Money Girl

There are many ways to legally shelter your income from tax so you save money. Laura explains 8 ways to reduce your taxable income so you pay less tax. You can take advantage of some or all of them, no matter how much or little money you make, to keep more of your hard-earned money. Read the transcript at http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/node/9591 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Confused about how to fill out a W-4 at work? Laura explains what it is and how to complete it correctly. Plus, you'll learn 7 reasons when you should adjust your withholding so your employer doesn’t take out too much or too little income tax from your paycheck. Get the Money Girl book at http://MoneyGirlBook.com. Read the full transcript at http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/node/9556 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taxes my not be your favorite financial topic but it's important to understand the basics. Laura explains what you need to know about 1099 tax forms. You'll learn what a form is, who issues and receives them, rules to comply with the law, and 8 key things you should know about taxable income. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2mpBDeZ Get the Money Girl book at http://MoneyGirlBook.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No matter if you want to clean up your credit report or have an old zombie account coming back from the dead to haunt you, it’s important to understand your rights. Laura answers a question about old debt, explains the statute of limitations, gives advice for dealing with collectors, and offers 4 ways to handle accounts in collection. Get the Money Girl Book at http://www.MoneyGirlBook.com. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2mqLsMV Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Health savings accounts (HSAs) are one of Laura's favorite ways to save money. She explains how they work, answers questions from podcast listeners about these tax-favored accounts, and describes the important role HSAs may play in healthcare reform under the Trump administration. Get the Money Girl book at http://MoneyGirlBook.com. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2mr0nq7 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Congratulations on your pay raise or bonus! Now it's time to get serious about how to use it to improve your finances. Laura covers 6 wise strategies to create more financial security, so you don't fritter away an exceptional opportunity to build wealth instead. Read the full transcript here:http://bit.ly/2kABa8Z Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura interviews Jay Papasan, bestselling co-author of The ONE Thing about how to set priorities and finally stick to them so you get extraordinary results. They cover productivity killers to eliminate, how to easily have more willpower, and a realistic way to achieve work-life balance. You'll learn the ultimate question to ask yourself every day to identify and stay focused on your number one priority that allows you to make huge improvements in your finances and life. Get the Money Girl book at http://MoneyGirlBook.com. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2kItbsS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura explains what happens when you make a late payment, how your credit is affected, and gives tips to minimize the potential damage. Plus, she answers a question from a long-time Money Girl Podcast listener who’s wondering what to do about an account that accidentally became delinquent. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2lzjZZG Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Knowing where and how to invest money can be confusing and a little scary. Laura answers 3 questions from Money Girl Podcast listeners that will give you smart tips for setting financial priorities, leveraging retirement accounts, and knowing when it’s a good idea to use “robo-advisors” to make more money. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2iYdWNq Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you started the New Year with some extra credit card debt, you might be feeling anxious if you can't pay it off in full. Instead of getting stressed, follow Laura's 5 steps to get out of post-holiday debt faster so you take control of your finances and move in the right direction. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2jiDEcb Get the Money Girl book at http://MoneyGirlBook.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura interviews David Pogue, author of the new book, Pogue’s Basics: Money – Essential Tips and Shortcuts (That No One Bothers to Tell You) About Beating the System. You'll take away easy ways to outsmart retailers, leverage savings programs, and keep more of your hard-earned money, no matter how much or little you have. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2i8iVJb Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura gives 7 tips to pay off your student loans the cheapest ways possible. She also interviews a couple who graduated with $600,000 of student loan debt after graduating from dental and law school. Find out their experiences, missteps, and tips for dealing with loans, having a repayment plan, and getting a great education for less. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2hHGM3S Get the Money Girl book at http://MoneyGirlBook.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Not sure what a trust is or who really needs one? (By the way, they're not just for wealthy people!) Laura interviews Jules Haas, an attorney with more than 30 years of experience. They break down a heavy topic with simple language and examples. Find out the difference between a will and a trust, common estate planning mistakes you should avoid, considerations for couples who are not married, key legal documents that every adult should have, and how to get legal help when you need it. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2h0Ggt5 Get the Money Girl book at http://MoneyGirlBook.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’re eager to move into your dream home, preparing your credit for a mortgage approvall should definitely be on your agenda. Laura gives 6 tips for building credit before you apply for a mortgage, so you get a loan that costs as little as possible. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1sUoe1c Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No matter if you’re celebrating or protesting Donald Trump's victory for the White House, in this post I’ll cover 6 key areas where the President-elect could change your personal finances. You'll get solid advice to manage your money no matter what’s around the corner. Get the Money Girl book at http://MoneyGirlBook.com. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2f5zjpc Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Homeowners insurance takes a bite out of your budget when you own a home. Laura covers 10 facts you should know about home insurance so you get the most out of it, fully understand the coverage, and pay less. Get the Money Girl book at http://MoneyGirlBook.com. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2g0TpmF Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Managing one or more Health Savings Accounts can seem complicated. Laura answers a listener question about what do to when you end up with more than one HSA. Find out how these special accounts save money, the rules for using them, who can have one, and where to open one up. Get the Money Girl book at http://www.MoneyGirlBook.com. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2f9iZqI Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura interviews Tom Meyer to discuss really needs a financial advisor. Find out when it's the right time to hire a financial professional, how much money you should have, where to find one, how they're paid, and how to know you've found someone who's the best fit for your situation. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2dWzUxP Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In honor of National Cyber Security Awareness Month in October, Laura gives you 7 tips to stay connected with family and friends on social media as safely as possible so ordinary details you share won't be used by cyber thieves to hurt your personal finances. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2drUJRq Get the Money Girl book at http://www.MoneyGirlBook.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tired of dealing with your cable company and paying sky high bills? Then it’s time to finally cut the cable TV cord and save money. In this expert interview we cover details like how much you can save, pros and cons, setup costs, watching sports, best devices and streaming services, and the first steps to get started. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2db6KWV Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura answers a listener question and explains what happens when a friend, family member, or spouse leaves you an IRA. There are 5 important rules you should know to avoid costly mistakes that could trigger huge tax penalties with an inherited IRA. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2dkK9wf Get the Money Girl book at http://moneygirlbook.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No matter your current stage in life, there are easy ways to improve your personal finances. Laura covers 3 simple actions to take today to create more financial security, increase your options, have more peace of mind, and get closer to accomplishing your financial goals. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2chr34N Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stop making investing so complicated! All you need are these fundamentals to build a huge amount of wealth. Laura gives you the truth about how to start investing and which investments to choose. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1L5cYRZ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Want a great wardrobe but don't want to spend a fortune building it? Laura gives men and women 8 smart tips to spend less on clothes and build a better wardrobe at the same time. You’ll learn how to create a wardrobe strategy, know what’s a good deal, find deeper discounts, and understand how to care for what you buy the right way so it lasts longer. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2bIvRo3 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Not really sure how to manage money as a new couple? It can be tricky, but Laura gives solid advice for how to know what's right for your situation. Use these 6 tips to avoid potential disagreements and create a great financial life together. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2bsApyo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura interviews Stan Corey, a divorce expert and author of a new book,The Divorce Dance. They talk about different types of divorce proceedings, financial mistakes to avoid, how to divide up assets the right way, how to get divorced when you don't have much money to pay for it, and more. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2bvvbla Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura explains how 401k employer matching works and answers a listener question about what to do when your company doesn't match your retirement contributions. Find out if it still makes sense to invest in a 401k with no matching funds to boost your account. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2b7pY1S Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s great to have bonus income, but the net amount can be surprisingly less than you expect. Laura explains the bonus tax rate and different types of income that get singled out for special tax withholding. Plus find out how getting a bonus also affects contributions to workplace retirement accounts like a 401k or 403b. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2btQNMy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Not only is having good credit a requirement for getting loans and credit cards, especially at competitive interest rates, but it affects other parts of your financial life--even if you never take out a loan. Laura answers 4 questions from readers and podcast listeners about how to monitor, repair, and build credit for life. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2aqxMNd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Not sure if you should cancel a credit card? Laura answers a listener question and gives you 5 questions to ask that will help you know whether closing a credit card will barely affect your credit scores or end up hurting your finances. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2a4wGr4 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura interviews David Carlson, author of the new book Hustle Away Debt. If you're ready to tackle debt or just have more security, starting a side hustle can be a financial lifeline. Find out the main types to consider, even if your 9 to 5 job leaves you with little time to spare. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/29IKsha Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura answers a listener question about how to cut taxes when selling a home. Find out what the capital gains tax is, how it's figured, and 6 tips to legally sell your home tax free. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/28NRkVZ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura interviews Bruce Lubin, co-author of the best-selling WHO KNEW? series of household hints books--and a new QDT podcast by the same name. We talk about clever ways to reduce energy usage and save money. Find out how Bruce gets his entire family on board to cut their utility bills. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/28SOLpD Check out the Who Knew podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play! www.quickanddirtytips.com/who-knew Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura covers what usage-based car insurance is and 3 facts to know that can save you money. Learn the major pros and cons and how making a change in could drive down your car insurance rate. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/28QFAq0 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No matter if you’re saving money to pay for college for yourself or a child, it’s important to use the right type of account so you get as many benefits as possible. Laura answers a listener question about whether he should use an IRA or a 529 plan for the best results. Read the full transcript : http://bit.ly/1O88phe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Understand risky situations when you should never use a debit card--plus, your liability and consumer rights for both debit and credit cards. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1N0qhWd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura interviews Doug McCormick, author of the new book Family Inc. No matter your stage in life, you'll learn how to use business and corporate finance concepts to maximize your personal finances, make the most of your opportunities, and build wealth. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1sMw4dP Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura interviews Kim Palmer, author of the new book Smart Mom, Rich Mom. Both men and women will take away smart tips to prepare for parenthood, adopt healthy habits, and make difficult choices that pay off in abundance during the financially challenging career and parenting years. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1Z0RIoc Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura covers 10 products that everyone needs in order to create financial security, make more money, and manage your money the best way possible. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1TEey3y Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura answers a podcast listener's question about how to invest money for higher returns. Find out how much and where to put your money so you create financial security without taking too much risk. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1qSZEgA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura interviews tax pros Garrett and Deborah Gregory, a married team who worked for the IRS before founding Gregory Law Group, PLLC in Dallas, Texas. You'll learn what you don’t know about the IRS, but should; tips for the self-employed; how to stay organized; how to pay less tax; and much more. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/22vzBYp Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Follow this step-by-step blueprint so you know exactly how to prioritize your personal finances. Use these 5 financial priorities to help set goals, leverage your resources, and build wealth as quickly as possible. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1KF3Ib1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ready to pay off your mortgage? Laura explains who should pay off their mortgage ahead of schedule and who shouldn't. Learn 8 ways to get rid of your home loan as quickly as possible--if it’s a smart financial move for you. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1RFNSll Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura covers 5 strategic questions that you must answer in order to get a grasp on your current situation and take your personal finances to the next level. How you answer the questions will identify what’s missing in your financial life, where you want to go, and who you need to leverage for help. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/25pMeIz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Confused about whether to invest in a traditional or a Roth retirement account? Laura answers a listener question that will help you understand the rules and prioritize contributions among different types of retirement accounts. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/22iW5kw Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura explains what COBRA continuation coverage is, who’s eligible for it, and how to apply and shop for health insurance at the lowest possible price after you leave a job. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1UeQNBC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's time to face your bad habits and take control of your spending. Laura interviews money-saving expert, Andrea Woroch, for savvy shopping tips to protect your finances and save more money. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1PXjXkB Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ready to improve your credit scores? Laura answers credit questions from podcast listeners and readers. She explains what a secured credit card is, where to find one, and how to use the account to build or repair your credit no matter your situation. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1PXjMpo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura explains what private mortgage insurance (PMI) is and how to avoid paying it in the first place. If you’re already paying PMI, you’ll learn your rights for getting rid of it as quickly as possible so you can lower your mortgage payment and save more money. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1nWYEql Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura interviews Rod Griffin, Experian's director of public education, about a variety of important topics that will help you build and maintain excellent credit, no matter your financial situation. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1M6sseF Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.