If you've ever avoided looking at your finances in detail because, supposedly, ignorance is bliss, this episode is for you.  Trevor and his wife were living a "budget blind" life, with no real awareness of how much money they had or what they could afford, and it led to owing $125K to 29 different creditors, including $75K in back taxes owed to the IRS. They navigated multiple jarring layoffs, falling behind on their mortgage, taking out a 401k loan that they then couldn't pay back, and foreclosing on their home. After facing reality in 2018 and making consistent debt payments for ~4 years, they paid off their last debt and felt the joy of no longer owing anyone a dime. Listen to Trevor's experiences to hear how he and his wife dug their way out of debt and could finally go on offense again with their money.  If you have a story to share and are interested in being on this podcast, reach out to Jeff at [email protected].  For more information about Jeff and the coaching services he offers, check out his website at www.wisemoneymentor.com.

If you feel like life throws you another curveball as soon as you've gotten things back on track after the last curveball, this episode is for you.  Casandra is all too familiar with trying to pay down debt while coping with curveball after curveball and the inevitable emotional spending that comes along with thoes challenges. Whether it was dealing with student loans, parenting young children, grieving the loss of a parent, navigating COVID, or countless other obstacles that got in her way, Casandra found a way to fight until she had paid off her debt. Listen to Casandra's experiences to hear how she navigated such difficult situations, found a way to pay off her debt despite those challenges, and learned some key lessons along the way.  If you have a story to share and are interested in being on this podcast, reach out to Jeff at [email protected].  For more information about Jeff and the coaching services he offers, check out his website at www.wisemoneymentor.com.

If giving to others in need is important to you, and you want to methodically set money aside for doing so, this episode is for you.  Melissa from Episode 5 is back to share how she has built giving -- or, in Melissa's terms, JOY -- into her budget as a specific job for her money to do. Listen to hear how Melissa and her husband prioritize giving without compromising other financial obligations, in order to bring more joy into their lives and the lives of those they help. Hear how they used funds in their Joy category to rescue a coworker who was nearly trapped by payday loans.  If you have a story to share and are interested in being on this podcast, reach out to Jeff at [email protected].  For more information about Jeff and the coaching services he offers, check out his website at www.wisemoneymentor.com.

If you feel trapped in using credit cards, can never really tell what you can or can't afford, and want to get a spouse onboard with making some big changes, this episode is for you.  Jessica and her husband became accustomed to just using credit cards for everything, mainly because it was hard to look at their checking account balance and discern what they could or couldn't afford. Despite bringing in two incomes, they built up $16K in credit card debt and felt like there was no other option than to continue using credit cards. Listen to Jessica's story to hear how she faced reality, got her spouse onboard, built a *sustainable* budget, and took control of her finances in order to become debt free (spoiler: according to Jessica, yes, it feels even more amazing than you think it will).  If you have a story to share and are interested in being on this podcast, reach out to Jeff at [email protected].  For more information about Jeff and the coaching services he offers, check out his website at www.wisemoneymentor.com.

If you've ever been in a position where it feels like life throws you financial punch after financial punch, this episode is for you.  Jon and his wife found themselves with $0 in emergency savings and $17K in credit card debt when, out of nowhere and in a matter of weeks, his wife was rear-ended and the car totaled, the air conditioner needed repair, a 15-year-old water heater was seemingly on its last legs, and Jon's car broke down. Can you imagine?! Listen to Jon's story to see how he and his wife took control of their situation and, in only a few months, paid off half of their credit card debt, saved half of the money needed to replace the water heater, and built up an emergency savings of a few thousand dollars.  If you have a story to share and are interested in being on this podcast, reach out to Jeff at [email protected].  For more information about Jeff and the coaching services he offers, check out his website at www.wisemoneymentor.com.

If you feel like everything is stacked against you financially, and your spouse or partner is more of an obstacle than a help, this episode is for you.  Nicole was married to a deceitful spouse who wreaked havoc on the family's finances, sabotaging any efforts Nicole made to dig out of $50K in credit card debt. Things even got to a point where a heartbroken Nicole had to tell her young child that they couldn't afford to go buy juice at the grocery store. Listen to Nicole's conversation with Jeff to hear how she responded to such difficult circumstances in order to create a more hopeful, empowered life for herself and her children as a single parent.  If you have a story to share and are interested in being on this podcast, reach out to Jeff at [email protected].  For more information about Jeff and the coaching services he offers, check out his website at www.wisemoneymentor.com.

If you feel vulnerable because you've outsourced everything related to money management to your spouse or partner, this episode is for you.  Melissa entered her first marriage with good credit and, over time, relied on her good-willed husband to manage all of the finances. As it turns out, though, ignorance is anything but bliss, as Melissa can attest. After leaving the marriage, she was devastated to find out that her credit score had tanked to the low 400s. Listen to Melissa share the steps she took to face reality and commit to never again not knowing where she stands financially.  If you have a story to share and are interested in being on this podcast, reach out to Jeff at [email protected].  For more information about Jeff and the coaching services he offers, check out his website at www.wisemoneymentor.com.

With the first few episodes published, Jeff is hard at work building an inventory of more stories to bring to you in future episodes. Jeff is on the hunt for more amazing people who are interested in sharing their stories! If you've navigated some difficult financial challenges and come out on the other side stronger, better, and more confident, email Jeff at [email protected] so you can work together to capture that journey and share it with others. There are a lot of people out there who are facing some challenging situations, and when you're in the thick of a difficult time, it's really hard to know what to do, where to turn, and how to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Sharing your story might be exactly what someone, somewhere, needs in order to take the next step towards success and the financial confidence we all crave. For more information about Jeff and the coaching services he offers, check out his website at www.wisemoneymentor.com [https://wisemoneymentor.com/?utm_source=podcast].

If Christmas always seems to sneak up on you, you feel stress and/or guilt because you don't know where you're going to find the money you need for gifts and activities, and leads you to start off the new year digging out of a financial hole, this episode is for you. Meet Jenna. After years of navigating those exact feelings, she craved nothing more than to give herself the gift of peace when spending money for Christmas, and she did so by taking control of her finances and preparing throughout the year for it. As a result, Christmas is a much better experience and an opportunity for Jenna and her husband to truly craft the holiday traditions they want for their family, guilt free. Listen to Jenna's story and hear how she did it. If you have a story to share and are interested in being on this podcast, reach out to Jeff at [email protected]. For more information about Jeff and the coaching services he offers, check out his website at www.wisemoneymentor.com [https://wisemoneymentor.com/?utm_source=podcast].

If you dread looking at your credit card account, feel shame from carrying whatever debt you have, and question if you'll ever be able to pay it off, this episode might be for you. Jason shares his story of going from $40K+ in credit card debt and the feeling of dread that would come from even looking at his credit card balance, to taking control and finally paying it off – hopefully for good. Listen to Jason's conversation with Jeff and hear how he did it. If you have a story to share and are interested in being on this podcast, reach out to Jeff at [email protected]. For more information about Jeff and the coaching services he offers, check out his website at www.wisemoneymentor.com [https://wisemoneymentor.com/?utm_source=podcast].