Welcome to The Finance Girlies podcast.
Each episode we tackle those burning questions you've been afraid to ask, with no judgment, no jargon — just real talk about real money.
From spectator to CFO: Navigating divorce (and beyond) with Myra Alport
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.
Q&A: How to talk money without ruining relationships
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.
The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Summer Finances
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.
The actual numbers behind our recent vacations (a full budget breakdown)
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.
You're not bad with money: Finances and feminism with Ariel Nathanson
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.
Summer reading list: The books we can't stop recommending (part 2)
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.
Summer reading list: The books we can't stop recommending (part 1)
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!
Budgeting for chronic illness with Amanda Bourbonais
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.
Money stress is real — here’s how we’re dealing
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.
Inside our wallets: Our favorite credit cards and (simple) reward strategies
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.
I do... but at what cost? Real talk on wedding expenses
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 expenses to start budgeting for now
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.
Breaking up with Amazon & big box stores: Our month-long experiment
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.
Q&A: Financial literacy month edition
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.
Tax time: Real talk on filing, myths, and managing tax anxiety
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.
Why making friends is so hard — but worth the investment
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.
The true cost of getting a dog
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.
Things we splurge on that make us feel like we're living the high life
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. 💅
A peek inside our actual budgets
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.
Q&A: Roth IRAs
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.