The SoulFire Sessions

Financial Series, Episode 2: Your Money Blueprint

Alex Widener & Mariah Newman

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0:00 | 30:39

Introduction
This Money Matters for Real People series is designed to explore the intersection of financial strategy, mindset, and long-term decision making. Each episode breaks down complex financial topics into clear, actionable insights to help individuals, families, and business owners make more confident financial decisions.

Summary
In this episode of Money Matters for Real People, Cristina Easterling and Joshua Montanez discuss the foundations of creating a financial plan and why understanding where you are financially is the first step toward building confidence with money. Together, they explore how to inventory your finances without judgment, identify personal financial goals, and create a plan that reflects your real life—not someone else’s. 

The conversation also breaks down Josh’s simple “bucket” approach to money management, covering cash flow, savings, investments, and the role credit can play in long-term planning. Listeners will learn why automation, consistent check-ins, and realistic goal setting can help reduce financial stress and create greater peace of mind over time. 

Disclosure
Please remember that all investments carry some level of risk, including the potential loss of principal invested. No investment strategy can assure a profit and does not protect against loss in declining markets. Indexes and/or benchmarks are unmanaged and cannot be invested in directly. Returns represent past performance, are not a guarantee of future performance and are not indicative of any specific investment.

Members use Montanez Wealth Advisors as a marketing name for doing business as representatives of Northwestern Mutual. Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM) (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries, including Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (Investment Brokerage Services), a subsidiary of NM, registered investment adviser, broker-dealer and member FINRA and SIPC and Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (Investment Advisory Services) , a federal savings bank. NM and its subsidiaries are in Milwaukee, WI.

To view detailed disclosures regarding individual representatives, view their information at www.montanezwealth.com. 

Connect with Josh Montanez:
Scheduling Link: 15 Minute Phone Call with Josh Montanez
Instagram: Montanez Wealth Advisors Instagram
Facebook: Montanez Wealth Advisors Facebook
LinkedIn: Josh Montanez LinkedIn

Keywords:
Financial planning; money mindset; budgeting; savings; investing; retirement planning; emergency funds; debt management; financial goals; wealth building; money habits; financial confidence; financial wellness; financial literacy

Connect with The SoulFire Collective

Website: thesoulfire.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesoulfireco/
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-soulfire-collective/