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Dollars & Sense with Michelle Singletary

Financial decisions are rarely just about the money. And when life and money collide, it can be hard to make sense of either. That's where Michelle comes in. On Dollars & Sense with Michelle Singletary, Washington Post personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary helps real people navigate the financial questions keeping them up at night. Whether it's debt, spending habits, retirement, or everything in between, Michelle is here to take some of the fear out of figuring out your finances. Through candid conversations with everyday people, experts, and public figures, Michelle gets to the heart of the choices that shape our financial lives. Because getting your finances in order isn't about being perfect—it's about making the next decision make sense.

Tune in every Tuesday for Michelle’s advice on questions directly from listeners.

Want Michelle to answer your money question? Email dollarsandsense@washpost.com for a chance to be on the show.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Latest Episodes:

The surprising mistake many retired people make Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

Marian is retired and enjoying the life she worked so hard to build. But as she watches her friends age and lose their independence, she can't stop wondering what her own version of that might look like — or how to pay for it.

Michelle and Marian talk through her retirement "buckets," explore the possibilities of long term care, and whether she’s really prepared for what lies ahead.

Want Michelle to answer your money question? Email dollarsandsense@washpost.com for a chance to be on the show.

00:00 Welcome to Dollars & Sense with Michelle Singletary

02:08 Meet Marian

03:31 Losing Her Husband and Estate Planning

04:56 Selling the Business During the Pandemic

06:20 Inheriting an IRA and Explaining RMDs

07:52 Social Security and Consolidating Investments

12:25 Breaking Down Marian's Current Financial Plan

15:35 The Bucket Approach

17:48 Long-Term Growth and Coverage

19:09 Grieving the Business You Built

21:13 Aging Without Kids: Who Will Look After You?

27:08 The Chapter In Between

28:12 Staying Put vs. Pivoting: Six Steps to Smart Decisions

35:15 Giving Yourself Permission to Spend

38:28 Final Thoughts: Why an Objective Third Party Matters

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Much Should Parents Sacrifice to Pay for College? Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

When Lauren’s daughter wanted to go to college, there was no question–she was going to be allowed to go wherever she wanted. For Lauren—who is a teacher—a good education was worth the price. But after helping their daughter through college and graduate school, Lauren and her husband are staring down nearly $92,000 in Parent Plus Loans and wondering what that debt means for their future.

Michelle sits down with Lauren to figure out how the couple should tackle their loans, where they can cut back, and whether they can help their daughter with some of her own student loans.

Want Michelle to answer your money question? Email dollarsandsense@washpost.com for a chance to be on the show.

00:00 Welcome to Dollars & Sense with Michelle Singletary

01:00 Meet Lauren: A Mom Facing $92K in Debt

04:33 Paying for College While Managing Life's Expenses

06:26 Was Out-of-State College Worth the Debt?

10:33 Why Her Daughter's Education Was Worth the Sacrifice

14:05 The Money Conversations Parents Avoid

15:21 Debt Dash: Breaking Down the Numbers

20:00 Credit Cards, Eating Out, and Hidden Expenses

23:47 Michelle's Debt Payoff Plan: Start Small

27:07 Understanding Parent PLUS Loan Repayment Options

31:27 Teaching Your Kids to Talk About Money

37:13 Helping Your Adult Child Become Debt-Free

40:39 Lauren's Financial Action Plan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Introducing: Dollars & Sense With Michelle Singletary Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

How do I make sense of my money? This isn’t an easy question to answer, and it’s not one you have to answer alone. On Dollars & Sense with Michelle Singletary, the Washington Post personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary gets candid about the financial decisions that shape our lives. Michelle talks with everyday people, experts, and public figures to help make sense of your dollars.

Tune in every Tuesday for Michelle’s advice on questions directly from listeners. Want Michelle to answer your money question? Email dollarsandsense@washpost.com for a chance to be on the show.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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