In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into the art of budgeting with the incredible Allison Baggerly, author of Money Made Easy: How to Budget Pay Off Debt, and Save Money. A former teacher turned personal finance guru, Allison shares her inspiring journey of paying off over $111,000 in debt—on two teacher salaries—all while growing her family. Her insights have been featured in major media, and now she's here to help YOU rewrite your money story.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The Truth About Budgeting: Why most people fear the "B-word" and how to shift your mindset to see it as a tool for freedom, not restriction.
• Allison's Journey: From unexpected pregnancy to financial overhaul—how she and her husband transformed their financial future in just four and a half years.
• The Freedom Formula: Allison's empowering redefinition of financial freedom—it's not about millions in the bank, but about OPTIONS.
• Common Budgeting Mistakes: The traps women fall into when managing money and Allison's practical advice to avoid them.
• Realistic Budgeting Hacks: Why small, incremental changes (like scaling back restaurant spending) are more effective than all-or-nothing approaches.

Key Highlights:

• Budgeting as a Map: Forget the old-school view of budgets as punishment. Learn how Allison's "spending map" approach can guide you to financial peace.
• Overcoming Money Avoidance: Can't bear to check your bank balance? Allison explains how confronting the numbers is the first step toward empowerment.
• The Step-Down Approach: A revolutionary way to cut expenses without feeling deprived.
• Budgeting Tools Made Simple: Allison introduces her Budget My Paycheck Spreadsheet—a game-changer for anyone who wants to take the guesswork out of managing money.

Links and Resources Mentioned:

Allison's Budget My Paycheck Spreadsheet: https://inspiredbudget.com/spreadsheet-podcast Allison's Book: Money Made Easy: https://amzn.to/49SKyys Follow Allison on Instagram for more tips and inspiration: @AllisonBaggerly

Whether you're tackling debt, navigating divorce, or just trying to make smarter financial decisions, this episode is packed with actionable tips and encouragement. Allison's wisdom and relatable approach will leave you feeling empowered to take control of your money—and your future.

Don't forget to subscribe and share this episode with a friend who needs budgeting inspiration!