Budget Divas

Jenn Trinidad

Welcome to Budget Divas—where bougie meets budget without apology. I'm Jenn Trinidad: mystery shopper, budgeting coach, and single mom rebuilding life after loss. I paid off $90,000 of debt without giving up my iced coffee or self-care days, and I teach women how to do the same—without shame and without rice-and-beans burnout. Each episode, we get real about money, mindset, and making room for joy—even when life hits hard. Whether you're drowning in debt, learning how to budget on a single income, or trying to heal from grief and still afford Target runs, this is your safe space. Because you don’t have to sacrifice style to live within your means. And you don’t have to do it alone. What You'll Get Each Week: Honest conversations about grief, healing, and financial survivalReal-world tips for budgeting, side hustles, and mystery shoppingPep talks for the days when you want to quitGuest interviews, diva-style hacks, and heart-to-hearts with no judgment Come as you are. Leave with hope, a plan, and maybe a free Starbucks. New episodes every week. Subscribe and let’s glow up—one budget at a time.

Episodes

  1. 11/24/2025

    10 Simple Steps to Fix Your Budget in 30 Days (Even If You're Broke)

    Episode Description: Hey bestie! If you're feeling overwhelmed by rising costs and money stress, I totally get it. In today's episode, I'm breaking down exactly how to get your finances back on track with 10 simple, actionable steps you can start right now. Here's what I'm sharing with you: • How I calculate my real monthly income and expenses (even when it's all over the place) • My 3-step formula to see exactly where your money is going • How I identify non-negotiable expenses vs. spending habits that need to go • Simple strategies I use to cut costs without feeling deprived • The 30-day reset challenge that's building my money confidence • My weekly check-in system that keeps me on track without obsessing This episode is perfect if you: Have never made a budget that actually worksAre tired of living paycheck to paycheckFeel like rising costs have thrown your finances completely off trackWant to take control before we hit 2026Need a judgment-free approach to money (that's my specialty!)I'm getting real about my recent spending struggles—yes, I was that person making daily UPS returns from Amazon! I want to remind you that budgets aren't about perfection—they're about intention and taking back your power. Ready to boost your income while you budget? Grab my FREE 7-Day Mystery Shopping Blueprint: Get Paid to Shop and Crush Your Debt—Start Today! It's the perfect side hustle to add extra cash to your budget reset. Grab it here: www.budgetdivas.com/getpaidtoshop I mention: Side Hustle Nation, my weekly budget routine, and the 30-day money reset I'm doing Ready to stop the money stress and start the new year with confidence? Let's get your finances back on track together, bestie.

    40 min

  2. 09/17/2025

    #6 Why September Is Your Second Chance at Financial Freedom

    Ready for a financial fresh start? Forget waiting until January—September is your secret weapon for financial transformation! The September Reset works like a second New Year, but without all the pressure and post-holiday exhaustion. While summer vacations and adventures (like my trips to LA and Orlando) create amazing memories, they often leave our finances and routines in disarray. By late August, most of us crave structure and clarity before heading into holiday season chaos. Starting your financial reset now gives you 3-4 crucial months to build momentum before year-end. Think about it: pushing a heavy cart is hardest when starting from a complete stop. With a September start, you'll already be rolling when January arrives instead of beginning from zero with holiday debt hanging over you. My five-step September Reset framework can transform your financial trajectory: First, revisit your budget with fresh eyes to identify spending patterns and necessary adjustments. Second, review your debt payoff strategy, choosing between the motivational snowball method or the financially efficient avalanche approach. Third, create a realistic holiday spending plan now, before emotion and urgency take over. Fourth, establish or boost your emergency fund—even just $1,000 provides crucial protection. Finally, select one achievable financial goal to accomplish by December 31st. Remember that mindset matters as much as tactics. The stories we tell ourselves about money can either sabotage or support our efforts. My own transformation began when I shifted from hopelessness to possibility, recognizing I didn't have to live paycheck-to-paycheck forever. In upcoming episodes, I'll share weekly guidance to help you clean up your budget, eliminate hidden expenses, set effective short-term goals, navigate holiday spending without debt, and refresh your savings strategy. Together, we'll create a framework that sets you up for success well before the new year begins. Ready to stop waiting and start building your financial confidence? Hit subscribe, and let's make these next few months count. Your future self will thank you!

    36 min

  3. 07/16/2025

    #2: From $90,000 in Debt to Financial Freedom—Then Life Fell Apart

    In this episode, I’m sharing the full story behind Budget Divas—a story I never thought I’d tell out loud. This isn’t just about paying off $90,000 of debt. It’s about the emotional toll of working a high-pressure job, the moment I realized my family was falling apart, and how my son’s crisis became the wake-up call that changed everything. I’ll walk you through how I quit my job, found mystery shopping, and used it to help my family pay off debt fast—while still living a life we enjoyed. And I’ll open up about the hardest chapter of all—losing my husband Alden in November 2023. I’ll be honest: I lost myself for a while. But piece by piece, I’m rebuilding my life, my finances, and my confidence. If you’re going through something hard—whether it’s grief, financial stress, or just trying to find yourself again—I hope this episode reminds you that you’re not alone. You can come back from anything. And you can still live beautifully, even on a budget. Key Takeaways: Why I walked away from a high-paying job that was costing me everythingThe moment I knew I had to change—for my son and for myselfHow I went from hardcore frugality to discovering mystery shopping as a real income toolThe impact of grief on budgeting, motivation, and mental healthWhy progress doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerfulHow I’m learning to live again—with intention, on a budget, and with joy

    15 min

  4. 07/16/2025

    #3: Retail Therapy, Takeout and Tears, What Grief Did to My Bank Account

    After losing my husband in late 2023, grief didn’t just shatter my heart—it wrecked my finances. In this episode, I share the raw truth about emotional spending, budgeting breakdowns, and the quiet chaos that follows loss. I talk about how I coped (hello, late-night Amazon hauls), why I stopped budgeting for a while, and how I eventually found my way back—with grace, not guilt. If you're in the fog of grief and your finances feel out of control, this one's for you. Takeaways: Emotional spending isn’t failure—it’s survivalCreate “grief room” in your budgetStart small, track wins, and rebuild gentlyYou’re not broken—you’re becomingYou're not alone, diva. Let’s rebuild together.

    22 min

  5. 07/16/2025

    #5: From Two Incomes to One: What Changed and What I Learned

    After suddenly losing my husband in 2023, I found myself in unfamiliar territory—grieving, overwhelmed, and managing finances completely alone for the first time. In this deeply personal episode of Budget Divas, I share what that season looked like: unopened mail, panic attacks, emotional spending, and learning how to take slow, gentle steps toward financial stability. Whether you’re navigating grief, a job loss, divorce, or just trying to find your footing on one income, this episode offers a dose of compassion, honesty, and hope. Takeaways from this episode: Why it’s okay to press pause on budgeting when your world falls apartThe importance of a “grief cushion” in your budgetHow to do a gentle audit of your spending without shameTips for setting up a simple financial system when your brain is in a fogWhat a “money date” with yourself can do for healing and clarityWhy emotional safety matters before spreadsheet strategyYou don’t have to do it all. Just start with one bill, one breath, one step.

    23 min

  6. 07/16/2025

    #4: What I Spent During Grief — And Why I Don’t Regret It

    In this raw and real episode of Rebuilding Bougie, I’m sharing the emotional (and financial) aftermath of losing my husband Alden in 2023 — and how grief quietly wreaked havoc on my bank account. From takeout dinners I didn’t eat to late-night Amazon sprees and Target runs for “comfort,” I open up about how emotional spending became a form of survival. If you’ve ever found yourself eating cereal on the couch with the TV on at 2am, wondering where your money went — this one’s for you. We’re talking about: Why budgets fly out the window when you’re grievingHow spending became my emotional outletWhat helped me finally feel safe again financiallyWhy there is no shame in how you survivedAnd how mystery shopping reminded me I still had optionsI also share gentle tips on how to start rebuilding your finances after loss — no guilt, no shame, just grace and small steps. So grab your comfort snack, your favorite blanket, and come sit with me for this heart-to-heart. If you’re in the fog right now, I want you to know: you are not alone. We’re doing this together — one bougie receipt at a time.

    21 min

  7. 07/16/2025

    #1: Why I Took a Two-Year Break from Budget Divas

    Two years ago, I was running a thriving business—coaching women, hosting challenges, and helping people pay off debt while still living their best life. But in November 2023, everything changed. My husband passed away unexpectedly, and I couldn’t breathe, let alone talk about budgeting or business. So I stepped away. I grieved. I healed. I started over—on a single income, with a broken heart, and a new perspective. In this episode, I’m sharing the full story. From being buried in $90,000 of debt and praying on the bathroom floor… to discovering mystery shopping and becoming debt-free… to losing everything I thought I was building and finding the strength to rebuild. This isn’t just about money. It’s about survival, grief, healing, and taking back your power—even when life doesn’t go as planned. 🎧 What You’ll Take Away from This Episode: How I went from $90K in debt to debt-freeWhat mystery shopping did for my budget—and my confidenceWhy I stopped budgeting after my husband passed—and how I started againWhat it’s really like to live on a single income after lossHow you can rebuild your finances without giving up joy, coffee, or self-careThat you are not alone, you are not behind, and you are more than capableIf you’ve ever asked yourself, “How am I supposed to do this alone?”—this episode is for you. Even now, even here—you can still live like a diva.

    13 min
  • 7 Episodes

About

Welcome to Budget Divas—where bougie meets budget without apology. I'm Jenn Trinidad: mystery shopper, budgeting coach, and single mom rebuilding life after loss. I paid off $90,000 of debt without giving up my iced coffee or self-care days, and I teach women how to do the same—without shame and without rice-and-beans burnout. Each episode, we get real about money, mindset, and making room for joy—even when life hits hard. Whether you're drowning in debt, learning how to budget on a single income, or trying to heal from grief and still afford Target runs, this is your safe space. Because you don’t have to sacrifice style to live within your means. And you don’t have to do it alone. What You'll Get Each Week: Honest conversations about grief, healing, and financial survivalReal-world tips for budgeting, side hustles, and mystery shoppingPep talks for the days when you want to quitGuest interviews, diva-style hacks, and heart-to-hearts with no judgment Come as you are. Leave with hope, a plan, and maybe a free Starbucks. New episodes every week. Subscribe and let’s glow up—one budget at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Jenn Trinidad
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Budget Divas
  • Show Website
    Budget Divas