Episode Description: In this episode of Real Money, Real Life™, Linda talks with Mary Schepp about what really falls under property & casualty (P&C) insurance, how umbrella policies work, and why premiums have been climbing.

We talk about:
- P&C 101: the difference between property coverage and casualty (liability)
- Umbrella insurance as excess liability and when it can protect your assets
- Deductibles (all‑peril vs. wind/hail) and how percentage deductibles work
- Replacement cost vs. actual cash value on roofs, matching endorsements, and common exclusions
- Why rates are rising: catastrophe losses, rebuild costs, and using insurance like a maintenance plan
- Why to review your home/auto policies with your agent at renewal
- What “full coverage” on auto really means (liability + collision + comprehensive)

About Mary:
Mary Schepp is the Agency Manager at Brightway Insurance, The Janicki Agency, with over 25 years’ experience in the real estate industry, customer service, and management—including time as a loan officer and as an insurance agent. She’s an active community advocate through The Rotary Club of Cary‑Grove, the Cary‑Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, and Fresh From Local Farms Organization.

Connect with Mary:
Website: https://brightwayjanicki.com

Phone: 847-807-3200

Connect with Linda:
Website: https://www.LindaGriz.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindagrizely

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelindagrizely

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-grizely

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LindaGrizely

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lindagrizely

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/LindaGrizely

Resources/Freebies:
What’s Your Money Personality Quiz: https://bit.ly/MonPersQuiz

What’s Holding You Back from Financial Confidence Quiz: https://bit.ly/FinConfidQuiz

Join Linda’s Free Community: A space for real talk, fresh starts, and women who are done putting themselves last. https://info.lindagriz.com/widget/form/7NpbG0FdJW2Lwp57R0wj

Episode Description:
In this episode of Real Money, Real Life™, Linda sits down with Jenn Smith, career coach and negotiation expert, to talk about the art and mindset of negotiating pay. Together they explore why so many women feel held back at the bargaining table and what it takes to shift from fear to confidence when it comes to asking for more. Find out how to ask for the salary you deserve, and actually get it.

We talk about:
- The hidden beliefs that stop women from negotiating
- Practical strategies for asking for a raise or promotion
- How to recognize your market value and leverage it
- The ripple effect of earning more on your career and life

About Jenn:
Jenn Smith is a career coach and speaker who helps women step into their power, own their worth, and confidently negotiate pay. Through her coaching practice, she equips women with the tools and strategies to break free from under-earning and achieve the salaries they deserve. Her mission is to close the wage gap and empower women to create careers and lives they love.

Connect with Jenn:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourish.careers

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferlsmith9200/

Shop The Greenhouse: https://flourish.careers/shop

Web: https://flourish.careers/

Connect with Linda:
Website: https://www.LindaGriz.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindagrizely

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelindagrizely

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-grizely

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LindaGrizely

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lindagrizely

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/LindaGrizely

Resources/Freebies from Jenn and Linda:

Show Offers: 25% off Career Change Course Fried to Flourishing with code ThankYou25: https://course.flourish.careers/offers/jMHggdnW?coupon_code=THANKYOU25

Free BONUS Toolkits for listeners: https://course.flourish.careers/freebies

What’s Your Money Personality Quiz: https://bit.ly/MonPersQuiz

What’s Holding You Back from Financial Confidence Quiz: https://bit.ly/FinConfidQuiz

Join Linda’s Free Community: A space for real talk, fresh starts, and women who are done putting themselves last. https://info.lindagriz.com/widget/form/7NpbG0FdJW2Lwp57R0wj

In this episode of Real Money, Real Life™, Linda talks with Jay Zigmont about financial planning for people who don’t have kids. We explore what it means to create a legacy when children aren’t in the picture, how to align your money with your values, and the unique opportunities and challenges that come with a childfree life.

We talk about:
- Why traditional financial planning often assumes kids and how to rethink it
- How to design a fulfilling legacy without heirs
- Ways to maximize freedom and flexibility in a childfree lifestyle
- Tax and estate considerations for childfree individuals and couples

About Jay:
Dr. Jay Zigmont, PhD, CFP®, is the founder of Childfree Wealth®, a life and financial planning firm specializing in helping people without kids. He is also the author of “Portraits of Childfree Wealth” and host of the Childfree Wealth Podcast.

Connect with Jay:
Childfree Wealth®: https://childfreewealth.com

Childfree Trust®: https://childfreetrust.com

Childfree Wealth Podcast: https://childfreewealth.buzzsprout.com

Connect with Linda:
Website: https://www.LindaGriz.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindagrizely

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelindagrizely

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-grizely

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LindaGrizely

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lindagrizely

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/LindaGrizely

Resources/Freebies:
What’s Your Money Personality Quiz: https://bit.ly/MonPersQuiz

What’s Holding You Back from Financial Confidence Quiz: https://bit.ly/FinConfidQuiz

Join Linda’s Free Community: A space for real talk, fresh starts, and women who are done putting themselves last. https://info.lindagriz.com/widget/form/7NpbG0FdJW2Lwp57R0wj

In this episode of Real Money, Real Life™, Linda talks with Sara Hobbs about rebuilding after financial setbacks. They discuss the emotional challenges of starting over and how to move from overwhelm to empowerment.

We talk about:
- The challenges of rebuilding after divorce, loss, or burnout
- How compassion and accountability support financial change
- Resetting money habits with confidence
- The principles Sara uses to help clients find stability

About Sara:
Sara Hobbs is the CEO and Founder of Forecastle Financial, a financial services firm focused on providing Personal CFO and Account Management services. Sara is a dedicated finance professional who brings more than 24 years of financial expertise to her clients. Her goal is to equip her clients with the tools, resources, and support necessary for making informed financial decisions that resonate with their personal goals and values.

Sara is an Intuit Certified Bookkeeping Professional, a member of The American Association of Daily Money Managers, a member of the Private Service Alliance, a member of the Estate Management Network and a Trustworthy Certified Expert.

Connect with Sara:
Website: https://www.forecastlefinancial.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-hobbs

Connect with Linda:
Website: https://www.LindaGriz.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindagrizely

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelindagrizely

LinkedIn (Personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-grizely

LinkedIn (Linda Grizely Ventures): https://www.linkedin.com/company/linda-grizely-ventures

LinkedIn (Real Money Real Life Podcast): https://www.linkedin.com/company/real-money-real-life/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LindaGrizely

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lindagrizely

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/LindaGrizely

Resources/Freebies:

Downloads and Quizzes: https://www.lindagriz.com/resources

Join the Free Community: A space for real talk, fresh starts, and women who are done putting themselves last. https://bit.ly/RealMoneyRealLifeCommunity

In this episode of Real Money, Real Life™, Linda sits down with Chad Holmes, CPA, CFP®, and bestselling author of The Inheritance Playbook, to tackle one of life’s most emotional and practical challenges: caring for aging parents while planning for multi-generational wealth.

Chad shares how families can avoid unnecessary taxes, navigate probate, and preserve both peace and money. Together, Linda and Chad also explore the mindset challenges that come with stepping into a financial caregiver role and how to foster better conversations across generations.

Key topics include:

• Durable vs. springing power of attorney — and why the difference matters
• The role of wills, living wills, and trusts in protecting families
• Why probate can sometimes be a good thing (hint: creditor claims)
• The powerful step-up in basis and how to pass the torch, not the tax
• The emotional blocks families face when talking about money, death, and legacy

If you’ve ever wondered how to prepare for the unexpected, protect your family’s inheritance, and minimize conflict, this conversation will give you both the strategy and the mindset shifts to move forward with clarity.

Connect with Chad:

Website: https://formulawealth.com/
Childfree Wealth®: https://childfreewealth.com
Childfree Trust®: https://childfreetrust.com
Childfree Wealth Podcast: https://childfreewealth.buzzsprout.com
Email: chad@formulawealth.com
Newsletter: https://formulawealth.kit.com/
Life Audit Service: https://formulawealth.com/lifeaudit
Book: The Inheritance Playbook — available on Amazon and Spotify

Connect with Linda:

Website: https://www.LindaGriz.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindagrizely
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelindagrizely
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-grizely
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LindaGrizely
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/lindagrizely
X: https://x.com/LindaGrizely

Resources/Freebies:

What’s Your Money Personality Quiz: https://bit.ly/MonPersQuiz
What’s Holding You Back from Financial Confidence Quiz: https://bit.ly/FinConfidQuiz

Join Linda’s Free Community: A space for real talk, fresh starts, and women who are done putting themselves last. https://info.lindagriz.com/widget/form/7NpbG0FdJW2Lwp57R0wj

In this episode of Real Money, Real Life™, I talk with Marcus Howard, founder of Tradechology.co, about how his early financial decisions shaped his life — and why he’s now focused on helping others avoid the same mistakes.

We talk about:

• What Marcus wishes he’d known earlier about money
• How he approaches financial education with his kids
• Learning through lived experience — not textbooks
• Why closing the wealth gap starts with conversations at home

This is a real, down-to-earth conversation about credit cards, college, parenting, and how financial clarity isn’t just for grown-ups — it starts early.

Learn more about Marcus:

https://tradechologyjr.com

https://www.youtube.com/@TradechologyAcademy

https://instagram.com/tradechology_academy

https://facebook.com/tradechology

https://giveaway.tradechology.com

https://www.amazon.com/Preparing-Manage-Millions-Mistakes-Prosperity/dp/1515130568/

Subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts.

#RealMoneyRealLife #MoneyMindset #FinancialEducation #TeachingKidsAboutMoney #ParentingAndMoney #GenerationalWealth #Tradechology

What if the real economic power players have been sitting at the kitchen table all along?

In this episode of Real Money, Real Life™, I’m joined by Natalie Benamou, founder and CEO of Her C-Suite®, to explore the rising Power of the Purse — the often invisible, yet deeply influential role women play in financial decision-making, wealth transfer, and economic change.

We talk about:

• Why women control up to 85% of household spending — and how that shapes markets
• The difference between spending power and wealth-building power
• How women are showing up differently in financial conversations post-COVID
• The mindsets that block women from stepping fully into financial authority
• What a portfolio career is — and how to plan for what's next

Natalie also shares her own financial awakening during the pandemic, the lessons she learned navigating her investments, and how Her C-Suite is helping women claim their seat at the table — and on corporate boards.

Guest Bio:
Natalie Benamou is the founder and CEO of Her C-Suite®, a platform helping women in mid-to-late career stages navigate career transitions, board opportunities, and entrepreneurial growth. She is also the host of the Women Leaders on the Move podcast, and the founder of Her Health X, an initiative dedicated to transforming women’s healthcare.

Connect with Natalie:

• HerCsuite®: https://hercsuite.com/
• Women Leaders on the Move: https://womenleadersonthemove.com/
• Natalie Benamou on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliebenamou/
• HerCsuite® on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hercsuite/

Connect with Linda:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindagrizely
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelindagrizely
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-grizely
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LindaGrizely
• Resources/Freebies: https://www.lindagriz.com/resources