Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin

Each week, Nicole breaks down the biggest headlines on Wall Street and how they're affected your wallet. Today she covers: the real and fake Fed headlines, good news on real estate and why Nippon Steal's acquisition of U.S. Steel matters.

The House-approved Big Beautiful Bill introduces "Trump Accounts," formerly known as "MAGA Accounts," tax-advantaged investment accounts that the government would seed with $1,000 investments for newborns. Today, Nicole explains how these accounts would work, who is eligible, and the economic impact. For Nicole's overview of the other economic proposals in the Big Beautiful Bill, listen here.

The version of President Trump's Big, Beautiful Bill that passed in the House will not pass in the Senate, primarily because of sticking points around the future of Medicaid, a tax break that's giving us FOMO, and, of course, the national debt. Today, Nicole explains what parts of the bill are changing, and how it may affect your health insurance.

When influencer couples break up, who gets the followers? Today Nicole is joined by celebrity divorce attorney Jackie Combs to unpack what really goes down when digital empires built on love and likes have to be divided. Nicole and Jackie cover brand prenups, postnups, and how to legally—and financially—protect yourself when business and romance mix. Whether you're sharing a bank account or a TikTok account, this one's for you. Follow Jackie's work here. Today you'll hear about: 00:00 Money Rehab Contest 01:06 Meet Celebrity Divorce Attorney Jackie Combs 01:22 Financial Lessons from Celebrity Divorces 01:40 Navigating Brand Prenups and Postnups 02:13 Legal Nuances of Influencer Divorces 02:54 Prenups for Content Creators 03:24 Dividing Digital Empires in Divorce 04:14 Protecting Intellectual Property 08:04 How Social Media Brands Get Valued 13:29 Financial Risks and Scandals 19:42 Dividing Luxury Assets 22:11 Parental Guidance on Prenups 24:41 Forecasting Legal Costs 26:03 How to Choose the Right Lawyer 27:26 (Sadly) Unenforceable Clauses in Prenups 34:11 Final Tips The content in this episode is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered legal or financial advice

Whenever there's conflict in the Middle East, you can expect to see changes in oil prices, stock market swings, and economic uncertainty. So today, Nicole explains why — and what history tells us about what will happen next Listen to Nicole's episode about ETFs here. Listen to today's episode of Mo News here.

Of all the celebrity couples to split this year… did we really think Trump and Elon were going to be one of them? Today Nicole is unpacking some of the breaking headlines that have had the biggest impact on the stock market with Dan Nathan (principal at RiskReversal Advisors). They cover how the Trump-Musk fallout will affect Musk's companies, the TACO trade and what Dan is bullish on right now.  Find more of Dan's work here.

Today, Nicole is breaking down the top headlines in finance and how they're affecting your wallet. In this edition of our Wall Street wrap-up: Why car prices are about to spike (again) thanks to a not-so-rare mineral The Bitcoin ETF boom and why crypto is suddenly looking… safe? And what the May jobs report isn't telling you about the job market Plus, Nicole will tell you how these headlines hit your bottom line—and what to do next if you're job hunting, investing, or car shopping. 

Today, we have a special treat: Nicole in the hot seat. You'll hear Nicole as a guest on the new podcast Aspire with Emma Grede. Nicole and serial entrepreneur Emma Grede (SKIMS, Good American) break down why avoiding financial talk can hold you back and how learning key terms like ROI and APY can instantly boost your confidence. Nicole shares how she paid off debt using the avalanche method, and together they explore practical investing tips, from automating your finances to why renting might sometimes be the smarter move. Nicole also opens up about losing her home in the LA wildfires and how that life-changing moment helped her shift from scarcity to abundance. This episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you build financial confidence and take control of your money—no matter where you're starting. Subscribe to Aspire with Emma Grede, wherever you get your podcasts.

This episode checks all of the boxes. Want the secret sauce to being a bigger player at your company? Check. Are you thinking about starting your own thing and want the formula to determine whether you can leave your job behind? Check. Are you raising kiddos and want help teaching them the value of a dollar? Check, check and check. The reason this episode has everything is because it features the incredible and wise entrepreneur Nicole Walters. And when the Nicoles get together, they leave no stone unturned. Originally aired 10/05/2023

Everybody wants to be a millionaire… but how do you actually get there? That's what today's listener, award-winning journalist and entrepreneur Suzanne Kianpour, wants to know. Today, Nicole shares a candid conversation she had with Suzanne at the end of 2024, where they unpacked how to set meaningful money goals—and, more importantly, how to build a realistic roadmap to reach them. Plus, at the time, Suzanne was also in full-on wedding planning mode, so naturally, she wanted all the tips on how to (legally) deduct wedding expenses. And Nicole delivered. Find Suzanne's work here 00:00 Why Nicole DIYs Financial Reviews 02:06 Suzanne's Financial Story and Future Goals 05:00 The Cost of Wedding Planning 07:35 How to Set Actionable Financial Goals 15:56 Strategies and Tips for Investing 22:45 Legit Tax Deductions for Weddings 27:39 Millionaire Game Plan

When Taylor Swift announced she had officially bought back the masters to her music catalog, it wasn't just a win for Swifties—it was a seismic moment for the entertainment business. Today, Nicole unpacks the multimillion-dollar money trail behind the scenes, from record labels to private equity firms, and explains how Swift outmaneuvered the industry to reclaim her life's work. It's a story about ownership, leverage, and beating the system—plus, Nicole shares how listeners can invest in music royalties themselves. Because when it comes to showbiz… the business part matters most.

Elon Musk called it “a disgusting abomination.” Trump calls it “The Big, Beautiful Bill.” Either way, Washington is on fire with debate over the latest federal budget proposal—clocking in at over 1,000 pages, with a July 4th deadline and trillions of dollars on the line. Today, Nicole breaks down what's actually in the bill, what it would mean for your money, and why it's facing backlash from both sides of the aisle. From deep cuts to Medicaid and food stamps, to the expansion of Trump's 2017 tax cuts, to that new “Trump Account” baby savings plan—this episode is your primer on the bill that could reshape the economy.

In the U.S., the cost of cybercrime in 2025 is estimated to hit $639.2 billion— up from $452.3 billion in 2024—an alarming surge fueled in large part by advancements in AI. Today, Nicole sits down with tech journalist Laurie Segall to uncover one of the darkest AI-driven scams: a disturbing scheme where scammers generate fake nude images to extort their victims. In this conversation, Laurie breaks down the most common deepfake crimes and scams, how to spot them, and how to protect yourself. She also shares the jaw-dropping story of her investigation into a shadowy figure known as “Mr. Deepfakes,” a man she describes as one of the most dangerous people on the internet, and what happened when she tracked him down and confronted him face-to-face. Nicole and Laurie zoom out to ask even bigger questions: What does this mean for women, for democracy, and for the future of AI? Spoiler alert: we are still very much in the Wild West. Follow Laurie's work, and her investigation into Mr. Deepfakes here.

eaky. Problems don't always arise from big juicy secrets. Sometimes they arise when a couple is super compatible and in love— but just has different expectations on money and work. Nicole answers a question from a listener struggling with that exact problem, and gives three solutions. Here is the episode on calculating your target retirement nest egg Nicole mentioned: https://link.chtbl.com/vRoxmrAe Here is the episode on asking for a raise: https://link.chtbl.com/2d-VX_FY

This is the crossover episode we've been waiting for! Today Nicole is joined by the trailblazers behind the financial literacy empire Earn Your Leisure, Troy Millings and Rashad Bilal. This conversation was just as deep and far-reaching as we knew it would be. They talk about the U.S.-China trade war, the insider trading mess in Washington and whether finance can really be democratized. And they get personal; they cover financial trauma, money dysmorphia, and the push-pull of relationships and money. You don't want to miss this one! Get Troy and Rashad's awesome book You Deserve To Be Rich here!

Lowering your tax bill can change your life (true story!). Nicole breaks down which states have the best tax codes, and how the rich use those tax perks to keep more money in their pockets - and how you can too!

After some really messy economic headlines for the last few months, we may actually have some good news. To break it down, Nicole is joined by Ryan Detrick, the Chief Market Strategist at Carson Group. Today, Ryan shares some signs he's seeing in the market that nearly always indicate good news ahead… and whether this time could be different.

In part two of Nicole's conversation with Ray Dalio (founder of Bridgewater Associates and architect of the All Weather Portfolio), they move beyond the markets and into the personal. While part one tackled the economy, inflation, and portfolio strategy, this episode is all about legacy, happiness, and the limits of what money can buy. Ray opens up about the worst moment of his life, how he defines success, and what he hopes the next generation takes from his journey. It's a rare side of one of the world's most influential investors—and a conversation that will stick with you long after the episode ends. Pre-order Ray's latest book How Countries Go Broke ⁠here⁠. Find all of Ray's books ⁠here⁠. 

If you started investing any time within the last five years, it's probably felt like a steady stream of firsts—between a global pandemic, changing interest rates, inflation, war, and recession fears, it's been one plot twist after another. But it's not a new story—it's the same economic movie on repeat. And if you understand the principles behind it, you can learn to master the markets. That's where today's guest Ray Dalio comes in. He's the founder of Bridgewater Associates—the world's largest hedge fund with over $150 billion under management—and the author of New York Times bestsellers like Principles, that's become required reading from Wall Street to Silicon Valley. Ray literally wrote the book on how to invest through any cycle—and today, he's here to teach you how. Pre-order Ray's latest book How Countries Go Broke here. Find all of Ray's books here.

When's the right time to start building wealth? Spoiler alert: the sooner, the better. But what if you feel like you're not making enough, or you have too many expenses, or investing just feels too intimidating? Today, Nicole helps a Money Rehabber break through those doubts and put a plan in place to start growing wealth ASAP. Plus, we'll unpack a new Bank of America survey that shows 95% of Gen Z and Millennials are living within their means—so if you're worried you're behind, you might be doing better than you think. Learn more with Bank of America where you can get access to tools and solutions and view your Bank of America banking account online in one place. Get started at bofa.com/FinancialNextSteps

Today, we're sharing the first episode of MNN's newest podcast Social Currency with Sammi Cohen. In her first episode, Sammi sits down with entrepreneur Ty Haney. Ty shares what she wishes she knew as a first-time founder while building the brand Outdoor Voices, the dark side of VC and the most important lesson she's learned on equity as a founder. She also shares the latest on her new ventures—Joggy, a clean energy brand, and TYB, a platform redefining what community-powered business looks like. If you've ever launched, led, or lost something you built, this one will hit home. Follow Sammi on Instagram here Follow Ty on Instagram here Check out TYB here and Joggy here  Here's what Sammi covers today with Ty: 00:00 How Ty Haney Scaled Outdoor Voices to $100M  02:05 How to Build Community within your Business 06:17 The Curse of the Girlboss Era 08:41 The Trap of Growth Versus Profitability 21:13 The Importance of Equity as a Founder 23:27 Second Acts: TYB and Joggy 29:37 The Value Proposition of Joggy 32:21 The Value Proposition of TYB 46:00 Insights and Reflections 48:52 Social Currency Corner 49:58 Advice for Founders

A raise is cause for celebration, but if you're not careful, it can also lead to lifestyle creep—a sneaky culprit that keeps you living paycheck to paycheck, even with a bigger paycheck. Today, Nicole helps a Money Rehabber design a game plan to maximize their raise, pay down debt, and hit their financial goals without falling into the lifestyle creep trap. If you're ready to automate your budget, boost your savings, and stay on track, Bank of America has the tools to help. Learn more at bofa.com/FinancialNextSteps.

Today, Nicole is pulling back the curtain on a financial institution you probably didn't expect to see on this show: Vatican City. In this episode, Nicole dives into the financial story of the Catholic Church under Pope Francis: the scandals, the reforms, the setbacks—and what this means for Pope Leo and the future of the church.

Nicole's a bit of a romantic— especially when it comes to conversations about financial and family planning. Today, she's joined by Sharna Burgess (cohost of the Oldish podcast, Dancing with the Stars alum), who is having these conversations now with her fiancé, actor Brian Austin Green. Sharna shares how finances are factoring into their wedding planning, how a business manager played a key role in her love story, and whether she and Brian are considering continuing to grow their family. Plus, Nicole gives her favorite strategies for setting good financial habits as a couple. If you and your spouse decide to open a joint account, you should check out Bank of America. You can even turn it into a date night! Because making smart money decisions together is an investment in your relationship. And honestly, what's more romantic than that?   Nicole's partner Bank of America is the one stop shop where you can get guidance, tools, solutions, and view your Bank of America banking and manage your Merrill investing accounts online in one place. To learn more, go to: http://bofa.com/FinancialNextSteps⁠.

Hosted by Nicole Lapin the podcast Scams, Money, and Murder dives into the dark side of finance. From cutthroat con artists to billion-dollar scams, and even murder, Nicole will take you through the world's wildest financial crimes -- or talk to the experts who studied them, and the victims that survived them. Scams, Money, and Murder with Nicole Lapin is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios. Follow now wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop every Thursday. For more content, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @crimehouse.

The portfolios of members of Congress outperform the S&P 500 by 17%. That's not smart investing— that's insider trading. Today, Nicole shares some jaw-dropping examples of insider trading in Washington, and how we can use politicians' investment disclosures to predict the future.

How do you work towards multiple financial goals at once? The answer isn't some money move that your future self will need to make… the answer lies within the money moves you are making now. Right now. And we'll show you how to make those money moves, with help from Bank of America, who Nicole partnered with for this episode. Whatever goals you're working towards, long-term or short-term, Bank of America Corporation has  tools to help you get there at http://bofa.com/FinancialNextSteps.

After a wave of not-so-great headlines on tariffs, we finally have some good news: the Trump Administration is signaling cuts to the new tariffs on Chinese goods. But what does that actually mean for your bank account? To follow the money trail, Nicole brings back Fred P. Hochberg—former President of the Export-Import Bank and Acting Administrator of the Small Business Administration—who has spent his career at the intersection of business and public policy. Fred and Nicole break down how tariff policy should work to benefit Americans, what happens if these cuts don't happen, and how it all could affect prices (yes, including what you'll pay for Christmas presents this year). Fred's book is an amazing read to understand the current moment! Check it out here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Trade-Is-Not-a-Four-Letter-Word/Fred-P-Hochberg/9781982127374

The biggest feud on reality TV this week... is Trump vs Fed Chair Jerome Powell. The issue at the core of this beef? Interest rates. President Trump is pressuring the Fed to lower rates, but today, Nicole shares her hot take: we don't want lower rates.

Nicole explains why the value of the dollar is going down and how it will affect your wallet.

After a whirlwind of headline whiplash over the last month, last week in the economy felt... quieter. But quieter doesn't mean unimportant. Instead of chasing breaking news, we're settling into the “new normal”—whatever that ends up meaning in this cycle. So what do investors need to know now that the dust has (somewhat) settled? To help answer that, Nicole is joined by Karen Finerman (CEO of Metropolitan Capital Advisors, founding panelist of CNBC's Fast Money, and host of How She Does It). They dive into the current state of the dollar, what tariffs could mean for your money, and Karen's best-performing stock pick of 2025 so far.

There are tons of tariff loophole videos going viral right now, taken by people claiming to be manufacturers in China. These people say that you can bypass the tariffs through buying your favorite Chinese-made products (think Lululemon yoga pants to Louis Vuitton bags) straight from them. Today, Nicole explains if those are legit, which tariff loophole is going away and how these videos will affect consumers and investors alike.

Today, Nicole continues to unpack do's and don'ts for market downturns— this time, she's joined by Peter Mallouk, President and CEO of award-winning wealth management firm Creative Planning. In this conversation, Nicole and Peter break down the smart (and not-so-smart) moves to make when the market's in the red. To learn more about Creative Planning and how they could help you meet your financial goals, visit: www.creativeplanning.com/nicole

Today's caller is living the freelance dream—flexible schedule, creative freedom, but… zero employer retirement benefits. If you're self-employed and wondering how the heck you're supposed to save for retirement without a 401(k), this episode is for you. Nicole breaks down the best retirement accounts for freelancers, how to reverse-engineer your savings plan, and how to turn “irregular income” into “regular savings.” Because yes, you can have a dreamy retirement, even without a W-2. To open your Traditional or Roth IRA today, go to public.com/moneyrehab Paid endorsement for Open to the Public Investing, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. This information is for educational purposes only and is not tax or investment advice. Consult your tax advisor for individual considerations. Visit the IRS website for more information on the limitations and tax benefits of Traditional and Roth IRAs. All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. Brokerage services for US-listed, registered securities, options and bonds in a self-directed account are offered by Open to the Public Investing, member FINRA & SIPC. *Terms and Conditions apply.  All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. Brokerage services for US-listed, registered securities, options and bonds in a self-directed account are offered by Public Investing, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. Public Investing offers a High-Yield Cash Account where funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance; Public Investing is not a bank. Brokerage services for alternative assets are offered by Dalmore Group, LLC, member FINRA & SIPC. Brokerage services for treasury accounts offering 6-month T-Bills are offered by Jiko Securities, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. Banking services are offered by Jiko Bank, a division of Mid-Central National Bank. Securities investments: Not FDIC Insured; No Bank Guarantee; May Lose Value. See public.com/#disclosures-main for more information. *APY as of 6/20/24, subject to change.

Is 2008 repeating itself? That's the big question in the headlines, and today Nicole is talking to the perfect person to answer that question.  Steve Eisman doesn't need much of an introduction—he's the investor who famously saw what no one else saw in 2008 and bet against the market before the crash (he was portrayed by Steve Carell in The Big Short). Today, Steve tells Nicole whether he thinks history is repeating itself, whether we're on-track for a recession, and his thoughts for new investors. Check out Steve's new podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-eisman-playbook/id1806975494

We are all feeling the market whiplash— today, Nicole explains why that whiplash is happening, and the possibility that the stock market crash was not collateral damage, but the point all along.

Consumer confidence in the U.S. is shaky right now—and with ongoing tariff drama and mixed economic signals, it's no surprise investors are feeling uneasy. But here's the thing: the U.S. is not your only option. Today, Nicole explains why looking beyond U.S. borders could be the smartest move for your portfolio right now. From “blue-chip” countries like Japan and Germany to emerging markets like India and Mexico, Nicole breaks down the best global investment plays, how to access them (spoiler: ETFs are your friend), and the tax traps to avoid. Diversification isn't just smart—it's essential.

Carter Braxton Worth, legendary chart analyst and guest on today's episode, made headlines when he called the current bear market back in February—weeks before the major sell-off in early March. Nicole and Carter dig into what he was seeing in the charts that signaled the downturn, what the market is saying post-"Liberation Day," and how tariffs could impact key industries. They also break down what it actually means to be in a bear market, why panic isn't a plan, and which sectors could be your portfolio's new MVPs. For part two of this conversation, a visual breakdown of Carter's chart analysis, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6WPrXAIFac Find Carter's work here: https://www.worthcharting.com/

The market just took a nosedive, and tariffs announced by President Trump are at the center of it all. In this episode, Nicole breaks down how those tariffs rattled the global economy, what that means for prices and industries here at home, and—most importantly—what you can do to protect your hard-earned money. She'll share why she's still bullish on the long-term market outlook, how to take advantage of the dip, and the funds worth watching if you're creating a portfolio built to last. 00:20 Understanding the Market Crash 01:12 Impact of Tariffs on the Market 04:06 Investment Strategies During a Downturn 07:39 Recommended Funds to Research 09:29 Final Tips

Today Nicole answers the #1 question she's been getting lately: what do I do with my money when the economy gets shaky? Nicole shares the investments that have historically stood the test of time during recessions, and even thrived in high-inflation environments

The stock market just had its worst day since 2020, and Trump's proposed “Liberation Day” tariffs are at the center of the storm. The administration is arguing that these sweeping international tariffs will be a win for American workers—promising to bring manufacturing back home, reduce the trade deficit, and generate revenue. But history—and economics—tell a more complicated story. Today, Nicole is joined by investor, author and podcaster James Altucher to break down what these tariffs will mean for the U.S. economy. Together, they dig into the real-world impact on inflation, jobs, trade relationships, and the markets. Is this the beginning of a new era of economic strength, or a fast track to recession? To check out James' podcast, click HERE. To subscribe to James' newsletter, click HERE. For all other James things, go HERE.

If you've got a 401(k) or invest using Nicole's Index Funds and Chill approach, chances are you're a shareholder in major companies like Berkshire Hathaway or Tesla—and that means you have power. You can vote on who runs these companies, how they operate, and where your money goes. But most of us don't use that power, and while we sit it out, others are stepping in—often to push agendas, not better business. Today, Nicole is joined by Nell Minow—an expert in corporate governance—to break down what shareholder activism should be, what it's becoming, and why your retirement account might be more influential than you think. Oh, and she's also got some thoughts on Tesla and Elon Musk… you won't want to miss it. Here are resources from Nell on proxy voting: https://www.iconikapp.com/as-you-sow https://theshareholdercommons.com/potb/