Beyond Budgets Podcast

Deb Meyer
  • 5.0 (23)
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  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Transform your family's finances with the Beyond Budgets® podcast. Host Deb Meyer, CFP®, award-winning author of Redefining Family Wealth and mom of 3, empowers parents to save diligently, invest wisely, and contribute generously. We delve beyond budgeting tools into values-based financial planning, marriage and money, college saving plans, investment strategies, tax-saving secrets, insurance essentials, and more. Tune in biweekly on Thursdays for solo episodes and enlightening expert interviews. Your journey to financial success starts here.

  1. 3D AGO

    How Dual Enrollment Saved This Family $60K in College Costs

    "My daughters went to prom, played sports, were in student council, and still finished college before high school ended." – Shelley Branine Wondering how your family can save tens of thousands of dollars? Then you don't want to miss this special episode with Shelley Branine, mom of two and author of the upcoming book Finish College in High School. Shelley shares her family's incredible journey using dual enrollment to help both her daughters graduate college debt-free. Listen in if you have a middle school or high school student and are feeling overwhelmed by rising college tuition rates. Shelley offers hard-won wisdom, sharing alternatives to the traditional 4-year college path. Episode Highlights (03:46) Why her "average" kids thrived (and why yours might, too) (06:10) What dual enrollment is, and how it differs from AP and IB programs (12:10) Common myths about scholarships and why they're so competitive (16:05) How to explore dual enrollment options in your state, even for private school students or those with learning differences (20:23) The real risks of student loans and why Shelley's family avoided them Connect with Guest Shelley Branine Website | Instagram | Shelley's Book, Finish College in High School Connect with Host Deb Meyer, CFP® Founder of WorthyNest®, helping faith-driven parents build financial plans that reflect their values. Download your FREE guide | Follow us on YouTube | Take the Financial Wellness Quiz

    31 min

  2. 12/18/2025

    Small Habits, Big Wins: How Parents Can Set Goals That Actually Stick

    "Small, incremental steps will always get you further than a giant leap, especially when they're rooted in your values." – Deb Meyer As we turn the page into a new year, goal setting becomes more than just a buzzword. It's a tool for transformation. In Episode 54, host Deb Meyer dives deep into how parents can set intentional goals that actually stick. Learn why small, sustainable habits beat massive overhauls, how to identify and overcome limiting beliefs, and how to create SMART goals that align with your family's core values. Whether you're aiming to save more, invest wisely, or improve your health, this episode provides a simple roadmap to start strong in 2026. Get practical steps, faith-filled encouragement, and real-life strategies to help you lead your family with clarity and purpose in the year ahead. Episode Highlights [0:00:37] Deb's personal journey: Weight gain, body image, and making a change [0:07:30] Applying those same goal-setting principles to saving money [0:11:00] Should you work with a financial planner or coach? [0:15:30] A unique goal-setting exercise: writing your future self a letter [0:20:00]How to handle setbacks, redefine your "why," and pivot your plan Resources  Books: Finish by Jon Acuff and Your Best Year Ever by Michael Hyatt Nourish App: https://www.usenourish.com – Dietitian support app XY Planning Network for fee-only, fiduciary CFP® professionals NAPFA (National Association of Personal Financial Advisors): https://www.napfa.org Compass Catholic Financial Coaching: https://compasscatholic.org Want Personal Help? If you're looking for a faith-aligned, fiduciary financial planner for your family, Deb has availability in the new year. Click here to book a free, initial consultation. Connect with Host Deb Meyer, CFP® Founder of WorthyNest®, helping faith-driven parents build financial plans that reflect their values. Download your FREE guide | Follow us on YouTube | Take the Financial Wellness Quiz

    22 min

  3. 12/04/2025

    How to Make Money Fun Again: Joe Saul-Sehy on Emergency Funds, Insurance & Family Adventures

    What happens when personal finance meets fun, adventure, and real-world wisdom? Deb Meyer sits down with Joe Saul-Sehy, the dynamic co-host of Stacking Benjamins and author of Stacked, to talk about money in a way only Joe can: light, insightful, and incredibly human. We explore how humor can disarm money fears, why emergency funds are really self-insurance, and how to approach disability and life insurance like a true risk manager. Joe also dives into how automation trumps discipline when building lasting financial habits. Plus, Joe shares insider tips from his passion project podcast, Stacking Adventures, highlighting how families can travel smart and turn everyday moments into unforgettable experiences. Episode Highlights: [2:10] Why humor is a powerful tool to make money approachable [6:00] How an emergency fund functions as "self-insurance" [6:30] The real ROI of cash reserves [15:00] What "own occupation" disability coverage really means and why most people miss it [22:07] How to evaluate life insurance options (term vs. permanent) without falling for industry bias Connect with Joe Saul-Sehy Stacking Benjamins Podcast Stacking Adventures Podcast, travel tips for adventurous families Joe's book Stacked: Your Super-Serious Guide to Modern Money Management Connect with Host Deb Meyer, CFP® Founder of WorthyNest®, helping faith-driven parents build financial plans that reflect their values. Download your FREE guide | Follow us on YouTube | Take the Financial Wellness Quiz

    35 min

  4. 11/20/2025

    Gifts of Grace: Reclaiming Simplicity During the Holidays

    The holidays are here, and with them come emotions ranging from joy to overwhelm. In this heart-centered episode, host Deb Meyer shares a timely message to help parents slow down, align spending with values, and create lasting peace during the Christmas season. She opens with a beautiful rendition of the Shaker hymn "'Tis the Gift to Be Simple" and explores how the simplicity it speaks of can serve as a financial and spiritual guidepost through the noise of Black Friday, gift-giving pressure, and packed family schedules. In this episode, you'll learn: (10:36) A values-based framework for choosing gifts that foster connection (8:21) The power of automating gift savings and how to start in January (12:52) Ideas for experience-based gifts (15:17)Catholic resources for Advent to nurture faith amid the hustle (18:14) How generosity through time, talent, and treasure can reshape your family's holiday rhythm   Deb also highlights Chelsea Williams' insight from episode 51: that 80% of money decisions are perspective, not math—and how that truth becomes even more relevant during emotionally charged seasons. Featured Resources Core Values Exercise:​ Think2Perform Book: The Family Board Meeting by Jim Sheils Advent Devotional: Shadow and Light by Tsh Oxenreider Catholic Mom Advent Bundle (Available until Nov. 21): CatholicMomBundle.com Claim your FREE Cozy Catholic Christmas Catalog Listener Challenge Take the values exercise and review your holiday gift list. Ask: Does this reflect who we are and the values we want to pass on to our children? Don't forget to share the episode with a friend who's feeling the pressure of the season. Help them find peace through perspective and purpose! Connect with Host Deb Meyer, CFP® Founder of WorthyNest®, helping faith-driven parents build financial plans that reflect their values. Download your FREE guide | Follow us on YouTube | Take the Financial Wellness Quiz

    21 min

  5. 11/13/2025

    The Parent's Guide to Rewriting Money Scripts

    How do you move from financial survival mode to long-term stability when you're raising kids and navigating constant demands? In this episode of Beyond Budgets, Deb Meyer is joined by financial educator Chelsea Williams to explore how our earliest experiences shape our lifelong relationship with money and what parents can do about it. You'll learn why financial change is 80% mindset and only 20% technical, and how understanding your money story can unlock new possibilities for your family's future. Chelsea shares a practical framework that helps families create healthy financial habits by focusing on beliefs, not just budgets. They also discuss what most people don't realize: a child's core values and beliefs about money are formed mainly between the ages of 0 and 12. For parents of young kids, this is a critical window. The way we talk about spending, saving, and value can either plant seeds of fear or lay the foundation for confident financial decision-making later in life. Episode Highlights (09:05) Why mindset matters more than math when it comes to financial stability (10:16) How to identify and rewrite the limiting beliefs that may be holding you back (11:48) What to say (and not say) to your kids about money, especially around spending (24:04) A realistic way to set spending boundaries that align with your family values (25:05) Why most wealth is built slowly Whether you're managing finances solo or as a couple, and whether your kids are toddlers or teens, this conversation offers a hopeful and grounded approach to building financial peace—one decision at a time. Resources Mentioned MoneyMastery.work – Chelsea Williams' course, upcoming book, and podcast The Opposite of Spoiled by Ron Lieber  – A helpful read on raising money-smart kids   Connect with Host Deb Meyer, CFP® Founder of WorthyNest®, helping faith-driven parents build financial plans that reflect their values. Download your FREE guide | Follow us on YouTube | Take the Financial Wellness Quiz

    31 min

  6. 10/30/2025

    Money, Mistakes, and Milestones: 50 Lessons from Deb Meyer

    🎉 It's a celebration! In this milestone 50th episode of the Beyond Budgets® podcast, Deb Meyer takes a seat on the other side of the mic while her husband, Bryan Meyer, steps in as guest host. This heartfelt and insightful episode explores how Beyond Budgets® came to be, what Deb has learned along the way, and what's ahead for the podcast and the families it serves. From her earliest days running WorthyNest® and writing Redefining Family Wealth to launching this podcast, Deb shares her motivation to help parents build wealth aligned with faith, family, and personal values. 💡 You'll hear behind-the-scenes stories about: (2:24) Why the podcast was launched after Deb's mother passed away (6:41) How Deb records episodes without a fancy studio (7:41) How her own parenting and financial mindset evolved through 50 episodes (11:46) The real impact of moving cross-country multiple times (16:32) What Deb learned from expert guests on college planning and allowance strategies Plus, Deb reveals what's next for Beyond Budgets®. Whether you've been here since episode one or just discovered the show, this is a warm, wisdom-filled episode packed with encouragement for every parent navigating money and meaning. 🔑 Key Topics Covered The origins and evolution of the Beyond Budgets® podcast Balancing podcasting with parenting and real-life moves Why your financial mistakes don't define your future How podcast guests have influenced Deb's family decisions Plans for future episodes and how listeners can get involved 📘 Related Episodes to Check Out Ep 5: Understanding College Financial Aid with Joe Messinger Ep 13: Raising Financially Savvy Kids with Clifton Corbin Ep 18: Turning Dreams Into Reality With Values-Based Financial Planning Ep 33: College Funding Secrets Every Parent Needs to Know Ep 44: Wellness as Wealth with Rita Johnson   Connect with Host Deb Meyer, CFP® Founder of WorthyNest®, helping faith-driven parents build financial plans that reflect their values. Download your FREE guide | Follow us on YouTube | Take the Financial Wellness Quiz 🔔 Subscribe & Review If Beyond Budgets® has helped your family think differently about money, parenting, or faith, would you leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review? It helps more parents like you discover the show.

    25 min

  7. 10/16/2025

    Family, Fraud, and Financial Literacy: Life Lessons from Tim Smith

    What if your kids graduated from college knowing how to budget, invest, and avoid getting scammed? In this heartfelt and wide-ranging episode, Deb Meyer sits down with Tim Smith, Certified Financial PlannerTM, founder of Aurora Private Wealth, and co-host of The Financial Dad podcast. They explore the critical (and often missing) elements of financial education for young adults, especially creatives and entrepreneurs navigating money on their own. But the conversation doesn't stop there. Tim opens up about a massive fraud case he witnessed firsthand — involving $15 million stolen under his watch — and how that experience fueled his upcoming book. You'll also hear honest reflections on parenting, overcommitted families, building strong marriages, and redefining what "success" looks like in a pressure-filled world. This episode is a must-listen for parents who want to make smarter financial decisions. Episode Highlights (2:10)   How schools are failing young adults in financial literacy (13:17) How to balance ambition with relationships, family, and self-care (21:48) How couples can divide financial responsibilities based on strengths (25:29) The real reasons behind investor fraud (and how to prevent it) (27:50) What "custody" means in financial advising, and why it matters   Connect with Host Deb Meyer, CFP® Founder of WorthyNest®, helping faith-driven parents build financial plans that reflect their values. Schedule an Initial Meeting | Follow us on YouTube | Take the Financial Wellness Quiz

    41 min

  8. 10/01/2025

    New Tax Breaks for Parents: What the One Big Beautiful Act Means for Your Family

    Are rising prices stressing your family budget? You're not alone, and there's some good news on the tax front. In this solo episode, host Deb Meyer breaks down the most family-friendly tax updates from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR1) and how they could impact your wallet starting in 2025. This episode is a must-listen for parents looking to maximize tax savings, understand new credits, and unlock new opportunities for education savings, childcare, and even family car purchases. Deb spotlights five major tax updates that could create real opportunities for families: (8:55) A bigger child tax credit for families with kids under 18 (10:57) Higher pre-tax limits for childcare costs through dependent care FSAs (11:49) New 529 plan rules that give families more flexibility for K–12 and special needs expenses (13:52) A brand-new tax-free savings account for children, including a government-funded jumpstart (15:09) More refundable adoption credits for families expanding through adoption Plus, she shares key distinctions between credits and deductions (and why that matters), and what income thresholds to watch to make sure your family qualifies. Love the show? Please subscribe, share, or leave a review. It helps other parents find Beyond Budgets® and equips more families to plan wisely for their financial future. Connect with Host Deb Meyer, CFP® Founder of WorthyNest®, helping faith-driven parents build financial plans that reflect their values. Schedule an initial meeting | Follow us on YouTube | Get your FREE family finance guide Resources How the Big Beautiful Bill Impacts Education Savings Tax Provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act One Big Beautiful Bill Overview

    19 min
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5
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About

Transform your family's finances with the Beyond Budgets® podcast. Host Deb Meyer, CFP®, award-winning author of Redefining Family Wealth and mom of 3, empowers parents to save diligently, invest wisely, and contribute generously. We delve beyond budgeting tools into values-based financial planning, marriage and money, college saving plans, investment strategies, tax-saving secrets, insurance essentials, and more. Tune in biweekly on Thursdays for solo episodes and enlightening expert interviews. Your journey to financial success starts here.

Information

  • Creator
    Deb Meyer
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    56
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    Beyond Budgets Podcast