Episodes

  • Should I Save or Pay Off Debt First? The Answer Isn't One-Size-Fits-All | 518
    Jan 23 2026

    Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp!

    Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

    This week, we’re deep in storm mode — that intense life season when everything feels a little chaotic and you’ve got no choice but to laser focus on what matters most. 💥 Whether it’s prepping for the bar exam, going through a job change, or any other major shift, we’re walking through what it means to pause the debt snowball (yes, it’s okay!), set up intentional savings, and just survive without adding to the pile.

    Our guest, Andrea, is in the thick of it — juggling $15k in credit card debt, six-figure student loans (we’re just ignoring those for now, okay?), and prepping for the bar exam. But the good news? She’s already set up her budget system, is tracking her spending, and has her savings buckets lined up like a champ. 🙌🏽

    We talk through:

    🔹 When it makes sense to hit pause on extra debt payments

    🔹 How to prioritize savings buckets during income dips

    🔹 What “storm mode” really means (and why it’s NOT failure)

    🔹 Why credit card calls can be scary — but powerful 💪🏾

    🔹 The emotional side of budgeting and asking for help

    🔹 How to handle the months when you’re not working but bills still show up

    And if you’re wondering whether it’s okay to just tread water for a while — spoiler alertYES, it is. Sometimes, we don’t need to move the needle; we just need to stop it from sliding back.

    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.

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    16 mins
  • How To Stop Living Paycheck To Paycheck And Get One Paycheck Ahead | 517
    Jan 21 2026

    Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp!

    Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

    Are you tired of that suffocating paycheck-to-paycheck cycle—even though you make good money? You’re not alone, and you're not doing anything wrong. In this episode, Shana and Vanessa are breaking down exactly how to get a paycheck ahead and why it’s the key to breathing room in your budget.

    We're diving into:

    1. Why living paycheck to paycheck is still the norm for so many (even with a solid income)
    2. How the budgeting system most of us learned is working against us
    3. What it actually looks like to be a paycheck ahead (and why it changes everything)
    4. The exact steps to shift your budget one paycheck ahead—without the overwhelm
    5. Real client stories and examples to help you visualize what this looks like in real life
    6. How being a paycheck ahead makes your budget automatic, less stressful, and way more peaceful

    Whether your paychecks land on the 1st, 15th, or every other Friday—this episode will help you finally feel in control of your money (instead of always catching up). If you’ve ever said, “I make decent money, but I still feel broke,” this one’s for you.

    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.

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    15 mins
  • 7 reasons you’re living paycheck to paycheck | 516
    Jan 19 2026

    Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp!

    Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

    If you’ve ever looked at your bank account and thought, “Wait… where did my money just go?” — this episode is your episode, bestie.

    This week, we’re breaking down the 7 real reasons so many of us stay stuck in the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle (even if we’re making good money). We’re talking overspending, surprise expenses, one giant messy bank account, and some serious decision fatigue.

    And don't worry — we’re not just pointing out the problems. We’re showing you how to flip the script and finally get a paycheck ahead, with practical tips to bring clarity, calm, and control to your budget.

    We cover:

    💸 Why budgeting by paycheck is keeping you broke

    📆 The power of monthly budgeting and thinking bigger

    🏦 Why one messy account is low-key ruining everything

    🔄 The spending mistake most of us don’t even realize we’re making

    🚨 How "unexpected" expenses are actually very expected

    🧾 Paying for your past vs. planning your future

    🎯 And why getting a paycheck ahead is more doable than you think

    We’re diving into mindset shifts and giving you the step-by-step game plan to take your budget from chaos to calm. This is the clarity and strategy you’ve been craving, without the shame spiral.

    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.

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    19 mins
  • What to Do When Dave Ramsey Isn’t Realistic for Your Life | 530
    Jan 16 2026

    Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp!

    Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

    This week, we’re talking about what it really looks like to budget with intention—and still enjoy your life. 💸❤️ One of our coaching clients joins us to share her experience going from feeling restricted by traditional advice (yes, we’re side-eyeing the rice and beans life 👀) to feeling empowered by a budget that actually fits her real life.

    In this conversation, we dive into:

    1. Why budgeting isn’t about punishment or perfection
    2. The difference between guilt and guidance when it comes to spending
    3. How our six-month coaching journey helped her confidently adjust her numbers over time
    4. What it feels like to be supported and still allowed to celebrate with birthday cake (even if it’s a lil’ bougie) 🎂

    This episode is for every budget bestie who's ever felt like they had to choose between getting out of debt and enjoying life. Spoiler: you don’t have to choose. You get to do both—with a plan that works for you.

    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.

    Show more Show less
    28 mins
  • How to Plan Your Money for 2026 (Step-by-Step Annual Budget Setup) | 514
    Jan 14 2026

    Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp!

    Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

    Budget Besties, let’s be real—most of us don’t have a money problem… we’ve got a January problem. And not because it’s cold or because the holiday hangover is hitting hard, but because this is the month where all those “surprise expenses” from the year ahead start creeping in… and blowing up our budgets.

    In this episode, Shana and Vanessa walk you through how to take control of your money in 2026 by planning on purpose. We’re not just talking about budgets—we’re talking about setting the vision for your entire year and making sure your money supports that vision. Whether it’s travel, a promotion, a kid starting kindergarten, or finally upgrading that 2001 backdoor (Shana 👀), this is the episode that helps you actually get ahead.

    We’re sharing how to:

    1. Go from “I don’t have a plan” to “I’ve got a plus!” 👏
    2. Think big-picture (hello, bird’s eye view of 2026)
    3. Break down those dreamy goals into a monthly budget that works
    4. Use our Savings Bucket Planner to prep for those expenses that aren’t monthly—but still matter
    5. Get your budget to match your life (not the other way around)
    6. Automate your budget so your money moves where it’s supposed to—without you lifting a finger

    If you’re making good money but still wondering where it’s all going, 2026 is the year we fix that. You don’t need a magic wand, you just need a budget that fits your life and goals—and that’s exactly what we’re showing you how to create.

    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.

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    18 mins
  • The Best Budget Template for 2026: Say Goodbye to Guessing, Overspending, and Tracking Every Dollar | 513
    Jan 12 2026

    Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp!

    Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

    Hey, budget besties! 💸 If you’ve ever bounced between three different budget templates and ditched them all by mid-February, this episode is your financial wake-up call—in the most loving, supportive, and fun way, of course.

    Here’s the truth:

    The best budget in 2026 is the one you’ll still be using in December.

    And if you haven’t found that yet? Sis, it’s not your fault. You don’t have a template problem—you’ve got a system problem.

    In This Episode:

    Shana and Vanessa are spilling the tea on why most budget templates don’t work (and leave you feeling like it’s your fault), and what you actually need to stay consistent all year long.

    We’re covering:

    ✔️ Why motivation and willpower shouldn’t be required to manage your money

    ✔️ The test to figure out if your current budget system is secretly sabotaging you

    ✔️ Common traps that make budgeting feel like a full-time job

    ✔️ Must-have features in the best budget template for real life in 2026

    ✔️ How our Simplified Budget System helps you plan per paycheck without the overwhelm

    ✔️ Why your budget should work for you—whether you're a busy mom, a college student, or deep in a life transition

    ✔️ The “aha!” moment clients get when their budget finally clicks

    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.

    Show more Show less
    27 mins
  • Where Is My Money Going? Real Budget Coaching + Fixes That Work | 512
    Jan 10 2026

    Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

    Enjoy Day 5 of our Money Makeover Bootcamp!

    Watch it here.

    Connect With Us:

    1️⃣ Facebook Group – Join the community. Our free group is where the real talk happens. Connect with other women who are learning how to budget, save, and finally feel in control, together. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook

    2️⃣ Automate Your Budget Masterclass – Watch it now, no waiting. This FREE on-demand training shows you how to set up a budget that matches your lifestyle, without tracking every dollar or feeling restricted. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/automate

    3️⃣ Budget – Grab our Simplified Budget System! You don’t need another budget, you need a system that does the math, makes the plan, and gives you permission to spend. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/budget

    4️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching – Get a plan and a coach. We’ll build your full budget system together, so you always know what to do and feel confident doing it. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching

    5️⃣ Be on the Podcast – Free coaching, real convo. Come chat with us on the show! Get real-time financial coaching and help other women by sharing your story. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall

    "I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" 👈🏻 If that sounds like you… ✨ Please take a second to rate & review the show! It helps us reach more people—just like you—who are ready to change their financial future. 🔔 Don’t forget to follow so you never miss an episode! 💌 And if you're feeling extra generous, share this podcast with a friend who needs it. We’d be so honored. 🙌

    Click here to view our privacy policy.

    This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase!

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    55 mins
  • Put Your Money and Budget On Autopilot in 2026: Automate Your Bills, Spending & Savings | 511
    Jan 8 2026

    Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!

    Enjoy Day 4 of our Money Makeover Bootcamp!

    Watch this episode here.

    Connect With Us:

    1️⃣ Facebook Group – Join the community. Our free group is where the real talk happens. Connect with other women who are learning how to budget, save, and finally feel in control, together. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook

    2️⃣ Automate Your Budget Masterclass – Watch it now, no waiting. This FREE on-demand training shows you how to set up a budget that matches your lifestyle, without tracking every dollar or feeling restricted. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/automate

    3️⃣ Budget – Grab our Simplified Budget System! You don’t need another budget, you need a system that does the math, makes the plan, and gives you permission to spend. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/budget

    4️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching – Get a plan and a coach. We’ll build your full budget system together, so you always know what to do and feel confident doing it. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching

    5️⃣ Be on the Podcast – Free coaching, real convo. Come chat with us on the show! Get real-time financial coaching and help other women by sharing your story. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall

    "I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" 👈🏻 If that sounds like you… ✨ Please take a second to rate & review the show! It helps us reach more people—just like you—who are ready to change their financial future. 🔔 Don’t forget to follow so you never miss an episode! 💌 And if you're feeling extra generous, share this podcast with a friend who needs it. We’d be so honored. 🙌

    Click here to view our privacy policy.

    This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase!

    Show more Show less
    47 mins