That's right: Lorilyn Wilson is our new favorite CPA who makes taxes *actually* kinda fun. Nicole holds nothing back and asks all the burning tax questions people are normally too scared to ask: How can I get the most back on my tax refund? Are there any new tax credits this year I can benefit from? If I'm a business owner, can I deduct my clothes? If I mess up my tax return... will I go to jail? It's going down! Learn more about Lorilyn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorilynacrum/

In 2023. 66% of Americans say that they plan on making a financial New Year's Resolution. But way too often, our resolutions set us up to fail. Here are five New Year's Resolutions that actually work.

'Tis the holiday season and it’s… expensive. There are gifts to buy, family to see, and parties to attend. If you’re lucky, it’s an embarrassment of riches… that can also leave you totally broke. Today, Nicole gives you some fresh tips for saving money during the holidays.

Happy Open Enrollment, Money Schoolers! When you pick your health insurance plan, you're likely going to encounter FSAs or HSAs. Today, Nicole explains the difference between the two— and how to get the most out of both of them.

In today's Change Maker episode, Nicole sits down with Elaine Welteroth— award-winning journalist, a TV host, the former editor in chief of Teen Vogue, the author of the New York Times bestseller "More Than Enough," and overall wonderful gem of a human. This conversation is jam-packed with stories we can all learn from: how Elaine's stoop wedding helped her and her hubs snag their dream house, how she took the leap to working for herself, and how she went from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset (spoiler alert: it involves bubblegum and vintage cars).

Money Rehabber Mary reached out to Nicole with some questions on how her son, Sean, should use his savings to buy a car. Then, Ida hit, Sean was evacuated, and had to use his entire emergency fund. Nicole invited Mary and Sean on the show to talk about what to do next.

For decades, the private equity world has been a velvet-roped party — only open to billionaires, pensions, and endowments. But that might be changing. This month, a new executive order made it easier for private equity (and other high-growth, high-risk assets) to land in your 401(k). On the surface, it looks like access. But Nicole breaks down what’s really going on behind the scenes… and why private equity is suddenly rolling out the red carpet for retail investors like you. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any financial decisions or investments.

Nicole covers exactly how much should go toward your essential spending, what the heck you have to put toward retirement, and how much you get to spend on the fun stuff: vacations and bottomless-mimosa brunches.

Does talking about money stress you out? You’re not alone. Today’s Money Rehabber feels like his financial health would benefit from open communication about money with his friends and family… but [s/he] just can’t start the conversation. Today, Nicole helps him practice those conversations so that the real deal is easier.

Stocks get all the attention, but bonds? They deserve some love too. If the latest market swings have you feeling a little queasy, bonds can help balance your portfolio and create a steady stream of passive income. In today’s episode, Nicole sits down with a Money Rehabber who wants to start investing in bonds but isn’t sure where to begin. Nicole breaks down bond basics, key terms, and how to build a bond strategy that works for you.

You may have seen the news last week that the consumer confidence index fell by 7 points this month, marking the largest drop since August 2021. Translation? People are getting nervous about a recession. But here’s the thing—you don’t have to panic just because the economy is. Even if you’re skeptical about the marco-economy, you can create confidence in your own micro-economy by taking the reins of your investments. So today, Nicole is showing you four asset allocation strategies designed to help you weather any financial environment. In other words: four recipes for a portfolio that provides growth in good economic times, and stability in tough economic times.

 How to Use Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) Like a Pro More than half of Americans feel behind on retirement savings, but the good news is, it’s never too late to level up your strategy. Today, Nicole walks you through Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs): what they are, how they work, and how they can help you build real wealth for retirement. She unpacks the key differences between Traditional and Roth IRAs, how to choose the right one (or both!), and what tax implications to keep in mind. Plus, Nicole shares a workaround for high earners and shows you how to open your own IRA today. Whether you're just starting out or optimizing your retirement game plan, this episode has something for you. Ready? ⁠Open an IRA today⁠. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any financial decisions or investments.

Today’s episode is one of the most powerful we’ve ever done on Money Rehab. Nicole sits down with a listener named Erin, who reached out after being diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. Her message was simple, yet profound: “I need to get my finances in order to make sure my loved ones are taken care of.” What follows is a raw, courageous conversation about life, money, and legacy. Erin shares her fears, her love for her family, and the steps she’s taking to give them financial peace of mind. Nicole brings in attorney Veronica Escobar to walk through the essentials of estate planning—from wills and trusts, to power of attorney and beyond. This is not just a conversation about preparing for death. It’s about taking control, even in moments when everything feels uncertain. It’s about how we can use money as a tool to protect the people we love. This episode is for anyone who wants to plan ahead, not out of fear, but out of love. It’s an emotional listen, but an essential one. Tomorrow’s episode will be a follow-up, where Nicole answers Erin’s questions about saving for medical care. But today, we focus on what Erin wanted most: peace of mind for her family. Check out the company Nicole connected Erin with for estate planning, Trust and Will, ⁠here⁠  Learn more about Veronica Escobar’s work and practice ⁠here⁠ This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any financial decisions or investments.

PE is obsessed with this one sector right now: boring businesses. We're talking plumbing, pest control, cleaning companies— you know the ones. But this isn't just a move for PE investors; you can do it too. Nicole explains.

If your money is just sitting around in a savings account, chances are it could be working harder for you somewhere else. This is the exact situation facing the Money Rehabber Nicole talks to today. When they go a level deeper, Nicole discovers how anxiety around investing is also at play. If you’re feeling skittish around investing or just feel like your money could be doing more, this is for you!  

With margin borrowing, you can give your investments a boost— but if you're not careful, you could also lose more than you gain. Nicole explains the concept, and whether it's a money move you should make.

Today, Nicole unpacks private equity (PE) by sharing how it works, who the big players are, and gives you the scoop on the deals that went really right and really wrong.

You could be invested in crypto, and not even know it. Nicole explains how this could happen, and what to do if you're secretly invested in this volatile asset.

Picture this: you have a job at a company with 401(k) benefits and then... you quit (or the job quits you). The good news is that money is still yours. But the retirement fairy won't just come and leave your 401(k) under your pillow. Nicole outlines the steps you need to take after leaving a job to make sure that your 401(k) is still working for you.

An estimated 160 million Americans are planning to travel for the holidays. If you're one of them, here are five ways you can save on one of the busiest— and most expensive— travel times of the year.