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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…
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Haircuts, Dragons, and Snow– Oh My: The No-Spend Saga Continues
Well, folks, we’re almost through January, and you know what that means—time for another check-in on how my no-spend challenge is going. If you recall, I decided to kick things up a notch this month. While I have a list of items I won’t be purchasing all year, this month’s challenge has been a bit…
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Balancing It All: How I Found the Perfect Side Hustle as a Single Mom (And Why You Can Too!)
If you’ve ever tried to get a grip on your finances, you’ve probably entertained the idea of starting a side hustle at some point. After all, who doesn’t want a little extra cash to throw at that mountain of debt or (dare we dream?) build an emergency fund? For me, increasing my income was essential…
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13 Days Into 2025: How the Universe is Trying to Sabotage My No-Spend Challenge (and Failing)
Alright, 2025 is my year to kick consumerism in the face with my no-spend challenge. For the month of January, I’ve sworn off anything that isn’t absolutely essential—only bills, groceries, and gas. The universe, clearly not a fan of my goals, is definitely plotting my demise already. But I’m still here, staying focused and disciplined….
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Beyond the Budget: Discovering the Emotional “Why” Behind Financial Change
Being a single mom is tough. You’re trying to juggle a full-time job, endless parenting duties, keeping the house from collapsing in on itself, and still squeezing in quality time with your kids—all while praying for a few minutes of real rest. And let’s not forget the Herculean task of getting a grip on your…
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2025 Goals and No-Spend Challenge: A Year of Hope, Hustle, and Hilarious Restraint
It’s official: 2025 is the year I stop playing financial whack-a-mole and start running my life like the CEO of My Own Dang Money, Inc. (That’s a real company now. Don’t Google it.) 2024 was full of lessons (and probably too many Amazon purchases), but 2025 is going to be the year I master discipline,…