Human, meet money AMA. In this solo episode, Madison brings back the “Ask Me Anything” vibes—minus the chaos—and answers the investing questions she’s been getting over and over again. She breaks down how she personally invests (yes, she tells you exactly what’s in her accounts), the difference between IRAs and 401(k)s, how to think about risk so you don’t panic-sell, and what to do if you want to invest but you’re still in debt. Madison also shares her simple index fund strategy, how she’s approaching crypto as a long-term wealth builder, and a clear, compassionate roadmap for where to start when you’re juggling credit cards, student loans, and the desire to build real wealth. If you’ve ever thought, “I know I should be investing, but I have no idea what I’m doing,” this episode was made for you.   What You’ll Learn The difference between a 401(k) and an IRA (Roth vs. traditional), and why an IRA is not automatically invested for you Where Madison personally keeps her IRAs and the three most common platforms people use for retirement investing How Madison invests her own money: How she approaches cryptocurrency as a small (but intentional) part of her portfolio—Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP—and why it’s not her main investing strategy What “losing money” in the stock market actually means, and the difference between unrealized and realized gains and losses Why picking individual stocks is riskier than using index funds—and why you don’t need to be a stock-picking genius to be a successful investor How your current debt season can become the launchpad for you being an incredible investor in the future How Madison works with clients 1:1 to map out their investment options (401(k), IRA, brokerage, HSA) and build a strategy that actually fits their life This Episode Is For You If… You want to start investing but feel intimidated, confused, or scared of “doing it wrong.” You’re in credit card or student loan debt and don’t know if you should wait to invest or try to do both. You have a 401(k) through work but have no idea what you’re invested in or whether it’s enough. You’ve heard of IRAs, Roth IRAs, brokerage accounts, and HSAs—but they all blur together in your brain. You’re curious about crypto, but you don’t want your whole financial future riding on it. You’re ready to go from “I Google everything and feel overwhelmed” to “I actually understand where my money is going and why.”   Connect with Madison 📲 DM @newmoneymadison with your money move of the week. ✨ Ready to transform your money mindset? Apply for 1:1 coaching at madisonaldini.com. 🔁 Loved this episode? Share it with a friend who needs a simple, non-scary intro to investing! 💬 DM Madison on Instagram with your money questions and she may answer them in a future AMA-style episode. 🔍 Not sure if you’re investing enough, in the right places, or in the right order with your debt? Reach out to Madison about 1:1 coaching so you can get clarity on your numbers, understand your investment options, and build a strategy that feels confident—not chaotic.   Madison’s goal is simple: to help you become a savvy, confident, badass investor who knows exactly what she’s invested in, why it’s working for her, and how it’s moving her closer to financial freedom.