Money Girl

In this episode, Laura sits down with Lisa Greene-Lewis. She’s a TurboTax expert and CPA with over 20 years of experience in tax preparation and helping filers save money. Lisa’s also worked as a public auditor, controller, and been self-employed, so she understands common mistakes to avoid and tips for legally paying less tax.
What We Discuss:
New rules that reduce taxes and increase tax refunds for the average taxpayer.
Tips for small businesses and the self-employed that make filing taxes easier.
When to consider incorporating your business or staying a sole proprietor.
Who can claim a home office deduction and whether it’s a red flag for the IRS.
How long to keep personal and business tax returns and their backup.
How to get year-round tax support with TurboTax Experts for Business.

Money Girl is a Quick and Dirty Tips Podcast, hosted by Laura Adams.
Have a question for Money Girl? Email: [email protected] or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308.
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Transcripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com.

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Is homeownership still the "American Dream," or is it becoming a financial burden? With 81% of renters aspiring to own but 61% fearing they never will, the gap between renting and owning has never felt wider. However, the truth is that both paths can lead to significant wealth if you play your cards right.
In this episode of Money Girl, Laura breaks down the persistent rent-versus-own debate. While homeowners benefit from equity and appreciation, savvy renters can leverage flexibility and lower upfront costs to out-invest their home-owning peers. Whether you’re tired of "throwing money away" on rent or feeling "house rich and cash poor," this guide provides the clarity you need to make the best move for your bank account.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
4 ways renting can actually make you wealthier (including the "investment gap" advantage).
The hidden costs of homeownership that go far beyond your monthly mortgage payment.
The tax breaks and appreciation benefits that make real estate a powerful long-term play.
How to hedge against inflation with fixed-rate housing costs.
The "5-Year Rule" and other lifestyle factors that should dictate your decision.
Note: This episode originally aired in January 2025.
Have a money question? Send an email to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (302) 364-0308.
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With U.S. consumer debt hitting a record $18.8 trillion, it’s time to see how your balances measure up. In this episode, Laura breaks down average debt by age group and type—from Gen Z’s $35k average to Gen X’s $158k peak—to help you determine if your debt is "healthy" or a hurdle to retirement.
Key Takeaways:
The Big 4: Current averages for mortgages, auto loans, student loans, and credit cards.
Debt Rules of Thumb: Learn the 30/30/3 rule for housing and the 20/4/10 rule for car buying.
Know Your Ratios: How to calculate your Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratio like a lender.
Payoff Strategies: Why high-interest debt is "bad" and how to use consolidation or balance transfers to escape it.

Whether you're looking to buy a home or just sleep better at night, learn how to stop being "average" and start building wealth.

Find a transcript on your podcast player.
Have a money question? Send an email to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (302) 364-0308.
Find Money Girl on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more personal finance tips.
Money Girl is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.
Links:
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1005. Is your company "returning" your retirement savings? In this episode, Laura answers a listener question from Jay P., who is frustrated that his contributions keep getting bounced back as taxable income.
If you’re a high earner or a diligent saver, nothing is more frustrating than seeing your hard-earned 401(k) contributions returned to your checking account. But why does the IRS penalize you just because your coworkers aren’t saving enough?
In this episode, Laura breaks down the "Highly Compensated Employee" (HCE) rules and explains exactly why your retirement plan might be failing its annual nondiscrimination tests. More importantly, she shares the specific steps you can take to keep your momentum going even when your workplace plan hits a ceiling.
Laura goes over:
The HCE Threshold: The specific 2026 income and ownership limits that trigger these IRS rules.
The "Safe Harbor" Solution: How to pitch a plan upgrade to your HR department that eliminates testing forever.
Tax Fallout: How to handle the tax liability of returned pre-tax vs. Roth contributions.
Pivot Strategies: Three powerful "Plan B" accounts—including HSAs and Roth IRAs—to house your returned cash so it stays invested for the long haul.
Find a transcript here. 
Have a money question? Send an email to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (302) 364-0308.
Find Money Girl on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the newsletter for more personal finance tips.
Money Girl is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.
Links:
https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/
https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/money-girl-newsletter
https://www.facebook.com/MoneyGirlQDT
 
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1004. This week, Laura explains how to identify and fix overcontributions to your 401(k), IRA, and HSA. You’ll learn the specific deadlines for 2026 to remove excess funds penalty-free and how to handle the tricky tax paperwork that follows.
In This Episode:
The Cost of Mistakes: Why IRAs and HSAs carry a 6% annual penalty for excess funds, and how 401(k) errors can lead to double taxation.
2026 Contribution Limits: The max limits for workplace plans ($24,500), IRAs ($7,500), and HSAs ($4,400–$8,750), including catch-up rules for those over 50 and 60.
Common Pitfalls: How switching jobs, receiving year-end bonuses, or earning too much for a Roth IRA can trigger an accidental overcontribution.
The Correction Timeline: Why April 15 is a hard deadline for workplace plans, while IRAs and HSAs offer flexibility until October 15 with an extension.
New 2026 Rules: What high earners (making over $150k) need to know about the new mandatory Roth catch-up contributions.
Step-by-Step Fixes: How to work with your account custodian to calculate earnings (or losses) and file the correct tax forms (1099-R, 1099-SA).
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