The Missing Piece That Keeps You From Getting Rid of Debt episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 3, 2026 · 16 MIN

The Missing Piece That Keeps You From Getting Rid of Debt

from Wealthy After 40: Retirement Ready, Financial Freedom, Budgeting, Saving, Debt · host Dalene Higgins - Money Coach & Retirement Strategist

[Ep 178]If you’ve been trying to get rid of debt but feel like you keep sliding backward, the problem usually isn’t discipline, it’s that you’re neglecting security. In this episode, I explain what an emergency fund really is, why it matters, and how it helps reduce debt by keeping you from reaching for credit cards, loans, or even family when life throws surprise expenses your way.This is one of the biggest hidden obstacles I see with clients. They come in worried about spending habits or motivation, but the real issue is that they don’t have a buffer. Without one, every unexpected bill resets progress and makes it nearly impossible to consistently eliminate debt. We’ll also talk about why the traditional definition of an emergency fund may actually be what’s delaying you from building one.You’ll Learn:✅ What is an emergency fund is and why it’s a key tool to prevent taking on debt ✅ How to personally define your emergency fund so you can build it ✅ Knowing when you should use your emergency funds✅ Make it a regular budget item so it’s always growing ✅ Where to store emergency funds for additional growth and security What topic or question would you love answered on the podcast?Not sure what you need to do to make retirement happen? Let’s identify your priorities and next steps in a Retirement Strategy Session. Book your session today.Looking to learn more about being retirement ready?Join the Facebook community Retirement Ready Hub to continue the conversation and learn how to accelerate your retirement progress.Wondering where your money actually goes each month? Get real answers on a money clarity call. Book yours today.Connect with meFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/dalene.higgins/

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Mar 3, 2026

Embed this episode

[Ep 178] If you’ve been trying to get rid of debt but feel like you keep sliding backward, the problem usually isn’t discipline, it’s that you’re neglecting security. In this episode, I explain what an emergency fund really is, why it matters, and how it helps reduce debt by keeping you from reaching for credit cards, loans, or even family when life throws surprise expenses your way. This is one of the biggest hidden obstacles I see with clients. They come in worried about spending habits or ...

Distinct summary based on available episode metadata or transcript content.

Ready to play

The Missing Piece That Keeps You From Getting Rid of Debt

0:00 16:45

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Wealthy After 40: Retirement Ready, Financial Freedom, Budgeting, Saving, Debt?

This episode is 16 minutes long.

When was this Wealthy After 40: Retirement Ready, Financial Freedom, Budgeting, Saving, Debt episode published?

This episode was published on March 3, 2026.

Is there a transcript available for this episode?

Yes, a full transcript is available for this episode. You can read the complete transcript on the episode page.

Can I download this Wealthy After 40: Retirement Ready, Financial Freedom, Budgeting, Saving, Debt episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!