Accessibility links
Life Kit: Money Life Kit: Money
Stories About

Life Kit: Money

To save money on groceries, try these tips before going to the store
Photographs Unsplash; Collage by Kaz Fantone/NPR

Life Kit

To save money on groceries, try these tips before going to the store

Groceries aren't cheap, but there are ways beyond just looking for sales to make budget meals. To help cut down your grocery bill, we have practical tips for saving money on the food you cook at home.

To save money on groceries, try these tips before going to the store

Listen · 17:26
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1177920731/1197915832" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
A big misconception about debt — and how to tackle it
Angela Hsieh/NPR

Life Kit

A big misconception about debt — and how to tackle it

Life happens, and so does debt. Unexpected car trouble, the high price of food, a family emergency — there is no shortage of reasons why debt can pile up. In this episode, we offer shame-free solutions for digging out of debt.

A big misconception about debt — and how to tackle it

Listen · 14:12
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1168688973/1197916088" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Dear Life Kit: My boyfriend's parents pay for everything. It makes me uncomfortable
Photographs by Fabrizio Frigeni/Unsplash; Markus Winkler/Unsplash; Collage by NPR

Dear Life Kit

Dear Life Kit: My boyfriend's parents pay for everything. It makes me uncomfortable

She loves her boyfriend's parents, but their generosity feels inappropriate. Maya Lau, host of the podcast Other People's Pockets, weighs in on how to move forward.

Dear Life Kit: My boyfriend's parents pay for everything. It makes me uncomfortable

Listen · 11:53
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1168234924/1197916096" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Medical bills can cause a financial crisis. Here's how to negotiate them
Shannon Wright for NPR

Life Kit

Medical bills can cause a financial crisis. Here's how to negotiate them

There's an estimated $195 billion of medical debt in America. But just because a medical bill comes in the mail doesn't mean you have to pay that exact price. Here's how to eliminate, reduce or negotiate a medical bill.

Medical bills can cause a financial crisis. Here's how to negotiate them

Listen · 17:15
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1165953653/1197916114" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Want to get into credit card points? Here's what you should know
We Are/Getty Images

Life Kit

Want to get into credit card points? Here's what you should know

Credit card rewards programs can offer big perks like airline miles and hotel upgrades. Finance journalist Katherine Fan explains how to choose the right card and what to know before signing up.

Want to get into credit card points? Here's what you should know

Listen · 19:05
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1134223194/1197916619" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Dear Life Kit: I cared for our dad. Now my greedy siblings want the inheritance
Photos by Jacques Bopp/Unsplash, Becky Harlan/NPR

Dear Life Kit

Dear Life Kit: I cared for our dad. Now my greedy siblings want the inheritance

She cared for her stepdad through illness and death. Now she's disheartened that her siblings only seem to care about the inheritance. Financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin weighs in.

Dear Life Kit: I cared for our dad. Now my greedy siblings want the inheritance

Listen · 12:02
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1129659328/1197916657" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
The markets are down. Here's how to handle your investments
Michael Raines/Getty Images

Life Kit

The markets are down. Here's how to handle your investments

About 60% of Americans have some money in the stock market — and the markets are not doing great. Your knee-jerk reaction might be to sell. But experts explain why that's not a good idea.

The markets are down. Here's how to handle your investments

Listen · 15:51
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1125656030/1197916717" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
What you need to know about preparing financially for a baby
FatCamera/Getty Images

Life Kit

What you need to know about preparing financially for a baby

Having a baby is one of the biggest and most expensive life changes a person can experience. Farnoosh Torabi, editor-at-large at CNET Money, shares what you need to know about budgeting for a baby.

What you need to know about preparing financially for a baby

Listen · 22:08
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1111233696/1197917016" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
If your spending is eating your savings, you might be experiencing 'lifestyle creep'
Allie Sullberg for NPR

Life Kit

If your spending is eating your savings, you might be experiencing 'lifestyle creep'

Making more money tends to lead to spending more money. It's a phenomenon known as "lifestyle creep." Paco de Leon, author of Finance for the People, shares advice on keeping your long-term financial goals in check and fending off the subconscious urge to automatically increase spending when your income increases.

If your spending is eating your savings, you might be experiencing 'lifestyle creep'

Listen · 22:23
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1111300716/1198902395" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Simple DIY maintenance tasks that will keep your car running smoothly — and save money
Suriyo Hmun Kaew/EyeEm/Getty Images

Life Kit

Simple DIY maintenance tasks that will keep your car running smoothly — and save money

Car ownership can be intimidating — and expensive — especially when it comes to upkeep. Auto educator and journalist Chaya Milchtein shares tips to help you maintain essential safety features in a car, how to find the right mechanic for you and when it's time for a new car.

Simple DIY maintenance tasks that will keep your car running smoothly — and save money

Listen · 19:06
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1109431302/1197917100" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
File your taxes on time. Here's what you should know about your refund
Lindsey Balbierz for NPR

Life Kit

File your taxes on time. Here's what you should know about your refund

It's tax season (insert collective groan here). But don't worry: in this episode of Life Kit, CPA and tax analyst Kimberly Washington offers helpful advice on maximizing your refund, what deductions to remember and how the child tax credit impacts your tax filings this year.

File your taxes on time. Here's what you should know about your refund

Listen · 11:19
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1088210118/1197917453" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Financial advice for artists who think they're 'bad with money'
Paco de Leon

Life Kit

Financial advice for artists who think they're 'bad with money'

Getting your finances in order can be intimidating, especially for freelancers, creatives and side-giggers. Financial planner and artist Paco de Leon shares simple, holistic advice for tuning up your finances.

Financial advice for artists who think they're 'bad with money'

Listen · 21:45
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1077923841/1197917575" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
'Exposure' doesn't pay the bills. Here's how to get paid what you're worth
Westend61/Getty Images

Life Kit

'Exposure' doesn't pay the bills. Here's how to get paid what you're worth

Time is money. But often, especially in the creative industries, trying to advance your career can mean literally selling yourself short. It's commonplace and borderline expected, depending on where you are in your career, to have to offer time and labor for free or for deeply discounted rates to get work. In this episode of Life Kit, journalist Juleyka Lantigua-Williams shares tools for advocating for yourself and your paycheck, as well as reflections on the value of betting on yourself.

'Exposure' doesn't pay the bills. Here's how to get paid what you're worth

Listen · 20:45
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1073167276/1197917645" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
22 tips for 2022: Money problems don't just disappear. Here's how to face them
Cha Pornea for NPR

22 tips for 2022

22 tips for 2022: Money problems don't just disappear. Here's how to face them

Avoiding money issues is often at the expense of our longer-term financial — and mental — wellbeing. To upend problematic money behavior, try doing an audit of your last few money interactions.

22 tips for 2022: Money problems don't just disappear. Here's how to face them

Listen · 16:45
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1072563545/1072606666" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Understanding the promises and limits of ethical investing
Luisa Jung for NPR

Life Kit

Understanding the promises and limits of ethical investing

Money talks, but how do you make sure your money is sending the right message? Ethical investing isn't magic, but it's one way to try and put your money where your morals are. Here's what you need to know before you get started.

Understanding the promises and limits of ethical investing

Listen · 16:53
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1072207126/1197917661" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
22 tips for 2022: Spend less by choosing what'll bring you lasting joy
LA Johnson/NPR

22 tips for 2022

22 tips for 2022: Spend less by choosing what'll bring you lasting joy

Impulse shopping feels good in the moment, but it can impede your long-term savings goals. This shopping tip will help separate fleeting fun from sustained satisfaction.

22 tips for 2022: Spend less by choosing what'll bring you lasting joy

Listen · 20:52
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1070786565/1071082266" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Stressed about money? Scared to check your balance? These tips are for you
Cha Pornea for NPR

Life Kit

Stressed about money? Scared to check your balance? These tips are for you

If you wince every time you open up your credit card app or feel stressed just thinking about personal finances, here's how to curb money avoidance and train your brain to face your money woes head-on.

Stressed about money? Scared to check your balance? These tips are for you

Listen · 16:45
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1067497505/1197917707" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
22 tips for 2022: When it comes to saving money, a roommate is worth 1,000 coffees
Shannon Wright for NPR

22 tips for 2022

22 tips for 2022: When it comes to saving money, a roommate is worth 1,000 coffees

If you're looking to overhaul your budget, it's best to focus on bigger categories — like housing or transportation — rather than all the almond milk lattes.

22 tips for 2022: When it comes to saving money, a roommate is worth 1,000 coffees

Listen · 21:57
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1066218040/1066556700" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
We answered your questions on safety, loneliness and anxiety during the holidays
Becky Harlan and Trish Pickelhaupt/NPR

Life Kit

We answered your questions on safety, loneliness and anxiety during the holidays

We asked for your questions on navigating the holiday blues. Clinical psychologist Andrea Bonior guides us through some rough patches involving family, money, loneliness and safety.

We answered your questions on safety, loneliness and anxiety during the holidays

Listen · 23:56
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1064843920/1065779554" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Stop before you shop! You can give meaningful holiday gifts without buying new
Photo Illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR

Life Kit

Stop before you shop! You can give meaningful holiday gifts without buying new

Shopping secondhand can ease the environmental burden of holiday consumption — and save you money, too. Here are three tips to help you start cutting down this season.

Stop before you shop! You can give meaningful holiday gifts without buying new

Listen · 11:13
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1063127870/1197917747" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Browse archive or search npr.org