What if six months was all it took to feel completely different about your money? In this episode, I’m walking you through the exact step-by-step plan I’d follow if I had to reset my finances from scratch. No extremes. No shame. No “rice and beans forever.” Just simple habits that actually work in real life. We walk through each month of the plan, from getting honest about where you are, to building a realistic budget, to creating an emergency fund you can count on. You’ll also le...

For years I believed budgeting was enough to make me feel in control, but I still felt stressed and a few steps behind. In this episode, I’m sharing the three habits that finally changed things for me. These habits helped me stop avoiding my numbers, understand the spending patterns that kept holding me back, and set up systems that made saving and planning feel natural instead of overwhelming. I’ll walk you through the simple changes that helped me stop panicking about money and start ...

The day after Christmas can feel quiet… and a little heavy. In this episode, I’m sharing the story of why Christmas Day is often one of the busiest days on my website and what it reveals about how many of us really feel about money once the gifts are opened and the excitement settles. We talk about why that post-holiday “wake-up call” doesn’t mean you failed, why January is the perfect time for a reset, and how a simple plan can bring calm and clarity after a busy season. If you’re ready to s...

Today I’m hanging out with my friend Chris Browning from Popcorn Finance for a special crossover episode filled with laughter, awkward money moments, and honest reactions to real Reddit stories. We’re diving into some truly wild financial situations, from a $250 white elephant gift exchange to a friend asking for $2,300 after a baby broke her sunglasses and phone, to a daughter feeling pressured to send her mom money every month. In true This Is Awkward fashion, Chris and I unpack each scenar...

So many people are working full time yet still feel like they’re falling behind. In today’s episode, I’m breaking down why this is happening and what you can do to take back control of your money, even in a tough economy. We talk about: Why 45 percent of Americans say the cost of living feels unaffordableThe truth about debt, housing costs, and lifestyle creepFive simple steps to create real breathing room againI also share the exact starter habits that will help you feel more stable with you...

What if your money fights aren’t really about money? In today’s episode, I’m talking with financial therapist Nathan Astle about the real reasons couples clash over spending, saving, and debt — and how to get back on the same team. Nathan explains what financial therapy is, how power dynamics show up in marriages, and why guilt can help but shame keeps us stuck. If you’ve felt alone, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, this conversation will give you hope and a plan. Resources mentio...

In this brief episode, Allison offers a heartfelt message of encouragement to stay the course on your financial journey. Happy Thanksgiving! You Might Like: Get the FREE Goodbye Debt Tracker! Grab my FREE Budgeting Cheat Sheet. Get the Budget My Paycheck Spreadsheet. Follow Allison on Instagram! @inspiredbudget Check out Inspired Budget's blog. Take my FREE class on How to Budget to Build Wealth!

What if paying off your debt didn’t have to feel like punishment? In this episode, I’m joined by Jacent Wamala, a licensed therapist and money coach who paid off $94,000 of debt in just three years…all on a single income! After walking through divorce, grief, and grad school, Jacent decided to treat her debt-free journey as an experiment instead of a burden. She shares how she stopped letting shame lead the way, got practical about her money, and created systems that actually worked for...

Ever feel like you’re crushing your budget… until halfway through the month when you realize you’ve overspent? You’re not alone. I’ve been there too—and the good news is, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. In this episode, I’m sharing the five simple steps my family uses to fix our budget when things go sideways. From adjusting your numbers without starting over to shifting your mindset so you don’t spiral, you’ll walk away with a clear plan to reset and move forward with confidence. Links Mentio...

If a big hospital bill just landed in your mailbox and your stomach dropped, take a breath. You may not have to pay all of it (or any of it). In this episode, Jared Walker, founder of Dollar For, explains how hospital charity care (financial assistance) works, who qualifies, and how his nonprofit walks patients through the process for free. Try This Now: Check eligibility for yourself or a loved one: dollarfor.org/inspiredbudgetAlready in collections or on a payment plan? Apply anyway—you may...

If you’ve ever had to dip into your emergency fund, you’re not alone. It’s such a frustrating feeling to watch your savings go down after working so hard to build it up. You know it’s there for a reason, but still, it can feel like a major setback. In this episode, I’m answering a listener question from Rachel, who asked what to do after you’ve had to use your emergency fund. I’ve been there myself, and I know how discouraging it can feel to start saving all over again. I’ll walk you through ...

Ever wish someone could just hand you a list of side hustle ideas that actually fit your skills and schedule? In this episode, Nick Loper, host of The Side Hustle Show, shows us how to do exactly that with the help of AI. Nick has a free worksheet that pairs with ChatGPT to brainstorm side hustle ideas. We test it live during our conversation using my own skills and interests. The result? A list of realistic, personalized ways to make extra money that I never would have thought of on my own. ...

If your grocery spending feels like it’s getting out of control, you are not alone. As my kids have grown, I’ve noticed just how much more food (and bigger portions!) we’re going through every single week. Add inflation on top of that, and suddenly the grocery bill looks way higher than it used to. In this episode, I’m sharing the 3 rules my family lives by when it comes to grocery shopping. These three habits have saved us hundreds of dollars each month—and they’ve made grocery shopping way ...

What does it really take to go from struggling with money to building lasting wealth? This week on the Inspired Budget Podcast, I’m joined by Emily Egashira, a Certified Financial Education Instructor who went from living in poverty and surviving off TV dinners… to becoming a debt-free millionaire in her 30s. Emily opens up about: Growing up in poverty and how it shaped her relationship with moneyWhy financial freedom happens in stages—and what those stages look likeHow to figure out your num...

Paying off over six figures of debt completely changed my family’s future, but it was not a perfect journey. Looking back, there are three big mistakes I made along the way. And honestly, I wish someone had told me sooner so I did not have to learn the hard way. In this episode of the Inspired Budget Podcast, I’m sharing: Why making your budget too strict will only set you up for failureThe mistake of focusing only on cutting costs instead of finding ways to earn moreMy biggest money regret o...

Picture this: your grocery bill, cut in half. Sounds impossible, right? Not when you've got the queen of budget-friendly meals, Erin Chase, guiding you through the art of frugal feasting! Erin, founder of $5Dinner.com and author of the $5Dinner Mom Cookbook series, joins us for a chat that's sure to change how you shop, cook, and eat. From navigating the grocery store during turbulent times to leveraging store apps for the best sales, Erin’s expertise is a lifeline for those looking to ...

If you’ve ever felt that rush from clicking “Buy now,” waited for the package like it was Christmas morning, and then… felt the guilt later, you’re not alone. In this episode, I share the honest story of how I used shopping to cope with stress, boredom, and hard feelings—and the simple shifts that helped me break the cycle. We’ll talk about why shopping feels good in the moment (hello, dopamine and anticipation), the real emotional cost that shows up later (avoidance, dread, and sleepless nig...

Have you ever felt stuck on whether to buy something? Maybe it sits in your Amazon cart for weeks—or you hit “order” and later regret it. In this episode, I’m joined by Abigail Roe of Downsize Upgrade, who created the Deliberation Station: a set of quick questions that help you decide if a purchase is worth your money, space, and energy. We talk about: The simple two-scale method she uses to filter how she spends her timeHow the Deliberation Station can stop impulse spending in its tracksMy o...

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything “right” with money but still stuck living paycheck to paycheck, you’re not alone. More often than not, it’s not the math that’s holding you back—it’s the money lies you’ve come to believe. In this episode, I’m calling out five lies that might be keeping you broke (yes, even the ones I used to believe myself!). You’ll hear the truth behind each one and the simple steps you can take to finally move forward with your money. Whether you’ve believed...

What if downsizing your home could actually upgrade your life? In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Jacqueline from Home Reimagined, who shares how she and her husband left behind a high-cost lifestyle in Austin, Texas to live full-time in a luxury RV. They cut their expenses by 45% and gained so much more in the process! Jacqueline opens up about what it was really like to let go of stuff, how their spending habits shifted, and how this big change positively impacted her business, marriage,...