Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin

Hosted by Money News Network

Business Education

Website RSS feed LinkedIn YouTube

Episodes

1122

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

About the show

Ever notice that we will talk about everything before we talk about money? Sex? No problem. Politics? Bring it on. Money? Totally taboo. But not for long! Nicole Lapin— the only financial expert you don’t need a dictionary to understand, New York Times best-selling author, and host of Money Rehab— is here to rehab your wallet, so you can get your financial life together once and for all. Episodes are just ten minutes-ish... no frills, just bite-sized tips and tricks so you don’t waste any time. And Nicole wants to hear from YOU!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 15, 20261 hr 5 min

Funny Money with Comedian Josh Johnson: Senators Smooching, Lifestyle Creep and the Mental Gymnastics of Financial Goals

Stand-up comedian and writer Josh Johnson returns to Money Rehab nearly two years after his first time on the show. Since then, he has become a hosting correspondent on The Daily Show, reached millions of followers on socials and continued to post a new stand up set to YouTube (he’s done this for 156 consecutive weeks). He talks about how he’s avoided lifestyle creep as his career has flourished, the best money advice he’s received, and why being broke is like drowning in a swimming pool. Then, Nicole gets Josh’s take on some of the strangest recent money headlines, including a woman who reportedly saved $15,000 on groceries by going on dates, Victoria’s Secret stock jumping 48% after changing its ticker to “VSXY,” and why taxes are apparently making Gen Z cry. Check out Nicole's financial literacy course The Money School Find a Financial Advisor or Financial Coach from Nicole's company Private Wealth Collective Watch video clips from the pod on Money Rehab's Instagram and Nicole Lapin's Instagram Follow Josh Johnson’s incredible work and see him live! Listen to Josh’s first interview on Money Rehab Here's what Nicole covers with Josh: 00:00 Are You Ready for Some Money Rehab? 01:46 What's Changed Since Last Time 04:10 The Ownership Illusion 06:28 Why Even Billionaires Never Feel Safe 08:00 How to Stop Moving the Goalpost on Financial Safety 09:18 Lifestyle Creep 12:00 Selling Shoes on eBay and Wikifeet 14:03 The Poisoned Pizza Story 15:18 Why Being Broke Is Like Drowning 19:00 Money-Saving Extremes 24:40 The Culture of Greed and “Good Business” 26:39 Food Insecurity in America 32:17 Cheap Corruption and Political Money 33:03 Structured Notes 37:38 Are We Doing NFTs Again? 40:37 Why Josh Is Skipping AI IPOs He Doesn't Understand 43:00 Funny Money 43:12 The Guy Who Asked His Date for a Venmo Refund 44:53 The Woman Who Saved $15K in Groceries by Going on Dates 46:22 Victoria's Secret's 48% Stock Surge From a Ticker Change 49:00 The $80K AI Deepfake Soap Opera Scam 51:39 Have Taxes Ever Made You Cry? 55:31 Trump's Face on a $250 Bill 59:23 Josh Johnson's Tip You Can Take Straight to the Bank All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. 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.

June 11, 202614 min

Inflation Is at 3.8%. Are Are Three Ways to Make Your Money Fight Back.

Inflation just hit 3.8%, the highest it's been since 2023. That means that $100 you had in January? It's worth about $96.30 today. So today, Nicole breaks down three tools that protect your money when inflation runs hot: I bonds, TIPS, and gold. She explains exactly how each one works, who each is best for, and the critical differences between them — including why gold didn't spike during the pandemic inflation surge the way everyone expected, and why right now might actually be different. Plus, Nicole shares a little-known strategy called the "gift box" method that lets couples legally stack up to $40,000 in I bond purchases in a single calendar year. Here is a Money Rehab episode about how to invest in gold Check out Nicole's financial literacy course ⁠The Money School⁠ Find a Financial Advisor or Financial Coach from Nicole's company ⁠Private Wealth Collective⁠ Watch video clips from the pod on ⁠Money Rehab's Instagram⁠ and ⁠Nicole Lapin's Instagram⁠ Here's what Nicole covers today: 00:00 Are You Ready for Some Money Rehab? 00:18 Inflation Is Back — And We're All Feeling It 01:33 What's Driving the Surge (It's Not Just Gas) 02:30 What 3.8% Inflation Actually Does to Your Dollars 02:56 I Bonds: The Inflation-Fighting Investment Nicole Loves 04:34 I Bonds 05:06 TIPS 08:04 Gold: Flight to Safety or Inflation Hedge? 10:00 Why Gold Thrives When the Economy Is a Dumpster Fire 11:40 Tip You Can Take Straight to the Bank: The Gift Box Strategy All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. 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.

June 9, 202647 min

Is Homeownership Overrated? Smart Girl Dumb Questions with Nayeema Raza

Nicole is joined by journalist and podcast host Nayeema Raza, host of Smart Girl Dumb Questions, for a crossover episode! This is a shame-free conversation about the money questions we’re all holding in, starting with perhaps the most loaded one of all: should you buy a home? Nicole breaks down the 5% rule for renting vs. buying, why she personally chose not to buy, and how to strip the emotion out of a decision that's usually anything but. She also answers common questions about debt, HSAs, growing generational wealth and more. Plus, Nayeema and Nicole talk about which expenses are worth going into debt for, and what Mark Cuban told Nayeema about how money can make you feel poorer the wealthier you become. Listen to Nayeema's podcast Smart Girl, Dumb Questions Check out Nicole's financial literacy course The Money School Find a Financial Advisor or Financial Coach from Nicole's company Private Wealth Collective Watch video clips from the pod on Money Rehab's Instagram and Nicole Lapin's Instagram Here's what Nicole covers with Nayeema: 00:00 Are You Ready for Some Money Rehab? 01:17 Nicole's Controversial Take on Homeownership 04:44 The 5% Rule: Rent vs. Buy Math 08:37 Why Nicole Chose to Rent (And Invest the Difference) 12:30 How the LA Fires Changed Nicole's Relationship to Home 17:00 Not All Debt Is Created Equal: Good Debt vs. Bad Debt 20:02 What Rich People Know About Leverage 24:03 How Nicole Got Into (and Out of) Credit Card Debt 25:51 Avalanche vs. Snowball: Which Debt Payoff Method Wins? 28:09 The Shame Cycle Keeping People Stuck in Debt 29:18 The Debt Game: What’s Worth It? 34:35 Investing in Your 20s: Nicole's Biggest Regret 36:27 Nicole's Daughter's Investment Portfolio 37:15 HSAs, 401(k)s, and Where to Put Your Money First 38:39 How Do You Know If You're Rich? 41:26 Mark Cuban on How Money Can Make You Feel Poorer 42:34 Nicole's "Dumb" Question All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. 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.

June 3, 202612 min

How The Upcoming Fed Meeting Will Impact Your Wallet

The Federal Reserve hasn't been this dramatic in decades. Today, Nicole breaks down everything you need to know about the Fed and exactly what it means for your wallet. Nicole explains how the federal funds rate actually works, why it doesn't directly set your mortgage rate (but still absolutely affects it), and which accounts move immediately when the Fed acts. She unpacks the Fed's dual mandate, and shares her prediction for what Kevin Warsh will do. Check out Nicole's financial literacy course The Money School Find a Financial Advisor or Financial Coach from Nicole's company Private Wealth Collective Watch video clips from the pod on Money Rehab's Instagram and Nicole Lapin's Instagram Open a high yield savings account with SoFi at sofi.com/mnn Here's what Nicole covers today: 00:00 Are You Ready for Some Money Rehab? 00:15 Why the Fed Is Bringing the Drama Right Now 00:57 What the Federal Funds Rate Actually Is 01:33 How Banks Borrow From Each Other Overnight 02:01 How the Fed Rate Affects You (And What It Doesn't) 02:21 High Yield Savings Accounts and the Fed 02:39 The Fed's Dual Mandate: Inflation vs. Unemployment 03:36 Where Inflation Stands Right Now 04:04 Inside the FOMC: How Rate Decisions Are Made 04:19 Meet the New Fed Chair: Kevin Warsh 04:49 Hawks vs. Doves Explained 05:08 Trump vs. The Fed: The Political Pressure 05:14 Austan Goolsbee Takes Us Inside the Room 07:30 Internal Dissent at the Fed: Not Seen in 30 Years 07:57 What to Expect from Markets on June 17th 08:53 Nicole's Prediction: Will Warsh Cut or Hold? 09:29 Tip You Can Take Straight to the Bank: High Yield Savings All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. 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.

June 1, 202649 min

Flying Limes In From Different Countries and $5K Crab: What Life Is Really Like as a Luxury Travel Agent with Olivia Ferney

Olivia Ferney (@travelwithlivii) is the luxury travel agent to the ultra-wealthy, booking private jets, superyachts, and six-figure vacations for some of the richest people on earth. Today, she pulls back the velvet rope on what it's actually like inside that world. If you’re trying to meet a billionaire client or investor, Liv tells you where they’re hanging out. Liv tells Nicole the most outrageous client requests she's received, why saying "I have no budget" is the biggest red flag a client can send, and what to say to get a hotel upgrade. She also gets real about how working with billionaires has warped her own relationship with money, and the softer lessons she's taken away about what money actually can and can't fix. Plus: the Instagram-famous destinations she'd never recommend, where billionaires are actually traveling right now, and the shoulder season hack anyone can use to save real money on their next trip. Check out Nicole's financial literacy course The Money School Find a Financial Advisor or Financial Coach from Nicole's company Private Wealth Collective Watch video clips from the pod on Money Rehab's Instagram and Nicole Lapin's Instagram Follow Travel with Livii learn more about Top Tier Travel Here's what Nicole covers with Olivia: 00:00 Are You Ready for Some Money Rehab? 02:15 Selling Her First Company at 21 and Moving to Miami 04:49 The Travel Agent Business Model 07:23 Flying Limes From Different Countries and Other Crazy Client Requests 09:36 What Clients Think About the Viral Videos 14:00 Are the Stereotypes About “New Money” True? 20:43 "Rich People F***ing Love a Refund" 22:44 Do Billionaires Have Budgets? 25:18 Overrated Destinations, Best Hotels, and Most Expensive Room Service 28:30 Where Billionaires Are Traveling Right Now 32:26 How to Get a Free Hotel Upgrade 39:16 How Working With Billionaires Changes Your Money Mindset 43:07 Rich and Depressed Is Still Depressed 45:30 Prenups, Working With Your Partner, and Wedding Plans 46:49 Liv’s Tip You Can Take Straight to the Bank

May 25, 20261 hr 28 min

FBI Hostage Negotiator Chris Voss on How to Get a Raise, a Better Job Offer, and Everything Else You Want

Chris Voss spent two decades at the FBI and became the Bureau’s lead kidnapping negotiator. Today he sits down with Nicole to teach you how to leverage the same psychological tactics to get the salary you want. Chris and Nicole break down exactly what to say to get a raise, how to walk into a new job offer and negotiate without burning bridges, and how to get people to want to pay you more. Chris reveals why finding “common ground” is actually a recipe for resentment, why throwing out a number first can kill a deal, and the three conflict types — fight, flight, and make friends — that explain how almost every deal goes sideways. Then Nicole and Chris get into why remote work might be quietly tanking your career, an analysis of President Trump’s negotiation style and The Art of the Deal, plus the two lines of code planted in your head before age five that drive everything you do with money, work, and relationships. Finally, because Nicole had to ask, Chris explains what you should say if you’re ever in a hostage situation. Check out Nicole's financial literacy course The Money School Find a Financial Advisor or Financial Coach from Nicole's company Private Wealth Collective Watch video clips from the pod on Money Rehab's Instagram and Nicole Lapin's Instagram Check out Nicole’s Favorite Chris Voss Book “Never Split the Difference” Learn More About The Black Swan Method Here's what Nicole covers with Chris: 00:00 Are You Ready for Some Money Rehab? 01:00 Why Splitting the Difference Builds Resentment 03:19 The Myth of “Common Ground” 06:57 Stories From Being the Lead Hostage Negotiator For the FBI 07:51 How to Get Your Boss to Want to Pay You More 16:00 The Mistake of Getting Too Personal 18:51 What Should You Say If You’re a Hostage? 19:19 In A Raise Negotiation, Should You Bring Up a Competing Offer? 22:19 Is Body Language Really Important? 27:12 Does Chris Voss Get Nervous While Negotiating? 28:36 Negotiation Role Play and the Script For Getting a Raise 30:31 Should You Throw Out a Number First? 32:25 Don’t Ask “How Can I Help?” 42:15 Negotiating Non-Monetary Perks (Remote Work, Vacation Time, and More)43:06 Chris’ Take on Remote Work: It Makes You a C-Player 47:31 How to Use Empathy in a Negotiation 48:00 Why Being Playful Makes You 31% Smarter 50:20 The Three Conflict Types and Why Deals Die 59:00 Analyzing Donald Trump’s Negotiation Style 01:08:51 Debunking Negotiation Myths 01:16:00 Rating Deal-Making Cliches 01:18:13 How To Get Inside Someone’s Head 01:22:38 How Your Upbringing Influences Your Negotiation Skills 01:25:47 Chris Voss's Tip You Can Take Straight to the Bank

May 18, 202649 min

Allison Ellsworth Sold Poppi for $2 Billion. Here's What Happened Next.

Allison Ellsworth built Poppi from a homemade prebiotic soda to a $2 billion brand acquired by Pepsi… but you already know that. Today, Allison talks about what happens afterward, and how to follow-up a successful first act. Allison opens up about the unexpected grief of letting go of a company that was her identity, and the pressure of building a new company after a successful exit. She also digs into advice for anyone who has a different money mindset than their spouse, and how to find common ground. Plus, Allison shares how she’s talking to her three young kids about money and work— and why her kids waving her off with "Have fun, Mom" is her greatest parenting win. Check out Nicole's financial literacy course The Money School Find a Financial Advisor or Financial Coach from Nicole's company Private Wealth Collective Watch video clips from the pod on Money Rehab's Instagram and Nicole Lapin's Instagram Keep up with Allison on Instagram and TikTok Here's what Nicole covers with Allison: 00:00 Are You Ready for Some Money Rehab? 01:10 When the Wire Hit 03:20 What People Get Wrong About "Billionaire" Headlines 04:15 The $50K Investment That Went Bankrupt Overnight 05:50 What Skills Transfer From Running a Company to Managing Wealth (And What Don't) 07:30 Running Your Personal Finances Like a Business 09:00 The Grief Nobody Warns Founders About 11:05 Separating Your Identity From Your Company 13:00 Founder-Led Content and What's Coming Next in Brand Building 15:20 Building the Second Company Differently 17:40 Self-Funding vs. Taking on Investors 19:30 The Emotional Payoff of Returning Money to Early Investors 21:45 Making 44 People Millionaires 22:00 Lessons From Being a Shark on Shark Tank 23:30 Female Founders, Mom Guilt, and "Spreadsheets in the Bedsheets" 26:40 Opposite Money Mindsets in a Marriage 31:30 Why Allison Has No “Fear Gene” 33:30 Raising Kids With Money Values 36:55 How to Talk to Your Kids About Work Without Losing Them 39:00 Buying Back Time 41:00 Secure the Bag 45:25 Allison Ellsworth's Tip You Can Take Straight to the Bank

May 11, 20261 hr 6 min

Real Estate Agent Glennda Baker on Finding Deals in This Market, Why Divorce Can Leave You “House Poor,” and the $47 Trillion Reason You Can't Buy a Home Right Now

Glennda Baker has been a real estate broker for decades, built a massive social media following teaching everyday people how to buy and sell smart, and learned some of the biggest money lessons the hard way… including a divorce where her ex looked her in the face and called her a "cash cow." Today, she joins Nicole to share what she knows about protecting your wealth, winning in today's housing market, and building real estate into generational wealth. Glennda gets raw about her own financial trauma: the manipulation she didn't see coming in her marriage, the moment she was evicted to a vacant rental with her son and hit rock bottom, and why she will never get married again. She explains exactly how divorce hits women differently than men, including a hidden math problem most people miss when splitting a house at today's interest rates. Then Nicole and Glennda get into the real estate playbook. They fact-check the viral real estate advice flooding your feed, from writing letters to homeowners to get off-market deals, to using a HELOC for a down payment, to buying property through individual LLCs. Glennda also makes her case for why buying a house for your kid beats a 529, why private equity is keeping Bobby and Susie off the property ladder, and the one negotiation move every buyer should make at closing. Check out Nicole's financial literacy course The Money School Find a Financial Advisor or Financial Coach from Nicole's company Private Wealth Collective Watch video clips from the pod on Money Rehab's Instagram and Nicole Lapin's Instagram Follow Glennda on TikTok and Instagram Here's what Nicole covers with Glennda: 00:00 Are You Ready for Some Money Rehab? 01:21 Glennda's Origin Story 03:33 Should You Put Your Spouse's Name on Your House? 06:22 Prenups, Postnups, and Why Everyone Already Has One 07:03 Why Glennda Will Never Get Married Again 08:11 How Divorce Hits Women Differently 09:29 The Hidden Math Problem When Splitting a House 11:43 Glennda’s Money Trauma 17:09 Buying a House Together: What Needs to Be in Writing 20:19 Trusts vs. Putting the House in Your Kid's Name 24:30 Why Glennda Would Rather Buy a House Than Fund a 529 26:35 Real Estate vs. the Stock Market 28:09 Glennda and Nicole Play TikTok Trend or Truth? 38:13 The $47 Trillion Boomer Equity Problem 40:02 The Starter Home Myth 42:00 What Budget Do You Actually Need? 48:52 How Private Equity Is Locking Out Everyday Buyers 52:43 A Hard Look at Affordability 55:00 The 7 Ds of Real Estate 59:33 Closing Cost Strategy 01:03:03 Glennda Baker's Tip You Can Take Straight to the Bank All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. 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.

May 6, 202611 min

Nicole Opened These 3 Accounts for Her 1-Year-Old. Here's Why.

Today, Nicole unpacks the exact accounts she opened for her daughter, the math that makes starting early almost unfair, and the money script she's determined to rewrite for the next generation. Whether you have a newborn, a teenager, or you're realizing you wish someone had done this for you, this episode is a blueprint. Nicole breaks down how a 529 plan is far more flexible than most parents realize, why a custodial brokerage account is less about returns and more about teaching kids that money grows quietly in the background, and why a retirement account for a one-year-old is not as insane as it sounds — it's one of the most powerful financial moves a parent can make. Check out Nicole's financial literacy course The Money School Find a Financial Advisor or Financial Coach from Nicole's company Private Wealth Collective Watch video clips from the pod on Money Rehab's Instagram and Nicole Lapin's Instagram Here's what Nicole covers today: 00:00 Are You Ready for Some Money Rehab? 01:13 529 Plans: More Flexible Than You Think 02:02 The Math on Starting Early vs. Waiting 02:51 Super Funding: The IRS Loophole Most Parents Miss 03:31 Lump Sum vs. Monthly: The Numbers That Will Shock You 04:00 How to Shop for the Best 529 Plan 04:17 Custodial Brokerage Accounts Explained 05:00 The Financial Aid Trade-Off 05:41 Why Nicole Really Opened This Account for Her Daughter 05:56 The Custodial Roth IRA (Yes, for a 1-Year-Old) 07:00 The Number That Changes Everything 08:00 Roth IRAs and Financial Aid: The Cleaner Vehicle 08:21 Rewriting the Money Script 09:00 Tip You Can Take Straight to the Bank All investing involves risk, including loss of principal. This episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions.

May 4, 202647 min

Are Birkins Better Investments Than the Stock Market? The Truth About Luxury Investing with Dana Auslander

You’ve probably seen the headlines about luxury investments outperforming the stock market… but is that actually true? And more importantly, is this a game only for millionaires, or is there a way for the rest of us to get in on it too? Today, Nicole is joined by Dana Auslander, former Blackstone executive and founder of Luxus, a luxury alternative asset manager with the first dedicated Hermès Birkin fund. In this conversation, Dana unpacks the viral headlines, why her investment thesis puts Hermès bags ahead of other luxury brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton, and how to invest in a Birkin without buying a Birkin. Then, Nicole and Dana zoom out and explain what the luxury investment trends mean for retail investors, how the macroeconomy impacts luxury investments, and what the counterfeiting problem could mean for the whole market. Then, Dana goes beyond bags and rates watches, art, wine, and jewelry as alternative investments. Check out Nicole's financial literacy course The Money School Find a Financial Advisor or Financial Coach from Nicole's company Private Wealth Collective Watch video clips from the pod on Money Rehab's Instagram and Nicole Lapin's Instagram Follow Luxus and learn more about the Birkin Fund Here's what Nicole covers with Dana: 00:00 Are You Ready for Some Money Rehab? 01:27 Are Birkins Actually Better Than the S&P 500? 02:00 What Is a Veblen Good — and Why It Matters 04:06 How Much Is a Birkin, Really? 04:29 The Secret to Getting One From Hermès 05:21 Manufactured Scarcity: How Hermès Controls Demand 06:12 The Rise of the Secondary Market 07:35 Gross vs. Net Returns: What the Charts Don't Show You 09:24 Jane Birkin's Bag Sold for $10.8 Million — Dana Was There 13:00 Is Chanel Actually Investment-Grade? 14:00 Birkin vs. Stock Market: Where Should You Put Your Money? 16:38 How the Luxus Fund Works 21:00 How to Invest Without Buying a Birkin 23:36 Sourcing Bags Through Private Dealer Networks 27:15 Storing, Authenticating, and Selling the Bags 28:33 How to Become an Accredited Investor 30:07 Is Buying a Birkin a Proxy for Hermès Stock? 32:20 The K-Shaped Economy and Luxury Demand 35:10 The Counterfeit Problem Is Getting Scary 38:18 Luxury Investment Ratings: Watches, Art, Wine, Jewelry 43:05 Secure the Bag: Financial Literacy for Women All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. 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.