What if your financial stress isn’t about how much you earn, but how your money is (or isn’t) working for you?

In this candid and encouraging episode, I sit down with my client Lisa to talk about the real shift that changed her life, not just her bank balance. Lisa thought she had a system… until she realized she was doing fake math, chasing checks, and constantly feeling like she should have more to show for her income.

Together, we unpack how she let go of shame and guilt around money, created a spending plan that gives every dollar a job, saved over $2,300 for a Disney cruise without stress, developed a plan to eliminate credit card debt without burnout, traveled freely while still building a financial cushion, and ultimately found peace, confidence, and clarity in her relationship with money.

Lisa’s story is for anyone who’s ever felt like they’re doing “okay” on the outside, but overwhelmed on the inside. If you’ve been juggling spreadsheets, mental math, and a planner filled with due dates, but still feeling behind this episode will resonate deeply.

Listen to learn:

[03:10] The difference between a planner and a real system

[06:34] How fake math fuels paycheck-to-paycheck stress

[10:12] What shifted when Lisa gave every dollar a home

[12:47] The power of intentional saving and planning for joy

[18:02] The unexpected emotional weight of overlooked expenses

[23:30] Moving from money anxiety to empowered spending decisions

[27:44] Finding freedom without sacrificing fun or travel

[30:21] Why Lisa now feels like her money system creates “overflow”

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://wealthovernow.com/lisas-story-how-lisa-stopped-using-her-planner-to-budget/

Links mentioned in this episode…

Set up a call | Financial Coach Washington, DC | Wealth Over Now

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