Money Ha Ha

Our first-ever live show (at San Francisco’s Sketchfest comedy festival) is action-packed! Stand-up comedian Alexandria Love is delightful as our guest, even after we trigger her severe frog phobia; Yas announces that she’s expecting a baby girl; Dara’s dad takes the stage to improvise a song in the style of Marvin Gaye; and audience members share embarrassing stories about freelance finances gone awry.Along with all the excitement, we dish out facts about some places where the cash is greener on the freelance side of the fence—as well as some places it’s not. And Yas (now a freelancer herself) shares her tactics for avoiding spending all “your” money (oops—taxes!). Whether you’re already your own boss or just thinking about it, you’re sure to enjoy this episode’s comedic jousting—as well as its historical and literary references to jousting!Links mentioned in this episode:Freelancers Union studyAlexandria’s websiteAlexandria’s Twitter

Happy holidays, everybody! Dara and Yas are here with a lil’ shorty ep to share some exciting pod news as well as a couple tips for making it through this time of year without all your money going . First up, the ladies announce they’ll be doing a live show at San Francisco Sketchfest “next year” (A.K.A. 1/18/2020—that’s some sleepover humor for you, tee-hee!!). Grab your free tickets now at mhhpod.com/sketchfest!We’ve also got Yasmine’s ideas on how to smooth out your holiday expenses, and Dara’s advice for how to secure your funds if your wallet gets snatched like hers just was (don’t worry, there’s a happy ending! Shout out to Good Samaritans!). Keep your ears peeled for that live episode dropping to this feed in early 2020, happy Kwanzaa, and till next time, “Shut up and eat!!”Links mentioned in this episode:Money Ha Ha at SF SketchfestShould I Lock or Freeze My Credit File?

Sometimes we all need to take a break, indulge, and have new experiences. That’s what vacations are all about. This week’s guest is here to talk to us about how she vacations like a grown up: without debt! Erin Ryan is a writer for It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and host of the Hysteria podcast. She shares how saving up for her dream trip to the Himalayas taught her that she can have great new experiences, as long as she’s financially disciplined beforehand. Pro tip: when you go out for drinks, never go to a second location!Dara, Yas and Erin also talk about celebrating when you punch debt in the face, the most expensive manicure in the history of the world, the most expensive pajama pants on a plane, and the miraculous glory that is carnitas made in an Instant Pot. We also learn that Erin gets a thrill from saving and good things happen to her when Mercury is in retrograde. Seriously, who is this woman? We loved having her on the show and you’ll love this episode. If not, no worries, you’re just not invited to our cult.Full TranscriptLinks mentioned in this episode:Nerd Wallet: How to save for vacation, w vacation calculatorErin on Twitter

It’s hot in the Bay, and so many of us are already sweatin’ to make ends meet every month. This week’s expert guest is here to give us perspective. Rachel Schneider followed the money stories of hundreds of Americans as part of co-authoring The Financial Diaries. She breaks down why so many of us find ourselves needing to borrow money from time to time, and how hidden inequality and generational wealth privilege play their part in that.Dara, Yas and Rachel talk about the common traps people fall into when it comes to short-term borrowing, how sometimes it feels like institutions make decisions for us, and slumber parties! “Leviosa!” is the new “light as a feather, stiff as a board,” mkay? So get light, unburden yourself, and consider balancing personal responsibility with holding policy makers accountable for making sure wages keep up with the rising cost of living. Leviosa!Full TranscriptLinks mentioned in this episode:U.S. Financial DiariesBuy the bookFederal Reserve ReportRachel on Twitter

Health care costs are a quadruple-whammy: They’re expensive, they’re confusing, they’re communicated in a way that can make you feel powerless, and they come at a time when you’re extra vulnerable—because you’re sick! This week’s guest, writer/actor/improviser Erin Whitehead, is no stranger to the wild and woolly land of out-of-network costs. Based on the tales of woe she and Dara + Yasmine share in the no-judgement zone, should our motto for medical expenses be “Abandon hope”??“Heck, no!” say Dara and Yasmine. They clear up some of the kooky terms you see on your bills, fill you in on your rights, and give you a game plan for staying in control of costs. Plus, Yas confesses the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel techniques she used on her husband, we ponder whether Daenerys sniffed her baby dragons’ heads, and Dara compares Yas to a (cute) potato—twice.Full TranscriptLinks mentioned in this episode:CNBC: The much higher costs of 'out-of-network' health careCNBC: Four steps to fight off high medical expensesThe College Investor: The ultimate guide to disputing a medical bill and reducing your paymentErin on TwitterErin on Instagram

With their great big eyes and sweet little bellies (that we want to drum on), children are designed to make us love them—and spend money on them! Mom and actor Christina Elmore (Insecure) joins us this week to share how her finances have changed since she had her (super cute–check out her Insta) little boy. Though not yet moms themselves, Dara and Yas reminisce about how expensive they were as kids, and how their parents got revenge by putting them in the hardest math classes.As always, we ground things in facts by sharing the top expenses that come with children, as well as the total amount they cost per year—get ready to gasp just a little. Though the price tag of traditional parenthood briefly gets us dreaming of moving to Waco, TX, and becoming sister wives, Christina ends things on a positive note by reassuring people who want to become parents that they can do it.Full TranscriptLinks mentioned in this episode:USDA: Expenditures on Children by Families, 2015USDA: The Cost of Raising a ChildChristina on Twitter

Whether well-meaning or not, bad financial advice can mess you up, and this week’s guest is having none of it! Self-styled “financial hype woman” Berna Anat (@heyberna to her scads of followers) stops by Studio Ha this week to teach us how to tell good financial tips from bad. When we’re in that vulnerable place of not-knowing, it’s tempting to swallow whatever advice we’re told just so we can “scurry back in the hole.” But with a few pointers from Berna and a whole lot of common sense, it’s not hard to pick out the good and avoid the too-good-to-be-true.It’s not all shop talk—your Leo and Taurus co-hosts (can you guess who’s who?) get into astrology with our Scorpio guest, and Yasmine explains her theory about how Bitcoin is a secret robot plot. Long-time listeners will appreciate Dara’s story about encountering an iguana “in the wild” (on the subway). And finally, Berna shouts out some of her favorite sources for good financial advice at the end of the ep—so get your follow finger ready!Full TranscriptLinks mentioned in this episode:Berna on InstagramBerna on YouTubeBerna on Twitterheyberna.comDara’s show, AmazoniansDara’s stand-up calendarTiffany the BudgetnistaJourney to LaunchBitches Get Riches#moneymemes

Fresh from riffing her way straight through a 7.1-magnitude earthquake that tried to interrupt her stand-up set, our guest Atsuko Okatsuka can conquer anything—including this week’s topic, bank fees! Together we break down the types of fees you’re probably getting charged, how much they’re costing you, and how they like to multiply like bunnies—especially when those unpredictable “pending” transactions start racking up the overdrafts.We start light with talk of Barbies and race cars, but end intense with a request that you sign a pact in blood. Along the way, Atsuko fantasizes about bank executives gorging themselves on Red Lobster, and Dara gets accused of surfing the dark web in search of a Red Lobster biscuit. We wouldn’t leave you without a solid action item, and you get to choose how to do it: call up your bank and “ask a few nice questions”—or deliberately keep them on the phone for several hours as a form of righteous revenge, like Yasmine would. Get ready, Customer Support!Full TranscriptLinks mentioned in this episode:Atsuko’s earthquake setNerdWallet article on average checking account feesMiami Herald op ed about overdraftsThe CFPB’s research on overdraftsNerdWallet list of the most consumer-friendly checking accountsAtsuko on TwitterAtsuko on InstagramLet’s Go Atsuko! A (woke) Japanese Game Show

Money Ha Ha is about bringing money talk out of the shame drawer and onto the table, and this week we’re opening up that drawer (or bag, or box—everyone’s system is different) to discuss why we keep stuffing our unopened bills in there: financial avoidance. This week comedian Danielle Perez invites us into her L.A. home to chat about why our brains don’t like to go to the scary money place, and how we can tempt them to at least pay it a visit. Don’t avoid this episode, cause we’ve got Danielle’s re-telling of her viral appearance on The Price is Right, a special duet between Yasmine and Dara’s mom, not one but two stomach-turning anecdotes about overdue dental work, and a full-on Girl, Interrupted moment. Plus, once you go on Yasmine’s guided “mind journey” into your financial future (light a candle first!), we bet you’ll discover things aren’t as bad as you’ve built them up to be. Links mentioned in this episode: APA: Face the numbers: Moving beyond financial denial Danielle’s “The Price Is Right” video Danielle on Twitter Danielle on Instagram Thedanielleperez.com

Comedian/writer/actor Matt Lieb joined Dara and Yasmine to talk about all the stuff you have to shell out for when you move. Though some costs of moving are unavoidable (like that new shower curtain!), this resourceful crew turns you on to a number of money-saving measures, from light cat burglary (cheaper than a locksmith) to guilting sympathetic strangers into lugging your heavy stuff up the stairs. In an especially philosophical episode, the group ponders questions such as where the butt begins, what “beyond the pale” means, and why moving food must always be pizza. As always, we leave you with some tips you can definitely use about how to budget for your next move so that there aren’t any nasty surprises—until the property manager cuts down your hedge. Full Transcript Links mentioned in this episode: Business Insider: “16 Hidden Costs of Moving” U.S. News & World Report: “The Real Cost of Moving” Matt Lieb on Twitter Matt Lieb on Instagram Newsbroke

Comedy writer and podcast co-host Heather Anne Campbell (The Twilight Zone, How Did This Get Played?) joins Dara and Yas this week to talk about the privilege of growing up with money. The group shares experiences from both sides of the wealth privilege spectrum—from driving a car purchased for $1, to “failing up” by being sent to private school as punishment—and how those experiences shaped how they see themselves today. Though the stats on how your family’s wealth (or lack thereof) affects your prospects as an adult get pretty grim, the ladies end up thinking you don’t have to be discouraged, and offer some tips on how to own your story so that it inspires yourself and others. We also hear about Yas’s grandmother’s “candy boobs,” put out a plea for everyone to re-watch the movie Clue, and learn that both co-hosts have purchased special tools for cutting their own hair. Full Transcript Links mentioned in this episode: “Finance Podcasts We Love” by Simple Heather's "Rich Parents" video “Rich Kids Stay Rich, Poor Kids Stay Poor” by fivethirtyeight.com National Center for Education Statistics, "Postsecondary Attainment: Differences by Socioeconomic Status" (2015) Socioeconomic Status" (2015) Heather’s podcast How Did This Get Played?

FOLLOW US ON: Instagram Twitter Facebook SUBSCRIBE TO MONEY HA HA: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Pocket Casts Spotify Overcast RadioPublic Comedian and actor Carl Tart (Brooklyn 99, Mad TV) stopped by our LA studio to talk all about borrowing and lending money with family and friends. Luckily, he’s a pro at helping out his loved ones and living his best life, so he shares some great ideas with Dara and Yasmine for negotiating interpersonal loans and setting boundaries with acquaintances in need. We’ve also got some insights into how social support works in immigrant communities and the impact that can have on generational wealth. As always, we keep it light with some purchases to help keep our wardrobes fresh (in more ways than one), a debate on the term “sportsball,” and cues from teenagers on when it’s time to stop living at home with mom. Final Transcript Links mentioned in this episode: The Financial Diaries Black Tax article Carl Tart on Twitter Carl Tart on Instagram Carl Tart at UCB Carl Tart on Earwolf

FOLLOW US ON: Instagram Twitter Facebook SUBSCRIBE TO MONEY HA HA: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Pocket Casts Spotify Overcast RadioPublic Turn down your cathartic, bleak music and listen to our chat with writer/comedian Zeke Nicholson (AP Bio, Miracle Workers). This week’s topic is thriving on paychecks that arrive two weeks apart. We walk you through creating a budget that works for you, step-by-step, including some treats to help motivate you along the way. Did you know you can reschedule due dates on some of your bills? It’s news for some of us, too! Dara, Yasmine and Zeke also share stories of times their biweekly paychecks weren’t quite enough. We’ve got stories about startups running out of cash, tips that fell short of making rent and $100 holds on rentable bikes. There’s a lot of talk about jorts and swimsuits ‘cause it’s summer in LA, ya’ll! There’s also some talk about dressing like a liberal arts professor at Sarah Lawrence, but we’re pretty sure that’s a year-round thing... Full Transcript Links mentioned in this episode: Zeke Nicholson on Twitter Zeke Nicholson on Instagram Zeke Nicholson’s @ UCB

FOLLOW US ON: Instagram Twitter Facebook SUBSCRIBE TO MONEY HA HA: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Pocket Casts Spotify Overcast RadioPublic Dara + Yasmine kick off a few weeks in LA this week by talking all things gender wage gap with Yo, Is This Racist? co-host and star of Brockmire, Tawny Newsome. We’ve got a starfish callback and a check-in on Dara’s quest to get a good night's rest, plus some tasty dishing about Meryl Streep, Laura Dern and all the rest of the Big Little Lies gang. Things get a little emotional as we dig into how disparities in pay between women and men hurt women of color the most, but we bounce back with some great ideas on how to make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth. Spoiler alert: it involves making like the US women’s national soccer team and talking about compensation with your colleagues. Full Transcript Links mentioned in this episode: HBR article about women receiving vague feedback Gender pay gap facts from Pew Pew on how racial pay gaps persist Pew on measurable reasons for gender pay gap Pew on unmeasurable factors like gender-based discrimination The Good Fight on CBS All Access Tawny Newsome’s website Tawny Newsome on Twitter Tawny Newsome on Instagram

FOLLOW US ON: Instagram Twitter Facebook SUBSCRIBE TO MONEY HA HA: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Pocket Casts Spotify Overcast RadioPublic Comedian Natasha Muse is in the studio to talk with Dara and Yasmine about FOMO spending—shelling out cash for cool experiences you may not be able to afford. Those experiences may involve Instagrammable trips to the Amalfi Coast, boozy brunches with friends, meetups that require a car, or even artisanal beef jerky. We also brainstorm cheap ways to have a fun time and experience the joy of missing out (JOMO). With this many funny femmes in one room saying things the British way, it does get a little goofy this week with a debate on iOS versus Android, a remix of the Jaws theme song, a discussion of how social media scrolling can turn into spending, and a heartfelt shoutout to PBS’ Arthur (and Ziggy Marley, natch). Full Transcript Links mentioned in this episode: Natasha Muse Natasha's Webiste Credit Karma Study Wholesome memes on Twitter Emotional Club on Instagram Interactive social media makes you feel better Happy Endings

FOLLOW US ON: Instagram Twitter Facebook SUBSCRIBE TO MONEY HA HA: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Pocket Casts Spotify Overcast RadioPublic Orange is the New Black actor Sipiwe Moyo is our first ever call-in guest on this very chill, very holistic, slightly serious chat about money buddies: the friends who keep us accountable for our financial goals. We break down how to choose your buddy, how to track your progress, when to celebrate your accomplishments and much more. Don’t get it twisted, there’s still plenty of silliness to be had even though we’re talking about heavy stuff like vulnerability, the importance of deep listening, grief goggles and figuring out what’s standing in the way of our personal growth. There’s a reindeer debate redux, a one-person role play and lots of laughs as Dara, Yasmine and Sipiwe swap strategies. Full Transcript Links mentioned in this episode: 5 Steps to an Effective Accountability Partnership, and 2 Things to Never Do For the Love of Money Sipiwe Moyo on Instagram [Orange is the New Black on Netflix] (https://www.netflix.com/title/70242311?source=35)

FOLLOW US ON: Instagram Twitter Facebook SUBSCRIBE TO MONEY HA HA: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Pocket Casts Spotify Overcast RadioPublic Summer is finally here, so we’ve got Oakland-based educator and journalist Pendarvis Harshaw in the studio to talk about student loans. Today we’re focusing on folks who have student debt even though they couldn’t complete their four year degree. If this is you, don’t worry—Money Ha Ha is always a No Judgement Zone. We know that even when we make all the “right” choices when it comes to education, factors beyond our control have a huge impact on our student loan debt. If this sounds too serious, rest assured that we’re bringing the funny along with the facts. There’s an impression of Maya Rudolph on the Netflix show Big Mouth, lots of goodies in the mailbag, a convo on the importance of alone time for dads and a reframe on what our aspirational selves can look like (hint: it involves insoles for your shoes and sun hats). Plus, Yas, Dara and Pen compete to see whose expensive college degree title is the longest. Full Transcript Links mentioned in this episode: Stats on student loan defaults from CollegeBoard.org Overview of Pew's research on student loan debt Brené Brown’s Netflix special: Brené Brown: the Call to Courage Pen on Twitter and Instagram Pen’s radio show Rightnowish Pen’s columns for KQED including one about student loans

FOLLOW US ON: Instagram Twitter Facebook SUBSCRIBE TO MONEY HA HA: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Pocket Casts Spotify Overcast RadioPublic Student loan snafus, layoffs, family illness—we could go on and on about the dozens of reasons you might experience an income shock. But we’d rather clue you in on how to handle your business when your paycheck falls short of expectations. Put on your emergency flats and get ready to throw a community resources potluck in comfortable style. Even though Yas didn’t invite Dara to brunch, it’s a real lovefest this week as Dara + Yas bond over their extreme crafting hot glue gun scars. They’re also pitting Digi Pets against tamagotchis and illegal dorm pets—oh my! Yas shares her multifaceted struggle with tone deafness, Dara reveals the secrets of the rainbow poop diet, and we have fun reminiscing about old screen names. Full Transcript Links mentioned in this episode: 3 Big Questions with Dara Wilson and Yasmine Khan on Money, Shame, and Financial Wellness

FOLLOW US ON: Instagram Twitter Facebook SUBSCRIBE TO MONEY HA HA: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Pocket Casts Spotify Overcast RadioPublic Yas and Dara delve into the secret costs of pets this week—WOOF. Inviting a furry (or scaly) friend into your life can be a wonderful thing, but it can also trigger a lot of unexpected spending to keep your animal fam healthy and happy. We’re talking emergency vet trips, pet insurance, dog walkers, groomers and more. As usual, there’s plenty of singing, plus deep discussions of North Pole labor practices, how to handle human or feline anxiety, the vulnerability of love, narwhal swimming hazards, duck furniture (which shockingly has nothing to do with pets) and some great Mailbag contributions from our rad listeners. Full Episode Links mentioned in this episode: Kiplinger, The True Cost of Owning a Pet Money Under 30 Killing My Lobster

FOLLOW US ON: Instagram Twitter Facebook SUBSCRIBE TO MONEY HA HA: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Pocket Casts Spotify Overcast RadioPublic When it comes to spending smart, the most important thing is knowing the difference between things you need and things you want. Though there’s no hard-and-fast rule for what makes something a need vs. a want (it’s different for everybody), this week’s guest JM Contreras shares how you can use some tricks borrowed from cognitive neuroscience to tell the two apart and make sure you get the right amount of both. This week, nobody makes it out of the No-Judgement Zone without judging themselves a little bit—but the real judgement comes when Yas and JM throw some shade at experts who act like people with low incomes don’t deserve to spend anything on their wants. How rude! Full Transcript Links mentioned in this episode: The Sleep With Me podcast Follow our guest JM Contreras @ContrerasPhD More on the psychology of spending on needs vs. wants

FOLLOW US ON: Instagram Twitter Facebook SUBSCRIBE TO MONEY HA HA: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Pocket Casts Spotify Overcast RadioPublic Did you know that socking money away for the short-term can also be a powerful form of self-care? Dara and Yas get real about the myth that saving money is only for big things off in the far away future, like retirement and down payments. Setting aside small amounts can make all the difference, whether you’re prepping for your usual expenses or have to handle something unexpected. It may not sound as sexy as counting your pennies for an exciting splurge, but we’ve figured out how making a simple list can take the sting out of short-term saving. Plus, Yas schools Dara on The Simpsons, Dara schools Yas on The Simpsons, and we remind everyone of the importance of tipping. Full Transcript Links mentioned in this episode: More research on saving for the short-term Priyanka Wali

FOLLOW US ON: Instagram Twitter Facebook SUBSCRIBE TO MONEY HA HA: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Pocket Casts Spotify Overcast RadioPublic Take off your desperation coat and roll out the red carpet for Villanova professor Sharon Wilson. Not only is she an accomplished tax attorney and author—she’s also Dara’s mom! Things get spicy as she chats with her daughter and Yas all about things they wish they’d known sooner about money. Bonus: Sharon reveals filmmaker Ava DuVernay’s technique for recognizing the assets we can’t see because we’re too focused on all the money we don’t have. For this week’s action item, we take a look at our social capital and see how it might impact our goals. In case that sounds too serious, there are also startling revelations about Money Ha Ha’s hotel budget (zero), how teen Dara got a starring role in a play (nepotism) and the best day for a sudden headband splurge (Saturday). Full Transcript Links mentioned in this episode: Ava DuVernay Mind Your Business book

FOLLOW US ON: Instagram Twitter Facebook SUBSCRIBE TO MONEY HA HA: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Pocket Casts Spotify Overcast RadioPublic Credit score expert/chiweenie enthusiast Gaby Lapera joins us this week to download everything she knows into your ear holes! Okay, maybe not everything, but she does an amazing job of breaking down the super-secret inner workings of the “big three” credit bureaus. Get ready, because Yas and Dara are busting out some shiny new segments (and theme songs, natch). While you’re learning all about credit utilization ratios, the many factors that go into calculating a credit score and the way some jobs check your credit score before they’ll hire you, we’re clowning on Shaq, shoe size woes, the worst Tinder dates ever, the Addams Family, and a hilarious, galactic slip of the tongue from Yas. Links mentioned in this episode: Automating Inequality Annualcreditreport.com Rosie the little red dog

FOLLOW US ON: Instagram Twitter Facebook SUBSCRIBE TO MONEY HA HA: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Pocket Casts Spotify Overcast RadioPublic This week, we’re going deep on credit cards as we welcome our first-ever guest, notable non-math person and co-host of Handmaid’s Tale recap podcast Red All Over: Kelly Anneken! Yas busts a bunch of common credit card myths and Dara gets personal about her own experience with debt. You’ll also be learning new facts about Gwen Stefani (we were surprised, too). Of course it wouldn’t be Money Ha Ha without a heaping side dish of humor jokes. The gals get giggly chatting about the way credit cards are glamorized in movies like Pretty Woman, Clueless and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Our action item is all about figuring out what the heck “APR” stands for and, most importantly, what it really means for you and your money. Links mentioned in this episode: Red All Over: A Handmaid’s Tale Podcast Dave Ramsey 2014 Gallup poll about Americans’ use of credit cards Calculators.org Late Night Whenever with Michelle Buteau @kellyanneken on Twitter

FOLLOW US ON: Instagram Twitter Facebook SUBSCRIBE TO MONEY HA HA: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Pocket Casts Spotify Overcast RadioPublic It’s time to make it emotional as we talk money goals! Today we’re going to break down how to bring a strong goal game to the table and share strategies on the short-term goals that help you turn your financial dreams into reality. Money Ha Ha is a no-judgement zone (even when we talk about the movie Grease), so these tips will work no matter where you’re at on your financial journey. This week’s action item is inspired by Yas’ time in art school and Dara’s getting creative with her latest “worth it” purchase. And as always, we’re all about taking ownership of what we can control about our money and our lives--but, you know, while singing songs and being goofy, too. Links: 2018 American Household Credit Card Debt Study Report on the Economic Well-Being of US Households in 2017 Spent: Looking for Change (Full Documentary) Full Transcript

SUBSCRIBE TO MONEY HA HA: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Pocket Casts Spotify Overcast RadioPublic There are always more needs and wants than cash to pay for them, so all of us face money trade-offs: pay this bill or that one? treat my kids now, or save for their future? In this episode, Dara and Yasmine chat about just how common money trade-offs are, share some times they’ve traded off one thing for another, and realize they have lots of thoughts about sleep. One of the worst parts of making trade-offs is when you get down on yourself about it. Your co-hosts explain why you don’t need to beat yourself up, and show how to make hard choices easier by talking to yourself the way a friend would. Warning: they do some role-play. ***Links mentioned in this week's episode: Miloinabox.com Don't Hug Me .I'm Scared Self compassion exercises NYT Article: “Dollars on the Margins” Full Episode Transcript

SUBSCRIBE TO MONEY HA HA: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Stitcher Pocket Casts Spotify Overcast RadioPublic It’s us, your funny friends Dara and Yasmine! On our first full-length episode, we’re armed with a wall of facts to break down the psychology behind stress spending. We know from our research and our own experience that it’s hard to make good choices when stress strikes, so this week’s action item turns a simple jar into a powerful way to chill out without breaking the bank. Of course, it wouldn’t be an episode of Money Ha Ha without some giggles, so you’re also gonna hear us goof on the ways we personally deal with stress—the good, the bad and the totally unexpected (paging Frasier’s dad, Marty Crane). We decide to stop feeling ashamed about watching TV, we come up with some caviar hacks and we wonder what is UP with those creepy, hyper-specific ads on Instagram. Research mentioned in this week's episode: Credit Karma Survey: More than half of U.S. respondents caught in cycle of stress spending American Psychological Association: Things that do and do not reduce stress Full episode transcript

SUBSCRIBE TO MONEY HA HA: Apple Podcasts Stitcher Pocket Casts Spotify Overcast RadioPublic Welcome to Money Ha Ha, the comedy podcast where smart, funny friends bring money talk out of the shame drawer and onto the table. We’re your co-hosts, Dara + Yasmine, and we want to let you know what you can expect every Tuesday when we drop a new episode of Money Ha Ha. We’ll be blending research with personal experience so everyone can make small changes that can have a big impact on their financial future. We’ll also be coming up with weekly action items to help you get better with your money. This week, it’s time to get ready for our first full-length episode by subscribing to Money Ha Ha on your favorite podcatcher. While you’re at it, follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@moneyhahapod) so you don’t miss out on a single thing from us. Full episode transcript available here