Inspired Budget

If you’re paying on your debt every month but still not seeing progress, this episode breaks down why. I explain exactly how debt consolidation works, the two most common ways people do it, and what to watch out for before deciding if it’s right for you.
We talk through debt consolidation loans and balance transfer credit cards, including the benefits, risks, and common mistakes that can leave people worse off. Debt consolidation isn’t a magic fix, but when used intentionally, it can be a helpful tool as part of a bigger plan.
You Might Like:
Get the FREE Goodbye Debt Tracker!
Grab my FREE Budgeting Cheat Sheet.
Get the Budget My Paycheck Spreadsheet.
Follow Allison on Instagram! @inspiredbudget
Check out Inspired Budget's blog.
Take my FREE class on How to Budget to Build Wealth!

What does it feel like to be the first in your family to graduate, earn a salary, and suddenly make more money than the people who raised you? In this episode, I’m talking with Maria Melchor, creator of FirstGenLiving, about the emotional and financial weight of being first-gen.
Maria shares how she navigated guilt, money confusion, and cultural expectations while trying to build a secure financial life for herself. She talks about finding her footing, setting boundaries, and creating money habits that feel supportive instead of stressful.
If you are the first in your family to “make it,” or you’re working to rewrite old money stories, you’ll feel right at home in this conversation.
Connect with Maria:
Instagram: @firstgenliving
TikTok: @firstgenliving
You Might Like:
Get the FREE Goodbye Debt Tracker!
Grab my FREE Budgeting Cheat Sheet.
Get the Budget My Paycheck Spreadsheet.
Follow Allison on Instagram! @inspiredbudget
Check out Inspired Budget's blog.
Take my FREE class on How to Budget to Build Wealth!

Impulse spending doesn’t mean you’re bad with money. It usually means something deeper is going on. In this episode, I share personal stories and practical strategies to help you understand why impulse spending happens and how to respond to it without shame or extreme restriction.
We talk about how emotions like stress, boredom, comparison, and even celebration can drive unplanned spending, and why willpower alone rarely works. I walk you through simple habits that help you slow down, notice your patterns, and create boundaries so spending feels intentional instead of reactive.
If you’ve ever wondered why you keep buying things you didn’t plan for and then feel guilty afterward, this episode will help you see what’s really happening and how to make changes that actually stick.

You Might Like:
Get the FREE Goodbye Debt Tracker!
Grab my FREE Budgeting Cheat Sheet.
Get the Budget My Paycheck Spreadsheet.
Follow Allison on Instagram! @inspiredbudget
Check out Inspired Budget's blog.
Take my FREE class on How to Budget to Build Wealth!

What if you could slow down on retirement savings and still be on track for the future?
In this episode, I’m talking with my friend Andy Hill from Marriage Kids and Money. Andy and his wife reached Coast FIRE in their early 40s, which lets them work part time while their retirement accounts grow in the background.
He explains Coast FIRE in simple terms and then walks me through my own numbers live. We dig into my husband’s teacher pension, what we’ve already invested, and what it would take for our family to be work optional by the time our boys are in college.
If you’ve ever wondered when you can stop putting so much toward retirement and start enjoying more time freedom, this conversation will give you new hope.
Links mentioned:
• Andy’s book Own Your Time
• Coast FIRE calculator
• Marriage Kids and Money Podcast
• @marriagekidsandmoney on Instagram
You Might Like:
Get the FREE Goodbye Debt Tracker!
Grab my FREE Budgeting Cheat Sheet.
Get the Budget My Paycheck Spreadsheet.
Follow Allison on Instagram! @inspiredbudget
Check out Inspired Budget's blog.
Take my FREE class on How to Budget to Build Wealth!

Saving $10,000 can feel like something only other people can pull off. But in this episode, I break it down into simple math and a clear plan that works in real life, even if money feels tight right now.
I walk you through a step-by-step approach to choosing a pace you can stick with, automating your savings so willpower isn’t required, and finding extra money each month without feeling deprived. 
We also talk about boost months, common traps that slow people down, and how to stay consistent when life gets messy.
Open a HYSA here: https://inspiredbudget.com/hysa 
You Might Like:
Get the FREE Goodbye Debt Tracker!
Grab my FREE Budgeting Cheat Sheet.
Get the Budget My Paycheck Spreadsheet.
Follow Allison on Instagram! @inspiredbudget
Check out Inspired Budget's blog.
Take my FREE class on How to Budget to Build Wealth!