Financial Coaching for Women: How To Budget, Manage Money, Pay Off Debt, Save Money, Paycheck Plans Vanessa & Shana | Christian Financial Coaches | Dave Ramsey Fans

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Hey, Budget Besties! 🎙️

In today’s episode, we had a wonderful chat with Cassandra, who’s managing her family’s finances on a single income. Her main goal is building up her savings while juggling all the expenses that come with raising kids, especially as they grow older. 🎧✨

Key Topics Discussed:


Paycheck Planning: Cassandra and her husband are working on getting a month ahead with their budget, a crucial step for avoiding that paycheck-to-paycheck stress. We discussed how to utilize those two to three paycheck months to create a buffer and plan ahead for upcoming expenses.


Savings Buckets: Cassandra is building up her emergency fund but also wants to save for her daughter’s future wedding. We discussed the importance of prioritizing an emergency fund before setting up other savings goals, especially when unexpected expenses can pop up.


Account Structure: We dove into the importance of separating funds into different accounts for clarity:


Bills Account: Dedicated to recurring monthly expenses.


Spending Account: Covers daily expenses like gas and groceries.


Sinking Funds: Specific savings accounts for non-monthly expenses like holidays, gifts, or larger one-time purchases.


Streamlining Accounts: Cassandra is already on the right track by using a high-yield savings account for her emergency fund. She’s also exploring the idea of setting up a checking account for bills to keep everything organized and transparent.


Handling Irregular Expenses: We chatted about how to handle those surprise expenses—like school fees or extracurricular activities—that don't fit neatly into the monthly budget. Tracking these can make planning for them in the future much easier.


Building a Buffer: We discussed the idea of creating a buffer in the bills account to cover unexpected expenses and avoid the stress of timing issues with bill payments.


Labeling Savings: Cassandra is renaming her savings accounts to reflect their purposes more clearly, like “Wedding Fund” and “Trip Fund,” to create a stronger emotional attachment and make it easier to resist dipping into them for other needs.


Optimizing Transfers: We addressed the challenge of limited transfers from certain savings accounts and how to work around it by using checking accounts for frequent transactions or consulting with banks for better terms.



Top Tips:


Track All Expenses: Keep a list of all irregular expenses to avoid surprises.


Prioritize Emergency Funds: Before diving into other savings goals, make sure you have a solid emergency fund.


Separate Accounts: Use different accounts for bills, spending, and savings to stay organized and clear.


Communicate with Family: Involve the family in financial decisions and explain the importance of saving for future goals.


Avoid Impulse Savings Withdrawals: By naming your savings accounts, it becomes harder to justify taking money out for non-essential expenses




4 Ways To Connect With Us:

1️⃣ FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall 

2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook 

3️⃣ BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/budget 

4️⃣ COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/coaching 




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Snag Our Signature Budget Template!


Hey Budget Besties! 🎉

In today's episode, We are sharing the details of the magic of automating your finances. Imagine a world where your bank account acts like your personal assistant—taking care of all the budgeting and bill paying while you sit back and relax. No more worrying about missing payments or overspending. Sounds dreamy, right? Let’s make it a reality!

Key Takeaways:


The Power of Automation:


Set up your bank accounts to handle everything for you.


Automate bill payments and transfers so you can focus on what truly matters.


A Fun Throwback:


We share hilarious stories about our early curling iron disasters and how the right tools make all the difference. Spoiler: The same goes for your finances!


Step-by-Step Guide to Automation:


Create a Budget: Understand your income, debts, recurring bills, spending, and savings.


Set Up Bill Accounts: Make sure all your income flows into an account dedicated to bills and debt payments.


Digital Envelopes: Open separate accounts for different spending categories and savings goals.


Paycheck Plan: Automate transfers based on your pay schedule to ensure every category is funded without you lifting a finger.


Hands-Off Supervision:


Once set up, simply monitor your accounts to ensure everything runs smoothly. Your finances will almost manage themselves!


Real-Life Impact:


We share client stories and personal experiences, illustrating how automation can simplify your financial life and keep you on track.



Practical Tips:


Renaming Accounts: Label your accounts with specific goals (e.g., "Vacation Fund," "Grocery Money") to add an emotional barrier against unnecessary spending.


Set Up Recurring Transfers: Use your bank's features to automate transfers on a schedule that aligns with your paydays.


Monitor and Adjust: Regularly check your accounts to ensure everything is running as planned and make adjustments as needed.



Action Steps:


Create Your Budget: Break it down into income, debts, bills, spending, and savings.


Organize Your Accounts: Set up dedicated accounts for each category.


Automate Transfers: Schedule recurring transfers to keep everything funded and on track.


Review and Refine: Keep an eye on your accounts and make adjustments to improve the system.



Inspirational Quote:

"A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went." - John Maxwell






4 Ways To Connect With Us:

1️⃣ FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall 

2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook 

3️⃣ BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/budget 

4️⃣ COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/coaching 

"I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes! And, if you’re feeling really generous, we’d be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone. 

Click here to view our privacy policy.

This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase!  




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Snag Our Signature Budget Template!


Hey Budget Besties! 🎙️

Have you ever tried to do a budget and felt like running away screaming? Today, we’re breaking down why budgeting doesn't have to be complicated. We’ll show you how to lay it out simply, understand it fully, and actually stick to it. No more confusion, no more overwhelm!

Episode Highlights:


Budgeting Misconceptions: Ever felt like you needed a PhD to understand a budget template? Us too. We’ve been there, and we’re here to simplify the process.


Health and Budget Comparison: We draw parallels between complicated diets and budgeting—both often involve unnecessary steps that lead to stress and inaction. Let’s keep it simple!


Why Most Budgets Fail: Traditional budgets often miss the mark. For example, placing debt payments at the bottom doesn’t prioritize what’s most important for many of us—clearing that debt!


Our Budgeting Journey: From Dave Ramsey’s plan to our personalized approach, we share our evolution in creating a straightforward, effective budget.


The Five Simple Columns:


Income: All money coming in.


Debt: Minimum payments listed upfront to highlight priorities.


Bills: Recurring monthly expenses (yes, mortgage goes here!).


Spending: Discretionary expenses like groceries, gas, and entertainment.


Savings: Set aside for goals like vacations, home maintenance, and more.


Tailored to You: Our budget template is designed to be flexible and customizable to fit your unique lifestyle and goals.


Automate for Success: Learn how to automate your budget to make managing your money effortless.



Key Takeaway:

Budgeting doesn’t have to be scary or complicated. With our one-page budget template, you can see your financial picture clearly and take control with confidence.


4 Ways To Connect With Us:

1️⃣ FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall 

2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook 

3️⃣ BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/budget 

4️⃣ COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/coaching 

"I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes! And, if you’re feeling really generous, we’d be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone. 

Click here to view our privacy policy.

This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase!


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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/idealbalance/message

Snag Our Signature Budget Template!



Hey, Budget Besties!

🏡💸 Ever get those offers from your bank asking if you want to opt into a biweekly payment program? To some, your initial reaction might be, "Sounds like math...and I’m not sure if this is a good idea." Don’t worry, we’ve done the research for you, and we're here to break it all down!

The Problem:

Most homeowners don’t realize that they pay the most interest in the first seven years of their mortgage. If you check your statements, you’ll see that a tiny portion of your payment goes towards the principal, while the majority goes towards interest. Banks know this, and that’s why they want to get their money upfront.

The Biweekly Payment Plan:

Banks offer biweekly plans, but what's the deal with those? Here's how it works:


Monthly Payment: If your mortgage is $2000/month, you pay $24,000/year.


Biweekly Payment: You pay $1000 every two weeks, resulting in 26 payments per year (52 weeks/2), totaling $26,000/year.



That’s an extra $2000 annually, effectively making one additional monthly payment each year. This reduces your principal faster, saving you thousands in interest over the life of the loan.

Our Recommendation:

Instead of following the bank's plan, which might complicate your budget with biweekly payments, we suggest:


Stick to Monthly Payments: Calculate your extra payment for the year and divide it by 12.


Add Extra to Your Monthly Payment: If you want to add $2000 extra annually, add about $167 to your monthly payment.


Direct Extra to Principal: Ensure you specify that the extra amount goes directly towards the principal, not next month’s bill.



When to Consider This:


Assess Your Priorities: Your money can only do so much. Decide if paying off your mortgage faster is a priority over other financial goals like savings, debt repayment, or investments.


Check Your Budget: Ensure you have enough extra income each month to cover the additional payment without straining your finances.



Real-Life Application:

When Vanessa paid off her mortgage, she prioritized security over potential investment gains. Knowing her house was paid off was worth more than the interest she could have earned elsewhere.

Final Thoughts:

If you have the budget for it, making extra mortgage payments can save you tens of thousands of dollars and cut years off your loan. Just make sure to automate it and communicate with your bank that these payments should go toward the principal.





4 Ways To Connect With Us:

1️⃣ FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall 

2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook 

3️⃣ BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/budget 

4️⃣ COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/coaching 

"I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes! And, if you’re feeling really generous, we’d be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone. 

Click here to view our privacy policy.

This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase!  



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Hey Budget Besties! 💸

Welcome back to another episode where we’re diving into real-life budgeting scenarios and sharing some golden nuggets from our coaching sessions. Today’s episode is all about getting organized, cutting down unnecessary expenses, and ensuring that you and your partner are on the same financial page. Let’s get into it!

1. Tackling Subscriptions and Multiple Accounts

Ever found yourself juggling multiple subscriptions across various accounts? One of our clients did just that! With subscriptions coming out of four different credit cards and two checking accounts, she was all over the place. By our second meeting, she discovered over 20 subscriptions she forgot about. Here's the game plan we shared:


Gather all your subscriptions: Do a 90-day review to see where your money is going.


Consolidate payments: Move all subscriptions to one account, preferably your bills checking account.


Set reminders: If you sign up for free trials, set a reminder to cancel before you're charged.



2. The Metal Credit Card Dilemma

Why do they make some credit cards metal? Spoiler alert: It’s not for your benefit! Metal cards are harder to destroy, making you more likely to keep and use them. If you're clinging to a metal card, remember: credit card companies aren't on your side. Our advice? Consider if the benefits truly outweigh the costs and if it's really necessary.

3. Financial Honesty in Marriage

Finances can be a significant stressor in relationships, especially when there’s a lack of transparency. One of our clients faced this exact issue—her husband kept financial secrets to protect her, but it ended up causing more harm. Here's our advice for couples:


Be open and honest: Lay everything out on the table and discuss your finances as a team.


Work together: Create a shared budget and financial goals to work towards together.


Communicate regularly: Avoid crisis mode by having regular financial check-ins.



4. The Power of Savings Buckets

Imagine having a week where you need an oil change, buy tickets to Costa Rica, purchase maternity clothes, and get a birthday gift for your kid—all without financial stress. One of our clients did just that by using savings buckets. She had specific funds set aside for each expense, making her feel confident and prepared. Here's how you can do it:


Create a budget: Start with a clear, personalized budget template.


Set up savings buckets: Allocate funds for specific purposes like travel, car maintenance, and clothing.


Stay the course: Consistently contribute to your buckets and enjoy the peace of mind they bring.






4 Ways To Connect With Us:

1️⃣ FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall 

2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook 

3️⃣ BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/budget 

4️⃣ COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/coaching 

"I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes! And, if you’re feeling really generous, we’d be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone. 

Click here to view our privacy policy.

This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no

Snag Our Signature Budget Template!

Hey Budget Besties! Are you ready to rock your June budget? Join us as we guide you through setting up your budget for the upcoming month. Whether you're new to budgeting or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with tips to ensure your financial plan is solid. We'll review the essentials of wrapping up May, setting realistic goals for June, and making use of our handy budget templates.

Key Takeaways:

Wrapping Up May:

Let's review what actually happened financially vs. what you planned.

Don’t worry if things didn’t go as planned; it’s a learning process.

Make sure you have a buffer for unexpected expenses.

Setting Up Your June Budget:

Income: List all your sources, including side hustles, bonuses, and refunds.

Debt: Record your minimum payments and any additional amounts you plan to pay.

Bills: Include all your recurring expenses, from utilities to subscriptions.

Spending: Plan for groceries, gas, dining out, and personal care.

Savings: Allocate funds for specific goals and unexpected costs.

Special Considerations for June:

Think about Father’s Day, weddings, summer camps, and vacations.

Update your budget with any new or seasonal expenses.

Plan for irregular income or large one-time payments like tuition or medical bills.

Tips and Tricks:

Use our signature budget template that auto-fills monthly to save time.

Stay flexible and adjust as needed; life happens, and so do expenses.

Celebrate small wins like paying off debt or saving for a goal.




4 Ways To Connect With Us:
1️⃣ FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall 
2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook 
3️⃣ BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/budget 
4️⃣ COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/coaching 
"I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes! And, if you’re feeling really generous, we’d be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone. 
Click here to view our privacy policy.
This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase!


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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/idealbalance/message