Real Money, Real Life ®

What is financial trauma, and how can it affect the way you handle money today? On the Real Money, Real Life® podcast, Linda Grizely and financial therapist Rachel Duncan look at why overspending, money avoidance, fear, or extreme caution may have a deeper history than a lack of discipline.

Financial trauma can develop when a distressing experience involving money leaves a lasting effect on how you respond to financial situations. Your mind and body may continue trying to protect you even when the original danger is long gone.

Why can you know exactly what you "should" do with money and still struggle to do it? Why might having money, spending money, opening a bank account, or making a financial decision trigger such a strong response?

Linda Grizely and Rachel discuss financial trauma, impulse spending, money avoidance, hypervigilance, fear, nervous-system responses, and the role shame can play in keeping patterns stuck. Rachel also explains how financial therapy helps people understand the history beneath their behavior and create new experiences with money.

Understanding where a money behavior came from does not remove responsibility. It can replace shame with the awareness and choice needed to change it.

💡 We talk about:

• Recognize signs that a money behavior may have a deeper history
• Understand why financial literacy and willpower are not always enough
• Notice emotional and physical triggers behind impulse spending or money avoidance
• Begin changing your relationship with money without adding more shame

🎤 Send Linda Your Money Question https://www.speakpipe.com/rmrl

🕒 Timestamps

(00:00) What financial trauma can look like in everyday money behavior (01:57) How art therapy and financial therapy work together (03:32) Why traditional financial advice does not work for everyone (04:37) Why more financial information is not always the answer (05:06) Why willpower alone cannot change money behavior (06:44) What is financial trauma? (08:01) How money can become associated with danger (10:28) Financial stress versus financial trauma (11:51) Can financial trauma come from one event or years of instability? (13:06) How "I'm bad with money" can become a protective belief (14:50) Signs financial trauma may still be affecting you (15:16) Physical and emotional responses to money (16:54) Overspending, hypervigilance, and money hoarding (18:13) Why having money can make some people uncomfortable (19:45) Emotions that can trigger impulse spending (20:12) Using spending to soothe stress and meet immediate needs (21:22) How to interrupt an impulse-spending pattern (23:11) Reflecting on what happened instead of adding more shame (24:48) The temporary relief that spending can provide (25:03) Fear, safety, and financial decision-making (26:30) Healthy financial caution versus fear-based restriction (26:47) Learning to tolerate discomfort around money (29:54) What actually happens in financial therapy (30:52) Understanding your life story with money (33:46) One exercise to start changing your relationship with money (34:00) Using "part of me" to separate yourself from a money belief (35:09) Who Rachel Duncan works with (35:47) Where to find Rachel Duncan (36:12) Replacing money shame with awareness and choice

🔗 Connect with Rachel

Website: https://www.moneyhealingclub.com Podcast: https://www.moneyhealingclub.com/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moneyhealingclub/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelduncanfinancialtherapist/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themoneyhealingclub Substack: https://rachelduncanfinancialtherapy.substack.com

Resources: https://www.moneyhealingclub.com/challenge

Rachel's 7-Day Mindful Spending Email Course includes daily mindfulness prompts designed to help people experience a calmer way of spending.

🔗 Connect with Linda

Website: https://www.LindaGriz.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindagrizely Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelindagrizely LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-grizely YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LindaGrizely TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lindagrizely Resources: https://www.lindagriz.com/resources

ℹ️ Disclosures

Real Money, Real Life® is hosted & produced by Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC. Linda Grizely, CFP®, is an Investment Adviser Representative of Nectarine Financial, Inc., an SEC-registered investment adviser. Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC is separate from & unaffiliated w/ Nectarine. The views expressed on this podcast are those of the individuals expressing them & do not necessarily reflect the views of Linda Grizely, Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC, or Nectarine. Guests may express opinions or discuss strategies that are their own & should not be considered recommendations or personalized advice. This podcast is provided for informational, educational, & entertainment purposes only & should not be construed as personalized investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities or financial products. Listeners should consult their own financial, legal, or tax professionals regarding their specific situation. For additional disclosures, please visit: https://hellonectarine.com & https://www.lindagriz.com/disclaimers

How do you manage your time and money when you already feel overwhelmed? On the Real Money, Real Life® podcast, Linda Grizely and time management expert Megan Sumrell look at why the same problems can show up with both: unrealistic plans, limited resources, guilt, avoidance, and the constant feeling that you are behind.

The answer is not to squeeze more into your day or force yourself into a stricter system. It is to build a realistic plan around the time and resources you actually have.

Why does your to-do list keep growing even when you are constantly busy? And what would happen if you treated unexpected demands on your calendar the way you would treat unexpected expenses?

Linda Grizely and Megan break down the idea of a "time emergency fund," time debt, recurring responsibilities, decision fatigue, email overload, and understanding your real weekly capacity. They also discuss why making time for yourself matters and why your worth is not measured by how productive you are.

Managing time and managing money both require trade-offs. A realistic plan starts by seeing where your resources already go and making intentional choices from there.

💡 We talk about:

• Manage time and money around your actual capacity
• Create a "time emergency fund" for unexpected demands
• Recognize how to-do lists can create time debt
• Make room for yourself without tying your worth to productivity

🎤 Send Linda Your Money Question https://www.speakpipe.com/rmrl

🕒 Timestamps

(00:00) Why managing time and money can feel so similar (02:05) How Megan became a time management expert (03:08) The moment Megan realized she had disappeared from her own life (05:14) Turning chaos into harmony with time and money (06:16) Why traditional planning systems often fail women (07:10) Why unrealistic schedules fail like unrealistic budgets (09:02) How to create a "time emergency fund" (10:37) How much unexpected time do you really need each week? (11:45) Setting aside time before you know how you will spend it (13:41) How to budget your calendar without making it rigid (14:41) Why a to-do list hides your true capacity (15:38) How unfinished tasks create "time debt" (16:46) How to schedule email and messages (18:30) How constant email checking consumes your time (20:34) Why weekly planning can save time instead of creating more work (22:15) How a plan can reduce decision fatigue (24:05) What self-care actually means (26:09) Finding things you enjoy just for yourself (29:27) Making time for yourself without guilt (29:55) Why a time audit works like tracking your spending (31:17) Why your worth is not tied to productivity (33:20) A simple way to start planning more realistically (34:20) The recurring tasks quietly consuming your time (35:48) How to understand your real time budget (37:29) Why time and money management are so similar (37:39) Who Megan helps with time management (38:19) Where to find Megan Sumrell (39:05) Why you cannot build a calm life on a schedule that ignores you

🔗 Connect with Megan

Website: https://www.thepinkbee.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megansumrell/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the_pink_bee Resources: The Pink Bee app, available in Google Play and the App Store

🔗 Connect with Linda

Website: https://www.LindaGriz.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindagrizely Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelindagrizely LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-grizely YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LindaGrizely TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lindagrizely Resources: https://www.lindagriz.com/resources

ℹ️ Disclosures

Real Money, Real Life® is hosted & produced by Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC. Linda Grizely, CFP®, is an Investment Adviser Representative of Nectarine Financial, Inc., an SEC-registered investment adviser. Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC is separate from & unaffiliated w/ Nectarine. The views expressed on this podcast are those of the individuals expressing them & do not necessarily reflect the views of Linda Grizely, Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC, or Nectarine. Guests may express opinions or discuss strategies that are their own & should not be considered recommendations or personalized advice. This podcast is provided for informational, educational, & entertainment purposes only & should not be construed as personalized investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities or financial products. Listeners should consult their own financial, legal, or tax professionals regarding their specific situation. For additional disclosures, please visit: https://hellonectarine.com & https://www.lindagriz.com/disclaimers

Financial stress doesn't stay at home when you go to work. It can affect your focus, confidence, career decisions, and even the opportunities you're willing to pursue.

On Real Money, Real Life®, Linda Grizely, CFP®, answers a listener's question: How does our personal relationship with money affect us at work, and what can we do about it?

The answer goes beyond how much money you earn. Your money history, money personality, financial responsibilities, and sense of security can influence how you respond to workplace uncertainty and make decisions about your career.

Linda explains why two employees can experience the same workplace situation very differently, how financial pressure can show up in behavior, and why a bigger paycheck doesn't always resolve the underlying stress.

You'll also hear practical ways to identify what's creating your financial pressure, work with your money personality, and discover employee benefits you may already have access to but aren't using.

Whether you're an employee making career decisions or a leader trying to understand your people, recognizing the connection between money and work is an important place to start.

💡 We talk about:

• How personal financial stress affects focus, behavior, and career decisions
• Why your money personality influences how you handle workplace uncertainty
• How to recognize whether financial pressure is driving a job or salary decision
• Where to find financial wellness resources through your employer

🕒 Timestamps

(00:00) Why financial stress follows you to work

(01:42) How does your relationship with money affect your job?

(03:40) The hidden signs of financial stress at work

(05:48) How money history and personality shape decisions

(07:32) Five money personalities facing workplace uncertainty

(12:35) Why income and financial well-being are not the same

(16:08) Research on employee financial stress and productivity

(17:52) Why workplace behavior doesn't tell the whole story

(19:28) What financial problem are you asking your career to solve?

(22:31) How to identify and address financial pressure

(25:26) Employee assistance programs and overlooked benefits

(27:24) Why financial education doesn't always lead to action

(30:00) One practical step to take with your workplace benefits

(32:06) How to submit your money question

📊 Research Mentioned

Morgan Stanley at Work, 2026 State of the Workplace Financial Benefits Study:

https://www.morganstanley.com/atwork/articles/state-of-workplace-financial-benefits-study

🎤 Send Linda Your Money Question

Have a money question you've been Googling, avoiding, or overthinking? Leave a voice message, and your question may become the topic of a future Real Money, Real Life® episode.

https://www.speakpipe.com/rmrl

💰 Find Your Money Personality

Discover more about your natural tendencies with money. Find the money personality quiz on Linda's website.

https://www.lindagriz.com

🔗 CONNECT WITH LINDA

Website: https://www.LindaGriz.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindagrizely

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelindagrizely

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-grizely

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LindaGrizely

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lindagrizely

Resources: https://www.lindagriz.com/resources

🎤 WORKPLACE FINANCIAL WELLNESS SPEAKING

Bring the conversation about financial stress, employee behavior, and workplace performance to your organization. https://www.lindagriz.com/speaking

ℹ️ DISCLOSURES

Real Money, Real Life® is hosted & produced by Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC. Linda Grizely, CFP®, is an Investment Adviser Representative of Nectarine Financial, Inc., an SEC-registered investment adviser. Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC is separate from & unaffiliated w/ Nectarine. The views expressed on this podcast are those of the individuals expressing them & do not necessarily reflect the views of Linda Grizely, Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC, or Nectarine. Guests may express opinions or discuss strategies that are their own & should not be considered recommendations or personalized advice. This podcast is provided for informational, educational, & entertainment purposes only & should not be construed as personalized investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities or financial products. Listeners should consult their own financial, legal, or tax professionals regarding their specific situation. For additional disclosures, please visit: https://hellonectarine.com & https://www.lindagriz.com/disclaimers

How can women prepare for the Great Wealth Transfer before the money actually arrives? On the Real Money, Real Life® podcast, Linda Grizely and wealth coach Halle Eavelyn look beyond the enormous dollar figures and focus on the women who may suddenly find themselves managing assets, making financial decisions, or becoming the primary decision-maker.

Preparation starts before an inheritance arrives. Understanding your finances, participating in decisions, questioning old money beliefs, and taking small actions now can make it easier to handle greater responsibility later.

What if your spouse has always managed the money? What if you inherit wealth but do not feel confident enough to make decisions with it?

Linda Grizely and Halle discuss financial agency, inherited money patterns, the discomfort some women feel receiving or holding wealth, and why confidence grows through participation and action. They also explore the "good girl" messages women may carry about money and the importance of becoming more comfortable with financial power.

The Great Wealth Transfer is not only about receiving money. It is about being ready to understand your choices, participate in decisions, and trust yourself when greater financial responsibility arrives.

💡 We talk about:

• Prepare for inherited wealth before the responsibility arrives
• Build financial confidence by participating in money decisions now
• Recognize inherited beliefs that may affect how you receive and manage money
• Take small steps toward greater financial agency and independence

🎤 Send Linda Your Money Question https://www.speakpipe.com/rmrl

🕒 Timestamps

(00:00) How women can prepare for the Great Wealth Transfer (02:01) How Halle became focused on women and wealth (04:48) Why women may be unprepared for the Great Wealth Transfer (05:23) What the Great Wealth Transfer actually means (09:22) What happens when women suddenly become financial decision-makers (10:16) Why women may change financial advisors after inheriting wealth (12:34) How greater wealth can create greater financial power (13:08) Challenging beliefs that money is bad or greedy (15:22) Why the Great Wealth Transfer matters even without a large inheritance (19:53) Practical ways women can build financial confidence now (21:12) Start with financial education, then take action (23:23) Why paying attention to money matters (28:59) "Good girl" money patterns that can hold women back (29:23) Why putting yourself first financially is not selfish (32:36) Why some women still do not feel financially safe (34:45) Why receiving wealth can feel uncomfortable (35:50) Your money comfort zone and "money ceiling" (38:32) Using curiosity to move beyond financial fear (39:31) Believing a bigger financial future is possible (40:52) Outside voices and the voices inside your head (42:03) A simple way to respond to limiting thoughts (44:15) Why old financial messages may no longer fit your life (45:34) Preparing for financial responsibility before it arrives (45:48) Where to find Halle Eavelyn

🔗 Connect with Halle

Website: https://halleeavelyn.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eavelyn/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eavelyn/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/halle.eavelyn/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@halleeavelyn Resources: https://hallemoney.com Additional Resources: https://hallewealth.com

🔗 Connect with Linda

Website: https://www.LindaGriz.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindagrizely Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelindagrizely LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-grizely YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LindaGrizely TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lindagrizely Resources: https://www.lindagriz.com/resources

ℹ️ Disclosures

Real Money, Real Life® is hosted & produced by Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC. Linda Grizely, CFP®, is an Investment Adviser Representative of Nectarine Financial, Inc., an SEC-registered investment adviser. Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC is separate from & unaffiliated w/ Nectarine. The views expressed on this podcast are those of the individuals expressing them & do not necessarily reflect the views of Linda Grizely, Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC, or Nectarine. Guests may express opinions or discuss strategies that are their own & should not be considered recommendations or personalized advice. This podcast is provided for informational, educational, & entertainment purposes only & should not be construed as personalized investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities or financial products. Listeners should consult their own financial, legal, or tax professionals regarding their specific situation. For additional disclosures, please visit: https://hellonectarine.com & https://www.lindagriz.com/disclaimers

How does your personal brand affect your income and career opportunities? On the Real Money, Real Life® podcast, Linda Grizely and brand strategist Brooke Foley break down how the reputation you build over time can influence negotiating leverage, pricing, promotions, and the financial opportunities available to you.

Your personal brand is not just how you look online. It is the evidence people use to decide what you are good at, what they can count on you for, and what your value may be.

How do you know what you are actually worth? What if other people see more value in you than you see in yourself?

Linda Grizely and Brooke walk through hard power, soft power, credibility, proof points, imposter syndrome, and the role your personal brand plays in how confidently you advocate for yourself. Brooke also explains why knowing your worth is easier when it is grounded in evidence, not just confidence.

Your personal brand is being built whether you manage it intentionally or not. The clearer you are about your value, your promise, and the proof behind it, the more leverage you may have when opportunities arise.

💡 We talk about:

• Understand how your personal brand can affect your earning power
• Build proof of your value before a negotiation or promotion
• Separate hard power from soft power in your professional reputation
• Use evidence to quiet imposter syndrome and advocate for your worth

🎤 Send Linda Your Money Question https://www.speakpipe.com/rmrl

🕒 Timestamps

(00:00) How your personal brand can affect your income (02:04) Why evidence matters in personal brand strategy (03:29) How brand strategy connects to financial outcomes (05:45) What proves the value of your personal brand (06:44) Hard power vs. soft power at work (09:17) How personal brand connects to financial leverage (09:23) How your professional reputation compounds over time (12:00) Can one major career moment change your brand? (13:29) The 10 assets of a personal brand (14:29) Start with your financial goal (14:47) Why the real decision-maker may not be who you think (16:21) How personal brand creates negotiating leverage (18:23) What "know your worth" actually means (19:42) Why pricing problems can look like awareness problems (21:21) Knowing your worth when you cannot see yourself clearly (22:01) Questions to ask others about your professional value (22:48) The difference between worth and what someone will pay (24:10) How imposter syndrome affects financial self-advocacy (24:53) Using evidence to quiet imposter syndrome (26:02) How a founder's personal brand shapes the business (28:35) Where to start building your personal brand intentionally (30:04) Who Brooke Foley works with (31:13) Why personal brand is a professional asset

🔗 Connect with Brooke

Website: https://www.jayneagency.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jayne-agency/ Resources: https://devilsadvocatebyjayneagency.substack.com/

🔗 Connect with Linda

Website: https://www.LindaGriz.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindagrizely Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelindagrizely LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-grizely YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LindaGrizely TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lindagrizely Resources: https://www.lindagriz.com/resources

ℹ️ Disclosures

Real Money, Real Life® is hosted & produced by Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC. Linda Grizely, CFP®, is an Investment Adviser Representative of Nectarine Financial, Inc., an SEC-registered investment adviser. Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC is separate from & unaffiliated w/ Nectarine. The views expressed on this podcast are those of the individuals expressing them & do not necessarily reflect the views of Linda Grizely, Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC, or Nectarine. Guests may express opinions or discuss strategies that are their own & should not be considered recommendations or personalized advice. This podcast is provided for informational, educational, & entertainment purposes only & should not be construed as personalized investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities or financial products. Listeners should consult their own financial, legal, or tax professionals regarding their specific situation. For additional disclosures, please visit: https://hellonectarine.com & https://www.lindagriz.com/disclaimers

What do you need to know about Medicare at 65, and what decisions actually matter once you are enrolled? On the Real Money, Real Life® podcast, Linda Grizely and Medicare and retirement expert Marcia Mantell break down the rules, costs, enrollment decisions, and annual reviews that can make Medicare feel so overwhelming.

The first thing to know is that turning 65 does not automatically mean everyone needs to make the same Medicare decision. Your age, employment, health coverage, Social Security status, income, location, and the type of Medicare coverage you choose can all matter.

What is the difference between Parts A, B, C, D and Medigap? Do you have to enroll at 65 if you are still working? And what should you review during Medicare open enrollment?

Linda Grizely and Marcia walk through Medicare Advantage versus Medigap, enrollment penalties, Part B costs, IRMAA, prescription drug coverage, and why Part C and Part D plans need another look each year. They also discuss healthcare expenses Medicare may not cover, including dental, vision, and other out-of-pocket costs.

Medicare is complicated, but you do not have to understand every rule at once. Knowing which rules apply to your situation, which deadlines matter, and what needs to be reviewed each year can help you make a more informed decision.

💡 We talk about:

• Understand what Medicare Parts A, B, C and D actually cover • Know whether you really need to enroll in Medicare at age 65 • Compare Medicare Advantage and Medigap before choosing your coverage • Review Medicare costs, IRMAA and prescription coverage each year

🎤 Send Linda Your Money Question https://www.speakpipe.com/rmrl

🕒 Timestamps

(00:00) What you need to know about Medicare at age 65 (01:46) Why Medicare and Social Security rules get so complicated (04:01) Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained (06:02) Medicare Advantage versus Original Medicare and Medigap (08:41) What to consider before choosing Medicare Advantage (11:26) Why Medicare Advantage plans need to be reviewed every year (14:09) Medicare Advantage costs you may not hear about (15:16) Why Medicare options depend on your state, county and ZIP code (19:02) How much Medicare Parts A and B can cost (21:15) Understanding the Medicare Part B premium (22:53) How higher income can increase Medicare premiums (24:28) Do you have to sign up for Medicare at age 65? (28:11) Why employer size matters for Medicare enrollment (30:14) What happens if you miss Medicare enrollment (34:42) What to review during Medicare open enrollment (38:32) Do you need to re-shop your Medicare coverage every year? (38:58) Why Medigap works differently from Medicare Advantage (42:01) How IRMAA can increase Medicare Part B and Part D costs (44:34) The two-year income lookback for Medicare IRMAA (44:58) When you can appeal an IRMAA increase (47:12) How Medicare premium changes show up in Social Security (50:30) Dental and vision costs Medicare may not cover (54:35) Building a realistic healthcare budget for retirement (56:18) Medicare planning resources from Marcia Mantell (57:05) Who Marcia helps with Medicare and retirement decisions (58:03) What to remember when making Medicare decisions

🔗 Connect with Marcia

Website: https://mantellretirementconsulting.com/ Blog: https://boomerretirementbriefs.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marciamantell/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boomerretirementbriefs2022

Resources: https://boomerretirementbriefs.com/

Marcia shares Medicare and Social Security articles and resources on the blog, including a Medicare healthcare cost worksheet discussed during the conversation.

🔗 Connect with Linda

Website: https://www.LindaGriz.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindagrizely Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelindagrizely LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-grizely YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LindaGrizely TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lindagrizely Resources: https://www.lindagriz.com/resources Medicare Resources: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1SAZCgao4dKsLrIdKrxfZeCGI8bEMJbN_?usp=sharing

ℹ️ Disclosures

Real Money, Real Life® is hosted & produced by Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC. Linda Grizely, CFP®, is an Investment Adviser Representative of Nectarine Financial, Inc., an SEC-registered investment adviser. Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC is separate from & unaffiliated w/ Nectarine. The views expressed on this podcast are those of the individuals expressing them & do not necessarily reflect the views of Linda Grizely, Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC, or Nectarine. Guests may express opinions or discuss strategies that are their own & should not be considered recommendations or personalized advice. This podcast is provided for informational, educational, & entertainment purposes only & should not be construed as personalized investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities or financial products. Listeners should consult their own financial, legal, or tax professionals regarding their specific situation. For additional disclosures, please visit: https://hellonectarine.com & https://www.lindagriz.com/disclaimers

Buying a car without overpaying takes more than negotiating the sticker price. On the Real Money, Real Life® podcast, Linda Grizely and former dealership owner Mark Benson show you where the numbers can move and what to look at before you sign.

The key is to stop negotiating around the monthly payment alone. Slow the process down and look separately at the vehicle price, trade-in, financing, interest rate, loan term, rebates, warranties, add-ons, and total cost.

How do you know whether the dealer's financing is actually a good deal? What should you look for when you finally get into the finance office and they are ready to move you through the paperwork?

Mark spent years owning new car dealerships, and he takes Linda Grizely behind the dealership curtain to explain trade-ins, financing markups, extended warranties, GAP coverage, rebates, refinancing, cash purchases, and the pressure consumers can feel to make a decision quickly.

Real Money, Real Life® is about making financial decisions with more clarity, not trying to make a perfect decision. When you understand how a car transaction is structured, you can ask better questions, slow things down, and decide what actually works for you.

💡 We talk about:

• How to negotiate a car without focusing only on the monthly payment • What to check before letting a dealership finance your car • How trade-ins, warranties, rebates, and add-ons affect what you pay • What to review before signing your auto finance contract

🎤 Send Linda Your Money Question https://www.speakpipe.com/rmrl

🕒 Timestamps

(00:00) Why buying a car can be financially confusing (02:22) Mark Benson's background owning 14 car dealerships (05:33) How dealerships structure a car transaction for profit (08:24) Check your credit before shopping for a car (10:42) Know what your trade-in is worth before negotiating (12:23) Hard credit pulls and dealership pressure (14:40) What happens in the finance and insurance department (17:06) Extended warranties, GAP coverage, and dealership add-ons (19:20) What to review before signing a car finance contract (24:03) What F&I means and what happens in the finance office (25:06) What to look for on your auto finance documents (30:22) Should you get pre-approved for a car loan? (32:56) Is paying cash for a car actually better? (34:48) When 0% financing may not be the best deal (36:22) How car rebates work and what buyers should check (40:11) Why someone might refinance after buying a car (42:22) Financing a car and then paying it off (44:28) Psychological pressure during the car-buying process (46:32) How Honest Car Payment helps consumers (48:28) Finding refunds for unused car products and contracts (49:54) Where to find Mark Benson

🔗 Connect with Mark

Honest Car Payment: https://honestcarpayment.com/ CarRefunds.com: https://carrefunds.com/ X: https://x.com/car_refunds LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/honest-car-payment/?viewAsMember=true YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@honestcarpayment/videos TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@honest.car.payment Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HonestCarPayment/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialhonestcarpayment Google Reviews: https://g.page/r/CTxfgf6Ydlb0EAE/review

Resources: https://honestcarpayment.com/ offers a free credit review. https://carrefunds.com/ offers a free finance contract review for refundable items.

🔗 Connect with Linda

Website: https://www.LindaGriz.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindagrizely Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelindagrizely LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-grizely YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LindaGrizely TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lindagrizely Resources: https://www.lindagriz.com/resources

ℹ️ Disclosures

Real Money, Real Life® is hosted & produced by Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC. Linda Grizely, CFP®, is an Investment Adviser Representative of Nectarine Financial, Inc., an SEC-registered investment adviser. Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC is separate from & unaffiliated w/ Nectarine. The views expressed on this podcast are those of the individuals expressing them & do not necessarily reflect the views of Linda Grizely, Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC, or Nectarine. Guests may express opinions or discuss strategies that are their own & should not be considered recommendations or personalized advice. This podcast is provided for informational, educational, & entertainment purposes only & should not be construed as personalized investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities or financial products. Listeners should consult their own financial, legal, or tax professionals regarding their specific situation. For additional disclosures, please visit: https://hellonectarine.com & https://www.lindagriz.com/disclaimers

What should you do with an old 401(k) after leaving a job? On Real Money, Real Life®, Linda Grizely explains why the answer is not automatically "roll it over" and what you need to understand before you move the money.

You generally have four choices: leave the money in your former employer's plan, move it into a new workplace plan, roll it into an IRA, or cash it out. But the choice itself is not the first question. Your account may include different types of money, plan-specific benefits, employer stock, Roth dollars, loan considerations, age-related rules, creditor protections, or other features that can affect the decision.

Linda walks through what to check, what you may gain or give up with each option, why an IRA is not automatically cheaper or better, what to consider before cashing out retirement money, and why the mechanics of a rollover matter too.

The goal is not to memorize every retirement-plan rule. It is to understand enough to slow down, ask better questions, and make an intentional decision instead of assuming an old 401(k) should automatically be moved.

💡 Linda talks about:

• How to decide what to do with an old 401(k)
• What to check before rolling retirement money into an IRA
• How the four old 401(k) options differ
• How to move retirement money without creating an unnecessary tax problem

🕒 Timestamps

(00:40) What to know before moving an old 401(k) (01:49) Why rolling over a 401(k) is not an automatic decision (03:41) What is actually inside your retirement account (07:01) Rules and circumstances that can change your decision (09:04) Employer stock and net unrealized appreciation (09:43) The Rule of 55 and early access to retirement money (10:58) Required minimum distributions before a rollover (11:56) Roth 401(k) and Roth IRA five-year rules (12:54) Backdoor Roth planning and IRA balances (13:57) What you may give up when leaving a workplace plan (15:16) How 403(b), 457(b), and other plans can differ (16:14) The four options for an old 401(k) (17:08) Option 1: Leave the 401(k) with your former employer (19:37) Option 2: Move it into your new workplace plan (21:05) Option 3: Roll the money into an IRA (22:58) Option 4: Cash out your old 401(k) (25:57) The future cost of spending retirement money today (27:33) Direct rollover vs. indirect rollover (29:42) What to do after the rollover is completed (31:33) How to make an intentional 401(k) decision (32:44) The closing nugget

🎤 Send Linda Your Money Question

https://www.speakpipe.com/rmrl

🔗 Connect with Linda

Website: https://www.LindaGriz.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindagrizely Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelindagrizely LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-grizely YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LindaGrizely TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lindagrizely Resources: https://www.lindagriz.com/resources

ℹ️ Disclosures

Real Money, Real Life® is hosted & produced by Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC. Linda Grizely, CFP®, is an Investment Adviser Representative of Nectarine Financial, Inc., an SEC-registered investment adviser. Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC is separate from & unaffiliated w/ Nectarine. The views expressed on this podcast are those of the individuals expressing them & do not necessarily reflect the views of Linda Grizely, Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC, or Nectarine. Guests may express opinions or discuss strategies that are their own & should not be considered recommendations or personalized advice. This podcast is provided for informational, educational, & entertainment purposes only & should not be construed as personalized investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities or financial products. Listeners should consult their own financial, legal, or tax professionals regarding their specific situation. For additional disclosures, please visit: https://hellonectarine.com & https://www.lindagriz.com/disclaimers

Real Money, Real Life® recently passed the one-year mark, and Linda Grizely is giving the podcast a reset for a new season. The show is for people who feel behind financially, think they should know more by now, and want to build confidence making money decisions that work in real life.

Guest conversations are staying, but Linda is making more room for solo episodes built around the questions people actually ask about saving, spending, debt, investing, retirement, 401(k)s, credit, and the decisions that can feel much harder than they look on paper.

Because money decisions are shaped by more than math. Our experiences, habits, beliefs, families, emotions, circumstances, and past all affect what we do with money.

Linda also introduces a new way for listeners to become part of Real Money, Real Life® by sending a voice message with a money question for a future episode. If you have ever thought, "I should know this by now," ask anyway. Chances are, someone else is wondering the same thing.

💡 We talk about:

• Why Real Money, Real Life® is getting a reset after one year
• What to expect from the new season
• Why money decisions are about more than math
• How to submit your own money question for the podcast

🕒 Timestamps

(00:00) Who Real Money, Real Life® is for (00:40) Why the podcast is getting a reset (01:18) Why Linda is adding more solo episodes (02:00) The real-life money questions people struggle with (02:37) Why financial decisions are about more than math (03:19) How to send Linda your money question (04:30) What to expect from Real Money, Real Life® going forward

🎤 Send Linda Your Money Question

https://www.speakpipe.com/rmrl

🔗 Connect with Linda

Website: https://www.LindaGriz.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindagrizely Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelindagrizely LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-grizely YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LindaGrizely TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lindagrizely Resources: https://www.lindagriz.com/resources

ℹ️ Disclosures

Real Money, Real Life® is hosted & produced by Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC. Linda Grizely, CFP®, is an Investment Adviser Representative of Nectarine Financial, Inc., an SEC-registered investment adviser. Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC is separate from & unaffiliated w/ Nectarine. The views expressed on this podcast are those of the individuals expressing them & do not necessarily reflect the views of Linda Grizely, Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC, or Nectarine. Guests may express opinions or discuss strategies that are their own & should not be considered recommendations or personalized advice. This podcast is provided for informational, educational, & entertainment purposes only & should not be construed as personalized investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities or financial products. Listeners should consult their own financial, legal, or tax professionals regarding their specific situation. For additional disclosures, please visit: https://hellonectarine.com & https://www.lindagriz.com/disclaimers

Why do high-achieving women burn out even when they know they need to slow down? On the Real Money, Real Life® podcast, Linda Grizely and Dr. Julie Merriman look at what happens when you have spent years being responsible, productive, and available to everyone else.

Burnout is not always about needing a vacation. When you keep living past capacity, rest can feel uncomfortable, your body can stay braced for the next demand, and even recognizing what you need can become difficult.

What if you cannot relax without feeling guilty? What if you are exhausted but still keep telling yourself to push through?

Julie explains compassion fatigue, nervous system dysregulation, and the warning signs high-achieving women often miss in themselves. Linda Grizely and Julie also discuss self-worth, guilt, old money stories, the "golden handcuffs" of a good salary, and how fear can make financial and life choices feel more limited than they are.

Real Money, Real Life® is about understanding the human side of financial decision-making too. You can care about financial security without putting yourself last indefinitely.

💡 We talk about:

• Recognizing when you are living past your capacity
• Understanding why slowing down can feel uncomfortable
• Seeing how burnout, guilt, and self-worth affect your choices
• Recognizing when money or a good salary makes you feel trapped

🕒 Timestamps

(00:00) When constantly handling everything becomes too much (02:57) What compassion fatigue actually means (04:32) Missing your own burnout warning signs (07:04) Why high-achieving women keep pushing past capacity (10:09) Burnout and a dysregulated nervous system (13:35) How chronic stress can show up in your finances (13:57) When a good salary becomes golden handcuffs (16:48) Why exhaustion can get mistaken for laziness (21:02) Feeling like you need permission to rest (22:02) Guilt, obligation, and fear of disappointing people (23:49) How old patterns can affect your money decisions (24:39) Understanding the money stories you still carry (26:49) Feeling financially trapped in a job or relationship (31:12) Signs your body may be telling you something is wrong (32:39) Figuring out what you actually need financially (36:09) How to recognize nervous system dysregulation (38:15) What to do when you feel too busy to stop (39:42) A simple exercise to help your nervous system settle (41:06) When self-help may not be enough (42:50) Protecting your future without sacrificing yourself

🔗 Connect with Julie

Website: https://www.juliemerrimanphd.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjuliemerriman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.juliemerriman/ Somatic Signature Quiz: https://rebrand.ly/y42jps0

🔗 Connect with Linda

Website: https://www.LindaGriz.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindagrizely Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelindagrizely LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-grizely YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LindaGrizely TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lindagrizely Resources: https://www.lindagriz.com/resources

ℹ️ Disclosures

Real Money, Real Life® is hosted & produced by Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC. Linda Grizely, CFP®, is an Investment Adviser Representative of Nectarine Financial, Inc., an SEC-registered investment adviser. Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC is separate from & unaffiliated w/ Nectarine. The views expressed on this podcast are those of the individuals expressing them & do not necessarily reflect the views of Linda Grizely, Linda Grizely Ventures, LLC, or Nectarine. Guests may express opinions or discuss strategies that are their own & should not be considered recommendations or personalized advice. This podcast is provided for informational, educational, & entertainment purposes only & should not be construed as personalized investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities or financial products. Listeners should consult their own financial, legal, or tax professionals regarding their specific situation. For additional disclosures, please visit: https://hellonectarine.com & https://www.lindagriz.com/disclaimers