Wondering where your money keeps going—even though you're trying to save?

On this podcast episode, I’m sharing 10 everyday things to stop buying if you're serious about hitting your financial goals. These are the sneaky spending habits—like fantasy lifestyle shopping, takeout overload, and unused subscriptions—that quietly sabotage your progress. But this isn’t about deprivation—it’s about alignment.

If your spending doesn’t reflect your values or goals, it’s time to hit pause and reset. Let’s break the cycle together and start making purchases that truly support your financial future.

You’ll learn:

• What “fantasy spending” is—and how to stop doing it
• How viral trends and duplicate products waste money
• Why decluttering first saves you from unnecessary purchases
• How guilt-based or emotional spending sneaks into your budget
• The truth about productivity tools that don’t actually help

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On today’s episode, we’re joined by Rocío Salceda, founder of Repair Café El Barrio (@repaircafeelbarrio ), for a powerful conversation about what it means to fix what’s broken and build what’s next. Rocío shares her journey of developing financial resilience, finding empowerment, and repairing more than just things—both in her own life and through her work in East Harlem.

At Repair Café El Barrio, neighbors come together once a month to learn how to fix broken items with the help of volunteer repairers, all offered for free or by donation. It’s a space rooted in sustainability, skill-sharing, and community care. As a Spaniard living alone in NYC and navigating a difficult divorce, Rocío also opens up about how finding support through financial education helped her survive—and now thrive—as she pays it forward by helping others do the same.

WHAT ROCIO DISCUSSED:

• The inspiration behind starting Repair Café El Barrio and how it has grown into a movement of empowerment within her community.
• Navigating major life changes, including divorce, both emotionally and financially.
• How her personal finance journey has evolved and the role financial knowledge played in her healing and independence.
• The powerful metaphor of repairing broken items and the parallels between that work and financial resilience.
• The importance of community support in building both financial and emotional stability.
• Small, impactful steps that helped her regain control of her finances and mindset during a major life transition.
• Advice for women who are starting over financially and looking to rebuild their lives.
• How embracing sustainability and a circular economy mindset can also support personal finance goals.
• Maintaining a donation-based model at Repair Café while keeping the mission sustainable and empowering for others.
• The most rewarding moments she’s experienced since beginning this work.

HOW TO KEEP UP WITH ROCIO:

• On her website: www.repaircafeelbarrio
• On Instagram: https://instagram.com/rociorsalceda and https://instagram.com/repaircafeelbarrio

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On this podcast episode, Jessica Norwood shares how she's flipped the script and is navigating marriage as the female breadwinner.

Jessica is co-host and "the better half" of the dynamic duo behind The Sugar Daddy Podcast, a financial literacy podcast dedicated to helping millennials build wealth and break the stigma around money conversations. As an elder-millennial, she is on a mission is to empower you to take control of your finances so you can live the life you've always dreamed of.

Jessica brings a unique perspective to the podcast as Strategic Consultant in the tech space, working with Fortune 100 and 500 companies. She is the “Sugar Daddy” in their relationship, helping fuel their financial journey.

The podcast has been featured in major outlets like Investopedia, Huff Post, CNN Underscored, Fortune, MarketWatch, Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, US News and more. Her personal goal is to become "work-optional" by 50, in order to travel the world with their two children while continuing to help others have better money conversations and achieve financial freedom.

WHAT JESSICA DISCUSSED:

• Her background, what she does, and how The Sugar Daddy Podcast came to life.
• The inspiration behind reclaiming the “Sugar Daddy” label and turning it into an empowering identity.
• What it was like stepping into the role of breadwinner in her marriage and how she and her partner navigated that dynamic early on.
• Common misconceptions about female breadwinners in marriage and the realities she wants to challenge.
• How she and her husband make financial decisions together, especially with a significant income gap.
• The importance of open, healthy communication around money in her relationship.
• Advice for women breadwinners who feel guilt or pressure because of their role.
• Balancing her own financial goals while supporting a family as a mom, podcast host, and strategic consultant.
• What being “work-optional” by 50 means to her and how being the breadwinner factors into that vision.
• The example she hopes to set for her children around gender roles and money.

HOW TO KEEP UP WITH JESSICA:

• On her website: www.thesugardaddypodcast.com
• On all social media: @thesugardaddypodcast
• Her husband Brandon’s financial planning services: https://www.oakcityfinancial.us/

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Tired of getting paid and still wondering where your money went two weeks later?

On this podcast episode, learn the 7 essential things you should do as soon as you get paid to take control of your finances, stop the cycle of paycheck-to-paycheck stress, and start building real wealth.

Whether you're new to budgeting or ready to level up your money game, this episode is packed with practical, actionable steps to help you win financially.

You'll Learn: 

• Why pausing before you spend is powerful
• How to automate your savings like a wealth-builder
• Why reviewing trends in your bills can unlock savings
• How to adjust your budget to stay on track
• Simple ways to prioritize future financial goals
• Why your money mindset needs regular check-ins
• How to set spending boundaries that still leave room for joy

Each paycheck is an opportunity to make progress—toward peace of mind, toward financial freedom, and toward the life you actually want. Start strong, stay consistent, and give your money a mission. 

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On this episode, Dr. Barbara Provost and Maggie Nielsen dive into the topic of financial infidelity—how to recognize the signs, begin the healing process, and reclaim your financial power, whether you’ve been affected by it or have been the one who committed it.

Dr. Barbara Provost and Maggie Nielsen are a dynamic mother-daughter duo committed to empowering women with the tools they need to make confident financial decisions. As a consultant, educator, and entrepreneur, Barbara connects women with trusted financial professionals to help them plan for a future full of choices.

Maggie, with her curious mindset and passion for personal growth, inspires others through motivational talks and equips women with the financial knowledge they need to thrive. Together, they are dedicated to helping women build lives free from financial stress thanks to the support of their community of trusted professionals.

WHAT  DR. BARBARA PROVOST AND MAGGIE NIELSEN DISCUSSED:

1. The definition of financial infidelity and why it can be so damaging to relationships—often without partners realizing what’s happening.
2. Red flags and warning signs of financial dishonesty in a relationship.
3. The emotional toll of financial infidelity and why it’s such a difficult topic for people to discuss openly.
4. Common patterns in how financial infidelity is discovered and how people typically react once it’s out in the open.
5. First steps someone should take after discovering a partner’s financial dishonesty and how to start rebuilding trust, clarity, and confidence.
6. Guidance for individuals who have been hiding financial secrets and want to take accountability and begin to repair the relationship.
7. Essential conversations couples should have early on to build financial transparency and prevent financial infidelity.
8. How financial literacy and confidence empower women to protect themselves emotionally and financially.
9. Steps women can take to move from financial chaos or crisis to clarity and long-term control over their money.

AND SO MUCH MORE

HOW TO KEEP UP WITH DR. BARBARA PROVOST AND MAGGIE NIELSEN:

• Website: https://pursestrings.co/
• Podcast: https://pursestrings.co/podcast/
• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pursestringsco
• Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pursestringfinanciallyfearlesswomen
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pursestringsco/
• TikToc: https://www.tiktok.com/@pursestringsco
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursestrings/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCusras98haVpJ-P4C4d4IXw

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On this podcast episode, Lissa Lumutenga joins us to discuss the importance of aiming to save your first $10,000.

Lissa Lumutenga, CFP®, AFC®, is a personal finance expert, content creator, and founder of Wealth for Women of Color. After a decade working at Google and YouTube, she now focuses on making financial education more accessible and empowering women of color to build wealth.

Her approachable, inclusive way of talking about money has built a strong and engaged community online. Lissa was raised in Salinas, California, by her Filipino immigrant parents and currently resides in Los Angeles. She’s passionate about lifelong learning, sharing knowledge, and helping others create the financial freedom they deserve.

WHAT LISSA DISCUSSED:

1. The inspiration behind starting Wealth for Women of Color and the mission to empower women of color to build wealth.
2. The significance of the $10K savings milestone and why it’s such a powerful financial goal.
3. Mindset shifts and strategies that can help someone save $10K, especially when that goal feels out of reach.
4. How reaching the $10K mark can boost financial confidence and create a sense of security.
5. Common financial blocks experienced by women of color and ways to work through them.
6. How upbringing and cultural background influenced her personal money journey.
7. Practical tips for building savings without feeling deprived.
8. Lessons learned from working at Google and YouTube and how they now inform her work in financial education.

AND SO MUCH MORE

HOW TO KEEP UP WITH LISSA:

• On her website: https://wealthforwomenofcolor.com/
• Via her podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@NetNetPodcast
• On YouTube: https://youtube.com/@wealthforwomenofcolor/
• On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wealthforwomenofcolor
• On Instagram: https://instagram.com/wealthforwomenofcolor
• Free financial coaching: https://Savvyladies.org

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❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages

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In this short episode, I'm sharing a heartfelt reminder of everything Clever Girl Finance has to offer(especially the free resources you might be overlooking), why the Clever Girl Finance platform is free and how we make that possible. 

From completely free financial courses and mentor calls, to one-on-one coaching, a weekly newsletter packed with motivation, YouTube videos and live sessions, empowering merch, and bestselling books — there’s a full ecosystem of support here to help you build real wealth, no gimmicks, no strings attached.

If you’ve been feeling stuck or overwhelmed, this episode is your nudge to reset, refocus, and take advantage of all the tools waiting for you.

Want to show some love?

🎧 Tune in, share with a friend, and don’t forget to leave a fun review to help more women find this podcast!

💌 Subscribe to the newsletter at  clevergirlfinance.com/subscribe for weekly motivation and accountability.

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❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages

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On this podcast episode, Alejandra Rojas shares how women can go from feeling underpaid and undervalued to owning their worth and increasing their income.

Alejandra is an entrepreneur, Forbes contributor, writer, and founder of Brown Way To Money, a financial mentoring platform that helps women overcome financial trauma and improve their relationship with money. She is also the host of the Brown Way to Money Podcast. Alejandra provides a unique blend of financial expertise and trauma-informed coaching, empowering women of color to break free from limiting beliefs and create financial abundance. She delves into the emotional and psychological roots of money problems, helping women heal from past experiences and develop a healthier, empowered relationship with their finances.

WHAT ALEJANDRA DISCUSSED:

1. Why so many women—especially women of color—feel underpaid and undervalued in their careers or businesses.
2. The impact of generational narratives and cultural expectations on how women view their value, particularly around money and asking for more.
3. Signs that someone may be playing small or not fully stepping into their worth.
4. A personal story of realizing self-undervaluation and the transformation that followed.
5. The role of confidence in earning what you’re worth and how to start building that confidence today.
6. How to unpack internalized bias and imposter syndrome, especially in spaces not designed with women of color in mind.
7. Actionable steps women can take to increase their income—whether in a job, side hustle, or business.
8. How to advocate for yourself during negotiations without guilt or fear of being "too much."

AND SO MUCH MORE

HOW TO KEEP UP WITH ALEJANDRA:

• Financial assessment: https://brownwaytomoney.com/financial-freedom-builder-assesment-report/
• On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moneymindsetexpert/
• On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandrar2019/
• Via her websites/podcast: https://brownwaytomoney.com/ and https://alejandrar.com/

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On today's podcast episode, Ruth Yimika Afolabi, joins us to discuss how she has built a bold media platform for women of faith.

Ruth is the founder of Magnify, a platform that equips ambitious women of faith through content and community. She has built a global brand while shaping conversations at the intersection of faith, business, and culture. Alongside her work with Magnify, she is a brand strategist, helping premium businesses and entrepreneurs, craft and scale powerful, authentic brands. With a deep passion for storytelling and alignment, she specialises in building brands that leave a lasting impact.

WHAT RUTH DISCUSSED:

• The defining moment at age 19 that led to the creation of Magnify while still in university.
• How faith played a central role in building Magnify, even when the direction wasn’t always clear.
• Navigating the intersection of faith, feminism, and fashion in her work and the broader mission of Magnify.
• What it looks like to create a space where women can explore faith in an unpressured and engaging way.
• How her personal struggles with faith have shaped her leadership and content creation for the platform.
• How she funded the business in its early stages and financial advice for women launching purpose-driven ventures.
• Her biggest lesson in entrepreneurship as a founder in the faith-based space.
• Advice for women looking to step out in faith and build something meaningful without having all the answers.

AND SO MUCH MORE

HOW TO KEEP UP WITH RUTH:

• Ruth on social media @ruthyafolabi
• Magnify on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magnifycollective
• Via the Magnify website: https://www.magnifycollective.com/
• On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Magnifycollective

❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance

On this podcast episode, Fo Alexander shares how to turn your expertise into income and build a business around motherhood. 

With her book, Dump Debt & Build Bank, being named a top 10 personal finance book for Black women by 21Ninety, Fo has been helping moms transform their bank accounts & businesses for the past 12 years.

After becoming debt-free, Fo left her decade-long career as an engineer to pursue full-time entrepreneurship and motherhood. Today, her mission is to empower other moms to create their own economies through entrepreneurship & financial stewardship.

She is a 3-time author, Certified Financial Educator (CFEI), digital marketing & personal branding strategist, business coach, podcaster, and speaker. Her media features include US News & World Report, Parents, Bankrate, Buzzfeed, and many more!

Of all her accomplishments, though, her most notable is being a devoted wife and mom of two.

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Plus, they offer a Happiness Guarantee on the first box, so if you’re not completely satisfied, you’ll get your money back. That’s O-L-L-I-E dot com slash CLEVER and enter code CLEVER to get 60% off your first box.

WHAT FO DISCUSSED:

• The decision to transition from a traditional career to full-time entrepreneurship and motherhood.
• How she prepared—financially, mentally, and emotionally—for leaving her 9-5 job.
• What it means to monetize your expertise and how moms can identify what they have to offer.
• Practical first steps for building income streams online while raising a family.
• Managing the day-to-day responsibilities of motherhood and business ownership.
• The mindset shifts required to move from employee to entrepreneur.
• The biggest challenges faced as a mompreneur and how she overcame them.
• The systems and routines that help her stay productive and maintain balance while working from home.
• The inspiration behind her book The Monetized Mom and the audience it was written for.
• Key lessons and strategies from the book that can make a meaningful impact for readers.

AND SO MUCH MORE

HOW TO KEEP UP WITH FO:

• On all social media: @TheFoAlexander
• Via her websites: TheMonetizedMom.com and FoAlexander.com

❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages

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❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance