Money Girl

4.6 (1.8K)
INVESTING
UPDATED WEEKLY

Laura Adams provides short and friendly personal finance, small business, real estate, and investing tips to help you live a richer life. Whether you're just starting out or are already a savvy investor, Money Girl's advice will point you in the right direction. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4D AGO

Lease or Buy?–How to Choose an Affordable Car (and Fix an Upside-Down Loan)

1010. Are you feeling "car poor" or trapped in an auto loan that costs more than your vehicle is worth? In this Finance Friday episode, Laura answers a listener's question about how to navigate an unaffordable car loan when you’re upside-down (negative equity). If you are looking to lower your monthly payments or are debating between a car lease vs. buying your next vehicle, you’ll learn the pros, cons, and math behind making the most affordable choice for your budget. We talk about: How to manage an upside-down car loan: Strategies for refinancing or negotiating with lenders when you owe more than the car's market value.Auto Refinancing 101: When to switch your loan to a credit union or online lender to reduce interest rates and monthly payments.The 20% Rule: Why a significant down payment is the best defense against rapid vehicle depreciation.Leasing vs. Buying: A breakdown of the long-term costs, maintenance responsibilities, and flexibility of each option.Hidden Costs of Ownership: How to account for repairs, mileage restrictions, and residual value before you sign a contract.Upcoming Wedding Series This May: We want your questions about wedding finances! Whether you're the bride, groom, or a guest, send us your questions about budgeting for the big day. Email: money@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Money Girl is a Quick and Dirty Tips Podcast, hosted by Laura Adams. Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15 min
6D AGO

How to Skip a Budget and Build More Wealth

1009. Only 37% of Americans follow a formal budget—so if you hate spreadsheets, you’re in the majority. Whether you’re dealing with budget burnout, irregular income, or "vibes-based" spending, you can still reach your financial goals. In this episode, Laura breaks down how to manage money effectively without the restriction of a traditional budget. Learn how to shift your focus from tracking every penny to growing your total net worth. Key Takeaways: The "Pay Yourself First" Rule: Why prioritizing 10–15% for retirement is more effective than micro-managing expenses.Wealth on Autopilot: How to use automation and AI tools to build savings without thinking about it.Macro vs. Micro: Why tracking your Net Worth is the ultimate metric for financial success.The Income Shift: Why increasing your earning potential is more powerful than ruthlessly cutting coupons.Money Girl is a Quick and Dirty Tips Podcast, hosted by Laura Adams. Have a question for Money Girl? Email: money@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

12 min
APR 3

Should You Use a 401(k) Loan to Buy a House? Pros, Cons, and Rules

1008. Thinking about raiding your retirement to fund a down payment? In this episode of Money Girl, Laura answers a question from Wendy, who’s considering taking a 401(k) loan to buy a home with 20% down. Learn the rules for using a retirement plan loan, its pros and cons, and alternatives for buying a home without borrowing from your retirement. Money Girl is a Quick and Dirty Tips Podcast, hosted by Laura Adams. Have a question for Money Girl? Email: money@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14 min
APR 1

Navigating Taxes with TurboTax Expert Lisa Greene-Lewis

In this episode, Laura sits down with Lisa Greene-Lewis. She’s a TurboTax expert and CPA with over 20 years of experience in tax preparation and helping filers save money. Lisa’s also worked as a public auditor, controller, and been self-employed, so she understands common mistakes to avoid and tips for legally paying less tax. What We Discuss: New rules that reduce taxes and increase tax refunds for the average taxpayer.Tips for small businesses and the self-employed that make filing taxes easier. When to consider incorporating your business or staying a sole proprietor.Who can claim a home office deduction and whether it’s a red flag for the IRS.How long to keep personal and business tax returns and their backup.How to get year-round tax support with TurboTax Experts for Business. Money Girl is a Quick and Dirty Tips Podcast, hosted by Laura Adams. Have a question for Money Girl? Email: money@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 min
MAR 27

Rent vs. Buy: How to Build Wealth Whether You Lease or Own (Reissue)

Is homeownership still the "American Dream," or is it becoming a financial burden? With 81% of renters aspiring to own but 61% fearing they never will, the gap between renting and owning has never felt wider. However, the truth is that both paths can lead to significant wealth if you play your cards right. In this episode of Money Girl, Laura breaks down the persistent rent-versus-own debate. While homeowners benefit from equity and appreciation, savvy renters can leverage flexibility and lower upfront costs to out-invest their home-owning peers. Whether you’re tired of "throwing money away" on rent or feeling "house rich and cash poor," this guide provides the clarity you need to make the best move for your bank account. In this episode, you’ll discover: 4 ways renting can actually make you wealthier (including the "investment gap" advantage).The hidden costs of homeownership that go far beyond your monthly mortgage payment.The tax breaks and appreciation benefits that make real estate a powerful long-term play.How to hedge against inflation with fixed-rate housing costs.The "5-Year Rule" and other lifestyle factors that should dictate your decision.Note: This episode originally aired in January 2025. Have a money question? Send an email to money@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail at (302) 364-0308. Find Money Girl on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more personal finance tips. Money Girl is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/ https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/money-girl-newsletter https://www.facebook.com/MoneyGirlQDT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

21 min
MAR 25

How Your Debt Compares With the Average American’s

With U.S. consumer debt hitting a record $18.8 trillion, it’s time to see how your balances measure up. In this episode, Laura breaks down average debt by age group and type—from Gen Z’s $35k average to Gen X’s $158k peak—to help you determine if your debt is "healthy" or a hurdle to retirement. Key Takeaways: The Big 4: Current averages for mortgages, auto loans, student loans, and credit cards.Debt Rules of Thumb: Learn the 30/30/3 rule for housing and the 20/4/10 rule for car buying.Know Your Ratios: How to calculate your Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratio like a lender.Payoff Strategies: Why high-interest debt is "bad" and how to use consolidation or balance transfers to escape it. Whether you're looking to buy a home or just sleep better at night, learn how to stop being "average" and start building wealth. Find a transcript on your podcast player. Have a money question? Send an email to money@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail at (302) 364-0308. Find Money Girl on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more personal finance tips. Money Girl is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/ https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/money-girl-newsletter https://www.facebook.com/MoneyGirlQDT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15 min
MAR 20

How to Invest When My 401(k) Fails Nondiscrimination?

1005. Is your company "returning" your retirement savings? In this episode, Laura answers a listener question from Jay P., who is frustrated that his contributions keep getting bounced back as taxable income. If you’re a high earner or a diligent saver, nothing is more frustrating than seeing your hard-earned 401(k) contributions returned to your checking account. But why does the IRS penalize you just because your coworkers aren’t saving enough? In this episode, Laura breaks down the "Highly Compensated Employee" (HCE) rules and explains exactly why your retirement plan might be failing its annual nondiscrimination tests. More importantly, she shares the specific steps you can take to keep your momentum going even when your workplace plan hits a ceiling. Laura goes over: The HCE Threshold: The specific 2026 income and ownership limits that trigger these IRS rules. The "Safe Harbor" Solution: How to pitch a plan upgrade to your HR department that eliminates testing forever. Tax Fallout: How to handle the tax liability of returned pre-tax vs. Roth contributions. Pivot Strategies: Three powerful "Plan B" accounts—including HSAs and Roth IRAs—to house your returned cash so it stays invested for the long haul.Find a transcript here. Have a money question? Send an email to money@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail at (302) 364-0308. Find Money Girl on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more personal finance tips. Money Girl is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips. Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/ https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/money-girl-newsletter https://www.facebook.com/MoneyGirlQDT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 min
MAR 18

Save Too Much? Fix Excess Retirement Contributions Penalty-Free

1004. This week, Laura explains how to identify and fix overcontributions to your 401(k), IRA, and HSA. You’ll learn the specific deadlines for 2026 to remove excess funds penalty-free and how to handle the tricky tax paperwork that follows. In This Episode: The Cost of Mistakes: Why IRAs and HSAs carry a 6% annual penalty for excess funds, and how 401(k) errors can lead to double taxation. 2026 Contribution Limits: The max limits for workplace plans ($24,500), IRAs ($7,500), and HSAs ($4,400–$8,750), including catch-up rules for those over 50 and 60. Common Pitfalls: How switching jobs, receiving year-end bonuses, or earning too much for a Roth IRA can trigger an accidental overcontribution. The Correction Timeline: Why April 15 is a hard deadline for workplace plans, while IRAs and HSAs offer flexibility until October 15 with an extension. New 2026 Rules: What high earners (making over $150k) need to know about the new mandatory Roth catch-up contributions.Step-by-Step Fixes: How to work with your account custodian to calculate earnings (or losses) and file the correct tax forms (1099-R, 1099-SA). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

16 min

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Laura Adams

Host
Lisa Greene-Lewis

Guest

4.6

out of 5

1,832 Ratings

Where’s Laura???

11/19/2024

Rebecca VF

Who is this new lady? She doesn’t even have a name. What’s going on here?
Definitely not non partisan

07/22/2025

Vallelj

Why would you call the recent tax bill “One Big Beautiful Bill” over and over like you have so much glee about this harmful bill? You could have referenced it once with this ridiculous and nonsensical name, and then called it by its neutral legislative name of H.R.1. You also did not outline all of the negative impacts this bill will have. Can’t follow someone who clearly is a MAGA who wants to eat their cake and watch others suffer.
Helped me for years!!!

10/06/2024

Hes1234x

I started listening to this years ago in my earliest jobs and it’s been a companion over the years as life phases and needs have changed. So, so grateful to Laura!
Young and dumb

05/01/2024

j33w3l

I am a 23 year old and finding this my goodness has been a help. Starting from motivating me to take care of my financial responsibilities. Learning about things I DIDNT have a clue about. Thank you so much!!!

Laura Adams provides short and friendly personal finance, small business, real estate, and investing tips to help you live a richer life. Whether you're just starting out or are already a savvy investor, Money Girl's advice will point you in the right direction. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.