Money Mindset

Making the decision to take out a loan can feel like standing at the edge of a diving board, staring into deep water. The stakes feel high, the consequences murky, and the advice out there? Often vague, one-size-fits-all, and recycled beyond recognition.

The holiday season, with its glittering decorations and joyous spirit, often brings a different kind of baggage—guilt over spending. You’re not alone if you feel a pang of regret as you swipe your credit card on gifts intended to express love and generosity. However, holiday spending doesn’t have to leave you resenting your credit card bill. Let’s explore how you can spread cheer without breaking the bank or your spirit.

Freelancing isn’t the “easy way out.” It’s bold. It’s creative. And let’s face it, some days it’s pure chaos. You’re juggling invoices, chasing clients, balancing feast-and-famine income swings—all while trying to build a future that doesn’t rely on a corporate pension or someone else’s vision of “success.”

I’ve been working in personal finance for over a decade, and I’ll be the first to admit—I love a good budgeting app. I’ve set up spreadsheets that track everything from fixed bills to random “just in case” spending categories. But somewhere along the way, even with all that structure, I started feeling like money was quietly slipping through the cracks.

Did you wake up today thinking about your finances and instantly felt a knot in your stomach? You’re not alone. Financial anxiety is more common than you might think, often creeping up when we least expect it. It's that haunting feeling that says you’re falling behind, while everyone else seems to be ahead. But here's the big question: are you truly lagging, or are you merely stuck in the comparison trap? Let's unravel this web together and find some clarity.