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. So, grab your popcorn, because we’re about to recap my financial escapades, personal goals, and the cancer journey that’s been more dramatic than any soap opera. Let’s dive in!

Financial Goals: Making it Rain (Sort Of)

Goal #1: Pay off $27,000 in debt
Last month, I was feeling confident with only $1,438 left to hit my debt payoff goal for the year. Well, hold onto your wallets, because this month I threw $737.32 at that mountain of debt, which leaves me with just $700.68 to go! (Cue the confetti cannon!) I’m in the home stretch now, and I can almost taste financial freedom.

Goal #2: Save $7,200 for an emergency fund
My emergency fund is like the little engine that could—slow, steady, and definitely not going to win any races, but it’s moving in the right direction. Last month, I put $500 in my emergency fund, bringing the total to $1,000, and stashed it in a high-yield savings account (because interest). This month, I was able to toss in an additional $180.85. Now I’m sitting pretty with a grand total of $1,180.85.

I know it’s not earth-shattering, but the key here is “funding the future” (sounds way better than saying “I’m hoarding tiny amounts of cash”). Anyway, next month I’ll aim to put a little more into this account, because, you know, life.

Goal #3: Build sinking funds for life’s moments
Thanks to a glorious performance bonus last month, I fully funded seven out of eight sinking funds. And this month? I threw $300 at my last one (vacation/travel) to make it all nice and rounded out. Now I’m officially prepared for whatever life throws at me—whether it’s a flat tire or a spontaneous trip to the Bahamas (but, let’s be real, it’ll probably be more like a flat tire). Who knew having money set aside for life’s little surprises could feel so satisfying? Stress level: zero.

March No-Spend Challenge: The Battle of Impulse vs. Discipline
Ah, the infamous no-spend challenge. Did I succeed? Kind of. Did I fail spectacularly? Also, kind of. I managed to not spend any unnecessary money 20 out of 31 days. Which means there were still 11 days where I went full “Treat Yourself” mode, and… well, let’s just say I can’t be trusted when I’m hungry and near a drive-thru.

Here’s a breakdown of my impulsive shopping:

• Fast food (9 out of 14 impulse buys, so…face palm)
• A wig I didn’t need (but it was shiny, and I am weak)
• A fancy wig brush & spray (also unneeded but somehow essential for my growing wig collection)
• A reusable water bottle (because I needed one that I could put my growing collection of book nerd stickers on…obviously)
• Summer theater camp registration for my daughter (this one was legit and worth every penny)
• A pillow for my toddler (because we thought we lost his, which, spoiler alert: we didn’t)

Total damage: $686.69. Ugh. That could’ve been an extra chunk of debt paid off or shoved into my emergency fund–but hey, at least I’m hydrated and my wigs are on point. And the pillow? Well, that saved me from a toddler tantrum, so no regrets.

Personal Pursuits: If You Can’t Run, Read!

Goal #1: Lose 50 pounds
Alright, it’s time for a progress update on my weight loss journey. As of last month, I had dropped 10 pounds, and this month, I lost another 3. That’s right, 3 pounds—about the weight of a giant watermelon, or a really tiny dog that would be super offended if it knew I was comparing it to my fat. So, after 3 months, I’m officially down 13 pounds, and I’m feeling pretty great. Only 37 more pounds to go, so I’ve basically lost the equivalent of a watermelon, and now I’m aiming to lose the equivalent of a giant toddler. I got this.

It hasn’t been a walk in the park though. Some days, I’m crushing it with my healthy meals and workouts, feeling like a fitness influencer who knows how to pronounce “quinoa.” Other days, I’m trying to dodge the snack cupboard like it’s a minefield. You know those moments when the only cardio you’re getting is the dramatic walk from the kitchen to the couch, where you can pretend to be productive while mindlessly watching TV? Yeah, those days happen too. But hey, every pound lost counts, even if the journey’s not always perfect. I’m sticking with it, and in the end, I know that progress is progress–even if it’s slow.

Can we also just pause for a moment and appreciate how the world is so much better when your jeans don’t feel like a second skin? I’m feeling good, and I’m definitely on track to crush this goal by the end of the year. So, yay me!

Goal #2: Run a half-marathon
Okay, full disclosure: the snooze button and I are in a very toxic relationship right now. My morning runs? Not happening. The alarm clock? Winning. I’m definitely behind where I’d like to be on my running goals, but you know what? Chemotherapy fatigue is a thing, and I’ve learned that I need to be kinder to myself. So instead of beating myself up for not running like a gazelle every morning, I’m focusing on taking care of my health in the ways my body needs on a day by day basis. Running can wait—until the next time my alarm clock fails to win.

Goal #3: Read 50 books
I’m happy to report that I’m cruising ahead of schedule on this one—my inner bookworm is thriving! I’ve been having the most fun with my local public library’s yearly reading challenge. Hunting for books that fit specific prompts has become my new version of a shopping spree. The dopamine rush I used to get from impulse-buying clothes I didn’t need is now coming from tracking down the perfect book for each category. Best part? This spree costs me exactly zero dollars, so my wallet stays happy while my book collection grows. Here’s what I read this month:

1. A Book that Started Your Love for Reading:
   The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
   Rating: 5 Stars — The bear is a classic for a reason, y’all.
2. A Mystery Set Outside the United States:
   Those Empty Eyes by Charlie Donlea
   Rating: 3 Stars — A twisty, not-terribly-memorable whodunit.
3. A Book from Book Pages Best Books of 2024:
   The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett
   Rating: 3 Stars — A Sherlock Holmes meets fantasy vibe. Meh.
4. A Book Set in the Spring:
   The First Day of Spring by Nancy Tucker
   Rating: 3 Stars — A haunting story about the power abuse and neglect can have on a child–even to the point of murder.
5. A Book from GoodReads Humor List:
   A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore
   Rating: 5 Stars — This one was a gem. Grim Reaper meets dad humor. I laughed so hard I cried. Best thing I read all month.
6. A Popular Author’s Debut Novel:
   The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
   Rating: 3 Stars — Cute, but it didn’t change my life.
7. A Book with a Puzzle in the Plot:
   The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
   Rating: 3 Stars — Cool concept, poor execution. I was more invested in solving the puzzle than I was in the actual plot.

In summary, I’m ahead of schedule with 16 books down and 34 to go. Alright, alright, alright!

Cancer Journey: Chemo, Wigs, and a Beach Break

If you’ve been following along, you know I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer at the end of February. My first chemotherapy treatment hit on March 7th, and let me tell you, they really weren’t kidding when they said chemo is brutal. I thought I had the stamina of a warrior… until I was reduced to a lump on the couch by 3pm every day. The fatigue hit me hard, and let’s just say that the most active I was that first week was walking from the bed to the bathroom for necessary bio breaks. TMI?

Taking care of the kids in this state? Not my finest hour. Every afternoon felt like a struggle to just keep my eyes open, which left me asking, “How many snacks can I give them before they spontaneously combust from sugar?” Spoiler: I don’t know, but I was really testing the limits.

Week two rolled around, and while the fatigue started to ease up a bit, I was greeted by a delightful lineup of side effects. Digestive issues, a skin rash that made me feel like a walking ad, terrible acne (because what’s chemo without a glow up?), and my absolute favorite—mouth and throat sores that made it nearly impossible to eat or speak without wincing. At one point, I seriously considered going to the ER just to ask for a morphine drip.

But, there’s light at the end of the tunnel, right? By week three, I felt mostly human again, energy levels were on the rise, and I even managed to take the kids on a much-needed beach trip! Thank God for friends with beach houses—seriously, shoutout to those legends who open their doors to you when you’re desperate for sand and saltwater therapy. The best part? I didn’t have to dip into my vacation sinking fund because, miracle of miracles, I managed to fit this mini escape into my regular food budget. No extra financial strain—just sun, surf, and some seriously questionable swimsuit choices (because when your body’s going through chemo, it’s all about comfort, right?).

Losing my hair during the third week wasn’t nearly as tragic as I’d anticipated. In fact, I’m actually having a pretty good time experimenting with different hats and wigs. (Who knew I’d find my inner diva with a few curly wigs and a side of sass?) Sure, it was a little emotional at first, but I’m rolling with it—sometimes in a fun wig and sometimes in a cute head scarf. There are worse things than playing dress-up every day.

March 28th brought my second round of chemo, and this time, I’m a bit more prepared. I’ve got my support team in place: friends bringing meals, my mom stepping in to help with the kids for the first four days after treatment, and the nanny working overtime so I can nap guilt-free. Because let’s face it, chemo might take my hair, but it won’t take my village.

Oh, and my oncologist has me on a new regimen—mouth rinse for the sores, antibiotic cream for the acne, and steroid cream for the rash. Oh, and let’s not forget the ginseng and vitamin B-complex for the fatigue. Basically, I’m on a pharmacy’s worth of treatments, but hey, whatever it takes to keep me functioning.

So, here’s to round two. I’m going in with my eyes wide open (well, as wide as I can keep them through the fatigue). Let’s see how this round goes, and fingers crossed, it’s smoother than the first!

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All in all, March was a mixed bag, but definitely more successful than I expected. I made solid progress on debt, savings, and personal goals. Yes, there were some impulse buys (whoops), and my running routine could use some work, but given the other things I’ve been juggling (like, ya know, cancer), I’ll take the win.

Here’s to crushing more goals and hopefully not buying another wig in April. But let’s be honest… I can’t promise anything. 😜