If you’ve ever avoided budgeting because it felt stressful, restrictive, or shame-inducing, this episode is going to change everything. In part two of my Personal Finance Cheat Sheet series, I’m breaking down how to budget in a way that actually works and how to use that budget to finally pay off your debt without shame, stress, or tracking every single penny. We’re talking about why most budgeting methods fail, how to reframe your budget as a permission slip instead of a punishment, and the exact system I use to help you make real progress on credit cards, student loans, and more. If you want actionable clarity around budgeting and debt payoff in 2026, get ready to take notes!

Visit https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod to join our 5 Day Debt Challenge and find any resources mentioned in the show!

00:00 Intro

00:15 Why Budgeting Feels Restrictive

01:48 The Gas Gauge Analogy & Why Budgets Matter

03:11 Why Most Budgeting Methods Fail

04:14 The 50/30/20 Rule Explained

05:36 Why the 50/30/20 Rule Isn’t Perfect

06:56 Introducing the Three Bucket Budget

08:24 How to Automate Your Financial Goals

10:50 Progress Over Perfection: Flexible Budgeting

12:19 How to Prioritize Debt Payoff

14:39 Understanding Different Types of Debt

16:39 The High Cost of Credit Card Debt

18:08 The Snowball vs. Avalanche Method

19:47 Free Five-Day Debt Challenge Resource

20:22 How to Find More Money in Your Budget

21:44 Negotiating Your Bills & Saving More

23:41 You Are Not a Bad Person for Having Debt

24:59 Final Thoughts & What’s Next in the Series

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268. How To Budget & Pay Off Debt (Personal Finance Cheat Sheet Pt. 2)