Money Files: Money Mindset & Personal Finance

Have you ever caught yourself comparing your financial journey to someone else's? Maybe you've felt like you're just not "good with money" because others seem to have it figured out. This shame traps you in a cycle of avoidance and keeps you stuck in unhealthy financial choices that hold you back from meeting your goals. In today's episode, I explain reflection shame, how...

In this episode, I dive into how social media is reshaping our spending habits without us even realizing it. We’ve all heard of “Keeping Up With the Joneses,” but now, those Joneses might be right in your social media feed—whether it's the latest wellness craze, food trends, or parenting expectations. I share stories and tips to help you identify and disrupt these sneaky influences before they...

Have you ever felt like there was more month than money? As a six-figure earner, you might wonder how it is possible to make a good income and still feel like you don’t have enough to save, pay down debt, or reach your goals. The problem isn’t with your paycheck. It’s that you aren’t aligning your budget with how you spend money. In this episode of Money Files , I dive into the common struggles ma...

Do you have a spending problem?  In today's episode, I share how your personal spending story can help reshape the way you think about money and guide you toward making more intentional purchases that align with your budget and financial goals. I'm not here to make you feel bad about spending, and I don't advocate for "no-spend" challenges that vilify buying the things you wa...

In today's episode, I'm diving into a topic that's top of mind for many of you right now—adjusting your budget as you return to work after years of working from home. If you're one of the many federal employees who's now required to go into the office as departments shift back to in-person work, this episode is for you. I walk you through the financial shifts you may experience...

In this episode of Money Files, I break down the concept of "financial grazing"—a common habit where small, unplanned expenses sneak into your budget and start to derail your progress. It’s easy to justify these little splurges when you’re feeling good about your finances, but over time, they can add up and pull you away from the habits that helped you succeed in the first place. I explo...

In today's episode, I'm sharing five essential money moves to help you take control of your finances in 2025. These simple yet powerful strategies will give you a clearer picture of how money flows in and out of your bank account, allowing you to budget with real numbers. Prioritizing these money moves can make a huge difference in reaching your financial goals.  I'll walk you through...

In this episode, I explore how different spending styles affect our lives and finances. If you've been listening to my podcast, you know I've been exploring the concept of "fake math"—the way we make estimates instead of using real numbers to create our budgets.  Today, I explain the characteristics of four common spending profiles and how to identify which category you fit into as a spender. Then...

In this episode, I explore the power of building micro habits with your finances. Big financial goals like paying off debt, saving for a down payment on a house, or even setting aside $10,000 can feel overwhelming and out of reach when your goal seems so far away. The key to sustainable progress is building micro habits—small, intentional actions that will get you closer to your goal and generate...

The New Year often feels like a fresh start, and if one of your goals for 2025 is to take control of your finances, now is the ideal time to reassess your budget. In this episode, I explain why I make it a point to revisit my budget at the end of each year. I share the key questions I ask myself to ensure my spending aligns with my priorities. Whether you're looking to be more prepared for holiday...

Are you worried about falling back into bad financial habits? Once you start making progress in your financial goals, it is normal for self-doubt or fear to creep in and stop you from making good choices with your money.  In today's episode, I share a concept I use with my clients to help them navigate unexpected challenges during their financial journeys. The financial self-care plan is a tool to...

In this episode, I'm challenging you to track your finances for one week. I know the idea of jotting down every expense might feel overwhelming or even intimidating, but this exercise isn't about judgment or shame—it's about creating a budget that aligns with your lifestyle and financial goals. I'll walk you through a simple five-day exercise to help you become more aware of your spending habits....

As 2024 comes to a close, you might be reflecting on your financial goals and the progress you've made. Many people view progress as a linear checklist of milestones to hit, but regaining control over your finances is far from straightforward. Focusing only on the end goal is discouraging, and that creates a mindset that is unsustainable for lasting change, especially when it comes to how you thin...

In today's episode, I'm joining my client, Dielle Charon , on her podcast, The WOC Sales Show , for a candid conversation about transforming your relationship with money and business. Dielle is a coach specializing in sales, business, and money mindset. Together, we explore the common struggles many of our clients and listeners face—such as overcoming shame, building awareness, and breaking old fi...

Is financial entitlement sneaking into your life? When your income increases, it's easy to start feeling like you "deserve" certain luxuries—like trips, shopping sprees, or hiring help—without fully considering how those choices impact your finances. In today's episode, I explore how financial entitlement manifests, often in the form of thinking about what you "should" be able to do with your mone...

In today's episode, I welcome my client, Denva, to the podcast. When Denva first came to work with me almost two years ago, she was dealing with credit card debt, starting a new job, and caring for her terminally ill mother. She struggled with feelings of shame and insecurity about her finances, especially around debt, but through our coaching work together, she's completely redefined her relation...

In the past few weeks, I've focused on the importance of debt awareness and how becoming a saver can help break the cycle of debt. Today, I'm excited to share the next step in your financial journey: choosing a debt payoff strategy. In this episode, I share personal stories and client successes, highlighting how understanding your specific types of debt—like credit cards, student loans, or auto lo...

No matter which holiday you celebrate, the season comes with many expenses and obligations and holiday spending can lead to debt if you don't plan ahead. In this episode, I'm sharing strategies to help you have a debt-free holiday season. I guide you through exercises to identify what you truly value about the holidays and how to incorporate those values into your budget. I also emphasize the impo...

We don’t talk about it often but one fear you might face as a W2 employee is a layoff.  In a matter of moments, you can go from feeling secure to financial insecurity.   In this episode, I discuss how to navigate a layoff and offer valuable tips on managing a severance package effectively. I start with a practical exercise to help you determine your "minimum viable number" through a budget analysi...

Many of my clients try paying off debt in lump sums and then get frustrated when they find themselves in four or five figure debt again. As a financial coach, my goal is to help you build sustainable financial habits to help you disrupt the debt cycle. One of my clients recently paid off over $30,000 in debt, and I use her story and others to walk you through my six-step framework for paying off d...

How often do you buy something simply because it’s on sale? As we approach the holiday shopping season, I challenge you to reflect on how sales influence your purchasing decisions. Don’t get caught up in consumer marketing tactics because chasing deals is making you broke!   In today’s discussion, I emphasize the importance of reserving your shopping for items on your shopping list. I challenge yo...

As we approach the end of the year, it is time to start thinking about your relationship with debt. If you've paid off debt only to fall back into it, feel ashamed about your financial situation, or are ready to break free from the debt cycle, this episode is for you. Today, I'm focusing on building personal debt awareness. This episode isn't about creating a debt payoff plan or managing your fina...

My five-month coaching container isn't about achieving perfection. Some clients treat financial growth like a checklist, trying to rush through it. However, if you approach your relationship with money with the intention to get it done as quickly as possible, you're missing out on developing lasting money habits that will serve you in the long run. In today's episode, I dive into the c...

It is okay to value spending money differently than the way your friends value spending money. Sometimes, we are so focused on keeping up appearances or worried about missing out that we allow our friends to pressure us into spending money on things we don't really care about.  In today's episode, I share four effective strategies for setting financial boundaries with your friends. From in...

Social media makes it too easy to compare ourselves to others, leading many to spend beyond their means and pile up debt. As a financial coach, my mission is to help you intentionally spend money in ways that align with your future goals. Today's episode is all about living a fake rich lifestyle and what you can do to stop overspending and start taking control of your finances. Living a fake-r...