In this episode of Brown Ambition, host Mandi Woodruff-Santos dives into the pressing financial trends of 2026, focusing on inflation, interest rates, the job market, and student loans. Mandi emphasizes the importance of understanding these trends and how they impact personal finances, encouraging listeners to adopt manageable habits to protect their financial well-being. She highlights the significance of tracking spending, conducting inflation audits, and being proactive about budgeting to navigate the economic landscape effectively.

Mandi also discusses the challenges posed by rising interest rates and the cooling job market, particularly due to AI-driven layoffs. She advocates for a 'career resilience hour' where listeners can research industry trends and network to enhance their job security. Additionally, she addresses the looming issue of student loan wage garnishment, urging listeners to stay informed about their loan status and take proactive steps to manage their debt. By the end of the episode, listeners are equipped with actionable strategies to take control of their finances amidst these economic challenges.

 

WHAT WE GET INTO
 Introduction and Overview of 2026 Financial Goals
 Understanding Inflation and Its Impact
 Interest Rates: What to Expect in 2026
The Job Market and AI: Navigating Changes
Student Loans: Preparing for Wage Garnishment
Conclusion and Actionable Steps for Financial Control

 

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS
"We want to get that money in what I love about the success of that episode is how simplistic a lot of what I discussed in that episode truly is."
"You do control how you budget, how you save, how you prepare for your career and how you respond when the economy starts acting up."
"Lifestyle creep is the biggest killer of wealth, okay?"
"If you are lucky enough to see an increase in your income for 2026, look at how you are using those extra resources."
"We have to bring it back to what those goals and that vision for ourselves in 2026 want and how can we actually feed those goals."

 

👉 Want more Brown Ambition?

• Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, behind‑the‑scenes content and deeper dives into money, career and entrepreneurship: Join the BA Fam! 

• Follow us on Instagram @brownambitionpodcast for daily money and career tips, episode updates, and community conversations. 

In this episode of<a href="https://www.instagram.com/brownambitionpodcast"> Brown Ambition</a>, host <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mandimoney/?hl=en">Mandi Woodruff-Santos</a> dives into the pressing financial trends of 2026, focusing on inflation, interest rates, the job market, and student loans. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mandimoney/?hl=en">Mandi</a> emphasizes the importance of understanding these trends and how they impact personal finances, encouraging listeners to adopt manageable habits to protect their financial well-being. She highlights the significance of tracking spending, conducting inflation audits, and being proactive about budgeting to navigate the economic landscape effectively.
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mandimoney/?hl=en">Mandi</a> also discusses the challenges posed by rising interest rates and the cooling job market, particularly due to AI-driven layoffs. She advocates for a 'career resilience hour' where listeners can research industry trends and network to enhance their job security. Additionally, she addresses the looming issue of student loan wage garnishment, urging listeners to stay informed about their loan status and take proactive steps to manage their debt. By the end of the episode, listeners are equipped with actionable strategies to take control of their finances amidst these economic challenges.
&nbsp;
WHAT WE GET INTO
<ul>
<li>&nbsp;Introduction and Overview of 2026 Financial Goals</li>
<li>&nbsp;Understanding Inflation and Its Impact</li>
<li>&nbsp;Interest Rates: What to Expect in 2026</li>
<li>The Job Market and AI: Navigating Changes</li>
<li>Student Loans: Preparing for Wage Garnishment</li>
<li>Conclusion and Actionable Steps for Financial Control</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
KEY TAKEAWAYS
<ul>
<li>"We want to get that money in what I love about the success of that episode is how simplistic a lot of what I discussed in that episode truly is."</li>
<li>"You do control how you budget, how you save, how you prepare for your career and how you respond when the economy starts acting up."</li>
<li>"Lifestyle creep is the biggest killer of wealth, okay?"</li>
<li>"If you are lucky enough to see an increase in your income for 2026, look at how you are using those extra resources."</li>
<li>"We have to bring it back to what those goals and that vision for ourselves in 2026 want and how can we actually feed those goals."</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
👉 Want more Brown Ambition?
&bull; Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, behind‑the‑scenes content and deeper dives into money, career and entrepreneurship: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/c/brownambition">Join the BA Fam!</a>&nbsp;
&bull; Follow us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/brownambitionpodcast">@brownambitionpodcast</a> for daily money and career tips, episode updates, and community conversations.&nbsp;

The Brown Ambition Podcast helps you unapologetically build wealth by saving, investing and making smart career choices — on your own d@mn terms! New episodes Wednesdays and Fridays.

Money and career advice for women of color, by women of color

Brown Ambition

How to Protect Your Bag from Inflation, AI & Student Loans in 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/20e47db0-63f4-449f-93a3-b3d9003abf78/transcript