The high cost of healthcare is not something many of us think about--unless we become seriously sick. Olivia was shocked to be diagnosed with cancer at the age of 34. The New York City-based small business owner received over a million dollars in treatment and was left with thousands of dollars in medical bills, despite having health insurance. To help Olivia and others struggling with debt from medical care, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez sits down with Marshall Allen, an investigative journalist at ProPublica and author of the new book Never Pay the First Bill: And Other Ways to Fight the Health Care System and Win, to discuss how to best navigate America’s costly and complex healthcare system.

If, like Olivia, you have a money story or question to share, you can send us an email at money.confidential@realsimple.com. You can also leave us a voicemail at ‪(929) 352-4106‬.
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I had cancer at 34 and now I’m trying to pay off thousands of dollars in medical bills.

Money Confidential, a new podcast from Real Simple, explores the many aspects of money: making it, saving it, investing it, giving it, spending it and—sometimes, hardest of all—talking about it. Each week, Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez, a nationally recognized money expert, delves into your (confidential) money problems and delivers smart, practical, and completely doable solutions that will help you work toward your ultimate financial goals. She cuts through the confusion of investing beyond your 401(k), eases the overwhelming pressure of paying off student debt while saving for the future, and even tackles the stress that comes with mixing money and relationships (Is it really OK to keep money secrets from your partner?!). This is the place to come for real talk about money—and real solutions that actually work.

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Self-Improvement

This week we meet a 38-year-old father based in Queens, New York, who has spent tens of thousands of dollars on home repairs and renovations over the past two years. Frustrated by all the time and money he’s spent on a place that isn’t his family’s forever home, our listener asks: Should we sell and move elsewhere, even though we’ve only lived in our place for two years? Host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez turns to full-time real estate investor, J Scott, for answers.

For more info visit realsimple.com/moneyconfidentialpodcast
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Encore: The #1 Thing You Should Ask Yourself Before You Buy a Home

Buying your first home is already a major money milestone—but having to do it on your own in an uncertain housing market can make it feel even more overwhelming. In this episode, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez interviews real estate expert and mortgage lender Nicole Rueth about how to navigate the home-buying process as a single person - including the options and alternatives available to single buyers who fear being priced out of this hot housing market.

For more info visit realsimple.com/moneyconfidentialpodcast

Money Confidential is produced by:
Stefanie O'Connell Rodriguez
Mickey O'Connor - Senior Editorial Director, Real Simple
Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer
Jenny Snyder - Audio Producer
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Encore: How Can I Afford to Buy a House as a Single Person?

This week we’re revisiting conversations we’ve had with four past expert guests about the most common things people overlook when purchasing a home, as well as all the hidden costs of homeownership – to help you prepare for one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make - buying a home.

For more info visit realsimple.com/moneyconfidentialpodcast
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Encore: How to Buy a House – Without Regretting It

Real estate prices are extremely high, and now mortgage rates are also rising. Has first-time homeownership ever felt more out of reach? On this week’s episode, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodriguez talks to Dr. Daryl Fairweather, chief economist at real estate brokerage Redfin, about what today’s housing market means for prospective buyers, plus whether it makes more sense to buy or rent right now.
For more info visit realsimple.com/moneyconfidentialpodcast

Money Confidential is produced by:
Stefanie O'Connell Rodriguez
Mickey O'Connor - Senior Editorial Director, Real Simple
Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer
Jenny Snyder - Audio Producer
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Encore: I Want to Buy a Home. Will Home Prices Ever Return to Normal?

Is it possible to take on major financial responsibilities such as buying a new home while you’re still paying down debt? Is now even a good time to buy a home? This week’s guest, a 39-year-old aspiring homeowner living in Iowa City, Iowa, is struggling with whether t homeownership is right for her because of these questions and more. For advice, host Stefanie O’Connell Rodrgiuez turns to author Mindy Jensen, who is also the host of The Bigger Pockets money podcast and a licensed real estate agent.

For more info visit realsimple.com/moneyconfidentialpodcast
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I had cancer at 34 and now I’m trying to pay off thousands of dollars in medical bills.

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