Vicki Gunvalson, Real Housewife on Life Insurance, Lifestyle Creep and Building Wealth

Learn how a reality TV star built a career in insurance and why she saves her Hollywood paychecks instead of spending them. How did an original Real Housewife build a career in finance long before reality TV? Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola talk with Vicki Gunvalson, founder of Coto Insurance & Financial Services and an original cast member of The Real Housewives of Orange County. They hear her story about starting over financially after a divorce at 28, how her father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and lack of long-term care insurance shaped her career, and the life insurance mistakes she sees most often. You’ll also hear why so many people tune out when insurance comes up, what it takes to go from earning money to building wealth, and why getting your financial documents organized could spare your family a mess later on. Then, what happens when the reality TV paychecks start rolling in? Vicki explains how she handles her show income, why she kept running her business while filming, and the money habits she’s noticed among her castmates. She also shares her best and worst money moves, her take on renting versus buying a home, and how she earns credit card rewards without carrying a balance. Then Sean and Elizabeth discuss whether they’d ever join a reality show, how a side hustle could boost your savings, and when a little lifestyle creep might be OK. Learn more about Vicki’s firm, and figure out how much coverage your own family could need: https://www.cotoinsurance.com/our-team/ How Much Life Insurance Do I Need? Use This Calculator: https://www.nerdwallet.com/insurance/life/learn/how-much-life-insurance-do-i-need Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected]. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices