In this episode, I’m sharing the truth about my $1,500 RV mistake—and the budgeting lessons no one talks about.

What started as a fun, spontaneous trip turned into an expensive wake-up call. And if you’ve ever told yourself “it’ll be fine” when spending… you’re going to feel this one.

We’re talking about real-life budgeting—not the perfect, color-coded version—but what actually happens when life, emotions, and impulse decisions collide.

Inside this episode:

•  The exact mistake that cost me $1,500 
•  Why “fun spending” can quietly wreck your budget 
•  How to plan for experiences without blowing your finances 
•  The budgeting shift that would have saved me thousands 
•  How to recover financially after an expensive mistake (without shame) 

If you’ve ever overspent on a trip, justified a purchase in the moment, or felt regret after spending… this episode will hit home.

Because budgeting isn’t about being perfect—it’s about learning how to bounce back smarter.

In this episode of the Budget Divas podcast, host Jen Trinidad and guest Corrine Tomita-Soupnet discuss essential tips for first-time home buyers. They cover the importance of understanding mortgage qualification, budgeting for home ownership, and common mistakes to avoid. Corrine emphasizes the role of lenders, the significance of being financially prepared, and how to navigate the home buying process effectively. The conversation also touches on location considerations, assessing neighborhoods, and the importance of building equity through home ownership.

Takeaways

• Find a reliable real estate agent first.
• Understand your credit score and debt-to-income ratio.
• Budget for more than just the mortgage payment.
• Avoid making big purchases before applying for a mortgage.
• Consider starting with a condo or townhome.
• Be open with your lender about your financial situation.
• Don't get another job until you're settled in your current one.
• Look for homes in areas that offer more value for your budget.
• Always have a financial cushion for unexpected expenses.
• Refinancing is an option if you can't put 20% down.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to First-Time Home Buying

02:54
Understanding Mortgage Qualification

06:01
The Importance of Budgeting

08:53
Navigating Maintenance Fees and Hidden Costs

11:47
Choosing the Right Price Range

15:04
Common Mistakes for First-Time Buyers

17:52
The Role of Lenders in Home Buying

21:10
Finding the Right Home

24:02
Location vs. Budget Considerations

26:48
Assessing Neighborhoods

30:08
Preparing for Home Ownership

32:56
Down Payment Insights

36:03
Conclusion and Resources

Episode Description:

Hey bestie! If you're feeling overwhelmed by rising costs and money stress, I totally get it. In today's episode, I'm breaking down exactly how to get your finances back on track with 10 simple, actionable steps you can start right now.

Here's what I'm sharing with you:
• How I calculate my real monthly income and expenses (even when it's all over the place)
• My 3-step formula to see exactly where your money is going
• How I identify non-negotiable expenses vs. spending habits that need to go
• Simple strategies I use to cut costs without feeling deprived
• The 30-day reset challenge that's building my money confidence
• My weekly check-in system that keeps me on track without obsessing

This episode is perfect if you:

• Have never made a budget that actually works
• Are tired of living paycheck to paycheck
• Feel like rising costs have thrown your finances completely off track
• Want to take control before we hit 2026
• Need a judgment-free approach to money (that's my specialty!)

I'm getting real about my recent spending struggles—yes, I was that person making daily UPS returns from Amazon! I want to remind you that budgets aren't about perfection—they're about intention and taking back your power.

Ready to boost your income while you budget? Grab my FREE 7-Day Mystery Shopping Blueprint: Get Paid to Shop and Crush Your Debt—Start Today! It's the perfect side hustle to add extra cash to your budget reset. Grab it here: www.budgetdivas.com/getpaidtoshop

I mention: Side Hustle Nation, my weekly budget routine, and the 30-day money reset I'm doing

Ready to stop the money stress and start the new year with confidence? Let's get your finances back on track together, bestie.

Ready for a financial fresh start? Forget waiting until January—September is your secret weapon for financial transformation!

The September Reset works like a second New Year, but without all the pressure and post-holiday exhaustion. While summer vacations and adventures (like my trips to LA and Orlando) create amazing memories, they often leave our finances and routines in disarray. By late August, most of us crave structure and clarity before heading into holiday season chaos.

Starting your financial reset now gives you 3-4 crucial months to build momentum before year-end. Think about it: pushing a heavy cart is hardest when starting from a complete stop. With a September start, you'll already be rolling when January arrives instead of beginning from zero with holiday debt hanging over you.

My five-step September Reset framework can transform your financial trajectory: First, revisit your budget with fresh eyes to identify spending patterns and necessary adjustments. Second, review your debt payoff strategy, choosing between the motivational snowball method or the financially efficient avalanche approach. Third, create a realistic holiday spending plan now, before emotion and urgency take over. Fourth, establish or boost your emergency fund—even just $1,000 provides crucial protection. Finally, select one achievable financial goal to accomplish by December 31st.

Remember that mindset matters as much as tactics. The stories we tell ourselves about money can either sabotage or support our efforts. My own transformation began when I shifted from hopelessness to possibility, recognizing I didn't have to live paycheck-to-paycheck forever.

In upcoming episodes, I'll share weekly guidance to help you clean up your budget, eliminate hidden expenses, set effective short-term goals, navigate holiday spending without debt, and refresh your savings strategy. Together, we'll create a framework that sets you up for success well before the new year begins.

Ready to stop waiting and start building your financial confidence? Hit subscribe, and let's make these next few months count. Your future self will thank you!

After suddenly losing my husband in 2023, I found myself in unfamiliar territory—grieving, overwhelmed, and managing finances completely alone for the first time. In this deeply personal episode of Budget Divas, I share what that season looked like: unopened mail, panic attacks, emotional spending, and learning how to take slow, gentle steps toward financial stability.

Whether you’re navigating grief, a job loss, divorce, or just trying to find your footing on one income, this episode offers a dose of compassion, honesty, and hope.

Takeaways from this episode:

• Why it’s okay to press pause on budgeting when your world falls apart
• The importance of a “grief cushion” in your budget
• How to do a gentle audit of your spending without shame
• Tips for setting up a simple financial system when your brain is in a fog
• What a “money date” with yourself can do for healing and clarity
• Why emotional safety matters before spreadsheet strategy

You don’t have to do it all. Just start with one bill, one breath, one step.

In this raw and real episode of Rebuilding Bougie, I’m sharing the emotional (and financial) aftermath of losing my husband Alden in 2023 — and how grief quietly wreaked havoc on my bank account. From takeout dinners I didn’t eat to late-night Amazon sprees and Target runs for “comfort,” I open up about how emotional spending became a form of survival.

If you’ve ever found yourself eating cereal on the couch with the TV on at 2am, wondering where your money went — this one’s for you.

We’re talking about:

• Why budgets fly out the window when you’re grieving
• How spending became my emotional outlet
• What helped me finally feel safe again financially
• Why there is no shame in how you survived
• And how mystery shopping reminded me I still had options

I also share gentle tips on how to start rebuilding your finances after loss — no guilt, no shame, just grace and small steps.

So grab your comfort snack, your favorite blanket, and come sit with me for this heart-to-heart. If you’re in the fog right now, I want you to know: you are not alone. We’re doing this together — one bougie receipt at a time.

After losing my husband in late 2023, grief didn’t just shatter my heart—it wrecked my finances. In this episode, I share the raw truth about emotional spending, budgeting breakdowns, and the quiet chaos that follows loss.

I talk about how I coped (hello, late-night Amazon hauls), why I stopped budgeting for a while, and how I eventually found my way back—with grace, not guilt. If you're in the fog of grief and your finances feel out of control, this one's for you.

Takeaways:

• Emotional spending isn’t failure—it’s survival
• Create “grief room” in your budget
• Start small, track wins, and rebuild gently
• You’re not broken—you’re becoming

You're not alone, diva. Let’s rebuild together.

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

Two years ago, I was running a thriving business—coaching women, hosting challenges, and helping people pay off debt while still living their best life. But in November 2023, everything changed. My husband passed away unexpectedly, and I couldn’t breathe, let alone talk about budgeting or business. So I stepped away. I grieved. I healed. I started over—on a single income, with a broken heart, and a new perspective.

In this episode, I’m sharing the full story. From being buried in $90,000 of debt and praying on the bathroom floor… to discovering mystery shopping and becoming debt-free… to losing everything I thought I was building and finding the strength to rebuild.

This isn’t just about money. It’s about survival, grief, healing, and taking back your power—even when life doesn’t go as planned.

🎧 What You’ll Take Away from This Episode:

• How I went from $90K in debt to debt-free
• What mystery shopping did for my budget—and my confidence
• Why I stopped budgeting after my husband passed—and how I started again
• What it’s really like to live on a single income after loss
• How you can rebuild your finances without giving up joy, coffee, or self-care
• That you are not alone, you are not behind, and you are more than capable

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How am I supposed to do this alone?”—this episode is for you. Even now, even here—you can still live like a diva.