There’s no shortage of advice about the right way to use credit card points for travel. Transfer partners, sign-up bonuses, maximizing every redemption... it can start to feel like there’s a test you’re supposed to pass before you’re allowed to book a trip.

In this episode, we’re sharing a different perspective. We both recently used credit card points to book summer travel, and neither of us did it in the most optimized way. But instead of waiting until we knew every trick in the book, we used the points we had to save money on trips that mattered to us — and honestly, that felt like a win.

Today, we’re breaking down exactly what we booked, how many points we used, what those trips would have cost in cash, and why we ultimately chose simplicity over squeezing every last cent of value from our rewards. If you've ever wondered whether you're "doing points wrong," this episode is your reminder that sometimes, your financial goals matter more than perfect optimization.

✨ Episode Highlights ✨

• [00:00] Why we’re confessing our "imperfect" approach to using credit card points
• [02:50] Breaking down Cass’s last-minute trip to Toronto — flights, hotels, and how points covered nearly $2,000 in travel
• [07:15] Why Cassidy chose to redeem points through the Chase Travel portal, even though it's not the strategy most travel experts recommend
• [09:45] How Emily thought about buying a cross-country flight to Seattle while balancing other financial priorities
• [11:20] Using Google Flights, Points Path, and airline rewards programs to compare cash versus points
• [14:10] Why Emily intentionally ignored advice to pay cash and save points for later
• [15:20] How we earned our travel rewards through Chase, United, and Delta credit cards
• [17:00] What we’re still learning about transfer partners, airline loyalty, and maximizing points
• [18:00] Why the "best" redemption depends on your personal financial goals, not someone else's spreadsheet
• [19:10] Our biggest takeaway: using your points to reduce financial stress is a win, even if it isn't perfectly optimized

✨ Resources ✨

• Points & miles 101 with Ross Alcorn: Turn your credit card rewards into free travel / 52
• The freedom formula: How to travel, build a career, and save money with Caroline Lupini / 53
• Points Path 
• Google Flights

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When you hear the word "sales," you might think of awkward pitches, pushy tactics, or convincing someone to buy something they don't want. But what if selling actually looked more like listening, building relationships, and creating opportunities for yourself?

In this episode, we talk to Megan Smyth, a sales coach and educator who helps female entrepreneurs sell without apology. We talk about why so many women struggle with sales, how our nervous systems shape the way we experience money conversations, and why learning to sell isn't just about earning more — it's about creating more freedom, stability, and confidence in your financial life.

✨ Episode Highlights ✨

• [00:00] How Megan went from copywriting to helping women sell in a way that feels authentic and empowering.
• [05:00] Why sales is one of the most valuable money skills you can build — especially if you work for yourself.
• [08:30] Why you don't need social media to build a successful business, plus alternative marketing strategies that actually work.
• [14:30] What's happening in your brain and body when you face a rejection, income dips, or scary money conversation.
• [19:30] Simple nervous system techniques that can help you feel calmer and more confident before high-pressure conversations.
• [22:00] Why leaving the traditional pre-med path changed Megan’s relationship with money, success, and identity.
• [25:30] How to stop tying your self-worth to your income and start setting financial goals from a place of freedom instead of fear.
• [30:00] Why great salespeople spend far more time listening than talking — and why empathy is your biggest advantage.
• [38:30] How learning to create your own income gives you more stability, confidence, and financial independence over the long term.

✨ Resources ✨

• Listen to Megan's podcast, Blaze
• Learn more about Megan's signature program, Sales Liberation 

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Apply to our pilot Financial Coaching program at thefinancegirlies.com/coaching.

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This episode was previously available exclusively to our paid subscribers and is now being released to all listeners. We’re excited to share it with all the girlies out there! 

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The trad wife lifestyle is being sold as soft, simple, and secure.

But is it financially safe?

In this episode, we unpack what the trad wife movement actually promotes, how it differs from choosing to stay home, and why financial autonomy still matters — even inside healthy marriages. We look at the influencer contradictions, the real risks of economic dependence, divorce statistics, and a powerful real-life story that shows how quickly financial control can escalate.

If you’ve felt curious about this trend — or quietly unsettled by it — this conversation will help you separate the aesthetic from the economics.

✨ Episode Timestamps ✨

• [00:00] Why the trad wife lifestyle took off
• [03:30] What is a trad wife — and where did this movement come from?
• [07:30] Trad wife vs. stay-at-home mom: What’s the difference?
• [09:30] The influencer contradiction and the “not working” illusion
• [12:30] Traditional Christian ideology and submission rhetoric
• [15:00] Why this movement can create financial vulnerability
• [20:00] Divorce, asset division, and the risk of economic dependence
• [22:00] A Well-Trained Wife and a real story of financial control
• [26:30] How to protect yourself financially in any marriage

✨ Resources ✨ 

• PBS special: Trad Wives vs. Reality
• Money with Katie podcast episode featuring Caroline Burke on the trad wife movement
• A Well-Trained Wife by Tia Levings
• TFG episode: Prenups for modern couples with divorce attorney Aaron Thomas
• TFG episode: Navigating money as a wife, mom, and breadwinner with Jessica Norwood

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Apply to our pilot Financial Coaching program at thefinancegirlies.com/coaching.

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Have you ever felt guilty for spending money on something you love, but thought nothing of spending money on something you felt like you should do?

Or found yourself thinking, "I'm just bad with money"?

In this episode, we're joined by financial wellness coach Simone Griffin-Taylor for a conversation about the emotional side of personal finance. We explore why money decisions are rarely as logical as we think, how shame and self-judgment can show up in our financial lives, and why understanding your values may be more important than following someone else's money rules.

From homebuying and travel to dining out and even buying Kleenex, this episode is full of real-life examples that will help you get curious about your spending habits, challenge old money stories, and make financial decisions that feel more aligned with the life you actually want to live.

✨ Episode Highlights ✨

• [03:00] Why emotions influence nearly every financial decision we make
• [05:00] How shame shows up in our money lives—and how to recognize it
• [08:30] The difference between "I made a mistake" and "I am bad with money"
• [12:00] Why self-compassion can be a powerful financial tool
• [17:00] The danger of comparing your financial life to someone else's timeline
• [20:00] Simone's framework for reconnecting with your financial intuition
• [24:00] How to identify your core values and use them to guide money decisions
• [30:00] Why two people can share the same values but spend money very differently
• [35:00] What people judge themselves for financially that is actually completely normal
• [39:00] Cassidy's surprisingly strong opinions about the value of Kleenex and coat hangers
• [43:00] How old money stories continue to influence our spending decisions

✨ Resources ✨

• Connect with Simone: affluencereimagined.com 
• Follow Simone on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/simone-griffin/ 

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When your income isn't predictable, it can be hard to know whether a slow season is just part of the process or a sign that something needs to change. And when so much financial advice assumes the same paycheck shows up every two weeks, navigating those ups and downs can feel even more frustrating.

In this episode, we're diving into Cassidy's freelance business and taking a transparent look at what her year has actually looked like behind the scenes. After experiencing one of her lowest earning months since becoming a freelancer, she decided to stop waiting for things to turn around and start taking action. 

Listen in to hear about the mindset shifts, money strategies, and business decisions that helped her go from a $3k month to a $17k month — plus the single practice that made her lower-earning months mildly annoying instead of panic-inducing.

✨ Episode Highlights ✨

• [02:00] The reality check that forced a hard look at what was (and wasn't) working in Cassidy’s business
• [04:30] The mindset shift that led her to start pitching clients again after years of relying on referrals
• [05:30] How one vulnerable LinkedIn post turned into a major freelance opportunity
• [07:30] What it felt like to watch savings shrink during a prolonged slow season
• [09:00] Why financial independence is about more than just the numbers for Cassidy
• [12:30] The surprising benefits that came from having less work on the calendar
• [14:00] How a cash cushion helped smooth out months of unpredictable income
• [19:00] The real reasons Cassidy wanted to earn more money again
• [22:00] The challenge of knowing when to stop saying yes to more work
• [33:30] Cassidy's biggest lessons from going from one of her slowest months to one of her strongest

✨ Resources ✨

• Listen to Finance Girlies episode 74 with Arden Missal
• Are you a business owner struggling to stay on top of the books and pay quarterly taxes? Collective can do it for you.* 

*This is an affiliate link, meaning we may earn a commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase using our link. Our promise: We’ll never share affiliate links for products or services we don’t love and recommend. 

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✨💎 RE-RELEASE OF A FORMERLY INSIDERS-ONLY EPISODE 💎✨

This episode was previously available exclusively to our paid subscribers and is now being released to all listeners. We’re excited to share it with all the girlies out there!

“Money isn’t everything.” It’s advice many of us grew up hearing—from family members, TV shows, even Hallmark movies. But if you’ve ever lived paycheck to paycheck, carried debt, or panicked about an unexpected expense, you know it’s not the full story.

In this episode, we unpack what this phrase really means, where it comes from, and why it can sometimes hold you back. We also share personal stories from our early careers, what research says about money and happiness, and how to figure out your own “enough” number.

✨ Episode Highlights ✨

• [00:00] Cassidy’s recent conversation that sparked this episode
• [01:45] Why Hallmark movies reinforce the “money vs. happiness” myth
• [03:30] Our first low-paying jobs out of college
• [05:00] Where the phrase “money isn’t everything” comes from
• [09:30] Where this phrase becomes unhelpful
• [11:45] Case study: America's Sweethearts
• [13:30] Case study: Maid
• [14:30] What it's like to live on $25k vs. $25 million
• [16:30] Cassidy's anchor point: how where she grew up affected her perceptions of money
• [22:30] What is money, actually? Money as security vs. money as status
• [27:45] Real stories: taking pay cuts for happiness (and regrets)
• [31:00] Our personal experiences earning more through freelancing
• [32:30] How to find your “enough” number

✨ Resources ✨

• Wharton study on money and happiness
• Johnny Harris video: $25,000 vs. $25,000,000
• Maid by Stephanie Land (book + Netflix series)

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Apply to our pilot Financial Coaching program at thefinancegirlies.com/coaching.

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We often assume building wealth requires a high salary, perfect investing decisions, or some kind of shortcut. But sometimes, the biggest results come from years of small, consistent choices.

In this episode, we talk with financial coach and mom of five Brittany Flammer. Over the course of her 21-year marriage, Brittany and her husband averaged an income of roughly $40,000 per year while steadily building a net worth that’s now approaching $1 million. Their story isn’t built on shortcuts or luck — it’s built on patience, intentionality, and a commitment to living below their means.

We talk about everything from investing at age 20 with just $50 a month, to navigating lifestyle creep, raising financially confident kids, and budgeting for family travel. If you’ve ever wondered whether small financial habits can really make a difference, this conversation is a reminder that consistency often pays off in the long run.

✨ Episode Highlights ✨

• [01:30] How Brittany and her husband built nearly $1 million in net worth on an average income of about $40,000 per year
• [03:00] Why starting to invest matters more than knowing everything from day one
• [06:00] How Brittany’s savings and investing strategy evolved as her household income increased over the years
• [08:00] The intentional ways Brittany allows lifestyle upgrades without letting lifestyle creep take over
• [11:30] The surprising expenses they skip — and why Brittany only budgets $25 per month for personal fun money
• [16:00] The budgeting tools Brittany relies on most, including high-yield savings accounts, automation, and weekly budget check-ins
• [20:30] How their family of seven travels on a budget, from affordable road trips to planning international vacations
• [24:30] The low-cost family traditions that have created some of their favorite memories
• [28:30] How Brittany teaches her kids about money, trade-offs, saving, spending, and earning their own income
• [34:30] The expenses she refuses to cut, the role generosity plays in their family, and the money values she hopes to pass down to her children
• [41:00] Where to follow Brittany’s budgeting journey and why publicly sharing her budget helps keep her accountable

✨ Resources ✨

• Brittany’s YouTube channel
• Brittany’s website

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When you’re in your early 20s, it’s easy to feel like you have so much time to figure money out later. Retirement feels impossibly far away, investing feels intimidating, and honestly, a lot of financial advice can feel disconnected from real life when you’re just trying to make rent, navigate your first job, or recover from the chaos of college.

The truth is, though, some of the smallest financial habits you build early on can shape your life for decades — not because you need to do everything perfectly, but because small, consistent choices really do add up over time. And while this episode is centered around what we wish we knew in our 20s, almost everything we talk about applies no matter your age or stage of life. It’s never too early or too late to start building habits that make your financial life feel calmer and more intentional.

In this conversation, we’re sharing the money advice we genuinely wish someone had told us earlier, from tracking our spending and avoiding lifestyle creep to building credit, learning to invest, and figuring out what actually matters to us.

✨ Episode Highlights ✨

• [02:00] Why tracking your spending is the foundation of intentional money habits
• [03:30] The personal finance books that helped us finally understand money
• [05:00] How to spot “money leaks” and spend more intentionally
• [06:30] Two simple questions to ask before buying something impulsively
• [09:00] What lifestyle creep actually looks like in your 20s
• [13:00] Why learning to cook is one of the best money-saving skills you can build
• [15:00] The financial advantage of cheap housing situations early in adulthood
• [17:00] How to prioritize experiences and travel without overspending
• [19:30] Building credit responsibly and why starting early matters
• [23:00] Emergency funds, future goals, and using extra money intentionally
• [27:00] Why investing early matters more than investing perfectly
• [32:30] Talking about money with friends, asking for help, and taking imperfect action

✨ Resources ✨

• Our 2 favorite personal finance/investing books: I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi and The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins
• Budgeting tool: YNAB (You Need a Budget)
• Finance Girlies’ Investing Before You’re Ready workshop
• Finance Girlies episode on bank accounts: Q&A: Choosing the right bank accounts / 3
• Finance Girlies episode on travel: Points & miles 101 with Ross Alcorn: Turn your credit card rewards into free travel / 52
• Finance Girlies episode with Arden Missal: She didn’t want to shrink her lifestyle — so she paid off $150K in debt, fast / 74

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When we think about “rich” experiences, it’s easy to assume they have to come with a high price tag. But this week’s guest, Elisabeth Frost, has built a life that challenges that idea in the best way.

Elisabeth is a lifestyle blogger, budget traveler, and longtime thrifter currently spending three and a half months traveling across Europe with her husband and two kids — carry-on only. In this episode, we talk about the systems and mindset shifts that help her family travel affordably, live more minimally, and make intentional financial decisions without feeling deprived.

We also get into the choices that helped Elisabeth and her husband pay off their house in just seven years, why she approaches secondhand shopping strategically, and the reminder we all probably need sometimes: spending more money doesn’t automatically create better memories.

✨ Episode Highlights ✨

• [02:10] What it’s actually like raising kids with a minimalist and frugal lifestyle
• [03:20] How Elisabeth’s family travels internationally on a budget
• [05:15] The first thing they prioritize when planning affordable trips
• [07:05] Why setting a hard accommodation budget helps them avoid overspending
• [09:15] The simple travel habits that save their family money on food and activities
• [12:00] How free museum days and off-peak tickets dramatically cut travel costs
• [16:10] Why some of their kids’ favorite travel memories were completely free
• [20:00] Elisabeth’s “everything needs a home” rule for thrifting and minimalism
• [27:00] The difference between thrift stores and consignment shops — and how to shop both intentionally
• [35:20] The biggest decisions that helped Elisabeth and her husband pay off their mortgage in seven years

✨ Resources ✨

• Elisabeth’s blog: The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist
• Elisabeth’s Patreon community: Lighthouse Keepers

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There’s a version of debt payoff advice that sounds responsible on paper — make the minimum payments, invest the difference, stay the course.

But what if following that plan still leaves you feeling stuck?

In this episode with physician assistant and financial educator Arden Missal, we unpack what happens when you question the “default” path — and what it can look like to choose something else. We talk about the emotional side of money, why avoidance is so common, and how your beliefs can shape your financial reality.

Arden paid off $150,000 of debt in just 16 months. Interestingly, she doesn’t consider herself frugal — and that’s exactly why she was so determined to eliminate her debt so fast. Arden’s approach wasn’t just about working more or spending less; it started with a complete shift in how she thought about debt, time, and what she actually wanted her life to feel like. 

This conversation is part strategy, part mindset reset, and it might even change how you think about what’s possible for you.

✨ Episode Highlights ✨

• [00:00] Why the “make minimum payments” advice didn’t sit right with Arden — and what it revealed
• [06:30] What paying off $150K in 16 months looked like behind the scenes
• [12:00] How becoming debt-free reshaped her relationship with money
• [16:00] The “boiling frog” effect and how debt becomes your normal
• [22:00] What money avoidance really is — and how it shows up
• [27:00] How shame and limiting beliefs keep people stuck
• [34:00] Arden’s favorite exercise for uncovering your money story
• [41:00] Why your thoughts drive your financial outcomes
• [47:00] Rethinking budgeting as a tool for direction, not restriction
• [53:00] What to do if financial freedom feels out of reach

✨ Resources ✨

Connect with Arden:

• Grab Arden’s free debt tracker: https://shesfinanciallyfree.com/starter-kit 

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