Author: Laura Adams, MBA

Prakash U. says, “Your crypto podcast was fascinating, and the interest rates from BlockFi and Gemini for stablecoins blew my mind. You mentioned they don’t have FDIC insurance. So, to get such high rates, what are the risks?” Susan H. says, “I love your podcast and listen to you on my morning walks with my dogs. I’m a 51-year-old married female and have worked as a paralegal for 24 years. My husband is the same age, and we’ve been married for 21 years with no children—just two very spoiled Labrador retrievers. We have $500,000 in 401(k)s and owe about $120,000…

Jessica A. in Texas says, “I’m a long-time listener and huge fan of your podcast! My husband and I are in our early 30s and have set ourselves up well financially. We have about $60,000 in cash sitting in a 0.4% ‘high-yield’ savings account. We think it could be doing more for us, but we’re not sure where to begin. Our only debt is our mortgage and we pay extra toward the principal each month. We have a 12-month emergency fund, max out our workplace retirement accounts, and both max out our Roth IRAs every year. We’re not eligible for…

Julie S. says, “Hi, Laura! I recently discovered your weekly podcast and have already binged a ton of episodes and learned a lot—thanks for all you do! One of my New Year’s resolutions is to be more mindful and strategic about my finances, and your podcast has been super helpful. I would love it if you could podcast on the trend of buying a second home first, where you rent your primary residence and buy a second home for vacations or rent out. I’ve been considering this and wondering if your guidance, such as not spending more than 25-30% of…

You’ve probably noticed that the use of various cryptocurrencies is exploding! It seems like new coins and blockchain technologies are getting created every day. So, if you’re eager to learn more and invest in crypto but aren’t sure where to start, keep reading. This post will review what cryptocurrency is, various ways to buy it, tax rules for crypto profits, and a strategy to start stacking coins. You’ll learn six ways to invest in crypto, including some clever, tax-advantaged options for avoiding capital gains taxes altogether. What is cryptocurrency? Cryptocurrency or crypto is digital money, known as tokens or coins,…

Most people know they should save for retirement; however, using a 401(k) may seem too overwhelming or complicated and prevent many from getting started. When I was in my 20s, I didn’t invest in my company’s 401(k) because I wasn’t sure what would happen if I left my job. Not understanding the retirement account rules held me back, and I don’t want that to happen to you. While 401(k)s come with critical IRS regulations you should know, they’re not as tricky to master as you might think. If you’re lucky enough to work for an employer offering a 401(k), participating…

Many people think that all debt is bad and should be avoided or paid down as quickly as possible. However, you should break down debt into two types: good and bad. It’s essential to understand their differences so you stay away from bad debt as much as possible and leverage good debt when it can help you. This post will cover the differences between good and bad debt and some practical examples. Plus, I’ll review seven simple steps for paying off your debt as quickly as possible. Understanding these concepts will help you save money, build your net worth, and…

You’ve probably been hearing a lot about bitcoin and cryptocurrency in the news these days. On October 20, 2021, bitcoin shot up to $66,975 and then yesterday evening on November 8 it reached a new all-time high over $68,000! If you’ve been wondering what all the hype is about or if it’s time to dip your toes in the cryptocurrency waters, I’ll cover key concepts you should know. To discuss cryptocurrency investing, I interviewed Fred Schebesta, founder of Finder.com and author of Go Live!: 10 Principles to Launch a Global Empire. Fred’s been investing in bitcoin and alt-coins since 2017…

How you manage money as a couple depends on factors such as your commitment level, financial history, and goals. While managing money together as a couple is a good idea, don’t do it unless you’re committed to stay together in the future, as unraveling financial lives can be complicated. Understand the risks of cosigning debt and buying property together. And always turn to a financial professional when needed. Being a new couple includes many “firsts,” including managing money together or even  buying a home. From deciding whether to open a joint bank account or knowing if you should cosign a…

It’s never too early to start teaching kids about money. And what better way to help them hone their financial skills and experiences than by helping them open and manage a bank account? But if the thought of giving your child free reign over a bank account concerns you, don’t worry. One of the benefits of modern banking for kids is that parents can choose the level of control they have over how their kids use (or don’t use) the account. This post will cover three types of kids banking accounts, including their innovative features, pros, and cons, so you…

Kaitlyn O. says, “I’m a big fan of the Money Girl podcast and have been listening for years! A while ago, I racked up substantial credit card debt. So, I opened a balance transfer credit card and worked hard to pay it all off within the 0% APR period, which worked out great. However, now I’m stuck with a super basic credit card that doesn’t offer any rewards. While I don’t want to waste time with this card, I’m also really nervous about closing it and messing up my credit score. I’m thinking about closing it and requesting a credit…