Grown-Up Stuff: How to Adult

Investing can feel like one of those grown-up things everyone else understands, but the truth is, most people are figuring it out as they go.
In this episode of Grown-Up Stuff, Matt and Lea are joined by Haley Sachs, Financial Expert, host of Financial Tea podcast and NYT bestselling author of Future Rich Person, to break down the basics of investing in plain English. Together, they cover everything from emergency funds and retirement accounts to index funds, ETFs, compound interest, and why trying to time the market usually does more harm than good.
Haley shares practical advice for first-time investors, explains why financial confidence comes from taking action and not waiting until you feel ready. She covers simple strategies to build wealth over time without making investing your full-time hobby.
Whether you're opening your first brokerage account or finally trying to understand what all those investing terms actually mean, this episode will help you tune out the noise, avoid common mistakes, and take the first step toward making your money work for you.
Because being a grown-up who is financially literate doesn't mean predicting the stock market. It means having a plan and sticking with it.

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Moving sounds exciting... until you remember you actually have to move.
Between surprise utility setup fees, security deposits, Wi-Fi appointments that never seem to happen on time, and somehow ending up with a dozen boxes labeled "miscellaneous," moving can quickly become one of life's most stressful experiences. So how do you make it a little easier and a lot less expensive?
This week, Matt and Lea are joined by realtor Dag Larson for the ultimate moving guide. They cover the hidden costs most people forget to budget for, whether hiring movers is really worth it, what should never go on the moving truck, and why your first-night box might be the most important box you pack. Plus, learn how to avoid common moving mistakes, set up utilities without headaches, make your new place feel like home, and discover the simple home and neighborhood safety checks everyone should do during their first week.
Whether you're moving into your first apartment, upgrading to a new home, or relocating across the country, this episode is packed with practical tips to help your next move go more smoothly and maybe even save you a little money (and your sanity) along the way.
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International travel is magical... until you're standing in the airport realizing your passport expires next month, your phone doesn't work, and you have no idea whether you should pay in dollars or the local currency. This week on Grown Up Stuff, Matt and Lea are joined by full-time traveler Jordan Tually to answer all the questions you don't think to ask until it's way too late. They cover passports and visas, travel insurance that's actually worth buying, eSIMs, currency exchange, packing smarter (yes, you can probably leave half your clothes at home), avoiding common travel mistakes, the tricks that can help you beat jet lag, and most importantly, how not to get banned from traveling in the Schengen Area. Whether you're planning your first trip abroad or just hoping this is the vacation where nothing goes sideways, consider this your ultimate guide to traveling a little smarter and a lot less stressed.
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Getting laid off is one of those life events that can really throw you for a loop. It can leave you feeling blindsided, stressed, and wondering what you're supposed to do next. In this episode of Grown Up Stuff: How to Adult, Matt and Lea sit down with employment attorney Paige Sparks to answer all the questions that start racing through your head after a job loss: Do I get severance? Can I collect unemployment? What happens to my health insurance? And how do I know if my employer crossed a legal line?
Paige walks us through the practical stuff every adult should know, including severance agreements, COBRA, unemployment benefits, PTO payouts, and what to do with your 401(k). We also talk about the emotional side of being laid off: how to deal with the shock, avoid spiraling, stay motivated during a job search, and talk about your layoff in future interviews without feeling awkward or ashamed.
Whether you've just been laid off, you're worried it could happen, or you simply want to be prepared for one of life's less-fun surprises, this episode is packed with straightforward advice to help you protect yourself, make a plan, and move forward.
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Your home is supposed to be your safe place, but beware that many of the biggest safety risks are hiding in plain sight.
In this episode of Grown Up Stuff, Matt and Lea sit down with home inspector and safety expert Joe Mazza, who you might know from his HGTV shows. He talks about the risks most of us don't think about until something goes wrong. From smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to electrical hazards, radon, fire prevention, and emergency planning, Joe helps separate the truly important safety upgrades from the don't-waste-your-money ones.
Whether you're moving into your first apartment, buying a house, raising a family, or just trying to keep the place from falling apart, this episode is full of practical advice you can actually use. You'll learn the most common safety mistakes people make, what every home should have, and the simple steps that can make your home safer without breaking the bank.
Because being a grown-up means realizing that home safety is a lot more than remembering to lock the front door.
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