Want to build an emergency fund but aren’t sure where to start? 

Building an emergency fund when you're living paycheck to paycheck can feel overwhelming. But what if I told you there’s a way to build $1000 (or more!) in no time—and without sacrificing everything?

Saving $1000 for an emergency fund can feel like a huge, overwhelming task—especially when you’re living paycheck to paycheck. It’s easy to think, “I’ll get to it later,” and that’s exactly what happens… over and over again.

But here’s the problem: when you don’t have that cushion to fall back on, you’re setting yourself up for even more stress. Emergencies happen—and they can spiral, making your paycheck-to-paycheck situation even worse.

It’s a tough cycle to break, and trust me, I’ve been there. If that’s where you’re at, know this: you’re not alone.

But what if I told you that with just a little creativity and determination, you could have $1000 (or more) in your emergency fund by next month?

I’m serious.

And this is how I am doing it - building an emergency fund. 

You can too. 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

10 Smart Ways to Build an Emergency Fund:

1. Sell Something (Or Several Somethings)
2. Reduce Food Expenses
3. Cut Cable
4. Negotiate Your Bills
5. Save on Utilities
6. Commit to Making All Your Payments On Time
7. Get Free Stuff
8. Make a Cell Phone Payment Each Month by Taking Online Surveys
9. Skip This Year’s Vacation (If You Had One Planned)
10. Go on a Spending Freeze (Join a Budgeting FB Group)

EPISODE RESOURCES:

• Get Access To My Free Library!
• Sign Up for the Budget Boss Newsletter 

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Share this episode with a friend and be sure to tag Budget Boss when you share on social media!

Ever tried budgeting and felt like you were doing it wrong? You print out the budget sheets, highlighters in hand, ready to take control—only to sit there staring, wondering, what do I even put in these columns?

That was me. I’d sit cross-legged on my bed in the evenings, determined to make sense of it all. But between terms like sinking funds and categories that didn’t fit my life, I ended up tossing the printables aside. Instead, I grabbed a blank sheet of paper and wrote out my income, my expenses, and what I actually needed. And honestly? That felt so much easier than trying to force myself into someone else’s system.

That’s when I realized that budgeting—and especially the cash envelope method—isn’t about making it look pretty or following someone else’s rules. It’s about making a system that works for you.

So if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by budgeting, if you’ve tried and failed, or if you just don’t know where to start—this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn:

•  How to actually set up a cash envelope system that fits your life
• Why all your transactions should be highlighted (no guilt, no shame, just clarity)
• How fun things like stickers and savings challenges can keep you motivated 

EPISODE RESOURCES:

• Get Access To My Free Library!
• Sign Up for the Budget Boss Newsletter 

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Share this episode with a friend and be sure to tag Budget Boss when you share on social media!

Ever feel like no matter what you do, your grocery bill just won’t budge?

In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly how I saved $235 this month—without giving up my favorite foods or spending hours meal planning. Spoiler: It’s not about extreme couponing or buying everything in bulk.

If you’re tired of watching your grocery costs creep up, this challenge will show you simple, realistic ways to cut back while still eating well.

What You’ll Learn:

• The #1 change that made the biggest impact on my grocery bill
• Why snacks might be secretly draining your budget
• How to save money without sacrificing convenience or variety

EPISODE RESOURCES:

• Get Access To My Free Library!
• Sign Up for the Budget Boss Newsletter 

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Share this episode with a friend and be sure to tag Budget Boss when you share on social media!

Have you ever felt like no matter how much you try to cut back, your grocery bill keeps creeping up?

What if the real key to financial freedom wasn’t making more money—it was keeping more of the money you already have?

Today, I’m revealing the fastest way to free up extra cash every month—not by giving up coffee or eating out, but by fixing your grocery spending.

Groceries are one of the biggest expenses families face, but they’re also the easiest place to save—without sacrificing convenience, time, or health.

By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly how I save $500/month on groceries and how you can start doing the same!

What You'll Learn:

1. The One Trick helped me save on average $500/mo on groceries
2. The biggest grocery shopping mistake that costs you money every week
3. How to save money without restrictive spending freezes

EPISODE RESOURCES:

• Get Access To My Free Library!
• Sign Up for the Budget Boss Newsletter 

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Share this episode with a friend and be sure to tag Budget Boss when you share on social media!

Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed at the thought of trying to lose weight on a budget? Maybe it feels impossible—like eating healthy is just too expensive or you don’t even know where to start. If that sounds familiar, today's episode is just for you.

I know how it feels to want to eat healthier but think, I just can’t afford it. Maybe you’ve looked at the prices of organic produce or those fancy meal plans and thought, No way, not in my budget. But here’s the truth—losing weight doesn’t have to cost a fortune. 

In today’s episode, I’m sharing the simplest ways to eat well without spending more. We’re talking smart grocery shopping, easy swaps that actually save you money, and the no-stress way to make healthier choices that fit your real life. By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly how to start fueling your body without draining your wallet.

What You'll Learn:

1. Why eating healthy on a budget is so much easier than you think (yes, even with today’s grocery prices!).
2. Six simple, budget-friendly grocery hacks that will help you lose weight without spending a fortune.
3. How to make smart food choices that save money and keep you full and satisfied.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

• Get access to my free library!
• Free Printable Daily Food Journal 

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Share this episode with a friend and be sure to tag Budget Boss when you share on social media!

Cut Your Grocery Budget in Half: Week 1 of the Grocery Challenge

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your grocery budget, you’re not alone! In this episode, we’re kicking off Week 1 of our Grocery Challenge, where I’ll show you how to cut your grocery budget in half, step by step. This challenge is all about creating simple, sustainable habits that help you save money without feeling restricted. It’s easier than you think—and it doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your routine.

The Power of Meal Planning

Meal planning doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require a little bit of strategy. I’ll guide you through the basic steps for planning meals that use up what you already have on hand while avoiding the temptation to splurge on unnecessary items. By sticking to a weekly plan, you’ll save more money and reduce food waste, helping you cut your grocery costs in half.

Smart Shopping Habits

You don’t need to chase every coupon or store deal to save money. In today’s episode, I’ll share how to prioritize what’s important when you’re grocery shopping, like sticking to a list and choosing the right store sales. By making small, consistent shifts in your shopping habits, you’ll see your grocery budget shrink quickly and easily.

Week 1 of the Grocery Challenge will set you on the path to saving money while shopping smarter and eating well. No extreme couponing required—just simple, manageable steps that anyone can apply to their grocery routine.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

• Get Access To My Free Budgeting Library
• Free Grocery List 

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Share this episode with a friend and be sure to tag Budget Boss when you share on social media!

Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed at the thought of starting a budget? Maybe it feels like a chore, or you’re scared to even look at your bank account because you’re not sure what you’ll find. If this sounds familiar, today's episode is going to be a game-changer for you.

I'm diving into the easiest way to start budgeting, using a pen and paper, and why this simple method is key to finally getting control of your finances. By the end of this episode, you’ll understand how starting with paper can set the foundation for stress-free budgeting and long-term success.

What You'll Learn:

1. Why starting with paper makes budgeting simpler and more effective.
2. How to set a realistic grocery budget without feeling deprived, even if you’ve never tracked your spending before.
3. The step-by-step process to kickstart your budgeting habit without feeling overwhelmed.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

• Get access to my free library!

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Share this episode with a friend and be sure to tag Budget Boss when you share on social media!

At Budget Boss, we’re sharing my 7-step system to help you take control of your grocery budget. Whether you're tired of overspending or just want to streamline your shopping, these simple strategies will help you save money while still enjoying delicious, nutritious meals.

Budgeting Doesn’t Have to Be Hard

I get it—grocery shopping can feel overwhelming when the bills start piling up. But here’s the good news: you can take charge of your food spending starting today. In this episode, we dive into how to do a quick budget audit by tracking what you’re actually spending on groceries (including those sneaky snacks!). You’ll see exactly where your money is going, and together, we’ll find simple ways to reduce the waste without skimping on meals you love.

Meal Planning Made Simple

Meal planning doesn’t need to be complicated! I’ll walk you through how to plan your meals for the week and how to organize your shopping list so you only buy what you need. This will help you avoid duplicates and reduce waste—leaving more room for the things that matter! 

Transform Your Habits for Long-Term Savings

Saving money on groceries doesn’t mean you need to overhaul everything in your kitchen overnight. Start small! I’ll walk you through how to set realistic goals—like saving $35 a week—and focus on just 2-3 habits at a time (maybe skipping that coffee run or cutting back on drive-through runs). This is all about progress, not perfection, and I’m here to help you stay on track so that every little change adds up to big savings over time.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

• Get access to my free library!

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Share this episode with a friend and be sure to tag Budget Boss when you share on social media!

I am launching a new podcast called Budget Boss for those in search of the good life.

 Today’s episode is a little longer as I explain how this podcast came to be and share with you my story about chronic pain and celery juice. Not to mention, paying off $45,000 in debt in 11 months.

My dream is that this podcast would become a resource for every woman who has ever thought that their life–and budget–is spiraling out of control. 

If you’ve ever felt like your finances are spiraling out of control, struggled to stick to a budget, or wondered how to get out of living paycheck to paycheck, you’re in the right place.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

• Free Printable Budget Binder (budgetbossblog.com/printable-budget-binder)
• Sign Up for the Budget Boss Newsletter (budgetbossblog.com/newsletteroptin)

Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Share this episode with a friend and be sure to tag Budget Boss when you share on social media!