What Nobody Told You About Managing Money as a Creative — And Why This 2020 Episode Still Hits
I'll be honest with you — I'm writing this from the road.
This week I'm traveling, but I couldn't let the week pass without giving you something useful to sit with. So I went back into the archives and pulled out one of my favorite early episodes of Beyond Broke and Hungry, and honestly? It felt like finding money in an old coat pocket. The advice is just as sharp today as it was when we first recorded it.
This week's episode is a replay — originally recorded in 2020 with our former host and two seasoned financial advisors, Mel and Steve from Oasis Wealth Planning in Nashville, Tennessee. Between the two of them, they bring over 50 years of combined experience in personal financial planning, tax strategy, and investment management. And the conversation they had back then? It's tailor-made for where so many of us are right now.
Why I'm Bringing This One Back
We're living in an economy where nothing feels predictable. Side hustles, gig work, creative careers, multiple income streams — it's the reality for a lot of my listeners. And the pressure of managing finances when your income isn't steady can quietly take a toll on everything, including your creativity.
This episode tackles that head-on. And while some of the pop culture references might remind you of 2020, the core of what Mel and Steve share is genuinely timeless.
A Taste of What You'll Hear
One of the first things that stuck with me when I revisited this episode was how Mel reframed budgeting for people with irregular income. The idea isn't to build one perfect budget — it's to know your baseline, the bare minimum you need to survive, and then have a plan ready for when extra money comes in, before it hits your account. Because the moment that money lands without a plan, it disappears.
Steve adds a layer to that with something that challenged even the classic "three to six months emergency fund" rule. For creatives and entrepreneurs specifically, he makes the case that your cushion might need to be closer to twelve months — because a bigger safety net is what actually gives you the freedom to take bigger creative risks. When you're not worried about money, you think differently. You create differently.
They also get into credit cards (yes, including the Dave Ramsey debate), the FIRE movement, how much of your income should actually go toward retirement savings, and one of my favorite moments of the conversation — how to go out with your friends without blowing your budget. Spoiler: soda water with lime is doing a lot of heavy lifting out there.
The Thing That Hit Different on a Re-Listen
One word came up in our conversation that I haven't stopped thinking about: anxiety.
Steve made this point that I think a lot of us need to hear — more income doesn't automatically lower your money anxiety. If your spending grows right alongside your earnings, you're still on the same hamster wheel, just at a higher speed. Building an emergency fund and actually living within a budget is what creates peace of mind. And peace of mind is what creates space for your best work.
That hit me differently this time around. Especially in today's economy.
This Episode Is for You If...
Your income fluctuates month to month and budgeting feels impossible
You've landed a salary or steady income and don't know what to do with the “extra"
You're trying to invest in your creative career (a website, equipment, a conference) but don't know how to prioritize it
You're curious about early retirement — or at least just getting ahead
You've ever sat at a bar nursing one drink trying to look normal while your friends order rounds
Listen Now
This replay of Beyond Broke and Hungry featuring Mel and Steve from Oasis Wealth Planning is available now wherever you listen to podcasts — Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
If it resonates with you, share it with a friend who's navigating the same hustle. And as always — thank you for being here, thank you for listening, and thank you for trusting me with a little piece of your week.
We're in this together. You got this friend!
— Dara
🎧 Listen to the episode on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube
