Martinis and Your Money Podcast

September is National Suicide Prevention Month and I am committing two shows this month to talking about finances and mental health. At the Financial Gym we have a slogan, “what are you working for”, and if you don’t have physical health or mental health what are you working for.

Today I’m talking to my friend, Ash Cash, whose latest book, Making Sense of Kanye: A Spiritual Guide to Financial Freedom, Peace, Love, and Happiness, discusses the importance of mental health and money, and in a few weeks the ladies of happy hour will share their mental health and money stories


For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/making-sense-of-kanye-with-ash-cash

Direct download: MAYM230_Ash_Cash.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Okeoma Moronu was close to ending a successful budding law career because of a lack of joy she found in her day to day work.

Despite the fact that she needed the paycheck to support her family and pay down her student loans; she nearly threw it all away because of the absence of happiness.

Okeoma shares how she learned to find joy in her work as an attorney and how she now helps other attorneys who were just like her.

Find show notes and more Martinis and Your Money episodes at http://financially-blonde.com/mmpodcast

Direct download: MM128_Okeoma_Moronu.mp3
Category:careers -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Our clients at the Financial Gym have a variety of life goals, but the number one goal we give all of our clients is the goal of financial independence, and that’s the ability to work because you want to work not because you have to work.

I’ve coached numerous clients on the path to financial independence and have seen a number of my family and friends achieve it, and let me say, it’s something we should all want for ourselves.

I think it’s really important, though, to remember that FI and the path to FI will look different for everyone, and I try to highlight that on this show. This is why I’m excited to have on Jamila Souffrant, Founder of the Journey to Launch Podcast, talk about her path to financial Independence and where it led her.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/journey-to-launch-with-jamila-souffrant/

Direct download: MAYM273_Jamila.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

In this episode, Shannon talks to Tonya Rapley from My Fab Finance about the cultural, community and familial challenges of getting and staying financially fabulous.

Originally aired: November 13, 2015 

Show notes: https://martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/financially-fabulous-in-black-or-white

Direct download: Tonya20Rapley20Podcast.mp3
Category:Money -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Today is the last Friday of the month and my regular listeners know that on the last Friday of the month, I host happy hour on the podcast where I gather great friends with me to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics.

This is now our third Happy Hour while under quarantine, which is just amazing.  When this all started, I thought it would be a two-week disruption, but here we are. This month we’re not only still in quarantine but it’s also Mental Health Awareness month, so I not only checked on how my friends are managing but also how their mental health is faring during these times. I hope you enjoy catching up with my friends as much as I did.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/may-covid-19-check-in-with-the-happy-hour-ladies

Direct download: MAYM_319_HH_May.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

At the Financial Gym, we call the first meeting you have with a trainer, the “financially naked session”. In this meeting, you share everything about yourself financially so the trainer knows where you’re starting so that he or she can make the plan for how you can get where you want to go. Above all other meetings, this one scares clients the most because they are afraid or ashamed of their financial situation. Over year ago on this podcast, I shared my financially naked session and it led to a request for more. Now, this is a regular series on this podcast. 

Getting in the hot seat today is Mike, who is actually a Financial Gym trainer. Mike joins me today to share not only why he wanted to become a financial trainer, but all of his financial digits, the good, the bad and the inexplicably emotional. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/getting-financially-naked-with-mike-poulin

Direct download: MAYM_318_Mike_FN.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Today is another new episode that I recorded post quarantine. Today’s guest is Chinae Alexander, social media influencer and host of the Press Send Podcast. Chinae joins me today to talk about how her life as an influencer has changed in the face of COVID-19 and how she’s managing her finances and her content in the new state we’re in. 

If you aren’t following Chinae yet, I highly encourage you to follow her. I’ve gotten to know her well over the last year and she is as genuine offline as she is online. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/being-an-influencer-during-covid-19-with-chinae-alexander

Direct download: MAYM_317_Chinea.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Today is one of the first episodes I recorded in quarantine and it is an incredibly timely one. Joining me today is Lauren McGoodwin, founder and CEO of Career Contessa, to talk about how you can find the perfect job for you, even in the middle of high unemployment and a recession. She gives some really great and practical advice for anyone who is planning the next chapter of their career and I hope you find her information and website as useful as I do. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/career-contessa-with-lauren-mcGoodwin

Direct download: MAYM_316_Career_Contessa.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Welcome to another show that was recorded pre-COVID-19 quarantine times. This show idea came from a listener who asked if I could do an episode about teacher finances and how we can help teachers. As the ex-wife of a high school teacher, I thought this was a great idea. Joining me today is Terri Bennett, a financial trainer at the Gym but also a former adjunct professor who’s passionate about helping teachers from elementary to higher education master their finances. 

I think many of us with children at home are developing an even greater love and appreciation for our teachers and I hope this episode is a benefit to them all. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/teacher-finances-with-terri

Direct download: MAYM_315_Terri.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Today is the last Friday of the month and my regular listeners know that on the last Friday of the month, I host the happy hour on the podcast where I gather great friends to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics. Believe it or not, this is our second Happy Hour while under quarantine. I wanted to find out how my friends are managing through their quarantine lifestyles, so today’s episode is all about our new realities in our socially distant world. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/covid-19-and-quarantine-questions-with-the-happy-hour-ladies

Direct download: MAYM_314_Happy_Hour_April.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Despite the fact that we are currently still in the middle of this COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., I am airing shows I recorded before this began. Please note, that this episode is pre-COVID-19, and if you would like a during-COVID update from me, it will be at the end of the show. 

Today’s episode was recorded pre-COVID, but the message about facing your fears and finding the strength to make important changes, I believe, is even more meaningful now, given what is going on in the world. Many people are getting forced into change, whether they like it or not. 

Joining me today to share how you can live your best life is Shirell Gross, founder and president of Measure of Ambition. Her business focuses on working with women through these issues, but I believe her advice applies to everyone. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/overcoming-fear-with-shirell

Direct download: MAYM_313_Shirell.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

At the Financial Gym, we call the first meeting you have with a trainer, the “financially naked session”. In this meeting, you share everything about yourself financially so the trainer knows where you’re starting so that he or she can make the plan for how you can get where you want to go. Above all other meetings, this one scares clients the most because they are afraid or ashamed of their financial situation. A year ago on this podcast, I shared my financially naked session and it led to a request for more. Now, this is a regular series on this podcast. 

Getting in the hot seat today is Financial Gym client Alyssa with one of the most unique jobs I’ve ever heard. Alyssa joins me today to share about the low point in her life that led her to the Gym and what her digits look like now.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/getting-financially-naked-with-alyssa

Direct download: MAYM_312_Alyssa.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

We are currently in the middle of quarantine survival mode in the U.S., and I asked the Martinis and Your Money Facebook group if I should air previously recorded episodes that were recorded before the pandemic arose, air replays, or air episodes of just me talking.  The consensus was to change the topic off COVID-19 and listen to something else, but maybe also get an update from me, so that’s what I’m going to do. 

Joining me today is Bethany, Certified Health Coach and founder of the brand The Healthy B, to share her story about how a near death experience led her to find not only the healing powers she had within herself but a whole new career path. Bethany’s story is just the inspiration I think we all need in a time like this.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/overcoming-health-trauma-with-a-health-coach-with-Bethany

Direct download: MAYM_311_Bethany.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Today is the last Friday of the month and my regular listeners know that on the last Friday of the month, I host the happy hour on the podcast where I gather great friends with me to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics.

Last week, I shared my thoughts on the COVID-19 situation that the world is currently going through. Today, the Happy Hour ladies join me to share their thoughts, how they are mentally handling it, how they are quarantining, what they are drinking, and then they answer your questions that you posted in the Facebook group. In crazy times like these, I am so thankful for these ladies and appreciate their opinions on all of this.  

For more information, visit the show notes at https://martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/covid-19-with-the-happy-hour-ladies

Direct download: MAYM_310_Covid_Happy_Hour.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

In light of the recent events, I felt like I needed to have a conversation, similar to conversations I am having with my team and with my clients. I wanted to address you directly and talk through what is going on in the markets, given COVID 19 and just in general.  

For more information, visit the show notes at https://martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/a-conversation-about-covid-19-with-shannon

Direct download: MAYM_309_Covid.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

At the Financial Gym, we call the first meeting you have with a trainer, the “financially naked session”. In this meeting, you share everything about yourself financially so the trainer knows where you’re starting so that he or she can make the plan for how you can get where you want to go. Above all other meetings, this one scares clients the most because they are afraid or ashamed of their financial situation. A year ago on this podcast, I shared my financially naked session and it led to a request for more. Now this is a regular series on this podcast. 

Getting in the hotseat today is long-time podcast listener, who is actually NOT a financial gym client, Liana. She joins me today to share her unique career journey and of course all of her financial details.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/getting-financially-naked-with-liana

Direct download: MAYM_308_Liana.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

If you’ve been listening to the show for a while, you know that I love to profile people with all different types of jobs, whether it’s through the Naked Sessions or individual episodes. I think we all learn so much from walking in someone else’s financial shoes and understanding how they make their decisions. Today, I’m excited to profile Ashley Gavin, comedian, writer, and actor. I’ve honestly been curious about professional comedian finances for years now and really enjoyed learning how Ashley has made a full-time career of this.  

For more information, visit the show notes at https://martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/comedian-finances-with-ashley-gavin

Direct download: MAYM_307_Ashley.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Today is the last Friday of the month and my regular listeners know that on the last Friday of the month, I host the happy hour on the podcast where I gather great friends with me to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics.

Today is the last Friday of February and one of my favorite holidays falls on February 13. In case you’re not aware of it, it’s Galentine’s Day. A day invented by the writers of Parks and Recreation, but now has grown to a larger scale to symbolize friendship, and the importance of friendships, in addition to the romantic relationships you celebrate on February 14. On today’s episode, I’m asking the ladies to give their best friend advice on a number of couple and money subjects that many of us have had to work through and maybe even wanted to ask some girl or guy friends about. 

For more information, visit the show notes at https//:martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/galentines-day-with-the-happy-hour-ladies

Direct download: MAYM_306_Happy_Hour_Feb.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

At the Financial Gym, we call the first meeting you have with a trainer, the “financially naked session”. In this meeting, you share everything about yourself financially so the trainer knows where you’re starting so that he or she can make the plan for how you can get where you want to go. Above all other meetings, this one scares clients the most because they are afraid or ashamed of their financial situation. A year ago on this podcast, I shared my financially naked session and it led to a request for more. Now this is a regular series on this podcast. 

Getting in the hot seat today is long time podcast listener and Financial Gym client, Dylan. This is a super special naked session, because Dylan is actually the reason why I started recording and sharing these naked sessions and thankfully she’s agreed to finally do one herself.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/getting-financially-naked-with-dylan

Direct download: MAYM_305_Dylan.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

This episode is airing on Friday, February 14, which is also known as Valentine’s Day, and I’ve never been a huge fan of Valentine’s Day. In my high school and college days, it was because my significant others always seemed to disappoint me with their gifts, and if I was single, it was because I was single. When I was married, I wanted my husband to show me love and affection all year and not just on Valentine’s Day. Now that I am 41, I think most of the time it is just a waste of money. 

What I do love about Valentine’s Day is the attention it brings to being a couple. While being in a couple is not a life goal for everyone, if you are part of a couple it is important to have shared goals and make smart financial decisions aligned with your goals, which is why I am excited to share with you Julie and Andrews’ journey. 

Julie and Andrew are also known as the Disney Dinks, and they are here to show me how their relationship improved with more focus on their goals. 

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/disney-dinks-with-julie-and-andrew/

Direct download: MAYM_304_Disney_Dinks.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Something we see all the time at The Financial Gym is financial anxiety. From my experience, 99 percent of the population will experience it at some point, and some of us experience it more than others. We received so much positive feedback on the last episode we tackled this subject matter, and I’m so passionate about helping people overcome this, that we’re going back to financial anxiety again. Joining me to share her professional experience with it is Chelsea Connors, Certified Life Coach and therapist.  She shares some of her best practices for managing financial anxiety and the  challenges of adulting.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/financial-anxiety-with-chelsea-connors

Direct download: MAYM_303_Chelsea.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Today is the last Friday of the month and my regular listeners know that on the last Friday of the month, I host the happy hour on the podcast where I gather great friends with me to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics.

Today is the first last Friday of the new year and new years are all about new goals, new habits, and new resolutions, so the Happy Hour ladies and I are sharing some of our best money hacks that you can adopt and implement in 2020. There is lots of great information here, as always.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/money-hacks-with-the-happy-hour-ladies

Direct download: MAYM_302_Jan_Happy_Hour.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

As many of you long-time listeners know, I’m a big fan of manifesting your dreams and realizing how important it is to put goals out there, even if they are scary or may take time to accomplish, because you never know where that journey is going to take you. 

Today I’m talking to Maddy Gutierrez founder of the life and style blog of her own name maddygutierrez.com about the blogging goal she set for herself and the unexpected journey it sent her on.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/body-positivity-and-style-with-maddy-gutierrez/

Direct download: MAYM_301_Maddy.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

At the Financial Gym, we call the first meeting you have with a trainer, the “financially naked session”. In this meeting, you share everything about yourself financially so the trainer knows where you’re starting so that he or she can make the plan for how you can get where you want to go. Above all other meetings, this one scares clients the most because they are afraid or ashamed of their financial situation. A year ago on this podcast, I shared my financially naked session and it led to a request for more. Now this is a regular series on this podcast. 

Getting in the hot seat today is Financial Gym client Will. If you pay attention to podcast art, Will is actually the designer of Martinis and Your Money’s new podcast art, as well as the art for our new Financial Gym focused podcast called Financially Naked. Will joins me today to share his digits, his side hustling, and his journey with The Financial Gym.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://martinisandyourmoney.com/show-notes/getting-financially-naked-with-will-pay

Direct download: MAYM_300_Will.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:30am EDT

Longtime listeners of the podcast will know that I’ve had my fair share of stories from being one of the only women on the trading floor, early in my career. I think feeling safe, or at least aware, of what your workplace culture will be like before you start is important. 

There are a lot of websites where you can read reviews about potential employers and get an insight into what the company culture is like, but what if there was a site that reviewed how female friendly a potential workplace was?

Joining me today is Ursula Mead, the cofounder and CEO of InHerSight — a website where women can evaluate jobs and companies and get help finding a company that is the right fit.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/inhersight-with-ursula

Direct download: MAYM_299_Ursula.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Welcome to a new year and a new decade! I’m not a fan of New Year’s resolutions, but I am a big fan of setting goals and anything that will motivate you to stick with those goals. That’s why I thought I would kick off the year with Naseema, founder of Financially Intentional, and a woman who set a big goal for herself — to pay off over six figures of debt in less than three years. 

Naseema joins me today to share how she got herself into this debt and how she got out of it, so she could build generational wealth for her family. 

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/financially-intentional-with-naseema-mcelroy

Direct download: MAYM_298_Naseema.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Today is the last Friday of the month and my regular listeners know that on the last Friday of the month, I host a happy hour on the podcast where I gather great friends with me to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics.

Today is not only the last Friday of the month, it’s actually the last Friday of the year. Every year for the past four years, the Happy Hour Ladies and I share our year in review, and we discuss the highs and lows of the year that’s about to end and then share our goals for the upcoming year. I love recording happy hours, but these year end episodes are always my favorite.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/2019-year-end-review-with-the-happy-hour-ladies/

Direct download: MAYM297_Happy_Hour.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

At the end of every show, I ask for your suggestions on show topics and I love them, so keep them coming. Today’s show is a direct answer to podcast listener Erin’s request. She emailed me and said, “Going off of your episode on entrepreneurship, which broached the topic of angel investing, I would love to hear a show talking about the due diligence process and how more women can get their feet wet on the active investing side of things!”

The Financial Gym wouldn’t exist without Angel Investing, so I was excited to tackle this subject. Joining me today is Charlie O’Donnell, founder of Brooklyn Bridge Ventures. He was the lead investor in the Financial Gym’s seed round of funding and he is going to talk about the process of investing in startups and the best way to manage Angel Investing.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/angel-investing-with-charlie-odonnell/

Direct download: MAYM230_Charlie.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

I have been helping people get financially fit for over seven years now. People ask me all the time about the quickest way to get financially healthy and the first place I tell them to look is their food spending. After your mortgage or rent, and possibly your student loan payment, the next largest monthly expense in almost everyone’s budget is food. Food was a huge problem area for me before I got financially healthy, and I made a number of excuses as to why I couldn’t change my ways. Well, we’re heading into a new year and a new decade so let’s stop the excuses.

Joining me today to help you make smarter food spending choices is Talia Koren, founder of work week lunch. She’s going to share lots of important tips and tricks to help you save money in one of your largest spending areas.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/meal-prepping-with-talia-koren

Direct download: MAYM295_Meal_Prepping.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Getting in the hot seat today is not only a Financial Gym client, she’s also a Financial Gym Trainer. Beca is here to share her personal finance journey that led up to a very fateful day, when she attended a Financial Gym open house, and then she gets financially naked. I hope you enjoy getting to know Beca, as much as I love working with her.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/getting-financially-naked-with-beca/

Direct download: MAYM294_Beca_Soto.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Today is the last Friday of the month and my regular listeners know that on the last Friday of the month, I host a happy hour on the podcast where I gather great friends with me to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics.

Today we are talking about health insurance, the types that we have, the types we’ve used, how we budget for it, and how you should prepare during open enrollment time.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/healthcare-and-open-enrollment-with-the-happy-hour-ladies

Direct download: MAYM293_Happy_Hour_Healthcare.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Over the last eight years of helping people get financially healthy, I’ve found that people with clearly defined goals that are personally meaningful have the highest probability of achieving success, and not only achieving their goals but typically much sooner than they expect.

That’s why I’m excited to have Tori Dunlap, founder of Her First $100K join me today to share why she set a big goal for herself by the age of 25 and how it’s motivated her to help others do the same.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/her-first-100k-with-tori-dunlap

Direct download: MAYM292_Tori_Dunlap.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

This episode’s topic is particularly near and dear to my heart, because we’re talking about military money. For those of you who don’t know, my grandfather and grandmother on my dad’s side were both in the Army, and my dad is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and was an active member in the Air Force for most of my childhood.

Today we’re specifically talking about it because this week we’ve launched a new plan specifically designated for members of the military, retired or active, based on their unique professional, personal, and financial journeys. We have launched a specific military designation for our trainers that requires extra training in everything from military life to military paychecks to military retirement plans. It’s an exciting next chapter of the Financial Gym, and joining me today are the two trainers leading the charge, Mike and Joy. They’re going to share their personal stories as well as how a career in the military can impact your financial life.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/military-money-with-joy-and-mike

Direct download: MAYM291_Military_Money.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Brandi asked me to record an episode that addressed the challenges that she and thousands of others face in the barbering and hairdressing communities. Many of us who sit in their chairs know about their personal lives, but not about how they can manage through their careers and get financially healthy at the same time. Brandi joins me today to discuss her career in this field and how others in it can benefit from some of the hard lessons she’s learned.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/getting-financially-healthy-in-any-profession-with-brandi/

Direct download: MAYM290_Brandi.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

In the hot seat today is our client, Hannah, Founder of HZ Organized and performer in New York City. She joins me today to discuss her road to financial health and share how much unexpected success she’s had in a short period of time.

Be aware that Hannah was very open about her struggles with an eating disorder, so if this type of conversation will have triggers for you, I recommend not listening to it.


For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/getting-financially-naked-with-hannah/ 

Direct download: MAYM289_Hannah.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

This year as you’re preparing to change over your holiday thoughts from Halloween to Thanksgiving, the Happy Hour ladies and I can be in your ears helping you plan to have a happy and financially healthy holiday spending season.

We share our thoughts on holiday spending and give you some practical advice for how not to get carried away this holiday season.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/holiday-spending-with-the-happy-hour-ladies/

Direct download: MAYM288_Happy_Hour_Oct19.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Just when I think I’ve seen every angle around the topic, I’m pleasantly surprised by some fresh thoughts.

I’m even more excited that those thoughts come from a long-time blogging friend of mine, Kassandra Dasent, Financial Consultant and CEO of Minding Your Money.

Kassandra joins me today to talk about how you can manage a healthy relationship with money while also managing healthy personal relationships. We tackle every type of relationship, from love interest, to friendship, to family. This is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/when-relationships-and-money-intersect-with-kassandra-dasent/

Direct download: MAYM287_Kassandra.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

For over seven years now, I’ve watched the amazing transformations that take place when someone embarks on a financial wellness journey. You may decide to get financially fit because of a particular pain point, like student loan debt or lack or savings, but once you start focusing on your money, it’s amazing what different doors and opportunities can open up.

Joining me today is Kiera Doyle, hairdresser, host of the Beauty Therapy podcast, and Human Design reader, to talk about her journey toward financial fitness, and how it led to a truly unique side hustle she never anticipated. If you know anything about human design and you are curious about mine, stay tuned toward the end to hear what Kiera has to say about me.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/financial-transformation-human-design-with-kiera-doyle/

Direct download: MAYM286_Kiera_Doyle.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

At the Financial Gym, clients of all financial shapes and sizes come to us to work on the areas of their finances they would like to tone up. Some want to get more education on investing, some want to learn more about budgeting, some want to figure out their student loans, and many want to understand the options they have to resolve the debt that they’ve accumulated.

Resolving debts is exactly the specialty of today’s guest, Leslie H. Tayne, author, attorney and award winning founder and director of the Tayne Law Group. Leslie joins me today to answer debt resolution questions from bankruptcy, to debt settlement companies, and everything in between. If you or someone you know is wondering about fixing up your debts, this is a conversation you will not want to miss.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/debt-settlement-with-leslie-tayne 

Direct download: MAYM285_Leslie_Tayne.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

This month, I’ve had a theme of entrepreneurship, and we are continuing that theme to happy hour. All of the happy hour ladies have worked traditional nine-to-five jobs and started their own businesses.

Today we discuss, as we discuss all things, honestly the pros and cons of both career choices and whether or not we could go back to a nine-to-five job after being entrepreneurs.


For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/pros-and-cons-of-working-nine-to-five-with-the-happy-hour-ladies/

Direct download: MAYM284_Happy_Hour.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Continuing my entrepreneurs theme of the month, I’m introducing you to an entrepreneur who is my woman crush in every way imaginable. Hitha Palepu is an Entrepreneur, Angel Investor, Author and Consummate Multi-hyphenate as she says. Hitha joins me today to share her personal entrepreneur journey through three businesses and why she loves investing in other founders.

As a side note, I’m apologizing in advance for my sound quality. We recorded the entire episode only to find out my mic wasn’t captured. So for my sound snobs, I apologize in advance. The good news is that Hitha does most of the talking and she sounds great!

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/becoming-an-entrepreneur-with-hitha-palepu/

Direct download: MAYM283_Hitha.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

The month of September has officially become entrepreneurs month here on the podcast, and today I’m featuring Lily Womble, founder of Date Brazen.

Lily spent years as a successful matchmaker only to realize that most of the dating work had to begin way before the matching could take place. She joins me to share her entrepreneurial journey and how we can all have more fulfilling and meaningful dating lives.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/date-brazen-with-lily

Direct download: MAYM282_Lily_Date_Brazen.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

As an entrepreneur, I always love sharing other entrepreneurs’ journeys with you on this show. I’m fascinated about why people decide to start businesses and the types of businesses they start.

Today’s guest has a really fascinating business. I am speaking to Jen Glantz, founder of Bridesmaid for Hire and Author of the book Always a Bridesmaid for Hire, about why she started her business and the tolls that her entrepreneurial journey have taken on her personal life.

Direct download: MAYM281_Jen_Glantz.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Hello Martinis and Your Money Listeners! Today is the last Friday of the month and my regular listeners know that on the last Friday of the month, I host the happy hour on the podcast where I gather great friends with me to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics.

It's not only the last Friday of the month, but the last Friday, in my opinion, of summer time and as I gave myself some summer vacation to air replays, I also gave the happy hour ladies a month off as well.

This week I’m re-airing the episode we recorded around home ownership. This is honestly one of my all-time favorite episodes because I think there was so much great information shared and it was a truly honest dive into the pros and cons of home ownership and why we support it or not.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/homeownership-with-the-happy-hour-ladies-2

Direct download: MAYM280_Happy_Hour_Houses_REPLAY.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Getting in the hotseat today is our client Paige. Paige has a really fascinating backstory and I applaud her for her bravery in sharing it, but I have to warn you that if you have triggers around substance abuse or physical abuse, you may want to skip listening to this episode.

If you have any topics you would like for me to cover on this podcast, I encourage you to email me to Shannon@finblonde.com or tweet to me @blonde_finance or join the private Martinis and Your Money Facebook group and let me know what you want to hear.

And if you want to work with my team at the Financial Gym to help you achieve your 2019 goals, head over to or send friends to https://financialgym.com to lock in your low rates today.

Until next time, take care!!

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/getting-financially-naked-with-paige/

Direct download: MAYM279_Paige_Lord.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

I think of financial health as having a number of pieces to the puzzle that all come together to make us financially healthy people. The primary pieces, or the outline of the puzzle, include budgeting, expense management, saving, credit management, debt management, investing, insurance or risk management, and income management.

At the Financial Gym, we help our clients figure out all of these pieces and where they fit into the puzzle, and, while I think they’re all equally important, I think the investing piece is typically the last one people figure out. Either they haven’t gotten to a point where they’re saving enough to make investing a priority, they’re afraid to start, or they don’t know where to go to learn more about it. That’s why I’m excited to have Amanda from the Dumpster Dog Blog and Invested Development, to talk more about investing and the amazing resource she’s created to help you get started, or get more comfortable with, the investing piece of your financial health puzzle.

If you have any topics you would like for me to cover on this podcast, I encourage you to email me to Shannon@finblonde.com or tweet to me @blonde_finance or join the private Martinis and Your Money Facebook group and let me know what you want to hear.

And if you want to work with my team at the Financial Gym to help you achieve your 2019 goals, head over to or send friends to https://financialgym.com to lock in your low rates today.

Until next time, take care!!

Direct download: MAYM278_Amanda_Holden.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

In my seven years of helping people get financially healthy, a common emotion I’ve seen from clients is anxiety. We have clients avoid their first sessions with us, avoid quarterly reviews, or avoid their trainers totally, because of the anxiety their financial situation brings up in them. In fact, this episode was inspired by a long-term client of the Gym, who asked her trainer if I could do a show around financial anxiety. Despite the fact she is experiencing great success around her money, she can’t kick the anxiety it brings her.

Today I invited my friend, Amanda Clayman, Financial Therapist and Financial Wellness Advocate for Prudential, to discuss the topic of financial anxiety, including how common it is and how we can manage it in our lives. This is a really important topic for everyone and I hope it helps a lot of people out there.


For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/financial-anxiety-with-amanda-clayman

Direct download: MAYM277_Amanda_Clayman.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

At the Financial Gym, we call the first time our clients meet with their financial trainers, and share all of their financial details, the financially naked session. It’s typically a meeting where a lot of clients start out anxious and honestly a number of people avoid joining the financial gym out of the fear and shame they have around their money situation and I want to tell you that no matter what your situation you shouldn’t feel that way.

The only reason you could possibly feel like that is if you’re not willing to do anything about changing your money situation.

To help anyone out there who may be feeling bad about their financial situation, today, I’m going to let you know you’re not alone. Today, I’m sharing with you my financial situation ALL of the numbers and all of the details.

As I said on the show, I have been just about all of our clients at some point in my adult life and you’re about to find out why.

Joining me to hear all the dirt is one of my all time favorite trainers at the gym, Joy.


If you have any topics you would like for me to cover on this podcast, I encourage you to email me to Shannon@finblonde.com or tweet to me @blonde_finance or join the private Martinis and Your Money Facebook group and let me know what you want to hear.

And if you want to work with my team at the Financial Gym to help you achieve your 2019 goals, head over to or send friends to https://financialgym.com to lock in your low rates today.

Until next time, take care!!

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/http-traffic-libsyn-com-martinisandyourmoney-maym220_financially_naked_session-mp3/

Direct download: MAYM276_REPLAY_Shannon_FNS.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Today the ladies and I are reviewing two recent personal finance related articles, one claiming that the personal finance industry sucks and another about a woman out-earning her significant other.

Lots of food for thought and, as you can imagine, we had lots of thoughts to share around these topics.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/headlines-with-the-happy-hour-ladies/

Direct download: MAYM275_Happy_Hour.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Two years ago, when we first started to raise money for Financial Gym and we were working on growing our client numbers, we decided to record a podcast episode with current clients so that potential new clients knew what the experience was like. So Kelly, Maria, and Jen all joined me to share their experience as Financial Gym clients.

Last year, Jen reminded me that we were coming up on the one-year anniversary of recording that episode, so we checked back in with this FinGym threesome. Well, my friends, another year has passed and these three women are still Financial Gym clients and join me today to share what’s happened with them over this past year.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/client-happy-hour-with-kelly-maria-and-jen/

Direct download: MAYM274_Client_Happy_Hour.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Getting Financially Naked with Tai and Jordan

Today’s naked session is a super special one for me. Not only is the person in the hot seat one of my trainers, but she also brought her husband along for the ride. This is actually our first couples’ naked session with both partners present and fully financially naked. My trainer Tai is a financial work in progress, like many of us, and I give her mad props and respect for sharing her numbers, even though she is relatively early on in her own financial wellness journey. She did this because she wants to help others and I know this will.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/getting-financially-naked-with-tai-and-jordan

If you have any topics you would like for me to cover on this podcast, I encourage you to email me to Shannon@finblonde.com or tweet to me @blonde_finance or join the private Martinis and Your Money Facebook group and let me know what you want to hear.

And if you want to work with my team at the Financial Gym to help you achieve your 2019 goals, you only have a few more days to lock in our 2018 rates as our rates for new clients are going up in 2019. Head over to or send friends to https://financialgym.com to lock in your low rates today.

Until next time, take care!!

Direct download: MAYM272_Tai_and_Jordan.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Investing Revisited with the Happy Hour Ladies

I knew that we spoke about investing in the past during a happy hour, but a few tidbits from a conversation with Mrs. Frugalwoods made me think that we should revisit this topic having a gut feeling that the conversation would be fresh.

Well, as you’ll hear in this show, we were all shocked to find out that it’s been over four years since we talked about investing on the happy hour and you better believe the conversation was fresh. I hope you enjoy hearing our investing experiences.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/investing-revisited-with-the-happy-hour-ladies

If you have any topics you would like for me to cover on this podcast, I encourage you to email me to Shannon@finblonde.com or tweet to me @blonde_finance or join the private Martinis and Your Money Facebook group and let me know what you want to hear.

And if you want to work with my team at the Financial Gym to help you achieve your 2019 goals, you only have a few more days to lock in our 2018 rates as our rates for new clients are going up in 2019. Head over to or send friends to https://financialgym.com to lock in your low rates today.

Until next time, take care!!

Direct download: MAYM271_Happy_Hour.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Cameron is a financial journalist and author of the book Mom and Dad we need to talk – how to have essential conversations with your parents about their finances.

This is a topic that not only hit me personally as you’ll hear but also I deal with a lot in helping my client’s plan for their future.

If you’re parents are still alive and in your life, this is a podcast you won’t want to miss.

If you have any topics you would like for me to cover on this podcast, I encourage you to email me to Shannon@finblonde.com or tweet to me @blonde_finance or join the private Martinis and Your Money Facebook group and let me know what you want to hear.

And if you want to work with my team at the Financial Gym to help you achieve your 2019 goals, you only have a few more days to lock in our 2018 rates as our rates for new clients are going up in 2019. Head over to or send friends to https://financialgym.com to lock in your low rates today.

Until next time, take care!!

 

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/mom-and-dad-we-need-to-talk-with-cameron-huddleston/

Direct download: MAYM270_Cameron_Huddleston.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Every time you meet with a client and they ask you a question, you have no idea what direction they’re leaning and all you can do is give the best advice from your personal experience, from a financially sound decision, and also from an understanding of your client.

I was recently asked by a listener to do a show about one of the most common sounding board questions financial planners get so I thought I would expand the conversation to answer other hot topic questions financial planners get. When I thought about who I would have this conversation with, the only person who came to mind, who happens to be one of my favorite and retired financial planners, Joe Saul-Sehy of the Stacking Benjamins podcast.

Joe joins me today to get thrown under the bus and answer some common financial planner questions. As usual, I loved hearing Joe’s financial advice and guidance and I hope you do as well.

For more information, click here 

Direct download: MAYM269_Joe_Saul-Sehy_REPLAY.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Ben Jones, Entrepreneur and Financial Educator who is equally passionate about financial literacy as I am, joins me to talk about resources he’s created to help people of all ages, especially children, become financially literate.

If you have any topics you would like for me to cover on this podcast, I encourage you to email me to Shannon@finblonde.com or tweet to me @blonde_finance or join the private Martinis and Your Money Facebook group and let me know what you want to hear.

And if you want to work with my team at the Financial Gym to help you achieve your 2019 goals, you only have a few more days to lock in our 2018 rates as our rates for new clients are going up in 2019. Head over to or send friends to https://financialgym.com to lock in your low rates today.

Until next time, take care!!

 

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/educounting-with-ben-jones/ 

Direct download: MAYM268_Educounting.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Have you ever tried to talk about personal finance with your friends? Have you ever gotten financially naked with your friends or vice versa?

I’m asking my Happy Hour friends about how they interact with their friends about money, and you’ll be surprised by the responses. As always, we had a great time.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/friends-and-money-with-the-happy-hour-ladies/ 

Direct download: MAYM267_Happy_Hour.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Kayla started her journey with us to getting financially healthy only to take a huge step in another direction, which was certainly not part of the original plan. She joins me today to share her story and how that impacted her finances.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/getting-financially-naked-with-kayla 

Direct download: MAYM266_Kayla.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

As some of you know, I have a gripe against weddings. I don’t love watching clients go into credit card debt planning or participating in weddings. So you can imagine how excited I was to hear about

Heather Fier, aka the Wedding Hacker, created her business to literally help couples plan the weddings of their dreams in the most cost-effective way.

As some of you know, I have a gripe against weddings. I don’t love watching clients go into credit card debt planning or participating in weddings.

You can imagine how excited I was to hear about Heather. She joins me to share why she decided to start this business and share some really great ideas for how couples can save on their wedding.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/the-wedding-hacker-with-heather-fier/ 

Direct download: MAYM265_Heather_Fier_Wedding.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Getting in the hot seat today is our client Rebekkah who is coming up on one year at the Gym. When she started with us, she had $767 in the bank and wondered if it made financial sense to join. She’s going to share her journey and where she is today.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/getting-financially-naked-with-rebekkah/ 

Direct download: MAYM264_Rebekkah.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

April is Financial Literacy month. Today the Happy Hour ladies and I are talking about financial literacy — when we gained it, the reason it’s a problem in our country, and ways we can get more comfortable with it.

As always, this was a fun and informative conversation that I hope you enjoy.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/financial-literacy-with-the-happy-hour-ladies  

Direct download: MAYM262_Happy_Hour.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Shannon shares thoughts, updates and lessons learned over the past year as she approaches her 41st birthday.

____________

If you have any topics you would like for me to cover on this podcast, I encourage you to email me to Shannon@finblonde.com or tweet to me @blonde_finance or join the private Martinis and Your Money Facebook group and let me know what you want to hear.

And if you want to work with my team at the Financial Gym to help you achieve your goals, head over to - or send friends to - https://financialgym.com to lock in your low rates today.

Until next time, take care!!

Direct download: MAYM261_Shannons_Birthday.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

I was fortunate and privileged to have my college education funded by my parents and, 23 years ago when I started college, I knew that was a big thing.

I remember watching my college roommate go off to work-study and feeling thankful that wasn’t me. Then we graduated, got similar jobs at Bank of America, and shared an apartment, and she had an extra $500 a month in student loan payments that I didn’t have.

Fast forward to me starting the Financial Gym and I feel like all we see, day in and day out, are people trying to figure out student loans and live their best lives possible while doing so.

I’m thankful to have my friend David Carlson back on the show to chat more about student loans and the book he’s written to help with them, Student Loan Solution: 5 Steps to Take Control of Your Student Loans and Financial Life.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/student-loan-solution-with-david-carlson/ 

Direct download: MAYM260_David_Carlson.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

I always say that without physical, mental, or financial health, what are we doing this for. I view all three as equally critical to allow us to live our best lives.

Even though May is Mental Health Awareness Month, I wanted to kick off my discussion in April and speak to a mental health practitioner to answer all of the questions I’ve had around my own mental health, like how do I find the right therapist? How much should I pay? Can I negotiate? and more.

Joining me to answer my questions, and hopefully yours, is Jenny Maenpaa, Psychotherapist and Women’s Leadership Coach and Founder of Forward in Heels. Jenny is a long-time friend of the Gym and I love her perspective on all things mental health.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/forward-in-heels-with-jenny-maenpaa/ 

Direct download: MAYM259_Jenny_Maenpaa.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Today we’re talking about what has been a hot topic lately, especially in the personal finance writing space: privilege.

At least we started with privilege, and then the conversation progressed to the ups and downs of being a public voice in the very sensitive days we are living in.

I hope you enjoy this conversation and, as always, receive it in the positive manner in which we intend to communicate.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/privilege-with-the-happy-hour-ladies 

Direct download: MAYM258_Happy_Hour.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Anna survived an abusive relationship and shares how she’s putting together the pieces of her financial life in a very non-conventional way.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/getting-financially-naked-with-anna/ 

Direct download: MAYM257_Anna_Bergman.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

I always love talking to guests about how we can live a better life. After all, it is part of the slogan on my podcast.

Today I am excited to have back on the show Shanah Bell, founder of Adaptive Nourishment and author of the book The Art of Being a PITA, to discuss how her career of working over 50 jobs informed how she can help other people navigate the ins and outs of getting what they want and living the life they want.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/the-art-of-becoming-a-pita-with-shanah-bell 

Direct download: MAYM256_Shanah_PITA_Book.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Getting in the hot seat today is another dude who’s a long time podcast listener and also a long-time financial gym client. I’m excited to have Paul join me today to share his digits and his journey to a financially healthier lifestyle

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/getting-naked-with-paul/

Direct download: MAYM255_Paul.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

When I last had this guest on the podcast, she was still an anonymous blogger who was just on the verge of making the leap to a public outing and declaring financial independence with her husband.

Fast forward over a year and now she has written a book to discuss her experience leading up to financial independence and why she’s not a typical FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) persona.

I’m excited to have back on the show, and for the first time publicly, Tanja Hester, author of Work Optional: Retire Early the Non-Penny Pinching Way, founder of Our Next Life Blog, and co-host of The Fairer Cents podcast.


For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/work-optional-with-tanja-hester/ 

Direct download: MAYM254_Tanja_Hester.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

All four of the Happy Hour ladies took the leap to self employment in different ways and for different reasons.

Today we share why we made those leaps, the lessons we learned after taking them, and some really important tips we want you to know so you can make the best decisions around self employment.

If you have any topics you would like for me to cover on this podcast, I encourage you to email me to Shannon@finblonde.com or tweet to me @blonde_finance or join the private Martinis and Your Money Facebook group and let me know what you want to hear.

And if you want to work with my team at the Financial Gym to help you achieve your 2019 goals, you only have a few more days to lock in our 2018 rates as our rates for new clients are going up in 2019. Head over to or send friends to https://financialgym.com to lock in your low rates today.

Until next time, take care!!

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/self-employment-with-the-happy-hour-ladies/ 

Direct download: MAYM253_Happy_Hour.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

In a recent search of the top employers represented from Financial Gym clients, I discovered that the number one employer is “Self Employed.” We work with a lot of freelancing, entrepreneurial clients and it’s one of the many things I love about the Gym.

Freelancer finances are difficult to understand and plan for and we love helping our clients build businesses in a financially healthy way. I also love all of the ways people can build a business, so today I’m talking to Diana Davis, a Health and Wellness photographer in New York City, about how and why she started her business and how she’s built a successful practice doing the two things she loves most, design and photography.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/building-a-freelance-business-with-diana-davis/ 

Direct download: MAYM252_Diana.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Stacey, a Financial Gym client with a not-so-pretty past financial life, gets financially naked. She hopes you will learn from her mistakes.

If you have any topics you would like for me to cover on this podcast, I encourage you to email me to Shannon@finblonde.com or tweet to me @blonde_finance or join the private Martinis and Your Money Facebook group and let me know what you want to hear.

And if you want to work with my team at the Financial Gym to help you achieve your 2019 goals, you only have a few more days to lock in our 2018 rates as our rates for new clients are going up in 2019. Head over to or send friends to https://financialgym.com to lock in your low rates today.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/getting-naked-with-stacey/ 

Direct download: MAYM251_Stacey.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

At the Financial Gym, we call the first meeting you have with a trainer the “financially naked session.”

This is my first married couple to get financially naked on the show. Not only are they married with children, they also run a farm.

I just love the diversity of Financial Gym clients.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/getting-naked-with-natalie/ 

Direct download: MAYM250_Natalie.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Today we’re talking about homeownership - why we’ve done it or why it is not even a life goal of ours, and the pros and cons.

My biggest takeaway is to make your financial goals your own. If homeownership is a goal of yours, make sure you go into it with eyes wide open. If it’s not a goal, no big deal. It is not a requirement in life to own a home. It is important that you have life goals that resonate with you, not someone else.

Notes for this show as well as links to my guest's sites can be found at http://financially-blonde.com/homeownership-with-the-happy-hour-ladies-2.

If you have any topics you would like for me to cover on this podcast, I encourage you to email me to Shannon@finblonde.com or tweet to me @blonde_finance or join the private Martinis and Your Money Facebook group and let me know what you want to hear.

And if you want to work with my team at the Financial Gym to help you achieve your 2019 goals, you only have a few more days to lock in our 2018 rates as our rates for new clients are going up in 2019. You don’t have to start your membership until January 2019, but you need to sign up before the end of this year. So head over to or send friends to https://financialgym.com to lock in your low rates today. I wish you and your family the happiest and healthiest of new years!

Until next time, take care!!

Direct download: MAYM249_Happy_Hour_Houses.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Joining me to discuss how dating can impact your finances is Financial Gym trainer Jenn and her client Rebecca. They share their personal stories of love, loss and recovery and how their finances were impacted because of it.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/unexpected-breakups-with-jenn-and-rebecca/

Direct download: MAYM248_Jenn_and_Rebecca.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Last year, as we were working on building the Financial Gym brand, we worked with a number of influencers to help get the word out about the Gym. During that time, we saw the value of working with them, not only as a brand to help us build our brand, but we saw the value that could come from being an influencer.

Today I’m talking to Shanna Tyler, Life and Business Coach and founder of Self Soul Sport, about how she became an influencer, how you can become one, and how you can make money doing it.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/becoming-an-influencer-with-shanna-tyler 

Direct download: MAYM247_Shanna_Tyler.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Getting financially naked in the hot-seat today is my first dude! I know that my podcast may seem as though it’s skewed toward women; however, I’ve known for years that guys are listening as well, and Jon is one of those guys. Jon is a longtime listener who volunteered to get financially naked with me and all of you.


For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/getting-naked-with-jon/ 

Direct download: MAYM246_Jon_Tessman.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Not only is it the last Friday of the month, but it’s the last Friday of the YEAR, so welcome to our 3rd annual end of year Happy Hour special. The ladies and I are going to share our highs and lows of 2018 with you and then set out our plan for 2019. I hope you enjoy!

My biggest takeaway is to take the time and reflect on this past year of your life. I am sure there were highs and lows. I hope your highs outweighed your lows but if they didn’t, there is always a new year to be hopeful for. Set some big goals for 2019 and keep me posted on your progress! I always love getting notes from you about how you are doing with your personal and financial goals.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/year-end-review-with-the-happy-hour-ladies/

Direct download: MAYM245_Happy_Hour.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

When we opened our first small Gym location and had a shoe string budget, Fidelity sponsored the gym opening. They loved how we help women and young people manage their finances better.

So I’m excited to welcome back to the show Kelly Lannan, Director of Young Investors at Fidelity, to talk about their recent Millennial Money Survey and what themes she sees from her travels and talks with young people about money.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/millennial-money-survey-with-kelly-lannan 

Direct download: MAYM244_Kelly_Lannan.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Jean Chatzky is one of the people I look up to in the personal finances space.

Jean started her career as a journalist and then grew to write personal finance books, appear on Oprah, become the finance editor of the Today Show, and now she runs the Her Money media brand, which is growing by the minute.

Jean joins me today to talk about her career progression and why she’s taking on such a big challenge at this stage in her career.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/her-money-with-jean-chatzky/ 

Direct download: MAYM243_Jean_Chatzky.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

In this week’s “Getting Financially Naked” installment we talk with clients Caet and Samantha Cash, aka The Cash Sisters.

At the Financial Gym, we call the first meeting you have with a trainer the “financially naked session.” In this meeting, you share everything about yourself financially so the trainer knows where you’re starting and so that he or she can make the plan for how you can get where you want to go.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/getting-naked-with-the-cash-sisters/

Direct download: MAYM242_Sam_and_Caet_Cash.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

It’s the last Friday of the month and we’re talking about manifesting our goals.

In case you haven’t heard or seen, I fulfilled a multi-year long dream of appearing on the Today Show. I continue to learn the more we put our dreams out there, the more likely they are to manifest.

So the happy hour ladies join me today to talk about the seemingly impossible dreams they’ve manifested, the reason why they’re not, and what happens when you don’t know what to put out there.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/manifesting-dreams-with-the-happy-hour-ladies-2/

Direct download: MAYM241_Happy_Hour.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Shannon shares some of the many people and situations she’s thankful for in 2018.

Direct download: MAYM240_Thanksgiving.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

I always say that getting financially fit is just like getting physically fit - they both require that you do two things. To get physically fit, you need to eat less and work out more. To get financially fit, you need to spend less and make more. It sounds easy, but if it were that easy, we would have a bunch of skinny millionaires running around. We joke at The Gym, where are the skinny millionaires at?

It is hard work to get physically and financially fit, but today we’re talking about one of those areas of financial fitness, and that’s making more money, specifically for women. Women frequently feel torn between caring for their loved ones, whether it is kids or parents, and trying to make money. Today I am talking to Kathryn Sollman, Career Coach and author of the new book Ambition Redefined, Why the Corner Office Doesn’t Work for Everyone and What to Do Instead.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/ambition-redefined-with-kathryn-sollman/ 

Direct download: MAYM239_Kathryn_Sollman.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Allie, a new Financial Gym client, volunteered to share her numbers with this group. A word of warning though, before you listen to this episode, Allie’s story has a very intense back story.

If you are somebody with PTSD, or you have triggers around violence (specifically gun violence), this is an episode you should not listen to.

I am giving you warning that this was very intense for me to hear and for Allie to live through, and unfortunately, she was one of the episodes I lost when recording, so this poor young woman had to share this story with me twice.

She is an absolute rockstar, and I appreciate her willingness to share everything, but, again, if you can’t handle these types of things, please refrain from listening.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/getting-naked-with-allie/

Direct download: MAYM238_Allie.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

The stock market has hit some bumpy roads. If you watched the news, you are probably asking f you need to change your strategy.

In this Encore presentation of "Investing and Volatility", I’ve invited Kevin Matthews, Financial Advisor and Founder of BuildingBread.com to talk about volatility and how you can manage your portfolios through volatile markets.
 

 

Notes for this show as well as links to my guest's sites can be found on my blog, http://financially-blonde.com. Also, if you have any topics you would like for us to talk about during happy hour, please feel free to email me to shannon@finblonde.com or tweet to me @Blonde_Finance or join the private Martinis and Your Money Facebook group and let us know. 

 

Until next time, take care!!

Direct download: MAYM237_Kevin_Matthews_ENCORE.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Today is the last Friday of the month and my regular listeners know that on the last Friday of the month, I host a happy hour, where I gather great friends to drink cheap drinks and talk about money topics.

• What is an article of clothing someone could wear that would make you walk out on a date with them?
• The zombie apocalypse is coming. Who are three people you want on your team?
• Most used emoji?

and more!

More can be found at http://financially-blonde.com/icebreaker-questions-with-the-happy-hour-ladies/

Direct download: MAYM236_Happy_Hour.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

A few months back, I shared my financially naked session so this group could start dropping any fear or shame they had around their money.

Last month, my teammate Caitlin got financially naked with me and today Bridget Todd, Employee #1 at the Financial Gym, is in the hot seat.

I hope you enjoy!

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/getting-naked-with-bridget-todd/

Direct download: MAYM235_Bridget_Todd.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

People frequently say to me they want to join the Financial Gym, but they don’t think they can afford the monthly membership. My reply is always, “If you can’t afford the $85 per month, then you NEED to join the Financial Gym.”

Some of our clients need to make more money, and we tell them how much. Some of our clients have some glaring monthly expenses that need to be cut and we help them identify them. Some clients, like today's guest Colleen, need to be coached on making some extreme changes in life.

Colleen shares her story about why she reached out to my team and the dramatic transformation her life has taken in just three short months.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/declaring-bankruptcy-with-colleen

Direct download: MAYM234_Colleen_Gray.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 12:30am EDT

Chad Carson is a firm believer that real estate is the way to financial independence. He should know, he is living proof.

Chad shares information from his latest book, Retire Early with Real Estate.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/retire-early-with-real-estate-with-chad-carson/

Direct download: MAYM233_Chad_Carson.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. This month I committed two shows to talking about finances and mental health.

At the Financial Gym we have a slogan “what are you working for”, and if you don’t have physical health or mental health what are you working for?

A few weeks back I spoke with my friend Ash Cash, and today the Happy Hour Ladies and I are sharing our personal stories and struggles with mental health.

We got very honest about our personal journeys, and if you are triggered by suicide conversations, prescription drug conversations, or depression conversations in general, you may want to pass on this episode.

For everyone else, I hope that this helps you or someone you love who battles with mental health.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/debt-and-mental-health-with-the-happy-hour-ladies

Direct download: MAYM232_Happy_Hour.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Once a month, I’m going to have a guest on who’s going to get financially naked with you and the first one up is my Marketing Manager, Caitlin Lyttle.

Caitlin joins me to share her career background, why she wanted to work at the Financial gym, and exactly what her financial picture looks like.

At the Financial Gym, we call the first meeting you have with a trainer the “financially naked session.” In this meeting, you share everything about yourself financially so the trainer knows where you’re starting and so that he or she can make the plan for how you can get where you want to go. Above all other meetings, this one scares clients the most because they are afraid or ashamed of their financial situation.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/getting-naked-with-caitlin-lyttle

Direct download: MAYM231_Caitlin_Lyttle.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

At the my company, the Financial Gym, we like to call the financial plan you get from us the starter plan. It really is an initial roadmap plotting out how you can achieve your goals. Some clients get the road map and put everything into place and follow it to a tee. Some clients get the roadmap and think it’s impossible and never even do the work. And then some clients get the roadmap and life throws them a series of detours and the road trip changes. The plan is a guideline but it’s never really set in stone.

Some plans we work on are easy to put together because the clients’ financial lives are easily aligned with their goals, and then some plans, like today’s guests, are not easy to put together because the roadmap is filled with uncertainty. When my trainers have to deliver those types of plans, they’re actually not overly concerned, because after years of doing this, we know that anything is possible if our clients put their minds to it. We actually LOVE it when our clients accomplish what seems impossible at the beginning and this is the case with Laniece and Jo. They are two Financial Gym clients working with my trainer Joy, and they join me today to share why they wanted to fix their financial lives and how they went about accomplishing what seemed like impossible goals from Joy.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/achieving-the-impossible-with-laniece-and-jo

Direct download: MAYM229_Laniece_and_Jo.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

I know it’s literally one of the last weeks of summer, but this week my Happy Hour friends and I are talking about vacations:

  • The importance of vacations
  • How we like to take our vacations
  • How we pay for vacations
  • What we like to do on vacation

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/vacations-with-the-happy-hour-ladies/ 

Direct download: MAYM228_HH_Vacations.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

The path to financial fitness is a series of small changes that ultimately leads to big results. For others, their path starts with a big, scary, life changing choice that ultimately leads to big results.

Today, I’m talking to Financial Gym client, Chante, who along with her husband Mike was faced with one of those scary, life changing choices. She’s going to share the financial missteps that led to this choice and how she’s working through it with not only Mike’s support but her two young boys.

 

Notes for this show as well as links to my guest's sites can be found on my blog, http://financially-blonde.com. Also, if you have any topics you would like for us to talk about during happy hour, please feel free to email me to shannon@finblonde.com or tweet to me @Blonde_Finance or join the private Martinis and Your Money Facebook group and let us know. 

 

Until next time, take care!!

Direct download: MAYM227_Chante_REPLAY.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

journalist, and now published author, Paulette Perhach, shares her honest and sometimes cringe-worthy journey from writing the viral fuck-off fund post to having no fuck-off fund at all.

She shares why she wanted to write a book for writers that’s not just about how to make money writing.

It’s a great conversation with lots of learning lessons.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://financially-blonde.com/accepting-your-financial-reality-with-paulette-perhach/

Direct download: MAYM226_Paulette_Perhach.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

One of the things I love about having a podcast is that it gives me a great excuse to catch up with friends, with just a few people eavesdropping along the way. Today I’m talking to my friend and Gen X Spirit Animal, Jess Garbarino, Founder of Every Single Dollar, about her journey from home foreclosure to buying a home again without any credit. Her story is an inspiration to anyone who thought home ownership would never be in the cards.


Notes for this show as well as links to my guest's sites can be found on my blog, http://financially-blonde.com. Also, if you have any topics you would like for us to talk about during happy hour, please feel free to email me to shannon@finblonde.com or tweet to me @Blonde_Finance or join the private Martinis and Your Money Facebook group and let us know. 

Until next time, take care!!

Direct download: MAYM225_Jessica_Garbarino.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Hello Martinis and Your Money Listeners!! We are officially on the summer schedule here at Martinis and Your Money which means that at least one Friday a month I’ll be replaying some of my favorite shows while I take some time to catch my breath on the podcast recordings and focus on raising money for the Financial Gym.

Today I’m replaying a show that aired a little over a year ago about crafting a job you love with Kate Gremillion from Mavenly & Co and the Women Work and Worth Podcast.

For me a great podcast episode is one that I’m still thinking about a year later and this is one of those to me. There is a lot of information out there glorifying the entrepreneurial lifestyle and journey and I think too many people think about this path before they really consider being what Kate calls an intrepreneur.

If you’re wondering where your career path lies, I hope you’re considering intrepreneurship as one of your alternatives. And now here’s Kate again.

Direct download: MAYM224_Kate_Gremillion_REPLAY.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Today we’re talking about moving and the financial and emotional implications that come with that decision. As many of you heard, I recently sold my home to move and downsize into something more affordable in my budget, well my Happy Hour friends have also handled some big moves or have them in the near future and we’re sharing all about it.

 

Notes for this show as well as links to my guest's sites can be found on my blog, http://financially-blonde.com. Also, if you have any topics you would like for us to talk about during happy hour, please feel free to email me to shannon@finblonde.com or tweet to me @Blonde_Finance or join the private Martinis and Your Money Facebook group and let us know. 

 

Until next time, take care!!

Direct download: MAYM223_Happy_Hour_Moving.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

This time last year I was actively looking for investors for the Financial Gym. As part of the process a number of people asked us what the experience was like, so I decided to record a happy hour with three financial gym clients to ask them about their experience and their thoughts on the gym.

Fast forward to today, 1 year later, and we check in on the status of Jen, Kelly and Maria.

Where are their finances now? Listen to find out.

 

Notes for this show as well as links to my guest's sites can be found on my blog, http://financially-blonde.com. Also, if you have any topics you would like for us to talk about during happy hour, please feel free to email me to shannon@finblonde.com or tweet to me @Blonde_Finance or join the private Martinis and Your Money Facebook group and let us know. 

 

Until next time, take care!!

Direct download: MAYM222_FinGym_1yr_Check-in.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Despite the fact that I’m divorced, I’m actually very optimistic about relationships and their long-term potential.

As I have shared on this show, money and a lack of transparency around it was certainly an issue in my marriage, and that’s why I was really excited to talk to Lisa Zeiderman, a family law attorney and partner at Miller, Zeiderman and Whitakker, about ways that people can divorce-proof their relationships.

After dozens of years seeing all of the ways that people can financially handicap their relationships through various divorce negotiations, Lisa shares some great insights on how you can let money enhance your marriage and not lead to the downfall.

 

Notes for this show as well as links to my guest's sites can be found on my blog, http://financially-blonde.com. Also, if you have any topics you would like for us to talk about during happy hour, please feel free to email me to shannon@finblonde.com or tweet to me @Blonde_Finance or join the private Martinis and Your Money Facebook group and let us know. 

 

Until next time, take care!!

Direct download: MAYM221_Lisa_Z.mp3
Category:investing -- posted at: 1:00am EDT