Popcorn Finance

Is it too early to be thinking about tax season? We’re nearing the end of 2024, which means tax season is right around the corner. To help you stay ahead of the chaos, I’ve invited Keila Hill-Trawick, CPA and founder of Little Fish Accounting, back on the show to share her top tax prep tips that you can start using now to make the process smoother and less stressful when April rolls around. Connect with Keila Hill-Trawick Instagram | Website | The Fish Food Podcast Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to questions@popcornfinance.com  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can I stop mindlessly spending money? Today I’m back with part 2 of my chat with Jen and Jill from The Frugal Friends Podcast! If you missed part 1, we talked about their top tips for spending guilt-free, all from their new book, Buy What You Love Without Going Broke. This time, we’re diving into a topic I think a lot of us can relate to: how to stop mindless spending. Jen and Jill share how to break the cycle of mindless spending and start shaping our money habits around what really matters to us.  Other Episodes with Jen & Jill: Ep. 094, Ep. 444, Ep. 454, Ep. 479 Connect with Jen & Jill Instagram | Website | Book: Buy What You Love Without Going Broke Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to questions@popcornfinance.com  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do we stop tying our spending choices to our sense of self? With the holidays coming up, it’s easy to overspend and feel guilty later—I know I do. That’s why I’m bringing back Jen and Jill from The Frugal Friends Podcast to discuss their new book, Buy What You Love Without Going Broke. We’re breaking down how to spend without guilt and how to stop letting money define your identity. Other Episodes with Jen & Jill: Ep. 094, Ep. 444, Ep. 454 Connect with Jen & Jill Instagram | Website | Book: Buy What You Love Without Going Broke Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to questions@popcornfinance.com  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why aren’t mortgage rates dropping alongside interest rates? Last month, the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates, but mortgage rates actually went up. One key reason is that mortgage rates aren’t directly tied to those set by the Federal Reserve. Today, we’re taking a closer look at this and exploring why mortgage rates often move independently of the Fed’s rate changes. Episodes Mentioned: Ep. 475 Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to questions@popcornfinance.com  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are some things that have gotten cheaper over the years despite inflation? Thanksgiving is just a few days away, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who could use a break from work, the news, and everything in between. For this week’s episode, I decided to do something a little different. Over the summer, I worked on a project that involved analyzing years’ worth of inflation data, and I discovered some surprising facts. So today, I’m sharing a few things that have actually gotten cheaper over the years—despite rising inflation! Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to questions@popcornfinance.com  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s your biggest fear when it comes to money? I recently came across an article titled The Most Common Money Fears, written by someone I know well—Melanie Lockert, a Brooklyn-based freelance personal finance writer and the author of Dear Debt. Melanie has been on the show before, and I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to invite her back to discuss her article and how our fears can hold us back from reaching our financial goals. Episodes Mentioned Ep. 142: Dear Debt Connect with Melanie Article: The Most Common Money Fears | Book: Dear Debt | Instagram | Twitter | Website Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to questions@popcornfinance.com  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the Federal Reserve cut interest rates again so it's time for another episode. The urge to just completely check out this week was very strong, but when I have the opportunity to look at a bunch of numbers and charts I just can't pass it up. Let's learn what is going on in the economy together this week! Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to questions@popcornfinance.com  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A listener let me know about a political ad that showed up in one of my episodes that I did not sign off on. So what better time than hours before the 2024 election to discuss how our money is always political. Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to questions@popcornfinance.com  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Could saving for your kid's college cost them a scholarship? This week we are answering this question that was sent in by a listener with the help of Certified Financial Planner Marguerita Cheng. Connect with Marguerita Cheng Book: More Than Money | Twitter Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to questions@popcornfinance.com  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can my job help me repay my student loans AND save for retirement? Popcorn Finance listener Alexis sent in a question wanting to know more about a section of the Secure Act 2.0 that allows employers to match student loan repayments just like they do with retirement contributions. I’m breaking down this section of the Secure Act 2.0, explaining how it works, and sharing how you can find out if your employer offers this benefit. Episode Mentioned 215: 401(k) Q&A - What's a 401(k) Match? Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to questions@popcornfinance.com  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inflation is looked pretty stable for September. This episode let's take a look at some of the prices that are looking better and which ones are getting worse. Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to questions@popcornfinance.com  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

$27,000 worth of credit card debt consumed my every waking moment for years. Today I'm taking a trip down memory lane and sharing my journey of getting out of credit card debt thanks to a question from Eric. Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to questions@popcornfinance.com  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Interest rates are going down for the first time in over four years. This week I'm breaking down why the Federal Reserve decided now was the time lower interest rates and the latest inflation data showing that things might actually be headed in the right direction. Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to questions@popcornfinance.com  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can I save for the future while still being able to enjoy my money now? A while ago I got a question from Kurt, a listener who has done an amazing job saving and investing over the years, but now he's asking, "To what end?" Despite having a solid 401(k) balance, Kurt often feels broke and wonders how he can continue working toward his long-term goals while starting to enjoy some of his money now. To help tackle Kurt’s dilemma, I brought in Delyanne Barros, The Money Coach, to share her thoughts on the situation. Connect with Delyanne Instagram | TikTok Links Compound Interest Calculator Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to questions@popcornfinance.com  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do I figure out how I should be spending my money if I don’t even know what I want my life to look like? In episode 452, I spoke with certified financial planner Shannah Game about navigating comparison traps. One of her biggest tips was to find your "why" and get clear on it. But what if, like me, you have no idea where to start to figure out your "why" when planning for your future? Fortunately, Shannah shared her steps for discovering your "why" and gaining clarity on your bigger life goals. Ep. 452: Help! I Can’t Stop Comparing Myself to People with More Money  Connect with Shannah Everyone’s Talkin’ Money | Instagram | Twitter Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to questions@popcornfinance.com  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why did Japan’s interest rate hike have such a big impact on the U.S. stock market? Earlier this month I discussed the stock market chaos that led to a sharp drop in prices. I mentioned that Japan’s decision to raise interest rates played a part in this, but how? This episode I’m diving into Japan’s long history of deflation and its impact on the U.S. stock market. Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to questions@popcornfinance.com  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest inflation data is actually looking pretty good. Today we are going to dive into the July 2024 inflation numbers to see if inflation is actually going down. I'm also taking a closer look at a few items that have gotten cheaper over the past couple of years. Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to questions@popcornfinance.com  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In less than a week the stock market lost about 5% of its value in the US. In Japan it saw a drop of over 17%! But what does this all mean and should we be concerned? Today I will walk you through what went down and give you a little context to understand how much this will impact your retirement accounts. Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to questions@popcornfinance.com  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What should I prioritize, paying down my debt or building my emergency fund? Years ago, I faced the same dilemma. So to help everyone in the same boat, I’m breaking down the pros and cons of paying down debt versus building an emergency fund so that you can decide what’s the best option for you and your financial goals. -This episode originally aired on 11/1/2021 as #269 Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to questions@popcornfinance.com  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Were you a MoviePass subscriber? Alexis Gentry always nails it with her movie picks. So when she told me to watch the new Max documentary "MoviePass, MovieCrash" all about the rise and fall of MoviePass, I had to see it. As a former subscriber, I'm glad I did. Tune in as Alexis and I share all our thoughts about this documentary on today's episode. Listen to these other episodes featuring Alexis: Ep. 413: Best and Worst Movies of 2023 - Part 1 Ep. 415: Best and Worst Movies of 2023 - Part 2 Ep. 457: Best Movies of 2024... So Far Ep. 458: Why Are Movie Theaters Dying? Ep. 460: Top 3 Childhood Movies Ep. 461: Our First Movie Crushes & More Follow me on Letterboxd to find out what I’m watching and my reviews! Connect with Alexis Instagram | Website | Tiktok Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to questions@popcornfinance.com  Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail  Call 707-200-8259 Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok  Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices