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Budgeting Through the Holidays

December 11, 2024 As we approach the end of our journey with the Project Money program, Cory and I (Je’Lisa) took some time to reflect on how we can apply the financial lessons we’ve learned to the upcoming holiday season. December can be a budget-breaking month, but with a little planning and creativity, we’re determined to finish the year strong financially.The beginning of the month is always our time to rebalance the budget worksheet, and this month was no exception. In addition to Christmas, we had some big-ticket items to factor in: family time in Chicago for my grandmother’s 75th birthday and Cory’s sister's graduation. With these priorities in mind, we set a challenge for ourselves: Reduce dining out expenses by embracing a simplified approach to meal planning.Our strategy? Embrace leftovers and get creative with reimagined meals. Not only did this cut down our weekly grocery bill significantly, but it also freed up funds to allocate toward holiday gifts. It’s a small shift, but one that proved just how impactful mindful spending can be.This week reminded us of how powerful small changes can be. By reallocating what we saved on groceries and dining out, we could cover holiday expenses without dipping into credit. More importantly, it’s a step toward a long-term financial mindset that prioritizes stability and debt freedom over short-term indulgences. You might also be interested in As we wrap up our Project Money experience, we want to take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come—emotionally and financially—and share our journey... This past week, our family participated in a door and patio decorating contest hosted by our apartment management company. The grand prize? A $200 gift... Over the past year, my family has been making deliberate choices to save money and focus on our financial goals. One of those decisions recently involved... As we approach the end of our journey with the Project Money program, Cory and I (Je’Lisa) took some time to reflect on how we can apply the financial... Every now and then, life throws a financial curveball—in this case, it was a pleasant surprise. We received a refund from our gap insurance since our car... This week, we faced an unexpected hiccup with our insurance: A doctor charged us for a 2023 appointment because they had outdated information. It was frustrating... Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family and of course, a feast. But let’s be honest, hosting a traditional Thanksgiving can come with a hefty price... This weekend, we decided to take a quick overnight trip to Minnesota. It was to record some music and spend time with friends, but we were determined to... This month marked a milestone for our family: It was our first month without a car payment after refinancing our vehicle through Summit Credit Union. With...