Everyone's Talkin' Money

Every January, money becomes part of the New Year’s resolution conversation. Paying off debt, saving more, getting better with money. And while those goals are common, they’re usually not the real issue. In this episode of Everyone’s Talkin’ Money, Shari explains why money keeps showing up on your New Year’s resolution list year after year, and what that pattern is actually telling you about your financial life. This isn’t about discipline, motivation, or willpower. It’s about whether your money systems are designed for the life you’re actually living. If you feel like you’re constantly resetting your finances, starting over every January, or promising yourself that this year will be different, this episode will help you understand what’s really underneath that stress. Shari breaks down the root reasons money feels stuck, why resolutions often create relief without real change, and how outdated money systems can create frustration even when your income has grown. Get Your Three-Question Money Audit here! This episode kicks off our January series, New Money Year: Reset, Systems, Goals, and lays the foundation for building financial systems that actually work. Not for the life you had five years ago, but for the one you’re living now. If you’re tired of making the same money resolutions every year, this episode will help you stop trying harder and start building smarter Talkin’ Points → where your money gets smarter. Real talk, practical tips, zero guilt straight to your inbox. Sign up here.  Be sure to like and follow the show on your favorite podcast app!Keep the conversation going on Instagram @everyonestalkinmoney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve ever opened your banking app and felt your stomach drop — like the number on the screen said something about who you are — this episode is for you. Many of us have absorbed a quiet but destructive belief: that financial success equals personal value. That debt means you’re irresponsible. That renting means you’re behind. That earning less means you’re not trying hard enough. And that belief doesn’t just hurt emotionally — it shapes how we spend, save, work, and make decisions every day. In this episode, we pull that belief apart and put money back where it belongs. Your net worth is a number. It’s data. It is not a moral scorecard, a personality test, or a measure of your worth as a human being. We talk about where this belief comes from, how it shows up as money shame, avoidance, overspending, comparison, and fear-based decision making, and the real cost of living this way — lost peace, strained relationships, and the constant feeling of never being enough. Then we get practical. I walk you through how to separate the math from the meaning, how to look at your finances without spiraling, how to set boundaries and say no without over-explaining, and how to build a sense of worth that isn’t dependent on your bank balance, income, or credit score. This isn’t about pretending money doesn’t matter. It does. But it was never meant to define you. Money is a tool.You are the treasure. Talkin’ Points → where your money gets smarter. Real talk, practical tips, zero guilt straight to your inbox. Sign up here.  Be sure to like and follow the show on your favorite podcast app! Keep the conversation going on Instagram @everyonestalkinmoney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explore the power of unglamorous money moves that truly build financial stability. Discover the importance of systems over mindset alone and learn practical tips like paying yourself first and living a month ahead. Shari emphasizes the need for separate accounts for bills and savings, and encourages monthly money dates to stay financially curious. Get insights on managing housing costs and the benefits of waiting before making big financial decisions post-life changes. This is all about creating structure for confidence and calm.

Does the word “budget” still make your shoulders tense? Same. And that reaction isn’t a personal failing—it’s a sign that most budgeting advice was never built for real life. In this rereleased episode, we throw out the guilt, the restriction, and the rules that don’t stick, and replace them with a spending plan that actually works with how you live, earn, and decide. This conversation breaks down why traditional budgets tend to fall apart (hint: it’s not because you lack discipline) and how to build a values-based spending plan that supports growth, security, and joy—at the same time. You’ll learn how to identify what truly matters to you financially and how to align your spending with those priorities instead of fighting yourself every month. We walk through the Three-Bucket Spending Plan as a simpler, more human way to manage money without sacrificing the things you love or want to work toward. Shari also shares her own experience of breaking out of a scarcity mindset and why emotional spending has far more to do with unexamined beliefs and financial baggage than willpower. This episode reframes budgeting from something you “have to do” into a tool that helps you make intentional choices—so you can stop defaulting to “I can’t afford that” and start saying, “I’m choosing this.” If you’re tired of feeling guilty every time you spend, stuck in a cycle of overthinking your money, or ready to build wealth without burning out your nervous system, this episode is for you. Press play, rethink what a budget can be, and start creating a spending plan that finally feels supportive instead of suffocating. Talkin’ Points → where your money gets smarter. Real talk, practical tips, zero guilt straight to your inbox. Sign up here. And don’t forget to keep the conversation going—follow us on Instagram @everyonestalkinmoney for more honest money mindset shifts and practical strategies you can actually use. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’ve got the budget app. You’re reading the personal finance books. You know what you should be doing with your money—so why does it still feel so hard to follow through? In this Best of 2025 episode of Everyone’s Talkin’ Money, Shari breaks down six sneaky psychological biases that shape your money decisions without you even realizing it. From anchoring to optimism bias, these aren’t personal flaws—they’re predictable brain glitches. But once you spot them, you can stop them. You’ll walk away understanding: What anchoring bias is and why it makes that $100 dress feel like a steal (when it’s not) Why the fear of losing money feels worse than actually losing it—and how that keeps you stuck How your brain protects old money stories through confirmation bias Why instant gratification keeps winning, even when your future self is begging you to chill How optimism bias tricks you into thinking “next month” will magically fix everything Why social proof bias is fueling lifestyle creep—and what to do instead This is the episode that will make you pause mid-scroll, mid-spend, or mid-self-doubt and say, “Ohhhh, that’s what’s going on.” If any of these biases hit home, share the episode with a friend and DM Shari @everyonestalkinmoney to keep the conversation going Talkin’ Points → where your money gets smarter. Real talk, practical tips, zero guilt straight to your inbox. Sign up here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You did the work. You earn good money. You’re saving, investing—or at least trying to. So why does it still feel unsettled? In this Ask Shari episode, Shari Rash, founder of GWA Wealth, answers real listener questions from women who are objectively doing well with money—but emotionally stuck in doubt, comparison, and quiet anxiety. You’ll hear questions like: “How do I start investing without feeling reckless?” “Why do I keep moving the financial goalposts?” “How do I know if I actually need to do more—or if I’m just comparing myself to everyone else?” Want to ask Shari your own question? CLICK HERE! This episode is for the woman who’s no longer in survival mode—but hasn’t fully defined what enough looks like yet. Because money isn’t meant to be a constant test of your worth or intelligence. It’s a tool—to support your life, your values, and your peace of mind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve been saying yes to the wrong clients, under-pricing out of fear, or treating exhaustion like a strategy, this one’s for you. Bianca D'Alessio, CEO/founder of The Masters Division, Managing Director at Nest Seekers Development Marketing, #1 Real Estate Broker in NYC & NY State, and author of Mastering Intentions—joins Shari to unpack how high-achieving women move from scarcity to self-trust. We get into values-aligned decisions, setting real boundaries, building simple systems that compound, and a grown-woman version of “manifestation” you can actually use. Get your Seven Day Sprint here! You’ll hear: The compounding effect of small, intentional decisions (not one “big break”) How to spot scarcity in your behavior—and replace it with self-trust Boundaries that protect time, energy, and revenue (without feeling mean) The winner’s mindset vs. toxic positivity (and why the difference matters) You’ll walk away with: Recognizable tells of scarcity you can stop this week A 7-day plan to set boundaries and redirect your time to aligned work A simple systems checklist to track leads, costs, and ROIA practical mindset shift to make confident money moves Grab Bianca’s book Mastering Intentions. Show notes and more at everyonestalkinmoneypodcast.com. Follow the show so you never miss an episode, leave a quick rating/review, and come say hi on IG @everyonestalkinmoney⁠Talkin’ Points → where your money gets smarter. Real talk, practical tips, zero guilt straight to your inbox. Sign up here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve already blown your holiday gift budget… breathe. You are not the only one scrolling through your cart at 11 p.m., refreshing the screen, praying the total magically drops by $200. Your holiday spending didn’t “get away from you.” It sprinted off in glitter-covered sneakers — and today we’re going to get you back in control. In this episode, Shari breaks down why the holidays turn even the savviest women into overspending zombies, how guilt and obligation collide with Pinterest-level expectations, and what really causes December budgets to explode (hint: it’s not just the gifts). You’ll learn how to rebuild your gift budget in 10 minutes, how to set real boundaries with group gifts and family expectations, and what to do right now if you’ve already overspent. We’ll also dive into the forgotten budget busters — the holiday parties, school events, matching pajamas, cookie swaps, travel incidentals, and “small traditions” that add up faster than a Target cart on a Tuesday. And yes, we’ll walk through a step-by-step damage-control plan so you can fix this month without sacrificing your entire January. If you want more practical, shame-free money help (and frankly, fewer financial plot twists in December), join the newsletter at everyonestalkinmoneypodcast.com. And if you’re ready for personal planning support designed for real life, not Pinterest perfection, connect with Shari at GWAwealth.com to build a financial plan that won’t collapse at the first sight of twinkle lights. Stay merry — without the money stress. Talkin’ Points → where your money gets smarter. Real talk, practical tips, zero guilt straight to your inbox. Sign up here.  Be sure to like and follow the show on your favorite podcast app! Keep the conversation going on Instagram @everyonestalkinmoney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So many smart, successful women are running companies, leading teams, and managing full lives… yet flying blind when it comes to their own household finances. Not because they’re clueless, but because money is quiet when you ignore it — and trust feels easier than clarity. In this episode, Shari breaks down the real reason high-earning women get financially blindsided and the three guardrails every woman needs to stay informed, secure, and empowered. Then forensic accountant Tracy Coenen joins the conversation to reveal what she sees behind the scenes: the blind spots, red flags, and financial dynamics that quietly derail even the most capable women. Whether you’re single, partnered, or somewhere in between, this conversation will help you protect your money, strengthen your confidence, and take back control without creating relationship drama or adding one more thing to your mental load. You’ll walk away with: – The #1 reason smart women get blindsided financially – The three essential “Money Guardrails” every woman needs – How comfort turns into vulnerability (and how to stop it) – The red flags Tracy sees most often in high-asset households – How to talk about money in relationships without damaging trust – Simple routines to stay informed, independent, and protected Learn how Shari works with her clients by visiting GWAwealth.com. Talkin’ Points → where your money gets smarter. Real talk, practical tips, zero guilt straight to your inbox. Sign up here.  Be sure to like and follow the show on your favorite podcast app!Keep the conversation going on Instagram @everyonestalkinmoney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part 2 of this intimate conversation, Shari continues her discussion with Carl Richards, the New York Times “Sketch Guy.” If Part 1 was about the behavior behind money, Part 2 is about the beliefs behind your life. Carl opens up about how his simple sketches began, how a single comment from his wife reshaped his entire career, and why permission—not math—is often the missing piece in big financial and life decisions. He shares unforgettable stories, including the woman who left her prestigious Wall Street law job to return home and help her father run the family farm—because Carl granted her the “permission” she already had inside her. Shari and Carl also dig into fear, impostor syndrome, our inherited money stories, and why most of us wait far too long to trust what we know is true about our lives. This is the kind of conversation you don’t just listen to—you feel it. You’ll walk away with: – Why permission is often the bridge between intention and action – The emotional patterns that keep people stuck – How fear shows up at every major life moment – The story behind Carl’s famous sketches – The one money belief Carl would give his 25-year-old self – Shari’s own reflections on her younger self —and what she wishes she knew Shari closes the episode by sharing how Carl’s influence shaped her practice, her philosophy, and the human-centered way she guides clients inside GWA Wealth. Explore more episodes at everyonestalkinmoneypodcast.com. Talkin’ Points → where your money gets smarter. Real talk, practical tips, zero guilt straight to your inbox. Sign up here.  Be sure to like and follow the show on your favorite podcast app!Keep the conversation going on Instagram @everyonestalkinmoney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices