# Stories # Money + Life Balance ###### Master your money so you can do what you love without a second thought. ### [She Asked ChatGPT to Plan Her Debt Payoff. It Forgot One Thing: Her.](https://join-thebeans.io/2026/07/14/she-asked-ai-to-plan-her-debt-payoff-it-forgot-one-thing-her/) Learn how a member of The Beans combined ChatGPT and real people with financial insights to help pay off her debt. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2026/07/14/she-asked-ai-to-plan-her-debt-payoff-it-forgot-one-thing-her/) July 14, 2026 ### [The SAVE Plan Is Gone: Here’s What To Do to Protect Your PSLF](https://join-thebeans.io/2026/06/16/the-save-plan-is-gone-heres-what-to-do-to-protect-your-pslf/) Your SAVE Plan may have ended, but Public Service Loan Forgiveness is active. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2026/06/16/the-save-plan-is-gone-heres-what-to-do-to-protect-your-pslf/) June 16, 2026 ### [Make Progress: Savings Edition](https://join-thebeans.io/2026/03/01/make-progress-savings-edition/) Savings secured a spot in our three principles of money + life balance because of its great financial, emotional, and behavioral benefits. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2026/03/01/make-progress-savings-edition/) March 1, 2026 ### [Friends with Money: Money and Relationships](https://join-thebeans.io/2026/02/01/money-and-relationships/) How do your “people” influence your spending habits? We’re talking about your community, your circle, your friends, your family. Maybe you don’t think they influence you at all, but research says that’s unlikely. We are social beings, and we tend to match the habits of others in our circles, whether we like it (or realize it) or not. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2026/02/01/money-and-relationships/) February 1, 2026 ### [It’s a new year. You have plans. Does your money?](https://join-thebeans.io/2026/01/01/its-a-new-year/) Let’s make 2026 the year you experience more joy and less stress by having a cash flow plan that works for you. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2026/01/01/its-a-new-year/) January 1, 2026 ### [Align Your Spending with What Matters Most This Holiday Season](https://join-thebeans.io/2025/12/01/align-your-spending/) The holiday season should be about joy, not stress, right? Whatever your traditions, the key to a fulfilling holiday season lies in aligning your spending with what truly brings you joy. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2025/12/01/align-your-spending/) December 1, 2025 ### [Build Generational Wealth](https://join-thebeans.io/2025/11/01/build-generational-wealth/) We often think of the next generations as our own children; however, it can also include our extended family, our neighborhoods, causes or organizations we care about, or even the culture we come from. The decisions we make today to grow our wealth have an impact on those who come after us. This is the concept of generational wealth. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2025/11/01/build-generational-wealth/) November 1, 2025 ### [Success Tips for Public Service Loan Forgiveness](https://join-thebeans.io/2025/09/15/success-tips-public-service-loan-forgiveness/) PSLF was created to relieve some of the burdens of student loans for those employed in public service professions, such as those who work in education, healthcare, non-profit, and government jobs, for example. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2025/09/15/success-tips-public-service-loan-forgiveness/) September 15, 2025 ### [Plan for a Secure and Joyful Retirement](https://join-thebeans.io/2025/08/01/plan-for-a-secure-and-joyful-retirement/) Building a secure and joyful retirement takes a bit of planning, consistent saving, and making choices that align with your values, now and in the future. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2025/08/01/plan-for-a-secure-and-joyful-retirement/) August 1, 2025 ### [Money Notes: From Scarcity to Empowerment](https://join-thebeans.io/2025/02/01/from-scarcity-to-empowerment/) Jaki’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience and the willingness to learn and grow. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2025/02/01/from-scarcity-to-empowerment/) February 1, 2025 ### [Money Notes: From Responsibility to Resilience](https://join-thebeans.io/2025/01/01/from-responsibility-to-resilience/) While money wasn’t a source of concern during her childhood, everything changed in high school for Barby when she took on responsibility for household bills. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2025/01/01/from-responsibility-to-resilience/) January 1, 2025 ### [Balancing Generosity and Progress This Holiday Season](https://join-thebeans.io/2024/12/01/balancing-generosity-and-progress/) You may feel the weight of wanting to be generous while also trying to stick to financial goals, or the pressure of a growing credit card balance. So how do we gift without regret? … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2024/12/01/balancing-generosity-and-progress/) December 1, 2024 ### [Myth Busting: 3 Common Myths about Savings and Paying off Debt](https://join-thebeans.io/2024/10/01/myths-about-savings-and-debt/) In this blog, we will break down some of the most common myths so you can stress less and enjoy your money more. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2024/10/01/myths-about-savings-and-debt/) October 1, 2024 ### [Embrace Change](https://join-thebeans.io/2024/09/03/embrace-change/) Whether you’re trying to build up your Essential Savings or trying to pay down debt, understanding the different stages you go through when implementing change will benefit you and your Plan. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2024/09/03/embrace-change/) September 3, 2024 ### [Your Map to Financial Balance in 3 Simple Steps](https://join-thebeans.io/2024/08/01/navigating-debt-and-savings-2/) We share our three principles for finding money + life balance as a Caring Professional. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2024/08/01/navigating-debt-and-savings-2/) August 1, 2024 ### [Navigating Debt and Savings: How one healthcare professional is moving closer to homeownership](https://join-thebeans.io/2024/07/01/navigating-debt-and-savings/) Understanding what money is coming in and what is tied up in commitments to others is the foundation of your Plan. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2024/07/01/navigating-debt-and-savings/) July 1, 2024 ### [Maximize Your Summer Money Mindset With 3 Simple Steps](https://join-thebeans.io/2024/06/01/maximize-your-summer-money/) Whether you are an educator looking to stretch your income over the next couple of months or juggling fluctuating income for a short period, how can you embrace a summer money mindset to enjoy the season and set yourself up for success in the fall? … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2024/06/01/maximize-your-summer-money/) June 1, 2024 ### [Navigating Debt: 3 proven practices for Caring Professionals](https://join-thebeans.io/2024/04/01/proven-practices-caring-professionals/) For those of us tackling card debt, the sheer number of recommendations can be overwhelming. Where to start? What to do? … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2024/04/01/proven-practices-caring-professionals/) April 1, 2024 ### [How to Build Your Plan When You Have Debt and Savings](https://join-thebeans.io/2024/03/01/debt-and-savings/) Balancing debt and savings can feel like trying to pat your head and rub your stomach at the same time – tricky, but totally doable. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2024/03/01/debt-and-savings/) March 1, 2024 ### [Make Progress when Relationships + Money Mix](https://join-thebeans.io/2024/02/01/make-progress/) It’s time to throw away what you have been told: relationships and money do mix. Let us show you how your relationships can promote your financial progress. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2024/02/01/make-progress/) February 1, 2024 ### [Cultivate More Joy and Less Stress this Holiday Season](https://join-thebeans.io/2023/12/01/cultivate-more-joy-and-less-stress-this-holiday-season/) “I hadn’t really thought about (planning) for my holidays and giving myself a limit. I do have an insanely large family, so many of us. And I always like to give to my family.” -Valentina … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2023/12/01/cultivate-more-joy-and-less-stress-this-holiday-season/) December 1, 2023 ### [Money Made Simple](https://join-thebeans.io/2023/11/01/money-made-simple/) “I’m trying to be a better steward of where my money goes and putting a name to every dollar. “- Ayauna … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2023/11/01/money-made-simple/) November 1, 2023 ### [Discovering Your Joy: Investing in Happiness Yields Infinite Value](https://join-thebeans.io/2023/10/01/discover-your-joy/) “It’s hard because all I can really think about right now is the first year of teaching,” Bekah, a first-year teacher and Beans user. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2023/10/01/discover-your-joy/) October 1, 2023 ### [Automate Your Way to Financial Progress](https://join-thebeans.io/2023/09/01/automate-your-way-to-financial-progress/) Automation makes our lives easier in so many ways. We automate our meeting invites, our prescription refills, our Netflix subscription! Automation is also a powerful tool for our financial wellness. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2023/09/01/automate-your-way-to-financial-progress/) September 1, 2023 ### [This Teacher Built Savings, Paid Off Debt, and is on to the Next Goal](https://join-thebeans.io/2023/08/01/achieving-your-goals/) Kiandra used The Beans’ 3 Principles to build her Essential Savings and pay off debt. Here’s how she did it and how she’s going to use the 3 Principles again. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2023/08/01/achieving-your-goals/) August 1, 2023 ### [Building a Savings and Debt Payoff Plan](https://join-thebeans.io/2023/07/01/building-a-savings-and-debt-payoff-plan/) The first step is to know where your money is going. Take a look at what you are paying monthly. There are fixed expenses like rent and utilities and then there are flexible expenses like groceries and a new pair of shoes. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2023/07/01/building-a-savings-and-debt-payoff-plan/) July 1, 2023 ### [Summer Dreaming? 3 Steps to Enjoy the Summer Fun and Make Financial Progress](https://join-thebeans.io/2023/06/01/make-financial-progress/) Regardless of how you plan on spending your long summer days- fun and financial progress do coexist! So how do you set yourself up for success this summer? Answer these three questions and then dust off those flip flops. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2023/06/01/make-financial-progress/) June 1, 2023 ### [Growth Requires Change: Moving Through the 6 Stages of Behavior Change](https://join-thebeans.io/2023/05/01/6-stages-of-behavior-change/) Behavior change is not always easy, and it takes a little time, but knowing the stages of behavior change will make the process more successful and more fun. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2023/05/01/6-stages-of-behavior-change/) May 1, 2023 ### [Unlock Your Saving Superpower](https://join-thebeans.io/2023/04/01/unlock-your-saving-superpower/) Savings plays a foundational role in financial progress. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2023/04/01/unlock-your-saving-superpower/) April 1, 2023 ### [A Plan for Financial Balance that’s within Reach](https://join-thebeans.io/2023/03/10/financial-balance/) There’s one strength we all must master to achieve success in the other areas of our lives, and that strength is financial balance. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2023/03/10/financial-balance/) March 10, 2023 ### [This Valentine’s Day, go on a Money Date](https://join-thebeans.io/2023/02/01/money-date/) With your friends, lover(s), or random strangers … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2023/02/01/money-date/) February 1, 2023 ### [Love + Money](https://join-thebeans.io/2023/02/01/love-and-money/) Be fearless, your people can lift you up … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2023/02/01/love-and-money/) February 1, 2023 ### [The Secret to Getting What You Want in 2023](https://join-thebeans.io/2023/01/01/the-secret-to-getting-what-you-want-in-2023/) It’s that time of year. Friends, family, coworkers, the barista at Starbucks, everyone wants to know: “What are your New Year’s Resolutions?” Whether you fanatically set them or avoid resolutions like the plague, this is the time of year when goals are top of mind. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2023/01/01/the-secret-to-getting-what-you-want-in-2023/) January 1, 2023 ### [Gifting without Regret](https://join-thebeans.io/2022/12/01/gifting-without-regret/) This holiday season, make a list to gift without regret. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2022/12/01/gifting-without-regret/) December 1, 2022 ### [Finding Alignment: How do I Spend According to My Values?](https://join-thebeans.io/2021/10/05/spend-according-to-your-values/) Every dollar is equal, right? Research out of the University of Cambridge suggests that might not be the case. You might actually be able to get “more” out of your dollar by making sure that your spending is aligned with your values. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2021/10/05/spend-according-to-your-values/) October 5, 2021 ### [This is your Brain on Money](https://join-thebeans.io/2021/09/22/brain-on-money/) Looking at the neuroscience and chemistry of the brain can help us examine how money actually impacts our health. Is it possible that money can buy happiness? Here at the Beans, we both challenge and affirm that assertion. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2021/09/22/brain-on-money/) September 22, 2021 ### [Meet The Beans](https://join-thebeans.io/2020/11/10/meet-the-beans/) When our founder and CEO, Melissa Pancoast, was a teacher, she noticed that her community’s stress, from the teachers’ lounge to her students’ parents, had financial roots. … [Read More](https://join-thebeans.io/2020/11/10/meet-the-beans/)