HerMoney with Jean Chatzky

Sometimes it can feel like we don’t have a lot of power to make the economy a fairer place. A few dozen large corporations control most of what we buy, and it can feel impossible to demand change when things go wrong. Marta Tellado, president and CEO of Consumer Reports, wants to put the power back in consumers’ hands. She tells us about the predatory business practices we should all be aware of, how we can protect ourselves, and why it’s important to take collective action. In Mailbag, we answer questions about 529s and disability insurance. In Thrive, how to go green during the holidays. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s open enrollment season, which means now is the perfect time to take a closer look at how much you’re spending on healthcare, and see if there are better ways to save. The research shows that medical expenses have been rising for years, but we typically underestimate how much we’re paying. Synchrony Health & Wellness CEO Beto Casellas, helps us break down all of our options for saving on healthcare — from HSAs and FSAs to healthcare financing. In Mailbag, we answer questions about managing a family member’s mortgage and finding a forensic accountant. And in Thrive, the results of our latest State of Women 2022 study. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most powerful ways to create social change is to do it with your wallet. And that’s why, on this HerMoney episode, we’re talking about how to support Black-owned businesses this holiday season. Joining us is LaToya Williams-Belfort, the executive director of the Fifteen Percent Pledge, which has called on retailers to dedicate 15% of their purchasing power to Black-owned businesses. We discuss what it really means for companies to support racial justice, and how consumers can continue to invest in Black entrepreneurs into 2023. In Mailbag, we answer questions about I-bonds and teaching investing to the next generation. In Thrive, a beginner’s guide to donor-advised funds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Few things can impact our budgets and our financial lives quite like layoffs and inflation. This week, we’re tackling all your questions on how to manage during lean times. We address how to “beat” inflation, what to do if you know your company is headed for layoffs, whether or not our household spending impacts inflation, and how best to assist an elderly parent on a fixed income. Email us your questions for Jean at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In many ways, our jobs define us. Which can be a powerful thing. But at some point, we all have to create an identity that’s bigger than a job title. And nobody has done that better than our guest for this episode. Brandon Copeland is an NFL veteran, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and college professor. Listen in as Brandon and Jean chat about life as a professional athlete, how he juggles multiple careers, and why personal finance for all is his passion. In Mailbag, we hear from a listener who’s worried about losing salary gains in the upcoming recession. In Thrive, a financial checklist for your first pet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For women, the path to becoming a successful business leader is filled with systemic barriers. But some of the most innovative companies are led by women — Stitch Fix, Feeding America, and Ellevest, just to name a few. How do these women do it, and what can we learn from them? CNBC reporter Julia Boorstin looked at the data and interviewed more than 60 female executives on what sets them apart. We talk with her about why female leaders are often better at expressing empathy, navigating stressful situations, instilling their companies with purpose, and more. In Mailbag, we answer questions about purchasing I-bonds and tackling wealth inequality. In Thrive, everything you need to know about cover letters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Retirement is about more than just putting your feet up. It’s about finding fulfillment. How should you prepare your finances, your health, and your social network so you can take advantage of all that retirement has to offer? And how should women in particular plan for their later years? Maddy Dychtwald, co-founder of Age Wave, shares her insights on what it really means to be happy and healthy in old age — and how we can all get there. In Mailbag, we answer questions about pension plans and raise negotiations. In Thrive, tips for getting your small business off the ground. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We spend so much time on social media nowadays, and none of us are strangers to online harassment. But research shows that online abuse is getting worse. What can we do to protect ourselves? Software engineer Tracy Chou built an app called Block Party to help victims of online harassment take back control. She tells us about her journey creating a tech company that protects the voices of women and minorities, and she also shares helpful tips for securing your privacy online. In Mailbag, we tackle a question about managing finances with a rental property. And in Thrive, what to delete from your resume. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Changing our spending and saving habits is easier said than done. How do we actually stick to it? Jean has partnered with financial coaches Patrice Washington and Louis Barajas to answer that very question on a new show called Opportunity Knock$, where the trio works with families across the U.S. to overcome their financial challenges. In this episode, Jean talks with Patrice and Louis about their experiences on the show, the systemic barriers to financial knowledge, and how we can all lean on our communities to help us with our money goals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been another volatile few weeks in the markets, and we’re all seeing a lot of red. But history is on our side. Bob Pisani, Senior Markets Correspondent for CNBC, joins us to discuss investing pitfalls and shares some of the most common mistakes that he’s seen investors make over the years. Bob tells us what facts and numbers he focuses on to measure how well the markets are doing, and tells us why he prefers the “boring” investments to the “exciting” ones. In Mailbag, we hear from a listener being paid in crypto, and one launching a small business. In Thrive, advice for travelers with a layover. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you feeling stuck in your job, but don’t know how to move on? Don’t just quiet quit. You deserve a career that gives you purpose, and our guest today can help you find it. Elizabeth Pearson is an executive career coach who helps women navigate job changes, succeed in male-dominated fields, and launch their own companies. We talk about how to recognize career confinement, why you owe it to yourself to take risks, and how you can use mindfulness to feel less stressed and more confident at work. In Mailbag, we tackle questions about Social Security taxes and finding a financial advisor. In Thrive, how to save on your next hotel stay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Personal finance isn’t one-size-fits-all. When it comes to managing our money, when does it make sense to look at data, and when might emotions or life experience matter more? Yale finance professor James Choi put this question to the test in his newest research, when he compared the advice given by economists to the advice given in bestselling personal finance books. What he found may surprise you. In Mailbag, one listener shares her struggles with selling her car. Another asks how much she would pay in capital gains tax on a home sale. In Thrive, how to negotiate a longer parental leave. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Women have been fighting for equal pay for more than a century, but the gender wage gap is far from old news. It’s still around, and there’s still more to learn about it. What do we need to know to close the gap, once and for all? We talk about the latest research with Lauren Weber, a Wall Street Journal reporter and co-author of a new study about the gender pay gap. In Mailbag, we answer questions about retirement savings benchmarks, and how much you should pay for a financial advisor. In Thrive, how to reduce costs as a wedding guest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Great Resignation won’t be over any time soon. Workers are still leaving their jobs for better opportunities, and companies have to step up to retain talent. There’s no better moment than now to look at managers. What role do they play in workplace culture, and how can they make their companies better? We’re diving into those questions with Jim Edwards, author of “Say Thank You for Everything: The Secrets of Being a Great Manager.” In Mailbag, we talk about the practicalities of filing for divorce, and how to restructure your investment portfolio for retirement. And in Thrive, how much it really costs to own a pet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Women face systemic challenges when it comes to negotiations in the workplace, but we also often don’t realize our inner strengths. All of us have the power to be great negotiators, and we don’t have to pretend to be tough while doing it, either. Wharton negotiation professor Mori Taheripour joins us to discuss the misconceptions people have about negotiations, and shows us how we can succeed more by being collaborative and true to ourselves. In Mailbag, we answer questions about creating a nest egg for your child and reopening a divorce case from years ago. And in Thrive, how to make your money last in retirement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When we’re shopping for wine, we all want to get the highest-quality bottle that won’t break the bank. But how do we know what to look for? Sommelier Victoria James is here to tell us all of her wine hacks, from which regions offer the greatest steals to how we should pair wine with food for the best experience. Sit back, relax with your own glass, and listen in! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Investing can feel overwhelming, especially in today’s market — but HerMoney’s got you covered. Tune in to hear about InvestingFixx, an investing club for women led by Jean and Karen Finerman, CEO and co-founder of Metropolitan Capital Advisors. In this special preview episode, Jean and Karen break down how to invest for long-term gains, and what strategies we should use to pick individual stocks. In Mailbag, we answer questions about how to teach investing to your kids, and what to do if you have limited savings at retirement age. In Thrive, how to let go of productivity guilt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sexism in the workplace isn’t always in-your-face. What do you do when discrimination is subtle, but still harmful to your career? We talk about gender-based microaggressions and how companies can create a better work culture with Katie Lacey and Lori Tauber Marcus, authors of “You Should Smile More: How to Dismantle Gender Bias in the Workplace.” In Mailbag, we help a father give financial advice to his daughters, and we offer tips to another listener on negotiating benefits at a new job. In Thrive, how to protect yourself from inflation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Working moms are the backbone of our families and the economy, but plenty of moms still feel guilty for focusing on their careers. We talk with Lara Bazelon, a law professor and mom of two kids, about how career-focused women can be great mothers and role models for their children. In Mailbag, Scotty Reiss of A Girls Guide to Cars pops in to answer questions about selling used cars and new electric vehicle credits. And in Thrive, where to recycle your clothes for cash. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re all worried about the market right now, but during times of uncertainty, it’s more important than ever to take a breath and look at the data. We’re diving deep into the facts and figures driving the economy with Nick Maggiulli, data scientist and author of Just Keep Buying: Proven Ways to Save Money and Build Your Wealth. In Mailbag, we tackle questions on downsizing your home after a divorce, and what to do after receiving an unexpected inheritance. In Thrive, our best tips for holiday shopping during an inflationary period. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re diving into your questions about starting and growing your business—and who better to answer those questions than Amy Errett, founder of Madison Reed and a four-time entrepreneur. Tune in to hear Jean and Amy answer questions about determining how much your business is worth, and saving for retirement while you’re investing in your company. We also talk about the best ways to invest in a friend’s business, and how to hire your first employee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you know how much your boss earns? What about the coworker sitting right next to you? The answer is probably “no.” Hannah Williams is trying to change that. The influencer and creator of the Salary Transparent Street video series joins us to talk about the benefits of pay transparency and the ways we can incorporate it into our own lives. In Mailbag, we discuss salary negotiation and pivoting careers. In Thrive, how to pick the best pet insurance for your furry friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s a question everyone’s asking: “Where should I put my money?” Because not only do we want to make sure our money will be there for us when we need it, we also want to know our money is doing good. Loretta McCarthy, Co-CEO and Managing Partner of Golden Seeds, joins us to discuss what smart investors do during an economic downturn, and how we can invest in companies that we can be proud of. In Mailbag, we talk investing apps and freezing your credit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A’Lelia Bundles, the great great granddaughter of Madam C.J. Walker, and brand historian for the new haircare company MADAM, joins us to discuss what it’s been like to follow in her great great grandmother's footsteps. We discuss Madam C.J.’s work and the economic impact of her legacy for Black women. We also dish on the truth behind Netflix's “Self Made” and the current state of Black women in business. In Mailbag, we advise on selling a home and buying an electric vehicle. In Thrive, how to balance different spending styles on vacation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're tackling all your questions about how to navigate the reality of a volatile market, with Isabel Barrow, Director of Financial Planning at Edelman Financial Engines. We dive into emergency funds and college savings, how to invest when the economy is down, and how hands-off is too hands off when it comes to investing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Latina women suffered more than any other demographic during COVID, which is why, when we talk about a “return to normal,” we must discuss ways to build back a more inclusive economy that works for all women. First-generation American Pamela Zapata, founder and CEO of Society 18, joins us to discuss entrepreneurship, why women need to charge more for their services and expertise, and what influencer marketing really looks like for Black and Brown women. In Mailbag, we tackle questions on creating a will when you have no children, and saving for retirement after an illness and a divorce. In Thrive, gardening on a budget. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can we find safety while also stretching ourselves? How can we take calculated risks, and be more successful when making big money decisions? This week, we learn it all — including how to perfect our poker face — from Jenny Just, one of the few self-made female billionaires in the United States. In Mailbag, we cover where to put retirement funds, and how to save for a niece or nephew. In Thrive, how to host the cheapest summer BBQ (and still have a blast). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it mean to think in a contrarian way, as it relates to our money, our investments and entrepreneurship? Sometimes doing the opposite of what everyone else is doing is the best way to find success. Codie Sanchez, founder and CEO of Contrarian Thinking talks us through her best philosophies and what it's like to have multiple income streams. In Mailbag, we discuss health insurance and saving for retirement, and in Thrive, why it's time to invest, ASAP. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today men still manage nearly 98% of investment capital, and get 97% of venture capital. Yet when women are financial decision-makers, investments are more profitable, and companies make decisions that better benefit the overall economy. This is the “ XX Edge.” And we're learning about it with Ruth Shaber and Patience Ball, authors of The XX Edge: Unlocking Higher Returns and Lower Risk. In Mailbag, we discuss real estate investing and saving late for retirement. In Thrive, how to find a job that won’t cause you to rage quit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re celebrating 10 million downloads of the HerMoney Podcast, and we couldn’t have reached this milestone without you. To celebrate, we’re taking your Mailbag questions with all of the women who helped launch and grow the HerMoney Podcast: Jean Chatzky, Beth O’Connell, Kelly Hultgren and Kathryn Tuggle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve seen markets worldwide tumbling over the last few weeks, with the S&P 500 down by more than 21% since January. But other than “take a breath,” what can we actually do? This week, we tackle what we can control, what nervous investors should be doing, and the best moves to make if you’re just getting started with your investing journey, or looking to invest more in a bear market. We also dive into how we can prepare for another recession if it's coming. In Mailbag, we hear from a teacher wondering how best to invest her pension. And in Thrive, travel rewards credit cards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do you want most for your life and your career, in terms of goals you’ve set for yourself? What about those big goals that seem almost too big — the impossible ones that you only sometimes let yourself dare to dream? Julie Solomon, author of, Get What You Want: How to Go From Unseen to Unstoppable, tells us how to discover what’s holding us back, release limiting belief systems, and approach life from a place of increased confidence and clarity. In Mailbag, how much to save for retirement, and in Thrive, how to stop living paycheck-to-paycheck. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We heard from so many of you after our Crypto 101 episode. You had questions. This show is filling in the gaps during a time of volatility in the sector. Is it something we should be investing in? Is there a way to know if you’re buying the next Bitcoin at a low, and you stand to earn millions, or if you’ve just put your money into the next Luna? Shirin Bucknam, co-founder of Crypto Witch Club, joins us to tackle your questions. In Mailbag, we dive into how single people can get an executor for their estate, and questions on SEP IRAs. And in Thrive, what to do in times of market volatility. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re discussing how to get paid fairly, what to bring to the negotiation table, and what it really takes to earn more. We’re giving you scripts for how to ask for a raise, and how to respond if your request is denied. In Mailbag, we hear from a listener celebrating a big career win, and Jean advises a woman who just started a new job but it’s clearly a terrible fit and a toxic environment. Want to learn more? Sign up for our Let’s Talk Fair Pay Workshop on Tuesday, June 21st, from 1:00-2:00PM EST. You’ll have the opportunity to ask your questions and even role play with Jean and a Payscale negotiation expert! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Women’s household income drops by an average of 41% following a divorce. If you’re going through a separation, today we’re giving you a guide for what may lie ahead — and we’re getting tactical about some of the moves you should be taking to set yourself up for success. We talk about what it really takes to be financially strategic, preventative and knowledgeable. In Mailbag, we advise a listener on buying and selling a home in the era of climate change, and we talk through the advantages and disadvantages of getting married where college aid is considered. And in Thrive, how to talk to your manager about getting a raise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We can’t talk about getting women “back to work” without talking about what, exactly, that work needs to look like. Because “work” as we’ve known it for the last 100 years, just wasn’t built for women. Lately, we’ve heard of companies with 4-day workweeks and more flexibility than we could have imagined just a few years ago. But are these changes here to stay, and can you ask for them yourself? Shannan Monson, founder and CEO of NuuWork, weighs in. In Mailbag, we hear from a “millennial in transition” who breaks down her complete financial picture for Jean, and we dive into it all. And in Thrive, a rent vs. buy checklist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do you do when you’re told “no,” when what you really want is a yes? How can we pick ourselves up and move on, and turn our attention to new opportunities, or new people that want us? In this episode, we discuss how to handle rejection, with Jordan Lee Dooley, author of Embrace Your Almost. In Mailbag, we talk about making the most of social security, and helping an elderly parent with their budget. In Thrive, should you pay your parents when they babysit? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are NFTs? Non-Fungible Tokens. But what does that mean, exactly? We break it all down with Kelly Groehler, co-founder and CEO of Alice Riot. We tackle your most pressing questions, including: Is it safe to invest in NFTs? Where and how do you buy an NFT? Do you need a special wallet? How do you open one?How do you identify which platforms to use when buying an NFT? How do you identify which NFT to buy?What is the risk? How much money should you start with? In Mailbag, we tackle 529 college savings plans. And in Thrive, four things you should do before quitting your job. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A very special discussion on career, motherhood, and so much more with Senator Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq War Veteran, Purple Heart recipient and Illinois Senator. She gets candid about her work, her journey into motherhood and special initiatives and legislation. In Mailbag, we answer questions on iBonds, mutual funds and taxes, and adding bonds to your portfolio. In Thrive, what you need to know about student loan scams in 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do you do when you get a medical bill that's more than you can afford? How do you negotiate, settle for less, or get your insurance company to step in and cover more? Today, we’re asking all those questions of Braden Pan, founder and CEO of Resolve, a company that negotiates your medical bills on your behalf, and to date has saved people more than $16 Million. In Mailbag, we talk money optimization tactics and market volatility. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The competition to be seen and heard on social media is fierce. So, what is life really like for an influencer, and how much do they earn? Kris Collins, “KallMeKris” has 43.3 million followers on TikTok, 5.5 million subscribers on YouTube and nearly 2 million followers on Instagram. She weighs in on what it really means to be an “influencer” and what it takes to build a brand using social media,. In Mailbag, we tackle questions on helping a family member choose a career, and the financial steps to take after losing a parent. In Thrive, the best coupon apps to save money when shopping online. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re talking about money with Rebecca Walker, editor of the book, “Women Talk Money: Breaking The Taboo.” Listen in as Jean and Rebecca talk money trauma, reimagining our relationships with money, financial lessons, and the gender and racial wealth gaps. In Thrive, we discuss the best books and educational sources for retirement, and in Thrive, the red flags women should look out for when job hunting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re tackling your retirement questions, with certified financial planner Rose Niang. We talk about selling property vs. becoming a landlord, relocating to a cheaper part of the country, how to save when you’re starting late, and a Roth 403b vs. a Roth IRA. If you have a question you’d like Jean to tackle on an upcoming episode, please reach out to us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Women — particularly women of color — are often asked to conform and perform in very specific ways in order to be accepted or taken seriously. It’s exhausting. This week, we’re discussing burnout, trauma, and how women of color can be respected for their full spectrum of ideas and perspective they bring to the workforce, with Deepa Purushothaman, author of THE FIRST, THE FEW, THE ONLY: How Women of Color Can Redefine Power in Corporate America. In Mailbag, we take questions on the best options for investing/saving for children’s futures (including 529s) and we discuss backdoor Roth accounts. In Thrive, 10 places you can get birthday freebies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Forging new friendships. For adults, it can be tough. We’re talking befriending and de-friending, celebrating, apologizing, and everything in-between, with Amy Weatherly and Jess Johnston, authors of the book, “I’ll Be There (But I’ll Be Wearing Sweatpants).” We talk internet friendships, cheap dinner parties, friendship apps, and more. In Mailbag, we tackle questions on annuities and health insurance. And in Thrive, how we blow our wedding budgets (and how to save). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you looking to inspire a young adult in your life to become financially responsible and independent? We sit down with Bobbi Rebell, CFP and author of “Launching Financial Grownups” to take your questions. We cover: How to teach your kids to be good with money when you aren’t great yourself, what to say to an adult child who needs financial help when you need to save for your own goals, and how to teach your kids to budget and prioritize money when they have zero interest. If you have a question for Jean, please drop us a line at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ursula Burns paved the way for so many women — particularly women of color — to gain a seat at the table, and to have our voices heard. She sits down with Jean this week for a candid conversation about career, race, family, and so much more. Ursula is the retired Chairman and CEO of Xerox, the founding Partner of private equity firm Integrum Holdings, and under President Barack Obama, she led the White House national program on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Listen in as Jean and Ursula discuss what it meant for her to climb the ladder in corporate America before many women could even see a path up that ladder for them to climb. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do women actually need, now, in 2022, to get back into the workforce and have fruitful and meaningful careers and lives? Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code and author of the new book, “Pay Up: The Future of Women and Work” joins us to discuss. (No, we don’t just need to break the glass ceiling — we need to rebuild the foundation of work itself.) In Mailbag, we tackle annuities, and getting a will and trust. And in Thrive, the top financial scams of 2022, and how to avoid them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s time we took a critical look at our mental health. If you’re struggling, you are not alone. We chat with Melissa Bernstein, co-founder of toy company Melissa & Doug, and creator of LifeLines, a mental health platform that helps women who are struggling. She gets tactical about how we can truly take care of ourselves, and offers techniques for surviving — and thriving. In Mailbag, we discuss leftover money in a 529 and spending in retirement. In Thrive, what to do if you haven’t been able to save. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special on the stock market and the economy, we discuss what's happening on the world stage, and what it means for your money. We take a look at what you need to know about inflation, covid, the situation in the Ukraine, and a possible recession, as it relates to your portfolio, your 401(k), your IRA, your mortgage, your plans to buy a home, and so much more. With Ben Keys, an economist at Wharton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices