Financial Feminist

If you’ve ever avoided budgeting because it felt stressful, restrictive, or shame-inducing, this episode is going to change everything. In part two of my Personal Finance Cheat Sheet series, I’m breaking down how to budget in a way that actually works and how to use that budget to finally pay off your debt without shame, stress, or tracking every single penny. We’re talking about why most budgeting methods fail, how to reframe your budget as a permission slip instead of a punishment, and the exact system I use to help you make real progress on credit cards, student loans, and more. If you want actionable clarity around budgeting and debt payoff in 2026, get ready to take notes! Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to join our 5 Day Debt Challenge and find any resources mentioned in the show! 00:00 Intro 00:15 Why Budgeting Feels Restrictive 01:48 The Gas Gauge Analogy & Why Budgets Matter 03:11 Why Most Budgeting Methods Fail 04:14 The 50/30/20 Rule Explained 05:36 Why the 50/30/20 Rule Isn’t Perfect 06:56 Introducing the Three Bucket Budget 08:24 How to Automate Your Financial Goals 10:50 Progress Over Perfection: Flexible Budgeting 12:19 How to Prioritize Debt Payoff 14:39 Understanding Different Types of Debt 16:39 The High Cost of Credit Card Debt 18:08 The Snowball vs. Avalanche Method 19:47 Free Five-Day Debt Challenge Resource 20:22 How to Find More Money in Your Budget 21:44 Negotiating Your Bills & Saving More 23:41 You Are Not a Bad Person for Having Debt 24:59 Final Thoughts & What’s Next in the Series Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If your New Year’s financial resolutions already feel shaky, you might be sabotaging yourself without even realizing it. In this episode, I’m breaking down the three biggest ways people wreck their money goals before January is even over, from setting vague, emotionally disconnected goals to falling into an all-or-nothing mindset and failing to track progress. This is the first episode in our brand-new Personal Finance Cheat Sheet series, and I’m giving you practical, realistic tools to finally follow through in 2026 — without burnout, perfectionism, or shame.  Not sure where to start on your financial journey? Take our FREE quiz and get your personalized money plan: ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ Science Backed Goal Setting Episode: https://play.megaphone.fm/vtgw675btq6fuky50hmoeg 00:00 Intro 01:57 Why New Year’s Resolutions Often Fail 03:56 Mistake 1 08:44 How to Anchor Your Financial Goals 13:34 Reflection Prompts for Goal Setting 15:35 Mistake 2 24:14 Shiny Object Syndrome & Chasing Novelty 27:54 The Power of Consistency and Bare Minimums 30:08 Free Personalized Money Plan Resource 31:54 Mistake 3 36:34 How to Track Progress & Build Motivation 41:06 The Money Date Practice 43:46 Building Self-Trust and Accountability 47:06 Closing Thoughts & What’s Next in the Series Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you thought “hacking” your money meant clipping coupons or extreme budgeting, today’s episode is going to blow you away. Earlier this year, I sat down with Chris Hutchins, of the All the Hacks podcast, to talk about how to maximize value in every area: spending, saving, earning, and traveling. Chris spoke to us about real, actionable hacks that go way beyond clipping coupons—including side hustles that don’t require starting a business, ways to “game the system” to cut costs on everything from groceries to luxury hotels, and how to rack up credit card points without going into debt. If you want to stop overspending, learn to travel smarter, or create extra income on the side, pull up a chair. Chris’s links: Website: https://allthehacks.com/  Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show! 00:00 Intro 07:01 Side Hustles and Creative Money-Saving Strategies 20:03 Travel Hacking and Credit Card Points 24:59 Advanced Travel Hacking Tips 43:14 Negotiating Airbnb and Hotel Upgrades 46:58 Finding Unclaimed Money 55:51 Credit Card Application Strategies 01:00:16 Teaching Kids About Money 01:09:23 Bora Bora Travel Deals 01:12:36 Non-Money Related Life Hacks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wondered if saving your first $100K is actually doable—or just another financial fairy tale? I’m Tori Dunlap, founder of Her First $100K and host of the Financial Feminist podcast, and in this special replay episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on real-world steps for building tangible wealth and saving money on everything—starting with building an emergency fund, to paying off debt, investing, and automation. We also get into why your mindset matters just as much as the numbers, and how a supportive community can make or break your progress toward that six-figure milestone. Tune in to learn how to get YOUR first $100K in 2026. Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show! 00:00 Intro & Welcome02:15 What is “Your First $100K”?05:07 Personal Finance is Personal07:49 Step 1: Build an Emergency Fund11:19 Step 2: Pay Off High-Interest Debt15:11 Step 3: Let Your Money Work for You19:40 Step 4: Automate Your Savings22:30 Step 5: Don’t Do It Alone24:53 Final Motivation & Takeaways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we close out 2025, I know so many of us are ending the year exhausted, overwhelmed, and craving even the smallest spark of hope — and that’s exactly what today’s episode is here to give you. From the power of local community events to the healing magic of nature, art, or activism, this episode will give you simple, actionable ways to end 2025 feeling more hopeful (without the toxic positivity or wellness fluff). I’m sharing the real, tangible practices that have helped me reconnect with joy in a year that felt painfully heavy.  Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show! 00:00 Intro 01:20 Shifting to Hope: Why It Matters 01:47 Tip 1: Go to a Community Event 02:59 Tip 2: Read a Fun Book 04:17 Tip 3: See Women Play Sports 06:39 Tip 4: Get Into Nature 08:14 Tip 5: Protest, Rally, or Activism from Home 10:49 Tip 6: Experience Art & Live Performances 12:21 Tip 7: Run for Something & Local Political Engagement 13:56 Tip 8: Do Something Alone 15:41 Tip 9: Volunteer & Give Back 17:00 Closing Thoughts: Hope, Community, and Looking Ahead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices