Inspired Budget

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!

So many people are working full time yet still feel like they’re falling behind. In today’s episode, I’m breaking down why this is happening and what you can do to take back control of your money, even in a tough economy.

We talk about:

• Why 45 percent of Americans say the cost of living feels unaffordable
• The truth about debt, housing costs, and lifestyle creep
• Five simple steps to create real breathing room again

I also share the exact starter habits that will help you feel more stable with your money, including how to build a small emergency fund and why a high yield savings account matters.

Check out my favorite high yield savings account options: 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 if your money fights aren’t really about money? In today’s episode, I’m talking with financial therapist Nathan Astle about the real reasons couples clash over spending, saving, and debt — and how to get back on the same team. 

Nathan explains what financial therapy is, how power dynamics show up in marriages, and why guilt can help but shame keeps us stuck. If you’ve felt alone, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, this conversation will give you hope and a plan.

Resources mentioned:

• Financial Therapy Clinical Institute (FTCI) — free resource library (Money Timeline and Money Story worksheets)
• Money Minus Shame Podcast with Nathan Astle
• Financial Therapy Association — find a financial therapist directory
• Connect with Nathan on LinkedIn
  
  

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!

In this brief episode, Allison offers a heartfelt message of encouragement to stay the course on your financial journey. Happy Thanksgiving!

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 paying off your debt didn’t have to feel like punishment? In this episode, I’m joined by Jacent Wamala, a licensed therapist and money coach who paid off $94,000 of debt in just three years…all on a single income! 

After walking through divorce, grief, and grad school, Jacent decided to treat her debt-free journey as an experiment instead of a burden. She shares how she stopped letting shame lead the way, got practical about her money, and created systems that actually worked for her life. 

If you’re working to pay off debt, or thinking about starting, this episode will remind you that it’s not about perfection. It’s about progress, intention, and believing that your future self deserves peace of mind.

Connect with Jacent:

• Instagram: @jacentwamala
• YouTube: Jacent Wamala

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!

Ever feel like you’re crushing your budget… until halfway through the month when you realize you’ve overspent? You’re not alone. I’ve been there too—and the good news is, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed.

In this episode, I’m sharing the five simple steps my family uses to fix our budget when things go sideways. From adjusting your numbers without starting over to shifting your mindset so you don’t spiral, you’ll walk away with a clear plan to reset and move forward with confidence.

Links Mentioned:

• Get the Budget My Paycheck Spreadsheet
• Take my FREE budget class
• Watch the video: Tracking Your Spending Is More Powerful Than You Think

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!

If a big hospital bill just landed in your mailbox and your stomach dropped, take a breath. You may not have to pay all of it (or any of it). In this episode, Jared Walker, founder of Dollar For, explains how hospital charity care (financial assistance) works, who qualifies, and how his nonprofit walks patients through the process for free.

Try This Now:

1. Check eligibility for yourself or a loved one: dollarfor.org/inspiredbudget
2. Already in collections or on a payment plan? Apply anyway—you may still qualify and get past payments refunded.
3. Not eligible? Ask for an itemized bill, look for errors, and call to ask for a settlement amount.

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!

If you’ve ever had to dip into your emergency fund, you’re not alone. It’s such a frustrating feeling to watch your savings go down after working so hard to build it up. You know it’s there for a reason, but still, it can feel like a major setback.

In this episode, I’m answering a listener question from Rachel, who asked what to do after you’ve had to use your emergency fund. I’ve been there myself, and I know how discouraging it can feel to start saving all over again.

I’ll walk you through how to reframe the way you think about your emergency fund, how to rebuild it step by step, and how to deal with the emotional side of starting over. You’ll also hear practical ways to keep future “emergencies” from draining your savings again, plus a few simple mindset shifts that will help you stay motivated while you rebuild.

My hope is that you’ll walk away feeling encouraged, proud of the progress you’ve already made, and confident in your ability to bounce back (because you’ve done it once, and you can do it again).

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!

Ever wish someone could just hand you a list of side hustle ideas that actually fit your skills and schedule? In this episode, Nick Loper, host of The Side Hustle Show, shows us how to do exactly that with the help of AI.

Nick has a free worksheet that pairs with ChatGPT to brainstorm side hustle ideas. We test it live during our conversation using my own skills and interests. The result? A list of realistic, personalized ways to make extra money that I never would have thought of on my own.

If you’ve been stuck on “what could I even do?” this episode will help you see how AI can take the guesswork out and give you a real starting point.

Links and resources

• Nick’s free worksheet: sidehustlenation.com/allison
• Nick’s podcast: The Side Hustle Show
• 30 Ways to Make Extra Money for Christmas

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!