Tired of self-help books that feel bro-y and out-of-touch? Us too. That’s why we're excited to share the reads that genuinely changed our relationship with money, launched our freelance careers, and made us feel less alone in our financial journeys — just in time for summer days by the pool.

In part 1 of this 2-part episode, we break down our favorite reads across six categories: 

• Money books that don't feel like a chore

• Books that have shifted our entire money mindset 

• Financial classics worth your time

• Career-leveling must-reads

• Fascinating nonfiction to keep you curious

• Books that made us feel completely seen 

Whether you're looking to finally tackle investing, level up your career, or just want something that makes personal finance feel like a conversation with your smartest friend, we've got you covered. Plus, we're getting honest about our reading habits and sharing why we always keep both a fun fiction book and a personal development book in rotation.

Join us next week for our favorite fun + fiction reads!

Is your health budget constantly competing with your financial goals? In this eye-opening conversation with Amanda Bourbonais, founder of Health First Freelancer, we dive into what happens when you make wellness a non-negotiable. Amanda shares how she built a six-figure freelance business while managing chronic Lyme disease and dedicating a big of her budget to health expenses.

We explore Amanda's approach to health spending (treating it like rent — absolutely essential), her journey from $20/hour jobs to a thriving freelance business, and even her experience ditching traditional insurance for an alternative that costs under $200/month. 

Whether you're managing a chronic condition or just trying to prioritize wellness without going broke, Amanda offers practical strategies that don't require a six-figure income — from budget-friendly supplements to simple mindset shifts that make health spending feel less guilt-inducing.

Ever notice how your chest tightens when you think about checking your bank account? Or how a stressful day somehow leads to an Instagram purchase you may later regret? If so, you're not the only one. The connection between money and mental health affects nearly half of Americans, creating cycles that can feel impossible to break.

In this conversation, we open up about our own financial stress triggers, share the jaw-dropping stats that made us realize this isn't just a "you problem," and explore why even simple money tasks can feel completely overwhelming when you’re struggling with your mental health. Most importantly, we offer gentle, judgment-free strategies that don't require a complete financial overhaul — just small, sustainable steps that help soften the edges of money anxiety. 

The world of credit cards can be a little overwhelming. From understanding interest rates and fees to points-hacking and rewards , it can be hard to figure out which cards are actually worth having.

That's why today, we're literally opening our wallets to show you the credit cards we each carry around. But don't worry, we're not points-optimization wizards spending hours tracking categories or timing applications. We're just two regular gals who've figured out how to get some pretty sweet perks without making our money lives too complicated.

Anyone else think the wedding industry can be a little bit... extra? 

From the average wedding cost ($33,000) to the costs incurred as a guest, we're breaking down why weddings are so expensive… and how we think about spending when it comes to throwing the biggest party of your life. 

In this episode, we share what we personally prioritized for our own weddings, which traditions feel overrated, and how to create a meaningful celebration without giving in to industry pressure. 

Summer is just around the corner, and while we're all mentally planning beach trips and patio drinks, our bank accounts are quietly dreading what's coming. 

In this episode, we break down those sneaky seasonal expenses that somehow surprise us every single year. From al fresco dinners out to wedding travel costs, we're getting real about our own summer spending habits. Spoiler: We both spend more this time of year! 

Not only do we help you plan for what’s coming, we also cover practical strategies to enjoy summer for less.

You know about Dry January, right? It’s where you give up alcohol for the first month of the year. This idea inspired our own challenge, and In March, we each gave up a specific type of spending to see what would happen. For Cassidy, that meant cutting out Amazon completely, while Emily challenged herself to shop only at local businesses for all discretionary purchases. We called it Dry March and recorded everything to share in this episode.

What began as a money experiment revealed a lot about convenience, community connection, and the hidden mental load of modern shopping habits. 

Money questions keeping you up at night? You're not alone! In this special Financial Literacy Month episode, we open up our inbox to tackle your burning financial questions related to all things personal finance. 

From the intimidating "how much do I actually need for retirement?" to the all-too-relatable "why do I feel so behind compared to my friends?", we’re answering your questions with our own experiences — without judgment or jargon.

Whether you're stressed about investing, puzzled about budgeting with inconsistent income, or simply too scared to even look at your bank account, listening to this episode is the perfect first step.

No one grows up dreaming about filing taxes, yet somehow we're all expected to figure it out on our own. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on their real-life tax experiences, from our first terrified attempts at TurboTax to navigating the complexities of self-employment taxes. 

In this episode, we’ll…

• Bust common tax myths, including what a “write-off” actually is and how tax brackets work

• Share personal stories of surprise tax bills

• Offer practical advice for building confidence during tax season 

• Help you figure out when it’s time to outsource 

Whether you're an employee or business owner, a DIY filer or a CPA enthusiast, this honest conversation will help you approach tax season with less anxiety and more clarity.

Making friends as an adult is like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces. We've all been there—scrolling through social media, wondering how everyone else seems to have a perfect friend group while we're sitting at home knitting. 🧶

In this episode, we're diving deep into the art of building meaningful connections, breaking down the emotional barriers, and uncovering the surprising ways friendships can impact your financial and personal growth. 

From mindset shifts to practical strategies, we're sharing our own messy, beautiful journey of finding community (though it’s always a work in progress) and why it's worth every initial coffee meetup and uncomfortable first chat.

Let's be real: getting a dog is like accidentally signing up for a financial rollercoaster you never saw coming. Emily's first year with Clover was a wild ride of unexpected expenses, adorable chaos, and more love and cuteness than she ever imagined. 🥹 Spoiler alert: No amount of budgeting could have prepared her for this.

We’ve all heard the classic money advice that tells you to cut out all unnecessary spending.

Cancel your gym membership. Stop buying lattes. Cook all your meals at home.

But we reject that mindset — and we think you should too.

Sure, spending mindlessly can get you into trouble. But intentional spending? That’s what makes life feel good.

That’s why this week, we’re talking about the things we gladly splurge on — the little luxuries that make us feel like we’re living the high life. 💅

Most budgeting advice is… kind of useless. Not because it’s wrong, but because it’s so generic.

👉 “Spend less than you earn.” Cool, groundbreaking.
👉 “Stick to a budget.” Okay, but how??

The truth is, everyone’s budget looks different. That’s why we thought it would be fun (and hopefully helpful!) to take you inside our actual budgets.

Roth IRAs are everywhere in personal finance advice, but what makes them so special? 

In this episode, we’re breaking it all down — answering listener-submitted questions about how to open one, when to contribute, and why people won’t stop talking about them.

How to merge finances with your partner.

Last week, we tackled the should you merge finances? debate. This week, we’re getting into the nitty-gritty: how to actually do it.

Merging finances sounds simple until you’re in the thick of it and wondering:

• How do we split expenses fairly?

• What do we do about savings?

• Who’s in charge of paying the bills?

• Do we need a joint account? Multiple accounts? None??

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the logistics, we’ve been there. And today, we’re walking you through how to set up a system that actually works for you and your partner.

Should you merge finances with your partner? 

Money is one of the spiciest topics in relationships, and merging finances? That’s where things can get real messy.

Some people believe not merging finances means you don’t trust your partner. Others think combining everything is a fast track to financial disaster. So… what’s the right move?

In this episode, we’re diving deep into:

• How we personally handle finances with our partners (full merge? partial merge? separate?)

• The morality debate—Is it wrong not to merge? Does separate money mean less trust?

• Real stories from couples who merged (and those who didn’t)

• The different ways couples can structure their finances — so you can decide what works for you

Plus, we share an anonymous listener-submitted story about how merging finances went wrong — and what they wish they had done differently.

🎧 Tune in now to get the full conversation, and don’t forget to catch next week’s episode, where we dive into the logistics of merging finances!

💸 Ever wondered what it actually takes to pay off student loans fast?

In this episode of The Finance Girlies, Cassidy shares her journey of paying off $18,000 in student loan debt in just 10 months—what worked, what didn’t, and what she’d do differently now.

And whether you’re drowning in student loans or just looking for money strategies that actually work, you’ll walk away with plenty of ideas (and maybe a few “wow, I did what?!” moments from Cassidy’s past frugal habits).

This episode is all about the dreaded D word — debt! Tune in as Cassidy and Emily unpack their personal philosophies on debt — from tackling high-interest loans to deciding when it’s okay to carry debt. They break down what terms like “good debt” and “bad debt” really mean (and why they might not be the best way to think about borrowing). Plus, they share practical tools for evaluating your debt and how to prioritize paying it off without shame or stress.

Tune in for relatable insights, some eye-opening stats, and actionable advice to help you take control of your financial story.

In the final episode of the Finance Girlies podcast for 2024, hosts Emily and Cassidy reflect on their favorite moments of the year by answering rapid-fire questions. 

They discuss their top books, best and worst purchases, goals for next year, new hobbies, and personal achievements. Emily shares her journey with doggy daycare and buying a new car, while Cassidy talks about a cozy new home and her love for crocheting. 

Join them as they wrap up the year with a heartfelt look back and plans for the future.