We've been programmed from the beginning of trade time for money. The problem is that we were able to get away with that for a while because of the value of the dollar and how far our dollar will take us. But as you can see now, especially what's going on in our world, our dollar's not taking you to go far. When we omit those things because we're trying to exchange it because we're trying to make ends meet, we almost start to feel trapped financially. A lot of times that's when The stress levels goes up.

People don't feel like they're themselves anymore. They don't feel like they're living anymore. A budget actually gives you liberty than it binds you. Most people believe that a budget actually binds you. Oh, man, if I budget my money, I can't do anything. Well, I think a budget actually liberates you because there are things that we all desire as individuals, right? What is your money system that will allow you to still enjoy life without necessarily compromising the mission? Because there is a mission. A lot of times people don't have a mission. People think, I got to pay my bills. That's not the mission. To buy a house. It become financially free.

Is it to go on a trip with the family?

Is it to be present for your kid's life, et cetera?

If you're trying to build wealth, you need to create and implement the wealth-building mindset

in your life.

This is Diane Bowden, and you're listening to the minimalist moms podcast.

Managing family finances can feel overwhelming,

especially when you've been conditioned to believe that working more is the only path to financial

security. In today's episode, I sit down with financial coach George Thomas to talk about

simplifying money management, creating practical financial systems, and building long-term freedom without

sacrificing your quality of life. George shares how he and his wife developed a values-based

approach to budgeting, investing, and debt payoff that helps couples work as a team while

still allowing for guilt-free personal spending. Together, we discussed the importance of auditing subscriptions,

investing early to outpace inflation, and creating a clear financial mission so every

dollar has a purpose.

But quickly before we get there, I want to share a minimalist resource with all of you.

This is a resource from a couple of months back, but I actually wanted to give it a

try before I shared here on the podcast.

I was visiting a shop in Amish country and discovered the makeup brand Minori. Their tagline is makeup for people who don't wear makeup. If I grabbed a tube of the mascara, the lip serum, and the cream highlighter, and I'm absolutely loving them. Again, I discovered this brand at the beginning of December, but I really wanted to make sure that I liked it before I shared it here.

I know for a lot of you listening, you don't want to wear a lot of makeup in your day-to-day routine, but you still want to feel pulled together and fresh-faced. I am not sponsored by this brand, though I think it could be a good collaboration at some point. But I just wanted to share it because, again, I think a lot of people look to simplify their morning routine, their makeup routine,

check out their website for yourself. Again, not sponsored. Just have found this to be a go-poo makeup brand the last couple of months. So the brand is minority and I'll link them in the show notes. And then lastly, if you have yet to leave a rating and review for the Minimalist Mom's podcast, I ask you just to pause for a brief moment or two. Share your favorite episode, your favorite guest, how the podcast has impacted you. The show is at 972 reviews, and I'd love to hit 1,000 before the end of the year. So for those of you that have been listening for a long time and have yet to do so, I just asked for a big favor and taking the time to leave that

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