Donald Farrey on Eliminating Debt and Budgeting (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 887)
Donald Farrey, a CPA and a Dave Ramsey Preferred Financial Coach, joins North Fulton Business Radio host John Ray to share how he helps high-income individuals and couples get out of debt, stay on top of their money, and stop living paycheck to paycheck, even when that paycheck is a big one.
After a long career in finance and real estate, a cancer diagnosis led Don to rethink his path. He now focuses on helping others avoid the stress and confusion that often come with money. In this episode, he explains how practical tools like the EveryDollar app and proven methods like the debt snowball can make a real difference.
Don also talks about common financial blind spots, how money can create tension in relationships, and why budgeting doesn’t mean giving up fun. If you’ve ever wondered why your income doesn’t seem to stretch as far as it should, this episode is for you.
John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is produced by John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, and is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.
Key Takeaways from this Episode
- Don Farrey works primarily with high-income individuals and couples to eliminate financial stress, reduce debt, and build a better future.
- As a Dave Ramsey Preferred Financial Coach, Don uses proven tools like the debt snowball and EveryDollar budgeting app to help clients gain control.
- Budgeting isn’t about depriving yourself; it’s about spending intentionally on what matters most.
- Don emphasizes communication between couples as the foundation for financial success in marriage.
- He helps clients identify and plan for “total cost of ownership” and avoid the cultural trap of keeping up with the Joneses.
- Emergency funds and intentional planning protect against inevitable disruptions like job loss or illness.
- Accountability is critical. Most people don’t need more information; they need a partner to help them follow through.
Topics Discussed in this Episode
00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
00:35 Meet “Don the Money Man”
00:57 The Benefits of Renasant Bank
02:21 Don’s Financial Coaching Philosophy
05:00 Dave Ramsey’s Financial Principles
11:00 Budgeting Tips and Tools
13:01 Prioritizing Meaningful Experiences
14:09 Personal Stories and Financial Wisdom
16:14 The Problem with Excessive Spending
16:36 Marriage and Money: Navigating Financial Stress
17:24 Effective Budgeting and Communication
20:31 Planning for the Unexpected
23:01 When to Seek Financial Coaching
26:16 Success Stories and Practical Tips
29:42 Contacting Don the Money Man
31:10 Closing Remarks and Additional Resources
Donald Farrey, Don the Money Man, LLC
Donald Farrey is a CPA and Dave Ramsey Preferred Financial Coach who, after a distinguished career in real estate finance, transitioned to his true calling following his retirement in 2024 due to illness. Motivated by a lifelong passion for financial empowerment, he now dedicates his expertise to guiding individuals and families out of financial distress, equipping them with tools for lasting financial health.
With decades of hands-on experience in cost reduction, mortgages, purchasing vehicles, insurance decisions, and navigating special needs situations, Donald brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his coaching. His deep understanding of the unique challenges clients face allows him to offer tailored, compassionate guidance that supports confident financial decision-making and long-term security.
Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio
Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, with over $17 billion in assets and more than 180 banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services offices throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from each banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way to better understand the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.
Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube
Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio
If you’re a law firm, medical practice, or manufacturer, there’s one headline you don’t want to make: “Local Business Pays Thousands in Ransom After Cyberattack.” That’s where Beyond Computer Solutions comes in. They help organizations like yours stay out of the news and in business with managed IT and cybersecurity services designed for industries where compliance and reputation matter most.
Whether they serve as your complete IT department or simply support your internal team, they are well-versed in HIPAA, secure document access, written security policies, and other essential aspects that ensure your safety and well-being. Best of all, it starts with a complimentary security assessment.
Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube
About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray
With over 880 episodes and having featured over 1,300 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!
The show invites a diverse range of business, non-profit, and community leaders to share their significant contributions to their market, community, and profession. There’s no discrimination based on company size, and there’s never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates businesses by sharing positive stories that traditional media ignore. Some media lean left. Some media lean right. We lean business.
John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. John and the team at North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, produce the show, and it is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.
The studio address is 275 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.
You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and many others.
John Ray also operates his own business advisory practice. John’s services include advising solopreneurs and small professional services firms on their value, their positioning and business development, and their pricing. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as consultants, coaches, attorneys, CPAs, accountants, bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.
John is the national bestselling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.
Kelly Lorenzen, CEO of KLM Consulting, is an award-winning entrepreneur with over 15 years of business-ownership experience. She is also a certified project management professional.
