Money is something we all deal with every single day. Yet almost no one is ever taught how to manage it.

In this episode of Business by the Bay, Ajay sits down with money coach Crystal Rigley Janis for a refreshingly honest conversation about why so many people, regardless of income, feel overwhelmed, stressed, and stuck when it comes to money. What makes this conversation powerful is how real it gets.

Crystal shares her journey from working in wealth management to becoming a high school teacher, and eventually building a mission around helping people transform their relationship with money. Along the way, she highlights a truth most of us experience but rarely talk about: You can make good money, and still feel completely lost.

What You’ll Learn

• Why people feel anxious and overwhelmed about money
• The emotional side of finances (stress, shame, identity)
• Why even high earners can live paycheck to paycheck
• The difference between looking “rich” and actually building wealth
• Why budgeting feels difficult and how to make it work
• How defining your dreams changes your financial decisions

Money is not the goal. It’s a tool.

Most people don’t struggle because they don’t earn enough. They struggle because they were never taught the skill of managing money. And like any skill, it can be learned.

• Anyone who feels like their money disappears every month
• Professionals earning well but not building wealth
• People who have tried budgeting but couldn’t stick with it
• Anyone looking for clarity, control, and confidence with money

Crystal Rigley Janis is a money coach and founder of Dreamz on Fire. With a background in wealth management and over 15 years in education, she helps individuals break out of financial stress and build a life aligned with their goals.

Most people wait for “more money” to fix their situation. This episode explains why that approach doesn’t work, and what actually does.

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