For today's episode, I sit down with Laurie for a budget coaching call to help her set up a pay period budget. Laurie is an accountant who manages numbers for a living but has struggled to feel in control of her own finances. If you’ve ever felt embarrassed that money management should be easier for you than it is, you’ll resonate with Laurie’s story.

If you'd like to watch the full coaching call and see me build Laurie's budget, check out the extended video call of this episode on the Debt Free Mom YouTube Channel.

Together, we walk through:

• Why personal budgeting feels different (and harder) than professional accounting
• How to map out income and expenses by pay period for a clearer picture of cash flow
• Setting realistic goals for an emergency fund before tackling debt
• The role of buffers and sinking funds to make your budget sustainable
• Why deficits in certain pay periods don’t mean you’re “bad with money”

By the end of the call, Laurie has a customized spreadsheet budget that aligns with her income schedule, covers her family’s needs, and sets her on the path toward building a starter $4,000 emergency fund and paying down high-interest debt.

If you’ve ever downloaded an app, felt overwhelmed, and thought, “Why is this so hard for me?”, this episode will encourage you that you’re not alone, and you’ll walk away with practical steps to make your budget work in real life.

Get started with pay period budgeting today for just $9! The Debt Free Mom Mini Course + Template will help you take your first steps toward managing your home finances with confidence. Get it today at debtfreemom.co/template

In this encouraging episode, Carly is joined by Madison, founder of Cook at Home Mom, to talk all things realistic mealtimes for busy families. Madison shares her journey from frozen pizza queen to home-cooking advocate and offers practical advice for making dinnertime less stressful and more meaningful.

They dive into topics like:

• How to simplify meal planning (even if you're Type B)
• What to do when the 5 PM chaos hits
• Creating a family rhythm around shared meals
• Involving kids of all ages in meal prep (without losing your mind)
• Letting go of unrealistic expectations (spoiler: your 4-year-old won’t sit for 30 minutes)
• Building appreciation and connection through shared responsibility

Whether you're a brand-new mom wondering how to get food on the table, or you're in the thick of dinnertime with multiple kids and mounting stress, this episode is packed with relatable stories, helpful strategies, and a whole lot of grace.

Mentioned in this episode:

• The “hands!” method for serving dinner
• Kid-safe knives and stools to help little ones join in
• The power of planning just a few meals a week
• Why it’s okay if your mealtime doesn’t look like a Norman Rockwell painting
• 
  

Tune in for realistic encouragement and ideas you can try tonight — even if your kitchen is already a mess.

Connect with Madison:

Instagram: @cookathomemom

Website: www.cookathomemom.com

Podcast: The Vine

The Balanced Dinner Club - coming soon!

Follow Debt Free Mom for more realistic money and motherhood conversations:

Instagram: @debtfree.mom

Website: debtfreemom.co

Today's guest is Natalie Johnson: A mom of 5 in Ohio who shares her tips for feeding the family both at home and on the road on Instagram at www.instagram.com/homebeginswithlove

In today's episode we cover:

• food on travel days
• in hotels
• in rentals
• in other people's homes
• how to make food easier even if it's not from a restaurant.

Check out her instagram account and subscribe to the Debt Free Mom Podcast!