About this podcast
Welcome to Money Elementary, the podcast that takes you back to school to learn the personal finance lessons you never got in the classroom! Hosted by Heidi Castillo and co-host, Vanessa Hernandez, this show is your go-to resource for mastering the fundamentals of money management.
Join us each week as we dive into essential topics like budgeting, saving, investing, and financial planning, all with the goal of helping you build a stronger financial future. Whether you're a recent graduate, a seasoned professional, or simply looking to improve your financial literacy, Money Elementary has something for everyone.
Our expert guests and practical insights will empower you to make informed decisions about your finances, setting you on the path to financial success. No more feeling lost when it comes to money matters—get ready to graduate from Money Elementary with flying colors!
Tune in, subscribe, and embark on your journey to financial freedom. It's time to take control of your money and secure your financial well-being. Class is in session at Money Elementary!
Episodes
The newest 20 of 26 episodes
- Money Elementary - They’re Taking Care of Us: The Hidden Cost of Deportation · 11 min · Season 3 Episode 11This week on Money Elementary ChisME, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA break down the real cost of deportation—not just in dollars, but in everyday life. From who picks your produce to…
- Money Elementary - Debt, Delinquencies & Drama: The Return of The Student Loans · 9 min · Season 3 Episode 10The student loan pause is officially over—and the drama is real. In this episode of Money Elementary’s ChisME, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA break down what the return of federal…
- Money Elementary - Frozen Rates, Hot Drama: The Fed’s June 2025 Plot Twist · 14 min · Season 3 Episode 9In this episode of Money Elementary’s ChisME, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA break down the Federal Reserve’s June 2025 interest rate decision. Why did the Fed hold rates steady again?…
- Money Elementary - The One Big Beautiful Bill Update: What’s Sparkling… and What’s Sinking · 15 min · Season 3 Episode 8This week on ChisME, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA pull back the glittery curtain on the One Big Beautiful Bill. We expose who really benefits from the SALT deduction change, break…
- Money Elementary - When the Penny Drops: The True Cost of Letting Go · 9 min · Season 3 Episode 7In this week’s Money Elementary: ChisME, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA dive into the surprising exit of the U.S. penny. From production costs to digital payment shifts, this episode…
- Money Elementary - The Heart of the Economy: How Money Moves from the Fed to Your Wallet · 6 min · Season 3 Episode 6In this week’s Money Elementary: ChisME, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA break down how money flows through our economy—starting with the Federal Reserve, through the banks, and finally…
- Money Elementary - Fed Interest Rates May 7, 2025 · 11 min · Season 3 Episode 5In this week’s episode of Money Elementary: ChisME, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA break down the Fed’s May 2025 decision to hold interest rates steady at 4.25–4.5%. They unpack why…
- Money Elementary - Recession, Inflation, Stagnation · 9 min · Season 3 Episode 4In this episode of Money Elementary, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA break down the tangled mess of inflation, recession, and stagnation using real-life examples and a sizzling…
- Money Elementary - Fed Interest Rates March 19, 2025 · 19 min · Season 3 Episode 3In this episode of Money Elementary, Heidi, Vanessa, and MIA spill the chisME on how the Federal Reserve is quietly running the economy like a behind-the-scenes boss. MIA breaks…
- Money Elementary - ChisME - Tariffs Import Frenzy · 8 min · Season 3 Episode 2In this episode of Money Elementary, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA spill the chisme on why the U.S. economy just shrunk for the first time in years. MEIA breaks down how panic over…
- Money Elementary - Big Brutal Bill: Part 1 · 16 min · Season 3 Episode 1In this episode of Money Elementary, Heidi, Vanessa, and MEIA break down the political novela that is the “Big Beautiful Bill.” MEIA dishes on how the bill promises tax cuts…
- The Ghostly Guide to Estate Planning · 39 min · Season 2 Episode 4In this episode, we join our ghostly friends, June and Sam, as they humorously navigate the pitfalls of estate planning from beyond the grave. Through their playful banter and…
- Monopoly and IRAs: A Winning Financial Strategy · 37 min · Season 2 Episode 3In this episode, we explain IRAs using the classic game of Monopoly as an analogy. We explain how a Traditional IRA allows you to defer taxes until retirement, like collecting…
- Roth 401(k) 101: Your Guide to a Tax-Free Financial Future · 36 min · Season 2 Episode 2In this episode, we explore the world of Roth 401(k)s, using the analogy of buying a rare Pokémon card on layaway to explain how this retirement plan works. We break down the…
- Demystifying the Traditional 401k:Growing Your Garden of Wealth · 41 min · Season 2 Episode 1Welcome back to Money Elementary, Season Two! We break down the Traditional 401k, using a vivid garden analogy to illustrate its growth and the inevitable tax implications. We…
- Season 1 Wrap Up: Personal Finance Foundation · 19 min · Season 1 Episode 11In this week's episode, Heidi and I, Vanessa, take you on the ULTIMATE REEEECCAAPP of the season. We dive deep into the heart of financial literacy, revisiting the personal…
- Buying a House Part 3: Baking Your Home Sweet Home · 34 min · Season 1 Episode 10Through the maze of home-buying in "Money Elementary, Part 3: Baking Your Home Sweet Home," we dive deep into the essentials of the home-buying process. From understanding the…
- Buying a House Part 2 - Light at the end of the home buying tunnel · 25 min · Season 1 Episode 9In this enlightening episode of "Money Elementary," we guide you through the intricacies of home buying in "Home Part 2: Light at the End of the Home Buying Tunnel." We delve…
- Buying a House Part 1: One Size Does Not Fit All · 42 min · Season 1 Episode 8In today's episode 8, "Buying a House: One Size Does Not Fit All," we dive into the complexities of purchasing a home amidst economic challenges. With rampant inflation and…
- Field of Flowers: Steering Through the Car Buying Process · 49 min · Season 1 Episode 7In this enlightening "Money Elementary" episode, "Finding the Field of Flowers," we delve into the nuances of car buying. From initial experiences of purchasing cars as…
