Episodes

The myth, the man, the legend…Stan Lee the comic book genius recently passed away and he meant a lot to so many people. Stan was my friend and someone who I admire greatly. The last few years of Stan’s life brought his own super story – one filled with the tangled web of betrayal, lost fortune, and a constant reminder that you need to own your bank account no matter how famous you might be. What You'll LearnSome of the most impactful lessons I learned from being a friend of Stan Lee for over 20 yearsWhy you always need to know what is coming in and going out of your bank accountHow you can infuse more creativity and joy into your lifeA simple exercise to document fear, worry, sadness, anger, and joy that will save you thousands of dollars on therapy (and it's super helpful)How to tackle important estate planning documents now and what you needThe power of your gut when it comes to working with other financial professionalsWhy I loved Stan Lee so much LinksTomorrowWilling SUBSCRIB…

Have you ever wondered why we eat turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and our favorite veggie dish for Thanksgiving? The Thanksgiving meal has evolved so much since the early 1900's and become the holiday we associate with eating until we can't eat anymore. In this Friendsgiving episode, I sat down with the amazing Katherine Spiers, host of the Smart Mouth Podcast, to find out the history behind the Thanksgiving meal. What You'll LearnHow the Thanksgiving meal has evolved over timeHear the fascinating story behind the year of two ThanksgivingsUncover some regional differences in ThanksgivingWhy food has become a powerful mediator to tackling tough conversationsWhat are some of the latest Thanksgiving trendsHow to make the most out of your Thanksgiving on any budget + host an amazing Thanksgiving partyFinally, how to embrace where you're at this Thanksgiving no matter how much money is in your bank account or what goals you've achieved LinksSmart Mouth Podcast SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW…

Yes, even I got sucked into the black Friday madness, and 8 years ago I answered the call to a dare from my family to brave black Friday for a $200 shopping spree. I know, I’m crazy, but I do love a good dare, and who doesn’t love some free money, but I certainly learned a few lessons about how you can win on black Friday and not be one of the 66 million expected to go into debt. What You'll LearnMy crazy story of braving Black Friday in the wee hours of the morningHow to create an action plan for Black Friday so you don't overspendThe power of a "per person" budget for holiday shoppingHow to shop for the best deal for big-ticket itemsWhy Travel Tuesday is the best day to book travel for next year LinksBlack Friday price compareThe Christmas ListPoints comparison mobile appHopperGoBankingRates holiday shopping (and enter to win $1,000)Skiplagged SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Want to be the first to know when new episodes are released? Click here to subscribe in iTunes! Also, podcas…

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at your health insurance options during open enrollment trying to make some sense out of your choices– this episode is for you. Grab a beverage, grab your health insurance options, and let’s figure out what is the best plan for your wallet and your lifestyle. What You'll LearnUnderstand the difference between the three important variables: deductible, co-insurance, and out-of-pocket maxLearn how the health insurance system got its start in the early 1900's (and why we're still trying to figure it out)What's the difference between an FSA (flexible spending account) and an HSA (health savings account)5 questions to ask yourself before you decide which health insurance plan is right for youTips to pay for large medical bills and surgeries without turning to your credit card LinksCare credit cardHSA informationMarcus high-yield savings Discover high-yield savingsLA County Fire Department Foundation (fire donations) SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Want…

We’ve all been guilty – you see something one of your friends is doing or buying and you want it too. Or, what about that new piece of clothing you’ve been drooling for and then suddenly an ad pops up on a social platform and you take it as “the sign” that you should probably go ahead and buy it? FOMO spending is a real thing that could be hurting your bank account and credit score without you even knowing it. What You'll Learn Maizie Simpson is Credit Karma's Data and News Editor, producing stories to simplify and humanize the oftentimes intimidating world of money and finance and is sharing all her tips to battle against FOMO spending.How to evaluate whether you're FOMO spending or you really need an itemHow FOMO spending your credit score go hand-in-handDid you know that American's spend over $100 billion more on mortgages than we need to? How can you use your credit score to beat those oddsOne of the best ways to raise your credit score and why it matters even if you aren't p…

The holidays are a time of celebrations, family get-togethers, lots of good eating and cold winter nights, but for many of us, it’s also a time of financial stress and a visit from your good ole’ friend debt. Majd Maksad, from Status Money, is dishing some great tips to breeze into the holidays without debt so you can hit the new year ready to take on your goals. Questions I AskSo just how do we breeze through the holidays without going into debt?What do you think causes the biggest stress around the holidays and budgeting?Do you see any trends emerging when it comes to holiday spending – what we are all blowing our budgets on?Does it matter your income?Debt is a real pain point for some many listeners – and sometimes it feels like there’s no way out from the vicious circle of paying off debt but not making any progress. How can you take action today to relieve some of that pain around our debt?I know status money has come a long way since we last spoke. What’s the latest?If you h…

Have you ever made a money decision that you regretted later? I’ve made about a million of these over the years, but I’ve also learned how powerful your mind is when it comes to money. Can you trick yourself into being broke or being wealthy? How powerful do you think your mind is when it comes to your bank account? We’ll uncover these answers and the most common money mindset traps in this episode. What You'll LearnThe four negative mindset traps that can actually make you brokeHow to recognize the mindset traps and what you can do to strategize against themWhy you need to define what success means to you and how that might be affecting your bank accountMy own stories of powerfully connecting my health with my wealth and what I've learnedWhy you should have your own version of the "24-hour" window before you make big purchasesHow a "f**ck it bucket" can give you options in life when you need them the most SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Want to be the first to know when new episodes are r…

Millennials are leading the way when it comes to modern savings. There's a strong trend towards gifting experiences over stuff that's honestly really refreshing, and we're seeing this trend with children's gifts as well. Play yards and plastic trucks are great, but what about gifting your child (or someone you know) with money towards their goals like college or even buying a house in the future? Today's podcast guest, Mimi Chan, is sharing how her company, Littlefund, is shaking things in the world of gifting. What You'll LearnWhy we needed a gift-giving evolution in this countryWhat's prompted the trends towards giving experiences over stuff and how that is changing the way we view our financesHow to give monetary gifts towards future goals for your children or your friends' children (hint, great for the holidays)How growing up with immigrant parents shaped Mimi's own money story and her drive to start Littlefund  Links MentionedLittlefundStockpile (fractional stock shares)Col…

Article after article will have you focusing on giving up your daily coffee or that mid-afternoon trip to the juice bar to better yourself financially. I think it's time to throw out that wisdom (you can still skip your coffees if you'd like) and focus on achieving big financial wins. Things that will lead to real savings in your bank account like negotiating for a pay raise and lowering your cable and phone bill. Today's podcast guest, Tori Dunlap, offers a unique perspective on how you can achieve big financial wins while sharing her own money story and the lessons she's learned along the way. What You'll LearnWhy aiming for big financial wins is far more productive than cutting out your daily coffee habitHow to define your own big financial winsWhy having a value based spending method can be more beneficial than traditional budgetingTori shares valuable lessons she learned walking away from a lucrative job that she knew wasn't right for her and how her ER fund saved the dayFin…

There’s a common vocabulary that we hear over and over again – invest in your 401(k), IRA, Roth for retirement – which of course is a good thing, but we don’t talk a lot about a special savings account that can tandem a high-deductible health insurance plan called a Health Savings Account, or HSA. This account has some super special secret powers that can benefit you now and in the future. What You'll Learn You'll learn enough about Health Savings accounts to figure out if it works for you and to impress your friends at a dinner party!Did you know there’s a type of savings account that has a triple tax advantage? Pretax contributions go in, interest and investment earnings build up tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified health care expenses are also tax-free in your HSAWhat type of health insurance plan you need to be eligible for an HSAWe'll talk about the three magical ways you can use your HSA account to help you both now and during retirement (including some sneaky tricks)De…

When you think about teachers, what do you picture? Someone making a mediocre salary living paycheck to paycheck? Me too – but what if I told you there was a way to make over 100K teaching, pay down your debt, and travel at the same time? Meet Amanda Swartz from Every Further Mile, our guest on this episode who shares how she made over $100,000 teaching and living abroad with her family and was able to bank a ton of cash while doing so. Questions I AskSo, you’re telling me that you can make over 100,000k while traveling and teaching abroad? I’ve got to know how you do this.You talk in detail about how you chose to teach in the Middle East – someplace that most people wouldn’t think about going to as a first choice. What attracted you to that region?Walk us through the steps if we did want to teach aboard – where do we start?What is the biggest lesson you learned about teaching abroad?What does the future look like for you - will you teach abroad again, and where? What You'll Le…

It’s been a crazy couple of weeks – the Fed raised interest rates again, subscription fees are killing our bank accounts, oh, and there was a bloodbath in the markets. So, it seemed right for us to have a conversation about what this all means to you and how it impacts your financial goals. What You'll LearnThe Fed is raising the rates yet again - What this means to you: it affects your credit card interest rates, and mortgage rates will rise if you’re looking to buy a house – basically anything with a variable loan component will changeCredit card interest rates are up yet again - what's happening and how can you not become a victimThe markets took a downturn - let's chat about what to do now and why you should stay the courseTravel is up for the holidays with 33 million people saying they can't afford it. Learn a few tricks to make travel a reality to youFind out how many billions of dollars we spend each year just to avoid cooking at home (hint, we all need to learn how to cook…

On a recent trip to Indianapolis (my hometown), I had the privilege of joining Mina and Karen of HGTV's Good Bones for coffee and a chat about their thriving career. This mother-daughter home remodeling duo is hilarious (as you'll hear). Karen, a former practicing lawyer, and her daughter, Mina, decided to say "no thank you" to the typical 9 to 5 career, took a risk with money she had saved in an IRA and started a thriving remodeling business in Indianapolis. And then, one day, HGTV came calling, and the rest is history. What You'll Learn This was one of my very favorite interviews. Not only were we sitting in a super cool coffee shop in Indianapolis, but I was so inspired by Mina and Karen's story of taking risks, charting your own path, and having a sense of humor about the moments that don't work out. Not everyone gets a call from HGTV, but I think we can all aspire to find a career that we feel good about and helps other people at the same time!Mina shares how she wisely inve…

We all know that money taboos exist except we don't really talk about them. In fact, we don't really talk about anything in relation to money unless we absolutely have to. Have you ever stopped to think why this is? In the U.S., we have a terrible reputation of not making enough strides when it comes to financial literacy - which in turn enables money taboos to go right on existing. We need to talk though. We need to understand our money taboos and what role they play in our financial success and then we need to teach others how to do the same. What You'll LearnTo start, I'm going back and sorting through some financial literacy history in the U.S. to make a case for why money taboos existWho is to blame - teachers, parents, government, etc? What do you thinkWhat happens if we let money taboos continue to grow without putting out the flamesSteps you can take to break free from any money taboos holding you backWhy our closest relationships are the place we need to start with when …

I don't think you can ever learn too much about investing and growing your wealth. While investing can seem super complicated, the good news is that there are a lot of resources these days to help you out (like this podcast). One of them is my good friend and fellow CFP®, Doug Boneparth. Doug's joined us on the podcast a few times in the past, and he's back again to help me answer some of your #AskShannah investing questions. Whether you're new to investing or a seasoned pro, you'll enjoy this episode with an inside look into three of your investing questions from two CFP®'s who share a love of simplifying money concepts into fun bite-sized pieces you can easily digest! Questions AskedActive vs. Passive Investing: Is active investing becoming more favorable with volatile markets? Are cannabis stocks the next great thing or just a fad in your opinion and what do I need to know?Should I be investing as much as I can in my 401(k) or should I look at an IRA or a ROTH? I know you alwa…

The curious thing about building wealth is that there is always a risk brewing somewhere. Those risks can cost money and wipe away your savings if you're not prepared. What if you had a flood in your home - are you prepared and what do you do if that happens? In the U.S. we deal with hurricanes, tropical storms, flood-prone areas and more, but you don't have to live in a flood area to suffer damage. Jason Hargraves from Insurancequotes.com is ready to educate us. Questions I AskWith Hurricane Florence fresh in our minds can you run through some high-level details for us -what is, who needs it, and how do you get it?How does a deductible work in flood insurance?Are there states that mandate flood insurance?What happens if you live in an apartment? Do you need flood insurance?Are there any other reasons why we should think about flood insurance?Have any tips for how you can file a claim after a flood – painlessly? What You'll LearnHow to take an inventory of your home to prove you…

It sounds amazing to travel as your job – always a new location, meeting new people, eating amazing food, drinks from around the world, and more, but let’s be real, traveling is no-joke these days – long lines, delays, time changes, etc. So what does it take to turn your love or travel into a career and actually make money? If you’ve ever wanted to crack the code and find out all the ways you can make money traveling the world, Sebrin Elms form The Clumsy Traveler is going to answer all your questions. Questions I AskHow did you get started travel writingHave you always had a love for traveling and when did you decide to turn it into a careerWhat are the different ways you make money when you travel and how did you develop those income sourcesWhat are the first steps someone should take if they wanted to start a travel writing careerWhat are some of your favorite travel destinations that you've been on in the last yearHow do you deal with inconsistent income as an entrepreneur W…

Do you know the value of your network? Most of us take for granted the relationships we make in our career and don't realize their worth. What if there was someone in your network right now that held the keys to your dream career or to opening a door that would score you a book deal and more? There's power in your network, and our podcast guest, Kelly Hoey, is here to show you how to Build Your Dream Network (also the name of her amazing book)!! Questions I Ask KellyI’ve gotta ask, have you always been a natural networker or is this something you had to work on?I saw a graphic you posted on Twitter and it really makes think – “no one cares about your career as much as you do”. That sounds obvious, but we forget it. Why do we need to remember that?A lot of us hate the networking – how can we make peace with it and do it effectively?Why is having a network so key to our success?What about if you’re terribly shy – where do you start?Do you have any stories you can share with how havi…

The best part about being a podcaster is getting to create a community and deliver content that you want to hear. Your Ask Shannah questions have inspired this podcast episode, and we're starting off with a question about how you can put your finances on auto-pilot (inquiring minds want to know). I'm a big fan of auto-pilot, mixed with a few manual pieces each month to get your money flowin' in the right direction. What You'll Learn I'm tackling three Ask Shannah questions in this episode and diving deep into some tools that you can use to help your finances for the rest of this year and beyond.Learn how to put the key areas of your finances on auto-pilot - budgeting, saving, investing, banking and moreLearn why you should consider hiring a CPA (despite the cost) if you're going through a milestone like getting married or having a baby or changing careersLearn ways you can rebuild your savings account after you've had to drain it LinksClarity MoneyYou Need a BudgetFreshbooksAco…

What type of traveler are you? Are you more of a saver or do you love a good splurge? I’m a huge fan of saving money but when we travel I do love a good splurge! And I don’t feel bad about it – and you shouldn’t either. If you love to travel as we do, this episode is for you. You’ll walk away with some great and practical tips to help you manage the save vs. splurge debate on your next trip, and if Iceland has been on your travel checklist, you'll be booking your ticket in no time. What You'll Learn Bobbi Rebell, a fellow CFP®, host of the Financial Grownup podcast, author and more recently went on an amazing trip to Iceland. Even as a CFP®, she learned a few money lessons about the delicate balance between saving your travel dollars and splurging to have some fun. This episode is jam packed with great travel tips and an inside look into Iceland.Hear what Bobbi's secret weapon was to put together her trip to IcelandUnderstand why you should pay attention to local currencyFigure …

You blew your summer budget and now we're rolling into the fall. Before you know it, it will be the holidays and your budget will be screaming at you. Not to worry, I've got some out of the box tips to help you get ready for the fall and help you supercharge what you've got right now in your bank account. What You'll Learn I'm on a mission to continue to bring you different tips that you might not think about so you can pull together your financial plan for the fall. Here's a glimpse at what you'll learn in this episode:How to build your financial plan with one step or one financial item you want to accomplishWhy you need to write out your goals and how they can radically change your financial directionHow to create a plan for large expenses at the holidaysWhy credit card points are your best friend when it comes to gift givingHow to create your own fall financial plan in 3 easy to follow stepsFood for thought on how to think about your money situation this fall SUBSCRIBE &…

Student loan debt is no joke. If you have student loan debt, you know the stress an anxiety that it can bring on while you're trying to pay it off. In fact, student loan debt has skyrocketed to nearly $1.5 trillion dollars in 2018. What you need is tips, tools, strategies, and a little push to stay motivated while you're attacking your student loans. What You'll Learn Travis Hornsby, CEO of Student Loan Planner is with us today to break down some of the myths around student loan debt payoff and share some horror stories with you. This episode is jam-packed with great need to know information including:How to figure out if your student loan repayment plan is costing you too muchThe easiest way to pay off your student loans QUICKWhy you should be collecting the refi bonus - not someone elseWhat you should be looking for when you're considering student loan refinancingHorror stories can teach you a lot, and Travis is sharing a few dooziesWill student loan reform ever happen in the U…

You know the story. A famous celebrity with millions and millions of dollars dies. It might seem shocking to know that a lot of celebrities forget to secure one thing - those millions of dollars with a will or a trust. But, you don't have to be a celebrity with millions of dollars to have a will. In fact, getting a will in place is one of the smartest money moves that won't even break the bank. What You'll Learn Sure, we're going to talk about those celebrities, including Aretha Franklin, that died with millions in the bank and didn't take the time to set up a will exposing their millions to a long court procedure and more. However, this episode is all about you.Learn what a will is and why the heck you need oneThere are lots of resources out there to help you get a will in place for under $100Which celebrity had their estate held up for 30+ years in court because he didn't have a willSome simple steps you can take today to make sure the money you worked hard for will go to the p…

I'm going to be the first to admit that I've made a money mistake or two in my past. It has taken me a while to embrace all my money mistakes and learn that they shape who I am - not define who I am. You asked -so I want to deliver by sharing my top 10 money mistakes. This Episode Wow, I've made so many money mistakes I had trouble coming up with my top ten. Working with a lot of people, helping them with their money over the last 12 years, I can tell you with certainty that everyone makes money mistakes (and that doesn't make them a bad person). There is this terrible disease going around where people feel like they have to be "perfect" with their money and that couldn't be further from the truth! What You'll LearnMoney mistakes are a part of lifeHow to recover from some of the "worst" money mistakesWhy you should be making money mistakesHow to embrace your past money mistakes so they can empower your future SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW Want to be the first to know when new epi…