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!

Budget besties, this episode is about way more than food, fitness, or money. It’s about the beliefs underneath all of it.

We’re joined again by Carrie Lupoli, nutritionist, behavior specialist, and author of From Corset to Crown, for a conversation about becoming the healthiest version of ourselves — physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially.

Carrie shares a powerful idea: nutrition may be the doorway, but identity is the destination.

So many of us have spent years living inside what Carrie calls “the corset” — the pressure to look a certain way, earn a certain amount, keep up with everyone else, sacrifice everything for our families, or prove that we’re worthy.

And budget besties… that pressure absolutely shows up in our finances too.

Maybe we feel guilty spending money on ourselves but have no problem finding a way to pay for something our kids want. Maybe we’re afraid to talk to our spouse about money. Maybe we’re impulsively spending, putting things on credit cards, or avoiding our budget because chaos feels more familiar than change.

That’s why this conversation hit home for us.

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

Connect with Carrie:

Listen to Carrie Here!

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Budget besties, this episode is packed with two coaching lessons we see all the time: trying to pay off credit card debt while still using credit cards, and treating that third paycheck like “extra” money. Spoiler: neither one is helping your budget quite the way you think it is.

First, we’re talking about what happens when you’re trying to get out of debt but you’re still swiping the cards for points, convenience, or because that’s simply how you’ve always managed your money. One client had already consolidated $68,000 in credit card debt and was still using a card because of the rewards. And budget besties… if the points strategy were working, the debt probably wouldn’t be there.

Getting out of debt isn’t only about moving balances around or making bigger payments. It’s about changing the habits that created the cycle in the first place. That means learning to spend the money you actually have, creating a budget you can follow, and getting on the same page with your spouse instead of one person trying to control the entire financial plan.

We also talk about how to have those money conversations without turning your relationship into a parent-child dynamic. Make time for the conversation, ask questions, and then—this is the hard part—stop talking long enough to hear what your spouse actually thinks. You might be surprised by what the two of you can agree on when the conversation isn’t happening five minutes before bed or in the middle of a stressful money moment.

Then we tackle the famous third paycheck. If you’re paid every other week, there are usually two months each year when three paychecks land in the same month. Fun? Yes. Free money? Not exactly.

That month also includes two additional weeks of groceries, gas, spending money, and everyday life. So instead of thinking, “Woohoo, bonus paycheck!” think, “Okay, this is a six-week budget.” Once those extra weeks of spending are covered, then you can intentionally decide what the remaining money should do—fund savings buckets, move a goal forward, or give your budget some breathing room.

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Budget besties, if you’ve ever looked at your bank account and thought, “We make decent money… so why does it always feel like there’s nothing left?” this episode is for you.

Today, we’re talking with Jen, who is ready to stop winging it with her money and finally create a system that gives her some breathing room.

Jen and her husband are bringing in income on different pay schedules, paying bills from multiple accounts, and trying to handle all the random expenses that come with kids and everyday life. Dance competitions, new shoes, medical appointments, a broken refrigerator — you know, all those “surprise” expenses that somehow keep showing up.

Her biggest goal? Getting a dedicated bills account working so she can know, without constantly checking and stressing, that the bills are covered.

And the biggest shift we make in this episode is simple: instead of transferring money INTO the bills account whenever bills need to be paid, let all of the income land there first. Then transfer OUT only the amount available for spending.

That one change can create so much clarity.

We also talk about why getting ahead financially doesn’t necessarily mean magically finding an entire extra month of income overnight. For Jen, getting her system organized and using the paycheck she receives at the end of the month for the upcoming month can start creating that buffer naturally.

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Budget besties, if you make good money but still find yourself waiting for the next paycheck to pay a bill, buy groceries, or breathe again… this episode is for you.

Living paycheck to paycheck isn’t always an income problem. Sometimes it’s a money organization problem.

In this episode, we’re breaking down the common traps that keep high earners stuck in the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle — including keeping all your money in one account, thinking paycheck-by-paycheck instead of monthly, letting lifestyle creep eat every raise, and relying on credit cards as a “budget.”

Spoiler alert: your credit card is not a budget. 😬

We’ll also show you the system we use with our financial coaching clients to create more clarity and breathing room with their money. That includes looking back at the last 90 days, setting goals you actually care about, creating a monthly budget, separating bills from spending, setting up a consistent paycheck plan, and eventually getting one paycheck ahead.

Because the goal isn’t to spend your whole life asking, “When do we get paid again?”

The goal is for payday to become almost boring because your bills, spending, and savings already have a plan.

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Budget besties, real life is going to happen — and your budget needs to be able to handle it.

Coach Michelle is back with us to share some of the real-life conversations happening inside Office Hours, and this episode is packed with examples of what it looks like when your budget actually works with your life instead of making you feel boxed in.

We’re talking about a military family who prepared for a cross-country move and was able to handle roughly $3,500 in unexpected expenses without completely derailing their finances. We’re also celebrating one budget bestie who created a system using multiple checking and savings accounts and now describes her finances as a “well-oiled machine.”

And yes — sometimes that really can mean 10 checking accounts and 10 savings accounts. 😂

The point isn’t that everyone needs the exact same number of accounts. It’s that your system should make your money easier to understand and easier to use.

We also talk about why naming your savings accounts can be surprisingly powerful. When the money says “Christmas,” “college,” or has your kid’s name attached to it, suddenly pulling from that account for something random feels a whole lot harder. That intentionality can help reduce temptation and keep your goals front and center.

Then we get into “storm mode” — those seasons when income drops, life changes quickly, or an emergency forces you to temporarily change the plan.

Sometimes storm mode means pausing extra debt payments. Sometimes it means slowing down savings goals. And sometimes it means focusing almost entirely on your most important expenses: housing, utilities, food, transportation, and taking care of your family.

That isn’t failing at your budget.

That is using your budget.

One of the biggest benefits of having a clear system is being able to see what can change when life changes. Instead of panicking, we can look at the numbers, move things around, pause what needs to be paused, and make the best decision for the season we’re in.

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Check Out Katy's Podcast!

Budget besties, life transitions have a way of bringing ALL the things at once.

A move. A new baby. A job change. Kids going through a hard season. A surprise vet bill. A spouse retiring. A business changing.

And somehow, while we’re carrying all of that emotionally, we’re also supposed to remember when the electric bill is due, how much is left for groceries, whether Christmas is funded, and where that random $500 expense is coming from.

No thank you. 😂

Your money should support you when life gets complicated, not become one more thing you have to manage.

That’s why we’re so big on one simple idea:

Simplify. Separate. Automate.

Instead of trying to manage your entire financial life from one giant checking account, give your money specific jobs.

Think:

💵 Bills

🛒 Groceries

⛽ Gas

🍽️ Dining out

💁‍♀️ Personal spending

🎄 Christmas

🏡 Home repairs

🐶 Pets

✈️ Travel

💰 Other savings goals

When your paycheck comes in, automatic transfers can send the right amount of money to the right places.

Your account balances become your guardrails.

You don’t have to constantly wonder:

“Can I afford this?”

“Did the mortgage already come out?”

“Do we have enough for groceries?”

“Where am I going to find the money for that?”

You already decided.

And your bank is doing the work for you.

We also get into why those “unexpected” expenses usually aren’t completely unexpected. Christmas comes every December 25th. Cars need repairs. Pets eventually visit the vet. Kids suddenly remember they need money for something tomorrow morning. 😂

When we start saving a little at a time for those things, a $500 expense doesn’t have to become a $500 emergency.

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

What happens when budgeting stops feeling like a constant guessing game and starts giving you actual confidence?

In this episode, we’re chatting with Nikki from Australia about what changed when she started using our Simplified Budget System.

Before the system, Nikki was spending a ton of time tracking money, writing down what was coming up, checking bank balances, and trying different apps and spreadsheets — but she still felt like her family was constantly on the back foot.

Her goal wasn’t to magically solve every money problem overnight. She simply wanted to feel confident with money.

And that’s exactly what started to happen.

Nikki shares how creating separate accounts, naming them intentionally, and following the system one step at a time helped her finally feel organized and prepared. Instead of trying to do everything at once, she focused on building the foundation first — bills, spending accounts, and then savings buckets.

And those savings buckets? They’ve become one of her favorite parts.

Since starting the system, life has still thrown plenty of curveballs: medical expenses, surgery, a broken freezer, car trouble, and other unexpected costs. But the biggest difference is that those situations no longer automatically come with financial panic.

Nikki can see where her money is, adjust the plan when she needs to, and make decisions from a place of clarity instead of fear.

One of the biggest moments she shares is being offered financial help from a family member — and realizing she could confidently say, “Thank you, but we can do this ourselves.”

That is what financial confidence can look like, budget besties.

We also talk about why a budget needs to grow and change with your life, why building your system one layer at a time matters, and how being prepared for things like Christmas, annual bills, car expenses, pets, and other future costs can remove so much mental pressure.

This episode is such a good reminder that budgeting doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need another app that simply tracks where your money already went. You need a system that helps you decide where your money is going before life makes the decision for you.

Whether you’re building your own budget, using a personalized budget template, working through group coaching, or getting more hands-on support through a six-month coaching package, the goal is the same: clarity, confidence, and a money system that actually works in your real life.

Because life will keep changing. Your budget can change with 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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Budget besties, this episode is all about taking charge of your money instead of letting someone else—or a chaotic system—make the decisions for you.

We’re sharing two real-life lessons from our coaching sessions that show just how powerful it can be to ask questions, understand the numbers, and create financial systems that actually work for your life.

First, we’re talking about a couple who had both whole life and term life insurance, including a whole life policy purchased through a family member. After digging into the details, they realized the policy hadn’t been handled the way they thought it had—and at the same time, they were carrying massive credit card balances with interest rates around 28–29%.

The numbers weren’t working in their favor.

After asking more questions and making their own decision, they pulled approximately $28,000 from the whole life policy and used it to knock out almost an entire high-interest credit card balance.

The bigger lesson? We cannot outsource understanding our money.

Even when we’re working with an expert—or someone we love—we still need to know where our money is going, why we’re making certain decisions, and whether those decisions are actually helping us move forward.

Then we’re talking about irregular income.

One of our clients is a nurse with business income that changes from paycheck to paycheck. She was getting paid different amounts, transferring different amounts to herself, and dealing with bills that were heavily concentrated at the beginning of the month.

It felt chaotic—but irregular income doesn’t have to mean an irregular financial life.

We can create systems around 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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Budget besties, grab the pumpkin spice latte because September is almost here—and we are NOT bringing August’s hot mess energy with us. 😂

In this episode, we’re walking through exactly how to build your September budget, category by category, so you know what’s happening with your money before the month gets going.

First things first: close out August. Go back and make sure your budget reflects what actually happened. Maybe a bill got pushed into September. Maybe something you hoped could wait absolutely could not. Maybe August just came with tuition, braces, back-to-school expenses, and approximately 900 other things. Update it all, check your accounts, and get those numbers right before moving forward.

Then it’s time to build September.

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System 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!

Budget besties, budgeting does not have to mean cutting out everything you love, tracking every penny, or feeling guilty every time you spend money.

In this conversation, Shana and Vanessa break down a simpler way to manage your money—one that gives every dollar a purpose while still leaving room for the things that make life fun. We’re talking data over drama, digital envelopes, automatic transfers, guilt-free spending money, and becoming the CFO of your own finances.

One of the biggest mindset shifts? What looks like an overspending problem can actually be an organization problem. When bills, groceries, Amazon orders, eating out, savings, and everything else are coming from one giant account, it’s incredibly difficult to know what you can actually afford. Separating your money gives you built-in guardrails without making your budget feel restrictive.

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

Connect with Erica:

Check out her podcast!

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.

Grab Our Senior Year Money Guide Here.

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Senior year is exciting, emotional…and apparently full of expenses nobody warned us about. 😅

In this episode, Shana and Vanessa sit down with listener and fellow senior mom Robyn to talk about what it really costs to have a high school senior.

Robyn walks us through the expenses that surprised her most — from senior pictures and outfits to graduation gifts, parties, college applications, technology, senior trips, and all those little “senior moments” that add up fast.

The biggest takeaway? We do not have to say yes to every expense to make senior year special.

Robyn estimates that her family spent around $4,000 throughout senior year, but your number could be completely different. The goal isn’t to copy someone else’s senior-year budget. It’s to decide what matters to your family, make a plan, and start saving before those expenses start showing up.

We also talk about giving our kids their own spending limits for things like dances, pictures, clothes, hair, nails, and extras. Sometimes the quickest way for a teenager to decide they don’t actually need something is to tell them they’ll need to use their own money. 😂

And budget besties, some of the sweetest memories cost almost nothing. Sleepovers, senior sunrise, floating the river, breakfast with friends, and simply giving our kids a little more freedom can end up being the moments they remember 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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Budget besties, have you ever looked at your budget and thought, “Wait… it says I have money left over, so where is it?!”

That’s exactly what Melissa brought to this live coaching call. On paper, her budget showed more than $2,000 of “extra” money each month—but in real life, that money was nowhere to be found.

In this episode, we walk through why that disconnect happens and uncover one of the biggest culprits: spending directly from the bills account.

Melissa had already made some great progress. She had a separate account for gas and groceries, had automated many of her bills, and was working toward getting a paycheck ahead. But because everyday purchases were still sneaking out of the bills account, her budget couldn’t accurately tell her what was truly available.

We talk about why separating your money into intentional accounts can create so much clarity. Your bills money has one job. Your spending money has another. And when those two stop mixing together, you don’t have to constantly track every transaction or wonder whether the money sitting in your account is actually safe to spend.

We also dig into the “messy middle” of switching banks. Melissa’s current credit union limits the number of accounts she can have, and changing direct deposits and automatic payments feels like a lot. We explain how to break the process into manageable steps, starting with the most important one: separate the spending first.

Then we tackle irregular-looking paydays. Melissa and her husband have multiple paychecks hitting throughout the month, which can make transfers feel confusing. But instead of changing spending based on which paycheck happens to arrive, we show her how to budget monthly and choose a consistent transfer schedule.

If you budget $1,000 for spending each month and want to fund it twice a month, that can simply become two $500 transfers. The goal is to stop reinventing the plan every payday.

We also talk about getting your spouse on board without turning every purchase into a conversation. Giving each person their own spending account creates built-in guardrails and freedom. Your partner knows exactly which card to use, how much is available, and can spend from that account without accidentally dipping into bill money.

And because Melissa recently started a business, we cover one more important boundary: business money needs its own space too. Even if you’re brand new, separating business expenses from personal finances can make everything easier to understand as you grow.

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Budget besties, sometimes budgeting is less about following the “perfect” financial plan and more about making your money work for the actual life you’re living.

In this episode, we’re talking through two real-life coaching situations that show exactly what that can look like.

First up: pets. And not just one cute little pet with an occasional bag of food—we’re talking multiple animals, grooming appointments, vet visits, specialty food, emergencies, and an annual pet budget that can easily hit five figures. When one savings bucket starts feeling like its own mini economy, it might be time to give it its own checking account.

We break down why creating a separate account for a large or complicated expense category can make budgeting so much easier. Instead of constantly transferring money back and forth, you can fund the account each month and let those expenses come directly from it. Less mental math. Less account juggling. More clarity.

Then we get into HELOCs.

One of Vanessa’s clients had already paid off her credit card debt, had her savings buckets dialed in, and was doing an amazing job planning ahead—but she still had a large HELOC. The question became: Does she need to attack that debt immediately, or can she choose to focus on other priorities right now?

That leads us into a bigger conversation about fake financial urgency.

Sometimes we feel like we should pay something off faster because that’s what we’ve heard we’re supposed to do. But your budget doesn’t have to be built around someone else’s priorities.

We talk about looking at the actual numbers—interest rates, whether the debt is fixed or variable, and how it fits into your bigger financial picture—while also asking a very important question:

What actually matters to you right now?

Because paying off debt is important, but so is building a budget that keeps you from going back into debt. Saving for future cars, kids, travel, pets, and everything else coming your way matters too.

And yes, we also explain why a HELOC can be a little bit like keeping Oreos in the house. Sometimes the easiest way to avoid constantly taking “just a little more” is to recognize how tempting easy access can be in the first place.

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System 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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

What happens when money is coming into your household on the 1st, the 15th, every Friday…and from another income source too? 😅

In this coaching episode, we’re talking with Soraya, a budget bestie who has been budgeting for years, has almost no debt, has savings buckets in place, and is already doing SO many things well—but still feels like managing multiple pay schedules is more complicated than it needs to be.

And yep, we totally get it.

The biggest shift? Stop assigning individual bills to individual paychecks.

Instead, we want to zoom out and look at the entire month as one big money plan. Income comes into the bills account, bills come out when they’re due, and spending money gets transferred into separate accounts on a predictable schedule.

For Soraya, weekly transfers are already making budgeting feel easier, more automatic, and way less stressful.

We also talk about her final debt—the family RV—and whether she should throw even more money at it or continue putting $1,000 a month into savings buckets.

Our answer: make sure real life is funded first.

Christmas. Car repairs. Home maintenance. Medical expenses. Vacations. Kids. School. Gifts. All those things we know are coming eventually.

Because paying off debt super fast only to put the next unexpected expense on a credit card? No thank you.

Once those savings buckets are covered, Soraya gets to decide what matters most with the extra money. She can accelerate the RV payoff, save toward a bigger family vehicle, enjoy something fun, or create a combination that works for her family.

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Budget besties, Coach Michelle is back—and she brought some seriously encouraging wins from Office Hours!

In this episode, we’re talking about what happens when you stop letting extra money “just disappear” and start giving every dollar a purpose. From preparing for a military move to paying off debt, filling savings buckets, and handling a flat tire without panic, these stories show how small, intentional steps can completely change the way money feels.

One military family used automation, refunds, and careful planning to prepare for a move from Hawaii to Pennsylvania. Instead of relying on a credit card while waiting for reimbursements, they already had money set aside for hotels, meals, and other moving expenses.

We also celebrate a budget bestie who used her tax refund to pay off a car, fund several savings buckets, and eliminate a credit card. Rather than putting the money into one general account and slowly watching it disappear, she divided it among specific goals—including Christmas and vehicle maintenance.

And when another community member got a flat tire, her vehicle maintenance bucket did exactly what it was created to do. She walked into the tire shop, paid for the repair, and moved on without rearranging her entire monthly budget.

That is the power of giving your money a job.

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Editor Note: Yay for 600!

Budget besties, back-to-school season comes every year—but somehow, it can still feel like one giant unexpected expense.

Between school supplies, new shoes, activity fees, sports equipment, lunch accounts, haircuts, transportation, and all the random things the school tells us about at the last minute, the costs can add up fast. And because back-to-school season arrives right after summer vacations, camps, and activities, our budgets may already feel stretched.

In this episode, we’re breaking down the expenses that often come with heading back to school so you can create a realistic plan, reduce financial stress, and stop scrambling to move money around.

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Budget besties, we’re back with another Q&A episode—and these questions are so good.

First, we’re helping an entrepreneurial couple decide what to do with a $15,000 launch payout when they also have $27,000 in debt and inconsistent income. Should they put the entire amount toward debt, or save it to cover future months?

Our answer: before moving the money anywhere, look at the full picture.

When both partners own businesses, we need three separate budgets:

• Your business budget
• Your partner’s business budget
• Your personal household budget

That gives us the clarity to decide how much of the launch income needs to support future paychecks and how much might be available for debt payoff.

Using all the money to pay off debt may feel productive, but it can send us right back to credit cards if next month’s income does not cover the bills. At the same time, paying off one smaller debt—especially one with a large monthly payment—could create meaningful breathing room.

The goal is not to follow a cookie-cutter debt rule. The goal is to make the decision that improves both our current cash flow and our long-term stability.

We also answer a super practical question about savings buckets: how do we actually spend the money?

The process is simple. Transfer the amount you need from the appropriate savings bucket into your spending checking account, then make the purchase. So, when your oil change costs $97, move $97 from your vehicle bucket to your spending account and pay from there.

Your bills account should stay reserved for recurring, predictable bills. Irregular expenses—like oil changes, gifts, home repairs, and other occasional purchases—should move through your spending account.

Finally, we talk about investing without making it feel complicated or intimidating.

We’re not financial advisors, so we’re not telling you exactly which investments to choose. Our focus is helping you understand your numbers, identify your long-term goals, and build consistent investing into your budget.

You do not need the fanciest strategy. You need a plan you understand, can afford, and can follow consistently.

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Budget besties, today we’re talking about two very different money situations that share one important lesson: we have to identify the real problem before we can fix it.

First, let’s talk about cash, side-job income, and money sitting in Venmo. It can be easy to treat that money like it doesn’t count because it never landed in our regular bank account. But cash is not free money, Venmo is not fake money, and side income still needs a job.

That doesn’t mean you can’t spend it! You can absolutely increase your personal spending money when your budget supports it. The key is to put the income—and the spending—on paper. When we account for all the money coming in, we can intentionally decide what we want it to do instead of wondering where it disappeared.

Then we move into a completely different situation: what happens when there really isn’t anything left to cut?

Sometimes the problem is not overspending. Sometimes the budget is already conservative, the bills are simply expensive, and one income is carrying costs that would normally be shared. This can be especially difficult for single parents managing housing, utilities, children, and unexpected expenses on their own.

In those moments, continually blaming yourself or searching for another expense to eliminate only creates more shame. Financial clarity means being honest about the numbers. The solution might involve increasing income temporarily, downsizing during a future season, or finding a specific amount of extra money to accomplish one goal.

The goal isn’t to punish ourselves. It’s to understand what is actually happening so we can make a plan that fits our real life.

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Budget besties, August is coming—and it tends to bring a lot with it.

School supplies. Uniforms. Tuition. Sports physicals. Extra driving. Birthdays. Labor Day plans. And somehow, the holidays are already waiting around the corner.

In this episode, we’re walking through how to build an August budget that prepares you for real life instead of leaving you scrambling every time another expense pops up.

We also explain why getting one paycheck ahead can completely change the way you experience your money. Being ahead does not mean you lose your spending money or stop enjoying life. It means your bills, everyday spending, and savings can already be funded before they are needed.

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, getting confident with money is not about magically knowing everything—it starts with building a strong foundation and giving ourselves permission to learn.

In this episode, Shana and Vanessa sit down with financial planner Shari to talk about why so many women feel uncertain about spending, saving, investing, and making major financial decisions. Shari explains that what often looks like a “money problem” is really a lack of organization, education, and support. Before tackling investing, retirement rollovers, or long-term wealth building, we need clarity around our everyday spending, emergency savings, bank accounts, and future expenses.

They also explore how women and men may think and communicate differently about money. While investment performance and percentages may motivate some people, many women want to understand what their money will make possible—like retiring comfortably, supporting their children, improving their homes, or creating more freedom.

The conversation is a reminder that we are not bad with money just because our finances feel complicated. Modern life includes digital spending, subscriptions, family expenses, competing priorities, and constant pressure to spend. Getting organized through a personalized budget, group coaching, or longer-term financial coaching can help us replace stress and shame with clarity, calm, and confidence.

Most importantly, Shari encourages women to stop delaying the decision to ask for help. We do not have to become wealthy before working with a financial professional, and we do not have to figure everything out alone. The right support can help us understand our choices, trust our decisions, and use money as a tool to build the lives we 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

Connect with Shari:

Check out her podcast!

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Budget besties, our kids will eventually have to manage money without us—and the lessons they learn now can shape their financial choices for years to come.

In this episode, we’re sharing real-life stories from families who are teaching their teenagers how to budget, make tradeoffs, and take responsibility for their spending. From graduation dresses and haircut money to gas, groceries, and a very expensive set of keys locked inside a car, these everyday moments can become powerful financial lessons.

The goal isn’t to tell our kids, “We can’t afford it.” It’s to help them understand that having money doesn’t mean we spend it on everything we want. We get to decide what matters most, plan ahead, and work within the amount available.

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, budgeting does not have to mean rice, beans, and saying goodbye to every little thing that brings you joy.

In this conversation, Shana and Vanessa break down what it really means to be “bougie on a budget”—and spoiler alert: it looks different for everyone. For one person, bougie might mean travel sports. For someone else, it might be vacations, horses, facials, massages, dining out, or getting their hair and nails done.

The goal is not to copy someone else’s budget. The goal is to build a budget that reflects your real life, your priorities, and the things that genuinely matter to you.

We also talk about why so many women feel like they make good money but still have nothing to show for it. Often, the problem is not overspending. It is a lack of organization. When every bill, transfer, swipe, subscription, and expense comes out of one account, your money can feel like it disappears into a black hole.

That is where the Budget Besties system comes in: simplify, separate, and automate.

By separating bills from everyday spending, creating clear spending accounts, and planning ahead for expenses that happen throughout the year, you can stop doing mental math every time you swipe your card. You can see what is available, know what each dollar is for, and feel more confident about your choices.

We also dig into the difference between a true emergency and an expense you simply forgot to plan for. Christmas, annual insurance premiums, car tags, pet visits, HOA fees, birthdays, and travel fees are not surprises. They may not happen every month, but they still belong in the budget.

When we plan for those expenses in advance, we create a more consistent budget and reduce the financial roller coaster.

This episode is a reminder that you are not bad with money. Most of us were never taught how to manage modern finances, and our financial lives are more complicated than ever. Between credit cards, subscriptions, payment apps, online shopping, and busy family schedules, it makes sense that things can feel messy.

The solution is not shame. It is clarity, organization, and a system that supports your actual life.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

Connect with [GUEST GOES HERE]:

Check out Peggy here!

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Budget besties, today we’re talking about one of the least exciting—but most important—parts of budgeting: annual bills.

Mary joined us to talk through a common sticking point. She had already automated her money, separated her spending accounts, and created savings buckets, but she still felt unsure about how much to save for expenses that only show up a few times a year.

You know the ones: car registration, property taxes, memberships, quarterly bills, insurance premiums, and all those other “expected unexpected” expenses that somehow still manage to surprise us.

In this episode, we help Mary simplify her system, separate annual bills from regular maintenance expenses, and create a plan that reduces stress without requiring her to constantly move money around.

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!

What if budgeting felt less like restriction and more like finally knowing what your money is doing?

In this episode, we’re sharing a conversation that was too good to keep to ourselves. We talk about how putting all your numbers on one page can help you move from money anxiety to clarity, confidence, and a plan that actually fits your real life.

We break down why so many people do not have an overspending problem—they have a disorganization problem. When your income, bills, debt, spending, and savings are all mixed together, it is easy to feel like your money disappears. But once you separate those categories and give every dollar a clear job, the drama starts to quiet down.

We also talk about creating a budget system that works with your hands, your bank accounts, and your everyday life. That means fewer complicated charts, less constant tracking, and more automation. Your bills can live in one account, your spending in another, and your savings can be organized into separate goals so you can see your progress without wondering where everything went.

Budget besties, this episode is also a reminder to celebrate what your money has already done for you. Maybe it paid for private school, sports, travel, generosity, family experiences, or a season when you simply kept everything afloat. That matters. Your money is not only leaving—it is helping you build a life.

We also get into realistic budgeting, why extreme cuts usually backfire, and how to create a plan based on what is actually happening before deciding what needs to change. A sustainable budget should include fun, flexibility, and room for real life.

Plus, we talk about dreaming with your spouse, sharing the mental load of money, using separate accounts as digital envelopes, and building systems that help your goals happen automatically.

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

Connect with Shanna:

Apple Podcast

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

We love Dave Ramsey and the Baby Steps—but after years of coaching, we kept seeing the same missing piece: people were told what to do without being shown how to build a budget that works in real life.

In this episode, we’re breaking down why the “scorched earth” approach can leave budget besties feeling overwhelmed, paralyzed, and like they’ve failed. We share how a personalized budget can help you pay off debt, build wealth, enjoy your life, and still keep the pumpkin spice lattes.

You’ll also learn why separating bills from spending, creating digital savings buckets, and choosing a debt strategy based on your actual goals can make budgeting feel simpler, clearer, and much more doable.

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Budget besties, this one is such a relatable money conversation for couples.

In this coaching-style episode, Shana and Vanessa talk with Jennifer and Brandon about setting up their budget system, figuring out checking accounts vs. savings buckets, and working through the classic “is this a personal expense or a family expense?” debate.

From hair appointments and supplements to kids’ expenses, Christmas, vehicle maintenance, and inconsistent income, this episode breaks down how to stop treating the budget like a tug-of-war and start treating it like a team plan.

Because the goal is not to cut out everything that makes life better. The goal is to put real life in the budget 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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Budget besties, sometimes the budget just does not math the way we want it to.

In this episode, Shana and Vanessa talk through what happens when personal and business budgets are connected, income is fluctuating, and the month is coming up short. Instead of making tiny stressful transfers from savings all month long, they walk through why it can be more helpful to make one intentional transfer, close the budget gap, and move forward with clarity.

They also dig into business budgets, especially for owners with seasonal or inconsistent income. We talk about saving during higher-income months, funding savings buckets, preparing for upcoming expenses, and yes, even building in profit and bonuses.

Because budgeting is not just about bills, debt, and taxes. It is also about peace, breathing room, and giving yourself permission to build something that actually works for real life.

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.

Watch Our Debt Payoff Workshop!

Budget besties, today we’re talking about debt in a way that does not involve shame, panic, or living on beans and rice forever. Because listen: you are not bad with money. You were probably just never taught how to make a clear plan.

In this episode, Shana and Vanessa walk through the real first steps of paying off debt: knowing your numbers, building a budget that actually works, and choosing a payoff method that fits your real life. We’re also talking about why debt can feel so heavy, how to stop making random extra payments that may not be helping, and why a personalized debt payoff strategy beats a one-size-fits-all plan every time.

The big reminder? Debt payoff is not about giving up everything you love. You can still have fun money, savings buckets, and a life while making serious progress. That is the whole point of being bougie on a budget.

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Budget besties, this episode is such a fun one because we’re chatting with Julie, one of Vanessa’s private coaching clients and basically the gold-star student of budgeting. Julie and her husband are both teachers, and before coaching, they were stuck in that cycle so many of us know too well: swipe the credit card, pay it off, swipe again, repeat.

Once Julie started using the budget system and working with Vanessa, everything started to shift. She paid off credit card debt, cash-flowed Disney and Universal trips, planned for her husband’s season tickets, created super-specific savings buckets, and helped her boys start learning how to manage their own spending money.

This conversation is such a good reminder that budgeting is not about restriction. It’s about putting our real life on paper so we can do the things we love without constantly feeling behind.

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Budget besties, this episode is such a good reminder that the little “I’ll deal with it later” money tasks can turn into big wins when we finally give them attention.

Shana, Vanessa, and Coach Michelle are talking about two real-life Office Hours wins: one woman who saved $1,000 by re-quoting her auto insurance and paying annually, and another who created a plan for helping family financially without letting it derail her own budget.

Because here’s the thing: bills creep up, life happens, and generous hearts still need a budget. When we get everything listed out, create the right savings buckets, and make intentional decisions, we get to support our people and our own goals without the stress spiral.

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

It’s time for another Q&A session, and we’re answering real questions from our budget besties!

In this episode, Shana and Vanessa talk through two big money-life situations: how to set up automatic transfers when you get paid on the 15th and the last day of the month, and how to know when it may be time to let go of a job while paying off debt, going to school, and trying to protect your mental health.

Because here’s the thing: budgeting is not just about numbers. It’s about creating a life that actually works 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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Katrina is doing a lot right. She paid off over $100,000 in student loans, has no credit card debt, owns a home, has a full year of living expenses saved, and is investing for the future. But even with all that financial responsibility, she still feels like her everyday money system could be clearer.

In this episode, Shana and Vanessa help Katrina untangle the difference between being “good with money” and having a budget that actually makes life easier. We talk about why credit cards can make spending feel mysterious, how separate checking accounts can simplify bills and daily spending, and why savings buckets are the key to planning for things like travel, car repairs, hormones, Christmas, singing lessons, and all the real-life stuff that pops up.

This one is for every budget bestie who is responsible, hardworking, and still thinking, “Okay…but can someone just tell me what to do?”

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

We know paying off debt can feel like the urgent, obvious first step. But in this episode, Shana and Vanessa are flipping that script a little.

Because here’s the truth: if we attack debt without savings buckets, spending accounts, and a real plan for upcoming expenses, we’re probably going to end up right back on the credit card.

This episode is all about creating the kind of budget system that actually supports real life. We’re talking about spending accounts, savings buckets, debt payoff, single mom budgeting, and why there is no one-size-fits-all plan for your money.

Before we get aggressive with debt, we need to make sure our budget is actually working. That means getting everything on paper, separating our spending, and knowing what money is for bills, what money is for everyday spending, and what money needs to be saved for things coming up.

Savings buckets are not optional fluff. They are what help us stop relying on credit cards when life happens. Christmas, birthdays, property taxes, vacations, kids’ activities, travel, and repairs are not surprises if we know they’re coming.

Debt payoff does not have to be all or nothing. Sometimes we pay extra on debt, sometimes we pause to save for an upcoming expense, and sometimes we do both at the same time. The goal is to stop the cycle for good.

A spending account can be simple. For some of us, it might be one account to start. For others, it might be separate accounts for groceries, eating out, personal spending, and kids. The best system is the one we’ll actually use.

Financial coaching helps take the guesswork out of all of this. Having someone look at the numbers with us, build the system with us, and help us make the next right decision can bring so much clarity and relief.

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Budget besties, can you believe July is already here? We are officially stepping into the second half of the year, which means this is the perfect time to pause, reset, and make a money plan that actually works for real life.

In this episode, Shana and Vanessa walk us through creating a July budget step by step. Whether June felt chaotic, your first half of the year did not go exactly as planned, or you are ready to get back on track, this episode is your reminder that it is not too late. We can still make progress, reset our goals, and use our budget to feel clear, confident, and prepared.

Grab your budget and work through it with us as we cover income, debts, bills, spending, savings, and all the sneaky July expenses that love to pop up.

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Budget besties, this episode is such a good one because Brianne came ready to preach.

When Brianne first came to coaching, she was a newly divorced single mom, self-employed, and convinced she couldn’t afford help. She had used YNAB for years, taught Financial Peace University, knew her numbers inside and out… and still felt like her budget wasn’t actually working.

The big shift? Realizing she didn’t need more tracking, more software, or more busy work. She needed a system.

In this conversation, Brianne shares what changed when she started using the Simplified Budget System, why separate bank accounts actually made her money easier to manage, how she got past her fear of debit cards, and why knowing what she truly costs each month became a game-changer.

We also talk about the emotional side of budgeting, especially when you’re used to cash-flowing everything, robbing Peter to pay Paul, or trying to make a bare-bones budget work when real life keeps happening.

This one is for every budget bestie who has tried all the apps, spreadsheets, classes, and tracking systems and still feels like, “Why do I make good money and have nothing to show for 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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Check out Rachel's Podcast Mama's Tired Here.

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.

Watch Our Debt Payoff Workshop!

Trying to pay off debt but still feel like nothing is working? In this episode, Shana and Vanessa are breaking down 10 of their best debt payoff tips to help us stop spinning our wheels, stop making debt worse, and start making real progress with a plan that actually fits real life.

We’re talking about why your credit card balance is not your budget, how to figure out how much you can actually put toward debt, and why the “best” debt payoff method depends on your budget right now. Snowball, avalanche, minimum payment method — they all have a place, but the real magic happens when we know our numbers and make an informed decision each month.

This episode is your reminder that debt payoff is not just about throwing random extra payments around. We need a clear budget, realistic spending numbers, savings buckets that keep us from relying on debt again, and a focused plan for paying off one debt at a time.

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

In this coaching session, Shana and Vanessa sit down with Chantelle, a longtime listener and budget bestie, who shares her experience navigating a difficult season of life. After stepping away from her job to advocate full-time for her son's medical needs, Chantelle is learning how to manage an unpredictable income while staying focused on what matters most.

Together, they discuss what it means to budget during "storm mode," how to handle fluctuating side hustle income, the purpose of a paycheck-ahead fund, and why it's okay to rely on your budget differently during challenging seasons. They also cover practical strategies for Costco spending, reimbursement-based expenses, and finding peace when account balances temporarily decrease.

This episode is a reminder that budgeting isn't about perfection—it's about creating a plan that supports you through every season of life.

• Managing finances during a medical crisis and caregiving season
• Why a paycheck-ahead fund isn't always the first priority
• Creating a realistic budget based on guaranteed income
• Using side hustle income strategically
• Handling anxiety when savings balances decrease
• Building financial confidence during difficult seasons
• Budgeting for bulk purchases and Costco trips
• Managing reimbursement-based expenses
• Celebrating budgeting wins, including staying on budget through Christmas

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Budget besties, this episode is all about what happens when your money life has a lot of moving parts: personal finances, business income, real estate, trusts, debt payments, vehicles, savings goals, and everyday spending all tangled together.

Shana and Vanessa walk through a real client example where three separate budgets helped create major clarity. Once everything was on paper, this client and her husband could finally see what was happening, make informed decisions, and start the domino effect by selling a truck they no longer needed.

The big takeaway? When money is mixed together, it gets confusing fast. But when we separate it, label it, and set up simple systems, our budget starts working for us automatically. Separate accounts, realistic spending categories, labeled savings, and automatic transfers can help us stop relying on memory, stop overspending “extra” money that isn’t really extra, and start making progress toward the goals we actually care about.

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Check out Chelsey's podcast!

Budget besties, this one is for anyone who has ever said, “I don’t need a budget,” while also wondering where all their money went.

In this episode, Shana and Vanessa get real about why budgeting is not about restriction, shame, or living on beans and rice. It is about giving every dollar a job so our money can actually support the life we want — the trips, the family fun, the savings goals, the debt payoff, the cute shoes, and the peace of mind.

We talk about why so many of us were never taught how to manage money, how modern finances have gotten way more complicated than they used to be, and why simply “having money left over” is not the same thing as having a plan. Shana and Vanessa also break down their simple account system, how to separate bills from spending, and why budgeting can actually make spending feel more fun and guilt-free.

This episode is full of permission to stop spiraling, face the music, and start building financial clarity one step at a time.

• Why “I don’t budget, I just buy what I want” is not the flex people think it is
• How budgeting helps us live bougie on purpose
• Why money stress and lack of budgeting are so connected
• The power of putting everything on one page
• Why a 90-day spending audit can be eye-opening
• How to teach kids financial literacy without shame
• Why net worth matters more than obsessing over a credit score
• Simple ways to reduce expenses without cutting everything fun
• How separating bank accounts creates clarity and fewer money fights
• Why financial coaching can feel like having a personal trainer for your money

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

When Sarah first found Financial Coaching for Women, one phrase stopped her in her tracks:

"You make good money but have nothing to show for it."

As a single mom, Sarah felt like she should have been further ahead financially. She was earning more than ever before, but still felt stuck. Credit cards, unexpected expenses, and a lack of a clear system kept her spinning her wheels.

Fast forward less than a year and Sarah has:

✅ Paid off nearly $32,000 of debt

✅ Stopped using credit cards completely

✅ Built multiple savings buckets

✅ Nearly paid off her home

✅ Created a financial future she's excited about

In this episode, Sarah shares exactly what changed, why the Budget Besties system finally clicked for her, and how she's teaching her 10-year-old daughter lessons about money that she wishes she had learned earlier.

If you've ever felt like you're making good money but can't seem to get ahead, this episode is for you.

• Why traditional budgeting methods never worked for Sarah
• The simple checking account change that transformed her spending
• How savings buckets helped her stay out of debt
• Paying off nearly $32,000 in less than a year
• Becoming mortgage-free and what that means for her future
• Why credit cards kept pulling her back into debt
• Teaching kids healthy money habits
• The emotional cost of using debt
• Why budgeting is a journey, not a quick fix

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

What happens when you finally see all of your finances in one place?

In this episode, Michelle from Budget Besties Office Hours shares the story of a military mom facing a huge overseas move, major life changes, and overwhelming financial stress. After listening to the podcast and joining Office Hours, she jumped into the Simplified Budget System and quickly discovered:

✅ An extra $1,000 a month she didn't realize she had

✅ Over $200 a month in unused subscriptions

✅ A plan to save more than $3,000 before her move

✅ Room in the budget to cash flow a Disney cruise

✅ The peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly where your money is going

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by your finances, worried about a big life change, or wished you could stop keeping everything in your head, this episode is for you.

• Why seeing your budget on one page changes everything
• How mock budgets help you prepare for major life transitions
• The power of the 90-day review
• Finding money that's already in your budget
• Why "math is facts" can calm financial anxiety
• How Office Hours helps women get unstuck faster
• The connection between growth and getting uncomfortable
• Teaching healthy money habits to the next generation

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.

Get Debt Relief Help

If you're tired of sending your hard-earned money to credit cards, loans, and debt payments every month, this episode is for you. In this episode, we're talking about what getting out of debt really looks like, common mistakes people make, and how to create a plan that helps you keep more of your money.

Because the goal isn't just making payments forever. The goal is getting your money back.

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

In today’s episode, we’re answering YOUR money questions in real time. No prep. No scripts. Just honest conversations about budgeting, debt, savings buckets, and figuring out what actually matters most in your season of life.

We’re talking through:

• Should you put extra money toward debt or savings?
• What savings buckets matter most right now?
• How do you know if you have a spending problem or an income problem?
• What if your budget feels tight no matter what you do?
• How to make realistic budget decisions for YOUR family

Plus, we share stories from real clients navigating debt payoff, bonuses, big families, and making intentional choices with their money.

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Check out ths reair from our friend Kristen's Podcast: Ambitious Time Management: Strategies for Working Moms

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Have you made your June budget yet? In this episode, we’re walking you through exactly how to build your monthly budget from start to finish. We’re covering how to close out May correctly, update your real numbers, plan for spending, organize your bills, set up savings buckets, and figure out how much extra you actually have to throw at debt.

This is the exact process we use with our clients to stop the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle and finally feel organized with money. Grab your budget, your laptop, or a notebook and make June’s budget with us while you listen!

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? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Jen is tired of feeling like every paycheck is already spent before it even hits the account. Between dance competitions, surprise expenses, kids’ needs, and trying to “make it work,” she feels stuck in the constant cycle of hoping there’s enough money to cover everything.

In this coaching session, we walk Jen through the very first steps to stop winging it and finally create a simple system for her money. We talk about:

• Why your bills account should become your main account
• How to stop using “hopeful numbers” instead of real numbers
• The easiest way to separate bills from spending
• What to do when unexpected expenses keep popping up
• Why getting everything on ONE piece of paper changes everything
• How to talk to your spouse about money when things feel tense
• Why savings buckets help with all those “random” expenses
• Snowball vs avalanche debt payoff methods
• The truth about living paycheck to paycheck

If you’ve ever thought:

“Why do we make decent money but still feel broke?”

…this episode is 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.

Watch Our Debt Payoff Workshop!

Caroline and AJ both booked a free call… without knowing the other one had already done it. That’s how ready they were for change. 🙌

They were working full time, running a growing wedding photography business on nights and weekends, and still wondering:

• Why isn’t the money stacking up?
• Why are we still in debt?
• Why does this feel so stressful?

They were doing all the “right” things. Good jobs. Successful side hustle. Working nonstop. But no system. No plan. Just winging it.

Until they found the podcast episode on debt consolidation… and everything clicked.

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.