Podcast
Money Misfits
Hosted by Stephen Heath · ENGLISH
Money Misfits is a podcast for the ones who weren't supposed to win - but did anyway. If you ever felt like the rules weren't written for you, this is your podcast
19episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Transfer Students Are Already Late for Internships
Mar 1200:57:55Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Money Misfits, Professor Heath sits down with former College of San Mateo student Sasha Gret, now a transfer student at UCLA, to talk about the real experience of transitioning from community college to a major university—and the pressure to land internships along the way.Sasha shares what the first weeks at UCLA were actually like: the shock of huge lecture halls, the fast-paced quarter system, and trying to build friendships after transferring. For many transfer students, the adjustment isn’t just academic—it’s also learning how the internship recruiting timeline works while still adapting to a new school.Together they break down what students don’t realize about internships until it’s almost too late: companies recruit months in advance, networking matters more than most students expect, and many transfer students feel like they’re playing catch-up.In this conversation, they discuss:• What the first weeks at UCLA really feel like for transfer students• Why the internship search starts earlier than most students think• How transfer students can feel behind compared to traditional four-year students• Where students actually find internships (Handshake, networking events, LinkedIn)• Why joining clubs can make a huge difference in recruiting• How ChatGPT can help students improve resumes and prepare for job searches• Advice for community college students preparing to transferSasha also shares the lessons she wishes she knew earlier at community college—including using campus resources, developing strong study habits, and getting involved before transferring.If you're a community college student planning to transfer, this episode will help you understand what the transition really looks like—and how to prepare for internships before it’s too late. community college transfertransfer student adviceUCLA transfer student experiencehow to get internships in collegecollege internship advicecommunity college to universitycollege recruiting timelinewhen to apply for internships collegecollege career adviceinternship search tipshow to network in collegeHandshake internshipsLinkedIn networking for studentsbusiness internships collegeeconomics major internshipscollege career planningfirst internship advicetransfer student internshipscommunity college success storiesMoney Misfits podcast
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Why Financial Aid Makes You Feel Broke
Mar 301:04:53Tap to summarizeFinancial aid is supposed to help… so why does it make so many students feel broke?In this episode of the Money Misfits Transfer Arc, we break down the real experience of financial aid — not the version schools advertise.Because here’s the truth:👉 Your financial aid doesn’t show up when you need it👉 It hits all at once… and disappears fast👉 And if you don’t understand the timing, it can completely mess up your cash flowI sit down with former student + returning guest Michael McDermott to talk through:What financial aid actually looks like after you transferWhy students feel stressed (even when they “have money”)How timing—not just amount—creates financial pressureWhat to watch out for when receiving and spending aidThis isn’t about formulas or theory.This is about how financial aid actually feels — and how to avoid the trap most students fall into.🎯 If you’re a student, this episode will help you:Understand why you feel broke even with aidAvoid blowing your refund too fastPlan around delays and gapsThink differently about your money before it runs out🔥 Related Episodes:“Your Bank Account Is Lying to You”“The First 30 Days After Transfer”“Why Students Feel Behind Financially”💬 Comment below:What surprised you most about your financial aid?
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The First 30 Days After Transferring (What No One Warns You About)
Jan 2600:40:22Tap to summarizeEpisode 1 opens the Transfer Arc by breaking one of the biggest myths about transferring from community college to a four-year university: the hardest part isn’t the classes — it’s everything else.In this episode, Professor Heath sits down with Yasmina Asfour, a former College of San Mateo student who transferred directly from community college into her junior year at New York University. Together, they unpack what the first semester really feels like — emotionally, socially, academically, and financially.Yasmina shares what it was like moving across the country, managing money for the first time without a safety net, and navigating student loans in a family where debt wasn’t the norm. She describes the initial “freedom phase” of transferring — followed by the shock of realizing she was suddenly expected to think like a junior: internships, career paths, experience gaps, and pressure to already “have it figured out.”The conversation dives into:Why transfer students often feel behind even when they’re doing everything rightHow financial stress, comparison, and isolation quietly pile up in the first semesterThe challenge of entering a four-year university as a junior academically but a first-year socially and professionallyWhy clubs, professors, and early outreach matter more than perfectionHow community college students can turn “ordinary” jobs into real experience before transferringThis episode isn’t about solutions yet — it’s about normalizing the shock. It’s about helping transfer students realize that feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or behind in the first 30 days isn’t failure — it’s part of the transition.Episode 1 sets the emotional baseline for the entire Transfer Arc:You’re not broken. You’re not late. And you’re not alone.The next episodes build from here — moving from shock to cash flow, systems, and stability.
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A Calm Beginner Guide for Students Who Want To Start Investing Confidently
Dec 1000:22:31Tap to summarizeIf you finally started investing — or you WANT to — but feel stuck wondering “Okay… now what?” this episode breaks it down step-by-step. No hype, no confusing jargon — just a simple path you can actually follow.In this In Detention breakdown, we talk about what to do after your first investment, how to build confidence over time, and the exact long-term system I make my own kids use. We’ll cover habits, Roth IRAs, S&P 500 index funds, diversification, contributing consistently, and how to invest even if you only have $50–$100 to start.Getting started is the hardest part — staying consistent is where the magic happens.📌 What you’ll learn in this video:• How to confidently invest as a beginner• Roth IRA vs traditional brokerage accounts explained• Why the S&P 500 is a simple starting point for most students• How to diversify without picking individual stocks• How your money can double every 6–7 years• Why time is the biggest superpower young investors have• The rule I force my kids to follow with their money• How to automate investing so you don’t have to think about it• What to do when the market drops (hint: it’s not panic)📌 Quick Start Plan:Open an investing account (Fidelity, Vanguard, Schwab, etc)Consider a Roth IRA if you’re young and early in your careerStart with an S&P 500 index fund or ETF (VOO, SPY, FXAIX, etc)Automate contributions monthlyStay consistent for decades — not weeksYou don’t need to be perfect.You just need to start → diversify → stay consistent.If you enjoyed the $100 investing challenge episode, this is the next step.So many comments said “I finally started — now what do I do next?”This video was made for YOU. 🙌—💬 Question for you (reply in comments):What’s the next investing goal you want help with?Roth IRA setup? Index funds? How to invest $100 per month?Let me know — I respond personally.📌 Subscribe for more student-friendly money lessons.New episodes on personal finance, investing, credit, budgeting & building wealth — without the boring tone.#InvestingForBeginners #HowToStartInvesting #CollegeInvesting #RothIRA #SP500 #MoneyMisfits #ProfessorHeath
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Three College Students Started With $100 What They Learned Could Change Everything
Dec 400:55:19Tap to summarizeThree community college students. One $100 challenge. Zero investing experience.In this episode of Money Misfits, I sit down with three of my students—Tyreece Bramwell, Kayson Dahl, and Kenyon Shabazz—to talk about what really happens when young people take their first step into investing. The confusion. The procrastination. The fear. The wins. The losses. The “is this normal?” moments.No hype. No gurus. No fancy Wall Street language.Just three students navigating money the way most of us did: blindly, nervously, and one Google search at a time.What they discovered about investing, consistency, risk, and their own financial future?Could genuinely change everything for them—and for anyone watching.We break down:(1) How to start investing when you feel clueless(2) Why every student procrastinates (and how to push through it)(3) Robinhood vs. Acorns vs. traditional accounts(4) Why consistency beats “perfect timing”(5) The JUCO mindset that translates into wealth(6) What to do when your investments DROP(7) The $100 hoodie flip that turned into a lesson about entrepreneurship(8) How students can build wealth even before transferringIf you're a student, young adult, or someone who’s been avoiding investing because you feel unprepared—this episode is for you. They unpack the anxiety and procrastination that comes with being a first–time investor, how they actually got started using tools like ChatGPT and YouTube, and why they chose very different paths, from Acorns and tech ETFs on Robinhood to flipping high–demand hoodies. The conversation dives into why getting started young matters more than picking the “perfect” investment, the power of consistency and diversification, and how their “Bulldog way” mindset shapes how they handle market drops. They also wrestle with real–life tradeoffs like paying off credit card debt versus investing, and talk about retirement accounts, long–term compounding, and building wealth not just for themselves but for their future families. It is a raw, funny, and surprisingly deep look at money, mindset, and what it means to take your first step off the financial sidelines.🎧 Money Misfits: where real students learn real money.📚 professorheath.com for workshops & student resources.#MoneyMisfits #InvestingForBeginners #CollegeStudents #FinancialLiteracy #StudentMoney #InvestYoung #PersonalFinance #ProfessorHeath
Transcribe →Credit Card Basics What Every College Student Needs to Know
Nov 2800:19:09Tap to summarizeIf you're getting your first credit card, this episode will save you from the mistakes almost every college student makes. I sat down with Hannah and Zion—both currently authorized users on their parents’ cards—and broke down the myths, the traps, and the real rules you need to follow if you want to build credit the smart way.In this in-detention episode, I explain why utilization matters more than your card type, why paying “whenever you remember” is a disaster, how annual fees actually work, and the exact system I’d force my own kids to follow. This is the simplest, clearest walkthrough of credit card basics for students, period.You’ll learn how to keep your credit score high, avoid interest entirely, pick the right first card, dodge subscription traps, and build a real emergency fund so you’re not leaning on your card every time life punches you in the face.
Transcribe →Your First Credit Card - Students Reveal What Really Happens
Nov 2100:10:27Tap to summarizeIf you’re 18–22 and thinking about getting your first credit card, this episode is your blueprint. Professor Heath sits down with two real college students — Hannah and Zien — to break down what actually happens when you’re an authorized user, how to choose your first card, and the biggest mistakes students make when building credit.We cover EVERYTHING your friends, parents, and TikTok never explain:💳 Authorized user vs your own card💳 Why credit cards feel like “free money” (and how that traps students)💳 What builds your credit score at 18: utilization, history, payments💳 The truth about secured credit cards and student cards💳 How to pick your first card without getting ripped off💳 How missing one payment affects your score💳 A simple way to never miss a due date again💳 The “closing date” hack that can instantly increase your score💳 How to build your first emergency fund as a college student💳 Why subscriptions quietly destroy your budget💳 How to avoid lifestyle creep before it ruins your financesThis episode mixes real student honesty, financial literacy you can actually use, and laugh-out-loud moments (like the Quizlet+ and Snapchat+ confessions).Whether you're getting ready to apply for your first credit card or trying to fix your credit early, this conversation gives you the tools to start strong — and avoid the mistakes that follow students for years.🔥 Try the 1-Week Credit Challenge:Turn on auto-payCancel 2 unused subscriptionsBuild a $250 emergency fundIdentify your card’s closing dateMake a small payment before the closing dateComment your biggest takeawayThis is the episode every college student should watch before opening a credit card.
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The College Student Financial Roadmap
Nov 1900:10:27Tap to summarizeWelcome to Money Misfits: In Detention, where Professor Heath breaks down real financial lessons from college students—no guests, no fluff, just straight talk.In this solo episode, we follow up on the powerful conversation with Areefa and Dayana to uncover the six money topics every student needs to understand before life hits harder:1️⃣ Budgeting & conscious spending2️⃣ Building an emergency fund3️⃣ Credit cards & credit scores4️⃣ Starting to invest early5️⃣ Navigating financial aid & FAFSA6️⃣ Money and relationships🎯 Whether you’re trying to stop spending leaks, build financial confidence, or just figure out how to make smarter money choices in college, this episode lays the foundation for everything ahead.👉 Subscribe for more real stories, real numbers, and real conversations about money from the college perspective.🧠 “Budgeting isn’t about restriction — it’s about direction.”💬 “Your emergency fund is your permission slip to quit a bad job.”#MoneyMisfits #CollegeCashConversations #FinancialLiteracy #ProfessorHeath #Budgeting #CreditScore #Investing #CollegeFinance #PersonalFinance #CommunityCollege #MoneyMisfitsPodcast
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The Easiest Way to Start Budgeting in College
Nov 1900:16:46Tap to summarizeMost people don’t fail at budgeting — they just never start tracking. In this Money Misfits episode, Professor Heath breaks down how to build a budget that actually works in real life — no spreadsheets, no guilt.🔥 Whether you’re just opening your first bank account or figuring out how to manage your post-grad paycheck, this episode will help you:✅ Track your spending without overthinking✅ Cancel what doesn’t serve you and automate what does✅ Save and enjoy your life✅ Avoid lifestyle creep as you earn more✅ Build peace of mind through intentional money habits🎧 Money Misfits — Real conversations about money, mistakes, and leveling up.Subscribe for more episodes that help you master your money without losing your personality.👉 Watch more: • What College Students Say About Budgeting 👉 Follow on Instagram & TikTok: @ProfessorHeath👉 Learn more: ProfessorHeath.com#budgetingforbeginners#howtostartbudgeting#budgetingtipsforbeginners#lifestylecreepexplained#emergencyfundbasics#MoneyMisfits #ProfessorHeath #PersonalFinancePodcast #CollegeBudgeting #BudgetingTips #PayYourselfFirst #503020Rule #BudgetingWithoutRestrictions #TrackYourSpending #MoneyHabits #FinancialFreedom #SmartMoneyMoves #MoneyInCollege #CollegeMoney #StudentFinance #StopWastingMoney #SubscriptionsDrain #BudgetChallenge #WealthMindset #BudgetingMadeSimple
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We Looked at Our Bank Statements… It Got Ugly
Nov 400:57:00Tap to summarizeWhat really happens when college students look at their bank statements? Spoiler: it gets ugly. 😬My second installment of Money Misfits: College Cash Conversations.In this Money Misfits: College Cash Conversations episode, Professor Heath sits down with three real students — Umit, Sophia, and Michael — for a brutally honest talk about budgeting, spending habits, and what it really means to “adult” with money.From sports betting and snack runs, to subscriptions that won’t cancel and gift-giving guilt, this episode is packed with the money mistakes, mindset shifts, and small wins that every college student can relate to.We talk about:💰 Why budgeting isn’t about restriction — it’s about priorities🧠 How to actually track your spending without hating it💳 The truth about subscriptions, impulse buys, and emotional spending🚗 Michael’s $5,000 Mustang mistake (and what it taught him about emergency funds)🌱 Umit’s early lessons in saving, from envelopes to financial coaching✏️ Sophia’s frugal mindset — and how it might be her superpowerWhether you’re a broke college student trying to save, or just want to understand how to actually manage money in your 20s, this episode is for you.🎧 Listen to more Money Misfits episodes:👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc6ViY7W3mOuAWRlPV_eWLFilohgIz40m💬 Join the community:Follow @Professor_Heath on Instagram & TikTok for daily clips, real student stories, and no-BS financial tips.
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