Ever wondered what actually goes on inside the Alliance Coaching Program?

In today’s episode, I’m pulling back the curtain and giving you a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to be a member. You’ll hear a real coaching conversation from one of our monthly Office Hours where we dig into an important (and super relatable) money question:

👉 What should I do with extra income — pay off debt, save for home improvements, or something else?

Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode:

• How to prioritize extra money when you’re building your financial foundation

• Why the $1,000 emergency fund is your first non-negotiable step

• How to use the debt snowball method to create momentum and knock out debt faster

• The trade-offs between debt payoff vs. home improvements (and how to decide what’s right for you)

• Why community + coaching makes decision-making about money so much less overwhelming

Inside the Alliance, we don’t just “talk about” budgeting — we celebrate wins, ask hard questions, and get the practical support we need to keep moving forward.

💡 If you’re tired of trying to figure it all out alone, the Alliance Coaching Program is here to help you create a plan that actually works for your family — and stick with it.

👉 Join us inside the Alliance Coaching Program today: https://www.jewlzthebudgetnerd.com/membership

Drowning in debt is overwhelming—but staying there is optional. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the 3 biggest mistakes I made while paying off $107,000 of consumer debt… and what I would do differently if I could hop in a time machine.

If you’re just starting your debt-free journey or you’re tired of spinning your wheels, these lessons will save you stress, time, and money:

✅ Why building a starter emergency fund is non-negotiable
✅ The budgeting tweak that prevents burnout (yes, fun money matters!)
✅ How accountability and support can speed up your payoff timeline

You don’t need a perfect plan to win with money—you just need the right focus at the right time. Learn from my regrets so you can avoid repeating them, and start moving toward financial freedom with confidence.

👉 Mentioned in this episode:
🎙️ Episode 1: Our $107K Debt Elimination Journey
✨ Free Workshop: 15 Minutes to Money Clarity: www.jewlzthebudgetnerd.com/clarity

Back-to-school season can feel like a financial ambush—supplies, sports fees, clothes, fundraisers, and picture day all hitting at once. Most families grab the credit card to cover it, but the stress (and interest) sticks around long after the school year starts.

In this episode, I’m sharing three simple, practical hacks to help you handle back-to-school expenses without debt—so you can feel confident and stress-free as your kids head into a new year.

You’ll learn:

• ✅ How to create a sinking fund that makes August expenses way less painful

• ✅ Smart strategies for back-to-school clothes shopping (without blowing the budget)

• ✅ How reusing and inventorying what you already have can save $20–$40 instantly

• ✅ Why progress > perfection when it comes to budgeting during busy seasons

Whether you’ve got little ones just starting school or teens with never-ending sports and activities, these tips will help you cover costs without credit cards—and with a lot more confidence.

✨ Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Debt Rebel Starter Kit (Free Guide) – Build your emergency fund + find hidden money in your budget

• Episode 44: [Saving Money with Secondhand & Consignment Sales]

• Episode 76: [Saying No Without Mom Guilt]

👋 Did this episode help you? Share it with another mama who’s feeling the back-to-school money pressure. Let’s spread the word: you don’t have to go into debt to provide for your kids.

Follow Jewlz The Budget Nerd on Instagram @jewlzthebudgetnerd

Ever feel like saying no to your kids instantly makes you the “worst mom ever”? You’re not alone, mama. That mom guilt is real — but it doesn’t have to control how you parent or how you handle money.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why we feel guilty when we tell our kids no, the sneaky lies that fuel overspending, and how to shift from guilt to confidence when it comes to parenting and money.

You’ll learn:

• The 3 biggest reasons moms feel guilty saying no (and how to spot them in your own life)

• Why “just making it work” is a dangerous money lie that keeps families in debt

• How saying no now actually models delayed gratification and financial confidence for your kids

• Practical ways to decide your “no” ahead of time (without caving at Target or the trampoline park)

• Simple strategies to include your kids in money decisions (at an age-appropriate level)

• How to align your family spending with your true values — so no feels freeing, not shameful

Saying no isn’t rejection — it’s redirection toward what matters most to your family. By the end of this episode, you’ll feel more equipped to stand firm in your decisions, spend with intention, and break free from that mom guilt spiral.

👉 Want support from other moms learning to parent and budget with confidence?

Join us inside The Alliance Coaching Membership, where we say yes to purpose and no to pressure. Live coaching, monthly budget planning, and a community of families walking this same countercultural path.
👉 jewlzthebudgetnerd.com/membership

Are you constantly stressed by your budget, overspending, or running out of time each month?

In this episode of the Debt Rebel Podcast, I share my three-step monthly planning system that busy parents can implement to regain control over their time, meals, and money.

I break down:
✅ How to plan your time to prevent financial chaos
✅ Meal planning strategies that save money and reduce food waste
✅ How to budget effectively with a zero-based approach using tools like EveryDollar
✅ Quick, actionable tips for busy families to save thousands each year

This episode is perfect if you want to:

• Stop panicked trips to the store or drive-thru

• Reduce decision fatigue and stress

• Take practical steps toward financial stability

• Implement a simple system that actually works

  
  

🎧 Listen now and discover how planning a few key areas each month can make your budget—and your life—so much easier.

💌 Get ahead faster: Join the Alliance Coaching Program for guided monthly planning, on-demand resources library, co-working sessions, and actionable support for your family budget.

Related Episodes:

• • Mastering Your Finances: How This Budgeting App Transformed Our Debt Free Journey
  • What If You're Not Actually Bad With Money But Just Financially Disorganized?

The average car payment in America is over $700 — and that’s before you add insurance, gas, maintenance, and the emotional stress of keeping up appearances. In this episode, I’m breaking down the hidden costs of car ownership, sharing my family’s real-life story of car debt (including the embarrassing window incident), and showing you practical ways to lower your transportation costs so you can free up cash for your real financial goals.

We’ll cover:

• How to spot if your car is sabotaging your budget

• The true cost of that “affordable” monthly payment

• Smart alternatives to expensive car ownership

• How driving a paid-off car can change your life faster than you think

If you’ve ever wondered why your budget still feels tight — even when you’re “doing all the right things” — this episode might be your wake-up call. It’s time to put your paycheck to work for you instead of your car.

👉 Start my FREE 5-day challenge and create breathing room in your budget in just 15 minutes a day: www.jewlzthebudgetnerd.com/challenge📲 Connect with me on Instagram @jewlzthebudgetnerd💰Learn to be Debt-Free Here: https://www.jewlzthebudgetnerd.com/me...👉Work With Me: https://www.jewlzthebudgetnerd.com/wo...

Are you tired of watching your credit card balance barely budge despite making “on-time” payments every month? In this episode of The Debt Rebel Podcast, I’m sharing exactly how my family eliminated over $107K in consumer debt — and how you can pay off your credit cards faster without gimmicks, shame, or going broke in the process.

You’ll learn how to:

• Pick the debt payoff method that works for your brain

• Slash expenses without sucking the joy out of life

• Find hidden cash in your budget and home

• Stop the swipe and break the credit card cycle for good

If you’re ready to trade minimum payments for massive progress and create a debt-free plan that sticks, this episode will give you the roadmap, tools, and motivation to make it happen.

Friend, you are not failing—you just need a better system. Let’s build one together.

👉 Start my FREE 5-day challenge and create breathing room in your budget in just 15 minutes a day:

www.jewlzthebudgetnerd.com/challenge

📲 Connect with me on Instagram @jewlzthebudgetnerd

💰Learn to be Debt-Free Here:

https://www.jewlzthebudgetnerd.com/membership

👉Work With Me:

https://www.jewlzthebudgetnerd.com/workwithme

Feel like you’re way behind when it comes to saving for retirement? You’re not alone—and you’re definitely not too late. In this myth-busting episode, I’m sharing how overwhelmed parents can take 3 powerful steps to start saving for the future even if you’re still paying off debt.

You’ll learn:
✅ Why eliminating debt is the key to building wealth
✅ How to create margin and make the most of your current income
✅ Easy ways to start investing (even if it’s just $20/month)

Plus, I’m sharing how my family got intentional with our money and ditched debt for good—no more robbing from our future just to survive today.

🎁 Ready to stop spinning and start saving? Grab my FREE 5-Day Better Budgeting Challenge: jewlzthebudgetnerd.com/challenge