Hi Reader,

I hope you’re doing well and finding a few peaceful moments amidst the busyness of mom life. I’m so glad you’re here and taking a little time for yourself today.

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What I'm Taking Time for Right Now - Rebuilding Our Emergency Fund

As the saying goes, "when it rains, it pours"—and it has been quite a downpour lately! From totaling my car to discovering a crayon in the dishwasher (courtesy of my toddler!) to our refrigerator nearly catching fire, it’s been one unexpected expense after another. Luckily, we were prepared with a fully funded emergency fund. While it doesn’t make the costs disappear, it’s such a relief not to worry about how we’ll feed our family or cover essentials.

Did you know 56% of Americans wouldn’t be able to cover a $1,000 emergency? I cannot stress enough how helpful it is to have a rainy-day fund, even if it’s small. For us, having 3-6 months of expenses in a high-yield savings account at Ally Bank (currently offering 4.00% APR) has been a lifesaver. It is liquid enough that we can access it when needed, but still out of sight and out of mind so we aren't tempted to dip into it unnecessarily.

I recommend setting up automatic transfers—even as little as $25–$50 a month can add up over time. If you have absolutely no wiggle room in your budget to allocate to an emergency fund, it may be time to take a hard look at your spending habits. I recommend trying a no-spend challenge for a month or two, which will not only help you save money but also reevaluate what spending truly brings you joy and what is just done out of habit.

When an emergency does happen, rebuilding your fund becomes the next challenge. To keep spending low, try free or low-cost activities in the community, like parks, libraries, or family game nights at home. Stop eating out and do a pantry or freezer cleanout to get creative with meals. You can also temporarily pause subscriptions for music, streaming, and other nonessentials. Consider canceling your gym membership and using free YouTube workout videos instead. And finally, selling items you no longer use on platforms like Facebook Marketplace can bring in some extra cash.

If you’re ready to start building—or rebuilding—that rainy-day fund, give these strategies a try and let me know how it goes! For even more inspiration, check out these posts:

• ​How to Afford to Be a Stay-at-Home Mom in 2024​
• ​60 Free and Inexpensive Hobbies to Start in 2024​
• ​How to Make Extra Cash from Home While Your Baby Naps in 2024​
• ​How to Reset Your Life for a Fresh Start​

Meal Plan of the Week

Here is this week’s meal plan to help simplify your week! Just print out the grocery list, and you’re all set. If these meals aren’t quite what you’re looking for, you can browse my tried-and-true family favorites here. Want more tips for the rest of your meals? In my post on meal planning, I dive into how I handle breakfasts, lunches, and snacks, as well as my strategy for creating easy pantry-pull meals—quick dinners made from ingredients you already have on hand! Check it out for a stress-free approach to feeding your family.

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I’d love to hear from you!

What topics would you like to see in this newsletter? Whether it’s tips on saving time, managing a budget, finding new hobbies, or building routines that bring peace and balance—tell me what would help make your life easier or bring you closer to your dream life! Just hit reply and share your ideas. Your feedback is invaluable, and I’m here to support you every step of the way!​​

New on the Blog:

Christmas on a Budget: 25 Practical Tips to Celebrate Without Overspending This holiday season, make Christmas memorable without stretching your wallet! In our latest post, you’ll find practical tips for celebrating Christmas on a budget from setting up a holiday savings plan and finding budget-friendly gift ideas to hosting a festive dinner without overspending. With these money-saving tips, you can enjoy a joyful, stress-free holiday. Check out the full post for ideas to keep your finances in check while embracing the season! Read article

Until next time, mamas!

I hope you enjoyed this week’s newsletter. If you did, share this link with your friends so they can get in on all the goodness! I love reading your replies, so don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, struggles, or tips to share with other moms. We’re all in this together!

Warmly,
Shelby