Frugality doesn't have to feel like deprivation — and it definitely doesn't have to ruin your holidays. In this episode, we're sitting down with our friend Kristen, AKA The Frugal Girl, to talk about stretching your dollars while actually enjoying your life. We're breaking down practical grocery strategies for when budgets are tight, tackling the guilt around holiday spending, and discovering why intentional frugality is so different from the restrictive mindsets we've all been fed.

Kristen's been blogging since 2008 and has helped thousands of families spend less and live well — without the shame. We're diving into her approach to food waste, her perspective on gift-giving (and when to skip it altogether), and the simple practice that changes everything: noticing the good stuff that's already in your life.

Whether you're feeling the squeeze from rising grocery prices or the pressure to spend big this holiday season, this conversation is for you.

✨ Episode Highlights ✨

• [0:00] Intro & why we're talking about frugality in November
• [3:00] Kristen's origin story—where her frugal mindset came from
• [5:00] Strategies for stretching your grocery budget when money's tight
• [8:00] How to fight food waste without burning out
• [15:00] The frugality ≠ deprivation mindset shift
• [20:00] Holiday spending, gift-giving, and having the money conversation early
• [25:00] Meaningful gift ideas that don't cost a fortune (hello, homemade bread)
• [30:00] The power of noticing + practicing contentment
• [35:00] Frugal practices Kristen's let go of (and why that matters)

✨ Resources ✨

• The Frugal Girl blog
• Food waste tips & strategies
• The perfect gift: Kristen’s beginner-friendly French bread  
• Follow Kristen on: Instagram, Threads, Pinterest, Facebook (@thefrugalgirl)

Send us Fan Mail

Apply to our pilot Financial Coaching program at thefinancegirlies.com/coaching.

Learn about our Financial Coaching pilot program and apply at thefinancegirlies.com/coaching.

📩 Get The Finance Girlies newsletter: 
https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/newsletter

💻Visit The Finance Girlies website: 
https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/

💖Email us your money questions: 
[email protected]

📸Follow us on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thefinancegirlies/

Food insecurity is closer than you think — and it's affecting 40 million Americans right now, including kids, seniors, and working families. In this episode, we're breaking down what's really happening with SNAP benefits, busting the myths that are causing real harm, and sharing concrete ways you can help — whether you need support or you're in a position to give it.

We're tackling the uncomfortable truths: Who actually uses SNAP? What do people really buy? And why is the stigma around food assistance so damaging? Emily shares her own experience on food stamps in college, and we walk through practical resources and actionable steps for both getting help and giving help in your community.

This isn't just someone else's problem. This is about all of us.

✨ Episode Highlights ✨

• [0:30] What SNAP is and why this moment matters historically
• [2:00] The myths about SNAP that are causing real harm
• [5:00] Cassidy’sa personal experience on food stamps in college
• [6:15] The stigma around SNAP and why it's so damaging
• [8:00] Resources if you're experiencing food insecurity right now
• [10:00] How to donate and volunteer in your community
• [15:00] Using your platform to spread awareness

✨ Resources ✨

If you need help:

• Call 211 or visit feedingamerica.org to find local food banks and meal programs
• Link your EBT card to DoorDash for free grocery delivery
• Check out goPuff for $50 in free groceries this month
• Join a Buy Nothing or Free Little Pantry group on Facebook

If you want to help:

• Feedingamerica.org — Find local food banks to donate to or volunteer with
• Donate cash, canned protein, shelf-stable meals, and personal care items
• Volunteer your skills (social media, marketing, delivery, coordination)
• Share this episode and resources with your community
• Contact your representatives about SNAP funding

Books mentioned:

• Made by Stephanie Land

Send us Fan Mail

Apply to our pilot Financial Coaching program at thefinancegirlies.com/coaching.

📩 Get The Finance Girlies newsletter: 
https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/newsletter

💻Visit The Finance Girlies website: 
https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/

💖Email us your money questions: 
[email protected]

📸Follow us on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thefinancegirlies/

We're diving deep with Lori Atwood, founder of Fearless Finance, who's worked with 2,000+ clients and isn't afraid to tell it like it is. After 25+ years in finance, she's seen every money mistake in the book — and she's here to share the uncomfortable truths nobody talks about.

In this episode, we explore why your biggest financial problem might not be your budget at all. We dig into "financial context" and why understanding it changes everything. Lori shares the truth about how financial advisors get paid, why wealthy people aren't flashy spenders, and what actually matters when building real wealth. This isn't typical financial advice — it's the human stuff nobody discusses.

✨ Episode Highlights ✨

• [2:00] Lori's journey from Pell Grant kid to investment banker to financial advisor
• [7:00] What "financial context" actually means and why it changes everything
• [14:00] The uncomfortable truth about how financial advisors get paid
• [19:00] Why your unhappiness is sabotaging your finances
• [24:00] The wealth secret: what the richest people actually have in common
• [29:00] Why retirement (and owning your home) matters more than you think
• [33:00] The one thing you should do this week if you're feeling overwhelmed
• [36:00] How to know if you actually need a financial advisor

✨ Resources ✨

If you want to learn more about Fearless Finance or book a consultation, head to fearlessfinance.com or find them on social @fearlessfinance. And if you use the promo code "CASSIDYANDEMILY," you'll get $50 off your first hour. 💸

Send us Fan Mail

Apply to our pilot Financial Coaching program at thefinancegirlies.com/coaching.

Learn about our Financial Coaching pilot program and apply at thefinancegirlies.com/coaching.

📩 Get The Finance Girlies newsletter: 
https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/newsletter

💻Visit The Finance Girlies website: 
https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/

💖Email us your money questions: 
[email protected]

📸Follow us on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thefinancegirlies/

Support the show

📩 Get The Finance Girlies newsletter: 
https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/newsletter

💻Visit The Finance Girlies website: 
https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/

💖Email us your money questions: 
[email protected]

📸Follow us on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thefinancegirlies/

It's dark. The candles are flickering, and you're about to hear some truly haunting tales. Not ghost stories, but money stories that will send shivers down your financial spine. From credit card curses to haunted house expenses, this episode is all about the scary side of money — and what we can learn from these frightening experiences.

We asked our community to share their most terrifying financial moments, and wow, did they deliver. Think confessions of hidden debt, risky investment advice, and money conversations so scary they'll make your wallet tremble. Grab your favorite cozy blanket, dim the lights, and get ready to listen in on some truly spooky money moments.

✨ Episode Highlights ✨

• [7:00] Emily and Cassidy’s recent money mistakes 
• [10:00] Bad investing advice that led to a missed opportunity
• [17:00] The scariest money conversations, including negotiating and feeling vulnerable
• [24:00] A listener's $14,000 credit card debt confession and PowerPoint presentation
• [29:00] The emotional burden of financial mistakes and shame
• [33:00] Lessons learned from lending money to an ex-partner
• [36:00] Financial risks that ended up being totally worth it
• [40:00] A first-time homeowner's unexpected expenses and financial fears

Send us Fan Mail

Apply to our pilot Financial Coaching program at thefinancegirlies.com/coaching.

Learn about our Financial Coaching pilot program and apply at thefinancegirlies.com/coaching.

📩 Get The Finance Girlies newsletter: 
https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/newsletter

💻Visit The Finance Girlies website: 
https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/

💖Email us your money questions: 
[email protected]

📸Follow us on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thefinancegirlies/

What happens when you're the higher earner in your marriage? When your 401(k) keeps growing while your spouse builds their own business? When you're navigating motherhood, career ambitions, and being the breadwinner all at once?

We love talking about money and relationships, and we're not the only ones. This episode features Jessica Norwood, who co-hosts The Sugar Daddy podcast with her financial planner husband, Brandon. What began as an outlet for his expertise has turned into something bigger: a source of honest conversations about money that break down the jargon and shame that usually come with financial advice.

In this episode, Jessica breaks down the reality of out-earning her husband, how they've navigated tricky money conversations, and why they decided to get a postnup after nine years of marriage.

✨ Episode Highlights ✨

• [7:00] Why Jessica and Brandon decided to get a postnup after nine years of marriage — and what changed their minds
• [10:00] The real financial dynamic of being the breadwinner when your spouse is an entrepreneur
• [17:00] How prenups and postnups actually strengthen marriages (not weaken them)
• [24:00] Breaking traditional expectations: What it's like when the woman out-earns her partner
• [29:00] The awkward money conversation about living with Brandon's mom — and why speaking up mattered
• [33:00] How to normalize talking about money with friends without making it weird
• [36:00] Why women who talk about money with other women are 2x more likely to invest
• [40:00] The investing mistake Jessica wishes she could undo from her 20s

Send us Fan Mail

Apply to our pilot Financial Coaching program at thefinancegirlies.com/coaching.

Learn about our Financial Coaching pilot program and apply at thefinancegirlies.com/coaching.

📩 Get The Finance Girlies newsletter: 
https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/newsletter

💻Visit The Finance Girlies website: 
https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/

💖Email us your money questions: 
[email protected]

📸Follow us on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thefinancegirlies/

Hey Girlies,

Here’s something that doesn’t get talked about enough: what it’s like to be the higher earner in your relationship.

Not the shame or guilt society wants you to feel about it — the real, everyday dynamics of navigating money when you out-earn your partner, and what it means for your relationship decades from now.

Luckily, today’s guest Jessica Norwood has a lot to say on the matter.

Jessica works in tech and co-hosts The Sugar Daddy Podcast with her husband Brandon (a financial planner). She’s the higher earner in their relationship, and she’s got some serious wisdom about navigating the dynamics that come with it.

One of the biggest decisions Jessica and Brandon made was getting a postnup after nine years of marriage.

Not because their marriage was struggling, but because they realized something crucial: they were already in a financial contract. They just hadn’t written the terms themselves. (If you listened to last week’s episode with divorce attorney Aaron Thomas, this may sound familiar!)

Jessica and Brandon started thinking about a postnup like insurance — protection for something valuable, not a prediction of disaster.

And the real value wasn’t even the document itself (though it covers everything from retirement accounts to student loans to supporting aging parents). It was the conversations they had while creating it.

When you talk through “what if” scenarios while you still genuinely like each other, you surface expectations and values that might otherwise stay buried until they become resentments.

And speaking of difficult conversations — Jessica’s had her share of those too.

Early in their relationship, Brandon’s mom was supposed to stay with them occasionally while teaching at a nearby university. Then her schedule exploded and suddenly there were three adults living in the house full-time.

Jessica had to speak up: “Your mom is living here. What’s her contribution?”

Brandon was genuinely confused. His single mom sacrificed everything for him — how could he ask her for money?

But here’s what Jessica realized in that moment: different upbringings create wildly different money perspectives.

What seemed like no big deal to Brandon felt completely unfair to Jessica.

The lesson she learned? Speak up before it festers into resentment. 😡

This experience actually shaped provisions in their postnup about what happens if aging parents need to move in. These aren’t just theoretical “what ifs” — they’re real situations that happen to real couples, and they’re things they want to be prepared for.

Hearing Jessica tell this story reminded us that we need to be having more of these conversations with everyone in our lives — not just our partners. Which is why Jessica advocates for talking about money with your friends, too.

Her advice for starting these conversations is genius because it’s so low-pressure:

* Reference something you heard (”I listened to this podcast about backdoor Roth IRAs — do you know anything about that?”)

* Get specific about everyday decisions (”Did you choose the HSA or PPO?”)

* Be honest about your own situation (”Tonight I’

Support the show

📩 Join The Finance Girlies email list:
https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/email-sign-up

💻Visit The Finance Girlies website:
https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/

💖Email us your money questions:
[email protected]

📸Follow us on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thefinancegirlies/

Would you sign a contract governing half your assets and your entire financial future without reading it first? Because that's exactly what happens when you get married without a prenup.

Harvard lawyer Aaron Thomas spent years watching couples drain their savings in divorce court before he realized something crucial: marriage is already a financial contract. You're just letting the state write the terms instead of writing them yourself.

In this episode, Aaron makes the case that prenups aren't about planning for divorce — they're about having the money conversations most couples avoid until it's too late.

✨ Episode Highlights ✨

• [1:00] How one Love Is Blind moment captured the classic misconception of prenups
• [3:00] What Aaron learned after 1,000+ divorces that completely changed his mind about prenups
• [10:00] The #1 money issue destroying marriages — lack of transparency and what it really means
• [17:00] Why prenups are MORE important for middle-class couples than wealthy ones
• [21:00] How marriage has changed from garage startup to corporate merger since the 1960s
• [28:00] What lower-earning partners should ask for in a prenup (and why it protects them)
• [32:00] Aaron's exact script for bringing up the prenup conversation without causing drama
• [39:00] What about postnups? Yes, you can still protect yourself if you're already married
• [45:00] If Aaron were dictator: Why prenups should be the default for everyone

Send us Fan Mail

Apply to our pilot Financial Coaching program at thefinancegirlies.com/coaching.

Learn about our Financial Coaching pilot program and apply at thefinancegirlies.com/coaching.

📩 Get The Finance Girlies newsletter: 
https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/newsletter

💻Visit The Finance Girlies website: 
https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/

💖Email us your money questions: 
[email protected]

📸Follow us on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thefinancegirlies/

Hey Girlies,

Quick question: Would you sign a contract governing half your assets, your retirement accounts, and years of your financial future without reading it first?

Because that’s literally what happens when you get married without a prenup.

Marriage is already a financial contract. You’re just letting the state write the terms instead of writing them yourself.

We know, we know — prenups sound unromantic.

They feel like admitting defeat before you even start.

But after talking with divorce attorney Aaron Thomas (who’s handled over 1,000 cases), we have a fresh new take on the power of prenups.

In this week’s episode, Aaron walks us through:

* The #1 issue he sees destroying even good marriages

* Why middle-class couples actually need prenups MORE than wealthy people

* What prenups can do for your marriage while you’re happily in it

* Aaron’s exact script for bringing up the prenup conversation without it turning into a Love is Blind drama moment

The conversation we had isn’t really about divorce at all. It’s about the money conversations couples need to have but keep avoiding (until something goes wrong).

Things like…

Who handles what?

How do we make big financial decisions together?

What happens if one of us takes time off work?

How do we make sure we’re both building wealth, even if one partner earns less?

Aaron’s approach is to answer these questions when you love each other, not when you’re sitting in a lawyer’s office wishing you’d talked about this years ago.

Whether you’re dating, engaged, or already married, this episode will change how you think about money and partnership. 💍

Seriously, this episode — and a good prenup — is for everyone.

See ya next time,Emily + Cassidy

P.S. If you want to go even deeper, Aaron wrote a whole book about this — The Prenup Prescription. You can also find him at prenups.com or @prenupguy on Instagram.

P.P.S. An upcoming Finance Girlies guest (our friend Jessica Norwood) loved Aaron’s advice so much, she and hubby Brandon hired him to help them create a postnup. Listen to that story here!

Support the show

📩 Join The Finance Girlies email list:
https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/email-sign-up

💻Visit The Finance Girlies website:
https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/

💖Email us your money questions:
[email protected]

📸Follow us on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thefinancegirlies/

We just got back from FinCon — the biggest personal finance conference in the country — and we're buzzing with ideas, connections, and inspiration for The Finance Girlies community.

If you've never heard of FinCon, picture this: around 2,000 personal finance creators, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs gathered in one place for three jam-packed days of learning, networking, and nerding out about money topics. From TikTok influencers to seasoned bloggers who've been at this since 2008, the diversity of people and business models was incredible.

✨Episode Highlights✨

• [1:00] Our three main goals for attending and how they differed from Cassidy's 2021 experience
• [3:00] Emily's first-time impressions and the surprising diversity of finance creators (hint: lots of TikTok influencers!)
• [6:00] Cassidy's favorite session -- Angie Matthews' keynote on embracing who you are and integrating those identities into your work
• [12:00] Emily's favorite session: Why financial content isn't working — Kelsa Dickey's eye-opening talk on behavior change and the "less, simpler, sooner" framework
• [15:00] The video content conversation we didn't want to have (but know we need to)
• [16:00] Connecting with podcast guests Jessica Norwood and Jillian Johnsrud in person
• [18:00]  How we met two OG finance bloggers who've been at this since 2008
• [19:00] What we're excited to try — From video experiments to community building inspiration
• [21:00] Our thoughts on returning to FinCon vs exploring podcast-specific conferences

Send us Fan Mail

Apply to our pilot Financial Coaching program at thefinancegirlies.com/coaching.

Learn about our Financial Coaching pilot program and apply at thefinancegirlies.com/coaching.

📩 Get The Finance Girlies newsletter: 
https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/newsletter

💻Visit The Finance Girlies website: 
https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/

💖Email us your money questions: 
[email protected]

📸Follow us on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thefinancegirlies/