Finance Girlies: Money Conversations for Gen Z and Millennial Women

What if your everyday money choices could actually change the world? Meet Kara Pérez, founder of Bravely Go and author of "Money for Change," who proves that aligning your finances with your values doesn't mean sacrificing your financial goals.

From $20,000 in student loans to building a business around values-based financial education, Kara shares how she paid off debt in 10 months and discovered the hidden power behind where we put our money.

This conversation challenges everything you think you know about "good" financial advice. Kara explains why 70% of the US economy runs on consumer spending, how to spot financial greenwashing, and why your bank choice is more powerful than you realize.

✨ Episode Timestamps ✨

• [03:00] Kara's origin story: the I-35 breakdown that changed everything 
• [07:00] How she paid off $18,000 in student loans in 10 months (with creative side hustles) 
• [12:00] What sustainability-focused financial education actually looks like 
• [16:00] Why naming systems (not just symptoms) matters in personal finance 
• [21:00] Why the big four banks are funding what you're fighting against 
• [25:00] How overconsumption is designed to keep you spending 
• [32:00] Simple steps to align your money with your values (starting with banks) 
• [37:00] Financial greenwashing: how to spot fake eco-friendly marketing 
• [47:00] Planning for the future when you're intentionally child-free 
• [52:00] Getting started with ethical investing (it's not about perfection)

✨ Resources ✨

Connect with Kara:

• Website: bravelygo.co 
• Socials: @webravelygo 
• YouTube: @bravelygo
• Book: Money for Change

Send us Fan Mail

WTF! Women Talk Finance

WTF! Women Talk Finance breaks down the world of money. No jargon, no...

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Hey girlies,

In September 2021, Cassidy was attending a financial conference in Austin, Texas.

She’s sitting in a breakout session when this woman walks in wearing a literal hundred-dollar bill dress. 💵

She starts talking about personal finance in a way that's completely different from every other speaker at the conference.

No boring budgeting lectures.

No shame-inducing debt talks.

Just honest, refreshing perspectives on money that actually made sense. 💡

That woman was Kara Pérez, and Cassidy immediately followed her on social media (and has been a captive audience ever since).

Fast-forward to today: Kara, founder of Bravely Go and author of Money for Change, joined us for a conversation on The Finance Girlies podcast. 🤩

Kara’s the sustainability-focused financial educator who dares to ask the questions others won't — like where your bank actually invests your money and why everything you buy seems to break faster than it used to.

And she doesn't just teach you how to manage money. She shows you how to use it as a tool for the change you want to see in the world. 🌎

In our conversation, Kara breaks down:

✨ Why your choice of bank matters way more than you think (and it's not just about interest rates)

✨ Simple ways to align your spending with your values without sacrificing your financial goals

✨ The real reason Americans are "priced out of necessities and oversold low-quality garbage"

✨ How to start investing ethically without it needing to be perfect

This conversation left us feeling empowered rather than overwhelmed. Because once you understand where your money goes, you can make choices that feel good AND make financial sense. 💸

Ready to see money through a completely new lens?

🎧 Hit play on this episode.

Until next week,

Emily + Cassidy

P.S. You can find Kara's book, Money for Change, everywhere books are sold. And visit

https://bravelygo.co/ for more sustainable finance resources.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thefinancegirlies.substack.com/subscribe

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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.

✨ Episode Timestamps ✨

• [05:00] Jillian’s very first mini retirement: the cross-country road trip that changed everything
• [07:00] How mini retirements can increase your lifetime earning potential
• [11:00] Signs you might need a mini retirement vs. just a vacation
• [15:00] The most accessible first steps for planning a career break on any budget
• [22:00] Jillian's experiences that unexpectedly changed her perspective
• [24:00] How much money to save and avoiding over-preparation paralysis
• [30:00] Preparing your business for a mini retirement when you're self-employed
• [39:00] Designing intentional, transformative breaks (not just unstructured time off)
• [46:00] What to do if you’re scared to step away for career break
• [48:00] Dreams with expiration dates and the seasons of life that won't wait
• [52:00] Rapid fire: packing essentials, dream locations, and money advice

✨ Resources ✨

Connect with Jillian:

• Website: retireoften.com 
• Social: @jillianjohnsrud
• Podcast: Retire Often Podcast
• Book: Retire Often

Send us Fan Mail

WTF! Women Talk Finance

WTF! Women Talk Finance breaks down the world of money. No jargon, no...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

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https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/newsletter

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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.

Episode Timestamps: 

[05:00] Jillian’s very first mini retirement: the cross-country road trip that changed everything[07:00] How mini retirements can increase your lifetime earning potential[11:00] Signs you might need a mini retirement vs. just a vacation[15:00] The most accessible first steps for planning a career break on any budget[22:00] Jillian's experiences that unexpectedly changed her perspective[24:00] How much money to save and avoiding over-preparation paralysis[30:00] Preparing your business for a mini retirement when you're self-employed[39:00] Designing intentional, transformative breaks (not just unstructured time off)[46:00] What to do if you’re scared to step away for career break[48:00] Dreams with expiration dates and the seasons of life that won't wait[52:00] Rapid fire: packing essentials, dream locations, and money advice

Connect with Jillian:

Website: retireoften.com 

Social: @jillianjohnsrud

Podcast: Retire Often Podcast

Book: "Retire Often" (launches September 9th, 2025)

📩 Join The Finance Girlies on Substack: https://thefinancegirlies.substack.com/ 💖 Email us your money questions: [email protected] 📸 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefinancegirlies/

🎉 Join The Finance Girlies Insiders by upgrading on Substack and enjoy:

Bonus episodes, starting with anonymous wedding confessions, money drama, and a full script workbook

Juicier convos that are too real (or too spicy) for the main feed

Real listener coaching sessions + deeper stories from our lives

Early access to Q&As, exclusive polls, and discounts on future events and products

Plus, surprise extras we're cooking up behind the scenes

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thefinancegirlies.substack.com/subscribe

Support the show

📩 Join The Finance Girlies email list:
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Everything we learned from our recent car purchases

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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit thefinancegirlies.substack.com

You know that moment when you realize you're about to drop more money on a single purchase than you probably spend on rent in a year? That's car buying — and honestly, it can feel like you need a PhD in negotiation tactics just to not get completely taken advantage of.

We both just bought new-to-us cars (Emily last summer, Cassidy a few months ago), and we're not holding anything back. We're talking actual numbers, negotiation wins (and losses), and all the little costs that somehow add up to way more than you budgeted for. Cassidy managed to negotiate her car's price down by $9K, while Emily went the certified pre-owned route with zero negotiation drama.

Time stamps: 

[02:00] Setting the scene: Why we each needed new cars 

[06:00] Our search process (and why we followed our gut) 

[13:00] Cassidy's negotiation masterclass: From $38K to $29K 

[27:00] Emily's certified pre-owned approach and why she didn't negotiate 

[42:00] The financing details and loan terms we chose 

[51:00] All those sneaky costs they don't mention upfront 

[59:00] Red flags and tactics dealerships use to trick you 

[1:04:00] Our rapid-fire tips for anyone buying a car soon 

[1:12:00] Why we don't always follow traditional personal finance advice

📩 Join The Finance Girlies on Substack: https://thefinancegirlies.substack.com/ 

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🎉 Join The Finance Girlies Insiders by upgrading on Substack and enjoy:

Bonus episodes with the spicier takes we can't share in the free feed

Real listener coaching sessions + deeper stories from our lives

Early access to Q&As, exclusive polls, and discounts on future events

Plus, surprise extras we're cooking up behind the scenes

Support the show

📩 Join The Finance Girlies email list:
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It's never too late to rewrite your money story

Support the show

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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.

✨ Episode Highlights ✨

• [02:00] Laura's journey from having no bank account in her own name to rebuilding financial independence after divorce 
• [06:00] The moment Laura realized she could make money — and it wasn't as hard as she thought 
• [08:00] Why neurodivergent women aren't lazy — they're overloaded 
• [10:00] The neurodivergent experience with impulse spending and why shame spirals hit differently 
• [16:00] Laura's $30 impulse budget and the questions that stop shame spirals 
• [21:00] Why budgeting apps weren't built for neurodivergent brains 
• [23:00] Moving from avoidance to curiosity (and why fear was Laura's catalyst) 
• [27:00] Why "you haven't messed up too much" — you've just been adapting 
• [30:00] The power of naming your accounts to make money feel less like an enemy 
• [22:00] Laura's Friday money ritual and keeping things simple 
• [33:00] Laura's recent money wins

✨ Resources ✨

Connect with Laura:

• Substack: Wild Minds at Mudhollow
• Website: laurashepherdcopy.com 
• Instagram: @laurashepherdcopy

Send us Fan Mail

WTF! Women Talk Finance

WTF! Women Talk Finance breaks down the world of money. No jargon, no...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

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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."

✨ Episode Highlights ✨

• [03:00] Early money memories 
• [08:00] Zina’s start as a small-town reporter 
• [15:00] Why immigrant parents accidentally give the best money education 
• [23:00] The moment that changed Zina's perspective on investing 
• [28:00] Why women avoid investing (and why that's actually risky) 
• [35:00] The 401(k) mistake that costs people decades of growth 
• [42:00] Zina's investing philosophy 
• [49:00] Teaching kids about money 
• [54:00] Navigating the US financial system as an immigrant family 
• [1:00:00] The one thing to do before you change anything about your money

✨ Resources ✨

Connect with Zina:

• Instagram: @advisorzina
• Website: chdouglas.com 

Send us Fan Mail

WTF! Women Talk Finance

WTF! Women Talk Finance breaks down the world of money. No jargon, no...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

📩 Get The Finance Girlies newsletter: 
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Hey girlies,

We hear from a lot of you that investing feels… scary.

Trust us, we get it. As finance writers, we both shy away from the topic because we’re scared to get it wrong. But that doesn’t mean we don’t invest — we do, and we think you should too.

So does today’s guest, financial advisor Zina Kumok (who likens investing to baking a pie — an unexpected yet delicious analogy ).

Zina started her career as a newspaper reporter covering everything from March Madness to murder trials.

After documenting her struggle to live on $28,000 per year, she found her way into freelance finance writing.

A decade later, the desire to help people one-on-one led her to becoming a licensed financial advisor.

This conversation covered a lot of ground, but these were some highlights:

👟 Why Zina believes just starting to invest — even with $5 — beats waiting until you know everything or have thousands in the bank. (It’s like running a marathon. You don’t start with 26 miles, you start with 1.)

🏰 How her parents taught her to manage her own money before she even finished elementary school. (8-year old Zina saw right through those Disney World gift shop markups.)

💡 The moment Zina realized she didn’t know less than her male peers — she just wasn’t as confident.

👫 The unique challenges, perspectives, and advantages of growing up with immigrant parents who were transparent about money.

🧒 The finance advice for kids that drives Zina crazy — and what she recommends instead.

We want to be clear: This wasn't just another "here's how to start investing" conversation. Zina is literally a financial advisor, meaning she helps people with their finances for a living. She’s got the experience — but she also remembers the fear of starting.

Whether you're finally ready to tackle investing, trying to teach your kids financial responsibility, or you just want to hear from someone Cassidy deems “so freaking cool,” this conversation delivers. ☺️

See ya next time,

Emily + Cassidy 💸

P.S. Want to connect with Zina? Find her on Instagram @advisorzina or learn more about working with her team at chdouglas.com.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thefinancegirlies.substack.com/subscribe

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