Martinis and Your Money Podcast

My girlfriends come back to review the goals we set for 2106, share our failures and successes, and make new goals for 2017.

You can listen to last year’s review and forecast here http://financially-blonde.com/2016-goals-happy-hour-style, and stay subscribed so you don’t miss all the fun this year.

Direct download: MM135_Happy_Hour_2017_Goals.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

Until this conversation, I really had NO clue about Bitcoin - but Ashe Whitener helped me understand what it is, where it came from, and who it’s really for.

I can’t explain it here, so you’ll just have to listen for yourself.

You can also find more information in the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/mmpodcast

Direct download: MM134_BitCoin_Ashe_Whitener.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

I remember how scary it was when starting my business. It was a big leap and I was afraid of failing.

Kathlyn Hart - a motivational speaker, coach and host of the Big Leap Show - joins me to talk about this.

A leap of any size can be a scary thing. Practice leaping in smaller ways so you can get more comfortable when a bigger leap may present itself to you. The worst thing that can happen is you fail. Focus on how good it will feel when you soar after that leap.

Find Kathlyn’s information in the show notes http://financially-blonde.com/mmpodcast

Direct download: MM133_Kathlyn_Hart.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 2:33am EDT

Jennifer Fitzgerald, CEO and co-founder of Policy Genius, joins me in a conversation about Health Care: What you need to know about using the Exchanges, how hard you should hold on to your family doctor, and the benefits that may be available to you.

To shop the exchanges with Policy Genius, visit https://policygenius.com/health-insurance

Direct download: MM132_Policy_Genius.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 2:32am EDT

Starting a business is more than just a great idea. You don’t want your amazing idea to never see the light of day just because you failed on the execution of it.

Take every step to ensure your idea will find its appropriate market.

Sylvia Inks wrote the book on small business finance for the busy entrepreneur, and joins me in a conversation about what to do - and to avoid - when starting a small business.

You can find links to Sylvia’s website and book in the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/mmpodcast

Direct download: MM131_Sylvia_Inks.mp3
Category:entrepreneur -- posted at: 2:31am EDT

The holidays have different meanings for everyone, as you will hear in this show, and they evolve over time. However, they almost always bring together people who love and enjoy each other.

Melanie, Tonya and Mrs. Frugalwoods join me again for a drink and a chat about holiday traditions, celebrating with family (or not), and can you possibly go without the stuffing?

What are you thankful for? Send an email to shannon@finblonde.com or tweet to me @Blonde_Finance

Direct download: MM130_Happy_Hour_Thanksgiving_Style.mp3
Category:happy hour -- posted at: 2:30am EDT

Melissa Sotudeh, CFP, is the mother of a college grad and a Vanderbilt freshman.

She knows what it takes to prepare for college - both as the person paying and as the parent raising students to be ready for college. 

Melissa wrote a book called, “Find Your Financial Safety School”, which you can download for free from http://halpernfinancial.com.

It will help you select a school that is more appropriate for your student, the true cost of a college education, and how to lower those costs.

 

For a quick link or other notes about this episode, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/mmpodcast

Direct download: MM129_Melissa_Sotudeh.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 2:29am EDT

Chad Carson built a real estate portfolio from scratch - with no background in real estate whatsoever!

He put the time and energy into learning - which lead to his first investor. The rest is history.

Remember the importance of hard work in achieving your financial goals. The same success is achievable for you.

For more information, including Coach Chad’s website and blog posts, visit http://financially-blonde.com/mmpodcast

Direct download: MM127_Chad_Carson.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 2:27am EDT

Have you had your financial grown-up moment yet? If so, what does it say about your financial journey so far?

Award-winning journalist and author, Bobbi Rebell, joins me with a “Side Hustler” - a drink she created to help promote her new book, “How to be a Financial Grownup”.

I also share MY financial grown-up moment!

For more information on Bobbi and her book, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/mmpodcast

Direct download: MM126_Bobbi_Rebell.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 3:48am EDT

Melanie, Tanya, and Mrs. Frugalwoods join me to answer listener emails: Deloris wants to know: Where are you all recording right now? I’m curious. Jennifer asks: How did you keep going when debt felt overwhelming? Amber is curious: What are your financially-oriented goals for 2017? Linsey is looking for he answer to: When do you know you are side-hustling too hard? And finally, Kristen asks the Happy Hour crew to answer 3 Random Questions. Send in your question or leave a comment: http://financially-blonde.com/mmpodcast/

Direct download: MM125_Happy_Hour.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 3:31am EDT

Paul Golden from the National Endowment for Financial Education joins me to talk about millennial parenting. Try to plan as much as you can before making the decision to become a parent - both emotionally and financially. If you are already a parent, work with your partner or your financial professional to get a hold of your finances - not only for your future, but the future of your children as well.

Direct download: MM124_Millennial_Parenting.mp3
Category:parenting -- posted at: 9:55am EDT

Home ownership, no matter how old you are and when you achieve it, is a huge decision to make. You don’t want to base decisions solely on emotions but also measure them against your goals and other dreams.

Millennial Homeowner, Lauren Bowling, purchased a home with the expectation that her and her then-boyfriend would live in it after they got married. She put a nice downpayment on the purchase and began a $68,000 renovation three months before their breakup.

While her situation didn’t turn out so bad - she nets about $400 a month in renting it out to tenants - Lauren realizes some mistakes were made and wrote a book about it. Find more information at http://financially-blonde.com/mmpodcast

Direct download: MM123_Lauren_Bowling.mp3
Category:property -- posted at: 2:23am EDT

I recently met Amber in person. When she mentioned her job of driving a city bus - I just had to have her on the show.

Amber shares the ups and downs of a millennial trying to find work she likes.

Direct download: MM122_Amber_Berry.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 6:07am EDT

Student Loan Debt is causing many millennials to delay their dreams of marriage. My guest, Chonce Maddox, married the man she loves despite her debt struggles - and did it all within her $10,000 wedding budget.

 

For more, visit http://financially-blonde.com/mmpodcast

Direct download: MM121_Chonce_Maddox.mp3
Category:frugality -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

Today I kick off my Millennial Money Week with Kelly Lannon from Fidelity.

Education is key: There are numerous resources for you to get informed about money and investing - whether it is from sites like Fidelity.com or blogs or podcasts. Whatever source appeals to you, dig into it and begin the process of getting education about money ASAP. Thank you to Kelly Lannan, Director from the Women and Young Investors Group at Fidelity Investments.

Visit http://financially-blonde.com/mmpodcast for more Millennial Money Week episodes

Direct download: MM120_Millennial_Money_Week_kickoff_with_Fidelity.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

Consider your relationship with a financial planner as a long-term relationship. Take your time to find the right planner to guarantee your long term success. Visit http://financially-blonde.com/mmpodcast for more information about working with a financial planner

Direct download: 119_Katie_Brewer.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:19am EDT

Tempted by multi-level marketing? Brian couldn’t believe a friend tried to sell him a bottle of juice for $45. He began looking into it, only to discover unusual sales techniques used by direct sales companies to get people into multi-level marketing opportunities. Over the past few years, he has written over 30 reviews of such companies, some no longer exist, and exposes the real methods behind the business. The first Financial Gym location has opened in New York City at 226 5th Avenue, 5th Floor. Find out more by visiting http://financialgym.net

Direct download: MM118_Brian_McFarland.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:18am EDT

My girls get together for some SoCal-tinis at FInCon, San Diego.

It's a "Would you rather" session recorded live in front of hundreds of financial bloggers, podcasters, and video creators. It's a lot of fun and I hope you enjoy it.

You can find more Happy Hours, as well as my amazing guest interviews, on my website http://financially-blonde.com/mmpodcast

Cheers!

Direct download: MM117_HH_at_FinCon.mp3
Category:happy hour -- posted at: 1:17am EDT

Talaat and Tai McNeely know what it’s like to have communication problems about money. Today they share their story and tips for how to open the doors of communication and come together with your money as a couple.

Visit http://financially-blonde.com/mmpodcast for more information.

Direct download: MM116_His_and_Her_Money.mp3
Category:Relationships -- posted at: 1:16am EDT

Lauren went from spending $40,000 on credit cards to being debt free.

Along the way she came to the realization that she was addicted to spending.

Listen as Lauren reveals her past and how she used it to fuel her passion for paying off debt and sharing those lessons with others.

 

For more information, or to get a copy of Lauren's new book, The Recovering Spender, visit http://financially-blonde.com/mmpodcast/

Direct download: MM115_Recovering_Spender.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 2:15am EDT

Do you know your F.I. number? Brandon from MadFientist.com explains how you can calculate the amount of money you need to have before taking the leap away from the 9-5.

To take advantage of Brandon's FI spreadsheet or any of the other resources mentioned in this episode, visit http://financially-blonde.com/mmpodcast/

Direct download: MM114_Financial_Independence_Calculated.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 2:14am EDT

Melanie had a TON of student loan debt and couldn't find a job in her field to pay it off. Then she discovered "side hustles" and learned things she's never get from a college course. Today she shares the inspiration behind her blog, DearDebt.com, which is the basis for her recently released book: Dear Debt: A Story About Breaking Up With Debt. To purchase a copy from Amazon, go to https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Debt-Story-About-Breaking/dp/0692684808

Direct download: MM113b_Dear_Debt_Book.mp3
Category:side hustling -- posted at: 10:30pm EDT

While their lifestyles are often fabulous, the LGBT community is not immune to financial problems. David and John, aka The Debt Free Guys, racked up over $50,000 in credit card debt and had nothing to show for it. Once they came together on a plan, they paid off all the debt and now live a debt free, money conscious lifestyle.

Direct download: MM113_Queer_Money.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:13am EDT

You are worth more than you think, but women in general underestimate the value they bring in their profession.

Melanie, Tonya, and Mrs. Frugalwoods join me to share stories of failure, wins, and how we can confidently ask for just and fair compensation.

Happy Hour always happens on the last Friday of the month. Make sure you don't miss a thing! Subscribe at http://financially-blonde.com/mmpodcast

Direct download: MM112_Happy_Hour_August_2016.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 2:12am EDT

Shannon sits down with her Happy Hour crew of Melanie from DearDebt.com, Tonya from Budget and the Beach, and Mrs. Frugalwoods from Frugalwoods.com to continue the talk about being frugal vs being cheap.

They will prove that they are willing to leave no topic untested, including using composting toilets, not owning furniture, going commando, and even the idea of donating a testicle.

For more fun Happy Hour conversations, visit http://financially-blonde.com/mmpodcast

Direct download: MM111_Replay_-_Frugal_or_Cheap_Part_Two.mp3
Category:happy hour -- posted at: 1:11am EDT

The rules for managing money for a single person are same in concept, but not necessarily in the execution. As a young or old independent adult, there are stark differences in how to control spending and invest for the future than a married couple.

Jess Garbarino from Every Single Dollar shares her story of getting out of debt and gives us 5 tips for managing finances as a single woman.

For more great episodes, visit http://financially-blonde.com/mmpodcast

Direct download: MM110_Jess_Garbarino.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:10am EDT

Becky is a physical fitness trainer with some great ideas for getting fit - financially as well as physically.

She shares ideas for purchasing multi-functional and affordable equipment, how to avoid indulging too much, and answers 3 random questions.

BONUS: I also share a new service called Debitize that will pay your credit cards for you while sticking to your budget.

Find more about Becky Fox or Debitize by visiting http://financially-blonde.com/mmpodcast/

Direct download: MM109_Becky_Fox_Debitize.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 2:09am EDT

How do you find a financially harmonious partner? My girlfriends Melanie, Tonya and Mrs. Frugalwoods join me in this very personal discussion - including a very hard and personal announcement I need to share with you.

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a friend or your own partner. It is my hope that others will be helped from hearing this message. You can find more resources at http://financially-blonde.com

Direct download: MM108_Happy_Hour_July_2016.mp3
Category:Relationships -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

With all the rules and various programs for student loan repayment options, you need an advocate on your side. Joining us today is Jay Fleischman a lawyer who concentrates on Consumer Protection and is most noted as an expert on income based repayment plans for student loans.

This landscape is constantly changing and the time you devote to understanding it will save you not only money but headaches down the road. Become an advocate throughout your student loan debt repayment journey and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Check out Jay on his podcast, http://StudentLoanShow.com or chat with him on Twitter @JayFleischman

Find the show notes at http://Financially-Blonde.com or tweet to me @blonde_finance

Direct download: MM107_Jay_Fleischman.mp3
Category:student loans -- posted at: 1:37am EDT

JD Roth is best known for growing and selling his website, GetRichSlowly.com for an undisclosed amount of money. He calls the proceeds "his retirement savings" and left him with some extra to take a 15-month RV trip around America.

JD Roth shares the highlights and low points of his trip, including eating beans out of a can, not taking showers, and adopting a puppy. Which ones are the high and low points? That's up to you to decide. Enjoy my conversation with JD Roth, the Money Boss.

Visit http://financially-blonde.com/mmpodcast for more great interviews about money

Direct download: MM106_JD_ROTH.mp3
Category:Lifestyle -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Cait Flanders found solace through a 12-month spending ban - but that’s not all. She also embraced some of the concepts found in minimalism like "buy one, give one" and the $20-20min rule. How much was she able to cut out of her budget? Listen to her story and find out.

Visit http://financially-blonde.com/mmpodcast for more details and shows about martinis and your money.

Direct download: MM105_Cait_Flanders.mp3
Category:spending -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

Putting a sound buying strategy in place before investing can alleviate our fear of picking the wrong stock. Today I'm talking with Linda P Jones from Be Wealthy And Smart about why stocks go up and her strategy for building wealth.

Find notes from the show at www.Financially-Blonde.com

Direct download: MM104_Linda_P_Jones.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

The book "Think And Grow Rich" has truly shifted my philosophy around money and goals.

Today my Happy Hour ladies talk about vision and goal setting based on what I have learned from reading Napoleon Hill's iconic book from 1937 - but is still relevant almost 80 years later.

For more information visit http://financially-blonde.com/mmpodcast/

Direct download: MM103_-_HH18.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Joe Saul-Sehy from Stacking Benjamins shares this one simple trick to make it easy to break up with your financial advisor.

For more great Martinis and Your Money episodes, visit http://financially-blonde.com/mmpodcast/

Direct download: Breaking_Up_With_Your_Financial_Advisor_MM102.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

YOLO takes on a whole new meaning in Jason Vitug's book, You Only Live Once: The Roadmap to Financial Wellness; and Jason joins the podcast to talk about his book and his epic summer road trip.

Direct download: Jason20Vitug20Podcast.mp3
Category:Lifestyle -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Podcasting is a labor of love for many, but no one can have any success in podcasting without a support network of listeners, friends and family. I am taking the momentous occasion of achieving 100 episodes to thank the people who helped me get this far. Gratitude truly is the best attitude and I show my appreciation in this episode.

Direct download: 100th20Episode20Edited2028129.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:18am EDT

Consumer Saving Advocate of Good Morning America and Fox News, Andrea Woroch, shares her best tips to save on summer travel, entertainment and weddings.

Direct download: Andrea20Woroch20Podcast.mp3
Category:savings -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

The fantastic team from Haven Life Insurance sponsored and joined us on this podcast to talk about life insurance and why we may or may not have it. Life insurance is a topic most people don't want to talk about, especially when they're out having fun, but you need to start thinking about it sooner than later.

Direct download: Happy20Hour20Session2017.mp3
Category:life insurance -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon talks to Lori Sackler, a financial advisor and author of the book, The M Word, about how you can talk about money with your loved ones.

Direct download: Lori20Sackler20Podcast.mp3
Category:Money -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon talks to Abigail Perry about her new book, Frugality for Depressives and the struggles that people with mental health challenges face while trying to manage their money.

Direct download: Abigail20Perry20Podcast2.mp3
Category:frugality -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

On this episode, Shannon talks to Elle Martinez from the Couple Money podcast about money dates, what they entail and how they can be successful.

Direct download: Elle20Martinez20Podcast2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon and the Happy Hour ladies talk about when it makes sense to spend money and when the spend money and don't feel guilty about it.

Direct download: Happy20Hour20Session2016.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon talks to David Carlson from Young Adult Money about his new book, Hustle Away Debt, and why side hustling is so important for achieving financial goals and paying down debt.

Direct download: David20Carlson20Podcast.mp3
Category:side hustling -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon talks to Taylor Milam from the blog site The Freedom From Money about how she paid off all of her student loan debt only 7 months after graduating from college.

Direct download: Taylor20Milam20Podcast.mp3
Category:student loans -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon talks to Kristen Robinson from Fidelity Investments about their recent study into job offers and what's important to millennial job seekers.

Direct download: Fidelity20Podcast.mp3
Category:jobs -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon and the Happy Hour Ladies discuss some of the more foolish money moves they have made over time and play a game of whether or not it's foolish. 

Direct download: Happy20Hour20Session2015.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon talks to her college roommate, Jill, about her struggles with infertility and how she eventually successfully adopted her son. 

Direct download: Jill20Hogan20Podcast.mp3
Category:adoption -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon talks to Erin Chase about how she creates five dollar dinners and saves money on food.

Direct download: Erin20Chase20Replay.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon talks to Holly from Club Thrifty about how to maximize credit cards to travel the world for next to nothing out of pocket.

Direct download: Holly20Johnson20Replay.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon talks to Joe Saul-Sehy from Stacking Benjamins about tax loss harvesting and tax efficient investing. 

Direct download: Joe20Tax20Podcast.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon talks to Adam Carroll, the creator of the film Broke, Busted and Disgusted about the growing student loan debt crisis and what can be done about it.

Direct download: Adam20Carroll20Podcast.mp3
Category:student loans -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon talks to Kate Dore from Cashville Skyline about leaving her job without another one lined up and how she survived unemployment.

Direct download: Kate20Dore20Podcast2.mp3
Category:careers -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon talks to Abigail Perry from the blog site, I Pick Up Pennies about her fertility challenges and the costs associated with them. 

Direct download: Abigail20Perry20Podcast.mp3
Category:fertility -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon talks to Tiffany Aliche aka The Budgetnista about her Live Richer Challenge and how she's helping tens of thousands of people live a better life financially.

Direct download: Budgetnista20Shot.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:14am EDT

In this episode, Shannon and the Happy Hour Ladies talk about how they struggle with the comparison game and what they do when they feel confronted by jealousy.

Direct download: Happy20Hour20Session2014.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon talks to Wendy and Eric from DIY Fund about the importance of managing your investments around specific goals.

Direct download: DIY20Shot720Goals20Based20Investing.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon talks to Lauren Greutman from I Am That Lady about her struggles to get financially fit and how she's raising four financially fit kids.

Direct download: Lauren20Gruetman20Podcast.mp3
Category:parenting -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon talks to Wendy and Eric from DIY Fund about sector investing and how you can use it to enhance your portfolio value and returns.

Direct download: DIY20Shot620Sector20Investing.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon talks to Paul Golden from the National Endowment for Financial Education about financial infidelity and how you can prevent it or move forward from it as a couple.

Direct download: Paul20Golden20Podcast2.mp3
Category:marriage -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon talks to Wendy and Eric from DIY Fund about ETFs and Mutual Funds to explain the similarities and differences.

Direct download: DIY20Shot520ETF20vs20Mutual20Fund.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon talks to Pat Palmer, founder of Medical Billing Advocates of America about what we need to know about medical bills and how we can save money on them.

Direct download: Pat20Palmer20Podcast.mp3
Category:savings -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon talks to Melanie from Dear Debt about how she paid off $81,000 in student loan debt while barely making minimum wage.

Direct download: Melanie20Shot.mp3
Category:debt -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon and the Happy Hour Ladies are joined by Wendy and Eric from DIY Fund to answer investing questions from Target Date Funds to Market Capitalization. 

Direct download: Happy20Hour20Session2013.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon talks to Wendy and Eric from DIY Fund about portfolio risk and how you can identify and measure it.

Direct download: DIY20Shot420Porfolio20Risks.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon talks to Brandon from the blog site Mad Fientist and the Financial Independence podcast about what it takes to reach FI and what you should not miss in your pursuit to achieve it.

Direct download: Mad20Fientist20Podcast.mp3
Category:retirement -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon chats with Wendy and Eric from DIY Fund about asset allocation, why it's important and how it can help people get better investment returns.

Direct download: DIY20Shot320Asset20Allocation.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon is talking to Matt Reiner from Wela about what impacted the markets in 2015 and what we can expect to impact the financial markets in 2016.

Direct download: Matt20Reiner20Jan201620Podcast.mp3
Category:economy -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon talks to Wendy and Eric from DIY Fund about the various asset classes that people can invest in and discusses what's important to know about each. A great episode for beginner investors.

Direct download: DIY20Shot220Investing20Asset20Classes.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon talks to Emma Johnson, founder of Wealthy Single Mommy and the Like a Mother podcast about what advice she has for single moms who are trying to get financially fit while raising their kids. 

Direct download: Emma20Johnson20Podcast.mp3
Category:financial fitness -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon talks to Wendy and Eric from DIY Fund about the steps that individuals can take to manage their portfolios like professionals. They discuss what pitfalls should be avoided and how to cut through the noise to make the best investing decisions for your situation. 

Direct download: DIY20Shot120Investing20Like20Pro.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon and the happy hour ladies recap their 2015 achievements including becoming debt free and a feature on The Today Show and share what they are working on for 2016.

Direct download: Happy20Hour20Session2012.mp3
Category:happy hour -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

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