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Feb 9, 2026    |       2 comments

First Credit Card Free Month

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Beginning next month, March 1, I have officially decided to operate on a cash only basis. I will be working this month to prepare for this really big change.

Getting Ready

Last month I moved my LLC from GA to TX. I’ve got to finalize the legalities of that move. New EIN, new business bank accounts and so on and so forth. I’ll be closing my one and only business credit card account this month.

As a security measure, I will have one personal and one business checking account with no debit card, no ties to any 3rd party accounts (Venmo, CashApp, Paypal, etc.), essentially as isolated as I can make it. Then I’ll alternate accounts for debit and 3rd party transactions. I’m hoping this will prevent my primary cash accounts from ever being compromised.

Because I’ve been operating like this with my personal accounts for some time, or rather, had two accounts already that I used for different functions and had existing debit cards and scheduled transactions, I will set up a 3rd checking account that will become my primary/isolated account.

Auto Transactions

Next, I will be working through my existing budget and transferring all my auto-pays and subscriptions to the appropriate account debit card – personal or professional. I’ll have to be eagle eyed on my accounts to make sure I don’t overdraw anything. But I know I can do this.

Big Move

This is a HUGE shift for me. If I don’t have the cash, I can’t do it, buy it, spend it. There is no more…I’ll pay it when I get my next paycheck. There is no more just spending with no immediate consequence.

I’m also working on a brand new budget. I fully intend to, like Proverbs says…pursue a debt free life with Gazelle intensity.

And with this new budget, I will actually be using some actual paper cash. At least that’s the goal. But then I started to worry about all these places that are now “cash free”.

But never fear “Apple Cash” to the rescue. I’m going to fund my “Apple Cash” from my checking account. That will still allow me to use the convenience and security of the tap, but I think it will also allow me to feel the PAIN of spending.

My thought is if I only fund it once a month…gas money, fun money, etc. then I will hesitate more to spend because I know when it’s gone, it’s gone.

This is a work in progress. But it’s scary and a going to be a BIG MINDSET change for me. HUGE. 

 

Feb 4, 2026    |       11 comments

Why I’m Budgeting for Peace (Not Impressing Anyone) in 2026

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I’m working on a new budget with the thought of being cash only. It’s really a new mindset. And a bit scary. You can see my 2025 budget here.)

Thanks to Financial Peace University, a quieter living situation, and a life season that looks nothing like it did ten, even 2 years ago, my budget is requiring a complete overhaul and a lot of thought!

This isn’t a “bigger goals, tighter rules” budget.
This is a protect my nervous system budget.

What “Budgeting for Peace” Actually Means for Me

Peace isn’t vague. It’s specific. It’s practical. And it’s exactly how I am living right now.

Here’s what peace looks like in my 2026 budget.

1. Fewer Categories, Fewer Decisions

If I have to negotiate with myself every time I spend money, the budget is broken.

So peace looks like:

  • simplified categories
  • predictable spending
  • fewer “maybe” line items

I’m tired. I don’t want to argue with my budget or the BAD community. I want it to support me and make financial decision making easier/cleaner.

2. Margin for My Actual Life (Not an Imaginary One)

My living situation is quieter. Slower. More home-based. More caretaking. More hermit, less hustle.

So my budget includes:

  • convenience where it preserves energy, that means, yes, I am paying for Walmart+ so I can get ALL my groceries delivered
  • room for the unexpected

I’m not budgeting like I’m running marathons when I’m clearly walking the trail right now.

3. Clear Boundaries Around Emotional Spending

Quiet seasons can be sneaky. And I’m certainly not immune to those “I just need to go buy something” moments.

So my budget now assumes:

  • emotions will show up
  • loneliness may try to swipe my card
  • stress might whisper “just buy it”

Peace looks like pausing, naming the feeling, and choosing something that doesn’t show up on a statement.

This is SO HUGE for me. (Today it meant getting off DoorDash and heating up some of last night’s casserole.)

4. A Real Plan for Irregular Income & Expenses

Peace looks like:

  • sinking funds
  • boring consistency
  • and not acting shocked when life does what life always does

This alone lowers my stress more than any inspirational quote ever could.

5. Money That Supports My Values, Not My Ego

My budget reflects what matters now:

  1. stability
  2. faith
  3. stewardship
  4. rest
  5. and the freedom to say no

I don’t need my money to tell a story to others. I need it to make my life quieter. I realize that the BAD community doesn’t agree with my recent decision to tithe again. But it is important to me.

What This Budget Is Not

It’s not extreme.
It’s not flashy.
It’s not optimized for admiration.

It’s optimized for sleep.

The 2026 Goal (Spoiler: It’s Not a Number)

The goal isn’t a perfect spreadsheet or a dramatic payoff date. (Ok, maybe it is still a payoff date!)

The goal is:

  • fewer financial surprises
  • fewer internal arguments
  • fewer stress responses tied to money

I am finally learning that money is a tool, not a test.

And this stage of life?
I’m choosing peace on purpose.

Not because I’ve arrived-but because I’ve learned.

And that might be the most valuable return yet.

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