Podcast Episode: The Six Money Games: How to Win at Wealth Without Losing Yourself with Jess McKinley

Let me ask you something: when was the last time you looked at your bank account and actually understood where your money was going? Not just the “can I afford this?” glance, but really understanding how your dollars are working for you?

If you’re like most entrepreneurs I know, you’re probably in that cycle of make money, spend money, wonder where it all went, repeat. And if that’s you, this conversation is going to be a game-changer.

I recently sat down with my friend Jess McKinley (who I literally met in a Starbucks when she asked me to watch her laptop while she used the bathroom – true story), and she dropped some serious truth bombs about money that every entrepreneur needs to hear.

Who Is Jess McKinley and Why Should You Listen?

Jess is the coach for ambitious women business owners who want big money without sacrificing all their time in the process. She runs Masterful CEO School and has this incredible ability to help women master both their money and their time.

But here’s what makes her different from every other money coach out there: she’s been exactly where you are. She’s been the broke single mom who couldn’t afford to get her car out of the tow lot. She’s felt that panic of wondering how she was going to make it work.

And now? She’s built a business that allows her to make decisions like “we want to go to Argentina” and know exactly how much she can afford, down to the dollar, without scrambling or stressing.

The Money Game Framework That Changes Everything

Here’s where Jess completely shifted my perspective on money: Money isn’t just about earning – it’s actually six different games you need to learn to play simultaneously.

The Six Money Games Are:

1. Earning – How you bring money in
2. Spending – How you use money for your lifestyle and business
3. Saving – How you set aside money for future needs
4. Investing – How you grow your money long-term
5. Having – How you feel about and relate to money
6. Giving – How you use money to impact others

Most entrepreneurs get obsessed with Game #1 (earning) and think that’s the solution to everything. “I’ll just make more money” becomes the answer to every financial problem.

But here’s the thing: if you’re only playing one game, you’re not actually winning at money.

Why the “I’ll Just Make More” Strategy Is Actually Sabotaging You

I used to be the queen of this mindset. Business not growing fast enough? I’ll just work harder and make more. Want to invest in a new program? I’ll just make more. Need money for a vacation? I’ll just make more.

But what Jess helped me realize is that this puts you in this constant state of pressure where your earning has to solve every single financial issue in your life. And that’s not sustainable.

When you only focus on earning more, you never learn how to optimize what you already have. You never get clear on what money is supposed to do for you. And you definitely never feel in control of your financial situation.

The Real Story: How Jess Used All Six Games to Create Her Dream Life

In 2022, Jess had a massive year planned. She was:

• Buying her first house
• Getting remarried
• Having a baby
• Completely flipping her business model
• Wanting to invest $50K in a mastermind (the most she’d ever spent)
• Planning to eliminate child support payments

Instead of just saying “I need to make X amount,” she asked a different question: “What would it take to hit my spending goals, my investing goals, my savings goals, continue giving at the level I want, AND what would I need to earn?”

This is when she realized money isn’t just about one equation – it’s about understanding how all six games work together.

The Budgeting Method That Actually Works for Entrepreneurs

Here’s something that blew my mind: Jess uses a budgeting framework where every single dollar has a specific role before you even spend it.

Instead of looking at your checking account and asking “Can I afford this?”, you’re asking “How many dollars do I need to assign to this goal, and where are those dollars coming from?”

She uses an app called You Need a Budget (YNAB) that operates on this principle: every dollar you have needs a job, and you’re the boss assigning those jobs.

So when that $25K mastermind investment opportunity comes up, instead of panicking or making an emotional decision, you’re asking strategic questions like:

• What role was that money supposed to play?
• If I take it from savings, what was savings for anyway?
• How does this align with my other financial goals?

The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

Here’s something Jess said that I keep thinking about: “Your circumstances don’t create your results, your thoughts do.”

When she was a broke single mom, she could have stayed in victim mode. Everyone around her agreed that her situation was tough, which made it even harder to change.

But instead, she chose to surround herself with people who wouldn’t care about her circumstances and would push her toward her goals anyway.

The Brutal Truth About Money Education (Especially for Women)

Let’s talk about why so many of us are walking around financially illiterate. Jess pointed out something I’d never really thought about: women aren’t taught to have sophisticated conversations about money.

Men often learn about money from their dads, grandfathers, colleagues, or friends much earlier in life. Women? We’re often taught that it’s not polite to talk about money, that being wealthy is somehow dirty, and that we should feel bad about wanting more.

But here’s the reality: wealth gives you options.

When Jess was broke and friends paid for her dinner, she remembered thinking “I cannot wait until I can afford to do this for them.” Now she can. There’s nothing more powerful than being able to see someone in need and actually do something about it.

What To Do If You’re In “Survival Mode” Right Now

If you’re reading this thinking “That’s great for her, but I’m literally in survival mode right now,” Jess has been there. And here’s what she wants you to know:

Step 1: Believe wealth is possible for you

If you don’t believe it’s possible, you’ll never take the actions needed to make it happen.

Step 2: Do the math

Figure out exactly how much you need to earn right now to get to the next level. Not “I need more money” but “I need exactly $X by Y date.”

Step 3: Get in community

You cannot transform your money situation in isolation. You need to be around growth-minded people who won’t let you stay stuck in victim mode.

The Business Phrase That’s Actually Hurting Your Growth

Here’s a hot take that both Jess and I are passionate about: Stop saying “Thank you for supporting my small business.”

I know this might ruffle some feathers, but hear us out. When you thank people for “supporting” you, you’re positioning yourself as if they’re doing you a favor by buying from you.

Instead, your mindset should be “You’re welcome.” You’re welcome for what you’re about to get, because their life is about to change.

The transaction should be a better deal for them than it is for you. When you’re focused on what they’re getting instead of what you’re getting, you’re in true service.

The Decision-Making Superpower Every Entrepreneur Needs

One thing that really stood out to me about Jess is her ability to make decisions fast. She’ll have an idea in the shower and it’s being sold by the end of the day.

Not every idea works out, but here’s the key: the worst decision you can make is to not make a decision at all.

When you’re stuck in indecision, you’re essentially letting the decision be made for you. And that’s not how you build a successful business.

The Bottom Line

Money mastery isn’t about having millions in the bank (though that’s nice too). It’s about understanding exactly what your money is supposed to do for you and having systems in place to make that happen.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’re already making six figures but wondering where it all goes, the principles are the same:

• Track your numbers obsessively
• Give every dollar a specific job
• Play all six money games, not just earning
• Surround yourself with people who won’t let you stay small
• Make decisions fast so you can savor the results

The opportunity to build wealth as an entrepreneur has never been greater. But it requires you to get serious about understanding money as a tool, not just something that happens to you.

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Ready to dive deeper into building your digital empire? Subscribe to Beyond the BS and follow me on Instagram @the_no_bs_newyorker. Check out Jess at https://www.sincerelyfutureyou.com/ or follow her on Instagram @jessmckinleyWehno.

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