Divas, Diamonds, & Dollars - About Women, Lifestyle & Financial Savvy!

Is the American Dream still alive—or are we just rewriting the rules?According to a recent Pew study, only 53% of Americans believe the dream is still attainable, while 41% say it's dead. But here's the twist: younger generations aren't giving up—they're redefining what success looks like. And for midlifewomen like us, that redefinition offers both clarity and opportunity.This week on the show, we're digging deeper into the reality of homeownership in 2025 - what's changed, what hasn't, and how smart, strategic women can still leverage real estate to grow wealth, stability, and personal power. Whether you're buying your first home, considering a rental property, or wondering if this is the wrong market to make a move, this episode arms you with clarity, not fear. You'll learn:Why “location, location, location” still matters—and what that really means today.How to use today's higher inventory and longer time-on-market to your advantage as a buyer.The new rules of real estate commissions—and what you need to know as a buyer or seller.How interest rates, credit rating changes, and market shifts are affecting options and affordability.Divalicious Pro Tip: Real estate is still a viable wealth builder—but only if you do your homework, ask the right questions, and negotiate with confidence.Spoiler: this isn't your momma's housing market, and it's not a one-size-fits-all journey anymore. But for women 45+, now's the time to reclaim your narrative—whether you're chasingthe dream, redefining it, or building a new one from scratch.So pour yourself something bold (er, that's coffee or champagne, your call), and let's talk about building yourfuture on a foundation that fits you—financially, emotionally, and strategically.

Think building net worth is just for millionaires or flashy influencers? Think again. This episode is your straight-talking guide to how real women—just like you—can start growingreal wealth, starting with what's right under your feet: real estate.Full Description:Whether you're just starting to think about retirement, downsizing, or finally investing in yourself after years of caretaking and career-building, this week's episode will inspire you to look at your financial future in a newlight. We're talking about net worth—what it means, how it's built, and why real estate can be your secret weapon, no matter your age or income.We'll break down why net worth is not just a number—it's a strategy. You'll learn how the wealthy use their assets (like luxury cars and LLCs) to get ahead, but more importantly,how you can leverage your most accessible and powerful asset: your home. I'll share the real-deal story of how I used my VA loan to buy my first property before age 30, turned that equity into rental properties, and even funded a couple of small business ventures—because yes, your equity can work harder than your paycheck.In this episode, you'll discover: This isn't about flipping houses or becoming a landlord overnight. It's about owning your financial power—starting with the foundation beneath your feet. You'll also hear howthe wealthy sometimes dodge taxes (hello, Montana car tricks and luxury storage lots!)—and how the real flex is building wealth that lasts and uplifts your family for generations.So grab your notebook and a cup of coffee, and let's talk strategy—not scarcity. Because the journey to financial independence doesn't require a million dollars in the bank—just a clear plan, a few smart decisions, and the belief that it's never too late to begin.If you're a midlife woman looking to lead your life with purpose, power, and a portfolio, this is your podcast!

Join us for an exciting conversation with Trailblazer Michelle Campbell, who has a storied entrepreneurial background which includes real estate, logistics and now, the financial services industry. Clearly Michelle is an expert in forging her own path and empire-building.  MICHELLE CAMPBELL, a passionate advocate for social change, personal transformation and financial literacy. She's the founder of the social services nonprofit #Stability, which focuses on supporting individuals facing homelessness through critical resources and financial education. Michelle's new memoir, BLUEBIRD: A Memoir of Trauma, Heartbreak and Divine Beauty in the Struggle | [February 4, 2025], is a powerful reflection on her own journey of resilience, revealing how personal struggles and financial hardship shaped her path–and how understanding money became the key to turning her life around. For more information, click here.

Quick: 2008, COVID, and Artificial Intelligence - what do these three all have in common?   What these three have in common is that people and companies are trying to reposition themselves.  Major upheavals and sliding sales have changed the landscape and rolls for workers and people who want to ‘linger'.  You may not drink Starbucks and therefore you may not even be aware where all the ‘Third Places' have gone.  The term comes from an urban sociologist, Ray Oldenburg, in 1989 who wrote ‘The Great Good Place'.  Third Places influence various aspects, including design, entrepreneurship, identity groups, and social dynamics. This is Part 1 of 2  of Trend Watch for Women because the world is still evolving from 17 years of influential flashpoints in time.

Ready to up you referral game? Of course you are! Having a referral-based business is considered "the gold standard" for client acquisition. Listen now to our four great tips to make it easier to painlessly get more referrals, more often.

Are you a serious entrepreneur? How do you know? In today's diamond-ette episode we'll help you button down the answer to that question and more as we dig into what makes entrepreneurs successful! Sometimes business owners get bogged down with "doing their thing" without giving much thought to the tools and strategies that are necessary for long- term success. Short, but pithy - listen now!

A recent article stated that billionaire Mark Cuban recommends Black women entrepreneurs bootstrap their business launch versus seeking venture capital. (Historically Black-owned startups only receive 35 cents of every venture capital dollar.) Whether you have a cutting edge startup or simply a "better mousetrap" that you want to bring to market, don't wait to launch! Start your business now, using your own sweat equity and creative financing.Best practices indicate you should write a business plan to capture all the pertinent details: concept, customer (acquisition) capital (generation) , capture (of market share), but if you're not seeking outside funding, we suggest less is best.So who needs a business plan? You do, my friend. Listen now and share this episode!

Listen now to this exceptional conversation with TJ van Gerven, CFP. In this easy flowing conversation, we talk about where you should be investing now, as well as hidden fees you need to be aware of on your financial journey. Take lots of notes and share this can't miss episode with your bestie and your family!About our guest: Theodore Joseph (T.J.) is a financial planner, the founder of Memento Financial Planning, and the host of the podcast Do More With Your Money.After graduating from Virginia Tech, T.J. has spent his entire career in the financial services industry as a financial planner. T.J. is passionate about helping families use money intentionally as a tool to build toward financial flexibility and independence. Visit TJ's website for more information and links to resources: https://mementofinancialplanning.com/

Some of us are known for our fashion savvy with a black pump for every occasion, the latest handbag or even the newest fad in nail design. With the economy being turned on its head, we're left with a lot of uncertainty! So, is it time for a no-buy challenge? If you're ready to take the plunge and regain control of your money, let us walk you through the steps for a no-spend challenge that works for you!

Have you noticed how much debt's insidious little fingers are working their way into and throughout your lifestyle? If you feel like you're drowning in debt or otherwise stressed about your bills, lean in and listen. Because just by the by, women are disproportionately impacted by credit card debt due to the gender pay gap and other reasons causing them to rely more on credit cards to" help ends meet." Listen now and share this episode with a friend who needs to hear this. There are things you can do to ease your burden!

This can be the year you F.I.N.A.L.L.Y. Get Your Money House in Order! This episode kicks off Part One of Your Wealth Creation Plan, a short series on making and investing your money wisely. This episode walks you through creating an investment strategy to guide you through the necessary steps to develop your personal wealth creation plan.Check out the Stash platform and research potential investments and learn about investing while you're there!

Join us for this special episode with Drew Boyer, founder of Hip Hop x Finance.Listen now to lean how to avoid the biggest financial mistakes made by some of your favorite super stars. Drew's unique perspective ties the financial wins and missteps of iconic figures like Jay-Z, 50 Cent, and Cardi B to actionable lessons, offering listeners a roadmap to better money management and the empowerment that comes with financial freedom. About Drew Boyer, CFP: A passionate advocate for financial literacy, Drew blends his expertise in personal finance with his deep love for hip-hop culture, using the lessons learned from both to educate and inspire. From witnessing the rise of hip-hop in the golden age to overcoming his own financial struggles, Drew's life story mirrors many of the triumphs and pitfalls found in both the financial world and the music industry.

Women's history is full of trailblazers fighting for equality. So what else is on the horizon for women, both nationally and internationally? The theme for this year is moving forward together. The calls to action require increased momentum and urgency to address systemic barriers and biases that women face, both personally and professionally. Listen now and learn how to form strategic and meaningful alliances to advance the causes for women everywhere.

Ep. 197 _ Long before you ring up your first sale, you will need to master five key steps for business longevity. In today's episode we're breaking down the business life-cycle from a farmer's point of view!Picture this: a farmer toils long and hard before they can harvest their first bumper crop. No matter what the crop consists of, the prelude to banking the proceeds starts the same. Miss any one of the steps & you're almost certain to fail. And so it goes with creating a business. Pay close attention to the critical C.P.S. Factors we cover in detail.

The Great Undoing has begun - what are you going to do about it? At the macro level changes are coming at us fast and furiously, leaving us with barely a second to catch our breath! You can feel uncertain and off balance, or you can take control of your future and carve out your own path forward. Listen now to learn the exact the steps you need to take right now.

Would you like to know which money moves women should make in 2025? In this episode we talk about the intentional steps to take so that you have more control over your hard-earned money.

⁠Listen now to our special interview with Bofta Yimam, the Founder of StoryLede, Emmy® & Edward R. Murrow Award-Winning Journalist and International Speaker. She is the first Ethiopian-American newscaster to receive an Emmy award.  Today, Bofta leverages her voice and story on a global level by helping leaders and business owners amplify their message, story, and visibility.  From London to Washington, D.C., Bofta has captured global crowds with her dynamic style and presence.In this episode learn how to develop your revenue generating visibility, establish a commanding executive presence and utilize the strategy of savvy storytelling techniques to help you standout from the crowd online or on stage. And while you're at it, get ready to take copious notes as Bofta shares LinkedIn's Insider Secrets to help you grow your reputation as a thought leader in your field!More: For more than a decade, Bofta reported live on the morning and evening news for top TV outlets, including CBS News, The Black News Channel, and EuroNews. From the White House and the historic 2020 election to the Covid-19 response, Bofta has covered a plethora of stories that have appeared across the country. She also previously worked as the Capitol Hill Correspondent for The Black News Channel, where she covered policies and legislation dominating Washington with a special focus on the impact to people of color.This is a must-share episode - Bofta mixes high energy storytelling and insightful content that will motivate you to take action today! Visit StoryLede.com to learn more about Bofta and the benefits of a fractional CMO.

The way you spend (or save) your money today will have a great impact on your lifestyle tomorrow. Therefore, it's worth learning how tomake good choices with how and where you earn your money, and further, how tomake you money work harder for you.As your goals and income change, so too should your banking strategy change.

The money goes in, and just as quickly goes out, so why does it matter? All banks are not created equal. They exist not only to provide depository services, but as corporations, they need to make a profit for their shareholders. Is this at a cost to you? Protect your bottom line and listen now!

Join us for our signature Trailblazer Interview Series with Tony Manganiello, best-selling personal finance author of "You Can Retire Rich by Transforming Payments Into Prosperity". Learn how you, yes you, can get out of debt while simultaneously building wealth for tomorrow. Don't think it's possible? Tune in right now and listen to this podcast with your significant other. Learn more by visiting Tony's website, SmartestWealth.com.

There are general changes coming in 2025, no surprise there; and definitely a lot of unknowns with the new Administration taking office this year. You want to be connected to what the pundits are saying about the ever-evolving landscape of your career, your business, and what you need to know to get ahead. In this new segment, we will be sharing trends to watch throughout the year. No matter how busy you are, you need to pay attention to what's coming so you can stay a step ahead!

Do you want to level-up this year? Why not take a different approach to achieving your biggest goals yet? Your success ratio will improve when you break them up into quarterly achievements. Listen now to learn what this should look like.

How you live your life today determines your legacy tomorrow. We start each year creating grand goals and making bold moves. We know that working toward "something" gives life meaning and a sense of purpose. If you find yourself pondering "What if I did..." or "If only...", taking time to reflect on your past before setting this year's goals can really pay off.

Each year generally starts off with the ceremonial pledging of New Year's Resolutions - and we all know how that frequently turns out! If you're ready for a bigger, bolder life in the new year, you need to shake off the old yesterdays so you can create more powerful tomorrows! Join today's conversation to find out what you should start doing so you can have better outcomes!

In this diamondette (shortie) episode, we're pulling back the curtain on our upcoming Season 5! Each year we bring you the best ideas for greater success, as well as the key strategies to help you up your game. We also strive to improve season over season and in Season Five I think we've outdone ourselves: more interviews, more access, more freemiums, more, more, more! This is also the last episode for this season. We will return in the New Year. Happy Holidays!

In today's "diamondette" episode, we're wrapping up the season with a list of our personal favorite episodes from Season Four, together with some golden nuggets aka "Super ProTips" so you can take immediate action and level up! Sometimes we hear something exciting and wish we could go back and listen again, or hit the rewind button, right? So listen now and share with a friend or three!

In this Diamondette shortie episode, we've got three solid tips to help you finish the year strong (and set you up for massive success in the new year!) Stop what you're doing and listen now - you'll be glad you did! (Also, find me on Facebook so you can join my private Facebook Group, Divas, Diamonds, & Dollars Inner Circle for special access and weekly Q & A!)

Straddling your yesterdays and anticipating your tomorrows while being present for your today takes a particular set of skills. It is important that you make time to be grateful for the experiences that you've had as they often impact your plans and goals for the future.

Poly-worker/Multi-hyphenate or Multipreneur - what's in a name? No matter how you slice it, people are waking up to the realization that having only one source of income is just not the smart way to go! We've been talking about multipreneurship for some time now, meaning fully diversifying your income in three key ways. Sometimes we need to do things differently than what used to be considered "the norm." Listen now to learn smart ways to diversify your income!

Is your business in growth mode, plateauing, or worse, withering on the vine? Staying motivated can be challenging, especially during slow periods. To stay the course we must embrace the habits that help us improve personally and professionally.

As the saying goes, the same thinking that got you here, won't get you there. We must continue to iterate and innovate to stay on the cutting edge to keep customers coming back for more, so we are not always in start-up mode on the constant prowl for new customers. Listen now as we break down four great ways to help you release your inner visionary!

Listen now to today's installment from our exclusive Voyager Interview Series as we chat with Kimberly Giarraputo, a savvy New York and Connecticut Real Estate Salesperson. With over 20 years as a licensed real estate agent, Kimberly is pulling back the curtain and offering Business Success Tips and Strategies for Today's Women Entrepreneur. To find out more about Kimberly, please visit: www.Compass.com/Agents/Kimberly-Giarraputo/

October 21st marks the start of Estate Planning Week - as if the plethora of natural disasters isn't enough of a reminder to get our fiscal house in order! Today's conversation is a brief introduction to Estate Planning 101 and you will have a better idea of whether you need a Trust or if a Will will suffice. Listen now and take notes to find out more!

The Devolution has begun... so what are you going to do about it? Here on Divas, Diamonds, and Dollars we seldom have to "remove our earrings" and say, "hold my beer". However, the clock is ticking and today we are compelled to speak up and speak out on the urgent matter before us. Listen now to learn more about The Disruptors seeking to dismantle all that we've built and shake the very foundation we stand on. Be sure to share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it.

Are you a late bloomer finally waking up in wonderment at your looming retirement years? If you're feeling woefully under-prepared or not quite as confident as you would like, today's conversation is dedicated to you! Lean into today's conversation for tips and strategies for making your retirement years your golden years!

Today's conversation is Women Walking in Their Own Shoes - "Stepping into your own" - learn how to embrace all that you are. Learning what inspires you to continue to strive toward your goals will provide the fuel you need to stay energized and focused, while overcoming the hurdles or challenges that come your way.

Today we're excited to bring you an exceptional installment from our signature Trailblazer Interview series as we sit down with today's superstars who are doing B.I.G. (Bold, Inspiring & Gifted) Things and changing the world we live in. Today's conversation is with Coach, Author and award-winning business owner Miriam Castilla who is passionately helping women in business transform their money mindset and their finances so they can fulfill their highest potential. Listen now to find out about "magnetic-money" and how to create your own "money babies"! Miriam is the author of "Today's Woman - Life Balance Secrets" and "5-Minute Money System." Be sure and share this episode with your bestie! To learn more about Miriam's programs, visit www.MiriamCastilla.com/Magnetic-Money

What do you think is the primary responsibility for leaders and or business owners? While innovation and strategic thinking are critical skills, at the root of those skills lies the art of problem solving. Creatively and successfully solving problems for the greater good will make you stand out head and shoulders above everyone else.   What you will learn:  We all encounter problems throughout our work and home endeavors - it's part of life and, personal growth. Instead of throwing everything at the situation to see what sticks, having a proven process to solve problems – any kind of problem – is one skill you want to spend some time developing.

Labor Day was created to celebrate those who labor for the greater good, which begs the questions, what attributes and qualities make up stalwart leaders and scions of society? Listen now and learn what it takes to push onward to greater success.

Did you know August 26th was Women's Equality Day? How's that working out for you? Although you may already have achieved a certain level of success, perhaps feeling your days of struggle are behind you, we invite you to consider how the changing legal environment might impact your children - your daughters or granddaughters, or your sister from another mother! Listen now as we explain why this is happening and what you can do about it.

Women of a certain age may find themselves feeling somewhat adrift in these oh, so interesting times that we live in. If you're ready to reset and reinvigorate your next act or your right now, tune in to today's episode. We give you at least six great ideas to help you prepare for your next best opportunity!

Have you ever wondered what people meant by the statement knowledge is power? While that is true, there's a lot more to it - consider the tools you have at hand to harness that knowledge. Let's discuss!

If you're not close to retirement age (or sadly, don't think you'll ever retire) maybe you're not moved by the thought of financial planning. On the other hand, there are a lot of other reasons why you need to expand your financial education so you can have more control over your financial future. Today's conversation reveals just some of the many reasons it's important to become more financially savvy. We've got some great tips for you. Listen now and share this episode with your gal pals! Link mentioned in the episode: ElleVest.com

An inspiring story of a powerful reinvention - just a few words to describe our conversation with today's special guest, LisaBeth Willis. Discover her origin story and how she has been reborn into the passionate life she was meant to live, Life Coach, Author and Speaker. Ladies, there's Power in the Pivot. Find out what you're capable of and make it so!

Having a welcoming, appreciative community is (still) critical as one ages and in order to build and keep your community engaged, you need to develop your communication skills aka the art of persuasion. If you want to leave an impactful legacy, listen now and share this episode with your tribe.

Do you plan to continue working after you "officially" retire? Per the U.S. Census, 50% of women (and 47% of men) aged 55 to 66 have no retirement savings at all. How do you avoid becoming part of this grim statistic? Depending on your age, you may have a one-,three-, five- or even a 10-year planning period. Will you be prepared? Listen now for the steps you need to take to build your Five-Year Plan.

The year is half over - how are you doing? Are you operating on auto-pilot? Don't let life just happen to you, create it. Listen to this episode for a step-by-step plan to create a life you love.

You've come a long way, Baby. Or have you? Our world is changing and it's even more important than ever before, to ensure you have a viable plan to secure your independence! Think Big Picture so all your years are golden - your todays and your tomorrows.

Whether you are buying or selling there are many things you need to be aware of so you can be an informed consumer! Learn the lingo, do your homework and consider your options no matter which side of the negotiation table you're sitting on! In today's episode we'll cover the key real estate terms you need to know as a buyer and also share some potential pitfalls to avoid if you are a seller.

When I bought my current home I made one key mistake; take my advice - do your homework beforehand and buy with no regrets. When you're ready to start house shopping get creative - check out these house hacking tips!

When it comes to real estate, the most relevant word today is "evolving." But one thing that hasn't changed is today is a great day to buy real estate. Remember, real estate is local, so ignore the headlines and make sure you work with a dedicated Buyer's Agent to make sure you have someone working for your benefit. To get my complimentary Buyer's Guide, make sure to follow me on Instagram @LarisaHomeAndRealty and DM me and I will send you a digital copy hot off the press. Take a listen now and learn what you must know before you attend your first open house!