Hi Reader,

I hope you’re all easing into 2025 and recovering from the holiday whirlwind. Did you enjoy the New Year’s Dream Life Challenge? I’ve been staying cozy by the fireplace lately as we’ve had quite a bit of snow here. But let’s be honest—staying inside hasn’t stopped me from tackling some important tasks.

This time of year always gets me excited to reflect, reset, and make plans for what’s ahead. So, let’s chat about what I’m Taking Time for right now!

What I'm Taking Time for Right Now - Saving $$$

With big financial goals on the horizon for our family, I’ve been focusing on ways to cut unnecessary expenses and stretch our dollars a little further. If you’re in the same boat, here are some easy, impactful ways to start. Spoiler alert: cutting your Starbucks run isn’t on the list! 😉

1. Review Your Subscriptions.

Take a look at all your subscriptions, and I don’t just mean the streaming services. Think gym memberships, apps, car washes, computer software, or even meal kit deliveries. Some of them renew annually, and it’s easy to forget they’re coming up until they hit your account.

Take a moment to reflect: Is this still adding value to my life? If not, cancel it! Even if you’re on the fence, go ahead and cancel—worst case, you’ll sign up again (likely with a discount code they send to win you back!).

2. Negotiate Your Bills.

I saw our internet bill jump by $30 this month. Yikes! So I did five minutes of research on competitor pricing and called my provider. After a quick conversation, I got it down from $130 to $95 by switching to a new promotion and updating my payment method. The rep even offered me a mobile deal that was cheaper than what we were paying, which prompted our current provider to give us an even better offer.

Companies want to keep your business—don’t be afraid to ask for a better deal. It’s amazing what a quick phone call can do to lower your expenses!

3. Check Your Insurance Rates.

When was the last time you compared your insurance rates? I like to do this once a year to make sure we’re getting the best deal. I use a service called Gabi (not sponsored), and it takes care of comparing rates for both home and auto insurance. It’s a super simple step that can save you hundreds of dollars.

I’d love to know—are you planning to try any of these? These small changes can add up to big savings over time. I’ve got plenty more money-saving tips where these came from! If you’re loving this content, hit reply and let me know—I might just turn it into a full blog post!

For more ways to give your finances a glow-up this year, check out this post:
👉 Financial Glow-Up: Simple 6-Step Plan to Reach Your Money Goals​

👉 How to Set Your Child Up for Financial Success​

👉 How to Make Extra Cash From Home in 2025​

New on the Blog:

30-Day Winter Self-Care Challenge After the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, January is the perfect time to focus on yourself. This 30-day challenge offers simple daily self-care activities to help you rest, reflect, and reset. From journaling your goals to indulging in a cozy bath or a winter walk, these little moments of self-care can make a big difference in how you feel as we start the new year. Read article

What Does a Healthy Relationship Look Like? We all want meaningful, lasting relationships, but sometimes it’s hard to know what “healthy” really looks like. This post explores seven key traits of strong relationships, like open communication, mutual respect, and shared values. Read article

Let's Connect!

Take the conversation beyond the newsletter! If you love actionable tips, inspiring ideas, and resources to help you achieve your goals, let’s connect on social media.

✨ On Pinterest (@TakingTimeBlog), you’ll find curated time-saving tips, productivity hacks, and self-care inspiration—all in one place.

📸 On Instagram and X (@TakingTimeBlog), I share quick strategies, motivational posts, and behind-the-scenes peeks at Taking Time.

Let’s grow this amazing community together—I can’t wait to connect with you! ❤️

Until next time!

I hope this brought a little inspiration your way. If you enjoyed this week’s newsletter, please share it with your friends—here’s the link to sign up. And as always, I love hearing from you! Hit reply if you have tips, questions, or just want to chat.

Warmly,
Shelby