Building wealth after debt is possible and it can be an exciting journey. In this episode of The Debt Hotline, Hannah is joined by Michelle Winterfield, CEO and co-founder of Tandem, a finance app helping over 130,000 households manage more than $200 million. Michelle shares practical strategies for building long-term wealth for modern households, even if you're starting from zero (or below).
Michelle brings deep insight from both her own financial journey and her time as a private equity investor turned fintech founder. She explains how to balance short- and long-term financial goals, why your mindset matters, and how to flip the narrative on family finances to build a secure future together.
Sued for debt? Visit
https://www.solosuit.com/?utm=podcast to resolve it.
In this week’s episode, you’ll learn:- How to build family wealth, even with student loans or credit card debt
- Why 6–9 months of emergency savings is step one (and where to keep it)
- Which investment accounts offer the best tax advantages
- How couples can build trust and avoid conflict around money
- Why consistent investing matters more than perfect timing
Real listener questions answered:- “I paid off $22,000 in credit card debt. Why is my credit score still low?”
- “My wife wants to save, I want to invest, how do we decide?”
- “Is getting a second job better than budgeting on one income?”
- “How can a college freshman start building wealth?”
- “Should I invest my $4,000 savings or keep building my emergency fund?”
The bottom line: Building wealth starts with smart foundations. She recommends paying off high-interest debt first, but not waiting forever to begin investing. Take advantage of “free money” like your employer’s 401(k) match, and use high-yield savings accounts for short-term goals. Transparency with your partner, especially about debt, is crucial, and treating saving and investing like non-negotiable monthly bills can create the consistency needed to build long-term financial security.
To learn more about Michelle and Tandem:To submit a question to The Debt Hotline, you can:
