What counts as financially smart—and what’s just plain cheap?

In this bonus game episode, financial expert Pattie Ehsaei is putting her money philosophy to the test with Rich Move or Broke Move?

I give Pattie a series of deliberately tricky money, dating and lifestyle scenarios where the “right” answer isn’t always obvious. From living with your parents at 45 to refusing first class, insisting on a prenup, buying a dream house in cash, splitting the check and deciding how much luxury is too much, Pattie has to make the call.

And because this is Pattie, she doesn’t just choose a side—she explains exactly why.

• When saving money is smart versus simply cheap
• Whether living with your parents in midlife can actually be financially savvy
• First-class travel, luxury spending and knowing what’s worth it
• Prenups, financial independence and protecting your own money
• Dating someone with very different financial habits
• Buying a home in cash versus keeping your money invested
• Why appearances can be completely misleading when it comes to wealth
• The money decisions that get much more complicated in midlife

Pattie is the author of Never Date a Broke Dude: The Financial Freedom Playbook and is known online as the Duchess of Decorum.

Follow Pattie:

@duchessofdecorum

PattieEhsaei.com

If you enjoyed this game, follow The Iconic Midlife wherever you listen to podcasts, subscribe on YouTube, and follow @theiconicmidlife and @redcarpetroxy on social media.

And if you haven’t heard Pattie’s full episode yet, go back and listen to:

Financial Expert Pattie Ehsaei: Money, Marriage & the Cost of Giving Up Control

The Iconic Midlife

Hosted by Roxy Manning

New episodes weekly.

What does it really mean to be financially independent—and how much control are women giving up without even realizing it?

Financial expert, attorney, former banking executive and Never Date a Broke Dude author Pattie Ehsaei joins me for a sharp, funny and unapologetic conversation about money, marriage, power and the financial decisions that can shape a woman’s future.

We get into the difference between looking wealthy and actually building wealth, why money can quietly become leverage inside a relationship, the complicated reality of prenups, financial dependence, retirement, and why even smart, successful women can have major blind spots when it comes to their own finances.

And because Pattie never misses a good pop-culture money lesson, we also break down what the very public relationship splits of Dorit Kemsley and PK Kemsley, Lisa and Lenny Hochstein, and Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky reveal about money, assets, financial independence, and what can happen when a marriage ends.

We also talk about the cultural double standard around women wanting financially successful partners, whether financial equality is possible when one person earns significantly more, and why reaching midlife can be the moment you finally ask yourself:

Where is my money—and how much control do I actually have over it?

• The difference between appearing rich and actually having wealth
• Why financial independence is about more than income
• Money, power and control inside marriage
• The financial risks of relying entirely on a partner
• Prenups, ownership and protecting yourself
• Why successful women are still judged for caring about a partner’s finances
• The biggest money mistakes women make in midlife
• Whether it’s ever too late to start building wealth
• What financial freedom can look like after 40 and 50
• Why having options may be the ultimate form of wealth

Pattie is also the author of Never Date a Broke Dude: The Financial Freedom Playbook and is known online as the Duchess of Decorum.

Follow Pattie:

Instagram: @duchessofdecorum

Website: PattieEhsaei.com

If you loved this conversation, follow The Iconic Midlife wherever you listen to podcasts, subscribe on YouTube, and follow @theiconicmidlife and @redcarpetroxy on social media.

And come back Thursday for Pattie’s game episode:

Rich Move or Broke Move?

I’m giving her financial dilemmas where the answer is definitely not as obvious as it sounds.

The Iconic Midlife

Hosted by Roxy Manning

New episodes weekly.

Juliet Mayhew is back — and this time, we’re getting a little cheeky.

The Real Housewives of London star returns to The Iconic Midlife for a very British game of “Posh or Tosh?” — where Roxy gives Juliet a series of questionable social behaviors, friendship dilemmas and Housewives-worthy situations, and Juliet has to decide: perfectly posh… or absolute tosh?

We’re talking frenemies, keeping receipts, cosmetic secrets, red-carpet etiquette, telling uncomfortable truths on camera, marriage, ambition — and yes, even social climbing.

And Juliet definitely has opinions.

If you haven’t heard Roxy’s full conversation with Juliet yet, download Tuesday’s episode, where they get candid about The Real Housewives of London, reinventing yourself at 49, marriage and motherhood, being misunderstood, returning to performing and why women don’t need permission to decide it’s finally their turn.

Download this episode, subscribe to The Iconic Midlife, and follow the show so you never miss a new conversation or game. And if Juliet’s answers make you laugh — or you strongly disagree with one of them — send the episode to a friend and see whether she thinks it’s posh or tosh.

Follow Roxy Manning and The Iconic Midlife on social media for more clips, conversations and behind-the-scenes moments from the show.

In this episode: Juliet Mayhew • The Real Housewives of London • Posh or Tosh • Housewives • female friendship • frenemies • social climbing • midlife • marriage • reality TV • London society