In this episode of The Stroke It Podcast, Jenny sits down with financial coach and author Scott Yamamura for a practical, mindset-shifting conversation about financial literacy, behavior, and building real momentum with money—especially at the start of a new year.

Scott shares how he went from feeling like an “imposter” with personal finance to creating a simple framework he calls the Three Financial Epiphanies—easy rules of thumb designed to make money feel less overwhelming and more actionable. You’ll hear why he believes personal finance is mostly behavior, how marketing and “normal” spending habits quietly keep people stuck, and what it looks like to take ownership of your financial future without getting buried in complexity.

Jenny brings real-life examples from running a business, managing shifting cash flow, and watching common spending patterns (hello, Starbucks and daily takeout) derail otherwise capable people. Together, they talk through practical ways to audit spending, reduce debt, start investing at any level, and build confidence over time.

They also cover student loans and the pressure to follow the “default path,” plus a powerful story about front-loading a 529 plan and letting compounding do the heavy lifting. The episode wraps with advice for couples—why money tension is common, how to create shared alignment, and how understanding your “multiplying power” can help spouses work as a team.

Connect with Scott
Website / Book / Resources: FinancialEpiphany.com

Chapters
00:00 – Welcome + why this conversation fits the start of the year
01:09 – Scott’s season of life + how his journey into finance began
03:20 – Feeling financially “behind” and why money is mostly behavior
06:40 – The “Three Financial Epiphanies” explained (simple rules of thumb)
11:30 – Why most people look fine financially… until they don’t
14:10 – Paycheck-to-paycheck, debt, and the “path of snares and traps”
18:45 – How to start if you’re broke, stressed, or overwhelmed
22:30 – Student loans, college pressure, and being intentional
28:10 – The 529 front-load story: saving early and letting time work
33:00 – Where to invest (401(k), brokerage firms, and starting small)
36:30 – Daily spending habits that quietly drain future freedom
39:20 – Abundance mindset + taking ownership of your financial choices
41:30 – Marriage and money: teamwork, accountability, and “budget dates”
44:10 – Final takeaway: the 3 rules Scott wants you to remember
44:50 – Where to connect with Scott + closing call-to-action

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