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You don't have to be a financial expert to write a personal finance book.  In fact, quite the opposite. Before writing The Cash Machine, Dave and Chana Mason found themselves deeply in debt, despite earning significant amounts of money in their careers.  They've created an incredibly prosperous life working 2-3 hours a day from across the globe. They define their mission as "Learn, Grow, Teach."The Cash Machine is unlike other personal finance books ever written. This book is a page-turning love story that teaches you financial lessons and gives you tools to help drive your financial destiny. In this episode, Chana shares why this fictional novel makes this tale relatable for anyone. Whether you want to create a cash machine of your own or follow along on these characters' journey as they explore their options, beliefs, and relationship with money.  This conversation was worth a million and will leave you craving more cash machine lessons!Learn more about Chana Mason and The Cash Machine at bestfriendsfinance.com.

It's our first episode of 2021 and our 50th episode since launching in early 2020! We're celebrating with a fun question... What does living a rich life mean for you? As a kid, this vision may have included a yacht and a robot maid, but for most of us it looks very different now. After the challenges of 2020, we're ready to focus on goals to live richly - with intent, purpose, confidence and happiness - in 2021!In this episode, we talk about the ways we can create the feelings we want to feel this year. From security and peace through maximizing tax-advantaged retirement accounts, increasing net worth, and avoiding lifestyle inflation, to comfort and joy through decluttering and improving the spaces we live in. We share what living richly means to us.What about you? Travel? Security? Adventure? Improved health? Experiences? Fancy shoes (no judgment)? We want to hear from you! How will you live richly now?*From this episode:Watch: The Minimalists - Less is Now on NetflixRead: I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi and The Simple Path to Wealth by J.L. Collins

We're closing out 2020 with our MOST downloaded episode to date.  In this episode, we discuss how wellness is like a wagon.  If one of the wheels falls off - financial, physical, mental, emotional - we're off balance or just plain stuck.  Amanda Nighbert, RD, creator of the LEAN program has built an army of loyal followers whose lives she's changed.  Join us for a candid chat with Amanda about what works and what doesn't when it comes to weight loss and the economics of nutrition.  You can't afford to miss this episode if your health is at the top of your list to start the New Year.  Amanda strives to help her clients set new goals and get a fresh start! Learn more about LEAN with Amanda, how to get started and how to get a discount with our referral code (BFFPODCAST) at bestfriendsfinance.com, Episode 49.

We're wrapping up 2020 (finally) by replaying our very first episode. For those of you who've joined us midstream, this will give you the skinny on how two working moms and solopreneurs learned that when women start talking about money, it's worth a million!

Are you looking to get a leg up on your finances? Delyanne, Attorney and Money Mentor, coaches her clients on how to slay the stock market without feeling like it's too late. In this episode, Delyanne shares whether you're spending or saving money, every dollar needs a specific goal. It's time to stop watching your net worth stay stagnant despite your income going up.At 38, Delyanne discovered the FIRE movement and realized she could do so much more with her money. Now, she's on track to retire in 7 years. Her goal is to inspire us to break away from the paycheck to paycheck mentality and level up how we think about our finances.  In ten short months, she paid off $110k left on her student loans and is positioning herself to be FI (financially independent) so that she can not retire early but RELAX by age 45.   She is living proof that you can reach your financial goals faster by focusing on your money and making an investment plan.  This conversation was worth a million and will inspire you to re-evaluate your retirement plan!Follow Delyanne on Instagram  @delyannethemoneycoach Learn more about her course: Slay the Stock Market

The single most common message we've received since staring this podcast? Some version of "I'm just like you used to be, and I'm ready to change. Where to I start?" Well friends, we're re-airing one of our first episodes to answer just that! Certified Financial Planner Katy Greene knows women and money. In her experience, a lot of women want to take an active role in planning for their financial future, but need some direction. In this episode, Katy provides a clear path for your journey to financial independence. We're talking exactly where to start. It's all about taking those first steps... even if you can't see the whole staircase. 

If you're a young woman or raising a young women, this episode is for you! 29 year old author, blogger, money coach and new mom, Alli Williams, has made it her mission to help young women and couples ease financial anxiety, build wealth and dream bigger. She understand there is no one size fits all approach, and her personal story is wildly inspiring.How many recent college grads do you know who have $17,000 saved for their future wedding (before they're even engaged)? From a young age, and before studying finance later in her 20s, Alli was debt free and knew she wanted to stay that way to have more career options later in life. When she ended up marrying into six figures of debt, she didn't curl up in a ball and wish it away, she made a plan. Last year, Alli and her husband paid off $35K in debt,  while paying off the rest of their wedding, cash flowing school tuition, and still spending money on the things that matter most to them.These girl moms were so inspired by Alli's focused and reasonable approach to personal finance, and truly hope our daughters are too. This episode is worth a million! For where to find Alli, check out show notes for Episode 45 at bestfriendsfinance.com.

It's no secret that Christmas is the most expensive holiday of the year. Not only can gifts be costly, but everything else is too!  From Christmas cards, to pictures with Santa, to matching PJs, to holiday parties, it’s easy to blow your budget. That's why relationship coaches Sarah and Chris Helms say it's essential to set expectations with your partner (and those grandparents) to avoid the conflict and anxiety the holidays can bring.In this episode, the Helmses share their candid approach to avoiding "all things holiday" sucking the joy out of the season. It starts by having a new conversation with family and friends about the fact that more isn't always better.  We discuss drowning out the more, more, more culture, focusing on what's important to your family, and alleviating the pressure to overspend.  This holiday season, give the gift of a stress-free holiday to your loved ones and still create holiday magic!

Are you going over-the-top to create Christmas or Hanukkah magic for your family? There is no bigger budget-blower than the holidays! In this episode we chat with financial educator and YouTuber, Holly, about ways to save on gifts this season. From values-based gift giving to being an "eco-tentional" shopper, Holly's tips will have you rethinking your holiday game plan.And since we love a good money story, Holly also shares her journey to pay off $135K in debt, which she and her husband started AFTER she left her corporate career in high end fashion and slashed their income! Her secret weapon?  A budget, her favorite word, which created priorities and intentionality of habits. The plans they put in place allowed Holly and her husband to stay focused and continue to enjoy the things that are important to them.This conversation is proof that while income is important, it's not everything when it comes to paying off debt and reaching financial goals. YOU get to choose what you prioritize in life, even around the holidays, and build your budget and plans accordingly!

A recent study shows that 45% of Americans would prefer to visit their dentist than talk to their financial advisor! Certified Financial Planner, Hannah Moore, has made it her mission to change that, by thoughtfully focusing on the learning style and dreams of each client. In this episode, Hannah asks us, “What does financial security look like for you?” It's about so much more than numbers, spreadsheets and amassing a big pile of money.  We discuss planning for your future while still living a wealthy life now. And by living wealthy, she simply means every dollar spent should bring us joy! Hannah is on a mission to change the way people think and talk about money.  Her blog and can be found on Instagram as everyday_money.   Find out more about Hannah at bestfriendsfinance.com, episode 42.

Are you conscientious about spending when it comes to feeding your family? Amanda and Lara were not, until their paths to financial independence made them intentional shoppers, even at the grocery store.In most American households, groceries are the second biggest line item for monthly spending. And during the pandemic, with school hot lunches and restaurant meals out the window, many families are spending more than they ever have before to put three meals/day, seven days/week, on the table.From their personal shopping strategies to tips from financial gurus, the BFFs talk saving time and money when it comes to groceries.

Money Coach Heidi Carter helps women break their income records by creating a divine relationship with money without overworking and depleting themselves.  In this episode, Heidi shares why money is like a relationship and requires time and attention.  When you spend money, it's essential to know what emotion you're seeking.We shifted the conversation to talk about how female entrepreneurs struggle with worthiness, fearing success and failure as they break through earning ceilings.   As our self-esteem grows, we can live out our life's purpose and mission once we quit spending money on the things we kind of want and focus spending on the things we REALLY want.  It's time to start saving for your big dream and know what part of spending creates a feeling of immediate abundance and confidence.  Are you ready to become a #moneywarrior? 

As a college student, Sahirenys Pierce saw her parents struggle through the  Great Recession. This sparked her passion for understanding and avoiding financial pitfalls, and led her to a career in financial planning. While working for companies like Merrill Lynch, MetLife, and Ameriprise, Sahirenys saw a disturbing trend. Women were not coming to the table for important conversations, rather deferring to their spouses.Sahirenys felt moved to help women create a lifestyle that isn’t run by our finances. So, she launched her blog, thepoisedlifestyle.com, to provide women, particularly millennials, with the financial tools and resources necessary to respond to whatever life throws our way with poise.From living months ahead of their bills, to saving and spending with purpose, Sahirenys and her husband have maintained flexibility and agility within their finances - a saving grace when they experienced their own family medical emergency. We have no doubt her story will inspire! 

It's time for a listener money story! This week we interview TaNeisha Barton, who entered college with a lofty goal of graduating with her PhD by the time she was 30.  After graduation, TaNeisha decided to take a real look at her student loans. With 112,000K in loans, and mounting credit card debt, she needed a plan, fast! TaNeisha met her now-husband and with his support, she started following what she calls Dave Ramsey "light." After only 18 months, she had paid her student loans off in full! She credits being the "No" girl for making it happen. Today, TaNeisha and her husband are focused on paying off their mortgage.TaNeisha's story focuses on being honest with yourself about your real numbers.  She went all the way through her PhD program with the attitude that as long as she was making money, she was fine. Through this process to become debt-free, she learned valuable lessons, including the fact that if it were easy, everyone would do it!  Oh, and her "pro-tip" for shopping on Amazon alone is worth a million!

Did you know 64% of Gen Xers do not have a will? Even worse, nearly half of Americans over 55 don't either? A survey from Caring.com found that in total, only 4 in 10 American adults have a will or living trust. Unfortunately, failing to do appropriate planning could have disastrous consequences. Attorney Wendy Monteith experienced this first hand as a child, and has devoted her law practice to ensuring her clients are prepared for anything and everything. In this episode, Wendy shares the why and how behind estate planning. It includes more than just a will. A health care directive and durable power of attorney are necessary in case you get sick or injured and are unable to make decisions for yourself. Having these, and a few other key documents in place ensures that you will have an advocate and your wishes will be followed.A legacy Is one of the best gifts we can gift those we love, and advanced planning will protect our loved ones from additional stress during a difficult time. This conversation is truly worth a million!

It's time for our 90 DAY SPEND LESS/SAVE MORE CHALLENGE!! The BFFs started this last year to give up frivolous spending to impact their consumer debt and focus more on saving for their futures.  If you've ever participated in a #Last90Days challenge, then you know how awesome it is.  If you've never done it before, you should join in because it's super motivational, free, and WILL improve your financial situation. What is it all about?  The intention is simple...can we take care of our finances and work on our financial goals for the last 90 days of the year, so we START the New Year more on fire with more savings than ever before?!  We can tell you the answer is yes! All it takes is a plan and a prompt from your BFFs.  We have a growing community of people who are excited to support each other and share their stories! Are you ready for a challenge that will help you fulfill your financial dreams one day at a time? We're officially kicking it off on October 1st, but if you're listening after the fact, you can start anytime.  Join in on the conversation on our social, and share with us what you've committed to for the last 90 days!   

Growing up in a low-income Dominican household in Brooklyn, Yanely Espinal learned very little about managing her personal finances. Despite her full scholarship to Brown University, she racked up both student loan and credit card debt paying for all the extras. So, when Yanely started working as an elementary school teacher in her early 20s, she committed to becoming debt free. She managed to put an unbelievable 50% of each paycheck toward her debt, and paid off $20,000 in 18 months!After paying off her debt, Yanely realized could make that same commitment to herself and her future by aggressively saving and investing the amount she'd previously paid monthly toward student loans and credit card bills. As her passion for achieving her financial goals grew, it became clear to Yanely that women, especially young women, were not represented in personal finance. So, she started a YouTube channel called “MissBeHelpful” in 2015 to help young millennials avoid the mistakes she made.MissBeHelpful now has nearly 50,000 subscribers. You'll understand why as this warm, funny teacher turned financial educator shares her story and her insight with us!  Find out more about Yanely and MissBeHelpful at bestfriendsfinance.com, episode 35.

What does your dad have to do with money? Shadé Ashani's life's work has been to figure that out. She's interviewed hundreds of women ages 18-75 and found significant differences between girls who grew up with and without their fathers when it comes to how they experience love, abundance, and money. Shadé's book, "In Search of My Father" explores how healing her relationship with her father set her free to experience healthy love and wealth. She has toured the country for years keynote speaking at conferences, high schools and colleges so she could get her arms around as many women as she could and tell them that they are worthy of love and comfort. Her life's devotion - to end feelings of unworthiness - is truly worth a million.Learn more about Shadé at https://www.shadeashani.com/bio

It's time for a listener money story! This week we interview Heidi Bounds, who had to redesign her financial habits after leaving the corporate world to become a pastor. Heidi and her husband knew they had to make big changes, so she'll share how they completed Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University to become, and remain, debt free!Heidi's story focuses us in on being becoming knowledgeable about earnings, expenses and savings, being aware of your money mindset, how your money story impacts how you handle money today, and how living beneath your means will set you up for the future you dream of. It's worth a million!

How many Economists with a PhD who study retirement and policy trends, as well as the behaviors of an investor do you know? We know one! Sarah Holden is the Senior Director of Retirement and Investor Research at Investment Company Institute, the leading global association of regulated funds. Despite that hefty title, Sarah uses plain English to make retirement and investment concepts clear.  In this episode, she shares the three steps every worker should take to make the most of a workplace IRA or an individual IRA.  Learn how America’s retirement system works for you, the difference between the types of plans and the smartest ways to save in them.  If you’re ready to take your retirement to the next level and do some financial housekeeping, you won’t want to miss our conversation with Sarah!Here is a list of neutral websites Sarah references: RESOURCE CENTERShttps://www.ici.org/401khttps://www.ici.org/iraresource ICI EDUCATION FOUNDATIONhttp://icief.org/index.html FINRA BROKER CHECKhttps://www.finra.org/investors/learn-to-invest/choosing-investment-professional/about-brokercheck DOL SMALL EMPLOYER SITEhttps://www.dol.gov/general/topic/retirement/smallbusiness SEC INVESTOR EDUCATIONhttps://www.investor.gov/contact-usSOCIAL SECURITYhttps://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/