What’s your biggest fear when it comes to money? I recently came across an article titled The Most Common Money Fears, written by someone I know well—Melanie Lockert, a Brooklyn-based freelance personal finance writer and the author of Dear Debt. Melanie has been on the show before, and I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to invite her back to discuss her article and how our fears can hold us back from reaching our financial goals. Episodes Mentioned Ep. 142: Dear Debt Connect with Melanie Article: The Most Common Money Fears | Book: Dear Debt | Instagram | Twitter | Website Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the Federal Reserve cut interest rates again so it's time for another episode. The urge to just completely check out this week was very strong, but when I have the opportunity to look at a bunch of numbers and charts I just can't pass it up. Let's learn what is going on in the economy together this week! Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A listener let me know about a political ad that showed up in one of my episodes that I did not sign off on. So what better time than hours before the 2024 election to discuss how our money is always political. Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Could saving for your kid's college cost them a scholarship? This week we are answering this question that was sent in by a listener with the help of Certified Financial Planner Marguerita Cheng. Connect with Marguerita Cheng Book: More Than Money | Twitter Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can my job help me repay my student loans AND save for retirement? Popcorn Finance listener Alexis sent in a question wanting to know more about a section of the Secure Act 2.0 that allows employers to match student loan repayments just like they do with retirement contributions. I’m breaking down this section of the Secure Act 2.0, explaining how it works, and sharing how you can find out if your employer offers this benefit. Episode Mentioned 215: 401(k) Q&A - What's a 401(k) Match? Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inflation is looked pretty stable for September. This episode let's take a look at some of the prices that are looking better and which ones are getting worse. Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

$27,000 worth of credit card debt consumed my every waking moment for years. Today I'm taking a trip down memory lane and sharing my journey of getting out of credit card debt thanks to a question from Eric. Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Interest rates are going down for the first time in over four years. This week I'm breaking down why the Federal Reserve decided now was the time lower interest rates and the latest inflation data showing that things might actually be headed in the right direction. Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can I save for the future while still being able to enjoy my money now? A while ago I got a question from Kurt, a listener who has done an amazing job saving and investing over the years, but now he's asking, "To what end?" Despite having a solid 401(k) balance, Kurt often feels broke and wonders how he can continue working toward his long-term goals while starting to enjoy some of his money now. To help tackle Kurt’s dilemma, I brought in Delyanne Barros, The Money Coach, to share her thoughts on the situation. Connect with Delyanne Instagram | TikTok Links Compound Interest Calculator Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do I figure out how I should be spending my money if I don’t even know what I want my life to look like? In episode 452, I spoke with certified financial planner Shannah Game about navigating comparison traps. One of her biggest tips was to find your "why" and get clear on it. But what if, like me, you have no idea where to start to figure out your "why" when planning for your future? Fortunately, Shannah shared her steps for discovering your "why" and gaining clarity on your bigger life goals. Ep. 452: Help! I Can’t Stop Comparing Myself to People with More Money  Connect with Shannah Everyone’s Talkin’ Money | Instagram | Twitter Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why did Japan’s interest rate hike have such a big impact on the U.S. stock market? Earlier this month I discussed the stock market chaos that led to a sharp drop in prices. I mentioned that Japan’s decision to raise interest rates played a part in this, but how? This episode I’m diving into Japan’s long history of deflation and its impact on the U.S. stock market. Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest inflation data is actually looking pretty good. Today we are going to dive into the July 2024 inflation numbers to see if inflation is actually going down. I'm also taking a closer look at a few items that have gotten cheaper over the past couple of years. Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In less than a week the stock market lost about 5% of its value in the US. In Japan it saw a drop of over 17%! But what does this all mean and should we be concerned? Today I will walk you through what went down and give you a little context to understand how much this will impact your retirement accounts. Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What should I prioritize, paying down my debt or building my emergency fund? Years ago, I faced the same dilemma. So to help everyone in the same boat, I’m breaking down the pros and cons of paying down debt versus building an emergency fund so that you can decide what’s the best option for you and your financial goals. -This episode originally aired on 11/1/2021 as #269 Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Were you a MoviePass subscriber? Alexis Gentry always nails it with her movie picks. So when she told me to watch the new Max documentary "MoviePass, MovieCrash" all about the rise and fall of MoviePass, I had to see it. As a former subscriber, I'm glad I did. Tune in as Alexis and I share all our thoughts about this documentary on today's episode. Listen to these other episodes featuring Alexis: Ep. 413: Best and Worst Movies of 2023 - Part 1 Ep. 415: Best and Worst Movies of 2023 - Part 2 Ep. 457: Best Movies of 2024... So Far Ep. 458: Why Are Movie Theaters Dying? Ep. 460: Top 3 Childhood Movies Ep. 461: Our First Movie Crushes & More Follow me on Letterboxd to find out what I’m watching and my reviews! Connect with Alexis Instagram | Website | Tiktok Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What movie can you watch over and over again? Alexis Gentry is back to answer even more of my movie questions! We're sharing some rapid-fire answers to fun questions like first movie crush, most-watched movie of all time, best movie theater experience, and more.  Listen to these other episodes featuring Alexis: Ep. 413: Best and Worst Movies of 2023 - Part 1 Ep. 415: Best and Worst Movies of 2023 - Part 2 Ep. 457: Best Movies of 2024... So Far Ep. 458: Why Are Movie Theaters Dying? Ep. 460: Top 3 Childhood Movies Follow me on Letterboxd to find out what I’m watching and my reviews! Connect with Alexis Instagram | Website | Tiktok Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's your favorite movie from your childhood? Join me and Alexis Gentry, movie critic and editor at Trashwire, as we share our top 3 favorite movies from when we were kids. These are the movies whose lines are still stuck in our heads and have been played so many times that the VHS barely stayed together. Listen to these other episodes featuring Alexis: Ep. 413: Best and Worst Movies of 2023 - Part 1 Ep. 415: Best and Worst Movies of 2023 - Part 2 Ep. 457: Best Movies of 2024... So Far Ep. 458: Why Are Movie Theaters Dying? Follow me on Letterboxd to find out what I’m watching and my reviews! Connect with Alexis Instagram | Website | Tiktok Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is hustle culture actually setting us back? In our monthly finance segment on NECN, Natalie and I got into the problems that come with the constant grind of hustle culture. We also unpack why it is so important to create your own definition of success that doesn’t revolve around what you earn Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are streaming services killing movie theaters? Today let’s discuss this theory along with a few others I found in an article from Screen Rant. To help me break things down I’m joined by fellow movie lover and actual movie critic Alexis Gentry. Screen Rant Article: 6 Reasons So Many Movies Are Struggling At The Box Office In 2024 Listen to our 2024 mid-year movie breakdown: Ep. 457 Best and Worst Movies of 2023: Part 1, Part 2 Follow me on Letterboxd to find out what I’m watching and my reviews! Connect with Alexis Instagram | Website | Tiktok Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s been your favorite movie of the year so far? Back in January, I kicked off the year with Alexis Gentry, movie critic and editor at Trashwire, to break down our favorite movies of 2023. Now that we're halfway through 2024, it felt like a good time to check in and discuss our favorite films of 2024 so far. Listen to our Best and Worst movies of 2023: Part 1, Part 2 Follow me on Letterboxd to find out what I’m watching and my reviews! Connect with Alexis Instagram | Website | Tiktok Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I just wanted to say thank you to ALL of you for helping me keep Popcorn Finance going for 7 years! Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you really need whole life insurance? Life insurance is a good idea for most of us, but paying for it for the rest of your life isn't necessary. Today I answer a question I got in from Jackie who was curious about what the difference was between term life insurance and whole life insurance. Check out Ep #155: How to Find a Financial Planner Podcast - https://pod.fo/e/e5ac Blog Post - https://popcornfinance.com/podcast/155-how-to-find-a-financial-planner-giveaway-winners Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How connected is the relationship between money and mental health? In Episode 444, licensed social worker and co-host of the Frugal Friends podcast, Jill Sirianni, discussed managing our mental health when it feels like the world is against us. This week, I want to share a bonus segment from that conversation, where Jill explains how our relationship with money impacts our mental health and why quick fixes aren’t beneficial in the long run. Connect with Jill Instagram | Website | The Frugal Friends Podcast  Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May Inflation data was just released, so let's spend a few minutes catching up on what happened back in April. Plus I'm sharing a few details on a special project that I've been working on. Inflation TikTok Series What is Inflation & Why Does it Even Exist? Inflation's Impact on My Apartment Deflation - What stuff has actually gotten cheaper in my apartment Greedflation Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can we avoid the comparison trap when it comes to our finances? In today’s episode Shannah Game, host of Everyone’s Talkin’ Money podcast, and Certified Financial Planner is on the show to discuss how we can avoid getting stuck in a comparison trap and how to find what we truly want for our lives. -This episode originally aired on 1/17/2023 as #361 Connect with Today's Guest - Shannah Everyone’s Talkin’ Money | Instagram | Twitter Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wish you could turn back the clock to share financial wisdom with your younger self in hopes that it would put you on the right financial path? My guest today is Ashley Feinstein Gerstley, author of Financial Adulting and founder of The Fiscal Femme, and we're discussing all the things we wish we knew about finances before we stepped out into financial adulthood. In this episode, we discuss How to safeguard yourself against misleading financial advice How to seek out financial knowledge for yourself and gain control of your financial narrative How to avoid shame and comparison when it comes to money This is a replay of episode 302 which originally aired on 5/2/2022 Connect with Today's Guest - Ashley Feinstein Gerstley Connect with Ashley on Instagram | Twitter Check out Ashley's book: Financial Adulting Jaki's amazing art work https://www.instagram.com/jakipramos   Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is it possible to make travel more affordable in 2024? The world has opened up significantly since 2020, and people are eager to travel again. But how attainable is it to go on trips nowadays? If you’d love to travel more but are unsure if your budget allows for it, I have traveler extraordinaire and all-around savvy adventurer, Bianca Alba on the show to talk about how to make traveling a bigger part of your life without breaking the bank. Connect with Today's Guest - Bianca Alba This Latina Travels | Instagram | Travel Guides Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is achieving financial freedom really as simple as it seems? In today’s episode, I’m sharing Part 2 of Haley and Justin’s story. They walk us through the rest of their personal finance story after receiving a life-altering lawsuit settlement and the hard lessons they learned along the way. Moreover, how they managed to get their finances back on track and how they’re trying to help others avoid the same personal finance mistakes in their own money journeys. Connect with Haley and Justin Brown-Woods Twitter | Instagram | Website | Price of Avocado Toast Podcast  Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An afternoon of Bluey delayed this episode, but I figured it's better late than never! Today's lets talk about the Federal Reserve and their decision to keep interest rates right were they are... at least for now. Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What would you do if you inherited $600,000 in your 20s? I’d like to say that I would’ve been responsible if I got that amount of money in my 20s, but in all honesty, I probably would’ve saved a little and spent a lot. That's exactly what happened to Haley and Justin Brown-Woods when they inherited $600,000 from a grandparent. They didn't just spend it all—they racked up a ton of credit card debt too. That set them on a wild ride of debt repayment and led to the birth of their podcast, 'The Price of Avocado Toast.' In today's episode, they're sharing Part 1 of their story. Don’t forget to listen to Part 2 next Tuesday! Connect with Haley and Justin Brown-Woods Twitter | Instagram | Website | Price of Avocado Toast Podcast  Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You've probably noticed that I took a couple of weeks off from Popcorn Finance News, but this week I'm back at it, and I have more than one number to share! Three weeks ago, the Labor Bureau released inflation data from March, and I've been going over those numbers ever since. So today, I'll share the most interesting pieces of information I found after analyzing five years' worth of inflation data, including if grocery prices are going down and how car insurance rates have risen. We'll discuss this and more in today's episode of Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is 3.5% This is the inflation rate for March 2024 Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What were conversations surrounding money like when you were a kid? Many of us grapple with financial fears, whether it's a scarcity mindset or simply not knowing how to handle money, largely due to the lack of financial education in our childhoods. That's why I invited Naseema McElroy, host of the Financially Intentional Podcast, to join me on the show today. She's here to discuss her three-account system and how we can prepare the next generation for financial success.  Connect with Naseema Instagram | Website | Financially Intentional Podcast Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is money wreaking havoc on your mental health? Money affects all aspects of our lives, so it shouldn’t be surprising that it can directly impact our mental health. That's why on today’s show, I wanted to continue the conversation about money and mental health with the help of Jill Sirianni, one-half of The Frugal Friends podcast and a licensed clinical social worker. Jill shares insights on how we can better manage our mental health, especially when facing stressors that are beyond our control and why doing so is so important.  Connect with Jill Instagram | Website | The Frugal Friends Podcast  Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should I be investing in a HSA instead of a 401(k)? Last week, we tackled some HSA questions from a listener. Today Andrew Giancola, host of The Personal Finance Podcast, is back to dive into the finer details of HSAs, including how to access your money and how he uses one for retirement. Part 1: Ep. 441 Connect with Andrew Instagram | Website | The Personal Finance Podcast | Youtube Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is a cap on how much in taxes the Federal Government can take from your paycheck and it is not as high as you think. Plus, you should use this episode as a reminder to check in on those CDs you opened last year. You might find a drop in your interest rate. We’ll discuss this and more in today’s episode of Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is 37% This is the highest Federal tax bracket... but only if you make more than $578,126 Today’s Article  How High-Yield CDs Turn Into 0.05% CDs While You’re Not Looking written by Imani Moise Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is an HSA and do I need one? A listener wrote in with some great HSA questions including whether or not they are a good option for retirement. Andrew Giancola, host of The Personal Finance Podcast, is joining me to breakdown all things HSAs! Connect with Andrew Instagram | Website | The Personal Finance Podcast | Youtube Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram|Twitter| Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that over 65% of tax filers get a refund? Have you started spring cleaning your bank account? We’ll discuss this and more in today’s episode of Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is 65% About 65% of tax filers received a tax refund in 2023. Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever read a book that has stayed with you for years? "The Year of Less" by Cait Flanders is one of those books for me. That’s why I wanted to share a replay of the interview I did with Cait a few years ago on the podcast. In it, we discuss her book and how money influences every aspect of our lives, shaping who we become as individuals, and how her book helped her realize the changes she wanted to make in her own. Connect with Cait Instagram | Website | The Year of Less Book Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram|Twitter| Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

February’s inflation numbers left economists disappointed and housing might be to blame. We’ll discuss this and more in today’s episode of Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is 1 Housing was the number 1 contributor to the total inflation number in February. Today’s Article  US Inflation Remained Higher Than Economists Had Expected in February written by Diccon Hyatt Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you know how tax brackets are set up here in the US? Also, did you know this one tax deduction saves you tons of money each year on your taxes? Today let's get into tax brackets and the standard deduction. Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inflation remains stubbornly high and interest rates are staying right where they are… at least for now. We'll dive into what the Federal Reserve is thinking and more on Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is 3.2% This is the February inflation rate reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Today’s Article  Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady, projects three rate cuts later this year written by Scott Horsley Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I have a house and a kid with my partner, but we're not legally married. Does this change how I should file my taxes? There is nothing simple when it comes to filing your taxes, so it makes sense that most of us have a ton of questions. That's why CPA Keila Hill-Trawick is joining me again this week to address a tricky question from Tara, a listener who wants to know if she should file her taxes separately or jointly with her long-term partner.  Connect with Keila Website | Instagram | The Build to Enough Podcast Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you all set for tax season this year? With the tax deadline just around the corner, CPA Keila Hill-Trawick is back on the show with some last-minute tips to help you get organized and make this tax season a little less stressful.   Connect with Keila Website | Instagram | The Build to Enough Podcast Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram|Twitter| Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

That $5 bill in your wallet or purse isn’t going to last as long as you think and I have a few good hacks that could help you save some money! We'll discuss this and more on Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is 4.7 4.7 years is the estimated lifespan of a typical $5 bill Today’s Article (is a news segment this week) In my weekly news segment on NECN I discuss a few money hacks I learned from this book Money Hacks: 275+ Ways to Decrease Spending, Increase Savings, and Make Your Money Work for You! written by Lisa Rowan Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can I make therapy more affordable if my insurance doesn't cover it? This week, I continued my conversation with financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin. Unlike last week's discussion in ep.430, where we explored why many therapists in the U.S. don't accept insurance, this time Lindsay offers insights on making therapy and mental health services more accessible through reimbursements, mental health programs, and employer-offered initiatives. All the resources Lindsay mentions in this episode will be linked below and a lot of them were new to me, so I’m so happy to be able to share them with all of you! Resources Mentioned - The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) states that financial cost-sharing requirements for mental health/substance use disorder benefits (such as deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket limitations) must be the same as those for physical health care. (E.g., if you have a $20 co-pay for physical therapy, you should have a $20 co-pay for mental health therapy) - Mentaya is one of the services I mentioned that facilitates reimbursement if you have a therapist who's out of network. Advekit is another similar service. - How to Get Reimbursed for Therapy. I wrote this post to help people understand their Superbills and how to increase their reimbursement from their insurance provider when their therapist is "out of network." Other episodes with Lindsay: 327, 328, 343, 430 Connect with Lindsay Website | Instagram | Twitter | Her book, "The Financial Anxiety Solution" | Money Personality Quiz Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram|Twitter| Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover the surprising percentage of money printed annually to replace old and damaged bills. Plus, get my latest guide on when, how much, and how often to tip as tipping culture continues to evolve. We'll discuss this and more on Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is 95% The percentage of all the money printed by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing in Washington DC that is just to replace old & damaged existing money. Today’s Article A Guide to the Ridiculous New World of Tipping written by Chris Browning (That’s Me!) Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected]  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the best investments I ever made was starting therapy a few years ago. Unfortunately, in the U.S. most of us are paying out of pocket because many therapists don’t accept insurance. I wanted to get to the bottom of why this is so common, so I asked financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin to come back on the show to give us all a peek behind the scenes. Resources Mentioned The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) states that financial cost-sharing requirements for mental health/substance use disorder benefits (such as deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket limitations) must be the same as those for physical health care. (E.g., if you have a $20 co-pay for physical therapy, you should have a $20 co-pay for mental health therapy) Other episodes with Lindsay: 327, 328, 343 Connect with Lindsay Website | Instagram | Twitter | Her book, "The Financial Anxiety Solution" | Money Personality Quiz Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram|Twitter| Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inflation numbers are in. Are things looking better or worse? Also, are you hoping to travel more in 2024? If so we’ve got a few tips for you. We'll discuss this and more on Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is 3.1% This is the inflation percentage reported for January in the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Today’s Article The 10 best budget travel tips that will help you travel more in 2024 written by By Lori Zaino and Kyle Olsen Connect with Today's Guest - Bianca Alba This Latina Travels | Instagram | Travel Guides Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram|Twitter| Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices