EP. 137 5 Steps to Financial Freedom

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

The nebulous idea of “enough” is the topic of conversation in the season 2 finale of A Sunny Side Up Life podcast. Most of us struggle with this concept very early in our lives, as we begin to understand complex topics and facts of life like class, race, and inequity.  But how do we handle not being enough as adults when not reaching “enoughness” has real mental, physical and psychological ramifications?  I explore “being enough” by discussing our inner critic, the power of therapy and trusted confidants, and how social media will never be able to tell the full story. In this episode, you’ll learn more about: The concept of enough and how most people look like they have it all together, even when they don’t How the idea of enough is a social construct + what led Millennials to think they would never measure up Redefining generational definitions of enough + setting our own precedent of what is enough for ourselves  Why you need to set your goals with blinders on + more MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:  Celebrate your wins reel Buy Yourself The F*cking Lilies  Brene Brown How Do I Find A Good Therapist? PAST EPISODES YOU’LL ENJOY: MAKING $63K SELLING OUR LAND, HOW FINANCIAL FREEDOM GIVES YOU OPTIONS & ALLOWING YOUR DREAMS TO CHANGE ELIMINATING INTERNALIZED CAPITALISM, MORALIZING PRODUCTIVITY & MENTAL HEALTH + MONEY WITH ALYSSA DAVIES WHAT FINANCIAL TRAUMA IS, SIGNS YOU MAY BE EXPERIENCING IT + HOW TO RECOVER FROM PAST MONEY WOUNDS ASSUL RESOURCES: 1:1 Coaching With Sami: Apply today Instagram: Follow me on the ‘gram  Facebook: Follow me on Facebook The Sunny Sqad: Join the VIP Facebook Group SHOW INFORMATION:  A Sunny Side Up Life Podcast is a show for women who are 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. Learn more at: https://www.asunnysideuplife.com     HOST BIO:  Sami Womack is the brains behind A Sunny Side Up Life. Her weekly podcast has been downloaded over 250,000 times, and her story has been featured on YNAB, Debt.com, The Purpose Show with Allie Casazza, and The His & Her Money Show. When she’s not downing caramel coffee or homeschooling her daughters, she’s creating content, collaborating with finance/minimalist organizations, and inspiring women all over the world to live an intentional life. She began this journey with her high school sweetheart, Daniel, and a debt price tag of $490,000. They both took control of their family’s finances by downsizing, budgeting, and changing habits. From this experience, A Sunny Side Up Life was born. Today, Sami owns this business helping women get through dark times and experience the life-altering magic of intentional living. DISCLAIMER(S): This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where I earn a commission or direct payment. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. CREDITS: Podcast production: Weir Digital Marketing Research: Sami Womack + Vee Weir Editing: Joseph Bogumill

No lie: I used to think people truly meant saving cash when they said, “I’m saving for retirement.” I thought people had a vault with stacks of cash. Boy, was I wrong. In this episode, I go through what saving for retirement actually means, why you need to get started NOW and the power of compound interest. I also chat about different investing accounts, income limits and tax advantages, and where you can go online to start educating yourself about investing. In this episode, you’ll learn more about: Why investing is important in the first place How to start investing today + why you should  All about fractional shares, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Index Funds + investing basics The difference between an emergency fund and long-term retirement investing + more MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EMERGENCY FUNDS Compound interest calculator  Gamestop + Robinhood explained  What is the 4% rule of retirement investing Stash App Acorns App Robinhood Vanguard Fidelity Schwab Edward Jones The Simple Path To Wealth Yahoo! Finance Investopedia  PAST EPISODES YOU’LL ENJOY: CATCHING FIRE (FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE/RETIRE EARLY), PREPARING FOR A RECESSION & HOW TO PAY OFF YOUR MORTGAGE EARLY WITH ANDY HILL PAYING OFF $600K+ OF DEBT, HAVING A 70% SAVINGS RATE, & THE INTERSECTIONALITY OF MONEY + INTENTIONAL LIVING WITH RACHEL RAINBOLT IT’S NOT GET RICH QUICK, IT'S GET RICH CONSISTENTLY ASSUL RESOURCES: 1:1 Coaching With Sami: Apply today Instagram: Follow me on the ‘gram  Facebook: Follow me on Facebook The Sunny Sqad: Join the VIP Facebook Group SHOW INFORMATION:  A Sunny Side Up Life Podcast is a show for women who are 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. Learn more at: https://www.asunnysideuplife.com     HOST BIO:  Sami Womack is the brains behind A Sunny Side Up Life. Her weekly podcast has been downloaded over 250,000 times, and her story has been featured on YNAB, Debt.com, The Purpose Show with Allie Casazza, and The His & Her Money Show. When she’s not downing caramel coffee or homeschooling her daughters, she’s creating content, collaborating with finance/minimalist organizations, and inspiring women all over the world to live an intentional life. She began this journey with her high school sweetheart, Daniel, and a debt price tag of $490,000. They both took control of their family’s finances by downsizing, budgeting, and changing habits. From this experience, A Sunny Side Up Life was born. Today, Sami owns this business helping women get through dark times and experience the life-altering magic of intentional living. DISCLAIMER(S): This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where I earn a commission or direct payment. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. CREDITS: Podcast production: Weir Digital Marketing Research: Sami Womack + Vee Weir Editing: Joseph Bogumill

It was early 2020 and my husband and I were bright-eyed and bushy tailed when we bought our land.  Acres of East Texas pine trees, quiet neighbors (mostly cows), and a creek.  We planned to build our forever home and get old and gray on that property… until Covid hit and lumber prices skyrocketed. Our dream no longer aligned with what we needed, life happened, and we made a huge decision that changed everything. In this episode, you’ll learn more about: How to be stubborn about your goals and flexible about the path to achieve them Whether or not we sold our land at a profit or at a loss What we did and what we’re planning to do with the $63K lump-sum Accepting the duality of emotion when it comes to pivoting in your life + more PAST EPISODES YOU’LL ENJOY: MONEY, MARRIAGE, AND MOVING IN TO MIDDLE-AGE WITH DANIEL WOMACK 5 MONEY CHOICES THAT HAVE CHANGED MY LIFE CREATING AN INTENTIONAL LIFE IN A CONSUMER CULTURE ASSUL RESOURCES: 1:1 Coaching With Sami: Apply today Instagram: Follow me on the ‘gram  Facebook: Follow me on Facebook The Sunny Sqad: Join the VIP Facebook Group SHOW INFORMATION:  A Sunny Side Up Life Podcast is a show for women who are 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. Learn more at: https://www.asunnysideuplife.com     HOST BIO:  Sami Womack is the brains behind A Sunny Side Up Life. Her weekly podcast has been downloaded over 250,000 times, and her story has been featured on YNAB, Debt.com, The Purpose Show with Allie Casazza, and The His & Her Money Show. When she’s not downing caramel coffee or homeschooling her daughters, she’s creating content, collaborating with finance/minimalist organizations, and inspiring women all over the world to live an intentional life. She began this journey with her high school sweetheart, Daniel, and a debt price tag of $490,000. They both took control of their family’s finances by downsizing, budgeting, and changing habits. From this experience, A Sunny Side Up Life was born. Today, Sami owns this business helping women get through dark times and experience the life-altering magic of intentional living. DISCLAIMER(S): This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where I earn a commission or direct payment. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. CREDITS: Podcast production: Weir Digital Marketing Research: Sami Womack + Vee Weir Editing: Joseph Bogumill

“Who in their right mind has $1,000 just sitting in a savings account!?” That’s what I thought when I first started Baby Step 1– back in the Dave Ramsey days– when I had $0 in savings. Fast forward to today: I’m bringing you this episode all about emergency funds and why you probably need more than $1k. And good news… I have $20k in savings now. Let me educate you all about why you need an emergency fund to begin with, how much to keep in it (hint: it’s personal to you and your situation), where the heck to keep it, and more! In this episode, you’ll learn more about: How much you should have in your emergency fund Hoarding cash in an emergency fund + breaking scarcity mindsets The importance of having a sufficient emergency fund for your lifestyle What to do if you feel guilt around spending your emergency fund money – even when it’s actually an emergency + more MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: The Fed - Dealing with Unexpected ExpensesFederal Reserve Board Ally HYSA WHAT FINANCIAL TRAUMA IS, SIGNS YOU MAY BE EXPERIENCING IT + HOW TO RECOVER FROM PAST MONEY WOUNDS PAST EPISODES YOU’LL ENJOY: WHAT FINANCIAL TRAUMA IS, SIGNS YOU MAY BE EXPERIENCING IT + HOW TO RECOVER FROM PAST MONEY WOUNDS 5 MONEY CHOICES THAT HAVE CHANGED MY LIFE WHAT TO DO ON PAYDAY ASSUL RESOURCES: 1:1 Coaching With Sami: Apply today Instagram: Follow me on the ‘gram  Facebook: Follow me on Facebook The Sunny Sqad: Join the VIP Facebook Group SHOW INFORMATION:  A Sunny Side Up Life Podcast is a show for women who are 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. Learn more at: https://www.asunnysideuplife.com     HOST BIO:  Sami Womack is the brains behind A Sunny Side Up Life. Her weekly podcast has been downloaded over 250,000 times, and her story has been featured on YNAB, Debt.com, The Purpose Show with Allie Casazza, and The His & Her Money Show. When she’s not downing caramel coffee or homeschooling her daughters, she’s creating content, collaborating with finance/minimalist organizations, and inspiring women all over the world to live an intentional life. She began this journey with her high school sweetheart, Daniel, and a debt price tag of $490,000. They both took control of their family’s finances by downsizing, budgeting, and changing habits. From this experience, A Sunny Side Up Life was born. Today, Sami owns this business helping women get through dark times and experience the life-altering magic of intentional living. DISCLAIMER(S): This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where I earn a commission or direct payment. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. CREDITS: Podcast production: Weir Digital Marketing Research: Sami Womack + Vee Weir Editing: Joseph Bogumill