Margo Clayson on Learning to Budget the Hard Way

Margo Clayson on Learning to Budget the Hard Way

From Other People's Pockets by Maya Lau

March 12, 2026 · 44 min

About this episode

Margo Clayson shares her journey of discovering $40,000 in debt at 50 and the lessons learned about budgeting and relationships.

What happens when you finally start to budget in your 50s, then you discover to your total surprise that you are $40,000 in debt? I spoke to Margo Clayson about the uncomfortable conversations she had — and new relationship patterns she created — on her journey to becoming financially sound. Clayson is founder of The Mighty Microgreen, an organization that helps educators create interactive STEM and nutrition lessons using microgreens. She’s also an educator, longtime student, mom, grandmother, wife and Canadian now living in rural Idaho. I talked to her about the unusual way her financial reckoning came about, how she navigates money and marriage, and what budgeting looks like when you’re living off Social Security. Email me (Maya) with guest ideas, questions, or hello's at otherpeoplespockets@gmail.com Find me on social media here . Find Margo: The Mighty Microgreen LinkedIn Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

People in this episode

Host: Maya Lau

Guest: Margo Clayson

Topics covered

  • budgeting
  • debt
  • financial literacy
  • relationships
  • education
  • STEM
  • nutrition

Keywords

  • budgeting
  • debt
  • financial soundness
  • money management
  • marriage
  • Social Security
  • STEM education

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Mighty Microgreen

Places: Canada, rural Idaho

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