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Ericka Young Ericka Young

Ep 52: Saying Goodbye to Mint but NOT Goodbye to Tracking Your Money

The news of Mint being discontinued at the end of 2023 has left many of its users frustrated and annoyed. It’s understandable considering that Mint was a free, easy-to-use financial management tool that had become a beloved staple for many.

So, what happens now? Should we all just give up on tracking our finances?

Listen in to this week's episode as Chris and Ericka discuss the importance of maintaining a tracking system in addition to your budgeting habits.

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Ericka Young Ericka Young

Ep 51: Navigating Gift-Giving with Shared Finances

The holidays are a time of joy, but they can also be stressful when it comes to gift-giving. This stress can be amplified when you share a bank account with your significant other and the element of surprise could be compromised.

However, there are ways to navigate this situation and still maintain the joy of gift-giving.

In this episode, we will discuss the complications of gift-giving when sharing a bank account, the importance of preparation when buying gifts, and how to maintain the surprise element of gift-giving.

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Ericka Young Ericka Young

Ep 50: The Golden Age - Lessons We Didn't Learn from the Golden Bachelor

We recently watched a show called "The Golden Bachelor," which follows a senior bachelor looking for love.. The show was entertaining and highlighted the importance of finding love and companionship in one's golden years.

It didn’t however touch on the need for financial planning and security in these golden years. In this episode, we discuss a few critical factors to have in place as you age.

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Ericka Young Ericka Young

Ep 49: Break the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle

Living paycheck to paycheck is the harsh reality for 70% of Americans, regardless of income.

Face it... The cost of living is never going to drop, unfortunately. It is our responsibility to improve our own financial management skills and stop living close to the edge.

In this episode, Chris and Ericka discuss their experience with paycheck-to-paycheck living and explore effective ways to overcome it for good.

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Ericka Young Ericka Young

Ep 48: "Trap" Friday - Enjoy Thanksgiving and Don't Break the Bank!

With the holiday season upon us, it's easy to get caught up in the frenzy of shopping and consumerism. But let's not forget what comes before all of that - Thanksgiving.

Unfortunately, there is a tendency to overlook this special holiday and immediately start our holiday shopping. Black Friday then quickly turns into "Trap" Friday. We rush through the aisles, grabbing the best deals and gifts, without taking a moment to pause and reflect on the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

Listen in to this week's episode as Chris and Ericka give tips and strategies to navigate this season without breaking the bank and enjoy the real meaning of this season.

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Ericka Young Ericka Young

Ep 47: Can Your Relationship Survive a Home Renovation?

Embarking on a home renovation journey can feel overwhelming, regardless of your financial situation.

Just ask Chris and Ericka, who recently took on a project full of ups and downs. But trust us, it was absolutely worth it! With proper planning, budgeting, and open communication, your home upgrade can turn into a rewarding experience.

Join us in this podcast episode as we explore effective strategies for navigating significant projects while staying on track both financially and relationally.

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Ericka Young Ericka Young

Ep 46: How To Talk About Your Credit Scores With Your Partner (Without Stressing Out!)

Among the many financial factors that contribute to financial stress, credit reports and scores often remain unspoken taboos. Many couples shy away from discussing their credit reports and scores in fear of exposing their financial shortcomings and the perceived stigma associated with poor credit.

It is crucial to break down the fear surrounding credit reports and scores to normalize the conversation and make improvements when necessary. In this episode, we will delve deeper into our credit story and explore the importance of discussing credit reports and scores in relationships.

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Ericka Young Ericka Young

Ep 45: Finding Your People: Our Experience at FinCon23 in New Orleans

Ericka and Chris record LIVE at FinCon 2023! They describe the event and its significance to their work.

They share key takeaways which included a strong sense of collaboration, readiness for content sharing, potential partnerships and collaborations, and new ideas discussed at the conference.

If you want to learn more about FinCon and its impact on financial content creators, listen in!

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Ericka Young Ericka Young

Ep 44: NIL Deals: Financial Touchdown or Fumble?

Are college athletes set up for success or failure with NIL deals? It might be the dream of every college athlete to increase their bank account or drive a nice car, but is it helping or hurting them?

Many college athletes hope to go on to lucrative careers in professional sports, but the truth is most athletes won't get there. Name, image, and likeness deals can provide some much-needed relief during the lean college years.

In this episode, listen in as Chris and Ericka volley on opposite ends of this debate about college NIL deals. They look at the realities and long-term ramifications of these potential opportunities and find out why financial education is essential for college athletes looking to make informed choices about their futures.

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Ericka Young Ericka Young

Ep 43: The Paradox of More Money: How It Can Create More Financial Problems

Have you ever found yourself thinking that if you had more money, your financial problems would disappear? It's a common assumption, but is it actually true?

In this episode, Chris and Ericka explore the paradox of more money and how it can potentially create more financial problems. We discuss real statistics and delve into personal experiences to help you reflect on your own approach to money management.

Finally, provide some tips to help you avoid the pitfalls of more money and lead a more financially secure life. Tune in now!

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Ericka Young Ericka Young

Ep 42: Is Your Self Worth Tied to Your Net Worth?

Many of us tend to measure our worthiness through our net worth. We believe that the more money we have, the more successful we are.

The fact is, money is just a means to an end, and it should not define our worth.

In this podcast episode, Chris and Ericka delve deep into the crucial balance between self-worth and net worth and the path to thriving financially.

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Ericka Young Ericka Young

Ep 41: It's Me or the Dog

Pets can bring joy, comfort, and companionship to our lives. For many of us, our pets are part of our family and their companionship is invaluable.

However, when it comes to pet ownership, couples may have different perspectives and priorities that can lead to conflicts. These disagreements can range from who should take care of the pet to how much money should be spent on pet care. This can put a strain on the relationship, particularly when it comes to finances.

In this podcast episode, Chris and Ericka will share their unexpected experiences with pet ownership and how they have found common ground.

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Ericka Young Ericka Young

Ep 40: Growing Up in a Single-Parent Household Has Its Advantages

Growing up in a single-parent household can be challenging, but it can also provide valuable life lessons. Both Chris and Ericka grew up in single-parent households, and they credit their upbringing with teaching them responsibility, work ethic, hustle, and resilience.

Listen in to hear how they feel about the advantages of having a single parent. There are benefits and life skills gained from growing up in a single-parent household and it can help families raising children to be financially responsible.

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Ericka Young Ericka Young

Ep 39: It Takes Courage to Have Meaningful Money Conversations

Money can be funny. But, most of the time talking about money isn't funny at all!

In this episode, Chris and Ericka discuss how it takes courage to have meaningful money conversations in relationships.

Identifying personal hot buttons around money helps people understand what is required in order to elevate the conversation. We share our own experiences where courage was necessary.

It took courage to make some financial decisions but the outcomes are worth the effort. Although you may not be able to see that right away.

Having these conversations can help people make lemonade out of lemons. An important element of these conversations is the ability to recognize individual discomfort around certain topics, along with taking courageous steps to address them. Listen in to learn more.

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Ericka Young Ericka Young

Ep 38: What is the Cost of Doing Nothing With Your Finances?

Sometimes it just feels good to do nothing. Just chillin' out, relaxing, and allowing life to happen without your intervention feels good. Until it doesn't.

It is important to think about what you might be missing in life if you don't change your money habits. There may be adventures, experiences, causes, etc. that you can't participate in if you don't get your financial house in order. Waiting isn't always going to work in your favor. Especially with money.

Listen to Chris and Ericka discuss how the cost of staying the same financially could be harmful and what to do about it.

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Ericka Young Ericka Young

Ep 37: How to Plug the Money Leaks

Have you ever found yourself wondering where does all of my money go? Do you have this feeling that one day the bottom will fall out, a major life event will happen or you won't have enough cash to weather an important storm?

These concerns affect everyone. However, the small "money leaks" could be the real culprit that makes you feel like you don't have enough when you need it.

Tune in to hear how Chris and Ericka have handled these money leaks and get some tips on plugging them up yourself.

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Ericka Young Ericka Young

Ep 36: You Don't Always Have to See Eye to Eye - The Visionary and Realist Can Co-Exist

Sometimes our differences cause us to feel like we are in two different spectrums. One partner may cast a vision and dream. The other partner may see only in terms of today and the reality of a situation. Neither perspective is better than the other.

The way we view life may vary from moment to moment. Learning to appreciate our differing views and use them for the good of the relationship is where the magic happens.

Check out how Chris and Ericka see the world as either visionaries or realists and hear the benefits of both life perspectives.

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Ericka Young Ericka Young

Ep 35: How to Get Through an Argument Without Ruining Your Relationship

Call it whatever you want: a fight, disagreement or argument. No matter how you name it the way you handle these tender moments is critical.

Chris and Ericka have termed their disagreements in a way that keeps in mind the big picture. Listen in as they share ways they have been able to move through challenging times and still like each other.

You won't agree on everything but you can agree on how you will navigate heating discussions to preserve your friendship and relationship.

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Ericka Young Ericka Young

Ep 34: Teach Your Kids the Value of Work and Reward

If you don't enjoy talking about money with your partner, it is probably hard to discuss it with your kids That is the challenge a lot of people face.

We have all made mistakes with money and many times we choose to shield those moments from our kids. But, what if we invited them to share in the wins and losses? What if we discussed money even when we didn't feel like it? What if we taught money lessons while we were learning too?

In this episode, you will hear exactly how Chris and Ericka approached educating their kids about money matters during their get out of debt journey.

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