Let’s be real. Money anxiety? It’s everywhere—especially for women chasing big dreams. “How can women change their money mindset?” That’s the powerful question we unraveled in this week’s Diana Prince Lives Next Door podcast (brought to you by The Gal Project and shining right here on the Angela Atelier blog!). And trust me. This was not your grandma’s budgeting talk.
I (photographer, advocate, your Gal-Next-Door) sat down with the brilliant Debbie O’Hara, money coach and speaker, to dig deep into what actually keeps us feeling stressed, stuck, and silent about money. I’ll just say it: this episode is a must-listen for every female entrepreneur or professional who’s tired of letting money hold her back.
Your Financial Power, Unleashed (No More Guilt. No More Hiding.)
Debbie knows the emotional mess behind most money struggles. (It’s not just numbers on a page.) Growing up, she watched her family battle over finances and got no real tools at school—sound familiar? She told me our “money stories” start early, and if we don’t take back control, those stories quietly run the show for years. Like the shame spiral of credit card debt, or that embarrassing avoidance dance we do when it’s time to check our bank apps.
Here’s what really changed the game for me: Debbie says the feeling of constantly being “limited” is a lie. For nearly every client, it wasn’t an income problem, but a clarity problem. Most women had good money coming in—but without facing the numbers, choices, and automatic habits, it felt like every month was a grind. Debbie’s solution? Ditch financial avoidance, track your spending, and give yourself radical grace for past mistakes. “Budgeting isn’t about eating metaphorical rice cakes for eternity,” she says. “It’s about true flexibility and joy.”
She also brought the real talk on credit cards—how those sneaky minimum payments keep us trapped for a decade, how “rewards” don’t mean jack if you’re paying 28% interest, and why undercharging in business is a guaranteed trip to burnout. If you’ve ever justified a client’s price based on their budget while shrinking yourself? Girl, this one’s for you.
How Can Women Rewrite Their Financial Story?
We drilled down to brass tacks. Debbie’s top advice?
- Track every dollar with intention (ditch the apps and grab a notebook or free tracker)
- Make a budget that includes what you love (hello, facials and a night out!)
- Treat business expenses as real investments—but only the ones that actually serve you
- Practice paying yourself and standing in your CEO energy
And the kicker? Give yourself permission. Your money habits aren’t a moral failure. They are learned—and they can be unlearned.
Before I sign off, Debbie shared the one book that “changed everything” for her: Women and Money by Suze Orman. Not because of the technical tips (though those are gold), but because it finally framed financial empowerment squarely in the realm of women lifting themselves—and each other—up.
Ready to step into your money power?
Hit play on the full episode of Diana Prince Lives Next Door. You’ll find us here: Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music | Spotify. And if you love what you hear? Drop us a review, share with your fiercest female friends, and let’s keep hyping the game-changing voices (like Debbie’s!) that make all of us stronger.
