Host Sarah Li-Cain wants to make money more approachable by having frank and honest conversations. Each episode, her and her guests candidly discuss a topic at the intersection of money and life. It becomes a space where wins, failures, happiness, shame and everything in between gets its turn. Come learn about how topics like financial independence, frugality, budgeting and other major life transitions and events affect your money.
Send us a textIn this season finale, we’re going to dig deeper into the idea of what it means to go back to a job after taking a stab at entrepreneurship. How can someone accept the fact that they’ve “failed”, how does one deal with a bruised ego, and well, is it really the end of the world? And well, if you go back to a job, is it a message to the world that you suck? That you can’t make it or there’s something wrong with you. What will people say?You see, these questions about your vocation, it’s more than about how you make money. It’s actually a larger question about your worth. About how ‘badass’ you are. You bucked the conventional trajectory, congrats! How cool are you that you get to dictate your own schedule, work from the beach and be your own boss!What You Hear in This Episode:What led all three to quit their 9 to 5 jobsBenefits and challenges when someone strikes it on their ownHow to tell if you need to go back to full time job, and not let your ego get in the wayWhy you are enough, just as you areResources:Candice LathamCandice’s Youtube ChannelPodcast Guy MediaMy Debt EpiphanyFollow Chonce on TwitterFollow Chonce on InstagramFollow Joshua on Twitter*theme music by Donovan Dorrance
9/1/21 • 30:27
Send us a textJulianna Estall, a DCR, or designated crisis responder, comes on to talk about the time she checked herself into a mental facility (she suffers from dehabilitating mental illness at times), and how much it really cost her. We also discuss how she’s more empathetic towards others' financial situations when it comes to mental health, and why she does not regret the thousands of dollars she’s spent (and continues to speed to take care of her needs).What You Hear in This Episode:What led Julianna to calling 911 and voluntarily going to the emergency room How much spending five days, plus medication and working with a psychiatrist cost herHow people who can't afford health care can afford to tend to their mental healthWhy Julianna is so thankful she is able to afford treatmentResources:Involuntary Treatment Act ServicesPatient Advocate AssociationFinding Your Enough NumberThe Ultimate Guide to Money Mindset MasteryEmotional Spending GuideValues Based Spending Guide*theme music by Donovan Dorrance
8/25/21 • 25:08
Send us a textThis week episode recaps last week's conversation with Maggie Germano on motherhood versus ambition. It'll to dive into the “conflict” that is parenthood and your career, why it’s more important than ever to communicate our needs, and why understanding that balance is a total myth will help you with your finances.What You Hear in This Episode:Why balance or "having it all" is a total mythHow you can communicate your needs clearly and consistentlyWhat you can do to have a support system around youWhy it's not cheesy to lean into the phrase "expect the unexpected" when it comes to parenthood and ambitionResources:Maggie GermanoMoney Circle PodcastCheck out Maggie's articles on ForbesFollow Maggie on Twitter*theme music by Donovan Dorrance
8/18/21 • 17:10
Send us a textMaggie Germano comes on the show to talk about the perceived conflict that is motherhood and ambition. She shares how she’s embrace the uncertainty as to comes to her income and business goals, emotions she’s facing, and what’s she’s not willing to give up as a mother. What You Hear in This Episode:What Maggie did to prepare her business for her maternity leaveWhat has both surprised and drained her juggling both work and motherhoodWhy she feels it's important to talk with support systems about needs and boundariesWhat ambition, work and rest looks like in this iteration in her life, and how she no defines ambition differentlyResources:Maggie GermanoMoney Circle PodcastCheck out Maggie's articles on ForbesFollow Maggie on Twitter*theme music by Donovan Dorrance
8/11/21 • 26:07
Send us a textThis week's episode recaps Sarah's conversation with Jen Smith (episode 105) where she shares the story of being laid off at 37 weeks pregnant, and her body going into a seizure as a result of the stress. This episode dives into how your body can react when you’re dealing with high stakes financial situations like Jen did. You'll also learn some simple and practical ways you can manage stress and what to do when an unexpected financial situation happens. What You Hear in This Episode:The moments lead up to and after Jen's layoffWhy the concept of mind body connection needs to be taken seriouslyHow to work with the body when dealing with financial stressWhy self-care (not the hokey stuff!) is crucial to a healthy financial lifeResources:The Frugal Friends PodcastModern FrugalityThe Layoff Payoff: A Severance PackageThe Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma Somatic Experiencing for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Outcome Study*theme music by Donovan Dorrance
8/4/21 • 17:46
Send us a textJen Smith comes on the show to talk about the time her and her colleagues experienced a massive layoff at her former job, a few weeks before she was to give birth. She shares her experience navigating healthcare insurance, how she grew her income with the help of her network, why her body reacted by going into a seizure, and what this experience taught her about her ambition and relationship to workWhat You Hear in This Episode:The moments lead up to and after Jen's layoffHow Jen navigated healthcare and income concernsWhy she feels she went into a seizure and had to stay in the hospital shortly before giving birthWhat ambition, work and rest looks like in her life, and what this experience taught her about forging her own pathResources:The Frugal Friends PodastModern FrugalityThe Layoff Payoff: A Severance Package*theme music by Donovan Dorrance
7/29/21 • 25:13
Send us a textThis week's episode recaps Sarah's conversation with Alyssa Davies last week, which dives into what really might be going on when you are shopping impulsively, even if it’s not a full-fledged addiction. Plus you'll learn how to recognize your emotional triggers and how to achieve balance when it comes to your shopping habits through reflection questions. What You Hear in This Episode:What might be going on when you purchase a lot of the same itemsWhy impulse shopping isn't something to be ashamed ofHow to start recognizing emotional triggersHow you can start learning to spend money for your own joyResources:The Difference Between Compulsive and Impulsive ShoppingMindful spending: How this author saves a LOT of her money and how you can tooMixed Up MoneyMixed Up Money on InstagramThe 100-Day Financial Goal Journal: Build a Plan for Your Financial Future*theme music by Donovan Dorrance
7/21/21 • 16:03
Send us a textAlyssa shares her experience of being addicted to clothes shopping in her early 20s. She goes into how she knew it became a problem, the emotional triggers leading her to spend all that money, and what she does now to ensure she has balance and trust in her financial life. What You Hear in This Episode:The real reason why Alyssa bought new outfits whenever she went outHow Alyssa discovered she needed to change her financial situationHow Alyssa's relationship to money has changed over the yearsWhat Alyssa would tell her younger self about her financial journeyResources:Mixed Up MoneyMixed Up Money on InstagramThe 100-Day Financial Goal Journal: Build a Plan for Your Financial Future*theme music by Donovan Dorrance
7/14/21 • 25:16
Send us a textThis week's episode recaps a conversation with Kassandra Dasent last week, where she shared her experience flying to another country to be at her mother's deathbed before she died of COVID-19. It'll dive into what it means to be a financial caretaker, the exact feeling Kassandra felt when she was able to drop everything to be with her mom knowing she can pay for whatever it cost, and questions you can ask to help you cultivate those same feelings yourself. What You Hear in This Episode:What it means to spend money with love and no regretsHow you can begin to get your finances together to spend according to your valuesWhy it's important to have conversations with aging parents about moneyWhat does anticipatory grief look like and work through itResources:Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk: How to Have Essential Conversations with Your Parents About Their FinancesKassandra DascentListen to Kassandra Dascent's music on Spotify*theme music by Donovan Dorrance
7/7/21 • 13:13
Send us a textKassandra Dasent shares her harrowing experience flying from the U.S. to Canada smack dab in the middle of the COVID pandemic to be by her mother’s death bed. She also goes into detail exactly how much she spent, how she was able to pay for it all in cash, why she has no regrets and what this experience has really taught her.What You Hear in This Episode:Why Kassandra does not regret paying for her late mom's long term care and funeralWhat was Kassandra's mom's legacy to her and her familyHow parents can set their kids up for financial success without moneyHow to start using money as the value you and others will receiveResources:Kassandra DascentListen to Kassandra Dascent's music on Spotify*theme music by Donovan Dorrance
6/30/21 • 29:10
Send us a textThis episode dives deeper into the phrase “use money as the final filter” and how last week's guest, Jason Vitug uses this to make his money decisions. A lesson learned where he regretted not so was pushing off a flight to save money, only to not be able to see his late 97-year old grandmother before she passed. You'll learn questions you can think about on how to move beyond the question of survival once you have the financial means to do so. What You Hear in This Episode:The real reason Jason and his mother decided to save money on their flightWhat regrets and emotions he's still dealing with from this one seemingly small decisionHow we can start to spend money with purposeWhat it means to talk about money beyond mere survival and the numbersHow using money as the filter helps to break the taboo about moneyResources:PhroogalYou Only Live Once: The Roadmap to Financial Wellness and a Purposeful Life*theme music by Donovan Dorrance
6/23/21 • 20:55
Send us a textJason decided to save a few hundred dollars (even though he could more than afford it) back at the end of 2019 on flights to the Philippines to see his 97 year old grandmother and pushed the trip to the spring of 2020. Well, we all know what happened, a global pandemic and Jason never got to see his grandmother before she passed. He comes on the show to talk about the regret and raw emotions he feels about the financial decision he made that led to him not seeing his grandmother before her passing, why we need to use money as the final filter since so many of us default to savings, and how we can move beyond the question of survival once we have the financial means to do so. For resources mentioned, head to http://beyondthedollar.co/99
6/16/21 • 27:30
Send us a textJoin host Sarah Li-Cain as she previews stories and topics of humans who've navigated around life through the lens of money. Season 8 premiers June 16, with honest conversations and questions designed to get you to ask how you can trust yourself to better your relationship with money.
5/26/21 • 02:17
Send us a text***ENCORE EPISODE***Amanda Holden, founder and investing teacher at Invested Development came on to chat about her sexual assault while on a greyhound bus on the way to a work presentation, why she regrets not reporting the incident to the police, the real opportunity costs as it pertains to sexual trauma and some of the hard questions we need to think about when it happens to us.Stick around to the end where I’m going to debrief our conversation and what we can all do to support each other during such trying times.
4/14/21 • 33:52
Send us a text ***ENCORE EPISODE *** Andrew Wang shares the time he and his wife decided to adopt a child overseas. He shares the financial and emotional journey they went through, including why him and his wife decided to adopt overseas, how much time and money he spent through the entire process and challenges he didn’t anticipate.Stick around to the end where I’m going to distill some takeaways from our conversation, including resources and questions to ask yourself before seeking an adoption agency.For more information (including resources mentioned), go to http://beyondthedollar.co/58
3/31/21 • 39:54
Send us a textThis season finale looks at how alcohol affects your financial life (it's not what you think) and how giving up our vices offers us one of the biggest opportunities to learn about who we are and what we need to thrive. This episode features four people who come from seemingly different walks of life - J.D. Roth, Katie Holte, Marcus Garrett and Scott Maderer. While on the surface it seemed like the journey all four of them went on felt like worlds apart, the humanity they discovered in themselves, the lessons learned, and what it meant in their financial lives and beyond wasn’t all that different.What You Hear in This Episode:When all four noticed their relationship with alcohol wasn't healthyHow these four folks decided to give up alcoholHow much all four saved after not buyng alcoholWhat the biggest lessons learned wereWhat your vices teach you about your financial life and beyondResources:Get Rich SlowlyFollow Marcus on InstagramMarcus' websiteD.E.B.T. Free or Die Trying: How I Buried Myself $30,000 in Debt and Dug My Way OutFollow Katie on InstagramInspired StewardshipFollow Scott on InstagramFollow Scott on TwitterWhat I Learned Giving Up Alcohol For A Year*theme music by Donovan Dorrance
1/20/21 • 38:50
Send us a textBrianne is a recovering love addict, and one of her beliefs was that her prince will come and take care of her - to the point where she would hoard her money instead of spending it. Mark, well he happily took on this role, even in the midst of his spending addiction. They both come on the show to talk about their individual addictions, how it affected their finances and what it really took for them to turn it around. Plus, the conversations they have now that their son is in the picture.What You Hear in This Episode:When both Brianne and Mark started treating their individual addictions How both their addictions got themselves into a financial hot mess How Brianne and Mark were able to get on the same page financially and the types of conversations they had to get there What the biggest lesson they've learned since becoming parents How they learned to help each other out despite battling their individual addictionsResources:Secret Life PodcastFollow Secret Life Podcast on InstagramBrianne Davis-Gantt's websiteMark Gantt's websiteSecret Life of a Hollywood Sex & Love Addict: A Novel by Brianne Davis*theme music by Donovan Dorrance
1/13/21 • 35:51
Send us a textDoing internet searches can literally save your financial life. That's what happened to Carter. At 16, he was more concerned about where he was going to live, how to pay for college with no financial help from his parents, and the biggest one of all, grieving his parents who died within two years of each other. He talks about how his experience growing up in a dangerous neighborhood -South side of Chicago to be exact - plus his parents' deaths lit a fire under him to to get a better handle on his money and ultimately his life.What You Hear in This Episode:How Carter grew up and who he looked up to as a positive role modelWhy Carter moved in with father after his parents separatedWhat happened the moment he found out his father died within two years of his momWhy he's grateful for internet searchesWhat he hopes other learns about money and mindsetResources:Carter's websiteFollow Carter on InstagramFollow Carter on TwitterTeen Who Lost Both Parents Now Financial Advisor For Millennials*theme music by Donovan Dorrance
1/6/21 • 27:00
Send us a textENCORE EPISODE: Host Sarah brought on her close friends and money mastermind group, Jackie Lam – an advocate for freelancers, Kate Dore, a Certified Financial Planner candidate, and Taylor Milam, and English teacher who freelances on the side. They chat about how they met, how they became so open to talking about money (both in their business and personal lives), and what they feel others can do when looking for a support system around their finances.
12/30/20 • 36:33
Send us a textRich Jones and Marcus Garrett, hosts of the popular podcast Paychecks and Balances join me to chat about the differences between the idea of outward success and how it’s not always cracked up to be. We also get candid about our feelings on how others respond to our upbringings or our “advantages” in life and it’s merely our parents looking out for our best interest.
12/23/20 • 52:26
Send us a textRosemary is a UK citizen who has lived in over 13 countries and retired in Portugal. She’s very well aware that there are lots of issues to worry about, like healthcare and contingency plans if something were to happen to her, and her children had to take care of her. She chats about talking about navigating estate planning challenges because her children are in one country and she’s in another. You'll also learn how you can prepare your finances so you're not a burden on your loved ones. What You Hear in This Episode:Why Rosemary's unique lifestyle may pose challenges in her estate planningWhy looking at currency and political fluctuations is important when retiring abroadWhy your legacy could mean someone giving up part of their financial lifeHow Rosemary intends on supporting her and her husband without relying on her childrenWhat Rosemary wants people to know about the types of considerations to think about as you're agingResources:Long Life Fun LifeInternational Estate Planning Guides - International Bar AssociationMy parents are unprepared for retirement — how can I help them?What is Long-term Care Insurance?*theme music by Donovan Dorrance
12/16/20 • 23:25
Send us a textLearning how an inferiority complex manifests itself into some negative behaviors when it comes to money. Eugenie George, author of Our Money Stories: A Six Week No B.S. Holistic Financial Wellness Plan comes on the show to talk about the time she ended up losing her job, her business and admitting the past trauma and cultural conditioning that got to where she was. She dives into what an inferiority complex really means, how she learned to trust herself, and values are so important when it comes to breaking the cycle.What You Hear in This Episode:Why Eugenie stopped certain business mentors online What inferiority complex means and how it can manifest into your financial lifeWhat happened when Eugenie ignored her feelings (hint: her body shut down) Why people don't need to hit rock bottom to break the cycle What Eugenie believes is necessary is order to break the cycleResources:Eugenie's websiteFollow Eugenie on TwitterOur Money Stories: A Six Week No B.S. Holistic Financial Wellness PlanPost Traumatic Slave SyndromeThe Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.*theme music by Donovan Dorrance
12/9/20 • 22:29
Send us a textHazel comes on the show to talk about how she grew up in poverty in a gang infested neighborhood in LA. Yet despite experiencing trauma like seeing her best friend being killed at a bus stop, she went on to graduate high school (yes, even if it was at 30 years old) and becoming a multi-million dollar business owner. What You Hear in This Episode:What her mom and dad taugth Hazel that was positive in her lifeWhy Hazel thought it was normal to ditch schoolWhat Hazel's mom taught her about being "safe" in her old neighborhoodHow mentors helped Hazel graduate high school and secure a jobWhy Hazel started her own business and what she wishes others know about achieving goals and dreamsResources:Hazel Ortega's websiteFrom Bounced Checks to Private Jets: The Mastery of Miracles - Hazel's bookThe Mastery of Miracles*theme music by Donovan Dorrance
12/2/20 • 37:03
Send us a textBreaking the cycle in your life isn’t supposed to be easy or fun all of the time. So let’s take a short break from the stories and do a recap - what does breaking the cycle mean? What are some ways to recognize your life isn’t working? What are some myths when it comes to breaking the cycle in your own life? And perhaps most importantly, what role does money play in all this?What You Hear in This Episode:What exactly does the term breaking the cycle meansWhy it's ok to make changes even when things seem fine in your lifeMyths around the concept of breaking the cycleWhy money is so important to helping make changes in your lifeHow you can start making much needed changes in your financial lifeWhy starting with the basics is keyResources:Finding Your Enough NumberDesmond TutuFinancial Risks (and Beyond) When Breaking The Cycle with Cait FlandersLosing $5.5. Million Dollars to Inheritance Theft with Emily Guy BirkenRecovering From a House Fire with Jackie Lambert5 Steps for Tracking Your Monthly Expenses*theme music by Donovan Dorrance
11/25/20 • 20:07
Send us a text#91: One night, Jackie's house burnt down through a freak accident. Jackie and her husband had nowhere to go — thank goodness the firefighter staff called the Red Cross for them, got a few hundred dollars so they could go stay a hotel. She comes on the show to talk about the time her house burnt down and had to fight with the insurance company for eight months to pay her the full amount she was owed. She goes into detail who she hired, what she regrets not doing before buying a home insurance policy and what she’s most thankful for through this entire ordeal.What You Hear in This Episode:What exactly happened to Jackie and her husband on the night of the house fireWhat incidents led to Jackie realizing her home insurance company wasn't on her sideWhy she had to hire an third-party insurance professional to help her fight for her claimHow long it took for Jackie to get what she was owedWhat Jackie's biggest learned was when it comes to choosing a homeowners insurance policyResources:jaclynlambert.com/Follow Jackie on Twitter National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint indexWhat happens when I file an insurance claim? - Consumer Financial Protection Bureau6 things to know before you deal with a home insurance claims adjusterHow to communicate with your insurance company*theme music by Donovan Dorrance
11/18/20 • 29:32
Send us a text#90: Ashleigh recounts three incidents that happened before she left — two of them involved some form of sexual harassment , leading her to leave the Navy (and not necessarily in the best terms). Learn why she is thankful for her financial situation to help her cope with what had happened during her time in the Navy, what exactly happened, why she’s so thankful for a community that helped her get better with her finances, and whether or not she feels she’ll ever have closure over what had happened.What You Hear in This Episode:Why Ashleigh felt like she couldn't speak up at work, even in a more senior role in the NavyWhat happened to Ashleigh that led her to transitioning out of the NavyWhy she had to defer her acceptance to Yale (hint: it wasn't necessarily by choice)Why her friend ended up calling her to make sure she got the mental health assistance she neededWhy Ashleigh may never feel closure over what happenedResources:Ashleigh's website5 Things To Take From The FIRE Movement (Even If You Don't Want To Retire Early)The difference between FU money and FU, money!Navy ‘gray-zone behavior’ study part of military sexual assault prevention and response effortStudy reveals Navy installations carry most risk of sexual assault, but not why*theme music by Donovan Dorrance
11/11/20 • 25:46
Send us a text#89: Miranda reveals in detail how she shifted from parenting that focused on her worth as a mother to one that was the best for her son. She talks about how she was raised, what her tactics used to be when it came to raising her son, and how she deconstructed her beliefs and most importantly, her relationship with her son to parent in a way that enables him to reach his version of success.What You Hear in This Episode:How Miranda grew up and internalized certain beliefs about successHow she discovered she was basing her worth as a parentWhy Miranda believes your children don't owe us anythingHow Miranda changed her relationship with her sonWhat she wants other parents to know about raising independent childrenResources:Freelance Writer AcademyMiranda MarquitYour Children Don’t Owe You For Being BornParents: Your Kids Don't Owe You AnythingParenting: Raise Independent Children*theme music by Donovan Dorrance
11/4/20 • 24:01
Send us a textEmily who, after her dad passed away (and was worth 5.5 million dollars) ended up fighting tooth and nail to ensure that her stepmother didn’t steal all of her and her sister's inheritance. Listen to find out why she was going to allow her stepmother to do whatever she wanted with her father’s estate until one incident which led her to saying “oh hell no!” She goes into detail about the legal battle, what was in the estate planning documents that allowed her stepmother to spend all that money and how Emily stopped feeling angry so she could finally grieve her father.What You Hear in This Episode:What happened so that Emily's stepmother was able to dip into the money housed in her father's trustWhy Emily was going to let it go until one incident with your stepmother led her to fight for her rightsHow much Emily spent on legal feesHow long it took Emily and her sister to come to an "agreement"Why Emily settled for less than what was "owed"Resources:Protecting Yourself from Inheritance TheftTrust & WillDo It Yourself Estate Planning - American Bar AssociationHow to Get Free Legal Aid in Your State*theme music by Donovan Dorrance
10/28/20 • 38:51
Send us a textTaking a different path in life is hard - but how do you do it without "ruining" your financial life? How can you take these sorts risks when everyone else around you doesn't understand (and let's be honest, aren't supportive)?Cait Flanders, bestselling author of The Year of Less and her latest book Adventures in Opting Out comes on the show to talk about making why changes in our lives that are so scary, how can we navigate changes if nobody else is supportive, and even what if we *gasp* fail.Resources:Adventures in Opting Out - Cait's Latest bookCait Flander's WebsiteThe Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a StoreFollow Cait in Instagram*theme music by Donovan Dorrance
10/21/20 • 17:28
Send us a textNo doubt 2020 has been a wild ride. Join host Sarah Li-Cain as she previews stories of those who were able to break the cycle in their own lives, both financial and beyond. Season 7 premiers October 21, with honest conversations all around "breaking the cycle" from humans just like you. Subscribe for free for updates. *theme music by Donovan Dorrance
10/7/20 • 02:33
