Money Girl

On a road trip, tackling a summer cleanup, or just catching up on podcasts? QDT has you covered with Summer Saturday encores from your favorite shows. See the full Summer Saturday lineup on Spotify and enjoy this episode, which first aired in June 2022.

Find out five ways to save and invest for your child's future and how it should fit into your big financial picture.

Money Girl is hosted by Laura Adams. A transcript is available at Simplecast.
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Money Girl is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.

Links:
https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/
https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/money-girl-newsletter
https://www.facebook.com/MoneyGirlQDT
https://lauradadams.com/
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795. Laura answers a listener question about how to invest in a brokerage account, including the rules you need to know and the best strategy for diversification.

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Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com.
Email: Laura@LauraDAdams.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1037. What actually happens legally and financially when you say "I do"? Laura Adams interviews veteran New York City divorce trial lawyer Jim Sexton about the often misunderstood world of matrimonial law. Whether you are happily single, engaged, or decades into a marriage, Jim’s advice will completely change how you view love, risk, and asset management.

Key takeaways:

Be aware that if you don't create your own prenuptial agreement, the state’s default laws will apply at the time of a divorce.
Keeping a baseline of financial privacy and separate funds alongside a joint account can clarify your intentions in a divorce.
When dating, pay attention to someone’s risk tolerance so you understand how they feel about debt, gambling, or anything that could stress a family.
Even in the most trustworthy relationships, completely relying on a spouse to manage money is dangerous because an unexpected crisis could arise.
The secret to successful long-term relationships isn't flashy; it’s a series of small, consistent habits like regular check-ins, communication, and proactive financial transparency that prevent misery before it starts.

Discover more from Money Girl!
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Newsletter
Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com.
Email: Laura@LauraDAdams.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summer Saturdays: Best of QDT
Encore Episode: This episode originally aired in June 2022.

733. Ever wonder if using a balance transfer credit card could help you get out of debt faster? Laura interviews Mary Gameng, MBA and Credit Card Specialist with Citizens, and answers a listener question.

Here are a few topics Mary and Laura talk about on this week's show:

How many Americans have credit card debt and how much.
Steps to create a debt pay-off plan.
Ways using a balance transfer card can improve your finances.
How card issuers evaluate you when applying for a transfer card.
Whether using a transfer card can hurt your credit.
Shopping tips for finding the best balance transfer card offer.

Find Money Girl on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more personal finance tips.
Money Girl is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1036. Is Social Security in trouble, or is it just a lot of political noise? Laura answers a listener’s question about what the changes to the retirement fund mean for your financial future. You’ll learn the new tax caps that employees and the self-employed must pay and how to protect your retirement safety net.

Key takeaways
According to the latest 2026 Trustees Report, the Social Security retirement fund is now projected to face a shortfall by 2032, sooner than previous estimates.
The Social Security wage base has increased to $184,500 for 2026. High earners will pay a maximum of $11,439 as employees, while the self-employed face a maximum cap of $22,878.
Retirement benefits for Social Security participants are based on your highest 35 years of earnings.
While you can claim benefits as early as age 62, doing so permanently reduces your benefits by about 30%.
Delaying benefits past your Full Retirement Age (FRA) pays 8% more per year until age 70.
Social Security benefits may be taxable if your "combined income" (AGI + tax-exempt interest + 50% of benefits) exceeds modest thresholds.

Discover more from Money Girl!
Facebook
Newsletter
Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com.
Email: Laura@LauraDAdams.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.