
Financially Naked
Your Best. Financial. Friends. (B.F.F.s) give you a weekly dose of personal finance stories, tips and insights. Join Trainers of The Financial Gym as they dig deep below the surface and get real about money! Along the way, they’ll be joined by members of the FinGym Fam for conversations about their own journeys of financial fitness and the triumphs and tribulations along the way.
Latest episodes

Sep 20, 2023 • 29min
Tracking Your Spending with Catriona & Tina
On this episode of Financially Naked: Stories from The Financial Gym, our hosts are Catriona and Tina, two Level 3 Trainers at The Financial Gym. They are here to talk about an important step of every financial journey: tracking your spending. They dive into the why behind this practice and how it can help you become intentional about your finances. Catriona and Tina share valuable tips on creating a sustainable reflection habit. You'll learn about different methods to track your spending, from pen and paper to modern apps and tools. If looking at your spending makes you anxious, don't worry; this conversation is not about judgment but instead about gaining awareness to make mindful decisions. For more details check out our show notes here! If you want to work with a Certified Financial Trainer to help navigate your finances, schedule a free warm-up call today! If you have any ideas or questions for the show, send an email to trainerpodcast@fingyms.com. Resources BFF Approved Budgeting Tools Empower (formerly Personal Capital) Rocket Money HoneyDue Meet The Trainers Meet Catriona Williams, Level 3 Certified Financial Trainer Meet Tina Hang, Level 3 Certified Financial Trainer

Sep 13, 2023 • 37min
Mindfulness, Meditation & Money (Part 2) with Genar, Joy and Kadri
In this episode of Financially Naked: Stories from The Financial Gym, we dive into a truly transformative discussion with hosts Joy, Genar, and Kadri – three Certified Financial Trainers at The Financial Gym. The trio will explore the connection between mindfulness, meditation, and financial health. Have you considered how mindfulness and meditation can improve your financial health? In this conversation, we explore the benefits of incorporating mindfulness and meditation into your financial journey and help you understand how meditation cultivates a sense of clarity and focus that benefits your financial decision-making. We'll also touch on the benefits of a gratitude practice and ideas to incorporate gratitude into your financial habits. Whether you're already financially fit or just starting the journey, get ready to learn how to apply these age-old principles to your money practice. For more details check out our show notes here! If you want to work with a Certified Financial Trainer to help navigate your finances, schedule a free warm-up call today! If you have any ideas or questions for the show, send an email to trainerpodcast@fingyms.com. Resources Part 1: How Can Meditation Help My Finances? How to Go From a Scarcity to Abundance Mindset Meditation: The Mayo Clinic Happy Money with Ken Honda Meet The Trainers Meet Joy Liu, Level 3 Certified Financial Trainer Meet Kadri Augustin, Level 3 Certified Financial Trainer Meet Genar Mendez, Level 2 Certified Financial Trainer

Sep 6, 2023 • 33min
What’s the Story with Student Loans Loans? with Genar and Linsday from Savi
On this episode of Financially Naked: Stories from The Financial Gym, we're discussing a topic that's been flying under the radar since 2020: student loans. Joining Genar is Lindsay Clark, Chief Borrower Advocate at Savi, a platform designed to help borrowers navigate the student loan system. With the clock ticking to the end of the grace period in October, it's time to deep dive into the playbook of options available to borrowers. Out of sight, out of mind? Not anymore. Unfortunately, the era of loan payments on pause is fading, but it's not all bad news! The government made huge improvements to the system, so borrowers are in a better position moving forward. Genar and Lindsay discuss the changes over the last few years, how to prepare for payments to start back up again, and tools you can use to handle your student loans. For more details check out our show notes here! If you want to work with a Certified Financial Trainer to help navigate your finances, schedule a free warm-up call today! If you have any ideas or questions for the show, send an email to trainerpodcast@fingyms.com. Resources Studentaid.gov Learn about the SAVE Plan Connect with Savi Website: https://financialgym.bysavi.com/ Meet The Trainer Meet Genar Mendez, Level 2 Certified Financial Trainer

Aug 30, 2023 • 43min
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging: Family Planning
Welcome back to Financially Naked: Stories from The Financial Gym. This week's episode is another in our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging series. Our host is Rachel Adaline, joined by The Gym's very own Alicia Lazarto. Today's topic shapes countless lives —family planning. Alicia has navigated the path of raising two college-aged sons while skillfully steering the financial ship in her household. Together, they'll explore insights and tips for finding balance amidst the whirlwind of parenting, focusing on community, financial health, and self-care. For more details check out our show notes here! If you want to work with a Certified Financial Trainer to help navigate your finances, schedule a free warm-up call today! If you have any ideas or questions for the show, send an email to trainerpodcast@fingyms.com. Resources Financially Naked: Estate Planning Financially Naked: Teaching Financial Literacy to Kids Financially Naked: Communicating with Your Partner about Money Meet The Team Meet Rachel Adaline, Human Resources Manager Meet Alicia Lazarto, Chief Operations Officer

Aug 23, 2023 • 32min
What's the Home Buying Process? with Kylie & Sam
On this episode of Financially Naked: Stories from The Financial Gym, our hosts are Kylie and Sam, two Certified Financial Trainers at The Financial Gym. One of the most common goals among clients at The Gym is home ownership, so today we're diving into the basics of the home buying process. As Financial Trainers and prospective homeowners, Sam and Kylie will guide you through finding the right realtor, getting preapproval, and navigating the journey to closing. Whether you're a first-time buyer or looking to move, these practical tips and insights will help you make your home buying dreams a reality! For more details check out our show notes here! If you want to work with a Certified Financial Trainer to help navigate your finances, schedule a free warm-up call today! If you have any ideas or questions for the show, send an email to trainerpodcast@fingyms.com. Resources NerdWallet Mortgage Calculator Everything you need to know: The Home Buying Experience An Intro to First-Time Homebuyer Programs 4 Unexpected Costs of Home Ownership Meet The Trainers Meet Sam Cash, Level 2 Certified Financial Trainer Meet Kylie Lipinski, Level 2 Certified Financial Trainer

Aug 16, 2023 • 37min
Sinking Funds Gymsplained with Catriona & Sara W
This episode of Financially Naked: Stories from The Financial Gym is hosted by Catriona and Sara W, two Certified Financial Trainers at The Financial Gym. Today, they're shedding light on the power and potential of sinking funds. What are sinking funds, and why are they important in your financial journey? They explore the different strategies for setting up sinking funds and discuss the best places to save them. They'll share practical tips on allocating your funds wisely, whether you're saving for that dream vacation, a summer camp for the kids, or your car expenses. They'll show you how sinking funds can be a game-changer in helping you achieve your long-term financial goals and be a flexible and effective tool to confidently navigate your various savings goals. For more details check out our show notes here! If you want to work with a Certified Financial Trainer to help navigate your finances, schedule a free warm-up call today! If you have any ideas or questions for the show, send an email to trainerpodcast@fingyms.com. Resources Financially Naked 183: Garrett & Sam Gymsplain Emergency Savings Why You Need a Sinking Fund & How to Set it Up Upstart.com - Learn About Sinking Funds Time - Sinking Fund: What Is It, Types & How to Set One Up Meet The Trainers Meet Catriona Williams, Level 2 Certified Financial Trainer Meet Sara Willi, Level 2 Certified Financial Trainer

Aug 9, 2023 • 59min
Cheers to 10 Years - with Shannon & Alicia
This is a very special episode of Financially Naked: Stories from the Financial Gym! Our hosts are Shannon McLay, the CEO and Founder of the Financial Gym, and our incredible COO, Alicia Lazarto. Today, they celebrate a decade of financial fitness and commemorate Alicia's remarkable six-year journey with The Gym. They take a trip down memory lane and share the inspiring tale of how the Financial Gym came to be. From its humble beginnings to the challenges we faced along the way, we'll dive into the highs and lows and the people that shaped The Financial Gym. This episode is about reflection, growth, and gratitude as we celebrate a decade of transforming lives, one financial step at a time. And that's not all – mark your calendars for September 1, when Shannon will share some exciting big news you won't want to miss on her podcast Martinis and Your Money. For more details check out our show notes here! If you want to work with a Certified Financial Trainer to help navigate your finances, schedule a free warm-up call today! If you have any ideas or questions for the show, send an email to trainerpodcast@fingyms.com. Meet The Team Meet Alicia Lazarto - Chief Financial Officer Meet Shannon McLay - Founder & CEO

Aug 2, 2023 • 30min
How do I Start Investing? With Jenny and Tina
On this episode of Financially Naked: Stories from The Financial Gym, our hosts are Jenny and Tina, two Certified Financial Trainers at The Financial Gym. They're tackling a topic that can seem intimidating but holds incredible potential: investing. Investing isn't just for the wealthy or the financial gurus. It's a strategy that can help anyone grow their money and achieve their financial goals. Whether you're looking to save for retirement, buy a home, or fund your dreams, investing is a key step on your journey. In this episode, they'll break down the basics of investing, demystifying terms like stocks, bonds, and asset allocation. They'll discuss the importance of setting clear goals to make informed investment decisions and how to get started even if you're brand new! For more details check out our show notes here! If you want to work with a Certified Financial Trainer to help navigate your finances, schedule a free warm-up call today! If you have any ideas or questions for the show, send an email to trainerpodcast@fingyms.com. Resources Investing 101 (Part 1) Investing 101 (Part 2) Investing 101: What are Investment Markets? BFF Approved Retirement Accounts BFF Approved Investing Accounts Meet The Trainers Meet Tina Hang, Level 3 Certified Financial Trainer

Jul 26, 2023 • 26min
Estate Planning with Rachel & Lillie Nkenchor
On this episode of Financially Naked: Stories from The Financial Gym, our host is Rachel Adaline, HR Manager at The Financial Gym. Our special guest today is Lillie Nkenchor, an experienced estate planning professional with over 14 years of expertise in the field. In this episode, we're shedding light on the sensitive but important topic of estate planning. Many of us may have heard the term before, but what exactly is it? Do you need to be rich to have an estate plan? When should you consider hiring a professional to assist you with this process? And what are the common challenges that arise when it comes to estate planning? Lillie is here to share her vast knowledge and insights, as she has dedicated her career to helping others navigate the complexities of estate planning. We'll discuss the basics surrounding this essential aspect of personal finance, providing you with advice and actionable steps to protect your assets and ensure a smooth process for your loved ones. For more details check out our show notes here! If you want to work with a Certified Financial Trainer to help navigate your finances, schedule a free warm-up call today! If you have any ideas or questions for the show, send an email to trainerpodcast@fingyms.com. Resources Lillie’s Newsletters Basic Estate Planning Documents Connect with Lillie Website: www.lillienkenchor.com Instagram: @lillie_nkenchor_pc Linkedin: Lillie N. Nkenchor, Esq., LL.M. Meet The Team Meet Rachel Adaline, Human Resources Manager

Jul 19, 2023 • 28min
Teaching Financial Literacy To Kids with Chelsea Sarae Addison & Jazmin
On this episode of Financially Naked: Stories from The Financial Gym, our host is Jazmin Higgins, Level 2 Certified Financial Trainer. Today, we have a special episode focused on an essential aspect of financial education: teaching kids about money. Joining us is a phenomenal guest who has dedicated herself to this cause, Chelsea Sarae Addison. She is an author and advocate for financial literacy, and she's here to talk about her new book, Savannah's Savings Jar. Savannah's Savings Jar is more than a children's book. It's a powerful tool that harnesses the magic of storytelling to impart invaluable lessons about money to kids and adults. Sarae's book invites us all into the captivating world of Savannah and her friends, who are here to share their lessons. For more details check out our show notes here! If you want to work with a Certified Financial Trainer to help navigate your finances, schedule a free warm-up call today! If you have any ideas or questions for the show, send an email to trainerpodcast@fingyms.com. Resources Can a Children’s Book Change The World?: Ted Talk by Linda Sue Park Greenlight: Debit Card for Kids & Teens Teachers Pay Teachers Financial Literacy Worksheets Connect with Sarae Buy the book & get notified for pre-orders: Savannah’s Savings Jar Instagram: @Chelseasarae LinkedIn: Chelsea Sarae Addison Meet The Trainer Meet Jazmin Higgins, Level 2 Certified Financial Trainer