- This week we meet a 38-year-old father based in Queens, New York, who has spent tens of thousands of dollars on home repairs and renovations over the past two years. Frustrated by all the time and money he’s spent on a place that isn’t his family’s forever home, our listener asks: Should we sell and[...]
- Buying your first home is already a major money milestone—but having to do it on your own in an uncertain housing market can make it feel even more overwhelming. In this episode, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez interviews real estate expert and mortgage lender Nicole Rueth about how to navigate the home-buying process as a single[...]
- This week we’re revisiting conversations we’ve had with four past expert guests about the most common things people overlook when purchasing a home, as well as all the hidden costs of homeownership – to help you prepare for one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make - buying a home. For more info visit[...]
- Real estate prices are extremely high, and now mortgage rates are also rising. Has first-time homeownership ever felt more out of reach? On this week’s episode, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez talks to Dr. Daryl Fairweather, chief economist at real estate brokerage Redfin, about what today’s housing market means for prospective buyers, plus whether it makes[...]
- Is it possible to take on major financial responsibilities such as buying a new home while you’re still paying down debt? Is now even a good time to buy a home? This week’s guest, a 39-year-old aspiring homeowner living in Iowa City, Iowa, is struggling with whether t homeownership is right for her because of[...]
- Is now really a good time to be investing? With prices going up and the stock market falling, how should you adjust your financial plans and investing strategy? Stefanie sits down with Katie Gatti Tassin, host of the Money with Katie podcast, to find out. For more info visit realsimple.com/moneyconfidentialpodcast Money Confidential is produced by:[...]
- Once you’ve paid off your debt, established an emergency fund, and started investing for retirement, you’ve got your financial fundamentals in place - but is it enough to afford the future you want for yourself? And if not, what should you do next? This week, Stefanie interviews Certified Financial Planner Douglas Boneparth about how to[...]
- It’s frustrating when you’re not getting what you want out of your career, whether it’s money, meaning, or in the case of this week's listener, both. So what do you do next? Give up the security of a steady paycheck to pursue your passions? Or stick it out and hope that someday you’ll make more[...]
- The wealth gap between young married couples and their single counterparts has more than doubled since 2010. It’s expensive being single, and inflation is making it even harder to manage rising costs on a single income. This week, Stefanie interviews writer Anne Helen Petersen about the rising costs of being single in America. For more[...]
- More than half of American workers say they’re behind on their retirement savings, and 46% expect to retire with debt. Stefanie interviews Joe Saul-Sehy, personal finance expert and author, about how we can prepare our finances and our lifestyles for this retirement reality. For more info visit realsimple.com/moneyconfidentialpodcast Money Confidential is produced by: Stefanie O'Connell[...]
- In this episode, Stefanie talks to a listener who is the first in her family to live, work and build her wealth in the United States, and the impact that has on her relationship with both her money and her family. Personal finance author Berna Anat weighs in with how to manage the unique financial[...]
- As prices rise on everything from food to housing, your paycheck may not be going as far as it used to. So how can you or should you bring up inflation in your next salary negotiation? Stefanie turns to career coach and co-host of The Brown Ambition podcast Mandi Woodruff-Santos for answers. For more info[...]
- Is now really a good time to be investing? With prices going up and the stock market falling, how should you adjust your financial plans and investing strategy? Stefanie sits down with Katie Gatti Tassin, host of the Money with Katie podcast, to find out. For more info visit realsimple.com/moneyconfidentialpodcast Money Confidential is produced by:[...]
- What’s the real cost of having a baby? And how can you prepare for it? Host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez interviews Reshma Saujani, founder and CEO of Girls Who Code and Marshall Plan for Moms, about the impact of parenthood on your personal finances, and what we can do to prepare our money and our careers[...]
- Alicia, a 49-year-old school psychologist and mother of two children, is juggling multiple money goals following her recent divorce: furnishing her new home, paying off debt, helping her college-aged kids pay their tuition, and building up her savings. Host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez and attorney and wealth expert Tasha Cochran lay out a step-by-step plan to[...]
- It’s one thing to split expenses, but when you get married, what should you combine? What should you keep separate? And beyond the budget, what do your joint financial plans need to include? This week, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez gets answers from Erin Lowry, author of the Broke Millennial series, including Broke Millennial Talks Money:[...]
- Once you’ve paid off your debt, established an emergency fund, and started investing for retirement, you’ve got your financial fundamentals in place - but is it enough to afford the future you want for yourself? And if not, what should you do next? This week, Stefanie interviews Certified Financial Planner Douglas Boneparth about how to[...]
- Buying your first home is already a major money milestone—but having to do it on your own in an uncertain housing market can make it feel even more overwhelming. In this episode, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez interviews real estate expert and mortgage lender Nicole Rueth about how to navigate the home-buying process as a single[...]
- 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[...]
- Student loan debt can make you feel like you’re never going to get ahead, especially when your total student loan balance is hundreds of thousands of dollars - as it is for this weeks' listener. In this episode host, Stefanie O'Connell Rodriguez, interviews Melissa Jean-Baptiste, the founder of Millennial in Debt, about her journey of[...]
- Fertility treatments like IVF and IUI are expensive, and for most Americans, not covered by insurance. Not to mention, there are no guarantees, making it difficult to know how much these treatments will ultimately cost. This week on Money Confidential, we talk about how to pay for the fertility treatments you need and navigating a[...]
- Real estate prices are insanely high, and now mortgage rates are also rising. Has first-time homeownership ever felt more out of reach? On this week’s episode, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez talks to Dr. Daryl Fairweather, chief economist at real estate brokerage Redfin, about what today’s housing market means for prospective buyers, plus whether it makes[...]
- This week we are going to hear from three past expert guests who know what it’s like to balance the needs of their children (like paying for college) with their own, sometimes competing, financial needs (like saving for retirement). Learn how these experts find balance while also educating their children about spending and saving money[...]
- Episode Summary: You want to travel, but you’re not sure if you can afford to - at least not without guilt or fear of jeopardizing your other financial goals. In this episode, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez speaks with founder of Pennywise Traveler, Angel Trinh, about practical ways to save on travel. And how to build[...]
- It’s frustrating when you’re not getting what you want out of your career, whether it’s money, meaning, or in the case of this week's listener, both. So what do you do next? Give up the security of a steady paycheck to pursue your passions? Or stick it out and hope that someday you’ll make more[...]
- Money Confidential from Real Simple is back with your real money stories, struggles, and secrets. When it comes to finances, we know it’s not just about the money, it’s about what the money means for you. Each week, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez talks to a listener about their money problems, and gets real answers from[...]
- More than half of Americans say they are living paycheck to paycheck -- including this weeks’ listener, a 39-year-old college professor who, despite having a high income, is struggling to stick to a budget. For help, Stefanie interviews Alison Baggerly, the founder of Inspired Budget, about the practical financial and emotional strategies our listener can[...]
- 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.[...]
- Investing is an excellent way to grow your own personal wealth. But when it comes to filing your taxes when you have investments, there are certain things you need to know–so you don’t end up with penalties like this week’s listener, Lorraine, did back in 2019. For advice, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez turns to Kristin[...]
- In this week’s episode, we meet Daria, a Brooklyn-based listener who’s currently finalizing her divorce from her husband. Like every other major life event, divorce changes the way in which you should file your taxes. For advice on how to get your taxes right after a divorce, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez turns to Kristin Myers,[...]
- Milestone moments such as getting married, buying a home, or having children can change the way you file your taxes as much as they can change your life. But it’s important to know all the implications of making a change so you don’t run into trouble like this week’s listener did. Gretchen thought she was[...]
- Tax laws change constantly, and your taxes only become more complicated the older you get. In fact, many times, people just don’t realize what they don’t know. This week’s listener, for example, settled a debt–without understanding the tax implications–and lost most of her tax refund as a result. So when should you do your own[...]
- For many people, taxes are intimidating. After all, slip-ups can have serious consequences. Take this week’s guest, a 40-year-old public service worker based in Washington, DC, who wound up with a massive bill from the IRS after adjusting her tax withholding to pay down debt quicker and not filing taxes for two years. To help[...]
- Everyone pays taxes, yet it’s a complicated process that many of us don’t fully understand. As one Utah-based listener learned the hard way, one simple oversight is all it takes to get a big bill from the IRS, instead of your anticipated refund. In this episode, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez tackles all the essentials with[...]
- Season 2 of Money Confidential is back with Taxes in Ten, a six-episode mini-season covering your top tax questions. Host and nationally recognized money expert, Stefanie O'Connell Rodriguez is teaming up with personal finance experts, Kristin Myers, editor-in-chief of The Balance, and Caleb Silver, editor-in-chief of Investopedia, to talk about everything from doing your own[...]
- How do you talk about money in your relationship when the fact that you earn more than your partner is a constant source of underlying tension? Stefanie talks to a 26-year-old woman based in Chicago who out earns her boyfriend by $35,000 a year, as well as financial expert Farnoosh Torabi, who reveals how breadwinning women can[...]
- This week we’re revisiting conversations we’ve had with four past expert guests about the most common things people overlook when purchasing a home, as well as all the hidden costs of homeownership – to help you prepare for one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make - buying a home. If you have a money[...]
- Taking control of your finances is challenging for many people, but for this week’s listener, a 40-year-old Virginia man, ADHD and bipolar diagnoses complicate the situation even more. Host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez turns to licensed therapist Amber Hawley for strategies to effectively manage your money while also dealing with mental health challenges. If you have[...]
- This week we meet a 38-year-old father based in Queens, New York, who has spent tens of thousands of dollars on home repairs and renovations over the past two years. Frustrated by all the time and money he’s spent on a place that isn’t his family’s forever home, our listener asks: Should we sell and[...]
- Managing your own financial future can be a scary and overwhelming process. For many people, becoming a parent adds a new layer of complexity and anxiety to the process. Our guest, a 36-year-old first time father living in Austin, Texas, is struggling to find balance in his financial planning with the added expenses and time[...]
- How do you pay off expenses from your past while also making smart investments for your future? This week’s guest, a 26-year-old living in New York City, is struggling with this dilemma right now. To help her, and others like her, host Stefanie O'Connell Rodriguez interviews viral TikTok money coach Delyanne Barros about how to[...]
- How do you indulge in time out with friends while also paying off debt and saving for emergencies? That’s the conundrum this week’s guest, a 28-year-old Mississippi native living in New York City, is trying to solve. Host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez interviews YouTube star, Aja Dang, about her experience of paying off $200,000 of debt in[...]
- Many of us would love to create generational wealth for our family, but that desire can leave us feeling overwhelmed. Our guest this week, a 39-year-old woman from the Bronx, recently purchased her first home in the Atlanta suburbs after struggling with the grief of losing loved ones during the pandemic. She now grapples with[...]
- Saving for major life events in the future is one thing, but how do you prepare financially when you have several milestones happening at the same time? Our guest this week, a 32-year-old woman based in Chicago, is currently planning her wedding, but also wants to buy a home and start a family in the[...]
- Christina, a 32-year-old healthcare worker in Reno, Nevada, is struggling to pay off her five-figure credit card debt while also supporting her children and helping her mother financially. To offer guidance to Christina and others like her, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez interviews financial coach Cindy Zuniga-Sanchez about how she balanced paying off $215,000 of debt while[...]
- After owning (and selling) a home in Philadelphia, this week's guest is questioning whether she ever wants to own a home again. Her biggest dilemma: Will renting for the rest of her life help or hurt her financial wellness long-term? For advice, Stefanie turns to Shang of SaveMyCents.com. If you have a money story or question[...]
- What happens when you or a loved one passes away without a will? This weeks’ guest, a 26-year-old based in Texas, found out when his mother passed away a few years ago. So far, he’s spent over $15,000 of his own money, depleting his savings, and borrowing against his 401(k), to settle the estate--and it[...]
- This week we are going to hear from three past expert guests who know what it’s like to balance the needs of their children (like paying for college) with their own, sometimes competing, financial needs (like saving for retirement). Learn how these experts find balance while also educating their children about spending and saving money[...]
- A 28-year old social media manager wants to quit her job and turn her growing side hustle into a full-time business, but to do it, she has to stop overspending. Host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez and personal finance expert Bola Sokunbi share practical strategies for managing the root causes of overspending, including-the impulse buys and emotional spending[...]
- More than half of Americans say they are living paycheck to paycheck -- including this weeks’ listener, a 39-year-old college professor who, despite having a high income, is struggling to stick to a budget. For help, Stefanie interviews Alison Baggerly, the founder of Inspired Budget, about the practical financial and emotional strategies our listener can use to[...]
- This week we meet Louise, a 64-year-old marketing manager from New Jersey who was laid off during the pandemic. Although she is nearing retirement age, Louise is worried that she hasn’t saved enough money for the years ahead. . To help Louise prepare for that future, Stefanie talks to Jill Schlesinger, a Certified Financial Planner and CBS[...]
- This week we meet Grace, a 46-year-old single mother from Northern Arizona who is struggling to set boundaries with her siblings who continue to borrow money from her without paying it back. To help Grace find a way to hold onto her money--without jeopardizing her relationships with her family--Stefanie interviews Marsha Barnes, founder of The[...]
- Is it possible to take on major financial responsibilities such as buying a new home while you’re still paying down debt? Is now even a good time to buy a home? This week’s guest, a 39-year-old aspiring homeowner living in Iowa City, Iowa, is struggling with whether t homeownership is right for her because of[...]
- This week we are going to hear from three past expert guests who know what it’s like to deal with thousands of dollars of debt. Learn how they tackled their own student loans, credit cards, and car loans and how you can do the same. If you have a money story or question to share,[...]
- How do you pay off expenses from your past while also making smart investments for your future? This week’s guest, a 26-year-old living in New York City, is struggling with this dilemma right now. To help her, and others like her, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodrgiuez interviews viral TikTok money coach Delyanne Barros about how to[...]
- How do you save for your children’s future when you’re overwhelmed with debt? This week’s guest, a 40-year-old mom of two children who lives in Columbus, Ohio, is struggling with the pressures of paying off her husband’s significant college loans--and what that debt means for her children’s future. For advice, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodrgiuez turns to[...]
- Caroline, a 26-year-old tech worker who was schooled on the importance of salary negotiation in college, shares how her own salary negotiation backfired--despite, by all accounts, doing everything right. To help Caroline and other women in the workforce, Claire Wasserman, founder of Ladies Get Paid, an online network that champions the professional and financial development[...]
- How do you indulge in time out with friends while also paying off debt and saving for emergencies? That’s the conundrum this week’s guest, a 28-year-old Mississippi native living in New York City, is trying to solve. Host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez interviews YouTube star, Aja Dang, about her experience of paying off $200,000 of debt in[...]
- You know you need to save for retirement, but how do you get started when you’re still paying off student loan debt? or perhaps you don’t even have access to an employer 401k account because you’re trying to launch a business - like today’s featured listener. To get you on the right track no matter[...]
- This week you’ll hear real talk from three previous guests who are experts on what it takes to successfully manage money in a relationship. Tune in to hear pro tips on setting money boundaries with your partner, navigating major income differences in a relationship, asking your partner for a prenup, and more--nothing is too taboo.[...]
- 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[...]
- 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[...]
- 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[...]
- 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.[...]
- 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,[...]
- 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. Learn more about your ad[...]
- 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[...]
- 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[...]
- 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[...]
- 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[...]
- This week on Money Confidential we meet a 39-year-old mom from Illinois who feels stuck in a cycle of financial feast or famine. Host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez and money expert Tiffany Aliche ‘The Budgetnista’ walk through the practical steps that our guest--and everyone else who can relate with her struggles--can use to become more financially savvy. [...]
- How do you prioritize your money goals when you don’t even know where to begin? Blake, a 27-year-old East Coaster feels overwhelmed by all the advice out there about what he should be doing with his money in order to get on the path to financial success. To help Blake and everyone like him, host[...]
- Alicia, a 49-year-old school psychologist and mother of two children, is juggling multiple money goals following her recent divorce: furnishing her new home, paying off debt, helping her college-aged kids pay their tuition, and building up her savings. Host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez and attorney and wealth expert Tasha Cochran lay out a step-by-step plan to help Alicia[...]
- Christina, a 32-year-old healthcare worker in Reno, Nevada, is struggling to pay off her five-figure credit card debt while also supporting her children and helping her mother financially. To offer guidance to Christina and others like her, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez interviews financial coach Cindy Zuniga-Sanchez about how she balanced paying off $215,000 of debt[...]
- Caroline, a 26-year-old tech worker who was schooled on the importance of salary negotiation in college, shares how her own salary negotiation backfired--despite, by all accounts, doing everything right. To help Caroline and other women in the workforce, Claire Wasserman, founder of Ladies Get Paid, an online network that champions the professional and financial development[...]
- This week, we meet Kayla, a 35-year-old single mother from Nashville who is stretching her income to cover everything from her mortgage to her son’s preschool tuition - while also trying to pay off debt and save for the future. To help Kayla and all the other single parents in her situation, Stefanie talks to financial[...]
- 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 get Elaine--and everyone else out[...]
- You know you need to save for retirement, but how do you get started when you’re still paying off student loan debt? or perhaps you don’t even have access to an employer 401k account because you’re trying to launch a business - like today’s featured listener. To get you on the right track no matter[...]
- How do you talk about money in your relationship when the fact that you earn more than your partner is a constant source of underlying tension? Stefanie talks to a 26-year-old woman based in Chicago who outearns her boyfriend by $35,000 a year, as well as financial expert Farnoosh Torabi, who reveals how breadwinning women can maximize[...]
- A 28-year-old social media manager wants to quit her job and turn her growing side hustle into a full-time business, but to do it, she has to stop overspending. Host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez and personal finance expert Bola Sokunbi share practical strategies for managing the root causes of overspending, including-the impulse buys and emotional spending that[...]
- 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 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. Learn more about your ad choices.[...]
- This week on Money Confidential we meet a 39-year-old mom from Illinois who feels stuck in a cycle of financial feast or famine. Host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez and money expert Tiffany Aliche ‘The Budgetnista’ walk through the practical steps that our guest--and everyone else who can relate with her struggles--can use to become more financially savvy. [...]
- Money Confidential is a new podcast from Real Simple about our money stories, struggles, and secrets. When it comes to money, it can feel like everyone else has it all figured out, and you’re the only one with questions. So where do you go to talk about mistakes you’ve made, or to admit what you don’t[...]
Money Confidential, a new podcast from Real Simple, explores the many aspects of money: making it, saving it, investing it, giving it, spending it and’sometimes, hardest of all’talking about it. Each week, Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez, a nationally recognized money expert, delves into your (confidential) money problems and delivers smart, practical, and completely doable solutions that will help you work toward your ultimate financial goals. She cuts through the confusion of investing beyond your 401(k), eases the overwhelming pressure of paying off student debt while saving for the future, and even tackles the stress that comes with mixing money and relationships (Is it really OK to keep money secrets from your partner?!). This is the place to come for real talk about money’and real solutions that actually work.
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