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.
How to Stop Playing Catch-Up With Money: Build a Buffer, Organize Your Accounts & Breathe Again | 623
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Ever feel like you understand budgeting…but your actual money still feels completely out of control?
Budget besties, sometimes the problem isn’t that you’re bad with money. It’s that your money is DISORGANIZED.
In this Q&A episode, we’re tackling two super relatable money situations: adjusting when your paycheck schedule suddenly changes and figuring out how to organize your accounts when your spouse isn’t exactly thrilled about carrying multiple debit cards.
First, we’...
Tired of Playing Catch-Up With Your Money? Simple Budgeting Guardrails That Work | 622
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Budget besties, today we’re talking about two simple shifts that can make managing your money feel a whole lot easier: stop spending from your bills account and stop being afraid to ask questions about your own money.
First up: those separate spending accounts we love? Think of them as mini budgets. You might have one for gas and groceries, another for dining out, and another for personal or kid spending. Instead of one giant checking account where every tr...
Klarna, Affirm, Afterpay: Why Buy Now, Pay Later Keeps You Paycheck to Paycheck | 621
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Budget besties, we need to talk about BNPLs. And yes… we had to Google what that meant too. 😂
Buy now, pay later services like Affirm, Klarna, Afterpay, Sezzle, and all their little friends can sound harmless. Zero interest! Four easy payments! Get the thing now!
But when those payments start stacking on top of each other? Your budget can get messy FAST.
In this episode, we’re talking about why these payments have become such a probl...
From Living Paycheck to Paycheck to Paying Off Debt: The Budget System That Finally Worked with Becky | 620
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Budget besties, this one is a FULL-CIRCLE moment. 💛
A few years ago, Becky came to us feeling completely overwhelmed by debt. In her very first budgeting session, she was $54 short — and convinced that proved budgeting just wasn’t going to work for her.
Fast-forward to today…
She’s paid off nearly all of her debt, sold a house, bought another home, intentionally restarted payments on her student loans, saved ahead for an epic trip to BlizzCon, A...
Pay Off Debt or Save Money? How to Budget for Both Without Giving Up Vacations | 619
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Budget besties, what do you do when more money finally starts coming in…but you also have debt, vacations, savings goals, and about 47 other things competing for those dollars?
In this episode, we’re sharing real coaching situations that show why there usually isn’t one “perfect” answer.
One client had been dealing with significantly smaller paychecks for months while her husband went through recurring pilot training. Their lifestyle wasn’t outrageous—but their income had dropped by thousands o...
Holiday Budgeting: How to Plan for Christmas and the Holidays Without Going Into Debt | 618
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Fall is coming — even if it’s still 95 degrees outside — and that means the holidays are right behind it. 🎃🦃🎄🎆
And budget besties, we’re not just talking about Christmas.
Halloween, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s, holiday parties, travel, teacher gifts, costumes, candy, food, decorations… it all adds up FAST.
In this episode, we’re helping you get ahead of the holiday spending season so your budget doesn’t take a gut punch — and you don’t wake up on Janua...
Why Your Identity—Not Your Diet or Budget—May Be the Key to Lasting Change | 617
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Budget besties, this episode is about way more than food, fitness, or money. It’s about the beliefs underneath all of it.
We’re joined again by Carrie Lupoli, nutritionist, behavior specialist, and author of From Corset to Crown, for a conversation about becoming the healthiest version of ourselves — physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially.
Carrie shares a powerful idea: nutrition may be the doorway, but identity is the destination.
So many of us have spent years living...
Why You Can’t Get Out of Credit Card Debt While You’re Still Using Credit Cards: Lessons from the sessions | 616
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Budget besties, this episode is packed with two coaching lessons we see all the time: trying to pay off credit card debt while still using credit cards, and treating that third paycheck like “extra” money. Spoiler: neither one is helping your budget quite the way you think it is.
First, we’re talking about what happens when you’re trying to get out of debt but you’re still swiping the cards for points, convenience, or because that’s simply how y...
How to Get One Paycheck Ahead and Create a Realistic Budget | 615
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Budget besties, if you’ve ever looked at your bank account and thought, “We make decent money… so why does it always feel like there’s nothing left?” this episode is for you.
Today, we’re talking with Jen, who is ready to stop winging it with her money and finally create a system that gives her some breathing room.
Jen and her husband are bringing in income on different pay schedules, paying bills from multiple accounts, and trying t...
Living Paycheck to Paycheck? 4 Money Traps Keeping You Stuck and How to Break Them | 614
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Budget besties, if you make good money but still find yourself waiting for the next paycheck to pay a bill, buy groceries, or breathe again… this episode is for you.
Living paycheck to paycheck isn’t always an income problem. Sometimes it’s a money organization problem.
In this episode, we’re breaking down the common traps that keep high earners stuck in the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle — including keeping all your money in one account, thinking paycheck-by-paycheck instead of monthly...
Unexpected Expenses Keep Wrecking Your Budget? Do This Instead! | 613
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Budget besties, real life is going to happen — and your budget needs to be able to handle it.
Coach Michelle is back with us to share some of the real-life conversations happening inside Office Hours, and this episode is packed with examples of what it looks like when your budget actually works with your life instead of making you feel boxed in.
We’re talking about a military family who prepared for a cross-country move and was able...
How to Budget Through Big Life Changes Without Adding More Money Stress | Reair: Maximized Minimalist with Katy Wells | 612
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Check Out Katy's Podcast!
Budget besties, life transitions have a way of bringing ALL the things at once.
A move. A new baby. A job change. Kids going through a hard season. A surprise vet bill. A spouse retiring. A business changing.
And somehow, while we’re carrying all of that emotionally, we’re also supposed to remember when the electric bill is due, how much is left for groceries, whether Christmas is funded, and wher...
How a Simple Budget System Stopped the Money Chaos and Helped Nikki Handle Unexpected Expenses | 611
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What happens when budgeting stops feeling like a constant guessing game and starts giving you actual confidence?
In this episode, we’re chatting with Nikki from Australia about what changed when she started using our Simplified Budget System.
Before the system, Nikki was spending a ton of time tracking money, writing down what was coming up, checking bank balances, and trying different apps and spreadsheets — but she still felt like her family was constantly on the back foot...
Should You Cancel Whole Life Insurance? + How to Budget Irregular Income | 610
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Budget besties, this episode is all about taking charge of your money instead of letting someone else—or a chaotic system—make the decisions for you.
We’re sharing two real-life lessons from our coaching sessions that show just how powerful it can be to ask questions, understand the numbers, and create financial systems that actually work for your life.
First, we’re talking about a couple who had both whole life and term life insurance, including a whole...
Build Your September Budget With Us: Step-by-Step Monthly Budget Walkthrough | 609
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Budget besties, grab the pumpkin spice latte because September is almost here—and we are NOT bringing August’s hot mess energy with us. 😂
In this episode, we’re walking through exactly how to build your September budget, category by category, so you know what’s happening with your money before the month gets going.
First things first: close out August. Go back and make sure your budget reflects what actually happened. Maybe a bill got pushed into Septem...
Why Credit Card Debt Feels So Scary and the Budget Plan That Helps You Breathe Again | 608
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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.
<...Make Good Money but Keep Overspending? How to Budget Without Feeling Restricted | Reair: The Crazy Ex-Wife’s Club with Erica Bennett | 607
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Budget besties, budgeting does not have to mean cutting out everything you love, tracking every penny, or feeling guilty every time you spend money.
In this conversation, Shana and Vanessa break down a simpler way to manage your money—one that gives every dollar a purpose while still leaving room for the things that make life fun. We’re talking data over drama, digital envelopes, automatic transfers, guilt-free spending money, and becoming the CFO of your own finances.
One...
How Much Does Senior Year Cost? A Budget Guide for Parents of High School Seniors | 606
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Senior year is exciting, emotional…and apparently full of expenses nobody warned us about. 😅
In this episode, Shana and Vanessa sit down with listener and fellow senior mom Robyn to talk about what it really costs to have a high school senior.
Robyn walks us through the expenses that surprised her most — from senior pictures and outfits to graduation gifts, parties, college applications, technology, senior trips, and all those little “senior moments” that add up fast.
The bigge...
How to Budget With Multiple Bank Accounts | 605
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Budget besties, have you ever looked at your budget and thought, “Wait… it says I have money left over, so where is it?!”
That’s exactly what Melissa brought to this live coaching call. On paper, her budget showed more than $2,000 of “extra” money each month—but in real life, that money was nowhere to be found.
In this episode, we walk through why that disconnect happens and uncover one of the biggest culprits: spending directly from the bills acco...
our Credit Card Isn’t a Budget: The Simple System to Stop Mindless Spending (Without Tracking Every Dollar) | 605
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Katrina is doing a LOT right with her money. She paid off more than $100,000 in student loans, has no credit card debt, built a full year of living expenses in savings, invests for retirement, and works three jobs.
So why does she still feel like her money could be working harder for her?
In this coaching conversation, we help Katrina move beyond simply being “fiscally responsible” and start creating a money system that gives her more clarity, cons...
Budgeting for Pets + When It’s Okay to Pause Debt Payoff (Including HELOC debt) | Lessons from the Sessions | 604
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Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
Budget besties, sometimes budgeting is less about following the “perfect” financial plan and more about making your money work for the actual life you’re living.
In this episode, we’re talking through two real-life coaching situations that show exactly what that can look like.
First up: pets. And not just one cute little pet with an occasional bag of food—we’re talking multiple animals, grooming appointments, vet visits, specialty food, emergencies, and an annual pet budget that...
7 Things You Can Do in 5 Minutes to Save Money in Your Budget Today | 603
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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 view our p
The Paycheck Plan for Multiple Paychecks: How to Budget with Messy Pay Schedules | 602
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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...
