If you’re anything like me, money, taxes, and budgeting are words in a language you were never taught in school. For the longest time, I’ve been baffled by the finance world: how do taxes work? What’s up with the stock market? And the most pressing question: why can’t we just print more money?
Most of the knowledge I have about so-called “adulting” practices comes from YouTube videos, talking to business majors, and, of course, podcasts. Whether you’re looking to brush up on your finance knowledge, learn how to budget your money, or want to know how taxes work, these five podcasts about money will tell you everything you need to know.
- Planet Money
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Perhaps one of the most well-known podcasts about money, Planet Money should be your go-to source for learning about how the heck the economy works. Before listening to Planet Money, I didn’t even know what the economy was. Planet Money offers tons of fun, digestible episodes about topics ranging from government shutdowns to cheese cartels to whether the Illuminati are impacting international shipping rates — and yes, all of these topics do, in fact, relate to the economy.
Where you can find Planet Money: Spotify, Apple, NPR, and Google Podcasts.
- The Journal
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The Journal podcast comes from the Wall Street Journal and serves up episodes that provide a business-y spin on the top news stories of the day. If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like when a city has a minimum wage of more than $15 an hour, or how President Biden and former President Trump view the economy, then this is the podcast for you. Plus, like Planet Money, the episodes are only about 15 to 20 minutes long, so you might be able to listen to several on your commute to work.
Where you can find The Journal: Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, and iHeartRadio.
- Suze Orman’s Women and Money
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My parents used to have The Suze Orman Show on every night like clockwork. I’d watch with my parents as Orman would assist viewers with their personal finances, noting Orman’s look of disapproval when a viewer would call in and have the audacity to want to purchase something way over their budget. Now, Orman has her own podcast, and it’s specifically geared towards women (and the men smart enough to listen, as she says). Orman’s podcast is nothing if not empowering, as it encourages women to trust themselves and not allow others to make financial decisions for them. Plus, there’s episodes where Orman answers questions I’m way too afraid to ask — what are Roth IRAs, anyway?
Where you can find Suze Orman’s Women and Money: Spotify, Apple, and Google Podcasts.
- You Need a Budget
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The title of this podcast says it all — you do need a budget. Whether you’re still in college or recently graduated, it pays, literally, to learn how to save your money and spend wisely. Are you spending too much money on takeout? Should you rent or buy? Can you actually afford a new car? You Need a Budget covers it all in episodes that range anywhere from two minutes to half an hour. If you’re tired of living from paycheck to paycheck (I know I am), check out You Need a Budget.
Where you can find You Need a Budget: Spotify, Apple, and Soundcloud.
- Side Hustle Pro
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Hosted by Nicaila Matthews, Side Hustle Pro highlights Black women who have turned their side hustles into successful businesses. These entrepreneurs have quit their day jobs, followed their passions, and are helping others succeed in the same manner. If you’re interested in hearing how strong, empowering women were able to make their dreams a reality (and how you can, too), give Side Hustle Pro a go.
Where you can find Side Hustle Pro: Spotify, Apple, and Soundcloud.
When you have very little understanding of money, the finance world isn’t easy to grasp. The five podcasts above are sure to transform you from financial fledgling to money mogul in no time.