What happens when “The Budget Nerd” admits she changed her mind about one of the core budgeting rules? Yep… we’re going there.

In this episode, Jewlz breaks down the long-held belief that “if it’s not in the budget, you can’t spend it”… and why that rigid mindset may be secretly sabotaging your consistency, confidence, and momentum.

You’ll learn why flexible budgeting is actually a superpower for working families, how to shift money between categories without blowing up your goals, and the surprising mindset tweak that leads to long-term success on your debt-free journey.

Whether you’re constantly dealing with last-minute school expenses, surprise commitments, or just the real-life chaos of parenting — this episode will show you how to create a budget that works with your life, not against it.

Perfect for overwhelmed working parents, families trying to break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle, and anyone trying to build confidence with money (without the guilt spiral).

Grab your coffee and a snack — it’s Budget Nerd confession time.

Want to Join the Debt Rebellion? Get your FREE Starter Kit at www.debtrebelpodcast.com

Learn more about Jewlz The Budget Nerd: jewlzthebudgetnerd.com

Debt isn’t just numbers on a screen — it’s the late-night anxiety, the missed opportunities, and the constant feeling that you’re always one step behind.

In this episode, Jewlz breaks down the invisible price families pay when they rely on credit to survive: the stress, the shame, the strained relationships, and the dreams that quietly get pushed aside.

She shares her own story of digging out of over $107,000 of consumer debt, the turning points that finally sparked change, and the powerful moments her family got back because they chose a different path — including becoming debt-free before welcoming a child they never thought they’d have.

You’ll learn:

• The emotional and psychological toll debt creates (even when you “manage” it well)

• Why debt destroys confidence and decision-making

• How debt steals family time, flexibility, and future options

• What life looks like when you stop financing your lifestyle and start funding your values

• The surprising ways becoming debt-free feels like giving yourself a raise

Plus — hear the exciting community goal for 2026: eliminating $1,000,000 of debt together.

If you’re exhausted from juggling payments, craving peace, or ready to finally feel in control of your money, this episode is the wake-up call you didn’t know you needed.

Grab the free Debt Rebel Starter Kit at DebtRebelPodcast.com and join the rebellion.

Buy Now, Pay Later looks harmless — four cute little payments of $25 and boom, you’ve got the thing you wanted. But let’s tell the truth: BNPL is still debt, and it’s quietly messing with your budget, your goals, and your sanity.

In today’s episode, Jewlz The Budget Nerd breaks down why Buy Now, Pay Later services like Afterpay, Klarna, and Affirm feel like budgeting…but actually sabotage your cash flow, spike impulse spending, and leave you scrambling when withdrawals hit.

You’ll learn:
• The hidden costs BNPL companies do not want families to know
• How multiple “small” payments add up to major financial chaos
• Why BNPL conditions your brain to normalize debt
• The emotional toll of juggling surprise payments
• What to do instead so you can buy the thing without wrecking your budget

If you’re a working parent trying to stop living paycheck to paycheck, this episode is your tough-love wake-up call. No shame, just real talk from someone who’s eliminated over $107,000 of debt without credit cards or gimmicks.

Join the Million Dollar Debt Rebellion & Grab Your FREE Starter Guide at https://debtrebelpodcast.com/

Holiday shopping doesn’t have to wreck your budget or your peace. In this episode of The Debt Rebel Podcast, Jewlz The Budget Nerd breaks down four simple, ADHD-friendly money strategies every family can use to stay intentional, avoid overspending, and skip the credit-card hangover this season.

If you’ve ever opened your inbox in November and felt personally attacked by “35% OFF TODAY ONLY” emails… this one’s for you.

• How to create a guilt-free gift list that keeps spending in check

• The inbox hack that blocks impulse buying (and still lets you snag legit deals)

• Why timers are your best friend for online shopping and time blindness

• How a personal shopping deadline protects your time, money, and mental energy

• How to enjoy the holidays without ditching joy, generosity, or your financial goals

Jewlz also shares real-life stories from her family’s $107,000 debt-free journey, including the years she and her husband skipped gifts to protect the bigger goal—financial freedom.

• You’re a working parent trying to stay on budget

• You’re overwhelmed by holiday pressure

• You struggle with online shopping temptation

• You want a holiday season filled with joy, not financial stress

🎁 Grab the FREE Debt Rebel Starter Kit: DebtRebelPodcast.com
This also gets you into the 12 Days of Christmas giveaways + sneak peeks for 2026.

If this episode helped you breathe easier about holiday spending, share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Your debt-free life starts with one brave step—and you’re already taking it.

Ever found yourself standing in a store at midnight, clutching a pair of half-priced socks and wondering “What am I even doing?”
Yeah… same.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my old Black Friday obsession—racing out after Thanksgiving dinner, waking up at 4 a.m., and chasing deals that weren’t actually saving me anything. I share how those “can’t-miss” sales were fueling overspending, draining our budget, and keeping us stuck in consumer habits that didn’t align with our long-term goals.

You’ll hear:

• The moment I realized Black Friday was costing me more than it saved

• Why “crazy deals” trigger emotional spending

• How I shifted from impulsive shopping to intentional spending

• Simple steps to avoid holiday budget traps and stay in control this season

If you’ve ever justified a purchase because it was “such a good deal,” this episode is your sign to pause, breathe, and rethink what actually serves your family and financial goals.

👉 Ready to ditch the guilt, spend with purpose, and build real margin in your life? Hit play.

👉 Ready to create a holiday budget you’ll actually follow — even with ADHD and a busy schedule?Join my membership and get monthly coaching, community, and a 12-week Financial Freedom Action Plan that keeps you consistent and confident.

Most of us were never taught how to talk about money — especially with the people closest to us. But when we avoid the conversation, the tension just grows. In this episode, Jewlz “The Budget Nerd” Kohlbrand gets real about money, boundaries, and healing strained family relationships that have been hurt by financial stress.

If you’ve ever borrowed money from family, felt judged about your spending, or avoided the “money talk” altogether — this episode will help you find peace, perspective, and a plan. Jewlz shares personal stories, practical steps, and encouragement to help you face financial conversations with confidence and grace.

You’ll learn:

• Why so many of us feel shame around money conversations

• How to start a safe financial conversation with family (without drama)

• The powerful role of boundaries in building healthy money habits

• What to do when a loved one won’t change their spending habits

• How repairing relationships with money leads to peace at home

• “Things left in the dark stay there — when we bring them into the light, we can finally fix them.”

• Setting healthy money boundaries isn’t cruel — it’s kindness with clarity.

• You can’t control how others handle money, but you can control how you respond.

• Talking about money doesn’t have to be heavy — it can actually bring healing and freedom.

• Book: Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend

• Related Episode: When the Bank of Mom and Dad Closes: https://www.jewlzthebudgetnerd.com/blog/setting-financial-boundaries-with-your-kids

• Join The Alliance for a free experience week (Nov 12–19, 2025): jewlzthebudgetnerd.com

If you’re ready to stop living paycheck to paycheck, crush your family’s debt, and find financial peace, join The Alliance Coaching Membership — your community for family budgeting, financial growth, and support.

👉 Join here or visit DebtRebelPodcast.com

📸 Instagram: @jewlzthebudgetnerd
🌐 Website: jewlzthebudgetnerd.com

🎧 Subscribe to The Debt Rebel Show for weekly episodes that help your family break free from debt and build lasting financial peace.

5 Hacks for a Credit Card–Free Christmas (Without Killing the Holiday Spirit)

Tired of starting January with a holiday spending hangover? In this episode, Jewlz the Budget Nerd shares five no-fluff hacks to help you enjoy Christmas without debt or guilt.

You’ll learn how to:
🎁 Set a realistic holiday spending cap and actually stick to it
💰 Build a last-minute Christmas sinking fund
🧣 Simplify gift-giving with healthy boundaries
✨ Create low-cost, memory-filled family traditions

Because your kids won’t remember the price tag—they’ll remember the moments.

If you’re ready to trade overspending for intentional joy, this episode will help you plan, save, and celebrate—credit card not required.

🎧 Listen now and grab your free Debt Rebel Starter Kit at DebtRebelPodcast.com.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:Jewlz reminds listeners that your kids won’t remember the price tag—they’ll remember the time you spent together. This episode will help you trade financial guilt for intentional joy this holiday season.

• Set your spending limit early and treat it like a boundary, not a suggestion.

• Even small weekly savings add up before the holidays.

• Focus on meaning over money—your kids want your time, not your receipts.

• Memories matter more than matching pajamas from Target (yes, even the cute ones).

• Tracking as you go = no post-holiday regret.

RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED:

• 💡 Get your FREE Debt Rebel Starter Kit → DebtRebelPodcast.com

• 🎯 Join the Alliance Coaching Program for step-by-step money guidance → JewlzTheBudgetNerd.com/membership

• 📱 Use EveryDollar App (or any budgeting app you love) to track spending

• 🍪 Bonus idea: make cocoa, grab your thermos, and do a family Christmas lights drive night—free, fun, and memory-filled!

  
  

• 🎙️ Listen to more episodes: DebtRebelPodcast.com

• 💻 Work with Jewlz: JewlzTheBudgetNerd.com

• 💌 Subscribe & Review: Leave a 5-star review to help other families find financial freedom faster

Are you worried about how a government shutdown—or any unexpected financial disruption—could affect your family’s budget? In this episode of the Debt Rebel Podcast, I’m giving you practical, no-nonsense tips to take control of your money, even when paychecks aren’t guaranteed.

I dive into real questions from members of the Alliance Coaching Program, covering topics like:

• Creating a survival mode budget to prioritize essentials: roof over your head, food on the table, and transportation.

• Managing debt and understanding the role of credit scores during financial uncertainty.

• Emergency funds vs. debt payoff vs. investing—what to tackle first.

• How to communicate with creditors when income is unstable.

• Month-to-month budgeting adjustments when life and finances shift unexpectedly.

Plus, I give you a behind-the-scenes look at Alliance Coaching Program office hours, sharing how members get personalized answers to their money questions every month—and how you can join too.

💡 If you’re ready to stop living paycheck-to-paycheck and finally build a debt-free, stress-free financial life, this episode is packed with actionable tips to take immediate control of your finances.

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Join the Alliance Coaching Program: jewlzthebudgetnerd.com/membership

• Free Debt Rebel Starter Kit: DebtRebelPodcast.com

• Submit questions via voice memo: speakpipe.com/debtrebelpodcast

• Budgeting tip: SuperCook.com – turn what’s in your pantry into easy meals

Key Takeaways:

1. Your emergency fund is the first line of defense—before debt payoff or investing.

2. Essentials come first: housing, utilities, transportation, food, and healthcare.

3. Pause discretionary spending and additional debt payments if your income is unstable.

4. Communicate proactively with creditors if your income is affected.

5. Use a budget as a tool to pause and respond, not react, to financial emergencies.

Connect with Me:

• Website & Resources: DebtRebelPodcast.com

• Join our community & monthly coaching: jewlzthebudgetnerd.com/membership

• Subscribe & leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help other families take control of their finances