Wise Money Mentor

Taking a multi-threaded approach to staying above water (E19)

If you feel like the financial walls are closing in on you, this episode is for you.  Alex started his career with every reason to be optimistic, transitioning from one role to another with a meaningful pay increase each time. That optimism took a hard hit when the combination of student loans, an auto loan, personal loans, and credit card debt led to minimum monthly payments that consumed more than half of his take-home pay. Through Alex's resolve and a multi-threaded approach to taking control of his finances, even amidst various life challenges, he's been able to make great progress on his debts and get to the point where the money he earns this month won't be needed until next month, breaking the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle that dominated his entire adult life until now.  Listen to Alex's story to see what it took and how he made such incredible progress.  If you have a story to share and are interested in being on this podcast, reach out to Jeff at wisemoneymentor@gmail.com.  For more information about Jeff and the coaching services he offers, check out his website at www.wisemoneymentor.com. Create your podcast [https://zencastr.com/?via=wisemoneymentor] today! #madeonzencastr

Buying freedom (and singing lessons!) by paying off $100K in debt despite starting at $18K in annual income across 3 jobs (E18)

If you're barely scraping by and the idea of even spending on something you want to do seems unfathomable, this episode is for you. Amy came from humble beginnings, raised by parents who had no choice than to be frugal and scrappy in order to provide a great upbringing for Amy and her sister. Amy followed her parents' examples when she finished college and had to work three jobs to earn ~$18K and never miss a payment on her $100K in student loans. Through her hard work and resourceful lifestyle, Amy worked her way to a corporate job that allowed her to aggressively pay off her debt and, with time, get to a point where she's able to spend on things that truly add happiness to her life.   Listen to Amy's story to hear how she developed the habits and scrappiness needed to stay afloat and buy her freedom back. And don't forget to celebrate Amy's "Debt Freedom Day" on November 5!   If you have a story to share and are interested in being on this podcast, reach out to Jeff at wisemoneymentor@gmail.com.   For more information about Jeff and the coaching services he offers, check out his website at www.wisemoneymentor.com. Create your podcast [https://zencastr.com/?via=wisemoneymentor] today! #madeonzencastr

Going on offense to grow investments from $5K to $100K (and a bus!) in less than 4 years (E17)

If you feel like you're constantly on defense with your chaotic finances, this episode is for you.  Amber is an auditor who started her career with plenty of things going for her, but spending wisely wasn't one of them, and that led to her feeling like she was always playing defense, managing chaos, and trapped financially when the pandemic hit. In December 2020, Amber found the resolve to go on offense with her money, starting with a clear, deliberate budget and increased knowledge when it came to investing.  Listen to Amber's story to hear the steps she took to go on offense with her money and grow her investments from $5K to $100K in less than 4 years (oh, and buy a bus!).  If you have a story to share and are interested in being on this podcast, reach out to Jeff at wisemoneymentor@gmail.com.  For more information about Jeff and the coaching services he offers, check out his website at www.wisemoneymentor.com. Create your podcast [https://zencastr.com/?via=wisemoneymentor] today! #madeonzencastr

A social worker's journey from paycheck-to-paycheck to a fully funded 6-month emergency fund, maxed-out IRA contributions, home ownership, and more (E16)

If you think that only those with high incomes, and/or those who don't encounter many challenges in life, can achieve lofty financial goals in just a few years, this episode is for you. Lindsey is a social worker living in an expensive city in New England. With a lower income and a long list of obstacles she's encountered throughout her life (e.g., growing up with divorced parents who fought about money, navigating paying for undergrad and grad school, moving to an expensive city, recovering from debilitating injury, surviving the resulting period of no income, fighting for fair compensation), Lindsey had every reason to live (and stay) paycheck to paycheck. Instead, here is what she accomplished in a four-year timeframe: fully funded 6-month emergency fund, maxed-out IRA contributions every year (+ more in a 401k!), home ownership, accelerated paydown of student loans, cash-funded car purchase, and more. Listen to Lindsey's experiences to hear how powerful it is to use specific, measurable, motivating goals to help you achieve your dreams and resist any temptation to spend your money on what society tells you you "should" do. If you have a story to share and are interested in being on this podcast, reach out to Jeff at wisemoneymentor@gmail.com. For more information about Jeff and the coaching services he offers, check out his website at www.wisemoneymentor.com. Create your podcast [https://zencastr.com/?via=wisemoneymentor] today! #madeonzencastr

When one spouse manages finances and the other avoids them entirely (E15)

If you're in a relationship where one person manages the finances and the other avoids them entirely, this episode is for you. Anna and Hunter have been together for over 10 years, and for most of that time, Anna (the accountant) managed their finances, which was perfectly fine for Hunter, who didn't want anything to do with handling finances. Hunter turning a blind eye to their finances and Anna's lack of accountability when navigating challenges with mental health and addiction led to deceit and, ultimately, tens of thousands of dollars of credit card debt until it got to the point where their incomes were insufficient to cover their regular expenses and minimum credit card payments. Listen to Anna's and Hunter's experiences to hear how they faced reality together and became a true team in managing their finances, including increased accountability for Anna and greater awareness and involvement for Hunter. If you have a story to share and are interested in being on this podcast, reach out to Jeff at wisemoneymentor@gmail.com.  For more information about Jeff and the coaching services he offers, check out his website at www.wisemoneymentor.com. Create your podcast [https://zencastr.com/?via=wisemoneymentor] today! #madeonzencastr