Money Confidential

Latest Episodes:

I’m not sure whether I want a baby. Should I save for one anyway? Aug 09, 2021

Show notes

The number of births in the United States dropped to its lowest point for the fifth consecutive year—and that was before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. For women like this weeks’ listener—a 33-year-old woman living in New York City—money is a major factor in deciding when (or whether) to have children, especially given the rising costs of necessities like housing, healthcare, and childcare. Host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez interviews Alyssa Davies, author of The 100 Day Financial Goal Journal, for her advice on making decisions around family planning, and what that means for how we manage our money.

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I bought my first home—and it was a mistake. What now? Aug 02, 2021

Show notes

Buying a home still feels like a cornerstone of the American Dream for so many of us, but what happens when you spend most of your savings to achieve that dream and wind up regretting your purchase? This week on Money Confidential, we talk to Nina, a 32-year-old living in the Pittsburgh area who is struggling with home buyer’s remorse--and has no idea what to do about it. For answers, host Stefanie O’ Connelll Rodriguez turns to Jannese Torres-Rodriguez, a personal finance expert who has been through this situation herself.

If you have a money story or question to share, you can send us an email at money.confidential@realsimple.com. You can also leave us a voicemail at ‪(929) 352-4106‬.

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How can I plan my dream wedding on a budget? Jul 26, 2021

Show notes

How do you plan your dream wedding without spending more than you can actually afford? Host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez speaks to Jessica Bishop, founder of the Budget Savvy Bride, about setting (and sticking to) a wedding budget that honors your wedding day priorities while keeping your spending in check, so you have money left over for your future financial goals (whether that includes buying a home, having a baby, starting a new business, or something else).

If you have a money story or question to share, you can send us an email at money.confidential@realsimple.com. You can also leave us a voicemail at ‪(929) 352-4106‬.

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How do I create a budget I can actually stick to? Jul 19, 2021

Show notes

Budgeting isn’t a fun concept--it fact, for many of us, it’s incredibly off-putting. We tend to associate budgeting with denying ourselves of everything we enjoy. This week, however, you’ll hear from three previous guests who offer a fresh perspective on budgeting as a way to afford what you really want, without feeling deprived at all. Tune in, and get ready to look at budgeting in a whole new way.

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I want a prenup. How do I ask for one without offending my partner? Jul 12, 2021

Show notes

When Julia’s marriage ended she did not expect to lose half of her savings. Now that she’s thinking about getting remarried, Julia wants to protect herself financially and is considering asking her partner for a prenuptial agreement. Host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez sits down with Beatrice Leong, a divorce and family law attorney, to discuss what Julia, and all couples considering marriage, need to know about getting a prenup.

If, like Julia, you have a money story or question to share, you can send us an email at money.confidential@realsimple.com. You can also leave us a voicemail at ‪(929) 352-4106‬.

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Encore: Is it ok to keep money secrets from my partner? Jul 05, 2021

Show notes

A 32-year-old woman based in London considers telling her boyfriend she’s back in debt after he helped pay off her credit card three years ago. Stefanie talks to financial psychologist Dr. Brad Klontz about the challenges of navigating money in relationships, and what secrets (if any) are ok to keep.

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I had cancer at 34 and now I’m trying to pay off thousands of dollars in medical bills. Jun 28, 2021

Show notes

The high cost of healthcare is not something many of us think about--unless we become seriously sick. Olivia was shocked to be diagnosed with cancer at the age of 34. The New York City-based small business owner received over a million dollars in treatment and was left with thousands of dollars in medical bills, despite having health insurance. To help Olivia and others struggling with debt from medical care, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez sits down with Marshall Allen, an investigative journalist at ProPublica and author of the new book Never Pay the First Bill: And Other Ways to Fight the Health Care System and Win, to discuss how to best navigate America’s costly and complex healthcare system.

If, like Olivia, you have a money story or question to share, you can send us an email at money.confidential@realsimple.com. You can also leave us a voicemail at ‪(929) 352-4106‬.

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I got scammed and now my credit is ruined. How do I rebuild it? Jun 21, 2021

Show notes

Sometimes our money mistakes can have a lingering impact on our financial future. Hannah, a 28-year-old living in the midwest, tried to resolve her debt and improve her credit score only to be scammed in the process. For Hannah, and everyone who can relate to her situation, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez speaks with financial attorney Leslie Tayne about finding solutions to your debt that won’t make the problem even worse.

If, like Hannah, you have a money story or question to share, you can send us an email at money.confidential@realsimple.com. You can also leave us a voicemail at ‪(929) 352-4106‬.

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Encore: I have over $100k in student loan debt. How do I even begin to pay it off? Jun 14, 2021

Show notes

This week, Elaine, a 29-year-old listener from Queens, New York, is completely overwhelmed by her massive student loan debt, and is struggling to balance her goal of becoming debt free with all her other financial goals, from buying a house and starting a family to saving for retirement. To help Elaine--and everyone else out there struggling with a similar problem--get on track, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez and personal finance expert Lynnette Khalfani-Cox delve into how to manage paying student loans off without becoming overwhelmed, including balancing student loan repayment so that it doesn’t get in the way of realizing your dreams of meeting other financial and life goals.

If you have a money story or question to share, you can send us an email at money.confidential@realsimple.com. You can also leave us a voicemail at ‪(929) 352-4106‬.

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Encore: Is now a bad time to start a business? Jun 07, 2021

Show notes

A 28-year-old on the corporate career track asks if now is the right time to walk away from the financial security of a steady paycheck to pursue an entrepreneurial dream. Host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez talks to money expert Paco de Leon about what ‘enough’ money means when we’re talking about starting a business — in a pandemic no less.

If you have a money story or question to share, you can send us an email at money.confidential@realsimple.com. You can also leave us a voicemail at ‪(929) 352-4106‬.

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