Ready to take control of your finances and build real wealth?

I’m sharing the 7 key financial lessons that completely transformed my money mindset, helped me save six figures, and set me on the path to financial freedom. These aren’t just tips—they’re real strategies you can start using today, no matter where you’re starting from.

Here’s what you’ll learn on this episode:

• Why systems matter more than goals when it comes to your finances
• How to avoid lifestyle inflation even as your income grows
• The power of delayed gratification (and how it saves you thousands)
• Why retirement savings and investing early are game-changers
• How to build a supportive financial environment
• Using credit cards the smart way—without debt traps
• Why your money mindset is just as important as your budget

Whether you’re just starting out or rebooting your financial journey, these lessons will help you simplify your approach, stay consistent, and build real, lasting wealth.

Action Step: Choose one of these 7 financial lessons and start implementing it today. Small steps lead to big results.

📚 Ready to take the next step? Check out the Clever Girl Finance My Wealth Plan Workbook to map out your personalized strategy: https://clevergirlfinance.com/books

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On today’s episode, we’re joined by financial journalist and fintech insider Gemma Boothroyd to explore why women are better at investing than we think. With a background in product and marketing at top UK fintech firms, Gemma saw firsthand the stark differences in how men and women approach investing—and how the industry often misinterprets those differences.

That experience inspired her upcoming book, Hidden Risk Economy, which challenges the outdated belief that women are too risk-averse to succeed as investors. Instead, she reframes women’s approach to risk as a strength and a powerful driver of long-term success. Her mission is to close the gender investing gap by showing women that not only are they capable investors—they may just be the best in the game.

• Her background in finance and fintech, and how those experiences shaped her perspective on women and investing.

• The harmful myth that women are too risk-averse to be great investors, and where that narrative comes from.

• Why the problem isn’t a lack of confidence among women—it’s a lack of fair and accurate narratives.

• What research actually shows about how women invest compared to men.

• The difference between being risk-averse and being risk-intelligent.

• Why women’s cautious, long-term investing approach is a competitive advantage.

• How financial marketing often alienates women and what needs to change.

• Advice for women who feel investing is too complicated or risky, including how to take the first step with confidence.

• Practical ways women can reframe their relationship with risk and invest on their own terms.

• The one narrative she would change about women and money.

• On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gemmaboothroyd
• Via her website: https://hiddenriskeconomy.com/

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❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

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Wondering where your money keeps going—even though you're trying to save?

On this podcast episode, I’m sharing 10 everyday things to stop buying if you're serious about hitting your financial goals. These are the sneaky spending habits—like fantasy lifestyle shopping, takeout overload, and unused subscriptions—that quietly sabotage your progress. But this isn’t about deprivation—it’s about alignment.

If your spending doesn’t reflect your values or goals, it’s time to hit pause and reset. Let’s break the cycle together and start making purchases that truly support your financial future.

You’ll learn:

• What “fantasy spending” is—and how to stop doing it
• How viral trends and duplicate products waste money
• Why decluttering first saves you from unnecessary purchases
• How guilt-based or emotional spending sneaks into your budget
• The truth about productivity tools that don’t actually help

❤ Subscribe to the Clever Girl Finance newsletter for weekly motiviation: clevergirlfinance.com/subscribe

❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Rocío Salceda, founder of Repair Café El Barrio, for a powerful conversation about what it means to fix what’s broken and build what’s next. Rocío shares her journey of developing financial resilience, finding empowerment, and repairing more than just things—both in her own life and through her work in East Harlem.

At Repair Café El Barrio, neighbors come together once a month to learn how to fix broken items with the help of volunteer repairers, all offered for free or by donation. It’s a space rooted in sustainability, skill-sharing, and community care. As a Spaniard living alone in NYC and navigating a difficult divorce, Rocío also opens up about how finding support through financial education helped her survive—and now thrive—as she pays it forward by helping others do the same.

WHAT ROCIO DISCUSSED:

• The inspiration behind starting Repair Café El Barrio and how it has grown into a movement of empowerment within her community.
• Navigating major life changes, including divorce, both emotionally and financially.
• How her personal finance journey has evolved and the role financial knowledge played in her healing and independence.
• The powerful metaphor of repairing broken items and the parallels between that work and financial resilience.
• The importance of community support in building both financial and emotional stability.
• Small, impactful steps that helped her regain control of her finances and mindset during a major life transition.
• Advice for women who are starting over financially and looking to rebuild their lives.
• How embracing sustainability and a circular economy mindset can also support personal finance goals.
• Maintaining a donation-based model at Repair Café while keeping the mission sustainable and empowering for others.
• The most rewarding moments she’s experienced since beginning this work.

HOW TO KEEP UP WITH ROCIO:

• On her website: www.repaircafeelbarrio
• On Instagram: https://instagram.com/rociorsalceda and https://instagram.com/repaircafeelbarrio

❤ Subscribe to the Clever Girl Finance newsletter for weekly motiviation: clevergirlfinance.com/subscribe

❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance

On this podcast episode, Jessica Norwood shares how she's flipped the script and is navigating marriage as the female breadwinner.

Jessica is co-host and "the better half" of the dynamic duo behind The Sugar Daddy Podcast, a financial literacy podcast dedicated to helping millennials build wealth and break the stigma around money conversations. As an elder-millennial, she is on a mission is to empower you to take control of your finances so you can live the life you've always dreamed of.

Jessica brings a unique perspective to the podcast as Strategic Consultant in the tech space, working with Fortune 100 and 500 companies. She is the “Sugar Daddy” in their relationship, helping fuel their financial journey.

The podcast has been featured in major outlets like Investopedia, Huff Post, CNN Underscored, Fortune, MarketWatch, Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, US News and more. Her personal goal is to become "work-optional" by 50, in order to travel the world with their two children while continuing to help others have better money conversations and achieve financial freedom.

WHAT JESSICA DISCUSSED:

• Her background, what she does, and how The Sugar Daddy Podcast came to life.
• The inspiration behind reclaiming the “Sugar Daddy” label and turning it into an empowering identity.
• What it was like stepping into the role of breadwinner in her marriage and how she and her partner navigated that dynamic early on.
• Common misconceptions about female breadwinners in marriage and the realities she wants to challenge.
• How she and her husband make financial decisions together, especially with a significant income gap.
• The importance of open, healthy communication around money in her relationship.
• Advice for women breadwinners who feel guilt or pressure because of their role.
• Balancing her own financial goals while supporting a family as a mom, podcast host, and strategic consultant.
• What being “work-optional” by 50 means to her and how being the breadwinner factors into that vision.
• The example she hopes to set for her children around gender roles and money.

HOW TO KEEP UP WITH JESSICA:

• On her website: www.thesugardaddypodcast.com
• On all social media: @thesugardaddypodcast
• Her husband Brandon’s financial planning services: https://www.oakcityfinancial.us/

❤ Subscribe to the Clever Girl Finance newsletter for weekly motiviation: clevergirlfinance.com/subscribe

❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance

Tired of getting paid and still wondering where your money went two weeks later?

On this podcast episode, learn the 7 essential things you should do as soon as you get paid to take control of your finances, stop the cycle of paycheck-to-paycheck stress, and start building real wealth.

Whether you're new to budgeting or ready to level up your money game, this episode is packed with practical, actionable steps to help you win financially.

You'll Learn:

• Why pausing before you spend is powerful
• How to automate your savings like a wealth-builder
• Why reviewing trends in your bills can unlock savings
• How to adjust your budget to stay on track
• Simple ways to prioritize future financial goals
• Why your money mindset needs regular check-ins
• How to set spending boundaries that still leave room for joy

Each paycheck is an opportunity to make progress—toward peace of mind, toward financial freedom, and toward the life you actually want. Start strong, stay consistent, and give your money a mission.

❤ Subscribe to the Clever Girl Finance newsletter for weekly motiviation: clevergirlfinance.com/subscribe

❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance

On this episode, Dr. Barbara Provost and Maggie Nielsen dive into the topic of financial infidelity—how to recognize the signs, begin the healing process, and reclaim your financial power, whether you’ve been affected by it or have been the one who committed it.

Dr. Barbara Provost and Maggie Nielsen are a dynamic mother-daughter duo committed to empowering women with the tools they need to make confident financial decisions. As a consultant, educator, and entrepreneur, Barbara connects women with trusted financial professionals to help them plan for a future full of choices.

Maggie, with her curious mindset and passion for personal growth, inspires others through motivational talks and equips women with the financial knowledge they need to thrive. Together, they are dedicated to helping women build lives free from financial stress thanks to the support of their community of trusted professionals.

WHAT DR. BARBARA PROVOST AND MAGGIE NIELSEN DISCUSSED:

1. The definition of financial infidelity and why it can be so damaging to relationships—often without partners realizing what’s happening.
2. Red flags and warning signs of financial dishonesty in a relationship.
3. The emotional toll of financial infidelity and why it’s such a difficult topic for people to discuss openly.
4. Common patterns in how financial infidelity is discovered and how people typically react once it’s out in the open.
5. First steps someone should take after discovering a partner’s financial dishonesty and how to start rebuilding trust, clarity, and confidence.
6. Guidance for individuals who have been hiding financial secrets and want to take accountability and begin to repair the relationship.
7. Essential conversations couples should have early on to build financial transparency and prevent financial infidelity.
8. How financial literacy and confidence empower women to protect themselves emotionally and financially.
9. Steps women can take to move from financial chaos or crisis to clarity and long-term control over their money.

AND SO MUCH MORE

HOW TO KEEP UP WITH DR. BARBARA PROVOST AND MAGGIE NIELSEN:

• Website: https://pursestrings.co/
• Podcast: https://pursestrings.co/podcast/
• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pursestringsco
• Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pursestringfinanciallyfearlesswomen
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pursestringsco/
• TikToc: https://www.tiktok.com/@pursestringsco
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursestrings/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCusras98haVpJ-P4C4d4IXw

❤ Subscribe to the Clever Girl Finance newsletter for weekly motiviation: clevergirlfinance.com/subscribe

❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance

On this podcast episode, Lissa Lumutenga joins us to discuss the importance of aiming to save your first $10,000.

Lissa Lumutenga, CFP®, AFC®, is a personal finance expert, content creator, and founder of Wealth for Women of Color. After a decade working at Google and YouTube, she now focuses on making financial education more accessible and empowering women of color to build wealth.

Her approachable, inclusive way of talking about money has built a strong and engaged community online. Lissa was raised in Salinas, California, by her Filipino immigrant parents and currently resides in Los Angeles. She’s passionate about lifelong learning, sharing knowledge, and helping others create the financial freedom they deserve.

WHAT LISSA DISCUSSED:

1. The inspiration behind starting Wealth for Women of Color and the mission to empower women of color to build wealth.
2. The significance of the $10K savings milestone and why it’s such a powerful financial goal.
3. Mindset shifts and strategies that can help someone save $10K, especially when that goal feels out of reach.
4. How reaching the $10K mark can boost financial confidence and create a sense of security.
5. Common financial blocks experienced by women of color and ways to work through them.
6. How upbringing and cultural background influenced her personal money journey.
7. Practical tips for building savings without feeling deprived.
8. Lessons learned from working at Google and YouTube and how they now inform her work in financial education.

AND SO MUCH MORE

HOW TO KEEP UP WITH LISSA:

• On her website: https://wealthforwomenofcolor.com/
• Via her podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@NetNetPodcast
• On YouTube: https://youtube.com/@wealthforwomenofcolor/
• On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wealthforwomenofcolor
• On Instagram: https://instagram.com/wealthforwomenofcolor
• Free financial coaching: https://Savvyladies.org

❤ Subscribe to the Clever Girl Finance newsletter for weekly motiviation: clevergirlfinance.com/subscribe

❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books

❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages

❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog

❤ Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/clevergirlfinance