Financial Feminist

If you’ve already fallen off your New Year’s goals, or you feel like you’re constantly fighting yourself when it comes to money, health, or habits—this episode is for you. Today on Financial Feminist, I’m joined by returning guest Thais Gibson, a world-renowned expert on the subconscious mind, to explain why willpower alone doesn’t work, and what actually does. We break down how 95% of your behavior is driven by subconscious programming, why “self-sabotage” isn’t real, and how you can rewire limiting beliefs and build goals that stick in just three minutes a day. If you’re ready to start creating habits that actually stick, this conversation will completely shift how you think about motivation and success.

Thais’s links:Website: http://university.personaldevelopmentschool.com 

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHQ4lSaKRap5HyrpitrTOhQ 

To get more resources including any freebies mentioned in this episode, head to https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod

00:00 Intro

00:47 Intentional Goal Setting

01:54 Understanding Your Subconscious Mind

04:27 How Subconscious Blocks Prevent Goal Achievement

07:18 Step 1: Converting Goals into Subconscious Language

14:05 Step 2: The 21-Day Rewiring Process

20:32 Step 3: Linking Goals to Your Subconscious Needs

28:44 Step 4: Discovering Your Personal Subconscious Needs

38:38 Why Routine & Structure Matter for Habit Formation

51:00 Removing Limiting Beliefs: The 3-Step Framework

54:27 Why Avoiding Money Actually Creates More Stress

57:19 Your 3-Minute Morning/Evening Routine

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If you’re waiting for the “right time” to invest, I need you to hear this––the right time is now. In this final part of my Personal Finance Cheat Sheet series, I’m breaking down exactly how to start investing in 2026 — step by step, without the jargon and without gatekeeping. Investing isn’t just for rich people; it’s how many people become rich, and I’m walking you through how compound interest, long-term strategy, and simple systems can help you build real wealth even if you’re starting with very little. If the stock market has felt confusing, intimidating, or downright scary, this episode will show you how to finally get off the sidelines and start making your money work for you.

To get more resources including any freebies mentioned in this episode, head to ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠

Missed an episode in our Personal Finance Cheat Sheet series? Get caught up:

The 3 Mistakes You’re Making with Your Money Resolutions (Personal Finance Cheat Sheet Pt. 1): ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/financial-feminist-show-notes/money-resolutions/⁠

How To Budget & Pay Off Debt (Personal Finance Cheat Sheet Pt. 2): ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/financial-feminist-show-notes/how-to-budget/⁠

00:00 Intro 

00:22 What Investing Really Is 

01:40 Why Investing Works Long-Term

03:00 Debunking "It's Too Confusing"

08:11 Time in the Market vs. Timing the Market

10:00 Step-by-Step Investing Roadmap

17:30 Where to Set Up Your Account

18:37 Biggest Mistakes New Investors Make

21:34 Long-Term Wins Over Short-Term Gains

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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 stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our 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

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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. 

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

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

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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

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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 & Welcome
02:15 What is “Your First $100K”?
05:07 Personal Finance is Personal
07:49 Step 1: Build an Emergency Fund
11:19 Step 2: Pay Off High-Interest Debt
15:11 Step 3: Let Your Money Work for You
19:40 Step 4: Automate Your Savings
22:30 Step 5: Don’t Do It Alone
24:53 Final Motivation & Takeaways

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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

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Today’s episode of Financial Feminist is all about unlocking what I truly believe is the easiest money you will ever make — and yes, it’s as simple and lazy-girl-friendly as it sounds. I’m breaking down the one passive income strategy that requires zero extra hours, zero new skills, and absolutely zero stress: a high-yield savings account. If you’ve ever wished you could make money while taking a nap, running errands, or sipping a drink on the beach, this episode shows you exactly how to make your existing money work harder for you, without sacrificing your already-packed schedule.

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

00:00 Intro

01:14 The Problem with Checking Accounts

02:44 Why High-Yield Savings Accounts Matter

04:21 How to Set Up and Use a HYSA

08:44 The Power of Earning Interest

09:23 Using HYSA for Emergency Funds & Goals

10:22 Overcoming Myths & Fears

12:24 Making Money Passively

14:03 Is My Money Safe?

15:10 Final Thoughts & How to Get Started

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What if pressing pause on your career was actually the smartest, most strategic move you could make? In today’s episode, I’m joined by Neha Ruch, author of The Power Pause, to challenge the myths we’ve all been fed about stay-at-home motherhood, caregiving, and career pauses. We dig into why our culture undervalues care work, how identity gets tangled up in motherhood, and what it actually looks like to take a pause. Whether you’re considering stepping back from work to raise kids, support aging parents, or simply regroup, Neha shares smart ways to protect your finances, keep your skills sharp, and eventually re-enter the workforce on your terms.

Neha’s links:Website: https://www.thepowerpause.com/ 

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

00:00 Intro & Identity and Career Breaks

01:06 Myths & Stereotypes of Stay-at-Home Motherhood

04:13 The Financial Realities of Motherhood

08:21 Identity Shifts & The Power Pause Concept

12:27 Making Career Pauses Temporary, Not Permanent

14:53 Building Skills & Staying Connected During a Pause

21:56 Validation & Measuring Success in Caregiving

28:11 Positioning a Career Pause on Your Resume

31:50 Financial Power Dynamics in Relationships

40:09 Elder Care vs. Child Care Pauses

47:04 Reentering the Workforce: Pitfalls & Strategies

49:54 What Does a Successful Power Pause Look Like?

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What happens when the life you’ve spent decades building shatters overnight? Today’s guest, Jen Hatmaker, joins me to talk about the moment everything collapsed—and how she rebuilt her identity, her faith, her confidence, and her finances from the ground up. In this deeply honest conversation, we explore what it means to wake up to your own power after betrayal, divorce, and a total life upheaval, and how taking control of your money can become the foundation for reclaiming every part of your story.

Jen’s links:

Book: https://jenhatmaker.com/awake/

Website: https://jenhatmaker.com/

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

00:00 Intro

00:54 The Story We Tell Ourselves vs. Reality

02:04 The Moment Everything Changed

04:00 Why We Ignore Red Flags

06:36 The Cost of Disruption and Divorce

09:14 Money Reckoning After Divorce

12:07 Why Women Opt Out of Finances

15:19 The Emotional Labor of Money

17:22 The First 90 Days: Financial Overwhelm

20:06 Becoming Financially Literate

22:44 From Shame to Action

25:22 Taking Ownership and Finding Safety

28:22 The Cost of Self-Erasure

31:07 What Happens When Women Have Money

34:07 Deconstructing Faith and Identity

38:42 Finding New Definitions of Church

41:18 Advice for Anyone in Upheaval

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