Don't Depend On Daddy

I’m officially back in Los Angeles after living in Chicago for the past year and a half, and in this episode, I’m walking through the full decision behind that move. This is not a dramatic story - it's a clear reflection of what happens when you try something new, gather real data from your life, and then make a decision that actually aligns with what you value. I break down why I moved to Chicago in the first place, why it ultimately did not work for me, and what made Los Angeles the right fit again. We also get into a full comparison of Chicago vs LA, including lifestyle differences, social culture, career opportunities, and day-to-day quality of life. If you are thinking about moving, feeling stuck where you are, or questioning whether a big life change is the right move, this episode will give you a grounded and practical framework for thinking through that decision.

Get Your Roadway Quote with my code YOURBUDGET10: https://rdwaymov.co/4b4Pgeq

Subscribe to Beyond Your Budget:
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Personal Finance Starter Kit:
https://breakyourbudget.substack.com/p/your-personal-finance-starter-kit

BREAK YOUR BUDGET RESOURCES:
💸 Personal Finance Dashboard:
https://breakyourbudget.com/personal-finance-dashboard
💸 Basic Budgeting Template:
https://breakyourbudget.com/basic-budgeting-template
💸 FI/RE Template:
https://breakyourbudget.com/fire-template
💸 RENT VS. BUY CALCULATOR
https://breakyourbudget.com/rent-vs-buy-calculator

💳 Tools + Cards I Use:
Rakuten Cash Back: https://shorturl.at/w0PcH
SoFi HYSA: https://secure.money.com/pr/pa5344bfc4f2
AmEx Platinum: https://tinyurl.com/2zx4vura
Bilt Rewards: https://tinyurl.com/4kd8s33a
Blue Cash Everyday: https://tinyurl.com/yrcbr2ac

All Other Resources:
https://breakyourbudget.com/links
👩🏼‍💻 Inquiries: [email protected]
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/
📲 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakyourbudget
📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/michela_alloccaa
💸 My ShopMy:
https://shopmy.us/shop/michelaallocca

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 – Life update: moving back to LA
02:00 – Why I chose to move to Chicago
07:40 – Why I decided to leave Chicago
14:00 – Why LA fits my life better now
16:00 – Renting vs buying and long-term plans
18:00 – Cost of living: LA vs Chicago breakdown
24:00 – Chicago vs LA: pros and cons
38:30 – How this move will change my content
42:00 – How I budgeted and planned the move
50:00 – What I learned and final reflections

Over the last decade, I have very intentionally upgraded different areas of my life - from where I live, to how I spend my time, to the small daily habits that shape my routine. In this episode, I’m walking through the upgrades that have genuinely made a difference, without falling into the trap of lifestyle creep. he goal is to understand what actually improves your life and making intentional decisions from that place. If you are trying to refine your lifestyle without losing control of your finances, this episode will give you a clear framework for doing that.

We cover:
👉🏻 The big upgrades that changed my quality of life
👉🏻 Daily habits that improved my energy, focus, and routines
👉🏻 Small purchases that make everyday life feel better
👉🏻 How my approach to spending has evolved over time

Other Episodes/References Mentioned:
Living Alone: https://youtu.be/0rmaioROGcI
FI/RE Video: https://youtu.be/0cH7vduRWRE
Oura Ring: https://youtu.be/epFtBNTTZq4
How I Cleared My Skin: https://youtu.be/zRZGwoX0BDE
Planning Vlog: https://youtu.be/-aJTHTm_4_4

Subscribe to Beyond Your Budget:
https://breakyourbudget.substack.com/

Personal Finance Starter Kit:
https://breakyourbudget.substack.com/p/your-personal-finance-starter-kit

BREAK YOUR BUDGET RESOURCES:
💸 Personal Finance Dashboard:
https://breakyourbudget.com/personal-finance-dashboard
💸 Basic Budgeting Template:
https://breakyourbudget.com/basic-budgeting-template
💸 FI/RE Template:
https://breakyourbudget.com/fire-template
💸 RENT VS. BUY CALCULATOR
https://breakyourbudget.com/rent-vs-buy-calculator

💳 Tools + Cards I Use:
Rakuten Cash Back: https://shorturl.at/w0PcH
SoFi HYSA: https://wealthlink.me/michela-sofi-hysa
AmEx Platinum: https://tinyurl.com/2rkrysw2
Bilt Rewards: https://tinyurl.com/4kd8s33a
Blue Cash Everyday: https://tinyurl.com/yrcbr2ac

All Other Resources:
https://breakyourbudget.com/links
👩🏼‍💻 Inquiries: [email protected]
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/
📲 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakyourbudget
📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/michela_alloccaa
💸 My ShopMy:
https://shopmy.us/shop/michelaallocca

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 – Why I think about lifestyle upgrades differently
02:00 – Avoiding lifestyle creep while still upgrading your life
05:30 – Living alone and prioritizing your space
10:00 – Investing in your sleep and home environment
14:00 – Coffee setup and daily rituals
17:30 – Knowing your financial independence numbers
20:30 – Decentering work from your identity
24:30 – Wellness upgrades (Oura ring, skincare)
30:00 – Daily habits that changed my routine
42:00 – Small products that elevate everyday life

Cats outta the bag - I am moving back to California! In this episode, I'm giving the life update, what this past year has taught me, and how I think about making big life decisions when something no longer feels aligned. From there, we get into a full spring reset - how to clean up your physical space, rebuild your routines, and do a mid-year life audit so you can course correct with intention. And as always, I wrap with my seasonal State of the Union what’s in, what’s out, and what I’m paying attention to right now for Spring!

We cover:
👉🏻 Why changing your mind is a necessary part of growth
👉🏻 What this move taught me about environment and happiness
👉🏻 How to reset your space and routines for spring
👉🏻 A simple framework for checking in on your personal goals
👉🏻 My current ins and outs for the season

Subscribe to Beyond Your Budget:
https://breakyourbudget.substack.com/

Personal Finance Starter Kit:
https://breakyourbudget.substack.com/p/your-personal-finance-starter-kit

BREAK YOUR BUDGET RESOURCES:
💸 Personal Finance Dashboard:
https://breakyourbudget.com/personal-finance-dashboard
💸 Basic Budgeting Template:
https://breakyourbudget.com/basic-budgeting-template
💸 FI/RE Template:
https://breakyourbudget.com/fire-template
💸 RENT VS. BUY CALCULATOR
https://breakyourbudget.com/rent-vs-buy-calculator

💳 Tools + Cards I Use:
Rakuten Cash Back: https://shorturl.at/w0PcH
SoFi HYSA: https://wealthlink.me/michela-sofi-hysa
AmEx Platinum: https://tinyurl.com/2rkrysw2
Bilt Rewards: https://tinyurl.com/4kd8s33a
Blue Cash Everyday: https://tinyurl.com/yrcbr2ac

All Other Resources:
https://breakyourbudget.com/links
👩🏼‍💻 Inquiries: [email protected]
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/
📲 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakyourbudget
📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/michela_alloccaa
💸 My ShopMy:
https://shopmy.us/shop/michelaallocca

Timestamps:
00:00 – Life update: I’m moving back to California
03:15 – Why I left and what I got wrong
06:45 – Giving myself permission to not like it
09:00 – What this taught me about choosing where to live
12:30 – Financial freedom and being able to pivot
15:00 – Spring reset: coming out of winter
18:30 – Resetting your physical environment
23:30 – Rebuilding your routines for the season
29:30 – Spring life audit: questions to ask yourself
34:30 – Spring State of the Union (ins & outs)

Most people think they’re overwhelmed because they’re busy. In reality, they’re overwhelmed because they’re deciding too much. Every small choice - what to eat, when to work out, how to start the day, when to stop - pulls from the same mental pool. When those decisions are made from scratch every day, it creates friction that builds. In this episode, I break down what I call “defaults” and why they function as infrastructure in your life. We get into default meals, default routines, work blocks, Sunday resets, and how to reduce decision fatigue without becoming rigid. If you’re tired of relying on motivation and still feeling scattered, this is the shift.

Subscribe to Beyond Your Budget:
https://breakyourbudget.substack.com/

Personal Finance Starter Kit:
https://breakyourbudget.substack.com/p/your-personal-finance-starter-kit

BREAK YOUR BUDGET RESOURCES:
💸 Personal Finance Dashboard:
https://breakyourbudget.com/personal-finance-dashboard
💸 Basic Budgeting Template:
https://breakyourbudget.com/basic-budgeting-template
💸 FI/RE Template:
https://breakyourbudget.com/fire-template
💸 RENT VS. BUY CALCULATOR
https://breakyourbudget.com/rent-vs-buy-calculator

💳 Tools + Cards I Use:
Rakuten Cash Back: https://shorturl.at/w0PcH
SoFi HYSA: https://wealthlink.me/michela-sofi-hysa
AmEx Platinum: https://tinyurl.com/2rkrysw2
Bilt Rewards: https://tinyurl.com/4kd8s33a
Blue Cash Everyday: https://tinyurl.com/yrcbr2ac

All Other Resources:
https://breakyourbudget.com/links
👩🏼‍💻 Inquiries: [email protected]
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/
📲 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakyourbudget
📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/michela_alloccaa
💸 My ShopMy:
https://shopmy.us/shop/michelaallocca

00:00 – Why You’re Overwhelmed (It’s Decision Load)03:00 – Defaults as Daily Infrastructure05:30 – How Defaults Reduce Friction at Transition Points07:00 – Flexibility vs Rigidity (What Defaults Are Not)09:45 – Default Meals: The Cornerstone System12:00 – Grocery Predictability & Low-Energy Days15:30 – Default Routines (Morning & Evening)19:45 – Workday Defaults & Deep Work Blocks22:30 – Sunday Reset & Admin Containment25:30 – How to Build & Maintain Defaults Without Burnout

Making friends as an adult can feel surprisingly difficult, especially once life paths start to diverge, priorities shift, and free time becomes limited. In this episode, I share how I’ve built meaningful friendships from scratch in three different cities, and what actually matters when it comes to forming connections that last. I talk about using your network intentionally, why friends of friends are the real unlock, how to put yourself out there without forcing it, and how to adjust expectations as people move through different life stages. This episode is both practical and honest, with real examples from my experiences in Boston, Los Angeles, and Chicago. If you’re navigating loneliness, rebuilding your social life, or trying to make new friends in adulthood without burning yourself out, this episode will give you a grounded framework for doing so.

Subscribe to Beyond Your Budget:
https://breakyourbudget.substack.com/

Personal Finance Starter Kit:
https://breakyourbudget.substack.com/p/your-personal-finance-starter-kit

BREAK YOUR BUDGET RESOURCES:
💸 Personal Finance Dashboard:
https://breakyourbudget.com/personal-finance-dashboard
💸 Basic Budgeting Template:
https://breakyourbudget.com/basic-budgeting-template
💸 FI/RE Template:
https://breakyourbudget.com/fire-template
💸 RENT VS. BUY CALCULATOR
https://breakyourbudget.com/rent-vs-buy-calculator

💳 Tools + Cards I Use:
Rakuten Cash Back: https://shorturl.at/w0PcH
SoFi HYSA: https://wealthlink.me/michela-sofi-hysa
AmEx Platinum: https://tinyurl.com/2rkrysw2
Bilt Rewards: https://tinyurl.com/4kd8s33a
Blue Cash Everyday: https://tinyurl.com/yrcbr2ac

All Other Resources:
https://breakyourbudget.com/links
👩🏼‍💻 Inquiries: [email protected]
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakyourbudget/
📲 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakyourbudget
📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/michela_alloccaa
💸 My ShopMy:
https://shopmy.us/shop/michelaallocca

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 – Why making friends as an adult feels harder than expected
02:10 – Embracing the process and becoming your own best friend
05:05 – Post-college friendships and early Boston years
08:40 – Making friends through work and shared routines
12:15 – Moving to LA and starting from scratch
16:30 – Why roommates and friends of friends matter
21:10 – How friend networks expand organically
26:00 – Tip #1: Leverage friends of friends
31:45 – Tips #2–3: Put yourself out there and be the friend you want
38:10 – Tips #4–5: Let friendships evolve and adjust expectations