The Clever Girls Know Podcast With Bola Sokunbi

Your salary keeps increasing, but somehow you're still living paycheck to paycheck. If you've ever gotten a raise, promotion, or new job and wondered where all the extra money went, you're not alone.
On this podcast episode, I'm breaking down the real reasons why earning more money doesn't automatically make you wealthier, and what you can do to finally get ahead financially. We'll talk about lifestyle inflation, rising fixed expenses, saving and investing strategies, debt, budgeting, and the mindset shifts that help you turn higher income into real wealth.
You'll learn:
 Why lifestyle creep keeps so many high earners broke
How fixed expenses quietly consume your raises
The pay-yourself-first strategy that actually works
Why debt may be stealing your income growth
How to create a spending plan that supports your goals
The difference between saving money and building wealth
Why defining your version of "enough" matters
If you're tired of making more money without making financial progress, this episode will help you create a plan that allows you to keep more, save more, invest more, and build lasting wealth.
 
New Book - Clever Girl Millionaire; A Guide to Redefining What's Possible, Turning Ambitions into Actions, and Dreams into Millions - Available to order now
 
More Clever Girl Finance Resources:
👋 New to Clever Girl Finance? Start here: https://clevergirlfinance.com/start-here
❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books
❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages
❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog
❤ Follow us on Instagram: @clevergirlfinance

On this episode of the podcast, we're joined by Marcia Armstrong, MBA, founder of A Purpose Life and a multi-award-winning finance educator and business consultant, for an insightful conversation about building a purpose-driven business without losing yourself in the process.
With more than 15 years of experience in the finance industry, Marcia has helped individuals and organizations make strategic financial decisions that lead to sustainable success. She shares her journey from having a strong foundation in personal finance to navigating the very different realities of entrepreneurship, including the challenges of managing cash flow, pricing, business growth, and the emotional weight that often comes with being a founder.
This episode is packed with practical lessons for entrepreneurs who want to build profitable businesses while protecting their wellbeing and staying aligned with their purpose.
 
What Marcia Discussed on the Podcast:
Her journey into entrepreneurship and the inspiration behind launching A Purpose Life.
The differences between managing personal finances and managing business finances.
Why financial confidence in your personal life doesn't automatically translate to business success.
Financial lessons learned the hard way during the early stages of entrepreneurship.
Navigating the pressure of being solely responsible for business and personal financial stability.
The shift from reactive financial decisions to intentional planning and strategy.
Financial systems and habits that created more structure, clarity, and peace of mind.
Why entrepreneurs need to separate business performance from personal identity.
How her approach to pricing, cash flow, and growth has evolved over time.
Advice for entrepreneurs who avoid looking at their numbers because of fear or emotional attachment.
Building a financially sustainable business without falling into burnout.
The business and money lessons she wishes she had learned earlier.
Her clever girl superpower.
Where listeners can connect with her and learn more about her work.
 
How to Keep Up With Marcia:
Follow on Instagram: @a.purpose.life
Connect on LinkedIn: Marcia Armstrong
Learn more: apurposelife246.com
 
New Book - Clever Girl Millionaire; A Guide to Redefining What's Possible, Turning Ambitions into Actions, and Dreams into Millions - Available to order now
 
More Clever Girl Finance Resources:
👋 New to Clever Girl Finance? Start here: https://clevergirlfinance.com/start-here
❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books
❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages
❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog
❤ Follow us on Instagram: @clevergirlfinance

Why does financial discipline feel so hard sometimes? Why do you keep overspending even when you genuinely want to stop?
 On this episode, I'm breaking down the real reasons financial discipline feels difficult, and why it has far less to do with willpower than most people think.
You'll learn:
Why relying on motivation keeps people stuck
How your environment impacts your spending habits
The systems that make managing money easier
Why all-or-nothing thinking sabotages your progress
How to build habits that actually stick
The mindset shifts that help you stay consistent long term 
If you've been feeling frustrated with your money habits, this episode will help you stop blaming yourself and start creating systems that actually support your financial goals.
Because building wealth is not about being perfect. It's about building a financial life that works for you consistently over time.
 
New Book - Clever Girl Millionaire; A Guide to Redefining What's Possible, Turning Ambitions into Actions, and Dreams into Millions - Available to order now
 
More Clever Girl Finance Resources:
👋 New to Clever Girl Finance? Start here: https://clevergirlfinance.com/start-here
❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books
❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages
❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog
❤ Follow us on Instagram: @clevergirlfinance

You know you probably shouldn't have bought it… but you did anyway. And no — it's not because you're "bad with money."
Overspending is rarely just a money problem. It's emotional, behavioral, psychological, and often deeply connected to your habits, environment, and past experiences with money.
On this episode, I'm breaking down the REAL reasons why people overspend, even when they know better, and how to finally start changing those habits for good. If you've struggled with impulse spending, emotional spending, lifestyle creep, or constantly feeling like your money disappears, this video is for you.
You'll learn:
Why emotional spending happens
How social media and your environment influence your spending
The psychology behind impulse purchases
Why budgeting alone often doesn't work
How to stop overspending without shame or guilt
Practical strategies to become more intentional with money 
The truth is: awareness changes everything. Once you understand why you overspend, you can finally start building habits that support your financial goals instead of sabotaging them.
 
New Book - Clever Girl Millionaire; A Guide to Redefining What's Possible, Turning Ambitions into Actions, and Dreams into Millions - Available to order now
 
More Clever Girl Finance Resources:
👋 New to Clever Girl Finance? Start here: https://clevergirlfinance.com/start-here
❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books
❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages
❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog
❤ Follow us on Instagram: @clevergirlfinance

On this episode of the podcast, we're joined by Jamie Bosse—Financial Planner, author, and mom of four—for an empowering conversation about how to raise financially confident kids and introduce investing early.
Jamie is passionate about helping young families take control of their finances while teaching children practical money skills that will serve them for life. As the author of Investing for Tweens, Money Boss Mom, and the Milton the Money Savvy Pup children's book series, she believes financial literacy should start long before adulthood.
In this episode, Jamie shares simple, realistic ways parents can teach investing, saving, and healthy money habits without overwhelm—while also modeling confidence, balance, and intentionality at home.
 
What Jamie Discussed on the Podcast:
Her background and what inspired her passion for helping families raise money-smart kids.
Why teaching investing and financial literacy early is so important for tweens and young children.
Advice for parents who feel intimidated teaching money lessons while still figuring out finances themselves.
The most important financial lessons tweens should learn before becoming teenagers.
Simple and engaging ways to introduce investing to children.
Common mistakes families make when teaching kids about money and how to avoid them.
How to teach delayed gratification and smart saving without creating fear or guilt around spending.
How being a mom of four shaped her approach to financial education.
Practical ways to make money conversations part of everyday family life.
Mindset shifts that help children grow into financially confident adults.
 
How to Keep Up With Jamie:
Instagram: @MoneyBossMom
Facebook: Money Boss Mom
Websites: CGNadvisors.com
Personal site: moneybossmom.com
More of her books: miltonthemoneysavvypup.com
 
New Book - Clever Girl Millionaire; A Guide to Redefining What's Possible, Turning Ambitions into Actions, and Dreams into Millions - Available to order now
 
More Clever Girl Finance Resources:
👋 New to Clever Girl Finance? Start here: https://clevergirlfinance.com/start-here
❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books
❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages
❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog
❤ Follow us on Instagram: @clevergirlfinance