The City Girl Savings Podcast Raya Reaves

My degree is in finance, but it wasn’t until I had learned from terrible money experiences that things started to improve.
Seriously, from 18-21, I was going to class every day, learning about money and finance and analysis, but after school, I was out spending money and accumulating debt.
I was not implementing a drop of what I’d learned and in hindsight, I’ve realized that there is so much more to money than knowing what to do with it.
Our thoughts, experiences, influences, and society all play a role.
In this episode, I’m sharing why you don’t need a formal education in finance to become financially independent.
I’m also sharing how financial experiences can mold a life of financial security.
 
Here's a glance at this episode:
[02:31] Raya shares her early experiences with money as a child and her perspective on how things were covered back then. [04:57] A money belief that Raya absorbed early on was that if you go to work every day you will come home and have what you need.  [07:45] The money principles Raya learned before college went out the drain when she got to college and had access to credit cards. [11:25] Raya learned the importance of paying her bills on time but only because she almost faced eviction for failing to pay rent on time. [14:41] 9 years after starting City Girl Savings, most of what Raya learns is through financial experiences compared to financial education.   
Rate, Review, & Follow:
Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show!
This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life!
To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
Also, please make sure you’re subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!
 
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Listen to Episode 1 – Big City Spender to City Girl Saver
Learn about Raya’s Financial Focus Coaching Program
Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok
Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group
Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!

I paid off my dream car! OMG!
It was one of my goals for 2024 and I got it done first thing.
Mostly because I was so close to being done with the loan (I had about a year and a half left) and because I wanted to add my car payment back into my budget for 2024.
So, I got it done!
In this episode, I’m sharing how I was able to purchase my dream car (the Lexus RX350) brand new and pay it off early.
I also want to give you a little background on my history with cars.
 
Here's a glance at this episode:
[02:37] Raya shares the story of her first car and how she got caught driving it a few days before her 16th birthday. [05:35] Certain signs that are ignored will keep coming back, bigger and bigger. This happened to Raya when she got her first car. It didn’t end well. [10:17] Raya didn’t have a car her first year of college while living in LA. She had to hitch rides or learn to stay home. [16:11] Raya shares her decision to go look at her dream car at the Lexus dealership. It was to serve as motivation as she worked and saved. [19:35] Raya explains that adding in a $1000/month car payment into her budget wasn’t as easy as she’d thought it would be.   
Rate, Review, & Follow:
Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show!
This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life!
To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
Also, please make sure you’re subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!
 
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Raya’s Lexus Post on Instagram
Listen to Episode 1 – Big City Spender to City Girl Saver
Learn about Raya’s Financial Focus Coaching Program
Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok
Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group
Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!

April is Financial Literacy month, and what better way to kick off this month than by putting all the focus on your finances!
Whether you’re just dipping your toes in the money management waters, you’re seasoned at making (and spending) money or you’re ready to tackle your financial situation head on, there’s no better time than right now!
And to help, I’m bringing Kara (also known as “Aunt Kara”) on the show today to talk about how to keep the focus on your finances, especially when the temptation to spend seems too high. 
Get ready to be inspired and encouraged to make better money decisions, from here on out!
 
Here's a glance at this episode:
[04:00] “Aunt Kara” started as Kara answering money questions for her nieces and nephews and then expanding to share those answers on Instagram. [12:06] Kara recalls having specific money conversations with her parents when she was little. They shared with her saving for retirement and paying off their mortgage. [19:20] Setting milestones that can be achieved on the way to your long-term goals as a couple can help you work together and stay motivated. [32:45] Kara shares the intentional decision she made with her job/company to stay put. She determined she is happy where she is and has no desire to continue to move up. [43:37] To win the game of travel hacking, you must be able to manage your credit card payments. Paying interest is a losing battle.  
Rate, Review, & Follow:
Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show!
This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life!
To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
Also, please make sure you’re subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!
 
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Follow Kara on Instagram
Watch Kara’s Free Points and Miles Course
Learn more about Kara
Learn about Raya’s Financial Focus Coaching Program
Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok
Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group
Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!
 

City Girl Savings launched January 1st 2015, but I didn’t end up going full-time until May of 2021.
That’s nearly 6 and a half years where I was working in corporate while trying to grow this business.
As I say that, I wonder how I got it done and still found time to travel, see friends and family, and focus on my health.
It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.
In this episode, I’m sharing how I grew the City Girl Savings business while working full time in corporate America.
Some things worked well, others not so much.  
 
Here's a glance at this episode:
[02:35] Raya shares how she was offered a remote job, in order to keep working for the company she was with when her father passed away. [06:30] The corporate job was always top priority, because it was how the bills were being paid. Raya treated it as such. [11:01] Once Raya decided she wanted to run City Girl Savings full-time, she began to act accordingly. This led to her experiencing the power of manifestation. [16:32] Raya shares how she couldn’t even enjoy vacation. She discusses how she reached a point of burnout and the impact it had. [22:39] Raya gets raw and real when sharing how she went about leaving a company that had been with her for nearly one-third of her life.   
Rate, Review, & Follow:
Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show!
This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life!
To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
Also, please make sure you’re subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!
 
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Listen to Episode 1 – Big City Spender to City Girl Saver
Learn about Raya’s Financial Focus Coaching Program
Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok
Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group

Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!

You were blessed with extra money – how exciting!
Maybe it was an unexpected bonus, commission check or tax refund.
However the extra money came your way, you want to be smart with it.
I don’t know about you, but extra money doesn’t always fall into my lap, so when it does, I plan to make the most of it.
In this episode, I’m sharing 5 smart ways you can leverage extra money that comes your way.
Use this extra money as an opportunity to level up your situation!
 
Here's a glance at this episode:
[01:35] At the end of the day, anything extra is something to be grateful for. Having that grateful mindset will take you far in your finances. [04:00] It’s not fun, but using extra money to knock out debt will help you save so much money, especially if you’re charged interest. [07:44] You should have your savings in a High Yield Savings Account. Raya shares how to learn about her own savings account strategies. [12:10] Working with a coach or a trainer is not the only way to invest in your success. There are a variety of ways you can use your money to level up. [15:55] If you decide to loan people money, make sure it’s actually helping and not hurting.  
Rate, Review, & Follow:
Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show!
This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life!
To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
Also, please make sure you’re subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!
 
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Listen to Episode 76 – My Savings Accounts and Strategies
CGS Blog Article – Breaking Down My Savings Accounts and Strategies
Listen to Episode 71 – 7 Ways to Invest in Your Personal Success
Sign up for the Introduction to Investing Workshop
Learn about Raya’s Financial Focus Coaching Program
Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok
Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group
 
Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!

There’s no denying that investing is one of the best ways to build true wealth.
You can save money your entire life, but nothing beats the power of compounding interest returns that come through investing.
Seriously, I’m talking about historical returns of 10%, regardless of federal interest rates.
So, it’s no longer a matter of should you or shouldn’t you invest but are you ready to start investing.
In this episode, I’m sharing 6 signs you’re ready to take your finances to the next level and start investing.
Even if it’s on a small scale, the power of investing is unmatched.
 
Here's a glance at this episode:
[01:45] Raya shares how a 25-year-old can become a millionaire at retirement by contributing $300/month to a retirement plan. [05:45] Have a plan in place to pay off your debt or pay it off completely before you aggressively start to invest. [09:34] Not sure if you’re contributing to a retirement plan? Check your pay stubs! You can also contact your HR department. [14:21] Having a “Build Wealth” goal is a great place to start when it comes to investing, especially if you’re unsure of what your long-term goals are. [18:19] Just like any other subject, the more you familiarize yourself with investing, the more comfortable you will become with it.  
Rate, Review, & Follow:
Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show!
This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life!
To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
Also, please make sure you’re subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!
 
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Grab a copy of my free Debt Repayment Checklist
CGS Blog Article – How to Research Your 401k Investment Options
Listen to Episode 107 – Adding Investing to Your Money Goals
Sign up for the Introduction to Investing Workshop
Learn about Raya’s Financial Focus Coaching Program
Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok
Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group

Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!