Don't Depend On Daddy

Michela Allocca - Break Your Budget

Don’t Depend on Daddy is an unfiltered space to learn and discuss how to build independence and OWN your life. From personal finance and career topics, to healthy habits, routines, and hobbies, the goal of Don't Depend on Daddy is to empower you to build financial, professional, and personal independence, regardless of the life stage you are in. *This is not a strictly personal finance podcast.* Host Michela Allocca is an ex-financial analyst-turned-entrepreneur, author, and digital creator behind the leading financial platform, Break Your Budget.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    133. How Influencer Culture Is Rewiring Your Brain to Want More & Buy More (and how to fix it!!!!)

    In this episode of Don’t Depend on Daddy, we dive into the neuroscience of dopamine and how influencer culture rewires our brains for constant desire. From endless scrolling to impulse shopping, we explore the slot machine psychology behind why we crave novelty, how social proof keeps us stuck in the loop, and what it really takes to break free. You’ll learn: 👉🏻 What dopamine actually is and how it shapes desire 👉🏻 Why social media makes us buy things we don’t need 👉🏻 How to rewire your brain for focus and contentment 👉🏻 Simple tools to build awareness, set spending boundaries, and reclaim your attention TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 — Intro + housekeeping 3:45 — The dopamine loop and why we’re addicted to our phones 7:30 — The slot machine effect of social media 10:00 — How influencer culture fuels desire 13:00 — Rewiring your brain: awareness & boredom 15:00 — Social proof bias and why we copy influencers 18:30 — The illusion of belonging online 21:30 — The rise of in-app shopping and impulsive buying 26:00 — Comparison, identity, and the cost of “keeping up” 28:30 — How to break the dopamine loop and spend mindfully 35:00 — Final tips for rewiring habits and reducing consumption BREAK YOUR BUDGET RESOURCES: 💸 Personal Finance Dashboard: https://breakyourbudget.com/personal-finance-dashboard 💸 Basic Budgeting Template:  https://breakyourbudget.com/basic-budgeting-template 💸 FI/RE Template:  https://breakyourbudget.com/fire-template 💸 NEW RENT VS. BUY CALCULATOR https://breakyourbudget.com/rent-vs-buy-calculator ALL THE ACCOUNTS/ TOOLS I USE:💸 www.breakyourbudget.com/toolkit ✅ Subscribe to Break Your Budget Weekly:  https://breakyourbudget.com/newsletter 📖 My Books:  https://breakyourbudget.com/book 👩🏼‍💻 Task Management System + Promotion Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/own-your-career-template FREE DOWNLOADS: 💸 Recession Guide: https://breakyourbudget.com/recession-guide ✅ Monthly Audit Checklist: https://breakyourbudget.com/monthly-audit-checklist ✍🏻 Personal Finance Starter Kit: https://breakyourbudget.com/pf-starter-kit All Other Resources:  https://breakyourbudget.com/links 👩🏼‍💻 Inquiries: michela@breakyourbudget.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/ 📲 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakyourbudget 📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/michela_alloccaa 💸 Break Your Budget LTK:  https://www.shopltk.com/explore/MichelaAllocca/

    41 min

  2. 22 OCT

    132. The Psychology Behind Decluttering: Why Tidying Up Transforms Your Life + Motivation to START!!

    In this episode of Don’t Depend on Daddy, we dive into the life-changing magic of tidying up - and how decluttering your environment directly impacts your emotions, habits, and finances. You’ll learn how the KonMari method helps you release attachment, create calm, and find clarity in your priorities. We’ll talk about how physical clutter mirrors mental clutter, how to simplify your space without feeling deprived, and why tidying up is really a form of emotional and financial self-care. If you’re ready to reset your space and energy before the new year, this one’s for you. TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 — Intro: Why tidying is more than cleaning 2:10 — The emotional clutter we ignore 4:30 — How the KonMari method really works 7:00 — The psychology of letting go 9:45 — What clutter reveals about your values 12:20 — Why fewer possessions = more peace 15:00 — The ripple effect: tidying your finances & habits 18:10 — How to make decluttering actually stick 21:30 — Minimalism vs deprivation 24:00 — Final thoughts: aligning your space, money & mindset BREAK YOUR BUDGET RESOURCES: 💸 Personal Finance Dashboard: https://breakyourbudget.com/personal-finance-dashboard 💸 Basic Budgeting Template:  https://breakyourbudget.com/basic-budgeting-template 💸 FI/RE Template:  https://breakyourbudget.com/fire-template 💸 NEW RENT VS. BUY CALCULATOR https://breakyourbudget.com/rent-vs-buy-calculator ALL THE ACCOUNTS/ TOOLS I USE:💸 www.breakyourbudget.com/toolkit ✅ Subscribe to Break Your Budget Weekly:  https://breakyourbudget.com/newsletter 📖 My Books:  https://breakyourbudget.com/book 👩🏼‍💻 Task Management System + Promotion Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/own-your-career-template FREE DOWNLOADS: 💸 Recession Guide: https://breakyourbudget.com/recession-guide ✅ Monthly Audit Checklist: https://breakyourbudget.com/monthly-audit-checklist ✍🏻 Personal Finance Starter Kit: https://breakyourbudget.com/pf-starter-kit All Other Resources:  https://breakyourbudget.com/links 👩🏼‍💻 Inquiries: michela@breakyourbudget.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/ 📲 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakyourbudget 📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/michela_alloccaa 💸 Break Your Budget LTK:  https://www.shopltk.com/explore/MichelaAllocca/

    34 min

  3. 15 OCT

    131: Aha Moments, How I Define "Enough," My Thoughts on Kids, Career Uncertainty & More: Q+A Episode

    In this Q&A episode of Don’t Depend on Daddy, I’m answering all of your biggest questions about money, career, dating, and lifestyle. These are real questions submitted through my Instagram stories, and I’m giving you my honest, unfiltered answers. ✨ Inside this episode: 👉🏻 The aha moment that changed my career & money mindset 👉🏻 How I define “enough” and why chasing numbers doesn’t work 👉🏻 Navigating finances & dating as a high-earning woman 👉🏻 Career advice if you’re 21 and don’t know what you want yet 👉🏻 My evolving perspective on being childfree 👉🏻 Why a prenup is non-negotiable for me 👉🏻 My exercise routine & fitness mindset 👉🏻 Why I moved to Chicago and how I’m liking it so far Open a SoFi Account: https://wealthlink.me/michela-sofi-hysa TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Intro & Housekeeping (PFD, Budget Template, FI Planner) 05:00 – What was your “aha” moment that made you do better for yourself? 10:00 – How do you know when you have “enough”? 15:00 – How do you balance financial responsibility with dating? 19:00 – How did you know what you wanted to do with your career? 24:00 – How much do finances play a role in staying childfree (or not)? 29:00 – What are your thoughts on prenups? 31:00 – What’s your current exercise routine & how do you stay slim? 34:00 – Tips for getting into an exercise routine 35:00 – Why did you end up in Chicago? BREAK YOUR BUDGET RESOURCES: 💸 Personal Finance Dashboard: https://breakyourbudget.com/personal-finance-dashboard 💸 Basic Budgeting Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/basic-budgeting-template 💸 FI/RE Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/fire-template 💸 NEW RENT VS. BUY CALCULATOR https://breakyourbudget.com/rent-vs-buy-calculator ALL THE ACCOUNTS/ TOOLS I USE: 💸 www.breakyourbudget.com/toolkit ✅ Subscribe to Break Your Budget Weekly: https://breakyourbudget.com/newsletter 📖 My Books: https://breakyourbudget.com/book 👩🏼‍💻 Task Management System + Promotion Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/own-your-career-template FREE DOWNLOADS: 💸 Recession Guide: https://breakyourbudget.com/recession-guide ✅ Monthly Audit Checklist: https://breakyourbudget.com/monthly-audit-checklist ✍🏻 Personal Finance Starter Kit: https://breakyourbudget.com/pf-starter-kit All Other Resources: https://breakyourbudget.com/links 👩🏼‍💻 Inquiries: michela@breakyourbudget.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/ 📲 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakyourbudget 📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/michela_alloccaa 💸 Break Your Budget LTK: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/MichelaAllocca/

    37 min

  4. 8 OCT

    130. How I Avoided Lifestyle Creep & Built Wealth in My 20s: My Timeline of Building my Life

    In this episode of Don’t Depend on Daddy, I’m breaking down the lifestyle upgrades I made throughout my 20s — and how I avoided lifestyle creep while still building a 7-figure net worth by age 30. Building a life TAKES TIME!! ✨ Inside this episode: 👉🏻 Why it’s so important to avoid lifestyle creep in your 20s 👉🏻 The small apartments, sacrifices, and trade-offs I made early on 👉🏻 My first big lifestyle upgrade: buying my car in cash 👉🏻 How I kept rent reasonable (roommates, own bathroom, waiting to live alone) 👉🏻 The intentional health & wellness upgrades that improved my quality of life (Pilates, tennis, ClassPass, East Bank Club) 👉🏻 How I budgeted, tracked expenses, and made decisions slowly to build wealth TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Intro & Podcast Welcome 01:00 – Finance Tools: PFD, Budget Template & FI Planner 04:00 – Why Avoiding Lifestyle Creep Matters 07:00 – Early 20s: First Jobs, Tiny Apartments & Saving Aggressively 12:00 – Living at Home During the Pandemic & First Big Upgrade (Car) 16:00 – Moving to LA: Own Bathroom & Higher Rent 20:00 – Tracking Expenses & Keeping Costs Steady While Income Grew 22:00 – Moving Into My Own Apartment & The Realities of Living Alone 24:00 – Health & Wellness Upgrades: Pilates, Tennis & ClassPass 28:00 – My 30-Year-Old Lifestyle: What I’ve Upgraded, What I Haven’t BREAK YOUR BUDGET RESOURCES: 💸 Personal Finance Dashboard: https://breakyourbudget.com/personal-finance-dashboard 💸 Basic Budgeting Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/basic-budgeting-template 💸 FI/RE Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/fire-template 💸 NEW RENT VS. BUY CALCULATOR https://breakyourbudget.com/rent-vs-buy-calculator ALL THE ACCOUNTS/ TOOLS I USE: 💸 www.breakyourbudget.com/toolkit ✅ Subscribe to Break Your Budget Weekly: https://breakyourbudget.com/newsletter 📖 My Books: https://breakyourbudget.com/book 👩🏼‍💻 Task Management System + Promotion Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/own-your-career-template FREE DOWNLOADS: 💸 Recession Guide: https://breakyourbudget.com/recession-guide ✅ Monthly Audit Checklist: https://breakyourbudget.com/monthly-audit-checklist ✍🏻 Personal Finance Starter Kit: https://breakyourbudget.com/pf-starter-kit All Other Resources: https://breakyourbudget.com/links 👩🏼‍💻 Inquiries: michela@breakyourbudget.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/ 📲 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakyourbudget 📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/michela_alloccaa 💸 Break Your Budget LTK: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/MichelaAllocca/

    30 min

  5. 1 OCT

    129. The Detailed Daily Routines That Changed My Life (Morning, Evening, Fitness & Travel)

    Welcome back to Don’t Depend on Daddy! In this episode, I’m sharing my full routine roundup — from how I start my mornings, wind down at night, stay consistent with fitness, and manage travel with less stress. ✨ Inside this episode you’ll hear: 👉🏻 My morning routine habits that set the tone for a productive day 👉🏻 Evening rituals that help me recharge and stay consistent 👉🏻 How I balance walking, Pilates, and strength training in my fitness routine 👉🏻 The exact travel routine I follow to stay organized, calm, and prepared 👉🏻Tools I use daily, like the Personal Finance Dashboard, Basic Budget Template, and Financial Independence Planner TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Intro & Podcast Welcome 01:00 – Finance Tools I Recommend (PFD, Budget Template, FI Planner) 03:00 – Why Routines Matter for My Well-Being 05:00 – Morning Routine: Wake Up, Walks & Morning Admin 09:00 – Skincare, Getting Dressed & Workday “Distinguisher” 13:00 – Starting Workday & Phone Boundaries 16:00 – Night Routine: Workday Wrap-Up & Evening Fitness 20:00 – Evening Skincare, Red Light Mask & Dinner Wind-Down 24:00 – Fitness Routine: Walking, Pilates & Strength Training with Form 34:00 – Travel Routine: Pre-Trip Prep, Packing & Airport Strategy BREAK YOUR BUDGET RESOURCES: 💸 Personal Finance Dashboard: https://breakyourbudget.com/personal-finance-dashboard 💸 Basic Budgeting Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/basic-budgeting-template 💸 FI/RE Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/fire-template 💸 NEW RENT VS. BUY CALCULATOR https://breakyourbudget.com/rent-vs-buy-calculator ALL THE ACCOUNTS/ TOOLS I USE: 💸 www.breakyourbudget.com/toolkit ✅ Subscribe to Break Your Budget Weekly: https://breakyourbudget.com/newsletter 📖 My Books: https://breakyourbudget.com/book 👩🏼‍💻 Task Management System + Promotion Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/own-your-career-template FREE DOWNLOADS: 💸 Recession Guide: https://breakyourbudget.com/recession-guide ✅ Monthly Audit Checklist: https://breakyourbudget.com/monthly-audit-checklist ✍🏻 Personal Finance Starter Kit: https://breakyourbudget.com/pf-starter-kit All Other Resources: https://breakyourbudget.com/links 👩🏼‍💻 Inquiries: michela@breakyourbudget.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/ 📲 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakyourbudget 📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/michela_alloccaa 💸 Break Your Budget LTK: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/MichelaAllocca/

    46 min

  6. 24 SEPT

    128. Why Your 20s Are for Testing & Your 30s Are for Building

    Welcome back to Don’t Depend on Daddy! Today’s episode is all about the biggest differences between your twenties and your thirties. As someone who just turned 30, I’ve been reflecting a lot on how these two decades are framed — and what’s actually true when it comes to money, career, lifestyle, and mindset. 💡 Here’s what we’ll cover: 👉🏻 Why your twenties should be about testing, experimenting, and learning 👉🏻 The financial, career, and lifestyle shifts that happen in your thirties 👉🏻 How to navigate comparison, milestones, and expectations at different ages 👉🏻 My personal lessons from both decades TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Intro & why your 20s vs. 30s matter 01:00 – Housekeeping + finance tools I use 03:00 – 20s are for testing: career, money & lifestyle 07:00 – Getting the financial basics right in your 20s 09:00 – Careers in your 20s: job hopping, side hustles & portfolio paths 12:00 – Lifestyle in your 20s: moving, friendships & comparison 16:00 – Mindset experiments: coping, routines & self-soothing 20:00 – Shifts in your 30s: stability in money, career & lifestyle 27:00 – Therapy, confidence & elevating your 30s life 32:00 – Action items: what to try in your 20s vs. reflect on in your 30s BREAK YOUR BUDGET RESOURCES: 💸 Personal Finance Dashboard: https://breakyourbudget.com/personal-finance-dashboard 💸 Basic Budgeting Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/basic-budgeting-template 💸 FI/RE Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/fire-template 💸 NEW RENT VS. BUY CALCULATOR https://breakyourbudget.com/rent-vs-buy-calculator ALL THE ACCOUNTS/ TOOLS I USE: 💸 www.breakyourbudget.com/toolkit ✅ Subscribe to Break Your Budget Weekly: https://breakyourbudget.com/newsletter 📖 My Books: https://breakyourbudget.com/book 👩🏼‍💻 Task Management System + Promotion Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/own-your-career-template FREE DOWNLOADS: 💸 Recession Guide: https://breakyourbudget.com/recession-guide ✅ Monthly Audit Checklist: https://breakyourbudget.com/monthly-audit-checklist ✍🏻 Personal Finance Starter Kit: https://breakyourbudget.com/pf-starter-kit All Other Resources: https://breakyourbudget.com/links 👩🏼‍💻 Inquiries: michela@breakyourbudget.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/ 📲 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakyourbudget 📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/michela_alloccaa 💸 Break Your Budget LTK: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/MichelaAllocca/

    36 min

  7. 17 SEPT

    127. Fall State of the Union: What's In & Out For Me This Fall

    Welcome back to Don’t Depend on Daddy! In this episode, I’m sharing my Fall 2025 Ins & Outs—from routines and money habits to cozy lifestyle swaps. These episodes are some of my favorites to record, and I’d love to hear what’s on your ins and outs list this season. 🍂 We’ll cover: 👉🏻 My take on pumpkin spice & fall overconsumption 👉🏻 Why I’m ditching the “great lock-in” hustle mindset 👉🏻 The small changes that are making my fall feel more intentional 👉🏻 What’s making life cozier and more aligned this season TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Intro & Fall State of the Union 01:00 – Housekeeping + finance tools I use 03:00 – Rent vs. Buy calculator update 05:00 – Why these ins & outs are just for fun 05:30 – Outs: Pumpkin spice, fall overconsumption, football, & “great lock-in” hustle 13:30 – In: Coworking spaces & community 16:00 – In: Fall baking & cooking 17:30 – In: Pilates & movement 18:30 – In: Jewel tones, Beyond Yoga sets & cozy athleisure 23:30 – Hot coffee mornings + LA back in the mix BREAK YOUR BUDGET RESOURCES: 💸 Personal Finance Dashboard: https://breakyourbudget.com/personal-finance-dashboard 💸 Basic Budgeting Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/basic-budgeting-template 💸 FI/RE Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/fire-template 💸 NEW RENT VS. BUY CALCULATOR https://breakyourbudget.com/rent-vs-buy-calculator ALL THE ACCOUNTS/ TOOLS I USE: 💸 www.breakyourbudget.com/toolkit ✅ Subscribe to Break Your Budget Weekly: https://breakyourbudget.com/newsletter 📖 My Books: https://breakyourbudget.com/book 👩🏼‍💻 Task Management System + Promotion Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/own-your-career-template FREE DOWNLOADS: 💸 Recession Guide: https://breakyourbudget.com/recession-guide ✅ Monthly Audit Checklist: https://breakyourbudget.com/monthly-audit-checklist ✍🏻 Personal Finance Starter Kit: https://breakyourbudget.com/pf-starter-kit All Other Resources: https://breakyourbudget.com/links 👩🏼‍💻 Inquiries: michela@breakyourbudget.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/ 📲 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakyourbudget 📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/michela_alloccaa 💸 Break Your Budget LTK: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/MichelaAllocca/

    29 min

  8. 10 SEPT

    126. How to Travel More, for Less: Credit Card Points, Saver Fares, Positioning Flights & More!

    Want to learn how to fly around the world without draining your bank account? In this episode, I sit down with my friend Benny—my go-to travel expert—to talk about travel hacking, maximizing credit card points, and finding the best flight deals. ✈️ We cover everything from travel misconceptions and saver award flights to what to do when your flight gets delayed. Whether you’re planning a big international trip or just looking for ways to save on flights, you’ll walk away with practical tips to make travel more affordable. 👉 Inside this episode: -How to let travel deals “come to you” -Tools & services Benny uses for cheap flights -Positioning flights and why they can save you thousands -What to do when your flight is delayed or canceled -Best credit cards for travelers and if premium cards are worth it -Benny’s favorite destinations and airlines for points redemptions CONNECT WITH BENNY: https://www.instagram.com/bennyfillo WHAT'S IN BENNY'S WALLET: AmEx Platinum AmEx Gold Chase Sapphire Reserve Chase Freedom Unlimited Capital One Travel Rakuten (for AmEx points) AutoPilot (flight price tracker) Other Episode with Benny My Credit Cards: www.breakyourbudget.com/toolkit TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 – Welcome & episode intro 1:00 – Housekeeping & BYB financial tools 3:00 – Travel hacking 101: misconceptions & flexibility 7:00 – Tools for cheap flights: Google Flights, Going, Thrifty Traveler 10:30 – Business class on points & saver rates explained 15:00 – Planning a trip with points (flights vs hotels) 20:00 – Positioning flights: why they can save you $$$ 23:00 – What to do when flights are delayed or canceled 31:00 – Travel credit cards: Amex Platinum vs Chase Reserve 41:00 – Benny’s favorite airlines, destinations & best redemptions BREAK YOUR BUDGET RESOURCES: 💸 Personal Finance Dashboard: https://breakyourbudget.com/personal-finance-dashboard 💸 Basic Budgeting Template:  https://breakyourbudget.com/basic-budgeting-template 💸 NEW FI/RE Template:  https://breakyourbudget.com/fire-template ✅ Subscribe to Break Your Budget Weekly:  https://breakyourbudget.com/newsletter 📖 My Books:  https://breakyourbudget.com/book 👩🏼‍💻 Task Management System + Promotion Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/own-your-career-template FREE DOWNLOADS: 💸 Recession Guide: https://breakyourbudget.com/recession-guide ✅ Monthly Audit Checklist: https://breakyourbudget.com/monthly-audit-checklist ✍🏻 Personal Finance Starter Kit: https://breakyourbudget.com/pf-starter-kit All Other Resources:  https://breakyourbudget.com/links 👩🏼‍💻 Inquiries: michela@breakyourbudget.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/ 📲 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakyourbudget 📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/michela_alloccaa 💸 Break Your Budget LTK:  https://www.shopltk.com/explore/MichelaAllocca/

    48 min
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About

Don’t Depend on Daddy is an unfiltered space to learn and discuss how to build independence and OWN your life. From personal finance and career topics, to healthy habits, routines, and hobbies, the goal of Don't Depend on Daddy is to empower you to build financial, professional, and personal independence, regardless of the life stage you are in. *This is not a strictly personal finance podcast.* Host Michela Allocca is an ex-financial analyst-turned-entrepreneur, author, and digital creator behind the leading financial platform, Break Your Budget.

Information

  • Creator
    Michela Allocca - Break Your Budget
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    134
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Michela Allocca - Break Your Budget
  • Show Website
    Don't Depend On Daddy

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