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How to CRUSH your money goals
Aaron Dodge
March 03, 2025
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📕 Crush Your Money Goals: My February Book of the Month
I’m the financial freak in the family. I have spreadsheets on spreadsheets on spreadsheets. My obsession with finances started in 2019 when a friend introduced me to Dave Ramsey. I truly believe that if you are continuously thinking about your money, your spending, and your investing, you can set yourself up for financial freedom. But if you swipe your card aimlessly, overspend on things you don’t need, and fail to understand compound interest, you’re in for years of financial stress and worry.
So, I was excited to read my friend Bernadette’s book, Crush Your Money Goals, as my February Book of the Month 📕
Bernadette and her husband, AJ, paid off $300,000 of debt in just three years and grew their first $1 million in net worth while still in their thirties. Not one dime was inherited. She made this transition while shifting from a decade-long corporate HR career to becoming a six-figure business owner.
She founded the Crush Your Money Goals Academy for those overlooked and underestimated by traditional financial services. Her mission? To teach you everything you wish you knew about money—and give you the confidence to manage yours well.
Let’s dive into the book!
Breaking Down C-R-U-S-H
Bernadette uses the C-R-U-S-H acronym to simplify financial success:
C - Curate Your Accounts - Organize and simplify all your financial accounts.
R - Reverse into Independence - Set tangible money goals, then work backward to identify the necessary steps to achieve them.
U - Understand Your (Net) Worth - Assess everything you own and owe to get a comprehensive picture of your financial health.
S - Spend Intentionally - Align your expenses with your financial goals, values, and beliefs.
H - Heal Your Money Wounds - Address and overcome negative beliefs and patterns surrounding money.
My Favorite Lessons & Takeaways
Turn Self-Sabotage into Self-Empowerment
Bernadette highlights the power of mindset when it comes to money. She explains that self-sabotaging statements keep you stuck in financial chaos, whereas reframing them helps you develop a millionaire mindset.
Instead of “This is too hard for me,” think “I can do hard things.”
Instead of “I’m too old,” think “The best years are yet to come.”
The Keep Calm Fund
Bernadette hates the term “emergency fund” and instead calls it the “Keep Calm Fund”—which I love. She suggests keeping one month’s worth of expenses in a high-yield savings account. Personally, we use WealthFront for this.
Financial Literacy Check-In
Bernadette defines financial literacy as understanding how money works in the real world. She asks readers to rate themselves on a scale of 1-10 based on their knowledge of money.
I would rank myself an 8 out of 10—knowledgeable but always open to learning more. I also asked my Instagram followers where they would rank themselves.
Out of 52 votes
The $1 Rule
Bernadette’s $1 Rule helps with spending decisions: If an item costs $1 or less per use over time, she buys it.
For example, if you’re considering buying $120 Hoka running shoes, ask yourself: Will I wear or run in these shoes at least 120 times? If you use them six days a week, you’ll break the $1 per use mark in about 20 weeks. Try it for your next purchase!
What you think about and focus on grows—and money is no different. Support my friend, give the book a read, and I guarantee your financial literacy number will improve. Your finances and your life will be better for it.
Go CRUSH your money goals AND your week and don’t forget to Dodge the Norm!
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