B-I just looked under the hood for the first time in months. I do not historically pay much attention to what's going out but have a close eye on what I make monthly as a self-employed business owner and high earner. My husband has a good, consistent W2, so there is stability. I review my business income and expenses monthly. It's the personal, flexible expenses that I have never paid attention to and Holy Moly! I am spending so much more than I realized. Grateful for that exercise. I know exactly where I need to tighten things up.

I went through 12 months of flexible expenses, categorized them, and was SHOCKED by how much I was spending in the top categories (not including household fixed expenses): travel, dining, shopping/entertainment, and pet care!). I'm planning to keep my travel budget, because it's one of my biggest core values, but I plan to cut my dining expense in half immediately. I will allot a specific budget to shopping/entertainment, so I can track it more closely and not go over. Unfortunately, the cost of pet care has been due to having two pets with significant medical needs and recent hospitalizations/surgeries. We just lost one, which was heartbreaking, but will decrease spending, and our other one is nearing the end of her life. Personally, this is really hard. Financially, it will be a relief not to carry those costs anymore.

Prework sent. See you both soon!

Prework done and sent via DM