Financial Coaching for Women: How To Budget, Manage Money, Pay Off Debt, Save Money, Paycheck Plans

Check out Kallai's Podcast!

This one’s for all of us who grew up with “just make it work” energy—and are ready to do things differently.

In today’s powerful episode, we’re joined by the incredible Kallai Plummer, founder of The Kal + Co, operations expert, and host of That Big CEO Energy podcast. Kallai is sharing her real, raw story of financial survival, motherhood, breaking cycles, and building a business that puts her family and her freedom first.

Kallai grew up with a single mom who made it all work behind the scenes—but didn’t talk about money. Later, she found herself in a similar spot as a young single mom, following the “do it right” playbook of college, career, 9-to-5… and still feeling stuck.

Together, we unpack:

The generational patterns around money (and silence) that so many of us are navigating
Why saving money can feel uncomfortable when you’ve never seen it modeled
How our upbringing shapes not just our finances—but our relationships, communication, and even self-worth
Why it’s so important to let our kids in on age-appropriate money convos
What it really looks like to walk away from burnout and build a business on your terms
And how to create safety, strategy, and sustainability—at home and in business

Whether you’re a single mom, a business owner, or just someone trying to change your money story, this episode is full of heart, healing, and straight-up real talk.

The biggest takeaway?

You’re not stuck. You’re learning. And you can teach your kids something different. 💛

Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level:

1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook

2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall

3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice.

This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase.

Savings Buckets, Transfers, and Debt Payoff: Your Questions Answered With Coach Michelle | 523 Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

Coach Michelle is back, besties! 🙌 We’re diving into some of the most common questions we’ve been getting in office hours and in our community—from savings buckets to debt payoff strategies and how to actually get started without spinning out in decision fatigue.

In this episode, we talk about:

💸 What savings buckets are (and why they’re a game-changer)

🎯 How to decide what you should be saving for

🛠️ How to use your savings buckets when it’s time to spend

📆 The right time to add savings buckets to your budget

🚫 What to do when you want to pay off debt and save at the same time

⚖️ Real talk about snowball vs avalanche vs “what’s stressing you out most” debt payoff methods

🎉 Celebrating every win—from getting your first budget set up to paying off $50k in debt!

Plus, we remind you to take it one step at a time—month one might just be getting your budget in place, and that’s a huge win too.

So if you’ve been wondering how to juggle savings and debt payoff, or you’re still wrapping your head around how savings buckets work, this one’s for you.

Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level:

1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook

2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall

3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice.

This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase.

How Multiple Bank Accounts Make Budgeting Easier | 522 Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

You’re not the only one avoiding your bank account like it’s haunted. 👻 Two-thirds of people do it too! But what if one tiny shift could help you go from financial fog to total clarity?

That shift? Multiple. Bank. Accounts.

Sounds complicated? It’s not. We’re breaking it down step-by-step, budget bestie style.

🧠 In This Episode:

That “black hole” checking account feeling — and why it’s so overwhelming
The adult version of “la la la I can’t hear you!” when it comes to money 😬
Why one checking and one savings account just doesn’t cut it anymore
The power of separating your money — and how it instantly simplifies your decisions
Which checking accounts you actually need (hint: bills, spending, gas + groceries)
How savings buckets give your money purpose — and keep you from “accidentally” spending it
Pet account shoutouts to Cooper and Luna 🐶💕
Simple best practices to name, hide, and automate your accounts like a pro

Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level:

1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook

2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall

3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice.

This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase.

Starting Over With $0: How Amanda Rebuilt Her Life and Budget After Divorce | 521 Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

In today’s episode, we're sitting down with Amanda — a rockstar, graduated client who proves that hitting the reset button doesn't mean starting over empty-handed. Amanda’s story is real, raw, and SO relatable for any of us navigating a financial rebuild, especially after a major life change.

She came to coaching newly single, with $0 in her bank account, two kids to support, and the determination to not mess this up. Fast-forward to today: Amanda is not only financially stable, but she’s fully funding her life, bought a house, built savings buckets, is two months ahead in her business, and is teaching her kids real money skills. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

In this episode, we chat about:

What prompted Amanda to seek financial coaching
How she strategically used her divorce settlement to reset her finances
The mindset shifts around debt, spending, and credit cards
How she ditched the stress and embraced budgeting simplicity
Why separating accounts made everything easier (yes, even with more accounts!)
Setting up her kids with money management systems early
Business owner lessons: paying yourself properly and setting monthly income goals

Amanda reminds us that it’s not about being perfect — it’s about being intentional, asking for help, and learning how to be your own bank. Whether you’re starting fresh or just need a reboot, her story is proof that we can take control, live well, and still get our nails done. 💅🏽😉

Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level:

1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook

2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall

3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice.

This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase.

Lessons from the Sessions: Budgeting for Sports Seasons & Being Ready for Job Loss | 520 Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

Today, we’re bringing you behind the scenes, straight into our coaching calls — because if our clients are navigating it, chances are you are too. We’re talking about budgeting through real-life seasons, shifting priorities, and how to create space in your budget without the guilt.

✨ What We’re Talking About:

Budgeting for the season you're actually in — hello, sports parents!
Why your family fund might need to flex (and that’s okay)
Creating custom spending accounts to reduce stress and decision fatigue
The danger of budgeting with unrealistic numbers (aka stop lying to your grocery line)
What happens when you lose your job after you’ve finally gotten your money right
How getting your budget in order makes space for life’s curveballs

We’re sharing stories from real coaching clients to show you just how powerful it is to take ownership of your money — before life forces your hand.

Because budgeting isn’t about restriction — it’s about freedom. It’s about knowing what you can afford and making confident choices (even if that means skipping a vacation to fund volleyball season 🏐).

🎧 Tune in, take what you need, and remember — we’re all bougie on a budget in our own way.

Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level:

1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook

2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall

3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice.

This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase.

How To Set Up Your Budget: Bills, Spending, and Savings Buckets (Without Tracking Every Dollar) | 519 Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

WATCH AND FOLLOW ALONG HERE!

February’s knocking at the door (yes, the month with TWO R’s — we didn’t forget 😉), and you know what that means — it’s budget planning time! In this episode, we’re walking you through how to set up your February budget step-by-step, and helping you think through all the little things that might be coming your way — from Valentine's Day to surprise school fees to Super Bowl snacks. 🍫🏈💐

Whether you’re brand new or a long-time listener, we’ve got something for you in this episode. You’ll hear exactly how we guide our clients each month and why it’s not about how much money you make — it’s about what you do with it.

Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level:

1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook

2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall

3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice.

This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase.

Should I Save or Pay Off Debt First? The Answer Isn't One-Size-Fits-All | 518 Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

This week, we’re deep in storm mode — that intense life season when everything feels a little chaotic and you’ve got no choice but to laser focus on what matters most. 💥 Whether it’s prepping for the bar exam, going through a job change, or any other major shift, we’re walking through what it means to pause the debt snowball (yes, it’s okay!), set up intentional savings, and just survive without adding to the pile.

Our guest, Andrea, is in the thick of it — juggling $15k in credit card debt, six-figure student loans (we’re just ignoring those for now, okay?), and prepping for the bar exam. But the good news? She’s already set up her budget system, is tracking her spending, and has her savings buckets lined up like a champ. 🙌🏽

We talk through:

🔹 When it makes sense to hit pause on extra debt payments

🔹 How to prioritize savings buckets during income dips

🔹 What “storm mode” really means (and why it’s NOT failure)

🔹 Why credit card calls can be scary — but powerful 💪🏾

🔹 The emotional side of budgeting and asking for help

🔹 How to handle the months when you’re not working but bills still show up

And if you’re wondering whether it’s okay to just tread water for a while — spoiler alert — YES, it is. Sometimes, we don’t need to move the needle; we just need to stop it from sliding back.

Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level:

1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook

2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall

3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice.

This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase.

How To Stop Living Paycheck To Paycheck And Get One Paycheck Ahead | 517 Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

Are you tired of that suffocating paycheck-to-paycheck cycle—even though you make good money? You’re not alone, and you're not doing anything wrong. In this episode, Shana and Vanessa are breaking down exactly how to get a paycheck ahead and why it’s the key to breathing room in your budget.

We're diving into:

Why living paycheck to paycheck is still the norm for so many (even with a solid income)
How the budgeting system most of us learned is working against us
What it actually looks like to be a paycheck ahead (and why it changes everything)
The exact steps to shift your budget one paycheck ahead—without the overwhelm
Real client stories and examples to help you visualize what this looks like in real life
How being a paycheck ahead makes your budget automatic, less stressful, and way more peaceful

Whether your paychecks land on the 1st, 15th, or every other Friday—this episode will help you finally feel in control of your money (instead of always catching up). If you’ve ever said, “I make decent money, but I still feel broke,” this one’s for you.

Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level:

1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook

2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall

3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice.

This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase.

7 Reasons You’re Living Paycheck To Paycheck | 516 Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

If you’ve ever looked at your bank account and thought, “Wait… where did my money just go?” — this episode is your episode, bestie.

This week, we’re breaking down the 7 real reasons so many of us stay stuck in the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle (even if we’re making good money). We’re talking overspending, surprise expenses, one giant messy bank account, and some serious decision fatigue.

And don't worry — we’re not just pointing out the problems. We’re showing you how to flip the script and finally get a paycheck ahead, with practical tips to bring clarity, calm, and control to your budget.

We cover:

💸 Why budgeting by paycheck is keeping you broke

📆 The power of monthly budgeting and thinking bigger

🏦 Why one messy account is low-key ruining everything

🔄 The spending mistake most of us don’t even realize we’re making

🚨 How "unexpected" expenses are actually very expected

🧾 Paying for your past vs. planning your future

🎯 And why getting a paycheck ahead is more doable than you think

We’re diving into mindset shifts and giving you the step-by-step game plan to take your budget from chaos to calm. This is the clarity and strategy you’ve been craving, without the shame spiral.

Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level:

1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook

2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall

3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice.

This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase.

What to Do When Dave Ramsey Isn’t Realistic for Your Life | 515 Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

This week, we’re talking about what it really looks like to budget with intention—and still enjoy your life. 💸❤️ One of our coaching clients joins us to share her experience going from feeling restricted by traditional advice (yes, we’re side-eyeing the rice and beans life 👀) to feeling empowered by a budget that actually fits her real life.

In this conversation, we dive into:

Why budgeting isn’t about punishment or perfection
The difference between guilt and guidance when it comes to spending
How our six-month coaching journey helped her confidently adjust her numbers over time
What it feels like to be supported and still allowed to celebrate with birthday cake (even if it’s a lil’ bougie) 🎂

This episode is for every budget bestie who's ever felt like they had to choose between getting out of debt and enjoying life. Spoiler: you don’t have to choose. You get to do both—with a plan that works for you.

Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level:

1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/facebook

2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/livecall

3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎ budgetbesties.com/coaching

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice.

This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase.