Financial Literacy with Pamela Capalad & Dyalekt
As most of you know, I’m a big fan of financial literacy. And I think it is equally as important a component to a successful life, just like regular literacy. The biggest challenge for most people though is that unlike reading lessons, most of us don’t get personal finance lessons in schools or at home. So it’s up to us to learn a language on our own and find the best classes for our needs. Which is why I love highlighting so many different resources for financial literacy and I’m excited to share another one for you today. Joining me on the podcast today are Pamela Capalad and her husband, Dyalekt. She’s the founder of the financial planning company “Brunch and Budget” and together the couple has cofounded “The Race and Wealth Podcast Network” which includes the Brunch and Budget podcast as well as the organization “Pockets Change”, which creates financial literacy curriculums that are taught in schools, youth organizations or one-on-one with parents and kids. They’re joining me to share how their unique backgrounds and experiences helped them to find a unique way to teach financial literacy and empowerment to underserved communities.
What are we drinking?
Pamela – Ginger infused seltzer with fruit
Dyalekt – Ginger infused seltzer with fruit
Shannon – Black Cherry Schweppes
Podcast Notes
Pam and Dyalekt are married and had met in 2007 as like-minded educators.
Pam has a degree in literature; her introduction to financial literacy came in the form of teaching money camps for kids.
Pockets Change was created to create a financial literacy curriculum to be taught in schools, youth organizations and one-on-one with parents and kids.
The artist community that Pam and Dyalekt were part of became aware of Pam’s background in finance and would ask her for information and advice. Brunch and Budget was born from one of these conversations.
Dyalekt is a rapper, playwright and educator that uses his various mediums to teach financial literacy.
When they started doing the Brunch and Budget podcast and the number of clients increased for Pockets Change, Pam noticed many of their listeners and clients were people of color and were the first in their families to pursue an interest in financial literacy.
Utilizing “family workshops” they’ve found an effective way to teach financial literacy to multiple generations within the family. Many times these conversations were never started because of the feeling of lack of expertise on the parents’ part.
Dyalekt refers to a quote from one of his students, “If you don’t make a plan for your money, your money is going to make a plan for you”.
They equate saving money to self-care. Just like other forms of self-care, doing this requires you to prioritize yourself first.
Takeaway: My biggest takeaway is that financial literacy programs come in all shapes and sizes, and from my experience; you may need to try multiple options until you find the right one for you. And sometimes, learning from multiple sources may be the perfect solution to give you the financial education and empowerment you need.
Random Three Questions
1. What is your favorite cheap date?
2. If this is your last night on earth, what is your final meal?
3. If you won a million dollars, what would you do with it?
Connect with Pamela and Dyalekt
Instagram: @brunchandbudget @pocketschange @Dyalekt
Twitter: @brunchandbudget @pocketschange @Dyalektraps
Websites : brunchandbudget.com and pocketschange.com
Spotify: Search “Dyalekt”
If you have any topics you would like me to cover on this podcast, or if you’d like to get in the financially naked hot seat, I encourage you to email me to Shannon@fingyms.com, or join the private Martinis and Your Money Facebook group, and let me know what you want to hear.
In addition to helping clients save, spend, and build wealth, a primary role our trainers play at The Financial Gym is the role of financial educator. If you are someone who didn’t learn financial literacy at home, in school or on the job, I hope you’ll think of The Financial Gym as the place to go and your financial trainer as your BFF (Best Financial Friend), who’s there to help you navigate the jargon and understand the language of personal finance in a fun and empowering way.
I’m so excited to share with you that other than monthly memberships, we have so many other ways you can support Financial Gym’s mission. We have recently launched a series of courses ranging from basics of personal finance to investing, first time home buying and family planning. These are truly amazing and you can buy them for yourselves or your loved ones. We’ve also launched our BFF affiliate page. If you’re looking for a new credit card, personal loan, or investment account, check that out and support the Gym at the same time. Later next month we’ll be launching a starter Gym membership at $35 a month and in September a monthly Mastermind group led by me to people looking to level up their finances. So go to or send friends to financialgym.com to see all of the ways you can work with us and level up your finances.