Investing your money is one of the most powerful ways to build wealth—but before you even buy your first stock, you’re faced with one of the biggest questions: Which investing platform should you choose? Should you go with a financial advisor? Trust a robo-advisor to do the work for you? Or should you DIY your investments through an all-in-one platform? Each option has its own set of pros, cons, and hidden pitfalls—and I’m breaking it all down for you in this episode.

Today, I’ll walk you through the three main investing routes, expose the sneaky fees that could cost you thousands (or even hundreds of thousands) over time, and help you decide which option is the best fit for you. Plus, I’ll share my personal recommendations, including the platform I don’t recommend for most people. Stick around to the end, and I’ll give you my favorite tool for getting started—without the stress, confusion, or financial bro jargon. 

How to Plan for a Recession:

https://herfirst100k.com/financial-feminist-show-notes/plan-for-recession/

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Grief is something we all experience, yet no one really prepares us for how to handle it—or how to support others going through it. And here’s the thing: grief isn’t just about losing a loved one. It can come from a breakup, losing a job, or even mourning the life you thought you’d have. In today’s episode, I sit down with Carla Fernandez, co-founder of The Dinner Party and author of Renegade Grief: A Guide to the Wild Ride of Life After Loss, to talk about what grief really looks like, why loneliness makes it harder, and how we can build stronger communities to support ourselves and others through loss. We also dive into something that doesn’t get talked about enough—the financial impact of grief—and why having a plan in place is one of the greatest acts of love you can give your family.

This conversation is honest, raw, and surprisingly hopeful. Carla’s insights will shift the way you think about grief, loneliness, and community care, whether you’re navigating loss yourself or supporting someone who is.

Carla’s Links:

Website: carlafernandez.co

Order Renegade Grief: carlafernandez.co/renegadegrief

The Dinner Party: https://www.thedinnerparty.org/

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

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Divorce can be one of the most emotionally and financially challenging experiences of a person’s life. And yet––so many of us walk into marriage without truly understanding the financial implications of merging (and potentially untangling) our lives. In this episode, I sit down with photographer, entrepreneur, and coach Kristin Sweeting, who openly shares her story of getting divorced at 29, the financial mistakes she made, and how she rebuilt her wealth from the ground up. We’re talking about everything from the hidden costs of divorce to why prenups should be a standard practice—and the crucial financial steps every person should take before (and during) marriage. Whether you're married, single, or somewhere in between, this episode is packed with financial lessons. 

Kristin’s Links:

Website: https://kristinsweeting.com/

Study Abroad Programs: https://dangerschool.com/study-abroad

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

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Tori answers questions about all things credit cards –– including how to choose the right one for your lifestyle, how many credit cards you should have, how to use a credit card responsibly, and getting to know and utilize your rewards system.

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

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What happens when you lose control over the very thing that defines you—your voice, your art, your career? That’s exactly what JoJo faced after signing her first record deal at just 12 years old. A child prodigy turned global pop sensation, JoJo’s career skyrocketed before she found herself locked in a restrictive contract, unable to release new music and legally fighting for her own voice. But instead of letting the industry silence her, she fought back—re-recording her early albums, going independent, and even taking on Broadway.

In this episode, JoJo gets real about the highs and lows of her journey, from navigating the brutal music industry to discovering the power of financial freedom. She shares how reclaiming ownership of her art was one of the most empowering moves of her career, how Broadway changed the way she prepares for performances, and why money has been the key to making decisions from a place of power—not fear. If you’ve ever felt stuck, underestimated, or unsure of how to take control of your future, JoJo’s story is proof that resilience and self-worth can change everything.

Thank you to our friends at Spotify, where we recorded this episode live in their NYC studios!

JoJo’s Links:

Website: https://www.iamjojoofficial.com/

Over the Influence: A Memoir: https://www.iamjojoofficial.com/overtheinfluence

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

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The US throws away more food than any other country in the world - over 80 billion pounds per year, with each American throwing out an estimated 30% of the food they purchase. This alarming fact is what propelled today’s guest to create a cookbook & community dedicated to showing people how to transform commonly wasted foods into delicious recipes.

Carleigh Bodrug is the CEO and Founder of PlantYou, a New York Times Bestselling cookbook author, and self-taught plant-based chef famous for her simple take on low-waste and vegan recipes. In this special replay episode she and Tori dive into the topic of reducing food waste and saving money on groceries, with Carleigh sharing her expertise on how to make the most out of ingredients, minimize waste, and maximize flavor, all while sticking to a budget. From innovative recipe ideas to practical tips for utilizing kitchen scraps, this conversation offers valuable insights for anyone looking to eat more sustainably and economically.

Carleigh's Links:

Scrappy Cookbook

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

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Job searching is never easy, but for women, the challenges can be even greater—lowball salary offers, confidence gaps, and workplaces still steeped in outdated norms. That’s why I brought on today’s guest, Malia Razzaia, Executive Director of Dress For Success Seattle, to break it all down. Malia has spent years helping women navigate career transitions, salary negotiations, and the systemic barriers that still hold us back. In this episode, we dive into the biggest mistakes women make when job hunting, how to confidently advocate for yourself, and why financial independence isn’t about luxury—it’s about having the power to make choices. Whether you’re actively job searching or just want to future-proof your career, this conversation is full of game-changing advice.

Malia’s Links:

Dress for Success website: dfsseattle.org

Find your local Dress For Success chapter: dressforsuccess.org

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

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Today’s guest probably needs no introduction, because I’m sure you’ve heard of him. The Points Guy, aka Brian Kelly, is joining us live in studio to talk about how he transformed his love for travel and financial management into a platform that helps millions of people around the world. We dive into everything from how reward programs have evolved over the years to the big changes the travel industry has seen since 2010.

In this interview he shares personal stories—especially how he navigated the stress of the 2008 financial crisis—and tons of practical tips for anyone looking to choose the right travel credit cards and maximize points and miles. We also cover common travel challenges like jet lag and flying with kids (something I know many of us have struggled with!).

Beyond that, we chat about how to be strategic with your travel bookings, why booking directly through the airline can often be better than using OTAs, and why travel insurance is such a lifesaver. If you’re hoping to get more bang for your buck (or points) the next time you take a trip, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

Special thanks to Spotify for letting us film this episode in their Spotify Studios in NYC!

Brian’s Links:

Website: https://thepointsguy.com/

How to Win at Travel: https://thepointsguy.com/book/

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

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College students or parents, friends of college students, if you're trying to graduate debt-free, or if you're trying to become financially literate, this is the episode for you! In this episode, I’m talking to teen activist and nonprofit founder, Cherie Animashaun, about all things scholarships, saving, investing, and carving out a life you love—especially when the world expects you to have it all figured out by graduation. I believe money is our best form of protest, and Cherie’s determined to help young women rise into leadership by making financial literacy and personal development more accessible. We’re talking top scholarship tips, how to juggle side hustles, balancing your own needs with service to others, and so much more. If your goal is to graduate debt-free, build wealth, and still leave room for your passions, you’ve found the right episode!

Cherie’s Links:

Website: https://her-rising.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/her.risingg/

Her Rising Compass Journal: https://shopherrising.com/

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

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If you’ve been struggling to break free from credit card debt––you’re in the right place. In this episode, I’m diving deep into one of the most commonly requested topics: the ins and outs of credit card debt. We’ll uncover how sneaky interest rates can chip away at your hard-earned money every single day and explore powerful strategies to help you tackle that high-interest debt so you can finally breathe easy. As someone who’s dedicated to helping women save money, invest, and feel financially confident, I firmly believe that understanding your debt is the first crucial step in breaking free from it. When we take back control of our finances, we collectively fight the patriarchy—by making ourselves richer, savvier, and fully in control of our money. 

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

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