The Clever Girls Know Podcast With Bola Sokunbi

❤ Subscribe to the Clever Girl Finance newsletter for weekly motivation! clevergirlfinance.com/subscribe
On this episode of the podcast, we're joined by Sahirenys Pierce—financial wellness educator, author, and creator of The High 5 Banking Method—to talk about how a deeply personal family health crisis reshaped the way she approached money.
When Sahirenys learned that her son had a heart defect and would need open-heart surgery at just six months old, she realized her finances needed more clarity, structure, and resilience.
That experience led her to develop the High 5 Banking Method, a simple yet powerful system designed to help women and families organize their money, reduce financial stress, and build stability even when life throws unexpected challenges their way.
In this conversation, Sahirenys shares practical tools and mindset shifts to help you feel more confident, prepared, and in control of your finances.
What Sahirenys Discussed on the Podcast:
Her background and what inspired her to create The High 5 Banking Method.

How her son's health crisis sparked a complete shift in how she managed money.

What the High 5 Banking Method is and how it works in everyday life.

How the method simplifies budgeting and reduces financial overwhelm.

The purpose of the 2 checking + 3 savings account structure and how it helps prevent overdrafts and overspending.

How to use the "Cut, Keep, or Reduce" (CKR) strategy to reset spending habits.

The 2-Week Gap Strategy and how it helps break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle.

How to run "All Hands" family money meetings to keep everyone aligned.

Why this system works especially well for first-generation wealth builders and families navigating financial uncertainty.

How her approach meets people where they are—even if they feel like money systems aren't designed for them.

AND SO MUCH MORE
 
How to Keep Up With Sahirenys:
Instagram: @poisedfinancelifestyle

Website: thepoisedlifestyle.com

 
More Clever Girl Finance Resources:
👋 New to Clever Girl Finance? Start here: https://clevergirlfinance.com/start-here
❤ 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

New Book - Clever Girl Millionaire; A Guide to Redefining What's Possible, Turning Ambitions into Actions, and Dreams into Millions - Available to pre-order now
What can having immigrant parents teach you about building wealth? 
I'm sharing the powerful money lessons my immigrant parents taught me, lessons that shaped my mindset, my career, and ultimately helped me build wealth. Success doesn't always start with money. Sometimes it starts with resilience, sacrifice, and the lessons passed down from the people who raised you (Note: that doesn't only mean your parents).
My parents didn't give me a trust fund. But they gave me something far more valuable: discipline, perseverance, and the belief that financial freedom is possible, even when you start with nothing.
As the daughter of first-generation immigrants, I watched my parents break barriers, start over in a new country, and build a life through education, sacrifice, and determination. 
Those experiences shaped how I think about money, success, and legacy. 

What I share:
The money lessons I learned growing up in an immigrant household
How my parents' sacrifices shaped my mindset about wealth
Why financial freedom is about more than just money
The importance of building generational impact and legacy
Why wealth is possible even if you didn't grow up with money
Whether you're building wealth from scratch, breaking generational cycles, or creating a new financial path for your family, this conversation is for you. Your background does not determine your financial future.
 
More Clever Girl Finance Resources:
👋 New to Clever Girl Finance? Start here: https://clevergirlfinance.com/start-here
❤ Subscribe to the Clever Girl Finance newsletter for weekly motivation! clevergirlfinance.com/subscribe
❤ 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

New Book - Clever Girl Millionaire; A Guide to Redefining What's Possible, Turning Ambitions into Actions, and Dreams into Millions - Available to pre-order now
In this candid interview, Fo Alexander of Mama & Money sits down with Bola Sokunbi—founder of Clever Girl Finance and author of the new book, Clever Girl Millionaire, to uncover the unfiltered truth about building wealth.
They dive deep into the excuses that keep us stuck in "survival mode," the expensive setbacks we are too ashamed to talk about (like Bola's massive 401(k) and wedding expense mistakes!), and the practical steps required to move from financial stability to serious abundance. If you have ever felt "behind" or overwhelmed by the pressure of perfect financial timelines, this conversation is for you.
 
FO AND BOLA DISCUSSED:
Why your financial comeback matters more than your setback, and why you cannot shame yourself into wealth.
Why it is never too late to start building your legacy.
The Excuses We Can't Afford: How to pivot from fear-based saving (safety) to asset-based growth (freedom).
The 4 Pillars of Prosperity: A realistic breakdown of Earned Income, Investing, Real Estate, and Entrepreneurship.
 
CONNECT WITH FO ALEXANDER:
On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MamaNMoney
Via her website: https://mamaandmoney.com/
 
More Clever Girl Finance Resources:
👋 New to Clever Girl Finance? Start here: https://clevergirlfinance.com/start-here
❤ Subscribe to the Clever Girl Finance newsletter for weekly motivation! clevergirlfinance.com/subscribe
❤ 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

New Book - Clever Girl Millionaire; A Guide to Redefining What's Possible, Turning Ambitions into Actions, and Dreams into Millions - Available to pre-order now
If you've ever thought, "How am I supposed to save money when I barely make enough to cover my bills?", this podcast episode is for you.
Saving money on a low income can feel impossible. Rent, groceries, debt, childcare — it adds up fast. But here's the truth: you can start building savings, even if it's just $5 at a time.
On this episode, I'm walking you through realistic, practical ways to save money on a tight budget, without shame, without skipping meals, and without feeling deprived.
 
YOU'LL LEARN:
How to start an emergency fund on a low income
How to automate tiny savings transfers
How to save money when living paycheck to paycheck
Simple ways to cut expenses without extreme restriction
How to create extra income with micro side hustles 
How to stay motivated when savings feel slow 
Building financial security isn't about big deposits. It's about consistency and strategy. Even small amounts saved can create real peace of mind.
 
More Clever Girl Finance Resources:
👋 New to Clever Girl Finance? Start here: https://clevergirlfinance.com/start-here
❤ Subscribe to the Clever Girl Finance newsletter for weekly motivation! clevergirlfinance.com/subscribe
❤ 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

New Book - Clever Girl Millionaire; A Guide to Redefining What's Possible, Turning Ambitions into Actions, and Dreams into Millions - Available to pre-order now
If you've ever maxed out a credit card, drained your savings, avoided budgeting, or stayed in a bad financial situation longer than you should have, you're not alone.
On this episode, I'm sharing exactly how to recover from money mistakes and forgive your financial past so you can move forward with clarity, confidence, and peace.
Financial shame keeps so many women stuck. But here's the truth: You are not your money mistakes. You are not behind. And it is absolutely possible to rebuild your finances - no matter where you're starting from.
YOU'LL LEARN:
How to process financial regret in a healthy way 
How to stop replaying past money mistakes
How to separate your identity from your financial decisions
Practical steps to start rebuilding your finances today 
How to shift from guilt to growth 
AND SO MUCH MORE
Whether you're recovering from credit card debt, overspending, drained savings, or poor financial decisions, this is your turning point. 
If you're ready to start fresh, take one small step today. Open a savings account. Make a payment. Create a simple budget. Progress, not perfection, builds wealth.
 
More Clever Girl Finance Resources:
👋 New to Clever Girl Finance? Start here: https://clevergirlfinance.com/start-here
❤ Subscribe to the Clever Girl Finance newsletter for weekly motivation! clevergirlfinance.com/subscribe
❤ 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