Weird Finance

To stay in touch with us during this hiatus, sign up for Paco’s weekly email newsletter, The Nerdletter.  We’d also love your listener feedback about the show; here’s a short survey. You can also contact us by calling our hotline at 1-833-ASK-PACO, by emailing us at weirdfinancepod (at) gmail.com or by submitting your questions here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stay in touch and sign up for Paco’s weekly email newsletter, The Nerdletter.  In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco talks to Rachel Rodgers. Rachel shares her personal tale of going from lawyer to exhilarating business coach, emphasizing the significance of pursuing work that fuels your passion. They delve into the intriguing world of making bold business decisions for financial abundance, tackle the idea of "broke-ass decisions," and dissect the psychological hurdles that can impede financial growth. They also discuss the importance of trusting one's intuition in business decisions, the strategic moves to scale a business, the impact of content marketing, and the profound difference between working for wealth and investing for it. Rachel candidly opens up about her early financial missteps and provides actionable advice for entrepreneurs, including tactics for doubling revenue, leveraging client success stories, and fostering meaningful business relationships. Don't miss these profound insights that could reshape your financial and business strategies for the better. Rachel Rodgers (@rachrodgersesq) is CEO and founder of Hello Seven (@hello7co), a multi-million dollar company that teaches diverse entrepreneurs how to earn more money and build wealth. Rachel’s mission is to help historically excluded groups including women, people of color, queer people, and people with disabilities build their businesses and become millionaires. Since the inception of Hello Seven- she has helped hundreds become millionaires and thousands become financially free. Check out Rachel’s newest Audible book, Six-Figure Side Hustle. A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode.  Thank you to Andrew Parker for lending your voice for our special PSA.  The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon. If you’d like to contact us about the show or ask Paco a question about finances, call our hotline at 1-833-ASK-PACO, email us at weirdfinancepod (at) gmail.com or submit your questions here. We’d also love your listener feedback about the show; here’s a short survey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stay in touch and sign up for Paco’s weekly email newsletter, The Nerdletter.  In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco speaks with renowned actress and director Bryce Dallas Howard (@brycedhoward) about the challenges and opportunities in the entertainment industry, her work supporting emerging entertainment entrepreneurs through Nine Muses Entertainment, unrealistic expectations about financial success in Hollywood, creative mastery, the importance of personally defining success and why it’s essential to cultivate a creative community. A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode.  Thank you to Jenna Park and Andrew Parker for lending your voice for our special PSA. The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon. If you’d like to contact us about the show or ask Paco a question about finances, call our hotline at 1-833-ASK-PACO, email us at weirdfinancepod (at) gmail.com or submit your questions here. We’d also love your listener feedback about the show; here’s a short survey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  Stay in touch and sign up for Paco’s weekly email newsletter, The Nerdletter.  In this episode of Weird Finance, our host Paco delves into a conversation with Amina AlTai about reimagining our relationship to work. The conversation covers a range of topics, beginning with the notion of shame and guilt tied to earning money, with Amina revealing that around half of her clients grapple with these emotions, particularly those from historically marginalized groups. Amina, who transitioned to coaching following a burnout in her marketing career, illuminates her holistic approach to overcoming these feelings through mindset shifts and somatic tools. Amina emphasizes the need for balance through play, creativity, and ethical wealth-building. They also discuss the "passion tax," sustainable success, and the intense significance of work in our lives. Amina AITai (@aminaaltai) is a holistic business and career coach, proud immigrant, and chronic illness advocate. A leading coach to notable leaders, executives, and founders—Amina's mastery connects us to our brilliance and teaches us to live and lead from it each day. As a woman of color of Iraqi descent, she often works with marginalized communities to help them realize possibilities in a way that honors their particular lived experiences. She is the author of the forthcoming book, The Ambition Trap, with Penguin/The Open Field. Amina has partnered with progressive companies such as Google, Roku, Deloitte, Snap, Outdoor Voices, NYU, and HUGE. She's an Entrepreneur Magazine expert-in-residence and a Forbes contributor, and she was named one of Success Magazine’s Women of Influence. Additionally, she's been featured in goop, Well+Good, The New York Times, Yahoo, NBC, and more. Learn more or sign up for 1:1 coaching with Amina. A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode.  Thank you to Jenna Parker for lending your voice to our special PSA.  The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon. If you’d like to contact us about the show or ask Paco a question about finances, call our hotline at 1-833-ASK-PACO, email us at weirdfinancepod (at) gmail.com, or submit your questions here. We’d also love your listener feedback about the show; here’s a short survey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stay in touch and sign up for Paco’s weekly email newsletter, The Nerdletter.  In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco unpacks the hottest new personal finance trend of loud budgeting with frugality experts Jen Smith and Jill Sirianni from the Frugal Friends podcast. Jen and Jill delve into their stories: what prompted them to begin their frugal journeys, how they’ve changed their relationship to frugality along the way, and some of their frugal fumbles.  Jen and Jill tackle and debunk widespread myths about frugality head-on, from the false belief that being frugal is only for folks who are cheap and wealthy to reframing how frugality is not about deprivation but prioritizing what we value and being mindful of how we use our individual and shared resources.  Jen Smith & Jill Sirianni are co-hosts of the top-rated Frugal Friends Podcast. With over 300 episodes and 5 million downloads, Frugal Friends is changing how the world thinks about frugality. Jen uses her background in financial journalism to seek topics that help people overcome impulse spending and reach their financial goals. Jill is a licensed clinical social worker who enjoys exploring the connections between our money behaviors and mental health. Together, they’re helping people become better stewards of their money, time, space, and natural resources. For more insights from Jen and Jill, tune in to their "Frugal Friends" podcast, sign up for their email newsletter, The Friendlette, and follow along on Instagram (@frugalfriendspodcast). And lastly, here is a picture of Jill’s wedding dress mishap. A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode.  Thank you to Ramsey Yount and Andrew Howard for lending your voice to our special PSA.  The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon. If you’d like to contact us about the show or ask Paco a question about finances, call our hotline at 1-833-ASK-PACO, email us at weirdfinancepod (at) gmail.com or submit your questions here. We’d also love your listener feedback about the show; here’s a short survey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stay in touch and sign up for Paco’s weekly email newsletter, The Nerdletter.  In this episode of Weird Finance, we dive deep into the intertwined realms of financial health and personal growth with our esteemed guest, Kristan Sargeant. Kristan shares the transformative power of accessing the unconscious to unlock healing and potential. Touching on the entanglement of money, guilt, and shame, Kristan unveils how these emotions often dwell in our shadow selves. Our host Paco reveals her personal shadow exploration journey, with Kristan advising the embrace of one's ambitions without guilt. The conversation further delves into overcoming fears tied to career prospects, the merits of seeking coaching over traditional psychotherapy, and introspective anecdotes about the power of the subconscious. Kristan (@kristansargeant) is a coach and therapist with a passion for helping people identify and transmute the blocks to their potential and full self-expression. She works in the tradition of her mentors and collaborators, Phil Stutz and Barry Michels, co-authors of the New York Times bestsellers The Tools and Coming Alive. She brings an action-oriented, tools-based approach to her work with individuals and groups globally, with an emphasis on and deep love for Shadow work. She leads webinars and workshops internationally and has collaborated with Goop, The Annenberg Foundation, The Omega Institute, Toms Shoes, AIM Youth Mental Health, The Awakened Man, 74Podcast, Clever Creative, Heroic, and more. In a former life, she was an entrepreneur, three-time TEDxWomen producer, and co-founder of The Guild, a women’s leadership collective. She received her BA from Columbia University and holds a master's in psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Upcoming Retreats: Omega Retreat Jul 14, 2024 Ojai Retreat Feb 28, 2024 - Mar 3, 2024 A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode.  Thank you to Jenn Pablo for lending your voice for our special PSA.  The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon. If you’d like to contact us about the show or ask Paco a question about finances, call our hotline at 1-833-ASK-PACO, email us at weirdfinancepod (at) gmail.com or submit your questions here. We’d also love your listener feedback about the show; here’s a short survey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stay in touch and sign up for Paco’s weekly email newsletter, The Nerdletter.  In this compelling episode of Weird Finance, Madeline Pendleton, the dynamic owner of the vintage clothing company Tunnel Vision and TikTok's "Gen Z's Aunt Madeline," dives deep into the complexities of financial control, economic destiny, and the interplay between personal agency and systemic forces. Madeline shares her personal journey of overcoming poverty, the illusory nature of the American dream, and the struggles of her generation during and following the Great Recession. She offers an honest reflection on the limitations of hard work in achieving success and dispels the myth of American exceptionalism. With insights from her book, "I Survived Capitalism and All I Got was this Lousy T-Shirt," Madeline discusses the power of small, controllable actions over one's finances and the importance of focusing on joy and pleasure within the confines of a tight budget. Moreover, Madeline touches on the challenge of ethical entrepreneurship within the market system, the role of marketing in consumerism, and her preference for durable synthetic fibers in her designs. Throughout the conversation, Madeline emphasizes the need to redirect societal priorities from military spending to addressing homelessness and hunger, while promoting a life that cherishes simplicity, community, and the little things that make us happy. Madeline Pendleton is the founder of Tunnel Vision and hosts a podcast about surviving life, love, and capitalism called "Pick Me Up, I'm Scared." She recently wrote a book about her life and experiences with money called "I Survived Capitalism and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt". TikTok @madeline_pendleton Twitter: @jeangreige Instagram: @madelinependleton A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode.  Thank you to my friends, Samantha McVey and Anney Reese, the Stuff Mom Never Told You Podcast hosts, for lending us their voices for our special PSA. The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon. If you’d like to contact us about the show or ask Paco a question about finances, call our hotline at 1-833-ASK-PACO, email us at weirdfinancepod (at) gmail.com or submit your questions here. We’d also love your listener feedback about the show; here’s a short survey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stay in touch and sign up for Paco’s weekly email newsletter, The Nerdletter.  In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco speaks with Patrick Hicks of Trust and Will about the ins and outs of estate planning. Patrick explains why it’s crucial for everyone—not just the wealthy—to understand wills, trusts, and probate. He debunks the common misconception that trusts are strictly for the rich and shares invaluable insights into the evitable challenges, analysis, and decisions required for the proper preparation of an estate plan. Patrick also talks about his personal life journey, sharing anecdotes from his time as a volunteer firefighter and even his crazy decision to save quarters for a baseball game. Patrick is Head of Legal at Trust & Will (@trustandwill), serving as General Counsel and overseeing all attorney-related operations, including regulatory efforts and legal affairs. As a seasoned estate planning attorney, Patrick brings over a decade of knowledge and real-life taxation law experience to our service offerings. He holds a B.A. in Economics from Davidson College, a J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, and an LL.M in Taxation from the University of San Diego. Before joining Trust & Will, Patrick practiced law in the trusts and estates practice group of law firm Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP. While attending undergrad, Patrick served as a firefighter for the Davidson Fire Department. He lives in San Diego with his wife, dog, and three young children. A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode.  Thank you to Michael “Frosti” Snow for lending your voice for our special PSA.  The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon. If you’d like to contact us about the show or ask Paco a question about finances, call our hotline at 1-833-ASK-PACO, email us at weirdfinancepod (at) gmail.com or submit your questions here. We’d also love your listener feedback about the show; here’s a short survey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stay in touch and sign up for Paco’s weekly email newsletter, The Nerdletter.  In this insightful episode of Weird Finance, our guest Marsha Barnes takes listeners on a deep dive into personal finance, financial planning, and the emotional connections to money. Marsha shares her journey from banking to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing earnings over job titles. She shares the need for a shift in focus from job titles to salaries and long-term financial planning. Shouting out the significance of financial education, she encourages everyone to manage their finances wisely. Marsha talks about her role at the Finance Bar, her efforts to address the financial literacy gap and the emotional aspects of personal finance.  Marsha Barnes (@thefinancebar) is a sought-after personal finance expert, commentator, and Founder of The Finance Bar Members Club. Since launching The Finance Bar Members Club, she has believed that financial wellness should not be considered a luxury. With commitment and discipline, any willing person can turn their financial situation around. Her private financial wellness hub, The Finance Bar Members Club, is specially curated to help you master your money without the overwhelm. The club offers educational bundles on topics in personal finance to (re)build your money confidence, guides, and worksheets to start taking steps toward achieving your financial goals. To access various personal finance courses on budgeting and beyond, workbooks to practice your knowledge, and a community to support your financial wellness journey, enjoy a free one-month subscription to The Finance Bar Members Club. 2,500 free subscriptions are available, compliments of Secret Deodorant. Use code SecretMoneyMoves to access. This episode also features a segment called Ask Paco Anything. Thank you to our anonymous caller for submitting this week’s question. If you’d like to ask Paco a question, call our hotline at 1-833-ASK-PACO or email your question to weirdfinancepod@gmail.com A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode.  Thank you to Ariel Lazarus and Bill Bittner for lending your voice for our special PSA.  The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon. If you’d like to contact us about the show or ask Paco a question about finances, call our hotline at 1-833-ASK-PACO, email us at weirdfinancepod (at) gmail.com or submit your questions here. We’d also love your listener feedback about the show; here’s a short survey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stay in touch and sign up for Paco’s weekly email newsletter, The Nerdletter.  In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco chats with lawyer and financial expert Aaron Thomas to discuss prenuptial agreements. Aaron shares his journey from skepticism to appreciation for prenups, emphasizing that they can be more than just a safety measure in case of divorce. He discusses the importance of financial transparency, explicit conversations, and predetermined rules, which can all contribute to a healthier, conflict-free marriage. Aaron also takes a deep dive into the world of postnuptial agreements and cohabitation agreements, explaining why more couples should consider these options. He even shares some personal insights from his own prenup, which includes provisions for handling potential financial disagreements and counseling. Whether you're contemplating marriage or already married, this episode will challenge your assumptions and make you rethink the financial aspects of your relationship. Aaron Thomas is a three-time winner of Atlanta’s Best Divorce Attorney and one of the nation’s top experts in family law issues. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Thomas has represented over 1,000 clients – including NBA hall of famers, Super Bowl winners, and Grammy award-winning artists – in a range of family law matters, including divorce, custody, child support, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. After years of helping clients navigate the demise of their toxic marriages, he decided to launch Prenups.com to help couples establish a solid financial foundation during engagement so they could prevent common marital disputes. Thomas regularly shares his expertise on podcasts and with other media outlets. His first book, The Prenup Prescription, was released in October 2023. This episode also features a segment called Slow and Steady with Leo by Leo Aquino (@queerandtranswealth), an award-winning author, poet, and anti-capitalist personal finance expert.  A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode.  Thank you to Jenna Parker and Andrew Parker for lending your voice for our special PSA.  The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon. If you’d like to contact us about the show or ask Paco a question about finances, call our hotline at 1-833-ASK-PACO, email us at weirdfinancepod (at) gmail.com or submit your questions here. We’d also love your listener feedback about the show; here’s a short survey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stay in touch and sign up for Paco’s weekly email newsletter, The Nerdletter.  In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco talks to Maya Lau to pierce the taboo surrounding money talks. They delve deep into Maya's journey from being an investigative journalist to starting her podcast, Other People's Pockets, a venture that allowed her to explore her guests' careers, including their finances. Together, they acknowledge the awkwardness and fear when discussing finances, transitioning career paths, valuing one's skills, and introducing personal finance discussions to the younger generation. The talk rounds up with Maya's insights about money, her regrets, and her hopes for the future.  Maya Lau (@itsmayamoney and @mayalau) is the creator, host, and executive producer of the podcast Other People’s Pockets, produced by Pushkin Industries and Little Everywhere. She’s an award-winning former investigative reporter for The Los Angeles Times and The Advocate newspaper in Louisiana. Her work led to the ouster of the warden of the notorious Angola prison in Louisiana and helped spur new laws that made police disciplinary files more transparent in California. This episode also features The Economic Outlook with financial astrologer Susan Gidel. Susan, our resident economic cosmonaut, does what many humans have done before us for thousands of years: she looks to the stars to understand our economic present and predict our financial futures. For more guidance from Susan, sign up for her Red Letter Trading Days newsletter. A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode.  Thank you to Jenna and Andrew Parker for lending your voice for our special PSA.  The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon. If you’d like to contact us about the show or ask Paco a question about finances, call our hotline at 1-833-ASK-PACO, email us at weirdfinancepod (at) gmail.com or submit your questions here. We’d also love your listener feedback about the show; here’s a short survey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stay in touch and sign up for Paco’s weekly email newsletter, The Nerdletter.  In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco speaks with Joel Larsgaard about how his childhood experiences shaped his relationship with money and catalyzed his personal finance journey. Joel discusses the evolving world of podcasting, the dangers of having too much money, and the importance of reaching financial comfort - a point where money doesn't burden you with stress. He emphasizes the crucial role of personal values and preferences and the impact of childhood experiences on financial decisions. In a captivating conversation, Joel expresses concern over the rise of nihilism and hopelessness concerning the financial system among young people. He also shares his insights on the importance of financial education from an early age. Lastly, Joel explores the significance of investing in relationships and how this can influence personal financial health.  Joel Larsgaard has been obsessed with personal finance for more than 15 years now. Exploring the world of money and the impact that money decisions have on our everyday lives has always been more than just a job for Joel. It's his goal to see How to Money (@howtomoneypod) listeners & readers thrive by giving them the advice and tools they need to succeed and build wealth over the long haul. This episode also features The Price Report, a short segment with Michael “Frosti” Snow (@FrostiFresh), where he takes us on a journey, examining the cost of one thing in the hopes that it helps us better understand everything. This week, we’re exploring the cost of   A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode.  Thank you to Jenna and Andrew Parker for lending your voice for our special PSA.  The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon. If you’d like to contact us about the show or ask Paco a question about finances, call our hotline at 1-833-ASK-PACO, email us at weirdfinancepod (at) gmail.com or submit your questions here. We’d also love your listener feedback about the show; here’s a short survey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stay in touch and sign up for Paco’s weekly email newsletter, The Nerdletter.  In this thought-provoking episode of Weird Finance, Paco’s conversation with Khe Hy reveals insights on issues that money can't resolve, such as the universal need to feel worthy of love and the influence of our environment on emotional well-being. Khe sheds light on the misconception about viewing home renovations as investments capable of yielding increased value single-handedly. They delve into the consequences of lifestyle creep, reflecting on Khe’s personal experiences and how he addresses money and peace in his life. He tactfully discusses the psychological aspects of buying a house, its impact on fostering a sense of community, and protecting against regretful investment decisions. Further, he speaks candidly about his struggle with fame and wealth, his existential crisis, and his desire to explore deeper meanings of money. Khe underlines his unique approach to volatile financial markets and shares his outlook on the current housing situation in light of uncertain future circumstances. Listen in as Khe and Paco navigate these nuanced financial matters with remarkable depth and perspective. Khe Hy (@khemaridh) is the founder of RadReads (@radreadsco), an online academy that helps high-performers live a productive and examined life. RadReads provides guides, coaching, and trainings for over 30,000 professionals to help them regain free time, scale their impact, and make a little dent in the universe. Before founding RadReads, Khe spent 15 years working on Wall Street and was one of the youngest Managing Directors at BlackRock. He's been called Oprah for Millennials by CNN and the Wall Street Guru by Bloomberg, and his work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, TedX, Barrons, Time Magazine and Quartz. Check out Khe’s Mindful Money Playbook. A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode.  The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon. If you’d like to contact us about the show or ask Paco a question about finances, call our hotline at 1-833-ASK-PACO, email us at weirdfinancepod (at) gmail.com or submit your questions here. We’d also love your listener feedback about the show; here’s a short survey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stay in touch and sign up for Paco’s weekly email newsletter, The Nerdletter.  In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco talks to Julia Menez about the world of travel hacking. Starting with the basics, Julia highlights the importance of being responsible with credit cards, advising listeners to start small and ensure balances are paid off monthly to reap maximum rewards. Julia shares her journey from actuary to successful travel hacker and podcast host, explaining how reading finance blogs and interest in points systems led to creating GeoBreeze Travel. As well as travel advice, she offers her unique perspective on finance, prompting listeners to embrace impermanence, enjoy what they have, and use their wealth for good. Julia explains her effective method of earning and burning points and talks about their Patreon, where members can nominate a charity for donations. Julia's story is not just about free travel, but also financial freedom, underscoring the value of living below one's means and disciplined investing. She finishes the episode by encouraging listeners to delight in their wealth and to find the balance between saving for the future and enjoying the present. Julia Menez (@geobreezetravel)  is a points strategy coach, speaker, and host of the Geobreeze Travel Podcast. After traveling to more than 30 countries before the age of 30 and saving thousands of dollars each year with points and miles, Julia distills the strategies from top award travelers around the world in the Geobreeze Travel podcast. She creates Instagram videos about credit card benefits such as trip protection and luxury travel opportunities. Through her podcast, Julia features a diverse roster of guests with traditionally underrepresented experiences in larger points and miles blogs and media. Her episodes often highlight women, first-generation travelers, and people of color. Julia has been a speaker for FinCon, a course instructor for Frequent Traveler University, and quoted in publications such as The New York Times, Money Magazine, Fodor’s Travel, and Business Insider. Her podcast was nominated in the 2021 Plutus Awards for “Best New Personal Finance Podcast,” and she serves as a senior advisor for Bilt Rewards. Julia is available for comments and interviews regarding award travel, personal finance, entrepreneurship, and women in business. Check out Julia’s free points 101 course here.  This episode also features Loose Change, a short segment where we ask folks to share their thoughts, feelings, and opinions about how we relate to money and one another. This week, we’re exploring one purchase we’ve made that’s had the biggest positive impact on your daily lives. A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode.  Thank you to Andrew Howard and Ramsey Yount for lending your voice for our special PSA.  The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon. If you’d like to contact us about the show or ask Paco a question about finances, call our hotline at 1-833-ASK-PACO, email us at weirdfinancepod (at) gmail.com, or submit your questions here. We’d also love your listener feedback about the show; here’s a short survey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stay in touch and sign up for Paco’s weekly email newsletter, The Nerdletter.  In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco talks to Michael Hershfield about the innovative concept behind Accrue, a co-branded savings wallet that aims to revolutionize how we save money.  Michael also addresses the lack of innovation in US saving options, the challenges American consumers face in effective savings, the personal experiences and beliefs that drove the creation of Accrue, and Michael and Paco’s personal beliefs on buy now, pay later options for consumers. Michael is the Founder and CEO of Accrue Savings, the first in the “Save Now, Buy Later” category that addresses a critical gap in the shopping experience by providing a payment alternative that rewards consumers for saving. Accrue Savings has received nearly $30 million in funding from some of the biggest names in venture and commerce – including Tiger Global, Box Group, Aglaé Ventures (tech investment firm backed by Groupe Arnault), UPS CEO Carol Tomé and Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin, Twelve Below, Red Sea Ventures and more. Before Accrue, Michael was an SVP of Sales at WeWork for more than three years and COO of Nucleus. This episode also features a segment called Stock Watch with Amanda Holden (@dumpster.doggy). In this segment, we’ll follow a stock-picking competition between a dog named Henry, a cat named Hugo, and a human baby. If you’d like to learn more about investing from Amanda, sign up for her online course, Invested Development. A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode.  Thank you to Ramsey Yount and Andrew Howards for lending your voice for our special PSA.  The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon. If you’d like to contact us about the show or ask Paco a question about finances, call our hotline at 1-833-ASK-PACO, email us at weirdfinancepod (at) gmail.com or submit your questions here. We’d also love your listener feedback about the show; here’s a short survey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stay in touch and sign up for Paco’s weekly email newsletter, The Nerdletter.  In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco talks to Leslie H Tayne about the daunting topic of being overwhelmed by debt. As a renowned expert in debt resolution and founder of her own law firm, Leslie shares her invaluable insights and advice on what to do when you find yourself drowning in debt, from identifying reputable debt settlement companies and avoiding scams to understanding the complexities of bankruptcy and federal student loans. Leslie H. Tayne, Esq. (@LeslieHTayneEsq,@lesliehtayne)  is an accomplished financial attorney and acclaimed author of "Life and Debt." With over two decades of experience, she founded Tayne Law Group, P.C. in 2001, focusing on innovative solutions for consumer and business debt challenges, avoiding bankruptcy. This effort established her as an expert, resulting in national and international client services. She has also shared her insights through notable media features and appearances on TV, radio, and podcasts. Beyond her legal achievements, Leslie, a single parent, actively contributes to her community, serving on the boards of the Guide Dog Foundation and America's VetDogs. Leslie Tayne's impactful legal career, client dedication, and community contributions have solidified her as an esteemed figure in both the legal and consumer finance realms. This episode also features The Economic Outlook with financial astrologer Susan Gidel. Susan, our resident economic cosmonaut, does what many humans have done before us for thousands of years: she looks to the stars to understand our economic present and predict our financial futures. For more guidance from Susan, sign up for her Red Letter Trading Days newsletter. A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode.  Thank you to Andrew Howard and Ramsey Young for lending your voice for our special PSA.  The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon. If you’d like to contact us about the show or ask Paco a question about finances, call our hotline at 833-ASK-PACO, email us at weirdfinancepod (at) gmail.com, or submit your questions here. We’d also love your listener feedback about the show; here’s a short survey.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stay in touch and sign up for Paco’s weekly email newsletter, The Nerdletter.  In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco talks to Dan Rooker about everything you need to know about making your student loan payments. Dan is an expert in the field and will be sharing valuable insights on income-driven repayment plans, recertification requirements, the benefits of consulting a student loan professional and the double-consolidation loophole. We'll also dive into Public Service Loan Forgiveness, the importance of researching career paths before pursuing grad school, and how to navigate the ever-changing landscape of student loan forgiveness programs. Plus, we'll cover the latest updates on the SAVE plan and the forbearance period. So, if you're struggling with navigating your student loan debt or just looking for some expert advice, this episode is a must-listen.  Dan Rooker is a CFP®, CSLP® and a Sr. Consultant at Student Loan Planner (@studentloanplanner). Nearly every day, Dan guides borrowers through Student Loan Planner, figuring out how they can tackle their student loans with less anxiety. This is Dan’s version of “surgery.” He also runs Rook Financial, a subscription-based virtual financial planning practice for healthcare practitioners who have student debt, meeting with borrowers monthly to go to the financial gym — and that is Dan’s version of “preventative” care. For more general information about student loan debt, check out the Student Loan Planner blog. This episode also features a segment called Ask Paco Anything. Thank you to Ashely H. for their question about student loans and credit reports. Here are instructions on how you can dispute an error on your credit report.  If you’d like to ask Paco a question, call our hotline at 1-833-ASK-PACO or email your question to weirdfinancepod@gmail.com A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode.  Thank you to Jenna Parker for lending your voice for our special PSA.  The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon. If you’d like to contact us about the show or ask Paco a question about finances, call our hotline at 1-833-ASK-PACO, email us at weirdfinancepod (at) gmail.com or submit your questions here. We’d also love your listener feedback about the show; here’s a short survey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stay in touch and sign up for Paco’s weekly email newsletter, The Nerdletter.  In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco talks to Krista St. Germain about becoming a grief expert and coach, the misconceptions about grief, the importance of integrating grief into one’s life, the concept of wealth purgatory, normalizing discussions around grief and money,  the challenge of receiving a large sum of money in the aftermath of loss, and the practical and emotional aspects of managing finances, including healing and challenging belief systems around money. Krista St-Germain (@lifecoachkrista) is a Master Certified Life Coach, grief expert, widow, mom, and host of The Widowed Mom Podcast. When her husband was killed by a drunk driver in 2016, Krista’s life was completely flipped upside down. And while it would have been easy to believe her best days were behind her, thankfully, Krista discovered Life Coaching and Post Traumatic Growth and was able to move forward and create a future she could get excited about. Now, she coaches and teaches other widows so they can love life again, too. This episode also features a segment called Slow and Steady with Leo by Leo Aquino (@queerandtranswealth), an award-winning author, poet, and anti-capitalist personal finance expert.  A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode.  Thank you to Ramsey Yount and Andrew Howard for lending your voice for our special PSA.  The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon. If you’d like to contact us about the show or ask Paco a question about finances, call our hotline at 1-833-ASK-PACO, email us at weirdfinancepod (at) gmail.com or submit your questions here. We’d also love your listener feedback about the show; here’s a short survey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stay in touch and sign up for Paco’s weekly email newsletter, The Nerdletter.  In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco talks to Nadia De Ala about strategies for negotiating pay, including the importance of research, mindset, and self-advocacy. They discuss Nadia’s journey of leaving an unfulfilling sales job to create a brand focused on empowering marginalized communities, coping with impostor syndrome, and the importance of negotiating pay and creating a more equitable workplace for marginalized communities. Nadia De Ala (@nadiadeala) is the founder of Real You Leadership, an ex-techie turned leadership and negotiation coach, speaker, trainer, and content creator. She's on a mission to close the intersectional leadership and pay gap for all BIPOC, women, and historically marginalized communities. Nadia's "keep it real" and authentic approach to leadership coaching and manager training empowers professionals to intuitively navigate the corporate world with confidence to transform their careers and impact, without compromising their integrity and values. Her work with Real You Leadership has been featured in CNBC, HuffPost, New York Times Kids, The Muse, and FastCompany. Here are some ways you can work with Nadia: Coaching services for individuals and the 10-week group coaching program 'Activate Your Voice' for BIPOC women & femme leaders Team services for custom leadership programs and in-house coaching This episode also features The Economic Outlook with financial astrologer Susan Gidel. Susan, our resident economic cosmonaut, does what many humans have done before us for thousands of years: she looks to the stars to understand our economic present and predict our financial futures. For more guidance from Susan, sign up for her Red Letter Trading Days newsletter. A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode.  Thank you to Andrew Parker for lending your voice for our special PSA.  The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon. If you’d like to contact us about the show or ask Paco a question about finances, call our hotline at 1-833-ASK-PACO, email us at weirdfinancepod (at) gmail.com or submit your questions here. We’d also love your listener feedback about the show; here’s a short survey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stay in touch and sign up for Paco’s weekly email newsletter, The Nerdletter.  In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco talks to Joshua Evan Greenberg about his experience as a creative professional and his experience making music videos, creating commercials and building a brand incubator. Joshua speaks about his perspective on how to achieve key to creative euphoria, the decline of the creative services industry and the importance of having a strong foundation. Joshua Evan Greenberg is an advertising & entertainment executive, primarily working as a producer. He's one half of 2talJuez, an immersive directing duo working across film, experiential, digital and innovation. Co-founder of brand incubator Caveat, that originally serviced clients as a hybrid creative studio. He's currently serving as interim COO for JamieMakeup, a cosmetics company set-up to create and distribute multitasking products from his wife, celebrity makeup artist, Jamie Greenberg. He's previously been the executive in charge of many awarded integrated marketing campaigns, which include World's Largest Pizza (Pizza Hut), The Finchers (ViewSonic), Step Into Summer (Havaianas), Project Dead Zone (Xfinity), Carnegie Deli Popup (Prime Video), Jurassic Box (Universal x Amazon) and Play The City (Grammys). His projects have crossed all platforms and have included the production of live streams, experiences, virtual reality, augmented reality, dynamic video, and social-first storytelling. This episode also features The Price Report, a short segment with Michael “Frosti” Snow (@FrostiFresh), where he takes us on a journey, examining the cost of one thing in the hopes that it helps us better understand everything. This week we’re exploring the cost of candy. A special thanks to the talented and generous Ramsey Yount for producing, editing, and sound designing this episode.  Thank you to Jenna Parker for lending your voice for our special PSA.  The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon. If you’d like to contact us about the show or ask Paco a question about finances, call our hotline at 1-833-ASK-PACO, email us at weirdfinancepod (at) gmail.com or submit your questions here. We’d also love your listener feedback about the show; here’s a short survey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.