What if your financial stress isn’t about how much you earn, but how your money is (or isn’t) working for you?

In this candid and encouraging episode, I sit down with my client Lisa to talk about the real shift that changed her life, not just her bank balance. Lisa thought she had a system… until she realized she was doing fake math, chasing checks, and constantly feeling like she should have more to show for her income.

Together, we unpack how she let go of shame and guilt around money, created a spending plan that gives every dollar a job, saved over $2,300 for a Disney cruise without stress, developed a plan to eliminate credit card debt without burnout, traveled freely while still building a financial cushion, and ultimately found peace, confidence, and clarity in her relationship with money.

Lisa’s story is for anyone who’s ever felt like they’re doing “okay” on the outside, but overwhelmed on the inside. If you’ve been juggling spreadsheets, mental math, and a planner filled with due dates, but still feeling behind this episode will resonate deeply.

Listen to learn:

[03:10] The difference between a planner and a real system

[06:34] How fake math fuels paycheck-to-paycheck stress

[10:12] What shifted when Lisa gave every dollar a home

[12:47] The power of intentional saving and planning for joy

[18:02] The unexpected emotional weight of overlooked expenses

[23:30] Moving from money anxiety to empowered spending decisions

[27:44] Finding freedom without sacrificing fun or travel

[30:21] Why Lisa now feels like her money system creates “overflow”

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://wealthovernow.com/lisas-story-how-lisa-stopped-using-her-planner-to-budget/

Links mentioned in this episode…

Set up a call | Financial Coach Washington, DC | Wealth Over Now

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You’ve been celebrating your three-paycheck month like it’s a financial bonus, but I’m here to tell you, that third paycheck? It’s not extra money. It’s fake math in action.

In this episode of Money Files, I help you shift your mindset and your money systems so you can stop overspending and start building financial peace. I walk you through the exact budgeting strategy I use with clients during three-paycheck months, my simple Three Money Bucket System and how it helps high earners stop leaking money and start getting ahead.

You’ll learn why this third paycheck is the perfect opportunity to build a buffer, pay annual subscriptions, and get out of the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle for good.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Where did my money go?” after a month with a little more income, this episode is for you.

Listen in to learn:

[01:11] Why your third paycheck isn’t actually “extra”

[06:08] The trap of fake math and how to avoid it

[09:02] How to apply the Three Money Bucket System in a 3-paycheck month

[13:44] The real way to build a buffer and automate peace

[18:03] Why predictability not spontaneity creates financial ease

Tune in now to learn how to treat every paycheck with intention and finally stop letting fake math run your finances.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://wealthovernow.com/turn-your-3rd-paycheck-into-a-financial-power-move/

Links mentioned in this episode…

Set up a call | Financial Coach Washington, DC | Wealth Over Now

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Ever feel like you're stuck in a loop where unexpected expenses always ruin your budget?

In this episode, I break down what I call the “This Always Happens” Money Fix, a two-step process that helps my clients stop spiraling and start building real budgeting confidence. If you’ve ever looked at your account and thought, “Ugh, how did this happen again?” this is for you.

I’ll show you how to shift from shame to strategy using my signature process: Respond and Recalibrate. These simple but powerful questions will help you navigate unexpected charges, stop the guilt cycle, and actually make your budget more responsive to your real life.

If you've ever paid a surprise dental bill, forgotten about a recurring charge, or panicked over a financial “oops,” this episode will help you move from frustration to freedom without ditching your budget.

[01:04] Why unexpected charges don’t mean you’re failing with money

[02:20] The “This Always Happens” Money Fix: Respond and Recalibrate

[06:10] Real client examples and how we tackled hidden expenses

[10:23] What a dental emergency taught my client about budgeting on purpose[14:55] How to build a money system that grows with you

Tune in to learn how to make your money system sustainable so you're not just budgeting for the month but building financial resilience for life.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://wealthovernow.com/a-better-way-to-handle-unexpected-expenses/

Links mentioned in this episode…

Set up a call | Financial Coach Washington, DC | Wealth Over Now

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Fall might feel like a break after a busy summer, but if you’re not careful, it can catch you off guard, especially financially.

In this episode, I talk about what it really means to be “always ahead” with your money. I don’t mean skipping brunch or deleting a budgeting app. I mean planning intentionally for the next 90 days before your spending happens. Whether you’re prepping for back-to-school, travel, holiday hosting, or just want to enjoy cozy hikes and solo retreats, this episode will help you align your spending with your real life, not just your calendar.

I share the exact questions I walk my clients through and how to use your photo album (yes, really!) to build a budget that supports your joy, not restricts it.

So if you’re feeling the pressure to “cut back” as fall rolls in, this episode will help you shift from reactive to proactive and put your dollars to work on purpose.

Listen now to learn how to plan your money with intention and…

[00:42] What “being ahead” actually looks like

[03:12] The false promise of fall being a low-spend season

[06:47] Why “just cutting back” isn’t a real plan

[09:05] How to budget for joy using your personal photo album

[10:50] My fall reset invitation and how to work with me 1:1

Tune in to learn how planning ahead can help you stop reactive budgeting, align your money with your real life, and feel confident about what’s coming next.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://wealthovernow.com/always-ahead-how-to-budget-for-the-fall-season-without-falling-behind/

Links mentioned in this episode…

Set up a call | Financial Coach Washington, DC | Wealth Over Now

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Thinking about coaching but not sure what to expect?

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my five-month coaching partnership. You’ll hear answers to the five most common questions I get about what coaching looks like, how it works week-to-week, and how it helps you create long-term results.

I break down exactly what happens inside the coaching container from building your first real budget to the “ah-ha” moments that help you stay out of debt and stop overspending for good.

If you’ve been lurking, this episode was made for you.

In this episode, you'll learn:

[01:04] Why booking a consult is the most important step

[04:39] Yes, you’ll get a real budget and no, it’s not just a list of bills

[08:02] How we layer in cultural, family, and life context to make your plan work

[10:16] What weekly coaching actually looks like

[13:22] How clients make their investment back (sometimes within weeks)

[16:15] Why you don’t need to be debt-free to start

[18:45] There’s never a “perfect time”, here’s why you should start now

Tune in to learn how coaching can shift your relationship with money, create sustainable habits, and help you finally feel in control of your finances.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://wealthovernow.com/what-really-happens-in-a-5-month-money-coaching-partnership/

Links mentioned in this episode…

Set up a call | Financial Coach Washington, DC | Wealth Over Now

Download my FREE spending plan

Saving money shouldn’t feel like a mystery or a one-time event. Whether you're building your first $500 or trying to break a savings plateau, this episode will help you learn how to save on purpose.

In this episode, I walk you through my Magic 10 Method, a simple, repeatable process to help you save $10,000 with control, intention, and ease. We’ll explore what it means to treat saving as a skill, how to break out of the save-spend cycle, and how to stop leaving your financial peace to chance.

Whether you’re a new saver or someone trying to rebuild after dipping into your fund, this episode is your guide to becoming a consistent, confident saver.

Listen to learn how to build and maintain a five-figure savings account that doesn’t just sit pretty, but works for you.

In this episode, you'll learn:

[00:48] Why saving is a skill, not a personality trait

[02:35] Introducing the Magic 10 Method

[06:09] The 6 phases of the savings continuum

[11:42] How to calculate your Magic 10 savings pace

[14:55] Real talk: $200/month is better than $0/month

[18:30] Option 1 vs. Option 2: Choose your savings strategy

[21:10] The #1 commitment you need to make today

Tune in now and learn how to use the Magic 10 Method to save $10K with ease, consistency, and confidence.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://wealthovernow.com/the-hustler-saver-why-making-more-money-still-leaves-you-broke/

Links mentioned in this episode…

Set up a call | Financial Coach Washington, DC | Wealth Over Now

Download my FREE spending plan

You know how to make money. You’ve always made it work. But now, hustling feels like the only plan you’ve got to create more financial space.

In this episode of Money Files, I talk to my high earners, the folks who’ve always made it happen, about why hustle is no longer a sustainable savings plan. I’ll unpack how relying on your ability to earn (and earn again) keeps you in a reactive financial cycle that looks like freedom from the outside but feels exhausting on the inside.

You’ll learn how to shift from hustle to ease by creating an options fund, a pot of money that supports the lifestyle you actually want, not just the one your hustle can cover. I’ll walk you through how my clients are building financial systems that finally reflect their income, values, and future goals.

If you’re tired of making money only to watch it disappear, this episode will help you pause the grind, get off the hustle hamster wheel, and move your money with purpose.

In this episode, you'll learn:

[01:11] What defines a Hustler Saver

[03:18] Why hustle is not a sustainable savings plan

[06:39] The difference between fake financial freedom and real security

[10:44] How high earners fall into hustle traps, even with 7-figure businesses

[12:10] The Options Fund: your safety net and freedom tool

[15:00] How to build a repeatable, purpose-filled money system

Tune in now and learn how to break free from the Hustler Saver cycle and finally build savings that stick.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://wealthovernow.com/the-hustler-saver-why-making-more-money-still-leaves-you-broke/

Links mentioned in this episode…

Set up a call | Financial Coach Washington, DC | Wealth Over Now

Download my FREE spending plan

You’re saving money, but somehow you’re still always transferring money out of savings to cover expenses. That’s what I call the Dipper Identity. And if this is you, it’s not about willpower. It’s about your budget.

In this episode, I walk you through the sneaky cycle of dipping into savings and why it happens even when you're doing “all the right things.” I break down the signs that fake math is running your money and the four steps you can take to finally break free. From budgeting beyond your bills to naming your savings accounts, I’ll show you how to stop feeling like life is constantly knocking you back.

If your savings account is a roller coaster instead of a steady climb, it’s time to reflect, reset, and rebuild a system that supports you.

Listen to learn how to move past the Dipper Identity and finally protect your savings…

[00:43] What it means to be a dipper

[03:01] Why this isn’t about discipline, it’s about your budget

[04:15] Signs fake math is running your financial life

[06:08] Step 1: Identify your last three dips

[08:44] Step 2: Budget beyond your bills

[10:23] Step 3: Separate your savings accounts

[12:49] Step 4: Use rolling savings for recurring expenses

[14:30] What real financial safety looks like

Tune in now and learn how to stop dipping into your savings and start building a budget that actually works.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://wealthovernow.com/how-to-stop-dipping-into-savings-budgeting-tips-personal-finance-money-coaching-emergency-fund-strategy-savings-account-financial-planning-fake-math-rolling-savings-intentional-saving/

Links mentioned in this episode…

Set up a call | Financial Coach Washington, DC | Wealth Over Now

Download my FREE spending plan

Are you the kind of saver who says, “I’ll save whatever’s left over after the bills are paid”?

Here's ​the ​spoiler ​alert. ​There ​usually ​isn't ​anything ​left ​over. ​

In this episode, I’m calling out the leftover saver mindset and walking you through what it takes to become someone who saves money with clarity and consistency.

I’ll show you why saving has nothing to do with willpower and everything to do with worth. You’ll hear why $25 saved with intention is more powerful than $250 saved with guilt and how my clients have shifted from not saving at all to confidently setting aside thousands each month.

Inside this episode, I’ll help you:

• [05:00] The biggest mindset blocks keeping you from saving

• [03:40] Why saving is a radical act of self-care, not a luxury

• [12:03] How to start with as little as $25 and still see real results

• [13:58] A practical 4-step strategy to finally become a confident saver

Saving is not a ​luxury. ​It's ​a ​necessity. If you’re ready to stop leaving yourself out of your financial plan, this episode is for you.

Tune in now and learn how to stop saving what's left and start saving on purpose.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://wealthovernow.com/the-leftover-saver-how-to-stop-trying-to-save/

Links mentioned in this episode…

Set up a call | Financial Coach Washington, DC | Wealth Over Now

Download my FREE spending plan

Saving for a rainy day doesn’t always spark motivation. That’s why in this episode, I introduce the concept of the Side Eye Fund—a money stash that empowers you to say “no thanks” to toxic jobs, burnout, and financial fear.

If traditional emergency funds haven’t inspired you to save, this episode will reframe what savings can mean for your life. It’s not about disaster prep, it’s about options.

I'll share how my clients use the Side Eye Fund to build financial peace on their own terms. Whether you want to walk away from a draining job, take an unpaid break, or support a loved one without stress, this episode will help you start saving for the life you actually want.

You’ll also hear a real-life example from a client working toward her $24,000 fund goal and why slow, intentional saving beats hustle and sacrifice.

Listen to learn how to build a savings system that puts you in control of your choices…

[00:36] Why I want you to have options, not just budgets

[02:04] What a Side Eye Fund is and why you need one

[06:14] Rethinking the traditional “emergency fund”

[08:45] What the Side Eye Fund allows you to do in real life

[10:30] A client story: growing a $24,000 Side Eye Fund

[13:35] How to start your own Side Eye Fund today

[15:22] Why you don’t need a crisis to start saving

Tune into this episode of Money Files to discover how a Side Eye Fund can give you the freedom to walk away, say yes to yourself, and save without fear.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://wealthovernow.com/emergency-funds-are-out-side-eye-funds-are-in/

Links mentioned in this episode…

Set up a call | Financial Coach Washington, DC | Wealth Over Now

Download my FREE spending plan