It’s frustrating when you’re not getting what you want out of your career, whether it’s money, meaning, or in the case of this week's listener, both. So what do you do next? Give up the security of a steady paycheck to pursue your passions? Or stick it out and hope that someday you’ll make more money -- and if that’s a possibility, what can you do to try to make it happen? On this episode, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez turns to Terri Trespicio, author of Unfollow Your Passion: How to...

Money Confidential from Real Simple is back with your real money stories, struggles, and secrets. When it comes to finances, we know it’s not just about the money, it’s about what the money means for you. Each week, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez talks to a listener about their money problems, and gets real answers from financial experts.⁠ Because we all have money secrets. We just need more space to talk about them. This is the place for real talk about money, and real solutions that...

More than half of Americans say they are living paycheck to paycheck -- including this weeks’ listener, a 39-year-old college professor who, despite having a high income, is struggling to stick to a budget. For help, Stefanie interviews Alison Baggerly, the founder of Inspired Budget, about the practical financial and emotional strategies our listener can use to break free of the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle for good. If you have a money story or question to share, you can send us an email at...

Budgeting isn’t a fun concept--it fact, for many of us, it’s incredibly off-putting. We tend to associate budgeting with denying ourselves of everything we enjoy. This week, however, you’ll hear from three previous guests who offer a fresh perspective on budgeting as a way to afford what you really want, without feeling deprived at all. Tune in, and get ready to look at budgeting in a whole new way. If you have a money story or question to share, you can send us an email at...

Investing is an excellent way to grow your own personal wealth. But when it comes to filing your taxes when you have investments, there are certain things you need to know–so you don’t end up with penalties like this week’s listener, Lorraine, did back in 2019. For advice, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez turns to Kristin Myers, editor-in-chief of The Balance, and Caleb Silver, editor-in-chief of Investopedia. Dealing with debt? Buying a house? Getting married? Confused about investing?...

In this week’s episode, we meet Daria, a Brooklyn-based listener who’s currently finalizing her divorce from her husband. Like every other major life event, divorce changes the way in which you should file your taxes. For advice on how to get your taxes right after a divorce, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez turns to Kristin Myers, editor-in-chief of The Balance, and Caleb Silver, editor-in-chief of Investopedia. They’ll also delve into everything you need to know when filing your taxes...

Milestone moments such as getting married, buying a home, or having children can change the way you file your taxes as much as they can change your life. But it’s important to know all the implications of making a change so you don’t run into trouble like this week’s listener did. Gretchen thought she was making all the right decisions by filing separately from her husband–then was slapped with penalties from the government. For advice on filing taxes after several major life events, host...

Tax laws change constantly, and your taxes only become more complicated the older you get. In fact, many times, people just don’t realize what they don’t know. This week’s listener, for example, settled a debt–without understanding the tax implications–and lost most of her tax refund as a result. So when should you do your own taxes, and when should you consider calling a professional? For guidance, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez turns to personal finance experts, Kristin Myers,...

For many people, taxes are intimidating. After all, slip-ups can have serious consequences. Take this week’s guest, a 40-year-old public service worker based in Washington, DC, who wound up with a massive bill from the IRS after adjusting her tax withholding to pay down debt quicker and not filing taxes for two years. To help you avoid tax mistakes and maximize benefits–and ensure you’re up to date on all that changed for 2021–host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez turns to Kristin Myers,...

Everyone pays taxes, yet it’s a complicated process that many of us don’t fully understand. As one Utah-based listener learned the hard way, one simple oversight is all it takes to get a big bill from the IRS, instead of your anticipated refund. In this episode, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez tackles all the essentials with Caleb Silver, editor-in-chief of Investopedia, and Kristin Myers, editor-in-chief of The Balance, including what each tax form means, how to claim deductions (and find...

Season 2 of Money Confidential is back with Taxes in Ten, a six-episode mini-season covering your top tax questions. Host and nationally recognized money expert, Stefanie O'Connell Rodriguez is teaming up with personal finance experts, Kristin Myers, editor-in-chief of The Balance, and Caleb Silver, editor-in-chief of Investopedia, to talk about everything from doing your own taxes, to the specific tax considerations of different life stages. Taxes in Ten starts February 21. New episodes...

How do you talk about money in your relationship when the fact that you earn more than your partner is a constant source of underlying tension? Stefanie talks to a 26-year-old woman based in Chicago who out earns her boyfriend by $35,000 a year, as well as financial expert Farnoosh Torabi, who reveals how breadwinning women can maximize fulfillment at work, at home, and in their financial lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re revisiting conversations we’ve had with four past expert guests about the most common things people overlook when purchasing a home, as well as all the hidden costs of homeownership – to help you prepare for one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make - buying a home. If you have a money story or question to share, you can send us an email at [email protected]. You can also leave us a voicemail at ‪(929) 352-4106‬.  Learn more about your ad choices....

Taking control of your finances is challenging for many people, but for this week’s listener, a 40-year-old Virginia man, ADHD and bipolar diagnoses complicate the situation even more. Host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez turns to licensed therapist Amber Hawley for strategies to effectively manage your money while also dealing with mental health challenges. If you have a money story or question to share, you can send us an email at [email protected]. You can also leave us a...

This week we meet a 38-year-old father based in Queens, New York, who has spent tens of thousands of dollars on home repairs and renovations over the past two years. Frustrated by all the time and money he’s spent on a place that isn’t his family’s forever home, our listener asks: Should we sell and move elsewhere, even though we’ve only lived in our place for two years? Host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez turns to full-time real estate investor, J Scott, for answers.  If you have a money story...

Managing your own financial future can be a scary and overwhelming process. For many people, becoming a parent adds a new layer of complexity and anxiety to the process. Our guest, a 36-year-old first time father living in Austin, Texas, is struggling to find balance in his financial planning with the added expenses and time commitments of raising a baby with his wife. For help, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez speaks with Dasha Kennedy, founder of financial education platform,...

How do you pay off expenses from your past while also making smart investments for your future? This week’s guest, a 26-year-old living in New York City, is struggling with this dilemma right now. To help her, and others like her, host Stefanie O'Connell Rodriguez interviews viral TikTok money coach Delyanne Barros about how to strike the right balance between your financial obligations and your goals for the future, as well as easy strategies for growing your money (no matter how much you...

How do you indulge in time out with friends while also paying off debt and saving for emergencies? That’s the conundrum this week’s guest, a 28-year-old Mississippi native living in New York City, is trying to solve. Host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez interviews YouTube star, Aja Dang, about her experience of paying off $200,000 of debt in just two years--without sacrificing her monthly budget for facials. If you have a money story or question to share, you can send us an email at...

Many of us would love to create generational wealth for our family, but that desire can leave us feeling overwhelmed. Our guest this week, a 39-year-old woman from the Bronx, recently purchased her first home in the Atlanta suburbs after struggling with the grief of losing loved ones during the pandemic. She now grapples with how to secure her own financial future, while also building an inheritance for her children.  For help, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez speaks with author and personal...

Saving for major life events in the future is one thing, but how do you prepare financially when you have several milestones happening at the same time? Our guest this week, a 32-year-old woman based in Chicago, is currently planning her wedding, but also wants to buy a home and start a family in the near future. To help her prepare financially, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez talks to personal finance expert Sahirenys Pierce about how to prioritize financial goals and create systems that...

Christina, a 32-year-old healthcare worker in Reno, Nevada, is struggling to pay off her five-figure credit card debt while also supporting her children and helping her mother financially. To offer guidance to Christina and others like her, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez interviews financial coach Cindy Zuniga-Sanchez about how she balanced paying off $215,000 of debt while offering financial assistance to her own family. If you have a money story or question to share, you can send us an...

After owning (and selling) a home in Philadelphia, this week's guest is questioning whether she ever wants to own a home again. Her biggest dilemma: Will renting for the rest of her life help or hurt her financial wellness long-term? For advice, Stefanie turns to Shang of SaveMyCents.com.  If you have a money story or question to share, you can send us an email at [email protected]. You can also leave us a voicemail at ‪(929) 352-4106‬.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

What happens when you or a loved one passes away without a will? This weeks’ guest, a 26-year-old based in Texas, found out when his mother passed away a few years ago. So far, he’s spent over $15,000 of his own money, depleting his savings, and borrowing against his 401(k), to settle the estate--and it looks like he’ll have to spend tens of thousands more to complete the process. For advice, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez turned to Cameron Huddleston, author of Mom and Dad, We Need to...

This week we are going to hear from three past expert guests who know what it’s like to balance the needs of their children (like paying for college) with their own, sometimes competing, financial needs (like saving for retirement). Learn how these experts find balance while also educating their children about spending and saving money early on. If you have a money story or question to share, you can send us an email at [email protected]. You can also leave us a voicemail at...

A 28-year old social media manager wants to quit her job and turn her growing side hustle into a full-time business, but to do it, she has to stop overspending. Host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez and personal finance expert Bola Sokunbi share practical strategies for managing the root causes of overspending, including-the impulse buys and emotional spending that many of us are doing to cope with the pandemic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices