Martinis and Your Money Podcast (investing)
Direct download: MAYM_524_HH_March_2024.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Direct download: MAYM_523_Debt_Free_Guys.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

2024 will be a big year for me personally and professionally, but unfortunately, it means the end of new content for Martinis and Your Money in October. My plan for this final season is to highlight a new financial topic each month. This month, I'm talking about relationships and money. It's estimated that money problems lead to 20-40% of divorces and from my seat as a financial planner for over the last 12 years, I can tell you that those numbers are accurate.  

This month, we're going to talk about the pitfalls money can have on relationships and the solutions to building a financially healthy and safe foundation for two people to navigate. Last week, I spoke with Tracy Coenen about financial infidelity, and this week, I'm talking to podcast listener and Financial Gym client Dolores about her personal experience with financial infidelity. Dolores joins me to share how she hid tens of thousands of dollars of debt from her partner and why their relationship is stronger than ever despite the infidelity.     

For more information, visit the show notes: https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode522-financially-naked-dolores

Direct download: MAYM_522_Dolores.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

2024 is going to be a big year for me personally and professionally but it unfortunately means the end of new content for Martinis and Your Money. It’s been quite the journey and I still have seven more months to go. This month I’m talking about relationships and money. It’s estimated that money problems lead to 20 - 40% of divorces and from my seat as a financial planner for over the last 12 years, I can tell you that those numbers are accurate.

This month we’re going to talk about the pitfalls money can have on relationships but also the solutions to building a financially healthy and safe foundation for two people to navigate.This week I’m talking about financial infidelity and joining me to discuss this topic is Tracy Coenen, a forensic accountant and author of the book Find Me the Money. Tracy joins me to share some of the lessons she’s learned about financial infidelity after years of uncovering it as well as what people should know if they suspect it’s happening in their relationship. 

For more information, visit the show notes: https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode521-financial-infidelity

 

Direct download: MAYM_521_Financial_Infidelity.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

2024 is going to be a big year for me personally and professionally, but it unfortunately means the end of new content for Martinis and Your Money in October, culminating in 10 years of podcasting. It's been quite the journey, and I still have seven more months to go. My plan for this final season is to be the best of the best, where each month, I highlight a new financial topic. This month, I'm talking about relationships and money. 

It's estimated that money problems lead to 20-40% of divorces and from my seat as a financial planner for over the last 10 years, I can tell you that those numbers are accurate. This month, we're going to talk about the pitfalls money can have on relationships but also the solutions to building a financially healthy and safe foundation for two people to navigate. Kicking off this month is the guy I'm in a relationship with, my fiancé, Vinnie. Vinnie joins me to talk about how and why he got financially naked with me and how we handle money choices as a couple.

For more information, visit the show:

https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode520-relationships-and-money

Direct download: MAYM_520_Vinnie.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Direct download: MAYM_519_HH_Feb_2024.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

2024 will mark the end of Martinis and your Money in October after 10 years of podcasting. The good news is that the year is just beginning, and I still have 9 months of amazing new content to share with you. Over the next 9 months, I’ll be delivering to you the best of the best. The best of what I’ve learned over the past 9 years of podcasting, the best guests, the best topics, and so much more. 

Each month will be a new theme and the theme of February is children. If becoming a parent is a life goal, you have to prepare for the financial challenges of having children and college planning is certainly high on that list. Joining me today is Alicia Lazarto, COO of the Financial Gym, and more importantly parent to two college-aged kids to talk about helping your children find the best college if that’s where they’re headed, why you should budget for campus tours and preparing for the eye-opening expenses of sending them away that have nothing to do with tuition, room and board. 

For more information, visit the show notes: https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode518-college-planning

 

Direct download: MAYM_518_college_planning_with_Alicia.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Direct download: MAYM_517_Will_at_18.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

2024 is going to be filled with lots of excitement on my end, personally and professionally, but it will also mark the end of Martinis and your Money in October after 10 years of podcasting. The good news is that the year is just beginning, and I still have 9 months of amazing new content to share with you. Over the next 9 months, I’ll be delivering to you the best of the best. The best of what I’ve learned over the past 9 years of podcasting, the best guests, the best topics and so much more. Each month will be a new theme and the theme of February is children.

People who already have children know this, but if becoming a parent is a high life goal, you have to prepare for the financial challenges of having children. Managing those challenges is hard enough if you and your partner are living together, it becomes even more challenging if you’re divorced. Joining me today is my ex-husband, Bill, to share what the co-parenting journey has looked like for him and we both talk about the ups and downs of when families transition into a new sort of family unit.

For more information, visit the show https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode516-coparenting

Direct download: MAYM_516_Coparenting_with_Bill.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Today is the last Friday of the month and my regular listeners know that on the last Friday of the month, I host the happy hour on the podcast where I gather great friends with me to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics. 

This is the first Happy Hour of what will be the final year of Martinis and Your Money and we’re talking about all things jobs, specifically managing through toxic work environments, getting paid what you deserve and expectations your company or manager may have of you. As always, it was a great conversation with my friends that I hope you enjoy.

For more information, visit the show https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode515-jobs

Direct download: MAYM_515_HH_Jan_2024.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Each month will be a new theme and the theme of January is jobs and salaries. January is typically a time for change where companies are more likely to lay people off and employees are more open to change and making a change, so I hope you’ll find this content helpful no matter what stage you find yourself in. Listeners, this is an episode along with it’s episode notes that you are going to want to bookmark, save, share, re-listen to, etc because it’s a great one! 

Joining me today is Sara Belhouari, our Trainer Management Lead at Financial Gym to discuss how she’s coached clients through lay offs, job hunting, salary negotiation and everything in-between. I am sure everyone will find important takeaways from this episode. 

For more information, visit the show https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode514-salary-negotiation

Direct download: MAYM_513_Salary_Negotiations.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

2024 is going to be filled with lots of excitement on my end, personally and professionally, but it will also mark the end of Martinis and your Money in October after 10 years of podcasting. The good news is that the year is just beginning, and I still have 10 months of amazing new content to share with you. Over the next 10 months, I’ll be delivering to you the best of the best. The best of what I’ve learned over the past 9 years of podcasting, the best guests, the best topics and so much more. 

Each month will be a new theme and the theme of January is jobs and salaries. January is typically a time for change where companies are more likely to lay people off and employees are more open to change and making a change, so I hope you’ll find this content helpful no matter what stage you find yourself in. Many people think about making extra income in the new year with the possibility of maybe starting their own company. 

Unfortunately, for a number of people, especially women, the dreams of entrepreneurship are mired by the opportunities out there. Joining me today is Roberta Blevins, founder of Life After MLM to talk about why you should be hesitant to start one of these businesses and how you can save time, money and aggravation by learning what’s a scam and what’s not. And now here’s Roberta. 

For more information, visit the show https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode513-roberta-blevins

Direct download: MAYM_513_Life_after_MLM_Roberta.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Welcome to a new year! 2024 is going to be filled with lots of excitement at the show and at The Financial Gym, January is typically a time for change where companies are more likely to lay people off and employees are more open to change and making a change, so I hope you’ll find this content helpful no matter what stage you find yourself in. 

Joining me today is Hannah Williams, the mastermind behind the TikTok account Salary Transparent Street to share what she’s learned after doing the crazy thing and asking random strangers on the street what they do for a living and how much they make doing it. As you can imagine, she’s filled with lots of great insights from her experience that I’m excited to share with you. 

For more information, visit the show https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode512-salary-transparent-street

Direct download: MAYM_512_Salary_Transparenstreet.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

On the last Friday of the month, I host the happy hour on the podcast where I gather great friends with me to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics. This is a very special Happy Hour, as we’re not only talking about our thoughts around Financial Independence but it’s also the year end happy hour, so we’ll be sharing our highs and lows of the year and we’ll set our goals for next year. I also have a very special surprise for you listeners in this show and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! 

For more information, visit the show https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode511-hh-financial-independence

Direct download: MAYM_511_HH_Dec_2023.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

I have a special bonus episode for you this month. As you know, this will be my final December of new episodes for Martinis and Your Money, and I’ve spent this month highlighting my favorite financial goal for clients and that’s Financial Independence, butno matter what your financial goal is, the end of the year is the perfect time to identify goals and plan for the coming year which is why I’m excited to share this bonus episode with you.

Joining me today is Kelly Lannan, Senior Vice President of Emerging Customers at Fidelity to talk about Fidelity’s 15th Annual Resolutions Study. She joins me to share the surprising finding of the study and also best practices for setting yourself up to achieve some of those resolutions you may make this year.

This is the perfect episode to listen to and hopefully inspire you to set those New Year’s resolutions or goals in this last week of the year. I apologize in advance for my voice now and on the episode as I’m currently fighting a seasonal bug that’s going around. Despite my cold, this is a great episode with so many helpful takeaways. 

For more information, visit the show  https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode510-Fidelity

Direct download: MAYM_510_Fidelity.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

This December is my final year end month for Martinis and Your Money and around this time every year, I’m always talking to clients about goal setting for the following year. And if you’ve listened to this show before, you know that one of the most important financial goals that I am most passionate about is Financial Independence and that’s the ability to work because you WANT to work and not because you HAVE to work.

Fi is the number one goal we give to all of our clients at Financial Gym and it’s the number one goal I beg of you to set for 2024 and beyond. Joining me today is Tanja Hester, founder of the Our Next Life blog and author of the books Work Optional and Wallet Activism. I have always appreciated Tanja’s approach to Financial Independence and she joins me today to share more of that journey and what she and her husband have been up to since the declared Financial Independence six years ago. 

For more information, visit the show https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode509-tonja-hester

Direct download: MAYM_509_Tanja.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

This December is my final year end month for Martinis and Your Money and around this time every year, I’m always talking to clients about goal setting for the following year. And if you’ve listened to this show before, you know that one of the most important financial goals that I am most passionate about is Financial Independence and that’s the ability to work because you WANT to work and not because you HAVE to work. It's the number one goal we give to all of our clients at Financial Gym and it’s the number one goal I beg of you to set for 2024 and beyond. 

Joining me today Brad Barrett, co-founder of the ChooseFI podcast and website. Brad joins me today to share not only his own journey to FI, but what factors unite people on an FI journey and his answer will likely surprise you. And now here’s Brad.

For more information, visit the show https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode508-chooseFI

Direct download: MAYM_508_Choose_FI.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

This December is my final year-end month for Martinis and Your Money, and around this time every year, I’m always talking to clients about goal setting for the following year. One of the most important financial goals that I am most passionate about is Financial Independence, and that’s the ability to work because you WANT to work and not because you HAVE to work. 

It’s the number one goal we give to all of our clients at Financial Gym, and it’s the number one goal I beg of you to set for 2024 and beyond. Joining me today is Jessica, co-founder of the Fioneers and a voice for the SlowFi movement. She joins me today to share about her journey to FI and the lessons her community has taught her along the way.

For more information, visit the show https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode507-the-fioneers

Direct download: MAYM_507_The_Fioneers.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

One of the financial goals that I am most passionate about is Financial Independence and that’s the ability to work because you WANT to work and not because you HAVE to work. It's the number one goal we give to all of our clients at Financial Gym and it’s the number one goal I beg of you to set for 2024 and beyond. 

Joining me today is Jamila Souffrant founder of Journey to Launch and Author of the new book Your Journey to Financial Freedom to discuss how she became a voice in the FI space and why her book is the perfect guide for you to start your own FI journey.

For more information, visit the show https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode506-jamillasouffrant

 

Direct download: MAYM_506_Jamila.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Today is the last Friday of the month, and on the last Friday of the month, we host the happy hour on the podcast, where we gather great friends to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics. 

This month of the show, we’ve been discussing investing to celebrate the launch of Financial Gym’s investment management subsidiary, FG Advisory Services, LLC. This happy hour is a time to share more with friends what was shared with this team, and that’s why this business line is so important to me and why we’ve fought so hard to make it happen.

For more information, visit the show https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode505-hh-investing

Direct download: MAYM_505_HH_Nov_2023.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

This month, we’re focusing on investing. We’re very excited to announce that the team at Financial Gym will finally be able to start investing our clients’ money. For the past 10 years, we have coached clients to become first-generation wealth holders, and we want to continue on the journey with them and help them grow and build that wealth. 

Today, Garrett and Sara, both long-time trainers at Financial Gym who plan to help grow our investing division, join the show. They join to share some situations we’ve witnessed with clients that have motivated us to change the wealth management industry. 

For more information, visit the show https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode504-RIA

Direct download: MAYM_504_FG_RIA.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

For the final season, I’m focused on delivering to you the best of the best. The best of what I’ve learned over the past 9 years of podcasting, the best guests, the best topics and so much more. This month I’m focusing on investing. I’m very excited for my listeners to be the first people to know that in just two months, my team at Financial Gym will finally be able to start investing our client’s money.

For the past 10 years, we have coached clients to become first generational wealth holders and we want to continue on the journey with them and help them continue to grow and build that wealth. Joining me today is my good friend Joe Saul Sehy. Joe and I were both financial advisors before the work we do now and I always love his insights and behind the scenes observations of financial advisors. Joe joins me today to share when he thinks people should engage a financial advisor, and his answer may surprise you. 

For more information, visit the show https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode503-joel-saul-sehy

Direct download: MAYM_503_Joe.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 12:30am EDT

This month we’re focusing on investing. In just two months, my team at Financial Gym will finally be able to start investing our client’s money. For the past ten years, we have coached clients to become first generational wealth holders and we want to continue on the journey with them and help them continue to grow and build that wealth. 

Joining me today is Amanda Holden, founder of Invested Development to talk about common myths about investing. I always love how Amanda breaks down investing topics and I hope you will too. 

For more information, visit the show https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode502-amanda-holden

Connect with Amanda Holden 

Website: Invested Development 
Instagram: @dumpster.dogg
TikTok: @dumpster.doggy 

Resources Mentioned: 

Direct download: MAYM_502_Amanda.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

On the last Friday of the month, I host the Happy Hour on the podcast, where I gather great friends to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics. This month, I’ve been talking about student loans and celebrated a significant milestone when I hit my 500th podcast episode. 

Colin and Melanie joined this week to share their thoughts and experiences with student loan debt, and we toasted my big 500 episode accomplishment and discussed what life will be like for me after this show ends.  

For more information, visit the show https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode501-happy-hour-crew-looks-back

Direct download: MAYM_501_HH_Oct_2023.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

This month we’re focused on a subject that’s important for over 43 million Americans: student loan debt. Because of Covid-19, the federal government gave student loan borrowers a three year reprieve on payments; however, this month they are returning. Today is an extra special episode because it’s not only the 500th episode, but it’s also the first time we are having client number one on the podcast.

Jillian started working with Shannon exactly 10 years ago this month and the main reason she reached out was because of the student loan debt she was taking on to get her masters. She joins to share her student loan journey and also her journey as a Financial Gym client for the past 10 years. We’re excited to celebrate the 500th episode with one of Shannon’s favorite people on this planet! 

For more information, visit the show notes https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode500-client-number-one

Direct download: MAYM_500_Jillian.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

This month, we’re focused on a subject that’s important for over 43 million Americans: student loan debt. Because of COVID-19, the federal government gave student loan borrowers a three-year reprieve on payments; however, this month, they are returning. 

There are several repayment options for federal student loan debt, and today, we are sharing with you some positive news and motivation for people who may qualify for the forgiveness programs available. 

Joining today are Danielle and Katie, two Financial Gym clients who have both had their federal loans forgiven. They join me to share how they did it, the process, and why you should apply even if you’re not sure it’s time for you. 

For more information, visit the show notes https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode499-pslf-achieved

Direct download: MAYM_499_Student_Loan_Forgiveness.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

For the final season of Martinis and Your Money, I’m focused on delivering you the best of the best. The best of what I’ve learned over the past nine years of podcasting, the best guests, the best topics, and so much more. 

This month, I’m focused on an important subject for over 43 million Americans: student loan debt. Because of COVID-19, the federal government gave student loan borrowers a three-year reprieve on payments; however, this month, they are returning. 

Joining me today is Robert Farrington, America’s Millennial Money Expert and founder of the website The College Investor, to discuss what you need to know if you have student loans and also what parents of college-age children or soon-to-be college-aged children (like me) need to know to avoid student loans in their future. 

For more information, visit the show notes https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode498-robert-farrington

 

Direct download: MAYM_498_college_investor.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

This will be my last season of Martinis and Your Money and for this final season, I’ve set the other three people who will join me for happy hour every month.

My final season happy hour crew will be made up of Melanie, who many of you know well as she has been with me from the very first happy hour nine years ago and will continue to stay on with me until the end, my work wife for life and COO of Financial Gym, Alicia, and two time guest and avid podcast listener, Colin.

I’m excited about the energy they bring to various financial topics and I always love hearing what advice, guidance or lessons they’ve learned about personal finance and beyond. This is going to be a great final season with three amazing people for you to get to know and love. Today, we’re talking about our relationship with money and how we’ve all worked to build a healthy foundation to get financially healthy.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode497-happy-hour-crew-talks-mindset

Direct download: MAYM_497_HH_Sepp_2023.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

At the Financial Gym, we call your first meeting with a Trainer the “Financially Naked Session.” In this meeting, you share everything about yourself financially so that the trainer knows where you’re starting so they can make the plan for how you can get where you want to go. Above all other meetings, this one scares clients the most because they are afraid or ashamed of their financial situation. 

Years ago, on this podcast, I shared my financially naked session, which led to a request for more, and now this is a regular series on this podcast. Getting in the hotseat today is Sally. Sally is a long-time podcast listener who recently declared financial independence, and she joins us to discuss her journey and how she made the most of the last six years preparing for FI. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode496-naked-fire-at-forty

Direct download: MAYM_496_Sally_FN.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

For my final season, I’m focused on delivering the best of the best. The best of what I’ve learned over the past 9 years of podcasting, guests, topics, and more. This month, I’m focused on the foundation and fundamentals of money and our relationship with it. 

Joining me today Lindsay Bryan-Podvin a financial therapist and author of the book The Financial Anxiety Solution. Lindsay returns to the show to share more about how people can establish a healthy money mindset around finances as well as tools that can help people who struggle with the anxiety they 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode495-money-mindset

Direct download: MAYM_495_Money_Mindset.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

For my final season, I’m focused on delivering the best of the best. The best of what I’ve learned over the past 9 years of podcasting, guests, topics, and more. This month, I’m focused on the foundation and fundamentals of money and our relationship with it. 

Joining me today is Kiera Doyle, Human Design Coach and founder of meetingyourmagic.com. Kiera is a long-time Financial Gym client who joined the show in 2019 to talk about Human Design, which was the first time I ever heard about the subject. 

Over the last 3 years, I’ve learned more about it and implemented it as a work tool at Financial Gym. I have found that understanding it has led to a better understanding of my life, purpose, how I should make decisions, and how it’s helped people around me. I recommend you listen if you haven’t heard Kiera’s first show and I hope you enjoy learning more today. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode494-human-design

Direct download: MAYM_494_Human_Design.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Shannon is back at the microphone after her annual August break. She always returns to the show with fresh energy, excitement, and motivation; this year is extra special. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode493-big-announcement

Direct download: MAYM_493_Big_Announcement.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Every August, I take a sabbatical from podcast recording to enjoy vacation time with family and friends and allow you to enjoy for the first or second time four previous podcast episodes that I found tremendously helpful and entertaining. 

Other than travel and family time, I’ll also be doing A LOT of prep work for some exciting changes happening to Financial Gym this Fall. You will not want to miss my September 1st podcast episode. I will have a lot to update you on as far as the podcast but also as far as the Gym. So I hope you enjoy this month of replays and stay tuned for very exciting updates in September. 

REPLAY: On the last Friday of the month, I host Happy Hour on the podcast, where I gather great friends to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics. This is the last episode of 2022, and for the 7th straight year in a row, we will share our highs and lows for the year; we will review the goals we set last year and set some new goals for 2023. 

Besides being a special year-end Happy Hour, we have an extra special, supersized Happy Hour event that I am so excited to share with you. We have some returning Happy Hour ladies to update you on their years; we’re saying farewell to a Happy Hour regular and sharing what’s to come for Happy Hours in 2023. It is a super special not-to-miss episode. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode492-replay-happy-hour-supersized

Direct download: MAYM_492_Dec_HH_Supersized.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Every August, I take a sabbatical from podcast recording to enjoy vacation time with family and friends and allow you to enjoy for the first or second time four previous podcast episodes that I found tremendously helpful and entertaining. 

Other than travel and family time, I’ll also be doing A LOT of prep work for some exciting changes happening to Financial Gym this Fall. You will not want to miss my September 1st podcast episode. I will have a lot to update you on as far as the podcast but also as far as the Gym. So I hope you enjoy this month of replays and stay tuned for very exciting updates in September. 

REPLAY: A recent Financial Health Network Survey from 2022 found that only 23% of women are considered financially healthy. There are many reasons for this, but one of the main reasons is that women are typically more likely to be preyed upon, especially when it comes to schemes like MLMs or multi-level marketing companies. If you’re not sure what they are, they’re essentially a pyramid scheme disguised as a business opportunity for people. 

Unfortunately, at The Financial Gym, we’ve seen the negative financial impacts of participating in an MLM on hundreds of our members. Joining me today is Roberta Blevins, host of the podcast Life After MLM, to share what the experience was like for her, how you can spot and avoid MLMs, and if you’re in one, how and why you should get out of it. This was one of the most fascinating conversations I’ve had in a while, and I hope this helps you or those you love to learn more about these horrible companies. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode491-replay-life-after-mlm

Direct download: MAYM_491_Life_After_MLM_Replay.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Every August, I take a sabbatical from podcast recording to enjoy vacation time with family and friends and allow you to enjoy for the first or second time four previous podcast episodes that I found tremendously helpful and entertaining. 

Other than travel and family time, I’ll also be doing A LOT of prep work for some exciting changes happening to Financial Gym this Fall. You will not want to miss my September 1st podcast episode. I will have a lot to update you on as far as the podcast but also as far as the Gym. So I hope you enjoy this month of replays and stay tuned for very exciting updates in September. 

REPLAY: At the Financial Gym, we have a Diversity, Equity Inclusion and Belonging team that works on various initiatives for the Gym and in 2022, we launched the ‘Exercising Empathy’ Series where one speaker a month visits to educate the team on various subject matters that could impact our clients. Joining me today is Lillie Nkenchor, President of Lillie Nkenchor PC to discuss why she became a trust and estate attorney and why you don’t have to be wealthy to think about trust and estate planning. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode490-replay-estate-planning

Direct download: MAYM_490_Estate_Planning_Replay.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Every August, I take a sabbatical from podcast recording to enjoy vacation time with family and friends and allow you to enjoy for the first or second time four previous podcast episodes that I found tremendously helpful and entertaining. 

Other than travel and family time, I’ll also be doing A LOT of prep work for some exciting changes happening to Financial Gym this Fall. You will not want to miss my September 1st podcast episode. I will have a lot to update you on as far as the podcast but also as far as the Gym. So I hope you enjoy this month of replays and stay tuned for very exciting updates in September. 

REPLAY: Aja Evans is a Financial Therapist who works with clients on a number of challenges, one of which is being a first time generational wealth builder. Building wealth takes community. It’s about surrounding yourself with like minded individuals and being supported through the challenging decisions you face as you sacrifice the spending of today to build for the wealth of tomorrow. Aja joins me to share her thoughts on best practices and tools for people looking to achieve this important goal. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode489-replay-first-gen-wealth-building

Direct download: MAYM_489_First_Gen_Wealth_Builders_Replay.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Today is the last Friday of the month and my regular listeners know that on the last Friday of the month, I host the happy hour on the podcast where I gather great friends with me to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics.

We have been rotating guests into our happy hour seats, but I’m happy to say that Tonya, an OG Happy Hour guest is joining us today and as I’ve done all month on this podcast, we’re talking about careers, specifically we’re talking about navigating work challenges like asking for more money, or dealing with toxic bosses or co-workers and everything in between. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode488-hh-careers

Direct download: MAYM_488_HH_July_2023.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

The theme this month on the podcast is careers! We're covering everything from switching to leveling up in your career, salary negotiations, and everything in between. This is a huge conversation topic with our clients at Financial Gym because so many factors are at play when making decisions around our career choices. Spoiler alert: it's not all about money. 

Joining me today is Belma McCaffrey, Founder of Work Bigger and Career and Leadership coach, discussing the important topic of attaching to a purpose rather than a job. I have seen many clients struggle with the need to earn a paycheck but not feel aligned with their employer. Belma and I discuss how you can become better engaged at work, how to have better conversations at work, and when you know you just need to leave. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode487-purpose-not-a-job

Direct download: MAYM_487_Belma.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

The theme this month on the podcast is careers! We're covering everything from switching to leveling up in your career, salary negotiations, and everything in between. This is a huge conversation topic with our clients at Financial Gym because so many factors are at play when making decisions around our career choices. Spoiler alert: it's not all about money. 

Today we’re talking about management. What makes a good manager? How do you know if becoming a manager is right for you? How do you handle challenging management situations? And everything in between! 

Joining today are Gina and Garrett, who are two long-time Financial Gym Trainers who were recently promoted to management here at The Financial Gym. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode486-journey-to-management

Direct download: MAYM_486_Management.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

The theme this month on the podcast is careers! We're covering everything from switching to leveling up in your career, salary negotiations, and everything in between. This is a huge conversation topic with our clients at Financial Gym because so many factors are at play when making decisions around our career choices. Spoiler alert: it's not all about money. 

Joining me today are Erika and Genar, two Trainers at Financial Gym who recently made a career switch to become Financial Gym employees. They joined today to share the factors that led to their personal decisions, how they help clients assess whether or not it's time to make a career shift, and the best ways to do it. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode485

Direct download: MAYM_485_Career_Switch.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Happy Hour is the last Friday of the month on the show, where some fantastic friends join me for cheap drinks and casual money conversations. This time, we have a special guest joining us: Debbie, a loyal podcast listener, and new Certified Financial Trainer. 

Since I dedicated the month of June to travel on this podcast, you guessed it, we're talking about all things travel during this Happy Hour! We'll share some of our frugal hacks, biggest wins, and epic fails with you. Cheers to a fun chat with friends and discovering the highs and lows of exploring the world! 

Debbie has been a long-time personal finance nerd. When she discovered podcasts, she sought out personal finance shows. That's how she found Martinis and Your Money back when it first started. She recently completed the CFT program and works part-time at The Financial Gym as a Certified Trainer. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode484-HHCrew-talks-travel

Direct download: MAYM_484_HH_June_2023.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

We are officially in summertime, so I wanted to share frugal travel hack ideas this month. Travel is the number one goal of clients of the Financial Gym, and it has been for the past 10 years. As most of us know, travel can be an expensive goal. I love the opportunity to help my clients achieve their goals, like travel, frugally, so we still have cash for our other life goals. 

We have already talked about camping, travel hacking, and AirBNB’ing. Now we’re going to talk about when travel plans go awry. Joining me today are my longtime clients and friends, Todd and Chelsea. I’ve worked with many clients over the last 10 years, and Todd and Chelsea’s story has to be one of my top 5 client journeys of all time. They joined today to talk about the epic 8-month sabbatical we planned together, how it all fell apart, and how something even greater stemmed from it. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode483-epic-travel

Direct download: MAYM_483_Travel_Surprises.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

We are officially in summertime, so I wanted to share frugal travel hack ideas this month. Travel is the number one goal of clients of the Financial Gym, and it has been for the past 10 years. 

As most of us know, travel can be an expensive goal. I love the opportunity to help my clients achieve their goals, like travel, frugally, so we still have cash for the other life goals we have. We have already talked about camping and travel hacking, so now we’re diving into Airbnb. 

This episode is a twofer, where I want to remind you of the frugal joys of utilizing Airbnb for your travel needs and thinking about Airbnb as a side hustle. Joining me today is Phoebe, a long-time podcast listener and Financial Gym client who turned a crappy rental situation into an Airbnb gold 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode482-hosting-airbnb

Direct download: MAYM_482_Phoebe.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

We are officially in summertime, so I wanted to share frugal travel hack ideas this month. Travel is the number one goal of clients of the Financial Gym, and it has been for the past 10 years. As most of us know, travel can be an expensive goal. I love the opportunity to help my clients achieve their goals, like travel, frugally, so that we still have cash for all of the other life goals we have.

Last week we talked about camping, and this week we're talking about travel hacking or utilizing credit card rewards to make your travel dreams more affordable.

Joining me today is podcast listener and founder of the company Travel AsF, Austin Riffe, to talk about how he got into travel hacking and how he's saving people thousands of dollars and tens of thousands of points by being more intentional with their travel spending. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode481-travel-hacking

Direct download: MAYM_481_Austin.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Since we are all officially in the summertime, I wanted to share frugal travel ideas for June. Travel is the number one goal of clients of the Financial Gym, and it has been for the past ten years. However, as most of us know, travel can be an expensive goal, so I always love the opportunity to help my clients achieve their goals, like travel, frugally so that we still have cash left over for all of the other life goals we have.

Kicking off June is my teammate and long-time podcast listener, Kylie Lipinski, to share her tips and tricks for frugal camping. I’ve never really seen myself as the camping sort, but I’ve witnessed my clients experience the joys of it, especially in their bank accounts.

Kylie joins me today to share how she converted to a camping fan and how you can do it too. Full disclosure: I’m ready to join the camping club after this episode, and I hope you are too.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode480-camping

Direct download: MAYM_480_Kylie_Camping.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Today is the last Friday of the month and my regular listeners know that on the last Friday of the month, I host the happy hour on the podcast where I gather great friends with me to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics. 

Since the beginning of this podcast, which now dates back over 8 years, we always had a set group of people who joined me for Happy Hour. Starting in 2023, we’re going to test out a rotating one or two seats for Happy Hour. This decision has come because of a few reasons, first of all, the monthly commitment required to co-host the happy hour is difficult for people to make when they have other businesses and interests as these seats are voluntary and there is no financial payment provided for the happy hour guests. Secondly, I’ve heard for years many of you wanting to join a happy hour and share your thoughts and honestly, I’d love to hear them because I have shared drinks with many of you in person and would love to also do it virtually and finally, this is a great way for us to amplify many of the voices in this community and discuss topics that you’re passionate about. 

Joining us for this month’s happy hour is podcast listener, guest and Financial Gym client, Kat. Since I dedicated the month of May to food on this podcast, you guessed it, we’re talking about all things food during this happy hour. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode479-happy-hour-crew-talks-food-spending

Direct download: MAYM_479_HH_May_2023.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Food costs are typically the second highest monthly expense people have after where they live. It's a topic we're frequently talking about with our clients at Financial Gym. How we consume food impacts not only our physical and financial health but also our mental health, so I'm dedicating the month of May to food conversations on the podcast. 

Joining me today is Kate O'Driscoll, a health coach who focuses on meeting clients holistically where they are and helping them find healthier relationships with food to improve their financial, physical, and mental health. 

As a special note, Kate is a former teacher of mine. She is one of those teachers in your life who makes you believe you are someone special who has something special to offer this world. If it wasn't for her, I would have never developed my love for the theater and acting. Acting was the activity that helped the insecure, quiet nerd become the confident, strong woman she is today. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode478-healthy-choices

Direct download: MAYM_478_Kate.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

I love all things food and am dedicating the month of May to food conversations on the podcast. I’m a fan of Food Network, and I view chefs the way people view artists or rock stars. Cooking is an art form, and I’m constantly impressed by the people out there raising the game and the bar for food standards. 

When I think about amazing and game-changing chefs, I can’t help but think of Financial Gym scholarship winner Auzerais Bellamy. I connected with Auzerais in 2020, and she was previously on the show to share her experience of working in fine dining as a woman of color. 

She founded her company, Blondery, to change the face of baking, and she joins me today to share an update on what she’s been up to since we last connected. She has some significant updates you’ll want to hear. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode477-blondery-update

Direct download: MAYM_477_Blondery_Update.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Food costs are typically the second highest monthly expense people have after where they live, and it's a topic we're frequently talking about with our clients at Financial Gym. So this month's podcast theme is dedicated to food! 

Joining me today is Elia Wolberger, personal chef, Meal Prep Expert, and founder of the Feed Your Sister website, to talk about the importance of meal prepping for your physical, mental, and financial health. We talk about how meal prepping changed our lives and how you 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode471-feed-your-sister

Direct download: MAYM_471_Meal_Prep.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Today is the last Friday of the month, and regular listeners know that on the last Friday of the month, we host the happy hour on the podcast, where we gather great friends to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics. 

Since the beginning of this podcast, which now dates back over 8 years, we always had a set group of people who joined for these episodes. Starting in 2023, we're testing rotating seats for Happy Hour. This decision has come for a few reasons; first of all, the monthly commitment required to co-host the happy hour is difficult for people to make when they have other businesses and interests, as these seats are voluntary. 

Secondly, I've heard for years that many of you want to join a happy hour and share your thoughts. I'd love to listen to them because I have shared drinks with many of you in person and would love to do it virtually. Finally, this is an excellent way for us to amplify many of this community's voices and discuss topics you're passionate about. 

Joining us for this month's happy hour is a long-time listener, Rebecca, and the topic she wanted to cover is one that many of us are currently feeling or experiencing, and that's burnout. Rebecca shares why and how she knew she was in 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode470-happy-hour-crew-talks-burnout

Direct download: MAYM_470_HH_Rebecca_.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

In my first podcast episode of 2023 I talked about financial seasons and how I’ve witnessed a number of Financial Gym clients and honestly myself, feel as though we’re not in what feels like a winning season and addressing the motivation challenges that come to us when we feel like that. Seasons change, though, and I’m sensing more energy from my clients and I feel it in myself to make changes so I’m dedicating the month of April on this podcast to motivation and change and this episode and as well as last week’s, are addressing the topic of productivity.

I feel like the pandemic threw a number of our routine’s out the window and where we may have gained time with less commuting and more work from home options, I think a number of us have struggled with finding a good balance between life and work. 

Joining me today is Mike Vardy, coach and host of the Productivityist podcast to talk about the idea of time crafting and manage and craft our days to work better for us. And now here’s Mike. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode469-theproductivityist

Direct download: MAYM_469_The_Productivityist.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

In early 2023, I talked about financial seasons and how I’ve witnessed several Financial Gym clients and, honestly, myself, feel as though we’re not in what feels like a winning season and the motivation challenges when we feel like that. Seasons change, though, and I’m sensing more energy from my clients. I feel it in myself to make changes, so I’m dedicating the month of April on this podcast to motivation and change. 

Today I’m addressing the topic of productivity. I feel like the pandemic threw a number of our routines out the window, and where we may have gained time with less commuting and more work-from-home options, I think a number of us have struggled with finding a good balance between life and work. 

Joining me today is Jeff Sanders, author and host of the 5 AM Miracle Podcast, to talk about the one small change he made in his day that literally changed the trajectory of his life. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode468-the5ammiracle

Direct download: MAYM_468_5am_Miracle.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

In early 2023, I talked about financial seasons and how I’ve witnessed several Financial Gym clients and, honestly, myself, feel as though we’re not in what feels like a winning season and the motivation challenges when we feel like that. Seasons change though, and I’m sensing more energy from my clients. I feel it in me to make changes, so I’m dedicating the month of April to this podcast for motivation and change. 

I’m excited to kick off the month with Abagail and Emylee, the two business fairy godmothers behind the Boss Project and co-hosts of the chart-topping podcast, The Strategy Hour. They joined me to talk about how uniting their separate practices made them a better team, how they help their business owner clients reignite their offerings, and build the businesses they want to run. Whether or not you run a business, there’s much to learn and motivate you in this episode. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode467-thestrategyhour

Direct download: MAYM_467_Strategy_Hour.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Today is the last Friday of the month and my regular listeners know that on the last Friday of the month, I host the happy hour on the podcast where I gather great friends with me to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics. Since the beginning of this podcast, which now dates back over 8 years, we always had a set group of people who joined me for Happy Hour. 

Starting in 2023, we’re going to test out a rotating one or two seats for Happy Hour. This decision has come because of a few reasons, first of all, the monthly commitment required to co-host the happy hour is difficult for people to make when they have other businesses and interests as these seats are voluntary and there is no financial payment provided for the happy hour guests. Secondly, I’ve heard for years many of you wanting to join a happy hour and share your thoughts and honestly, I’d love to hear them because I have shared drinks with many of you in person and would love to also do it virtually and finally, this is a great way for us to amplify many of the voices in this community and discuss topics that you’re passionate about. 

Joining us for this month’s happy hour is long time listener, Liana. Liana joins us today to talk about her pursuit of FIRE or Financial Independence, Retire Early, and the various types of FIRE movement now. I love how the FI movement has grown to welcome many different paths and we discuss which FI path we’re on during the show. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode466-what-is-fire

 

Direct download: MAYM_466_HH_March_2023.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Nine years ago this year, I started this podcast as a bet and it was one of the greatest decisions of my life. Over the past nine years, I’ve learned more than I ever imagined I could about money, cocktails, people and so much more. My tagline for the show is “Living a better life one cocktail at a time” and this show has helped me live a better life by allowing me to have these conversations, to share them with you and to build this community of amazing people on a journey of financial health and beyond. While I don’t utilize the show as a source of income, podcasting can certainly give you the opportunity to take a side hustle or a passion into a main hustle and my guests today did just that. 

Joining me are Aine and Kevin, the co-creators and co-hosts of the Murder Sheet podcast. They joined me to talk about how they took their backgrounds as a lawyer and a journalist and applied it to their podcast and ultimately how they were able to make the podcast their full-time job. And now here’s Aine and Kevin. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode465

Direct download: MAYM_465_Murder_Sheet_Podcast.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been seeing and hearing more about Artificial Intelligence, where it’s being utilized, how it’s having a positive effect in many industries but also how it’s negatively impacting people. Part of being financially healthy is being vigilant about you and your data and how people can use that against you and certainly AI can have an impact on your finances. 

Joining me today is Financial Gym client Paige, who’s spent the last three years studying and researching the impacts of AI especially through an ethical lens. She joins me to share what we should look out for, what we need to know and how we can protect ourselves. I have to tell you that if you’re someone who struggles with anxiety, this conversation could be filled with numerous triggers so you may want to proceed with caution, but it’s a conversation that I believe is important to listen to. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode464

Direct download: MAYM_464_Ethical_AI_Paige.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 2:30am EDT

A recent Financial Health Network Survey from 2022 found that only 23% of women are considered financially healthy. There are a number of reasons for this, but one of the main reasons is that women are typically more likely to be preyed upon, especially when it comes to schemes like MLMs or multi-level marketing companies. If you’re not sure what they are, they’re essentially a pyramid scheme disguised as a business opportunity for people. At the Financial Gym, we’ve unfortunately seen the negative financial impacts participating in an MLM have had on hundreds of our members. 

Joining me today is Roberta Blevins, host of the podcast Life After MLM to share what the experience was like for her and how you can spot and avoid MLM’s and if you’re in one, how and why you should get out of it. This was one of the most fascinating conversations I’ve had in a while and I hope this helps you or those you love learn more about these horrible companies. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode463

Direct download: MAYM_463_Life_After_MLM.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

The journey to become a Financial Gym member for everyone starts with our Warm Up Call process. If you’ve been to our website, it’s the free call you’re encouraged to sign up for. Full disclosure, I am someone who would be unlikely to sign up for any free call, so if you’re someone who’s skeptical about it, I completely understand. Which is why today’s podcast is dedicated to the Warm-Up Call and educating more about the process for others who may not understand the need for it. 

Joining me are Colleen and Kristen who are both current Financial Gym clients and actively work as warm-up callers to share why they decided to become a warm up caller, what to expect on the call and why they love being on the other end of the warm up call process. And now here’s Colleen and Kristen. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode462

Direct download: MAYM_462_Warm_Up_Call.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Today is the last Friday of the month and my regular listeners know that on the last Friday of the month, I host the happy hour on the podcast where I gather great friends with me to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics. Since the beginning of this podcast, which now dates back over 8 years, we always had a set group of people who joined me for Happy Hour. Starting in 2023, we’re going to test out a rotating one or two seats for Happy Hour. This decision has come because of a few reasons, first of all, the monthly commitment required to co-host the happy hour is difficult for people to make when they have other businesses and interests as these seats are voluntary and there is no financial upside for the happy hour guests. Secondly, I’ve heard for years many of you wanting to join a happy hour and share your thoughts and honestly, I’d love to hear them because I have shared drinks with many of you in person and would love to also do it virtually and finally, this is a great way for us to amplify many of the voices in this community and discuss topics that you’re passionate about. 

Joining us for this month’s happy hour is long time listener, Financial Gym client and multi-time guest, Jennifer Dane. She joined initially wanting to talk about the military and LGBTQ+ protections and benefits for its current staff as well as veterans and we did discuss this, but first we addressed the big and surprising life change that happened to Jenn only a few weeks before we were set to record. Jenn has always been brave and honest on this show and she shares more about that today. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode461

Direct download: MAYM_461_HH_Feb_2023.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Hello Martinis and Your Money Listeners! I don’t usually air replays, except during the summer months; however, we are in the beginning of tax season prep, and I wanted to replay the conversation that I had last year with Tony, the founder of CPA Dude. 

I’ve had multiple tax conversations on this show in the past, and Tony’s has always stood out to me. I think he not only gives great and practical advice, but we have referred a number of FinGym clients to him and we’ve gotten nothing but rave reviews about his work. So I hope you enjoy learning more about taxes and realize that maybe you need to work with someone like Tony, or you’re like me and you just need Turbo Tax and a bottle of wine. Either way, we can’t avoid our taxes, so let’s shoot to get them done as soon as possible this year. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode460

 

Direct download: MAYM_460_Tony_CPA_replay.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

At the Financial Gym, we call the first meeting you have with a trainer, the “Financially Naked Session.” In this meeting, you share everything about yourself financially so that the trainer knows where you’re starting so that he or she can make the plan for how you can get where you want to go. Above all other meetings, this one scares clients the most because they are afraid or ashamed of their financial situation. Over 2 years ago now on this podcast, I shared my financially naked session and it led to a request for more and now this is a regular series on this podcast. 

Getting in the hotseat today is not one, but two people, Liz and Aron. Liz was a long time Financial Gym client who ultimately brought her boyfriend, fiancé and now husband into the Financial Gym experience. They join me today to not only share their digits but also share what it was like to get financially naked for the first time and how breaking down money topics made their relationship stronger.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode458

Direct download: MAYM_454_FN_Liz_and_Aron.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Today is the last Friday of the month and my regular listeners know that on the last Friday of the month, I host the happy hour on the podcast where I gather great friends with me to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics. Since the beginning of this podcast, which now dates back over 8 years, we always had a set group of people who joined me for Happy Hour. 

Starting this month and for 2023, we’re going to test out a rotating seat for Happy Hour. This decision has come because of a few reasons, first of all, the monthly commitment required to co-host the happy hour is difficult for people to make when they have other businesses and interests as these seats are voluntary and there is no financial upside for the happy hour guests. Secondly, I’ve heard for years many of you wanting to join a happy hour and share your thoughts and honestly, I’d love to hear them because I have shared drinks with many of you in person and would love to also do it virtually and finally, this is a great way for us to amplify many of the voices in this community and discuss topics that you’re passionate about. 

Joining us for this month’s happy hour is long time listener and one time guest, Colin. He joins us as we discuss what financial season we feel like we’re starting the new year in and what we plan to accomplish in 2023. And now here’s my friends, Colin included. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode457

Direct download: MAYM_457_HH_Jan_2023.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

At the Financial Gym, we have a Diversity, Equity Inclusion and Belonging team that works on various initiatives for the Gym and in 2022, they launched the Exercising Empathy Series where they focused on presenting one speaker a month to educate the team on various subject matters that could impact our clients. I personally attended these sessions that were held during our weekly professional development time and found each one incredibly helpful and informative and I’m excited to share some of those speakers with you on this podcast. 

Joining me today is Joanne Sullivan, Director of Student Financial Services, at Saint Thomas Aquinas College to talk about student loans. Now, I have done numerous podcast episodes about student loans over the years, but none quite like this one. This episode is really focused on helping families and students know what they’re signing up for when they sign their student loan packages, the tough conversations families should have and how the school you’re looking to attend can help you with the process. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode456

Direct download: MAYM_455_Joanne.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

I spent the good part of the Fall of 2022 traveling across the country and hosting meet up events with Financial Gym clients and friends and I know a number of you listeners found your way to many of those events as well. It was the first time we had hosted in-person events in almost 3 years and while it took up a lot of my time and kept me away from home for most of the Fall, it was one of the greatest experiences of my life.

Over 9 years ago now, I had the idea for the Financial Gym as a physical location where people could create a community around the most taboo topic out there, money. And when we had gyms open, it was beautiful to watch that dream come to life. In early 2022, we needed to close our physical Financial Gym locations, but this Road Trip proved that even though the addresses changed, the unbelievable spirit of the gym was present at every stop. 

Joining me today is Financial Gym Community Engagement Manager, Chandra Savage, to talk about putting this Road Trip together, lessons learned from the road and how we’re carrying the community forward into 2023. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode455

 

Direct download: MAYM_454_Chandra.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Hello, Martinis and Your Money Listeners. Today is a special episode. I had a calendar of all episodes planned and ready to go in December, but then I had a client meeting right before the holiday break, and it inspired me to record a different episode, a solo episode. I wanted to record this because there are a number of things I want to share with you, mainly because it’s the New Year. I want to talk to you listeners the way I talk to my clients. 

For more information, visit the show notes https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode454

Direct download: MAYM_456_Shannon.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Today is the last Friday of the month, and my regular listeners know that on the last Friday of the month, I host the happy hour on the podcast, where I gather great friends with me to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics. 

This is the last episode of 2022, and for the 7th straight year in a row, we are going to share our highs and lows for the year; we’re going to review the goals we set last year and set some new goals for 2023. Other than being a special year-end Happy Hour, today we have an extra special, supersized Happy Hour event that I am so excited to share with you. 

We have some returning Happy Hour ladies to update you on their years; we’re saying farewell to a Happy Hour regular and sharing what’s to come for Happy Hours in 2023. It is a super special not-to-miss episode. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode453

Direct download: MAYM_453_HH_Dec_2021.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

As many of you know, I have a number of things on my plate from running the Financial Gym, to working with my own clients to working on this podcast and there are many days where I think I need to cut back on the podcasting, but then on days like today, I’m so thankful for this platform and this opportunity to share someone and a resource that I feel is truly beneficial and can help you live a better life. 

Joining me today is Jason Vitug, founder of the financial website Phroogal and author of the upcoming book Happy Money Happy Life. Jason is a personal friend from the financial blogging space whom I’ve known for over 9 years now. The last time he was on the podcast, he was promoting his book, You Only Live Once, the Roadmap to Financial Wellness and a purposeful life. He’s back today to promote his second book, and I honestly feel as though Happy Money is the exact book we all need right now. 

The last few years of pandemic, inflation and global unrest has made for some challenging times to manage our finances and maintain a healthy relationship with money. Jason’s book is the perfect guide to navigating your why around money and crafting a roadmap for success in all of your wellness pillars, not just money. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode452

Direct download: MAYM_452_Jason.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

This is one of the last podcasts of the year and during the month of December, I’m always talking to clients about year-end planning, especially around taxes and charitable donations. We’ve talked about charitable giving specifically with Donor Advised Funds on this podcast as Mrs. Frugalwoods is a big proponent and shared how she utilizes them to not only help with their tax planning but also how her family is able to give more meaningfully because they have the funds. 

I have always loved the idea of Donor Advised Funds, but always hated how they seemed to only be a conversation topic for wealthy families. Well, finally there is a great option for people of all financial shapes and sizes to consider Donor Advised Funds and it’s called Daffy. 

Joining me today is Adam Nash, CEO and Co-Founder of Daffy to talk more about Donor Advised Funds, why December is the perfect time to start one, and how Daffy is making it easier for all of us to give back not only in December but year-round for many years to come. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode451

Direct download: MAYM_451_Daffy.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

As many of you know, I have a number of things on my plate, I wear a lot of hats. From running The Financial Gym, to working with my own clients, to working on this podcast. There are many days I think I need to cut back on podcasting. But on days like today, I am so thankful for this platform and opportunity to share someone and a resource that I feel is truly beneficial and can help you live a better life. 

Joining me today is Elle Martinez, Elle was previously on the podcast to discuss her podcast and website, Couple Money. And she joins me today to share why she created a new podcast and website, Simplify & Enjoy and the unique approach she’s taking to the FI movement. I always love catching up with Elle, especially because she makes her own alcohol. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode450

Direct download: MAYM_450_Simplify_and_Enjoy.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

At the Financial Gym, we have a Diversity, Equity Inclusion and Belonging team that works on various initiatives for the Gym and in 2022, they launched the Exercising Empathy Series where they focused on presenting one speaker a month to educate the team on various subject matters that could impact our clients. I personally attended these sessions that were held during our weekly professional development time and found each one incredibly helpful and informative and I’m excited to share some of those speakers with you on this podcast. 

Joining me today is Lillie Nkenchor, President of Lillie Nkenchor PC to discuss why she became a trust and estate attorney and why you don’t have to be wealthy to think about trust and estate planning. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode449

Direct download: MAYM_449_Estate_Planning.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Today is the last Friday of the month and my regular listeners know that on the last Friday of the month, I host the happy hour on the podcast where I gather great friends with me to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics. 

Since we are in the second to last month of the year, today, we’re talking about holiday and year end planning. I think this year more than ever it makes sense to take the time to plan and we share more about that in the show. There is plenty to do before we enter a new year and now is the time to do it. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode448

Direct download: MAYM_448_HH_Nov_2022.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

At the Financial Gym, we call the first meeting you have with a trainer, the “financially naked session.” In this meeting, you share everything about yourself financially so that the trainer knows where you’re starting so that they can make the plan for how you can get where you want to go. Above all other meetings, this one scares clients the most because they are afraid or ashamed of their financial situation. Over 3 years ago now on this podcast, I shared my financially naked session and it led to a request for more and now this is a regular series on this podcast. 

Getting in the hot seat today is Irene. Irene had been a long time podcast listener that took a risk and joined the Gym right at the beginning of the pandemic. She shares her story from student loan debt, to job changes and everything in between. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode447

Direct download: MAYM_447_Irene.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

As many of you know, I have a number of things on my plate from running the Financial Gym, to working with my own clients to working on this podcast and there are many days where I think I need to cut back on the podcasting, but then on days like today, I’m so thankful for this platform and this opportunity to share someone and a resource that I feel is truly beneficial and can help you live a better life. 

Joining me today is Jenn Cassetta, a health and empowerment coach and author of the book The Art of Badassery – Unleash Your Mojo with Wisdom from the Dojo. Jenn and I have been friends for years and I have always loved her message of empowerment through physical and mental strength and her book is the extension of all of that amazing wisdom. She joins me today to share more about the book and how you can apply martial arts lessons to your daily life. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode446

Direct download: MAYM_446_Jenn.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

On the last Friday of the month, I host the happy hour on the podcast where I gather great friends with me to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics. This month with Halloween as my inspiration, I’m sharing with you the theme of Financial Horror Stories. I want to be clear that we’re utilizing this titling in a very tongue in cheek manner. First of all, I don’t think any financial story is of the horror variety, but I’ve worked with clients long enough to know that after a string of unfortunate financial occurrences, it’s quite easy to feel as though you’re starring in your very own Financial Horror Movie. 

This month I’m sharing with you some of those stories where our clients have felt as though they were in some scary situations and how they worked their way out of them. Spoiler alert, they all make it out alive. 

On today’s happy hour, we share some of our financial horror stories and how we found our way out of them. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode444

Direct download: MAYM_444_HH_Oct_2022_2A.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

With Halloween as my inspiration this month, I’m sharing with you the theme of Financial Horror Stories. I want to be clear that we’re utilizing this titling in a very tongue in cheek manner. First of all, I don’t think any financial story is of the horror variety, but I’ve worked with clients long enough to know that after a string of unfortunate financial occurrences, it’s quite easy to feel as though you’re starring in your very own Financial Horror Movie.

This month I’m sharing with you some of those stories where our clients have felt as though they were in some scary situations and how they worked their way out of them. Spoiler alert, they all make it out alive. 

Today’s episode is mine and it’s a recent event for me. My financial horror story is more of a mental health challenge than anything and given that I know many of us are struggling with our mental health, I thought it was timely to share. I need to warn everyone in advance that if you are someone who is triggered by depressive or suicidal thoughts or topics around these areas, then please do not listen to this episode. I’m sharing my story with you in the hopes of providing encouragement and resources for anyone who may be feeling like I was and hopefully take my horror story and make something good happen from it. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode443

Direct download: MAYM_443_Shannon.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

With Halloween as my inspiration this month, I’m sharing with you the theme of Financial Horror Stories. I want to be clear that we’re utilizing this titling in a very tongue-in-cheek manner. First of all, I don’t think any financial story is of the horror variety, but I’ve worked with clients long enough to know that after a string of unfortunate financial occurrences, it’s quite easy to feel as though you’re starring in your very own Financial Horror Movie. 

This month I’m going to share with you some of those stories where our clients have felt as though they were in some scary situations and how they worked their way out of them. Spoiler alert, they all make it out alive. 

Joining me today is Whitney. She built a successful business only to want to walk away from it all and in the process, her financial choices added in a scary way until the point she couldn’t avoid them any longer.  

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode442

Direct download: MAYM_442_Whitney.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

With Halloween as my inspiration this month, I’m sharing with you the theme of Financial Horror Stories. I want to be clear that we’re utilizing this titling in a very tongue in cheek manner. First of all, I don’t think any financial story is of the horror variety, but I’ve worked with clients long enough to know that after a string of unfortunate financial occurrences, it’s quite easy to feel as though you’re starring in your very own Financial Horror Movie. This month I’m going to share with you some of those stories where our clients have felt as though they were in some scary situations and how they worked their way out of them. 

Joining me today is Joel. He is going to share how his life changed with a break up, and the twists and turns it took from there. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode441

Direct download: MAYM_441_Luke.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Today is the last Friday of the month and my regular listeners know that on the last Friday of the month, I host the happy hour on the podcast where I gather great friends with me to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics. This month begins a three month long effort for me and The Financial Gym team to connect again in person with our community. In partnership with Community Spirit Vodka, we’ll be touring 9 cities and bringing our community together for the first time in almost three years. It’s an exciting time for us and I wanted to spend this month on the podcast talking about community and the importance of it. 

The Happy Hour ladies join me today to talk about the important communities they are a part of and how they have changed their lives. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode440

Direct download: MAYM_440_HH_Sept_2022.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

This month begins a three-month-long effort for me and The Financial Gym team to connect again in person with our community. In partnership with Community Spirit Vodka, we’ll be touring 9 cities and bringing our community together for the first time in almost three years. It’s an exciting time for us and I wanted to spend this month on the podcast talking about community and the importance of it. I think it’s easy to think about community as being a large number of people, but communities come in all shapes and sizes and I often think about our Financial Trainers at the Gym and in our CFT program as building community with their clients to effect change. 

Joining me today are two Financial Gym clients, Robert and Katie, that I’ve been blessed to be in a community with for over 7 years now. They join me today to share their financial journey and the power that having me and the entire FinGym community has had on their financial picture. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode439

Direct download: MAYM_439_Robert_and_Katie.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

This month begins a three-month-long effort for me and The Financial Gym team to connect again in person with our community. In partnership with Community Spirit Vodka, we’ll be touring 9 cities and bringing our community together for the first time in almost three years. It’s an exciting time for us and I wanted to spend this month on the podcast talking about community and the importance of it. 

Today I’m talking to Jacey Lambros and Danielle DeAngelo, co-founders of the company Jane Do who set out to build a community of empowered women, faced extreme headwinds to their business during the pandemic, but persevered and continue to focus on their important mission. They join me to share what keeps them motivated and where the company is going to go in this next chapter. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode438

Direct download: MAYM_438_Jane_Do.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

This month begins a three-month-long effort for me and The Financial Gym team to connect again in person with our community. In partnership with Community Spirit Vodka, we’ll be touring 9 cities and bringing our community together for the first time in almost three years. It’s an exciting time for us and I wanted to spend this month on the podcast talking about community and the importance of it.

Today, I’m talking to a representative of our co-sponsor of this road trip, Ashley Eldrefri is a Community Spirit Vodka Brand Ambassador who is joining me to talk more about this incredible spirits company and why they believe so strongly in the mission of supporting the communities they serve. A few notes before this show starts; I shortened the company name and referenced their parent company in an event Financial Gym participated in. All references belong to the Community Spirit Vodka brand, and I want to thank them for this epic opportunity to partner together. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode437

Direct download: MAYM_437_Community_Vodka.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Hello Martinis and Your Money Listeners! This month begins a three-month-long effort for me and The Financial Gym team to connect again in person with our community. In partnership with Community Spirit Vodka, we’ll be touring 9 cities and bringing our community together for the first time in almost three years. It’s an exciting time for us and I wanted to spend this month on the podcast talking about community and the importance of it. 

Kicking off the month with me is Aja Evans, a Financial Therapist who works with clients on a number of challenges, one of which is being a first-time generational wealth builder. Building wealth takes community. It’s about surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals and being supported through the challenging decisions you face as you sacrifice the spending of today to build for the wealth of tomorrow. Aja joins me to share her thoughts on best practices and tools for people looking to achieve this important goal.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode436

 

Direct download: MAYM_436_Generational_Wealth_Aja.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Hello Martinis and Your Money Listeners! As many of you know, I work with a team to produce one new episode a week despite running a business; and around the summertime, I always feel the need to take a little break from the podcast to refuel my creative juices where the show is concerned. So, I take the month of August off from airing new shows, and during this time, I replay some of my favorite episodes from this past year. I hope you enjoy hearing again or for the first time some of my favorite episodes of this past year. I’ll be back in September with new shows and hopefully some exciting news about Financial Gym. Until then, I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and I’ll see you in September!

Hello Martinis and Your Money Listeners! This was the last Friday of November 2022 and my regular listeners know that on the last Friday of the month, I host the happy hour on the podcast where I gather great friends with me to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics. For this month on the podcast, we’ve been talking about something we call Gym Magic at Financial Gym. Gym Magic happens when a client experiences a positive financial health result after joining the Gym and focusing on their finances. Helping clients find Gym Magic is probably one of the biggest reasons why I’ve committed everything I own to building Financial Gym. I love hearing success stories, especially with all of the crazy stories going on in the world right now, I thought we could all use a month of hearing about Magic and it continues to Happy Hour. The ladies share some of their stories of finding financial success and the surprising ways in which they found it. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode435

Direct download: MAYM_435_Gratitude_w_the_HH_Ladies_replay.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Hello Martinis and Your Money Listeners! As many of you know, I work with a team to produce one new episode a week despite running a business; and around the summertime, I always feel the need to take a little break from the podcast to refuel my creative juices where the show is concerned. So, I take the month of August off from airing new shows, and during this time, I replay some of my favorite episodes from this past year. I hope you enjoy hearing again or for the first time some of my favorite episodes of this past year. I’ll be back in September with new shows and hopefully some exciting news about Financial Gym. Until then, I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and I’ll see you in September!

This was the first episode of a new year and I wanted to focus this episode on one of my favorite things to start a new year with, goal setting. For most of my childhood and adult life, I hated New Year’s resolutions and the idea of goal setting because I am such a type A overachiever that I was always afraid of setting myself up for failure. It wasn’t until 10 years ago, when I became a financial planner and saw the game-changing power of goal setting for others, that I adopted it in my own life and my team at The Financial Gym works on this with their clients every single day.

Joining me today to talk about some secrets to goal setting and why it may not have worked for you in the past is one of my trainers from The Gym, Victoria. Victoria is actually a long-time podcast listener, but this is her first time as a guest!

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode434

Direct download: MAYM_434_Goal_Setting_with_Victoria_replay.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Hello Martinis and Your Money Listeners! As many of you know, I work with a team to produce one new episode a week despite running a business; and around the summertime, I always feel the need to take a little break from the podcast to refuel my creative juices where the show is concerned. So, I take the month of August off from airing new shows, and during this time, I replay some of my favorite episodes from this past year. I hope you enjoy hearing again or for the first time some of my favorite episodes of this past year. I’ll be back in September with new shows and hopefully some exciting news about Financial Gym. Until then, I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and I’ll see you in September!

I have been working as a financial planner for over 10 years now and while my clients are all unique with different life goals, a common question that comes up repeatedly is how to best save for retirement, specifically, should you utilize a traditional IRA or 401k plan, otherwise known and the pre-tax options or utilize a Roth IRA or Roth 401k plan or the post-tax options. This question has become increasingly important given that the Roth options have appeared in recent legislative bills, so I thought I would bring on the show a good friend of mine and an expert in helping plan for retirement, Michael Kitces. Michael is the Chief Financial Planning Nerd of Kitces.com, which teaches and trains financial advisors, he’s Head of Planning Strategy for Buckingham Wealth Partners, which provides wealth management to retirees. And Co-Founder of XY Planning Network, a network of 1,500+ fee-only financial planners who provide advice to consumers in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. Michael joins me today to help answer the question, to Roth or not to Roth. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode433

Direct download: MAYM_433_Michael_Kitces_Replay.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Hello Martinis and Your Money Listeners! As many of you know, I work with a team to produce one new episode a week despite running a business; and around the summertime, I always feel the need to take a little break from the podcast to refuel my creative juices where the show is concerned. So, I take the month of August off from airing new shows, and during this time, I replay some of my favorite episodes from this past year. I hope you enjoy hearing again or for the first time some of my favorite episodes of this past year. I’ll be back in September with new shows and hopefully some exciting news about Financial Gym. Until then, I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and I’ll see you in September!

At the Financial Gym, when a client experiences a positive financial health result after joining the Gym and focusing on their finances, we call it “Gym Magic.” Gym Magic and helping our clients find it and believe in it is so important to us that it’s a core value of the Gym. For over eight years now, I’ve witnessed the magic firsthand and every single one of my teammates has seen it as well. And I’m so excited to share with you that for the month of November, we’re going to share some of that Magic with you. This month I’m talking to clients and teammates who have truly experienced and witnessed results that are nothing short of magic and their stories and journeys are just what we need for this crazy time in life.

Joining me today are three trainers from the gym. Sara B, Bevin, and Kadri.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode432

Direct download: MAYM_432_Replay_Gym_Magic.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Today is the last Friday of the month and my regular listeners know that on the last Friday of the month, I host the happy hour on the podcast where I gather great friends with me to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics. During the month of July, the US typically celebrates Independence Day and I always think about financial independence during this time. There is nothing more liberating than to have choices, especially in the world we’re living in, and financial independence is the key to this. It comes in a variety of formats based on who you’re talking to, so I’m talking to my friends about their FI plans, their thoughts around saving vs. spending, and how you can find the right mix for you no matter what stage of life you’re thinking about. 

 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode431

Direct download: MAYM_431_HH_July_2022.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

I get asked all the time about how someone can find a great financial planner and whether or not it makes sense to invest in a financial planner. And I always say that if you’re working with someone who’s just investing your money, I’m not sure it makes sense for you to pay for that, especially when there are plenty of great robo-adviser options for much lower fees. I do think a great financial planner not only helps an individual, couple or family determine the best road trip to accomplish all of their financial goals but also helps them prepare for the unexpected and helps avoid risks as much as possible. Risk management is a key part of great financial planning and when we’re talking about risk management, we’re usually talking about insurance. There are so many different types of insurance and it’s hard to know what types you should have and whether or not the additional expense makes sense. 

Joining me today is Yael Wissner-Levy the VP of Communication from Lemonade to talk about insurance and what types make the most sense to have. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode430

Direct download: MAYM_430_Lemonade.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

I have been working with clients now for over 10 years and something that I always find fascinating is how client behavior changes add up over time. The hardest part of a financial journey is at the beginning, especially if you’ve never done it before. But with focus and mindset shift, small changes over time literally lead to big results.

That’s why I was so excited to talk to today’s guest Ramona Cedeno, author and CEO of Fibrick because she literally wrote an entire book about it. Ramona joins me today to talk about her book Simple Choices Big, Rewards in Money and how you can make these changes in your life. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode429

Direct download: MAYM_429_Ramona.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

These are challenging and stressful times we’re living in. With the recent decisions by the Supreme Court, I know many of you are feeling like you don’t have a voice or you’re frustrated by what’s happening around you and you’re not quite sure what to do about it. 

Well if you’re feeling like this now might be the perfect time to read the latest book from my guest today, Tanja Hester. Tanja is an author and activist and was previously on the show to promote her book Work Optional, about her journey to financial independence. Today she is here to talk about her new book Wallet Activism: How to Use Every Dollar You Spend, Earn, and Save as a Force for Change 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode428

Direct download: MAYM_428_Tanja_Wallet_Activism.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

At the Financial Gym, we call the first meeting you have with a trainer, the “Financially Naked Session.” In this meeting, you share everything about yourself financially so that the trainer knows where you’re starting so that he or she can make the plan for how you can get where you want to go. Above all other meetings, this one scares clients the most because they are afraid or ashamed of their financial situation. Over 2 years ago now on this podcast, I shared my financially naked session and it led to a request for more and now this is a regular series on this podcast. 

Getting in the hotseat today is Kat. A Financial Gym client who heard me on a podcast in college and shares how that chance listening changed the trajectory of her financial life for the better. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode427

Direct download: MAYM_427_Kat_FN.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Today is the last Friday of the month and my regular listeners know that on the last Friday of the month, I host the happy hour on the podcast where I gather great friends with me to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics. 

I have been a financial planner for over 10 years now, and if there is one important message I can communicate about financial planning for your life is that the unexpected is guaranteed. No matter how much we can plan and plot out life, we are bound to be confronted with the unexpected and frequently when we are, it’s at a surprisingly large expense to our finances. We’ve all had a front row seat to the unexpected during the pandemic, but I’ve witnessed anything from a lost job, to a surprise baby, to a house fire and everything in between. Joining me today are my friends to share how they plan for the unexpected and share some best practices for you to implement on your own. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode426

Direct download: MAYM_426_HH_June_2022.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

At the Financial Gym, one of the most important questions we ask clients during their financially naked meeting is “What’s Important to You?” In other words, what are your non-negotiables. What are the areas of your budget that you would protect over all others? Because other than 1% of the population, 99% of us have to make choices when getting financially healthy. We can’t have everything we want, but we can certainly get everything we need. Of the thousands of clients we work with, the large majority will say that travel is their primary non-negotiable, but a very close second for people are fur babies. Especially since the pandemic, we have seen a rise in fur babies in our client’s homes and while they bring us so much joy in life, they also come with their fair share of expenses. 

So joining me today is Financial Gym client, Anne to share her story about fur baby costs. How she manages them and the pros and cons of pet insurance that she invests in to help her offset those costs.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode425

Direct download: MAYM_425_Pet_Costs.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Direct download: MAYM_424_Fran_Fin_Naked.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

You’ve heard me mention it during podcast commercials and in the Facebook group, but in 2022, Financial Gym, for the first time ever, launched a Financial Trainer Certification program. Before January 2022, the only way for you to earn a Financial Trainer Certification was to be a full-time employee of Financial Gym. In 2021, when we were looking at how we could reach our goal of getting to 1 million Gym clients sooner than later, we realized one of the solutions was to have more trainers out there doing the important work that we do. So we launched the program in January and the interest in it is exploding. To answer many questions people have about the process, the costs and the results, I’m talking to three CFT Certification graduates about their experiences. Joining me today are Gyasi, Annette and Melissa to share why they invested in the program, what it was like and their experience throughout the entire process. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode423

Direct download: MAYM_423_CFT.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

On the last Friday of the month, I host the Happy Hour on the podcast where I gather great friends with me to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics. This month on the podcast, I’ve highlighted financial and self-books from various authors that I know and respect. The happy hour ladies joined me and shared some amazing books to add to your reading list as well, but before we got into that, we addressed another important celebration that happens in May and that’s Mental Health Awareness. I asked the ladies to grade their current mental health state and we discussed what we’re feeling at the moment and how we’re working to improve or maintain our current mental health state. As always, it was a very honest and special conversation, and I hope you enjoy it. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode422

Direct download: MAYM_422_HH_May_2022.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Last month was Financial Literacy Month and believe it or not, we’re fast approaching summertime, so I have books and learning on the brain this month. I decided to dedicate the month of May to various personal finance or self-help books that I thought would make great books to add to your current or summer reading lists. Today I’m talking to the co-authors of Stacked – Your Super Serious Guide to Modern Money Management, Joe Saul-Sehy and Emily Guy Birken. As you can imagine, over the years, I have read numerous personal finance books and I have to say, this one has quickly climbed the ranks to become one of my favorites. Joe and Emily not only have a wealth of knowledge to share through this book, but they share it in a funny and educational way that only they could pull off. I can’t wait for you to hear more from them on this book writing experience. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode421

Direct download: MAYM_421_Emily_and_Joe.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Last month was financial literacy month and believe it or not, we’re fast approaching summertime, so I have books and learning on the brain. I decided to dedicate the month of May to various personal finance or self-help books that I thought would make great books to add to your current or summer reading lists. Today, I’m speaking with my friend, entrepreneur, author, and investor, Hitha Palepu about her recent release, WE’RE SPEAKING The Life Lessons of Kamala Harris: How to Use Your Voice, Be Assertive, and Own Your Story. This is a fantastic book with such a unique perspective, and I know you’re going to love it. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode420

Direct download: MAYM_320_Hitha.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Last month was financial literacy month and believe it or not, we’re fast approaching summertime, so I have books and learning on the brain this month. I decided to dedicate the month of May to various personal finance or self-help books that I thought would make great books to add to your current or summer reading lists. 

Kicking off the month is my friend, Jillian Johnsrud, host of the Everyday Courage podcast and author of the book, “Fire the Haters: Finding the Courage to Create Online in a Critical World,” a book that helps creatives and entrepreneurs share their best work with the world. She joins me to talk about why she wrote the book and how we can apply the lessons in the book to our online interactions. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode419

Direct download: MAYM_319_Jillian.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Hello Martinis and Your Money Listeners! Today is the last Friday of the month and my regular listeners know that on the last Friday of the month, I host the happy hour on the podcast where I gather great friends with me to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics. Today is the last Friday of April and April is Financial Literacy Month or what we like to call our favorite time of year at The Financial Gym. An entire month that’s focused on the importance of financial literacy. I always say that financial literacy is just as important as regular literacy and while there are so many resources for us out there to get better at it, I still feel as though we have a financial literacy crisis in the US. Every day new clients come to the Financial Gym feeling shame that they aren’t as adept in their personal finance knowledge and my response is always the same. Why should you feel confident? Most of us didn’t learn about personal finance at home, at school or on the job, yet the second we start receiving paychecks, we’re responsible for managing our money and navigating the world of personal finance. 

This month on the podcast, I’m addressing a particular area of finance that our clients find the most challenging. Today on the Happy Hour the ladies join me to talk about Cryptocurrency and whether or not it’s something you should focus on in your investment portfolio. As you can imagine, there’s a lot of opinions here.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode418

 

Direct download: MAYM_318_HH_April_2022.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT