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Budget besties, can you believe it? January 2025 is here! Shana and Vanessa are back to help you prep for a fresh financial start this month. Whether December felt like a budgeting whirlwind or a total train wreck—it's okay, we've got you. We’re walking you step-by-step through closing out December and setting up your shiny new January budget. 🎉

This episode is all about:

✨ Reviewing December’s numbers (yes, even if it hurts) and using that data for a better year ahead.

✨ Setting up January’s budget with intention.

✨ Bringing over any lingering debt payments, fine-tuning your bills, and reviewing those subscriptions.

✨ Assigning your spending and creating savings buckets for all those “unexpected but totally expected” expenses (looking at you, Christmas and Amazon Prime renewals!).

You don’t have to be perfect—just start!

What You’ll Learn:

1. Why closing out December before starting January matters.

2. The step-by-step flow for creating your budget:

3. Income (let’s celebrate that number, first!)

4. Debt (minimum payments only for now, we’ll strategize later).

5. Bills (separate these from debt for total clarity).

6. Spending (where you live and swipe).

7. Savings Buckets (funding your future and the fun stuff).

8. How to take this opportunity to review your subscriptions, plan for annual bills, and make your budget truly work for you.

Budget Besties Takeaway:

Budgeting is about getting clarity—not perfection. Use what you learned in December to make January your best month yet, and don’t forget: January is the time to get those savings buckets rolling for the new year!

4 Ways To Connect With Us:

1️⃣ FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall

2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook

3️⃣ BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/budget

4️⃣ COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/coaching

"I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" < If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes! And, if you’re feeling really generous, we’d be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone.

Click here to view our privacy policy.

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

Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

In this heartwarming episode, we’re joined by our friend and former client, Megan Gephardt, who shares her inspiring financial transformation journey. Megan, a wife, mom to three boys, army veteran, and now entrepreneur, takes us through her whirlwind of life transitions—from exiting the military to building a sustainable business—all while embracing financial clarity and intentionality.

Together, we discuss how Megan went from managing two chaotic households and feeling intimidated by money to confidently stewarding her family’s finances, paying off significant debt, and even creating space for once-in-a-lifetime experiences like traveling and a peaceful home birth.

Megan’s story is proof that incremental progress and personalized systems can lead to profound peace and freedom. Whether you’re juggling kids, career changes, or just trying to figure out where your money is going, this episode is packed with encouragement and practical wisdom.

1. The Power of Financial Coaching: How Megan transitioned from overwhelm to confidence by creating systems that aligned with her family’s values.
2. Overcoming Financial Barriers: The mindset shifts Megan made to tackle debt, build savings, and create a sustainable plan for big life transitions.
3. The Beauty of Progress Over Perfection: Why taking small, consistent steps led to lasting financial peace.
4. Living Bougie on a Budget: How Megan embraced intentional spending without sacrificing her family’s quality of life.
5. Empowering Your Family: The impact financial clarity had on Megan’s marriage and ability to serve her family and business.

Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

Budget Besties, we’re diving into some real, relatable lessons from our client sessions this week! From life-altering changes to habits that need a little untangling, we’re sharing stories to help you feel seen, supported, and motivated to take charge of your money.

✨ Highlights From Today’s Episode:

1. “A Lot of Life Happened”: One client is tackling big transitions—moving, foster care changes, and income shifts. Listen in as we break down how to create a mock budget to navigate temporary storms and life-changing months.

2. Overactive Hands Syndrome 🤪: Ever feel like you’re doing too much with your money—setting up transfers, moving pennies, and overcomplicating your system? One client learned the value of starting slow, consolidating first, and letting the system do its thing.

3. Un-Muddy the Financial Waters: Budgeting isn’t an overnight fix. Like a green pool, you have to shock it, let it settle, and trust the process. We share how a step-by-step system (yes, with “training wheels” first!) gets you to a crystal-clear, stress-free money flow.

4. Automate, Automate, Automate: If your mortgage still requires a trip to the bank—hard pass! We’re sharing tips on prioritizing automation so you can reclaim your time and sanity.

Whether you’re a “hands-off ostrich” (looking at you, Shana!) or an over-involved micro-manager, we’ll help you find balance, clarity, and peace with your finances.

✨ What We’re Loving About This Episode:

Sometimes, the biggest financial wins come from getting back to basics. These stories remind us that budgeting isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress, clarity, and making life easier.

📌 Key Takeaways:

1. Start With the Basics: Don’t rush! Build your budget foundation first (and trust us, you’ll thank yourself later).

2. Embrace the Temporary Chaos: Change can be shocking (like a pool shock!), but it’s part of the process.

3. Automate What You Can: Eliminate stress by letting systems handle your bills, savings, and expenses.

4. Be Patient With Yourself: Fixing your finances takes time—just like unlearning old habits.

🎧 Tune In If You:

1. Feel overwhelmed with financial changes (hello, foster parents, new parents, or movers!).

2. Are doing too much with your transfers and need clarity on what to prioritize.

3. Want a money system that works automatically (and frees up your time and brainpower).

Budget Bestie Tip: Remember, it’s a step-by-step process—don’t try to do it all at once. Give yourself grace and trust the system!

✨ Resources Mentioned:

1. Need a clear, automated money plan? Check out our Simplified Budget System (it’ll change your life!).

Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

Hey, budget besties! 💸 We’re here with the three biggest game-changing tips for your finances. Whether you’re tired of living paycheck to paycheck, wondering how to pay off debt while still enjoying your lattes, or just need a budget that actually works for your life—this episode is for you.

We’re breaking it all down so you can simplify your money, stay bougie on a budget, and create a system that practically runs itself. You don’t need to overhaul your entire life; these three steps will start transforming your finances today.

In This Episode, We Cover:

1. Separate Bank Accounts: Why having just one account is holding you back—and how setting up separate accounts for bills, spending, and savings can simplify your life.

2. Bougie on a Budget: How to pay off debt, build wealth, and still enjoy the life you love without sacrificing what makes you happy.

3. Put Your Budget on Autopilot: The magic of automating your finances so everything is funded (and you don’t have to think about it).

Key Takeaways:

1. Modern finances are more complicated, so ditch the one-account system you used when you were 18.

2. A budget isn’t restrictive—it gives you permission to spend on the things you love while hitting your goals.

3. Automating your budget means fewer mistakes, less stress, and more freedom to enjoy your life.

Your Financial Glow-Up Starts Here:

1. Start by separating your bank accounts (bills, spending, savings).

2. Make a plan to live your bougie life without guilt—your budget should reflect what you value.

3. Set it and forget it! Automate your transfers, bill payments, and savings contributions.

4 Ways To Connect With Us:

1️⃣ FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall

2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook

3️⃣ BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/budget

4️⃣ COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/coaching

"I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" < If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes! And, if you’re feeling really generous, we’d be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone.

Click here to view our privacy policy.

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

Snag Our Simplified Budget System!

Episode Highlights:

1. We’re diving into lessons from our coaching sessions, spotlighting real transformations and wins from our amazing clients.

2. Hear how one single mom went from survival mode to saving $1,700 in a single month, preparing for a dream trip to Sweden, and finally lifting the weight of financial stress off her shoulders.

3. Discover the breakthrough story of a couple with uncombined finances. A single honest conversation turned their financial chaos into clarity and set them on the path to being a paycheck ahead in their very first month.

4. We’ll unpack why relying on bonuses or tax refunds to "catch up" could be holding you back—and how shifting your mindset and systems can unlock financial freedom.

5. Plus, we’re sharing how to approach those sometimes scary conversations about money with your partner and why they usually turn out better than you expect.

Key Takeaways:

1. Celebrate All Wins: Progress doesn’t always mean paying off massive debt—saving for the future is just as important.

2. You’re a Team: Even if your finances aren’t combined, communication is the secret sauce. Having a solid plan (and some data) makes those conversations so much easier.

3. Break the Bonus Cycle: Stop relying on bonuses or refunds to catch up on the past—your budget should create the future you’re dreaming of.

4. Shift the Focus: Paying off debt and saving money can become your new exciting goal—it’s the dopamine hit you didn’t know you needed!

4 Ways To Connect With Us:

1️⃣ FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall

2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook

3️⃣ BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/budget

4️⃣ COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/coaching

"I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" < If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes! And, if you’re feeling really generous, we’d be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone.

Click here to view our privacy policy.

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