Financially Inclined

"It's giving me the ick": Dating and money

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Ever had an awkward encounter around money while dating? Host Yanely Espinal speaks with author and financial therapist Aja Evans about how to have better money conversations in your romantic life.

Think you’re financially inclined? Dig deeper into money and dating:

- More suggestions for how to talk about money while dating from Ellevest

- Grow your financial intimacy with NPR’s “Life Kit”

- Check out The Knot’s 50 affordable date ideas

Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.

Thanks for listening to this episode of “Financially Inclined”! We’d love to hear what you learned from it or any questions you’d like us to answer in a future episode. You can shoot us an email at financiallyinclined@marketplace.org or tell us using this online form.

This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

How to negotiate

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000

How do you get what you want and the pay you deserve? Host Yanely Espinal talks with career coach and personal finance writer Mandi Woodruff-Santos about the ins and outs of negotiation and how to start building these skills long before your first job offer.

Think you’re financially inclined? Dig deeper into negotiation:

Some helpful questions you might consider before going into a negotiation
Additional negotiation tips from psychologist Ruchi Sinha’s TED Talk
Specific advice for negotiating a job offer, from Harvard Business Review

Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.

This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

“Try before you buy” with an internship

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000

How do you decide what job is right for you? Host Yanely Espinal talks to early-career coach and consultant Jade Walters about the value of internships and how to find, get and excel in them.

Think you’re financially inclined? Dig deeper into internships:

Advice for landing your dream internship
How to make sure your internship is worth your time
Additional tips for making the most of your internship

Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.

This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

Going green with your money

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Want to make a difference with your money? In this episode, host Yanely Espinal speaks with author and financial educator Kara Perez about how to align your money with your values. Perez gets into the ways that you can spend, save, and invest based on what matters to you.

Think you’re financially inclined? Dig deeper into making change with your money:

Learn more about sustainable investing from Harvard Business School
Read about the impact of supporting small businesses
Find more on ethical banking from NerdWallet

Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.

This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

Paying for college

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Not sure how you’re going to pay for college? Host Yanely Espinal talks with college counselor Teng Yang about the different funding options available to students, and what they should watch out for when making their decisions.

Think you’re financially inclined? Dig deeper into how to pay for college:

Check out this worksheet to compare financial aid offers, from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
Learn more about grants and scholarships from the College Board
Find scholarships through Federal Student Aid

Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.

This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

College is a financial decision

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Do you get stressed out thinking about life after high school? Host Yanely Espinal talks to college counselor Ralph Johnson about choosing the right path for you and thinking of this as an important financial decision. They discuss the pros and cons of different types of colleges and the criteria you should consider when deciding where to go.

Think you’re financially inclined? Dig deeper into next steps after high school:

Read more about the different types of colleges from the College Board
Search for a college’s net price calculator here
Suggestions from the ACT on how to decide what to do after high school

Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.

Thanks for listening to this episode of “Financially Inclined”! We’d love to hear what you learned or any questions you’d like us to answer in a future episode. You can shoot us an email at financiallyinclined@marketplace.org or tell us using this online form.

This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

Entering your entrepreneur era

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Want to be your own boss? In this episode, host Yanely Espinal talks to attorney-turned-entrepreneur Sam Vander Wielen about the basics of setting up a new business and what you need to know to protect yourself as a business owner. She shares some useful resources that can help you along the way. We also hear from 21-year-old Leslie Zuñiga about what she learned from starting her own nail art business.

Think you’re financially inclined? Dig deeper into how to start a business:

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s 10 steps for starting your own business
Small business resources from the U.S. Department of Commerce
Internal Revenue Service checklist for starting a business

Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.

This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

Who’s paying for this?

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Does talking about money make you uncomfortable? In this episode, host Yanely Espinal talks with author Erin Lowry about how to approach awkward money conversations. They discuss everything from splitting costs to loaning friends and family money to etiquette around payment apps like Venmo.

Think you’re financially inclined? Dig deeper into understanding how to have tough money talks:

Learn more about your money personality from NerdWallet
See additional tips for navigating difficult money conversations
Hear more scripts and strategies from our guest Erin Lowry

Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.

This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

“Financially Inclined” is back for Season 4

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Host and financial literacy advocate Yanely Espinal is back for Season 4 to get the answers to your money questions and set you up to succeed . This season, we’ll be discussing everything from launching your own business to paying for college. We dig into negotiation techniques and teach you how to navigate tricky money conversations with friends and family. You don’t want to miss it!

This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

Dinking around: The rise of pickleball, from “Sportly”

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0000

This week, we’re sharing an episode from another podcast we think you’ll love. In this episode of “Sportly” from Immigrantly Media, host Kavitha Davidson dives into the quirky origins of pickleball, exploring how this simple backyard game has become America’s fastest-growing sport. Davidson uncovers the story behind the paddle — from its humble beginnings on Bainbridge Island, Washington, to celebrity-filled tournaments and public park controversies — and how a game meant to pass the time is now passing records.

Thanks for listening to “Financially Inclined”! We’d love to hear what you’ve learned from the show or any questions you’d like us to answer in a future episode. You can shoot us an email at financiallyinclined@marketplace.org or tell us using this online form.

Financially Inclined is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

Beware of guarantees

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Host Yanely Espinal talks with Kevin Matthews, financial educator and author, about how to find financial advice you can trust.

Think you’re financially inclined? Dig deeper into how to evaluate financial advice:

Protect yourself from social media “finfluencers”
More tips for choosing a financial adviser
Questions to ask a financial adviser
How to get cheap or free financial advice

Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.

This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

How online scammers hijack your brain

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Scammers are good at manipulating teens. Join host Yanely Espinal and Proofpoint’s Selena Larson to learn how to stay ahead of the scammers.

Think you’re financially inclined? Dig deeper into the world of cybersecurity:

This article in Vox talks about the prevalence of scams amongst Gen Z
Learn about common types of scams
4 online scams teens are falling for and how to avoid them

Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.

This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

The dangers of online gambling

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Just because online gambling is now legal and endorsed by sports teams doesn’t mean it’s safe. Journalist Danny Funt gets into it with host Yanely Espinal.

Think you’re financially inclined? Dig deeper into the risks of online gambling:

Just how common is gambling these days?
A story of overcoming gambling addiction
If you or someone you know needs help with a gambling problem, call the National Problem Gambling Helpline

Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.

This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

What’s your financial GPA?

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Credit scores may seem scary and confusing, but they don’t have to be! Yanely Espinal sits down with financial therapist and money coach Jasmine Ramirez to talk about what a credit score is, how they’re calculated and what you can do to keep yours high.

Think you’re financially inclined? Dig deeper into credit scores:

Understand how your credit score is calculated
Learn more about how your age can influence your credit score
Debunk common credit score myths

Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.

If you have any questions for us, or you want to share your own story, our email is financiallyinclined@marketplace.org

This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

What to consider before buying those shoes

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Before you drop your hard-earned cash on something big, stop and think it through. Yanely Espinal talks to financial educator Mykail James about how to be more intentional when making big purchases in your life, and what to do if you have regrets afterward.

Think you’re financially inclined? Dig deeper into the world of smart purchasing:

Read more on impulse buying
A psychologist’s tips for avoiding buyer’s remorse
Listen to stories about buyer’s remorse for pandemic purchases

Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.

We’d love to hear what you learned from this episode of “Financially Inclined,” or any questions you’d like us to answer next time. You can shoot us an email at financiallyinclined@marketplace.org or tell us using this online form.

This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

Don’t be fooled by dark patterns!

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Host Yanely Espinal talks with professor Jasmine McNealy about “dark patterns” that manipulate us online: what they are, where to look for them and how to protect yourself.

Think you’re financially inclined? Dig deeper into dark patterns:

Learn about all things dark pattern from Deceptive Patterns
Listen to the role of dark patterns in e-commerce at Marketplace
Read about how laws and regulations can limit dark patterns on Vox

Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.

How our brains mess with our money

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Our decisions about money don’t always make logical sense. Financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin helps us understand why, and how you can hack your brain to make smarter money choices.

Think you’re financially inclined? Dig deeper into the psychology of spending:

The ultimatum game shows us how we think about money
Check out this NerdWallet explainer for more about financial therapy
Lights, Camera, Budget! is a game that lets you learn about money by taking on the role of movie producer

Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.

This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

From piggy bank to savings account

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode, host Yanely Espinal talks banking with money educator Sahirenys Ortega Pierce. They go over key differences between types of banks, what factors to consider when choosing the right account for you, and what you need to open your first account.

Think you’re financially inclined? Dig deeper into the world of banking:

Learn more about banking 101 from Investopedia
Familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of checking accounts from NerdWallet
Refresh your memory on the components of a check with Stony Brook University

Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.

This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

“Financially Inclined” is back for Season 3

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Host and financial literacy advocate Yanely Espinal is back for another season of the money lessons we wish we learned earlier — the ones that can help us live life on our own terms. This season, we’ll share essential info about bank accounts, gambling, scams, and how our brains can mess with our money. New episodes starting Aug. 16.

This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account at http://www.greenlight.com/inclined

First-gen finances

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Being a first-generation student can mean facing bigger financial pressures than your peers, with less generational knowledge and wealth. Yanely Espinal talks to Gigi Gonzalez, the First Gen Mentor, to help you navigate the unique pressures of being the first in your family – whether that’s being a first-gen American, first-gen college student, first-gen professional, first-gen entrepreneur or more!

Think you’re financially inclined? Check out these resources:

Explore resources for first-gen students from the Collective Success Network

Learn more wealth building tips from Business Insider

Prepare for a “money talk” with your family using this guide from CNBC

Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.

This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up for a Greenlight account.

This guy loves taxes!

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Income taxes can be intimidating, especially if it’s your first time filing on your own. But don’t worry, host Yanely Espinal sat down with the self-proclaimed superhero of taxes, Duke Moore, to break it down so you can know what you owe… or what the IRS owes you as a refund! They talk about all the different tax forms, explain deductions and write-offs, and reveal the most important box you have to check if you’re a young person filing taxes.

Think you’re financially inclined? Dig deeper into taxes:

Learn about tax brackets and rates from Nerdwallet
Understand the rules around working while being a dependent
Check out FreeTaxUSA’s website to file your taxes online

Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.

This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

Making the workforce work for you

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Every generation faces challenges when they enter the workforce for the first time, but Gen Z may have an especially tough time. Social media manager Amir Henley can help you stand out in a tough job market.

Think you’re financially inclined? Check out more tips on entering the workforce:

Websites where you can start looking for that job
Some free resume templates
Learn to write a cover letter in your own voice

Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.

This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

What you need to know about crypto

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 11:00:00 +0000

With all the hype about cryptocurrency, how can you tell a good investment from bad? Yanely Espinal sits down with college student and crypto investor Giovanni Moreno and journalist Caitlin Ostroff to learn what crypto is, how it works and what red flags to look for.

Think you’re financially inclined? Dig deeper into cryptocurrencies:

Read this guide from Investopedia on what you should know before investing in crypto.
Stay up to date with crypto news from CoinDesk.
Do your research on how different currencies are doing with updates from Coinbase.

Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.

This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

The reality of becoming an influencer

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Being an influencer might sound like the best job in the world, but viral content creator Sid Raskind, who has over 4 million TikTok followers, says that it’s a lot harder than it looks.

Think you’re financially inclined? Learn more about the reality of influencer life:

A very small number of influencers earn the majority of money and views
Black influencers are paid less than white influencers, and the racial pay gap might be worse for influencers than people in other industries
Are influencers actually earning money for their clients?

Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.

This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

Make student loans work for you

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Student loans don’t have to be scary, you can make them work for you! This week, “Financially Inclined” host Yanely Espinal sits down with content creator Carmen Perez to dig into all the details of understanding the lingo, reading the fine print and making a budget so you can stay on top of your loans.

Here are some additional helpful resources:

Go to the Federal Student Aid site to find resources, calculators, definitions and everything else you need to get started on your student loan journey.
Find more information on Pell Grants here.
Get your FAFSA questions answered with this NerdWallet guide.

Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.

This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: The money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

Saving money for the life you want

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Saving money might sound like a chore, but Yanely Espinal and Berna Anat are here to remind you that saving money can help you afford more of what you want, and you can have fun along the way!

Think you’re financially inclined? Check out the savings tips below:

Check out this comparison of high-yield savings accounts from NerdWallet
Here are some free savings trackers you can print
Look at these different savings apps reviewed by Bankrate
And you can find more financial tips from Berna on her Instagram

Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.

This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up for a Greenlight account. Join today.

Tips for winning college scholarships

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

With the rising cost of college in the United States, you can’t sleep on scholarships. This week, Yanely Espinal chats with Youssef Hasweh, a scholarship wiz who got a full ride to University of Chicago, about finding the right scholarships for you, keeping those applications and deadlines organized, and understanding what “full ride” really means.

Think you’re financially inclined? Dig deeper into scholarships.

Find more from Hasweh at Youssef University.
Check out this Forbes list of the “9 Best Scholarship Websites and Search Engines.”
Consult this handy guide of mistakes students make when applying for scholarships and how to avoid them.
There’s also this U.S. News & World Report how-to guide to help you find and apply for scholarships.

Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.

This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

“Financially Inclined” is back for Season 2

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Financially Inclined From Marketplace is back for season 2 with more money lessons we wish we learned earlier — the ones that can help us live life on our own terms. This season, host Yanely Espinal is digging into how to pay for college, getting a job, crypto currencies, saving money and paying taxes. New episodes start November 3.

Here’s what you need to know before investing in the stock market

Fri, 26 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Have you ever heard the terms “stock market” or “index fund” and thought to yourself, “What the heck is that? And should I put money in there?” This week, Yanely Espinal talks with TikToker and money coach Delyanne Barros to figure out how to start investing.

Think you’re financially inclined? Dive deeper into investing.

1. Play this investing simulator game from Next Gen Personal Finance

Compare online brokerages with NerdWallet

Check out related Marketplace stories here
Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide

How emotions affect your money

Fri, 19 May 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Dealing with money is super important and unavoidable. But it seems like the older we get, the harder it is to talk about. This week, Yanely Espinal talks with Marketplace host Reema Khrais, who chats with people every day about their relationships with money on her podcast “This Is Uncomfortable.” Reema explains why conversations about money are so important and how we can all have a better relationship with money.

Think you’re financially inclined? Use these money reflection tools.

1. Take the Klontz Money Script Inventory test

Check out related Marketplace stories here

Listen to the latest season of “This Is Uncomfortable” here

Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.

When to use buy now, pay later services

Fri, 12 May 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Buy now, pay later programs might seem like a magic wand, instantly shrinking the size of your initial payment for a purchase. But BNPL services like Afterpay or Klarna come with risks too. This week, “Financially Inclined” host Yanely Espinal talks with tech editor Joshua Bote of SFGate to get the full story on BNPL, so you can click “place order” with confidence. Dive in with us by watching the video below.

Think you’re financially inclined? Learn more about BNPL.

1. Check out Joshua Bote’s reporting on BNPL from SFGate

Compare different BNPL services with this guide from The Points Guy

Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.

Credit card tips for beginners

Fri, 05 May 2023 10:00:00 +0000

OK, we know, credit cards can be scary! But they don’t need to be. And credit cards can help you reach a lot of your goals (like someday renting your own place). This week, Yanely Espinal chats with TikTok finance influencer John Eringman (aka John E. Finance) about how to decide if you’re ready to get your first credit card.

Think you’re financially inclined? Dig deeper into credit cards.

Compare credit card features with NerdWallet
Learn more about building credit history with this guide from Investopedia
Check out related Marketplace stories here
Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide

Buying your first car

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Buying your first car can be intimidating. There are so many options! Do you go to a dealership? Should you find a used car on Craigslist? Should you get a car loan through a bank or credit union? Journalist and car expert Matt Hardigree breaks it all down in this episode. His first tip: make sure you get something that you absolutely love.

Think you’re financially inclined? Check out these car-shopping tools:

1. Look into some car reliability ratings from Consumer Reports
2. Find a car’s value with Kelley Blue Book
3. Are you in an educational setting? Check out this listening guide

How To Budget

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Maybe you’ve got a little cash from that babysitting gig, a part-time job or even some birthday money. Now would be a great time to have a budget, which is basically a plan for how you want to spend (or save) your money. This week, Yanely Espinal talks with Berna Anat, the internet’s Financial Hype Woman (yes, that’s her job title) about some easy and practical ways to budget (spoiler alert: Astrology is involved).

Think you’re financially inclined? Give budgeting a try:

1. Make a monthly 50/30/20 budget with this calculator from NerdWallet

Check out this zero-based budget guide from Best Wallet Hacks

Watch an example of the cash envelope method on TikTok

Take a look at Berna Anat’s new book, “Money Out Loud”

Are you in an educational setting? Check out this listening guide and this worksheet.

Introducing “Financially Inclined From Marketplace”

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 10:00:00 +0000

“Financially Inclined” is all about money lessons for living life your own way. Every week, financial literacy advocate Yanely Espinal makes learning about money simple, so you can make the most of your life. Because while money can’t buy you happiness, it definitely can’t hurt. This show was created by Marketplace in collaboration with Next Gen Personal Finance.

This episode is sponsored by Greenlight, the money app for teens — with investing.