The year has been crazy but your holiday season doesn't need to be the same. Simplifying your holiday season just got easier! With these simple tips you can get organized and stress less about your finances, time, and priorities for the holidays. Come join us for the FREE Simplify Your Holiday Season Summit at https://apatrick--the-intentional-mom.thrivecart.com/syhsoct-all-access-pass-a-47/

Are you constantly overspending? Follow these tips to get your spending under control!

Do you wish you were more disciplined with money? Follow these tips to start becoming more consistent with money! Follow Ashley on Instagram @budgetsmadeeasy

Check out the full list here: https://www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/10-mistakes-to-avoid-while-paying-off-debt/ Join us for the FREE Roadmap to Money Success at https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/roadmap-to-real-life-money-success/ Come follow me on Instagram @budgetsmadeeasy

Come join us for the FREE Roadmap to Money Success Bootcamp starting September 22nd at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/training

Why does everyone ask for a tip nowadays? It's getting ridiculous at this point. Listen to my thoughts and when I tip and when I don't. Let me know what you do or if I'm right or wrong on Instagram @budgetsmadeeasy

Do you feel like all your money goes to Amazon and you don't even know what you bought? You aren't alone! It happens to all of us, there's a reason that Amazon is a billion dollar company. They make it so easy to spend money on their platform! But this month I have been doing a no-spend challenge for Amazon. In this episode, I share my tips on how I am making it easier to stop spending on Amazon. Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “The whole point of budgeting, saving money, and paying off debt is being intentional and mindful of where you are spending your money. Where is your money going and are you making sure it is going where you actually want it to go? So, if you delete the app, you have to be a lot more intentional about spending money on Amazon. There are a couple of extra layers of thought processes there in order to spend the money. So, it makes it a lot harder. It makes it less convenient by just deleting the app.” - Ashley Patrick Ready to make saving money a priority? Grab your FREE No Spend Challenge Tracker today! Easily track your progress, set personal goals, and see how much you save. Start your challenge now and see the difference. Visit www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/no-spend-challenge to get your tracker! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Resources and Links Mentioned: * Want to do a no-spend challenge too? Grab my FREE No-Spend Challenge Tracker at https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/no-spend-challenge-tracker/ Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Join the July Jumpstart - A Reset For Busy Moms Summit: https://apatrick--khristenmassic.thrivecart.com/july-jumpstart/ Life happens to all of us. Stay focused and keep going!

Here's more tips for doing a no-spend challenge -> https://budgetsmadeeasy.com/no-spend-challenge

On today's episode of the Money Mindset Podcast, we dive into the art of starting over with your budget and financial planning. Life can get chaotic, and it's easy to lose track of your spending. Whether you're overwhelmed by your current situation or just need a fresh start, this episode provides practical tips on how to reset and regain control of your finances. From reconciling your bank accounts to implementing no-spend challenges, you'll learn strategies to simplify your budgeting process and stay on track. Tune in to find out how to make a clean slate, set realistic goals, and manage your money more effectively. Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “Don't feel like you have to go back and track everything. Just start over tomorrow, start over next week, wipe the slate clean, and take your bank account minus what hasn't posted yet. That's what you have left. Do a no-spend challenge, reevaluate your goals, and decide what you actually want to do with your money this year.” - Ashley Patrick Struggling with overspending? Take control of your finances with our FREE Masterclass: "How to Stop Overspending." Discover practical tips to curb emotional spending, create a solid money plan, and stay on track with your financial goals. Register for the LIVE session on June 20th at 8pm ET - 5pm PT and start your journey towards financial freedom. Limited spots available – sign up now at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/class And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * FREE Masterclass: "How to Stop Overspending": www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/class Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Interested in how to make the most of summer without breaking the bank? In this episode of the Money Mindset Podcast, we explore practical tips for enjoying the summer season without financial strain. Discover how to access free museums, make the most of zoo memberships, find discounts at local amusement parks, and explore state and federal parks. Tune in to learn how to plan mindfully and save money while having summer fun. Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “Planning for your summer is important so that you're being mindful of where you want your money to go and not just going and doing stuff at the spur of the moment.” - Ashley Patrick Ready to take control of your finances and plan your year in just 30 minutes? I've got just the thing for you – the New Paycheck Budget Spreadsheet! This tool will help you plan each payday before it comes, whether you get paid monthly, biweekly, weekly, or semimonthly. Track your spending, view an annual spending overview, and discover where you can save the most money with detailed graphs! Preorder sale pricing ends on June 10th at 11:59pm ET! Don't miss out on this special pricing! Go to https://cart.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet-9/ and preorder today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Paycheck Budget Spreadsheet: https://cart.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet-9/ Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Curious about how many bank accounts you should have? In this episode of the Money Mindset Podcast, we delve into the often-asked question of managing multiple bank accounts. From understanding the benefits of having dedicated accounts for bills, spending, and savings, to the challenges and strategies for maintaining numerous accounts, this episode offers practical advice for anyone looking to streamline their financial management. Tune in to learn how to optimize your bank accounts for a stress-free budgeting experience. Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “So, at a minimum, what I like to see when I work with my one-on-one clients is one account for paying bills, one account for spending, and one account for saving. Now, ideally, eventually, you're probably going to need more than that for different savings accounts or to split up the spending a little bit, depending on how well you're sticking to the plan. But to start, I like three bank accounts.” - Ashley Patrick For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Grab your FREE Budget Starter Kit at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

In this episode of the Money Mindset Podcast, we bring together insights from various financial experts to share their top budgeting tips. From understanding yourself and your spending habits to aligning financial goals as a couple, each tip offers unique insights to help you take control of your finances. Whether it's automating your savings, budgeting by percentages, or negotiating your rent, there's something for everyone in this episode to help you build a stronger financial foundation. Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “You have to know yourself. You have to be patient with yourself. You have to understand your personality, how your brain works, and create systems and strategies that are gonna work for you because money is personal, it's emotional, and it's not a one size fits all. And the more you can understand how you process the information and how you react to things, the better off you're gonna be because you can shift your plan, your perspective, your strategy with your finances to fit your specific situation.” - Ashley Patrick If you need help paying off your debt, go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debt for your Paying Off Debt Starter Kit. This will help you really get going on your journey to longer-term investing strategies. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Resources and Links Mentioned: * Paying Off Debt Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debt Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. ***** Grab Your Free Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start ***** Follow along on Instagram @budgetsmadeeasy

Connect with Ashley: Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Find the video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/eQvD7mi0tgw

In this episode of the Money Mindset Podcast, we tackle the timeless question: how much should you have in savings? From the basics of starting with a small sum to figuring out how to save for future expenses and major life changes, we explore practical strategies to build and maintain a healthy savings fund. Tune in to learn how to strike the right balance between saving for the future and enjoying the present moment. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “Saving money amounts depends on your situation, where you're at in the money success roadmap. But if you're starting, start small, if you've got too much in savings, evaluate how much it is like a realistic number and decide what to do with the rest.” - Ashley Patrick If you need help paying off your debt, go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debt for your Paying Off Debt Starter Kit. This will help you really get going on your journey to longer-term investing strategies. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Resources and Links Mentioned: * Paying Off Debt Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debt Connect with Ashley: Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy * Find the video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/jcReDLtOc1w

In this podcast episode, we're diving into three simple yet crucial things you should do every month to manage your money better. We talk about keeping an eye on your spending habits, setting aside focused time for money tasks, and giving yourself credit for every little win along the way. Tune in for practical tips and advice to help you stay on track with your finances and reach your goals. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “So, I want you to check in with your spending. Make sure your money is going where you want it to go. It's hard to reach those financial goals if it's not right, like you need it to go to your goals. So, if it's going to fast food, if it's going to Amazon, and if you're not actually looking at the numbers, you're not going to estimate it in a realistic manner if you're just doing it in your head. So, you need to actually check in with your spending, track your spending, see where your money is going so that you can correct it and send it to where you actually want it to go.” - Ashley Patrick Do you need time, space, and accountability to take action on the things you KNOW you should be doing, such as budgeting so you can actually pay off debt, save money, make a meal plan, and all the other things that keep falling off your to-do list? Would you thrive in a supportive community of other busy moms who understand what you're going through and are working to achieve similar financial goals? If that’s a YES, I invite you to sign up for the Money Success Club at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Resources and Links Mentioned: * Money Success Club Flash Sale: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy * Find the video on YouTube at https://youtube.com/live/woLxS0f2r7c

Join us for another episode of the Budget Bestie Meetup on the Money Mindset Podcast as we dive into the crucial topic of overspending and its impact on financial well-being. In this episode, we dissect the concept of lifestyle creep, where rising income often leads to increased expenditure. Discover practical strategies to combat overspending, including deleting shopping apps and reframing your mindset around money. Gain valuable insights into identifying triggers for impulsive spending and learn how to cultivate mindful spending habits at any income level. Don't miss out on this insightful discussion that can empower you to take control of your financial future. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “If you are feeling a certain type of way around certain people, following certain accounts, or even getting certain emails, and you feel like it's causing you to spend money that you don't necessarily want to spend, then it's important to unsubscribe for emails, unfollow people on social media and identify what exactly is triggering you. Because once you identify that, it will make it easier for you to change how you respond to the trigger, right? It may still trigger you, but it makes it better once you identify and recognize why it's triggering you. You can change the way you respond to it to react in a healthier way.” - Ashley Patrick Do you wish you had a supportive group of women like you to connect with about money? Come join me for a Budget Bestie Meetup on The Money Mindset Podcast, and let's learn and grow as a community! You can sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Book Recommendation: * Atomic Habits by James Clear Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Bestie Meetup episode here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy * Find the video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/JN8UBvOnsH8

Step into the final installment of the Money Coach Series on the Money Mindset podcast, where we unravel the essential steps to maximize your sessions with a money coach. Explore practical tips on preparing for meetings, optimizing your coach's guidance, and maintaining momentum between sessions. Learn how to advocate for personalized strategies tailored to your financial journey and discover the key elements of effective coaching relationships. Tune in to equip yourself with the insights needed to make the most of your financial coaching experience. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “It's important that the strategy lines up with your life and making sure it's realistic for you to do because otherwise you're setting yourself up for failure. So you want a coach that's gonna help you set yourself up for success and that means tailoring a plan for you.” - Ashley Patrick Ready to take control of your finances with personalized support? Introducing the Confident Money Mastermind – JUST FOR YOU! This exclusive program is designed for individuals who want to make lasting financial changes with the guidance of 1:1 coaching and a supportive community, helping them save, pay off debt, and achieve their financial goals. Our small group format guarantees tailored support and accountability. With only 10 spots available, apply now at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/mastermind to secure your spot and begin your journey to financial confidence! Resources and Links Mentioned: * Join us inside the Confident Money Mastermind at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/mastermind * Grab your Budget Starter Kit here: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Discover how working with a money coach can build your confidence in Episode 3 of the Money Coach Series on the Money Mindset Podcast. Find out how they can provide personalized strategies to tackle financial challenges and assist you in reaching your goals. Learn simple tips for organizing your finances and communicating about money with your partner, and gain practical advice to feel confident about your financial journey. Listen to uncover how a money coach can help you take charge of your money and plan for success. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “A money coach can really help you build your confidence so that you don't stay stuck and you keep moving forward. And really, that is truly the most important thing. It doesn't matter how fast you make progress, right? It's kind of like the tortoise and the hare. As long as you keep going, you don't have to sprint and then wear yourself out. As long as you go slow and steady, you're going to get there.” - Ashley Patrick Ready to take control of your finances with personalized support? Introducing the Confident Money Mastermind – JUST FOR YOU! This exclusive program is designed for individuals who want to make lasting financial changes with the guidance of 1:1 coaching and a supportive community, helping them save, pay off debt, and achieve their financial goals. Our small group format guarantees tailored support and accountability. With only 10 spots available, apply now at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/mastermind to secure your spot and begin your journey to financial confidence! Resources and Links Mentioned: * Join us inside the Confident Money Mastermind at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/mastermind Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Join us for Episode 2 of our Money Coach Series as we discuss when it's time to consider hiring a money coach. We explore the signs indicating the need for their support, such as accountability struggles and the search for financial clarity. Learn why understanding your financial needs is crucial and how a trusted advisor can tailor strategies to fit them. Whether you face challenges in implementing financial plans or seek validation for your approach, recognizing the role of a money coach can empower your financial decisions. Tune in for valuable insights on enhancing your financial journey with the right support system. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “A money coach can also help you when you know generally what to do and you will follow through with it. They can also help you make sure that what you're doing aligns with your goals and is right for you because general financial advice is great for the majority of people, but it doesn't mean that it's a hundred percent right for a hundred percent of people, right? So your situation may be a little different and it's really good to have another set of eyes on your situation and make sure that your plan fits with your lifestyle and it fits with your values and it fits with your goal.” - Ashley Patrick Ready to take control of your finances with personalized support? Introducing the Confident Money Mastermind – JUST FOR YOU! This exclusive program is designed for individuals who want to make lasting financial changes with the guidance of 1:1 coaching and a supportive community, helping them save, pay off debt, and achieve their financial goals. Our small group format guarantees tailored support and accountability. With only 10 spots available, apply now at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/mastermind to secure your spot and begin your journey to financial confidence! Resources and Links Mentioned: * Join us inside the Confident Money Mastermind at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/mastermind Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Money Coach Seriers 1 of 4 Join us inside the Confident Money Mastermind at https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/confident-money-mastermind/

Are you confused about sinking funds or how to save, pay off debt, and still deal with things that always pop up? We dive into in this episode live with members of the Money Plan Bootcamp January 2024. If you'd like to join us in Money Success Club go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc we'd love to have you!

Welcome back to another episode of the Money Mindset podcast! After a brief hiatus, we're diving back into the world of personal finance. In this episode, we reflect on recent challenges and updates, and delve into exciting new money-saving strategies for 2024. From the 52-week savings challenge to the no dining out challenge, we explore practical ways to strengthen your financial health. Join us as we navigate the journey to financial freedom this 2024! Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “The great thing about savings challenges is you get to do what you want to do. Now that's also the problem too. We have to hold ourselves accountable to doing it right and following through with it. So that's why it's important to tell somebody else your intentions and your goals to help keep you accountable, which is why we have accountability besties inside of Money Success Club.” - Ashley Patrick Do you need time, space, and accountability to take action on the things you KNOW you should be doing, such as budgeting so you can actually pay off debt, save money, make a meal plan, and all the other things that keep falling off your to-do list? Would you thrive in a supportive community of other busy moms who understand what you're going through and are working to achieve similar financial goals? If that’s a YES, I invite you to sign up for the Money Success Club at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Join the Money Success Club here: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc * 52 Week Savings Challenge: https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/52-week-savings-tracker/ * 8 savings challenges for 2024 blog: https://www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/turbocharge-your-savings-8-saving-challenges-for-2024/ Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

What's next for Budgets Made Easy and The Money Mindsete Podcast for 2024..... Let's celebrate this huge milestone and look toward the future!

Ready to make 2024 your best year yet? Join us as we dive into the key strategies to set yourself up for success. Discover the power of a realistic and actionable plan, customized just for you. In this episode, we'll guide you through the steps to kickstart your financial goals and make 2024 a year of positive progress. Plus, don't miss out on the limited-time Kickstart 2024 bundle to supercharge your financial plans. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “I would suggest that you take a look at what you actually accomplished in 2023. Even if it feels small, I want you to celebrate your progress because a lot of times we just focus on the negative and we feel like if we didn't pay off thousands of dollars in debt, then it was just a fail. It was just a year we didn't get anything done. But in reality, you may have accomplished quite a bit that you're not giving yourself credit for. And so I want you to actually sit down and give yourself credit for it. It's important to do that. It will help build your confidence and it'll help set you up for success in the new year as well.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and exclusive Kickstart 2024 Bundle announcement 02:33 - Making a date with yourself for 2024 planning 03:47 - Planning ahead 06:07 - Setting one main goal 08:18 - The importance of celebrating your progress 09:27 - Reflection on 2023: What went well and what didn't 10:34 - Choosing a focus word for the year 11:22 - Breaking down big goals into smaller action steps 15:09 - Summarizing the key steps to kickstart 2024 16:26 - Teaser for the 200th episode celebration Ready to Finally Pay Off Debt and Actually Save Money in 2024.... without all the overthinking and procrastination? Kickstart your best year ever with the Kickstart 2024 Bundle! Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/kickstart to grab your bundle today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Kickstart 2024 Bundle: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/kickstart Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Are you ready to kick off the new year with the best foot forward? We often set ambitious resolutions, only to find them slipping away by February. But 2024 can be different with a realistic and simple plan. Join us in this episode as we explore how to set achievable financial goals, stay motivated, and take practical steps to make your 2024 financial dreams a reality. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “When you set yourself up for success by making small changes over time, you will be able to do these things and you will be able to reach those goals and those New Year's resolutions to help set you up for success and kickstart the new year.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Setting realistic resolutions for 2024 01:44 - The Kickstart 2024 bundle 04:18 - Planning S.M.A.R.T. goals 05:40 - Creating an actionable plan with the 2024 Action Planner 07:23 - Importance of creating a priority list for your goals 08:03 - Shifting the Mindset that anything is possible temporarily 09:02 - Why your goals need to be worth the sacrifice Ready to Finally Pay Off Debt and Actually Save Money in 2024.... without all the overthinking and procrastination? Kickstart your best year ever with the Kickstart 2024 Bundle! Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/kickstart to grab your bundle today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Kickstart 2024 Bundle: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/kickstart Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Welcome back to the Money Mindset Podcast! In today's episode, we're tackling crucial questions, from managing 0% interest debt to making the switch from credit cards to cash. Join us for quick insights into staying motivated with your budget and navigating challenges when you feel "house poor." Ready to dive in? Hit play and let's explore these essential money mindset topics together. Don't forget to leave your messages for our 200th celebration! Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “Keep in mind that a budget is just a plan for your money. And so the motivation to stick with it is the bigger piece, right? And it takes a lot more time. You're gonna have ups and downs in life, ebbs and flows, different seasons. That's normal. And I think when you release this expectation that you're gonna always be motivated or you're just always gonna get it right and lower your expectations, be a little bit more realistic with your expectations, you're gonna be able to just keep going even when you aren't motivated.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and 200th episode celebration message 03:03 - Question 1: Prioritizing 0% interest debt 06:33 - Question 2: Transitioning from credit cards to cash 10:04 - Question 3: Finding motivation in your budgeting journey 13:48 - Question 4: Dealing with being "house poor" 17:49 - Question 5: To pay off debt or keep investing? 21:04 - Wrapping up and 200th episode celebration reminder If you need help paying off your debt, go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debt for your Paying Off Debt Starter Kit. This will help you really get going on your journey to longer-term investing strategies. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Resources and Links Mentioned: * Please send your voice messages here: www.speakpipe.com/budgetsmadeeasy * Paying Off Debt Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debt Connect with Ashley: Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Have you ever wondered about the various seasons of midlife and how they impact your fulfillment across different areas of life? Join us with our special guest, Bernie, from the Midlife Fulfilled podcast, as he shares insights into living a fulfilled life across the five pillars of health, fitness, career, relationships, and legacy. Let's explore why midlife is not just a midpoint but a series of seasons, each offering opportunities for growth and fulfillment. Discover actionable steps to assess and enhance your own fulfillment in this engaging episode. Meet Bernie! I've been in marketing for more than 20 years. After running my own agency for 15 years, I pivoted to find fulfillment in my career. I've been podcasting for 10 years. I started the Midlife Fulfilled podcast in February 2022 to help men and women over 40 thrive across the five pillars of life: Health | Fitness | Career | Relationships | Legacy. I publish a weekly interview on Monday and my solo takeaway episode on Thursday. If you're 80% fulfilled, you're doing great! I can prove that to you. “So as I mentioned, happiness is an emotion. And so happiness can, can be a rollercoaster ride. And where it's fulfillment, as I mentioned, is immutable. So the sense of satisfaction and the mental health that we achieve that's associated with fulfillment is even stronger than happiness because again, happiness is a roller coaster ride. It can be a roller coaster ride. Hopefully there's more ups and than downs on, on happiness, but we should all strive to achieve fulfillment.” - Bernie Borges Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 01:19 - Meet Bernie! 02:45 - Defining midlife fulfillment 05:09 - The three phases in life 06:47 - Understanding fulfillment vs. happiness 10:14 - The Five Pillars of Midlife: Health, Fitness, Career, Relationships, and Legacy 14:18 - How to start your journey to fulfillment 19:34 - Resources for finding fulfillment in midlife 22:06 - Addressing the "too old" mindset 25:40 - Bernie's book recommendations 27:28 - Wrapping up and connect with Bernie Ready to get organized so you can stay on budget this holiday season? With the FREE Budgets Made Easy Holiday Planner you can easily get organized so you can save money this year! Go to www.leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/holiday-planner/ to get your planner today. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Midlife Career Reboot Workbook: https://midlifefulfilled.com/midlife-career-reboot * Holiday Budget Planner: https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/holiday-planner/ Book Recommendations: * The Referable Speaker by Andrew Davis and Michael Port * Can-do-ology by Denise Gabel Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Bernie: * Website: https://midlifefulfilled.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bernieborges/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernieborges/ * Threads: https://www.threads.net/@bernieborges Special Guest: Bernie Borges.

Welcome to our monthly Budget Bestie Meetup! In this episode, we're tackling a question that's been buzzing in our community. With changes in technology and different payday situations, the question arises: When's the best time to start budgeting for your next paycheck? We'll break it down, share personal experiences, and give practical tips for dealing with this common concern. Tune in for a community-driven discussion, where we learn, share wins, and connect as budget besties. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “So really the question is more about like balancing it and really it doesn't matter really when you do that. Like you can do it on payday, you could do it a couple days before, you could do a couple days after. It's just a matter of of checking in, right? And that habit of actually balancing checking in with your spending, it doesn't really matter when you do it.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:55 - Introduction 01:33 - Navigating irregular paydays 07:23 - Celebrating financial wins 12:22 - About the new Paycheck Budget Spreadsheet 15:42 - Sharing Christmas traditions Do you wish you had a supportive group of women like you to connect with about money? Come join me for a Budget Bestie Meetup on The Money Mindset Podcast, and let's learn and grow as a community! You can sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Bestie Meetup episode here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Join us for an insightful Budget Strategy Session with Amy, where we tackle the common financial challenges faced by many families. In this episode, Amy opens up about her journey to tackle debt, stay within her means, and navigate unexpected expenses. Discover actionable steps to reshape your budget, whether it's finding wiggle room or exploring side hustles. Tune in and gain practical insights that can empower you on your own financial journey. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “If you have the mindset of this as just a season, it's easier to get through because I feel like if you think it's just gonna be that way forever, it's easier to just use the card because it's like well when will you be able to pay for the sports camp? Right? Or when will you be able to spend money on whatever? And I think that if you kinda shift that mindset a little bit to “it's temporary” and you just have to get through it as best that you can and with as minimum or limited impact on adding to the debt as possible, you'll be able to get through it easier.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:54 - Introduction 02:06 - Amy's background and struggles 05:01 - Dealing with unexpected expenses 07:30 - Balancing family needs and budgeting 12:10 - Exploring ways to increase income 16:27 - Overcoming mental hurdles 21:37 - Making a visual of your progress 24:45 - Amy's action steps for the next 24 hours If you'd like to work through your own struggle with your budget 1:1 with me, sign up for a Budget Strategy Session on The Money Mindset Podcast! Sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Get ready for a big year in 2024! If you haven't thought about your goals yet, no worries! Check out the Money Mindset Podcast, where we talk about the power of intentions, the importance of clear goals, and the roadmap to financial freedom. Learn how picking a "Word of the Year" can guide your journey. Find out why planning in November and December is crucial for success in the upcoming year. Join us as we gear up for a great 2024 and work towards achieving your financial goals! Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “Really define what you want your focus and intention to be for this next year, and then work out your more specific goals. And that is where I think that you should start. And it's really important to help figure out why you want that. Like what do you want? What do you think that that goal will do for your life? Like, how will it change you? And is that what you actually want? And is it important enough? Are you excited enough about that goal to stick with it for a whole year? Because in order to reach your goals, no matter what it is, whether it's financial or you know, personal, family oriented, whatever the case may be, you have to be excited about it, especially if you're gonna stick with it for a whole year.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 01:42 - Exploring the concept of a "Word of the Year" 05:19 - 2024 Planning Session inside the Money Success Club 06:12 - Breaking down specific and measurable goals 07:13 - Importance of creating micro-goals for success 10:04 - Invitation to join the Money Success Club Do you need time, space, and accountability to take action on the things you KNOW you should be doing, such as budgeting so you can actually pay off debt, save money, make a meal plan, and all the other things that keep falling off your to-do list? Would you thrive in a supportive community of other busy moms who understand what you're going through and are working to achieve similar financial goals? If that’s a YES, I invite you to sign up for the Money Success Club at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Resources and Links Mentioned: * Money Success Club Flash Sale: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Feeling isolated on your journey to financial freedom? The struggle is real when it comes to discussing money openly. Join us as we discuss the challenges of finding a supportive community that understands your financial goals without judgment. Discover practical tips on connecting with like-minded individuals online, forming accountability partnerships, and achieving your financial goals. Tune in to see how our Money Success Club fosters a global community, providing the support and encouragement you need to succeed on your financial journey. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “It's so important to find an accountability partner that really gets you to push yourself and do the things that you probably wouldn't do without that. Like for me, I probably wouldn't be recording these podcasts today if I didn't have to get on the phone and tell him that I did it. And so, you know, it really does help you get stuff done. So yeah, accountability partner is huge.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 01:50 - The importance of finding a supportive community 03:48 - Introducing the Money Success Club 04:12 - The benefits of having an Accountability Buddy 07:29 - Co-working and Get Sh*t Done Sessions 09:02 - How to join the Money Success Club Do you need time, space, and accountability to take action on the things you KNOW you should be doing, such as budgeting so you can actually pay off debt, save money, make a meal plan, and all the other things that keep falling off your to-do list? Would you thrive in a supportive community of other busy moms who understand what you're going through and are working to achieve similar financial goals? If that’s a YES, I invite you to sign up for the Money Success Club at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Resources and Links Mentioned: * Money Success Club Flash Sale: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Navigating your finances can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to tracking the right numbers. In today’s episode of the Money Mindset Podcast, we’re breaking down the essential numbers you should be keeping tabs on in the new year. Feeling confused about where to start? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered! Tune in as we unravel the mystery of financial tracking and share practical insights to kickstart your journey to financial success. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “Some numbers that you should just in general be tracking is eating out and specifically going through the drive through. So if you're like me, it can be a very bad habit. We need to start tracking it 'cause that is where the mindfulness comes in because you know, 10 bucks here, 20 bucks there, it adds up, especially if you're doing it almost daily, right?” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:54 - Introduction to the importance of tracking numbers 01:16 - The free budget starter kit 01:30 - Key numbers to track 02:58 - Drive-through and dining out expenses 03:44 - Keeping a close eye on your grocery spending habits 04:12 - Streaming services and how to optimize your subscriptions 05:24 - Know your Overall Net Worth, Overall Debt Amount, and Overall Savings Amount 07:44 - Preview of tomorrow's episode For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Grab your FREE Budget Starter Kit at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Welcome back to another insightful session of the Money Mindset podcast! In today's episode, we'll discuss the reasons why many individuals experience a sense of financial strain, even when they're not technically broke. Join us as we uncover the top five reasons contributing to this financial frustration. From overspending and overwhelming debt to unexpected expenses, disorganization, and the power of focusing on the positive, we'll navigate through the common challenges affecting your financial mindset. So, if you've ever wondered why your money seems to disappear faster than you can earn it, this episode is a must-listen. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “Focusing on those positive things will help you realize that you're not as broke as you might think you are, or feel that you are and help you move in the right direction. Because if you are just constantly downing yourself, it's gonna be really hard for you to muster up the drive and the will to do the things that you need to do with your finances right? So it is important to focus on the positive things that you have done and not focus on all those things that you've done in your past.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to the episode 00:41 - Overview of the Money Success Club 03:12 - Reason 1: Overspending 04:27 - Reason 2: Too much debt 07:06 - Reason 3: Unexpected Expenses 09:40 - Reason 4: Disorganized 11:13 - Reason 5: Focusing on the Negative more that the Positive 13:47 - How to join the Money Success Club Do you need time, space, and accountability to take action on the things you KNOW you should be doing, such as budgeting so you can actually pay off debt, save money, make a meal plan, and all the other things that keep falling off your to-do list? Would you thrive in a supportive community of other busy moms who understand what you're going through and are working to achieve similar financial goals? If that’s a YES, I invite you to sign up for the Money Success Club at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Resources and Links Mentioned: * Money Success Club Flash Sale: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Welcome back to another episode of the Money Mindset Podcast. Today, we're diving into a crucial topic that hits close to home for many of us – preparing for a job loss or loss of income. Whether you've already experienced it or are proactively planning for the future, these steps are your money guide. In this episode, we share invaluable insights on how to navigate through financial uncertainties. From prioritizing bills to making quick cash, we've got you covered. The episode also introduces a free worksheet, specially crafted for this topic. So, grab your pen, get ready to take notes, and let's empower ourselves with financial resilience. Remember, it's never too early to prepare! Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “Like whatever you have to do right now to bring in some income to lessen the stress and it may not cover everything. And that's why I want you to write out your priorities, how much, and whether it's really a need or a want. Like really think about what is a need or a want. And as things get tight, you've gotta get rid of some wants. I know it sucks. Just remind yourself it's temporary. But you know, it's really important to start thinking about these things before the time comes if at all possible.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 03:44 - Understanding the urgency of preparing for a job loss 06:13 - Prioritizing your finances 08:05 - Filing for unemployment 09:33 - Keep your resume up to date 13:47 - Building and maintaining a strong network 16:58 - How much to set aside for an emergency fund 18:07 - Making Quick Cash 20:49 - Final Thoughts 21:28 - How to get the FREE Basic Expenses Worksheet Are you worried about a job loss or loss of income and not sure what to do money wise? Download the FREE Basic Expenses Worksheet at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/basic to help you work out what to prioritize and how much to save (if you can) prior to a loss of income. This will help you plan for what to do when the time comes. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Get your FREE Basic Expenses Worksheet at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/basic Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Welcome back to another episode of the Money Mindset podcast! Today, we're tackling a crucial question: "How often should you check your credit report?" Things have changed, and now you can get a free report every week from each credit bureau in the US. We're here to guide you on the best way to use this free service without making it a weekly chore. Let's explore together how often you should really be keeping an eye on your credit and why it matters for your financial well-being. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “It's important to check it periodically. Put a freeze on your credit report so that, hopefully, new charges aren't brought, but it's not foolproof, like I said. Know your rights because consumer protections are there to help protect you. And so knowing what your options are when it comes to your credit score, your credit report is very important.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:54 - Introduction 01:34 - Frequency recommendations 03:02 - Checking your credit report regularly 05:01 - The importance of knowing your rights 07:51 - Freezing your credit report 10:55 - Implementing a routine 11:37 - Wrapping up and actionable steps For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Check your reports at www.AnnualCreditReport.com * Grab your FREE Budget Starter Kit at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Discover the hidden connection between your hormonal health and financial well-being in this enlightening episode of the Money Mindset Podcast. Join us as we dive deep into the world of perimenopause with our expert guest, Vandghie, a qualified dietician specializing in women's hormonal health. Uncover the surprising impact of perimenopause on your finances and explore practical steps to regain control. From brain fog to low energy, we'll discuss how these symptoms can disrupt your financial journey and share actionable strategies to navigate this critical phase in life. Meet Vandghie! Vandghie qualified as a Dietitian in 2008 and started specialising in women’s hormonal health after battling imbalanced hormones through perimenopause. For 5 years, multiple doctors and specialist visits and lots of frustration, she reverted back to the research to find the answers for herself. This research radically changed her health in a very short space of time and she’s gone on to support women through perimenopause with her podcast, The Perimenopause Podcast and digital coaching programs. She’s passionate about helping women to make their 30s and 40s their best decades yet by learning how to Thrive Through Perimenopause, without prescription drugs and restrictive diets. “Let this be the day where you realize what I've been going through is not normal. The fact that it's common or it's common in my family doesn't mean it has to be my normal and these things that I can do about it to change this. I think that's the big thing. And then trying to pay attention to your body and then finding someone that specializes in women's health, functional health, in other words, not treating with medicine but helping you to support your body for healing itself. Find someone that can do this with you, give you the education that you need and support you through that process.” - Vandghie Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to perimenopause and its impact on finances 03:04 - Meet Vandghie 04:46 - The importance of understanding perimenopause 06:38 - Recognizing the signs and symptoms of perimenopause 10:31 - Understanding hormonal changes 12:41 - The connection between hormonal health, financial habits, and motivation 17:21 - Practical tips for addressing hormonal imbalances 21:01 - Seeking support and understanding the limitations of traditional medical care 23:32 - Final words of wisdom 24:28 - Vandghie’s book recommendations 25:45 - Upcoming free masterclass: Best Kept Secrets To Regaining Control Of Your Hormones & Body Through Perimenopause Ready to get organized so you can stay on budget this holiday season? With the FREE Budgets Made Easy Holiday Planner you can easily get organized so you can save money this year! Go to www.leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/holiday-planner/ to get your planner today. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Book Recommendation: * Ignite Your Life by Barry Meguiar Resources and Links Mentioned: * Free masterclass - Best Kept Secrets To Regaining Control Of Your Hormones & Body Through Perimenopause: www.vandghie.com/secretsa * Holiday Budget Planner: https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/holiday-planner/ Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Special Guest: Vandghie.

Are you tired of feeling like budgeting just doesn't work for you? You're not alone! In this episode, we'll change the way you think about budgeting. Budgeting is just the beginning, not the whole journey. Learn why it's crucial to understand that it's only a piece of the process in managing your finances effectively. Join us as we explore the power of automation, simplicity, and taking actionable steps to reach your financial goals. Don't get stuck in the budgeting rut; discover the bigger picture of financial success. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “So the simpler the better and don't give up because it does take time to figure out what's going to work for you. And it does. You can't figure that out if you're not trying things, right? So if the first thing you try doesn't work, that doesn't mean a budget failed or that you failed. You just have to try something else.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:54 - Introduction to the Budget Bestie Meetup 01:58 - Understanding that budgeting is just a part of the financial process 06:13 - Exploring the significance of automation in financial management 08:11 - Creating a simple budget for financial management 09:16 - Celebrating financial wins 34:21 - How to join the Budget Bestie Meetup Do you wish you had a supportive group of women like you to connect with about money? Come join me for a Budget Bestie Meetup on The Money Mindset Podcast, and let's learn and grow as a community! You can sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Bestie Meetup episode here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

As the holiday season approaches, it's time to prioritize your budget and plans to ensure a joyful and financially sound celebration. In this episode of the Money Mindset Podcast, we guide you through practical steps for holiday budgeting. Discover how to determine what truly matters, create a reasonable budget, and break it down into categories like decorations, food, and gifts. By the end of this episode, you'll be well-prepared to enjoy the holidays without the stress of overspending. Tune in now! Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “You've gotta start planning what you're going to do and start setting some boundaries and start setting your priorities because it's easy to get lost in the shuffle and the craziness of the holidays and lose track of what is really important to you and what your big goals are.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to the episode 02:03 - Planning ahead of time 03:37 - Create a priority list for family activities for the holiday season 05:17 - Focusing on family traditions and low-cost or free activities 08:07 - Setting a reasonable overall budget 15:41 - Categorizing your budget 18:04 - Final thoughts 19:05 - How to get your FREE Holiday Budget Planner Ready to get organized so you can stay on budget this holiday season? With the FREE Budgets Made Easy Holiday Planner you can easily get organized so you can save money this year! Go to https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/holiday-planner/ to get your planner today. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * FREE Holiday Budget Planner: https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/holiday-planner/ Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Do you ever find yourself in a never-ending cycle of impulsive spending, guilt, and regret? You're not alone. It's a challenge that many face. In this episode, we tackle this very issue head-on. Join us as we discuss tips and strategies to break free from the cycle of mindless spending. Discover how asking one simple question can transform your spending habits and bring intentionality into your financial life. Tune in to learn the secrets of mindful spending and set yourself on a path to financial success. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “Consistency isn't about getting it a hundred percent right a hundred percent of the time. Okay? That's not gonna happen. That is an unrealistic expectation of yourself. It's about getting it mostly right most of the time. And that's what habits and routines are. So as you start working this process, it will become more of a habit and a routine. But you will have setbacks from time to time and it's not gonna derail you forever. Like it is not gonna set you back. Like you just have to keep going, right? But if you are consistently doing these things that we talked about, going down the rabbit hole and spending money you don't have, yeah, that's gonna keep you stuck until you change things.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to the episode 02:33 - Impulsive spending and its impact on financial goals 07:21 - The power of asking a crucial question before making a purchase 10:06 - Practical Tips to Stay Focused on Your Financial Goals 15:55 - The importance of setting a SMART goal 17:06 - The role of consistency and habits in achieving financial success 18:13 - How to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode If you'd like to work through your own struggle with your budget 1:1 with me, sign up for a Budget Strategy Session on The Money Mindset Podcast! Sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Are your financial goals feeling out of reach? Join us in this episode as we explore the essential practice of establishing a money routine. Learn to create a sustainable routine that ensures you keep progressing, even when motivation wanes. Tune in for practical tips on setting a productive schedule, staying accountable, and turning your financial actions into habits that you can execute on autopilot. Say goodbye to procrastination and hello to a sustainable money routine that works for you! Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “The more you can create that structure to your habits and your routines, the better off you're going to be in the long run because it's gonna keep you consistent, it's gonna keep you moving forward even when you are struggling. It really takes out the confusion and the overwhelm of what to do because you already have that structure in place of what to do. And as long as you just keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep up with those habits and those routines that you start once, you don't have to use as much brain power to think about what you need to do” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:55 - Introduction to the importance of establishing a money routine 04:26 - Navigating consistency in habits and routines 05:35 - Exploring what works for you 06:42 - How to start a money routine 08:28 - Put it in your calendar 07:00 - Set yourself up for success 11:35 - Using a binder to set your financial goals 13:39 - Know what to work on by keeping a to-do list 16:03 - Set a timer while working on your routine 17:06 - Make it fun and reward yourself 19:25 - Have an accountability partner 20:45 - Track your progress with a 15-minute weekly check-in Do you need time, space, and accountability to take action on the things you KNOW you should be doing, such as budgeting so you can actually pay off debt, save money, make a meal plan, and all the other things that keep falling off your to-do list? Would you thrive in a supportive community of other busy moms who understand what you're going through and are working to achieve similar financial goals? If that’s a YES, I invite you to sign up for the Money Success Club at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Resources and Links Mentioned: * Money Success Club: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Grab your FREE Budget Starter Kit at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

Welcome back to another episode of the Money Mindset podcast. In this special episode, we're joined by award-winning blogger and podcaster Andy Hill from Marriage Kids and Money. We'll be discussing why parents should prioritize their financial well-being before helping their children. The debate between saving for retirement and college expenses is a hot topic, and Andy shares valuable insights and strategies for maintaining your financial stability while preparing your kids for the real world. Don't miss this enlightening conversation! Meet Andy! Andy Hill is the award-winning family finance coach behind Marriage Kids and Money - a platform dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness. Andy's advice and personal finance experience have been featured in major media outlets like CNBC, Forbes, MarketWatch, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and NBC News. With millions of podcast downloads and video views, Andy’s message of family financial empowerment has resonated with listeners, readers and viewers across the world. When he's not "talking money", Andy enjoys being a Soccer Dad, singing karaoke with his wife and relaxing on his hammock. “We need to start making some decisions that are for our personal betterment because our kids have a resource that a lot of us don't have, is they have got a lot more time. They've got a lot more time on their side to build wealth, to take care of their future, to do the things they need to do to create the life that they have. So whether that's investing or earning their own money or choosing career paths that work best for them, they've got time on their side. We're a little older. We don't have as much time, maybe not as much energy either to make all these things happen. So we're gonna have to make some decisions that are really best for our personal future.” - Andy Hill Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to the episode 02:36 - Meet our special guest, Andy Hill from Marriage Kids and Money 04:01 - The importance of teaching kids to become independent 06:44 - Establishing boundaries with older children 09:32 - Teaching kids family and financial responsibilities 14:55 - Deciding between saving for college and retirement 19:18 - Last words of wisdom 23:12 - Resources for teaching children about money and financial planning 24:44 - Andy's book recommendation 26:30 - Connect with Andy For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * A free section of my new course Make My Kid a Millionaire!: www.marriagekidsandmoney.com/AshelyP * Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start Book Recommendation: * Die With Zero by Bill Perkins Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Andy: * Website: www.marriagekidsandmoney.com * Instagram: www.instagram.com/MarriageKidsandMoney * Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarriageKidsandMoney * Twitter: www.twitter.com/AndyHillMKM * LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/AndyHillMKM Special Guest: Andy Hill.

Have you ever wondered how to transform your home without breaking the bank? Join us in this enlightening podcast episode as we have a conversation with Gabriella, a home design and building expert. We'll dive into the typical budget pitfalls that can swiftly turn your renovation dreams into a financial nightmare. Gabriella will share invaluable tips on how to prioritize your renovation projects and avoid these common budget traps. Tune in for a dose of inspiration and practical advice that will assist you in turning your living space into a masterpiece, all while ensuring your wallet stays happy. Get ready to embark on your home renovation journey with confidence! Meet Gabriella! Gabriella, is an accredited interior designer and professional project manager that’s been in the design and construction industry for over 12 years designing and managing multi-million dollar residential projects, commercial spaces and hospitals. Gabriella teaches women how to create their dream home, the right way from the start, by combining the key design drivers and desires with the needed management tactics to build the home they’ve always dreamed about, without losing time, money, and their sanity in the process. “In terms of really being able to plan accordingly and not end up in those moments where you're like, I've run outta money. The biggest tips that I can give you is to plan accordingly from a contingency fund and also create a reserve fund.” - Gabriella Milgrom Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: Meet Gabriella 03:57 - Redecorating and remodeling mistakes to avoid 08:24 - The importance of upfront planning 11:59 - Prioritizing renovation tasks and creating a budget hierarchy 15:50 - Dealing with unexpected expenses and preparing a contingency fund 25:11 - Understanding lead times and creating a project timeline 32:13 - Resources for those new to design and project planning 38:32 - Wrapping up the episode and final thoughts For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * House to Home challenge- free 3 week design challenge : https://www.gabriellamilgrom.co/house-to-home-challenge Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Gabriella: * Website: http://www.gabriellamilgrom.co * Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/gabriellamilgrom.co * Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOZKmD6XbeABRiQ4mIMBQ Special Guest: Gabriella Milgrom.

Welcome to another episode of the Money Mindset Podcast with your host, Ashley, creator of Budgets Made Easy. Today, we're diving into a common issue that plagues many, the feeling of laziness when it comes to managing finances. Ashley uncovers the real reason behind procrastination and how fear often disguises itself as laziness. Join her as she reveals how to break free from this mindset and get on the path to financial success. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “It's not about doing things the right way from the beginning. You just have to get going and try different things. You just have to be willing to try and willing to get past the fear of failing or not doing it the right way because you're not gonna be able to succeed if you don't even try, right? So you're not lazy, you're not dumb, you just need to get started and quote unquote, get on the right track, right head in the right direction, which the right direction for you is wherever you want to go. There is no right or wrong when it comes to where you want to end up.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - The Truth About Procrastination 00:48 - Being an overthinking perfectionist 02:06 - There is no right or wrong way 03:15 - Figuring out what will work for you 04:55 - The empowering community of Money Success Club Do you need time, space, and accountability to take action on the things you KNOW you should be doing, such as budgeting so you can actually pay off debt, save money, make a meal plan, and all the other things that keep falling off your to-do list? Would you thrive in a supportive community of other busy moms who understand what you're going through and are working to achieve similar financial goals? If that’s a YES, I invite you to sign up for the Money Success Club at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Resources and Links Mentioned: * Money Success Club: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Are negative thoughts about your finances holding you back from achieving your money goals? Join Ashley on this enlightening episode of the Money Mindset Podcast as she breaks down the damaging mindsets that can hinder your financial success. Discover why you're not alone in facing these challenges and how you can overcome them to take control of your money. Get ready for a shift in perspective that will empower you to make positive changes in your financial life! Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “I want you to know that you aren't struggling with your finances because you are lazy, dumb, or too old, but those thoughts and mindsets about yourself and those things that you think about yourself that are negative are holding you back from reaching your financial goals.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Money Success Club success story 02:16 - The impact of negative financial mindsets 03:11 - Addressing common negative beliefs about money 04:22 - Real-life transformation: Kelly's journey to financial success 07:06 - How to take control of your finances Do you need time, space, and accountability to take action on the things you KNOW you should be doing, such as budgeting so you can actually pay off debt, save money, make a meal plan, and all the other things that keep falling off your to-do list? Would you thrive in a supportive community of other busy moms who understand what you're going through and are working to achieve similar financial goals? If that’s a YES, I invite you to sign up for the Money Success Club at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Money Success Club: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Are you using your credit card like a debit card for added security and convenience? If so, you're not alone! In this episode of the Money Mindset Podcast, we explore how to budget effectively when using your credit card for everyday expenses. Discover valuable insights and practical tips for planning your budget by paycheck while maximizing the benefits of using your credit card. Whether you're a fan of credit cards or prefer a cash-based approach, this episode has something for everyone. Tune in to improve your financial strategies and enhance your money management skills. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “So if you're really overwhelmed with getting started, how to start, how to manage all of this simpler is better, right? So what I would encourage you to do in that situation is to stop using the card, just use debit, go to cash, like simplify things until you can kind of get a handle on where the money's going, what needs to pay, be paid when. And then once you get in a good routine, then you can start going back to using the credit card.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:54 - Introduction 04:48 - Paying bills with the paycheck budget system 06:41 - Real-life budget example 11:31 - Resetting and simplifying your budget for better control 12:47 - Keeping track of your credit card expenses 19:05 - Paying credit card balance on the closing date vs. the due date 21:32 - Creating a separate bill payment account 31:58 - Checking your credit report 40:46 - Celebrating financial wins Do you wish you had a supportive group of women like you to connect with about money? Come join me for a Budget Bestie Meetup on The Money Mindset Podcast, and let's learn and grow as a community! You can sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Bestie Meetup episode here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Do you find yourself looking for a quick fix like a planner or spreadsheet to finally get your finances together? While there are some helpful quick fixes, most are not going to help you in the long-term. Long-term strategy is how you will change your finances and start living the life you want. If you want to join us for the Money Roadmap to Freedom 5 part DRIVE Framework training series save your seat at https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/money-roadmap-bootcamp/ I can't wait to see you there! Don't forget to follow me on Instagram @budgetsmadeeasy

Are you tired of the traditional monthly budgeting approach? Learn why planning your budget by paycheck can significantly impact your financial management. In this episode of the Money Mindset Podcast, we're diving into the transformative concept of budgeting by paycheck. Join us as we discuss why an overall monthly budget might not be the most effective method for everyone. Discover the magic of planning your budget around your income cycles and learn how this approach can lead to better financial control, increased savings, and more intentional spending. Whether you get paid weekly, biweekly, or monthly, this episode will provide you with practical insights on how to align your budget with your income and set yourself up for financial success. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “So you need to make a plan for when money comes in. So your paychecks, if you get a bonus, your tax return, if you are getting, a settlement, insurance money, if you're selling something big, like you know all the things where you have like a chunk of extra money coming in, you need to do a budget for it because if you don't, you'll end up spending the money on something you didn't intend for it to go to, right? And that's just what happens. And so when we're intentional with where we want our money to go, that's when things start to come together. That's when you start to pay off debt and you actually start to save money, right? Your money ends up going where you want it to go when you make a plan for it, that's realistic and that you can actually stick to.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 01:18 - Introduction 02:47 - Information and how to get the 2024 Budget Planner 06:18 - The topic for today's episode 07:28 - Explanation of the concept of budgeting by paycheck 09:22 - Importance of creating a plan for every paycheck 17:50 - Member's example of her paycheck budgeting approach 27:36 - Detailed explanation of calendar Examples and Paycheck Budgets 29:34 - Celebrating financial wins Tired of wondering why you can’t seem to get on track with your budget? It’s because you don’t have a proper plan for your money! Grab the 2024 Budget Planner and create a plan you can actually stick to! Go to https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/budget-planner-2024/ to get your planner today. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * 2024 Budget Planner: https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/budget-planner-2024/ * Book your Budget Bestie Meetup episode here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup * FREE Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy * Find the video on YouTube at https://youtube.com/live/HeExNj4WBZc

Welcome back to another engaging episode of the Money Mindset podcast! In today's Budget Bestie Meetup, we dive into a topic that often causes financial stress – tracking every penny. We know that keeping tabs on every expense can quickly become overwhelming, and that's why we're here to introduce you to a game-changing concept – cash envelopes. Join us as we explore why you don't have to track cash envelopes and how they can revolutionize your budgeting approach. Learn how to harness the power of intentional spending and gain the freedom you've been longing for. Get ready to transform your budgeting game and take control of your financial journey! Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “So I've learned with cash envelopes, I do have to be a little bit more specific on my labeling and like making sure I know what it's for so I don't spend it on something else in that category. But in general, you don't need to track it. So that gives you a bit more freedom, right? And it takes another thing off of your plate, off of your to-do list. It's one less thing that's gonna keep you stuck because you feel like you have too much to do and you're overwhelmed and you're behind. And so just have fun with it. Fill up your cash envelope with whatever you've got in your budget for that category and then just, you know, be mindful of what you're spending it on, but you don't have to track it.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to the episode and the concept of cash envelopes 01:34 - Exploring cash envelopes as a hassle-free budgeting tool 03:36 - Allocating personal spending money within your budget 05:11 - Emphasizing the importance of specific labeling on cash envelopes 07:28 - Cash envelope categories and potential setbacks 09:46 - Tips for using cash envelopes effectively and avoiding common mistakes 14:18 - Starting with two to three cash envelope categories 15:26 - Celebrating wins Do you wish you had a supportive group of women like you to connect with about money? Come join me for a Budget Bestie Meetup on The Money Mindset Podcast, and let's learn and grow as a community! You can sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Bestie Meetup episode here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Are you intrigued by real estate investing but tired of the same old approaches? Join us in this episode of the Money Mindset Podcast as we delve into the fascinating world of mobile home investing with a true expert, Rachel, author of "Adventures In Mobile Homes: How I Got Started In Mobile Home Investing and How You Can Too!". Discover why mobile home investing is a hidden gem in the real estate world, offering unique opportunities for generating passive income and building your wealth. Rachel's journey from single-family homes to mobile home investing offers valuable insights into the benefits, challenges, and strategies of this niche. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting out, this episode will inspire you to consider a whole new dimension of real estate. Meet Rachel! Rachel Hernandez is an author and real estate investor. As a former business-to-business sales executive for various Fortune 500 corporations, Rachel has extensive training in the area of sales and marketing. With over a decade of experience, she spent several years as a landlord before taking the leap to specializing in mobile home investing. Rachel Hernandez is the author of Adventures in Mobile Homes: How I Got Started in Mobile Home Investing and How You Can Too! and the Real Estate Investing Sucks series of books. Her advice has been featured in The Motley Fool, Forbes, GoBankingRates and several other real estate investing publications and podcasts. She is the #1 Writer for Mobile Homes on Quora. Find her at: www.adventuresinmobilehomes.com. “So the key is to just adjust. Just adjust, get started, learn as much as you can, take action. You know, make the mistakes that you do, learn from those mistakes and adjust and just keep moving forward.” - Rachel Hernandez Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Rachel and her background 01:46 - Exploring the world of mobile home investing 03:08 - Meet Rachel 08:17 - Advantages of avoiding loans in real estate investing 14:52 - Understanding the true value of mobile home investments 16:18 - Debunking the myth of passive income 18:42 - Comparing mobile and single-family homes 22:36 - Tips for getting started in mobile home investing 24:50 - Balancing passive and active income streams in real estate 28:22 - Key advice for starting your real estate journey 29:50 - Book recommendation and valuable resources 31:48 - Final thoughts For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Book Recommendation: * Adventures In Mobile Homes: How I Got Started In Mobile Home Investing and How You Can Too! by Rachel Hernandez Resources and Links Mentioned: * Free Mobile Home Investing Course: http://www.adventuresinmobilehomes.com/freetrainingclass * Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Jen: * Website: http://www.adventuresinmobilehomes.com * Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mobilehomegurl * Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mobilehomegurl Special Guest: Rachel Hernandez.

Welcome back to the Money Mindset podcast! In today's episode, we're delving into a topic that has sparked discussions among shoppers: Does purchasing a variety of items from big warehouse stores really result in significant savings? We're breaking down the numbers and comparing the savings on various items to see if the convenience of bulk buying truly adds up. Join me as I share my personal experiences, tips for smart shopping, and reveal surprising insights on where you can maximize your savings. Whether you're a loyal warehouse shopper or prefer the local grocery, this episode will make you rethink your shopping strategy. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “You do wanna still compare prices. 'cause like I said, not everything is cheaper at a warehouse store and you do wanna go in there with a plan and a shopping list so that you don't buy just random stuff because it's like, oh I need this, it's a good deal, I need this. It's a good deal. That happens to me a lot.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 01:17 - Introduction to the episode 03:19 - Tips for shopping wisely at warehouse stores, including comparing prices and shopping lists 05:44 - Exploring membership costs and potential discounts, plus additional benefits like fuel savings 08:33 - Using Google Sheets for effective price comparison 17:34 - More insights on shopping wisely at warehouse stores 19:43 - Final Thoughts For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Whether you are a household of 1 or a family of 6 - what is a realistic amount to spend on food for you? Join Money Success Club at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc

In this episode, we have a special guest, Cara Harvey, who is back on the Money Mindset podcast to share her debt pay off journey. Cara, the creator and founder of "A Purpose Driven Mom," previously talked about productivity and prioritizing time and money in episode 53. Today, she shares how she and her husband, both teachers, managed to pay off a couple hundred thousand dollars in debt despite facing job losses along the way. Cara's story is a realistic and inspiring example of how financial goals can be achieved through perseverance and smart money management. Tune in to hear her tips and insights on staying focused, navigating financial challenges, and making progress towards becoming debt-free. Meet Cara! Cara is a wife, mom to a 16-year-old stepson, 7-year-old daughter, 5-year-old son, and a woman of God. She works as a productivity coach for work at home moms and her mission is to provide women with the tools, resources, and community to reach their goals, empower themselves, find their happiness, and live a life by design. She does this via her blog, podcast "The Purpose Driven Mom Show", virtual community groups, and e-courses that help moms figure out how to grow and scale a business without hustle, shame, or guilt “So I always, always say before you jump in, take a pause and go into this baseline and add in that dream phase while you're going through, while you're acknowledging the spending, while you're just paying attention. Start to think what would I do with this money if I didn't spend it on this? What would I like to do? Allow yourself to dream. I think a lot of times when we're in a lot of debt we feel like we can't dream about things like that cuz we don't deserve it, we didn't earn it. I'm so bad with my money already. I don't have the money for this. You deserve to dream, you deserve to make goals. But like when you start to like think about it and open your brain up to it, your brain will start to see other possibilities of it and it starts to become realistic. If you don't ever allow yourself to dream, then your brain is gonna shut off there.” - Cara Harvey Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to today's episode 05:59 - Meet Cara! 07:20 - Cara's financial journey 17:05 - Balancing roles and tracking in financial planning 21:09 - App for expense tracking and category management 21:44 - The importance of finding a system that works for you and your partner 28:12 - Balancing smaller financial goals and bigger financial goals 32:44 - Preparing for potential income loss and unexpected financial challenges 35:10 - Starting with a baseline and creating realistic goals 40:24 - Cara’s book recommendations 42:04 - Where to follow Cara 42:34 - Last words of wisdom If you need help paying off your debt, go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debt for your Paying Off Debt Starter Kit. This will help you really get going on your journey to longer-term investing strategies. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Book Recommendation: * The 15 Minute Formula: How Busy Moms Can Ditch the Guilt, Say Yes to What Matters and Conquer Their Goals by Cara Harvey * Drive Your Own Darn Bus by Julia Kristina Resources and Links Mentioned: * Paying Off Debt Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debt Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Cara: * Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/purpose-driven-mom-show/id1465377461 * Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/cara4384 * Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/findyourawesome/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apurposedrivenmom/ * Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3rmBh--3wrq9nEOs2ZcCYg

Join Ashley, the host of Budgets Made Easy and the Money Mindset Podcast, for an insightful discussion on consistency in the final episode of the Debt Series. Discover why setting realistic expectations for consistency is crucial in your financial journey. Ashley emphasizes the importance of getting it mostly right, most of the time, rather than striving for perfection. Learn how to redefine consistency and stay motivated on your path to paying off debt. Don't miss out on this insightful episode that will transform your perspective on consistency and help you achieve your financial goals. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “That is what consistency is. It's getting it mostly right most of the time. You're not gonna be able to do something a hundred percent, a hundred percent of the time forever. Like it's not realistic. And so when you have realistic expectations of your habits and your routines and consistency, you'll realize that you're doing okay. And that is a big part of sticking with the journey of paying off debt, is when you realize that you can just make some shifts in your mindset and you'll be able to keep yourself going. Cuz that is the most important thing, is if you don't give up. And so consistency and having a realistic expectation of yourself and what consistency actually looks like is the most important thing, right?” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 01:25 - Introduction to the final day of the Debt Series 02:10 - Redefining consistency and understanding its true meaning 04:26 - Embracing realistic expectations to stay on track 05:49 - Invitation to the Debt to Wealth Bundle Are you a busy mom who is tired of struggling with money and ready to pay off debt? It's time to take control of your financial future and build a legacy worth leaving your children. Introducing the highly anticipated Debt to Wealth Bundle! This carefully curated collection of 20+ products is specifically designed for overwhelmed moms who are ready to make more money, pay off debt, and build wealth without sacrificing valuable time with their family. You can achieve your goals without spending thousands of dollars to get it done. Get the Debt to Wealth Bundle today and start paying off debt and building a brighter financial future for yourself and your family! 🔗 Visit www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debttowealthbundle and grab your bundle now! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Learn more about the Debt to Wealth Bundle here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debttowealthbundle Find the video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/HaUR5iVT32A Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Join us for part four of the Debt Series on the Money Mindset Podcast. In this episode, we dive into the importance of mindset in your debt journey. Discover how letting go of perfectionism and setting realistic expectations can lead to long-term success. Ashley shares her own experiences and provides valuable insights to help you stay motivated and keep moving forward. Don't miss out on this episode that will shift your mindset and propel you towards financial freedom. Tune in now and start transforming your relationship with debt. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “You gotta be a little flexible and let go of the perfectionism a little bit because it's not gonna be perfect. And so you've gotta have some realistic expectations for your budget, your plan, yourself, and just know stuff's gonna come up. You know, you can't control everything. And a lot of the perfectionism comes from trying to control everything.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 01:18 - Introduction to today's episode 01:48 - Understanding perfectionism 03:40 - Setting realistic expectations for success 07:03 - Lowering expectations to surpass goals and stay motivated 08:16 - Invitation to the Debt to Wealth Bundle and free training How to Pay Off $500 in Debt in 30 days Tired of Living Paycheck To Paycheck? Want to Pay Off $500 Next Month? I've got just the thing for you! This FREE Workshop will teach you How to Pay Off $500 in Debt in 30 Days without selling a kidney or robbing a bank! Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop and register today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Learn more about the Debt to Wealth Bundle here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debttowealthbundle How to Pay Off $500 in 30 Days: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Join Ashley in the third part of the Debt Series on the Money Mindset podcast as she explores the importance of having a clear vision and end goal when it comes to paying off debt. Discover how creating a vision board and mapping out your goals can provide the motivation and focus needed to achieve financial freedom. Don't miss out on this valuable episode that will help you stay inspired on your debt payoff journey. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “You know, really embrace the goal and that will help you believe that it's possible because you may not even be to the point where you believe you can do it, right? And that is a process in and of itself. And once you kind of get going, you're gonna be able to see that you can do it and how quickly you can do it.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 01:17 - Introduction to Part 3 of the Debt Series 02:00 - The significance of having a clear vision and goal 04:58 - Creating visual reminders to keep you motivated 06:40 - Announcement: FREE training on How to Pay Off $500 in Debt in 30 Days Tired of Living Paycheck To Paycheck? Want to Pay Off $500 Next Month? I've got just the thing for you! This FREE Workshop will teach you How to Pay Off $500 in Debt in 30 Days without selling a kidney or robbing a bank! Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop and register today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Learn more about the Debt to Wealth Bundle here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debttowealthbundle How to Pay Off $500 in 30 Days: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

In this second episode of the Debt series on the Money Mindset podcast, Ashley delves into the crucial step of calculating your debt payoff date. Discover the power of understanding how quickly you can pay off your debts and the motivation it brings. Ashley shares a user-friendly calculator that simplifies the process, allowing you to explore various scenarios and see the impact of extra payments. Tune in as she guides you through the calculation and highlights the importance of staying consistent on your debt-free journey. Don't miss out on valuable insights and practical tips to accelerate your progress. Join Ashley and take control of your financial future. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “But keep in mind you just gotta start, right? You gotta start, you've got to find ways to keep going, find ways to save money, all of those things. But it starts with just one thing cuz you, you know, you can get overwhelmed really quickly and it's important to just keep going. That is really the most important thing.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 01:18 - Introduction to episode two of the Debt series 5:55 - Sample numbers of debt payment using different methods 08:18 - The power of manifestation and being intentional with your finances 14:19 - Preview of upcoming episodes and topics in the Debt Series Resources and Links Mentioned: * Learn more about the Debt to Wealth Bundle here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debttowealthbundle * Undebt.it referral link: https://undebt.it/?ref=423 Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy * Find the video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/Ti7GfxBzCVo

Listen to Ashley from Budgets Made Easy and the Money Mindset Podcast as she dives into a new series all about paying off debt and achieving financial freedom. In this first episode, Ashley emphasizes the importance of knowing where you're starting and understanding your total debt. Discover practical tips for organizing your debt and tracking your progress along the way. Get ready to take control of your finances and make meaningful strides towards a debt-free life. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “I do want you to start by knowing your big number, the first number, because it's going to be important later on. It's going to be important when you are feeling stuck and feeling like you're not making any progress. You can look back and see where you started and how much progress you actually have made, because this is going to happen somewhere along your journey. And you want to know how far you really have come, because you're gonna feel discouraged at certain times. It's not gonna just be all happy and magical and you're just gonna get through it and be debt free. Yay. There's gonna be ups and downs, there's gonna be seasons… and so you've really got to like know the number of where you're starting so that you can celebrate along the way of how much progress you have made.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 01:18 - Introduction and the significance of paying off debt 02:59 - Why knowing your starting point is crucial 05:26 - Day 1: Writing down or printing off your debt 06:44 - Announcement and details of the upcoming Debt to Wealth Bundle Resources and Links Mentioned: * Learn more about the Debt to Wealth Bundle here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debttowealthbundle Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy * Find the video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/NF-i-QQIoSc

Join Ashley with Budgets Made Easy and the Money Mindset Podcast as she explores the concept of leaving a meaningful legacy for your children. In this episode, Ashley reflects on the importance of building a financial foundation that supports your family's future and shares practical tips for organizing your finances and planning for the years ahead. Gain insights on how you can leave a lasting impact and ensure the well-being of your loved ones even after you're no longer here. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “It's just, it's a lot to deal with when you're already dealing with the grief of losing somebody that you love that's been in your life, your entire life. When you can make that easier for your family, it helps everybody. And so when we get our finances together, you can make that transition a little bit easier and leave a legacy as a good example for your children or grandchildren of what they should do.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 01:17 - Introduction to today's episode 02:16 - The Debt to Wealth Bundle 04:46 - Reflecting on the legacy you want to leave 09:52 - Leaving a legacy beyond financial matters 11:11 - Organizing your affairs for a smoother transition 19:16 - Preview of upcoming episodes and events Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

In this final episode of the Side Hustle Series, Jan Ditchfield discusses the power of one in business and shares valuable insights on how to avoid common mistakes made in the first year. Whether you're running a side hustle or diving into full-time entrepreneurship, Jan's expertise will help you navigate the challenges and focus on what truly matters. From understanding your ideal customer to mastering one offer and pricing strategically, Jan's advice will propel your business forward. Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain clarity and build a highly successful business. Meet Jan! Jan Ditchfield is on a mission to help real-world business owners and subject matter experts make more money online without losing their money or their minds in the process. She's the straight-talking host of the No BS Business School podcast and decided to follow her dream of being her own boss after a 20-year career as an award-winning fundraising pro. Even with a toddler hanging around under her desk, she managed to build a 6-figure business during the pandemic lockdowns. Nowadays, Jan shares her knowledge with other experts to help them scale the online side of their business in a way that's tailored to their unique needs, instead of just following generic trends or advice using the power of relationship marketing. “And so when we go down to the power of one and we focus on these five things for the first year, we dial in on serving one person with one offer that we become the expert at, and we stick with one price that we come in and we gradually raise it over time. We don't jump it up and down, we go up with it and we master one platform that we're gonna reach our people on and we run that plan for a year. I guarantee you, at the end of that year, you will look back and be so proud that you became the master of one thing because that power of one is what's gonna put you on this fast track to having a highly successful business.” - Jan Ditchfield Timestamps: 00:38 - Introduction 01:13 - About the Side Hustle Academy 02:26 - 5 Mistakes you are making in your business & what to do instead 03:16 - Mistake #1: Not understanding who your ideal customer is 08:29 - Mistake #2: Launching multiple offers instead of focusing on one 12:20 - Mistake #3: Pricing out of fear and not strategy 16:05 - Mistake #4: Trying to be everywhere all the time 20:06 - Mistake #5: Pivoting your business too soon 23:09 - How to join the Side Hustle Academy If you’re a first-time entrepreneur or one in the making who is ready to make a change in your life by pursuing your dreams of becoming your own boss while being supported and encouraged every step of the way, then I've got just the thing for you! Side Hustle Academy will give you the knowledge, tools and confidence you need to achieve your dream of running a successful side hustle while being supported every step of the way. Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/sidehustleacademy and enroll today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Side Hustle Academy: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/sidehustleacademy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Jen: * Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1547495264 * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janditchfield.co/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janditchfield.co Special Guest: Jan Ditchfield.

In this fourth episode of the Side Hustle series, Jan Ditchfield shares valuable insights on the essential tools and technology needed to start a successful side hustle without breaking the bank. Jan discusses the importance of understanding the platforms necessary to establish an online presence for your business, and highlights three key platforms: websites, social media, and email marketing. With her expert guidance, you'll learn how to navigate these platforms, choose the right options for your business, and get up and running quickly and cost-effectively. Whether you're new to entrepreneurship or looking to grow your existing side hustle, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you succeed. Meet Jan! Jan Ditchfield is on a mission to help real-world business owners and subject matter experts make more money online without losing their money or their minds in the process. She's the straight-talking host of the No BS Business School podcast and decided to follow her dream of being her own boss after a 20-year career as an award-winning fundraising pro. Even with a toddler hanging around under her desk, she managed to build a 6-figure business during the pandemic lockdowns. Nowadays, Jan shares her knowledge with other experts to help them scale the online side of their business in a way that's tailored to their unique needs, instead of just following generic trends or advice using the power of relationship marketing. “And above everything else, enjoy the process. Tech does not need to be overwhelming. It certainly does not need to be expensive. And the only three things that you absolutely need to get started when you first launch your business is a website of your very own. You need to have an email marketing platform so you can grow those leads and own them. And then one social media platform that you learn how to dominate and go and reach your customers immediately. You get those three things down, you are golden.” - Jan Ditchfield Timestamps: 00:00 -Introduction to today's episode and the Side Hustle Academy 00:56 - Importance of understanding the essential tools and technology for starting a side hustle 01:22 - Overview of the three essential platforms: websites, social media, and email marketing 03:00 - Exploring website builders 09:06 - Introduction to social media platforms and their significance in marketing your business 15:20 - Advantages of email marketing platforms 18:18 - Five tips for effectively representing yourself in the online space 22:16 - Final words of wisdom 22:47 - How to enroll in Side Hustle Academy If you’re a first-time entrepreneur or one in the making who is ready to make a change in your life by pursuing your dreams of becoming your own boss while being supported and encouraged every step of the way, then I've got just the thing for you! Side Hustle Academy will give you the knowledge, tools and confidence you need to achieve your dream of running a successful side hustle while being supported every step of the way. Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/sidehustleacademy and enroll today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Side Hustle Academy: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/sidehustleacademy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Jen: * Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1547495264 * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janditchfield.co/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janditchfield.co Special Guest: Jan Ditchfield.

In this exciting third episode of the Side Hustle Series, Jan Ditchfield, shares valuable insights on how to start a successful side hustle from scratch. Learn the five secrets to turn your passion into a profitable business, discover the mindset shift you need to overcome doubts and build confidence, find out how to stand out in a competitive market and achieve profitability from day one. Explore how these strategies can transform your business and help you achieve the success you desire and how Jan's expertise will guide you on a path to financial success and fulfillment. Tune in now! Meet Jan! Jan Ditchfield is on a mission to help real-world business owners and subject matter experts make more money online without losing their money or their minds in the process. She's the straight-talking host of the No BS Business School podcast and decided to follow her dream of being her own boss after a 20-year career as an award-winning fundraising pro. Even with a toddler hanging around under her desk, she managed to build a 6-figure business during the pandemic lockdowns. Nowadays, Jan shares her knowledge with other experts to help them scale the online side of their business in a way that's tailored to their unique needs, instead of just following generic trends or advice using the power of relationship marketing. “Women who are running successful small businesses didn't get there because they had a great idea. They got there because they had a great plan and we really, as women are market to differently. We are told follow your passion and the money will come, you know, lean into what you care about. It's, you know, if you love it, other people will love it. And the truth is that won't happen. It's not a build it and they will come type of world when it comes to business. What it is is build a really good plan and get in front of them and they will buy from you.” - Jan Ditchfield Timestamps: 02:50 - Meet Jan 08:23 - What today's episode is about 11:26 - Introduction and background on Jan Ditchfield 16:20 - Overview of today's topic 17:19 - Secret #1: Knowing who your ideal customer is 23:10 - Secret #2: The riches are in the niches 27:41 - Secret #3: Leveraging your email list for driving sales 31:02 - Secret #4: Focusing on where you want to go, not where you are 37:17 - Secret #5: Your brand is more than your logo 42:48 - Overview of the Side Hustle Academy and its benefits 50:36 - Success story and real-life example of applying the Side Hustle Academy strategies 56:55 - Q&A session 01:09:05 - Conclusion and key takeaways from the episode If you’re a first-time entrepreneur or one in the making who is ready to make a change in your life by pursuing your dreams of becoming your own boss while being supported and encouraged every step of the way, then I've got just the thing for you! Side Hustle Academy will give you the knowledge, tools and confidence you need to achieve your dream of running a successful side hustle while being supported every step of the way. Go to www.janditchfield.co/sidehustleacademy and enroll today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * If you'd like to join us in the Side Hustle Academy go to: www.janditchfield.co/sidehustleacademy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Jen: * Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1547495264 * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janditchfield.co/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janditchfield.co Special Guest: Jan Ditchfield.

Tune in to the second episode of this week's Side Hustle Series as Ashley shares her inspiring story of how she turned her part-time job into a successful business that now earns six figures. She will walk us through the challenges she faced, the sacrifices she made, and the strategies she used to achieve financial success. If you're looking for motivation and practical advice on how to transform your passion into a profitable venture, this episode is a must-listen. Don't miss out! Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “But I will be honest with you, it wasn't an overnight success. It took me years to make any kind of money. And so those years of trying to make money, I spent a lot of money too. And that really took away from our family's goals in the hopes that by investing in my business, we would see the return on investment. So like we weren't investing in retirement as much as we wanted. We weren't investing in our kids' college funds as much as we wanted. And we put a lot of things off so that I could in invest in myself in the business, in the hopes to grow it into a six figure business that it has become today.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to today's episode 00:36 - How to join the Side Hustle Academy 01:02 - The beginning of Ashley's business journey 06:47 - The challenges and sacrifices she encountered during the early stages of her business 12:01 - The struggles she faced with her identity and mindset as a business owner 14:54 - The turning point when Ashley started to see results 20:49 - Meeting Jan Ditchfield, learning her strategies, and applying them 23:59 - Lessons learned, valuable insights, and practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs 28:46 - The Side Hustle Academy: An opportunity to join, start a side hustle, or a business and make money 31:43 - How to enroll and take advantage of the limited-time offer 34:03 - Exciting upcoming content in The Side Hustle series If you’re a first-time entrepreneur or one in the making who is ready to make a change in your life by pursuing your dreams of becoming your own boss while being supported and encouraged every step of the way, then I've got just the thing for you! Side Hustle Academy will give you the knowledge, tools and confidence you need to achieve your dream of running a successful side hustle while being supported every step of the way. Go to www.janditchfield.co/sidehustleacademy and enroll today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * If you'd like to join us in the Side Hustle Academy go to: www.janditchfield.co/sidehustleacademy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Join us on the Money Mindset podcast as we welcome a very special guest, Jan Ditchfield, a business mentor and host of the No BS Business School podcast. Jan is here to share her expertise on starting a successful side hustle and the six pillars you need to focus on for long-term growth. Discover how to establish a solid foundation for your business, cultivate authentic relationships with your audience, and implement effective strategies for sustainable business growth. Jan's unique perspective and strategic approach will transform your business and help you generate the extra income you need. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from the best! Meet Jan! Jan Ditchfield is on a mission to help real-world business owners and subject matter experts make more money online without losing their money or their minds in the process. She's the straight-talking host of the No BS Business School podcast and decided to follow her dream of being her own boss after a 20-year career as an award-winning fundraising pro. Even with a toddler hanging around under her desk, she managed to build a 6-figure business during the pandemic lockdowns. Nowadays, Jan shares her knowledge with other experts to help them scale the online side of their business in a way that's tailored to their unique needs, instead of just following generic trends or advice using the power of relationship marketing. “Wealth is something that we need to bring into our lives as women. And there's different ways to bring the wealth in which is in right. And we wanna keep our debt low and we wanna keep our money high. And starting a side hustle gives you power, it gives you the power to pay your debt off faster. It gives you the power to be able to take a vacation debt free. It gives you the power to be able to buy a new car or move into a bigger house or put your kids through university without having to take on debt. Like your little side hustle is a serious thing that can do incredible things to change your life.” - Jan Ditchfield Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to today's episode 02:09 - Meet our guest speaker, Jan Ditchfield 09:42 - The Six Pillars of a Successful Side Hustle 12:33 - Lay Your Rock Solid Business Foundation 13:39 - Create Your Strategy To Stand Out In Your Market 22:28 - Grow Your Sales and Your Profits 26:13 - Design a Website and Brand Your Customers Love 28:39 - Build A Marketing Strategy That Converts Fans Into Loyal Customers 30:48 - Work Your Plan To Launch To Profit 33:36 - Conclusion and key takeaways from the episode 39:04 - How to enroll in the Side Hustle Academy course If you’re a first-time entrepreneur or one in the making who is ready to make a change in your life by pursuing your dreams of becoming your own boss while being supported and encouraged every step of the way, then I've got just the thing for you! Side Hustle Academy will give you the knowledge, tools and confidence you need to achieve your dream of running a successful side hustle while being supported every step of the way. Go to www.janditchfield.co/sidehustleacademy and enroll today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Side Hustle Academy: www.janditchfield.co/sidehustleacademy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy * Find the video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/nWDBVZRalBE Connect with Jen: * Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1547495264 * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janditchfield.co/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janditchfield.co Special Guest: Jan Ditchfield.

Planning a vacation can be exciting, but it's important to be prepared for unexpected expenses that can quickly add up. Join us in this Budget Bestie Meetup episode as we dive into the world of travel budgeting. Ashley shares her recent experience of planning her first international trip and the valuable lessons she learned along the way. Discover the significance of early planning, unexpected costs, and how personal factors can impact your travel budget. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or embarking on your first adventure, this episode will provide you with valuable insights to help you budget for your next trip. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “So you know, even with the best of intentions and planning, things can go wrong. Things can be way more expensive than you thought or planned or expected even if you did your due diligence ahead of time. So don't beat yourself up about it, deal with it when you get home and try and plan better in the future.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to the podcast episode and the topic of travel budgeting 01:12 - The Side Hustle Academy 04:31 - How to join the Budget Bestie Meetup 05:46 - The importance of early planning and researching travel costs in advance 19:39 - Breaking down what to include in your budget when traveling 31:03 - Tips and strategies for budgeting for travel 50:21 - Sharing wins for the month 01:04:30 - Final words of wisdom Do you wish you had a supportive group of women like you to connect with about money? Come join me for a Budget Bestie Meetup on The Money Mindset Podcast, and let's learn and grow as a community! You can sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Bestie Meetup episode here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Find the video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/LnQluXlH4Sw

Discover the importance of saving for emergencies and determine the right amount for you and your family in this engaging episode of the Money Mindset Podcast with Ashley from Budgets Made Easy. In this episode, Ashley breaks down the factors to consider when establishing your emergency fund, such as job security, upcoming expenses, and other important aspects that influence your savings goals. Join Ashley as she shares practical advice to help you navigate personal finance with confidence. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “If you have never saved anything, set a baseline goal of 500 and then once you hit that, then work toward a larger goal so that you can have a win and that you can hit a milestone quicker and easier so that you can get motivated to keep going, right? Because that is the most important thing is for you to keep going.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and the significance of saving for emergencies 02:59 - Tailoring your emergency fund to your unique situation 04:32 - Factors to consider when deciding how much to save 09:53 - Setting goal milestones 11:53 - Overcoming setbacks and staying motivated on your financial journey If you would like to sit down with me and discuss what you are struggling with and some steps that you can take to make progress and get over that big struggle, I invite you to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode at budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy and have a mini coaching session with me. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Sign up for the your ⭐️FREE⭐️ Pass to the 6th Annual Purpose Driven Mom Virtual Summit will give you access to an exclusive portal where you can view each one during the week of June 19-23. 🎟 Just sign up here to get your ticket! 🎟 (https://apatrick--apurposedrivenmom.thrivecart.com/2023-summit-free/)

Tune in to the latest episode of the Money Mindset Podcast with Ashley from Budgets Made Easy as she uncovers the hidden gem of budgeting - the miscellaneous category. Join Ashley as she explores the vital role of this budgeting buffer, offering you the flexibility and peace of mind you need when unexpected expenses pop up. Find out how incorporating a miscellaneous category can empower you to stay on track with your budget, overcome financial hurdles, and reach your money goals. Don't miss out on this essential budgeting strategy! Listen now and take control of your budget with this essential budgeting strategy. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “Even with more experience, a miscellaneous category is still essential. Things are still gonna come up, there's still gonna be things that you haven't thought about or hadn't planned for. And a miscellaneous category is your budget buffer. It's your checking account buffer, it's your budget buffer. It helps you stick to your plan and keep things on track.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to today's episode 00:35 - Where to get the FREE Budget Starter Kit 01:14 - Explanation of the concept of a miscellaneous category 01:47 - Benefits of having a buffer in your budget 03:25 - Determining the appropriate amount for your miscellaneous category For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Find the video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/Cq3gks92oqE

In the latest episode of the Money Mindset Podcast on Budgets Made Easy, Ashley delves into the topic of the difference between budgeted and actual amounts. Have you ever wondered which one to use or felt confused by these terms? Ashley clarifies it all in this informative discussion. Discover the significance of planning your budget and understanding the actual expenses you incur. Ashley also highlights the importance of accurately tracking your finances for effective financial management. Don't miss out on this insightful episode that will help you gain clarity on budgeting and actual spending. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “The most important thing is the actual, so the budget is the plan, but when it comes to like implementing, making sure you're on track, getting the overviews for the month and for the year and all those things, all of that is based on the actual, so your budget can still, you still need to do a budget because then you can make a plan, but the actual is what you've actually done. And so that is the most important thing. Whenever you are looking and trying to figure out what's not working, what is working, what you need to change. All of that is based on the actual amount.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to today's episode 00:36 - Where to get your FREE Budget Starter Kit 01:30 - The difference between the Budget and Actual amount 03:18 - Role of the actual amount in assessing financial progress 04:00 - Overview of the paycheck budget spreadsheet For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

In this episode of the Money Mindset Podcast, join Ashley as she dives into the topic of meal planning for the summer, especially if you have kids at home. Discover effective strategies and practical ideas to keep your kids well-fed without breaking the bank or resorting to unhealthy snacks. From creating snack baskets to implementing a reward system, Ashley shares her experiences and insights to help you simplify your meal planning process and maintain your sanity during the summer months. Tune in to gain valuable tips and find inspiration for managing your family's meals this summer. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “I have found that working towards something positive works way better with my children. So I can take this idea of, you know, one snack a day or you can only have these snacks during the day. You know, work out some kind of idea of what they wanna do, what I wanna do to kind of help me with the cost of them being home all day and have them work toward a reward. They will do much, much better.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to today's episode 02:14 - Introducing the idea of a snack basket 03:30 - Preparing snacks in advance 06:13 - Incorporating routines and rewards 09:35 - Meal prep tips 11:11 - Rewarding yourself as a parent and staying motivated If you would like to sit down with me and discuss what you are struggling with and some steps that you can take to make progress and get over that big struggle, I invite you to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode at budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy and have a mini coaching session with me. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Resources and Links Mentioned: Save $10 on the printable planner and spreadsheet: Code BS10 * Printable Budget Planner www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/planner * Paycheck Budget Spreadsheet www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Resources and Links Mentioned: Save $10 on the printable planner and spreadsheet: Code BS10 * Printable Budget Planner www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/planner * Paycheck Budget Spreadsheet www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Are you tired of the never-ending cycle of unexpected expenses that throw off your budget? In episode 3 of the Budget Series on the Money Mindset podcast, we delve into the little things that often disrupt our budgets—the unexpected expenses that catch us off guard. Join us as we explore the importance of planning for these irregular but necessary costs and how sinking funds can help. Discover practical strategies for allocating funds for expenses such as holidays, birthdays, vacations, clothes, school supplies, and more. Whether you prefer a detailed breakdown or a simplified approach, we've got you covered. Learn how to prioritize your spending and gain peace of mind, knowing you're prepared for those budget-busting surprises. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “Just know that you need to have a plan and know that these expenses are coming up so that mentally you're prepared as well as financially. Because mentally when these things come up, we feel like we failed because we didn't know or we forgot we didn't have the money set aside. But if you can pay for it without going further into debt, that's a huge win.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to episode 3 of the Budget Series 01:56 - Step 3: Planning for those things that ruin your budget 03:42 - Different approaches to managing sinking funds 05:39 - Examples of sinking fund categories 10:10 - Flexibility in adjusting sinking fund allocations 11:16 - Prioritizing sinking funds based on personal preferences and needs 16:46 - Where to get the Budget Planner and Budget Spreadsheet Tired of wondering why you can't seem to get on track with your budget? It's because you don't have a proper plan for your money! Grab the Printable Budget Planner and the Paycheck Budget Spreadsheet and create a plan you can actually stick to! Visit www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/planner and www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet to get your planner and spreadsheet today. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: Save $10 on the printable planner and spreadsheet: Code BS10 * Printable Budget Planner www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/planner * Paycheck Budget Spreadsheet www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Welcome to the second episode of the Budget Series! In today's episode, we dive into the importance of planning your budget by paycheck. While a monthly overview provides a baseline, understanding your finances on a per-paycheck basis is crucial, especially if you receive multiple paychecks in a month. Ashley will guide you through the process step by step, sharing valuable insights and tips along the way. Join us as we simplify budgeting and help you take control of your financial well-being. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “You don't need to do more than one budget a week. Don't make it overly complicated for yourself. So at the most, do one weekly. If you both get paid the same week, put it together. If you get paid every week, now you can separate it out if you choose to. But don't overthink it, okay? Don't overthink it. Don't try to make it too complicated. Make it as simple as possible, but you know, figure out what works for you. So if it makes more sense for you to plan out weekly paychecks for whoever gets paid weekly, and then if somebody else gets paid biweekly, you're doing it that way, you figure out what works for you, right? But I would really encourage you not to do more than one a week, because most months that's four and some months, that's five. So just try not to make it overly complicated.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to episode 2 of the Budget Series 01:38 - Where to get the Budget Planner and Budget Spreadsheet 03:46 - Step 2: Planning your budget by paycheck 05:53 - Breaking down a sample budget, including fixed and variable expenses 25:19 - Introducing the concept of sinking funds 29:50 - Upcoming topics in the budget series Tired of wondering why you can't seem to get on track with your budget? It's because you don't have a proper plan for your money! Grab the Printable Budget Planner and the Paycheck Budget Spreadsheet and create a plan you can actually stick to! Visit www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/planner and www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet to get your planner and spreadsheet today. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: Save $10 on the printable planner and spreadsheet: Code BS10 * Printable Budget Planner www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/planner * Paycheck Budget Spreadsheet www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Save $10 on the printable planner and spreadsheet: *Code BS10 * Printable Budget Planner www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/planner Paycheck Budget Spreadsheet www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet

Welcome to the May 2023 Budget Bestie Meetup! In this episode of the Money Mindset podcast, we'll be diving deep into the important topic of closing out your budget. This question has been raised multiple times recently, and it's time to explore it thoroughly. We'll discuss why closing out your budget is a crucial step in effectively managing your finances and how it can help you track your progress. Join us as we share our wins from the previous month and discuss the importance of maintaining control over your budget. We'll also delve into whether you should close out your budget every month or adjust the timing based on your paycheck. Make sure to tune in and catch this episode—you won't want to miss it! Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “As we know, we feel like we're not making a lot of progress when you probably really have been. And so if you can actually see the numbers on paper and you can flip back and see, okay, in January on food, I spent a thousand dollars, but then in May I only spent 800. Even though 800 to you may feel like, oh I didn't do very well this month. Well if you look back and compare it to where you started for the year, you improved, right? And so sometimes we just need that tracking so that we can actually add to our confidence and add to our feelings of being able to do this because you can do this. And part of it is doing it of course. But the other part is believing enough in yourself.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 01:17 - Introduction to today's episode 02:40 - Importance of closing out your budget 04:33 - Closing out your budget by paycheck 08:05 - Tracking and categorizing your monthly transactions 14:03 - Discussing experiences about closing out your budget 24:09 - Sharing wins and achievements For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Watch this episdoe on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqz-PifPz80&t=6s and make sure to like, comment, and subscribe!

Do you struggle with perfectionism and fear of failure? Are you caught in the all-or-nothing mindset trap? Join Ashley from Budgets Made Easy in this episode of the Money Mindset podcast as she explores the common trap of the all-or-nothing mindset. Discover how to find balance and make progress even when things aren't perfect. Ashley shares valuable advice on building resilience and cultivating a mindset that empowers you to persevere, regardless of imperfections. Learn practical techniques to reset your mindset, shift away from the all-or-nothing mentality, and achieve your financial goals. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “We get in this thinking that, oh, I screwed up today. I'll just start over next month. Like, oh, I made a mistake, I messed up. We expect perfection or nothing. It's either it's gotta be perfect or we're just gonna quit. There's no middle ground. And the middle ground is where success happens. It's where real life success happens. You have to have the grits and the mindset that you're gonna keep going even when it's not all perfect. So it's not gonna ever all be perfect. And so if it's all gotta be perfect or it's a big fat zero, that's not a way to get ahead with your finances, right? Like you're not gonna make any progress that way. So you've really gotta get into that mindset of that middle ground. You know, when you make a mistake, you just keep going. It's not the end of the world. It's not just start again another day because someday it's not a day on a calendar. And if you just made a mistake today, why not just start over for the day?” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 01:17 - Introduction to the all-or-nothing mindset 03:44 - Overcoming perfectionism and fear of failure 04:06 - Practical techniques to reset your mindset 16:10 - How to get the Free Budget Starter Kit 17:13 - What to expect next week For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Watch this episdoe on YouTube at https://youtube.com/live/4k1tT7sLZmo and make sure to like, comment, and subscribe!

Feeling overwhelmed with the never-ending tasks of managing your family's finances? As busy moms, we often find ourselves shouldering the burden of handling everything on our own. But guess what? You don't have to do it all by yourself. In this episode of the Money Mindset podcast, we'll explore why you don't have to carry the burden alone. Join Ashley as she delves into effective strategies and tips to get your family on board with the finances. Discover how to let go of control, involve your family, and effectively communicate your needs. Learn practical tips, strategies, and inspiring ideas that have worked for others. It's time to embrace the power of teamwork and alleviate the stress of managing finances single-handedly. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “You definitely should find some ways that they can help you because it's not just the time to sit down and do the things that you know you need to do with your finances, it's also the mental load. And guess what? I know you are already handling the mental load for maybe everything in your family, if not the majority of the things. So it's okay to help spread that load out and relieve yourself of some of that and get rid of some of the guilt surrounding that as well.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to today's episode 02:20 - Overcoming perfectionism and fear of relinquishing control 04:05 - Teaching children about money and involving them in financial decisions 06:18 - Involving your partner with managing the finances 09:45 - Maintaining focus on the end goal 13:07 - The significance of visual aids and setting specific end dates for goals 15:30 - Tips on how to approach your family to get their help and get them on board If you would like to sit down with me and discuss what you are struggling with and some steps that you can take to make progress and get over that big struggle, I invite you to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode at budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy and have a mini coaching session with me. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

If you're searching for an effective way to take control of your finances, have you ever explored the concept of cash envelopes? These simple yet impactful tools can revolutionize the way you manage your money. Join Ashley on this exciting episode of the Money Mindset Podcast as she dives into the world of cash envelopes. Whether you prefer the traditional method of using physical envelopes or the convenience of a digital app, Ashley has got you covered. Discover the pros and cons of each approach and gain valuable insights into how to effectively manage your money. Tune in to gain practical tips and advice for implementing a cash envelope system that suits your needs. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “Digital cash envelopes, physical cash envelopes. There is no right or wrong way so you don't have to pick one. You can use both. I use both. I have for years. Figuring out a system that works for you is the key to long-term success. So don't feel like you have to do it one way or another. It takes trying, it takes making mistakes, it takes figuring it out along the way. You just have to get started, right?” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 01:17 - Introduction to cash envelopes 02:46 - Using physical cash and digital apps 05:06 - Choosing between pen and paper and digital apps for budgeting 06:55 - Exploring Qube 09:00 - Using multiple bank accounts the and bucket system 11:13 - Showcasing different types of cash envelope wallets 14:46 - Where to purchase the Luxe Wallet and the Budgets Made Easy digital cash envelopes 17:44 - Benefits of using cash 18:56 - Final words of wisdom For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Purchase the Budgets Made Easy digital cash envelopes here: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/shop Find the video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/5cG3NZgAuGQ Save 10% on your Luxe Wallet with code BMEASY10 at https://shopluxewallet.com/ Qube Q&A with the founder here: https://www.facebook.com/budgetsmadeeasy/videos/3020540698180328 Budget Starter Kit: budgetsmadeeasy.com/start Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Do you find yourself struggling with overthinking and overanalyzing your finances? Do you have a hard time allowing yourself some freedom to spend? In this episode of the Money Mindset Podcast, Ashley speaks to Melanie, who is struggling with overthinking and overanalyzing her finances, and discusses how financial planning can help her manage her finances better to stop her from overthinking. Ashley also encourages us to give ourselves permission to spend money on things we enjoy and shares a few tips on how to do so without derailing our financial goals. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “So you know, not everything has to be something you need, like if you just enjoy it and it's something you want, as long as it's reasonable and it's not putting you off track for your other goals, it's not keeping you from retirement, it's not keeping you in debt. Give yourself some joy. Give yourself permission to spend some money on things you just want because you can.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to today's episode 01:45 - Melanie's background and struggles with overthinking credit card payments and tracking expenses 05:37 - Paying your credit card statement by the closing date 09:40 - Tips for tracking expenses and creating a schedule for credit card payments 17:05 - Tracking expenses on your own terms 20:45 - Encouraging people to have fun and spend money on things they want and enjoy 22:56 - Using your extra money for fun money 27:53 - Melanie's 24-hour action step If you would like to sit down with me and discuss what you are struggling with and some steps that you can take to make progress and get over that big struggle, I invite you to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy and have a mini coaching session with me. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Have you ever received a large sum of money at once, like a tax refund or a bonus, and felt unsure of what to do with it? Tune in to this episode of the Budget Bestie Meetup where Ashley from The Money Mindset Podcast discusses what to do when you get a big tax refund or bonus and shares some tips for making the most of it. Ashley will also share some practical advice on how to handle these types of unexpected financial gain and use them wisely to reach your financial goals. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “So when you have some money coming in, I really want you to focus on the priority list for you. And that's gonna look different for other people. So it could be focusing on the savings funds, like I talked about. It could be focusing on some debt that you can knock out and just make sure that you have it a list, like a visual, you've thought it through hopefully before you get the money. So like if it's something that you're expecting that usually comes once a year or a tax refund that you're expecting and you have a rough idea of what it should be or tax return, you know what it's going to be, go ahead and prioritize where you want the money to go. And it's okay to spend some money on yourself or things that you've been putting off as long as that is the priority for you.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 01:18 - Introduction to the episode 03:33 - Importance of planning and creating a priority list for the extra money 04:36 - Examples of expenses that can be covered with the extra money 05:18 - Option to pay off debts 06:27 - The Impact method 10:08 - Importance of planning and thinking ahead regarding where your money is going 13:01 - Sharing wins and accomplishments in managing finances, such as paying taxes, meal planning, and having an emergency fund in your budget 32:37 - How to join the Budget Bestie Meetup Do you wish you had a supportive group of women like you to connect with about money? Come join me for a Budget Bestie Meetup on The Money Mindset Podcast, and let's learn and grow as a community! You can sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Bestie Meetup episode here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy This episode can also be viewed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/live/ZGD4HsJW3lY?feature=share

Welcome to Day 5 of the Spring Cleaning Money Challenge! Each day I will give you a small task to help declutter your finances and the mental load of juggling everything. This will also be on The Money Mindset Podcast episodes 138 - 142. Follow along with the workbook at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spring We will also have some prizes and discussion in the FREE Facebook Budgets Made Easy w/Ashley Community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/131352297387593 Grab the Money Saving Challenges on sale this week only at https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/savings-bundle-2023

Welcome to Day 4 of the Spring Cleaning Money Challenge! Each day I will give you a small task to help declutter your finances and the mental load of juggling everything. This will also be on The Money Mindset Podcast episodes 138 - 142. Follow along with the workbook at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spring We will also have some prizes and discussion in the FREE Facebook Budgets Made Easy w/Ashley Community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/131352297387593 Grab the Money Saving Challenges on sale this week only at https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/savings-bundle-2023

Welcome to Day 3 of the Spring Cleaning Money Challenge! Each day I will give you a small task to help declutter your finances and the mental load of juggling everything. This will also be on The Money Mindset Podcast episodes 138 - 142. Follow along with the workbook at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spring We will also have some prizes and discussion in the FREE Facebook Budgets Made Easy w/Ashley Community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/131352297387593 You can also now follow along on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/c/budgetsmadeeasy?sub_confirmation=1

Welcome to Day 2 of the Spring Cleaning Money Challenge! Each day I will give you a small task to help declutter your finances and the mental load of juggling everything. This will also be on The Money Mindset Podcast episodes 138 - 142. Follow along with the workbook at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spring We will also have some prizes and discussion in the FREE Facebook Budgets Made Easy w/Ashley Community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/131352297387593 You can also now follow along on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/c/budgetsmadeeasy?sub_confirmation=1

Welcome to Day 1 of the Spring Cleaning Money Challenge! Each day I will give you a small task to help declutter your finances and the mental load of juggling everything. This will also be on The Money Mindset Podcast episodes 138 - 142. Follow along with the workbook at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spring We will also have some prizes and discussion in the FREE Facebook Budgets Made Easy w/Ashley Community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/131352297387593 You can also now follow along on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/c/budgetsmadeeasy?sub_confirmation=1

Do you struggle with budgeting and wonder if using a budget app could be the solution? While budgeting apps aren't a magic fix for your finances, they can be a useful tool when used correctly. In today's episode, Ashley will explore the popular trend of budgeting apps and examine whether they can truly solve your budgeting problems. She'll discuss their limitations and compare them to other budgeting methods, such as writing things down with pen and paper or using spreadsheets. Listen in to discover practical tips and tools that will empower you to take control of your finances and achieve your financial goals. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “A budget is just a goal for your money. It's a goal for your spending, but that's not enough, right? You still have to stick to it. So an app that just helps you categorize and see where your money has been going isn't good enough to change your future behavior. You have to really sit down and analyze why you were doing these things in the first place, right? And start making changes to change that behavior because we are creatures of habits.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 01:18 - Introduction to today's episode 01:54 - Can budgeting apps solve all your budgeting problems? 02:51 - The significance of writing down your expenses and goals 04:03 - Is a budgeting app necessary if you already budget by paycheck? 05:07 - Using a planner and a spreadsheet for your budget 07:36 - The concept of using an app versus writing things down 09:52 - Get your free Budget Starter Kit For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start * Budget Planner: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/planner * Budgets Made Easy Facebook Group: Budgets Made Easy™ w/Ashley- Budgeting, Saving Money & Paying Off Debt (https://www.facebook.com/groups/131352297387593) Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Are you struggling to keep up with unexpected expenses that keep popping up and wrecking your budget? Have you ever heard of sinking funds but have no idea what they are or how they work? If you've ever wondered what the term sinking funds mean, then you're not alone. In this episode, we'll dive deeper into the concept of sinking funds and how they can be used to plan and save for unexpected expenses without feeling like a failure. If you're looking to take control of your finances, then stay tuned for this episode on sinking funds. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “It's important to make a list and make a priority list, like put it in an order of what is most important to you, down to the least important. And then as money comes in, you know where it needs to go. So it's so important to make a plan for extra money so that when it comes in, it doesn't just disappear because you do still need to have a plan for it. Just like you have a plan for your regular paychecks and that is how you're gonna be able to stay on track and not get derailed when things pop up.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - What today's episode is about 02:33 - What are sinking funds and why do you need them 03:30 - Examples of sinking funds 05:26 - Tips for setting up sinking funds effectively 07:09 - The benefits of using cash envelopes to manage your sinking funds 08:39 - The importance of prioritizing your money plan 09:46 - Creating a priority list 11:18 - The role of a miscellaneous fund in your budget 14:01 - How to access your free Budget Starter Kit For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start * Luxe wallet (cash envelope wallet): www.shopluxewallet.com 10% off code: BMEasy10 Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Are you feeling overwhelmed with your finances and unsure where to start? Are you struggling to prioritize your bills and debt payments? Do you need help figuring out what to focus on first? In this episode of the Money Mindset podcast, Ashley tackles one of the biggest obstacles that many people face when it comes to their finances: feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to start. If you're struggling to prioritize your bills and debt payments, or if you need help figuring out what to focus on first, then you won't want to miss this episode. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “So whatever you gotta do to get yourself excited about the process is what you need to do. So don't worry about following a certain order when it comes to paying off your debt. Don't overthink it. It's not gonna be perfect, right? And you don't have to do it in any kind of perfect way. That's the beauty about personal finance and money coaching. You don't have to do it one specific way.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to today's episode 03:00 - What to prioritize first 03:56 - Prioritizing your needs 06:46 - Prioritizing your wants 07:23 - Prioritizing your debt If you'd like to work through your own struggle with your budget 1:1 with me, sign up for a Budget Strategy Session on The Money Mindset Podcast! Sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck and struggling to make ends meet? Have you been trying hard to achieve financial stability and build long-term wealth? If so, you won't want to miss our latest podcast episode! In this episode of the Money Mindset podcast, Ashley shares the best personal financial advice she's ever received and explains how it has helped her and her family set up a plan for long-term wealth building. She will also provide actionable tips for managing your finances, including advice on saving, developing habits and routines, and more. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “And that's the biggest thing when you set up these habits and these routines early on, even when life comes and you make some mistakes along the way, you can soften the blow and really just keep going and you still have that momentum when you have that cushion. And it's just easier to start the longer you are. But of course if you're older and you're listening, it's okay. Like you can start now.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to today's episode 01:13 - The importance of paying yourself first 03:38 - The benefits of automating your savings 04:58 - Saving money with each paycheck 05:54 - Establishing good habits and routines for saving 07:11 - Actionable steps to improve your financial situation If you'd like to work through your own struggle with your budget 1:1 with me, sign up for a Budget Strategy Session on The Money Mindset Podcast! Sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Are you someone who struggles with categorizing your expenses and sticking to a budget? Do you find yourself getting overwhelmed and overthinking every little purchase you make? If so, you're not alone. Many people struggle with categorizing their expenses and keeping track of their spending. In this episode of the Money Mindset Podcast, Ashley will help you shed yourself of overthinking and fear so that you can start taking action towards your financial goals. She'll address common questions like what budget category to use for toiletries, paper products, and groceries, and how much to budget for these items. She will also walk you through some simple steps to help you categorize your expenses effectively, and stick to a budget that works for you. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “Don't make it overly complicated cuz you need to be able to follow through with the plan and actually track the stuff. And if you make it too complicated to track, you're not gonna follow through with it.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to the episode 02:15 - Categorizing groceries 04:27 - Suggested budget for groceries 06:35 - Other budget categories 07:52 - Cash envelopes 08:29 - Using cash 10:17 - Budget Starter Kit 11:10 - Make your categories specific enough for you 12:03 - Last words of wisdom If you would like to sit down with me and discuss what you are struggling with and some steps that you can take to make progress and get over that big struggle, I invite you to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy and have a mini coaching session with me. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy * Cash envelope wallet: www.shopluxewallet.com * 10% off code: BMEasy10 * Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Are you feeling like you're too old to pay off debt, save for retirement, and live the life you want? Do you find yourself thinking that time has run out and it's too late for you to start making progress? It's common to feel like you've missed the opportunity to achieve financial success as you get older, but the truth is that it's never too late to start taking control of your finances. In this episode, Ashley challenges these beliefs and shares some practical ways to shift your mindset so you can start taking action towards your goals. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “In my opinion, of course this is just my opinion, it is more important to focus on getting your bills lowered as you move into retirement. Because more than likely your income will be lower if you haven't been able to save up to that point. And if you have been able to save, awesome, then you can focus on paying off debt more than saving more because you've already got enough saved.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to the episode 00:52 - The Implementation Day Workshop 02:08 - The mindset of feeling too old to pay off debt, save for retirement, and do the things that one wants to do 04:11 - Adjusting your priorities as you get older 08:29 - Last words of wisdom 10:36 - How to join the Implementation Day Workshop Are you tired of procrastinating on your finances and neglecting your debt? Do you often find yourself making excuses for why you can't pay off your debts yet? If so, it's time to put an end to it and take action with our Debt Pay Off Plan Workshop - Implementation Day! If you're struggling to get started with a debt pay off plan or constantly making excuses for why you can't do it right now, this workshop is perfect for you. Head over to https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/implementation-day-debt-plan-april-2023/ and register today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Debt Pay Off Plan Workshop - Implementation Day: https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/implementation-day-debt-plan-april-2023/ Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

How much of an impact does an extra $100 per month have on paying off debt? Listen to this episode to find out as Ashley delves into the topic of paying off debt and emphasizes the importance of making consistent payments to achieve financial freedom. She provides a clear breakdown of the numbers to demonstrate how an extra $100 per month can significantly impact debt pay off. Additionally, Ashley gives an example scenario to illustrate the importance of consistent payments towards debt. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “When you are intentional and you are sending extra money to debt, which method you use does not make a difference. It might, if it's taking you a long, long time and you're starting and stopping and all of those things, it could make a difference. But when you are being really intentional about it, it doesn't make a difference. Like it really doesn't.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 03:35 - Introduction to the episode's topic 05:00 - Discussing the potential impact of making $100 towards debt each month 09:21 - Example scenario with three credit cards using the debt snowball method 13:34 - Comparison between the debt snowball and debt avalanche methods 19:43 - Celebrating wins 30:46 ­- Using tax refund to pay off credit card Do you wish you had a supportive group of women like you to connect with about money? Come join me for a Budget Bestie Meetup on The Money Mindset Podcast, and let's learn and grow as a community! You can sign up at budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: Book your Budget Bestie Meetup episode here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup Connect with Ashley: Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Have you thought about stopping retirement contributions because some finance guru told you to pay off your debt first? Or maybe you aren’t sure if you should start contributing when you have debt to pay. A lot of people will even tell you to go ahead and pay off the high interest rate first because it accrues more than the market…. Well today I’m going to discuss the actual numbers and how all that logic is flawed except for in a very very small fraction of the population. I’m Ashley with Budgets Made Easy and you’re listing to the Money Mindset Podcast where we help support you with your debt pay off journey without all the shame and guilt so you can let go of the fear of failing and start living the life you deserve! Before we get started, don’t forget that for the month of March 2023, we are accepting entries for the week of giveaways! All you have to do is leave a review for the money mindset podcast, take a screenshot and submit it at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/giveaway The calculator I used - https://www.calculator.net/debt-payoff-calculator.html Now let’s discuss holding off retirement savings when you have debt. When we were paying off debt, I was not comfortable with doing this at first, even though I was listening to Dave Ramsey at the time and he said it over and over. I now longer follow Dave and generally can’t stand the man anymore, which I discuss more in detail as to why in episode 62 - Why I quit Dave Ramsey. At the time that I was considering stopping contributions to retirement, We had already paid off 2 of our 3 debts. The last debt was my student loan debt and our largest debt and it was accruing over $5 a day in interest! So I wanted it paid down fast. It had been 10 years since I graduated college and I had only paid off around $3000 in that time. So I was motivated to get it done quickly. We had consistently put in around 3% each plus 6% into my pension + 5% from the town I worked for for over 10 years. We were in our early 30s still so we had a lot saved and we will retire as millionaires even if we didn’t contribute another penny. When trying to decide if it was worth it or not, I did the math to see if it would be worth paying off the debt with our retirement contributions. I did not have a choice on contributing the 6% to the state pension and the town put in 5% for me that did not cost me anything. So even with stopping extra contributions, I had 11% going into my retirement. Now I can’t remember the exact numbers since it was in 2016 and I had no idea that I would be starting this career within a year and talking about our journey so much but I think we were putting around $4-500 a month toward our 401(k)s at this time. I knew that after taxes, I could bring home around $300-$400 per month to apply toward our largest and highest APR debt. But the APR was only 6.75% or right around that. At this time, I did not know about the rule of 72. Which I will explain in great detail in just a minute. It seemed like a good option to help us do it faster so that we could get back to saving for retirement. I did not really consider all the factors going into this decision because I just didn’t know and a guy who seemed more knowledgeable about it than me said to do it. The problem with this thinking though is that once you start bringing home the extra, it’s hard to start sending it again and not have that coming home in your paycheck. You get comfortable with the paycheck amounts and it’s hard to hit the button again to not have that money each month. We ended up not turning back on contributions for longer than I wanted because I wanted to save but then things kept coming up that kept us from saving as quickly as I wanted. So we ended up skipping contributions for a year or so. Now, at the time, I thought it was a good idea even though I did not for the first half of our journey. I also did not realize the true cost associated with that year until I was doing the prep for this episode. I’ve done the math for our 401(k) loan and know how that impacted our finances in the long-term but I’ve never actually calculated the year of not contributing. I go into detail on that long-term cost of the 401k loan in episode 120 - Our Worst Financial Mistake That Cost Us $1million dollars 😲 Now the year of not contributing is not as drastic of an impact as that 401k loan but nonetheless, the cost is a lot higher than my original calculations. I honestly don’t think that people that give this advice have ever thought through the long-term cost. Yes in the short-term, it seems like a logical math based decision but it’s really not. I did not even know the true cost until I started working on this episode! Now if you are following the advice of - you have to pay off your debt and save 3-6 months of expenses BEFORE you start contributing toward retirement. For most of you that will be at least 2-3 years. But for a lot of you, it could be 5 years, which is too long to be out of the market. Generally speaking this advice is for 2-3 years, not 5+ years. So if you already stopped your contributions, do not stop them for that long and I’m going to explain why….. First let me explain why you should keep contributing if you already are and not shut them off to pay off debt faster. The true cost can be calculated using the Rule of 72 the Rule of 72 is used to estimate how long it will take to double an investment at a given interest rate. Divide 72 by the interest rate to see how long it will take to double your money on an investment. Now there is a whole formula to do this calculation….but you don’t need to know it. Just Google the rule of 72 calculator and there are several that will do the math for you. For our math today we will use 10% avg return which doubles every 7 years - 10% is the average rate of the stock market. Of course, some years are high, some low, but the average is what matters - plus it’s the reason you shouldn’t try to time the market but that’s a discussion for another day. For our first example, let’s say you are 35 years old - 30 years from retirement $100 per paycheck - 26 a year = 2600 Per year = 5 doubles if retire at 65 5200 10,400 20,800 41,600 $83,200 - losing at retirement each year per $100 a payday For us that’s $83,200 * 3 = $249,600 for the one year - guess what? My accruing interest was not even close to that amount. I really only saved around $2000 in interest by paying off my student loan a year faster. Now for that math, I was 31, not 35 so that’s half of a doubling….which means we really lost around $375,000!!!! Because of our age at the time I’m kind of wishing I didn’t just do that math…. This whole journey of taking money out of retirement has cost us almost a million and a half dollars when we retire…. Now for that 35yr old example if they stop contributing for….. 2 years to pay off debt - costs $166,400 3 years to pay off debt - costs $332,800 For just $100 a paycheck!!! So if you are thinking, you “don’t have the money” to contribute toward retirement….you are wrong. $100 a check is really only around $70ish dollars in take home pay. That’s the cost of one meal at a restaurant - even less if it’s my family LOL But I also know that most of you are older than me, so for easy math, let’s say you are….. 42 years old - 23 years from retirement $100 per paycheck $2600 per year $41,600 per year 2 years to pay off $83,299 3 years to $166,400 Now I’ve also done the math for an example of what you are saving in interest because the comparison is important….. If we take that $100 per month and apply to our debt instead….because keep in mind that 401k contributions are pre-tax. So if you stop the $200 a month contribution, you’ll bring home around $150ish Let’s be real, you probably won’t send that whole amount to your debt. So if you take $100 per month of that $200 and put it toward your debt, you will save $2000 in interest. For the $100 per paycheck example. Now, remember the cost of that year was $83,200 for a year in lost money at retirement. In case you need me to do that math for you, you’re losing $80,000 by stopping contributions for a year. Now in using the same debt payoff calculations, that extra $100 per month still only has you debt free in over 3 years. So, that’s 3 years of not contributing which is a cost of over $322,000 at 35yrs old or $166,400 at 45 years old. That means, mathematically, it does not make any kind of sense to stop contributions to pay off debt faster - EVEN WITH HIGH INTEREST RATES. Now there are times where you may want to consider stopping contributions to focus on debt when you’ve already been contributing. If you are not actively working a debt pay off plan and have not worked on changing your behavior then do NOT stop contributing. The long-term costs will be enormous and the chances of you following through with paying off the debt and starting contributing again is very low. Leave it alone if you are still working on impulse spending, sticking to your budget, and feel overwhelmed and aren’t making any progress on your debt pay off goals. If you are already contributing AND have room in your budget to live and pay off debt, then you don’t need to stop. Now If you aren’t already contributing and DON’T have any extra money to contribute, then focus on debt first. If you are within 5 years to retirement, pay off debt first if you have to make a choice. The goal is not retire with a bunch of debt. Because if you don’t have any savings, you won’t be able to pay your bills with social security. It will be more manageable without a bunch of debt. Plus you won’t have much time to save and you’ll want more conservative investments so your ROI will be lower as well. It makes sense to pay off debt first in this situation. If you are 10 years out or more from retirement, contribute to retirement and if you have some extra, pay off debt as well. To recap - do not stop contributions - it’s not worth the long-term costs unless you are within 5 years of retirement. I’d love to hear if you had any aha moments listening today - so please leave a review below and don’t forget to screenshot it for the BIG giveaway happening in April! Go submit your review at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/giveaway Have a great week!

Are you someone who justifies spending money on things you don't really need or can't afford with the statement, "I deserve it because I work hard"? In this podcast episode, Ashley discusses the idea of using "I deserve it" as a justification for spending money that you cannot afford. She explains how making emotional decisions and using this mindset can lead to financial struggles and debt. She also offers tips on how to change your mindset around spending and make more logical financial decisions based on what you can afford. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “So instead of justifying spending money because you deserve it, flip that mindset into, I deserve to stay focused on my goals because I work hard and I deserve to be able to not stress about money and do the things that I want to do in life. When you really believe that you are worthy and you deserve better, your life will start to change.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - What today's episode is about 00:59 - The Money Mindset Podcast giveaway 01:35 - The 'I deserve it' mindset 03:18 - Making decisions based on emotions 06:23 - Deserve is not a currency 07:44 - Switching your mindset 11:47 - The Implementation day workshop If you'd like to work through your own struggle with your budget 1:1 with me, sign up for a Budget Strategy Session on The Money Mindset Podcast! Sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

The Money Mindset Podcast is almost at 100,000 downloads! Woohoo! In this podcast episode, Ashley reflects on her journey to another milestone for the Money Mindset Podcast and shares her thoughts on the importance of taking action and not waiting for the perfect moment to begin working toward one's financial goals. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “All those things that you can look back now and see that maybe you could have done things a little bit differently. Who knows if you would've done things differently, you wouldn't be where you're at today. And the only thing you can do is change what you do today and then tomorrow make new choices and change what you do tomorrow. You can't change what you've done in the past, and yet the past holds us back so, so much. And I just wanted to jump on and encourage you today to just keep going. Don't wait for things to be perfect, because they never will be. They just won't.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Another milestone for the Money Mindset Podcast 00:38 - The journey and the process of getting to our goals 01:49 - Just keep going 02:13 - Don't focus on the past 04:25 - Taking the first step 05:46 - The Money Mind Podcast giveaway If you'd like to work through your own struggle with your budget 1:1 with me, sign up for a Budget Strategy Session on The Money Mindset Podcast! Sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Have you ever found yourself with multiple debts and struggled to decide which one to pay off first? Should you focus on paying off high-interest debt, the smallest balance, or 0% interest debt? Paying off 0% interest debt first can be a dilemma for some people. While it may seem logical to pay off high-interest debt or the smallest balance first, there are situations where paying off 0% interest debt makes more sense. In this episode, Ashley will discuss when it may be beneficial to pay off 0% interest debt before high-interest debt or the smallest balance debt, and how to determine if this strategy is the right choice for your individual financial situation. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “General advice, you know, the debt snowball method, which is focusing on the smallest balance works for most people and a lot of different situations, but it's not a one size fits all. Right? And so sometimes we want to follow the rules so to speak and do things the right way, but that's not always the case because we have different situations. So it's okay to deviate from the plan to fit your situation better.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to today's episode 01:46 - Meet Jen 05:46 - Feeling stuck and falling behind 07:21 - Paying off 0% interest debt first 10:36 - Building up an emergency fund 11:22 - Jen's 24 hour action steps 16:18 - Paying by paycheck 18:18 - Last words of wisdom If you'd like to work through your own struggle with your budget 1:1 with me, sign up for a Budget Strategy Session on The Money Mindset Podcast! Sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Money Success Club waitlist - www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Debt relief companies are a popular choice for people who are struggling to manage their debts. They offer a variety of services to help people reduce or eliminate their debt burden. But is this really a good option for you? Before deciding to use a debt relief company, there are a few things to consider. Listen in as Ashley discusses some of these points and offers some guidance to help you make the right choice. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “So definitely before you commit to any kind of debt relief program, know your numbers so that you can make the best decision for you and you need to know your options and when you know your numbers and know what you can actually afford, things will get clear and you'll be able to make a more informed decision.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 01:17 - The Budget Bestie Meetup 03:10 - Should you use a debt relief company? 06:03 - Debt relief scams 06:47 - How it affects your credit score 09:47 - Talk to a bankruptcy attorney 10:46 - Do your research 12:04 - Know what the tax implications are 13:04 - Have a money plan 15:59 - About credit score 23:40 - Wins for February 31:24 - How to sign up for a Budget Bestie Meetup Do you wish you had a supportive group of women like you to connect with about money? Come join me for a Budget Bestie Meetup on The Money Mindset Podcast, and let's learn and grow as a community! You can sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: Book your Budget Bestie Meetup episode here -> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup Connect with Ashley: Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Debt is something that we all experience in our lives at some point or another. It can feel like a weight on our shoulders and be quite frustrating. The good news is that there are ways to take the pressure off and make debt feel less like a burden and more like something that you can look forward to getting rid of someday! In this episode, Ashley will explain why having some "fun money" each month can give you the financial freedom to still do the things you enjoy without the stress of having to pay off your debts. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “If you have a lot of debt and it's gonna take you a couple years to pay it off and if you like having your hair nails done, that's not something that you're gonna put off for years, right? Like you're gonna still get your hair done, you're still gonna get your nails done. And so you just have to make a plan for that. As long as you have the money in your budget that you can send to that, I'm okay with it. Now if you're going into debt to pay for these things, that's a little different, right?” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:29 - Introduction to today's episode 02:16 - Setting money aside on wants 03:33 - Losing motivation to keep going 05:11 - Making small changes overtime and managing your money in a realistic way 06:30 - Creating a realistic plan 08:29 - Building habits and routines 09:03 - Make extra money 12:48 - Figure out what will work for you 13:45 - Coming up on the podcast If you'd like to work through your own struggle with your budget 1:1 with me, sign up for a Budget Strategy Session on The Money Mindset Podcast! Sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Do you think your parents just didn't have enough money that's why they couldn't teach you about it? Or do you think they didn't want to teach you the topic because it was too complicated or too scary? Well, chances are our parents weren't taught much about money, either! In fact, it's possible that they haven't even learned the most basic financial lessons themselves. So, in today's episode, Ashley will go over some of the money lessons that our parents did not teach us about - but should have, such as making a realistic plan, planning ahead for non-regular expenses, and creating a plan for each paycheck. Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “A lot of times what I see is people make a plan, but it's based on everything going perfectly. And guess what? You're not perfect. And especially in the beginning, your plan is definitely not gonna be perfect. You are not gonna wake up a different person tomorrow. You are not going to be able to easily change your habits and behaviors overnight. Of course you can over time as you build new habits and new routines, yes you can change and you can make big change relatively fast, but it's not gonna happen overnight. And so a lot of times I see these plans that are not realistic at all based on you and your family and the things that you're already doing. It's based on this perfect idea of what you want things to be. And those are not, those are not gonna be the same, especially if you are just starting out with creating a money plan at all and sticking to a money plan at all. It's just not going to happen.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - The topic for today's episode 01:55 - Not making a realistic plan 03:45 - Not creating a plan for each paycheck 05:28 - Now planning ahead for non-regular expenses 07:34 - Not learning how to deal with overspending and addiction to online shopping 12:11 - Not paying yourself first 17:26 - How to have your own Budget Budget Strategy Session episode If you would like to sit down with me and discuss what you are struggling with and some steps that you can take to make progress and get over that big struggle, I invite you to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode at budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy and have a mini coaching session with me. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Do you feel like you aren't making any progress with your money plan even though you've been trying for a while? If you are feeling like your money plan isn't working the way that you hoped it would, it may be because you are doing too much at once. Listen in as Ashley discusses how to create a realistic money plan that will keep you from feeling stuck and getting overwhelmed. Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “So it's more important for the long-term success that you start small and just make it simple as possible so that you can follow through with it. If you make it complicated and a whole bunch of steps at once, you're not gonna make as fast a progress, if any progress because you're just too overwhelmed and trying to do too many new things at once. You wanna start with one small thing at a time.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:26 - How to register for the Free workshop on 'How to pay off $500 in Debt in just 30 days' 00:58 - The topic of today's episode 01:47 - Do one thing at a time 02:34 - Plan for what was left after bills 03:51 - Creating a money plan 04:13 - Meal plan 05:37 - Cash envelopes 07:07 - Start small Tired of Living Paycheck To Paycheck? Want to Pay Off $500 Next Month? I've got just the thing for you! This FREE Workshop will teach you How to Pay Off $500 in Debt in just 30 Days without selling a kidney or robbing a bank! Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop and register today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * How to Pay Off $500 in Debt in just 30 Days: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Wondering where to put the rest of your money after you've paid all your bills? Should you use it to pay off more debt, or should you put it towards something else? Listen in today's episode, as Ashley discusses debt strategies with Christina, including what to do with her leftover money after paying all of her bills, how to allocate those funds, and what her options are for paying off her debt. Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “Well, it's overwhelming. And then you're like, I don't know what to do because I'm overwhelmed. And so when you just take it one step at a time, so just focus on the one debt you wanna pay off first, I find running the numbers motivating, especially if you have a good chunk each month that you could send to it and you see that number, you're like, oh, I can do that. It'll help get you going. It'll give you that momentum to get started.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - How to sign up for your Budget Strategy Session 00:38 - Introduction to today's episode 01:16 - Meet Christina 04:02 - Christina's financial struggle 06:23 - What to do with the money that is left over after paying bills 08:38 - Emergency and Sinking funds 09:44 - Having a buffer amount 11:13 - Deciding on your biggest financial goal 13:37 - Which debt to pay off first 17:01 - Focusing on one debt at a time 19:07 - Christina's 24 hour action step 19:34 - Impact, Debt Snowball, and Debt Avalanche method 23:07 - Planning your left over money where you want it to go If you'd like to work through your own struggle with your budget 1:1 with me, sign up for a FREE Budget Strategy Session on The Money Mindset Podcast! Sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

I'm sure you've been given money advice at some point in your life that sounded good at the time, but turned out to be bad advice that cost you money! Today I'm sharing the worst advice we followed that led to our biggest money mistake.....one that will cost us almost $1 MILLION.....yes million....dollars in our lifetimes. But as with all mistakes and setbacks, there is a silver lining! Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “But you know, we all make mistakes and we learn from each other. So I would love to hear your biggest mistake and maybe you know, what you've learned from that mistake because that's where we really grow and that's where we make the biggest progress in our learning and our journey because we're like, hmm, never wanna do that again. Right? We learn more from our failures and our mess-ups than we do from our successes. And that's just how our brains work.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:11 - The Money Success Club 00:57 - The topic of today's episode 02:52 - What made us take out a loan 05:33 - 401(k) loan 10:59 - The start of our debt free journey 12:40 - Tell us about your biggest financial mistake 14:22 - How to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode Do you need time, space, and accountability to take action on the things you KNOW you should be doing, such as budgeting so you can actually pay off debt, save money, make a meal plan, and all the other things that keep falling off your to-do list? Would you thrive in a supportive community of other busy moms who understand what you're going through and are working to achieve similar financial goals? If that’s a YES, I invite you to sign up for the Money Success Club at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Money Success Club: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Caring for an aging parent or grandparent can be challenging, particularly if you are unprepared. When you find yourself in this situation, there is a lot to know and do, especially when it comes to legal and financial matters. However, with a lot of planning and preparation, you can work through these difficulties while remaining sane. Listen in as Jen and Ashley offer tips and advice on how to deal with this stressful situation without sacrificing your mental health. Meet Jen! Jen Narciso is the founder of Investor Mama and host of the Investor Mama Podcast. She believes anyone can get out of debt and achieve financial independence by getting educated, changing his or her habits, and changing their money beliefs. Her goal is to help as many moms and families as she can with their money journey so they can set an example for the next generation. Jen has two beautiful young children and one beautiful angel baby. In her “spare” time, she loves to travel, is an adamant reader on anything money related, and most importantly, likes to create memorable moments with her family and friends. “The sooner you could have these conversations the better. And also on the same token, if you don't have this stuff in place, definitely do it for your family as well. Because as hard as it is for you to have these conversations, you don't wanna be a burden onto your kids. And the more things you can prepay in advance for yourself also the better.” - Jen Narciso Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to today's episode 01:47 - Meet Jen 08:08 - Conducting research and learning about the disease 10:02 - Get your own support group 11:30 - Estate Planning 12:39 - Healthcare directive 13:29 - Having a will in place 14:09 - Power of attorney 14:30 - Prepare your parents' medical records 15:23 - Know where their money is 16:54 - Consult a local attorney 18:00 - Consult an estate attorney to help you move assets 26:56 - Be kind to yourself and know your limits and boundaries 29:11 - Consider looking for facilities that can provide them with the assistance they need 33:33 - How Jen took care of herself 37:59 - Last words of wisdom Starting and sticking to a money plan doesn't need to be overwhelming! Join my Money Plan Bootcamp where I'll teach you the 5 key steps for creating a money plan you can actually stick to...for FREE!⁣⁣ Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp and register today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Book Recommendation: * Slight Edge by Jeff Olson Resources and Links Mentioned: * The Money Plan Bootcamp: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Jen: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/investor_mama/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/investormamapodcast * Website: https://www.investormama.com/connect * 19 Tips for Navigating Money in a Relationship: www.investormama.com Special Guest: Jen Narciso.

Welcome to the very first episode of our new series called the Budget Bestie Meetup! Yay! The Budget Bestie Meetup is a free community meetup that brings together a supportive group of women to talk about money so that we can learn and grow as a community. In this episode, we'll talk about how to start changing your behavior, how to put it into action, and how to incorporate habit stacking into your daily routine. In addition, we will also talk about the different methods to pay off your debt and share our wins for the month. Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “So you know, it's tracking your spending, like that is a behavior, it's a habit, it's a routine that we wanna build and create as we're trying to change our behavior. So it's not always the impulsive spending, it's not always the overspending, but it's the little things that we do on the day-to-day. Those habits and routines could also be said instead of behavior. But it is those little things of what we do with our finances. Not always the big things of overspending and you know, shopping way too much on Amazon. Of course that plays into it as well. But you know, mainly the habits and setting up the systems to really be successful in the long run.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 01:18 - About the Budget Bestie Meetup 03:39 - Changing your behavior 07:31 - Implementing your habits and routines 18:14 - Renee's win 16:32 - How to include habit stacking to your daily routine 25:07 - Cindy's win 29:18 - Kristina's win 30:13 - About the snowball, impact, and debt avalanche method 36:58 - Word of the year 39:26 - Kathy's win 40:43 - Trinette's win 41:17 - Paying credit card balance using the snowball method 45:18 - Elizabeth's win 01:01:42 - How to sign up for the Budget Bestie Meetup episode Do you wish you had a supportive group of women like you to connect with about money? Come join me for a Budget Bestie Meetup on The Money Mindset Podcast, and let's learn and grow as a community! You can sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Book Recommendation: * Atomic Habits by James Clear Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Bestie Meetup episode here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

If you have recently taken a break from your job to focus on personal life or take care of family responsibilities, it can be easy to start falling behind on your finances as you haven't paid much attention to them over the past few months. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help you get through this and get your finances back on track. Listen in as Ashley shares some tips with Sy on how to get her finances back on track after taking a break from work, such as tracking her spending, using cash envelopes, and creating a priority list in her budget. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “So just figure out what works for you by trying different things and know it's gonna take practice and it's gonna take time. So don't be afraid to start cuz you feel like you're not sure what to do or which thing to do. Cuz we overthink everything. We overthink all of it and truly it doesn't matter as long as you're taking action and trying something that is progress and you will get there. But if you stay stuck and don't do anything, you won't. Right? You have to like just start doing and just start trying to figure it out.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 01:17 - What today's episode is about 02:29 - How to join the Money Plan Bootcamp 03:36 - Meet Sy 11:27 - Sy's financial struggle 12:11 - Tracking your spending 15:08 - Using cash envelopes 19:02 - Sy's 24 hour goal 21:29 - Creating a priority list 23:47 - How to utilize multiple bank accounts 27:09 - How to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode Starting and sticking to a money plan doesn't need to be overwhelming! Join my Money Plan Bootcamp where I'll teach you the 5 key steps for creating a money plan you can actually stick to...for FREE!⁣⁣ Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp and register today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * The Money Plan Bootcamp: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Most people set resolutions for the New Year in an attempt to change their lives for the better - but few actually follow through with them. The problem is that making resolutions without a plan and sticking to it often leads to disappointment and failure. So how can you make sure you keep your resolutions this year? Listen to this episode and learn the key steps you should take in order to make a New Year’s resolution that you can stick to! Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “You've just gotta keep going and know that, you know, failure is part of the journey, but so is success. You can't have one without the other. Believe it or not, they go together, right? And so you have to give yourself some grace and have patience with yourself and know that it is never going to be perfect. It's never gonna be perfect, so then the key is being patient with yourself, giving yourself some grace, keep going, don't give up.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - The topic of today's episode 01:08 - The key to sticking to your new year resolutions 01:55 - Giving yourself some grace 05:02 - Keep going and not mentally give up 05:51 - Creating SMART goals 10:37 - About the Money Plan Bootcamp Starting and sticking to a money plan doesn't need to be overwhelming! Join my Money Plan Bootcamp where I'll teach you the 5 key steps for creating a money plan you can actually stick to...for FREE!⁣⁣ Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp and register today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * The Money Plan Bootcamp: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Are you ready for a productive and successful year? If you're like most people, your answer is likely a yes. But how can you make that happen? In this episode, Ashley discusses five budget mistakes to avoid in 2023 so that you can have a productive and successful year ahead such as not putting a deadline on tasks, expecting everything to go perfectly, not setting a baseline and mid-level goals, and more! Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “So you're constantly feeling like you're failing because you can't be perfect and your money plan’s never gonna be perfect because that's life and we beat ourselves up and we get in this mental cycle of feeling like we failed because we're not perfect, but we're human. So we literally cannot be perfect. So you've gotta keep going. When bumps come along the way, along the road when there's bumps and life happens, you've gotta keep going. It's never gonna be perfect. But if you keep going, you will be successful. If you stop and quit and avoid, you're not gonna reach your big goals. So you have to keep going and not expect everything to go perfectly.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - What today's episode is about 00:25 - How to sign up for the Money Plan Bootcamp 03:04 - Not putting a deadline on tasks 04:37 - Expecting everything to go perfectly 06:14 - Not setting a baseline and mid-level goals 09:45 - Not being intentional 12:31 - Trying to do too much Starting and sticking to a money plan doesn't need to be overwhelming! Join my Money Plan Bootcamp where I'll teach you the 5 key steps for creating a money plan you can actually stick to...for FREE!⁣⁣ Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp and register today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * The Money Plan Bootcamp: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Hey everyone, it's question and answer time on the podcast! This is Part 4 of our Q&A series, and I'll be answering some of the questions that Money Plan Bootcamp members have sent in. Listen in as I answer the following questions: How to pay off debt and save while living paycheck to paycheck, How to get past guilt when the plan doesn't work out, and Can you start your monthly budget with the previous month's last paycheck? Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “Remember, focus on one thing at a time. Budget comes first, saving, then paying off debt. I know you wanna just dive in head first into paying off debt and get it out of your life. I love it when you are that excited about it. But you've gotta really cover the foundational stuff first so that you don't go back into debt later.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to today's episode 04:18 - How to pay off debt and save while living paycheck to paycheck 09:55 - How to get past the guilt when the plan doesn't go as planned 14:57 - Can you start your budget for the month with the previous month's last paycheck? 16:48 - How to join the Money Plan Bootcamp Starting and sticking to a money plan doesn't need to be overwhelming! Join my Money Plan Bootcamp where I'll teach you the 5 key steps for creating a money plan you can actually stick to...for FREE!⁣⁣ Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp and register today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * The Money Plan Bootcamp: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp * Send your questions here -> www.speakpipe.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Does it seem like you are constantly ordering DoorDash and never sticking to your budget because your life is just too busy? When it comes to budgets, many people find themselves struggling with how to stick to a plan, especially the busy moms who work from home while raising their kids. Listen in as Ashley shares some budgeting strategies with Cameron, such as changing her morning routine, making a meal plan, and using a paper and spreadsheet to help her track her budget and stick to it. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “I would consider or think about how you can build 10, 15 minutes into your routine and where the kids are already at school, you don't have the distraction of them and just you can take a few minutes to check in on your budget that will help you stick to it. But keep in mind you're not gonna be perfect. So like none of us are perfect and it has to become a habit and a routine and you will find that when you like something comes up, the kids are sick and you're not, like you get out of that route schedule and that routine you feel lost and it just feels like chaos. But when you have your routine and you can follow through with it, I don't know, things just feel right in the world.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to today's episode 01:43 - Meet Cameron 02:25 - Cameron's biggest financial struggle 04:36 - Using paper, spreadsheet, or an app to track your budget 07:10 - Creating habits and routines 13:32 - Morning budgeting routine 15:10 - Meal planning 17:48 - Budgeting for 2 different paychecks 22:32 - How to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode If you'd like to work through your own struggle with your budget 1:1 with me, sign up for a FREE Budget Strategy Session on The Money Mindset Podcast! Sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Book Recommendation: * Free to Focus by Michael Hyatt Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

If you're looking for new and creative ways to save a few hundred dollars a month without doing anything crazy, drastic, or extremely frugal, why not try a Money Savings Challenge? Listen in as Ashley shares a couple of Money Savings Challenges that you can do on a monthly basis to make saving money a lot more fun. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “So we gotta set realistic expectations for yourself so that it is motivating. So you wanna do it again, right? But if you just set your expectations too high and you wanna not spend anything for an entire month and that's not realistic and you end up having to spend some money, then you feel like you failed and what was the point, right? So make it something that is doable for you.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to today's episode 02:37 - No spend challenge 04:14 - Make it doable 06:41 - Pantry or Freezer challenge 10:07 - The $5 challenge 12:36 - No eating out challenge 14:43 - The Money Plan Bootcamp If you're ready to get out of debt, start saving money, and have your best year yet, check out the Kickstart 2023 Bundle. It will help you create a simple plan that you can actually follow so you can pay off debt and save money in 2023! Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/kickstart to grab your bundle today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Resources and Links Mentioned: * Get the Kickstart 2023 Bundle here: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/kickstart Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Thinking of going back to school? Whether you're going back to school to pursue a bachelor's degree or looking to expand your career opportunities by furthering your education, it's never too late to study again. Listen in as Katelyn, a career coach, guides others through the process so you understand your options and can make an informed decision. She also has some helpful tips and tricks for doing it for little to no cost to you! Meet Katelyn Katelyn is a non-traditional college student and college instructor that stopped and started her education at over ten schools over the last fifteen years. She amassed $60,000 in debt pursuing her undergrad, then found a better way, completed two master’s degrees where she profited $1800 through education benefits and scholarships, and now pursuing a doctorate which will cost her $0. All of this was completed on an accelerated timeline, while working a full-time job and 2 part time jobs, paying off over $100,000 in debt, and raising her three kids. In her full-time job, Katelyn acts as a pseudo-career coach helping people in her organization to get qualified for their next role, finding low cost or no cost education programs, prepping resumes, and she teaches the job application process at a local university as a part of a career service orientation. Her mission and passion are helping people get qualified for their dream job without taking on mountains of debt. “When you're looking to go back to school, whether you're traditional or non-traditional, you have to be an informed consumer and you have to be your own advocate. No one else is looking out for you, no one else has your specific goals and desires or passions. So make sure that you're researching, that you're finding things that are right for you. And also making sure that there's alignment between your career aspirations and the programs that you're going for.” - Katelyn Shannon Timestamps: 00:55 - Introduction to today's episode 03:01 - Meet Katelyn 14:18 - Be an informed consumer 15:42 - Do your research to find the right program that fits your career goals 19:17 - Check your employee benefits 20:20 - Scholarship and grant applications 23:23 - Credit Transfer 26:59 - Regional and national accreditation 33:43 - Regarding Katelyn's work in human resources 38:46 - How to stand out when applying for a Job 43:06 - Who should I speak with about employee benefits 44:54 - Takeaways from this episode 50:44 - Last words of wisdom 52:24 - The Kickstart 2023 Bundle If you're ready to get out of debt, start saving money, and have your best year yet, check out the Kickstart 2023 Bundle. It will help you create a simple plan that you can actually follow so you can pay off debt and save money in 2023! Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/kickstart to grab your bundle today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Book Recommendation: * Stop Organizing, Start Producing: Leverage the 12 Factors that Make or Break the Busy Professional | 2011 Casey Moore Resources and Links Mentioned: * Kickstart 2023 Bundle: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/kickstart * 3 FREE consultation spots available for the listeners of the Money Mindset Podcast: Email [email protected] * sophia.org * study.com Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Katelyn: * Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelynshannon-learningprofessional/ Special Guest: Katelyn Shannon.

You won't always be motivated, you won't always have the time.....but you can set up habits and routines to help you maintain and follow through with your money plan! I'm back for the third part of our Q&A series! In this episode, I'll answer more questions from Money Plan Bootcamp members, such as how to find time as a busy parent, how to stay motivated, how to stay on track and on budget when you have small children at home, and how far in advance you should plan your next month's budget. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “You really have to figure out what is going to keep you going when you're not motivated. And guess what that is? Habits and routines. So what I just talked about, habits and routines will keep you doing what you need to do when you don't feel like it.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:00 - The topic of today's episode 04:29 - How to find time as a busy parent 12:56 - How to stay motivated 16:41 - How to stay on track and on budget with small children at home 21:14 - How far in advance should you plan your next month's budget 30:47 - How to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode If you'd like to work through your own struggle with your budget 1:1 with me, sign up for a FREE Budget Strategy Session on The Money Mindset Podcast! Sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Get your Kickstart 2023 Bundle here: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/kickstart * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

With 2023 only a few days away, I'm sure we're all hoping to start the New Year off on the right foot. And what better way to kick off the new year than by making plans to reach your financial goals? Listen in as I share tips on how to prioritize your finances by taking action, tracking your progress, developing habits and routines, and setting SMART goals to help you achieve financial freedom in 2023! Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “We have to make our finances a priority if you want them to change. So if you wanna get better, if you wanna learn, if you wanna start making better habits and routines, then we have to start taking action. And it actually starts right now.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps: 00:53 - Introduction for today's episode 01:46 - Making your finances a priority by taking action 03:02 - How small actions lead to big results 03:45 - How tracking your progress will allow you to see how far you've come 05:38 - Building habits and routines 06:56 - How to make a SMART goal 09:08 - Breaking down your big goals into smaller, achievable goals 12:58 - Setting up quarterly goals 18:21 - The Money Plan Bootcamp 18:54 - The Kickstart 2023 Bundle If you're ready to get out of debt, start saving money, and have your best year yet, check out the Kickstart 2023 Bundle. It will help you create a simple plan that you can actually follow so you can pay off debt and save money in 2023! Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/kickstart to grab your bundle today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Resources and Links Mentioned: * Kickstart 2023 Bundle: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/kickstart * Episode 83 - BSS - Letting Perfectionism Go So You Get Back on Track: https://www.themoneymindsetpodcast.com/83 Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Managing your finances is hard enough, which is why when it comes to getting out of debt, you have to be creative, and thinking outside the box can come in handy. Listen in as Christine shares her financial journey, money mindset, and how she used an unconventional way to pay off debt in order to get her finances back on track. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “Think outside the box like maybe you can't live without a car but what can you do that you're like, people are gonna think I'm crazy. Like I would never have thought to even do that to help pay off debt. But I bet you there's some things that you can do to help pay off debt that you know might be a little extreme to other people but maybe not as extreme to you.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps 00:00 - What today's episode is about 02:26 - How to have your own Budget Strategy Session episode 02:56 - Get to know Christine 11:02 - Christine's goals 12:42 - Christine's financial journey 16:01 - Christine's long term debt payoff goal 18:09 - Book recommendation 19:19 - What kept her motivated 20:45 - Take away from this episode 23:34 - Last words of wisdom If you'd like to work through your own struggle with your budget 1:1 with me, sign up for a FREE Budget Strategy Session on The Money Mindset Podcast! Sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Book Recommendation: * God, where are you? Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Is perfectionism keeping you stuck? Do you constantly worry and overthink about everything, making it difficult to manage your finances? Join me in today's episode as I strategize with Gina about how to implement her plan by tracking her spending, planning where to put her leftover money, creating a visual, and learning to focus on one thing at a time to help her overcome her perfectionism so she can stick to her budget and plan ahead. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “It's easy to get overwhelmed when you're thinking about all the things. But right now your goal is to focus on the day to day and paycheck to paycheck to get caught up and get where you are paying things ahead.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps 01:17 - Introduction for today's episode 02:59 - Meet Gina 03:44 - Gina's biggest struggle 06:42 - What to do with the money that's left over after paying the bills 16:24 - How to track your spending 20:28 - Gina's 24 hour goal 23:01 - Focusing on one thing at a time 27:20 - Set money aside to reward yourself 32:13 - Making a visual to help keep yourself motivated 32:34 - Letting go of perfectionism 38:39 - Last words of wisdom 39:06 - How to have your own Budget Strategy Session If you'd like to work through your own struggle with your budget 1:1 with me, sign up for a FREE Budget Strategy Session on The Money Mindset Podcast! Sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

On today's episode of The Money Mindset Podcast, I'm back to answer your questions. That's right, today's episode is Part 2 of our Q&A series! Listen in as I answer questions about how to get motivated when you feel you are already behind, how to get your spouse on board, and how to pay off debt on a low income. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “Another thing that I encourage couples to do, and my husband and I are very good at this, is we dream together. We talk about, okay, what if we got all this money someday? What if or what do we wanna do when we retire? What do we wanna do with our goals for next year? And really dream together because something that might be happening is your spouse doesn't have a goal that they want to work towards, and it may not be the same goal as yours. So you really have to compromise, communicate, and work together toward the same goal. So sit down and just dream together. Find out what they really wanna do with their life and see if you can come together, maybe compromise a little bit and work together towards your financial goals, which you definitely gotta get on the same page in order to make it work.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps 00:02 - Introduction for today's episode 01:07 - How to get motivated when you feel you are already behind 03:09 - How to get your spouse on board 05:38 - How to pay off debt on a low income 07:32 - How to send in your questions If you have any questions you would like answered in a future episode of The Money Mindset podcast, please go to www.speakpipe.com/budgetsmadeeasy. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Send your questions here -> www.speakpipe.com/budgetsmadeeasy * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Want to know how to build wealth even if you don't have much money to invest? In Kimberly's new book, Building Wealth on a Dime, she helps you understand how to manage your debt and money better so you can invest even on a tight budget. She was a special guest here on The Money Mindset Podcast way back when I started in October 2019 on Episode #8 where she shared how she paid off over $40,000 in student loans in 3 years. Now she gives us an update on her journey and how she is changing personal finance education for women like you! Meet Kimberly! Kimberly Hamilton is the author of Building Wealth on a Dime and the Founder of Beworth Finance where she helps women and millennials make smart money moves via online courses and workshops. As a Certified Financial Education Instructor, Kimberly has been featured in major publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, Health magazine, and The Everygirl, among others. She has conducted workshops for partners such as Capital One Cafe and Ladies Get Paid, and is also the Senior Manager of Financial Education at major fintech company, Rocket Money -- but today, we're really excited to talk about her book, which we'll dive into in just a second. “One is start small, dream big. So when you're talking about investing, I think a lot of people get intimidated and think that they need to have a lot of money, you know, or it's only for people that already have money or come from money, what have you. But, the truth is technology is more on our side now than it ever has been before. And so investing's really a lot more accessible if you're willing to learn the ways to go about it. You can have an app on your phone and you can start investing with as little as $5. So don't think that it has to be, oh, I need a thousand dollars or $10,000 to get started. You can really get started with a lot less.” - Kimberly Hamilton Timestamps 01:19 - Introduction for today's episode 02:46 - Meet Kimberly 04:52 - About Kimberly's book called "Building Wealth on a Dime" 06:28 - Sneak peek at one of the stories in the book 10:36 - Tips on how to build wealth on a dime 16:00 - Last words of wisdom 17:30 - Where to get Kimberly's book 19:08 - How to have your own Budget Strategy Session episode If you'd like to work through your own struggle with your budget 1:1 with me, sign up for a FREE Budget Strategy Session on The Money Mindset Podcast! Sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy * Pre-order before Dec 22 and get free access to Kimberly's Investing 101 workshop where you'll learn what to consider when selecting investments, how to set up a brokerage and more! Simply send your proof of receipt to [email protected] and she'll get you that interview link! * indiebound.org Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Kimberly: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beworthfinance * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beworthfinance * Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/beworthfinance * Website: https://www.beworthfinance.com/building-wealth-on-a-dime Special Guest: Kimberly Hamilton.

Do you want to quit your job so you can stay at home with your kids, but can't because the rest of your family is unable to stop spending money? Listen to today's episode as I discuss some action steps Heather can take with her family so she can quit her job and stay at home with the kids, such as using cash instead of credit cards, preparing freezer meals, setting time frames, and creating visual trackers to get everyone on board with her goals. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “I really encourage people to start working on their behavior before they do something like that so that you've already kind of laid that groundwork. Because what almost always happens is people refinance, they get comfortable and then they rack up the debt again.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps 00:00 - Overview of today's episode 01:32 - How to have your own Budget Strategy Session 02:39 - Get to know Heather 06:23 - Discussing your financial goals together as a family 08:01 - Using cash instead of credit cards 12:30 - About refinancing and changing your behavior 13:16 - Setting time frame and visuals for your goals 15:05 - Preparing freezer meals 16:24 - Creating a visual tracker 17:35 - Getting everybody on board to work together towards your goal 22:04 - Heather's 24 hour goal 39:38 - Giving yourself some grace 41:15 - Last words of wisdom If you'd like to work through your own struggle with your budget 1:1 with me, sign up for a free Budget Strategy Session on The Money Mindset Podcast! Sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Do you set "goals" in January as New Year Resolutions and then never achieve them? Or better yet, you write them down and put them in a drawer never to be looked at again? Well, let's fix that! In today's episode I will be discussing with Monica about the right way to set goals and when you should be doing it. Hint: it's now, not January. Meet Monica! Monica, “Monie”, is a personal finance author and blogger committed to educating solo parents to go from financial couch potato to superstar. She shares her story of divorce, raising kids and $257,000 of debt to 10 years later reaching financial independence. “So SMART goals is an acronym for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time, time constrained or time bound. And that, that was huge. But I think the step before that for me was understanding what was important. What were my priorities? Where did I really wanna focus? What did I value? And once I had a kind of a general idea of that, the smart goals really helped to kind of evolve that and massage that into concrete steps that I could take.” - Monica Scudieri Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction for today's episode 04:25 - Meet Monica 06:24 - Monica's goal setting process 09:40 - Setting micro goals everyday 11:49 - How often should you review your goals 12:49 - Creating habits and routines to build consistency 13:47 - How often should you evaluate and redo your goals 20:33 - What are SMART goals 23:41 - Last words of wisdom 25:14 - Rewarding yourself for each goal achieved Need help? Sign up for a no cost Budget Strategy Session with me! Pick your time here: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Monica: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MonicaGYS1 * Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrabYour_Slice * Website: https://www.GrabYourSlice.com * Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/MonicaScudieri Special Guest: Monica Scudieri.

Services that offer a buy now, pay later program such as Afterpay can sometimes be more beneficial to use. It can be a great help when buying goods and items. But, if you are unable to keep up with your payments, you'll only end up with more debt. Listen in as Ashley shares tips on how to overcome buy now, pay later debts such as using your extra money to cover payments, tracking your spending, making extra money, and using cash envelopes to help save for future purchases and pay off debt. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “Make a list of priorities for where you want that money to go to so that it doesn't just get mindlessly spent but it can go towards your goal.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction for today's episode 00:54 - How to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode 02:06 - Meet Gwen 04:03 - Gwen's biggest struggle 08:02 - Actions Gwen can take to manage her financial struggles 14:48 - About the cash envelope system 21:32 - Gwen's 24 hour goal 25:08 - Making realistic goals 27:31 - Making visuals to remind you of your goals If you'd like to work through your own struggle with your budget 1:1 with me, sign up for a Budget Strategy Session on The Money Mindset Podcast! Sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Welcome to episode 101 of The Money Mindset Podcast! Today, we're kicking off part 1 of our Q&A series where I will answer questions sent in by members of the Money Plan Bootcamp. This will be a several part series as we have lots of questions to answer like what to do with the 3rd paycheck in a month when paid biweekly, how to handle child support income in your budget, how to build tracking as a habit, and my favorite place to sell items. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “Do as much as you can to set yourself up for success, not failure. And by doing that is to create a plan and create specific measurable goals.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction for today's episode 02:51 - What to do with the 3rd paycheck in a month when paid biweekly 04:48 - How to do the budget by paycheck schedule 06:16 - How to build tracking as a habit 09:40 - How to handle child support income in your budget 13:45 - My favorite place to sell items 16:18 - How to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode If you'd like to work through your own struggle with your budget 1:1 with me, sign up for a Budget Strategy Session on The Money Mindset Podcast! Sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

So excited to celebrate the 100th episode of The Money Mindset Podcast! Wow! Whether you’ve been listening since episode one, or if this is your first episode, thank you for being here. In honor of our 100th episode, I invited members of the Money Success Club to share their stories, struggles, triumphs, and what they've learned along their financial journey so far. Hope this episode helps you realize that you are not alone on this journey, that you have support and that you can learn a lot from others who are going through the same things as you. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “Everybody feels so alone and you're not. You're not alone. There are so many other women going through the same things as you. Even if you're a single mom, even if you have a low income, even if your spouse isn't fully on board with the plan, you can still do this.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps 00:00 - How to join the Money Success Club 00:26 - Introduction for today's episode 02:46 - What's happening this week 06:03 - Breanna's story 12:14 - Take away from Breanna's story 18:28 - Terri's story 29:18 - Take away from Terri's story 38:44 - Trinnette's story 47:53 - Take away from Trinnette's story 50:55 - Ashley's story 58:00 - Take away from Ashley's story Do you need time, space and accountability to take action on the things you KNOW you should be doing? Budgeting so you can actually pay off debt, save money, make a meal plan and all the things that keep pushing their way down your to-do list. Would you thrive in a supportive community of other busy moms who get it and are also working to achieve similar financial goals? If that’s a YES, come join these lovely ladies inside Money Success Club! This is the last opening for the year! Check it out here: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Money Success Club: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Most people tend to procrastinate and make excuses when it comes to managing their finances. The problem is that the longer you wait to save and pay off debt, the more stressful and harder it will be to make progress to achieve your goals. Today, we're going to discuss the cost of waiting and how taking action toward your financial goals early on can help lessen the mental stress and prepare you for unexpected events, so you can take control of your finances and get back on track. Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “If you keep putting off taking action on your financial goals and just wishing for it to happen some day, that day is never going to come. You are going to stay in this cycle of year after year wondering where the heck all your money went, why you can't seem to save for the things that you really want to do, why you can't seem to paying cash for that vacation or you're not able to buy that house that you want with for your family. And you know that mental cost of stress.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction for today's episode 03:50 - How to join the FREE Masterclass "5 Money Mistakes You're Making & How to Fix Them" 08:01 - Meet Breanna 10:03 - Breanna's financial struggle 20:11 - Keeping your momentum going 22:45 - Being financially and mentally prepared for unexpected events 31:56 - Take away from this episode Want to know the 5 Money Mistakes You're Making & How to Fix Them? I've got just the thing for you! This FREE Masterclass will help you identify and fix the common money mistakes you're making so you can start saving and paying off debt! Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/class and register today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * 5 Money Mistakes You're Making & How to Fix Them: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/class * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Do you always treat yourself when you feel stressed, tired, feeling sad, or you're having a good day? While it is good to acknowledge that we deserve something special, the truth is we sometimes overindulge and overspend just to treat ourselves, causing us to regret it later. Listen in as Ashley discusses how developing good habits and routines, as well as having the right mindset, can help you stop overspending on treats for yourself so you can save for your bigger goal. She will also discuss how to create a zero-based budget and how to add categories for things that always "pop up" in your budget. Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “Give yourself some grace. Know that it's a process and you've gotta build those habits and routines and change your mindset. Like, that takes time and I think people get so caught up and they feel so bad because they feel like they're just gonna instantly become a different person. But once it clicks, like usually it takes time for it to like really click and flow and so just give yourself that grace to get that figured out.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction for today's episode 02:56 - Meet Ann-Marie 06:22 - Ann-Marie's biggest financial struggle 09:59 - The treat yourself mindset 12:40 - About habit stacking 15:26 - Ann-Marie's dreams for herself and her daughter 17:22 - Switching your mindset about spending 19:31 - Using physical reminders to help with your goals 20:27 - Giving yourself a reward 21:36 - Ann-Marie's 24 hour goal 25:17 - Adding a miscellaneous category in your budget 27:11 - Zero-based budget If you would like to sit down with me and discuss what you are struggling with and some steps that you can take to make progress and get over that big struggle, I invite you to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode at budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy and have a mini coaching session with me. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

We're finally at the last stage of the Money Success Roadmap! Stage 6 means financial freedom. This is your bigger vision for your life, what you want to do that you can't do because of debt. This is where you get to start building the life that you really truly want. In this episode, we'll cover automating your savings, retirement, and investment accounts as well as figuring out an estate plan. Additionally, we'll discuss building a five-year plan for your new goals now that you’re debt-free! Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “Just have a goal, have a vision, because I want you to stay focused on that. It's so incredibly important to have a plan for your life and have a plan for your finances so that you can stay on track because it's so easy to get distracted” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps 00:57 - The last stage of the Money Success Roadmap 02:52 - You are debt free. Now what? 03:36 - Creating a plan for your new goals 07:55 - Stage 6 milestones 10:07 - Creating a new SMART goal for the next five years 14:55 - How to join the Money Plan Bootcamp Starting and sticking to a money plan doesn't need to be overwhelming! Join my Money Plan Bootcamp where I'll teach you the 5 key steps for creating a money plan you can actually stick to...for FREE!⁣⁣ Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp and register today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * The Money Plan Bootcamp: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

After developing a solid plan and becoming super motivated to overcome your debts, you're ready to move on to the next stage. Stage 5 is where you start getting your plan off the ground, making it happen, and actually paying off your debts. In today's episode, we'll talk about how to find ways to increase your income, how to focus on one debt at a time, and how to stay motivated to pay off your debts faster. Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “When you are more intentional with your overall plan of what you wanna do, including after paying off debt, it's a whole lot easier to stay on track through the long term. And so that means not depriving yourself of all the joys in your life while just because you have debt or while you're paying off debt.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps 01:58 - Stage 5 of the Money Success Roadmap 04:44 - Be intentional with where your money is going 05:33 - Moving past the Perfectionist mindset 06:20 - Identifying ways to increase your income 07:14 - Focusing on one debt at a time 08:35 - Visual progress trackers 12:25 - Finding ways to keep you motivated 16:58 - The Money Plan Bootcamp Starting and sticking to a money plan doesn't need to be overwhelming! Join my Money Plan Bootcamp where I'll teach you the 5 key steps for creating a money plan you can actually stick to...for FREE!⁣⁣ Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp and register today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * The Money Plan Bootcamp: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

The first few stages are laying the groundwork for your success. You should now be able to create specific SMART goals and set up a budget that works for you. Stage 4 is where you will begin to see real progress toward your financial goals. You're motivated to save money and pay off debt at this point because you know it's possible. In today's episode, we'll discuss how to create a debt payoff plan, including identifying all of your debts, comparing different debt payoff plans, and using a debt calculator. We'll also go over how to make visuals to track your progress and how to save for an emergency fund. Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “Remember, this is all about changing your mindset, your behavior, your habits, so that you can have long term success because you know, if it were quick and easy, it's quick and easy to get off track as well, right? We wanna build those long term habits and routines so that you can stay motivated and focused on your bigger vision for your life.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps 01:18 - Stage 4 of the Money Success Roadmap 03:54 - Getting your partner on board to work with you 05:04 - Action items for Stage 4 05:10 - Creating a SMART goal for the next three years 05:23 - Identifying all your debt 05:32 - Comparing different debt payoff plans 06:14 - Using a debt calculator 07:22 - Creating visual progress trackers 07:55 - Saving for an emergency fund 08:50 - Stage 4 milestones 11:31 - The Money Plan Bootcamp Starting and sticking to a money plan doesn't need to be overwhelming! Join my Money Plan Bootcamp where I'll teach you the 5 key steps for creating a money plan you can actually stick to...for FREE!⁣⁣ Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp and register today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * The Money Plan Bootcamp: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Once you have your basic budget, saved $200 every month, identified your sinking funds, and worked on your mindset about those limiting beliefs about money, it's time to move on to the next stage. Stage 3 is all about confidence. This is the stage at which you will begin to feel very confident in your mindset because you are moving past the overwhelm and feeling like you don't know what to do, which leads to confidence. In today’s episode, we'll discuss making a plan for bigger purchases, ensuring that you are paying the correct amount of taxes, reviewing your insurance policies, and creating a one-year plan with SMART goals. Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “You really do need to believe in yourself and believe in your ability to do this so that you can make that progress and keep doing what you need to do to move on to the next stage.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps 00:30 - Money Plan Bootcamp promo 02:23 - Stage 3 of the Money Success Roadmap 04:38 - Making a plan for your bigger purchases 05:01 - Making sure that you are paying the correct amount of taxes 05:28 - Checking on your insurance policies 06:17 - Action items for Stage 3 07:51 - Determining your savings goals 09:19 - Stage 3 milestones 09:54 - Creating a one-year plan with SMART goals Starting and sticking to a money plan doesn't need to be overwhelming! Join my Money Plan Bootcamp where I'll teach you the 5 key steps for creating a money plan you can actually stick to...for FREE!⁣⁣ Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp and register today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * The Money Plan Bootcamp: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Stage 1 teaches you how to start your Money Success Roadmap journey by taking step-by-step actions including creating a basic budget, a realistic meal plan, and a one-month plan with SMART goals. The second stage is where you should feel capable, self-assured, and prepared to truly dive in. In this stage, we'll discuss how to identify your sinking funds, how to make a plan for them, your beliefs and money myths, how to save $200 every month, and how to make a 6-month plan with SMART goals. Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “Remember, you don't have to be perfect at it, but it is creating a plan cuz we wanna start looking toward the future and mapping out how we're going to get there. And so that is kind of the beginning of this road, is identifying where we wanna go, where we're at, and how we're going to get there. Even if you can't see the whole road, right, you know where you want to go. And so we've gotta figure out how you're going to get there.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps 00:02 - The Money Plan Bootcamp promo 02:58 - Stage 2 of the Money Success Roadmap 05:30 - Identifying sinking funds 05:54 - Identifying beliefs and money myths 06:25 - Creating a plan for your sinking funds 07:31 - Finding ways to save $200 every month 08:42 - Creating a 6 month plan using SMART goals 09:57 - Recap of Stages 1 and 2 Starting and sticking to a money plan doesn't need to be overwhelming! Join my Money Plan Bootcamp where I'll teach you the 5 key steps for creating a money plan you can actually stick to...for FREE!⁣⁣ Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp and register today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * The Money Plan Bootcamp: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Do you easily get overwhelmed when it comes to your finances because you know you're beginning from scratch with no plan? You want to achieve financial freedom but you have no idea where to begin? You aren't the only one! Join me in today’s episode as I walk you through stage 1 of the Money Success Roadmap where I will discuss the step-by-step actions that you can take to help you with your financial journey like creating a basic budget, monthly meal plan, and one month of smart goals. Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “When you break it down into stages, into smaller bite-sized steps and you have a clear action plan for each stage and that's all you focus on, you're focusing on one thing at a time. You can see how you can get there and you don't have to worry about how you're going to get there because you have a step by step plan to get you there and exactly what to do and how and what to follow. And literally the action steps to take to move from one stage to the next.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps 01:19 - Introduction 02:35 - What is the Money Success Roadmap? 04:19 - Stage 1 09:38 - Step by step actions that you can take 10:21 - Creating a basic budget and a monthly meal plan 12:42 - Creating one month of smart goals 15:12 - Moving on to the Stage 2 Starting and sticking to a money plan doesn't need to be overwhelming! Join my Money Plan Bootcamp where I'll teach you the 5 key steps for creating a money plan you can actually stick to...for FREE!⁣⁣ Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp and register today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * The Money Plan Bootcamp: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

The goal of every parent is to raise a resilient child as well as to provide them with a comfortable life. Because of this, it can be hard sometimes to say no to our kids, but with a little knowledge and help, it shouldn't be impossible. Listen in as Tara discusses when to say no to our children, the effects of money stress on parenting, and the role of parent guilt in our decisions. She will also discuss her signature framework, the Language of Kindness, to help parents raise resilient children. Meet Tara! Tara Gratto M.S.Ed, MA, OCT is the founder of Raising Resilient Children. A social emotional expert, experienced educator & former preschool owner, she supports parents with what they need to become the parent they want to be. Through her exclusive support and group program options Tara will teach you her signature framework, the Language of Kindness and Parent Clues for Problem Solving. This system makes parenting easier while fostering connection and building essential life skills for resiliency. “So we are giving a lot of young children decisions that their little brains really can't handle. And how it's playing out for us is we are feeling guilty about not being able to buy stuff. We're feeling guilty about not giving enough options for shirts, not giving enough color choices for water bottles. Like I see it in all kinds of spheres. And we feel bad because we're saying no. Instead of saying, Hey, I wanna foster a sort of an understanding here that we can't have everything, that choices are limited, not limitless.” - Tara Gratto Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction for today's episode 03:52 - Meet Tara 06:03 - How are money stress and parenting related? 06:50 - Fight, Flight, and Freeze mode 08:40 - About stress response 12:06 - About taking a break when you're in freeze mode 13:15 - The mom guilt 14:37 - About dealing with the mom guilt 17:15 - The language of kindness and how it helps with parent guilt 18:00 - About giving children developmentally appropriate choices 26:39 - Unintentional reinforcement 27:51 - How to join Tara's Bootcamp Whether you've been stuck in the paycheck to paycheck rat race or just waiting for the "right time" to get started, or struggling to get started....this is the turning point you've been waiting for! Join The Money Plan Bootcamp and learn the simple steps to managing your finances while staying sane so you can finally create a system that actually works for YOU! Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp and register today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * The Money Plan Bootcamp: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp * Tara’s Bootcamp: https://www.taragratto.ca/join Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Tara: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisingresilientchildren/ * FB: https://www.facebook.com/raisingresilientchildren * Podcast: Raising Resilient Children with Tara Gratto Special Guest: Tara Gratto.

One of the biggest sources of conflict in most people's relationships is money and unsurprisingly, keeping financial secrets from your significant other is among the most common causes of divorce. Whether you're having issues with your spouse, significant other, or you're going through a marital problem because of financial infidelity, one thing you should focus on first is to protect yourself financially. Listen in as Tracy shares tips on how to look for red flags of a potential financial infidelity, how being informed of your finances protects yourself, and when and where to find a forensic accountant in case of a divorce. Meet Tracy! Tracy Coenen is a renowned forensic accountant and the brains behind The Divorce Money Guide, a product that takes people step-by-step through the process of gathering and analyzing their financial documents to determine where and how much money is missing. Widely known as a no-nonsense professional who delivers the “real deal” to her clients, Tracy has become one of the most sought-after forensic accountants working in the divorce space. As a woman in an industry once dominated by men, Tracy works tirelessly to help women going through difficult divorces who feel powerless in their financial situations. Tracy is a forensic accountant at her firm, Sequence Inc. Forensic Accounting,and is a CPA, CFF, and MAFF who testifies as an expert witness all over the country. She has received features on CNBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, and NBC, among others. However, more than her fancy titles and letters, she prides herself on helping women feel less alone through the isolating process of divorce, providing clarity and a plan for how they’re going to resolve the financial conflict and move forward. “I wanna focus on being informed because that protects you. Whether your marriage is fantastic or not fantastic and heading towards divorce, being informed protects you.” - Tracy Coenen Timestamps 01:19 - Introduction for today's episode 02:40 - Tracy's introduction 03:57 - About being a forensic accountant 05:45 - What can women do to protect themselves before their money is taken? 08:07 - Red flags of a potential financial infidelity 09:48 - How to figure out hidden assets? 11:48 - Resources and services for forensic accounting 13:13 - Tips for people to protect themselves who are going through a divorce 15:09 - Take away from this episode 16:40 - About not being ashamed of your financial situation 17:43 - How long does a usual financial infidelity case take? 18:35 - When to hire a forensic accountant? 20:38 - Where to find a forensic accountant? 22:01 - What to ask a forensic accountant before hiring them? 23:30 - About the Divorce Money Guide red flag quiz Whether you've been stuck in the paycheck to paycheck rat race or just waiting for the "right time" to get started, or struggling to get started....this is the turning point you've been waiting for! Join The Money Plan Bootcamp and learn the simple steps to managing your finances while staying sane so you can finally create a system that actually works for YOU! Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp and register today! And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * The Money Plan Bootcamp: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp * Code ASHLEY will give you $100 off for the Divorce Money Guide: www.divorcemoneyguide.com Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Tracy: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcemoneyguide/ * FB: https://www.facebook.com/divorcemoneyguide * Website: https://www.divorcemoneyguide.com * Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracycoenen/ Special Guest: Tracy Coenen.

Having some extra cash is always a good thing since we are always in need of money to pay bills, pay for services, purchase items, and treat ourselves and our loved ones. Occasionally, we get unexpected and random expenses, leaving us in a situation where we need to raise some extra funds. Listen in and learn strategies and creative ways on how to make some extra money like selling things around the house that you don't need, cutting back on eating out, and doing money challenges to help you avoid going further into debt so you can save money for the things that really matter. Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “Just like life there's seasons and there's seasons with your finances and it happens. It happens to everybody. And so don't beat yourself up about that. The best thing you can do now is just look forward instead of in the past and you know, feeling bad about it, cuz you're here and you're making the steps that, you know, you need to take to move forward.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction for today's episode 03:07 - Meet April 03:36 - April's biggest struggle with her finances 14:20 - The impact method 17:30 - Selling items to make more money 23:15 - Ways to help keep you on track moving forward 25:48 - About having bigger goals to keep you motivated 32:36 - April's 24 hour goal Want to stop stressing about payday? Want to be able to pay cash for those things that always "pop up"? Check out the new 2023 Budget Planner! The Budgets Made Easy Budget Planner is the Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to help you save money and pay off debt by getting organized and focused on what's important for your family. Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/planner to get your planner today. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * 2023 Budget Planner: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/planner * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

A budget is an excellent way to ensure that you are living within your means and meeting your financial goals. However, with so many different ways to help create a budget available nowadays, budgeting can become complicated, so you need to find the right one for you. Listen in as I discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using paper, spreadsheets, and budgeting apps for your budget. I'll also give some pointers on how to create a budget so you can start saving and paying off debt. Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “There is no right or wrong way as long as you do it and it helps you. As long as it helps you stick to your plan. It is the right way. And so don't overwhelm yourself by overthinking it, right? So just take it one small step at a time.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction for today's episode 02:12 - Choosing what's the best option for you 03:01 - The pros and cons of using pen and paper 07:10 - About using a spreadsheet 10:07 - About budgeting apps 12:31 - Tips on how to start your budget Want to stop stressing about payday? Want to be able to pay cash for those things that always "pop up"? Check out the new 2023 Budget Planner! The Budgets Made Easy Budget Planner is the Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to help you save money and pay off debt by getting organized and focused on what's important for your family. Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/planner to get your planner today. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * 2023 Budget Planner: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/planner * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Have you ever tried looking for ways to make extra money to pay off your debts? How about considering getting an extra job or starting a side hustle to make extra money fast? Listen in as I share ideas on how to save and generate more income like cutting back on your spending, looking for side hustles, and making money online to make extra money fast so you can finally pay off your debt! Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “If you're able to block off some time and say, I need this time to do it, but you might wanna look into it and just kind of figure out which route works best for you to kind of get some of this stuff paid off temporarily so that you're not stressing, you know, at the end of the year. So if you have the mindset that it's just temporary for that angle, so you can be less stressed whenever you're not getting some as much money coming in each month, then that might help you get through it.” -Ashley Patrick Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction for today's episode 02:40 - Meet Kim 07:05 - Kim's biggest financial struggles 08:37 - Tips on how to cut back on spending over the coming holidays 11:38 - Ideas to help Kim make extra money 16:17 - How to make money online 22:33 - Kim's 24 hour goal If you would like to sit down with me and discuss what you are struggling with and some steps that you can take to make progress and get over that big struggle, I invite you to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode at budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy and have a mini coaching session with me. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

There is no right or wrong way when doing your budget but it is important to figure out what works for you. Your budget shouldn’t feel restrictive and suffocating, so giving yourself enough flexibility can make it a little more fun to stick with, especially when you're paying off debt. Listen in and gain tips on how to give yourself flexibility by learning more about sinking funds, how to budget for the things that always "pop up", and how to use visuals to help keep track of your debt and finances. Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “You don't have to do it one way. Like you can start one way do it another, like it really is personal, like figuring out what works for you.” -Ashley Patrick Timestamps 01:58 - Meet Marie 05:37 - Figuring out what works for you 06:23 - Marie's financial struggles 08:57 - Strategies to help with Marie's financial struggles 11:06 - Adding a sinking fund for fun and miscellaneous spending 16:05 - Marie's 24 hour goal 18:23 - Putting money aside for the extra things that always "pop up" in your budget If you would like to sit down with me and discuss what you are struggling with and some steps that you can take to make progress and get over that big struggle, I invite you to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode at budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy and have a mini coaching session with me. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

If you're thinking about doing your budget and making a spending plan to manage your money but keep putting off, you're not alone! More often than not, we tend to procrastinate and make excuses when it comes to managing our finances especially in doing our budget. Listen to today's episode as I discuss how being mentally ready to handle your finances help to get your finances back on track. I also discussed how getting organized in your daily tasks and breaking it down into smaller action steps help you to achieve your goals faster. Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “We feel overwhelmed because we feel like we have all this stuff to do but if you break it down into smaller steps, you feel like you're actually getting something done.” -Ashley Patrick Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction for today's episode 02:22 - Meet Cindy 06:46 - About being mentally ready to handle your finances 13:08 - Cindy's biggest financial struggle 15:51 - Creating a list for your daily task to help you get organized 18:57 - Setting a day for your tasks 19:30 - How to break down tasks 22:15 - About time blocking 24:41 - Cindy's 24 hour goal 30:47 - Breaking down big goals to get it easily done If you would like to sit down with me and discuss what you are struggling with and some steps that you can take to make progress and get over that big struggle, I invite you to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode at budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy and have a mini coaching session with me. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Has there ever been a time in your life when you know you really screwed up with your budget because you always buy things to treat yourself, causing you to overspend? Listen in as I share tips on how to create a basic monthly budget to manage your finances, how to remind yourself of your goals by using visuals, how to build habits and routines, and how to shift your mindset into something positive so you can save for your big goals. Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “Now you've talked about this, treat yourself mentality. What if we switch that from treating myself by spending money I don't have, that's gonna make me feel like crap later, to calling your budget your treat yourself plan and focusing on treating yourself in such a way that it betters your future? So it's kind of switching that mindset. I mean, cause you know, you're going to keep that treat yourself cause I want you to treat yourself. I want you to enjoy your money. It's just a matter of prioritizing how you treat yourself.” -Ashley Patrick Timestamps 01:42 - Introduction for today's episode 02:36 - Meet Brittany 04:24 - Brittany's biggest struggle with budgeting 11:35 - How to create a basic monthly budget 15:20 - What's keeping Brittany from doing her budget? 19:50 - About switching your mindset 22:40 - Reminding yourself of your goals by putting up visuals 24:26 - Brittany's 24 hour goal 29:06 - Changing your mindset 31:59 - How to build habits and routines 36:47 - Tracking you budget If you would like to sit down with me and discuss what you are struggling with and some steps that you can take to make progress and get over that big struggle, I invite you to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode at budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy and have a mini coaching session with me. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Book Recommendation: * Atomic Habits by James Clear * We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/3mLb5WD Resources and Links Mentioned: * Check out https://www.themoneymindsetpodcast.com/66 for more information on paying yourself as a business owner. * Pay Yourself Calculator - https://ownyourmoney.isrefer.com/go/calculator/budgetsmadeeasy/ Ready to pay yourself better? Here's what you want your revenue to be! * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Feel like you're always struggling when it comes to budgeting because you want to do it perfectly? Perfectionism and overthinking causes people to give up on their budgets when it's not going the way they planned it because when it comes to our finances, we all want to do the best that we can. Listen in as we discuss how to overcome perfectionism by celebrating small wins, giving yourself credit and reminding yourself of your progress on how far you've come. I also shared some tips like using a visual tracker, rewarding yourself, and how being consistent with your habits and routines help so you can get back on track! Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “We're all going to have bad days. We're all gonna have a bad week, a bad month. But when you look at the overall picture of how far you've come since you started, you can see that you really have done a very good job and you should be proud of that.” -Ashley Patrick Timestamps 00:04 - Introduction for today's episode 02:29 - Meet Lisa 03:01 - Lisa's financial struggles 06:46 - Celebrating your progress 07:46 - About visual tracker 09:41 - Celebrating small wins 11:37 - Using visuals to see how much progress you have made 12:01 - Reminding yourself of your progress 22:10 - Success and failures 22:53 - Lisa's 24 hour goal 24:25 - Setting up realistic goals If you would like to sit down with me and discuss what you are struggling with and some steps that you can take to make progress and get over that big struggle, I invite you to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode at budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy and have a mini coaching session with me. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

We’ve all been guilty of impulse spending. Many people find it hard to resist because it’s so easy and so instantly rewarding, and for people with ADHD, keeping impulse spending in check can be challenging. Listen in as I share tips on how to gain control of it by creating new habits and routines to help with consistency, setting up barriers and roadblocks to your spending, and how creating a written budget and doing a simple action can help stop your overspending. Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “So, you know, just little baby steps, you know the one small action that you can do this week. And it could be as simple as deleting the Amazon app off your phone or deleting the credit cards that are saved in there to make it harder for you to spend on Amazon. Like you got to take an extra step to spend money. Like you can delete your cards out of there and then you have to like, go get your car. It's like so much more effort. Right? Cause it's so easy. They have it set up so easy to spend money.” -Ashley Patrick Timestamps 00:01 - Introduction for today's episode 02:43 - Meet Haze 06:07 - About emotional spending 07:34 - Setting up roadblocks to your spending 09:35 - Haze's goals for the next 2 years 12:06 - About consistency 14:10 - Creating visuals of your dreams 14:55 - Doing small actions to help stop overspending 17:59 - Setting up new habits and routines 21:31 - Writing down your budget to track your spending If you would like to sit down with me and discuss what you are struggling with and some steps that you can take to make progress and get over that big struggle, I invite you to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode at budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy and have a mini coaching session with me. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Ever felt like you were finally doing a great job setting up your budget, only to have it all fall apart when your kids asked for something, or when you ended up going over budget because you couldn't say no to them? It's because of the so-called mom guilt! Listen in as we discuss about the mom guilt and how it influences our actions and, unfortunately, our financial goals. We also go through some tips on how to overcome it like setting up financial boundaries with your child, teaching them delayed gratification, changing your mindset and turning your guilt into motivation, and why saying no is beneficial to your child's future. Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “And, you know, she will appreciate it later in life and spoiling her now because of that mom guilt doesn't necessarily set her up for success in the future with how you want her to handle her finances or working toward a goal. Like there's so many life skills that you can teach her by telling her no, or letting her work for it. So instead of thinking that feeling guilty as the mom, you could use that as a motivator to teach her some things instead of feeling guilty and spending the money” -Ashley Patrick Timestamps 01:58 - Meet Trinnette 02:36 - Trinnette's biggest financial struggle 03:55 - Setting financial boundaries with your child 05:10 - Teaching your child about delayed gratification 07:18 - Getting past the mom guilt 08:15 - Changing your mindset about the mom guilt 09:48 - Trinnette's goals 14:12 - Adding a category for your child in your budget 17:23 - Practicing delayed gratification 19:35 - Trinnette's dream for her daughter 20:31 - Making a vision board to help achieve their goals 22:47 - Recognizing your triggers If you would like to sit down with me and discuss what you are struggling with and some steps that you can take to make progress and get over that big struggle, I invite you to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode at budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy and have a mini coaching session with me. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

One of the most common mistakes a person can make when it comes to money is overspending. We sometimes spend money mindlessly without knowing what causes it until it's too late. So if you're wondering * How to recognize and identify the triggers that make you spend mindlessly * How setting up and staying focused on your big goals help control overspending * How to not feel deprived and restricted by your spending plan * How to let go of perfectionism Then this episode is for you, so make sure to jot down these golden nuggets that are being shared! Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “You're going to have to keep reminding them and yourself of what your bigger goal is and know that you're going to screw up from time to time. You're still going to impulsively spend. I mean, that's, that's just normal, but if you keep building up those wins over time, you're going to get there and they're going to become less and less and you're going to make the progress that you want to make, especially when you have that clear goal.” -Ashley Patrick Timestamps 01:19 - Meet Jen 03:03 - Jen's financial struggles 04:30 - What triggers her to impulsively spend? 05:31 - Recognizing the triggers and putting up roadblocks between spending money 07:04 - How setting up goals help control impulse spending 10:49 - How using visuals and reminders help you stay focused to reach your goals 11:53 - How to set a realistic but timely goal 12:36 - Struggles with budgeting 13:49 - Creating a flexible spending plan 16:49 - Problems with being a perfectionist 19:12 - Give yourself permission to fail 20:24 - Jen's 24 hour goal If you would like to sit down with me and discuss what you are struggling with and some steps that you can take to make progress and get over that big struggle, I invite you to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode at budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy and have a mini coaching session with me. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Can you believe it has been three years since I officially started the Money Mindset Podcast? To honour this milestone, we are changing some things up by doing a Coaching Week! This week we have several interviews where we talked about past money mistakes and money struggles like overspending because you don't know your big goal because of mom guilt, being unorganized, perfectionism, impulsive spending because of ADHD and more. I will also share tips on and how to make progress and get over that big struggle to achieve your financial goals so make sure you listen to all the Budget Strategy Sessions this week. Hosting Today: I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday. After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business. Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances. “I'm going to give you actionable steps and you are going to realize that you are not alone. And that is really the biggest hurdle, right? We feel like that we do all of these things. And one of the only ones that do them and everybody else has it all figured out with their finances, but that's not true.” -Ashley Patrick Timestamps 00:03 - New introduction to the Money Mindset Podcast 00:25 - Meet Ashley 01:18 - Changes to the Podcast 01:57 - This week on the Money Mindset Podcast 04:20 - How to participate in the coaching sessions/the Budget Strategy Sessions If you would like to sit down with me and discuss what you are struggling with and some steps that you can take to make progress and get over that big struggle, I invite you to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode at budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy and have a mini coaching session with me. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Struggling with your personal finance and how to manage your money? It can be frustrating when you are stuck in a financial rut because of the fear that you might not be doing it right. Join me in today's episode as I talk about how to stop letting your fear get in your way, how overthinking and being a perfectionist is keeping you from making progress and how letting yourself fail actually helps you to succeed and reach your financial goals. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “You have to stop letting fear of doing it wrong or doing it the right way keep you from making progress, because guess what? If you are doing it wrong or doing things the wrong way, at least you have figured out that that doesn't work for you. If you just don't even try it all, you won't know that. And you'll just stay stuck. If you're not doing anything, you're not failing, but you're also not succeeding.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps 00:42 - What is perfectionist thinking? 01:10 - The great thing about personal finance and managing your money 01:42 - How to stop letting fear keep you from making progress 05:10 - One small action that you can do this week that will move you closer to your financial goals 07:00 - How to stop letting fear of failing or doing it the right way 07:35 - How to put it into action 07:55 - Changes coming to the podcast starting next week For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on budgetsmadeeasy.com/start And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Budget Starter Kit: budgetsmadeeasy.com/start Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Do you think taking a new career path will better yourself and will help you with your financial journey? Listen in as Coleen shares her story about how her parents taught her about money, what she's teaching her children about money, her financial journey on paying off her husband's student loan debt and about having no debt except for her house and switching careers because of COVID. Meet Colleen… Colleen is a wife, mom of 3 kiddos, animal lover and loves the lake. After over 20 years in the medical field, she decided to follow her heart by quitting her x-ray job and becoming a REALTOR(R), something she had been wanting to do for many years. She has always enjoyed taking care of others and now she gets to do so by being a trusted advisor and helping them to have all the tools needed to make their real estate dreams come true. She truly loves to assist in the buying and selling of homes. Colleen has also spent many years learning how to do well with budgeting and is currently working to become a financial coach, as well. She believes it is very important to make wise decisions with (most likely) the biggest purchase of a person's lifetime, including tough financial conversations and choices. She strives to help people to get into the home they love and will continue to love because they can afford it and won't become house poor. A continued conversation is encouraged and as she becomes a coach as well, she'll be able to help in many ways for time to come. “Go with your gut and know that you're doing the right thing. Like just really think hard about that budget and know that there's an end goal and it's going to be hard no matter what, but really just being open to what is available to you and just making the most of what you have.” - Colleen Fueling Timestamps 03:40 - Meet Colleen 05:14 - How do you get your husband on board with paying off debt? 06:38 - How did your parents influence your mindset about debt? 08:00 - How do you pay off your husband's student loans fast? 09:12 - Does having a plan in place be so mentally freeing? 10:52 - How do priorities change when you switch careers? 14:33 - What are your thoughts and feelings with the real estate market? 15:05 - What are your feelings on credit scores for somebody wanting to rent or buy a house right now? 18:28 - About zero credit score 20:23 - Do real estate agents or realtors help people find rentals? 21:24 - What are your current financial goals and how are you staying focused on them? 22:40 - When do you want to have your house paid off? 24:01 - What is the best piece of financial advice you have received? 24:42 - What are some things that you are doing to teach your children about finances? 25:40 - Words of wisdom about paying off debt or managing your finances Want to take the stress off your shoulders? Ready to learn how to create AND stick to your budget?! Check out my Free Workshop: How to Create and Stick to a Budget (even when you are overwhelmed)! Go to budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop and get started today. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Resources and Links Mentioned: * Free Budgeting Workshop: budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop * Link to get a free automated valuation of your house: https://hmbt.co/FwFB6a Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Colleen: * FB: https://www.facebook.com/colleenfeulingtherealtor Special Guest: Colleen Feuling.

Do you think budgeting is all about Math? Is it about Algebra? Is knowing basic math okay? Or do I have to be a math genius to know how to budget? Listen in as Ashley discusses how budgeting is not about the math, but about our emotional relationships with money, and how our emotions affect our budgeting and spending decisions. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “It's not about the math. You can lay out a beautiful budget down to the penny and the math is all correct. That doesn't mean that you'll just automatically stick to it because we're human. We're not perfect. We are emotional beings. We are not logical beings.” -Ashley Patrick Timestamps 03:50 - It’s not about the Math 05:06 - What budgeting is about? 06:10 - What to do if you are struggling with sticking to your budget? 08:40 - Why is budgeting not about Math? 09:25 - About emotions 09:34 - About Logic 09:48 - About being human and making mistakes 10:25 - How to stay on track with your goal? 12:14 - How do you set your goal and stick to your budget? Worried about losing income during a recession? Want to learn how to get started and protect your family in an economic downturn? Check out my Free Workshop: How to Recession Proof Your Finances! Go to budgetsmadeeasy.com/recession-workshop and register today. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * Free Recession Workshop: budgetsmadeeasy.com/recession-workshop/ Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Want to learn the tools and information you need to be strategic with your money when it comes to college planning? In this episode, we really dive into the different types of grants and which situation they best suit. We also cover how the system works and the different options that are available to you. Meet Michelle! Michelle Onaka is a mom of two young children, part-time university academic counselor supporting first-generation college students, and founder of Intentional Money Life. She loves to learn, strategize, support others, get into the nitty gritty, systemize, and demystify things. In her business, she helps people build financial education, apply it to themselves, and intentionally create a life that they love. She does this through posting regular educational visuals and short videos on social media, as well as through offering online financial courses. “If you couldn't make your student loans, making sure that you're aware there's forbearance, there's deferment, and then there are multiple different repayment plans. You can get on a different payment plan where you pay less.” -Michelle Onaka Timestamps 04:39 - Michelle's role and expertise 06:06 - Pell Grant 07:02 - How many people are getting the Pell Grant? 08:53 - Pell Grant and EFC calculations 09:30 - What is the threshold of the EFC to be Pell eligible? 11:23 - What does being considered independent mean for you? 14:40 - What do you need to do to be declared independent? 15:26 - To get any of these resources you do need to fill out the FASFA? 17:22 - What to do if you think you're eligible. 19:39 - What services do you offer? What does this program do? 25:23 - What to do if you aren't Pell eligible? 26:13 - Being strategic about your course selection and what will transfer. 35:17 - A few things to know about student loans. 37:25 - How can you figure out how much your student loan is before you graduate? For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on budgetsmadeeasy.com/start And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: * FREE Budget Starter Kit - www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start * Michelle Onaka’s courses :www.intentionalmoneylife.com/courses Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Michelle: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intentionalmoneylife/ * FB: https://www.facebook.com/IntentionalMoneyLife * Website: https://intentionalmoneylife.com/ Special Guest: Michelle Onaka.

The number one cause of all debt and bankruptcy in the United States is medical bills, medical debt. It can feel daunting and downright scary being confronted by this, not knowing your rights or what you can do about it. If you have medical bills to pay right now or know you may need to in the future, then you’ll want to listen in on today’s episode. Dr Virgie educates us on the three steps you should take to pay your medical bills, what to do if you can’t afford your medical bill, busting myths and sharing the top 5 reasons people end up overpaying their medical bills. Meet Dr Virgie… Dr. Virgie Bright Ellington is an internal medicine physician and medical billing expert. A dedicated patient advocate, Dr. Virgie practiced more than 20 years in primary care and psychiatric settings and as a health insurance executive. Dr. Virgie now helps patients understand complex medical procedures, communicate effectively with their healthcare providers, and avoid financial devastation from crushing medical bills through her "What Your Doctor Wants You to Know" series. She is the author of "What Your Doctor Wants You to Know to CRUSH MEDICAL DEBT" and the host of the weekly "Ask a Doctor - What Your Doctor Wants You to Know with Dr. Virgie" show on the VoiceAmerica radio network. “The number one cause of all debt and bankruptcy in the United States is medical bills, medical debt. Unfortunately there's some numbers that say up to 30% of that is bills that people did not owe, or there are bills that they were overcharged.” -Dr. Virgie Bright Ellington Timestamps 03:46 - Meet Dr Virgie 07:20 - Why you shouldn't sign papers in the hospital accepting liability for costs your insurance doesn't cover. 13:27 - The three steps to paying your medical bill 17:33 - What to do if you can't afford to pay what you owe. 19:31 - Are there different steps for bills from your doctors office? 20:35 - Why do healthcare facilities agree to your payment plans. 21:35 - Myth Buster: Can they send your bill to collections if you keep paying as little as $10 per month? 25:05 - The top 5 reasons people overpaying on their medical bills? 31:10 - Surprise billing and what it means for you 32:11 - Book recommendation Want to take the stress off your shoulders? Ready to learn how to create AND stick to your budget?! Check out my Free Workshop: How to Create and Stick to a Budget (even when you are overwhelmed)! Go to budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop and get started today. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Resources and Links Mentioned: * Free Budgeting Workshop: budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop * Medical Bill Checklist: https://crushmedicaldebt.com/medical-bill-paying-checklist Book Recommendation: * Your Money or Your Life - Joe Dominguez & Vicki Robin Connect with Ashley: * IG: https://www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Guest: * IG: https://www.instagram.com/therealdrvirgie * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoctorDiaries * Website: crushmedicaldebt.com * Twitter: https://twitter.com/therealdrvirgie * Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCmA-WL2ucIfDelCMr1wzgKg * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drvirgie Special Guest: Dr. Virgie Bright Ellington.

Feeling the fear around failing with your finances again and again? Do you find yourself hiding the mail in a drawer so that you can avoid facing what's inside? It often feels like a huge mental to even think about sorting out your finances, especially when you're doing all the things as a busy mom. Listen in as Rebecca tells us why fear is your friend and what you can do to overcome it so you can manage your finances better. Learn how you can use fear as a tool to drive you and change your money story. Meet Rebecca Wiener McGregor… She is an Amplifier of Love, catalyst for breakthroughs, and author of the beloved book Loving Her: 10 Loving Standards to Call Forward the Wealthy Woman Inside You. She shares her gifts as a transformational hypnotist + money mindset coach committed to helping over-working and over-giving visionaries release old blocks, traumas, and hidden fears to find a deeper sense of self-worth and determination to live life on their own terms while being fulfilled, well-paid, and having loads of fun. “Everything comes down to being a choice. Choice to open those envelopes, the choice to write down the numbers, the choice to do the research of what you've been spending and making decisions from there about what you wanna spend. And the choice to love yourself through the whole process.” - Rebecca Wiener McGregor Timestamps 02:46 - Rebecca's Journey 08:02 - How can we use fear as a tool to get going? 10:26 - How do people get to where they can use the fear and put it into action? 11:56 - Why is it important not to judge yourself? 14:31 - What happens when you attach judgment to an emotion? 15:28 - How can busy moms build their confidence and their self worth around their finances? 20:19 - Women's history with money 23:19 - Why is fear your friend? 24:28 - Why you should stop saying 'I can't afford it.' For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on budgetsmadeeasy.com/start And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Resources and Links Mentioned: * Budget Starter Kit: budgetsmadeeasy.com/start * Free Workshop: 4 Steps to Activate Your Money Flow - getinyourmoneyflow.com Book Recommendation: * The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz * Outrageous Openness by Tosha Silver * The Power of Intention Dr Wayne Dyer Connect with Ashley: * IG: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Guest: * Facebook: :https://www.facebook.com/iamrebeccasue * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamrebeccasue/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamrebeccasue/ * Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamrebeccasue Special Guest: Rebecca Wiener McGregor.

Do you want where you invest your money to align with your goals? Want to know exactly where your money is going, what it’s doing and who it’s supporting? Listen in as Brian shares with us what value based investing is. What is ESG and how to find out if you're working with or investing in a company that aligns with your values. He also shares some great tips on what to do if you’re a business in the industry and want to become more value based focus. Meet Brian… Brian helps people understand not just what to do, but how and why they should do it. Part teacher and part financial therapist! Brian has been in the Financial Services Business since 2003, working with a diverse group of clients representing a slice of the Washington DC marketplace. As a native of the Washington area, he grew up in Chevy Chase, Maryland, attending high school in Bethesda. He founded The Haney Company with his father in 2013, combining 2 generations of industry experience. With more than a decade of experience in Banking, Investments, Asset management and Insurance, Brian's expertise and keen insights provide organizations, businesses and individuals with unique and innovative strategies to meet their insurance needs and financial goals. “Have a vision for your life and the type of person that you are. Center yourself. What are the values that are really important to you? Find resources and approach professionals that understand this and are willing to help you carry that forward. Be practical about it and take your time.” - Brian Haney Timestamps 03:19 - About Brian 06:08 - Business of Pride Award 08:50 - What is value-based investing? 11:21 - What is ESG? 13:04 - How does a company meet an ESG criteria? 14:37 - Where can you get advice on investing in the right company? 17:23 - Investing Strategy: all in for ESG or a combination? 20:20 - Can lower investments in an ESG be done on your own or through an adviser? 22:40 - How can a business in this industry become more value-based focused? 25:15 - What to keep in mind when learning about ESGs 28:05 - Checking if a business aligns with your values 30:36 - Brians values and 10-year plan 34:55 - Book recommendation: When by Dan Pink If you need help paying off your debt, go to budgetsmadeeasy.com/debt for your Paying Off Debt Starter Kit. This will help you really get going on your journey to longer-term investing strategies. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Resources and Links Mentioned: * Paying Off Debt Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debt Book Recommendation: * When by Dan Pink (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/39t8uh4 Connect with Ashley: * IG: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Guest: * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehaneycompany * Website: https://www.thehaneycompany.com/ * Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheHaneyCompany Special Guest: Brian Haney.

Feel like you’re constantly falling behind with your budget? Everything looks great on paper but things keep popping up and ruining the plan you made? You really want to get organised and on top of things but it just isn’t working month after month? You aren’t the only one. There are so many who ask the same question and have a similar problem. Join me in today’s episode where I answer a question that was submitted about what you can do to stick to your budget and get back on track when you feel like you’re constantly falling behind. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “Just imagine what you could do in life if you didn't have so many bills. If you just had to pay your rent or mortgage, what could you do with all that extra money that right now you're sending to debt. Dream big because you are worth so much more, you are capable of so much more.” Ashley Patrick Timestamps 00:47 - Question of the week 03:01 - Taking advantage of free resources when homeschooling 04:16 - Figure out what's setting you behind 06:31 - Make it difficult to access the money 09:31 - Accountability and implementation 12:55 - Planning your finances for the rest of the year Do you need time, space and accountability to take action on the things you KNOW you should be doing? Budgeting so you can actually pay off debt, save money, make a meal plan and all the things that keep pushing their way down your to-do list. Would you thrive in a supportive community of other busy moms who get it and are also working to achieve similar financial goals? If that’s a YES, I invite you to sign up for the Money Success Coaching Group at budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc. There is a flash sale running from July 14th, 2022 until July 17th, 2022 at 11:59 PM Eastern time. Take action to change your finances and what the rest of your year looks like. Doors will open again in October, so if you’re past waiting for making the changes you’d like, join us! Resources and Links Mentioned: * Budget Starter Kit - budgetsmadeeasy.com/start * Budgeting Workshop - budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop * Money Success Coaching Group - budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc Connect with Ashley: * IG: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Whether you want to start your own business or a side hustle to help pay off your debt - one thing you should focus on first is your mindset! Listen in as Nicole shares why having the right mindset is key to your success, tips on how to get started, how to manage mum life with business life and what you can do to make money for paying off your debt. Meet Nicole… I am a homeschooling Mom located in the San Francisco Bay Area. I am the founder of Fbombs & Booze. Which is a drinkware brand. We handmake wine glasses and tumblers with snark sayings and the heavy use of profanity. I quit my 6 figure job without a backup plan to save my mental health. My products are sold on several eCommerce sites and are in over 100 shops and boutiques internationally. I am also a 1:1 coach for Women-owned handmade product-based businesses to help them scale their businesses. “Options are endless and you are fully capable and there are so many people around that are willing to help you.” - Nicole Chenault Timestamps 04:14 - Nicole's Story 09:17 - Tips on getting started with a side business 14:06 - Mindset first 16:27 - Managing mum life and business life 20:38 - Tips for making money to pay off debt 24:40 - Last words of wisdom Want to take the stress off your shoulders? Ready to learn how to create AND stick to your budget?! Check out my Free Workshop: How to Create and Stick to a Budget (even when you are overwhelmed)! Go to budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop and get started today. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Resources and Links Mentioned: * Free Workshop: How to Create and Stick to a Budget: budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop * Code BUDGETS will give you 20% off our entire website: https://fbombsandbooze.com/?ref=b9H8wnL9 Book Recommendation: * You are a badass at making money by Jen Sincero (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3MWSm54 Connect with Ashley: * IG: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Guest: * IG: www.instagram.com/fbombsandbooze * Facebook :www.facebook.com/fbombsandbooze * Website: https://fbombsandbooze.com * TikTok: www.tiktok.com/fbombsandbooze * Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/fbombsandboozetumblers Special Guest: Nicole Chenault.

Investing in real estate can often feel daunting and overwhelming. You don’t know where to start or understand all the jargon. The key is to get educated so you can make informed decisions. Listen in as John shares why it’s important to buy over renting, when you should move from your home, dealing with renters, the right insurance and what options you have with zero or low credit. A little bit about John… John Papaloni was born and raised in Etobicoke, often referred to as Toronto’s West End. From an early age John developed a passion for buying and selling and this has led him on the journey as a successful business entrepreneur and now highly focused Real Estate Agent working in the Greater Toronto Area. John Papaloni has a commitment to his clients that is unmatched and a passion to deliver Top Value through mastering all the latest technologies and engaging in the most effective marketing campaigns! John is well on track to achieving various awards in the real estate industry that will set him apart from the rest. “Don't wait to buy real estate. Buy real estate and wait.” - John Papaloni Timestamps 03:23 - John’s Story 06:55 - Don't wait to buy real estate. Buy real estate and wait. 08:21 - Buying over renting 09:31 - When it makes sense to move 11:19 - Dealing with renters 18:05 - Insurance for covering damages 22:02 - Insurance when renting out your own home 32:39 - Last words of wisdom If you need help paying off your debt, go to budgetsmadeeasy.com/debt for your Paying Off Debt Starter Kit. This will help you really get going on your journey to longer-term investing strategies. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Resources and Links Mentioned: * Paying Off Debt Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debt Book Recommendation: * Compound Effect by Darren Hardy: (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/3OjdfZ0 Connect with Ashley: * G: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with John: * IG: www.instagram.com/johnpapaloni * Facebook: www.facebook.com/papaloniteam * Website: www.papaloniteam.com Special Guest: John Papaloni.

Have you figured out how you’re going to pay for college? Or are you a parent with your own student loans wondering how you’re going to pay for both? Questioning if you should be saving for retirement or college first? There are so many questions when it comes to preparing for college. Wondering what college is best for the student, what financial aid they will have access to and what to do if the family finds themselves paying for a parent loan they weren’t aware of. Listen in as Ann answers some of your burning questions and gives us some great tips on navigating how to pay for college without ending up with huge debts. Meet Ann Garcia AKA The College Financial Lady, has helped thousands of families save millions of dollars on college. A fee-only Certified Financial Planner® and managing partner of Independent Progressive Advisors, Ann specializes in helping families balance the desire to support their children’s dreams with the reality of funding their own lives. Her book How to Pay for College is set to release this summer from Harriman House; its companion online course is available now. Early in Ann’s career as a financial advisor, she heard the same two questions again and again from her clients. One group asked, “How can we possibly afford to save for college and retirement?” Another group asked, “How can I save for retirement when I’m paying so much on my student loans every month?” Realizing that too many people struggled with this topic and too few advisors were willing to talk about it, she started The College Financial Lady blog to answer families’ college planning questions. A decade later, she is not just the go-to person for college financial planning, she is a trained assassin in that arena. _“Think about it from the perspective of where do you see your student 10 years from now? What's the life that you want them to have? What are the experiences you want them to have in college? What are the things that make them successful or unsuccessful in an academic or social environment? .” _ - Ann Garcia Timestamps 01:02 - About Ann 03:21 - What's more important? Saving for retirement or college first? 05:21 - How do you balance your own student loan when your kids are about to go to college? 08:14 - Who takes out the student loan? The parent or the student? 12:00 - General advice for making the best long term financial decisions. 19:17 - Tools to navigate scholarships and get great information 20:54 - Does it matter which college you go to? 27:03 - Parents who didn't realise they took our a parent loan. 30:01 - What do they do now? 35:12 - Can social security be garnished for the student loans? 36:50 - Those eligible for student loan forgiveness. 41:14 - Ann's book: How To Pay For College 42:40 - Last words of wisdom and book recommendations For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on budgetsmadeeasy.com/start And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Resources and Links Mentioned: * FREE Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start Book Recommendation: * Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/39q8MVT Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Ann: * Facebook: www.facebook.com/collegefinanciallady * Website: www.howtopayforcollege.com Special Guest: Ann Garcia.

→ Have you thought about what you want your life to look like? → Do you know how to use your money to get you there? → Do you put restrictions and hold a lot of guilt when it comes to the topic of money? In today’s episode we learn that you’re allowed to spend your money on whatever you want. And in order to do this, there are key factors you have to keep in mind and implement. Listen in as Amy tells us what we should pay attention to, building better habits, what to do if you do and don’t manage the finances, if you should pay off debt or save first and so many other golden nuggets. Who is Amy Schultz? She is Co-Founder and Head Coach at Bolder Money, a company on a mission to close the gender wealth gap through compassionate money coaching for women. Amy transformed her personal challenges with money, work, and motherhood into a community that helps women use their money to build the lives they want. “When we can start tying our emotions to our spending and really being paying attention to why this is happening, that's where we start learning more about our impulses. That's where we can start building better habits.” - Amy Schultz Timestamps 02:37 - Amy’s story and mission 05:43 - The emotional side of money 06:54 - Making good money but still broke 07:38 - The number one thing to start doing 09:36 - Getting your partner onboard with the plan 10:39 - Understand how you were raised around money 12:39 - What to do if someone else takes care of the money 15:51 - Key factors to focus on in the beginning 18:34 - Do you save first or pay off debt first? 20:16 - Last words of wisdom: your support system 21:49 - Book recommendations Want to take the stress off your shoulders? Ready to learn how to create AND stick to your budget?! Check out my Free Workshop: How to Create and Stick to a Budget (even when you are overwhelmed)! Go to budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop and get started today. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Resources and Links Mentioned: * FREE Workshop: How to Create and Stick to a Budget - budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop * $49 off our 3-month Money Coaching package. Go to this link to sign up and use code BEBOLDER - https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fbuy.stripe.com%2F28og0gcPSg6oa5ibIT&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw2yXKcFvYuXIICt6VBDGH_z Book Reccomendations: * Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes - (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/3xrjCTq * Untamed by Glennon Doyle - (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/3zDGYrD Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Amy: * IG: instagram.com/amyschultzmoneycoach * IG: instagram.com/bolder.money * Website: www.boldermoney.com Special Guest: Amy Schultz.

Does it feel like your money is owning you? Can you relate to constantly paying out all the money you’ve earned with not much left to pay yourself? Tired of the self sabotage when it comes to your money mindset in your business? Listen in as Belinda talks to us about the importance of mindset when it comes to money in your business and really stepping into that CEO role. She explains why you need to be confident in our own worthiness and the value of the services and products that we create. She covers both the strategy and the mindset needed to make more money in your business. Meet Belinda Rosenblum: CPA and Profit Strategist of OWN YOUR MONEY - She helps busy female coaches and experts sustainably scale their revenue AND profits by upleveling their financial systems + strategies and stepping into the CEO role. She believes it’s time female entrepreneurs feel worthy and safe with money, finally enjoy the freedom they started their business for in the first place, AND consistently take home the money they want each month. (It is possible!) “You won't sell to nearly the potential that you can until you have sold yourself first on your ability to make money, on your deserving of the money that you're bringing in.” - Belinda Rosenblum Timestamps 04:58 - Belinda's Story 13:48 - The importance of mindset around money 15:52 - Understand the value of the transformation you created 20:01 - Where to start as a struggling business owner 24:51 - Paying yourself first 31:27 - Undercharging and why 36:14 - Golden nuggets For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on budgetsmadeeasy.com/start And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Resources and Links Mentioned: * FREE Budget Starter Kit - http://www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start Pay Yourself Calculator: https://ownyourmoney.isrefer.com/go/calculator/budgetsmadeeasy/ Cash Flow CEO Accelerator: https://ownyourmoney.isrefer.com/go/cfceoapply/budgetsmadeeasy/ Pay Yourself Calculator - https://ownyourmoney.isrefer.com/go/calculator/budgetsmadeeasy/ 5 Best Ways To Create Consistent $10k+ Cash Months ("Consistent Revenue Guide”) - https://ownyourmoney.isrefer.com/go/revenue/budgetsmadeeasy/ Get Smart With Your Business Money - https://ownyourmoney.isrefer.com/go/smart/budgetsmadeeasy/ Confidently Raise Your Prices - https://ownyourmoney.isrefer.com/go/pricing/budgetsmadeeasy/ Self-Worth to Net Worth Book - https://ownyourmoney.isrefer.com/go/book/budgetsmadeeasy/ Book Reccomendations: * We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodger: affiliate link https://amzn.to/3mLb5WD * The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks: affiliate link- https://amzn.to/3tAY2Lj * Profit First and Clockwork by Mike Michalowicz:(affiliate klinks) https://amzn.to/3mOCLKc , https://amzn.to/3HlQJfS Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Belinda: * IG: www.instagram.com/OwnYourMoney * FB: https://www.facebook.com/ownyourmoney Special Guest: Belinda Rosenblum.

For all the travel lovers out there: Have you ever wondered what it takes to travel in style and luxury on a budget? Need to know the best credit cards to use, to gain the most points and avoid fees? Want to learn how you could extend your hotel stay at Disney by 3 days? Listen in as Danielle shares her best tips for using credit cards to have affordable and luxury travels around the world. Meet Danielle: Danielle Desir Corbett is the host of The Thought Card Podcast, an affordable luxury travel and personal finance podcast empowering financially savvy travelers to travel more and build wealth. She is also the author of several travel and personal finance books including "Affording Travel" and "Traveling With a Full-Time Job." “Really make sure that whatever this card is offering, aligns with what you value and what you're most likely going to need and take advantage of.” - Danielle Desir Corbett Timestamps 03:18 - Danielle's Story 06:13 - How to get started with travel hacking 08:24 - How does the credit card points work? 10:42 - How to effectively use your credit card 12:21 - Favorite credit card to get started 13:55 - No fee v fee credit card 15:12 - Type of perks you get with your credit card 16:02 - Using your cards outside of the US 18:23 - Best system and tips for tracking your cards 20:59 - Additional benefits that come with your card 21:48 - How much can you save by being more intentional with your card spending? Want to take the stress off your shoulders? Ready to learn how to create AND stick to your budget?! Check out my Free Workshop: How to Create and Stick to a Budget (even when you are overwhelmed)! Go to budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop and get started today. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Resources and Links Mentioned: * FREE Budget Starter Kit - www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start * Affording Travel: Saving Strategies For Financially Savvy Travelers (ebook): https://www.amazon.com/Affording-Travel-Strategies-Financially-Travelers-ebook/dp/B0837YHQZK * Book Recommendation: We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers - (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/3mLb5WD Connect with Ashley: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Danielle: * Instagram: www.instagram.com/thedanielledesir * Twitter: www.twitter.com/thethoughtcard * Website: www.thoughtcard.com * Podcast: www.podcast.thoughtcard.com Special Guest: Danielle Desir Corbett.

Got a question you’d like to ask about budgeting, saving or getting out of debt? Have a situation or circumstance that doesn’t fit into the norm and want a personalized solution? Join me this week as I switch things up and answer your burning questions with my suggestions. Hosting Today: Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick and I’m a personal finance expert, and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “It's really about finding what works for you.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps 01:22 - Highest balance or higher interest rates first? 03:05 - Will budgeting work for someone who doesn't have a steady income? 06:18 - Struggling with a shopping addiction. 11:04 - What to do when you've lost your job. 15:25 - I struggle to create and stick to budget plans and meal plans. If you would like me to answer any of your questions, send me an email at [email protected] and in the subject line add ‘#question’ and I will add it to the list to answer on the next Q&A podcast episode. Also remember to check out my Free Workshop: How to Create and Stick to a Budget (even when you are overwhelmed)! Go to budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop and get started today. Resources and Links Mentioned: Free Workshop: How to Create and Stick to a Budget - www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop Connect with Ashley: Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Getting through college or university with little to no debt sounds like a fantasy right?! We always associate that process with a mountain of debt that stays with you for a long time. But that’s not the case and we need to work on spreading that knowledge and education to others. Listen in as Michelle shares her journey of going from college to university, how she studied while traveling and how she was able to do all of these things without racking up a mountain of debt. Learn what it takes to spend money intentionally and save when it’s important as well as what benefits you can experience from investing even if you don’t have much to invest. Meet Michelle! Michelle Onaka is a mom of two young children, part-time university academic counselor supporting first-generation college students, and founder of Intentional Money Life. She loves to learn, strategize, support others, get into the nitty gritty, systemize, and demystify things. In her business, she helps people build financial education, apply it to themselves, and intentionally create a life that they love. She does this through posting regular educational visuals and short videos on social media, as well as through offering online financial courses. “Going to college is about strategy. Some students strategy is going to a community college first and then transferring to a university, but they have to be very strategic in that transfer.” - Michelle Onaka Timestamps 03:23 - Michelle's Story 05:52 - College, traveling and seasonal jobs 07:42 - Top tips for college, keeping debt low and traveling 09:13 - Debt after college? 12:11 - The community college to university strategy 13:28 - What do you need to do to be strategic? 17:36 - AmeriCorps Programs 20:05 - Current financial journey and investing 22:22 - Naturally frugal 25:28 - Tips for spending money on your priorities, spending where it counts 28:59 - Last words of wisdom For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on budgetsmadeeasy.com/start And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes Resources and Links Mentioned: FREE Budget Starter Kit - www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start Michelle Onaka’s courses :www.intentionalmoneylife.com/courses Connect with Ashley: Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Michelle: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intentionalmoneylife/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/IntentionalMoneyLife Website: https://intentionalmoneylife.com/ Special Guest: Michelle Onaka.

You don’t have to shame, blame or belittle someone over their money mistakes. That’s not the best way to encourage and coach people to have long-term success. Listen in as I explain why I quit Dave Ramsey and why I prefer being a Master Financial Coach. My mission is to encourage you to pay off your debt and do better with your finances so that you can have the option to do what you want in life. WITHOUT name calling and brashness. Hosting Today: Hey I’m Ashley Patrick and I’m a personal finance expert, and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I helps busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems. Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others. “There's flexibility in a financial plan. It's not a one size fits thing. I promise you that personal finance is personal and money is emotional.” - Ashley Patrick Timestamps 03:13 - Ashley's Journey with Dave Ramsey 05:06 - What Ashley achieved following Dave's book 05:58 - Why Ashley started moving away from Dave's teaching 07:06 - Things you need a good credit score for 11:00 - Why brashness isn't the answer for long term success 14:18 - Where does Ashley stand now? 15:23 - Barriers to getting your finances in order 16:43 - What Ashley's readers think about Dave Ramsey Are you wondering how to start and stick to a budget, even when you are overwhelmed? Don’t understand why the heck you can't seem to save each month? Fed up of not knowing where your money is going? Check out my Free Workshop: How to Create and Stick to a Budget (even when you are overwhelmed)! Go to budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop and get started today. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Resources and Links Mentioned: Free Workshop: How to Create and Stick to a Budget - www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop Connect with Ashley: Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

The stress caused from worrying about money constantly can have a negative impact on your life and your health. Getting started somewhere, taking action and working with your partner can significantly decrease the stress you feel around your finances. Listen in as we learn about the key components Alexis used to pay off debt fast! We also go through additional tips you can use along your financial journey and achieving your goals. Meet our guest: Alexis Fetterman: A wife, mom of three, registered nurse, and money coach. After having enough of living in debt and in constant money stress, Alexis and her husband paid off $48,000 of debt so they could pursue their dream of building a house. Now she helps others go from constantly being stressed about money to living the life they dream. “You need to have a strong enough WHY so that you are committed and don't want to give up.” - Alexis Fetterman Timestamps 02:38 - Alexis' Story 05:33 - The effects of stressing about money 07:30 - Working with your partner to pay off debt 08:42 - What made the biggest impact in paying off debt fast 08:52 - Having a WHY 09:04 - Budgeting 09:19 - Raising extra cash and putting as much towards debt 10:15 - How to gain clarity and control of your finances 11:00 - Flexible zero-based budget 11:57 - Other tips to pay down debt fast 14:53 - Tips on how to get started with budgeting 15:35 - Last words of wisdom Want to take the stress off your shoulders? Ready to learn how to create AND stick to your budget?! Check out my Free Workshop: How to Create and Stick to a Budget (even when you are overwhelmed)! Go to budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop and get started today. And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Connect with Ashley: Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Alexis: Website: www.fettermanfinancial.squarespace.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/fettermanfinancialfreedom Facebook: www.facebook.com/fettermanfinancialfreedom Special Guest: Alexis Fetterman.

Take advantage of every moment you have to live your life to the fullest AND make the best financial decisions to achieve your goals. This might sound too good to be true but I’m here with Bevin Ferrand to tell you that it’s not. You can 100% do what you want while paying off debt and Bevin’s DAMN Framework will show you how! Wondering how to: * Choose your priorities and make the best decision you can with what you have * Dig deep and find your six dimensional why to your goals (financially, emotionally, mentally, physically, socially, and spiritually) * Stop comparing yourself to others and focus on yourself * Be present in the moments that matter without guilt * Take micro-action and build momentum Then this episode is for you, so make sure to jot down these golden nuggets that are being shared! So who’s Bevin? In 2019, after unexpectedly losing her husband 5 days after they returned from a whirlwind trip to France, Bevin Farrand founded the Take the DAMN Chance movement. Her DAMN framework has inspired hundreds to connect with the people that they love, do the “crazy thing” that makes all the difference and, when given a choice, to take the damn chance. Additionally, she is a business strategist and coach who supports small businesses and entrepreneurs in developing and executing strategies to take their revenue to 6- and 7-figures. “We have to decide what is the most important thing to us right now. We have to choose our top priority, because if everything is a priority, nothing is.” - Bevin Farrand Timestamps 03:05 - Bevin's Story 08:25 - The DAMN Framework and what is it? 08:54 - Deeper dive into the DAMN Framework 10:51 - D: Decide and Declare 13:47 - A: Attend Your Own Party 16:54 - M: Moments Not Minutes 19:24 - N: Now Is The Time 20:22 - Micro-actions and Momentum 23:12 - Important money question to ask yourself 23:39 - Last words of wisdom For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on budgetsmadeeasy.com/start And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Resources and Links Mentioned: FREE Budget Starter Kit - http://www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start Book Recommendation: The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks - (affiliate links) https://amzn.to/3tAY2Lj Book Recommendation: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz - (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/3xQNI4j The 10 Essential Questions For Finding Your Six-Dimensional Why™ - www.sixdimensionalwhy.com Connect with Ashley: Instagram - www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Bevin: Website: www.bevinfarrand.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/bevinfarrand Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/takethedamntrip Special Guest: Bevin Farrand.

Can you imagine being able to retire at 40? 50? or at all? Walli shares her journey towards early retirement and how she will be able to retire at 40! Walli was able to pay off her debt and focus on investing even while enjoying her life and traveling. She shares her tips for getting over mindlessly spending so she can focus on what is really important to her. “Money is a tool. If we can think about money as a tool to design the life we want, you make the decision of what you want your life to look like. I invest and save a lot of money, but it doesn't override what I want my life to look like today, just to save for the future. Being able to find that balance of what I want today without forfeiting what I know I'm going to need in the future.” - Wallie Miller Who's Walli Miller? Walli is a financial coach and a self-proclaimed money nerd. She loves spreadsheets and has been known to watch PBS specials about retirement for fun! It’s exactly this passion for all things money, including spending it, that put her on the path to her true calling - helping high-achieving, young professionals become work-optional by taking control of their finances without sacrificing their lattes and brunches. Walli didn’t start out as an expert, she is a first generation college graduate and daughter of an immigrant. She didn’t always understand money or building wealth. She didn’t grow up looking at stock charts with her dad or balancing the checkbook with her mom. They didn’t talk about money much in her family. It took a Forbes article to make her reevaluate what she was spending money on and the true cost of her purchases. After that, Walli began listening to podcasts, reading personal finance books and ingesting every bit of financial information she could find. And now she will be work-optional by age 40 and is committed to putting as many people as possible on that same path to financial freedom through balanced spending, saving and wealth building without deprivation. Timestamps 02:45 - Walli's Story 07:33 - How Walli went from inspire to taking action 08:32 - What’s a no spend challenge? How can it help you? 10:57 - Why you should review where your money goes 12:21 - Willi’s FIRE journey while paying off debt and investing 16:46 - Walli’s current plan for early retirement 18:48 - The biggest misconception about the FIRE movement 22:40 - Tips on how you can get started with investing on your FIRE journey 24:35 - Can you invest while paying off debt? 27:08 - Last words of wisdom For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on budgetsmadeeasy.com/start And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Resources and Links Mentioned: FREE Budget Starter Kit - http://www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start Book Recommendation: A Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins (aff link) https://amzn.to/3DAVjFn Walli's Investing Bootcamp sign up here: https://financiallythriving.com/ Connect with Ashley: Instagram - www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Connect with Walli: Website: www.financiallythriving.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/financially_thriving Special Guest: Walli Miller.

Want to learn how organization and decluttering can help you reach your financial and other goals? Then you’re in the right place! Join Deanna and I, where we will be going over: * How to get started with decluttering and what impact this can have on your financial goals * Tips on deciding what to sell, what to get rid of and how you can price your items appropriately * 3 awesome organization tips: the container method, setting up a command center and organizing your pantry * And finally the big takeaway on incorporating these things to become habits so you achieve your goals with ease “You've got to figure out why you're wanting to save money and your goal has to be bigger than the pain that it's going to take to overcome that hurdle.” - Deanna Yates Deanna Yates is the founder and CEO of Wannabe Clutter Free and the host of the popular podcast, the Wannabe Minimalist Show, where she helps busy families learn how to let go of the stuff holding them back so they can enjoy more time together, stop spending their weekends cleaning house, and wake up excited for the day ahead. Deanna is mom to one daughter, wife to a startup entrepreneur, and is living her dream life in San Diego, CA. When she's not helping clients realize their dreams, you can find her paddle boarding, searching for the tastiest breakfast burrito, or balancing her love of world travel with her love of snuggling on the couch. Timestamps 00:03:19 - Deanna's Introduction 00:04:43 - How to get started with decluttering and how that translates to your finances 00:06:36 - The first thing to do before looking at your stuff 00:09:41 - Deciding on what to sell or get rid of 00:11:51 - How to price the things you're selling appropriately 00:15:16 - Organization tip: the container method 00:19:15 - Organization tip: setting up a command center 00:25:39 - Organization tip: organizing your pantry and setting up a snack area 00:27:46 - Last words of wisdom on achieving financial and decluttering goals. How to incorporate these things to become habits. For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on budgetsmadeeasy.com/start And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Resources and Links Mentioned: FREE Budget Starter Kit - http://www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start Book Recommendation: Daring Greatly by Brene Brown - www.amazon.com/dp/1592408419 Atomic Habits by James Clear (aff link) https://amzn.to/3wR3EmW Connect with Ashley: Instagram - www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy Special Guest: Deanna Yates.

Once you change the way you think about money and your actions around money, you can start making real change to reach those big dreams. In today's episode, Nicole Babel, financial coach, shares her journey with money and how to overcome the way you think about your needs and wants. Resources mentioned in this episode: Free Debt Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debt Money Mammoth by Dr. Klontz (aff link) https://amzn.to/3qHcOyG Special Guest: Nicole Babel.

Investing doesn't need to be scary and overwhelming but you should know what you are doing! Jeremy from Personal Finance Club and I will be hosting a free live training for you on Wednesday March 30th at 8pm ET go to https://www.personalfinanceclub.com/budgetsmadeeasy/ to sign up! In this training You will learn…. 🌟Why saving is not enough 🌟Which stocks to buy 🌟The easy & effective way to invest 🌟What buttons to click to get started Plus if you are listening to this after the live training, he’s even giving my listeners $20 off his course but only until Sunday April 3rd at midnight with code BUDGETSMADEEASY go to budgetsmadeeasy.com/invest and enter the code budgetsmadeeasy This is the most affordable investing course you can find. I know people that have investing courses that are THOUSANDS of dollars! His is $79 normal price and $59 with my code budgetsmadeeasy Plus he gives 20% of the revenue, not profit to charity. I even get to pick which one after the sale! Be sure to go follow him on Instagram @personalfincanceclub to learn more about simple investing.

Tiffany shares her journey to keeping her finances on track after being married for 20 years! After her marriage ended, she was told that she would never make it on her own. Well she told herself that she could, and she did! Hear her story about how she made it work, got creative to make extra money and save for her goals. Plus her advice for you to get going on your financial goals even if you don't believe you can. Resources mentioned in this episode: FREE Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start One Life We Arw Given by Mark Nepe (aff link) https://amzn.to/3u2tD7M Don't forget to leave us a review if you loved this episode! Special Guest: Tiffany Cantrall.

Have you ever told yourself you "deserve it" to justify spending money you don't have? I want you to realize you deserve more! You deserve to be debt-free and not stress about money MORE than you "deserve" that new purse.

Being productive isn't about trying to do all the things! Focusing on what is important right now in your life helps you remain focused without the burnout! In this episode, Cara Harvey, productivity coach, shares her meothod for getting things done by focusing on what is important right now. Her tips apply to many areas of your life, including your finances, so you can avoid the burnout! Resources mentioned: Free Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start The 15 Minute Formula by Cara Harvey (aff link) https://amzn.to/3pJsIIm Special Guest: Cara Harvey.

How Kristin Paid Off $55,000 in 20 Months! Kristin and her husband were able to work together to relieve their financial stress by getting super focused on their goals together! Resources mentioned in this episode: FREE Budgeting Workshop: https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/budgeting-workshop FREE Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason (aff link) https://amzn.to/3t9lWw9 Special Guest: Kristin Stones.

Vincent and his wife were able to pay off ALL their debt, yes even their mortgage, in just over 3 years! They found ways to increase their income and cut spending so that they could have total life freedom! Resources Mentioned.... Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki (aff link) https://amzn.to/3HXH4vI Free Debt Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debt Total Life Freedom: https://totallifefreedom.com/ Special Guest: Vincent Pugliese.

Keep the spark alive even while you are trying to save money and pay off debt with these cheap date night ideas! Resources mentioned: Free Debt Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debt 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman (aff link) https://amzn.to/3JrH5Zf Let me know on Instagram what you do for a inexpensive date night! @budgetsmadeeasy

How Kyle paid off $60,000 in student loans! Now he has paid off his mortgage and is completely debt-free. He has been able to quit his full-time job and have the freedom to travel. Join the Debt Pay Off Made Easy Course waitlist here: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/join Special Guest: Kyle Kroeger.

Steve is completely debt-free, including his mortgage, and is able to live without a credit score and credit card. Check out how he is still able to travel and live the life he wants without worrying about a credit card or credit score! Resources mentioned in this episode: Free Debt Pay Off Starter Kit: https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debt-starter-kit The Story Behind by Emily ProKup (aff link) https://amzn.to/3sQUTaD Steve's Podcast: moneyplansos.com (moneyplansos.com) Ecredible (www.ecredible.com) Special Guest: Steve Stewart.

Why budgets fail and what you should do about it with Stacked: Your Super-Serious Guide to Modern Money Management authors, Emily Guy Birken and Joe Saul-Sehy. We discuss budgets, goal planning, making budget fun, getting your spouse on board and so much more! Get their book Stacked: Your Super-Serious Guide to Modern Money Management by Emily Guy Birken and Joe Saul-Sehy (aff link) https://amzn.to/3oPTZZk Book Recommendations in this episode: Happy Money by Ken Hoda (aff link) https://amzn.to/3EVqw5M Scarcity: Why Having Too Little Means So Much by Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir (aff link) https://amzn.to/3dQbHpe Stacked: Your Super-Serious Guide to Modern Money Management (aff link) https://amzn.to/3oSAf7s Special Guests: Emily Guy Birken and Joe Saul-Sehy.

Should you give your kids chores and allowance? What are some easier, less stressful ways to manage your household AND still teach your child about money? Today, Joann gives her tips and system that is teaching her kids to contribute to the family and still manage their money. Check out here chore and allowance system here: (aff link) https://apatrick--noguiltmom.thrivecart.com/easiest-chores-allowance-system-ever/ Book mentioned in this episode: Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People by Vanessa Van Edwards (aff link) https://amzn.to/3s1F5Bi Special Guest: JoAnn Crohn.

Struggling with impulsive spending? Sara Danesi, Psy.D, gives her tips and tricks for managing impulsive spending so you can save for the future! Sara Rose Danesi, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and author of the blog, FITE addiction. Dr. Danesi writes about her personal struggle with shopping addiction and process for recovery as she pursues Financial Independence. She strives to empower others to experience the freedom of FI through financial sobriety. Sara's website: https://fiteaddiction.com/ Book Recommended: Turning Your Mind Into An Ally by Sakyong Mipham (aff link) https://amzn.to/3ylszh8 Special Guest: Sara Rose Danesi.

Planning your new year takes intention in December. Most people fail at their resolutions before February 1st. This year can be different for you. If you take the time to plan and be intentional with your focus, you can have the best year ever! Resources mentioned in this episode: Paycheck Budget Spreadsheet www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet Episode 39 https://www.themoneymindsetpodcast.com/39 Episode 3 https://www.themoneymindsetpodcast.com/3 Don't forget to tag me on Instagram @budgetsmadeeasy and let me know what your 2022 goals are!

You should spend money on things that bring you joy and happiness and not feel guilty about it...even if you are paying off debt or saving money! Resources mentioned in this episode: Free Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start Platejoy Meal Planning Service: Get your FREE 10 day trial here! Use my link and code BUDGETS10 and save $10! (https://platejoy-affiliate-program.7eer.net/c/1238338/297729/4645)

Your perfectionism is really fear that is holding you back from your big financial goals like paying off debt and saving money! You can do this, you just need to get out of your own way! Grab your FREE Budget Starter Kit here: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

Here is the full list! https://www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/30-ways-to-get-free-amazon-gift-cards/ Fetch Rewards: https://www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/fetch Personal Captital: https://www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/personalcapital

Create a plan for your time and money this holiday season so you can avoid going further into debt! Resources mentioned in this episode: Free Printable Holiday Budget Planner: https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/holiday-planner/ Blog posts about saving money: https://www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/category/saving-money/ Budget Spreadsheet w/Christmas budget: https://www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/category/spreadsheet

Amy Scott is a financial advisor turned Certified Professional Financial Coach who teaches couples how to get on the same page about their money. Today we talked about bringing curiousity into your relationship to help improve your finances and work together toward a common goal. Resources mentioned in this episode: (affiilate link)Atomic Habits by James Clear (https://amzn.to/3pkvSml) Free Budget Starter Kit (www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start) Special Guest: Amy Scott.

How Marcus went from being $30,000 in debt and working 3 jobs while barely affording the payments to debt-free! Marcus Garrett is a motivational speaker, staff development manager, and author of D.E.B.T. Free or Die Trying: How I Buried Myself $30,000 in Debt and Dug My Way Out. He co-founded Paychecks and Balances, LLC.—an award-winning business dedicated to helping working professionals make money, save money, and get out of debt before selling his stake in 2020. https://www.themarcusgarrett.com/ https://www.facebook.com/TheMarcusGarrett https://www.instagram.com/TheMarcusGarrett/ [email protected] Podcast: Paychecks & Balances https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/paychecks-balances/id1091763413?mt=2 Marcus's Book http://themarcusgarrett.com/debtfree Free Budget Starter Kit: https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/budget-starter-kit/ Books mentioned in this episode: Millionaire Next Door by Dr. James Stanley (aff link) https://amzn.to/30AgHIu Atomic Habits by James Clear (aff link) https://amzn.to/3cZytty Walter Mosley books (aff link) https://amzn.to/2SrZnAP Special Guest: Marcus Garrett.

Charissa talks about the 3 things she did to turn her money stress and fear into excitement so she could pay off her debt and put her husband through college debt free! Grab your freebie at changeyourfinances.com/easy Resources mentined in this episode: Paycheck Budget Spreadsheet: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet The Millionaire Woman Next Door by Thomas Stanley (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/31SU2XO Full transcript: Welcome to the money mindset podcast, where you will find the inspiration and motivation. You need to manage your money better. So you can stress less as living the life you want with budgets and the money mindset podcast. And today we are talking to Charissa from www.changeyourfinances.com. And she's going to tell us all about three ways that she has changed, how she approaches money to get rid of the money stress. She has implemented these three tips to change the fear she had around money in to excitement. Now she gets to be excited about her finances, as well as her story about paying off her debt while putting her husband through college debt free. So let's jump into Karissa's interview. Hi Chris. Thank you so much for being with us today. Hey Ashley. You're welcome. Thank you so much for having me. I'm so excited to be here. I am so excited to talk to you about your not only your debt payoff journey and just how that has affected your life, but really about how you have turned that journey and those financial fears into confidence. And I know you've got some really cool freebies for my audience as well that we'll get to at the end, but before we jump into all of that, can you kind of just give us like a background on your story? Um, I know you paid off some debt and so if you want to just kind of give us a little bit of background about yourself. Sure, absolutely. Uh, I think it all started really at the grocery store and I was right next to the flour and chocolate chips and, you know, I was struggling to keep bacterias, uh, because I had counted out my groceries again, and I realized that overspent and I was just overcome like with, you know, why couldn't I make this work? And I felt like such a failure and all these things like money and budgeting really made me panic. I really didn't know what to do. So I was newly married and we both brought that into our marriage. I had my car loan and he had a student loan and his credit cards and it wasn't a lot, but the burden fell upon me as the sole provider. And I had a no regular income and I'm putting my husband through school and like, I didn't know what I was doing. And it was just so overwhelming for me, but you know, what if he decides all of this chaos is stress with my money that I had. I had this like dream in my heart to see my husband graduate debt free. Now I really didn't know how we were going to do this because like I said, money was super tight. Uh, the debt that we did have was 20% of my income that year. And I was trying to figure out how to pay off debt and how to manage my money and still pay for school, pay cash for school. So we didn't take on any more debt. Uh, I had seen my parents pay off their debt when I was in, I don't know, early teens or young teens preteens. And that made such an impact on me that I knew somehow was possible. I just didn't know how I could do it. So I stumbled along, um, best. I could just trying to make things work, trying to manage the money and trying to pay things off and, um, pay for school. And then one day, you know, a couple of years later I looked up, I was trying to match up all my receipts and do my budget and all that I looked at. And I realized if I could come up with a couple hundred dollars extra today, we could be debt free. So I called my husband in, I mean, it was his student loan. And so I made him, he didn't really know what he was doing, but I made them like click submit the payment because, uh, you know, it was system alone. And as I watched the, that balance dropped to zero, I didn't realize that that day, March 17th, 2010, which is kind of special because it's now March 17, 2020. Um, but that moment was such a defining moment in my life. And that's awesome. Yeah. I taught my 10th dad free anniversary and you know, like that has been such a pivotal point in my life that I celebrated every year. Um, because here's the thing like immediately afterwards, like I watched those numbers dropped to zero and I was expecting some like huge life changing, you know, I dunno something and it wasn't, it was just quiet. And we actually went up to celebrate that night on a gift card. We went to Coldstone celebrated with some ice cream, but as I headed into the summer with my slow work period, that's normal, slow. You know, I was completely struck by the fact that there's so much peace of mind, even though everything else about our situation hadn't changed. Money was still tight. A work was going to be slow. Um, we were paying for school, all those things. There was peace of mind. And so now I have to be honest, like at this point when I paid off my debt, I didn't like money at all. I still at like budgeting and that I had this, I had this bigger fear, Ashley and this fear the was being stuck in the same place. Uh, still stressed out, still overwhelmed and worried about money and not ever making the progress on the goals that I wanted. So I, that really drove me into figuring out how to handle money. God's way, how to, to be wise with my spending, how to do all those things. And so I ended up over the next few years, I turned around and saved up over $79,775 in Oh wow. My husband's school. Holy cow. That's awesome. Thank you. Yeah, it was, it was a huge thing. I didn't know, uh, how we were going to make it a lot of times, but you know, God provided it and we were all able to do that. And now I've lived at free for 10 years. And so then at that point, friends and family really started asking me like, Carissa, how did you pay off that so quickly? Uh, you know, how are you budgeting? How are you paying for school? And then they started asking if I could help them with their finances. And so it was at this point, I realized that, you know what, I have gone through something that's really big. And I now have a gift that I can take something as stressful and complicated as money can be, and I can really break it down into simple steps that get results. And so, uh, and that was probably a couple of years after becoming debt free. At that point, I just completely fell in love with budgeting. Um, it makes me so happy to talk about your money and talk about budgeting. And I also dedicated my life to helping other women overcome the same money struggles and gain financial peace with a biblical perspective so that they can have confidence with handling money. They can provide well for their families and they can impact their communities. And the methods I've taught have worked, which is so humbling. Um, I, the women I've worked with, uh, they've been able to stick to a budget, pay off tens of thousands of dollars in debt, and just a couple of years put money into savings and most importantly, gain confidence and peace of mind when it comes to money. And I'm just so amazed that the struggles that we went through and the trials that we went through, um, was a, has been used in that way to help other people. Yeah, that is amazing. Um, so whenever you decided that you were going to pay off your debt and pay cash for your husband's school, um, what were some of the things that you did to get there? Like what did you start doing at first? Uh, so at first, um, I just knew I wanted to pay off my car, so I really didn't have a plan on paying off debt. I feel like I just stumbled through paying it off. Um, I was paying minimum payments. I think I paid a little bit extra on my debt, but I really bounced around. I didn't have a plan. I didn't have a strategy. I just, uh, you know, somewhere in the back of my mind, I'm like, I want to see them graduate debt free now paying cash for school. That's something different. Like I really was intentional about, we lived very frugally, um, in a cheap apartment. Uh, we drove old cars that my husband kept fixing. I just worked and saved up as much money as I could for each semester. That's, that's amazing that you're able to do that. Um, what were some of the things that you did to, um, you know, save money, like, uh, grocery planning, a meal planning, or, you know, with your budget, anything like specific that you can, um, maybe tell somebody if they're thinking about doing that as well? Cause that's a lot of money to save. You know, most people don't think that they can save a thousand dollars, so to save over $70,000, that's a huge feat. So, um, what would you tell somebody that is just even wanting to save like a thousand dollars? Well, first of all, I mean, you have to remember, like it doesn't, I didn't go out trying to save $79,000. I was trying to say for the next semester. And so I'm breaking down a goal into smaller pieces. And what I've learned now is there's a couple of things, um, that to really have a plan for your money to be on a budget, which I know you love budgets. And, uh, because when I, when I'm control in control of my money and I have a plan for it, like, it really makes a difference because I am able to tell my money where to go and then I have extra money, you know? So if I, all my expenses are covered and then I have extra money, I am intentional about telling that money to go to savings. Then the other thing, like I close out my budget and I skim off anything that I didn't spend and I add that to it. But I think also, um, let me think, you know, I, I just, I think one of the big things that I came to with paying cash for school was the realization that you can't look at anybody else, um, for comparison because, you know, they have, you know, on social or whatever, you see all the fancy cars, the houses of vacation, whatever. But I had to come to a point where I'm like, I need to do what's best for my family. And if that means saying no to going out and buying whatever all my friends were doing, then I had to be okay with that because my family, I needed to provide for my family, I needed to put my husband through school and I was committed to not taking on any more debt at that point. So I had to do what was best for my family. And, you know, that became such a motivator for me. And it really freed me from, you know, like, Oh, I don't have this, Oh, I don't have that. I must be not as good of a person or good with my money. Like, no, it doesn't have anything to deal with that you have your goals and what's important to you. And like everyone is different everyone's situation is so different. Absolutely. And, um, how long did you save up this money? Cause some people may be thinking, Oh, well, that's great, but I don't make, you know, $79,000 in a year. There's no way I could do that. But it sounds like this was kind of small steps over time. So just like how long did it take you to save up that much? Well, I mean, like I said, it was semester by semester, so, you know, I had four months at a time that I had to save up, uh, you know, at the beginning my husband was going to community college. So it was like, I dunno, $1,500. And then as we got up to the university, it was more like five or 5,500. And so you, um, but I started out, you know, that first year when, um, we had debt, we got married and all of that, like my income was $37,000, so I didn't start off, you know, having it. But I think it's just the discipline of you having a big goal and you breaking it down into small manageable pieces. That's still a stretch that you can save for the kind of pushes you past it. And then you just keep working on that smaller goal until you reach it, then you add another smaller goal and you just keep you keep adding it because that's another thing I learned. Um, I did, I got to a point where, Oh, you asked me how long it took and then I'll get under my other story. Uh, so w it took us a long time to get through school. And it was about 10 years that we went through school and that I was paying cash for my husband's school. Well, that's awesome. I mean, then when you say it like that, you know, that seems a lot more doable for, you know, an average family and you might, I mean, you weren't making like an extravagant income or anything like that. So, you know, just like you said is to not focus on like the big amount. Cause then that just gets overwhelming, but focus, like you said, each semester and just chug away at the smaller amount. So you don't get so overwhelmed and go ahead with what you were going to say. So a couple years in a few years ago, uh, I was just, I had gotten to a point where it felt like no matter what money I brought in and I had increased my income at this point, but, you know, it was all just going out. It was all just going out and I'm like, I can't say I'm not a saver, like what is wrong with it? You know? And I was really discouraged and kind of burned out. And so I actually, for an entire year, I tracked every single dollar that I spent, excuse me, every single dollar that I put into savings, even if it was money such as, cause I saved for like Christmas, I saved for annual bills, you know? So any type of money that I put in the savings, whatever, the reason I was four and you know, some months I only put in $33, uh, other months I put in more, but as I track my progress through the whole thing, I realized that even small amounts, uh, really add up. And so at the end of the year, I had put in over $19,000 into savings. Wow. That is amazing. And I always try to stress that to people too, because I get the same way. Like, especially with savings, it seemed like when I was paying off debt, I was like, so focused that, and we did it really, really fast, but then once we got to the savings part, it's like, Oh my gosh, I'm never going to get there. Like it took forever. There's constantly things coming up and you know, it's like, you don't feel like you're making progress some months, but you know, even like you said, $33 or even not going back into debt is progress. So yeah, definitely. I like the idea of tracking each month or, you know, every week, every payday, whatever, so that you can actually see all the small progress that you're making that adds up over time. That's great. And, and, you know, I colored in a picture. I actually like went way crazy. I colored in a picture, I wrote a blog post. I had an Excel spreadsheet that my husband made up for me. Cause I was like, I am determined that I'm going to prove that I can be the saver and having those visual things that I actually colored in or seeing that Excel sheet, you know, like really motivated me. I was like, Oh, this is dumb. You know, whatever at the beginning. But as I did it, I was like, wow, because one, it showed me that I was making progress and not only was I making progress, like the amount I had to go was a lot less than when I started and the amount where I had come from, you know, like you could see all that. And so that really just motivates you to find extra money, to skim off your budget or to sell something or make more whatever the, you know, cut expenses and all of those things add up. And so I still, I don't, I mean, I still call her in a picture for my savings goals now, but I don't, I'm not all that crazy as far as tracking everything, but I still skim off money and every single month I'm looking for ways to put more money into savings. And because I know even, you know, like for example, like my cell phone bill, I have it at $70 in my budget and it's usually like 66 and some change, but I like round numbers. Yeah. And so then, but at the end of the month, I'm going to skim off that $3 and something and put it with everything else I can skim off so that I can have some extra money. And that usually gives me, you know, close to a hundred or a couple hundred dollars depending on the month extra that I hadn't even planned on. That's awesome. And that's just a habit that you have built over time, which really helps, you know, with sticking to the budget and just building those habits for the longterm. Now, what were some, um, other ways that you stayed motivated, you talked about the picture, um, and then the tracking, was there anything else that you did to kind of stay motivated over this time to save up money for my husband's school or yeah, just saving, um, you know, whether it was saving for that or just saving in general now that you're past that? I think one thing that's really motivated me is the incredible peace of mind and freedom I've had been debt free. And so that, cause I remember how stressed out I was. I mean, I told you I was crying in the grocery store and I remember just that feeling of panic and failure and all those things. And once I became debt free and really figured out how to manage my money at that point, um, there's very few things I'm going to even consider going back into debt for because my peace of mind is worth so much. And so that has been a huge motivator. So, um, even if I like I'm saving, I'm saving. And let me give you an example, you know, for when I was trying to do this great savings experiment, like I was talking about, uh, I was actually trying to save for school tuition. I was trying to save for another vehicle. I was trying to save to move. I was trying to save for an emergency fund. I was trying to save for all these things. And what would happen would be, is I would put this much, little, tiny bit here, a little tiny bit here, a little time right here, a little tiny bit here. But then when it came time for a tuition payment, I had to clean out all those accounts and put it towards the tuition. Cause I didn't have enough money or, you know, a car repair or something. And you know, at one point I was like really discouraged that, you know, so things kept coming up, but then I realized I'm like, you know what, even if I had, you wanted to use that money for something else, I didn't go back into debt. Exactly. I had the money, uh, I was able to make it work and um, I'm just super, I'm really goal, more motivated. You know, I love, we have big goals where, uh, renting right now, we're renting a house and we're saving up to buy a house at this point. And so I have all these things I want to do, but what I realized is it's okay to just focus on one at a time. And when you focus on one, it may seem at first, like you're going to make really slow progress and you're not going to get to all the things that you want to do, but that's not true. You do. It's just, it's a matter of priorities, but here's the thing you're actually making progress and you, uh, once you get it, then you can enjoy it. And then you're not like when you're trying to be spread so thin trying to do so many things at once. It's really discouraging. Cause you're not making any progress towards anything. Yeah. I'm the same way. Like, especially with saving for things like you talked about with Christmas and vehicle repairs and all that stuff. I can't stand to have like all those little things coming out of my budget each month. And so what I like to do, it sounds like you're really similar is I like to just fill up one fund, just focus on that one thing, get it done. And over with. So like in January I'm usually done for Christmas, like I'll cause my husband gets a end of the year bonus usually. Um, but the, you know, the amount changes, but, um, and so I usually try and fill that up like in January. So then I don't have to worry about Christmas the rest of the year. So I don't have like all these little things coming out of my budget every single month. Like it just, I can't do it. I'm the total opposite. So those things like that are regular expenses that I know are on the come up. My insurance, I pay every six months, Christmas, um, car repairs, you know, all of those things. I actually, even my renter's insurance, which isn't much I will take that and that, cause I prefer to break it down into a smaller bite size thing that I can absorb into my monthly budget. I put it into its own savings account. So then when the insurance is due in may I already have the money and I don't have to stress about coming up with, you know, this big bill. And so I actually do, I actually do it differently, but you know what, that brings up a really good point, Ashley, because this is the thing like personal finances, personal for a reason, exactly like your income, your expenses, your stressors, your goals, you know, all of them are different than anybody else's. And so you really can't focus on what other people are doing because it doesn't even make sense for what you're doing. Right. Exactly. You're exactly right. So I know, I, I, uh, yeah, I just, don't like a whole bunch of stuff coming out every month. I'd rather just like do it. I I'm the type that I just want to do something, get it over with like, I just want to move on. I don't want to think about it every month. So how, um, how did you take that fear about money and turn it into, you know, confidence? What are, what are some tips for that? Well, I got three things that really made a difference and I'm happy to share them with you. So the first one is really the power of an intentional plan for your money. And this is such a huge tool. Uh, now I'm talking about a budget. I've mentioned that several times, but when I originally started budgeting and I use that term very loosely is I would have this pile of receipts. And every time I came home, I'd crumble up the receipt and then throw it in this pile until it became so big and like fall off the desk and like on the floor. And like, I'd have to clear out a whole Saturday to try and figure out from these faded white crumpled receipts where my money had gone for the last two months. And I would be in tears and I'd be panicked and my husband totally stayed away. And I just felt like the budget was telling me like a neon sign saying you're feeling with money. And I felt like I couldn't do it. But what I realized as I, as you know, in my whole transformation is that a budget is actually a plan for your money ahead of time and where you're in charge and you get to decide what's important to you. And, uh, you know, something, um, eating out is not important to me. So we don't eat out very often. So that amount is very small, but I have other things that is larger, but for whatever your family is, you get to decide and you're going to set up, what's important, you set an amount to it and then you stick to it each month. Now I use a prioritize budget, which I have found to be the most easiest way to set up a budget, simple, to set up and simple to stick to. And this helps me close out my budget every single month so that I can actually bring, um, you know, skim off extra money, like I was talking about to put towards my money goals. And so a couple things, first of all, uh, for your readers, I do have a prioritized budget worksheet, and I would love to give it to you guys as a gift. Um, and that's free. Do you want me to give the website or you want to just put it in the shadow? Um, and I'll add it to the show notes as well. Changeyourfinances.com/easy and that's for budget made budgets made easy. Uh, but one thing I really realized is if I put the four essentials, my food, my life's in water, my housing and my transportation at the top of my budget, all my gosh, a whole bunch of money stresses completely melted away because I knew my family's needs were taken care of. And that gave me the mental ability to, um, tackle debt, save money. And you know, you get creative ideas on how to come up with more, to put towards your money and goal. But most importantly, like that gives you hope and you know, that you can make it at this point. And so that has totally changed my life. And that's what I teach. And, you know, I have students telling me all the time, how much this budget method has really changed their lives. So that's the first thing is having an intentional plan for your money. The second thing is I learned is that money really doesn't have to be stressful because here's the thing. Anyone can change their finances and it's all small changes that you would make today and then are going to make a huge difference in your future coming up. It's like a plane, like you take a plane and you're going to, um, across the country say, I'm coming to visit you Ashley, but just the slightest change. In course, the slightest degree of difference. I'm going to end up in Alaska or instead of coming to see you. Yeah, that's a good point. And that's, It's the same with your money. So it's small changes that you make today that will make a completely different future. And the problem with money, like when we're stressed out about it is we don't know where it's going and we, we're not sure how to manage it. You know, trying to manage the debt. We don't have any savings and you feel like you're not making any progress and you're not making any traction. But what I have found is one, when you have that plan, like it gives you a roadmap to follow so that you know exactly where your money is going so that you're in control. And that, you know, I've seen how, um, God has provided all these years when I had no idea how I was going to make the next tuition payment or, um, pay off the debt before graduation and everything. And he's provided all these things, uh, and just really shown me that managing money God's way really makes a huge difference. Not only in your stress and your, um, mental status, but just how you're able to reach these goals. So that's the second thing is money doesn't have to be stressful. The third thing is that God has given each of us a gift and he wants us to use it. But too often, like money struggles hold us back. You don't have the ability financially, emotionally, you don't have the ability mentally or the space to be able to use that gift, to bless other people. And when you're in control of your finances, you can change your finances. And when you do not only are you providing well for your family, but you're able to change your life and you're able to be able to be a blessing for other people. And so I just want to encourage you guys, like it's not just about you and your money. I mean, that's totally taken care of our families is a good thing. Changing our financial future is amazing, but there's also a bigger purpose that you have to impact those around you and whatever gift it may be. Like. We all have different things that our heart is drawn to and different gifts and abilities. And it can even just be the, the, my, my family's needs are met. And I have peace of mind on that, that I can go volunteer or, I mean, it doesn't have to be like you giving financially, although that could be, but it just has you, aren't worried about your family survival and you have the ability to look beyond that. So that's, those are the three things that have really made a huge difference in transforming that fear of money that I had that panic overwhelm and that worry into something that I'm super excited about. And I love seeing that transformation in the lives of the women that I help. That's amazing. I really love those three points and completely agree with you. Um, so I do like to, at the end of every episode, ask what your favorite nonfiction book is, um, just so that we can, you know, improve our minds and our lives, not just our, not just our finances, so it doesn't have to be, um, financial, but do you have a favorite nonfiction book? Um, I would say probably right now, one of my favorites was it's the millionaire woman next door by Thomas Stanley. And I was just really impacted by the fact that one, a lot of the things that I've learned actually is legit and works for so many people, but so many women in particular, but just the fact that you, uh, as a, as a woman, we have an incredible ability to really make an impact and change our family's finances. And I just want to empower women, especially, I mean, men too, I focus on my audience is all women. Um, but you can create a better financial future. You can get out of debt, you can save money, you can stop living paycheck to paycheck. And it's, it's not really that hard. It doesn't have to be that hard and complicated can actually be pretty simple. That's great. I didn't realize there was a women's version of that book. I have the, just the millionaire next door, but I didn't know they had another, you would love it, like highlighting every single page. I'm like, Oh, I guess I can't give this one away. Yeah. Yeah. I like to highlight my books too. I'm to have To check that one out. Um, I say that like every episode, so my reader or my listeners here are probably getting tired of me saying that, but I, I didn't know, they had a women's version so, well, I appreciate you being with us today. And before we go, can you, um, give us the website again and tell us how, um, people can find you, like, are you on Facebook or Instagram, Pinterest, all those things. Sure. But could I just share one last thing with you? Yes, absolutely. So, uh, one of the proudest moments of my entire life I'm sitting there in the crowded stands, uh, the air horns are blowing. People are cheering when they're not supposed to. And I was watching my husband walk across that commencement stage and this cap and gown, he was completely debt free and we had done it. Uh, we had paid off our debt. We had paid cash for his school and along the way, I really overcame the fear of money. And I started handling it with confidence and I had peace of mind. And so I just want to encourage you guys like it's now is the perfect time to start making those changes to change your finances because, and your future, because small things. And I didn't even realize it at the time that was going to make such a huge difference, and it really has completely changed my life. Uh, you can find [email protected] and I might change your finances on Instagram, on Facebook. Uh, I don't, I have a, I have a Twitter account, but I don't ever use it. So come check me out on Instagram or Facebook, all that changed your finances. Oh, well, thank you so much for being with us today. You are so welcome and I am so thrilled to be here, and I'm just so excited for all of your readers, to our listeners, to be able to see what they do with their finances. Thank you. Thank you so much to Carissa for being with us today and sharing those wonderful tips on transforming your fear of money into excitement, as well as some simple tips on reaching those big financial goals all while doing it on an average income, just, you know, small wins over time. So be sure to go check out her website and get your freebie. It changeyourfinances.com/easy. And also don't forget. You can go get your paycheck budget spreadsheet www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet. And I will see you guys in the next episode. Special Guest: Charissa Quade.

Brian Haney, VP of The Haney Company, talks all about life insurance and how each type can benefit your family in many ways you probably don't even realize! Resources mentioned: Paycheck Budget Spreadsheet www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel Pink (aff link) https://amzn.to/2AfnayF Full Transcript: Welcome to the money mindset podcast, where you will find the inspiration and motivation. You need to manage your money better. So you can stress less and live the life you want. This is Ashley with budget, sweet, easy in the money mindset podcast. Today, we are talking to Brian Haney, who's the vice president of the Haney company, whom he deals With all things insurance. He also has a podcast that's called that's my financial guy. So you can go listen to him as well. But before we dive into his interview, that is all about different types of insurance that your family needs, and some benefits and pros and cons to different insurance policies. Go get the Paycheck Budget Bpreadsheet, so you can get started on managing your money better so that you can get all these little financial things in order so that you can live with financial peace. And that's what insurance also gives you. It gives you financial peace for your family, so that you know, that, you know, heaven forbid, something happens to you that your family will be taking care of. So let's welcome Brian, and jump into all about insurance. Hi Brian, thank you so much for being with us today. Thanks for having me. I appreciate it. And we're going to dive into insurance and different kinds that you need and maybe some that you don't need. But before we jump into that, can you kind of just kind of give us a little bit of background about yourself? I'd love to, so I've been in the financial business for really the majority of my career. She's 16, 17, 18, many, many years, but just, you know, a couple interesting twists and turns to my life. I, I studied journalism in college. So, uh, and I graduated early with a BA in journalism and kind of, you know, had aspirations, I guess, to be the next Tony Kornheiser or be in sports broadcast or who knows what, um, and came back to where I grew up, uh, Washington D C area only to realize that essentially the journalism journalism industry is not maybe as a straight path towards stardom as I would have liked. And so none of those kind of opportunities popped up unless I wanted to live in the closet for the first five or six years of my, my adults. So I quickly became open to other, other possibilities and actually, uh, got an opportunity to, to become a, a licensed banker and a private banker. And so that kind of helped me establish, I mean, that was my entree into the financial arena and it also helped me, um, get a really solid foundation that I think, and I sets me apart now many, many years down the road because having understanding about deposits, loans, um, investments like having all of that really understanding all of those various components, I think really adds significant value. So, I mean, I've coached people on setting up checking accounts and, you know, all the ins and outs of every kind of credit product shake a stick at. So, Mmm, that helps now just current day. Uh, I work with my, my father and my younger brother. We, uh, uh, are the three principles of the Haney company, which is a multi multiline, uh, kind of financial services company. And actually the majority of our clients are concentrated in the association industry. It's probably 70% of our clients. So it's a pretty interesting industry target. And we do everything from benefits, retirement plans, commercial insurance, property, and casualty. And then, okay, we work with, you know, the executives kind of families. And that's where we kind of do individual things, whether it's insurance or financial planning or investments and that kind of stuff. I also work with them also work with business owners. That's the second kind of minority concentration, um, and business owners of all walks of life. So that's the other part that's, you know, a lot of fun and I've kind of specialized in along the way. Yeah, so you help businesses kinda like figure out their, um, packages to like offer their employees and things like that. Yeah. That's probably one of the biggest things that we do when we work with a business. You know, I mean at first of all, I love stars. I love a business in any stage, but, um, I think in the kind of the business owner in the passion alignment for me is really seeing a business kind of go through its life cycle. And, you know, it's, it's analogous almost to a child that grows up and, you know, it goes off to college and gets married. It's, you know, you get to see owners and, and, you know, small to medium sized companies that just have incredible passion and see their ideas come to fruition and then, you know, and help them kind of walk through that experience and make it as successful and profitable as possible. And that's Mmm. So it's just a lot of fun, you know, I mean, anybody that has the creative element to being able to be in the financial business, I think has a good appreciation for, for that particular type of a relationship. Not that associations don't have their own beauty and awesome newness to them, but, you know, they exist apart from the people that work for them and run them. So that's where I have a special place in my heart for the, for the solopreneur and the small business professional. Oh yeah. Cause it takes a lot to run a small business. And especially when you're trying to navigate insurance benefits For your employees and stuff, I can imagine it's a very different than, you know, a large scale business or corporate corporation. So I'm sure it's really interesting to see that growth too, you know, like seam from starting out to, um, growing and becoming successful. Cause, uh, I can tell you from owning a business, that's a stressful journey, but it's fun now. No, it sure is. And you're right. What do families need to know about different kinds of insurance, but let's specifically talk about for now life insurance. Like what do families need to know? So it's a fantastic question. And when I talk about insurance, I try to, you know, first of all, I, my, my joke used to be in certain networking events that, you know, I was an interpreter and people would be like, Oh, what language do you know? And I say, no, no, no, I, I interpret financial ease into English. And that's that couldn't even be more appropriate than when it comes to insurance. I think insurance in general is certainly highly misunderstood. It's not something that any person in any walk of life kind of, you know, there's not an educational course that you take in college that makes you equipped. Um, there's, there's really a lot that that's just missing in general educational circles. And you know, you don't roll out all of a sudden, you know, you turn a certain age and now you've figured it all out. So I try to just, you know, I try to talk about, um, the function of, of, uh, you know, of insurance or really kind of any financial instrument, because that makes it, I think, real and personal. So when I, when it comes to, you know, a family, a, you know, a married couple, maybe with kids or early stages of life, the hopes, dreams, and aspirations at that family has to grow up, roll together, see the kids off to college and all the other stuff. That's kind of the lifestyle framework that they are operating under. And yet we live in a, you know, a crazy world. I mean, we're in this COVID-19 pandemic crisis now as, as a unfortunate current day example of just the kind of stuff that can come out of nowhere. And so there's a risk to that lifestyle, to that dream that if one of the two parties doesn't make it home for whatever unfortunate reason, everything about that family changes. And so that's life insurance, I think in very, very practical and real terms, life insurance to me is really about the relationships that we value the most and what we would be wanting to be the best scenario that had we lived had I lived, had my spouse live, or we would be working hard to see that play out life insurance should come in then and at least provide for some sort of a financial means to try to have that play out since unfortunately that party is no longer going to be there to do it themselves. And so I kind of want to just start there as, as a, you know, a beginning framework to connect to something that can seem very arbitrary. Um, I don't think it is at all, I think is probably one of the most personal things that a couple, um, can really be considering because of, and I can say this, unfortunately in, in, you know, as many years as I've been in this industry, I've had to walk through delivering death claims and I've had even personal friends, um, pass away well before their time. So I've just seen too much to feel like I can water it down at all. Like, it's, it's really important, powerful and meaningful. Absolutely. And whenever like my husband and I, um, we're figuring out like how much life insurance for us to get, um, you know, we figured out, okay, well, how much would we need for, to cover, uh, to pay off the mortgage and you know, how much would we want to say for each kid for college, you know, still have, you know, all those things covered and you know, the other one not have to go back to work right away if they don't want to, you know, all those kinds of things. And that's, you know, just kinda like what you said, um, what our longterm goals are and still be able to accomplish that. So that's kind of how we came up with our number as well. So is there a number that you recommend, um, families to, um, shoot towards? I mean, of course I'm sure it depends on like their health conditions and age and stuff and what they can actually afford for life insurance, but is it, you know, is there like a standard number, like 10 times their annual income or just, you know, a baseline, a million dollars or something like that? Yeah. I mean, it's, it is the perfect follow up question and I, you know, actually I think you you've touched on a few Mmm really helpful measuring rods that, that kind of give some of us a tangible example, but the reality is that every scenario is a personal a decision. Um, because obviously we're all going to have different means and different goals and desires. And so, you know, I commonly say these are some of the components that traditionally are considered when you're coming up with that value. So I think it's more important just to think of it in terms of how you might go about doing the math rather than having a particular number or threshold in mind. Cause that makes it a lot easier for you to know, frankly, once you come to the number, how you got there. And so, um, and, and by the way, just as a total aside, but something that can be very interesting for somebody that's, you know, wanting to Google weird things, the, um, you know, a very, Oh, I opening place to learn a lot about life insurance, really the replacement value of human life is, um, with wrongful death attorneys, because of that part of the legal industry, their entire job is to quantify somebody's life. And it is amazing what, you know, what it goes into that kind of a calculation that Ben has to go to a courtroom setting and, you know, is, is and subject to, um, legal proceedings in terms of what the financial recourse is in a wrongful death. And it's unbelievable. So if you really want to, you know, get a crazy number and see how scientific you're going to be about to check that out, but, you know, two more rational, realistic ways to go about it. Um, you know, that there's that lost earning the capacity that I think is the big, um, wrapper that goes around this. And so, you know, common ways to come to numbers. Well, how many years might the earning person that we're, you know, you know, whether it's the spouse, husband, wife, it doesn't matter. Mmm. How many years might they be working? What's their current compensation. And then you can create, you know, a framework for that projecting that out. And then, you know, some other things that again are commonly into the consideration that help you quantify this, certainly any debts that you would, you would want to pay off, always a good thing to have, um, uh, you know, in mind and again, yeah, the, the expense of college, which, uh, in terms of things that have outpaced inflation is, is one of the top of the list. Cause the cost of, um, you know, college education is, is Crazy these days. So that's sometimes a number that number in and of itself can be bigger than what you got to pay off in terms of your mortgage balance. No kidding. I did a mortgage calculator the other day for all three of my kids and my youngest is two. So I mean, it was insane. I'm like, there's no way I'm ever going to be able to save that much for three kids. It was crazy. I don't even want to think about it. Yeah. It's yeah. It's not fun. And yet it is. And then we all just cross our fingers as parents and hope that they'll get scholarships and not have to worry about Yeah. Like the guys you're going to trade school. Cause that's all I'm going to be able to afford my man. Yeah. So, I mean, those are, those are kind of the, you know, the, the three most significant threads are replacing, lost earnings, you know, handling any kind of debts to create the best kind of cashflow scenario for their surviving spouse and kids. And then certainly the most significant expense outlay is, you know, wanting to make sure your kids have the funds to go to whatever school that you would want them to be able to go to. And I think that, that, you know, pulling that all and seeing what kind of a number, uh, that equates to, and then like you said, well, all right, now that we have kind of an idealized number, how do we look at the options for protection and what types of life insurance might you want to be considering? And then that also might, you know, again, depending on underwriting and expense, you may move the number. Um, if that, you know, if some of the costs for, you know, the full amount of protection maybe seem, uh, out of reach or would hurt your budget and wouldn't allow you to do other things financial, because you should never have, you know, I'm sure you see this a lot. You should never have a number for insurance that literally makes it hard for you to do other really, really critically important things in your budget. So, um, making, making it have the right space in your budget is, is very key. Yeah. We, whenever we were looking at, um, life insurance policies, like for my husband, it was pretty expensive. Um, cause he's a bigger guy. And so what we ended up doing instead of like a normal 20 year term, we ended up having to do 15 years so that we could have the amount that we wanted. And then the, you know, with the goal of like saying are more at the, by that 15 years, our mortgage would hopefully be paid off. Um, and so we'd be a little bit more covered at the end of that term. So, um, just like you said, we kind of took in the, the figure was more important, um, than necessarily that five year gap. So that's how we, um, figured that out. Now we know you mentioned like, um, replacing loss income. Now what about a stay at home? Like if somebody is a stay at home mom or a dad, um, do they still need life insurance, You bet. And, um, and by the way, kudos to you all for making sure that you kept the right number. Cause I think I agree and that's so important. Like the, the amount of protection I think is, is the most important thing about it. So, you know, figuring out how long you have that is, is oftentimes a secondary consideration when you're juggling it. So that's, that's great to hear and, and, you know, um, the idea that because a spouse doesn't have an income that they pay taxes on means that if they weren't around that they don't have some sort of a residual value is crazy. Cause I can tell you my amazing wife, who's been, um, you know, who stayed at home for awhile. She's raised our amazing daughter and is now, you know, we've been homeschooling her for the last two years and just being, I mean, just been incredible, but what it would take for me to function to replace her [inaudible] is probably a bigger number than I even like to think about. And so I think [inaudible], you know, when, when you don't have that inherent income number to try to, which is usually a big part of that baseline, then it's still important to consider really the lifestyle that you're going to perpetuate. And in some respects, if you want to get a more, you know, a strategic number, depending on what your kids are, I mean, you can start to look at what's the benchmark for a full time live in nanny or something like that. I mean, if you really are that concerned about coming up with a number, go ahead and use that. Not daycare use a live in nanny and what that would cost an okay. Or something like that. You'll find out that that's really, you know, it's a full time salary in and of itself. If you're trying to now have to unfortunately replace, you know, your, your spouse. So, you know, um, I absolutely, you know, my wife has a healthy amount of insurance on herself just because, you know, I, I would, I would easily be lost without her, but then also there is, there would be a significant financial burden. And I think a lot of times that's probably an area where I find, um, couples maybe, uh, I would say, yeah, make, make a mistake in not recognizing both parties as equally as they should. And it's not to suggest that you certainly don't need to have the same amount on, on, on each person. But, um, you know, I've, I've seen a lot of times where the, the, you know, the income that the working spouse loads up and then literally has little to nothing, um, for the stay at home spouse. And that's a real significant risk because forget the money. If you play the scenario out, what would happen if God forbid something happened to the say at home spouse, the impact to your lifestyle and your ability to continue earning the same way that you were when you know that spouse was still there running the show is, is night and day different. And so the reality is there is a significant financial impact. And so it is, it's really important to make sure that you assess both sides of the equation. And there again, you know, you can find some easy ways to quantify that and come up with a number that is reasonable. Now, what about, um, people that have life insurance through like their job, is that enough? Or should they get like extra life insurance? Also a fantastic question. And, um, I always kind of in, in most of my client interactions, I kind of consider life insurance through work of bonus. And so can it factor into your total calculation? Yes, it can, but the reason why I consider it a bonus and what I mean by that is that you don't want to count on it is this because you don't control that policy. The employer does. And, and, and frankly, I don't like trying to use current day stuff as almost like a scary example, but you know, in, in this pandemic, you are seeing a lot of small businesses now being significantly financially impacted. And so business owners are having to look at the benefits and the cost of maintaining those benefits. And, you know, maybe if they have had, you know, disability and life and medical and all the other stuff, and they're trying to save money, they could turn around and say, well, look, we're going to try to continue medical, dental, and vision, but we can no longer do disability in life. Cause just, we need to find ways to save money. And if that happens, then that coverage is gone with, you know, you did nothing to participate in that decision. So, you know, um, I just think it's very important to know, um, how, how that should factor in, but how much credence you actually give that. Cause sometimes you might have a generous amount. Maybe you have, you know, two times a good salary. And so the number can be a very real number. Um, but I just, you know, I don't, I counsel most people don't put a significant amount of emphasis on that because there's so many ways that that can change that are a beyond your control or just, let's say you change jobs and all of a sudden what you used to have, you don't have it, you know, so there's, there's just, um, there's too many variables that make that, that particular part of your benefit, something that's, you know, hard to really count on as rock solid for a long period of time. So, you know, I, I, I tend to say take it a diminimous amount. Um, if you want to factor it into your calculation and say, well, at least I have this much, it counted in this way. So not to spend that's and that's viable and that's, and that's important. But, um, I just, I don't, I don't like setting people up to overestimate how beneficial that can be. Cause again, I've seen it unfortunately too many situations where you know, it, it wasn't enough or it wasn't what they thought it would be. Yeah. And with, you know, so many people losing their jobs right now. I mean, that's that insurance is instantly gone and then you don't have any coverage. So, so what kind of life insurance should like the average family get or does it kind of just depend on their situation? That's an awesome question. And I, and I like, um, I like answering it in terms of understanding a little bit more about the financial instruments and how they can function because there's really two types of life insurance. Um, so I'm going to paint and big broad brush strokes, and then I'll try to get a little bit more detailed, the two main types there's there's term insurance. And I think the easiest way to look at term is we, you know, we understand a mortgage, right? It's a certain dollar amount that we have for a stated period of time. That's a great way to think of term insurance. You have a stated benefit amount for a stated period of time. Um, [inaudible] probably, that's the best way I think, good to use that type of policy is to assign it and align it with something that, you know, has, you know, a start and an end, because then it makes total sense why you would, you would match the insurance to that risk. Mmm. Permanent insurance comes in a lot of different forms, so that the two main ones though is his whole life insurance. And then there are variations of what's called universal life. Um, and there's a couple of different types of universal life. And I, you know, I think it would be a, uh, you know, an entire other session for another it again and all that. But permanent insurance is, is valuable in a couple of ways because it goes beyond now just being about this death benefit that can get paid out to someone else. Now it's also a policy that, that actually becomes an asset and builds value for you. And there's a lot of reasons why that in and of itself can be very valuable and important, um, as well as just the need for having coverage. Because I think a lot of times the average family that I know underestimates how long they're going to need insurance for and how much they're going to need, because we kind of think, you know, it's very natural to think everything's going to play out this way that we hope it will. I'll make more money over my earning years. I'll pay my mortgage off. My kids will go off to college. I'll be an empty nester and I'll have a ton of assets and I'll be fine. Right? That's the most common thing that I'm told. And that's an, and again, I hope to God that that plays out and, you know, many times it might, however, that doesn't mean that the need for life insurance goes away, even if that plays out. And so I think that from the insurance standpoint, it's just really important for families to understand that your insurance needs your life insurance needs will change over time and you can change the types of policies that you may have or the structure, but please don't, um, think that, you know, at some point you just don't need it anymore because the reality is that that's probably not the case. So you, you, you may very much want to consider at some point, keeping at least a certain amount, you know, kind of in perpetuity until you die. Which since, you know, I left my crystal ball at the shop. I don't know what that date is for me. Probably not for you either. So most people don't, you know, most people don't have that in mind. So therefore you do need to have something that'll last as long as you do, but I want to, I want to take a very brief moment just to talk about the asset component of permanent life insurance, because this is where there can be a lot of times where this is an opportunity we're insurance becomes a vehicle that allows people to actually save successfully for other things that they might otherwise be saving for apart from life insurance. This is where if you structure it correctly in the right circumstances, life insurance can actually be a very helpful vehicle in somebody's financial framework. Um, because you can use the way that it grows as, you know, an asset that then, you know, maybe some of those funds get used for college expenses, um, or, you know, a wedding down payment or what have you. So, Mmm. There's a, there's a significant, uh, argument in case that can be made to, to also find value in using it as that type of a financial asset and a resource, um, for intermediary purposes as well as retirement. So it's, it's a very valuable, valuable, and an underutilized asset. So how does that work then if it's kinda, if you're able to take money out of it, but it's also life insurance. Like if you take the money out, does that reduce the death benefit or is it kind of like two things in one it's the, it's the wonderful, my favorite asterix, it depends, right? It depends. So what I mean by that is it depends on how you structure the policy and what type of a scenario you're taking the money out in some of the basic components to what that looks like though. Um, and I, and I do want to, you know, I'm not a CPA, I just play one on TV. So there's there's tax components. Um, that the way that cash value life insurance is treated from a taxation perspective. It's very similar to how I Roth IRA is treated. So the funds that get built up, you're not taking a deduction for the money that goes into an insurance policy into a life insurance policy. However, when you take those funds back out, um, especially up to that kind of principle value, that's all tax-free back to you. It's a return of, they consider a return of principle and that's, there's a lot of value in that, right? From a tax man. You can borrow against the policy so you could take out a loan and again, then you're taking out a loan against your own asset. So that there's value in that if you wanted to use it that way, you can, um, you don't necessarily have to pay those loans back loans against the life insurance policy are also considered tax-free. So, Mmm. You know, the, the main structures that really make this helpful is, you know, I can take a, I can take as just a regular cash distribution out. And assuming that, you know, the amount I've put in is still more than the amount I'm taking out. I don't, I shouldn't have a taxable consequences of doing that depending on how much is in there and how much I put in there could be some impact to the death benefit. And so that's why you really want to you of want to know what that all looks like, and you want to be mindful with how it's structured, but that doesn't mean that that makes it a bad scenario. It just means that that's, you know, you're taking some of the policy values out that have, you know, also that carry with them and assign portion of that death benefit value. So, you know, that's part of the trade off, but it doesn't mean that it's, you know, it's a bad way to use it. Mmm. But there's a lot of more affluent people and clients that I work with on a regular basis now that really because of that tax component are, are, are using life insurance in a very strategic way. So may make sure that they maintain that, that need in, in perpetuity, but really as a, is that an after tax way to build wealth, because unlike a Roth IRA where you can get phased out of it, there's no cap. Um, so you can really use it as a strategic vehicle to build a lot of wealth, uh, and have it the, in a tax advantage, um, bucket that then you can turn around an access and retirement. And the coolest thing I like to tell this story, because most people don't understand In the retirement scenario for life insurance, if you structured the policy correctly, which is which most people have, then the policy gets to what's called a and I hate using terminology. It's called paid up. That essentially means that the policy has enough value in it, that it should be able to self fund or self perpetuate, whether you put more into it or not. That's a very cool place to get to, because what that does is that unlocks part of the death benefit for you in a very strategic way in life. Insurance is the only financial instrument where you get access to, okay, a bucket of money that you didn't have apart from the money you put in. So the death benefit of a life insurance policy is really just a promise to pay someone a set of money, right? That's someone can be your beneficiaries when you die, but it can also be you while you're alive in the form of accelerated loans. So that's why the power of it is an asset is that you can access the bucket of money that you built into the policy. That's your cash value, but in retirement, you may also be able to start to draw down that death benefit as well for income purposes. Mmm. So it's just, it's really awesome. Uh, I know I've probably spent a lot more time on that than you might've wanted me to, but I, I like to talk through these things because I find that these are very commonly misunderstood or things that people didn't even know about life insurance. Yeah. I mean, cause I've never heard some of this and, you know, uh, whole life or, uh, I keep forgetting what you call it, cash value, life insurance, like it has such a bad rap. And so I was curious, uh, you know, why, why, what the benefits of it were. So can you just kind of talk about what are some of the common misconceptions about it? Cause I'm sure that there are, um, some out there you've probably already kind of touched on. No, there definitely are. You know, I think, um, I'll try to touch on maybe three. I think the first one is if, if, when you're talking about the difference between term and permanent insurance, if you just consider the premium as the cost and that's what you're then comparing term and permanent, that's, that's a fallacy because they're two different things. One is a financial instrument that has value in the other isn't right. Um, and by the way, just as a, as a, there's an interesting statistic, about 2% of term policies ever pay out a death benefit, 2%, that is a shockingly no number. And the reason why that is, and the reason why term is great for the insurance company is because there's a shotgun, you know, low number. Most people do not keep the term policies and therefore don't have that coverage dynamics or the insurance company isn't paying anything out and they've kept whatever amount of money you've you've given to them months. That might be an acceptable trade off. But it's just important to think about that who really wins in those scenarios. But so just looking at it from a premium comparison standpoint, I think people can get hung up on, well, you know, universal or whole life is more expensive than term. Well, that's not how you assess it, right? The reality of that is the mortality cost is probably the same or very close to the same, right? So the actual cost of insurance is probably the same, what you have with a universal or a whole life, a cash value policy is you have a portion of that. That's going into an account that builds value. So that's kind of misunderstanding. Number one, I think number two, and, you know, two and or three are wrapped up in one in the same is that I don't think people really understand how it works as an asset. Um, so I'll have, uh, I'll, I'll hear people say, well, you know, the performance in these policies are terrible. Well, first of all, as a general statement, that's not accurate, but as a more practical matter, then you're, you're, you're going back to that. Well, are you comparing apples to apples? Are you looking, are you looking at something that, you know, most cash value policies or guaranteed policies? I mean, there's not a market component to them, so there's no inherent volatility or risk to the funds. So if you're comparing that type of financial instrument to a mutual fund portfolio, for example, that can go down in value. That's not an accurate comparison either. Right? So that's, I think the other part where I see a lot of just, you know, these generalizations, you got to really look at well, what are we really comparing? And is that a valid basis for comparison? And I think the last part is, is how it works functionally. Like I was describing it to you. People don't understand that you can access the death, benefit your policy and take that money out while you're alive. That's huge. I mean, there's no other financial instrument on the planet that lets you, that has a, that additional bucket of money there and B lets you use it. Right. So I think that that's the part that you, you don't, most people don't recognize how powerful that can be and why, you know, there's a lot of ways that you may want to use this as some part of your savings and wealth building strategy and that's not right for everybody. And obviously there's no one right. Insurance policy for everybody anyway. But I think that, um, just dismissing it or kind of hearing certain things that just because enough people say it means that it's, you know, it sounds like it must be true. Well, that's not, it's not always the case. So, you know, I gotta say, I mean, I, I, you know, for us, for our family, you know, we're probably longterm have at least, you know, 15, 20% of our income in retirement and will come out of life insurance because, you know, once you cross a certain earning threshold, I can't put money into a Roth anymore. So where else can I get that kind of growth and tax treatment? What other instruments are available to replicate that well, life insurance, you know, so there's, there's a lot of reasons why finding a way to structure it and use it as an asset can be very, very, very valuable. Um, as long as you don't just kind of get, I think, hung up, hung up on these common misunderstandings and misperceptions about it. Well, and I think just like anything else, uh, you know, you need to do your research and figure out what's best for you and your family. And I had never really thought about it. Um, you know, as a strategy for building wealth, like you said, you know, and I've heard more people talk about like putting money in your HSA, kind of the same concept, you know? And so like to me, that's just like another thing that you can do once you get to that point of building wealth. And like you said, other strategies for, you know, when you can't do certain things, when you make too much money or if you just need another vehicle to save. So, you know, I hadn't really thought about it that way. So you've definitely opened up my eyes to more options. Well, let me, let me give you one more example. That's really appropriate for anybody that's ever in engaged in college planning and college funding. If, if, if that's ever something that you're thinking about, then you're going to be familiar with a little form called FAFSA, right? And so the premise or the, the understanding, one of the things that you're addressing when it comes to that kind of stuff is countable versus noncountable assets, right? And how certain assets have more weight against you and others as well. The cash value of life insurance policies is, is a noncountable asset. And so that may mean it can be a very valuable way to accrue funds in that domain. And you can use that. The cool thing is there's no restrictions on what you use, the life insurance money, the cash value for you don't have to wait until a certain retirement age. The money's there it's yours. If you needed it, you you're 20 now and you fund your kids in at 38, you're taking some of that money out. That's fine. That's another common area we see. Yeah, it is being used, uh, in a very strategic way as an asset for, you know, these types of purposes. Cause there's, like I said, that's, that's a very tangible reason why, if I'm thinking about all these vehicles that I'm going to be setting money aside for and how the day will ultimately impact, you know, my child's ability to either get consideration rate or what have you. It's a very commonly used one. Mmm. And may play a very, very valuable role. So just as a, again, another thing that I, you know, most people don't even think about that. They're like, why would I, what are you talking about? Why would I, why would life insurance have anything to do with college funding? But it's, again, it's just knowing how an asset works. I think it's really weird that, you know, why it's something that you just, and do you want to have an educated conversation with somebody that really understands it and you know, can help you see it as an, as an option that you can either, you know, engage with or rule out. Cause it may not be right for you. Well, I'm really glad that you brought that up because a lot of people don't realize that for FAFSA. Like if you, if your kid wants to get any kind of funding that they look at your assets and that whether you like it or not, you will, you may have to contribute to their college fund or they just don't go. And a lot of people do not realize that they're like, well, I'm just not gonna, you know, they can pay for it themselves. Well, you don't get to decide that the government decides how much they can have in student loans. Otherwise you get parent loans. So I'm really glad that you brought that up because I had not thought about that aspect of it for saving for college and like how, cause I've thought about it. Like, okay, well, if you know, my house is paid off by then, I don't have any debt. Like they're going to say, I have to pay all of it. You know what I mean? Like it's certain to freak me out and I've, you know, I've got a nine year old, a six year old and a two year old. I'm like, how am I, how am I going to put all these kids through college? So now you've got me thinking of some more, more ways. So put some money aside. So I'm really glad you brought that up because you know, I, I've had some painful conversations with people that, you know, their kids as a senior and they don't have any money saved and they realize, Oh, I make too much money. And they think that I can afford a thousand dollars a month for college that the, you know, the government and, you know, FASFA or my kid can't go, yeah. People don't realize that you don't get it aside unless you know, your kid, a bunch of money saved Well and it's, and it's really scary what you've described because you can be doing so many things right financially. But then when you come to this juncture in your life, it's like you fall off a cliff. You're like, Whoa, wait a minute. You clearly don't know how, even at a certain income or asset level where all the rest of the money goes, it's not like it just goes under my mattress and it's just there, you know? Yeah. And you know, I've seen so many stories and it's heartbreaking of people that are close to retirement age, and now they have $200,000 in student loans for their kids and they don't know how they're going to retire. So, um, you know, I'm glad that you brought that up because I think, you know, having more options and, and being able, having knowledge and being able to plan ahead of time is so crucial. And at least just mentally preparing yourself for, Hey, I'm going to, I'm going to have to contribute. Or my kids don't go to college, like go ahead and mentally preparing yourself for that. I mean, of course we don't know what will happen by then maybe, you know, everybody I'm freaked out. Well, you know, it's true. Mentally prepare and then hopefully try to financially prepared as best you can. Yeah, exactly. So, um, you know, you've, you've given me a lot of things to think about. Um, but do you have any just last pieces of advice or your number one tip for, um, life insurance and you know what we need to know about it? Yeah, no, I think it sounds really corny, but seek professional help. Um, because you want to work with someone. I think I know for myself and I think it's fairly common for a lot of the people that I've talked to and work with. Right. We all are trying to make the right financial decisions for ourselves. So it's not a lack of desire or effort. Usually that's standing in our way. Usually what, what challenges us is we don't understand. Right? We don't understand maybe the variables, the options. We don't know how to see the equation the right way. And that's why it's really important to work with a professional in some capacity that that can help you understand the decision you're trying to make. And then, you know, lay out the options that are available so that you can execute with confidence. And I think that that's, that's always my, you know, my hope for as many people as possible, whether they work with someone like me or anybody, but there's, there's a ton of really great professionals out there. But do don't feel, um, like Google is the answer because Google is, it can, it can be a little bit scary. Some of the stuff that they put out there that they consider advice, um, and you can't Sue Google by the way, if you follow it's advice and it doesn't work, don't try it. You know, it's, I think finances and money sometimes because of how personal it is, you know, people tend to feel like they don't want to talk about it. And so that's, I guess the other side of that hope is that, you know, don't, don't, you know, it's not like you're going to a therapist for something that you you're really don't want anybody to allow me. This is just common stuff. And everybody needs to be able to, I think, get the benefit a really helpful, healthy advice because that's an empowering experience and then there's nothing better. And I, and I know, you know, this in all of the work that you do with your clients, right? There's nothing better than feeling good about making good financial decisions and being able to see how you're lining the dominoes up so that they fall the right way in your life. Oh, absolutely. That's, that's always my hope and whether it's life in drones or anything else just, you know, work with, with a professional or serious or professional in, in, you know, make sure that you can get that confidence that I understand the decision that I need to make and the options that are available to me. And I think I've found the right one. Oh, absolutely. And you know, no matter how much research that you do on your own and general advice that you read or get, you know, your situation just like you said is personal. And so what works for me may not work for you or, you know, tweaking things here and there, but getting a professional opinion and an outside perspective is crucial because, you know, you're in the weeds, you know, you've got all this emotional decisions to make and you need that outside perspective as well. You nailed it. I'm so glad you said that. So, and also at the end of every podcast, I ask everybody what their favorite nonfiction book is, you know, just self-development or something light and entertaining. Um, do you have a favorite book? I have a lot and there's a lot competing for that title favorite. So I'm going to give one that has just been that it's, it's somewhat recent and it's for anybody. It's a fascinating read. So the book is called when, and it's by an author named Dan pink. So super easy to remember Dan pink, cause that name stands out. Um, and the book is called when it is, I could not put it down. I could not put it down. He just, what it's about is he talks about your chronotype and it's, and it's a book about how understanding, how you, you know, you perform throughout a day and what type of Kronos have, whether you're, you know, a morning person, an evening person, or kind of a middle person, how really understanding that impacts when you're going to perform well, when you want to avoid certain things. I mean, it's just, it's a topic that I never would have in a million years thought I'd be interested in, be I'd want to read an entire book on. So fascinating. And I got to tell you like so much practical wisdom in terms of, you know, any, anybody that's looking to just optimize their own performance. You have to read this book. I promise you if you do, you will thank me for it. Um, yeah, it's, it's a great read. So check it out when Dan pink, thank me later. Well, thank you for that suggestion. I'll add it to the list. Now I do appreciate you coming on today and, you know, taking the complicated insurance and making it easy for us to, I understand, and given me some new ideas, um, and for people that want to maybe reach out or learn more about your, if they have any questions, um, how can people find you? Yeah, great question. So probably three ways. So, uh, the website for our company and all of our contact information's on theirs is www dot the Haney company, just all spelled out.com. And then, um, I have a podcast it's, that's my financial guy. So if you search any podcasting platform, that's my financial guy. You'll find me. It's the only one with that title. Um, and, and actually the website WWF that's my financial guy.com is where all, where all that can be hosted. So you can find it either way. Um, and then we also, uh, are at the Haney company on Twitter as well. So any one of those three ways you should be able to find me. I'm very, I'm very Googleable as well. I have a good LinkedIn profile and all that kind of stuff, but those are the, probably the three easiest ways to get ahold of me. Well, thank you. And we will link to everything in the show notes as well. So people can just click on there and find you as well, but definitely go check out his podcast and I appreciate you taking the time to speak with us today. No, it was great. Great being on. Thank you so much for having me. Thanks. All right. Before you go and check out Brian's podcast, don't forget to go crab your paycheck budget spreadsheet so you can get your finances all in order and know exactly what bills to pay out of each paycheck so that you can get your finances organized and get that financial piece that goes along with knowing what to pay and when, and then of course, make sure that you have your proper insurance coverage. You make sure that you are taking advantage of term life insurance, get your family covered and get all your ducks in a row. All right, guys, I will talk to you guys in the next episode. Special Guest: Brian Haney.

DeShena used to be so stressed about paying bills that she would physically shake when she had to deal with it. But with some mindset shifts she was able to get caught up on her bills and pay off $54,000 in 2.5 years! She is now a life coach to help others work on their mindset so they can overcome that stress and live the life they want! About DeShena: I’m DeShena Woodard, founder of Extravagantly Broke, a blog that empowers women to crush debt and pursue their passions. I’m an everyday working mom who followed the traditional path of going to college, buy a nice house, buy a fancy car, have a kid. Then I found myself living paycheck to paycheck, miserable, and stressed about bills. It took a total mindset shift for me to change my thinking surrounding money and then change my spending behavior. I was then able to pay off $54,000 of debt in a little over 2.5 years and now I’m 100% debt-free. Resources mentioned in this episode: Budget Spreadsheet: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet Don't Keep Your Day Job by Cathy Heller (aff link) https://amzn.to/2N03xx6 Full Transcript: Welcome to the money mindset podcast, where you will find the inspiration and motivation. You need to manage your money better. So you can stress less and live the life you want. This is Ashley Patrick with budgets made easy and the money mindset podcast today we're talking to DeShena Woodward. Who's the founder of extravagantly broke a blog that empowers women to crush them debt and pursue their passion. She's an everyday working mom who followed the traditional path of going to college, buying a nice house, buying a fancy car and having a kid. Then she found herself living paycheck to paycheck, miserable and stressed about bills. It took a total mindset shift for her to change her thinking surrounding money, and then changing her spending behavior. She was then able to pay off $54,000 of debt and a little over two and a half years. And now she is a 100% debt-free. Now, if you are ready to get started on your debt payoff journey, changing your mindset around money, changing your spending behavior. You can get your paycheck, budget spreadsheet. It is set up for you to budget by paycheck, which then goes into a monthly view if you want the monthly view. And then into the yearly view. Plus it has a bonus Christmas budget sheet included as well. You can go to budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet, and it'll take you to grab your paycheck budget spreadsheet. That is totally customizable for whatever you want to do with your budget by paycheck. It also has a Google sheet as well as Excel. So you can use it on your phone, on the internet, however you want to do it. So go grab your spreadsheet at budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet. And now is our interview with does Sheena. Hey, welcome to the podcast to DeShena. Hi Ashley, thanks for being here. I'm so excited to talk to you about your debt payoff journey. And, you know, I know that you're really big about, um, you know, you changing your mindset around money and everything like that. So before we just like dive right in, can you just kinda tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do now? Okay. Sure. Well, my name is Deshena and I'm the founder of the website extravagantly broke, which is basically kind of like a money mindset blog, where I try to empower women to like crush debt and pursue their passions, pursue what they're passionate about, which is why I also became a certified life coach, because I began to understand that money problems don't just start and end with money and it can bleed into so many different areas of your life, you know, and even like your relationships or your job performance, even with, in my case, it was affecting my self confidence. So, uh, and there's usually some sort of underlying issue. And so I kinda like to take a holistic approach to debt freedom. And I just kinda talk about the methods that have helped me overcome living paycheck to paycheck, and to finally become a hundred percent debt free. And I want to help other people understand the motives behind them spending habits so that they can finally take control of their finances as well. So my basic message is pretty much that anyone can be debt free or can learn to live debt free, you know, once you make that mindset shift. Absolutely. And you know, my, my podcast is the money mindset podcast, because it's so important to focus about your mindset because you know, doing a budget or even making your plan, isn't the whole picture. Yeah. You can write it down on paper, but if you don't make those longterm habits and the changes mentally, you're going to wreck the budget anyway. Like you're not, you're still not going to follow through and things like that. So, and that's not even just about money, that's like anything, like how many of us want to lose weight and we make a plan and then they'll like me and then I eat all the Oreos at 9pm at night! So I'm so glad that we were going to talk about shifting your mindset and everything about money. Um, so tell me some of the things that you did to make those changes. You know, you've paid off a lot of money really fast, and so that is not an easy feat. So, um, what are some of the things you did to kind of change your mindset to get you in a place that you were even ready to pay off debt? Oh, well, let's see. It was like, it was so many things. It wasn't just one specific thing. Um, it, it, it was really an ongoing process. Um, but yeah, one of the key things that helped me was I started years ago trying to keep my expenses low. Um, and, but what really helped me was when I finally got a job that I had been pursuing for years, I finally got the position I had been pursuing for years and my kids were getting bigger. So I could take on more of a full time role because previously I had been more like, you know, just working a couple of days a week because I wanted to be available for my children. But as they started getting older, then I really kind of went after that job that I had been wanting for years. And once I did that, uh, what I noticed in all my research from a personal finance and even in my own experience is a lot of times when we, uh, earn money, we're already thinking about how to spend it as soon as we earn it, you know, what we're going to do with that money? I do. I start thinking about, Oh, I can do by this. So yeah, even in the interview, it's like, even while you're interviewing for the job, it, at least it's been nice. There's like, Oh my gosh, you know, I get this job, then I can get that car and I can get this, or we can buy that house and whatever. But this time when I, uh, when I got the job, my salary jumped at about 40, 45%. Uh, and, but my expenses didn't, I still kept my expenses low. I didn't start looking for ways to immediately get rid of my money instead. I wanted to hang onto it and save it and pay off, pay down my debt. So yeah, it kind of made you start to want to pay down your debt. Like, was this just something that had been weighing on you or was it, um, just something that you just felt like you should do weighing on me for sure. Ashley for years. I mean, it was just, it was torture. I mean, I was at the point where it was affecting me, you know, physiologically. I mean, I was having symptoms when, uh, I was always concerned about bills. I was always behind. I was always feeling stressed. I was always, when it was bill paying time, I could get that. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest that turned into my stomach and I would see mild tremors in my hands. And I was like, this is not right. You know, I'm like something, you know, why am I like this? You know, why is everybody else, you know, seem to be managing so well, but why, when it's time for me, I feel like I'm just so stressed, uh, with this, with paying bills and never catching up, you know, always behind. So, uh, yeah, it was affecting me, you know, physiologically. So I knew something wasn't right. And it weighed on me heavily. So I had to, I knew there had to be, I had to do something different because what I was doing was not working obviously. And I, like, you mentioned that, um, you felt like other people were handling it better. Like, I feel like whenever I talk to, um, other people, like, they always think that everybody else is better with money than they are, but it's not true. Like, we all stress about money and, you know, 80% right. Of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. And it's even like a worldwide thing. Like I talked to people in other countries that struggle with finances as well. So it's not just an American thing either, but you know, we always think that other people are doing it better than us. And you know, they're not, they're not, we all with the same thing. So you're, you know, you're not alone. So I'm glad that you mentioned that. So did you have like an aha moment that you like knew something had to change or was it just kind of the piling of the stress and the physiological stuff? Well, it, it, it was that come compiling of, of the stress, but they're definitely was an aha moment. There was a catalyst for sure. Um, okay. So I will tell you that my husband, you know, I guess it's part of, you know, the culture, the American culture, whatever, maybe I don't know every culture, but you know, you want to live up to a certain standard and you want to do better than you did growing up. Of course. Um, and you know, you're, you're taught in school, not necessarily about money, at least not when I was going through school, but you're out and not how to handle money, but you're taught that you should earn money. You should get a house and, you know, go to college, get a job, get a house, get a nice car, has some kids, kids in private school, you know, all that. Stuff's, you know, kinda like the standard for being successful, but you're not really taught, you know, really how to manage money. But, you know, people are, you see people doing well and you want to do the same. So my husband decided that we should, it was time for us to get a luxury car. And I really didn't have my mind set on a luxury car. I, it was not even in my, on my radar at that point, because I knew that, you know, I was still kind of, even though I was a professional, I was only working part time because my daughter was as an infant at the time and I won it, but he wanted to, you know, I guess kind of make sure he was, we were keeping up with what everybody else was doing. So he had us down there at the Mercedes dealership looking for a car and I was like, okay, but Hey, let me tell you, I did not put up a fight. I w you know, once we got down there, I was all on board, but let me tell you that was the, that was really not a smart move, but anyway, we got the car, uh, we figured jointly, we could pay this off, you know, with the standard 60 payments for five years. So we did it at, but what was the catalyst for me, even though we were, you know, I was always in debt, always behind, uh, with my bills, trying to keep up with this car payment. But the catalyst for me came when, while I in the middle of making this $850 a month car payment. Yes. Because this was like the S class luxury Mercedes. He doesn't do anything small. So it's like, so while you're go home, go big or go home. Right? So while in the midst of making this $850 car payment, about two and a half years, I think into it, the water pump broke and he took it to the dealership and they were going to charge something upwards of $2,500 a month. I mean, not a month for a repair. And then my husband said, Oh no. And he asked around and he got a referral. So we ended up going to this, um, uh, car repair shop that specialized in German car repairs. And it did bring the cost down, but it was still $1,700 on top of pain, $850 a month. Imagine having to come up with an additional $1,700 for a car repair. Once that happened, I was two through, I was like, no, this is, this is stupid. This is just beyond ridiculous. What are we doing? Why are we blowing our money like that? You know? And since then I've learned that one of Dave Ramsey's philosophies is that okay, if you want to stay broke our middle class, keep making car payments. And that is so true because I was both broke class, going nowhere with the way that we were up thinking about money. So that was a big catalyst for me after that, it's like, something's got this, this has to change. That's it You know, I was one of those that had the nice brand new luxury vehicle too. I'm still driving that thing like 10 years later. Cause my husband didn't want to sell it. We did. I mean, we paid it off obviously, but, um, yeah, I'm still driving that thing and drive it into the ground. Right, right. So tell me what were some of the mindset shifts. Okay. So you had your aha moment and, you know, um, sounds like you got a really good phrase. So what were some of the things that you did to pay off your debt? Well, first of all, how much debt did you pay off and how quickly did you do it? I forgot to ask you that. Oh, no problem with I, once I got that job, I would say that was like, um, right at the end of 2016. And then, you know, it took me a couple of months to actually catch up on all the things I wish I was behind on. And then, so I say my jet pack journey started in roughly January of 2017 and I was able to pay everything off by August of 2019. So a little over two and a half years, roughly about two years and eight months to pay off a $52,000 worth of debt. Wow. That's amazing. So tell us some of the things that you did, um, to pay off the debt fast besides, I mean, obviously you got a raise, but you know, you still had to be intentional about the money, you know, just, just having extra money. He's not all of the solutions. So what were some of the things that you did, um, to pay off the debt so quickly? Well, uh, one of the things that I did was definitely, um, doing like the zero based budgeting, uh, where I would, I was very, you know, strict on tracking my, my expense, every expense and assigning every dollar, a job, you know? Um, I would even my say even for savings, cause I had decided that I was going to start saving too, cause I didn't even have an emergency fund nothing. And so I decided that I, if I started tracking what I was doing, that I could budget my emergency fund or yeah, the money towards my emergency fund off the top. Because if you wait till the end, most of the time you don't have anything left. So I had to start taking a little bit off the top and, and then I decided to the next thing I would say, aye, it was pretty much the debt snowball, where I looked at one bill that I could pay off. First one, small bill, what's the smallest thing that I can pay off. And once I found that and I actually was able to pay that off, you know, it kind of gave me a boost and kind of made me look at, okay, now what can I pay off next? You know, it's kind of, it kind of becomes like a game. It's like, okay, now I took care of that. Now what else can I pay off and how much more money can I find to put into my savings account? So just being very, um, intentional with my, my budget and tracking my money really helped me, uh, to pay, pay off that debt. And it just snowballed, I just kept on throwing more and more and more money at the debt because like I said, my income did increase, but I didn't purchase things. I didn't start buying things. So, um, yeah, so it was, those are pretty much the two main things that I would say the snowball and the, and the zero based budgeting and being intentional. Absolutely. Yes, those are very important things. Um, and you know, and changing your mindset to, it sounds like, you know, you started thinking about, um, how you handled your money differently. So from, you know, whenever you were behind on bills and, you know, buy a new cars and credit cards, all that stuff, how did your mindset shift from then to where you are today? Like what was, you know, the major things in how you think about money? You know, it just kind of evolved because as after I realized, you know, with that, with that car payment, uh, it's like, you know, this is, this is, this is ridiculous. Why am I doing this? You know, do I really care about driving? You know, this kind of car and do I really want to work hard for my money, just so that I can pay it to finance the company. It's like, I just got to the point where I wanted to see my money, you know, it's like, it just, it would disappear faster than I even made it. And it's like, well, what am I going to see my money? Exactly. You know, it was just that thinking that what can I do to help me keep more of my money instead of always giving, giving it away as soon as I get it. So I would, you know, start making cutbacks on things that, that weren't, it didn't really matter so much, you know? Uh, I didn't care about I'm like, do I really need an Apple phone? I don't care about Apple phone. You know, as long as I have a phone that can, um, a smartphone that can take calls and good me GPS to get to where I need to go to the main, the main reasons that I need needed by phone. So, you know, I cut, I cut those expensive phones and I dropped down to like a phone where I pay, uh, what do we pay a hundred dollars a month for four lines? Oh yeah. Like with Metro PCs, you know, I'm not, they don't, uh, I don't have any affiliations with them or anything other than I just pay the bill, but it really worked out for me a hundred dollars a month for four lines. I'm like, you can't beat that with a stick and the, no, I'm not. And the phone does everything I needed to do. I don't know. Maybe for people who, who need more fancier things, then, you know, maybe you want something else, but it works for me. I just had to look at the things that, that really mattered most to me and going out and get it. Another luxury car was never on my to do list. Not unless I can pay cash for one, I'll tell you that. But, um, so when I did need a new car, uh, and believe me, it took years, we drove that other car for you. We still had, but, uh, and it's, uh, it's 20 years old now. So, uh, we drove, we keep it because like you said, we'll run it into the ground after all, you could have, you know, say it a small country for a year. We paid on that car. So it's like, you know, we still have it, but I don't even drive it. My husband drives it. Occasionally I went and got me when I needed a new car. I went and got me something economical, fuel efficient that was comfortable. I went and got me a nice little, a Nissan SUV, and now it's a hundred percent paid for, I paid it off early because it was affordable and it takes me everywhere. I need to go. And I love it. So just doing things like that, you know, I could, you know, I could keep, you know, some people believe they can, they always have to have a car payment and that's not true. You don't, you can pay off a car, get you a nice little car, pay it off and drive it. You know, it'll take you everywhere. You need to go the grocery store church to pick up the kids back home, to work wherever. So I'm happy with that. I started focusing on living comfortable and keeping my money in my own hands then, uh, you know, giving it away and trying to live extravagantly. Absolutely. Um, so what would you tell somebody that was in your shoes? You know, they're, they're behind on their bills and, you know, has a huge car payment and they just don't think that they can pay off their debt. They don't see a way out. What is your advice for people like that? There is a way, um, I will tell you that, um, I did this interview with a financial coach and she's been a financial coach for 20 plus years. She's talked to people from low income to high income and what she told me, the number one, I think mistakes that people are making that is affecting negatively impacting their budget is that they're not tracking. And so tracking and, and, and with the people that I've recently started coaching I've. I found that to be absolutely true. They don't know what's coming in and what's going out. So of course you don't know where your money is. So the advice that I would say is you definitely have to start tracking. And once you start tracking, you can see where the spending leaks are. And then when you see those leaks, you can start seeing, okay, look, I'm wow. I spent $1,200 this month on groceries. How is that possible for a family of four? It's like, okay, what can we do to start making some cut backs on that and, and, you know, pay more attention and be more intentional with this expense. So yeah, if you can, if you track, then you can find those spending leaks, and then you can see where you can start making cuts. And I promise you they're in there. Oh, absolutely. I, 100% agree with that. And that's so funny that you say $1,200 a month on food for a family. Poor. Cause that was me. That's how much, when I first started tracking, that was like my aha moment. I was like, you've got to be kidding me. Like, and one was a toddler. Mom was a newborn. So [inaudible], but you know, when you know where it's going, that's, you know, where you can, it's easier to see where you can make the changes. Cause you know, in our mind we don't think that we've spent that much. Like, and that's why swiping a card. You spend so much more money compared to like cash because you know, you just don't feel it the same way. And you just mentally in your head, you thank you spent less. I mean, I still do that. If I don't stay on top of my tracking, I I'll think, well, I spent this much and then I go and do it. I'm like, Oh no. Oh no. Mental accounting is not much. So do you have, um, any last words of wisdom? Any final pieces of advice? Yeah. Uh, yeah. Well, I would say, um, there was a three things that I I think are really important that people can do immediately to start seeing improvements in their budget. And the first thing is, like I said, with the tracking so that you can see the spending leaks. I mean, you gotta make a list, you got to write it down, you can't do the mental account because you'll, you'll be wrong every time we've all tried it and it doesn't work no matter what you think it doesn't work. So, and then the second thing is to stop spending, um, you know, there's this quote that I like to use or that once I heard it, I was like, absolutely, I love this quote. It's like, when you find yourself in a hole, drop the shovel and stop bigging, you just have to stop spending, you know, you just must, it's like start tracking your expenses and then identify those spending leaks and don't create any new debt. So, and then the third thing I would say is about just being intentional, uh, you know, seeing what matters most and then working backwards to find, uh, what action you can take this week. What's the one thing you can change this week or this month to get you to whatever that goal is that you want, you want to be debt free, then how much debt are you in work backwards? How long can you take you to reasonably pay this off? And so what can you start doing this week or this month to get you one step closer to that? So I would say those would be the three main things that anybody could start doing right away to start seeing improvements. Absolutely. I completely agree with that. Um, and what is your favorite nonfiction book? I always like to ask people so I can get some more ideas for my book lists, but, you know, just helps us improve our, not just our financial lives, but just our lives in general as well. [inaudible] uh, well, I would have to say, uh, recently it's this book called don't keep your day job by Cathy Heller. Uh, even if you look at the title on the book, uh, the caption, it says, you know how to turn your passion into your career. And I think that would help a lot of people. Well, because when you're, you're doing something, uh, that I don't enjoy, uh, it makes it even that much harder to improve your financial situation or to want to work, or you do it grudgingly. So, um, you know, if you can find that right to what you enjoy and learn how to turn that into your, your, uh, career, then, you know, it would go a long way towards the money will come. The money will come. I really, I really have been in, she also has a podcast and I really enjoy I've been enjoying her package. Yes. And she gives actionable tips on how you can do things like reach out to people or create your own opportunities and turn them into cash. So that's a book that I'm, I'm, I've just started and I'm anxious to really dive into that one. I love podcasts too. Do you happen to remember the name of her podcasts? It's the podcasts by the same name? Don't keep your day job. Awesome. I'll have to find that. So where can people learn more about you and follow you? Well, my website is extravagantly broke.com and I'm at extravagantly broke on all platforms except Twitter, I couldn't get the handle. I want it. So on Twitter, it's extra, extra broken. And also I do on my, on my side, I offer, uh, as a life coach, I, my specialty is, uh, debt freedom because I want people to know that anyone can be debt free. So you just have to, sometimes you just need the right push in the right direction or just, you need some accountability. Um, and so I offer a free 30 minute discovery or clarity calls if anyone is interested in chatting to see if I can help them, but, uh, yep. Extravagantly broke.com. That's where I am. Well, that was so much fun talking to you with you today. And I will link to everything in the show notes as well. So you can go get your free call with Machina, and I appreciate you taking the time to talk with us today. Oh, no problem, Ashley, thank you so much for having me. Thank you. Thank you so much to DeShida for being with us today and don't forget to go grab your paycheck. Budget spreadsheet. Budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet, and I will talk to you guys soon. Special Guest: Deshena Woodard.

In this episode, Brittany and Kelan discuss how they work as a team so they could turn their side hustle into a full-time online job for both of them AND pay off $25,000 in student loan debt in 5 months! Resources mentioned in this episode: Learn more about blogging: https://thesavvycouple.com/category/blogging/ Bloggin Secrets Course: https://thesavvycouple.teachable.com/p/bloggers-secrets Paycheck Budget Spreadsheet https://www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet Books: Work Less Make More by James Schramko (aff link) https://amzn.to/3cCftj2 Lifestyle Builders, Bulid Your Business, Quit Your Job, And Live Your Ideal Lifestyle by Tom Sylvester (aff link) https://amzn.to/2UhD7uO Full Transcript: Welcome to the money mindset podcast, where you will find the inspiration and motivation. You need to manage your money better. So you can stress less and live the life you want. This is Ashley with budgets made easy in the money mindset podcast. Today, we are talking to Brittany and Kelan with The Savvy Couple and they help families learn how to budget their money, organize their lives, and find the freedom to do more of the things they love. They love to chat about paying off debt and helping others make their attacks. So today I'm going to talk to them about how they turn their side hustle into a full time income. For both of them, they're both able to stay at home and work on their online business. They also give us some great tips about working as a team, not only in their business, but on their finances as well, and how they were able to transition that teamwork into paying off $25,000 in student loan debt in just five months. And so now they teach other people how to build an online business and how to blog and make money blogging and all the things. So we're going to dive right into all of their wonderful tips and get started. But before we do that, don't forget to go get your budget spreadsheet at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet, so that you can easily plan out your year and figure out how to pay off your debt and save money. Here is the savvy couple. Hey, welcome Kelan and, and Brittany. And today we are going to talk about how you guys started your blog in order to pay off debt and just live the life you want. And so I'm so happy that you guys are here with me today. Before we jump right, and can you just kind of tell us a little bit about, you know, how you guys started on this journey with, um, you know, today we're going to talk about starting your blog and how that helped you guys pay off a bunch of debt. So can you kind of just give us a quick background of how you guys kind of started your blog and how, you know, now you guys are making a full time income from it? Sure. We're both high school sweethearts. We grew up probably within a quarter mile of each other. I went to college together and had our life all planned out. Brittany was going to be the teacher and I was going to be the law enforcement. It's an officer and we got done with school and we started, we had like $40,000 with the student loan debt and we started to get into our careers and we both realized quickly, especially for me, that law enforcement was not the right career path for me, just the hours, the stress, um, not being able to see Brittany all the time, working opposite shifts, just not the lifestyle that I wanted. So we kind of got to a point where sat down at the, at the dinner table and kind of talked out things like, okay, this is what we wanted our life to look like, but it's really not what we want it to be like. So we kind of laid out a plan and, um, figured out that we needed to start a business together. Um, I definitely jumped around to probably six different jobs, after college and realized that I need to work for myself and kind of have my own freedom in life. So we we're at a crossroad. I was going to start a home inspection business and we decided to start an online business as a blog. And we just saw a bunch of other people that were doing really well with it. I was making money since I was 13 online selling stuff on eBay and Amazon. And so I knew that it was possible. But yeah, we kind of got inspired by other people and started our blog to help other people get better with their money and manage their money and kind of share our story and paying off debt, um, and just budgeting our money together. And that's kinda how it started. That's awesome. And how long did it take for you guys to actually, you know, make some money online? Because you know, it gets advertised and pushed as a gift quick, get rich quick kind of scheme. Sometimes I feel like, and you know, it can take a little bit longer for some people is faster for others. So how long did it take you to actually make some money? For sure. I think it definitely has the rap of being easy. And a lot of people see these success stories that happen. They seem to happen overnight. A lot of people see our story and they're like, wow, they did it overnight, but really it's been like a three year long hospital journey. But to answer your question, we started our blog in July, 2016 and we did not make our first bit of income until nine months into it. Wow. That was $50, $50. So basically the entire first year we were really not making any money. Yeah. Yeah. That's how, I mean, that's how it was for me as well. So I like to just kind of share that side of it. Um, you know, some people do make it faster, but you know, what I have found is that those people usually have a lot more previous experience, um, and maybe more mentorship or help to kind of get them to go a little bit faster than just somebody trying to figure it out on their own. Like, you know, like me, at least the learning curve for blogging is pretty, pretty heavy, but yeah, once you get that experience, I mean, we could probably start another blog and start making money a lot faster this time around. Yeah. Oh yeah, definitely. Cause you guys are, are, you know, doing pretty well. And so what do you, what have you been able to do now that you're making a living from your blog like that you weren't able to do before? I think it started with really growing an audience, um, and picking a certain type of ideal reader that we want to serve as our audience. Um, and kind of just picking our way into the personal finance niche and getting a good audience that people can relate to us and trust us, and we can share our story and kind of guide them on their journey to budget and pay off, um, the big things if you're talking like specifically with the blog and what helped it grow, um, was definitely focusing on our email list and using that as our primary way to communicate and build that relationship with our readers. Um, I think a lot of bloggers when they start off, they don't focus on the email list, which we didn't either. We, the first year we didn't even have an email list, um, which is probably why we didn't make any money. Yeah, same here. It took me awhile to realize, Hey, I might want to do that. So what are some tips for someone that wants to start making some extra money with a blog? I think the biggest thing in, sorry, Brittany kind of joined she's, she's always been part of the blog and, uh, especially like the first year or so, and then teach, she started teaching full time. So she kind of only did stuff here and there, but I am always a huge talker. So yeah, if someone's starting, I think the biggest thing is taking first. You have to take the leap of faith. A lot of people get hung up on questioning themselves if they can make it happen and if it's right for them, I think the biggest thing that's helped us is we were always able to take action and understand that failure is part of the process and it's okay to fail. Um, you're not gonna know if you're going to be good at blogging unless you try it. Um, so it's really getting over that mental hurdle and just getting started, um, and knowing that it's gonna be a long process. So making sure that you have the right mindset going into it, that it's going to be a learning process for good year. Um, and it's going to be a project that is just passion project. So you got to pick a topic that you're really passionate about and you'll never get tired of talking about and working on. So was this something that you both wanted to do together or was it your idea and you just dragged Brittany along? Well, since I was a teacher over the summer, I was kind of getting bored and always looking for something to do. So we actually started it in July, like Killen said during, right during the summer months. So just trying to find like something as a hobby that we could both work on. And then as we started digging more into it and the fact that we saw that we could make money and had potential income, um, we definitely both got on board as turning it into a business. Yeah, we definitely, definitely have always done it together when we were at that crossroads, if I was going to start the home inspection business or this, we kind of just thought to ourselves like, okay, what do we want our life to look like in five years from now? And with the home inspection business, that would have been me, you know, going out Monday through Friday, probably Saturdays and Sundays too, and working my butt off to make money and really be capped at a certain amount. So definitely pleased that we picked something to do together here. Now, did you guys have any struggles with working together and now that you are both full time working together, um, or eat, you know, even with your blog or your finances in general, you know, I know you guys give other people of families advice as well. So if you have any advice for working together on your blog or with your finances. Yeah, absolutely. So we were both smiling behind the mic here. You asked if it's hard to put stuff or to do it together. And it definitely is. Um, definitely not aligned. Yeah. Brittany, Brittany quit her job June this year. Yeah. So it's December, so about six months now. Wow. That flew by so yeah, it's definitely a learning curve having her come on full time and being together 24 seven. I don't think I could do that. It's a lot, but like I said, we've been high school sweethearts we're best friends. So we, we get along pretty well, obviously there's times that we don't and we've got to get out of the house or just separate, but yeah. Um, I think the biggest thing that helps couples get on the same page with stuff is a couple things. The first one is dreaming together. So we've always dreamed together a lot, even when we were in our teenage years, um, just what our life would look like. And we continue to dream often. And I think having that same vision and having those open conversations about what you want your life to look like and the steps that you're going to need to take to get there is just really important to both be on the same page. if one of you is trying to either pay off debt or budget and the other person's doesn't want anything to do with it. Usually it's just a conversation that needs to be had, and it might be multiple conversations and it might be turning into an argument but it's, it's getting through those difficult conversations, getting on the same page, um, with the end goal in mind, that's better for both of you. Absolutely. Do you have any tips or advice for, you know, somebody that their spouse isn't onboard with either, you know, starting a blog or doing the budget or, you know, whatever it may be to kind of get them to see the big picture? A lot of times I, when I deal with couples, it's, you know, one may be kind of shortsighted in there outlook on finances where they don't think that they even need to save or anything like that, where, you know, and the other one is wanting to, um, budget and save for things and they just can't seem to get on the same page, you know, and they, it turns into fights and everything else. So, yeah, it sounds like you two have done a really good job with, you know, working and finances and just being on the same page about everything it seems like. So do you have any tips or advice for kind of getting there? It definitely took us a long time to understand that we're different people and that we're going to do things differently and just knowing what your spouse does and their spending habits, Kelan's the spender, I'm the saver. So just knowing that about each other, having that and budgeting budgeting for that really has helped in that fact. Yeah. I think we also have been very intentional on learning each other's personalities and figuring out what makes Brittany tick, what makes me tick, what ticks us off, um, and kind of having, coming to marriage with the mindset of we are one unit and we, uh, teamwork makes the dream work. Is that saying that I say all the time and growing up, my dad always said that marriage is not 50 50, it's 60, 60. You always have to go above and beyond. So if your spouse is not onboard with budgeting or paying off debt, and I mean, we can even talk about our debt, pay off attorney Brittany wasn't 100% on board with paying it off so quickly. Um, but I think it's having those conversations and telling them how much it means to you and why it's important to you and why you need to make it happen and just kind of giving them overall picture and hopefully they can help it get started and listen to it. I love that advice. So yes, let's jump into your debt path story. So how much did you guys pay off and kind of what, you know, what led up to you wanting to pay off your debt? Sure, so we left college, um, with $40,000 in student loan debt and we kind of chipped away at it, um, minimum payment. Well, yeah, when we first got out, we were making the minimum payment and then once I landed a good job at, with law enforcement, we started making a little bit more like a hundred dollars, extra a month, nothing crazy. Um, and we got it down to 25,000 and this is when our blog started to take off. We were making, you know, significant income. It was $5,000 a month. And we started to get that possibility of what, if we could turn this into $10,000 a month and have Brittany come home and leave her job as well and kind of set that dream. So we sat down at a table and we talked about, okay, if we want you to come home, we need to minimize our risk as much as possible, just like we did when I quit my job. So that means saving up a huge nest egg in case things went South, uh, it's making sure that we don't have this crazy amount of debt that we still have to pay off and that's hanging over our head. Um, so we kind of sat down and we agreed, like in order for you to come home, we need to make a certain amount for six months in a row and hopefully eliminate all of our debt. So the only debt we have left is our mortgage and that's when we kind of took it head on and used our blogging income is the first time that I took more than a thousand dollars a month from our blog. I kinda just let that money stack away to grow our business. And we started putting $5,000 a month towards our debt. We started our debt free journey on in June, um, over the summer. And then we were paid off. We had a goal of doing it within a year, the 25,000 and we were able to do it by December. So we did it in five months. That's awesome. So, Brittany, what was your hesitation with not wanting to pay it off so fast? That's a great question. I don't still don't know internally. Why? I don't know. I think that just making the payments that we're making, I didn't see how I knew that eventually we'd pay it off, but I didn't see how that would benefit us. Like in that moment doing it so fast. But now obviously hindsight's always 20, 29. No, this is definitely the best move for me to be able to come home. It took some convincing for sure. I think the big thing was just like $5,000 is a lot of money. Yeah. Like Holy smokes. And we were just like, not throwing away, obviously we're paying off our debt, but it seems like we're making it and we're putting all this money and time and effort into our blog and then we're just giving that money back away. But it's honestly the one move that really made us find our freedom and have the ability to continue to grow our blog and get Bernie home. That's awesome. And I know with me, and I don't know if Brittany, if this is kind of maybe your mindset as well with being the saver is I always think, well, what if I need that money for something else? Especially if you're thinking about quitting your job and saying, Oh, it's like, well, what if we need that money in the future where we could just make the payment on the student loan? Yeah. And we just had it where we had our baby two in August. So we were, we had a newborn and we were trying to pay off debt with having a newborn too. So I think it was just a lot going on. Yeah, absolutely. So I can definitely see that mindset as well. I mean, I even had, um, just a small chunk, um, saved until like the very end when I could just pay off the rest of my student loans. And just in case, I mean, I didn't spend it or anything like that, but I just didn't want to let it go just in case I needed it. So, you know, maybe that was part of it. Now we did talk about building a blog and everything like that, and I know you guys help people do that as well. So, do you have any resources or free resources for somebody that is just wanting to get started on paying off debt by maybe making some extra money with a blog? Yeah, so we have our flagship course called blogger secrets and we kind of walk people through taking their blog after the first couple of months of that learning curve and turning it into a thousand dollars a month business. So that's our course that we've had, uh, over 1500 people have taken it, through different bundles and purchasing it through us. Um, but yeah, that's kind of our, our baby that we put together and put in all of the stuff that we've learned along the journey to help people do the same thing that we did and then on our blog, we also have a blogging category that we have some really helpful posts and hopefully by the new year, we also are creating a blogging binder to help people organize and be time efficient with their, with their time to kind of grow and help their blog. That's awesome. And do you guys have any last words of wisdom, whether it's about starting a blog or budgeting or, you know, whatever you want to talk about, any last pieces of advice? I think the biggest thing that I'm a big proponent of is sit down with your spouse. If you don't, if you don't have one sit down with yourself or someone in your family and really write down what you want out of life, what you want your life to look like a year from now five years from now, 10 years from now, and then put those puzzle pieces together and, and make a roadmap, have a GPS of where you want your life to be. I think a lot of people end up going to college, going into a job, getting stuck because they're going into more and more debt and I think it's important to really take a step back and realize that we have one life. So managing your money and going after the things you want in life and going after what you are here on earth to do is really important. That's awesome, Brittany, that was too good. So I think that as long as if you are doing it with your spouse, cause this is what we do day in and day out, just making sure that you're having those important conversations. And if a blog is the way that you want to go together or another way to make income online, just have those conversations together, dream together, plan out your life together. And just everything will start to fall in place. Teamwork makes the dream work. I love that. Do you have that like on a decal, on like on your wall somewhere, you should, you should have that in your office or something. So, and I always ask people what their favorite nonfiction book is. So do you have any, um, favorite books for self-improvement, um, that you'd like to share? Uh, so the book that absolutely changed my life and kind of got my mind set on the possibilities with the business and just having ultimate freedom over, over your time and money is work less, make more, um, and it's by, I can't pronounce his last name, but it's James [inaudible]. Um, but yeah, that book was totally a huge pillar in growing our business and doing it the right way and uh, just use of time really efficiently. That's awesome. Brittany, do you have a favorite? Yeah, it's a new book by Tom and Ariana Sylvester called lifestyle builders and it just makes you have that mindset change and gets you in the right mindset for creating similar to what we say is just creating that life in your plan and making sure that you're, you're building that lifestyle that you want the right way now, where can people find you? Uh, we are on all social media platforms at the savvy couple and our websites, www.thesavvycouple.com. Um, and we have a personal finance community that we call family finance freedom that we'd love for you guys to join that's on Facebook. Good. Cool. Thanks. And you guys also have a free, um, blogging group on Facebook as well, correct? Correct. That is called blogging with purpose. All right. Well, thank you guys so much for being here with me today. Absolutely. Thank you so much, Ashley, having us. Thanks. Thank you so much to Brittany and Keelan for being with us today and giving us some really great tips on working with your spouse on your money and on your business, and be sure to go check out their blogging course so that you can start making extra money and pay off your debt. And also do not forget to go get your budget, your paycheck, budget spreadsheet, but just made easy.com/spreadsheet. And I will talk to you guys soon. Special Guest: Kelan & Brittany Kline.

Eric Brotman, CFP, gives his strategies for turning this financial crisis and recession into a financial win for your family. Resources mentioned in this episode: Free Budget Spreadsheet: https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/budget-sheet Full transcript: Welcome to the money mindset podcast, where you will find the inspiration and motivation. You need to manage your money better. So you can stress less and live the life you want. This is Ashley with budgets made easy and the money mindset podcast. Today, we are talking to Eric Brotman, who is a CFP and the CEO of BFG financial advisors. And he is the host of don't retire, graduate podcasts. So don't retire, graduate.com, check out his podcast is well. And he's going to give us some great advice for families on how to take advantage of certain things during this financial crisis. You know, if you can, if you're still working, he's got some really great tips on lowering your tax burden and some things that you can do to take advantage of certain things happening right now in the financial world. So you can take this crisis and turn it into a financial win. And so he's got some really great ideas on how to do that. Now, before we jump into his episode, be sure to go and check out my free spreadsheet. I put together a spreadsheet after years of people asking me to, and you can get a free one month sheet of that, or you can get the whole year, you get a special offer for the whole year. Once you sign up for the free sheet, go to www.leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/budget-sheet. So go get your free paycheck budget spreadsheet. So this is the same spreadsheet that I use when we were paying off debt. It's broken down by Paychex. Plus you got a monthly view. Now, keep in mind the free sheet isn't as detailed as the yearly sheet. So if you want the yearly sheet, look for that. Once you sign up for the free sheet as well. Now, here is my interview with Eric. Hi Eric. Thank you so much for being with us today. Hi, Ashley. Thanks for having me. I am. So I'm excited to talk to you today. Um, it's my understanding that you've got some good advice for families in different stages, what to do with their finances right now during this whole crisis. And, um, I really want to talk to you about that today, but can you just kind of introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about yourself? Absolutely. I'm a certified financial planner practitioner started a company, in 2003 in suburban, Maryland actually started my practice in 1994. So I'm dating myself. I realized at this moment we have 20 employees, each of us working from 20 different homes, which is a new experience, but, uh, eight financial advisors, 20 employees, we manage about $450 million for families in 31 and a few foreign countries. And we do financial planning and wealth management for multigenerational families. So in my spare time, I'm a husband and a father and a podcaster and author and a volunteer. Yes, as I was just hearing about your book coming out soon. So I'm excited to hear about that as well. So, um, you know, there's a lot of crazy stuff going on right now and I know people are scared and, you know, we don't know what the economy and everything is going to look like on the other side of this thing. Um, so, you know, what kind of advice would you give to families right now? Like, is there anything that they should be doing differently? Well, I think in each case, it depends upon the family situation somewhat. Um, right now there are a lot of families who are experiencing sudden job loss and for those families, um, the things to do differently are, are really based on almost triaged. You just have to get through this period of time, however long it lasts. And that's easier said than done sometimes. So for, for families, who've had sudden job loss. Uh, the first thing to do is to sort of take, uh, take inventory of resources, figure out what you're going to live on for the next couple of months, in addition to unemployment, uh, and, and really make a plan for getting back to work at some point, hopefully sooner rather than later. So, um, there's not as much opportunity quite candidly for folks who are out of work. And that's obviously a sad situation, um, for folks who are still able to work through this. I think we'll look back on this five years from now, not only as being memorable and remarkable on so many social levels, but also as being one of the great opportunities of a generation. Um, you know, we've seen some of this before in the Y2K epidemic, uh, in 99 and 2000, we certainly saw it in the great recession in Oh eight Oh nine and every decade or so there's some new crisis, some new wrinkle that causes economic turmoil and there are always winners and losers in those deals. And usually it's based on behavior, not circumstance. So, yeah, so that said, um, for young families, Ashley, this is an opportunity for young families who are working to continue to dollar cost, average, continue to add to your 401k, continue to add your HSA account, continue to fund your five 29 plans. Um, whatever you're doing, that's growing money, particularly in a way that's going to be tax-free later is a total home run. We have relatively low market value. So you're buying on sale and we have the lowest tax rate in modern history right now. And I assure you that is not going to last. And I don't think it matters. Uh, the outcome of the election in November is less important than the fact that there was just two plus trillion dollar stimulus plan. Somebody's got to pay the bill for. Yeah, exactly. I'm curious your, your thoughts on the stimulus plan. A lot of people have asked me, um, how that will affect, um, inflation. Do you have any kind of insight into that? Inflation is, is generally a factor of either fed policy, monetary policy, or it's a factor of, um, of interest rates around the world and, and the confluence of those. So what I would say is right now, there's no inflation on the horizon. Um, there is a, a blossoming national debt that if we haven't already decided that debt is a crisis, it's a crisis waiting to happen. So that'll be an issue. Um, but in terms of inflation, there's no reason to believe that that's on its way. We haven't seen significant inflation in this country, 30 years, more than that. And so there's an entire generation back two generations who don't really know what inflation looks like. Um, uh, you know, I remember it as a young person basically, and I know that the house I grew up in, we financed with a mortgage at like 16%. Oh, wow. Yeah. With a visa card, that's kind of what that looked like and so of course there were refinances all the way down. We're so used to cheap money. We're not going to know what to do when it gets more expensive. I actually believe that there is no meaningful inflation on the horizon right now. Um, the, uh, congressional budget office just suggested that the inflation rate over the next half decade to decade will be in the 2.2 to 2.4% ballpark. The only organization that has quoted a higher rate of inflation is social security administration because they're backward looking. So I actually think inflation is going to be a nonissue. I think money's going to stay cheap. The real question is, um, whether people are able to take advantage of the buying opportunities in equity markets, um, and whether bond markets are able to recover without too much of a, of a, an oversupply with lots of people trying to sell. Right. And then what happens in real estate because real estate is really, I think, going to take this on the chin, particularly commercial real estate. Um, there's, there's going to be some major changes in that, in that arena. Now, some people have asked me as well, um, you know, with the real estate now, the interest rates and stuff are already so low now with the fed dropping the rate down too. Well, last time I saw zero, um, I haven't been watching the news lately. It was just stressing me out. So, um, I don't believe that it's changed since then, but, um, you know, how will that affect like mortgage rates is my understanding that it won't really affect it because they're already so low. Well, not, not only are they so low, but they've actually come up and not because of what the fed has done, but banks are recognizing that if they lend at those prevailing rates, it will, it'll cripple them for decades. Imagine if, if you had the ability to lend money to somebody on a fixed rate at what is one and a half to two and a half percent for 30 years, if someone was willing to lend me personally, a hundred million dollars at 2%, I would take it because there's no way I wouldn't out earn that. And so banks are going to get collaborative. So mortgage rates have actually come up, even though the fed lowered their, their federal funds rate. And the reason they've come up, isn't because of economics. It's because of business. These banks don't want, they don't want to make loans. Oh, that makes sense though. Yeah. I didn't realize that part of it. That's why I have you here. Well, Wells Fargo has already turned off the spigot for the, for the payroll protection plan that came out as part of the cares act and they won't be alone. That number one, that plan is going to run out of money quickly. And number two banks who are lending at that rate, even with some federal support are going to get clobbered and they don't want to do it. Oh, I didn't realize that part. Yeah. It's great to borrow money at a low rate, long term, but has got to be willing to lend it. Exactly. Yeah. I did guess I didn't realize that it was going through the banks like that whole, and I know I really should, since I have a business, but I don't really have any employees, so I haven't like really dived into it. Um, for that stuff, I didn't realize it was having to like go through a bank. Well, it is. And the commercial banks, the private sector is working with the public sector on this, which generally public private partnerships are the most effective anyway, in my opinion. But if you own a business, actually, you want to be looking into this now, anyway, because there are provisions in there even for sole proprietors and folks with no employees. Yeah. I filled out something on the website the other day, but I was so confused. So I don't think I haven't filled it out. Right. But I don't, I don't think it was the payroll thing. I was, I'm so confused by all the different stuff going on, like the different, or at least it seemed like it was different. Maybe it's all the same thing. The pay, the payroll thing I thought was a different thing. And I don't know, I'm totally confused by all of it. And then I try and read it and I get more confused because it's like, everybody's saying different things. I'm like, I don't know, time. Anytime the federal government comes out with a plan you can expect, there'll be hundreds of pages long and, and completely opaque. And that's exactly what happened. And the implementation hasn't been smooth and, and the back end will be smooth. And, you know, the federal government generally doesn't run anything. Well, no, it's simply too enormous an organization. [inaudible] exactly. You're exactly right. I worked, uh, you know, for a local government and, you know, the same can be said for just about any government, just because of the politics involved. And then, you know, you've got the community to answer to, and you know, you, can't always, you can't make everybody happy. It's, you know, just the whole dynamic of it. And so I can imagine, you know, on the government scale, that's why I am very pleased to be neutral. I'm Switzerland. I truly don't want to take sides because I think both sides are messed up. Yeah. It's just, it's just a mess. Yeah, it is. Yeah. It's so confusing too. So now for my listeners that I do have a lot of listeners that are small business owners. So what would you recommend for them at this time? Well, if you were still able to, to be in business, if you still have customers or clients or patients, or, um, and are able to, to use your vendors and suppliers and all and so forth, and you're really impacted by this, um, then you're in the minority because most businesses are experiencing either supply chain issues or employment issues or technology issues or finance issues. Um, it's sort of a perfect storm. Actually. I think there's, there's a, um, there's definitely a sense that for business owners to get out of, what's sort of been thrust upon all of us. We really have to, um, number one, stop spending things that we can avoid spending really sort of clamped down on things that are unnecessary and focus on the things that will create longterm growth, things that might not work for three months or six months, but that will make us better businesses three years from now. And so as an organization, you know, just our company, what we're doing is we're laying the foundation for the next, the next level of growth we're treating, uh, what started a month or two ago as a plateau that we're going to retreat from and then bust through. And that type of optimism is the only way I know how to do things. So that's, that's the way we're focused on it. And for business owners. Now, if you can keep your people employed with, or without the federal assistance program, that in and of itself is amazing. I think there'll be some amazing employee loyalty and great stories out of this, for those who are able to stay employed. I really hope so. And I think that, um, you know, this is going to be temporary and once we get through it that, you know, I hope it's not going to be, you know, as bad as some people may think it's going to be, you know, we had a good economy before this happened. So, um, you know, hopefully we'll bounce back, but you know, there's probably going to be some ripple effects, you know, for a couple months, at least. Um, but I think, you know, overall things are going to be okay. I mean, you have to think positively or, you know, you're just going to be all depressed in your house, eating all your food, like, well, I'm definitely not depressed, but what I will suggest to you though, is that we're not going to bounce back. Like it's like, it's, you know, elastic, this is not, and there is going to be a new sense of normal. I mean, the idea in the way that there is travel pre and post nine 11, there will be business and workforce pre and post COVID, and that's going to create some really amazing opportunities for certain folks. Like, for example, I think you'll see coming out of this, I think you'll see more telework. Yeah. See less boundaries and barriers in terms of hiring. So that you'll be able to work from anywhere. Companies are learning how to do this, and it's actually quite effective and efficient and saving some money. Well, it does. And I think you'll see better work life balance for people, which is something we've talked about, but never actually mastered Americans are lousy at that. We tend to be workaholics, but I do think there'll be some work life balance out of this and some appreciation for what's important. Um, I think there will be, um, as a result of some of this, there'll be less traffic. If there are less people have to commute every day, there'll be less traffic, less traffic means less pollution, less congestion, less expense on things like transportation. There there's some positives that'll come out of this because new behaviors are being created. Absolutely. There's also some challenges. One of which is, um, you know, retail and malls. I mean, retail has been on that on its heels since, uh, nine 11. And it got worse in Oh eight Oh nine and it never fully recovered. And I think this is a bit of a death knell for retail, as we know it. Um, there there's no middle there's no middle ground. You either have to be the cheapest or the best. And so the companies like the Louis Vuitton's of the world are probably going to be fine because they have their, their customers have an appetite for that and don't care, but everything else is going to look like Amazon or Walmart, because most people who are trying to pinch pennies or what have you are going to do that a different way. So retail is going to change. Office space is going to change. I mean, I would be darn nervous if I owned a, a 50, a 50 story office tower in a major urban area, I would be nervous right now that there will be companies saying, you know, we can get by on half this space, cause we're going to have some folks working from home or, you know, we just don't need all this space. So true. There'll be winners and losers out of this, but I really do think there'll be more winners than losers. I agree. I think that we, you know, just like you said, we're all gonna learn from this and there'll be some changes and you know, just like you said, a new normal, um, you know, everything's going to be a little bit different once we get on the other side of it. Yes, I think so. And I have a radical idea for you. Why don't we start making things in this country again? Yeah. Why don't we create jobs in, in manufacturing and in supply chain and be less reliant, not unreliant but less reliant on other nations. Why don't we put our people back to work, doing things that are important to us here at home as well? I just think there's opportunity there for anyone who can get it right. Yeah, absolutely. And I think that there will probably be a demand for that as well, with all the supplying issues, supply issues that we've had with, you know, all the, um, personal protective equipment and stuff. So, um, it'll be interesting to see how that changes in the future, um, just to kind of have more control over it. Um, so how can families turn this crisis into an opportunity, like when they're planning for the future? Cause that's, you know, that's what you do, you play it for the future. So what can we like for take me for example, I'm debt free. Um, I've got six months of emergency fund now in my situation, we don't know after this week, if my husband's going to get paid or not, but let's say he does keep getting paid. Um, you know, what would you advise? Like somebody, um, in that type of situation, they don't have any debt already. They have money and savings and they're still working. Um, you two ought to be maximizing your retirement plans. You ought to be making sure that you're taking advantage of every tax shelter that exists. Um, that means particularly since I know you have, uh, a handful of children, more, more than a handful of you guys can't even play man to man defense anymore. No, I know it's total chaos like that. What I would say is keep doing what you've ostensibly been doing. If you're debt free, it means you're already a good saver and not a big spender. Um, if you know, you're self employed, you ought to be funding a self-employed pension, a SEP IRA or something similar to make sure you're taking advantage of the tax codes. Um, you know, if your husband has benefits through his employer, take advantage of an HSA and it like crazy, but don't use it, let it grow for a few decades. Um, if you have five 29 plans or other college funding for your kids, whether it's just the two of you or whether it's with their grandparents, that would be nice if that was happening, keep doing those things. This is a, this is an opportunity to keep doing what you're doing. Um, I do think there's going to be one of the biggest opportunities coming out of this for all families who have resources. And I know not everyone does. And, and, and that's sort of an unfair thing, but for those families with resources, there's never going to be a better year than this year. I don't think to convert IRAs to Roth IRAs or, or, and the reason for that is that the combination of low tax rates, which I think we all know will go up and low market values, which I think we all believe will go up. If not immediately, then certainly over time means what a great year to pay taxes on some money and then let the recovery happen, tax free. Oh, that's a good idea. You know, I hadn't even thought of that. That's a good idea. The second time there's been a really good opportunity for Roth conversions. The first time was back in 2010 and 2011 because coming out of the great recession, the government needed money. And so what they said was, if you convert in 2010, you can actually split the income on your 2010 and 2011 tax return. So it doesn't creep up your bracket and so forth. I did my entire IRA at that time. Yeah. If I can split the taxes and not get crushed I'm in, um, this will be another opportunity like that. However, it's imperative that you have resources that are not in the IRAs to do this, do not pay the taxes from the retirement account. It defeats the entire purpose, right? So, you know, if you have $50,000 in an IRA and you can move it to a Roth IRA, pay taxes on the 50,000 this year, depending on your tax bracket, it might cost you 15 grand. But if it does, and if you have that in your non-qualified assets and mutual funds in cash, even, um, now's the time to consider that while markets are low and taxes are low, um, particularly the younger you are, the better it is. Absolutely. Now, can you kind of explain to somebody that may not know what you're talking about with the, like an IRA and a Roth IRA? Like, what is, what's the difference and why you would want to do that? An IRA, a traditional IRA, or a traditional 401k or four Oh three B are plans where you take a tax deduction typically for your contributions. And that means that you're contributing money on a pretax basis. You're not paying taxes in the year you contribute and they grow tax deferred for as long as you hold the account, there's no 10 99. There's no capital gains. There's no tax bill on the account until you make withdrawals. When you make withdrawals, it is taxed. Every withdrawal from an IRA is tax. Like it's a paycheck, it's ordinary income. So it'll be at whatever rates exist then. So if you're 30 years old and you're contributing to an IRA and you don't start making withdrawals till you're 70, the account will have grown for 40 years, it will have grown to a very big number. And then you'll be paying taxes on it at a future tax rate in 2060. Um, I have no idea what that tax rate is going to be. We don't know from month to month must let much less decade to decade, but it won't be lower than it is now. So you're not only amplifying the amount of the account. You're also amplifying the amount of future taxes. The Roth is where you fund with after tax dollars, you've already paid your taxes. The Roth can grow tax deferred for as long as you hold the account. And when you make withdrawals, they're tax free income tax free. So they don't affect your tax bracket. They don't affect whether you pay taxes on your social security as a retired person, they don't affect your Medicare premiums. When you're older, they don't affect your tax bracket at all. Um, and the beauty of that is that it, no matter what the tax rates are at that time, those assets are not taxable to you. Yeah. That's, I mean, that's a pretty good deal cause you're not getting, it's my understanding that you're not paying tax on, you know, any of it, like, like you said, like nothing, Oh, well that's, that's correct. But here's the, here's the rub for, um, since the demise of the defined benefit plan, you know, everyone used to have a pension years ago, companies were responsible for it. And the 401k was invented not as an employer, uh, I'm sorry, not as an employee benefit, but as an employer benefit. Cause it took the employers off the hook to provide for retirement for their people four Oh one K was not a gift to employees. It was a gift to employers who no longer had to be responsible. Right. That said the premise of the 401k and the IRA is you're going to want to, you're going to want to make deductible contributions. Now we're going to incent you to do it. Cause you're going to want to do that now because your tax brackets higher now than it will be when you're retired. Well, actually that's a plan to fail. Yeah. All things being equal. If we're all planning, like we make more money at 35 than we will at 65, we're doing it wrong. Yeah. That's true. That's I've never heard it said that way, but that's very true. So, you know, if yes, if you're planning to be nearly impoverished, an abject failure, when you're in your sixties and seventies, then that is the plan for you. But in the event, you're thinking, man, I'm really going to grow some significant wealth. You want your tax bracket and retirement to be as high as possible because it means you have money. Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. So would you recommend somebody, um, you know, their, their, um, employer has a 401k and they have a match. Would you still recommend them meeting up to the match and then moving to a four? Well, a lot of these companies have Roth 401ks. You can actually contribute after tax. What Roth Worland, K and still get the match from your employer into the traditional plan. Oh yeah, that's right. That is gonna, um, at least with my last employer, that was kind of a newer thing that they had added, um, that you could do the Roth, your employer in terms of running that plan. They don't care whether you're in the traditional, the Roth makes no difference. It doesn't cost the employer more or less. Um, they're still making the match the same as, as they ever did. The match is not taxable to you when it happens. So it will be taxable when you retire and that's fine. That's typically 3% of your income. I hope you're putting away more than 3% or 5% or 6% of your income, or you will in fact be impoverished and you will need to have a, you will be in a lower tax bracket, you to, to not be putting away at least 15 cents of every dollar you make is a recipe for disaster. And sometimes higher than that, it depends how early or late you start. Now, I have a dumb question here. How did they know? Like which part is the employer match? Like, is it in a different fund or like, how is that? Is it just tracked in the account? Right? When you, when you look at a statement, the statement will have up to five or six different categories for money. So for example, it might have employee contributions, pretax, employee contributions, Roth, employer match, maybe there's an employer, safe Harbor or a profit share. There's forfeitures in the account because in a 401k, if one of your coworkers leaves the company and isn't fully vested air their money that wasn't vested actually gets shared amongst all the employees pro-rata Oh yeah. Um, so there, I mean, there's, there's going to be lots of different kinds of money in those retirement plans, but they all have access to the same mutual funds or investments. So yeah, it's really just an accounting thing. And if you look at your statement, you'll see a lot of the times it's not all in one line, it's multiple lines for that reason. Yeah. I don't, you know, I don't really look at it since I'm not planning to retire anytime soon. And you know, I have a financial advisor too, that kind of helps me with stuff, but yeah, that's not, I mean, it's like, I hadn't like really looked at it close enough to like, notice that difference, I guess, on the, on the broader account, you know, I think there is like, you know, the employer match and stuff, but I guess I didn't really like think about it. Well, if you have an advisor, ask your advisor, um, to, to provide you with some additional education on those kinds of things, it's important for you to not only understand what you're doing, but why. Yeah. And to be able to do that and to be able to articulate it so that you could say, this is what we're doing, this is our plan, and this is why we're doing it. It's empowering for you to know rather than say, Oh, we're in good hands. We've got a good person. That's very true. That is very true. Now with, um, the Roth IRAs, like, is that something that somebody can set up themselves or should they really get an advisor for that? I think almost anything we do as consumers, as American people, you can do any of it on your own. All right. This is not like a dental procedure. It's not a root canal. Um, there's, there's no reason people can't do it themselves. There are reasons maybe people shouldn't do it themselves. And a lot of that has to do with either the complexity of some of it or the, the, uh, emotion around it. I mean, people tend to make horrible decisions with money emotionally, particularly in times of crisis. There's a pendulum between greed and fear that never stops swinging. And you know, in 1999, when markets were going bonkers money magazine was publishing covers that said your neighbors are getting rich. Why aren't you? Mmm. And then you look at, at, at 2008 and it was, the world is ending and the markets could go to zero and we're all going to be broke. And you know, it's very sensationalized. So I guess my point, my point is that the biggest determinant to financial success in my opinion is behavior. Not, economy's not timing, not strategy. It's not about what funds you pick. It's not about, it's not about anything that's in a textbook. It's about the way you react, particularly under stress. Absolutely. What are some of those behaviors that we can kind of start working on now that'll benefit us in the future. I'm one of them, one of the things you can do to curb, some of the behaviors is to put as much on autopilot as possible. So in the same way that if you have an employer and you're putting money into your 401k with every paycheck, you don't have to think about that every other Friday and decided this is something you want to do. [inaudible] um, if you can automate your savings, your investment, your, uh, maybe your debt repayments, whatever you can automate. So that they're, you don't have to torture yourself based on what the news story does. Yours. You'll always be better off. That is a behavior that, um, that will pay dividends. Another is whatever your ability to save looks like today, make a commitment either to ratchet up that percentage every year or every time you get a raise, however you decided to do it, but make it an automatic thing. So if you're saving 8% of your income, make sure it's going to be nine next year. We're make sure when you get a raise, you at least stay at 8% of the higher number. [inaudible], you know, it's those kinds of things sound little and they sound simple. And frankly, once they're set, you can set it and forget it. If you want to look at your statement or quarter, you don't have to, as long as you know that you own a suitable portfolio for yourself and that you're adding to it, every check, you don't have to study it every, every quarter is not necessary, but those behaviors matter. The other thing is, um, do a full financial physical once a year. This is really simple. It's just like keeping yourself healthy, get a physical exam, have your financial advisor, walk you through a full, comprehensive plan once a year. And then everything else can be tactics and strategies and tweaks. But once a year know where you are and know where you are relative to your goal. And am I closer to her further from the goals that we set and how do we need to adjust to, to reset the trajectory? It's like, it's like planning a trip. You know, you know where you are, you know, where you want to be, but it's not linear. No, this is not your you're not going to get the same rate of return every year for 30 years and have the same inflation rate every, every year for 30 years. And it's not going to be simple like that. There'll be plus years and minus years and years where you get a bonus and years where you maybe are out of work for six months. And so it's important to be flexible, but I think once a year, you should take a full inventory, sort of do that full body scan like you would do in meditation for your finances. Yeah. That's a great idea. Um, I think that's really good advice. Um, do you have any last words of wisdom, any last pieces of advice? Yes. Um, what I would say is in, in, in the current environment, it is not, I think, wise to begin a financial planning Exodus today, because any planning you do right now will be impacted by whether you do it on Tuesday or Thursday this week, because markets are moving too much. So what I would say is if you want to consider engaging a financial advisor, go in with the idea right now that it's a second opinion, it's getting a once-over, it's looking at your portfolio, it's getting to know you, but it's not trying to build some kind of fancy trajectory. Don't pay a lot of money for a financial plan right now. Um, because it will not, I don't believe it will make sense for you. It'll be so different in three months that you almost have to start over and you'll, you'll kick yourself. So my advice is yes, get some advice. I do think there's a benefit. I wouldn't do my own tax returns. I think it's good to have an accountant or a tax preparer. Uh, I'm not using legal zoom or one of the websites to do that. I have a lawyer and I have a financial advisor and M financial advisor to hundreds of families. And I do think there's value in professional advice, particularly where it comes to behavior. Oh, absolutely. Yeah. I've got a CPA and a financial advisor. And I mean, obviously I don't know about all the investment stuff like, you know, of course, like you said, you should learn about some of that stuff and at least have a basic understanding of it, but you know, there's nothing wrong with hiring people to help you so that you can make more money and do things, uh, better. Well, th there, there are financial literacy tools out there. Um, there it's not taught in schools, it's, you can graduate with a, with a higher degree in philosophy, sociology, psychology, or, or biology and not have ever taken a course on personal finance cause they just don't exist. Um, but you can find them in the, in the, in the private sector, you can find them through your advisor. You can use various, um, various books or online tools. It just makes sense to educate yourself. It doesn't mean you have to do it yourself, but know what you're talking about, have some idea. Absolutely. Do you have any recommendations for books or, you know, websites of course, uh, your own website as well for learning about these types of things? Well, I, I would say that while there are several, um, the new book that's coming out that I'm publishing this fall, which is called don't retire, graduate is written to be like a college curriculum and it is a financial literacy tool and I'm very excited to have it come out. It matches the podcast that we're doing, and it really is designed to be educational. It's not preachy and it's not a textbook it's written in a very easy language and first person even. So there's that, um, I also put out a, an ebook, um, which is available for free [email protected]. And it is on four strategies where you can put money, uh, and never have it taxed again. And of course the Roth is one of those areas, but, um, we've gotten a lot of positive feedback on those. They are ways to learn what some of these strategies are and how to reduce your taxes without reducing your wealth. So those are good. And then just in terms of, of general advice, there are some terrific columnists. I think one of the brightest in the world is Michael Kitces who writes a blog called nerds eye view. Um, and it's brilliant. It's very technical though. So you've gotta be, uh, you have to be interested in, in the, the technical side to really appreciate that. Um, I'm writing more in a, in a way that's, that's easy to understand. Yeah, that's what I need easy to understand. You've got me really excited about this book, so hopefully, um, whenever it gets closer to time to, uh, being ready for purchase, maybe we can talk again and, um, talk to people about, um, about what you're teaching in the book as well. Um, now I do always ask people what their favorite nonfiction book is, you know, besides your book, do you have, do you have a non favorite nonfiction book or, you know, just something to help improve our lives? I think the single greatest book ever written is Atlas shrugged. Um, and if, if you're familiar with Ann Rand, it is, it is a fictional story, but a lot of the book is nonfiction to the sense that it's philosophy, it's philosophy, it's economics, it's brilliant. Um, and it's a fascinating view of sort of how the world works and, and, and things that are happening now. It was written 60 years ago and it looks very much like our world today. So I think it's worth picking up. It is a heavy read. It's a long book. Um, but it's, it's definitely worth reading. All right, I'll have to add that to my list. I have a very long list and no time to read right now. So where can people find you if they want to learn more about you? Um, our company website is B F G F a.com and that's the BFG financial advisors site. I already mentioned low tax book.com and my podcast is that don't retire, graduate.com. So I'm pretty easy to find on social media and all the various sites you do. And, um, I look forward to connecting with some of your listeners. All right. Well, thank you so much for taking your time to speak with us today about all this great advice on what to do right now, when everybody's panicking and, you know, stressed about their finances, definitely their retirement accounts and things like that. So, um, I really appreciate you coming on and, you know, calming some of those fears for us. Well, I hope I helped a few folks and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks, actually for having me. Thanks. Thank you so much to Eric for taking the time to speak with us today. And don't forget to go get your free budget spreadsheet, budget, a paycheck budget [email protected] slash budget dash sheet, and I will link to it in the show notes. And I will talk to you guys soon. Special Guest: Eric Brotman.

Emma, RN from Nurse Fern talks about the financial effects this crisis is having on healthcare workers and how you can support them through this storm. Emma Geiser is a registered nurse, creator of www.nursefern.com, freelance writer, and financial coach. She recently celebrated ten years in the field of nursing. She currently works remotely and lives with her dog and husband in Nevada. instagram -- @nurse.fern website-- www.nursefern.com Resources mentioned: Free Debt Snowball Bundle https://www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debt-bundle/ Books by Philippa Gregory (aff link) https://amzn.to/3fuUPnV Special Guest: Emma Geiser.

Simple tips from a Certified Financial Therapist for dealing with the mental and emotional aspect of isolation and crisis so that it doesn't effect your finances. It's very easy to make bad financial decisions while we are stressed so if we can identify when that happens, we can make better decisions. Derek Hagen is the founder of Money Health Solutions, a financial therapy and consulting firm helping clients develop a healthy relationship with money and live with money mindfulness. Newsletter Signup: www.MoneyHealthSolutions.com/newsletter Money Health Solutions: www.MoneyHealthSolutions.com Money Health Blog: www.MoneyHealthSolutions.com/money-health-blog Instagram: www.Instagram.com/MoneyPsychology YouTube: www.YouTube.com/channel/UCzxa3kSIepfQAeZz9cbA-tA Facebook: www.Facebook.com/MoneyHealthSolutionsLLC Resources mentioned: FREE 5 Day Cutting Expenses Challenge Atomic Habits by James Clear (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/2RK200Z Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/3a9RMxm Special Guest: Derek Hagan.

Financial Advisor, Brandon Renfro, explains the what the stimulus package means for families and how you should handle the incoming income. He explains if you should be spending the money or saving and how will it affect your taxes next year. Brandon is a fee only financial advisor and Assistant Professor of Finance at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, TX. He has been in the Arkansas Army National Guard since 2009 and is an Infantry Captain in the 39th Infantry Brigade. His wife Callie is a stay-at-home mom and cares for their daughter, Brooklyn, and son, Jackson. Resources mentioned in this episode: FREE 5 Day Cutting Expenses Challenge: https://www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/cutting-expenses-challenge/ Brandon's website: https://www.brandonrenfro.com/ https://www.brandonrenfro.com/virtual-financial-advisor/ Favorite book: A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton Malkiel (aff link) https://amzn.to/2ygQKCj Special Guest: Brandon Renfro.

Nadia and I discuss how things have changed for her family while dealing with this crisis both financially and mentally. Resources mentioned: Book: I will teach you to be Rich by Ramit Sethi aff link: https://amzn.to/2xVWqSd Websites: https://speakingofcents.com/ (Money Related) https://topbloggingcourses.com/ (Blogging Resources) Online Course: https://premier-blogging-school.teachable.com/p/massive-pinterest-traffic/ Free 5 Day Cutting Expenses Challenge https://www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/cutting-expenses-challenge/ Full Transcript: Welcome to the money mindset podcast where you will find the inspiration and motivation you need to manage your money better so you can stress less and live the life you want. Today I am speaking with Nadia from speaking of sense and we are going to discuss how she's handling things in the midst of this crisis, both mentally and financially, things that she's doing different, how she's coping. And you know what, we're just going to laugh at some things because you know who knows how to deal with this craziness going on right now. So she does have some good and helpful tips for managing working at home with your kids and you know, just giving yourself some grace because this is just uncharted territory right now and we need to um, you know, give ourselves some Slack because who the heck knows how to navigate this crazy time. Now, before we jump in, I do want to mention that right now I am doing a free five day cutting expenses challenge in this is to help people that are, have already experienced a loss of income or could possibly experience loss of income. Um, it is this week and it comes with a free workbook and free Facebook group where I'm going live every night inside of the group. Uh, you can still join us, go to budget's made easy.com/cutting-expenses-challenge. And I will of course link to it in the show notes as well. But let's go ahead and talk to Nadia. Hi Nadia. Thank you so much for being with us today. Hi Ashley. Thank you so much for having me and I am so excited to talk with you today. I know that you have paid off a lot of debt and you have been debt free for many years now. And we're going to kind of talk about, um, how you're handling things during this, uh, coronavirus crisis with financially and maybe you know, mentally how you're handling, uh, three kids at home and trying to work from home and juggle all the things. Uh, but before we jump into that, can you just kind of give us a little bit of background about yourself and tell us about you and your family? Uh, my name is Nadia Malick and I am a personal finance [email protected]. I am a mom of three and, um, I have a 12 year old, 10 year old and a five year old. So I have, um, my house full with cage and uh, you know, a lot of things that are happening right now are very, very unexpected with all the things. But, uh, we are managing well. I have been, um, debt-free for many years now and um, my husband and I have been, um, mortgage debt free for, uh, I would say 10 years now. Uh, and uh, that was the first house that we paid off our debt and um, as contagious added as it is. Um, we have stayed that tree for many years now and we are hoping to keep it that way. That's awesome. And so what can you tell us, um, just a little bit about how you're handling things right now with the kids at home and trying to work at home and just financially since you are already debt free, like, um, are you doing anything differently in the midst of this crisis? Okay. Um, I would say some of the things, um, we are doing differently, but most of the things we are just, uh, trying to keep up with that because uh, since we have been debt free for many, many years and, uh, living frugally and living on a minimalist budget has been pretty much a lifestyle for us. Uh, so, um, the, the thought process that goes in, um, being a minimalist person, it has not started just like in last couple of weeks. It has been with me for many, many years now. And, uh, the fact that we have been living on a single income since my kids were born, I used to work before they, before I did not have them, but since they, uh, are born since my first one was born, I stayed home. I was that patient who took the responsibility of being at home. And since then we have been on a single income and um, I am so, uh, like I would say that it, it, it can be an inspiration, inspiration for so many people who think that being debt free is not possible when you are on a single income. We actually became debt free on the single income. So I believe Mmm. That the, the, the mindset that we had is just continuing with this new new phase that we are in. It's just the, they're small things that were not in my routine or you would say that we're not a part of my life since I have been working from home. They are, they, they have now added into my routine or you would say in my life and by the looks of it, by the way, things are going, uh, it's looks like that this is going to be the new normal. So I think, um, the mental transition that I have is, has been bigger than the financial transition that most of the people are having right now. So, uh, it's, it's, it's been, it's been challenging at some ways, but on the financial side I [inaudible] I'm doing good. Good. So what were some of the things that you have been doing for the past several years that really, um, made this time less stressful financially for you? Besides paying off debt? What are some other things? Um, that kind of helped with that? The first and the foremost thing that we all need to remember and that I have been doing for many, many years now. And um, it, it comes as second nature to me that I need to keep things organized. They need to have a structure if they're out of structure. It just boggles my mind, gets the kids overwhelmed now that my husband is home, he also feels a little bit frustrated when things are not invested. And that definitely happened because all this, uh, staying at home with the kids started, uh, with the, uh, March break. Uh, so there was the first week that they were home, we were in the, in that mindset that, okay, these are the holidays. So everybody was getting up late and everybody was eating whatever they want and watching TV and stuff. And then when the week, yes. And then when we got the news that this is going to be like, this is, this is going to continue. Everybody would like, like it was like, okay, now we got to get ourselves together, get in a routine and you know, get things organized. It took me like good two days to [inaudible] like get everything back in routine. But as soon as I hit, we hit the routine. Everything started becoming normal. Uh, I, I was, I was having less meltdowns in the house because I have a five year old and she can be pretty tricky at times. So she was not very happy with the [inaudible] with the getting back to routine because in her mindset it was like, okay, I am home. I'm not going to school, so why do I have to follow the routine and I watch TV and why can't I have my snacks while I, I, I, you know, I'm watching TV or doing something over the phone. So, um, and waking up, waking up for the problem because everybody was like, like not getting ready to do, attend their online classes and the teachers meetings and stuff. But okay. It's, it's, it's pretty good. So, so I think being organized is the most i