Hey Reader!
A few years ago, I hit a point I never thought I would.
I was $25,000 in credit card debt.
And the worst part? It didn’t happen because of some big emergency. It was from shopping. High-end makeup. Clothes. Things I convinced myself I “deserved” or would somehow fix how I felt.
Eventually, it got so bad I could barely keep up with the minimum payments… and my dad stepped in and paid it off for me.
You’d think that would have been my wake-up call.
And for a while, it was.
But if I’m being honest… the habit didn’t actually go away. It just changed.
Instead of makeup and clothes, I started buying courses. Programs. Anything that promised to help me build an online business faster.
And now? I’m back in debt again. Different purchases, same pattern.
That’s why something I read recently really hit me.
I partnered with financial coach Tom Wallace this week, and in his free guide, the very first step isn’t “cut your spending” or “be more disciplined.”
It’s this:
Get honest about what’s actually going on.
Not just the numbers. But the behaviors. The patterns. The emotions behind it.
Because if you don’t address that part, you just end up repeating the same cycle in a different form… like I did.
From there, he walks through how to:
• Build a realistic budget based on your actual life (not some ideal version of you)
• Separate needs from wants without feeling restricted
• And check in weekly so things don’t quietly spiral again
It’s simple, but it’s the kind of structure I wish I had earlier.
Because clearly… “I’ll just do better this time” wasn’t enough.
If any part of my story feels a little too familiar, I think this will really help you.
You can grab his free guide HERE!
No shame. No perfection. Just a starting point to get back in control.
P.S. If your current plan is “try to spend less and hope it works”… I say that with love, but you probably need a better system. This is a great one to start with!
Your financially honest friend,
LATEST ARTICLE
The Biggest Organizing Mistakes That Keep You Stuck In Clutter
This article explains that many people stay stuck in clutter because they try to organize with bins and containers before actually decluttering, which only hides the problem.
👉 This was a feature that I had recently in Womens Insider.
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Wedding updates...
We got our engagement/family photos done by the wedding photographer last weekend. She said that it'll take about 14 days for her to get us the digital photos. So next weekend we should be getting the photos!
This is not directly wedding-related, but starting on Monday (yesterday) of this week, I started a new, very low-carb diet. Hopefully, I can stick to it, since I'm not having any luck losing weight with exercising. I got a bunch of different food items, basically multiple different kinds of sweeteners (i.e., a powdered sugar substitute, brown sugar substitute, and regular sugar substitute), almond flour, and other low-carb items. This better work, because that grocery bill was unsettling to say the least LOL.
Things I've been loving lately ❤️
The Art of Expression Summit
The Free Art of Expression Summit is a three-day online event (May 19–21, 2026) featuring 30 expert-led workshops across a wide range of creative mediums, all designed to help participants explore self-expression through art. It is completely free to attend, with each day’s sessions available for 24 hours and accessible to all skill levels, from beginners to experienced creators. The summit focuses on using creativity as a tool for communication, personal growth, and healing, with topics like visual storytelling, journaling, mixed media, and therapeutic art practices. Participants can learn practical techniques, develop their unique creative voice, and connect with a large community of fellow creatives.
If you're interested in signing up, click HERE!*
*If you purchase the VIP option, I do receive a small commission, but it does not affect your payment in any way.
MrBallen Foundation Giveaway!
If you've seen any of my previous newsletters, then you probably know that I'm a big fan of true crime and the paranormal, especially the way MrBallen (on YouTube and the MrBallen Podcast) tells them.
His foundation (that helps to support victims of violent crimes and their families - i.e., the people in the true crime stories that he tells) is hosting a giveaway. If you donate through the link below, you'll not only be contributing to a good cause (that is, tax-deductible) but you'll also be entered for a chance to win front-row seats to his show in LA, plus your hotel and airfare paid for!
Click HERE to donate and enter to win!
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POV: You stopped organizing clutter and started removing it!
Fewer bins
Fewer baskets
Fewer backups
Fewer "just in case" items
And much more breathing room
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Mackenzie Mitchel
If you’ve ever bought a bin hoping it would “fix” the mess… you’re not alone. We’ve all tried to organize our way out of overwhelm. But peace comes from reducing — not rearranging. #declutter #declutterwithme #declutter #declutteringtips #decluttering
♬ original sound - Brixy's Party Shop
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“Here's the thing about doing it all: even if you can do it all, no one can do it all WELL.”
— Emily Ley
