Budgeting in a Hard Season: How to Stay Stable Without Extra Income | 578
6/12/202622 min
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
In this coaching session, Shana and Vanessa sit down with Chantelle, a longtime listener and budget bestie, who shares her experience navigating a difficult season of life. After stepping away from her job to advocate full-time for her son's medical needs, Chantelle is learning how to manage an unpredictable income while staying focused on what matters most.
Together, they discuss what it means to budget during "storm mode," how to handle fluctuating side hustle income, the purpose of a paycheck-ahead fund, and why it's okay to rely on your budget differently during challenging seasons. They also cover practical strategies for Costco spending, reimbursement-based expenses, and finding peace when account balances temporarily decrease.
This episode is a reminder that budgeting isn't about perfection—it's about creating a plan that supports you through every season of life.
What We Talk About
- Managing finances during a medical crisis and caregiving season
- Why a paycheck-ahead fund isn't always the first priority
- Creating a realistic budget based on guaranteed income
- Using side hustle income strategically
- Handling anxiety when savings balances decrease
- Building financial confidence during difficult seasons
- Budgeting for bulk purchases and Costco trips
- Managing reimbursement-based expenses
- Celebrating budgeting wins, including staying on budget through Christmas
Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level:
1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎budgetbesties.com/facebook
2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎budgetbesties.com/livecall
3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎budgetbesties.com/coaching
This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice.
This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase.
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsChantelle· Guest0:00
I open my account today. I'm like, "Oh my God, it's $400 less." Like, it just keeps going down, and I just panic. What if my money just gets depleted and I have no money left?
Vanessa· Host0:09
Make your budget match that, and make it zero with that.
Chantelle· Guest0:13
I don't eat. That's what it is. It's been phenomenal. The first Christmas I've ever had where I did not have to touch... I didn't go over budget.
Vanessa· Host0:20
Do you make good money but have nothing to show for it?
Shana· Host0:22
Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck?
Vanessa· Host0:25
Do you have big dreams for your financial future?
Shana· Host0:27
Do you want to get debt free, but you don't want to live on beans and rice?
Vanessa· Host0:31
And you don't want to give up those pumpkin spice lattes?
Shana· Host0:33
If you don't already know how to budget or if you're using credit cards to get through the month.
Vanessa· Host0:37
If you want to seem like you have your finances all together, or you're not on the same page with your spouse when it comes to finances.
Shana· Host0:43
We know what you're doing probably isn't working. But guess what? You're in the right place. We're Shana.
Vanessa· Host0:49
And Vanessa. We're best friends, business partners, and master financial coaches trained by Dave Ramsey. We've been in business since 2019, helping hundreds of amazing people like you create budgets, get out of debt, stop living paycheck to paycheck, and know exactly what to do with their money.
Shana· Host1:04
In this podcast, we'll share with you everything we know, plus everything we're working on with our clients so that you have the best chance at reaching your financial goals.
Vanessa· Host1:12
We want to help you take the guesswork out of your budget, improve your marriages, and even bring your kids in on the conversation.
Shana· Host1:19
We can help you no matter where you're at, whether you're the single mom who's never had $500 in her savings account or the millionaire who's paid off four real estate mortgages.
Vanessa· Host1:26
And we're not going to shy away from the tough love. We'll tell you what you