270 - Pay Off Debt & Build Real Wealth with Rachel Covert, Financial Coach, Budget Expert and Founder of Electri FI Wealth

Rachel Covert is a financial coach, founder of Electrify Wealth, and creator of the Rachel Talks Money platform. A former New York City fashion VP at Isaac Mizrahi Live, Rachel walked away from the corporate ladder after realizing that lifestyle creep and overconsumption weren't just draining her bank account — they were stealing her identity. She's been featured on NASDAQ and now helps people get out of debt, break the impulse spending cycle, and start building actual wealth.She currently lives in Portugal, where the contrast with American consumer culture couldn't be more stark — and it informs everything she teaches.This episode is a practical, no-math-required conversation about money. Whether you have credit card debt, no savings, or just feel like the money comes in and goes straight back out — this one is for you.In this episode, we cover:Why overconsumption is a societal norm baked into American culture — and why awareness, not shame, is the starting pointThe dopamine cycle behind impulse shopping and why most of the hit comes from the anticipation, not the purchaseHow your nervous system drives your money decisions — and why staying broke can feel "safe" if that's how you grew upHow influencers are wired to get you to spend and how to stop emulating and start building your own financial identityLiving in Portugal vs. the US — what a culture with a tenth of the consumption looks likeThe "wiggle room" number — the only money math you actually need to knowWhy avoiding your finances is already the wrong thing — and how even 40% effort makes a real differenceCredit card debt, interest rates, and why the points system is mostly a trap if you're carrying a balanceThe "eternal employee" cycle — what keeps people from ever being able to retireHow to teach your kids about credit cards the right wayWhy retirement isn't an age, it's a number — and how to start thinking about it no matter where you are right now401k basics, employer matching, and why boring investing beats sexy investing every timeWhy you won't remember the things you didn't buy — but you will remember ItalyHer one piece of advice: be patient with yourself, pick a sustainable strategy, and compare yourself only to where you startedIf you’re trying to control spending, pay off debt and build wealth, tune in. Don’t forget to like, share and subscribe.Connect with RachelInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachel_talksmoney/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rachel_talksmoney?lang=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Rachel-Talks-Money/61556383892353/#Website: https://www.racheltalksmoney.com/