HerMoney with Jean Chatzky

In this special AMA Mailbag episode, Jean dives into your most pressing retirement questions with listeners Pam and Laurie.  First up, Pam, who inherited an IRA from her late mother, wonders whether to cash it out or invest it for the long haul. Then we hear from Laurie, a military spouse navigating what to do with her husband's TSP now that he’s out of the service. Should they roll it over? Keep it where it is? And what’s the best way for a newly self-employed woman to start saving for retirement on her own terms? 💡 Topics Covered: How to make the most of an inherited IRA The emotional power of planning small financial “gifts” from loved ones Smart investment choices for idle HSA funds What to know before moving a TSP into a rollover IRA Retirement saving strategies for freelancers and the self-employed … Does more financial confidence sound good to you, then you might want to try:  🚀 FinanceFixx – HerMoney’s 4 or 8-week Money Makeover financial coaching program that will help you get your finances on track!  📈 InvestingFixx – HerMoney’s investing club for women who are ready to learn market lingo, and grow their wealth. Your first month with us is completely free!  Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com.  While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're digging into one of the most pressing financial crises of our time: student loans. After a five-year pause, the Trump administration has officially restarted collections on defaulted federal student loans, and millions of borrowers could soon face wage garnishment, reduced Social Security benefits, and even hits to their credit scores. Joining us is Jillian Berman, author of the groundbreaking new book, Sunk Cost: Who’s to Blame for the Nation’s Broken Student Loan System and How to Fix It. Jillian takes us behind the headlines, breaks down who is most at risk, and how to get your payments back on track if you’re in default.  Resources & Links: 🚀 ⁠FinanceFixx⁠ – Our 4 or 8-week coaching program to get your finances on track!  📈 ⁠InvestingFixx⁠ – A club for women ready to grow their wealth. Your first month is completely free. StudentAid.gov – Check your loan status, repayment options, and servicer info. Sunk Cost by Jillian Berman More from Jillian Berman on MarketWatch Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at ⁠mailbag@hermoney.com⁠. While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at⁠ ⁠⁠Hermoney.com/subscribe⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Motherhood is personal and more than a little bit complicated. And today, we’re diving deep into the emotional and financial complexities of modern motherhood with journalist and author of The Mother Code: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Myths That Shape Us, Ruthie Ackerman. Ruthie’s journey includes freezing her eggs in her 30s, navigating a divorce, and ultimately becoming a mother at 43 through donor eggs. But her story is about much more than biology—it’s about breaking timelines, challenging societal expectations, and rewriting what it means to live a full, intentional life…with or without children. Looking for more financial confidence? 🚀 FinanceFixx – Our 4 or 8-week coaching program to get your finances on track!  📈 InvestingFixx – A club for women ready to grow their wealth. Your first month is completely free. Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com. While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Jean is sitting down with the brilliant Rachel Rodgers — bestselling author, CEO of Hello Seven, and mom of four — to talk about how we can help the next generation not just survive, but truly thrive. Rachel shares her fresh, practical roadmap for helping young people build wealth early: from learning to dream big (million-dollar big!) to teaching them the language of money, investing their earnings, and embracing an entrepreneurial mindset. We dive into why just "getting a job" isn't enough anymore, how to help Gen Z overcome financial stress, and why every kid should think like an owner and investor. Looking for more financial confidence? 🚀 FinanceFixx – Our 4 or 8-week coaching program to get your finances on track!  📈 InvestingFixx – A club for women ready to grow their wealth. Your first month is completely free. Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com. While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this AMA Mailbag episode, Jean sits down with two thoughtful guests navigating major financial crossroads. First up is Dawn from Joshua Tree, who is in the process of closing her beloved but unprofitable gift shop. Then we hear from Karyn in Washington, who owns a rental home in Denver and is torn between keeping it as an investment or selling it while market conditions are strong. 💡 Topics Covered: Knowing when to shut down a business How to prioritize expenses during a life transition Rebuilding a career in your 60s Real estate decisions during uncertain markets Navigating capital gains tax rules Letting go of “forever home” fantasies to fund future goals … Does more financial confidence sounds good to you, then you might want to try:  🚀 FinanceFixx – HerMoney’s 4 or 8-week Money Makeover financial coaching program that will help you get your finances on track!  📈 InvestingFixx – HerMoney’s investing club for women who are ready to learn market lingo, and grow their wealth. Your first month with us is completely free!  Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com.  While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re diving into a topic that’s on everyone’s mind right now—layoffs. Whether you’ve seen the headlines, heard the whispers in your own company, or been directly affected, the truth is: layoffs are on the rise again, and you need to know how to prepare for them. Our guest today, Peter Rahbar, is an employment attorney and workplace issues expert. He explains your post-layoff legal rights, offers practical career tips, and shares the most important mindset shift that can help you bounce back better than ever. Looking for more financial confidence? 🚀 FinanceFixx – Our 4 or 8-week coaching program to get your finances on track!  📈 InvestingFixx – A club for women ready to grow their wealth. Your first month is completely free.  Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com. While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special Mailbag episode, we welcome back personal finance expert Dana Miranda, author of You Don’t Need a Budget, to tackle your most pressing money questions. From navigating early retirement goals to rebuilding credit post-divorce to whether or not you can justify your boutique Pilates membership, we’re getting real about money, self-care, and financial freedom. Mailbag Questions: 01:00 “I’m 58, burnt out, and want to retire early; is $200k saved enough?” 07:00 “Should I use my 401(k) to pay off $70K in debt?” 13:00 “Can I afford to work part-time post-divorce, or do I need to look for a full-time job?” 20:00 “I make $180k and have 2 kids, is $200 a month too much for a gym membership?” Looking for more financial confidence? 🚀 FinanceFixx – Our 4-week or 8-week coaching program to get your finances on track! 📈 InvestingFixx – A club for women ready to grow their wealth. Your first month is FREE. Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com.  While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you really need a budget to manage your money? Or is it time to delete the apps, toss the spreadsheets, and rethink everything? Today, we’re sitting down with Dana Miranda, author of the bold new book You Don’t Need a Budget: Stop Worrying About Debt, Spend Without Shame, and Manage Money With Ease. Together, she and Jean dig into why traditional “budget culture” can be just as toxic as diet culture and a more intuitive, values-based approach we can use instead. Looking for more financial confidence? 🚀 FinanceFixx – Our 4 or 8-week coaching program to get your finances on track!  📈 InvestingFixx – A club for women ready to grow their wealth. Your first month is completely free. Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com.  While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve all been there: endlessly scrolling through financial headlines, absorbing TikTok hot takes, or reading investing books with dreams of becoming the next Warren Buffett. But what if all that advice is doing more harm than good? On the most recent episode of Your Money Map, our weekly show with the Alliance for Lifetime Income, we sit down with Barry Ritholtz, host of Bloomberg’s Masters in Business podcast, CIO of Ritholtz Wealth Management, and author of the new book How Not to Invest: The Ideas, Numbers, and Behaviors That Destroy Wealth and How to Avoid Them. His mission? To help us unlearn everything that’s steering us in the wrong direction. If you like this episode and want more, check out all of our Your Money Map episodes at protectedincome.org/your-money-map/ or tune in live every Wednesday at 12 PM ET on Facebook or LinkedIn. 🚀 FinanceFixx – Our 4 or 8-week coaching program to get your finances on track! Our next 4-week session starts May 6th, use code SAVENOW for a 15% discount. 📈 InvestingFixx – A club for women ready to grow their wealth. Your first month is completely free. Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com.  While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Climate news in the last few years has felt incredibly depressing.  Melting ice caps. Declining bee populations. Corporate greenwashing. It’s easy to feel like there’s nothing we can do that actually makes a difference. But what if you could take one simple action that not only helped the planet but also your wallet and your mental health? This week, we sit down with Ashlee Piper, award-winning sustainability expert and author of No New Things: A Radically Simple 30-Day Guide to Saving Money, the Planet, and Your Sanity. She shares how stepping off the work-to-buy treadmill helped her save $36,000, pay off debt, and reconnect with what actually brings her joy. Join the Challenge + Learn More: 🔗 Follow Ashlee on Instagram: @ashleepiper 📬 Get her free Substack and join future challenges Looking for more financial confidence? 🚀 FinanceFixx – Our 4 or 8-week coaching program to get your finances on track! Our next 4-week session starts April 2nd, use code WHM for a $100 discount. 📈 InvestingFixx – A club for women ready to grow their wealth. Your first month is completely free. Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com.  While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re bringing back expert investor Jenny Van Leeuwen Harrington for a special mailbag episode. She’s answering all of your excellent saving and investing questions—from how to start investing outside of a retirement account to making the most of a short college savings window to figuring out which account to draw from in retirement.  Whether you're just getting started investing or reassessing your strategy later in life, Jenny and Jean break down the decisions that matter most—and remind us that successful investing is more about time in the market than picking the perfect stocks. Mailbag Questions: [1:30] “Is 59 too late to open a Roth IRA, and what should I invest in?” [5:00] “We have 3 teens and not much saved for college yet. Where should we start?” [7:30] “I'm a retiree, and I’d like to start pulling money on a monthly basis. Which account should I pull from first?”  [11:30] “I make $150,000 a year and put $1,000 into my 401k every month. If I want to retire in 15 years, what else should I be investing in?” Looking for more financial confidence? 🚀 FinanceFixx – Our 4-week or 8-week coaching program to get your finances on track! 📈 InvestingFixx – A club for women ready to grow their wealth Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com.  While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Markets have been rocky—and if you’re feeling a little uneasy about where your money is sitting right now, you’re not alone. That’s exactly why we’re turning our attention to a strategy that’s all about dependable income and peace of mind: dividend investing. This week, we’re sitting down with Jenny Van Leeuwen Harrington, CEO of Gilman Hill Asset Management and author of Dividend Investing: Dependable Income to Navigate All Market Environments.  Whether you're nearing retirement or just want to sleep better at night, this episode breaks down how you can build a dividend-focused portfolio tailored to your life and your risk tolerance.  Resources & Links Mentioned: 📍 Learn more about Jenny Harrington 📍 Support the Council for Economic Education Looking for more financial confidence? 🚀 FinanceFixx – Our 4 or 8-week coaching program to get your finances on track! Our next 4-week session starts April 2nd, use code WHM for a $100 discount. 📈 InvestingFixx – A club for women ready to grow their wealth. Your first month is completely free.  Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com.  While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re not going to sugarcoat it, it’s been a brutal few days on Wall Street. Markets are reeling. Investors are spooked. And if you’ve peeked at your 401(k) with one eye open while sipping a very large glass of wine...you’re not alone. That’s why we asked Karen Finerman, co-founder of our InvestingFixx club, to join us to break down what this market chaos really means, how long it might last, and what you should (and shouldn’t) be doing with your money right now. 📊 Want more financial confidence? Join Jean and Karen at InvestingFixx.com. Our investing club for women meets next on April 14 at 8 PM ET, and your first month is free. Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com.  While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are financial advisors worth the cost? How do you know when it's time to switch from DIY investing? What exactly should an advisor be doing for you?  In this special Mailbag episode, Pam Krueger, CEO of WealthRamp, answers all your biggest questions about working with a financial advisor. Plus, we tackle the #1 retirement fear—running out of money—and explain how to stress-test your finances to stay on track. Mailbag Questions: [02:00] “When is it time to move from a robo-advisor to a real human?” [07:00] “Can someone call themselves a fiduciary but still earn commissions?” [9:30] “I only have $100k saved. Will a financial advisor work with me?” [12:00] “Should my advisor help with budgeting, insurance, and college planning—or just investments?” [15:00] “How can I make sure my retirement savings last a lifetime?” Looking for more financial confidence? 🚀 FinanceFixx – Our 4-week or 8-week coaching program to get your finances on track! 📈 InvestingFixx – A club for women ready to grow their wealth Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com.  While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finding a trustworthy financial advisor can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.  Today, we’re joined by Pam Krueger, an investor advocate and the founder of Wealthramp, a referral service that connects consumers with vetted, fee-only fiduciary advisors, to break down how to find the right advisor for your financial goals. We dive into the biggest red flags to watch for, the difference between fee-only and commission-based advisors, and how to take control of your money with confidence. Resources & Links Mentioned: Connected with a vetted, fee-only financial advisor here. Learn more about Pam and Wealthramp. Looking for more financial confidence? 🚀 FinanceFixx – Our 4 or 8-week coaching program to get your finances on track! Our next 4-week session starts April 2nd, use code WHM for a $100 discount. 📈 InvestingFixx – A club for women ready to grow their wealth. Your first month is completely free.  Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com.  While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s Mailbag, we're diving into your burning AI questions with Celia Quillian, author of AI for Life: 100+ Ways to Use Artificial Intelligence to Make Your Life Easier, More Productive…and More Fun! Whether you're navigating a career shift, streamlining home maintenance tasks, or planning a road trip, Celia shares how you can use AI to make your life easier.  Mailbag Questions: [02:00] “Can AI help me with a career pivot post-layoff?” [06:00] “How can I use AI to keep track of things I need to get done around the house?” [10:00] “What are the best free AI courses for beginners?” [11:00] “Can AI help me plan a bucket list road trip?” Looking for more financial confidence? 🚀 FinanceFixx – Our 4-week or 8-week coaching program to get your finances on track! 📈 InvestingFixx – A club for women ready to grow their wealth Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com.  While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Artificial intelligence is here to stay, and instead of fearing it, we should learn how to make it work for us. Celia Quillian is an AI expert and author of the new book, AI for Life: 100+ Ways to Use Artificial Intelligence to Make Your Life Easier, More Productive…and More Fun!  She’s joining us to break down how generative AI can help us boost productivity, negotiate raises, manage our finances, and even help book our next vacation.  Resources & Links Mentioned: Find Celia on TikTok here. Article on AI Tools and Environmental Impact Looking for more financial confidence? 🚀 FinanceFixx – Our 4 or 8-week coaching program to get your finances on track! Our next 4-week session starts April 2nd, use code WHM for a $100 discount. 📈 InvestingFixx – A club for women ready to grow their wealth. Your first month is completely free. Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com.  While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back with Ramit Sethi, bestselling author of Money for Couples, for a special Mailbag episode! You asked, and we’re diving into your biggest questions on love, money, and financial decision-making as a team.  From when to return to work to navigating financial resentment in a marriage, Ramit shares his expert insights (with a dose of tough love) on how to approach these tricky conversations. Mailbag Questions: [01:00] “Should my inheritance fund my husband's early retirement?” [07:00] “Should I go back to school for my dream job—even if it means taking on more debt?” [13:00] “How do we raise financially responsible kids when we can afford to give them everything?” Looking for more financial confidence? 🚀 FinanceFixx – Our 4-week or 8-week coaching program to get your finances on track! 📈 InvestingFixx – A club for women ready to grow their wealth  Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com.  While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Money and relationships — it’s complicated. But what if those tough conversations with your partner could actually bring you closer?  In this episode, Jean Chatzky sits down with personal finance expert and bestselling author Ramit Sethi to talk about how couples can stop fighting about money and start building their rich life together. Resources & Links Mentioned: 📚 Buy Ramit's Book: Money For Couples 🎙️ Listen to Ramit’s podcast: Money for Couples 📑 Download Ramit’s Conscious Spending Plan Looking for more financial confidence? 🚀 FinanceFixx – Our 4 or 8-week coaching program to get your finances on track! Our next 4-week session starts April 2nd, use code WHM for a $100 discount. 📈 InvestingFixx – A club for women ready to grow their wealth. Your first month is completely free. Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com. While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scrambled, poached, or over-easy — Americans love their eggs. But lately, buying a carton at the grocery store has been an exercise in sticker shock. Why have egg prices skyrocketed? What role does bird flu play? And is relief on the way? In this episode, Jean sits down with Jadrian Wooten, Associate Professor of Economics at Virginia Tech, and Phil Lempert, the Supermarket Guru, to crack open the real reasons behind soaring egg prices. They break down supply chain disruptions, grocery store pricing strategies, and what this all means for your wallet.  📚 Resources & Links Mentioned: 🔹 Jadrian’s article about why egg prices have outpaced chicken. 🔹 Phil’s writing about planning for the bird flu epidemic. Looking for more financial confidence? 🚀 FinanceFixx – Our 4 or 8-week coaching program to get your finances on track! Our next 4-week session starts April 2nd, use code WHM for a $100 discount. 📈 InvestingFixx – A club for women ready to grow their wealth. Your first month is completely free. Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at mailbag@hermoney.com. While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices