Is your relationship with money affecting your mental health? You’re not alone. In this episode, Certified Financial Planners Lauryn Williams and Chloe Moore unpack how finances impact our mental wellbeing—and what we can do about it. It all starts with building healthy financial habits grounded in your personal “why” and goals that actually fit your life.

Then they get into the numbers—breaking down the key financial metrics you should be tracking if you want to reduce stress and build long-term security. From net worth and debt to savings rate and housing costs, this episode helps you understand what to monitor, why it matters, and how to make meaningful progress. Whether you're in your peak earning years or just getting started, these habits can help you gain clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.

Key Takeaways

• Why your financial “why” matters more than generic goals

• Why tracking your net worth gives you a clearer picture than a budget alone

• The truth about homeownership, net worth, and building real estate wealth

• The savings rate to aim for (and how to work up to it)

• Why you should plan for raises and bonuses before the money hits your account

• How to align with your partner on household finances—even if you’re keeping things separate

• The role of side hustles, promotions, and annual reviews in income growth

• Insurance and estate planning basics you should be revisiting every year

• What to look for when reviewing your tax return

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Planning for a Financial Windfall - https://www.worth-winning.com/podcast/ep107

• Investing Part 1: Understanding the Basics - https://www.worth-winning.com/podcast/ep113

• Investing Part 2: Types of Investment Accounts - https://www.worth-winning.com/podcast/ep114

• Investing Part 3: Real Estate Investing - https://www.worth-winning.com/podcast/ep115

• What You Need to Know About Life Insurance - https://www.worth-winning.com/podcast/ep118

• Your Guide to Open Enrollment – Part One - https://www.financialstaples.com/your-guide-to-open-enrollment-part-one/

• Your Guide to Open Enrollment - Part Two - https://www.financialstaples.com/your-guide-to-open-enrollment-part-two/

• Behind the Numbers: Money and Relationships - https://www.worth-winning.com/podcast/ep152/

• Download Lauryn’s Free Financial Resource: 5 Must-Ask Questions Before Hiring a Financial Planner

Money Quote:

“Your net worth to the world is usually determined by what remains after your bad habits are subtracted from your good ones.” — Benjamin Franklin

About Lauryn Williams

Lauryn Williams is a Certified Financial Planner, Olympian, and financial educator passionate about helping people take control of their finances. Lauryn also hosts the Welcome to Wealth Retreats, designed to help individuals create actionable financial plans while traveling and experiencing new cultures. Learn more about her speaking services and retreats [here].

Follow Us on Social Media

• Follow Chloe on Instagram: @financialstaples

• Connect with Chloe on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chloemoore

• Follow Lauryn on Instagram: @worthwinning

• Follow the Worth Listening Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Connect with Lauryn on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lauryn-williams

This episode originally aired in 2023, but it’s just as relevant—if not more—today. As part of our What to Do During Times of Uncertainty series, we’re revisiting this powerful conversation between CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals Lauryn Williams and Chloé Moore.

In a world full of uncertainty, flashy financial advice, and constant lifestyle upgrades, it’s easy to lose sight of the long-term costs of the choices we make. Whether you’re tempted by a YOLO trip, a new car, or you're navigating a job change, this episode helps you weigh the true impact of your decisions—both financially and emotionally.

You’ll walk away from this conversation with a stronger understanding of how to align your spending with your values and how to avoid the common pitfalls that can quietly sabotage your financial progress.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The opportunity costs behind your everyday decisions

• How to fight lifestyle creep so you can save more with each raise

• Why it’s never too early to start saving for retirement (and the power of compound interest)

• The hidden costs of DIY-ing your financial plan

• How a financial planner can help you save money and optimize your decisions

• Why planning ahead now can help you reshape your next chapter after a layoff or career change

• What to consider as you think through big purchases or major life decisions

Even in uncertain times, you are in control of your choices—and the future you build starts with the ones you make today.

Links & Resources

• Download Lauryn’s Free Financial Resource: 5 Must-Ask Questions Before Hiring a Financial Planner

About Lauryn Williams

Lauryn Williams is a Certified Financial Planner, Olympian, and financial educator passionate about helping people take control of their finances. Lauryn also hosts the Welcome to Wealth Retreats, designed to help individuals create actionable financial plans while traveling and experiencing new cultures. Learn more about her speaking services and retreats [here].

Follow Us on Social Media

• Follow Chloe on Instagram: @financialstaples

• Connect with Chloe on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chloemoore

• Follow Lauryn on Instagram: @worthwinning

• Follow the Worth Listening Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

• Connect with Lauryn on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lauryn-williams

Whether you saw it coming or it was a total shock, getting laid off can flip your world upside down. But a layoff doesn’t have to derail your financial future—or your confidence.

In this episode, Certified Financial Planner® Chloe Moore joins Lauryn Williams to break down how to navigate a layoff with clarity and control. From negotiating severance and protecting your credit to preparing emotionally and financially for what’s next, they offer practical, empowering advice for anyone facing—or worried about—a job loss.

If you're in the middle of a career transition or want to be ready just in case, this episode will help you move forward with peace of mind.

Key Takeaways

• What to do first when you receive a layoff notice

• How severance, PTO, and unemployment benefits really work

• Budgeting tips to help you stretch your runway

• Why you shouldn’t rush to roll over your 401(k)

• How to protect your credit and manage debt during a layoff

• What to know about healthcare and life insurance after leaving a job

• Side hustles, consulting, and selling items: how to bridge the gap

• Emotional strategies for staying grounded during uncertainty

• Steps to take now if you're worried a layoff might be coming

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Healthcare.gov – Explore COBRA alternatives and check for subsidies

• Know Better Do Better: Preparing for Uncertainty

• Know Better, Do Better Series: Types of Equity Compensation Part 1: RSU

• Know Better, Do Better Series: Equity Compensation Part 2: Understanding ISOs and NQSOs

• Download Lauryn’s Free Financial Resource: 5 Must-Ask Questions Before Hiring a Financial Planner

Money Quote:

“Some changes look negative on the surface, but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge.” — Eckhart Tolle

Lauryn Williams sits down with her cousin, Jessica Gray—an attorney specializing in employment and labor law and a federal government employee. Jessica shares her personal journey growing up in Washington, DC, navigating money lessons from her parents, building generational wealth, and why she’s staying “resume ready” in today’s uncertain economic and political climate.

As the current administration reshapes federal employment practices, job security isn’t what it used to be—even in government roles once known for stability. Jessica pulls back the curtain on what’s really happening behind the scenes, from sudden policy shifts to mass layoffs, and what federal employees—and everyday Americans—should be doing to protect themselves.

Whether you’re a government worker or just wondering how these changes could ripple into your life, this episode will open your eyes to why being proactive with your finances and career is more important than ever.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• How Jessica’s childhood shaped her views on money and generational wealth
  
  

• The evolution of federal government benefits and job security
  
  

• Why the “stability” of a federal career is disappearing
  
  

• The hidden impacts of federal downsizing on communities and the economy
  
  

• Practical steps to stay prepared in uncertain job markets
  
  

• How to approach spending, savings, and retirement planning during economic shifts
  
  

Ready to take control of your financial future? Reserve your spot to join Lauryn Williams in her 6 week online program, Welcome to Wealth, starting in October! Build a personalized financial plan while connecting with your peers.

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Managing Your Finances in Uncertain Times: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsfXRO4mLVg

About Lauryn Williams

Lauryn Williams is a Certified Financial Planner, Olympian, and financial educator passionate about helping people take control of their finances. Lauryn also hosts the Welcome to Wealth Retreats, designed to help individuals create actionable financial plans while traveling and experiencing new cultures. Learn more about her speaking services and retreats [here].

Follow Us on Social Media

• Follow Lauryn on Instagram: @worthwinning

• Follow the Worth Listening Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Connect with Lauryn on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lauryn-williams

Thinking about becoming a digital nomad or relocating to another country? Whether you're dreaming of remote work with a passport in hand or trying to escape the daily grind by starting over abroad, there’s more to it than sunshine and freedom.

In this Know Better. Do Better. episode, Lauryn Williams—who has firsthand experience living abroad in Colombia—is joined by fellow Certified Financial Planner Chloe Moore, who has worked with clients navigating the ins and outs of international living. Together, they shed light on the financial, legal, and emotional realities that often go overlooked.

From taxes and visas to banking, insurance, and what it really costs to uproot your life, this episode dives into the details you need to know before making a big move. If you’re serious about going global, this conversation will help you do it smarter and with fewer surprises.

Key Takeaways

• The different types of visas and what could cut your stay short

• What the U.S. tax system still requires when you earn and bank abroad

• How investing and retirement accounts are impacted by international living

• How investing and retirement accounts are impacted by international living

• How to handle foreign transaction fees, ATM charges, and money transfers

• The emotional and relational challenges of living far from home

• The importance of working with professionals to cover your bases

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Remitly – Send and exchange money internationally

• Look for credit cards with no foreign transaction fees

• Explore digital nomad insurance (note: many exclude U.S. coverage)

• Talk to a Certified Financial Planner, immigration specialist, or attorney before making the leap

• Download Lauryn’s Free Financial Resource: 5 Must-Ask Questions Before Hiring a Financial Planner

Money Quote:

“If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, you can bet the water bill is higher.” — Debbie Macomber

“You are the one that possesses the keys to your being. You carry the passport to your own happiness.” — Diane Von Furstenberg

About Lauryn Williams

Lauryn Williams is a Certified Financial Planner, Olympian, and financial educator passionate about helping people take control of their finances. Lauryn also hosts the Welcome to Wealth Retreats, designed to help individuals create actionable financial plans while traveling and experiencing new cultures. Learn more about her speaking services and retreats [here].

Follow Us on Social Media

• Follow Chloe on Instagram: @financialstaples

• Connect with Chloe on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chloemoore

• Follow Lauryn on Instagram: @worthwinning

• Follow the Worth Listening Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Connect with Lauryn on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lauryn-williams

In today’s episode, Lauryn Williams talks with Royal Williams, a global traveler, educator, and founder of Yup! She Travels and Yup! We Travel. Royal shares what it really takes to build a life in a different country—from the logistics of visas and finding housing to the emotional and financial shifts that come with stepping into the unknown.

From studying abroad and landing her first job in Colombia to now running two travel-focused businesses and living in Medellín full-time, Royal has created a life on her own terms. She breaks down what you need to know about living abroad—from budgeting and visas to building community and navigating healthcare—so you can feel more confident taking your next step.

Key Takeaways

• How growing up in a mixed-income household shaped Royal’s early money mindset

• Why she moved to Colombia just two weeks after graduating college

• What she learned from studying abroad, internships, and international job experiences

• The realities of budgeting and working while living overseas

• Tips for navigating healthcare, housing, and community abroad

• How she helps Black women and HBCU students explore travel through her businesses

• Why living outside the U.S. helped her rethink what freedom and success look like

Inspired by Royal’s story of betting on herself and choosing freedom abroad? Follow her journey at @yupshetravels.

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Sign up for the Welcome to Wealth Retreat: worth-winning.com/retreats

• Download Lauryn’s Free Financial Resource: Free to Explore: How to Fit Travel Into Your Financial Plan

• Yup! She Travels on TikTok

• Yup! She Travels on Instagram

About Lauryn Williams

Lauryn Williams is a Certified Financial Planner, Olympian, and financial educator passionate about helping people take control of their finances. Lauryn also hosts the Welcome to Wealth Retreats, designed to help individuals create actionable financial plans while traveling and experiencing new cultures. Learn more about her speaking services and retreats [here].

Follow Us on Social Media

• Follow Lauryn on Instagram: @worthwinning

• Follow the Worth Listening Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Connect with Lauryn on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lauryn-williams

People are feeling worried, concerned, and stressed about the changes happening this year. In this episode, Lauryn and Chloe discuss good financial habits and how to prepare for uncertainty—whether it’s navigating a layoff, adjusting to rising costs, or even making big life changes like moving abroad.

They dive into practical strategies to help you take control of your finances when so much feels out of your hands, from budgeting and saving to spotting financial scams and making smart money moves.

Key Takeaways

• Why so many people are reevaluating their finances and making big life decisions right now.

• The popular money-saving challenge people are using to save money right now.

• How to protect yourself from financial scams and misinformation in uncertain times

• The role of an emergency fund and how it can give you the freedom to make bold moves.

• What to consider before making major purchases or career changes in today’s economy.

• How working with the right professionals can help you navigate uncertainty.

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Download Lauryn’s Free Financial Resource: 5 Must-Ask Questions Before Hiring a Financial Planner

Money Quote: “Fill your life with experiences, not things. Have stories to tell, not stuff to show.” ― Abhysheq Shukla

Ready to take control of your financial future? Join Lauryn Williams at the Welcome to Wealth Retreat in Medellin, Colombia! Build a personalized financial plan while experiencing an incredible new culture. Click here to reserve your spot today!

About Lauryn Williams

Lauryn Williams is a Certified Financial Planner, Olympian, and financial educator passionate about helping people take control of their finances. Lauryn also hosts the Welcome to Wealth Retreats, designed to help individuals create actionable financial plans while traveling and experiencing new cultures. Learn more about her speaking services and retreats [here].

Follow Us on Social Media

• Follow Chloe on Instagram: @financialstaples

• Connect with Chloe on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chloemoore

• Follow Lauryn on Instagram: @worthwinning

• Follow the Worth Listening Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Connect with Lauryn on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lauryn-williams

We’re taking it back to one of our most inspiring travel episodes! Preethi Harbuck of the Local Passport Family joined us to share her incredible journey of traveling the world with her husband and five kids. Together, they’ve visited 62 countries (43 with kids!) while making travel a priority in their lives—on a budget.

In this throwback episode, Preethi reflects on how her upbringing shaped her views on money, the creative ways her family funds their adventures, and how they’ve turned travel into a tool for teaching their children about culture, history, and financial responsibility.

If you’ve ever wondered how to balance travel with a large family or thought that international trips with kids were impossible, Preethi’s story will inspire you to rethink what’s possible. Tune in to rediscover this gem of an episode and get actionable tips for making your own family travel dreams a reality!

Key Takeaways

• Growing Up Frugal: How Preethi’s immigrant upbringing shaped her relationship with money.

• Traveling with Five Kids: How her family has explored 43 countries together.

• Budget-Friendly Travel Tips: From $170 flights to saving on accommodations through Airbnb.

• Teaching Kids About Money: Weekly family meetings to build financial literacy from a young age.

• Cultural Immersion: How living like locals while traveling helps their family connect with new places.

• Using Money as a Tool: Preethi’s philosophy of spending intentionally on what matters most.

Ready to take control of your financial future and cross another country off your list? Join Lauryn Williams at the Welcome to Wealth Retreat in Colombia! Build a personalized financial plan while experiencing an incredible new culture. Click here to reserve your spot today!

About Lauryn Williams

Lauryn Williams is a Certified Financial Planner, Olympian, and financial educator passionate about helping people take control of their finances. Lauryn also hosts the Welcome to Wealth Retreats, designed to help individuals create actionable financial plans while traveling and experiencing new cultures. Learn more about her speaking services and retreats [here].

Connect with Preethi

• Visit the website: localpassportfamily.com

• Follow Preethi on Instagram: @localpassportfamily

Follow Us on Social Media

• Follow Lauryn on Instagram: @worthwinning

• Follow the Worth Listening Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Connect with Lauryn on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lauryn-williams