Financial Coaching for Women: How To Budget, Manage Money, Pay Off Debt, Save Money, Paycheck Plans
***TOP 1% MONEY & FINANCIAL SUPPORT PODCAST*** Do you make good money but have nothing to show for it? Tired of using your bank account & credit card balances as your budget? Want to get debt-free but don’t want to sacrifice everything to do it? Ready to save money and build generational wealth? You’re in the right place! We’re telling you exactly how to budget, pay off debt, save money & stop living paycheck to paycheck. We’re Shana & Vanessa: BFFs, business partners & Dave Ramsey Solutions Master Financial Coaches (and unofficial marriage counselors). We’re glad you’re here.
7 Things You Can Do in 5 Minutes to Save Money in Your Budget Today | 603
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level:
1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook
2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall
3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching
This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice.
This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase.
Click here to vie
The Paycheck Plan for Multiple Paychecks: How to Budget with Messy Pay Schedules | 602
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
What happens when money is coming into your household on the 1st, the 15th, every Friday…and from another income source too? 😅
In this coaching episode, we’re talking with Soraya, a budget bestie who has been budgeting for years, has almost no debt, has savings buckets in place, and is already doing SO many things well—but still feels like managing multiple pay schedules is more complicated than it needs to be.
And yep, we totally get it.<...
How She Budgeted for a Cross-Country Move Without Using Credit Cards And Paid Off Debt | 601
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Budget besties, Coach Michelle is back—and she brought some seriously encouraging wins from Office Hours!
In this episode, we’re talking about what happens when you stop letting extra money “just disappear” and start giving every dollar a purpose. From preparing for a military move to paying off debt, filling savings buckets, and handling a flat tire without panic, these stories show how small, intentional steps can completely change the way money feels.
One military family used aut...
Back to School Costs Are Higher Than You Think (And Here's How To Plan and Budget For Them) | 600
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Editor Note: Yay for 600!
Budget besties, back-to-school season comes every year—but somehow, it can still feel like one giant unexpected expense.
Between school supplies, new shoes, activity fees, sports equipment, lunch accounts, haircuts, transportation, and all the random things the school tells us about at the last minute, the costs can add up fast. And because back-to-school season arrives right after summer vacations, camps, and activities, our budgets may already feel stretched.
In this ep...
Debt vs Savings, Savings Buckets, and Investing: Your Money Questions Answered | 599
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Budget besties, we’re back with another Q&A episode—and these questions are so good.
First, we’re helping an entrepreneurial couple decide what to do with a $15,000 launch payout when they also have $27,000 in debt and inconsistent income. Should they put the entire amount toward debt, or save it to cover future months?
Our answer: before moving the money anywhere, look at the full picture.
When both partners own businesses, we need three separa...
Extra Money Still Needs a Job + Tight Budgets Aren’t Always a Spending Problem | Lessons from the Sessions | 598
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Budget besties, today we’re talking about two very different money situations that share one important lesson: we have to identify the real problem before we can fix it.
First, let’s talk about cash, side-job income, and money sitting in Venmo. It can be easy to treat that money like it doesn’t count because it never landed in our regular bank account. But cash is not free money, Venmo is not fake money, and side income still needs...
Make Your August Budget With Us: Our 7 Step Process To Create A Zero-Based Budget and Plan for Your Money in August 2026 | 597
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Budget besties, August is coming—and it tends to bring a lot with it.
School supplies. Uniforms. Tuition. Sports physicals. Extra driving. Birthdays. Labor Day plans. And somehow, the holidays are already waiting around the corner.
In this episode, we’re walking through how to build an August budget that prepares you for real life instead of leaving you scrambling every time another expense pops up.
We also explain why getting one paycheck ahead can comp...
Money Mindset: Why You Need a Budget Before You Build Wealth with Shari Rash | 596
Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Budget besties, getting confident with money is not about magically knowing everything—it starts with building a strong foundation and giving ourselves permission to learn.
In this episode, Shana and Vanessa sit down with financial planner Shari to talk about why so many women feel uncertain about spending, saving, investing, and making major financial decisions. Shari explains that what often looks like a “money problem” is really a lack of organization, education, and support. Before tackling investing, retirement rollovers, or long-t...
Teaching Kids About Money: Real Money Skills Before They Use Credit Cards | 595
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Budget besties, our kids will eventually have to manage money without us—and the lessons they learn now can shape their financial choices for years to come.
In this episode, we’re sharing real-life stories from families who are teaching their teenagers how to budget, make tradeoffs, and take responsibility for their spending. From graduation dresses and haircut money to gas, groceries, and a very expensive set of keys locked inside a car, these everyday moments can become powerful fina...
Bougie on a Budget: How to Enjoy Nice Things Without the Money Stress | Reair: Positive Life Solutions with Peggy Meyer | 594
Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Budget besties, budgeting does not have to mean rice, beans, and saying goodbye to every little thing that brings you joy.
In this conversation, Shana and Vanessa break down what it really means to be “bougie on a budget”—and spoiler alert: it looks different for everyone. For one person, bougie might mean travel sports. For someone else, it might be vacations, horses, facials, massages, dining out, or getting their hair and nails done.
The goal is not to cop...
Why Cash Envelopes Didn’t Work for Her and the Simple Budget System That Did | 593
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Budget besties, today we’re talking about one of the least exciting—but most important—parts of budgeting: annual bills.
Mary joined us to talk through a common sticking point. She had already automated her money, separated her spending accounts, and created savings buckets, but she still felt unsure about how much to save for expenses that only show up a few times a year.
You know the ones: car registration, property taxes, memberships, quarterly bills, insurance premiu...
How to Set Up Your Money Now So You Don’t Feel Broke at Christmas | Reair: Shine Podcast with Shanna Star | 592
Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
What if budgeting felt less like restriction and more like finally knowing what your money is doing?
In this episode, we’re sharing a conversation that was too good to keep to ourselves. We talk about how putting all your numbers on one page can help you move from money anxiety to clarity, confidence, and a plan that actually fits your real life.
We break down why so many people do not have an overspending problem—they...
Why Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps Don't Work For Everyone | 591
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
We love Dave Ramsey and the Baby Steps—but after years of coaching, we kept seeing the same missing piece: people were told what to do without being shown how to build a budget that works in real life.
In this episode, we’re breaking down why the “scorched earth” approach can leave budget besties feeling overwhelmed, paralyzed, and like they’ve failed. We share how a personalized budget can help you pay off debt, build wealth, enjoy your life, and...
Why Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps Don't Work For Everyone | 591
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
We love Dave Ramsey and the Baby Steps—but after years of coaching, we kept seeing the same missing piece: people were told what to do without being shown how to build a budget that works in real life.
In this episode, we’re breaking down why the “scorched earth” approach can leave budget besties feeling overwhelmed, paralyzed, and like they’ve failed. We share how a personalized budget can help you pay off debt, build wealth, enjoy your life, and...
How to Budget as a Couple (Without Fighting About Spending) | 590
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Budget besties, this one is such a relatable money conversation for couples.
In this coaching-style episode, Shana and Vanessa talk with Jennifer and Brandon about setting up their budget system, figuring out checking accounts vs. savings buckets, and working through the classic “is this a personal expense or a family expense?” debate.
From hair appointments and supplements to kids’ expenses, Christmas, vehicle maintenance, and inconsistent income, this episode breaks down how to stop treating the budget like a tug...
Business Budgeting for Irregular Income + How To Use Savings in a Slow Month | Lessons from the Sessions | 589
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Budget besties, sometimes the budget just does not math the way we want it to.
In this episode, Shana and Vanessa talk through what happens when personal and business budgets are connected, income is fluctuating, and the month is coming up short. Instead of making tiny stressful transfers from savings all month long, they walk through why it can be more helpful to make one intentional transfer, close the budget gap, and move forward with clarity.
They...
Debt Payoff Basics: How to Pay Off Debt and Stop Using Credit Cards Without Shame or Living on Beans and Rice | 588
Watch Our Debt Payoff Workshop!
Budget besties, today we’re talking about debt in a way that does not involve shame, panic, or living on beans and rice forever. Because listen: you are not bad with money. You were probably just never taught how to make a clear plan.
In this episode, Shana and Vanessa walk through the real first steps of paying off debt: knowing your numbers, building a budget that actually works, and choosing a payoff method that fits your real life. We’re also talking about why debt can feel so heavy, how...
How Two Teachers Paid Off Debt and Cash-Flowed Disney Vacation | 587
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Budget besties, this episode is such a fun one because we’re chatting with Julie, one of Vanessa’s private coaching clients and basically the gold-star student of budgeting. Julie and her husband are both teachers, and before coaching, they were stuck in that cycle so many of us know too well: swipe the credit card, pay it off, swipe again, repeat.
Once Julie started using the budget system and working with Vanessa, everything started to shift. She paid off...
How She Saved $1,000 Every 6 Months and Put It Toward Debt | 586
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Budget besties, this episode is such a good reminder that the little “I’ll deal with it later” money tasks can turn into big wins when we finally give them attention.
Shana, Vanessa, and Coach Michelle are talking about two real-life Office Hours wins: one woman who saved $1,000 by re-quoting her auto insurance and paying annually, and another who created a plan for helping family financially without letting it derail her own budget.
Because here’s the thing: b...
She Wants to Quit Her Job, but Feels Guilty Because They’re Paying Off Debt | 585
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
It’s time for another Q&A session, and we’re answering real questions from our budget besties!
In this episode, Shana and Vanessa talk through two big money-life situations: how to set up automatic transfers when you get paid on the 15th and the last day of the month, and how to know when it may be time to let go of a job while paying off debt, going to school, and trying to protect your mental health.
Your Credit Card Isn’t a Budget: The Simple System to Stop Mindless Spending (Without Tracking Every Dollar) | 584
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Katrina is doing a lot right. She paid off over $100,000 in student loans, has no credit card debt, owns a home, has a full year of living expenses saved, and is investing for the future. But even with all that financial responsibility, she still feels like her everyday money system could be clearer.
In this episode, Shana and Vanessa help Katrina untangle the difference between being “good with money” and having a budget that actually makes life easier. We talk...
How to Pay Off Debt Without Going Back to Credit Cards | 583
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
We know paying off debt can feel like the urgent, obvious first step. But in this episode, Shana and Vanessa are flipping that script a little.
Because here’s the truth: if we attack debt without savings buckets, spending accounts, and a real plan for upcoming expenses, we’re probably going to end up right back on the credit card.
This episode is all about creating the kind of budget system that actually supports real life. We’re tal...
How to Make a Monthly Budget (Build Your July 2026 Money Plan Step-by-Step With Us) | 582
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Budget besties, can you believe July is already here? We are officially stepping into the second half of the year, which means this is the perfect time to pause, reset, and make a money plan that actually works for real life.
In this episode, Shana and Vanessa walk us through creating a July budget step by step. Whether June felt chaotic, your first half of the year did not go exactly as planned, or you are ready to get...
After YNAB and Dave Ramsey: The Budget System That Finally Worked | 581
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Budget besties, this episode is such a good one because Brianne came ready to preach.
When Brianne first came to coaching, she was a newly divorced single mom, self-employed, and convinced she couldn’t afford help. She had used YNAB for years, taught Financial Peace University, knew her numbers inside and out… and still felt like her budget wasn’t actually working.
The big shift? Realizing she didn’t need more tracking, more software, or more busy work. Sh...
Money Mindset Reset: Stop Avoiding Your Numbers | Reair: Mama's Tired with Rachel Kind | 580
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Check out Rachel's Podcast Mama's Tired Here.
Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level:
1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook
2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall
3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching
This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice.
This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purc...
10 Top Tips to Pay Off Debt and Stop Using Credit Cards | 579
Watch Our Debt Payoff Workshop!
Trying to pay off debt but still feel like nothing is working? In this episode, Shana and Vanessa are breaking down 10 of their best debt payoff tips to help us stop spinning our wheels, stop making debt worse, and start making real progress with a plan that actually fits real life.
We’re talking about why your credit card balance is not your budget, how to figure out how much you can actually put toward debt, and why the “best” debt payoff method depends on your budget right now. Snowball, avalan...
Budgeting in a Hard Season: How to Stay Stable Without Extra Income | 578
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
In this coaching session, Shana and Vanessa sit down with Chantelle, a longtime listener and budget bestie, who shares her experience navigating a difficult season of life. After stepping away from her job to advocate full-time for her son's medical needs, Chantelle is learning how to manage an unpredictable income while staying focused on what matters most.
Together, they discuss what it means to budget during "storm mode," how to handle fluctuating side hustle income, the purpose of a...
The Budget Mistakes That Keep You Living Paycheck to Paycheck | Lessons From The Sessions | 577
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Budget besties, this episode is all about what happens when your money life has a lot of moving parts: personal finances, business income, real estate, trusts, debt payments, vehicles, savings goals, and everyday spending all tangled together.
Shana and Vanessa walk through a real client example where three separate budgets helped create major clarity. Once everything was on paper, this client and her husband could finally see what was happening, make informed decisions, and start the domino effect by...
How to Stop Feeling Stressed About Money Without Tracking Every Dollar | Reair: All Things Excellence Podcast with Chelsey Debruin | 576
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Check out Chelsey's podcast!
Budget besties, this one is for anyone who has ever said, “I don’t need a budget,” while also wondering where all their money went.
In this episode, Shana and Vanessa get real about why budgeting is not about restriction, shame, or living on beans and rice. It is about giving every dollar a job so our money can actually support the life we want — the trips, the family fun, the savings goals, the debt...
How This Single Mom Stopped Using Credit Cards and Paid Off $31K of Debt With a Simple Budget System | 575
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
When Sarah first found Financial Coaching for Women, one phrase stopped her in her tracks:
"You make good money but have nothing to show for it."
As a single mom, Sarah felt like she should have been further ahead financially. She was earning more than ever before, but still felt stuck. Credit cards, unexpected expenses, and a lack of a clear system kept her spinning her wheels.
Fast forward less than a year and Sarah...
Where Is All My Money Going? How One Mom Found $1,000 in Her Budget | 574
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
What happens when you finally see all of your finances in one place?
In this episode, Michelle from Budget Besties Office Hours shares the story of a military mom facing a huge overseas move, major life changes, and overwhelming financial stress. After listening to the podcast and joining Office Hours, she jumped into the Simplified Budget System and quickly discovered:
✅ An extra $1,000 a month she didn't realize she had
✅ Over $200 a month in unused subscriptions
Get Out of Debt Faster: The Simple Debt Payoff Plan That Finally Works | 573
Get Debt Relief Help
If you're tired of sending your hard-earned money to credit cards, loans, and debt payments every month, this episode is for you. In this episode, we're talking about what getting out of debt really looks like, common mistakes people make, and how to create a plan that helps you keep more of your money.
Because the goal isn't just making payments forever. The goal is getting your money back.
Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level:
1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook
2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎...
How to Decide Between Paying Off Debt or Building Your Savings | 572
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
In today’s episode, we’re answering YOUR money questions in real time. No prep. No scripts. Just honest conversations about budgeting, debt, savings buckets, and figuring out what actually matters most in your season of life.
We’re talking through:
Should you put extra money toward debt or savings?What savings buckets matter most right now?How do you know if you have a spending problem or an income problem?What if your budget feels tight no matter...How to Simplify Your Budget With Separate Accounts, Automation and Your Bank App | Reair: Ambitious Time Management Strategies for Working Moms with Kristen Edwards | 571
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Check out ths reair from our friend Kristen's Podcast: Ambitious Time Management: Strategies for Working Moms
Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level:
1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook
2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall
3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching
This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice.
This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commi...
Make Your June 2026 Budget with Us: A Step-by-Step Monthly Money Plan | 570
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Have you made your June budget yet? In this episode, we’re walking you through exactly how to build your monthly budget from start to finish. We’re covering how to close out May correctly, update your real numbers, plan for spending, organize your bills, set up savings buckets, and figure out how much extra you actually have to throw at debt.
This is the exact process we use with our clients to stop the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle and finally feel...
How to Stop Pop-Up Expenses From Derailing Your Budget | 569
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Jen is tired of feeling like every paycheck is already spent before it even hits the account. Between dance competitions, surprise expenses, kids’ needs, and trying to “make it work,” she feels stuck in the constant cycle of hoping there’s enough money to cover everything.
In this coaching session, we walk Jen through the very first steps to stop winging it and finally create a simple system for her money. We talk about:
Why your bills account should b...Making Good Money but Stuck in Credit Card Debt? How This Couple Avoided Debt Consolidation | 568
Watch Our Debt Payoff Workshop!
Caroline and AJ both booked a free call… without knowing the other one had already done it. That’s how ready they were for change. 🙌
They were working full time, running a growing wedding photography business on nights and weekends, and still wondering:
Why isn’t the money stacking up?Why are we still in debt?Why does this feel so stressful?They were doing all the “right” things. Good jobs. Successful side hustle. Working nonstop. But no system. No plan. Just winging it.
Until they found th...
How to Budget Variable Income So You Can Spend Freely, Save for Big Goals, and Invest | Multi-Six-Figure Family Case Study | 567
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Hey budget besties!
Today we’re bringing you a real-life coaching case study—and y’all, this one is so good. Because you might see yourself all over it.
This adorable young couple (two kids, big dreams, cutest energy ever) came to us making great money… and spending it just as fast. He was 100% commission in finance (plus quarterly bonuses 😅), which meant income was high—but unpredictable. And when money feels random, spending gets random too.
They didn’t...
Feel Broke Even After Payday? Try This 10-Minute Money Reset | 566
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Budget besties… do you have 10 minutes?
Because if you do, we’re about to give you the easiest, quickest, least-overwhelming way to organize your finances. And we mean actually organize them — not just “everything’s fine” while the room is metaphorically on fire. 🔥🐶
You know the meme.
“This is fine.”
If you’ve ever looked at your bank account and thought:
“There’s money in there, so I think I’m good?”“Wait… did that bill already come o...How to Stop Spending the Money You Need to Pay Your Bills | Lessons From The Sessions | 565
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Budget besties… we love you. But if you remember NOTHING else from this episode, remember this:
Take the Bills debit card out of your wallet.
Yes, we said it loud. Yes, we’re serious. And yes… we’ve probably said it every single episode since we started coaching.
In this episode, we’re breaking down what happens when the Bills account becomes the “everything” account — airport hoodies, Chick-fil-A, Uber, school lunches, dry cleaning, Ann Taylor (because apparent...
