by Hope
I’ve been noodling 2025. I’m not much for resolutions. Sticking to them is not my strong suit. We all know this. Here’s my first draft of my 2025 Quarter 1 thoughts…
- Savings to Handle the Ups and Downs of My Income
The recent roller coaster with my full-time contract has taken a toll—not just financially, but mentally too. I’ve felt the stress of juggling variable income and the uncertainty of what’s next. That’s why rebuilding my savings is my top priority for Q1. My goal is to save a minimum of 3months’ worth of living expenses, but I’ll do it in a way that still allows me to make progress on debt. Small, consistent savings transfers will keep me moving forward without feeling overwhelmed.
- Plan (and Fund) one more Home Renovation
Refinishing the hardwood floors has been lingering on my “to-do” list for too long. And it is the second larger item that the real estate agent suggested I complete. It’s the one final project I want to outsource to get the house ready for a future sale. In January, I’ll focus on getting three solid quotes, creating a realistic budget, and saving for it in cash. The goal here is simple: no new debt. I’ll time the project around a stronger income month and fund it intentionally, so I’m not playing catch-up later. - Keep Chipping Away at Consumer Debt
Paying off consumer debt is still one of my biggest priorities, but I’m being kinder to myself this time around. While I’ll keep throwing any “extra” income—like a strong contract month, small freelance gigs, or unexpected savings—at my debt, I won’t do it at the expense of rebuilding my savings. Balance is key.
Why Savings Comes First (But Not Only)
The instability of the last few months has been a wake-up call…again. I’ve felt the emotional weight of not knowing what’s next, and I don’t want to live in that cycle anymore. Having a cushion in savings will help me breathe easier, but I know I can’t lose sight of my other goals. So this quarter, I’m committed to finding the balance: saving for security, funding the last big house project, and continuing to chip away at debt—one dollar, one decision at a time.
Here’s to starting 2025 stronger, calmer, and more in control.
Hope is a creative, solutions-focused business manager helping clients grow their business and work more efficiently by leveraging expertise in project management, digital marketing, & tech solutions. She’s recently become an empty nester as her 5 foster/adoptive kids have spread their wings. She lives with her 3 dogs in a small town in NE Georgia and prefers the mountains to the beaches any day. She struggles with the travel bug and is doing her best to help each of her kids as their finish schooling and become independent (but it’s hard!) She has run her own consulting company for almost twenty years! Hope began sharing her journey with the BAD community in the Spring of 2015 and feels like she has finally in a place to really focus on making wise financial decisions.
Get health insurance should be on this list Hope. It should be before refinish floors in the house. It’s time to stop forecasting and create a budget and two of the line items should be insurance and out of pocket health care costs.
Im confused how you don’t have a 3 month emergency fund yet? Your income shot up exponentially, how did nothing get put away at all? You have zero business paying rent for a college child simply so she doesn’t have to have roommates when you don’t even have 3 months emergency fund available you. Having roommates, learning to get along with others and respect differences in situations, upbringings etc is an important part of growing up. When you can pay your own way, you can live on your own. On another note, refinishing floors means moving out for weeks, along with removing all furniture. Your animals will also immediately scratch the new flooring. Ask your realtor about putting in cheap carpet for the whole house but advertise that there are original hardwood floors underneath. It is still my opinion that selling your home before you have your consumer debt paid off and a hefty savings accounts AND real health insurance is a massive mistake.