There are seasons in life that require change.
Some we choose. Others we’re thrown into without warning. Either way, seasons will shift—and when they do, we’re faced with a decision: do I keep doing what I’ve always done, or is it time to make a change?
If you’ve ever whispered, “Something’s got to give,” then friend, this is for you.
Real People. Real Struggles.
Just this week, I sat in conversation with a parent stretching every dollar for their growing family. Another who’s been juggling bills for over 20 years, carrying quiet stress and telling themselves “I’m just not good with money.” Someone newly widowed, trying to raise a teenager alone while figuring out how to manage the money. A couple navigating addiction, both aching to be seen and heard.
These are not abstract stories. These are people like you. Like me.
In every one of these situations, money was the presenting problem. But underneath the numbers? Heartache. Guilt. Exhaustion. Fear.
And maybe that’s you, too.
The Truth About Taking Control of Your Money
We’re told the solution is simple: make more money. Budget better. Download another app.
But here’s what I’ve seen in my life and the lives of the women I coach:
Money is only 20% of the equation.
The other 80%? That’s your mindset. Your values. Your decisions. Your season of life.
Without clarity on what matters to you and your family, a budget is just a spreadsheet that makes you feel guilty or a list of “shoulds” that never stick.
The Wake-Up Call I Didn’t Expect
In the mid-90s, I was doing all the “right” things. I read every Larry Burkett book. I was a faithful listener of his radio show. I even worked in finance. I could answer the callers’ questions before Larry did.
We had a solid income, a home, nice cars. From the outside, everything looked stable.
Then came 2008.
The housing market collapsed. My husband worked for a supplier in the homebuilding industry. We made the decision to take a 25% pay cut to protect his job and our family’s future.
That moment hit me like a punch in the gut.
I remember the panic. The pressure. The sleepless nights. The realization that we were living paycheck to paycheck—and it wasn’t sustainable anymore.
I had to face the hard truth: knowing what to do isn’t the same as doing it. And I had to decide if I was going to keep pretending everything was okay or finely take control of our money.
When Big Wins Feel Too Far Away
I could tell you about a family who went from financial survival to being completely debt-free, building a strong financial foundation that created peace, options, and legacy in under 25 years. It’s a true story.
But when you’re stuck in financial chaos, those stories can feel more discouraging than inspiring.
So instead, I want to take you to my garden.
The Garden That Taught Me Everything
At one of our early homes, we had the most beautiful vegetable garden. Tomatoes. Cucumbers. Green beans. Corn. Zucchini. We fed our family and shared the extras with neighbors.
But more than that, our garden was about connection.
My children would take baskets of produce to our elderly neighbors and sit on their back patio, chatting for hours. Those neighbors were like grandparents. I would often join them, soaking in wisdom and stories that shaped us all.
We lived there from the time our oldest was nine months old until the day she turned fifteen.
The night before we moved, I sobbed. Not because of the house. But because I knew we were leaving behind more than land—we were leaving a season.
Then just this week, I got a call. My neighbor said, “I was mowing by your old garden spot… and I wanted to let you know my wife passed.”
His words stopped me.
I could see it all again—those summer days, the porch chats, the joy of simple living.
That season was sacred.
When the Garden Stops Growing
After that home, we moved to a mountaintop surrounded by 20 acres of trees. Beautiful, peaceful—but we never planted another vegetable garden. And now, on our small farm, I’ve planted flowers, but not vegetables.
If you’ve followed along, you know that seasons changed again and we downsized last year to a small 15-acre farm and a completely remodeled farm house that I absolutely adore.
Here is my little corner that I’m loving this summer ❤
It’s been over 10 years since I’ve planted food for our table.
That season passed. And that’s okay.
Because what mattered then isn’t what matters now. That’s the power of seasons.
Financial Seasons Require Different Plans
What worked five years ago might not work today.
The plan that got you through a baby season may not support you while raising teens. The spending habits you justified in the busy years might not align with your current values.
But here’s the good news: your financial plan can shift with you.
Because peace doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from alignment.
The Plants That Almost Died
There are a few plants I’ve kept alive for decades—a philodendron, two spider plants, a wandering jew, and a purple heart. 
Every winter they come inside and get just enough water to survive. By March, they look almost dead.
But in April, I repot them. I prune them. I water them. And by May, they’re blooming again.
Why? Because I tend to them.
Your money is no different.
How to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck
You may be saying:
- “I don’t have time to deal with this right now.”
- “We’re doing okay, it’s just a rough season.”
- “It’ll get better when I make more money.”
But friend, those are the lies that keep you stuck.
Until you name the season you’re in and realign your spending with what matters now, you’ll keep waking up stressed and falling asleep overwhelmed.
You’ll keep snapping at your spouse. Carrying guilt. Wondering if your kids feel the tension.
And most of all—you’ll keep delaying the peace and progress that’s already within reach.
Your First Step Toward Financial Freedom
This isn’t about cutting every joy from your life.
It’s about choosing what actually matters and learning how to spend with purpose, not pressure.
That’s why I created the Simple Spending Plan.
It’s not a restrictive budget.
It’s a clear, faith-aligned tool that helps you:
- Identify your current financial season
- Clarify what matters most
- Create space for peace, generosity, and legacy And it’s completely free.
👉 Download it here: Simple Spending Plan
If you’re overwhelmed, start with this: Feeling Overwhelmed by Money? This Simple Action Helped Me Reset
It’s Time to Plant Something New
Friend, I’m not here to sell you a fantasy.
I’m here to tell you the truth: peace is possible. Change is possible. Financial freedom is possible.
But nothing changes until you decide it’s time.
And if today’s the day you choose a new season—then I’m here, cheering you on.
Let’s stop waiting for life to settle down and start tending to what matters most.
You’re not too late.
You’re not behind.
You’re just one decision away from a whole new season.
