424: Shop Smart, Ditch the Shame: A Mom’s Guide to Empowered Spending with Rachel Coons

So many moms tell me they want to spend money on themselves… but the guilt hits hard. Maybe you worry you don’t “deserve” it. Maybe you fear someone will judge you (even though no one actually would). Or maybe you’re like Brie and me—an avoider at heart—convinced your bank account might bite. In this episode, we dig into all of it with money coach and creator of The Money Mom Club, Rachel Coons. She’s helped thousands of moms let go of guilt, build confidence with their finances, and learn how to save REAL money on groceries without clipping coupons or shopping five different stores. Her story—from four kids, pandemic life, and hundreds of thousands in debt, to saving $500 a month on groceries—will give you hope that feeling empowered with money really is possible. And yep… you’re allowed to spend on yourself along the way. HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE: 1️⃣ Your Money Personality Shapes Your Behaviors (And It’s Not Your Fault) Rachel breaks down the four main money personalities: The Avoider (hi, it’s us 👋) The Scarcity Saver The Overspender The Money Mom Each one stems from your past experiences with money—often long before adulthood. When you understand why you react the way you do, you can finally shift out of guilt and into confidence. 2️⃣ The SHOP Method Can Save You $300–$600 a Month on Groceries Rachel’s signature system—SHOP—is surprisingly simple: S → Shop the Shelf You have more food than you think. Most families waste 30% of their groceries every month. Start by using what you already have. H → Have a Plan A spending plan, a shopping plan, and a simple meal plan (just 3–5 meals!). No perfection required. O → Order Skip the impulse buys and online order your groceries. Better yet, shop only every two weeks. You get back time, savings… and your weekends. P → Prepare Prep based on your real life. Busy night? Choose a crockpot or pre-made meal. Tired? Use frozen pizza. It all counts. This isn’t restriction. It’s support for your real-life season. 3️⃣ Guilt About Spending Usually Means You Don’t Feel in Control If spending makes you feel nervous, judged, or “irresponsible,” Rachel says it often comes down to uncertainty about where your money is going. When you know what’s covered—your bills, your savings, your investments—you can enjoy what’s left without carrying shame or second-guessing. Spending becomes aligned with your values instead of something you “shouldn’t” do. Resources shared in this episode: Money Mom Podcast Money Mom Club with Rachel Coons Subscribe to my newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices