Family, Fraud, and Financial Literacy: Life Lessons from Tim Smith
Release Date: 10/16/2025
How Dual Enrollment Saved This Family $60K in College Costs
Beyond Budgets Podcast
“My daughters went to prom, played sports, were in student council, and still finished college before high school ended.” – Shelley Branine Wondering how your family can save tens of thousands of dollars? Then you don’t want to miss this special episode with Shelley Branine, mom of two and author of the upcoming book Finish College in High School. Shelley shares her family’s incredible journey using dual enrollment to help both her daughters graduate college debt-free. Listen in if you have a middle school or high school student and are feeling overwhelmed by rising...
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Small Habits, Big Wins: How Parents Can Set Goals That Actually Stick
Beyond Budgets Podcast
“Small, incremental steps will always get you further than a giant leap, especially when they’re rooted in your values.” – Deb Meyer As we turn the page into a new year, goal setting becomes more than just a buzzword. It’s a tool for transformation. In Episode 54, host Deb Meyer dives deep into how parents can set intentional goals that actually stick. Learn why small, sustainable habits beat massive overhauls, how to identify and overcome limiting beliefs, and how to create SMART goals that align with your family's core values. Whether you're aiming to save more, invest...
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How to Make Money Fun Again: Joe Saul-Sehy on Emergency Funds, Insurance & Family Adventures
Beyond Budgets Podcast
What happens when personal finance meets fun, adventure, and real-world wisdom? Deb Meyer sits down with Joe Saul-Sehy, the dynamic co-host of Stacking Benjamins and author of Stacked, to talk about money in a way only Joe can: light, insightful, and incredibly human. We explore how humor can disarm money fears, why emergency funds are really self-insurance, and how to approach disability and life insurance like a true risk manager. Joe also dives into how automation trumps discipline when building lasting financial habits. Plus, Joe shares insider tips from his passion...
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Gifts of Grace: Reclaiming Simplicity During the Holidays
Beyond Budgets Podcast
The holidays are here, and with them come emotions ranging from joy to overwhelm. In this heart-centered episode, host Deb Meyer shares a timely message to help parents slow down, align spending with values, and create lasting peace during the Christmas season. She opens with a beautiful rendition of the Shaker hymn “’Tis the Gift to Be Simple” and explores how the simplicity it speaks of can serve as a financial and spiritual guidepost through the noise of Black Friday, gift-giving pressure, and packed family schedules. In this episode, you’ll learn: (10:36) A values-based...
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The Parent’s Guide to Rewriting Money Scripts
Beyond Budgets Podcast
How do you move from financial survival mode to long-term stability when you're raising kids and navigating constant demands? In this episode of Beyond Budgets, Deb Meyer is joined by financial educator Chelsea Williams to explore how our earliest experiences shape our lifelong relationship with money and what parents can do about it. You’ll learn why financial change is 80% mindset and only 20% technical, and how understanding your money story can unlock new possibilities for your family’s future. Chelsea shares a practical framework that helps families create healthy financial...
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Money, Mistakes, and Milestones: 50 Lessons from Deb Meyer
Beyond Budgets Podcast
🎉 It’s a celebration! In this milestone 50th episode of the Beyond Budgets® podcast, Deb Meyer takes a seat on the other side of the mic while her husband, Bryan Meyer, steps in as guest host. This heartfelt and insightful episode explores how Beyond Budgets® came to be, what Deb has learned along the way, and what’s ahead for the podcast and the families it serves. From her earliest days running and writing to launching this podcast, Deb shares her motivation to help parents build wealth aligned with faith, family, and personal values. 💡 You’ll hear ...
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Family, Fraud, and Financial Literacy: Life Lessons from Tim Smith
Beyond Budgets Podcast
What if your kids graduated from college knowing how to budget, invest, and avoid getting scammed? In this heartfelt and wide-ranging episode, Deb Meyer sits down with Tim Smith, Certified Financial PlannerTM, founder of , and co-host of podcast. They explore the critical (and often missing) elements of financial education for young adults, especially creatives and entrepreneurs navigating money on their own. But the conversation doesn’t stop there. Tim opens up about a massive fraud case he witnessed firsthand — involving $15 million stolen under his watch — and how that...
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New Tax Breaks for Parents: What the One Big Beautiful Act Means for Your Family
Beyond Budgets Podcast
Are rising prices stressing your family budget? You're not alone, and there's some good news on the tax front. In this solo episode, host Deb Meyer breaks down the most family-friendly tax updates from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR1) and how they could impact your wallet starting in 2025. This episode is a must-listen for parents looking to maximize tax savings, understand new credits, and unlock new opportunities for education savings, childcare, and even family car purchases. Deb spotlights five major tax updates that could create real opportunities for families: ...
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Big Hat, No Cattle: Rethinking Wealth with Carl Richards
Beyond Budgets Podcast
What if the best money conversations aren’t really about money? In this episode of Beyond Budgets, Deb Meyer sits down with Carl Richards, author of Your Money: Reimagining Wealth in Simple Sketches, to explore how we can think more clearly and speak more kindly about money in our relationships. Carl shares why our views of money often clash with those closest to us, how comparison gets in the way of contentment, and what it means to align our values with financial decisions. This is a must-listen for anyone who wants to bring more clarity and calm into their financial life,...
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Why Big Leaps Can Backfire (and What to Do Instead)
Beyond Budgets Podcast
What do whitewater rafting, cross-country moves, and early retirement all have in common? They’re thrilling, intimidating, and full of unknowns. In this episode, Deb Meyer shares a personal (and slightly embarrassing) rafting story to open up a deeper conversation about navigating life’s biggest transitions—without losing your footing. Whether you’re planning a retirement, taking a sabbatical, switching careers, or moving states, Deb encourages a slower, smarter approach. She walks through emotional and financial readiness, real-life family examples, and why rushing into change...
info_outlineWhat if your kids graduated from college knowing how to budget, invest, and avoid getting scammed?
In this heartfelt and wide-ranging episode, Deb Meyer sits down with Tim Smith, Certified Financial PlannerTM, founder of Aurora Private Wealth, and co-host of The Financial Dad podcast. They explore the critical (and often missing) elements of financial education for young adults, especially creatives and entrepreneurs navigating money on their own.
But the conversation doesn’t stop there. Tim opens up about a massive fraud case he witnessed firsthand — involving $15 million stolen under his watch — and how that experience fueled his upcoming book. You’ll also hear honest reflections on parenting, overcommitted families, building strong marriages, and redefining what “success” looks like in a pressure-filled world.
This episode is a must-listen for parents who want to make smarter financial decisions.
Episode Highlights
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(2:10) How schools are failing young adults in financial literacy
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(13:17) How to balance ambition with relationships, family, and self-care
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(21:48) How couples can divide financial responsibilities based on strengths
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(25:29) The real reasons behind investor fraud (and how to prevent it)
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(27:50) What “custody” means in financial advising, and why it matters
Connect with Host Deb Meyer, CFP®
Founder of WorthyNest®, helping faith-driven parents build financial plans that reflect their values.
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