Good intentions aren't enough to reach financial independence—you need a system that scales as you grow. In this episode of the Launch Your Real Life Podcast, we break down the three essential pillars every budget needs to actually work in the real world.

We explore:

• Sustainability: Why a "perfect" budget is useless if you can't stick to it. Learn why you must be honest about your habits (like that daily coffee) rather than relying on wishful thinking.

• Values: How to ensure your spending reflects your faith and priorities, whether that is radical generosity or prioritizing family safety.

• Margin: Why margin is the engine of your financial journey. Learn how to distinguish between basic expenses and the "extra" that fuels your goals and retirement.

Your Challenge This Week: Gather your numbers! Don't just look at your fixed rent; research the "hidden" costs like new tires, repairs, and gifts. Whether you are heading to college or entering the workforce, it’s time to move from "made-up" numbers to researched reality.

Links & Resources:

• Use this tool to gather your numbers: outline.newstoryfinancial.com

• Check out the FinStory App: finstory.app

• Ready to start your new story? www.newstoryfinancial.com

• Join the Launch Your Real Life Community: https://www.skool.com/launch-your-real-life-group-9967

In this episode of the Launch Your Real Life Podcast, we explore the vital tension we all must hold: the call to be diligent stewards who provide for our families and practice radical generosity, balanced against the reality that we live in a broken world where things go wrong.

Links & Resources:

• Connect with our community: https://www.skool.com/launch-your-real-life-group-9967

• Resources for your journey: www.newstoryfinancial.com

Imagine making $300,000 a year and still having no idea where the money went by the end of the month. It sounds impossible, but it happens more often than you think.

In this episode of the Launch Your Real Life Podcast, we talk about a universal struggle: The Lack of Awareness. Whether you’re making $30,000 or $300,000, "lifestyle creep" is a real threat that can choke out your financial progress before you even notice it’s happening.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Root of the Problem: Why spending excessively isn't usually one big choice, but a series of small, unmonitored habits.

• Step Zero: Why you can't make a plan for your money until you actually know where it’s currently going.

• The Awareness Challenge: START LOOKING AT YOUR NUMBERS!

Links & Resources:

• Ready to start your new story? Visit my website: www.newstoryfinancial.com

• Join the Conversation & Community: https://www.skool.com/launch-your-real-life-group-9967