Finding Freedom in the Choices That Matter:

 

For years, I followed all the “right” money rules. Spend as little as possible. Always choose the cheapest option. Never splurge on things that weren’t absolute necessities. And to be honest, those habits helped my family become debt-free and build financial freedom.

But along the way, I realized something important: strict money rules don’t always fit real life.

Was It Really About the Peas?

I’ve always loved LeSueur early peas. Since I was a little girl, they’ve been my favorite—there’s just something about fried chicken, mashed potatoes and LeSueur Peas that makes a meal feel extra special to me. But when we were deep in our debt-free journey, I felt guilty every time I reached for them at the grocery store. The store-brand peas were cheaper, so wasn’t that the “right” choice? Wasn’t I being irresponsible if I spent more when there was a lower-cost alternative?

That kind of thinking followed me into so many other areas of life. It wasn’t just about groceries—I questioned purchases constantly. Every spending decision became a battle between what I wanted and what I thought I should do.

At some point, I had to stop and ask myself: If I’m working so hard to create financial freedom, why am I making myself feel bad for enjoying any of it?

The Purse That Wasn’t Worth It

That same scarcity mindset kept me stuck in another cycle—one where I thought I was making smart money decisions, but really, I was just following the wrong rules.

Back in the ‘80s, ‘90s, and early 2000s, I loved nice leather purses. I thought nothing of spending over $100 on a bag—until I realized I was constantly donating them a couple of years later when I got tired of them. Looking back, I wasn’t really investing in something valuable—I was spending money on a pattern of buying and discarding.

Now, I think about purchases differently. I still want quality, but I also want things that truly align with my needs and values. I don’t just buy something because it’s a good deal or because I’ve always done it that way. I buy it because it serves a purpose in my life.

Breaking the “New Car” Rule

Somewhere along the way, I developed this idea that we needed a new car every 4-5 years—before it hit 100,000 miles. It wasn’t a rule that anyone taught me, but it was something I saw people doing and just assumed was the right thing. Newer cars meant reliability, right?

Well, when we started our debt-free journey, we had two car payments from two vehicles we had purchased in the same week in 2005. We were drowning in payments, and that “rule” about trading in cars every few years wasn’t helping us.

So, we did something radical—we stopped following that rule.

We still have one of those vehicles today. It’s a Toyota Camry that my daughter helped pick out when she was 3 years old. It’s carried her through college for the past six years and saved all of us thousands of dollars—not just in gas, but in the cost of not having a car payment while we cash-flowed her undergrad and has helped her maintain a low budget while in PA school.

And every car we’ve purchased since? Paid for in cash. Because now, I don’t follow the rule that says you need a car payment to have a reliable vehicle.

Why Vacations No Longer Come with Guilt

I grew up without a lot of vacations, so when I had kids, I was determined to change that. I wanted them to have memories of fun trips and adventures—but for a long time, my approach was completely backwards.

I planned the vacation details, picked the destination, and made sure everything was booked… but I didn’t plan the financial part.

That meant that even though we took great trips, I often felt guilty while we were there. I would hold back on doing fun things because I was worried about the money. Instead of truly relaxing and enjoying time with my family, I spent vacations stressing over what we spent. 

 

(The future Physician Assistant and Aerospace Engineer enjoying the beach in 2010.  TWO months after we became debt-free including our home!)

I’ve rewritten that rule too. Vacations are important to me, and I want to enjoy them fully. So, we plan for them months in advance—even when we don’t know where we’re going yet.

That’s the kind of freedom I want women to experience with their money—the ability to say yes to the things that matter without guilt or hesitation.

The Truth About Money Rules

Here’s what I’ve learned: Not every money rule is worth keeping.

Some of them help you build a strong financial foundation, and some of them just keep you stuck in a cycle of guilt and stress. The key is knowing which ones actually serve you.

• I still love a good deal, but I don’t buy something just because it’s on sale.
• I still plan my purchases carefully, but I don’t let money rules stop me from enjoying life.
• I still make financial decisions with intention, but I do it based on what works for my life—not someone else’s rulebook.

So, what about you? Are there any money rules you’ve been following that no longer fit your life?  Send me a message, I’d love to hear your story.

Because every woman likes to get what she wants—without feeling guilty, stressed, or deprived.

 

Your Next Step: Start Today

You don’t have to figure this out alone. You don’t need to feel stuck. You have the power to take control—starting today.  Download my printable Ultimate Financial Guide here to help you get started.

What’s a money rule you’ve been following that no longer fits your life? Let’s make this the year you let it go. Send me a message, or comment below, and let’s create a plan that works for you.

You’re Making Good Money, But It Still Feels Like It’s Not Enough?

The guilt when you spend. The frustration of not making faster progress. The feeling that, no matter how much you earn, there’s never quite enough.

That’s why I’ve created two powerful ways to help you break free from this cycle and finally feel in control of your finances:

Option 1: Deep, Lasting Change (1:1 Coaching)

If you’re ready for a complete transformation, the Financial Confidence Blueprint is my private coaching program designed to help you:
✅ Gain total clarity over your money—without stress or spreadsheets.
✅ Build a financial system that lets you save, spend, and enjoy your life guilt-free.
✅ Make intentional money moves that align with your dreams.

This is for women who are done feeling stuck and ready for expert support—and because I work closely with each client, I only take on a limited number of women each month.

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to take control of your money, this is it. Don’t wait—let’s make your financial freedom a reality.

📩 Send me a message or schedule a Discovery Call to learn more!

Option 2: Get Quick Wins in 5 Weeks (Group Coaching)

Prefer to start with a shorter, high-impact program? The Money Confidence Roadmap is a 5-week group coaching experience designed to help you:
🔥 Stop the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle—without cutting back on everything you love.
🔥 Build a simple, stress-free spending plan (that actually works).
🔥 Make confident money decisions—without second-guessing yourself.

The next round starts in April, and spots are limited.

Which One’s Right for You? Let’s Chat.

If you’re unsure which path is best, I’ve opened a handful of 30-minute Q&A Discovery Calls (free!). We’ll figure out exactly what you need to move forward with confidence.

But don’t wait—spaces for both programs are limited.

📅 Grab your free call here: Introduction Q&A Call
Or, just hit reply and tell me what’s on your mind—I’ll point you in the right direction.

Your financial confidence is closer than you think. Let’s make it happen together.

Cheering you on,

Melinda