LOVE & MONEY Q+A: Financial Red Flags, Out-Earning Your Partner, and Who Should Pay on Dates

LOVE & MONEY Q+A: Financial Red Flags, Out-Earning Your Partner, and Who Should Pay on Dates

In this episode of Money Musings, I'm answering your questions about love and money — and you guys sent in some really good ones. We get into navigating money with a partner when you have different risk tolerances, how to tell the difference between intuition and old fear patterns firing up, why your money stories are quietly shaping how much wealth you actually allow yourself to have, and how to be generous without depleting yourself. On the dating side, we cover when to have the money talk, financial red flags to watch for, who should pay on dates, what to do when you out-earn your partner, and what a solid financial foundation looks like before you bring someone into your finances. Don't forget to follow me at @moneymusingspodcast and subscribe so you never miss an episode! Website: https://www.stephaniexenos.com/ [https://www.stephaniexenos.com/]Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/#https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/ [https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/] https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/#LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniexenos/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniexenos/]Speaking: https://www.stephaniexenos.com/speaking [https://www.stephaniexenos.com/speaking]Work with me:https://calendly.com/d/cpqr-m2m-drk/ignite-strategy-session [https://calendly.com/d/cpqr-m2m-drk/ignite-strategy-session]

Do Not Be Bullied By The IRS: How I Beat the IRS at Their Own Game

In this episode of Money Musings, I'm sharing the story of the time the IRS audited me — and how I fought back and won. It started with a big income drop when I retired at 32, which apparently gave the IRS the side eye. They came after my business expenses, said they never received my documentation (twice), and eventually kept my $10K tax refund. So I hired a lawyer, submitted everything one more time, and finally got a check in the mail — original amount plus interest. The whole thing took three years and was honestly a game of attrition. I think that's the point — they're hoping you'll just give up. Don't. Whether you're a business owner or just someone who's ever gotten a scary letter from the IRS, this one's for you. Know your rights, keep your receipts, and don't be afraid to fight back. Don't forget to follow me at @moneymusingspodcast and subscribe so you never miss an episode! Website: https://www.stephaniexenos.com/ [https://www.stephaniexenos.com/]Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/#https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/ [https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/] https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/#LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniexenos/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniexenos/]Speaking: https://www.stephaniexenos.com/speaking [https://www.stephaniexenos.com/speaking]Work with me:https://calendly.com/d/cpqr-m2m-drk/ignite-strategy-session [https://calendly.com/d/cpqr-m2m-drk/ignite-strategy-session]

How to Turn Your Hormones into Your Financial Superpower

What if you timed every financial decision to your cycle? In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly how I do it — looking at the big-picture in your menstrual phase, all things strategy and learning in your follicular phase, negotiations and investment moves during ovulation, and checking off financial to-dos (plus cutting what's not working) in your luteal phase. It started with Fast Like a Girl by Dr. Mindy Pelz, and honestly it's changed how I run my business, manage my money, and make decisions. If you've ever felt like you're fighting yourself financially, it might just be a timing thing. Drop a comment if you want more of this — and follow me @moneymusingspodcast so you never miss an episode! Website: https://www.stephaniexenos.com/ [https://www.stephaniexenos.com/]Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/#https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/ [https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/] https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/#LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniexenos/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniexenos/]Speaking: https://www.stephaniexenos.com/speaking [https://www.stephaniexenos.com/speaking]Work with me:https://calendly.com/d/cpqr-m2m-drk/ignite-strategy-session [https://calendly.com/d/cpqr-m2m-drk/ignite-strategy-session]

Elon Said Stop Saving for Retirement: Rethinking Wealth Before the Singularity

In this episode of Money Musings, I'm responding to Elon Musk's quote: "don't worry about saving for retirement, it won't matter" and sharing why I actually think money is going to matter more than ever, in the next five years, as AI and robotics converge to reshape the economy and job market as we know it. I walk through how I'm repositioning my own finances right now: prioritizing liquidity, shifting away from traditional retirement accounts, and investing in the human skills AI can't easily replicate. Because how you use your money in the next five years may matter more than any other period of your life. I also get into why managing your nervous system through uncertainty is just as important as managing your portfolio - because big change is coming, and staying grounded is its own kind of wealth. Don't forget to follow me at @Moneymusefounder and subscribe so you never miss an episode! Website: https://www.stephaniexenos.com/ [https://www.stephaniexenos.com/]Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/#https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/ [https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/] https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/#LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniexenos/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniexenos/]Speaking: https://www.stephaniexenos.com/speaking [https://www.stephaniexenos.com/speaking]Work with me:https://calendly.com/d/cpqr-m2m-drk/ignite-strategy-session [https://calendly.com/d/cpqr-m2m-drk/ignite-strategy-session]

The Real Point of Money: A Dream Realized, I Retired My Mom This Month!

In this episode of Money Musings, I share one of the biggest personal milestones of my financial journey — the call I got to make to my mom telling her she has enough money to retire. I talk through how I grew her portfolio from $100K to nearly half a million, why I chose a more aggressive strategy on her behalf, and why I'm comfortable drawing down 6–7% before her Social Security kicks in at 70. But beyond the numbers, this episode is really about healing. Growing up with financial scarcity and watching money equal power, being able to hand my mom that freedom now feels like everything coming full circle. I also make the case for why the most overlooked financial conversation might be the one you're not having with your own parents. Follow me at @Moneymusefounder and subscribe so you never miss an episode! Website: https://www.stephaniexenos.com/ [https://www.stephaniexenos.com/]Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/#https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/ [https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/] https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_xenos/#LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniexenos/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniexenos/]Speaking: https://www.stephaniexenos.com/speaking [https://www.stephaniexenos.com/speaking]Work with me:https://calendly.com/d/cpqr-m2m-drk/ignite-strategy-session [https://calendly.com/d/cpqr-m2m-drk/ignite-strategy-session]