Money Girl

QuickAndDirtyTips.com

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.

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1,036 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes1036

Newest first

Yesterday · 16 min
A 7-point mid-year checklist for money success
Summer Saturdays: Best of QDT
Friday · 20 min
Should I consolidate old retirement plans?
Your best options for retirement accounts with ex-employers
Wednesday · 18 min
9 things to know about buying your first home
Tips to navigate today’s housing market as a first-timer
July 25 · 16 min
5 ways to help your kids become rich
Summer Saturdays: Best of QDT
July 24 · 19 min
8 things to know about investing in a brokerage account (Reissue)
795. Laura answers a listener question about how to invest in a brokerage account, including the rules you need to know and the best strategy for diversification. Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Email: Laura@LauraDAdams.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 22 · 32 min
The wedding series: navigating love, risk, and money, with James Sexton
1037. What actually happens legally and financially when you say "I do"? Laura Adams interviews veteran New York City divorce trial lawyer Jim Sexton about the often misunderstood world of matrimonial law. Whether you are happily single, engaged, or decades into a marriage, Jim’s advice will completely change how you view love, risk, and asset management. Key takeaways: Be aware that if you don't create your own prenuptial agreement, the state’s default laws will apply at the time of a divorce. Keeping a baseline of financial privacy and separate funds alongside a joint account can clarify your intentions in a divorce. When dating, pay attention to someone’s risk tolerance so you understand how they feel about debt, gambling, or anything that could stress a family. Even in the most trustworthy relationships, completely relying on a spouse to manage money is dangerous because an unexpected crisis could arise. The secret to successful long-term relationships isn't flashy; it’s a series of small, consistent habits like regular check-ins, communication, and proactive financial transparency that prevent misery before it starts. Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Email: Laura@LauraDAdams.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 18 · 25 min
Dealing with debt: expert tips for using a balance transfer credit card
Summer Saturdays: Best of QDT
July 17 · 15 min
Will Social Security be there for you?
1036. Is Social Security in trouble, or is it just a lot of political noise? Laura answers a listener’s question about what the changes to the retirement fund mean for your financial future. You’ll learn the new tax caps that employees and the self-employed must pay and how to protect your retirement safety net. Key takeaways According to the latest 2026 Trustees Report, the Social Security retirement fund is now projected to face a shortfall by 2032, sooner than previous estimates. The Social Security wage base has increased to $184,500 for 2026. High earners will pay a maximum of $11,439 as employees, while the self-employed face a maximum cap of $22,878. Retirement benefits for Social Security participants are based on your highest 35 years of earnings. While you can claim benefits as early as age 62, doing so permanently reduces your benefits by about 30%. Delaying benefits past your Full Retirement Age (FRA) pays 8% more per year until age 70. Social Security benefits may be taxable if your "combined income" (AGI + tax-exempt interest + 50% of benefits) exceeds modest thresholds. Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Email: Laura@LauraDAdams.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 15 · 26 min
The wedding series: plan your big day on an hourly budget
1035. Host Laura Adams sits down with Plannie founder Annie Lee to expose the most common financial pitfalls couples make. Annie breaks down the "macro approach" to wedding design, explaining how to test-drive a planner and focus your budget for a luxury feel at a fraction of the cost. Key takeaways: Why overinvesting in a wedding venue is the most common budget mistake. How to focus on event expenses that are impactful and instantly set the mood for guests. Why locking in the lowest number of guests on catering and venue contracts is wise. Leave a buffer in your budget for overlooked expenses, such as administrative fees, taxes, and tips, which can drive your final bill up by 30%. How Plannie’s hourly expert consultants can help tackle budget creation, contract reviews, day-of timeline coordination, and much more. Working with a Plannie consultant on one or two small hourly assignments (like a venue search or budget review) to test their communication, speed, and compatibility is wise before making a full commitment to work together. Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Email: Laura@LauraDAdams.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 10 · 13 min
How to guide Gen Z to financial success
Money Advice for First-Time Earners
July 8 · 25 min
The wedding series: How to avoid money mistakes in marriage
1033. Host Laura Adams sits down with family law attorney Cari Rincker to unpack the crucial intersection of love, law, and your wallet. Cari reveals why every couple already has a prenuptial agreement (whether they signed one or not) and discusses legal differences between states for divorce. You’ll learn how to protect your assets, open the lines of communication, and build a secure financial future together. Key Takeaways Why your state’s default divorce laws may not be the prenuptial agreement you want in force if you break up. Start the prenup process at least three months before your wedding to ensure ample time for financial disclosures and any tough conversations. In states with equitable division (like Illinois and New York), assets are divided in divorce based on factors the courts use to determine what’s “fair.” In community property states (like California and Arizona), there is a more straightforward split of assets and liabilities than in equitable states. The laws of the state where you actually file for the dissolution of the marriage are what will apply, not where you got married. Be sure you have access to your household’s financial records, including tax returns, bank statements, and online account logins. To save on the steep emotional and financial costs of a divorce or asset negotiation, couples should avoid fighting over minor details and instead focus their energy on their highest-priority issues. Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Email: Laura@LauraDAdams.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 3 · 17 min
Traditional vs. Roth 401(k) – Best strategy for side hustlers
Should I switch my retirement contribution strategy?
July 1 · 32 min
The wedding series: business and budget behind the big day
Pulling back the curtain on the wedding industry
June 26 · 14 min
SAVE plan is gone: What student loan borrowers must do before July 1
Understanding the 2026 student loan changes
June 24 · 11 min
5 summer travel hacks that really save money
1029. Does the cost of a summer vacation mean you have to stay home this year? Rising prices for travel, gas, food, and lodging can make a family getaway feel out of reach. But with the right strategies, you can enjoy a memorable summer trip without overspending or going into debt. In this episode, Laura shares practical ways to stretch your travel budget, from choosing affordable destinations closer to home to saving money on fuel, food, accommodations, and entertainment. Whether you're planning a road trip, a weekend getaway, or a staycation, you'll learn how to create meaningful family experiences while keeping costs under control. Key Takeaways Consider destinations closer to home to reduce transportation costs and maximize family time. Save money on road trips with smart planning for fuel, meals, and routes. Cut lodging expenses by traveling during shoulder season and choosing accommodations with kitchen access. Find free or discounted activities that deliver fun without straining your budget. Build an affordable vacation around destinations that offer both low-cost attractions and reasonably priced accommodations. Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Email: Laura@LauraDAdams.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 20 · 24 min
Good debt vs bad debt: Your plan for paying off debt faster
Summer Saturdays: Best of QDT
June 19 · 10 min
Should I invest a lump sum or equally throughout the year?
Pros and cons of a dollar-cost averaging (DCA) strategy
June 17 · 20 min
7 steps to recession-proof your finances (Reissue)
749. If you’re worried about a recession or just want to strengthen your finances, Laura covers seven steps to take now to ease the impact of a future hardship. Encore episode: This episode originally aired in November 2022. Discover more from Money Girl! Facebook Newsletter Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com. Email: Laura@LauraDAdams.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 13 · 17 min
8 Micro money habits for guaranteed success
Summer Saturdays: Best of QDT
June 12 · 11 min
7 money rules for new graduates
How to set yourself up for a lifetime of financial success

Money Girl

A 7-point mid-year checklist for money success

Should I consolidate old retirement plans?

9 things to know about buying your first home

5 ways to help your kids become rich

8 things to know about investing in a brokerage account (Reissue)

The wedding series: navigating love, risk, and money, with James Sexton

Dealing with debt: expert tips for using a balance transfer credit card

Will Social Security be there for you?

The wedding series: plan your big day on an hourly budget

How to guide Gen Z to financial success

The wedding series: How to avoid money mistakes in marriage

Traditional vs. Roth 401(k) – Best strategy for side hustlers

The wedding series: business and budget behind the big day

SAVE plan is gone: What student loan borrowers must do before July 1

5 summer travel hacks that really save money

Good debt vs bad debt: Your plan for paying off debt faster

Should I invest a lump sum or equally throughout the year?

7 steps to recession-proof your finances (Reissue)

8 Micro money habits for guaranteed success

7 money rules for new graduates