HerMoney with Jean Chatzky

Keep it simple. A mantra I share with my friend and makeup maven Bobbi Brown, who literally changed the face of cosmetics when she launched Bobbi Brown Essentials over 25 years ago with her barely-there makeup message of confidence. Bobbi recently left her company to embark on her next chapter (which includes curated shops in Lord & Taylor, launching a boutique hotel and the new book "Beauty from the Inside Out"). We talk confidence, business savvy and how to use makeup to enhance your self-esteem — not cover up your insecurities. Then, Kelly and I break down the difference between index funds and ETFs, and whether your teen's summer job impacts the FAFSA. We love hearing from you. Please share us with your friends and leave us a review.

We're at the halfway mark of 2017, making it a fine time to check in on the resolutions, or goals, you made for yourself at the start of the year. Did you just grimace? Don’t feel bad if they went by the wayside. This week we're talking with The Wharton School's Katy Milkman. Her research uses big data to explain why changing our behaviors can be so difficult, and — best of all — how to finally make the changes we want for good. In Mailbag, we answer your questions on how to prioritize savings with credit card debt, what to do with old 403(b) accounts and how to handle those sometimes-pricey hobbies for kids. And finally, how many items do you think you have in your home? You might be surprised to hear the average. In Thrive, we talk about how to find free money by turning some of that clutter into cash. Hope you had a great 4th!

Think you have a great idea but hate the idea of asking family, friends and strangers for money? Meet The Crowdsourceress: Alex Daly. She discovered she was so good at helping other people use crowdfunding to bankroll their businesses, creative ideas and charitable campaigns that she turned it into a business. We got her to pull back the curtain on her secrets. Then, Kelly and I answer your questions about balancing family goals and a newborn — and aligning your investments with your personal values. And are you guilty of the occasional sip and click? We are too — but we got over it. So can you.

You know my pal David Bach, author of (newly updated and expanded bestseller) The Automatic Millionaire, from his years of giving great financial advice. What you don't know is that he just came back from an 18-month sabbatical where he realigned his priorities and even learned to meditate. We hone in on the power of all three — automation, meditation and sabbaticals — and how they can lead to a richer life. Then, Kelly and I answer your questions on pet insurance, discuss the case for renting versus buying and talk through what to do with your tax refund. Leave us a review, tell us what you think and send us your questions at JeanChatzky.com.

You think the ranks of women rising in corporate America are thin? Take a look at the Marine Corps, where fewer than 7.6 percent are women — and far fewer are in leadership roles. Angie Morgan, Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps and author of "Spark: How to Lead Yourself and Others to Greater Success," is here to help us change that. We dig into whether you're spending so much time helping others that you're holding back your own growth (ummm, yes), letting go of the things you cannot control and how confidence can be an emotion that gets your head straight. Then, Kelly and I talk college savings plans and kid-preneurs. Plus, did you miss our special mailbag episode? Check it out — it's Bonus Mailbag #1.

The HerMoney Mailbag is overflowing and we LOVE it. But we HATE only being able to get to a few questions in each episode. So, here's something NEW: A Mailbag Bonus. In this episode, we answer your questions on student loans, Roth IRAs, investing for the self-employed, married couples balancing contributions to 401(k) plans, how to manage your spending when you're planning to live until 99 years old (you, go!) and more. Please let us know what you think about this concept. If you like it, we'll do more. xox, Jean and Kelly

This week, we've got a ramen-to-riches story for you. Kyle Taylor, founder and CEO of The Penny Hoarder (a booming personal finance site) had a spending addiction and could not, would not, ask his parents to bail him out one more time. So he started gigging (i.e. beer auditing, movie preview auditor). Then he started blogging about how you could do the same. And that blog has now become big business. If you've ever wanted to earn some extra money on the side — or write (profitably) about your passion, we've got the skinny. Plus, Kelly and I answer your questions on inheritance, saving for a down payment and retirement planning for the self-employed. And, finally, meet Hayden Field from the HerMoney team! Hayden explains the money-saving art of app stacking. As always, please share us with your girlfriends and leave us a review.

Politics, sex, religion or money: Which of these topics is most likely to make you uncomfortable if it came up at a dinner party? For many, the answer is money. It's one of the reasons why we started this podcast and one of the reasons why YouTuber Gaby Dunn started hers, Bad With Money. She's here this week to discuss her (former) bad habits, I discuss mine and then we talk strategies for bettering your personal relationship with money. Then, Kelly and I tackle your questions on homeowners insurance, emergency funds and what to do with work bonuses. Plus, is patience the key to wealth and health? We'll discuss. As always, please tell us what you think and share us with your friends.

Two personal finance nerds walk into a bar... If you think you know how this conversation goes, you're wrong. Jill Schlesinger — who does what I do on CBS and hosts the "Better Off" podcast — and I break it all down: markets, investing, health care and why it's all more important to get right if you're a woman. Then, Kelly pops in, and we tackle your questions about consolidating debt and what to do with a windfall. Plus, there are changes coming to your credit score. Please take a few moments to take our survey (http://bit.ly/2oI9SPk), and leave us a question while you're there.

It only takes a one-night stay in the hospital to understand how healthcare has become a $3 trillion industry in the US. Even getting lab work done out-of-network can put this into perspective. And don't even get us started on prescription drug costs. Help is here in the form of Dr. Elisabeth Rosenthal, author of the new bestseller: An American Sickness: How Healthcare Became Big Business and How You Can Take It Back. Then, Kelly and I talk about choosing the best credit card, financial planning for single women and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Please take a few minutes to give us your feedback and take our HerMoney survey (http://bit.ly/2oI9SPk).

Good wife, good mother, good daughter, good sister, good friend, good worker. Isn't enough enough already? The inspiring Tiffany Dufu, author of the new memoir and manifesto, "Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less," says yes. You really don't need to do it all. She gracefully guides us to uncover what matters most, to let go of those unrealistic expectations and to balance your best self. Then, Kelly and I tackle your questions about credit score changes and when to see a financial planner. And we encourage you to monotask! Yes, doing just one thing at a time is a healthy challenge. Thank you for your questions. Please share us with your friends (http://apple.co/1Sb1OCo) and leave us a review!

Are you sitting on a business idea that's always been your dream? Turn it into a reality with this week's guest, Christy Wright. She's a certified business coach, Dave Ramsey Personality and author of the new book Business Boutique: A Woman's Guide for Making Money Doing What She Loves. Then, we have a very special Mailbag this week with my friend Joe Saul-Sehy, host of the Stacking Benjamins podcast. He joins us to tackle your questions about investing on a dime, pulling together a down payment for a first home and high-interest savings accounts. And whether you're a city mouse or a suburban one, we give you three pointers on whether it's better to rent or buy. Please take our survey (http://bit.ly/2oI9SPk) and leave us a review on iTunes.

At Stanford University, students wait in line for rock star professor Bill Burnett's course-turned-bestseller, Designing Your Life. You don't have to. He's here to share the principles of the course and his best-selling book (subtitled: How To Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life). Burnett says that if you want to live the life you want — and improve your relationships at home and at work — you have to face your problems head on, including the money ones. By the end of the interview, we were all ready to go back to school. Then, Kelly and I tackle your questions about negotiating top dollar at work, investing beyond your 401(k) and — because here comes wedding season — whether you need a prenup. Please take our listener survey: http://bit.ly/2oI9SPk

Calling all broke millennials: This week we have Erin Lowry, millennial personal finance expert, blogger and author of the upcoming book Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping By and Get Your Financial Life Together. She's here to help you set your priorities straight, confront the "B" word (ahem, budget) and tackle your debts. For a chance to get your hands on a copy of her new book, write us and tell us why you need it. Then, Kelly and I tackle your questions on how to use credit card points, how to stay sane during rocky markets and where to go for financial news and advice (other than HerMoney, of course). And finally, we have important news on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Keep those questions coming, and please leave us a review.

Congratulations! After a year spent applying to colleges, your brilliant offspring has landed. Unfortunately, so has the tuition bill. Don't panic — we've brought in financial aid expert Kelly Peeler to help you parse those maddeningly complex financial aid offers (and tell you how to negotiate for more). Then, Kelly and I turn to your questions on investing when starting your first adult job, medical school debt, target date funds, buying your first home and more. Thanks for the great questions. Please keep 'em coming!