Sprouting Wealth: Recent Episodes
Michela Brooks
The spring of 2014, graduating college with student loans, a modest salary, and no plan for my finances, I discovered a Passion for personal finances through a friend and mentor, and an appreciation for the importance of the Basics and Behaviors around money. I made this Podcast because I am passionate about helping professional women identify their financial goals, and teaching successful money habits in order to have the confidence to achieve their financial dreams.
Dating is so fun, and having dates with your significant other is so important in building a deeper bond!!
But how do you date, when the checks at a restaurant can really add up??
Well, I have some good tips for dating, while on a Budget. Because dating is not supposed to be stressful!
Adding a line item on a budget, and can give yourself the freedom to go out and have fun while going out on a date. Having the right budget can help keep dating fun and manageable.
Picnic in the park, being outside, going for a drive, are just some of the things that you can do to have a date and spend time with the person you are getting to know more.
Also, In this episode, I bring on my good friends from “What’s the Dill?” podcast to give their favorite budget date ideas. So make sure to listen to how they save money on their dates.
So, listen to this episode to hear me talk more about some good cost-friendly date ideas@
Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn and make sure to leave a comment with a topic you want me to cover.
Please get in touch with me with any and all of your financial questions..
Make sure to check out other parts of the BackSeat website!
Today, you are becoming the person you will be in your marriage. The more aware, intentional, and efficient you are with your money now, will pay off in the future with your spouse.
There is no “magic play'' button to hit when you get married! The life we live is happening right now! Don't sit on the sidelines when it comes to your money now and wait until marriage to start really caring about being knowledgeable with money. There are so many ways to start building good habits now.
The money mindset we bring into marriage, needs to be healthy and open.
Money is such a big part of our lives, and not bringing unnecessary stress into marriage surrounding money will only help you in the future. I have worked with a lot of young women before they have gotten married,and have seen the great fruit of communicating about money.
Choosing a future partner just because of financial security is not the best way to decide who you should marry. Stability is good, but openness and honesty about money should be something we can bring to the table, as women. And we should be confident that our habits and knowledge around money are useful and important in a marriage.
So, listen to this episode to hear me talk more about the importance of good money habits before marriage!
Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn and make sure to leave a comment with a topic you want me to cover.
Please get in touch with me with any and all of your financial questions..
Make sure to check out other parts of the BackSeat website!
Dating and Debt have so much in common! I know these 2 might not seem similar, but in this episode, I wanted to show why, as young women, these topics might be more similar than you think!
Paying off Debt can really help in your dating life. It helps with personal growth, discipline, and the freedom of becoming independent. All 3, can be building blocks for a successful marriage, and they can start with you today!
I experienced so much real personal growth, in my journey with paying off debt. It helped me think more intentionally about spending and my day to day life. It was a very fruitful time to work towards my goal of paying off debt. In both dating and paying off debt, it teaches us about ourselves, and that self knowledge is key for being successful in both.
Dating and paying off debt are building blocks for a healthy marriage. Because of the self-awareness they both take, they can lay the foundation for what will be a fruitful and happy marriage.
The freedom from building my life, in my twenties, has continued the spark of personal growth. God has been there by my side, during all of it, and this trust helps center my financial and life goals
Growth is so important. Getting out of debt, and dating, help make us grow. I really hope you enjoy this episode, and reach out to me with any questions, or if you want a final coaching consultation.
Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn and make sure to leave a comment with a topic you want me to cover.
Please get in touch with me with any and all of your financial questions..
Make sure to check out other parts of the BackSeat website!
Even with the Summer almost ending, there is still time to take that vacation you wanted to go on! Labor Day is around the corner, and a crisp Autumn weekend away, enjoying the freshly fallen leaves might be in the cards for some of you. So this episode is good for Summer, and every other season.
Going on a vacation is such a great way to unwind, and enjoy the places of this world. But, the money part of a vacation can be scary sometimes. The numbers start to add up, and it can look too expensive. Well, in this episode I talk about how to go on that Vacation and not break the bank!
If you put some thought and a little bit of effort into a budget for your next vacation, you can go and enjoy yourself without worrying the whole time about the money you spend. Because a vacation where you are worrying the whole time is no fun at all!!
No one wants their credit card statement to be the biggest souvenir they take away from their vacation.
To avoid this, budgeting can be a tool to create a foundation for your vacation fund.
Recently, I went to Yellowstone with my roommates, and I started saving for it months ago. And, I was able to go on the trip and not fear my next credit card statement.
Check out the episode where I give my favorite Financial Apps to use for budgeting, and personal finances.
Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn and make sure to leave a comment with a topic you want me to cover.
Please get in touch with me with any and all of your financial questions..
Make sure to check out other parts of the BackSeat website!
You’re debt free. You did it!
You worked hard, and saved. You set goals. You made changes with your spending habits. You sacrificed in small ways. You worked hard to get here.
Now what??
There is emphasis put on getting out of debt, and I do believe this is a great goal for each person. But what do you do when you have gotten out of debt?
I wanted to make this episode to talk about 3 steps to take when you finally get out of debt. It can be quite a journey to become debt free, so I’m hoping this episode can provide some value to you as you take the next steps on your financial journey.
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And, check out the other parts of BackSeat Media!
Like, subscribe, comment, and get in touch. I will talk to you guys soon!
“What makes a financial decision?”
This is a question I get A LOT, with clients, friends, and family. Since this is the 2nd episode of the Podcast, I wanted to give a background on some of this “Money Talk”. It might seem unimportant, but understanding what financial choices lie in front of you everyday, can help you reach your goals quicker.
Everyone knows that buying a house is a big financial decision, but what about that cup of coffee you buy every morning? Do you look at that as a part of your work routine, or your money routine?
Well, because it’s a little of both, and it seems cheap to buy, it can go unnoticed. In this episode, I wanted to lay the foundation for what makes a financial decision, so when you hear me talking about money the future, you will understand where I am coming from.
Being aware of little financial decisions has helped me reach my financial goals, and I want to pass that on to all of you!
Tell me what you think? Are you willing to give up Starbucks to save money? Or maybe you want to find another area to save money? Either way tell me in a comment!
Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn and make sure to leave a comment with a topic you want me to cover.
And, check out the other parts of BackSeat Media!
Like, subscribe, comment, and get in touch. I will talk to you guys soon!
It’s Summer Time so you know what that means…. Wedding Season!
Since, Summer is such a popular time to get married, every month can start with another wedding, peeking out from around the corner. Now, when I talk to my friends, money always comes up when we discuss the details of a wedding.
Between dresses, gifts, and travel, the costs of a single wedding can add up! And if you have multiple weddings in a short amount of time, it can be challenging to keep control of your bank account.
I wanted to make an episode that acts as a guide for the “Single Ladies During Wedding Season”. There are so many cost effective and money-smart ways to enjoy a special nuptial moment, without breaking the bank.
This is the 1st episode of my Podcast, and I feel that this is a financial decision that many Gals out there have to make. I know from my own experience that when I put effort into the weddings I have to go to, I save money.
I really hope you enjoy this episode, and PLEASE reach out to me if you want any more advice on personal finance. It is my passion to help young ladies, and guess what: The perfect time to make a financial decision is right now.
Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn and make sure to leave a comment with a topic you want me to cover.
And, check out the other parts of BackSeat Media!
Like, subscribe, comment, and get in touch. I will talk to you guys soon!