What does retirement really look like? Spoiler alert: it’s not all white sand beaches and 4 p.m. tee times. Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on how Americans retire. Not in theory, but in practice.

On the most recent episode of Your Money Map, our weekly show with the Alliance for Lifetime Income, we sit down with Wall Street Journal reporters Veronica Dagher and Anne Tergesen to talk about their series: “The Way We Retire Now.”

If you like this episode and want more, check out all of our Your Money Map episodes at protectedincome.org/your-money-map/ or tune in live every Wednesday at 12 PM ET on Facebook or LinkedIn.

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This week, we're getting real about financial independence and why it doesn’t have to mean deprivation. Jean sits down with JL Collins, the “Godfather of Financial Independence,” to talk about the relaunch of his bestselling book The Simple Path to Wealth: Your Road Map to Financial Independence and a Rich, Free Life. In a world of rising prices, economic anxiety, and market volatility, does the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement still work? JL says yes.

If you've ever wondered whether financial independence is realistic for you or how to start moving toward it (even slowly), this episode is for you. We’re talking index funds, cash cushions, mindset shifts, and how to build resilience when you’re inundated with questionable financial advice.

Resources and Links:

JL Collins' Blog

The Simple Path to Wealth (2025 Edition)

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In this special AMA Mailbag episode, Jean dives into your most pressing retirement questions with listeners Pam and Laurie. 

First up, Pam, who inherited an IRA from her late mother, wonders whether to cash it out or invest it for the long haul. Then we hear from Laurie, a military spouse navigating what to do with her husband's TSP now that he’s out of the service. Should they roll it over? Keep it where it is? And what’s the best way for a newly self-employed woman to start saving for retirement on her own terms?

💡 Topics Covered:

How to make the most of an inherited IRA

The emotional power of planning small financial “gifts” from loved ones

Smart investment choices for idle HSA funds

What to know before moving a TSP into a rollover IRA

Retirement saving strategies for freelancers and the self-employed

… Does more financial confidence sound good to you, then you might want to try: 

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📈 InvestingFixx – HerMoney’s investing club for women who are ready to learn market lingo, and grow their wealth. Your first month with us is completely free! 

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This week, we're digging into one of the most pressing financial crises of our time: student loans. After a five-year pause, the Trump administration has officially restarted collections on defaulted federal student loans, and millions of borrowers could soon face wage garnishment, reduced Social Security benefits, and even hits to their credit scores.

Joining us is Jillian Berman, author of the groundbreaking new book, Sunk Cost: Who’s to Blame for the Nation’s Broken Student Loan System and How to Fix It. Jillian takes us behind the headlines, breaks down who is most at risk, and how to get your payments back on track if you’re in default. 

Resources & Links:

🚀 ⁠FinanceFixx⁠ – Our 4 or 8-week coaching program to get your finances on track! 

📈 ⁠InvestingFixx⁠ – A club for women ready to grow their wealth. Your first month is completely free.

StudentAid.gov – Check your loan status, repayment options, and servicer info.

Sunk Cost by Jillian Berman

More from Jillian Berman on MarketWatch

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Motherhood is personal and more than a little bit complicated. And today, we’re diving deep into the emotional and financial complexities of modern motherhood with journalist and author of The Mother Code: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Myths That Shape Us, Ruthie Ackerman. Ruthie’s journey includes freezing her eggs in her 30s, navigating a divorce, and ultimately becoming a mother at 43 through donor eggs.

But her story is about much more than biology—it’s about breaking timelines, challenging societal expectations, and rewriting what it means to live a full, intentional life…with or without children.

Looking for more financial confidence?

🚀 FinanceFixx – Our 4 or 8-week coaching program to get your finances on track! 

📈 InvestingFixx – A club for women ready to grow their wealth. Your first month is completely free.

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On today’s episode, Jean is sitting down with the brilliant Rachel Rodgers — bestselling author, CEO of Hello Seven, and mom of four — to talk about how we can help the next generation not just survive, but truly thrive.

Rachel shares her fresh, practical roadmap for helping young people build wealth early: from learning to dream big (million-dollar big!) to teaching them the language of money, investing their earnings, and embracing an entrepreneurial mindset. We dive into why just "getting a job" isn't enough anymore, how to help Gen Z overcome financial stress, and why every kid should think like an owner and investor.

Looking for more financial confidence?

🚀 FinanceFixx – Our 4 or 8-week coaching program to get your finances on track! 

📈 InvestingFixx – A club for women ready to grow their wealth. Your first month is completely free.

Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at [email protected]. While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe!

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In this AMA Mailbag episode, Jean sits down with two thoughtful guests navigating major financial crossroads. First up is Dawn from Joshua Tree, who is in the process of closing her beloved but unprofitable gift shop. Then we hear from Karyn in Washington, who owns a rental home in Denver and is torn between keeping it as an investment or selling it while market conditions are strong.

💡 Topics Covered:

… Does more financial confidence sounds good to you, then you might want to try: 

🚀 FinanceFixx – HerMoney’s 4 or 8-week Money Makeover financial coaching program that will help you get your finances on track! 

📈 InvestingFixx – HerMoney’s investing club for women who are ready to learn market lingo, and grow their wealth. Your first month with us is completely free! 

Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at [email protected].  While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe!

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This week, we’re diving into a topic that’s on everyone’s mind right now—layoffs. Whether you’ve seen the headlines, heard the whispers in your own company, or been directly affected, the truth is: layoffs are on the rise again, and you need to know how to prepare for them.

Our guest today, Peter Rahbar, is an employment attorney and workplace issues expert. He explains your post-layoff legal rights, offers practical career tips, and shares the most important mindset shift that can help you bounce back better than ever.

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In this special Mailbag episode, we welcome back personal finance expert Dana Miranda, author of You Don’t Need a Budget, to tackle your most pressing money questions. From navigating early retirement goals to rebuilding credit post-divorce to whether or not you can justify your boutique Pilates membership, we’re getting real about money, self-care, and financial freedom.

Mailbag Questions:

01:00 “I’m 58, burnt out, and want to retire early; is $200k saved enough?”

07:00 “Should I use my 401(k) to pay off $70K in debt?”

13:00 “Can I afford to work part-time post-divorce, or do I need to look for a full-time job?”

20:00 “I make $180k and have 2 kids, is $200 a month too much for a gym membership?”

Looking for more financial confidence?

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Do you really need a budget to manage your money? Or is it time to delete the apps, toss the spreadsheets, and rethink everything?

Today, we’re sitting down with Dana Miranda, author of the bold new book You Don’t Need a Budget: Stop Worrying About Debt, Spend Without Shame, and Manage Money With Ease. Together, she and Jean dig into why traditional “budget culture” can be just as toxic as diet culture and a more intuitive, values-based approach we can use instead.

Looking for more financial confidence?

Have a question for us? Write to us (or send us a voice note!) at [email protected].  While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe!

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