How Do Banks Make Their Money?

This week, Sim gets real about the journey of Friends That Invest, reflecting on how the podcast drifted from its original goal of making investing simple, fun, and relatable for women. She shares her plans to take a short four-week break to reset, refresh, and bring back the spark that started it all. Sim also reveals she is studying new finance certifications to level up her knowledge and create even more valuable, confidence-building content for the next season.Watch the episode on Youtube hereFor more Friends That Invest:Stock Market Tea newsletter: build financial freedom in under 5 minutes a week. Join 115,000+ investors in training.InstagramTikTokTwitterFacebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sim sits down with bestselling author and ex–financial advisor Glen James to unpack advanced investing strategies, including core and satellite portfolios, real diversification, and why long-term investors should ride out market cycles instead of timing them. They share practical tactics like rebalancing, dollar cost averaging, holding some cash for opportunities while keeping an emergency fund, and checking ETF overlap to avoid concentration risk. Sim and Glen also debate FIRE versus building a life on your terms, agreeing that consistent market returns that beat inflation plus strong career income and disciplined behavior usually outperform chasing hot stocks or using margin.Watch the episode on Youtube hereFor more Friends That Invest:Stock Market Tea newsletter: build financial freedom in under 5 minutes a week. Join 115,000+ investors in training.InstagramTikTokTwitterFacebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sim shares her lazy girl bill management system to help you pay bills on time, stress free, and without late fees. She walks you through setting up a separate bills account, automating direct debits, tracking subscriptions, and using simple tools like Notion and CSV downloads to see where your money is going. By the end, you will know exactly how to budget for fixed costs, add a buffer, and automate your finances so you can get back to living your life.Watch the episode on Youtube hereFor more Friends That Invest:Stock Market Tea newsletter: build financial freedom in under 5 minutes a week. Join 115,000+ investors in training.InstagramTikTokTwitterFacebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sim shares how to teach kids about money at every age, from building delayed gratification in toddlers to opening simple investing accounts and paying kids for chores so they learn the value of a dollar. She explains how to introduce shares and index funds in a fun, age-appropriate way, involve teens in real family money decisions, and start a simple save-and-spend budget so good habits stick. You will also hear smart coaching for young adults on avoiding lifestyle creep, paying yourself first, and investing early so wealth grows with confidence.Watch the episode on Youtube hereFor more Friends That Invest:Stock Market Tea newsletter: build financial freedom in under 5 minutes a week. Join 115,000+ investors in training.InstagramTikTokTwitterFacebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sim chats with Shilpa Maniar, a former Google executive who built her wealth and career over 15 years in a traditional nine-to-five, proving you don’t have to start a business to achieve financial freedom. They dive into the money lessons Shilpa learned growing up in an immigrant household, how intentional goal-setting and visibility helped her rise through the corporate ranks, and why investing wisely matters even with a big salary. You’ll also hear practical tips on negotiating pay, building confidence at work, and using career coaches to level up your own corporate journey.Watch the episode on Youtube hereFor more Friends That Invest:Stock Market Tea newsletter: build financial freedom in under 5 minutes a week. Join 115,000+ investors in training.InstagramTikTokTwitterFacebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sim breaks down exactly how much you should have saved at each decade to hit a comfortable retirement, from 1 to 2 months of expenses in your 20s to 1x your salary in your 30s, 3x in your 40s, 6x in your 50s, and 8x in your 60s on the way to 10x by age 67. She explains why these benchmarks work no matter your income and how lifestyle creep can derail progress if you are not careful. You will get simple, actionable steps like grabbing your employer match, automating weekly investments into broad index funds, and using separate accounts so you can stay consistent without overthinking it.Watch the episode on Youtube hereFor more Friends That Invest:Stock Market Tea newsletter: build financial freedom in under 5 minutes a week. Join 115,000+ investors in training.InstagramTikTokTwitterFacebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sim breaks down 7 quiet money traps that cost you thousands a year from hoarding cash instead of investing to chasing fashion trends, FOMO stocks, and overspending on housing. She explains how living beyond your means, relying on credit cards you can’t clear monthly, and falling into the comparison trap sabotage wealth. You’ll get simple fixes like building an emergency fund, dollar cost averaging into broad index funds, curating a timeless wardrobe, and focusing on your own goals so your money actually grows.Watch the episode on Youtube hereFor more Friends That Invest:Stock Market Tea newsletter: build financial freedom in under 5 minutes a week. Join 115,000+ investors in training.InstagramTikTokTwitterFacebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sim unpacks why the real secret to saving money is self-esteem, not strict budgets, and how low self-worth and fear of judgment can drive compulsive shopping. She breaks down the science behind retail therapy and dopamine, the real signs of overspending, and the myth that women shop more while showing how comparison culture keeps us swiping. You’ll leave with practical, research-backed steps to stop impulse buys and save more, like the 48-hour rule, deleting shopping apps, buying for you not for likes, and building confidence or seeking therapy when needed.Watch the episode on Youtube hereFor more Friends That Invest:Stock Market Tea newsletter: build financial freedom in under 5 minutes a week. Join 115,000+ investors in training.InstagramTikTokTwitterFacebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sim shares the 9 income streams she’s built by 28 with real numbers and honest ratings, from affiliate marketing that made her $8 last year ($13 this year) to YouTube ads bringing in $100 to $400 a month. She walks through rentals grossing $4,680 monthly, consulting and board work, her Friends That Invest salary journey, paid speaking at $4,000 to $10,000 per gig, and ongoing book royalties after selling 100,000+ copies. Finally, Sim explains how dividends and a simple drawdown strategy can replace a paycheck for true financial independence, proving sustainable wealth beats any get rich quick promise.Watch the episode on Youtube hereFor more Friends That Invest:Stock Market Tea newsletter: build financial freedom in under 5 minutes a week. Join 115,000+ investors in training.InstagramTikTokTwitterFacebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sim dives into the surprising science of money and happiness, breaking down why earning more doesn’t always mean feeling more fulfilled. She unpacks common myths, from the salary “sweet spot” to why comparing ourselves to others keeps us stuck in financial anxiety. With research-backed insights and real talk, this episode will change how you think about wealth, wellbeing, and what it really takes to feel content. Watch the episode on Youtube hereFor more Friends That Invest:Stock Market Tea newsletter: build financial freedom in under 5 minutes a week. Join 115,000+ investors in training.InstagramTikTokTwitterFacebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.