Grown-Up Stuff: How to Adult

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you turn yourself into a morning person? With the help of author and podcaster Laura Vanderkam, you sure can! Hosts Lea Palmieri and Matt Stillo speak with the author of “What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast: A Short Guide to Making Over Your Mornings--and Life” and host of the “Before Breakfast” podcast to find out why your morning routine starts long before that dreaded alarm goes off, and the small changes you can make to have a big impact on your day, right when its getting started. For more information, visit https://lauravanderkam.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy Tax Season! We’re celebrating Season 3 of Grown-Up Stuff by filling you in on how to file your taxes. Hosts Lea Palmieri and Matt Stillo speak with Rus Garofalo of Brass Taxes about how you can save time, money, and your sanity as you tackle your taxes this year. From basic tax terms to loopholes and laws, Rus explains it all to have you feeling confident about your cash this year.  For more information, visit BrassTaxes.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve been watching a lot of “The Bear” and are inspired to create all the delicious and mind-blowing meals. . . . but first, we must learn to chop before we sauteé. It’s the Season Two finale, and Molly and Matt are hitting the kitchen with a special guest, the James Beard award-winning J. Kenji López Alt. Yes, chef! Learn which cooking tools are must-haves, the best ways to defrost meat, and the most common mistakes made in the kitchen. We’re going to help you foster a love for cooking, even if you’re a takeout stan. Cited Sources: “28% of Americans Can't Cook” - Tufts University, Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy - Health & Nutrition Letter “How Eating Out Contributes to Our Diets” - NESTA “2023 Report: Shifting Consumer Eating Habits and Grocery Shopping Habits” - National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Molly try to make money a little less scary and lean into the importance of financial awareness and tracking. Learn tips for building a budget and discover which accounts will help you grow your money. Now if only Molly could stop sweating when she looks at a spreadsheet. Do you have a topic or question you want to learn about on the podcast? Send us a note or voice memo to GrownUpStuffPod@gmail.com and we may feature your message on an upcoming episode. Cited Sources: “Survey: The average American feels they’d need over $200K a year to be financially comfortable” - Bankrate “Income in the United States: 2022” - US Census Bureau “Bankrate’s 2024 annual emergency savings report” - Bankrate “Lifestyle Creep: How To Avoid the Trap and Save More” - MarketWatch “82% of Americans don’t use this kind of savings account that earns over 5% a year — here’s how much money you may be missing out on” - CNBC Select “American Savings By Generation: How Balances And Goals Vary By Age” - Forbes Advisor See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Richardson A.K.A “The Laundry Evangelist” (Host of the TV show “The Laundry Guy,” and author of “Laundry Love”). Kyshawn and Patric share insights on the importance of properly maintaining washing machines and dryers, using the right amount of detergent, avoiding fabric softeners and dryer sheets, and staying present and not panicking about stains. Do you have a topic or question you want to learn about on the podcast? Send us a note or voice memo to GrownUpStuffPod@gmail.com and we may feature your message on an upcoming episode. Cited Sources: “Loads of Fun? Survey Finds Laundry Tops List of America’s Favorite Cleaning Tasks” - The American Cleaning Institute “SWASH: Laundry Time” - OnePoll “CDC —Phthalates Factsheet - b1” HHS and CDC “Phthalates Fact Sheet” - Biomonitoring California “This Chemical Can Impair Fertility, but It’s Hard to Avoid” - The New York Times “How Often You Really Need to Wash Clothes to Keep Them Clean” - Real Simple See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Indicator,” APM’s “Marketplace,” and author of the book “Machiavelli for Women: Defend Your Worth, Grow Your Ambition, and Win the Workplace”), Matt and Molly explore the nuances of tipping and some of the signs to look for and consider when that screen turns in their direction. Plus, learn about what a subminimum wage is, the origins of tipping, and how to embrace the custom tip option. Cited Sources: “Tipping Culture in America: Public Sees a Changed Landscape” - Pew Research Center “Do You Tip More or Less Often Than the Average American?” - Pew Research Center “Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees” - U.S. Department of Labor “Did COVID-19 Pandemic Dampen Americans’ Tipping for Food Services? Insights from Two Studies” - Compensation & Benefits Review “Technology May Turn You Into A Bigger Tipper” - NPR’s “Morning Edition” Do you have grown-up stuff that you want to figure out and learn more about? Send us an email or voice memo with your ideas and questions to grownupstuffpod@gmail.com You may hear your question on an upcoming episode! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.