Episode notes
1050. Buying a car can feel like a financial landmine. Host Laura Adams answers a listener’s question about buying a car before starting his first job. You’ll learn how to evaluate your current car, set a budget, secure financing, and find a great deal that doesn’t wreck your financial goals! Key Takeaways: Compare a car’s repair bill against months of new car payments and a potentially higher insurance premium before giving up on an older vehicle. To keep transportation costs affordable, follow the 20/4/10 rule to put 20% down, finance for no more than four years, and cap total expenses at…
Money Girl
by QuickAndDirtyTips.com · English · Business
Laura Adams provides short and friendly personal finance, small business, real estate, and investing tips to help you live a richer life. Whether you're just starting out or are already a savvy investor, Money Girl's advice will point you in the right direction. Hosted on Acast. See…
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E1053 · 23 Sep 2026 · 14 min
7 ways to build wealth before December 31
1053. Host Laura Adams walks you through seven ways to lower your taxes, maximize savings, and protect your hard-earned cash before midnight on December 31. Don’t let holiday chaos cause you to miss this critical deadline. Key Takeaways Employer-sponsored retirement plans like 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and 457s require employers to deduct contributions from paychecks by December 31. Zero out your flexible spending account (FSA) before year-end or confirm your employer’s specific rules, such as a limited carryover or grace period. If you’ve met your annual health insurance deductible, schedule…
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E1052 · 18 Sep 2026 · 20 min
How to save for a child’s future home
1052. Thinking about helping your kids buy a home decades from now? Host Laura Adams answers a listener’s question about the best ways to grow savings. You’ll learn how inflation impacts long-term savings and which growth-oriented accounts offer the best return for long-term goals. Key Takeaways: For long-term goals, low-yield options like CDs carry risk due to inflation. Broad-market index funds (like an S&P 500 fund) offer higher returns that can keep pace with inflation. Opening a standard brokerage account in the parent's name allows money to grow in low-cost index funds without…
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E1051 · 16 Sep 2026 · 16 min
529 savings vs. prepaid plans–benefits, rules, and strategies
1051. Are you worried about the rising cost of college? In celebration of College Savings Month, Laura compares the two main types of education accounts: 529 savings plans and 529 prepaid tuition plans. You’ll learn their key differences and how to choose the right plan. Key Takeaways Both 529 savings and prepaid plans offer tax-free account growth and tax-free withdrawals when used for qualified education expenses. 529 savings plans invest in market portfolios (like index funds) for higher growth potential, while prepaid plans lock in current tuition rates at state universities to hedge…
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E1049 · 9 Sep 2026 · 14 min
5 small habits that build big wealth
1049. Think building wealth requires a six-figure salary? Think again. Host Laura Adams breaks down five small, high-impact habits that lead to serious long-term wealth, regardless of your current income. You’ll learn how to turn quiet daily routines into big financial freedom! Key Takeaways Wealth is built on consistency. Setting up automatic transfers to high-yield savings and retirement accounts eliminates the temptation to spend. Taking advantage of tax-advantaged accounts creates opportunities for growth and short- and long-term tax savings. Low-cost index funds combined with…
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E1048 · 4 Sep 2026 · 12 min
Inherited money? Ways to share wealth without paying extra taxes
1048. Receiving an inheritance can be a life-changing financial event, but passing a portion of those funds along to family members comes with a unique set of tax rules. Host Laura Adams breaks down the federal tax consequences of sharing an inheritance. You’ll learn how inherited assets are taxed at receipt, how the federal annual gift tax exclusion works, and smart tax-free strategies to help your loved ones without triggering extra tax paperwork. Key Takeaways: Receiving plain cash or life insurance proceeds does not trigger federal income tax, and you do not need to report it on your…
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E1047 · 2 Sep 2026 · 14 min
Medicare 101: How to avoid pricey mistakes and choose the right plan
1047. Host Laura Adams cuts through the confusion and explains the basics of Medicare for anyone approaching 65 or helping a relative compare options. You’ll learn how parts of Medicare work, which expenses Medicare doesn’t cover, how to fill insurance gaps, avoid lifetime penalties, and the truth about costly Medicare myths. Key Takeaways: Medicare Part A covers hospital and inpatient care (premium-free for most), while Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient services for a monthly premium ($202.90 in 2026). Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an all-in-one alternative that bundles Parts A,…
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E1058 · 9 Oct 2026 · 15 minNew
Bonds are back–should I own more of them?
1058. With 10-year U.S. Treasury yields above 5.3%, many investors are asking if they should ditch stocks and play it safe with fixed income. Host Laura Adams answers a listener’s question about investing when retirement is ten years away. You’ll learn the basics of bonds and how to use a three-bucket strategy to lower risk without giving up long-term growth. Key Takeaways A bond is a loan an investor gives an entity (like the federal government, a local municipality, or a corporation) in exchange for interest payments over a period. 10-year U.S. Treasury bond yields have climbed above 5.3%,…
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E1057 · 7 Oct 2026 · 15 min
Flight canceled? Know your air passenger rights
1057. Few things are more frustrating than learning your flight has been canceled. But do you know what you’re legally entitled to when an airline grounds your plane? Host Laura Adams breaks down your rights as an air traveler and explains how to protect your wallet when flights get disrupted. Key Takeaways If an airline cancels your flight or changes your schedule by more than three hours domestically or six hours internationally, you’re entitled to a full refund if you choose not to rebook. Research your options using airline apps, by calling their domestic or international customer…
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E1056 · 2 Oct 2026 · 15 min
How to buy a home when you already own one
1056. Should you buy your next home before selling your current one, or is it safer to sell first? How does an existing mortgage impact your ability to qualify for a new loan, and where should your down payment actually come from? Host Laura Adams answers a listener’s questions about navigating the tricky logistics of moving and whether to convert her current house into a rental property. Key Takeaways You can source your down payment from savings, home sale proceeds, a pre-arranged home equity line of credit (HELOC), or a short-term bridge loan. Carrying two mortgages at once counts toward…
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E1055 · 30 Sep 2026 · 23 min
How to accelerate your wealth, with Natasha Madan
1055. Host Laura Adams interviews Natasha Madan, CMO and consumer advocate at Credit Karma, about the financial habits of Gen Z, credit myths, and wise ways to use AI tools. You’ll learn practical strategies to optimize your credit, get the best interest rates, and build wealth faster. Key Takeaways Taking small, consistent actions, such as reducing your credit utilization or consolidating high-interest debt, adds up to slowly improve your finances. Paying bills on time and paying off credit card balances in full every month are ways to build credit without accruing interest charges. Beyond…
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