Popcorn Finance

Is achieving financial freedom really as simple as it seems? In today’s episode, I’m sharing Part 2 of Haley and Justin’s story. They walk us through the rest of their personal finance story after receiving a life-altering lawsuit settlement and the hard lessons they learned along the way. Moreover, how they managed to get their finances back on track and how they’re trying to help others avoid the same personal finance mistakes in their own money journeys. Connect with Haley and Justin Brown-Woods Twitter | Instagram | Website | Price of Avocado Toast 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

An afternoon of Bluey delayed this episode, but I figured it's better late than never! Today's lets talk about the Federal Reserve and their decision to keep interest rates right were they are... at least for now. Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance 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 would you do if you inherited $600,000 in your 20s? I’d like to say that I would’ve been responsible if I got that amount of money in my 20s, but in all honesty, I probably would’ve saved a little and spent a lot. That's exactly what happened to Haley and Justin Brown-Woods when they inherited $600,000 from a grandparent. They didn't just spend it all—they racked up a ton of credit card debt too. That set them on a wild ride of debt repayment and led to the birth of their podcast, 'The Price of Avocado Toast.' In today's episode, they're sharing Part 1 of their story. Don’t forget to listen to Part 2 next Tuesday! Connect with Haley and Justin Brown-Woods Twitter | Instagram | Website | Price of Avocado Toast 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

You've probably noticed that I took a couple of weeks off from Popcorn Finance News, but this week I'm back at it, and I have more than one number to share! Three weeks ago, the Labor Bureau released inflation data from March, and I've been going over those numbers ever since. So today, I'll share the most interesting pieces of information I found after analyzing five years' worth of inflation data, including if grocery prices are going down and how car insurance rates have risen. We'll discuss this and more in today's episode of Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is 3.5% This is the inflation rate for March 2024 Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance 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 were conversations surrounding money like when you were a kid? Many of us grapple with financial fears, whether it's a scarcity mindset or simply not knowing how to handle money, largely due to the lack of financial education in our childhoods. That's why I invited Naseema McElroy, host of the Financially Intentional Podcast, to join me on the show today. She's here to discuss her three-account system and how we can prepare the next generation for financial success.  Connect with Naseema Instagram | Website | Financially Intentional 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

Is money wreaking havoc on your mental health? Money affects all aspects of our lives, so it shouldn’t be surprising that it can directly impact our mental health. That's why on today’s show, I wanted to continue the conversation about money and mental health with the help of Jill Sirrianni, one-half of The Frugal Friends podcast and a licensed clinical social worker. Jill shares insights on how we can better manage our mental health, especially when facing stressors that are beyond our control and why doing so is so important.  Connect with Jill Instagram | Website | The Frugal Friends 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

Should I be investing in a HSA instead of a 401(k)? Last week, we tackled some HSA questions from a listener. Today Andrew Giancola, host of The Personal Finance Podcast, is back to dive into the finer details of HSAs, including how to access your money and how he uses one for retirement. Part 1: Ep. 441 Connect with Andrew Instagram | Website | The Personal Finance Podcast | Youtube Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance 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

There is a cap on how much in taxes the Federal Government can take from your paycheck and it is not as high as you think. Plus, you should use this episode as a reminder to check in on those CDs you opened last year. You might find a drop in your interest rate. We’ll discuss this and more in today’s episode of Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is 37% This is the highest Federal tax bracket... but only if you make more than $578,126 Today’s Article  How High-Yield CDs Turn Into 0.05% CDs While You’re Not Looking written by Imani Moise Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance 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 is an HSA and do I need one? A listener wrote in with some great HSA questions including whether or not they are a good option for retirement. Andrew Giancola, host of The Personal Finance Podcast, is joining me to breakdown all things HSAs! Connect with Andrew Instagram | Website | The Personal Finance Podcast | Youtube 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 or 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

Did you know that over 65% of tax filers get a refund? Have you started spring cleaning your bank account? We’ll discuss this and more in today’s episode of Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is 65% About 65% of tax filers received a tax refund in 2023. Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance 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

Have you ever read a book that has stayed with you for years? "The Year of Less" by Cait Flanders is one of those books for me. That’s why I wanted to share a replay of the interview I did with Cait a few years ago on the podcast. In it, we discuss her book and how money influences every aspect of our lives, shaping who we become as individuals, and how her book helped her realize the changes she wanted to make in her own. Connect with Cait Instagram | Website | The Year of Less Book 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 or 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

February’s inflation numbers left economists disappointed and housing might be to blame. We’ll discuss this and more in today’s episode of Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is 1 Housing was the number 1 contributor to the total inflation number in February. Today’s Article  US Inflation Remained Higher Than Economists Had Expected in February written by Diccon Hyatt Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance 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

Do you know how tax brackets are set up here in the US? Also, did you know this one tax deduction saves you tons of money each year on your taxes? Today let's get into tax brackets and the standard deduction. 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

Inflation remains stubbornly high and interest rates are staying right where they are… at least for now. We'll dive into what the Federal Reserve is thinking and more on Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is 3.2% This is the February inflation rate reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Today’s Article  Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady, projects three rate cuts later this year written by Scott Horsley Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance 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

I have a house and a kid with my partner, but we're not legally married. Does this change how I should file my taxes? There is nothing simple when it comes to filing your taxes, so it makes sense that most of us have a ton of questions. That's why CPA Keila Hill-Trawick is joining me again this week to address a tricky question from Tara, a listener who wants to know if she should file her taxes separately or jointly with her long-term partner.  Connect with Keila Website | Instagram | The Build to Enough 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

Are you all set for tax season this year? With the tax deadline just around the corner, CPA Keila Hill-Trawick is back on the show with some last-minute tips to help you get organized and make this tax season a little less stressful.   Connect with Keila Website | Instagram | The Build to Enough 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 or 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

That $5 bill in your wallet or purse isn’t going to last as long as you think and I have a few good hacks that could help you save some money! We'll discuss this and more on Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is 4.7 4.7 years is the estimated lifespan of a typical $5 bill Today’s Article (is a news segment this week) In my weekly news segment on NECN I discuss a few money hacks I learned from this book Money Hacks: 275+ Ways to Decrease Spending, Increase Savings, and Make Your Money Work for You! written by Lisa Rowan Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance 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 make therapy more affordable if my insurance doesn't cover it? This week, I continued my conversation with financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin. Unlike last week's discussion in ep.430, where we explored why many therapists in the U.S. don't accept insurance, this time Lindsay offers insights on making therapy and mental health services more accessible through reimbursements, mental health programs, and employer-offered initiatives. All the resources Lindsay mentions in this episode will be linked below and a lot of them were new to me, so I’m so happy to be able to share them with all of you! Resources Mentioned - The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) states that financial cost-sharing requirements for mental health/substance use disorder benefits (such as deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket limitations) must be the same as those for physical health care. (E.g., if you have a $20 co-pay for physical therapy, you should have a $20 co-pay for mental health therapy) - Mentaya is one of the services I mentioned that facilitates reimbursement if you have a therapist who's out of network. Advekit is another similar service. - How to Get Reimbursed for Therapy. I wrote this post to help people understand their Superbills and how to increase their reimbursement from their insurance provider when their therapist is "out of network." Other episodes with Lindsay: 327, 328, 343, 430 Connect with Lindsay Website | Instagram | Twitter | Her book, "The Financial Anxiety Solution" | Money Personality Quiz Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to questions@popcornfinance.com Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or 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

Discover the surprising percentage of money printed annually to replace old and damaged bills. Plus, get my latest guide on when, how much, and how often to tip as tipping culture continues to evolve. We'll discuss this and more on Popcorn Finance NEWS! Today’s Number is 95% The percentage of all the money printed by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing in Washington DC that is just to replace old & damaged existing money. Today’s Article A Guide to the Ridiculous New World of Tipping written by Chris Browning (That’s Me!) Subscribe to the FREE Popcorn Finance Newsletter - PopcornFinance.com/Newsletter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance 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

One of the best investments I ever made was starting therapy a few years ago. Unfortunately, in the U.S. most of us are paying out of pocket because many therapists don’t accept insurance. I wanted to get to the bottom of why this is so common, so I asked financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin to come back on the show to give us all a peek behind the scenes. Resources Mentioned The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) states that financial cost-sharing requirements for mental health/substance use disorder benefits (such as deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket limitations) must be the same as those for physical health care. (E.g., if you have a $20 co-pay for physical therapy, you should have a $20 co-pay for mental health therapy) Other episodes with Lindsay: 327, 328, 343 Connect with Lindsay Website | Instagram | Twitter | Her book, "The Financial Anxiety Solution" | Money Personality Quiz Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to questions@popcornfinance.com Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or 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