We were shocked when our guest today shared the statistic that 63% of Americans don't have enough money in savings to cover a $500 emergency without going into debt. AND, while many people are blaming the current inflation as the culprit, the number was the same 5 years ago, but people were putting the blame elsewhere. The reality is that many of us are living paycheck to paycheck and are simply not good at saving money. 

Baby girl, if this is you, it is time for a reality check. Today our guest, Brad Nelson, helps to provide an eye-opening outlook on debt and money that challenge today's popular thinking. This man has dedicated his life to helping people with their personal finances and his program "Roots of Personal Finance" has supported so many by helping them pay off tens-of-millions of dollars in debt and, then, to start SAVING money!

It is the goal of the Dear Midlife Podcast to help women reinvent and reinvigorate the second half of their life. But, the reality is that (as we've seen by our statistic) so many people struggle with money and debt. Brad teaches a simple process to help people develop a healthier financial mindset, allowing them to take control of their finances so they can do more of what they love. 

Brad's message comes from the heart and from his own personal experiences. He and his wife decided to become debt free early in their marriage. In 2018, his wife Sarah gave birth to their daughter Avery. Avery was born with a brain injury (due to lack of blood flow and oxygen to the brain) and Cerebral Palsy. Being debt-free allowed him and his wife to put all of their efforts into getting the care that Avery needed and being there to support her daily therapy session. Thankfully, today, Avery is thriving and living a normal life, and Brad attributes her progress to the time they were able to spend on Avery's care at an early age.

Then, tragedy struck again earlier this year in March 2023 when Brad suddenly lost his wife, Sarah, to a battle with mental illness and suicide. Again, Brad and his financial life were tested, but because of the work they put in on their finances leading up to this tragic event, he has remained debt-free while allowing him and his children to have the time and space to grieve the loss and rebuild their lives.

In this episode, Brad teaches us: 

1. Start planning your financial future as soon as possible. If you didn't start when you were young, start now.
2. The best first step is to evaluate the last 6-12 months of spending and determine opportunities to shift your spending habits.
3. After reviewing where you're spending your money, imagine what you want to feel like when you think about your finances and then consider what you're willing to sacrifice to get there.
4. The word "budget" has gotten a bad rap over the years. But, the reality is you need to have a plan every month to cover your expenses. But, when building your budget, include some discretionary spending for having fun and enjoying life.
5. After you've gotten visibility into your spending habits, it's time to then start saving money. 63% of people can't afford a $500 emergency expense without going into debt. Ideally you can have a minimum of $1,000 and up to $5,000 (if possible) in savings for emergencies.

To find more about Brad and to tap into his programs go to: 

Website | www.debtfreedad.com

Debt Free Dad Podcast

Girl....what kind of life are YOU living? Are you living paycheck to paycheck? Are you part of that 63% who cannot pay for a $500 emergency? Don't be ashamed to raise your hand. We are here to support you and to provide you the tools and resources to elevate your life. This is why we need you to follow our show, find us on Instagram and join our Facebook Community. We want you to know you are NOT alone. We are here to take this journey with you every step of the way. We have exciting new adventures to bring you in 2024. Stay tuned for the excitement!