7 habits that keep me sane when things get hectic
Plus, how to create a disaster-proof life and give a young child a wealthy future!
Featured Artist: Gregory Darroll
Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
💭 My Thoughts: 7 habits that preserve my sanity
✅ Things To Do: Create a disaster-proof financial life!
❓ Weekly Q&A: How can I give a young child a wealthy future?
🗞 In the News: Stay up to date on personal finance news
😎 What I’m Enjoying: A home decor marketplace and TV series
🎙 Recent podcasts: Dig into 885+ episodes in the Money Girl archive
🤣 Favorite GIF: Reply with your favorite GIF, and it might get featured!
Hi, Friend -
December can be hectic, with travel, family gatherings, and work to finish before the holidays and year-end. Here are seven habits that help me:
Say no! ❌ If you receive a personal or work-related invitation that doesn’t make you excited or causes anxiety, you have permission to decline it. Prioritizing my sense of peace and calm is more important, especially during the holidays.
Prep for tomorrow today. 🌅 Spend ten minutes preparing for a smoother tomorrow. For me, that’s prepping my coffee machine, making breakfast, and leaving the kitchen in order. You might decide on three essential tasks to complete tomorrow that would make the day a win.
Give up on perfection. 👌 If you don’t finish your to-do list or aim for a perfect holiday, it will still be good. And guess what? No one will notice, and you won’t be exhausted by the end of the holidays.
Set communication boundaries. 📲 Have a specific time to stop responding to emails and texts when the world can wait until tomorrow. Shutting down by 6:00 pm, when I’m officially done, makes evenings with my husband feel more special.
Add unscheduled time to your schedule. 🗓 Adding a 30-minute buffer after work meetings or blocking out several hours on Friday afternoons helps you manage unplanned tasks or create windows to take mental breaks.
Use the Three-Minute Rule. ⏱ I wrote about this in chapter three of my latest book, Money Smart Solopreneur: APersonal Finance System for Freelancers, Entrepreneurs, and Side-Hustlers. The idea is to complete any task immediately if you can do it in less than three minutes so small chores (like unloading the dishwasher or doing a load of laundry) don’t pile up.
Have a restocking system. 🧻 Use an app (like AnyList or OurGroceries) or whiteboard where everyone in your household can enter items— like food, paper goods, and toiletries—so you can order them weekly.
MONEY CHALLENGE: It’s time to review your insurance for any needed adjustments!
Learn more in my interview with special guest Tony Steuer on 🎙 Money Girl 884, Creating a Disaster-Proof Financial Life. He’s an award-winning author, podcaster, insurance analyst, and financial preparedness advocate who is passionate about changing how we think about money.
🎧 Listening to the show is an excellent way to ensure your finances are protected by having enough of the right kinds of insurance. You can also read the transcript! 📖
❓ On Finance Friday shows, I answer your money questions! This week’s topic comes from Ashley C., who says:
"I’m trying to figure out how to sift through financial advisors who may or may not be fiduciaries and ask them questions to know if they will be a good fit and give honest advice. It would be really helpful to hear how you know you can trust them through a series of questions to compare notes.
Also, I want to set up my daughter for financial freedom. What accounts and strategies do you recommend to get her up and running?”
🎙 Find out my answers to these great questions in Money Girl 885, 4 Ways to Give a Young Child a Wealthy Future!
📖 As always, you can listen to the show or read the transcript.
🗞 Mortgage rates dipped to their lowest level in over a month, with the 30-year loan averaging 6.69% at the end of this week, down from 6.81% last week.
➡️ TAKEAWAY: The rate drop is helpful for prospective buyers, but many still find homeownership incredibly unaffordable.
🗞 Job growth increased in November, with 227,000 new jobs last month, more than experts predicted.
➡️ TAKEAWAY: While some employment gains came from striking workers returning to work and hurricane-related business interruptions, the boost shows our labor market is stable.
🗞 Retirement millionaires hit a record, with the average 401(k) balance at the end of Q3 up 23% from a year earlier. According to Fidelity, there are now 500,000 accounts with more than $1 million. IRA owners aren’t doing too bad either, with just over 400,000 accounts worth over $1 million, an increase of 5%
➡️ TAKEAWAY: The impressive stock market gains of 2024 underscore the importance of being a consistent investor and prioritizing time in the market.
🏠 Spoonflower is a marketplace where you can create your own designs printed on demand for premium wallpaper, fabric, and home decor. You can also shop for unique designs from independent artists worldwide.
🎬 The Old Man is back for a second season on FX, starring Jeff Bridges, who plays Dan Chase, a former CIA agent living off the grid. But when an assassin tries to kill him, he needs to reconcile his past and recover his kidnapped daughter from a powerful Afghan tribal leader. It’s a fast-paced drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
🎥 Landman is a Paramount Plus series starring Billy Bob Thornton, who plays Tommy Norris, a roughneck crisis executive working in the boom-and-bust West Texas oil business. He tries to get rich as oil rigs dominate the state and reshape the economy. The story is engaging, and the show’s over-the-top characters are fun to watch.
🎧 885: 4 Ways to Give a Young Child a Wealthy Future
🎧 884: Creating a Disaster-Proof Financial Life
🎧 883: What Happens to a 401(k) When You Die?
🎧 882: 7 Ways to Cut Healthcare Costs
🎧 881: Should I Be Skeptical of Debt Consolidation?
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