Money Well Studio

What do New Year’s resolutions really have in common with January gym memberships—and why do so many fail by February?

In this episode of Money Well Studio, Julie and Jennifer reframe New Year’s resolutions through the god of Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, endings, and thresholds. Rather than treating resolutions as rigid goals, they explore them as rituals—moments to pause, reflect, and design better systems for the year ahead.

The conversation traces the history of resolutions from ancient Babylon through Roman traditions, connects modern January optimism to the booming fitness industry, and unpacks why motivation alone rarely sticks. Using personal finance as a lens, they argue that failed resolutions are often a design problem, not a discipline problem—and that sustainable financial habits are built through small, repeatable systems aligned with real life.

Cocktail: The Janus

This episode’s drink is The Janus, a cocktail built in two layers—just like the god himself.

The bottom layer is darker and richer, representing the past year and the lessons we’re carrying forward.
The top layer is light, bright, and bubbly, symbolizing optimism, fresh starts, and the year ahead.

The Past (Bottom Layer)

• 1 oz aged rum or bourbon

• ½ oz pomegranate liqueur
  (or pomegranate juice with a touch of simple syrup)

• 2 dashes Angostura bitters

The Future (Top Layer)

• 1 oz prosecco or champagne

• ½ oz elderflower liqueur (St-Germain works beautifully)
  or Grand Marnier

• Lemon twist (for aroma and brightness)

1. In a shaker with ice, gently stir the Past ingredients.

2. Strain into a coupe or champagne flute.

3. Slowly top with prosecco.

4. Carefully float the elderflower liqueur on top (pour over the back of a spoon).

5. Garnish with a lemon twist or a few pomegranate arils.

What would Janus do? He’d look both ways — and sip thoughtfully.

Julie and Jennifer unwrap the holiday classic National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation to find some surprisingly timeless financial lessons—most of them learned the hard way, courtesy of Cousin Eddie. With his RV parked in the driveway and his “Jelly of the Month Club” dreams, Eddie is the ultimate cautionary tale for what not to do with money during the holidays.

Cocktail: The Burnt Toupee

🍫 Ingredients

• 4 oz rich hot chocolate (whole-milk or dairy-free, your choice)

• 1 oz bourbon or dark rum

• ½ oz crème de cacao or coffee liqueur

• ½ oz heavy cream or Irish cream (optional for decadence)

• Pinch sea salt

Garnish:

• Fresh rosemary sprig (for the burning tree)

• Small toasted marshmallow or lightly scorched cotton-candy puff (for the “toupee”)

• Cocoa powder or grated chocolate for dusting

Instructions

1. Make the base. Combine hot chocolate, bourbon, and crème de cacao in a mug or heat-proof glass. Stir well.

2. Prepare the “tree.” Light the rosemary sprig until it begins to smoke, blow it out, and rest it across the rim. (It will scent the drink like pine.)

3. Add the “toupee.” Toast a marshmallow until golden-brown or slightly singed. Skewer it and rest it over the mug, or perch it on the edge so it looks like it’s “wearing” the drink. For spectacle, you can sprinkle a drop of overproof rum on the marshmallow, light it briefly, then blow it out.

4. Dust with cocoa and serve while the smoke curls upward.

Keywords: Christmas, financial planning, Cousin Eddie, holiday budgeting, economic lessons, family traditions, holiday chaos, financial freedom, Christmas cocktails, holiday memories

Jennifer and Julie throw it back to the pastel-soaked, synth-scored world of Miami Vice, where Crockett and Tubbs fought crime in linen suits and speedboats. In this episode, they unpack how the glossy fantasies of the 1980s shaped our modern obsession with image, luxury, and comparison. They draw a straight line from the flamingo-pink excess of Miami Vice to the filtered perfection of Instagram, showing how both eras sell the same seductive myth: that wealth equals worth.

🍹 Featured Cocktail – The Mojito

Ingredients (serves one):

• 2 oz white rum (traditionally Havana Club or another light Cuban rum)

• ¾ oz fresh lime juice (about ½ lime)

• 2 tsp white sugar (or ½ oz simple syrup)

• 6–8 fresh mint leaves

• Soda water (club soda or sparkling water)

• Crushed ice

Directions:

1. Muddle mint, sugar, and lime juice gently in a tall glass—release the oils, don’t shred the leaves.

2. Add rum and stir to dissolve sugar.

3. Fill with ice.

4. Top with soda water and stir lightly.

5. Garnish with a mint sprig and lime wheel.

In this festive edition of Money Well Studio, Julie and Jennifer unwrap the surprising relationship between joy and economics, while calling out Santa Claus for being the benevolent dictator that he is.  From the frenzy of Black Friday to the quiet sentiment of a handwritten note, they explore how our seasonal spending both fuels the global economy and tests our personal finances.   

Cocktail : The Sid - Egg Nog Deluxe

This family favorite Egg Nog recipe is close to George’s original and is from the kitchen of our neighbor Sid.  The original recipe can serve an Army so I cut it down quite a bit.

Ingredients

3 eggs – separated

½ cup sugar

1 cup whole milk

1  ½ cup heavy cream

½ cup bourbon

¼ cup rum

½ cup cognac

Fresh grated nutmeg

Instructions

Beat egg yolks until think and pale (it does take a while), then gradually add the sugar.  Whisk in milk and a cup of the cream. Add in the booze stirring constantly.

Beat egg whites until stiff and fold into the mixture.

Whip remaining cream until stiff and fold into the mixture.

Sprinkle grated nutmeg on top and enjoy!  It’s stronger than you think so enjoy responsibly!

In this episode, Jennifer and Julie guide listeners through the essential steps and responsibilities that come with homeownership after closing. They discuss the importance of security measures, updating addresses, managing mortgage payments, and understanding home maintenance. The conversation also covers navigating post-closing paperwork, avoiding junk mail scams, and being aware of property taxes. With a mix of practical advice and light-hearted banter, the hosts emphasize the importance of being proactive and organized as new homeowners.

La Belle Demenage Cocktail
 -2 oz gin -1/2 a lime -0.5 ounce of St. Germain  -Tonic water

Fill a glass with ice then pour in the gin, lime, St. Germain, and tonic water. Stir 15-20 times and enjoy.

keywords

homeownership, post-closing,mortgage management, home maintenance, property taxes,

Tick-tock, it’s time to mess with your clocks! In this episode of Money Well Studio, Jennifer Lowry and Julie Black dive head-first into the wild world of Daylight Saving Time—that twice-a-year ritual that leaves us all wondering why we’re so tired and late and sometimes early for brunch.

From its quirky historical beginnings to its debated economic and social ripple effects, they unpack how we got here, who’s still arguing about it, and whether it’s time (pun intended) to finally ditch the switch. Expect sharp insights, global time-travel detours, and plenty of laughs along the way as they explore what “saving daylight” really costs.

And as always, there is a cocktail to match the episode.

Cocktail: The Arbitrary Nature of Time

1 oz rye whiskey

1 oz maraschino liqueur

1 oz Cointreau

2 big ice cubes

Orange wheel - to represent a clock

Bourbon cherry

 Pour the liqueurs in a mixing glass with one big ice cube and stir until chilled.

Pour the chilled beverage into a rocks glass with the other big ice cube, garnish with the orange wheel and cherry.  Enjoy responsibily!

Keywords: Daylight Saving Time, history, economics, productivity, timekeeping, global perspectives, humor, societal impact, future of time

In this episode of the Home Buying series, hosts Julie Black and Jennifer Lowry are joined by Charles Runnels, realtor with Compass Real Estate to discuss the emotional journey of house hunting, the importance of negotiation, and how to build a wish list that aligns with your lifestyle and budget. They cover essential topics such as the home inspection process, understanding contracts and escrow, and the closing process. The conversation emphasizes the need for introspection and realistic expectations when searching for a home, as well as the significance of building rapport with other agents during negotiations.

Takeaways

•          House hunting is an emotional rollercoaster.

•          Understanding your lifestyle needs is crucial.

•          Negotiation is key in real estate transactions.

•          Building a wish list helps clarify your priorities.

The Negotiator Cocktail

2.5 oz Rye Whiskey

3/4 oz Sweet Vermouth

2 dashes Angostura

Stir ingredients with ice to dilute, then strain into a coupe and garnish with a brandied cherry.

Keywords

#home buying, negotiation, real estate,wish list, inspection, escrow, closing process, lifestyle, mortgage, first-time buyers

We are breaking in from our regular Home Buying Series to bring you a topical topic on the Federal Reserve.

In this episode of Money Well Studio, hosts Jennifer and Julie explore the Federal Reserve's role in the economy, discussing its structure, functions, and the impact of its decisions on interest rates and mortgage rates. They explain the complexities of the Fed funds rate, the relationship between Fed actions and market expectations, and how inflation and employment play into the Fed's balancing act. The conversation is light-hearted yet informative, making economic concepts accessible to listeners.

In this episode of Money Well Studio, hosts Jennifer Lowry and Julie Black continue their Home Buying Series with a deep dive into the role of real estate agents. From their historical roots to the modern-day challenges of commissions and representation, the duo unpacks why agents matter and how to choose the right one. Listeners will learn the difference between agents and REALTORS®, why the right agent can boost both financial outcomes and emotional confidence, and how to navigate the recent changes in commission structures following the Burnett case.

With practical tips, candid conversations, and a reminder that “a great agent is worth every penny,” this episode equips buyers with the knowledge they need to ask the right questions, negotiate fees, and find an advocate who will guide them through the ups and downs of the buying journey.

✨ Perfect for: First-time homebuyers, seasoned movers, or anyone curious about what really happens behind the scenes when you work with an agent.

🥂 "The Open House Spritz"

Ingredients:

·       1.5 oz Aperol

·       1 oz elderflower liqueur (like St-Germain)

·       3 oz Prosecco

·       1 oz soda water

·       Cucumber ribbon and orange twist for garnish

Instructions:

1.     Fill a wine glass with ice.

2.    Add Aperol andelderflower liqueur.

3.    Top with Prosecco andsoda water.

4.    Gently stir.

5.    Garnish with a cucumber ribbon and orange twist.

keywords:home buying, real estate agents, home buying process, finding an agent, real estate commissions, home ownership, buying a home, real estate market, agent benefits, home buying tips

From Dreams to Doorways—Let’s Get You Home.

In this kickoff to our Money Well Studio Home Buying Series, hosts Jennifer  and Julie unpack the emotional highs and financial must-knows of purchasing a home. Whether you're a first-time buyer or just need a refresher, this episode is your real estate roadmap—with practical advice, financial planning tips, and a little inspiration along the way.

We’re talking everything from prepping your finances and choosing the right mortgage, to understanding why celebrating each milestone matters.

🍸 Cocktail of the Episode: “The French 75”
A special shoutout to our good friend De Hansen, a proud member of the Roosevelt Room’s Presidents Club, for suggesting the perfect celebratory sip for this episode: the classic French 75. It's effervescent, elegant, and just fancy enough to toast your future home.

Recipe:

1 oz. Gin

0.5 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice

2 oz. Champagne (we recommend Brut)

Combine Gin, simple syrup, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously to chill thoroughly and distribute the lemon juice.

Pour into a flute or coupe glass and top with Champagne.

Garnish with a lemon twist and serve.

PODCAST NOTES:

- Clarifies, The FHA stands for the Federal Housing Administration, not Association. Jennifer mispoke