Best Friends Finance

Pam Prine is a co-founder of Keystone Capital Management Group – an investment and retirement planning firm. In her near 20 years of working with women on preparing for retirement, she's seen it all and knows women's biggest fears around money. This episode is all about taking ownership of your future and combating those fear with knowledge!Would you believe that per the 2019 US census, the average age of widowhood is 59? Retirement planning for women has special considerations. Women, on average, live 17 years alone after the loss of their spouse. Pam breaks down the two biggest potential pitfalls for women in retirement - long term care and adult children(!) You know how flight attendants tells you to put on your own oxygen mask first, before helping others? That is a perfect analogy when it comes to preparing for a comfortable, secure retirement (that does not involve moving into our children's basements). This episode is a must listen for all women who want to set themselves up for success in their golden years! More resources from Pam: https://keystonegroupaz.com/Pam's book recommendation:  Women's Worth: Finding Your Financial Confidence by  Eleanor Blaney

Chris Felton, Co-Author of Couples Money is a must-read for any couple looking to improve their financial situation and create a more meaningful relationship with their partner. Unfortunately, money is a leading cause of divorce, and many couples think they are alone with their financial struggles. In this episode, we discuss the financial perspective of middle, upper and world-class thinkers. After seeing thousands of couples from all walks of life struggling with finances, Chris and his wife Marlow felt they must share their insights into what they believe is the cure for "financial cancer." Chris also shares their personal story of financial transformation and what it took to get on the same page. If you're ready to banish your limiting beliefs regarding money, and adopt a world class financial mindset, this is a must listen!Learn more about Chris:www.howmoneyworks.com/chrisfeltonwww.couplesmoney.comInstagram @chrisfelton1301

The crippling cost of higher education is a common concern for young people and their parents alike. In this episode, Richful Thinker blogger Crista Wathen  shares how some out-of-the-box thinking, and her willingness to study abroad saved her from drowning in debt.Could it possibly cost less to study at Oxford than Montana State? Listen and find out! Follow Crista:https://www.richfulthinker.com/@richfulthinkerblog on Instagram

Calling all moms of teens and young adults! Does talking to your kids about saving and investing money overwhelm or intimidate you? In this episode, we interview our first teen male entrepreneur, investor and author! Jack Rosenthal,  an 18-year-old student at Babson College in Massachusetts, talks about how he founded the Young Investors Club, LLC, one of the largest teen investment organizations in the world with close to 100 members and over $115,000+ under management.  Jack has personally mentored 100+ students on investing and is considered an authority on teenage investing. He's written three books and you'll find he's wildly passionate about inspiring teens on their journey to investing!This conversation will have you eager to talk to your teens and young adults about the importance of investing and watching your money grow for years to come! It was truly worth a million! Here's the link to Jack's books: https://www.amazon.com/Jack-Rosenthal/e/B0845TLB8X/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1 

Women and men. We think differently, act differently, process differently, multitask differently, plan differently, even shop differently. It's no surprise we save, spend, budget and invest differently, is it?In this episode, financial advisor DeeAnna Burkholder joins us to discuss those differences. From decision making regarding purchases to whether to work with experts, there is a lot of middle ground to strive for. The most important part? Both partners should have a voice in the decision making process.Communication is everything when it comes to couples and finances. Listen in to learn how to bridge the gap by having essential conversations with your partner.  They may not be easy at first, but they are so worth it.Want to follow DeeAnna? Find more info on www.bestfriendsfinance.com 

Do taxes overwhelm you? With tax season upon us, we are thrilled to feature our first Accountant and Tax Strategist on this week's episode.  Paris Banisaeid, @taxsavvyparis, shares tax tips and advantages of being a small business owner.  Whether you already own a small business or you are ready to start a business, or even just a side hustle, you need to hear this! Paris coaches her clients from the beginning that saving for retirement is as essential as their marketing expenses. In this episode, Paris stresses the importance of focusing on your financial path (not someone else's) and how to carve out time to navigate your financial education. This conversation was worth a million and will inspire you to consider owning your own business, giving you a sense of freedom, confidence and pride.  AND, if you already own your own business, listen up to ensure you are capitalizing on a dollar for dollar reduction on your taxes!

Chris Brown is a young mom taking control of her financial future, and taking her followers along for the ride through her blog and YouTube channel, Mommy and Her Budget. Just three years ago, Chris was drowning in student loan and credit card debt, and pregnant with her first daughter. She dealt with her situation by making minimum payments and ignoring it, until an unpaid maternity leave made it clear something had to change.Inspired to build a better financial future for her daughter, Chris buckled down, and committed to taking control of her finances. After sitting down and staring over six figures in debt in the face, she wrote her first budget, and her passion for personal finance began. Chris still has student loan debt, but prioritizes herself and her family by investing in retirement, brokerage accounts, real estate and her daughter's higher education while steadily chipping away at it. Her story of building generational wealth WHILE tackling the debt that previously felt insurmountable is truly worth a million.Follow Chris on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0PSXVKdx3691iwIm3zYxgwAnd Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mommyandherbudget/

After admitting she was addicted to consumerism, Christina Gawlik, was seeking change. In 2019, Christina sold all of her belongings except what fit in two suitcases and opted to embrace a nomadic lifestyle. With an open mind, she ultimately decided to move and lower her living cost while keeping the same income level. Also known as geoarbitrage. Christina Gawlik, Ph.D., is an entrepreneur, math content developer & consultant and now world traveler. In this episode, Cris gives us a step-by-step plan on how she accomplished COAST FIRE through saving, investing, and developed a business that generates passive income more than her annual cost of living without having to "work" it. This way of life gives her choices and time freedom. After years of being consumed by living paycheck to paycheck, she can now pursue other opportunities and sees a whole new world from becoming financially independent.  Can you imagine a life traveling and living abroad? This episode will leave you inspired to consume less now so that you can dream about living among many beautiful places, like Belize.Link to Christina's  blog  here: https://christinagawlik.wixsite.com/asuitcaseandasmile 

Is travel a love language? Based on how much many of us have missed it through the pandemic, we at Best Friends Finance think it is. We've never felt so ready to hop on a plane and hit the beach, so it's the perfect time for a conversation with Cinneah El-Amin.Known as Fly.nanced in the online personal finance space, Cinneah is a 26-year-old travel and financial freedom course creator. She's visited nearly 30 countries across 6 continents, and is enjoying a debt-free life without limiting travel and adventure.Cinneah shares her tips to "travel for the low", including her favorite sites for discount flights, Airbnb hacking, and making the most of credit card travel rewards. Only when you're paying off your balances in full, of course! If you're ready to get out there and see the world again, this episode is a must-listen! Link to Cinneah's course on how to travel for the low and start travel hacking: https://gum.co/flyfinfreeLink to start a free trial of Scott's Cheap Flights Premium [affiliate]: https://scottscheapflights.yuy8ab.net/meN31Link to get started with a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Amex Gold Card [affiliate]: https://milevalue.com/top-offers-flynanced/

Did you know women are the next wave of growth in US wealth management over the next 3-5 years? Yet, women own $.32 to men's $1 in the US. Kristina Gudelis, creator of @financialyou_ insists it's never too late to start asking questions about your money. Kristina is on a mission to help women bridge the pay and wealth gap through financial education and literacy. In this episode we discuss emergency funds, the power of net worth, and how to use Robo-Advisors for low-risk investing.How can you start your financial education and set yourself up for success in the future? Kristina's explanation is easy to understand. She wants you to own where your money is going and take control of it today. This conversation is worth a million and will leave you excited to make your money work for you!

What if a budget wasn't a burden or a downer? What if instead it was exactly what you needed to set yourself free to live, to experience, to give... with abundance? Merilee Speigner, author of The Easy Budget blog and personal finance influencer, joins us to break down how budgeting has set her family up to live the life of their dreams.Merilee did not have a head start when it comes to financial independence. In fact, she and her husband started their family while in college and required government assistance to get by. Merilee knew she did not want to live that way for long, and started religiously budgeting, saving and tackling debt. In just 2.5 years, she and her husband paid off $71K in debt. They are now in wealth accumulation mode, at a very young age, watching their net worth increase exponentially.The best part? Merilee has done this without sacrificing ALL the things. She still likes her Target runs, but she's wildly intentional, keeping a list of "wants". Rather than clicking buy now every time she thinks of something she'd like to have, she adds it to the list and waits to see if she's still pining for it down the road. The result? She's no longer purchasing "must-haves" that end up collecting dust on a shelf a few months later.Merilee's belief in flexibility and easily duplicatable tips make this budgeting conversation a breeze. It's no wonder @easy_budget has nearly 100K followers on Instagram. We loved this conversation, and you will too!

You don't have to be a financial expert to write a personal finance book. In fact, quite the opposite. Before writing The Cash Machine, Dave and Chana Mason found themselves deeply in debt, despite earning significant amounts of money in their careers. They've created an incredibly prosperous life working 2-3 hours a day from across the globe. They define their mission as "Learn, Grow, Teach."The Cash Machine is unlike other personal finance books ever written. This book is a page-turning love story that teaches you financial lessons and gives you tools to help drive your financial destiny. In this episode, Chana shares why this fictional novel makes this tale relatable for anyone. Whether you want to create a cash machine of your own or follow along on these characters' journey as they explore their options, beliefs, and relationship with money. This conversation was worth a million and will leave you craving more cash machine lessons!Learn more about Chana Mason and The Cash Machine at bestfriendsfinance.com.

It's our first episode of 2021 and our 50th episode since launching in early 2020! We're celebrating with a fun question... What does living a rich life mean for you? As a kid, this vision may have included a yacht and a robot maid, but for most of us it looks very different now. After the challenges of 2020, we're ready to focus on goals to live richly - with intent, purpose, confidence and happiness - in 2021!In this episode, we talk about the ways we can create the feelings we want to feel this year. From security and peace through maximizing tax-advantaged retirement accounts, increasing net worth, and avoiding lifestyle inflation, to comfort and joy through decluttering and improving the spaces we live in. We share what living richly means to us.What about you? Travel? Security? Adventure? Improved health? Experiences? Fancy shoes (no judgment)? We want to hear from you! How will you live richly now?*From this episode:Watch: The Minimalists - Less is Now on NetflixRead: I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi and The Simple Path to Wealth by J.L. Collins

We're closing out 2020 with our MOST downloaded episode to date. In this episode, we discuss how wellness is like a wagon. If one of the wheels falls off - financial, physical, mental, emotional - we're off balance or just plain stuck. Amanda Nighbert, RD, creator of the LEAN program has built an army of loyal followers whose lives she's changed. Join us for a candid chat with Amanda about what works and what doesn't when it comes to weight loss and the economics of nutrition. You can't afford to miss this episode if your health is at the top of your list to start the New Year. Amanda strives to help her clients set new goals and get a fresh start! Learn more about LEAN with Amanda, how to get started and how to get a discount with our referral code (BFFPODCAST) at bestfriendsfinance.com, Episode 49.

We're wrapping up 2020 (finally) by replaying our very first episode. For those of you who've joined us midstream, this will give you the skinny on how two working moms and solopreneurs learned that when women start talking about money, it's worth a million!

Are you looking to get a leg up on your finances? Delyanne, Attorney and Money Mentor, coaches her clients on how to slay the stock market without feeling like it's too late. In this episode, Delyanne shares whether you're spending or saving money, every dollar needs a specific goal. It's time to stop watching your net worth stay stagnant despite your income going up.At 38, Delyanne discovered the FIRE movement and realized she could do so much more with her money. Now, she's on track to retire in 7 years. Her goal is to inspire us to break away from the paycheck to paycheck mentality and level up how we think about our finances. In ten short months, she paid off $110k left on her student loans and is positioning herself to be FI (financially independent) so that she can not retire early but RELAX by age 45. She is living proof that you can reach your financial goals faster by focusing on your money and making an investment plan. This conversation was worth a million and will inspire you to re-evaluate your retirement plan!Follow Delyanne on Instagram @delyannethemoneycoach Learn more about her course: Slay the Stock Market

The single most common message we've received since staring this podcast? Some version of "I'm just like you used to be, and I'm ready to change. Where to I start?" Well friends, we're re-airing one of our first episodes to answer just that! Certified Financial Planner Katy Greene knows women and money. In her experience, a lot of women want to take an active role in planning for their financial future, but need some direction. In this episode, Katy provides a clear path for your journey to financial independence. We're talking exactly where to start. It's all about taking those first steps... even if you can't see the whole staircase.

If you're a young woman or raising a young women, this episode is for you! 29 year old author, blogger, money coach and new mom, Alli Williams, has made it her mission to help young women and couples ease financial anxiety, build wealth and dream bigger. She understand there is no one size fits all approach, and her personal story is wildly inspiring.How many recent college grads do you know who have $17,000 saved for their future wedding (before they're even engaged)? From a young age, and before studying finance later in her 20s, Alli was debt free and knew she wanted to stay that way to have more career options later in life. When she ended up marrying into six figures of debt, she didn't curl up in a ball and wish it away, she made a plan. Last year, Alli and her husband paid off $35K in debt, while paying off the rest of their wedding, cash flowing school tuition, and still spending money on the things that matter most to them.These girl moms were so inspired by Alli's focused and reasonable approach to personal finance, and truly hope our daughters are too. This episode is worth a million! For where to find Alli, check out show notes for Episode 45 at bestfriendsfinance.com.

It's no secret that Christmas is the most expensive holiday of the year. Not only can gifts be costly, but everything else is too! From Christmas cards, to pictures with Santa, to matching PJs, to holiday parties, it’s easy to blow your budget. That's why relationship coaches Sarah and Chris Helms say it's essential to set expectations with your partner (and those grandparents) to avoid the conflict and anxiety the holidays can bring.In this episode, the Helmses share their candid approach to avoiding "all things holiday" sucking the joy out of the season. It starts by having a new conversation with family and friends about the fact that more isn't always better. We discuss drowning out the more, more, more culture, focusing on what's important to your family, and alleviating the pressure to overspend. This holiday season, give the gift of a stress-free holiday to your loved ones and still create holiday magic!

Are you going over-the-top to create Christmas or Hanukkah magic for your family? There is no bigger budget-blower than the holidays! In this episode we chat with financial educator and YouTuber, Holly, about ways to save on gifts this season. From values-based gift giving to being an "eco-tentional" shopper, Holly's tips will have you rethinking your holiday game plan.And since we love a good money story, Holly also shares her journey to pay off $135K in debt, which she and her husband started AFTER she left her corporate career in high end fashion and slashed their income! Her secret weapon? A budget, her favorite word, which created priorities and intentionality of habits. The plans they put in place allowed Holly and her husband to stay focused and continue to enjoy the things that are important to them.This conversation is proof that while income is important, it's not everything when it comes to paying off debt and reaching financial goals. YOU get to choose what you prioritize in life, even around the holidays, and build your budget and plans accordingly!

A recent study shows that 45% of Americans would prefer to visit their dentist than talk to their financial advisor! Certified Financial Planner, Hannah Moore, has made it her mission to change that, by thoughtfully focusing on the learning style and dreams of each client. In this episode, Hannah asks us, “What does financial security look like for you?” It's about so much more than numbers, spreadsheets and amassing a big pile of money. We discuss planning for your future while still living a wealthy life now. And by living wealthy, she simply means every dollar spent should bring us joy! Hannah is on a mission to change the way people think and talk about money. Her blog and can be found on Instagram as everyday_money. Find out more about Hannah at bestfriendsfinance.com, episode 42.

Are you conscientious about spending when it comes to feeding your family? Amanda and Lara were not, until their paths to financial independence made them intentional shoppers, even at the grocery store.In most American households, groceries are the second biggest line item for monthly spending. And during the pandemic, with school hot lunches and restaurant meals out the window, many families are spending more than they ever have before to put three meals/day, seven days/week, on the table.From their personal shopping strategies to tips from financial gurus, the BFFs talk saving time and money when it comes to groceries.

Money Coach Heidi Carter helps women break their income records by creating a divine relationship with money without overworking and depleting themselves. In this episode, Heidi shares why money is like a relationship and requires time and attention. When you spend money, it's essential to know what emotion you're seeking.We shifted the conversation to talk about how female entrepreneurs struggle with worthiness, fearing success and failure as they break through earning ceilings. As our self-esteem grows, we can live out our life's purpose and mission once we quit spending money on the things we kind of want and focus spending on the things we REALLY want. It's time to start saving for your big dream and know what part of spending creates a feeling of immediate abundance and confidence. Are you ready to become a #moneywarrior?

As a college student, Sahirenys Pierce saw her parents struggle through the Great Recession. This sparked her passion for understanding and avoiding financial pitfalls, and led her to a career in financial planning. While working for companies like Merrill Lynch, MetLife, and Ameriprise, Sahirenys saw a disturbing trend. Women were not coming to the table for important conversations, rather deferring to their spouses.Sahirenys felt moved to help women create a lifestyle that isn’t run by our finances. So, she launched her blog, thepoisedlifestyle.com, to provide women, particularly millennials, with the financial tools and resources necessary to respond to whatever life throws our way with poise.From living months ahead of their bills, to saving and spending with purpose, Sahirenys and her husband have maintained flexibility and agility within their finances - a saving grace when they experienced their own family medical emergency. We have no doubt her story will inspire!

It's time for a listener money story! This week we interview TaNeisha Barton, who entered college with a lofty goal of graduating with her PhD by the time she was 30. After graduation, TaNeisha decided to take a real look at her student loans. With 112,000K in loans, and mounting credit card debt, she needed a plan, fast! TaNeisha met her now-husband and with his support, she started following what she calls Dave Ramsey "light." After only 18 months, she had paid her student loans off in full! She credits being the "No" girl for making it happen. Today, TaNeisha and her husband are focused on paying off their mortgage.TaNeisha's story focuses on being honest with yourself about your real numbers. She went all the way through her PhD program with the attitude that as long as she was making money, she was fine. Through this process to become debt-free, she learned valuable lessons, including the fact that if it were easy, everyone would do it! Oh, and her "pro-tip" for shopping on Amazon alone is worth a million!

Did you know 64% of Gen Xers do not have a will? Even worse, nearly half of Americans over 55 don't either? A survey from Caring.com found that in total, only 4 in 10 American adults have a will or living trust. Unfortunately, failing to do appropriate planning could have disastrous consequences. Attorney Wendy Monteith experienced this first hand as a child, and has devoted her law practice to ensuring her clients are prepared for anything and everything. In this episode, Wendy shares the why and how behind estate planning. It includes more than just a will. A health care directive and durable power of attorney are necessary in case you get sick or injured and are unable to make decisions for yourself. Having these, and a few other key documents in place ensures that you will have an advocate and your wishes will be followed.A legacy Is one of the best gifts we can gift those we love, and advanced planning will protect our loved ones from additional stress during a difficult time. This conversation is truly worth a million!

It's time for our 90 DAY SPEND LESS/SAVE MORE CHALLENGE!! The BFFs started this last year to give up frivolous spending to impact their consumer debt and focus more on saving for their futures. If you've ever participated in a #Last90Days challenge, then you know how awesome it is. If you've never done it before, you should join in because it's super motivational, free, and WILL improve your financial situation. What is it all about? The intention is simple...can we take care of our finances and work on our financial goals for the last 90 days of the year, so we START the New Year more on fire with more savings than ever before?! We can tell you the answer is yes! All it takes is a plan and a prompt from your BFFs. We have a growing community of people who are excited to support each other and share their stories! Are you ready for a challenge that will help you fulfill your financial dreams one day at a time? We're officially kicking it off on October 1st, but if you're listening after the fact, you can start anytime. Join in on the conversation on our social, and share with us what you've committed to for the last 90 days!

Growing up in a low-income Dominican household in Brooklyn, Yanely Espinal learned very little about managing her personal finances. Despite her full scholarship to Brown University, she racked up both student loan and credit card debt paying for all the extras. So, when Yanely started working as an elementary school teacher in her early 20s, she committed to becoming debt free. She managed to put an unbelievable 50% of each paycheck toward her debt, and paid off $20,000 in 18 months!After paying off her debt, Yanely realized could make that same commitment to herself and her future by aggressively saving and investing the amount she'd previously paid monthly toward student loans and credit card bills. As her passion for achieving her financial goals grew, it became clear to Yanely that women, especially young women, were not represented in personal finance. So, she started a YouTube channel called “MissBeHelpful” in 2015 to help young millennials avoid the mistakes she made.MissBeHelpful now has nearly 50,000 subscribers. You'll understand why as this warm, funny teacher turned financial educator shares her story and her insight with us! Find out more about Yanely and MissBeHelpful at bestfriendsfinance.com, episode 35.

What does your dad have to do with money? Shadé Ashani's life's work has been to figure that out. She's interviewed hundreds of women ages 18-75 and found significant differences between girls who grew up with and without their fathers when it comes to how they experience love, abundance, and money. Shadé's book, "In Search of My Father" explores how healing her relationship with her father set her free to experience healthy love and wealth. She has toured the country for years keynote speaking at conferences, high schools and colleges so she could get her arms around as many women as she could and tell them that they are worthy of love and comfort. Her life's devotion - to end feelings of unworthiness - is truly worth a million.Learn more about Shadé at https://www.shadeashani.com/bio

It's time for a listener money story! This week we interview Heidi Bounds, who had to redesign her financial habits after leaving the corporate world to become a pastor. Heidi and her husband knew they had to make big changes, so she'll share how they completed Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University to become, and remain, debt free!Heidi's story focuses us in on being becoming knowledgeable about earnings, expenses and savings, being aware of your money mindset, how your money story impacts how you handle money today, and how living beneath your means will set you up for the future you dream of. It's worth a million!

How many Economists with a PhD who study retirement and policy trends, as well as the behaviors of an investor do you know? We know one! Sarah Holden is the Senior Director of Retirement and Investor Research at Investment Company Institute, the leading global association of regulated funds. Despite that hefty title, Sarah uses plain English to make retirement and investment concepts clear. In this episode, she shares the three steps every worker should take to make the most of a workplace IRA or an individual IRA. Learn how America’s retirement system works for you, the difference between the types of plans and the smartest ways to save in them. If you’re ready to take your retirement to the next level and do some financial housekeeping, you won’t want to miss our conversation with Sarah!Here is a list of neutral websites Sarah references: RESOURCE CENTERShttps://www.ici.org/401khttps://www.ici.org/iraresource ICI EDUCATION FOUNDATIONhttp://icief.org/index.html FINRA BROKER CHECKhttps://www.finra.org/investors/learn-to-invest/choosing-investment-professional/about-brokercheck DOL SMALL EMPLOYER SITEhttps://www.dol.gov/general/topic/retirement/smallbusiness SEC INVESTOR EDUCATIONhttps://www.investor.gov/contact-usSOCIAL SECURITYhttps://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/

Time for another listener money story! Sonja Wieck is an endurance sports athlete, triathlete, and adventure racer. In fact, you can binge watch 10 episodes of her competing in The World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji on Amazon Prime now! When a huge financial hit that Sonja calls their "$32,000 mistake" rocked her and her husband's world early in their marriage, they made extreme sacrifices to get out of debt. In doing so, Sonja discovered her true values in life and started making financial decisions guided by those values, rather than what others thought, or what her neighbors were doing.Sonja and her husband are now debt free, on a solid financial path, and living a huge life of adventure while also maintaining financial goals. Join us to hear how identifying what's really important has helped Sonja to manifest her dreams.

Cohost Amanda's husband, Steve, joins the BFFs to share his money story and what happens when a frugal-by-nature saver marries a spender who refuses to talk about money. Hint... it ain't good. But there is hope! Amanda always thought she and Steve were financially stable by earning a good living and faithfully contributing to retirement. Steve was not as confident, and shares candidly how his attempts to get the family's spending under control put Amanda on the defensive. Fortunately, after a decade of avoiding crucial money conversations, Amanda had a paradigm shift that made a big impact on both the family's finances and their marriage. Don't worry, Steve has had some personal growth, too. Not on the same page as your partner when it comes to money? It's never too late to make an effort to understand each other's money stories, communicate productively and without judgment, and make a change!

After host Lara lost her mom at a very young age, she and her husband Jeff have always lived in the moment. As a result, these high wage earners found themselves living a big life, but saving very little. Then Lara discovered the Financial Independence (FI) movement and decided there was a better way. She became a student of saving, investing and conscientious spending, and made it her mission to get Jeff on board.Jeff joins us to talk about the money story he brought to the marriage, how Lara's paradigm shift regarding spending and saving changed him, and how he and Lara work as a team with weekly "Path to Success" meetings. Together they've shifted from a "play before you pay" mentality to paying themselves first. Their results will leave you inspired to start the conversation with your spouse, if it's time for change.

After a life changing diagnosis, author Courtney Carver decided it was time for major change, specifically eliminating all stress. She found this came down to being more with less, simplifying her life and really living. Living with less created time and space to discover what really matters. Through decluttering, and focusing on the best things instead of all the things, she created a life with more joy with less obligation.In her book, Project 333, Courtney takes a new approach to living simply–starting with your wardrobe. Project 333 promises that not only can you survive with just 33 items in your closet for 3 months, but the ripple effect will positively impact many other areas of your life. Could you dress with just 33 items for 3 months? When you hear the benefits, from saving money and eliminating stress to reducing decision fatigue, you might just want to try!

You know that friend? She's relatable, warm and funny. Talking to her feels a bit like therapy? What if she had served as the head of a multi-million-dollar fintech company and as VP of a major insurance company? And was the recipient of numerous awards and honors including being named “Top 100 in Finance for 2019" and "Top 50 Women of 2019" by Top 100 Magazine? That's Ande Frazier. Ande is a Certified Financial Planner and author of Fin(anci)ally Free! 11 Conversations to Have With Yourself About Life, Money & Your Worth. Her mission is to help women feel secure in their future and to integrate self-worth and net-worth across generations.Ande works with women to help them take control of their money by breaking down the emotional, behavioral and societal barriers that prevent them from building strong financial foundations. In this episode, Ande dives deep with us on her experiences about women, money and self worth. This conversation was truly worth a million! Learn more about Ande: https://andefrazier.com/Buy her book: https://andefrazier.com/book/

Relationship coaches, and founders Becoming Committed, Chris & Sarah Helms are both children of divorced parents. That simple fact makes them 91% more likely to have their marriage also end in divorce. They have the odds stacked against them, but they are pushing back and are determined not to be another statistic. After 16 years together (8 of them married and a toddler in the mix) they are determined to help modern couples navigate conflict and communicate efficiently around what they call “The 5 Pillars” (money, parenting, intimacy, partner personality, and roles). In this episode they dive into...you guessed it...money! Sarah and Chris bring a refreshing spin on old marriage values and share skills you can implement in your relationship right away. Their candid conversation about how to navigate financial conversations with your spouse will give you confidence, and might just make it fun!Want to follow their journey? Instagram: chrisandsarahhelms website: becomingcommitted.comWant to work with Sarah and Chris to create your relationship motto, free? Be one of the first five BFF listeners to email them at becomingcommitted@gmail.com!

Sales, public speaking, negotiation, rejection, networking. Let's face it, many of us see that as a list of challenges, if not our greatest fears. From winning a coveted position as an intern at Christie's, fresh out of college (when no positions were actually available), to snagging the spot as the lead benefit auctioneer for the famed auction house, to creating her dream job as Managing Direct of Strategic Global Partnerships for Christie's, Lydia Fenet has not shied away from the hard stuff. In fact, her comfort in areas we might find uncomfortable has not only been essential to her success, it's made her the most powerful woman in most rooms.In this episode, the author of "The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is You" shares stories and insight on unapologetically going after what you want in business and in life, without feeling icky in the process!Learn more about Lydia at https://lydiafenet.com/.

This week Amanda updates us on her financial journey, with three tweaks that have had a huge effect on her family's bottom line. First, Amanda worked with her accountant to maximize her pre-tax retirement savings. Do you know your options? Did you know a Solo 401K is a thing? Neither did she! Second, Amanda and Steve aggressively saved for emergencies by automating savings and moving windfalls out of site, out of mind...directly into a separate high yield savings account. When a series of unfortunate events added up to $5000 in unexpected expenses, the impact was far less than it would have been prior to building up an emergency fund.Finally, Steve and Amanda's aggressive pursuit of solid retirement and emergency funds boosted their savings rate from the conventional 15% to 35%. Amanda had not been intentional about their savings rate before, and now she's hooked!Take a listen...you might get hooked on saving too!

Lara gets candid with an update on her financial journey. Eight months ago, Lara put pen to paper to get the full picture on her family's debt. The result shocked her and brought her right back to the feelings of watching her single mom struggle financially when she was a child. The difference was, Lara had the means to live an abundant life. However, the number at the bottom of the debt column made it clear - even high earners can overspend. Lara realized that just because you can afford the payment doesn't mean you can afford the thing.Lara shares how she and Jeff quickly went into action, cutting unnecessary expenses, diligently tackling consumer debt, even selling a car that was loved but not necessary. Her candor about her family living beyond their means and making the tough, yet essential shift to correct it will inspire you to examine your financial picture and get into action. Let's make living below your means and preparing for your future as exciting as a fabulous trip, a new car or dream home. Let's make saving sexy!

Mom of 3 and entrepreneur Heather Guyan and her husband were doing everything right. They had two good incomes, contributed to 401Ks and IRAs, and had 529 plans for their three children. Building and furnishing their dream home three years ago was the icing on the cake. However, as credit card debt mounted, and the "little things" kept adding up, they realized they were just getting by, rather than getting ahead. When Heather sat down last November and listed out all the money they owed, she was shocked. Despite having a decent portfolio for retirement, consumer debt was derailing her sense of security, and Heather knew she had to take immediate action. So, Heather and her husband implemented a zero based budget, and paid off over $45,000 in the last 9 months! Their story will inspire you to truly examine where you are, and move forward with confidence if it is time to make a change. Want to watch her journey? Follow Heather on Facebook: Heather Clemenson Guyan or Instagram: heatherlguyan

The BFFs and their families have thus far remained healthy during the Covid-19 pandemic. And, while the revenues of Lara and Amanda's businesses did take a dip, they have not experienced significant financial hardship from the three months of stay at home orders. Recognizing the privilege of their circumstances, and that the situation is fluid, it has been a telling financial experiment. When restaurants, commuting, travel, entertainment and shopping are out the window...what do we spend money on? What do we save money on? And what can we give up going forward? Hear the BFFs' take, as well as the experiences of some of their community and they dive into the ultimate spending (and saving) experiment.

We are all uniquely powerful! Imagine if you knew your true, innate talents, and focused on building your professional life around those? Think increased job satisfaction and bigger earning potential. And what if you applied the same focus on strengths to your personal life, your relationships and your parenting? Using your individual gifts could benefit everyone around you, and make you a heck of a lot happier. The world-famous Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment has helped more than 10 million people discover their strengths and what they do best. In this episode, we talk to Gallup-Certified StrengthsFinder Coach, Amy Zambetti, about developing our natural talents rather than focusing on our lesser-strengths (let's not call them weaknesses, friends) to truly thrive at work and at home.

Here at BFF we love a good money story! Mom and former teacher Stephanie Quevedo has a great one. Stephanie and her husband went from struggling financially to debt-free and thriving, but their journey took time and was not without some hiccups. Stephanie's candid reflection on what it takes to become financially free is pure gold, and her thoughts on raising her children to understand the importance of keeping more than you spend will inspire you! Do you have money goals? After this episode, we bet you will.

This week you'll hear the money story of investor, author and speaker, Krista Goodrich, who went from growing up with very little, to managing 401Ks for the likes of NBA teams and Spanx. Krista discovered at a young age that earning and saving money gave her a sense of control. However, as a young women working in financial services, she learned that even some of the most educated and successful women she knew were not comfortable managing and growing their finances. It has become Krista's mission, through her blog, podcast and book, The Boss Lady Investor, to make investing and wealth building approachable for women, and to empower the Boss Ladies in all of us to own our financial futures. To find out more about Krista and where to find her book, The Boss Lady Investor, check out the show notes for Episode 18 at https://bestfriendsfinance.com/.

Registered dietician, entrepreneur and creator of the LEAN program, Amanda Nighbert, RD, felt like a "renegade" in the clinical space after learning that much of the conventional wisdom about nutrition missed the mark. So, she made a career pivot to create a wildly successful, and totally virtual nutrition program, based on science that makes sense. Through LEAN - Living Energized and Nourished - Amanda has built an army of loyal followers whose lives she's changed. Join Amanda for a candid talk about what works and what doesn't when it comes to weight loss, and the economics of nutrition. Because how and when we nourish our bodies affects our not only our physical health, but our financial and emotional health as well. Learn more about Amanda Nighbert, see Amanda Kessler's results (that's right, a before and after pic...YIKES!), and get a discount on the LEAN program (referral code: BFFPODCAST) in the show notes of episode 17 at bestfriendsfinance.com

Remember that emergency fund we've been talking about? Well, for many the emergency is here. For those whose income has not been affected, we discuss how decreased spending due to stay at home orders creates an opportunity to start or supplement your emergency fund. And for those who are experiencing decreased income or any financial hardship due to Covid-19, we talk through five tips to weather the storm:1. Utilize all resources available to you, like Economics Impact Payments (aka stimulus check), unemployment benefits and the Paycheck Protection Program.2. Cut your costs by asking.3. Cancel travel plans now rather than risk late cancellation fees.4. Explore pivoting and earning side income. 5. Reallocate funds for a short period.

We are all getting bombarded with suggestions of what to do during this time - emails with home workouts and posts from friends with pinterest-worthy art projects they are completing with their kids. Coupled with the fact that many of us are working with kids home round the clock, and we’re in a global pandemic, this all can be so overwhelming! Let's face it, even with more time at home, it can feel challenging to get things accomplished or take care of ourselves. In this episode, wellness and productivity coach Bridgette Binford joins us to share some tips for staying healthy and productive through this unprecedented time, so we can feel good about the choices we’ve made once we get to the other side of this crisis. The good news? No, Gwyneth, we don't all need to learn a language or write a book! Learn more from Bridgette here: https://www.facebook.com/bjbcoaching/

In this special Covid-19 edition of Best Friends Finance, we go totally off topic to discuss and commiserate over our current school situation due to the pandemic. Long time educator and mom of three, Michelle Kelly, joins us to talk about what this really is (hint...it's not homeschooling), and what our children actually need from us at this time (another hint...it's not all the answers to their math homework, thank god). Michelle speaks as both a teacher and a parent about managing our expectations, fostering a growth mindset, and giving ourselves and our teachers a whole lot of grace during this unprecedented time. It may not be about finance, but this conversation was definitely worth a million!Update your direct deposit information for Economic Impact Payment: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-paymentsInformation on Paycheck Protection Program: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program-pppOnline lendors for PPP, if your bank is not participating or able to help you: https://www.lendio.com/, https://www.kabbage.com/, https://www.fundera.com/, https://www.crossriver.com/More Info on Economic Impact Payment (stimulus checks) from Forbes.com: Many taxpayers will receive a $1,200 stimulus check if their adjusted gross income is lower than these numbers:Single Filer: $75,000Head of Household: $112,500Married/Joint Filer: $150,000Married/joint filers receive $2,400 if their combined income is below $150,000. You can receive an additional $500 for each dependent you claim under age 17.What if you make more money than this? If you qualify for a stimulus check, your stimulus check may be less than $1,200 because if you have higher adjusted gross income, the amount of your check can be lower due to the phase out. The stimulus check amount phases out (gets reduced) by $5 for every $100 of adjusted gross income above these income levels based on your tax filing status. If your adjusted gross income is more than $99,000 (or $198,000 for married/joint filers), then you are not eligible for a stimulus check.

How many estate attorneys do you know who are also productivity and efficiency coaches? We know one! Nicole Seawell first coaches us on actively managing our finances, because we can't expect a healthy relationship with money if we aren’t informed and active in its management and use. Nicole then puts on her estate attorney hat for some tough love. Many people avoid estate planning because the subject is uncomfortable. Nicole helps us see that planning ahead diminishes the discomfort for the people we love, and ensures our values and assets live on. Win/Win!

Certified Financial Planner Katy Greene is back with Lara and Amanda to talk about the short and long term effects of the Coronavirus on the market and your money. We discuss reallocating monthly funds during uncertain times, tips for those with several decades of working to go v. those at retirement age, and why staying the course with your investments makes sense, even when it feels harder than ever!We recommend you consult your own financial planner and tax professional during this time, as always. If you'd like to reach Katy directly, Contact Katy Greene at katy.greene@lpl.com.