Ways to Means

About Ways to Means

Welcome to Ways to Means, a personal finance podcast promoting financial empowerment through amateur inquiry and unfiltered conversations. We believe financial empowerment is a collective effort and we learn best by sharing personal experiences with each other. Join us as we talk about all things money.

Publisher

Hannah Morgan & Susanna Ronalds-Hannon

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

22 Sept 2021

Latest episode

16 Feb 2023

Latest episodes

18 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   16 Feb 2023

   18. Goodbye for Now!

   Welcome to our last episode! Join us as we reflect on our lives since starting Ways to Means and particularly how our decisions and milestones have been influenced by the podcast. We look back on our favorite moments and lessons learned. Thanks to all our listeners for being a part of this experience. We learned so much and we hope you did too.

2. 

   27 Dec 2022

   17. Year End Tax Tips!

   Welcome to our last episode of Ways to Means for 2022! Today we are counting down to midnight with our top ten tax tips to help you maximize your finances ahead of the 2023 tax season. There are plenty of things you can do RIGHT NOW before the end of the year to reduce how much you pay in taxes for 2022. And if you don’t have time to get to them all, you can set your new years resolution to make 2023 your best tax year yet. Mentioned in this episode: Renting residential and vacation property: https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc415 (https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc415) Tax Policy Center’s marriage calculator: https://urbn.is/3FVxsle To find out if your state has a program through which you can deduct or gain a tax credit for qualified gifts, check out: https://www.uscharitablegifttrust.org/tax-treatment-of-charitable-contributions.php

3. 

   8 Dec 2022

   16. Abortion Funds Post Dobbs: Beyond Personal Finance

   In today’s episode, we welcome Tannis Fuller, the co-director of the Blue Ridge Abortion Fund which we often refer to as BRAF throughout the episode. BRAF provides support for people seeking abortions including covering costs of the procedure, travel, childcare and more. They serve central Virginia, which includes the Charlottesville area and are members of the National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF), a membership organization of over 76 funds across the United States. This summer, the Supreme Court ruling, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization functionally overturned Roe v. Wade which has been protecting a woman’s right to an abortion since 1973. In light of this decision, many states have outlawed or severely restricted abortion, which means the demand on abortion funds in abortion-protected states such as Virginia is only growing as more women must travel to see these services. We are so grateful to Tannis Fuller and all the amazing people at Blue Ridge Abortion Fund who provide this critical support for women seeking abortion. If you are moved by today’s content and the work BRAF does, please visit their website at blueridgeabortionfund.org and sign up to be a monthly sustaining donor right now. And don’t forget to also share this on social media and talk to the people in your life about abortion. Thank you for being a part of this important work and service to our community. https://blueridgeabortionfund.org/

4. 

   3 Nov 2022

   15. Negotiation

   On today’s episode we are talking to three different people who embraced the power of negotiation. From moving industries and negotiating salary increases to buying a house for under asking in one of the hottest real estate markets in the country, they’re going to show us everything is negotiable! Our guests are Kim Tran, Alyssa Cardin, and Ashley Suzanne. Kim Tran (@yourworkinspires on instagram), offers 1:1 career and leadership coaching.

5. 

   21 Jun 2022

   14. Money Mindset Minisode

   In today’s episode, we zoom out to talk philosophically about money and how it makes us feel. We talk about two articles from the Atlantic, called “What you’re really worried about when you’re worried about money,” and another article “who actually feels satisfied about money?” In these articles we explore peoples’ relative perception of wealth, the correlation between money and happiness, and what we can do to ease our money related anxieties. Who can name the Friends episode our episode title is referencing? "What you're really worried about when you're worried about money," (https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2021/12/worry-money-maslow-hierarchy-needs/620950/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cr&utm_campaign=The+Atlantic+-+General+Content+Promotion&utm_term=The+Atlantic+-+What+You%E2%80%99re+Really+Worried+About+-+Left+Leaning+++High+Income/Education&utm_content=The+Atlantic+-+What+You%E2%80%99re+Really+Worried+About+-+Left+Leaning+++High+Income/Education+-+Other+Anxieties&fbclid=IwAR2x9e6L48AKngtZZmfYMofEUy-PgOW4mBT4Ywd4W80hhUpvY7PXweoPPmo_aem_AZ3e1kQH9jmzQjX3XMAc7OwdHYVhY51PIN2zTJjt55nb7IwASLRhZnLJ9hRhbbF2yuIB_Q5isOIni__vMkcUh0IH-FunSOFM04udcTNfPmVtuIsiy9VwKFAXHf7ae_C1bKY) Arthur C. Brooks "Who actually feels satisfied about money?" (https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2019/07/who-feels-rich/594439/) Joe Pinsker

6. 

   13 Apr 2022

   13. Design Psychology and Ethics in Personal Finance

   On today’s episode, we speak with Jes Koepfler, the Head of Client Experience Research for Vanguard's Retail Division. Vanguard is a registered investment advisor that has been around since 1975. The company is known for its four core principles Define clear goals, invest with balance and diversification, minimize cost, and stay disciplined over the long term. The founder of Vanguard, Jack Bogle, is also known for starting the first index fund, which we discuss in our stock market primer episode. We talk to Jes about what it means to design for the user, how design can cue users to take certain actions, and how the corporate philosophy is embodied in the Vanguard website design and ultimately, the experience of the user. Jes also talks about how her professional experiences have informed how she manages her personal finances.

7. 

   26 Mar 2022

   12. Taysha Runs for Congress in Virginia's 9th District

   In this episode, we speak with Taysha Devaughan, an activist and resident of Wise county, Virginia, about her decision to run for US congress in Virginia’s 9th district. We discuss her motivations for running, her vision for her community, and the practical considerations involved with mounting a campaign while working full time and running a household. Mentioned in the episode: Appalachian Community Fund (https://appalachiancommunityfund.org/) Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards (https://www.samsva.org/) Rural GroundGame (https://www.ruralgroundgame.org/)

8. 

   2 Mar 2022

   11. Max, the New Orleans Musician

   This week Susanna is in New Orleans for Mardi Gras so we caught up with a friend of hers, Max, who is a full time professional gig musician playing upright bass with different groups and at different venues across the city. As he explains, he and his peers are holdouts, operating as part of a cash-based industry in an increasingly cashless economy. He’s also self-employed, earning uncertain income that fluctuates according to erratic impacts to demand, such as covid. We talk to him about how he secures gigs, navigates a unique compensation structure, and how he approaches things like healthcare and taxes.

9. 

   2 Feb 2022

   10. Rent vs Own

   This week, we continue talking about home ownership and compare the financial impact of renting vs owning a home. We talk through common costs and benefits to home ownership, the average US homebuyer and home purchase, how local markets should affect your decision, and how policy and structural forces influence who benefits most. Sources: “Is Buying a Home a Good Investment? (https://www.betterment.com/resources/buying-home-good-investment)” Nick Holeman, CFP “Millenials Should Be Happy They are Stuck Renting,” Gary Shilling (paywall) “Where to Buy: Price-to-Rent Ratio in 84 U.S. Cities (https://smartasset.com/mortgage/price-to-rent-ratio-in-us-cities),” Nice Wallace “OK Boomer: Renting is Better than Owning (https://alawyerandhermoney.com/renting-is-better-than-owning/?fbclid=IwAR0SIgEBhc3BKUoALruDKMLbEAjXy4HBxr5-vLINKz3OLzcdr9QHEej3iU4&amp),” A Lawyer and Her Money: Financial Freedom for Female Lawyers Blog. “Is There an Upside to Renting? (https://www.schwab.com/resource-center/insights/content/is-there-upside-to-renting)” Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz

10. 

    19 Jan 2022

    9. Lou Buys Her First House

    This week, our mutual friend Lou joined us on the podcast to discuss her recent first time home buying experience. We talked to her about the process, from wishlist to loan closing, and captured the good the bad and the ugly of searching for a home during this hot stretch. It's been a seller's market lately, thanks in part to the pandemic creating some unpredictable demand patterns, so we wanted to learn some secrets from someone who has braved the frenzy. If you are a first time home buyer, or get sick pleasure out of tales from the pandemic home buying experience, this one's for you!

11. 

    5 Jan 2022

    8. Building and Rebuilding a Career as an Artist

    Pursuing a career in art and running your own business are two of the most insecure and challenging pursuits in the realm of personal finance. It’s a commitment that requires accepting uncertainty, persevering through setbacks, mental grit and a lot of hard work. Finding success on this path, therefore, is an impressive achievement that warrants celebration. On this episode, we talk with Jessica Wachter, an abstract expressionist artist based in Bismarck, North Dakota. Her pieces have been shown in public and private collections throughout the world and are her sole source of income. After years of uncertainty, setbacks and side gigs, Jessica says she’s living the life she once dreamed of as a professional artist We caught up with her to learn more about the journey of her career and the ins and outs of running of a business based off your art.

12. 

    22 Dec 2021

    7. Love it or Latte

    And now for something completely different! This week, Hannah and I decided to take a break from guests and get a little introspective. The way we cover personal finance topics on this podcast is influenced by our own money mindset, as our guest from last week, Walli, calls it. One thing we’ve made sure to emphasize is that we are not finance experts, but just as important is to expose our own biases, and be transparent about how our backgrounds and perspectives color our opinions here. This week, you get to know your hosts a little better, as Hannah and I ask each other questions about our upbringing and cover broad themes in personal finance with a few differently formatted segments. We have a lively debate about the “latte factor,” examine how we value purchases with a new game show segment, talk about the intersection of Marx and minimalism, and evaluate a series of famous quotes in the context of personal finance. In this episode we talk about “the latte factor,” a concept popularized by David Bach in his book The Latte Factor: Why You Don’t Have to be Rich to Live Rich” We also reference the book “the Longing for Less: Living with Minimalism” by Kyle Chayka The clip we sample about replacing your coffee with green tea is from the TikTok user @bearenger Hannah mentions Backstage Capital, a venture capital firm that invests in underestimated and underrepresented founders, and its founder Arlan Hamilton.

13. 

    8 Dec 2021

    6. Facilitating Financial Empowerment with Walli Miller

    Walli Miller is a financial coach from the Bronx who guides women towards financial wellness and freedom, and has made it her mission to help 25 women become the first millionaires in their families. She takes a holistic approach with her clients that includes helping them to understand how their mindset and attitudes affect their money management habits. In this episode, we talk about the difference between living within your means and building wealth, how to build generational wealth and mitigate the allure of materialism in younger generations, the importance of financial independence for women, and how knowledge is power for communities like hers that have had restricted access to political influence and wealth-building opportunities. In this episode we mention: Get Good With Money by Tiffany Aliche (the Budgetnista)

14. 

    24 Nov 2021

    5. Going Back to School

    A professional degree or accreditation is a huge factor that influences your personal financial outlook. In some industries, a masters degree comes with new job opportunities and wage premiums, and in others it doesn’t boost your earning potential at all. Getting an advanced degree means time spent not earning and money spent, not saved, so it’s a weighty decision. In this episode, Susanna does a retrospective, back-of-the-napkin cost-benefit analysis of her own masters degree, before we bring our guest Taylor on to talk about her decision to pursue an advanced degree in accounting. Taylor spent her early career working low wage jobs in a high cost city, and looking for jobs in a saturated field while slowly going into debt. She describes her moment of reckoning, how she found her way out of debt, into new-found confidence, and onto a career path that has already paid dividends.

15. 

    10 Nov 2021

    4. Stock Market Primer

    This week we are covering the stock market with an introductory primer tailored to the uninitiated and intrigued. Investing in the stock market can feel opaque and overwhelming, but it’s something anyone can learn and everyone should aim to understand when planning their long term finances. We’re no Gordon Gekko or Wolf of Wall Street, but you don’t have to be in order to enjoy the benefits of managing your money. Over the past few months, we have both sought to gain knowledge and confidence in investing, and we’re sharing what we’ve learned so far. If you think investing in the stock market means shouting orders into a dial-up phone a la Giovanni Ribisi in the Boiler room; if you think you ought to be investing in the stock market, but don’t know where to start; if you have a large or growing savings account and want to know why I’m telling you that’s not as good as it sounds; if you think you’re too old and it’s too late; or if you have found internet resources on the topic overwhelming, this episode is for you. In this episode we mention: - The Simple Path to Wealth: Your Road Map to Financial Independence and a Rich, Free Life by J.L. Collins - The Automatic Millionaire: A Powerful One-step Plan to Live and Finish Rich by David Bach

16. 

    27 Oct 2021

    3. Suzie's Sabbatical

    Susanna spent the first ten months of the pandemic transitioning a city's housing department to remote work and launching an emergency rental relief fund, while trying to keep existing projects on track and her sanity intact. She saw an opportunity to take an extended career break in early 2021 and she seized it. Learn how she financed her mid-career sabbatical and how it's going. At the top of the episode, Hannah mentions that Susanna’s sabbatical mirrors a broader trend among employees in the covid era. These are the sources that Hannah used for the statistics she shares in this segment: - https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2021/10/19/1047032996/why-are-so-many-americans-quitting-their-jobs (https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2021/10/19/1047032996/why-are-so-many-americans-quitting-their-jobs) - https://www.npr.org/2021/06/24/1007914455/as-the-pandemic-recedes-millions-of-workers-are-saying-i-quit (https://www.npr.org/2021/06/24/1007914455/as-the-pandemic-recedes-millions-of-workers-are-saying-i-quit)

17. 

    13 Oct 2021

    2. Amy's Approach to Lifestyle Optimization

    Amy is an optimizer, and she also knows how to pace herself. She approaches her lifestyle and personal finances by setting objectives and periodically reflecting on her progress towards them, an approach that also serves her well in her career as a product manager. She wants to enjoy her life along the way so she strives to balance her short and long term goals and to value joy as well as financial stability. In this episode we discuss budgeting, setting authentic goals, lifestyle minimalism, and more. For reference: Amy mentions Gabrielle Collard and the Coach Space blog. Check out the blog and read about the deathbed manifesto here: https://thecoachspace.com/gabriellecollard/

18. 

    22 Sept 2021

    1. Renai's Retirement

    Renai is ready to retire at the age of 36. No, she’s not a tech founder who just sold her company; she was raised working class by a single mom and has worked in non-profits most of her life. We asked Renai to come on the podcast and share how she was able to reach financial independence so early in her career, because unlike many such stories, hers is as attainable as it is aspirational. A few things that come up in the episode: -- We discuss the FIRE lifestyle movement. FIRE stands for Financial Independence / Retire Early. Read more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIRE_movement (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIRE_movement). We reference the term “coast FI.” When someone has reached “coast FI” this means they have enough money in their retirement accounts that they’d have enough to retire at a typical retirement age without making any additional contributions-- simply by letting their current balance accrue interest. -- Renai references the book “Work Optional,” written by Tanja Hester of the Our Next Life blog. Read more here: https://ournextlife.com/2018/10/24/work-optional/ (https://ournextlife.com/2018/10/24/work-optional/) -- Renai discusses using a down payment assistance loan from a state agency to finance her first home purchase. Many public entities offer such support to first-time home buyers. Find out more about the program Renai accessed via the Washington State Housing Finance Commission here: https://www.wshfc.org/ (https://www.wshfc.org/) https://www.seattle.gov/housing/renters/buy-a-home -- We discuss house hacking, which essentially refers to buying a property for use as both your primary residence as well as a rental property. Read more about house hacking here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidgreene/2018/12/04/house-hacking-how-financially-savvy-people-live-in-expensive-markets-while-saving-money/?sh=4cf4a65470f0 -- One of Renai’s ventures is running a vacation rental, and we discuss some of the mechanics of that starting at around 14:50.

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