I’ve given a lot of thought to what I want to experience in 2025, and financial empowerment is at the top of my list!

Here’s my direction in 2025:

1 – 2025 is a no-spend year! Here are my guard rails for this:

• The focus is on non-consumable items
• I can replace things
• I will have an approved spend list that I revisit each quarter
• When things come up and I want to make a purchase that isn’t on my approved list, here’s how I’ll approach it:
  • Anything below $30, I can make a judgment call in the moment
  • Items $31 – $100 – I will wait 24 hours to purchase
  • Items $101 – $200, wait 48 hours to purchase
  • Items $201 – $300, wait 72 hours to purchase
  • $301 – $400… you get the idea.

Approved Spend List:

• Mattress and bed frame for the guest room
• Used weight bench for basement workout area
• Heavier dumbbells for basement workout area
• Up to two pairs of pants (not leggings)
• Up to four pairs of road running shoes
• Up to two pairs of trail running shoes
• Up to two books per month, ideally used
• One wall calendar
• Souvenirs and gifts in Ireland/Amsterdam trip in October

2 – Pay car loan down to $10,000 by December 31, 2025.

3 – Add at least $600 each month to cash savings.

These all feel realistic, motivating, and meaningful!

I’ve been thinking back to my two years of paying off debt back in 2017 – 2019 and I was the queen of not making any impulse purchases or accumulating things. I went for an entire calendar year with no clothing purchases outside of running shoes! Recently watching the movie Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy on Netflix was enough of a kick in the ass to get me crystal clear on this.

Cheers, friends. Wishing you all a sense of empowerment, fulfillment, and new experiences in 2025!