Episode notes
Scotty is a federal employee in Washington, D.C. He's made it through multiple rounds of DOGE layoffs, but the uncertainty has forced him to think more seriously about the future—and whether, even if he keeps his job, he can afford the life he wants. If you want to be on What We Spend, we'd love to hear from you. Write us at [email protected]
Podcast
What We Spend
Audacy · Society & Culture · English
What We Spend is back for another season of diving into the financial questions you never get to ask. In Season 2 we’ll ask a brand new set of people from across the country and the financial spectrum to open their wallets — and their lives — and share what they make, what they want, and, for one we
More from What We Spend All episodes →
-
10 Sep 2025 · 44 min
Here Comes the Bill
Dan is a university post doc in the midwest. He’s getting married next spring— and discovering just how expensive weddings really are.
-
3 Sep 2025 · 41 min
Death Admin
A few years ago, Alissa suffered the devastating loss of her husband. In the aftermath, she was left to navigate not just grief, but all the financial questions and decisions that came with his death —finding work, supporting four kids, and the emotional weight of figuring out how to use the money he left behind. If you want to be on What We Spend, we'd love to hear from you. Write us at [email protected]
-
27 Aug 2025 · 38 min
Joint Accounts
Charli is a filmmaker living in the Bible Belt. They’re on the brink of a big step in their relationship – moving in together and merging finances. If you want to be on What We Spend, we'd love to hear from you. Write us at [email protected]
-
20 Aug 2025 · 37 min
New Grad, Now What?
Jacob just graduated college in Wisconsin — but his degree in computer science might not mean what it used to. Now, he’s struggling to land a full-time job and questioning what comes next. If you want to be on What We Spend, we'd love to hear from you. Write us at [email protected]
-
13 Aug 2025 · 36 min
Business is Booming
Mick owns a fireworks shop in Indiana. We'll follow him during the week leading up to July 4th — his busiest and most profitable time of year. If you want to be on What We Spend, we'd love to hear from you. Write us at [email protected]
-
30 Jul 2025 · 40 min
I Try to Be Transparent About My Level of Privilege
Morgan works as a consultant, but her income is not the only thing making her life possible. She’s opening up about her financial privilege, her relationship to it, and why she thinks more people should do the same. If you want to be on What We Spend, we'd love to hear from you. Write us at [email protected]
-
23 Jul 2025 · 40 min
How To Be a (Working) Rock Star
Mel is a touring musician based in Pennsylvania. But despite her many successes in the music industry, she still has to work odd jobs to fund her rock star dreams. If you want to be on What We Spend, we'd love to hear from you. Write us at [email protected]
-
16 Jul 2025 · 38 min
Always On the Clock
Eryka is a professor and a bartender in Pittsburgh, who is used to working a lot of jobs to support herself. But after years of working non-stop, Eryka is slowing down a little, and assessing what she wants her work to look like now. If you want to be on What We Spend, we'd love to hear from you. Write us at [email protected]
-
9 Jul 2025 · 37 min
The Kids Are Grown — Now What?
Molly is a lawyer in Chicago, whose youngest kid is about to leave for college. As she prepares to be an empty nester, she’s thinking about selling her house and looking ahead to a whole new chapter. If you want to be on What We Spend, we'd love to hear from you. Write us at [email protected]
-
2 Jul 2025 · 41 min
On FIRE
Michelle is a copy writer in Australia, and she’s part of the FIRE movement—Financial Independence, Retire Early. After watching how her parents worked, she set out to take a different path—and retire by 35. If you want to be on What We Spend, we'd love to hear from you. Write us at [email protected]
