Navigating Money Roles in Relationships with Danny Smith, CFP®
How couples can define their money roles, avoid resentment, and align on goals.
October 14, 2026
If Money Were Easy
A podcast that explores the technical and emotional sides of personal finance, hosted by Abacus CEO Neela Hummel, CFP®.
What is the If Money Were Easy podcast?
If Money Were Easy is a bi-weekly personal finance podcast from Abacus Wealth Partners hosted by CEO Neela Hummel, CFP®. Each episode unpacks an aspect of financial life. Sometimes that’s a decision you’ve been putting off. Sometimes it’s a belief about money you picked up somewhere and never questioned. Every subject explores the practical and the emotional side, because the technical answer and the one you can live with aren’t always the same thing.
Some episodes are Neela on her own, while others feature a guest, often an Abacus advisor who sits with these exact questions in client meetings every day. The commitment is the same either way. No jargon, no talking down to you, and no leaving you more confused than when you got here.
Because when your money makes sense, everything else can feel a little easier.
Where to watch or listen to If Money Were Easy
“Money is complicated. It’s also personal, and too often that second part is what financial advice often leaves out. If Money Were Easy talks about both.”
Meet the Host, Neela Hummel, CFP®
Neela Hummel is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and the CEO of Abacus Wealth Partners, a fee-only, employee-owned, Certified B Corp that offers financial planning and values-aligned investing. She started as an unpaid intern in 2009 and has held nearly every job in the firm since.
She is a UC Berkeley graduate, a mom of three, and an avid reader. Much of her work comes back to financial education, and the importance of making quality information easy to find and understand. She writes and speaks regularly on personal finance and what it takes to run a firm well.
What We Cover
If Money Were Easy returns to a handful of subjects, because these are the ones that come up again and again in client conversations.
- Financial planning and where to start when everything feels like it needs attention at once
- Values-aligned investing sometimes called sustainable or ESG investing
- Retirement planning and what you actually want your life to look like inside it
- Inherited wealth and the complicated feelings that arrive with it
- Sudden money from a business sale or an IPO
- Charitable giving and giving more than you thought you could
- Finding a financial advisor and how it should feel to work with one
- The money beliefs you have picked up and how they can show up in your decisions
- And whatever else is keeping you up at night, because money touches nearly everything in your life
Whatever the subject, the goal is the same. To leave you knowing a little more, and feeling a little more at ease in your financial life.
Latest Episodes
Bridging the Gap Between Financial Spreadsheets and Real Life with Neela Hummel
Here’s what you can expect from If Money Were Easy.
October 14, 2026
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New episodes delivered to your inbox as they arrive, with more about the people in them, and recommended reading for additional insights into the topics of discussion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Each episode of If Money Were Easy unpacks an aspect of financial life and explores both the technical and emotional reality of it. Recurring topics include values-aligned investing, retirement planning, inherited wealth, sudden money from a business sale or IPO, charitable giving, and working a financial advisor.
If Money Were Easy is a podcast for anyone trying to make better decisions about money, whatever stage they’re at. Some listeners work with a financial advisor, some are considering it, and plenty are figuring it out themselves.
Episodes of If Money Were Easy are available to watch on the Abacus Wealth Partners YouTube channel. You can also listen to episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever else you get your podcasts.
The Money Were Easy podcast is hosted by Neela Hummel, CFP®, the CEO of Abacus Wealth Partners.
Episode Archive
Navigating Money Roles in Relationships with Danny Smith, CFP®
How couples can define their money roles, avoid resentment, and align on goals.
October 14, 2026
Bridging the Gap Between Financial Spreadsheets and Real Life with Neela Hummel
Here’s what you can expect from If Money Were Easy.
October 14, 2026
Disaster-Proof Your Finances: What to Do Before Crisis Hits with Susan Olson
Learn how to safeguard your finances before disaster hits.
May 14, 2025
Wealth and Shame: The Discomfort of Having Money
Explore the hidden shame around money—why wealth can feel isolating, and how to align it with purpose, confidence, and values.
May 12, 2025
The Golden Bachelorette: Skipping Marriage for Love and Financial Independence
Golden years, golden rules: What to know about love, money, and protecting your future when you’re dating or marrying later in life.
May 7, 2025
Insurance 101: Demystifying Disability and Life Policies with Mark Maurer, CFP®
Learn why disability and life insurance matter, how much you likely need, and how to choose a policy that balances cost with coverage.
April 30, 2025
How to Pick a Financial Advisor That’s Right for You
How to find a financial advisor who aligns with your values, understands your goals, and keeps your best interests at the forefront.
April 16, 2025
How Do Interest Rates Influence Your Money?
Learn how interest rates influence your money, and what you can do to wisely navigate financial decisions if and when they change.
April 2, 2025
New Year, Same You: Approach 2025 With Compassion
Approaching the new year with compassion can help you realign with your values while setting clear, strong intentions for 2025.
March 19, 2025
March 12, 2025
The Power of Gratitude in this Season with Spencer Sherman
How to integrate mindfulness into money management.
December 18, 2024
We’re 40: Here’s What We’re Looking Forward to Financially Over the Next Decade
Discover key financial strategies for your 40s and beyond.
December 4, 2024
Money Lessons for Our Sons
How to navigate gender stereotypes and raise emotionally aware, well-rounded, and financially savvy sons.
November 20, 2024
Navigating Parents’ Aging & Financial Care: Lessons from A Personal Journey with Kathryn Peyton
Kathryn Peyton shares her insights on what to expect as executor of an estate and how you can prepare.
November 6, 2024
Money Lessons for Our Daughters
Encouraging financial empowerment, self-reliance, and independence for the next generation of women.
October 23, 2024
Marriage & Money: Is a Prenup Right for You? with Terry Steen
How prenuptial agreements can protect individual assets and foster honest discussions about finances.
October 9, 2024
Preparing for the Death of a Loved One with Jana Davis
Explore the critical steps in end-of-life planning and how to handle these conversations with care and empathy.
September 25, 2024
Tax Planning for Entrepreneurs with Tiffany Vaught
Learn how business owners and entrepreneurs can take a proactive approach to tax planning.
September 11, 2024
Is Homeownership Still Part of the American Dream?
Explore the realities of buying a home in today’s market and what the future holds for homeowners.
August 28, 2024
Why You Need a Village to Get Through Parenthood
Parenthood can feel overwhelming, but building a supportive community makes all the difference.
August 14, 2024
