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

Welcome back to the Launch Your Real Life Podcast! Our mission is to equip young Christians to transition to independence, not for the sake of glorifying self, but so you can grow into the person God intended you to be and have your full impact on the world.

A big part of that mission involves jobs and careers.

In this episode we focus on the essential, actionable lessons learned from a decade and a half of working. These three principles are key to approaching your career with intention and achieving success:

1. Confidence (The Right Kind): It’s not about bravado, but developing a genuine belief that you can master any task you are taught. This is essential for landing the job.

2. Work Ethic (The Non-Negotiable): We talk about the surprisingly common issue of basic reliability—showing up on time and being present. Learn why consistent, high-quality work is the absolute minimum requirement for keeping and advancing in any position.

3. Networking (Be Memorable & Likable): A practical look at why being easy to work with and maintaining good relationships is vital for future opportunities.

If you are just starting your career journey or looking to make the most of your current job, these three lessons will help you be intentional, strategic, and successful.

Links & Resources:

• Listen to our previous episodes on the Five Phases of Independence!

• 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

Welcome back to the Launch Your Real Life Podcast! If you want to move beyond just "getting by" financially and step into a life of purpose, strategy, and generosity, you need a system.

In this episode, we dive into the basics: the bank accounts you need to create a simple, intentional financial system—starting right when you get your first earned income (Phase 2).

We cover:

• Bank Selection: Why primarily online banks are often the better choice for young people (no fees, higher interest, lower overhead) and a stern warning against paying monthly fees for a simple checking account.

• The Main Account: Your hub for all income and automatic, recurring bills (rent, utilities, debt minimums).

• The Spending Account (Game Changer!): A separate checking account for daily expenses (gas, groceries, entertainment). Learn why this simple strategy can radically improve your financial health by preventing risky overdrafts and giving you clear spending visibility.

• The High Yield Savings Account (HYSA): Where to store your emergency fund and how to budget for non-monthly expenses (like tires, trips, and gifts) using the powerful "bucket" method to avoid being surprised by predictable expenses.

Stop letting your money manage you. Listen now to build the simple framework you need to take charge!

Links & Resources:

• Haven't listened yet? Check out the episodes on the Five Phases of Independence!

• 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

Welcome back to the Launch Your Real Life podcast! We've systematically walked through the first four phases of financial independence, and today we arrive at the most obvious milestone: Phase 5.

Phase 5 is the goal: living fully on your own, taking care of all your financial responsibilities, and striking out with intention and strategy!

But being financially independent is more than just paying bills. We discuss what you need to thrive in this final phase:

• Your Next Financial Goals: What are the 1-3 specific steps you're working toward now that you're independent (e.g., building wealth, paying off a mortgage, investing)?

• A Generous Purpose: What gets you motivated? Defining your cause is crucial for using your resources to change the world around you.

• A Supportive Community: Independence doesn't mean isolation. A strong community makes the hard work worthwhile.

If you've recently moved out, or are about to, listen in to ensure your independent life is built on a solid foundation of purpose, strategy, and generosity!

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

Phase 4 is for those who are theoretically ready to launch but have an agreement to stay and conserve resources before the final move. If you have sufficient income to cover your bills, but are still living at home to save aggressively, this is your phase!

To be successfully in Phase 4, you need three things:

1. Sufficient Income to Launch: You can cover your bills (and potentially split rent).

2. Clear Launch Goals: Specific, tangible savings targets (e.g., first/last month's rent, full emergency fund, paying off small debts, or wedding costs).

3. A Launch Date Schedule: A reasonable deadline, set with your family, for when you'll fly the coop.

This episode is about making the most of this saving opportunity. Don't just mindlessly collect money! We discuss how to set achievable goals (within 12 months) and work toward your launch with intentionality and thanksgiving.

If you have this chance, learn how to do it right and set yourself up for long-term success!

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

Are you ready to stop letting independence happen to you and start making it happen?

In this episode of the Launch Your Real Life Podcast, we dive into Phase 3

You're in Phase 3 if you have:

1. Earned Income.

2. An Active Budget.

3. Ownership of an Entire Area of Expenses (like all groceries, or all car-related costs).

The core of Phase 3 is a smooth, intentional handoff of financial responsibilities from your parents to you. This systematic approach reduces anxiety, clarifies expectations, and prevents the confusing, intermingled finances that trip up so many young people.

Learn the baseline for Phase 3 and how to systematically add more personal expenses (phone, insurance, rent) to your budget to ensure a successful and confident leap into your own story!

Feeling overwhelmed? Listen in for encouragement—you absolutely can become confident and independent with money.

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