If you’re paying on your debt every month but still not seeing progress, this episode breaks down why. I explain exactly how debt consolidation works, the two most common ways people do it, and what to watch out for before deciding if it’s right for you.

We talk through debt consolidation loans and balance transfer credit cards, including the benefits, risks, and common mistakes that can leave people worse off. Debt consolidation isn’t a magic fix, but when used intentionally, it can be a helpful tool as part of a bigger plan.

You Might Like:

• Get the FREE Goodbye Debt Tracker!
• Grab my FREE Budgeting Cheat Sheet.
• Get the Budget My Paycheck Spreadsheet.
• Follow Allison on Instagram! @inspiredbudget
• Check out Inspired Budget's blog.
• Take my FREE class on How to Budget to Build Wealth!

What does it feel like to be the first in your family to graduate, earn a salary, and suddenly make more money than the people who raised you? In this episode, I’m talking with Maria Melchor, creator of FirstGenLiving, about the emotional and financial weight of being first-gen.

Maria shares how she navigated guilt, money confusion, and cultural expectations while trying to build a secure financial life for herself. She talks about finding her footing, setting boundaries, and creating money habits that feel supportive instead of stressful.

If you are the first in your family to “make it,” or you’re working to rewrite old money stories, you’ll feel right at home in this conversation.

Connect with Maria:
Instagram: @firstgenliving
TikTok: @firstgenliving

You Might Like:

• Get the FREE Goodbye Debt Tracker!
• Grab my FREE Budgeting Cheat Sheet.
• Get the Budget My Paycheck Spreadsheet.
• Follow Allison on Instagram! @inspiredbudget
• Check out Inspired Budget's blog.
• Take my FREE class on How to Budget to Build Wealth!

Impulse spending doesn’t mean you’re bad with money. It usually means something deeper is going on. In this episode, I share personal stories and practical strategies to help you understand why impulse spending happens and how to respond to it without shame or extreme restriction.

We talk about how emotions like stress, boredom, comparison, and even celebration can drive unplanned spending, and why willpower alone rarely works. I walk you through simple habits that help you slow down, notice your patterns, and create boundaries so spending feels intentional instead of reactive.

If you’ve ever wondered why you keep buying things you didn’t plan for and then feel guilty afterward, this episode will help you see what’s really happening and how to make changes that actually stick.

You Might Like:

• Get the FREE Goodbye Debt Tracker!
• Grab my FREE Budgeting Cheat Sheet.
• Get the Budget My Paycheck Spreadsheet.
• Follow Allison on Instagram! @inspiredbudget
• Check out Inspired Budget's blog.
• Take my FREE class on How to Budget to Build Wealth!

What if you could slow down on retirement savings and still be on track for the future?

In this episode, I’m talking with my friend Andy Hill from Marriage Kids and Money. Andy and his wife reached Coast FIRE in their early 40s, which lets them work part time while their retirement accounts grow in the background.

He explains Coast FIRE in simple terms and then walks me through my own numbers live. We dig into my husband’s teacher pension, what we’ve already invested, and what it would take for our family to be work optional by the time our boys are in college.

If you’ve ever wondered when you can stop putting so much toward retirement and start enjoying more time freedom, this conversation will give you new hope.

Links mentioned:
• Andy’s book Own Your Time
• Coast FIRE calculator
• Marriage Kids and Money Podcast
• @marriagekidsandmoney on Instagram

You Might Like:

• Get the FREE Goodbye Debt Tracker!
• Grab my FREE Budgeting Cheat Sheet.
• Get the Budget My Paycheck Spreadsheet.
• Follow Allison on Instagram! @inspiredbudget
• Check out Inspired Budget's blog.
• Take my FREE class on How to Budget to Build Wealth!

Saving $10,000 can feel like something only other people can pull off. But in this episode, I break it down into simple math and a clear plan that works in real life, even if money feels tight right now.

I walk you through a step-by-step approach to choosing a pace you can stick with, automating your savings so willpower isn’t required, and finding extra money each month without feeling deprived. 

We also talk about boost months, common traps that slow people down, and how to stay consistent when life gets messy.

Open a HYSA here: https://inspiredbudget.com/hysa 

You Might Like:

• Get the FREE Goodbye Debt Tracker!
• Grab my FREE Budgeting Cheat Sheet.
• Get the Budget My Paycheck Spreadsheet.
• Follow Allison on Instagram! @inspiredbudget
• Check out Inspired Budget's blog.
• Take my FREE class on How to Budget to Build Wealth!

What does it take to actually stick with your money goals past mid-January? This week I’m teaming up with money coach Germaine Foley for a candid, practical conversation about starting the year strong without going to extremes.

We’re sharing simple, doable ways to save money, stay consistent, and give yourself grace along the way. From an easy insurance audit that can save hundreds to the B minus mindset that keeps you from quitting when things aren’t perfect. You’ll also hear how to lead with your why, make money check-ins a habit, and plug the five leaks that might be holding you back.

If you want small wins you can do today and a plan you can keep all year, this episode will help you get steady and stay steady.

Resources Mentioned:

• Germaine’s free class: How to Build Wealth Without a Strict Budget
• My free Goodbye Debt Tracker
• Becoming the Wealthy You Podcast by Germaine Foley

You Might Like:

• Get the FREE Goodbye Debt Tracker!
• Grab my FREE Budgeting Cheat Sheet.
• Get the Budget My Paycheck Spreadsheet.
• Follow Allison on Instagram! @inspiredbudget
• Check out Inspired Budget's blog.
• Take my FREE class on How to Budget to Build Wealth!

What if six months was all it took to feel completely different about your money? In this episode, I’m walking you through the exact step-by-step plan I’d follow if I had to reset my finances from scratch. 

No extremes. No shame. No “rice and beans forever.” 

Just simple habits that actually work in real life.

We walk through each month of the plan, from getting honest about where you are, to building a realistic budget, to creating an emergency fund you can count on. You’ll also learn how to fix the one money problem that’s been weighing you down, how to automate the things that matter, and how to strengthen your habits so they stick long-term.

If you’ve been feeling behind or overwhelmed, this episode will help you see a clear path forward — one that feels doable and steady, not stressful.

Here’s a list of the top high yield savings accounts with the best rates.

You Might Like:

• Get the FREE Goodbye Debt Tracker!
• Grab my FREE Budgeting Cheat Sheet.
• Get the Budget My Paycheck Spreadsheet.
• Follow Allison on Instagram! @inspiredbudget
• Check out Inspired Budget's blog.
• Take my FREE class on How to Budget to Build Wealth!

For years I believed budgeting was enough to make me feel in control, but I still felt stressed and a few steps behind. In this episode, I’m sharing the three habits that finally changed things for me. 

These habits helped me stop avoiding my numbers, understand the spending patterns that kept holding me back, and set up systems that made saving and planning feel natural instead of overwhelming.

I’ll walk you through the simple changes that helped me stop panicking about money and start feeling more in control. None of this requires perfection. It’s about choosing habits that support your life and make your finances feel more predictable.

If you’re looking for more stability and you want money to feel less chaotic, this episode will help you take the next step.

Links mentioned:

• High Yield Savings Accounts with the best rates
• Inspired Budget YouTube Channel

You Might Like:

• Get the FREE Goodbye Debt Tracker!
• Grab my FREE Budgeting Cheat Sheet.
• Get the Budget My Paycheck Spreadsheet.
• Follow Allison on Instagram! @inspiredbudget
• Check out Inspired Budget's blog.
• Take my FREE class on How to Budget to Build Wealth!

The day after Christmas can feel quiet… and a little heavy.

In this episode, I’m sharing the story of why Christmas Day is often one of the busiest days on my website and what it reveals about how many of us really feel about money once the gifts are opened and the excitement settles.

We talk about why that post-holiday “wake-up call” doesn’t mean you failed, why January is the perfect time for a reset, and how a simple plan can bring calm and clarity after a busy season.

If you’re ready to start January feeling steadier, I invite you to join my free, on-demand 45-minute class where I walk you through a simple money reset you can actually follow.

Join the free class here: http://inspiredbudget.com/2026-podcast 

You Might Like:

• Get the FREE Goodbye Debt Tracker!
• Grab my FREE Budgeting Cheat Sheet.
• Get the Budget My Paycheck Spreadsheet.
• Follow Allison on Instagram! @inspiredbudget
• Check out Inspired Budget's blog.
• Take my FREE class on How to Budget to Build Wealth!

Today I’m hanging out with my friend Chris Browning from Popcorn Finance for a special crossover episode filled with laughter, awkward money moments, and honest reactions to real Reddit stories.

We’re diving into some truly wild financial situations, from a $250 white elephant gift exchange to a friend asking for $2,300 after a baby broke her sunglasses and phone, to a daughter feeling pressured to send her mom money every month.

In true This Is Awkward fashion, Chris and I unpack each scenario, debate what we’d do, and share our own awkward stories along the way.

Need a laugh or a reminder that everyone has messy money moments? This episode will make you smile and maybe even make you feel thankful your own family drama doesn’t involve a $250 candle.

If you want to share your own awkward money situation, we’d love to hear it!

Leave a voicemail at 707-200-8259 or DM us at @inspiredbudget or @popcornfinancepodcast.

Connect with Chris:

• Popcorn Finance Podcast – short, snackable conversations about money
• Talk Sleepy to Me Podcast – relaxing stories to help you unwind and fall asleep
• Instagram: @popcornfinancepodcast

You Might Like:

• Get the FREE Goodbye Debt Tracker!
• Grab my FREE Budgeting Cheat Sheet.
• Get the Budget My Paycheck Spreadsheet.
• Follow Allison on Instagram! @inspiredbudget
• Check out Inspired Budget's blog.
• Take my FREE class on How to Budget to Build Wealth!