What is, was, and will be with my mixed up money

Last week, I asked you what you would like to read for my first post in 2023. I call myself brave because the first option was for me to go through my 2018 expenses , and the second was to reveal my personal 2022 money goals. Both of these tasks, to be honest, are intimidating for me. You probably haven’t noticed ( lol except for the complete absence of postings and newsletters), however, I’ve undergone a lot of changes in the last 12 months. I expect to see some more dramatic changes in the coming months. What is the purpose of a blog, if not to remind us of our successes, failures, and, most importantly, of all those little mistakes we thought we’d never make again? * awkward laughs*

Last year, for example, I moved and changed completely after having a child, starting my maternity leave. I also got some amazing side jobs. This new person is both creative and motivated in parts, and neurotic and anxious in others. That’s so charming! ?!?!?! I agree with you.

The last year was an adventure in money that I wasn’t prepared for. According the Internet, being a parent was a financial nightmare.

This mindset in my pocket meant that I was well prepared for the trip and had a large amount of money saved, which I haven’t touched yet. That was really cool. But I spent a lot on things that I had never heard of before the baby arrived. This was also a pretty overwhelming experience.

MY 2022 SPENDING WAS… NEW

What exactly does “new” mean? For starters, I bought a lot of things that were brand new. It was way more than I had imagined. Sometimes parenting can be like this. After restraining myself from spending the money I had saved, I finally came to terms with my new way of thinking. I have learned something I call balance. (No one knows the words like me. Once you have reached that level of financial understanding, it is liberating to realize that you can enjoy your life.

As for expenses, I made sure to keep as much as possible of the total amount spent. Due to the fact that my husband and myself share a credit card, I was only able to access a portion of the groceries/etc. So I will make some assumptions about a few categories. ( marked with a *).

This number is not surprising to me. The new member of the family and our lack of energy meant that we had to spend more money this year. Convenience charges are vital for the first year of having a baby. Service fees, however, are not. I’m genuinely razzled by the fact that my bank charged me over $300. * raises his fist to the sky*

This is what it’s like for someone who works multiple jobs and saves money to achieve their goals but still enjoys life. This is how I would justify my lifestyle. You’ll probably have a different opinion.

My 2022 spending will be… PURPOSEFUL

What does the word “purposeful” mean? For me, being purposeful means that I acknowledge the fact that each dollar is worth it. I don’t want my purchases to make me feel guilty or regretful. I don’t also want to buy too much. I only want to buy what I really need. I cannot let products that are only useful for a limited time interfere with my financial goals for 2019.

Here are some financial goals to consider:

1. By July, we will have finished our Down Payment Fund (We are on track to complete this bad boy). This account is where we put all our money that’s left over after paying bills, etc. We will keep doing this until summer.
2. Refill our travel fund to plan our bigger trips for 2020 and beyond. After we’ve finalized our downpayment fund, it will be time to start planning for exciting new adventures!
3. Make my money a parent ( make a will, compare better options for life insurance, etc.).
4. Marie Kondo says to “replace the old with new” and to replace it with items that “spark happiness”.

IN 2022, MY PERSONAL GOALS WILL… LEARNED SKILLS

Personal goals are important for everyone, but they also affect your financial goals. Your mood, your lifestyle, and how you feel will affect your spending and saving habits. When you wonder how to achieve these goals, we’ll do it in part by:

1. Come May, I’m going to jump back in with both feet.
2. Balance work and family life
3. How to live a more organized lifestyle
4. Rebrand Mixed Up Money as a reflection of who I am now ( You should be excited too).

Since a few months, I’ve been living by the mantra “nothing but the best” – but it might be time to change my outlook. I have learned that I am not a detail-oriented person. I like to see the big picture, and that includes my daily life. Now that I am a mother, it is harder and harder to live my life without knowing what’s coming next. Routine plays a large role in our lives, and the future has a greater impact than the present. The better mantra to live by in 2022 and beyond would be “look forward”.

Are you aware of your spending last year? What do you plan to save this year?