Member Q&A with Carly DeFelice
For some people, saving money is a snap. They can put cash away for a rainy day and easily live on a budget. But for others, holding on to their moola is like keeping a grip on a handful of sand. For one Createscape member, money coach and personal finance instructor, Carly Michelle, helping people pay off debt and amass personal wealth is her mission Maybe she can help you, too. Here's how Carly became a money coach and what makes her Createscape's number-one finance guru.
I know you're a money manager. Is that your official job title?
I’m a money coach and creator of Best Money Class Ever, a four-week personal finance class!
How did you start your company?
After graduating from UT (Hook em’!), with coffee in hand and my laptop I took what I learned studying finance and my personal experience paying off $35k in debt and also saving 100k by age 26 to create Best Money Class Ever.
You work with clients one-on-one and teach seminars?
Yep! My specialty is helping people pay off debt and build savings. I’m stoked that my clients get great results. For example, one newlywed couple paid off $61k in 20 months after working together!
If you’ve seen me around Createscape, you know I’m a talker 😊. I’ve been a speaker at UT, Texas Christian University, New York University Alumni, Texas A&M Kingsville, Hack Reactor, Dress for Success, Girl Scouts, Small Business Festival, Freelance Conference, and more. More than 2,000 people have attended my class or live financial education events!
You actually have a niche clientele, right? I know this because you have a few generational references on your website. First, you start off your bio page saying "Managing money is hard AF." If I put "AF" on my resume back when I was interviewing for my first few post-college jobs, I would not have gotten a call back. You also write, "You'll learn how to say bye, by, bye to debt..." That's Britney?
It’s NSYNC!
Britany Spears and Justin Timberlake at the 2000 Billboard awards
(Ed note: Spears did not, in fact, sing “Bye Bye Bye.” When the song was written and recorded, however, she was dating Justin Timberlake.)
Free Britney! Source: KevinMazur/WireImage
Ah. OK. So your target clientele are in their 30s?
The class is for anyone who wants to get better handling their money. I teach how to invest, save, get out of debt, buy a home or car, and manage money day-to-day (like how to pay for being a bridesmaid five times in one year!). One client was an engineer who had five spreadsheets with different ways to pay off debt. There were too many decisions to make, so he didn’t make decisions. After his analysis paralysis, he wanted money coaching to have a neutral, unbiased third party to help him finally pay off his debt.
Here’s what I do: I drop personal finance truth bombs. Managing money is hard AF!! It helps to talk about it in a relatable and fun way. Money is the number-one stressor for most people, so why not add in old school music to lighten it up?!
Anyone who takes my four-week class will find references to Fergie, Usher, NSYNC, and MC Hammer. Each week there’s a lesson with a challenge, like the fourth week is Start Investing (Confidently!) and I bust out Montell Jordan’s jam, “This is How We Do It,” while I explain how to fill in your investing calculator and see how your money can grow.
Let's get serious for a minute. Why do you love money so much?
I don’t love money itself! I love the freedom, flexibility, security, and lifestyle it provides. When I went through a season of extreme burnout, it gave me the freedom to take a six-month sabbatical. Managing money isn’t about managing money. It’s about managing your life.
Focusing on your personal finances isn’t greedy, evil, or bad. I saved a lot of money at a young age because I shopped at Ross and got $15 haircuts! I love the simple life and being content with what I already have versus getting the newest iPhone or other gadgets.
Being intentional with my money has allowed me to donate around $50,000 over my life. Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx said, “I feel like money makes you more of who you already are.”
Why do you think joining a coworking space makes sense for a small business owner?
Because isolation sucks! I’m a solopreneur and need interaction with other like-minded people.
Can freelancers, contractors and small business owners write-off their coworking membership fees? And if you can take a tax write-off, does that count every time you buy a Snickers from the snack cart? And every time you pay to use the conference room?
I’m not an accountant, but yes! You can write-off coworking membership fees, conference room rentals, and snacks. Keep a record or save electronic receipts.
How is Createscape's layout, rates, location or amenities conducive to your business and work habits?
I love the layout of Createscape, it’s unique, and fun. I’ve seriously had many conversations with Keller Davis, the founder, about how much I love the design. The pods are so stinkin’ cute!
The rates are very reasonable. I use pretty much all the amenities: coffee in the morning, the kitchen for lunch, printing, call rooms, and I go to the happy hours.
Where are you originally from?
I was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas!
You've also traveled a bit and lived in a few different states?
Yes, I traveled to over 20 countries! My favorite trip was when I went to Morocco and took a camel ride through the Sahara Desert. Then I went camping in the sand dunes. During my sabbatical, I spent over a month in Hawaii. After, I came back to the States to travel in an RV!
You and I have something in common: We both live in "tiny homes." But I think you beat me in that your home is tinier. And it's on wheels. How tiny is your home?
I live full-time in an RV! My RV is 20 feet by 7.5 feet.
What is it like living in a tiny home? (Of course, I already know since I've been doing it for 4-plus years, but tell our readers.)
I look around and think, “Wow, I have everything I need!” I love the intentionality of living tiny and not accumulating stuff. It forces me to evaluate: What do I need? The answer is, life isn’t expensive, unless you make it that way!
I’m renovating my RV right now, which is a lot of work, but very rewarding. I tore down bunk beds and made a closet. I have no construction experience. It is so. much. fun.
When you live in a tiny home, I think you have to be extraordinarily organized and you can’t have that much stuff. What organizing trick would you say you're most proud of?
I’m most proud of organization with meal planning in my tiny kitchen! I make all my meals on Sunday and have my food prepared for the entire week, before the week even starts! I love cooking and baking. I don’t even have an oven but manage to make tasty desserts in a toaster oven.
Do you watch any home decorating shows to get ideas for living in a small space?
I don’t own a TV! Usually I’ll have an idea, scribble my design on a notepad, and go for it. Of course sometimes I get stumped and the projects don’t go as planned, but then I just head to YouTube for help. I recently designed roll up blinds and the blinds didn’t roll up! With a simple search on YouTube, I found a solution and now the blinds work.
What about shows or podcasts about personal finance. Do you have any favorites you can recommend?
My favorite resource is the blog on Best Money Class Ever (obviously)! I send out new posts and videos weekly. I also recommend Personal Finance Club, Budget Girl, and Afford Anything.
Why do you think it's important for young people to get a financial education?
Knowledge is power. You either spend money on interest on debt or earn interest on your investments. Instead of being ruled by money, I want to empower people to become their own Chief Financial Officer, to manage your money like a boss!
You don’t need to spend a lifetime stressed about money. With an education and a plan, you can pay off debt and have a secure financial future.
If people are interested in getting financial advice, do you have a social media presence or YouTube videos? Or how can they reach out to you for money coaching or to attend your class?
If you’re reading this and have been meaning to get your finances in order, then head over to bestmoneyclassever.com to start the class for free. You’ll get short videos and can schedule a 15-minute intro coaching call with me! You can also find Best Money Class Ever on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. Let’s connect!
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