Inspired Budget

In this episode, I’m walking you through the six steps I would take if I woke up today with over $100,000 of debt. This is the exact approach I’d follow based on my own experience of paying off $111,108.29 on two teacher salaries while raising a family.

I’m breaking down what I’d do differently, what worked for us, and how to stay motivated along the way…because paying off debt is just as emotional as it is practical.

Whether you’re ...

My guest today paid off over $215,000 in student loans and credit card debt in just 48 months! 

Cindy Zuniga-Sanchez is a daughter of two immigrants, a lawyer turned entrepreneur, and the founder of Zero-Based Budget Coaching, LLC. After graduating law school in 2015, Cindy found herself in six figures worth of debt. Instead of giving into the temptation to "live the life of luxury" she deserved from all her hard work, she...

Let’s rewind to the beginning of our debt-free journey—back when I thought paying off six figures of debt would be simple, linear, and honestly… a little more glamorous.

Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.

In today’s episode, I’m getting real about the three biggest things I wish someone had told me before we even got started. These aren’t the kind of tips you find in a finance textbook. These are the behind-the-scenes lessons that shaped me e...

What do you do when you wake up and realize you owe $169,000 in debt? If you're Leigha, you grab a spreadsheet, get honest with yourself, and start sharing your journey online. 

In this inspiring episode, Leigha (@millennial30something) opens up about the moment she said enough is enough and decided to not only start her debt free journey, but share it online as well.

We talk about:

• How she balances paying off debt with still...

When my husband and I decided we were DONE with debt, we had no clue where to start. We were drowning in over $111,000 worth of debt and making two teacher salaries. We didn’t have extra money lying around, but we were determined to change our lives. So what did we do first?

In this episode, I’m walking you through the very first five steps we took to pay off six figures of debt. These are simple, doable things that helped us build ...

In this episode, I talk with Katie Kimball about teaching kids kitchen skills that save both time and money. Katie shares practical advice for parents looking to build cooking independence in children while keeping grocery budgets in check.

In this episode you will learn:

• How to teach age-appropriate kitchen skills to kids 10+ (like knife skills and stovetop cooking) that build independence while saving you time
• Practical strategi...

Just because I teach budgeting doesn’t mean I’ve always made perfect money choices. In this episode, I’m getting personal and sharing six purchases I regret. Not to shame myself or anyone else, but to show that we’re all learning as we go.

Some of these were impulse buys. Some were made with the best intentions. But all of them taught me something about values, priorities, and how sneaky spending pressure can be.

Here’s what I cover:

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Kelly Anne Smith to talk about what it really looks like to go from barely getting by to building a life with financial peace. Kelly opens up about her early money mistakes, including the time her car was repossessed—even though she technically had the money in her account.

We talk about:

• Why not knowing where your money is going can cost you big time
• How she paid off $23K in student loan...

Ever feel like you're trying to pay off debt while holding your breath, hoping your income doesn’t suddenly vanish? Or maybe your family has income that comes in waves, and you’re just trying to keep the budget afloat?

You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m answering two listener questions that so many people are navigating right now:

1. Should I pause my debt payoff if I’m worried about losing my job?
2. How do I budget when my in...

In this episode, I chat with Kevin Payne about how families can experience the magic of Disney without breaking the bank. Kevin shares his journey from adopting two children (doubling his family size!) to finding ways to make travel affordable while maintaining certain non-negotiables.

We discuss:

• The biggest Disney expenses
• Pros and cons of staying on vs. off Disney property
• How to save on food
• Setting souvenir budgets for kids (an...

Summer spending can sneak up on you fast. Between pool days, fireworks, and sales everywhere you look, it’s easy to blow through your budget without even realizing it. 

In this episode, I’m getting honest about where I’m NOT spending money this summer (looking at you, lemon-themed decor) and the few things I am saying YES to, guilt-free.

I’m sharing:

• 7 things I’m skipping this summer to save money and reduce stress
  
  
• 3 thin...

Jesse Cramer, a former aerospace engineer turned financial planner, joins me to talk about longevity risk and why it’s especially important for women to plan for the long haul.

We talk about what it means to outlive your money, how Social Security really works (especially for stay-at-home moms or lower earners), and what to do if you're behind on retirement savings. Jesse breaks it down in everyday language that anyone can unde...

Today is my birthday—I'm 38! 🎂 And instead of giving you a list of lessons or tips, I’m doing something a little different. I’m sharing what this season of life feels like—from motherhood and money, to business, marriage, and the friendships that come and go.

This is a heart-to-heart episode about being present, growing through the hard parts, and choosing what matters most. Whether you’re deep in your own season of change or ...

What if you could turn your creative curiosity into a side hustle that pays off debt, fits around your kids’ schedules, and maybe even replaces your 9-to-5?

In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Emily Odido-Sutton, a former educator turned full-time Etsy seller, who built a wildly successful print-on-demand business—without any prior design or business experience. Yep, zero.

We talk about:

• Why she started selling on Etsy with no d...

In this special Q&A episode, I’m answering two important questions from our Inspired Budget community. First, we talk about how to prepare your finances when prices are rising and the economy feels uncertain (hello, tariffs and recession talk!). Then, I answer a question about what to do when you keep going over budget—even when you technically have the money.

Whether you're adjusting to a new season of life, feeling the pr...

Today, we’re sitting down again with Jeremy Schneider, and it feels just like catching up with an old friend who’s here to clear up the confusion around financial advisors. Jeremy, who's behind both Personal Finance Club and the new venture, Nectarine, shares personal stories and why finding genuine, unbiased financial advice can be tricky. 

If you've ever felt unsure about who to trust with your financial questions, this ...

Two months ago my youngest son had a freak accident that turned our world upside down. What started as a chipped tooth at school quickly spiraled into multiple surgeries, procedures, and a life-changing injury.

I'm taking you behind the scenes of this emotional journey - from that first call from the school nurse to endless visits with specialists and surgeries. I’m sharing how we navigated multiple specialists, several surgeri...

In this episode, Allison chats with Shannah Game, financial expert and author of "Unraveling Your Relationship with Money." They dive into the deep end of our feelings about money, discussing how emotional and psychological factors impact our financial decisions. This episode is packed with stories and tips on how to manage your money mindfully.

What You'll Learn:

• The importance of emotions in your financial life.
• S...

In this episode, Allison shares a 4-step strategy that will make a real difference in your financial life and help you break free from credit card debt.

These are real steps for real people who want to pay off their credit card debt, stop the debt cycle, and build a healthier relationship with credit. 

If you're feeling overwhelmed by credit card balances, stressed about making minimum payments, or sick of throwing money away on...