Budgeting Without Burnout: Viral TikTok Money Challenges That Actually Work
Unpacked & Empowered Podcast by Marianne Agudo
Release Date: 09/08/2025
New to Adulting? New to Canada? Essential Shopping Tips That Help You Spend Less
Unpacked & Empowered Podcast by Marianne Agudo
New to Adulting? New to Canada? Essential Shopping Tips That Actually Help You Spend Less (From Someone Who's Been in Canada 26 Years) Join host Marianne Agudo as she chats with Song Kim, a 26-year Canadian resident who shares practical shopping strategies that actually work! Perfect for newcomers to Canada and anyone learning to adult on a budget. What You'll Learn: ✅ Essential shopping apps - Flipp & Reebee for finding the best deals ✅ Price matching secrets - Which stores still do it (hint: not Walmart anymore!) ✅ Costco "007" code system - .99 vs .97 vs .00 pricing meanings ✅...
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Budgeting Without Burnout: Viral TikTok Money Challenges That Actually Work
Unpacked & Empowered Podcast by Marianne Agudo
Tired of budgeting stress? Host Marianne Agudo dives deep into the most popular viral money-saving challenges flooding social media and reveals which ones can actually help Canadian families save money without the burnout. In This Episode: The Reality Check (03:00) Why the average Canadian household spends more than they earn Breaking down the $6,395 monthly spending vs $6,183 income gap How inflation affects family budgeting strategies 4 Core Principles for Stress-Free Budgeting (01:00) Mindset shift: From "budget" to "spending plan" Simplicity is key Build in flexibility and fun money...
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Work Benefits vs. Real Protection: Do You Have Enough Coverage?
Unpacked & Empowered Podcast by Marianne Agudo
Are your work benefits really enough to protect your family? 🤔 In this episode of Unpacked & Empowered + Finances Podcast, we unpack what employer insurance usually covers—and why relying only on it could leave your loved ones unprotected. You’ll discover: What’s typically included in employer insurance packages The hidden gaps families don’t always see Why personal insurance can give you lasting protection—even when you change jobs How to start thinking about coverage that grows with you Whether you’re a young parent, newcomer, or building your career in Canada, this...
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Emergency Fund 101: Your Safety Net When Life Happens (For Newcomers & Millennials)
Unpacked & Empowered Podcast by Marianne Agudo
Life loves throwing curveballs – car breakdowns, job losses, family emergencies that need immediate financial help. If you've ever laid awake worrying about "what if," this episode is for you. In this practical, no-judgment episode, we dive deep into building an emergency fund that actually works for YOUR life – especially if you're a newcomer to Canada, supporting family in multiple places, or just trying to break the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck. What You'll Learn: • What an emergency fund really is (and what it's NOT) • The 5 Whys method to understand your money behaviors...
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From Student to AI Startup Founder: Susan Sholly's Newcomer Journey
Unpacked & Empowered Podcast by Marianne Agudo
Meet Susan Sholly, who transformed her newcomer experience into entrepreneurial success. From arriving in Canada as a student to launching DeepSync Labs, an AI startup in Saint John, New Brunswick, Susan shares the real story behind her journey. In this episode, Susan discusses: Her financial reality as a newcomer to Canada Building credit and navigating banking as an immigrant The transition from Financial Analyst at Irving Oil to startup founder Launching an AI company in August 2024 Practical advice for newcomers considering entrepreneurship Opportunities at DeepSync Labs for volunteers...
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Why Starting Over Financially Feels So Hard: Breaking Through Mental Barriers as a Newcomer
Unpacked & Empowered Podcast by Marianne Agudo
If you've ever felt completely overwhelmed trying to figure out money in a new country, this episode is for you. Seven years ago, I arrived in Canada with barely $1000 to my name. The grocery store tax situation alone nearly sent me into a panic, but here's what I learned: starting over financially isn't really about the money in your bank account—it's about the mental barriers that keep us stuck. In this episode, I'm sharing my personal journey and the four mental blocks that nearly derailed our financial progress, plus the mindset shifts that changed everything for our family. You'll...
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Is Term Life Insurance enough for me? (What do I need to know?)
Unpacked & Empowered Podcast by Marianne Agudo
Are you new to life insurance in Canada? Wondering what term life insurance means — and whether it's right for your family? In this episode, licensed Life, Accident & Sickness Insurance Advisor Marianne Agudo breaks down term life insurance in simple, everyday language. Learn how term insurance works, what “renewable” and “convertible” options really mean, and why this type of coverage might make sense for families who are still building their financial foundation — especially if you’re a newcomer to Canada. 💡 Designed for newcomer families, parents, and early-career...
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The Pyramid of Financial Priorities: A New Beginning Blueprint
Unpacked & Empowered Podcast by Marianne Agudo
In this episode of Unpacked & Empowered, host Marianne Agudo (licensed life, accident, and sickness insurance advisor in New Brunswick and Ontario) shares a clear, practical breakdown of the Financial Pyramid—a helpful way to understand what to prioritize when rebuilding or starting over financially in Canada. Topics covered include: Non-controllable vs. controllable financial risks Building an emergency fund Paying down high-interest debt Protecting your assets through insurance Saving for education, retirement, and life goals Long-term planning and investment readiness ...
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Faith Before Finances: Resetting Your Foundation Mid-Year
Unpacked & Empowered Podcast by Marianne Agudo
Before you build your budget, savings plan, or buy insurance—ask yourself: What is your life really built on? In this short episode, I explore the Biblical foundation for financial stewardship and how you can realign your goals with God’s purpose for your life, especially during a mid-year reset. What You’ll Learn: The true meaning of stewardship based on Matthew 6:19–21 and 6:33 (NLT) Why trusting God is key to peace of mind—even in financial decision The role of financial tools like life insurance and savings in planning wisely How to reset and refocus on your 2025...
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What Newcomers Should Know About Financial Planning | Interview with Jim Chamberlain, PFP®
Unpacked & Empowered Podcast by Marianne Agudo
What should newcomers to Canada really know about financial planning? In this episode of Unpacked & Empowered Finances, I interview Jim Chamberlain, a licensed Personal Financial Planner (PFP®), to unpack practical insights that can help newcomers and young families build a stable financial future. Whether you're just starting your career, navigating life as a newcomer, or simply want to be more intentional with your money, Jim offers insights drawn from decades of experience. We talk about: The value of holistic financial planning Common money mistakes to avoid How to align your...
info_outlineTired of budgeting stress? Host Marianne Agudo dives deep into the most popular viral money-saving challenges flooding social media and reveals which ones can actually help Canadian families save money without the burnout.
In This Episode:
The Reality Check (03:00)
- Why the average Canadian household spends more than they earn
- Breaking down the $6,395 monthly spending vs $6,183 income gap
- How inflation affects family budgeting strategies
4 Core Principles for Stress-Free Budgeting (01:00)
- Mindset shift: From "budget" to "spending plan"
- Simplicity is key
- Build in flexibility and fun money
- Automate savings and bills
Viral Money Challenges Tested (07:00)
- Cash Envelope Budgeting: Does physical cash really change spending behavior?
- 100 Envelope Challenge: Save $5,000 in 100 days (and why it might stress you out)
- Loud Budgeting: The power of openly aligning spending with goals
- No-Buy vs Low-Buy Challenges: Finding sustainable approaches
- Pantry/Refrigerator Challenge: Shopping what you already have
- Cash-Only Weekends: Mindful spending in action
- Last Digit Challenge: Micro-saving made simple
- Secondhand First Rule: Sustainable and budget-friendly shopping
Key Insights:
- The difference between cash flow (reality) and budget (plan)
- Why treating savings as a bill helps build wealth
- How to identify spending triggers through challenges
- Creating flexibility in your financial plan
Perfect For: New Canadians, families managing inflation, anyone seeking sustainable budgeting approaches
Marianne's Website: https://marianneagudo.com/home/