Money Elementary

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Latest episode

Aug 2025

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EN-US

About the show

Welcome to Money Elementary, the podcast that takes you back to school to learn the personal finance lessons you never got in the classroom! Hosted by Heidi Castillo and co-host, Vanessa Hernandez, this show is your go-to resource for mastering the fundamentals of money management. Join us each week as we dive into essential topics like budgeting, saving, investing, and financial planning, all with the goal of helping you build a stronger financial future. Whether you're a recent graduate, a seasoned professional, or simply looking to improve your financial literacy, Money Elementary has something for everyone. Our expert guests and practical insights will empower you to make informed decisions about your finances, setting you on the path to financial success. No more feeling lost when it comes to money matters—get ready to graduate from Money Elementary with flying colors! Tune in, subscribe, and embark on your journey to financial freedom. It's time to take control of your money and secure your financial well-being. Class is in session at Money Elementary!

Listen to episodes

26 recent

August 5, 2025Episode 1111 min

Money Elementary - They’re Taking Care of Us: The Hidden Cost of Deportation

This week on Money Elementary ChisME, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA break down the real cost of deportation—not just in dollars, but in everyday life. From who picks your produce to who cares for your loved ones, undocumented immigrants aren’t draining the system—they’re sustaining it. We dive into how their labor, taxes, and cultural contributions hold up our economy—and what happens when they’re forced out. This episode flips the script and delivers the receipts.

July 29, 2025Episode 108 min

Money Elementary - Debt, Delinquencies & Drama: The Return of The Student Loans

The student loan pause is officially over—and the drama is real. In this episode of Money Elementary’s ChisME, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA break down what the return of federal student loan payments means for your wallet, your future, and the economy. From rising delinquency rates to the ripple effects on healthcare, housing, and education—we spill the financial chisme. Plus, we share what you can do if you’re struggling to pay, including how forbearance works and how to avoid default. Don’t panic—plan.

July 22, 2025Episode 914 min

Money Elementary - Frozen Rates, Hot Drama: The Fed’s June 2025 Plot Twist

In this episode of Money Elementary’s ChisME, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA break down the Federal Reserve’s June 2025 interest rate decision. Why did the Fed hold rates steady again? What does Trump have to do with it? And how do inflation, unemployment, and CEO layoffs create the perfect economic storm? We’re spilling all the financial tea—with a dash of drama and just enough data to keep you ahead of the curve.

July 8, 2025Episode 814 min

Money Elementary - The One Big Beautiful Bill Update: What’s Sparkling… and What’s Sinking

This week on ChisME, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA pull back the glittery curtain on the One Big Beautiful Bill. We expose who really benefits from the SALT deduction change, break down the hidden cost of that $2.4 trillion deficit, and uncover tax breaks for the wealthy, cuts to public programs, and a student loan overhaul that could change everything. It’s the kind of bill that looks shiny on the surface—but might be hiding a whole lot of fine print. Tune in before your taxes and tuition are the next surprise.

July 1, 2025Episode 78 min

Money Elementary - When the Penny Drops: The True Cost of Letting Go

In this week’s Money Elementary: ChisME, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA dive into the surprising exit of the U.S. penny. From production costs to digital payment shifts, this episode uncovers why the penny’s time is up—and what that means for your change jar, your purchases, and the broader economy. Whether you’re cash loyal or fully tapped into digital wallets, this is one change you can’t ignore. Tune in and find out why something so small could have a big impact.

June 24, 2025Episode 66 min

Money Elementary - The Heart of the Economy: How Money Moves from the Fed to Your Wallet

In this week’s Money Elementary: ChisME, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA break down how money flows through our economy—starting with the Federal Reserve, through the banks, and finally to us. We simplify the mystery behind how money is added or taken out of circulation, what signals the Fed looks for, and how it all affects inflation, interest rates, and your wallet. Think of the Fed as the heart, banks as arteries, and spending as the lifeblood of the economy. It’s drama, dollars, and just the right dose of financial tea.

June 17, 2025Episode 510 min

Money Elementary - Fed Interest Rates May 7, 2025

In this week’s episode of Money Elementary: ChisME, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA break down the Fed’s May 2025 decision to hold interest rates steady at 4.25–4.5%. They unpack why the Fed is keeping things calm — not to shock the system — and how this strategy aims to stabilize the economy without triggering another inflation spike. The trio also explains why high prices are likely here to stay, how the Fed is trying not to “rock the boat,” and what this all means for your wallet. With humor, drama, and a little side-eye at Jerome Powell, the crew helps listeners make sense of steady rates in an uncertain world.

June 17, 2025Episode 48 min

Money Elementary - Recession, Inflation, Stagnation

In this episode of Money Elementary, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA break down the tangled mess of inflation, recession, and stagnation using real-life examples and a sizzling restaurant analogy. MEIA explains how what feels like “just higher prices” is actually a warning sign of deeper economic shifts. They uncover how tariffs sneak up on your wallet, why fewer jobs and flat wages aren’t just bad luck, and what smart moves to make right now. From rising costs to frozen growth, the trio keeps it real, relevant, and totally unfiltered. This isn’t just econ talk—it’s your survival guide for what’s happening in your bank account today.

June 3, 2025Episode 319 min

Money Elementary - Fed Interest Rates March 19, 2025

In this episode of Money Elementary, Heidi, Vanessa, and MIA spill the chisME on how the Federal Reserve is quietly running the economy like a behind-the-scenes boss. MIA breaks down how interest rates, bond expirations, and the Fed’s cookie-stashing ways are either feeding or starving the economy. From loan shortages to recession red flags, the trio unpacks what it really means when the Fed tightens—or decides to ease up. But don’t stress—MIA drops real-world tips like locking in fixed rates, crushing high-interest debt, and building that emergency stash like a pro. If the Fed’s mood swings are shaking up Wall Street, at least your money moves can stay steady.

May 27, 2025Episode 28 min

Money Elementary - ChisME - Tariffs Import Frenzy

In this episode of Money Elementary, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA spill the chisme on why the U.S. economy just shrunk for the first time in years. MEIA breaks down how panic over tariffs led to a flood of imports, which dragged down GDP like a bad breakup. From rising prices to shrinking paychecks, the trio unpacks how this economic drama affects your day-to-day life. But don’t worry—MEIA drops survival tips like side hustles, saving, and cutting back on things that can wait. If the economy's acting up, at least your money game doesn’t have to.