HerMoney with Jean Chatzky

This week, we’re cutting through the chaos and zeroing in on what matters most to your financial life: your investments, your home, and your next money moves.

Jean sits down with Dr. Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody’s Analytics, to unpack how global uncertainty, rising mortgage rates, and Trump-era policies are reshaping our economy. From the stock market rollercoaster to the housing “lock-in” crisis, Mark offers practical, down-to-earth advice for navigating it all.

You’ll learn:

Why Mark says, “Don’t even look at the market” (and what to do instead)

What the mortgage “doom loop” means for Millennials, Gen Z, and retirees

How long it could take to restore housing affordability in America

Why homeownership is still a powerful wealth-building tool

The truth about 50-year mortgages, portable loans, and whether they can help

How to think smartly about helping your kids now vs. leaving a legacy later

💡 Further reading and listening:

The American Housing and Economic Mobility Act

“Die With Zero” by Bill Perkins

The Inside Economics Podcast – hosted by Mark Zandi

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When people think about preparing for retirement, they usually think about saving. But the real challenge? Making sure your money lasts as long as you do. Morningstar’s Christine Benz joins us for a conversation about the smartest ways to prepare for retirement and make sure your money goes the distance. 

This episode is part of our new, monthly retirement-focused series, brought to you by LIMRA. With practical tips and real-world conversations, these episodes will give you the tools to help you feel more confident about what comes next.

In this episode, Jean and Christine break down:

Why there’s no one-size-fits-all retirement plan

How to shift from a saving to a spending mindset in retirement

The biggest retirement blind spots – and why they’re more challenging for women

The steps you can take today to feel less overwhelmed about retirement planning

🛣️ ARE YOU ON TRACK? If you’re ready to start putting together a retirement plan that works for you, download LIMRA’s free Retirement Income Planning Starter Guide.
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You’ve got questions, we’ve got Amanda Holden. In this special Mailbag episode of HerMoney, Jean is joined once again by investing expert and How to Be a Rich Old Lady author Amanda Holden to tackle your biggest investing dilemmas.

We’re talking:

What to actually do after opening a Roth IRA

Whether crypto deserves a spot in your portfolio

What to do with a $500,000 401(k) after a layoff

Whether target-date funds are worth the cost

And why diversification is non-negotiable

✨ Want to get smarter with your money in 2026? Join our women-only investing club, InvestingFixx, where expert stock pickers pitch ideas—and you help build the portfolio.
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As we kick off 2026, it’s time to talk about the future—and the woman you want to become. Whether she’s rocking silver bangles on the beach or sipping coffee in her cabin, your Rich Old Lady deserves a life of financial freedom. And today’s guest is here to help you build it.

Amanda Holden is the founder of Invested Development and the author of How to Be a Rich Old Lady: Your Guide to Easy Investing, Building Wealth, and Creating the Wild, Beautiful Life You Want. After a career in investment management (yes, she was once a finance bro), Amanda walked away from Wall Street to help over 25,000 women learn to invest, without shame, jargon, or feeling overwhelmed. 

In this episode, Jean and Amanda break down:

Why the financial system feels so exclusive—and how to take your seat at the table

How to build “the Gap” (your most powerful financial tool)

Amanda’s hilarious (and helpful) dating metaphor for asset allocation

Whether it’s too late to catch up on retirement (spoiler: it’s not)

The surprising risks of today’s AI-driven stock market boom

💼 Want more support with your investing journey? Join our women-only investing club, InvestingFixx, today!
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Is fair always equal when it comes to family and money? On this week’s HerMoney Mailbag, Jean Chatzky is joined by Quentin Fottrell, Managing Editor of Advice at MarketWatch and the voice behind The Moneyist column, to tackle the most emotionally charged financial questions from our listeners and his inbox.

They dive into:

💸 Whether a promised $250K inheritance should include interest

🏡 How to avoid probate and protect your family home using a Lady Bird Deed

🧺 A listener whose parents are giving each son a $500K laundromat (but don’t want to give their spouses anything)

Whether you're planning your estate, helping aging parents, or wondering how to protect family assets, this episode is packed with practical tips, legal insights, and thoughtful perspectives.

Want more smart money advice from Jean? Subscribe, leave a review, and send your questions to [email protected].

Resources Mentioned:

🔗 The Moneyist at MarketWatch

🔗 HerMoney Facebook Group

🔗 Join the InvestingFixx Community
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