Grown-Up Stuff: How to Adult

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 should buy frozen fish in the freezer section instead of the “fresh” stuff at the seafood counter and re-examine those water misters in the produce section. 

Sources Cited: 

• The Food Industry Association (FMI) -  “The Food Retailing Industry Speaks 2023”
• “The Paradox of Choice - Barry Schwartz
• US Food and Drug Administration - “Are You Storing Your Food Safely?” 

• Real Simple - “The Ultimate Guide to Storing Every Type of Food in the Refridgerator for Long-Lasting Freshness” 

• The Environmental Working Group - “EWG’s 2023 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™” 
• Mayo Clinic - “Organic Foods: Are they Safer? More Nutritious?
• Consumer Reports - “Cage-Free vs. Free Range –and Other Egg Carton Labels–Explained”

Additional References: 

• NPR - “California Becomes the First State to Ban 4 Food Additives Linked to Disease”
• Yuka App
• How Good App

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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,” Matt and Molly are joined once again by CarTalk’s Jamie Page Deaton as they discuss the dos and dont’s of car maintenance. Learn how and how often you should wash your car in the winter, what type of gas your car actually needs, and the one thing about electric vehicle maintenance that dealerships don’t want you to know. 

Sources Cited: 

• 2021 US Census Data 
• U.S. Department of Transportation: Bureau of Transportation Statistics "Automobile Profile,"
• “How Much Routine Car Mainten ance Costs” - Nerd Wallet
• “Can You Wash Your Car in Winter?” - AAA
• “Here’s How Much the Average Car Repair Costs Now” - Kelly Blue Book
• National Average Gas Prices - AAA

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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 enjoy the holidays with our families. 

Learn how to successfully navigate the holidays with family as an adult (especially when transitioning from being seen as a kid to asserting yourself as a grown-up). Arm yourself with tips on how to step away from potentially harmful discussions. Set yourself up with a support system, set healthy boundaries, and more!

Sources Cited: 

• “Season of Joy? Actually, Season of Stress for 88 Percent of Americans” - Perrigo Company via PR Newswire
• “9 Causes of Holiday Stress (and How to Manage Them)” - Lyra Health
• “The Importance of Setting Boundaries: Ten Benefits for You and Your Relationships” - BetterHelp
• “6 Ways to Stop Comparing Around the Holidays” - TalkSpace
• “Mental Health and the Holiday Blues” - National Alliance of Mental Illness

The Bear Television Series, Season 2, Episode 6 “Fishes” FX/Hulu

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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 beverage industry for major publications like Food & Wine, Wine Enthusiast and Travel + Leisure. 

If you want to graduate from chugging cheap beer to impressing your boss with your knowledge of craft beers at your next work happy hour, listen and learn as we find out how we can drink like adults. Plus, we’ll also take a look at how to elevate your drink choices if you’re abstaining from alcohol.

Sources Cited: 

• “What Percentage of Americans Drink Alcohol" - Gallup 
• Merriam-Webster
• “Rose, Musty Basement, and Oak? How to Train Your Palate to Taste Wine Like a Pro - VOGUE
• “How Smell and Taste Change as You Age” - NIH: National Institute on Aging
• “Innate and learned preferences for sweet taste during childhood” - Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care
• “Dietary Nutrient Intake, Alcohol Metabolism, and Hangover Severity” - Journal of Clinical Medicine
• “The No-Alcohol Drinks Market Surpassed $11 Billion in 2022” - Forbes

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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 those terms mean in this episode. With the help of KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner, learn about the difference between an FSA and an HSA and what your plan is legally required to cover. 

Sources Cited: 

• Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health - Primary Care Visits Available to Most Uninsured But at a High Price
• Forbes - How Much Does Health Insurance Cost In 2023?
• US Department of Healtth and Human Services - About the Affordable Care Act 

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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 Cited:

• Experian: State of the Automotive Market
• Cox Automotive

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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 different types of fuel-efficient and electric vehicle options on the road, and the latest safety features in cars and how to use them. 

Plus learn about how you can avoid becoming upside down on your car loan.  

Sources Cited: 

• The Zebra - Car Ownership Statistics
• Pew Research Center - “Car, bike or motorcycle? Depends on where you live"
• AA Newsroom - Annual Cost of New Car Ownership Crosses $10K Mark
• U.S. Department of Transportation - NHTSA Announces Final Rule Requiring Rear Visibility Technology
• J.D. Power - Electric Vehicle Trends for 2023

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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 a bachelor’s degree. 

With the help of return guests Robin Lott and Jackie James, we’re discussing the value of all types of degrees and certificates with the goal of helping you determine your own personal path. The best part? You can use a 529 savings account to pay for any of them!

Sources Cited: 

•  National Center for Education Statistics
• US Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics

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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 best ways to save and pay for higher education as a parent or student. (Spoiler alert: start saving now.) If you have children – or plan on it down the road – it’s never too early or too late to start saving for college. 

Learn about the best student loan options, how often you can reapply for financial aid, and the many benefits to opening a 529 college savings plan. 

Sources Cited: 

• National Center for Education Statistics
• “A Look at College Tuition Growth Over 20 Years” - US News & World Report
• Federal Student Aid Data for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms

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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, which utilities you’re responsible for as a renter, and how we can keep our bills down during the peak of summer and the dead of winter. 

Sources Cited:

• Scientific America - “July 2023 Is the Hottest Month Ever Recorded on Earth”
• EPA - Climate Change Indicators: Heat Waves
• National Energy Assistance Directors Association - Families Spend More on Summer Cooling

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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, find out why you really don’t want to skip a home inspection during the buying process.  

Sources Cited: 

• Housing Market Predictions for 2023 from Banke Rate
• NAR Research Group’s Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report
• 2022 National Association of Realtors Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers
• Best Lenders for FHA Loans in July 2023 from Nerd Wallet

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There are a lot of pros and cons to renting an apartment. On one hand, there’s no freer feeling than being able to pick up and move to anywhere your heart desires at the end of your lease. On the other hand – good luck if you want to customize that space with anything more than a paint job…. In this episode of Grown-Up Stuff: How to Adult, we’re talking to New York real estate broker Mark Metzger from the Corcoran Group to learn some tips on how to find an apartment and the terms we need to know to better understand our lease. Plus, discover the best strategies for how to negotiate your lease terms and lock in a lower rent. 

Learn about your rights as a renter by checking out your city’s or state’s Department of Housing website: 

• New York City, NY- https://hcr.ny.gov/division-housing-and-community-renewal 
• Boston, MA - https://www.boston.gov/departments/housing 
• Los Angeles, CA - https://housing.lacity.org/ 
• San Francisco, CA - https://sf.gov/topics/housing 
• Chicago - https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/doh.html 
• Austin, TX - https://www.austintexas.gov/page/tenant-stabilization-and-renters-rights 
• Minneapolis, MN - https://www.minneapolismn.gov/resident-services/property-housing/ 

Cited Sources: 

• 2021 Census Data on Renting
• Changes in New York State Rent Law 
• City of Boston Rent Stabilization
• “Portland Voters Reject Rent Control Changes” (H/T NBC News Center: Maine)
• “Rent Control Versus Rent Stabilization: What it All Means for Landlords” (Forbes)

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From credit cards to credit scores and everything in between, “Grown-Up Stuff: How to Adult” digs into the good, bad, and prudent ways to build and use credit. We talk to Sara Rathner, a senior writer, travel, and credit card expert at NerdWallet, about why making purchases with a credit card (instead of a debit card) is safer, how we can build our credit back up from a less-than-perfect past, and how to effectively use your credit card to build up a personal rewards savings account!

Cited Sources: 

• Board of Governors of The Federal Reserve Sustem - Economic Well Bing of U.S. Households in 2021

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Watching TikToks of home cleaning and organizing hacks are some of our favorite things to do; it’s like a squeegee for our brains. But how can we apply the lessons of the internet to the way we clean our own homes, and should we? Join us on a cleaning journey with our “TikTok Auntie”  and author of the book, “How to Clean Everything: A Practical, Down to Earth Guide for Anyone Who Doesn’t Know Where to Start,” Ann Russell. Ann tells us the essentials for a home cleaning kit and explains how often we should be tidying our kitchens, bathrooms, and bedsheets without getting overwhelmed by it all. Plus learn how you might be using anti-bacterial sprays wrong.

Cited Sources: 

• Journal of Neuroscience (Via National Library of Medicine): "Interactions of Top-down and bottom-up mechanisms in human visual cortex" 
• "The Clutter Culture" UCLA's Center on Everday Lives of Families' study of contemporary Suburban America

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Wedding season is officially upon us – which means it’s time to struggle with overwhelming gift registries and confusing dress codes (what the hell is “cocktail semi-casual??”). To help us sort through all of the madness, we’re chatting with Lizzie Post, author of “Emily Post’s Etiquette - the Centennial Edition” and co-host of the podcast “Awesome Etiquette” (also Emily Post’s great-great-grandaughter!). Learn about the importance of RSVP cards, whether or not it’s okay to buy a gift off-registry, and why wearing all white to a wedding as a guest is the ultimate faux pas. 

Cited Sources: 

• The Wedding Report - "2021 Covid-19 Wedding Market Update"
• Bankrate - "Survey: Americans can expect to spend over $600 to attend a wedding in 2023" 

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For the very first episode of “Grown-Up Stuff: How to Adult,” we’re gonna get down to the basics of a very adult matter: retirement. Joined by CPA and Asset and Wealth Management Assurance Senior Manager Jonah Batista, Molly learns it’s never too early to start thinking and saving for retirement and another important lesson about which types of retirement accounts you should be investing. 

Cited Sources: 

• 2020 US Census Data - "New Data Reveal Inequality in Retirement Account Ownership"
• Social Security Administration - "Are Americans Financially Educated on Retirement Savings" 

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Ever wish there was a road map to adulthood? Do you find yourself straight-up baffled by terms like 401k, PPO, and fabric softener? Welcome to “Grown-Up Stuff: How to Adult,” a podcast from Ruby, the iHeart Media Branded Audio Studio, dedicated to answering all of your questions about, well, grown-up stuff, like health insurance, weddings, laundry, retirement, credit, finding a home, and all the other things that keep you up at night. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.