Episode Details

Hey Girlies,

Why is it that the time of year you most want to relax, curl up on the couch, and sip hot chocolate while reading a cozy mystery is also one of the craziest times of year?

Is this just us, or is this pretty universal?

If you’re in the same boat, you may be stressing over holiday gifts and cards, trying to wrap up work projects for 2025, and doing a year-end financial review — all while wondering when you’re going to watch Home Alone for the 27th time.

It can be a lot.

We certainly don’t have all the answers, but maybe this holiday gifting episode can relieve some of your shopping stress. 🎁

And maybe this New Year Financial Checklist can guide you through a little EOY money reset. 💰

And maybe you can whip up a steaming mug of cocoa to help you power through those work projects during these last weeks of the year. ☕ *We’ll certainly be doing this.

We hope these tips help you sail smoothly through these last few weeks of the year and into a lovely lil’ holiday break. But before you fully disconnect (and we hope you do!), we’ve got some fun things headed your way:

* Today we’re bringing you a conversation with travel and credit card expert Caroline Lupini, who’s been a digital nomad for more than a decade.

* Tomorrow we’re going LIVE! We’re joining our friend Taylor Nelsen, AKA The Financial Planner, to talk about money in the media. (See more details in the Resource Roundup below).

* Next week we’ll do a deep dive into Health Savings Accounts (If you think tax savings are fun — and who doesn’t ?— this will be a very good time 🤓).

As always, we’re so glad you’re here — and we hope you’re finding the time to enjoy this magical, crazy season. ❄️

On the pod 🎧

Caroline Lupini is the managing editor of travel and credit cards at Forbes Advisor — and for as long as we’ve followed her on LinkedIn, we’ve wanted to pick her brain.

Having lived and worked abroad since 2014, traveling to more than 120 countries, Caroline’s learned a thing or two about how to create a lifestyle of exploration.

One thing we loved about our conversation with Caroline is how approachable she makes travel feel. She’s a big travel hacker, yes, but she doesn’t claim you have to be a big points-and-miles strategist to make it as a digital nomad.

Instead, she offers practical, beginner-friendly tips you can incorporate at any budget or skill level.

Here’s a bit of what we cover in this episode:

* Caroline’s shifting perception of the affordability of travel (it doesn’t have to be expensive)

* Where to travel to live on less than $10 a day

* The surprising financial safety net that comes with being a digital nomad

* How working in an uncertain industry is affecting Caroline’s outlook

* How Caroline finds community without having a permanent home

Even if you’re not interested in the digital nomad lifestyle, there are financial and mindset tips in here for anyone who wants to balance a fulfilling career with a life they love.

More of a reader? Check out the full episode breakdown on our blog.

🎤 Mic drop moment:

“After I graduated from university, I did my first trip to Southeast Asia. And so that’s the