Episodes

  • 370 | How to Plan Your Spending in Your Budget (Without Overcomplicating It!)
    Feb 17 2025
    Snag Our Simplified Budget System!Hey, Budget Besties! 💸✨ Ready to talk about the part of budgeting that actually impacts your daily life? We’re diving into spending—how to set up a plan that gives you freedom, confidence, and guilt-free swiping. 🎉This episode is all about:✅ Making a plan for your spending (instead of letting your bank account decide for you)✅ Why budgeting isn’t restrictive—it’s about permission to enjoy your money✅ How to organize your spending accounts so you never wonder, "Can I afford this?"🚨 You don’t know exactly how much money you have to spend🚨 You’re constantly transferring money between accounts (or swiping a credit card)🚨 You’re left guessing if your bills will clear before payday🚨 You feel guilty after shopping or eating out (hello, money regret!)Sound familiar? You’re not alone. But we’ve got the fix. ⬇️Step 1: Identify Your Spending Categories💰 Gas & Groceries (The essentials—where you spend every week!)💰 Personal Spending (Your judgment-free fun money—yes, Starbucks included!)💰 Entertainment/Family Fun (Restaurants, movie nights, zoo trips—this keeps fun in the budget!)💰 Kids (For all the little surprise expenses—school parties, field trips, activities, etc.)💰 This Month’s Expenses (One-time things like haircuts, gifts, or unexpected doctor visits!)👉 Pro Tip: If something happens every month, it’s spending. If it happens only a few times a year, it goes into savings buckets (which we’ll talk about next episode!).Step 2: Set a Budget for Each CategoryGo back 90 days and look at your actual spending. No made-up "I’ll only spend $100 on food" goals. Set realistic numbers based on real spending habits.Step 3: Decide—Cash or Debit?💳 Use debit cards if you prefer digital tracking (a.k.a. digital cash envelopes)💵 Use cash if you struggle with overspending and need the hard limit🛑 No more credit cards! (We’re done with that cycle.)Step 4: Open Dedicated Spending Accounts🎯 Each category gets its own checking account (or a labeled cash envelope)🎯 Name your accounts for fun! (“Feed the Horde” for groceries, anyone? 😂)🎯 Delete your bills account from spending platforms (No more accidental Target runs on your mortgage money!)Step 5: Automate Your Transfers & Spend With Confidence💰 On payday, automatically send your budgeted amount into each spending account💰 Only spend from the correct account (NO MORE transferring money back & forth!)💰 Enjoy spending—without guilt! 🎉4 Ways To Connect With Us:1️⃣ FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall 2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook 3️⃣ BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/budget 4️⃣ COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/coaching "I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" 👈🏻 If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes! And, if you’re feeling really generous, we’d be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone. 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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    39 mins
  • 369 | Money Management Made Easy: The Automatic Bills System You Need For Your Budget
    Feb 14 2025

    Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

    Hey, Budget Besties! 👋 Tired of second-guessing if your bills are covered while standing in the checkout line? We get it. That’s why today, we’re talking about the single most important part of your budget—your Bills Account!

    This system is about simplicity, clarity, and making sure your bills get paid automatically without stress, mental math, or NSF fees (ugh). Let’s get into it!

    💰 No more bill panic—you always have enough money to cover them
    🛑 Stop the overdraft fees—your account is never drained to zero
    🧼 Declutter your bank transactions—bills in one place, spending in another
    💡 Never think about due dates again—set it and forget it with automation

    1️⃣ Pick an account – Use your current checking account or open a new one just for bills
    2️⃣ Fund it with a buffer – Start with at least half a month’s worth of bills to prevent cash flow chaos
    3️⃣ Direct all income here – Your paychecks, side hustle money, everything goes into this account
    4️⃣ Automate your bill payments – ACH payments = no missed due dates & fewer fees
    5️⃣ Delete it from spending platforms – Remove your bills account from Amazon, PayPal, Venmo, etc. No more accidental Target splurges on your mortgage money!

    🎯 Once it’s set up, your only job is to supervise. That’s it. Bills paid, stress gone.

    🚗 You’re on vacation—bills are being paid automatically (no worries about late payments!)
    📲 You check your bank app—clean, organized transactions (no more scrolling through chaos!)
    🛍️ You’re at the store—you KNOW how much you have to spend (no guessing at checkout!)

    This is the financial clarity you deserve, bestie. 💖

    📩 Tell us when your Bills Account is set up! Drop us an email at hello@budgetbesties.com or come chat in our Facebook group. We love cheering you on! 🎉


    4 Ways To Connect With Us:

    1️⃣ FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall

    2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook

    3️⃣ BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/budget

    4️⃣ COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/coaching

    "I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" 👈🏻 If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes! And, if you’re feeling really generous, we’d be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone.

    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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    25 mins
  • 368 | How to Pay Off Debt (Without Hating Your Life)
    Feb 12 2025

    Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

    Hey, Budget Besties! 👋 Ready toditch debt without giving up your Starbucks, date nights, or vacations? We’re here to show you how topay off debt in a way that actually works—without feeling like you’re in financial prison. 🥳

    💰 Your money should be funding your future,not paying for your past
    🚗 You get to beyour own bank—no more borrowing for big expenses
    ✈️ Vacations (paid in cash!) feelway better than ones that follow you home on a credit card bill
    🛍️ You can stillenjoy your lifestyle while paying off debt—it just takes a plan!

    1️⃣Set up your budget – Use our 5-categorysimple budget system to see exactly what you’re working with
    2️⃣Ditch the credit cards – Cut them up, remove them from your accounts,goodbye temptation! ✂️
    3️⃣List your debts – From smallest to largest, or by highest interest—whatever makes the most sense foryour situation
    4️⃣Make payments on payday – No more waiting ‘til the end of the month (because that money will disappear, trust us)
    5️⃣Celebrate your wins! – Starbucks, a fancy dinner, or upping your personal spending—reward yourself when you hit milestones 🎉

    ✔️Snowball Method – Pay off smallest debts first to build momentum
    ✔️Avalanche Method – Pay off high-interest debts first to save the most $$
    ✔️Minimum Payment Method – Focus on paying off debts with the highestmonthly payments to free up cash faster

    4 Ways To Connect With Us:

    1️⃣FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall

    2️⃣FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook

    3️⃣BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎https://budgetbesties.com/budget

    4️⃣COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎https://budgetbesties.com/coaching

    "I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" 👈🏻 If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes! And, if you’re feeling really generous, we’d be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone.

    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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    20 mins
  • 367 | How to Make a Budget: A Step-by-Step, One-Page Guide to Take Control of Your Money
    Feb 10 2025

    Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

    Hey, Budget Besties! 👋 Let’s talk about what happens when youdon’t have a budget. Spoiler alert: It’snot pretty. 😬 We’ve got real-life stories (somecringe worthy) about what can go wrong when you’re just swiping your card and hoping for the best.

    What Happens Without a Budget?

    🚗 Paying for a car you don’t even own anymore (oops)
    🍔 Spendingway more on eating out than you realized
    📺 Paying for multiple subscriptions (because whoneeds two Netflix accounts?!)
    💳 Constantly feeling like your money “disappears”

    If this soundsa little too familiar, don’t worry—we’ve got you! 🙌

    Signs You’re Budgeting Wrong:

    ❌ You check your bank account to see if you can afford something
    ❌ You “ballpark” your monthly expenses (and then wonder where your money went)
    ❌ You’re transferring money from savings just to make it to payday
    ❌ You’re tracking everythingafter it happens instead of having a plan

    The Solution: A One-Page, Simple Budget

    We break it all down into5 easy categories:
    1️⃣Income – What’s coming in? List it all! 💰
    2️⃣Debts – Thereal number you’re paying each month
    3️⃣Bills – Anything with a due date goes here 📆
    4️⃣Spending – Gas, groceries, pocket money, & everyday expenses
    5️⃣Savings – Christmas, travel, car repairs...planned ahead so you don’t stress later 🎯

    Pro Tip: Do a 90-Day Money Audit

    Go back through your last3 months of transactions and see where your moneyactually went. No shame, justdata without the drama—so you can make a plan that works!

    Budgeting doesn’t have to be boring or restrictive.It’s about telling your money what to do—so you can be bougieon purpose. 💃


    4 Ways To Connect With Us:

    1️⃣FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall

    2️⃣FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook

    3️⃣BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎https://budgetbesties.com/budget

    4️⃣COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎https://budgetbesties.com/coaching

    "I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" 👈🏻 If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes! And, if you’re feeling really generous, we’d be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone.

    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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    31 mins
  • Bonus: The Coaching Program That Skyrocketed Our Podcast (and Business!)
    Feb 8 2025

    Sign up for the FREE Profitable Podcast Bootcamp

    We’re pulling back the curtain today and giving you thereal behind-the-scenes story of our podcast journey—how we went fromsporadically recording episodes that no one listened to… tobuilding a top-ranked podcast that drives our entire business.

    And, besties, it’s all because ofStef Gass and Podcast to Profit.

    We were totallylost before we found her. We had been podcasting fortwo years with no real strategy—just throwing out episodes when we had five extra minutes (which, let’s be honest, wasn’t often). Our business feltstagnant, and we weredesperate for a system that actually worked.

    That’s when we foundStef and her system—and WOW. Within six months of implementing what she taught us, we:
    ✅ Went from4,600 downloads → over 540,000
    ✅ Increased our monthly revenue from$6K → $20K
    ✅ Built a course that’s now brought in$45K+ in passive income
    ✅ Grew our email list from160 → 2,122 subscribers
    ✅ Jumped fromunranked to a Top 1% podcast

    And the best part?It’s all still working. Two years after we first began working with her, we'll hit 1,000,000 plays!

    Now, we’re telling you this becauseyou can learn from Stef for FREE. 🎉 She’s hosting a5-day Profitable Podcast Bootcamp where she’s giving awayher best strategies for growing a podcast, getting clients, and making passive income—without social media burnout.

    This bootcamp isTHE place to start if you’ve been thinking about launching or growing a podcast. Plus, she’s giving away$10,000 in scholarships!

    📅 Join us LIVE February 24-28 at 11 AM MST.
    Sign up here → https://stefaniegass.com/bootcampbudgetbesties

    We’ll be in the chat, and wecannot wait to see you there!

    📩Links & Resources

    • Sign up for the FREE Profitable Podcast Bootcamp
    • Connect with us on Instagram →@BudgetBesties
    • Check out our coaching & resources →budgetbesties.com
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    10 mins
  • 366 | How to Build Financially Confident Kids (Without the Entitlement!) with Julia Myers
    Feb 7 2025

    Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

    Budget besties, you are in for a treat! Today, we’re bringing on our actual good friend, the wise, wonderful, and always inspiringJulia Meyers to talk aboutGenerational Wisdom—because let’s be real, passing down money means nothing if we’re not passing down the knowledge to manage it.

    Julia is an accomplished healthcare leader, mom of five (yes, FIVE!), and a recovering perfectionist. She’s been recognized nationally for her work in medication access, but her true passion? Helping families build financial confidence and break the cycle of lost generational wealth.

    We’re unpacking:
    💡 Whygenerational wealth isn’t the right term (and what to focus on instead)
    🧠 The shocking stats on why most inherited money disappears (yikes!)
    🗣 How to start real, impactful money convos with your kids
    🛠 Practical ways to build financial confidence in the next generation
    📊 TheGenerational Wisdom Discernment Quadrant (this is a game-changer, y’all)

    And because Julia is the best, she’s sharing a FREE resource with you: atwo-week mini course with conversation starters to help you talk money with your kids (in a way that won’t make them roll their eyes). Grab it atJuliaMeyers.com/talk.

    If you’ve ever worried about raising entitled kids or wondered how to truly prepare them for financial independence—this episode is for you!


    4 Ways To Connect With Us:

    1️⃣FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall

    2️⃣FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook

    3️⃣BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎https://budgetbesties.com/budget

    4️⃣COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎https://budgetbesties.com/coaching

    "I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" 👈🏻 If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes! And, if you’re feeling really generous, we’d be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone.

    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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    36 mins
  • 365 | Simplifying Your Finances with Anna from It’s Time to Simplify!
    Feb 5 2025

    Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

    Hey Besties! 👋 We’re bringing back one of our favorite conversations with our friend Anna from It’s Time to Simplify! If you’ve ever felt like budgeting is overwhelming, this episode is for you. We’re diving into simple, practical ways to take control of your finances without spending hours at the kitchen table with a calculator (because who has time for that?).

    ✅ How we built a business around our real schedules (aka: kids, sports, and Uber Mom life 🚗)
    ✅ Why separating your bank accounts can make budgeting SO much easier
    ✅ The personal finance version of Profit First (and why it works for entrepreneurs & 9-to-5ers alike!)
    ✅ Why you DON’T need to track every expense if you set up your finances the right way
    ✅ One simple step you can take this week to start simplifying your money

    💰 Spoiler Alert: The key to stress-free budgeting is automation + separate spending accounts. Sounds too easy? Trust us—it’s a game changer!

    4 Ways To Connect With Us:

    1️⃣ FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall

    2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook

    3️⃣ BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/budget

    4️⃣ COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/coaching

    "I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" 👈🏻 If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes! And, if you’re feeling really generous, we’d be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone.

    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
  • 364 | Five-Minute Budget Fixes for Quick Wins!
    Feb 3 2025

    Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

    Budget besties, do you ever feel like budgeting takes forever? Like, who has time for that when life is already a whirlwind? Well, good news: we've got five quick and fun budget fixes you can do in just five minutes—because who doesn’t love a quick win? 💃

    Sometimes, making small changes adds up big time. So, whether you're waiting in car line, chilling on your lunch break, or standing in line for coffee, you can start making smarter money moves right now!

    1️⃣ Rename Your Bank Accounts – A little name change can make a big difference. "Emily’s Wedding 2026" hits different when you think about using it for takeout, right? Create fun, clear labels to keep your savings on track.
    2️⃣ Delete Saved Credit Cards – If you have to get up off the couch to grab your card, are you really still buying it? Add friction to impulse spending by removing saved payment methods from Amazon, Venmo, and anywhere else that tempts you.
    3️⃣ Hide Your Savings Accounts – Out of sight, out of mind! If you’re not seeing your savings every time you log into your bank app, you’re less likely to think of it as extra spending money.
    4️⃣ Use Notes on Transfers – This is a game changer! Add a note every time you transfer money so you remember exactly what it was for. Future you will thank you. 🙌
    5️⃣ Delete Shopping Apps – Amazon, Target, Lululemon, PayPal… if it’s on your phone, it’s too easy to spend. Take them off your home screen and make yourself be more intentional with purchases.

    💡 Bonus Tip: If you have your debit card number memorized (we see you!), get a new card so you can un-memorize it. You’re welcome. 😆

    4 Ways To Connect With Us:

    1️⃣ FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall

    2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook

    3️⃣ BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/budget

    4️⃣ COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/coaching

    "I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" 👈🏻 If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes! And, if you’re feeling really generous, we’d be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone.

    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