Stay ConnectedFight the patriarchy. Get Rich.™
Join money expert Tori Dunlap every Tuesday as she guides you on how to make more, spend less, and feel financially confident in a world run by rich white men. Through solo episodes and special guest interviews, you’ll walk away with resources to get, save, and grow money to gain financial freedom and kick some patriarchal ass at the same time.
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If you’re waiting for the “right time” to invest, I need you to hear this––the right time is now. In this final part of my Personal Finance Cheat Sheet series, I’m breaking down exactly how to start investing in 2026 — step by step, without the jargon and without gatekeeping. Investing isn’t just for rich people; it’s how many people become rich, and I’m walking you through how compound interest, long-term strategy, and simple systems can help you build real wealth even if you’re starting with very little. If the stock market has felt confusing, intimidating, or downright scary, this episode will show you how to finally get off the sidelines and start making your money work for you.
To get more resources including any freebies mentioned in this episode, head to https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod
Missed an episode in our Personal Finance Cheat Sheet series? Get caught up:
The 3 Mistakes You’re Making with Your Money Resolutions (Personal Finance Cheat Sheet Pt. 1): https://herfirst100k.com/financial-feminist-show-notes/money-resolutions/
How To Budget & Pay Off Debt (Personal Finance Cheat Sheet Pt. 2): https://herfirst100k.com/financial-feminist-show-notes/how-to-budget/
00:00 Intro
00:22 What Investing Really Is
01:40 Why Investing Works Long-Term
03:00 Debunking "It's Too Confusing"
08:11 Time in the Market vs. Timing the Market
10:00 Step-by-Step Investing Roadmap
17:30 Where to Set Up Your Account
18:37 Biggest Mistakes New Investors Make
21:34 Long-Term Wins Over Short-Term Gains
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If you’ve ever avoided budgeting because it felt stressful, restrictive, or shame-inducing, this episode is going to change everything. In part two of my Personal Finance Cheat Sheet series, I’m breaking down how to budget in a way that actually works and how to use that budget to finally pay off your debt without shame, stress, or tracking every single penny. We’re talking about why most budgeting methods fail, how to reframe your budget as a permission slip instead of a punishment, and the exact system I use to help you make real progress on credit cards, student loans, and more. If you want actionable clarity around budgeting and debt payoff in 2026, get ready to take notes!
Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!
00:00 Intro
00:15 Why Budgeting Feels Restrictive
01:48 The Gas Gauge Analogy & Why Budgets Matter
03:11 Why Most Budgeting Methods Fail
04:14 The 50/30/20 Rule Explained
05:36 Why the 50/30/20 Rule Isn’t Perfect
06:56 Introducing the Three Bucket Budget
08:24 How to Automate Your Financial Goals
10:50 Progress Over Perfection: Flexible Budgeting
12:19 How to Prioritize Debt Payoff
14:39 Understanding Different Types of Debt
16:39 The High Cost of Credit Card Debt
18:08 The Snowball vs. Avalanche Method
19:47 Free Five-Day Debt Challenge Resource
20:22 How to Find More Money in Your Budget
21:44 Negotiating Your Bills & Saving More
23:41 You Are Not a Bad Person for Having Debt
24:59 Final Thoughts & What’s Next in the Series
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If your New Year’s financial resolutions already feel shaky, you might be sabotaging yourself without even realizing it. In this episode, I’m breaking down the three biggest ways people wreck their money goals before January is even over, from setting vague, emotionally disconnected goals to falling into an all-or-nothing mindset and failing to track progress. This is the first episode in our brand-new Personal Finance Cheat Sheet series, and I’m giving you practical, realistic tools to finally follow through in 2026 — without burnout, perfectionism, or shame.
Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!
00:00 Intro
01:57 Why New Year’s Resolutions Often Fail
03:56 Mistake 1
08:44 How to Anchor Your Financial Goals
13:34 Reflection Prompts for Goal Setting
15:35 Mistake 2
24:14 Shiny Object Syndrome & Chasing Novelty
27:54 The Power of Consistency and Bare Minimums
30:08 Free Personalized Money Plan Resource
31:54 Mistake 3
36:34 How to Track Progress & Build Motivation
41:06 The Money Date Practice
43:46 Building Self-Trust and Accountability
47:06 Closing Thoughts & What’s Next in the Series
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If you thought “hacking” your money meant clipping coupons or extreme budgeting, today’s episode is going to blow you away. Earlier this year, I sat down with Chris Hutchins, of the All the Hacks podcast, to talk about how to maximize value in every area: spending, saving, earning, and traveling. Chris spoke to us about real, actionable hacks that go way beyond clipping coupons—including side hustles that don’t require starting a business, ways to “game the system” to cut costs on everything from groceries to luxury hotels, and how to rack up credit card points without going into debt. If you want to stop overspending, learn to travel smarter, or create extra income on the side, pull up a chair.
Chris’s links:
Website: https://allthehacks.com/
Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!
00:00 Intro
07:01 Side Hustles and Creative Money-Saving Strategies
20:03 Travel Hacking and Credit Card Points
24:59 Advanced Travel Hacking Tips
43:14 Negotiating Airbnb and Hotel Upgrades
46:58 Finding Unclaimed Money
55:51 Credit Card Application Strategies
01:00:16 Teaching Kids About Money
01:09:23 Bora Bora Travel Deals
01:12:36 Non-Money Related Life Hacks
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Ever wondered if saving your first $100K is actually doable—or just another financial fairy tale? I’m Tori Dunlap, founder of Her First $100K and host of the Financial Feminist podcast, and in this special replay episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on real-world steps for building tangible wealth and saving money on everything—starting with building an emergency fund, to paying off debt, investing, and automation. We also get into why your mindset matters just as much as the numbers, and how a supportive community can make or break your progress toward that six-figure milestone. Tune in to learn how to get YOUR first $100K in 2026.
Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!
00:00 Intro & Welcome
02:15 What is “Your First $100K”?
05:07 Personal Finance is Personal
07:49 Step 1: Build an Emergency Fund
11:19 Step 2: Pay Off High-Interest Debt
15:11 Step 3: Let Your Money Work for You
19:40 Step 4: Automate Your Savings
22:30 Step 5: Don’t Do It Alone
24:53 Final Motivation & Takeaways
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As we close out 2025, I know so many of us are ending the year exhausted, overwhelmed, and craving even the smallest spark of hope — and that’s exactly what today’s episode is here to give you. From the power of local community events to the healing magic of nature, art, or activism, this episode will give you simple, actionable ways to end 2025 feeling more hopeful (without the toxic positivity or wellness fluff). I’m sharing the real, tangible practices that have helped me reconnect with joy in a year that felt painfully heavy.
Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!
00:00 Intro
01:20 Shifting to Hope: Why It Matters
01:47 Tip 1: Go to a Community Event
02:59 Tip 2: Read a Fun Book
04:17 Tip 3: See Women Play Sports
06:39 Tip 4: Get Into Nature
08:14 Tip 5: Protest, Rally, or Activism from Home
10:49 Tip 6: Experience Art & Live Performances
12:21 Tip 7: Run for Something & Local Political Engagement
13:56 Tip 8: Do Something Alone
15:41 Tip 9: Volunteer & Give Back
17:00 Closing Thoughts: Hope, Community, and Looking Ahead
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Today’s episode of Financial Feminist is all about unlocking what I truly believe is the easiest money you will ever make — and yes, it’s as simple and lazy-girl-friendly as it sounds. I’m breaking down the one passive income strategy that requires zero extra hours, zero new skills, and absolutely zero stress: a high-yield savings account. If you’ve ever wished you could make money while taking a nap, running errands, or sipping a drink on the beach, this episode shows you exactly how to make your existing money work harder for you, without sacrificing your already-packed schedule.
Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!
00:00 Intro
01:14 The Problem with Checking Accounts
02:44 Why High-Yield Savings Accounts Matter
04:21 How to Set Up and Use a HYSA
08:44 The Power of Earning Interest
09:23 Using HYSA for Emergency Funds & Goals
10:22 Overcoming Myths & Fears
12:24 Making Money Passively
14:03 Is My Money Safe?
15:10 Final Thoughts & How to Get Started
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What if pressing pause on your career was actually the smartest, most strategic move you could make? In today’s episode, I’m joined by Neha Ruch, author of The Power Pause, to challenge the myths we’ve all been fed about stay-at-home motherhood, caregiving, and career pauses. We dig into why our culture undervalues care work, how identity gets tangled up in motherhood, and what it actually looks like to take a pause. Whether you’re considering stepping back from work to raise kids, support aging parents, or simply regroup, Neha shares smart ways to protect your finances, keep your skills sharp, and eventually re-enter the workforce on your terms.
Neha’s links:Website: https://www.thepowerpause.com/
Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!
00:00 Intro & Identity and Career Breaks
01:06 Myths & Stereotypes of Stay-at-Home Motherhood
04:13 The Financial Realities of Motherhood
08:21 Identity Shifts & The Power Pause Concept
12:27 Making Career Pauses Temporary, Not Permanent
14:53 Building Skills & Staying Connected During a Pause
21:56 Validation & Measuring Success in Caregiving
28:11 Positioning a Career Pause on Your Resume
31:50 Financial Power Dynamics in Relationships
40:09 Elder Care vs. Child Care Pauses
47:04 Reentering the Workforce: Pitfalls & Strategies
49:54 What Does a Successful Power Pause Look Like?
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What happens when the life you’ve spent decades building shatters overnight? Today’s guest, Jen Hatmaker, joins me to talk about the moment everything collapsed—and how she rebuilt her identity, her faith, her confidence, and her finances from the ground up. In this deeply honest conversation, we explore what it means to wake up to your own power after betrayal, divorce, and a total life upheaval, and how taking control of your money can become the foundation for reclaiming every part of your story.
Jen’s links:
Book: https://jenhatmaker.com/awake/
Website: https://jenhatmaker.com/
Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!
00:00 Intro
00:54 The Story We Tell Ourselves vs. Reality
02:04 The Moment Everything Changed
04:00 Why We Ignore Red Flags
06:36 The Cost of Disruption and Divorce
09:14 Money Reckoning After Divorce
12:07 Why Women Opt Out of Finances
15:19 The Emotional Labor of Money
17:22 The First 90 Days: Financial Overwhelm
20:06 Becoming Financially Literate
22:44 From Shame to Action
25:22 Taking Ownership and Finding Safety
28:22 The Cost of Self-Erasure
31:07 What Happens When Women Have Money
34:07 Deconstructing Faith and Identity
38:42 Finding New Definitions of Church
41:18 Advice for Anyone in Upheaval
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Saving money doesn’t have to feel like a punishment, and in today’s episode, I’m proving it. I’m diving into coaching questions from listeners about how to save without feeling deprived, how to break out of scarcity mindset, and how to balance long-term goals with actually enjoying life. From processing layoffs and using your emergency fund without guilt to understanding why fear hijacks your finances, this episode is packed with practical money advice, emotional mindset shifts, and actionable tools for creating a sustainable financial plan that still lets you have a life. If you’ve ever struggled to save without feeling deprived, or wondered how to make money choices that feel good today and set you up for tomorrow, this coaching session is for you.
Mentioned in this episode:
Millionaire Mindset: https://herfirst100k.com/financial-feminist-show-notes/millionaire-mindset-taking-risks/
How to Get Out of Financial Survival Mode: https://herfirst100k.com/financial-feminist-show-notes/financial-scarcity/
Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!
00:00 – Money Coaching With Tori: Ask a Multimillionaire Anything
01:00 – Listener Win: Starting a Side Hustle With Confidence
02:15 – Why Women Struggle With Taking Risks
04:00 – How to Start a Business When You’re Scared of Judgment
05:00 – Question 1: “I’m Afraid to Touch My Savings After a Layoff”
06:15 – How to Use Your Emergency Fund Without Guilt
07:00 – Navigating Layoffs, Uncertainty, and a Volatile Job Market
08:00 – Is It Time for a Career Pivot or Freelancing?
09:00 – Resetting Your Career After a Job Loss
10:00 – Why You Need a Personal Project During a Job Search
11:00 – Question 2: “How Do I Stop Living in Scarcity Mode?”
12:00 – Balancing Saving, Spending, and Generosity
13:00 – Understanding Your Financial Trauma & Scarcity Triggers
14:00 – How Fear Lies to You About Money
15:30 – The “Put Fear in the Back Seat” Strategy (Liz Gilbert Method)
17:00 – How to Budget for Generosity Without Derailing Your Goals
18:30 – Why You Can’t Pour From an Empty Cup (Money Edition)
20:00 – How Scarcity Mindset Affects Your Financial Decisions
21:00 – Why You Must Talk About Money in Therapy
22:00 – Question 3: Balancing Saving for Retirement With Wanting to Live Now
23:00 – YOLO vs. Long-Term Money Goals: Finding the Middle Ground
24:00 – Make Retirement Feel Real: Visualizing Your 65-Year-Old Self
25:30 – “Saver vs. Spender” Is a Myth — Here’s What You Actually Are
27:00 – How to Trick Your Brain Into Enjoying Saving Money
28:00 – Using the Three-Bucket Budget to Spend Guilt-Free
29:00 – Lightning Round: Emergency Funds, Life Insurance, and Over-Saving
31:00 – What Life Insurance Should Actually Look Like
32:00 – How Much Is Too Much in Savings?
33:00 – Free Resources: 7-Day Money Reset + Stock Market Workshop
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