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Have you ever stood in line at Starbucks debating whether or not to treat yourself to that iced vanilla oat milk latte, only to talk yourself out of it and head home with a lukewarm can of sparkling water? Yeah, same. And it’s not just coffee—it’s the haircut you reschedule, the help you don’t hire, the outfit you put back on the rack. Because you’re a responsible woman, right? A high-achieving, sacrifice-it-all-for-the-family kind of woman.

But today’s episode of the Empowered and Unapologetic podcast flipped that entire belief system on its head.

I sat down with Janine Mix—a Christian entrepreneur, author, speaker, and host of the Permission to Prosper podcast. This woman went from being $120,000 in debt (yes, you read that right) to becoming a multimillionaire by the age of 33. And spoiler alert: she didn’t get there by skipping coffee. She got there by healing her relationship with money.

Let’s talk about it.

“Buy the Damn Coffee” is NOT Reckless

First things first, Janine is not out here encouraging you to max out your credit cards. “Buy the damn coffee” is about breaking free from the shame-based money mindset that keeps women small. It’s not about frivolous spending. It’s about recognizing that $5 coffee isn’t why you’re not building wealth.

The real issue? It’s what’s in your mind, not what’s in your wallet.

So many of us carry invisible rules around money—rules passed down through generations. Rules like:

• “We don’t have money for that.”
• “You have to work hard for every penny.”
• “Wealthy people are greedy.”
• “I’m not good with money.”

Sound familiar?

Janine breaks it down beautifully: These are called money influencers, and there are three kinds:

1. What you heard about money.
2. What you learned from how your parents handled money.
3. What you experienced, especially emotionally, when money was involved.

For Janine, one of those key moments was when her mom took her shopping and bought her all the girly clothes she had never been allowed to wear. But as they pulled up to the house, her mom said, “Wait until your dad is asleep to bring this in.”

That moment planted a seed of guilt. Of shame. Of secrecy. And that seed grew.

The Money Stories We Carry (And Pass Down)

My own money story? Whew. I grew up knowing, not just hearing, that we didn’t have enough. My dad was an addict. If there was money, it was hidden—or spent on things that didn’t serve our family. There was never a sense of safety, of abundance. Just survival.

And now as a mom of three girls, I catch myself overcompensating. I don’t want them to feel the way I felt. So what do I do? I cave. I hand over the debit card. I say yes to things they haven’t earned, simply because I don’t want them to feel lack.

Sound familiar?

But here’s the truth Janine reminded me of: giving your kids everything doesn’t equal abundance. Giving them tools—financial literacy, confidence, vision—that’s how you build generational wealth.

It’s Not Too Late to Change Your Money Mindset

You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need to become a CPA overnight. But you do need to stop avoiding your money. Because money, Janine says, is a magnifier. It’s not going to make you good or bad—it’s going to amplify whatever’s already inside.

And if you’re living with guilt, shame, and anxiety around money? That’s what gets amplified.

Janine shared her MIX Shift Framework to start flipping the script:

• M: Identify the Message. (“I’m bad with money.” “Money doesn’t grow on trees.”)
• I: Ask yourself, “Is it true?”
• X: Cross it out. Replace it with a new belief like, “I’m learning to be a great steward of money.”

Simple? Yes. Powerful? Absolutely.

Start Small. Start Now.

Janine isn’t here to give you a 47-step budget template that overwhelms you. She’s here to equip you.

And the first tool she gives? Money Moves Monday. Block out an hour every Monday to look at your numbers, check your accounts, read a money article, or review your budget. Treat it like a money date. Light a candle. Play music. Make it enjoyable. Make it a habit.

Want to go deeper? Janine created a free 5-Step Money Planner you can grab at janinemix.com/unapologetic. It’ll help you organize your personal and business finances, set real goals, track your debt, and create an empowering money plan that actually aligns with your vision.

And that’s the kicker—vision.

Do you know what you want? Do you know why you’re hustling? Because if you don’t, you’ll keep chasing money without ever feeling satisfied. And eventually, you’ll burn out.

Janine knew she wanted to retire early, travel, and give back. That vision kept her grounded, focused, and fueled her transformation from broke in LA to multimillionaire real estate investor.

Your Turn

So what’s your story with money? What invisible rules are running your life? What limiting beliefs are you unknowingly passing down to your kids?

It’s time to get clear. It’s time to take back your power.

Buy the damn coffee. Block the time for Money Moves Monday. Read the book. Write the vision.

You are worthy of wealth. You are capable of managing your money. And you are not alone on this journey.

Let’s stop apologizing for wanting more—and start building it, unapologetically.

—

Get Janine’s bestselling book Buy the Damn Coffee and download the free 5-Step Money Planner at janinemix.com/unapologetic. And be sure to follow her on Instagram @janinemix for weekly motivation and money tips.

And if this episode woke something up in you—send me a DM on IG @veronicacisneros and let me know what money lie you’re letting go of. I’d love to cheer you on.

Useful links:

• Join our FaceBook Page – Empowered and Unapologetic
• Take the Marriage Predictor quiz!
• Follow me on Instagram
• Check out the new website! https://veronicacisneros.org/
• Outside The Norm Counseling – 951 395 3288 call to schedule an appointment today!
• 5 Things that are Killing your Marriage Free Guide available at www.veronicacisneros.org

Meet Janine Mix

Today, we’re excited to welcome Janine Mix, a Christian entrepreneur, author, and speaker who transformed her life from $120,000 in debt to becoming a multimillionaire by age 33. Host of the Permission to Prosper podcast and author of the best-selling book Buy The Damn Coffee, Janine empowers women to break free from restrictive money habits, embrace financial confidence, and build generational wealth. She’s here to share her journey and inspire bold, strategic actions for financial freedom.

Digital Coordinates:

https://www.instagram.com/janinemix

https://www.facebook.com/janinemix

Meet Veronica Cisneros

As a leading authority in women’s empowerment and a fierce advocate for building strong networks, Veronica is your go-to guru for turning fears into victories, struggles into strengths, and doubts into boundless opportunities.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist for 10 plus years; empowering high-achieving women in business to conquer both professional heights and personal fulfillment. She doesn’t do bandaids!
Veronica has a unique approach to overcoming obstacles and smashing through the glass ceilings that loom over ambitious women. With her arsenal of practical tools, actionable strategies, and unwavering support, Veronica doesn’t just help women succeed in their careers – she helps them thrive in every facet of their lives.

But Veronica’s expertise isn’t just theoretical – it’s personal. With over 24 years of marriage, three daughters, and a soaring career, Veronica embodies the resilience and determination needed to navigate life’s challenges. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Group Private Practice Owner, of Outside The Norm Counseling, Marriage Coach, and the voice behind the Empowered and Unapologetic podcast, Veronica effortlessly guides women to challenge themselves beyond their comfort zones.

Veronica is more than an expert – she’s a partner in transformation, turning mundane relationships into true connections. With her relatable charm and infectious humor, Veronica illuminates the path for women who refuse to settle for anything less than success in both business and relationships. Through practical tips, heartfelt anecdotes, and her trademark wit, Veronica empowers every woman to cultivate unbreakable bonds without sacrificing their ambitions.

Whether you listen to the podcast, join the free Facebook community, or do the Workshop,  you’re in the right place. Let’s do this together!

Thanks for listening!

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