Podcasts about financial coaching

Hey Hey!   Money is so personal to the point it can be a touchy subject. Nobody wants to be judged or criticized. So instead of getting help or sharing what they are doing they hide, keeping what they are doing in the shadows. Ask me how I know.    Getting raw and personal with you on this podcast sharing my wins, my failures and everything in between is scary. But I pray that through it all you are able to glean valuable information for your own family.    But today I want to share with you something that God just recently revealed to me and I am starting to implement into my own budgeting routine. And that's taking my problems, fears, worries, and stresses to Him.    So today I am going to share how you too can take these things to God, learn to lean on Him when things are hard and how to use it to renew your mind so that even in times of struggles you are living in His peace everyday.  So go get your drink, open your heart to God and I'll see you inside!    Much Love    Molly    P.S. I want to invite you to hop on a free 20 min financial coaching session to learn the steps it takes to stop living paycheck to paycheck so that you can have money to put away into savings every month and feel at peace and in control of your finances. Email me at mollybenell@gmail.com and let's see if Financial Coaching is right for you! . . . Next Steps:  . Book a Call  . Join The Community  . Become an Insider . Questions? Email me at mollybenell@gmail.com

Hey Friend!   Budgeting is stressful enough let alone if you are unknowingly making it harder. That's just not fun. I want you to be in control of your finances and at peace instead of feeling like you have no money and living for the “next” paycheck.    Today's episode is going to open your eyes to 4 ways you could be making things harder on yourself. 4 mistakes that like to hide keeping you stuck, unable to break free from the paycheck to paycheck roller coaster and stopping you from what you really want to be doing with your money paying off debt and watching your savings grow.    So go get your drink, open your heart to God and I'll see you inside!    Much Love    Molly    P.S. I want to invite you to hop on a free 20 min financial coaching session to learn the steps it takes to stop living paycheck to paycheck so that you can have money to put away into savings every month and feel at peace and in control of your finances. Email me at mollybenell@gmail.com and let's see if Financial Coaching is right for you! . . . Next Steps:  . Book a Call  . Join The Community  . Become an Insider . Questions? Email me at mollybenell@gmail.com

Hey Friend!   How does the phrase “It's not in the budget” make you feel?  My husband hates it. It makes him feel poor. But to me it means it's not the most important thing right now. It can wait.    This episode is going to help you be intentional with your money. It's going to help you make wise financial choices that allow you to have confidence in yourself, in your money and be proactive instead of reactive. After today you will be able to make mindful decisions that are right for you and your family at the time it comes up.   So go get your drink, open your heart to God and I'll see you inside!    Much Love    Molly    P.S. I want to invite you to hop on a free 20 min financial coaching session to learn the steps it takes to stop living paycheck to paycheck so that you can have money to put away into savings every month and feel at peace and in control of your finances. Email me at mollybenell@gmail.com and let's see if Financial Coaching is right for you! . . . Next Steps:  . Book a Call  . Join The Community  . Become an Insider . Questions? Email me at mollybenell@gmail.com

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcast Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ash Cash. A financial educator and author, shares his journey from working as a bank teller to becoming a leading financial expert. He discusses financial literacy, wealth-building strategies, and the mindset needed for financial success.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcast Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ash Cash. A financial educator and author, shares his journey from working as a bank teller to becoming a leading financial expert. He discusses financial literacy, wealth-building strategies, and the mindset needed for financial success.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcast Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ash Cash. A financial educator and author, shares his journey from working as a bank teller to becoming a leading financial expert. He discusses financial literacy, wealth-building strategies, and the mindset needed for financial success.

Gugs Mhlungu speaks to Gildah Tshukutswane, CEO of the Wells of Value Foundation and financial freedom facilitator and coach, about the foundation's work to empower communities through financial education, coaching, and economic inclusion. They discuss practical tools and initiatives that help people prevent, manage, and overcome debt while building long-term financial wellbeing. Gugs Mhlungu gets you ready for the weekend each Saturday and Sunday morning on 702. She is your weekend wake-up companion, with all you need to know for your weekend. The topics Gugs covers range from lifestyle, family, health, and fitness to books, motoring, cooking, culture, and what is happening on the weekend in 702land. Thank you for listening to a podcast from 702 Weekend Breakfast with Gugs Mhlungu. Listen live on Primedia+ on Saturdays and Sundays from 06:00 and 10:00 (SA Time) to Weekend Breakfast with Gugs Mhlungu broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/u3Sf7Zy or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/BIXS7AL Subscribe to the 702 daily and weekly newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetc Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Show notes:In this week's episode, I'm joined by Sally O'Gara, a wedding business financial coach and chartered accountant who's on a mission to help wedding pros stop avoiding their numbers and start feeling confident about them.Now, before you switch off because we're talking about finances... stick with me.This isn't an episode full of complicated accounting jargon. It's a practical, honest conversation about why so many wedding business owners feel like they're working incredibly hard without seeing the financial rewards. And, more importantly, what you can actually do about it. Together we chat about why being fully booked doesn't necessarily mean you're profitable, how to work out which of your services are really making you money, and the simple financial habits that can completely change the way you run your business.Sally's LinkedInSally's InstagramFree Guide - Where is the money going?Time stamps:00:09 - Managing Your Finances: The Importance of Professional Help04:30 - The Journey to Financial Coaching in the Wedding Industry09:49 - Understanding Profitability in Business16:55 - Managing Business Finances: A Holistic Approach20:02 - Understanding Your Business Numbers26:42 - Understanding Profit Margins and Business Costs32:56 - Planning for Financial Success36:36 - Managing Cash Flow in Seasonal Businesses46:21 - Building Financial Foundations: A Coaching Blueprint48:23 - Gaining Clarity and Confidence in Business FinanceMentioned in this episode:Club 150 - Wedding Pro Members LoungeA private membership for wedding business owners and venues who are ready to invest in their growth. Weekly coaching from Becca, monthly guest masterclasses, and a full on-demand training vault, all inside a community capped at just 150 members. Find out moreWedding Pro Members Lounge

What if the biggest thing holding you back financially isn't your income but your money mindset?In this Financial Coaching episode of Coaching In Session, Michael Rearden sits down with CPA, TED Speaker, bestselling author, and holistic financial coach Estelle Gibson to discuss how financial literacy, money beliefs, and daily financial habits shape our future.Estelle shares how childhood experiences, family influences, and financial education impact the way people earn, spend, save, and invest. Together, they explore why many people remain financially stuck, how instant gratification sabotages long-term success, and the practical steps anyone can take to build financial confidence and financial freedom.Whether you're trying to eliminate debt, improve your financial habits, build wealth, or create a stronger financial future for your family, this conversation offers practical insights to help you take control of your money and your life.What You'll Learn• How money beliefs influence financial decisions• Why financial literacy is essential for long-term success• How childhood experiences shape financial habits• The dangers of instant gratification and short-term thinking• Why financial awareness creates financial freedom• How to prioritize financial goals and dreams• The importance of understanding debt and financial responsibility• How investing early can transform your financial future• Practical steps to improve your relationship with moneyKey Takeaways✅ Financial literacy is a skill that can be learned at any age✅ Awareness is the first step toward financial transformation✅ Childhood money beliefs often influence adult financial decisions✅ Understanding your finances gives you greater control and confidence✅ Financial freedom requires intentional planning and action✅ Investing early creates long-term opportunities✅ Debt management begins with honest financial awareness✅ Information without implementation creates no results✅ Small financial decisions compound over time✅ Financial goals become achievable when they are prioritizedEstelle Gibson's Links & Resources Website – http://www.estellegibson.com/Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/estelle.gibson.9YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@estellegibsonLinkedIn –https://www.linkedin.com/in/estellegibsonPodcast Resources & Free Financial Tools –https://www.journey-to-freedom.com/podcast-resources.html(Visit Estelle's dedicated podcast resources webpage that includes free resources and information designed to help individuals improve their financial literacy, gain clarity around their finances, and take practical steps toward financial freedom.)Explore More With Michael ReardenWebsite – https://revenconcepts.com/Podcast – https://coachinginsession.buzzsprout.com/Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/revenconcepts/Work With Michael Rearden - https://www.revenconcepts.com/

If you've ever entered Target with the intention of getting one or two things, only to leave with armfuls of shopping bags, this episode is for you.  In my conversation with the Budget Besties Shana and Vanessa, we chat about: - Why Target feels so hard to resist for so many women - The connection between clutter, emotional overwhelm, and identity shifts - How the “experience” of shopping can lead to overspending - What to do instead of buying bins and baskets first ...and much more!  Resources Mentioned: Listen to the Budget Besties on Financial Coaching for Women Join the free Facebook group for decluttering support! Related Episodes: Episode 237: Overcome Financial Overwhelm and be “Bougie on a Budget” with the Budget Besties Shana and Vanessa Episode 86: Struggle with Impulse Purchases? Intentional Purchasing and Values-Based Spending Strategies with Meghan Dwyer from Money Isn't Scary Episode 160: Simple Strategies for Intentional Purchasing When You're Bringing Too Much Into Your Home - My Coaching Call with Natalie Cook (Part 2) *** I help moms declutter their homes, heads, and hearts. Contact - > info@simplebyemmy.com  Podcast -＞ https://momsovercomingoverwhelm.podbean.com/ Learn -＞ https://www.simplebyemmy.com/resources Connect -＞ Join our free Facebook group Decluttering Tips and Support for Overwhelmed Moms Instagram -＞ @simplebyemmy and @momsovercomingoverwhelm   *** Don't Know Where to Start? *** 5 Steps to Overcome Overwhelm -＞ https://simplebyemmy.com/5steps/ 5 Mindset Shifts for Decluttering -＞ https://simplebyemmy.com/mindset/ Get podcast playlists for decluttering mindset, tactical decluttering tips, ADHD, getting kids & family on board, and more! https://www.listennotes.com/@momsovercomingoverwhelm/playlists/   Wanna work with me to kick overwhelm to the curb, mama? There are three options for you! Step 1: Join a supportive community of moms plus decluttering challenges to keep you on track at the free Facebook group Decluttering Tips and Support for Overwhelmed Moms Step 2: Sign up for the weekly Decluttering Tips and Resources for Overwhelmed Moms Newsletter and see samples here: https://pages.simplebyemmy.com/profile Step 3: Get more personalized support with virtual OR in-person decluttering and organization coaching (in-person coming soon- Pittsburgh, PA)! https://www.simplebyemmy.com/workwithme

In this episode: Google layoffs, globally work optional FIRE, Taiwan and Portugal FIRE numbers, Coast FI, finding a meaningful calling with Erika HoEpisode SummaryErika Ho shares how being laid off from Google created both stress and relief—and gave her space to build a life beyond corporate achievement. She explains “globally work optional,” the realization that her family could retire now in places like Taiwan or Portugal, and how that clarity helped her go all in on financial coaching. Erika and Adam also explore Coast FI, slowing down, and using mindfulness to hear what life is calling you toward.Guest BioErika Ho is a former Google data scientist and marketing analytics professional who now runs Holy Path to FIRE, a financial coaching business helping people pursue financial independence with more clarity, meaning, and intention.Resources & Books MentionedMindful FIRE Envisioning Guide Holy Path to FIRE Erika's Layoff Checklist Erika Ho on LinkedIn Erika Ho's Contact InformationWebsite LinkedIn InstagramKey TakeawaysA layoff can reveal relief beneath fear when you realize you no longer have to pretend a path fits.“Globally work optional” expands FIRE beyond one expensive location and creates more choices now.Coast FI can be permission to pursue a meaningful “holy path” instead of waiting for a Fat FI number.Getting quiet—through walks, meditation, or time off—creates space to hear the whispers of what you want.Join the Mindful FIRE Legends community at MindfulFIRE.org/join.PS: Introducing the…

Gray divorce doesn't just divide assets—it often transfers decades of financial responsibility overnight. In Episode 97, Andrew Hatherley shines a light on a growing issue facing women after divorce: the gap between the financial responsibility they're about to inherit and the financial confidence many have been given the opportunity to develop. Andrew explores the coming Great Wealth Transfer, why women are uniquely impacted by longevity and divorce, and how financial coaching can help transform uncertainty into confidence. He also introduces a new coaching program designed to help women organize, stabilize, protect, and plan for their financial future. Thanks for listening! We'd be very grateful if you'd subscribe to the podcast and give us 5 stars! Please visit Transcend Retirement or Wiser Divorce Solutions. Follow Andrew on LinkedIn too!

Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!When Sarah first found Financial Coaching for Women, one phrase stopped her in her tracks:"You make good money but have nothing to show for it."As a single mom, Sarah felt like she should have been further ahead financially. She was earning more than ever before, but still felt stuck. Credit cards, unexpected expenses, and a lack of a clear system kept her spinning her wheels.Fast forward less than a year and Sarah has:✅ Paid off nearly $32,000 of debt✅ Stopped using credit cards completely✅ Built multiple savings buckets✅ Nearly paid off her home✅ Created a financial future she's excited aboutIn this episode, Sarah shares exactly what changed, why the Budget Besties system finally clicked for her, and how she's teaching her 10-year-old daughter lessons about money that she wishes she had learned earlier.If you've ever felt like you're making good money but can't seem to get ahead, this episode is for you.In This Episode We Discuss:Why traditional budgeting methods never worked for SarahThe simple checking account change that transformed her spendingHow savings buckets helped her stay out of debtPaying off nearly $32,000 in less than a yearBecoming mortgage-free and what that means for her futureWhy credit cards kept pulling her back into debtTeaching kids healthy money habitsThe emotional cost of using debtWhy budgeting is a journey, not a quick fixLet's Take Our Relationship To The Next Level:1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coachingThis 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.

Budgeting has a branding problem. For a lot of people, it feels restrictive, shame-filled, tedious, and honestly kind of like financial punishment. But what if the problem is not you? What if the problem is that what you've been calling budgeting is really just tracking where your money already went? In this episode, Shari Rash, founder of GWA Wealth, talks with Shana and Vanessa of Budget Besties and the Financial Coaching for Women Podcast about why traditional budgeting fails so many people and what actually makes a money system stick. They explain why tracking every transaction is not the same thing as budgeting, why checking your bank account and hoping for the best is not a plan, and why separating your money into spending and savings buckets can create more freedom, not less. You'll hear how their digital envelope system works, why annual and irregular expenses are usually the things that blow up your budget, and how automation can help you stop relying on willpower. They also get into the credit card points debate, why using a credit card can make it harder to stick to a budget, and why nobody built real wealth from points alone. Cute perk? Maybe. Financial plan? Absolutely not. Check out Shana and Vanessa's Free Money Stress Quiz You'll hear: Why budgeting feels so shame-filled for so many people The difference between tracking and true budgeting Why your budget needs to include annual and irregular expenses How digital spending buckets can replace old-school cash envelopes Why separating bills from spending can create more clarity How to automate bills, savings, spending, and investing Why credit card points may not be worth it if they keep you disconnected from your numbers The simple first step Shana and Vanessa recommend if your budget has never worked before If you've tried budgeting and felt like you failed, this conversation will help you see that maybe the system failed you. Budgeting should not be about obsessing over every transaction. It should be about giving your money a job before it disappears. If you want help building a financial plan that connects your cash flow, investing, savings, and bigger life goals, learn more about working with Shari Rash and GWA Wealth at gwawealth.com. Follow Everyone's Talkin' Money on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode, and keep the conversation going on Instagram @everyonestalkinmoney Shari Rash is a financial planner and Investment Adviser Representative of GWA Wealth, a Registered Investment Adviser. The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Listening to this podcast does not create an advisory relationship with Shari Rash or GWA Wealth. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Any references to specific investments, strategies, or securities are for illustrative purposes only and are not recommendations. You should consult your own financial advisor, tax professional, or attorney regarding your individual situation before making any financial decisions. The views expressed by guests are their own and don't necessarily reflect the views of GWA Wealth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive into the “B word” that most people avoid - budgets! Shana and Vanessa, otherwise known as the Budget Besties, share their three step process for simplifying budgeting so that you can stop the financial overwhelm and stress and enjoy living “bougie on a budget”. We unpack: - how budgets can be a tool for freedom rather than unpleasant restriction - how their five column system simplifies your finances WITHOUT tracking - why overspending is a byproduct of having one account i.e. the “black hole of transactions” and what to do instead Shana & Vanessa are best friends, business partners and master financial coaches who love talking about the *B* word. They help women who make good money but have nothing to show for it set up an automatic budget system that fits their real life and their big dreams so they can be bougie on a budget. Resources Mentioned: Connect with Shana and Vanessa on their podcast Financial Coaching for Women, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok Check out their FREE Budget System masterclass Related Episodes: Episode 92: How to Budget Intentionally (and Actually Stick With It) with Alli Williams from FinanciALLI Focused Episode 86: Struggle with Impulse Purchases? Intentional Purchasing and Values-Based Spending Strategies with Meghan Dwyer from Money Isn't Scary Episode 160: Simple Strategies for Intentional Purchasing When You're Bringing Too Much Into Your Home - My Coaching Call with Natalie Cook (Part 2) My conversation on Shana and Vanessa's podcast: Episode 539: How to Stop Overspending at Target: Decluttering + Boundaries That Actually Work *** I help moms declutter their homes, heads, and hearts. Contact - > info@simplebyemmy.com  Podcast -＞ https://momsovercomingoverwhelm.podbean.com/ Learn -＞ https://www.simplebyemmy.com/resources Connect -＞ Join our free Facebook group Decluttering Tips and Support for Overwhelmed Moms Instagram -＞ @simplebyemmy and @momsovercomingoverwhelm   *** Don't Know Where to Start? *** 5 Steps to Overcome Overwhelm -＞ https://simplebyemmy.com/5steps/ 5 Mindset Shifts for Decluttering -＞ https://simplebyemmy.com/mindset/ Get podcast playlists for decluttering mindset, tactical decluttering tips, ADHD, getting kids & family on board, and more! https://www.listennotes.com/@momsovercomingoverwhelm/playlists/   Wanna work with me to kick overwhelm to the curb, mama? There are three options for you! Step 1: Join a supportive community of moms plus decluttering challenges to keep you on track at the free Facebook group Decluttering Tips and Support for Overwhelmed Moms Step 2: Sign up for the weekly Decluttering Tips and Resources for Overwhelmed Moms Newsletter and see samples here: https://pages.simplebyemmy.com/profile Step 3: Get more personalized support with in-person decluttering and organization coaching (Washington DC metro area)! https://www.simplebyemmy.com/workwithme

The belief that low-wage jobs are primarily filled by teenagers and young adults has long prevailed, but of the quarter of all workers in the United States who make less than $35,000 a year, half are between the ages of 35-64 years old. The economic insecurity for low-wage workers and the middle class threatens the viability of our communities. Tracy Sherwood, Chief Operations Officer for Opportunity Alliance Nevada brings together resources and people from diverse socio-economic backgrounds to investigate and understand the barriers faced by struggling low to moderate income Nevadans and provide pathways to self-sufficiency. They accomplish this through Training, Financial Coaching, Mentorship, Advocacy, Partnerships and Collaborations. OpportunityAllianceNV.org Sageintl.com or 800-254-5779

If you followed the recent series on calibration and the three rhythms that money flows through, this session is where both of those ideas come to life.Mary Ann Stenquist is a spending coach who helps ambitious women break free from the shop-regret-shame cycle and align their spending with their values. She knows money. She teaches it. She coaches on it.And she's stuck.For four years, Mary Ann has been caught in a cycle: fund the emergency savings, drain it when something happens, rebuild it, drain it again. The AC breaks. Then the furnace. Health expenses pile up. Then the car. Each time she taps into that fund, guilt follows. The balance drops, and with it, her sense of security.What makes this exhausting isn't the expenses themselves. It's the way her emergency fund has become a scorecard for whether she's doing money right. When the balance is high, she feels secure. When it dips, she questions everything.Before you listen, here are three things to pay attention to:First, notice how long it takes before any strategy is offered. This session is about 70% emotional coaching and 30% logistics. Second, listen for the distinction between emergencies and what we call Whammies, the irregular expenses that aren't unpredictable, just unplanned. Those fall into the SpendFuture rhythm, and once we name that distinction together, the whole conversation shifts.Finally, listen for the moment Mary Ann says she can't control her money, because that's a borrowed belief. When you look at the evidence, it's simply not true. She has an emergency fund. She's living on one income by choice. She's been managing well in so many areas. The story doesn't match her reality.This is what calibration looks like. A real session with a real person, and the choices happening underneath it.Links & Resources:Money Made Human AdvisoryFinancial Coaching EssentialsJoin the Facebook groupJoin our email listApply to be on the Client SeatListen Inside the Session of this episode

Most clients walk into a session already convinced they failed.The bad month is fresh. They went over budget. The spreadsheet is in the red. And every line item feels like evidence that they just aren't good with money.But here's something to note when you look at months like that: most of the time, nothing actually went wrong. The rent was paid, the groceries were normal, and the everyday spending didn't spike. The month exploded because of something else entirely. And that something else has a name.In this week's episode, we're introducing a lens that changes how clients experience conversations about their money. It's not a new tool or a new system. It's a way of looking at what's already in front of you and giving that picture to clients so they can see it too.All money moves in three rhythms. Once a coach can see these rhythms clearly and help clients see them, the emotional temperature of even the most discouraging conversations changes. Not because the numbers got better, but because the story around the numbers finally makes sense.This episode is practical. We're walking through exactly how to introduce this framework in a session, what to say, what to notice, and why the rhythm that causes the most financial chaos is also the one most clients have never planned for.Links & Resources:Join the Facebook groupEpisode 147Key Takeaways:A bad month and a planning gap are not the same thing. The ability to tell the difference is what separates a frustrating conversation from a useful one.All money moves in three rhythms: SpendFixed, SpendFreely, and SpendFuture. The third one is the one that derails most clients, and the one almost no budget accounts for.When a client can see that the month fell apart because of unplanned irregular expenses, not personal failure, the emotional temperature of the session drops fast.Irregular expenses aren't surprises. They happen every year, and many happen at roughly the same time every year. The only thing missing is a plan for them.Your job as a coach isn't to point out what went wrong. It's to show your client what was always true about their money that they simply couldn't see before.SpendFuture is almost always the thread that unravels the whole thing. Find it, name it, and the path forward becomes clearer for everyone in the room.Clarity always comes first. Before strategy, before solutions, before next steps, a client needs to be able to see what's actually happening.

Money isn't just numbers. It's emotion, identity, and the stories we carry without realizing it.   In this episode, Dr. Felecia Froe sits down with financial coach and author Carrie Friedberg to unpack what's really behind financial stress, even for high-achieving women who "should" have it figured out. Carrie shares her personal journey from overwhelming debt and shame to becoming a financial coach who helps others build clarity, confidence, and peace with money.   This conversation goes beyond budgeting. It explores the emotional weight of money, the difference between financial therapy and coaching, and why so many women avoid looking at their numbers even when they're earning well. If you've ever felt anxious, behind, or unsure about your financial situation, this episode will help you understand why and show you a path forward.    00:00 – Carrie's Money Story and Early Patterns 08:24 – When Debt, Shame, and Avoidance Take Over 15:12 – Financial Therapy vs Financial Coaching 22:56 – Building Awareness and Breaking the Cycle 30:13 – Why High Earners Still Feel Financially Stuck 38:32 – Creating Peace, Support, and a New Relationship With Money  

Tracy Sherwood, Chief Operations Officer for Opportunity Alliance Nevada brings together resources and people from diverse socio-economic backgrounds to investigate and understand the barriers faced by struggling low to moderate income Nevadans and provide pathways to self-sufficiency. They accomplish this through Training, Financial Coaching, Mentorship, Advocacy, Partnerships and Collaborations. The belief that low-wage jobs are primarily filled by teenagers and young adults has long prevailed, but of the quarter of all workers in the United States who make less than $35,000 a year, half are between the ages of 35-64 years old. The economic insecurity for low-wage workers and the middle class threatens the viability of our communities. OpportunityAllianceNV.org Sageintl.com or 800-254-5779

CapeTalk’s Sara-Jayne Makwala King is joined on Weekend Breakfast by Vangile Makwakwa, money trauma coach and author. Weekend Breakfast with Sara-Jayne Makwala King is the weekend breakfast show on CapeTalk. This 3-hour morning programme is the perfect (and perky!) way to kickstart your weekend. Author and journalist Sara-Jayne Makwala-King spends 3 hours interviewing a variety of guests about all things cultural and entertaining. The team keeps an eye on weekend news stories, but the focus remains on relaxation and restoration. Favourites include the weekly wellness check-in on Saturdays at 7:35 am and heartfelt chats during the Sunday 9 am profile interview. Listen live on Primedia+ Saturdays and Sundays between 07:00 and 10:00 am (SA Time) to Weekend Breakfast with Sara-Jayne Makwala-King broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/AgPbZi9 or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/j1EhEkZ Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a question many financial coaches don't stop long enough to ask: What actually makes us better at this?Not what we think makes us better. Not what the industry says we should do. What actually moves the needle when it comes to the craft of coaching.I've spent nearly two decades working with coaches at every stage, from training my very first coach to building a team of 50 practitioners in 18 months with cohesive standards and consistent client experiences. I've seen what works and what doesn't. And in this episode, I'm naming the gap.Most of us have invested heavily in content. Courses, certifications, webinars, frameworks. And all of that has its place. But there's a pattern that keeps showing up: we consume, we feel inspired, we go back into our sessions, and not much changes. Not because we weren't paying attention. Because knowing the right answer and knowing how to use it in a live, messy human conversation are two very different skills.What I've observed in my work over the years changed how she understood practitioner development entirely. The thing that accelerated growth faster than anything else I've seen wasn't a training manual or a certification. It was watching real sessions together, then talking about what they saw. Not grading. Not correcting. Just reflecting, noticing, and sharpening.I call this calibration. And in this episode, I'm explaining exactly what it is, why it matters at every stage of your coaching career, and what it means for how you grow from here.Links & Resources:Financial Coaching EssentialsJoin the Facebook groupSign up for emailsKey Takeaways:Knowledge tells you what to do. Judgment tells you when, how, and why. They're not the same skill, and only one of them develops in a live session.Calibration is not learning new information. It's getting more finely tuned in the instincts you already have.You can't see your own misreads. The misreads feel like accurate perception. That's the whole problem. Other eyes in the room are the only way to surface them.The best business development strategy isn't a better content calendar. It's being excellent enough that the people around your clients notice and ask what happened.A technically fine session and a session the client actually remembers are different things. The gap between them is judgment.Community gives you proximity. Calibration gives you precision. They are not the same container.Wherever you are in your coaching journey, the principle is the same: growth doesn't come from more information. It comes from better observation of your clients, yourself, and this craft.

March 2026: Spring Forward into Financial Wellbeing and Financial Coaching Aon Financial Wellbeing and Financial Coaching specialist colleagues Fleur Iannazzo and Zoe Boothroyd explore the difference between financial wellbeing and financial coaches, as well as some of the new ways we are helping our clients' team members. You will also hear the key pension news from the last month summarised by Louise Dale and Tim Lancaster. [Add in any links we have to financial wellbeing collateral on the website] Explore the UK Results of Aon's Global Pension Risk Survey 2025/26 Email us your topic suggestions, comments and questions to TalkToUs@aon.com

Getting feedback used to make my chest tighten. I'd spend so much energy trying to live a life where I'd never have to hear that I let someone down or disappointed them. The problem? That's impossible. You will inevitably get feedback as a coach and as a business owner.So you need to get good at it. Not just operationally, but emotionally.This episode walks through the three mindset shifts that change how you receive feedback, plus the actual systems we use at my companies to automate and analyze feedback without it derailing an entire day or week. What's important to remember is that you get to choose what you think of the feedback you receive. Feedback isn't fact or truth necessarily. It's just an opinion, an observation, or a thought.The choice you make about which feedback gets your energy is entirely up to you. Don't let one negative comment spiral you out of control while barely registering the positive ones. Instead, appreciate positive reviews and feedback more deeply so you can stay grounded when the negative ones come in.This week, we're covering how to automate your feedback process so it doesn't hit your inbox unexpectedly, when and how to review it, what questions to ask yourself when analyzing whether to act on it, and why the customer isn't always right. That last one matters more than you think when you're trying to build a sustainable business.If feedback makes your stomach ache or your palms sweat, this episode will help you build the operational and emotional shields you need.Links & Resources:How to Create Buy-in - Free WorkshopJoin the Facebook groupFinancial Coach Academy enrollmentKey Takeaways:You get to choose what you think of the feedback you receive. Feedback isn't fact or truth necessarily; it's just an opinion, observation, or thought. You decide what to make of it.Negative feedback doesn't have to be louder than positive feedback. Which feedback gets your thoughts and energy is entirely up to you. It's your choice.You will get feedback, so you might as well get good at it. Once you accept this is inevitable, your mind shifts from trying to prevent it to learning how to be ready for it operationally and emotionally.Never make changes based on one person's feedback. Note it, but wait to see if others bring up the same thing. Over-tweaking costs you time, money, and business momentum.Ask: Is something wrong, or is this a personal preference? This prevents over-optimizing. Nice-to-have ideas go on a list and get prioritized. Broken things get fixed.Is there merit to this feedback? This softer question makes analysis easier than asking if feedback is "right" or "wrong;” you can find merit in pieces even when the full feedback stings.The customer isn't always right. Sometimes you've already considered what they're asking for and chose not to do it. That's okay. Feedback needs to be weighed against values, resources, and other priorities.

Something trips up a lot of really good financial coaches, and it has nothing to do with the actual work. It's how they describe it. When someone says, "So what do you do?" the response is often off. And it's not because you don't know what you do. It's because nobody's helped you see the difference between describing your services and describing what your client actually experiences.In this week's episode, I walk through why most of us default to feature listing (it's factual, it's professional, and it feels safe) and why this doesn't create desire. I share an observation from meeting new neighbors that perfectly illustrates the energy shift that happens when business owners answer, "What do you do?" versus people with regular jobs. And I break down the practical difference between the casual, no-big-deal version you use at a block party and the client experience language you use when someone leans in and wants to know more.There are side-by-side examples throughout, showing what feature listing sounds like compared to describing the actual moment that changes for your clients. Kelsa also tackles what to say when someone responds with, "Like a financial advisor?" and how to differentiate yourself without getting defensive or listing what you're not.If you've ever stumbled through explaining your work, or landed on something that sounded more like a brochure than a real conversation, this episode is for you.Links & Resources:Episode 138: Selling vs. SteadyingJoin the Facebook groupKey Takeaways:There's a difference between describing your services and describing what your client actually experiences, and that distinction changes everything about how people respond to you.Feature listing feels safe because it's factual and professional, but it doesn't create desire. It makes people glaze over or start comparison shopping.When someone asks what you do, answer like your neighbor who works at Honeywell. No performance. No calculating. No hoping they'll respond a certain way.The less you need from the interaction, the more interesting your answer becomes to the person hearing it.When someone says "like a financial advisor?" you don't need to respond with what you're not. Drop into the client experience instead. You'll differentiate yourself without a single negative or a single feature being listed.Think about the moment something clicked for your last few clients. That moment is your message, because that's what people are buying. They're buying that exhale.You don't need a better elevator pitch. You need to get closer to the truth of what your clients actually experience before and after working with you, and then simply learn to say that out loud.

What if the real foundation of entrepreneurship is less about making money and more about mastering your mindset around it? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood explores how our early experiences and psychological beliefs about money shape our financial behaviors—and ultimately, our freedom to create and build. Guest Shang Saavedra, who reached retirement savings goals by age 31, shares her journey from a frugal upbringing as the child of immigrants to graduating from Harvard, thriving in management consulting, and building the Save My Cents community. She's passionate about helping others use psychology and practical strategies to rewrite their financial stories, break the cycle of fear, and pave the way for meaningful wealth. This episode is essential listening for entrepreneurs and anyone needing a mindset reset around finances. With actionable advice on automating savings, understanding investment options, and handling financial setbacks, Shang Saavedra proves that changing how you think about money can transform your life—and your business.   To get the latest from Shang Saavedra, you can follow her below! https://www.linkedin.com/in/shangsaavedra/ https://savemycents.com/ https://www.instagram.com/savemycents/?hl=en Wealth Is a Mindset: Change Your Mind, Change Your Money   Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Do Good While Doing Well Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

There's a sentence you've almost certainly heard from a client. Maybe more than once. Maybe even in the last week. "I just need to be more disciplined." It sounds like self-awareness. It sounds like accountability. And most coaches nod and move on when they hear it.In this week's episode, we're breaking down why that sentence is rarely what it appears to be and why what you do with it changes the entire direction of your coaching relationship. We're walking through the cultural messaging that makes people believe their money struggles are a character flaw, and explaining the difference between a borrowed belief and genuine self-reflection.Because when a client says "I need to be more disciplined," what they're usually saying underneath is something much closer to: "I keep trying to do the right thing and it keeps not working, and the only explanation I have is that something is wrong with me."This episode gets into what it looks like to pause in that moment, get curious instead of pivoting into problem solving, and help a client discover what's actually going on. And you'll hear specific questions you can use, what tends to happen when you ask them, and how all of it connects to a bigger idea about coaching precision. This is what separates helpful coaching from the kind that actually shifts how someone sees themselves and their money.If you've ever had a client who seems to be trying hard and still not gaining traction, this one is worth your time.Links & Resources:Free 7 Questions GuideJoin the Facebook groupKey Takeaways:"I just need to be more disciplined" is one of the most common borrowed beliefs in financial coaching, and it almost never reflects genuine self-awareness.A borrowed belief is a conclusion someone carries that they didn't arrive at through their own reflection. They arrived at it because it was handed to them, and they've repeated it so many times it feels like the truth.When you nod along with a borrowed belief, you're reinforcing the very thing keeping your client stuck.The question "When you've tried that before, what happened?" opens the door to the real story, because your client has tried before, probably many times.Most financial breakdowns aren't about character. They're about a gap in the structure: a car repair, three birthdays in one month, the holidays. Real life that wasn't built into the system.A helpful coach hears "I need discipline" and builds a better system. A coach focused on precision hears it and helps the client realize the problem was never their discipline in the first place.Language precision is a skill you develop by learning to listen differently, by paying attention to where a belief came from and whether it's actually serving your client.

You're secretly afraid that if you set boundaries around when you work or stop applying pressure, you'll collapse. That the drive you have will disappear. That you won't get anything done without urgency forcing you forward.Does that resonate?For a long time, I thought I only had two speeds: all in or completely off. If I slowed down, I was afraid I would stop. Like if I wasn't pushing at 100%, I'd lose momentum, lose motivation, or lose my edge altogether.That fear made sense at the time because I didn't have healthy boundaries or perspective yet. Pressure was doing the job. Boundaries weren't.What changed wasn't my work ethic. It was my relationship to urgency. My goals are bigger and more ambitious today than five years ago, but I'm much clearer about the difference between commitment and urgency.Commitment now means I'm clear about direction, but not that I'm constantly pushing. It means I'm willing to stay with something over time without turning every delay or pause into a personal problem. I'm committed to making it happen. I'm not naturally committed to when it happens.You don't need to be less ambitious to live this way. You don't need to care less or want less for yourself. You get to choose how you relate to your goals. You can be driven and content. You can be committed and patient. Both can exist.Listen in to hear how.Links & Resources:Join the Facebook groupFinancial Coaching EssentialsKey Takeaways:The reason it's possible to get a lot done isn't because of working obsessively. It's because there are clear boundaries around when work stops.Passion needs guardrails and creativity needs discipline. Without guardrails, everything feels urgent, rest feels irresponsible, and slowing down feels like risk.Commitment means you're clear about direction, not that you're constantly pushing. It means you're willing to stay with something over time without turning every delay into a personal problem.You can have a perfectly structured schedule and still live with constant internal urgency. The guardrails need to be both practical and internal.Grit that carries a lot of pressure isn't sustainable. There's still grit now, but it's softer. There's more trust in it. Seasons are allowed.Your family, mental health, and emotional wellbeing don't compete with your ambition. They support it.Where have you been afraid that if you slowed down, you'd stop altogether? What might change if you tested a different structure with more boundaries, more perspective, and less urgency?

Your clients don't need you to make everything feel better. They need you to help them trust themselves while feeling uncertain.This is the line between emotional over-holding and confidence building. It's subtle. And if you're a coach who cares deeply about your clients, you've probably crossed it without realizing.Emotional over-holding looks like carrying more of the emotional weight than the client needs. It looks like reassuring excessively, pre-processing their feelings before a session even starts, and softening reality because you're worried about how it will land. It comes from good intentions, but over time, it doesn't build confidence. It can actually erode it.This week, we're sharing six specific patterns that show you where this happens most often. Once you can spot them, you can shift how you guide without becoming cold, disconnected, or less compassionate. Because the goal isn't to care less. It's to help your clients build capacity instead of borrowing yours.Links & Resources:Join the Facebook groupFinancial Coaching EssentialsKey Takeaways:Your job is to present reality clearly, not make it feel better. Emotional over-holding happens when we soften reality or avoid naming the gap because we're worried about how it will land.Hesitation is not the same thing as refusal. Sometimes the most confidence-building thing you can do is guide the direction while allowing space for uncertainty.Buy-in doesn't always look like enthusiasm. Sometimes it's reserved, calm, or cautious. That's okay too.Reassurance should reinforce capability, not certainty. If reassurance helps someone see how far they've come, it builds confidence. If it's used to control what they do next, it starts to feel manipulative.Confidence isn't avoiding struggle. It's the ability to reflect on it without collapsing or indicting yourself when things are hard.Ask yourself: Is this mine to carry or is it theirs to work through? You are there as they work through it, but you are not there to carry it for them.Passion needs guardrails and creativity needs discipline. Without guardrails, everything feels urgent, rest feels irresponsible, and slowing down feels like risk.

Last week, our Client Seat episode featured me coaching Michelle through feeling out of control with her money after moving to Guatemala. The cash system felt chaotic. Multiple accounts, inconsistent tracking, and no clear rhythm for how money moved. She wanted stability back.This week, I'm showing you what was happening on my side of that conversation. The coaching decisions I was making while listening and what I chose to prioritize and intentionally left alone. When you don't know the client's context, when the situation is completely unfamiliar, you can still lead a session that creates real progress.This isn't about having all the answers, because we never will. It's about helping the client find clarity. Four specific observations from that session show how to guide someone toward that clarity when the path isn't obvious to either of you yet.Links & Resources:Join the Facebook groupFinancial Coaching EssentialsEpisode 133: Coaching session with Mary AnnClient Seat applicationKey Takeaways:Targeted focus narrows the conversation and reduces overwhelm. When a client's situation feels chaotic, ask: Where does it feel most out of control right now?Not knowing something doesn't remove your authority as a coach, but pretending does. Name what you don't know and stay present as the guide.Progress happens in layers. Stabilization comes before optimization. Solving one thing well creates momentum for what comes next.Your clients can be the expert on context while you remain the expert on process. True collaboration happens when you share the stage.When clients feel scattered, optimization adds pressure. Stabilization gives them room to breathe, refine, and improve from a solid foundation.Limited scope isn't a weakness. Framing realistic progress as a win builds trust and creates buy-in during the session.Predictability before perfection. Give clients something concrete they can work with right now, not everything they could eventually do.

This episode is part of our Client Seat series, where financial coaches get real-time financial coaching from Kelsa. It's a great opportunity to showcase what goes into a financial coaching session. If you're a financial professional, you can apply to be a guest on a future Client Seat episode.Being a financial coach doesn't mean your own money is always perfect. Different seasons of life require different systems, and sometimes what worked beautifully before stops working entirely.Michelle Kopp is a CPA and financial coach living in Guatemala. Before moving from the U.S., her money was completely under control. Then her family relocated internationally, and everything fell apart. Bills are now paid in cash. Day-to-day spending is cash. She went from total control to tracking every dollar in a Google form, which she hates doing.This week's episode is about what happens when your context changes so dramatically that you have to rebuild. Michelle needed someone else to help her see what she couldn't see on her own. That's completely normal, even for financial professionals.You'll hear how we worked through the comparison trap she'd fallen into, identified what was worth keeping from her previous approach, and created a concrete plan that gives her stability without trying to control every dollar. This is what it looks like to help someone stabilize first before trying to optimize everything at once. Needing to rebuild doesn't mean you're failing. It means your season changed.Links & Resources:How to Create Buy-in - Free WorkshopBe on a future Client Seat episodeJoin the Facebook groupMichelle's websiteKey Takeaways:When your context changes, your old system might not fit anymore. Michelle's Plan Ahead Method (now called SpendFirst™) worked perfectly in the U.S. but couldn't translate to Guatemala's cash-based economy. You're not failing if what used to work stops working.Comparison will keep you stuck. Michelle kept measuring her current spending against what she spent before the move, expecting Guatemala to be cheaper. That comparison made her feel like she was failing instead of recognizing she was rebuilding.Stabilize first, optimize later. The goal isn't to create the perfect system immediately. It's to create enough stability that you can work with what you have, then refine from there.Your effort might be scattered, not insufficient. Michelle was putting in tons of effort tracking every dollar, but that effort wasn't getting her anywhere. Sometimes you need to redirect your energy, not add more of it.Cash needs different routines than digital money. When most of your spending is cash, you can't rely on bank statements to tell you where money went. You need a withdrawal schedule that creates predictability.Even financial professionals need outside perspective. Michelle is a CPA and financial coach, but she couldn't see her own patterns clearly. Sometimes you need someone else to ask questions you can't ask yourself.Progress happens in layers. We didn't try to solve every aspect of Michelle's money in one session. We tackled the biggest chaos creators first so she could build from a stable foundation.

I'm just going to come out and say it: there is NO “right way” to get out of debt. In fact, there are a number of ways that you can support your clients (or yourself) to pay down your debts - and today, we're going to examine five of those strategies. When I first started coaching clients whose goal was to pay off their debts, I would have ask the client to give me their financial details, which included balances, interest rates, payments, etc. Then I'd use the information they provided to create a “debt snowball” spreadsheet. Next, I'd show their spreadsheet to them and say, “see- this is how you do it,” or “see- this is what you'll do.”I found out rather quickly that while some clients had no problem sticking to the plan, others just couldn't seem to stay on track. When my clients “failed” to “execute” the plan I'd given them, I dug deeper, asking them questions about what wasn't working for them. Then I'd tweak the plan, taking their feedback into consideration, and give it back to them with the hope that it would work…this time. I quickly realized that I had been looking at my client's goal to pay down their debt totally backward - once I had that revelation, I stopped telling every client that they needed to “snowball” their debt.Instead, I started asking more questions to figure out which debt payoff strategy would be the best fit for the client. And it worked! My clients were more engaged - excited even - which resulted in them getting results and enjoying the process. Let's take a look at some of the different tactics you can use with your clients to take care of their debt.Links & Resources:How to Create Buy-in - Free WorkshopJoin the Facebook groupKey Takeaways:The best debt payoff strategy is the one that creates the most buy-in for your client. Financial calculators don't account for human motivation and follow-through.Present options before prescribing solutions. Instead of showing clients "the right way," explore what will work best for them through curiosity and conversation.Pause after showing clients their debt totals so they have space to process the number. Then ask, "What's going through your mind right now?" before moving forward.One debt might carry emotional weight that makes it worth prioritizing. If a balance triggers shame or keeps someone stuck in the past, eliminating it first can unlock progress.All five debt payoff methods share the same structure: pay minimums on everything except one debt. They only differ in which debt to prioritize first.Quick wins matter for some clients and financial optimization matters for others. Match the strategy to what will keep this specific person motivated.Ask, "Is there one debt that really frustrates you?" early in the conversation. The answer reveals whether emotional factors should drive the strategy.

Getting feedback used to make my chest tighten. I'd spend so much energy trying to live a life where I'd never have to hear that I let someone down or disappointed them. The problem? That's impossible. You will inevitably get feedback as a coach and as a business owner.So you need to get good at it. Not just operationally, but emotionally.This episode walks through the three mindset shifts that change how you receive feedback, plus the actual systems we use at my companies to automate and analyze feedback without it derailing an entire day or week. What's important to remember is that you get to choose what you think of the feedback you receive. Feedback isn't fact or truth necessarily. It's just an opinion, an observation, or a thought.The choice you make about which feedback gets your energy is entirely up to you. Don't let one negative comment spiral you out of control while barely registering the positive ones. Instead, appreciate positive reviews and feedback more deeply so you can stay grounded when the negative ones come in.This week, we're covering how to automate your feedback process so it doesn't hit your inbox unexpectedly, when and how to review it, what questions to ask yourself when analyzing whether to act on it, and why the customer isn't always right. That last one matters more than you think when you're trying to build a sustainable business.If feedback makes your stomach ache or your palms sweat, this episode will help you build the operational and emotional shields you need.Links & Resources:How to Create Buy-in - Free WorkshopJoin the Facebook groupFinancial Coach Academy enrollmentKey Takeaways:You get to choose what you think of the feedback you receive. Feedback isn't fact or truth necessarily; it's just an opinion, observation, or thought. You decide what to make of it.Negative feedback doesn't have to be louder than positive feedback. Which feedback gets your thoughts and energy is entirely up to you. It's your choice.You will get feedback, so you might as well get good at it. Once you accept this is inevitable, your mind shifts from trying to prevent it to learning how to be ready for it operationally and emotionally.Never make changes based on one person's feedback. Note it, but wait to see if others bring up the same thing. Over-tweaking costs you time, money, and business momentum.Ask: Is something wrong, or is this a personal preference? This prevents over-optimizing. Nice-to-have ideas go on a list and get prioritized. Broken things get fixed.Is there merit to this feedback? This softer question makes analysis easier than asking if feedback is "right" or "wrong;” you can find merit in pieces even when the full feedback stings.The customer isn't always right. Sometimes you've already considered what they're asking for and chose not to do it. That's okay. Feedback needs to be weighed against values, resources, and other priorities.

The state of things right now isn't exactly predictable. Costs are up, people feel cautious about spending, and there's this underlying tension around money that's hard to ignore. If you're working full time and thinking about becoming a financial coach this year, or if you're already coaching and trying to figure out how to navigate 2026 without burning out, this episode is for you.The good news? Flexibility is your competitive advantage right now. When your expenses are lean and your approach is strategic, you can be generous with clients, creative with pricing, and responsive to what people actually need. This isn't about playing small or operating from fear. It's about being the kind of financial leader who can adapt without compromising impact.In this episode, we're talking about practical strategy for this season: why your full-time job might be the best business asset you have right now, how to design your coaching business around your actual life instead of an internet ideal, and what it means to maximize your three key resources (time, energy, and money) when you're already stretched thin.If you've been feeling pressure to go all in, scale up, or match someone else's version of success, this episode will help you see that steadiness is strategy. And the steadiness you create for yourself is exactly what your clients are craving from you.Links & Resources:Ultimate Growth GuideJoin the Facebook groupHow to Create Buy-In Training(free)Episode 138: The State of People's FinancesKey Takeaways:Flexibility is your competitive advantage. When your expenses are lean, you can offer payment plans, adjust pricing, and respond to clients' real needs without financial pressure forcing your hand.Predictable income is a business strategy, not a compromise. Your full-time job gives you something full-time entrepreneurs don't have: the ability to plan, save, and give your business time to grow without crushing pressure.Your business doesn't need to be impressive to work. What matters is whether it fits your actual life, serves your clients well, and gives you something nothing else in your life currently gives you.Scarcity motivates action. Limited availability isn't a weakness. Instead, it cuts down on client indecisiveness and makes scheduling easier for everyone involved.Focus on activities that fill a gap only your business can fill. If your full-time job is high pressure, make your business fun and relaxed. If parenting feels thankless, let client appreciation fuel you.You have to claim what you need and ask for it specifically. The hardest help to ask for is often just space, permission to focus on your business for a Saturday morning without guilt.Steadiness is what your clients are craving right now. By creating it for yourself first, you bring that same grounded energy into every coaching session.

In this episode, Josh and Amelie discuss the confusing world of financial advisors and give listeners ideas for evaluating a potential advisor. The hosts explain why job titles are meaningless and certifications vary widely in rigor, with the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) standing out as the gold standard. They clarify how the fiduciary standard works, including why just the Series 65–only advisors are legally bound to act in a client's best interest at all times. The conversation then walks through how to use BrokerCheck and Form ADV to uncover an advisor's licenses, conflicts of interest, fees, custody arrangements, and more. Together, these tools may help consumers find the right advisor for their needs. Top takeaways: Job Titles Are Meaningless: Vice president, wealth manager, and similar titles are unregulated and don't indicate competence or ethics. Certifications Vary Widely Over 400 financial certifications exist; many require little more than paying a fee. The CFP® is the gold standard for personal financial planning due to its rigorous exam, education requirements, enforced code of ethics, and continuing‑education requirements. BrokerCheck Is Your First Stop (https://brokercheck.finra.org/) Every licensed advisor remains in the system permanently. If an “investment professional” isn't listed, they're either an insurance agent or they're operating illegally. Review disclosures carefully; multiple complaints or hidden details are red flags. Fiduciary Status Is Critical Only advisors with a Series 65 license (look for “IA” in BrokerCheck) and no other licenses are legally bound to act in the client's best interest at all times. Advisors with multiple licenses (e.g., IA and broker) can switch roles—and obligations—mid‑conversation (and without telling you they switched roles). Commissions Influence Advice Academic studies show that advisors recommend products with higher commissions. Brokers and insurance agents are legally obligated to act in the best interest of their firms, not their clients. Form ADV Part 2 Shares Key Information About the Advisor Required for all registered Investment Advisers (IAs). Includes services, fee schedule, conflicts of interest, investment philosophy, and custody details (who is the custodian of your money). Good advisors make their ADV and fee schedule easy to find. Custody Protects You Look for advisors who use large, third‑party custodians who will protect you (not the firm). Small custodians can be vulnerable to conflicts of interest, as seen in the Bernie Madoff case. Transparency Is Important Advisors who openly share fees, conflicts of interest, and regulatory documents demonstrate integrity. Marketing transparency often reflects operational transparency. One Advisor Profile to Look For (in our opinion) Series 65 license only (legal fiduciary duty) CFP® designation (rigorous training and ethics) Clear, accessible disclosures and fee transparency Uses a large, reputable third‑party custodian Want help building or growing a successful financial coaching business? Find resources below based on where you're at in your journey: - Deciding whether Financial Coaching is right for you? Join our free Facebook Community with over 5000 current and aspiring financial coaches! https://www.facebook.com/groups/financialcoachescommunity - Already decided you're going to be a Financial Coach and want to learn more? Get 30+ tips and best practices in our free 8-part email series! https://www.financialcoachesnetwork.com/pre-launch-email-series - Ready to Launch your Financial Coaching business? Join FCN Biz DIY, our step-by-step program that will help you successfully launch your business in four months and grow it to a consistent part-time income. https://www.financialcoachesnetwork.com/biz-diy - Are you excited by financial coaching but not running a coaching business? MoneyCoach Network partners with financial coaches to handle the entire “business” side of having a financial coaching business. Sign up to Beta Test MoneyCoach Network (https://form.jotform.com/231063470154043)

In this episode of Yo Quiero Dinero, Jannese sits down with Mariana Barajas, licensed therapist and money coach aka @lamoneytherapist to unpack the deep, emotional connection between mental health and money.From first-gen pressure and eldest-daughter trauma to scarcity mindsets, over-spending, money hoarding, and burnout, this conversation goes beyond budgeting tips and gets to the root of our financial behaviors. Because let's be real: most of us already know what to do with money—what stops us is what's happening in our nervous system.Mariana breaks down how childhood experiences, cultural conditioning, and subconscious beliefs shape the way we earn, spend, save, and invest—and what it actually takes to heal your relationship with money.If you've ever wondered why you can't keep money, why you're afraid to take financial risks, or why success still doesn't feel like enough… this episode is for you.What We Get Into00:01 – 02:00Mariana's background as a licensed therapist and money coachWhy mental health and financial wellness must be treated holistically02:01 – 05:00First-gen upbringing, eldest daughter pressure, and seeking parental validationHow childhood emotional neglect can shape adult ambition and burnout05:01 – 07:45Growing up with limited financial resourcesHow early awareness of money scarcity impacts confidence and decision-making07:46 – 10:10The fast dopamine hit of spending once you “finally make it”How retail therapy can quietly lead to debt and lifestyle inflation10:11 – 13:20Identifying subconscious money beliefsIntroduction to financial therapy and why budgeting alone isn't enough13:21 – 15:30The Money-Worthiness FrameworkChallenging limiting beliefs, building self-trust, and the role of community15:31 – 18:10People-pleasing, and cultural expectations placed on womenHow these beliefs impact earning, saving, and self-advocacy18:11 – 21:45Preparing for motherhood financially and emotionallyFunding maternity leave, wellness practices, and not losing yourself in motherhood21:46 – 24:00Fear-based money behaviors: hoarding, anxiety, and controlUnderstanding where “fear of losing everything” really comes from24:01 – 27:15Why some people can't hold onto moneySpending as a reflection of worthiness wounds and external validation27:16 – 30:45Values-based spending vs. keeping up appearancesLetting go of money decisions driven by comparison30:46 – 33:45Increasing income as a wealth strategyBreaking limiting beliefs around “acceptable” income in helping professions33:46 – 36:30Building generational wealth with intentionCustodial Roth IRAs, 529s, and giving kids financial options36:31 – 39:30Why funding your retirement is a gift to your childrenBreaking cycles of financial dependence and self-sacrifice39:31 – 41:45Supporting family financially without destroying your mental healthThe emotional weight of being the “sandwich generation”41:46 – 44:40How to work with MarianaFinancial therapy vs. coaching and knowing which one you needKey TakeawaysYour money habits didn't come out of nowhere—they were learned.Scarcity isn't just financial; it lives in your nervous system.Over-spending and under-earning often stem from worthiness wounds.Budgeting won't fix trauma—but healing trauma will fix your money.You don't need to do it all alone—community is part of wealth-building.Generational wealth is built over generations, not in one lifetime.Resources MentionedLatinx Therapy – Find culturally aligned therapistsFree Download: New Year Dinero Reset GuideA 10-step checklist to reset your finances for the new year — covering debt, budgeting, investing, insurance, and estate planning.

Your clients' budgets absorbed increases they never saw coming this year. A healthcare premium that jumped several hundred dollars per month. Utility bills up $50 at peak usage. Return-to-office mandates that added childcare costs, gas expenses, and convenience spending they didn't budget for. Buy now, pay later options at grocery checkouts, not just for wants but for food.When your clients sit down with you, they're financially stressed. And they're also cautiously pessimistic, worried about what's next, and hoping they can just stay stable. This is the reality of financial coaching in 2026, and it's why the gap between need and demand matters more than most coaches want to admit.This episode looks at being a financial coach in 2026 from three perspectives. First, the concrete ways rising costs are squeezing your clients' household budgets right now. Second, the role you play in cutting through their worry with clarity and steadying energy instead of more information. And third, how all of this shapes your business strategy, your messaging, and the way you position your work when clients aren't buying on "maybe this could help."If you've wondered why your ideal clients aren't reaching out even when they clearly need help, or if you've felt the tension between knowing coaches are needed and watching people hesitate to hire you, this episode will help you see what's actually happening and how to meet this moment with courage and strategic clarity.Links & Resources:Ultimate Growth GuideJoin the Facebook groupKey Takeaways:People need financial coaches more than ever, but need doesn't equal demand. Just because someone is struggling doesn't mean they're actively seeking your solution. And that means that how you talk about your work matters more than ever.Healthcare premiums increased significantly for many families in 2026. When you combine that with utility rate hikes and return-to-office costs, clients are absorbing hundreds of dollars in monthly budget increases they didn't plan for.Shift from selling to steadying. Right now, people aren't buying on "maybe this could help." They're saying yes when the outcome is crystal clear and the commitment feels manageable.One in four Americans now uses buy now, pay later for groceries. This isn't about luxuries anymore. It's a signal of how tight household cashflow has become, and it's creating unnecessary chaos in people's budgets.Return-to-office mandates don't just increase commute costs. They ripple into childcare, eating out, work clothes, and spending more for convenience because flexibility at home disappears.75% of our own small business vendors raised their rates in 2025. Business owners are navigating the same financial squeeze as clients, which means your financial coaching mind is your greatest asset in running your business strategically.Being a financial coach in 2026 takes courage. You need to speak sincerely and clearly about how you help people, make faster business decisions, and lead by example in uncertain times.

Seventy percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck—and it’s not just a “low-income” problem. In this episode, John Hope Bryant brings in two Hope Financial Coaches from Operation HOPE, who are on the front lines helping everyday people rebuild credit, start real businesses, escape financial trauma, and become homeowners. From refugees and survivors of abuse to struggling entrepreneurs and working families, you’ll hear real stories of transformation—and the practical money lessons behind them. This conversation breaks down the difference between hustle and business, cash flow and profit, income and wealth, and explains why mindset, coaching, and financial literacy—not just money—are the real keys to economic freedom. If you’ve ever felt stuck, ashamed, or overwhelmed by money, this episode will remind you that with the right guidance, your financial reset is possible.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After almost two decades of watching clients struggle with traditional budgeting advice, one pattern became impossible to ignore: the advice itself was creating the problem.Track every dollar. Cut spending wherever possible. Follow this exact plan. The advice was restrictive, rigid, and built on the assumption that everyone should manage money the same way. No wonder people felt like failures when they couldn't stick with it.For years, coaches and advisors have been teaching a different framework to clients who finally experienced their "this makes sense" moment. The Plan Ahead Method™ worked because it focused on understanding spending instead of judging it. Planning for it instead of reacting to it. Creating clarity without adding more rules to follow.The system helped thousands of people stabilize the chaos in their financial lives. But the name never captured what made it different. It sounded like every other budgeting method out there.That changes now. The Plan Ahead Method™ is officially SpendFirst®. And this represents more than new branding.SpendFirst® means something specific: stabilize the chaos in your financial life first so you can focus on everything else. Most financial advice responds to chaos with restriction. SpendFirst® flips that. It helps people get their spending under control first, remove the overwhelm first, align their spending with their goals first. Then they watch how that transforms their entire relationship with money.If you've been teaching the Plan Ahead Method™ with clients, this episode gives you clarity on what's evolving and how it positions your practice. If you're looking for a proven framework that clients actually stick with, this is your introduction to a system that's about to reach a much wider audience and create a category coaches can build their identity around.This isn't about helping one client at a time anymore. This is about a movement that changes how people see, save, and spend their money.Links & Resources:How to Create Buy-in: Designing Financial Experiences that StickJoin the Facebook groupKey Takeaways:People don't struggle with money because they're bad at saving; they struggle because spending feels chaotic and overwhelming.The SpendFirst® Method focuses on stabilizing the part of your financial life with the most movement: your spending. When you plan for spending instead of reacting to it, you create the mental space to focus on everything else.SpendFirst® means putting a system in place for your spending first, not spending recklessly. It's about understanding spending patterns, not judging them, so clients can align their money with who they are and what they want.The best tools are the ones that get used consistently. A method only works if people actually stick with it, which is why flexibility and humanity matter more than perfection.When you're building something meaningful, there's an element of stubbornness that serves you well. What looks like stubbornness might actually be your commitment to creating something that aligns with your vision.SpendFirst® isn't just a budgeting method. It's a mindset shift that helps people see money differently. The goal is to change how people see, save, and spend their money by giving them a clearer, kinder, and more human approach.High standards take time, and that's okay. The pace at which something happens doesn't matter as much as staying true to your vision and refusing to settle for half-assed solutions.

You've got a client who's ready to work with you—they've paid for their first session and now you're feeling those pre-session nerves. Sound familiar?In this episode, we talk about what's really going on in your client's mind when they show up for that first paid session (hint: they're probably more nervous than you are). I share the exact structure I use to make sure every client leaves their first session feeling heard, hopeful, and clear on their next steps.From creating a warm welcome that puts your clients at ease, to helping them see their full financial picture (often for the first time), we cover how to make your first paid sessions truly valuable for your clients. I share my biggest mistakes and what I learned from them, so you can skip the trial and error phase I went through.Plus, I walk through our follow-up system that keeps clients engaged and taking action even after the session ends. Whether you're new to paid sessions or looking to make your current process even better, this episode will help you create an experience that has your clients saying “they get me” and ready to take the next step in their journey.Links & Resources:Ultimate Growth GuideJoin the Facebook groupEpisode 91Key Takeaways:Want your clients to open up about money? Start by acknowledging their courage - it takes guts to share your finances with a stranger and pay them for help.Trying to solve every financial problem in one session isn't generous, it's overwhelming. Pick their most exciting goal and solve it completely.Your clients can sense when you're in your head worrying about delivering value. Their emotional rollercoaster is 10 times bigger than yours.Numbers tell a story, but you need to narrate it out loud. Walk clients through your thinking process so they can see how you got to the solution.The magic isn't in telling clients to spend less, it's in finding their big goal that makes them excited enough to actually change their habits.When a client shares multiple money goals, celebrate internally. They're showing you they have a genuine need for ongoing coaching, so don't try to tackle all those goals at once.Your follow-up system is a safety net that catches clients before they fall off track. Make it systematic but personal, like checking in when reality and procrastination typically hit.

A client is tearing up about their debt in your first session together. You're feeling good about the progress you're making. Then weeks later, when you use the MeaningFirst Method™ to explore what getting out of debt would mean to them, they say something you didn't expect: "Even if I were debt free, I'd still be worried about my income. I wouldn't feel much different."How do you respond in that moment?This is the kind of real coaching scenario that makes or breaks buy-in. What you say next determines whether the client feels deeply understood or quietly misunderstood. And the truth is, most coaches in this moment slip into convincing mode without even realizing it. We want to help so badly that we start selling them on why their debt still matters, why being debt free would change things, why they should care about what we think they should care about.But that's not coaching. That's correcting.In this week's episode, I walk you through a similar moment that happened with one of our coaches and her client. I'll show you exactly why the client's response isn't resistance, it's clarity. They're giving you a window into what's actually driving their stress. And I'll give you a four-step framework called Core Sync that helps you respond in these moments without losing the client's trust or momentum.You'll learn how to validate without agreeing, explore without interrogating, connect without convincing, and plan without enabling. This is the difference between a client who nods politely but doesn't follow through and a client who starts to believe again because they feel understood.If you've ever had a client say something that surprised you or didn't match what you expected, this episode will change how you respond.Links & Resources:Ultimate Growth GuideJoin the Facebook groupEpisode 135: The Meaning First MethodFree download: Meaning First Method guideSmall Business ToolkitsClient Creator Challenge: 90-day program starting January 8thKey Takeaways:When a client says something unexpected, pause and ask yourself: Am I about to validate or convince? This small internal check changes everything about how the conversation unfolds."Even if I were debt free, I'd still be worried" isn't resistance. It's clarity. They're telling you what actually drives their stress, and that deserves your attention.The “yeah, but…” reflex kills buy-in. When you jump to "yeah, but if you were debt free you'd have more freedom," you're making a logical point when they just expressed an emotional truth.Validation creates emotional safety. When someone finally feels understood, their nervous system relaxes. They stop defending and start engaging.Use “yes, and” energy instead of “yeah, but…” energy. "You're right, consistent income is at the heart of this too. And what's interesting is how it ties to the debt..." bridges the gap without dismissing what they said.The Core Sync framework builds buy-in at every layer: validate the emotion, explore the experience, connect the dots, then plan for both. Skip ahead to solutions and you'll lose them.Clients start to believe again not because you convinced them, but because you understood them. That's how buy-in is built.

What if the way you're asking clients about their goals is actually making it harder for them to follow through?Most coaches ask what their client wants to accomplish, get an answer like "I want to get out of debt" or "I want to save more," and then move straight into strategy. Goal identified, check. Time to build the plan.But here's what's missing: connection. Not your connection to their goal, THEIR connection to it.People don't take action because they have a goal. They take action when that goal feels meaningful. When they can picture what shifts on the other side of it. When they understand why it matters right now, in this season of their life.In this episode, I'm walking you through the MeaningFirst Method™, a conversation framework that helps clients move from pressure-driven goals to goals rooted in personal truth and desire. This is the foundation that makes everything else easier: the follow-through, the consistency, the willingness to come back after a setback, the sense of ownership.You'll hear exactly how to guide this conversation, what questions to ask, when to pause and let silence do the work, and how to help clients uncover what they actually care about, not just what they think they should want.This isn't about adding more to your session checklist. It's about creating the clarity that makes every other conversation more effective. Because when meaning comes first, strategy has something real to build on.Links & Resources:Ultimate Growth GuideJoin the Facebook groupMeaning First Method Conversation Guide (one-page downloadable)Client Creator Challenge (90-day program starting January 8th)Key Takeaways:Your job isn't just to ask about goals; it's to help clients connect to them. People follow through when goals feel meaningful, not simply when they've been stated out loud.Sometimes the stated goal isn't the real thing that matters. It's the doorway to what actually drives them: more freedom, calm, choice, breathing room.The client's goal is both the North Star and the map. It shows you where you're going and informs every choice you recommend along the way.MeaningFirst helps clients shift from "I should fix this" to "I want to build a life that feels aligned." That's a fundamentally different, and far more sustainable, experience.Let silence work for you. After asking what makes a goal important right now, pause. Give them space to think and feel their way to the real answer.Connection comes before strategy, always. Only after meaning is clear do we start planning timelines, pacing, and tactics.This framework sustains motivation when things get hard. When clients understand what they actually care about, they can reconnect to that meaning every time they want to quit.

Knowing what to say in a coaching session is one thing. Knowing when to say it, how to pace it, and what to listen for underneath the words… that's where real coaching happens.In this episode, we're walking you through a coaching session breakdown, pulling back the curtain on the decisions made in real time during last week's The Client Seat episode. You'll hear what Kelsa was tracking, which threads she chose to follow, when she stayed quiet, and why certain moments mattered more than others.This isn't a recap of what was said during the episode. It's about what was happening underneath, the layer most people miss when they're learning to coach.You'll learn how to spot emotional patterns before diving into strategy, why reflecting back what you hear matters more than you think, and how to build buy-in through pacing and presence, not just through advice. Kelsa breaks down key moments from the session and shows you how small coaching decisions create big shifts in client confidence and follow-through.If you've ever wondered what experienced coaches are actually doing during a session beyond asking questions and giving recommendations, this episode shows you.Links & Resources:Ultimate Growth GuideJoin the Facebook groupEpisode 132: How to Create Buy-In: The Framework for Lasting Financial Change Key Takeaways:Start every session by naming the focus. It reduces overwhelm and creates emotional safety before you dive into solutions.When a client says they "did it right" but it still didn't work, slow down. That frustration signals a need for validation, not immediate strategy.Gathering information isn't just for you. It builds buy-in. Clients gain clarity by talking through what's happening, which makes them more ready for change.Naming a pattern doesn't fix it, but it creates breathing room. Giving language to an overwhelming experience helps clients feel understood and opens the door to possibility.Reflect back what you're hearing at least once per session. When clients know you get it, their nervous system relaxes and they become more open to trying something new.Try micro buy-ins before recommending a full plan. Offer one simple shift first, gather feedback, then tailor the next step based on what you learn.Security isn't created by the emergency fund. It's created by the belief that you can respond. Progress isn't just measured in dollars. It's measured in how secure someone feels.

Welcome to our first Client Seat episode, because even coaches need coaches.Mary Ann Stenquist teaches people how to break the shop-regret-shame cycle. She's a spending coach who helps ambitious women align their spending with their values instead of their impulses.She knows money. She teaches it. She coaches on it.And she's stuck.For four years, Mary Ann has been caught in a cycle: fund the emergency savings, drain it when something happens, rebuild it, drain it again. The AC breaks. Then the furnace. Health expenses pile up. Then the car.The answer isn't more discipline or a bigger paycheck. It's a better system that accounts for life's inevitable "Whammies."Each time she taps into that fund, guilt follows. The balance drops, and with it, her sense of security.Mary Ann says it clearly: she wants an emergency fund for her emergency fund. She knows she needs one. She's built one multiple times. She just can't keep it intact long enough to feel the peace it's supposed to provide.What makes this exhausting isn't the expenses themselves. It's the way her emergency fund has become a scorecard for whether she's doing money right. When the balance is high, she feels secure. When it dips, she questions everything.In this first episode of The Client Seat, you'll hear what real financial coaching sounds like. Not a workshop. Not theory. A real session with a real coach working through a real challenge.We talk about the difference between true emergencies and what I call Whammies: expenses that aren't unpredictable, just irregular. We walk through how to stop using one savings account for everything and start building a system where money has a clear purpose before you ever need to spend it. And we work through what it means to "be good with money" when life keeps throwing curveballs.If you've ever had a client whose savings account feels more like a stress trigger than a safety net, this conversation will show you what might be missing.Links & Resources:Ultimate Growth GuideJoin the Facebook groupAlly BankVisit Mary Ann's WebsiteKey Takeaways:Pulse fatigue is when your client's sense of security is tied to a number in their savings account. When the balance goes up, they feel relieved. When it drops, panic sets in. That's not peace of mind; that's exhausting.Emergencies and Whammies are different things. True emergencies are unpredictable. Whammies are irregular expenses your clients know will happen: home repairs, health costs, car maintenance. They shouldn't be funded the same way.SpendFuture™ accounts are savings meant to be spent. These aren't funds to protect. They're funds to prepare so that when life happens, your client is ready without guilt or scrambling.The words matter. "My Health" or "My Home" feels different than "Emergency Fund #3." The language your clients use shapes how they feel when they use the money.Progress over perfection matters here. If your client pulls from a SpendFuture™ account before it's fully funded, help them see they didn't drain their emergency fund. They were more prepared than they would have been without the system.Keep the rhythm going. After tapping into savings, clients want to stop everything and rebuild their emergency fund. That's what creates the cycle. Keep funding the SpendFuture™ accounts or they'll end up back where they started.Emergency funds need clear rules, not vague intentions. Your clients should sit down and define exactly what qualifies

You've identified the problem. You understand the instinct gap. Now it's time to fix it.In the first two episodes of this series, we talked about why financial content isn't creating change and introduced the conative mind, the missing piece that explains why people don't take action even when they know what to do. We showed you how your natural way of taking action as a financial professional is likely very different from your clients' instincts, and how that mismatch creates friction.Today, we're giving you the solution. A three-step framework you can apply right away to your content, your coaching, and your conversations.This is the Action-Ready Framework, and it's designed to bridge the instinct gap by flipping the starting point. Instead of coaching from your instincts, you match theirs. And when you do, everything shifts.Clients feel seen and understood. They take action confidently. They ask more questions and engage more deeply. They convert and stick around because they're getting real results.In this episode, we walk through each step of the framework with practical examples you can use immediately. We show you what happens when your coaching matches your clients' natural way of taking action. And we bring it all back to what this series has been about from the start: buy-in.Because the best strategy isn't the one that looks best on paper. It's the one your client will stick with because they believe in it. Buy-in is the real metric of success.Links & Resources:Ultimate Growth GuideJoin the Facebook groupRegister for How to Create Buy-In: Designing Financial Experiences That StickKey Takeaways:Start with "just enough to start" and layer in complexity. Instead of giving clients everything they need to know upfront, give them the most relevant information only and build in detail slowly as they need it.Focus on phases or outcomes, not every step. Clients need to see where they're headed, but they don't need every micro-task spelled out in advance. Leave room for feedback, flexibility, and iteration. Frame your guidance as one possible starting point and openly invite clients to modify it to fit their reality. Something not working isn't a mistake, it's valuable input.Your new motto is "less, simpler, sooner." Where your instinct might be to give more detail, more structure, more preparation, what actually gets most people moving is less, simpler, sooner.When clients feel seen and understood, they take action confidently. Honoring their instincts doesn't diminish your expertise—it amplifies it.Buy-in is the real metric of success. The more bought in someone is, the more creative they are when things get tough, the faster they take action, and the longer they stick with it.The best strategy is the one that creates the most buy-in for the client. Financial calculators don't account for buy-in, but buy-in is what determines whether clients actually execute the plan.

Snag Our Simplified Budget System!In today's episode of Financial Coaching for Women, we sit down with Ashley—newly married, newly budgeting, and ready to take control of her family's finances. Just two months into their budgeting journey, Ashley and her husband are working hard to live on their salaries alone so they can put commission checks toward debt payoff and long-term goals. But with unexpected expenses, consolidated loans, and a busy family life, staying on track isn't always easy.Together, we walk through her real numbers, real questions, and real challenges. If you're early in your budgeting journey—or trying to get back on track—you'll feel right at home in this conversation.Connect With Us: 1️⃣ Facebook Group – Join the community. Our free group is where the real talk happens. Connect with other women who are learning how to budget, save, and finally feel in control, together. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Automate Your Budget Masterclass – Watch it now, no waiting. This FREE on-demand training shows you how to set up a budget that matches your lifestyle, without tracking every dollar or feeling restricted. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/automate 3️⃣ Budget – Grab our Simplified Budget System! You don't need another budget, you need a system that does the math, makes the plan, and gives you permission to spend. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/budget 4️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching – Get a plan and a coach. We'll build your full budget system together, so you always know what to do and feel confident doing it. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching 5️⃣ Be on the Podcast – Free coaching, real convo. Come chat with us on the show! Get real-time financial coaching and help other women by sharing your story. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall "I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!"

What is up, Simplifiers? I'm so excited you're here. In today's episode of the Maximized Minimalist Podcast, we dive into one of those uncharted territories that doesn't always come up when we're talking about decluttering our homes: the money side of our life-seasons. Because listen—moving houses, starting school, kids growing up, sending them off, career shifts… these aren't just about stuff. They shake up our finances, our routines, our mental load, and yes, our homes. I brought on my two AMAZING guests — finance strategists and self-proclaimed "budget besties," Vanessa and Shana (yes, alliteration and all the good vibes) — to unpack how transitions impact money, how you can build guardrails (just like you do with your home), and how you can walk into the next season with more peace, presence, and joy instead of overwhelm and guilt. Whether you're prepping for a move, entering a new parent phase, supporting teens, or just feeling the mental load of "what's next?" — this episode is for you. We'll meet you where you are and give you the tools to create financial clarity and calm.