Latest Episodes
How to Win in a Winner-Take-All World
August 22, 2019
Every ambitious professional is trying to navigate a perilous global economy to do work that is lucrative and satisfying, but some find...
Saving for Flexibility
August 20, 2019
It seems like this year has been all about the FIRE movement: Financial Independence, Retire Early. But the more I hear about it, the...
Stocks Plunge, What You Should Be Doing
August 16, 2019
Americans saw a big chunk of their stock market savings disappear on Wednesday over fears of an economic recession. During a week like...
About The Show
Host Jill Schlesinger, CFP®, tackles sometimes uncomfortable and even controversial money and investing issues, without the financial jargon, to get to the heart of what’s important for anyone to know. Jill takes listener phone calls and interviews informative and entertaining guests each week to uncover surprising insights and provide actionable information so you can make the most of your money. Have a question? Email us at askjill at jillonmoney dot com.
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More Episodes
How to Win in a Winner-Take-All World
August 22, 2019
Every ambitious professional is trying to navigate a perilous global economy to do work that is lucrative and satisfying, but some find...
Saving for Flexibility
August 20, 2019
It seems like this year has been all about the FIRE movement: Financial Independence, Retire Early. But the more I hear about it, the...
Stocks Plunge, What You Should Be Doing
August 16, 2019
Americans saw a big chunk of their stock market savings disappear on Wednesday over fears of an economic recession. During a week like...
Having the Money Talk with Your Parents
August 15, 2019
As your parents age, you may find that you want or need to broach the often-difficult subject of finances. In Mom and Dad, We Need to...
How to Save for Retirement?
August 13, 2019
Today we're talking to Jed from South Dakota who is new to the investing world and trying to figure out how to make up for lost time....
Stocks Plunge Amid Trade War on CBS This Morning
August 9, 2019
The trade battle between the U.S. and China rocked stock markets around the world earlier in the week. Major indexes lost nearly 3% or...
Fiscal Therapy
August 8, 2019
Keeping the economy strong will require addressing two distinct but related problems. Steadily rising federal debt makes it harder to...
Should We Be Saving for College?
August 6, 2019
Great conversation on this episode with Jenny from Washington state who is wondering if she and her husband should be putting aside any...
Impact of Rate Cut on CBS This Morning
August 2, 2019
The cost of borrowing is coming down. For the first time since the 2008 financial crisis, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates. The...
Applied Empathy
August 1, 2019
Our latest guest, Michael Ventura, entrepreneur and CEO of award-winning strategy and design practice Sub Rosa, shares how empathy, the...
What Should the Priority Be?
July 30, 2019
If you're saving for retirement, establishing an emergency reserve, and trying to pay off student loans, what should the priority be?...
Equifax Settlement on CBS This Morning
July 26, 2019
After a huge data breach in 2017, credit monitoring agency Equifax agreed to pay out $700 million, up to $425 million of which would...
Credit Scores 101
July 25, 2019
This week on the show we’re taking you to credit score boot camp with credit guru Gerri Detweiler.Helping consumers find reliable...
How to Pay for College?
July 23, 2019
It's the million dollar question: How on earth are we going to pay for college? That's the dilemma facing Camelia in Colorado as her son...
Credit Scores on CBS This Morning
July 20, 2019
A recent creditcards.com survey found that a large majority of Americans with debt would not be willing to cut spending on either...
Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World
July 18, 2019
Plenty of experts argue that anyone who wants to develop a skill, play an instrument, or lead their field should start early, focus...
Roth IRA or 403(b)
July 16, 2019
Having options is a good thing, especially when it comes to your investments. That's what prompted Lauren from New York City to reach...
Student Loan Scams on CBS This Morning
July 12, 2019
In this week's Eye On Money, the focus is on the growing number of student loan scams. As many families deal with college financing this...
Marriage and Money
July 11, 2019
Our latest guest, Belinda Luscombe, would rather have had her eyes put out than read a book about marriage; they all seemed full of...
Do I Need a Life Insurance Retirement Plan?
July 9, 2019
Yet another call from a listener who's being pitched an insurance product as an additional tool for retirement. This time it's Avi in...
The Frugal Traveler
July 4, 2019
The summer travel season is officially upon us which means millions of Americans will be hitting the roads and taking to the skies to...
Is My Planner Charging Me Too Much?
July 2, 2019
Is my planner charging me too much in fees? Can I get the same service, or better, for less? Can I do it on my own? These are the...
Consumer Reports Car Buying 101
June 27, 2019
If you live in a big city, it can be easy to forget what it’s like to depend on a car. Urbanites tend to walk, take the subway or bus,...
Am I Paying Too Much in Fees?
June 25, 2019
There's really no reason whatsoever nowadays why you should be paying a lot of money in fees for financial advice. And that's a good...
Marriage and Money on CBS This Morning
June 21, 2019
According to the planning website The Knot, couples spent an average of nearly $34,000 on their wedding last year. And while 80 percent...
Put Spark and Joy into Your Work and Life
June 20, 2019
"You don't have to turn into a corporate drone to kick ass in the working world," says our latest guest, Tania Katan, author of Creative...
Are We on Track for Retirement?
June 18, 2019
How do you know if you're on track for retirement? You reach out to the Jill on Money podcast! That's what Lisette from New York did....
FIRE Movement on CBS This Morning
June 14, 2019
In the latest installment of Eye On Money we are focusing on a fast-growing trend that focuses on saving aggressively to retire early....
aden + anais co-founder Raegan Moya-Jones
June 13, 2019
Our latest guest, Raegan Moya-Jones, never thought of herself as an entrepreneur. She was a full-time corporate cog in her thirties,...
When to Take Social Security?
June 11, 2019
When should I take Social Security? A classic question in the personal finance world. It's not always a black and white answer as...
Retirement Planning Tips on CBS This Morning
June 7, 2019
A new Bankrate survey says 76 percent of Americans have at least one financial regret. Among those people, more than half are...
Brave, Not Perfect with Reshma Saujani
June 6, 2019
Imagine if you lived without the fear of not being good enough. If you didn't care how your life looked on Instagram, or worry about...
Do I Need Whole Life Insurance?
June 4, 2019
If you're a regular listener you know that one of my pet peeves, maybe my #1 pet peeve, is when sales reps try to sell unnecessary...
Smart Housing Moves on CBS This Morning
May 31, 2019
Existing home sales in April were down 4.4 percent from a year ago, according to The National Association of Realtors, despite lower...
Nine Lies About Work
May 30, 2019
You crave feedback. Your organization's culture is the key to its success. Strategic planning is essential. Your competencies should be...
How to Save for Retirement
May 28, 2019
I love getting calls from young listeners who are already thinking in terms of retirement. That's the case with Chris from Texas, who...
Degrees of Success on CBS This Morning
May 24, 2019
Almost two million Americans will graduate this year with a bachelor’s degree, but each student will have an average student loan debt...
Her Money with Jean Chatzky
May 23, 2019
Ask successful women what they want from their money and they'll tell you: independence, security, choices, a better world, and, oh yes,...
Do I Need This Insurance Policy?
May 21, 2019
Permanent life insurance can be a valuable tool in the financial planning process. But what if you have a policy and you're pretty sure...
Coaching for Leaders
May 16, 2019
Today on the show I’m joined by Dave Stachowiak, a long distance friend of mine (we still haven’t met in person!) and host of the...
Buy or Rent?
May 14, 2019
I'm all for owning real estate, but it's not something that makes sense in every situation. That's the discussion with Christine from...
New Power with Henry Timms
May 9, 2019
Why do some leap ahead while others fall behind in our chaotic, connected age? Henry Timms, the new CEO of Lincoln Center and co-author...
Do I Need Life Insurance
May 7, 2019
So often you'll hear me recommend basic term life insurance. It's almost always the right call when there's a need for basic, cheap...
Financial Literacy
May 2, 2019
April might have been financial literacy month, but we celebrate financial literacy all year round on the Jill on Money podcast. To help...
How to Invest Surplus Cash
April 30, 2019
Due to a variety of IRS rules and regulations, it's not always possible to max out your workplace retirement plan, even if you have the...
Simpler, Smarter Student Loans
April 25, 2019
On the latest episode we’ve got David Klein and Kelly Peeler from CommonBond, a company that positions itself as a place for simpler,...
How Much Do I Need for Retirement
April 23, 2019
How much does one need saved for a comfortable retirement? You'll often hear 1x your salary by 30, 3x by 40, etc. Are these rules of...
Broke Millennial Takes On Investing
April 18, 2019
Millennials want to learn how to start investing. The problem is that most have no idea where to begin. There's a significant lack of...
How to Preserve Our Assets
April 16, 2019
You've done a great job of saving and are now retired. All is good, right? Except if you're worried about preserving your assets. That's...
Last-Minute Tax Tips on CBS This Morning
April 12, 2019
There is less than a week left for many people to meet the April 15 deadline. Massachusetts and Maine residents have until the 17th. The...
The Making of a Manager with Julie Zhuo
April 11, 2019
Congratulations, you're a manager! After you pop the champagne, accept the shiny new title, and step into this thrilling next chapter of...
Are We Treading Water?
April 9, 2019
Even if you're in good financial shape, it's not uncommon to feel like you're treading water. In fact, I think it's quite natural to...
How to Reinvent Your Organization
April 4, 2019
When fast-scaling startups and global organizations get stuck, they call our latest guest, Aaron Dignan. In his recently released book,...
What's the Next Financial Step?
April 2, 2019
What should the priority be in regards to our personal finance game-plan? Should we be focusing on one thing specifically or doing a...
Work and Its Future in a Time of Change
March 28, 2019
Since 1973, our productivity has grown almost six times faster than our wages. Most of us rank so far below the top earners in the...
How to Invest Extra Money
March 26, 2019
While it's true that interest rates for savings accounts and CDs are on the way up, that doesn't necessarily mean it's a good excuse to...
How America Works
March 21, 2019
The February jobs report was a mixed bag. Let’s get the bad news out of the way: the economy added only 20,000 positions, the smallest...
Can I Retire Early?
March 19, 2019
On the latest call of the week we're chatting with Russ, who wants to know if he's in a good position to retire early and what are some...
Tax Season Tips with Ed Slott
March 14, 2019
With tax season in full swing, it can only mean one thing. It’s time for our annual chat with Ed Slott, the ultimate tax guru, and...
Help! My Student Loans Are Killing Me
March 12, 2019
Drowning in student loans can make life difficult when you're trying to make it in the real world. That's the situation with Linda from...
Taking on the World and Winning
March 7, 2019
When you’re interviewing people on a regular basis, sometimes there’s an instant connection. It happened when I met Chris Guillebeau and...
Is It Okay to Invest My Emergency Fund?
March 5, 2019
You guys always hear me talking about how it's crucial to have an adequate emergency reserve for those unforeseen things that just seem...
Should You Fire Your Male Broker?
February 28, 2019
Who's a better financial planner, a man or a woman? That was the gist of the story when today’s guest, Blair duQuesnay, penned an op-ed...
Dumb Things Smart People Do with Their Money
February 26, 2019
The latest bonus episode calls for a bit a shameless self-promotion :)If you agonize about money, you're not alone. Almost seven out of...
Love and Money
February 24, 2019
It’s February, time for a bonus episode on how to talk to your special someone(s) about money. That “s” is intentional, because we need...
Digital Minimalism with Cal Newport
February 21, 2019
Digital minimalists are all around us. They're the calm, happy people who can hold long conversations without furtive glances at their...
Personal Finance Game Plan
February 19, 2019
What initially started as a call about buying a new car quickly turned into a financial planning game plan session with Katrina from...
Financial Freedom with Grant Sabatier
February 14, 2019
Money is unlimited. Time is not. Become financially independent as fast as possible.In 2010, 24-year old Grant Sabatier woke up to find...
Selling to Pay Down Loans
February 12, 2019
When does it make sense to sell an asset to accelerate the student loan pay down process? What if you have a rental property out there...
The Art and Science of Social Media with Cynthia Johnson
February 7, 2019
When it comes to the world of social media, I guess you could say that I see it as a necessary evil. While I do see the value in it, by...
Are We Ready for Retirement
February 5, 2019
On the latest bonus call we've got Jeff from North Carolina who is looking to wind things down over the next 3-5 years. Considering...
The CEO of Boxed and What Matters to Him
January 31, 2019
It’s only January but we already have an early candidate for interview of the year. His name is Chieh Huang, and he’s the CEO of Boxed,...
FIRE Movement
January 29, 2019
I'm a big fan of the FIRE movement. In case you haven't heard, FIRE stands for "Financial Independence, Retire Early." Who wouldn't want...
The Importance of Timing with Daniel H. Pink
January 24, 2019
The Importance of Timing with Daniel H. Pink
Should I Do a Roth Conversion?
January 22, 2019
Does it make sense to do a Roth IRA conversion?
Leveraging Your Diversity at Work
January 17, 2019
The Guide for Leveraging Your Diversity at Work with Porter Braswell
Inherited Variable Annuity
January 15, 2019
What to do with an inherited variable annuity.
The Power of Pushback with Nigel Travis
January 10, 2019
The Power of Pushback with Nigel Travis, executive chairman and former CEO of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin Robbins
Financial Resolutions for 2019
January 3, 2019
2019 is here, which means it’s time to jump into those financial resolutions.
Considering a Job Offer
December 31, 2018
Factors to consider when thinking about a new job.
Paying Off Student Loans
December 27, 2018
Listener questions about an inheritance and student loans
When to Sell Real Estate
December 24, 2018
Is there ever a perfect time to sell real estate? Is there such a thing as trying to time the market? That's the conversation on the...
Eliminate Risk and Lower Your Tax Bracket
December 20, 2018
There's a massive freight train bearing down on the average American investor, and it's coming in the form of higher taxes.
Should I Do a Roth Conversion
December 18, 2018
Discussing whether or not it make sense to do a Roth IRA conversion.
Mastering the Market Cycle with Howard Marks
December 13, 2018
It’s always a treat when we have a real Wall Street legend in the studio, and that’s the case on the latest episode as we chat with...
A Real Estate Dilemma
December 11, 2018
Trying to decide between owning a condo or a house.
Year-End Financial Planning Tips
December 6, 2018
Year-end financial planning tips with two CFPs from Wealthstream Advisors.
My Old Retirement Plan
December 4, 2018
You started a new job but still have a 401(k) with the old employer. What should you do with it? Roll it into the new plan? Leave it...
Making Your Money Work with Swoup
November 29, 2018
The holiday shopping season is upon us, which means it's time to discuss some apps that could help you save money.
How to Find an Advisor
November 27, 2018
How to find a solid financial advisor who will always put your needs first.
Celebrating Thanksgiving with NerdWallet
November 22, 2018
When I think of Thanksgiving there’s a few things that immediately come to mind. Stuffing my face with endless amounts of food. Maybe...
Retirement Plan
November 20, 2018
Who doesn't want to retire earlier than expected? Unfortunately, the reality is that most of us can't. Is our latest bonus caller Mark...
State of the Economy with Diane Swonk
November 15, 2018
You guys know I’m a sucker for chatting with a rockstar economist, especially when it’s a woman! We did it earlier this year with Linda...
When to Use Bonds
November 13, 2018
You're saving and saving and saving for retirement. Most of it is in stocks...but what about bonds? Do you need them and what's the best...
Blitzscaling with Reid Hoffman and Chris Yeh
November 8, 2018
This year we’ve had some pretty impressive CEOs and entrepreneurs on the show. It continues today with Reid Hoffman. If you don’t know...
What to Do with Old 401(k)
November 6, 2018
Unless you're only going to work for one employer, which is exceedingly unlikely, chances are you're going to have some old retirement...
The Fifth Risk with Michael Lewis
November 1, 2018
If you’re a regular listener, you know this show is not political in nature. We leave that stuff to the so-called experts. But since...
Should I Buy an Annuity?
October 30, 2018
Michael in Illinois is considering a Qualified Longevity Annuity Contract. What are the pros and cons he should keep in mind when it...
Estate Planning Done Right
October 25, 2018
Michael Jackson, Prince, Aretha Franklin…these three amazing and wildly successful musicians did not have a will. How could that be, you...
Investing Extra Money
October 23, 2018
You just sold a piece of real estate and walked away with 75 grand. What should you do with it? Is paying down another mortgage the best...
We Need To Talk College with Beth Kobliner
October 18, 2018
October marks the beginning of the college financial aid application season. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, more commonly...
Active vs Passive Investing
October 16, 2018
By now you probably know that I consider myself a passive investor. That said, is there ever a time when it makes sense to be an active...
Becoming the Ultimate Sales Machine with Ryan Serhant
October 11, 2018
I love real estate, and I know I’m not alone because we’re constantly getting questions from you guys about mortgages, the housing...
Retirement Plan Checkup
October 9, 2018
It's one thing to have a retirement plan in place, but once it's established, you need to tweak and modify it as the years go by, hence...
Wisdom at Work with Chip Conley
October 4, 2018
When I first walked through the doors of CBS News several years ago, one thing was immediately clear: it’s an interesting mix of the old...
Protecting Your Retirement Plan
October 2, 2018
You've done a great job with your retirement plan and a great job of saving. But now you're thinking about worst case scenarios. What...
An Inside Account of the Financial Crisis
September 27, 2018
This is our third and final installment of shows looking back on the financial crisis of ten years ago. It was such a big moment we felt...
How to Invest Extra Money
September 25, 2018
For years and years you've been the sole breadwinner. Now your spouse is back in the workforce and there's a surplus of money flowing...
The Global Impact of the Financial Crisis
September 20, 2018
When we think back to ten years ago and the events of the financial crisis, such as the fall of Lehman Brothers and the bailout of AIG,...
Planning After a Sudden Loss
September 18, 2018
We can do all the planning we want in life, but sometimes things just happen, including the sudden loss of a loved one. That's the case...
The Financial Crisis Ten Years Later
September 13, 2018
Where has the time gone? It was ten years ago this week that the U.S. financial system was brought to its knees. To help us retrace the...
Can I Retire Early
September 11, 2018
47 years old and looking to retire in the next four years or so...can he do it? That's the question from Michael in New York on the...
Insurance 101 with Policygenius
September 6, 2018
I love people and organizations who take complex financial issues and make them easier for the user. Few things are more complex than...
Save for Retirement or Pay Off Mortgage
September 4, 2018
So you just got a raise and are trying to decide if you should put that extra money into the retirement pot or put it toward the...
A New Future for Women Entrepreneurs
August 30, 2018
Listen up women entrepreneurs, and everybody else tired of the status quo! Today’s show is for you, as we chat with Nathalie Molina...
First Time Home Buyer
August 28, 2018
Few things are bigger than buying your first home. That's why you want to make sure you approach it in the right way. That's the chat I...
A Large Financial Windfall and Disability Insurance
August 23, 2018
Digging out from under our pile of calls and emails has been a struggle all year long, and there’s really no end in sight. It’s...
Ways to Save for Retirement
August 21, 2018
There's a variety of ways to save for retirement. You can do it at work via a workplace sponsored plan such as a 401(k), you can open a...
Achieving the Work-Life Balance with Ben Feder
August 16, 2018
Summertime is all about vacations. Have you taken yours? I’m actually in the middle of mine right now. A nice two week break. I was...
Should I Pay Off the Car?
August 14, 2018
Who really likes having a car loan? No one is the answer. If you have some cash in the bank, enough to pay off the car, should you pull...
Rescuing Retirement with Teresa Ghilarducci and Tony James
August 9, 2018
At a time when Congress can’t seem to agree on much, lawmakers are acknowledging that the main retirement savings vehicle, the 401(k),...
Why You Need Life Insurance
August 7, 2018
At what point should you consider purchasing life insurance? And what kind? Term, whole life, etc? That's what we're discussing today...
The Positive and the Possible with Donna Orender
August 2, 2018
Interviewing business executives and leaders is one way I grow and learn. Especially when talking to women business leaders, I find that...
How to Invest Extra Money
July 31, 2018
Having some extra money to invest, and not knowing what to do with it, is what I like to call a good problem to have! That's the case...
Robots, AI, and Automation with Darrell West
July 26, 2018
The robots are coming, the robots are coming!! Okay, so maybe we’re not yet living in a world that looks like the movie Terminator, but...
What to Do With Your Old Retirement Plan
July 24, 2018
We've all been there. Leaving one job and starting another. But what should you do with your retirement account at the old place? That's...
MarketSnacks with Nick Martell and Jack Kramer
July 19, 2018
The financial world isn’t an easy one to navigate. It’s complicated and often full of unnecessary jargon. So the easier we can make it...
Should I Use Roth 401(k)?
July 17, 2018
It's becoming more and more common for workplace retirement plans to offer a Roth 401(k) option. The next question is whether or not you...
Advisor Fees, Roth Taxes, Creating a Budget
July 14, 2018
What kind of fees should I be paying my advisor? Will I have taxes and required minimum distributions with my Roth IRA? I'm 17, how can...
Annuities and Three Questions You Should Ask
July 12, 2018
We may need to create a subcategory called “Personal Finance 101” for those episodes we have that deal with the financial services...
Are We on Track for Retirement
July 10, 2018
Your husband thinks you're on track for retirement, you're not so sure. What do you do? If you're like Laura from Seattle, you call me...
#PaidOff with Michael Torpey
July 5, 2018
The student loan picture in this country is not a pretty one. According to the Federal Reserve, over half of young adults who went to...
Should I Fire My Financial Advisor?
July 3, 2018
I'm so glad when people call me before they make another mistake with their current financial advisor. That's the case on the latest...
Student Loans, Debt Consolidation, Roth IRA
June 30, 2018
Should I refinance my student loans? Is debt consolidation the best option? Should I be using a Roth IRA? Those are the latest questions...
#PrideMonth with Sarah Kate Ellis, CEO of GLAAD
June 28, 2018
June is #PrideMonth, when the LGBTQ community and its allies, honor the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City, an event that served as...
Pension Lump Sum or Annuity?
June 26, 2018
Because there aren't that many defined benefit pension programs out there anymore, we don't get a ton of pension questions. But they do...
Inherited IRA, Car Leases, Can I Retire?
June 23, 2018
On this quick bonus episode we're answering some emails about retirement planning, inherited IRAs, asset allocation and car leases. Have...
What The Great Economists Would Do with Linda Yueh
June 21, 2018
It’s pretty rare that I have a legit economist on the show. It’s even rarer when said legit economist is a woman -- WOOT! On this...
Do I Need a Financial Planner?
June 19, 2018
Retirement is approaching, and so far you've done a great job of planning for it on your own. Do you need to hire a financial planner or...
Career Change, Second Home, Asset Allocation
June 16, 2018
Desperate times call for desperate measures... Because our inbox is overflowing, we're going to start mixing in some bonus episodes...
Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) and Refinancing
June 14, 2018
Rising home prices has helped many homeowners get richer on paper...they have also prompted a big influx of questions about private...
Should I Pay Down My Mortgage?
June 12, 2018
If you have some extra cash on hand does it make sense to try and pay off the mortgage early? That's the topic this week on the latest...
529 Plans and College Savings
June 7, 2018
Happy belated #529Day, a day when states try to boost interest and participation in 529 education savings programs with various...
Backdoor Roth IRA
June 5, 2018
If you make too much money and are not able to contribute to a Roth IRA, I'm all for implementing the backdoor conversion strategy. But...
I Love Capitalism with Ken Langone
May 31, 2018
Every once in a while I chat with somebody who makes me realize just how cool my job really is. That’s the case this week with Ken...
Post-Tax Retirement Savings
May 29, 2018
If it's offered, should you be making post-tax contributions to your retirement plan? As you'll hear on the latest BONUS call with...
Your Money with Ron Lieber
May 24, 2018
As someone who consumes a massive amount of financial data and then tries to make it palpable to listeners, viewers and readers, I am...
Planning for Early Retirement
May 22, 2018
It's always so encouraging when we get calls from younger people who are already dreaming about early retirement. That's the case on the...
When the Wolves Bite with Scott Wapner
May 17, 2018
It’s hard to imagine how an argument between a couple of billionaires could make for a compelling story. But when it happens on live...
Should I Take Pension Lump Sum?
May 15, 2018
Pensions are certainly not as common as they once were, but they're still out there, and we still field a lot of questions on them....
Investing For the World You Want
May 10, 2018
How can you incorporate your values into your investments? While many of us have principles and views about what is “right” and “wrong”,...
BONUS call: Is Our Advisor Screwing Us?
May 8, 2018
Okay, so here's the scenario...you're pretty certain your mom is getting screwed by her advisor...yet she doesn't want to hear your...
The Best Team Wins
May 3, 2018
If you’re working in an office environment, it’s hard to ignore the massive shift that’s taking place in the workplace. In today’s...
BONUS call: PMI and Brokerage Account
May 1, 2018
You were required to buy private mortgage insurance (PMI) but are now in a position to get rid of it. Should you? And is it okay to...
Listener Questions: Student Loans, Retirement Planning, 529 College Savings
April 26, 2018
Desperate times call for desperate measures. The questions from you guys continue to pour in, and at the current rate of taking one or...
BONUS call: Student Loan Debt
April 24, 2018
Help! I'm drowning in debt thanks to high interest student loans. My mom has the money to help. Is it worth having a conversation?...
Inside the World of Financial Regulation
April 19, 2018
As the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is defanged and the Department of Labor rolls back rules that would require...
BONUS call: Helping the Parents in Retirement
April 17, 2018
By now you know that we're all about helping you prepare for retirement and making sure you have a solid game plan in place. But what...
The Year I Put My Financial Life in Order
April 12, 2018
“I’m just bad with money!” I know that many have convinced themselves that they were born with a recessive money management gene, but...
BONUS call: Early Retirement
April 10, 2018
The subject of early retirement is quickly becoming one of the most common questions we receive. The latest one comes from Mitch in...
The China Hustle
April 5, 2018
The new documentary film The China Hustle begins amid the depths of the 2008 financial crisis, when we meet protagonist Dan David and a...
BONUS call: Can I Retire Early?
April 3, 2018
The idea of retiring early always sounds amazing, but there's a big time risk of calling it quits and having to dip into your nest egg...
Workplace Retirement Plans
March 29, 2018
Raise your hand if your employer offers a workplace retirement plan. Keep it raised if your employer offers a match. Raise the other...
BONUS call: Student Loan Debt
March 27, 2018
Should you use your emergency reserve to tackle your student loan debt? That's what Kristin from Florida was wondering on the latest...
How Congress Governs the Federal Reserve
March 22, 2018
This week marked the first time the press spotlight was on Jerome Powell, the new Chairman of the Federal Reserve. It was just a few...
BONUS call: Roth IRA Conversion
March 20, 2018
Another week, another BONUS call where we're once again discussing the benefits of using a Roth retirement vehicle. Today's question...
Thinking in Bets with Annie Duke
March 15, 2018
Daily life requires numerous decisions. Some easy, some difficult. And some that have to be made without knowing a lot of pertinent...
BONUS call: Social Investing
March 13, 2018
I've been taking listener calls for nearly eight years and I think this is the first social investing question we've received. How can...
Presence with Amy Cuddy
March 8, 2018
Life is full of challenges, both personally and professionally. Today’s interview with Amy Cuddy is the perfect example. It took a full...
BONUS call: Timing the Market
March 6, 2018
If you know anything about me then you know how I feel when it comes to people who think they can successfully time the market. Our...
Tax Season Identity Theft
March 1, 2018
Tax season is like the Super Bowl for identity thieves and that means that you need to be on high alert for scams. Here’s some that you...
BONUS call: 401(k) vs Roth 401(k)
February 27, 2018
In what is quickly becoming one of the most common questions we get, today we're discussing the Roth 401(k) option now being offered by...
Tax Season Tips with Ed Slott
February 22, 2018
With tax season in full swing, it’s time for some much needed tax tips, dos and don’ts, and sage advice about IRAs and backdoor...
BONUS call: Military Retirement Planning
February 20, 2018
After a career in the military, and an amazing job of saving for retirement, how does one plan for a return to civilian life? That was...
100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask
February 15, 2018
Home ownership has always been considered an essential part of the American Dream. And while it may be getting harder to...
BONUS call: Investment Property
February 13, 2018
If there's a piece of property in the family that's on the market, would it make sense to buy it and keep in the family as an investment...
Worried Market Watchers: What (Not) To Do Next
February 8, 2018
Stock investors are coming off one of the rockiest stretches in two years, leading to the inevitable question: What should I do when the...
BONUS call: Saving for House
February 6, 2018
If you're determined to buy your first house, should the priority be saving for retirement or saving for the down payment? That's what...
Universal Basic Income with Rutger Bregman and Roth IRA
February 1, 2018
Despite the fact that we are nearing the ninth year of a global economic recovery, poverty remains a problem. In the United States...
BONUS call: Retirement Planning
January 30, 2018
You're maxing out your 401(k) plan. You own a rental property that generates more than 2k each month. You have 150k in cash that's just...
#MeToo, Workplace Equality and the Gender Gap
January 25, 2018
As the #MeToo movement sweeps across the world, it’s time for employers to address the issues of sexual harassment, workplace inequality...
BONUS call: Windfall Tax
January 23, 2018
I think it's safe to say that we would all like a windfall, right? Emili in Dallas, our BONUS call this week, is one of the lucky ones...
Bitcoin, Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain
January 18, 2018
Bitcoin, bitcoin, bitcoin. Since the end of 2017 and now into 2018 it’s been hard to avoid the mention of the now wildly popular...
BONUS call: Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency
January 16, 2018
Bitcoin was all the rage at the end of 2017 and it's showing no signs of letting up in 2018, so it's appropriate that we have our first...
Gaining an Edge on Your Career and Life
January 11, 2018
It’s 2018 and that means that many of you have gotten on the resolution bandwagon. The most common ones are to exercise more/eat less;...
BONUS call: Mortgage Pay Off
January 9, 2018
The age-old question of whether it makes sense to pay off your mortgage...it never goes away. I understand that you want to be debt...
Eight Financial Resolutions for 2018
January 4, 2018
A colleague recently asked me how he might be able to finally stick to a budget. For years, he had tried to create and adhere to a...
BONUS call: SIPC
January 2, 2018
Raise your hand if you know what SIPC stands for? That's what I thought :) Thanks to Jim, our first BONUS caller of 2018, you're all...
Fifty Years of 60 Minutes with Jeff Fager
December 28, 2017
‘Twas the week between Christmas and New Year’s, and not a soul was paying attention to their finances…except everyone scrambling to...
BONUS call: Retirement Planning
December 26, 2017
Welcome to the post-Christmas edition of the BONUS call! Only in his early 50s, Jeff from Georgia already has well over a million...
Tax Reform and What it Means for You
December 21, 2017
Big changes are coming to the U.S. tax code, but how will it impact YOUR bottom line? This week we’re doing something a bit different....
BONUS call: Target Date Funds
December 19, 2017
If you ever take a look at the investments in your retirement plan chances are you'll see a bunch of target-date fund options. Sometimes...
Bond Boot Camp: What They Are and How They Work
December 14, 2017
What’s a portfolio without a bond position? It’s incomplete and potentially riskier than necessary. We field so many questions about...
BONUS call: Buy vs Rent
December 12, 2017
This week on the BONUS call it's the age-old question about big city living...should I buy or keep on renting? Have a finance question?...
Financial Journalist Felix Salmon is a Curmudgeon and a Baker
December 7, 2017
This week is another example of how the podcasting world really is like a small fraternity/sorority where hosts often appear on each...
BONUS call: Roth 401(k)
December 5, 2017
This week we have what I believe is our first call ever from Alabama as we welcome Katrina to the show. Katrina and her husband have a...
Rich People are Anxious...and What That Says About Society
November 30, 2017
Mom always said, ”money can’t buy happiness,” but it sure can make life easier. So it was with some skepticism that I invited this...
Charitable Giving Boot Camp on #GivingTuesday
November 28, 2017
Instead of the usual Tuesday BONUS call, we’re doing something different for this week only. Today is “Giving Tuesday”, a global day of...
Preserving and Sharing Humanity’s Stories with StoryCorps
November 23, 2017
Since this episode is dropping on Thanksgiving we thought we’d do something a bit different. Instead of focusing on bettering ourselves...
BONUS call: Annuities
November 21, 2017
Today on the BONUS call we're discussing my favorite topic of annuities with Roland who has a sneaking suspicion that his financial...
Food Stamps, Grants, Loans, and Behavioral Economics with Michael Lewis
November 16, 2017
For the second time this year we have a repeat guest on Better Off. When you have a chance to grab Michael Lewis, you grab him, and...
BONUS call: 401(k) or Roth 401(k)
November 14, 2017
A 401(k) or a Roth 401(k)...which one is right for you? That's what Pat from Virginia wanted to know on the latest BONUS call. Have a...
Side Hustle with Chris Guillebeau
November 9, 2017
Do you have to be an “entrepreneur,” replete with a big, fat business plan in hand, to make a little extra cash on the side? What if I...
BONUS call: Student Loans
November 7, 2017
On the latest BONUS call it's Ralph from Missouri who may win the 2017 Father of the Year Award! Being the nice guy that he is, Ralph...
BONUS call: Mortgage Pay Off
November 4, 2017
Surprise, surprise...it's a BONUS call on a Saturday! Since we haven't had any calls on the last few episodes, we thought we'd throw you...
The Four Tendencies with Gretchen Rubin
November 2, 2017
We all fall into at least one of four personality categories: We’re either Upholders, Questioners, Obligers or Rebels, according to our...
BONUS call: Mortgage Rates
October 31, 2017
Imagine that you have a very cheap mortgage but the rate is adjustable and not fixed. Also imagine that you have the cashflow to lock it...
The Hidden DNA of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google with Scott Galloway
October 26, 2017
Maybe I’m dating myself, but there was a time that whenever I would hear the “Big Four,” I would always think of the big four accounting...
BONUS call: Buy vs Rent
October 24, 2017
This week on the BONUS call it's Chipper from Atlanta with the age-old question of renting vs. buying. There is no rule that says it's...
The Road to Black Monday, the Worst Day in Wall Street History with Diana Henriques
October 19, 2017
Ask some Wall Street veterans where they were on October 19, 1987 and they will likely regale you with details of any crisis. My life...
BONUS call: Pension Plan
October 17, 2017
Does having a job with a great pension mean you should stay there no matter what? That's what Nathan from Upstate New York is trying to...
The Equifax Data Breach with Credit Expert John Ulzheimer
October 12, 2017
How many of you were impacted by the recent Equifax data breach? I was, Mark was, and considering 145.5 million other Americans were...
BONUS call: Roth 401(k)
October 10, 2017
Nowadays it's becoming more and more common for employers to offer a traditional 401(k) as well as a Roth 401(k). Our BONUS caller...
George Anders & The Surprising Power of a "Useless" Liberal Arts Education
October 5, 2017
So often on this podcast, and on my radio show, we field questions from recent grads with insane amounts of student loan debt. Sometimes...
BONUS call: Retirement Planning
October 3, 2017
I love when we get calls from young people, and that's the case on the latest BONUS call with Ruth from Cleveland. Ruth, just 24 years...
Fifty Inventions That Shaped the Modern Economy with Tim Harford
September 28, 2017
How many of you rode an elevator today? Or Googled something? Or use index funds in your financial lives? I’m going to guess all of you...
BONUS call: Student Loans
September 26, 2017
This week on the BONUS call we've got Samantha from North Carolina. Samantha, who is currently in grad school at Duke University, will...
How Wall Street Destroyed Main Street with Rana Foroohar
September 21, 2017
As you’ll recall, we did our fair share of explaining why Wall Street matters, on the episode featuring Bill Cohan. Today we’re doing a...
BONUS call: Life Insurance
September 19, 2017
This week we have our longest BONUS call yet from Chris in Minnesota. Why was it on the longer side? Because Chris had some questions...
MONEY’s 2017-18 Best Colleges For Your Money
September 14, 2017
It’s September and by now, the kids are back to school. Not surprisingly, I used to love this time of year. What can I say...you guys...
BONUS call: Real Estate
September 12, 2017
This week on the BONUS call we're going to Bend, Oregon where we received a real estate question from Neil. Only 25 years old, Neil is...
Weapons of Math Destruction with Cathy O’Neil
September 7, 2017
This week on the Better Off podcast it’s yet another example of my geekiness. I love math and statistics...but I am nothing compared to...
BONUS call: Elder Care
September 5, 2017
I loved this latest BONUS call from Brianne in Oakland, CA. Brianne wasn't looking to help herself...instead she got in touch with us...
Strategies for Achieving Peak Performance
August 31, 2017
I’m going to let you guys in on a little secret. I’m a total nerd when it comes to the brain and behavior. Why we choose to do the...
BONUS call: Do You Need a Financial Advisor
August 29, 2017
This week on the BONUS call we're going to the beautiful Pacific Northwest to chat with Diane from Portland, Oregon. Diane and her...
Stacking Benjamins: Earn, Save, and Spend Money With a Plan
August 24, 2017
I’ve been in the podcasting world for a few years now and one thing I’ve discovered is that the podcasting world really is like a small...
BONUS call: Asset Allocation
August 22, 2017
This week on the BONUS call we've got Ari from New York City. Ari, a physician, has been accumulating assets for several years and...
Why the Justice Department Fails to Prosecute Executives
August 17, 2017
It’s hard to believe that we’re coming up on the ninth anniversary of the financial crisis that contributed to the Great Recession....
BONUS call: Student Loans
August 15, 2017
This week on the BONUS call it's yet again the all too familiar question about heavy, heavy student loan debt. This time it was Alida in...
How the Best Leaders Inspire People Every Day
August 10, 2017
What is life without inspiration? To me it sounds a bit boring. Of course inspiration can come from anywhere, but because we spend the...
BONUS call: Diversification
August 8, 2017
Last week on the BONUS call the question was about when to start diversifying. This week Ashley from Florida is asking if there's such a...
Hot Housing: How to Buy and Sell
August 3, 2017
Prices are up, inventories are down which means the housing market is hot again. It’s not like the crazy days of 2005, but conditions...
BONUS call: Asset Allocation
August 1, 2017
This week on the BONUS call we're talking asset allocation with David from Virginia. For years David has been saving and not really...
Pop Culture and Technology with Jeff Bakalar and Russ Frushtick
July 27, 2017
When it comes to money and personal finance, I like to think I know a thing or two. But when it comes to technology and gadgets, I turn...
BONUS call: Home Buying
July 25, 2017
This week on the BONUS call we're talking to Brian from Los Angeles. Brian and his wife have lived overseas for a while and in the...
The Secret History of the iPhone with Brian Merchant
July 20, 2017
On June 29th, 2007 Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled a new product, which he described as “a revolutionary mobile phone,” and a...
BONUS call: Retirement Planning
July 18, 2017
This week on the BONUS call we chatted with John from Philadelphia. The call started with John wanting to know how he and his wife can...
How to Buy a Car with Consumer Reports Auto Specialist Mike Quincy
July 13, 2017
If you live in a big city, it can be easy to forget what it’s like to depend on a car. Urbanites tend to walk, take the subway or bus,...
BONUS call: Become a CFP
July 11, 2017
It's so great and satisfying when we're able to expose people to the world of finance through the podcast. That's the case with Joe from...
Summer Travel Tips with Peter Greenberg
July 6, 2017
Summertime is officially upon us which means millions of Americans will be hitting the roads and taking to the skies to enjoy their...
BONUS call: Retirement Planning
July 4, 2017
This week on the BONUS call I had to pick a side. I was either going to side with our caller, Dustin from Minnesota, or his wife. Only...
Personal Finance 101 with Liz Weston
June 29, 2017
While it’s always fun talking to authors, CEOs and you on the Better Off podcast, I also enjoy chatting with fellow financial industry...
BONUS call: Retirement Planning
June 27, 2017
We love starting them young on Better Off, and that's certainly the case with Kevin from Maryland, our latest BONUS call. Kevin, just 23...
Why Wall Street Matters with William Cohan
June 22, 2017
Imagine a world without companies like Apple, or media outlets such as CBS or NBC, without all of the cars and trucks crisscrossing the...
BONUS call: Health and Money
June 20, 2017
This week we have one of the more interesting BONUS calls that we've taken on Better Off. You know, life isn't always as we plan...
Cybersecurity and Hacking with Kevin Mitnick
June 15, 2017
It seems everyday there’s a story in the news that involves hacking. Whether it’s a big box retailer, the IRS or Russians hacking the...
BONUS call: Side Hustle
June 13, 2017
Summer is just about upon us which means all those hardworking teachers out there will get a well deserved break. That includes our...
Behavioral Economics with Michael Lewis
June 8, 2017
Sometimes a host has to do what a host has to do to land the interview. You could say that was the case with the one and only Michael...
BONUS call: Inheritance
June 6, 2017
This week on the BONUS call we’re talking to Chris from Florida who recently inherited 30k from his grandmother. By the way, can I just...
Option B with Adam Grant
June 1, 2017
By now you may have seen or heard an interview with Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg discussing her recently released...
BONUS call: Saving for Retirement
May 30, 2017
This week on the BONUS call we're going to the Pacific Northwest where we found Chris from Spokane, Washington. Chris, who is only 40...
Bernie Madoff and The Wizard of Lies with Diana Henriques
May 25, 2017
Bernie Madoff is perhaps the most notorious name in the history of Wall Street. By now we all know the story. Madoff conducted a Ponzi...
BONUS call: 401(k) Rollover
May 23, 2017
Nowadays it's a common occurrence to change jobs every few years, if not every few months. That means at some point you're going to have...
Succeeding in College and Life with Daniel Lerner and Alan Schlechter
May 18, 2017
It’s officially that time of year when college grads throw their caps high into the air and prepare to enter the real world. Just a few...
BONUS call: Early Retirement
May 16, 2017
Today on the BONUS call we're chatting with Doug in Miami who initially called to ask about an old 401(k) plan and what he should do...
Life Insurance Made Simple with Yaron Ben-Zvi
May 11, 2017
Technology has made our financial lives better and simpler. From banking and investing to shopping and planning a vacation, many of our...
BONUS call: Retirement Planning
May 9, 2017
On the BONUS call this week we talked to John from Houston who had some questions about reducing his tax liability once retirement rolls...
Global Economics with Mohamed El-Erian (Part Two)
May 4, 2017
I never take it for granted how fortunate I am to have my job. Let’s be honest, it’s not really a job when you’re doing what you love....
BONUS call: Do You Need a Mortgage?
May 2, 2017
You're getting ready to buy a new home and have the cash to purchase it outright...should you? Or should you take on a mortgage? That's...
Global Economics with Mohamed El-Erian (Part One)
April 27, 2017
I never take it for granted how fortunate I am to have my job. Let’s be honest, it’s not really a job when you’re doing what you love....
BONUS call: Student Loans
April 25, 2017
This week on the BONUS call we once again chatted student loans with Andrea from New York City...but this time it wasn't about how to...
The Muse: Navigating Your Career with Alexandra Cavoulacos and Kathryn Minshew
April 20, 2017
Human Capital: It’s more valuable than any other investment you have and that’s why we often discuss career development and management...
BONUS Fiduciary Rule Q/A
April 18, 2017
On April 10th, the Department of Labor's Fiduciary Rule was scheduled to go into effect. It didn't happen. Instead, there's now at least...
Leadership Skills with Retired Admiral William H. McRaven
April 13, 2017
By now you know that on the Better Off podcast we talk about more than just the nuts and bolts of investments and economics. Our mission...
BONUS call: Investing and Taxes
April 11, 2017
We like to keep investing as simple as possible on the Better Off podcast. It's really not rocket science...in many ways, less truly is...
Financial Aid and Student Loans with Kelly Peeler
April 6, 2017
One of the goals of the Better Off podcast is to make the daunting seem doable. And there is no more daunting topic than college. From...
BONUS call: Early Retirement
April 4, 2017
Are you retired? Retiring soon? Perhaps are younger and wondering if you'll have enough money when the time comes? That's what the...
Taking Charge of Your Career with Nicole Lapin
March 30, 2017
When you hear my unabashed enthusiasm and connection with today’s guest, Nicole Lapin, I think you will understand why we hit it off so...
BONUS call: Disability Insurance
March 28, 2017
This week on the BONUS call we talked to Brian from Seattle who was wondering if he should still be paying for disability insurance....
Listener Questions with Alex Benke, CFP® at Betterment
March 23, 2017
We like to mix it up and try new things every now and then on “Better Off.” Earlier this month, for the first time, we featured one...
BONUS call 006: How to Find a Financial Advisor
March 21, 2017
Do you have a financial advisor? Are you looking for one? Do you know how much you're paying this person? Or should be expecting to pay?...
Tax Prep Tips with Ed Slott
March 16, 2017
With Tax Day right around the corner, our guest, Ed Slott, CPA, is in the house to review some last-minute tips, dos and don'ts, and...
BONUS call: Mortgage Pay Off
March 14, 2017
On the latest BONUS call we talk to Kevin from California. Kevin and his wife were recently gifted $25,000 and have been contemplating...
Become an Intelligent Investor with Jason Zweig (Part Two)
March 9, 2017
If you don’t know the name Jason Zweig, as a listener of the Better Off podcast, chances are you know his work. The “Intelligent...
BONUS call: Retirement Planning
March 7, 2017
This week on the BONUS call we do retirement planning with Barry from Pennsylvania. Barry and his wife are looking to retire in a few...
Become an Intelligent Investor with Jason Zweig (Part One)
March 2, 2017
If you don’t know the name Jason Zweig, as a listener of the Better Off podcast, chances are you know his work. The “Intelligent...
BONUS call: Annuity
February 28, 2017
This week on the BONUS call we talk to Karen from Kentucky who was wondering about an annuity. Because annuities are very tricky...
Silicon Valley Disrupters with Brad Stone
February 23, 2017
I’m going to assume that a good portion of you subscribed to the Better Off podcast have used either Uber or Airbnb. I use Uber all the...
BONUS call: Roth IRA
February 21, 2017
For the BONUS call this week we chatted with Brian from Seattle who plans on leaving his Roth IRA to his two kids...since this won't be...
Fiduciary Rule with Betterment CEO Jon Stein
February 16, 2017
A couple weeks ago, we devoted the entire interview portion of the podcast to the hotly debated Department of Labor fiduciary rule,...
BONUS call: Student Loans
February 14, 2017
On this week's BONUS call we talk about navigating the tricky world of student loans with Ashley. Let's just say that Ashley and her...
Kids and Financial Literacy with Beth Kobliner
February 9, 2017
You will often hear me say that before you worry about the financial future of your kids, you need to make sure you’re taking care of...
Fiduciary Standard Under Fire with Megan Leonhardt and Jack Otter
February 2, 2017
Fiduciary Definition, according to Merriam-Webster: a : held or founded in trust or confidence b : holding in trust c : depending on...
Build Your Dream Network with Kelly Hoey
January 26, 2017
I promised you that on the “Better Off” podcast, we would tackle uncomfortable, and even controversial, money and investing issues. And...
Misleading Numbers in Elections and Investing with Harry Enten
January 19, 2017
Young. Check. Ivy League educated. Check. Obsessed with statistics. Check. Obsessed with politics. Check. A rising star in the media...
Fail More, Reinvent Yourself with James Altucher
January 12, 2017
So here you are, listening to, or about to listen to the second episode of the “Better Off” podcast. Like you, I love podcasts. I...
New Year's Resolution: Become a Millionaire with David Bach
January 5, 2017
How does it feel to have nine consecutive books make the New York Times bestsellers list? Or to be on the Oprah Winfrey Show six times?...
