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Chemo, Coffee, and Cornbread: A Financially-Flavored Faith Journey
A tale of tumors, treats, trusting Jesus—and trying not to impulse-buy plants Let me just start by saying that if you had told me last year I’d be tracking tumor shrinkage and spending habits with the same intensity, I would’ve laughed you out of the budget meeting. But here I am: knee deep into a…
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Sick, Stylish, and Slightly Unhinged: Cancer Chronicles from the Clearance Rack
This week has been a tale of two extremes. On one hand, I was out here living my best bargain-hunting life—scoring big wins like a dreamy toddler toy and an entire new wardrobe without breaking the bank. Nothing like the sweet, sweet high of secondhand steals to make you feel like you’re winning at life…
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Surviving Cancer, Staying on Budget, and (Almost) Bringing Home Another Dog
Living through chemo is a strange beast. On the one hand, you’re fighting for your life, and on the other, you’re facing a whirlwind of expenses, budgeting decisions, and the temptation of impulse buys that could derail your financial plans. For someone like me—dealing with cancer treatments, mom life, and personal finance goals—it’s a constant…
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March Madness: Crushing Goals, Coping with Chemotherapy, and a Much Needed Coastal Getaway
Well, folks, we made it! March is officially in the books, and it’s time for my monthly check-in. Compared to February (which was like the villain in an action movie—seriously, so many plot twists), March was a breeze. But don’t let that fool you—there were still a few plot holes and cliffhangers along the way.…
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From Impulse Buys to Intentional Spending: How a Values-Based Budget Can Transform Your Wallet (And Your Life)
I unfortunately spent far too much of my adult life treating spending money like it was an extreme sport. No, seriously. If there was a “Put It in the Cart” Olympic event, I would have been a gold medalist. Does it look cute? Add to cart. Does it promise to make my life just a…
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February Goal Check-In: The Month That Tried to Break Me (But Didn’t)
Well, well, well. February is officially in the rearview mirror, and it’s time for my monthly goal check-in. Spoiler: if you were hoping for a smooth ride with a side of flawless goal crushing, you might want to lower your expectations. This month, life had other plans. Let’s just say that cancer and I are…
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Muffins, Magic, and Makeovers: How My No-Spend Challenge Went Off-Track (And Why It’s Okay)
Hey friends! It’s only been a week since my last update, but man, what a week it’s been. Between prepping for cancer treatments, bookish adventures, a mommy-daughter date, wig shenanigans, and, well, a few unplanned splurges—I could’ve done a little better sticking to my no-spend challenge, but hey, life happens. Plus, I’m rearranging a lot…
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No-Spend February: Pirates, Paper Hearts, and a Plot Twist No One Asked For
When I started this no-spend challenge, I figured the biggest hurdles would be resisting Target runs, dodging fast food drive-thrus, avoiding Amazon impulse buys, and convincing my two-year old that we don’t need every lollipop in the checkout aisle. What I didn’t anticipate was throwing a battle with breast cancer into the mix. Hello, plot…
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Spending Spree + Self-Compassion: Confessions of a Bipolar Mom
Well, friends, if you were expecting a perfectly curated, flawlessly executed no-spend week, I’ve got some bad news: this week was an absolute trainwreck. As I sit here writing this, I’m fully immersed in my “shame bubble” like a sad, defeated dog with its tail tucked between its legs. Not my finest week, folks. But…
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January Recap: Slaying Debt, No-Spend Wins, and One Too Many Dollar Tree Adventures
Well, folks, January was a huge win for me! Not only did I manage to stay within my budget for the first time EVER (cue the confetti), but I also successfully threw a whopping $900 toward my debt and savings goals! It feels like I’m finally getting my financial act together, and it’s honestly a…