Deeply Invested: Manage Money, Budget, Save, Invest, Build Wealth

Before anyone can fix a budget, invest, or pay off debt, they have to get past a reflex: hearing a plan and instantly listing every reason it won't work — before giving it a single reason it could. Maddie and Meghan name that reflex ("leading with no") and trace it through all five pillars — income, budget, saving, investing, debt. Same excuse, different outfit every time.  Resources: Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! 🎯 5-Day Expense Reset — Free. For when today's episode made you want to finally just look at the full picture. Previous Episode: You Got a Raise… Now What? 📘 The Confident Investor Blueprint Read the full Show Notes Here! Thanks to our sponsor: Rakuten Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don't forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies! Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

If you've already met your deductible this year, the rest of your care is about as cheap as it's going to get — and on January 1st, that resets to zero. This week, Meghan walks through five things sitting in your benefits package right now that reset before the year is over: your deductible, free preventive care, vision & dental allowances, wellness stipends, and your professional development budget — plus how to turn that last one into ammunition for your next raise. This week's action: check your deductible, book one piece of care you've been putting off, and update your brag list. Resources: Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! 🎯 5-Day Expense Reset — Free. For when today's episode made you want to finally just look at the full picture. Previous Episode: You Got a Raise… Now What? 📘 The Confident Investor Blueprint Read the full Show Notes Here! Thanks to our sponsor: Rakuten Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don't forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies! Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

So you're expecting — or you already have kids and you're wondering if you're doing this right financially. This week Maddie & Meghan pick up right where Part 1 left off: what to handle first, how to balance your future against theirs, and a no-stress intro to 529s and investing for kids. Plus: why "perfect" was never the goal. Resources: Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! 🎯 5-Day Expense Reset — Free. For when today's episode made you want to finally just look at the full picture. Previous Episode: You Got a Raise… Now What? 📘 The Confident Investor Blueprint Read the full Show Notes Here! Thanks to our sponsor: Rakuten Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don't forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies! Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

You know that vague, heavy feeling that you're stuck at your job? This week, Maddie turns it into an actual number. In ten minutes, calculate your personal "walk-away number" — the amount that would let you leave, negotiate harder, or take a real risk without panic. In this episode: Why your Freedom Number isn't the same as a full retire-forever FI number (and why that's a good thing) The 3-question formula: essential expenses × runway months + gap-coverage cushion A real example walked through step by step Why golden handcuffs only work when you don't know your number Tell us your Freedom Number, or how close you are to it — we might feature your answer in a future episode. Resources: Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! 🎯 5-Day Expense Reset — Free. For when today's episode made you want to finally just look at the full picture. Previous Episode: You Got a Raise… Now What? 📘 The Confident Investor Blueprint Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style   Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

Ever Googled "how much does it cost to raise a kid" and immediately panicked? This week Maddie & Meghan reframe the whole question — moving from "can I afford this?" to "how do I build a plan I actually trust?" They break down what really changes financially, the foundation to build before kids enter the picture, and one small step you can take this month, whether kids are in your five-year plan or not. Resources: Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! 🎯 5-Day Expense Reset — Free. For when today's episode made you want to finally just look at the full picture. Previous Episode: You Got a Raise… Now What? 📘 The Confident Investor Blueprint Read the full Show Notes Here! Thanks to our sponsor: Rakuten Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don't forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies! Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

Most of us fill out a W-4 once, on day one of a job, and never touch it again — which is fine until April rolls around and you either owe money you didn't budget for, or realize you handed the government an interest-free loan all year. This week, Meghan walks through the paycheck checkup: a free IRS tool, one pay stub, and about fifteen minutes to close the gap between what you're withholding now and what you'll actually owe. Using a real example (Riley, single, $58K salary), she shows exactly how to calculate the fix and which line on your W-4 to adjust. This week's action: pull your last pay stub, run the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator, and submit an updated W-4 if it flags a gap. Read the full Show Notes Here! Thanks to our sponsor: Rakuten Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don't forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies! Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

Ever feel like you're doing everything "right" with money but still counting down to payday just to feel free? This week Maddie & Meghan break down "escape mode" money — why so many responsible budgets quietly make people miserable — and walk through five shifts to build a financial life that supports your real life instead of competing with it. Plus: how to set up a simple system you'll actually stick to, not just start. Resources: Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! 🎯 5-Day Expense Reset — Free. For when today's episode made you want to finally just look at the full picture. Previous Episode: You Got a Raise… Now What? 📘 The Confident Investor Blueprint Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style   Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

You know exactly what it is — the statement you haven't opened, the call you keep putting off, the account you're avoiding logging into. This week, we're not solving it. We're spending ten minutes with it. Turns out that's often enough to change everything. Why avoided tasks are really about feelings, not finances The myth of needing to "feel ready" before taking action A simple 10-minute method you can use on any dreaded money task Two real-world examples: opening a statement and making a hard phone call Why momentum beats speed every time "It's just a task wearing a costume that makes it look scarier than it actually is." Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! 🎯 5-Day Expense Reset — Free. For when today's episode made you want to finally just look at the full picture. Previous Episode: You Got a Raise… Now What? 📘 The Confident Investor Blueprint Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style   Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com.

You set a savings goal two years ago and you were SO proud of it. This year, you blew right past it — on purpose. And it took way too long to feel okay about that. Somewhere along the way we started treating financial goals like contracts — break one and it feels like failure. This week, we're ripping that contract up. In this episode: Why changing your goal feels like quitting (and why it isn't) The life seasons that legitimately change your money math — promotions, pay cuts, sabbaticals, and everything in between Permission slips: to slow down, to pause investing, to take the lower-paying job that gives you your life back How to update your plan without losing the plot (three questions to ask before you pivot) Resources: Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! 🎯 5-Day Expense Reset — Free. For when today's episode made you want to finally just look at the full picture. Previous Episode: You Got a Raise… Now What? 📘 The Confident Investor Blueprint Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style   Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

Most of us sign up for a credit card, remember the headline perk, and never look at the rest of the list again. This week's CFO Corner is a 10-minute audit to fix that — whether or not your card charges an annual fee. Meghan reframes unused card benefits for what they actually are: not a bonus, but money you already paid for and haven't picked up yet. If you're carrying a card with an annual fee, that fee bought you a bundle of services — and an unused perk is the same category as a gift card sitting in a drawer. In this episode: The 3-step perk audit — pull up your card's benefits guide, list every single perk (not just the ones you remember), and mark which ones are automatic vs. which require you to activate or enroll (this is where most people quietly lose money). The math that changes the math — a worked example showing how a $95 annual fee can clear itself through credits you're not using, before you've touched anything else on the list. Two extra layers worth knowing about — merchant/card-linked offers and points transfer bonuses, plus the guardrails for using both without accidentally creating new spending or making an irreversible transfer. A reality check — not every perk fits your actual life, and that's fine. The goal isn't to force value out of every line item; it's to stop losing money on the ones that already fit. This week's CFO micro-action: List every benefit on your top annual-fee card (or your top one or two cards) and use one of them before your next statement closes. That's it — one perk, claimed, this month. Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! 🎯 5-Day Expense Reset — Free. For when today's episode made you want to finally just look at the full picture.

Merging money with a partner isn't one big conversation — it's a bunch of small, practical things nobody hands you a manual for. In Part 2 of our single vs. partnered series, Maddie and Meghan cover the subscription overlap you're probably paying for twice, the beneficiary paperwork almost everyone forgets to update, how to split bills when incomes aren't equal, the credit score myth that trips people up, and the sneaky way partners influence each other's spending. Missed Part 1? Go back and listen to Is There Really a Tax on Being Single? first.    Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! 🎯 5-Day Expense Reset — Free. For when today's episode made you want to finally just look at the full picture. Previous Episode: You Got a Raise… Now What? 📘 The Confident Investor Blueprint Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style   Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

Do you know how much you're paying to invest your money? Not what you invested — what it's costing you to stay invested. In this episode, we break down the one number almost nobody checks: the expense ratio quietly built into every fund you hold. You'll learn what a "normal" fee actually looks like, why even a 1% difference adds up to real money over time, and how to run a simple three-minute audit on your own accounts today. What an expense ratio is and where to find it Why index funds and actively managed funds can differ by 10–20x in cost The real cost of fees: it's not just what you pay, it's the growth you lose The 3-Minute Fee Audit, step by step How to make one simple, low-effort upgrade — without overhauling your whole portfolio Mistakes to avoid: panic-selling, ignoring taxes, and chasing "cheap" blindly 💬 "It's not just the fee — it's the growth that money could have had." 🎧 Listen now and find your number in under ten minutes. Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! 🎯 5-Day Expense Reset — Free. For when today's episode made you want to finally just look at the full picture. Previous Episode: You Got a Raise… Now What? 📘 The Confident Investor Blueprint Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style   Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

There's a tax that has nothing to do with April 15th. It's called the "singles tax" — but here's the thing, it's not really about being single. It's about running a household on one income instead of two. This week, Maddie and Meghan break down what that actually costs in real numbers: the tax code gap, the insurance math that doesn't play fair, and the housing myth everyone gets wrong. Plus — the flip side nobody talks about, and why being single might have you ahead in ways you're not counting. Next episode, we flip the script completely: what nobody warns you about once you DO combine your money with someone. Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! 🎯 5-Day Expense Reset — Free. For when today's episode made you want to finally just look at the full picture. Previous Episode: You Got a Raise… Now What? 📘 The Confident Investor Blueprint Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style   Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

Do you actually know what your role pays in today's market — or just what you think it pays? This week's CFO Corner is a simple, no-drama data-gathering exercise: pull 2–3 market salary ranges for your exact title and level, start (or refresh) a "brag list" of your wins, and walk into fall review season with evidence instead of a guess. No spreadsheets, no confrontation — just 20 minutes of prep that changes the whole conversation. Homework this week: pull your salary range, start your brag list, and set a recurring reminder to keep it updated. 2 of our credit card series — start with Part 1 if you missed it! Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! 📘 The Confident Investor Blueprint This is education, not personalized financial advice. Read the full Show Notes Here! Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style   Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

Paying your balance in full every month? Good — that's the hard part. This week Maddie & Meghan get into the part most people skip: actually maximizing the points and perks you're already earning. They cover how to match your cards to your real spending, why gift cards are usually the worst way to redeem, the simple math that tells you if a redemption is actually good, and the welcome-bonus and referral moves that are basically free money sitting unclaimed. Part 2 of our credit card series — start with Part 1 if you missed it! Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! 📘 The Confident Investor Blueprint This is education, not personalized financial advice. Read the full Show Notes Here! Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style   Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

Ever been asked your retirement number and gone completely blank? You're not alone — and today we're fixing that in under ten minutes. In this episode, we break down a dead-simple way to calculate your personal retirement number: how much you'll actually need to spend each year, and the one formula that turns that into a real savings target. No spreadsheets, no jargon — just math you can do on a napkin. Why "I'll figure it out later" keeps people stuck The 70–85% rule for estimating retirement spending The 4% rule, explained simply (with a real example) The most common mistakes people make when guessing their number Why retirement isn't cheaper — it's just different 💬 "Your first number doesn't need to be right — it just needs to exist." Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! 📘 The Confident Investor Blueprint This is education, not personalized financial advice. Read the full Show Notes Here! Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style   Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

Credit cards get a bad rap — but they're not the villain in your money story. In this episode, Meghan and Maddie share their own credit card journeys (mistakes included), bust the biggest myths about cards and debt, and break down the three non-negotiables that keep you in control: paying in full, paying on time, and keeping your utilization in check. Plus, a quick primer on how rewards actually work and whether that annual fee is really worth it. This is Part 1 of a two-part series — next episode, we get into the strategy that turns your everyday spending into free travel. Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! 📘 The Confident Investor Blueprint This is education, not personalized financial advice. Read the full Show Notes Here! Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style   Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

You set up your investment account. But has it drifted from what you actually planned? This week on CFO Corner, Meghan breaks down what rebalancing actually means, why it matters for your long-term wealth, and the two ways to handle it — manually or on full autopilot. No jargon, no overwhelm. Just one clear action step. This week's action step: Log in to one investment account and check your current allocation breakdown. Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! 📘 The Confident Investor Blueprint This is education, not personalized financial advice. Read the full Show Notes Here! Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style   Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

Good salary. Steady paycheck. Benefits. So why do you feel stuck? This week Maddie and Meghan unpack golden handcuffs — when a great income quietly becomes a trap — and how to get your options back. We cover why it happens, the signs you're wearing them, the real cost of staying, and five flexible ways to loosen the grip (no quitting required). Plus Meghan on walking away from six-figure income — and what actually made it possible. Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! 📘 The Confident Investor Blueprint This is education, not personalized financial advice. Read the full Show Notes Here! Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style   Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

Feeling like your money doesn't stretch as far as it used to? You're not imagining it. This episode breaks down what inflation really means for your day-to-day finances — beyond the headlines — and walks you through a quick check-in to find out your personal inflation rate. We also connect the dots on why investing matters more than ever, and close with four practical steps to protect and grow your money right now. What inflation actually is (and why the "official" number isn't your number) A 60-second exercise to check your own inflation rate Why inflation is dangerous because it's quiet The simple math behind why investing beats letting cash sit still Four CFO-approved steps to take this week Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! 📘 The Confident Investor Blueprint This is education, not personalized financial advice. Read the full Show Notes Here! Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style   Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

You're budgeting, saving, doing everything "right" — so why isn't your money actually moving? This week, Maddie and Meghan unpack 5 financial habits that look responsible but might be quietly keeping you stuck — plus the simple shift to make instead of each one. Pick one, shift it this week. Also mentioned: Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! 🎯 5-Day Expense Reset — Free. For when today's episode made you want to finally just look at the full picture. Previous Episode: You Got a Raise… Now What? 📘 The Confident Investor Blueprint Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style   Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

Everyone's talking about that one stock right now — the one with the rockets, the famous founder, and the record-breaking IPO. So should you actually buy individual stocks? In this 10-minute check-in, Meghan breaks down why funds come first for most of us, when picking up a single stock is totally okay, and what the SpaceX hype can teach you about thinking like a CFO instead of getting swept up in the noise. Plus: a smarter on-ramp if you do want individual stocks, and one 10-minute action step to run this week. In this episode: – Why "funds first" protects you while you learn – The real cost of FOMO (and why excitement isn't a strategy) – The SpaceX case study: same company, wildly different analyst calls – When individual stocks make sense — and the two honest conditions – Dividend stocks as a lower-drama starting point Your one CFO move this week: Open your investment account and find the percentage that's in individual stocks vs. diversified funds. Then ask — if that slice dropped 30% next month, would you be fine, or losing sleep? Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! 📘 The Confident Investor Blueprint This is education, not personalized financial advice. Read the full Show Notes Here! Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style   Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

A six-figure salary is not a six-figure paycheck — and in this episode we prove it. We take a real $100,000 salary, follow it all the way down to what actually hits your account, and then give every single dollar a job across all five money pillars: income, budget, save, invest, and debt. Using the 50/30/20 method, we show you exactly how to split your take-home pay, where the "wealth-building 20%" really goes, and the one thing to do this week to map your own money. Whether you make $100K, $68K, or somewhere in between, the method is the same. (Plus: the save-first vs. invest-first vs. debt-first debate we genuinely can't agree on.) Also mentioned: Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! 🎯 5-Day Expense Reset — Free. For when today's episode made you want to finally just look at the full picture. Previous Episode: You Got a Raise… Now What? 📘 The Confident Investor Blueprint Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style   Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

The names listed on your financial accounts override your will. Read that again. This week on CFO Corner, Meghan covers the task most personal finance content quietly skips — checking your beneficiaries. Most people set those names once, years ago, and never look again. But life changes, relationships change, and an outdated form could send your 401(k), IRA, or life insurance to someone you'd never choose today. In about 10 minutes, Meghan walks you through every account that needs a beneficiary, the free POD (Payable on Death) and TOD (Transfer on Death) tools that let money skip probate entirely, and the common mistakes — blank contingents, missing info, naming a minor directly — that create delays for the people you love. This isn't morbid. It's one of the most generous, protective things you can do. Your action step: pick one account and go look right now. Heads up: this episode is general education, not legal advice. Also mentioned: Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style   Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

What if your kid didn't start their financial life at zero? In Part 2 of Raising Tiny CFOs, Maddie and Meghan break down five accounts that build a money system you can hand over piece by piece. You'll learn how a 529 became far more flexible than the old "college-only" bet, what the brand-new Trump Account actually is (and who qualifies for free starter money), how UTMAs and custodial Roth IRAs work as your "extra money" layers, and the costs-nothing authorized-user trick that gives your kid a credit history before they turn 18. Don't have kids? Stay right here — every account works for you, or for a kid you love as the favorite aunt, godparent, or grandparent. You don't need to open all five. Pick the one that fits your life right now and start. Because the real goal isn't leaving your kid money — it's leaving them the know-how to run it. Also mentioned: Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style   Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

What's the story you're telling yourself about money? Not your budget — your beliefs. This week, we're doing a mid-year check-in on your money mindset. No budgets, no spreadsheets — just a slower, honest look at the "money story" quietly running in the background and shaping your decisions. We walk through a simple 3-part reflection to help you spot one belief that's holding you back, trace where it came from, and reframe it into something kinder and truer. In this episode: What a "money story" is and where it comes from A guided 3-prompt reflection: awareness, origin, reframe The one question to ask yourself in the moment: is this my reality, or my old story? "You can have the right plan and still feel stuck — because of the story you're telling yourself about money." Also mentioned: Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style   Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

Almost none of us chose the money mindset we grew up with — it got wired in before we were old enough to question it. And whether you've got kids, nieces, or just a future version of this conversation in your head, you're shaping someone's money story right now. This week, Maddie and Meghan get specific: the scarcity phrases worth retiring (starting with "money doesn't grow on trees"), the swap that teaches kids prioritization instead of fear, and why modeling calm money behavior matters more than any phrase you choose. They also walk through a real earn-tax-save-spend system running with a 4-year-old, why letting kids make small money mistakes is one of the cheapest lessons they'll ever get, and the three-hat framework — customer, employee, owner — that quietly dissolves the belief that investing is "for other people." Pick one thing. That's the whole assignment. Also mentioned: Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style   Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

Real talk: most financially responsible women are really good at tracking their bills, stressing about their savings rate, and feeling guilty about big purchases. But the everyday fun spending? It just happens — and nobody looks at it. This week, Meghan is taking you through the Fun Money Audit: a simple, honest look at whether the money you're spending on joy is actually delivering. Because a budget that doesn't account for real enjoyment is a budget you won't stick to — and a real CFO makes sure every resource is serving the mission. Including the fun ones. In this episode: how to pull your fun spending data in under five minutes, the three buckets every fun dollar falls into, and the one redirect that moves money from default spending to deferred joy. No restriction required. Your action step this week: one cancel. One redirect. Done. Also mentioned: Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

You Save Money… But You Still Feel Guilty Spending It    You check your savings. It's growing. You can afford the thing. And you still feel guilty buying it. In this episode of Deeply Invested, Maddie and Meghan dig into one of the most common — and least talked about — money struggles for high-achieving women: spending guilt. Not the kind that comes from overspending. The kind that shows up even when you're doing everything right. They break down the three root causes behind the guilt, what it actually looks like in everyday life, and four practical steps to start spending with confidence — without undoing the financial progress you've worked so hard to build. In this episode: Why saving more can actually make spending feel harder The "permission problem" that keeps you stuck in saving mode How fear of going backwards shows up in your spending habits What your Safe to Spend number is and how to find it Why practicing spending is a skill — and how to build it Reflection question: Where are you holding back, even though you don't have to? Also mentioned: Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

Do you actually know how much debt you've paid off this year? Not a feeling — the real number. In this episode, we're doing a mid-year CFO check-in on your debt. We walk through a simple 3-step exercise to calculate your actual progress since January, why that number matters more than you think, and what to do with it to set yourself up for a strong second half of the year. In this episode: Why debt payoff feels invisible (and why it's not) The 3-step progress check anyone can do in 5 minutes 3 action steps to take once you have your number Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

You're not bad with money. Your brain is just doing exactly what human brains do. In this episode, Maddie and Meghan walk through five psychological concepts that quietly work against your wallet — from why future-you feels like a stranger to why you'd rather scrub your bathroom than open a credit card statement. Each one is backed by real research, and each one comes with a practical move you can make this week. The problem was never discipline. It was always just psychology. And now you have the tools. Resources: 🎯 5-Day Expense Reset — Free. For when today's episode made you want to finally just look at the full picture. 📊 Your Budget Blueprint — $47. One hour. A budget built around your real life. 📱 Instagram: @your.money.style 📬 Substack: yourmoneystyle.substack.com   Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

Six months of data just landed in your bank account — are you actually looking at it? In this week's CFO Corner, Meghan walks you through a mid-year spending audit: how to pull your YTD numbers, what patterns to look for, and how to optimize just one category before the year is over. No overhaul required. No shame involved. Just one honest look at where your money actually went — and one smart decision about what happens next. The second half of the year starts now. Let's make it count Also mentioned: Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here! Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

"Money can't buy happiness." You've heard it a thousand times. But what if the research everyone's been quoting for the last decade was actually flawed? In this episode, Maddie and Meghan dig into the real science of money and happiness — including the 2023 study that updated everything we thought we knew. They break down what the research actually says about financial stress, why the number matters less than what it unlocks, and how the comparison trap quietly steals progress at every income level. The question isn't whether money buys happiness. It's whether yours is working for you. Resources mentioned: 🎯 5-Day Expense Reset Challenge — Free. Built for that "I need to finally see where my money is going" moment. No shame, no restriction. 📊 Your Budget Blueprint — $47. One hour. A real budget built around your actual life. 📱 Instagram: @your.money.style 📬 Substack: yourmoneystyle.substack.com Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

You got a raise. But did it actually move your finances forward — or did it just make life a little more expensive? In this week's CFO check-in, we're doing a quick but honest audit: where did your raise money actually go? We break down the three questions every high-earner should ask after a salary bump, why lifestyle inflation is sneakier than you think, and three specific actions you can take this week to make sure future-you actually benefits from the income you're earning today. More money doesn't change your life. What you do with it does. Also mentioned: Our full deep-dive episode on lifestyle inflation and why income increases so often don't lead to wealth increases. Listen HERE! Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

If your scroll looks anything like ours, you've seen at least three ads this week promising $10,000 a month from your phone. No experience. No boss. No problem. The desire for extra income is completely valid — but the way side hustles are being sold online has gotten out of hand. In this episode of Deeply Invested, Maddie and Meghan break down the five universal red flags every side hustle ad should be measured against, do an honest reality check on the big ones (SMMA, affiliate marketing, dropshipping, print on demand), and play a game of "real or made up?" with five side hustles you've probably seen online. The goal isn't to talk you out of side hustles — it's to make sure you walk into them with your eyes open. Plus, the unglamorous options that actually work, and the simple test to run before you try anything new. Resources: Past episode: The Side Hustle Starter Pack: Goals, Plans & Getting It Done Past episode: Want to Make $1,000 a Month on the Side? Let’s Talk Options FTC side hustle scam alert: consumer.ftc.gov Budget Blueprint Builder Free guide: Side Hustle Resource Guide (Canva)   Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

Side income isn't just about money — it's about options. And summer, with its flexible schedules and seasonal demand, is one of the best times of year to start earning a little (or a lot) extra. In this 10-minute CFO Corner check-in, Meghan breaks down two tiers of side hustles: micro hustles like Poshmark, Rover, website testing, and weekend brand ambassador work that can bring in $100–$500 a month, and serious income plays like freelance marketing, UGC content creation, and tutoring that can earn $500–$2,000+. She also shares the one contract clause you should check before you start, a reality check on what the median side hustler actually earns, and a 20-minute action step you can take this week. No hustle culture. No burnout. Just realistic options that fit the life you're already living. Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

When was the last time you genuinely did something for yourself? A face mask, a workout, a mental health day? We've fully embraced self-care as a culture — and that's a good thing. But there's a form of self-care almost no one is talking about, and it might be the one you need most. In this episode, Meghan and Maddie introduce the concept of financial self-care — small, intentional money habits that make your day-to-day life feel easier, calmer, and more in control. They break down the difference between reactive and proactive self-care, share specific habits across three categories (Make My Life Easier, Reduce My Stress, and Support My Future Self), and walk you through how to start a simple, sustainable routine — without spreadsheets, deprivation, or guilt. If money stress is the thing keeping you up at night, this is the conversation you've been waiting for. Resources Mentioned The Automation Episode: Build Your Money System in 30 Minutes — https://liveyourmoneystyle.podbean.com/e/money_automation/ Free 5-Day Expense Challenge — https://yourmoneystyle.myflodesk.com/5dayexpensereset Confident Investor Blueprint — https://yourmoneystyle.myflodesk.com/confidentinvestorblueprint The Best Budgeting Strategy You're Probably Not Using: Sinking Funds — https://liveyourmoneystyle.podbean.com/e/sinking_funds/ Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

It's mid-year, and that means it's time for a credit report check-in. In Week 18 of CFO Corner, we walk through why your credit report matters, the three major bureaus, and a simple strategy to monitor your credit all year long without paying for a service. Plus, get a step-by-step guide on what to look for when you pull your report - from personal info to payment history to suspicious inquiries. Twenty minutes today could save you thousands.    Resources: Free Credit Score Check   Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

You had no intention of spending $200 this weekend. And then Friday happened. In this episode, we're talking about something nobody warns you about: the way your friends quietly shape your spending — and what to do about it without making it weird. We cover the four invisible patterns, the science behind why it happens, and the exact phrases to use when "no" feels heavy. Comment WORKSHOP for the Budget Blueprint details. Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

Summer is closer than you think  -  and this week's CFO Corner is your sign to check in on the money side of it before June sneaks up on you. In this 10-minute check-in, Meghan walks you through a simple summer vacation savings audit: what you're planning, what you've saved, and whether those two things actually line up. Here's what you'll do in this episode: Figure out your full summer picture  -  not just the big trip, but all the extra spending that comes with the season Check your vacation fund  -  the real balance, not the number you hope is there Close the gap  -  four realistic options if your savings don't quite match your plans Protect your fund  -  how to keep your vacation money safe between now and the trip Set up next year  -  the one move that makes summer saving painless going forward Summer should be fun and restorative  -  not something you're paying off in October. This episode helps you make sure it stays that way. 📎 Sinking Funds Episode (mentioned)  Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

We're airing our financial dirty laundry today  -  and we're not sorry about it. In this episode, Maddie and Meghan get real about the investing mistakes they made when they were just starting out. From maxing out a 401(k) without a plan, to leaving money sitting in cash for an entire year, to unknowingly choosing funds that quietly drained thousands in fees  -  they've been there. Here's what they messed up (so you don't have to): Mistake #1 (Maddie): Maxing out 401(k) contributions way too fast  -  before her budget could actually handle it Mistake #2 (Maddie): Investing before building an emergency fund  -  and the expensive math behind why that backfired Mistake #3 (Meghan): Rolling over a 401(k) into a new account… and then leaving the money sitting in cash for a full year Mistake #4 (Meghan): Picking investments based on past returns without ever looking at fees  -  and what that actually costs over 30 years The biggest takeaway? The biggest mistake you can make is not starting at all. Imperfect action always beats perfect planning. Ready to start the right way? Check out The Confident Investor Blueprint  -  a 7-day step-by-step guide designed to take you from "I should probably start investing" to actually doing it. Just $17. Link below. 📘 The Confident Investor Blueprint Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

This week's CFO move is simple: increase just one savings goal by $25. Not your whole budget. Just one goal  -  your emergency fund, a travel fund, or your investment account. Then automate it and forget it. $25 a month is $300 a year. Small enough that you won't feel it, big enough to actually move the needle over time. 📌 Budget Blueprint Workshop Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

Are you waiting to be noticed at work  -  or are you making sure you get seen? In this episode, Meghan and Maddie break down exactly how to advocate for yourself at work, from asking for that raise to positioning yourself for your next promotion. They dig into why self-advocacy is especially hard for women (and what the research actually says about it), then hand you a practical, no-fluff playbook you can start using this week. In this episode: The myths keeping you stuck and underpaid Why working hard isn't enough  -  and what to do instead How to track your wins and build your "receipts" The exact language to use when asking for a raise or promotion Why discomfort is actually a sign you're doing it right Resources mentioned: 📋 Your Performance Review Playbook 📝 Brag List Template Raises don't go to people with potential  -  they go to people who communicate their value. Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

Insurance is one of those things you set up once and forget about  - but a quick annual check-in can save you hundreds of dollars or catch a gap in coverage before you actually need it. This week on CFO Corner, Meghan walks you through a simple insurance review across the four main policy types most people have: auto, home or renters, life, and disability. No switching providers, no becoming an insurance expert. Just pulling up your policies and actually looking at them. In this episode: What to look for in your auto, home/renters, life, and disability policies How to think about your deductibles and whether they still make sense Two questions to ask yourself: when did you last shop around, and are you bundling? What to do with any savings you find (hint: be intentional) 📌 10 minutes. One action. Your money will thank you. Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

The person you choose to build a life with is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make  -  even if it doesn't feel that way. In this episode, Maddie and Megh break down how your partner shapes your money (and vice versa), the three financial personality types most people fall into, and how to spot green flags and red flags before money becomes a source of tension. Whether you're dating, in a relationship, or just thinking ahead  -  this one's for you. Topics covered: Why your partner influences your finances more than any budget app The 3 financial styles: Saver/Planner, Spender, and Avoider Day-to-day vs. long-term financial impact of a partner Easy conversation starters that don't feel awkward What to look for in a financially compatible partner 📌 Budget Blueprint Workshop Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

When did you last check what's actually coming out of your account every month? Not the big stuff - the $9.99 here, the $14.99 there, the app you forgot you signed up for in January. This week, Maddie walks you through the Unsubscribe and Cancel Audit - a simple 4-step process to find what you're paying for, cut what you don't need, and put that money somewhere with a purpose. The 4-Step Audit: Pull your bank and credit card statements (go back 60–90 days) Make a list of every recurring charge Ask three questions for each one Cancel, downgrade, or pause This week's challenge: Set aside 20–30 minutes, do the audit, and cancel at least one thing. Then drop Maddie a message - how much did you find? 🔗 Budget Blueprint Workshop Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

Congrats on the raise! But here's the thing  -  if you don't have a plan, that extra money will quietly disappear into everyday spending without ever moving the needle on your wealth. In this quick episode, Meghan and Maddie walk you through a simple formula to make your raise actually work for you. What we cover: How to calculate your real take-home after taxes (hint: it's less than you think) The 50/30/20 raise formula: Future You / Needs / Wants How automation can make this happen without lifting a finger Why intentional spending is the antidote to lifestyle creep Resources mentioned: 🎙️ Episode 56: The Automation Episode  -  Build Your Money System in 30 Minutes 📊 Budget Blueprint Workshop This week's action steps: Calculate your actual take-home from your raise Decide your split Set up automation Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

Three months into the year  -  how are your savings goals actually holding up? In this week's CFO Corner, Meghan walks you through a quick quarterly savings check-in: where you are, where you thought you'd be, and what (if anything) needs to shift. No perfection required  -  just 10 minutes of honest, intentional review. Because the best financial plan isn't the one you set in January. It's the one that still works for your life in March. In this episode: How to review your Q1 savings progress (without the guilt trip) What to do if life changed since you set your goals One small adjustment you can make today to stay on track You don't need to be perfect. You just need to be intentional. 🔗 Budget Blueprint Workshop 🔗 Set a Q2 calendar reminder for your next check-in! Come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and    Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

Doing all the right things with your money  - but it doesn't feel like it yet? This episode is for you. Meghan and Maddie break down the six quiet shifts that happen when you start getting serious about your finances  - the ones that don't show up in your bank balance right away, but are genuinely changing your life. From pausing before you spend, to letting go of comparison, to building real confidence before the milestones ever arrive  - this is the Big Sister Talk you didn't know you needed. In this episode: Why the gap between doing the work and seeing results is actually the most important phase 6 signs you're growing financially (even when it doesn't feel like it) What to actually do if you're in this phase right now You're doing better than you think. Keep going. 🔗 Budget Blueprint Workshop 🔗 Episode 60: Why Your First $100K Feels Impossible  🔗 Episode 66: Why More Money Won't Make You Feel Confident 🔗 Episode 56: The Automation Episode — Build Your Money System in 30 Minutes 🔗 5-Day Expense Reset Challenge Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

April 15th isn't just Tax Day  -  it's also the last day to make a 2025 IRA contribution. Miss it, and that window is gone forever. This week, Maddie breaks down everything you need to do before the deadline: how much you can still contribute to your IRA, how to make sure your 401(k) is working for you in 2026, and the simple math that shows why contributing more costs less than you think. You'll learn:  -  Why missing a contribution year costs far more than the dollar amount  -  IRA vs. 401(k): limits, deadlines, and which to prioritize  -  How pre-tax contributions mean $100/month only feels like $78  -  The 4 actions to take before April 15th Resources: Budget Blueprint Workshop   Read the full Show Notes Here!   Thanks to our sponsor:   Rakuten   Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!   Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com