The New Money Habits Podcast

Every year, many of us say the same thing.   "This Christmas will be different." We want to enjoy the season without wondering how we'll pay for it in January. We want to give generously without creating unnecessary financial stress. We want to focus on the people we love instead of the bills that arrive after the holidays. But a peaceful Christmas doesn't begin in December. It begins with th...

Christmas rarely becomes stressful because of what happens in December.   More often, it becomes stressful because of the decisions that never happened in July. When the holidays arrive without a plan, emotions tend to take over. Advertisements become more persuasive. Black Friday feels more urgent. Expectations grow. Before long, many families find themselves spending money they never intend...

Sometimes shopping does not feel like a want. It feels like a need. In this revisited conversation, Nino Villa talks with Mary Ann Stenquist about the deeper emotional needs that often shape spending decisions. Using Maslow’s hierarchy of needs as a lens, Mary Ann explains why some purchases feel so urgent, why shopping can become a way to seek comfort or control, and why simply telling yourself t...

Food prices have increased dramatically over the last several years, but the challenge many families feel at the grocery store goes deeper than inflation. This week, Nino Villa and Mary Ann Stenquist welcome Andy Ellwood, creator of the Stretch app, to discuss the habits that shape grocery shopping decisions and why so many people feel stressed, overwhelmed, or out of control when it comes to food...

Money conversations can be hard for couples, especially when both people are carrying different stories, habits, fears, and assumptions into the relationship. In this episode of The New Money Habits Podcast, Nino Villa is joined by co-host Karen Hackman, the New Money Habits voice for money and marriage, to talk about the mid-year reset from a couples perspective. Karen shares why many couples avo...

The halfway point of the year is a natural time to pause, look back, and reset your money with more honesty and less shame. In this episode of The New Money Habits Podcast, Nino Villa is joined by Mike Kinealy, co-founder of New Money Habits, to talk about what a mid-year money reset can actually look like. They discuss why looking back at the first half of the year is not about self-condemnation,...

Student loans are changing in a major way, and many borrowers may not realize how much their repayment options could shift. In this episode of The New Money Habits Podcast, Nino Villa is joined by student loan coach Renée Earwood to talk through the federal student loan changes scheduled for July 1, 2026. Renée explains why this date matters, how the current student loan system is being restructur...

Travel can be meaningful, fun, and full of memories. But it can also become one of the easiest places to overspend, even when you thought you had a plan. In this episode of The New Money Habits Podcast, Nino Villa is joined by Mary Ann Stenquist, who helps people become UnShoppable, for a conversation about why people overspend before and during vacation. They talk about the tendency to buy things...

Travel can feel exciting, meaningful, and completely overwhelming all at the same time. In this episode of The New Money Habits Podcast, Nino Villa is joined by Bereket Kelile, New Money Habits’ trusted voice in future planning, to talk about how to turn a travel dream into a real plan. Together, they explore why travel goals often feel out of reach, how vague assumptions can make a trip feel more...

In the final part of this conversation, Coach Nino Villa and Mary Ann Stenquist focus on one of the most practical parts of mindful spending: how to make better decisions in real time. Mary Ann shares her four Ds of decision-making, a simple framework designed to help people slow down, think clearly, and make spending choices with more intention. This part brings the conversation into everyday app...

In Part 2 of this conversation, Coach Nino Villa continues talking with Mary Ann Stenquist about a deeper question: why does shopping sometimes feel less like a want and more like a need? Mary Ann connects the six spending types to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and explains how spending is often tied to emotional needs that are not being met in more lasting ways This conversation goes beyond “just s...

In this episode of The New Money Habits Podcast, Coach Nino Villa is joined by Mary Ann Stenquist, The Money Make Under and Spending Coach, for Part 1 of a conversation about why overspending happens and how to start understanding it more clearly. Mary Ann shares how her own frustration with overspending led her to a different question. Instead of asking why the budget was not working, she started...

In this episode of The New Money Habits Podcast, Coach Nino Villa and Maria Casillas explore something most people don’t immediately connect: The relationship between clutter and your money. We tend to think of clutter as a physical problem — too much stuff, not enough space — but it often shows up the same way in our finances. Accounts spread out, decisions delayed, things sitting in the backgrou...

In this episode of The New Money Habits Podcast , Coach Nino Villa explores three ideas that can reshape the way you think about everyday money decisions. First, Nino walks through one of the most common budgeting questions people ask: How much should we actually spend on food? He shares practical strategies to help you determine a realistic food budget for each pay period so you can feed your fam...

In this episode of The New Money Habits Podcast , Coach Nino Villa explains why the words we use around money matter more than we think — especially when it comes to saving. Many people are taught to build an “emergency fund,” but that language often creates stress, fear, and avoidance. Nino challenges that idea and introduces a more grounding alternative: the Peace of Mind Fund. This conversation...

In this episode of The New Money Habits Podcast , Coach Nino Villa answers listener questions about budgeting for gift giving, paying off debt, and planning for spontaneous spending without creating financial stress. Many people struggle to balance generosity, debt elimination, and everyday enjoyment. Nino walks through how intentional financial planning makes room for all three — without guilt or...

Is clutter holding you back from financial progress? In this episode of The New Money Habits Podcast , Coach Nino Villa and Maria Casillas explore the powerful connection between physical clutter, financial disorganization, and mental overwhelm. When your environment is chaotic, your money often follows — but the good news is that small, intentional changes can create massive momentum. Nino and Ma...

In this episode of The New Money Habits Podcast , Coach Nino Villa responds to a listener question many people wrestle with: Should you focus on paying off debt first — or saving money? Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all rule, Nino explains why financial principles stay consistent while execution should flex based on real life. He walks through a phased approach to debt elimination , helping...

Emotional spending is rarely about money alone. In this episode of The New Money Habits Podcast , Coach Nino Villa and Maria Casillas explore the deep connection between emotional spending, mental health, and the habits that drive our financial decisions. Using a real-life example from a Facebook group discussion about emotional eating and spending, Nino and Maria unpack the emotions, stressors, a...

What happens when a financial coach faces real-life money struggles? In this powerful and transparent episode, Coach Nino Villa shares his personal financial journey, including navigating credit card debt, fluctuating income seasons, and difficult financial decisions. Nino opens up about the emotional weight of money, the lessons learned through financial setbacks, and how his perspective on debt,...

In this episode of The New Money Habits Podcast , Coach Nino Villa and Maria Casillas discuss how to approach the new year with healthier financial routines and more intentional goal setting. They dive into the rise of no spend challenges , why they’ve become so popular, and the potential downsides of using restriction-based approaches to manage money. Nino and Maria explain the importance of unde...

In this episode of The New Money Habits Podcast , Coach Nino Villa and Maria Casillas discuss why New Year’s resolutions often fail and how to set SMART goals that lead to lasting change. They explore the importance of moving beyond surface-level goal setting and aligning personal, financial, and relational goals with purpose and spiritual values . Nino and Maria share practical insights on intent...

In this heartfelt Christmas episode, Coach Nino and Maria discuss the spirit of the season, sharing personal traditions and values that shape their holiday experiences. They navigate the complexities of loss and change, reflecting on how these challenges impact their celebrations. The conversation emphasizes the importance of connection, joy, and meaningful gift-giving while advocating for a simpl...

In this episode of The New Money Habits Podcast , Coach Nino Villa discusses the profound concept of giving. Join us as Coach Nino embarks on a transformative journey through three key themes: First, Coach Nino defines tithing and provides insights into its practice, shedding light on its historical context and modern-day implications. Through thoughtful analysis and practical examples, listeners...

In this episode of The New Money Habits Podcast , Nino Villa and Maria Casillas continue their discussion about the complexities of credit card use, discussing its benefits and risks. They explore the importance of financial literacy, the security and convenience that credit cards can offer, and the behavioral aspects of managing credit. The dialogue emphasizes the need for a solid foundation in p...