Episodes
It can be awkward to discuss money when you're in a new relationship. Financial therapist Amanda Clayman suggests following what she calls the "five components of financial intimacy" to get the conversation started.
Published 12/05/22
A couple clashes about how much money they need to save before having children. This episode is from our friends This Is Uncomfortable's podcast series on fights about money.
Published 11/26/22
The prices of goods and services have gone up. How much of that is due to Ukraine or the pandemic? What can our elected officials do to lower prices? And how does inflation slow down? NPR's Marielle Segarra and Stacey Vanek Smith tackle listener queries.
Published 11/08/22
The idea that you can use your credit card to earn points for airfare, hotels and car rentals or offset grocery or gas bills might seem too good to be true. But people are doing it — and so can you.
Published 11/07/22
Life Kit teams up with NPR Education to answer some common questions about student loan relief, including: What's the application process like? What loans qualify for debt relief? What if you have multiple loans?
Published 10/24/22
About 60% of Americans have some money in the stock market — and the markets are not doing great. Your knee-jerk reaction might be to sell. But experts explain why that's not a good idea.
Published 10/03/22
High inflation and a possible recession is making life more expensive. Washington Post personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary explains how to manage debt as interest rates increase and prepare for an economic downturn.
Published 08/11/22
We're sharing an episode of CNN's personal finance podcast, Diversifying. Host Delyanne Barros explores the question: How does money make you feel? This episode centers on an all too common but under-discussed area of personal finance: money trauma. Learn how to overcome the anxiety and stress associated with money so you can start to make better financial decisions.
Published 08/06/22
Having a baby is one of the biggest - and most expensive - life changes a person can experience. Here's what you need to know about financially planning for a baby, according to Farnoosh Torabi, Editor at Large CNET Money. Find out if there is a magic number that tells you you're ready, what to think about ahead of time and learn what can probably wait.
Published 07/26/22
If the words "crypto," "Bitcoin," "blockchain," "mining," feel overwhelming or confusing Life Kit is here to help. In this episode, experts to demystify cryptocurrencies and give you the tools to decide whether buying some is a good option for you.
Published 07/25/22
Making more money tends to lead to spending more money. It's a phenomenon known as "lifestyle creep." Paco de Leon, author of Finance for the People, shares advice on keeping your long term financial goals in check and fending off the subconscious urge to automatically increase spending when your income increases.
Published 07/14/22
Car ownership can be intimidating - and expensive - especially when it comes to upkeep. In this episode of Life Kit, get expert guidance on how to spot and maintain essential safety features in a car, how to find the right mechanic for you and when it's time for a new car.
Published 07/05/22
We could all stand to stretch our cash a little further right now. Life Kit teamed up with financial expert Tiffany Aliche, also known as the Budgetnista, for tips about how to separate needs from wants, stop stress-spending and save for the future.
Published 06/23/22
Whether you want to save for a vacation or retirement, build generational wealth or split expenses with a partner, Life Kit answers your questions about personal finance.
Published 06/02/22
It's tax season >. But don't worry, in this episode of Life Kit, CPA and tax analyst Kimberly Washington offers helpful advice on maximizing your refund, what deductions to remember and how the child tax credit impacts your tax filings this year.
Published 03/28/22
Getting your finances in order can be intimidating, especially for freelancers, creatives, and side-giggers. Financial planner and artist Paco de Leon shares simple, holistic advice for tuning up your finances.
Published 02/07/22
Money talks, but how do you make sure your money is sending the right message? Ethical investing isn't magic, but it's one way to try and put your money where your morals are. Here's what you need to know before you get started.
Published 01/13/22
If you wince every time you open up your credit card app or feel stressed just thinking about personal finances, here's how to curb money avoidance and train your brain to face your money woes head-on.
Published 01/06/22
Holiday gift exchanges can feel like a burden, especially if you're shopping on a budget. Here are tips from a shopping expert on how to give more thoughtful presents — without breaking the bank. (This episode originally aired in December 2020.)
Published 12/21/21
It's time for holiday shopping — except this year, some consumers are making the deliberate choice to buy less to protect our environment. In this episode, writer Annaliese Griffin shares tips on online thrift shopping and giving meaningful secondhand gifts.
Published 12/11/21
Even among the closest of friends, conversations about money and privilege can be awkward. In this episode from Life Kit and The Cut, author Otegha Uwagba discusses how we can break that ice — before it's time to split the check.
Published 12/09/21
Whether you're paying down credit cards or saving for daily necessities, the best place to start is with a budget. Some simple tools can help. (This episode first ran in November 2019.)
Published 11/01/21
Open enrollment is back again and with it, the many confusing health insurance terms. Here are some of those terms defined to help you choose the best plan for you.
Published 10/18/21
The five-day workweek can feel as preordained as the number of minutes in an hour, but it hasn't always been the norm. Workers fought for a Monday-to-Friday schedule before it became standard in the U.S. in the 1930s. Since then, the nature of work has changed a lot, and now, workers are once again fighting for better conditions, says U.K.-based researcher Will Stronge. In this episode, Stronge, who co-wrote the book Overtime: Why We Need a Shorter Working Week, discusses what's changed...
Published 10/05/21
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid opens to potential college students to fill out on Oct. 1. Here's how to fill out the form to get money for college.
Published 09/30/21