In Episode 89 of the Female Finance Collective Podcast, financial planner and money coach Meri-Li walks through the process she uses with her clients to complete a thoughtful, approachable year-end financial review. Together, we talk about what to reflect on, what to consider moving forward, and how to create a financial plan focused on your goals and theme for the year. As our gift for you, we put her checklist into a downloadable document for you and created a workbook you can use as you make your way through the tasks. Just click here to download and save your copy. We can't wait to hear how you use this tool. We'd love to know how it benefits you and any feedback you have.

As we sit in this space between the end of one year and the start of another, this is a perfect moment to reflect. Looking back at your finances for 2025 doesn’t mean reliving every mistake. It simply means asking a few honest questions: - What worked? - What felt hard? - What do I want to do differently as I move into 2026? If you didn’t pay much attention to your finances this year, that’s OK. Awareness is a great place to begin. Looking ahead to 2026, you don’t need to plan a full financial overhaul. One small, intentional focus is enough. Tracking spending for a month. Paying a little extra toward debt. Scheduling regular money check-ins. Any one of these small steps can have a meaningful impact on how you feel about your money. If sitting down to reflect feels daunting, you don’t have to do it from scratch. We created a Year-End Financial Review Checklist and a companion workbook to help guide you through the process. Use them to write out your thoughts, notice patterns, and set intentional goals. This is also a great tool to use for your first money date of the new year. If you want extra guidance as you work through it: - 🎧 Podcast Episode 89 walks through the year-end financial review step by step and explains how to use the checklist. - 🎧 Podcast Episode 87 gives a quick, approachable overview of what money dates are and how to start using them without stress. 🔗 Download the checklist + workbook here Wherever you are right now is okay. Acknowledging the past, choosing one small focus, and starting with intention is how real change begins. Share one of your goals with us so we can cheer you on as you begin the new year!

Are you working in paying down debt? Are you needing to build an emergency savings? Does your budget need an update? Sometimes we don’t know what we don’t know. But I bet your gut has a next step for your next money move. What is it? We want to help!

For many of us, saving has been framed as restriction and cutting back, but we want to shift the story. What if saving was something we looked forward to? This week, we’re reframing our thoughts around saving. Saving isn’t about depriving yourself now. It’s about creating space for freedom, flexibility, and joy later. Every dollar you save gives your future self a little more breathing room. Whether it’s a trip you’ve always wanted to take, a buffer that gives you peace of mind, or simply knowing you’re prepared, saving is one of the kindest things you can do for yourself. 📝 Journal Prompt Ask yourself: - What am I excited to save for? - How will I feel when I reach that goal? You might be surprised how much motivation comes from picturing something joyful rather than something stressful. 💖 Affirmation “Saving supports the life I want to live.” Say it out loud. Write it down. Remind yourself you’re not saving to take things away. You’re saving to give yourself more. 🚶🏽‍♀️This Week’s Action Step Choose one savings goal you’re excited about. Then: - Open (or rename) a savings account for your new goal - Add some amount of money to it this week - Label it clearly. Consider giving it a name that inspires you! Whether you’re saving $5 or $500, this is about saving with intention and creating momentum. I'd love to hear one of your savings goals.

Sometimes the hardest part of money is breaking free from what we are used to. Living paycheck to paycheck. Carrying debt. Feeling behind. But “what you’re used to” doesn’t have to be your forever. You deserve stability. You deserve clarity. You deserve to have your money work for you, not against you. Every small step you take is a step toward what you deserve. 💬 Tell us - what’s one financial habit you’re ready to leave behind so you can walk toward what you deserve?