Let’s get to know each other a little! If you’re new here, take a minute to drop an intro in the comments. Nothing fancy -- just share: - Who you are / where you’re from - What brought you here - Something fun or unexpected about you (hobby, favorite food, weird talent, etc.) I’ll go first so you don’t have to be the guinea pig. Can’t wait to meet you all!

This is what I'd do. Budgeting gets a bad reputation because most people treat it like punishment. Like it’s a diet. Like it’s a list of all the things you’re “not allowed” to have. But here’s the truth most people never get taught: a budget isn’t restriction... it’s direction. And if I had to start all over again, rebuild my entire financial system from scratch, this is exactly how I’d do it. Step 1: I’d Get Brutally Honest About My Income Not the “I think I make around…” number. The real number. Take-home pay. After taxes. After insurance. After retirement contributions. Most people fail at budgeting because they start with a fantasy income and then wonder why the math keeps punching then in the throat. If I had to start again, I’d sit down with every pay stub, every deposit, and calculate exactly what’s coming in each month. No guesswork. No rounding up. No delusion. Step 2: I’d List Every Single Fixed Expense (Without Judgement) Rent, utilities, insurance, car payment, phone bill, subscriptions (yes, even that sneaky one you forgot about), debt payments, childcare, pet care... everything that hits the same time every month. I wouldn’t label anything “good” or “bad.” I wouldn’t shame myself for the totals. I’d just write the truth down. Because a budget built on lies collapses fast. Step 3: I’d Get Realistic About My Variable Expenses Groceries, gas, eating out, Target runs, Amazon “oops,” random kid emergencies, dog emergencies... basically, life. This is where most budgets die. People try to become a brand-new person in one month: “I’m going to spend $30 on groceries and never eat out again!” Yeah… no. If I were starting over, I’d look at my actual spending for the last 90 days and average it. Because you can’t change what you refuse to look at. Step 4: I’d Add Sinking Funds Immediately (Not ‘Someday’) Future expenses are real. Pretending they aren’t is why people swipe the credit card every December and cry on January 2nd. Christmas happens every year.

Let's give a warm welcome to @Peter Ferreira, @Krista Brea, @Iva Thelen, @Demetra Lambros, @Jeff Baer, @Nate Lasko, @Saadia Caudle, @Erica Severson & @Mary Fischman 🙌 Some of you are already super active and I love that! So excited to have you all here and learn more about your financial journeys. Feel free to tell us a bit more about yourselves here