We all make financial mistakes, but what happens when those mistakes literally cost you everything? In this episode, I sit down with money expert, author, and host Nicole Lapin, who shares her deeply personal story of losing her home and studio in the LA fires just two weeks after giving birth—and the painful lessons she learned in the aftermath. From skipping business insurance to the emotional toll of rebuilding from scratch, Nicole gets brutally honest about the financial oversights that even experts can make, and how you can protect yourself before disaster strikes. We also talk about the realities of new motherhood, navigating shame, estate planning, and why money isn’t just about numbers—it’s about safety, security, and learning how to trust yourself again.

Nicole’s links:

Website: https://nicolelapin.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolelapin/?hl=en 

Podcast:  https://moneynewsnetwork.com/podcast/money-rehab/

Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!

00:00 Intro

00:41 LA Fires & loss

01:51 Documenting for insurance

02:35 Money & safety

05:02  Insurance tips

11:11 Parenthood finances

16:37 Childcare costs

19:00 Parenting boundaries

21:41 Teaching kids money

22:41 Investing basics

25:07 Money priorities

29:40 Estate Planning

32:26 Debt & leverage

34:20 Imposter syndrome

38:57 Building your path

41:57 Financial shame

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