Money Unscripted

The key ingredient for any financial plan? Your budget. On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly talks with chef, influencer, and small business owner Jenn Lueke about how she helps her followers stretch their dollar in the kitchen and beyond. Ready to get your own plan cooking? Fidelity Vice President, Financial Consultant Gina Gillespie joins to share Fidelity’s new 60/30/10 plus 15 budgeting guideline. She breaks down how to make a budget and shares budgeting tools to help you reach your goals. Watch now. Tools to help you learn how to establish a budget and create a savings plan: https://www.fidelity.com/calculators-tools/budgeting-debt-management Fidelity’s easy budgeting guideline: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/spending-and-saving View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

2026 is a big year for IRAs. New rules for traditional and Roth IRAs could mean more tax-free savings in your retirement accounts. Contribution limits are up, income limits are higher, and for the first time ever, catch-up contributions are increasing for people 50 and over. On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity’s Vice President of Retirement Offerings Rita Assaf break down what’s changing, why it matters, and how to make the most of these new opportunities. Roth IRA vs. traditional IRA: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personalfinance/retirement/traditional-vs-roth Can you have a Roth IRA and a 401(k)?: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/can-you-have-a-roth-iraand-a-401k View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/moneyunscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

Market volatility can be stressful—especially when you’re close to or already in retirement. So, what do you need to know? On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity Branch Leader Andy Alvarez look at ways you can try to protect yourself from the unknown. See how to map out your retirement income, ways to build up your emergency savings, and why revisiting your plan is so important. We also talk through how annuities could fit into your long-term plan and ways to try and protect your nest egg from inflation. Watch now. Market Volatility: https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/market-and-economic-insights/market-volatility-overview Retirement calculators & tools: https://www.fidelity.com/calculators-tools/retirement-calculator/overview View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

Roth conversions. Backdoor Roths. Mega backdoor Roths. You hear about these strategies all the time, but how do they work? And what’s the difference between them? On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity Market Leader Leanna Devinney look at how taxes, timing, and your retirement plans can help you decide if one of these money moves is right for you. Watch now. Roth IRA Conversion Calculator: https://www.fidelity.com/calculators-tools/roth-conversion-calculator/ Consider an IRA: https://www.fidelity.com/retirement-ira/overview View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

What do you need to know about tax planning in 2026? On this episode of Money Unscripted, learn about the new SALT cap increase, why you might want to consider itemizing over taking the standard deduction, a boosted child tax credit, and other opportunities to save on your taxes. Join host Ally Donnelly and Ajay Sarkaria, Fidelity Regional Vice President of Private Wealth Management, as they walk through the tax strategies that could help you keep more of what you earn. Watch now. 2026 Financial Preview: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/trading-investing/investing-outlook?ccsource=Podcast_MU Managing Taxes: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/managing-taxes/managing-taxes View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

How and where do you want to live in retirement? What if you have a major health incident? And who will help you if you can’t manage your own finances as you age? These are hard questions, but the answers can impact generations of your family. That’s why Dr. Tim Habbershon, head of Fidelity’s Center for Family Engagement, says we need to stop avoiding the conversations and start talking about generational wealth and planning together. Tim joins Ally to share ways we can build the skills to have better conversations about everything from long-term care to passing down wealth to our heirs. Watch Money Unscripted now. Fidelity Center for Family Engagement: https://fcfe.fidelity.com/family/home Leading indicators of enduring family harmony: https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/personal-finance/five-indicators-of-family-harmony View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

Someone turning 65 today has an almost 70% chance of needing some type of long-term care services, according to government data. Whether it's because of an injury, an illness, or simply growing older, that care is expensive. Long-term care insurance is a smart strategy to help protect your finances and your family. So, what is long-term care insurance? How much does it cost? And what does it cover? Get the answers you need on this episode of Fidelity’s personal finance podcast Money Unscripted with host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity’s Stefne Lynch. Learn more about the Alzheimer's Association at https://www.alz.org/ or call their 24/7 helpline at (800) 272-3900. Hybrid life insurance with long-term care: https://www.fidelity.com/life-insurance/long-term-care/overview How long-term care planning can help your loved ones: https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/personal-finance/long-term-care-planning View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

The markets go up and down. That’s out of your control. But what can you control in times of uncertainty? On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly and Certified Financial Planner Ryan Viktorin help you take a big-picture look at your finances during market volatility. Are you still on track to meet your goals like saving for retirement? Does your financial plan still make sense? Should you stay the course with your investments or make adjustments? Watch now. Market volatility overview: https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/market-and-economic-insights/market-volatility-overview 6 tips to navigate volatile markets: https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/investing-ideas/six-tips View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

Maybe you want to buy a home. Or take a dream vacation. But what is your cash doing to help you reach those goals? On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity’s Leanna Devinney look at four short-term options: high-yield savings accounts, money market funds, CDs, and treasury bills. Learn how to define your goals, weigh risk and reward, and use these tools to help you get the most out of your money. Watch now. Investing for short-term goals: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/trading-investing/investing-for-short-term-goals CD vs. high-yield savings account: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/cd-vs-high-yield-savings View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

If you’re close to turning 65, Medicare is likely on the horizon. The enrollment process can feel overwhelming but making sure you have the right health care coverage is so important. On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity’s Ryann Little help you prepare for this critical piece of retirement planning. Learn the difference between Medicare Part A and Part B, see how to avoid costly mistakes, and get smart tips on navigating the complexities of coverage. Watch now. Learn about Medicare: https://medicare.fidelity.com/home?ccsource=MU_podcast_audio Your guide to working past 65: https://medicare.fidelity.com/learning-center/articles/guide-to-working-past-65/ View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

Baby boomers are set to pass on trillions of dollars to the next generations in the coming years. Much of it is expected to go to women. On this episode of Money Unscripted, Ally sits down with Alex Roca, the new host of Fidelity’s Women Talk Money show to answer women’s two biggest questions: Is it too late to get started and where should I put my next dollar? Hint: It’s never too late. From starting where you are to defining your priorities to keeping your saving and investing consistent, Alex has the tips you can use to focus on the big picture and make your money work as hard as you do. Planning for women’s health costs: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/women-talk-money/planning-womens-health Fidelity Women Talk Money: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/women-talk-money/event-replays View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

Student loans. Car loans. Mortgages. Credit cards. There are a lot of ways debt can pile up. Fast. On this episode of Money Unscripted, we talk with Sheyna, who shares how she got control of her finances and paid off $45,000 of debt. Host Ally Donnelly also sits down with Fidelity Financial Consultant Mark Greenfield to learn strategies we can all use to help pay down debt, curb spending, and set ourselves up for the future. Budget & Debt Calculators: https://www.fidelity.com/calculators-tools/budgeting-debt-management How I paid off over $40,000 in debt: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/how-I-paid-off-debt View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

Does your company offer an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP)? If so, it could be a way to save for a new house, your child’s education, or build your retirement nest egg—all while investing in your company. Money Unscripted host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity pro Emily Cervino walk through the potential advantages, crunch the numbers, and break down the tax implications behind this often-overlooked workplace benefit. Watch now. Invest in your work and your future with an ESPP: https://www.fidelity.com/go/stock-plan-services/employee-stock-purchase-plans 6 employee stock plan mistakes to avoid: https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/personal-finance/stock-plan-mistakes-to-avoid View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

Estate planning is a process that’s full of emotions. And full of questions. Where do you start? Who should be part of the conversation? And what are the key documents you need? On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity’s Pamela Pirone-Benson break down everything from writing a will and setting up a trust to choosing your power of attorney and navigating estate taxes. Watch now. 5 steps to create an estate plan: https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/wealth-management/estate-planning-made-easy 10 Estate planning pitfalls to avoid: https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/wealth-management/estate-planning-common-pitfalls View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

So, you’re investing in your 401(k) or other retirement accounts. Awesome. But maybe you're ready for more. That's how Irene Li, owner of Mei Mei Dumplings, was feeling. She has a brokerage account but wants to learn more so she can invest with confidence. On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity’s Leanna Devinney walk us through the flexibility and potential benefits of a brokerage account. They explain how asset allocation, diversification, and tax-smart strategies can help you try and grow your money and reach your goals. Investing beyond your 401(k): https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/trading-investing/taxable-brokerage-account 6 ways busy people can help build their wealth: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/how-to-build-wealth View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

How can you save and invest to live the life you want now and in the future? On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity’s Gina Gillespie look at ways to leverage your investments while maximizing your saving. From setting clear goals and spending intentionally to leaning into tax-advantaged accounts and automating your savings, they cover key steps to help you become a super saver. 4 keys to an effective, dynamic savings strategy: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/wealth-management-insights/four-keys-dynamic-spending-strategy Is financial independence possible? https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/financial-independence-retire-early-FIRE View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

You earn money. But how can you build wealth? On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity Financial Consultant Dani Braun, talk through ways to create your own financial blueprint. From defining your goals and establishing emergency savings to building a portfolio and leveraging tax-smart investing strategies, see how you can draft a solid plan. 4 keys to an effective, dynamic savings strategy: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/wealth-management-insights/four-keys-dynamic-spending-strategy 5 small steps that can make a big impact: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/money-management View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

College: It’s the number one savings priority for parents, according to the Fidelity 2024 College Savings Indicator Study. Yet, families are only on track to cover 30% of the expected costs. It’s why, on this episode of the Money Unscripted podcast, we’re taking a deep dive into 529 plans. How do these flexible, tax-advantaged accounts work? Who can contribute? What kind of expenses do they cover? And what happens if your child doesn’t go to college? Join host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity’s Cory Latham as they hit the books to help you try and ace your college savings plan. Watch now. College savings calculator: https://www.fidelity.com/misc/college-savings/college_savings.html Check out Fidelity’s hub for all things college planning: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/life-events/prepare-for-college View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

Retirement looks different for everyone. Maybe you want to grab your passport and see everything. Maybe you want to grab a beach chair and do nothing. Whatever your goals, there are key questions to ask yourself before you take the leap. Who are you planning for? What do you want your retirement to look like? And are you on track to meet your goals? On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity’s Andy Alvarez get to the heart of planning your retirement income, setting a realistic budget, and strategies to help you make your savings last. Watch now. Retirement strategies for every age: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/retirement-strategies Preparing for and living in retirement: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/retirement/planning-your-retirement View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted?ccsource=p_PodDir_031125. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

To help you start the new year strong, check out our year-end financial checklist. Join Money Unscripted host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity’s Leanna Devinney to see how to make the most of your 401(k), how to stay on top of HSA contribution limits and deadlines, and how to master strategies like tax-loss harvesting. 6 year-end deadlines to know: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/year-end-money-deadlines5 tax moves to consider before year-end: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/yearend-tax-planning-2023 What is an HSA and how does it work? https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted/hsaRoth IRAs -- What to know: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted/roth-IRA View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted Have a comment or episode idea? Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2024 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.