We all make financial mistakes, but what happens when those mistakes literally cost you everything? In this episode, I sit down with money expert, author, and host Nicole Lapin, who shares her deeply personal story of losing her home and studio in the LA fires just two weeks after giving birth—and the painful lessons she learned in the aftermath. From skipping business insurance to the emotional toll of rebuilding from scratch, Nicole gets brutally honest about the financial oversights that even experts can make, and how you can protect yourself before disaster strikes. We also talk about the realities of new motherhood, navigating shame, estate planning, and why money isn’t just about numbers—it’s about safety, security, and learning how to trust yourself again. Nicole’s links: Website: https://nicolelapin.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolelapin/?hl=en Podcast: https://moneynewsnetwork.com/podcast/money-rehab/ Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show! 00:00 Intro 00:41 LA Fires & loss 01:51 Documenting for insurance 02:35 Money & safety 05:02 Insurance tips 11:11 Parenthood finances 16:37 Childcare costs 19:00 Parenting boundaries 21:41 Teaching kids money 22:41 Investing basics 25:07 Money priorities 29:40 Estate Planning 32:26 Debt & leverage 34:20 Imposter syndrome 38:57 Building your path 41:57 Financial shame Special thanks to our sponsors:Go to www.squarespace.com/FFPOD to save 10% off your first website or domain purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.