Nicole covers exactly how much should go toward your essential spending, what the heck you have to put toward retirement, and how much you get to spend on the fun stuff: vacations and bottomless-mimosa brunches.

Does talking about money stress you out? You’re not alone. Today’s Money Rehabber feels like his financial health would benefit from open communication about money with his friends and family… but [s/he] just can’t start the conversation. Today, Nicole helps him practice those conversations so that the real deal is easier.

Stocks get all the attention, but bonds? They deserve some love too. If the latest market swings have you feeling a little queasy, bonds can help balance your portfolio and create a steady stream of passive income. In today’s episode, Nicole sits down with a Money Rehabber who wants to start investing in bonds but isn’t sure where to begin. Nicole breaks down bond basics, key terms, and how to build a bond strategy that works for you.

You may have seen the news last week that the consumer confidence index fell by 7 points this month, marking the largest drop since August 2021. Translation? People are getting nervous about a recession. But here’s the thing—you don’t have to panic just because the economy is. Even if you’re skeptical about the marco-economy, you can create confidence in your own micro-economy by taking the reins of your investments. So today, Nicole is showing you four asset allocation strategies designed to help you weather any financial environment. In other words: four recipes for a portfolio that provides growth in good economic times, and stability in tough economic times.

 How to Use Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) Like a Pro More than half of Americans feel behind on retirement savings, but the good news is, it’s never too late to level up your strategy. Today, Nicole walks you through Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs): what they are, how they work, and how they can help you build real wealth for retirement. She unpacks the key differences between Traditional and Roth IRAs, how to choose the right one (or both!), and what tax implications to keep in mind. Plus, Nicole shares a workaround for high earners and shows you how to open your own IRA today. Whether you're just starting out or optimizing your retirement game plan, this episode has something for you. Ready? ⁠Open an IRA today⁠. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any financial decisions or investments.

Today’s episode is one of the most powerful we’ve ever done on Money Rehab. Nicole sits down with a listener named Erin, who reached out after being diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. Her message was simple, yet profound: “I need to get my finances in order to make sure my loved ones are taken care of.” What follows is a raw, courageous conversation about life, money, and legacy. Erin shares her fears, her love for her family, and the steps she’s taking to give them financial peace of mind. Nicole brings in attorney Veronica Escobar to walk through the essentials of estate planning—from wills and trusts, to power of attorney and beyond. This is not just a conversation about preparing for death. It’s about taking control, even in moments when everything feels uncertain. It’s about how we can use money as a tool to protect the people we love. This episode is for anyone who wants to plan ahead, not out of fear, but out of love. It’s an emotional listen, but an essential one. Tomorrow’s episode will be a follow-up, where Nicole answers Erin’s questions about saving for medical care. But today, we focus on what Erin wanted most: peace of mind for her family. Check out the company Nicole connected Erin with for estate planning, Trust and Will, ⁠here⁠  Learn more about Veronica Escobar’s work and practice ⁠here⁠ This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any financial decisions or investments.

PE is obsessed with this one sector right now: boring businesses. We're talking plumbing, pest control, cleaning companies— you know the ones. But this isn't just a move for PE investors; you can do it too. Nicole explains.

If your money is just sitting around in a savings account, chances are it could be working harder for you somewhere else. This is the exact situation facing the Money Rehabber Nicole talks to today. When they go a level deeper, Nicole discovers how anxiety around investing is also at play. If you’re feeling skittish around investing or just feel like your money could be doing more, this is for you!  

With margin borrowing, you can give your investments a boost— but if you're not careful, you could also lose more than you gain. Nicole explains the concept, and whether it's a money move you should make.

Today, Nicole unpacks private equity (PE) by sharing how it works, who the big players are, and gives you the scoop on the deals that went really right and really wrong.

You could be invested in crypto, and not even know it. Nicole explains how this could happen, and what to do if you're secretly invested in this volatile asset.

Picture this: you have a job at a company with 401(k) benefits and then... you quit (or the job quits you). The good news is that money is still yours. But the retirement fairy won't just come and leave your 401(k) under your pillow. Nicole outlines the steps you need to take after leaving a job to make sure that your 401(k) is still working for you.

An estimated 160 million Americans are planning to travel for the holidays. If you're one of them, here are five ways you can save on one of the busiest— and most expensive— travel times of the year. 

Money can’t buy you love… but it sure can cost you a relationship, because financial conflict is a huge source of tension for many couples. Today, Nicole is joined by entrepreneur and author Jason Tartick about how to not let money ruin a relationship. Plus, Jason talks about his experience being scammed, which companies he’s bullish and bearish on, and what Elon Musk is like at a party. Find Jason's latest book, Talk Money To Me: The 8 Essential Financial Questions to Discuss With Your Partner, here: https://www.jasontartick.com/talk-money-to-me

Today’s caller is living the freelance dream—flexible schedule, creative freedom, but… zero employer retirement benefits. If you’re self-employed and wondering how the heck you’re supposed to save for retirement without a 401(k), this episode is for you. Nicole breaks down the best retirement accounts for freelancers, how to reverse-engineer your savings plan, and how to turn “irregular income” into “regular savings.” Because yes, you can have a dreamy retirement, even without a W-2.

Confidence in the U.S. is shaky right now—and with ongoing tariff drama and mixed economic signals, it’s no surprise investors are feeling uneasy. But here’s the thing: the U.S. is not your only option. Today, Nicole explains why looking beyond U.S. borders could be the smartest move for your portfolio right now. From “blue-chip” countries like Japan and Germany to emerging markets like India and Mexico, Nicole breaks down the best global investment plays, how to access them (spoiler: ETFs are your friend), and the tax traps to avoid. Diversification isn’t just smart—it’s essential.

Money School Students want to know: can you negotiate your rent after signing a lease? Be a fly on the wall as Nicole negotiates her rent with her landlord! Can Nicole get a better deal? You’ll have to tune in to find out!

Wannabe first-time homebuyers: How are you doing? Are you hanging in? If you are having a hard time, you are certainly not alone; it is not a simple time to buy a home. So this episode is all about helping you develop a game plan that is right for you. To help break this down, Nicole is joined by Scott Trench, real estate investor and CEO of BiggerPockets - a platform that offers various stellar resources and content for real estate investors.  Scott and Nicole talk about strategies to find a good house, whether your first home should be an investment property, and whether you should even buy a house at all.

As Nicole always says: when it comes to your money, it's not what you make, but what you keep, that matters. Today, Pamela Maass-Garrett (the brilliant lawyer behind the Law Mother firm and viral Instagram account) teaches you how to keep more of your money with simple financial protection strategies. Check out Pamela's book Legally Ever After here: https://www.lawmotherco.com/lea-fbook

You’ve heard the old investing advice: “buy low, sell high.” But what if we told you that selling isn’t the only way to make money from your investments? Today, Nicole breaks down three easy, low-maintenance ways to generate income: bonds, high-yield cash accounts, and dividend stocks. Whether you’re looking to diversify your portfolio or just want your money working for you while you do literally anything else, this episode has you covered. To start exploring your passive income options today, go to ⁠public.com/moneyrehab⁠ All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. Brokerage services for US-listed, registered securities, options and bonds in a self-directed account are offered by Open to the Public Investing, member FINRA & SIPC. Public Investing offers a High-Yield Cash Account where funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance; Public Investing is not a bank. Treasury accounts offering 6 months T-Bills are offered by Jiko Securities, Inc.,member FINRA & SIPC. Securities in your account are protected up to $500,000. For details: ⁠www.sipc.org⁠. Banking services and the Bank Accounts are provided by Jiko Bank, a division of Mid- Central National Bank. For U.S. Investments in T-bills: Not FDIC Insured; No Bank Guarantee; May Lose Value. Treasuries risk disclosures, see ⁠https://jiko.io/docs/treasuries_risk_disclosure.pdf⁠. See ⁠public.com/#disclosures-main⁠  Advisory services for Treasury Accounts are provided by Public Advisors, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Public Advisors and Public Investing are affiliates and both charge a fee for their respective services. For more details, see Public Advisors’ Form CRS, Form ADV Part 2A, Fee Schedule, and Treasury Account page. *4.1% APY as of 2/4/25. APY is variable and subject to change.