The Money School

Happy Open Enrollment, Money Rehabbers! When you pick your health insurance plan, you're likely going to encounter FSAs or HSAs. Today, Nicole explains the difference between the two— and how to get the most out of both of them.

Last year, Nicole had a medical scare... which only got scarier when the bills started rolling in. Today, Nicole shares how she negotiated her medical bills and takes you behind the scenes of a real conversation she had with a medical provider.

If you're not negotiating these three things, you're leaving money on the table. It's your hard-earned money, you might as well fight for it! Listen to Nicole negotiate with her credit card company here: https://link.chtbl.com/IFiJEybg

Nicole has always opted for slow-and-steady investing versus hyped-up, get-rich-quick trading. But, there are trading strategies that are more calculated, and can almost act as an insurance policy against risk of losses. To give us the masterclass on these strategies and more is investing expert Dominique Broadway. All investment and trading strategies involve risk of loss. The content you hear on this podcast is for entertainment and education purposes only and does not constitute financial advice by our hosts or by Money News Network.

The very first step in making a successful retirement plan (yes, even before starting that IRA) is to know how much you’ll actually need for retirement. Today, Nicole answers a question from a listener about how the heck to make that prediction.

Nearly 1 in 10 adults in the U.S. owe significant medical debt, totaling $195 billion nationwide. Today, Nicole gives three tips to help you manage— or even cancel— your medical debt.

When Facebook went public, 88 employees saw the value of their equity exceed $30 million. That’s the dream right? But not only is this dream rare, it can actually turn into a nightmare if you don’t ask your company the right questions about your stock options. Today Nicole talks about how to protect yourself from this nightmare scenario with Tracy DiNunzio, a brilliant entrepreneur who built and sold the luxury resale company Tradesy. Nicole and Tracy explain what you should ask your employer about your equity, and if you get a job offer with a large equity component, how to evaluate if the opportunity is a good one.

Asking for a raise is certainly an art. Nicole shares all her advice for mastering this art— from when to ask, what to say, and even what to bring with you to the meeting.

Your credit score is your financial report card... except, more important than your report card from school, because your credit score will play a big role in determining your mortgage. Today, Nicole explains how to show your credit score some love.

Like any good sponsor, Nicole can talk the talk because she’s been in Money Rehab herself. At one point, Nicole was in $5,000 of credit card debt. In this episode, she tells the story of how she faced that debt and got rid of it for good.

Nicole's DMs are open for questions, and the #1 question she gets isn't what to invest in... but how to invest. Today, she takes you through making your first investment, step-by-step, and leaves no stone unturned.

Nicole covers exactly how much should go toward your essential spending, what the heck you have to put toward retirement, and how much you get to spend on the fun stuff: vacations and bottomless-mimosa brunches.

For decades, the private equity world has been a velvet-roped party — only open to billionaires, pensions, and endowments. But that might be changing. This month, a new executive order made it easier for private equity (and other high-growth, high-risk assets) to land in your 401(k). On the surface, it looks like access. But Nicole breaks down what’s really going on behind the scenes… and why private equity is suddenly rolling out the red carpet for retail investors like you. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any financial decisions or investments.

Nicole covers exactly how much should go toward your essential spending, what the heck you have to put toward retirement, and how much you get to spend on the fun stuff: vacations and bottomless-mimosa brunches.

Does talking about money stress you out? You’re not alone. Today’s Money Rehabber feels like his financial health would benefit from open communication about money with his friends and family… but [s/he] just can’t start the conversation. Today, Nicole helps him practice those conversations so that the real deal is easier.

Stocks get all the attention, but bonds? They deserve some love too. If the latest market swings have you feeling a little queasy, bonds can help balance your portfolio and create a steady stream of passive income. In today’s episode, Nicole sits down with a Money Rehabber who wants to start investing in bonds but isn’t sure where to begin. Nicole breaks down bond basics, key terms, and how to build a bond strategy that works for you.

You may have seen the news last week that the consumer confidence index fell by 7 points this month, marking the largest drop since August 2021. Translation? People are getting nervous about a recession. But here’s the thing—you don’t have to panic just because the economy is. Even if you’re skeptical about the marco-economy, you can create confidence in your own micro-economy by taking the reins of your investments. So today, Nicole is showing you four asset allocation strategies designed to help you weather any financial environment. In other words: four recipes for a portfolio that provides growth in good economic times, and stability in tough economic times.

How to Use Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) Like a Pro More than half of Americans feel behind on retirement savings, but the good news is, it’s never too late to level up your strategy. Today, Nicole walks you through Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs): what they are, how they work, and how they can help you build real wealth for retirement. She unpacks the key differences between Traditional and Roth IRAs, how to choose the right one (or both!), and what tax implications to keep in mind. Plus, Nicole shares a workaround for high earners and shows you how to open your own IRA today. Whether you're just starting out or optimizing your retirement game plan, this episode has something for you. Ready? ⁠Open an IRA today⁠. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any financial decisions or investments.

Today’s episode is one of the most powerful we’ve ever done on Money Rehab. Nicole sits down with a listener named Erin, who reached out after being diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. Her message was simple, yet profound: “I need to get my finances in order to make sure my loved ones are taken care of.” What follows is a raw, courageous conversation about life, money, and legacy. Erin shares her fears, her love for her family, and the steps she’s taking to give them financial peace of mind. Nicole brings in attorney Veronica Escobar to walk through the essentials of estate planning—from wills and trusts, to power of attorney and beyond. This is not just a conversation about preparing for death. It’s about taking control, even in moments when everything feels uncertain. It’s about how we can use money as a tool to protect the people we love. This episode is for anyone who wants to plan ahead, not out of fear, but out of love. It’s an emotional listen, but an essential one. Tomorrow’s episode will be a follow-up, where Nicole answers Erin’s questions about saving for medical care. But today, we focus on what Erin wanted most: peace of mind for her family. Check out the company Nicole connected Erin with for estate planning, Trust and Will, ⁠here⁠  Learn more about Veronica Escobar’s work and practice ⁠here⁠ This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any financial decisions or investments.

PE is obsessed with this one sector right now: boring businesses. We're talking plumbing, pest control, cleaning companies— you know the ones. But this isn't just a move for PE investors; you can do it too. Nicole explains.