The unfiltered realities of money through stories from small business owners, Michigan legends, nonprofit leaders, and some serious side hustlers.
Hi, it's me, your host, Meghan. Welcome to your dose of real talk about money. We're skipping the shame and lectures and getting into the stuff that matters. I'm sitting down with small business owners, nonprofit leaders, and everyday people doing big things on a small budget. So, tune in for some fun and unfiltered stories about the realities of money and budgeting.
New episodes are released every other week on Tuesday.
In this episode of Bleep the Budget, Meghan sits down with fellow parent, Rebecca Clark, to talk about how becoming a parent completely changes your relationship with money. The things that once felt important suddenly don't, while expenses you never thought twice about become part of everyday life.
From daycare and convenience spending to future costs that already have us sweating, we get honest about what raising kids really looks like financially today, and how different it feels from when we were growing up. Because the biggest financial surprise of parenthood isn't always how much kids cost. It's how quickly your priorities change.
Whether you're a new parent, preparing for your first child, or already deep in the world of sports schedules, school activities, and surprise expenses, this episode offers a relatable and honest look at the financial realities of family life.
This week we’re brewing up community & chaos with Scott Newman-Bale, CEO of Shorts Brewing Company and the man known as “The Magician” behind making big ideas actually happen.
We dive into Short’s upcoming move into Traverse City and the exciting plans for Logan’s Landing, what it really takes to keep creativity alive without blowing the budget, and why today’s craft beer landscape is more challenging than many people realize. We also get into building something bigger than beer, creating places people connect with, leaving a positive mark on Northern Michigan, and the balancing act of growing while staying true to who you are.
Plus: money talk, risk-taking, behind-the-scenes realities, and plenty more.
What does it really take to start a business from nothing? We sit down with a local business owner who launched her car detailing company just a few months ago and has already experienced the highs and lows of building something from the ground up. From days of silent phones and slow starts to suddenly juggling more than she expected, she shares the real, unfiltered journey of getting a business off the ground.
From startup costs and early challenges to gaining traction and building a customer base, this is a real look at entrepreneurship in a local community. If you’ve ever thought about starting your own business, side hustle, or service company, this episode is packed with honest insight, practical lessons, and real-world experience from someone in the middle of the journey.
What does it really take to pull off a successful festival?
In this episode, we sit down with one of the masterminds behind Northern Michigan favorites, Flapjack & Flannel and Suds & Snow, to go beyond the beer, wine, and flannel, and into the real story behind the scenes.
From early financial risks and unexpected costs to what actually makes these events profitable, we’re breaking down the numbers, the lessons learned, and the moments that almost made him walk away. If you’ve ever thought about starting your own event, side hustle, or business, this one’s packed with real talk you won’t hear anywhere else.
We sat down with Brock from Happy Camper Coffee Company to talk about what it really takes to turn a side hustle into a brick-and-mortar business.
We get into the money decisions behind the move, the risks that almost stopped him, and the surprising costs (hint: espresso machines are no joke). Plus, Brock shares what actually matters most when building a business—and it might not be what you think.
If you’ve ever thought about starting something of your own, this one’s for you.
In this episode, we sit down with the creator of Yarn Over Hook (YOH) to talk about what it really takes to turn a creative passion into a source of income. From the cost of materials and hours spent on each piece, to pricing, selling on Etsy, and navigating craft shows, we’re breaking down the business side of handmade goods.
We also get into the real questions: Is it actually profitable? What’s worth the time, and what’s not? And how do you balance doing something you love with making sure it pays?
If you’ve ever thought about turning your hobby into a side hustle… this episode is your reality check.
We sit down with Dan Brady, owner of Adventure North Vacation Rentals, to talk about how he started with just one Airbnb and slowly grew it into a thriving portfolio of properties.
Dan shares the real story behind getting started, how he keeps each property budget-friendly, and the smart money moves that helped him grow without going broke along the way.
Even better? Dan genuinely loves helping others get started in the short-term rental world, so we dig into the lessons he’s learned, mistakes to avoid, and why this business can be more accessible than people think.
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