✨The Art of Saving Money Without Losing Your Mind (Even When You Crash Out and Need to Reset) ✨
PSA, bestie <3
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*deep breath* *in the nose* *out the mouth*
*unclench jaw* *in* *drop shoulders* *out*
The last few months have been… a lot.
During my end-of-year financial review, I felt my chest tighten and anxiety creep in. I cried on the phone to my mom after realizing I’d drained my emergency fund and racked up some credit card debt on spine treatments and medical bills.
She reminded me:
“You needed the treatment. You already have a plan.” In other words, “ It will be okay. Now, it’s time to get to work.”
And she’s right.
🧘🏽♀️ My emergency fund was used for its intended purpose. 🧘🏽♀️
It had my back when I needed it most - literally!
Last year, I tracked almost everything I spent on medical care — appointments, therapies, specialists, equipment, garments, parking, travel, and more.
Care to guess how much I spent? Go ahead. I’ll give you a moment….
A hint… I almost met my out-of-pocket max which doesn’t include many of the supplements, therapies, travel costs, compression gear, opportunity costs for missing things I paid for, or supports like ordering grocery delivery…. et cetera, et cetera, et cetera
.
.
.
.
.
.
💰That’s right… I spent AT LEAST $22,311.08.💰
TWENTY TWO THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED AND ELEVEN DOLLARS AND EIGHT CENTS….
What could I’ve purchased instead…..
4–5 trips to Europe
A new car
5,577 tacos
2,788 lattes
99,900 bananas
… now there’s a math problem
Being chronically ill is expensive. And my health HAD to come first.
💙 I’m incredibly fortunate 💙
I have…
Stable employment with benefits & flexible hours
A supportive community
Years of building financial confidence
Prepared for my future with contributions to my retirement accounts
The ability to travel, rest, and live a full life
Enjoyed many mochas across the country
But I also got off track.
Between medical costs and emotional spending, I rebuilt some credit card debt & drained my emergency savings.
It happens.
✨ And I know how to recover — because I’ve done it before. ✨
🔑 My Approach: Intuitive Finances 🔑
Years ago, I worked with THE BEST dietitian who taught me the principals of intuitive eating including rejecting restriction and honoring your needs.
I applied that philosophy to money.
What does that mean for MY PERSONAL finances (yours make look different.)
No hyper-restrictive budgeting
Spending money on things I value versus things I don’t care about
No cash envelope systems
Autopay for everything
Grocery delivery when needed
Monthly Money Dates
Spending money on care and support that improves my quality of life
Using credit card points to pay for travel
At the end of last year, I drifted from that system.
So now: it’s time for a reset.
✨ Welcome to My Savings Surge ✨
The goal:
Pay off credit cards
Rebuild my emergency fund
Prepare a medical fund bucket for future medical expenses
Here’s the roadmap.
💵 Step 1: Identify Your Cash Flow 💵
Income minus expenses. That’s it.
If it’s negative:
You’re spending more than you earn — time to review habits, systems, and priorities.
If it’s positive:
That surplus becomes fuel for your goals. Still check in with your habits though! You may find more dough!
Knowing my numbers changed EVERYTHING. I spent sooooo many years with my head in the sand. I was scared to face the music. It’s giving “We’re happy, free, confused, and broke at the same time”
While I have no shame about that time in my life, I want to be more mindful so I can accomplish my goals faster and feel confident about my plan!
📈 Step 2: Identify Your Largest Expenses 📈
Focus where the biggest impact lives &&& honors your personal values:
housing, transportation, food, insurance, utilities.
🏡 Housing 🏡
Living in Los Angeles is EXPENSIVE. Living on my own in a 500 sq ft apartment for $2700/month was not sustainable. I’m saving at least $700/month ($8,400/year) by having a roommate.
Other options:
Rent out a room temporarily
Lease parking space
🚗 Transportation 🚗
Maintain your current car longer
Stay on top of routine maintenance. (Do I need an oil change? Um yes, I Do! I’ll get it done soon, I promise!)
Carpool or combine errands
☕ Food ☕
Q: What do you do when your favorite hobby is finding the best food in town?….
After rent, my next major expense is food. I have over 400 restaurants, food trucks, and coffee places pinned on my map JUST for Los Angeles & the surrounding area… & I add more weekly :)
A: Well, during this Savings Surge, I plan to:
Have fewer meals out
Go to Happy hour to discounted menus
More quick, affordable eats
I also found this app called “Too Good to Go” where places sell items at a discount to avoid food waste. #win #win
✨ I’ll let you know how it goes on my IG @offtogetcoffee ;) ✨
As a chronically ill and overstimulated girly, depending on my energy and pain levels, I may not be able to make it to the grocery store. There are no viable grocery order pick up places near me (that I know of) so I’ve been using a grocery delivery service. Even though they charge a bit more and I tip my delivery person well, I still plan on using this service as needed.
Grocery delivery is part of monthly expenses. It may seam like a luxury to order groceries but this makes food accessible even though it costs a premium.
✨Grocery delivery significantly improves my quality of life.
So I include it in my spending plan✨
💼 Insurance 💼
Shop around. Get those quotes. Shop around. Get those quotes *sings to myself*
Getting a quote is a tough one for me to follow through on. So, I plan to include this topic on my money date before my current plan expires.
Some providers offer discounts when you pay upfront versus monthly.
If you’re looking to switch up your payment plan, I'd add the annual cost of renewal and divide it by 12 months to see how much you can save.
💡 Utilities 💡
Last summer my utility bill doubled. Whoopsie. o_O Expensive lesson learned.
Now, I’m prioritizing:
Programmable thermostat
Blackout curtains
Sealed windows and doors
Fans over AC when possible
Smart plugs to reduce phantom energy
Some utilities companies will offer free items like, free home energy improvement consultations, smart thermostats, or shower heads.
Step 3: Review Memberships & Subscriptions
Keep what adds value. Cut what doesn’t.
💃 Fitness 💃
I LOATH signing long term gym contracts. Ever see the episode of Friends where Ross and Chandler try to quit the gym….. UGH!!!! What a hassle!
I started to use Classpass. In Los Angeles, there are SO MANY options on Classpass. I can hop in a burlesque dance class, stretch in a yoga class, or relax with a massage all paid for with my monthly classpass subscription. I can change or cancel my subscription at any time. I love the flexibility & it keeps me consistent with my health.
▶️ Streaming ▶️
I have a fair few streaming services but I’m a creature of habit. I rarely watch something new. I’m better off closing most of them and buying the shows on DVD *gasp in elder millennial* I know! BUT I bought a DVD player! :)
However, I’m sticking with my family Spotify account though. I LOATH commercials. Like IRATE RAGE. To protect my peace, I’m going to keep this streaming service. (and the fam enjoyed this as their Christmas gift.)
Honestly…. I’ve been sleeping on the library, I just got a library card and I’m excited to see how many services I can use for free!
📱 Cell Phone 📱
Still on my parents family plan — significantly cheaper. #winning
✅ Step 4: Add Resistance to Spending ✅
Make impulse purchases harder:
Delete shopping apps
Unsubscribe from marketing emails
Remove saved card info
Small friction = big savings.
✅ Step 5: Optimize Banking & Automation ✅
AUTOMATE EVERYTHING!!!!!!
Seriously, the amount of late fees I use to incur because I forgot to pay a bill….. UGH!!!
My life became so much easier when I set up autobill pay including:
Autopay all bills
Automatic savings transfers
Automatic retirement contributions
💳 Credit Cards 💳
I prioritize travel/rewards cards over ANY store cards. I’ve found I get WAYYYYYYY better rewards from my travel credit cards with cash back, points, and added services. Can your Victoria Secret or Kohls credit card do that? Are your cards really helping you accomplish your strategic financial goals?
This month, I bought 3 round trip flights to New York City and 3 nights in a fancy hotel all with points so I could “splurge” and celebrate my loved ones for their birthday! ANNNDDDD Because I booked at with a partnered hotel, my credit card offered me $3000 credit, 2 free fancy breakfasts every day & a $120 hotel credit for food & drinks! <3
Seriously, can your store credit card help you do that?????
💸 Bank Fees 💸
Review statements — fees are often negotiable. I typically just message the bank chat asking if they’ll waive a fee and often they do!
🌟 High-Yield Savings Account (HYSA) 🌟
During my financial literacy journey, I learned about high yield avings accounts. HYSA are the same as a regular savings account BUT you earn a higher interest. So instead of .002% I could earn 3% - 5% on the money in my account.
To avoid overwhelm:
I gave myself one hour to research and open an account. Done.
✨ My money now earns real interest instead of sitting idle. ✨
🎲 Bonus: Make Saving a Game 🎲
My brain loves a challenge.
I was so excited to look for ALL THE SAVING opportunities and testing them out. This time around, I’m tracking my savings in a little spreadsheet to see how much I can save this year! I love watching the savings numbers go up! Oh, the dopamine.
👩🏽🦼➡️ Bring your community along! 👩🏽🦼➡️
OMG I had a brilliant idea!!!!! Get your friend group together to brainstorm free things to do in your city!!!! Ohhhhh OR do a bring your own craft & snack night because girl, I know you have a thousand half finished craft projects stored in some nook or cranny.
✨This isn’t about perfection. ✨
It’s about:
Clarity
Alignment
Sustainable systems
Honoring real life and real needs
✨I’ve done this before. I’ll do it again. ✨
And if you’re in your own Savings Surge era —
you’re not alone. <3
🔥✨A Gift for You ✨🔥
If you want to join me on a savings surge, I made a free downloadable savings idea guide to share!!!
There are two versions - Same Content but one has a larger print! <3
✨ What are you saving for this season? ✨
Emergency fund
Medical fund for future care
Pay off credit card debt
Retirement contributions
Student loan progress
Major purchases (travel, appliances, procedures)
Flexibility to work fewer hours
Outsourcing support (like a monthly cleaner)
I’d love to hear more about your goals on IG!!!
To learn more about intuitive eating check out this book on my Bookshop! As always, check out your local library to see what selection they have available!
Disclaimer: Please note, nothing in this post is meant to be medical or financial advice, mk? I’m just sharing what’s worked for me and what I love—not trying to be a doctor or financial planner. You do you, boo—and talk to a pro when you need one. All information provided is for general information only and does not constitute any professional advice. We assume no liability or responsibility for implementation of information contained on this blog. Please talk to a professional. <3
🖤 You’re officially in my Top 8 if you read this far. 🖤
Like, for realzzzs I <3 you. Thanks for being here and supporting my small business!!! Your support means more than you know - whether you shared this post, clicked a link, or giggled at a joke, I’m glad you stopped by! I hope you’ll join me on your next coffee break. <3
<3 <3 <3
HELLLOOOO! Hey! HI! How are ya? I’m Chris! Your friendly neighborhood millennial, neurodivergent, and chronically ill girlie trying to manage life & all its super-duper exciting twists and turns. I hope you enjoy reading & learning with me!.