Ep. 32 10 Tips To Have A Frugal Summer

Renee Benes, shopaholic turned minimalist, joins us to discuss her journey from an unaligned life to a slow, intentional, minimalist one. Renee realized she was in a toxic cycle of “stuff,” and decided to change.  In 2017, she began documenting her transformation on her blog and social media. Fast forward to today and she’s been featured in global press, is writing a book, hosts a successful podcast, and continues to inspire people to ditch their stuff and embrace the true joys of life.    In this episode, you’ll learn more about: How downsizing and minimalism gave Renee a “bigger” voice Reconnecting to nature, rediscovering childhood hobbies, and exploring new things in place of mindless spending What intentional money management looks like, how much debt Renee paid off, coming back from slip ups, + much more!   GUEST BIO:  Renee is a self proclaimed shopaholic turned minimalist who started documenting her journey on her blog, The Fun Sized Life  in 2017. Since taking her message to social media, she’s been able to spread her message of slow, minimalist living globally. She has been featured in Parents, Marie Claire, Newsweek and more. Renee started her podcast, Unstuffed, in 2022 as a way to connect more with her audience and continues to encourage them to choose life over stuff today. GUEST CONTACT INFO: Instagram Facebook YouTube TikTok Website RESOURCES: 1:1 Coaching With Sami: Apply today Digital Budgeting System: Budget Template SHOW INFORMATION:  A Sunny Side Up Life Podcast is a show for women ready to live an abundant life, full of freedom + positivity. Sami Womack, nationally recognized money expert and finance coach guides listeners toward breaking free from survival mode, gaining financial freedom, staying motivated, and focusing on what matters most. HOST BIO:  Sami Womack is the founder of A Sunny Side Up Life. Her podcast has been downloaded over 250,000 times, and she has been featured on YNAB, Debt.com, Reader’s Digest, and more.  Sami was nominated for a Plutus Award in 2023 and spends her professional time changing women’s lives through her budget coaching and personal finance education content.  When she’s not downing caramel coffee or homeschooling her three daughters, she’s listening to audiobooks, watching the Astros, or hiking amongst the trees in East Texas. FOLLOW SAMI ONLINE: Instagram Threads Facebook YouTube CREDITS: Brand Logo: Heather Divoky Podcast Support: Weir Digital Marketing

If you’re a parent, guardian, or role model in a young person’s life, you will likely come up against this question at some point. In today’s episode, Sami gives listeners a step-by-step and nuanced guide on how to tackle teaching kids (or younger people) all about money. In this episode, you’ll learn more about: Why most people don’t learn about person finance  Tips on how to teach kids and/or younger people about money in an age-appropriate way Saving for college, the importance of modeling altruism, passing down financial literacy + more!  RESOURCES: 1:1 Coaching With Sami: Apply today Digital Budgeting System: Budget Template Sign your teen up for a Greenlight Card SHOW INFORMATION:  A Sunny Side Up Life Podcast is a show for women ready to live an abundant life, full of freedom + positivity. Sami Womack, nationally recognized money expert and finance coach guides listeners toward breaking free from survival mode, gaining financial freedom, staying motivated, and focusing on what matters most. HOST BIO:  Sami Womack is the founder of A Sunny Side Up Life. Her podcast has been downloaded over 250,000 times, and she has been featured on YNAB, Debt.com, Reader’s Digest, and more.  Sami was nominated for a Plutus Award in 2023 and spends her professional time changing women’s lives through her budget coaching and personal finance education content.  When she’s not downing caramel coffee or homeschooling her three daughters, she’s listening to audiobooks, watching the Astros, or hiking amongst the trees in East Texas. FOLLOW SAMI ONLINE: Instagram Threads Facebook YouTube CREDITS: Brand Logo: Heather Divoky Podcast Support: Weir Digital Marketing

Sami gives listeners easy-to-apply tips on how to have a frugal summer.  She talks about utilizing services, apps, and objects you already have, what to do when it’s too hot outside, retailers that offer reduced pricing throughout the summer months, and more! In this episode, you’ll learn more about: The magic of thrifting, garage sales, and buying second hand Preparing for activities outside of the house to save money How to involve your kids in a frugal summer Alternatives to costly destinations and much more! RESOURCES: 1:1 Coaching With Sami: Apply today Digital Budgeting System: Budget Template SHOW INFORMATION:  A Sunny Side Up Life Podcast is a show for women ready to live an abundant life, full of freedom + positivity. Sami Womack, nationally recognized money expert and finance coach guides listeners toward breaking free from survival mode, gaining financial freedom, staying motivated, and focusing on what matters most. HOST BIO:  Sami Womack is the founder of A Sunny Side Up Life. Her podcast has been downloaded over 250,000 times, and she has been featured on YNAB, Debt.com, Reader’s Digest, and more.  Sami was nominated for a Plutus Award in 2023 and spends her professional time changing women’s lives through her budget coaching and personal finance education content.  When she’s not downing caramel coffee or homeschooling her three daughters, she’s listening to audiobooks, watching the Astros, or hiking amongst the trees in East Texas. FOLLOW SAMI ONLINE: Instagram Threads Facebook YouTube CREDITS: Brand Logo: Heather Divoky Podcast Support: Weir Digital Marketing

Chloe Puff, owner of Chloe Puff Training, pre and postnatal women’s fitness specialist, and Sami’s personal trainer, joins the podcast to discuss how she made the transition from professional dancer to entrepreneur while on her motherhood journey. We also chat about the intersectionality of finance and fitness, the importance of personal development, how childhood shapes your adult perception of money and body, and more! In this episode, you’ll learn more about: How Chloe went from a professional dancer to a women’s fitness specialist The overlap between fitness and finance (pros and cons) Why Chloe’s approach excludes the “all or nothing” mentality Sami’s self-care journey, the power of therapy, shopping small for a coach, and more! MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:  Book a discovery call with Chloe GUEST BIO:  Chloe Puff is a women’s fitness trainor, specializing in pregnancy, postnatal, and corrective exercise. She is also the owner and founder of Chloe Puff Training. She’s worked with hundreds of women from all over the world, in every stage of motherhood and fitness. Her mission is to help mothers unlock their confidence and change the standard of fitness for women, especially mothers. GUEST CONTACT INFO: Instagram RESOURCES: 1:1 Coaching With Sami: Apply today Digital Budgeting System: Budget Template SHOW INFORMATION:  A Sunny Side Up Life Podcast is a show for women ready to live an abundant life, full of freedom + positivity. Sami Womack, nationally recognized money expert and finance coach guides listeners toward breaking free from survival mode, gaining financial freedom, staying motivated, and focusing on what matters most. HOST BIO:  Sami Womack is the founder of A Sunny Side Up Life. Her podcast has been downloaded over 250,000 times, and she has been featured on YNAB, Debt.com, Reader’s Digest, and more.  Sami was nominated for a Plutus Award in 2023 and spends her professional time changing women’s lives through her budget coaching and personal finance education content.  When she’s not downing caramel coffee or homeschooling her three daughters, she’s listening to audiobooks, watching the Astros, or hiking amongst the trees in East Texas. FOLLOW SAMI ONLINE: Instagram Threads Facebook YouTube CREDITS: Brand Logo: Heather Divoky Podcast Support: Weir Digital Marketing

You’ve seen “Marie Kondo minimalism” in peoples’ homes… but have you ever heard about financial minimalism?  In this episode, Sami explains the benefits of financial minimalism, how you can start practicing it, and the exact number of bank accounts your family needs.  In this episode, you’ll learn more about: What financial minimalism is + Sami’s financial minimalism journey Ways to be strategic with your money to get the “biggest bang for your buck” How to organize your bank accounts using Sami’s 5 account method + more MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:  Ep. 29 The Power of Discombor Women Are Better Investors - CNBC RESOURCES: 1:1 Coaching With Sami: Apply today Digital Budgeting System: Budget Template SHOW INFORMATION:  A Sunny Side Up Life Podcast is a show for women ready to live an abundant life, full of freedom + positivity. Sami Womack, nationally recognized money expert and finance coach guides listeners toward breaking free from survival mode, gaining financial freedom, staying motivated, and focusing on what matters most. HOST BIO:  Sami Womack is the founder of A Sunny Side Up Life. Her podcast has been downloaded over 250,000 times, and she has been featured on YNAB, Debt.com, Reader’s Digest, and more.  Sami was nominated for a Plutus Award in 2023 and spends her professional time changing women’s lives through her budget coaching and personal finance education content.  When she’s not downing caramel coffee or homeschooling her three daughters, she’s listening to audiobooks, watching the Astros, or hiking amongst the trees in East Texas. FOLLOW SAMI ONLINE: Instagram Threads Facebook YouTube CREDITS: Brand Logo: Heather Divoky Podcast Support: Weir Digital Marketing

In this unfiltered episode, Sami chats about how her life has changed in the last decade: from working 60+ hours a week to deciding enough was enough. Through her darkest seasons of life, Sami emerged to fulfill her wildest dreams– and you can do it too. She also discusses mental health, the familiarity of chaos, starting a business, and more! In this episode, you’ll learn more about: Sami’s breaking point and why she decided to quit working full time  How to adopt your own brand of minimalism Paying off debt, organizing finances, and having the mental capacity to manage money  Learning how to rest, regulating your nervous system, being uncomfortable + more CW: Suicidal ideation, mental health MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:  Chloe: Personal Trainer https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5Qp30XLNOn/?igsh=MTN0N3Y5NWd6OGkzaw== RESOURCES: 1:1 Coaching With Sami: Apply today Digital Budgeting System: Budget Template SHOW INFORMATION:  A Sunny Side Up Life Podcast is a show for women ready to live an abundant life, full of freedom + positivity. Sami Womack, nationally recognized money expert and finance coach guides listeners toward breaking free from survival mode, gaining financial freedom, staying motivated, and focusing on what matters most. HOST BIO:  Sami Womack is the founder of A Sunny Side Up Life. Her podcast has been downloaded over 250,000 times, and she has been featured on YNAB, Debt.com, Reader’s Digest, and more.  Sami was nominated for a Plutus Award in 2023 and spends her professional time changing women’s lives through her budget coaching and personal finance education content.  When she’s not downing caramel coffee or homeschooling her three daughters, she’s listening to audiobooks, watching the Astros, or hiking amongst the trees in East Texas. FOLLOW SAMI ONLINE: Instagram Threads Facebook YouTube CREDITS: Brand Logo: Heather Divoky Podcast Support: Weir Digital Marketing

Sami chats about how you can make budgeting a regular habit and why you SHOULD! She also gives actionable tips to make this happen and explains how budgeting changed her life.  In this episode, you’ll learn more about: How to budget in a sustainable way Why budgeting is important for your overall financial wellness Apps, tools + mindset shifts to guide you on your budgeting journey The reason folks tend to “fail” budgeting, budgeting misconceptions, how budgeting can reduce stress + more MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:    RESOURCES: 1:1 Coaching With Sami: Apply today Digital Budgeting System: Budget Template SHOW INFORMATION:  A Sunny Side Up Life Podcast is a show for women ready to live an abundant life, full of freedom + positivity. Sami Womack, nationally recognized money expert and finance coach guides listeners toward breaking free from survival mode, gaining financial freedom, staying motivated, and focusing on what matters most. HOST BIO:  Sami Womack is the founder of A Sunny Side Up Life. Her podcast has been downloaded over 250,000 times, and she has been featured on YNAB, Debt.com, Reader’s Digest, and more.  Sami was nominated for a Plutus Award in 2023 and spends her professional time changing women’s lives through her budget coaching and personal finance education content.  When she’s not downing caramel coffee or homeschooling her three daughters, she’s listening to audiobooks, watching the Astros, or hiking amongst the trees in East Texas. FOLLOW SAMI ONLINE: Instagram Threads Facebook YouTube CREDITS: Brand Logo: Heather Divoky Podcast Support: Weir Digital Marketing

Ellyce Fulmore, Queer and neurodivergent financial educator, content creator, and best-selling author, joins the podcast to discuss how identity has an impact on the financial decisions you will and are able to make in your lifetime.  We also chat about how Ellyce went from Kinesiology to finance, why representation matters in money, handling keyboard warriors, the process of writing a book, and more.   In this episode, you’ll learn more about: What an “Identity-based approach” to personal finance means  The LGBTQIA+ wage-gap and how Queer people need personalized financial literacy How the ADHD tax, neurodivergence, and executive dysfunction affects personal finances Actionable tips for folks with neurodivergence, the normalcy of cycling through habits, Dave Ramsey, criticizing billionaires, and more! MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:  How Women With A.D.H.D. Manage Their Money Order Keeping Finance Personal  GUEST BIO: Ellyce Fulmore is a queer and neurodivergent financial educator, content creator, best-selling author, and the founder of Queerd Co., a financial literacy company. Her approach to financial literacy goes beyond the conventional, focusing on the intersectionality of identities and lived experiences. Ellyce is passionate about helping her online community of over half a million find the right tools, strategies and perspective to create a life where financial stability and joy coexist. GUEST CONTACT INFO: TikTok Instagram Website Podcast RESOURCES: 1:1 Coaching With Sami: Apply today Digital Budgeting System: Budget Template SHOW INFORMATION:  A Sunny Side Up Life Podcast is a show for women ready to live an abundant life, full of freedom + positivity. Sami Womack, nationally recognized money expert and finance coach guides listeners toward breaking free from survival mode, gaining financial freedom, staying motivated, and focusing on what matters most. HOST BIO:  Sami Womack is the founder of A Sunny Side Up Life. Her podcast has been downloaded over 250,000 times, and she has been featured on YNAB, Debt.com, Reader’s Digest, and more.  Sami was nominated for a Plutus Award in 2023 and spends her professional time changing women’s lives through her budget coaching and personal finance education content.  When she’s not downing caramel coffee or homeschooling her three daughters, she’s listening to audiobooks, watching the Astros, or hiking amongst the trees in East Texas. FOLLOW SAMI ONLINE: Instagram Threads Facebook YouTube CREDITS: Brand Logo: Heather Divoky Podcast Support: Weir Digital Marketing

If you’ve ever asked yourself: “How much should I have in a rainy day fund?”  “Where should I keep my emergency fund?”  “What constitutes an “emergency”?” Today's A Sunny Side Up Life podcast episode is for you! Sami discusses everything you need to know about emergency funds.  Sami also talks about her first emergency fund, If she agrees with Dave Ramsey, the magic of automation, and how to avoid “draining” your savings account.  In this episode, you’ll learn more about: Why you need an emergency fund + how to calculate your emergency fund amount (including taking your circumstances into consideration) The benefits of starting small + growing your emergency fund throughout your financial journey What qualifies as an “emergency,” different factors that can affect your emergency fund, celebrating milestones + more MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:  https://www.instagram.com/p/CyN5MLFAgkn/  For Fox Sake: How To Handle A Sudden Job Loss RESOURCES: 1:1 Coaching With Sami: Apply today Digital Budgeting System: Budget Template SHOW INFORMATION:  A Sunny Side Up Life Podcast is a show for women ready to live an abundant life, full of freedom + positivity. Sami Womack, nationally recognized money expert and finance coach guides listeners toward breaking free from survival mode, gaining financial freedom, staying motivated, and focusing on what matters most. HOST BIO:  Sami Womack is the founder of A Sunny Side Up Life. Her podcast has been downloaded over 250,000 times, and she has been featured on YNAB, Debt.com, Reader’s Digest, and more.  Sami was nominated for a Plutus Award in 2023 and spends her professional time changing women’s lives through her budget coaching and personal finance education content.  When she’s not downing caramel coffee or homeschooling her three daughters, she’s listening to audiobooks, watching the Astros, or hiking amongst the trees in East Texas. FOLLOW SAMI ONLINE: Instagram Threads Facebook YouTube CREDITS: Brand Logo: Heather Divoky Podcast Support: Weir Digital Marketing

Sami is back for season 3 of A Sunny Side Up Life Podcast! In this debut episode, Sami goes over life updates, a brief history of the fight for financial independence for women in America, and actionable steps you can take to have more financial autonomy in your own life, regardless of relationship or socioeconomic status.  In this episode, you’ll learn more about: Sami life updates including where she’s at with her CFP, net worth, home expenses + more The 1700s practice of coverture and how it still affects women today A quick history of women’s fight for financial independence, autonomy, and equal rights in the United States Tips on how to be a financially independent woman, regardless of relationship status, the effects of divorce on women, the importance of life insurance + more  MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:  Best Egg RESOURCES: 1:1 Coaching With Sami: Apply today Digital Budgeting System: Budget Template SHOW INFORMATION:  A Sunny Side Up Life Podcast is a show for women ready to live an abundant life, full of freedom + positivity. Sami Womack, nationally recognized money expert and finance coach guides listeners toward breaking free from survival mode, gaining financial freedom, staying motivated, and focusing on what matters most. HOST BIO:  Sami Womack is the founder of A Sunny Side Up Life. Her podcast has been downloaded over 250,000 times, and she has been featured on YNAB, Debt.com, Reader’s Digest, and more.  Sami was nominated for a Plutus Award in 2023 and spends her professional time changing women’s lives through her budget coaching and personal finance education content.  When she’s not downing caramel coffee or homeschooling her three daughters, she’s listening to audiobooks, watching the Astros, or hiking amongst the trees in East Texas. FOLLOW SAMI ONLINE: Instagram Threads Facebook YouTube CREDITS: Podcast Support: Weir Digital Marketing