Financially Inclined

Marketplace

“Financially Inclined” is all about money lessons for living life your own way. Every week, financial literacy advocate Yanely Espinal makes learning about money simple, so you can make the most of your life. Because while money can’t buy you happiness, it definitely can’t hurt. This show is created by Marketplace, in collaboration with Next Gen Personal Finance.

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Our Editor's Take

Yanely Espinal, host of the Financially Inclined podcast, wasn't always a money expert. It's actually quite the opposite. Growing up in Brooklyn, her immigrant Dominican parents didn't talk about money. But Espinal knew that they were struggling. When she got to college, she started depending on credit cards for everything. Espinal used it for her textbooks, a laptop, and even to fund a spring break trip with her friends.

By the time she graduated, the future podcast host had four different credit cards open. She had racked up almost $20,000 in credit card debt. This was in addition to her student loan. That made her feel embarrassed and isolated. It was like money and debt were completely in control of her life.

Yet, in Espinal's first real job after college, she found that her case wasn't unique. She was teaching in a school where most of the students came from similar backgrounds as her. There, Espinal realized that no one was teaching people of color (POC) and children of immigrants anything about finances. They knew nothing about the basics because they had nowhere to learn it. This prompted Espinal to choose a new career path. She now works with teachers nationwide to ensure that schools provide financial education.

Financially Inclined is an extension of Espinal's work with schools. It's a podcast with teenagers and young adults in mind. But it can provide life lessons about budgeting, investing, buying a car, and more, for any age. Its goal is to help the listeners take control of their lives through knowledge about money.

The experts on the podcast are not typical finance professionals. These are not investment bankers, advisors, or scholars. Instead, Espinal invites TikTok influencers, YouTube creators, and reputable journalists. The host understands that money talk can often be boring. So she makes a point of inviting people whose entire job is to entertain. But they still have vast knowledge in the field. Together, Espinal hopes to make finances more accessible to young POC, and everyone who needs it. Financially Inclined is a helpful public radio podcast.

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“Financially Inclined” is back for Season 2

“Financially Inclined” is back for Season 2

Financially Inclined From Marketplace is back for season 2 with more money lessons we wish we learned earlier — the ones that can help us live life on our own terms. This season, host Yanely Espinal is digging into how to pay for college, getting a job, crypto currencies, saving money and paying taxes. New episodes start November 3. This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account at http://ww.greenlight.com/inclined

Episodes

First-gen finances

First-gen finances

Being a first-generation student can mean facing bigger financial pressures than your peers, with less generational knowledge and wealth. Yanely Espinal talks to Gigi Gonzalez, the First Gen Mentor, to help you navigate the unique pressures of being the first in your family – whether that’s being a first-gen American, first-gen college student, first-gen professional, first-gen entrepreneur or more! Think you’re financially inclined? Check out these resources: Explore resources for first-gen students from the Collective Success Network Learn more wealth building tips from Business Insider Prepare for a “money talk” with your family using this guide from CNBC Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide. This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up for a Greenlight account.

This guy loves taxes!

This guy loves taxes!

Income taxes can be intimidating, especially if it’s your first time filing on your own. But don’t worry, host Yanely Espinal sat down with the self-proclaimed superhero of taxes, Duke Moore, to break it down so you can know what you owe… or what the IRS owes you as a refund! They talk about all the different tax forms, explain deductions and write-offs, and reveal the most important box you have to check if you’re a young person filing taxes. Think you’re financially inclined? Dig deeper into taxes: Learn about tax brackets and rates from Nerdwallet Understand the rules around working while being a dependentCheck out FreeTaxUSA’s website to file your taxes online Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide. This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

Making the workforce work for you

Making the workforce work for you

Every generation faces challenges when they enter the workforce for the first time, but Gen Z may have an especially tough time. Social media manager Amir Henley can help you stand out in a tough job market. Think you’re financially inclined? Check out more tips on entering the workforce: Websites where you can start looking for that jobSome free resume templates Learn to write a cover letter in your own voice Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide. This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

What you need to know about crypto

What you need to know about crypto

With all the hype about cryptocurrency, how can you tell a good investment from bad? Yanely Espinal sits down with college student and crypto investor Giovanni Moreno and journalist Caitlin Ostroff to learn what crypto is, how it works and what red flags to look for. Think you’re financially inclined? Dig deeper into cryptocurrencies: Read this guide from Investopedia on what you should know before investing in crypto.Stay up to date with crypto news from CoinDesk.Do your research on how different currencies are doing with updates from Coinbase. Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide. This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

The reality of becoming an influencer

The reality of becoming an influencer

Being an influencer might sound like the best job in the world, but viral content creator Sid Raskind, who has over 4 million TikTok followers, says that it’s a lot harder than it looks. Think you’re financially inclined? Learn more about the reality of influencer life: A very small number of influencers earn the majority of money and viewsBlack influencers are paid less than white influencers, and the racial pay gap might be worse for influencers than people in other industries Are influencers actually earning money for their clients? Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide. This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

Make student loans work for you

Make student loans work for you

Student loans don’t have to be scary, you can make them work for you! This week, “Financially Inclined” host Yanely Espinal sits down with content creator Carmen Perez to dig into all the details of understanding the lingo, reading the fine print and making a budget so you can stay on top of your loans. Here are some additional helpful resources: Go to the Federal Student Aid site to find resources, calculators, definitions and everything else you need to get started on your student loan journey.Find more information on Pell Grants here.Get your FAFSA questions answered with this NerdWallet guide. Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide. This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: The money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

Tips for winning college scholarships

Tips for winning college scholarships

With the rising cost of college in the United States, you can’t sleep on scholarships. This week, Yanely Espinal chats with Youssef Hasweh, a scholarship wiz who got a full ride to University of Chicago, about finding the right scholarships for you, keeping those applications and deadlines organized, and understanding what “full ride” really means. Think you’re financially inclined? Dig deeper into scholarships. Find more from Hasweh at Youssef University.Check out this Forbes list of the “9 Best Scholarship Websites and Search Engines.”Consult this handy guide of mistakes students make when applying for scholarships and how to avoid them.There’s also this U.S. News & World Report how-to guide to help you find and apply for scholarships. Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide. This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account.

Saving money for the life you want

Saving money for the life you want

Saving money might sound like a chore, but Yanely Espinal and Berna Anat are here to remind you that saving money can help you afford more of what you want, and you can have fun along the way! Think you’re financially inclined? Check out the savings tips below: Check out this comparison of high-yield savings accounts from NerdWalletHere are some free savings trackers you can printLook at these different savings apps reviewed by BankrateAnd you can find more financial tips from Berna on her Instagram Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide. This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up for a Greenlight account. Join today.

“Financially Inclined” is back for Season 2

“Financially Inclined” is back for Season 2

Financially Inclined From Marketplace is back for season 2 with more money lessons we wish we learned earlier — the ones that can help us live life on our own terms. This season, host Yanely Espinal is digging into how to pay for college, getting a job, crypto currencies, saving money and paying taxes. New episodes start November 3. This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account at http://ww.greenlight.com/inclined

Here’s what you need to know before investing in the stock market

Here’s what you need to know before investing in the stock market

Have you ever heard the terms “stock market” or “index fund” and thought to yourself, “What the heck is that? And should I put money in there?” This week, Yanely Espinal talks with TikToker and money coach Delyanne Barros to figure out how to start investing. Think you’re financially inclined? Dive deeper into investing. Play this investing simulator game from Next Gen Personal Finance Compare online brokerages with NerdWallet Check out related Marketplace stories here Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account at http://ww.greenlight.com/inclined.

How emotions affect your money

How emotions affect your money

Dealing with money is super important and unavoidable. But it seems like the older we get, the harder it is to talk about. This week, Yanely Espinal talks with Marketplace host Reema Khrais, who chats with people every day about their relationships with money on her podcast “This Is Uncomfortable.” Reema explains why conversations about money are so important and how we can all have a better relationship with money. Think you’re financially inclined? Use these money reflection tools. Take the Klontz Money Script Inventory test Check out related Marketplace stories here Listen to the latest season of “This Is Uncomfortable” here Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide. This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account at http://ww.greenlight.com/inclined.

When to use buy now, pay later services

When to use buy now, pay later services

Buy now, pay later programs might seem like a magic wand, instantly shrinking the size of your initial payment for a purchase. But BNPL services like Afterpay or Klarna come with risks too. This week, “Financially Inclined” host Yanely Espinal talks with tech editor Joshua Bote of SFGate to get the full story on BNPL, so you can click “place order” with confidence. Dive in with us by watching the video below. Think you’re financially inclined? Learn more about BNPL. Check out Joshua Bote’s reporting on BNPL from SFGate Compare different BNPL services with this guide from The Points Guy Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide. This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account at http://ww.greenlight.com/inclined.

Credit card tips for beginners

Credit card tips for beginners

OK, we know, credit cards can be scary! But they don’t need to be. And credit cards can help you reach a lot of your goals (like someday renting your own place). This week, Yanely Espinal chats with TikTok finance influencer John Eringman (aka John E. Finance) about how to decide if you’re ready to get your first credit card. Think you’re financially inclined? Dig deeper into credit cards. Compare credit card features with NerdWallet Learn more about building credit history with this guide from InvestopediaCheck out related Marketplace stories hereAre you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account at http://ww.greenlight.com/inclined.

Buying your first car

Buying your first car

Buying your first car can be intimidating. There are so many options! Do you go to a dealership? Should you find a used car on Craigslist? Should you get a car loan through a bank or credit union? Journalist and car expert Matt Hardigree breaks it all down in this episode. His first tip: make sure you get something that you absolutely love. Think you’re financially inclined? Check out these car-shopping tools: Look into some car reliability ratings from Consumer ReportsFind a car’s value with Kelley Blue BookAre you in an educational setting? Check out this listening guide This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account at http://ww.greenlight.com/inclined.

Maybe you’ve got a little cash from that babysitting gig, a part-time job or even some birthday money. Now would be a great time to have a budget, which is basically a plan for how you want to spend (or save) your money. This week, Yanely Espinal talks with Berna Anat, the internet’s Financial Hype Woman (yes, that’s her job title) about some easy and practical ways to budget (spoiler alert: Astrology is involved). Think you’re financially inclined? Give budgeting a try: Make a monthly 50/30/20 budget with this calculator from NerdWallet Check out this zero-based budget guide from Best Wallet Hacks Watch an example of the cash envelope method on TikTok Take a look at Berna Anat’s new book, “Money Out Loud” Are you in an educational setting? Check out this listening guide and this worksheet. This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up today for a Greenlight account at http://ww.greenlight.com/inclined.

Introducing “Financially Inclined From Marketplace”

Introducing “Financially Inclined From Marketplace”

“Financially Inclined” is all about money lessons for living life your own way. Every week, financial literacy advocate Yanely Espinal makes learning about money simple, so you can make the most of your life. Because while money can’t buy you happiness, it definitely can’t hurt. This show was created by Marketplace in collaboration with Next Gen Personal Finance. This episode is sponsored by Greenlight, the money app for teens — with investing.