The Working Budget Podcast

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Welcome to Episode 8 of The Working Budget Podcast.

Today I’m joined by Anthony to talk about first lien HELOCs and a strategy many people call velocity banking. This is a different kind of mortgage product that works nothing like a traditional amortized loan.

In this conversation we break down exactly what a first lien HELOC is, how money flows in and out of it, how interest is calculated, and why some homeowners are using it to pay off their homes in as little as five to eight years while saving large amounts in interest.

We also cover who this product is a good fit for and who should stay away from it. Anthony is very clear: it only works for households that already live below their means and have consistent cash flow surplus. It is not a solution for people who are tight on their budget or struggling with spending.

You’ll learn:

The two main differences between a first lien HELOC and a regular mortgage

How the velocity banking strategy actually works day to day

Why dumping all your income into the HELOC and only pulling out what you need can accelerate payoff

Realistic examples with numbers

What happens when life throws a curveball (job loss, death of a spouse, unexpected expenses)

How the available credit can act as a buffer compared to a traditional mortgage

Whether you can refinance out of a first lien HELOC later

How to evaluate if this is right for your situation

If you already make more than you spend and you’re looking for a smarter way to attack your home loan, this episode will give you a clear, practical understanding of the option.

Resources mentioned:

firstlienheloc.com (education site, calculator, and booking a call)

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🌐 Jabez Roberts YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JabezRoberts @JabezRoberts

✉️ Contact me: [email protected]

#WorkingBudget #FirstLienHELOC #VelocityBanking #MortgagePayoff #PersonalFinance #HomeLoans #FinancialLiteracy

Chapters

00:00 Intro & What Is a First Lien HELOC?

00:53 How It Differs from a Traditional Mortgage

02:35 Velocity Banking Strategy Explained

04:28 Who This Product Is For (and Who It’s Not For)

07:42 The Importance of Consistent Cash Flow Surplus

12:46 How the Strategy Works in Practice

17:50 Simple Number Examples (Tight Budget vs Surplus)

21:20 Why a Higher Rate Can Still Cost Less Overall

26:13 What Happens When Life Goes Wrong

31:43 Available Credit as a Buffer

36:03 Maxing Out and Foreclosure Risk

40:00 Can You Refinance Out of a First Lien HELOC?

42:05 How to Learn More and Book a Call

46:27 Closing Thoughts

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Welcome to Episode 7 of The Working Budget Podcast.

Today I’m joined by Doug Lynam, a former monk and Marine who is now an investment adviser and author. His path has given him a unique perspective on money, psychology, and what really drives our financial decisions.

In this conversation we dive into the Enneagram and how childhood money patterns shape the way we earn, spend, save, and give. Doug explains why smart people often make the same money mistakes and how understanding your personality type can help you break those cycles.

We discuss:

The three most important life lessons he has learned

How the Enneagram reveals the lens through which you see money

Childhood money wounds and the four fear responses (fight, flight, freeze, fawn)

The nine personality types and their unique “money monsters”

Anxious vs avoidant relationships with money

Real examples of couples and individuals who transformed their finances

Practical steps to name and tame your money patterns

The four pillars of finance: earning, saving, investing, and giving

If you’ve ever struggled to stick to a budget, overspent, avoided looking at your numbers, or felt anxiety around money, this episode will help you understand the deeper reasons why and what you can do about it.

Doug’s book is Taming Your Money Monster: Nine Paths to Money Mastery with the Enneagram.

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🌐 Bookkeeping, Accounting & Business Finance Services: https://www.youtube.com/@UCF8ePAc-OdqO7Wh5WmD9xyw

🌐 Jabez Roberts YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JabezRoberts

✉️ Contact me: [email protected]

#WorkingBudget #MoneyMindset #Enneagram #FinancialPsychology #PersonalFinance #MoneyMonsters #Budgeting

Chapters

00:00 Intro & Doug’s Unusual Path

00:42 Three Most Important Life Lessons

01:30 The Enneagram Explained

06:00 Childhood Money Patterns and Fear Responses

09:05 How Personality Types Form Around Money

14:50 Type Three Example: The Achiever and Money

18:00 Anxious vs Avoidant Attachment to Money

21:20 What to Do Once You Identify Your Patterns

23:30 Real Client Stories and Transformations

29:00 The Hoarder / Miser Pattern and Type Five

35:00 Quick Overview of Other Types and Their Money Monsters

48:00 Can You Move Between Types?

51:00 The Four Pillars of Finance

53:00 Closing Thoughts and How to Connect with Doug

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Welcome to Episode 6 of The Working Budget Podcast.

Today I’m joined by Alberto Arta Sanchez, six-time author and data scientist with over 30 years of experience. He arrived in the United States with just $200 and a one-year scholarship. He left college with no student loans and went on to build four companies across real estate, finance, and technology.

In this conversation we talk about practical financial lessons from his journey and how to prepare for a world that is changing fast.

We discuss:

How he went from $200 and a scholarship to financial success

Why his father’s push forced him to hustle early

Choosing computer science over civil engineering and avoiding student debt

Smart paths through college that reduce or eliminate loans

Whether traditional degrees still make sense

How AI is already changing jobs, productivity, and the value of skills

Preparing financially for disruption, rising costs, and uncertain times

Why financial literacy and saving still matter no matter what the future holds

Whether you’re a student, entrepreneur, or just trying to get ahead in a tough economy, this episode is packed with real talk about money, opportunity, and staying prepared.

🌐 Business Growth & Marketing: https://www.youtube.com/@UCjK0TaBO3ItPLctvfpbmqkQ

🌐 Bookkeeping, Accounting & Business Finance Services: https://www.youtube.com/@UCF8ePAc-OdqO7Wh5WmD9xyw

🌐 Jabez Roberts YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JabezRoberts

✉️ Contact me: [email protected]

#WorkingBudget #FinancialLiteracy #StudentLoans #AI #Entrepreneurship #MoneyMindset #CareerAdvice

Chapters

00:00 Intro & Welcome to Alberto

01:19 Life in Mexico and Why He Came to the US

03:19 The Biggest Gift: Being Pushed Out of the Comfort Zone

04:21 College, Scholarships, and Zero Student Loans

05:11 Studying Computer Science and the Pivot from Engineering

06:07 Student Debt, Passion vs Practical Degrees

08:03 College Degrees Losing Value and Where the Jobs Are Going

10:14 Are Blue-Collar Jobs Safe from AI?

12:05 Universal Basic Income and the Future of Work

16:11 Bringing It Back to Finances and Real Disruption

22:36 Rising Costs, Stagnant Wages, and How to Survive

34:05 Has AI Been a Net Positive So Far?

37:31 Control, Power, and Who Really Benefits

41:08 Capitalism, UBI, and What Comes Next

52:04 Final Advice: Financial Independence in Uncertain Times

55:43 Closing Thoughts and Guest Recommendations

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Welcome to Episode 5 of The Working Budget Podcast with Amanda Cassar.

From living paycheck to paycheck and a humiliating moment at Subway with her second child, Amanda Cassar went on to become a financial planner and now helps people take control of their money.

In this episode, we discuss financial literacy, limiting money beliefs, practical budgeting, avoiding lifestyle creep, financial abuse in relationships, life insurance, aged care planning, and having honest money conversations in marriage.

You’ll learn:

Why most people were never taught financial literacy

How childhood beliefs shape your money habits

Budgeting when income is irregular

Preventing lifestyle creep after a pay rise

Recognizing financial abuse

Life insurance, prenups & planning for aging parents

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✉️ Contact me: [email protected]

#personalfinance #FinancialLiteracy #DebtFree #MoneyMindset #FinancialAbuse #LifeInsurance

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:00 The importance of financial literacy

06:20 Childhood money beliefs & mistakes

08:02 This Experience At Subway Changed Everything

10:28 Know your real numbers

14:55 Avoiding lifestyle creep

17:59 Real stories of financial transformation

20:56 What is financial abuse?

28:03 Protecting yourself financially in relationships

35:40 Life insurance & aged care planning

47:01 Final advice: Invest in yourself

Welcome to Episode 4 of The Working Budget Podcast.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by debt, living paycheck to paycheck, or wondered how someone making good money can still struggle financially, this episode is for you.

Today I’m joined by Karlisha Hewitt, a practicing attorney and financial literacy educator who went from $58,350 in debt (including 7 maxed-out credit cards, car loan, furniture loan, and pension loan) to completely debt-free in just two years while single and living in expensive New York.

Karlisha shares her raw journey of financial awakening, the dangerous minimum payment trap, and the exact steps she took to transform her finances through intentional budgeting, increasing her income, and shifting her money mindset.

This conversation goes far beyond debt payoff. We discuss practical financial literacy every professional and young adult needs, including credit card rules, lifestyle changes without misery, side hustles, saving, investing, and building long-term wealth.

You’ll learn:

💠 Why minimum payments keep people trapped in debt

💠 The 30% credit card rule most people ignore

💠 How to increase income and cut expenses effectively

💠 Zero-based budgeting vs 50/30/20

💠 The power of emergency funds and high-yield savings

💠 Why life insurance is for everyone (not just the wealthy)

💠 Term vs Permanent life insurance explained

💠 Mindset shifts that create lasting financial freedom

Whether you're an attorney, young professional, entrepreneur, or simply tired of financial stress, this episode delivers honest, actionable advice you can start using immediately.

Thank you for supporting The Working Budget Podcast on Patreon.

Your support allows us to continue producing educational conversations that help people improve their finances, reduce debt, and build real wealth.

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🧿 00:00 Intro & Sponsor

🧿 00:50 Carlisha’s $58K Debt Story – Maxed Cards & Minimum Payments

🧿 03:00 The Wake-Up Call: Discovering Financial Literacy

🧿 06:20 Why Minimum Payments Are Dangerous

🧿 08:50 The 30% Credit Card Rule Most People Ignore

🧿 11:30 How She Paid Off $58K in 2 Years (Income + Expenses)

🧿 15:40 Side Hustles: DoorDash, Freelance Editing & Poetry

🧿 19:10 Budgeting Before vs After – The Big Mindset Shift

🧿 23:30 Cutting Expenses Without Killing Your Lifestyle

🧿 28:00 Saving, Investing & Building Wealth

🧿 32:40 Why Everyone Needs Life Insurance (Even Young People)

🧿 38:20 Term vs Permanent Life Insurance Explained

🧿 44:00 The 50/30/20 Rule & Zero-Based Budgeting

🧿 48:30 Top Financial Literacy Lessons & Books

🧿 52:00 Final Message: Every Little Bit Adds Up - Start Now!

💡💡 EARLY ACCESS 💡💡

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Why do so many businesses struggle financially even when sales are growing?

In Episode 3 of The Working Budget Podcast, host Jabez Roberts sits down with CPA, accountant, and Fractional CFO Rusty Fulling, Founder of Fulling Management & Accounting, to discuss the biggest financial mistakes entrepreneurs make and how small business owners can build profitable, financially healthy companies.

This is the official trailer for an upcoming episode of The Working Budget Podcast featuring Rusty Fulling, founder of Fulling Management & Accounting and a financial advisor with more than 25 years of experience helping businesses improve their financial performance.

Many entrepreneurs believe business success is simply about increasing sales or making more profit. Rusty offers a different perspective. Throughout our conversation, we discuss why leadership, company culture, financial discipline, and understanding your numbers create the foundation for sustainable growth.

In the full episode, you'll learn:

• Why healthy businesses prioritize people before profits

• The financial mistakes that quietly damage growing companies

• How to forecast cash flow before making major business decisions

• The difference between profit, cash flow, and the money sitting in your bank account

• Which financial reports and KPIs deserve your attention

• When to bring in a bookkeeper, accountant, or fractional CFO

• Practical strategies for budgeting, preparing for tax season, and building a business that creates long-term value

If you're an entrepreneur, freelancer, small business owner, or aspiring founder, this conversation will give you a practical framework for making better financial decisions and building a stronger business from the ground up.

Listen to this trailer for a preview, then follow The Working Budget Podcast so you'll be notified when the full conversation is released.

💡💡 EARLY ACCESS 💡💡

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🌐🌐 Important Links, Become a Guest, Hire Us & Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/zeilhan

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💡💡 DESCRIPTION 💡💡

In Episode 2 of The Working Budget Podcast hosted by Jabez Roberts, we sit down with entrepreneur, mortgage broker, and real estate professional Jason Sharon to discuss buying your first home, saving for a down payment, qualifying for a mortgage, improving your credit score, refinancing, and building long-term wealth through homeownership.

Learn how to buy your first home, qualify for a mortgage, save for a down payment, improve your credit score, refinance your home, and build long-term wealth through smart financial decisions. Whether you're a first-time home buyer, looking to refinance, or planning your financial future, Jason shares practical mortgage advice and personal finance strategies that can help you achieve homeownership and financial freedom.

Jason shares insights from reviewing thousands of bank statements throughout his career and explains the financial habits that help people become homeowners, as well as the habits that keep many people from reaching their financial goals.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• When is the best time to buy a home?

• Do you really need a 20% down payment?

• How to save enough money for your first home

• How to improve your credit score before applying for a mortgage

• Low and no down payment mortgage options

• The financial habits that keep people broke

• Why eating out and lifestyle inflation quietly destroy wealth

• The truth about "Keeping Up With The Joneses"

• How refinancing works and when it makes sense

• Jason Sharon's journey from growing up with very little to helping others achieve homeownership

Whether you're buying your first home, planning your financial future, or looking to build long-term wealth, this episode is packed with practical advice you can apply immediately.

Thank you for watching The Working Budget Podcast by Zeilhan, where we help people make better financial decisions through conversations with financial experts, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders.

If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and share it with someone who is working toward financial freedom.

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💡💡 SPONSORED BY 💡💡

Perugi Partners

Helping entrepreneurs gain financial clarity through bookkeeping, payroll, financial reporting, and business support.

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💡💡 GUEST LINKS 💡💡

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💡💡 EPISODE CHAPTERS 💡💡

🧿 Preview: 00:00

🧿 Episode Start: 3:18

🧿 From Navy Officer To Mortgage Broker: 4:40

🧿 When Is The Best Time To Buy A Home?: 6:22

🧿 Why You Should Buy A Home Now, Not Tomorrow: 8:20

🧿 Can I Buy A House Without A 20% Down Payment?: 11:00

🧿 Why You Can't Afford A House: You Spend More On Eating Out Than Rent: 16:50

🧿 How To Afford Your First Home By Fixing These Financial Habits: 20:00

🧿 Change This To Improve Your Mortgage Approval Chances: 26:00

🧿 Hire Jason Sharon As Your Mortgage Broker: 28:00

🧿 Refinancing Your Home Explained: 29:30

🧿 How Refinancing Can Save You Money: 31:30

🧿 How Buying His First Home Led Jason To Become A Mortgage Broker: 34:30

🧿 Jason Sharon's Books: 36:30

🧿 Why Jason Loves Helping People Become Homeowners: 39:30

🧿 How To Improve Your Credit Score Before Buying A Home: 40:40

🧿 How To Buy Your First Home: 45:30

🧿 Outro: 48:30

💡💡EARLY ACCESS 💡💡

🌐🌐 Watch NOW on Patreon: https://patreon.com/ZeilhanMedia

🌐🌐 Full Episode On YouTube: https://youtu.be/PJa2YzoPwO0

🌐🌐 Important Links, Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/zeilhan

💡💡 EPISODE CHAPTERS💡💡

🧿 How To Afford Down Payment On A House: 00:00

🧿 This Statistic Will Blow Your Mind: 00:38

🧿 The Best Time To Buy A House, No 20% Down Payment?: 00:58

🧿 Important Money Lesson: 1:30

🧿 From Homeless To A Global Real Estate Portfolio: 02:25

🧿 Outro: 56:00

💡💡DESCRIPTION 💡💡

Why do so many people struggle to save for a home? Is the housing market really out of reach, or are there financial habits quietly holding us back?

In this episode of The Working Budget Podcast, Jabez Roberts sits down with real estate investor, entrepreneur, and housing expert Jason Sharon to discuss homeownership, wealth building, spending habits, and the mindset shifts that can transform your financial future.

Jason shares lessons from reviewing tens of thousands of bank statements over more than a decade, revealing the spending patterns that keep people stuck financially and the habits that help people build wealth over time.

We discuss:

• Why many people struggle to save for a down payment
• The hidden cost of eating out, food delivery, and lifestyle inflation
• Renting vs. owning and the long-term impact of homeownership
• Low down payment and no down payment home buying options
• How to know if you're ready to buy a home
• "Keeping up with the Joneses" and the danger of status spending
• Building wealth without looking wealthy
• Financial discipline, delayed gratification, and long-term thinking
• Jason's journey from poverty to owning businesses, hotels, and real estate investments around the world
• The importance of resilience during difficult seasons of life

Whether you're trying to buy your first home, improve your financial habits, or better understand how wealth is built over time, this conversation offers practical insights and a fresh perspective on money, housing, and financial success.

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other major podcast platforms

❤️ Support the show and get early access to episodes on Patreon

#TheWorkingBudget #PersonalFinance #FinancialLiteracy #HomeOwnership #RealEstate #WealthBuilding

🎙️ The Working Budget Podcast is hosted by Zeilhan, focused on real-world money, business, and financial decision-making for entrepreneurs and professionals.

📊 Sponsored by Perugi Partners: Helping entrepreneurs stay financially organized through bookkeeping, payroll, and financial reporting.

👉 Subscribe for more conversations on money, business, and building financial freedom.

💡💡EARLY ACCESS 💡💡

🌐🌐 Watch full episodes early on Patreon: https://patreon.com/ZeilhanMedia

🌐🌐 Important Links, Spotify & Apple Podcast: https://linktr.ee/zeilhan

💡💡DESCRIPTION 💡💡

How should couples manage money?

Should you combine finances, keep separate accounts, or consider a prenup?

In this episode of The Working Budget Podcast, we break down the real financial conversations couples need to have early; from joint accounts and saving habits to retirement planning, investing, and long-term financial alignment.

We also explore why building strong financial habits in your 20s gives you a major advantage later in life, and how simple systems like automation, budgeting, and compounding habits can shape your financial future.

This conversation is especially important for young couples, college graduates, and anyone trying to build wealth without letting money create tension in their relationships.

💡 Topics covered:

• Joint accounts vs separate accounts
• Prenups and financial protection in relationships
• Saving and investing early in life
• Retirement planning for young professionals
• Building wealth through consistent habits
• The power of automation and compounding

Whether you're single, dating, or married, this episode will change how you think about money in relationships.

🎙️ The Working Budget Podcast is hosted by Zeilhan, focused on real-world money, business, and financial decision-making for entrepreneurs and professionals.

📊 Sponsored by Perugi Partners: Helping entrepreneurs stay financially organized through bookkeeping, payroll, and financial reporting.

👉 Subscribe for more conversations on money, business, and building financial freedom.

💡💡 EPISODE CHAPTERS💡💡

🧿 Intro: 00:00

🧿 Episode Start: 00:39

🧿 Who is Christopher Hensley: 1:50

🧿 Wealth Building With AI & Digital Kaizen: 3:40

🧿 Financial Planning For College Graduates: 9:25

🧿 Powerful Wealth Building Steps For College Grads: 13:40

🧿 How To Teach Kids To Save - The Glass Jar Saving Strategy: 19:40

🧿 Preparing For Retirement & Pensions: 22:30

🧿 Best Accounts For Savings Goals Before Age 40: 29:00

🧿 Best Books To Master Savings & Finance: 33:45

🧿 Joint Accounts or Prenups? 36:30

🧿 How To Calculate Your Net Worth: 41:05

🧿 How To Avoid Debt & Pay Off Bad Debt: 43:15

🧿 Best And Worst Financial Decisions: 49:00

🧿 You Need To Save More: 54:00

🧿 Outro: 56:00

💡💡Links To Guest💡💡

🌐 Hire Christopher Hensley: www.houstonfirstfinancialgroup.com

🌐 Christopher's Book Digital Kaizen: Voice-First Thinking and AI Systems for Continuous Improvement: https://a.co/d/03kln0xP

🌐 Chris's Podcast - Money Matters Podcast: www.moneymatterspodcast.com