Rooted in Abundance: Faith, Money and Motherhood

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In this episode of Rooted in Abundance: Faith, Money, and Motherhood, Megan is joined by Hayley Ferguson, host of The Fulfilled Christian Woman podcast and a positive psychology coach. Haley shares her powerful testimony of overcoming personal struggles, including divorce and financial hardship, and how she found hope and fulfillment in Jesus.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Haley’s journey through hardship and how she rebuilt her life with faith
• Why placing hope in Jesus is the key to true fulfillment
• The difference between living for a purpose vs. living life on purpose
• Practical strategies for maintaining faith and joy in difficult seasons.
• The role of gratitude and community in personal growth.
• How Haley became a positive psychology coach and her advice for women feeling lost or overwhelmed.

Bible Verse Mentioned:
"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life." – Proverbs 13:12

Connect with Haley:

• Website: https://www.applepie.life/
• Podcast: The Fulfilled Christian Woman

Connect with me:

• Visit my website to learn more.
• Wondering how to make sure you're prepared financially for the life God is calling you towards? Grab my free 5-Step Guide here.
• Join my email community for financial tools, faith-based encouragement, and updates. A fresh newsletter goes out every Friday.
• Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook: @HerTrueWealth

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Please consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Disclosure: Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them.

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In this episode of Rooted in Abundance: Faith, Money, and Motherhood, Megan dives into:

• The science behind retail therapy – Why shopping feels good in the moment but often leaves us feeling empty.
• The cycle of emotional spending – How impulsive shopping can become a coping mechanism and derail financial goals.
• The power of purpose – How shifting from impulsive spending to purpose-driven choices creates lasting fulfillment.
• Practical strategies to break free from emotional spending and align your finances with your values.
• Faith and financial freedom – How finding joy beyond material possessions leads to greater peace and purpose.

If you've ever felt caught in the cycle of wanting and buying, or if you're longing for more financial and spiritual freedom, this episode is for you!

Resources/Tools:

• 5 Step Guide to a Strong Financial Foundation
• Article: Why Retail Therapy Makes you Feel Happier

Connect with me:

• Visit my website to learn more.
• Wondering how to make sure you're prepared financially for the life God is calling you towards? Grab my free 5-Step Guide here.
• Join my email community for financial tools, faith-based encouragement, and updates. A fresh newsletter goes out every Friday.
• Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook: @HerTrueWealth

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Please consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Disclosure: Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them.

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Many people unknowingly hold onto financial myths that keep them from making real progress with their money. In this episode, Megan breaks down five common misconceptions about money and shares the truth that will help you move forward with confidence.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why waiting to save until you "make more money" might keep you stuck in the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle.
• The hidden cost of debt and why it’s not the shortcut to financial success you might think it is.
• Why investing isn’t just for the wealthy—and how you can start, even with a small amount.
• How budgeting actually gives you freedom (instead of restricting your life).
• Why generosity isn’t just for the ultra-wealthy and how you can make an impact today.

Free Resources Mentioned:

• 1-Page Investing Cheat Sheet – A quick-start guide to help you get started with investing confidently
• Aligned Spending Method – Learn how to align your spending with your values and financial goals. [Download here] (insert link)
• 5-Step Guide to Step Boldly into Your Calling – A step-by-step framework to prepare financially for God’s calling.
• Donor-Advised Fund Comparison Chart – A breakdown of DAF options to maximize your giving.
• What is a Donor-Advised Fund? – Learn how DAFs work and how they can be a powerful tool for generosity. [Read more] (insert link)

Connect with me:

• Visit my website to learn more.
• Wondering how to make sure you're prepared financially for the life God is calling you towards? Grab my free 5-Step Guide here.
• Join my email community for financial tools, faith-based encouragement, and updates. A fresh newsletter goes out every Friday.
• Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook: @HerTrueWealth

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Please consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Disclosure: Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them.

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In this episode of the Rooted in Abundance podcast, Megan introduces the show's first guest, Jess Gil - an engineer, money coach, podcast host, and fellow mom. 

Jess didn't realize her parents' approach to money was different until she hit college and started to notice money wasn't a topic readily discussed in her friends' homes growing up. 

In this episode, Jess shares stories from her upbringing and the practical financial lessons imparted by her parents, including:

• Their formula for allowances vs. chores
• How they built trust and fostered financial responsibility from a young age
• Healthy money talks
• Introduction to investing
• A creative approach that may motivate your kids to apply for college scholarships
• Helping your kids build healthy credit early and in a safe environment

Jess shares insights into how these lessons influenced her adult life and her current approach to money with her family. 

Where to find Jess:

• Instagram: @its_coach_jess
• Download her free Money Talk Template and start having positive, productive conversations with your partner. 

Connect with me:

• Visit my website to learn more.
• Wondering how to make sure you're prepared financially for the life God is calling you towards? Grab my free 5-Step Guide here.
• Join my email community for financial tools, faith-based encouragement, and updates. A fresh newsletter goes out every Friday.
• Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook: @HerTrueWealth

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Please consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Disclosure: Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them.

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In this episode of Rooted in Abundance, Megan delves into the various types of financial accounts suitable for children. She breaks down how each account works, discusses their pros and cons, and shares her personal preferences.

The accounts she covers in this episode include: 

• High-yield savings accounts
• Dependent care FSAs
• 529 plans for college savings
• Custodial brokerage accounts 
• Custodial Roth IRAs 
• Life insurance for kids

She also provides insights into why different accounts may be better suited for specific financial goals, such as short-term expenses, long-term investments, and building generational wealth. 

Resources and Tools:

• Utah My529 Plan - low cost 529 Plan, consistently highly rated by Morningstar with flexible investment options
• States that offer a state tax benefit for using their 529 plan (for residents): you can see a full list here. Only 4 states offer a state tax deduction for the full contribution amount (Colorado, New Mexico, South Carolina and West Virginia) - see the full list to see the limited deductions offered by other states.
• Jamie Trull, CPA - great resource for small business finance, including hiring your kids
• Raising Generous Kids - 10 Bible lessons to help nurture a giving heart in your kids. This is a free resource created by Megan for moms who want to instill generosity in their kids early on

Connect with me:

• Visit my website to learn more.
• Wondering how to make sure you're prepared financially for the life God is calling you towards? Grab my free 5-Step Guide here.
• Join my email community for financial tools, faith-based encouragement, and updates. A fresh newsletter goes out every Friday.
• Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook: @HerTrueWealth

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Please consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Disclosure: Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them.

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In this episode of the Rooted in Abundance podcast, Megan discusses how to raise financially wise children. She emphasizes the importance of open conversations about money and introduces practical methods like the 'Three Jar Method' (save, spend, give) for teaching financial literacy at an early age. 

Megan shares her own experiences with her five-year-old daughter and highlights the value of early financial education, generosity, and responsible money management. 

The episode also explores the benefits of investing for children and engaging them in charitable activities. By involving children in financial decisions and fostering a positive relationship with money, parents can instill values such as generosity, patience, responsibility, and self-control. 

Tune in to discover how to align your finances with faith and help your children develop a healthy financial mindset.

Resources:

• A free and simple devotional to use with your kids: Raising Generous Kids: 10 Bible Lessons to Instill a Giving Heart
• The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart about Money

Connect with me:

• Visit my website to learn more.
• Wondering how to make sure you're prepared financially for the life God is calling you towards? Grab my free 5-Step Guide here.
• Join my email community for financial tools, faith-based encouragement, and updates. A fresh newsletter goes out every Friday.
• Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook: @HerTrueWealth

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Please consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Disclosure: Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them.

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In this episode of the Rooted in Abundance podcast, Megan guides listeners through the essential steps to prepare for tax season. She shares practical tips, common pitfalls, and expert insight on choosing between self-filing and using a tax professional. 

Megan highlights the importance of reviewing your return, how to read the 1040 form and common mistakes to avoid when using strategies like a backdoor Roth IRA, qualified charitable distributions, and maximizing HSA contributions. 

Free Tools and other Resources: 

• Tax prep checklist to help as you gather your documents for tax filing
• Consider using Rakuten to earn cash back when you shop. They have a 5% cash back deal for Turbo Tax right now, plus Turbo Tax has a 20% off deal at the moment. You can use my referral link here to receive a $30 sign up bonus for using Rakuten. 
• FreeTaxUSA was mentioned recently as a potentially free way to file your Federal return (state is a paid service). I cannot vouch for the service, but you can explore it here. (this is not an affiliate link)

Connect with me:

• Visit my website to learn more.
• Wondering how to make sure you're prepared financially for the life God is calling you towards? Grab my free 5-Step Guide here.
• Join my email community for financial tools, faith-based encouragement, and updates. A fresh newsletter goes out every Friday.
• Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook: @HerTrueWealth

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Please consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Disclosure: Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them.

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Do you ever feel stuck in the cycle of consumerism—always chasing the next thing but never feeling fulfilled? You’re not alone, but the good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way.

In today’s episode, Megan dives into practical steps to invite God into your financial journey and shift from a mindset of lacking to one of abundance. She'll share how gratitude can change the way you see your finances, how aligning your spending with your values creates freedom, and how you can find true joy and peace when your money foundation is built on solid ground.

It’s not about perfection, and it’s certainly not about guilt. It’s about taking small, meaningful steps toward a life of financial freedom and abundance—grounded in God’s truth.

You’ll learn:

• How to invite God into your finances and start trusting Him with your money
• A simple gratitude practice to transform your mindset
• Why aligning your spending with your values is the key to lasting peace and joy
• The opportunities and freedom that is ahead of you when you have a strong financial foundation in place - saving and investing gives you the freedom to say "yes!" when God's calling becomes clear.

If you’re ready to leave behind the weight of what culture says is important, and step into the abundant life God has for you, this episode is for you.

Free tools:

• Net Worth Template - track all of your assets and liabilities in one place
• Aligned Spending Method - try the budgeting template to see if this method works for you, as you do the work to align your spending with what you truly value
• How to Financially Prepare for God's Calling -  A 5-step guide to help you achieve financial confidence and step boldly into the purpose God has for your life. 

Scripture References:

• Mark 12:41-44: The widow’s faith and generosity despite her poverty.
• Philippians 4:12-13: Paul’s testimony of contentment in all circumstances.
• Matthew 25:14-30: The parable of the talents and being faithful stewards.

✨ Let’s connect!

• Subscribe to the podcast and follow along for faith-based encouragement and practical financial strategies.

Connect with me:

• Visit my website to learn more.
• Wondering how to make sure you're prepared financially for the life God is calling you towards? Grab my free 5-Step Guide here.
• Join my email community for financial tools, faith-based encouragement, and updates. A fresh newsletter goes out every Friday.
• Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook: @HerTrueWealth

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Please consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Disclosure: Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them.

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In this deeply personal episode of Rooted in Abundance: Faith, Money, and Motherhood, Megan shares her family’s journey of preparing financially to go from two incomes to one so she could leave a successful career and stay home with her children. Speaking directly to moms who feel a stirring in their hearts to pursue God’s calling—whether it’s staying home, starting a business, or something else entirely—Megan reflects on the fears, sacrifices, and ultimate peace she found by trusting God’s plan.

Listeners will walk away with practical steps and spiritual encouragement to help prepare for your own transitions, including how to align your finances with your faith and values.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Recognizing the Stirring on Your Heart: How to discern and respond to God’s voice in your life.
• Overcoming Fear: Facing the financial and emotional fears of transitioning to one income.
• Spiritual Preparation: The role of prayer, journaling, and diving into God’s Word in making this life-changing decision.
• The Power of Alignment: How getting on the same page with your spouse strengthens your decision-making and peace of mind.
• Practical Financial Steps:
  • Tracking every dollar and understanding cash flow.
  • Identifying and cutting unnecessary expenses to align with your values.
  • Simplifying your lifestyle to save money and reflect your priorities.
  • Understanding how to leverage assets you may already have in an emergency

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Free Guide: Trusting God’s Calling: 5 Steps for Financial Preparation
• Checklist: Money Saving Checklist
• Daily Devotional Journal: "100 Days of Believing Bigger"

Connect with me:

• Visit my website to learn more.
• Wondering how to make sure you're prepared financially for the life God is calling you towards? Grab my free 5-Step Guide here.
• Join my email community for financial tools, faith-based encouragement, and updates. A fresh newsletter goes out every Friday.
• Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook: @HerTrueWealth

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Please consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Disclosure: Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them.

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Are you wrapping up the year feeling a mix of gratitude and “what could I have done differently”? In this episode, Megan takes you behind the scenes of her biggest wins and missteps in her biggest year of transitioning from corporate life to mom life—lessons that might resonate with your own journey. From learning to embrace God’s timing to stepping out of comfort zones, this conversation will leave you inspired to reflect on your own year and prepare for what’s next.

You'll also hear a sneak peek at exciting plans for 2025, including resources and strategies to help you align your finances with your faith and values. Whether you’re celebrating big wins or wrestling with unmet goals, let’s look forward to the new year with hope, intentionality, and trust in God’s provision.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• How reflecting on what worked (and what didn’t) can set you up for growth.
• Why imperfect steps of faith still lead to incredible outcomes.
• How trusting God’s timing can transform how you view “success.”
• Key lessons on aligning your life with your values—and the surprising places you might be holding back.
• A sneak peek at exciting plans for 2025, including workshops, courses, and ways to connect!

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Join my free email community for financial tools, faith-based encouragement, and updates.
• Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook: @HerTrueWealth

Reflect on Your Year:
After listening, take a moment to consider your own wins and lessons from 2024. What is God teaching you through this season?

Where to go next:
Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who might need encouragement as they reflect on their year and prepare for 2025!

Connect with me:

• Visit my website to learn more.
• Wondering how to make sure you're prepared financially for the life God is calling you towards? Grab my free 5-Step Guide here.
• Join my email community for financial tools, faith-based encouragement, and updates. A fresh newsletter goes out every Friday.
• Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook: @HerTrueWealth

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Please consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Disclosure: Some links mentioned may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them.

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