Creatives Do Money

Have a question about getting better with money when you’re self-employed? Email Eowyn your question in text or audio form: [email protected] and she’ll answer it in a future episode.

This week on the Creatives Do Money Podcast, Episode #22

Eric is a freelance musician, DJ, and arts administrator, as well as kindred spreadsheet enthusiast. 

Based in Brooklyn, Eric has an active career as a clarinetist in the new music scene in New York City. He’s also the Development & Engagement manager for The Knights Orchestral collective (you might remember a reference to the group from episode 9 as the group that my spouse Michael also works with.  They’re amazing!)

We get into his transition from full-time freelancing to a mix of freelancing and employment, and what led him to make the change. We also touch on the challenges of student loan debt, and his epic quest to win an apartment lease through the NYC affordable housing lottery, and much more. 

” I realized that a lot of people about a generation older than me, that had survived in New York City as artists, and were doing pretty well, had a deal. Somehow, they had found a deal on their housing.”

Eric Umble on Creatives Do Money Podcast, Episode 22

Episode Summary

Figuring out your modern career path when you’re a self-employed artist, musician, or creative is a challenge. How do you figure out paying for decent housing while piecing together multiple (gorgeous fun inspiring) gigs? Will you ever be able to pay off the student loans that facilitated your expertise?

Today, Eric’s sharing the path he’s taking as he navigates a multi-talented musician‘s life in New York City, full of wise nuggets, and a love of his art and the creative world that lives in this metropolis.

How Eric combines freelancing as a clarinetist with Arts Administration (01:34)

How income variability loomed large in life. The pivotal moment that changed everything for him. Choosing between different student loan repayment programs. The role that credit cards played for him, and how he resolved that debt.

Some of Eric’s wisdom on finances (21:56)

How talking about money with each other can change our lives for the better. The financial institution that has made all the difference for him. The spreadsheet that keeps him grounded and focused on what’s important. How his approach to money has changed through working in arts administration

On the NYC Housing Lottery +…” there are opportunities out there, and that they do exist. And this program does work. And people do get through the program and have an opportunity to stay in in the city and live sustainably.”

Eric Umble on Creatives Do Money Podcast, Episode 22

The prohibitive cost of living in NYC as a freelancer (33:22)

How Eric realized that he was going to have to solve his housing situation if he wanted to stay in NYC Persisting through so much bureaucracy and administration, to win his affordable apartment leaseThe burden of administration that could prevent those who need the housing lottery the most from actually benefiting

Giving Back, and Future Plans (41:52)

How giving back to his community has been an important way of paying forward his luck with the housing lottery.❤️ Eric will gladly help anyone trying to apply for housing via th

Have a question you want answered on the podcast? Email Eowyn your Q in text or audio form: [email protected] I can’t wait to hear from you!

This week on the Creatives Do Money Podcast, Episode #21

Welcome to Creatives Do Money!  Each week we explore the topics of everyday money management, solo business ownership, and how we are fueling our creative futures.  I’m your host, Eowyn Levene, money coach, massage therapist, and watermelon enthusiast.  And I’m on a mission to help you build the lasting financial stability that frees you up to do your work without hustling anxiously for the next dollar.  

Today we’re talking budgeting and common misconceptions about using a budget. Talking about how it’s way more doable than you might think, how using a budget can make ALL the difference, that it’s not restrictive in the way you might imagine.

Free Guide: 3 Simple Steps to Improve Your Finances When Your Money is a Mess

In this episode

“your budget is your organized calendar and to do list – aka your planner – for your money.”

Eowyn Levene, Creatives Do Money Podcast, Episode 21

The common thoughts that healers and creatives often have about budgetingHow we can reframe how we think about learning to budgetWhat approach will help us sit down and actually start budgetingIs the work to use a budget worth it? And yes, it takes some work initially. And…but what if I’m bad at math?

“So if you thought that budgeting could be quick, easy and painless once you put some work into learn it, would you do it?”

Eowyn Levene, Creatives Do Money Podcast, Episode 21

Resources / Links

How to use a Zero-Based Budget

3 Simple Steps to Improve Your Finances When Your Money is a Mess

Connect with me further

Please share, subscribe, and review

Thank you for listening!

Have a question you want answered on the podcast? Email Eowyn your question in text or audio form: [email protected] I can’t wait to hear from you!

This week on the Creatives Do Money Podcast

KJ Nasrul and I jump into the deep end together, talking about the consciousness and presence required to change longtime patterns of avoidance around money. What does it take to stay present with yourself, your emotions, and to face your money monsters? Because facing those fears, resistances, and avoidances is 100% necessary to changing how you handle your money. And those moments of presence and honesty are essential to building financial stability.

Kimberly “KJ” Nasrul is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, musician, and a writer/collector of stories. She is also a Psychological First Aid Responder with extensive experience providing mental health support to families impacted by disasters, both natural and man-made.  KJ is also the host of the podcast Stories of Astonishing Light.

Creatives Do Money Podcast Episode #20

Welcome to Creatives Do Money!  Each week we explore the topics of everyday money management, solo business ownership, and how we are fueling our creative futures.  I’m your host, Eowyn Levene, money coach, massage therapist, and watermelon enthusiast.  And I’m on a mission to help you build the lasting financial stability that frees you up to do your work without hustling anxiously for the next dollar.  

On working with a money coach…. “reaching out and speaking with someone who very much so specifically works around handling money, when money isn’t your thing.  That was really, really important to me”KJ Nasrul on Creatives Do Money Podcast, Episode 20

Episode Summary

Have you found yourself weeping in front of a spreadsheet, or logging in to your bank accounts only when absolutely forced?  This might be an especially good episode for you <3

My brilliant guest today KJ Nasrul brings all her honesty and vulnerability about money to the table.

Embracing major financial change (02:25)

The tragedy that spurred big questions about her life and career in early 2020How the prospect of income irregularity changed her prioritiesWhat money avoidance looks like for KJ (hint: receipts are involved)

How working a money coach changed everything for her (06:46)

Finding the support of a money coach who spoke her language as a creative and ‘non-money person’How working with a money coach made all the difference, someone to hold neutral, non-judgmental space, and teach her new tools around money.  It’s OK to not have all the answers with money

“For anyone who’s also in that avoidant place {with money} and in that… maybe stuck or scared or just paralyzed place, to be gentle with it. Be gentle.  Acknowledge that there does not have to be any more shaming or judgment attached to it from yourself on top of everything else that’s there.”KJ Nasrul on Creatives Do Money Podcast, Episode 20

The psychology of money work, AKA facing your money monsters (12:19)

Patterns of avoidance and copying that we develop around hard, unspoken areas of our lives. The wisdom of the body, and how it can guide us. How avoiding speaking about the topic of money enables

Have a question you want answered on the podcast? Email Eowyn your Q in text or audio form: [email protected] I can’t wait to hear from you!

This week on the Creatives Do Money Podcast, Episode #19

Welcome to Creatives Do Money!  Each week we explore the topics of everyday money management, solo business ownership, and how we are fueling our creative futures.  I’m your host, Eowyn Levene, money coach, massage therapist, and watermelon enthusiast.  And I’m on a mission to help you build the lasting financial stability that frees you up to do your work without hustling anxiously for the next dollar.  

Today we’re getting into planning our year ahead, but in a particular way. We’re planning from a place of loving and accepting ourselves as we are, and building a vision of what we want to do, to create, to evolve, from there.

In this episode

New Year, New You is a bunch of huey! (01:31)

What if you were just perfectly imperfect already? If you start by accepting yourself as worthy and valuable right now, what does your vision for the future look like when you start from that place of wholeness?Will accepting yourself kill your motivation to make things and do things?The financial implications and timelines of this new vision you’ve created, from a place of wholeness

Question 1 (09:21)

What are the financial behaviors and habits I want more of? What do I want less of? How to identify the thoughts you need to practice (hint: Episode 18)Outcome vs process goals

“You can be more effective when you’re not constantly shaming yourself and telling yourself you’re not good enough. And bonus, you’re so much more likely to enjoy your life along the way.” Eowyn Levene, Creatives Do Money Podcast, Episode 19

Question 2 (12:07)

What might get in the way of doing the necessary money work, to build the financial foundation needed to reach your goals?

Question 3 (12:56)

What help do you need to get past the possible struggles when moving towards your goals?Hint: it is NOT this thingIf 1-on-1 work is something you know will help you improve your finances, join me for money coaching. I’m taking new clients in January 2021!

My top 4 Follow Through tips (16:55)

Last part of the episode is my top 4 tips on actually following through on your goals, and making the progress you want to, financial and otherwise. Also, I’m REALLY taking a winter break now, and will be back with the next full episode on January 15, 2020.

Resources / Links

Want some dedicated help with your financial life and building new money habits? I’m taking new money coaching clients in 2021!

Blog post: Getting your financial priorities straight – how to know when to do what with your money

Have a question you want answered on the podcast? Email Eowyn your Q in text or audio form: [email protected] I can’t wait to hear from you!

This week on the Creatives Do Money Podcast, Episode #18

Welcome to Creatives Do Money!  Each week we explore the topics of everyday money management, solo business ownership, and how we are fueling our creative futures.  I’m your host, Eowyn Levene, money coach, massage therapist, and watermelon enthusiast.  And I’m on a mission to help you build the lasting financial stability that frees you up to do your work without hustling anxiously for the next dollar.  

Today we’re getting into how to do a year end review that doesn’t make you hate yourself

Looking for the Year End Business Review Blog Post mentioned in this episode? Look back at your business year and make some smart year end money moves now.

In this episode

Why do a year end financial review? (02:18)

Gain insight to inform planning your next yearGive yourself a lot of grace as you do this, because 2020 has been an awful year for so many reasons.

Set yourself up for review success (05:54)

What do do if you’re feeling resistant to doing a review like this, but know you’ll gain clarity and insight from it?The one thing that almost always helps with resistanceSet the scene right and actually enjoy the process of looking at your finances and reviewing your money yearThe unexpected thing you DON’T need to do before doing a year end finance review

“let this review process be easy. Let it be enjoyable and valuable. And let it show you the areas that you want to make some change or increase what’s already working well.” Eowyn Levene, Creatives Do Money Podcast, Episode 18

On the negative side (10:15)

Look for your three stand out money moments that you wish had gone differently, financial events, money behaviors, financial habits. Ask yourself some smart questions about those three. We look at some examples, and compare the circumstances to the things you could have some control over in the future. Look deeper at the thoughts that stood behind the associated money behaviors

On the positive side (10:15)

Look for your three stand out money moments that you’re proud of and happy about, financial events, money behaviors, financial habits. Ask yourself some smart questions about those three. Look deeper at the thoughts that stood behind the associated positive money behaviors

Also, I’m taking a winter break and will be back with the next full episode on January 15, 2020.

Resources / Links

Want some dedicated help with your financial life and building new money habits? I’m taking new money coaching clients in 2021!

3 Simple Steps to Improve Your Finances When Your Money is a Mess

Connect with me further

Have a question you want answered on the podcast? Email Eowyn your question in text or audio form: [email protected] I can’t wait to hear from you!

This week on the Creatives Do Money Podcast

Cris and I talk all about expanding from being a solopreneur into a real agency, how she grew into her own after a really serious financial low point, and what it’s been like to grow foundational financial stability from her own business, as opposed to traditional employment.

After a lengthy career in sales & Marketing, Cris accidentally started her own creative agency in 2015. In 2017 her husband joined her and in 2020 her son joined the team too. Together with they help clients to launch online programs, create email funnels, manage their podcast/youtube and more… basically all the things that stifle the fun and creation for a client and often keeps them blocked from growing. 

When Cris isn’t cuddled up at home with her dog, a good book, and a glass of wine, she’s often traipsing around foreign lands with her husband and son, exploring and learning from different cultures and beliefs systems.

Creatives Do Money Podcast Episode #17

Welcome to Creatives Do Money! 

Each week we explore the topics of everyday money management, solo business ownership, and how we are fueling our creative futures.  I’m your host, Eowyn Levene, money coach, massage therapist, and watermelon enthusiast.  And I’m on a mission to help you build the lasting financial stability that frees you up to do your work without hustling anxiously for the next dollar.  

“There were six months worth of moments, of really knowing the value of my life, and knowing the value of making it good and not struggling.”

Cris Greer on Creatives Do Money Podcast, Episode 17

Episode Summary

In today’s episode, Cris and I cover so many moments from her journey overcoming financial adversity, struggling to gain her education while working and caring for her son alone, boundaries and communication in shared work space, learning to be really intentional with money, and much more.

“I look at the nine years that I’ve been through and where I’ve been, and I’m so proud of myself. I’m like, wow, I would read her story. Oh, wait, that’s my story.” Cris Greer on Creatives Do Money Podcast, Episode 17

Connect with further with Cris Greer

Website: CMG Ideas

Cris’ Design Agency Website: Cris passion project

Podcast: Grounding Journey

Instagram: @grounding_journey

Resources / Links

Three Simple Steps to Improve Your Finances When Your Money is a Mess7 Step Checklist to Prepare you for your Successful Debt Payoff Journey

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