It's dark. The candles are flickering, and you're about to hear some truly haunting tales. Not ghost stories, but money stories that will send shivers down your financial spine. From credit card curses to haunted house expenses, this episode is all about the scary side of money — and what we can learn from these frightening experiences.

We asked our community to share their most terrifying financial moments, and wow, did they deliver. Think confessions of hidden debt, risky investment advice, and money conversations so scary they'll make your wallet tremble. Grab your favorite cozy blanket, dim the lights, and get ready to listen in on some truly spooky money moments.

What happens when you're the higher earner in your marriage? When your 401(k) keeps growing while your spouse builds their own business? When you're navigating motherhood, career ambitions, and being the breadwinner all at once?

We love talking about money and relationships, and we’re not the only ones. This episode features Jessica Norwood, who co-hosts The Sugar Daddy podcast with her financial planner husband, Brandon. What began as an outlet for his expertise has turned into something bigger: a source of honest conversations about money that break down the jargon and shame that usually come with financial advice.

In this episode, Jessica breaks down the reality of out-earning her husband, how they’ve navigated tricky money conversations, and why they decided to get a postnup after nine years of marriage.

Would you sign a contract governing half your assets and your entire financial future without reading it first? Because that's exactly what happens when you get married without a prenup.

Harvard lawyer Aaron Thomas spent years watching couples drain their savings in divorce court before he realized something crucial: marriage is already a financial contract. You're just letting the state write the terms instead of writing them yourself.

In this episode, Aaron makes the case that prenups aren't about planning for divorce — they're about having the money conversations most couples avoid until it's too late.

We just got back from FinCon — the biggest personal finance conference in the country — and we're buzzing with ideas, connections, and inspiration for The Finance Girlies community.

If you've never heard of FinCon, picture this: around 2,000 personal finance creators, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs gathered in one place for three jam-packed days of learning, networking, and nerding out about money topics. From TikTok influencers to seasoned bloggers who've been at this since 2008, the diversity of people and business models was incredible.

Ever feel like you're constantly stressed about money even when you're technically doing okay? Or wonder why you still feel anxious despite having an emergency fund and being on track for retirement? You might be experiencing money dysmorphia — the disconnect between how we feel about our finances versus our actual financial reality.

Julie Guntrip, Head of Financial Wellness at Jenius Bank, breaks down why millennials and Gen Z in particular suffer from this phenomenon — and how our generation's unique financial journey (hello, recession, pandemic, and inflation) has left us in a constant state of money anxiety. 

Whether you're tired of feeling behind despite doing everything "right" or ready to reset your internal money narrative, this episode offers the validation and practical tools you need.

What if taking extended time off work could actually boost your lifetime earning potential? Meet Jillian Johnsrud, who by age 40 has taken over a dozen "mini retirements" — month-long career breaks that allowed her to travel to 27 countries, buy real estate, learn new skills, and completely reinvent her career.

This conversation reveals why switching jobs combined with strategic breaks often leads to bigger raises than staying loyal to one employer. Jillian shares her funding formulas, creative strategies, and why some dreams can't wait for traditional retirement.

Whether you're burned out, curious about career breaks, or just tired of postponing the life you actually want, this episode will shift your perspective on what's possible.

What if taking extended time off work could actually boost your lifetime earning potential? Meet Jillian Johnsrud, who by age 40 has taken over a dozen "mini retirements" — month-long career breaks that allowed her to travel to 27 countries, buy real estate, learn new skills, and completely reinvent her career.

This conversation reveals why switching jobs combined with strategic breaks often leads to bigger raises than staying loyal to one employer. Jillian shares her funding formulas, creative strategies, and why some dreams can't wait for traditional retirement.

Whether you're burned out, curious about career breaks, or just tired of postponing the life you actually want, this episode will shift your perspective on what's possible.

Laura Shepherd's financial story didn't start at 22 with her first job or even at 30 with a promotion. It started in her 40s, when she opened her first bank account in her own name.

For nearly 20 years, Laura lived in a financially controlling relationship where her ex handled all the money while she raised the kids. She'd internalized the story that she was "bad at math," and therefore, “bad at money.”

After splitting with her ex, Laura had to figure out how to earn and manage money for the first time – in her forties. And with a neurodivergent brain, the classic budgeting frameworks just didn’t work. 

This conversation dives deep into the intersection of neurodivergence and money management. Laura shares her $30 impulse budget strategy, how she thrives on simplicity, and how curiosity beats criticism every time. Her story is proof that it's never too late to rewrite your financial narrative — you just need to start a new page.

Financial advisor Zina Kumok grew up with something most American kids never get: total transparency about money. Her immigrant parents discussed salary negotiations, 401(k) matching, and insurance trade-offs over dinner like other families talk about the weather. The result? By college, she understood finances better than most.

But here's the twist — even with all that knowledge, Zina avoided writing about investing for years because she didn't feel "qualified enough." Then a friend at a finance conference asked her a game-changing question: "You think these guys know more than you do?" Spoiler alert: They didn't.

This conversation covers everything from why conservative investing can hurt women to Zina's perfect pecan pie analogy for getting started (trust us, you'll never forget it). Zina’s story is packed with insights that'll change how you think about money, investing, and what it means to be "qualified."

Moving across the country is expensive enough — but what happens when you decide to sell literally everything you own and start completely over? That's exactly what Cassidy did when she moved from Washington to Minnesota after her divorce.

Instead of renting a $2,500 pod, her mom had a wild idea: What if she just kept what fits in her car and sold everything else? Three weeks later, Cassidy had somehow turned her stuff into $7,500 cash. But here's the thing — starting fresh meant buying everything new, from silverware to a $1,700 mattress. 

This episode breaks down every dollar she spent (and made) plus all the feelings that come with these kinds of major money decisions.

Whether you're navigating divorce, supporting someone who is, or just ready to stop being a financial spectator in your own life, this conversation can help. Myra Alport is an accredited financial coach with over 20 years of experience who, after her own "gray divorce" following a 27-year marriage, helps women become their own CFOs with confidence, clarity, and humor.

This episode gets personal as Cassidy opens up about her divorce journey, adding some perspective to Myra's expert insights. We dive into why so many women end up on the financial sidelines, practical steps to take control of your money (whether you're married, single, or somewhere in between), and why avoiding one specific word might be the most powerful financial move you can make.

Money conversations don't have to feel awkward or create drama — they just require a little honesty and practice. In today's Q&A episode, we're tackling all the relationship scenarios that make your palms sweaty: navigating different income levels with friends, splitting costs with a new partner, handling family gift expectations, and everything in between.

Whether you're wondering how to tell your bestie you can't afford that girls trip or figuring out finances with someone you just started dating, we've got some ideas for keeping your relationships strong while protecting your financial boundaries.

This one's for anyone who's ever smiled and nodded through expensive plans while internally panicking about their budget — we see you, and we've got your back.

Summer is for slowing down, not stressing about money. In this episode, we're sharing our favorite chill money moves that you can do while lounging poolside, waiting in line at the farmer's market, or taking a sunset stroll. We're talking about financial progress that doesn't require spreadsheets, complicated budgets, or giving up everything that makes summer fun. These are small, meaningful steps you can take without disrupting your hammock time or beach day plans.

If you're not trying to do a full financial overhaul in July but still want to feel more in control without sacrificing what makes summer special, this one's for you, girlies.

In this episode, we’re doing something a little scary: sharing exactly what we spent on some recent vacations. No vague answers — just real numbers and honest thoughts about what felt worth it.

Cassidy breaks down her incredible 13-day Italy adventure through four different cities, while Emily shares what she spent on a Utah desert trip that was basically winter therapy. We're getting into the details of flights, hotels, food tours, e-bike rentals, and yes—even that overpriced airport sandwich.

Whether you're dreaming of your own big trip, trying to figure out realistic travel budgets, or just curious what people actually spend when they're being honest about it, we think this conversation might be exactly what you need to hear.

Ever catch yourself saying "I'm just bad with money" and wonder why you feel so much shame around your finances? This episode might just change how you think about your relationship with money forever.

Ariel Nathanson, founder of Finances for Feminists and certified financial education instructor, joined us for an amazing conversation that digs into why our money struggles often aren't personal failures. Instead, they're the result of systems that weren't built with women in mind.

If you've ever felt behind on investing, guilty about your spending, or overwhelmed by financial advice that doesn't seem to fit your life, this episode will help you reframe those feelings and take some concrete next steps.

Missing those childhood summers when you could read for hours without a care in the world? We're bringing back that magic with our favorite fiction, memoirs, and pure escapist reads for those lazy midsummer days.

In part 2 of our summer reading series, we're diving into seven categories of books designed for pure enjoyment. We also get honest about how our reading habits have evolved over the years, share what's currently stacked on our summer TBR lists, and challenge each other with book picks we have to report back on.

Whether you're craving light entertainment or something that completely transports you to another world, this episode will give you plenty of options for your summer reading stack.

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.