#89 From Crippling Debt to Financial Freedom with Clare Seal

In this episode, I speak to financial coach, writer and podcaster Clare Seal. Clare shares her journey from racking up £27,000 in personal debt to becoming a financial educator and influencer. We discuss the decision to share her debt journey online, the steps she took to get out of debt, and the impact of motherhood on her financial decisions. Clare also dives into the importance of financial education for children and how parents can break the cycle of financial shame. We touch on the systemic struggles women face in balancing career and family life and discuss Clare's podcast 'Help Me, I'm Poor,' which explores money in popular culture. This episode is packed with valuable insights into managing money, overcoming financial challenges, breaking down financial taboos, and financial education for our kids (and ourselves!) too.  Find Clare on Instagram here  Find Help Me I'm Poor the podcast here  Join the conversation with me on Instagram here  ---------- This episode is brought to you by Victoria Whittington Financial Planning. Victoria knows how easy it is to put off sorting your finances. Life is busy. Work, family, and everything else always seem to take priority. That's why her advice is clear, jargon-free, and designed to fit around your life, not the other way round. Her role is to help you turn what you want for the future into a clear plan, break it into manageable steps, and give you the support to keep going until you get there. If you'd like to have a friendly, no-pressure chat about what financial planning could do for you book a no-obligation 30-minute session here.  Victoria Whittington Financial Planning is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James's Place Wealth Management plc which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for the purpose of advising solely on the group's wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group's website www.sjp.co.uk/products.   ------- EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 01:20 Meet Clare Seal: Financial Coach and Writer 03:04 Clare's Early Life and Career Beginnings 11:38 Navigating Debt and Financial Struggles 16:23 The Turning Point: Facing Financial Reality 19:17 Starting an Instagram Account for Accountability 30:59 Financial Coaching and Career Evolution 34:38 Questioning the Morality of Influencer Culture 34:58 Motherhood and Financial Education 35:46 The Motherhood Penalty 37:48 Balancing Work and Family Life 43:42 Financial Education for Kids 49:07 Recalibrating Financial Practices 52:10 Help Me, I'm Poor Podcast 01:01:30 Advice for Younger Self 01:06:14 Final Thoughts and Where to Find Clare