A Better Way to Money

What does it actually take to build a good life? Dr. Robert Waldinger has spent decades studying that question—and he has 85 years of data to back up his answer. As director of one of the longest-running studies of human life ever conducted, the esteemed Harvard professor joins host Jennifer Borget to unpack what actually makes people thrive: why relationships matter more than your résumé, how chronic stress—including financial stress—does real damage to the body, and why it's never too late to change course. This is the season finale of A Better Way to Money, and it's the conversation we've been building toward all season.Download your free Family Finances workbook and start building a life you actually love TODAY: https://www.northwesternmutual.com/podcast/Connect with Dr. Robert WaldingerRobert’s book: https://www.robertwaldinger.com/the-good-life/Robert’s TED Talk: What Makes a Good Life? Connect with Northwestern MutualFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/northwesternmutualInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/northwesternmutual/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/northwestern-mutual/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@northwesternmutualEpisode Page: https://www.northwesternmutual.com/life-and-money/what-the-harvard-happiness-study-teaches-us-about-money-and-living-well LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/a-better-way-to-money-podcast/

We spend a lot of time on this show talking about how to grow, protect, and plan with your money. But today’s guest has spent most of his career asking a different question: Once you have money, can the way you spend it actually change how happy you are? Harvard Business School Professor Michael Norton’s research points to something most of us have backward—it’s not how much money you have; it’s how you use it to help and connect with the people around you.Host Jennifer Borget sits down with Norton, co-author of Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending, to unpack why giving to others tends to outperform spending on ourselves and why the smallest habits—like buying someone else’s coffee—might matter more than the size of the gesture, plus a golden rule of spending Norton says most of us should incorporate for a happier life. Whether you’re already generous by nature or are looking for ways to live a better life in the long run, this episode might change how you prioritize your spending.Download your free Family Finances Workbook and start building spending habits that actually make you happier TODAY: https://www.northwesternmutual.com/podcast/And one more thing—this episode drops during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and Northwestern Mutual is marking it with action. For every new follower of A Better Way to Money in September, they’ll donate $10 to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation—a leader in advancing innovative childhood cancer research (up to $5,000). This supports Northwestern Mutual’s larger commitment to accelerating the search for better treatments and cures for childhood cancer, while also supporting families and survivors living with long-term side effects. Since 2012, Northwestern Mutual has funded more than 860,000 hours of childhood cancer research and contributed more than $75 million to the cause overall. With more than 1,000 children worldwide diagnosed each day, this work is helping drive real breakthroughs to bring us closer to a cancer-free future.Connect With Michael NortonMichael’s website: https://michaelnorton.com/Michael’s book: Happy Money: The Science of Happier SpendingConnect With Northwestern MutualFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/northwesternmutualInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/northwesternmutual/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/northwestern-mutual/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@northwesternmutualEpisode Page:https://www.northwesternmutual.com/life-and-money/plan-your-spending-for-a-better-lifeLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/a-better-way-to-money-podcast/

Everyone tells you childcare is expensive. But knowing that and actually living it are two very different things. Host Jennifer Borget sits down with author and childcare expert Christina Eaglin—author of Who's Watching My Baby? and expert on navigating the childcare maze —to talk through the stuff nobody prepares you for: what childcare really costs beyond the monthly invoice, how to vet a provider before you're already attached, why you need a backup plan before you ever need to use it, and how to have the money conversations with your partner before the pressure is on. Think of it as the conversation you'd want to have with a friend who's already been through it, so the chaos of childcare doesn't hold back your finances—or your future.Download your free Family Finances workbook and start making your childcare plan work better TODAY: https://www.northwesternmutual.com/podcast/Connect With Christina EaglinChristina’s book: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Whos-Watching-My-Baby/Christina-D-Eaglin/9798218378714Connect With Northwestern MutualFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/northwesternmutualInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/northwesternmutual/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/northwestern-mutual/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@northwesternmutualEpisode Page: https://www.northwesternmutual.com/life-and-money/how-to-budget-for-childcare-costs-and-build-a-backup-plan-that-worksLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/a-better-way-to-money-podcast/

Thinking about a career pause to take care of your growing family? Host Jennifer Borget sits down with Neha Ruch–Stanford MBA, founder of The Power Pause, and USA Today bestselling author—to talk through the benefits of a pause when you plan it out with purpose. We cover the budgeting conversations, the identity shift, and how to come back stronger on your own terms.Download your free Family Finances workbook and start planning your career pause with confidence TODAY: https://www.northwesternmutual.com/podcast/Connect With Neha RuchNeha’s website: https://www.thepowerpause.com/Neha’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Pause-Career-Kids-Stronger/dp/0593716183Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neha_ruch/Connect With Northwestern MutualFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/northwesternmutualInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/northwesternmutual/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/northwestern-mutual/TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@northwesternmutualEpisode Page: https://www.northwesternmutal.com/life-and-money/how-to-plan-a-career-pause-with-intentionLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/a-better-way-to-money-podcast/

Most people picture a financial advisor behind a mahogany desk, running spreadsheets for people with serious money. Jonathon Gais grew up thinking the same thing—until he became one. Now, as VP of Client Experience and Personalized Planning at Northwestern Mutual, Jonathon shapes how NM advisors across the country think about financial planning. His core message: You don’t need to have it all figured out before you talk to an advisor. The right one helps you make smarter choices—and becomes the reason you finally start.Host Jennifer Borget sits down with Jonathon for an honest look at what a real planning conversation sounds like; why starting to plan today, even when everything isn’t perfectly in place, is always better than waiting; why protection is the blind spot most people in their 30s miss; and what it takes to close the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it. The right time to start isn’t when everything lines up. It’s now. Download your free Family Finances workbook and start preparing for your first financial advisor session TODAY: https://www.northwesternmutual.com/podcast/Connect With Jonathon GaisLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathongais/Connect With Northwestern MutualFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/northwesternmutualInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/northwesternmutual/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/northwestern-mutual/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@northwesternmutualEpisode Page: https://www.northwesternmutual.com/life-and-money/a-sneak-peek-into-what-a-real-financial-advisor-conversation-looks-likeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/a-better-way-to-money-podcast/