Episodes

  • How to Stop Financial Avoidance and Start Adulting With Peace and Purpose | 431
    Jul 9 2025

    Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

    Hey Budget Besties! 🎉

    We’re throwing it back to one of our fave convos on the Work Like a Mother podcast with our girl Marina! If you missed it the first time, or just need a fresh dose of budgeting wisdom and encouragement, this one’s for you.

    This episode is the perfect listen for anyone trying to get their financial act together in January (aka all of us). We talk through what it really means to reset your money mindset for the new year and how to plan for the year ahead without shame, overwhelm, or swiping your way into another stressful December.

    In this replay, we chat about:

    1. Our signature budget system that makes money feel less messy

    2. How multiple bank accounts actually make things easier (promise!)

    3. Getting your partner on board without turning it into a fight

    4. Real-life wins from our clients — like paying bills on time for the first time ever 🙌

    5. Why being bougie on a budget is the vibe for 2025

    6. Credit card payoff strategy: step one is NOT what you think

    7. Christmas savings hacks that’ll have you walking into December stress-free

    8. What it really costs to raise teens (spoiler: it’s not just shoes and snacks)

    9. Thoughts on college planning, guilt-free parenting, and raising financially-savvy kids

    Whether you're feeling stuck in survival mode or just want to tighten things up and get intentional, this episode is your reminder that you can spend, save, and thrive—all at the same time.

    Let’s adult for an afternoon, get those numbers on paper, and make a plan that actually works for your life. 💛


    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
    32 mins
  • Plan the Next 90 Days of Your Money: Budget Goals That Work in Real Life | 430
    Jul 7 2025
    Snag Our Simplified Budget System!Hey Budget Besties!Q3 is officially here, and you know what that means — it’s time to get real with our money, stop winging it, and start winning. Whether you crushed Q2 or it totally threw you for a loop, this episode is your reset moment.Shana and Vanessa are walking you through how to create a solid 90-day plan you can actually stick to — paycheck by paycheck. We’re talking goal-setting, budget-building, and real-life planning that accounts for back-to-school, vacations, income changes, and surprises that aren’t even fun. 😅In this episode, we cover: ✅ How to review Q2: the wins, the flops, and the surprises📆 Why a calendar (like a real paper one!) is your budget’s BFF💸 How to set clear, realistic money goals for July–September🔁 What to do today to automate savings and stop living in budget chaos🧾 The exact steps to break those big quarterly goals into monthly budgets that make senseYou’ll walk away with a customized 90-day money game plan that feels doable, gives your dollars a job, and helps you finally see the results of all your hard work.“This is not about saying no. This is about saying yes — with a plan.”“You don’t need another budget. You need a budget system.”“You can cash flow your life — with less stress and more wins.”✨ Budget Bestie Homework:Reflect on Q2: what worked, what didn’t, and why.Map out July, August, and September on a physical calendar.Choose 1–3 realistic money goals for Q3 (think debt payoff, saving for travel, or finally sticking to your budget).Set up your budget for July — and start adjusting your transfers to align with your goals.Don't forget your savings buckets!Tools We Mentioned:Simplified Budget System – Want to set it and forget it? This system will change your life. budgetbesties.com/budgetAutomate Your Budget Masterclass – Learn how to organize your accounts, automate your bills and savings, and reduce money stress. budgetbesties.com/automate🫶 Remember:You can totally do this. Whether your goals are big or small, this 90-day plan is your roadmap to more clarity, less chaos, and real momentum. We believe in you, and we’re doing it with you.Got questions or want to share your 90-day plan? Email us at hello@budgetbesties.com — we wanna cheer you on!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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    16 mins
  • Time Management That Actually Works-A Chat with our Friend Kali | 429
    Jul 4 2025
    Snag Our Simplified Budget System!Check out Kali at Perfect-ish!We’ve got our business bestie back on the mic, and you’re in for a treat. 🎻 Time management coach, international speaker, podcast host, and all-around rockstar Kali Brigham is here—and she’s serving up real talk, big laughs, and life-changing shifts.Kali's not your typical “wake-up-at-5am-and-grind” kind of coach. She’s the founder of Perfect-ish—a time management approach that helps ambitious women design lives that feel as good as they look on paper. No guilt. No burnout. Just rhythms and routines that work for you.In this episode, we chat about:Why traditional time management is a lie (yep, we said it)The PERFECT-ISH framework and how it helps you manage your time without losing your mindWhat your calendar says about your values—and how to adjust when it’s out of alignmentThe power of knowing whether you're an introvert, extrovert, or somewhere in between (ambiverts, unite!)Real talk on naps, bookends, and why your daily energy matters more than any planner ever willHow to stop writing your life with the "wrong hand" and start building systems that feel rightWhether you’re juggling kids, running a business, or just trying to survive your to-do list, this is the episode you didn’t know you needed. It’s fun, practical, and full of those “oh dang, that’s me” moments. 👏Budget Bestie Takeaway:Time management isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters in a way that works for you. When your schedule supports your energy, values, and season of life, you win. Period.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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    38 mins
  • July Budget Walkthrough: How to Prep for Summer Camps, Travel, and 4th of July | 427
    Jun 30 2025
    Snag Our Simplified Budget System!What if we told you that your entire July budget could be DONE before your iced coffee melts? Because listen—melted iced coffee is a no from us. 😅 But you know what’s also a no? Going into July without a plan when you’ve got holiday parties, travel, and summer chaos coming in HOT. 🔥Get our FREE One Page Budget Template here.In this episode, we’re walking you step by step through how to close out June’s budget and set up July’s so you can enjoy the pool, the party, or even your sister’s bougie wedding without stressing about the money.Here’s what we’re diving into:🧾 How to properly close out last month’s budget (hint: don’t skip this step!)💰 A full walkthrough of July’s budget using real client examples—from income to debt, spending, and savings🧠 Why planning for “This Month” expenses (like summer camps, 4th of July BBQs, and school supply prep) is your secret weapon🛍️ The difference between spending money and savings buckets—and how to make sure you’re not constantly “borrowing” from other accounts👀 What to do if your income varies, you’re juggling summer gigs, or you’re saving for BIG things (like cruises or taking the whole summer off!)🧒 Teaching your kids to manage their own fun money—because the Lululemon budget isn’t coming out of your Target runReal talk, real results. This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about creating a budget that supports your life, not one that feels like a punishment. And if you’re like many of our clients (teachers, nurses, small biz owners, and everyday women just trying to make it all work), you’ll love how customizable and empowering this system can be.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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    29 mins
  • Big Dreams, Small Paychecks: Building a Life That Still Works | 426
    Jun 27 2025

    Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

    In this heartfelt and relatable episode, we sit down with Angie—a teacher, wife to a social worker, and mom of three—who’s doing all the right things but still feels stuck in that “never quite enough” money zone. Sound familiar?

    Angie and her husband don’t have debt (other than their mortgage 💪), are a paycheck ahead, and have even built an emergency fund over time. But with rising costs and the pressure of living in a high-income school district, she’s feeling overwhelmed and unsure about how to plan for future expenses like vacations, home repairs, or even a new minivan—without falling back into debt.

    Here’s what we unpack in this episode:

    1. 👩‍🏫 Why income isn’t everything—and how teachers and social workers are more financially powerful than they think

    2. 💡 The difference between budgeting and tracking (Spoiler alert: your app may not be helping you!)

    3. 💸 How to use a one-page budget to finally see where your money’s going—and where it could be going instead

    4. 🏦 The power of savings buckets and how to slowly build them (yes, even with a tight income!)

    5. 💬 Why it’s okay to tell your kids “no”—and how to shift the conversation toward financial empowerment for the whole family

    6. 🛍️ Practical tips on separating bills from spending, opening multiple checking accounts, and giving every dollar a job

    Angie’s story is full of small wins, real talk, and major encouragement. If you’ve ever felt like you're doing everything right but still can’t seem to get ahead, this episode is for you. We’re diving into strategies that bring financial peace—without changing careers or giving up your latte (unless you want to 😉).


    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
    24 mins
  • How One Small Shift Helped This Family Manage $12K a Month with Peace | 425
    Jun 25 2025

    Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

    Hey budget besties! ✨

    Today, we're getting real about something we keep coming back to — the chaos that comes from having one big savings account and no plan for that money. You know we’ve seen it again and again: a client dumps extra cash into a single account and says, “I’ll just pull from it when I need to.” And spoiler alert — that never ends well.

    In this episode, Shana and Vanessa break down why having separate, labeled bank accounts is a game-changer. Whether it’s Christmas, travel, home repairs, or annual bills — your money should have a purpose, not just chill in a “someday” pile that slowly disappears.

    We talk:

    1. 💸 Why Ally buckets (and similar tools) aren’t always as simple as they seem

    2. 🏦 How traditional banks (and even people in your life) might push back on having multiple accounts

    3. 🧠 Why friction is good when it keeps you from stealing from your future self

    4. 💬 And the power of showing your partner the numbers — not just telling them

    Vanessa shares a story about a client whose partner wanted their family of five to live on $10K/month, even though $12K wasn’t cutting it. The big "aha moment"? Printing the budget and asking: “Okay, YOU show me what to cut.” Sometimes the clarity comes when everyone sees the full picture — and it leads to better teamwork (and less stress on just one person’s shoulders).

    Whether you're team “spread it out” or still clinging to one savings pile, this episode is here to lovingly challenge you: give every dollar a job, and let your bank accounts work for you.


    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
    11 mins
  • How to Talk to Your Spouse About Budgeting: Without Nagging, Fighting, or Feeling Alone | The #1 Mistake Women Make When Their Partner Isn’t Involved in the Budget | 424
    Jun 23 2025

    Snag Our Simplified Budget System!


    If you’re the one handling the bills, making the spreadsheets, remembering all the passwords (and maybe even doing coaching solo), while your spouse is more hands-off — we see you. And we’ve got your back.

    This episode is all about getting your partner on the same financial page without nagging, begging, or feeling like you’re carrying the weight of your family’s money goals alone. Spoiler alert: you don’t have to do it all by yourself. 💛

    We’re sharing:

    1. Why sharing the numbers (literally printing the budget out!) can change everything

    2. How to approach these convos without sounding like a tiny barking chihuahua 🐶

    3. What to say (and how to say it) when you want to include your spouse in big money decisions

    4. Real client stories that show how shifting your approach leads to huge mindset shifts

    5. The power of scheduling budget talks on purpose — not yelling numbers across the kitchen

    6. The secret weapon: framing budget convos around dreams instead of doom

    ✨ Whether your spouse is deep in the spreadsheets or couldn't care less about interest rates, this episode is full of tips that help you work together — without turning into the budget police.

    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
    18 mins