A Thought For Your Pennies

Shawna and Sqeaky
  • 4.9 (13)
  • COMEDY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A Thought For Your Pennies makes saving money feel less overwhelming—and a lot more fun! Hosted by friends Shawna and Sqeaky, this show is all about navigating the rising costs of everyday life while keeping your family afloat. Each episode brings you hilarious real-life family stories, practical money-saving tips, and scams to watch out for—with a relatable, down-to-earth approach. They're not financial experts; they're just friends trying to figure it out. Listen in for laughs, lessons, and a little extra cash in your pocket! Got a tip or a story to share? Reach out to penniespod@gmail.com or 970-425-3060. This content is CAN credentialed, which means you can report instances of harassment, abuse, or other harm on their hotline at (617) 249-4255, or on their website at creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org.

  1. 08/06/2025

    BEFORE YOU get a raise OR take a out a payday advance loan LISTEN TO THIS!

    Sqeaky shares that one weird trick that will get you a raise. Leverage. Not like in the mafia, but real leverage that's always worked for him contract to contract. Shawna shares more tried and true things you need to check off to get a raise. We also cover the scams that is payday advance - banned in a lot of states with good reason. But! There are scammy elements to them that pop up everywhere, so take a listen to save money! Credits: Hosts - Shawna and Sqeaky, Music - Allison Tartalia, Producer - Cole John, Writer - Carl Weinschenk, Marketing - Ricardo Gutiérrez   Links:  Indeed: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-get-a-raise *   Robert Half https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/career-development/how-to-ask-for-raise-and-get-it **   The Cut https://www.thecut.com/article/how-to-ask-for-a-raise.html ***   The Estrin Report  https://www.estrinreport.com/how-to-blow-your-chances-of-getting-a-raise/ ****   Harvard Business Review https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-get-a-raise *****   https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/payday-loans.asp   thammer.org/states-where-payday-loans-are-illegal/   https://www.riograndecu.org/payday-loan-scams    https://www.ncsl.org/financial-services/payday-lending-state-statutes https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-payday-loans-work/   https://www.aura.com/learn/payday-loan-scams   https://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumers/scams_schemes_frauds/dangerous_or_predatory_loans   https://www.noffcu.org/articles/article/2024/10/beware-payday-loan-scams Chapters (00:00:00) - How to get a raise at work(00:22:26) - Payday advance scams

    36 min

  2. 07/30/2025

    BEFORE YOU SPEND ON menopause LISTEN TO THIS!

    Shawna and Sqeaky don't mess around talking about how real expensive menopause can be - and how it really doesn't have to be. Plus! They cover the scams of vaginal lasers and other silly things.  Credits: Hosts - Shawna and Sqeaky, Producer - Cole John, Writer & Music - Allison Tartalia, Marketing - Ricardo Gutiérrez Sources Cited:   Johns Hopkins Medicine:  https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/introduction-to-menopause:   Mayo Clinic: https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-does-menopause-cause-brain-fog/   OSF Healthcare: https://www.osfhealthcare.org/blog/menopause-supplements-should-women-take-them/   Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/menopause-and-dry-eyes https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/menopause-itching https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/joint-pain-menopause The Independent: https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/fashion/menopause-oestrogen-perimenopause-greek-amazon-b2676570.html   NIH National Library of Medicine: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5929427/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18460167/   National Health Service - UK https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/things-you-can-do/ https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/alternatives-to-hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/lifestyle-changes-to-make-if-youre-unable-to-take-hrt/ Everyday Health: https://www.everydayhealth.com/womens-health/menopause-scams-to-watch-out-for/   American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/t... Chapters (00:00:00) - Menopause affects all of us(00:13:43) - How to save on menopause(00:31:52) - Menopause scams

    42 min
  3. BEFORE you rent another place LISTEN TO THIS!

    07/23/2025

    BEFORE you rent another place LISTEN TO THIS!

    There are ways to save on rent that Shawna and Sqeaky cover that you may not have thought of before. Plus, we go over scams and roommate drama so you don't have to find out first hand. Before you find your next place to rent or put out an ad for a roommate, check out this episode for ways to save money - with a humorous attitude.   Credits: Hosts Shawna & Sqeaky, Producer Cole John, Writer Syb de Clark, Music Allison Tartalia, Marketing Ricardo Gutiérrez Chapters (00:00:00) - Rental Savings(00:21:12) - Rental Scams

    47 min
  4. BEFORE you spend on cell phones LISTEN TO THIS

    07/16/2025

    BEFORE you spend on cell phones LISTEN TO THIS

    What was your first cell phone? What do you do about cell phones with your kids? Shawna and Sqeaky go over some great ideas and ways to save money when it comes to your family and your cell phone - both plans and hardware. Plus, they go over the most common phone scams and surprising ways that you can avoid these scams. Make sure you give it a listen and save money when it comes to your phone!   Credits: Hosts Shawna & Sqeaky, Producer Cole John, Marketing Ricardo Gutiérrez, Music Allison Tartalia, Editor Josh Rockley, Writer Carl Weinshenck Chapters (00:00:00) - Phones and Families(00:12:08) - Phone Savings(00:31:18) - Phone Scams

    50 min
  5. BONUS - Top Scams of 2024

    07/11/2025 ·  BONUS

    BONUS - Top Scams of 2024

    To celebrate that we are now live on the You of Tubes, Shawna and Sqeaky made an episode covering the Federal Trade Commission's top scams of 2024. How else would you celebrate? There are more than a few surprises in this episode about scams - listen to stay savvy to scams you may not have known about!   Credits: Music by Allison Tartalia, Hosts Shawna & Sqeaky, Producer Cole John, Marketing Ricardo Gutiérrez

    22 min
  6. BEFORE you start a podcast - LISTEN TO THIS TO SAVE MONEY!

    07/09/2025

    BEFORE you start a podcast - LISTEN TO THIS TO SAVE MONEY!

    It's a new season because you can now check out our beautiful faces up on youtube. Sqeaky took the long trek from Nebraska to Colorado to set up Shawna's studio for the podcast, and we go over the equipment you'll need to set up your own podcast --- without spending TOO MUCH MONEY! A fun way to learn about the costs of decent podcasting, thanks for tuning in to A Thought For Your Pennies! Credits: Hosts Shawna and Sqeaky; Producer Cole John; Audio Editor Igor Stroev; Video Editor Amy Fan; Music Allison Tartalia; Marketing Ricardo Gutiérrez

    31 min
  7. Before you spend on a - BATHROOM REMODEL - listen to this! Funny family stories, bathroom remodel savings and scams to avoid

    07/03/2025

    Before you spend on a - BATHROOM REMODEL - listen to this! Funny family stories, bathroom remodel savings and scams to avoid

    Potty training kids (or maybe you remember being potty trained?) is tough, and Shawna shares stories of how her kids either told her she was wrong or how she told them the toilet was the fate for all children. Then after a few laughs, we get into bathroom remodels, with Sqeaky about how he saved (which turns into romance advice??) and Shawna bringing you the scams you want to avoid when dealing with contractors in the bathroom.  Credits: Hosts - Shawna & Sqeaky; Producer - Cole John; Audio Editor - Igor Stroev, Marketing - Ricardo Gutiérrez, Music - Allison Tartalia Sources: HGTV – 10 Ways to Save Money on a Bathroom Remodel: https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/real-estate/10-ways-to-save-money-on-a-bathroom-remodel This Old House – 12 Tips on How to Save Money on a Bathroom Remodel: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/bathrooms/21015034/12-tips-on-how-to-save-money-on-a-bathroom-remodel Consumer Reports – Low-Cost Bathroom Upgrades: https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/remodeling/low-cost-bathroom-upgrades/ NerdWallet – Bathroom Remodel Cost: Budget, Average, and High-End: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/bathroom-remodel-cost Bob Vila – 10 Ways to Save Money on a Bathroom Remodel: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/save-on-bathroom-remodel/ FTC – Home Improvement Scams: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/home-improvement-scams Angi – How to Avoid Contractor Scams: https://www.angi.com/articles/avoiding-contractor-scams.htm Forbes Home – Bathroom Remodel Scams: https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/bathroom/bathroom-remodel-scams/ BBB – Bathroom Remodel Scams on the Rise Chapters (00:00:00) - Potty Training Time(00:15:10) - Bathroom Remodel Savings(00:24:44) - Scams on Bathroom Remodels to Avoid

    39 min

  8. 06/25/2025

    BEFORE YOU SPEND ON social media LISTEN TO THIS!

    Shawna shares why falling down the stairs is a special indignity, the time she should have broken her foot on a drunk blob run, and Sqeaky shares how his knife hand didn't quite hold up. We dig into the intersection of social media and personal finance, discussing the prevalence of scams, the potential for saving money through social media, and how to identify trustworthy financial influencers. Then we emphasize the importance of consumer awareness and provide insights into navigating the complex landscape of financial products and advice available online. your rich bff, broke black girl, her first 100k - all insta accounts Shawna likes and follows for financial advice.  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/03/top-scams-2024 Great resource and interesting perspective about scams last year.  Credits: Hosts - Shawna & Sqeaky, Producer - Cole John, Marketing - Ricardo Gutiérrez, Music - Allison Tartalia Chapters (00:00:00) - Stairs are not fun, lake blob should have been fun(00:20:11) - Can you save using social media?(00:33:14) - Social media scaaaaammmmmzzzz

    47 min
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4.9
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

A Thought For Your Pennies makes saving money feel less overwhelming—and a lot more fun! Hosted by friends Shawna and Sqeaky, this show is all about navigating the rising costs of everyday life while keeping your family afloat. Each episode brings you hilarious real-life family stories, practical money-saving tips, and scams to watch out for—with a relatable, down-to-earth approach. They're not financial experts; they're just friends trying to figure it out. Listen in for laughs, lessons, and a little extra cash in your pocket! Got a tip or a story to share? Reach out to penniespod@gmail.com or 970-425-3060. This content is CAN credentialed, which means you can report instances of harassment, abuse, or other harm on their hotline at (617) 249-4255, or on their website at creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org.

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