Our 2026 Money Predictions: What’s Coming and How to Prepare

Summary

Frugal Friends Podcast: Our 2026 Money Predictions – What’s Coming and How to Prepare

Hosts: Jen Smith & Jill Sirianni
Date: February 20, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Jen and Jill take a candid, slightly tongue-in-cheek look at the financial year ahead. They share five major predictions for 2026, addressing common anxieties about the economy, housing, job security, and the rise of AI—while providing practical advice for frugal living no matter what the future holds. Expect their signature blend of humor, realism, and actionable tips as they break down what’s really likely to happen with your wallet in 2026.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Is a Recession Coming?

[02:49 - 05:41]

• Prediction: Despite people always warning about "the next big recession," leading forecasts predict moderate economic growth in 2026—likely 2% to 2.6% GDP growth.
• Implications:
  • This type of growth typically stabilizes jobs and wages, but is “boring” and doesn’t always trickle down to most households in ways that feel tangible; things may still feel expensive.
  • Mass layoffs and credit freezes aren’t expected, but affordability will continue to be a pressure point for consumers.
• Memorable Moment:
  • Jen jokes: “Start hoarding people, because a recession is coming… eventually, probably at a date beyond 2026.” [02:49]
  • Jill: “It can be both expensive and annoying.” [05:20]

2. No 2026 Housing Crash (Unless You’re the Kool-Aid Man)

[05:55 - 09:14]

• Prediction: The perennial rumor of a housing crash is, once again, not materializing for 2026.
  • Interest rates on mortgages are expected to hold steady; no significant drops are expected, with a chance they may even increase into 2027.
  • Home prices will likely hold steady or rise slightly—mirroring GDP's "boring-but-stable" pace.
• Advice for Buyers:
  • Don’t hold out for lower rates; refinance later if rates change.
  • “You can always refinance a home. You can never get that house for cheaper, though.” – Jill [08:59]
• Quote:
  • “For the rest of us who are not large pitchers of Kool-Aid, a housing crash isn’t coming …” – Jen [06:23]

3. Cost of Living Will Rise—But Calm Down

[09:32 - 13:48]

• Prediction: Costs—groceries, healthcare, everyday goods—will continue their slow climb, but at a tamer pace (~2.4% inflation).
• The “whiplash days” of sharp price increases seem to be behind us (barring new global calamities).
• Emphasis: The ‘good old days’ might be gone, but so are the ‘bad old days’—focus on contentment and value-driven spending.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “All the more reason for frugal to be the best F word that you know.” – Jen [12:35]
  • “Don’t just hold out for someone else to rescue you. … Don’t marry a rich man. Be a rich man.” – Jill and Jen swap on this classic Cher quote [13:48 – 14:14]

4. The Job Market Plateau: Fewer Layoffs, Harder to Find Work

[16:38 - 25:34]

• Prediction: Layoffs should ease compared to 2025, but landing a new job will be more competitive amid slower economic growth.
• Stats:
  • Unemployment projected to dip slightly to 4.2%–4.5% (a “normal” and healthy range).
  • Most new hiring will be sector-specific: healthcare, skilled trades, specialized tech, and data jobs.
• Actionable Advice:
  • Always be career-building: Network, update LinkedIn, pursue new certifications, and sharpen negotiation skills.
  • “Our wealth is in relationships… I’m not talking about using people, I am talking about meeting people…” – Jill [23:48]
  • “Your work cannot speak for itself anymore. You have to promote it.” – Jen [23:32]
• Tip: Networking isn’t about schmoozing—it’s about being visible, helpful, and learning within your target field/community.
• Memorable Moment:
  • “We have said this so much over the years, I wish you guys were sick of us saying it: You should always be looking to grow your career in some way…” – Jen [19:06]

5. Will AI Take All the Jobs? (Spoiler: Nope, But Be Ready!)

[25:38 - 32:44]

• Prediction: AI is not an extinction event for most jobs, but will shake up the job market—especially for those unwilling to adapt.
• Reality Check:
  • Yes, AI is already displacing some roles, but like past technological leaps (industrial revolution, the Internet), individuals and entire sectors will adapt and new opportunities will appear.
• Advice:
  • Learn how to use AI and blend digital with real-life networking/skills to “AI-proof” your career; don’t vilify it—understand and leverage it thoughtfully.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “In order to make yourself AI-proof, you need to have a balance of knowing AI and being in real life, doing the networking, building the relationships and doing the skill building.” – Jen [31:53]
  • “You have to know your enemy, which I don’t think AI is the enemy… but you need to know it in order to ‘beat it’.” – Jen [31:53]

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Actionable Takeaways

• Don’t wait for the ‘perfect’ market—whether buying a house or changing jobs, act when it makes sense for your life, not based on market rumors.
• Network consistently—not just at official events, but anywhere in your community.
• Keep upskilling, especially in high-growth sectors and with tools like AI.
• Focus on alignment: Make every spending and earning decision consistent with your values, and embrace frugality as a tool for independence in any economic climate.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Start hoarding people, because a recession is coming… eventually, probably at a date beyond 2026.” – Jen [02:49]
• “For the rest of us who are not large pitchers of Kool-Aid, a housing crash isn’t coming…” – Jen [06:23]
• “Don’t marry a rich man. Be a rich man.” – Classic Cher quote, referenced by Jen and Jill [13:56–14:14]
• “You can always refinance a home. You can never get that house for cheaper, though.” – Jill [08:59]
• “All the more reason for frugal to be the best F word that you know.” – Jen [12:35]
• “Your work cannot speak for itself anymore. You have to promote it.” – Jen [23:32]
• “In order to make yourself AI-proof, … you need to have a balance of knowing AI and being in real life…” – Jen [31:53]

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Lightning Round: What’s ‘Chopped’ (i.e., Out) for 2026?

[37:20 - 41:02]

• Jill: Being underpaid. "Chopping that. That’s so stupid… I just, you know, I feel like earning a good wage for the work that’s done.”
• Jen: Hustling. “For me, hustle is chopped… That doesn’t mean that I’m not focused on my income… but I’m not hustling.”

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Listener Highlight: "Bill of the Week"

[33:20 – 35:07] Jocelyn, a longtime listener, shares her accomplishment of graduating with a master’s degree debt-free and negotiating a $759 medical bill down to $99.

• Jen: “Congrats. Graduating without debt. Congratulations, if you will.” [34:34]
• Jill: “So many phenomenal financial moves happening here.” [35:07]

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Closing Thoughts

Jen and Jill wrap up with warmth for their community—reminding listeners that simplification and steady progress (rather than frenetic hustling or panic) is the healthiest response to an uncertain future. They encourage everyone to focus on value, not fear, and keep building lives that are “rich” in every sense.

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Useful Time-stamped Segments

• Economic Outlook & Recession Fears: [02:49 – 05:41]
• Housing Market Predictions: [05:55 – 09:14]
• Inflation and Cost of Living: [09:32 – 13:48]
• Job Market & Career Strategies: [16:38 – 25:34]
• The Impact of AI on Work: [25:38 – 32:44]
• Listener Story (Bill of the Week): [33:20 – 35:07]
• Lightning Round (What’s ‘Chopped’ for 2026): [37:20 – 41:02]

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Jen and Jill’s tone throughout is supportive, honest, and empowering, mixing data-driven insight with playful banter and motivational encouragement. Regardless of what 2026 brings, “Frugal” remains the best F word in your financial vocabulary!

Transcript

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[Jen]

what's coming and how to prepare.

[Podcast Narrator]

Welco to the Frugal Friends podcast, where you'll learn to save money, embrace simplicity, and live a richer life. Here are your hosts, Jen and Jill.

[Jen]

Hey Frugal Friends, I'm Jen.

[Jill]

I'm Jill.

[Jen]

And media companies don't succeed by reporting on what happened. They succeed by speculating on what will happen because of what happened. So let's speculate, baby.

[Jill]

Let's do it. Let's just throw out random predictions and see what sticks. We're going to give you five predictions that we have for what you can expect to see financially in 2026. Granted, not just based off of our own ideas and thoughts, but mostly our

[Jen]

opinions and what we want to happen and what we think will emit a visceral response from you when we say it.

[Jill]

Let us know in the comments if you agree. Disagree. You've got the secret sauce to what's actually going to happen.

[Jen]

Fight us in the comments and call us names. But not bad names. Just names. Whatever you interpret that as.

[Jill]

All right, for our first spicy hot

[Jen]

Take prediction, start hoarding people, because a recession is coming eventually, probably at a date beyond 2026.

[Jill]

Gotcha.

[Jen]

But start hoarding anyways in small amounts incrementally for Whatever you think is going to be your needs when a recession does come. Okay, so the forecast for 2026 specifically is that the economy is expected to grow, not collapse, but at a very moderate pace. So at least for this year, no boom, no recession. V. Boring. Yeah, boring. Yeah.

[Jill]

So sorry that we don't have something just like extreme happening.

[Jen]

Don't worry, it's coming. I'm yelling very loud.

[Jill]

Economists and institutions are projecting GDP growth in the range of 2 to 2.6 in 2026, which is very consistent with what you would expect for a large developed country. So what this means for you, for us, a growing economy can support jobs and wages. Granted, we're talking about very moderate growth, very, very boring versions of growth. So we don't see mass layoffs happening or credit freezes. But that doesn't mean that things are going to feel more affordable either. And a lot of times, you know, with, with the GDP growth that we're talking about, it's unfortunately a lot of times concentrated in corporate profits, asset values, high income sectors. So it might not necessarily equate to your average Joe experience. Some of that growth might not trickle down. So to say, how do you say trickle down?

[Jen]

Ye. Yeah. So things are still going to feel expensive, costs are going to rise. Not with the whiplash that we've seen before, but you know, there's. Don't worry, things are going to get spicier. Let us know in the comments. Seriously, if you feel like 2026 is heading into recession, let us know what you feel. Is it just expensive or annoying?

[Jill]

And it can be both. Yeah, I think it's both expensive and annoying. But it doesn't necessarily. Not unfortunately, but like it doesn't necessarily mean that we're heading into a recession.

[Jen]

Yeah. So if somebody tells you it's coming, they're either joking or they're fear mongering

[Jill]

or at some point in the future like, or it's right. Guarantee point, we're going to experience a recession.

[Jen]

Probably we will. It'll happen. Unless the government changes the definition of a recession and keeps changing it so we never see a recession ever again. Who knows, maybe that'll be in our 2027 predictions anyways.

[Jill]

Our second prediction is the housing crash is imminent. If you're this guy and if you're not watching us, that is the Kool Aid man breaking through a house and that house is crashed.

[Jen]

Theoretically that house is cracking going to crash because that is a large cup of Kool Aid.

[Jill]

But if you're not the Kool Aid man There is no crash on the horizon for 2026.

[Jen]

That's a pitcher of Kool Aid holding a pitcher, a smaller pitcher of Kool Aid. Just got to reiterate that other. Okay, so for the rest of us who are not large pitchers of Kool Aid, a housing crash isn't coming. But there's also probably no mortgage rate drops on the horizon this year either. In fact, while there is a lot of pressure on the Fed to drop rates, most experts see interest rates staying steady for the year and even possibly increasing in 2027. That's all speculative. But experts, economists can agree rates are going to stay pretty steady unless Jerome Powell shows up missing mysteriously.

[Jill]

Oh, no.

[Jen]

And then like, oh, no, start hoarding because a recession is coming. Yeah. I mean, oh, that's not anything to joke about.

[Jill]

None of us, none of us can know. Right. We've seen a crazy world.

[Jen]

Yeah.

[Jill]

Crazy decisions, crazy people. We don't know.

[Jen]

We don't, we don't know. We don't know. But this is both.

[Jill]

We're gonna bring you an even keel delivery here.

[Jen]

This is what economists are predicting for, for the year. And so while the Fed rates don't actually directly affect mortgage rates, that's what, when people are, you know, talking about the pressure from the Fred Fed to lower rates, that is for banks to lend to each other. So when they, when, when you think somebody cares about you, that's why they want the Fed to lower rates. No, no, they, they actually don't care about you. They care about the rate. Banks can exchange money and that's better for businesses. It indirectly affects mortgage rates. But people don't want Fed rates lowered because they care about you. Mortgage rates will, will stay steady probably through the rest of the year.

[Jill]

Yeah. So what this means for you, if you want to buy a House, if 2026 is your year, we're not recommending that you hold out for a lower rate. It might not most likely is not coming. And if anything, they might actually increase 1 to 2% whether this year or in 2027. So you can always refinance a home. You can never get that house for cheaper, though.

[Jen]

Yeah.

[Jill]

So recognize that if you are needing to get yourself into a house, this, this could be your year. Do it. And if they ever do drop, great refinance.

[Jen]

Yeah.

[Jill]

But, but again, we're not thinking that you should hold out for them to drop even further.

[Jen]

Yeah. And bonus prediction, home prices are also predicted to hold steady and possibly increase at a slight race rate, kind of like gdp. Everything's going to be like pretty moderate on, on those purchasing those categories.

[Jill]

The third prediction, everything will be getting

[Jen]

more expensive, but at a slower pace. Yeah, it feels like everything will get more expensive. Yeah, you're right. And it's going to continue. That is actually doom and gloom. That is legitimate. It will keep getting expensive, but not at the whiplash rate that it was. So after several high inflation years, after talks of tariffs, like all of that, 2026 is predicted to be a pretty even keel with inflation. So around 2.4% by the end of 2026 is what the prediction is. Which just means costs for everyday goods will rise at a slower pace.

[Jill]

So what this means for you. Yeah, your grocery bills, your healthcare costs are going to continue to climb, but slowly, hopefully the whiplash days are behind us. Of course, barring a pandemic, none of us saw that one coming. Right. These are, this is based off of what is available for us to know. This is what we're thinking is going to happen. Recognize that the good old days are. Well, here's the thing. The good old days are gone, but they're also here. If we decide that these are the good old days also.

[Jen]

Also the bad old days are gone. Right. There were a lot of bad old days. I think we talked and we've talked about this the last several weeks, like housing crisis, 2008, bad old day, that's gone. We got some consumer protection laws to protect against that, you know, like so, yeah, good old days, some good old days are gone. You know, the day of the Daewoo gone. Right. And some of battle days are gone too. And some good old days are here today.

[Jill]

All the more reason to learn how to manage our money well, to feel really good about what we're spending on, to make sure that those spending decisions, our values aligned, that they are not just supporting us, but they're supporting our local community, our environment. And that we are able to also put money aside for the future. Right. So we still can be paying down debt, saving for retirement. All of our typical things can and should keep happening. That's not to say that we won't feel pinched at certain points, but again, reasons to be following and subscribing to channels like this, who we got your back going to help you live a good full life in the here and now, spend money now, make sure it's good spending while also preparing for the future. We believe that that can be done even during times when prices are climbing. All the more reason for frugal to be the best F word that you

[Jen]

know, best F word. Because frankly, capitalism's here. Capitalism is not going anywhere. And we can be angry about that. Like, we can have a righteous anger about some of the things that are going on, but we have to talk about that injustice and take action to move forward too. We can't just sit in that injustice and that righteous anger because then we become bitter and we become stagnant and we become, you know, all the, all the bad things people could say about stagnant people. And I think that's really what our heart is for. Like an episode like this is like. Yeah, there's a little bit of truth to all of these, but I think in general, we need to be level headed and do what we can. What is in our power. I know you're tired. Like, I get it. I know, me too. But in the measure that we can when we can and the capacity that we have when we can.

[Jill]

Yeah. Don't just hold out for someone else to rescue you. You know, don't think that you gotta marry a rich man.

[Jen]

Don't marry a rich man. Be a rich man.

[Jill]

Be that rich man.

[Jen]

I'm sorry I stole that from you.

[Jill]

No, I mean, it's here for all of our taking. You can be your own rich man. And maybe not just monetarily.

[Jen]

Right.

[Jill]

Like, we can live, we can live richly outside of like what money can buy for us.

[Jen]

That was a Cher quote. If you missed that, that was from the iconic Cher.

[Jill]

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[Jen]

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[Jill]

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[Jen]

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[Jill]

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[Jen]

Bye.

[Jill]

Jobs don't exist anymore. Sorry.

[Jen]

Especially if you're. Especially if you're this guy. Good luck with your layoffs.

[Jill]

All right. I hope your firings go really well. That's all great.

[Jen]

Yeah.

[Jill]

Love an office space. A little throwback.

[Jen]

2025, there were a lot of layoffs. I knew a lot of people even in my own life that were laid off and couldn't find a job. And in 2026, I think the thing that's going to be different is there's going to be fewer layoffs and finding a new job will be harder because that economic growth and the output is gonna be slower or continue to be slow. We're gonna see fewer job openings and more competition for jobs. And so. But it's gonna seem that way. But the unemployment rate is actually gonna be pretty normal.

[Jill]

Yeah, I mean, unemployment rate is one of those things that can shoot up as quickly as it drops back down again. Wild 2020 skyrocketed for some of those obvious reasons. We ended 2025 at an unemployment rate of about 4.4 to 4.6%, which is the highest it's been since 2021, but still right at some of those historical averages of four and a half percent. And that is the benchmark that economists, most economists do set for what they would consider to be a healthy economy is, you know, anything above 4.5% not doing great, four and a half or below, like, yeah, that's to be expected.

[Jen]

That's in hyper growth.

[Jill]

Yeah, that's really helpful. So you know, for 2026, projecting unemployment to actually go down a bit, they're projecting 4.2 to 4 and a half percent. So you're going to be seeing fewer layoffs than we did in 2025. But that doesn't mean that every individual is going to feel like work is super accessible or that there are not going to be any layoff issues. And so there is growing consensus that suggests that some of these skill based hiring strategies is going to be a bigger factor, particularly for these more well paid roles. Hiring being concentrated in the healthcare industry, skilled trade, specialized tech and data jobs. So if you're in those fields, hey y'. All.

[Jen]

Yeah, that's where we're going to see when the unemployment rate dips a little bit this year. It's going to be because of those sectors. It's not going to be across the board. It's because there's a lot of nurse practitioner, physician assistant, skilled labor and specialized tech jobs. Those are going to be really where positions need to be filled. So what does this mean for you? It means you can't wait until you need a job to start looking for a job. Honestly. And we, we have said this so much over the years, I, I wish you guys were sick of us saying it. You should always be looking to grow your career in some way, whether it's in the field you are in or the field you want to get into. And so the things that you have to be doing in 2026, write these down. I'll give you a second to get a piece of paper and a pen or open your notes app. Okay. Network. Go to networking events. Does it seem lame? No, it's smart people.

[Jill]

It can be fun.

[Jen]

Yeah. People who network get jobs. People who know people get jobs. Network. Not just for funsies.

[Jill]

Here's the thing.

[Jen]

Intentionally.

[Jill]

Yeah, sure, network. It doesn't even have to be a networking event. Fine, do it. That's great. You know, go, go to these things that, that are called networking events, but also get out in your community. See what's going on in, at the library. See what's going on at, you know, any kind of free event that's being put on. What's happening in the arts community? What are some local volunteer opportunities? There's so many ways just to meet new people. That can expand our access to things that we didn't even know were out there. So a variety of ways we can network, we can make it fun.

[Jen]

Yeah, we do want to get at least at first specific into something you can, you think will help you in your field. Honestly, like I was looking at estate planning groups because we're about to enter into our estate planning class for our cfp and they have an estate planning association that meets for coffee at Panera like every other month. You know, these groups, these random groups are out there. We walked into the Vinoy and there was the men's social Dragon club or something, having a hundredth anniversary party.

[Jill]

I don't know what that is. I don't think I would be invited to it, but it exists.

[Jen]

But the groups are, are out there and you have to go find them. You have to put yourself out there, join them. Network negotiation is going to be super important. Knowing how to negotiate, practicing negotiation so that you don't do it poorly because you might be afraid of doing it poorly. And that is a very reasonable fear. So practice it. Facebook Marketplace. Not at the gap. Like reasonable places highlighting your relative relevant achievements, like on LinkedIn. Fill out your LinkedIn profile and start putting relevant achievements there. Don't brag about, like random stuff, but if it's relevant that an employer could see that and want you, that's where you're going to, that's where you're going to put it. They're going to probably look there. In addition to a resume, they'll probably look at your LinkedIn first, to be honest, and then sharpening your skills, like going to get that master's degree or taking those CEUs that aren't typically required or going for another certification. These things are no longer optional for career advancement. The jobs are few, they're far between and there's a lot of competition for them. We have a friend who wanted to apply for a job and she's very talented at what she does. Like arguably one of the most talented people I have ever met. And she didn't. She just wanted to submit an application and get in based on her merit and on the, you know, she wanted her results to speak for themselves, basically, and they should have, but she, she wasn't getting any callbacks. Like nothing. Dead silence. Because you have to do all these other things for your resume and for your work to even get looked at, to speak for it. It can. Your work cannot speak for itself anymore. You have to promote it.

[Jill]

You got it. Most of the time you need that back Door, that side door. We've got to recognize that our wealth is in relationships. Yes, for ourselves personally, but also for the opportunities. I'm not talking about using people. I am talking about meeting people, socializing and enjoying life, but also recognizing that there's an ancillary benefit to being involved and doing the groups and doing the networking, and that is knowing what's out there and allowing yourself to be seen for the roles that you are uniquely positioned and skilled for.

[Jen]

Yeah, I mean, I think networking could be an episode in itself, but like, just meeting people in your field, listening to their stories and being like, oh, my gosh, I never knew that. Like saying, letting people know, oh, you taught me something, or commiserating and being like, oh, my gosh, I have experienced the same thing. You're not alone or listening to a problem. And if, you know, like, oh, yeah, I've dealt with that. This is what worked for me. And being, you know, not trying to, like, you know, fix everybody's problems, that doesn't need to be fixed. But, like, if you have, you can't have these open opportunities to learn, commiserate, and teach if you don't put yourself out there. And that's really, like, good networking isn't selling yourself to people in your network. It's. It's these. It's relating to people in your network so that when something comes up and they can't take it or don't want to take it, or they're helping somebody find something, you come to mind as somebody who is likable and knowledgeable.

[Jill]

Okay, final fifth prediction. Here it is.

[Jen]

Buckle up. This one is big.

[Jill]

AI is taking all the jobs.

[Jen]

Yeah.

[Jill]

Whatever does exist, AI is going to grab it from out underneath you.

[Jen]

You better see your doctor while you can, because soon they're going to be a robot.

[Jill]

Wow. Well, hopefully not. Here's the thing. Yeah. Obviously we're like, talking in jest. We personally don't actually believe this, but AI is not just a buzzword. Like, it is increasingly embedded into businesses, business productivity. There are certainly fields and individual people who are losing their jobs to AI. Like, I don't mean to downplay that by any stretch of the imagination, personally. So this is my personal take. I do think AI is like nothing we've ever seen before. However, it does have shades of things we've seen before.

[Jen]

Right.

[Jill]

We've had the invention, we've had the Industrial revolution, we've had the invention of the phone, we've had the Internet, like, just within the last 100 years. We've seen ingenuity, we've seen growth, we've seen efficiency where people, the printing press. Am I going to lose my job now? I used to be the one who ran the, the message to the people, and now if it could just get written down, what happens to me? Yes, real jobs get lost when invention happens and greater efficiency occurs. But we also have the ability to pivot and morph and be flexible and change. Now, again, I'm not saying I do think AI and the changes that are happening are greater than what we saw with the Internet coming on the scene. But there's a lot of shades of similarity and I think it depends on how we view it and approach it, whether we view it as the enemy. We, we strong arm against it, but then we lack the ability to engage with it. Now we don't have the skills when the thing has truly become part of the norm and we just thought we could resist it entirely, versus how could this be of benefit? Yes, I can bemoan the downsides of it and, and try and push back on the ways that could make it more sustainable, but also, if this thing is sticking around, what can be done as a result of that?

[Jen]

Yeah, I, I know that a lot of, like, people, the CEOs of the AI companies, they're like, AI is not going to take your job. People who know AI are going to take your job. But we are seeing this, like, pendulum swing, right? We're in the early days and we're seeing people letting go. You know, I think specifically in 2025, we saw a lot of people lose their jobs for this kind of maybe preemptive idea that AI could do more than it really could yet. And I think we'll see a slowing of that. People are talking about an AI bubble, and I think there's part of that. But AI is already more easily monetizable than the Internet was back in 2000. It's already being monetized at a lower rate, and we know it will go the way of Facebook and Instagram, where, yeah, it's free to use, but you're going to pay to play on what you see. And so that's going to be something to really pay attention to. So there's, there's a lot of things to look out for. And I think we're going to start to see some of these things in 2026. So just like, be aware of the shift. But we see so many comments when people hear that we use AI for efficiencies or stop using AI, it's horrible. For the environment and it's taking from creatives and yeah, we see that again. I think it's in the pendulum swing. Right. I don't think AI art is the way of the future. I could be wrong, but I don't know. I can't predict beyond 2026. What I can predict for 2026 is that you will do better if you stop vilifying AI and start learning it. And you don't have to use it for everything. You arguably shouldn't use it for everything but. And it's not even always correct. Like if you know what you're talking about, you can tell when AI is not correct. And that's the thing. You have to get good enough at what you do and how to use it so that you know when it's not correct and how to get the correct answers. So yeah, you will have an advantage for growth all around if you. I don't even say embrace it, but just start to respect the impact that it will have.

[Jill]

Yeah, that in tandem with going and building your relationships, your tangible in person things. Because just as much as we need to understand the way that the world is going and become skilled at it, we can also have our own frustrations with it and push back in ways of okay, then I'm gonna have a skill that I really know is relatively AI proof. At least for the next 30 to 40 years. I'm going to get together with people in person. Like I'm not going to give myself entirely over to an entirely like online life. There are other things that I can choose and there are ways that I can engage in in money making activities and skill building activities that hopefully can, can help if my role is potentially going to get edged out by AI. So there are some things that we can be thinking about there, but certainly get together in person.

[Jen]

It is crazy that like in order, I think in order to make yourself AI proof, you need to have a balance of knowing AI and being in real life, doing the networking, building the relationships and doing the skill building. In order to make yourself AI proofed, you have to get offline, but you can't stay offline. You have to also know how. You have to know your enemy, which I don't think AI is the enemy. I'm not gonna go. Maybe that should have been the title of the AI is taking over the world. No, I don't think AI is the enemy, but you kind of have to know thy enemy in order to beat it.

[Jill]

To know what the anecdote is for sure. Yeah. Do you Know what? You also have to know just to enjoy it.

[Jen]

And it is never the enemy, always the ally.

[Jill]

The bill of the week.

[Podcast Narrator]

That's right. It's time for the best minute of your entire week. Maybe a baby was born and his name is William. Maybe you paid off your mortgage. Maybe your car died and you're happy to not have to pay that bill anymore. Duck Bills. Buffalo Bills, Bill Clinton. This is the bill of the week.

[Jocelyn]

Hi, Jen. Hi, Jill. My name is Jocelyn and I am a longtime listener. First time caller, and by longtime listener, I mean 2018, on the way home from my graduate program, driving in the car, listening to your podcast. So thank you for the many years that you have given to us. I wanted to tell you guys back then, but was too shy. But one of my biggest bill of the weeks that I still am very proud of to this day is that I graduated my master's program with zero student debt. And the more recent reason I'm calling is I just got off the phone with a medical provider and asked for a reduction in the bill. It was $759. And after a few questions, they were able to get it down to $99. So I'm just so excited to share finally some of my bills of the weeks and hope you have a good week ahead. Thank you,

[Jen]

Jocelyn.

[Jill]

Yes, yes.

[Jen]

Oh, my gosh, you guys. We started this podcast in 2018. Jocelyn's been here since the beginning.

[Jill]

You're the real one, though.

[Jen]

I am shook. This is fantastic. Congrats. Graduating without debt. Congratulations, if you will. Which is what? I just never heard that one before. I love that my mouth wanted to say it, so I just let it. And medical bills, man, that's another one of those. You gotta make the call, make the call. Don't ignore the calls because they gonna call you. So that's a call you don't even have to make. Cause they gonna call you, but pick up the call.

[Jocelyn]

Yeah.

[Jill]

Well done. This is amazing. So, so many phenomenal financial moves happening here. And if anybody else is listening, you're like, how did you reduce that medical bill? We did an entire episode on how your medical bill. So we'll link that in the description for you all. And you know what? If you just want to leave us a bill, if it has to do with graduating without any debt or reducing a bill, or your name is Bill, we want to hear G. You've been

[Jen]

with us since the beginning.

[Jill]

We especially want to hear from you. Yes, absolutely. Frugalfriendspodcast.com Bill, we can't wait to hear it.

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[Jen]

if you're

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[Jill]

And now it's time for the lightning round.

[Jen]

All right, Jill, what's chopped for 2026? And for those of you who don't know the word chopped, chopped means unattractive or undesirable. It probably, according to Merriam Webster, it

[Jill]

probably isn't even like an acceptable term that the young people use anymore.

[Jen]

But it just means ugly or unattractive. So not, I guess they use it for people. We're not going to use it for people because we're adults.

[Jill]

You want to know what's chopped? Being underpaid.

[Jen]

Yeah.

[Jill]

Chopping that. That's so stupid. I am not say more here for it. I just, you know, I feel like earning a good wage for the work that's done.

[Jen]

You should ask your boss for a raise.

[Jill]

I know. Yeah, I know. Eric always gives me a hard time when I'm like, I have to work tomorrow. He's like, you work for yourself. You can decide. And I'm like, it's almost worse though. Like I know what needs to get done and it's it's gotta happen.

[Jen]

Right. And it's even worse that we've delegated. Right. So that we're left with, like, just the most important tasks, the tasks that we literally can't delegate.

[Jill]

Yeah.

[Jen]

Or don't want to delegate. And so we have to do those things. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That is so chopped. I'd like a raise this year.

[Jill]

What about for you? What's chopped for 2026? Your onions, Your frozen veggies.

[Jen]

That's. I feel like that's an inside joke reference. Yeah. I would say. Well, now you've got me thinking. Now you got me thinking about being underpaid. Wage gaps, I think for 2026, we have said, like, our words for the company for this year are soft and steady. And so for me, hustle is chopped.

[Jill]

Oh, yeah, girl. That was a good build up.

[Jen]

And that doesn't mean that I'm not focused on my income because I'm doing everything I can to pass that CFP exam. And, you know, for us to open our, our retirement, we've told too many

[Jill]

people about doing this cfp. That's not gonna hold us accountable.

[Jen]

Yeah, yeah. That's the move, unfortunately. But I'm not like, I'm not hustling. I'm not like, don't ask me to be on a podcast. Don't ask me to be on your TV show. Don't ask me to be in your movie. Don't ask me to fly to New York. Don't ask.

[Jill]

I mean, you could ask me.

[Jen]

You could ask. I might say no and Jill might bring me along.

[Jill]

I might want to know what the opportunities are.

[Jen]

But, yeah, I just. Yeah, hustling is chopped.

[Jill]

So chopped.

[Jen]

Well, tell us what's chopped for you in 2026. What's out, what's ugly or unattractive or often referring to social standing, meaning exhausted, ruined, failed. You get the gist. What's chopped?

[Jill]

I'll tell you what's not chopped.

[Jen]

Our book. Buy what you love without going broke.

[Jill]

That thing is aging beautiful.

[Jen]

Aging wonderfully. She's a year old. She is in her prime. And we are so appreciative when we read your reviews of it. If you haven't gotten it, bioelovebook.com we even have instructions on there to request at your library if your library doesn't already have it. But a lot of them do. And this is a review from Elizabeth. She says reviewing my spend helped me identify unhealthy triggers. 5 stars. Love the lightning round and action steps at the end of every chapter. It helps you actually apply the concepts from the chapters. I read it when it first came out and plan to reread on its birthday. Which means you already reread it. Elizabeth? Yes. I have conducted a 90 day transaction inventory on multiple occasions, taking their advice and looking at the transactions several different ways. Comparing them to my schedule helped me identify some things that were triggering unnecessary spending that was impacting my wallet and maybe more importantly, my health. Very easy to read and an actionable book, even if you're already fairly good with your finances.

[Jill]

Beautiful, Elizabeth. Thank you so much. We really, we're literally every review lately is talking about needing to reread the book, which is beautiful.

[Jen]

I love that. Yeah.

[Jill]

If you've read the book and you liked it, if you could leave us a review on Amazon even if you didn't get it there, that's where people go to look for reviews. So that'd be so helpful where we

[Jen]

grab reviews to read on the show. So if you want to hear your

[Jill]

review, you can copy and paste that review over to Goodreads. You know, whatever you want to do. Also subscribe to this show. This helps us leave a comment, let us know how we're doing. It's a free way to support us and we're so grateful. We'll see you next time.

[Jen]

Bye. Frugal Friends is produced by Eric Sirianni. Do you have any more predictions for 2020?

[Jill]

Honestly, I think just personal predictions. I do think we're gonna be quite pleased with where Frugal Friends is at by the end of the year.

[Jen]

Yeah, I love the direction it's going. I feel fired up again. You go through ebbs and flows where sometimes I feel bored with content creation, but I feel very excited about content creation right now. It's very interesting and like new and I hope that others like it too. I hope that it is going in a direction that maybe our other listeners. I mean, and I think if Jocelyn's still listening since 2018. Right. Hopefully we're taking everyone on a journey with us that they are pleased to be going on. They got in the car, they didn't know where they were going, but they're happy with the ride they're taking.

[Jill]

Yeah, exactly. We don't know where we'll end up, but we're all on the ride together

[Jen]

and we're playing good music on the way. So, like, come on in.

[Jill]

Yeah, Yeah, I think. I mean, wouldn't that be. I feel like we. Yeah, it's Bogo. It's Bogo Cardinals.

[Jen]

It's we got two cars for the price of one.

[Jill]

I feel like because we simplified, we learned through the course of 2025 we got to this point of like greater simplification. But I feel like better value add that now is allowing us to have a soft and steady goal for the year. But I'm like, wouldn't that be funny if then this is the year that we experience like the greatest growth and, and I'm hoping and believing and almost feeling as though like that probably will be the case.

[Jen]

I love seeing the comments on YouTube. That's like, oh, I thought this channel would have like way more subscribers than it does. It's so good. And I'm like, we just got to keep doing what we're doing. That's it. We just keep doing what we're doing and people, the right people will come along for the ride in the Daewoo.

[Jill]

Right people get in. It's a tin can.

[Jen]

Get in. We're going get into the day. Woo. We're going to find what we value.

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