#5: From Two Incomes to One: What Changed and What I Learned
After suddenly losing my husband in 2023, I found myself in unfamiliar territory—grieving, overwhelmed, and managing finances completely alone for the first time. In this deeply personal episode of Budget Divas, I share what that season looked like: unopened mail, panic attacks, emotional spending, and learning how to take slow, gentle steps toward financial stability.Whether you’re navigating grief, a job loss, divorce, or just trying to find your footing on one income, this episode offers a dose of compassion, honesty, and hope.Takeaways from this episode:Why it’s okay to press pause on budgeting when your world falls apartThe importance of a “grief cushion” in your budgetHow to do a gentle audit of your spending without shameTips for setting up a simple financial system when your brain is in a fogWhat a “money date” with yourself can do for healing and clarityWhy emotional safety matters before spreadsheet strategyYou don’t have to do it all. Just start with one bill, one breath, one step.
--------
22:46
--------
22:46
#4: What I Spent During Grief — And Why I Don’t Regret It
In this raw and real episode of Rebuilding Bougie, I’m sharing the emotional (and financial) aftermath of losing my husband Alden in 2023 — and how grief quietly wreaked havoc on my bank account. From takeout dinners I didn’t eat to late-night Amazon sprees and Target runs for “comfort,” I open up about how emotional spending became a form of survival.If you’ve ever found yourself eating cereal on the couch with the TV on at 2am, wondering where your money went — this one’s for you.We’re talking about:Why budgets fly out the window when you’re grievingHow spending became my emotional outletWhat helped me finally feel safe again financiallyWhy there is no shame in how you survivedAnd how mystery shopping reminded me I still had optionsI also share gentle tips on how to start rebuilding your finances after loss — no guilt, no shame, just grace and small steps.So grab your comfort snack, your favorite blanket, and come sit with me for this heart-to-heart. If you’re in the fog right now, I want you to know: you are not alone. We’re doing this together — one bougie receipt at a time.
--------
20:59
--------
20:59
#3: Retail Therapy, Takeout and Tears, What Grief Did to My Bank Account
After losing my husband in late 2023, grief didn’t just shatter my heart—it wrecked my finances. In this episode, I share the raw truth about emotional spending, budgeting breakdowns, and the quiet chaos that follows loss.I talk about how I coped (hello, late-night Amazon hauls), why I stopped budgeting for a while, and how I eventually found my way back—with grace, not guilt. If you're in the fog of grief and your finances feel out of control, this one's for you.Takeaways:Emotional spending isn’t failure—it’s survivalCreate “grief room” in your budgetStart small, track wins, and rebuild gentlyYou’re not broken—you’re becomingYou're not alone, diva. Let’s rebuild together.
--------
22:26
--------
22:26
#2: From $90,000 in Debt to Financial Freedom—Then Life Fell Apart
In this episode, I’m sharing the full story behind Budget Divas—a story I never thought I’d tell out loud. This isn’t just about paying off $90,000 of debt. It’s about the emotional toll of working a high-pressure job, the moment I realized my family was falling apart, and how my son’s crisis became the wake-up call that changed everything.I’ll walk you through how I quit my job, found mystery shopping, and used it to help my family pay off debt fast—while still living a life we enjoyed. And I’ll open up about the hardest chapter of all—losing my husband Alden in November 2023. I’ll be honest: I lost myself for a while. But piece by piece, I’m rebuilding my life, my finances, and my confidence.If you’re going through something hard—whether it’s grief, financial stress, or just trying to find yourself again—I hope this episode reminds you that you’re not alone. You can come back from anything. And you can still live beautifully, even on a budget.Key Takeaways:Why I walked away from a high-paying job that was costing me everythingThe moment I knew I had to change—for my son and for myselfHow I went from hardcore frugality to discovering mystery shopping as a real income toolThe impact of grief on budgeting, motivation, and mental healthWhy progress doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerfulHow I’m learning to live again—with intention, on a budget, and with joy
--------
15:09
--------
15:09
#1: Why I Took a Two-Year Break from Budget Divas
Two years ago, I was running a thriving business—coaching women, hosting challenges, and helping people pay off debt while still living their best life. But in November 2023, everything changed. My husband passed away unexpectedly, and I couldn’t breathe, let alone talk about budgeting or business. So I stepped away. I grieved. I healed. I started over—on a single income, with a broken heart, and a new perspective.In this episode, I’m sharing the full story. From being buried in $90,000 of debt and praying on the bathroom floor… to discovering mystery shopping and becoming debt-free… to losing everything I thought I was building and finding the strength to rebuild.This isn’t just about money. It’s about survival, grief, healing, and taking back your power—even when life doesn’t go as planned.🎧 What You’ll Take Away from This Episode:How I went from $90K in debt to debt-freeWhat mystery shopping did for my budget—and my confidenceWhy I stopped budgeting after my husband passed—and how I started againWhat it’s really like to live on a single income after lossHow you can rebuild your finances without giving up joy, coffee, or self-careThat you are not alone, you are not behind, and you are more than capableIf you’ve ever asked yourself, “How am I supposed to do this alone?”—this episode is for you. Even now, even here—you can still live like a diva.
Welcome to Budget Divas—where bougie meets budget without apology.I'm Jenn Trinidad: mystery shopper, budgeting coach, and single mom rebuilding life after loss. I paid off $90,000 of debt without giving up my iced coffee or self-care days, and I teach women how to do the same—without shame and without rice-and-beans burnout.Each episode, we get real about money, mindset, and making room for joy—even when life hits hard. Whether you're drowning in debt, learning how to budget on a single income, or trying to heal from grief and still afford Target runs, this is your safe space.Because you don’t have to sacrifice style to live within your means. And you don’t have to do it alone.What You'll Get Each Week:Honest conversations about grief, healing, and financial survivalReal-world tips for budgeting, side hustles, and mystery shoppingPep talks for the days when you want to quitGuest interviews, diva-style hacks, and heart-to-hearts with no judgmentCome as you are. Leave with hope, a plan, and maybe a free Starbucks. New episodes every week. Subscribe and let’s glow up—one budget at a time.
Ireland