Have you ever felt like no matter how much you earn, or how diligently you pay your bills, your money still slips through your fingers?

In this episode of Money Files, I introduce you to the Money Table, the first step of my coaching framework that helps clients create 25% more choice with their money without earning more or making extreme cuts. The Money Table is where we lay everything out, your bills, subscriptions, lifestyle expenses, even the purchases you avoid looking at so you can finally see the full financial picture.

For most people, fake math runs the show. You tell yourself that a bonus will cover your expenses or that holidays “don’t cost that much,” only to find yourself overspending and underprepared. At the Money Table, we stop the fake math by naming, numbering, and planning for the expenses that quietly drain your account.

Through client stories, you’ll hear how this simple step transformed how they think about money, whether it was planning for tutoring, travel, or even giving money to family. Once you see the full puzzle, you can finally make confident, intentional choices about your money instead of scrambling paycheck to paycheck.

Listen in to learn:

[02:10] What the Money Table is and why it matters

[05:35] How fake math quietly drains your accounts

[09:15] Client story: turning tutoring expenses into predictable monthly planning

[14:40] How to plan for annual expenses so they don’t wreck your budget

[20:25] Why naming hidden expenses creates immediate relief

[25:10] How clients start making their coaching investment back from Day One

Tune into this episode of Money Files to discover how the Money Table helps you stop hiding from your numbers and finally see the full financial picture.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://wealthovernow.com/the-money-table-how-to-create-a-real-budget-and-stop-fake-math/

Links mentioned in this episode…

Set up a call | Financial Coach Washington, DC | Wealth Over Now

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EP. 190 Lisa’s Story: How Lisa Stopped Using Her Planner To Budget