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 huge relief to see those numbers move in the right direction.

To recap, here are the financial goals I’m working toward this year:

• Goal #1: Pay off $27,000 in debt (yep, you read that right—27K, but I’m tackling it head-on!)
• Goal #2: Save $7,200 for an emergency fund (because life has a way of throwing curveballs)
• Goal #3: Build up sinking funds for all the life moments I know are headed my way—things like kid’s birthdays, Christmas, pet expenses, car repairs, back-to-school madness, Halloween costumes, and travel expenses.

Now, if you’ve been following along, you know I took on a no-spend challenge in January. And guess what? I made it through all 31 days without buying a single thing I didn’t absolutely need. Victory! That said, I do have a little “oopsie” moment to share about when I tried to reward myself for sticking to the no-spend challenge… let’s just say shopping to kill time is never a good idea.

Oh, and I didn’t stop at financial goals—my personal goals are also in full swing:

• Goal #1: Lose 50 pounds (I’m not saying I have the body of a goddess yet, but I am down a pant size…heyyyy!)
• Goal #2: Run a half-marathon (because what better way to prove I can do really hard things than by struggling for air, fighting for survival, and hoping my body doesn’t collapse on me during a 13.1 mile race with a bunch of other people who have the same questionable idea?)
• Goal #3: Read 50 books (No, I’m not trying to set a world record. I just prefer getting lost in make-believe stories over dealing with adult responsibilities.)

This is my chance to reflect on everything that went right (hello, budgeting success) and everything that went, um, less right (I’ll never look at a Dollar Tree the same way again). Plus, I’m setting myself up for success in February with some new goals and a fresh no-spend challenge. So grab your coffee, maybe a snack, and let’s dive into how January went down.

Financial Glow-Up: Let’s Talk Goals

Debt Destruction: Making Progress, One $5,439 Payment at a Time!
I started this journey with a jaw-dropping $135,000 in debt. My goal is to pay that off in the next five years, which means I need to throw about $27,000 at it every year. But, lucky for me, I got a head start last year and knocked out $15,000 of that (you could say I’m basically a debt-destroying machine). So, this year, I’m down to needing to tackle just $12,000 more. This month, I managed to throw an extra $400 at my debt, and that allowed me to completely obliterate a $5,439 debt! I’m not saying I’m on fire, but if I were a video game character, I’d have a “level-up” animation right now. That leaves me with just $6,561 to go to hit my goal for the year. Honestly, at this rate, I’m ready to start planning the “debt-free party” (spoiler: it involves a lot of confetti and a tiny cake).

Emergency Fund: Building My Financial Safety Net–Brick by Brick, Deposit by Deposit
I’m aiming for a $7,200 emergency fund this year, with the long-term goal of having a fully funded emergency fund in five years—enough to cover six months’ worth of household expenses (you know, for when the car breaks down, the dog eats something questionable, or when life just decides to be life). This month, I was able to put $200 toward my emergency fund, bringing my total to $500. It’s not quite “I’m ready for anything” territory yet, but it’s a start! Now, I’m just crossing my fingers that no emergencies happen before I’m actually ready to handle them—because, as we all know, they have a tendency to show up right when you least expect them. 🙃

Sinking Funds: The Hidden Reserves For Life’s Little Surprises
I’m building up sinking funds for things I know are coming–like back-to-school, birthdays, and holidays–as well as for the life surprises that always seem to pop up—like car repairs, last-minute travel, and vet trips for my furry friends. This month, I managed to put a total of $200 into my sinking funds. Here’s the breakdown:

• $25 toward Christmas (total of $25 so far – hey, it’s a start! 🎄)
• $50 toward car maintenance (total of $50 – I see you, car. You’re not getting me this time.)
• $50 toward pet expenses (total of $50 – because apparently, pets have no regard for my bank account)
• $75 toward kids’ birthdays (total of $170 for Caleb and $145 for Ava – we’re getting closer to being prepared for the inevitable party chaos)

While these funds are still growing, it’s nice to know I’m one step closer to not having to pull money out of thin air when life inevitably throws its little curveballs. Honestly, I’m starting to feel like maybe—just maybe—I won’t have a mini panic attack when these expenses pop up. Fingers crossed! 🤞

No-Spend Challenge: 31 Days of Saying No (And One Little “Oops” Moment)

Crushing Temptations and Conquering Impulse Buys Like a Pro
I completely conquered January by avoiding unnecessary purchases for 31 straight days. Sure, there were temptations—unexpected ones, too. But whenever something popped into my head that I thought I wanted, rather than giving into the urge to impulse buy, I did something different. I wrote it down on a “wish list.” And no, it wasn’t a scribbled note on a napkin, I made it official—listing the item, the cost, where to buy it, and why I wanted it. The key was that I told myself I could evaluate the list at the end of the month and make a deliberate decision.

By the end of January, I had 11 items on my list, some of which were truly unnecessary, like an iced coffee Keurig machine (which was absolutely a “no” after some serious thinking). Others were things I thought I might want, like a replacement for my two-year-old’s mysteriously vanished favorite bedtime story, which I decided could wait for now. But there were a couple of items, like a pirate costume for my ten-year-old’s school play she’s starring in and a replacement for my dishwasher’s utensil basket that’s about two broken pieces away from becoming a relic, that I will absolutely be budgeting for in February.

Writing things down instead of just denying myself entirely really helped me manage the temptations. It wasn’t about saying “no, you can never have this” but more like “not right now, let’s revisit this later.” This gave me clarity and a clear mindset to make intentional spending decisions.

What I Learned About Myself: Namely, Stress and Shopping Don’t Mix
This challenge was a game-changer for me. I realized I had been completely overwhelmed by spending decisions, and I didn’t even know how much unnecessary stress it was adding to my life. Taking away the need to constantly decide whether or not to buy something was huge. It reduced my decision fatigue, which seriously lowered my stress levels. I felt happier this month than I have in a long time. In fact, it even had some unexpected perks, like clear skin—apparently no fast food means no pimples—and zero migraines (who knew cutting stress could work wonders?).

What I learned is that my spending habits really do impact my stress, mood, and overall well-being, and this insight has given me even more motivation to keep going with this. It’s like my new superpower: a happy wallet equals a happy me.

Reward Day: A Pizza, Some Socks, and Some Serious Life Lessons
Now, I promised you all I would share an “oopsie” moment. Even though I slayed January for 31 straight days, it nearly took me out in one fell swoop right at the end when I decided to treat myself—and the kids—to pizza for dinner as a reward for sticking to the no-spend challenge all month. Simple, right? WRONG.

I figured I’d pick up the pizza in person to avoid delivery charges (one of my 2025 no-spend rules). But when I arrived, there was a 25-minute wait, and guess what was next door? Dollar Tree. This is when, if you were watching this play out like a movie, you would see the swirls in my eyes start to form. I know I should take accountability for what I’m about to tell you, but I swear that place hypnotized me with some voodoo wizard magic and lured me into its death trap.

So I thought, “Hey, I’ll just kill some time with the kids in here while we wait for the pizza.” Famous last words. Cut to 25 minutes, one toddler meltdown, and one sibling argument that could rival a WWE smackdown later: my two-year-old is sticking Mickey Mouse stickers all over the backseat of the car, my ten-year-old is happily opening squishy toy packages, and I am standing there baffled holding a new pair of St. Patrick’s Day-themed fuzzy socks.

What. Just. HAPPENED?!

Lesson learned: If you go shopping with no actual purpose, you’ll come home with random socks and regret. Also, this whole fiasco could’ve been avoided if I’d just cooked dinner at home. Who needs a treat when you can enjoy the sweet satisfaction of avoiding entirely unnecessary stress? Ugh.

Personal Goals: Dropping Pounds, Building Up Miles (Very Slowly), and Escaping to Fantasy Worlds

Weight Loss: Shedding Pounds and Taking Names
If you remember, I started my weight loss journey last year and managed to lose 50 pounds, getting me halfway to my goal weight. This year, I’m aiming to drop the remaining 50. The good news? I made some seriously great progress this month. Turns out, saying no to fast food isn’t just good for my wallet and my skin, but also for my waistband. I’m down another 10 pounds and a pant size, which means I’m actually ahead of where I thought I’d be at this point in the year. Cue the victory dance! I’m officially feeling pretty good about this progress, and I think my scale is secretly cheering me on, too.

Running Progress: Slow and Steady Wins the Race
I’m basically starting from scratch with running since it’s been so long since I could proudly call myself a runner. So, I’m taking a very honest approach and meeting myself where I’m at right now—slow and steady to avoid burnout or injury. This month, I’ve worked my way up to three days of movement per week, with two days of walking and one day of walking and jogging intervals. It’s not a 5k yet, but it’s a start, and that’s something to be proud of!

Reading Progress: Living My Best Fantasy Life
My goal this year is to read 50 books, and I’m happy to report I’m on track! I read five books this month, which is basically one book per week. I dove into the world of ACOTAR (A Court of Thorns and Roses series), reading A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, and A Court of Frosted Starlight (I think I might be addicted). I also read When the Moon Hatched, the first in a duology, and of course, the much-anticipated Onyx Storm, the third book in the Empyrean series. Let’s just say I’m on a fantasy kick lately—dragons, faeries, intense battles, and spice-filled romance are now my go-to escape. In fact, I just dipped my toe back into the dating scene again, and I’m pretty sure if it’s not a High Lord or a dragon rider that shows up to my next first date, I won’t be calling them back. 💅

Getting Ready for February: Keeping It Simple, Keeping It Smart

I’m diving back into another no-spend challenge this month! Just like January, I’ll be avoiding any nonessential purchases, but with a few preplanned exceptions (because I’m not a complete robot). The goal? To keep making solid progress toward my financial and personal goals while continuing to embrace the simplicity and clarity this lifestyle brings. I’m bringing the lessons I learned from January into February—mainly, that writing down my temptations instead of giving in is a life-saver—and I’ll be holding myself accountable right here on the blog. So, let’s see if I can keep this no-spend streak alive!

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To sum it all up, January was a solid win, and I learned a lot about myself by making some positive habit changes. I’m feeling energized and ready to dive into February with fresh goals, renewed motivation, and a clear mindset. I hope you’re also taking a moment to reflect on your own progress and set some intentional goals for the month ahead. Whether it’s a no-spend challenge, tackling financial goals, or working on personal growth, I’d love to hear about your journey! Drop your experiences in the comments below—I’m all ears and ready to cheer you on!