Young and Profiting with Hala Taha – Episode 380

Jade Warshaw: Break Free from Debt and Unlock Financial Freedom in 2026

Air Date: January 5, 2026
Host: Hala Taha
Guest: Jade Warshaw, National Finance Expert and Bestselling Author

Episode Overview

In this dynamic New Year’s episode, Hala Taha sits down with Jade Warshaw to unpack the deep emotional patterns that sabotage our financial progress. Drawing from her new book "What No One Tells You About Money" and her personal story of overcoming $460,000 in debt, Jade reveals how fear, shame, guilt, and pride quietly control our money decisions. Blending practical advice with candid anecdotes, the conversation unpacks what it takes to break old cycles and rebuild a healthy financial life in 2026—especially important for entrepreneurs and high achievers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Money and Emotions: The Real Drivers of Financial Choices

• Money isn’t about math—it’s about mindset and emotion

  • “A lot of times we think money is just this thing that’s in our wallet…but it’s not.” (Jade, 00:00)
  • Jade outlines five toxic emotions: frustration, anger, guilt, shame, pity—each of which can keep us financially stuck (03:18).

• Entrepreneurs’ Unique Money Blind Spots

  • Pride, ‘I deserve it’ mentality, and the illusion of control are common.
  • “When you work hard, you feel like you deserve to spend your money on the things you want.” (Jade, 00:45)

2. Jade’s Debt Story and the Path to Acceptance

• Overcame $460,000 in debt with her husband by facing tough emotions head-on.
• Embraced the process as similar to marathon training: “You just have to go through that process…if you do, you will hit that point of acceptance and eventually you will cross your finish line.” (Jade, 07:40)
• Acceptance doesn’t erase the struggle—it allows you to keep moving despite it.

3. Uncomfortable Truths About Money

• “It may not have been your fault, but it’s your job to fix it.” (Jade, 08:25)
  • Don’t wait for rescue—personal responsibility is the only way forward.
• “You can’t blame your way to a better life.” (Jade, 08:25)

4. Cultural Money Trends and Psychological Mechanisms

Loud Budgeting (10:54)

• Setting boundaries openly about spending is liberating and creates community.
• “It frees up so many other people to go, ‘Oh my gosh, me too.’” (Jade, 11:24)

Girl Math (12:33)

• The ‘I deserve it’ loophole—justifying purchases after hard work.
• “At the root…it’s just an I deserve mentality…we want to feel like we’re living the life that our work reflects.” (Jade, 12:45)
• Warning sign: “When you start to sense…‘I deserve’, that should be the warning signal.” (Jade, 14:34)

Quiet Luxury (15:13)

• Luxury for self, not for others’ approval.
• “If nobody ever saw this, would I still buy it?” (Jade, 16:22)

De-Influencing (21:57)

• Influencers are building trust by telling followers what not to buy.
• “People want the truth…Tell me the real truth.” (Jade, 22:35)

5. Financial ‘Check Engine’ Lights

• Everyday warning signs: overdrawing accounts, switching from debit to credit mid-month, needing to check your bank before eating out.
• “If you have to check your bank account before you have brunch with friends, you shouldn’t be at brunch.” (Jade, 24:53)
• Ignoring these signs only creates bigger blow-ups down the line.

6. How Emotions Trap Us – and the Antidote

• Recognize when fear, guilt, or shame are driving avoidance or procrastination.
• “The antidote to fear is light. It just needs to be put out in the open.” (Jade, 27:18)
• Drill down vague fears into specifics to find real solutions.

Differences Between Guilt and Shame (28:38)

• Guilt: Feeling bad about an action that hurt others.
• Shame: Internalizing mistakes as personal identity (e.g., “I am the problem”—Jade, 29:43).

7. Identity and Behavioral Change

• You must shift your identity to make lasting financial change.
• “Behavior is the car…your belief is what’s in the driver’s seat…emotions are steering the wheel.” (Jade, 31:23)

Emotional Audit Scenarios (32:45)

• Feeling broke despite high income = Frustration (33:08)
• Avoiding your bank account = Guilt/Fear (34:04)
• Paralyzed by debt = Fear; solution: look at the facts, not just emotions (34:43)
• Lifestyle inflation with raises = Pride (35:39)

8. Money in Relationships

• Trust and shared goals are critical for couples.
• Uncomfortable conversations about combining finances and transparency are essential, especially for older or previously married individuals (39:34).

Jade’s tip:
“Conversations...have to happen early and often. You cannot save that for after you get married.” (Jade, 39:34)

9. Entrepreneurial Money Pitfalls

• Entrepreneurs are especially prone to pride, rushing into debt, and resisting guidance.
• The need for accountability partners who can both encourage and check you:
  • “If you don’t have somebody who’s saying, ‘you’re wrong and you need to stop’…get ready to fall.” (Jade, 51:34)

10. The Financially Responsible Checklist (55:20)

• Live on a budget (even if it's less detailed as you grow)
• Live debt-free
• Carry proper insurance (business and personal)
• Value savings: emergency fund, 15% investing, real estate
• Prioritize generosity

11. Raising Kids and Instilling Money Beliefs

• Teach children “stuff doesn’t equal happiness” (Jade, 59:13)
• Contentment and relationships are more important than possessions.

12. The Goalpost Problem: Knowing When Enough is Enough

• Money’s “end zone” is always moving.
• “You have to decide: what is the point that I am content if I don’t make another dollar, and everything after that is just gravy.” (Jade, 61:11)

13. Defining Financial Peace and Setting a Five Year Plan

• “Financial peace is an ease of life…it’s the ability to make sure you’re not so focused on money…that you’re neglecting these other areas of your life.” (Jade, 64:01)
• Action Step: “Set up a five year plan for yourself and make it so clear…attach a very crystal clear why.” (Jade, 65:28)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It may not have been your fault, but it’s your job to fix it.” (Jade, 08:25)
• “You can’t blame your way to a better life.” (Jade, 08:25)
• “Behavior is the car. Belief is in the driver’s seat. Emotions steer the wheel.” (Jade, 31:23)
• “If you have to check your bank account before you have brunch with friends, you shouldn’t be at brunch.” (Jade, 24:53)
• “The antidote to fear is light—it just needs to be put out in the open.” (Jade, 27:18)
• “Time is going to pass anyway and you’ve got three options. You can stay the same, you can be worse off, or you can be better. And I choose to be better.” (Jade, 66:45)

Key Timestamps

• 00:00 – Introduction: The central role of emotions in financial life
• 03:18 – Five tough emotions and their impact
• 05:55 – Jade’s debt story & marathon analogy
• 08:25 – Uncomfortable truth: Responsibility
• 10:54 – Discussion of money trends: Loud Budgeting, Girl Math, Quiet Luxury, De-Influencing
• 23:24 – Financial ‘check engine’ lights
• 25:57 – Moving from stuck to unstuck: mastering fear
• 28:38 – Guilt vs. shame in money matters
• 31:23 – The car, the driver, and the steering wheel: a model for financial change
• 32:45 – Emotional audit: Practical scenarios
• 36:46 – Money’s impact on relationships
• 52:28 – Entrepreneurial pride and the ‘more money’ trap
• 55:20 – Jade’s Financially Responsible Checklist
• 58:33 – Raising financially savvy children
• 60:27 – Knowing when enough is enough
• 64:01 – Jade’s definition of financial peace
• 65:28 – Action step: 5-year plan with a clear ‘why’
• 66:45 – Jade’s personal secret to profiting in life

Summary / Actionable Takeaways

• Emotional self-awareness—not just technical knowledge—is the missing link in financial change.
• Face uncomfortable truths, accept full responsibility for your outcomes, and don’t wait for a rescue.
• Notice and address your financial ‘warning lights’ before they become major problems.
• Entrepreneurs: Don’t let pride, lifestyle inflation, or the illusion of control lead you astray—build accountability structures.
• In relationships, trust and open money conversations are non-negotiable—start these early.
• True financial peace is holistic: ease, confidence, and strong relationships, not just numbers.
• Set a five-year plan with a powerful why; constantly moving the goalposts leads to dissatisfaction.

For more from Jade Warshaw, check out her new book: “What No One Tells You About Money.”

(Summary by Young and Profiting Podcast, Episode 380, January 2026)