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

CFO Corner Week 9: How Auditing Your Benefits Can Help You Find Money

There might be hundreds  - or thousands  - of dollars sitting in your employer benefits package that you're not using. This week, we're fixing that.
Meghan walks you through a simple benefits audit: retirement contributions, HSA and FSA accounts, wellness reimbursements, professional development funds, and more. No complicated decisions. Just a clear look at what's already available to you and one small move to make sure you're actually claiming it.
Your total compensation isn't just your salary. Make sure you're using all of it.
This week's action: Log into your benefits portal and find one thing you're not using  - then use it.
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 Independence Isn't What You Think It Is

The term "financial independence" gets thrown around a lot  -  but most of the conversation around it was never really designed for women. So this episode, we're redefining it.
Financial independence isn't about retiring early or living on the bare minimum. It's about options. We break it into three real, achievable levels  -  and by the end, you'll know exactly where you stand and what to do next.
Because financial independence isn't about escaping work. It's about escaping fear.
Pick one action this week: calculate your annual expenses, check your emergency fund, or share this episode with a friend who needs the reframe.
Resources Mentioned:
Maddie’s Story
Meghan’s Story
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 8: How Long Could You Float?

You've tracked your spending and built your budget  -  now it's time to use that information to build real security.
This week we're calculating how many months of expenses your emergency fund actually covers, breaking down the simple math, clarifying what counts as "essential," and giving you a clear next step no matter where you're starting from.
Because an emergency fund doesn't just protect your bank account. It protects your confidence.
This week's action: Calculate your number and set a 90-day goal to grow it by one month.
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

Why More Money Won't Make You Feel Confident About Money

You can be doing everything "right" with money and still feel anxious. In this episode, we break down why financial confidence isn't about your numbers - it's about your relationship with them.
We cover the three reasons good numbers don't equal confidence, and the four things that actually build it: awareness without judgment, systems that reduce mental load, a simple decision framework, and making your progress visible.
Plus: one question, one action, and one mindset shift you can apply this week.
Key reminder: Confidence is built through repetition, not milestones.
Resources:The Automation Episode
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
Email us: hello@liveyourmoneystyle.com

CFO Corner Week 7: Financial Account Spring Cleaning

It's time for some financial spring cleaning. In this week's episode, we're tackling scattered accounts, old 401(k)s, and financial clutter.
You'll create a complete inventory of every financial account you have, identify what needs attention, and make a simple action plan to consolidate and simplify.
No closures or transfers today - just clarity.
In This Episode:
How to inventory all your financial accounts
Identifying accounts that no longer serve you
Which old 401(k)s to consolidate
Making a manageable action plan
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
Email us: hello@liveyourmoneystyle.com

The Cost of Convenience: When Paying for Ease Is Actually Smart

Pre-cut watermelon. Grocery delivery. Meal kits. DoorDash. House cleaners. We've never had more convenience at our fingertips - and we've never questioned our spending more.
In this episode, we break down when paying for convenience is actually strategic, and when it's just autopilot spending draining your bank account.
In This Episode:
The 3 hidden costs of convenience spending
When convenience is worth every penny (and when it's not)
The "cost per hour" framework to make smarter decisions
Real-life examples: house cleaners, coffee runs, meal kits & more
4 questions to ask before any convenience purchase
Stop feeling guilty. Start spending intentionally.
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
Email us: hello@liveyourmoneystyle.com

CFO Corner Week 6: How to Create Budget Categories That Actually Work

Many budgets fail because the categories don't reflect real life. This week on CFO Corner, create 5-8 simple budget categories that match how you actually live - not someone else's template. Your budget should work for your life, not force your life to work for your budget.
In This Episode:
Why budget categories are decision-making tools (not just buckets)
The sweet spot: 5-8 core categories
How to build categories from your real spending
Category bucket examples: Housing, Food, Transportation, Lifestyle, Savings, Fixed Bills, Flex
How to customize for your current life season
5 common budget category mistakes to avoid
Key Takeaway:
Create categories that reflect how you actually spend, not how you think you should spend. Categories are guides, not rules. Build awareness first, not perfection.
Your Action This Week:
Create 5-8 budget categories. Ask: "Does this reflect my real spending or my aspirational spending?"
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
Email us: hello@liveyourmoneystyle.com

Renting Isn’t Throwing Money Away - And Buying Isn’t Always Smart

Should you buy a house or keep renting? In this episode, Maddie and Meghan break down the real costs of both - beyond just the mortgage payment - and help you figure out what actually makes sense for YOUR life, timeline, and goals. This isn't about what looks good on paper. It's about making the housing decision that supports the life you want. Plus, Meghan shares the real story of her first condo purchase.
In This Episode:
Why the "American Dream" pressure doesn't work for everyone
The real cost of renting (it's more predictable than you think)
The real cost of owning (mortgage is just the starting point)
Stability vs. flexibility: what are you prioritizing right now?
Why timeline matters: the 7-year rule explained
Hidden factors people forget (opportunity cost, maintenance, liquidity)
When buying makes sense vs. when renting makes sense
Key Insights:
Your rent is the MAXIMUM you'll pay. Your mortgage is the MINIMUM.
A $500K home at 6.168% interest = $978K total spent (including interest)
Plan to stay 7+ years for buying to make financial sense
That $100K down payment invested at 8% for 10 years = $216K vs. $134K in home equity at 3% appreciation
Renting isn't "throwing money away" - it's paying for flexibility and lower risk
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
Email us: hello@liveyourmoneystyle.com

CFO Corner: It's Tax Season - Here's Your First Move

Tax season is here! This week on CFO Corner, we're organizing your tax documents and reviewing W-2s and 1099s for accuracy. This 10-minute action prevents errors, delays, and last-minute stress. You're not filing taxes today - you're getting organized and catching mistakes early so everything runs smoothly later.
In This Episode:
Why organizing tax documents NOW saves hours later
How to review W-2s and 1099s for accuracy
What to check: names, SSN, amounts, employer info
How to create one central tax folder (physical or digital)
What to do if you spot errors (contact employers NOW)
Creating a "still waiting on" tracking list
What You'll Do:
✓ Review income forms for obvious errors ✓ Create one central tax folder ✓ Make a list of missing documents ✓ Set yourself up to stay ahead of deadlines
Key Takeaway:
This takes 10 minutes now but saves hours of chaos in April. This is how a CFO stays ahead of deadlines instead of reacting to them.
Resources:
Related Episode: Build Your 2026 Money Calendar
Next week: Budget categories that fit YOUR life!
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
 
Email us: hello@liveyourmoneystyle.com

Why Your First $100K Feels Impossible (and Why It Gets Easier After That)

Have you ever looked at your accounts and thought, "I'm doing everything right - why does this still feel so slow?" The first $100K is the hardest money you'll ever build. Maddie and Meghan explain why it feels so discouraging, what changes after you hit that milestone, and how to stay motivated before compounding kicks in. This episode validates your frustration and gives you the strategies to keep going.
In This Episode:
Why the first $100K feels impossible (3 core reasons)
The math: Why early contributions do 90% of the work
What actually changes after $100K (compounding becomes visible)
4 strategies to stay motivated during the slow phase
Why you're not behind - you're just in the foundation-building stage
Resources:
Investment Calculator
Investing Made Simple Guide (free download)
Related Episode: The Automation Episode
Related Episode: The Comparison Trap
Related Episode: Calculating Your Net Worth
Key Takeaway: The first $100K tests your patience. The rest rewards it.
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
 
Email us: hello@liveyourmoneystyle.com