Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline Crider
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to do something huge—life-changing, world-altering huge. I didn’t just want a career; I wanted to make an impact, to help people in a way that would truly change their lives. But I had no idea what that path would look like.
I’ve always loved math, but I also had a deep passion for storytelling and creativity, so I ended up earning an English Creative Writing degree—a bit unexpected for someone who geeks out over numbers. Then, I stumbled into mortgages completely by accident. What started as just a job quickly turned into something much more.
I stayed in mortgage because I fell in love with helping people through one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives—buying a home. I realized that homeownership isn’t just about the house; it’s about stability, financial security, and unlocking future opportunities. It’s a foundational part of people’s overall financial success, and I saw firsthand how the right strategy could transform lives.
The part that really hooked me? Mortgage was math—but creative math. There were the basic rules, sure, but what fascinated me was the different ways you could approach the same numbers to craft a plan that actually worked for someone’s unique situation. And that resonated deeply with me because, as a child, I was never interested in simply following the rules—I was always trying to create my own set.
That mindset led me to a bigger realization: Most people don’t struggle with money because they’re bad with it—they struggle because traditional financial advice doesn’t work for them. They’ve been told to follow a rigid set of rules that don’t fit their lives, and when it doesn’t work, they feel like failures.
As the mortgage market shifted in 2023, I faced a choice: wait it out or pivot to something even bigger—something that could help people not just with mortgages, but with their entire financial approach. That’s when I created Financial Mastery Simplified, launching programs like the Financial Instinct Framework and the Financial Reset Blueprint to help people rewrite their financial story in a way that actually makes sense for them.
Now, I run PBJ Mortgage and Financial Mastery Simplified, blending financial education, mortgage expertise, and coaching to help people stop feeling financially stuck and start making decisions with confidence. My book Mortgage 101: The Secret Sauce to Homebuying makes the homebuying process simple, and my programs guide people toward financial clarity and control—on their terms.
Through it all, my mission has remained the same: to help people stop feeling guilty about money, break free from outdated financial “rules,” and create success in a way that actually works for them. Because at the end of the day, there’s no single “right” way—there’s only the right way for YOU.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not even close. But I’ve learned that the detours, setbacks, and pivots are often what shape us the most.
When I started in mortgages, I didn’t expect it to be a lifelong career. Then 2008 happened. The housing market crashed, and suddenly, everything I thought I knew about the industry was flipped upside down. I watched colleagues lose their jobs, companies shut down, and families struggle to recover. Instead of walking away, I leaned into education—because I knew that if I wanted to stay in this industry and truly help people, I needed to understand it on a deeper level. That’s what led me to law school.
For four years, I worked full-time in mortgages, attended law school at night, and drove a 2 ½-hour round-trip commute every single day. It was exhausting, but I knew that understanding the legal and regulatory shifts happening in my industry would allow me to serve my clients at a level most people in my field couldn’t. That commitment to education—no matter how difficult—became one of the defining traits of my career.
But my challenges weren’t just professional—they were personal, too. In 2020, I faced infertility and miscarried, an experience that left me heartbroken and completely out of control. Then, in 2021, my daughter arrived 8 weeks and 2 days early, throwing us into the terrifying world of NICU stays, uncertainty, and a whole new level of emotional and financial stress. That season of life changed my perspective on everything. I had spent my career helping people plan for the future, and suddenly, I was living in a world where nothing could be planned.
Just as I thought I was finding my footing, 2023 hit—the second major downturn of my career. The mortgage market slowed dramatically, and once again, I faced a choice: wait it out, or pivot into something bigger. This time, I took everything I had learned—about finance, mindset, resilience, and adaptability—and created Financial Mastery Simplified. I launched courses and coaching programs as well as a podcast that help people not just with mortgages, but with their entire financial approach.
Through all of it—the market crashes, personal loss, rebuilding seasons—I’ve learned that success isn’t about having a smooth road. It’s about adapting, evolving, and creating something new when the old way no longer works. The challenges have shaped me into someone who isn’t just teaching financial success—I’m living proof that you can pivot, rebuild, and create a path forward, no matter what life throws at you.
As you know, we’re big fans of PBJ Mortgage and Financial Mastery Simplified. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
What You Should Know About PBJ Mortgage & Financial Mastery Simplified
I run two businesses that work hand-in-hand to help people take control of their financial future—PBJ Mortgage and Financial Mastery Simplified. While they serve different aspects of finance, they are both built on the same foundation: education, empowerment, and breaking free from traditional financial “rules” that don’t actually work for everyone.
PBJ Mortgage: Making Mortgages as Simple as PB&J
PBJ Mortgage is all about simplifying the homebuying process. Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions people make, and yet, the mortgage industry often makes it unnecessarily complicated. I break it down in a way that’s clear, approachable, and tailored to the buyer’s specific situation.
What sets PBJ Mortgage apart is that we don’t just get people approved for a loan—we take the time to ensure it fits into their bigger financial picture. Homeownership isn’t just about getting the lowest interest rate; it’s about making smart decisions that align with long-term financial goals.
We specialize in:
Personalized mortgage strategies that fit real-life situations
Educating homebuyers so they feel confident in their decisions
Demystifying the process so that getting a mortgage feels as simple as making a PB&J sandwich
I even wrote the book on it—literally. Mortgage 101: The Secret Sauce to Homebuying makes the homebuying process accessible for anyone who wants to approach it with confidence.
Financial Mastery Simplified: Helping You Redefine Financial Success on Your Terms
While PBJ Mortgage helps people secure homeownership, Financial Mastery Simplified tackles the bigger picture of financial freedom—helping people understand, manage, and reshape their relationship with money in a way that actually works for them.
Too often, people are told there’s only one way to manage money—strict budgets, cutbacks, and rigid financial rules. But what if that approach doesn’t work for you? Financial Mastery Simplified exists for those who have tried traditional advice and found themselves stuck, frustrated, or constantly second-guessing their financial decisions.
We specialize in:
The Financial Instinct Framework – a personalized system that helps people discover their natural financial tendencies and build a strategy that works with them, not against them.
The Financial Reset Blueprint – a program designed to help people reset their financial mindset, clear out guilt and uncertainty, and create a plan that aligns with their goals.
Coaching and courses that focus on education and empowerment, giving people tools to ditch the dread of money decisions and take control of their financial future.
What Sets Us Apart?
The biggest thing that makes my businesses different is that they challenge the status quo.
Most mortgage companies focus on numbers, not education. PBJ Mortgage makes sure people understand what they’re getting into and how their home fits into their long-term financial plan.
Most financial programs focus on cookie-cutter strategies. Financial Mastery Simplified helps people craft a money plan based on their unique strengths, mindset, and goals—so they don’t feel like failures for not fitting into a rigid system.
I’m most proud that my brands are giving people permission to think differently about money—whether that’s through homeownership, personal finances, or a complete financial reset.
At the end of the day, money should be a tool to help you live the life you want—not a source of stress, shame, or confusion. That’s what both of my businesses are about. Helping people create a financial life that works for them—on their terms.
What are your plans for the future?
The one thing that’s constant for us? Pivoting and evolving to reach more people in more impactful ways.
At both PBJ Mortgage and Financial Mastery Simplified, we are constantly expanding—creating new programs, courses, and coaching opportunities to help more people take control of their finances in a way that actually works for them. Financial education isn’t one-size-fits-all, and we’re committed to ensuring that everyone, no matter their background, has access to knowledge and tools that empower them.
One of the most exciting things on the horizon is launching a non-profit dedicated to bringing real financial education into inner-city schools. Too many young people graduate without knowing how to manage money, understand credit, or make practical financial decisions. By reaching them early, we can help reshape financial mindsets while they’re still in their learning years.
The key? Making financial education gamified and engaging. We’re not just going to throw numbers and budgets at them—we want to create interactive, empowering experiences that show them how to take control of their financial futures in a way that feels real, relevant, and achievable.
Beyond that, we’re also working on:
Scaling our programs to serve more people through live and on-demand content.
Enhancing our coaching and community experiences so that financial success feels supportive, not isolating.
Expanding our reach through partnerships, speaking engagements, and content to continue breaking down financial barriers for more people.
At the core of it all, our mission remains the same: to educate, equip, and empower people to create financial success on their own terms. And with every pivot, every new program, and every new initiative, we’re making sure that mission reaches even further.
Pricing:
- Mortgage 101: Secret Sauce to Homebuying- $9.99-$20.49 (depending on version- its ebook, audiobook, and physical book)
- HouseU- $297 (a course to simplify the homebuying process)
- Financial Instincts Framework (a hybrid 1:1/group coaching platform)- $1997 for a 90 day course
- Financial Reset Blueprint (a workbook that will give you a roadmap tailored to your specific needs)- $497
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pbjteam.com and www.fms.college
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jax_crider, https://www.instagram.com/pbj_mortgage/, and www.instagram.com/houseuorg
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jax.crider/, https://www.facebook.com/pbjmortgage/, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090806594005 and https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557282521626
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pbj-mortgage-jacqueline-crider/, www.linkedin.com/company/pbj-mortgage-llc, and www.linkedin.com/company/financialmasterysimplified
- Twitter: https://x.com/pbjmortgage
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FinancialMasterySimplifi-vr2wp and https://www.youtube.com/@pbjteam
Image Credits
Bold Social
