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

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Hey budget besties!

Today we’re bringing you a real-life coaching case study—and y’all, this one is so good. Because you might see yourself all over it.

This adorable young couple (two kids, big dreams, cutest energy ever) came to us making great money… and spending it just as fast. He was 100% commission in finance (plus quarterly bonuses 😅), which meant income was high—but unpredictable. And when money feels random, spending gets random too.

They didn’t have tons of debt. In fact, they paid off their credit card right at the beginning. Their real issue?

👉 No system.

👉 No clarity.

👉 No separation.

👉 Zero savings buckets.

Money was everywhere… and going nowhere.

Let’s talk about what changed.

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This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice.

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Budget besties… do you have 10 minutes?

Because if you do, we’re about to give you the easiest, quickest, least-overwhelming way to organize your finances. And we mean actually organize them — not just “everything’s fine” while the room is metaphorically on fire. 🔥🐶

You know the meme.

“This is fine.”

If you’ve ever looked at your bank account and thought:

• “There’s money in there, so I think I’m good?”
• “Wait… did that bill already come out?”
• “How many more things are hitting before payday?”
• “I think I can afford this…?”

Then bestie… everything is not fine. It’s chaotic. It’s cluttered. It’s your closet before you finally declutter it.

And just like that closet — it may be “working”…

But there is SUCH a better way.

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.

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Budget besties… we love you. But if you remember NOTHING else from this episode, remember this:

Take the Bills debit card out of your wallet.

Yes, we said it loud. Yes, we’re serious. And yes… we’ve probably said it every single episode since we started coaching.

In this episode, we’re breaking down what happens when the Bills account becomes the “everything” account — airport hoodies, Chick-fil-A, Uber, school lunches, dry cleaning, Ann Taylor (because apparently that’s a bill now? 😂).

Here’s the thing:

Your Bills account has ONE job. To pay your bills. That’s it. It is a fortress. It is sacred. It is not funding Dunkin’.

When we separate bills from spending:

• You stop guessing.
• You stop stressing.
• You stop tracking every single transaction.
• And you actually start seeing money stay in your spending accounts.

We also shared the story of an incredible client who:

• Had so many Klarna payments she had to scroll to see them all
• Thought she couldn’t afford coaching
• Was paying 16% interest on her Jeep with a co-signer
• Felt completely alone in her finances

Fast forward a few months:

• Klarna almost gone
• Thousands paid toward debt
• Interest rate cut in HALF (on her own!)
• No co-signer
• Saving monthly
• Paying for vacations in cash
• Building an exit plan she didn’t think was possible

What changed?

Organization. Separation. Support. Confidence built step by step.

Sometimes you don’t need more income.

You need clarity.

You need a plan.

You need someone in your corner reminding you that you’re not bad with money — you just weren’t shown a system that works.

Whether it’s our personalized budget templates, group coaching, six-month coaching packages, or the Simplified Budget System — everything we do is about helping you feel calm, capable, and in control.

Because budget besties… you deserve to feel like a million bucks about your money.

And seriously.

Go put that Bills card in the freezer. ❄️

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.

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Budget besties… it’s here. SUMMER. 😅

The kids are about to be home, the swimsuits don’t fit, the camps are filling up, and somehow it already feels like your budget is sweating.

If we can plan for back-to-school and Christmas all year long… why aren’t we planning for summer the same way?

In this episode, we’re walking you through how to create a summer that feels fun, intentional, and aligned with your values — without blowing your budget or losing your sanity.

Because we don’t want rushed, emotional, “just make them stop fighting” spending.

We want a great summer. 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, this episode is for the moments when we look at our income and think, “We should be okay… so why are we still behind?”

In this coaching call, Shana and Vanessa talk with Chelsea, a mom of five in a single-income household, who is trying to catch up on bills, manage debt, and figure out why the money keeps disappearing even when they’re making good money.

Together, we walk through what to do when you’re behind on bills, why everything needs to get out of your head and onto paper, and how separating accounts can bring instant clarity. We also talk about realistic grocery budgets, medical expenses, credit cards, past-due payments, and why perfectionism can keep us stuck.

This is not about shame. It’s about seeing the full picture, protecting the four walls, and taking one realistic next step 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.

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Budget besties… this one is GOOD.

We’re back with the one and only 🎶 Coach Michelle 🎶 — our office hours queen and now the go-to for our Budget Setup Sessions!

Today’s convo is all about what happens when real life hits your budget… and how community + clarity changes everything.

Michelle shared the story of one of our longtime office hours friends:

• Hard-working mama
• Supporting her husband’s startup
• Raising kids (including one who needs extra care)
• Watching savings slowly shrink
• Determined not to go back to credit cards

She was weighing:

• 401(k) loan
• Business loan
• Personal loan
• Side hustles
• Anything to avoid high-interest debt

And instead of spiraling alone?

She brought it to office hours.

What happened next is why we love this community so much:

• Other budget besties jumped in with creative, realistic ideas
• Side hustle suggestions tailored to her actual skills (art lessons, tutoring, laundry service, pet sitting)
• Honest discussion about risks of retirement loans
• Encouragement to protect their debt-free progress

No “finance bro” advice.

No shame.

Just real women saying: We see you. Let’s think this through together.

That’s what office hours is for.

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.

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Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

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This episode is for every mom who feels like she’s running a full-time taxi service, short-order cook, event planner, and somehow also expected to “just budget” on top of it all.

We see you. We are you.

Between volleyball tournaments, gymnastics, long drives, team dinners, school surprises, and figuring out who’s buying $9 eggs this week… there is NO extra time to sit down with a complicated spreadsheet.

So today’s episode is all about budget shortcuts for busy moms — the kind that make your money run on autopilot so you can focus on your family (and maybe even breathe).

Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level:

1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook

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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.

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Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

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Cindy’s story is one so many of us can relate to.

After her divorce, she was suddenly in charge of everything financially. She was budgeting on a legal pad every paycheck, carrying around a purse full of cash envelopes, and dumping all extra money into one big savings account.

It was working… technically.

But:

• She didn’t know what her savings was actually for.
• Unexpected expenses always came from the same big pot.
• Fun spending and real emergencies got mixed together.
• And her purse weighed about 30 pounds. 😅

Instead of one giant savings bucket, Cindy created separate sub-accounts for things like:

• Medical
• Vacation
• Auto repairs
• Beauty
• Restaurants
• Clothing
• Home/Amazon

Now she knows exactly what every dollar is for.

No more guessing.

No more “I’ll just pull it from savings.”

No more stress.

She uses:

• A simple paycheck plan
• Digital “envelopes” through her bank
• A system she can’t accidentally mess up
• Cash only where it makes sense (like restaurants)

And the best part?

She’s retired now — and it still works beautifully.

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.

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Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

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Check out Masha's Podcast!

Hey budget besties 💕

If the word budget makes you want to run the other way, this episode is for you.

Today we’re chatting with an entrepreneur who came into coaching with major resistance to budgeting. To her, it meant restriction, frugality, and being stuck in a financial cage. Sound familiar?

But what she discovered?

This isn’t your grandma’s budget. This is a budget system — and it creates freedom, clarity, and control.

Even in a 90K launch month… when the money still somehow disappeared.

Yep. We’re talking about:

• Making great money but feeling broke
• The “just make more money” trap
• Why income isn’t the real issue (spoiler: it’s the system)
• Planning for those “unexpected” but totally expected expenses
• Finally having a credit-card-free Christmas
• Merging finances in marriage
• Automating business and personal budgets
• And becoming bougie on a budget without guilt

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!

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We’re talking about the B word — and no, not in a scary way.

Here’s the truth:

Most of us are running the same “money operating system” we had at 18. Meanwhile… life got more expensive, more complicated, and way busier.

So what do we do?

We upgrade the system.

Not with more tracking.

Not with spreadsheets you have to babysit.

Not with budgeting apps that turn you into an accountant.

We build a system that:

• ✅ Tells your money where to go
• ✅ Puts it there automatically
• ✅ Makes it nearly impossible to “mess up”

Because you are too busy living your life to be manually moving money around all month.

We’ve simplified everything into five columns. That’s it.

1. Income – Every dollar coming in (yes, even cash + bonuses + tax returns).
2. Debt – Minimum payments only (we’ll attack extra strategically).
3. Bills – Anything with a due date.
4. Spending – The Big Four:

• Gas & groceries
• Restaurants/entertainment
• Personal pocket money
• Kids

1. Savings Buckets – All the “unexpected” expenses that aren’t actually unexpected (Christmas, travel, hair appointments, sports fees, car maintenance, etc.)

We separate everything into clear accounts so your bank becomes your personal assistant.

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.

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Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

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Hey budget besties, this conversation is such a good reminder that true wealth is about so much more than what is sitting in your bank account. In this episode, we sit down with mindset coach Rebecca Whitman to talk about abundance, financial empowerment, and why money works best when it supports a full, healthy, joy-filled life.

Rebecca shares her personal story of resilience, how she rebuilt after divorce and loss, and why she believes financial success starts with alignment in the rest of our lives first. We also talk about why women need a different conversation around money, how to stop letting money control us, and how to create a budget that feels supportive instead of restrictive.

This one is full of encouragement, mindset shifts, and practical ideas you can start using right away.

Check out Rebecca Whitman's The Balances & Beautiful Bundle

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!

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We walked through a real-life case study of a totally normal family — married, two kids, busy jobs, travel sports — bringing in $16,000 a month but carrying over $300,000 in debt (not including their mortgage) with $6,300 in minimum payments alone. After a tough season of loss and emotional spending, things spiraled. She had 34 debts and felt suffocated. But in just six months of coaching — without increasing their income — she paid off 11 debts and $30,000 total, reduced minimum payments by nearly $1,000 a month, got a full paycheck ahead, and finally created breathing room in her budget. And no, she didn’t stop living her life to do it.

What made the difference? She did the work. She closed credit cards, called lenders to lower payments, refinanced a car, sold things around the house, negotiated bills, separated business and personal finances, and got intentional about side income for a season. She stopped reacting and started planning ahead with savings buckets — even setting up separate accounts for kids’ sports and annual expenses. The biggest shift wasn’t just financial, it was mental clarity. Once the system was built, it ran — and she didn’t have to track every penny anymore. Budget besties, this is what happens when you pair a clear plan with consistent action. It’s not about perfection — it’s about progress, and it’s absolutely possible for you too.

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!

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This week, we pulled two real questions from our Facebook group, and they both came down to one thing: savings buckets. We’re talking through how to save for something coming up in just a few months, what to do when quarterly or annual bills pop up, and why you do not need to track every single dollar in your account at every moment.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make short-term savings goals work inside your budget, how to pay bills from savings buckets, or how to stop stressing about check dates and bill dates, this episode is for you. We’re keeping it simple, practical, and way less overwhelming.

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.

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Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!

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Why do smart, hardworking couples who make good money still end up stressed, stuck, and fighting about money every month?

In this episode, we’re getting real about what’s actually going wrong for so many couples. It’s usually not a lack of effort. It’s not laziness. And it’s not because they “should know better.” More often, it’s an organization problem, not an income problem.

You’ll hear real stories from couples who were tired of guessing with money, avoiding the numbers, relying on credit cards, and carrying tension into their marriage. Then everything started to change when they finally got a system, a plan, and a way to communicate without money talks turning into conflict.

This episode is full of honest, relatable moments about what happens when couples stop winging it and start working together. From paying off debt to building savings to finally feeling calm, these stories show what’s possible when we stop shooting from the hip and start budgeting with intention.

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 episode, we’re talking about what it really costs to run a business and why savings buckets are not a one-time thing. They are a revolving door. Money goes in, money comes out, and that cycle is what keeps us prepared for the real expenses that pop up all year long.

We walk through examples from two very different businesses, an equestrian business and a restaurant, to show how unpredictable expenses, vendor payments, payroll, supplies, and seasonal changes can create stress when everything is living in one account.

We also break down why your business budget is not the same thing as bookkeeping, why separate accounts can make your finances feel so much calmer, and how getting even a little ahead can completely change the way you run your business.

This episode is for any budget bestie who is tired of reacting, scrambling, and hoping it all works out month to month. We want you to feel organized, clear, and confident about where your money is going.

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 your money feels messy, scattered, or impossible to keep up with, this episode is for you. We’re answering real questions from our Facebook community about what makes money feel so disorganized and how to fix it in a way that actually works in real life.

We talk about why one big savings account creates confusion, how separate savings buckets can bring instant clarity, why goals matter more than most people realize, and what to do when you feel overwhelmed, behind, or stuck in credit card chaos. We also dig into how to handle money conversations with your partner and why simplifying your banking setup can make budgeting feel so much easier.

This conversation is practical, honest, and full of the kind of mindset shifts that help us stop avoiding our money and start giving it 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!

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In this episode, we talk with a woman who is successful, educated, and fully capable in every other area of life, but still feels completely out of control with her money. And honestly, that is something so many of us can relate to.

We get into the truth about why budgeting can feel so hard, especially when your money is spread across multiple accounts, cards, apps, and payment platforms. We also talk about the guilt and shame that can show up around budgeting, and why beating yourself up is not the answer.

This conversation is a reminder that you do not need a complicated spreadsheet or a restrictive plan to manage your money well. You need a simple system that shows you exactly what comes in, what goes out, and what your real life actually costs. When your money is organized into separate accounts for bills, spending, and savings, everything gets clearer, easier, and way less overwhelming.

If you have ever felt like you should be better at money by now, this episode is for you, budget bestie.

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!

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Check Out Amy's Podcast!

Budget besties, this episode is your reminder that a budget does not have to feel restrictive, confusing, or like a punishment. We’re talking all about how to make budgeting simple, realistic, and supportive of the life you actually want to live.

In this conversation, we share why so many people struggle with budgeting in the first place. The truth is, most of us were never actually taught how to do it. We were expected to just know. And when traditional budgeting feels complicated, full of weird terms, or based on cutting out every fun thing in life, it’s no wonder so many people want nothing to do with it.

That’s why we believe in being bougie on a budget. You can pay off debt and still enjoy your life. You can save money and still go on vacation. You can be intentional with your money without feeling stuck in scarcity.

We break down a simpler budgeting system that helps you organize your money in a way that makes sense, lowers stress, and gives you more clarity. We also talk about why tracking every little expense after the fact is not the same thing as budgeting, and how separating your money into different accounts and savings buckets can completely change the game.

We especially dig into what this looks like for moms and families juggling all the things, from groceries and daily spending to sports, travel, and those surprise activity costs that add up way faster than expected.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why budgeting feels so hard for so many people
• How most people actually have a disorganization problem, not an overspending problem
• What “bougie on a budget” really means
• A simple five-column budget system: income, debt, bills, spending, and savings
• Why your budget should fit on one page
• The difference between budgeting and tracking
• How separate checking accounts and savings buckets create clarity
• Why automating your money can reduce stress and make budgeting easier
• How to plan ahead for kids’ sports, travel, and other seasonal expenses
• Why it’s okay to say “not right now” instead of going into debt

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!

Hey budget besties, if you feel like every single dollar already has a job before it even hits your account, this episode is for you. We’re talking about how to break out of the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle by getting a paycheck ahead.

We walk through what that actually means, why looking at your budget monthly changes everything, and the small ways you can create wiggle room even when money feels tight. From cutting subscriptions to lowering minimum payments to shifting due dates, this episode is all about getting you breathing room and helping you feel in control again.

The goal is not perfection. The goal is relief, clarity, and finally getting to the point where you are not relying on each individual paycheck just to survive the month.

What We Cover in This Episode

• Why the real way out of paycheck-to-paycheck living is getting a paycheck ahead
• How to start seeing your money monthly instead of paycheck by paycheck
• Practical ways to create wiggle room in a tight budget
• Why temporarily cutting back can help you build breathing room faster
• How deferred payments, lowered minimums, and due date changes can help
• What it looks like to use the last paycheck of this month for next month
• Why even getting partway ahead can lower stress and build momentum

Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level:

1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook

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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.

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What happens when you are good with money on paper, but real life gets more expensive, more complicated, and way harder to manage once kids enter the picture?

In this episode, we sit down with Brittany, who shares how she went from feeling like she was constantly paying for last month to finally getting ahead with a budgeting system that actually worked for her real life. After trying budgeting apps that felt overwhelming, restrictive, and way too focused on tracking the past, Brittany realized she needed something different — something that helped her plan forward instead of just reacting.

She opens up about the stress of carrying balances, feeling like maybe she was the problem, and how switching to a simple, proactive system helped her pay off nearly $20,000 in debt in about five months while still taking family vacations, planning ahead, and living life.

We also talk about automations, savings buckets, budgeting with fluctuating income, and what it looks like to trust yourself with your numbers instead of living in constant money stress.

This conversation is such a good reminder that financial clarity is not about perfection. It is about creating a plan that supports your life, gives you options, and helps you feel calm, confident, and in control.

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.

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Michelle is back from office hours, and this episode is full of the kind of wins that remind us why budgeting matters. We are talking real-life progress, not perfection. From staying on budget for a kid’s birthday to paying for Disney in cash, these budget besties are proving that clarity and intentionality can change everything.

This conversation is part strategy, part therapy, and honestly, that is what so many of us need. Sometimes we need a plan. Sometimes we need permission. And sometimes we just need someone to say, “Yes, you can do this.”

In this episode, we talk about:

• Hitting a birthday budget almost exactly and resisting the urge to overspend
• Funding a Disney trip with cash and coming home without credit card regret
• Setting realistic grocery and spending numbers so we stop setting ourselves up to fail
• Finding a surprise monthly surplus simply by organizing accounts and automating money
• Negotiating debt payments down in a major way by making a few strategic phone calls
• Starting sinking funds like “Santa’s Sack” early so the holidays feel joyful, not stressful
• Paying off a house and seeing how much faster progress happens with a clear plan

The biggest takeaway? A lot of us do not have a money failure problem. We have a clarity problem. When our money is scattered, unplanned, and hard to see, it is almost impossible to feel confident. But once it is all laid out simply, we can finally make empowered decisions.

This episode is a reminder that budgeting is not about restriction. It is about giving ourselves breathing room, celebrating wins, and building a system that supports 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.

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Did you know 55% of Americans say money is the biggest source of stress in their lives? Budget besties, we are not surprised.

In this episode, we’re talking about why money feels so heavy, why it keeps us up at night, and why it causes so much tension in our homes and relationships. The truth is, for most of us, it’s not just about how much money we make. It’s about disorganization, not knowing our numbers, and trying to live life with our head in the sand.

We’re breaking down why avoiding your finances actually makes the stress worse, and how getting your money on paper can instantly bring clarity. Because once you can see your numbers, you can start making decisions on purpose instead of living in constant background panic.

We also talk about how separating your money into simple categories and accounts can reduce chaos, help you stop relying on credit cards, and make money conversations with your spouse feel way less explosive.

This episode is your reminder that money does not have to control your peace. You can simplify it, organize it, and start feeling more in control.

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.

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Curious? Watch Our How To Budget Workshop!

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In this heartfelt episode, we talk with Alana, a wife and mom of three who is navigating recovery after two heart attacks at just 36 years old. In the middle of a serious health crisis, she shares how getting her budget organized has brought her a real sense of peace.

Alana opens up about medical leave, disability income, surprise bills, and the mental load of managing money for a family with multiple dietary restrictions. Together, we talk through what is already working in her budget, where grocery spending feels tricky, and how creating separate accounts for bills and spending can reduce stress in a huge way.

This conversation is such a good reminder that budgeting is not about perfection. It is about creating clarity, building systems that support your real life, and giving yourself grace when life gets hard.

What We Talk About:

• Recovering from a major health event while managing household finances
• Using separate accounts to prepare for non-monthly bills
• Why sinking funds can bring instant relief
• How disability income can create breathing room in the budget
• Grocery budgeting for families with dietary restrictions
• Why using real spending numbers matters more than guessing
• How a dedicated grocery account can simplify food spending
• Giving yourself grace when prices rise and life changes fast

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 How To Budget Workshop!

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Do you make good money but still feel like you have nothing to show for it? Budget besties, this episode is full of real-life coaching lessons that prove small money moves can make a huge difference.

We’re sharing client stories and honest budget breakthroughs, from lowering debt payments by more than $400 a month, to fixing sneaky budget issues like “every 4 weeks” expenses, to knowing when to pause savings buckets so you can knock out debt faster.

We’re also talking about something that can feel super uncomfortable but matters so much: teaching our kids financial responsibility. Whether your adult child still lives at home or you’re just trying to raise money-smart kids, this conversation will help you think about how to build confidence, responsibility, and real-life financial skills.

This episode is your reminder that you do not have to figure it all out alone. Sometimes all it takes is a fresh set of eyes, a little tough love, and a simple plan that actually works.

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 How To Budget Workshop!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

Budget besties, April is basically here, and that means it’s time to make a fresh budget before the month starts.

In this episode, we walk through exactly how to build your April budget step by step in a way that feels simple, realistic, and doable. We’re talking about how to list your income, include your minimum debt payments, organize your bills, set spending categories that actually fit your real life, and plan ahead for the month-specific expenses that always seem to sneak up on us.

We also talk about why making your budget before April starts matters so much, especially if you’re already using an end-of-March paycheck for next month’s expenses. And we show how budgeting does not have to mean tracking every little transaction. It can be clear, quick, and way less stressful than you think.

This episode is your reminder that your budget should work for your life, not the other way 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.

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Shelby came in with a question a lot of us can relate to: when we’re laser-focused on paying off debt, how do we know we’re not pushing too hard and setting ourselves up to fall right back into it?

After navigating grad school, living on credit cards for a season, and making some big money changes, Shelby and her husband are now throwing nearly $6,000 a month at debt. They’ve built a plan that gives them structure, breathing room, and a real end date. Their goal? To be debt free except for one main car by November 2026.

In this episode, we talk through how to balance aggressive debt payoff with realistic savings, how to plan for real life without calling it a “setback,” and why your budget has to support the life you’re living right now, not just the finish line you’re chasing.

We also get into the difference between avalanche and snowball debt strategies, why automation is such a game changer, and how Shelby and her husband are staying motivated with Post-it notes all over the house to remind themselves what they’re working toward.

This conversation is such a good reminder that paying off debt does not have to mean white-knuckling your way through life. You can make progress, enjoy your life, and build habits that actually last.

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.

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Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp!

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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.

1. The biggest money mistake we’re seeing right now: avoiding your numbers
2. Why looking at your budget is usually not as scary as you think
3. How clarity creates instant solutions and less stress
4. Why people keep putting groceries and gas on credit cards
5. The problem with having one “black hole” checking account
6. How separate spending accounts can help you stop overspending
7. Why grocery spending can be more predictable than you think
8. How setting weekly or biweekly limits creates built-in accountability
9. Why using your emergency fund for an actual emergency feels so hard
10. The difference between true emergencies and expected irregular expenses
11. Why savings buckets can reduce guilt and give you more peace of mind
12. Why it’s so hard to stick to a plan when life is nonstop
13. How automation helps you stay consistent without constant effort
14. 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.

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Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp!

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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:

1. Why Target feels so hard to resist for so many women
2. The connection between clutter, emotional overwhelm, and identity shifts
3. How the “experience” of shopping can lead to overspending
4. Why the pause gives you power before making a purchase
5. What to do instead of buying bins and baskets first
6. The real reason most people feel disorganized
7. Emily’s quick decluttering reset: Trash, Relocate, and Anything to get rid of
8. How “container limits” can help you manage your home and your spending
9. Why freedom works best inside clear boundaries
10. 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.

1. Why saving monthly for property taxes can change everything
2. How escrow keeps your money out of sight and earning for the bank instead of for you
3. Why relying on mom, credit cards, HELOCs, or your emergency fund can make it harder to stick to your budget
4. The power of committing to Plan A and removing easy financial fallbacks
5. How to teach kids real money lessons by letting them spend their own money
6. Why boundaries around money help both adults and kids build confidence
7. How to stop shaming yourself over Amazon spending
8. Why separating spending into clear budget categories makes money easier to manage
9. How intentional budgeting creates freedom without guilt

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.

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!

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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.

1. Why eating out and delivery can quietly wreck your budget
2. How to make food at home more convenient, realistic, and actually enjoyable
3. The truth about Amazon, home decor, clothes, and impulse purchases
4. Why random scrolling often turns into random spending
5. How credit cards keep you disconnected from what’s really happening with your money
6. Why your grocery budget probably needs to be updated
7. What it really means to live within or below your means
8. How separate spending accounts and realistic budget categories can make all of this easier

1. Eating out
2. Shopping and impulse buying
3. Using credit cards
4. Overspending on groceries
5. Living above your means

1. We are not saying you can never eat out, shop, or have fun.
2. We are saying you need a plan for it.
3. A realistic budget works better than an overly strict one you can’t stick to.
4. Convenience is okay — it just needs to fit your numbers.
5. You have to stop investing in everyone and everything else before you invest in yourself.

1. Make meals at home easy, fast, and appealing
2. Put guardrails around spending with a set budget
3. Use separate accounts for spending categories when possible
4. Remove credit cards from your wallet, apps, and auto-pay if they’re causing problems
5. Update your grocery budget to reflect today’s prices
6. 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.

1. Office Hours = judgement-free help
2. 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.
3. The $3,000 credit card win (in about a month!)
4. One budget bestie started in November and by the end of December had paid $3,000 off her credit card—because she:
5. organized the budget clearly,
6. separated accounts,
7. set up automation,
8. and finally saw what her money could actually do.
9. Why separation of accounts creates “discipline” without the stress
10. When everything sits in one account, it becomes a black hole. When you separate money by purpose, you instantly know:
11. what’s for bills,
12. what’s for spending,
13. what’s for saving,
14. and what can go toward debt.
15. And then the “discipline” isn’t you white-knuckling—it’s the system doing what it’s designed to do.
16. The “$3 left for gas” problem (aka: detail overload)
17. A budget bestie was dialing gas and groceries down so tightly she ended the month with $3 left for gas. Michelle’s coaching:
18. Stop budgeting down to the last penny in categories that fluctuate.
19. Gas + groceries need a buffer so you don’t create anxiety, second-guessing, and late-night panic math.
20. We are NOT the frugal besties
21. 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.
22. The $3,000 car insurance bill (semi-annual stress)
23. One bestie had a $3,000 car insurance bill due in a few months and only had $1,000 saved. The strategy:
24. calculate the gap,
25. temporarily pull back on other savings buckets or extra debt payments,
26. fund the insurance first (because it’s non-negotiable),
27. then return to debt payoff after the bill is paid.
28. The big breakthrough: once annual bills are set up properly, you stop “magically finding” thousands of dollars every few months.
29. Order of operations (so you don’t sabotage yourself)
30. We want you to build this in steps:
31. get spending (gas/groceries/etc.) realistic
32. build savings buckets
33. then go hard on debt
34. That’s how you avoid having to put surprise expenses right back on a card later.
35. Getting your husband on board (and ending the swipe-stress)
36. One bestie was constantly transferring money to cover her husband’s spending and carrying all the stress alone. The game-changer:
37. separate accounts,
38. give him his own spending account,
39. agree on the amount together,
40. turn off overdraft transfers so the limit is real,
41. and make him responsible for managing his account.
42. It shifts the dynamic from parent/child to teammates.
43. Acorns in the budget (and why “investing on purpose” matters)
44. 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:
45. either assign a consistent monthly investment amount (on purpose),
46. 
    

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!

A lot of people walk around thinking:

1. “I’m terrible with money.”
2. “I can’t do math.”
3. “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.

When we feel like we never have money, we get that “fine, whatever, future me can deal with it” energy:

1. drain the account
2. swipe the card
3. turn it into a later problem

Separate accounts remove that fight because there’s nothing to rebel against—you already planned for spending.

Instead of:

1. “Did we pay rent?”
2. “Do we have grocery money?”
3. “Can I go to Target or will I regret it?”

You get:

1. Spending account balance = what you can spend. Period.
2. That’s the whole decision. That’s the freedom.

When your spending money gets refilled every paycheck (or weekly transfer), it stops feeling like:

1. “now or never”
2. and starts feeling like:
3. “I can spend, and it’s coming back.”

That’s why people naturally spend less without doing a bunch of willpower tricks.

Some systems want:

1. receipts
2. categories tracked to the penny
3. apps yelling at you like you’re grounded 😅

But with this approach, you don’t need to track every little thing because:

1. it’s already separated
2. it’s already capped
3. 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:

1. Why your period week can actually be a great time to plan your budget
2. Why ovulation week can make you feel more social, optimistic, and a little more “add to cart” 😅
3. Why the luteal phase can bring comfort spending and lower stress tolerance
4. 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.

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This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice.

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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

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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.

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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.

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Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp!

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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. 🥳

1. A huge win: Being a paycheck ahead so a shutdown/pay delay doesn’t force a panic loan.
2. The real question: Car #2 will be paid off in July—should they roll that payment straight into student loans Dave Ramsey-style?
3. Why it feels impossible: Doctorate-level debt + preschool-hours income + three little kids + a spouse who’s gone a lot.
4. The mindset shift: Doctorate-level debt can be tackled more aggressively when you’re closer to doctorate-level income.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Meet-in-the-middle plan: After the car payoff, consider splitting the freed-up payment:
9. top off key savings buckets (annual bills, gifts, essentials)
10. 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.

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🎧 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.

1. The moment Shana accidentally started a podcast (yes, on purpose… but also not) 😳
2. Vanessa’s reaction: “How do you accidentally start a podcast?!”
3. Our first “studio”: a garage + yoga mats + blankets + towels
4. The umbrella era… because we thought it would stop sound waves 🫠
5. Why people tell us, “I feel like God led me to your podcast” and why we fully agree
6. The pivot point when we realized: “Oh… this podcast could actually be a thing”
7. How we went from 3,000 plays to 1.5 million plays and 500+ episodes later

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:

1. Why funding your grocery account is non-negotiable
2. What to do when your paycheck date shifts and the bills don’t care
3. The sneaky stress of college visit expenses – and how to stop pretending it’s not happening
4. How skipping a debt payment to build a buffer is actually a smart move
5. 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:

1. The most common money messages we heard growing up (and how they STILL influence us today)
2. How fear of spending or scarcity mindsets show up in our relationships
3. Why two people can bring wildly different money habits into a marriage—and how that causes tension
4. The weight of cultural or family pressure to live a certain lifestyle
5. The emotional toll of money trauma from past relationships
6. 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:

1. The generational patterns around money (and silence) that so many of us are navigating
2. Why saving money can feel uncomfortable when you’ve never seen it modeled
3. How our upbringing shapes not just our finances—but our relationships, communication, and even self-worth
4. Why it’s so important to let our kids in on age-appropriate money convos
5. What it really looks like to walk away from burnout and build a business on your terms
6. 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.

1. That “black hole” checking account feeling — and why it’s so overwhelming
2. The adult version of “la la la I can’t hear you!” when it comes to money 😬
3. Why one checking and one savings account just doesn’t cut it anymore
4. The power of separating your money — and how it instantly simplifies your decisions
5. Which checking accounts you actually need (hint: bills, spending, gas + groceries)
6. How savings buckets give your money purpose — and keep you from “accidentally” spending it
7. Pet account shoutouts to Cooper and Luna 🐶💕
8. 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.

Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

In today’s episode, we're sitting down with Amanda — a rockstar, graduated client who proves that hitting the reset button doesn't mean starting over empty-handed. Amanda’s story is real, raw, and SO relatable for any of us navigating a financial rebuild, especially after a major life change.

She came to coaching newly single, with $0 in her bank account, two kids to support, and the determination to not mess this up. Fast-forward to today: Amanda is not only financially stable, but she’s fully funding her life, bought a house, built savings buckets, is two months ahead in her business, and is teaching her kids real money skills. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

In this episode, we chat about:

1. What prompted Amanda to seek financial coaching
2. How she strategically used her divorce settlement to reset her finances
3. The mindset shifts around debt, spending, and credit cards
4. How she ditched the stress and embraced budgeting simplicity
5. Why separating accounts made everything easier (yes, even with more accounts!)
6. Setting up her kids with money management systems early
7. Business owner lessons: paying yourself properly and setting monthly income goals

Amanda reminds us that it’s not about being perfect — it’s about being intentional, asking for help, and learning how to be your own bank. Whether you’re starting fresh or just need a reboot, her story is proof that we can take control, live well, and still get our nails done. 💅🏽😉

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 bringing you behind the scenes, straight into our coaching calls — because if our clients are navigating it, chances are you are too. We’re talking about budgeting through real-life seasons, shifting priorities, and how to create space in your budget without the guilt.

✨ What We’re Talking About:

1. Budgeting for the season you're actually in — hello, sports parents!
2. Why your family fund might need to flex (and that’s okay)
3. Creating custom spending accounts to reduce stress and decision fatigue
4. The danger of budgeting with unrealistic numbers (aka stop lying to your grocery line)
5. What happens when you lose your job after you’ve finally gotten your money right
6. How getting your budget in order makes space for life’s curveballs

We’re sharing stories from real coaching clients to show you just how powerful it is to take ownership of your money — before life forces your hand.

Because budgeting isn’t about restriction — it’s about freedom. It’s about knowing what you can afford and making confident choices (even if that means skipping a vacation to fund volleyball season 🏐).

🎧 Tune in, take what you need, and remember — we’re all bougie on a budget in our own way.

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!

February’s knocking at the door (yes, the month with TWO R’s — we didn’t forget 😉), and you know what that means — it’s budget planning time! In this episode, we’re walking you through how to set up your February budget step-by-step, and helping you think through all the little things that might be coming your way — from Valentine's Day to surprise school fees to Super Bowl snacks. 🍫🏈💐

WATCH AND FOLLOW ALONG HERE!

Whether you’re brand new or a long-time listener, we’ve got something for you in this episode. You’ll hear exactly how we guide our clients each month and why it’s not about how much money you make — it’s about what you do 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? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp!

Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

This week, we’re deep in storm mode — that intense life season when everything feels a little chaotic and you’ve got no choice but to laser focus on what matters most. 💥 Whether it’s prepping for the bar exam, going through a job change, or any other major shift, we’re walking through what it means to pause the debt snowball (yes, it’s okay!), set up intentional savings, and just survive without adding to the pile.

Our guest, Andrea, is in the thick of it — juggling $15k in credit card debt, six-figure student loans (we’re just ignoring those for now, okay?), and prepping for the bar exam. But the good news? She’s already set up her budget system, is tracking her spending, and has her savings buckets lined up like a champ. 🙌🏽

We talk through:

🔹 When it makes sense to hit pause on extra debt payments

🔹 How to prioritize savings buckets during income dips

🔹 What “storm mode” really means (and why it’s NOT failure)

🔹 Why credit card calls can be scary — but powerful 💪🏾

🔹 The emotional side of budgeting and asking for help

🔹 How to handle the months when you’re not working but bills still show up

And if you’re wondering whether it’s okay to just tread water for a while — spoiler alert — YES, it is. Sometimes, we don’t need to move the needle; we just need to stop it from sliding 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.