Money Ha Ha

Our first-ever live show (at San Francisco’s Sketchfest comedy festival) is action-packed! Stand-up comedian Alexandria Love is delightful as our guest, even after we trigger her severe frog phobia; Yas announces that she’s expecting a baby girl; Dara’s dad takes the stage to improvise a song in the style of Marvin Gaye; and audience members share embarrassing stories about freelance finances gone awry. Along with all the excitement, we dish out facts about some places where the cash is greener on the freelance side of the fence—as well as some places it’s not. And Yas (now a freelancer herself) shares her tactics for avoiding spending all “your” money (oops—taxes!). Whether you’re already your own boss or just thinking about it, you’re sure to enjoy this episode’s comedic jousting—as well as its historical and literary references to jousting! Links mentioned in this episode: Freelancers Union study [https://www.upwork.com/i/freelancing-in-america/] Alexandria’s website [https://hereswhythatsfunny.com/] Alexandria’s Twitter [https://twitter.com/rialoveftw]

Happy holidays, everybody! Dara and Yas are here with a lil’ shorty ep to share some exciting pod news as well as a couple tips for making it through this time of year without all your money going . First up, the ladies announce they’ll be doing a live show at San Francisco Sketchfest “next year” (A.K.A. 1/18/2020—that’s some sleepover humor for you, tee-hee!!). Grab your free tickets now at mhhpod.com/sketchfest [mhhpod.com/sketchfest]! We’ve also got Yasmine’s ideas on how to smooth out your holiday expenses, and Dara’s advice for how to secure your funds if your wallet gets snatched like hers just was (don’t worry, there’s a happy ending! Shout out to Good Samaritans!). Keep your ears peeled for that live episode dropping to this feed in early 2020, happy Kwanzaa, and till next time, “Shut up and eat!!” Links mentioned in this episode: * Money Ha Ha at SF Sketchfest [mhhpod.com/sketchfest ] * Should I Lock or Freeze My Credit File? [https://www.creditkarma.com/id-theft/i/lock-freeze-credit-file/]

Sometimes we all need to take a break, indulge, and have new experiences. That’s what vacations are all about. This week’s guest is here to talk to us about how she vacations like a grown up: without debt! Erin Ryan is a writer for It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and host of the Hysteria podcast. She shares how saving up for her dream trip to the Himalayas taught her that she can have great new experiences, as long as she’s financially disciplined beforehand. Pro tip: when you go out for drinks, never go to a second location! Dara, Yas and Erin also talk about celebrating when you punch debt in the face, the most expensive manicure in the history of the world, the most expensive pajama pants on a plane, and the miraculous glory that is carnitas made in an Instant Pot. We also learn that Erin gets a thrill from saving and good things happen to her when Mercury is in retrograde. Seriously, who is this woman? We loved having her on the show and you’ll love this episode. If not, no worries, you’re just not invited to our cult. Full Transcript [https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vR0cV4_JIWyJLiLpYB0atWox1mV0igXxtvg0vTCW4Rt7_FALMFs1Vg-CItrKUGn-5RfUQCQ7XNkbMJh/pub] Links mentioned in this episode: * Nerd Wallet: How to save for vacation, w vacation calculator [https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/finance/how-to-save-for-a-vacation/] * Erin on Twitter [https://twitter.com/morninggloria]

It’s hot in the Bay, and so many of us are already sweatin’ to make ends meet every month. This week’s expert guest is here to give us perspective. Rachel Schneider followed the money stories of hundreds of Americans as part of co-authoring The Financial Diaries. She breaks down why so many of us find ourselves needing to borrow money from time to time, and how hidden inequality and generational wealth privilege play their part in that. Dara, Yas and Rachel talk about the common traps people fall into when it comes to short-term borrowing, how sometimes it feels like institutions make decisions for us, and slumber parties! “Leviosa!” is the new “light as a feather, stiff as a board,” mkay? So get light, unburden yourself, and consider balancing personal responsibility with holding policy makers accountable for making sure wages keep up with the rising cost of living. Leviosa! Full Transcript [https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTNUMwEl8RbDoGbUYix3XSOGfviOTky1fZivA-drcZf7oRNgLNDLkbClB-ibwldrWVpS4GLSSbZhrOg/pub] Links mentioned in this episode: * U.S. Financial Diaries [https://www.usfinancialdiaries.org/book] * Buy the book [https://www.amazon.com/Financial-Diaries-American-Families-Uncertainty/dp/0691172986] * Federal Reserve Report [https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/files/2017-report-economic-well-being-us-households-201805.pdf] * Rachel on Twitter [https://twitter.com/rachelschneider?lang=en]

Health care costs are a quadruple-whammy: They’re expensive, they’re confusing, they’re communicated in a way that can make you feel powerless, and they come at a time when you’re extra vulnerable—because you’re sick! This week’s guest, writer/actor/improviser Erin Whitehead, is no stranger to the wild and woolly land of out-of-network costs. Based on the tales of woe she and Dara + Yasmine share in the no-judgement zone, should our motto for medical expenses be “Abandon hope”?? “Heck, no!” say Dara and Yasmine. They clear up some of the kooky terms you see on your bills, fill you in on your rights, and give you a game plan for staying in control of costs. Plus, Yas confesses the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel techniques she used on her husband, we ponder whether Daenerys sniffed her baby dragons’ heads, and Dara compares Yas to a (cute) potato—twice. Full Transcript [https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vT1TaFSb5_uYcpv8QTd-19NjoqEbYvhkUGcghAhaX4-8hYqXRI9eQDZtuhcv6BAoZzCbban5uG5svN5/pub] Links mentioned in this episode: * CNBC: The much higher costs of 'out-of-network' health care [https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2015/09/30/the-much-higher-costs-of-out-of-network-health-care.html] * CNBC: Four steps to fight off high medical expenses [https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/15/four-steps-to-fight-off-high-medical-expenses.html] * The College Investor: The ultimate guide to disputing a medical bill and reducing your payment [https://thecollegeinvestor.com/21732/disputing-medical-bill/] * Erin on Twitter [https://twitter.com/girlwithatail] * Erin on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/girlwithatail/]