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A Better Way to Budget (Ep. 69)

A Better Way to Budget (Ep. 69)

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Are you still trying to make traditional budgeting work for you even though your income and expenses are anything but predictable?

Many of us were taught to use “static” budgets, but for professionals with variable income and complex finances, this old-school approach often leads to stress, guilt, and missed opportunities.

On this episode of Money is Emotional podcast, host Christine Luken dives into the dynamic budgeting method which allows you to set targets and adjust in real time as your financial situations evolve. This approach helps you make smarter, more honest decisions without feeling like you’ve “failed” every time life takes an unexpected turn.

 

Christine discusses:

  • Why traditional budgets are sabotaging your success?
  • How dynamic budgeting works in the real world.
  • The growing complexity of modern financial lives.
  • Tools and tips for financial clarity.
  • How to ensure your budgets reflects reality not wishful thinking.

 

Resources:

 

Connect with Christine Luken: 

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The Best Crystals for Abundance (Ep. 68)

The Best Crystals for Abundance (Ep. 68)

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On this episode of Money is Emotional podcast, we explored how crystals can enhance your mindset and support your financial journey. While they aren’t a substitute for solid money management, crystals like Citrine, Pyrite, Green Aventurine, Sunstone, and Fluorite can help boost your confidence, focus, and abundance mindset. Remember, your prosperity starts with smart decisions—and a little extra sparkle never hurts.

Christine discusses:

  • How crystals work
  • How to integrate crystals to your daily routine.
  • The use of crystals in devices such as wristwatches and computers.
  • The top crystals for abundance.
  • Why you must not let collecting crystals become an unchecked expense

 

Resources:

 

Connect with Christine Luken: 

 

OUTLINE: 
01:27 – How Crystals work
05:00 – Christine path into exploring crystals
09:08 – Citrine: Your Energetic Cheerleader
11:23 – Pyrite – The Manifestation Magnet
14:46 – Green Aventurine – The Prosperity Amplifier
16:01 – Sunstone – The Self-Leadership Spark
18:42 – Fluorite – The Focus Friend

 

Disclaimer:
Crystals are powerful energetic tools but they’re NOT a replacement for wise money management or a magnetic money mindset. They’re an enhancement, not a magic wand. Think of them like your favorite essential oil perfume. It’s beautiful and supportive, but if you haven’t showered in two weeks, no amount of it will erase your stink.

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My Top 3 Emotional Money Tools (Ep. 66)

My Top 3 Emotional Money Tools (Ep. 66)

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On this episode of The Money is Emotional Podcast, host Christine Luken, the acclaimed financial dignity coach, explores her top three emotional money tools to help you make smarter financial decisions and grow your wealth . Christine shared why emotionally charged savings matter, how processing your emotions can help you spend less, and the power of treating yourself like your own best friend when big money choices arise. Remember, your emotions aren’t the enemy—they’re the key to more confident and successful financial planning.

Christine discusses:

  • The primitive’s brain preference for immediate reward over delayed gratification.
  • How to use both positive and negative emotions to encourage savings.
  • The myth that you can leave emotions out of money.
  • The interplay between logic and emotions work in financial decision making.
  • How to manage not eliminate emotions before making financial decisions.

 

Resources:

 

Connect with Christine Luken: 

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Grief, Trauma, and Money with DonJay Rice (Ep.55)

Grief, Trauma, and Money with DonJay Rice (Ep.55)

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What happens when grief, trauma, and money intertwine?

In this episode, Financial Dignity® Coach, Christine Luken, welcomes special guest DonJay Rice, a certified financial behavior specialist, to explore how life’s trials can impact our relationship with money. 

DonJay shares his deeply personal journey from childhood poverty and trauma to financial enlightenment. Together, let’s learn how these experiences shaped his unique approach to financial coaching.

Gain some insight as DonJay shares:

  • The impact of childhood trauma and financial enmeshment 
  • DonJay’s journey through financial crises and emotional discovery 
  • Strategies for healing the emotional ties to money 
  • The importance of supportive spaces in financial recovery 
  • And more!

Resources:

📖✨ My NEW Book is Now Available!

Connect with Christine Luken: 

Connect with DonJay Rice:

About Our Guest: 

DonJay Rice is a financial coach and a certified financial behavior specialist who helps clients whose relationship with money is impacted by grief and trauma. Donjay holds the designations of Board Certified Trauma Informed Coach, Board Certified Life Coach, and Certified Enneagram Coach. 

DonJay serves in a ministry that helps those coming out of homelessness and domestic abuse. He enjoys sketching, painting, and anything artistic, as well as playing board games with family and friends.

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Money Stories in Black and White with Casandra Austin-McDonald: Part 2 (Ep. 50)

Money Stories in Black and White with Casandra Austin-McDonald: Part 2 (Ep. 50)

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In a world where financial paradigms constantly shift, understanding the deep emotional ties we have with money becomes increasingly relevant. 

Join Christine Luken as she welcomes back special guest Casandra Austin-McDonald for an in-depth conversation surrounding her journey as a biracial woman. Together they explore the often-unspoken money conversations in her family, the profound impact of mentorship, the role of technology in financial education, and the critical importance of community support.

Tune in for insights that challenge the status quo and inspire meaningful discussions around race, money, and empowerment!

Casandra discusses: 

  • Her feelings of resentment towards her grandmother for financial disparities in the family
  • The fear of leaving others behind when stepping into a wealthier identity
  • Perspective on privilege and how it impacts your financial outlook
  • How to be an ally and advocate for diversity in financial success
  • And more

Resources:

 

📖✨ My NEW Book is Now Available!

Connect with Christine Luken: 

Connect with Casandra Austin-McDonald:

About Our Guest: 

Casandra is a bold and dynamic speaker who captivates her audiences with her authentic presence and impactful content. She utilizes unique approaches to transformational work to ensure ideal outcomes are achieved. Casandra uses a combination of her education and training, professional background, lived experiences, and gifts to support high-achieving leaders in prioritizing personal growth and well-being so that they create fulfilling and successful lives, relationships, and impactful work.

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Money Stories in Black and White with Casandra Austin-McDonald: Part 1 (Ep. 49)

Money Stories in Black and White with Casandra Austin-McDonald: Part 1 (Ep. 49)

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In this episode, Financial Dignity® Coach Christine Luken is joined by Casandra Austin-McDonald to share her personal experience managing finances as a multiracial woman. Together, they explore how diverse racial backgrounds shape financial journeys, discuss the impact of systemic issues on wealth-building, and highlight the importance of emotional healing in achieving financial well-being.

Casandra discusses: 

  • Her biracial upbringing and what it revealed to her about financial experiences
  • How does financial independence stem from a desire to avoid bullying and social stigma
  • Ways we can emphasize the importance of teaching the next generation
  • Her experience with money as shaped by historical trauma and systemic challenges
  • And more

Resources:

📖✨ My NEW Book is Now Available!

Connect with Christine Luken: 

Connect with Casandra Austin-McDonald:

About Our Guest: 

Casandra is a bold and dynamic speaker who captivates her audiences with her authentic presence and impactful content. She utilizes unique approaches to transformational work to ensure ideal outcomes are achieved. Casandra uses a combination of her education and training, professional background, lived experiences, and gifts to support high-achieving leaders in prioritizing personal growth and well-being so that they create fulfilling and successful lives, relationships, and impactful work.

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Modern Husbands: How Men Can Support Working Women (Ep. 46)

Modern Husbands: How Men Can Support Working Women (Ep. 46)

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Learn how you can support your working partner effectively with today’s special guest, Brian Page, founder of Modern Husbands.

In this episode, Financial Dignity® Coach, Christine Luken, sits down with Brian to talk about the dynamics of supporting working women and practical ways men can be better partners both financially and at home. Brian shares his personal experiences and practical advice on creating a balanced home, effective financial communication, managing household responsibilities as a team, and making time for what’s truly important.

Tune in and learn about navigating financial roles, breaking societal norms, and fostering a harmonious household.

Brian talks about: 

  • The journey that led him to create the Modern Husbands
  • How his relationship with money has changed now that his wife is the majority income earner in their household
  • The stereotypes that he and his wife encountered regarding how they manage money, parenthood, and their household
  • Tangible ways that men can support working women
  • How the Money Marriage Toolkit helps couples create more harmony in their relationships
  • And more

Resources:

📖✨ My NEW Book is Now Available!

Connect with Christine Luken: 

Connect with Brian Page:

 

About our Guest: 

Brian Page is a husband, dad, and Founder of Modern Husbands. Brian spent 15 years as a personal finance and economics educator before transitioning to a senior-level position with Next Gen Personal Finance when he moved to Atlanta to support his wife’s career. Brian was recognized as a CNN Money Hero and is a former Working Group Member of President Obama’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability. He founded Modern Husbands, which is dedicated to sharing ideas on managing money and the home as a team.

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Numbers to Know Before You Buy a Car (Ep. 45)

Numbers to Know Before You Buy a Car (Ep. 45)

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Thinking of buying a car soon?

In this episode, Financial Dignity® Coach, Christine Luken, dives into the essential numbers you need to know before stepping into a car dealership. From understanding your current car’s value, trading in or selling options, to grasping personal financial figures like your credit score and down payment, this episode equips you with all the necessary tools to be a smart car shopper. Additionally, Christine shares an important perspective on the car buying process, including the often-overlooked total cost of ownership and the psychological tactics employed by salespeople – all to ensure you drive away with a deal that suits your financial health.

Christine discusses: 

  • The different things to keep in mind when you’re trading your car vs selling it
  • The three important personal numbers you need to know: your credit score, downpayment, and walk away price
  • The importance of researching the vehicle you want to buy so you know the price range for the options you want
  • How getting financing from the dealer is like buying two products
  • Why you need to understand your emotional triggers during the car buying process
  • And more

Resources:

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Money is Spiritual With David Hayward (Ep. 44)

Money is Spiritual With David Hayward (Ep. 44)

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Are your spiritual beliefs affecting your financial health?

Viewing money as a spiritual tool can help you break free from a scarcity mindset.

In this episode, Financial Dignity® Coach, Christine Luken, welcomes David Hayward, a former pastor-turned-artist known for his Naked Pastor blog, to discuss his book, “Money Is Spiritual.” David shares his personal journey from a scarcity mindset to financial freedom, emphasizing the importance of seeing money as a spiritual asset. They explore breaking negative money beliefs, practical steps for healing your financial relationship, and the power of positive communities.

David discusses: 

  • How his upbringing and career as a pastor influenced his money mindset.
  • The concept of money being spiritual and its potential to be worshiped
  • Why so many people spiritualize negativity about money
  • Tips on overcoming guilt and learning to charge what you’re worth as an artist
  • Why it’s so important to surround yourself with positive influences to transform your financial outlook
  • And more

Resources:

📖✨ My NEW Book is Now Available!

Connect with Christine Luken: 

Connect with David Hayward:

About our Guest: 

David Hayward served the church for about 30 years, then left the ministry in 2010. He’s been running the nakedpastor blog since 2005, where he posts provocative cartoons, articles, and artwork. He launched an online community called The Lasting Supper, a place for people to change without being judged or instructed and where they can learn to become spiritually independent. He’s been cartooning, making art, writing, and speaking about his core passions: personal authentic freedom, the power to change our own lives and communities, and the creative spirit to make our world a better place.  He’s written many books, one of which is “Money Is Spiritual,” to help people overcome negative beliefs and unhealthy attitudes about money that are often entertained by spiritual people, artists, and others. He and his wife live in eastern Canada. They have three adult children.

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