Finance Girlies: Money Conversations for Gen Z and Millennial Women

Emily & Cassidy | Resident Finance Girlies
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Investing
  • Updated Weekly

Do you feel like you’re making progress with money, but somehow still feel behind?  Maybe you’re already saving, paying your bills on time, and investing a little.  But you still find yourself thinking: "Wait… am I actually doing this right?" And when you try to find the answer, you get even more frustrated because everything online feels like it was made for some Wall Street bro obsessing over his next trade. If you’re craving money conversations that actually reflect you — an ambitious, vibrant woman using her money to build a life that feels abundant in every sense — come hang with us. Welcome to the Finance Girlies, a money podcast for the girlies who’ve never felt seen by traditional finance advice.  We’re your hosts, Emily Batdorf and Cassidy Horton. Between the two of us, we’ve spent more than a decade researching and writing for big publications in the personal finance space.  Now, every Wednesday, we’re sharing our financial knowledge, experience, and hard-won confidence with you. (And when it’s helpful, we bring in trusted experts to help us unpack the more complex topics.)   During each episode of The Finance Girlies, we’ll cover topics like: Why you don’t have to feel “ready” before you start investingHow to be a more conscious consumer when you’re constantly being #influencedHow your career as a freelancer, entrepreneur, or employee affects your financial realityHow to handle money conflicts in relationships — and strategies to avoid them altogetherHow your money beliefs directly impact your financial habits and choices Together, we’ll explore how you relate to money: through conversations with your partner, the paycheck you earn, and how you spend your days. Instead of throwing prescriptive advice at you, we’ll give you helpful reframes, mindset tools, and why-did-nobody-teach-me-this tidbits to help you build financial confidence every day. If you’ve ever felt like personal financial advice was too dry, impractical, condescending — or just too bro-y — we invite you to pop in an earbud and let out a deep exhale. 

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  1. Aug 12

    10 money rules we don't follow anymore / 88

    It's funny how some money rules can feel like absolute truth... until they don't.  As we've learned more about personal finance — and lived a little more life — we've found ourselves changing our minds about advice we used to follow (sometimes, without question). Some of those rules helped us build great habits, while others eventually became more limiting than helpful. In this episode, we're sharing ten money rules we've personally let go of over the years, from avoiding all debt and obsessing over lifestyle creep to believing you have to buy a house or put 20% down to be "good" with money. We talk about what changed our minds, where these rules can still be helpful, and why personal finance is often a lot more nuanced than the internet makes it seem. ✨ Episode Highlights ✨ [00:00] Why we're revisiting the money rules we used to follow, and why it's okay for your financial philosophy to evolve[02:00] Why we no longer believe all debt is bad, and how low-interest debt can sometimes make financial sense[04:30] Our approach to using credit cards responsibly, and why avoiding them isn't always the best advice[06:00] Why waiting to invest until you're completely debt-free can cost you valuable time in the market[09:00] The difference between intentional lifestyle upgrades and keeping up with everyone else[12:00] Why we don't believe buying a home should be everyone's default financial goal (but it’s okay if it’s your goal) — and why renting can be a great choice for many[16:00] The truth about putting 20% down on a house and why many buyers take a different path[19:30] Why your emergency fund is meant to be used, and how to let go of the guilt when life happens[24:00] How our views on the FIRE movement have changed and why balance matters more than financial perfection[29:30] Why the "financially optimized" choice isn't always the right choice — and how talking openly about money can make all the difference✨ Resources ✨ Episode 70: Rethinking the Emergency FundEpisode 8: Debt 101: Is being in debt always bad?📩 Get The Finance Girlies newsletter:  https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/newsletter 💻Visit The Finance Girlies website:  https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/ 💖Email us your money questions:  hello@thefinancegirlies.com 📸Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefinancegirlies/

  2. Aug 5

    Our month-long money diary: Does our spending align with our values? / 87

    We love a good “look at your numbers” moment — but what happens when you take it one step further and ask, does this actually reflect the life I want?  In this re-release of a previously Insiders-only episode, we map our real-life spending against our core values. And honestly, it felt a little vulnerable. We start by sharing our personal values, then break down exactly where our money went throughout the month. Finally, we talk through what felt aligned… and what didn’t. From therapy and travel to yoga memberships, beauty spending, and supporting local businesses, this conversation is equal parts practical and reflective — the kind that helps us zoom out and course-correct without shame. If you’ve ever felt like you’re “doing okay” with money but are still wondering if you’re actually making the most of it, this episode is for you. ✨ Episode Highlights ✨ [01:30] Why we started by defining our core values before looking at a single dollar we spent.[05:00] A peek inside our real spending from the month — including rent, travel, groceries, therapy, and more.[12:30] The discretionary purchases that brought us the most joy — and the ones that made us pause.[14:00] How travel, yoga, therapy, and meaningful relationships showed up in our spending.[16:30] The purchases that didn't feel as aligned with our values, even if they weren't "bad" decisions.[19:30] Why some spending categories feel so emotionally loaded, and how we're learning to think about them differently.[25:30] From beauty routines to housing costs, we share the purchases we sometimes second-guess — without the shame.[31:00] The values we'd spend even more on if money weren't a limiting factor.[39:00] What this exercise revealed about our habits, plus the small course corrections we're making moving forward.[44:30] One simple question that can tell you far more than just tracking where your money goes.✨ Resources ✨ Ramit Sethi’s Rich Life JournalThe Slight Edge by Jeff OlsonYou Don’t Need a Budget by Dana Miranda📩 Get The Finance Girlies newsletter:  https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/newsletter 💻Visit The Finance Girlies website:  https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/ 💖Email us your money questions:  hello@thefinancegirlies.com 📸Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefinancegirlies/

  3. Jul 29

    Personality-based budgeting with budget coach Erin Britt / 86

    Some people color-code their budgets, reconcile every transaction, and genuinely enjoy a spreadsheet. Others would rather do just about anything else. If you've ever looked at someone else's budgeting system and thought, There's no way I could keep up with that, you’ll want to hear this conversation. In this episode, we chat with budget strategy coach and host of The Budget Effect, Erin Britt, to unpack one big question: does your personality determine whether you'll be good at budgeting? We explore the strengths that both type A and type B personalities bring to money management, why flexibility matters more than perfection, and how to build a budgeting system that actually fits your life instead of forcing you into someone else's. ✨ Episode Highlights ✨ [00:00] Why personality type has more to do with budgeting than you might think.[02:00] Can type B personalities actually budget? Why everyone needs a money system, even if you hate structure.[06:00] Breaking down the common traits of type A and type B personalities, plus how each one influences money habits.[09:30] Why traditional budgeting advice often feels designed for type A personalities — and what type B budgeters need instead.[11:30] The freedom of giving yourself permission to change your budget every month as your life changes.[16:30] Why personalizing your budget categories can make budgeting feel more motivating and aligned with your values.[19:00] Budget "rules" you can let go of, and why flexibility doesn't mean giving up financial boundaries.[23:30] How different budgeting styles — from detailed categories to broad spending buckets — can all be successful.[26:30] How to tell whether a budgeting method simply needs more practice or genuinely isn't the right fit for you.[32:00] What type A and type B personalities can learn from each other, and why comparison rarely helps your financial journey.✨ Resources ✨ Listen to Erin's podcast, The Budget EffectVisit The Budget Effect website: https://thebudgeteffect.com📩 Get The Finance Girlies newsletter:  https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/newsletter 💻Visit The Finance Girlies website:  https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/ 💖Email us your money questions:  hello@thefinancegirlies.com 📸Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefinancegirlies/

  4. Jul 22

    Is investing $100 a week enough to fund retirement? / 85

    When it comes to retirement, one question comes up again and again: How much is actually enough? It’s common to see advice online that says to invest a certain amount every week, but it’s much harder to know whether that number will actually get you where you want to go. In this episode, we break down one of the internet’s most common investing questions: Is investing $100 a week enough for retirement? We walk through the math behind what consistent investing can grow into over 20, 30, and 40 years, explain why time matters just as much as the amount you invest, and share a simple framework you can use to figure out whether you're on track for your own retirement goals. If you've ever wondered how much you really need to retire — or worried that you're not investing enough — this episode will help you think through the numbers with more confidence and less overwhelm. ✨ Episode Highlights ✨ [00:00] Is investing $100 a week enough to retire? The five factors that determine the answer.[02:30] How $100 a week can grow over 20, 30, and 40 years — and why time is your biggest advantage.[06:30] A simple way to calculate your retirement number using your expected annual spending and the rule of 25.[08:00] How Social Security and other income sources can reduce the amount you need to save on your own.[09:30] The retirement expenses people often forget to factor in — and the ones that may disappear altogether.[11:30] Why your retirement contributions don't have to be perfect to keep making meaningful progress.✨ Resources ✨ Investor.gov compound interest calculatorVanguard retirement expenses worksheetRetirement calculator (Merrill) SSA.gov — My Social Security accountRule of 25 retirement planning framework📩 Get The Finance Girlies newsletter:  https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/newsletter 💻Visit The Finance Girlies website:  https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/ 💖Email us your money questions:  hello@thefinancegirlies.com 📸Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefinancegirlies/

  5. Jul 15

    We tried it: Using points and miles to book travel (without being experts) / 84

    There’s no shortage of advice about the right way to use credit card points for travel. Transfer partners, sign-up bonuses, maximizing every redemption... it can start to feel like there’s a test you’re supposed to pass before you’re allowed to book a trip. In this episode, we’re sharing a different perspective. We both recently used credit card points to book summer travel, and neither of us did it in the most optimized way. But instead of waiting until we knew every trick in the book, we used the points we had to save money on trips that mattered to us — and honestly, that felt like a win. Today, we’re breaking down exactly what we booked, how many points we used, what those trips would have cost in cash, and why we ultimately chose simplicity over squeezing every last cent of value from our rewards. If you've ever wondered whether you're "doing points wrong," this episode is your reminder that sometimes, your financial goals matter more than perfect optimization. ✨ Episode Highlights ✨ [00:00] Why we’re confessing our "imperfect" approach to using credit card points[02:50] Breaking down Cass’s last-minute trip to Toronto — flights, hotels, and how points covered nearly $2,000 in travel[07:15] Why Cassidy chose to redeem points through the Chase Travel portal, even though it's not the strategy most travel experts recommend[09:45] How Emily thought about buying a cross-country flight to Seattle while balancing other financial priorities[11:20] Using Google Flights, Points Path, and airline rewards programs to compare cash versus points[14:10] Why Emily intentionally ignored advice to pay cash and save points for later[15:20] How we earned our travel rewards through Chase, United, and Delta credit cards[17:00] What we’re still learning about transfer partners, airline loyalty, and maximizing points[18:00] Why the "best" redemption depends on your personal financial goals, not someone else's spreadsheet[19:10] Our biggest takeaway: using your points to reduce financial stress is a win, even if it isn't perfectly optimized✨ Resources ✨ Points & miles 101 with Ross Alcorn: Turn your credit card rewards into free travel / 52The freedom formula: How to travel, build a career, and save money with Caroline Lupini / 53Points Path Google Flights📩 Get The Finance Girlies newsletter:  https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/newsletter 💻Visit The Finance Girlies website:  https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/ 💖Email us your money questions:  hello@thefinancegirlies.com 📸Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefinancegirlies/

  6. Jul 8

    The one skill every woman needs to increase her income with Megan Smyth / 83

    When you hear the word "sales," you might think of awkward pitches, pushy tactics, or convincing someone to buy something they don't want. But what if selling actually looked more like listening, building relationships, and creating opportunities for yourself? In this episode, we talk to Megan Smyth, a sales coach and educator who helps female entrepreneurs sell without apology. We talk about why so many women struggle with sales, how our nervous systems shape the way we experience money conversations, and why learning to sell isn't just about earning more — it's about creating more freedom, stability, and confidence in your financial life. ✨ Episode Highlights ✨ [00:00] How Megan went from copywriting to helping women sell in a way that feels authentic and empowering.[05:00] Why sales is one of the most valuable money skills you can build — especially if you work for yourself.[08:30] Why you don't need social media to build a successful business, plus alternative marketing strategies that actually work.[14:30] What's happening in your brain and body when you face a rejection, income dips, or scary money conversation.[19:30] Simple nervous system techniques that can help you feel calmer and more confident before high-pressure conversations.[22:00] Why leaving the traditional pre-med path changed Megan’s relationship with money, success, and identity.[25:30] How to stop tying your self-worth to your income and start setting financial goals from a place of freedom instead of fear.[30:00] Why great salespeople spend far more time listening than talking — and why empathy is your biggest advantage.[38:30] How learning to create your own income gives you more stability, confidence, and financial independence over the long term. ✨ Resources ✨ Listen to Megan's podcast, BlazeLearn more about Megan's signature program, Sales Liberation 📩 Get The Finance Girlies newsletter:  https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/newsletter 💻Visit The Finance Girlies website:  https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/ 💖Email us your money questions:  hello@thefinancegirlies.com 📸Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefinancegirlies/

  7. Jul 1

    What the tradwife movement means for women's finances (re-release) / 82

    This episode was previously available exclusively to our paid subscribers and is now being released to all listeners. We’re excited to share it with all the girlies out there!  -------- The trad wife lifestyle is being sold as soft, simple, and secure. But is it financially safe? In this episode, we unpack what the trad wife movement actually promotes, how it differs from choosing to stay home, and why financial autonomy still matters — even inside healthy marriages. We look at the influencer contradictions, the real risks of economic dependence, divorce statistics, and a powerful real-life story that shows how quickly financial control can escalate. If you’ve felt curious about this trend — or quietly unsettled by it — this conversation will help you separate the aesthetic from the economics. ✨ Episode Timestamps ✨ [00:00] Why the trad wife lifestyle took off[03:30] What is a trad wife — and where did this movement come from?[07:30] Trad wife vs. stay-at-home mom: What’s the difference?[09:30] The influencer contradiction and the “not working” illusion[12:30] Traditional Christian ideology and submission rhetoric[15:00] Why this movement can create financial vulnerability[20:00] Divorce, asset division, and the risk of economic dependence[22:00] A Well-Trained Wife and a real story of financial control[26:30] How to protect yourself financially in any marriage✨ Resources ✨  PBS special: Trad Wives vs. RealityMoney with Katie podcast episode featuring Caroline Burke on the trad wife movementA Well-Trained Wife by Tia LevingsTFG episode: Prenups for modern couples with divorce attorney Aaron ThomasTFG episode: Navigating money as a wife, mom, and breadwinner with Jessica Norwood📩 Get The Finance Girlies newsletter:  https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/newsletter 💻Visit The Finance Girlies website:  https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/ 💖Email us your money questions:  hello@thefinancegirlies.com 📸Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefinancegirlies/

  8. Jun 24

    How emotions affect your money decisions with Simone Griffin Taylor / 81

    Have you ever felt guilty for spending money on something you love, but thought nothing of spending money on something you felt like you should do? Or found yourself thinking, "I'm just bad with money"? In this episode, we're joined by financial wellness coach Simone Griffin-Taylor for a conversation about the emotional side of personal finance. We explore why money decisions are rarely as logical as we think, how shame and self-judgment can show up in our financial lives, and why understanding your values may be more important than following someone else's money rules. From homebuying and travel to dining out and even buying Kleenex, this episode is full of real-life examples that will help you get curious about your spending habits, challenge old money stories, and make financial decisions that feel more aligned with the life you actually want to live. ✨ Episode Highlights ✨ [03:00] Why emotions influence nearly every financial decision we make[05:00] How shame shows up in our money lives—and how to recognize it[08:30] The difference between "I made a mistake" and "I am bad with money"[12:00] Why self-compassion can be a powerful financial tool[17:00] The danger of comparing your financial life to someone else's timeline[20:00] Simone's framework for reconnecting with your financial intuition[24:00] How to identify your core values and use them to guide money decisions[30:00] Why two people can share the same values but spend money very differently[35:00] What people judge themselves for financially that is actually completely normal[39:00] Cassidy's surprisingly strong opinions about the value of Kleenex and coat hangers[43:00] How old money stories continue to influence our spending decisions✨ Resources ✨ Connect with Simone: affluencereimagined.com Follow Simone on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/simone-griffin/ 📩 Get The Finance Girlies newsletter:  https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/newsletter 💻Visit The Finance Girlies website:  https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/ 💖Email us your money questions:  hello@thefinancegirlies.com 📸Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefinancegirlies/

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Do you feel like you’re making progress with money, but somehow still feel behind?  Maybe you’re already saving, paying your bills on time, and investing a little.  But you still find yourself thinking: "Wait… am I actually doing this right?" And when you try to find the answer, you get even more frustrated because everything online feels like it was made for some Wall Street bro obsessing over his next trade. If you’re craving money conversations that actually reflect you — an ambitious, vibrant woman using her money to build a life that feels abundant in every sense — come hang with us. Welcome to the Finance Girlies, a money podcast for the girlies who’ve never felt seen by traditional finance advice.  We’re your hosts, Emily Batdorf and Cassidy Horton. Between the two of us, we’ve spent more than a decade researching and writing for big publications in the personal finance space.  Now, every Wednesday, we’re sharing our financial knowledge, experience, and hard-won confidence with you. (And when it’s helpful, we bring in trusted experts to help us unpack the more complex topics.)   During each episode of The Finance Girlies, we’ll cover topics like: Why you don’t have to feel “ready” before you start investingHow to be a more conscious consumer when you’re constantly being #influencedHow your career as a freelancer, entrepreneur, or employee affects your financial realityHow to handle money conflicts in relationships — and strategies to avoid them altogetherHow your money beliefs directly impact your financial habits and choices Together, we’ll explore how you relate to money: through conversations with your partner, the paycheck you earn, and how you spend your days. Instead of throwing prescriptive advice at you, we’ll give you helpful reframes, mindset tools, and why-did-nobody-teach-me-this tidbits to help you build financial confidence every day. If you’ve ever felt like personal financial advice was too dry, impractical, condescending — or just too bro-y — we invite you to pop in an earbud and let out a deep exhale. 

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