The Fiscal Firecrackers

Hang on to your purses, everybody!  We got ourselves a real live guest!  Susan and Galia shake it up by inviting Kay, aka @themomtrotter onto the podcast.  Kay downsized her and her family's life to pay off their debt by leaving their home and moving into an RV.  Now, just a few years later, they've skyrocketed to being debt-free and growing their savings + investments beyond their expectations.  Join us for an honest conversation and RV home tour with The Mom Trotter as she shares what it is like living life as a family on the road, her fabulous money-saving travel tips, parenting her son to be a future Fiscal Firecracker and overall money goals.

As we begin a new year and take stock of behaviors we'd like to change in ourselves for the better, let's reflect on our e-commerce shopping habits.  We've become a culture that craves instant gratification with one click though services like Amazon, Instagram shopping and more.     If you are looking to save more money (and who isn't?), Galia shows you how you don't have to stop cold turkey with online shopping, but instead - give yourself some financial guardrails by checking how much you spent last year online, setting a monthly spending limit, creating a designated day to shop and more.  Susan shares some of her recent crazy purchases and gives us a mnemonic device we can all live by - “CAN SHEEP EAT PIZZA?”

Just like an annual physical to care for your body's health - it's time to review your financial health with Galia's Year-End Money Checklist.  Listen as Galia guides us through all the ways to make sure our assets are up to snuff - saving money on taxes, cleaning out both our clothing and money closets, polishing up our investments and taking advantage of IRAs - all before December 31. 

Ever feel like talking finance is like speaking a foreign language?  Not anymore!  Galia teaches us the words we need to know right now to kickstart our best money habits.     And just to keep things spicy, Susan surprises Galia by asking her to define non-financial words completely out of her wheelhouse.  What's a “meat-n-three”?  What's “spacework”?  Tune in to find out!

Inflation is an all time high, so what should you do with your money now? Interest rates are higher than ever- so what should you do with your money now? Stock market is volatile and lower than a year ago - so what should you do with your money now?    The Fiscal Firecrackers have got your answers! Galia shares what to do with your cash, where to invest right now and more ways to take advantage of these unsteady areas in our financial lives today to make a volatile market work for YOU.  Susan suggests we get financially educated and also find ways to ground ourselves personally by employing self-care such as seeing theatre, taking a hike or what Susan's mom does - doodling a sketch of Elvis.

The Fiscal Firecrackers are back at it - talking about how best to navigate uncomfortable, confusing or sticky money topics in Episode 30 - “Awkward Money Moments 2.”   Galia and Susan trade experiences and give guidance surrounding personal and professional financial situations that get awkward like paying for college, parents prying about finances, salary comparisons, picking up a group coffee tab (or not) and much, much more.  They even define what the hell “leaf-peeping” is!

Many of us spend a lot of time, energy and money on two other traditions besides gift giving at the holidays - travel and special gatherings with loved ones.  In this episode, we share tips on how to save (not lose) money on your holiday travel, great websites to follow for deals, why fall leaves from your yard make better centerpieces than cornucopias and more. Susan reveals her true feelings about driving friends/family to the airport, her pet peeve airplane snack and the secret food she keeps in her purse during holiday travel.

“The Fiscal Firecrackers” want to help you create a memorable ho-ho-holiday that won't ho-ho-hurt your bank account.    Galia shares treasured tips to set your financial intention early (so you don't have a painful holiday hangover in January), find valuable ways to save 20% to 30% on gifts (both online + in stores), buying in bulk and many more ideas that won't cost you a penny.   Susan suggests giving the creative, thoughtful gifts of experiences rather than tangible items and shares memorable examples - like a surprise best friend fly-in (using mileage points) and her priceless call from a famous country singer.

Got kids?  Or maybe you don't have kids, but are thinking about having kids?  Or maybe you don't plan to have kids, but have kids in your life whom you love? Paying for college can be a huge source of stress unless you plan for it well in advance.  Galia explains why parents should prioritize their own retirement first - then their kids' college.  She lays out 529 plans, UGMA plans and prepaid college savings programs.  She also explains which plan is right for you, which investments to choose and what to do with those investments if your child doesn't end up going to college. Susan shares her love of free bank snacks, her vivid memory of receiving her college acceptance letter, her various college jobs that helped put her through school, how she wanted to start saving for her son's college education even before he was born and why “Airplane” is one of the best movies of all time.

Who needs it? Chances are - YOU do. Galia explains the difference between buying “term” and “whole” life insurance, how to calculate the amount of coverage you need and the best way to afford it on any budget.  She fills us in on why many women need long-term care insurance too.  Susan researches high-priced insurance policies that celebrities purchase to cover their most notable body parts.

Money can be a sensitive subject.  And loaded.  And awkward.  If there's too much of it.  If there's too little of it.  How you handle it.  How others handle it.  Finances are tricky.   In episode 25, "Awkward Money Moments," Galia and Susan discuss many 'cringey' money experiences they've had, how they handled them in the moment and how they could have been handled so you can learn from their mistakes.   Galia shares how to navigate many uncomfortable financial conversations (like how best to ask for more money on the job - including what to do if your boss says “NO”) and how to own your money decisions.  Susan tells a story of 'unfavored nations" and recounts her infamous visit to a storefront psychic with fish smells.

Credit cards.  Humans carry a small piece of plastic that allows us to borrow money with the intent to pay it back.  How we handle these cards builds our lifetime credit history leading to creating wealth, whether or not we get a job or possibly even landing us in debt depending on our spending habits.   Don't worry - Galia and Susan hold your hand through it all.  Galia deciphers key terms like “grace period,” explains which credit card benefits are best (i.e. travel, cash back), breaks down annual fees and shares her favorite websites/apps.  Turns out - she doesn't like store credit cards!     Susan cops to some of her early personal credit card blunders, like using them to shop away heartache (leopard print underwear requires a matching leopard print scrunchie, apparently), committing to an unnecessary dress covered in seashells and doing “The Walk of $$$ Shame” in Las Vegas.  We blame Vanna White!

Think you don't need a will?   Think again.   Dreading making a will?   Galia and Susan promise to make it easy, accessible and, dare we say - fun.   Though estate planning is no laughing matter, The Fiscal Firecrackers will keep you entertained while covering how to create a will and/or trust, make good decisions about your well earned money/ possessions and tips to protect all you've accrued for yourself and your loved ones.   Galia walks us through options of where to go to make a will, how to tackle the tough questions simply and what to include in our plans so we can sleep well at night knowing all is handled.  And don't forget making provisions for your pets!   Susan shares stories about her international escapades, her juicy obsession with notaries and two goldfish named Peanut Butter + Jelly.

"Budget" is NOT a dirty word - we promise!  If done correctly, creating a budget can be the foundation to your financial house. We will help you embrace the concept of building your budget to find financial comfort and freedom.  Galia shares tips such as giving yourself a waiting period on a purchase, the 50/30/20 budget (tracking apps for variable expenses) and more.  Susan reveals her mall shopping Firecracker moves while eating her "mall salad" plus the results of her green and heated customer service conversation. Find out once and for all if Susan's credit card is wet or not. And who is “Big Bad Betty?”

Tired of being cooped up?  Finally ready to travel this summer?  Before you hop on a plane, let's organize your money.  If you're exploring internationally, the Euro is currently at the same rate as the dollar for the first time in 20 years, so plan accordingly.  Or are you more comfortable spending your vacation staying at home and earning from your couch?  No problem.  Learn ways to take advantage of global Investing.  Galia turns us on to International Mutual Funds for your retirement plan and helps determine how much you should allocate.  She also shares tips to save money overseas including how best to choose a credit card and get the best exchange rates.   Susan discusses her upcoming trip to France with her son, how he's a “comedy brat” and croons a duet of The Fiscal Firecrackers' latest hit "Summer Money" with a surprise guest star.

The ROTH IRA is an amazing retirement tool that offers tax-free options as our money grows. Galia answers all of your questions regarding ROTH IRAs and why they are so beneficial for your portfolio.     Who can open one? Can you do so if you are self employed or work for a company? Can your teen open a ROTH? How should you pick investments for your ROTH IRA and where is best to open one? Hey - who created the Roth?   Susan reveals how easily seduced she is by safe deposit boxes and their hidden secrets. Hint: million dollar jade, trench coats and cigarettes may be involved.

We did it before.  We're at it again.  Venting about money pet peeves is cathartic to blow off some steam regarding our bucks, your bucks and even a complete stranger's bucks.  We're shoving our nose in all of it - Venmo etiquette, waiters who assume where to drop the bill, sommeliers who pick the table sniffer, meeting "The Bickersons," Warren Buffett's portfolio, Crypto and more.

Like “Jaws”?  You'll love “Jaws 2.”  Like “Grease”?  You'll love “Grease 2.”  We're at it again.  You had more credit card questions so we are here to answer them in @fiscalfirecracker Episode 18:  “Credit Reports + Scores:  The Sequel.” Galia teaches us good daily money habits that can influence our credit score plus tips on spending smarter to feel more in control of our money destiny.  Susan shares how competitive she got over her credit score versus her husband's as well as their recent real estate dream gone bad.  Are late lunch goers also late bill payers?  And what's Susan's favorite soup?

What's an ARM?    What's PMI?    How do I get the best interest rate?     Buying a house can be daunting.  It requires spending a lot of money and handling a lot of details. It can seem like a pipedream.  Saving for a downpayment, understanding financial terms and sifting through a tidal wave of information just to step up to your front door.  Galia shares how home ownership at any income level is well within your reach and affordable. Susan shares the secret dream home she's imagined since childhood - a castle complete with stained glass windows, a bubbling soda fountain and a private suite for her beau, the blue-eyed Robby Benson.

Ugh.  Credit reports and scores.  They might seem mysterious, but it turns out they're vital to your financial health.  We should be checking ours annually to make sure there are no errors which could keep us from getting credit or the best available terms on a loan.  In Episode 16, Galia breaks down what credit reports are, where to find yours, how often to request a copy, what your score means, gives ways to fix any errors as well as tips to earn the highest score possible.     Susan touts her super smooth savings on a recent trip to Nashville, how she encouraged a friend to swap an old car for a screened-in porch and admits what a neophyte French kisser she was in junior high school. 

When is it too early to start talking to your kids about money?  That's a trick question because it's never too early!  There are steps you can take to help them (and their dollars) grow at every age and stage of their lives.   Galia and Susan address what you can do to help set your child up early with both good financial habits as well as lay the foundation for their long-term wealth well-being.  From family money meetings, to putting yourself before your kids financially, how to set up their first account, modeling responsible fiscal habits and we even divulge our favorite money book.     Susan shares her love of 1980s era back-to-school shopping including salty potato wedge fries + malts.  Plus, why a Sheena Easton t-shirt was always in budget! 

Mutual funds. What the heck are they?   Mutual funds are the cornerstone of our retirement plans. They are also the best way to start socking money away and earning more - even if you have no money saved. Mutual funds make the investing process much simpler and more streamlined.  Think of them as “one stop shopping” for your investments.   Yet they can seem overwhelming and intimidating. In episode 14, “You're a Sexy M.F.'er (Mutual Funder),” Galia teaches us what they are and advises how to decipher between all the funds available to make it easy on yourself. She shares her mutual fund checklist, how to save on fees and where to buy them.     Susan discusses how she bought hers in person (mostly for the free snacks), asks what “liquid” and “instruments” mean and makes Galia rank all the options we have for investing based on their level of risk.   Mutual funds are essential for our retirement and well being - at any level. So get to know them and you too can be a Sexy M.F.'er.

We all know money isn't just about the numbers. It's SO much more. Our personal history and specific circumstances can affect every financial decision we make. Sometimes we feel lacking even though we have plenty in the bank.  Or maybe we feel like we will never have enough.      Episode 13 of @fiscalfirecracker “The Emotional Rollercoaster of Money” helps you understand what may trigger your emotional response to money and how to best to handle it.       Galia shares tips on understanding your early money memories, how to detach emotionally and exercise financial self-compassion plus how to get help to finally fix a recurring problem.       Susan shares how taking a walk can change your perspective, ways to self-soothe, sound baths with gongs, alcohol-free rum and why you shouldn't take nude selfies in a grocery store parking lot.

Money.  Though it's just paper and coins, it's worth gives it either positive or negative association.  Financial situations have the capacity to make us elated or frustrated.     In episode 12, Galia and Susan to spout off their dollar pet peeves for some much needed cathartic relief.  Irksome moments like navigating an improperly split restaurant check, gracefully handling irritating money conversations with friends + family and not blowing your stack when being upsold a bag of fusilli with your marinara sauce - when you clearly say you only want marinara sauce.  Galia gives tips on how to handle all.

Got a new job?  We've got you covered. Galia shares tips on how to put your best foot forward including asking for a “crumb” more, how to take advantage of your company's benefits and keeping track of your accomplishments.     Susan shares tales from her early gigs - dancing as an extra in a music video, high school humpin' on a sweater-folding table and bakin' up dirty delights in a restaurant's pizza oven.

You have MORE money questions.  We have MORE money answers.  Our Fiscal Firecracker inbox keeps growing - we've now received even more worthwhile queries so we decided to devote yet another entire episode to answering them. Galia and Susan address a wide range of topics per your request: what to do with an inherited IRA, how to deal with inflation at the gas pump/grocery store and how best to work with your financial advisor - especially at age 76!    Susan reveals her deeply personal relationship with her bank that includes lollipops and pecan cookies. She also divulges whom her favorite dinner guest would be. Hint: He's very, very chill.

Ah, vacation.  We all dream about it.  With inflation looming, market volatility and economic uncertainty, how best to plan for a fiscally responsible break?  Galia shares online resources and tips to make a trip affordable - even when traveling internationally.  Susan recounts stories from her family excursions including dirty motel pools, stolen shoes, a 19k refund and what NOT to wear in a passport photo - unless you're a nudist.

You have money questions.  We have money answers.  Our Fiscal Firecracker inbox received so many worthwhile queries that we decided to devote entire episodes to them.    For the premiere, Galia and Susan address a wide range of topics:  money management tools, credit card tips for your teen child, annuities for retirees, IRAs and even a daily exercise to help prioritize your spending habits.  Susan shares her budget hacks for New York and springs some questions on Galia herself.

We all need money to survive, cover our expenses and uphold our quality of life.  But once we fulfill those needs, where should we we choose to put our cash to better the world around us?  What entities feel worthwhile to support with your dollars?  For example, are you passionate about climate change, the environment or sustainability?  Then how about merging your investments with your values?  It's easier than you think and deeply gratifying. In this episode, Galia shares ways to merge your beliefs with your money.  She talks about investing in businesses and mutual funds focused on sustainability through ESG Investing (environmental, social and governance).    Susan addresses how we handle tipping in 2022, finding deserving charities to mirror your belief system and how the act of thrifting reflects her values.  Who knew buying a pair of assless jeans could help support the environment?  But first, put them in the freezer!

Straight off their debut as guests on “Live with Kelly and Ryan,” Galia and Susan tackle the subject of retirement. Dreaming of what your life will look like when you no longer have to work?  If you follow our tips now, you'll avoid living a boring or compromised retirement. The sunset years may look differently for each of us, but we will all want to have the ability to design them to our specs.  By employing our guidance, you can prepare yourself to be comfortably free of financial concerns whenever that day arrives.   We'll discuss this subject from all angles and ages:  how much of a nest egg you'll need to retire, how best to get organized well in advance of your career's end and practical ways to maximize what you do have, (even if you don't have enough saved today). Susan shares her grandfather's eel stories and wonders if living in a palace could be in the cards for her retirement.

Finding financial stability during times of crises can be challenging.  Personal, professional and world-wide events can suddenly affect our money.  Simultaneously, we want to find ways to offer help to those in need.   In this episode, Galia shares financial wisdom you can implement immediately which will calm your nerves during unsteady times such as unstable markets, global volatility, job loss or even family health issues. Susan recounts her indoor skydiving birthday adventure and shares what's in her personal survival kit including:  a flashlight, gauze and freeze-dried beef stroganoff that can last 25 years.

Money affects all of our relationships.  It's especially sensitive and crucial with our loved ones. Galia explains how financial transparency with your partner is key.  It's best to have open lines of communication, go on money dates, use apps to track your couple's joint spending and exchange childhood money history moments to truly understand each other's perspective. Have more involvement, not less.     Susan laments two of her worst dating experiences - one with "Coupon Carl" who tore through a coupon book around town to get her two-for-one steaks, ice cream and putt putt golf on their first (and only) date, as well as a hot lunch stuck in a van. From excess fishing rods to ladybug stick pins, when it comes to love and money - we've got you covered.

Yep. You read right. Galia shares her titillating tips and tricks to save money on taxes.  Learn how to make filing yours as easy as possible so tax time is sizzingly simple. You're welcome - especially you, foxy freelancers.  And if that's not enough, Susan turns up the heat on her drive-thru coffee order and divulges her passion for all things candle.

Wondering how to handle societal pressure when it comes to your spending?  Galia addresses ways you can curb outside expectations by listening to your own needs and finding practical, creative solutions.  Learn about the FIRE movement (Financial Independence Retire Early) to see if it's for you.  Susan shares crazy stories of people overseas hiding in their basement to feign being on vacation and how some women during 1940's wartime would attend “Leg Bars” to get their bodies painted as if they were wearing expensive pantyhose to not miss out on a trend even during times of strife.  

Very often with investing, we don't even know where to begin. It all seems so daunting. The Firecrackers give you the essential first steps to take if you've never invested and how to do a check-up on your holdings if you've already jumped in. Key investing terms are all explained as well as ways to create the healthy habit of socking money away every month even in a volatile market. Susan shares her stories of early childhood earnings making homemade potholders to match her neighbors' kitchens (that they couldn't resist) and assigning herself a gig as an elevator operator for tips.