Martinis and Your Money Podcast

Hello Martinis and Your Money Listeners! Today’s podcast episode was inspired straight out of my own experience of transitioning my 17-year-old son, Will, from a car passenger to a licensed driver. Bill and I have been talking about this in theory for over a year now as Will has been practicing driving and taking classes, etc. but I’m not sure anything really prepares you for it until it hits you straight in the face. 

Over the years, I have witnessed clients' expectations of kid costs to decrease over time, only to realize that some of the early large expenses like nannies or daycare just wash over into camps and sports as they age and then ultimately car insurance and college costs as they continue to age. 

Joining me today is my great friend and work wife for life, Alicia Lazarto, to talk about how to prepare and manage your family’s finances with a teen and also how you can set your teen up for success once they leave the home. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/episode459

Direct download: MAYM_459_Teen_Finances.mp3
Category:personal finance -- posted at: 1:00am 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