Don't Depend On Daddy

In this episode of Don’t Depend on Daddy, Michela shares the five best purchases she made throughout her twenties—ranging from a $20 book to a $9,000 cosmetic procedure. These investments weren’t just splurges—they deeply impacted her confidence, routines, finances, and lifestyle. From at-home coffee rituals and skincare to the transformative power of a nose job, Michela breaks down why each purchase was worth it, how she thinks about ROI when spending, and why being intentional with money is the ultimate glow-up. Whether you're in your early twenties or nearing 30, this episode will challenge you to rethink what it means to spend wisely. TIME STAMPS:  00:00 – Intro + Japan travel update & upcoming budget breakdown 03:00 – Financial tools, grad season gifts, and mid-year budget planning 05:00 – Why intentional spending matters in your 20s 06:30 – Best Purchase #1: Breville Barista Express & at-home coffee ritual 10:00 – Best Purchase #2: My nose job + how it built my confidence & business 14:30 – Navigating self-image and spending on appearance 21:00 – Best Purchase #3: The Daily Stoic and mindful morning routines 24:00 – Best Purchase #4: Red light mask & my skincare confidence journey 26:30 – Best Purchase #5: Kindle + why reading changed my life 28:45 – Final thoughts + my mindset behind “worth it” purchases 💸 Personal Finance Dashboard: https://breakyourbudget.com/personal-finance-dashboard [https://breakyourbudget.com/personal-finance-dashboard] 💸 Basic Budgeting Template:  https://breakyourbudget.com/basic-budgeting-template [https://breakyourbudget.com/basic-budgeting-template] 💸 NEW FI/RE Template:  https://breakyourbudget.com/fire-template [https://breakyourbudget.com/fire-template] ✅ Subscribe to Break Your Budget Weekly:  https://breakyourbudget.com/newsletter [https://breakyourbudget.com/newsletter] 📖 My Books:  https://breakyourbudget.com/book [https://breakyourbudget.com/book] 👩🏼‍💻 Task Management System + Promotion Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/own-your-career-template [https://breakyourbudget.com/own-your-career-template] FREE DOWNLOADS: 💸 Recession Guide: https://breakyourbudget.com/recession-guide [https://breakyourbudget.com/recession-guide] ✅ Monthly Audit Checklist: https://breakyourbudget.com/monthly-audit-checklist [https://breakyourbudget.com/monthly-audit-checklist] ✍🏻 Personal Finance Starter Kit: https://breakyourbudget.com/pf-starter-kit [https://breakyourbudget.com/pf-starter-kit] All Other Resources:  https://breakyourbudget.com/links [https://breakyourbudget.com/links] 👩🏼‍💻 Inquiries: michela@breakyourbudget.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/ [https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/] 📲 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakyourbudget [https://www.tiktok.com/@breakyourbudget] 📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/]https://www.instagram.com/michela_alloccaa [https://www.instagram.com/michela_alloccaa/?hl=en] 💸 Break Your Budget LTK:  https://www.shopltk.com/explore/MichelaAllocca/ [https://www.shopltk.com/explore/MichelaAllocca/]

In this episode of Don’t Depend on Daddy, Michela is joined by Christina Mychas—pharmacist turned YouTuber and stylist—to talk all things intentional living, personal style, and Christina’s signature concept: minimalist-ish. Together, they unpack how to shift from chronic overspending and shame-driven “no buys” to curating a wardrobe (and lifestyle) that feels aligned, elevated, and joyful. Expect a deep dive into capsule wardrobes, finding your outfit formula, buying better, and the behavioral science behind why we shop—and how to stop. If you’ve ever looked at a closet full of clothes and felt like you had nothing to wear, this episode will change your perspective. TIME STAMPS:  Episode Starts at 4:35 00:00 – Intro to the episode + quick housekeeping01:50 – Meet Christina: pharmacist, stylist, YouTuber & minimalist-ish founder03:15 – Christina’s $120K debt story and the shopping addiction that fueled it06:45 – The “boots under the bed” moment that changed everything08:00 – Starting with a no-buy challenge and what she learned10:15 – Why restrictive no-buy rules often backfire13:00 – Transitioning to minimalist-ish: what it is & why it works15:30 – Wardrobe pain points: occasion clothes vs daily wear18:00 – The power of pausing shopping to discover your actual style20:30 – Christina’s process for decluttering with intention (style it vs store it)24:00 – How to identify and build your outfit formula27:45 – Using accessories and texture to elevate basic outfits32:15 – Making seasonal fashion choices with a minimalist lens36:00 – Christina’s book, minimalist-ish journal, and final advice FIND CHRISTINA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christina.mychas [https://www.instagram.com/christina.mychas] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@christina.mychas [https://www.tiktok.com/@christina.mychas] Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Christinamychas [https://www.youtube.com/@Christinamychas] Website: https://www.minimalist-ish.com/ [https://www.minimalist-ish.com/] Book: https://www.minimalist-ish.com/buy-my-journal [https://www.minimalist-ish.com/buy-my-journal] 💸 NEW FI/RE Template:  https://breakyourbudget.com/fire-template [https://breakyourbudget.com/fire-template] 💸 Basic Budgeting Template:  https://breakyourbudget.com/basic-budgeting-template [https://breakyourbudget.com/basic-budgeting-template] 💸 Personal Finance Dashboard: https://breakyourbudget.com/personal-finance-dashboard [https://breakyourbudget.com/personal-finance-dashboard] ✅ Subscribe to Break Your Budget Weekly:  https://breakyourbudget.com/newsletter [https://breakyourbudget.com/newsletter] 📖 My Books:  https://breakyourbudget.com/book [https://breakyourbudget.com/book] 👩🏼‍💻 Task Management System + Promotion Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/own-your-career-template [https://breakyourbudget.com/own-your-career-template] FREE DOWNLOADS: 💸 Recession Guide: https://breakyourbudget.com/recession-guide [https://breakyourbudget.com/recession-guide] ✅ Monthly Audit Checklist: https://breakyourbudget.com/monthly-audit-checklist [https://breakyourbudget.com/monthly-audit-checklist] ✍🏻 Personal Finance Starter Kit: https://breakyourbudget.com/pf-starter-kit [https://breakyourbudget.com/pf-starter-kit] All Other Resources:  https://breakyourbudget.com/links [https://breakyourbudget.com/links] 👩🏼‍💻 Inquiries: michela@breakyourbudget.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/ [https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/] 📲 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakyourbudget [https://www.tiktok.com/@breakyourbudget] 📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/]https://www.instagram.com/michela_alloccaa [https://www.instagram.com/michela_alloccaa/?hl=en] 💸 Break Your Budget LTK:  https://www.shopltk.com/explore/MichelaAllocca/ [https://www.shopltk.com/explore/MichelaAllocca/]

On this episode of DDOD, Michela is sharing her journey of breaking up with social media as a creator. Content creation is an integral aspect of her business, but social media can become a toxic place. Michela shares how she is breaking her phone addiction to stop habitually scrolling, work through a dopamine detox, and create sustainable boundaries with social media. She covers why she is doing this, the negative impacts social media has on the brain, and the tactical tips she has been taking to implement.  TIME STAMPS:  Episode Starts at 4;25 💸 NEW FI/RE Template:  https://breakyourbudget.com/fire-template [https://breakyourbudget.com/fire-template] 💸 Basic Budgeting Template:  https://breakyourbudget.com/basic-budgeting-template [https://breakyourbudget.com/basic-budgeting-template] 💸 Personal Finance Dashboard: https://breakyourbudget.com/personal-finance-dashboard [https://breakyourbudget.com/personal-finance-dashboard] ✅ Subscribe to Break Your Budget Weekly:  https://breakyourbudget.com/newsletter [https://breakyourbudget.com/newsletter] 📖 My Books:  https://breakyourbudget.com/book [https://breakyourbudget.com/book] 👩🏼‍💻 Task Management System + Promotion Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/own-your-career-template [https://breakyourbudget.com/own-your-career-template] FREE DOWNLOADS: 💸 Recession Guide: https://breakyourbudget.com/recession-guide [https://breakyourbudget.com/recession-guide] ✅ Monthly Audit Checklist: https://breakyourbudget.com/monthly-audit-checklist [https://breakyourbudget.com/monthly-audit-checklist] ✍🏻 Personal Finance Starter Kit: https://breakyourbudget.com/pf-starter-kit [https://breakyourbudget.com/pf-starter-kit] All Other Resources:  https://breakyourbudget.com/links [https://breakyourbudget.com/links] 👩🏼‍💻 Inquiries: michela@breakyourbudget.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/ [https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/] 📲 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakyourbudget [https://www.tiktok.com/@breakyourbudget] 📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/]https://www.instagram.com/michela_alloccaa [https://www.instagram.com/michela_alloccaa/?hl=en] 💸 Break Your Budget LTK:  https://www.shopltk.com/explore/MichelaAllocca/ [https://www.shopltk.com/explore/MichelaAllocca/]

On this episode of DDOD, Michela sits down with Lucy Bedewi, the owner of MyWriteHandWoman. Lucy is a verbal and messaging strategist and she built her business while traveling full-time, after being fired from her first corporate job after 90 days. In this episode, Lucy shares her tips for getting started with a service business, landing your first client, selling high-ticket offers, and how she sells on social media without being an influencer. It’s a GREAT listen if you’re someone who wants to start your own business! TIME STAMPS:  Episode Starts at 6:09 FIND LUCY:  Website: https://www.mywritehandwoman.com/ [https://www.mywritehandwoman.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mywritehandwoman/ [https://www.instagram.com/mywritehandwoman/] 💸 NEW FI/RE Template:  https://breakyourbudget.com/fire-template [https://breakyourbudget.com/fire-template] 💸 Basic Budgeting Template:  https://breakyourbudget.com/basic-budgeting-template [https://breakyourbudget.com/basic-budgeting-template] 💸 Personal Finance Dashboard: https://breakyourbudget.com/personal-finance-dashboard [https://breakyourbudget.com/personal-finance-dashboard] ✅ Subscribe to Break Your Budget Weekly:  https://breakyourbudget.com/newsletter [https://breakyourbudget.com/newsletter] 📖 My Books:  https://breakyourbudget.com/book [https://breakyourbudget.com/book] 👩🏼‍💻 Task Management System + Promotion Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/own-your-career-template [https://breakyourbudget.com/own-your-career-template] FREE DOWNLOADS: 💸 Recession Guide: https://breakyourbudget.com/recession-guide [https://breakyourbudget.com/recession-guide] ✅ Monthly Audit Checklist: https://breakyourbudget.com/monthly-audit-checklist [https://breakyourbudget.com/monthly-audit-checklist] ✍🏻 Personal Finance Starter Kit: https://breakyourbudget.com/pf-starter-kit [https://breakyourbudget.com/pf-starter-kit] All Other Resources:  https://breakyourbudget.com/links [https://breakyourbudget.com/links] 👩🏼‍💻 Inquiries: michela@breakyourbudget.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/ [https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/] 📲 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakyourbudget [https://www.tiktok.com/@breakyourbudget] 📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/]https://www.instagram.com/michela_alloccaa [https://www.instagram.com/michela_alloccaa/?hl=en] 💸 Break Your Budget LTK:  https://www.shopltk.com/explore/Breakyourbudget [https://www.shopltk.com/explore/Breakyourbudget]

On this episode of DDOD, Michela shares a 2 year reflection on living alone. At first, living alone was scary, but Michela shares how she has navigated this period of her life and fostered both an intentional space as well as intentional activities that she does by herself. If you are feeling down about living alone, or want to live alone but are scared to do it, this episode is for you! TIME STAMPS:  Episode Starts at 4:51 💸 NEW FI/RE Template:  https://breakyourbudget.com/fire-template [https://breakyourbudget.com/fire-template] 💸 Basic Budgeting Template:  https://breakyourbudget.com/basic-budgeting-template [https://breakyourbudget.com/basic-budgeting-template] 💸 Personal Finance Dashboard: https://breakyourbudget.com/personal-finance-dashboard [https://breakyourbudget.com/personal-finance-dashboard] ✅ Subscribe to Break Your Budget Weekly:  https://breakyourbudget.com/newsletter [https://breakyourbudget.com/newsletter] 📖 My Books:  https://breakyourbudget.com/book [https://breakyourbudget.com/book] 👩🏼‍💻 Task Management System + Promotion Template: https://breakyourbudget.com/own-your-career-template [https://breakyourbudget.com/own-your-career-template] FREE DOWNLOADS: 💸 Recession Guide: https://breakyourbudget.com/recession-guide [https://breakyourbudget.com/recession-guide] ✅ Monthly Audit Checklist: https://breakyourbudget.com/monthly-audit-checklist [https://breakyourbudget.com/monthly-audit-checklist] ✍🏻 Personal Finance Starter Kit: https://breakyourbudget.com/pf-starter-kit [https://breakyourbudget.com/pf-starter-kit] All Other Resources:  https://breakyourbudget.com/links [https://breakyourbudget.com/links] 👩🏼‍💻 Inquiries: michela@breakyourbudget.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/ [https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/] 📲 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakyourbudget [https://www.tiktok.com/@breakyourbudget] 📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/]https://www.instagram.com/michela_alloccaa [https://www.instagram.com/michela_alloccaa/?hl=en] 💸 Break Your Budget LTK:  https://www.shopltk.com/explore/Breakyourbudget [https://www.shopltk.com/explore/Breakyourbudget]