Bleep the Budget🛑💸

Having kids changes a lot of things. Your sleep schedule, your free time, and definitely your budget.

In this episode of Bleep the Budget, Meghan sits down with fellow parent, Rebecca Clark, to talk about how becoming a parent completely changes your relationship with money. The things that once felt important suddenly don't, while expenses you never thought twice about become part of everyday life.

From daycare and convenience spen...

This week we’re brewing up community & chaos with Scott Newman-Bale, CEO of Short’s Brewing Company and the man known as “The Magician” behind making big ideas actually happen. 

We dive into Short’s upcoming move into Traverse City and the exciting plans for Logan’s Landing, what it really takes to keep creativity alive without blowing the budget, and why today’s craft beer landscap...

What does it really take to start a business from nothing? In this episode, we sit down with a local business owner who launched her car detailing company just a few months ago, and has already experienced the highs and lows that come with building something from the ground up. From days of silent phones and slow starts to suddenly juggling more she than expected, she shares the real, unfiltered journey of getting a business off th...

What does it really take to pull off a successful festival?

In this episode, we sit down with one of the masterminds behind northern Michigan favorites, Flapjack & Flannel and Suds & Snow, to go beyond the beer, wine, and flannel, and into the real story behind the scenes.

From early financial risks and unexpected costs to what actually makes these events profitable, we’re breaking down the numbers, the lessons learned,...

A coffee shop in a camper might sound like a fun experiment, but for Happy Camper Coffee Co it was just the beginning.

In this episode, we talk about the unexpected leap from mobile setup to full storefront, how that transition happened so quickly, and the intentional choices that made it work, like keeping prices steady while everything else scaled up.

It’s a story about timing, trust, and building something your town shows up...

Crocheting might look like a cozy hobby, but behind every handmade piece is time, strategy, and a whole lot of decision-making.

In this episode, we sit down with the creator of Yarn Over Hook (YOH) to talk about what it really takes to turn a creative passion into a source of income. From the cost of materials and hours spent on each piece, to pricing, sellingon Etsy, and navigating craft shows, we’re breaking down the busine...

Ever wonder how someone turns one short-term rental into a full-blown business?

In this episode, we sit down with Dan Brady, owner of Adventure North Vacation Rentals, to talk about how he started with just one Airbnb and slowly grew it into a thriving portfolio of properties.

Dan shares the real story behind getting started, how he keeps each property budget-friendly, and the smart money moves that helped him grow without going brok...

Picture this. You just got to your vacation spot.

Beach. Slopes. Hike. Nap. Whatever your vibe is.

The last thing you want to do? Grocery shop.

Loading the cart. Waiting in line. Hauling bags into your Airbnb. Playing pantry Tetris when all you want is a drink and a deep breath.

Now imagine skipping all of it.

Today we’re talking with the co-owner of Stocked, your fairy godmother of vacation grocery shopping, the team that makes s...

What would you do if the chance to buy your business space popped up weeks before your wedding...and your honeymoon was suddenly on the chopping block?

In this episode, we chat with a local chiropractor about his decision to purchase a building for his growing practice. He shares the financial shifts, preparation, and real-life lessons that came with moving from tenant to owner.

The plot twist? The opportunity came right before his w...

What does a baby’s first year actually cost? (Spoiler: more than anyone casually mentions.) In this episode of Bleep the Budget, Meghan and Jenna, both new moms, share their perspective on the real expenses that show up during baby’s first year; diapers, formula, bills, childcare, and all the “wait… we have to pay for that too?” moments.

We talk about what surprised us most, what felt manageable, what ...

Running a nonprofit is a nonstop hustle, and even more so when you’re responsible for a 130-year-old landmark.

In this episode, we sit down with Chad Lindsey, Executive Director of the City Opera House, to break down what it really takes to keep a mission-driven organization alive today. We talk about fundraising, awareness, and community support, clearing up the “opera” misconception (spoiler: there’s no ope...

Michael got married in October, and this episode asks the question every engaged couple is quietly panicking over: how the heck are people paying for weddings these days?!

We talk real wedding budgets, awkward family conversations, and the behind-the-scenes decisions that can turn a “dream wedding” into a spreadsheet nightmare. From guest lists and honeymoons, to a courthouse plan that did not survive family input, this ...

In this kickoff episode of Bleep the Budget, Meghan sits down with Intrepid Cycling founder Liz Belt to talk about how a simple love for riding turned into one of northern Michigan’s most empowering cycling communities. Liz gets real about the early days, the messy middle, and the money decisions no one prepares you for.
We’re talking budgeting on the fly, pricing without a roadmap, surviving the chaotic startup phas...

Bleep the Budget 🛑💸 is your weekday dose of real talk about money, side hustles, and the hustle to stay afloat without losing your mind. Hosted by Meghan McDonald of 4Front Credit Union, this show skips the shame and gets into the actually useful stuff, through conversations with small business owners, nonprofit leaders, and everyday people doing big things on small budgets.

It’s fun, bold, unfiltered, and yeah, there’...