Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

In this super relatable lightning-round session, Shana and Vanessa walk Kathleen through the budget fog that so many of us have faced—especially when it comes to biweekly paychecks and split mortgage payments. Spoiler: it’s not just you... this stuff gets confusing real fast!

💸 What We Covered:

1. The truth about biweekly pay & mortgage schedules: Kathleen was struggling to figure out why her budget felt so wonky every month. Some months have two paychecks, some three. Same with her mortgage. That inconsistency? Totally throwing off her budget game.

2. Why split mortgage payments aren’t always helpful: Even though paying every two weeks sounds like a great strategy to save on interest, the chaos it causes in budgeting can outweigh the benefits. The solution? Switch to a once-a-month mortgage payment to simplify everything.

3. Budgeting with a plan—not confusion: Shana and Vanessa showed Kathleen how to treat the paycheck she gets at the end of the month as the starting point for the next month’s budget. That January 29th paycheck? That’s February money, baby.

4. What to do with “extra” paychecks: Yes, you get two “bonus” paychecks a year, but they’re not fully extra. You still gotta eat and drive, so don’t throw it all at debt before covering those basics. But what’s leftover? That’s your debt-slaying snowball. ❄️💥

5. Mental vs. physical budgeting work: Kathleen’s doing the emotional work (redefining what happiness means, recognizing spending patterns), and now it’s time to match that with a budget that gives her clarity and control. 🙌

🔥 Bestie Takeaways:

1. You're not bad at math—you're just stuck in a confusing system.

2. Consistency in your bills = clarity in your budget.

3. Get on a paycheck-ahead system so you’re planning before the month begins, not scrambling during.

4. Let’s not rely on “extra” money showing up—we build the plan, we decide when to make those extra payments.

5. Feeling guilty about spending? Let’s kick that out. Budgeted spending is empowered spending.

4 Ways To Connect With Us:

1️⃣ FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall 

2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook 

3️⃣ BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/budget 

4️⃣ COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/coaching 

"I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" 👈🏻 If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes! And, if you’re feeling really generous, we’d be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone. 

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This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase!  

Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

Hey Budget Besties! 👋 We’re throwing it back to one of our favorite convos with our girl Tracy Hoth over on The Organized Coach Podcast. If the words “budget” and “finances” make you wanna hit pause, stick with us—we’re making it fun, shame-free, and maybe even a little bougie. 💅

In this episode, we chat with Tracy about:

1. Our journey from church friends to business besties (with a budget twist!)

2. How we tripled our podcast growth by going extra (yes, we do three episodes a week 🙈)

3. The real reason people struggle with budgeting (spoiler: it’s not just the numbers)

4. How we took the envelope system digital and made budgeting beautiful

5. What it means to be bougie on a budget—yes, you can have your PSL and still pay off debt ☕💸

6. Our no-shame, all-gain system for organizing your money in a way that feels good and actually works

We’re sharing how our clients go from “I don’t know where my money is going” to “We just saved $20K in six months,” and why financial clarity is the ultimate flex.

💻 Want to know more about our personalized budget templates, group coaching, or our six-month coaching packages? This episode gives you a peek into the magic of working with us.

No more financial overwhelm. Just systems, simplicity, and space to dream a little bigger.

4 Ways To Connect With Us:

1️⃣ FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall 

2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook 

3️⃣ BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/budget 

4️⃣ COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/coaching 

"I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" 👈🏻 If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes! And, if you’re feeling really generous, we’d be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone. 

Click here to view our privacy policy.

This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase!  

Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

Feel like budgeting means giving up your coffee runs, tracking every dollar, or living on beans and rice? Think again. In this episode, we’re breaking down the 5 budgeting basics that work for every budget—whether you're just starting out, living on irregular income, or totally overwhelmed by the idea of budgeting.

We’ll show you how to create a simple, effective budget without obsessively tracking every expense or using complicated apps. This is a stress-free, no-shame guide to managing your money in a way that’s clear, empowering, and actually doable—no matter your income, lifestyle, or past budgeting fails.

If you’ve ever said, “I just don’t know where my money goes,” or “I don’t even know where to start,” this episode is for you.

💬 What You’ll Learn:

1. The 5 essential parts of any budget (in plain English)

2. How to budget with irregular income or multiple income streams

3. Why you don’t have to track every expense to be successful

4. How to set up a budget that gives you clarity, peace, and flexibility

5. Real-life examples and mindset shifts that make budgeting feel doable

This is budgeting without the overwhelm—progress over perfection, grace over guilt. Let's simplify your money and set you up for long-term financial peace. 💛

4 Ways To Connect With Us:

1️⃣ FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall 

2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook 

3️⃣ BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/budget 

4️⃣ COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/coaching 

"I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" 👈🏻 If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes! And, if you’re feeling really generous, we’d be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone. 

Click here to view our privacy policy.

This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase!  

Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

Budget Besties, we’ve got a treat for you! Meet Semajh—a 29-year-old child of God, self-proclaimed America’s Sweetheart, and a man on a mission to afford (not just buy!) 300 luxury cotton pajamas. Yes, he knows his Pima from his Supima, and yes—he’s doing it the bougie and budget-savvy way.

In this hilarious and heartfelt episode, Semajh walks us through his journey from struggling with a clunky budgeting app to discovering a system that actually works for real life. He’s getting ahead on his bills, setting up buckets (from “New Teeth” to “10% and Then Some”), and feeling what it’s like to truly trust his budget.

We chat about:

1. Why separate accounts are everything 👏🏽

2. How to break free from the paycheck-to-paycheck grind

3. Making room for joy (and pajamas!) without breaking your budget

4. The plan to reclaim 24% of his income from debt

5. And why he’s holding out on that dental discount—with purpose

Semajh reminds us all: budgeting isn’t about deprivation. It’s about alignment. His confidence, clarity, and commitment to doing things differently? Pure inspiration.

4 Ways To Connect With Us:

1️⃣ FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall 

2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook 

3️⃣ BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/budget 

4️⃣ COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/coaching 

"I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" 👈🏻 If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes! And, if you’re feeling really generous, we’d be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone. 

Click here to view our privacy policy.

This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase!  

Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

Budget besties, we’re back with another round of Lessons from the Sessions—real-life money wins, dilemmas, and breakthroughs straight from our coaching calls!

This week, we’re diving into:

✨ Rental property reality check—Is it truly making you money or just draining your budget?

✨ Inconsistent income budgeting—How to set up an income holding account so you’re never short on cash.

✨ Big bonuses, big decisions—How to make smart moves with large lump sums instead of letting them sit (or disappear).

✨ The illusion of a "cheap" vacation—Spoiler alert: Staying with family doesn’t mean a free trip. Let’s budget wisely!

No fluff, just real financial strategy that helps you keep more money in your pocket and stress off your plate. Let’s get into it! 🎧💰

4 Ways To Connect With Us:

1️⃣ FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall 

2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook 

3️⃣ BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/budget 

4️⃣ COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/coaching 

"I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" 👈🏻 If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes! And, if you’re feeling really generous, we’d be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone. 

Click here to view our privacy policy.

This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase!  

Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

Hey, budget besties! In this episode, we’re diving deep into seven popular budgeting methods—and let’s just say, we have thoughts. 😏 You’ve probably heard of things like zero-based budgeting, cash stuffing, the 50/30/20 rule, and the FIRE method—but are they really the best ways to manage your money? We’re breaking them all down, giving you the real talk on what works, what doesn’t, and why our budgeting system is the ultimate game-changer.

Here’s what we’re covering:

💰 Paycheck Planning – Why assigning bills to each paycheck keeps you stuck in the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle.

🔥 Zero-Based Budgeting – Great in theory, but do you really have to feel broke every month? (Spoiler: No.)

📊 50/30/20 Rule – Sounds cute, but is it actually realistic? We have questions.

💵 Cash Envelopes – A classic, but we’re in a digital world, and we have a better way.

🚀 FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) – Love the vision, but maybe let’s not sacrifice everything fun?

🧐 Tracking Expenses – Let’s be clear: this is NOT budgeting, and we’re here to tell you why.

🙈 No Budget (a.k.a. The Hope & Pray Method) – If this is you, it’s okay, we still love you—but we gotta talk.

4 Ways To Connect With Us:

1️⃣ FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall 

2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook 

3️⃣ BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/budget 

4️⃣ COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/coaching 

"I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" 👈🏻 If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes! And, if you’re feeling really generous, we’d be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone. 

Click here to view our privacy policy.

This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase!  

Snag Our Simplified Budget System with Lauren's discount!

🚀 What if you could pay off $50,000 in debt, pay cash for travel, Christmas, and even college tuition—all in one year? Our guest Lauren did just that using our Simplified Budget System, and today, she’s sharing exactly how she did it!

💡 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How Lauren went from tracking receipts & feeling behind to having total clarity

✅ The biggest budgeting mistake she made before switching to our system

✅ How she discovered she actually had more money than she thought

✅ Why opening multiple bank accounts changed everything

✅ How she and her husband now budget with ease & less stress

✅ Her #1 favorite budgeting tool that made all the difference

4 Ways To Connect With Us:

1️⃣ FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall 

2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook 

3️⃣ BUDGET: Grab our Simplified Budget System! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎ http://budgetbesties.com/lauren

4️⃣ COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/coaching 

"I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" 👈🏻 If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes! And, if you’re feeling really generous, we’d be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone. 

Click here to view our privacy policy.

This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase!  

Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

🚨 Travel sports are EXPENSIVE. 🚨 They’re eating up your budget—and we get it, because we’re right there with you! But instead of feeling blindsided by all the unexpected costs, let’s make a plan to budget for travel sports the right way—so you can enjoy the experience without the financial stress!

🎯 Grab our free Travel Sports Budget Worksheet at budgetbesties.com/sports and start planning today!

💡 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

✅ The true cost of travel sports (spoiler: it’s more than just team fees!)

✅ How to stop being surprised by unexpected expenses

✅ The best way to plan & save for sports costs all year long

✅ Tips to cut costs and make travel sports more affordable

✅ How to get your kids involved in funding their own sports expenses

4 Ways To Connect With Us:

1️⃣ FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall 

2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook 

3️⃣ BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/budget 

4️⃣ COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/coaching 

"I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" 👈🏻 If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes! And, if you’re feeling really generous, we’d be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone. 

Click here to view our privacy policy.

This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase!  

Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

It’s time for another Lessons from the Sessions episode! 🙌 In this series, we take real-life situations from our private coaching clients and bring them straight to YOU so you can learn, apply, and make progress with your finances.

💡 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How a young couple stopped relying on debt to pay for work tools

✅ Why creating a mock budget before making big life changes is a game-changer

✅ The moving budget blueprint to avoid surprise expenses

✅ A simple savings strategy to break the cycle of stress when big bills come due

✅ How to make your money feel steady instead of a roller coaster 🎢

4 Ways To Connect With Us:

1️⃣ FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall 

2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook 

3️⃣ BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/budget 

4️⃣ COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/coaching 

"I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" 👈🏻 If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes! And, if you’re feeling really generous, we’d be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone. 

Click here to view our privacy policy.

This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase!  

Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

Budget besties, this episode is for all of us who feel like we're constantly running out of time and money (aka everyone?!). We’re hanging out with our friend, fellow pink-lover, and time management queen, Carrie Lupoli! She’s breaking down how to get more intentional with our time, reduce stress, and even save money in the process. Spoiler: It's not about getting more hours in a day (because, yeah, we all get 168). It’s about using them better.

Carrie is a nutritionist, business owner, and time management expert who helps women get their schedules under control so they can live with less stress and more intention!

What We’re Talking About Today:

• ✨ Why time is like liquid—and how to control it instead of letting it control you
• ⏳ The simple trick to stop feeling always busy
• 📅 How to actually plan your week so you get things done without burning out
• 🌮 Why meal planning is basically a money-saving superpower
• 💡 The one thing every woman needs in her morning routine (seriously, don’t skip this!)
• 💰 How being intentional with your time helps your finances, too

Favorite Takeaways:

• 📝 Brain dump your week—Once you see where your time really goes, you’ll be shocked at what you can reclaim.
• 🛑 Plan for margin—Back-to-back schedules set you up for failure. Give yourself breathing room!
• 🎯 Three big rocks per day—Not 37. Not 10. Just three.
• ⏰ Morning time is non-negotiable—Think of it as wiping off yesterday’s “bird poop” (you have to hear this analogy!).

If you’ve ever said “I don’t have time” while also wondering where the week went, this episode is a game-changer. Listen in, take notes, and let’s take back our time and our money, one intentional step at a time!

Find Carrie & Start Your Morning Time Right:

📲 Follow her on Instagram: @Carrie_Lupoli
🎥 Join her live every morning at 6:45 AM ET for daily declarations & mindset shifts

4 Ways To Connect With Us:

1️⃣ FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall 

2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook 

3️⃣ BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/budget 

4️⃣ COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/coaching 

"I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" 👈🏻 If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes! And, if you’re feeling really generous, we’d be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone. 

Click here to view our privacy policy.

This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase!