From $2K Salary to Financial Independence: A Working Mom’s Playbook ft. SG Budget Babe | Ep 37

<p>From saving $20,000 on a $2,000 salary to making work optional while raising two young boys, Dawn Fiona Cher—better known online as <em>SG Budget Babe</em>—has spent the last decade helping others take back control of their money and mindset. A mom, author, Director of Government Affairs , and financial educator, Dawn continues to work in both corporate and content creation—not because she has to, but because it fuels her purpose.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, I sit down with Dawn to talk about what it really takes to grow your wealth while juggling motherhood, ambition, and a life you actually want to live. She shares the turning point that made her chase financial freedom harder than ever (hint: it happened mid-breastfeeding), the unglamorous truth of building a side hustle, and how she successfully negotiated for flexibility at work <em>after</em> proving her worth.</p><p><br></p><p>Dawn opens up about how her own childhood struggles with money shaped her, why time-blocking (not 5AM routines) keeps her grounded, and the life lessons she’s deliberately modeling for her kids. Her practical, no-nonsense wisdom is a refreshing reminder that success isn’t about balance—it’s about clarity, discipline, and alignment.</p><p><br></p><p>In this energizing conversation, we explored:</p><p>📈 How Dawn reached financial independence in slightly over a decade (and still works by choice)</p><p>👶 The raw truth about managing work while mothering two young kids</p><p>🧠 Why “imposter syndrome” is actually a signpost—not a dead end</p><p>🗂️ How she schedules her chaotic week using time-blocking, not rigidity</p><p>💡 What it means to be visible, credible, and irreplaceable at work</p><p>✍️ Her journey from corporate employee to trusted voice in finance—and what’s next</p><p><br></p><p>Checkout:</p><p>💻 Dawn’s 7-Day Investing Challenge (Discount code: MIW) →<a href="https://nas.io/budgetbabe/challenges/investing-101-crash-course?discountCode=MIW" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://nas.io/budgetbabe/challenges/investing-101-crash-course?discountCode=MIW</a></p><p><br></p><p>📘 <em>Take Back Control of Your Money</em> by Dawn Fiona Cher → <a href="https://www.amazon.sg/Take-Back-Control-Your-Money/dp/9815323075" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.amazon.sg/Take-Back-Control-Your-Money/dp/9815323075</a></p><p><br></p><p>🎤Sarah’s interview with Dawn on The Financial Coconut: I Left My Job to Care for My Family - Was It Worth It? [W&amp;S 144]</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6p3G4lZjBk&list=PLpo30qPT9yc6yAyrtqz7506sfiYaorR8Z&index=6" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6p3G4lZjBk&amp;list=PLpo30qPT9yc6yAyrtqz7506sfiYaorR8Z&amp;index=6</a></p><p><br></p><p>—-----------------------------------------------</p><p>Chapters:</p><p>00:00 Intro</p><p>01:07 Meet SG Budget Babe: PI, Mom, Finfluencer</p><p>02:08 From $2K Salary to Financial Freedom</p><p>05:39 How She Actually Juggles It All</p><p>13:26 The Call That Changed Everything</p><p>25:50 How She Earned Trust at Work</p><p>26:26 Are You Invisible at Work?</p><p>31:06 How She Negotiated Flexibility</p><p>34:09 The Rule Behind Her Side Hustle Growth</p><p>42:31 How She’s Raising Money-Smart Kids</p><p>—-----------------------------------------------</p><p><br>Connect with Dawn here:</p><p>👋 Website: <a href="https://sgbudgetbabe.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://sgbudgetbabe.com/</a></p><p>👋 LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionacher/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionacher/</a></p><p>👋 Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sgbudgetbabe/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/sgbudgetbabe/</a></p><p><br>Follow and connect with Sarah &amp; Make It Work! ⁠<a href="https://linktr.ee/makeitwork.podcast%E2%81%A0" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://li