On today's podcast Gracia Holmes shares how personal development saved her life. 

Gracia is a social worker turned confidence coach and owner of Warm&Rooted. She helps others through a journey of self-discovery to build confidence to go after the life they truly want. Her career has taken her from working with adults with severe and persistent mental illness to entrepreneurship in the coaching space. Miss Holmes' coaching program has allowed her to showcase her talents in ways that feel authentic. She is passionate about seeing others thrive in their unique way. Her motto is "putting the fears aside and focusing on that I am dope."

WHAT GRACIA DISCUSSED:
- Her personal journey and how she found herself in a financial yo-yo pattern in her mid-twenties
- How a lack of confidence was leading her towards financial struggles and bankruptcy
- The strategies and steps she took to turn her life around
AND MUCH MORE

HOW TO KEEP UP WITH GRACIA:
Her website:https://www.warmnrooted.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Warmnrooted/


❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages/

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance

305: How Personal Development Saved Gracia From Financial Ruin

On today’s episode we discuss how to get into budgeting with Mechaela Vardoulakis from Erin Condren. We also discuss how to leverage the new Erin Condren x Clever Girl Finance Budget Planner to budget better!

Mechaela is a Product Manager on the Product Development team at Erin Condren. She has been with the EC team for four years and before that, she was an Elementary School Teacher. She got her Master's in Education and taught for 4 years in the public school system in Orange County CA. She transitioned out of the classroom and into her role with Erin Condren and it's been an incredible journey since.

ABOUT THE ERIN CONDREN X CLEVER GIRL FINANCE BUDGET PLANNER
We are so excited to share the launch of the Erin Condren x Clever Girl Finance Budget Planner now available on ErinCondren.com! 

Set, track, and achieve your financial goals with this new, Clever Girl Finance Budget Planner. This budgeting planner is filled with so much functionality and planning potential! 

The easy-to-use monthly expense logs help you categorize your expenditures and help you see your spending patterns. Keep track of monthly recurring expenses, log your weekly spending habits, and use this budget planner to meet your savings goals.

This planner includes a sticker sheet to help make budgeting fun, a double sided pocket folder for receipts and more, as well as Clever Girl Budgeting Tips throughout the entire planner!

The planner is now available for $32.50 just in time for the holiday season and to help you kick off the new year on the right financial foot!

Follow the Erin Condren brand on Instagram: https://instagram.com/erincondren

304: An Intro To Budgeting (Using The Erin Condren X Clever Girl Finance Budget Planner!)

On today’s episode we discuss how to recover from budgeting setbacks with Mechaela Vardoulakis from Erin Condren. Mechaela shares her journey to paying off over $60,000 of debt and we also discuss how to leverage the new Erin Condren x Clever Girl Finance Budget Planner collaboration to aid this recovery!

Mechaela is a Product Manager on the Product Development team at Erin Condren. She has been with the EC team for four years and before that, she was an Elementary School Teacher. She got her Master's in Education and taught for 4 years in the public school system in Orange County CA. She transitioned out of the classroom and into her role with Erin Condren and it's been an incredible journey since.

ABOUT THE ERIN CONDREN X CLEVER GIRL FINANCE BUDGET PLANNER
We are so excited to share the launch of the Erin Condren x Clever Girl Finance Budget Planner now available on ErinCondren.com! 

Set, track, and achieve your financial goals with this new, coiled Clever Girl Finance Budget Planner. This budgeting planner is filled with so much functionality and planning potential! T

he easy-to-use monthly expense logs help you categorize your expenditures and help you see your spending patterns. Keep track of monthly recurring expenses, log your weekly spending habits, and use this budget planner to meet your savings goals.

This planner includes a sticker sheet to help make budgeting fun, a double sided pocket folder for receipts and more, as well as Clever Girl Budgeting Tips throughout the entire planner!

The planner is now available for $32.50 just in time for the holiday season and to help you kick off the new year on the right financial foot!

Follow the Erin Condren brand on Instagram: https://instagram.com/erincondren

307: Recovering From Budgeting Setbacks With Mechaela Vardoulakis From Erin Condren

On today’s episode, Abigail Atchison shares her story of going from debt ($12k) to achieving her dreams of becoming a foster mother.

Abigail is a personal assistant living in Los Angeles. She thought she would never reach her dream of becoming a foster mom, but thanks to facing her debt and side hustles galore, she has paid off more that $12,000, started an emergency fund, and is currently certifying with a foster agency. Her journey has many miles ahead, but she is proud of how far she’s come.

For years she has wanted to be a foster mom and couldn't afford the extra space in Los Angeles, was mired down by credit card debt from her 20's and had no real financial plan. Today, she no longer has credit card debt and has created an emergency savings fund and retirement Roth IRA. Due to these changes she isnow certifying to be a foster mom!


WHAT ABIGAIL DISCUSSED:
- Why she felt becoming a foster mother would be impossible for her
- The strategies she leveraged to pay off her $12k debt and build an emergency fund including balancing multiple jobs and side hustles
- How she became certified with a foster agency 
- Her goals as a foster mom and for the future
AND MUCH MORE


HOW TO KEEP UP WITH ABIGAIL:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alphagirlbetachef /

❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages/

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance

308: From Debt To Dreams - Paying Off $12K And Pursuing Foster Motherhood

Active vs passive incomes, which one offers more benefits? What are the pros and cons of each? And most importantly, how can you generate either or both? Keep watching to learn more!

In this podcast episode, learn how to use passive and active income and how leverage them to reach your financial goals.

❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages/

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance

309: Active Vs. Passive Income And How They Work For You!

On today’s episode of the podcast, @farnooshtorabi discusses how fear can be a powerful ally in achieving financial and life success. 

Farnoosh is one of America’s leading personal finance experts. She is the host of the award-winning podcast So Money that has earned over 30 million downloads. She is a sought-after speaker and author of multiple books.

Her newest is entitled A Healthy State of Panic, part-memoir, part-guidebook on how fear can be a superpower to achieve true wealth and career success. Along with being featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Time Magazine, Farnoosh has appeared frequently on Today, Good Morning America, and more.


WHAT FARNOOSH DISCUSSED:
1. What inspire her to explore this concept of healthy panic
2. The common fears that hold people back, and how to turn  them into strengthsFeel 
3. How to leverage the fear of money to improve one's financial situation
4. How the fear of failure and can help us embrace red flags and make the next right move. 
5. How the fear of endings can deepen appreciation for what endures
AND MUCH MORE


HOW TO KEEP UP WITH FARNOOSH:
- Via her book website: https://ahealthystateofpanic.com
- On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farnooshtorabi
- Tune into her podcast: So Money Podcast


❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages/

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance

310: Follow Your Fears To Build Wealth (A Healthy State Of Panic) With Farnoosh Torabi

On today’s podcast episode, Meghan Dwyer discusses the biggest areas where women play small with their money and how to go from playing small to playing big!

Meghan is a Certified Financial Planner and host of the ‘Money Isn’t Scary’ podcast. After spending 15 years watching women take a passive role in the management of their money, she’s on a mission to help them stop playing small. 

By challenging the societal norms around women and money, Meghan aims to empower women to make money decisions out of a sense of abundance and confidence, rather than scarcity and fear. When Meghan isn’t working, she loves running, writing, and being mom to her two young boys.


WHAT MEGHAN DISCUSSED:
1. tHE concept of playing small with money, and why it's particularly important to address this issue for women
2. How women CAN overcome the societal and personal limitations that might hold them back from pursuing higher-paying careers or opportunities
3. Specific spending habits or tendencies that women tend to exhibit that may hinder their financial progress and key strategies women can implement to ensure their spending aligns with their financial goals and priorities
4. Steps women can take to get started with investing and build a diversified portfolio
AND MUCH MORE


HOW TO KEEP UP WITH MEGHAN:
- Via her website: https://www.moneyisntscary.com/
- On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moneyisntscary/
- On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoneyIsntScary


❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages/

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance

311: The Biggest Areas Where Women Play Small With Their Money With Meghan Dwyer

Are you struggling to lay out a plan for your financial wellness? Trying to get past living paycheck to paycheck? Keep watching - I’ve got some key tips for you on how to create a financially sound plan for yourself!

In this episode, explore key steps to create a sound financial plan for yourself so you can achieve your financial goals.

❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages/

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance

313 How To Create A Financially Sound Plan For Yourself

From stress at work to nerve-racking headlines in the news to rude comments from strangers online. It can all get overwhelming when you want to protect your peace. But protecting your peace should be a priority - learn how to do it regardless of what’s happening with this podcast episode!

❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages/

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance

314: How To Protect Your Peace

On today’s episode, Jamila Souffrant shares key tips to plan out a successful journey to achieving financial freedom. 

Jamila is the author of Your Journey To Financial Freedom: A Step-by-Step Guide to Achieving Wealth and Happiness and the host of the Journey To Launch podcast. 

She is a go-to thought leader in the personal finance field and her work has been featured in BuzzFeed, ESSENCE, Refinery 29, Money Magazine, CNBC, CBS, Business Insider and more.

The Journey To Launch Podcast has over 4+ million total downloads and was listed by the NYTimes as a podcast to help you get better with your money.

Jamila and her husband saved $169,000 in two years and is also a mother of three young children and lives in Brooklyn, NY.


WHAT JAMILA DISCUSSED:
- How her mother’s immigrant story has inspired her success
- Her plan for achieving financial freedom
- The different stages or milestones people typically go through on their journey to financial independence
- How you can evaluate and modify your financial mindset and habits
-  Practical ways for individuals to increase their income to accelerate their FI journey
AND MUCH MORE


HOW TO KEEP UP WITH  JAMILA:
-  Get her book, “Your Journey to Financial Freedom: A Step By Step Guide To Achieving Wealth And Happiness: https://yourjourneytofinancialfreedom.com/
- Website: http://www.journeytolaunch.com
- Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/journey-to-launch-personal-finance-early-retirement/id1257126028?mt=2
- Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feedaHR0cHM6Ly9qb3VybmV5dG9sYXVuY2gubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journeytolaunch/
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/journeytolaunch/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/journeytolaunch/



❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages/

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance

312: Laying Out Your Journey To Financial Freedom With Jamila Souffrant

Learn how to stop wasting money on food and maximize your grocery budget! Explore 19 effective ways to grocery shop on a budget!

❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages/

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance

319: Tips To Maximize Your Grocery Budget

Molly Stillman is the host of the “Can I Laugh on Your Shoulder?” podcast,a sought-after speaker and author of the book, “If I Don't Laugh, I'll Cry: How Death, Debt, and Comedy Led to a Life of Faith, Farming, and Forgetting What I Came into This Room For” 

The lifestyle blog she started in 2007, Still Being Molly, is a community for women who love ethical style, clean beauty, parenting, funny stories, and serving in their communities. Her deep passion lies in inspiring women to know they were created on purpose, with a purpose, and for a purpose. 

Molly was on was on episode 47 sharing her debt pay off story and episode 114 talking about the emotions that come from being in debt  and also featured in the first Clever Girl Finance book.

She lives with her husband John, children Lilly and Amos, and various and sundry animals on a small farm in Durham, North Carolina. She loves Jesus a whole lot, drinks too much Diet Coke, and eats a lot of Chipotle burritos. 


WHAT MOLLY DISCUSSED:
*  The emotional journey and impact of her losing her mother at a young age.
* How she managed an unexpected inheritance of $245,485 and the financial decisions that led to substantial debt.
* How using humor as a coping mechanism during tough times influenced her career in comedy and personal growth.
* The turning point that helped her move away from depression
* Advice for someone facing tough times and feeling lost or hopeless.
* How she realized the potential for growth and purpose in her own struggles and setbacks
AND MUCH MORE


HOW TO KEEP UP WITH  MOLLY:
- Via her website: http://www.stillbeingmolly.com
- All social media:  @stillbeingmolly


❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages/

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance

318: A $245k Inheritance, Getting In Deep In Debt And Finding Hope Amid Chaos

Do you ever look back on certain money decisions you’ve made in the past and think, “My gosh… how could I have been so careless?!” 

The shame and humiliation feel real — and the more you think about it, the more embarrassed you become. In times like these, you may be experiencing a cycle of shame around money. 

Learning how to break this cycle and heal your relationship with money can help you shed your disappointment and chart a path forward.

❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages/

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance

320: Break The Cycle Of Shame Around Money

Learn 7 key tips to help you negotiate credit card debt and navigate the negotiation process!

❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages/

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance

321: 7 Tips To Negotiate Your Credit Card Debt

On today’s episode of the podcast, Shanae Brown shares how asking for help at work got her a raise! 

Shanae is a NYC-based leadership coach, workshop facilitator, and passionate speaker who’s had a stellar career in Human Resources. With nearly a decade of HR experience, Shanae has worked with top business leaders in the Financial Services, Music, and Tech industries.

Leveraging her expertise in talent development, psychology, and passion for personal growth, she founded No Cream In This Coffee, a groundbreaking career development company dedicated to creating better work experiences and workplaces for Black women.

WHAT SHANAE DISCUSSED:
1. How she overcame self-doubt and concerns about seeking guidance, especially amid organizational changes.
2. How her identity as a Black woman influenced her approach to seeking help and self-advocacy in the workplace.
3. Key strategies and advice for women facing corporate challenges.
AND MUCH MORE

HOW TO KEEP UP WITH  SHANAE:
- Via her website: https://www.nocreaminthiscoffee.com/
- On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/nocreaminthiscoffee/
- On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theshanaebrown/


❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages/

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance

322: How Shanae Leveraged Asking For Help At Work To Increase Her Income!

Let's discuss the best reasons to leave a job and what to consider before you quit. You may want to quit your job for personal reasons, while other times, it might be related to the job itself. Here are 7 common signs whether or not you should quit your job and how best to go about it!

❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages/

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance

323: Should You Quit Your Job?

On this episode, Giovanna Gonzalez shares key tips on how to navigating family dynamics and preparing for parental retirement.

Giovanna "Gigi" Gonzalez is a TikTok influencer, financial educator, and author of the bestselling book Cultura and Cash. During The Great Resignation, she quit her 10 year corporate career to pursue her true passion: teaching financial literacy to young adults.

She also teaches personal finance and career navigation for First Gen at various organizations and on her TikTok account @thefirstgenmentor. She was named 40 under 40 by the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement, "Latinx to Watch" by Hispanic Executive Magazine and Top 25 Creator by Fast Company.


WHAT GIGI DISCUSSED:
1. Her personal journey as a First Gen Latina navigating the complexities of personal finances and family dynamics
2. The importance of balancing family expectations with personal financial wellness. 
3. How she’s supporting and helping her dad prepare for retirement.
4. How to shift your money mindset and view money as a tool for self-care and empowerment
5. Advice for listeners who are eager to start taking control of their finances and building a life they love, while also considering their family's well-being


HOW TO KEEP UP WITH GIGI:
Pick up Gigi’s book at https://www.culturaandcash.com
Her website: https://www.thefirstgenmentor.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gigithefirstgenmentor/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giovannagonzalez/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefirstgenmentor



❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages/

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance

325: Navigating Family Dynamics And Preparing For Parental Retirement With Giovanna Gonzalez

Today Anna N’Jie-Konte joins us to discuss how women can protect themselves financially in romantic relationships

Anna is the President of Re-Envision Wealth and the host of the Financial Powerhouse podcast. Having spent her childhood watching the strong women around her live lives dictated by their bank balances, she’s on a mission to rewrite the money stories of women of color. 

She is a proud Puerto Rican, Gambian-American who is committed to building a financial industry where access to excellent, values-aligned financial advice is the norm, not the exception.


WHAT ANNA DISCUSSED:
* Her personal story and why financial wellness for women in relationships is so important.
* Early signs in relationships that indicated a healthy or unhealthy approach to financial matters.
* How women should approach the topic of finances with their partners.
* The importance of legal agreements such as prenuptial agreements for protecting financial interests and how this is also a personal decision.
* Warning signs that women should be aware of regarding financial abuse.
* Insights on how women should prepare financially for major life changes such as marriage, children, or divorce.


HOW TO KEEP UP WITH ANNA:
Via her website: https://www.annanjiekonte.com
On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annanjie/
On Twitter and Instagram: @anjiekonte



❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages/

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance

326: How Women Can Protect Themselves Financially In Romantic Relationships With Anna N’Jie - Konte

Steph is a mother of two beautiful girls and lives in Naarm in Melbourne, Wurundjeri Country, Australia.  On today’s episode of the podcast, Steph shares how she’s leveraged goal setting to achieve her financial goals. She has been following Clever Girl Finance for at three years and breakdowns how she’s achieved her recent amazing financial accomplishments as well as her long term financial goals.


WHAT STEPH DISCUSSED:
*How she went about improving her financial literacy
*The mindset shifts she made to get promoted at work and increase her income, pay for her car in cash and max out her emergency savings
*How she’s becoming a role model to her daughters as a single parent
How leveraging the CGF goal setting approach has been a game-changer for her
AND MUCH MORE


HOW TO KEEP UP WITH STEPH:
- Via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-may-41838049



❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages/

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance

328: How Steph Has Used Intentional Goal Setting To Achieve Her Financial Goals

The Clever Girls Know Podcast is brought to you by Clever Girl Finance, one of the largest personal finance media/education platforms for women in the U.S.  that empowers women to ditch debt, save money and build real wealth in order to live life on their own terms! 

Hosted by founder and CEO of Clever Girl Finance, Bola Sokunbi, the podcast shares open and honest conversations with real women at different stages of their financial and life journeys to inspire and motivate other women on their own journeys too!

- Get the Clever Girl Finance Roadmap today! It's completely free! Plus get our free budgeting & debt prioritization worksheets too: https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/financial-roadmap/

New tracks tagged #Clever girl finance