The Clever Girls Know Podcast With Bola Sokunbi

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On this episode of the podcast, we're joined by Melissa A. Rowe, M.Ed., award-winning Scholarship Specialist, College Coach, and founder of Capture Greatness!, to explore how students can graduate from college without the debt.
Melissa has helped students secure over $12 million in scholarships, including multiple Gates Millennium Scholars, and gain acceptance to elite institutions like Yale, UPenn, Cornell, Howard, and Morehouse—all while keeping their families financially secure.
As the author of Scholars Get Dollars and a Certified Financial Education Instructor™, Melissa believes college should be a legacy-building experience, not a lifelong financial burden. She shares practical strategies to find scholarships, busts myths about who qualifies for them, and explains how to turn the college journey into a launchpad for long-term wealth.
What Melissa Discussed on the Podcast:
Her journey into college coaching and why she's passionate about helping students graduate debt-free.

The secret to standing out in the scholarship application process.

Common myths about scholarships, and why they're not just for straight-A students.

Where to find scholarships and how to start the search effectively.

How she helps students get into top-tier schools with a financial strategy in place.

What it really means to treat college as a wealth-building opportunity.

Common mistakes families make when planning for college and how to avoid them.

How she integrates financial education into the college planning process.

Simple, actionable steps for families who feel behind or overwhelmed by college costs.

A success story of a student who used scholarships to build a legacy, not just fund their education.

AND SO MUCH MORE
 
How to Keep Up With Melissa:
Website: CaptureGreatness.org

LinkedIn: Melissa A. Rowe

Instagram: @CaptureGreatnessScholars

YouTube: Capture Greatness Scholars

 
More Clever Girl Finance Resources:
❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books
❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages
❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog
❤ Follow us on Instagram: @clevergirlfinance

❤ Subscribe to the Clever Girl Finance newsletter for weekly motivation! clevergirlfinance.com/subscribe
Did the past year leave your finances feeling off track; unexpected expenses, plans falling apart, or goals you just couldn't reach? If so, I want you to hear this first: You're not alone, and you're not stuck. 
On this episode, I'm walking you through a 6‑step financial comeback plan to help you reset your finances after a rough year, without shame, guilt, or unrealistic pressure.
This is about regrouping, rebuilding, and moving forward with clarity and confidence. 
You'll learn how to:
Forgive yourself and reframe your money story
Audit your finances and face the numbers with confidence
Create a realistic "comeback budget" for your current season
Rebuild a mini emergency fund, even if you're starting small
Set clear, achievable financial goals for the next 3, 6, and 12 months
Reset your finances with support, not shame
This reset isn't about perfection, it's about progress. Small steps taken consistently can completely change where you are a year from now.
 
More Clever Girl Finance Resources:
❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books
❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages
❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog
❤ Follow us on Instagram: @clevergirlfinance

❤ Subscribe to the Clever Girl Finance newsletter for weekly motivation! clevergirlfinance.com/subscribe
It's a brand new year, and that means a fresh start, new goals, and big dreams. But before you try to do everything all at once… let's slow down.
In this episode, I'm sharing a gentle but powerful reminder: sustainable progress is so much better than quick burnout! You'll learn 4 simple things you can do this week to build real momentum with your money, no pressure, no overwhelm.
Don't forget to check out the replay of our Goal Setting Call on YouTube for an extra dose of motivation to kick off your year strong: https://youtube.com/live/q8kt06jBUBU
Be sure to grab your copy of My Wealth Plan Workbook to map out your year with intention: https://amzn.to/4qsAvHd
Ready to reset and refocus? Let's go!
More Clever Girl Finance Resources:
❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books
❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages
❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog
❤ Follow us on Instagram: @clevergirlfinance

** Subscribe to the Clever Girl Finance newsletter: https://clevergirlfinance.com/subscribe
 
🎉 Welcome to our annual goal-setting session at Clever Girl Finance!
This isn't about resolutions; it's about creating meaningful goals that align with the life (and money) you actually want.
As we close out 2025, this is your space to reflect, reset, and start building your 2026 blueprint, with clarity, peace, and purpose.
In this live session replay, we'll walk through:
What 2025 taught you (and what to leave behind)
Clearing out mental and emotional clutter
Choosing your 2026 *word of the year* to stay grounded
Simple, specific goals and habits to focus on Whether you're starting over, shifting gears, or staying the course, you're right on time.
This call will help you reconnect with your why and map out your next steps with intention. 📝 Grab a journal and join the conversation.
 
NEW BOOK AND RESOURCES:
Clever Girl Millionaire is now available for pre-order (out March 31, 2026!): https://amzn.to/4p6Y2wf
Join our 26-Week Savings Challenge: https://learn.clevergirlfinance.com/dashboard/space/26-week-savings-challenge/home
Our new course platform + community is live; sign up today: https://clevergirlfinance.com/courses
 
LINKS TO CASH ENVELOPES BOOK AND STICKERS:
Savings Challenge Envelopes Book: https://amzn.to/4jp4pbs
 Motivational stickers: https://amzn.to/4k5Nk7A
Black girl christian stickers: https://amzn.to/3FaLO55
 
 Let's make 2026 your most grounded and powerful year yet. 💫
 
❤ Subscribe to the weekly Clever Girl Finance Newsletter for financial motivation: https://clevergirlfinance.com/subscribe
❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: https://clevergirlfinance.com/books
❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: https://clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages
❤ Schedule a 1-on-1 coaching call with team CGF: https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/coaching
❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: https://clevergirlfinance.com/blog ❤ Follow us on Instagram: http://instagram.com/clevergirlfinance

❤ Subscribe to the Clever Girl Finance newsletter for weekly motivation! clevergirlfinance.com/subscribe
In this end-of-year episode, I'm reflecting on a season that stretched me in ways I never expected.
Losing my dad in August made 2025 one of the hardest years of my life, and navigating grief while showing up for my family, my business, and this community wasn't easy.
I share some of the bright spots that brought me grounding this year, and the incredible opportunities that continued to come to Clever Girl Finance even in a difficult season.
I'm stepping into 2026 with intention. Thank you for being here. Thank you for giving me grace. And thank you for being such a meaningful part of my journey. I'm excited for what we're building together in 2026.
More Clever Girl Finance Resources:
❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books
❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages
❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog
❤ Follow us on Instagram: @clevergirlfinance