In the final episode of The Wealth Whiz Podcast Season 1, I’m reflecting on the key money lessons I’ve learned throughout 2024.

From achieving financial stability to embracing generosity and learning from past mistakes, I’ll share actionable advice to guide us into 2025. I’ll talk about how aligning our financial decisions with our values is essential for long-term success and why creating value is the real key to financial freedom.

Before I wrap up, I’ll also give you a sneak peek of what to expect in Season 2, with exciting new content designed to inspire continued personal and financial growth. I’m so grateful for your support, and I can't wait to take this journey with you into the next season!

Milestone Celebration (00:01:11)

Overview of Season 2 (00:01:11)

Lesson 1: Money's True Meaning (00:02:09)

Lesson 2: Financial Stability (00:04:03)

Lesson 3: Money and Values (00:06:03)

Lesson 4: Value Creation (00:08:10)

Lesson 5: Acknowledging Mistakes (00:10:08)

Closing Remarks and Gratitude (00:12:08)

Links and Resources:

Let's get connected; www.sarahlagrosa.com

Rate, Review, and Follow the Apple Podcast:

If you love what we have going on here, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps me support more people--just like you--to be inspired and empowered. I'm excited to create more helpful content that will improve your financial position.

Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select "Write a Review." Then let me know what you loved most about the episode.

In this episode, I dive deep into something we don’t talk about enough—money trauma. Yes, it’s real, and it can silently affect how we see ourselves, make decisions, and even impact our mental health.

I share personal stories of my own struggles with money—how it shaped my self-worth and the choices I made—and how I began to heal from it. We’ll talk about the heavy weight of financial stress, the shame it can bring, and the steps we can take to rebuild a healthier, more peaceful relationship with money.

As we step into the new year, I want to offer you support and encouragement. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or afraid to look at your finances, this episode is for you. It’s time to recognize, release, and heal from the money wounds holding you back so you can move forward with confidence and hope.

The Emotional Weight of Money (00:01:00)

Understanding Money Trauma (00:01:54)

Childhood Experiences with Money (00:02:58)

Parental Influence on Money Beliefs (00:04:02)

Financial Mistakes and Shame (00:04:40)

Financial Domestic Abuse (00:05:00)

Job Loss and Identity (00:05:57)

The Impact of Trauma on Behaviour (00:06:50)

Healing Your Relationship with Money (00:07:43)

Seeking Support (00:08:43)

Self-Care in Healing (00:09:39)

Final Thoughts on Money Trauma (00:10:34)

Links and Resources:

Your Money Trauma Starts At Childhood by Big Think

Get started with personal finance coaching for free.

Rate, Review, and Follow the Apple Podcast:

If you love what we have going on here, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps me support more people--just like you--to be inspired and empowered. I'm excited to create more helpful content that will improve your financial position.

Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select "Write a Review." Then let me know what you loved most about the episode.

I’m excited to dive into the topic of financial freedom, and we’re going to explore it through the lens of Robert Kiyosaki’s powerful book, The Cashflow Quadrant.

In this episode, I’ll break down the four ways people earn income: as an Employee (E), Self-Employed (S), Business Owner (B), and Investor (I).

I’ll also share a bit of my personal financial journey, including the shifts I made in my mindset to move from the left side of the quadrant—where most people start (E and S)—to the right side, where true financial freedom lives (B and I).

If you’re looking to achieve financial independence, this episode is for you!

The Impact of Employment Income (00:01:02)

Understanding the Cashflow Quadrants (00:02:56)

The Employee Quadrant (00:03:56)

Self-Employed Quadrant (00:05:00)

Transitioning to Business Ownership (00:06:07)

The Investor Quadrant (00:08:15)

Actionable Steps to Financial Freedom (00:09:21) .

Links and Resources:

Cashflow Quadrant by Robert Kiyosaki. Get your copy here

Start a self-employment and business in financial industry

Rate, Review, and Follow the Apple Podcast:

If you love what we have going on here, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps me support more people--just like you--to be inspired and empowered. I'm excited to create more helpful content that will improve your financial position.

Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select "Write a Review." Then let me know what you loved most about the episode.

Today, I’m diving into a question so many of us wrestle with: Should I pay off my debt first or start investing for my future?

In this episode, I’ll walk you through the pros and cons of each approach. I’ll share practical tips to help you figure out what works best for you, because let’s face it: no two financial situations are the same.

Whether you’re dealing with student loans, credit card debt, or just trying to figure out if you can start investing with a little extra cash, this episode is for you.

Benefits of Paying Off Debt First (00:02:56)

Interest Costs Explained (00:03:58)

Credit Score and Debt Management (00:05:07)

Opportunity Cost in Debt vs. Investing (00:05:58)

Inflation's Effect on Debt (00:08:00)

The Power of Compounding (00:09:00)

Comparative Investment Scenarios (00:10:05)

Individual Decision Factors (00:11:10)

Links and Resources:

Pay Debt or Invest? Use this calculator

Get a complimentary financial review

Rate, Review, and Follow the Apple Podcast:

If you love what we have going on here, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps me support more people--just like you--to be inspired and empowered. I'm excited to create more helpful content that will improve your financial position.

Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select "Write a Review." Then let me know what you loved most about the episode.

In this episode, I take a deep dive into Employment Insurance (EI) in Canada, breaking down how it serves as an essential safety net for anyone dealing with unexpected job loss.

I cover the basics—like who’s eligible, including those with insurable employment, experiencing involuntary job loss, and meeting the required insurable hours. I also explain the benefits, which usually amount to 55% of your average insurable earnings, and walk you through the simple application process.

Plus, I talk about the responsibilities EI recipients have, like staying available for work and reporting any earnings.

My goal is to make EI less confusing and give you the tools you need to face financial uncertainty with confidence.

Understanding Employment Insurance (00:01:04)

Eligibility Requirements for EI (00:02:04)

Job Loss and Insurable Hours (00:03:03)

Determining EI Benefits (00:04:03)

Applying for Employment Insurance (00:06:16)

Responsibilities of EI Recipients (00:08:14)

Filing Reports and Maintaining Benefits (00:09:15)

Conclusion and Action Step (00:10:10)

Links and Resources:

Use EI Benefit Estimator

Find out the Unemployment and EI Benefit on your Province

Rate, Review, and Follow the Apple Podcast:

If you love what we have going on here, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps me support more people--just like you--to be inspired and empowered. I'm excited to create more helpful content that will improve your financial position.

Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select "Write a Review." Then let me know what you loved most about the episode.

In this episode, I'm tackling the holiday shopping traps that pop up around Black Friday and beyond. Ever noticed those too-good-to-be-true discounts, or the rush of countdown timers and “buy now, pay later” offers?

I’ll break down how retailers use these tricks—like bundling, doorbusters, and “spend more, save more” deals—to get us spending more than we planned.

Join me as I walk through the common tactics that can lead to overspending and how to spot them before you hit “buy.”

By the end, you’ll have the know-how to make smarter shopping choices and keep your budget in check.

The Discount Trap (00:00:59)

The Bundle Trap (00:02:48)

Understanding Doorbusters (00:03:54)

Store Credit Cards Warning (00:05:42)

Spend More, Save More Scheme (00:06:36)

Countdown Timers and FOMO (00:07:32)

Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) Risks (00:08:26)

Links and Resources:

Use Amazon Price Tracker

Rate, Review, and Follow the Apple Podcast:

If you love what we have going on here, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps me support more people--just like you--to be inspired and empowered. I'm excited to create more helpful content that will improve your financial position.

Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select "Write a Review." Then let me know what you loved most about the episode.

In this episode, I’m diving into something deeply personal and essential for our Filipino community here in Canada: the journey to financial stability ✨

As Filipinos, we often prioritize supporting family and community above all else—a value I hold dear. But sometimes that commitment leaves us struggling with our own finances or feeling that talking about money is somehow “off-limits.”

Today, I’m introducing Canada Start, an initiative that’s all about empowering our community with practical financial knowledge.

I’ll share my own experiences and reflections on the financial habits many of us grew up with and how they can sometimes hold us back in a place like Canada.

And here’s the exciting part: I’m inviting you to a live Canada Start workshop, where you’ll learn about budgeting, saving, and investing alongside other Filipinos.

Filipino Immigration to Canada (00:00:59)

Cultural Financial Struggles (00:02:04)

Bayanihan and Financial Responsibility (00:03:08)

Family First Mentality (00:04:02)

Taboo Around Money Conversations (00:05:01)

Deserved Mindset (00:05:59)

Cycle of Debt (00:06:58)

Introduction to Canada Start's Mission (00:07:59)

Canada Start's Unique Approach (00:09:05)

Invitation to Live Workshop (00:09:05)

🍁Canada Start Founding Members🍁

Eric Sena (Mortgage Professional):

Rachel Navales (Pinay Dream Home):

Shiela Cabucol (Financial Professional):

Kat Gito (Financial Professional)

Carlo De Guzman (Immigration)

Links and Resources:

Register for the Canada Start Live Workshop

Learn more about Canada Start Initiative

Rate, Review, and Follow the Apple Podcast:

If you love what we have going on here, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps me support more people--just like you--to be inspired and empowered. I'm excited to create more helpful content that will improve your financial position.

Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select "Write a Review." Then let me know what you loved most about the episode.

In this episode, we're tackling a topic that affects us all—our financial health. I’ll be sharing five crucial habits you need to avoid if you want to build a more secure financial future. From steering clear of unqualified advice to understanding the importance of an emergency fund, we’ll cover it all in just ten minutes.

Introduction to Financial Struggles (00:00:00)

Recognizing Bad Financial Advice (00:01:04)

Understanding Debt (00:03:59)

Facing Your Debt (00:05:02)

Financial Organization (00:05:56)

Distinguishing Wealth Perception (00:07:49)

Importance of an Emergency Fund (00:10:00)

Final Challenge for Change (00:10:55)

Links and Resources:

Download Your Free Financial Planning Toolkit

Get a complimentary financial review

Rate, Review, and Follow the Apple Podcast:

If you love what we have going on here, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps me support more people--just like you--to be inspired and empowered. I'm excited to create more helpful content that will improve your financial position.

Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select "Write a Review." Then let me know what you loved most about the episode.

On today's episode, I'm reflecting on how hitting my 30s made me rethink my spending habits and priorities.

I'll be sharing the top ten things I've stopped buying—designer bags, piles of makeup, travel souvenirs, gym memberships I never used, and fast fashion, just to name a few.

We'll dive into why simplifying my life and focusing on intentional spending has made a world of difference. It's all about letting go of what's unnecessary and investing in quality over quantity.

By the end of this episode, I hope to inspire you to be more mindful with your money and create a more fulfilling financial journey.

Importance of Intentional Spending (00:01:03)

Designer Bags (00:01:55)

Makeup (00:02:48)

Travel Souvenirs (00:03:41)

Gym Memberships (00:04:35)

Subscription Services (00:05:30)

Daily Coffee Ritual (00:05:30)

Fast Fashion (00:06:26)

Home Decor (00:07:21)

Impulsive Travel Purchases (00:08:20)

Links and Resources:

Download Your Free Financial Planning Toolkit

Get a complimentary financial review

Rate, Review, and Follow the Apple Podcast:

If you love what we have going on here, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps me support more people--just like you--to be inspired and empowered. I'm excited to create more helpful content that will improve your financial position.

Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select "Write a Review." Then let me know what you loved most about the episode.

Have you ever noticed how your mood can influence your spending? Whether it's the thrill of happiness, the weight of stress, or that pesky urge to keep up with others, our emotions often drive impulsive spending and create financial anxiety.

Join me in today's episode as I unpack how these feelings impact our financial health. We’ll explore practical strategies to help you manage emotional spending, including recognizing your triggers, practicing mindfulness, and setting clear financial goals.

Understanding Emotional Spending (00:01:08)

Dopamine and Impulse Purchases (00:02:07)

Financial Stress as a Trigger (00:03:06)

Social Comparison and Spending (00:04:07)

Happiness as a Spending Trigger (00:04:07)

Financial Anxiety and Avoidance (00:05:04)

Long-Term Effects of Emotional Spending (00:06:12)

Identifying Triggers (00:07:08)

The 24-Hour Rule (00:07:08)

Mindfulness in Spending (00:08:05)

Aligning Money with Values (00:08:05)

Zero-Based Budgeting (00:08:59)

Actionable Steps to Combat Emotional Spending (00:08:59)

Reframing Spending Mindset (00:10:40)

Links and Resources:

How does Zero Based Budgeting work?

Download Your Free Financial Planning Toolkit

Get a complimentary financial review

Rate, Review, and Follow the Apple Podcast:

If you love what we have going on here, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps me support more people--just like you--to be inspired and empowered. I'm excited to create more helpful content that will improve your financial position.

Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5 stars, and select "Write a Review." Then let me know what you loved most about the episode.