Category: Thriving

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Should you buy or rent? You’ve heard about the importance of homebuying as a life and money milestone. But do you really need to buy a home to be an adult?

We wade into the homebuying debate — on the side of renting. Miranda has actually owned a home, and never wants to again. Harlan has never bought, and he’s not sure he wants to deal with a mortgage and all the expenses that go into owning a house.

Miranda and Harlan tackle the homebuying debate and look at why it seems like such a big deal, and talk about how you can rent forever and STILL be an adult.

Concepts

• There seems to be a lot of handwringing over millennials and their low rates of homeownership. Why are millennials reluctant to take the plunge?
• Why does society place such an emphasis on homebuying?
• What are the main points of the homebuying debate?
• Tips for deciding whether it makes more sense for you to buy or rent.
• Reasons that renting can be a good lifestyle choice.
• The difference between buying property as an investment and buying a primary residence.

Where do you stand in the homebuying debate? So you think buying is preferable to renting? Or do you think it makes more sense to be an eternal renter once you move out of your parents’ house?

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Resources

Why millennials avoid buying homes

Buy vs. Rent calculator

Check your credit report

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Are you ready to move into your own place? Chances are that your first place will be a little on the shabby side — at least it should be if you want to say that you really did it right.

Before you move out, make sure you have an idea of what you’re getting into. In this episode we talk about what you need to know when you get into your first place, from how to choose a location, how to make sure you have enough money, and what you need to look for in your lease. We’ll even tackle the thorny issues related to roommates.

Concepts

• Can you afford to get your own place?
• Tips to make your first place more affordable.
• Reasons to consider something cheap to start.
• What you need to know about signing your first lease.
• How to look for a good roommate.

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Resources

A look at millennials and moving out.

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Are you a cheap holiday Grinch?

As an adult, you need to realize that you have responsibilities to others. During the holidays, society expects you to give to others and tips a little extra. You don’t want to be the cheap holiday Grinch that others despise.

We take a look at giving, how to properly tip, and what it means to spread holiday cheer.

Our Do Nows help you identify who needs a tip, as well as strategies to help you enjoy the holidays without breaking the bank.

Concepts

• The realities of holiday tipping in our society.
• Who should you be tipping? And how much should you give?
• What makes you a cheap holiday grinch?
• How to enjoy time with family and friends during the holidays without spending more than you can afford.
• Tips for writing a holiday note or card to add extra holiday cheer.
• How to maintain relationships throughout the year.

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Resources

Inexpensive and easy DIY gift ideas for the holidays.

Visit the Emily Post Institute for tipping etiquette

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As an adult, it’s time to start thinking about money and the future. If you want build a secure future, investing is important.

It’s scary to start investing, though. It can be intimidating to figure out which stocks to pick. Plus, how can you get started when you don’t have a lot of money?

In this episode we talk about how you can start investing, no matter how little you have. We also share tips for choosing investments that are a little less risky, and can help you begin taking advantage of compound interest and building it up over time.

Use the Do Nows in this episode to start investing today by opening an account with a low-cost investment broker and setting up an automatic plan.

Concepts

• Reasons you should start investing ASAP.
• What are some of the barriers to investing?
• How to overcome investing barriers like fear and a small amount of money.
• Strategies to employ when you first start investing.
• The differences between stock picking and indexing.

Video Clips

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Resources

An overview of the myRA investment tool

Reasons millennials worry about investing, and how to overcome those issues

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As kids, we think that being an adult means we can eat whatever we want, whenever we want. This is technically true. You can eat whatever you want. But just because you can eat something doesn’t mean that you should.

In this episode we talk about how you can eat less crap — and less of everything. One of the hardest aspects of adulting to master is healthy eating. We still have trouble with healthy eating, and we’ve been adults for years.

If you’re ready to eat less crap and introduce healthier foods into your diet, use our Do Nows to learn practical solutions and strategies you can implement to get the most out of your food and eat less crap.

Concepts

• Can you really trust the latest studies about health and nutrition?
• What are some basic rules of thumb that can help you eat healthier, no matter what sensational headlines you see?
• Tips for making healthy eating less boring.
• Guidance for determining appropriate portion sizes.
• The importance of making small changes and celebrating progress.
• How to go through your kitchen and evaluate which items to get rid of.
• Meal-planning resources that can make the whole process easier.

Video Clips

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Resources

Overview of a study indicating processed meat increases cancer risk

A measured approach to the news about eating meat

Meal planning help and recipes for healthy $5 dinners.

Helpful recipes and meal planning based on shopping at Aldi.

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We’d like to think that all we need is love. Really, though, you need money. If you don’t get your spending under control, and take steps to use your money as a resource, you could find yourself in debt — and dissatisfied with life.

In this episode we talk about figuring out what matters to you and creating a spending plan based on your values and priorities.

Be sure to listen for our rundown of actions you can Do Now to figure out how to make the most of your money and the steps you can take to reform your spending habits.

Concepts

• Does your spending reflects your values?
• How to determine your values and priorities so you can build your spending plan around what matters to you.
• The importance of thinking about how you spend your money so you can stop wasting it on things that don’t matter to you.
• Why you should track your spending regularly.
• How you can use your resources to create a legacy
• Tell-tale signs that you are too focused on keeping up with Joneses, instead of living the life you want.

Video clips

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Resources

Crazy ways people spend their money