Moving For Smarties

Ready to explore a new city—but not sure where to start? In this episode of Moving for Smarties, Mariette Frey shares 5 websites to help you research places to live, compare cost of living, assess neighborhoods, and check whether a city might even offer incentives to move there. This is research, not a commitment: gather the information first, then use it to make a more grounded decision.

In this episode:

- Find potential cities that fit your priorities

- Compare cost of living and the salary you may need

- Use city statistics thoughtfully—and treat online forums as one - perspective, not the whole story

- Check neighborhood walkability, bikeability, and transit access

- Compare neighborhoods and look for possible relocation incentives

- Apply the research to Kate’s Chicago-to-New-York move

Resources mentioned:

Livability.com

BestPlaces.net

City-Data.com

WalkScore.com

AreaVibes.com

MakeMyMove.com

Chapters:

00:00 Research your dream city—no commitment required

00:30 Five city-research sites to explore

00:54 Livability.com: discover cities that fit your priorities

01:50 BestPlaces.net: compare cost of living and salary

03:12 City-Data.com: use statistics, approach forums carefully

04:11 WalkScore.com: check walkability, biking, and transit

05:09 AreaVibes.com: compare neighborhoods

05:36 Bonus: MakeMyMove.com relocation incentives

06:33 A step-by-step workflow for using the sites

07:27 Match neighborhoods to your lifestyle

07:49 Kate’s example: Chelsea costs and car savings

08:49 Compare other neighborhoods and expenses

09:18 Keep the research exploratory

09:45 Join the Smart Move Society

Subscribe for more practical relocation guidance, and join the free Smart Move Society at movingforsmarties.com.

Website: https://movingforsmarties.com/

The Smart Move Society (free community): https://www.skool.com/the-smart-move-society-7447/about

Coaching: https://movingforsmarties.com/coaching

Favorites: https://https://movingforsmarties.com/favorites

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariettesonthemove

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariettefrey/

Interviews from Seasons 1-3 on YouTube: / @mariettesonthemove

Moving For Smarties, hosted by Mariette Frey of Mariette’s On The Move, started as an interview-driven podcast exploring the real stories behind relocation, reinvention, and life transitions. Across 60+ conversations with first-time homebuyers, repeat movers, industry experts, and everyday people navigating major life changes, this show opens the curtain on what moving is really like—from the joyful and exciting to the unexpected, chaotic, and downright overwhelming.

Both shows work together:

• (The old) Mariette’s On The Move = Interviews and real conversations about lived experiences.

• (The new) Moving For Smarties = the coaching, tools, and frameworks to help you make a values-aligned move.

Whether you’re preparing for a move, considering a major life shift, or simply love hearing the behind-the-scenes stories of people rebuilding their lives, you’re in the right place.

For deeper support, join The Smart Move Society, a community that offers group coaching, 1:1 coaching options, workshops, and city-focused guidance to help you relocate with confidence. Find it on our website.

This is the Moving For Smarties YouTube Channel Finances Playlist, Episode 2

This episode emphasizes the importance of understanding your financial baseline to make informed decisions about your future. Mariette Frey guides listeners through a practical exercise to assess debts, savings, income, and tax rates, highlighting how knowing your numbers can reduce overwhelm and improve financial confidence.

I give a shout out to my financial advisor, Matthew Personette from Edelman Financial Engines in Oakbrook Terrace, IL. Call their office to set up an appointment with him! www.EdelmanFinancialEngines.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the importance of knowing your financial baseline

02:18 The impact of state and city taxes on your paycheck

04:01 Surprising local taxes in New York City and other states

06:04 Questions to reflect on your financial motivations

07:23 The importance of a financial safety net

08:13 Next steps: researching and planning for moving

Website: https://movingforsmarties.com/

The Smart Move Society (free community): https://www.skool.com/the-smart-move-society-7447/about

Coaching: https://movingforsmarties.com/coaching

Favorites: https://https://movingforsmarties.com/favorites

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariettesonthemove

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariettefrey/

Interviews from Seasons 1-3 on YouTube:   / @mariettesonthemove  

Moving For Smarties, hosted by Mariette Frey of Mariette’s On The Move, started as an interview-driven podcast exploring the real stories behind relocation, reinvention, and life transitions. Across 60+ conversations with first-time homebuyers, repeat movers, industry experts, and everyday people navigating major life changes, this show opens the curtain on what moving is really like—from the joyful and exciting to the unexpected, chaotic, and downright overwhelming.

YouTube's Moving For Smarties Channel, Episode 1 of the Finances p

This episode introduces Kate, a 20-something Broadway hopeful in Chicago who is deciding whether to move to New York City now or wait until her finances are stronger. Using Kate’s situation to show why money is often less about raw dollars and more about clarity, timing, and the long-term cost of a move. Across this introduction to the Finances playlist, you get the roadmap for the full nine-episode module and the key idea behind it: build a financial foundation before you pack a single box.

Key topics

In this episode, Mariette frames money as a hidden reason relocations fail, not because people never have enough, but because they lack clarity. Kate’s situation is introduced as the central case study: she lives in Chicago, dreams of Broadway in New York, and is facing a move with student loans, credit card debt, and a car payment. Mariette compares Kate’s current Chicago rent of $2,300 a month with a Chelsea studio that could run about $4,800 to $5,700 a month, showing how the rent gap can become roughly $40,000 a year.

The episode introduces the idea of a proof of concept move: Kate could downsize into a Chicago studio, sell extra belongings, and test whether she can handle a smaller space before committing to New York.

Mariette explains that paying down debt can improve credit, strengthen housing negotiations, and create a safety net if a new job or move does not work out.

The difference between price and cost is highlighted: a move may seem inexpensive upfront, but the wrong city or wrong financial foundation can create years of hidden cost.

00:00 - Kate’s big move question: go now or wait

00:29 - Student debt, credit cards, and a rent reality check

00:54 - Chicago rent versus a Chelsea studio

01:19 - Why downsizing first can test the move

01:46 - Proof of concept: living like future you now

02:12 - Debt as a hidden anchor and safety net issue

02:41 - Waiting six to ten months could save thousands

03:11 - What the next episode will cover: your financial baseline

03:41 - Meet Cooper and the community invitation

04:10 - Smart Move Society and what happens next

The Finances playlist is positioned as the second pillar of the Fred Framework, following the Dreams playlist.

Mariette previews the full nine-episode arc, from financial baseline and market research to hidden costs, debt snowball strategy, move logistics, and a final before-and-after game plan.

The core message repeats throughout: your past does not predict your future, and small decisions today can help future you thrive.

Website: https://movingforsmarties.com/

The Smart Move Society (free community): https://www.skool.com/the-smart-move-society-7447/about

Coaching: https://movingforsmarties.com/coaching

Favorites: https://https://movingforsmarties.com/favorites

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariettesonthemove

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariettefrey/

Interviews from Seasons 1-3 on YouTube: / @mariettesonthemove

Moving For Smarties, hosted by Mariette Frey of Mariette’s On The Move, started as an interview-driven podcast exploring the real stories behind relocation, reinvention, and life transitions. Across 60+ conversations with first-time homebuyers, repeat movers, industry experts, and everyday people navigating major life changes, this show opens the curtain on what moving is really like—from the joyful and exciting to the unexpected, chaotic, and downright overwhelming.

In the first 60 episodes, the show dives into the human side of moving: identity shifts, decision-making, financial realities, emotional resilience, community building, and the brave moment when someone decides, “It’s time to go.” These episodes are long-form, honest, and full of lived experience you won’t find in a checklist.

Moving forward, we're excited to bring you the more educational, structured, step-by-step side of relocation, and changing our name to Moving For Smarties. This show is bu

Welcome to Moving For Smarties, the podcast for people who are asking one of life’s biggest questions: should I stay or should I go? Should I pack, pause or pivot based on the FRED Framework where we start with Dreams Part 1, then reverse engineer you into the finances, robustness (mental and physical strength), ecosystem (what you had in your last community and what you'd like in your new community) and go back to dreams (to see if it's still the dream!).

If you haven't checked out the Dreams Pt 1 playlist, I'd encourage you to go through those videos first but if you have already gotten VERY clear on the dream by going through the Moving For Smarties workbook that you got by jumping on my mailer at movingforsmarties.com, dive into the finances playlist!

In the Finances playlist, we'll explore the financial considerations of relocating, emphasizing the importance of understanding both the price and the long-term cost of moving decisions. She introduces Kate, a fictional character, to illustrate how to evaluate moving options and financial readiness.

0:00 Why money can make or break a move

0:25 Price vs. cost: Shelby Sapp's sales lesson

1:05 Welcome to the Finances playlist

1:40 Meet Kate, our guide through this playlist

2:15 What's coming in the next 9 episodes

3:35 Your past doesn't predict your future, plus meet Cooper

Here's more about your host:

Mariette Frey, is a relocation coach, relocation strategist, certified life coach. This channel helps you make smarter, calmer, more confident decisions about moving to a new city, moving out of state, or starting over somewhere new.

In this episode we quote my favorite sales trainer,  @Shelbysappyt  Connect with her on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/shelby.sapp?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&stkn=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Website: https://movingforsmarties.com/

The Smart Move Society (free community): https://www.skool.com/the-smart-move-society-7447/about

Coaching: https://movingforsmarties.com/coaching

Favorites: https://https://movingforsmarties.com/favorites

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariettesonthemove

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariettefrey/

Interviews from Seasons 1-3 on YouTube: / @mariettesonthemove

Moving For Smarties, hosted by Mariette Frey of Mariette’s On The Move, started as an interview-driven podcast exploring the real stories behind relocation, reinvention, and life transitions. Across 60+ conversations with first-time homebuyers, repeat movers, industry experts, and everyday people navigating major life changes, this show opens the curtain on what moving is really like—from the joyful and exciting to the unexpected, chaotic, and downright overwhelming.

In the first 60 episodes, the show dives into the human side of moving: identity shifts, decision-making, financial realities, emotional resilience, community building, and the brave moment when someone decides, “It’s time to go.” These episodes are long-form, honest, and full of lived experience you won’t find in a checklist.

Moving forward, we're excited to bring you the more educational, structured, step-by-step side of relocation, and changing our name to Moving For Smarties. This show is built as a bingeable class on YouTube and we're making it available everywhere you listen as well. We take the full FRED Framework journey (Finances, Robustness, Ecosystem, Dreams) through curated playlist paths that guide your decision-making from the ground up.

Mariette Frey closes out the first Dreams playlist with a practical courage check for anyone considering a move, a major life change, or a bigger version of themselves. She turns vague dreaming into four reality tests to help you figure out whether a dream is ready to become a plan.The episode focuses on time horizons, allies, researching a potential new city, and how to understand fear. Mariette’s aim: help you take small, thoughtful steps toward clarity—without rushing into a big commitment.

00:00 — Celebrating the courage of exploring your dreams

00:51 — Why testing turns a dream into a plan

01:17 — Test 1: Map your 5- and 10-year horizons

02:40 — Test 2: Identify 10 real allies

03:35 — Finding a moving buddy

04:30 — Test 3: Try a city before committing

05:43 — Test 4: What fear might be telling you

06:37 — Choose one small action for this week

07:30 — Find support in the Smart Move Society

08:15 — Write your “I am becoming” statement

09:25 — What comes next: finances, robustness, and community

10:46 — How exploring can show you that you don’t need to move

11:16 — The goal: clarity, not chaos

11:43 — More dream-building resources

12:58 — Share feedback and keep exploring

13:27 — Encourage someone else to dream

14:21 — Closing message and community invitation

Find Laura Sinclair at www.lauramakesmoves.com, Laura's been on the podcast a few times!

Check out FurnishedFinder.com for midterm rentals. Katie Lyon's episode aired on this podcast on 3/6/24, check that one out too!

Moving For Smarties, hosted by Mariette Frey of Mariette’s On The Move, started as an interview-driven podcast exploring the real stories behind relocation, reinvention, and life transitions. Across 60+ conversations with first-time homebuyers, repeat movers, industry experts, and everyday people navigating major life changes, this show opens the curtain on what moving is really like—from the joyful and exciting to the unexpected, chaotic, and downright overwhelming.

In the first 60 episodes, the show dives into the human side of moving: identity shifts, decision-making, financial realities, emotional resilience, community building, and the brave moment when someone decides, “It’s time to go.” These episodes are long-form, honest, and full of lived experience you won’t find in a checklist.

Moving forward, we're excited to bring you the more educational, structured, step-by-step side of relocation, and changing our name to Moving For Smarties. This show is built as a bingeable class on YouTube and we're making it available everywhere you listen as well. We take the full FRED Framework journey (Finances, Robustness, Ecosystem, Dreams) through curated playlist paths that guide your decision-making from the ground up.

Both shows work together:

• (The old) Mariette’s On The Move = real conversations and lived experiences.

• (The new) Moving For Smarties = the coaching, tools, and frameworks to help you make a values-aligned move.

Whether you’re preparing for a move, considering a major life shift, or simply love hearing the behind-the-scenes stories of people rebuilding their lives, you’re in the right place.

For deeper support, join The Smart Move Society, a community that offers group coaching, 1:1 coaching options, workshops, and city-focused guidance to help you relocate with confidence. Find it on our website.

Website: https://movingforsmarties.com/

The Smart Move Society (free community): https://www.skool.com/the-smart-move-society-7447/about

Coaching: https://movingforsmarties.com/coaching

Favorites: https://https://movingforsmarties.com/favorites

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariettesonthemove

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariettefrey/

In this episode, Mariette Frey guides listeners through a reflective exercise to clarify their dreams and identify the mental barriers that may be holding them back. She emphasizes the importance of understanding your identity, giving yourself permission to dream, and challenging limiting stories to create a path toward personal growth.

Dreams Part 1 Reflection Exercise:

1. What story are you telling yourself about yourself?

2. Are you the hero of that story, or is it full of doubt?

3. What evidence do you have that the opposite of that story might be true?

4. If you gave yourself full, unconditional permission to dream, what identity would you step into?

5. What does your future self look like — not just physically, but in posture, energy, and presence?

6. How does your future self act on a daily basis?

7. What habits, routines, or choices anchor that version of you?

8. What is stopping you from becoming that version of yourself right now?

9. Is that obstacle really true, or is it an assumption you’ve been carrying?

Bonus question:

What are you trying to prove, and who are you trying to prove it to?

Resources Mentioned:

- You Make Sense with Sarah Baldwin — “The Formula for Growth: Why Discomfort is Required for Your Expansion” episode:

https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@youmakesense⁩ 

- Finding Freedom with Peter Crone: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@PeterCroneOfficial⁩ 

Chapters

00:00 Welcome Back to Dreams Part 1

01:05 Why These Questions Matter

02:10 Your Identity Has Different Parts

03:20 Discomfort Is the Compass

03:52 Question 1: What Story Are You Telling Yourself?

05:14 Question 2: What Identity Would You Step Into?

06:42 Question 3: What Does Future You Look Like?

07:28 Question 4: How Does Future You Act Daily?

09:37 Question 5: What Is Stopping You Right Now?

11:04 Is That True, or Just an Assumption?

12:39 Pivoting Is Growth, Not Failure

13:20 Bonus Question: What Are You Trying to Prove?

14:08 Stay in the What, Not the How

14:53 What’s Coming in the Final Dreams Episode

15:45 Meet Cooper + Smart Move Society Invitation

Website: https://movingforsmarties.com/

Coaching: https://movingforsmarties.com/coaching

Favorites: https://https://movingforsmarties.com/favorites

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariettesonthemove

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariettefrey/

Interviews from Seasons 1-3 on YouTube: / @mariettesonthemove

Moving For Smarties, hosted by Mariette Frey of Mariette’s On The Move, started as an interview-driven podcast exploring the real stories behind relocation, reinvention, and life transitions. Across 60+ conversations with first-time homebuyers, repeat movers, industry experts, and everyday people navigating major life changes, this show opens the curtain on what moving is really like—from the joyful and exciting to the unexpected, chaotic, and downright overwhelming.

In the first 60 episodes, the show dives into the human side of moving: identity shifts, decision-making, financial realities, emotional resilience, community building, and the brave moment when someone decides, “It’s time to go.” These episodes are long-form, honest, and full of lived experience you won’t find in a checklist.

Moving forward, we're excited to bring you the more educational, structured, step-by-step side of relocation, and changing our name to Moving For Smarties. This show is built as a bingeable class on YouTube and we're making it available everywhere you listen as well. We take the full FRED Framework journey (Finances, Robustness, Ecosystem, Dreams) through curated playlist paths that guide your decision-making from the ground up.

Both shows work together:

• (The old) Mariette’s On The Move = re

This episode encourages listeners to release old dreams with gratitude and embrace new paths aligned with their true purpose. Mariette shares her personal journey of pursuing her dreams, the detours she took, and how evolving passions can lead to fulfillment.

Great Exercise:

Write down a detour from your life and ask: What did it teach me? What skills did I gain from it? And what dream can I release with gratitude so I can move forward?

I mentioned my friend Ang Barnard in this podcast, please follow her! Here's her website: https://www.angbarnard.com/podcast and you can find her podcast there!

I also mentioned Silk & Sonder. You can check them out here! https://www.silkandsonder.com/

Chapters:

00:00 When ambition feels heavy instead of exciting

00:53 Welcome to Episode 4 of the Dreams Playlist

01:15 The childhood dream I buried under practicality

02:27 The Los Angeles trip that reignited my acting dream

03:39 Switching my major to keep the dream alive

04:38 Taking acting classes while working a 9-to-5

05:46 The layoff that gave me space to explore acting

06:55 Getting on set for Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and auditions

07:44 Realizing the acting dream wasn’t what I imagined

08:29 How the dream evolved instead of disappeared

09:07 The dream that feels heavy may need to evolve

09:50 Your coaching exercise: what did the detour teach you?

10:38 Releasing an old dream is not giving up

11:08 What’s coming next: questions to sharpen your dream

11:50 Smart Moves Society and final sign-off

Website: https://movingforsmarties.com/

Coaching: https://movingforsmarties.com/coaching

Favorites: https://https://movingforsmarties.com/favorites

Instagram: @mariettesonthemove

LinkedIn: / mariettefrey

Interviews from Seasons 1-3 on YouTube: / @mariettesonthemove

Moving For Smarties, hosted by Mariette Frey of Mariette’s On The Move, started as an interview-driven podcast exploring the real stories behind relocation, reinvention, and life transitions. Across 60+ conversations with first-time homebuyers, repeat movers, industry experts, and everyday people navigating major life changes, this show opens the curtain on what moving is really like—from the joyful and exciting to the unexpected, chaotic, and downright overwhelming.

In the first 60 episodes, the show dives into the human side of moving: identity shifts, decision-making, financial realities, emotional resilience, community building, and the brave moment when someone decides, “It’s time to go.” These episodes are long-form, honest, and full of lived experience you won’t find in a checklist.

Moving forward, we're excited to bring you the more educational, structured, step-by-step side of relocation, and changing our name to Moving For Smarties. This show is built as a bingeable class on YouTube and we're making it available everywhere you listen as well. We take the full FRED Framework journey (Finances, Robustness, Ecosystem, Dreams) through curated playlist paths that guide your decision-making from the ground up.

Both shows work together:

• (The old) Mariette’s On The Move = real conversations and lived experiences.

• (The new) Moving For Smarties = the coaching, tools, and frameworks to help you make a values-aligned move.

Whether you’re preparing for a move, considering a major life shift, or simply love hearing the behind-the-scenes stories of people rebuilding their lives, you’re in the right place.

For deeper support, join The Smart Move Society, a community that offers group coaching, 1:1 coaching options, workshops, and city-focused guidance to help you relocate with confidence. Find it on our website.

Thank you for stopping by!

Mariette Frey guides you through transforming scattered notes into clear themes that define your future self. Learn how to identify your core anchors—community, health, creativity—and use them to make aligned decisions for a fulfilling life. This is from the Moving For Smarties YouTube Channel.

Chapters

00:00 From Notes to Themes: Building Future You

02:45 Identifying Your Anchors: The Power of Patterns

05:23 Creating Your Future Avatar: A Vision for Tomorrow

08:05 Naming Your Dreams: Turning Themes into Action

Moving For Smarties, hosted by Mariette Frey of Mariette’s On The Move, started as an interview-driven podcast exploring the real stories behind relocation, reinvention, and life transitions. Across 60+ conversations with first-time homebuyers, repeat movers, industry experts, and everyday people navigating major life changes, this show opens the curtain on what moving is really like—from the joyful and exciting to the unexpected, chaotic, and downright overwhelming.

In the first 60 episodes, the show dives into the human side of moving: identity shifts, decision-making, financial realities, emotional resilience, community building, and the brave moment when someone decides, “It’s time to go.” These episodes are long-form, honest, and full of lived experience you won’t find in a checklist.

Moving forward, we're excited to bring you the more educational, structured, step-by-step side of relocation, and changing our name to Moving For Smarties. This show is built as a bingeable class on YouTube and we're making it available everywhere you listen as well. We take the full FRED Framework journey (Finances, Robustness, Ecosystem, Dreams) through curated playlist paths that guide your decision-making from the ground up.

Both shows work together:

• (The old) Mariette’s On The Move = real conversations and lived experiences.

• (The new) Moving For Smarties = the coaching, tools, and frameworks to help you make a values-aligned move.

Whether you’re preparing for a move, considering a major life shift, or simply love hearing the behind-the-scenes stories of people rebuilding their lives, you’re in the right place.

For deeper support, join The Smart Move Society, a community that offers group coaching, 1:1 coaching options, workshops, and city-focused guidance to help you relocate with confidence. Find it on our website.

Website: https://movingforsmarties.com/

Favorites: https://https://movingforsmarties.com/favorites

Instagram: @mariettesonthemove

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariettefrey/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mariettesonthemove

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@movingforsmarties

Caution- this is a guided visualization exercise *Do Not Listen While Driving*

In this episode of Moving for Smarties, host Mariette Frey guides listeners through a transformative visualization exercise aimed at helping them connect with their future selves. The session emphasizes the importance of picturing one's future to begin the journey towards achieving dreams. Through deep breathing and vivid imagery, listeners are encouraged to explore their aspirations, feelings, and environments, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of their desired future. The episode concludes with practical tips on documenting these insights and using AI tools to visualize their future selves more concretely.

Takeaways

• Visualization is key to moving towards your dreams.
• Deep breathing helps clear the mind for meditation.
• Engaging the senses enhances the visualization experience.
• Writing down details solidifies the vision in your mind.
• Your future self can guide your current decisions.
• Neuroscience supports the power of visualization.
• Keeping notes allows for reflection and growth over time.
• AI tools can help create a visual representation of your future self.
• The process of visualization is a journey, not a destination.
• Trust the process and focus on what you want to achieve.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Guided Visualization

03:41 Entering the Visualization

10:01 Reflecting on the Visualization

12:53 Building Your Future Self

Shout Outs From Episode:

• Find Whitney Uland and all her coaching https://linktr.ee/whitneyuland?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=7fd93005-29d0-4ff6-8ac4-517dc6175213
• Awesome Meditation Music with Binaural Beats by Siarhei_Korbut, support them at https://www.tinevibe.com

Moving For Smarties, hosted by Mariette Frey of Mariette’s On The Move, started as an interview-driven podcast exploring the real stories behind relocation, reinvention, and life transitions. Across 60+ conversations with first-time homebuyers, repeat movers, industry experts, and everyday people navigating major life changes, this show opens the curtain on what moving is really like—from the joyful and exciting to the unexpected, chaotic, and downright overwhelming.

In the first 60 episodes, the show dives into the human side of moving: identity shifts, decision-making, financial realities, emotional resilience, community building, and the brave moment when someone decides, “It’s time to go.” These episodes are long-form, honest, and full of lived experience you won’t find in a checklist.

Moving forward, we're excited to bring you the more educational, structured, step-by-step side of relocation, and changing our name to Moving For Smarties. This show is built as a bingeable class on YouTube and we're making it available everywhere you listen as well. We take the full FRED Framework journey (Finances, Robustness, Ecosystem, Dreams) through curated playlist paths that guide your decision-making from the ground up. Both shows work together:

• (The old) Mariette’s On The Move = real conversations and lived experiences.

• (The new) Moving For Smarties = the coaching, tools, and frameworks to help you make a values-aligned move.

Whether you’re preparing for a move, considering a major life shift, or simply love hearing the behind-the-scenes stories of people rebuilding their lives, you’re in the right place.

For deeper support, join The Smart Move Society, a community that offers group coaching, 1:1 coaching options, workshops, and city-focused guidance to help you relocate with confidence. Find it on our website.

Website: https://movingforsmarties.com/

Instagram: @mariettesonthemove

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariettefrey/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mariettesonthemove

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@movingforsmarties

In this episode, I'm introducing you to the Dreams Part 1 playlist from the Moving For Smarties YouTube channel which tells you about what and discusses the importance of living a fulfilling life and the role of dreams in shaping our reality. To watch the video, head to https://www.youtube.com/@Movingforsmarties

Before you move, there’s one big question you need to ask yourself: Am I chasing a dream — or running from something?

In this episode of Moving for Smarties, Mariette Frey introduces the Dreams Module of the FRED Framework: Finances, Robustness, Ecosystem, and Dreams. This is where the smart move journey begins, because before you can figure out the money, the logistics, the support system, or the destination, you need to understand what is truly pulling you forward.

Using the powerful idea that some people live 90 years while others repeat the same year 90 times, Mariette invites you to look honestly at your life, your dreams, and the version of yourself you may be ready to become.

This episode is not about figuring out the “how” yet. It is about getting clear on the “what.” What do you want your life to feel like? What kind of energy do you want to live in? Are you being pulled toward a dream, or pushed by fear, stress, boredom, or burnout?

Mariette also shares a personal story about dreaming of moving from San Diego to San Francisco, sitting by the Golden Gate Bridge, imagining the life she wanted, and watching that dream eventually become a real, practical next step. Because your dream is not fluff.Your dream is data. And data leads to decisions.

• Why every smart move starts with the question: Am I chasing a dream or running from something?
• What the Dreams Module is inside the FRED Framework
• Why Mariette starts with Dreams before Finances, Robustness, and Ecosystem
• How dreams help you reverse engineer the rest of your relocation decision
• Why the “what” comes before the “how”
• How to identify what is pulling you forward versus what is pushing you away
• Why fear-based decision making can keep you stuck
• How old dreams can expire — and why that does not mean you failed
• Why specificity matters when imagining your future life
• How one clear vision can become a compass for your next chapter

“The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco,” -Mark Twain

That was the quote I couldn't figure out how to say right about San Francisco- see why it's tricky?!

• A notebook or piece of paper
• A pen
• A quiet moment to think honestly
• Willingness to imagine boldly
• Permission to write before judging whether the dream is practical

Use these as journaling prompts after listening:

• Am I chasing a dream or running from something?
• What am I truly trying to move toward?
• What am I trying to get away from?
• What kind of energy do I want to live in?
• If I were living fully, boldly, and with total confidence, what would my life look like?
• What would I see, hear, smell, and feel in that future life?
• What city, neighborhood, home, routine, or community keeps showing up in my mind?
• What am I trying to prove?
• Who am I trying to prove it to?
• Is this still my dream, or is it an old dream I have outgrown?

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Living Fully

03:07 Understanding Dreams and Their Energy

05:55 Visualizing Your Dreams

09:08 Documenting Your Dreams for Clarity

If you’re exploring a move, dreaming about a new city, or trying to figure out what’s next, subscribe to Moving for Smarties and follow along through the full Dreams playlist. And if you want support, planning tools, community, and real conversations about finding a place that fits who you are becoming, join the Smart Move Society, you can find it on our website, movingforsmarties.com