Millennial Money Matters

Kelly Turner
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Investing
  • Updated Semiweekly

Welcome to "Millennial Money Matters," your essential guide to navigating the world of finance as a millennial. Hosted by Kelly Turner, a mortgage loan officer, and Derek Mazzarella, a financial advisor, this podcast offers straightforward, practical advice on managing your money. Kelly and Derek tackle topics like budgeting, student loans, real estate, and investing, breaking down complex financial concepts into easy-to-understand tips. Each episode delivers actionable insights and real-life stories to help you make smart financial decisions and secure your future. Join Kelly and Derek each week for honest and fun discussions about the financial issues that matter to you. Subscribe to "Millennial Money Matters" and take control of your financial journey today. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

  1. Sep 29

    Bills, Bills, Bills: Making Good Money and Still Broke

    Your household makes good money. So why is there nothing left at the end of the month? Kelly kicks things off with a client story (shared with permission) about a mom who said, "When I was your age, I already owned two homes." So we did what any reasonable podcast would do and compared 1989 to 2026. It's not apples to oranges. It's apples to a couch. We walk through what a typical millennial family in the Northeast spends each month: daycare, two car payments, travel sports, and the $12 DoorDash coffee. Add it all up and it lands around $13,000 a month. That's roughly $156,000 a year in take-home pay. The good news? You're not alone, and there's plenty you can control. We cover the convenience tax, food spending, the birthday gift card hack, Buy Nothing groups, why your first car probably shouldn't be a BMW, and why none of your friends need to fly to Greece for your bachelorette party. Nobody is judging your Toyota. Promise. What's one expense that surprised you when you finally added it up? Chapters 00:00 Kelly's accidental head coaching gig 03:36 "I make good money, so why am I broke?" 03:49 A client, her mom, and "when I was your age" 05:01 Apples and a couch: comparing generations 06:46 1989 vs. 2026: how family life changed 10:20 Starting life at 30 (with 10 years of debt) 12:54 Where the money goes: the millennial family budget 17:06 Paying for convenience: DoorDash, Uber, and the $12 coffee 22:13 The "little treat" life and why cooking saves money 28:36 Travel sports and the cost of kids' gear 31:01 Birthday parties and the gift card hack 33:31 Babysitters and swapping with friends 35:33 Influencer culture, hand-me-downs, and Buy Nothing groups 40:49 Cars: why under 30 shouldn't mean BMW 42:40 Destination bachelor and bachelorette parties 47:28 Nobody cares what you drive

  2. Sep 15

    Eat This Not That: Money Edition

    Remember Eat This, Not That? The 2008 book that said you don't have to be a psycho about dieting. Just swap the bagel for an English muffin and move on with your life. Derek and Kelly do the exact same thing here, except with your money. No overhauls. No spreadsheet that ruins your Sunday. Just 8 simple swaps that quietly put more money back in your pocket: debit vs. credit, where your savings actually sits, what to do with an old 401(k), term vs. whole life insurance, that big tax refund you're weirdly proud of, how much house to actually buy, the "20% down" rule, and whether paying off your mortgage early is really the flex you think it is. 00:00 First day of school (and the middle school supply gauntlet) 03:26 The game: Financial Do This, Not That 03:44 Swap 1: Debit card, meet credit card 07:24 Swap 2: Ditch the regular savings account 09:44 Swap 3: That old 401(k) needs a home 13:24 Swap 4: Term vs. whole life insurance 16:05 Swap 5: The big tax refund problem 19:01 Swap 6: Don't borrow the max 23:45 Swap 7: The 20% down myth 26:07 Swap 8: Should you pay off your mortgage early? 32:47 Wrap up New episodes of Millennial Money Matters drop regularly. Like, subscribe, and tell at least six friends (and one enemy). Small tweaks. Boring on purpose. That's kind of the point. Connect with Us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmazzarella/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millennialmoneymatterspodcast/reels/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Millennial-Money-Matters-Podcast/61569837731004/?_rdr

  3. Aug 25

    Friend Like Me: Disney Planning 101

    Millennials love Disney, and this episode is your no-stress guide to planning a Disney World trip without blowing your budget. Derek Mazzarella, CFP® and Kelly Turner sit down with Disney travel agent Bethany Stinchin (Boardwalk Travel) to break down what a Disney vacation actually costs, how to avoid the rookie mistakes, and how to skip the three-hour lines. If the words "Lightning Lane" and "60-day dining window" make your head spin, start here. We cover the whole system in plain English, from picking a park to landing a character breakfast. What you'll learn: The best age to take your kids (before the magic is gone) and the ride height requirements that trip families up How to set a realistic Disney budget (trips range from $1,000 to $25,000+) The four parks explained: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom Value vs. moderate vs. deluxe resorts, and why the cheap hotels have the best theming Getting around: the Sky liner, monorail, buses, and boats The cheapest times of year to go (and why summer isn't as bad as you think) Lightning Lanes decoded: what a single pass, multi-pass, and premier pass actually cost The 2026 and 2027 dining plans, and how to break even on them Why you still need a stroller (even for an 8-year-old) The reservation timeline: what to book at 60 days vs. 7 days out Character meals worth it and the one to skip Do travel agents cost extra? (Spoiler: no) Chapters 00:00 Lightning Lanes and Ride Access 24:58 Strategic Planning and Ride Booking 27:23 Crowd Calendars and Weather Considerations 28:46 Special Events and Character Parties 30:14 Dining Plans and Considerations 37:22 Role of a Disney Travel Agent 43:50 Expectations and Mistakes to Avoid Connect with Us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmazzarella/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millennialmoneymatterspodcast/reels/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Millennial-Money-Matters-Podcast/61569837731004/?_rdr Reach out to Kelly Turner at kturner@totalmortgage.com and Derek Mazzarella at dmazzarella@mygfpartner.com

  4. Aug 11

    Marie Kondo Your Money (A 30-Day Financial Reset)

    Most people set a money goal in January and quit by the 14th (there's actually a stat for that). So Derek Mazzarella, CFP® and Kelly Turner are skipping the resolution and running a 30-Day Financial Reset you can start any time of year. One hour a week, four weeks, done. No guilt. No punishment. No "cut out your coffee" nonsense. Just four simple moves that plug the leaks and point your money at what actually matters to you. Here's the plan: Week 1: Get clear on your priorities and find every account you own (then actually label them)Week 2: Kill duplicate subscriptions and move idle cash into a high-yield savings account (currently paying around 3-4% for doing nothing)Week 3: Pull your full credit report, learn the debt snowball, and build a real payoff plan (we're not Dave Ramsey)Week 4: Audit your insurance (auto, life, disability, home) and get your estate documents in orderPlus how to "grow" once you free up cash, and permission to finally buy the watch (once the boring stuff is handled). Chapters 00:00 Parenting and Summer Activities05:09 Financial Reset and Budgeting10:03 Reviewing Subscriptions and Bills14:58 Debt Management and Credit Reports15:50 Understanding Your Credit Score16:29 Reviewing Your Credit Report17:08 Managing Medical Debt17:29 Improving Your Credit Score18:20 Debt Snowballing19:01 Debt Consolidation and Refinancing22:25 Insurance and Protection28:04 Estate Planning and Final Wishes29:31 Financial Growth and Investment

  5. Jul 7

    Cribs: Condo Edition

    Thinking about buying a condo? Derek Mazzarella, CFP® and Kelly Turner break down everything you need to know before you sign on the dotted line. From HOA fees and special assessments to how the 2021 Surfside condo collapse completely changed condo mortgage lending, this episode covers the real pros and cons of condo ownership. Derek and Kelly dig into why condos are often 10-20% cheaper per square foot than single family homes, what an HO-6 insurance policy actually covers, and why your HOA fee doesn't build you equity (even though it's not money down the drain). They also get into the messier stuff: HOA mismanagement horror stories (including Derek's own condo association drama), how reserve funding and insurance scrutiny have tightened up since Surfside, what happens when a complex has multiple HOAs, and why some condos are flat out "non-warrantable" for a mortgage. Whether you're a first time homebuyer considering a condo as a smarter alternative to renting, or you're weighing a condo against a single family home, this episode gives you the real, practical breakdown, not just the highlight reel. Topics covered: What is an HOA and why Connecticut is different than most of the country Condo pros (lower price, less maintenance, amenities, cheaper insurance, building equity) Condo cons (HOA fees, HOA rules, special assessments, privacy) The Surfside condo collapse and how it changed condo lending Reserves and reserve studies FHA vs conventional condo approval The condo resale package process Self-managed vs professionally managed HOAs Multiple HOA complexes Who condos are (and aren't) a good fit for. 📩 Subscribe for new episodes every week 💬 Got a condo question? Drop it in the comments — we might answer it on the show.

  6. Jun 23

    What's My Age Again? Financial Mistakes We Made at 25

    We all made money mistakes in our 20s. The question is whether we learned from them. In this episode, Derek and Kelly are joined by guest Maggie Garden to talk about what they wish they knew at 25. From skipping the 401(k) to buying the wrong car to completely ignoring their credit scores, they get real about the financial decisions they'd do differently — and what you can do right now so you don't make the same ones. This one's part therapy session, part financial planning crash course. What's covered: Why your 20s are actually your most valuable investing years (and what it costs you to wait)The car mistake almost everyone makes — and why it matters more than you thinkCredit scores: what they are, why they matter, and how most people find out the hard wayHealth insurance gaps that can wreck your finances before your career even gets startedHow lifestyle inflation quietly sneaks up on youThe case for taking more risks early — in life and with your moneyReal talk on housing: what they got right, what they got wrong, and what they'd tell their younger selves Whether you're in your 20s right now or just wishing you could go back, this episode has something for you. Chapters 00:00 Reflecting on Our 25-Year-Old Selves 01:33 Life at 25: Personal Experiences and Financial Realities 07:51 Lessons Learned: Regrets and Aha Moments 10:31 Financial Mistakes and Health Insurance Woes 11:57 Navigating Credit Scores and Financial Awareness 16:55 Traveling and Keeping Up with Friends 23:54 Big Financial Decisions: Cars and Investments 32:51 Advice to Our Younger Selves: Key Takeaways

  7. Jun 9

    We're Going Streaking... Through Your College Savings Account

    The conversation delves into the challenges and considerations of college planning, including the looming cost of college, the evolution of college, the impact of college reputation, the rise of trade schools, and the importance of flexibility in college planning. It also explores the various college savings and investment accounts available, the role of FAFSA in college planning, and the importance of exposure to career options for effective college planning. Takeaways College costs are increasing drastically, and it's important to plan for the financial implications of higher education.Flexibility in college planning is crucial, and exposure to various career options is essential for effective decision-making.Understanding the different college savings and investment accounts available can help in creating a comprehensive college funding strategy. Chapters 00:00 The Looming Cost of College05:17 The Value of College Education10:31 College Savings and Investment Accounts15:37 The College Experience and Career Paths21:17 The Utma Account and College Savings26:24 The Flexibility of the Utma Account for College Savings31:34 The Realities of FAFSA and College Funding

  8. May 26

    It's Getting Financially Hot Takes in Here

    The internet is full of financial "facts" that sound smart but don't hold up. This week, Derek and Kelly put 10 of the most popular financial hot takes to the test. Topics covered: Do you actually need 20% down to buy a house? Are credit cards really that bad? Is all debt the enemy? Is the stock market basically gambling? Should you pay off your mortgage as fast as possible? Should you always refinance when rates drop? How much do you actually need in an emergency fund? Are side hustles necessary to build wealth? Is lifestyle inflation something you need to avoid at all costs? Should you wait for interest rates to drop before buying a house? Spoiler: they disagree with the internet on most of them and they've got the math to back it up. Derek Mazzarella is a CFP® and author of Just Retire Already: An Unconventional Retirement Guide. Kelly Turner is a licensed mortgage broker. Together they host Millennial Money Matters, a personal finance podcast built for people who want real answers without the jargon. Reach out to Kelly Turner at kturner@totalmortgage.com and Derek Mazzarella at dmazzarella@mygfpartner.com Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    It's Getting Financially Hot Takes in Here
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Welcome to "Millennial Money Matters," your essential guide to navigating the world of finance as a millennial. Hosted by Kelly Turner, a mortgage loan officer, and Derek Mazzarella, a financial advisor, this podcast offers straightforward, practical advice on managing your money. Kelly and Derek tackle topics like budgeting, student loans, real estate, and investing, breaking down complex financial concepts into easy-to-understand tips. Each episode delivers actionable insights and real-life stories to help you make smart financial decisions and secure your future. Join Kelly and Derek each week for honest and fun discussions about the financial issues that matter to you. Subscribe to "Millennial Money Matters" and take control of your financial journey today. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Kelly Turner
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Kelly Turner
  • Show Website
    Millennial Money Matters