How a Simple Budget System Stopped the Money Chaos and Helped Nikki Handle Unexpected Expenses | 611

0:00It always felt like we were on the back foot. Different goals that we had and different things that we really wanted to achieve. We just couldn't get there. We have had so many thrown at us since we started this system. Lots. My husband's car, the engine went three weeks ago or something like that. And he can hear me right now and he's panicked and everything. But I know that we've got it sorted and I know that it will move. Thank you. But we actually can do this ourselves. we've got this, we can do this. Honestly, it changes your life. It really does.

0:35Nikki:Do you make good money but have nothing to show for it? Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck? Do you have big dreams for your financial future? Do you want to get debt free, but you don't want to live on beans and rice? Or you don't want to give up those pumpkin spice lattes? If you don't already know how to budget, or if you're using credit cards to get through the month. If you want to seem like you have your finances all together, or you're not on the same page with your spouse when it comes to finances. We know what you're doing probably isn't working, but guess what? You're in the right place.

1:04Nikki:We're Shaina and Vanessa. We're best friends, business partners, and master financial coaches trained by Dave Ramsey. We've been in business since 2019, helping hundreds of amazing people like you create budgets, get out of debt, stop living paycheck to paycheck, and know exactly what to do with their money. In this podcast, we'll share with you everything we know plus everything we're working on with our clients so that you have the best chance at reaching your financial goals. We want to help you take the guesswork out of your budget, improve your marriages, and even bring your kids in on the conversation.

1:34We can help you no matter where you're at, whether you're the single mom who's never had$500 in her savings account or the millionaire who's paid off four real estate mortgages.

1:42Nikki:And we're not going to shy away from the tough love. We'll tell you what you need to hear and encourage you at the same time. This is the Financial Coaching for Women podcast. Welcome to the Financial Coaching for Women's Show. We are so excited to have you on to chat about your experience using our Simplify Budget System. Lovely to be here. I really have to say, yeah, it's great to be here. That's very sweet. And if you can't tell, Sweet Nikki is coming from Australia. And so she's maybe a little sleepy because it's much later there. 10 p.m. y 'all, she's dedicated. It's 9 a.m. here, 10 p.m. there.

2:16So we're in a whole different day. Okay. So Nikki, let's start off by telling everybody where you were before you bought the budget system what you were doing with budgeting money like where were you in a bit of mess oh not too bad but I would say that I would spend a lot of time and a lot of energy tracking or constantly writing this is what's coming up this is how much money is in our bank but never getting anywhere we it always felt like we were on the back foot and different goals that we had and different things that we really wanted to achieve. We just couldn't get there. So yeah, it was very chaotic, very stressful.

2:55And obviously, yeah, just a lot of time spent with no reward.

3:00Nikki:Yeah, that sounds exhausting. The tracking and the unknown and just not feeling like you're ever getting a step ahead. It's always one step forward, three steps back. And thank you for sharing that. What do you think you tried? What did you try before you found our system? Obviously, I think I'd signed up for a couple of apps. Couldn't even tell you what they were. They didn't last longer than probably 24 hours because you couldn't see, you couldn't see that they were going anywhere. It was just a different version of what I was doing with a notepad and a pen. Yeah, we tried, I tried spreadsheets and different things like that, but there just was no actual system that we found.

3:43I found you guys, I'd obviously made a real conscious effort on this is what I want to work on and really my goal was I want to get confident with money it wasn't like let's solve all these problems it was I want to feel confident with money um and yeah I really didn't quite yeah I didn't get there until I found you guys I have to say yeah Nikki it's funny you say that it's not funny I'm really it's sad but also we're here now we're on the happy ending okay so it's good but when you say it didn't last more the 24 hours. Let me tell you how many apps I've downloaded. I felt that way about, but what I was wondering is the way I feel about our budget system is not maybe how everybody does, but I feel like when you open it, you're like, oh, I could do this.

4:25And in a short amount of time, it doesn't feel as overwhelming. And it feels like I could sit down and get this done. Maybe the first version, obviously you'll tweak it, but I can get this done. And I understand that. And it's not, it doesn't take forever. Is that maybe what you felt? Maybe it lasted longer for the 24 hours. Yeah. Probably leading into this, I, I feel like I really struck gold. I actually was listening to a different podcast that you guys were featured on and it was from somebody else who, yeah. Is she in the same industry? I'm not sure. Definitely not in your league. Has a completely different business model.

5:02And I had been listening to her because that's all I really found. And then I heard you guys and I was like, nah, this is where I really want to go. And I think I just listened to maybe one of your podcasts and then I was just like binge listening, everything I could listen to of you guys. So I think I was really, I think I was sold before I'd really even bought your product, if that made sense, because you guys have the confidence when you talk about it in your podcast and obviously everybody that kind of comes on there and relays the same message of how great it is. Yeah, that's kind of how I got there.

5:39That's off on a bit of a tangent, but yeah, you get what I mean. So when you opened it, did you feel, or what did you think about it? I was like, this is actually more amazing than what they say, like on the podcast. So you're saying we need to get better at our marketing, Nikki, that's what I'm hearing.

5:55Nikki:No, let's repeat that. This is more amazing than what they say on the podcast. No, there is nothing wrong with your marketing at all. Definitely not. I think it was just probably looking at it and going. It's different. Yep. But it's completely different when we're trying to explain it because it's one of those things that sometimes you're too close to it. Right. We see it all the time. We obviously love it because we created it. And let's go back to the beginning where we had no intentions of creating a budget, a template system, anything at all. That was not even on the radar until we realized that there was nothing else out there for people doing it the way that we wanted it done.

6:31Nikki:And so anyways, that was just it's just interesting how we try to explain it to people. but it's not until they get in there they're like they're not lying it is as easy as they say so when you say that can you paint the picture for maybe someone who's was where you were not that you took apparently 15 minutes to buy it anyway but after all the binging but when you open it and you say this is more amazing than than they say what do you mean we love those words but tactically tangibly what do you mean by that it's so clear-cut there is no if you follow that if you follow the method and you follow your advice, there is no way of messing it up.

7:11There's no way of messing it up at all. And I guess a lot of the time when you're in that situation and you are stressed and you don't really see the end, like the light at the end of the tunnel, it's very hard to get out of that mindset and be like, no, this is okay. But I think that your budget, it is a simplified budget system and when you go into it you're like can it really be this easy the budget's there and it is that easy yeah it is it is it is a simplified budget system and it's what you guys have done is amazing and it's not rocket science and I think that we think that it's the thing that we need to like it has to be harder yeah and it's just not it really isn't as long as you follow the system and you follow the steps.

8:04And like you guys have said so many times, trust the process and you go through the steps, you can see that it's working. And it's like, I would be like, oh, I wish I was already doing my savings buckets or I was already doing this. And I had you guys, because I listened to you so much. I heard you in the back of my head going like, that will come. Just focus on this, do this one step at a time and it will come. Yeah, it is a great system. really it is so funny that you say that because i was just messaged i was just sending my brother-in-law's podcast this morning i was like it's just edifying just listen to it it's making you better to listen to and i like that particular concept because we need support so if there's some area of our lives we're trying to work on it's nice to have girls that talk way too much about it because every time i need to be reinforced or i maybe need a little encouragement or i don't understand i can just go back and it's like i have my friends in my earball earballs that's not a but earpods and I can get more information I can get more encouragement and feel like I have a community surrounding me while I'm going through it so I really think that the fact that we talk so much really but is a bonus it's a help you're welcome you're welcome but so tell us when you started setting this all up what does it look like for you did you get the accounts what did you set up so far that kind of stuff so I'm one of those people that is very gung-ho I want to do everything straight away and again I had you guys in my my mind just going it's just one step at a time.

9:26So I really tried to trust in the process of not having to have everything set up straight away. So basically I'd already listened to as much as possible that I had. I think it took me five days to buy your budget system. And then the day after I bought it, I was implementing it. Yeah. Basically I just ran from step one through the bank accounts, like separating, doing all of that naming the accounts I know that you guys say it but it's so true it just becomes so much more intentional when you have a card that's so my my debit card for that account says food and fuel that's what I use it for um having our own spending cards and stuff like that so our accounts and our banks are slightly different so some of the terminology that I might say but you might be

10:16Nikki:like what I love food and fuel like why didn't we think of that I love it it's great yeah yeah setting up the accounts, naming the accounts was really good. And then, yeah, when it came time to really get into the savings buckets, like that was great. That was really, that's yeah, that was really rewarding and very much have trusted where we needed to be any more than that, like moving forward in that. Yeah, it was great. You said that it took you five days to buy the system. What did you hear on the podcast that you were like, okay, I'm sold, I'm done, I'm ready. I know this is for me. I think the fact that we needed a system I like to feel organized I like to feel prepared I like things to be transparent black and white I like to know where I am and we didn't have any of that before it was just we were just treading water and now we're not so yeah it just you're a new you're a new copywriter okay so I'm just gonna take all the words that you said.

11:19And I, what you're saying, we all like to feel organized. Nobody likes to feel chaotic and messy and I don't know what's really happening. And so that, and I, that is what we're trying to do is make it as simple as possible. And I love what you said and help you feel confident because it's not rocket science. It's not, it's not the easiest thing just because there's the modern, there's so many bills and so much coming and going. There's, it is something that we need to take a little time to figure out, but it's not complicated. It can be very simple. And then you can be in charge or you can feel good about how things are going and looking and stuff.

11:49Nikki:And people tell us, what is it about this system that's different or this budget template that's different than any other template out there that's being sold on Etsy for like$5, right? And I think we've put that word system on it because we know what systems are. We can understand what a system is, whether that's for work, whether that's for home organization, whether that's for all different areas of our life. We understand. And so we tell people it's way more than just a budget template. And I think you can be a testament to that. So can you explain what, like you said, the budgeting apps that you had were different than, or the same as like the words and numbers you were writing on paper before, but this was different.

12:28Yeah. Yeah, it is. It just is. It is a whole system. It grows with you. It changes and adapts with your life. You know, you might, and obviously your life changes as you go. So something that you might kind of set out in the start of the year, well, there are things that are not necessarily expected. Obviously we do plan. Now we plan for the expected bills that come. But I guess so earlier this year, I had to have surgery and I had three weeks notice. So being able to adapt for those kinds of things, I think really helps. Having somebody who's just done something called Etsy, that's not going to help me when I have three weeks to get$1 ,500 together.

13:17Whereas your system does because you can see where everything is. I can see how I think, okay, we don't necessarily have to do the savings buckets this month because I actually need to fund this before that because that's actually something that's really needed now. um yeah I just yeah I really haven't even not that I overly looked for anything but I come across anything remotely to the lake that you guys are at the system is just yeah it's next level for me I love what you said because our lives do change and I wish so we say that your budget can be 90 % the same every month and it can if your life would get that memo I feel like that would be really great.

14:01I feel like life is, Hey, careful. And, and so when you were saying that, I was actually thinking of my sweet clients that we, I just, I think I was telling Vanessa, we put$20 for their 15 month old,$20 a month. And I was like, that's going to adapt to your

14:14Nikki:verbiage that will change and adapt. But for now, the little baby, just need a little bit of money over there for incidentals, but it does change and adapt. And I think it's really important to note also what you said, Nikki, is we got everything set up first. Then we went to the savings buckets. We may not harp on that enough, but we really do. So listen, all the people binging like Nikki did, we're going to get the bills account set up and get going with the spending, feel confident in that, got those numbers down, got them automatic, doing really good. And then we're going to go add those savings buckets as the next layer.

14:48Nikki:We have so many people that come to us like, I want to do everything right now. And we're like, we can't. And that's okay. Our entire system takes a minute, but we need to do it one at a time because we want you to be successful. And we tell people, this isn't a quick fix. Nothing about what we teach and what we do is a quick fix to anything. And nothing that you're listening to financially should be, should want that long-term stability in implementing a system that's, like you said, going to evolve, going to change with different circumstances that you have going on that you can stick with forever.

15:17Nikki:Yeah. Yeah, no, I definitely agree. And what you kind of said about life throwing new curveballs, like we have had so many thrown in us since we started this system, lots. And it's actually been incredible to not panic and not be like, oh my God, how am I going to find that money? Or like our freezer broke, our fridge and freezer are separate. it. And I was just like, yeah, okay. I'm just going to see how I go with just using a camper freezer for a while. I don't really need the freezer. Let's just see how we go. So we did that for a month. And then I was like, yeah, I'm over this. Let's get this sorted.

15:55But different things like that, when they come up, just not feeling that overall dread, like, oh my gosh, how are we going to get through this? How are we going to find the money for this? How are we going to recover for this? My husband's car, the engine went three weeks ago or something like that. And And he can hear me right now and he's panicked and everything, but I know that we've got it sorted and I know that we will move forward. Yeah. I think it's when, like you said, you put the, you put, not only do you put all your money and income in there and you're telling it where to go in the budget, but then you know what money is in your savings and all that.

16:26You're actually aware you're like, you know, what's going on. I think that is the big difference. So those things were going to happen, whether you knew that or not. But when you add, I don't really know, I'm guessing like when you add that sort of anxiety, something that's already to something that's already, I have to have surgery, my freezer broke, my car engine blew up. Those are already stressful. We don't want the money to be an added stressor if it doesn't have to be, which in many cases, it doesn't.

16:51Nikki:All right, budget besties, it's time for some real talk. You don't need another budget. You need a budget system. Our simplified budget system is what you've been looking for. It's going to allow you to be bougie on a budget. You'll be able to easily set up a system that runs automatically and shows you exactly where your money is going. And it's going to give you permission to spend. Everybody loves that. It's straightforward, pretty, and packed with walkthrough videos that break down the exact methods we use with our clients to get out of debt, set up a bills account, separate spending, build savings buckets, and end the paycheck to paycheck feel.

17:25If you're new to budgeting, this is the perfect way to jump in. And if you're already a budget nerd like us, you're about to meet your new obsession. This is the upgrade to your finances that you need. Now back to today's show. Okay. So tell us, what are some wins that you've had other than all the emergencies that have come up? That you've taken care of? What do you like that you've set up or you've done or you've accomplished? What can you share with us? So I guess the biggest win for me, there's lots, but one of them that I think would really speak volumes is that a family member very close to us had previously, I think they actually gifted us money, maybe not long after we started your budget.

18:12And it wasn't a huge amount. It was like two grand, something like that. And it was very much intentional. Okay. This is our emergency money. The rest can go into our savings buckets and then we'll work in the savings buckets when we can. That same family member came to us not long after that. We'd had a few medical things come up with myself and my daughter and blah, blah, blah, and say, I've been speaking to my financial advisor and I'm looking at gifting you guys more money because now's the kind of time in your life that you need it. And I actually turned around and I said, thank you, but we actually can do this ourselves.

18:50We actually need to learn to stand on our two feet and do this ourselves and we can. And that's great that you want to give us money, but we still have to do this ourselves. So I think that was huge to actually be able to say that confidently. And again, my husband can hear me and is probably going to be like, what are you doing? Not taking

19:11Nikki:that money, blah, blah, blah. But yeah, to really just say confidently, we've got this, we can do this. Yeah, that's really been great. That's huge. That's a huge step because people want to be generous. They want to be able to gift things here and there, even if it's not money, right? tangible with other things. But for you to know that if you don't take care of this on your own and you're not a good steward of what you have right now, like how is that going to bleed over year after year? And so for you to just be confident and say, thank you, but no, thank you. But we appreciate your heart and your generosity.

19:46Nikki:That's a big step. I got bumps while you were talking about that. That was such a good story. Yeah, that's so sweet. And it's okay, husband that's listening. Great job. Yeah. But it is so good to feel like we're working hard for this money and we know exactly what it's doing and it's doing the things that we want to and I have to believe there'll be a period of time where there won't be an emergency right there we're in a season you're in a season it's always when you've got young kids and life is really busy and yeah maybe soon there won't be any more engines blowing up or surgeries or freezers breaking I feel like that seems like tangible and possible and then you guys will continue to grow all of those savings buckets and everything.

20:27But I do think that is a, even if you had taken it, just knowing that you hadn't, you didn't need it. And I think also just the, the fact that you were able to put no, like that, that money that you put into savings, like we didn't blow it. We didn't have to do, we wouldn't have to use it to make our budget work. We put it into savings. That's even amazing too. That's being a great steward. That's, and you would, in knowing what's happening with your money, you know that this can go here and I, and now I'm set for that and I can move on to the next part. That's all amazing.

20:55Nikki:All good things. And what good lessons you're teaching? I don't know how many kids you have, but I know you mentioned your daughter, but good job, mom and dad. Great lessons being learned there. That's huge. Those are good morals and values and definitely commend you for that. Okay, I have a question. So what's in your budget that maybe makes you smile or maybe is there anything bougie in your budget or are you guys just super frugal? Tell me, tell me the truth. I know lots of people have probably said this when you say what's in your budget that makes you smile and it's and I'm one of those savings buckets I love our savings buckets I love the the confidence that we get that I get from that knowing I've got this money if something comes up for my dog or even I'm thinking about Christmas like I've never been saving for Christmas and we're in almost September um being that far prepared is amazing.

21:48We have something here where we pay like rates to the local government to do nothing in our parks and upkeep, like whatever. So we normally file our taxes at the end of like after June. So we can file them from July onwards and we normally get tax refunds back. That's usually one of them would always go towards a car registration. One would normally go towards the rates but it wouldn't cover the rates this year we both just had our tax refund do like what we wanted within reason still towards our goals or whatever and then today i just paid our rates like just from our bills account here you go here's two thousand three hundred dollars so that like just the feeling of being able to do that and not having that stress of like when even when we got the rates notice to be like oh my gosh how are we gonna pay for this do we have enough money what's coming up yeah just paying it and it's just done that's yeah that was really cool

22:51Nikki:how lovely that a bonus or commission or tax return or something can just be that and not already predestined for something else because that's just how it's been for so long because that's the way it had to be then people have to do their budget like that that's totally fine but when it doesn't have to be that way and it can just be a tax return like how fun for you guys and it's not let's be honest it's like the most boring adulting thing that we're ever going to celebrate, but it is such a stressor. So we might call those property taxes here. I'm not sure if it's directly equivalent, but once a year, everybody has some taxes to pay just for living there, not your income tax, which is different.

23:27And they can be very hefty and they really are like a monkey on your back. Always. It's thousands of dollars. Like you said, it's not just a sweet little couple hundred or something. And it really does stress people out and just not, you don't realize that's just one of many as a mom and wife, but and human, you don't realize like the pressure, like it's just one more layer of pressure that you've got always on you and your husband to just, and you just start to peel those little bits away. And like you said, my favorite part about the savings buckets is exactly what you said. I know where the money's coming from.

23:57I don't have to guess. I don't have to take it on my personal money. That's my favorite part. But when I need to get my oil change, when I need to get the dog, whatever, I know where the money's coming from. I don't have to guess it's already there. And I love that. And it just really makes you feel because as a human, I keep saying a mom and wife, but I think probably all humans were juggling so many things. This is just one less thing that we have to try to juggle because it's all, like you said, organized and accounted for.