Ask HTM - iPhone Upgrades, Burden of the Gift Tax, & A Potential HSA ‘Gotcha’ #835

Let’s dive into the week with some fresh listener questions we have lined up for you! And don't just stand on the sidelines- if you have a question you’d like us to answer, toss your voice memo our way. It only takes about 90 seconds to record and you can find a step by step guide over at HowToMoney.com/ask . Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, we want to hear it!   1 - Which of my parents’ debts will I be on the hook for once they (inevitably) pass away? 2 - As a longtime FIRE adherent, how can I switch from a saver to spender mindset? 3 - How should I factor gift cards into my budget in order to accurately reflect my spending? 4 - What are some of the hidden costs of early retirement that I should be accounting for?   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Find the best credit card for you with our new credit card tool! Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   During this episode we thoroughly enjoyed a Community Connection by Creature Comforts and Dancing Gnome! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Time for a Friday Flight- our little sampling of the week’s financial news and what it means for your personal finances. There are a lot of headlines out there, but we boil them down to specific takeaways that will allow you to kick off the weekend informed and help you to get ahead with your money. In this episode we explain some relevant and helpful stories like: refurb iPhone fail, public library win?, reverse ATMS, king credit card, the best investment on the planet, mortgage rate disparities, the medical industrial complex, rich restaurants, super-commuters, time is money, teen (e-bike) drivers, and the best high mileage cars.   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Find the best credit card for you with our new credit card tool! Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money. Have an awesome weekend!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the episode for everyone out there who doesn’t want to work a soul crushing 9-5 job, specifically the kind of job where you’re being told what you can and can’t do, by someone else. This is an episode about entrepreneurship and starting your own business! Which even that phrase is potentially problematic, because what do some folks think of when they hear “launching a business”? Maybe they’re thinking of shows like Shark Tank, or of different rounds of funding, or proposing a business plan – and while that is how some businesses begin, the vast majority of small business owners won’t be running Fortune 500 companies nor will they be featured on the next episode of How I Built This. But those endeavoring individuals do have a great idea for a new product, or a way they can serve people who are willing to pay. And our guest today, Ciera Rogers, is here to share how she started her business: Babes, which is a women’s wear line that has been worn by the likes of Kim Kardashian and praised by Beyonce. Ciera recounts her journey in her new book “The Outsider Advantage” which comes out June 18th, how at the end of the day it’s all about solving problems, how she still is frugal at heart, and plenty more during today’s episode.   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Find the best credit card for you with our new credit card tool! Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   During this episode we “enjoyed” a Svitle by Obolon Brewery! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let’s dive into the week with some fresh listener questions we have lined up for you! And don't just stand on the sidelines- if you have a question you’d like us to answer, toss your voice memo our way. It only takes about 90 seconds to record and you can find a step by step guide over at HowToMoney.com/ask . Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, we want to hear it!   1 - Is filing for bankruptcy the best option considering overwhelming amounts of debt? 2 - Should I have multiple high yield savings accounts if my cash on hand exceeds the FDIC limit? 3 - What options does my husband have to invest as he waits on his US citizenship? 4 - Would a HELOC be a smart way to pay off some credit card debt? 5 - Will filing an insurance claim for my cracked windshield cause my premiums to go up?   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Find the best credit card for you with our new credit card tool! Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   During this episode we “enjoyed” a Heineken Silver! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Time for a Friday Flight- our little sampling of the week’s financial news and what it means for your personal finances. There are a lot of headlines out there, but we boil them down to specific takeaways that will allow you to kick off the weekend informed and help you to get ahead with your money. In this episode we explain some relevant and helpful stories like: the worst thing about the burbs, leveling up with private equity, not all that glitters is gold, forgotten 529s, abandoning insurance, brick and mortar perks, paying off mortgages, homes for $0 down, wrecked credit reports, and subbing out your social security number.   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Find the best credit card for you with our new credit card tool! Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money. Have an awesome weekend!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you have kids or been around kids, you might have noticed that they’re not the best at solving their own problems. It’s a continual process of teaching them to advocate for themselves and that there’s more to it than just stating their problem. So for instance “I’m thirsty” might be a constant refrain and while it’s great to recognize the issue at hand, the goal is to turn that into a request: “Can I have some orange juice?” OK, now we’re getting somewhere! Now she’s taken a proactive step in solving her own problem. This is an important lesson to learn because as we’ll discuss today it’s basically up to us to resolve our own financial conflicts once we’re launched into the real world. We need to be our own advocates in every area of life, but certainly when it comes to our money! Joining us today is Matt Schulz who is the chief credit analyst at LendingTree, and he is also the author of the new book, “Ask Questions, Save Money, Make More” which is essentially a money manual that teaches readers the important questions we need to ask. So whether you naturally speak up for yourself, or would rather disappear back into the bushes, be sure and listen to this episode centering around individual empowerment.   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Find the best credit card for you with our new credit card tool! Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   During this episode we enjoyed a Wernesgruner Pils, purchased at Aldi! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let’s dive into the week with some fresh listener questions we have lined up for you! And don't just stand on the sidelines- if you have a question you’d like us to answer, toss your voice memo our way. It only takes about 90 seconds to record and you can find a step by step guide over at HowToMoney.com/ask . Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, we want to hear it!   1 - Who is on the hook for paying gift tax when money is given away to an individual? 2 - What should I do with my old 401k as I’m starting a program that doesn’t offer a 401k? 3 - Are medical expenses that are incurred outside of a HDHP window still eligible to be reimbursed by an HSA? 4 - Where should I go if I’m looking to make an affordable iPhone upgrade?   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Find the best credit card for you with our new credit card tool! Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   During this episode we enjoyed a Danish Pilsner by Carlsberg! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Time for a Friday Flight- our little sampling of the week’s financial news and what it means for your personal finances. There are a lot of headlines out there, but we boil them down to specific takeaways that will allow you to kick off the weekend informed and help you to get ahead with your money. In this episode we explain some relevant and helpful stories like: a chargeback frugal or cheap, recession vibes, how low can groceries go, buying nothing, teens coming for your jobs, bagging work early, paying for friends, cars that are long in the tooth, addicted to autos, bookoos of bikes, affordable travel, and quiet vacationing.   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Find the best credit card for you with our new credit card tool! Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money. Have an awesome weekend!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stimmy checks, the productivity paradox, the housing theory of everything – these are just a few of the topics covered with our guest, Kyla Scanlon. It’s tricky to describe who Kyla is and what exactly she does because, yes, she has a massive following on TikTok… but she’s not simply an influencer. She also has an incredible newsletter, but she isn’t simply a writer, even though she has written for the Times, NY Magazine, and Bloomberg. AND, her brand-new book, “In This Economy?: How Money and Markets Really Work,” was just released yesterday. But we think that ultimately Kyla is an educator because she excels at bridging the gap between the complexities of our modern economy and everyday living. It’s clear that she is passionate about empowering individuals with the knowledge they need to make informed financial decisions. Plus, she does all of this with a touch of humor while not ignoring the philosophical angle as well… happy listening!   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Find the best credit card for you with our new credit card tool! Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   During this episode we enjoyed a Flight by Yuengling! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let’s dive into the week with some fresh listener questions we have lined up for you! And don't just stand on the sidelines- if you have a question you’d like us to answer, toss your voice memo our way. It only takes about 90 seconds to record and you can find a step by step guide over at HowToMoney.com/ask . Regardless of how random or bizarre you might think it is, we want to hear it!   1 - How should I factor the equity in my current home as we’re shopping for a new home? 2 - What is the best way to keep track of how much cash my kids have saved while we’re out shopping? 3 - If I have multiple retirement accounts, which one should I prioritize if I’m looking to simplify? 4 - The competition for rentals in my city is fierce- how do I stand out and set myself apart?   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Find the best credit card for you with our new credit card tool! Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   During this episode we enjoyed a Covista Cerveza by Rock Wall Brewing (Aldi)! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.