In 2024, I want to help you earn more money! Today, I am joined by Leigha May to continue the conversation about under-earning. Leigha is a career and executive leadership coach who helps her clients get the pay they deserve.  Leigha shares everything you need to know about under-asking. We discuss the tendency to under-ask based on limiting beliefs shaped by our upbringings and societal influences. We also talk about the importance of seeing your paycheck as a business transaction,...

In today's episode, I continue the conversation about under-earning. Money is a tool that can get you anywhere you desire to be, so regardless of your current position or financial status, I want you to make more money! I guide you through a series of exercises to help cultivate a six-figure mindset based on achieving your dream salary. This concept isn't about making more money for the sake of making more money. Building a six-figure mindset is about establishing goals, exploring...

In this episode, I continue my podcast series about underearning. You need to audit your money team to feed your earning potential. Surrounding yourself with the right people and resources is essential to getting the salary you deserve. I share the three most effective ways to audit your money team. Finding people who positively contribute to your mindset about earning more money will help you aim higher professionally. Whether it is someone you know personally, a voice that inspires you,...

Welcome to the first episode of my new series about underearning! I will not allow you to make less than your worth. Let's make a goal for 2024 to leverage earning potential and get the salary your experience, expertise, and knowledge demands.  The root cause of under-earning is a mindset block. You aren't earning more because you aren't asking for more. But breaking free from under-earning isn't just about asking for a raise. It's about confronting the fears that hold us back, like the...

If you feel like your spending is out of control, it's time to revisit your budget. An effective budget isn't about restriction; it's about aligning your money goals and values with your spending habits. Getting intentional with your spending will shift your financial taste buds and change the way you think and feel about money! In today's episode, I share how a client has progressed from uncertainty around her finances to drama-free spending. I share a situation where she felt like she...

In this week's Financial Spring Cleaning series episode, I challenge you to reflect on the first 90 days of 2024. It's unbelievable how quickly time flies, and it is so important to take a step back to evaluate our financial progress, goals, and habits. Reflecting on what has worked well in the past quarter allows us to celebrate our progress and identify areas of growth. Acknowledging our achievements, whether it's consistently saving money, paying off debt, or investing wisely, is...

Budgeting isn't just about paying bills. It's about understanding your spending patterns and making informed decisions. Our spending habits shift with the seasons. With warmer weather comes the temptation to indulge in outdoor activities, dining out, and vacations. In today's episode, I share how to create a 90-day financial plan so you can vacation without stressing over your finances. Looking at your calendar and estimating costs for upcoming travel and holidays allows you to anticipate...

Are you considering buying a home in 2024? Whether you are just starting to think about  buying a home or you’re already working hard to save a down payment, there are five essential steps you need to take before committing to a mortgage. This episode is part two of my financial spring cleaning series, and today, I want to focus on preparing to become a homeowner. From getting into the right mindset and overcoming money insecurities to exploring finance options, I share the five-part...

I'm excited to kick off a special podcast series focusing on financial spring cleaning! Today, we're diving into a topic on everyone's mind this time of year – tax refunds.  Whether you've already filed your taxes or are still putting the pieces together, it's essential to think strategically about your tax refund. Putting your tax refund towards debt might feel good temporarily, but it's not a long-term solution. If it were effective, you wouldn't be back in the same debt cycle year after...

Your financial well-being shouldn't hinge on your next paycheck. If you are potentially affected by the impending government shutdown or can't take time off of work because missing a pay cycle means you can't pay your bills, this episode is for you! If the thought of missing your next paycheck scares you, I want you to start prioritizing your financial health this year and start managing your money intentionally.  In this episode, I guide you through practical and actionable steps to break...

So many people hesitate to start working with a money coach because they fear their short-term progress will disappear once the coaching container is complete. But that's not true! I work with clients to make long-lasting changes in how they manage and think about their finances. In today's episode, I welcome Jeanine back to the podcast. She recaps how she has been managing her finances since working with me. During this client check-in we review Jeanine's current financial mindset, recent...

We are not using fake math in 2024! In today's episode, I expose the pitfalls of using fake math (guesstimations) and how it kills your budget. The problem with fake math isn't about your ability to add or list out expenses. Fake math uses inaccurate numbers to estimate spending and causes you to leave money on the table. Whether it's incorrectly guessing grocery bills or overlooking occasional costs like hair appointments, small inaccuracies add up and destroy your budget. To spend...

January is a popular month for No Spend challenges. But temporary financial restriction is not the answer to better money habits. Let's ditch the challenges and focus on a budgeting plan that fosters financial clarity and allows us to spend purposefully. In today's episode, I expose the pitfalls of short-term money challenges. We are not doing No Spend challenges in 2024! Instead, we will create a sustainable system that aligns with our desired lifestyle. By shifting away from a scarcity...

Believe it or not, financial coaches have debt, too! In today's episode, I share how a financial coach manages, leverages, and pays off debt. I tell you everything from my early experiences with credit cards to borrowing money to invest in high-value coaching. I give you an indepth look at the complexities of my business and personal debt and my methods for paying off if off. I cover everything from how to identify the root causes of debt to actionable strategies you can implement to create a...

As a financial coach, my goal is for my clients to have choices. I want you to be able to spend money however you want. Consistently saving money allows you to engage in drama-free spending. But a lot of people find it challenging to save money. They set a goal to save a certain amount every month, and when they can't do that, they decide to give up altogether. In today's episode, I share my journey of saving money. I explain how my confidence in saving money has grown exponentially over the...

Today, I'm joined by a former client, Muhawu Lumeya, whom I had the pleasure of working with about two and a half years ago. We discuss the concept of wealth beyond just monetary figures, exploring how intentional time with family and strategic financial decisions contribute to a fulfilling life. Muhawu reflects on her shift from financial anxiety to a mindset of abundance, sharing the profound impact of our coaching partnership.  Join us as we uncover the layers of wealth, from health and...

In today's episode, I share how I budget as a financial coach. Budgeting is the second step in my five-step plan for building wealth, and I give you my perspective on personal and business budgeting.  First, I explain the power of a zero-based budget, where every dollar has a purpose. I highlight how this approach brings clarity and flexibility in spending while aligning with my financial goals. Then, I explain how my personal and business budgets intertwine in my three-tiered budgeting...

In today's episode, I'm delving into my personal investing journey as an entrepreneur and financial coach!  Listen in while I share insights and lessons that shaped my financial path. From the importance of contributing to retirement to the power of playing with numbers and setting ambitious goals, I explain how I decide where to invest my money. Plus, I reveal my goals for the year, including maximizing retirement savings and finding the perfect real estate investment property. Finally,...

If regaining control of your finances and changing how you feel about money is part of your New Year’s Resolution, this episode is for you! Make it your focus for 2024 to release feelings of shame and uncertainty around spending, saving, and making money. I want you to spend money drama-free and feel confident about managing your finances.   In today’s episode, I share how to start your journey to financial freedom by outlining my five-step plan to build wealth. Each step is shared in...

It’s time to wrap up 2023! You have accomplished so much this year, and keeping that momentum going in 2024 is essential. Use 30 minutes of reflection time to set yourself on a positive trajectory for the New Year. In today’s episode, I share my favorite exercises to reflect on the previous year and set myself up for success in the future. I also outline the End of Year Checklist I encourage my clients to complete. Now is the time to set yourself up for where you desire to go with your...

At some point, you will experience a financial setback. Unexpected expenses require charges on a credit card or dipping into savings. This perceived “loss” can lead to personal judgment and shame when you have an all-or-nothing mindset about money management.  In today’s episode, I help you reframe financial setbacks as evidence of growth. You have the financial tools to pay off debt and readjust your budget to get back on track. A financial setback does not mean you don’t know how to manage...

An effective budget is not just a list of bills. If you want to reach your money goals, it is essential that you know your numbers and how you spend your money. Things like getting your hair done, going out to eat on date night, or sending thank-you gifts to clients seem like small expenses, but can have a major impact on your overall financial goals.  In today’s episode, I share how to identify fake expenses and why your spending needs to align with your budget. This process is about...

Thank you for joining me on this journey of 100 episodes! This is an incredible milestone for Money and Files, and I attribute so much of the podcast’s success to my amazing clients and listeners. Even though I do not know each of you personally, as a business owner and financial coach, I always think about you as I talk about money and how I can help add to your ‘money file.’ Today is a special tribute in honor of episode 100. I take you all the way back to the beginning and what inspired...

If you and your money sat down with a therapist, what would your money say about your relationship? Odds are, your money is stressed and overworked. Too often, high-earning individuals designate their financial livelihood to the next client, the next night shift, or the next gig. They get so caught up in reactive day-to-day money management and mental math that they don’t realize where each dollar is going. In today’s episode, I talk about how $1,000 can turn into $10,000 quickly. Managing...