Intentional Living

To “live intentionally” means to live according to your values and beliefs.  I believe when we commit to being more thoughtful in how we spend our time and our money we can overcome the overwhelm, reduce financial stress, and live a more purposeful life.

Intentional living allows us to take better care of our minds and our bodies, and in turn, better care of those around us.

Here you’ll find content to help you spend less time and money on the things that matter less so you can create margin in your life and your budget to spend more on the things that matter most.

Old woman sitting with her head on her hand

Family Says 78-Year-Old Entering Assisted Living With $700K May Soon Inherit Even More and They’re Worried it Could Be Spent Down Instead of Passed to Her Kids

They’re trying to plan ahead for a situation that feels predictable on paper but still comes with a lot of unknowns once you look closer. A 78-year-old is moving into a continuing care facility, and as part of the process, she had to disclose everything she owns. Right now, she has about $700,000 in assets,…

Couple looking like they're in a fight

Woman Says Her Parents Contributed $600K Toward a House but Her Husband’s Family Refused and It Doesn’t Feel Equal

She’s not upset about the money itself as much as what it represents, and that’s what’s making this harder to shake. Her parents recently gave her $600,000 to help her and her husband buy a home, which is a huge contribution and something she doesn’t take lightly. In her culture, it’s common for both families…

Father and teenage daughter arguing

17-Year-Old Says Her Dad Has Money but Won’t Pay Full Child Support and She’s Considering Asking Him to Help Buy Her Car

She’s trying to take a normal next step for someone her age, but her situation makes it feel a lot more complicated than it should be. At 17, she’s looking to buy her first car and has already found a reasonable option. It’s nothing flashy, just something reliable that would give her more independence. The…

Mom yelling at teenage daughter

19-Year-Old Says Her Family Expects Her to Pay Their Bills While She’s Working Part-Time and Trying to Save for Her Future

She grew up knowing what it felt like to have very little, so helping her family never felt like a choice. It felt like something she was supposed to do, especially once she finally had access to money of her own. At 19, she’s already trying to balance school, rent, a part-time job, and the…

Mother and older daughter having a difficult conversation

23-Year-Old Says She Paid Her Parents 80% of Her Earnings for Years but Now They Want Rent While Her Brother Owes Thousands and Pays Nothing

She thought she had a clear understanding with her parents about money, especially after everything she had already contributed growing up, but now that she’s back home, the expectations are shifting in a way that doesn’t feel fair. After graduating, she moved back in to save money and get established. During school, her parents helped…

Dad yelling at teenage son who has his back turned to him

Mom Says Her Son Worked Hard to Save for a $1,500 Bike Then His Dad Told Him He Owes $400 for a “Gift”

She’s trying to teach her son how to earn and manage money, but what started as a simple plan has turned into something that doesn’t feel fair. After her divorce, she and her ex split custody evenly, but their approaches to money are very different. She keeps things practical and budget-focused, while her ex tends…