Messy Money

Stop Letting Fear Keep You in Bad Relationships with Merideth Thompson

Ready to stop feeling broke, guilty, and overwhelmed about money, even after divorce? Inside The Smell of Money, you’ll get the tools to rebuild financial stability, master your money mindset, and create a financial plan that finally feels simple. Whether you’re looking for smart investment strategies, clarity with your budget, or even how to start investing with just $100, this is where you’ll find the confidence and stability you’ve been craving. Join here: https://www.skool.com/the-smell-of-money/about [https://www.skool.com/the-smell-of-money/about] If you’ve ever stayed in a relationship because you were afraid of the financial consequences, this episode is for you. In this honest and empowering conversation, Lisa sits down with relationship coach, negotiation professor, and work-life researcher Merideth Thompson to unpack the emotional connection between unhealthy relationships, financial instability, nervous system regulation, and rebuilding confidence after divorce. Merideth shares her deeply personal story of making the money in her marriage but having zero control over it, what happened after divorce when she had to learn to trust herself financially for the first time at 43, and why clarity is the key to escaping indecision. This episode is a must-listen if you’ve been stuck asking yourself: Can I afford to leave? What if I fail? How do I trust myself with money again? About Merideth Thompson: A relationship coach, negotiation professor, and researcher helping people gain relationship clarity using science-backed tools. Connect with her here: https://www.mypartnerlab.co/ [https://www.mypartnerlab.co/] IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN: * Why financial stability begins in your nervous system * How unhealthy relationships destroy money confidence * The hidden cost of staying stuck in indecision * How divorce can become the beginning of financial empowerment * Why self-trust matters more than budgeting in the beginning * How childhood money trauma shapes adult financial behavior * Signs you may be staying in a relationship for financial fear * Practical ways to calm your nervous system so you can make empowered decisions TIMESTAMPED KEY MOMENTS 00:01 Lisa’s debt payoff resource + mortgage freedom conversation 02:40 Meredith’s divorce story and losing financial control 04:05 Learning financial confidence after divorce 05:20 Financial stability starts in the nervous system 07:35 Tools Meredith used to regulate stress and rebuild confidence 09:45 Childhood money trauma and scarcity conditioning 14:57 Why Meredith became a relationship coach 17:45 Staying in unhealthy relationships because of financial fear 18:10 The moment she knew it was time to leave 19:40 Gaslighting, broken self-trust, and emotional recovery 22:08 Meredith’s stay-or-go relationship clarity tools Thank you for tuning into this week’s episode of I Date Money! Loved what you heard? Give us a five-star review and share the episode. Remember, it doesn't matter how much money you make; it's what you do with it 🗝️🌬️💖💸 Intro/Outro music "IDM" by Christa Lily

Financial Rock Bottom Taught Him the Real Truth About Real Estate Risk with Chris Prefontaine

Inside The Smell of Money [https://www.skool.com/the-smell-of-money/about], you’ll get the tools to rebuild financial stability, master your money mindset, and create a financial plan that finally feels simple.  Whether you’re looking for smart investment strategies, clarity with your budget, or even how to start investing with just $100, this is where you’ll find the confidence and stability you’ve been craving. If you’re ready to stop feeling financially unstable and start creating wealth with confidence, join The Smell of Money [https://www.skool.com/the-smell-of-money/about]today: https://www.skool.com/the-smell-of-money/about [https://www.skool.com/the-smell-of-money/about] Can real estate actually help you rebuild wealth after divorce without putting everything at risk? In this episode of I Date Money, Lisa sits down with Chris Prefontaine, founder of Smart Real Estate Coach, to discuss how creative real estate investing can help entrepreneurs, divorced women, and aspiring investors create wealth without relying on traditional mortgages. Chris shares: * How losing everything in 2008 changed his approach to money * Why true wealth has nothing to do with stuff * How creative financing reduces upfront cash requirements * Real examples of buying homes without traditional lending * Options if you’re financially struggling with an existing mortgage * How to avoid costly real estate mistakes CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 02:14 Chris’s 2008 collapse 05:39 True wealth redefined 07:01 Eliminating debt and rebuilding 09:16 Real estate fears for beginners 10:22 Creative financing explained 11:27 Entrepreneurs and buying homes 13:15 Help for distressed homeowners 15:02 Coaching and mentorship 16:05 Free listener resources 17:24 Closing thoughts RESOURCES Receive Chris's gift to you: 3 PayDays Book: [3paydaysbooks.com/lisa]https://3paydaysbooks.com/lisa [https://3paydaysbooks.com/lisa] Visit him here: Smart Real Estate Coach: [https://smartrealestatecoachpodcast.com/]https://smartrealestatecoach.com [https://smartrealestatecoach.com] Thank you for tuning into this week’s episode of I Date Money! 🗝🌬💖💸 Ready to stop feeling broke, guilty, and overwhelmed about money, even after divorce?  Remember, it doesn't matter how much money you make; it's what you do with it 🗝️🌬️💖💸 Intro/Outro music "IDM" by Christa Lily

Messy Money

Ready to stop feeling broke, guilty, and overwhelmed about money, even after divorce? Inside The Smell of Money [https://www.skool.com/the-smell-of-money/about?ref=96c634a120914b7b90466c17b957e4f2], you’ll get the tools to rebuild financial stability, master your money mindset, and create a financial plan that finally feels simple. Whether you’re looking for smart investment strategies, clarity with your budget, or even how to start investing with just $100, this is where you’ll find the confidence and stability you’ve been craving. Messy money does not mean you are failing. It means your money needs a simple system, not more shame. In this special Mother’s Day episode of iDateMoney®, Lisa Drennon talks about the money stress so many divorced and single moms quietly carry. From checking your account before swiping your card to moving money around just to cover bills, Lisa brings honesty, humor, and relief to the conversation around messy money. Lisa shares why personal and business money often get tangled together, why emotional spending happens, and how guilt can drive money decisions when you are trying to provide for your kids. She also explains why your nervous system matters when it comes to money and how awareness can help you rebuild confidence, stability, and control. You’ll learn: * Why messy money does not make you a bad mom * How guilt affects spending decisions after divorce * Why business owners must pay themselves a paycheck * How to use money buckets to create clarity * Why awareness creates financial power * One simple action step to find money you may already have Timestamps: 00:00 Messy money and why money buckets matter 01:15 A Mother’s Day conversation most people avoid 02:24 The emotional load of money as a single or divorced mom 03:10 Why your thoughts drive your money actions 03:45 Paying yourself as a business owner 04:48 Lisa’s story of bankruptcy, shame, and debt 06:25 Why most money problems are not math problems 07:11 Nervous system safety and emotional money choices 08:00 The Money Multiplier System and fun money 09:35 One question to ask your bank account today 10:20 How awareness can redirect your spending 11:20 Encouragement for every mom rebuilding her money story Thank you for tuning into this week’s episode of I Date Money! Remember, it doesn't matter how much money you make; it's what you do with it 🗝️🌬️💖💸 Intro/Outro music "IDM" by Christa Lily

The Missing Link Between Visibility, Confidence, & Making More Money with Kayley Hamilton

Ready to stop feeling broke, guilty, and overwhelmed about money, even after divorce? Inside The Smell of Money, [https://www.skool.com/the-smell-of-money/about] you’ll get the tools to rebuild financial stability, master your money mindset, and create a financial plan that finally feels simple. Whether you’re looking for smart investment strategies, clarity with your budget, or even how to start investing with just $100, this is where you’ll find the confidence and stability you’ve been craving. In this episode of iDateMoney, Lisa sits down with PR expert Kayley Hamilton to break down how visibility, mindset, and strategic exposure directly impact your income, confidence, and long-term financial stability. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to grow your business after divorce, this conversation will help you understand what’s really missing and how to fix it. Kayley Hamilton is a two-time Emmy Award winner, former Hollywood reporter, and founder of UPLVL Agency, where she helps experts become recognized thought leaders through media exposure. What you’ll learn: * Why stress and confusion around money directly impact your income * The real difference between PR and marketing and why it matters * How visibility builds authority and attracts aligned clients * Why mindset work is the foundation for financial growth * How to trust yourself with money and business decisions * When you’re actually ready for PR in your business * Timestamped Key Moments: 00:00 – Why stress impacts your bank account 02:15 – Leaving a stable career and facing financial uncertainty 07:00 – Trusting yourself when money feels unstable 09:20 – PR vs marketing explained simply 13:50 – What “enough money” really means 17:20 – When you’re ready to invest in visibility and PR 20:30 – The truth about haters and building a personal brand Connect with Kayley: https://www.uplvlagency.com/ [https://www.uplvlagency.com/] https://www.facebook.com/uplvlagency [https://www.facebook.com/uplvlagency] https://www.instagram.com/kayleyhamilton_/ [https://www.instagram.com/kayleyhamilton_/] Thank you for tuning into this week’s episode of I Date Money! Remember, it doesn't matter how much money you make; it's what you do with it 🗝️🌬️💖💸 Intro/Outro music "IDM" by Christa Lily

Divorce Secrets Lawyers Don’t Tell You with Diana Romanov

Ready to stop feeling broke, guilty, and overwhelmed about money, even after divorce? Inside The Smell of Money [https://www.skool.com/the-smell-of-money/about], you’ll get the tools to rebuild financial stability, master your money mindset, and create a financial plan that finally feels simple. Whether you’re looking for smart investment strategies, clarity with your budget, or even how to start investing with just $100, this is where you’ll find the confidence and stability you’ve been craving. Most women don’t lose money in divorce because of the law, they lose it because they don’t know what to look for. In this episode of iDateMoney, we sit down with Diana Romanov to break down the real financial risks women face during divorce and how to protect yourself before, during, and after. This conversation goes beyond surface-level advice and gets into the strategies that actually impact your financial stability after divorce. This episode exposes the truth about prenups, hidden assets, and the financial blind spots that cost women thousands. What you’ll learn: * Why prenups are about protection, not pessimism * The biggest mistake women make with international prenups * How spousal support really works and what it could cost you * The fastest way to uncover hidden assets * Simple financial habits that protect you before divorce even happens * Why staying uninformed can cost more than leaving Key Moments: 00:00 – Why women lose money in divorce 00:20 – Show intro 01:00 – Meet Diana 02:00 – Negotiating a prenup at 24 03:00 – What prenups really do 06:00 – Why foreign prenups fail 08:00 – When prenups help most 11:00 – Why postnups rarely work 13:00 – Spousal support explained 16:00 – Hard truth about long marriages 18:00 – How to find hidden money 20:00 – Protecting yourself financially 23:00 – Filing in different states 25:00 – Fear vs financial reality 27:00 – Choosing freedom over money 29:00 – Final advice + CTA Connect with Diana on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/romanovska] Thank you for tuning into this week’s episode of iDate Money®! Inside The Smell of Money [https://www.skool.com/the-smell-of-money/about], you’ll get the tools to rebuild financial stability, master your money mindset, and create a financial plan that finally feels simple, join today. Thank you for tuning into this week’s episode of I Date Money! Remember, it doesn't matter how much money you make; it's what you do with it that matters🗝️🌬️💖💸 Intro/Outro music "IDM" by Christa Lily