Popcorn Finance

Have you ever read a book that has stayed with you for years? "The Year of Less" by Cait Flanders is one of those books for me. That’s why I wanted to share a replay of the interview I did with Cait a few years ago on the podcast. In it, we discuss her book and how money influences every aspect of our lives, shaping who we become as individuals, and how her book helped her realize the changes she wanted to make in her own. Connect with Cait Instagram | Website | The Year of Less Book Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram|Twitter| Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

February’s inflation numbers left economists disappointed and housing might be to blame. We’ll discuss this and more in today’s episode of Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is 1 Housing was the number 1 contributor to the total inflation number in February. Today’s Article US Inflation Remained Higher Than Economists Had Expected in February written by Diccon Hyatt Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you know how tax brackets are set up here in the US? Also, did you know this one tax deduction saves you tons of money each year on your taxes? Today let's get into tax brackets and the standard deduction. Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inflation remains stubbornly high and interest rates are staying right where they are… at least for now. We'll dive into what the Federal Reserve is thinking and more on Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is 3.2% This is the February inflation rate reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Today’s Article Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady, projects three rate cuts later this year written by Scott Horsley Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I have a house and a kid with my partner, but we're not legally married. Does this change how I should file my taxes? There is nothing simple when it comes to filing your taxes, so it makes sense that most of us have a ton of questions. That's why CPA Keila Hill-Trawick is joining me again this week to address a tricky question from Tara, a listener who wants to know if she should file her taxes separately or jointly with her long-term partner. Connect with Keila Website | Instagram | The Build to Enough Podcast Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you all set for tax season this year? With the tax deadline just around the corner, CPA Keila Hill-Trawick is back on the show with some last-minute tips to help you get organized and make this tax season a little less stressful. Connect with Keila Website | Instagram | The Build to Enough Podcast Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram|Twitter| Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

That $5 bill in your wallet or purse isn’t going to last as long as you think and I have a few good hacks that could help you save some money! We'll discuss this and more on Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is 4.7 4.7 years is the estimated lifespan of a typical $5 bill Today’s Article (is a news segment this week) In my weekly news segment on NECN I discuss a few money hacks I learned from this book Money Hacks: 275+ Ways to Decrease Spending, Increase Savings, and Make Your Money Work for You! written by Lisa Rowan Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can I make therapy more affordable if my insurance doesn't cover it? This week, I continued my conversation with financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin. Unlike last week's discussion in ep.430, where we explored why many therapists in the U.S. don't accept insurance, this time Lindsay offers insights on making therapy and mental health services more accessible through reimbursements, mental health programs, and employer-offered initiatives. All the resources Lindsay mentions in this episode will be linked below and a lot of them were new to me, so I’m so happy to be able to share them with all of you! Resources Mentioned - The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) states that financial cost-sharing requirements for mental health/substance use disorder benefits (such as deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket limitations) must be the same as those for physical health care. (E.g., if you have a $20 co-pay for physical therapy, you should have a $20 co-pay for mental health therapy) - Mentaya is one of the services I mentioned that facilitates reimbursement if you have a therapist who's out of network. Advekit is another similar service. - How to Get Reimbursed for Therapy. I wrote this post to help people understand their Superbills and how to increase their reimbursement from their insurance provider when their therapist is "out of network." Other episodes with Lindsay: 327, 328, 343, 430 Connect with Lindsay Website | Instagram | Twitter | Her book, "The Financial Anxiety Solution" | Money Personality Quiz Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram|Twitter| Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover the surprising percentage of money printed annually to replace old and damaged bills. Plus, get my latest guide on when, how much, and how often to tip as tipping culture continues to evolve. We'll discuss this and more on Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is 95% The percentage of all the money printed by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing in Washington DC that is just to replace old & damaged existing money. Today’s Article A Guide to the Ridiculous New World of Tipping written by Chris Browning (That’s Me!) Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the best investments I ever made was starting therapy a few years ago. Unfortunately, in the U.S. most of us are paying out of pocket because many therapists don’t accept insurance. I wanted to get to the bottom of why this is so common, so I asked financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin to come back on the show to give us all a peek behind the scenes. Resources Mentioned The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) states that financial cost-sharing requirements for mental health/substance use disorder benefits (such as deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket limitations) must be the same as those for physical health care. (E.g., if you have a $20 co-pay for physical therapy, you should have a $20 co-pay for mental health therapy) Other episodes with Lindsay: 327, 328, 343 Connect with Lindsay Website | Instagram | Twitter | Her book, "The Financial Anxiety Solution" | Money Personality Quiz Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram|Twitter| Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inflation numbers are in. Are things looking better or worse? Also, are you hoping to travel more in 2024? If so we’ve got a few tips for you. We'll discuss this and more on Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is 3.1% This is the inflation percentage reported for January in the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Today’s Article The 10 best budget travel tips that will help you travel more in 2024 written by By Lori Zaino and Kyle Olsen Connect with Today's Guest - Bianca Alba This Latina Travels | Instagram | Travel Guides Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram|Twitter| Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A lot has changed in the world of savings over the past few decades. Interest rates have climbed and crashed, CDs have lost popularity, and online banking has changed the way we interact with banks. Today we’re wrapping up our Saving Series by talking about these changes and more with John Blizzard, the President and CEO of Seattle Bank, and the Founder of CD Valet. John has 30+ years of banking experience, making him an expert when it comes to the changes we’ve seen in the industry. This Savings Series was supported by our partner CD Valet Access and compare over twenty-five thousand CD rates by visiting PopcornFinance.com/CDValet Connect with CD Valet at Instagram | Twitter | Website Saving Series Episodes 426: Savings Series - Everything You Need to Know About Money Market Accounts 424: Savings Series - Everything You Need to Know About CDs 422: Savings Series - Everything You Need to Know About High-Yield Savings Accounts Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is a financial red flag that would stop you from dating someone? Welcome to a special Valentine’s Day episode of Popcorn Finance! In today’s episode, I’m sharing the interviews I recorded with Allison Baggerly of Inspired Budget, while at the Podcast Movement conference in Denver, Colorado. One of my favorite questions we asked people was what their financial red flags were when it came to the wild world of dating. I’m sharing some of my favorite answers and be sure to check out these interviews over on my Instagram to put some faces to these voices. Connect with The Guests Allison Baggerly - Website | Instagram | Twitter | Podcast Mallory Kassoy - Kitcaster Brittany Greene - Instagram Megan Powers - Making a Marketer Podcast | Instagram Kate Nystrom - Kitcaster Angelica Cordero - Instagram Charity Youngblood - Life’s Questions & Lessons Podcast | Website | Youtube Ziearre Zubar - Instagram Jocelyn Hudak and Sophie Anderson - Pass the Mic Podcast Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a world of high-yield savings accounts, why would I want to open a money market account? Welcome back to our Saving Series! In our previous episodes, we've delved into the world of high-yield savings accounts and CDs. Today, we're taking a closer look at money market accounts. I’m breaking down the key differences between high-yield savings accounts and money market accounts and highlighting the specific restrictions that come with opening a money market account. I’ll also be answering a listener question about money market accounts versus funds. Saving Series Episodes 424: Savings Series - Everything You Need to Know About CDs 422: Savings Series - Everything You Need to Know About High-Yield Savings Accounts Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Federal Reserve announced last week that it won’t be making any changes to interest rates right now, but it didn’t take the possibility of future interest rate decreases off the table. What does this mean for you and me? We'll discuss this and more on Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is 5.33% This is where the Federal Reserve has set interest rates as of February 6th, 2024 Today’s Article The Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady but signals rate cuts may be coming written by Scott Horsley Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What exactly is a CD and is it worth using? Welcome back to our Saving Series! Last week was all about High Yield Savings Accounts. This week let’s tackle CDs - from their origin to when to open one. Plus, I’ll be answering a question from Jackie, a listener debating whether to save up for a new car in a CD or her savings account. Episodes Mentioned 422: Savings Series - Everything You Need to Know About High-Yield Savings Accounts 414: Popcorn Finance NEWS - Inflation is Cooling, Will Interest Rates Fall? Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buy Nothing Groups are popping up in almost every neighborhood across America at a surprisingly fast rate. Could this be the secret to saving your budget and our environment? Additionally, it looks like crypto scams are on the rise. We'll discuss this and more on Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is $2.57 Billion This is the amount of money lost to Cryptocurrency Investment Fraud reported to the FBI in 2022. Today’s Article Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Buy Nothing Groups written by Laura Fenton Connect with Today's Guest - Jill Sirianni Frugal Friends Podcast | Instagram | Frugal Friends Newsletter Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is now the best time to be a saver? Even if it's not the best time, it is still a great time to start saving. So I thought this would be the perfect time to start a new series all about the best places to save your money. This week we are kicking things off with the High Yield Savings Account. Let's break down the history of savings accounts, the origins of the high yield savings account, and the best way to use these accounts. Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram|Twitter| Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Biden Administration is fast-tracking student loan forgiveness for certain borrowers. And the cheap streaming prices we all loved seems to be a thing of the past. We'll discuss this and more on Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is 64 this is combined monthly price of the top 8 streaming services Today’s Article You may need to take extra steps to qualify for Biden’s fast-tracked student loan forgiveness written by Annie Nova Connect with Today's Guest - Nika Booth Debt Free Gonna Be | Instagram | Twitter Recent Student Loan Episodes with Nika 416: What to Know About Student Loans in 2024 417: $1 Billion Box Office & Student Loan Forgiveness 418: High Earners & the SAVE Student Loan Repayment Plan. Does It Make Sense? --------- Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are there any side hustles that can ACTUALLY help me increase my income? If one of your goals for 2024 is to make more money then today’s episode should help get you brainstorming on how best to do it! I’m joined by Melissa Jean-Baptiste, a former NYC high school teacher turned financial educator who’s on the show to share her story of finding a side hustle that helped her pay off more than $100k worth of debt. Melissa is a first-generation Haitian American and the author of "So This Is Why I'm Broke: Money Lessons on Financial Literacy, Passive Income, and Generational Wealth”, she’s also the writer and producer of the award-winning Millennial In Debt web series. In this episode, Melissa shares how you can use the skills, tools, and resources that are already available to you so that you get a side hustle that perfectly aligns with your life. Connect with Melissa Website | Instagram | Twitter | So This Is Why I'm Broke Book Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram|Twitter| Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you know what Loud Budgeting is? I didn’t either before this episode. And did you spend more money this holiday season? The numbers say yes. We'll discuss this and more on Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is 3.1% this is the increase in U.S retail sales this holiday season compared to 2022 Today’s Article This 2024 Money Trend Exploded on TikTok. And Personal Finance Experts Love It written by Dashia Milden Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the SAVE student loan forgiveness plan right for me? Today I’m answering a question from Deanna, a listener wondering if The Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan - the newest income-driven repayment (IDR) plan for student loans - is right for her and her situation. To help answer this question I have student loan expert and creator of Debt Free Gonna Be, Nika Booth to give more guidance and details surrounding the SAVE plan. Nika shares how this plan works for those with a higher income and what other details you need to consider with an IDR plan such as your marital status or if you have dependents. Be sure to listen to my other episodes with Nika to learn more about student loan updates, IDR plans, and more! Other episodes with Nika: 390, 385, 377, 416 Connect with Nika Debt Free Gonna Be | Instagram | Twitter | Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram|Twitter| Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are movie theaters back from the brink of failure and is the latest student loan forgiveness program, SAVE, a good deal? We'll discuss this and more on Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is 2 This is the number of movies that earned more than $1 Billion in 2023. Today’s Article What Is President Biden’s SAVE Plan for Student Loan Repayment? written by Kristopher Kane Connect with Nika Debt Free Gonna Be | Instagram | Twitter Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question, article, or number for the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram|Twitter| Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does student loan repayment look like in 2024? Nika Booth, student loan expert and creator of Debt Free Gonna Be, is back to share some updates on student loans for 2024. A lot has changed since her last visit this past summer when the Supreme Court struck down Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan. We cover the chaos that was the restarting of student loan payments d and where student loan forgiveness is headed this year.. Other episodes with Nika: 390, 385, 377 Connect with Nika Debt Free Gonna Be | Instagram | Twitter Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram|Twitter| Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part 2 of the Best and Worst Movies of 2023 What were the best and worst movies you watched in 2023? In early 2023 a friend challenged me to see who could watch the most movies released in 2023. So after watching over 70 films last year, I thought a fun way to kick off 2024 would be to throw a nice big bag of popcorn in the microwave and rank some of the best and worst movies of 2023. To make things more interesting I’m joined by Trashwire movie critic, and cohost of the Watcha Watchin’ podcast, Alexis Gentry as we discuss all things movies to kick off the new year. Listen to Part 1: here Connect with Alexis Instagram | Website | Twitter Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram|Twitter| Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the very first episode of Popcorn Finance NEWS, where we break down the numbers and the news in about the time it takes to make a bag of popcorn! This new Thursday episode is the News Edition of Popcorn Finance where I grab a fresh bag of popcorn and search the internet for the numbers that catch my eye and the personal finance news that I think you’ll want to hear. Today’s Number is 11 This is the number of times that the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates since they lowered them basically to 0% in 2020 Today’s Article Now May Be the Time to Lock In High Interest Rates on Your Savings written by Ann Carnns Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram|Twitter| Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What were the best and worst movies you watched in 2023? In early 2023 a friend challenged me to see who could watch the most movies released in 2023. So after watching over 70 films last year, I thought a fun way to kick off 2024 would be to throw a nice big bag of popcorn in the microwave and rank some of the best and worst movies of 2023. To make things more interesting I’m joined by Trashwire movie critic, and cohost of the Watcha Watchin’ podcast, Alexis Gentry as we discuss all things movies to kick off the new year. Connect with Alexis Instagram | Website | Twitter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who else made an overly ambitious list of goals for 2023? It’s that time of year again when social media is flooded with lists and round-ups of what everyone achieved and accomplished this year, but what about all the goals we didn’t manage to reach in 2023 - the failed goals? To make you feel less alone about your failed goals, Berna Anat, author of Money Out Loud, and I are sharing our failures of the year and what we hope to achieve in 2024. Connect with Berna Instagram | Website | Book: Money Out Loud Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram|Twitter| Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When was the last time you had a money chat with your friends? Telling your friends that something isn't in your budget can be difficult, not to mention awkward. Erin Lowry, author and the personal finance expert behind The Broke Millennial book series joins me to discuss how to open up to friends about money and set healthy boundaries. Connect with Erin Instagram | Website | Twitter | Books Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram|Twitter| Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What would you do if you received an extra $1,000 this holiday season? This week I’m joined by the internet’s favorite hype woman, Berna Anat and we’re answering a question from Derrick, a listener wondering what he should do with his Christmas bonus, put it in his savings, pay off debt, or something else. Connect with Berna Instagram | Website | Book Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram|Twitter| Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are all looking for hacks to help us get better at managing our money. This week’s guest, Lisa Rowan, wrote a book compiling over 275 money hacks that she has collected over years of writing about personal finance. Today we are diving into a few of my favorites, including ways to limit impulse shopping at your favorite retail store or restaurant and a quick hack to help you make smarter spending decisions. Follow Lisa Website | Podcast Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When do you think the Federal minimum wage was last changed? If you guessed over a decade, you’d be right, which is insane. Unlike other government numbers, the federal minimum wage is not adjusted based on inflation and so we’ve been sitting at the same number since 2009. So on today’s episode, I'm talking about the history of the federal minimum wage and what States across the country are doing to counteract that low federal number. Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram|Twitter| Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is putting a big down payment on a new car a good idea? A listener wrote in wanting to know the best way to approach her next car purchase. I spent waaayyy too much time in my favorite program (Excel!) creating a calculator to run through some possible scenarios. Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram|Twitter| Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! This episode originally aired on 9/26/22 as Ep# 338 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will the way that retirement plans work be changing in 2024? This week I’m answering a question from Kurt, a listener who has heard about a few changes coming to retirement plans thanks to the Secure Act 2.0. Will new rules make withdrawals from 401(k) plans a little bit easier? What will be the tax impact of new employer matching rules? This week let's talk through these details in more! Episodes Mentioned: Ep.403: 401(k) Withdrawals on the Rise Ep.215: 401(k) Q&A - What's a 401k Match? Ep.212: Traditional vs Roth 401(k) Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can we use fear to make better financial decisions?? In today’s episode, we’re exploring working with our fears instead of against them to build a better financial life. Farnoosh Torabi, personal finance expert, author, and speaker, is back to discuss her newest book, A Healthy State of Panic, this book is part memoir, part guidebook on how fear can be a superpower. Connect with Farnoosh Website | Twitter | Instagram | Book | So Money Podcast Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is keeping it simple really the best way to ensure I’m prepared for retirement? Why are we always looking for a more complicated solution to something when the simplest is often the best choice? That’s how I feel about investing, as does Jill Schlesinger, host of the Jill on Money podcast. This week Jill joins me to explain why there is no secret sauce to investing and why overcomplicating it could cause you to lose money in the long run. Other episodes featuring Jill - Ep.371, Ep.372, Ep.380, Ep.397, Ep.398, Ep. 399 Connect with Jill Website | Twitter | The Great Money Reset | Podcast Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you had to take money out of your 401(k) in order to keep afloat financially? It shouldn’t come as a big surprise that times are tough financially right now for a lot of Americans and a newly released report from Bank of America suggests that hardship withdrawals from 401(k)s are on the rise because of it. In this episode of Popcorn Finance, I wanted to share a bit more about what that data in the report means and how hardship withdrawals work regarding specific guidelines and criteria you must follow in order to access money from your 401(k). Bank of America Report Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What comes to mind when you read the term generation wealth? This term has been everywhere lately and honestly, up until recently it hasn’t sat right with me. The idea behind “generation wealth” just seems unrealistic and unattainable for the majority of Americans trying to survive amidst inflation, unaffordable housing, and so on. But, if there’s anything that I am more than willing to do, it is to challenge my own beliefs. So today’s episode is about the discussion that changed my mind about generation wealth. It happened over on my other podcast, This is Awkward (Ep.64), with my cohost, Allison Baggerly. It’s been almost a year since we recorded that episode and I’m ready to share more of my thoughts on the topic. Listen to my other podcast with Allison: This is Awkward Follow Allison Website | Instagram | Twitter | Podcast Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can I contribute to an IRA and a 401(k) at the same time? A listener wrote in with this exact question so this week I'll break this question down and dive deeper in to what makes these plans different. Have a Question? Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram - @PopcornFinancePodcast Twitter - @PopcornFinance Facebook - Popcorn Finance Come Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/c/PopcornFinance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we hit 400 Episodes! To celebrate I'm answering a great question sent in by Sil whose brother has found himself in an annuity that he wants to move into his 401(k). In this episode I'll discuss whether or not this is even possible and four options for getting your money out of an annuity. Listen to Ep# 399 first before you listen to today's episode to learn all about annuities. Articles on Annuities https://www.fool.com/knowledge-center/can-an-annuity-be-rolled-over-to-a-401k https://www.cnbc.com/2013/12/09/everything-you-need-to-know-about-getting-out-of-an-annuity https://smartasset.com/retirement/how-to-get-out-of-an-annuity Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is an annuity and is it something I should add to my retirement plans? This week Jill Schlesinger, CFP and host of the Jill on Money podcast, joins me to help explain the ins and outs of annuities and whether or not there is an actual use for them. Other episodes featuring Jill - Ep.371, Ep.372, Ep.380, Ep.397, Ep.398 Connect with Jill Website | Twitter | Book Need an Advisor? Here's 13 Questions to Ask Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What exactly does a financial planner do? This week I’m answering another listener question with CFP and host of the Jill on Money podcast, Jill Schlesinger. We get into the nitty-gritty of when you should turn to a financial planner and when you can just handle things on your own. Other episodes featuring Jill - Ep.371, Ep.372, Ep.380, Ep.397! Connect with Jill Website | Twitter | Book Need an Advisor? Here's 13 Questions to Ask Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is investing supposed to be this hard to wrap my head around? I’ve been sitting on a backlog of listener questions and so for the next few weeks on Popcorn Finance, I’ll be answering your money questions with the help of my guest and personal finance expert, Jill Schlesinger. Jill is a certified financial planner CFP® and the host of the personal finance podcast, Jill On Money. This week’s questions come from a listener who is overwhelmed by the idea of investing for retirement on her own. Jill’s Guide on 13 Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor Popcorn Finance episodes you should check out Ep.241: Investing is Like Baking a Cake Ep.307: Should I Invest in Target Date Funds Ep.240: Being a Boring Investor Earned Me 24% Ep.306: How to Create an Investment Plan Other episodes featuring Jill - Ep.371, Ep.372 & Ep. 380! Follow Jill Website | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube | LinkedIn | Facebook Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What luxury item would you be willing to spend your hard-earned cash on? Have you ever been scrolling online and stumbled upon something that caught your eye, but then you saw the price and your immediate reaction was, "Ain't no way I'm spending that much!" That is the essence of this segment from my other podcast This is Awkward with my friend and cohost Allison Baggerly. Today we’re deep-diving into the world of luxury shopping and asking ourselves whether or not we’d be willing to spend our money on this week’s hand-selected luxury item. Listen to my other podcast with Allison: This is Awkward Follow Allison Website | Instagram | Twitter | Podcast Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram|Twitter|Facebook|YouTube |TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How does money's emotional impact affect how we address our finances? At first glance, personal finance can seem like a technical and unemotional topic, but in reality, it’s a subject that can stir up a lot of feelings related to trauma, shame, and guilt. To help discuss the broader effects our relationship with money has on our finances I’m joined by Paco de Leon, founder of The Hell Yeah Group on Popcorn Finance today. In this episode we talk about the shame and guilt that can surround our finances, how we can uncover where those feelings originated, and how to address and move past these issues. Connect with Paco Instagram | Website | Book Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Has tipping culture gotten out of control recently? We’ve always had a strong tipping culture in the U.S. but recently the conversation surrounding tipping has gotten more heated. It would appear that I’m not the only one who has noticed an influx of businesses utilizing a tip prompt or option at checkout that never had that option beforehand. Hence, in today’s episode of Popcorn Finance, I'm sharing a snippet from my recent NBCLX segment with Natalie Lizarraga in which she asked what my thoughts are regarding tipping. Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do I have to invest in every new stock or cryptocurrency in order to reach my retirement goals? The short answer is no. Investing doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. In fact, alarm bells should start ringing when you come across any investment advice that promises you’ll “get rich quick” with their fool-proof strategy. Hey Berna aka the internet’s financial hype woman and personal finance educator, Berna Anat is on Popcorn Finance this week to break down why it’s important to bring our finances back to basics before we start throwing money at the newest investing trend. Listen to hear why the seemingly boring way of investing is actually your best bet when it comes to returns and long-term goals. Connect with Berna Instagram | Website | Book Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok This episode originally aired on 11/29/21 as episode #273 Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Would you rather have a perfect credit score or $100,000? Kevin Matthews, a former financial planner, joins me on the podcast today to discuss why credit scores are not the be-all and end-all and what other areas of our finances deserve just as much if not more attention. Connect with Kevin Website | Twitter Buy Kevin’s Book – Burning to Blueprint: Rebuilding Black Wall Street After a Century of Silence Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why do Target Date Funds get such a bad rap? Investing educator extraordinaire, Amanda Holden is on the show to talk about the pros and cons of Target Date Funds and why you should consider investing in one. Additionally, Amanda shares what it takes to be a good investor, and spoiler alert, it doesn't involve day trading stocks. Connect with Amanda Instagram | YouTube Links Check out Amanda’s investing course: Invested Development Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | X/Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is an income-driven repayment plan keeping you in debt longer? Nika Booth, student loan expert and creator of Debt Free Gonna Be is back on the show to talk about income-driven repayment plans. Are they your best option? Is the possibility of student loan forgiveness worth it? Nika has a wealth of knowledge about student loans, so check out our other student loan episodes covering updates on Biden’s student loan forgiveness plans and the student loan payment pause. Other episodes with Nika: 385 & 377 Connect with Nika Debt Free Gonna Be | Instagram | Twitter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices