The City Girl Savings Podcast

There was a point in my life where I would set big goals and not check-in on them.

I would keep them top of mind but only assess my progress once the goal time frame (typically one year) ended. Not anymore!

Now, I make it a point to assess my goal progress along the way.

This helps me course correct, make changes, or keep doing what’s working!

At the end of 2023, I shared my personal and business goals for 2024.

Now that we’re over the halfway mark of 2024, I want to share my progress! In this episode, I’m doing a mid-year personal and business goals check in!

I’m sharing my goal progress with you, in the hopes that you’re encouraged to do your own progress check.

Here's a glance at this episode:

• [02:07] Raya shares her progress on some health and diet related goals she set for 2024, along with a recipe!
• [05:25] Another goal for Raya is to max out her Roth IRA. She shares that she isn’t on track with this goal as of now, but has confidence it will be achieved.
• [10:38] Another off-track goal is taking an international trip. While planning has started, it likely won’t be a trip that happens in 2024.
• [13:40] Raya shares some events happening in the CGS community that can help reach the goal of 7500 Facebook Group members.
• [16:25] While the business is not hitting a 50% increase in revenue, it is averaging 20%, which is still promising.

Rate, Review, & Follow:

Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show!

This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life!

To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, please make sure you’re subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Listen to CGS Podcast Episode 105 – My Personal and Business Goals for 2024

Italian Sausage Spaghetti Recipe

Listen to CGS Podcast Episode 121 – How I Paid off My Dream Car

Learn about Raya’s Financial Focus Coaching Program

Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok

Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group

Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!

When it comes to your goals, you can’t just set them and forget them.

You have to check in on them and make sure you’re on track. If you’re not on track, you still have time to course correct and figure other things out.

Sometimes, things come up and your goals can’t be achieved exactly when you want them to.

That doesn’t mean you should give up though! It just means you’ll need to tweak, adjust and get back to work. The same goes for me!

You may remember at the end of 2022, I shared my personal and business goals for 2023.

Well, here we are, over 7 months into the year and I practice what I preach.

In this episode, I’m doing a mid-year personal and business goals check in. I’m sharing my check in results with you, so you can do your own mid-year goal check in!

Here's a glance at this episode:

• [01:44] In this episode’s City Girl Solutions question, I’m breaking down “Backdoor” Roth IRAs for those who may not be aware of what they are and how to implement them.
• [04:35] One personal goal that I’m on track with for the year is working out Monday through Friday. I’ve also added in walking 10,000 steps to it!
• [09:45] We have a business goal of hitting 50,000 podcast downloads in 2023. Thank you for listening and helping us reach this goal!
• [13:00] We’re off target for reaching out annual website views goal, but with a newly-designed website, hopefully we can make up for lost time.
• [16:13] On a personal note, I’m currently working through managing my mindset when things aren’t as busy as I’m used to. It’s a work in progress!

Subscribe, Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

This helps me support more people — just like you — to make the best money moves as they make their way to their dream life.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Listen to Episode 53 – My Personal and Business Goals for 2023

Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group

Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!

Get your question answered on the podcast! Ask your question here.

Struggling with your finances? Request a call with me (and get a budget)!

Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram

Follow City Girl Savings on TikTok

Check out the City Girl Savings blog!

April is Financial Literacy month, and what better way to kick off this month than by putting all the focus on your finances!

Whether you’re just dipping your toes in the money management waters, you’re seasoned at making (and spending) money or you’re ready to tackle your financial situation head on, there’s no better time than right now!

And to help, I’m bringing Kara (also known as “Aunt Kara”) on the show today to talk about how to keep the focus on your finances, especially when the temptation to spend seems too high.

Get ready to be inspired and encouraged to make better money decisions, from here on out!

Here's a glance at this episode:

• [04:00] “Aunt Kara” started as Kara answering money questions for her nieces and nephews and then expanding to share those answers on Instagram.
• [12:06] Kara recalls having specific money conversations with her parents when she was little. They shared with her saving for retirement and paying off their mortgage.
• [19:20] Setting milestones that can be achieved on the way to your long-term goals as a couple can help you work together and stay motivated.
• [32:45] Kara shares the intentional decision she made with her job/company to stay put. She determined she is happy where she is and has no desire to continue to move up.
• [43:37] To win the game of travel hacking, you must be able to manage your credit card payments. Paying interest is a losing battle.

Rate, Review, & Follow:

Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show!

This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life!

To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, please make sure you’re subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Follow Kara on Instagram

Watch Kara’s Free Points and Miles Course

Learn more about Kara

Learn about Raya’s Financial Focus Coaching Program

Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok

Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group

Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!

While making a lot of money may seem like the answer to your problems, if you’re not managing it well, you won’t have anything to show for it.

Just ask my friend and City Girl Savings client Rachel.

When Rachel and I first started working together in January 2021, she was making well-over six figures but didn’t have a clue about where it was going.

Fast forward 3 years later and Rachel is making more than ever, saving, and investing more than ever and doing it all with a solid budget plan.

In this episode, Rachel and I are discussing how growing and budgeting your income, whether you’re making six-figures or not, can completely transform your life and finances.

Here's a glance at this episode:

• [03:20] Rachel shares that she grew up in a single-parent home and described money as being tight and not talked about much.
• [09:45] Even with making a good salary, Rachel feared looking at her bank app. She would avoid looking at the balance, especially after paying bills.
• [17:00] Having Raya make a budget for Rachel allowed Rachel to release some pressure and focus on sticking to the budget that was designed for her.
• [32:45] While Rachel doesn’t fully support “job-hopping”, she does agree that major salary increases come from a new role (whether in the same company or a new company).
• [42:18] Some days you’re going to give a little more to work. Other days you can give a little more to your family. It will never be perfect.

Rate, Review, & Follow:

Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show!

This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life!

To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, please make sure you’re subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group

Learn about Raya’s Financial Focus Coaching Program

Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok

Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!

Where are my fashion girlies at?! This one’s for you!

15 years ago, I didn’t budget or plan for anything.

I would buy a new outfit every week, in preparation for going out on the weekend.

I’m so happy to say those days are over!

I may buy new clothes 1-2x per year, and I always have a plan and budget for it.

As I’ve been perusing my closet, I’ve come across a few fashion statement pieces I want to invest in.

In this episode, I’m sharing the 5 fashion pieces I want to budget for and add as staples into my wardrobe.

Here's a glance at this episode:

• [01:35] Raya shared how her bad spending habits on clothes added up over the years.
• [03:53] Raya wants to invest in a quality trench coat but doesn’t want to spend years saving up for the right coat.
• [06:30] Boots are high on Raya’s investment list! She shares some of the requirements she’s looking for in new boots.
• [10:45] Raya wants to invest in a bold-colored pant suit. This can be used multiple ways by mixing and matching the pieces.

Rate, Review, & Follow:

Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show!

This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life!

To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, please make sure you’re subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Listen to episode 1 – Big City Spender to City Girl Saver

Learn about Raya’s Financial Focus Coaching Program

Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok

Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group

Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!