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780. Did you know a solid credit score can save you tens of thousands of dollars on a mortgage, slash your auto insurance premiums, and even help you land an apartment or a job? Excellent credit isn't just for frequent borrowers—it’s an essential foundation for everyday wealth building. In this episode, Laura breaks down nine actionable, savvy strategies to build, repair, and maintain top-tier credit scores. You’ll learn: The hidden perks of high credit: How your score affects utilities, rentals, and insurance rates—even if you never borrow money.The credit utilization trap: Why closing paid-off credit cards can unexpectedly hurt your score.Common myths debunked: The truth about carrying a balance and why being completely debt-free might leave you with a "thin" credit profile.Starting from square one: How to leverage secured credit cards and authorized user status to establish credit safely.How your score stacks up: A look at average credit scores across the country and the factors scoring models weigh the most.Whether you're building credit for the first time or looking to jump from good to excellent, these practical habits will set you up for long-term financial success. Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Email: [email protected] or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1063. Stepping away from the workforce to care for family is meaningful work. But relying on a single paycheck can leave parents vulnerable. Host Laura Adams answers a listener’s question about transitioning to a one-income household. Whether you’re married or are domestic partners, you’ll learn strategies to create a strong financial safety net. Key Takeaways Because a one-income family faces more financial risk, it’s important to build a liquid emergency cushion of at least six months of living expenses in an FDIC-insured high-yield savings account.Life insurance shouldn't just replace the earner’s paycheck; having a term life policy on the stay-at-home parent protects against the annual expense of childcare.Legally married couples filing taxes jointly can fund a spousal IRA up to annual limits for the non-working spouse.A working partner can gift funds for a non-working partner using a brokerage account in their name.A last will and testament (which names legal guardians for minor children), power of attorney, health care proxy, and living will ensure key decisions about your family’s future stay in your control.Accounts with named beneficiaries, like 401(k)s, IRAs, and life insurance policies, bypass probate and transfer directly to the named individual, making regular beneficiary audits critical after marriage, divorce, or childbirth. Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Email: [email protected] or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1062. Are massive credit card sign-up bonuses (SUBs) really worth chasing? Or do they actually hurt your credit? Host Laura Adams explains the real impact of opening credit cards for sign-up bonuses, closing accounts shortly after, and managing multiple cards. You’ll learn six strategies to maximize card rewards, control your credit utilization, and protect your credit scores. Key Takeaways Only chase a high-value sign-up bonus if you can reach the spending threshold with routine, planned purchases. Buying unnecessary items or carrying a balance with high interest charges wipes out the rewards.Applying for a card results in a temporary hard inquiry check, but adding a new credit line increases your total available credit, which lowers your overall credit utilization ratio and boosts your scores over time.Canceling a card shortly after earning and spending a bonus can cause your credit utilization ratio to spike.If you want to cancel a card with a high annual fee, consider downgrading to a less expensive one in the same card family to keep your credit limit intact.Inactive cards can be closed by issuers, or they can cut your credit limit. You can keep cards active with a small recurring charge or an occasional charge to preserve your credit.Episode 1040: Keep your cards active Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Email: [email protected] or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1061. Worried about locking your money away in a retirement account? Host Laura Adams answers a question about choosing investments without losing sleep over liquidity. You’ll learn the pros and cons of taxable brokerage accounts versus retirement accounts, the surprising Roth IRA "loophole" for penalty-free withdrawals, and a simple strategy for choosing diversified investments. Key Takeaways Taxable brokerage accounts offer complete liquidity with no withdrawal penalties or deposit caps, but require paying annual taxes on dividends and capital gains. Retirement accounts offer tax savings, but carry strict annual limits and early withdrawal restrictions.Roth IRA contributions can be withdrawn at any time, for any reason, with no tax or penalty, giving you a built-in safety net.Stick to broad-market index ETFs (like S&P 500 or Total Stock Market funds), which are diversified and rarely generate unexpected annual tax liabilities.Build an emergency fund as a top financial priority, then maximize any free matching for a workplace retirement plan, and then fund a Roth IRA. Consider using a taxable brokerage account for non-retirement or mid-term financial goals.Investing consistently is key to building wealth with the least effort possible. Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Email: [email protected] or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1060. Dreaming of retiring early or taking an extended career break, but worried your money is locked away until age 59.5? Host Laura Adams explains a powerful strategy to retire early and avoid expensive penalties. Key Takeaways A Roth conversion ladder allows early retirees to move tax-deferred funds into a Roth IRA and access the converted amount tax- and penalty-free before 59.5.Each Roth conversion requires a separate five-year waiting period before you can withdraw it penalty-free.Building a Roth conversion "ladder" means executing annual conversions so that starting in year six, you unlock a new amount of penalty-free funds to spend.Doing Roth conversions in low-income years, such as at the start of early retirement, allows you to pay less income tax.Have a plan to pay taxes on a Roth conversion from savings or a taxable brokerage account and not from your retirement account.Be aware that having higher income due to a Roth conversion could inadvertently reduce ACA health care subsidies.Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Email: [email protected] or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1059. Host Laura Adams sits down with Courtney Alev, Consumer Financial Advocate and Director of Product Management for TurboTax. They discuss real listener questions about budgeting, tax refund strategies, and paying down debt. You’ll learn strategies and tips for saving more, managing debt wisely, adjusting tax withholding, and curbing impulse spending to improve your financial life. Key Takeaways Treat savings like an essential bill or subscription by automatically transferring even a small amount into a dedicated savings account every payday before paying other expenses.Tracking your total monthly spending is the best way to take control of your cash flow and see where small cuts can make a big difference.Rent is the maximum you might pay per month, but a mortgage is the minimum, due to property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and unexpected repair costs.A large tax refund means you overpaid taxes throughout the year; however, you may be able to adjust your W-4 withholding for higher monthly paychecks.Tackle credit card balances from highest to lowest interest rate to save the most money over time.Pause for at least 24 hours before making a non-essential purchase over a certain amount to help eliminate impulse purchases. Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Email: [email protected] or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

952. Not sure whether you need a financial advisor, or which kind to look for? Laura Adams explains the seven types of financial professionals: bankers, insurance agents, tax accountants, estate attorneys, stockbrokers, registered investment advisors (RIAs), and certified financial planners (CFPs). She covers what each one does, how each is paid, and which are fiduciaries legally required to act in your best interest. You'll learn the difference between fee-only, fee-based, and commission-based advisors, and how to spot conflicts of interest. Laura also shares where to search for and verify credentials, including LetsMakeAPlan.org, FINRA.org, AdviserInfo.SEC.gov, the IRS preparer search tool, and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors. She closes with a list of questions to ask in a first meeting. These are especially helpful after a windfall, a new business, a divorce, a growing family, or when you're planning for retirement. This episode originally ran in August 2025. Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Email: [email protected] or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1058. With 10-year U.S. Treasury yields above 5.3%, many investors are asking if they should ditch stocks and play it safe with fixed income. Host Laura Adams answers a listener’s question about investing when retirement is ten years away. You’ll learn the basics of bonds and how to use a three-bucket strategy to lower risk without giving up long-term growth. Key Takeaways A bond is a loan an investor gives an entity (like the federal government, a local municipality, or a corporation) in exchange for interest payments over a period.10-year U.S. Treasury bond yields have climbed above 5.3%, their highest rate in decades, providing an inflation-adjusted return of about 2%.The longer the maturity of a bond, the higher its interest rate will be. You can buy individual bonds or bond funds, which are diversified and an easy way to buy a preset portfolio of bonds from brokerages and investment platforms. Owning individual bonds to maturity eliminates price fluctuation risk, where a bond’s price shifts based on interest rates. Retirees can benefit from structuring their portfolio into three buckets: cash, bonds, and stocks, to protect against potential market losses. Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Email: [email protected] or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1057. Few things are more frustrating than learning your flight has been canceled. But do you know what you’re legally entitled to when an airline grounds your plane? Host Laura Adams breaks down your rights as an air traveler and explains how to protect your wallet when flights get disrupted. Key Takeaways If an airline cancels your flight or changes your schedule by more than three hours domestically or six hours internationally, you’re entitled to a full refund if you choose not to rebook.Research your options using airline apps, by calling their domestic or international customer service, or by messaging their social media.Airlines are not required to issue vouchers for delays caused by factors they can’t control, such as severe weather, air traffic control shutdowns, cyberattacks, or unscheduled safety maintenance.Paying for your flight or award ticket taxes with a card that offers travel protections can help offset unexpected hotels, ground transportation, meals, and toiletries when your flight is canceled or significantly delayed.To claim credit card travel protections, request a "Statement of Delay" from the airline and keep itemized receipts for every expense.Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Email: [email protected] or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1056. Should you buy your next home before selling your current one, or is it safer to sell first? How does an existing mortgage impact your ability to qualify for a new loan, and where should your down payment actually come from? Host Laura Adams answers a listener’s questions about navigating the tricky logistics of moving and whether to convert her current house into a rental property. Key Takeaways You can source your down payment from savings, home sale proceeds, a pre-arranged home equity line of credit (HELOC), or a short-term bridge loan.Carrying two mortgages at once counts toward a lender’s debt-to-income (DTI) ratio for underwriting.If you convert your primary home into a rental property, most lenders allow you to use 75% of rental income (backed by a signed lease) to offset your existing mortgage when qualifying for a new loan.A leaseback agreement allows you to sell your home, receive cash proceeds on closing day, and remain in the home as a tenant for up to 60 days.Holding two properties simultaneously usually requires higher credit scores and cash reserves. Consult a mortgage expert to calculate your exact borrowing limits under different scenarios before placing offers or listing your property on the market.Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Email: [email protected] or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1055. Host Laura Adams interviews Natasha Madan, CMO and consumer advocate at Credit Karma, about the financial habits of Gen Z, credit myths, and wise ways to use AI tools. You’ll learn practical strategies to optimize your credit, get the best interest rates, and build wealth faster. Key Takeaways Taking small, consistent actions, such as reducing your credit utilization or consolidating high-interest debt, adds up to slowly improve your finances.Paying bills on time and paying off credit card balances in full every month are ways to build credit without accruing interest charges.Beyond getting loans at lower interest rates, credit scores affect other parts of your finances, like your insurance rates (in most states) and whether you can rent a home or apartment.Always check and optimize your credit months ahead of applying for a major loan (like a mortgage or auto loan) so you can get approved for a competitive interest rate and cut interest.Younger generations, like Gen Z, want to enjoy life and plan wisely for the future, instead of sacrificing too much in the present moment.Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Email: [email protected] or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1054. Are you comfortable in your career but longing for change? Or maybe you want the freedom to move anywhere in the country without taking a financial step backward? Host Laura Adams answers a listener’s question about safe ways to pivot to a new career with a high earning potential and geographic flexibility. Key Takeaways: Break down your existing career expertise into hard skills (core work functions), soft skills (interpersonal abilities), and system skills (software tools and digital platforms) that you can use in a new career.Consider high-demand sectors that exist throughout the US for maximum flexibility, such as healthcare, financial services, insurance, real estate, cybersecurity, and information technology, or fully remote roles.Validate your interest in a new field by conducting informational interviews, shadowing professionals, and taking introductory online coursework before resigning from your current position.Never judge a relocation offer solely on the gross salary figure; always account for the region’s cost-of-living, housing affordability, and state income taxes to understand your net take-home pay.Keep a separate cash cushion outside of your emergency savings to cover upskilling courses, licensing fees, income gaps, and relocation costs. Related Episodes 753 1025 1000 999 Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Email: [email protected] or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1053. Host Laura Adams walks you through seven ways to lower your taxes, maximize savings, and protect your hard-earned cash before midnight on December 31. Don’t let holiday chaos cause you to miss this critical deadline. Key Takeaways Employer-sponsored retirement plans like 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and 457s require employers to deduct contributions from paychecks by December 31.Zero out your flexible spending account (FSA) before year-end or confirm your employer’s specific rules, such as a limited carryover or grace period.If you’ve met your annual health insurance deductible, schedule remaining doctor visits, recommended tests, or prescription fills in December before your coverage limits reset on January 1.Those over 73 must make required minimum distributions (RMDs) from traditional retirement accounts by December 31 to avoid steep penalties. If you can move certain expenses (such as a mortgage payment or property taxes) into December, they may help you deduct more by itemizing.Check card portals before holiday shopping to activate quarterly bonus categories and redeem annual travel credits or expiring reward points to offset end-of-year expenses. Related Episodes 1045 916 1018 1044 981 966 1043 Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Email: [email protected] or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1052. Thinking about helping your kids buy a home decades from now? Host Laura Adams answers a listener’s question about the best ways to grow savings. You’ll learn how inflation impacts long-term savings and which growth-oriented accounts offer the best return for long-term goals. Key Takeaways: For long-term goals, low-yield options like CDs carry risk due to inflation. Broad-market index funds (like an S&P 500 fund) offer higher returns that can keep pace with inflation.Opening a standard brokerage account in the parent's name allows money to grow in low-cost index funds without contribution caps or early withdrawal penalties. Parents are in complete control of when, how, or if the money is gifted.UGMA or UTMA accounts allow parents to invest on a child’s behalf, and ownership legally transfers to the child when they reach adulthood.Families with children under 18 can utilize Trump Accounts, which allow up to $5,000 in annual tax-deferred contributions. Plus, those born from 2025 to 2028 are eligible for a $1,000 federal deposit. After age 18, a child’s Trump Account converts to a traditional IRA. It can be converted into a Roth IRA by paying taxes on account earnings, which then allows more options for penalty-free withdrawals.Once a child has earned income, parents can match their earnings in a Roth IRA up to the annual limit ($7,500 in 2026). Contributions can be withdrawn anytime tax- and penalty-free for any use. After five years of account ownership, a Roth IRA allows up to $10,000 of earnings to be used penalty-free (but not tax-free) for a qualified first-time home purchase. Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Email: [email protected] or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1051. Are you worried about the rising cost of college? In celebration of College Savings Month, Laura compares the two main types of education accounts: 529 savings plans and 529 prepaid tuition plans. You’ll learn their key differences and how to choose the right plan. Key Takeaways Both 529 savings and prepaid plans offer tax-free account growth and tax-free withdrawals when used for qualified education expenses.529 savings plans invest in market portfolios (like index funds) for higher growth potential, while prepaid plans lock in current tuition rates at state universities to hedge against rising costs.529 savings plans cover tuition, room, board, books, computers, trade schools, and up to $20,000 per year for K–12 tuition. Prepaid plans only cover tuition and mandatory fees at a preset in-state university.Unused funds in a 529 savings account open for at least 15 years can be rolled over tax-free into a Roth IRA for the beneficiary (up to a $35,000 lifetime cap).You can use both accounts to lock in prepaid tuition rates and a savings plan to cover many other qualified education expenses. Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Email: [email protected] or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.