of rebuilding from scratch, Nicole gets brutally honest about the financial oversights that even experts can make, and how you can protect yourself before disaster strikes. We also talk about the realities of new motherhood, navigating shame, estate planning, and why money isn’t just about numbers—it’s about safety, security, and learning how to trust yourself again.

Nicole’s links:

Website: https://nicolelapin.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolelapin/?hl=en

Podcast: https://moneynewsnetwork.com/podcast/money-rehab/

To get more resources including any freebies mentioned in this episode, head to https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod

00:00 Intro

00:41 LA Fires & loss

01:51 Documenting for insurance

02:35 Money & safety

05:02 Insurance tips

11:11 Parenthood finances

16:37 Childcare costs