Grown-Up Stuff: How to Adult

Money can be such a stressful topic, and many of us can feel like we’re always playing catch-up when it comes to our personal finances. Your income never feels substantial enough to get ahead, and budgeting feels intimidating and intense. 

With the help of special guests Jannese Torres (“Yo Quiero Dinero” podcast and author of “Financially Lit!”) and Austin Hankwitz (“Rich Habits” podcast and “Rate of Return” Newsletter), Matt and ...

Plants are truly incredible. House plants in particular provide so many benefits. They clean the air, increase humidity, and boost moods. They also make our homes look super grown-up. And some of us can use all the help we can get to elevate our apartment decor. But We have to remember that plants are living things that require TLC, but not too much. 

In this episode of Grown-Up Stuff: How to Adult, Molly and Matt are learning abou...

Laundry is one of those core adulting skills we should all know how to do. And perhaps, you may be thinking “I’m good, I know how to do laundry.” Trust us; this episode of “Grown-Up Stuff: How to Adult” is still going to shock and surprise you when it comes to laundry. 

Molly and Matt are learning all about common laundry mistakes and helpful hacks from guest experts Kyshawn Lane (The Weekly Home Check on Instagram) and Patric Rich...

Are you ready to take on all the grown-up responsibilities of dog ownership? One of the best things about being an adult is you get to make all the decisions for yourself, like eating ice cream for dinner, staying up late to watch a scary movie and finally getting a puppy. But each of these decisions comes with responsibilities and consequences; the biggest of which is becoming a puppy parent. They’re cute and fluffy, loving and lo...

Tipping, it’s complicated. With so many more tip jars and digital tipping options available, it can often be confusing to figure out what goods or services you should always be tipping on and how much. Well, turns out tipping culture is pretty complex and spoiler alert, there isn’t always one set of straightforward rules to follow. 

With the help of special guest Stacey Vanek Smith (Bloomberg Audio, NPR’s “Planet Money” and “The In...

So your friends are getting married, and they’ve asked you to stand up at their wedding. . . in some ways, this can be a rite of passage for many grown-ups. It can feel like an honor. But it can also be a lot to take on, too. What are the actual expectations of a wedding attendant (i.e. bridesmaid, groomsman, MOH, or best man)? 

Lizzie Post from the Emily Post Institute returns to the podcast to teach Molly and Matt about the roles...

Your epidermis is showing! So give it a good wash with a gentle cleanser, moisturize and slather on the sunscreen cause Matt and Molly are back for Season 2 and learning all about skincare. No matter what your gender, age or location, listen up because your skin needs attention, love and protection. Jennifer Sullivan, beauty columnist for The Cut at New York Magazine and co-host of the podcast “Fat Mascara” talks pimples, exfoliant...

The work of a grown-up is never done. There’s always something we’ve got to figure out, navigate, or just straight-up accomplish. And thankfully, your favorite podcast about how to win adulthood is back. “Grown-Up Stuff: How To Adult” returns for Season Two on March 26th with even more life lessons! Join Matt and Molly as they learn about everything from the importance a good skincare routine to understanding rules around tipping. ...

It’s our Season One Finale and we’re going out with a budget-friendly banger! We’re going to figure out how to grocery shop like heroes, and we’re not talking about the sandwich. 

With the help of consumer and food trends expert and “Supermarket Guru” Phil Lempert, Molly and Matt learn how to reign in impulse buying, find the best deals and discounts, and change their shopping habits to avoid food waste. 

Also, learn why you sh...

Do you know how often you should rotate the tires on your car? What about when it comes to checking your oil? And do you know what it means when your “check engine” light appears? Not only does it feel grown-up to know how to maintain your car, but with winter coming (and winter IS coming), car maintenance is a very real necessity when it comes to keeping it running smoothly.

In this episode of “Grown-Up Stuff: How to Adult,” Mat...

The holiday season is officially here! 'Tis the season for joy, cheer, and, well… managing the chaos that is family gatherings. 

Looking for ways to survive the next couple of months while navigating these complicated dynamics? We’ve got your back. In this episode of “Grown-Up Stuff: How to Adult,” Molly and Matt chat with Dr. George James (LMFT), founder of George Talks and host of the podcast LEAPcast, about how to actually enj...

Happy Halloween! Did you know that Halloween is one of the biggest drinking holidays of the year? For those of us who are of legal age to imbibe liquid spirits and pumpkin ales, there’s a lot to learn about drinking alcohol. 

From wine to beer and everything in between, Matt and Molly talk about how to train and refine our palates with Certified Cicerone® and wine and spirits expert Ethan Fixell, who has written about the bar and...

It’s one of the scariest times of the year. . . . it’s open enrollment time for health insurance. Every year, we’re all overwhelmed by the options and terminology of our policies, but this year Molly and Matt have full hearts and can’t lose. This year, they are determined to understand their coverage options and whether they should choose a high-deductible plan or one with a high premium. But first, they’re going to figure out what...

That new-car-smell is closer than you think! In this episode, Matt and Molly welcome Car Talk’s Editor-in-Chief Jamie Page Deaton back to the show to weigh in on the differences between leasing, financing, or outright buying new and used cars. Learn how to enter a dealership with confidence, uncover the tools you need to score the best deal, and determine whether or not you need that extended warranty or service plan! 

Sources Ci...

There’s something incredibly appealing about having the freedom to move seamlessly throughout the world in your very own car. Nowadays, there are a lot of car options to choose from and all at very different price points. 

With the help of CarTalk Editor-in-Chief Jamie Page Deaton, Matt and Molly figure out how to choose the right car based on needs and cost. Discover the best ways to calculate a budget for acquiring a car, the dif...

In our previous episode, we learned all about how to pay and save for college with a 529 savings plan. But a bachelor’s degree program isn’t the only path to take when it comes to higher education.

In this special episode of “Grown-Up Stuff: How to Adult,” sponsored by EdVest of Wisconsin and the Michigan Education Savings Program, Molly and Matt will explore all of the options people have after graduating high school – and beyond ...

This just in: college is freaking expensive! But pursuing any kind of education after high school – whether a bachelor’s degree, associate’s, or trade certification – can make a huge difference in your career. In this special episode of “Grown-Up Stuff: How to Adult,” sponsored by EdVest of Wisconsin and the Michigan Education Savings Program, Matt and Molly speak with college savings experts Robin Lott and Jackie James about the b...

With all the intense heat experienced globally this summer, utility bills have been rising right along with the temperatures. So how can we better understand things like our energy and water usage to keep our utility bills as low as possible? In this episode of “Grown-Up Stuff: How to Adult,” Molly and Matt talk with Lucas Hall, founder of Landlordology, about all things Utilities. 

Find out what’s considered an essential utility, ...

Last episode we learned all about how to find and lease an apartment, but in this episode, we’re leveling up with how to buy and finance a home. We’re talking about mortgages, escrow, and HOAs with Vanessa Aragon, a licensed real estate agent in Scottsdale, Arizona. Did you know you could put down less than six percent to buy a home?? (Thanks, Vanessa.)

Discover if you’re ready for home-buying – and if your budget is, too. Plus, fi...