The Catholic Money Show from WalletWin

Most budgeting advice assumes you get paid the same amount on the first and the 15th like clockwork. But what if you’re self-employed, commission-based, fundraising, running a business, or juggling side hustles? In this episode of The Catholic Money Show, Jonathan and Amanda share the exact system they’ve used for over 14 years to budget successfully with irregular income. From fundraising missionaries to entrepreneurs, their income has rarely looked the same two months in a row — and budgeting still works. They break down: • The three expense numbers you must know (bare minimum, comfortable, and dream budget) • How to analyze your income patterns without guessing • Why most “budget as you get paid” advice fails irregular earners • The income pad strategy that smooths out feast-and-famine cycles • The powerful “get a month ahead” system that brings real stability If you’ve ever said, “Budgeting doesn’t work because my income is unpredictable,” this episode will show you why that’s a myth — and what actually works. Whether your income swings by hundreds or thousands each month, this framework will help you create peace, predictability, and long-term stability. Resources Mentioned: 📘 Free Catholic Guide to Budgeting https://catholicbudgetguide.com

In this episode of The Catholic Money Show, Jonathan and Amanda tackle one of the most common (and emotionally charged) issues in marriage: how to talk about money with your spouse without starting a couples war. Drawing from their own early money struggles and years of coaching Catholic couples, they unpack why these fights happen and how to prevent them. In this episode: Shownotes & Resources 💍 Money Together Workshop Get on the same financial page as a couple:👉 https://walletwin.com/moneytogether 📘 Catholic Budget Guide👉 https://walletwin.com/catholicbudgetguide/ 🎓 Catholic Money Academy👉 https://walletwin.com/academy/

We didn’t think we would ever say this out loud… but we quit homeschooling. In this episode of The Catholic Money Show, Jonathan and Amanda share the real story behind that decision — what was working, what wasn’t, and why they ultimately chose something different for this season of family life. If you’ve ever felt tension around schooling decisions — whether you homeschool, do hybrid or in person school — this episode will likely feel relatable in the best way because sometimes faithfulness means pivoting. In this episode, we discuss: Why we originally chose homeschooling The unexpected stressors that emerged How this decision affected our daily rhythms and finances The pressure Catholic families can feel around schooling choices How to discern schooling decisions without ego or comparison Resources Mentioned: Catholic Guide to Budgeting 👉 https://catholicbudgetguide.com Catholic Money Academy 👉 https://walletwin.com/academy If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who might need to hear an honest conversation about schooling and discernment. And if you have thoughts, you can always reach us at: 📧 email@walletwin.com 📞 Leave us a voicemail: https://walletwin.com/voicemail

We weren’t shopping for a camper van… and then an auction popped up. Seventy-two hours later, we owned one. In this episode of The Catholic Money Show, Jonathan and Amanda walk through how an unexpected opportunity turned into a confident, peaceful financial decision—and why it didn’t involve panic, debt, or overthinking. They share the real story behind buying a camper van quickly, how they evaluated whether it made sense financially, and the framework they use to make big decisions without stress. Along the way, they talk about market demand, cash flow, risk management, season-of-life boundaries, and why having a solid budget gives you the freedom to say yes when the right opportunity comes along—or no when it doesn’t. If you’ve ever wondered how to make big financial decisions without fear, regret, or constant second-guessing, this episode gives you a practical look at what that actually looks like in real life. Resources Mentioned : Catholic Guide to Budgeting 👉 https://catholicbudgetguide.com

In this episode of the Catholic Money Show, Jonathan discusses three financial ideas proposed by President Trump, analyzing their implications from a Catholic perspective. The conversation covers the proposal to cap credit card interest rates, the idea of banning private equity from buying homes, and the controversial 50-year mortgage. Each idea is examined for its potential impact on consumers and the economy, with a focus on the moral and ethical considerations surrounding these financial policies.

In this episode of The Catholic Money Show, Jonathan and Amanda turn their attention directly to those working in Catholic ministries, parishes, and organizations. The question at hand is uncomfortable but necessary: how do we avoid causing financial scandal while serving the Church? Drawing from their years as FOCUS missionaries, Jonathan explains why fundraising for salaries can be good, biblical, and necessary—and why that reality also comes with a serious moral responsibility. When your income comes from sacrificial donors, the way you manage money matters more, not less. The episode covers: Why fundraising for ministry salaries is legitimate and often beneficial How visibility increases responsibility and the risk of scandal What “right-sizing” income really means for missionaries and staff Why Catholic workers must practice financial virtue, not just financial literacy The difference between enjoying normal human goods and living irresponsibly Why Catholic institutions must offer real financial formation to their staff 🔔 Resources Mentioned Financial Examination of Conscience: https://walletwin.com/examination Catholic Budget Guide: https://catholicbudgetguide.com Catholic Money Academy: https://walletwin.com/academy

In this episode of The Catholic Money Show, Jonathan and Amanda respond to a question many Catholic families and students are asking after this year’s SEEK Conference. Drawing from their experience as former FOCUS missionaries, they share insights on the evolution of SEEK, its rising costs, and the importance of the event in fostering community and spiritual growth among young Catholics. They discuss why cost alone shouldn’t determine whether something is God’s will, how fundraising can actually teach responsibility and stewardship, and why encounters with Christ, vocation, and conversion can’t always be measured in dollars. Along the way, they address common concerns about debt, budgeting, and financial integrity in Catholic ministry—while affirming the importance of prudence, boundaries, and saying no when needed. Feeling overwhelmed by money decisions or debt? Join our free workshop, From Panic to Peace on Jan 21st. 👉 Register here: https://walletwin.com/peace/

Amanda went on The Catholic Woman Podcast, hosted by Marie Hanson, for a wide-ranging conversation about money, faith, and what it actually takes to find financial peace today. In this episode, Amanda shares the real story behind a major money fight early in her marriage, how she and Jonathan paid off debt and stayed out of it, and why debt freedom is only the beginning—not the finish line. They talk candidly about budgeting as a skill Catholics need to relearn, the moral and practical challenges of credit cards, and why debt keeps families tied to the past instead of free to respond to God’s call. We also mention some of the realities young families are facing right now: an increasingly unaffordable housing market, the student loan crisis and the pressure many couples feel when they’re trying to do “everything right” and still feel stuck while sharing stories of God’s very specific providence along the way. This episode is especially for anyone feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to move forward financially while staying faithful. Resources mentioned: • Catholic Budget Guide: https://walletwin.com/catholicbudgetguide/ • Learn more about WalletWin and Catholic Money Academy: https://walletwin.com If this conversation encouraged you, share it with a friend—and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review to help more Catholics find it.

We made a hard decision in 2025 that will radically change our family’s 2026—and it didn’t come out of nowhere. In this episode of The Catholic Money Show, we walk through how annual planning has shaped our family’s biggest decisions over the years, from homeschooling to schooling, from time stewardship to major life pivots. We share how our yearly “dream date” and planning rhythm helped us notice when something that once worked was no longer bearing good fruit—and gave us the clarity and courage to change course. This conversation is about learning how to step back, examine the fruit of your decisions, and discern where God may be inviting you to stay the course—or make a shift—in the year ahead. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the status quo, unsure whether a good thing is still the right thing, this episode will help you think through annual planning with honesty, faith, and intention. 👉 Plan Your Year with Us (Live Workshop + Planner Bundle): Join our live Plan Your Year 2026 workshop and get access to the Big Catholic Planner, wall calendar, and more at https://walletwin.com/calendar

As we look ahead to 2026, Jonathan and Amanda take an honest look back at the purchases that shaped their family’s financial life in 2025—for better and for worse. In this episode of The Catholic Money Show, they walk through their favorite purchases, their lingering regrets, and the patterns that emerged when they slowed down to reflect. From great deals that genuinely served their family to “savings” that quietly cost them time, energy, and peace, this conversation is about learning how to discern money decisions more wisely as life gets fuller. You’ll hear how priorities shift as responsibilities grow, why saving money isn’t always the most faithful choice, and how to balance stewardship with sanity as you plan for the year ahead. This conversation will help you think more clearly about what to keep, what to change, and what to leave behind as you move into 2026. 📧 Questions or comments? email@walletwin.com 📞 Leave us a voicemail: https://walletwin.com/voicemail If this episode helped you, share it with a friend and leave a 5-star review—it helps more families find the show.

In this episode of the Catholic Money Show, Amanda and Jonathan discuss the concept of 'brain rot', exploring how excessive screen time affects our lives and mental health. They emphasize the importance of creating a battle plan for 2026 to avoid falling into the trap of mindless scrolling and unintentional time wastage. The conversation includes practical strategies for limiting phone usage, the benefits of media detoxes, and the introduction of their Big Catholic Planner and Calendar as tools for intentional living and planning for the new year. Moments of Note 00:00 Introduction to the Battle Plan for 2026 00:19 Understanding Bed Rot and Brain Rot 02:11 The Impact of Screens on Our Lives 05:29 The Rise of Screen Usage and Its Effects 06:25 Media Detox and Memory Improvement 09:22 Experimenting with Phone Usage 10:20 The Challenge of Limiting Phone Time 13:24 Creating an Anti-Bed Rot Challenge 14:54 Introducing the Big Catholic Planner and Calendar 18:07 Planning for the New Year 21:15 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Jonathan shares some ideas for low-cost, high-value Christmas gifts.

How do you stay generous at Christmas without blowing your budget? In this special episode, Jonathan joins Sarah on Morning Air (Relevant Radio) to talk through practical, realistic ways to navigate Christmas spending with clarity and peace. They cover: • How to set a Christmas budget that actually works • Why breaking your plan down person by person matters • What to do when a gift you love is outside the limit • How couples can team up on the Christmas budget • How to talk with family about scaling back traditions • Simple ways to avoid the post-Christmas credit-card hangover • Why stewardship—not stress—is the heart of Catholic gift-giving Whether you’re aiming to stay debt-free this season or want a calmer approach to holiday spending, this conversation gives you the tools to plan well and stay grounded. 👉 Grab the free Catholic Guide to Budgeting at catholicbudgetguide.com

Budgeting gets a bad reputation—people say it’s restrictive, stressful, or simply doesn’t work. But the truth? Most people aren’t budgeting the way budgeting is actually designed to work. In this episode, Jonathan and Amanda break down the three core habits that make budgeting simple, effective, and peaceful. Practical, biblical principles that hundreds of Catholic Money Academy families use to finally feel confident and in control of their finances. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or frustrated with budgeting…this episode is your reset. 📘 Mentioned in This Episode 👉Free Resource: The Catholic Guide to Budgeting, A step-by-step walkthrough for creating your first budget using the WalletWin method. https://catholicbudgetguide.com 👉 Order your 2026 Big Catholic Planner now: ⁠www.bigcatholiccalendar.com Music in this episode is by Dylan Gardner – check out his album Almost Real on ⁠iTunes⁠, ⁠Spotify⁠, or wherever you listen to great music.

We’ve all heard about the avalanche, the snowball, and maybe even the snowflake method for paying off debt… but which one actually works best in real life? In this episode, Jonathan and Amanda go back to their own story of paying off about $25,000 of debt in just 7.5 months and break down the three major debt payoff strategies—what they promise, where they fall short, and why the method you choose matters more than you think. You’ll hear: ❄️ Debt Avalanche – the mathematically “optimal” approach that often fails real human behavior ❄️ Debt Snowflake/Flurry – lots of motion, not much progress ❄️ Debt Snowball – the method they used, and why those early wins were crucial Plus how they now teach a deeper, more strategic version called Stack & Attack inside the Catholic Money Academy. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, ashamed, or just stuck with your debt, this episode will help you choose a strategy you’ll actually stick with—so you can finally make the progress you’ve been praying for. Explore Catholic Money Academy: https://walletwin.com/academy/ 📧 Questions or comments? email@walletwin.com 📞 Leave us a voicemail: https://walletwin.com/voicemail Music in this episode is by Dylan Gardner – check out his album Almost Real on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you listen to great music.

What if something you already own could start paying for itself? In this episode of The Catholic Money Show, Jonathan and Amanda share how they turned their family RV from a personal purchase into a profitable rental—all while keeping faith, family, and stewardship at the center. After just one year of listing their RV for rent, they recovered the entire cost of the vehicle. But beyond the numbers, this episode is about what they learned: managing logistics, handling risks, serving others, and seeing possessions as opportunities for generosity and wise stewardship. You’ll hear: 🚐 How they transformed their RV into an income-generating asset 💡 The practical side of listing, maintaining, and managing a rental 📈 Lessons on discernment, boundaries, and business decisions rooted in faith Related Episodes (The RV Saga): 📍 Why We Bought a 26-Year-Old RV 📍 R.I.P. Wallet Winnebago 📍 What We Learned Living in an RV for 7 Weeks 👉 Begin your Catholic financial formation inside Catholic Money Academy: https://walletwin.com/academy/ 📧 Questions or comments? email@walletwin.com 📞 Leave us a voicemail: https://walletwin.com/voicemail 🎵 Music in this episode is by Dylan Gardner – check out his album Almost Real wherever you listen to great music.

Caring for your children and your parents at the same time? You’re not alone. In this episode of The Catholic Money Show, Jonathan and Amanda dive into the unique financial and emotional challenges of the “sandwich generation.” If budgeting for aging parents while managing the daily demands of family life and work sounds familiar, this conversation will help you show up for the people you love with peace, purpose, and a plan—without losing your sanity (or your savings) along the way. 👉 Get your free Catholic Budget Guide: https://walletwin.com/catholicbudgetguide/ 🗂️ Prepare for life’s unexpected moments: https://walletwin.com/binder 📧 Questions or comments? email@walletwin.com 📞 Leave us a voicemail: https://walletwin.com/voicemail 🎵 Music in this episode is by Dylan Gardner – check out his album Almost Real on iTunes, Spotify or wherever you listen to great music.

Every January, thousands of families look back at the holiday season and wonder: “What happened to our budget?” In this episode of The Catholic Money Show, Jonathan and Amanda Teixeira share practical (and heart-centered) tips to help you host joyfully—without draining your wallet. From setting a realistic holiday hosting budget to creating meaningful traditions that focus on relationships over appearances, they’ll show you how to celebrate with peace and purpose. You’ll learn: How to set clear spending boundaries before the season starts Creative ways to host on a budget (without cutting the joy) Tips to prevent post-Christmas debt and stress How to refocus your mindset on hospitality and connection Whether you’re planning Thanksgiving, Advent gatherings, or Christmas dinner, this conversation will help you enter the holidays without a financial hangover. 🎁 Resources Mentioned: 👉 5 Days to a Debt-Free Christmas — Get the guide at walletwin.com/christmas 🎄 Use code MERRY10 to save $10! 📧 Questions or comments? email@walletwin.com 📞 Leave us a voicemail: walletwin.com/voicemail Music in this episode is by Dylan Gardner –⁠ check out his album Almost Real on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you listen to great music.

What does Taylor Swift’s new song “Wi$h Li$t” reveal about our culture’s relationship with money, fame, and love? 💸 In this fun and thoughtful reaction episode, Amanda and Jonathan listen to the track, unpack its lyrics, and explore what it says about society’s obsession with wealth—and how even pop culture reflects our deeper desire for love, family, and meaning. From private jets to basketball hoops in the driveway, they discuss what the song gets right (and wrong) about happiness, success, and the human heart. 👉 Preorder your 2026 Big Catholic Planner now: www.walletwin.com/calendar 📧 Questions or comments? email@walletwin.com 📞 Leave us a voicemail: https://walletwin.com/voicemail 🎵 Music Credits: Intro Music in this episode is by Dylan Gardner – check out his album Almost Real on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you listen to great music. Clips and references from Taylor Swift’s “Wi$h Li$t” are used for educational commentary under fair use. All rights belong to their respective owners.

In this inspiring interview from The Catholic Money Summit, Amanda Teixeira sits down with Rob and Sam Fatzinger—parents of fourteen and authors of A Catholic Guide to Spending Less and Living More. Together, they discuss what it really takes to live within your means, raise a large family, and trust God through every financial season. From appreciating simple pleasures to resisting comparison on social media, this conversation offers refreshing honesty about Catholic family life, budgeting, and faith-filled contentment. Rob and Sam share stories of community generosity, lessons from past financial mistakes, and the deep joy of living a simple life rooted in trust and gratitude. If you’ve ever wondered how large families balance faith and finances without losing peace, this episode will encourage you to focus on what truly matters. 👉 Access More Inspiring Interviews: Explore The Catholic Money Summit and gain access to dozens of incredible conversations about faith, money, and mission. On-demand access now available at CatholicMoneySummit.com. 📧 Questions or comments? email@walletwin.com 📞 Leave us a voicemail: https://walletwin.com/voicemail