Ep 57: What No One Taught You About Money (But Should Have) with Brooke Busi
If you’ve ever thought, “I’m good at making money… but where the hell does it go?” this episode is for you.
Because here’s the truth no one talks about enough in the service provider space.
Making money and keeping money are two completely different skill sets.
And most of us were never taught the second one.
In this conversation, I sit down with Brooke from Brooke Builds Wealth to talk about financial literacy, emotional relationships with money, and what it actually looks like to build a business that supports you long-term, not just in the moment.
This one is equal parts practical and personal. We talk systems, savings, and also the deeply ingrained patterns that shape how we handle money.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode
Why earning money is only 75% of the equation
The real gap in financial literacy (and why it exists)
How to build a system for keeping money, not just making it
Why most adults operate with “middle school level” financial knowledge
How to teach kids healthy money habits early
The connection between emotional language and financial behavior
Why saving money feels so hard and how to start anyway
How to build financial confidence as a service provider
What an emergency fund actually protects you from
Why in-person marketing is making a comeback for service providers
The Problem No One Prepares You For
A lot of service providers are really good at making money.
We know how to sell.
We know how to deliver.
We know how to grow.
But no one teaches us how to keep it.
And if you don’t have a system for that, it doesn’t matter how much you make.
It disappears.
That was something I had to learn the hard way, and it’s something Brooke breaks down so simply in this episode.
You don’t need to reinvent your entire business.
You just need a system.
Financial Literacy Is the Missing Piece
One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is just how widespread financial illiteracy actually is.
And not in a judgmental way.
In a very real, “we were never taught this” way.
Most adults are operating with a middle school level understanding of money.
Which explains why things like:
Retirement accounts
Credit cards
Investing
Taxes
Feel overwhelming or confusing.
It’s not because you’re bad with money.
It’s because no one ever taught you how it works.
You Can’t Build What You Don’t Understand
This is where things start to click.
Because if you don’t understand how money works, you can’t build systems around it.
And if you don’t have systems, everything feels reactive.
You make money → you spend money → you start over.
That cycle keeps you stuck.
The shift is moving into intentional allocation.
Telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.
The Emotional Side of Money (That No One Talks About)
We also went deep into something that doesn’t get enough attention.
Your emotional relationship with money.
The language you grew up hearing matters.
The stories you were told matter.
The way your family talked about money matters.
Because those things shape your behavior as an adult.
Whether you realize it or not.
Even simple phrases like “that’s too expensive” or “must be nice” carry weight.
They create meaning.
And that meaning shows up in your decisions.
Why Saving Feels So Hard (And What to Do Instead)
If saving money feels impossible, you’re not alone.
Most people wait until they “make enough” to start saving.
But that moment never comes.
Because your expenses grow with your income.
The shift is starting small.
Even 1%.
Even 5%.
Because once you see it build, everything changes.
You start to feel in control.
And that’s where confidence comes from.
Systems Create Safety
One of the most powerful parts of Brooke’s story is how her financial systems supported her through a major life event.
After a serious accident and brain injury, she wasn’t able to work in the same way.
But because she had savings and investments in place, money wasn’t the immediate stressor.
That’s what financial systems are for.
Not just growth.
Stability.
Service Providers Need This More Than Anyone
If you run a service-based business, this matters even more.
Because your income can fluctuate.
You don’t have the same built-in security as a traditional job.
Which means you need to create your own.
Runway matters.
Cash flow matters.
Planning ahead matters.
And none of that is about restriction.
It’s about freedom.
Getting Out of the Online Bubble
We also talked about something I’ve been seeing more and more.
The shift away from relying only on social media.
Brooke is leaning into in-person events, partnerships, and real-life connections.
And it’s working.
Because trust is easier to build face-to-face.
And in a world where online noise is louder than ever, that matters.
Your Takeaway
If you’re making money but not keeping it:
You don’t have a discipline problem.
You don’t have a motivation problem.
You have a system problem.
Start small.
Start simple.
But start.
Because you deserve to feel in control of your money.
Chapters
00:00 – Intro and money conversation setup
04:30 – Transition from teaching to financial education
07:00 – The financial literacy gap explained
10:00 – Teaching kids about money
14:00 – Digital vs physical money habits
19:00 – Emotional relationship with money
24:00 – Starting and growing the business
26:00 – Emergency funds and financial stability
30:00 – Runway, cash flow, and planning
33:00 – Saving habits and mindset shifts
36:00 – Breaking spending cycles
40:00 – Money conversations in relationships
44:00 – Business growth and marketing shifts
49:00 – In-person marketing vs social media
About the Guest
Brooke Busi is a Certified Financial Educator, public school teacher, and founder of Brooke Builds Wealth- a financial literacy company. She spends her time reading money books, eating Trader Joe’s snacks, and helping beginners turn “What the heck is a Roth IRA?” into “Look at my investment portfolio!”. She doesn’t sell investments or financial products. Instead, she's made money fun and approachable for over 3,500 beginners through workshops, courses, and coaching. Find her on Instagram @brookebuildswealth and say hi...or invite her to lead a financial literacy workshop for your university, employer, or organization.
Connect with Brooke
Website: www.brookebuildswealth.com
Instagram: @brookebuildswealth
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