Financial Coaching for Women: How To Budget, Manage Money, Pay Off Debt, Save Money, Paycheck Plans

Vanessa and Shana | Budget Besties | Bougie On A Budget | Dave Ramsey Fans

***TOP 1% MONEY & FINANCIAL SUPPORT PODCAST*** Do you make good money but have nothing to show for it? Tired of using your bank account & credit card balances as your budget? Want to get debt-free but don’t want to sacrifice everything to do it? Ready to save money and build generational wealth? You’re in the right place! We’re telling you exactly how to budget, pay off debt, save money & stop living paycheck to paycheck. We’re Shana & Vanessa: BFFs, business partners & Dave Ramsey Solutions Master Financial Coaches (and unofficial marriage counselors). We’re glad you’re here.

  1. 2D AGO

    Are We Paying Off Debt Too Fast? Balancing Budget, Life, and Long-Term Goals | 542

    Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! Shelby came in with a question a lot of us can relate to: when we’re laser-focused on paying off debt, how do we know we’re not pushing too hard and setting ourselves up to fall right back into it? After navigating grad school, living on credit cards for a season, and making some big money changes, Shelby and her husband are now throwing nearly $6,000 a month at debt. They’ve built a plan that gives them structure, breathing room, and a real end date. Their goal? To be debt free except for one main car by November 2026. In this episode, we talk through how to balance aggressive debt payoff with realistic savings, how to plan for real life without calling it a “setback,” and why your budget has to support the life you’re living right now, not just the finish line you’re chasing. We also get into the difference between avalanche and snowball debt strategies, why automation is such a game changer, and how Shelby and her husband are staying motivated with Post-it notes all over the house to remind themselves what they’re working toward. This conversation is such a good reminder that paying off debt does not have to mean white-knuckling your way through life. You can make progress, enjoy your life, and build habits that actually last. Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.

    17 min
  2. 4D AGO

    How to Budget for Unexpected Expenses Without Using Credit Cards | Reair: Lifelong Learners Collective with Ella Catherine | 541

    Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! Check out Ella's Podcast! Budget besties, we’re bringing back a conversation we had with our friend Ella Catherine from the Lifelong Learners Collective podcast, and it is just as good the second time around. In this episode, we’re talking about the “B word” and why budgeting does not have to mean boring, restrictive, or giving up everything you love. We share how we help people build a budget that actually matches real life, supports their goals, and gives them room for the things that matter most. We get into why so many people feel behind with money, how to prepare for those “unexpected” expenses that are actually very expected, why separate accounts can make budgeting feel so much easier, and how to stop relying on credit cards to fill the gaps. This conversation is such a good reminder that budgeting is not about punishment. It is about clarity, confidence, and building a life you actually want. Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.

    41 min
  3. 6D AGO

    The #1 Money Mistake Keeping Women Stuck Right Now (Your Money Questions Answered) | 540

    Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! In this Q&A episode, we’re answering real questions from our budget besties straight from our Facebook group and email. We’re talking about the biggest money mistake we’re seeing right now, why so many of us end up using credit cards for groceries and gas, why using your emergency fund can feel weirdly guilt-inducing, and what to do when life feels too nonstop to stick to a budget. This episode is your reminder that money management does not have to feel complicated, scary, or overwhelming. When we know our numbers, automate what we can, and create simple systems that work in real life, everything starts to feel lighter. In This Episode, We Talk About:The biggest money mistake we’re seeing right now: avoiding your numbersWhy looking at your budget is usually not as scary as you thinkHow clarity creates instant solutions and less stressWhy people keep putting groceries and gas on credit cardsThe problem with having one “black hole” checking accountHow separate spending accounts can help you stop overspendingWhy grocery spending can be more predictable than you thinkHow setting weekly or biweekly limits creates built-in accountabilityWhy using your emergency fund for an actual emergency feels so hardThe difference between true emergencies and expected irregular expensesWhy savings buckets can reduce guilt and give you more peace of mindWhy it’s so hard to stick to a plan when life is nonstopHow automation helps you stay consistent without constant effortWhy setting guardrails is a form of being kind to your future self Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.

    16 min
  4. MAR 13

    How to Stop Overspending at Target: Decluttering + Boundaries That Actually Work with Emily McDermott | 539

    Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! Check Out Emily's Podcast! Budget besties, this one is for all of us who have ever walked into Target for one thing and somehow left with a cart full of “why did I buy this?” items. In this episode, we’re joined by Emily McDermott, host of Moms Overcoming Overwhelm, to talk about what clutter really means and why it is about so much more than stuff. We dig into the connection between overspending, emotional clutter, identity shifts, and the overwhelm so many women feel in this season of life. Emily shares practical ways to declutter your home, your mind, and even your habits around shopping. We also talk about how creating simple boundaries around your money and your stuff can lead to more peace, more clarity, and way less stress. If you’ve been feeling buried by clutter, tempted by impulse buys, or just craving a fresh reset, this conversation will leave you encouraged and empowered. In this episode, we talk about: Why Target feels so hard to resist for so many womenThe connection between clutter, emotional overwhelm, and identity shiftsHow the “experience” of shopping can lead to overspendingWhy the pause gives you power before making a purchaseWhat to do instead of buying bins and baskets firstThe real reason most people feel disorganizedEmily’s quick decluttering reset: Trash, Relocate, and Anything to get rid ofHow “container limits” can help you manage your home and your spendingWhy freedom works best inside clear boundariesHow simplifying your home can support the life you’re living right now Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.

    33 min
  5. MAR 11

    Make Property Taxes Easy, Stop the HELOC Habit, Let Kids Pay Their Own Bills & Budgeting Amazon Categories (Lessons From The Sessions) | 538

    Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! Hey budget besties, this episode is all about one very grown-up truth: the financial stuff that sneaks up on us usually is not actually a surprise. It just feels that way when we are not planning ahead. We are talking about why property taxes should not be a yearly jump scare, how relying on a financial “Plan B” can keep you stuck, and why teaching kids to manage their own money matters so much. We also dig into Amazon spending guilt and why tracking after the fact is not nearly as helpful as budgeting on purpose from the start. This episode is packed with real client stories, practical budget shifts, and the reminder that financial peace comes from planning ahead, not scrambling after the fact. In this episode, we talk about:Why saving monthly for property taxes can change everythingHow escrow keeps your money out of sight and earning for the bank instead of for youWhy relying on mom, credit cards, HELOCs, or your emergency fund can make it harder to stick to your budgetThe power of committing to Plan A and removing easy financial fallbacksHow to teach kids real money lessons by letting them spend their own moneyWhy boundaries around money help both adults and kids build confidenceHow to stop shaming yourself over Amazon spendingWhy separating spending into clear budget categories makes money easier to manageHow intentional budgeting creates freedom without guilt Key reminder from this episodeWe want you to be your own bank. That means planning ahead, saving for the things you know are coming, using your budget on purpose, and building a system that helps you rely on yourself instead of defaulting to outside help or last-minute fixes. What we want budget besties to rememberYou do not need to feel ashamed about spending money when it is already part of the plan. The goal is not perfection. The goal is clarity. When your money has a job, you can spend, save, and prepare with a whole lot more confidence. Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.

    19 min
  6. MAR 9

    The 5 Hardest Money Habits to Break (and How to Finally Break Them) | 537

    Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! Today we’re diving into the top 5 hardest financial habits to break — straight from our community. We’re talking about the real-life stuff that keeps showing up in our budgets again and again: eating out, impulse spending, credit cards, grocery overspending, and living above our means. But we’re not just calling out the habits, budget besties — we’re also giving you practical ways to start changing them without going from one extreme to the other. Because this is not about perfection. It’s about creating a money plan that actually fits your real life. In this episode, we talk about:Why eating out and delivery can quietly wreck your budgetHow to make food at home more convenient, realistic, and actually enjoyableThe truth about Amazon, home decor, clothes, and impulse purchasesWhy random scrolling often turns into random spendingHow credit cards keep you disconnected from what’s really happening with your moneyWhy your grocery budget probably needs to be updatedWhat it really means to live within or below your meansHow separate spending accounts and realistic budget categories can make all of this easier The 5 hardest financial habits to break:Eating outShopping and impulse buyingUsing credit cardsOverspending on groceriesLiving above your means Biggest reminders from this episode:We are not saying you can never eat out, shop, or have fun.We are saying you need a plan for it.A realistic budget works better than an overly strict one you can’t stick to.Convenience is okay — it just needs to fit your numbers.You have to stop investing in everyone and everything else before you invest in yourself. Practical takeaways:Make meals at home easy, fast, and appealingPut guardrails around spending with a set budgetUse separate accounts for spending categories when possibleRemove credit cards from your wallet, apps, and auto-pay if they’re causing problemsUpdate your grocery budget to reflect today’s pricesStop guessing with your money and start getting clear on what your life actually costs Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.

    22 min
  7. MAR 6

    How Angie Paid Off $72,000 in Debt Without Cutting the Fun | Budgeting Tips for Busy Couples | 536

    Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! Budget besties, this episode is such a good one. We’re sitting down with Angie, a longtime listener turned client, who shares how she completely transformed her finances by getting organized, simplifying her accounts, and building habits that actually work in real life. Angie and her husband were juggling a lot: personal finances, business finances, two homes, four adult kids, and plenty of money stress. Even though they were making good money, it still felt messy and unclear. Once she started using a simple system that separated bills, spending, gas, and groceries, everything started to click. In less than a year, Angie paid off $72,000 in debt, bought a car in cash, got a month ahead on personal bills, became more generous, and started making financial decisions with so much more peace and confidence. This conversation is a reminder that financial success is not about making more money. It’s about having a system, building habits, and being intentional with what matters most. Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.

    31 min
  8. MAR 4

    How to Pay Off $3,000 in Credit Card Debt and Fix the $3 Gas Budget Problem with Coach Michelle | 535

    Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp! Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now! Coach Michelle is back in Office Hours every Wednesday, helping budget besties get unstuck—whether you’re brand new, you’ve got the budget system already, or you’re still trying to save up to buy it. This episode is basically a peek into the kinds of questions that come up every week… and the little shifts that create BIG momentum. What we coveredOffice Hours = judgement-free help Bring your questions. Bring your chaos. Bring your “I don’t even know where to start.” Michelle helps you build a plan that actually fits your life—without making you feel behind.The $3,000 credit card win (in about a month!) One budget bestie started in November and by the end of December had paid $3,000 off her credit card—because she:organized the budget clearly,separated accounts,set up automation,and finally saw what her money could actually do.Why separation of accounts creates “discipline” without the stress When everything sits in one account, it becomes a black hole. When you separate money by purpose, you instantly know:what’s for bills,what’s for spending,what’s for saving,and what can go toward debt.And then the “discipline” isn’t you white-knuckling—it’s the system doing what it’s designed to do.The “$3 left for gas” problem (aka: detail overload) A budget bestie was dialing gas and groceries down so tightly she ended the month with $3 left for gas. Michelle’s coaching: Stop budgeting down to the last penny in categories that fluctuate. Gas + groceries need a buffer so you don’t create anxiety, second-guessing, and late-night panic math.We are NOT the frugal besties If you’re looking for “rice and beans forever” or “never go out to eat again,” we’re not your girls. We’re here for bougie on a budget—a budget built in abundance, with breathing room, that supports a life you actually enjoy.The $3,000 car insurance bill (semi-annual stress) One bestie had a $3,000 car insurance bill due in a few months and only had $1,000 saved. The strategy:calculate the gap,temporarily pull back on other savings buckets or extra debt payments,fund the insurance first (because it’s non-negotiable),then return to debt payoff after the bill is paid.The big breakthrough: once annual bills are set up properly, you stop “magically finding” thousands of dollars every few months.Order of operations (so you don’t sabotage yourself) We want you to build this in steps:get spending (gas/groceries/etc.) realisticbuild savings bucketsthen go hard on debt That’s how you avoid having to put surprise expenses right back on a card later.Getting your husband on board (and ending the swipe-stress) One bestie was constantly transferring money to cover her husband’s spending and carrying all the stress alone. The game-changer:separate accounts,give him his own spending account,agree on the amount together,turn off overdraft transfers so the limit is real,and make him responsible for managing his account.It shifts the dynamic from parent/child to teammates.Acorns in the budget (and why “investing on purpose” matters) The round-up investing sounded fine… until she started paying attention to her numbers. Tracking tiny, random round-ups can create unnecessary chaos. Our take:either assign a consistent monthly investment amount (on purpose), Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level: 1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook 2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall 3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase. Click here to view our privacy policy.

    31 min
4.6
out of 5
299 Ratings

About

***TOP 1% MONEY & FINANCIAL SUPPORT PODCAST*** Do you make good money but have nothing to show for it? Tired of using your bank account & credit card balances as your budget? Want to get debt-free but don’t want to sacrifice everything to do it? Ready to save money and build generational wealth? You’re in the right place! We’re telling you exactly how to budget, pay off debt, save money & stop living paycheck to paycheck. We’re Shana & Vanessa: BFFs, business partners & Dave Ramsey Solutions Master Financial Coaches (and unofficial marriage counselors). We’re glad you’re here.

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