Smart Women Invest

On today’s episode of the $mart Women Invest podcast, we are discussing the importance of spending plans. When we choose to use this term instead of ‘budgets,’ we feel less constrained and create more positive emotion towards spending money. Tune in to today’s episode to learn how to start saving in a way that feels empowering, not limiting! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Investing isn’t for the weak-willed. To divert money from your wallet to an investment fund takes a specific type of person. You have to acknowledge that it’s a risk without letting the unknown run your life. This is the tricky balancing act that separates the good investor from the bad one.  On today’s episode of the $mart Women Invest podcast, we are discussing why women make better investors. It’s no secret that a women are able to process more information than men, so when it comes to investing—we see how this fundamental difference can be advantageous to one side of the gender side.  Tune in to today’s episode to hear why women make better investors, so you can lean into your strengths next time you choose to make an investment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We vote with our dollar.  And the more something costs, the less voice we have in our wallet for our next purchase. That is why it’s important to be a mindful consumer. By understanding the economics behind our purchasing decisions, we can push for a better future.  That’s why today, on the $mart Women Invest podcast, we are discussing the pink tax. This phenomenon is when women are forced to pay more than men for the same product. Razors, toys, and lotion are just a few examples of SKUs that when put under a microscope—we see the inherent gender discrimination.  Tune in to today’s episode to hear the research, so you can more thoughtfully browse the aisles next time you’re at the store. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s okay to pursue money. But as we work diligently at our jobs and side hustles, we can fall into the tunnel vision of solely caring about our paychecks. We look around and see our peers making more than us, so we start to work harder and harder. This is the trap, and if we don’t defend against this—we lose our ability to motivate ourselves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The end of the year is approaching. As we plan our parties and festivities for this holiday season, we are putting that final stamp on the spending in 2018. Come April, we will look at these expenses, our pay stubs, and our investments, and pay the necessary taxes on them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Giving gifts is difficult. You have to find something the person would want, while keeping the price under an appropriate budget. For the novice buyer, this task can send you into a rabbit hole of Google searches and blog reading. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tempting food is everywhere. From our office snack rooms to our kitchen cabinets, the chips and candy is ever-present. We go about our days, wanting to perform our best, but can we really expect that with so many temptations nearby?   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We sit at desks all day. And if we’re not exercising, our backs may start to hurt. Pretty soon we’re at the doctor, and an MRI is recommended, or maybe physical therapy. This is when we pull from the HSA, that tax-deductible fund we’ve been contributing to while being employed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We swipe our cards everywhere. Starbucks, the grocery store, online shopping—no matter what the expense is, our credit card is the go-to. While we may not think twice about the repercussions of this instinct, studies show that our spending actually doubles when we swipe versus spend in cash. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Entrepreneurship is not romantic. If you find a hole in the marketplace, and create a product or service that fills that void, chances are you will most likely succeed. This recipe is no secret, yet most of us get lost in creative dreamland when imagining the company of our dreams. That’s why it’s so important to distill your mission down to a customer demographic and align that with a product or service. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s easy to swipe a credit card. On our way to work, we pass Starbucks, and think—why wouldn’t I hand over this piece of plastic to get a mocha latte? Over time, however, this adds up and we’ve gathered thousands of dollars in expenditures by making these decisions. This is the dilemma of having a credit card. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Saving money is easier said than done. And saving smartly is even more difficult. When we get our paychecks, knowing where to put our savings can quickly become overwhelming. 401(k), stocks, mutual funds—the list goes on and on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Couple time should be couple time. When we find ourselves with a significant other, the focus should be to enjoy each other’s company and have fun. The challenge is that most activities that promote this cost money. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anyone can start a business. But how many entrepreneurs build something that ends up getting acquired? When your business model is fruitful enough to solicit the attention of another company, you have built something special. Acquisition does not mean selling out. Rather, it is a stamp of quality on the business model that the entrepreneur has created. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Studies show the gender wage gap more than doubles after a woman has her first child. But we as a society don’t think twice about it. After maternity leave, women return to their office to find a different company culture. Whatever ladder they were climbing has suddenly shifted, and their path upwards has redirected to somewhere new. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all know the challenge of networking. But in male-dominated industries, it’s much more difficult. Last year, less than 3% of venture capital in the United States was raised by women. In Silicon Valley, men meet with men to fund male-led applications, which makes being a woman trying to break into these circles especially challenging. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we revisit a popular episode from earlier this season where we spoke with Jean Kristensen on how to launch a business.  From clothing companies to financial management services, lifestyle brands to creative agencies, the spirit of entrepreneurship is everywhere in the Big Apple. If you don’t have your own LLC, then you can bet the person standing next to you on the subway does. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Style isn’t something that comes easy. Our office dress code sets guidelines that if we follow too closely, we run the risk of not sticking out. But if we try to stick out, we run the risk of being looked at as a rebel. Threading this needle, in all walks of life, is a tricky balancing act that requires outside opinion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nothing is more taboo than sex, right? Wrong. If you're like me, sitting at these brunches with your girlfriends taking note of what subjects get get covered and which get brushed over, you might be realizing the same thing I am: that money is more taboo than sex. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You can’t predict the future, but you can certainly create it. The societies that are doing such are the same ones that don’t have a past. Here in the United States, we are bogged down by our rich history, stuck in archaic systems that don’t harness the technology of today. Meanwhile, communities like Dubai are able to launch into utopian visions because of their lack of history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bridging the age divide in the workplace isn’t easy. While the Baby Boomers and Gen Xers push for stability and health benefits, millennials ask “why” and want to be part of the company mission. This push and pull, if not managed correctly, can drive an HR manager crazy. They have to constantly juggle the opposing forces, while steering the ship forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Internet has changed every industry. With just a few taps on our smartphones, we can dive deep into the story of any business. Suddenly, walking through the mall or ordering at a restaurant isn’t the blind experience it once was. We are within reach of knowledge about the vendors’ sourcing, ethics, and social responsibility. Thus, the brands of today are adapting to this consumer demand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re trained to be docile. Growing up in the education system, we learn to listen to the authority figure’s instructions and not question our standing in the group. However, as we all know, once you reach adulthood, asking for the promotion or raise is the only way to get it. This stark difference between adolescence and adulthood can only be overcome if we reverse our hardwiring by examining why we’re not asking for more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You either understand Bitcoin or you don’t. And for most of us, we fall into the second category. Cryptocurrency has captured the world’s attention, but it feels like nobody can explain what it is or how it works. The conversation is filled with foreign terms like “Ethereum,” “smart contracts,” and “protocol coins.” We pretend to know what we’re talking about, but really we’re just hiding behind jargon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should you work in a corporate or startup environment? In both settings, it’s going to take hard work to get to the top. In a corporate world, you climb the ladder to make the big bucks. And at a startup, you’re hustling to launch your brainchild to become something big. Each side has its unique pros, and each side has its unique cons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Online dating doesn’t work. For most of us, it becomes an entertainment system rather than a utility driving us toward companionship. We hobble through creating our profile to then swipe through others’ profiles, judging our prospective matches based on their appearance. We think to ourselves: is this a step in the right direction? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A work-life balance requires keeping work and life separate. But what if you combined the two? For some of us, dividing work and life just further complicates things. We view the narrative of our lives as something that can inform our careers. We want our projects to be deeply personal, and blending the two domains is the only route to making this happen. Though we may not wear the labels on our foreheads, we are the artists, the storytellers, and the problem-solvers of today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our best ideas come when we least expect them. And at our lowest points, we feel the most closed off to inspiration. There we lie on our beds staring helplessly at the ceiling. In that moment though, we forget the one truth about rock bottom: that the only way forward is up. And for whatever reason, lightning strikes at the right time and you’re off to the races with your next venture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Empowering girls makes empowered women. If we can teach the right values and skills to today’s youth, then tomorrow will bring a generation of leaders and trailblazers. However, this is easier said than done. In our country and most places worldwide, poverty makes teaching those values difficult. Our systems are not structured to think long-term, and most communities are nested inside of chaos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“My mission is to make money less of a taboo subject and change as many lives as I can.” -  Shang Saavedra (click to tweet) We make money to spend money. Or at least that’s what we feel on payday. Once the paycheck hits our Chase mobile app, we feel lifted to have a good time. We spend more freely in the days that follow, and if we’re not careful we become trapped in this treadmill. To get out requires taking a serious step toward saving money, and the first thing we can do is reframe the concept in our heads. That is why today, on the $mart Women Invest podcast, we are joined by Shang Saavedra, Founder of savemycents.com. As a full-time consultant, Shang launched this passion project as a way to educate others on the different ways we can save money. In this interview, we hear her insights on everything budget-related, from how to start your own business with a full-time job to what grocery stores to shop at when eating on a budget. Tune in to hear from a savings expert! “It’s about changing the tiny behaviors you’re not even aware of week-to-week that can lead to significant savings over a lifetime.” -  Shang Saavedra (click to tweet) Points to Keep In Mind Prioritize paying off your credit card debt. The higher the interest rate the higher the priority. Combat the tendency our society has to treat talking about money as taboo. When trying to cut your discretionary spending, look at how much you’re spending on food. Use Trader Joe’s over Whole Foods to try to get under $5 per person. People are less aware of their annual bills (like car registration or insurance.) People overspend on travel by getting an initially good deal on airfare and treating it as sunk cost. Take a hard look at your living situation to find ways to lessen costs. Integrate The No Spend Challenge to wake yourself up to your habits and impulse buys. Discretionary buys: coffee, movie tickets, a piece of clothing you don’t need. Buy clothing secondhand to get significant discounts. Guest Contact Website: Save My Cents Instagram: @savemycents LinkedIn: Shang Saavedra Text  'INVESTING' to 555-888 for our white page on tax reform Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all know the challenge of networking. But in male-dominated industries, it’s much more difficult. Last year, less than 3% of venture capital in the United States was raised by women. In Silicon Valley, men meet with men to fund male-led applications, which makes being a woman trying to break into these circles especially challenging. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Social media is the new resumé. Today, many industries call for personal brands to demonstrate expertise over paper documents. In food and wine, a rich online presence showcasing your knowledge and passion might do more than an impressive work history. Social media has removed the gatekeepers, and that opportunity is exciting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine being a solo mom living on $26,000/year. With children to take care of and no spousal support, this reality is unimaginable for most of us. But for the solo moms making it work, they have solutions worth sharing. Providing this tribe with an infrastructure to share their insights is especially necessary in political times like today, when threats loom of cutting off their government support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We cannot control our upbringing. But we can control what we do with it. So many of us were born into environments not conducive for fostering emotional or physical health. But as we grow older, we must accept the reality and begin reframing the experience as positive, a trial by fire that bestowed us a set of survival skills that we can use as a strength now as an adult. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s that time of year again. Early January has us joining gyms and buying kale without thinking about the sustainability of self-transformation efforts. New Year's resolutions are, for the most part, ineffective in the long-run. Sure, you can ditch five pounds in a month with a new exercise regimen and diet overhaul, but what will your mindset be in April? In September? What about the same time next year? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In New York City, everyone has their own business. From clothing companies to financial management services, lifestyle brands to creative agencies, the spirit of entrepreneurship is everywhere in the big apple. If you don’t have your own LLC, then you can bet the person standing next to you on the subway does. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nothing is more taboo than sex, right? Wrong. If you're like me, sitting at these brunches with your girlfriends taking note of what subjects get get covered and which get brushed over, you might be realizing the same thing I am: that money is more taboo than sex. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carrie Kerpen of Likeable Media is this episode’s special guest. Carrie is the CEO an cofounder of Likeable Media, and the author of the upcoming book “Work It: Stories to Help Women Rise in the Workplace and the World.” She’s a sought-after keynote speaker and contributor to Forbes and Inc.com. You don’t want to miss Carrie’s story of how her daughter’s request to spend more time with her led her to becoming an entrepreneur. By finding the right work-life balance, Carrie has her house and her business flying high.    Host Michelle McKinnon starts the program with a look at the “Teflon Market” under President Donald Trump. To better understand w [...] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we take a look at what every woman should know about insurance, with special guest Erin Ardleigh. Erin is the founder and president of Dynama Insurance, an independent insurance brokerage. She and her team offer life insurance, disability insurance, health insurance, and long-term care insurance. Erin was also selected to be a mentor for Women Unlimited’s Leadership Development Program, where she helped successful women rise up the corporate ladder.   Host Michelle McKinnon and Erin discuss when it’s the best time to buy life insurance and the importance of disability insurance. They then shift their conve [...] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Holidays from $mart Women. As our present to you, meet Ronne Brown, wife, mother, coach, author, speaker, entrepreneur and overcomer. Her’s is a rags-to-riches story not to be missed. In 2009, she founded High Heels, High Goals, an exclusive non-profit organiastion that teaches women how to be successful entrepreneurs and empowers women to reach their goals. But she wasn’t done! In 2014, she launched the Millionaires Academy, where she teaches people all over the world how to leverage the direct sales industry and earn income from home. Ronne and host Michelle McKinnon have meaningful conversation on the importance of women supporting women in the professional arena. Ronnie then shares her tips for promoting yourself without coming across arrogant, and the importance of deleg [...] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week $mart Women is eager to learn from Ara Galarza - Cheif Executive Officer at Eat In Chef. During the interview, host Michelle McKinnon and Ara discuss the truths behind “you are what you eat.” Other topics include: difficulties of today’s entrepreneurial professionals chefs; the importance of meal planning and locally sourced ingredients; and a crash course in self-reliance.  And with bond market interest rates on the rise, Michelle offers advice on how best to handle your credit card debt.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

$mart Women is excited to welcome back to the program leadership coach Whitney Siavelis. Whitney and host Michelle McKinnon tackle the notion of what it takes to be a successful woman in the workforce AND the need for us ladies to share our financial wins with each other. Then, Michelle takes a look at the markets post election. Her gameplan for your finances: think long term. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, $mart Women is looking into YOUR future, with savvy advice on estate planning on prenuptial agreements. And to help us out, we are delighted to welcome Emily Pollock to the show. Emily is a partner at Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman LLP. Her practice focuses on disputes involving divorce, equitable distribution, custody, visitation, child and spousal support, paternity, and other areas of matrimonial law. Then, host Michelle McKinnon tackles the ongoing concerns over a possible raising of the Fed interest rates and a question on Roth IRAs.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of $mart Women, leadership coach Whitney Siavelis stops by the studio to help us jump start our careers and lives. Whitney is a nationally-recognized consultant, dedicated to helping companies and individuals realize their full potential and maximize their success. She has 20 years experience in technology and digital media industries, and she shares with us her tips on getting and staying ahead. Then, host Michelle McKinnon tells us if we should or should not wait until after the election to invest in the markets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of $mart Women is designed to give you a confidence boost, with author and confidence coach Karol Ward. Karol is an award winning speaker &, television commentator who helps business owners and executives develop the confidence they need to create the success they want. As a trained psychotherapist, she is the author of “Worried Sick: Break Free From Chronic Worry to Achieve Mental & Physical Health” and “Find Your Inner Voice: Using Instinct and Intuition Through the Body-Mind Connection.”  Karol is also a TEDx speaker whose talk focused on the power of t [...] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of $mart Women boldly goes where no episode has gone before, to the future. We are thrilled to welcome Billee Howard to the show. She is veteran trend forecaster who studies the rising intersection of culture and commerce and identifies the trends that are defining our future. Billie also wrote “We Commerce” a reinvented business toolkit that teaches you how to create, collaborate, and succeed in the age of the sharing economy. Together with host Michelle McKinnon, the two ladies take a look at what it takes to win as a female in business, and what trends you should be aware of for tomorrow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week $mart Women welcomes Jessica Perilla to the show. Jessica is the Founder and CEO of JPD, a minority and women owned branding and tech, publicity, and branding firm located in New York City. Both Jessica and show host Michelle McKinnon discuss the growing number of women entering the tech field, what it takes to succeed in business, and the importance of being able satisfy all a client’s needs under one roof. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

$mart Women takes its mission to help women get smart with their money seriously. With this goal in mind, we are thrilled to welcome April Benson, Ph.D., to today’s episode. Dr. Benson specializes in helping both women and men overcome overshopping, and is the author of To Buy or Not to Buy: Why We Overshop and How to Stop. Together with host Michelle McKinnon, the two dig to the bottom of the definition of “shopaholic.” April also shares the 6 questions she has her clients ask themselves before making any purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we are delighted to welcome wealth psychologist Kathleen Burns Kingsbury to the $mart Money. Kathleen and show host Michelle McKinnon break down the psychological walls women have when it comes to money, investing, and earning. She is the author of several books, including How to Give Financial Advice to Women and How to Give Financial Advice to Couples. You can learn more about Kathleen Burns Kingsbury at www.kbkwealthconnection.com. Then Michelle uses the current up-tick in the market to remind listeners the importance playing the long-game in the market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of $mart Women, we pull have a candid conversation on women and finances with Carrie Rattle from Behavioral Cents (BehavioralCents.com). Her company helps women build money confidence by aligning their money behaviors with their life dreams. This is one conversation you do NOT want to miss if you are looking to take your finances to the next level. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are the keys to being a successful woman in today’s world? This week’s guest Robyn Hatcher says the most over-looked key to making it BIG is your ability to clearly communicate your ideas and thoughts. Robyn is an author and communication skills expert and Founder of SpeakEtc., a boutique communication and presentation skills training company whose clients have included C-suite executives and entrepreneurs, as well as academics and human services professionals. Together with $mart Women host Michelle McKinnon, Robyn uncovers tips for becoming better presenters, and getting to the core of acknowledging and liking “your diamond insid [...] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices