00:00:00
Speaker 1: Welcome to Pretty Private with Ebine, a space where no question is off limits and storylines become lifelines. The views shared by our guests are meant to inform, entertain and empower. From the laughs to the lessons, Just remember tough times don't last, but professional homegirls do enjoy the show.
00:00:18
Speaker 2: This episode contains sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advice. What's up, y'all? It's sugar on ebine here, and I hope all is cute. Welcome back to another episode a Pretty Private with Ebine where storylines become lifelines. Today's guest is proof that financial freedom isn't just about making more money. It's about changing your mindset and creating a plan that actually works. Joining me today is the beautiful and smart Brittany Charles, also known as missus fiscally Responsible. Brittany is a personal finance coach and a founder of Fiscally Responsible, where she helps women break free from living paycheck to paycheck, eliminate debt, and build lasting wealth through practical, sustainable financial strategies. Now here's the part that really caught my attention, because me and Britain literally just met after she and her husband paid off an incredible thirty nine thousand in debt in just eight months, Brittany transformed her personal journey into a mission to help others take control of their finances with confidence instead of shame. So today she's empowering people to build healthier money habits, create generational wealth, and redifine what financial freedom looks like on their own terms. So get ridy all, because this conversation was so amazing and we are literally one episode away from season three ending, So I really do hope you enjoyed this conversation with me and my new professional homegirl because this week's episode starts now. Oh my god, y'all, So I am super excited to have my guests on a show like y'all would though we've been knowing each other for a thousand years, but I have a new friend of mine, Brittany. How are you? How you doing?
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Speaker 3: I'm wonderful. Thank you for having me for sure. Yeah, it's a pleasant to be here. And just like you said it, like it's like girl were friends for years, like Linter you for years? Instantly quick and.
00:02:25
Speaker 2: You know what, excuse me, I know Brittany doesn't mind if people call her Brittany or Brittany, but I want to be very punctual about your name because I'm like a stifler for minds.
00:02:35
Speaker 3: Love it of course, of course, so before we begin, I love to tell people how we like it with certain guests how we met, because I feel like how we met was so organic, but it was so like random, very random, very organic, but very like aligned and meant to like, Okay, so you tell everybody how we met. You, I got it. You and I we were don't say them in the organization. Yeah, we were attending a pop up that was focused on small businesses, specifically the black community is specifically most importantly the Black Dollar. So you and I were attending as vendors a pop up event just recently too, almost like exactly, and fortunately I was assigned. I was strolling in a little bit late, and I was assigned to be right next to you. So you we were vending neighbors what I call it, And I walked up and we just started chit chating. And I was setting up and we started chit chatting, and literally it just all clicked in terms of chit chat went to continue convercationing, like like we know he's av.
00:04:08
Speaker 2: It was a really good event.
00:04:09
Speaker 3: But it started to rain and I didn't even know it was going to rain, so we all just because it was outside the parking lot and to me and like, is it raining?
00:04:18
Speaker 2: And y'all know it's.
00:04:21
Speaker 3: No put the color baby right right, we were both like, wait, it's raining. You had some material reading about read ain't about this rain. Let's try to shelter as much as possible. And for us we didn't have all our necessary equipment. We learned a lot that day too with that experience, yea, So of course that made the barn even more real right where it was just a matter of us both being like we we don't know how much longer we gonna be here. Right instantly we were just like, oh we kind of hungry. Took I said, you want to get something, so anytime and I and I want to speak for Ebene as well. Whenever like food is mentioned, that's an urge connection. I'm such a foodie, Ebne is such a foody. So the matter of like, yeah, girl, let's go get something. And in addition to the food, it was the food plan, I guess I could say it was expends the natural organic conversation and those conversations and those connections, in my opinion, is rare, so definitely a very meaningful purpose of why we both were at the same event as vendors, both were set up to be next to the more importantly, and why we both just clicked and we were able to just kick.
00:06:00
Speaker 2: Was hustling. Was we had our umbrellas up, y'all. We was. You should have seen me. I was walking.
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Speaker 3: Around with selling my coloring books ready telling her services. I'm like, we're gonna make the best out of it. But I actually had a really good time. Yes, I'm so grateful and I'm still like on cloud nine about that day of like I'm so grateful for me and I'm so grateful our having an opportunity. It's like a nag and like I'm a big believer, So everything happens for a reason.
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Speaker 2: Yeah, and she supported the coloring books, so you had some time to like sit with them. So tell everybody what you think.
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Speaker 3: Your Yeah, so they are amazing. Y, I haven't tapped all the week, and I'm gonna let you know as soon as I tap all the week. And I'm big on like just having the opportunity to make my purchases of full experience, especially with that, I gotta right boy, volume three. So I'm planning on it, I in my door to be a part of volume three, but I understand that without your four, with it being uncensored, I gotta be mindful of this. So and for me, it's like all prepping and for warm, let me just say something regarding that, because I wanted to ask you more about what supplies you suggest, because I'm like, girl, add that into the bundle, you know what's so funny?
00:07:32
Speaker 2: So I've been thinking about because like I haven't been in a while, but that was the one that we did.
00:07:38
Speaker 3: We both did.
00:07:39
Speaker 2: It was actually really good, and I was like, you know what, I can really like package this up, like have some markers or some crap and stuff. And I was, yeah, I even like, you know, if you purchase something, or you purchase two color and books, you get a markers or something for free. But I'm like, it'd be kind of dope if I can get like the pink one personalized or customize a professional homegirl pink or just something just the make the experience even more elevator, right, y'all, that's coming soon. Oh, it's coming soon, but it's so funny because I don't know if I told you this, but I was nervous about selling the coloring books because the coloring books are explicive and the women that were a part of this organization organization, they're a little bit more older and you know, prestigious and stuff, and so I'm always a little nervous when I'm around older women because I'm like, I don't want to come off as like.
00:08:23
Speaker 3: You know, disrespectful.
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Speaker 2: And I was giving everybody disclaimer and one of the women, she was an older woman, y'all, was like, lord, please don't let grandma open this book up. And she said, it's okay, it's okay.
00:08:34
Speaker 3: In the first place she opened up to was a woman sucking dick. Y'all, like, bow, I know she said. Oh.
00:08:46
Speaker 2: I was like, yo, you can't make this up.
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Speaker 3: But I think she bought it though, So lit because not for nothing, we all enjoyed it exactly. That is part of our experiences. So and it's just an amazing experience. You have established and created an amazing activity, amazing product to allow us to enjoy an amazing experience. And for me, I'm like, I gotta prep myself in terms of get on my right tools together and really just be like, yes, this is it. So I'm so grateful for having the opportunities to meet you, of course, and then be able to get some of the colored and books. Yeah, and then I can't wait for the opportunity to sit in my yard and with a little with a little drink drinks might not. I'm here in the healing and I'm gonna I'm gonna definitely keep you posted on how that goes, yes, and share that experience with you for sure.
00:09:55
Speaker 2: You know, I'm so happy we're doing this because you know, when we first met, you definitely told me about out your and also thank you so much for person and just that review because I just I can't wait for the video. I know it's going to be fab Yes, but I was just so intrigued when you told me about you being a financial advisor, but you really didn't go into the details of how much you paid off in the timeframe. So we follow each other.
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Speaker 3: And then something came up on your page and I'm like, wait, she did what And she paid off almost them No, forty thousand dollars and eight months and that's not even including your mortgage, your cardinal.
00:10:26
Speaker 2: And stuff, and I was like, oh my god, I gotta get.
00:10:29
Speaker 3: Me on the show. I love it. I love it. Just a quick correction, I'm not a financial advisor because that requires a license, making.
00:10:39
Speaker 2: Sure a financial coach.
00:10:42
Speaker 3: A financial coach like anential coach, because there is a difference, and I never want to mislead anyone to think I'm a financial advisor. Degree. Okay, I'm Crystal Claire, I Fried, I'm not a financial visor. There's a difference, and it's in cellho is educational too because understanding the differences between financial advisors, financial coaches, financial pointerers. They're all different tracks and they're all for different purposes. So for me with the financial being a financial coach, it's a matter of focusing on behaviors and not I don't have any degrees or licenses to be able to sell products or you know, things of that sort, the same way that either definitely financial advisors, they're licensed to be able to sell products and different services, but primarily products like life insurances and even some investment products as well as a financial cult it's really a focused on always just reference it like a personal trainer for your fitness, where it's just a matter of being that support, being that advocate, being that helpful individual to help women primarily the work through their behaviors to reach their financial goals. So it's a matter of bad accountability piece and all of the bobs. So I just wanted to clarify that because you can't. It's leading the people, like we know how that misleading, having people be triggering themselves like they spot every day girl. Okay, but yes, yeah, the financial coach and then I am also the owner and founder of Fiscally Responsible, So that's my brand focus on financial coaching services and it's into financial literacy. Being able to conduct different workshops really shift in the the the focus of money. Money tends to be a table, so I like to help women change their financial foundations for primarily so that from and that's where the differences lie to compared to financial coach firstus financial advisor, I'm focused on those foundational principles budgeting your money, managing your money, being able to pay now dad, being able to save your money opposed to being able to well what matters to be able to get to the point of being able to invest this way, I feel like it's it's levels to it.
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Speaker 2: Yeah, you know every time you say women, the first thing that comes to mind and be a little messy.
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Speaker 3: When someone a man, was like, what makes you qualified? Let's talk about it. Let's let's talk about.
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Speaker 2: That, asked her.
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Speaker 3: They was like, and it was a man, he was like, what makes you qualified to help what they financed?
00:13:47
Speaker 2: And I said, he asked you that?
00:13:48
Speaker 3: And you was like, yeah he did, yeah, yeah, more or less, he definitely asked that question. So I always p with my social proof like ins of but I was able to accomplish in what I was able to also help other women accountless amount of women since I started in my journey in twenty eighteen. When it comes down to starting my own personal, physically responsible journey of paying down debt as quick as possible, primarily.
00:14:24
Speaker 2: Yeah, okay, so let's go to the very beginning, like what was your first memory of money growing up?
00:14:31
Speaker 3: Oh? I love that. My fondest memories and money growing up were very limited but still impactful. So I have two fondest memories, one coming from my grandmother who was a part of raising me. Nana.
00:14:47
Speaker 2: Oh so that's along because my nana raised me. Yeah, and I heard you mention.
00:14:52
Speaker 3: Now, I was just like Oh my goodness, because I lost Nanana in twenty twenty three, so it's still fairly I was twenty sixteen. Oh wow. Well, and from what you have shared with me, f'st far. I know you were very close with your nana. Facts. Yeah. Yeah, and I too was very close with Banana. She was the part of raising me. I was raised by my mom as well, but my mom was a single mom, so it was my grandmother that totally contribute a lot. We lived in her home the whole nine So we gotta have one, I know, we gotta have to have another compensation.
00:15:32
Speaker 2: Facts.
00:15:34
Speaker 3: Yeah, I loved that. Yeah, my Banana was my heart and I was her heart as well. Say, I was her favorite. I was her favorite, Like.
00:15:43
Speaker 2: Like I was jealous.
00:15:44
Speaker 3: I was her favorite. Yeah, in my cot because it was four of us, but because like it was just we just had that. We was locked in.
00:15:52
Speaker 2: Yeah, we was.
00:15:53
Speaker 3: That was my girl. I don't know, maybe because I was the first grandchild, her first grandchild, but also yeah, but that was my buddy. I loved that. Oh yeah, we are having to have another part too, Yeah, because yeah, just thinking about that is deep. But she definitely instilled one of the fondest memories for me in terms of always referencing save your money, Like I still hear her voice telling me that. Oh and she's a lot of my why. But the thing that was missing with that, and it's coming from a deeper in depth place of not really understanding financial literacy like our people. And this is a part of my passion on why I continuously strive to do great by my money, make sure I continue to get the message out and help as many women as possible, because we're known to not have the most financial literacy for our community and our people. We're so behind. Yea, yeah, So like of course it was the the instant and the consistence save your money, but it wasn't no, how do you do that? Like how do you do that effectively? What does that mean? Because that's very abstract right here. Also another fondest memory is also a connection through money Ina which her brother, who was my great uncle, he continuously like always would give us for our birthday. He would give us the amount of money of our age. So it used to be like, okay, I was turning by he would give us five dollars I'm turning sick, and thousands et cetera. I don't black people do that.
00:17:34
Speaker 4: Not the thing really, first person they gave me that exposure, so it always felt like money was such this joyful it gave me this joyful.
00:17:45
Speaker 3: Right, and like it connects now with me so much because I get deep into the money it's for me when when it references like money doesn't create happiness, it can create happiness. It's not the source of happiness, because it could be the source of the contrary as well. It's cool. So it's really a matter of understanding, how are you utilizing that tool to establish the joy for your life, to be able to do the right thing, to steward your money, all of the things. But with that memory, like just the exposure as early as possible, and all I knew was to spend it at that time. Oh yeah, my uncle saying like gifting me money for my birthday and I was like, oh, I wanna go to corner store hour ago, buy up the six right right, But they're by Nana, Like especially when I got to the age of fourteen, she was just like, save your money, save your money, Like I will earn money to be like save it. And yes, I always remember that, but I didn't move in a motion of being able to effectively like what to saving your money truly means right, they would find multiple ways for multiple people to so money is always personal.
00:19:03
Speaker 2: What's up, y'all, it's shagarl ebn A here, and be sure to follow me on Instagram and TikTok at pretty private podcasts, and don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel at the Professional Homegirl. Now let's get back to the show. You know what's so funny. I'm thinking about my introduction to money and like my grandma, Like I think she was so rich, and she was rich definitely, but like to me, I think that she taught me that. Like like I didn't have the tools, like my grandma send us like eight hundred dollars, I swear to God. And this is back in the day when you can like mail money up to the through USPS.
00:19:38
Speaker 3: You just had to wrap it up.
00:19:40
Speaker 2: And I'm telling you, like my grandma used to always send us money or like my grandma would have like thousands of dollars and her little nice stand next to her. So we used always like you know, a little bar, little money here and there for a little snack or two. Yeah, yeah, and when I was going through my own money journey, like I was like, damn, like she really didn't teach me how to save or like she didn't give me the tools. Like I I always thought that I could never go without because I always had so much money. Like if I would, no, lie, y'all. And I'm not even capping if I would have saved the amount of money I have when she first started giving me money, I know for a fact, I would have been a millionaire.
00:20:11
Speaker 3: Millionaire easily easily. That that is that clique. I'm telling you that that's that's really the mindsetset shift. Yeah, it's important to understand and it's important for us to really realize and really click up, like all this money like it's it's such a real thing. Yeah.
00:20:32
Speaker 2: And now I'm like even today, like I have to go through this mindset. I'm like, girl, you don't deserve everything, like sit down somewhere. But I'm like, I never went without.
00:20:41
Speaker 3: Yeah, oh I know.
00:20:43
Speaker 2: And it's like I love that, but it's her fault because I shouldn't be. And then the stuff I like because my grandma always had like expensive taste, so that's where I get it from. So it's like I can't buy just no, no, no, Lie. And I was so excited to speak to you because I'm like, damn, I really want to buy these isabel Isabelle Moron sneakers. I don't want to spend eight hundred.
00:21:02
Speaker 3: Dollars than I'm here for. And I'm being on as much as I'm stacistically responsible. Yes, I'm all about that, but I think it's important to understand and establish that balance. It's not about deprobation, it's not about restriction. It's really about freedom essentially. That's the biggest thing I have learned over the last few years, like freedom. I want to be able to have my options, Like I just want that freedom. And that's the journey really instils. When you are moving in the right direction with your money, right, you're gonna get those It's it's about morons. I'm here for it now. We got we gotta talk more. You just gotta understand the complete picture right that we know we may have for just then slightly but on making your once happen, but in a fiscally responsible in her in regards to just over, sometimes you gotta delayed. It gotta all makes sense. Like what you're gonna get you deserved it. Like, at the end of the day, Serve, it's a matter of knowing where you stand financially, because there's the ways that you could be letting your your investing dividends pay for those sneakers, you know, Sunday because I want to confer, right, you want a timeline figure to faith, I told myself, I was like, Yo, if I paid this credit I think the credit card bill is like almost four thousands. I'm like, if I pay this credit card bill by Friday, I'm like, I'm buying them shoes on Wednesday. I know that that happens by Sunday. Listening, You're not here for I'm here for the splurg the spend right, mm, as long as it just gotta make sense with your system. And that's the biggest part where I'm always like, it's always personal. It's always personal. It's no one way to do this, one way you should be doing that. This rule applies to everyone, Like, it's always gonna be personal for me.
00:23:21
Speaker 2: Yeah, because I'm like, I'm gonna pay I think I probably have like ten thousand dollars more in credit card debt. Okay, So I'm like, I'm gonna pay this off before September gets here. Yeah, and now I want to start tackling on my student loan dep But I was like, I need a little treatment.
00:23:34
Speaker 3: I love I love these conversations. You know me too.
00:23:37
Speaker 2: I feel like I'm so wrong.
00:23:39
Speaker 3: Yeah, gives given moment, it's given, but it does. It does lead to freedom. It's all about freedom of choice. So you could be in a position where you know, it's one last thing you have to worry about, like I'm back, Like take out the stress, one less thing to worry about. Small steps of course towards it. There's some more gems for us. Yeah, I'm not getting this year a credit card debt, Like that's gonna the only day I want next year is too long? Yes, absolutely, yeah, yep, Because it's a lot of factors when it comes down to debt of considering you know what interest are you paying? Right? Really like honing in and drilling down in the specifics its key. It's gonna shift your whole motion. Well, I have experienced that when it came down to being at the beginning of my journey and being able to drill down and say, okay, this is costing me x y and z just to keep Why am I giving this capital wine credit card financial? There's amount of money every month, Like it's crazy. When I had the student owns, it was literally a daily interest. And when I looked at those numbers, I got a feel in my body to be like nothing else matters. You can't ask now. That's where I'm at now because I'm like, like my listener knows that I have a nine to five and this is the first time in a long time and I always make six figures, but like, I'm making a lot of money at this job, and I was like time, like I feel like God gave me like a head starts to like really go full thart with this because I'm like, I don't want to have debt and I don't want to keep like figuring out, oh I paid this, Like I don't want that feeling anymore, you know what I'm saying. The abame so absolutely and I love that. I love the fact because I'm big on I must probably say that a lot, because it's a lot that its journey has taught me, for sure, the cult to bay who I am when it comes down to my relationship with money and what I strive to teach women as well. So it's a matter of understanding, like the paws worry that you're in now is powerful, like God, and that's being a good steward with your money. God bless you with an amazing resources, right, blessing, right, and you want to use that as wisely as possible. For one, it's a resource, it's a gift from God. It's a blessing from God. But also you never know what next year is gonna look like, Like I'm big, Like, look at all we went through in these last eight years, right, bank last six years, like covid by itself did a number on us in terms of put us through this roller coaster, Like we didn't see none of this coming. Right, I'm on what you have now, Like use the time and use what you have now wisely because you don't know what's gonna happen. And I'm also a firm believer of like you doing this now, it's only just gonna set you up for better next year. And like the time flies regardless, right right, So it's just a matter of like if I do what I need to do now, like yeah, this time next year, I'm gonna be in a total different position. I've literally been my journey in regards to that aspect of really being able to leverage. And of course it's not just myself and my situation, it's myself and my husband. So having those dual resources have been a blessing for sure. Yeah, but really a matter of let's use it wisely because we we could have been in a total opposite, contrary situation where we were just blowing money fast and then we're just like accumulating more and more debt. Like yeah, so totally about what type of action and what are you doing in the now to be able to understand how powerful that later? Yuh.
00:27:50
Speaker 2: I know your nana, she always instilled in you to like safe, safe, safe, But was there ever a money belief you inherited that eventually you had to unlearn because I had to learn that girl, money is not gonna always be accessible like that.
00:28:02
Speaker 3: Like let them let me think about that. Absolutely, it was a number of things I had to I'm married. I think it was just it was definitely the just feeling like it wasn't possible to like hmm invest, Like I feel like I dealt with a lot of just not understanding the power of money where I never gone back to let me just be specific here, like I didn't feel like it was. I felt like it was this abstract or this long sort of goal to purchase a house like that in itself felt so far out of reach for my husband and I when it came down to us starting our relationship and not understanding, Okay, there's programs, there's sources, they're posed to be able to navigate to purchase a home swiftly and as just to purchase and obtain home ownership like that was totally something that I felt like I needed to tap in and understand you can purchase a home like as much as and I was. I was coming from a place where my grandmother owned her home. But I also witnessed my grandmother struggle through being set up in a way where she was impacted by not necessary I guess she was sort of impacted by risking foreclosure where she refinanced, but it wasn't all done wisely, so that left her in a position where she had to forcely sell her home off. It wasn't like an herited thing where she was able to pass it on as smoothly as possible. So that all seemed because that's what my husband and I had been surrounded by. So that like getting in a great position through a home ownership program totally shifted our mindset around home ownership and what it looks like being able to decrease your mortgage fast as well. Like that was a powerful journey for us as well, because we've been surrounded by you know, our parents and in my case it was my grandmother, but like just dealing with the ins and outs of refinancing and being set up in a mortgage that didn't make sense for them. So that God deeper into into that financial literacy piece, which I always encourage as well, really understanding like the financial terms, the conditions, the intrance, you know what those specs at burbage. Yeah, absolutely all that. So I think that was a big one to unlearn and because and then throughout the journey, when we took those steps to go forward with changing how we're managed our money, that's when our eyes started opening. We started to expand our minds towards Okay, it's possible to be that free, it's possible to they even accumulate money, it's possible to invest, like all of those things. But in order to understand, like Okay, it's possible to do a lot differently than what we were familiar with.
00:31:32
Speaker 2: Yeah, what about your mom, like did your what was her really shape like with money?
00:31:38
Speaker 3: Not great? Yeah, girl, I'm not my mom mean, but she went through her own journeys and her own challenges over roll. So my mother and she referenced that my mother is the reason why I she she she nade me missus Fisco's responsible little back story. She gave me that name because she recognized how good I am with money, that if I have to be physically responsible as just financial savvy and overall, how I had to develop that overall. So she she nicknamed me, Oh, you're missus physically responsible, and that's why I went with I was just like right right, they weren't my house. Speaking from that front, my mother isn't the greatest with money at all. She if she admits this too, and she referenced this where we have the open conversations regarding just like she never felt like she was able to earn an appropriate amount of money. So when you feel that way, when you don't have the confidence and that as it is, and then the limited resources that that was her position, what position she was in and everything. She totally was unable to navigate or being able to manage her money. Well, like I could go and suspects with her situation. Now that I'm at this point in my life, what could have been done a lot differently Like that example where you're just like you have all this access to money, but like you didn't hold on to much of it overall. That's such a powerful thing of realization and coming to that point of like, wait, that was a hard peel to swallow. Man, it's a hard and that's what shifted my whole like yeah, my whole journey in twenty eighteen. That's what That was the reason why I said we have to do differently. It was January twenty eighteen. We we just received their W two's right, you know, that's always the realization the reality they every GALLI check, And I encourage everyone to use that as a reality check because it was for us when it came down to reviewing, like what we earned the prior year, and yet how it left us feeling like what do we have to show for this? Like even when individuals, I always use this example, like it's not always about what you make, like you could be making six figures, but what do you keep the facts? Like that's such a big thing for me of like in a part of my teachings regarding being able to put that into perspective and put that gold because that was that was our why why we said, Okay, enough is enough, we gotta do something differently here it's we're not having this feeling again in twenty nineteen a matter of like looking at our W two's what did we earn for the prior year and feeling like we were still in the traffick page the paycheck we were in like so and for us it was solely about getting getting our bills paid on time, right, Like that's such a thing where not right even you're paying your bills on time, but are you utilizing every single dollar? That that's the core of like my focus and my coaching where it's just like giving that dollar and assignment. But I call it my payday budget system. We are it's a matter of being able to plan out every single payday so you're able to know how much money is coming in, what's going out, but what's remaining and what you're doing with that before you know hits your account overall. So really being able to change that from just getting all the bills paid on time to be able to use every single dollar really allowed us to say, oh we did in the calculations, it's like, wait, we got an extra what fifteen hundred dollars for the R and if it different having an assignment, then it's literally yeah, yeah, So really curating your system to be able to know. And then it goes hand in the ambus living with the mantra pay yourself first likely and what does that mean? That could be saving by paying yourself first, that could be focused on your financial goal at that time if it's a matter of paying down debt in that moment prior that to be able to really see the adjustment of change, it really changed our whole trajectory when it came down to it was a game danger. Yeah.
00:36:48
Speaker 2: And you know when I was listening to you talk about your mom, I was seeing about my relationship or what I witnessed with my mom or her relationship with money. And I was like, yeah, I said, I think my mom taught me how to little paycheck to paycheck because I remember and my mom she wasn't RN, so she made good money like everybody in my family are nurses. I don't know why that skill.
00:37:06
Speaker 3: I love it.
00:37:07
Speaker 2: Yeah, I wanted to be a large preneur child, but she so she made good money. But also my mother wasn't alcoholic, so I would just seeing her like just go through money and granted, like we were taken care of, minus the other trying things that happened, and also with the support of my grandma. But I was like, dang, when I look back, I'm like, nobody really taught me how.
00:37:27
Speaker 3: To like be physically responsible. Yeah. Yeah, And it was until I got into probably my late twenties or early thirties, when I was like, all right, girl, And even then like like now, I'm thankful because I was laid off in last year, October sixteenth, so I had a little cushion.
00:37:43
Speaker 2: And also thank you to the listeners for listening to the show.
00:37:47
Speaker 3: I know that those coloring books, but I was thank God for your guests, girl, thank you, because I'm like I didn't have y'all listening to this show in these coming books and like a little cushion in my savings character. Right, It's it's so real. Multiple that's where multiple streams and income essential because you never know, like never blinding on one source, it's it could be a setup. Yeah, And I was with people on and off for ten years. I didn't get nothing. They just lit my okay, So nothing, no separance, no nothing. I understand that piece as well.
00:38:29
Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, So what type of death that you have for you to accumulate thirty nine thousands? Like was it just through the loans or was it credit cards?
00:38:37
Speaker 3: So it was a combination of credit card debt across multiple credit cards. It was just yours or you and your husband, my husband's and eyes. Okay. So I always approached like we're big on being one for sure. That's a whole nother scope of relationships, marriages and money. I could talk about that. It's like it was me that was a lot of mind dad that So that was credit card debt across multiple credit cards. And it was also a majority of my student loan debt. I came into our marriage with a lot of student loan debtar based upon you know, the school I went through all of the about so I came in to be honest with you at that point in time, I that wasn't even everything from when I graduated college, because at this point in time, I was hot. Oh was I about thirty two when we buckled down and we locked into So I was like in my thirties for sure. Early and so even throughout my twenties I had made some attempts to like pay down some of my student deck. So that was the remaining balance what I had in student loan debt, and literally it was about roughly over twenty thousand of that was my student alone debt, and then the remaining was roughly across multiple credit cards, including credit cards for the furniture that we finding the furniture are home, including just credit cards, like credit cards across multiple different accounts or like one of the things of like one of the realization moments and the breakthrough moments was like what was on the credit card? And so like yet at that point where you're like you're paying at first nothing you don't even remember, like I remember the furniture for shore, but it's like you're not even remember remember or recall like what now you're paying for? Like that was a moment too of like this gotta go, we gotta change, we cannot do this any law and everything. So to answer that question, it was multiple credit cards and it was my student loan debt. I feel like maybe about one or two thousand, but it's roughly his death, his student loan debt the majority of my student loan debt at point in time. So I took the approach of, like, first of all, calculating all your debt, like that was the clarifying moment, understanding what was the total amount of debt That gave me the realization. It was really the reality check of like, okay, this is what we got going. We know one this is crazy. Yeah, let's figure out a plan to attack it more or less. And then it was a matter of just listing out. And there's several different methods you can use when you're paying down debt, but the prioritizing method that we used was the debt snowball method because that allows you to start with the smallest ballot and then work your way down to the largest balance, and that gives you this sense of like, Okay, I'm able to attack it. It gives you that sense of just that emotional relief of like especially when you pay on the smallest that and I had our at our at that point, the smallest that was a few hundred dollars, so that felt amazing, Like I'm he stays their rap like that just gave us the momentum. Yes, locally and psychologically all of vibe. So what's the matter of taking that approach? Then as I submerge and this is the fiscally responsible analytical aspects of myself because I became like a money ge nerd had the spreadsheet. I gotta have this spread seat like I have seen. I kind of that's you know, things real, but you facts fact, you know. I you have a question about you and your husband. And before I continue, y'all, if y'all hear some noise in the background my cleaning ladies cleaning the hallway, I'm like, she I don't hear it. Okay, good, So I'm like, sorry, y'all, but my question for you is because I know, like you and your husband had the same outcome or the same goals that I calm, but did y'all have different like differences of how y'all want to approach it? Good question. So we've always I guess when when you always look at a couple and the saying what they often say, The people say that you have a saver, you have a spender? Right you ever hear that philosophy, like I approach within a marriage and you like the spender. Baby, he would say, I'm the spender. Yeah, I think we both got the share both. Really, when I think about our journeys overall, I feel like we both could be We're both like you know what y'all want? Yeah, it depends and it depends on the time too. So for us, like I'm so grateful for our marriage and we're and in terms of our just our approach with our goal setting, like we set goals early on, Like when it came down to even dating was very intentional for us in terms of understanding, like having those conversations early on. And I encourage everyone when you say a relationship, because I used to be the girl that felt like, oh, you know, I don't want to necessarily priye or like, you know, it's okay, I asked the question.
00:44:38
Speaker 2: Your cousin.
00:44:40
Speaker 3: Choosing your partner matters like all the bub So when it came down to even our are our similarities and mindset when it came down to starting to date and how we looked at the future together and things of that sort. So that was a helpful start for us. But at that point, at this point, we're like two years married, almost two years married, So it was a matter of really working through what works best in our relationship and our marriage to understand. Like I always took the lead with like organizing our bills, our expenses and things like that, but at that point in time, we were still sort of like we had a joint account, but we were still moving separate as well with our like separate account. Yeah, a healthy balance, don't get me wrong. I want to ask you about it, like do you recommend that people are marriage married couples should have one joint account or should they have a joint account and still have their separate accounts joint account and two separate I'm a firm believer in that, but you have to still because it's easily to be in your old silos even with that too, which I realized, like the turning point for us to shift and adjust a lot to being able to get to the point where at and get through pain off that debt was a matter of me and it establishing a budget that's suitable for even how we manage it like individually as well, right, having one joint account allowed to make sure all our bills is pail on time, but we have to ensure that every dollar is captured and has an assignment even individually with what goes in. And that meant you know what I call like our play money category means judgment free spending, you know, spend on whatever you want to spend on, but we gotta cap it, Like we got to establish a designate amount to say, okay, two hundred dollars for this paycheck period that we could have play money for. So this way we're able to calculate literally using the approach of what they call zero based budgeting in terms of making sure every dollar is captured. Like, it's very important to understand what you got come in, what you're planning to spend throughout that with that money that's coming in, but what's left and it should be a positive number. Your goal for that to be a positive number. If it's a negative number, no, you gotta work on some adjustments, some tweaks to make it a positive number. Right, So overall that was a game changer for us really being able to make even an additional adjustment to say, okay, we need to ensure that even as the money is coming in jointly, but also what's individually sort of like separate out. We got to make sure that's in order as well.
00:47:42
Speaker 2: Did this ever, like question like your your worth because I feel like a lot of times like I'm not gonna lie. When I got laid off and I wasn't bringing in a certain amount, I was like, damn, like I don't feel like myself, Like I was questioning things, and I feel like when you ain't.
00:47:54
Speaker 3: Got no coins, you get a little depressed. So you don't do that because I'm not getting that from you. Yeah, No, I really didn't go through I went through that during other erors of my life and my journey and things of that of like, oh, I just want to make more money, right, But it was the power of making sure that I was as responsible as possible right with what I was already gifted in the resource that we were receiving. To understand that just opened up, like even where we were at financially in twenty eighteen is totally different where we're at now facts, So understanding that part, I mean in the moment, I was definitely like, yes, I wish I had more, but also simultaneously I'm like, I better make sure I'm doing right by what I have right now, like over the realization moment and a breakthrough eventually of understanding that piece, because yeah, I have been down the road where I just want to make more money. I remember I remember coming out of college girl and I graduated. I'm an age myself two thousand and eight. In two thousand and eight was no joke economically, So I remember like getting my first full time job making seventeen dollars and I was like, oh, I'm making thirty something thousand dollars a year. I just want to make like it's on my radar, was an opportunity within my career track, within my company that would have earned me like twenty thousand more. And remember eventually, like two years post that point in time, I got promoted and then I got the twenty thousand money right raised, right, but I was still like, oh, I want to make more money. I was the time I want to go to the next level. And I think that's ambition regardless, Like we want more, right, we want more? But like defining what does more look like like for me? I'm in this era now like more looks like the freedom in the time now like now, it doesn't always equate too money. The time is money. To be honest with you, I'm like, I want to like I want to work less.
00:50:15
Speaker 2: Yet no facts, like you know what I mean.
00:50:17
Speaker 3: So it depends, It really depends. But I want to be able to definitely have arrived in a place where I want to make sure my money works for me now. Yeah, like in terms of I don't want to necessarily work so hard like hustle bustle. I want to be able to set up my money where the dividend checks are coming from. No.
00:50:40
Speaker 2: I told myself, I was like, I want to get to a point that I have a certain number in my savings. And I'm like, if I can get to a number, like I can really like coast and like just pour into my business the way that I want to pour into it out but without feeling it. You know what I'm saying, Yeah, yep, yep.
00:50:54
Speaker 3: And you would get there when you would have focused there because I am totally like, that's been literally the journey of like, Okay, we want to see our bank account at this amount, we want to have savings, we want to have investment. But it really it required us to get to the get through the nitty gritty, paying down the debt. So this way we are able to say all our like, our income isn't going towards debt payments, it's now going towards freedom payments. Yeah, bah, you know, now we're able to save. Now we're able to do X, Y and Z. So that was a real realization that. Of course, prior to the attorney, I didn't understand what I got into that journey where I literally was like okay, calculating out the debt and realizing like, fifteen hundred dollars just goes to debt payment like what like and you know, let's don't like strapped it for cash and this paycheck to paycheck cycle, like I don't have anything. So when we paid it off, it was just like, now we gave ourselves a raise of fifteen hundred every month, So now we could say that fifteen hundred dollars. Now we could tell that fifteen hundred dollars where to go. It's not a matter of it have to going.
00:52:10
Speaker 2: To the payment Listen, I'm so tight. I'm about to pay this four thousand dollars on this credit card and I'm here for it, and then I'm telling you take me out there. I'm so tight I'm like, oh my god. I'm like, thank thank god I have it.
00:52:26
Speaker 3: We're celebrated. Oh we can.
00:52:28
Speaker 2: Yeah we're going back to our little spot and.
00:52:31
Speaker 3: Yeah, okay, we're celebrating young. But that's what it's about, and like understanding like you're capable, you have the potential to do that. Like the best part is the feeling in the emotional load of relief. But like, now have to do that and if I want to, like you'll, you'll just gain better, like the control piece like that for us, because I'm not gonna here and say we don't use credit cards now, like don't use credit cards. We use them more strategically, more wisely, you know, oftentimes with may carvery like a little balance for the month and it's just like okay, well we'll pay this down and off by in three months based upon our planning. Too. Yeah, it just gives you more Like in twenty eighteen, Like leading up to twenty eighteen, I didn't have that flexibility. I didn't feel like I was able. It was I had choices towards it. Now I'm like, okay, I could do that. That's on a zero percent. That's the way, Like the bank ain't getting no money from me. So it's a matter of, like I got that promo going on, like just being leveled up like more wisely about how we're managing our money essentially, how we're managing our lives, our money overall. Yeah, so it's been a journey of like all of the bobs with that. What were some of the sacrifices you made. Oh that's a great one. Yeah, absolutely sacrifices. So saying now ye me my golden world word. So it was totally a matter of like I was invited to brunch, I had to say, no, my girls, what is to go? We had some we did something like we were in a tight groupes of rebudget in terms of reducing or eating out keeping them simple because that's the number one, Like that's a major category that's easily takes up all our money now, spending money on takeout, spending money on food. Period. I know at that point in time, we had to make an adjustment to not necessarily in lawn services at our house, like that was like a part of the home ownership and sta like maintenance with the lawn right, No, happy, it was just like he invested in a lawn mow good lawn mower, and he got out there every week. Put that it was like a workout for him with a little therapey. I say it with the little therapeutic. He like, nah, that was hard work.
00:55:21
Speaker 2: So it was hard.
00:55:23
Speaker 3: So so here was just a matter of making different choices because the priority was really about getting to this number in this timeline. When I mapped it out to say, okay, we could really be at zero in August. I remember, because we started in January, so August, which essentially it was just like light changing. Like by any means, every single extra dollar was going to that. And of course, as we were managing through life, we were managing through changes with our own income in a positive way. When it came down to when we had three paycheck bums, right, that was all is my When we had income tax refund, right, then we knew all that money was going to that. We were we were in positions where career wise where we were eligible for bonuses, so we calculated that to go towards that. So that helped expedite the process a lot. All but it's because we were focused too, like in terms of seeing like okay, weird by any means, because it's it just shifted where it was just like a matter of when we when we don't have this debt anymore, this that focus. Now we could like tread ourselves a little bit, yeah, you know, being able to understand how that impacted the other. And then it was a beautiful timing and the appropriate timing for us. Really everything be ordained, because ordained in divine that's the word I was looking for. More so very divine timing because I had became pregnant with literally like six months in to the journey, so two months before we were projected to go become deaf free, I became pregnant. So that that blessing was like razy regarding just the journey, because of course you're pregnant. Oftentimes it could easily become a stressful financial situation in most cases, but in this case, we were just like, thank god we paid down that debt. Thank y'all, we're now able to build up our savments. Thank god we're able to agains are expensive. And then like just preparing from maternally felt different regarding just knowing, you know, how our income would change during that time timeframe, also to align it with what I wanted to be out for from work, unpaid for like a short period of time too. But all of that mattered because we were able and all that was possible, I should say, because we had been on the journey and we did well we did at that time. Yeah, or I'm a firm believer in that. Like the timing couldn't have been any better or appropriate. Literally months before we learned that I was pregnant.
00:58:34
Speaker 2: Yeah, were there times where you wanted to quit? And if if they're, oh, make sure there were, But what did your support system look like?
00:58:41
Speaker 3: Yeah, so I think it was we definitely wanted to throw in the towel, but I think we really defined like why we were doing it. Yeah, we those feelings of like where we were with living paycheck to paycheck and filling like okay, that's whack to feel like dam like you're making great income and you don't have like the savings to match, so to speak. So it's like our our y was totally defined. But it was a matter of yeah, feeling like totally feel like why are we doing? Like we want to go smurred, we want X Y and Z especially we're we're love We're both lovers of nice things, so it'd be like, oh, we just wanted to. I know that ain't cheap. I see that black luxury. I just go home the core like a real plant. Right there is thriving. It ain't could have fooled me if you g it around right, I come for dinner.
00:59:55
Speaker 2: Yes, I know that mill gonna be delicious.
01:00:00
Speaker 3: All about it? Come on? But no, we Vafinitely there was times about I think our why was much bigger to not give up, Like I think we're both individuals of like not getting up easily. So it was a matter we understood the why, and we we started to see the like the benefits of what we were doing. It's watching how you know we now have more money to uh set goals for more or less because you know, the dead we were decreasing those monthly payments, so that's yeah, and then the time is changing and growing it all of the bobs. So it was definitely the journey wasn't easy by any means, and we did have moments where it was just like we are respending this category. But we didn't beat ourselves up because we totally knew the bigger picture more or less. We didn't get caught up in like the small super small things like as much as I'm very much an overthinker, it was definitely like will jus like, giving ourselves that grace was key in flexibility, your and understanding. I think building in your financial system in a way where you don't feel like you're being deprived the whole time. I think it's impossible to say like, Okay, all my money is going X Y and z, I'm doing X Y and Z. No, you have to build in the balance and remoard yourself. It doesn't have to be super grand, but you have to reward yourself throughout that process. So like where we built in play money, you know, we were able to enjoy let's go out to eat here. It was a lot different than what we were doing in the past, but it still gave us this level of gratitude and appreciate to be able to do it like for us and understanding the wine and everything like that. But yeah, it's always been like things where it was just like we had to give up or we had to I feel like we were going without things like that, but it was just like a matter of we understood the big picture, oh why, and then they're still like okay, if it's something that's really eating us up of like we truly want to do this, then it was a matter of like let's let's break it down, let's plan it out to do that. But it was a lot of delegue gratification for sure, because understood like what was the priority for us in that moment, and things like we rode around in super old cars and things like that, so that was like, yeah, she got.
01:02:40
Speaker 2: We was riding.
01:02:43
Speaker 3: When need car payment. So it was just like we understood that, and then it should a matter of as we because we started that journey, so everything we did felt like it was more intentional and it was like a matter of like we had a plan, like we weren't just like jumping into something that could potentially put us at risk. Like you really adjusted how we move in so many ways to really be able to have a plan for things, especially large purchases. Like every large purchase from that point on became like no, how are we doing it? We're never going to put ourselves in that position ever again, and we wanted to make sure we were very intentional about things we did. Yeah, it's times where we have much as where we look at that MX where it's just like what did we we kind of fit a little bit, so that'd have less the safe so it's like a gift taint. Yeah. So it's always this act of balancing in a great in a way that you're striving to do better. Yeah.
01:03:51
Speaker 2: And that's how I know you good because you're you sound so confident, like, oh, thank you girl.
01:03:57
Speaker 1: Yeah.
01:03:58
Speaker 3: Yeah, I'm a firm believer and everything that you're saying because I feel like as I'm on this journey, were like, Okay, I feel like it is a table and I can hit this goal. It builds hard.
01:04:07
Speaker 2: I feel like I'm building up my own confidence for money.
01:04:10
Speaker 3: I love it. And you are, you totally are. I'm definitely at a very financial confidence place right now. It really sits in a lot of the fruits of our labor. Like I'm really like this year primarily so much has really revealed itself in terms of all the work we put in, no sacrifices of understanding like where were are? So I'm like I have arrived in this place where it's just like so much ratitude. Yeah, and then the power of what we did to get to the place we are now and this is eight years later, so it's just like thank god like we did that when we did it, like in it understanding those fruits of that labor of what we did where it just feels like I feel like I just have a lot more freedom, totally, a lot more freedom than what I did before, financially overall, based upon taking those steps in that direction, learned a lot understand, Like you know, there's one thing I wish I would have done sooner, was like don't tune in more into our like network and being able to understand the numbers a lot sooner. But all summer firm believer, like everything happened for a reason and everything was in divine timing of at that time it was meant to be, like it was so to be no other time for sure, Like that pid was critical for so many life changes moments like that timing was key. It's like so fast, like even like just thinking about how quick like that time went, it feels like it went so freaking bad. It felt swell in the moment, but it was really going really fat. It was. That's why like when individuals respond to me and say like I'm the way to X y Z, No, don't wait to X Y and Z because the time regardless do it now. It starts small, like you don't have to go all in, do it now for your art. It's my number one advice and start small it's number vice too. And then number three is focused on one thing at a time. That's a good one. We get so caught up, especially financially, where it's just like I want to save money, I want to pay off that I'm gonna get my credit score up, like hone in one thing out of.
01:06:48
Speaker 2: Time, people be feeling so overwhelmed because they be trying to do all It applies so so.
01:06:53
Speaker 3: Much in life because I could speak to my struggles with me as a business owner, like trying to like do it all at once, like now do one thing at a time, Like the power of that is key. For sure, you're gonna be more chances to greater success if you just focus on one thing at a time. I started to realize how that financial journey and all of the principles when it comes down to money in your financial journey is applicable to all areas of our lives. Oh yeah, it's so it's so real, Like from a fitness journey, from a goal setting journey, like it's just so applicable, but the most important thing that I always like to reference. Our finances impacts every portion around. That's a fact, so like it impacts it all. I was ready take myself out. I was making no money. You look around our self care Yeah, yes, mostly in distressed. Like it impacts so many any portions of our life that it's crazy. So that's where I'm like, I understand the gift of like the power of focusing all your money. Yeah, it's gonna be impactful. It's going to overflow in every single area of your life. Yeah, anything is how you do everything. There you go, hold girl. Yeah that's a good one. Yeah, Church child way, that's probably gotta have a part.
01:08:29
Speaker 2: So right now we're almost finished.
01:08:32
Speaker 3: But one question I do want to ask you, were y'all ever afraid that y'all might go back to how y'all used to be with money? Like was there ever a thought? No, it was not, because so I guess it's sort of.
01:08:47
Speaker 2: Because you don't want to make a mistake, but then you don't want.
01:08:50
Speaker 3: Something like we didn't hold it as a fear factor, but I do recognize sometimes where I do expect erience, like what they call the garcity sort of say yes, where it's just a matter of no, like I recognize myself all like getting extra groceries because I never want to experience food insecurity, like think of that sort like I have experienced that as a child, and that's like childhood trauma made me more so, so it's get through it. But we do recognize, like we don't never want to be in that situation, so kind of in a benefit for us, and it will be in a benefit for most because it's going to recognize. It's not allow you to recall, recognize, remember the feeling of having that burden on fhoulders for sure, and understand that you never want to be in that position again. Yeah, but I never want to be in a position where I got thirty one thousand dollars a debt. So that's my motivator of being like, Okay, I'm gonna do and choose wisely to be able to do differently, not being irresponsible, not spending up wiping my car, you know. So it's more for motivational purposes only. Yeah, yeah, if anything to make me realize, like I'll never forget those feelings, Uh made me feel how that made me feel that position like, I don't want to feel that ever again. Yeah. And and a lot of women out I work with they definitely experienced the same thing once. Your experience like that freedom and just like that, just a freedom and that feeling and that joy. It's like, who wants to go back to that? Like I'm choosing better? Yea fact, that's the real thing for sure, I would say more so from that perspective. Yeah.
01:11:02
Speaker 2: And if someone is listening right now who has forty thousand or just have debt period and they feel hopeless, what would you tell them?
01:11:10
Speaker 3: Yes, I would totally tell them to take a breather for one. Understand it's definitely a huge You're capable to be able to change your situation. I'm always gonna look at the cup half full and not half empty. Yeah, are very optimistic. More or less, I do encourage you to come visit my website on that you have. It's at fiscally dash responsible dot com for a slash audit. I have a free physically responsible five minute money order that helps you understand your true financial foundation, where it's a matter of where you're where you should be starting first in your journey get the power starting at one thing at a time is definitely powerful in itself. So I will encourage you to partner up with me to be able to assiss you through that journey. But really more or less for anyone and everyone, understanding you could change your situation. There's power to know that you're capable to change your situation. It may seem very impossible, you may feel stuck. It's a real feeling, especially when you see those numbers. It gets overwhelming and very much like stressful, but understanding there's a there is a way for you to make adjustments, changes, changes in that opposite direction. You have to want to do it.
01:12:49
Speaker 2: Yeah, I have to be read and do you charge by sessions or like once they do the consultation, then they sound for you to be the coach and like how does that work?
01:12:58
Speaker 3: Yeah, it's a great question. So I audit is absolutely free. I encourage anyone in everyone to obtain a free audit buy me. And then also that will lead you into my email list, which I call to be my d IP fiscally responsible money family. And then I offer a number of different services. Primarily right now I am offering group coaching services, group coaching program for your finances. And then I also offer prior to that, I do have an offering for a payday budget planning process workshop took, which I'll be offering on twice a quarter to be able to have the opportunity to get the exposure, get the literacy, be able to start. That's a good starting place if you feel like you're in that paycheck to paycheck cycle.
01:14:00
Speaker 2: Yeah, well listen, you know, I want to be a blessing to someone. So it's the first person who emailed me at hello at the PSG podcast dot com, I would sponsor you to get a session with brit to me, So do not find your home in my pocketbook, child, because it's still tight. But I do believe in supporting each other and also, you know, making sure we got coins together because like Britini said, we just never know what the future holds. So if you want to be the first person you want to sign up and have a session with her, and I might even sign up and have you help me with my student law, child, because you know I'm her firm awaver and everything that you've seen you, I am sold. You know, I'm trying to trying to really get into like I'm getting in the better relationship with money, but I'm really trying to like be at the best.
01:14:43
Speaker 3: With it, so right that elevation elevator. Yeah, So I really appreciate you coming on. I'm so happy that we met. I feel like I cannot wait for us to see each other again so we can keep Yes, I'm very grateful. Yes, yes, and tell everybody where they can follow you at and everything else and all that good stuff. Yes, please stay connected and following me at missus mrs dot fiscally responsible. Uh that's my handle on Instagram and then also on my website, fiscally fi s the A L L Y dash responsible dot com. That's where I have all my offerings, including to sign up for my free community to be a part of my money family.
01:15:27
Speaker 2: Yes, and I feel like this was the epitome of what the professional Homegirl stands for with storylines becoming lifeline. So Fritz, thank you so much, and y'all don't miss out this blessing because I don't know why I feel I'm gonna be in the mood like this again.
01:15:38
Speaker 3: So I love it. Let's go. Thank you and I appreciate you, Abinga. I can't wait to kik and get with you very soon.
01:15:46
Speaker 1: Girl.
01:15:46
Speaker 3: We friends. I know, real bad.
01:15:50
Speaker 2: Until next time. Everyone later later. Pretty Private is a production of the Black Effect podcast Network. For more podcasts from.
01:16:06
Speaker 3: iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio.
01:16:09
Speaker 2: App, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Don't forget to subscribe and rate the show, and you can connect with me on social media at Pretty Private Podcasts.
Speaker 1: Welcome to Pretty Private with Ebine, a space where no question is off limits and storylines become lifelines. The views shared by our guests are meant to inform, entertain and empower. From the laughs to the lessons, Just remember tough times don't last, but professional homegirls do enjoy the show.
00:00:18
Speaker 2: This episode contains sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advice. What's up, y'all? It's sugar on ebine here, and I hope all is cute. Welcome back to another episode a Pretty Private with Ebine where storylines become lifelines. Today's guest is proof that financial freedom isn't just about making more money. It's about changing your mindset and creating a plan that actually works. Joining me today is the beautiful and smart Brittany Charles, also known as missus fiscally Responsible. Brittany is a personal finance coach and a founder of Fiscally Responsible, where she helps women break free from living paycheck to paycheck, eliminate debt, and build lasting wealth through practical, sustainable financial strategies. Now here's the part that really caught my attention, because me and Britain literally just met after she and her husband paid off an incredible thirty nine thousand in debt in just eight months, Brittany transformed her personal journey into a mission to help others take control of their finances with confidence instead of shame. So today she's empowering people to build healthier money habits, create generational wealth, and redifine what financial freedom looks like on their own terms. So get ridy all, because this conversation was so amazing and we are literally one episode away from season three ending, So I really do hope you enjoyed this conversation with me and my new professional homegirl because this week's episode starts now. Oh my god, y'all, So I am super excited to have my guests on a show like y'all would though we've been knowing each other for a thousand years, but I have a new friend of mine, Brittany. How are you? How you doing?
00:02:10
Speaker 3: I'm wonderful. Thank you for having me for sure. Yeah, it's a pleasant to be here. And just like you said it, like it's like girl were friends for years, like Linter you for years? Instantly quick and.
00:02:25
Speaker 2: You know what, excuse me, I know Brittany doesn't mind if people call her Brittany or Brittany, but I want to be very punctual about your name because I'm like a stifler for minds.
00:02:35
Speaker 3: Love it of course, of course, so before we begin, I love to tell people how we like it with certain guests how we met, because I feel like how we met was so organic, but it was so like random, very random, very organic, but very like aligned and meant to like, Okay, so you tell everybody how we met. You, I got it. You and I we were don't say them in the organization. Yeah, we were attending a pop up that was focused on small businesses, specifically the black community is specifically most importantly the Black Dollar. So you and I were attending as vendors a pop up event just recently too, almost like exactly, and fortunately I was assigned. I was strolling in a little bit late, and I was assigned to be right next to you. So you we were vending neighbors what I call it, And I walked up and we just started chit chating. And I was setting up and we started chit chatting, and literally it just all clicked in terms of chit chat went to continue convercationing, like like we know he's av.
00:04:08
Speaker 2: It was a really good event.
00:04:09
Speaker 3: But it started to rain and I didn't even know it was going to rain, so we all just because it was outside the parking lot and to me and like, is it raining?
00:04:18
Speaker 2: And y'all know it's.
00:04:21
Speaker 3: No put the color baby right right, we were both like, wait, it's raining. You had some material reading about read ain't about this rain. Let's try to shelter as much as possible. And for us we didn't have all our necessary equipment. We learned a lot that day too with that experience, yea, So of course that made the barn even more real right where it was just a matter of us both being like we we don't know how much longer we gonna be here. Right instantly we were just like, oh we kind of hungry. Took I said, you want to get something, so anytime and I and I want to speak for Ebene as well. Whenever like food is mentioned, that's an urge connection. I'm such a foodie, Ebne is such a foody. So the matter of like, yeah, girl, let's go get something. And in addition to the food, it was the food plan, I guess I could say it was expends the natural organic conversation and those conversations and those connections, in my opinion, is rare, so definitely a very meaningful purpose of why we both were at the same event as vendors, both were set up to be next to the more importantly, and why we both just clicked and we were able to just kick.
00:06:00
Speaker 2: Was hustling. Was we had our umbrellas up, y'all. We was. You should have seen me. I was walking.
00:06:05
Speaker 3: Around with selling my coloring books ready telling her services. I'm like, we're gonna make the best out of it. But I actually had a really good time. Yes, I'm so grateful and I'm still like on cloud nine about that day of like I'm so grateful for me and I'm so grateful our having an opportunity. It's like a nag and like I'm a big believer, So everything happens for a reason.
00:06:34
Speaker 2: Yeah, and she supported the coloring books, so you had some time to like sit with them. So tell everybody what you think.
00:06:39
Speaker 3: Your Yeah, so they are amazing. Y, I haven't tapped all the week, and I'm gonna let you know as soon as I tap all the week. And I'm big on like just having the opportunity to make my purchases of full experience, especially with that, I gotta right boy, volume three. So I'm planning on it, I in my door to be a part of volume three, but I understand that without your four, with it being uncensored, I gotta be mindful of this. So and for me, it's like all prepping and for warm, let me just say something regarding that, because I wanted to ask you more about what supplies you suggest, because I'm like, girl, add that into the bundle, you know what's so funny?
00:07:32
Speaker 2: So I've been thinking about because like I haven't been in a while, but that was the one that we did.
00:07:38
Speaker 3: We both did.
00:07:39
Speaker 2: It was actually really good, and I was like, you know what, I can really like package this up, like have some markers or some crap and stuff. And I was, yeah, I even like, you know, if you purchase something, or you purchase two color and books, you get a markers or something for free. But I'm like, it'd be kind of dope if I can get like the pink one personalized or customize a professional homegirl pink or just something just the make the experience even more elevator, right, y'all, that's coming soon. Oh, it's coming soon, but it's so funny because I don't know if I told you this, but I was nervous about selling the coloring books because the coloring books are explicive and the women that were a part of this organization organization, they're a little bit more older and you know, prestigious and stuff, and so I'm always a little nervous when I'm around older women because I'm like, I don't want to come off as like.
00:08:23
Speaker 3: You know, disrespectful.
00:08:25
Speaker 2: And I was giving everybody disclaimer and one of the women, she was an older woman, y'all, was like, lord, please don't let grandma open this book up. And she said, it's okay, it's okay.
00:08:34
Speaker 3: In the first place she opened up to was a woman sucking dick. Y'all, like, bow, I know she said. Oh.
00:08:46
Speaker 2: I was like, yo, you can't make this up.
00:08:48
Speaker 3: But I think she bought it though, So lit because not for nothing, we all enjoyed it exactly. That is part of our experiences. So and it's just an amazing experience. You have established and created an amazing activity, amazing product to allow us to enjoy an amazing experience. And for me, I'm like, I gotta prep myself in terms of get on my right tools together and really just be like, yes, this is it. So I'm so grateful for having the opportunities to meet you, of course, and then be able to get some of the colored and books. Yeah, and then I can't wait for the opportunity to sit in my yard and with a little with a little drink drinks might not. I'm here in the healing and I'm gonna I'm gonna definitely keep you posted on how that goes, yes, and share that experience with you for sure.
00:09:55
Speaker 2: You know, I'm so happy we're doing this because you know, when we first met, you definitely told me about out your and also thank you so much for person and just that review because I just I can't wait for the video. I know it's going to be fab Yes, but I was just so intrigued when you told me about you being a financial advisor, but you really didn't go into the details of how much you paid off in the timeframe. So we follow each other.
00:10:16
Speaker 3: And then something came up on your page and I'm like, wait, she did what And she paid off almost them No, forty thousand dollars and eight months and that's not even including your mortgage, your cardinal.
00:10:26
Speaker 2: And stuff, and I was like, oh my god, I gotta get.
00:10:29
Speaker 3: Me on the show. I love it. I love it. Just a quick correction, I'm not a financial advisor because that requires a license, making.
00:10:39
Speaker 2: Sure a financial coach.
00:10:42
Speaker 3: A financial coach like anential coach, because there is a difference, and I never want to mislead anyone to think I'm a financial advisor. Degree. Okay, I'm Crystal Claire, I Fried, I'm not a financial visor. There's a difference, and it's in cellho is educational too because understanding the differences between financial advisors, financial coaches, financial pointerers. They're all different tracks and they're all for different purposes. So for me with the financial being a financial coach, it's a matter of focusing on behaviors and not I don't have any degrees or licenses to be able to sell products or you know, things of that sort, the same way that either definitely financial advisors, they're licensed to be able to sell products and different services, but primarily products like life insurances and even some investment products as well as a financial cult it's really a focused on always just reference it like a personal trainer for your fitness, where it's just a matter of being that support, being that advocate, being that helpful individual to help women primarily the work through their behaviors to reach their financial goals. So it's a matter of bad accountability piece and all of the bobs. So I just wanted to clarify that because you can't. It's leading the people, like we know how that misleading, having people be triggering themselves like they spot every day girl. Okay, but yes, yeah, the financial coach and then I am also the owner and founder of Fiscally Responsible, So that's my brand focus on financial coaching services and it's into financial literacy. Being able to conduct different workshops really shift in the the the focus of money. Money tends to be a table, so I like to help women change their financial foundations for primarily so that from and that's where the differences lie to compared to financial coach firstus financial advisor, I'm focused on those foundational principles budgeting your money, managing your money, being able to pay now dad, being able to save your money opposed to being able to well what matters to be able to get to the point of being able to invest this way, I feel like it's it's levels to it.
00:13:28
Speaker 2: Yeah, you know every time you say women, the first thing that comes to mind and be a little messy.
00:13:33
Speaker 3: When someone a man, was like, what makes you qualified? Let's talk about it. Let's let's talk about.
00:13:40
Speaker 2: That, asked her.
00:13:42
Speaker 3: They was like, and it was a man, he was like, what makes you qualified to help what they financed?
00:13:47
Speaker 2: And I said, he asked you that?
00:13:48
Speaker 3: And you was like, yeah he did, yeah, yeah, more or less, he definitely asked that question. So I always p with my social proof like ins of but I was able to accomplish in what I was able to also help other women accountless amount of women since I started in my journey in twenty eighteen. When it comes down to starting my own personal, physically responsible journey of paying down debt as quick as possible, primarily.
00:14:24
Speaker 2: Yeah, okay, so let's go to the very beginning, like what was your first memory of money growing up?
00:14:31
Speaker 3: Oh? I love that. My fondest memories and money growing up were very limited but still impactful. So I have two fondest memories, one coming from my grandmother who was a part of raising me. Nana.
00:14:47
Speaker 2: Oh so that's along because my nana raised me. Yeah, and I heard you mention.
00:14:52
Speaker 3: Now, I was just like Oh my goodness, because I lost Nanana in twenty twenty three, so it's still fairly I was twenty sixteen. Oh wow. Well, and from what you have shared with me, f'st far. I know you were very close with your nana. Facts. Yeah. Yeah, and I too was very close with Banana. She was the part of raising me. I was raised by my mom as well, but my mom was a single mom, so it was my grandmother that totally contribute a lot. We lived in her home the whole nine So we gotta have one, I know, we gotta have to have another compensation.
00:15:32
Speaker 2: Facts.
00:15:34
Speaker 3: Yeah, I loved that. Yeah, my Banana was my heart and I was her heart as well. Say, I was her favorite. I was her favorite, Like.
00:15:43
Speaker 2: Like I was jealous.
00:15:44
Speaker 3: I was her favorite. Yeah, in my cot because it was four of us, but because like it was just we just had that. We was locked in.
00:15:52
Speaker 2: Yeah, we was.
00:15:53
Speaker 3: That was my girl. I don't know, maybe because I was the first grandchild, her first grandchild, but also yeah, but that was my buddy. I loved that. Oh yeah, we are having to have another part too, Yeah, because yeah, just thinking about that is deep. But she definitely instilled one of the fondest memories for me in terms of always referencing save your money, Like I still hear her voice telling me that. Oh and she's a lot of my why. But the thing that was missing with that, and it's coming from a deeper in depth place of not really understanding financial literacy like our people. And this is a part of my passion on why I continuously strive to do great by my money, make sure I continue to get the message out and help as many women as possible, because we're known to not have the most financial literacy for our community and our people. We're so behind. Yea, yeah, So like of course it was the the instant and the consistence save your money, but it wasn't no, how do you do that? Like how do you do that effectively? What does that mean? Because that's very abstract right here. Also another fondest memory is also a connection through money Ina which her brother, who was my great uncle, he continuously like always would give us for our birthday. He would give us the amount of money of our age. So it used to be like, okay, I was turning by he would give us five dollars I'm turning sick, and thousands et cetera. I don't black people do that.
00:17:34
Speaker 4: Not the thing really, first person they gave me that exposure, so it always felt like money was such this joyful it gave me this joyful.
00:17:45
Speaker 3: Right, and like it connects now with me so much because I get deep into the money it's for me when when it references like money doesn't create happiness, it can create happiness. It's not the source of happiness, because it could be the source of the contrary as well. It's cool. So it's really a matter of understanding, how are you utilizing that tool to establish the joy for your life, to be able to do the right thing, to steward your money, all of the things. But with that memory, like just the exposure as early as possible, and all I knew was to spend it at that time. Oh yeah, my uncle saying like gifting me money for my birthday and I was like, oh, I wanna go to corner store hour ago, buy up the six right right, But they're by Nana, Like especially when I got to the age of fourteen, she was just like, save your money, save your money, Like I will earn money to be like save it. And yes, I always remember that, but I didn't move in a motion of being able to effectively like what to saving your money truly means right, they would find multiple ways for multiple people to so money is always personal.
00:19:03
Speaker 2: What's up, y'all, it's shagarl ebn A here, and be sure to follow me on Instagram and TikTok at pretty private podcasts, and don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel at the Professional Homegirl. Now let's get back to the show. You know what's so funny. I'm thinking about my introduction to money and like my grandma, Like I think she was so rich, and she was rich definitely, but like to me, I think that she taught me that. Like like I didn't have the tools, like my grandma send us like eight hundred dollars, I swear to God. And this is back in the day when you can like mail money up to the through USPS.
00:19:38
Speaker 3: You just had to wrap it up.
00:19:40
Speaker 2: And I'm telling you, like my grandma used to always send us money or like my grandma would have like thousands of dollars and her little nice stand next to her. So we used always like you know, a little bar, little money here and there for a little snack or two. Yeah, yeah, and when I was going through my own money journey, like I was like, damn, like she really didn't teach me how to save or like she didn't give me the tools. Like I I always thought that I could never go without because I always had so much money. Like if I would, no, lie, y'all. And I'm not even capping if I would have saved the amount of money I have when she first started giving me money, I know for a fact, I would have been a millionaire.
00:20:11
Speaker 3: Millionaire easily easily. That that is that clique. I'm telling you that that's that's really the mindsetset shift. Yeah, it's important to understand and it's important for us to really realize and really click up, like all this money like it's it's such a real thing. Yeah.
00:20:32
Speaker 2: And now I'm like even today, like I have to go through this mindset. I'm like, girl, you don't deserve everything, like sit down somewhere. But I'm like, I never went without.
00:20:41
Speaker 3: Yeah, oh I know.
00:20:43
Speaker 2: And it's like I love that, but it's her fault because I shouldn't be. And then the stuff I like because my grandma always had like expensive taste, so that's where I get it from. So it's like I can't buy just no, no, no, Lie. And I was so excited to speak to you because I'm like, damn, I really want to buy these isabel Isabelle Moron sneakers. I don't want to spend eight hundred.
00:21:02
Speaker 3: Dollars than I'm here for. And I'm being on as much as I'm stacistically responsible. Yes, I'm all about that, but I think it's important to understand and establish that balance. It's not about deprobation, it's not about restriction. It's really about freedom essentially. That's the biggest thing I have learned over the last few years, like freedom. I want to be able to have my options, Like I just want that freedom. And that's the journey really instils. When you are moving in the right direction with your money, right, you're gonna get those It's it's about morons. I'm here for it now. We got we gotta talk more. You just gotta understand the complete picture right that we know we may have for just then slightly but on making your once happen, but in a fiscally responsible in her in regards to just over, sometimes you gotta delayed. It gotta all makes sense. Like what you're gonna get you deserved it. Like, at the end of the day, Serve, it's a matter of knowing where you stand financially, because there's the ways that you could be letting your your investing dividends pay for those sneakers, you know, Sunday because I want to confer, right, you want a timeline figure to faith, I told myself, I was like, Yo, if I paid this credit I think the credit card bill is like almost four thousands. I'm like, if I pay this credit card bill by Friday, I'm like, I'm buying them shoes on Wednesday. I know that that happens by Sunday. Listening, You're not here for I'm here for the splurg the spend right, mm, as long as it just gotta make sense with your system. And that's the biggest part where I'm always like, it's always personal. It's always personal. It's no one way to do this, one way you should be doing that. This rule applies to everyone, Like, it's always gonna be personal for me.
00:23:21
Speaker 2: Yeah, because I'm like, I'm gonna pay I think I probably have like ten thousand dollars more in credit card debt. Okay, So I'm like, I'm gonna pay this off before September gets here. Yeah, and now I want to start tackling on my student loan dep But I was like, I need a little treatment.
00:23:34
Speaker 3: I love I love these conversations. You know me too.
00:23:37
Speaker 2: I feel like I'm so wrong.
00:23:39
Speaker 3: Yeah, gives given moment, it's given, but it does. It does lead to freedom. It's all about freedom of choice. So you could be in a position where you know, it's one last thing you have to worry about, like I'm back, Like take out the stress, one less thing to worry about. Small steps of course towards it. There's some more gems for us. Yeah, I'm not getting this year a credit card debt, Like that's gonna the only day I want next year is too long? Yes, absolutely, yeah, yep, Because it's a lot of factors when it comes down to debt of considering you know what interest are you paying? Right? Really like honing in and drilling down in the specifics its key. It's gonna shift your whole motion. Well, I have experienced that when it came down to being at the beginning of my journey and being able to drill down and say, okay, this is costing me x y and z just to keep Why am I giving this capital wine credit card financial? There's amount of money every month, Like it's crazy. When I had the student owns, it was literally a daily interest. And when I looked at those numbers, I got a feel in my body to be like nothing else matters. You can't ask now. That's where I'm at now because I'm like, like my listener knows that I have a nine to five and this is the first time in a long time and I always make six figures, but like, I'm making a lot of money at this job, and I was like time, like I feel like God gave me like a head starts to like really go full thart with this because I'm like, I don't want to have debt and I don't want to keep like figuring out, oh I paid this, Like I don't want that feeling anymore, you know what I'm saying. The abame so absolutely and I love that. I love the fact because I'm big on I must probably say that a lot, because it's a lot that its journey has taught me, for sure, the cult to bay who I am when it comes down to my relationship with money and what I strive to teach women as well. So it's a matter of understanding, like the paws worry that you're in now is powerful, like God, and that's being a good steward with your money. God bless you with an amazing resources, right, blessing, right, and you want to use that as wisely as possible. For one, it's a resource, it's a gift from God. It's a blessing from God. But also you never know what next year is gonna look like, Like I'm big, Like, look at all we went through in these last eight years, right, bank last six years, like covid by itself did a number on us in terms of put us through this roller coaster, Like we didn't see none of this coming. Right, I'm on what you have now, Like use the time and use what you have now wisely because you don't know what's gonna happen. And I'm also a firm believer of like you doing this now, it's only just gonna set you up for better next year. And like the time flies regardless, right right, So it's just a matter of like if I do what I need to do now, like yeah, this time next year, I'm gonna be in a total different position. I've literally been my journey in regards to that aspect of really being able to leverage. And of course it's not just myself and my situation, it's myself and my husband. So having those dual resources have been a blessing for sure. Yeah, but really a matter of let's use it wisely because we we could have been in a total opposite, contrary situation where we were just blowing money fast and then we're just like accumulating more and more debt. Like yeah, so totally about what type of action and what are you doing in the now to be able to understand how powerful that later? Yuh.
00:27:50
Speaker 2: I know your nana, she always instilled in you to like safe, safe, safe, But was there ever a money belief you inherited that eventually you had to unlearn because I had to learn that girl, money is not gonna always be accessible like that.
00:28:02
Speaker 3: Like let them let me think about that. Absolutely, it was a number of things I had to I'm married. I think it was just it was definitely the just feeling like it wasn't possible to like hmm invest, Like I feel like I dealt with a lot of just not understanding the power of money where I never gone back to let me just be specific here, like I didn't feel like it was. I felt like it was this abstract or this long sort of goal to purchase a house like that in itself felt so far out of reach for my husband and I when it came down to us starting our relationship and not understanding, Okay, there's programs, there's sources, they're posed to be able to navigate to purchase a home swiftly and as just to purchase and obtain home ownership like that was totally something that I felt like I needed to tap in and understand you can purchase a home like as much as and I was. I was coming from a place where my grandmother owned her home. But I also witnessed my grandmother struggle through being set up in a way where she was impacted by not necessary I guess she was sort of impacted by risking foreclosure where she refinanced, but it wasn't all done wisely, so that left her in a position where she had to forcely sell her home off. It wasn't like an herited thing where she was able to pass it on as smoothly as possible. So that all seemed because that's what my husband and I had been surrounded by. So that like getting in a great position through a home ownership program totally shifted our mindset around home ownership and what it looks like being able to decrease your mortgage fast as well. Like that was a powerful journey for us as well, because we've been surrounded by you know, our parents and in my case it was my grandmother, but like just dealing with the ins and outs of refinancing and being set up in a mortgage that didn't make sense for them. So that God deeper into into that financial literacy piece, which I always encourage as well, really understanding like the financial terms, the conditions, the intrance, you know what those specs at burbage. Yeah, absolutely all that. So I think that was a big one to unlearn and because and then throughout the journey, when we took those steps to go forward with changing how we're managed our money, that's when our eyes started opening. We started to expand our minds towards Okay, it's possible to be that free, it's possible to they even accumulate money, it's possible to invest, like all of those things. But in order to understand, like Okay, it's possible to do a lot differently than what we were familiar with.
00:31:32
Speaker 2: Yeah, what about your mom, like did your what was her really shape like with money?
00:31:38
Speaker 3: Not great? Yeah, girl, I'm not my mom mean, but she went through her own journeys and her own challenges over roll. So my mother and she referenced that my mother is the reason why I she she she nade me missus Fisco's responsible little back story. She gave me that name because she recognized how good I am with money, that if I have to be physically responsible as just financial savvy and overall, how I had to develop that overall. So she she nicknamed me, Oh, you're missus physically responsible, and that's why I went with I was just like right right, they weren't my house. Speaking from that front, my mother isn't the greatest with money at all. She if she admits this too, and she referenced this where we have the open conversations regarding just like she never felt like she was able to earn an appropriate amount of money. So when you feel that way, when you don't have the confidence and that as it is, and then the limited resources that that was her position, what position she was in and everything. She totally was unable to navigate or being able to manage her money. Well, like I could go and suspects with her situation. Now that I'm at this point in my life, what could have been done a lot differently Like that example where you're just like you have all this access to money, but like you didn't hold on to much of it overall. That's such a powerful thing of realization and coming to that point of like, wait, that was a hard peel to swallow. Man, it's a hard and that's what shifted my whole like yeah, my whole journey in twenty eighteen. That's what That was the reason why I said we have to do differently. It was January twenty eighteen. We we just received their W two's right, you know, that's always the realization the reality they every GALLI check, And I encourage everyone to use that as a reality check because it was for us when it came down to reviewing, like what we earned the prior year, and yet how it left us feeling like what do we have to show for this? Like even when individuals, I always use this example, like it's not always about what you make, like you could be making six figures, but what do you keep the facts? Like that's such a big thing for me of like in a part of my teachings regarding being able to put that into perspective and put that gold because that was that was our why why we said, Okay, enough is enough, we gotta do something differently here it's we're not having this feeling again in twenty nineteen a matter of like looking at our W two's what did we earn for the prior year and feeling like we were still in the traffick page the paycheck we were in like so and for us it was solely about getting getting our bills paid on time, right, Like that's such a thing where not right even you're paying your bills on time, but are you utilizing every single dollar? That that's the core of like my focus and my coaching where it's just like giving that dollar and assignment. But I call it my payday budget system. We are it's a matter of being able to plan out every single payday so you're able to know how much money is coming in, what's going out, but what's remaining and what you're doing with that before you know hits your account overall. So really being able to change that from just getting all the bills paid on time to be able to use every single dollar really allowed us to say, oh we did in the calculations, it's like, wait, we got an extra what fifteen hundred dollars for the R and if it different having an assignment, then it's literally yeah, yeah, So really curating your system to be able to know. And then it goes hand in the ambus living with the mantra pay yourself first likely and what does that mean? That could be saving by paying yourself first, that could be focused on your financial goal at that time if it's a matter of paying down debt in that moment prior that to be able to really see the adjustment of change, it really changed our whole trajectory when it came down to it was a game danger. Yeah.
00:36:48
Speaker 2: And you know when I was listening to you talk about your mom, I was seeing about my relationship or what I witnessed with my mom or her relationship with money. And I was like, yeah, I said, I think my mom taught me how to little paycheck to paycheck because I remember and my mom she wasn't RN, so she made good money like everybody in my family are nurses. I don't know why that skill.
00:37:06
Speaker 3: I love it.
00:37:07
Speaker 2: Yeah, I wanted to be a large preneur child, but she so she made good money. But also my mother wasn't alcoholic, so I would just seeing her like just go through money and granted, like we were taken care of, minus the other trying things that happened, and also with the support of my grandma. But I was like, dang, when I look back, I'm like, nobody really taught me how.
00:37:27
Speaker 3: To like be physically responsible. Yeah. Yeah, And it was until I got into probably my late twenties or early thirties, when I was like, all right, girl, And even then like like now, I'm thankful because I was laid off in last year, October sixteenth, so I had a little cushion.
00:37:43
Speaker 2: And also thank you to the listeners for listening to the show.
00:37:47
Speaker 3: I know that those coloring books, but I was thank God for your guests, girl, thank you, because I'm like I didn't have y'all listening to this show in these coming books and like a little cushion in my savings character. Right, It's it's so real. Multiple that's where multiple streams and income essential because you never know, like never blinding on one source, it's it could be a setup. Yeah, And I was with people on and off for ten years. I didn't get nothing. They just lit my okay, So nothing, no separance, no nothing. I understand that piece as well.
00:38:29
Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, So what type of death that you have for you to accumulate thirty nine thousands? Like was it just through the loans or was it credit cards?
00:38:37
Speaker 3: So it was a combination of credit card debt across multiple credit cards. It was just yours or you and your husband, my husband's and eyes. Okay. So I always approached like we're big on being one for sure. That's a whole nother scope of relationships, marriages and money. I could talk about that. It's like it was me that was a lot of mind dad that So that was credit card debt across multiple credit cards. And it was also a majority of my student loan debt. I came into our marriage with a lot of student loan debtar based upon you know, the school I went through all of the about so I came in to be honest with you at that point in time, I that wasn't even everything from when I graduated college, because at this point in time, I was hot. Oh was I about thirty two when we buckled down and we locked into So I was like in my thirties for sure. Early and so even throughout my twenties I had made some attempts to like pay down some of my student deck. So that was the remaining balance what I had in student loan debt, and literally it was about roughly over twenty thousand of that was my student alone debt, and then the remaining was roughly across multiple credit cards, including credit cards for the furniture that we finding the furniture are home, including just credit cards, like credit cards across multiple different accounts or like one of the things of like one of the realization moments and the breakthrough moments was like what was on the credit card? And so like yet at that point where you're like you're paying at first nothing you don't even remember, like I remember the furniture for shore, but it's like you're not even remember remember or recall like what now you're paying for? Like that was a moment too of like this gotta go, we gotta change, we cannot do this any law and everything. So to answer that question, it was multiple credit cards and it was my student loan debt. I feel like maybe about one or two thousand, but it's roughly his death, his student loan debt the majority of my student loan debt at point in time. So I took the approach of, like, first of all, calculating all your debt, like that was the clarifying moment, understanding what was the total amount of debt That gave me the realization. It was really the reality check of like, okay, this is what we got going. We know one this is crazy. Yeah, let's figure out a plan to attack it more or less. And then it was a matter of just listing out. And there's several different methods you can use when you're paying down debt, but the prioritizing method that we used was the debt snowball method because that allows you to start with the smallest ballot and then work your way down to the largest balance, and that gives you this sense of like, Okay, I'm able to attack it. It gives you that sense of just that emotional relief of like especially when you pay on the smallest that and I had our at our at that point, the smallest that was a few hundred dollars, so that felt amazing, Like I'm he stays their rap like that just gave us the momentum. Yes, locally and psychologically all of vibe. So what's the matter of taking that approach? Then as I submerge and this is the fiscally responsible analytical aspects of myself because I became like a money ge nerd had the spreadsheet. I gotta have this spread seat like I have seen. I kind of that's you know, things real, but you facts fact, you know. I you have a question about you and your husband. And before I continue, y'all, if y'all hear some noise in the background my cleaning ladies cleaning the hallway, I'm like, she I don't hear it. Okay, good, So I'm like, sorry, y'all, but my question for you is because I know, like you and your husband had the same outcome or the same goals that I calm, but did y'all have different like differences of how y'all want to approach it? Good question. So we've always I guess when when you always look at a couple and the saying what they often say, The people say that you have a saver, you have a spender? Right you ever hear that philosophy, like I approach within a marriage and you like the spender. Baby, he would say, I'm the spender. Yeah, I think we both got the share both. Really, when I think about our journeys overall, I feel like we both could be We're both like you know what y'all want? Yeah, it depends and it depends on the time too. So for us, like I'm so grateful for our marriage and we're and in terms of our just our approach with our goal setting, like we set goals early on, Like when it came down to even dating was very intentional for us in terms of understanding, like having those conversations early on. And I encourage everyone when you say a relationship, because I used to be the girl that felt like, oh, you know, I don't want to necessarily priye or like, you know, it's okay, I asked the question.
00:44:38
Speaker 2: Your cousin.
00:44:40
Speaker 3: Choosing your partner matters like all the bub So when it came down to even our are our similarities and mindset when it came down to starting to date and how we looked at the future together and things of that sort. So that was a helpful start for us. But at that point, at this point, we're like two years married, almost two years married, So it was a matter of really working through what works best in our relationship and our marriage to understand. Like I always took the lead with like organizing our bills, our expenses and things like that, but at that point in time, we were still sort of like we had a joint account, but we were still moving separate as well with our like separate account. Yeah, a healthy balance, don't get me wrong. I want to ask you about it, like do you recommend that people are marriage married couples should have one joint account or should they have a joint account and still have their separate accounts joint account and two separate I'm a firm believer in that, but you have to still because it's easily to be in your old silos even with that too, which I realized, like the turning point for us to shift and adjust a lot to being able to get to the point where at and get through pain off that debt was a matter of me and it establishing a budget that's suitable for even how we manage it like individually as well, right, having one joint account allowed to make sure all our bills is pail on time, but we have to ensure that every dollar is captured and has an assignment even individually with what goes in. And that meant you know what I call like our play money category means judgment free spending, you know, spend on whatever you want to spend on, but we gotta cap it, Like we got to establish a designate amount to say, okay, two hundred dollars for this paycheck period that we could have play money for. So this way we're able to calculate literally using the approach of what they call zero based budgeting in terms of making sure every dollar is captured. Like, it's very important to understand what you got come in, what you're planning to spend throughout that with that money that's coming in, but what's left and it should be a positive number. Your goal for that to be a positive number. If it's a negative number, no, you gotta work on some adjustments, some tweaks to make it a positive number. Right, So overall that was a game changer for us really being able to make even an additional adjustment to say, okay, we need to ensure that even as the money is coming in jointly, but also what's individually sort of like separate out. We got to make sure that's in order as well.
00:47:42
Speaker 2: Did this ever, like question like your your worth because I feel like a lot of times like I'm not gonna lie. When I got laid off and I wasn't bringing in a certain amount, I was like, damn, like I don't feel like myself, Like I was questioning things, and I feel like when you ain't.
00:47:54
Speaker 3: Got no coins, you get a little depressed. So you don't do that because I'm not getting that from you. Yeah, No, I really didn't go through I went through that during other erors of my life and my journey and things of that of like, oh, I just want to make more money, right, But it was the power of making sure that I was as responsible as possible right with what I was already gifted in the resource that we were receiving. To understand that just opened up, like even where we were at financially in twenty eighteen is totally different where we're at now facts, So understanding that part, I mean in the moment, I was definitely like, yes, I wish I had more, but also simultaneously I'm like, I better make sure I'm doing right by what I have right now, like over the realization moment and a breakthrough eventually of understanding that piece, because yeah, I have been down the road where I just want to make more money. I remember I remember coming out of college girl and I graduated. I'm an age myself two thousand and eight. In two thousand and eight was no joke economically, So I remember like getting my first full time job making seventeen dollars and I was like, oh, I'm making thirty something thousand dollars a year. I just want to make like it's on my radar, was an opportunity within my career track, within my company that would have earned me like twenty thousand more. And remember eventually, like two years post that point in time, I got promoted and then I got the twenty thousand money right raised, right, but I was still like, oh, I want to make more money. I was the time I want to go to the next level. And I think that's ambition regardless, Like we want more, right, we want more? But like defining what does more look like like for me? I'm in this era now like more looks like the freedom in the time now like now, it doesn't always equate too money. The time is money. To be honest with you, I'm like, I want to like I want to work less.
00:50:15
Speaker 2: Yet no facts, like you know what I mean.
00:50:17
Speaker 3: So it depends, It really depends. But I want to be able to definitely have arrived in a place where I want to make sure my money works for me now. Yeah, like in terms of I don't want to necessarily work so hard like hustle bustle. I want to be able to set up my money where the dividend checks are coming from. No.
00:50:40
Speaker 2: I told myself, I was like, I want to get to a point that I have a certain number in my savings. And I'm like, if I can get to a number, like I can really like coast and like just pour into my business the way that I want to pour into it out but without feeling it. You know what I'm saying, Yeah, yep, yep.
00:50:54
Speaker 3: And you would get there when you would have focused there because I am totally like, that's been literally the journey of like, Okay, we want to see our bank account at this amount, we want to have savings, we want to have investment. But it really it required us to get to the get through the nitty gritty, paying down the debt. So this way we are able to say all our like, our income isn't going towards debt payments, it's now going towards freedom payments. Yeah, bah, you know, now we're able to save. Now we're able to do X, Y and Z. So that was a real realization that. Of course, prior to the attorney, I didn't understand what I got into that journey where I literally was like okay, calculating out the debt and realizing like, fifteen hundred dollars just goes to debt payment like what like and you know, let's don't like strapped it for cash and this paycheck to paycheck cycle, like I don't have anything. So when we paid it off, it was just like, now we gave ourselves a raise of fifteen hundred every month, So now we could say that fifteen hundred dollars. Now we could tell that fifteen hundred dollars where to go. It's not a matter of it have to going.
00:52:10
Speaker 2: To the payment Listen, I'm so tight. I'm about to pay this four thousand dollars on this credit card and I'm here for it, and then I'm telling you take me out there. I'm so tight I'm like, oh my god. I'm like, thank thank god I have it.
00:52:26
Speaker 3: We're celebrated. Oh we can.
00:52:28
Speaker 2: Yeah we're going back to our little spot and.
00:52:31
Speaker 3: Yeah, okay, we're celebrating young. But that's what it's about, and like understanding like you're capable, you have the potential to do that. Like the best part is the feeling in the emotional load of relief. But like, now have to do that and if I want to, like you'll, you'll just gain better, like the control piece like that for us, because I'm not gonna here and say we don't use credit cards now, like don't use credit cards. We use them more strategically, more wisely, you know, oftentimes with may carvery like a little balance for the month and it's just like okay, well we'll pay this down and off by in three months based upon our planning. Too. Yeah, it just gives you more Like in twenty eighteen, Like leading up to twenty eighteen, I didn't have that flexibility. I didn't feel like I was able. It was I had choices towards it. Now I'm like, okay, I could do that. That's on a zero percent. That's the way, Like the bank ain't getting no money from me. So it's a matter of, like I got that promo going on, like just being leveled up like more wisely about how we're managing our money essentially, how we're managing our lives, our money overall. Yeah, so it's been a journey of like all of the bobs with that. What were some of the sacrifices you made. Oh that's a great one. Yeah, absolutely sacrifices. So saying now ye me my golden world word. So it was totally a matter of like I was invited to brunch, I had to say, no, my girls, what is to go? We had some we did something like we were in a tight groupes of rebudget in terms of reducing or eating out keeping them simple because that's the number one, Like that's a major category that's easily takes up all our money now, spending money on takeout, spending money on food. Period. I know at that point in time, we had to make an adjustment to not necessarily in lawn services at our house, like that was like a part of the home ownership and sta like maintenance with the lawn right, No, happy, it was just like he invested in a lawn mow good lawn mower, and he got out there every week. Put that it was like a workout for him with a little therapey. I say it with the little therapeutic. He like, nah, that was hard work.
00:55:21
Speaker 2: So it was hard.
00:55:23
Speaker 3: So so here was just a matter of making different choices because the priority was really about getting to this number in this timeline. When I mapped it out to say, okay, we could really be at zero in August. I remember, because we started in January, so August, which essentially it was just like light changing. Like by any means, every single extra dollar was going to that. And of course, as we were managing through life, we were managing through changes with our own income in a positive way. When it came down to when we had three paycheck bums, right, that was all is my When we had income tax refund, right, then we knew all that money was going to that. We were we were in positions where career wise where we were eligible for bonuses, so we calculated that to go towards that. So that helped expedite the process a lot. All but it's because we were focused too, like in terms of seeing like okay, weird by any means, because it's it just shifted where it was just like a matter of when we when we don't have this debt anymore, this that focus. Now we could like tread ourselves a little bit, yeah, you know, being able to understand how that impacted the other. And then it was a beautiful timing and the appropriate timing for us. Really everything be ordained, because ordained in divine that's the word I was looking for. More so very divine timing because I had became pregnant with literally like six months in to the journey, so two months before we were projected to go become deaf free, I became pregnant. So that that blessing was like razy regarding just the journey, because of course you're pregnant. Oftentimes it could easily become a stressful financial situation in most cases, but in this case, we were just like, thank god we paid down that debt. Thank y'all, we're now able to build up our savments. Thank god we're able to agains are expensive. And then like just preparing from maternally felt different regarding just knowing, you know, how our income would change during that time timeframe, also to align it with what I wanted to be out for from work, unpaid for like a short period of time too. But all of that mattered because we were able and all that was possible, I should say, because we had been on the journey and we did well we did at that time. Yeah, or I'm a firm believer in that. Like the timing couldn't have been any better or appropriate. Literally months before we learned that I was pregnant.
00:58:34
Speaker 2: Yeah, were there times where you wanted to quit? And if if they're, oh, make sure there were, But what did your support system look like?
00:58:41
Speaker 3: Yeah, so I think it was we definitely wanted to throw in the towel, but I think we really defined like why we were doing it. Yeah, we those feelings of like where we were with living paycheck to paycheck and filling like okay, that's whack to feel like dam like you're making great income and you don't have like the savings to match, so to speak. So it's like our our y was totally defined. But it was a matter of yeah, feeling like totally feel like why are we doing? Like we want to go smurred, we want X Y and Z especially we're we're love We're both lovers of nice things, so it'd be like, oh, we just wanted to. I know that ain't cheap. I see that black luxury. I just go home the core like a real plant. Right there is thriving. It ain't could have fooled me if you g it around right, I come for dinner.
00:59:55
Speaker 2: Yes, I know that mill gonna be delicious.
01:00:00
Speaker 3: All about it? Come on? But no, we Vafinitely there was times about I think our why was much bigger to not give up, Like I think we're both individuals of like not getting up easily. So it was a matter we understood the why, and we we started to see the like the benefits of what we were doing. It's watching how you know we now have more money to uh set goals for more or less because you know, the dead we were decreasing those monthly payments, so that's yeah, and then the time is changing and growing it all of the bobs. So it was definitely the journey wasn't easy by any means, and we did have moments where it was just like we are respending this category. But we didn't beat ourselves up because we totally knew the bigger picture more or less. We didn't get caught up in like the small super small things like as much as I'm very much an overthinker, it was definitely like will jus like, giving ourselves that grace was key in flexibility, your and understanding. I think building in your financial system in a way where you don't feel like you're being deprived the whole time. I think it's impossible to say like, Okay, all my money is going X Y and z, I'm doing X Y and Z. No, you have to build in the balance and remoard yourself. It doesn't have to be super grand, but you have to reward yourself throughout that process. So like where we built in play money, you know, we were able to enjoy let's go out to eat here. It was a lot different than what we were doing in the past, but it still gave us this level of gratitude and appreciate to be able to do it like for us and understanding the wine and everything like that. But yeah, it's always been like things where it was just like we had to give up or we had to I feel like we were going without things like that, but it was just like a matter of we understood the big picture, oh why, and then they're still like okay, if it's something that's really eating us up of like we truly want to do this, then it was a matter of like let's let's break it down, let's plan it out to do that. But it was a lot of delegue gratification for sure, because understood like what was the priority for us in that moment, and things like we rode around in super old cars and things like that, so that was like, yeah, she got.
01:02:40
Speaker 2: We was riding.
01:02:43
Speaker 3: When need car payment. So it was just like we understood that, and then it should a matter of as we because we started that journey, so everything we did felt like it was more intentional and it was like a matter of like we had a plan, like we weren't just like jumping into something that could potentially put us at risk. Like you really adjusted how we move in so many ways to really be able to have a plan for things, especially large purchases. Like every large purchase from that point on became like no, how are we doing it? We're never going to put ourselves in that position ever again, and we wanted to make sure we were very intentional about things we did. Yeah, it's times where we have much as where we look at that MX where it's just like what did we we kind of fit a little bit, so that'd have less the safe so it's like a gift taint. Yeah. So it's always this act of balancing in a great in a way that you're striving to do better. Yeah.
01:03:51
Speaker 2: And that's how I know you good because you're you sound so confident, like, oh, thank you girl.
01:03:57
Speaker 1: Yeah.
01:03:58
Speaker 3: Yeah, I'm a firm believer and everything that you're saying because I feel like as I'm on this journey, were like, Okay, I feel like it is a table and I can hit this goal. It builds hard.
01:04:07
Speaker 2: I feel like I'm building up my own confidence for money.
01:04:10
Speaker 3: I love it. And you are, you totally are. I'm definitely at a very financial confidence place right now. It really sits in a lot of the fruits of our labor. Like I'm really like this year primarily so much has really revealed itself in terms of all the work we put in, no sacrifices of understanding like where were are? So I'm like I have arrived in this place where it's just like so much ratitude. Yeah, and then the power of what we did to get to the place we are now and this is eight years later, so it's just like thank god like we did that when we did it, like in it understanding those fruits of that labor of what we did where it just feels like I feel like I just have a lot more freedom, totally, a lot more freedom than what I did before, financially overall, based upon taking those steps in that direction, learned a lot understand, Like you know, there's one thing I wish I would have done sooner, was like don't tune in more into our like network and being able to understand the numbers a lot sooner. But all summer firm believer, like everything happened for a reason and everything was in divine timing of at that time it was meant to be, like it was so to be no other time for sure, Like that pid was critical for so many life changes moments like that timing was key. It's like so fast, like even like just thinking about how quick like that time went, it feels like it went so freaking bad. It felt swell in the moment, but it was really going really fat. It was. That's why like when individuals respond to me and say like I'm the way to X y Z, No, don't wait to X Y and Z because the time regardless do it now. It starts small, like you don't have to go all in, do it now for your art. It's my number one advice and start small it's number vice too. And then number three is focused on one thing at a time. That's a good one. We get so caught up, especially financially, where it's just like I want to save money, I want to pay off that I'm gonna get my credit score up, like hone in one thing out of.
01:06:48
Speaker 2: Time, people be feeling so overwhelmed because they be trying to do all It applies so so.
01:06:53
Speaker 3: Much in life because I could speak to my struggles with me as a business owner, like trying to like do it all at once, like now do one thing at a time, Like the power of that is key. For sure, you're gonna be more chances to greater success if you just focus on one thing at a time. I started to realize how that financial journey and all of the principles when it comes down to money in your financial journey is applicable to all areas of our lives. Oh yeah, it's so it's so real, Like from a fitness journey, from a goal setting journey, like it's just so applicable, but the most important thing that I always like to reference. Our finances impacts every portion around. That's a fact, so like it impacts it all. I was ready take myself out. I was making no money. You look around our self care Yeah, yes, mostly in distressed. Like it impacts so many any portions of our life that it's crazy. So that's where I'm like, I understand the gift of like the power of focusing all your money. Yeah, it's gonna be impactful. It's going to overflow in every single area of your life. Yeah, anything is how you do everything. There you go, hold girl. Yeah that's a good one. Yeah, Church child way, that's probably gotta have a part.
01:08:29
Speaker 2: So right now we're almost finished.
01:08:32
Speaker 3: But one question I do want to ask you, were y'all ever afraid that y'all might go back to how y'all used to be with money? Like was there ever a thought? No, it was not, because so I guess it's sort of.
01:08:47
Speaker 2: Because you don't want to make a mistake, but then you don't want.
01:08:50
Speaker 3: Something like we didn't hold it as a fear factor, but I do recognize sometimes where I do expect erience, like what they call the garcity sort of say yes, where it's just a matter of no, like I recognize myself all like getting extra groceries because I never want to experience food insecurity, like think of that sort like I have experienced that as a child, and that's like childhood trauma made me more so, so it's get through it. But we do recognize, like we don't never want to be in that situation, so kind of in a benefit for us, and it will be in a benefit for most because it's going to recognize. It's not allow you to recall, recognize, remember the feeling of having that burden on fhoulders for sure, and understand that you never want to be in that position again. Yeah, but I never want to be in a position where I got thirty one thousand dollars a debt. So that's my motivator of being like, Okay, I'm gonna do and choose wisely to be able to do differently, not being irresponsible, not spending up wiping my car, you know. So it's more for motivational purposes only. Yeah, yeah, if anything to make me realize, like I'll never forget those feelings, Uh made me feel how that made me feel that position like, I don't want to feel that ever again. Yeah. And and a lot of women out I work with they definitely experienced the same thing once. Your experience like that freedom and just like that, just a freedom and that feeling and that joy. It's like, who wants to go back to that? Like I'm choosing better? Yea fact, that's the real thing for sure, I would say more so from that perspective. Yeah.
01:11:02
Speaker 2: And if someone is listening right now who has forty thousand or just have debt period and they feel hopeless, what would you tell them?
01:11:10
Speaker 3: Yes, I would totally tell them to take a breather for one. Understand it's definitely a huge You're capable to be able to change your situation. I'm always gonna look at the cup half full and not half empty. Yeah, are very optimistic. More or less, I do encourage you to come visit my website on that you have. It's at fiscally dash responsible dot com for a slash audit. I have a free physically responsible five minute money order that helps you understand your true financial foundation, where it's a matter of where you're where you should be starting first in your journey get the power starting at one thing at a time is definitely powerful in itself. So I will encourage you to partner up with me to be able to assiss you through that journey. But really more or less for anyone and everyone, understanding you could change your situation. There's power to know that you're capable to change your situation. It may seem very impossible, you may feel stuck. It's a real feeling, especially when you see those numbers. It gets overwhelming and very much like stressful, but understanding there's a there is a way for you to make adjustments, changes, changes in that opposite direction. You have to want to do it.
01:12:49
Speaker 2: Yeah, I have to be read and do you charge by sessions or like once they do the consultation, then they sound for you to be the coach and like how does that work?
01:12:58
Speaker 3: Yeah, it's a great question. So I audit is absolutely free. I encourage anyone in everyone to obtain a free audit buy me. And then also that will lead you into my email list, which I call to be my d IP fiscally responsible money family. And then I offer a number of different services. Primarily right now I am offering group coaching services, group coaching program for your finances. And then I also offer prior to that, I do have an offering for a payday budget planning process workshop took, which I'll be offering on twice a quarter to be able to have the opportunity to get the exposure, get the literacy, be able to start. That's a good starting place if you feel like you're in that paycheck to paycheck cycle.
01:14:00
Speaker 2: Yeah, well listen, you know, I want to be a blessing to someone. So it's the first person who emailed me at hello at the PSG podcast dot com, I would sponsor you to get a session with brit to me, So do not find your home in my pocketbook, child, because it's still tight. But I do believe in supporting each other and also, you know, making sure we got coins together because like Britini said, we just never know what the future holds. So if you want to be the first person you want to sign up and have a session with her, and I might even sign up and have you help me with my student law, child, because you know I'm her firm awaver and everything that you've seen you, I am sold. You know, I'm trying to trying to really get into like I'm getting in the better relationship with money, but I'm really trying to like be at the best.
01:14:43
Speaker 3: With it, so right that elevation elevator. Yeah, So I really appreciate you coming on. I'm so happy that we met. I feel like I cannot wait for us to see each other again so we can keep Yes, I'm very grateful. Yes, yes, and tell everybody where they can follow you at and everything else and all that good stuff. Yes, please stay connected and following me at missus mrs dot fiscally responsible. Uh that's my handle on Instagram and then also on my website, fiscally fi s the A L L Y dash responsible dot com. That's where I have all my offerings, including to sign up for my free community to be a part of my money family.
01:15:27
Speaker 2: Yes, and I feel like this was the epitome of what the professional Homegirl stands for with storylines becoming lifeline. So Fritz, thank you so much, and y'all don't miss out this blessing because I don't know why I feel I'm gonna be in the mood like this again.
01:15:38
Speaker 3: So I love it. Let's go. Thank you and I appreciate you, Abinga. I can't wait to kik and get with you very soon.
01:15:46
Speaker 1: Girl.
01:15:46
Speaker 3: We friends. I know, real bad.
01:15:50
Speaker 2: Until next time. Everyone later later. Pretty Private is a production of the Black Effect podcast Network. For more podcasts from.
01:16:06
Speaker 3: iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio.
01:16:09
Speaker 2: App, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Don't forget to subscribe and rate the show, and you can connect with me on social media at Pretty Private Podcasts.
