Ever wondered if saving your first $100K is actually doable—or just another financial fairy tale? I’m Tori Dunlap, founder of Her First $100K and host of the Financial Feminist podcast, and in this special replay episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on real-world steps for building tangible wealth and saving money on everything—starting with building an emergency fund, to paying off debt, investing, and automation. We also get into why your mindset matters just as much as the numbers, and how a supportive community can make or break your progress toward that six-figure milestone. Tune in to learn how to get YOUR first $100K in 2026.
Visit <a href="http://herfirst100k.com/ffpod">https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod</a> to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!
00:00 Intro &amp; Welcome 02:15 What is “Your First $100K”? 05:07 Personal Finance is Personal 07:49 Step 1: Build an Emergency Fund 11:19 Step 2: Pay Off High-Interest Debt 15:11 Step 3: Let Your Money Work for You 19:40 Step 4: Automate Your Savings 22:30 Step 5: Don’t Do It Alone 24:53 Final Motivation &amp; Takeaways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

<description>Ever wondered if saving your first $100K is actually doable—or just another financial fairy tale? I’m Tori Dunlap, founder of Her First $100K and host of the Financial Feminist podcast, and in this special replay episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on real-world steps for building tangible wealth and saving money on everything—starting with building an emergency fund, to paying off debt, investing, and automation. We also get into why your mindset matters just as much as the numbers, and how a supportive community can make or break your progress toward that six-figure milestone. Tune in to learn how to get YOUR first $100K in 2026.

Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!

00:00 Intro &amp; Welcome02:15 What is “Your First $100K”?05:07 Personal Finance is Personal07:49 Step 1: Build an Emergency Fund11:19 Step 2: Pay Off High-Interest Debt15:11 Step 3: Let Your Money Work for You19:40 Step 4: Automate Your Savings22:30 Step 5: Don’t Do It Alone24:53 Final Motivation &amp; Takeaways
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices</description>

I’m pulling back the curtain on real-world steps for building tangible wealth and saving money on everything.

Ever wondered if saving your first $100K is actually doable—or just another financial fairy tale? I’m Tori Dunlap, founder of Her First $100K and host of the Financial Feminist podcast, and in this special replay episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on real-world steps for building tangible wealth and saving money on everything—starting with building an emergency fund, to paying off debt, investing, and automation. We also get into why your mindset matters just as much as the numbers, and how a supportive community can make or break your progress toward that six-figure milestone. Tune in to learn how to get YOUR first $100K in 2026.

Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!

00:00 Intro & Welcome02:15 What is “Your First $100K”?05:07 Personal Finance is Personal07:49 Step 1: Build an Emergency Fund11:19 Step 2: Pay Off High-Interest Debt15:11 Step 3: Let Your Money Work for You19:40 Step 4: Automate Your Savings22:30 Step 5: Don’t Do It Alone24:53 Final Motivation & Takeaways
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How to Save Your First $100K (Best Of)

As we close out 2025, I know so many of us are ending the year exhausted, overwhelmed, and craving even the smallest spark of hope — and that’s exactly what today’s episode is here to give you. From the power of local community events to the healing magic of nature, art, or activism, this episode will give you simple, actionable ways to end 2025 feeling more hopeful (without the toxic positivity or wellness fluff). I’m sharing the real, tangible practices that have helped me reconnect with joy in a year that felt painfully heavy. 
Visit <a href="https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod">https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod</a> to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!
00:00 Intro
01:20 Shifting to Hope: Why It Matters
01:47 Tip 1: Go to a Community Event
02:59 Tip 2: Read a Fun Book
04:17 Tip 3: See Women Play Sports
06:39 Tip 4: Get Into Nature
08:14 Tip 5: Protest, Rally, or Activism from Home
10:49 Tip 6: Experience Art &amp; Live Performances
12:21 Tip 7: Run for Something &amp; Local Political Engagement
13:56 Tip 8: Do Something Alone
15:41 Tip 9: Volunteer &amp; Give Back
17:00 Closing Thoughts: Hope, Community, and Looking Ahead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

<description>As we close out 2025, I know so many of us are ending the year exhausted, overwhelmed, and craving even the smallest spark of hope — and that’s exactly what today’s episode is here to give you. From the power of local community events to the healing magic of nature, art, or activism, this episode will give you simple, actionable ways to end 2025 feeling more hopeful (without the toxic positivity or wellness fluff). I’m sharing the real, tangible practices that have helped me reconnect with joy in a year that felt painfully heavy. 

Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!

00:00 Intro

01:20 Shifting to Hope: Why It Matters

01:47 Tip 1: Go to a Community Event

02:59 Tip 2: Read a Fun Book

04:17 Tip 3: See Women Play Sports

06:39 Tip 4: Get Into Nature

08:14 Tip 5: Protest, Rally, or Activism from Home

10:49 Tip 6: Experience Art &amp; Live Performances

12:21 Tip 7: Run for Something &amp; Local Political Engagement

13:56 Tip 8: Do Something Alone

15:41 Tip 9: Volunteer &amp; Give Back

17:00 Closing Thoughts: Hope, Community, and Looking Ahead
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices</description>

I’m sharing the real, tangible practices that have helped me reconnect with joy in a year that felt painfully heavy. 

As we close out 2025, I know so many of us are ending the year exhausted, overwhelmed, and craving even the smallest spark of hope — and that’s exactly what today’s episode is here to give you. From the power of local community events to the healing magic of nature, art, or activism, this episode will give you simple, actionable ways to end 2025 feeling more hopeful (without the toxic positivity or wellness fluff). I’m sharing the real, tangible practices that have helped me reconnect with joy in a year that felt painfully heavy. 

Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!

00:00 Intro

01:20 Shifting to Hope: Why It Matters

01:47 Tip 1: Go to a Community Event

02:59 Tip 2: Read a Fun Book

04:17 Tip 3: See Women Play Sports

06:39 Tip 4: Get Into Nature

08:14 Tip 5: Protest, Rally, or Activism from Home

10:49 Tip 6: Experience Art & Live Performances

12:21 Tip 7: Run for Something & Local Political Engagement

13:56 Tip 8: Do Something Alone

15:41 Tip 9: Volunteer & Give Back

17:00 Closing Thoughts: Hope, Community, and Looking Ahead
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

266. 9 Ways to Feel More Hopeful in 2026

Today’s episode of Financial Feminist is all about unlocking what I truly believe is the easiest money you will ever make — and yes, it’s as simple and lazy-girl-friendly as it sounds. I’m breaking down the one passive income strategy that requires zero extra hours, zero new skills, and absolutely zero stress: a high-yield savings account. If you’ve ever wished you could make money while taking a nap, running errands, or sipping a drink on the beach, this episode shows you exactly how to make your existing money work harder for you, without sacrificing your already-packed schedule.
 
Looking for a HYSA? We've done the research for you. See our partner recommendation (terms apply): <a href="https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod">⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod</a>
 
00:00 Intro 
01:14 The Problem with Checking Accounts
02:44 Why High-Yield Savings Accounts Matter
04:21 How to Set Up and Use a HYSA
08:44 The Power of Earning Interest
09:23 Using HYSA for Emergency Funds &amp; Goals
10:22 Overcoming Myths &amp; Fears
12:24 Making Money Passively
14:03 Is My Money Safe?
15:10 Final Thoughts &amp; How to Get Started
 Visit <a href="http://herfirst100k.com/ffpod">https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod</a> to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

<description>Today’s episode of Financial Feminist is all about unlocking what I truly believe is the easiest money you will ever make — and yes, it’s as simple and lazy-girl-friendly as it sounds. I’m breaking down the one passive income strategy that requires zero extra hours, zero new skills, and absolutely zero stress: a high-yield savings account. If you’ve ever wished you could make money while taking a nap, running errands, or sipping a drink on the beach, this episode shows you exactly how to make your existing money work harder for you, without sacrificing your already-packed schedule.



Looking for a HYSA? We've done the research for you. See our partner recommendation (terms apply): ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod



00:00 Intro 

01:14 The Problem with Checking Accounts

02:44 Why High-Yield Savings Accounts Matter

04:21 How to Set Up and Use a HYSA

08:44 The Power of Earning Interest

09:23 Using HYSA for Emergency Funds &amp; Goals

10:22 Overcoming Myths &amp; Fears

12:24 Making Money Passively

14:03 Is My Money Safe?

15:10 Final Thoughts &amp; How to Get Started

Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices</description>

I’m breaking down the one passive income strategy that requires zero extra hours, zero new skills, and absolutely zero stress: a high-yield savings account.

Today’s episode of Financial Feminist is all about unlocking what I truly believe is the easiest money you will ever make — and yes, it’s as simple and lazy-girl-friendly as it sounds. I’m breaking down the one passive income strategy that requires zero extra hours, zero new skills, and absolutely zero stress: a high-yield savings account. If you’ve ever wished you could make money while taking a nap, running errands, or sipping a drink on the beach, this episode shows you exactly how to make your existing money work harder for you, without sacrificing your already-packed schedule.



Looking for a HYSA? We've done the research for you. See our partner recommendation (terms apply): ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod



00:00 Intro 

01:14 The Problem with Checking Accounts

02:44 Why High-Yield Savings Accounts Matter

04:21 How to Set Up and Use a HYSA

08:44 The Power of Earning Interest

09:23 Using HYSA for Emergency Funds & Goals

10:22 Overcoming Myths & Fears

12:24 Making Money Passively

14:03 Is My Money Safe?

15:10 Final Thoughts & How to Get Started

Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lazy Girl Wealth: Make Money While You Sleep (Bonus)

What if pressing pause on your career was actually the smartest, most strategic move you could make? In today’s episode, I’m joined by Neha Ruch, author of The Power Pause, to challenge the myths we’ve all been fed about stay-at-home motherhood, caregiving, and career pauses. We dig into why our culture undervalues care work, how identity gets tangled up in motherhood, and what it actually looks like to take a pause. Whether you’re considering stepping back from work to raise kids, support aging parents, or simply regroup, Neha shares smart ways to protect your finances, keep your skills sharp, and eventually re-enter the workforce on your terms.
 
Neha’s links:Website: <a href="https://www.thepowerpause.com/">https://www.thepowerpause.com/</a> 
Visit <a href="http://herfirst100k.com/ffpod">⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠</a> to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!
 
00:00 Intro &amp; Identity and Career Breaks
01:06 Myths &amp; Stereotypes of Stay-at-Home Motherhood
04:13 The Financial Realities of Motherhood
08:21 Identity Shifts &amp; The Power Pause Concept
12:27 Making Career Pauses Temporary, Not Permanent
14:53 Building Skills &amp; Staying Connected During a Pause
21:56 Validation &amp; Measuring Success in Caregiving
28:11 Positioning a Career Pause on Your Resume
31:50 Financial Power Dynamics in Relationships
40:09 Elder Care vs. Child Care Pauses
47:04 Reentering the Workforce: Pitfalls &amp; Strategies
49:54 What Does a Successful Power Pause Look Like? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

<description>What if pressing pause on your career was actually the smartest, most strategic move you could make? In today’s episode, I’m joined by Neha Ruch, author of The Power Pause, to challenge the myths we’ve all been fed about stay-at-home motherhood, caregiving, and career pauses. We dig into why our culture undervalues care work, how identity gets tangled up in motherhood, and what it actually looks like to take a pause. Whether you’re considering stepping back from work to raise kids, support aging parents, or simply regroup, Neha shares smart ways to protect your finances, keep your skills sharp, and eventually re-enter the workforce on your terms.



Neha’s links:Website: https://www.thepowerpause.com/ 

Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!



00:00 Intro &amp; Identity and Career Breaks

01:06 Myths &amp; Stereotypes of Stay-at-Home Motherhood

04:13 The Financial Realities of Motherhood

08:21 Identity Shifts &amp; The Power Pause Concept

12:27 Making Career Pauses Temporary, Not Permanent

14:53 Building Skills &amp; Staying Connected During a Pause

21:56 Validation &amp; Measuring Success in Caregiving

28:11 Positioning a Career Pause on Your Resume

31:50 Financial Power Dynamics in Relationships

40:09 Elder Care vs. Child Care Pauses

47:04 Reentering the Workforce: Pitfalls &amp; Strategies

49:54 What Does a Successful Power Pause Look Like?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices</description>

We dig into why our culture undervalues care work, how identity gets tangled up in motherhood, and what it actually looks like to take a pause.

What if pressing pause on your career was actually the smartest, most strategic move you could make? In today’s episode, I’m joined by Neha Ruch, author of The Power Pause, to challenge the myths we’ve all been fed about stay-at-home motherhood, caregiving, and career pauses. We dig into why our culture undervalues care work, how identity gets tangled up in motherhood, and what it actually looks like to take a pause. Whether you’re considering stepping back from work to raise kids, support aging parents, or simply regroup, Neha shares smart ways to protect your finances, keep your skills sharp, and eventually re-enter the workforce on your terms.



Neha’s links:Website: https://www.thepowerpause.com/ 

Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!



00:00 Intro & Identity and Career Breaks

01:06 Myths & Stereotypes of Stay-at-Home Motherhood

04:13 The Financial Realities of Motherhood

08:21 Identity Shifts & The Power Pause Concept

12:27 Making Career Pauses Temporary, Not Permanent

14:53 Building Skills & Staying Connected During a Pause

21:56 Validation & Measuring Success in Caregiving

28:11 Positioning a Career Pause on Your Resume

31:50 Financial Power Dynamics in Relationships

40:09 Elder Care vs. Child Care Pauses

47:04 Reentering the Workforce: Pitfalls & Strategies

49:54 What Does a Successful Power Pause Look Like?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

265. How to Make a Career Pause Work for You — Not Against You (with Neha Ruch)

Today is the LAST day to get 50% off Stock Market School! Join now: <a href="https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod">https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod</a>
What happens when the life you’ve spent decades building shatters overnight? Today’s guest, Jen Hatmaker, joins me to talk about the moment everything collapsed—and how she rebuilt her identity, her faith, her confidence, and her finances from the ground up. In this deeply honest conversation, we explore what it means to wake up to your own power after betrayal, divorce, and a total life upheaval, and how taking control of your money can become the foundation for reclaiming every part of your story.
Jen’s links:
Book: <a href="https://jenhatmaker.com/awake/">https://jenhatmaker.com/awake/</a> 
Website: <a href="https://jenhatmaker.com/">https://jenhatmaker.com/</a>
 
Visit <a href="http://herfirst100k.com/ffpod">⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠</a> to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!
 
00:00 Intro
00:54 The Story We Tell Ourselves vs. Reality
02:04 The Moment Everything Changed
04:00 Why We Ignore Red Flags
06:36 The Cost of Disruption and Divorce
09:14 Money Reckoning After Divorce
12:07 Why Women Opt Out of Finances
15:19 The Emotional Labor of Money
17:22 The First 90 Days: Financial Overwhelm
20:06 Becoming Financially Literate
22:44 From Shame to Action
25:22 Taking Ownership and Finding Safety
28:22 The Cost of Self-Erasure
31:07 What Happens When Women Have Money
34:07 Deconstructing Faith and Identity
38:42 Finding New Definitions of Church
41:18 Advice for Anyone in Upheaval Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

<description>Today is the LAST day to get 50% off Stock Market School! Join now: https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod

What happens when the life you’ve spent decades building shatters overnight? Today’s guest, Jen Hatmaker, joins me to talk about the moment everything collapsed—and how she rebuilt her identity, her faith, her confidence, and her finances from the ground up. In this deeply honest conversation, we explore what it means to wake up to your own power after betrayal, divorce, and a total life upheaval, and how taking control of your money can become the foundation for reclaiming every part of your story.

Jen’s links:

Book: https://jenhatmaker.com/awake/ 

Website: https://jenhatmaker.com/



Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!



00:00 Intro

00:54 The Story We Tell Ourselves vs. Reality

02:04 The Moment Everything Changed

04:00 Why We Ignore Red Flags

06:36 The Cost of Disruption and Divorce

09:14 Money Reckoning After Divorce

12:07 Why Women Opt Out of Finances

15:19 The Emotional Labor of Money

17:22 The First 90 Days: Financial Overwhelm

20:06 Becoming Financially Literate

22:44 From Shame to Action

25:22 Taking Ownership and Finding Safety

28:22 The Cost of Self-Erasure

31:07 What Happens When Women Have Money

34:07 Deconstructing Faith and Identity

38:42 Finding New Definitions of Church

41:18 Advice for Anyone in Upheaval
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices</description>

A powerful conversation about rebuilding your identity, confidence, and financial independence after betrayal.

Today is the LAST day to get 50% off Stock Market School! Join now: https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod

What happens when the life you’ve spent decades building shatters overnight? Today’s guest, Jen Hatmaker, joins me to talk about the moment everything collapsed—and how she rebuilt her identity, her faith, her confidence, and her finances from the ground up. In this deeply honest conversation, we explore what it means to wake up to your own power after betrayal, divorce, and a total life upheaval, and how taking control of your money can become the foundation for reclaiming every part of your story.

Jen’s links:

Book: https://jenhatmaker.com/awake/ 

Website: https://jenhatmaker.com/



Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!



00:00 Intro

00:54 The Story We Tell Ourselves vs. Reality

02:04 The Moment Everything Changed

04:00 Why We Ignore Red Flags

06:36 The Cost of Disruption and Divorce

09:14 Money Reckoning After Divorce

12:07 Why Women Opt Out of Finances

15:19 The Emotional Labor of Money

17:22 The First 90 Days: Financial Overwhelm

20:06 Becoming Financially Literate

22:44 From Shame to Action

25:22 Taking Ownership and Finding Safety

28:22 The Cost of Self-Erasure

31:07 What Happens When Women Have Money

34:07 Deconstructing Faith and Identity

38:42 Finding New Definitions of Church

41:18 Advice for Anyone in Upheaval
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

264. How to Reclaim Your Power (and Your Finances) After Everything Falls Apart with Jen Hatmaker

Fight the patriarchy. Get Rich.™ 

Join money expert Tori Dunlap every Tuesday as she guides you on how to make more, spend less, and feel financially confident in a world run by rich white men. Through solo episodes and special guest interviews, you’ll walk away with resources to get, save, and grow money to gain financial freedom and kick some patriarchal ass at the same time.

Financial Feminist

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