The Money School

Inflation just hit 3.8%, the highest it's been since 2023. That means that $100 you had in January? It's worth about $96.30 today. So today, Nicole breaks down three tools that protect your money when inflation runs hot: I bonds, TIPS, and gold. She explains exactly how each one works, who each is best for, and the critical differences between them — including why gold didn't spike during the pandemic inflation surge the way everyone expected, and why right now might actually be different. Plus, Nicole shares a little-known strategy called the "gift box" method that lets couples legally stack up to $40,000 in I bond purchases in a single calendar year. Here is a Money Rehab episode about ⁠how to invest in gold⁠ Check out Nicole's financial literacy course⁠ ⁠The Money School⁠⁠ Find a Financial Advisor or Financial Coach from Nicole's company⁠ ⁠Private Wealth Collective⁠⁠ Watch video clips from the pod on⁠ ⁠Money Rehab's Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠ ⁠Nicole Lapin's Instagram⁠⁠ Here's what Nicole covers today:  00:00 Are You Ready for Some Money Rehab?  00:18 Inflation Is Back — And We're All Feeling It  01:33 What's Driving the Surge (It's Not Just Gas)  02:30 What 3.8% Inflation Actually Does to Your Dollars  02:56 I Bonds: The Inflation-Fighting Investment Nicole Loves  04:34 I Bonds 05:06 TIPS  08:04 Gold: Flight to Safety or Inflation Hedge?  10:00 Why Gold Thrives When the Economy Is a Dumpster Fire  11:40 Tip You Can Take Straight to the Bank: The Gift Box Strategy All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You've probably heard the saying "the rich get richer."  And you know what? It is true - because the rich know how to pass on wealth tax free. Today, Nicole shares three ways the 1% pass on generational wealth, and how you can too! 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you've been parked in SAVE plan limbo for the last two years, the waiting is over, and the letter that starts your 90-day clock is either already in your inbox or on its way. Today, Nicole breaks down what happened to SAVE, why doing nothing could send your payment from $0 to $900 overnight, and exactly what to do before that clock runs out. Nicole walks through RAP, the new Repayment Assistance Plan replacing SAVE, how it calculates your payment off your income, and the upside most people miss: your balance can't grow even if your payment doesn't cover the interest. She also covers why studentaid.gov is about to get slammed, whether you should let the government pull your income data from the IRS, and how to avoid accidentally landing in a plan that doesn't count toward forgiveness. Then, Nicole flags two things you don't want to miss: a quadrupled autopay discount worth locking in before September 30th, and a little-known Secure 2.0 rule that lets your employer match your student loan payments straight into your 401(k). If you're already in default, she also breaks down what's coming this fall as wage garnishment turns back on, and the two ways out. Finally, today's tip you can take straight to the bank: a tax-filing move married borrowers should run the numbers on before their next RAP payment is calculated. Start investing investing at ⁠SoFi.com/MNN⁠  Check out Nicole's financial literacy course⁠ ⁠The Money School⁠⁠  Find a Financial Advisor or Financial Coach from Nicole's company⁠ ⁠Private Wealth Collective⁠⁠  Watch video clips from the pod on⁠ ⁠Money Rehab's Instagram⁠⁠ and⁠ ⁠Nicole Lapin's Instagram⁠⁠  Here's what Nicole covers today:  00:00 Are You Ready for Some Money Rehab?  00:16 SAVE Is Officially Dead  01:29 What Happens If You Do Nothing  02:12 Check Your Real Balance (Interest Never Stopped)  02:37 Meet RAP: The New Repayment Assistance Plan  03:24 Get Ahead of the Studentaid.gov Stampede  04:40 The 401(k) Match You Didn't Know You Had  05:21 If You're in Default: What's Coming This Fall  06:35 Tip You Can Take Straight to the Bank 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 or tax professional before making any financial decisions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nicole gives you three steps to take your woodworking/travel blog/macrame empire from part-time to big-time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brave the awkwardness and get your money back - Nicole shows you firsthand how to ask a friend to return a loan (and keep the friendship intact).  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices