The City Girl Savings Podcast

Is it just me, or does it feel like the older we get, the less time we seem to have?

Like the time we do have just flies by in the blink of an eye. I don’t even have kids yet, but I can imagine that time goes even faster when little ones are involved!

While we all get 24 hours in a day, it may not feel like time is evenly distributed.

If you struggle with time management or feeling productive with the time you do have, I want to help!

In this episode, I’m sharing 5 things you can do to give yourself more time back in the day. These hacks can help you feel like you have more time for yourself!

Here's a glance at this episode:

• [01:44] While Raya’s personality helps her manage her time effectively, it can also cause her to get overwhelmed when things don’t go according to plan. She’s working on it!
• [03:55] Leverage your personality preferences to make the most of routines. Are you a morning or a night person? Stick with what works!
• [06:34] Reducing the amount of time you look at screens can help you get a lot more time back into your day.
• [09:54] Raya leverages the start of her day to get a lot of her goals and tasks done. This allows the rest of her day to be focused on work and/or relaxing.
• [13:55] Want to get active but don’t have time? Consider purchasing a standing desk and walking pad.

Rate, Review, & Follow:

Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show!

This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life!

To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, please make sure you’re subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Listen to CGS Podcast #110 – 5 Ways a Type A Personality Stays Organized

Listen to CGS Podcast #125 – Motherhood and Money with Sahirenys Pierce

Listen to CGS Podcast #58 – My Daily Morning Routine for Boosting Productivity

Learn about Raya’s Financial Focus Coaching Program

Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok

Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group

Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!

If you know me, then you know I love to travel.

Long ago, when I was forced to identify my life’s priorities, I came to the realization that travel and new experiences would be something I always plan and budget for.

It would be something I would happily spend my money on (with a proper budget, of course) but enjoy with no regrets.

Since that realization, I’ve been to some amazing places, including 15 different countries. And I’ve seen almost all of the United States. I only have 14 more states to hit!

In this episode, I’m sharing some of my most memorable destination experiences and some places that are very high on my travel bucket list!

Here's a glance at this episode:

• [01:53] Travel may not resonate with you like it does with Raya, however Raya encourages listeners to identify the things they love and would happily spend money on.
• [04:20] Raya has been on planes regularly since she was an infant. She breaks down her earliest travel experiences.
• [07:13] Raya’s first international trip happened in 2012. It was a Mediterranean cruise that left out of Venice, Italy.
• [12:15] Of all the beaches Raya has been to, she shares that The Bahamas are the best (in her opinion).
• [16:50] Raya shares the places that are high on her travel bucket list. Places like Europe, French Polynesia, and knocking out the remaining U.S. states.

Rate, Review, & Follow:

Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show!

This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life!

To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, please make sure you’re subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Listen to CGS Podcast Episode 12 – An Introduction to Travel-Hacking

Grab your copy of Raya’s Italy Itinerary

Listen to CGS Podcast #30 – Vacation Planning on a Budget

Listen to CGS Podcast #39 – How to Stay in Budget on Vacation

Learn about Raya’s Financial Focus Coaching Program

Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok

Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group

Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!

There is absolutely a way to be stylish on a budget.

Raya in her 20s would've said “you're wrong”.

My past self didn’t care about a budget when trying to be fashionable. But I should have. And while there is an art and a science to being fashionable on a budget, it’s 100% possible.

In fact, LA-based stylist Emily Burnette is here to show us how!

In this episode, Emily and I are talking all things affordable fashion and how anyone can build a dream wardrobe on a budget.

If you want to take your closet to the next level (like I do), you don’t want to miss this conversation!

Here's a glance at this episode:

• [02:39] Emily breaks down her journey from working retail in NYC to becoming a stylist located in Los Angeles.
• [07:44] After having a “divine moment”, Emily shares her thought process to becoming a full-time business owner.
• [12:25] Struggling with your closet? Emily recommends doing a “closet edit” to help you take the first step to revamping your wardrobe.
• [26:40] Emily helps listeners get to the root of “why” people may want to own a designer piece and how that could impact other areas of life.
• [36:20] Toss it, Keep it, and Re-work it. These are the categories Emily helps clients work through when creating an updated wardrobe.

Rate, Review, & Follow:

Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show!

This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life!

To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, please make sure you’re subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Book a complimentary Style Consultation with Emily (get 20% off services by mentioning CGS)

Follow Emily on Instagram

Check out Emily’s Website

Learn about Raya’s Financial Focus Coaching Program

Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok

Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group

Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!

I’ve been budgeting and managing my money for a long time.

I’ve learned so much about myself along the way, and finally getting into a rhythm with my money and budget has put me in the best financial place I’ve ever been in.

It’s hard to imagine anyone’s confidence not growing after that!

In this episode, I’m sharing how managing my money has boosted my confidence and allows me to take on opportunities I may not have taken.

I’m so proud of how far I’ve come, and while there’s still more to go, I’m fully confident in my abilities to get there.

Here's a glance at this episode:

• [01:40] There was a point in time where Raya didn’t have confidence being in certain rooms. Managing her money has changed that.
• [04:34] Raya has always been comfortable with risks. She shares an early experience of taking on a loan when she couldn’t afford the cost outright.
• [08:59] One reason it took Raya so long to take CGS full-time was a fear of not making enough money on her own. Her confidence has since changed.
• [12:45] 2023 was a year that resulted in a big income drop for Raya. Her ability to manage money gave her confidence to power through.
• [15:50] Raya has always had a fear of “things going wrong” even when it seems unlikely. She shares how she worked through it.

Rate, Review, & Follow:

Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show!

This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life!

To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, please make sure you’re subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Check out CGS Podcast Episode 119 – How I Grew My Business While Working in Corporate

Save your spot in the upcoming How to Master Your Money and Budget Masterclass!

Learn about Raya’s Financial Focus Coaching Program

Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok

Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group

Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!

In simple terms, fear is the response to perceived physical or emotional danger.

Fear is your brain’s way of recognizing a threat and prompting you to protect yourself.

If we were in ancient times, our fear response would be necessary to keep us safe. Nowadays, not so much.

We’re not facing imminent danger like people were back then. Sure, there are other dangers that are present in our current times, and fear is absolutely appropriate in those situations.

However, there are other situations where fear isn’t warranted.

We just have to train our brains to not be fearful of those situations.

In this episode, I’m sharing 6 money fears hurting your success. My goal is to help you work through these fears and see what amazing things come out on the other side.

Here's a glance at this episode:

• [02:41] Raya gives an example from her past where her fear response happened, but the situation truly didn’t call for it.
• [06:35] Investing is one of the best ways to build long-term wealth. We have to take ownership of learning what to do when it comes to investing.
• [11:31] If you’re not putting your cash in an account that’s generating interest, you’re losing money due to inflation.
• [17:42] Hoarding money can be the result of a fear of something happening. This could keep you from making your money work best for you.
• [22:14] The fear of spending money and not getting a tangible return in place can be extremely detrimental to your growth, in money and life.

Rate, Review, & Follow:

Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show!

This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life!

To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, please make sure you’re subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Check out CGS Podcast Episode 107 – Adding Investing to Your Money Goals

Save your spot in the upcoming How to Master Your Money and Budget Masterclass!

Check out CGS Podcast Episode 10 – Conquering the Fear of Failure and Redefining Success

Learn about Raya’s Financial Focus Coaching Program

Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok

Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group

Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!

Money runs our lives. I don’t mean that in a bad way, but in a matter-of-fact way.

We need money to survive. We need money to enjoy our lives.

Everything has a cost. It is what it is!

Since we can’t escape the capitalist society we live in, it’s important we put ourselves in a position to master our money.

This starts with some important money principles everyone should be following.

In this episode, I’m breaking down 5 money principles that should be a guiding light in your financial situation.

Take your time implementing these principles, with the goal of following all 5 of them.

Here's a glance at this episode:

• [02:08] Want to expand your knowledge of basic money principles? Raya recommends reading The Richest Man in Babylon.
• [04:55] The goal of saving money is to truly build up a nest egg, or emergency fund, in case something happens or goes wrong.
• [08:33] Credit isn’t always a bad thing. Raya shares an example of how leveraging credit helped her situation.
• [12:56] “Good things come to those who work.” Raya shares why working hard is a rule of thumb for anyone looking to be successful.
• [16:00] Do you think in terms of lack or abundance? Raya gives some examples of what it’s like to think in lack.

Rate, Review, & Follow:

Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show!

This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life!

To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, please make sure you’re subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Grab a copy of The Richest Man in Babylon

Check out CGS Podcast Episode 121 – How I Paid Off My Dream Car

Save your spot in the upcoming How to Master Your Money and Budget Masterclass!

Check out CGS Podcast Episode 85 – Abundance versus Scarcity

Learn about Raya’s Financial Focus Coaching Program

Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok

Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group

Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!

Credit, when managed the right way, can help anyone take control of their money.

Leveraging credit can give you access to cash, save you money, and help you purchase things you otherwise wouldn’t be able to have.

That’s not to say that carrying balances and accumulating debt that you can’t pay back is a wise move, because it’s not!

However, there’s a difference between credit and debt.

That’s why I’m so excited to talk with Christina Roman from Experian about how people can master their money with credit.

If you view credit and debt as one in the same, I hope you finish this episode feeling empowered to have the system work with you, not against you!

Here's a glance at this episode:

• [04:59] “Credit is a financial tool. Debt is a financial problem.” Christina breaks down the difference between credit and debt.
• [12:15] Curious why your credit score varies wherever you look at it? Christina shares why that happens and why it’s normal. 
• [20:20] Disputing an incorrect item on your credit report is easier than you think. Learn about the ways you can initiate the dispute process.
• [30:13] Making small charges on your credit card and paying those charges off shows that you are responsible with credit.
• [38:30] Christina talks about collection accounts and how they could impact your credit score, depending on the model.

Rate, Review, & Follow:

Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show!

This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life!

To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, please make sure you’re subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Learn more about Experian

Get a copy of your free credit reports at www.annualcreditreport.com 

Follow Experian on Twitter

Save your spot in the upcoming How to Master Your Money and Budget Masterclass!

Learn about Raya’s Financial Focus Coaching Program

Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok

Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group

Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!

The rise of real estate investing in social media has been a popular topic of conversation…and for good reason.

There are a lot of amazing things that can come from real estate investing. There’s a lot of work that goes into it as well.

My brother and I have been managing rental properties since 2015.

For me, the goal is to build out a rental property portfolio.

In this episode, I’m sharing my personal experiences with renting out properties and the pros and cons of doing so.

If you’re interested in real estate investing, hopefully this episode sheds some light into the things you should think about when moving forward.

Here's a glance at this episode:

• [02:01] Raya shares how she and her brother had to assume a mortgage for a property inherited from their dad.
• [05:13] A second property rented out belonged to her mom and it also had a mortgage on it when being rented out. 
• [11:40] Biggest pro for rental income is monthly cash flow. Monthly rent payments should cover any costs and leave you with profit.
• [14:44] It can cost a lot of money to “fix up” a property. Work with someone who can help you identify the most important things that need to be fixed.
• [17:55] Raya rents a property with a pool, which could lead to extra liability. Raya shares how she works through this.

Rate, Review, & Follow:

Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show!

This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life!

To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, please make sure you’re subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Listen to episode 86 – Home Buying 101 with Realtor Coco Massara

Learn about Raya’s Financial Focus Coaching Program

Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok

Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group

Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!

Where are my fashion girlies at?! This one’s for you!

15 years ago, I didn’t budget or plan for anything.

I would buy a new outfit every week, in preparation for going out on the weekend.

I’m so happy to say those days are over!

I may buy new clothes 1-2x per year, and I always have a plan and budget for it.

As I’ve been perusing my closet, I’ve come across a few fashion statement pieces I want to invest in.

In this episode, I’m sharing the 5 fashion pieces I want to budget for and add as staples into my wardrobe.

Here's a glance at this episode:

• [01:35] Raya shared how her bad spending habits on clothes added up over the years.
• [03:53] Raya wants to invest in a quality trench coat but doesn’t want to spend years saving up for the right coat. 
• [06:30] Boots are high on Raya’s investment list! She shares some of the requirements she’s looking for in new boots.
• [10:45] Raya wants to invest in a bold-colored pant suit. This can be used multiple ways by mixing and matching the pieces.

Rate, Review, & Follow:

Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show!

This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life!

To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, please make sure you’re subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Listen to episode 1 – Big City Spender to City Girl Saver

Learn about Raya’s Financial Focus Coaching Program

Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok

Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group

Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!

Over the years of budgeting and managing my money, I’ve come across a few key indicators of growth in my situation.

Now, I make it a point to monitor those indicators on a regular basis.

Tracking these specific indicators helps me quickly gauge if I’m making progress or trailing behind.

That information allows me to know if I should keep doing what I’m doing or switch things up.

In this episode, I’m sharing the 6 things I monitor in my money situation and why they make a difference for me.

Feel free to take any of the things I monitor and apply them to your own situation!

Here's a glance at this episode:

• [01:32] It should come as no surprise that one of the things Raya monitors in her situation is her budget and its effectiveness.
• [04:08] Raya breaks down the key things she looks for when monitoring her budget. This includes overspending, categories and more. 
• [07:12] While Raya is tracking her spending, she’s also looking at her budget. This gives her the information she needs to make changes.
• [11:25] Raya tracks her account balances monthly, which has a direct impact on tracking her net worth.
• [15:38] Because she tracks her budget, Raya can easily identify how much she saves towards her goals.

Rate, Review, & Follow:

Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show!

This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life!

To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, please make sure you’re subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Learn about Raya’s Financial Focus Coaching Program

Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok

Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group

Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!