A Tale of Financial Faceplants

How to Stop Chasing Shiny Things Before Your Wallet Calls It Quits

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Here we are again in a financial struggle. When will we learn? Why is it so hard? The bills just keep piling up, and it feels like we are gasping for air. Part of it was life: a broken leg, the water heater breaking—those unexpected expenses we never plan for. (Seriously, why do appliances always conk out at the worst possible time? Do they have a secret group chat where they conspire against us?) We had a safety net and were doing good, but now that safety net is gone faster than a plate of fries at a family gathering.

So what do we do now, and what should we have done differently?

Stop falling for the shiny distractions—your wallet called, and it’s getting tired of the chase. 💸✨ #FinancialRealityCheck

First, we should have cut back on the "shiny things" as soon as we dipped into our safety net. That would have allowed us to replenish it before it was completely drained. But instead, we got caught up in the dopamine rush of spending, much like the crab in Moana, obsessed with shiny things. (Honestly, that crab is my spirit animal.) We were too focused on keeping that high going and didn’t pay attention to reality—until now, when reality is hitting us like a rogue shopping cart in the Target parking lot. We’ve been in this situation more times than I care to admit, but each time, we’ve learned something new.

1. Create a Safety Net

When we first started our safety net, it was just $10 a week because that was all we could afford. We had no fluff in our budget—no TV, pay-by-the-minute phones, and not even living paycheck to paycheck, just surviving off sheer determination and probably too much caffeine.

2. Rebuild the Safety Net Immediately

When you dip into your safety net, you have to prioritize rebuilding it. That may mean cutting back on spending. If that means skipping date nights, postponing a new outfit, or eliminating subscriptions, then so be it. These sacrifices are temporary but crucial for long-term stability. (Think of it like going on a financial diet—except the reward isn’t a six-pack, it’s peace of mind.)

3. Identify and Eliminate Unnecessary Expenses

Look at what you can cut back on at home. This might include:

• Canceling subscriptions. (Goodbye, overpriced streaming services I only use to rewatch The Office.)

• Reducing grocery extras like expensive snacks or convenience foods. (Turns out, we CAN survive without the fancy cheese platter every week.)

• Avoiding impulse purchases that aren’t truly necessary. (Looking at you, late-night Amazon cart.)

It will suck, but it’s worth it. You’d rather cut back temporarily than find yourself in deep financial trouble, struggling for years to climb back out. (Digging out of debt is like quicksand—the more you struggle without a plan, the deeper you sink.)

4. Be Cautious with Consolidation Loans

While consolidation loans can be helpful, they can also create a false sense of financial security. They lower your monthly payments, but they don’t address the root problem—overspending. If you’re not careful, you’ll continue the cycle of spending beyond your means. (It’s like mopping up a flooded kitchen while the sink is still overflowing—pointless.)

5. Make Real, Lasting Changes

The key is making real adjustments and sticking to them. Recognize when you’re slipping back into old habits. It’s easy to forget how hard financial struggles are when you’re back in a comfortable place. (Just like how I conveniently forget how miserable I was during my last juice cleanse and sign up for another one.)

What We’re Doing to Adjust

• Cutting out salon services. (Goodbye, fancy highlights. Hello, DIY YouTube hair disasters!)

• Reevaluating groceries and cutting out unnecessary items. (Turns out, I don’t need gourmet kombucha to survive.)

• Driving less to conserve gas. (If it’s not within walking distance, do I really need it?)

• Prioritizing purchases. If something needs replacing, we add it to a list and see if it can wait. (Spoiler: Most things can.)

• Teaching our teens about needs vs. wants. We buy their packed lunch food, but if they want hot lunch, they cover it themselves. The same goes for extras like PlayStation games or trendy alarm clocks. (Yes, I see you, child, with your Hello Kitty obsession.)

This is also an opportunity to teach financial responsibility to our kids. Needs come first; wants are secondary. For example, our vacuum broke. While it’s nice to have, we also have a broom—so the vacuum can wait. (If Cinderella could clean an entire castle with a broom, we can manage.)

Being financially responsible isn’t fun, but it makes life so much easier in the long run. "Do something today that your future self will thank you for." (Or at least something that won’t make your future self want to punch you in the face.)

What steps are you taking today to secure your financial future? Share in the comments—I promise I won’t judge if your answer is just "cry and hope for the best."

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