In this empowering episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with money coach Jason Madsen to explore how Christian families can break free from the financial stress cycle. We talk about creating emotional stability, building better habits, and igniting a long term vision for your future. Jason and I dive into how small daily choices, like grabbing that “after work burrito,” can shape your financial destiny. We also unpack why having a strong why fuels consistency and how embracing flexibility can open the door to unexpected growth.

We explore the Ramsey Baby Steps, mindset shifts around abundance, and how resilience, faith, and strategy can transform your money story. Whether you are stuck in a financial rut or ready to level up, this episode brings real talk, inspiring stories, and practical tools to help you grow your money and your mindset.

In this episode, I sat down with Professor Stephen Heath to finally unpack all the major types of budgets, because let’s be real, budgeting can feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. We broke down everything from zero-based budgeting and the 50/30/20 rule to the pay-yourself-first method, the anti-budget, envelope system, and values-based budgeting.

We talked about how to match your budget to your life stage, whether you’re a student, a parent, someone paying off debt, or just trying to get more intentional with your money. For me, the 50/30/20 approach really clicked. Steve’s a fan of zero-based budgeting, but even he admits it’s not for everyone.

There were some laughs, some honest moments (yes, I compared budgeting to giving kids candy), and a whole lot of practical advice. If you’ve ever felt stuck or confused when it comes to managing money, this episode is your roadmap.

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, Certified Financial Planner Nate Hoskin shares a powerful perspective on how to spend money without regret. He explores the often overlooked emotional side of finance and explains why saving too much can actually rob you of joy. Nate dives into the Rule of 72 to show the real opportunity cost of spending and introduces the idea that spending money is a skill, just like saving. He and Sean discuss the impact of scarcity mindsets, the importance of aligning money with your personal values, and how generosity can lead to unexpected rewards. They also talk about the balance between FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) goals and actually enjoying life along the way. With stories about meaningful life experiences, side hustles, and mindset shifts, this episode is a thoughtful and inspiring guide to building financial freedom with intention and heart.