In this episode, I’m sharing the full story behind Budget Divas—a story I never thought I’d tell out loud. This isn’t just about paying off $90,000 of debt. It’s about the emotional toll of working a high-pressure job, the moment I realized my family was falling apart, and how my son’s crisis became the wake-up call that changed everything.

I’ll walk you through how I quit my job, found mystery shopping, and used it to help my family pay off debt fast—while still living a life we enjoyed. And I’ll open up about the hardest chapter of all—losing my husband Alden in November 2023. I’ll be honest: I lost myself for a while. But piece by piece, I’m rebuilding my life, my finances, and my confidence.

If you’re going through something hard—whether it’s grief, financial stress, or just trying to find yourself again—I hope this episode reminds you that you’re not alone. You can come back from anything. And you can still live beautifully, even on a budget.

Key Takeaways:

• Why I walked away from a high-paying job that was costing me everything
• The moment I knew I had to change—for my son and for myself
• How I went from hardcore frugality to discovering mystery shopping as a real income tool
• The impact of grief on budgeting, motivation, and mental health
• Why progress doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful
• How I’m learning to live again—with intention, on a budget, and with joy