Money Unscripted | Personal finance podcast

Student loans. Car loans. Mortgages. Credit cards. There are a lot of ways debt can pile up. Fast. On this episode of Money Unscripted, we talk with Sheyna, who shares how she got control of her finances and paid off $45,000 of debt. Host Ally Donnelly also sits down with Fidelity Financial Consultant Mark Greenfield to learn strategies we can all use to help pay down debt, curb spending, and set ourselves up for the future.

Budget & Debt Calculators: https://www.fidelity.com/calculators-tools/budgeting-debt-management  

How I paid off over $40,000 in debt: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/how-I-paid-off-debt  

 View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. 

New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. 

Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]. 

Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted!  

© 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. 

Does your company offer an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP)? If so, it could be a way to save for a new house, your child’s education, or build your retirement nest egg—all while investing in your company. Money Unscripted host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity pro Emily Cervino walk through the potential advantages, crunch the numbers, and break down the tax implications behind this often-overlooked workplace benefit. Watch now.

Invest in your work and your future with an ESPP: https://www.fidelity.com/go/stock-plan-services/employee-stock-purchase-plans

6 employee stock plan mistakes to avoid: https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/personal-finance/stock-plan-mistakes-to-avoid

View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted.

New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays.

Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected].

Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted!

© 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

So, you’re investing in your 401(k) or other retirement accounts. Awesome. But maybe you're ready for more. That's how Irene Li, owner of Mei Mei Dumplings, was feeling. She has a brokerage account but wants to learn more so she can invest with confidence. On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity’s Leanna Devinney walk us through the flexibility and potential benefits of a brokerage account. They explain how asset allocation, diversification, and tax-smart strategies can help you try and grow your money and reach your goals. 

Investing beyond your 401(k): https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/trading-investing/taxable-brokerage-account

6 ways busy people can help build their wealth: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/how-to-build-wealth

View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. 

New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. 

Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]. 

Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted!  

© 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. 

How can you save and invest to live the life you want now and in the future? On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity’s Gina Gillespie look at ways to leverage your investments while maximizing your saving. From setting clear goals and spending intentionally to leaning into tax-advantaged accounts and automating your savings, they cover key steps to help you become a super saver.

4 keys to an effective, dynamic savings strategy: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/wealth-management-insights/four-keys-dynamic-spending-strategy

Is financial independence possible? https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/financial-independence-retire-early-FIRE

View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. 

New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. 

Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]. 

Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted!  

© 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. 

You earn money. But how can you build wealth? On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity Financial Consultant Dani Braun, talk through ways to create your own financial blueprint. From defining your goals and establishing emergency savings to building a portfolio and leveraging tax-smart investing strategies, see how you can draft a solid plan.

4 keys to an effective, dynamic savings strategy: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/wealth-management-insights/four-keys-dynamic-spending-strategy 

5 small steps that can make a big impact: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/money-management 

View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. 

New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. 

Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]. 

Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted!  

© 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. 

College: It’s the number one savings priority for parents, according to the Fidelity 2024 College Savings Indicator Study. Yet, families are only on track to cover 30% of the expected costs.  

It’s why, on this episode of the Money Unscripted podcast, we’re taking a deep dive into 529 plans. How do these flexible, tax-advantaged accounts work? Who can contribute? What kind of expenses do they cover? And what happens if your child doesn’t go to college? Join host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity’s Cory Latham as they hit the books to help you try and ace your college savings plan. Watch now. 

College savings calculator: https://www.fidelity.com/misc/college-savings/college_savings.html

Check out Fidelity’s hub for all things college planning: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/life-events/prepare-for-college

View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted.

New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays.

Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected].

Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted!

© 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

Retirement looks different for everyone. Maybe you want to grab your passport and see everything. Maybe you want to grab a beach chair and do nothing. Whatever your goals, there are key questions to ask yourself before you take the leap. Who are you planning for? What do you want your retirement to look like? And are you on track to meet your goals? On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity’s Andy Alvarez get to the heart of planning your retirement income, setting a realistic budget, and strategies to help you make your savings last. Watch now. 

Retirement strategies for every age: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/retirement-strategies 

Preparing for and living in retirement: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/retirement/planning-your-retirement 

View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted?ccsource=p_PodDir_031125. 

New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. 

Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]. 

Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted!  

© 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. 

This year, you can save more in your 401(k) than ever before. Contribution limits are up–and there’s a new super catch-up contribution for older workers. Watch this episode of the Money Unscripted podcast as host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity’s Kirsten Hunter Peterson share a rundown of the numbers, the facts about employer matches, and strategies to try and super charge your savings. Watch now.

How much should I contribute to my 401(k)? https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/how-much-should-i-contribute-to-my-401k

Investing beyond your 401(k): https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/trading-investing/taxable-brokerage-account

View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted

New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays.

Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected].

Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted!

© 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

Did you make too much money to contribute to a Roth IRA last year? Good news: There are new income limits in 2025 that could allow you to contribute more. So, what are the new limits? How much can you contribute? What are the potential tax benefits of a Roth? And how do your savings stack up against other people your age? For strategies to help you boost your retirement savings, watch this episode of Money Unscripted with host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity’s Rita Assaf.

How much should I contribute to my 401(k)? https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/how-much-should-i-contribute-to-my-401k

Investing beyond your 401(k): https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/trading-investing/taxable-brokerage-account

View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted

New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays.

Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected].

Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted!

© 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

To help you start the new year strong, check out our year-end financial checklist. Join Money Unscripted host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity’s Leanna Devinney to see how to make the most of your 401(k), how to stay on top of HSA contribution limits and deadlines, and how to master strategies like tax-loss harvesting.

6 year-end deadlines to know: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/year-end-money-deadlines

5 tax moves to consider before year-end: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/yearend-tax-planning-2023

What is an HSA and how does it work? https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted/hsa

Roth IRAs -- What to know: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted/roth-IRA

View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted  

Have a comment or episode idea? Email us at [email protected]. 

New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. 

Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted!  

© 2024 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.