How can we avoid the comparison trap when it comes to our finances? In today’s episode Shannah Game, host of Everyone’s Talkin’ Money podcast, and Certified Financial Planner is on the show to discuss how we can avoid getting stuck in a comparison trap and how to find what we truly want for our lives. -This episode originally aired on 1/17/2023 as #361 Connect with Today's Guest - Shannah Everyone’s Talkin’ Money | Instagram | Twitter Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter -...

Ever wish you could turn back the clock to share financial wisdom with your younger self in hopes that it would put you on the right financial path? My guest today is Ashley Feinstein Gerstley, author of Financial Adulting and founder of The Fiscal Femme, and we're discussing all the things we wish we knew about finances before we stepped out into financial adulthood. In this episode, we discuss How to safeguard yourself against misleading financial advice How to seek out financial...

Is it possible to make travel more affordable in 2024? The world has opened up significantly since 2020, and people are eager to travel again. But how attainable is it to go on trips nowadays? If you’d love to travel more but are unsure if your budget allows for it, I have traveler extraordinaire and all-around savvy adventurer, Bianca Alba on the show to talk about how to make traveling a bigger part of your life without breaking the bank. Connect with Today's Guest - Bianca Alba This...

Is achieving financial freedom really as simple as it seems? In today’s episode, I’m sharing Part 2 of Haley and Justin’s story. They walk us through the rest of their personal finance story after receiving a life-altering lawsuit settlement and the hard lessons they learned along the way. Moreover, how they managed to get their finances back on track and how they’re trying to help others avoid the same personal finance mistakes in their own money journeys. Connect with Haley and Justin...

An afternoon of Bluey delayed this episode, but I figured it's better late than never! Today's lets talk about the Federal Reserve and their decision to keep interest rates right were they are... at least for now. 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...

What would you do if you inherited $600,000 in your 20s? I’d like to say that I would’ve been responsible if I got that amount of money in my 20s, but in all honesty, I probably would’ve saved a little and spent a lot. That's exactly what happened to Haley and Justin Brown-Woods when they inherited $600,000 from a grandparent. They didn't just spend it all—they racked up a ton of credit card debt too. That set them on a wild ride of debt repayment and led to the birth of their podcast, 'The...

You've probably noticed that I took a couple of weeks off from Popcorn Finance News, but this week I'm back at it, and I have more than one number to share! Three weeks ago, the Labor Bureau released inflation data from March, and I've been going over those numbers ever since. So today, I'll share the most interesting pieces of information I found after analyzing five years' worth of inflation data, including if grocery prices are going down and how car insurance rates have risen. We'll...

What were conversations surrounding money like when you were a kid? Many of us grapple with financial fears, whether it's a scarcity mindset or simply not knowing how to handle money, largely due to the lack of financial education in our childhoods. That's why I invited Naseema McElroy, host of the Financially Intentional Podcast, to join me on the show today. She's here to discuss her three-account system and how we can prepare the next generation for financial success.  Connect with...

Is money wreaking havoc on your mental health? Money affects all aspects of our lives, so it shouldn’t be surprising that it can directly impact our mental health. That's why on today’s show, I wanted to continue the conversation about money and mental health with the help of Jill Sirrianni, one-half of The Frugal Friends podcast and a licensed clinical social worker. Jill shares insights on how we can better manage our mental health, especially when facing stressors that are beyond our...

Should I be investing in a HSA instead of a 401(k)? Last week, we tackled some HSA questions from a listener. Today Andrew Giancola, host of The Personal Finance Podcast, is back to dive into the finer details of HSAs, including how to access your money and how he uses one for retirement. Part 1: Ep. 441 Connect with Andrew Instagram | Website | The Personal Finance Podcast | Youtube Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on...

There is a cap on how much in taxes the Federal Government can take from your paycheck and it is not as high as you think. Plus, you should use this episode as a reminder to check in on those CDs you opened last year. You might find a drop in your interest rate. We’ll discuss this and more in today’s episode of Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is 37% This is the highest Federal tax bracket... but only if you make more than $578,126 Today’s Article  How High-Yield CDs Turn Into 0.05% CDs...

What is an HSA and do I need one? A listener wrote in with some great HSA questions including whether or not they are a good option for retirement. Andrew Giancola, host of The Personal Finance Podcast, is joining me to breakdown all things HSAs! Connect with Andrew Instagram | Website | The Personal Finance Podcast | Youtube Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email...

Did you know that over 65% of tax filers get a refund? Have you started spring cleaning your bank account? We’ll discuss this and more in today’s episode of Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is 65% About 65% of tax filers received a tax refund in 2023. 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...

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...

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...

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 |...

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 -...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...