Ashley’s Journey to Financial Freedom | Real Pennywise Coaching Testimonial

Hey Wise Guys, it's Penny. I'm here with my client and friend Ashley, and I conned her into doing a little, um, share about her experience with financial coaching. And I just wanted to ask you a few questions, Ashley, about what this journey has been like. I know we're— we are still working together and it's been a hot minute, but Um, I just kind of wanted to start with you, tell us a little bit about you and kind of your journey with, with finances and what brought you here. Maybe start with that. Yeah.

Yeah. So I feel like my whole life I haven't really been good with finances. It's always stressed me out. I always felt like I wasn't as good as like my peers and didn't have a lot of guidance, um, from my parents with it that, that weren't particularly good with money. And then I had kind of just changed jobs and then eventually actually switched into running a business full-time and felt like like that transition was the right time because I wanted to have a good foundation of understanding money before I kind of leapt into that, and also how to do my personal finances before trying to do business finances. So that's kind of what led me to looking for you and Googling for some help, um, just because I was like, I, I can't— I've tried reading all the books and I have made progress, but I, I realized that some of my behavioral actions were like not lining up with it. So Yeah, right. Led me to you.

Yeah. Yeah. And I always find it interesting when people actually find a financial coach and see the difference between a financial advisor and a coach. So did you know specifically about financial coaching or did you— what do you remember even what you put in or what you knew you needed?

Yeah, I put in financial coach. And so I didn't like look too, too into the difference between financial advising and financial coaching, but I was kind of into the coaching world for like personal development stuff and then knew the difference between like even therapists and coaches. And I think there's strengths and weakness— not necessarily weaknesses, but just differences between the two. And I realized I knew a lot of the things from the books I read, but it was like my behavior. And so I really wanted a coach to kind of just hold me accountable and like help me do the things. And I feel like advisors are more like telling you concepts, if that makes sense. And I really needed someone to walk me through it and help me actually do it.

So tell me a little bit about your experience, like maybe in the beginning and now, and kind of what shifts you noticed and, and what has helped for you?

Yeah, I feel like the biggest shift has been not spending on credit cards and actually like spending money I have and then using the Cube for budgeting has been so helpful. So that way I don't feel guilty if I spend. I can still like save up for goals that mean something to me. And again, not feel guilty about it where if I want to go to a concert or I have a friend's, you know, birthday coming up, I can plan for that instead of having no plan in place and then just overspending because I'm like, oh crap, right? Um, so that's been the biggest help. And then I think too, just actually looking at my finances every month a couple times versus avoiding it because it gave me anxiety. So that's been really helpful. Yeah, yeah.

Well, and the Qube, for those that might not know, is a, is a digital spending app, um, connected to a bank, but it's where you can transfer money from your main bank to this and be able to see it in real time.

Right.

And there's, there's always a little bit of a setup and learning curve, I think, when people shift to that. But, um, I think one of the most important parts of sustainable money management is to be able to say, okay, yes, I'm going to do that thing. And I think I remember when we got started that you had some fear that you were never going to have any fun again. And that you couldn't do what your friends were doing and that you had to spend a certain amount of money, you know, on things. I don't remember whether it was coffee or whatever it was. Right. But I think sometimes just setting aside some money and saying, I know I'm going to do that. And where does that fit in the whole picture? Does it need to take that much of my paycheck?

Right. Yeah. And my income was fluctuating and changing. And so in my like overflow, I was like, oh, I'll just go out to coffees and write it off, you know, and way overdoing that and not really tracking it. And then on my times where it was under, I was panicked and I was like, I don't know what to do. And you helped me to figure out what to do with my money when I was taking a month off to travel. And that was a month off from working on my business and a month off from making money and still having all the bills. So it was just helpful to. Have guidance on how to handle that because I had no idea what to do. So that was also part of the timing when I called. I was like, this is just coming up. I'm going to be in Africa for a month and have no idea what to do because I just started all this.

Yeah, that was unusual for me too, to be like, let's get started and then be gone for a month. But yeah, I think it still was the right thing to do because it helped you get your head around the cost of being on and then having to ramp up again when you got back? No, it seems like a lot of our conversations have been around your business and, you know, how to make more as well as just, you know, spend less on, you know, the coffee that we all pick on. But, um, I think that mindfulness, and as an entrepreneur and a solopreneur like you and I both are, it can be difficult to not have any kind of plan or know what to pay yourself. Mm-hmm. You know, so often we come into it just saying, I don't know, I just, you know, take what I need from the business, but that's not always healthy for the business. And that's why I usually start with entrepreneurs on the personal side so that we kind of know what's it take to pay your cost of living on a bare minimum at home so that you can then go, okay, well then that's how much and more that I need to be bringing home.

Right. Right. Yeah.

Yeah.

Which was really helpful. And like, I feel like that planning piece too of like, okay, and figuring out like what days to pay yourself, quote unquote, or try to hit those goals was helpful too.

Mm-hmm. Sure.

Yeah.

I think creating a, a system for an entrepreneur is as important as anything because you're, you know, if you're paying yourself 5 times a week, that's probably not what normal people get, right? And you're just taking little bits here and there and kind of shaving off the top from the business where, you know, by doing this and treating yourself like an employee, which you are of the business, right? And, um, and then that, that challenging piece, like you mentioned, as a business owner where we like to think everything could be a business expense and I can write it off, but we forget about the part about and I have to pay for it. I get to write off this much, but I pay for this much. So justification sort of in our conversations with ourselves, I think, gets away from us as business owners as well.

For sure. Yeah. And it just also got me to slow down my impulsive buying and have me really think about the value of it. And now that I have the goals and the debt payoff plan, money's I don't know, I just have different priorities with my money and finding myself not wanting to spend it unless I love what I'm spending it on. So I'm even like changing, like, oh, instead of just going out, you know, every week with my friends and not enjoying it, I'm like, if I go out, I can hang out and have water. Or if I like want to have a couple of drinks, I want to because I want to really bad. And it's like something that I enjoy, but not because I'm just doing it because everyone else is doing it. So it's kind of just shifted that and shifted even like the thought of going out to brunch every weekend. Like, why am I doing this? Half the time the food isn't good. So now if I go, I want the food to be awesome and I'm planning it in advance. So it's just, yeah, those little shifts and I'm, I'm finding that I enjoy it more or enjoy cooking more. And yeah, it feels, I just again feel less guilty about the spending because it feels less out of people pleasing, if that makes sense.

Right. Yeah, I think you're touching on it a little bit, but I think you have also changed your, um, kind of interactions with your friends and, and how you engage with people. And instead of meeting for a drink or for coffee, you've chosen some other ways to still get the social, um, relational part, right? That don't necessarily cost money or as much money as they were.

Yeah, exactly. Like, oh, we can go for walks or just hang out or cook for each other or whatever that might be. Or I'll go to these big events and I just eat before and I'm like, you know what, whatever. If everyone else— I don't want to feel pressured into it unless of course I really want to and I can plan for that. But I have a large social circle from sports and stuff out here that it was like every weekend there's somebody's birthday and I don't want them to feel not loved, but I want to show up and then It was just bleeding me dry. So now I don't feel bad about it and I'm like, I'll show up. And yeah, I don't need to— I don't feel like nobody really cares what you get, honestly.

Yeah, I was going to say, have you gotten any pushback or feedback from friends? Have they noticed? Have they given you any grief or anything?

Not really, no. Everyone's just like— I think maybe they haven't seen me as much, but everyone's kind of this time of year, people I feel like are just trying to hibernate, stay warm. And I think it's— yeah, I haven't gotten any pushback from that. Maybe a little bit about, why aren't you going out as much? Or things like that. And then I just share how— what's on my mind, and it hasn't really been a problem. Yeah.

Yeah. So any last thoughts that you would share with somebody who's considering financial coaching or changing their financial behavior and you know, particularly working with me? Was it scary? Did I pick on you too much? Or tell me whatever.

Be honest. Yeah, no, you didn't pick on me at all. And I was really scared in the beginning of more of just looking at my money and feeling like this feels impossible. I'm not good enough. I feel shame comparing myself to everyone else my age that's like buying houses and having kids, and I'm like living paycheck to paycheck. But Actually addressing it and looking at it, and you always said it too, like, this is the hardest part, it'll get better. It like, every time I feel like the, the load felt lightened a little bit, like, so I felt like I wanted to cry at first and then it just kind of like got a little bit better, a little bit better. And then now I'm looking at it more of like, it's just problem solving where like you have numbers, we can move them up numbers. What can we do to be smarter about it? And then seeing the debt payoff calculator too was like massive mentally of like, oh, this I won't have this for life. Like, this is so close in like 3 or 4 years. Um, so that was super helpful. And then just the budgeting sheet and actually just going through it every week and, and having that, um, support and accountability was helpful. And yeah, and you were always really responsive for text messages or anything in between. So, um, I think if someone's thinking about it or on the fence, or it seems like, oh, this is a large investment, it's investing in you and your future. And I think instead of, again, looking at it like hourly or per session, it's like really look at it for the value of learning how to handle your money that you'll take for life. Um, yeah. And I feel like that's really, yeah, it's definitely worth it.

Yeah. Thank you. And that's, that's a big thing when you start looking at, you know, where does all our money go anyway? And it's going to visa or interest, and that really wasn't a choice that we made is like, oh, let me send that bank all this money. Yeah. You know, and if you can start being mindful about, yes, I got value from whatever that thing was that I charged or the school that I went to or whatever, and I'm grateful for that. But now I need to kind of move on and work towards the goals that I have on, you know, whatever that future looks like. Right. And the The joy for me working with somebody in your generation is to say, oh my gosh, do you have any idea how if you get this figured out now, the trajectory of your, of your life and your finances can go? And I know you have a big heart for giving and, um, animals and change the world kind of things. You're not just on the planet to spin around and make money. Um, you have bigger, better goals for your, for your things and life. And it takes money to do those things, right?

Yeah.

And so it's like, okay, well I can either figure it out or I can keep being mad at the world and, and stressed out and whatever. But, um, I love that you chose to do this and your mindset as a business owner. I really think you get it to like invest in the things that you know are gonna make you better. As a person, as a business owner, whatever. So tell us a little bit about you and your business and how, um, maybe people could reach out to you for the services that you offer the world, and, and we'll make sure and include that contact in, in there. Yeah.

Well, thank you. Um, so I do compassionate, um, dog training and behavior modification. So I support a lot of people that are just in points of like crisis with their dog, or they're frustrated, overwhelmed, confused, or maybe they've just never had a dog before. Um, and then I support a lot of shelter dogs, but also dogs who aren't coming from a shelter background, but with an approach that's not using harsh corrections or punishments. It's really on meeting their needs and supporting them in a way where the owner and the dog can feel good about it. So if anyone's curious or interested in that, I can support people virtually from anywhere or, um, in person in San Diego. And, um, I have a website that's, um, coregulatedk9s.com, and my business name is Co-Regulated K9s. So that way we're both learning to regulate our emotions and feeling better about it.

Thank you. Yeah. Awesome. We'll make sure and include that in the, um, wherever this gets posted so that people can reach out to you if they're interested. Cause I, I think it's been really interesting to get to know you and your business and what you do. And, um, our shared background of kind of, you know, my social work, I think yours was counseling or therapy. And, um, you know, that behavior change is all about what we're both passionate about. Exactly.

Yeah, I know that. I think that too helped drive me looking for that where I was like, I know it's my behavior. That's the piece that's missing, right?

There's no magic fairy wand or something to fix it. But awesome. Well, thank you so much for sharing and for being awesome. And I know, I don't think we said this at the beginning, but we've been working together 6 months and sometimes it takes that and more to really get things to change. Right. And I think sometimes people think it's going to be a quick fix. And if I just hand them the, you know, the right tool that they're going to change things. But I know that you're just at the beginning of your journey, really, and things are going to be amazing. So thanks for letting me be a part of that. So, yeah.

Well, thank you for all your support through that, too.

So, sure. You bet. Thanks. Bye, guys.