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Book A Free Financial Coaching Call! (used for 1-1 client testimonials and lessons from the sessions)

Today we’re sitting down with Leah—one of our budget besties and a self-employed mental health counselor—who’s been using our budgeting system and had a few big questions we know so many of you can relate to:

👉 How do I get a paycheck ahead when income changes month to month?

👉 How do I set up savings buckets when I don’t get paid the same every time?

👉 And what do I do when there’s just not enough to cover everything?

If your income isn’t consistent and budgeting feels frustrating, this episode is for you. We walk Leah through how to separate her personal and business budgets, build an income-holding account, and start making her money system feel stable—even when her income isn’t.

💛 What we cover:

1. The step-by-step of budgeting with variable income
2. How to use savings buckets without getting overwhelmed
3. Why paying interest once might actually help you get ahead
4. The real talk about credit cards, late paychecks, and making peace with your numbers
5. And how to finally feel on top of your money instead of behind

Leah came in with great questions—and left with a plan. 🎉 This one’s packed with encouragement, strategy, and permission to do what’s best for you (even if that means breaking some old money “rules”).

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

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Can you believe it?! We’ve made it to 500 episodes! 🥳

From the bottom of our budget-loving hearts, THANK YOU, budget besties, for being with us all this time. We’re celebrating this huge milestone with something a little different — and a lotta fun. 🎧

In today’s episode, Shana and Vanessa are reading some of the WORST budgeting advice floating around TikTok and Reddit (you can’t make this stuff up), and giving their take on what’s actually helpful and what should never be repeated again.

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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Book A Free Financial Coaching Call! (used for 1-1 client testimonials and lessons from the sessions)

Learn More About The ONLY Business Bank We Recommend!

You’re ready to invest, but wait—you’re still in debt… and you don’t even have a budget yet. So what now?

In this episode, Shana and Vanessa are breaking it all the way down:

👉 When to budget

👉 When to invest

👉 And how debt plays into all of it

We’re walking you through what comes first, what can wait, and how to know if you're actually ready to start investing (hint: it starts with the B word… budget 😅). We’ll help you make sense of your numbers so you can invest with confidence without accidentally sabotaging your financial future.

Plus, we’re sharing why we treat investing like a bill (yep, it's a recurring, non-negotiable line in your budget!) and how to fit it in without feeling squeezed.

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...

Get Katy's Book: Making Home Your Happy Place: A Real-Life Guide to Decluttering Without the Overwhelm

Buy Our Simplified Budget System

Budget besties, this one’s gonna hit home—literally. We’re joined by the incredible Katy Wells, decluttering expert, podcast host of The Maximize Minimalist, and author of the upcoming book Make Home Your Happy Place. If you’ve ever looked around your house and thought “I cannot deal with this today,” this episode is your reset button. 🙌

We dive deep into:

• The emotional roots of clutter and how it ties to our “stuff story”
• Why traditional decluttering advice falls short (hello, rainbow bins and weekend burnout)
• The powerful connection between your home environment, mental health, and even your spending habits
• Practical ways to declutter without needing a free weekend and a magic wand
• How to involve your partner, kids, and even your shopping triggers in a totally doable way

Katy’s philosophy of holistic decluttering will have you rethinking your relationship with stuff—and how it's all connected to your finances, your energy, and your peace of mind.

✨ Plus, she shares how to set up a “donation station” (game changer), use clutter audits that take less than a minute, and why you don’t have to wait until your kids grow up to feel good in your home.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why clutter is never just about stuff
• How our upbringing, culture, and personal history shape how we manage our homes
• The psychology of “add to cart” and what it has to do with dopamine
• Small daily habits that make a BIG impact (without overhauling your entire weekend)
• Ways clutter and money stress feed into each other—and how to stop the spiral

Katy’s book Make Home Your Happy Place is available for pre-order now and is packed with everything we talked about (and more). It’s not just a book—it’s your companion through the mess, mindset, and magic of creating a home that works for you. 💛

Links & Resources

📚 Pre-order Katy’s book + get the bonuses: https://www.katyjoywells.com

🎧 Listen to The Maximized Minimalist podcast

📸 Follow Katy on IG: @katyjoywells

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Okay bestie, it’s happening — our Money Makeover Bootcamp is BACK, and we’re doing it bigger and better this year! If you’ve been listening to us and thinking, “I get it... but how do I actually DO it?” — this episode is for you. We’re walking you through what the bootcamp is, why it’s different from just listening to the podcast, and how it's the best way to get your money game strong before 2026 hits.

We’re breaking down:

• What to expect each day of the bootcamp
• Why we planned it after Christmas but before New Year’s
• Why you don’t need more willpower — you need a system
• Who this is really for (spoiler: it’s probably you)
• Real stories from real people who changed their lives after coming last year

From simplifying your finances and separating your money into easy-to-manage systems, to getting a paycheck ahead, automating it all, and even live budget coaching — we’re doing it all in just 30 minutes a day for five days, starting December 29th at noon CT.

Connect With Us:

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

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

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

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

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!

Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

Schedule an Annual Planning Session

Hey Budget Besties — can you believe it? We’re heading into 2026. 😲
New year. New budget. Same us — making sure your money is working for you (not the other way around).

In this episode, we’re not just dreaming about the future — we’re putting real numbers behind it.
We’re walking you through how to set your financial goals for 2026 with intention, purpose, and a plan that actually fits your life.

Whether your year ahead is full of college visits, career changes, or your dream trip to Bali (yes please 🙋‍♀️), you’ll learn how to:

• Think about your short, midterm, and long-term money goals

• Tie your financial decisions directly to what you care about

• Create a realistic, flexible plan that makes your dreams doable

• Avoid the “woo” and keep your financial feet on the ground (but don’t worry, we’ll still get you excited!)

• And finally take that bills debit card out of your wallet 👀

We know life’s busy. Maybe you’re not doing vision boards or chanting under a full moon — but you still want clarity, confidence, and a budget that reflects your real goals.

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!

Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

Check out Carrie's Podcast!

We’re bringing back one of our all-time favorite convos with our good friend and Diet Disruptor queen, Carrie Lupoli! If you missed it the first time (or need a refresh), get ready for one seriously powerful conversation on how your financial health and physical health go hand-in-hand.

Carrie has called us her besties for years (aw 🥹), and in this re-air, we finally sat down with her on the mic to talk about how getting your money in check can actually transform your mental clarity, stress levels, and even your relationship with food.

👯‍♀️ What We Chat About:

1. The surprising connection between financial stress and health struggles

2. Why “not knowing what you don’t know” is not your fault—and how to unlearn it

3. How Carrie and her husband completely shifted their money mindset and now have money left at the end of the month 🙌

4. What it means to budget like a grown-up without giving up brunch, beauty, or bacon 🍳

5. Why credit card “points” aren’t doing you any favors (sorry, not sorry 😅)

6. A simple, automated budgeting system that makes life easier—yes, automagically 🪄

7. Teaching your kids financial confidence early (Carrie’s 20-year-old is thriving!)

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...

Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

Check out Office Hours!

Guess who’s back on the podcast? Our incredible coach Michelle is here, and she’s bringing the behind-the-scenes scoop from office hours — aka where the magic happens every single week.

Whether you’ve joined us live or you’re wondering what office hours are all about, this episode breaks down the real questions people are asking (and the “aha” moments they’re walking away with).

From paycheck planning to deciding between savings buckets and spending accounts, this convo is full of clarity, encouragement, and real-life strategy.

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!