Money Well Studio

MoneyWellStudio
  • 5.0 (4)
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Where smart women sip, laugh, and get financially savvy. Welcome to Money Well Studio—the podcast where money talk is anything but boring. Hosted by Jennifer and Julie, two women who know their way around a spreadsheet and a cocktail menu, we dive into what it really takes to build financial confidence, independence, and well-being—especially for women. From the gender wealth gap to financial date nights, from confidence crushers to credit scores, you’ll get real talk, surprising stats, actionable tips, and maybe even a cocktail recipe to toast your financial rise.

  1. 2D AGO

    The Economics of Love: Why Valentine's Day Makes Us Spend, Stress, and Sometimes Break Up

    Buckle-up sweethearts - Valentine's Day is upon us. In this episode, Jennifer and Julie unpack the expensive economics behind Valentine’s Day. From the holiday’s unusual historical roots to the modern phenomenon of “Red Tuesday,” one of the biggest breakup days of the year, they explore how love becomes commercialized and why the holiday so often creates financial stress and relationship tension. They examine why Valentine’s Day spending feels different from everyday purchases, how cultural expectations quietly shape financial decisions, and why trying to save money without communicating can backfire. Along the way, they offer practical, realistic strategies for navigating the holiday without overspending, resentment, or performative gestures that miss the point. The goal isn’t to win Valentine’s Day. It’s to survive it with both your relationship and your bank account intact. Cocktail for the Episode - Cupid’s Arrow Lemon Drop Ingredients 2 oz vodka (plain or citrus) 1 oz fresh lemon juice ¾ oz simple syrup ½ oz raspberry or pomegranate juice Ice Optional - Sugar for rim Lemon twist wrapped around a fresh raspberry, pinned with a martini spike for garnish Instructions If you want a sugared rim, rub a lemon wedge around the edge of a chilled martini glass and dip it into sugar. Add vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, and raspberry liqueur to a shaker filled with ice. Shake hard for 15–20 seconds until well chilled. Strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with a lemon twist or a raspberry. keywords Valentine's Day, economics of love, relationship pressure, spending habits, historical roots, Red Tuesday, financial advice, love and money, holiday spending, relationship dynamics

    26 min

  2. JAN 30

    Scarcity, Sugar, and Selling: What Girl Scout Cookies Teach Us About Money

    February has a reputation problem—but it also brings one of America’s most fascinating seasonal markets: Girl Scout Cookie season. In this episode of Money Well Studio, Jennifer and Julie unwrap the surprisingly rich economics behind Girl Scout cookies—from their humble home-baked origins to a billion-dollar fundraising machine. We dig into how cookie sales teach real-world financial skills like goal-setting, pricing, rejection management, and teamwork—long before most kids ever open a bank account. Along the way, we talk scarcity marketing (hello, limited-time Thin Mints), how cookie revenue actually gets distributed, why the Girl Scout model prioritizes collective success over individual profit, and why critics often miss the deeper value of the program. Whether you were a former Girl Scout, a parent bracing for cookie booths, or just someone who loves behavioral economics wrapped in chocolate, this episode will make you see those iconic boxes very differently. And yes—we pair it with a Thin Mint–inspired cocktail… plus a deeply unserious non-alcoholic option called Milk. 🥛 February may be bleak—but Girl Scout Cookie Season saves it. What started as home-baked goods became a billion-dollar seasonal economy. Cookie sales teach negotiation, resilience, goal-setting, and confidence. Most cookie revenue stays local, funding troop activities and community projects. Scarcity marketing is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. The Girl Scout model values collective success over individual profit. Volunteers are the invisible backbone of the entire system. Selling cookies builds social capital, not just sales numbers. Common critiques often overlook the program’s educational impact. The real rewards were symbolic—and that’s the point. “Scarcity marketing at its finest.” “You learn how to hear no over and over—and keep going.” “The rewards were symbolic, not monetary… and somehow that mattered more.” 00:00 February Blues & Cookie Season Salvation02:53 The Economics of Girl Scouts05:25 A Brief History of the Girl Scouts07:59 From Bake Sales to Big Business08:33 Where the Cookie Money Really Goes13:02 How the Cookie Production System Works15:27 Scarcity Marketing & Behavioral Economics17:34 The Life Lessons Hidden in a Cookie Booth (Thin Mints® is a registered trademark of the Girl Scouts of the USA. This cocktail is an homage, not an official product.) Ingredients 3/4 oz Bailey’s Irish Cream 1 ½ oz green crème de menthe 3 oz clear crème de cacao 3 oz vanilla vodka Instructions Chill two martini glasses in the freezer for 20–30 minutes. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add Bailey’s, crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and vanilla vodka. Shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. Strain into chilled glasses. Garnish with a Thin Mint® cookie (for science). Ingredients Milk Ice Instructions Add ice to a glass. Pour milk over ice. Reflect on your life choices. Enjoy responsibly. Pairs beautifully with cookie season, childhood memories, and zero regrets.

    21 min

  3. JAN 16

    Dry January, Messy Resolutions & the Art of the Reset

    We came in with plans. January had intentions. And then… life punched us in the face. In this episode of Money Well Studio, Jennifer and Julie do a candid, funny, and refreshingly honest check-in on their New Year’s resolutions—from Dry January experiments to decluttering dreams that didn’t quite survive the holidays. We unpack where Dry January actually came from (spoiler: it was never meant to be punitive), why so many resolutions fail by mid-month, and how mindfulness—not perfection—might be the missing ingredient. Along the way, we talk openly about social drinking norms, habit replacement (because you can’t just stop doing something), and the importance of building routines that still leave room for enjoyment. Whether you’re fully dry, mostly mindful, or just wondering why you were drinking “because it was Tuesday,” this episode is your permission slip to reset gently. Today’s Cocktail: The Nanus This is a non-alcoholic remix of last episode’s cocktail, offered in two equally valid versions. The Nanus (Pomegranate Reset) For when you want ritual, flavor, and ceremony—without the booze. Ingredients Pomegranate juice A touch of simple syrup Ice Lemon twist Club soda (optional) Instructions Add pomegranate juice, simple syrup, and ice to a shaker. Shake it up—confidently, like someone who meant to make a resolution. Strain into a glass over fresh ice. Top with club soda if you’re feeling festive. Finish with a lemon twist, because presentation still matters. The Nanus (Tap Water Edition) For when the pause matters more than the performance. Ingredients Water Ice (optional, but dramatic) Lemon twist (if you’re feeling theatrical) Instructions Pour water into a glass. Add ice if you’d like to feel involved. Garnish with a lemon twist if you want to pretend this was intentional. Sip mindfully. You’re doing great. What We Talk About Why New Year’s resolutions feel great… until they don’t The surprisingly practical origins of Dry January Social habits vs. personal intention Why habit replacement matters more than willpower How to create changes you actually enjoy Memorable Sound Bites “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.” “It started as a very normal, very human experiment.” “I was drinking because it was Tuesday.” Episode Chapters 00:00 New Year, New Goals: A Reality Check 04:57 The Origins of Dry January 09:28 The Social Dynamics of Drinking 14:10 Mindful Drinking and Habit Formation 19:00 Reflections, Resets and What Comes Nex

    21 min

  4. JAN 1

    The Two Faces of New Years

    What do New Year’s resolutions really have in common with January gym memberships—and why do so many fail by February? In this episode of Money Well Studio, Julie and Jennifer reframe New Year’s resolutions through the god of Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, endings, and thresholds. Rather than treating resolutions as rigid goals, they explore them as rituals—moments to pause, reflect, and design better systems for the year ahead. The conversation traces the history of resolutions from ancient Babylon through Roman traditions, connects modern January optimism to the booming fitness industry, and unpacks why motivation alone rarely sticks. Using personal finance as a lens, they argue that failed resolutions are often a design problem, not a discipline problem—and that sustainable financial habits are built through small, repeatable systems aligned with real life. Cocktail: The Janus This episode’s drink is The Janus, a cocktail built in two layers—just like the god himself. The bottom layer is darker and richer, representing the past year and the lessons we’re carrying forward. The top layer is light, bright, and bubbly, symbolizing optimism, fresh starts, and the year ahead. The Past (Bottom Layer) 1 oz aged rum or bourbon ½ oz pomegranate liqueur (or pomegranate juice with a touch of simple syrup) 2 dashes Angostura bitters The Future (Top Layer) 1 oz prosecco or champagne ½ oz elderflower liqueur (St-Germain works beautifully) or Grand Marnier Lemon twist (for aroma and brightness) In a shaker with ice, gently stir the Past ingredients. Strain into a coupe or champagne flute. Slowly top with prosecco. Carefully float the elderflower liqueur on top (pour over the back of a spoon). Garnish with a lemon twist or a few pomegranate arils. What would Janus do? He’d look both ways — and sip thoughtfully.

    15 min

  5. 12/22/2025

    The Cautionary Gospel of Cousin Eddie

    Julie and Jennifer unwrap the holiday classic National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation to find some surprisingly timeless financial lessons—most of them learned the hard way, courtesy of Cousin Eddie. With his RV parked in the driveway and his “Jelly of the Month Club” dreams, Eddie is the ultimate cautionary tale for what not to do with money during the holidays. Cocktail: The Burnt Toupee 🍫 Ingredients • 4 oz rich hot chocolate (whole-milk or dairy-free, your choice) • 1 oz bourbon or dark rum • ½ oz crème de cacao or coffee liqueur • ½ oz heavy cream or Irish cream (optional for decadence) • Pinch sea salt Garnish: • Fresh rosemary sprig (for the burning tree) • Small toasted marshmallow or lightly scorched cotton-candy puff (for the “toupee”) • Cocoa powder or grated chocolate for dusting Instructions 1. Make the base. Combine hot chocolate, bourbon, and crème de cacao in a mug or heat-proof glass. Stir well. 2. Prepare the “tree.” Light the rosemary sprig until it begins to smoke, blow it out, and rest it across the rim. (It will scent the drink like pine.) 3. Add the “toupee.” Toast a marshmallow until golden-brown or slightly singed. Skewer it and rest it over the mug, or perch it on the edge so it looks like it’s “wearing” the drink. For spectacle, you can sprinkle a drop of overproof rum on the marshmallow, light it briefly, then blow it out. 4. Dust with cocoa and serve while the smoke curls upward. Keywords: Christmas, financial planning, Cousin Eddie, holiday budgeting, economic lessons, family traditions, holiday chaos, financial freedom, Christmas cocktails, holiday memories

    15 min

  6. 12/12/2025

    Miami Vice and the Price of the Fantasy

    Jennifer and Julie throw it back to the pastel-soaked, synth-scored world of Miami Vice, where Crockett and Tubbs fought crime in linen suits and speedboats. In this episode, they unpack how the glossy fantasies of the 1980s shaped our modern obsession with image, luxury, and comparison. They draw a straight line from the flamingo-pink excess of Miami Vice to the filtered perfection of Instagram, showing how both eras sell the same seductive myth: that wealth equals worth. 🍹 Featured Cocktail – The Mojito Ingredients (serves one): • 2 oz white rum (traditionally Havana Club or another light Cuban rum) • ¾ oz fresh lime juice (about ½ lime) • 2 tsp white sugar (or ½ oz simple syrup) • 6–8 fresh mint leaves • Soda water (club soda or sparkling water) • Crushed ice Directions: 1. Muddle mint, sugar, and lime juice gently in a tall glass—release the oils, don’t shred the leaves. 2. Add rum and stir to dissolve sugar. 3. Fill with ice. 4. Top with soda water and stir lightly. 5. Garnish with a mint sprig and lime wheel.

    30 min

  7. 11/28/2025

    The Economics of Christmas

    In this festive edition of Money Well Studio, Julie and Jennifer unwrap the surprising relationship between joy and economics, while calling out Santa Claus for being the benevolent dictator that he is.  From the frenzy of Black Friday to the quiet sentiment of a handwritten note, they explore how our seasonal spending both fuels the global economy and tests our personal finances.    Cocktail : The Sid - Egg Nog Deluxe This family favorite Egg Nog recipe is close to George’s original and is from the kitchen of our neighbor Sid.  The original recipe can serve an Army so I cut it down quite a bit. Ingredients 3 eggs – separated ½ cup sugar 1 cup whole milk 1  ½ cup heavy cream ½ cup bourbon ¼ cup rum ½ cup cognac Fresh grated nutmeg Instructions Beat egg yolks until think and pale (it does take a while), then gradually add the sugar.  Whisk in milk and a cup of the cream. Add in the booze stirring constantly. Beat egg whites until stiff and fold into the mixture. Whip remaining cream until stiff and fold into the mixture. Sprinkle grated nutmeg on top and enjoy!  It’s stronger than you think so enjoy responsibly!

    25 min

  8. 11/14/2025

    The Home Buying Series: The Home is yours! Now What? (Episode 4)

    In this episode, Jennifer and Julie guide listeners through the essential steps and responsibilities that come with homeownership after closing. They discuss the importance of security measures, updating addresses, managing mortgage payments, and understanding home maintenance. The conversation also covers navigating post-closing paperwork, avoiding junk mail scams, and being aware of property taxes. With a mix of practical advice and light-hearted banter, the hosts emphasize the importance of being proactive and organized as new homeowners.   La Belle Demenage Cocktail  -2 oz gin -1/2 a lime -0.5 ounce of St. Germain  -Tonic water Fill a glass with ice then pour in the gin, lime, St. Germain, and tonic water. Stir 15-20 times and enjoy. keywords homeownership, post-closing,mortgage management, home maintenance, property taxes,

    34 min
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5
out of 5
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About

Where smart women sip, laugh, and get financially savvy. Welcome to Money Well Studio—the podcast where money talk is anything but boring. Hosted by Jennifer and Julie, two women who know their way around a spreadsheet and a cocktail menu, we dive into what it really takes to build financial confidence, independence, and well-being—especially for women. From the gender wealth gap to financial date nights, from confidence crushers to credit scores, you’ll get real talk, surprising stats, actionable tips, and maybe even a cocktail recipe to toast your financial rise.

Information

  • Creator
    MoneyWellStudio
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © MoneyWellStudio
  • Show Website
    Money Well Studio