Add It Again: What's In It For Me? (with Vivian Tu)

Summary

Podcast Summary – Add to Cart: "Add It Again: What's In It For Me?" (with Vivian Tu)

Released: March 13, 2026
Hosts: Kulap Vilaysack & SuChin Pak
Guest: Vivian Tu (Your Rich BFF)

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Overview

In this lively and insightful episode, Kulap and SuChin ("the Aunties") welcome personal finance educator and content creator Vivian Tu (aka “Your Rich BFF”) for an honest, hilarious, and highly practical exploration of why we should always ask “What’s in it for me?”—from career moves to small daily financial choices. Together, they grapple with generational money mindsets, the importance of demanding raises, ditching the guilt over "taking up space" (or gift bags), easy financial stewardship, and simple but game-changing self-care hacks.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Auntie Catch-Up & The Gift Bag Debacle

[03:25 – 10:37]

• Kulap and SuChin recount meeting at the Gold House Gold Gala and dissect their glamorous outfits.
• SuChin shares her deep regret over leaving the coveted gift bag behind, spiraling into a discussion about internalized scarcity and the "gremlin" many women of color harbor that tells them not to “take up space” or accept nice things.
• Vivian, who attended the previous year, confirms the gift bags are legendary (“That gift bag was one of the coolest…I am so sorry, but that gift bag was one of the coolest gift bags I've ever gotten.” – Vivian, [07:11]), sending SuChin further into FOMO.

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2. Introducing Vivian Tu & Net Worth and Chill

[10:37 – 14:52]

• Vivian discusses her new podcast, “Net Worth and Chill,” that aims to destigmatize talking about money, especially for younger, diverse audiences:

  "I made this brand for my seven idiot friends from work." – Vivian [10:40]

• She rejects the “old white dudes shaming you to beans and rice” sensibility of most finance podcasts, offering real talk on money as if “over brunch with your bestie.”

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3. Generational Money Mindsets

[14:52 – 17:12]

• Vivian reflects on being first-gen American, contrasting her own approach (“I am entitled. I am an American. You're not going to take that away from me… I have a right to be rich.” – Vivian, [15:31]) to her Chinese immigrant parents' survival-based mentality.
• She argues that thriving, not just surviving, means learning how to grow wealth, not simply save it—calling out the changes in the American Dream:

  “You can't do that anymore. You cannot save your way to rich anymore. If you are not investing...it's just not going to happen.” – Vivian [16:12]

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4. Adding to Cart: The Demand for Raises

[22:20 – 26:00]

• Vivian’s #1 advice: “Demand a raise every single year.”

  “If you stay at a job for longer than two years, you are likely to make less than if you were to leave and go to either a lateral or slightly higher position at a competitor.” – Vivian [22:29]

• She advocates for consistent, early, and frequent requests—not waiting for annual review season:

  “I am motivated by nothing but money.” – Vivian [23:26]

5. “WIFM – What’s In It For Me?” & The New American Dream

[26:00 – 29:30]

• Vivian introduces the “WIFM” principle: always assess “what’s in it for me?” at work.
• She details the seismic shift from pensions to 401(k)s, highlighting employers’ shifting of retirement risk to employees ("The 401k is just shittier in every possible way." – Vivian [26:56]).
• Modern workers, she argues, don’t get rewarded for loyalty like their parents did, so career moves—and assertiveness—are absolutely necessary.

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6. Add to Cart: Lash Extensions & Self-Care Shortcuts

[29:30 – 33:03]

• Vivian shares her obsession with lash extensions, rooted in her “club rat” college days and confirmed by her Wall Street mentor’s influence.
• The segment turns into a spirited Auntie confessional about short, straight lashes and the never-ending search for beauty hacks that make daily life easier.

  “If my wings are not even, nobody is having a good time tonight.” – Vivian [31:01]

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7. Credit Card Smarts & Monthly Payoffs

[36:29 – 39:46]

• Kulap asks why it's crucial to pay off your credit card in full each month, not just the minimum.
• Vivian delivers one of the episode’s most memorable and visual explanations:

  “Would you ever go into a store and see a sign that's like, '20% more' and say, 'Yeah, I definitely want to pay 20% more'? You don't!” – Vivian [36:38]

• They discuss psychological tricks credit card companies use (anchoring bias) and the importance of maximizing rewards without accruing debt.

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8. Add to Cart: Espon Jabon Soap

[39:46 – 41:55]

• Vivian recommends Espon Jabon, a Mexican soap/sponge hybrid for exfoliation—proving influencer power works, as her favorite scent is now sold out.

  “This bar soap, it exfoliates while cleaning. … My fiancé tried it for a couple days, and his arms, like, almost completely cleared up.” – Vivian [40:12]

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9. Remove from Cart: Debit Cards & Other Financial Faux Pas

[42:01 – 44:30]

• Vivian strongly discourages using debit cards for purchases (except for getting cash at an ATM), citing lack of rewards and much weaker fraud protection:

  “If your debit card gets stolen…they are spending your money. … Whereas if your credit card gets stolen…the thief is spending the bank's money. And you can call, and be like, 'My credit card was stolen' ... and the bank is like, 'That's our money.' And they go after that thief with the fury of God.” – Vivian [42:14]

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10. Remove from Cart: Social Obligations Early in the Week

[47:17 – 49:42]

• Vivian now avoids social events on Monday–Wednesday:

  “I am business in the front, party in the back... Now I'm almost 30 and a hangover is three to five business days.” – Vivian [47:38]

• She emphasizes the importance of saving energy for her work week and maintaining mental health.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Scarcity and Free Stuff:

  “There’s nothing for free that isn’t precious… It could be ostrich feed pellets. I don’t own ostriches. Precious, precious. I love it.” – SuChin ([08:18])

• On The Financial “Gremlin” in Minority Women:

  “That gremlin that lives inside of me… for some reason… that person instead of this bold 47-year-old woman that takes up space… took over.” – SuChin ([09:14])

• On Career Moves and Money:

  “We do not do this shit for free.” – Vivian ([24:20])

• On Credit Card Minimum Payments:

  “Minimum payment due… taps into a psychological concept called anchoring bias… you anchor to the first number…” – Vivian ([37:00])

• On Removing Social Obligations Early in the Week:

  “Now I'm almost 30 and a hangover is three to five business days.” – Vivian ([47:56])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:25] – Discussion on Gold Gala, the lost gift bag, & what it says about women’s relationship to “taking up space”
• [06:47] – Vivian Tu joins; immediate commentary on gift-bag trauma
• [10:40] – Vivian’s new podcast and why finance content needs a makeover
• [14:52] – Generational money perspectives and the “thriving not surviving” mindset
• [22:20] – Why you should demand a raise every year and how to do it
• [26:00] – The origin and power of "WIFM: What's In It For Me?" in work life
• [29:42] – Vivian’s beauty hack: lash extensions, and the joy of saving daily effort
• [36:29] – The crucial importance of paying off your credit card each month
• [39:46] – Espon Jabon soap recommendation
• [42:01] – Why you should mostly ditch your debit card
• [47:17] – On shifting social life to the end of the week for mental wellbeing
• [50:13] – Where to find Vivian Tu online and her podcast

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Tone & Style

The episode is friendly, comedic, and conversational—balancing “Auntie” wisdom, real-world mistakes, and actionable financial tactics. Vivian brings savvy, sharp-edged advice with warmth and humor; Kulap and SuChin provide the relatable and hilarious foil of lifelong friends trying to “do better” and “be better” (or at least, not do worse).

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In Sum

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever felt awkward asking for more at work, struggles with financial anxiety, obsesses over little purchases, or just loves hearing women talk candidly about money, self-worth, and practical life upgrades. Through laughter and lessons, Vivian demystifies modern personal finance without shame or jargon—just smart, actionable advice.

Transcript

[A]

Okay, so Ku, do you remember earlier in the year I was looking for just a simple cotton pant? It was on my list. I know. It's like you realize that sometimes you just need the basics, you know, after you get through all the glitter and fluff. And so it hit me, where do I want to go for just simple, gorgeous basics that are super high quality without the sticker shock? It is Quince baby. And I check that right off my list last week. Wow.

[B]

I mean, results. I already ranted about all the BS companies that are not getting that V stock money this year. And Quint makes it really easy to hold that line. Carter's. You know, these aunties love to nag about a good deal for a steal. And Quince does it ethically.

[A]

Don't get me started on their cashmere. Don't do that. You already know I scarf it, and that is ATC lore. But I also got this cutie I'm wearing today. Koo. It's a gorgeous ribbed chocolate cotton cashmere cardigan you can just throw in the wash.

[B]

I mean, actually was going to tell you that I really like that cardigan on you. I didn't really like it.

[A]

This is so you. This is your color.

[B]

These are my color.

[A]

To get this, you need to get this. Yes.

[B]

Sue, you're an animal right now. Go to quince.com addtocart for free shipping and 365 day returns. That's a full year to wear it and love it. And you will now available in Canada too. Don't keep settling for clothes that don't last. Go to Q U I n c e.com addtocart for free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.com addtocart coo.

[A]

I don't need to brag about this again, but I am a teacher's pet.

[B]

How so?

[A]

My identity is a student.

[C]

You know what I mean?

[A]

I do the homework. So when Masterclass decided to come on board to help put this little show back on the tracks, I got my number two out and I started to really take note. I started the year with a mindfulness course from Jon Kabat Zinn. Highly recommend for a good reset. Now, the last thing, though, I watched was this incredible documentary on Patricia Field about fashion and coo. This just sparked something in my brain, you know, it just. It's one of those delicious looks into fashion icon history. You have to watch it.

[C]

Ooh.

[B]

I didn't know that that was available to us on Masterclass. I mean, it makes sense because they're all about igniting curiosity. With plans Starting at just $10 a month, you can get unlimited access to over 200 classes taught by the best business leaders, writers, and creators in the world. Plus, with audio mode, each can now listen on the go.

[A]

Right now, our listeners get an additional 15% off any annual [e-mail] addtocart that's

[B]

15% [e-mail] add to cart masterclass.com addtocart. Lemonade.

[C]

Also with that fire boy.

[A]

Welcome back, folks, to add to cart. This is a show about the things we buy, the things we buy into, the things we leave behind, what it says about who we are. I am Soojin Pak.

[B]

And I'm Kulapi Lysak. Auntie sue, it was a delight to see you in person at the Gold House Gold Gala in your finery. We were both in black and both in a bold, orangey red lip.

[A]

Correct? Correct. That orangey red lip recommendation from JDR June Diane Raphael went a long way. I was feeling like the goth vibes, and I did feel a bit like I was. I had told you I felt like I was the chairman's wife at a funeral. That was my look for the night. I'm too old for Wednesday Addams, but just the perfect age for the chairman's wife at a funeral.

[B]

I mean, we were both in black, but our necklines could not have been any different.

[A]

Mine was up, up, up, and mine was just.

[B]

I mean, I said to our friends, like, one false move and the spillage would have been on the level of the Exxon Valdez.

[A]

It's what we call the nip line. You know, that's the nip line. Plunge.

[B]

I just took some chances. I took some chances.

[A]

You know, once in a full moon, we get together. Yes.

[B]

And I, as you know, have two full moons. Sue, you were very upset the day after. Cause you realized you made a big mistake.

[A]

All right, I see we're gonna talk about this. I don't like to bring it up again because yesterday was a hard day for me. There was a gift bag. And as I was leaving the night, I did say to my friend, should I grab a gift bag? And she was like, nah. And every ounce of my body just was taut like a tightrope. I knew it was wrong. I was in fight or flight, and yet I just didn't do it. And I got in the Uber and we left. And then the next morning, we were texting about the night before, and I actually got sick. I don't want to Say it was the cause of my level 10 migraine that put me to bed all day yesterday. But let me just say, in the morning, I was fine. Then we texted about this fricking gift bag I left behind, and I did not get out of bed.

[B]

Again, our guest. I want to say her mouth was agape.

[A]

I would love to get her opinion on this.

[B]

Yeah, let's bring her into the fold. Let us introduce her. Because unlike us, our guest lives and breathes financial literacy. She's on a mission to make the financial industry less male, pale, and stale, which, you know, sue and I love. Known as Urich BFF Online, she uses her platform to share financial advice you can actually understand. Even this auntie. This auntie gets it. Like when somebody forwarded me her account suit. When I tell you it was the quickest follow.

[C]

The quickest follow.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

Quickest follow. Please add to cart. Vivian, too.

[C]

Thank you guys so much for having me.

[A]

Welcome.

[B]

Really, just right away, we need your opinion, your thoughts on sue leaving behind the bag.

[C]

Okay, so as someone who went to the gold gala last year. Year. Oh, that. That gift bag.

[A]

Don't say it. Don't say it. Don't. Don't.

[C]

Oh, my God.

[A]

I'm already sweating like I need my underarm pads. What are you gonna say?

[C]

Oh, my God.

[A]

Say it.

[C]

Let her say it. I am so sorry, but that gift bag was one of the coolest gift bags I've ever gotten. So, like, there were, like, foods and treats and makeup and goodies, and there was even a pair of boxing gloves. I don't know what was in this year's bag. I'm assuming they're only like these.

[B]

Every year.

[C]

Only gets cooler.

[B]

But I. Okay, I'm not allowed. I was like, sue, do you want me to do an unboxing? I'll take a video. I'll take some pictures for you. Not allowed to do that. But then. Then she asked me to do that, then took it back.

[A]

No. I found some strength, and I said, okay, fine. Show me what's in it. And then I was like, absolutely not. No. I'm actually getting sick thinking about what is in that gift bag.

[C]

We.

[B]

But, Vivian, I. While this bag is heavy, Sue, I'm not going into details. Well. Well, it was heavy in heft. There weren't boxing clubs. I think yours was. I think yours.

[C]

Maybe.

[A]

Maybe year one was. They just went all out.

[C]

I don't. I guess. You know what? Let's just leave it at this. I guess we'll never know because sue didn't Grab a bag and.

[A]

And I don't want to know what's in the bag. And listen, the irony, I get it, I get it. Like, this is a podcast where we regularly get free things. I mean, that's why we started this. We beg for free things. All of us have experienced the joy of getting something you didn't want for free. You know, it's the sweetest, sweetest scent and yet it's never enough. There's nothing for free that isn't precious. And I don't care what it is. Correct. It could be ostrich feed pellets. I don't own ostriches. Precious, precious. I love it. I want it. I want it in the jumbo bag. Give it to me. And I freaking left this damn gift bag behind. Anyway, I don't know, we can move on.

[C]

Yeah, I need to, I just need to know. But like, what demon possessed you to not grab this?

[B]

Okay, Vivian, I think you figured it out. This demon is the only thing that makes sense.

[A]

This is the demon. And I'm not going to drag you guys down to my level, but that perhaps as a female, as a female of color, as an Asian female, some of you may understand this demon that lives inside, which is, oh, no, I'm fine, I'm okay. I'm just little. Oh no, I couldn't eat another. Oh no, you keep it. That gremlin that lives inside of me. And in that moment, for some reason, that person instead of this bold 47 year old woman that takes space and is like, hey, give me my gift bag. She just took over and I became that. The cool op likes to say, closed mouths don't get fed. And I shut my mouth and I. And here I am suffering the consequences where yesterday I spent all day physically ill about it. Let's get back on track. Or you know what? That was part of the track. Yeah, I think it is part of the train, in fact. Yeah, it's like the backbone of this show. But, Vivian, tell us about your new podcast, Net Worth and Chill.

[C]

Yeah, tell us about this.

[A]

I didn't even know about this. I'm so excited.

[C]

I was creating all of this personal finance, financial literacy content on the Internet and people were just banging down the door and saying like, hey, what are your podcast recommendations? I want to listen to something where I don't have to watch. I can do this on my commute to work. And so I was like, okay, I'm going to go and find some good podcast recommendations. A lot of old rich white guys talking about money. A lot of shame, a lot of judgment. A lot of you should eat beans and rice until all of your debts paid off. And it just absolutely did not vibe with my brand. It didn't vibe with my. My personality, but it also didn't vibe with, like, who my friends are. And I think about the audience of rich BFFs. I made this brand for my seven idiot friends from work. Like, yeah, they would never, ever listen to that. I've picked up a microphone and I said, you know what? Let me talk about money. Let me talk about it in a way that's just, you know, the two of us, we pretend we went out last night, we got a little too drunk or a little hungover, and instead of talking about who kissed who last night, let's talk about money. Let's make it fun. Let's talk about this over a mimosa. Let's talk about this like we're two friends just getting our nails done. And I want it to really feel like you're having a conversation with your best friend versus getting a lecture from your dad.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Sold. Beyond sold. And not only sold. I am like the elder in my small Lao community in Los Angeles. And I am not a pillar of financial literacy. So what a great tool for me just to give a link to your podcast.

[A]

Just to text, here you go.

[C]

Be better.

[B]

It's free. Go, go with the video.

[A]

Do better. Be better. And not everybod has a BFF that is financially literate. Ku and I sit here on this podcast encouraging each other to make terrible financial decisions.

[B]

Encouraging. Some people say enabling.

[A]

Enabling. Supporting all of the above. So most of us, I feel like, don't have that bff. And you trust the person understands where you're coming from, that you're not going to eat a bean burrito and pass up a TJ Maxx, you know, off the 101. You're just not gonna do that this time.

[B]

Well, you guys, she's talking about her leaving la. I mean, it's so specific to you. Suchin.

[A]

I only know. I only know specific.

[B]

What?

[A]

I only know me.

[C]

But you guys, you wanna know what's so funny about this whole thing? Everybody's like, oh, like you're rich bff. Like, the reason, like, that's a fun, cool name for me is because, like, I had a rich bff. And when I started my job on Wall Street, I looked around, everybody was old, rich, white guy, except my manager. I don't. They were definitely trying to go for the 1, 2 diversity punch because she was also an Asian woman. And they were like, oh, we'll get like people of color and women at the same time.

[A]

Nice.

[C]

And like, she was just so fucking cool. And she was rich. And she walked in every day with a new pair of, you know, Gucci, like, stuff, stilettos and a new Chanel bag. And I was like, damn, I want

[A]

to be just like her.

[C]

And the way she would ask me questions and explain personal finance to me was from a place of like, her not having that when she was a young 20something on Wall Street. And she's like, yeah, no one told me to like, put money into my 401k, so I'm telling you to do that now. And like, no one told me that these are things that I needed to be budgeting for, but I'm telling you to do that now. And, and because she spoke to me as a peer and as like my mentor, as like an older sister versus my mom or my dad lecturing me, you know how it is, like, you know, alpha daughter in an Asian family. You're sitting at the kitchen table and your mom, like, literally has chopsticks in her hands and she's like pointing at you with the chopsticks and like, lecturing you. And it's like, horrible.

[B]

Yeah. And for sue and I, both of our parents are sets of immigrant parents. They don't have this knowledge. No, they have. You know, they were struggling and surviving and it's so wonderful to, to be doing what you're doing.

[A]

It's such a service.

[C]

Thank you. And yeah, I mean, like, again, my parents, I'm, I'm first gen, so my parents were the ones who came over from China. And something I notice about my parents so much versus me is like their mentality is so survival based. Like, they were so, so careful about how they spent their money. It was like, let's be frugal. Like, let's wash Ziploc bags, let's penny pinch, let's cut coupons. Because they were just trying to make ends meet for a very long time. And I, I was born here. And I say this with, like, confidence and in a positive way, but, like, I'm entitled. I am an American. You're not going to take that away from me for a very long time. My parents were always worried, like, you know, what if, like, we can't get the visa renewed? What? Can't what? Like, what happens? Do we have to go back to China? Like, I don't worry about those things. I know my right. I know I have a right to be here. I have a right to be financially stable. I have a right to be rich. And that allows me to focus on thriving over surviving. So for me now, having learned these things from my mentor on Wall street, and obviously I still definitely have taken away some of that frugality. Like, unlike Sue, I never would have given up that gift bag. Sorry, had to bring it back.

[B]

I mean.

[A]

But yes, you're right.

[B]

It's your right. You're entitled to.

[C]

I am entitled to that gift bag. But you know what? I think I am really focused now and saying, like, hey, while I can do all of these things to save money and be mindful with my spending, I'm not going to be, you know, a dodo bird when I make purchases. But, like, I am even more focused now on actually leveling up my career, growing my wealth, and really carving my path towards the new American dream. Because in the past, historically, the American dream was you get a good education, you get a good job, you save a bunch of money, you buy a home and then you retire and it's awesome. You can't do that anymore. You cannot save your way to rich anymore. And if you are not investing, if you are not focused on growing your wealth, if you are not focused on leveling up your career, getting a raise every single year, it's just not going to happen. And I hate to be the one to say that, but, like, the rules of the game are just different than it was for our parents. Yeah.

[B]

It's not just this whole, that concept of like, pulling yourself up by your bootstraps. And whenever those people who have the chopsticks at us, be they white or our parents, they're talking about their experience and their paradigm and their time with the set of circumstances.

[A]

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[B]

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[A]

Coo. I don't need to brag about this again, but I am a teacher's pet.

[B]

How so?

[A]

My identity is a student.

[C]

You know what I mean?

[A]

I do the homework. So when Masterclass decided to come on board to help put this little show back on the tracks, I got my number two out and I started to really take note. I started the year with the mindfulness course from Jon Kabat Zinn. Highly recommend for a good reset. Now the last thing though I watched was this incredible documentary on Patricia Field about fashion and coo. This just sparked something in my brain. You know, it just, it's one of those delicious looks into fashion icon history. You have to watch it.

[B]

Oh, I didn't know that that was available to us on Masterclass. I mean, it makes sense because they're all about igniting curiosity. With plans Starting at just $10 a month, you can get unlimited access to over 200 classes taught by the best practice business leaders, writers and creators in the world. Plus, with audio mode, you can now listen on the go.

[A]

Right now our listeners get an additional 15% off any annual [e-mail] Add to Cart.

[B]

That's 15% [e-mail] Add to cart masterclass.com Addtocart

[A]

okay, so COO, do you remember earlier in the year I was looking for just a simple cotton pant? It was on my list. I know, it's like you realize that sometimes you just need the basics, you know, after you get through all the glitter and fluff. And so it hit me, where do I want to go for just simple, gorgeous basics that are super high quality without the sticker shock? It is Quince baby. And I check that right off off my list last week.

[B]

Wow. I mean, results. I already ranted about all the BS companies that are not getting that v livestock money this year. And Quince makes it really easy to hold that line. Carter's. You know, these aunties love to nag about a good deal for a steal. And quince does it ethically.

[A]

Don't get me started on their cashmere. Don't do that. You already know I scarf it. And that is ATC lore. But I also got this cutie I'm wearing today. Coo. It's a gorgeous ribbed chocolate cotton cashmere cardigan you can just throw in the wash.

[B]

I mean, actually was going to tell you that I really like that cardigan on you. I didn't really.

[A]

This is so you. This is your color. These are my color to get this. This is my collect. Yes.

[B]

Sue, you're an animal right now. Go to quints.com addtocart for free shipping and 365 day returns. That's a full year to wear it and love it. And you will now available in Canada too. Don't keep settling for clothes that don't last. Go to Q U I n c e.com addtocart for free shipping and 365 day returns. Quints.com add to cart that have changed. So let's. Let's slide right into Vivian's cart right away. You say add to cart.

[C]

You.

[B]

You say demand a raise annually.

[C]

Every single year. You got to do it every single year. Every single year.

[A]

So talk about that. Yeah.

[C]

So statistically speaking, if you stay at a job for longer than 2 years, you are likely to make less than if you were to leave and go to a either lateral or slightly higher position at a competitor. And the reason I say you have to ask for a raise every single year is because you're not going to get one every single year. But you need to be asking. And the mistake that so many people make is that they're like, it's November. Like, end of year reviews are coming. Like, I gotta ask my boss for money. You know who else is asking for money? Every single person on your team. I asked for money at every job I was at. Every three months. I would ask in March. I would ask in the summer, I would ask in the fall. I would remind my boss that they could make it known to me that they valued my work, that they valued my contributions by paying me. I am motivated by nothing but money.

[A]

Chills, Dain. Chills.

[B]

Like, it's like watching a basketball player dribble down. And like, it's. It's amazing. Okay, yeah, I'm listening.

[C]

And keep going. Yeah, but, you know, I even had managers laugh and be like, okay, yeah, so you're getting promoted this year, but getting onto the important stuff, because I know all you care about is money. And I remember laughing with that manager because I'd made it so clear to him that I needed to get paid. And what would happen is every single year I would ask for, like, a 15 to 20% raise, which people are always, like, you know, shocked that I say that. And most years I would get somewhere between 8 to 12% in terms of race. That is certainly a lot better than the, you know, the cost of living increase, the 2 to 3% raise. It's certainly a meaningful jump, meaning I'm going to make more money next year than I did this year. And it really meant that I kept leveling up. My big rule for everybody these days is up or out every two years. If you are not getting a raise, not just asking for one, but getting one or at least getting a promotion and a raise, you got to leave because your work is worth something and the right company will value you, and you need to make sure you're getting paid. We do not do this shit for free. Like, for every job that I've had, whether I hated it, whether I loved it, like it was a job, I would rather have been sitting on my couch with my eyes closed. And, you know, I don't get paid to do that. So if you're doing a job that pays you money to be there, you need to be asking for a raise every single year. Wow. Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow.

[A]

I mean, that's. That certainly doesn't. The gremlin inside that didn't take that gift bag is like, well, well, you know what I mean? But that's. That's it. And I think that, like, so much of your audience is young and just starting their career, and so it's so different than when I was having a career. But, like, you think that you have a career and you build a career because you want stability. You know what I mean? That, like, you want to stay at a job for a certain amount of time, certainly not as long as our parents did, but, like, you know, five, 10 years, you know what I mean? And then make a really big jump somewhere else. I mean, that's kind of how I grew up in. In my industry. Like, that made sense, but now you're saying you're trying to get out of this mentality of, like, being settled in a job just for the sake of stability and security.

[C]

I always tell people to think about the WIFM W, I, I F M, what's in it. For me. So back in our parents generation. I like that one.

[B]

I mean, I like everything you're saying. It's so clear. And the truth is, is I may be 43, but I am an idiot with money. And so I'm hearing it like, I'm a teen.

[C]

I love it.

[A]

This is the summer camp I want my children to go to, by the way. You know what I mean? Vivian, just think about it. You're working on a lot, but there's a summer camp here for kids. Yeah, that idiot moms can send their kids to where they come home and they say, what's in it for me? You know?

[C]

Well, if you think about our parents generation, the WIFM that they had, what's. What's in it for me was that when they were loyal company company men, company women.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And they stayed somewhere for 20, 30, 40 years, it's not because they were like, nice and loyal. It's because they got something called a pension. So back in the day, your boss or your company would put money aside for retirement for you when you got old, and they would invest that money. And then when you were, you know, ready to retire, they would pay you out monthly installments to make sure that you were taken care of in retirement. And you're probably thinking like, oh, yeah, like this sounds like our 401k. It is. But the 401k is just like, shittier in every possible way. Because in our generation, there was a transition from the pension to the 401k. And the 401k basically said, hey, instead of the employer wearing all of this risk, why don't we make the employees wear the risk? So now, instead of your employer putting money aside for you, you need to put money aside for you. And in many cases, an employer will also contribute. They'll do something called a match. So if you put in $100, they put in a certain amount, whether that be $100 or $50, but they match your contribution. But it's not just employer money anymore. You have to contribute, too. And you are then responsible for choosing which investments you buy. And you are held responsible for how well those investments do. Whereas in back in the day, like, if your employer picked the wrong investments and they did not do well by the time you retired, you'd be like, too bad. That's your problem. You still owe me XYZ every single month. And so it really did pay for our parents to stay somewhere for 30, 40 years, because they were. The longer you stayed, the larger those contributions your company would put in for your pension. So I'm even thinking about, like, my father in law, he stuck around at one company for multiple decades because he was like, well, when I do retire, it's going to be smooth sailing. I have nothing to worry about. Which is a very good reason to stick around somewhere. Because, yeah, even if you're making less slightly this year or making less slightly next year, what about when you don't work anymore and you're just like, I know I'm gonna be taken care of. That's a really great sense of comfort. Whereas now, like, if young people are not getting these raises, are not getting these promotions, are not making more money, they don't even have the money to put into a 401k to take care of future them. So again, loyalty, back in the day, it paid. And these days you gotta ask yourself, what's in it for me? And in a lot of the cases, nothing.

[B]

Okay? We're gonna be swinging from a couple different vines, so we're gonna make a little bit. We're growing for another vine. And I want you to tell me about why you always get lash extensions.

[C]

Okay, So I. Back in college. We really have to rewind here. Back in college, I was, for lack of a better term, a club rat. And I would hit the club a lot, like multiple times a week. This is so humiliating for me to say out loud, but me and my girlfriends, especially my. My last year of college, we would go out in downtown Chicago quite a bit. And as we would all be getting ready, everybody knew that I was going to do winged eyeliner. And I am no makeup guru, okay? And my hand is quite shaky. It's not great. And so I would do my winged eyeliner, and one of them would be enormous and one of them would be skinny. And then I'd be like, okay, I gotta redo them. And then, like, one of them would be a little long, and then the other one would be a little short. And I'd be like, God, I have to do it again. And I would do them over and over and over again until they were even. And I had a saying, because people would be like, viv, like, are you ready yet? And I'd be like, if my wings are not even, nobody is having a good time tonight. And I would hold my friends hostage until my winged eyeliner was even. And it would literally feel like my eyes were bleeding because I'd wiped them so many times to redo it. And I just got so sick of doing my eyeliner because I wasn't good at It. I never got any better at it. And when I moved to New York City, this is another gift that my mentor gave me. I looked at her one day and I was like, wow, like, you have really beautiful eyelashes. Like, mine are so short. And she was like, these are fake, bro. Like, these are not real. And I was like, what? And she's like, yeah, you can go get semi permanent extensions. And if you go every three weeks, you don't really need eye makeup. That was all I needed to hear. Okay. I went and got these extensions and never looked back. I had them on consecutively for four years until Covid, like, my fiance, my now fiance, had never even seen. Seen my face without these extensions. And I was like, bro, you don't even know what I look like. And as soon as the COVID doors opened up and salons were back open, I was like, I don't care if you have to have three masks on. And I have four masks on. I am seeing my lash man, and shout out to my lash guy, primp daddy. He's an incredible brand.

[A]

He.

[C]

He does the best work. And I just like, every time I go back to New York, I have to see him. It's like live love. Lashes look so good.

[B]

There was a time in a place, because I, too, have short lashes that, you know, I have short Chinese lashes

[C]

that are sort of a diving board downward.

[B]

They go down. And I have done the lashes, and they look so good.

[A]

I don't.

[B]

But there's something about me, Vivian, I can't explain. I just have an active face. I've tried it over and over again. They don't last a week on me. All of a sudden, day four, you need daddy. Yeah, I guess I've tried so many.

[A]

New York.

[B]

I guess I need to go to New York. But then I would have to do that every three weeks, you know? But. But you're absolutely right. What it looks like is unbeatable. If I could. If I could do it, I would.

[A]

If I could. This is. This is why the aunties get their eyeliner tattooed.

[B]

Yeah, they get these aunties.

[C]

That stuff scares me, though, because the ink ends up migrating. And then you look like. Just like a little crazy.

[A]

No, of course, no. The whole thing is crazy. But I'm saying that the mentality of getting there was, I don't want to do this every day. I don't want to struggle with this. I have other things to worry about. Food on the table, my visa, clothes.

[C]

You know what I mean?

[A]

There's things in life that I must worry about. I can't. The year of 2026 is a year I do less chores. It's just not in me anymore. I just have to fill my days with more than dishes and cooking and cleaning and repeating that whole process. Thankfully, Poplin has come with a solution. Poplin is going to take care of your laundry and it's about as simple as it gets. You open the app, you schedule a pickup and someone will take your hamper, wash your dirty laundry, dry it, fold it with the neatest corners and bring it back to you, usually within 24 hours. And at first I was like well duh, this is a no brainer. But imagine all the times this is extra extra helpful. For example, maybe your family is taking a big trip and you know you have a full day of laundry before you pack. Poplin can do that for you and all you have to do is zip it into cubes perfectly folded or I just used it for this. Say you have a large blanket, one that can't fit fit in your machine. How do you wash that? Apparently Poplin is the answer. Go to Poplin Co to create an account and use code Add to cart to get 25% off your first poplin order. Enjoy. Both Ku and I are big advocates of therapy and Grow Therapy makes it easier to find a therapist who fits you, not the other way around, meaning you can search by what matters to you like insurance, specialty, identity or availability. Plus you can do sessions virtually or in person, even nights and weekends, which feels very realistic for actual adult schedules.

[B]

And you can get started in as little as two days. There's no subscription or long term commitment, you just pay per session and you can Cancel up to 24 hours in advance if life happens. Whatever challenges you're facing, Grow Therapy is here to help. Grow accepts over 100 insurance plans. Sessions average about $21 with insurance and some pay as little as $0 depending on their plan.

[A]

Visit growtherapy.com add to cart today to get started. That's growtherapy.com addtocart growtherapy.com add to Cart availability and coverage vary by state and insurance plan.

[D]

Welcome to Big Savings this week at Grocery Outlet, your Extreme Value headquarters. Right now, Sanderson Farms boneless skinless chicken breasts are only $1.99 per pound and get one dozen large cage free eggs for only 99 cents. However you cook them up, you're saving big on fresh quality. Stock up on these family favorites today. These deals are only available until March 17 while supplies last selection varies by store. Seek weekly Ad or in store for grade and size details.

[A]

Grocery outlet, bargain market.

[B]

Worry about my makeup.

[C]

You gotta value your.

[A]

I get it.

[B]

Let's swing to another vine again. And. And Vivian, why. Why should we pay off our credit card balance monthly? Why not let it stretch six months?

[C]

Okay, so you know how you go to a store and it's like, oh, 20 off. You like that sign, right? Would you ever go into a store and you would see a sign that's like, 20% more, and you'd be like, yeah, I definitely want. I definitely want to pay 20, 20 more. You don't. You don't.

[B]

Okay, I don't. I don't.

[C]

I don't. You don't. And I think, damn, bab.

[B]

I never thought about it that way.

[C]

Like, oh. The problem, too, is that financial companies oftentimes use psychology against us. So if you, like, log into your little, like, banking app and you see your credit card and it's like minimum payment due, and it's always like $25.

[A]

Right?

[C]

And so that taps into a psychological concept called anchoring bias. And basically, you anchor to the first number, first recommendation you are given. And so a lot of people are like, oh, well, the credit card company recommends I pay $25, so I'm going to pay $25. But in reality, to make the most of a credit card where you are getting rewards, getting perks, you know, basically spending somebody else's money a month ahead of time and then just paying them back, you need to be paying your full balance off every single month. And that is the only way to avoid paying extra for stuff. If I, like, buy something and I forget to use, like, a cash back plugin or I use the wrong credit card with the, like, not highest redemption, just, again, we're going back just the way sue forgot that gift bag. That purchase will eat at me.

[A]

Touchstone.

[C]

Yeah, it's really a touchdown. We got to bring it back every single time.

[B]

But, like, we do.

[C]

I don't know if you guys watched Fresh off the Boat.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

But when Constance Wu goes to that car dealership and she gets every single one of her asks, but forgets to get the. The little floor mats for her shoes, and then she, like, beats herself up about it, like, that's me. So for me, it's really, really important to make sure that, like, I am getting the most of my money and not paying any extra for something that I don't need to be paying extra for. And that means I pay my credit card bill off in full every single month.

[B]

There was Never a clear visual in all my years.

[A]

When you said 20% more. Sign.

[B]

Wow. Sue. Sue.

[A]

I want to go to the TJ Maxx where you pay 20% more for things. Yeah, that's.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. My college self. My college self was like, you know what? Yeah, we've all done it. High apr credit card. Thank you.

[A]

No, they. It's so. And I always say, like, they. You know, they. They put those. I don't know if they still do, but, you know, they. When you got your welcome packet, half of it was credit cards. And so for the first time, you were like, damn, I actually have money. I mean, I bought my first car on a credit card. It took me, like, 15 years to pay that stupid car off.

[B]

And now we swing to another vine. What is the Espa Jabon soap? What?

[C]

I've never heard of. Okay, so this is my favorite Mexican soap. Espon habon. Espanhubon. It's basically like a sponge, but inside of the sponge is a bar of soap. This bar soap, it exfoliates while cleaning.

[A]

You.

[C]

And my fiance, he had, like, these red bumpies on his arm. And I am obviously a WebMD doctor, so I Googled it, and it's called keratosis pilaris. And it's just this extra buildup of keratin. It's not dangerous. It's not, like, a medical concern. It's very, very common. But I was like, you know what?

[B]

I have it.

[C]

Do you?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

If you Google, they're, like, a big thing that you can do is exfoliate. So I was like, okay, I'm gonna get this soap. Because he is so bad at adding anything to his routine. Like, this man is so lucky. He has good skin because he doesn't even moisturize. He does not wash his face with soap. He's like, oh, yes. I'll use a three in one shampoo, body wash, conditioner. All, like, just one liquid, and that's it.

[A]

Floor cleaner.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, exactly. Toothpaste. Like, it. Like, it doesn't matter. And I got him to use this bar of soap, and he tried it for a couple days, and his arms, like, they were, like, almost completely cleared up. And I was like, that's insane. I'm a big fan of this soap. It smells really nice. And I actually made a video about this, but now I kind of regret making that video because my favorite scent of espoirne habon is sold out on Amazon, so I can't get it, but

[B]

you don't want to be a gatekeeper

[C]

that's the whole point of your rich.

[A]

All right?

[B]

We contain multitudes. That's what we go back to.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Why do you people are like, what? Vintage store in Paris? I'm like, none of your business. Vintage store in Paris. I have no desire to share that information with you at all. But I get it. You're. You're a gentler, kinder, more giving soul than I.

[B]

Okay, we're gonna do some remove from cart, Sue.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Okay. So, Vivian, I'm curious. Like you say, remove from cart. Paying with debit cards, it's gotta be connected to what you were talking about with the credit card.

[C]

It's not actually.

[A]

Oh, wow.

[B]

What?

[C]

Okay, so with the credit card, this is just what we need to remember. A debit card is you spending your money out of the bank. A credit card is you spending the bank's money and then paying them back later. Okay. That's just the thing we need to really remember here. First and foremost, most debit cards do not offer rewards. So that's already a big red flag for me because I always like to get something for nothing. Two, back to that point of whose money you're spending. If your debit card gets stolen or found on the street and someone charges it, they are spending your money. And how incentivized is the bank to help you get your money back? Not really. It's not their problem. Whereas if your credit card gets stolen, the thief is spending the bank's money. And you can call and be like, my credit card was stolen. This is not me making these charges. And the bank is like, oh, shoot, that's our money that's being spent. And they go after that thief with the fury of God. And they're like, we're going to get our money back. We're going to check security cameras. We're going to call all these stores. We're going to make sure we know exactly who's spending this money. So there's no protection against fraud with a debit card. And then on top of that, I would just say, like, it's really not wise to be spending using a debit card, with the exception of when you need to get cash out of your bank or out of an atm, because again, that's your money. You get the money out, and that's it. Whereas with a credit card, you will get charged a very high fee for cash withdrawals against your credit card. Because basically the credit card company's like, can this person, like, not afford this cash? Like, what's going on? This is suspicious. So you have to pay them again. Do you like paying 20% more on that cash? I don't. So it's, you know, there's a time and a place for a debit card, but for the most part, I really don't recommend, like, carrying a bunch of them around or putting your purchases on them. It's just a lot smarter to have a credit card that, you know, you pay off in full every single month and putting all your charges on that to get perks and rewards and points.

[B]

We see. You know, I love the perks and rewards. I know I'm a travel Europe, Europe

[A]

on the points and rewards. I mean, concierge service on the Marriott rewards.

[C]

I mean, if I can just live my everyday life and accrue something that eventually lets me fly to Europe in business class, lay flat, someone comes over with a warm towelette for my hands and they serve me a nice plated meal with silverware that costs me, what, 75 to 150 bucks in fees or whatever that I just have to pay aside from the points, like it's a win. Because a flight to Europe that in that class would be thousands of dollars, if not tens of thousands of dollars. And I'm not going to spend that. But I'm not trying to sit in the middle seat of the five seater and, like, you know, tough it out. I want to make sure that I can make my money work hard for me. Ooh, Ooh. Wow.

[B]

Sue, Sue, Sue. Go in that, sue, you'll.

[A]

You'll go in that middle seat.

[B]

You'll tuck into that middle seat.

[A]

That's where, unfortunately, all my money goes is to not tuck into that middle seat anymore.

[B]

At this age, I stand corrected.

[A]

Yeah. I will shower underneath a basement staircase, barely getting water above my belly button in a stinky hotel. I will save there, but I will lie flat with silverware on the way there. I just know my body and I just know where my limitations are. That's not where I stretch.

[C]

You know everybody. I know everybody. All of my friends, they shit on me for this. For any flight under, I would say, like four and a half hours. I will sit in the middle seat in the last row next to the bathroom. I do not care. I will show up to the airport with no seat assigned. You can put me where. I will just. I'll hold onto the wing if you need me to. It doesn't matter. Okay, but. But for any flight over five hours or so, especially so today, this morning, I came from the east coast to la. Like, I need to lay Down. It is an absolutely brutal flight. You're getting on there at the crack of dawn, you're trying to sleep, you're trying to get a little food in your stomach and you're trying to work like six hours of that. That's absolutely brutal. And I think about it, for me, I think about all of the horrible, terrible, shitty, just atrocious spirit flights I took in the middle seat and all of the money that I saved doing that and I'm like, I deserve to lay down for this six hour flight.

[A]

It is your goddamn right.

[C]

That's right.

[B]

You are entitled, you are entitled to that seat. So Vivian, we, we have to. Oh God. We have to let you go. I don't want to, but I want to know you're also removing from cart any social obligations in the front half of the week.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Why?

[C]

Because I feel like for me, I am business in the front, party in the back, and if I, if I

[A]

can not this dirty club brat, remember you guys, she started this off saying she was a club rat.

[C]

Because I have had, you know, back in college again, I was drinking probably three or four nights a week and I had a high tolerance. I could go out with the best of them. Now I'm almost 30 and a hangover is three to five business days. And for me, if I go out and go to a social obligation on a Monday, Tuesday, or maybe sometimes even a Wednesday, whether or not I drink, I know that I'm going to be a little sluggish. I'm gonna be a little, you know, back footed for the next day. And for me it's really important to be on top of my tasks because it helps keep my anxiety at bay. It helps keep me mentally mental health wise, like, well, so if I know I can get all of my tasks done Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, typically I have more time for things like sitting around and ideating, like, what can we build on the business? Like something that is more free spirited and doesn't necessarily require me to be at my A game a hundred percent of the time. So it's important for me to be sharp Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and then Thursday night, Friday night, if I do want to go out, if I do want to see friends, like, I can use my little time travel binoculars and be like, okay, well all I have to do is like, make it through one more day. Or like tomorrow, Saturday, it doesn't matter, like I'll be fine. And it helps me mentally pace myself in the same way that like when I'm running, I'm like, okay, you don't have to run that far. You just have to get to that fire hydrant. You just have to get to that stop sign. You just have to get to that tree. And that is how I keep myself going in a way that is sustainable versus feeling really burnt out the entire week.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

Wow. You are wise beyond your years. Masterclass. Masterclass.

[B]

Jeez.

[C]

I learn all these things by having made all of these mistakes before.

[B]

Yeah. And I just, you know, I keep making.

[A]

Keep making the mistakes.

[B]

It's a different record, but this record's playing a lot.

[C]

It's on repeat.

[A]

It is. It sure is amazing.

[C]

Wow.

[B]

Vivian, thank you so much for joining us. Where can people find more of you?

[C]

You guys can find me across all social media as your rich BFF and you can listen to Net Worth and chill my podcast anywhere. You listen to your podcasts.

[B]

I'm forcing my little sister who's 30

[C]

years old, who works in a corporate

[B]

job and is rounding her fifth year there. I'm forcing your podcast upon it.

[A]

I'm forcing my 9 and 11 year old, you know, because it's never too young. You know. What's in it for me?

[C]

Summer coming sand.

[A]

Oh,

[B]

You know, we love highlighting brands that do good. Well, today I want to call out a tasty beverage brand I've been loving lately.

[A]

Tractor Beverage. Now, Tractor makes certified organic non GMO craft refreshers. They make sodas, teas, and lemonades. And they have everything from delicious root beer to a mandarin cardamom refresher. How sophisticated is that? And they're available at restaurants, which means you don't have to just choose artificial sodas brimming with high fructose corn syrup and preservatives.

[B]

My personal favorite flavor is mango. It's perfectly sweet and tropical and refreshing, but not too sweet, which not too sweet.

[A]

That's a huge person.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

Delicious.

[B]

That's right. But I also love watermelon limeade. I tried it at Chipotle when I was out with Scott the other day and it was the perf perfect little pickme up to have with my meal. I'm also going to go back this weekend because, you know, I like my bowls.

[A]

Well, not only at Chipotle, but I actually have been drinking Tractor beverages culotte for years because I discovered them at my favorite little deli where I get my sesame chicken salad. You remember my famous sesame chicken salad?

[B]

How could I forget? How could I forget?

[A]

And I discovered them there for the first time where we would get these sodas that were delicious and I realized I was like, wait, they don't have all these yucky ingredients in it, but now they have other drinks like the refreshers. Berry Patch is so delicious. They also have the Mandarin cardamom, which is so sophisticated. They have unsweet tea. I mean, it just makes that experience of going to my favorite deli even better.

[B]

Besides being delicious and refreshing, Tractor also helps the planet. They know that something as small as pouring organic in your cup can change the world. In fact, they're the only beverage company that is making a point to measure their impact. They developed the Organic Impact Tracker to track their progress towards creating a cleaner, healthier planet.

[C]

Coolop.

[A]

I learned that worldwide, 2.9 million tons of synthetic pesticides are used in agricultural land every year. That is a crazy amount. But in 2022, tractor kept 25.8 tons of synthetic pesticides out of our food system. That's helping to create 3,274 acres of land that's biodiverse and free from synthetic pesticides. And all of this helps the planet, of course. It helps our communities, our health, just one sip at a time.

[B]

We are so proud to have Tractor Beverage as a sponsor of the pod. And you can learn all about their environmental [e-mail] and treat yourself to a Tractor beverage the next time you go out to eat. That's all for today's episode. You can find all of Vivian's items on our Instagram d2cart pod.

[A]

All right, we'll see you next time.

[B]

Bye bye. Well, that's it.

[A]

There's more. Add to Cart with Lemonada Premium subscribers get exclusive access to bonus content like where we give you an unfiltered look at the actual last thing we bought. Subscribe now in Apple Podcasts.

[B]

Add to Carte is a production of Lemonada Media. Our producers are Claire Jones and Keegan Zema. Our associate producer is Tiffany Bui. Our assistant engineer is Bobby Woody.

[A]

The music is by Wasabi and produced by LA Made it and oh so familiar with additional music by APM Music. Executive producers are Kula Vlasak Sujinpak, Jessica Cordova Kramer and Stephanie Whittles. Wax.

[B]

Be sure to check out all the items we mentioned today on our Instagram dtocart Pod. Follow Add to Cart wherever you get your podcasts or listen. Ad free on Amazon Music with your prime membership.