Coach Leah sits down with Saundi Rodgers, MBA, AFC®, a personal finance manager with 19+ years serving military members and families, to unpack how women—especially wives and moms—can build confidence with money, break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle, and protect their households. They cover mindset shifts, practical budgeting, debt payoff strategies, credit building, smart (and safe) steps into investing, and why end-of-life planning is an act of love.

Key Takeaways

• Knowledge beats fear: Money gets easier when you decide to learn. Women often make excellent investors because they research and act with intention.
• Use the 70/20/10 guide: ~70% to living expenses, ≤20% to debt, ≥10% to savings/investing. If you can live on less than 70%, even better.
• Pay yourself first: Treat savings, emergency fund (aim 3–6 months), and retirement as non-negotiable line items. Give every dollar a job.
• Stop the overdraft spiral: Set a personal “zero” (e.g., $250–$1,000) you never go below to avoid fees and stress.
• Credit cards require discipline: Great for travel protection and rewards only if you pay in full monthly. Don’t float everyday expenses on credit.
• Kill debt with the snowball: List all debts, eliminate tiny balances first, then roll payments forward for quick wins and momentum.
• Build/repair credit smartly: Pull reports at annualcreditreport.com, pay on time, clear collections, and consider secured cards/loans to establish positive history.
• Budget, but keep it realistic: Track actual spending (subscriptions, eating out, “small leaks”). Use lists for grocery runs; consider pickup/delivery to stick to the plan.
• Invest safely, not blindly: Verify with SEC.gov/Investor.org; beware “friend tips” and urgency plays. Only invest what you can afford to lose after funding essentials.
• Plan for the unthinkable: Life insurance, a valid will, and clear instructions reduce chaos for your family—true financial self-care.

About the Guest — Saundi Rodgers, MBA, AFC®

Personal Finance Manager & Accredited Financial Counselor®

• 19+ years coaching military members and families in budgeting, debt reduction, credit building, and investing fundamentals
• Bachelor’s in Marketing & Spanish; MBA; AFC® certification

Connect with Saundi

• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook/Instagram: search “Saundi Rodgers”

Website: http://www.jaimebnorwood.com