Most people work hard for their money, but almost no one talks about the simplest way to make your money work harder for you.
Today’s episode of Financial Feminist is all about unlocking what I truly believe is the easiest money you will ever make — and yes, it’s as simple and lazy-girl-friendly as it sounds. I’m breaking down the one passive income strategy that requires zero extra hours, zero new skills, and absolutely zero stress: a high-yield savings account. If you’ve ever wished you could make money while taking a nap, running errands, or sipping a drink on the beach, this episode shows you exactly how to make your existing money work harder for you, without sacrificing your already-packed schedule.
What you need to know:
Your checking account is quietly holding you back.
Most people don’t realize their checking account is earning them literal pennies, and keeping too much money there is one of the biggest barriers to building wealth. When I tell you $5,000 in checking earns about one to two dollars a year, I mean it. The simplest shift you can make — and the whole point of this episode — is moving the money you aren’t spending this month into a high-yield savings account so it can finally work for you instead of sitting stagnant.
A high-yield savings account is the easiest, safest passive income you’ll ever earn.
If the idea of “earning money while you sleep” sounds ridiculous, this is where I prove it isn’t. A HYSA isn’t investing and it isn’t risky — it’s FDIC-insured, stable, and offers interest rates that are 10–15x higher than a normal savings account. You’re not learning a new skill or hustling harder. You’re literally just putting your existing money somewhere smarter and collecting the free monthly interest.
Automating transfers is the secret to lazy-girl wealth.
You don’t need willpower or discipline to save — you need automation. Every time I get paid, money moves straight from my checking account into my HYSA without me lifting a finger. That’s what makes this the laziest wealth-building strategy: once the system is set, your savings grow whether you’re at work, asleep, or scrolling TikTok. Automation removes the decision-making and helps you build consistency effortlessly.
Know exactly what belongs in your HYSA — and what absolutely doesn’t.
Your emergency fund and all short-term savings goals (vacations, moving, weddings, buying a car, future house) belong in a HYSA where they can grow. But your rent, groceries, and monthly bills must stay in checking so they’re easy to access. And your retirement savings shouldn’t be in a HYSA at all — that money belongs in investment accounts where it can grow long-term. Understanding this distinction keeps your money organized and maximizes your earning potential.
Small wins build massive confidence — and this strategy gives you a win every month.
One of my favorite parts of a HYSA is how quickly it rewires your brain. When you start getting $20, $50, or even more in interest every month, something clicks. You realize you can save. You are making progress. And that emotional shift matters just as much as the money itself. These quick wins help you stay motivated, reduce financial anxiety, and build momentum toward bigger goals like paying off debt or finally hitting that emergency fund target.
Notable quotes
“Your checking account is quietly killing you.”
“This isn’t day trading, it isn’t risky, and it isn’t a scam — it’s literally the easiest money you’ll ever make.”
“You’re already doing the hard work — this is the part where your money finally works hard for you.”
Episode at-a-glance
00:00 Intro
01:14 The Problem with Checking Accounts
02:44 Why High-Yield Savings Accounts Matter
04:21 How to Set Up and Use a HYSA
08:44 The Power of Earning Interest
09:23 Using HYSA for Emergency Funds & Goals
10:22 Overcoming Myths & Fears
12:24 Making Money Passively
14:03 Is My Money Safe?
15:10 Final Thoughts & How to Get Started
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Transcript:
Thank you for listening to Financial Feminist a Her First $100K podcast. For more information about Financial Feminist, Her First $100K, our guests and episode show notes, visit financialfeministpodcast.com. If you’re confused about your personal finances and you’re wondering where to start, go to herfirst100k.com/quiz for a free personalized money plan.
Financial Feminist is hosted by me, Tori Dunlap. Produced by Kristen Fields and Tamisha Grant. Research by Sarah Sciortino. Audio and video engineering by Alyssa Midcalf. Marketing and Operations by Karina Patel and Amanda Leffew. Special thanks to our team at Her First 100K, Kailyn Sprinkle, Masha Bakhmetyeva, Sasha Bonar, Rae Wong, Elizabeth McCumber, Daryl Ann Ingman, Shelby Duclos, Meghan Walker, and Jess Hawks. Promotional graphics by Mary Stratton, photography by Sarah Wolfe, and theme music by Jonah Cohen Sound. A huge thanks to the entire Her First 100K community for supporting our show.
Tori Dunlap
Tori Dunlap is an internationally-recognized money and career expert. After saving $100,000 at age 25, Tori quit her corporate job in marketing and founded Her First $100K to fight financial inequality by giving women actionable resources to better their money. She has helped over five million women negotiate salaries, pay off debt, build savings, and invest.
Tori’s work has been featured on Good Morning America, the New York Times, BBC, TIME, PEOPLE, CNN, New York Magazine, Forbes, CNBC, BuzzFeed, and more.
With a dedicated following of over 2.1 million on Instagram and 2.4 million on TikTok —and multiple instances of her story going viral—Tori’s unique take on financial advice has made her the go-to voice for ambitious millennial women. CNBC called Tori “the voice of financial confidence for women.”
An honors graduate of the University of Portland, Tori currently lives in Seattle, where she enjoys eating fried chicken, going to barre classes, and attempting to naturally work John Mulaney bits into conversation.
