Saving Whiz podcast
Gina Zakaria, founder of Saving Whiz, is a personal finance educator on a mission to help you fix your finances the easy way. Gina is a wife, mom, and recovering spender turned money-saving ninja. She breaks down dense money topics into simple, bite-sized concepts so it's easy, actionable, and empowers you to take positive steps with your money. Gina helps you navigate all things money, including budgeting, frugal living, easy ways to save money, debt freedom, investing and building wealth. New episodes every Thursday.
Saving Whiz podcast
The Budgeting Myth That’s Keeping You Broke
Episode Summary
Traditional budgeting fails most people, and it’s not because you’re careless or bad with money. In this episode, we talk about why these systems break down, especially for busy households. You’ll learn how your natural tendencies shape your financial habits and why honoring those tendencies creates more success with less effort.
We’ll explore the four Money Styles and walk through the RICH Model, a flexible framework that helps you reclaim your resources, align your spending with what matters, create cash flow, and hold space for your dreams.
If you’ve ever thought, “I should be better with money,” this episode will help you see that you’re not the problem. The method is.
If you’re looking for a calmer, simpler way to manage money that fits your real life, you’ll feel right at home here.
Why This Matters
Most people assume they need more discipline when a budget doesn’t work. In reality, most traditional systems don’t leave room for real life. They ignore how people think and behave with money and don’t make space for the emotional side of it.
When your system fits your wiring, progress feels easier. A plan that works with your natural style leads to steady growth and less stress.
Key Takeaways
• Personal finance is emotional and behavioral.
• A plan that ignores your wiring will feel stressful.
• When your plan aligns with your natural style, it sticks.
• Flexibility makes progress feel lighter and easier.
The Four Money Styles
• Spender: Generous, present-focused, loves caring for others.
• Saver: Prefers security and holds onto money.
• Planner: Loves structure, clarity, and predictability.
• Avoider: Feels overwhelmed by numbers and prefers simplicity.
Want to learn your style? Take the free 60-second quiz linked below.
Inside the RICH Model
R: Reclaim Your Resources
Find leaks and redirect the money you already earn.
I: Intentionally Align
Spend and save based on what matters most.
C: Create Cash Flow
Build breathing room so you have flexibility and options.
H: Hold Space for Your Dreams
Use money to support the future you want.
Timestamp Guide
00:00 Welcome and intro
01:15 Why I stopped teaching traditional budgeting
03:20 The truth behind why traditional budgets fail
05:40 What changed for me
07:10 The four Money Styles
09:00 Why your style matters
12:30 The RICH Model
15:30 Why flexibility works
17:40 Final thoughts
Resources Mentioned
• Free Money Style Quiz
• Part one of the Freedom Budgeting series
Next Steps
If this episode resonated with you, go back and listen to part one of the Freedom Budgeting series to build your foundation. Then come back for part three, where we’ll explore how to align your spending with what matters most.
Subscribe so you don't miss an episode.
- Take the Free Money Style Quiz → Discover if you’re a Saver 💚, Spender 💖, Avoider 🦉, or Planner 📘
- Join the 7-Day Savings Challenge → Save up to $800 in one week, the simple way
💌 Connect with Gina
- Instagram: @savingwhiz
- Website: savingwhiz.com
- YouTube: Saving Whiz