The City Girl Savings Podcast

If you’re listening to this episode when it’s released, we’re about six weeks away from the new year.

I love everything about this time – wrapping up a year, reflecting on how things have gone, and setting goals for another year.

I think now is the perfect time to get things in order. Don’t wait for a new year to start, start now!

If better money management is on your new year’s resolution list, what better time than now to begin? 

In this episode, I’m sharing some money systems to set up before the year ends.

Make it a point to implement these money systems in preparation for a new year, so this next year can be your best one yet!

Here's a glance at this episode:

• [02:15] It should come as no surprise that Raya recommends everyone set up a budgeting system – no matter what a person’s situation looks like.
• [06:09] Raya breaks down the important aspects of your budgeting system. This includes setting up your budget, tracking your spending and closing out your budget.
• [12:49] To start your debt pay off system, Raya walks through how to organize your debt to help you take action.
• [18:25] Retirement is an investing system anyone can work towards. Raya shares some things to keep in mind when setting up your retirement contributions.

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:

Let Raya create your next budget plan!

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!

Great things happen on the other side of our comfort zones.

I’ve talked about this before on the podcast and I believe it wholeheartedly.

Over the course of my life, I’ve constantly pushed my own boundaries and pushed past my own comfort zone.

Doing so has helped me reach new levels in life, ingrain resiliency into my character, and have a deep level of self-trust.

I consider myself a capable person who can accomplish what I set out to do. That’s not to say things always go as planned or even work out.

They don’t. But, every time I’ve gone outside my comfort zone, new levels await.

In this episode, I’m sharing 5 times I pushed past my comfort zone and reached new heights in my life.

Here's a glance at this episode:

• [02:05] Raya breaks down her mindset when she decided to go full-time with City Girl Savings and how that helped her reach a new level.
• [05:11] If you never take action or get uncomfortable, you don’t know what amazing things are on the other side of those decisions.
• [12:18] Raya gives insight into her past relationship style. She breaks down how she finally let go and gave into her current relationship.
• [16:43] Hindsight is 20/20. Raya shares how moving to LA ended up costing her more than she ever thought it would…even though she has no regrets.

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 88 – How to Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

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!

Overconsumption, consumerism, and materialism – all things our society tends to put on a pedestal.

Not only does this cause people to overextend themselves and live beyond their means, but it doesn’t usually translate into a truly happy life.

That’s why I’m so excited to welcome Kara Perez back on the show.

Kara’s first book “Green Money” comes out in a few weeks, and today she’s here to chat with me about all things money and sustainable living.

If you’re looking to live a happier life on less, you don’t want to miss this conversation!

Here's a glance at this episode:

• [04:55] Kara shares her experiences with moving and keeping it budget-friendly. Kara experienced moving within a state and out of state.
• [12:45] 70% of the American economy is consumer spending. Kara breaks down an easy way to understand U.S. economics.
• [23:00] Kara encourages listeners to reframe their mindset and spending habits to help people learn to consume less.
• [32:32] Change needs to happen at the individual level before it can happen at the societal level. Don’t think your efforts are in vain.
• [39:27] Want to start being more sustainable? Kara shares her tips for getting started with sustainable living.

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:

Get your copy of Green Money

Follow Kara on Instagram

Follow Kara on TikTok

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’re anything like old Raya, the holidays can put a hurting on your budget.

Between Christmas gifts, personal gifts, stocking stuffers and sales galore, it’s easy to find yourself going into debt during the holidays.

Trust me…I was there. Black Friday was my time to buy gifts…for myself!

I would buy other people gifts too, but not going to lie – I shopped quite a bit for myself.

I want you to learn from my mistakes!

In this episode, I’m sharing 6 reasons not to go into debt during the holidays. It can be exhilarating to get caught up in the shopping swirl, but if it’s not under control, it’ll add up quickly.

Here's a glance at this episode:

• [02:12] Raya shares how she would use the holidays to spend money on herself and it ended up costing her a lot of money.
• [04:55] Don’t wait until the New Year to keep your spending in check. Starting before the New Year helps you go into another year already on track.
• [08:40] If your kids see you going into debt for holiday spending, what message are you sending them?
• [11:13] The people who care about you don’t want you to be financially worse-off just to buy gifts for them.

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!

If you’re new to the City Girl Savings community, then I need you to know that while I may be a finance coach and the founder of City Girl Savings, I was an avid spender before City Girl Savings came to be.

I put myself in situations where shifting from a spending mindset to a savings mindset was a necessity.

That means I know a thing or two about being an overspender. I also know a thing or two about being a saver.

So, when it comes to shifting from a spending mindset to a savings mindset, my guidance speaks volumes, because I’ve been there.

In this episode, I’m sharing how to make the shift from spender to saver. If you struggle with spending, you don’t want to miss this episode.

Here's a glance at this episode:

• [02:10] Want to become a saver? Don’t wait until the worst-case scenario to happen before making the change.
• [05:13] Over time, it will get easier to say “no” to things that don’t help you get towards your goals. Always remember your why.
• [08:34] A trend with Raya’s clients is them not wanting to touch their savings. It’s okay to use savings when things come up – that’s what it’s there for!
• [11:58] Spending money on experiences is always worth it for Raya, after security is taken care of.
• [15:10] Let growing bank account balances fuel you. Eventually other financial milestones will fuel you to keep going.

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 #1 – Big City Spender to City Girl Saver

Listen to CGS Podcast #11 – The Power of Visualization to Reach Your Goals

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!

Fall is my favorite season!

The weather is cooling down, pumpkin spice lattes are flowing, and the holidays are around the corner!

There are so many wonderful things that come with the fall season, so it’s only right that our budgets are adjusted accordingly.

In this episode, I’m sharing 5 budget adjustments to make for the fall season.

Since we know that fall and winter seasons come around the same time every year, establishing a process and routine to prepare your budget ahead of time can keep you on top of your financial goals!

Here's a glance at this episode:

• [01:35] Don’t let the fall vibes cause you to overspend! Creating a budget specifically for the fall season can help you stay on track with financial goals.
• [03:40] Raya recommends adjusting your budget to send money to a “Holiday Spending” category to help with seasonal shopping.
• [08:00] The holidays can be a great time to pick up things you’ve been needing. Be mindful of picking up things that are on sale.
• [10:45] Consider reducing your current budget categories to help allocate more money to holiday-specific spending.

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 #45 – How to Prep Your Budget for the Holidays

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 a finance coach since 2016 and since then, I’ve seen a huge increase in the number of financial coaches offering services.

This is a great thing! It means more conversations around financial literacy are showing people that there is outside help for your money, budget and overall financial situation.

Financial advisors help you keep and grow your wealth, but financial coaches help you lay the foundation to start building wealth.

That’s why I’m so excited to talk with another financial coach today – Nicole Stanley from Arise Financial Coaching.

Nicole and I are going to discuss the rise of financial coaching, what benefits come from this type of coaching, and so much more!

Here's a glance at this episode:

• [05:46] Nicole started helping friends and family manage their budgets and retirement plans before starting her coaching company.
• [14:56] Nicole can see what a joy it is to spend on experiences now, when in the past she was very rigid with indulgences.
• [22:48] Nicole and Raya believe that people need to commit to doing the work when seeking out financial coaching assistance.
• [34:00] People aren’t always used to paying up front for services, but financial coaches can help bridge that knowledge gap.
• [41:14] Nicole breaks down toxic frugality and how people can identify their values and spend accordingly.

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:

Follow Nicole on Instagram

Check out Nicole’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!

One thing I pride myself on is my ability to manage my time and get things done.

I’ve always been the type of person who does what she says she’s going to do, and I keep my word to myself.

This has been extremely helpful in my career, but especially when working for myself.

Over time, I’ve identified the things that have had the biggest impact on my time management success.

In this episode, I’m sharing 6 habits and routines that play the biggest role in helping me manage my time.

If you struggle with time management, I hope this episode sheds some light on what works for me and how!

Here's a glance at this episode:

• [02:02] By 5:45am, Raya is up and getting ready to start her workout. Getting that done early in the day makes a huge difference.
• [05:25] Raya only cooks 1x per week currently but shares that she makes enough to cover a handful of meals for the week.
• [09:09] Pulse checking her calendar for the day early in the morning helps set the tone for Raya’s morning routine.
• [13:25] Raya tries to ensure all meetings and appointments are set at the same time every week or every other week.
• [16:40] Keeping 1-2 days per week open for fluidity and flexibility can make a huge difference in your wellbeing…it does for Raya!

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 #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!

Financial Independence, Retire Early (also known as FIRE) is a movement devoted to extreme saving and investing in the present so that a person can retire much earlier than the traditional retirement age of 65.

The Fire movement prioritizes saving and investing 50 to 70% of a person’s income, if not more, to ensure early retirement is possible.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the Fire movement in detail and sharing why it doesn’t work for me or my dream life.

My goal is to give you more context on the movement, along with my rationale for taking a softer approach in the present, even if it’s at the expense of an early retirement.

Here's a glance at this episode:

• [01:45] Not sure what the FIRE movement is? Raya breaks down the FIRE movement and the commitment needed to follow it.
• [04:38] Raya’s gives an example of how to identify your FIRE number by running through a scenario where a person’s expenses are $5000/month.
• [06:34] There are a few FIRE variations a person can follow, and Raya walks through each of them.
• [14:00] Raya shares how people can invest – through a retirement plan and through a general investment account.
• [16:22] Because of Raya’s personal and business expenses, Raya doesn’t feel the FIRE movement would work for her.

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 #107 – Adding Investing to Your Money Goals with Marc Russell 

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!

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!