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.

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…

Teenage boy looking upset and worried

Teen Says He and His Sister Got Jobs to Help Pay Bills but His Mom Keeps Spending, Leaving Them Stuck in the Same Cycle

He’s still a kid, but he already feels like he’s carrying part of the financial weight in his house, and the more he pays attention, the harder it is to ignore what’s going on. His parents divorced years ago, largely because of money issues and health problems, and since then, things haven’t really stabilized. His…

Couple sitting on the couch looking upset with each other

Father of Three Says He Works Full Time, Handles the Household, and Still Has to Justify Spending More Than $10 on Himself

He works full-time, spends hours commuting every week, and still handles most of the responsibilities at home, yet he’s being told he shouldn’t spend money on himself at all. He’s the primary earner in a household with three young kids, bringing in about three times what his spouse makes annually. His job takes up around…

Teenage boy hugging his mother

Teen Says His Mom Borrows $1K to $3K Every Month to Survive but Refuses to Change Her Spending Habits and He’s Trying to Plan His Way Out

He’s 16 and already paying close attention to how money works in his household, mostly because it’s hard to ignore when things feel tight all the time. On paper, the situation looks like it should be manageable. There’s income coming in, a large portion of past debt has already been wiped out, and there’s support…