The 5 Financial Milestones Everyone Should Hit on Their Money Journey

How Your Emotions Influence Your Spending Habits

#007 - In this episode of the Surplus Stack Podcast, Eduek explores one of the biggest drivers behind overspending: emotional spending. Our spending decisions are rarely just about money. They are influenced by what we see, what we feel, what we have been told growing up, and the person we believe we should become. Eduek breaks down the most common triggers behind emotional spending, including social media influence, stress, fear of missing out, status, hormones, and the expectations we carry from family and society. Without awareness of these triggers, it is easy to fall into cycles of spending followed by guilt or regret. The episode focuses on helping listeners build awareness around their spending behaviour and introduces practical tools to help regain control, including the Five Whys method, spending rules, wait periods, wishlists, sinking funds, and accountability systems. The goal is not to eliminate spending, but to make sure financial decisions are intentional and aligned with personal values rather than external pressures.   Key Takeaways * Emotional spending is often triggered by what we see, what we feel, what we have been told, and who we want to become. * Social media, advertising, and peer influence can subtly drive spending decisions without us realizing it. * Feelings such as stress, joy, depression, hope, or fear of missing out can push people to spend impulsively. * Many financial goals are borrowed from others rather than rooted in our own values. * Using the Five Whys method can help uncover the real motivation behind major financial decisions. * Evaluating the trade-off between the joy of a purchase and the sacrifice required to obtain it can prevent impulsive spending. * Calculating how many work hours a purchase costs can create awareness around spending decisions. * Personal spending rules, wait periods, wishlists, and sinking funds are effective tools for reducing emotional spending. * Tracking spending patterns through a money system helps identify trends and triggers. * Accountability from a trusted person or community can help reinforce better financial habits.   Resources Mentioned * Surplus Stack Society https://www.surplusstacksociety.com * The Surplus Method Course * The Surplus Stack System (money tracking system) * Spending Trigger Journal * Bi-weekly Money Promenade (co-budgeting sessions) * Monthly Money Audit   How Surplus Stack Society Helps Inside the Surplus Stack Society, members receive the tools, structure, and support needed to build healthier financial habits and eliminate emotional spending. Members gain access to the Surplus Method course, which teaches budgeting, saving, investing, debt payoff, and financial independence planning. The program also includes the Surplus Stack System, a comprehensive money system that tracks income, spending, surplus, goals, and net worth. Members participate in bi-weekly Money Promenade sessions where they budget together and discuss financial decisions in real time. They also receive a monthly money audit where Eduek reviews their finances, identifies spending patterns, and provides personalized feedback. The community environment also provides accountability partners so members can stay aligned with their financial goals while working through spending triggers and money habits.   Connect Join Surplus Stack Society https://www.surplusstacksociety.com Instagram @twosidesofadime @surplusstacksociety Email contact@surplusstacksociety.com

Why You Need Keep a Surplus of 30% of Your Income Every Month

#006 - In this episode of the Surplus Stack Podcast, Eduek breaks down one of the most important numbers in your financial journey: your surplus. A surplus is the money you have left after you’ve covered your living expenses. Over the last five years, Eduek has worked with hundreds of women who have paid off debt, saved aggressively, and invested six figures. The one thing they all have in common is that they consistently maintain a surplus. In this episode, Eduek explains why a 30% surplus is the foundation of financial freedom, how to calculate your surplus step by step, and how to diagnose whether you have an income problem or a money system problem. If you’ve ever felt like your money disappears every month or you’re constantly moving money around just to get by, this episode will help you understand exactly what needs to change.   Key Takeaways * What a surplus actually is and why it is the foundation of financial progress * How to calculate your surplus using your net income and monthly expenses * Why using percentages instead of dollar amounts helps you understand your financial health * The four surplus ranges and what each one means for your finances * How to determine whether you have an income problem or a system problem * Why reaching a 30% surplus creates the breathing room needed to save, invest, and pay off debt consistently   How Surplus Stack Society Helps Inside Surplus Stack Society, members use the Surplus Stack System to track their budget, expenses, debt, investments, and net worth all in one place. The community also includes: * The Surplus Method course to guide members through budgeting, saving, investing, and debt payoff * The 30% Surplus in 30 Days challenge * Bi-weekly Money Promenade co-budgeting sessions * Monthly money audits and coaching The goal is simple: help members build a strong surplus so they can move forward with their financial goals.   Resources Mentioned Surplus Stack Society https://www.surplusstacksociety.com [https://www.surplusstacksociety.com]   Connect with Eduek Instagram @twosidesofadime @surplusstacksociety Email contact@surplusstacksociety.com   If you’re ready to build a surplus and take control of your finances, Surplus Stack Society provides the tools, system, and support to help you get there.

The 5 Financial Milestones Everyone Should Hit on Their Money Journey

#005 - In this episode of the Surplus Stack Podcast, Eduek Brooks breaks down the five financial milestones everyone should aim to achieve on their journey toward financial independence. Many people feel overwhelmed by conflicting financial advice. Should you save more, invest more, pay off debt first, or increase your income? In this episode, Eduek simplifies the path by outlining a clear sequence of milestones that help you prioritize your financial goals and measure your progress. You will learn why building a strong surplus is the foundation for everything else in your finances, how to determine the right emergency fund for your lifestyle, and why reaching your first $100,000 invested is a critical turning point for long-term wealth. Eduek also shares how these milestones are built directly into the framework of the Surplus Stack Society, giving members a step by step path to move from financial stress to financial independence.   Key Takeaways * A 30% surplus in your net income creates the breathing room needed to save, invest, and pay off debt consistently * Your emergency fund should be based on your lifestyle, job stability, and family needs rather than a one size fits all rule * Eliminating consumer debt provides freedom and flexibility in your career, lifestyle, and financial decisions * Reaching your first $100,000 invested is a powerful milestone where compound growth begins to accelerate * Financial independence happens when your investments can fully replace your income * Following a clear financial sequence prevents overwhelm and helps you focus on the most important goal at each stage   The 5 Financial Milestones Discussed 1. Build a 30% surplus in your net income 2. Save at least three months of emergency expenses 3. Pay off all consumer debt 4. Reach $100,000 invested or one year of income invested 5. Achieve financial independence   How the Surplus Method Supports These Milestones Inside Surplus Stack Society, members follow the S.U.R.P.L.U.S framework to progress through each stage of their financial journey: 1. Strengthen your surplus mindset. 2. Uncover your 30% surplus 3. Reach three months of emergency savings 4. Pay off consumer debt 5. Land one year of salary invested 6. Utilize surplus for your children’s future 7. Secure financial independence   Members also move through “Surplus Seasons,” which help them focus on the most important financial priorities for their stage of life.   Surplus Seasons Debutante Season – Building your 30% surplus and setting up your money system Baroness Season – Building emergency savings and eliminating debt Viscountess Season – Growing investments toward $100,000 Duchess Season – Working toward financial independence   Resources Mentioned Surplus Stack Society https://www.surplusstacksociety.com   Connect with Eduek Instagram @twosidesofadime @surplusstacksociety email: contact@surplusstacksociety.com   If you are ready to hit your financial milestones faster with the support of a structured system, coaching, and community, join the Surplus Stack Society and start building your path to financial independence.

The Money Routine That Will Change Your Finances

#004 - Eduek breaks down the simple money routine that helped her pay off $47,000 of debt, invest $30,000, and build a fully funded emergency fund in under three years. The key is not doing the most, it’s building an efficient money system once, then maintaining it with a routine that can take as little as five minutes.   Key Takeaways * Why a consistent money routine is a non-negotiable in 2026 * How to build your money system one time (income, expenses, categories) * Why you should budget using take-home pay and plan for your lowest month * How to categorize spending with the 5S framework (Security, Safety, Survival, Satisfaction, Stewardship or Solvency) * How to balance your budget to zero so every dollar has a job * Paycheck split and bank account split to avoid overdraft and overspending * A simple routine: budget before payday, transfer on payday, track mid-month, adjust as needed   Resources Mentioned * Surplus Stack System and  * Surplus Stack Society [https://www.surplusstacksociety.com/]   Connect * Instagram: @twosidesofadime [https://www.instagram.com/twosidesofadime/], @surplusstacksociety [https://www.instagram.com/surplusstackssociety/] * Email: hello@twosidesofadime.com [hello@twosidesofadime.com], contact@surplusstacksociety.com [contact@surplusstacksociety.com]

How I Plan to Make $300,000 in 2026

#003 - Eduek is sharing her full strategy to make $300,000 in 2026. She breaks down how she chose the number by reverse engineering her three-year goals, why 2026 is her rebuild year, and what it is actually going to take to hit that income goal without burning out. You’ll hear how she is setting a non-negotiable get out of bed fee, tightening up her income streams, tying each stream to a specific financial goal, and why she is adding a nine-to-five for stability while she builds stronger cash reserves.   Key Points * Why she chose $300,000 and how it connects to her three-year plan * How to reverse engineer income based on goals, not current salary * The get out of bed fee and why her baseline is $3,000 * Why she put all her offers under one umbrella: Surplus Stack Society * The five income streams she is focusing on plus one new stream in 2026 * Why she is going back to a nine to five and why it is strategic, not a setback * How she is pacing her focus by quarter to avoid burnout   Income Streams Mentioned * Surplus Stack Society (reinvesting into the business, goal of 300 members in 2026) * Brand partnerships (goal $36K, stretch $45K, tied to rebuilding her emergency fund) * Speaking engagements (goal $25K, stretch $30K, tied to investing) * Licensing her courses to companies (goal $75K by selling three packages) * Affiliate income (goal $2.5K as play money) * Nine to five (for predictable income, personal bills, debt, and savings)   Resources Mentioned Goal Execution Book (how she tracks targets, action steps, and quarterly focus) Richest Year Challenge [https://www.surplusstacksociety.com/Richestyearchallenge] (goal mapping and building a realistic 12-month plan with 90-day priorities)   Let’s Stay Connected If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who keeps starting over every Monday. And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. See you in the next one.