Money Mindset Podcast - Budgets Made Easy - Episodes Tagged with “Budgeting”

#239 How to Get Through the Holidays Without Adding to Your Debt

Ashley Patrick — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Grab your FREE Holiday Planner here: https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/holiday-planner

Avoid the holiday debt hangover this year and actually enjoy the season without the guilt!

#238 Does Money Buy Happiness

Ashley Patrick — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Money gives you options, which can bring happiness.

Money is a tool, not something that will bring happiness on it's own.

📌** But it's what money allows us to do that can make us happy.**

🙌 The win of the week spotlight is on Angela who is a Money Success Club member. She joined the free training series that I hosted last September.
Then joined Money Success Club right after.
She just posted in the club that she made her last consumer debt payment!!! The only debt she has left is her mortgage.
She paid off $33,600 in 12 months!!!
Can you imagine what you could be celebrating in 12 months from now?

Try out Money Success Club for just $1! 😲
https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc-membership-1-trial-offer

#237 What Feminism Has to do With Money

Ashley Patrick — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 12:00:00 -0400

When we think of feminism, money isn’t always the first thing that comes to mind — but it should be. For generations, women weren’t allowed to open bank accounts, apply for mortgages, or even get a credit card without a man’s signature.

Today, women still face pay gaps, retirement wealth gaps, and social pressure to put others first financially.

In this episode, we’ll explore how feminism and money are deeply connected, why building financial confidence is an act of empowerment, and the steps you can take to create freedom for yourself and the next generation of women.

Join Q4 Planning Session here:
https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc-membership-1-trial-offer

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#234 7 Little Wins That Mean You’re Doing Better With Money Than You Think

Ashley Patrick — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Sometimes we get so caught up in what’s not perfect with our finances — the debt we still have, the savings we wish were bigger, the retirement number that feels so far away — that we forget to notice the progress we are making.

Today I want to help you pause and celebrate the small victories, because every big financial success is made up of dozens of little wins.
I want to shift your focus from what’s not perfect in your finances to what is going right.

Because here’s the thing — so many women I talk to are doing better than they think. They’re making progress, but they don’t recognize it, so they feel stuck or discouraged.
So let’s change that.

In this episode, I’m sharing 7 little wins that prove you’re moving in the right direction with your money — even if it doesn’t feel like it yet.

Come try out Money Success Club for just $1 - https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc-membership-1-trial-offer-ty-offer

#232 10 Tips to Stop Overspending - Start Today!

Ashley Patrick — Wed, 21 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Does it ever feel like your money’s gone before you even realize it? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re talking about simple, realistic ways to get a handle on overspending and feel more in control of your finances.

We’ll cover everything from what to do with the money left after paying bills, to avoiding impulse buys, and even how to limit all those tempting ads. You’ll get simple, realistic tips that are easy to stick with.

Learn how to make your budget work for you, stay intentional with your spending, and build habits that support your goals, without the stress.

Hosting Today:

I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday.

After gaining the confidence in my own ability to manage my family's finances and a simple step-by-step plan to make it happen, I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months, which then allowed me to finally quit my job, stay at home with my kids, and build a debt-free business.

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“It's important to have that bigger goal, but have a very clear, specific breakdown of those goals with milestones along the way, so that you can stay focused on what that big goal is and stay on track as you are moving forward.”
- Ashley Patrick

For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Grab your FREE Budget Starter Kit here: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start
Budgets Made Easy Blog: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/blog

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#231 Top 3 Midlife Money Myths That Are Holding You Back

Ashley Patrick — Wed, 14 May 2025 06:30:00 -0400

Have you ever felt like it’s too late to fix your finances? Are old money habits from your past still influencing your decisions today?

This episode dives into the financial mindset shifts that are especially important in midlife. We’re unpacking how your upbringing, past choices, and long-held beliefs might be keeping you stuck, and what you can do to change that.

Tune in for simple advice and real encouragement to help you take the next step with confidence.

Hosting Today:

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“You've got to prioritize yourself, learn to say no, and just really set the boundaries and expectations so that you're not responsible for taking care of everybody in your life, and that is okay. There is nothing wrong with that.”
- Ashley Patrick

Tired of feeling like your money disappears before you know where it went? It’s time to take back control! Join the FREE Spring Savings Challenge and start finding money you didn’t even realize you had. Go to https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spring-savings-challenge-2025 to sign up today!

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Budgets Made Easy Blog: https://www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/top-3-midlife-money-myths-that-are-holding-you-back/
FREE Spring Savings Challenge: https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spring-savings-challenge-2025/

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#230 10 Ways to Make Budgeting Fun

Ashley Patrick — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 10:00:00 -0400

Budgeting can often feel like just another item on your endless to-do list, but it doesn’t have to be that way. In this episode, we’re sharing smart and creative ways to make budgeting something you actually enjoy, so it becomes a habit you look forward to—not one you keep putting off.

Whether it’s setting the vibe with cozy lighting, grabbing your favorite treat, turning on a good playlist, or turning your savings goals into a game, this episode is packed with ideas to help shift your perspective and make money management feel more like self-care than a chore.

If you’re new to budgeting or just looking to shake things up, you’ll find simple, uplifting tips to bring more ease and joy into your financial routine.

Hosting Today:

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“Remember you don't have to be perfect with your money to start enjoying the process. We want to focus on progress and not perfection. Take one small step at a time. You deserve to feel good about your money. Okay, so it's okay to do things that make it fun and enjoyable so that you can enjoy your money.”
- Ashley Patrick

For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start
Budgets Made Easy Budget Planner: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/planner
Paycheck Budget Spreadsheet: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet
Budgets Made Easy Blog: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/blog
Join the Money Success Club waitlist here: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc
Get your printable budget trackers here: www.debtfreecharts.com

Connect with Ashley:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#229 Managing Your Money in your 40s

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 10:00:00 -0400

Navigating your finances in your 40s and beyond often comes with unexpected challenges and shifts in priorities. This episode explores what it means to manage money during one of the highest earning seasons of life—while also managing the weight of responsibilities, from caring for kids to supporting aging parents. It’s a time of reflection, growth, and sometimes regret—but more importantly, it’s a chance to take control of your financial future.

From letting go of past mistakes to embracing your power to negotiate, build wealth, and diversify your income, this episode blends practical advice with empowering encouragement. Whether you’re planning for retirement, feeling stretched too thin, or simply wondering what’s next, it will help you shift your mindset and move forward with clarity.

Hosting Today:

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“I want you to realize that you're just getting started. You are doing the best that you can and that you were never too old. It is never too late to get things going and take control of your finances and get things back on track. So even in this season, it is not too late.”
- Ashley Patrick

If you need help paying off your debt, go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debt for your Paying Off Debt Starter Kit. This will help you really get going on your journey to longer-term investing strategies.

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes.

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Paying Off Debt Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debt
Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

Connect with Ashley:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#228 Saving Money by Practicing Gratitude and Mindfulness

Ashley Patrick — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Finding contentment with what you already have can be a powerful tool for financial success.

In this episode, we dive into the connection between gratitude and money habits, exploring how emotional spending often stems from a lack of fulfillment. When we focus on appreciating what we have, we reduce impulse purchases, avoid lifestyle creep, and ultimately build a healthier financial mindset.

We’ll also discuss practical steps to cultivate gratitude, from mindful spending habits to journaling, and how these small shifts can lead to big financial wins.

Hosting Today:

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“Remember, what we do with our money when it comes to reaching our big goals really boils down to being mindful of our actions and intentions, making sure they line up, and ensuring that you are actually doing what you truly want to do.”
- Ashley Patrick

For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#227 Money Success Blueprint

Ashley Patrick — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500

This is the replay of the Money Success Blueprint - setting yourself up for success in 2025 masterclass.

Starting the year with strong financial habits can make all the difference in reaching your money goals.

In this episode, we dive into a proven blueprint for financial success, focusing on key areas like setting yourself up for success, reining in overspending, and getting accountability.

You’ll learn how to recognize and manage spending triggers, avoid mindless purchases, and take intentional steps toward paying off debt and saving more. Plus, we’ll discuss the importance of accountability and how it can significantly increase your chances of financial success.

Whether you're looking to break the cycle of overspending or finally gain control over your budget, this episode will give you the strategies and insights to make it happen.

Hosting Today:
I'm Ashley Patrick, ex detective turned debt-free CEO of my very own business and stay at home mom of three. Not too long ago, my dreams of staying at home with my kids seemed impossible. I thought I'd have to stay miserable in a high stress demanding job, just so I could retire someday.

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“When you know what is causing you to spend mindlessly, you can change your response, right? You can put in some safeguards, some barriers. That's going to take practice, because it's a habit right now for you to spend mindlessly on whatever trigger comes up. And so that's going to take some practice. But once you start to make those changes, then you're going to be able to stop doing those things that you don't want to do.”
- Ashley Patrick

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Join the Money Success Club here: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#226 Building Financial Intimacy With Your Partner

Ashley Patrick — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Do you find it tough to talk about money with your partner? In this episode, we explore the challenges of financial conversations in relationships, focusing on the importance of mutual understanding, confidence, and emotional awareness.

We discuss how emotional factors, like the mental load of managing finances, can impact these talks and share ways to help both partners feel involved and informed. Our guest, Adam Kol of The Couples Financial Coach, brings valuable insights on how to navigate these conversations.

Tune in to discover how empowering both partners with financial knowledge can transform your relationship and finances.

Meet Adam!

Adam Kol is The Couples Financial Coach. He helps couples go from financial overwhelm or fighting to clarity, teamwork, and peace of mind.

Adam is a Certified Financial Therapist-I™, Certified Mediator, and Tax Attorney with a Duke Law degree and a Master's in Tax Law from NYU. He is a husband, dad, and musician, as well.

Adam's wisdom has been shared with The Wall Street Journal, the Baltimore Ravens, CNBC, NewsNation, and more.

“Your partner wants to connect with you about finances. It may seem like they don't, and you might convince yourself that they don't. They do. They may not realize that they're avoiding it or why, but they do because it has such a profound effect on the lives that we live. I mean, it really touches every aspect, from how we raise our families to what we do for jobs, to the kind of food we eat, to the kind of things we have, etc. So your partner does want to feel like they can connect with you. It's just that people don't feel confident in that a lot of times, partly because it is true that money is still a taboo. But keep in mind that this is something where you both will feel a lot better if you're on the same page.”
- Adam Kol

Book Recommendation:

Financial Intimacy for Couples: How to Achieve Clarity, Teamwork, and Peace of Mind With Your Money, by Adam Kol. Download his book on Amazon-> (Affiliate link) https://amzn.to/3AClDC1

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Check out the previous episode with Adam - #3 Getting On The Same Page With Your Spouse About Money with Adam H. Kol, J.D. https://www.themoneymindsetpodcast.com/3

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Connect with Adam:

Website: https://CouplesFinancialCoach.com
Instagram: @CouplesFinancialCoach
Facebook: @CouplesFinancialCoach
LinkedIn: Adam Kol, The Couples Financial Coach
YouTube: The Couples Financial Coach Special Guest: Adam H. Kol, J.D. .

#225 Simplify Your Holiday Season

Ashley Patrick — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 09:00:00 -0400

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the holiday season? With the busy time of year approaching, juggling family, finances, and festivities can easily become stressful. In this episode, we explore practical ways to simplify your holidays, featuring our guest Jennifer, a certified life coach and seasoned homeschooling mom.

She shares insights on how to create a calm and stress-free holiday experience. With these simple tips, you can get organized and stress less about your finances, time, and priorities for the holidays.

Tune in to the podcast to discover how you can embrace a more peaceful and intentional holiday season!

Meet Jennifer!
Jennifer Roskamp is a certified life coach, founder of The Intentional Mom, homeschooling mom of 9 & Gigi (grandma) of 2 who is passionate about helping women who work outside & inside of the home rediscover their purpose, passion, and in managing their homes, their families, their lives, and their own mindset.

Using her 3 secret weapon formulas, Jennifer has helped many thousands of women gain clarity and confidence in what to do (& what to let go of) every day.

“We aren't compartmentalized. The things that we struggle with in one area are usually challenging in other areas as well. Like you say, if we can just start to move the needle forward in some of our habit formation, our ability to follow through, or our ability to live by the routine that we set up, we might be doing it from a budgeting standpoint, but all of a sudden, wow, I have an easier time getting up earlier in the morning too. Once I'm setting the good habits with my money, it makes me want to, and makes it easier for me to follow the good habits in other areas too.”
- Jennifer Roskamp

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Come join us for the FREE Simplify Your Holiday Season Summit at https://apatrick--the-intentional-mom.thrivecart.com/syhsoct-all-access-pass-a-47/

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Connect with Jennifer:

Website: www.theintentionalmom.com
Podcast: The Intentional Midlife Mom Podcast
Instagram: theintentionalmomblog

#224 - How to Fix Your Spending Issues

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 10:00:00 -0400

Ever wonder what truly drives your spending habits? In this episode, we explore the underlying reasons for overspending and offer practical strategies to help you regain control of your finances.

Discover how small changes in your shopping behavior and awareness of your triggers can pave the way to a healthier relationship with money.

Tune in to learn how to stop overspending and move closer to your financial goals.

Hosting Today:

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“It's really important to remove temptation. So, once you know what is causing you to overspend, remove that temptation—delete the apps, unfollow the people, unsubscribe. Understand that it's a habit, and habits can change, but it takes time and practice. You've got to be patient with yourself. Once you realize what the trigger is, you can set up roadblocks so that you aren't falling for those temptations as quickly or as often.”
- Ashley Patrick

Do you ever wish you had more time, space, and accountability to tackle those tasks you know should be priorities—like budgeting, paying off debt, saving money, or meal planning? If those to-dos keep slipping off your list, you're not alone! Imagine being part of a supportive community of busy moms who are navigating the same financial goals and cheering each other on.

If this sounds like what you need, join the waitlist for the Money Success Club at https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc-waitlist/

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Join the waitlist for the Money Success Club here-> https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc-waitlist/

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#223 How to Develop Self-Discipline With Money

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the Money Mindset Podcast, we dive into the essential skill of developing self-discipline with money.

You'll learn how to break down your big financial goals into manageable steps, like paying off debt, and make a plan that suits your lifestyle. We’ll discuss why it’s important to not get discouraged by setbacks and how to implement habits that can help carry you through tough times.

Whether you're aiming to pay off debt or save for travel, this episode offers actionable advice to stay on track, build better money routines, and stay focused on your financial journey.

Hosting Today:

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“To me, self-discipline is really consistency, and consistency is not about being perfect at it. It's not about getting it 100% right 100% of the time. It's actually about getting it mostly right most of the time.
Remember, it’s not about being perfect. Things are going to happen. Life is going to happen. Things will come up, and you will get out of your routine. But with consistency, you'll be able to get back on track easier and faster when things do come up.”
- Ashley Patrick

Struggling to budget? My FREE "Roadmap to Real-Life Money Success" Bootcamp will help you set up a doable financial plan and build lasting habits. Save your seat here: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/training

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Come join us for the FREE Roadmap to Money Success Bootcamp at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/training

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#222: 5 Money Mistakes I Wish I Had Avoided

Ashley Patrick — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Ever feel like your financial expectations don’t quite align with reality? Or maybe you’ve wondered if you’re setting the right goals for your financial journey?

In this episode, you’ll gain insights into realistic planning, managing credit cards, and how small shifts in your financial mindset can lead to significant progress in paying off debt.

Join us as we explore five key money mistakes that may be holding you back and learn how adjusting your expectations could be the key to success.

Hosting Today:

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“You’ve got to know where your money is going, which means you’ve got to track it. You’ve got to look at it and know your numbers. You need to get over the fear, procrastination, and avoidance. You’ve got to make it happen if you want to pay off your debt. It’s not going to just happen on its own, right? You’ve got to be intentional. Being intentional helps you create a realistic money plan. It all goes together, right?”
- Ashley Patrick

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Check out the full list here: https://www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/10-mistakes-to-avoid-while-paying-off-debt/
Come join us for the FREE Roadmap to Money Success Bootcamp at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/training

Connect with Ashley:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#220 When to tip and how much?

Ashley Patrick — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 11:00:00 -0400

Feeling lost in the complex world of tipping? In this episode, we unpack tipping culture in the U.S.

Whether you're dining out, picking up takeout, or receiving a service at home, we cover the expectations and realities of tipping in various situations.

Listen to my thoughts on when I tip and when I don't, and let me know what you do or whether you think I'm right or wrong on Instagram @budgetsmadeeasy.

Hosting Today:

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“Why don't you just pay your people enough to work? Like, I don't get it. We need to just pay a living wage, even if that means that we pay more on the menu.”
- Ashley Patrick

For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Grab your FREE Budget Starter Kit at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#218 A personal update - life happens to all of us

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Have you ever had to juggle financial stress while dealing with personal challenges?

This episode dives into the reality of life's unexpected events and how they can impact our financial plans.

From managing the emotional strain of health issues and personal losses to dealing with the financial aftermath of unforeseen expenses, join us for a candid conversation on how to persevere through tough times.

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“I want you to know that if you are in this or if it happens to you soon, it's okay. Just take it day by day and look toward the future. Still make your plan, still keep going. Give yourself the space to feel your feelings and don't beat yourself up about it, because that's normal.”
- Ashley Patrick

Do you need to jumpstart the second half of the year? I've got the perfect way to help you reset, refocus, and jumpstart the rest of the year.

July Jumpstart: The Ultimate Reset For Busy Moms is a free summit that I am co hosting with some pretty amazing women who will help you reset your finances, health, schedules, and productivity.

Grab your ticket here and get ready to transform your year: https://apatrick--khristenmassic.thrivecart.com/july-jumpstart/

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Join the July Jumpstart - A Reset For Busy Moms Summit: https://apatrick--khristenmassic.thrivecart.com/july-jumpstart/

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#216 Starting Over

Ashley Patrick — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 10:00:00 -0400

On today's episode of the Money Mindset Podcast, we dive into the art of starting over with your budget and financial planning. Life can get chaotic, and it's easy to lose track of your spending.

Whether you're overwhelmed by your current situation or just need a fresh start, this episode provides practical tips on how to reset and regain control of your finances. From reconciling your bank accounts to implementing no-spend challenges, you'll learn strategies to simplify your budgeting process and stay on track.

Tune in to find out how to make a clean slate, set realistic goals, and manage your money more effectively.

Hosting Today:

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“Don't feel like you have to go back and track everything. Just start over tomorrow, start over next week, wipe the slate clean, and take your bank account minus what hasn't posted yet. That's what you have left. Do a no-spend challenge, reevaluate your goals, and decide what you actually want to do with your money this year.”
- Ashley Patrick

Struggling with overspending? Take control of your finances with our FREE Masterclass: "How to Stop Overspending." Discover practical tips to curb emotional spending, create a solid money plan, and stay on track with your financial goals.

Register for the LIVE session on June 20th at 8pm ET - 5pm PT and start your journey towards financial freedom. Limited spots available – sign up now at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/class

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

FREE Masterclass: "How to Stop Overspending": www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/class

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#215 Actual Accounts VS Theoretical Categories

Ashley Patrick — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Are you struggling to manage your budget categories and wondering whether to use actual accounts or theoretical tracking methods? In this episode, we dive into the pros and cons of both approaches.

We'll explore practical advice on setting up multiple savings accounts, using buckets within a single account, and the challenges of maintaining a spreadsheet.

Join us to find the best solution for keeping your finances organized and stress-free.

Hosting Today:

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“Remember, we want to keep things simple and set up a system that will actually work for us and that we'll follow through with. So if you make it too complicated, it's less likely that you'll follow through with that plan. So if you decide to use a spreadsheet, but you don't have time, and you don't have time in your schedule to update the spreadsheet, is it actually going to work for you? So in order for it to actually work for you, you need to have the capacity, the time, the willpower, the motivation to actually do it. And so if that's not you, it's okay. You just have to figure out a system that will work for you.”
- Ashley Patrick

Ready to take control of your finances? The upgraded Paycheck Budget Spreadsheet is here to help! Plan your budget for the entire year in less than 30 minutes, track spending, and save more money effortlessly.

With pre-planned worksheets and instructional videos, budgeting has never been simpler. Don't miss out on this opportunity to transform your financial future – order now and receive bonuses valued at $74, all for just $19!

Order Here: https://www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet/

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Paycheck Budget Spreadsheet: https://www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet/

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#212 Top Budget Tips from Budgeting Experts

Ashley Patrick — Tue, 07 May 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the Money Mindset Podcast, we bring together insights from various financial experts to share their top budgeting tips.

From understanding yourself and your spending habits to aligning financial goals as a couple, each tip offers unique insights to help you take control of your finances.

Whether it's automating your savings, budgeting by percentages, or negotiating your rent, there's something for everyone in this episode to help you build a stronger financial foundation.

Hosting Today:

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“You have to know yourself. You have to be patient with yourself. You have to understand your personality, how your brain works, and create systems and strategies that are gonna work for you because money is personal, it's emotional, and it's not a one size fits all. And the more you can understand how you process the information and how you react to things, the better off you're gonna be because you can shift your plan, your perspective, your strategy with your finances to fit your specific situation.”
- Ashley Patrick

If you need help paying off your debt, go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debt for your Paying Off Debt Starter Kit. This will help you really get going on your journey to longer-term investing strategies.

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes.

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Paying Off Debt Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debt

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#211 10 Things I've Learned About Money Since Becoming A Money Coach

Ashley Patrick — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 10:00:00 -0400

Welcome back to the Money Mindset Podcast!

Today's episode explores the valuable lessons Ashley learned over seven years as a money coach. We'll discuss personal finance insights, how individual perspectives shape financial decisions, and why there's no one-size-fits-all approach.

Join us as we dive into topics like understanding diverse learning styles and navigating different seasons of life. These insights offer guidance on developing a healthier relationship with money.

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“Because it is personal. And you know what you do with your money, what your goals are, what is important to you is personal, and it's not gonna be the same for everybody. And that's what's so exciting about really being intentional with your money is that you get to decide based on your values, your life vision, what you want to leave as your legacy, how you wanna teach your kids, what you wanna teach your kids. All those things are personal. And so it's really exciting because you get to dictate what that looks like for you.”
- Ashley Patrick

For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Grab your FREE Budget Starter Kit at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#210 This is why your budget doesn't work for you

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 10:00:00 -0400

Struggling to make your budget work? In this episode, we delve into the common pitfalls that often sabotage our financial plans. From unrealistic expectations to poor preparation, discover practical strategies to align your budget with your lifestyle, ensuring sustainable financial growth.

Join us as we explore the importance of being realistic, creating effective plans, and establishing healthy habits to set yourself up for financial success.

Hosting Today:
Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier.

I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months. I’m a Master Financial Coach and have a bachelor's degree in psychology and will help you get to the root of your money problems.

“So, what do you need to do to set yourself up for success when it comes to sticking to your budget? That means your meal planning, okay? But it also could be making sure that you have in your schedule a day, a time, and a place that you are going to check in with your budget. So, check in with your spending, check in with where your money needs to go.”
- Ashley Patrick

For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Grab your FREE Budget Starter Kit at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

Connect with Ashley:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Find the video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/eQvD7mi0tgw

#207 BBMU 3 Tips to Stop Overspending!

Ashley Patrick — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Join us for another episode of the Budget Bestie Meetup on the Money Mindset Podcast as we dive into the crucial topic of overspending and its impact on financial well-being.

In this episode, we dissect the concept of lifestyle creep, where rising income often leads to increased expenditure. Discover practical strategies to combat overspending, including deleting shopping apps and reframing your mindset around money.

Gain valuable insights into identifying triggers for impulsive spending and learn how to cultivate mindful spending habits at any income level.

Don't miss out on this insightful discussion that can empower you to take control of your financial future.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“If you are feeling a certain type of way around certain people, following certain accounts, or even getting certain emails, and you feel like it's causing you to spend money that you don't necessarily want to spend, then it's important to unsubscribe for emails, unfollow people on social media and identify what exactly is triggering you. Because once you identify that, it will make it easier for you to change how you respond to the trigger, right? It may still trigger you, but it makes it better once you identify and recognize why it's triggering you. You can change the way you respond to it to react in a healthier way.”
- Ashley Patrick

Do you wish you had a supportive group of women like you to connect with about money? Come join me for a Budget Bestie Meetup on The Money Mindset Podcast, and let's learn and grow as a community! You can sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup.

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Book Recommendation:

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Bestie Meetup episode here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy
Find the video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/JN8UBvOnsH8

#206 What a 1:1 Session Looks Like

Ashley Patrick — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 10:00:00 -0400

Step into the final installment of the Money Coach Series on the Money Mindset podcast, where we unravel the essential steps to maximize your sessions with a money coach.

Explore practical tips on preparing for meetings, optimizing your coach's guidance, and maintaining momentum between sessions. Learn how to advocate for personalized strategies tailored to your financial journey and discover the key elements of effective coaching relationships.

Tune in to equip yourself with the insights needed to make the most of your financial coaching experience.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“It's important that the strategy lines up with your life and making sure it's realistic for you to do because otherwise you're setting yourself up for failure. So you want a coach that's gonna help you set yourself up for success and that means tailoring a plan for you.”
- Ashley Patrick

Ready to take control of your finances with personalized support? Introducing the Confident Money Mastermind – JUST FOR YOU!

This exclusive program is designed for individuals who want to make lasting financial changes with the guidance of 1:1 coaching and a supportive community, helping them save, pay off debt, and achieve their financial goals.

Our small group format guarantees tailored support and accountability. With only 10 spots available, apply now at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/mastermind to secure your spot and begin your journey to financial confidence!

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Join us inside the Confident Money Mastermind at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/mastermind
Grab your Budget Starter Kit here: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#205 Building Your Confidence with a Money Coach

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 08:45:00 -0500

Discover how working with a money coach can build your confidence in Episode 3 of the Money Coach Series on the Money Mindset Podcast. Find out how they can provide personalized strategies to tackle financial challenges and assist you in reaching your goals.

Learn simple tips for organizing your finances and communicating about money with your partner, and gain practical advice to feel confident about your financial journey.

Listen to uncover how a money coach can help you take charge of your money and plan for success.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“A money coach can really help you build your confidence so that you don't stay stuck and you keep moving forward. And really, that is truly the most important thing. It doesn't matter how fast you make progress, right? It's kind of like the tortoise and the hare. As long as you keep going, you don't have to sprint and then wear yourself out. As long as you go slow and steady, you're going to get there.”
- Ashley Patrick

Ready to take control of your finances with personalized support? Introducing the Confident Money Mastermind – JUST FOR YOU!

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Join us inside the Confident Money Mastermind at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/mastermind

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#204 - When to know when it's time for a money coach

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 08:30:00 -0500

Join us for Episode 2 of our Money Coach Series as we discuss when it's time to consider hiring a money coach. We explore the signs indicating the need for their support, such as accountability struggles and the search for financial clarity.

Learn why understanding your financial needs is crucial and how a trusted advisor can tailor strategies to fit them. Whether you face challenges in implementing financial plans or seek validation for your approach, recognizing the role of a money coach can empower your financial decisions.

Tune in for valuable insights on enhancing your financial journey with the right support system.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“A money coach can also help you when you know generally what to do and you will follow through with it. They can also help you make sure that what you're doing aligns with your goals and is right for you because general financial advice is great for the majority of people, but it doesn't mean that it's a hundred percent right for a hundred percent of people, right? So your situation may be a little different and it's really good to have another set of eyes on your situation and make sure that your plan fits with your lifestyle and it fits with your values and it fits with your goal.”
- Ashley Patrick

Ready to take control of your finances with personalized support? Introducing the Confident Money Mastermind – JUST FOR YOU!

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Join us inside the Confident Money Mastermind at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/mastermind

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#203 What a Money Coach is & How to Find One

Ashley Patrick — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome back to the Money Mindset Podcast! Today, we're diving into a new series focused on hiring a money coach.

We'll explore the role of money coaches, providing day-to-day support with budgeting, overcoming financial obstacles, and staying accountable to your goals. Discover the importance of finding a coach whose values align with yours and learn key questions to ask in your search.

Join us in the next episode as we discuss when it's time to hire a money coach and when to navigate financial challenges independently.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“A money coach really helps you in the day-to-day money management 'cause that's where things are gonna change. You're not gonna make changes with a few things here and there through the years. You can make some small changes of course, but if you wanna make fast changes and really hit those goals, a money coach can help you stay on track even when it feels tough, even when you feel like giving up, even when it feels like the whole world is against you. A coach is there in your back pocket to help push you along the way and support you when you do need a break.”
- Ashley Patrick

Ready to take control of your finances with personalized support? Introducing the Confident Money Mastermind – JUST FOR YOU!

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Join us inside the Confident Money Mastermind at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/mastermind
Grab your Budget Starter Kit here: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#202 LIVE Budget Strategy Sessions from Money Plan Bootcamp 2024

Ashley Patrick — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Feeling overwhelmed by financial questions and unsure how to manage your budget effectively? In this episode, we address common struggles in personal finance and provide actionable steps to overcome them.

Join us as we dive into a live Budget Strategy Session, where the members of the Money Plan Bootcamp share their challenges and learn how to navigate budgeting, saving, and debt repayment.

Whether you're struggling with paycheck allocation or juggling unexpected expenses, this episode offers practical insights to help you take control of your finances.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“Well, it can feel like you're stuck or not making any progress because you're still in that messy phase of trying to get caught up. But once you get there, imagine how much more progress you're going to be able to make compared to if you hadn't been doing any of this at all, right? Then you'll be able to see the reward and feel the progress.”
- Ashley Patrick

Do you need time, space, and accountability to take action on the things you KNOW you should be doing, such as budgeting so you can actually pay off debt, save money, make a meal plan, and all the other things that keep falling off your to-do list? Would you thrive in a supportive community of other busy moms who understand what you're going through and are working to achieve similar financial goals?

If that’s a YES, I invite you to sign up for the Money Success Club at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

If you'd like to join us in Money Success Club go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc we'd love to have you!

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#201 8 Saving Money Challenges for 2024

Ashley Patrick — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome back to another episode of the Money Mindset podcast! After a brief hiatus, we're diving back into the world of personal finance.

In this episode, we reflect on recent challenges and updates, and delve into exciting new money-saving strategies for 2024. From the 52-week savings challenge to the no dining out challenge, we explore practical ways to strengthen your financial health.

Join us as we navigate the journey to financial freedom this 2024!

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“The great thing about savings challenges is you get to do what you want to do. Now that's also the problem too. We have to hold ourselves accountable to doing it right and following through with it. So that's why it's important to tell somebody else your intentions and your goals to help keep you accountable, which is why we have accountability besties inside of Money Success Club.”
- Ashley Patrick

If that’s a YES, I invite you to sign up for the Money Success Club at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Join the Money Success Club here: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc
52 Week Savings Challenge: https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/52-week-savings-tracker/
8 savings challenges for 2024 blog: https://www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/turbocharge-your-savings-8-saving-challenges-for-2024/

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#199 How to Kickstart 2024 and make it the Best Year Yet!

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Ready to make 2024 your best year yet? Join us as we dive into the key strategies to set yourself up for success. Discover the power of a realistic and actionable plan, customized just for you.

In this episode, we'll guide you through the steps to kickstart your financial goals and make 2024 a year of positive progress.

Plus, don't miss out on the limited-time Kickstart 2024 bundle to supercharge your financial plans.

Hosting Today:

Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick, a personal finance expert and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“I would suggest that you take a look at what you actually accomplished in 2023. Even if it feels small, I want you to celebrate your progress because a lot of times we just focus on the negative and we feel like if we didn't pay off thousands of dollars in debt, then it was just a fail. It was just a year we didn't get anything done. But in reality, you may have accomplished quite a bit that you're not giving yourself credit for. And so I want you to actually sit down and give yourself credit for it. It's important to do that. It will help build your confidence and it'll help set you up for success in the new year as well.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction and exclusive Kickstart 2024 Bundle announcement
02:33 - Making a date with yourself for 2024 planning
03:47 - Planning ahead
06:07 - Setting one main goal
08:18 - The importance of celebrating your progress
09:27 - Reflection on 2023: What went well and what didn't
10:34 - Choosing a focus word for the year
11:22 - Breaking down big goals into smaller action steps
15:09 - Summarizing the key steps to kickstart 2024
16:26 - Teaser for the 200th episode celebration

Ready to Finally Pay Off Debt and Actually Save Money in 2024.... without all the overthinking and procrastination? Kickstart your best year ever with the Kickstart 2024 Bundle! Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/kickstart to grab your bundle today!

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Kickstart 2024 Bundle: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/kickstart

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#198 What are you willing to do to reach your 2024 goal?

Ashley Patrick — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 07:00:00 -0500

Are you ready to kick off the new year with the best foot forward?

We often set ambitious resolutions, only to find them slipping away by February. But 2024 can be different with a realistic and simple plan.

Join us in this episode as we explore how to set achievable financial goals, stay motivated, and take practical steps to make your 2024 financial dreams a reality.

Hosting Today:

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“When you set yourself up for success by making small changes over time, you will be able to do these things and you will be able to reach those goals and those New Year's resolutions to help set you up for success and kickstart the new year.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - Setting realistic resolutions for 2024
01:44 - The Kickstart 2024 bundle
04:18 - Planning S.M.A.R.T. goals
05:40 - Creating an actionable plan with the 2024 Action Planner
07:23 - Importance of creating a priority list for your goals
08:03 - Shifting the Mindset that anything is possible temporarily
09:02 - Why your goals need to be worth the sacrifice

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Kickstart 2024 Bundle: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/kickstart

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#195 BBMU When to start the next paycheck budget

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome to our monthly Budget Bestie Meetup!

In this episode, we're tackling a question that's been buzzing in our community. With changes in technology and different payday situations, the question arises: When's the best time to start budgeting for your next paycheck? We'll break it down, share personal experiences, and give practical tips for dealing with this common concern.

Tune in for a community-driven discussion, where we learn, share wins, and connect as budget besties.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“So really the question is more about like balancing it and really it doesn't matter really when you do that. Like you can do it on payday, you could do it a couple days before, you could do a couple days after. It's just a matter of of checking in, right? And that habit of actually balancing checking in with your spending, it doesn't really matter when you do it.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:55 - Introduction
01:33 - Navigating irregular paydays
07:23 - Celebrating financial wins
12:22 - About the new Paycheck Budget Spreadsheet
15:42 - Sharing Christmas traditions

Do you wish you had a supportive group of women like you to connect with about money? Come join me for a Budget Bestie Meetup on The Money Mindset Podcast, and let's learn and grow as a community! You can sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup.

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Bestie Meetup episode here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#194 BSS - Getting Over the Hurdle of an Expensive Season

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Join us for an insightful Budget Strategy Session with Amy, where we tackle the common financial challenges faced by many families.

In this episode, Amy opens up about her journey to tackle debt, stay within her means, and navigate unexpected expenses. Discover actionable steps to reshape your budget, whether it's finding wiggle room or exploring side hustles.

Tune in and gain practical insights that can empower you on your own financial journey.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“If you have the mindset of this as just a season, it's easier to get through because I feel like if you think it's just gonna be that way forever, it's easier to just use the card because it's like well when will you be able to pay for the sports camp? Right? Or when will you be able to spend money on whatever? And I think that if you kinda shift that mindset a little bit to “it's temporary” and you just have to get through it as best that you can and with as minimum or limited impact on adding to the debt as possible, you'll be able to get through it easier.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:54 - Introduction
02:06 - Amy's background and struggles
05:01 - Dealing with unexpected expenses
07:30 - Balancing family needs and budgeting
12:10 - Exploring ways to increase income
16:27 - Overcoming mental hurdles
21:37 - Making a visual of your progress
24:45 - Amy's action steps for the next 24 hours

If you'd like to work through your own struggle with your budget 1:1 with me, sign up for a Budget Strategy Session on The Money Mindset Podcast! Sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#191 Numbers You Should be Tracking in 2024

Ashley Patrick — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Navigating your finances can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to tracking the right numbers.

In today’s episode of the Money Mindset Podcast, we’re breaking down the essential numbers you should be keeping tabs on in the new year. Feeling confused about where to start? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered!

Tune in as we unravel the mystery of financial tracking and share practical insights to kickstart your journey to financial success.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“Some numbers that you should just in general be tracking is eating out and specifically going through the drive through. So if you're like me, it can be a very bad habit. We need to start tracking it 'cause that is where the mindfulness comes in because you know, 10 bucks here, 20 bucks there, it adds up, especially if you're doing it almost daily, right?”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:54 - Introduction to the importance of tracking numbers
01:16 - The free budget starter kit
01:30 - Key numbers to track
02:58 - Drive-through and dining out expenses
03:44 - Keeping a close eye on your grocery spending habits
04:12 - Streaming services and how to optimize your subscriptions
05:24 - Know your Overall Net Worth, Overall Debt Amount, and Overall Savings Amount
07:44 - Preview of tomorrow's episode

For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Grab your FREE Budget Starter Kit at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#190 5 Reasons You Feel Broke

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome back to another insightful session of the Money Mindset podcast! In today's episode, we'll discuss the reasons why many individuals experience a sense of financial strain, even when they're not technically broke.

Join us as we uncover the top five reasons contributing to this financial frustration. From overspending and overwhelming debt to unexpected expenses, disorganization, and the power of focusing on the positive, we'll navigate through the common challenges affecting your financial mindset.

So, if you've ever wondered why your money seems to disappear faster than you can earn it, this episode is a must-listen.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“Focusing on those positive things will help you realize that you're not as broke as you might think you are, or feel that you are and help you move in the right direction. Because if you are just constantly downing yourself, it's gonna be really hard for you to muster up the drive and the will to do the things that you need to do with your finances right? So it is important to focus on the positive things that you have done and not focus on all those things that you've done in your past.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to the episode
00:41 - Overview of the Money Success Club
03:12 - Reason 1: Overspending
04:27 - Reason 2: Too much debt
07:06 - Reason 3: Unexpected Expenses
09:40 - Reason 4: Disorganized
11:13 - Reason 5: Focusing on the Negative more that the Positive
13:47 - How to join the Money Success Club

If that’s a YES, I invite you to sign up for the Money Success Club at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes.

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Money Success Club Flash Sale: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#189 Preparing for a Job Loss

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome back to another episode of the Money Mindset Podcast. Today, we're diving into a crucial topic that hits close to home for many of us – preparing for a job loss or loss of income. Whether you've already experienced it or are proactively planning for the future, these steps are your money guide.

In this episode, we share invaluable insights on how to navigate through financial uncertainties. From prioritizing bills to making quick cash, we've got you covered.

The episode also introduces a free worksheet, specially crafted for this topic. So, grab your pen, get ready to take notes, and let's empower ourselves with financial resilience. Remember, it's never too early to prepare!

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“Like whatever you have to do right now to bring in some income to lessen the stress and it may not cover everything. And that's why I want you to write out your priorities, how much, and whether it's really a need or a want. Like really think about what is a need or a want. And as things get tight, you've gotta get rid of some wants. I know it sucks. Just remind yourself it's temporary. But you know, it's really important to start thinking about these things before the time comes if at all possible.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
03:44 - Understanding the urgency of preparing for a job loss
06:13 - Prioritizing your finances
08:05 - Filing for unemployment
09:33 - Keep your resume up to date
13:47 - Building and maintaining a strong network
16:58 - How much to set aside for an emergency fund
18:07 - Making Quick Cash
20:49 - Final Thoughts
21:28 - How to get the FREE Basic Expenses Worksheet

Are you worried about a job loss or loss of income and not sure what to do money wise?

Download the FREE Basic Expenses Worksheet at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/basic to help you work out what to prioritize and how much to save (if you can) prior to a loss of income. This will help you plan for what to do when the time comes.

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Get your FREE Basic Expenses Worksheet at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/basic

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#188 How Often Should You Check Your Credit Report

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 06:15:00 -0500

Welcome back to another episode of the Money Mindset podcast! Today, we're tackling a crucial question: "How often should you check your credit report?"

Things have changed, and now you can get a free report every week from each credit bureau in the US. We're here to guide you on the best way to use this free service without making it a weekly chore.

Let's explore together how often you should really be keeping an eye on your credit and why it matters for your financial well-being.

Hosting Today:

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“It's important to check it periodically. Put a freeze on your credit report so that, hopefully, new charges aren't brought, but it's not foolproof, like I said. Know your rights because consumer protections are there to help protect you. And so knowing what your options are when it comes to your credit score, your credit report is very important.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:54 - Introduction
01:34 - Frequency recommendations
03:02 - Checking your credit report regularly
05:01 - The importance of knowing your rights
07:51 - Freezing your credit report
10:55 - Implementing a routine
11:37 - Wrapping up and actionable steps

For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Check your reports at www.AnnualCreditReport.com
Grab your FREE Budget Starter Kit at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#186 BBMU Budgeting is only a piece of the process

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Are you tired of feeling like budgeting just doesn't work for you? You're not alone!

In this episode, we'll change the way you think about budgeting. Budgeting is just the beginning, not the whole journey. Learn why it's crucial to understand that it's only a piece of the process in managing your finances effectively. Join us as we explore the power of automation, simplicity, and taking actionable steps to reach your financial goals.

Don't get stuck in the budgeting rut; discover the bigger picture of financial success.

Hosting Today:

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“So the simpler the better and don't give up because it does take time to figure out what's going to work for you. And it does. You can't figure that out if you're not trying things, right? So if the first thing you try doesn't work, that doesn't mean a budget failed or that you failed. You just have to try something else.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:54 - Introduction to the Budget Bestie Meetup
01:58 - Understanding that budgeting is just a part of the financial process
06:13 - Exploring the significance of automation in financial management
08:11 - Creating a simple budget for financial management
09:16 - Celebrating financial wins
34:21 - How to join the Budget Bestie Meetup

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Bestie Meetup episode here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#185 How to Budget for Christmas

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 06:00:00 -0400

As the holiday season approaches, it's time to prioritize your budget and plans to ensure a joyful and financially sound celebration.

In this episode of the Money Mindset Podcast, we guide you through practical steps for holiday budgeting. Discover how to determine what truly matters, create a reasonable budget, and break it down into categories like decorations, food, and gifts.

By the end of this episode, you'll be well-prepared to enjoy the holidays without the stress of overspending. Tune in now!

Hosting Today:

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“You've gotta start planning what you're going to do and start setting some boundaries and start setting your priorities because it's easy to get lost in the shuffle and the craziness of the holidays and lose track of what is really important to you and what your big goals are.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to the episode
02:03 - Planning ahead of time
03:37 - Create a priority list for family activities for the holiday season
05:17 - Focusing on family traditions and low-cost or free activities
08:07 - Setting a reasonable overall budget
15:41 - Categorizing your budget
18:04 - Final thoughts
19:05 - How to get your FREE Holiday Budget Planner

Ready to get organized so you can stay on budget this holiday season?

With the FREE Budgets Made Easy Holiday Planner you can easily get organized so you can save money this year! Go to https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/holiday-planner/ to get your planner today.

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

FREE Holiday Budget Planner: https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/holiday-planner/

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#183 How to Start a Money Routine

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Are your financial goals feeling out of reach? Join us in this episode as we explore the essential practice of establishing a money routine.

Learn to create a sustainable routine that ensures you keep progressing, even when motivation wanes. Tune in for practical tips on setting a productive schedule, staying accountable, and turning your financial actions into habits that you can execute on autopilot.

Say goodbye to procrastination and hello to a sustainable money routine that works for you!

Hosting Today:

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“The more you can create that structure to your habits and your routines, the better off you're going to be in the long run because it's gonna keep you consistent, it's gonna keep you moving forward even when you are struggling. It really takes out the confusion and the overwhelm of what to do because you already have that structure in place of what to do. And as long as you just keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep up with those habits and those routines that you start once, you don't have to use as much brain power to think about what you need to do”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:55 - Introduction to the importance of establishing a money routine
04:26 - Navigating consistency in habits and routines
05:35 - Exploring what works for you
06:42 - How to start a money routine
08:28 - Put it in your calendar
07:00 - Set yourself up for success
11:35 - Using a binder to set your financial goals
13:39 - Know what to work on by keeping a to-do list
16:03 - Set a timer while working on your routine
17:06 - Make it fun and reward yourself
19:25 - Have an accountability partner
20:45 - Track your progress with a 15-minute weekly check-in

If that’s a YES, I invite you to sign up for the Money Success Club at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes.

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Money Success Club: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#182 Should You Tithe While in Debt?

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 11:00:00 -0400

In today's episode of the Money Mindset podcast, we tackle the sensitive yet crucial topic of tithing.

Whether you're dealing with substantial debt, struggling to make ends meet, or seeking clarity on your financial priorities, we explore the question of whether you should continue tithing, even when it's challenging.

Join us for a reflective discussion that delves into the connection between faith, finances, and personal values.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“So don't feel bad, don't feel guilty if right now you need to pay off debt first because you're gonna be able to give back to your church and to your community in a lot bigger way once you are debt free. And in some ways it may even motivate you to do it even faster. Like if tithing is that important to you, use it as a motivator to get the debt paid off as fast as you can so that you can tithe and you can tithe more than what you are now.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:55 - Introduction to the complex world of tithing
04:28 - Prioritizing your money: Tithing or debt payoff?
07:02 - Alternative ways to tithe when finances are tight
07:49 - Finding the motivation to become debt-free
09:41 - Directing your money toward your most important goals

For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Grab your FREE Budget Starter Kit at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#181 Why Parents Need to Put Their Own Financial Oxygen Masks on First

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 06:15:00 -0400

Welcome back to another episode of the Money Mindset podcast. In this special episode, we're joined by award-winning blogger and podcaster Andy Hill from Marriage Kids and Money.

We'll be discussing why parents should prioritize their financial well-being before helping their children. The debate between saving for retirement and college expenses is a hot topic, and Andy shares valuable insights and strategies for maintaining your financial stability while preparing your kids for the real world.

Don't miss this enlightening conversation!

Meet Andy!
Andy Hill is the award-winning family finance coach behind Marriage Kids and Money - a platform dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness.

Andy's advice and personal finance experience have been featured in major media outlets like CNBC, Forbes, MarketWatch, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and NBC News. With millions of podcast downloads and video views, Andy’s message of family financial empowerment has resonated with listeners, readers and viewers across the world.

When he's not "talking money", Andy enjoys being a Soccer Dad, singing karaoke with his wife and relaxing on his hammock.

“We need to start making some decisions that are for our personal betterment because our kids have a resource that a lot of us don't have, is they have got a lot more time. They've got a lot more time on their side to build wealth, to take care of their future, to do the things they need to do to create the life that they have. So whether that's investing or earning their own money or choosing career paths that work best for them, they've got time on their side. We're a little older. We don't have as much time, maybe not as much energy either to make all these things happen. So we're gonna have to make some decisions that are really best for our personal future.”
- Andy Hill

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to the episode
02:36 - Meet our special guest, Andy Hill from Marriage Kids and Money
04:01 - The importance of teaching kids to become independent
06:44 - Establishing boundaries with older children
09:32 - Teaching kids family and financial responsibilities
14:55 - Deciding between saving for college and retirement
19:18 - Last words of wisdom
23:12 - Resources for teaching children about money and financial planning
24:44 - Andy's book recommendation
26:30 - Connect with Andy

For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

A free section of my new course Make My Kid a Millionaire!: www.marriagekidsandmoney.com/AshelyP
Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

Book Recommendation:

Die With Zero by Bill Perkins

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Connect with Andy:

Website: www.marriagekidsandmoney.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/MarriageKidsandMoney
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarriageKidsandMoney
Twitter: www.twitter.com/AndyHillMKM
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/AndyHillMKM Special Guest: Andy Hill.

#180 Budget Must Dos When Redecorating or Remodeling

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Have you ever wondered how to transform your home without breaking the bank?

Join us in this enlightening podcast episode as we have a conversation with Gabriella, a home design and building expert. We'll dive into the typical budget pitfalls that can swiftly turn your renovation dreams into a financial nightmare. Gabriella will share invaluable tips on how to prioritize your renovation projects and avoid these common budget traps.

Tune in for a dose of inspiration and practical advice that will assist you in turning your living space into a masterpiece, all while ensuring your wallet stays happy. Get ready to embark on your home renovation journey with confidence!

Meet Gabriella!

Gabriella, is an accredited interior designer and professional project manager that’s been in the design and construction industry for over 12 years designing and managing multi-million dollar residential projects, commercial spaces and hospitals. Gabriella teaches women how to create their dream home, the right way from the start, by combining the key design drivers and desires with the needed management tactics to build the home they’ve always dreamed about, without losing time, money, and their sanity in the process.

“In terms of really being able to plan accordingly and not end up in those moments where you're like, I've run outta money. The biggest tips that I can give you is to plan accordingly from a contingency fund and also create a reserve fund.”
- Gabriella Milgrom

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction: Meet Gabriella
03:57 - Redecorating and remodeling mistakes to avoid
08:24 - The importance of upfront planning
11:59 - Prioritizing renovation tasks and creating a budget hierarchy
15:50 - Dealing with unexpected expenses and preparing a contingency fund
25:11 - Understanding lead times and creating a project timeline
32:13 - Resources for those new to design and project planning
38:32 - Wrapping up the episode and final thoughts

For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

House to Home challenge- free 3 week design challenge : https://www.gabriellamilgrom.co/house-to-home-challenge

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Connect with Gabriella:

Website: http://www.gabriellamilgrom.co
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/gabriellamilgrom.co
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOZKmD6X_beABRiQ_4mIMBQ Special Guest: Gabriella Milgrom.

#179 Procrastination is not Laziness

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Welcome to another episode of the Money Mindset Podcast with your host, Ashley, creator of Budgets Made Easy. Today, we're diving into a common issue that plagues many, the feeling of laziness when it comes to managing finances.

Ashley uncovers the real reason behind procrastination and how fear often disguises itself as laziness.

Join her as she reveals how to break free from this mindset and get on the path to financial success.

Hosting Today:

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“It's not about doing things the right way from the beginning. You just have to get going and try different things. You just have to be willing to try and willing to get past the fear of failing or not doing it the right way because you're not gonna be able to succeed if you don't even try, right? So you're not lazy, you're not dumb, you just need to get started and quote unquote, get on the right track, right head in the right direction, which the right direction for you is wherever you want to go. There is no right or wrong when it comes to where you want to end up.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - The Truth About Procrastination
00:48 - Being an overthinking perfectionist
02:06 - There is no right or wrong way
03:15 - Figuring out what will work for you
04:55 - The empowering community of Money Success Club

If that’s a YES, I invite you to sign up for the Money Success Club at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes.

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Money Success Club: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#177 BBMU - How to Budget While Still Using a Credit Card

Ashley Patrick — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Are you using your credit card like a debit card for added security and convenience? If so, you're not alone!

In this episode of the Money Mindset Podcast, we explore how to budget effectively when using your credit card for everyday expenses. Discover valuable insights and practical tips for planning your budget by paycheck while maximizing the benefits of using your credit card.

Whether you're a fan of credit cards or prefer a cash-based approach, this episode has something for everyone. Tune in to improve your financial strategies and enhance your money management skills.

Hosting Today:

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“So if you're really overwhelmed with getting started, how to start, how to manage all of this simpler is better, right? So what I would encourage you to do in that situation is to stop using the card, just use debit, go to cash, like simplify things until you can kind of get a handle on where the money's going, what needs to pay, be paid when. And then once you get in a good routine, then you can start going back to using the credit card.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:54 - Introduction
04:48 - Paying bills with the paycheck budget system
06:41 - Real-life budget example
11:31 - Resetting and simplifying your budget for better control
12:47 - Keeping track of your credit card expenses
19:05 - Paying credit card balance on the closing date vs. the due date
21:32 - Creating a separate bill payment account
31:58 - Checking your credit report
40:46 - Celebrating financial wins

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Bestie Meetup episode here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#176 Quick Fix vs Long-Term Strategy

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 12:00:00 -0400

Are you stuck in a rut, feeling overwhelmed about getting your finances in order for retirement or other life goals?

Join us in this insightful episode as we delve into the mindsets of quick fixes versus long-term financial strategies. Discover the pros and cons of each approach and how they impact your financial journey and overall life.

Tune in to learn why recognizing the need for a quick fix is just the beginning, and how embracing a long-term strategy can lead to lasting financial freedom and personal growth.

Hosting Today:

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“But I want you to start thinking about things with that long-term strategy in mind instead of the day to day, what do I need to do today to get me through to tomorrow? And when you can have that shift, and I realize that takes time and to a certain extent takes a little bit of privilege, but even just mentally preparing yourself like anybody can do that, right? It is going to set you up for that long-term strategy so that you can see the opportunities when they present themselves. So when things come up, you are making a decision based on the long-term instead of the quick fix that is not gonna really help your situation overall, but it feels like it is.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:54 - How to join the Money Roadmap to Freedom
01:53 - Introduction to the episode
02:21 - The Temptation of Quick Fixes
03:59 - Examples of Quick Fixes
04:51 - Understanding the significance of Long-Term Strategy
05:16 - Examples of Long-Term Strategy
06:17 - The Power of Long-Term Strategy
10:39 - The importance of having a support system
11:38 - Setting Boundaries around your money
14:01 - Changing jobs for a Long-Term Strategy
16:19 - Final words of wisdom

If you want to join us for the Money Roadmap to Freedom 5 part DRIVE Framework training series save your seat at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/training

I can't wait to see you there!

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes.

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Money Roadmap to Freedom Bootcamp: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/training

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#175 BBMU You Don't Need a Monthly Budget

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 24 Aug 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Are you tired of the traditional monthly budgeting approach? Learn why planning your budget by paycheck can significantly impact your financial management.

In this episode of the Money Mindset Podcast, we're diving into the transformative concept of budgeting by paycheck. Join us as we discuss why an overall monthly budget might not be the most effective method for everyone. Discover the magic of planning your budget around your income cycles and learn how this approach can lead to better financial control, increased savings, and more intentional spending.

Whether you get paid weekly, biweekly, or monthly, this episode will provide you with practical insights on how to align your budget with your income and set yourself up for financial success.

Hosting Today:

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“So you need to make a plan for when money comes in. So your paychecks, if you get a bonus, your tax return, if you are getting, a settlement, insurance money, if you're selling something big, like you know all the things where you have like a chunk of extra money coming in, you need to do a budget for it because if you don't, you'll end up spending the money on something you didn't intend for it to go to, right? And that's just what happens. And so when we're intentional with where we want our money to go, that's when things start to come together. That's when you start to pay off debt and you actually start to save money, right? Your money ends up going where you want it to go when you make a plan for it, that's realistic and that you can actually stick to.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
01:18 - Introduction
02:47 - Information and how to get the 2024 Budget Planner
06:18 - The topic for today's episode
07:28 - Explanation of the concept of budgeting by paycheck
09:22 - Importance of creating a plan for every paycheck
17:50 - Member's example of her paycheck budgeting approach
27:36 - Detailed explanation of calendar Examples and Paycheck Budgets
29:34 - Celebrating financial wins

Tired of wondering why you can’t seem to get on track with your budget? It’s because you don’t have a proper plan for your money! Grab the 2024 Budget Planner and create a plan you can actually stick to! Go to https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/budget-planner-2024/ to get your planner today.

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

2024 Budget Planner: https://leads.budgetsmadeeasy.com/budget-planner-2024/
Book your Budget Bestie Meetup episode here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup
FREE Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy
Find the video on YouTube at https://youtube.com/live/HeExNj4WBZc

#174 BBMU - You do not need to track this!

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Welcome back to another engaging episode of the Money Mindset podcast! In today's Budget Bestie Meetup, we dive into a topic that often causes financial stress – tracking every penny.

We know that keeping tabs on every expense can quickly become overwhelming, and that's why we're here to introduce you to a game-changing concept – cash envelopes. Join us as we explore why you don't have to track cash envelopes and how they can revolutionize your budgeting approach. Learn how to harness the power of intentional spending and gain the freedom you've been longing for.

Get ready to transform your budgeting game and take control of your financial journey!

Hosting Today:

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“So I've learned with cash envelopes, I do have to be a little bit more specific on my labeling and like making sure I know what it's for so I don't spend it on something else in that category. But in general, you don't need to track it. So that gives you a bit more freedom, right? And it takes another thing off of your plate, off of your to-do list. It's one less thing that's gonna keep you stuck because you feel like you have too much to do and you're overwhelmed and you're behind. And so just have fun with it. Fill up your cash envelope with whatever you've got in your budget for that category and then just, you know, be mindful of what you're spending it on, but you don't have to track it.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to the episode and the concept of cash envelopes
01:34 - Exploring cash envelopes as a hassle-free budgeting tool
03:36 - Allocating personal spending money within your budget
05:11 - Emphasizing the importance of specific labeling on cash envelopes
07:28 - Cash envelope categories and potential setbacks
09:46 - Tips for using cash envelopes effectively and avoiding common mistakes
14:18 - Starting with two to three cash envelope categories
15:26 - Celebrating wins

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Bestie Meetup episode here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#171 How much should you be spending on food?

Ashley Patrick — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Are you tired of overspending on groceries and want to regain control of your family's food budget?

Join me as we dive deep into strategies to cut costs, maximize savings, and make informed choices without sacrificing nutrition or flavor. From practical meal planning tips to understanding the USDA food cost guidelines, we've got your back on this journey towards financial freedom.

Hosting Today:

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“And that's the key here, right? Is making it realistic for your family. It's not gonna be the same for everybody. And like I said, it's not gonna be like, oh my gosh, you overspent, your budget should be $300 a month. You should not be spending $800 a month. Well, it depends, right? It depends on your family, depends on where you live a lot of times. But what the point is, is to be intentional and mindful about what you're spending. And if you are just way overspending and that's not what you wanna put your money towards, then you can start making those changes, right? But if you like to cook, you like to spend money on food, that's fine too, right? It's all about priorities.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to the podcast episode
04:16 - Determining your ideal food budget
05:37 - Saving money with pre-packaged meals
08:11 - Making the most of deep freezers
10:42 - USDA food plan and food costs
14:20 - Setting realistic spending goals for individuals, couples, and families of various sizes
18:56 - Final thoughts
20:22 - How to sign up for the Money Success Club

If that’s a YES, I invite you to sign up for the Money Success Club at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Money Success Club: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#164 Building a Legacy Your Kids Can Be Proud Of

Ashley Patrick — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Join Ashley with Budgets Made Easy and the Money Mindset Podcast as she explores the concept of leaving a meaningful legacy for your children.

In this episode, Ashley reflects on the importance of building a financial foundation that supports your family's future and shares practical tips for organizing your finances and planning for the years ahead.

Gain insights on how you can leave a lasting impact and ensure the well-being of your loved ones even after you're no longer here.

Hosting Today:

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“It's just, it's a lot to deal with when you're already dealing with the grief of losing somebody that you love that's been in your life, your entire life. When you can make that easier for your family, it helps everybody. And so when we get our finances together, you can make that transition a little bit easier and leave a legacy as a good example for your children or grandchildren of what they should do.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
01:17 - Introduction to today's episode
02:16 - The Debt to Wealth Bundle
04:46 - Reflecting on the legacy you want to leave
09:52 - Leaving a legacy beyond financial matters
11:11 - Organizing your affairs for a smoother transition
19:16 - Preview of upcoming episodes and events

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#158 How to Budget for Vacation & What to do When it Doesn't go as Planned - BBMU

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Planning a vacation can be exciting, but it's important to be prepared for unexpected expenses that can quickly add up.

Join us in this Budget Bestie Meetup episode as we dive into the world of travel budgeting. Ashley shares her recent experience of planning her first international trip and the valuable lessons she learned along the way. Discover the significance of early planning, unexpected costs, and how personal factors can impact your travel budget.

Whether you're a seasoned traveler or embarking on your first adventure, this episode will provide you with valuable insights to help you budget for your next trip.

Hosting Today:

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“So you know, even with the best of intentions and planning, things can go wrong. Things can be way more expensive than you thought or planned or expected even if you did your due diligence ahead of time. So don't beat yourself up about it, deal with it when you get home and try and plan better in the future.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to the podcast episode and the topic of travel budgeting
01:12 - The Side Hustle Academy
04:31 - How to join the Budget Bestie Meetup
05:46 - The importance of early planning and researching travel costs in advance
19:39 - Breaking down what to include in your budget when traveling
31:03 - Tips and strategies for budgeting for travel
50:21 - Sharing wins for the month
01:04:30 - Final words of wisdom

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Bestie Meetup episode here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy
Find the video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/LnQluXlH4Sw

#157 - How much should you save for emergencies?

Ashley Patrick — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 06:15:00 -0400

Discover the importance of saving for emergencies and determine the right amount for you and your family in this engaging episode of the Money Mindset Podcast with Ashley from Budgets Made Easy.

In this episode, Ashley breaks down the factors to consider when establishing your emergency fund, such as job security, upcoming expenses, and other important aspects that influence your savings goals. Join Ashley as she shares practical advice to help you navigate personal finance with confidence.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“If you have never saved anything, set a baseline goal of 500 and then once you hit that, then work toward a larger goal so that you can have a win and that you can hit a milestone quicker and easier so that you can get motivated to keep going, right? Because that is the most important thing is for you to keep going.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction and the significance of saving for emergencies
02:59 - Tailoring your emergency fund to your unique situation
04:32 - Factors to consider when deciding how much to save
09:53 - Setting goal milestones
11:53 - Overcoming setbacks and staying motivated on your financial journey

If you would like to sit down with me and discuss what you are struggling with and some steps that you can take to make progress and get over that big struggle, I invite you to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode at budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy and have a mini coaching session with me.

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy
Sign up for the your ⭐️FREE⭐️ Pass to the 6th Annual Purpose Driven Mom Virtual Summit will give you access to an exclusive portal where you can view each one during the week of June 19-23.

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#156 - You must have this category in your budget

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Tune in to the latest episode of the Money Mindset Podcast with Ashley from Budgets Made Easy as she uncovers the hidden gem of budgeting - the miscellaneous category.

Join Ashley as she explores the vital role of this budgeting buffer, offering you the flexibility and peace of mind you need when unexpected expenses pop up. Find out how incorporating a miscellaneous category can empower you to stay on track with your budget, overcome financial hurdles, and reach your money goals.

Don't miss out on this essential budgeting strategy! Listen now and take control of your budget with this essential budgeting strategy.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“Even with more experience, a miscellaneous category is still essential. Things are still gonna come up, there's still gonna be things that you haven't thought about or hadn't planned for. And a miscellaneous category is your budget buffer. It's your checking account buffer, it's your budget buffer. It helps you stick to your plan and keep things on track.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to today's episode
00:35 - Where to get the FREE Budget Starter Kit
01:14 - Explanation of the concept of a miscellaneous category
01:47 - Benefits of having a buffer in your budget
03:25 - Determining the appropriate amount for your miscellaneous category

For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy
Find the video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/Cq3gks92oqE

#155 Budget vs actual - What do they mean and why does it matter?

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In the latest episode of the Money Mindset Podcast on Budgets Made Easy, Ashley delves into the topic of the difference between budgeted and actual amounts.

Have you ever wondered which one to use or felt confused by these terms? Ashley clarifies it all in this informative discussion. Discover the significance of planning your budget and understanding the actual expenses you incur. Ashley also highlights the importance of accurately tracking your finances for effective financial management.

Don't miss out on this insightful episode that will help you gain clarity on budgeting and actual spending.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“The most important thing is the actual, so the budget is the plan, but when it comes to like implementing, making sure you're on track, getting the overviews for the month and for the year and all those things, all of that is based on the actual, so your budget can still, you still need to do a budget because then you can make a plan, but the actual is what you've actually done. And so that is the most important thing. Whenever you are looking and trying to figure out what's not working, what is working, what you need to change. All of that is based on the actual amount.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to today's episode
00:36 - Where to get your FREE Budget Starter Kit
01:30 - The difference between the Budget and Actual amount
03:18 - Role of the actual amount in assessing financial progress
04:00 - Overview of the paycheck budget spreadsheet

For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#154 - Meal Planning Tips for Summer Break

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 29 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the Money Mindset Podcast, join Ashley as she dives into the topic of meal planning for the summer, especially if you have kids at home.

Discover effective strategies and practical ideas to keep your kids well-fed without breaking the bank or resorting to unhealthy snacks. From creating snack baskets to implementing a reward system, Ashley shares her experiences and insights to help you simplify your meal planning process and maintain your sanity during the summer months.

Tune in to gain valuable tips and find inspiration for managing your family's meals this summer.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“I have found that working towards something positive works way better with my children. So I can take this idea of, you know, one snack a day or you can only have these snacks during the day. You know, work out some kind of idea of what they wanna do, what I wanna do to kind of help me with the cost of them being home all day and have them work toward a reward. They will do much, much better.”

Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to today's episode
02:14 - Introducing the idea of a snack basket
03:30 - Preparing snacks in advance
06:13 - Incorporating routines and rewards
09:35 - Meal prep tips
11:11 - Rewarding yourself as a parent and staying motivated

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#153 Budget Series #5 - Simple Habits & Routines the Foundation of Long-Term Success

Ashley Patrick — Sun, 28 May 2023 18:45:00 -0400

Join us for the last day of the Budget Series as we explore the important topic of building sustainable habits and routines to stick to your budget in the long term.

In this highly anticipated episode, we tackle the challenges of staying motivated and provide practical strategies to overcome moments when motivation is low. You'll gain valuable insights on how to fit budgeting into your daily schedule, create effective routines, and use habit stacking techniques to develop positive financial habits that will lead to long-term success.

Don't miss out on this final episode of the Budget Series—an episode designed to give you the knowledge and tools necessary to take full control of your finances. Whether you're just starting your financial journey or looking to strengthen your current practices, this episode is a must-listen if you want to achieve financial freedom.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“Whenever you get in a routine of doing something and you can't follow through with it, you feel like you're missing something. Like there is something wrong in the universe because I haven't done something that I'm used to doing. So that is what I want you to start to implement and put into practice is a routine of when you can do certain things. Now, the other part of that is creating new habits. Okay? So it takes time to change your behavior and that is what is going to change your finances for the long term, okay? Along with your routines.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
01:18 - Introduction to Episode 5 of the Budget Series
03:13 - Step 5: Building habits and routines to stick to your budget in the long term
06:48 - Introduction to the habit stacking technique
11:00 - Upcoming topics for June

Tired of wondering why you can't seem to get on track with your budget? It's because you don't have a proper plan for your money! Grab the Printable Budget Planner and the Paycheck Budget Spreadsheet and create a plan you can actually stick to! Visit www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/planner and www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet to get your planner and spreadsheet today.

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Save $10 on the printable planner and spreadsheet:

Code BS10

Printable Budget Planner www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/planner
Paycheck Budget Spreadsheet www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#152 Budget Series #4 - Be Realistic with Yourself & Your Budget

Ashley Patrick — Fri, 26 May 2023 10:00:00 -0400

Join Ashley on day four of the Budget Series as she discusses the crucial step of making your budget realistic.

Discover why unrealistic expectations can sabotage your financial plan and learn practical strategies for setting achievable goals. From managing your food budget to adjusting spending habits, Ashley shares valuable insights to help you create a budget that works for your unique circumstances.

Tune in to gain the confidence and patience you need to succeed on your financial journey.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“Part of making things realistic is to not expect perfection. You're never gonna be perfect. You are not a robot. You are a human. That is the human condition, is that you cannot be perfect. It's literally not possible. So we have to stop expecting everything to go perfectly. You can't expect your budget to be perfect. You can't expect your family to be perfect, your kids, you, like it's just not realistic. It's also not realistic when you are just starting out with creating a plan, with trying to save money, trying to get your spending under control, for you to go from a hundred to zero overnight, you're not gonna wake up and be a completely different person, right? So you have to be realistic with the process and with the journey. And what that means is having patience with yourself. It means knowing that it's gonna take time to figure out amounts that actually work for you.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
01:18 - Introduction to Episode 4 of the Budget Series
02:45 - Step 4: Making your budget realistic
05:00 - Using the example of the food budget to illustrate realistic expectations
08:23 - Setting smaller, achievable goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed or discouraged
09:18 - Setting minimum, mid-level, and big goals for better goal-setting
10:40 - Preview for the next episode

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes.

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Save $10 on the printable planner and spreadsheet:

Code BS10

Printable Budget Planner www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/planner
Paycheck Budget Spreadsheet www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#151 Budget Series #3 - Planning for Those Things That Ruin Your Budget

Ashley Patrick — Wed, 24 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Are you tired of the never-ending cycle of unexpected expenses that throw off your budget?

In episode 3 of the Budget Series on the Money Mindset podcast, we delve into the little things that often disrupt our budgets—the unexpected expenses that catch us off guard. Join us as we explore the importance of planning for these irregular but necessary costs and how sinking funds can help. Discover practical strategies for allocating funds for expenses such as holidays, birthdays, vacations, clothes, school supplies, and more.

Whether you prefer a detailed breakdown or a simplified approach, we've got you covered. Learn how to prioritize your spending and gain peace of mind, knowing you're prepared for those budget-busting surprises.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“Just know that you need to have a plan and know that these expenses are coming up so that mentally you're prepared as well as financially. Because mentally when these things come up, we feel like we failed because we didn't know or we forgot we didn't have the money set aside. But if you can pay for it without going further into debt, that's a huge win.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to episode 3 of the Budget Series
01:56 - Step 3: Planning for those things that ruin your budget
03:42 - Different approaches to managing sinking funds
05:39 - Examples of sinking fund categories
10:10 - Flexibility in adjusting sinking fund allocations
11:16 - Prioritizing sinking funds based on personal preferences and needs
16:46 - Where to get the Budget Planner and Budget Spreadsheet

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Save $10 on the printable planner and spreadsheet:

Code BS10

Printable Budget Planner www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/planner
Paycheck Budget Spreadsheet www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#150 Budget Series #2 - Planning by Paycheck - Not by Month

Ashley Patrick — Tue, 23 May 2023 18:00:00 -0400

Welcome to the second episode of the Budget Series!

In today's episode, we dive into the importance of planning your budget by paycheck. While a monthly overview provides a baseline, understanding your finances on a per-paycheck basis is crucial, especially if you receive multiple paychecks in a month. Ashley will guide you through the process step by step, sharing valuable insights and tips along the way.

Join us as we simplify budgeting and help you take control of your financial well-being.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“You don't need to do more than one budget a week. Don't make it overly complicated for yourself. So at the most, do one weekly. If you both get paid the same week, put it together. If you get paid every week, now you can separate it out if you choose to. But don't overthink it, okay? Don't overthink it. Don't try to make it too complicated. Make it as simple as possible, but you know, figure out what works for you. So if it makes more sense for you to plan out weekly paychecks for whoever gets paid weekly, and then if somebody else gets paid biweekly, you're doing it that way, you figure out what works for you, right? But I would really encourage you not to do more than one a week, because most months that's four and some months, that's five. So just try not to make it overly complicated.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to episode 2 of the Budget Series
01:38 - Where to get the Budget Planner and Budget Spreadsheet
03:46 - Step 2: Planning your budget by paycheck
05:53 - Breaking down a sample budget, including fixed and variable expenses
25:19 - Introducing the concept of sinking funds
29:50 - Upcoming topics in the budget series

Tired of wondering why you can't seem to get on track with your budget? It's because you don't have a proper plan for your money! Grab the Printable Budget Planner and the Paycheck Budget Spreadsheet and create a plan you can actually stick to! Visit www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/planner and www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet to get your planner and spreadsheet today.

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Save $10 on the printable planner and spreadsheet:

Code BS10

Printable Budget Planner www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/planner
Paycheck Budget Spreadsheet www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#149 Budget Series #1 - Knowing Where You Are Starting From

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 22 May 2023 12:00:00 -0400

In this exciting episode, Ashley kicks off the Budget Series with a week-long journey to help you take control of your finances. Whether you're a seasoned budgeter or just starting out, Ashley has valuable insights to share.

This episode focuses on the crucial first step: knowing where you're starting from. Ashley explains how to assess your current bank balance and the expenses you need to consider before your next paycheck. She shares valuable insights and emphasizes the importance of making spending decisions based on your budget, rather than just your bank balance.

Listen as Ashley explains the significance of this initial step and sets the foundation for your financial success!

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“But I do want you to, moving forward, make decisions on spending based on what you have on paper, not your bank balance. This is key and this is where you're going to really be able to start making changes when it comes to your finances and your spending. It starts here, so it's not even writing it down for the whole month and getting a look at that. It's not going back and tracking and seeing where your money's went the last three months. You really need to start here and figure out where you're at today before you can really start thinking and moving forward.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
01:17 - Introduction to the Budget Series
03:56 - Where to get the Budget Planner and Budget Spreadsheet
04:51 - Step 1: Knowing where you're starting from
11:05 - The importance of tracking your spending and balancing your checkbook
12:22 - Figuring out your current financial situation
13:42 - Resetting the use of your credit cards
14:45 - Overview of the topics to be covered throughout the week

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Save $10 on the printable planner and spreadsheet:

Code BS10

Printable Budget Planner www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/planner
Paycheck Budget Spreadsheet www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/spreadsheet

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#148 BBMU - Closing Out Your Budget for the Month

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 18 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Welcome to the May 2023 Budget Bestie Meetup!

In this episode of the Money Mindset podcast, we'll be diving deep into the important topic of closing out your budget. This question has been raised multiple times recently, and it's time to explore it thoroughly. We'll discuss why closing out your budget is a crucial step in effectively managing your finances and how it can help you track your progress.

Join us as we share our wins from the previous month and discuss the importance of maintaining control over your budget. We'll also delve into whether you should close out your budget every month or adjust the timing based on your paycheck. Make sure to tune in and catch this episode—you won't want to miss it!

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“As we know, we feel like we're not making a lot of progress when you probably really have been. And so if you can actually see the numbers on paper and you can flip back and see, okay, in January on food, I spent a thousand dollars, but then in May I only spent 800. Even though 800 to you may feel like, oh I didn't do very well this month. Well if you look back and compare it to where you started for the year, you improved, right? And so sometimes we just need that tracking so that we can actually add to our confidence and add to our feelings of being able to do this because you can do this. And part of it is doing it of course. But the other part is believing enough in yourself.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
01:17 - Introduction to today's episode
02:40 - Importance of closing out your budget
04:33 - Closing out your budget by paycheck
08:05 - Tracking and categorizing your monthly transactions
14:03 - Discussing experiences about closing out your budget
24:09 - Sharing wins and achievements

For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy
Watch this episdoe on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqz-PifPz80&t=6s and make sure to like, comment, and subscribe!

#147 It Doesn't Have to be All or Nothing

Ashley Patrick — Wed, 17 May 2023 11:00:00 -0400

Do you struggle with perfectionism and fear of failure? Are you caught in the all-or-nothing mindset trap?

Join Ashley from Budgets Made Easy in this episode of the Money Mindset podcast as she explores the common trap of the all-or-nothing mindset.

Discover how to find balance and make progress even when things aren't perfect. Ashley shares valuable advice on building resilience and cultivating a mindset that empowers you to persevere, regardless of imperfections. Learn practical techniques to reset your mindset, shift away from the all-or-nothing mentality, and achieve your financial goals.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“We get in this thinking that, oh, I screwed up today. I'll just start over next month. Like, oh, I made a mistake, I messed up. We expect perfection or nothing. It's either it's gotta be perfect or we're just gonna quit. There's no middle ground. And the middle ground is where success happens. It's where real life success happens. You have to have the grits and the mindset that you're gonna keep going even when it's not all perfect. So it's not gonna ever all be perfect. And so if it's all gotta be perfect or it's a big fat zero, that's not a way to get ahead with your finances, right? Like you're not gonna make any progress that way. So you've really gotta get into that mindset of that middle ground. You know, when you make a mistake, you just keep going. It's not the end of the world. It's not just start again another day because someday it's not a day on a calendar. And if you just made a mistake today, why not just start over for the day?”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
01:17 - Introduction to the all-or-nothing mindset
03:44 - Overcoming perfectionism and fear of failure
04:06 - Practical techniques to reset your mindset
16:10 - How to get the Free Budget Starter Kit
17:13 - What to expect next week

For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy
Watch this episdoe on YouTube at https://youtube.com/live/4k1tT7sLZmo and make sure to like, comment, and subscribe!

#146 - You DON'T Have to do it all!

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 11 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Feeling overwhelmed with the never-ending tasks of managing your family's finances? As busy moms, we often find ourselves shouldering the burden of handling everything on our own. But guess what? You don't have to do it all by yourself.

In this episode of the Money Mindset podcast, we'll explore why you don't have to carry the burden alone. Join Ashley as she delves into effective strategies and tips to get your family on board with the finances. Discover how to let go of control, involve your family, and effectively communicate your needs. Learn practical tips, strategies, and inspiring ideas that have worked for others. It's time to embrace the power of teamwork and alleviate the stress of managing finances single-handedly.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“You definitely should find some ways that they can help you because it's not just the time to sit down and do the things that you know you need to do with your finances, it's also the mental load. And guess what? I know you are already handling the mental load for maybe everything in your family, if not the majority of the things. So it's okay to help spread that load out and relieve yourself of some of that and get rid of some of the guilt surrounding that as well.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to today's episode
02:20 - Overcoming perfectionism and fear of relinquishing control
04:05 - Teaching children about money and involving them in financial decisions
06:18 - Involving your partner with managing the finances
09:45 - Maintaining focus on the end goal
13:07 - The significance of visual aids and setting specific end dates for goals
15:30 - Tips on how to approach your family to get their help and get them on board

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#145 Cash Envelopes - Physical or Digital?

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 08 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

If you're searching for an effective way to take control of your finances, have you ever explored the concept of cash envelopes? These simple yet impactful tools can revolutionize the way you manage your money.

Join Ashley on this exciting episode of the Money Mindset Podcast as she dives into the world of cash envelopes. Whether you prefer the traditional method of using physical envelopes or the convenience of a digital app, Ashley has got you covered. Discover the pros and cons of each approach and gain valuable insights into how to effectively manage your money. Tune in to gain practical tips and advice for implementing a cash envelope system that suits your needs.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“Digital cash envelopes, physical cash envelopes. There is no right or wrong way so you don't have to pick one. You can use both. I use both. I have for years. Figuring out a system that works for you is the key to long-term success. So don't feel like you have to do it one way or another. It takes trying, it takes making mistakes, it takes figuring it out along the way. You just have to get started, right?”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
01:17 - Introduction to cash envelopes
02:46 - Using physical cash and digital apps
05:06 - Choosing between pen and paper and digital apps for budgeting
06:55 - Exploring Qube
09:00 - Using multiple bank accounts the and bucket system
11:13 - Showcasing different types of cash envelope wallets
14:46 - Where to purchase the Luxe Wallet and the Budgets Made Easy digital cash envelopes
17:44 - Benefits of using cash
18:56 - Final words of wisdom

For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Purchase the Budgets Made Easy digital cash envelopes here: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/shop
Find the video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/5cG3NZgAuGQ
Save 10% on your Luxe Wallet with code BMEASY10 at https://shopluxewallet.com/
Qube Q&A with the founder here: https://www.facebook.com/budgetsmadeeasy/videos/3020540698180328
Budget Starter Kit: budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#144 BSS - Giving Yourself Some Freedom to Spend and Stop Overthinking Everything!

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 04 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Do you find yourself struggling with overthinking and overanalyzing your finances? Do you have a hard time allowing yourself some freedom to spend?

In this episode of the Money Mindset Podcast, Ashley speaks to Melanie, who is struggling with overthinking and overanalyzing her finances, and discusses how financial planning can help her manage her finances better to stop her from overthinking. Ashley also encourages us to give ourselves permission to spend money on things we enjoy and shares a few tips on how to do so without derailing our financial goals.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“So you know, not everything has to be something you need, like if you just enjoy it and it's something you want, as long as it's reasonable and it's not putting you off track for your other goals, it's not keeping you from retirement, it's not keeping you in debt. Give yourself some joy. Give yourself permission to spend some money on things you just want because you can.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to today's episode
01:45 - Melanie's background and struggles with overthinking credit card payments and tracking expenses
05:37 - Paying your credit card statement by the closing date
09:40 - Tips for tracking expenses and creating a schedule for credit card payments
17:05 - Tracking expenses on your own terms
20:45 - Encouraging people to have fun and spend money on things they want and enjoy
22:56 - Using your extra money for fun money
27:53 - Melanie's 24-hour action step

If you would like to sit down with me and discuss what you are struggling with and some steps that you can take to make progress and get over that big struggle, I invite you to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy and have a mini coaching session with me.

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#143 - BBMU What to do with your tax refund (or a large lump sum of money)

Ashley Patrick — Tue, 02 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Have you ever received a large sum of money at once, like a tax refund or a bonus, and felt unsure of what to do with it?

Tune in to this episode of the Budget Bestie Meetup where Ashley from The Money Mindset Podcast discusses what to do when you get a big tax refund or bonus and shares some tips for making the most of it. Ashley will also share some practical advice on how to handle these types of unexpected financial gain and use them wisely to reach your financial goals.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“So when you have some money coming in, I really want you to focus on the priority list for you. And that's gonna look different for other people. So it could be focusing on the savings funds, like I talked about. It could be focusing on some debt that you can knock out and just make sure that you have it a list, like a visual, you've thought it through hopefully before you get the money. So like if it's something that you're expecting that usually comes once a year or a tax refund that you're expecting and you have a rough idea of what it should be or tax return, you know what it's going to be, go ahead and prioritize where you want the money to go. And it's okay to spend some money on yourself or things that you've been putting off as long as that is the priority for you.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
01:18 - Introduction to the episode
03:33 - Importance of planning and creating a priority list for the extra money
04:36 - Examples of expenses that can be covered with the extra money
05:18 - Option to pay off debts
06:27 - The Impact method
10:08 - Importance of planning and thinking ahead regarding where your money is going
13:01 - Sharing wins and accomplishments in managing finances, such as paying taxes, meal planning, and having an emergency fund in your budget
32:37 - How to join the Budget Bestie Meetup

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Bestie Meetup episode here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy
This episode can also be viewed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/live/ZGD4HsJW3lY?feature=share

#137 Budget Apps Use Them or Not?

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Do you struggle with budgeting and wonder if using a budget app could be the solution? While budgeting apps aren't a magic fix for your finances, they can be a useful tool when used correctly.

In today's episode, Ashley will explore the popular trend of budgeting apps and examine whether they can truly solve your budgeting problems. She'll discuss their limitations and compare them to other budgeting methods, such as writing things down with pen and paper or using spreadsheets.

Listen in to discover practical tips and tools that will empower you to take control of your finances and achieve your financial goals.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“A budget is just a goal for your money. It's a goal for your spending, but that's not enough, right? You still have to stick to it. So an app that just helps you categorize and see where your money has been going isn't good enough to change your future behavior. You have to really sit down and analyze why you were doing these things in the first place, right? And start making changes to change that behavior because we are creatures of habits.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
01:18 - Introduction to today's episode
01:54 - Can budgeting apps solve all your budgeting problems?
02:51 - The significance of writing down your expenses and goals
04:03 - Is a budgeting app necessary if you already budget by paycheck?
05:07 - Using a planner and a spreadsheet for your budget
07:36 - The concept of using an app versus writing things down
09:52 - Get your free Budget Starter Kit

For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start
Budget Planner: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/planner
Budgets Made Easy Facebook Group: Budgets Made Easy™ w/Ashley- Budgeting, Saving Money & Paying Off Debt

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#136 What The Heck Are Sinking Funds And Why You Need To Use Them

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Are you struggling to keep up with unexpected expenses that keep popping up and wrecking your budget? Have you ever heard of sinking funds but have no idea what they are or how they work?

If you've ever wondered what the term sinking funds mean, then you're not alone.

In this episode, we'll dive deeper into the concept of sinking funds and how they can be used to plan and save for unexpected expenses without feeling like a failure. If you're looking to take control of your finances, then stay tuned for this episode on sinking funds.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“It's important to make a list and make a priority list, like put it in an order of what is most important to you, down to the least important. And then as money comes in, you know where it needs to go. So it's so important to make a plan for extra money so that when it comes in, it doesn't just disappear because you do still need to have a plan for it. Just like you have a plan for your regular paychecks and that is how you're gonna be able to stay on track and not get derailed when things pop up.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - What today's episode is about
02:33 - What are sinking funds and why do you need them
03:30 - Examples of sinking funds
05:26 - Tips for setting up sinking funds effectively
07:09 - The benefits of using cash envelopes to manage your sinking funds
08:39 - The importance of prioritizing your money plan
09:46 - Creating a priority list
11:18 - The role of a miscellaneous fund in your budget
14:01 - How to access your free Budget Starter Kit

For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my
FREE Budget Starter Kit on www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start
Luxe wallet (cash envelope wallet): www.shopluxewallet.com 10% off code: BMEasy10

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#135 Prioritizing Your Money Plan

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Are you feeling overwhelmed with your finances and unsure where to start? Are you struggling to prioritize your bills and debt payments? Do you need help figuring out what to focus on first?

In this episode of the Money Mindset podcast, Ashley tackles one of the biggest obstacles that many people face when it comes to their finances: feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to start. If you're struggling to prioritize your bills and debt payments, or if you need help figuring out what to focus on first, then you won't want to miss this episode.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“So whatever you gotta do to get yourself excited about the process is what you need to do. So don't worry about following a certain order when it comes to paying off your debt. Don't overthink it. It's not gonna be perfect, right? And you don't have to do it in any kind of perfect way. That's the beauty about personal finance and money coaching. You don't have to do it one specific way.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to today's episode
03:00 - What to prioritize first
03:56 - Prioritizing your needs
06:46 - Prioritizing your wants
07:23 - Prioritizing your debt

If you'd like to work through your own struggle with your budget 1:1 with me, sign up for a Budget Strategy Session on The Money Mindset Podcast! Sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#134 - The Best Advice I've Followed

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck and struggling to make ends meet? Have you been trying hard to achieve financial stability and build long-term wealth? If so, you won't want to miss our latest podcast episode!

In this episode of the Money Mindset podcast, Ashley shares the best personal financial advice she's ever received and explains how it has helped her and her family set up a plan for long-term wealth building. She will also provide actionable tips for managing your finances, including advice on saving, developing habits and routines, and more.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“And that's the biggest thing when you set up these habits and these routines early on, even when life comes and you make some mistakes along the way, you can soften the blow and really just keep going and you still have that momentum when you have that cushion. And it's just easier to start the longer you are. But of course if you're older and you're listening, it's okay. Like you can start now.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to today's episode
01:13 - The importance of paying yourself first
03:38 - The benefits of automating your savings
04:58 - Saving money with each paycheck
05:54 - Establishing good habits and routines for saving
07:11 - Actionable steps to improve your financial situation

If you'd like to work through your own struggle with your budget 1:1 with me, sign up for a Budget Strategy Session on The Money Mindset Podcast! Sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links:

Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#133 What category should I put this in?

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Are you someone who struggles with categorizing your expenses and sticking to a budget? Do you find yourself getting overwhelmed and overthinking every little purchase you make?

If so, you're not alone. Many people struggle with categorizing their expenses and keeping track of their spending.

In this episode of the Money Mindset Podcast, Ashley will help you shed yourself of overthinking and fear so that you can start taking action towards your financial goals. She'll address common questions like what budget category to use for toiletries, paper products, and groceries, and how much to budget for these items. She will also walk you through some simple steps to help you categorize your expenses effectively, and stick to a budget that works for you.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“Don't make it overly complicated cuz you need to be able to follow through with the plan and actually track the stuff. And if you make it too complicated to track, you're not gonna follow through with it.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to the episode
02:15 - Categorizing groceries
04:27 - Suggested budget for groceries
06:35 - Other budget categories
07:52 - Cash envelopes
08:29 - Using cash
10:17 - Budget Starter Kit
11:10 - Make your categories specific enough for you
12:03 - Last words of wisdom

If you would like to sit down with me and discuss what you are struggling with and some steps that you can take to make progress and get over that big struggle, I invite you to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy and have a mini coaching session with me.

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy
Cash envelope wallet: www.shopluxewallet.com
10% off code: BMEasy10
Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#129 Deserve is Not a Currency

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Are you someone who justifies spending money on things you don't really need or can't afford with the statement, "I deserve it because I work hard"?

In this podcast episode, Ashley discusses the idea of using "I deserve it" as a justification for spending money that you cannot afford. She explains how making emotional decisions and using this mindset can lead to financial struggles and debt. She also offers tips on how to change your mindset around spending and make more logical financial decisions based on what you can afford.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“So instead of justifying spending money because you deserve it, flip that mindset into, I deserve to stay focused on my goals because I work hard and I deserve to be able to not stress about money and do the things that I want to do in life. When you really believe that you are worthy and you deserve better, your life will start to change.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - What today's episode is about
00:59 - The Money Mindset Podcast giveaway
01:35 - The 'I deserve it' mindset
03:18 - Making decisions based on emotions
06:23 - Deserve is not a currency
07:44 - Switching your mindset
11:47 - The Implementation day workshop

If you'd like to work through your own struggle with your budget 1:1 with me, sign up for a Budget Strategy Session on The Money Mindset Podcast! Sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#128 What if I Didn't Stop

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 09:00:00 -0500

The Money Mindset Podcast is almost at 100,000 downloads! Woohoo!

In this podcast episode, Ashley reflects on her journey to another milestone for the Money Mindset Podcast and shares her thoughts on the importance of taking action and not waiting for the perfect moment to begin working toward one's financial goals.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“All those things that you can look back now and see that maybe you could have done things a little bit differently. Who knows if you would've done things differently, you wouldn't be where you're at today. And the only thing you can do is change what you do today and then tomorrow make new choices and change what you do tomorrow. You can't change what you've done in the past, and yet the past holds us back so, so much. And I just wanted to jump on and encourage you today to just keep going. Don't wait for things to be perfect, because they never will be. They just won't.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - Another milestone for the Money Mindset Podcast
00:38 - The journey and the process of getting to our goals
01:49 - Just keep going
02:13 - Don't focus on the past
04:25 - Taking the first step
05:46 - The Money Mind Podcast giveaway

If you'd like to work through your own struggle with your budget 1:1 with me, sign up for a Budget Strategy Session on The Money Mindset Podcast! Sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#124 5 Things Your Parents Didn't Teach You About Money!

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Do you think your parents just didn't have enough money that's why they couldn't teach you about it? Or do you think they didn't want to teach you the topic because it was too complicated or too scary?

Well, chances are our parents weren't taught much about money, either! In fact, it's possible that they haven't even learned the most basic financial lessons themselves.

So, in today's episode, Ashley will go over some of the money lessons that our parents did not teach us about - but should have, such as making a realistic plan, planning ahead for non-regular expenses, and creating a plan for each paycheck.

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“A lot of times what I see is people make a plan, but it's based on everything going perfectly. And guess what? You're not perfect. And especially in the beginning, your plan is definitely not gonna be perfect. You are not gonna wake up a different person tomorrow. You are not going to be able to easily change your habits and behaviors overnight. Of course you can over time as you build new habits and new routines, yes you can change and you can make big change relatively fast, but it's not gonna happen overnight. And so a lot of times I see these plans that are not realistic at all based on you and your family and the things that you're already doing. It's based on this perfect idea of what you want things to be. And those are not, those are not gonna be the same, especially if you are just starting out with creating a money plan at all and sticking to a money plan at all. It's just not going to happen.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - The topic for today's episode
01:55 - Not making a realistic plan
03:45 - Not creating a plan for each paycheck
05:28 - Now planning ahead for non-regular expenses
07:34 - Not learning how to deal with overspending and addiction to online shopping
12:11 - Not paying yourself first
17:26 - How to have your own Budget Budget Strategy Session episode

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#122 Do ONE thing at a time!

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 19:00:00 -0500

Do you feel like you aren't making any progress with your money plan even though you've been trying for a while?

If you are feeling like your money plan isn't working the way that you hoped it would, it may be because you are doing too much at once.

Listen in as Ashley discusses how to create a realistic money plan that will keep you from feeling stuck and getting overwhelmed.

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“So it's more important for the long-term success that you start small and just make it simple as possible so that you can follow through with it. If you make it complicated and a whole bunch of steps at once, you're not gonna make as fast a progress, if any progress because you're just too overwhelmed and trying to do too many new things at once. You wanna start with one small thing at a time.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:26 - How to register for the Free workshop on 'How to pay off $500 in Debt in just 30 days'
00:58 - The topic of today's episode
01:47 - Do one thing at a time
02:34 - Plan for what was left after bills
03:51 - Creating a money plan
04:13 - Meal plan
05:37 - Cash envelopes
07:07 - Start small

Tired of Living Paycheck To Paycheck? Want to Pay Off $500 Next Month? I've got just the thing for you! This FREE Workshop will teach you How to Pay Off $500 in Debt in just 30 Days without selling a kidney or robbing a bank! Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop and register today!

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

How to Pay Off $500 in Debt in just 30 Days: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#121 BSS - Deciding Which Debt to Pay First

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Wondering where to put the rest of your money after you've paid all your bills? Should you use it to pay off more debt, or should you put it towards something else?

Listen in today's episode, as Ashley discusses debt strategies with Christina, including what to do with her leftover money after paying all of her bills, how to allocate those funds, and what her options are for paying off her debt.

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“Well, it's overwhelming. And then you're like, I don't know what to do because I'm overwhelmed. And so when you just take it one step at a time, so just focus on the one debt you wanna pay off first, I find running the numbers motivating, especially if you have a good chunk each month that you could send to it and you see that number, you're like, oh, I can do that. It'll help get you going. It'll give you that momentum to get started.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - How to sign up for your Budget Strategy Session
00:38 - Introduction to today's episode
01:16 - Meet Christina
04:02 - Christina's financial struggle
06:23 - What to do with the money that is left over after paying bills
08:38 - Emergency and Sinking funds
09:44 - Having a buffer amount
11:13 - Deciding on your biggest financial goal
13:37 - Which debt to pay off first
17:01 - Focusing on one debt at a time
19:07 - Christina's 24 hour action step
19:34 - Impact, Debt Snowball, and Debt Avalanche method
23:07 - Planning your left over money where you want it to go

If you'd like to work through your own struggle with your budget 1:1 with me, sign up for a FREE Budget Strategy Session on The Money Mindset Podcast! Sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#119 Things to Know & Do When Caring for a Parent or Grandparent

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Caring for an aging parent or grandparent can be challenging, particularly if you are unprepared.

When you find yourself in this situation, there is a lot to know and do, especially when it comes to legal and financial matters. However, with a lot of planning and preparation, you can work through these difficulties while remaining sane.

Listen in as Jen and Ashley offer tips and advice on how to deal with this stressful situation without sacrificing your mental health.

Meet Jen!
Jen Narciso is the founder of Investor Mama and host of the Investor Mama Podcast. She believes anyone can get out of debt and achieve financial independence by getting educated, changing his or her habits, and changing their money beliefs. Her goal is to help as many moms and families as she can with their money journey so they can set an example for the next generation.

Jen has two beautiful young children and one beautiful angel baby. In her “spare” time, she loves to travel, is an adamant reader on anything money related, and most importantly, likes to create memorable moments with her family and friends.

“The sooner you could have these conversations the better. And also on the same token, if you don't have this stuff in place, definitely do it for your family as well. Because as hard as it is for you to have these conversations, you don't wanna be a burden onto your kids. And the more things you can prepay in advance for yourself also the better.”
- Jen Narciso

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to today's episode
01:47 - Meet Jen
08:08 - Conducting research and learning about the disease
10:02 - Get your own support group
11:30 - Estate Planning
12:39 - Healthcare directive
13:29 - Having a will in place
14:09 - Power of attorney
14:30 - Prepare your parents' medical records
15:23 - Know where their money is
16:54 - Consult a local attorney
18:00 - Consult an estate attorney to help you move assets
26:56 - Be kind to yourself and know your limits and boundaries
29:11 - Consider looking for facilities that can provide them with the assistance they need
33:33 - How Jen took care of herself
37:59 - Last words of wisdom

Starting and sticking to a money plan doesn't need to be overwhelming! Join my Money Plan Bootcamp where I'll teach you the 5 key steps for creating a money plan you can actually stick to...for FREE!⁣⁣ Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp and register today!

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Book Recommendation:

Slight Edge by Jeff Olson

Resources and Links Mentioned:

The Money Plan Bootcamp: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Connect with Jen:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/investor_mama/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/investormamapodcast
Website: https://www.investormama.com/connect
19 Tips for Navigating Money in a Relationship: www.investormama.com Special Guest: Jen Narciso.

#118 BBMU - How to Start Changing Your Behavior

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome to the very first episode of our new series called the Budget Bestie Meetup! Yay!

The Budget Bestie Meetup is a free community meetup that brings together a supportive group of women to talk about money so that we can learn and grow as a community.

In this episode, we'll talk about how to start changing your behavior, how to put it into action, and how to incorporate habit stacking into your daily routine. In addition, we will also talk about the different methods to pay off your debt and share our wins for the month.

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“So you know, it's tracking your spending, like that is a behavior, it's a habit, it's a routine that we wanna build and create as we're trying to change our behavior. So it's not always the impulsive spending, it's not always the overspending, but it's the little things that we do on the day-to-day. Those habits and routines could also be said instead of behavior. But it is those little things of what we do with our finances. Not always the big things of overspending and you know, shopping way too much on Amazon. Of course that plays into it as well. But you know, mainly the habits and setting up the systems to really be successful in the long run.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
01:18 - About the Budget Bestie Meetup
03:39 - Changing your behavior
07:31 - Implementing your habits and routines
18:14 - Renee's win
16:32 - How to include habit stacking to your daily routine
25:07 - Cindy's win
29:18 - Kristina's win
30:13 - About the snowball, impact, and debt avalanche method
36:58 - Word of the year
39:26 - Kathy's win
40:43 - Trinette's win
41:17 - Paying credit card balance using the snowball method
45:18 - Elizabeth's win
01:01:42 - How to sign up for the Budget Bestie Meetup episode

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Book Recommendation:

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Bestie Meetup episode here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/meetup

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#117 BSS - Getting back on track after taking time off from working

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 06:00:00 -0500

If you have recently taken a break from your job to focus on personal life or take care of family responsibilities, it can be easy to start falling behind on your finances as you haven't paid much attention to them over the past few months.

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help you get through this and get your finances back on track.

Listen in as Ashley shares some tips with Sy on how to get her finances back on track after taking a break from work, such as tracking her spending, using cash envelopes, and creating a priority list in her budget.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“So just figure out what works for you by trying different things and know it's gonna take practice and it's gonna take time. So don't be afraid to start cuz you feel like you're not sure what to do or which thing to do. Cuz we overthink everything. We overthink all of it and truly it doesn't matter as long as you're taking action and trying something that is progress and you will get there. But if you stay stuck and don't do anything, you won't. Right? You have to like just start doing and just start trying to figure it out.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
01:17 - What today's episode is about
02:29 - How to join the Money Plan Bootcamp
03:36 - Meet Sy
11:27 - Sy's financial struggle
12:11 - Tracking your spending
15:08 - Using cash envelopes
19:02 - Sy's 24 hour goal
21:29 - Creating a priority list
23:47 - How to utilize multiple bank accounts
27:09 - How to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode

Starting and sticking to a money plan doesn't need to be overwhelming! Join my Money Plan Bootcamp where I'll teach you the 5 key steps for creating a money plan you can actually stick to...for FREE!⁣⁣ Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp and register today!

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

The Money Plan Bootcamp: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp
Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#116 The Key to Sticking to Your New Year Resolutions in 2023

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 16 Jan 2023 10:00:00 -0500

Most people set resolutions for the New Year in an attempt to change their lives for the better - but few actually follow through with them.

The problem is that making resolutions without a plan and sticking to it often leads to disappointment and failure. So how can you make sure you keep your resolutions this year?

Listen to this episode and learn the key steps you should take in order to make a New Year’s resolution that you can stick to!

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“You've just gotta keep going and know that, you know, failure is part of the journey, but so is success. You can't have one without the other. Believe it or not, they go together, right? And so you have to give yourself some grace and have patience with yourself and know that it is never going to be perfect. It's never gonna be perfect, so then the key is being patient with yourself, giving yourself some grace, keep going, don't give up.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - The topic of today's episode
01:08 - The key to sticking to your new year resolutions
01:55 - Giving yourself some grace
05:02 - Keep going and not mentally give up
05:51 - Creating SMART goals
10:37 - About the Money Plan Bootcamp

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

The Money Plan Bootcamp: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#115 5 Budget Mistakes to Avoid in 2023

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Are you ready for a productive and successful year? If you're like most people, your answer is likely a yes. But how can you make that happen?

In this episode, Ashley discusses five budget mistakes to avoid in 2023 so that you can have a productive and successful year ahead such as not putting a deadline on tasks, expecting everything to go perfectly, not setting a baseline and mid-level goals, and more!

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“So you're constantly feeling like you're failing because you can't be perfect and your money plan’s never gonna be perfect because that's life and we beat ourselves up and we get in this mental cycle of feeling like we failed because we're not perfect, but we're human. So we literally cannot be perfect. So you've gotta keep going. When bumps come along the way, along the road when there's bumps and life happens, you've gotta keep going. It's never gonna be perfect. But if you keep going, you will be successful. If you stop and quit and avoid, you're not gonna reach your big goals. So you have to keep going and not expect everything to go perfectly.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - What today's episode is about
00:25 - How to sign up for the Money Plan Bootcamp
03:04 - Not putting a deadline on tasks
04:37 - Expecting everything to go perfectly
06:14 - Not setting a baseline and mid-level goals
09:45 - Not being intentional
12:31 - Trying to do too much

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

The Money Plan Bootcamp: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#114 How to Pay Off Debt & Save at the Same Time (Q&A pt4)

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Hey everyone, it's question and answer time on the podcast!

This is Part 4 of our Q&A series, and I'll be answering some of the questions that Money Plan Bootcamp members have sent in.

Listen in as I answer the following questions: How to pay off debt and save while living paycheck to paycheck, How to get past guilt when the plan doesn't work out, and Can you start your monthly budget with the previous month's last paycheck?

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“Remember, focus on one thing at a time. Budget comes first, saving, then paying off debt. I know you wanna just dive in head first into paying off debt and get it out of your life. I love it when you are that excited about it. But you've gotta really cover the foundational stuff first so that you don't go back into debt later.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to today's episode
04:18 - How to pay off debt and save while living paycheck to paycheck
09:55 - How to get past the guilt when the plan doesn't go as planned
14:57 - Can you start your budget for the month with the previous month's last paycheck?
16:48 - How to join the Money Plan Bootcamp

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

The Money Plan Bootcamp: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp
Send your questions here -> www.speakpipe.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#113 BSS - How to Stick to a Budget w/a Busy Life w/Kids

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 06:00:00 -0500

Does it seem like you are constantly ordering DoorDash and never sticking to your budget because your life is just too busy?

When it comes to budgets, many people find themselves struggling with how to stick to a plan, especially the busy moms who work from home while raising their kids.

Listen in as Ashley shares some budgeting strategies with Cameron, such as changing her morning routine, making a meal plan, and using a paper and spreadsheet to help her track her budget and stick to it.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“I would consider or think about how you can build 10, 15 minutes into your routine and where the kids are already at school, you don't have the distraction of them and just you can take a few minutes to check in on your budget that will help you stick to it. But keep in mind you're not gonna be perfect. So like none of us are perfect and it has to become a habit and a routine and you will find that when you like something comes up, the kids are sick and you're not, like you get out of that route schedule and that routine you feel lost and it just feels like chaos. But when you have your routine and you can follow through with it, I don't know, things just feel right in the world.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to today's episode
01:43 - Meet Cameron
02:25 - Cameron's biggest financial struggle
04:36 - Using paper, spreadsheet, or an app to track your budget
07:10 - Creating habits and routines
13:32 - Morning budgeting routine
15:10 - Meal planning
17:48 - Budgeting for 2 different paychecks
22:32 - How to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode

If you'd like to work through your own struggle with your budget 1:1 with me, sign up for a FREE Budget Strategy Session on The Money Mindset Podcast! Sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Book Recommendation:

Free to Focus by Michael Hyatt

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#111 Resources for Going to College as an Adult

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Thinking of going back to school?

Whether you're going back to school to pursue a bachelor's degree or looking to expand your career opportunities by furthering your education, it's never too late to study again.

Listen in as Katelyn, a career coach, guides others through the process so you understand your options and can make an informed decision. She also has some helpful tips and tricks for doing it for little to no cost to you!

Meet Katelyn
Katelyn is a non-traditional college student and college instructor that stopped and started her education at over ten schools over the last fifteen years. She amassed $60,000 in debt pursuing her undergrad, then found a better way, completed two master’s degrees where she profited $1800 through education benefits and scholarships, and now pursuing a doctorate which will cost her $0. All of this was completed on an accelerated timeline, while working a full-time job and 2 part time jobs, paying off over $100,000 in debt, and raising her three kids.

In her full-time job, Katelyn acts as a pseudo-career coach helping people in her organization to get qualified for their next role, finding low cost or no cost education programs, prepping resumes, and she teaches the job application process at a local university as a part of a career service orientation. Her mission and passion are helping people get qualified for their dream job without taking on mountains of debt.

“When you're looking to go back to school, whether you're traditional or non-traditional, you have to be an informed consumer and you have to be your own advocate. No one else is looking out for you, no one else has your specific goals and desires or passions. So make sure that you're researching, that you're finding things that are right for you. And also making sure that there's alignment between your career aspirations and the programs that you're going for.”
- Katelyn Shannon

Timestamps:
00:55 - Introduction to today's episode
03:01 - Meet Katelyn
14:18 - Be an informed consumer
15:42 - Do your research to find the right program that fits your career goals
19:17 - Check your employee benefits
20:20 - Scholarship and grant applications
23:23 - Credit Transfer
26:59 - Regional and national accreditation
33:43 - Regarding Katelyn's work in human resources
38:46 - How to stand out when applying for a Job
43:06 - Who should I speak with about employee benefits
44:54 - Takeaways from this episode
50:44 - Last words of wisdom
52:24 - The Kickstart 2023 Bundle

If you're ready to get out of debt, start saving money, and have your best year yet, check out the Kickstart 2023 Bundle. It will help you create a simple plan that you can actually follow so you can pay off debt and save money in 2023! Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/kickstart to grab your bundle today!

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes.

Book Recommendation:

Stop Organizing, Start Producing: Leverage the 12 Factors that Make or Break the Busy Professional | 2011 Casey Moore

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Kickstart 2023 Bundle: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/kickstart
3 FREE consultation spots available for the listeners of the Money Mindset Podcast: Email k.liddington@yahoo.com
sophia.org
study.com

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Connect with Katelyn:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelynshannon-learningprofessional/

Special Guest: Katelyn Shannon.

#110 Q&A Part 3- How to Find the Motivation to Stick to Your Budget

Ashley Patrick — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 13:00:00 -0500

You won't always be motivated, you won't always have the time.....but you can set up habits and routines to help you maintain and follow through with your money plan!

I'm back for the third part of our Q&A series!

In this episode, I'll answer more questions from Money Plan Bootcamp members, such as how to find time as a busy parent, how to stay motivated, how to stay on track and on budget when you have small children at home, and how far in advance you should plan your next month's budget.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“You really have to figure out what is going to keep you going when you're not motivated. And guess what that is? Habits and routines. So what I just talked about, habits and routines will keep you doing what you need to do when you don't feel like it.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:00 - The topic of today's episode
04:29 - How to find time as a busy parent
12:56 - How to stay motivated
16:41 - How to stay on track and on budget with small children at home
21:14 - How far in advance should you plan your next month's budget
30:47 - How to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Get your Kickstart 2023 Bundle here: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/kickstart
Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#109 How to Set Real Goals for 2023

Ashley Patrick — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 19:00:00 -0500

With 2023 only a few days away, I'm sure we're all hoping to start the New Year off on the right foot. And what better way to kick off the new year than by making plans to reach your financial goals?

Listen in as I share tips on how to prioritize your finances by taking action, tracking your progress, developing habits and routines, and setting SMART goals to help you achieve financial freedom in 2023!

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“We have to make our finances a priority if you want them to change. So if you wanna get better, if you wanna learn, if you wanna start making better habits and routines, then we have to start taking action. And it actually starts right now.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps:
00:53 - Introduction for today's episode
01:46 - Making your finances a priority by taking action
03:02 - How small actions lead to big results
03:45 - How tracking your progress will allow you to see how far you've come
05:38 - Building habits and routines
06:56 - How to make a SMART goal
09:08 - Breaking down your big goals into smaller, achievable goals
12:58 - Setting up quarterly goals
18:21 - The Money Plan Bootcamp
18:54 - The Kickstart 2023 Bundle

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes.

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Kickstart 2023 Bundle: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/kickstart
Episode 83 - BSS - Letting Perfectionism Go So You Get Back on Track: https://www.themoneymindsetpodcast.com/83

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#108 Living Without a Car to Get On Track With Their Finances

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Managing your finances is hard enough, which is why when it comes to getting out of debt, you have to be creative, and thinking outside the box can come in handy.

Listen in as Christine shares her financial journey, money mindset, and how she used an unconventional way to pay off debt in order to get her finances back on track.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“Think outside the box like maybe you can't live without a car but what can you do that you're like, people are gonna think I'm crazy. Like I would never have thought to even do that to help pay off debt. But I bet you there's some things that you can do to help pay off debt that you know might be a little extreme to other people but maybe not as extreme to you.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps
00:00 - What today's episode is about
02:26 - How to have your own Budget Strategy Session episode
02:56 - Get to know Christine
11:02 - Christine's goals
12:42 - Christine's financial journey
16:01 - Christine's long term debt payoff goal
18:09 - Book recommendation
19:19 - What kept her motivated
20:45 - Take away from this episode
23:34 - Last words of wisdom

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Book Recommendation:

God, where are you?

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#107 BSS - Implementing a Plan You Can Actually Stick To

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Is perfectionism keeping you stuck? Do you constantly worry and overthink about everything, making it difficult to manage your finances?

Join me in today's episode as I strategize with Gina about how to implement her plan by tracking her spending, planning where to put her leftover money, creating a visual, and learning to focus on one thing at a time to help her overcome her perfectionism so she can stick to her budget and plan ahead.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“It's easy to get overwhelmed when you're thinking about all the things. But right now your goal is to focus on the day to day and paycheck to paycheck to get caught up and get where you are paying things ahead.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps
01:17 - Introduction for today's episode
02:59 - Meet Gina
03:44 - Gina's biggest struggle
06:42 - What to do with the money that's left over after paying the bills
16:24 - How to track your spending
20:28 - Gina's 24 hour goal
23:01 - Focusing on one thing at a time
27:20 - Set money aside to reward yourself
32:13 - Making a visual to help keep yourself motivated
32:34 - Letting go of perfectionism
38:39 - Last words of wisdom
39:06 - How to have your own Budget Strategy Session

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#106 Q&A Part 2 - How to Get Your Spouse Onboard

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 06:00:00 -0500

On today's episode of The Money Mindset Podcast, I'm back to answer your questions. That's right, today's episode is Part 2 of our Q&A series!

Listen in as I answer questions about how to get motivated when you feel you are already behind, how to get your spouse on board, and how to pay off debt on a low income.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“Another thing that I encourage couples to do, and my husband and I are very good at this, is we dream together. We talk about, okay, what if we got all this money someday? What if or what do we wanna do when we retire? What do we wanna do with our goals for next year? And really dream together because something that might be happening is your spouse doesn't have a goal that they want to work towards, and it may not be the same goal as yours. So you really have to compromise, communicate, and work together toward the same goal. So sit down and just dream together. Find out what they really wanna do with their life and see if you can come together, maybe compromise a little bit and work together towards your financial goals, which you definitely gotta get on the same page in order to make it work.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps
00:02 - Introduction for today's episode
01:07 - How to get motivated when you feel you are already behind
03:09 - How to get your spouse on board
05:38 - How to pay off debt on a low income
07:32 - How to send in your questions

If you have any questions you would like answered in a future episode of The Money Mindset podcast, please go to www.speakpipe.com/budgetsmadeeasy.

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Send your questions here -> www.speakpipe.com/budgetsmadeeasy
Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#101 What to do with the 3rd Paycheck in a Month?

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Welcome to episode 101 of The Money Mindset Podcast!

Today, we're kicking off part 1 of our Q&A series where I will answer questions sent in by members of the Money Plan Bootcamp.

This will be a several part series as we have lots of questions to answer like what to do with the 3rd paycheck in a month when paid biweekly, how to handle child support income in your budget, how to build tracking as a habit, and my favorite place to sell items.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“Do as much as you can to set yourself up for success, not failure. And by doing that is to create a plan and create specific measurable goals.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction for today's episode
02:51 - What to do with the 3rd paycheck in a month when paid biweekly
04:48 - How to do the budget by paycheck schedule
06:16 - How to build tracking as a habit
09:40 - How to handle child support income in your budget
13:45 - My favorite place to sell items
16:18 - How to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode

If you'd like to work through your own struggle with your budget 1:1 with me, sign up for a Budget Strategy Session on The Money Mindset Podcast! Sign up at www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#100🎉 Money Success Panel

Ashley Patrick — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 06:00:00 -0400

So excited to celebrate the 100th episode of The Money Mindset Podcast! Wow! Whether you’ve been listening since episode one, or if this is your first episode, thank you for being here.

In honor of our 100th episode, I invited members of the Money Success Club to share their stories, struggles, triumphs, and what they've learned along their financial journey so far.

Hope this episode helps you realize that you are not alone on this journey, that you have support and that you can learn a lot from others who are going through the same things as you.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“Everybody feels so alone and you're not. You're not alone. There are so many other women going through the same things as you. Even if you're a single mom, even if you have a low income, even if your spouse isn't fully on board with the plan, you can still do this.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps
00:00 - How to join the Money Success Club
00:26 - Introduction for today's episode
02:46 - What's happening this week
06:03 - Breanna's story
12:14 - Take away from Breanna's story
18:28 - Terri's story
29:18 - Take away from Terri's story
38:44 - Trinnette's story
47:53 - Take away from Trinnette's story
50:55 - Ashley's story
58:00 - Take away from Ashley's story

Do you need time, space and accountability to take action on the things you KNOW you should be doing? Budgeting so you can actually pay off debt, save money, make a meal plan and all the things that keep pushing their way down your to-do list. Would you thrive in a supportive community of other busy moms who get it and are also working to achieve similar financial goals?

If that’s a YES, come join these lovely ladies inside Money Success Club! This is the last opening for the year!

Check it out here: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Money Success Club: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/msc

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#99 BSS The Cost of Waiting

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 06:00:00 -0400

Most people tend to procrastinate and make excuses when it comes to managing their finances. The problem is that the longer you wait to save and pay off debt, the more stressful and harder it will be to make progress to achieve your goals.

Today, we're going to discuss the cost of waiting and how taking action toward your financial goals early on can help lessen the mental stress and prepare you for unexpected events, so you can take control of your finances and get back on track.

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“If you keep putting off taking action on your financial goals and just wishing for it to happen some day, that day is never going to come. You are going to stay in this cycle of year after year wondering where the heck all your money went, why you can't seem to save for the things that you really want to do, why you can't seem to paying cash for that vacation or you're not able to buy that house that you want with for your family. And you know that mental cost of stress.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction for today's episode
03:50 - How to join the FREE Masterclass "5 Money Mistakes You're Making & How to Fix Them"
08:01 - Meet Breanna
10:03 - Breanna's financial struggle
20:11 - Keeping your momentum going
22:45 - Being financially and mentally prepared for unexpected events
31:56 - Take away from this episode

Want to know the 5 Money Mistakes You're Making & How to Fix Them? I've got just the thing for you! This FREE Masterclass will help you identify and fix the common money mistakes you're making so you can start saving and paying off debt! Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/class and register today!

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

5 Money Mistakes You're Making & How to Fix Them: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/class
Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#98 BSS How to Stop Overspending on Treats for Yourself

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 06:00:00 -0400

Do you always treat yourself when you feel stressed, tired, feeling sad, or you're having a good day?

While it is good to acknowledge that we deserve something special, the truth is we sometimes overindulge and overspend just to treat ourselves, causing us to regret it later.

Listen in as Ashley discusses how developing good habits and routines, as well as having the right mindset, can help you stop overspending on treats for yourself so you can save for your bigger goal. She will also discuss how to create a zero-based budget and how to add categories for things that always "pop up" in your budget.

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“Give yourself some grace. Know that it's a process and you've gotta build those habits and routines and change your mindset. Like, that takes time and I think people get so caught up and they feel so bad because they feel like they're just gonna instantly become a different person. But once it clicks, like usually it takes time for it to like really click and flow and so just give yourself that grace to get that figured out.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction for today's episode
02:56 - Meet Ann-Marie
06:22 - Ann-Marie's biggest financial struggle
09:59 - The treat yourself mindset
12:40 - About habit stacking
15:26 - Ann-Marie's dreams for herself and her daughter
17:22 - Switching your mindset about spending
19:31 - Using physical reminders to help with your goals
20:27 - Giving yourself a reward
21:36 - Ann-Marie's 24 hour goal
25:17 - Adding a miscellaneous category in your budget
27:11 - Zero-based budget

If you would like to sit down with me and discuss what you are struggling with and some steps that you can take to make progress and get over that big struggle, I invite you to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode at budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy and have a mini coaching session with me.

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#95 Money Success Roadmap Stage 4

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 06:00:00 -0400

The first few stages are laying the groundwork for your success. You should now be able to create specific SMART goals and set up a budget that works for you.

Stage 4 is where you will begin to see real progress toward your financial goals. You're motivated to save money and pay off debt at this point because you know it's possible.

In today's episode, we'll discuss how to create a debt payoff plan, including identifying all of your debts, comparing different debt payoff plans, and using a debt calculator. We'll also go over how to make visuals to track your progress and how to save for an emergency fund.

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“Remember, this is all about changing your mindset, your behavior, your habits, so that you can have long term success because you know, if it were quick and easy, it's quick and easy to get off track as well, right? We wanna build those long term habits and routines so that you can stay motivated and focused on your bigger vision for your life.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps
01:18 - Stage 4 of the Money Success Roadmap
03:54 - Getting your partner on board to work with you
05:04 - Action items for Stage 4
05:10 - Creating a SMART goal for the next three years
05:23 - Identifying all your debt
05:32 - Comparing different debt payoff plans
06:14 - Using a debt calculator
07:22 - Creating visual progress trackers
07:55 - Saving for an emergency fund
08:50 - Stage 4 milestones
11:31 - The Money Plan Bootcamp

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

The Money Plan Bootcamp: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#94 Money Success Roadmap Stage 3

Ashley Patrick — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 12:00:00 -0400

Once you have your basic budget, saved $200 every month, identified your sinking funds, and worked on your mindset about those limiting beliefs about money, it's time to move on to the next stage.

Stage 3 is all about confidence. This is the stage at which you will begin to feel very confident in your mindset because you are moving past the overwhelm and feeling like you don't know what to do, which leads to confidence.

In today’s episode, we'll discuss making a plan for bigger purchases, ensuring that you are paying the correct amount of taxes, reviewing your insurance policies, and creating a one-year plan with SMART goals.

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“You really do need to believe in yourself and believe in your ability to do this so that you can make that progress and keep doing what you need to do to move on to the next stage.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps
00:30 - Money Plan Bootcamp promo
02:23 - Stage 3 of the Money Success Roadmap
04:38 - Making a plan for your bigger purchases
05:01 - Making sure that you are paying the correct amount of taxes
05:28 - Checking on your insurance policies
06:17 - Action items for Stage 3
07:51 - Determining your savings goals
09:19 - Stage 3 milestones
09:54 - Creating a one-year plan with SMART goals

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

The Money Plan Bootcamp: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#93 Money Success Roadmap Stage 2

Ashley Patrick — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 06:00:00 -0400

Stage 1 teaches you how to start your Money Success Roadmap journey by taking step-by-step actions including creating a basic budget, a realistic meal plan, and a one-month plan with SMART goals.

The second stage is where you should feel capable, self-assured, and prepared to truly dive in.

In this stage, we'll discuss how to identify your sinking funds, how to make a plan for them, your beliefs and money myths, how to save $200 every month, and how to make a 6-month plan with SMART goals.

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“Remember, you don't have to be perfect at it, but it is creating a plan cuz we wanna start looking toward the future and mapping out how we're going to get there. And so that is kind of the beginning of this road, is identifying where we wanna go, where we're at, and how we're going to get there. Even if you can't see the whole road, right, you know where you want to go. And so we've gotta figure out how you're going to get there.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps
00:02 - The Money Plan Bootcamp promo
02:58 - Stage 2 of the Money Success Roadmap
05:30 - Identifying sinking funds
05:54 - Identifying beliefs and money myths
06:25 - Creating a plan for your sinking funds
07:31 - Finding ways to save $200 every month
08:42 - Creating a 6 month plan using SMART goals
09:57 - Recap of Stages 1 and 2

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

The Money Plan Bootcamp: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#88 Which to use - Paper, Spreadsheet or an App - for your budget?

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 06:00:00 -0400

A budget is an excellent way to ensure that you are living within your means and meeting your financial goals. However, with so many different ways to help create a budget available nowadays, budgeting can become complicated, so you need to find the right one for you.

Listen in as I discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using paper, spreadsheets, and budgeting apps for your budget. I'll also give some pointers on how to create a budget so you can start saving and paying off debt.

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“There is no right or wrong way as long as you do it and it helps you. As long as it helps you stick to your plan. It is the right way. And so don't overwhelm yourself by overthinking it, right? So just take it one small step at a time.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction for today's episode
02:12 - Choosing what's the best option for you
03:01 - The pros and cons of using pen and paper
07:10 - About using a spreadsheet
10:07 - About budgeting apps
12:31 - Tips on how to start your budget

Want to stop stressing about payday? Want to be able to pay cash for those things that always "pop up"? Check out the new 2023 Budget Planner! The Budgets Made Easy Budget Planner is the Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to help you save money and pay off debt by getting organized and focused on what's important for your family. Go to www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/planner to get your planner today.

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

2023 Budget Planner: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/planner
Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#85 BSS How Time Blocking can Keep Your Finances On Track!

Ashley Patrick — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 06:00:00 -0400

If you're thinking about doing your budget and making a spending plan to manage your money but keep putting off, you're not alone!

More often than not, we tend to procrastinate and make excuses when it comes to managing our finances especially in doing our budget.

Listen to today's episode as I discuss how being mentally ready to handle your finances help to get your finances back on track. I also discussed how getting organized in your daily tasks and breaking it down into smaller action steps help you to achieve your goals faster.

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“We feel overwhelmed because we feel like we have all this stuff to do but if you break it down into smaller steps, you feel like you're actually getting something done.”
-Ashley Patrick

Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction for today's episode
02:22 - Meet Cindy
06:46 - About being mentally ready to handle your finances
13:08 - Cindy's biggest financial struggle
15:51 - Creating a list for your daily task to help you get organized
18:57 - Setting a day for your tasks
19:30 - How to break down tasks
22:15 - About time blocking
24:41 - Cindy's 24 hour goal
30:47 - Breaking down big goals to get it easily done

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#84 BSS Shifting the "Treat Yourself" Mindset so You Can Save

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 06:00:00 -0400

Has there ever been a time in your life when you know you really screwed up with your budget because you always buy things to treat yourself, causing you to overspend?

Listen in as I share tips on how to create a basic monthly budget to manage your finances, how to remind yourself of your goals by using visuals, how to build habits and routines, and how to shift your mindset into something positive so you can save for your big goals.

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“Now you've talked about this, treat yourself mentality. What if we switch that from treating myself by spending money I don't have, that's gonna make me feel like crap later, to calling your budget your treat yourself plan and focusing on treating yourself in such a way that it betters your future? So it's kind of switching that mindset. I mean, cause you know, you're going to keep that treat yourself cause I want you to treat yourself. I want you to enjoy your money. It's just a matter of prioritizing how you treat yourself.”
-Ashley Patrick

Timestamps
01:42 - Introduction for today's episode
02:36 - Meet Brittany
04:24 - Brittany's biggest struggle with budgeting
11:35 - How to create a basic monthly budget
15:20 - What's keeping Brittany from doing her budget?
19:50 - About switching your mindset
22:40 - Reminding yourself of your goals by putting up visuals
24:26 - Brittany's 24 hour goal
29:06 - Changing your mindset
31:59 - How to build habits and routines
36:47 - Tracking you budget

If you would like to sit down with me and discuss what you are struggling with and some steps that you can take to make progress and get over that big struggle, I invite you to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode at budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy and have a mini coaching session with me.

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Book Recommendation:

Atomic Habits by James Clear
We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/3mLb5WD

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Check out https://www.themoneymindsetpodcast.com/66 for more information on paying yourself as a business owner.
Pay Yourself Calculator - https://ownyourmoney.isrefer.com/go/calculator/budgetsmadeeasy/ Ready to pay yourself better? Here's what you want your revenue to be!
Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#83 BSS - Letting Perfectionism Go So You Get Back on Track

Ashley Patrick — Fri, 09 Sep 2022 06:00:00 -0400

Feel like you're always struggling when it comes to budgeting because you want to do it perfectly?

Perfectionism and overthinking causes people to give up on their budgets when it's not going the way they planned it because when it comes to our finances, we all want to do the best that we can.

Listen in as we discuss how to overcome perfectionism by celebrating small wins, giving yourself credit and reminding yourself of your progress on how far you've come. I also shared some tips like using a visual tracker, rewarding yourself, and how being consistent with your habits and routines help so you can get back on track!

Hosting Today:

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“We're all going to have bad days. We're all gonna have a bad week, a bad month. But when you look at the overall picture of how far you've come since you started, you can see that you really have done a very good job and you should be proud of that.”
-Ashley Patrick

Timestamps
00:04 - Introduction for today's episode
02:29 - Meet Lisa
03:01 - Lisa's financial struggles
06:46 - Celebrating your progress
07:46 - About visual tracker
09:41 - Celebrating small wins
11:37 - Using visuals to see how much progress you have made
12:01 - Reminding yourself of your progress
22:10 - Success and failures
22:53 - Lisa's 24 hour goal
24:25 - Setting up realistic goals

If you would like to sit down with me and discuss what you are struggling with and some steps that you can take to make progress and get over that big struggle, I invite you to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode at budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy and have a mini coaching session with me.

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#80 BSS - Curb Overspending by Focusing on Your Big Goal

Ashley Patrick — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 06:00:00 -0400

One of the most common mistakes a person can make when it comes to money is overspending. We sometimes spend money mindlessly without knowing what causes it until it's too late.

So if you're wondering

How to recognize and identify the triggers that make you spend mindlessly
How setting up and staying focused on your big goals help control overspending
How to not feel deprived and restricted by your spending plan
How to let go of perfectionism

Then this episode is for you, so make sure to jot down these golden nuggets that are being shared!

Hosting Today:

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“You're going to have to keep reminding them and yourself of what your bigger goal is and know that you're going to screw up from time to time. You're still going to impulsively spend. I mean, that's, that's just normal, but if you keep building up those wins over time, you're going to get there and they're going to become less and less and you're going to make the progress that you want to make, especially when you have that clear goal.”
-Ashley Patrick

Timestamps
01:19 - Meet Jen
03:03 - Jen's financial struggles
04:30 - What triggers her to impulsively spend?
05:31 - Recognizing the triggers and putting up roadblocks between spending money
07:04 - How setting up goals help control impulse spending
10:49 - How using visuals and reminders help you stay focused to reach your goals
11:53 - How to set a realistic but timely goal
12:36 - Struggles with budgeting
13:49 - Creating a flexible spending plan
16:49 - Problems with being a perfectionist
19:12 - Give yourself permission to fail
20:24 - Jen's 24 hour goal

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#79 3 Year Anniversary of the Podcast, Coaching Week is HERE!

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 05 Sep 2022 06:00:00 -0400

Can you believe it has been three years since I officially started the Money Mindset Podcast?

To honour this milestone, we are changing some things up by doing a Coaching Week!

This week we have several interviews where we talked about past money mistakes and money struggles like overspending because you don't know your big goal because of mom guilt, being unorganized, perfectionism, impulsive spending because of ADHD and more. I will also share tips on and how to make progress and get over that big struggle to achieve your financial goals so make sure you listen to all the Budget Strategy Sessions this week.

Hosting Today:

Now, my mission is to help moms like you conquer debt and free themselves from the mental load of handling their family's finances.

“I'm going to give you actionable steps and you are going to realize that you are not alone. And that is really the biggest hurdle, right? We feel like that we do all of these things. And one of the only ones that do them and everybody else has it all figured out with their finances, but that's not true.”
-Ashley Patrick

Timestamps
00:03 - New introduction to the Money Mindset Podcast
00:25 - Meet Ashley
01:18 - Changes to the Podcast
01:57 - This week on the Money Mindset Podcast
04:20 - How to participate in the coaching sessions/the Budget Strategy Sessions

If you would like to sit down with me and discuss what you are struggling with and some steps that you can take to make progress and get over that big struggle, I invite you to sign up for your own Budget Strategy Session episode at budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy and have a mini coaching session with me.

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Book your Budget Strategy Session here-> www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/strategy

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#78 Stop Fearing Doing It The Right Way

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 06:00:00 -0400

Struggling with your personal finance and how to manage your money?

It can be frustrating when you are stuck in a financial rut because of the fear that you might not be doing it right.

Join me in today's episode as I talk about how to stop letting your fear get in your way, how overthinking and being a perfectionist is keeping you from making progress and how letting yourself fail actually helps you to succeed and reach your financial goals.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“You have to stop letting fear of doing it wrong or doing it the right way keep you from making progress, because guess what? If you are doing it wrong or doing things the wrong way, at least you have figured out that that doesn't work for you. If you just don't even try it all, you won't know that. And you'll just stay stuck. If you're not doing anything, you're not failing, but you're also not succeeding.”
- Ashley Patrick

Timestamps
00:42 - What is perfectionist thinking?
01:10 - The great thing about personal finance and managing your money
01:42 - How to stop letting fear keep you from making progress
05:10 - One small action that you can do this week that will move you closer to your financial goals
07:00 - How to stop letting fear of failing or doing it the right way
07:35 - How to put it into action
07:55 - Changes coming to the podcast starting next week

For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Budget Starter Kit: budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#77 How Colleen's Parents Set Her Up For Financial Success!

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 06:00:00 -0400

Do you think taking a new career path will better yourself and will help you with your financial journey?

Listen in as Coleen shares her story about how her parents taught her about money, what she's teaching her children about money, her financial journey on paying off her husband's student loan debt and about having no debt except for her house and switching careers because of COVID.

Meet Colleen…

Colleen is a wife, mom of 3 kiddos, animal lover and loves the lake. After over 20 years in the medical field, she decided to follow her heart by quitting her x-ray job and becoming a REALTOR(R), something she had been wanting to do for many years. She has always enjoyed taking care of others and now she gets to do so by being a trusted advisor and helping them to have all the tools needed to make their real estate dreams come true. She truly loves to assist in the buying and selling of homes. Colleen has also spent many years learning how to do well with budgeting and is currently working to become a financial coach, as well. She believes it is very important to make wise decisions with (most likely) the biggest purchase of a person's lifetime, including tough financial conversations and choices. She strives to help people to get into the home they love and will continue to love because they can afford it and won't become house poor. A continued conversation is encouraged and as she becomes a coach as well, she'll be able to help in many ways for time to come.

“Go with your gut and know that you're doing the right thing. Like just really think hard about that budget and know that there's an end goal and it's going to be hard no matter what, but really just being open to what is available to you and just making the most of what you have.”
- Colleen Fueling

Timestamps
03:40 - Meet Colleen
05:14 - How do you get your husband on board with paying off debt?
06:38 - How did your parents influence your mindset about debt?
08:00 - How do you pay off your husband's student loans fast?
09:12 - Does having a plan in place be so mentally freeing?
10:52 - How do priorities change when you switch careers?
14:33 - What are your thoughts and feelings with the real estate market?
15:05 - What are your feelings on credit scores for somebody wanting to rent or buy a house right now?
18:28 - About zero credit score
20:23 - Do real estate agents or realtors help people find rentals?
21:24 - What are your current financial goals and how are you staying focused on them?
22:40 - When do you want to have your house paid off?
24:01 - What is the best piece of financial advice you have received?
24:42 - What are some things that you are doing to teach your children about finances?
25:40 - Words of wisdom about paying off debt or managing your finances

Want to take the stress off your shoulders? Ready to learn how to create AND stick to your budget?! Check out my Free Workshop: How to Create and Stick to a Budget (even when you are overwhelmed)! Go to budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop and get started today.

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes.

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Free Budgeting Workshop: budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop
Link to get a free automated valuation of your house: https://hmbt.co/FwFB6a

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Connect with Colleen:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/colleenfeulingtherealtor

Special Guest: Colleen Feuling.

#76 Budgeting Isn't About Math

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 06:00:00 -0400

Do you think budgeting is all about Math? Is it about Algebra? Is knowing basic math okay? Or do I have to be a math genius to know how to budget?

Listen in as Ashley discusses how budgeting is not about the math, but about our emotional relationships with money, and how our emotions affect our budgeting and spending decisions.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“It's not about the math. You can lay out a beautiful budget down to the penny and the math is all correct. That doesn't mean that you'll just automatically stick to it because we're human. We're not perfect. We are emotional beings. We are not logical beings.”
-Ashley Patrick

Timestamps
03:50 - It’s not about the Math
05:06 - What budgeting is about?
06:10 - What to do if you are struggling with sticking to your budget?
08:40 - Why is budgeting not about Math?
09:25 - About emotions
09:34 - About Logic
09:48 - About being human and making mistakes
10:25 - How to stay on track with your goal?
12:14 - How do you set your goal and stick to your budget?

Worried about losing income during a recession? Want to learn how to get started and protect your family in an economic downturn? Check out my Free Workshop: How to Recession Proof Your Finances! Go to budgetsmadeeasy.com/recession-workshop and register today.

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Free Recession Workshop: budgetsmadeeasy.com/recession-workshop/

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#74 The 3 Steps to Take Before Paying Your Medical Bills

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 06:00:00 -0400

The number one cause of all debt and bankruptcy in the United States is medical bills, medical debt. It can feel daunting and downright scary being confronted by this, not knowing your rights or what you can do about it.

If you have medical bills to pay right now or know you may need to in the future, then you’ll want to listen in on today’s episode.

Dr Virgie educates us on the three steps you should take to pay your medical bills, what to do if you can’t afford your medical bill, busting myths and sharing the top 5 reasons people end up overpaying their medical bills.

Meet Dr Virgie…

Dr. Virgie Bright Ellington is an internal medicine physician and medical billing expert.

A dedicated patient advocate, Dr. Virgie practiced more than 20 years in primary care and psychiatric settings and as a health insurance executive.

Dr. Virgie now helps patients understand complex medical procedures, communicate effectively with their healthcare providers, and avoid financial devastation from crushing medical bills through her "What Your Doctor Wants You to Know" series.

She is the author of "What Your Doctor Wants You to Know to CRUSH MEDICAL DEBT" and the host of the weekly "Ask a Doctor - What Your Doctor Wants You to Know with Dr. Virgie" show on the VoiceAmerica radio network.

“The number one cause of all debt and bankruptcy in the United States is medical bills, medical debt. Unfortunately there's some numbers that say up to 30% of that is bills that people did not owe, or there are bills that they were overcharged.”
-Dr. Virgie Bright Ellington

Timestamps
03:46 - Meet Dr Virgie
07:20 - Why you shouldn't sign papers in the hospital accepting liability for costs your insurance doesn't cover.
13:27 - The three steps to paying your medical bill
17:33 - What to do if you can't afford to pay what you owe.
19:31 - Are there different steps for bills from your doctors office?
20:35 - Why do healthcare facilities agree to your payment plans.
21:35 - Myth Buster: Can they send your bill to collections if you keep paying as little as $10 per month?
25:05 - The top 5 reasons people overpaying on their medical bills?
31:10 - Surprise billing and what it means for you
32:11 - Book recommendation

Want to take the stress off your shoulders? Ready to learn how to create AND stick to your budget?! Check out my Free Workshop: How to Create and Stick to a Budget (even when you are overwhelmed)! Go to budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop and get started today.

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes.

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Free Budgeting Workshop: budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop
Medical Bill Checklist: https://crushmedicaldebt.com/medical-bill-paying-checklist

Book Recommendation:

Your Money or Your Life - Joe Dominguez & Vicki Robin

Connect with Ashley:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Connect with Guest:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/therealdrvirgie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoctorDiaries
Website: crushmedicaldebt.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/therealdrvirgie
Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCmA-WL2ucIfDelCMr1wzgKg
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drvirgie Special Guest: Dr. Virgie Bright Ellington.

#72 Investing Based On Your Values

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 06:00:00 -0400

Do you want where you invest your money to align with your goals? Want to know exactly where your money is going, what it’s doing and who it’s supporting?

Listen in as Brian shares with us what value based investing is. What is ESG and how to find out if you're working with or investing in a company that aligns with your values. He also shares some great tips on what to do if you’re a business in the industry and want to become more value based focus.

Meet Brian…

Brian helps people understand not just what to do, but how and why they should do it. Part teacher and part financial therapist!

Brian has been in the Financial Services Business since 2003, working with a diverse group of clients representing a slice of the Washington DC marketplace. As a native of the Washington area, he grew up in Chevy Chase, Maryland, attending high school in Bethesda. He founded The Haney Company with his father in 2013, combining 2 generations of industry experience. With more than a decade of experience in Banking, Investments, Asset management and Insurance, Brian's expertise and keen insights provide organizations, businesses and individuals with unique and innovative strategies to meet their insurance needs and financial goals.

“Have a vision for your life and the type of person that you are. Center yourself. What are the values that are really important to you? Find resources and approach professionals that understand this and are willing to help you carry that forward. Be practical about it and take your time.”
- Brian Haney

Timestamps
03:19 - About Brian
06:08 - Business of Pride Award
08:50 - What is value-based investing?
11:21 - What is ESG?
13:04 - How does a company meet an ESG criteria?
14:37 - Where can you get advice on investing in the right company?
17:23 - Investing Strategy: all in for ESG or a combination?
20:20 - Can lower investments in an ESG be done on your own or through an adviser?
22:40 - How can a business in this industry become more value-based focused?
25:15 - What to keep in mind when learning about ESGs
28:05 - Checking if a business aligns with your values
30:36 - Brians values and 10-year plan
34:55 - Book recommendation: When by Dan Pink

If you need help paying off your debt, go to budgetsmadeeasy.com/debt for your Paying Off Debt Starter Kit. This will help you really get going on your journey to longer-term investing strategies.

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes.

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Paying Off Debt Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debt

Book Recommendation:

When by Dan Pink (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/39t8uh4

Connect with Ashley:

IG: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Connect with Guest:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehaneycompany
Website: https://www.thehaneycompany.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheHaneyCompany Special Guest: Brian Haney.

#70 How to Scale Your Mindset and Your Small Business

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 06:00:00 -0400

Whether you want to start your own business or a side hustle to help pay off your debt - one thing you should focus on first is your mindset!

Listen in as Nicole shares why having the right mindset is key to your success, tips on how to get started, how to manage mum life with business life and what you can do to make money for paying off your debt.

Meet Nicole…

I am a homeschooling Mom located in the San Francisco Bay Area. I am the founder of Fbombs & Booze. Which is a drinkware brand. We handmake wine glasses and tumblers with snark sayings and the heavy use of profanity. I quit my 6 figure job without a backup plan to save my mental health.

My products are sold on several eCommerce sites and are in over 100 shops and boutiques internationally. I am also a 1:1 coach for Women-owned handmade product-based businesses to help them scale their businesses.

“Options are endless and you are fully capable and there are so many people around that are willing to help you.”
- Nicole Chenault

Timestamps
04:14 - Nicole's Story
09:17 - Tips on getting started with a side business
14:06 - Mindset first
16:27 - Managing mum life and business life
20:38 - Tips for making money to pay off debt
24:40 - Last words of wisdom

Want to take the stress off your shoulders? Ready to learn how to create AND stick to your budget?! Check out my Free Workshop: How to Create and Stick to a Budget (even when you are overwhelmed)! Go to budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop and get started today.

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes.

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Free Workshop: How to Create and Stick to a Budget: budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop
Code BUDGETS will give you 20% off our entire website: https://fbombsandbooze.com/?ref=b9H8wnL9

Book Recommendation:

You are a badass at making money by Jen Sincero (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3MWSm54

Connect with Ashley:

IG: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Connect with Guest:

IG: www.instagram.com/fbombsandbooze
Facebook :www.facebook.com/fbombsandbooze
Website: https://fbombsandbooze.com
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/fbombsandbooze
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/fbombsandboozetumblers Special Guest: Nicole Chenault.

#69 How to Get Started With Real Estate Investing

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 06:30:00 -0400

Investing in real estate can often feel daunting and overwhelming. You don’t know where to start or understand all the jargon.

The key is to get educated so you can make informed decisions. Listen in as John shares why it’s important to buy over renting, when you should move from your home, dealing with renters, the right insurance and what options you have with zero or low credit.

A little bit about John…

John Papaloni was born and raised in Etobicoke, often referred to as Toronto’s West End. From an early age John developed a passion for buying and selling and this has led him on the journey as a successful business entrepreneur and now highly focused Real Estate Agent working in the Greater Toronto Area.

John Papaloni has a commitment to his clients that is unmatched and a passion to deliver Top Value through mastering all the latest technologies and engaging in the most effective marketing campaigns! John is well on track to achieving various awards in the real estate industry that will set him apart from the rest.

“Don't wait to buy real estate. Buy real estate and wait.” - John Papaloni

Timestamps
03:23 - John’s Story
06:55 - Don't wait to buy real estate. Buy real estate and wait.
08:21 - Buying over renting
09:31 - When it makes sense to move
11:19 - Dealing with renters
18:05 - Insurance for covering damages
22:02 - Insurance when renting out your own home
32:39 - Last words of wisdom

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes.

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Paying Off Debt Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debt

Book Recommendation:

Compound Effect by Darren Hardy: (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/3OjdfZ0

Connect with Ashley:

G: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Connect with John:

IG: www.instagram.com/johnpapaloni
Facebook: www.facebook.com/papaloniteam
Website: www.papaloniteam.com Special Guest: John Papaloni.

#66 Pay Yourself Better (Even With Irregular Income) As a Business Owner

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 06 Jun 2022 20:30:00 -0400

Does it feel like your money is owning you?

Can you relate to constantly paying out all the money you’ve earned with not much left to pay yourself?

Tired of the self sabotage when it comes to your money mindset in your business?

Listen in as Belinda talks to us about the importance of mindset when it comes to money in your business and really stepping into that CEO role. She explains why you need to be confident in our own worthiness and the value of the services and products that we create. She covers both the strategy and the mindset needed to make more money in your business.

Meet Belinda Rosenblum:

CPA and Profit Strategist of OWN YOUR MONEY - She helps busy female coaches and experts sustainably scale their revenue AND profits by upleveling their financial systems + strategies and stepping into the CEO role. She believes it’s time female entrepreneurs feel worthy and safe with money, finally enjoy the freedom they started their business for in the first place, AND consistently take home the money they want each month. (It is possible!)

“You won't sell to nearly the potential that you can until you have sold yourself first on your ability to make money, on your deserving of the money that you're bringing in.”
- Belinda Rosenblum

Timestamps
04:58 - Belinda's Story
13:48 - The importance of mindset around money
15:52 - Understand the value of the transformation you created
20:01 - Where to start as a struggling business owner
24:51 - Paying yourself first
31:27 - Undercharging and why
36:14 - Golden nuggets

For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes.

Resources and Links Mentioned:

FREE Budget Starter Kit - http://www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start
Pay Yourself Calculator: https://ownyourmoney.isrefer.com/go/calculator/budgetsmadeeasy/
Cash Flow CEO Accelerator: https://ownyourmoney.isrefer.com/go/cfceoapply/budgetsmadeeasy/
Pay Yourself Calculator - https://ownyourmoney.isrefer.com/go/calculator/budgetsmadeeasy/
5 Best Ways To Create Consistent $10k+ Cash Months ("Consistent Revenue Guide”) - https://ownyourmoney.isrefer.com/go/revenue/budgetsmadeeasy/
Get Smart With Your Business Money - https://ownyourmoney.isrefer.com/go/smart/budgetsmadeeasy/
Confidently Raise Your Prices - https://ownyourmoney.isrefer.com/go/pricing/budgetsmadeeasy/
Self-Worth to Net Worth Book - https://ownyourmoney.isrefer.com/go/book/budgetsmadeeasy/

Book Reccomendations:

We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodger: affiliate link https://amzn.to/3mLb5WD
The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks: affiliate link- https://amzn.to/3tAY2Lj
Profit First and Clockwork by Mike Michalowicz:(affiliate klinks) https://amzn.to/3mOCLKc , https://amzn.to/3HlQJfS

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Connect with Belinda:

IG: www.instagram.com/OwnYourMoney
FB: https://www.facebook.com/ownyourmoney Special Guest: Belinda Rosenblum.

#64 Your Top Questions Answered!

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 23 May 2022 06:00:00 -0400

Got a question you’d like to ask about budgeting, saving or getting out of debt?

Have a situation or circumstance that doesn’t fit into the norm and want a personalized solution?

Join me this week as I switch things up and answer your burning questions with my suggestions.

Hosting Today:

Hey, I’m Ashley Patrick and I’m a personal finance expert, and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms create systems to save money and pay off debt so they can reach their big dreams faster and easier.

Since my journey started I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, Food Network, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, NerdWallet, and many others.

“It's really about finding what works for you.” - Ashley Patrick

Timestamps
01:22 - Highest balance or higher interest rates first?
03:05 - Will budgeting work for someone who doesn't have a steady income?
06:18 - Struggling with a shopping addiction.
11:04 - What to do when you've lost your job.
15:25 - I struggle to create and stick to budget plans and meal plans.

If you would like me to answer any of your questions, send me an email at ashley@budgetsmadeeasy.com and in the subject line add ‘#question’ and I will add it to the list to answer on the next Q&A podcast episode.

Also remember to check out my Free Workshop: How to Create and Stick to a Budget (even when you are overwhelmed)! Go to budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop and get started today.

Resources and Links Mentioned:
Free Workshop: How to Create and Stick to a Budget - www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop

Connect with Ashley:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

#63 Living Your Life With Intention

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 16 May 2022 06:00:00 -0400

Getting through college or university with little to no debt sounds like a fantasy right?!

We always associate that process with a mountain of debt that stays with you for a long time. But that’s not the case and we need to work on spreading that knowledge and education to others.

Listen in as Michelle shares her journey of going from college to university, how she studied while traveling and how she was able to do all of these things without racking up a mountain of debt.

Learn what it takes to spend money intentionally and save when it’s important as well as what benefits you can experience from investing even if you don’t have much to invest.

Meet Michelle!

Michelle Onaka is a mom of two young children, part-time university academic counselor supporting first-generation college students, and founder of Intentional Money Life. She loves to learn, strategize, support others, get into the nitty gritty, systemize, and demystify things. In her business, she helps people build financial education, apply it to themselves, and intentionally create a life that they love. She does this through posting regular educational visuals and short videos on social media, as well as through offering online financial courses.

“Going to college is about strategy. Some students strategy is going to a community college first and then transferring to a university, but they have to be very strategic in that transfer.” - Michelle Onaka

Timestamps
03:23 - Michelle's Story
05:52 - College, traveling and seasonal jobs
07:42 - Top tips for college, keeping debt low and traveling
09:13 - Debt after college?
12:11 - The community college to university strategy
13:28 - What do you need to do to be strategic?
17:36 - AmeriCorps Programs
20:05 - Current financial journey and investing
22:22 - Naturally frugal
25:28 - Tips for spending money on your priorities, spending where it counts
28:59 - Last words of wisdom

For easy step by step directions and worksheets on getting your budget together and done in 30 minutes a month, download my FREE Budget Starter Kit on budgetsmadeeasy.com/start

And if you enjoyed the podcast today and got some great takeaways, I’d really appreciate it if you followed the Money Mindset Podcast so you don’t miss out on future episodes

Resources and Links Mentioned:
FREE Budget Starter Kit - www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start
Michelle Onaka’s courses :www.intentionalmoneylife.com/courses

Connect with Ashley:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/budgetsmadeeasy

Connect with Michelle:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intentionalmoneylife/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/IntentionalMoneyLife
Website: https://intentionalmoneylife.com/
Special Guest: Michelle Onaka.

#50 Affordable Date Night Ideas (Even on a Budget!)

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Keep the spark alive even while you are trying to save money and pay off debt with these cheap date night ideas!

Resources mentioned:
Free Debt Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debt
5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman (aff link) https://amzn.to/3JrH5Zf

Let me know on Instagram what you do for a inexpensive date night! @budgetsmadeeasy

#46 Creating a No-Stress Chore and Allowance System for Your Kids!

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 06:00:00 -0500

Should you give your kids chores and allowance? What are some easier, less stressful ways to manage your household AND still teach your child about money?

Today, Joann gives her tips and system that is teaching her kids to contribute to the family and still manage their money.

Check out here chore and allowance system here: (aff link) https://apatrick--noguiltmom.thrivecart.com/easiest-chores-allowance-system-ever/

Book mentioned in this episode:
Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People by Vanessa Van Edwards (aff link) https://amzn.to/3s1F5Bi Special Guest: JoAnn Crohn.

#45 Tips to help with Impulsive Spending especially if you have ADD/ADHD

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 17:00:00 -0500

Struggling with impulsive spending? Sara Danesi, Psy.D, gives her tips and tricks for managing impulsive spending so you can save for the future!

Sara Rose Danesi, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and author of the blog, FITE addiction. Dr. Danesi writes about her personal struggle with shopping addiction and process for recovery as she pursues Financial Independence. She strives to empower others to experience the freedom of FI through financial sobriety.

Sara's website: https://fiteaddiction.com/

Book Recommended:
Turning Your Mind Into An Ally by Sakyong Mipham (aff link) https://amzn.to/3ylszh8 Special Guest: Sara Rose Danesi.

#43 Why You Should Spend Money on Fun & Not Feel Guilty About it!

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 06:00:00 -0500

You should spend money on things that bring you joy and happiness and not feel guilty about it...even if you are paying off debt or saving money!

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Free Budget Starter Kit: www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/start
Platejoy Meal Planning Service: Get your FREE 10 day trial here! Use my link and code BUDGETS10 and save $10!

#27 How I Save $600 A Month on Groceries

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 09 Mar 2020 05:30:00 -0400

Here are my top 10 tips to save $600 a month on groceries and cut my grocery budget in half!

Resources mentioned:
Meal Planning Sheet https://www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/mealplan/
Fetch Rewards https://trk.adbloom.co/aff_c?offer_id=268&aff_id=1817 and use code FETCH2K for $2 worth of rewards after you scan your first receipt.

Read the tips here: https://www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/10-tips-to-save-on-groceries/

#4 How Jessi and her husband paid off $55,000 in debt on one income!

Ashley Patrick — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 10:00:00 -0400

Jessi is a wife, mom, personal finance coach, speaker, blogger extraordinaire, and all-around personal finance expert after overhauling her own family's budget. Her family of five paid off over $55,000 of consumer debt in two years and is now 100% debt-free with a paid-off home all on a salary of $47,000! Since documenting her journey on her blog, jessifearon.com she has been able to help thousands of others achieve their version of financial independence by embracing their own real life on a budget.

Follow Jessi at http://jessifearon.com
or on social media @jessifearon

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Debt Snowball Bundle: https://www.budgetsmadeeasy.com/debt-bundle/
Crucial Conversations
The Millionaire Next Door
The Monk and the Merchant

Full Transcript:

So why don't you just go ahead and tell us a little bit about yourself and kind of how you started on this journey. Okay. Well, I am a wife of 10 years and we have three children and we live off of adjustment, husband's income. Um, and we have been for the last almost eight years now. And I'm, I am a certified financial coach. I became a certified financial coach after we, um, became consumer debt free. We paid off just over $55,000 of consumer debt and two years on one income a right before the birth of our third child. And we are now as of January of this year, 100% debt free when we paid off our house. Wow. That's so exciting. I can't wait to get the hundred percent debt free. That is amazing. Especially on one income. Like that's really hard for people to fathom, even with two incomes who are doing it on one I'm sure.
Like just blows people's minds. Well, it wasn't easy, but it's so it's been so worth it absolutely worth every single sacrifice that we made. That is awesome. So can you tell us kind of what started you to um, pursue being debt free? Um, so it actually kind of started, the story is kind of starts in, uh, 2012 so in 2012, um, I gave birth to our first child. I also graduated from college and I became a stay at home mom. And we also ended 2012 pregnant. The boys have Irish twins and so we started, yeah. Oh. And in 2012 my husband had a horrible work related accident where he fell out of a two story window that obviously he is fine, but you know, he, um, he shattered his left wrist and fractured his right elbow. And the problem was that when he's left handed, and so he obviously couldn't go to work anymore, um, was for a couple of weeks, but he had to have emergency surgery on his wrist because of the potential nerve damage.
The fragments were like pinching against his nerves and there was danger of them like severing his nerves. Oh my goodness. So he would lose all ability to actually use his hand. And so we had an emergency surgery problem is, is that we didn't realize that my husband's employer didn't have workman's comp insurance. We had told the hospital it was a work related injury. So when we found out they didn't know workers' comp, we tried to get our insurance to pay for it, but they of course kicked that back because it's a work related injury. And so we had to drain all of our savings in order to get my husband this surgery cause they literally would not take him back there until we paid them the cash. And so we did that. And so when we started 2013 we were hurting pretty bad financially and we were expecting our second child.
And so I was sitting there trying to like figure out, okay, what's money going to look like? You know, when our baby comes, like what is money gonna look like? And I started to realize that we were going to be broke. Like we were going to be running a deficit every single month. There was absolutely no way we were going to be able to pay all of our bills. And all of our responsibilities, they just, it wasn't going to happen. And so it brought about, you know, really hard conversations of, you know, me going back to work, going back into the corporate world, which would not have necessarily been a big deal, but the reality is that we would be, but half of my paycheck was going to go towards just daycare for two kids under two years old. And then we live in Metro Atlanta. And so there's traffic and there's all these things.
And we just realized that we were gonna have this really rushed and chaotic life that we didn't really want for our family. That's not what we had envisioned for our family. And so we had to make these really tough decisions of how do we fix this? And so we decided right then and there that we were going to become debt free. And I'm so grateful that we did. Um, it has allowed me to continue staying home with our kids. Um, which is such a blessing and it's honestly, it's taught us how to live just on the money that my husband makes, like taught us how to live with within our means. You know, you hear that all the time, like live within your means, but sometimes I think we don't know what that means. Um, we don't know how that practically plays out, but when you truly do just live off of what your paycheck is, it's totally life changing.
Yeah, you're absolutely right. So what, um, well I'm first I'm really glad that your husband's okay and that it turned out everything turned out okay. Um, you know, and a lot of times with people now I know it's true for me since like it was true for you. It's usually like this, the catalyst for starting this journey is like something major life that, you know, and at the time you're like, how am I going to get through this? And then once you're on the other side and it leads to being debt free, you know, you're at least I was, I was thankful for that struggle because it led me here even though at the time it was, you know, I'm sure your husband is, I'm sure he wished he didn't have to have surgery. And so I'm sure that was really painful. But you know, the catalyst to get you there, you know, usually it takes something dramatic like that to kind of get you moving.
Exactly. And so that's always like, yeah, they'll push that you need. So. So can you tell us just kinda like what you did, like what changes did you make to actually become debt free? Well, the first thing that we did is that, um, so we had been married, oh my goodness, you married by like five. I don't know. We've been there for five years, but like we've been married for like four or five years. Like we weren't newlyweds anymore. And it was like the first time we were actually sitting down and really talking about money, like not arguing about money, but like talking about it. And planning our money and sitting down and looking at how much we were spending every single month. I mean that was life changing. Just pulling up all of our bank statements and categorizing everything out and realizing that we were spending an obscene amount of the money on one.
Just stuff that we couldn't even identify where we were spending money on, you know, and we were just, overspending is so many different areas and it was just mindless stuff. And it was like once we sat down and we became real with our money and we started, you know, focusing on, okay, where's our money going? It totally changed the story for us. That's awesome. That's usually the, you know, the biggest mindset shift is when you sit down and actually see where it was going. Um, you know, for us it was food and eating out. I was spending so much money on groceries we were eating out for like every meal. It was ridiculous. Actually. We had spent over $1,200. This is back when we were a family of three. Okay, $1,200 on groceries. And I'm like, what? And worth rolling so much of it away.
And then, oh that much we were spending on Papa John's. Yeah, exactly. This is the same price. We were like three with a newborn. So before, but you know, she wasn't really eating it and it was $1,200 and I was like, what are you doing? It's ridiculous. So yeah, that's funny. That's like the same amount too. So how, did you have any issues with it getting your spouse onboard with a budget then? Or do you have any tips for that? You know, I kinda thought I was going to have issues with it cause my husband is naturally a spender and I'm a saver. And so when I first tried to bring up the conversations, I didn't quite realize that I was really just yelling at him and nagging at him. Like I thought I was being helpful. Like, oh my God, you're spending so much money on red bull every single month, you know?
And instead of like actually trying to sit down and have an adult conversation, I was instead like trying to act like I was his mom. And so I had to realize that, you know, this wasn't just about me, that we in fact were a team. We committed our lives together. We're gonna figure this out. And so, you know, I had to pick a good time, not like a time right when he comes home from work, you know, and he's like, you're tired. Um, but you know, pick a good time to sit down with him. I had already run all the numbers, so I didn't like, you know, expect him to have to do that with me. I'd already run all the numbers, had everything tallied up and brought it all to the table and I showed him everything so he could see like the proof in the pudding, so to speak.
He can see those details. And once he kind of realized that, you know, he was like, you know what? You're right. He was like, here, take, he's got his credit card out of his wallet and hand it to me. He handed me his debit card. We have actually had, we have shared my debit card, the one with my name on it for years now because my husband's like I don't want it. I don't want to. Even our bank knows that my husband is actually the one that uses that debit card occasionally. Like they know that don't even send him his own debit card anymore. That's awesome. You know, cause sometimes like with my husband it was kind of the same thing. Like I did all the leg work and showed him the numbers and stuff. But you know it's still hard and you know, do you have any advice for people where their spouse isn't like on board with it where they like they don't, they may sabotage it, you know though like okay I I understand.
But then they still go and use their debit card at the gas station, you know, a couple of times a week. One of the best books that I read that was super helpful for figuring out how to communicate. Now it's not necessarily like a marriage related book. I think it's actually labeled as a business book, but it's just about like communicating and uh, in relationships in general, it's called crucial conversations. Borrow that from the library. It is so good. One of the things they talk about in that book is how we have to realize that we sometimes tell ourselves a story about the situation. And so in our mind we're going into these conversations, but we're speaking through the lens of the story we have already told ourselves. And that story may not be true. And so for me, I had to always kind of recognize, like if I'm telling myself the story, I need to bring the story out in the open and say, okay, this is what, you know, this is how I'm seeing this, you know, x, y, Z, you know, whatever.
Is this how you're seeing it? And that kind of has that really has changed the way that we communicate because it puts us on the same page. We're not just assuming we're on the same page anymore. We actually know that we're on the same page, if that makes sense. Wow. Yeah. That's, I'm going to have to go find that book. I haven't heard of that. So that, that would be really good for me because I'm a visual person. And so that sounds like that would kind of help me. Yeah, it's really, really good. Like I said, they talk about, you know, just all sorts of relationships, whether it's your coworker, whatever. It's just, it's really, really good. That's great. Yeah. Cause I mean, a lot of our perception and what we expect from people or is, or, you know, IX think that people will do is based on our expectations, but they're not always the same.
Like they may think that you want this and you want something else. So it's really, that is very important to be on the same page about what you expect, so. Exactly. Exactly. Um, so did you, during this journey, like I know for me, I would get comments, um, you know, it must be nice or you're so lucky I can never do things like that. So did you ever get any day or maybe you still do? Um, I think I saw your post this morning on Facebook. Uh, tell us about maybe some negative comments about being debt free or during your journey and, um, like how, how do you deal with the negative comments when you are, you know, working on a financial goal and maybe your friends or your family don't understand that this maybe saying no to certain things to get to your bigger goal?
Like how do you deal with that? Well, at first it was really hard. Um, we had one particular family member, obviously I won't say who it is, but one particular family member who, um, like ripped me apart personally for saying that because they found out that we weren't using credit cards anymore. They told me that we were gonna destroy our family, that we were gonna fail. Like, don't, you know, you need a credit card for emergencies and all of these things. And then a few months later, um, some extended family members that come into town and everybody was wanting to meet at this restaurant. But Pat and I couldn't afford it at the time because we were so on our debt free journey and we just didn't have the room in our budget. And this family member was like, well, I will pay for you. I will pay for you.
And we were like, no, you're not understanding. We're, we're telling you no, because we don't have the money to do it. We appreciate you wanting to pay for us, but you're going to need to respect our, no. And it was really hard, but we had to actually keep saying over and over again, you're going to have to respect what we're saying. So if we tell you no, you need to respect it. And it was, and it was really challenging for a very long time, especially with that particular family member. Um, but it just comes down to really holding your grounds. You have to hold your ground. You don't have to fight about MCL about it because it's your family, you know, this is your family and you have to make those decisions for your family. And so you have to just kind of stand your ground and, and be firm in what you say.
Yeah, that's hard with, I mean, and it's important, like you said, to set up, um, boundaries and so that people know what to expect, that you, you know, you're not making up excuses or anything, you know, be honest with them that, no, I can't afford it, I'm not going to go. Um, instead of being, you know, like even wishy washy, that even for me, that would be hard, especially if they offer to pay for it. You say no, it's like, you know, cause you don't want to borrow money or feel like, exactly. Well, and that was the thing. So it was, let's just say that this particular family members, the type of that that wouldn't in there. That makes sense. You know what I mean? And so we knew that we couldn't accept that offer as generous as it was, because it wasn't actually being given in a generous way.
It was given in a way like, we want you at this restaurant and you're gonna be there type of way instead of more like, well, hey, you know, I don't mind, you know, paying for you guys. It's not a big deal. If you still want to go, let me know, I'll pay for you. It was instead of like, no, I'm paying for you, you know. Okay. I got you. Yes. So it was very smart for you guys to set up those boundaries ahead of time. I'm sure. Well, I hope that it's gotten easier for them over time. It has. It has, thankfully. Thankfully now they realize like that, no, you don't have to have a credit card. No, you don't have to, you know, live life that way. Like it's okay to put off going out to eat for a little while so you can save money and pay off debt.
It's okay to do those things right. And you know, and I like to tell people to budget in the fund because I mean, if you're just always saying no and never doing anything, it's hard to stick with the plan and keep going when, if you know, you're miserable all the time and can't have any fun. So, um, you know, how do you guys still budget in for date night and going out to eat and stuff? Well, I'll tell you that my husband and I work, we're kind of weird. We have realized that we're not the biggest like date night people. Yeah.
That often. Like we've tried a couple of different times. Like I mean we stole like every once in awhile we and him will like have a date night and go out to eat or whatever. But like word, not like regular go out to eat people anymore. And I think it's because like I really challenged myself when we were on this debt free journey to get really good in the kitchen. And my husband even says, he's like, honestly I don't want to eat other people's food. I like my wife's a good smart man. Totally. Exactly. And so it is funny because sometimes like we've been to like, we went to this one restaurant, there's this new restaurant in town, it's our last date night and mean it was kind of expensive, but that was fine. It was budgeted, but the food was honestly terrible. Like, yeah. And I would have rather have just made a pizza at home like, right.
You like that. So I'd like you save up and you have all these high expectations cause it's like you don't do it very often. And then for the food [inaudible] like that's just, yeah. And so we've kind of like, we've transitioned, like when we do have our dates to it being less like going out to eat and we're just going and doing something, whether we're just going hiking or something, like just something for us to go do together. Oh, that's a good idea. Um, so d what kind of kept you going while you were paying off debt? Cause I mean, I'm sure it wasn't always easy and you know, hard to say no to some things. So kind of what kind of helped keep you motivated? Honestly, it was, it was my kids. Like knowing that I, I didn't want to like [inaudible], you know, I didn't want to put them into daycare because one, we really weren't gonna be able to afford it.
But two, it was like, I enjoyed it, getting to be here with them. I enjoy the fact that if the school nurse calls because my kid is sick, I can drop what I'm doing and go get them. Like I love that. And I realized that that is something that my family truly needs. Like they need that, that family member that is here and um, is ready for them whenever they need them. And for me, that's what kept me going is that I wanted to, to be here cause I do really believe that, you know, the mom sets the tone of the household. And I know for me and my personality that if I did go back out into the workforce and I had that lifestyle, like I would be crazy all the time because I don't like being rushed and I don't like being frantic and I don't like running late and I don't like those things that I'm like, it would just never work for me.
Yeah. Same here. Like I have been home now two years and I just like the thought of going to work and like being rushed. I'll, I mean, I was stressed out, you know, my kids were sick all the time. So then I was having to miss work for that and it was just stressful. So I really like being able to work at home and you know, be there for certain things. But you know, honestly I also enjoy having alone time and working, like being at home, like where I have more control over my schedule and, and you know, just what my kids need at the time type of thing instead of being like confined to an office. Yes. So what is your number one advice or tip for people that want to be dead? My number one piece of advice is to make sure that you want to become debt free.
That you don't compare your debt free journey to someone else's. Don't assume that you know that just because this one person has paid off this mass amount of debt and they make less money than you and they did it and say you know a year that you're going to achieve that same fee in a year because then you're going to disappoint yourself if you don't meet that goal in a year. Set realistic expectations for you and for your family and for your own debt. Pay off plan. Don't allow yourself to become overwhelmed or fall into that comparison trap. Yes, that is, that is really good. That's very good advice because especially with social media and stuff, it's like, I mean even just anything in general, uh, you know, life, vacations, kids, everything. It's like you're constantly comparing yourself to what you see but you may not see the sacrifices that they make.
Cause you know, people want to post happy stuff. Not like I will, I'm sitting at home saving some money, you know, today. Exactly. They don't want to post the messy stuff. They don't want post the fact that it's, you know, Friday night and their husband's working lay and the kids are being crazy. You know, they don't want to post about that, but they, you know, they're not going to go out to eat or anything. They don't, we're going to order the pizza, they're going to help it out and find something to make in the, in the Pantry, whether it's PB andJ or cereal. Right. Like they don't want to post about that stuff. Exactly. So it's just so important not to compare yourself. Um, so just, let's see, a couple more questions. Uh, what are your current financial goals? Our current financial goals are to Max out our, um, our Roth IRA contributions.
So we are working very hard to try to achieve that. It's funny, it's easier to pay off the debt than it is to save money. I don't know. I know it is so true. I don't know why, but that is true. Like we've had, you know, it's been a struggle for us going from two incomes down to one the last two years. And so like it seems like saving or especially the Roth is always like, even though I budget it first, you know, it never, it never seems to happen like, or it's sporadic, you know, and it's something is always coming up. But it's been, it's actually been a pretty big challenge mentally for us to go from two incomes to one. Even though we're debt free, it's been really tight. Like I wouldn't have even been able to stay at home if a, if we still had debt.
So, um, you know, just, just mentally and just something just is constantly coming up that we didn't think about or something like that. Like did you have any tips from going from two incomes to one or you know, surviving and staying sane on one income? You know, it, yeah, it can be so much of a challenge. It really can be. And I mean, I think it's amazing that you guys have done that, um, after becoming debt free, you know, because it is such a lifestyle change and that for us, like we, when we got pregnant with our oldest, we knew that we wanted me to stay home. And so the best thing that we did while I was still working is we changed my paycheck from being a direct deposit into our checking account into our savings account. That allowed us that kind of time to figure out how to live on just my husband's income.
Cause yeah, it was very rocky for a few months. Like we were just constantly to go back into savings to pull money from my Bates things. Um, you know, so definitely if you are planning to make that leap from one income to, to save as much money as you can. Um, just so you have sort of that buffer because it's going to be a bit of a challenge, but don't allow the buffer to be an excuse to not budget and planning your money accordingly according to the one income that you're now trying to live off of. Absolutely. Okay. One last question. I always like to ask people about their favorite nonfiction book because you know, studies show that millionaires read like at least one book a month or something to that effect. So I always like to ask people about what their favorite book and why. Oh my goodness.
I have so, so many. Um, but I would say my favorite book would be the millionaire next door. Mm. Yeah, I have that one. I haven't actually finished it. I started it, but I had never finished it. I mean, it kind of reads like a textbook, not going to lie. Yeah. But it's, it is very insightful into what actual millionaires will look like in the United States. Um, and it's just, it's fantastic. It's like just fascinating to read it. It really is. And it really motivated us to really get this whole retirement game started. Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I've really enjoyed it just because it, it does give you a realistic view because I talk to people all the time and they, they really believe that millionaires inherited money or had like their parents help or whatever. But that's not true or accurate at all. Like most millionaires are self-made.
But I think there is also kind of a disconnect of what people think is, or who they think is a million. They think people that drive Lamborghinis are all millionaires and that's not really the case. Or that they make $1 million a year, which is, you know, a millionaire or somebody that is a, has a net worth of $1 million and they only be making like 50,000 a year. So I think that's kind of where the disconnect is too. So we see, you know, the Kardashians on TV and stuff and that's what a millionaire does, but that's not really accurate. So you're right, that book does give you a more accurate representation of what a millionaire is and that, you know, and Kinda like their spending habits and things like that. So that is a very good book. Um, but I've just get in the habit of like starting a book and then I never, I don't finish it.
Uh, not always actually did finish when it was a quick read. It was um, uh, the mock, the monk and the merchants. Oh, I love that book. Oh my gosh. That is such a good book. That is a good book too. Yes, yes. And it's a really quick read. Like it didn't take long at all, so I read that in one night. It was so good. Yeah, it was really good. So that I did finish that one over the weekend. So, um, alright. D uh, any last tips or advice for people? I mean, you know, don't be afraid of the sacrifice that's involved with becoming debt free. Um, I know a lot of times that we can be met with a huge sacrifice that we're going to have to temporarily give up in order to become debt free or to save money. Um, just keep in mind that it's, it's temporary. Life is so much longer than just a day. You know, don't, don't stress about the one sacrifice that you have to give up for just a short period of time to gain what you truly, truly want. Oh, that's awesome. Um, where can people find you? They can find me on social media @jessefearon and they can find me online at jessifearon.com that's great. I'm so happy that you are here with me today and I appreciate you coming on to speak with us. Well, thank you so much, Ashley, for having me. I really appreciate it. Thanks.

Special Guest: Jessi Fearon.