Money & You with Michelle Perkins

Michelle Perkins
  • 5.0 (14)
  • Investing
  • Updated Weekly

Your connection with money should be one of the best relationships in your life. Is it? Certified coach and CEO of Limit Free Life, Michelle Perkins breaks down your relationship with money - offering tough love money tips and a money dating plan that focuses on lifting the barriers to success by uncovering underlying money beliefs, illuminating what’s driving money behavior, and paving the way for a better relationship with money and increased wealth. It’s time to take control. Michelle, along with her expert guests, offers insight and understanding from her own career journey that has taken ventures from zero to a Million $$ in five years. We change, the world changes, and our careers can change. Michelle’s mission is to help ambitious, driven entrepreneurs and professionals move into (or better yet, create) work that satisfies the soul, creates the financial prosperity that they need and want, and empowers them to live the life they desire.

  1. 3d ago

    Ep 31: Money, Marriage & Mental Health: What Therapists See Every Day

    Ep 31: Money, Marriage & Mental Health: What Therapists See Every Day

    12 min

  2. Jun 22

    Ep 230: The Investor's Secret: Live Like You're Already Retired

    Ep 230: The Investor's Secret: Live Like You're Already Retired

    41 min

  3. Jun 15

    Ep 229: Building Wealth & Influence Through Books, Podcasts & Personal Branding

    Ep 229: Building Wealth & Influence Through Books, Podcasts & Personal Branding

    43 min

  4. Jun 8

    Ep 228: Franchising: The Perfect Hybrid Between Employee and Entrepreneur

    In this episode of Money and You, Michelle Perkins sits down with strategic franchise advisor Jeff Shafritz, founder of Franchise Guidance, to explore franchising as a practical and often overlooked path to business ownership. Jeff has spent more than 30 years in the franchise world, including experience in franchise development, owning and exiting his own fitness franchise, and helping hundreds of executives, investors, and career changers evaluate franchise opportunities. In this conversation, he breaks down what franchising really is, who it’s best suited for, and how to think about it as a potential transition out of corporate life or into a more flexible income stream. Michelle and Jeff discuss the benefits of buying into an established system, the importance of matching the business model to your strengths and lifestyle goals, and why the “hottest” franchise may not be the best fit for you. They also talk about emerging franchise categories, including wellness, longevity, senior care, fitness, home services, and what Jeff calls “boring businesses” that can be surprisingly strong opportunities. This episode is especially helpful for anyone who is curious about entrepreneurship but doesn’t necessarily want to build a business from scratch. In This Episode, We Discuss:Why franchising can be a hybrid between employment and traditional entrepreneurshipHow franchises reduce some of the heavy lifting of starting a businessWhy fit matters more than chasing a trendy conceptThe difference between established and emerging franchise brandsWhat types of franchises may work for people who want to keep their day jobWhy service-based and “boring” businesses can be powerful opportunitiesHow AI may change the future of white-collar work and increase demand for hands-on service businessesHow franchisees can eventually sell or exit their businessKey Moments 03:46 – What franchising gives you that starting from scratch does not 08:13 – Why franchise fit matters more than popularity or trends 10:04 – The most important qualities of a successful franchise owner 16:08 – Current franchise categories Jeff finds interesting 17:28 – The appeal of “boring businesses” 19:26 – How AI may impact future business ownership opportunities 23:52 – Hiring, staffing, and leadership in service-based franchises 27:50 – What kind of investment franchising may require 39:35 – Exit strategies and scaling through multiple units Memorable Quotes “Franchising is for someone who wants to own their own business but may not have the idea, time, or desire to start something from scratch.” — Jeff Shafritz“ If it’s not a good fit for you operationally, or it doesn’t meet your lifestyle goals, you’re going to be frustrated with the business.” — Jeff Shafritz“ You could take a great operator in an average franchise and have more success than a great franchise with an average operator.” — Jeff Shafritz“ Once you know where you want to go, it’s a lot easier to find the vehicle to help you get there.” — Jeff Shafritz About Jeff Shafritz Jeff Shafritz is a strategic franchise advisor and founder of Franchise Guidance. With more than 30 years of experience across the franchise industry, Jeff has worked in franchise development, owned and exited his own fitness franchise, and advised hundreds of executives, investors, and career changers as they explore franchise ownership.Jeff helps people evaluate franchise opportunities based on their goals, strengths, financial parameters, lifestyle needs, and long-term vision — without hype or pressure. Resources & Links Connect with Jeff at: Franchise Guidance: https://www.franchiseguidance.comConnect with Michelle Perkins & Limit Free Life®For more conversations about money, career, business, mindset, financial empowerment, and building a life with more freedom and intention:Visit Limit Free Life®: https://limitfreelife.comBook a Virtual Coffee Chat with Michelle: https://limitfreelife.comListen to Money and You on your favorite podcast platformWatch episodes on the Limit Free Life YouTube channelIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, review, and share it with someone who may be thinking about business ownership, career change, or new ways to create income and independence.

    44 min

  5. May 25

    Ep 227: From Chaos to Clarity: Understanding Your Business Finances

    In this episode of Money and You, Michelle Perkins welcomes Walter Miller, founder and owner of Norman Professional Services, for a refreshingly human conversation about accounting, financial literacy, cash flow, and what business owners really need to understand about their numbers. Walter shares his unusual path from actor and English major to accounting advisor and fractional CFO, and how his background as a teacher and communicator shaped the way he works with entrepreneurs. His firm helps professional service business owners move beyond bookkeeping and tax preparation into true financial clarity. Michelle and Walter discuss why so many successful business owners still feel embarrassed about what they don’t know, why financial shame keeps people from asking important questions, and how understanding your numbers can become a powerful tool instead of a source of stress. They also explore practical topics like margins, cash vs. accrual accounting, choosing the right tax accountant, pricing, collections, cash flow problems, owner compensation, and Walter’s powerful “days of cash” metric — a simple way to understand how much financial breathing room your business or household really has. This episode is especially valuable for entrepreneurs, service providers, and accidental business owners who are ready to stop avoiding their numbers and start using them to make better decisions.In This Episode, We Discuss: Why many business owners don’t understand their financial statementsThe shame and embarrassment that can come with not knowing your numbersWhy successful entrepreneurs may still lack financial literacyThe difference between bookkeeping, tax accounting, and business advisory workWhy business owners should feel comfortable asking basic financial questionsThe danger of letting tax strategy drive operational decisionsWhy cash flow problems usually come from pricing, collections, spending, or a combination of all threeHow to calculate “days of cash”The emotional side of cash reservesWhy your business is always “talking” to you through its numbersKey Moments 09:21 – The client story that changed how Walter saw financial education 11:45 – Why business owners need accountants who welcome questions 14:39 – The pressure entrepreneurs feel to pretend everything is going well 19:53 – What good tax accounting service should include 22:07 – Why tax planning should not control operational decisions 24:57 – The three common causes of cash flow problems 29:34 – Walter explains the “days of cash” metric 33:21 – The emotional side of holding too much cash 42:57 – Walter describes his ideal client as the “accidental entrepreneur” 47:16 – What it means when your business is a “teenager” Memorable Quotes“There was value to be delivered beyond the bookkeeping.” — Walter Miller“There’s a lot of embarrassment, sometimes shame, around what business owners do and do not know.” — Walter Miller“Your business is a really interesting conversation partner.” — Walter Miller“Its language is numbers.” — Walter Miller“We don’t blame a teenager because they have acne. We just say that’s part of being a teenager.” — Walter Miller About Walter MillerWalter Miller is the founder and owner of Norman Professional Services, an accounting advisory and bookkeeping practice founded in 2004 and named after his beloved dog, Norman.Today, Walter and his team provide bookkeeping, accounting advisory, and fractional CFO guidance to owners of professional service companies who are ready to understand their numbers and grow their businesses. Their mission is to nurture prosperous relationships as trusted teachers, helping business owners become more financially literate and more confident in their decisions.Walter brings more than technical financial skill to his work — he brings a deep commitment to teaching, translating, and helping entrepreneurs understand what their businesses are trying to tell them. Resources & Links Norman Professional Services: https://normanprof.comConnect with Walter Miller on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.comConnect with Michelle Perkins & Limit Free Life®For more conversations about money, mindset, business, career, financial empowerment, and creating a life with more clarity and freedom: Visit Limit Free Life®: https://limitfreelife.comBook a Virtual Coffee Chat with Michelle: https://limitfreelife.comListen to Money and You on your favorite podcast platformWatch episodes on the Limit Free Life YouTube channelIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, review, and share it with a business owner who could benefit from understanding their numbers with more confidence and less shame.

    53 min

  6. May 18

    Ep 226: The Hidden Truth: About Money, Inflation & Power

    Ep 226: The Hidden Truth: About Money, Inflation & Power

    44 min

  7. May 11

    Ep 225: Infinite Banking: The Strategy That Changed My Life

    Ep 225: Infinite Banking: The Strategy That Changed My LifeIn this episode of Money & You, Michelle Perkins speaks with Kish Rao of KKR Wealth Group about the concept of infinite banking and how it can help people rethink the way they use, store, borrow, and build with their money, and how it changed the guest's life forever. Kish shares his personal story of working long hours in the corporate tech world, commuting for hours each day, and wondering why his income was not translating into the financial freedom he expected. That frustration led him to discover infinite banking — a strategy built around specially designed dividend-paying life insurance policies that can create access, flexibility, and long-term control. Together, Michelle and Kish explore why this concept can feel confusing at first, why whole life insurance often triggers skepticism, and how shifting the way we think about money may be just as important as shifting where we put our money.In This Episode: Michelle and Kish discuss: What infinite banking is — and what it is notWhy Kish says this is a financial strategy, not an investmentHow dividend-paying whole life insurance can be used as a personal banking systemWhy access, control, and flexibility matter in financial planningHow people use this strategy for cars, college, emergencies, business opportunities, debt, and other life expensesWhy borrowing against the policy is different from withdrawing moneyThe mindset shift required to think differently about capitalWhy Kish introduced this concept to his own familyHow fear and confusion can keep people stuck in familiar financial systemsKey Takeaways: One of the biggest themes in this conversation is control. Kish explains that many people are doing what they were told to do financially, yet still feel trapped by payments, debt, interest, and limited access to their own money and time. Infinite banking offers a different way to think about money flow. Instead of sending money out and losing access to it, the idea is to build a pool of capital that can continue growing while still being available for use. Michelle also highlights an important point: financial strategies often require more than information. They require a shift in how we think about money, risk, security, and possibility. Featured Guest: Kish Rao helps professionals and entrepreneurs rethink how they use their money so they can create more control, flexibility, and long-term financial growth. After more than three decades in the corporate world, Kish became passionate about helping others understand how money can work more effectively in their lives through infinite banking and capital control strategies. Resources: Book: Becoming Your Own Banker by Nelson Nash KKR Wealth Group podcast resource page: kkrwealthgroup.com For more tools and conversations about money mindset, practical financial tips, confidence, and financial empowerment… Subscribe to the “Money & You With Michelle Perkins” Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/money-you-with-michelle-perkins/id1365907575 Please rate, review, and share the show with friends and family who want to feel more confident and in control of their financial lives — it really helps us! Join the Limit Free Life® Community & Newsletter: https://limitfreelife.com/newsletter/Learn more about Michelle Perkins & Limit Free Life®:https://limitfreelife.com  Have a money or career question? Book a free virtual coffee chat with Michelle: https://limitfreelife.com/booking/?utm_source=chatgpt.com  Instagram: @livealimitfreelife  YouTube: The Limit Free Life Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@michelleperkins-limitfreel2446

    36 min

  8. Apr 27

    Ep 224: Preparation for Financial Success: What Most People Miss Part 2

    In this follow-up solo episode of Money and You, Michelle continues the conversation about financial preparedness and readiness—but this time focuses on the practical side of preparing for financial success.Following Part 1’s deep dive into mindset, identity, and emotional readiness, Michelle explores the daily habits, financial systems, and practical decisions that help reduce anxiety, build stability, and create long-term financial confidence.This episode is a grounded and compassionate reminder that financial well-being doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from awareness, consistency, preparation, and creating systems that support your future self.Michelle discusses why so many people avoid their money, how emotional overwhelm affects decision-making, and the simple actions that can dramatically improve your financial clarity and confidence over time.If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, behind, disorganized, or unsure where to begin financially, this episode offers a calmer, more empowering way to approach money.In This Episode, Michelle Covers: Why mindset and practical action must work togetherHow financial preparation creates emotional calmThe importance of knowing your numbersWhy avoidance is often the real source of money anxietyBuilding a spending plan instead of “random spending”Starting small with saving and financial habitsCreating systems that reduce decision fatigueUsing automation to simplify money managementWhy stability should come before growthEmotional overwhelm, consumer culture, and impulse spendingFlexibility, resilience, and adapting when life happensThe importance of asking better financial questionsKey TakeawaysPreparation Creates ConfidenceThe more prepared you are financially, the calmer and more capable you feel when opportunities or challenges arise.Know Your Numbers Without DramaYour numbers are information—not a judgment of your worth.Small Consistent Actions MatterFinancial stability is often built through small habits repeated consistently over time.Avoidance Fuels AnxietyMuch of the stress people feel about money comes from not looking at it directly.Stability Comes Before ExpansionEmergency savings, debt reduction, and organization create the foundation for future growth.Memorable Quotes from the Episode“You don’t necessarily need more money first. You need to prepare yourself for more money.”“Numbers always tell a story.”“We get very melodramatic with our money.”“It doesn’t actually matter as much that you’re not where you want to be yet. What matters is that you’ve got the steering wheel.”“Most of our anxiety around money simply comes from avoiding it.”Timestamps 1:38 — Recap of Part 1: mindset and emotional preparedness5:44 — Why practical financial preparation matters7:59 — The importance of starting now9:31 — Know your numbers without emotional drama12:59 — The core financial numbers everyone should know14:48 — Why avoiding money creates anxiety16:50 — Creating a true spending plan19:20 — Why stability comes before growth21:15 — Reducing financial decision fatigue24:16 — Automating savings and debt payments25:24 — Planning for real life and unexpected events27:10 — Preparing yourself to receive more moneyResources & Mentions Michelle’s Vision Workbook: LinkMoney preparedness worksheets mentioned in the episode: https://limitfreelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/LFL-Financial-Prep-Guidelines.pngLimit Free Life®Book a Free Virtual Coffee Chat with MichelleConnect with Michelle PerkinsFor more conversations about money mindset, financial confidence, practical money strategies, and building a healthier relationship with money: Subscribe to Money and You Limit Free Life® Website Join the Newsletter & Community Michelle M. Perkins MBA on LinkedIn Instagram @livealimitfreelifeIf this episode helped you, share it with someone who may be feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or avoidant around money. Sometimes one conversation can completely shift the way we approach our financial lives.

    32 min
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5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Your connection with money should be one of the best relationships in your life. Is it? Certified coach and CEO of Limit Free Life, Michelle Perkins breaks down your relationship with money - offering tough love money tips and a money dating plan that focuses on lifting the barriers to success by uncovering underlying money beliefs, illuminating what’s driving money behavior, and paving the way for a better relationship with money and increased wealth. It’s time to take control. Michelle, along with her expert guests, offers insight and understanding from her own career journey that has taken ventures from zero to a Million $$ in five years. We change, the world changes, and our careers can change. Michelle’s mission is to help ambitious, driven entrepreneurs and professionals move into (or better yet, create) work that satisfies the soul, creates the financial prosperity that they need and want, and empowers them to live the life they desire.

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