Buying local can sometimes cost a little more, but what are you actually getting for that extra money?

In this episode of Bleep the Budget, Meghan sits down with two Traverse City chefs from Artisan and Sugar2Salt to talk about the true value behind locally sourced food. They dig into where those dollars go, the relationships between restaurants and local producers, reducing waste by using every bit of an ingredient, and why knowing where your food comes from can be worth paying a little more.

Plus, with both restaurants featured at the Traverse City Food & Wine Festival, we’re celebrating the local food community that makes Northern Michigan pretty delicious.

There are a lot of checklists for buying a house. But there are plenty of things no one puts on them.

In this episode of Bleep the Budget, Meghan sits down with a new homeowner, who recently traded condo living for a house while preparing to welcome his first child. He shares what the home buying process was really like, from setting a budget and making offers to navigating unexpected costs and finally getting the keys.

Having purchased a home years ago, he also explains how much the process has changed, from additional paperwork and longer timelines to surprises he never saw coming.

Whether you're buying your first home or your fifth, this episode is packed with honest stories, practical advice, and the financial realities of buying a home today.

How does asking for a simple insurance quote turn into a policy you never authorized, a bill you don’t owe and a collection on your credit report? Honestly, we’re still trying to figure that out.

Luis, 4Front’s Chief Experience Officer, joins us to share the frustrating and slightly unbelievable story of how he fought back and finally got the mess cleared up. With more than 30 years in banking, even Luis found himself wondering, “What the bleep do I do now?” It’s proof that financial chaos can happen to anyone, but knowing how to advocate for yourself can make all the difference.

Pets bring a lot of joy into our lives... but they can also bring a few unexpected trips to the vet and some surprisingly expensive decisions.

In this episode of Bleep the Budget, Meghan sits down with friend and coworker Nicole Maier, who has owned seven dogs and four cats over the past 30 years. Some have barely cost a thing. Others... let's just say they've kept the veterinarian on speed dial.

Together, they talk about the expenses every pet owner expects, the ones that catch you completely off guard, how to prepare for the unexpected, and the financial choices that come with loving our furry family members.

Whether you're thinking about getting your first pet or you've already accepted that your dog somehow has a more expensive diet than you do, this episode is full of honest stories, practical takeaways, and a reminder that while pets may not be cheap, most of us wouldn't have it any other way.

Divorce is never easy, and neither is figuring out what your financial life looks like afterward.

In this episode of Bleep the Budget, Meghan sits down with Courtney, a single mom who opens up about rebuilding after divorce. From owning two businesses with her former husband to choosing not to use attorneys in an effort to save money, Courtney shares what worked, what she wishes she'd done differently, and the financial lessons she learned along the way.

The conversation goes beyond dollars and cents. It's about starting over, making tough decisions, gaining confidence, and realizing you're capable of more than you thought.

Whether you're navigating a divorce yourself or simply interested in hearing an honest story about resilience and rebuilding, this episode is a reminder that even life's biggest financial setbacks don't have to be the end of your story.

Having kids changes a lot of things. Your sleep schedule, your free time, and definitely your budget.

In this episode of Bleep the Budget, Meghan sits down with fellow parent, Rebecca Clark, to talk about how becoming a parent completely changes your relationship with money. The things that once felt important suddenly don't, while expenses you never thought twice about become part of everyday life.

From daycare and convenience spending to future costs that already have us sweating, we get honest about what raising kids really looks like financially today, and how different it feels from when we were growing up.

Because the biggest financial surprise of parenthood isn't always how much kids cost. It's how quickly your priorities change.

This week we’re brewing up community & chaos with Scott Newman-Bale, CEO of Short’s Brewing Company and the man known as “The Magician” behind making big ideas actually happen. 

We dive into Short’s upcoming move into Traverse City and the exciting plans for Logan’s Landing, what it really takes to keep creativity alive without blowing the budget, and why today’s craft beer landscape is more challenging than many people realize.

We also get into building something bigger than beer, creating places people connect with, leaving a positive mark on Northern Michigan, and the balancing act of growing while staying true to who you are.

Plus: money talk, risk-taking, behind-the-scenes realities, and plenty more.

Listen now!

What does it really take to start a business from nothing? In this episode, we sit down with a local business owner who launched her car detailing company just a few months ago, and has already experienced the highs and lows that come with building something from the ground up. From days of silent phones and slow starts to suddenly juggling more she than expected, she shares the real, unfiltered journey of getting a business off the ground. We talk about thepower of persistence, figuring out the financial side as you go, and the people and tools that helped turn an idea into something real.

What does it really take to pull off a successful festival?

In this episode, we sit down with one of the masterminds behind northern Michigan favorites, Flapjack & Flannel and Suds & Snow, to go beyond the beer, wine, and flannel, and into the real story behind the scenes.

From early financial risks and unexpected costs to what actually makes these events profitable, we’re breaking down the numbers, the lessons learned, and the moments that almost made him walk away. If you’ve ever thought about starting your own event, side hustle, or business, this one’s packed with real talk you won’t hear anywhere else.

A coffee shop in a camper might sound like a fun experiment, but for Happy Camper Coffee Co it was just the beginning.

In this episode, we talk about the unexpected leap from mobile setup to full storefront, how that transition happened so quickly, and the intentional choices that made it work, like keeping prices steady while everything else scaled up.

It’s a story about timing, trust, and building something your town shows up for again and again.