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Chemo, Chaos, and Casper the Ghost: A Life Update
Life lately feels like one of those sitcom episodes where everything that can go wrong does—but with fewer laugh tracks and more medical bills. Between navigating chemo, toddler tantrums, teacher appreciation marathons, and a surprise cameo from a man who ghosted faster than my willpower in a bookstore, I’ve been riding the rollercoaster with no…
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April in the Rearview: Debt, Determination, and Distracting Myself with Books
Hey, hey, friends! We made it through April! And by “made it,” I mean I survived another month of solo mom life, a never-ending financial redemption arc, and cancer treatments that make me feel like I’ve been body-slammed by a narcoleptic elephant. So welcome back to my little corner of the internet where we keep…
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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…