Budgets for Badges

If budgeting apps had personalities, YNAB would be the overachiever with a plan for everything, EveryDollar would be the "just tell me what to do" type, and Excel... well, Excel would be that old-school lieutenant who still writes everything down on a clipboard. In this episode of Budgets for Badges , we’re breaking down the pros and cons of popular budgeting tools— YNAB, EveryDollar, Ro...

We get it—you work insane hours, deal with stressful calls, and sometimes, the best way to cope is with a little retail therapy. But what happens when that treat yo’ self moment turns into why did I do this ? In this episode of Budgets for Badges , we’re talking about buyer’s remorse—what to do when that high-ticket purchase wasn’t your brightest idea. Whether it’s a shiny new truck, overpriced ge...

Ah, the eternal struggle—do you splurge on that new gear, take a well-earned vacation, or, you know… pay your mortgage? In this episode of Budgets for Badges , we’re diving into the delicate balance between responsible adulting and rewarding yourself for surviving another shift. And to help us navigate this financial tightrope, we’re bringing in a special guest— Zanna Wolfgang from Honor The Brave...

When it comes to marriage and money, first responders know that teamwork is key—but does that apply to your bank accounts, too? In this episode of Budgets for Badges , we’re tackling the great financial debate: Should you merge your money like a well-oiled fire crew, or keep things as separate as your locker at the station? We’ll break down: 💰 The case for joint accounts —because what’s yours is...

Every first responder has stories—some you tell at the station, and others you wish you could forget. But what about the stories you tell yourself about money? In this episode of Budgets for Badges , we’re diving into those pesky financial narratives that keep you stuck, like “Overtime will solve everything” or “Debt is just part of the job.” Spoiler: it doesn’t have to be this way. We’ll cover:...

You’ve got SOPs for everything else—so why not your finances? In this episode of Budgets for Badges, we’re talking about how to create a financial blueprint that actually works for your unique first responder life. Because let’s be honest: if your budget looks like a chaotic scene, it might be time to call for backup. We’ll cover: 🚨 Setting financial goals without needing a dispatcher to remind y...

As 2025 approaches, it’s time to toast your hard-earned financial wins—without sending your budget into cardiac arrest. In this episode of Budgets for Badges , we’re diving into how first responders and their partners can celebrate their money milestones without undoing all their hard work. We’ll cover: 🎉 Why celebrating financial wins matters (hint: it’s about more than just the money). 💡 Creat...

Sure, you’re great at saving lives, but what about saving money? In this episode of Budgets for Badges , we’re talking all things savings—because your wallet deserves a hero, too. From building an emergency fund (no, not for your next coffee run) to figuring out what you should actually be saving for (hint: it’s not that boat just yet), we’ve got strategies that even the busiest first responders c...

In today's episode, Chris and Rebecca recount their debt origin stories as well as the ebb and flow of their relationships with debt over the years. As a listener, you'll also get some insight into two different debt payoff strategies to help jumpstart your debt payoff journey as well. For the action steps: Follow one of the two debt payoff strategies and make a list of your current debt accounts...

In todays episode we're diving into budgets (or spending plans if the word budget makes your eye twitch). While budgeting is not everyone's favorite thing to do, it is a crucial step in cultivating financial resilience. You need to understand where you money is going to know where you need to direct it to achieve your money goals. Action steps for this week: 1. Take your previous months bank state...

The holiday season can be challenging for first responders. There is always going to be first responders on shift during Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, etc. In this episode, Chris and Rebecca talk about the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to holidays for first responders. We'll get real about our own experiences and what we've done to release some of those expectations of ourselves s...

In this weeks episode, Chris & Rebecca dive into the intricacies of talking about money as a first responder couple. Money is a difficult topic for so many and more times than not leads to an argument. Chris and Rebecca will provide tips and tricks on how to have an effective money conversation with your spouse without leading to a fight. Action Steps: Coming out of the conversation from last...

In the culminating episode of Budgets for Badges, Chris & Rebecca dive into what financial resiliency means for first responder families. Resiliency is a huge topic in first responder culture, but rarely do we think about resiliency with our money. So what does financial resiliency mean? In short, your level of financial resiliency is determined by how quickly you can recover from a money emergenc...