This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit thefinancegirlies.substack.com Hillary Gale joins us for the most honest conversation about millennial homeownership we've ever had. As a copywriter, agency owner, and two-time homeowner, Hillary shares every detail of her home buying journey — from feeling like homeownership was "imposs…

Ever catch yourself saying "I'm just bad with money" and wonder why you feel so much shame around your finances? This episode might just change how you think about your relationship with money forever. Ariel Nathanson, founder of Finances for Feminists and certified financial education instructor, joined us for an amazing conversation that digs int…

Missing those childhood summers when you could read for hours without a care in the world? We're bringing back that magic with our favorite fiction, memoirs, and pure escapist reads for those lazy midsummer days. In part 2 of our summer reading series, we're diving into seven categories of books designed for pure enjoyment. We also get honest about…

Tired of self-help books that feel bro-y and out-of-touch? Us too. That’s why we're excited to share the reads that genuinely changed our relationships with money, gave us confidence in our careers, and made us feel less alone in our financial journeys — just in time for summer days by the pool. In part 1 of this 2-part episode, we break down our f…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit thefinancegirlies.substack.com When it comes to weddings and money, there’s SO MUCH to talk about. That’s why we wanted to dedicate our first subscriber-only episode to your juicy wedding confessions - the good, the expensive, and the "omg did that really happen?!" From the savvy bride w…

Hey Girlies, This week we're THRILLED to share our first-ever guest episode! We sat down with Amanda Bourbonais, founder of Health First Freelancer, who's rewriting the rules on balancing finances and wellbeing. ⚖️ Whether you're managing a chronic condition or just trying to *adult properly*, health expenses can crush your budget. So how do you pr…

Have you ever laid awake at night, your mind racing with money worries? Or avoided opening your banking app because just seeing the numbers makes your chest tight? You're so not alone. This Mental Health Awareness month, we wanted to dive into something that affects nearly half of Americans — the powerful connection between our finances and our men…

The world of credit cards can be a little overwhelming. From understanding interest rates and fees to points-hacking and rewards , it can be hard to figure out which cards are actually worth having. That's why today, we're literally opening our wallets to show you the credit cards we each carry around. But don't worry, we're not points-optimization…

Anyone else think the wedding industry can be a little bit... extra? From the average wedding cost ($33,000) to the costs incurred as a guest, we're breaking down why weddings are so expensive… and how we think about spending when it comes to throwing the biggest party of your life. In this episode, we share what we personally prioritized for our o…

Summer is just around the corner, and while we're all mentally planning beach trips and patio drinks, our bank accounts are quietly dreading what's coming. In this episode, we break down those sneaky seasonal expenses that somehow surprise us every single year. From al fresco dinners out to wedding travel costs, we're getting real about our own sum…

You know about Dry January, right? It’s where you give up alcohol for the first month of the year. This idea inspired our own challenge, and in March, we each gave up a specific type of spending to see what would happen. For Cassidy, that meant cutting out Amazon completely, while Emily challenged herself to shop only at local businesses for all di…

Money questions keeping you up at night? You're not alone! In this special Financial Literacy Month episode, we open up our inbox to tackle your burning financial questions related to all things personal finance. From the intimidating "how much do I actually need for retirement?" to the all-too-relatable "why do I feel so behind compared to my frie…

Filing taxes is one of those things we’re all expected to figure it out on our own. Unfortunately, this often means it can be confusing, frustrating, or even downright terrifying.In this episode, we pull back the curtain on their real-life tax experiences, from our first terrified attempts at TurboTax to navigating the complexities of self-employme…

Making friends as an adult is like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces. We've all been there—scrolling through social media, wondering how everyone else seems to have a perfect friend group while we're sitting at home knitting. 🧶 In this episode, we're diving deep into the art of building meaningful connections, breaking down the emotional…

Let's be real: getting a dog is like accidentally signing up for a financial rollercoaster you never saw coming. Emily's first year with Clover was a wild ride of unexpected expenses, adorable chaos, and more love and cuteness than she ever imagined. 🥹 Spoiler alert: No amount of budgeting could have prepared her for this. In this episode, we cover…

Most personal finance advice tells you to cut all unnecessary spending — but we reject that mindset. Being smart with money doesn’t mean depriving yourself. It means spending intentionally — on things that bring you joy, make life easier, or align with your values. In this episode, we’re breaking down: 💸 What makes a “good” splurge vs. reckless spe…

Most budgeting advice is so generic. And it has to be… everyone’s income, priorities, and expenses are different. But we know there’s something helpful (and kind of fun) about seeing how real people budget. So today, we’re taking you inside our actual budgets — how we categorize our spending, what we prioritize, and which expenses always seem to ca…

The name “Roth IRA” doesn’t scream excitement. (It kinda sounds like a stuffy account you’d open in the 1950s.) But fun fact: Roth IRAs just became a thing in 1998, which is why even older generations are still getting excited about them. If you’ve been seeing everyone online shouting “Max out your Roth IRA!” and you’re like, Okay, but why?? — this…

Last week, we tackled the should you merge finances? debate. This week, we’re getting into the nitty-gritty: how to actually do it. Merging finances sounds simple until you’re in the thick of it and wondering: How do we split expenses fairly? What do we do about savings? Who’s in charge of paying the bills? Do we need a joint account? Individual ac…

Should you merge finances with your partner? Money is one of the spiciest topics in relationships, and merging finances? That’s where things can get real messy. Some people believe not merging finances means you don’t trust your partner. Others think combining everything is a fast track to financial disaster. So… what’s the right move? In this epis…

💸 Ever wondered what it actually takes to pay off student loans fast? In this episode of The Finance Girlies, Cassidy shares her journey of paying off $18,000 in student loan debt in just 10 months — what worked, what didn’t, and what she’d do differently now. And whether you’re drowning in student loans or just looking for money strategies that ac…

In today’s episode, we kick off part one of our two-part series on debt. Next week, Cassidy will share her personal story of paying off $18,000 in student loans in just 10 months. But first, we’re diving into our general philosophies on debt — when it’s helpful, when it’s harmful, and how to know if you should prioritize paying it off. We also shar…

In the latest episode of the Finance Girlies podcast, Emily and Cassidy offer a guide to setting your finances in order for the new year with five actionable steps. They discuss clarifying financial goals, auditing financial accounts, checking major financial numbers, refreshing spending plans, and making a list of lingering financial tasks. Throug…

In the final episode of the Finance Girlies podcast for 2024, hosts Emily and Cassidy reflect on their favorite moments of the year by answering rapid-fire questions. They discuss their top books, best and worst purchases, goals for next year, new hobbies, and personal achievements. Emily shares her journey with doggy daycare and buying a new car, …

In this Finance Girlies podcast episode, we share practical tips and personal stories on how to give meaningful, budget-friendly gifts during the holidays without feeling like a Scrooge. From using credit card points and setting gift budgets to DIY crafts and thoughtful low-waste options, we explore various strategies to keep holiday spending under…

The Finance Girlies Podcast, hosted by finance writers Emily Batdorf and Cassidy Horton, offers a cozy corner for all things money. The hosts, published by well-known platforms like Forbes Advisor, USA TODAY Blueprint, and Yahoo! Finance, aim to simplify financial topics and address any financial question, no matter how small. Each episode they tac…

In this episode of the Finance Girlies Podcast, host Cassidy shares her financial and professional journey. Cassidy recounts her transition from a struggling college student with debt to a successful freelance personal finance copywriter earning over $100,000. She and Emily discuss the importance of financial planning, overcoming early career chall…

In this episode, we get to know Emily, one half of The Finance Girlies duo. Emily shares her journey from outdoor educator to freelance personal finance writer, her reasons behind the transition, and how she managed her own finances along the way. Emily highlights her experience with saving, opening a retirement account, and making career decisions…

In this episode of The Finance Girlies, Emily and Cassidy unpack their lifelong journeys with money—from childhood perceptions shaped by family and experiences to adult financial habits. They discuss the swings between spending and saving, the impact of early financial fears, and the challenge of finding a healthy balance. 00:00 - Introduction to m…

In this episode, co-hosts Cassidy and Emily give their top banking tips to help you maximize your savings and choose the right bank accounts. They discuss how many accounts you need, the benefits of high-yield savings accounts, and how to avoid fees and find good customer service. Learn the pros and cons of local credit unions versus online banks, …