Ms. Money Moves Podcast

Join host Megumi Smisson as she talks about money and begins her journey towards financial freedom. In this episode, she discusses the most important (and often most overlooked) part of taking control of your finances: talking about money. Learn how to get control of your money so you have a better understanding of your financial situation, and take the first step towards making money moves!

We focus on resources available to you if you’re struggling with bills and needing to stretch your money, and what immediate changes you should and shouldn’t be making right now (even if you still have income coming in). Note that this is a dense episode, since we’ll go over everything from the job market, loan options, rent, student loans, credit cards, to insurance.

Today, we focus on what we can do with any money left over after paying bills, why emergency funds are important, and what’s been going on with the stock market during this crisis. We’ll also talk about how we can make sure we’re better prepared for financial surprises in the future. 

Budgeting doesn’t need to mean zero fun! We go into why it’s important, ways to make your budget actually stick, and the psychology behind putting money aside for savings.

Retirement accounts can be confusing! Let’s break down the differences and similarities between a 401(k), Roth 401(k), traditional IRA, and Roth IRA so we can feel confident about contributing towards our retirement.

We get into Investing 101 with guest Gannon Breslin, aka @RebelMarkets! From ETFs to investing principles, and from how to buy your first stock to dollar-cost averaging, this episode is packed with all of the investment knowledge we need to make money moves.

We’re back with guest Gannon Breslin (@RebelMarkets) to talk about investing during the COVID-19 pandemic! We cover everything from the Robinhood craze, wild numbers from stocks like Hertz and Tesla, and Elon Musk’s Twitter account. Plus, @RebelMarkets gives advice for new investors starting out during these unusual times.

The one thing that nobody wants but a large majority of us have? Debt. Today, we discuss different approaches to paying off debt, whether it’s student loans or credit cards, and the pros and cons of the snowball and avalanche methods. We also touch on specific tools to tackle credit card debt – including negotiating your APR!

When three numbers can affect everything from where you live to where you’ll work or how expensive a loan will be, it’s important to know everything about it! We dive into all things credit score in this episode: its history, the different scoring models, what affects your score, and why good credit is so important.

From cash back on groceries and dining, to miles earned and airport lounge access, credit cards can be a very rewarding way to make money moves! This episode helps you pick the best credit card for you, whether you’re a student, working on rebuilding credit, need to finance a large purchase, or want to earn rewards for your side hustle expenses.

Did you know that the election affects you financially? Whether you have a lot of money or not, who you vote for influences your taxes, job security, retirement account, and even how much you pay for products. Learn why it’s important for every one of us to vote, and go to vote.org for more nonpartisan resources.

Connor O’Brien, President & CEO of automated investing app Beanstox (co-founded by Kevin O’Leary aka Mr. Wonderful of Shark Tank) joins this episode to talk about investing and the importance of financial education. We discuss how a lack of financial education affects us, various barriers to investing, and why investing and setting financial goals should be a habit.

It’s almost time for the holidays! The holiday season means giving and gifting, which…sometimes means overspending. My goal is to avoid the overspending part this year, so join me in being smart(er) about holiday shopping. We’ll go over budgeting, the different ways that costs can add up, and ways to save money while still being festive!

Labor attorney, political science professor, and author Laura Fleming joins this episode to talk about the gender pay gap and answer the ultimate question: Can women really have it all? We discuss the history of the pay gap, what currently affects it, and how biology and nature vs. nurture play a role in the important life decisions women are faced with.

Whether you’re already part of the gig economy or are thinking about starting a side gig, don’t forget that money management is an important part of your side hustle! From taxes to business checking accounts, we go over the key things to keep in mind so we can focus on making money instead of stressing about it.

From slavery, segregation, and the 2008 financial crisis to today, guest Mike Oneal explains why the racial wealth gap is “genocidal” and how reparations would benefit all Americans. With a Master’s in African American Studies and Journalism and work experience ranging from the military to Wall Street, Mike brings his personal and professional experience to this important discussion.

Where should I put my savings for a future home? How much should I have saved for retirement? What’s an emergency fund? In this episode, I go over the guidelines we can use to make sure we’re financially prepared for emergencies, can plan ahead for expenses like vacations, and get the retirement we deserve.

The Millennial Money Woman joins this episode to share her budgeting guidelines, how she makes budgeting fun (wine is involved), and how to save for both retirement and recreation. As a Certified Financial Planner with a Master’s in Personal Financial Planning, she also knows that becoming a millionaire is not as impossible as it sounds. Don’t forget to download her free budgeting template!

What exactly does a financial advisor do? When do you need one? How do you find a good one? Rob Carrigg – a Certified Financial Planner, founder of Carrigg Wealth Advisors, and named one of New Hampshire’s top financial advisors by publications such as Forbes – joins this episode to answers all of those questions (and more). 

In the season finale, I talk about how my finances and money management mindset changed this year, from paying down credit card debt to buying a new car, and what money moves I’ll be making in 2021.