If you’ve ever told yourself, “I’ll start in January,” this episode is for you.

The end of the year can feel like the worst time to focus on your finances. Between the holidays, family expenses, and travel, it’s easy to push your goals aside and tell yourself you’ll start fresh later. But what if that mindset is the reason you’re stuck?

In this episode of Money Files, I’m introducing what I call The Five Figure Reinvention, your invitation to save or pay off $10,000 before the end of the year. This isn’t about restriction or deprivation. It’s about becoming the version of you who ends the year calm, confident, and in control.

You’ll learn how to stop postponing peace, avoid the “I’ll start Monday” trap, and create a simple system that helps you follow through. Whether your goal is to save $3,000 or pay off $10,000, this episode will show you how to use the next two months to change how you think, plan, and lead your money.

Listen in to learn:

[01:05] Why waiting for January keeps you stuck in the same cycle

[03:20] The emotional and financial cost of delaying your goals

[05:00] Why slow seasons are actually preparation seasons

[07:40] The three reasons to start your reinvention in November

[09:15] How the $10,000 challenge builds structure and proof

[10:40] The difference between restriction and reinvention

[12:10] How to build a system that fits your real life, not someone else’s

[13:30] The mindset shift from “I’ll start later” to “I’m already doing it”

Tune into this episode of Money Files to learn how to start your Five Figure Reinvention now, build momentum before January, and finally become the person who keeps her word to herself financially.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://wealthovernow.com/the-five-figure-reinvention-reinvent-your-finances-before-january/

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We all have thoughts about money that feel true, but what if they’re quietly keeping you stuck?

In this episode of Money Files, I introduce the concept of automatic money thoughts, those quick, familiar thoughts that pop up when you think about money and sound perfectly responsible, but actually block your financial progress. Thoughts like “I live a modest life,” “I only spend on necessities,” or “I don’t spend on travel” feel safe and logical, but they often hide the truth about how your money is really moving.

When you believe those quiet scripts without question, you stop looking at your numbers. You stop planning for things you actually do spend money on. And before you know it, you’re back in fake math, wondering why your savings haven't grown or your credit card balance won’t go down.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through how to uncover and disrupt your automatic money thoughts so you can build awareness, tell yourself the truth, and create a financial plan that reflects your real life.

Listen in to learn:

[01:40] What automatic money thoughts are and where they come from

[03:55] Why responsible-sounding money thoughts keep you stuck[06:20] The 3 most common automatic money thoughts people have

[09:45] How your thoughts about “modesty” and “necessity” hide real spending

[11:10] My personal story of realizing I was in fake math with travel expenses

[14:50] Three questions to ask when you catch an automatic money thought[16:45] How to replace judgment with clarity and build a plan that works

[18:30] Why awareness, not avoidance is the key to financial freedom

Tune into this episode of Money Files to learn how to recognize the money stories running in the background and start building a plan that supports the life you actually live.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://wealthovernow.com/automatic-money-thoughts-the-sneaky-scripts-keeping-you-in-fake-math/

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Money Files is back with another client check-in!

In this episode, I reconnect with my former client Ellie, who first appeared on the show two years ago. Since our time working together, Ellie’s net worth has grown by over $100K, she’s traveled the world, and she’s continued to use the budgeting framework I helped her create.

But as Ellie shares, financial growth doesn’t mean every month feels perfect. From revisiting credit card debt to navigating lifestyle changes and dating expenses, she opens up about what it looks like to sustain progress even when new challenges appear.

Tune in as Ellie and I discuss how financial coaching helped her develop awareness, systems, and confidence, tools that continue to serve her through each new season of life. Together, we explore how to approach money with curiosity instead of shame, identify patterns that need adjustment, and celebrate the long-term wins that make lasting financial transformation possible.

Listen in to learn:

[01:25] How Ellie’s net worth grew by six figures in two years

[03:40] The truth about “financial backslides” and how to recover without guilt

[07:10] How to handle lifestyle shifts like dating and higher living costs

[10:50] Why perfection isn’t the goal, but awareness and consistency are

[18:35] The power of weekly money dates and how to bring them back

[23:45] Building an emergency fund without the overwhelm

[30:40] The mindset shift from fear to trust with your finances

[44:30] Why financial coaching creates sustainable results years later

Tune into this episode of Money Files to hear the real-life impact of financial coaching and how to keep growing your confidence and your bank account, even when things get messy.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://wealthovernow.com/how-ellie-grew-her-net-worth-by-100k-and-still-traveled/

Links mentioned in this episode…

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You’ve heard me talk about The Money Table, The Money Edit, and The Money Rhythm, but today, I’m closing this series with the final piece of my four-part framework: The Money Legacy.

The Money Legacy is where true sustainability begins. It’s not about budgeting or cutting back, it’s about building trust with your money and creating long-term possibilities that reflect your values. This is the phase where my clients go from managing debt and expenses to setting bigger goals, investing in their future, and building a financial legacy that changes what’s possible for them and their families.

In this episode of Money Files, I share how The Money Legacy helps you move beyond financial survival mode and into a space of grounded confidence. You’ll hear how clients like Lynae and Clara used this process to redefine their goals, from paying off debt to building savings, changing careers, and even buying their first home.

When you build your Money Legacy, you stop operating from urgency and start living from intention. You make decisions based on what matters most and begin to see yourself as someone who manages money well.

Listen in to learn:

[01:25] What The Money Legacy is and why it’s the key to sustainability

[03:40] How to build financial trust and confidence that lasts

[05:00] Client story: How Lynae moved from debt payoff to freedom and choice

[08:25] Why expanding your goals starts with managing what you already have

[10:40] How to plan for your next financial chapter with clarity and confidence

[12:10] Why your relationship with money shapes your opportunities

[12:45] The truth about shame, perfection, and trusting yourself with money

Tune into this episode of Money Files to learn how to build a Money Legacy that expands your possibilities, strengthens your trust with money, and creates a financial foundation that grows with you.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://wealthovernow.com/the-money-legacy-building-trust-and-expanding-possibilities-with-your-finances/

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If you’ve ever said, “I just need to be more disciplined with money,” this episode is for you.

In this episode of Money Files, I introduce you to The Money Rhythm which is the third step in my coaching framework, following The Money Table and The Money Edit. While the first two steps are about clarity and structure, The Money Rhythm is about sustainability and putting your plan into motion and learning how to trust yourself with money.

This is where my clients stop chasing perfection and start finding flow. We look at how their plan actually works in real life: the grocery trips, the forgotten birthday parties, the unexpected car repairs, the promotions, the slow months, and everything in between. The Money Rhythm is about building flexibility into your system so you can respond to life instead of reacting with guilt or shame.

Through real client examples, you’ll hear how we catch fake math, make realistic budget adjustments, and create systems that help clients make confident, proactive money decisions. This is the stage where coaching truly pays for itself, not just through the dollars saved, but in the peace, control, and confidence you gain.

Listen in to learn:

[01:15] What The Money Rhythm is and why it matters

[03:50] How to build sustainability into your money system

[06:45] Why perfection isn’t the goal and honesty is

[10:10] How to stop fake math and create realistic numbers that work

[13:25] Client stories: adjusting for real-life expenses without shame

[17:40] Why discipline isn’t the answer. What you need is rhythm

[19:00] How finding your rhythm builds confidence and trust in yourself

Tune into this episode of Money Files to learn how to create a rhythm with your money that helps you sustain financial peace, build consistency, and finally feel in control.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://wealthovernow.com/the-money-rhythm-finding-your-flow-for-sustainable-financial-health/

Links mentioned in this episode…

160 | Financial Grazing: How Little Habits Can Derail Big Goals

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What does it look like to go from feeling financially overwhelmed to fully owning your money story?

In this episode of Money Files, I sit down with my client Clara, a hairstylist in Washington, D.C., who transformed the way she managed her finances. Before working together, Clara earned good money but constantly wondered, “Where is it all going?” Like many 1099 earners, her income fluctuated, and without a system, that led to stress, uncertainty, and missed opportunities.

Together, we built a framework that gave her structure, clarity, and confidence. Clara learned how to separate her business and personal finances, plan for taxes, and create a simple system that helped her build savings and prepare for slower seasons. With her new mindset and money plan, she stopped stressing about her finances, bought her first home, and even planned an international trip, without panic or guilt.

This conversation is about more than numbers; it’s about what happens when you finally take ownership of your financial life.

Listen in to learn:

[02:15] How Clara realized she needed help managing her money

[05:00] Why accountability and structure are key to financial success

[08:25] How she stopped stressing over inconsistent income[11:40] How she prepared for slow business seasons with confidence

[15:20] The mindset shift that helped her buy her first home

[18:40] How she learned to fit her lifestyle into her budget instead of restricting it

[21:45] Building confidence to earn more and plan for retirement

Tune into this episode of Money Files to hear how Clara went from overwhelmed to empowered and how financial coaching helped her build a system that supports her goals and her peace of mind.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://wealthovernow.com/financial-predictability-how-clara-created-financial-ease-as-a-hairstylist/

Links mentioned in this episode…

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

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Paying your bills on time isn’t the same as being in control of your money.

In this episode of Money Files, I walk you through The Money Edit, the second step in my coaching framework that helps clients create 25% more choice with their money without earning more or cutting out everything fun.

The Money Edit is where we stop the leaks and clean up financial clutter. Instead of restrictive “no-spend challenges” or quick fixes, this process helps you decide what to keep, revisit, or cancel so your money reflects the life you actually want. From subscriptions you’ve forgotten to household expenses that no longer serve you, the Money Edit gives you back control and clarity.

You’ll hear client stories that show how one decision, like changing a cleaning schedule or canceling overlapping subscriptions, freed up thousands of dollars each year to redirect toward savings, debt payoff, and lifestyle goals that matter.

Listen in to learn:

[02:30] Why no-spend challenges don’t fix long-term habits

[06:45] How to identify leaks and financial clutter in your budget

[11:15] Client story: saving $9,600 a year by shifting one expense

[17:20] How canceling overlapping subscriptions saved $380 instantly

[22:40] How small edits uncovered over $3,200 in annuals savings in one call

[28:15] Why The Money Edit gives you freedom to reallocate, not restrict, your money

Tune into this episode of Money Files to learn how The Money Edit can help you keep more of what you earn and finally create a plan that feels good and works.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://wealthovernow.com/the-money-edit-stop-the-leaks-and-create-more-choice-with-your-money/

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

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EP. 195 | The Money Table: How to Create a Real Budget (and Stop Fake Math)

Have you ever felt like no matter how much you earn, or how diligently you pay your bills, your money still slips through your fingers?

In this episode of Money Files, I introduce you to the Money Table, the first step of my coaching framework that helps clients create 25% more choice with their money without earning more or making extreme cuts. The Money Table is where we lay everything out, your bills, subscriptions, lifestyle expenses, even the purchases you avoid looking at so you can finally see the full financial picture.

For most people, fake math runs the show. You tell yourself that a bonus will cover your expenses or that holidays “don’t cost that much,” only to find yourself overspending and underprepared. At the Money Table, we stop the fake math by naming, numbering, and planning for the expenses that quietly drain your account.

Through client stories, you’ll hear how this simple step transformed how they think about money, whether it was planning for tutoring, travel, or even giving money to family. Once you see the full puzzle, you can finally make confident, intentional choices about your money instead of scrambling paycheck to paycheck.

Listen in to learn:

[02:10] What the Money Table is and why it matters

[05:35] How fake math quietly drains your accounts

[09:15] Client story: turning tutoring expenses into predictable monthly planning

[14:40] How to plan for annual expenses so they don’t wreck your budget

[20:25] Why naming hidden expenses creates immediate relief

[25:10] How clients start making their coaching investment back from Day One

Tune into this episode of Money Files to discover how the Money Table helps you stop hiding from your numbers and finally see the full financial picture.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://wealthovernow.com/the-money-table-how-to-create-a-real-budget-and-stop-fake-math/

Links mentioned in this episode…

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

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EP. 190 Lisa’s Story: How Lisa Stopped Using Her Planner To Budget

Not every paycheck-to-paycheck cycle is caused by poor spending habits, sometimes the root issue is your income.

In this episode, I unpack the three most common reasons people face an income problem, and why acknowledging it isn’t about shame but empowerment. From cost-of-living mismatches to household changes to underearning, I explain how to identify the real gap in your budget so you can finally make a plan that works.

Through client examples, including Emily’s story of adding income to ease her family’s finances, you’ll hear how reframing an income problem can lead to solutions that actually support your lifestyle and values. Because the truth is, you don’t have to cut back harder or live with guilt. You may simply need to earn more.

Listen in to learn:

• [01:40] How to know if your paycheck-to-paycheck cycle is mindset or income

• [04:12] Why cost-of-living mismatches create hidden income problems

  [07:58] Household and lifestyle changes that shrink your paycheck overnight

• [12:40] The trap of “money ceilings” and underearning

• [17:15] How to identify the real gap between your income and expenses

• [21:45] Why knowing your numbers is empowering—not shameful
  

Tune into this episode of Money Files to discover how to identify and solve income problems so you can finally stop living paycheck to paycheck.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript:  https://wealthovernow.com/how-to-know-if-your-paycheck-to-paycheck-cycle-is-an-income-problem/

Links mentioned in this episode…

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

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Do you make a great income but still feel like you’re living paycheck to paycheck?

In this episode of Money Files, I dive into what I call High Earner Syndrome, the mindset trap that keeps six-figure earners stuck in cycles of overspending, fake math, and financial stress.

On paper, you’re making more than ever before, $12K, $20K, even $30K a month, but you still don’t feel like you have enough to show for it. Raises, bonuses, and promotions come and go, but your savings doesn’t grow, your debt lingers, and your stress remains.

The problem isn’t your income, it’s the way you think about and manage your money. And until you shift your mindset and create a plan, lifestyle creep and fake math will keep you stuck, no matter how much you earn.

In this episode, I share:

[02:00] What High Earner Syndrome really is and why it’s not an income problem

[05:45] Why big bonuses disappear before you can enjoy them

[10:10] How fake math sabotages even six-figure earners

[15:30] Why planning 14 days at a time keeps you broke (and what to do instead)

[20:25] How a client went from paycheck stress to having $14,000 in her account

[24:10] The one mindset shift that puts you in control of your money today

Tune into this episode of Money Files to learn how to break free from High Earner Syndrome, stop overspending, and create financial freedom with the income you already have.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://wealthovernow.com/why-even-high-earners-are-living-paycheck-to-paycheck/

Links mentioned in this episode…

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

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