Financial Feminist

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

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

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

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

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