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Kalyn Brooke

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Not Your Typical Financial Journey {Part 1}

August 6 // 4 Comments // 2 Minute Read

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I don’t really have an amazing story to tell.

I’ve never racked up $35,000 worth of credit card debt before finding the key to financial freedom, and my relationship with money has never been complicated.

As far back as I can remember, I’ve always had a frugal head on my shoulders. It helped me get through college debt free, taught me never to be late on payments for my first car, and I happened to pull off one of the most inexpensive weddings you’ve ever heard of….with style.

But lest you think life has always dealt me the right kind of cards, you are mistaken. Being smart with money isn’t always easy, and my first big challenge came when I met the love of my life!

No doubt about it, opposites attract

Girl who didn’t want to spend anything met guy who spent everything.

While Joseph and I were dating, he had no problem handing over money for a new shirt, shoes, or paying for everyone’s meal at restaurant get-togethers.

Little did I know, he was following the same habit 38% of Americans do, by living paycheck to paycheck, including no extra savings for monthly bills or emergencies.

When we started talking about marriage, I knew this was a topic we had to address, especially when he showed me his bank account. It was probably the best conversation we had ever had….and it changed everything.

Time for a financial overhaul

Most couples start combining and working with their finances after they get married. We started right about the time we got engaged.

I think it really depends on each individual relationship to know when the right time is to talk money. Joseph and I had been friends long before we dated, so it was natural to bring up the topic every now and then.

It didn’t take much convincing for Joseph to grant me permission to “take over” all his financial accounts and obligations. I kept track of his bank accounts, bills, and we started communicating about purchases and receipts. Best decision ever. Especially since we were both totally on board!

This financial overhaul helped us:

  • Learn how to manage money together.
  • Communicate our expectations.
  • Plan a wedding with realistic financial goals.

Ultimately, it set us on the path to a healthy marriage, and an equally healthy relationship with money.

The next phase in our lives brought on a whole lot more financially then we had planned for our first year of marriage. It threw this type-A girl for a loop.

When did you first start talking money with your other half?

 

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Comments

  1. Rachel says

    June 2 at 12:26 pm

    I noticed in a different post of yours (Why You Need a Budget) you had also mentioned you were able to keep your wedding inside a budget of only $3,500 (wow!).

    Would you write a blog post on what you did to keep your wedding cost so low and tips for a low cost wedding?

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      June 8 at 7:59 am

      I’ve often wondered if anyone would be interested in that story! I’d love to write a whole series about it, and will put it on my post idea list for sometime in the near future — great idea! You might want to hop on my mailing list to make sure you don’t miss it when I do. http://madmimi.com/signups/124248/join

      Reply
  2. Lindsey says

    April 19 at 11:55 am

    My boyfriend and I moved in together in June and we are still butting heads about some subjects. He is a pretty picky guy (you know the hd over regular kind and has to be blu ray kind) and he has really expensive hobbies. He doesn’t see as big of an issue if we go over one month like I do and his idea of handling money involves charging to the credit card and paying off as we go. I’ve been able to convince him to let go of a few things but so far it’s still been a little rocky.

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      April 28 at 12:29 pm

      This is a topic that you want to make sure you have open communication about! I actually just wrote another post about this for Today’s Frugal Mom with some more practical tips on how to keep the conversation going and how to keep it from disintegrating into an all out argument. You can check it out over here: http://todaysfrugalmom.com/talk-to-your-spouse-about-money/

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Kalyn—a recovering perfectionist who nerds out about organizing systems, personal productivity, and helping you prioritize what matters over the pressure to do it all. I have a feeling we’re about to become the best of friends! Learn more >>

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👩‍💻 | I help value-driven women lead manageable + meaningful lives.
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When you want to “make over your finances”, wh When you want to “make over your finances”, what first comes to mind? 🤔💭

Cutting back on a few expenses? Overhauling your budget? Establishing an Emergency Fund...or increasing its size? 💰

These are ALL worthy endeavors. 👏

But none of those things matter if you don’t check in on your finances on a regular basis. 😳

It only takes a couple of days (or weeks) for that motivational wave of “I’m gonna become a financial rockstar” to wane... then fizzle out completely. 🤯

That’s why the most important financial habit you’ll ever create is a weekly finance routine. 📆

In this newly-released blog post, I’m sharing why a weekly finance routine will influence your bottom line more than anything else, as well as dish ALL the details of what I do, every Friday, to get in tune with my bank accounts and budgeting app. 📱

Want the link? Leave a money bag emoji in the comments below! 💰

If you have a similar routine (or want to adopt one for the first time!), I’d love to hear about it! 👇🏻
Over the past six months, I’ve changed. ⁣ ⁣ Over the past six months, I’ve changed. ⁣
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1️⃣ Joseph and I adopted a plant-based diet.⁣
2️⃣ I got the tattoo I’ve been wanting for years.⁣
3️⃣ And last November, we bought a motorcycle.⁣
⁣
Needless to say, people have commented about my recent changes too.⁣
⁣
Most are positive. 🥰⁣
⁣
Others are not. 😳⁣
⁣
And of course, in typical people-pleasing fashion, I tend to focus on the critics more than the cheerleaders. 📣⁣
⁣
But you can't live your life by other people's expectations of you.⁣
⁣
I'm not saying to disregard what anyone has to say or ignore every opinion that doesn't line up with your way of thinking. Listen to wise counsel and learn everything you can from those who've walked whatever road you want to travel. 💞⁣
⁣
But know the difference between wise counsel and someone who wants to subconsciously direct your life.⁣
⁣
Because the critic doesn't get to live your life.⁣
⁣
You do. 🥳
I’ve seen a lot of new faces follow me this mont I’ve seen a lot of new faces follow me this month—welcome! 👋

My name is Kalyn (swipe right to see my husband, Joseph, and I shivering at the beach). We travel full time in an RV, but are Floridians at heart. 60 degrees is NOT warm enough for a beach day! 🏝️

I started blogging in 2012 to share my love for saving money. Today, I help thousands of women live a more minimalist lifestyle, establish planning systems and routines, and pursue positive personal growth. 💪

It is a huge privilege to connect with you here. 🥰

Other random facts: I love to read (lately I’m a fan of psychological thrillers), crocheting relieves my anxiety, and I’m five months into eating a plant-based lifestyle. 🌱

I used to hate meal planning and being in the kitchen but going vegan helped me fall in love with cooking nutritious meals. 🍽️

New or not, thank you for adding me to your feed. I’m so grateful we connected on social media. 

Now it’s your turn! Share a random fact about yourself in the comments. I want to get to know you better! 💞
Minimalism ≠ Deprivation.⁣ ⁣ Sadly, I find m Minimalism ≠ Deprivation.⁣
⁣
Sadly, I find most people resist minimalism because they can't wrap their head around "having less." People tend to equate this movement with blank walls, white IKEA furniture, and decluttering everything in your home down to practically nothing so you can live full-time in an RV. Like me. 😉⁣
⁣
But, while minimalism could be all that, this mindset misses the point. Minimalism is not only about “having less.” 🚫⁣
⁣
It’s so much more than that.⁣
⁣
This week on the blog, I'm sharing the REAL definition of minimalism (that people who love their stuff can totally get behind!) as well as practical ways to incorporate minimalism into your life. 🎉⁣
⁣
Drop a heart emoji in the comments below and I'll send the link to your DM's! 💖
I love lazy Saturday mornings...as long as I have I love lazy Saturday mornings...as long as I have a book and a cozy blanket! 😍
I wrote this in my journal the other day: 📓⁣ I wrote this in my journal the other day: 📓⁣
⁣
“I’ve been thinking about what tech boundaries I want to instill, including boundaries related to work and productivity. I’ve become less careful about my media consumption, and it’s having a negative affect on my mental health.” 💞⁣
⁣
Have you ever felt a similar tug? ⁣
⁣
I can’t begin to tell you how many times I pick up my phone because I’m bored or lonely or jealous or unhappy. It almost always makes me feel worse. And yet...I struggle to stop. 😝⁣
⁣
Here are the ideas I’ve been trying this month and I’m already seeing a positive effect:⁣
⁣
➕ No logging into social media after 8pm. I need to wind down for the night, not get lost in my phone! 📲⁣
➕ Open Instagram with a purpose—either to post or to interact. Stop endlessly scrolling.⁣
➕ My only screen time before 9am should be for Bible Study apps or News. 🗞⁣
➕ Turn my phone on Do Not Disturb during Tiger Time (when I need the most focus for work) 💪⁣
➕ Work no more than 4 hours on my business per day. If a task isn’t complete, push it to the next day. This time frame has really helped me prioritize! 💻⁣
➕ Watch one show per day (or two if they are short!) and leave movies for the weekend. 📺⁣
⁣
What tech boundaries have you set up? Are any new as of this year? I’d love to hear your ideas! 😃
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