Deeply Invested: Manage Money, Budget, Save, Invest, Build Wealth

CFO Corner Week 21: 6 Months Down — Here's What Your Money Actually Did

Six months of data just landed in your bank account — are you actually looking at it?
In this week's CFO Corner, Meghan walks you through a mid-year spending audit: how to pull your YTD numbers, what patterns to look for, and how to optimize just one category before the year is over. No overhaul required. No shame involved. Just one honest look at where your money actually went — and one smart decision about what happens next.
The second half of the year starts now. Let's make it count
Also mentioned: Budget Blueprint Builder — Our one-hour workshop with an Excel and Google Sheets template built for exactly this kind of mid-year reset. $47. Linked Here!
Read the full Show Notes Here!
 
Thanks to our sponsor:
 
Rakuten
 
Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!
 
Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style
Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

Can Money Actually Buy Happiness? Here's What the Science Really Says

"Money can't buy happiness." You've heard it a thousand times. But what if the research everyone's been quoting for the last decade was actually flawed?
In this episode, Maddie and Meghan dig into the real science of money and happiness — including the 2023 study that updated everything we thought we knew. They break down what the research actually says about financial stress, why the number matters less than what it unlocks, and how the comparison trap quietly steals progress at every income level.
The question isn't whether money buys happiness. It's whether yours is working for you.
Resources mentioned:
🎯 5-Day Expense Reset Challenge — Free. Built for that "I need to finally see where my money is going" moment. No shame, no restriction.
📊 Your Budget Blueprint — $47. One hour. A real budget built around your actual life.
📱 Instagram: @your.money.style
📬 Substack: yourmoneystyle.substack.com
Read the full Show Notes Here!
 
Thanks to our sponsor:
 
Rakuten
 
Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!
 
Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style
Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

CFO Corner Week 20: Did Your Raise Actually Build Wealth

You got a raise. But did it actually move your finances forward — or did it just make life a little more expensive?
In this week's CFO check-in, we're doing a quick but honest audit: where did your raise money actually go? We break down the three questions every high-earner should ask after a salary bump, why lifestyle inflation is sneakier than you think, and three specific actions you can take this week to make sure future-you actually benefits from the income you're earning today.
More money doesn't change your life. What you do with it does.
Also mentioned: Our full deep-dive episode on lifestyle inflation and why income increases so often don't lead to wealth increases. Listen HERE!
Read the full Show Notes Here!
 
Thanks to our sponsor:
 
Rakuten
 
Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!
 
Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style
Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

Don’t Get Played: The Side Hustle Truth Nobody Posts About

If your scroll looks anything like ours, you've seen at least three ads this week promising $10,000 a month from your phone. No experience. No boss. No problem. The desire for extra income is completely valid — but the way side hustles are being sold online has gotten out of hand.
In this episode of Deeply Invested, Maddie and Meghan break down the five universal red flags every side hustle ad should be measured against, do an honest reality check on the big ones (SMMA, affiliate marketing, dropshipping, print on demand), and play a game of "real or made up?" with five side hustles you've probably seen online.
The goal isn't to talk you out of side hustles — it's to make sure you walk into them with your eyes open. Plus, the unglamorous options that actually work, and the simple test to run before you try anything new.
Resources:
Past episode: The Side Hustle Starter Pack: Goals, Plans & Getting It Done
Past episode: Want to Make $1,000 a Month on the Side? Let’s Talk Options
FTC side hustle scam alert: consumer.ftc.gov
Budget Blueprint Builder
Free guide: Side Hustle Resource Guide (Canva)
 
Read the full Show Notes Here!
 
Thanks to our sponsor:
 
Rakuten
 
Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!
 
Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style
Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

CFO Corner Week 19: The Side Hustle Episode for People Who Hate Hustle Culture

Side income isn't just about money — it's about options. And summer, with its flexible schedules and seasonal demand, is one of the best times of year to start earning a little (or a lot) extra.
In this 10-minute CFO Corner check-in, Meghan breaks down two tiers of side hustles: micro hustles like Poshmark, Rover, website testing, and weekend brand ambassador work that can bring in $100–$500 a month, and serious income plays like freelance marketing, UGC content creation, and tutoring that can earn $500–$2,000+. She also shares the one contract clause you should check before you start, a reality check on what the median side hustler actually earns, and a 20-minute action step you can take this week.
No hustle culture. No burnout. Just realistic options that fit the life you're already living.
Read the full Show Notes Here!
 
Thanks to our sponsor:
 
Rakuten
 
Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!
 
Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style
Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

Financial Self-Care Is the Self-Care No One's Talking About

When was the last time you genuinely did something for yourself? A face mask, a workout, a mental health day? We've fully embraced self-care as a culture — and that's a good thing. But there's a form of self-care almost no one is talking about, and it might be the one you need most.
In this episode, Meghan and Maddie introduce the concept of financial self-care — small, intentional money habits that make your day-to-day life feel easier, calmer, and more in control. They break down the difference between reactive and proactive self-care, share specific habits across three categories (Make My Life Easier, Reduce My Stress, and Support My Future Self), and walk you through how to start a simple, sustainable routine — without spreadsheets, deprivation, or guilt.
If money stress is the thing keeping you up at night, this is the conversation you've been waiting for.
Resources Mentioned
The Automation Episode: Build Your Money System in 30 Minutes — https://liveyourmoneystyle.podbean.com/e/money_automation/
Free 5-Day Expense Challenge — https://yourmoneystyle.myflodesk.com/5dayexpensereset
Confident Investor Blueprint — https://yourmoneystyle.myflodesk.com/confidentinvestorblueprint
The Best Budgeting Strategy You're Probably Not Using: Sinking Funds — https://liveyourmoneystyle.podbean.com/e/sinking_funds/
Read the full Show Notes Here!
 
Thanks to our sponsor:
 
Rakuten
 
Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!
 
Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style
Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

CFO Corner Week 18: Check Your Credit Report

It's mid-year, and that means it's time for a credit report check-in. In Week 18 of CFO Corner, we walk through why your credit report matters, the three major bureaus, and a simple strategy to monitor your credit all year long without paying for a service. Plus, get a step-by-step guide on what to look for when you pull your report - from personal info to payment history to suspicious inquiries. Twenty minutes today could save you thousands. 
 
Resources:Free Credit Score Check
 
Read the full Show Notes Here!
 
Thanks to our sponsor:
 
Rakuten
 
Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!
 
Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style
Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

How Your Friends Are Quietly Shaping Your Spending

You had no intention of spending $200 this weekend. And then Friday happened.
In this episode, we're talking about something nobody warns you about: the way your friends quietly shape your spending — and what to do about it without making it weird. We cover the four invisible patterns, the science behind why it happens, and the exact phrases to use when "no" feels heavy.
Comment WORKSHOP for the Budget Blueprint details.
Read the full Show Notes Here!
 
Thanks to our sponsor:
 
Rakuten
 
Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!
 
Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style
Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

CFO Corner Week 17: Do This Before You Book Your Summer Vacation

Summer is closer than you think  -  and this week's CFO Corner is your sign to check in on the money side of it before June sneaks up on you.
In this 10-minute check-in, Meghan walks you through a simple summer vacation savings audit: what you're planning, what you've saved, and whether those two things actually line up.
Here's what you'll do in this episode:
Figure out your full summer picture  -  not just the big trip, but all the extra spending that comes with the season
Check your vacation fund  -  the real balance, not the number you hope is there
Close the gap  -  four realistic options if your savings don't quite match your plans
Protect your fund  -  how to keep your vacation money safe between now and the trip
Set up next year  -  the one move that makes summer saving painless going forward
Summer should be fun and restorative  -  not something you're paying off in October. This episode helps you make sure it stays that way.
📎 Sinking Funds Episode (mentioned) 
Read the full Show Notes Here!
 
Thanks to our sponsor:
 
Rakuten
 
Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!
 
Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style
Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com

The Investing Mistakes We Made (So You Don't Have To)

We're airing our financial dirty laundry today  -  and we're not sorry about it.
In this episode, Maddie and Meghan get real about the investing mistakes they made when they were just starting out. From maxing out a 401(k) without a plan, to leaving money sitting in cash for an entire year, to unknowingly choosing funds that quietly drained thousands in fees  -  they've been there.
Here's what they messed up (so you don't have to):
Mistake #1 (Maddie): Maxing out 401(k) contributions way too fast  -  before her budget could actually handle it
Mistake #2 (Maddie): Investing before building an emergency fund  -  and the expensive math behind why that backfired
Mistake #3 (Meghan): Rolling over a 401(k) into a new account… and then leaving the money sitting in cash for a full year
Mistake #4 (Meghan): Picking investments based on past returns without ever looking at fees  -  and what that actually costs over 30 years
The biggest takeaway? The biggest mistake you can make is not starting at all. Imperfect action always beats perfect planning.
Ready to start the right way? Check out The Confident Investor Blueprint  -  a 7-day step-by-step guide designed to take you from "I should probably start investing" to actually doing it. Just $17. Link below.
📘 The Confident Investor Blueprint
Read the full Show Notes Here!
 
Thanks to our sponsor:
 
Rakuten
 
Thanks for tuning in and come back each week for a brand new episode! If you liked the episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, rate & review! Check out our FREE Newsletter to get all of our latest advice and freebies!
 
Connect with us on Instagram @your.money.style
Visit our website for articles, resources, and more at www.liveyourmoneystyle.com