Financial Coaching for Women: How To Budget, Manage Money, Pay Off Debt, Save Money, Paycheck Plans

Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! Check out Ella's Podcast! Budget besties, we’re bringing back a conversation we had with our friend Ella Catherine from the Lifelong Learners Collective podcast, and it is just as good the second time around. In this episode, we’re talking about the “B word” and why budgeting does not have to mean boring, restrictive, or giving up everything you love. We share how we help people build a budget that actually matches real life, supports their goals, and gives them room for the things that matter most. We get into why so many people feel behind with money, how to prepare for those “unexpected” expenses that are actually very expected, why separate accounts can make budgeting feel so much easier, and how to stop relying on credit cards to fill the gaps. This conversation is such a good reminder that budgeting is not about punishment. It is about clarity, confidence, and building a life you actually want. Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.

Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! In this Q&A episode, we’re answering real questions from our budget besties straight from our Facebook group and email. We’re talking about the biggest money mistake we’re seeing right now, why so many of us end up using credit cards for groceries and gas, why using your emergency fund can feel weirdly guilt-inducing, and what to do when life feels too nonstop to stick to a budget. This episode is your reminder that money management does not have to feel complicated, scary, or overwhelming. When we know our numbers, automate what we can, and create simple systems that work in real life, everything starts to feel lighter. In This Episode, We Talk About: The biggest money mistake we’re seeing right now: avoiding your numbers Why looking at your budget is usually not as scary as you think How clarity creates instant solutions and less stress Why people keep putting groceries and gas on credit cards The problem with having one “black hole” checking account How separate spending accounts can help you stop overspending Why grocery spending can be more predictable than you think How setting weekly or biweekly limits creates built-in accountability Why using your emergency fund for an actual emergency feels so hard The difference between true emergencies and expected irregular expenses Why savings buckets can reduce guilt and give you more peace of mind Why it’s so hard to stick to a plan when life is nonstop How automation helps you stay consistent without constant effort Why setting guardrails is a form of being kind to your future self Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.

Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! Check Out Emily's Podcast! Budget besties, this one is for all of us who have ever walked into Target for one thing and somehow left with a cart full of “why did I buy this?” items. In this episode, we’re joined by Emily McDermott, host of Moms Overcoming Overwhelm, to talk about what clutter really means and why it is about so much more than stuff. We dig into the connection between overspending, emotional clutter, identity shifts, and the overwhelm so many women feel in this season of life. Emily shares practical ways to declutter your home, your mind, and even your habits around shopping. We also talk about how creating simple boundaries around your money and your stuff can lead to more peace, more clarity, and way less stress. If you’ve been feeling buried by clutter, tempted by impulse buys, or just craving a fresh reset, this conversation will leave you encouraged and empowered. In this episode, we talk about: Why Target feels so hard to resist for so many women The connection between clutter, emotional overwhelm, and identity shifts How the “experience” of shopping can lead to overspending Why the pause gives you power before making a purchase What to do instead of buying bins and baskets first The real reason most people feel disorganized Emily’s quick decluttering reset: Trash, Relocate, and Anything to get rid of How “container limits” can help you manage your home and your spending Why freedom works best inside clear boundaries How simplifying your home can support the life you’re living right now Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.

Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! Hey budget besties, this episode is all about one very grown-up truth: the financial stuff that sneaks up on us usually is not actually a surprise. It just feels that way when we are not planning ahead. We are talking about why property taxes should not be a yearly jump scare, how relying on a financial “Plan B” can keep you stuck, and why teaching kids to manage their own money matters so much. We also dig into Amazon spending guilt and why tracking after the fact is not nearly as helpful as budgeting on purpose from the start. This episode is packed with real client stories, practical budget shifts, and the reminder that financial peace comes from planning ahead, not scrambling after the fact. In this episode, we talk about: Why saving monthly for property taxes can change everything How escrow keeps your money out of sight and earning for the bank instead of for you Why relying on mom, credit cards, HELOCs, or your emergency fund can make it harder to stick to your budget The power of committing to Plan A and removing easy financial fallbacks How to teach kids real money lessons by letting them spend their own money Why boundaries around money help both adults and kids build confidence How to stop shaming yourself over Amazon spending Why separating spending into clear budget categories makes money easier to manage How intentional budgeting creates freedom without guilt Key reminder from this episode We want you to be your own bank. That means planning ahead, saving for the things you know are coming, using your budget on purpose, and building a system that helps you rely on yourself instead of defaulting to outside help or last-minute fixes. What we want budget besties to remember You do not need to feel ashamed about spending money when it is already part of the plan. The goal is not perfection. The goal is clarity. When your money has a job, you can spend, save, and prepare with a whole lot more confidence. Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.

Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! Today we’re diving into the top 5 hardest financial habits to break — straight from our community. We’re talking about the real-life stuff that keeps showing up in our budgets again and again: eating out, impulse spending, credit cards, grocery overspending, and living above our means. But we’re not just calling out the habits, budget besties — we’re also giving you practical ways to start changing them without going from one extreme to the other. Because this is not about perfection. It’s about creating a money plan that actually fits your real life. In this episode, we talk about: Why eating out and delivery can quietly wreck your budget How to make food at home more convenient, realistic, and actually enjoyable The truth about Amazon, home decor, clothes, and impulse purchases Why random scrolling often turns into random spending How credit cards keep you disconnected from what’s really happening with your money Why your grocery budget probably needs to be updated What it really means to live within or below your means How separate spending accounts and realistic budget categories can make all of this easier The 5 hardest financial habits to break: Eating out Shopping and impulse buying Using credit cards Overspending on groceries Living above your means Biggest reminders from this episode: We are not saying you can never eat out, shop, or have fun. We are saying you need a plan for it. A realistic budget works better than an overly strict one you can’t stick to. Convenience is okay — it just needs to fit your numbers. You have to stop investing in everyone and everything else before you invest in yourself. Practical takeaways: Make meals at home easy, fast, and appealing Put guardrails around spending with a set budget Use separate accounts for spending categories when possible Remove credit cards from your wallet, apps, and auto-pay if they’re causing problems Update your grocery budget to reflect today’s prices Stop guessing with your money and start getting clear on what your life actually costs Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.

Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! Budget besties, this episode is such a good one. We’re sitting down with Angie, a longtime listener turned client, who shares how she completely transformed her finances by getting organized, simplifying her accounts, and building habits that actually work in real life. Angie and her husband were juggling a lot: personal finances, business finances, two homes, four adult kids, and plenty of money stress. Even though they were making good money, it still felt messy and unclear. Once she started using a simple system that separated bills, spending, gas, and groceries, everything started to click. In less than a year, Angie paid off $72,000 in debt, bought a car in cash, got a month ahead on personal bills, became more generous, and started making financial decisions with so much more peace and confidence. This conversation is a reminder that financial success is not about making more money. It’s about having a system, building habits, and being intentional with what matters most. Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.

Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! Coach Michelle is back in Office Hours every Wednesday, helping budget besties get unstuck—whether you’re brand new, you’ve got the budget system already, or you’re still trying to save up to buy it. This episode is basically a peek into the kinds of questions that come up every week… and the little shifts that create BIG momentum. What we covered Office Hours = judgement-free help Bring your questions. Bring your chaos. Bring your “I don’t even know where to start.” Michelle helps you build a plan that actually fits your life—without making you feel behind. The $3,000 credit card win (in about a month!) One budget bestie started in November and by the end of December had paid $3,000 off her credit card—because she: organized the budget clearly, separated accounts, set up automation, and finally saw what her money could actually do. Why separation of accounts creates “discipline” without the stress When everything sits in one account, it becomes a black hole. When you separate money by purpose, you instantly know: what’s for bills, what’s for spending, what’s for saving, and what can go toward debt. And then the “discipline” isn’t you white-knuckling—it’s the system doing what it’s designed to do. The “$3 left for gas” problem (aka: detail overload) A budget bestie was dialing gas and groceries down so tightly she ended the month with $3 left for gas. Michelle’s coaching: Stop budgeting down to the last penny in categories that fluctuate. Gas + groceries need a buffer so you don’t create anxiety, second-guessing, and late-night panic math. We are NOT the frugal besties If you’re looking for “rice and beans forever” or “never go out to eat again,” we’re not your girls. We’re here for bougie on a budget—a budget built in abundance, with breathing room, that supports a life you actually enjoy. The $3,000 car insurance bill (semi-annual stress) One bestie had a $3,000 car insurance bill due in a few months and only had $1,000 saved. The strategy: calculate the gap, temporarily pull back on other savings buckets or extra debt payments, fund the insurance first (because it’s non-negotiable), then return to debt payoff after the bill is paid. The big breakthrough: once annual bills are set up properly, you stop “magically finding” thousands of dollars every few months. Order of operations (so you don’t sabotage yourself) We want you to build this in steps: get spending (gas/groceries/etc.) realistic build savings buckets then go hard on debt That’s how you avoid having to put surprise expenses right back on a card later. Getting your husband on board (and ending the swipe-stress) One bestie was constantly transferring money to cover her husband’s spending and carrying all the stress alone. The game-changer: separate accounts, give him his own spending account, agree on the amount together, turn off overdraft transfers so the limit is real, and make him responsible for managing his account. It shifts the dynamic from parent/child to teammates. Acorns in the budget (and why “investing on purpose” matters) The round-up investing sounded fine… until she started paying attention to her numbers. Tracking tiny, random round-ups can create unnecessary chaos. Our take: either assign a consistent monthly investment amount (on purpose), Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.

Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! 1) Overspending is the norm… and shame is lying to us A lot of people walk around thinking: “I’m terrible with money.” “I can’t do math.” “I have no discipline.” But y’all… that’s not the real issue. The real issue is not knowing what’s safe to spend in the moment. So we guess. And guessing gets expensive. 2) The rebellious spending spiral is real When we feel like we never have money, we get that “fine, whatever, future me can deal with it” energy: drain the account swipe the card turn it into a later problem Separate accounts remove that fight because there’s nothing to rebel against—you already planned for spending. 3) Separate accounts = micro-decisions, not daily math Olympics Instead of: “Did we pay rent?” “Do we have grocery money?” “Can I go to Target or will I regret it?” You get: Spending account balance = what you can spend. Period. That’s the whole decision. That’s the freedom. 4) Replenishment changes your brain (and your habits) When your spending money gets refilled every paycheck (or weekly transfer), it stops feeling like: “now or never” and starts feeling like: “I can spend, and it’s coming back.” That’s why people naturally spend less without doing a bunch of willpower tricks. 5) Tracking culture is exhausting and unnecessary here Some systems want: receipts categories tracked to the penny apps yelling at you like you’re grounded 😅 But with this approach, you don’t need to track every little thing because: it’s already separated it’s already capped it’s already visible You can literally look and go: “Yep. Target did that.” The end. Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.

Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! Check Out Leisha's Podcast! Today’s episode is a female-focused conversation on something most of us have felt but never connected to our money habits: your hormones and your spending. We’re talking with Leisha Drews, nurse and host of the Happily Hormonal podcast, about how different phases of your cycle can affect your mood, decision-making, impulse spending, and even how “motivated” you feel to stick to the budget. You’ll learn: Why your period week can actually be a great time to plan your budget Why ovulation week can make you feel more social, optimistic, and a little more “add to cart” 😅 Why the luteal phase can bring comfort spending and lower stress tolerance How awareness helps you stop making money decisions feel like a personal flaw If you loved this conversation, go check out Leisha's show Happily Hormonal and search: cycle tracking or cycle syncing for more episodes on learning your patterns. Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.

Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! Hey budget besties — today we’re pulling back the curtain on real-life lessons from our private coaching sessions. Because if our clients are dealing with it… chances are you are too. We’re talking layoffs and job loss prep, why “0% interest” debt can still be a budget emergency, how to build a storm-mode mock budget, and the surprisingly confusing question: is pet food a savings bucket or a spending bucket? (Answer: it depends… but we’ll make it make sense.) We also get into a big one for parents: stop robbing your own spending money to cover everyone else’s categories, and let’s teach kids how to manage a set amount instead of learning “just go over and Mom will fix it.” Plus, we’re giving you permission to simplify your budget: categories > tracking every little transaction. Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.

Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! Budget besties, February is basically a blink—so we’re not letting March sneak up on us without a plan. In this episode, Shana and Vanessa walk us through their simple, repeatable monthly budget process: close out the current month first, then build the next month’s budget in a specific order so your money feels calmer, more automated, and way less “where did it go?!” We follow a real-life client example (two teacher incomes, lots of moving parts, still totally doable) to show how every income source counts, why we only list minimum debt payments at first, how to wrangle subscriptions without shame, and how to create spending categories that stay consistent month to month. And yes—sometimes savings buckets pause when life is life-ing (hello trips + birthdays). The win is that the plan still works, and you can still make progress—without defaulting to credit cards. Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.

Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! Amanda joined us to talk through a super relatable moment: they’ve built a solid budgeting system… and now the question is what to do with a big, scary student loan balance once the car is paid off. Add in military life + possible paycheck disruptions, and you’ve got a perfect “real life” money crossroads. The best part? Amanda’s already doing the work—multiple spending accounts, savings buckets, paycheck-ahead living—and it literally protected their family during a potential shutdown pay delay. Budget bestie win of the year. 🥳 What we covered A huge win: Being a paycheck ahead so a shutdown/pay delay doesn’t force a panic loan. The real question: Car #2 will be paid off in July—should they roll that payment straight into student loans Dave Ramsey-style? Why it feels impossible: Doctorate-level debt + preschool-hours income + three little kids + a spouse who’s gone a lot. The mindset shift: Doctorate-level debt can be tackled more aggressively when you’re closer to doctorate-level income. Storm Mode permission: When life is unstable (shutdown uncertainty, limited work hours, heavy family load), it’s okay to pause aggression and pay minimums temporarily. Quality of life matters: Not as an excuse—as a sustainability strategy. Date nights, small “fun money,” and feeling less tight can keep you consistent for the long haul. Tactical tip to reduce overwhelm: Even if the loans are “one balance,” they’re often broken into multiple smaller loans inside the account. Tracking them separately can make the mountain feel climbable. Meet-in-the-middle plan: After the car payoff, consider splitting the freed-up payment: top off key savings buckets (annual bills, gifts, essentials) increase spending accounts to reduce day-to-day stress Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.

🎧 Want the free Podcast Bootcamp + VIP upgrade? Click here. Today is a short, fun, behind-the-scenes episode where we’re taking you back to the VERY unglamorous beginning of Financial Coaching for Women. 😂🎙️ If you’ve ever wondered how you even found us, why this show feels so “meant to be,” or what it looked like before we had any clue what we were doing… this one’s for you. In this episode, we cover: The moment Shana accidentally started a podcast (yes, on purpose… but also not) 😳 Vanessa’s reaction: “How do you accidentally start a podcast?!” Our first “studio”: a garage + yoga mats + blankets + towels The umbrella era… because we thought it would stop sound waves 🫠 Why people tell us, “I feel like God led me to your podcast” and why we fully agree The pivot point when we realized: “Oh… this podcast could actually be a thing” How we went from 3,000 plays to 1.5 million plays and 500+ episodes later Want the behind-the-scenes and the blueprint? If this episode has you thinking, “Okay… maybe I could start a podcast (or finally get serious about mine),” we’re inviting you to join Steph Gass’ free Profitable Podcast Bootcamp (Feb 23–27). ✅ Grab your spot here: stefaniegass.com/budgetbesties Use code: BUDGETBESTIES for a free VIP upgrade. We’ll see you over there. And if you’re just here for the origin story, we love you the most. 😉

Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! Tax season is here, budget besties—and while it might not be anyone’s favorite, it is inevitable. In this episode, Shayna and Vanessa walk you through a simple, step-by-step plan for what to do with your tax refund (or what to do if you owe), so the money doesn’t disappear the second it hits your account. We talk about why refunds often vanish without a plan, how “I’ll pay it off when the refund comes” keeps you stuck in a behind cycle, and how to use your budget to decide what comes first. You’ll learn how to choose between the three main refund options—debt, savings buckets, or a splurge—based on what your real life and your full-year budget actually need. Plus, two pro tips: what to consider if you’re getting a big refund every year (hint: it may be time to revisit withholding), and how to prepare now if you owe taxes so next year doesn’t feel so painful. The goal? For your tax return to feel like a bonus—not the thing holding your whole financial year together. Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.

Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! Hey budget besties — today we’re hanging out with Jamie (Twin Cities, MN!) to talk about what it actually looked like to go from “shooting from the hip and hoping for the best” to having a real plan, real peace, and real progress. Jamie and her husband Kevin have been together since they were teenagers (married 23+ years), and like a lot of us, they weren’t raised with money skills modeled clearly. They’d do “a program” for a while, fall out of rhythm, and then drift back into chaos. Add in big-life curveballs (home repairs, medical stuff, kids getting older, college around the corner), and it hit a breaking point: the stress and uncertainty started feeling too expensive to ignore. So they brought in coaching — and everything changed. Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.

Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! Today we're pulling back the curtain and sharing real stories from our private coaching sessions – because if our clients are dealing with it, chances are you are too. From job transitions messing with pay schedules to college visits sneaking up on us (hello senior year!), we’re breaking down exactly how we helped our clients navigate these challenges without falling into a debt spiral. We’re talking about: Why funding your grocery account is non-negotiable What to do when your paycheck date shifts and the bills don’t care The sneaky stress of college visit expenses – and how to stop pretending it’s not happening How skipping a debt payment to build a buffer is actually a smart move The power of planning ahead (even if your kid is just a freshman) These are the kinds of wins that may not look flashy on paper — but the Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.

Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! Hey budget besties! 💸 This episode is for every single one of us walking around with invisible—but very real—money baggage. Whether it came from childhood sayings like “money doesn’t grow on trees” or past relationship drama, Shana and Vanessa are breaking down where our money beliefs come from and how they shape the way we spend, save, and stress about money today. 💼 What is money baggage anyway? It’s the beliefs, habits, and emotions around money that you’ve carried—sometimes without even knowing it. And they’re often rooted in family dynamics, cultural expectations, or past financial experiences. 🎯 In this episode, we explore: The most common money messages we heard growing up (and how they STILL influence us today) How fear of spending or scarcity mindsets show up in our relationships Why two people can bring wildly different money habits into a marriage—and how that causes tension The weight of cultural or family pressure to live a certain lifestyle The emotional toll of money trauma from past relationships And most importantly, how to recognize your patterns and choose a new path forward 💬 Shana shares how her childhood taught her not to ask for things (because the answer would be no), and how that belief showed up in her marriage—even when it didn’t make sense. Vanessa gets real about how her parents losing their jobs drove her to pay off her mortgage early. These stories aren’t just personal—they’re universal. And they show us just how deep this stuff runs. ✨ But here’s the good news: You get to decide what comes next. You’re not stuck in the patterns you were handed. Whether you're scared to spend or scared to talk about money at all, you can shift how you handle your finances—and we’re here to help you do it. Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.

Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! Check out Kallai's Podcast! This one’s for all of us who grew up with “just make it work” energy—and are ready to do things differently. In today’s powerful episode, we’re joined by the incredible Kallai Plummer, founder of The Kal + Co, operations expert, and host of That Big CEO Energy podcast. Kallai is sharing her real, raw story of financial survival, motherhood, breaking cycles, and building a business that puts her family and her freedom first. Kallai grew up with a single mom who made it all work behind the scenes—but didn’t talk about money. Later, she found herself in a similar spot as a young single mom, following the “do it right” playbook of college, career, 9-to-5… and still feeling stuck. Together, we unpack: The generational patterns around money (and silence) that so many of us are navigating Why saving money can feel uncomfortable when you’ve never seen it modeled How our upbringing shapes not just our finances—but our relationships, communication, and even self-worth Why it’s so important to let our kids in on age-appropriate money convos What it really looks like to walk away from burnout and build a business on your terms And how to create safety, strategy, and sustainability—at home and in business Whether you’re a single mom, a business owner, or just someone trying to change your money story, this episode is full of heart, healing, and straight-up real talk. The biggest takeaway? You’re not stuck. You’re learning. And you can teach your kids something different. 💛 Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.

Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! Coach Michelle is back, besties! 🙌 We’re diving into some of the most common questions we’ve been getting in office hours and in our community—from savings buckets to debt payoff strategies and how to actually get started without spinning out in decision fatigue. In this episode, we talk about: 💸 What savings buckets are (and why they’re a game-changer) 🎯 How to decide what you should be saving for 🛠️ How to use your savings buckets when it’s time to spend 📆 The right time to add savings buckets to your budget 🚫 What to do when you want to pay off debt and save at the same time ⚖️ Real talk about snowball vs avalanche vs “what’s stressing you out most” debt payoff methods 🎉 Celebrating every win—from getting your first budget set up to paying off $50k in debt! Plus, we remind you to take it one step at a time—month one might just be getting your budget in place, and that’s a huge win too. So if you’ve been wondering how to juggle savings and debt payoff, or you’re still wrapping your head around how savings buckets work, this one’s for you. Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.

Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! You’re not the only one avoiding your bank account like it’s haunted. 👻 Two-thirds of people do it too! But what if one tiny shift could help you go from financial fog to total clarity? That shift? Multiple. Bank. Accounts. Sounds complicated? It’s not. We’re breaking it down step-by-step, budget bestie style. 🧠 In This Episode: That “black hole” checking account feeling — and why it’s so overwhelming The adult version of “la la la I can’t hear you!” when it comes to money 😬 Why one checking and one savings account just doesn’t cut it anymore The power of separating your money — and how it instantly simplifies your decisions Which checking accounts you actually need (hint: bills, spending, gas + groceries) How savings buckets give your money purpose — and keep you from “accidentally” spending it Pet account shoutouts to Cooper and Luna 🐶💕 Simple best practices to name, hide, and automate your accounts like a pro Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.