Episodes

  • Lessons from the Sessions: Stop Paying Bills Through PayPal (and Other Budgeting Mistakes You Don’t Know You're Making) | 473
    Oct 15 2025

    Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

    Today we’re bringing you real-life stories and real lessons straight from our private coaching sessions. If our clients are struggling with it, chances are you are too. We’re breaking down the mistakes we see most often, how to fix them, and how to set yourself up for easy, stress-free money wins.

    In this episode, we’re talking about two of the biggest budget busters we see:
    1️⃣ Overcomplicating your money system with third-party apps like PayPal and Apple Pay.
    2️⃣ Losing track of your true numbers — like your real minimum payments — and making your budget harder than it needs to be.

    These stories will help you see how small tweaks can completely change how confident and in control you feel with your money.

    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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    11 mins
  • How to Budget for Things That Don’t Happen Every Month (Unexpected / SurpriseExpenses) | 472
    Oct 13 2025

    Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

    Most people say their budgets get blown by “surprise” expenses — but let’s be real: Christmas isn’t a surprise. New tires? Not a surprise. Your dog’s annual vet visit? Definitely not a surprise. These are expected expenses that just don’t happen every month.

    In this episode, we’re tackling how to stop the rollercoaster of “I was fine last month, now I’m swiping the credit card.” The solution? Savings buckets. When you create separate savings accounts for predictable but irregular expenses, you save today to avoid borrowing tomorrow.

    • Why most “surprise” expenses aren’t really surprises

    • How savings buckets can bring stability to your monthly budget

    • The exact steps to set up your own buckets

    • Real-life stories from clients who’ve transformed their finances using this method


    💡 What You’ll Learn


    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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    14 mins
  • BONUS: Secret Weekend Sale on Our Budget System (Link in Show Notes)
    Oct 10 2025

    Hey Budget Besties—bonus episode: SHHH… we’re running a secret, besties-only sale this weekend on our Simplified Budget System (editable, plans paychecks, organizes bills, separates spending)

    Click to reveal your coupon!

    What our Budget Besties are saying: “savings buckets growing + paying down bills” — Tammy; “paid off 7 credit cards and now use cash” — Barbara; “finally stopped living paycheck to paycheck” — Kathleen.

    ⁠Click to reveal your coupon!⁠

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    17 mins
  • How to Stop Business Travel from Blowing Up Your Family Budget or Using Credit Cards | 471
    Oct 10 2025

    Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

    Ever feel like your work life and home budget are in a tug-of-war? Same, bestie — and you’re not alone. This week, we sat down with Stephanie, a law professor who’s been making huge moves with her money using our budget system. But like many of us, she hit a snag when it came to business travel.

    Stephanie’s story is a masterclass in navigating:

    • Work reimbursements that take months

    • Whether credit cards are ever worth it (spoiler: rarely, but sometimes!)

    • How to separate personal and professional expenses without losing your mind (or your receipts)

    • Setting up a system that actually works — especially when math isn’t your thing

    We cover:
    ✔️ Pre-funding business trips
    ✔️ Why a separate bank account is a game-changer
    ✔️ How to track expenses without burning out
    ✔️ What to do about credit card perks like car rental insurance or international fees
    ✔️ And why setting a weekly “receipt party” on your calendar might be your new best friend

    Stephanie also shares how budgeting is now a whole family thing — from planning for Christmas (without the chaos) to giving her kids their own savings accounts (and real-time money lessons 💪).

    Whether you're a working parent, frequent traveler, or just tired of the budget rollercoaster — this episode is packed with smart, doable strategies to help you stay on track and feel in control.

    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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    19 mins
  • Whole Life Insurance: Should I Cancel It and Switch to Term Life? | 470
    Oct 8 2025

    Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

    Today’s episode is ripped straight from real coaching convos with our clients — because if they’re dealing with it, chances are you are too. We’re talking about a common money trap that shows up in more budgets than you’d think: whole life insurance.

    Spoiler alert: It’s not a good investment.
    Not when you’re paying hundreds a month, not seeing any return, and living outside your means just to keep it going.

    We break down:

    • Why whole life insurance is rarely worth it (especially when your budget is tight)

    • The difference between whole life and term life insurance

    • What to do if you’ve already been paying into a whole life policy

    • How to reorder your financial steps so you can actually build wealth (on your own terms)

    We’re all about helping you avoid costly mistakes, feel seen, and walk away with quick wins. So whether you're paying $473/month into a policy that’s draining you or wondering if your “life insurance” line item is doing anything for you — this one's for you.

    Remember: we want you to save, invest, and protect your family on purpose — and in the right order. Let’s get that money back in your budget and get you back in control.

    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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    11 mins
  • Money Disappears Too Fast After Payday? Try This Simple Spending Budget Plan | 469
    Oct 6 2025

    Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

    Hey budget besties! Today we’re cleaning out that messy “junk drawer” bank account and giving your money actual homes. If everything’s been tangled together—paychecks in, bills out, Target runs, Starbucks, gas, kids’ surprises—no wonder it feels like your money’s disappearing. We’ve got you. 💛

    • Why one catch-all account = chaos (hi, stress 👋🏽)

    • The Lisa story (aka how pedicure money turns into cupcakes, milkshakes, gas, and laundry pods)

    • The simplest way to create freedom to spend without tracking every transaction

    • How to use digital envelopes with four separate debit accounts:

      1. Gas & Groceries

      2. Restaurants

      3. Personal/Fun Money

      4. Kids

    • How this step pairs with the V-System so bills get paid first, spending lives separately, and guilt goes bye!

    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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    12 mins
  • The Art of Delegation: Why Letting Go is the Key to Growth, Freedom, and More Time with Ral West | 468
    Oct 3 2025
    Check Out Ral's Mastermind Program! We’re chatting with our friend Ral West, a powerhouse entrepreneur who’s all about building a business that serves your life, not the other way around. Ral’s got 40+ years of experience, has built and sold a wildly successful company, and now teaches business owners how to get their time, health, and freedom back.Let’s just say… she’s walking the walk — 52 podcast interviews, a course, a mastermind, and a month-long vacation on the books. 👏🏽In This Episode, We Cover:The real cost of letting your business run your lifeHow to systematize, automate, and delegate (without micromanaging!)The art of effective delegation — and why most people are doing it wrongWhy your business should support your dream life, not suck it dryThe 6 foundational principles RA teaches to help business owners scale and enjoy lifeThe connection between financial clarity, boundaries, and building a sustainable business“If it doesn’t fit into my dream life vision — I don’t do it.” – Ral West 🙌🏾We also had a total alignment moment around budgeting! Because y’all know we’re big fans of automation, delegation, and systems — whether you’re managing your business or your money. 💸So if you’re out here trying to do it all yourself (in your business, at home, or with your money), this is your sign to pause, reset, and start building systems that actually support your life.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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    23 mins
  • The Paycheck Plan That Helps Women Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck with Coach Michelle | 476
    Oct 1 2025
    Snag Our Simplified Budget System!Learn About Office Hours!Budget besties, we’ve got a very special guest on the pod today… our very own teammate and financial coaching pro, Michelle! 🎉This episode marks a first—Michelle’s first time on the mic with us, and we’re diving into what’s really happening behind the scenes during our free weekly Office Hours. We’re calling this new series “Lessons from the Sessions,” and trust us, Michelle is bringing the wisdom, encouragement, and big sister energy you didn’t know you needed.We talk about:How Michelle went from podcast listener to being a core part of our team ❤️What led her to financial coaching (hello, emergency fund = credit card era 👋)Why getting a paycheck ahead is the #1 topic in Office Hours—and how you can get there tooThe truth about savings buckets (yes, we love them, but no, you don’t start there!)Why being detail-obsessed with your spending might actually be slowing you downAnd how just showing up—even if you’re not ready to talk—can move you forwardMichelle also gives us a peek into the kinds of questions people bring each week, and why Office Hours have become a lifeline for so many women trying to make their money feel steady and stress-free.📅 Office Hours happen every Wednesday at 12pm CT and are 100% free to everyone in our community—no system or coaching purchase required. If you’ve got questions, feel stuck, or just want to listen in and learn, Michelle’s your girl.We’re SO excited to bring her back on the pod monthly to share more real-life insights from these powerful sessions. Get ready to feel encouraged, empowered, and way less alone in your money journey.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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    31 mins