June 06, 2025

I Make Good Money and Have Nothing to Show for It: A Single Mom’s Wake-Up Call to Take Back Control of Her Budget and Start Feeling Financially Safe | 417

23 minutes

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Budget besties, we’ve got a relatable one for you today! Meet Nicole—a clinical psychologist, single mom of two, and a total powerhouse who’s doing the work to get financially organized. She joined us to share what it’s like starting out with budgeting (spoiler alert: it’s not perfect right away), how she discovered she was actually spending four times more on her cats than she thought, and what she’s doing with a $5,000 windfall. 💰🐈‍⬛

We break down the big stuff—from student loans that feel like a mountain to climb, to that confusing moment when you realize Amazon might be eating your entire budget. Nicole had smart, honest questions about setting up savings buckets, managing multiple bank accounts, and figuring out how to prep for expenses before they sneak up on you.

Together, we dig into:

The emotional side of budgeting when you're used to flying blind
What to do with unexpected money (hello, baller pad emergency fund!)
Why savings accounts should feel like labeled file folders, not financial overwhelm
How many cards you actually need (hint: two)
Where to draw the line between groceries, household supplies, and “fun” Amazon orders
Making peace with student loans you can’t pay off tomorrow

This episode is packed with practical tips, reassurance for messy first drafts, and real-life strategies for managing money without judgment. If you’ve ever said, “I make good money but don’t know where it goes,” this one’s for you.

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1️⃣ Facebook Group – Join the community. Our free group is where the real talk happens. Connect with other women who are learning how to budget, save, and finally feel in control, together. ➡︎⁠ ⁠⁠budgetbesties.com/facebook⁠

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3️⃣ Budget – Grab our Simplified Budget System! You don’t need another budget, you need a system that does the math, makes the plan, and gives you permission to spend. ➡︎⁠ ⁠⁠budgetbesties.com/budget⁠

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By Vanessa and Shana | Budget Besties | Bougie On A Budget | Dave Ramsey Fans

4.8