Ms. FinancialE

Thankful Thursday 💚

Today, I’m thankful for something money can’t buy — watching my daughter navigate adulthood with a level of financial stability I didn’t have at her age.

My financial story started with trauma as a teenager, and some of those lessons followed me well into adulthood. But somewhere along the way, I decided the pain wouldn’t be wasted. I took what I learned the hard way and used it to help create a better financial foundation for my daughter.

And now, at barely 25, I get to watch her move through adulthood differently. 🥹

One of the smallest things hits me the hardest: she never remembers when payday is. 😂 And as someone who remembers what it feels like to NEED payday to hurry up and come, that blesses me in a way I can’t even explain.

Not because she doesn’t value money, but because she has learned how to manage it. How to save. How to plan. How to live without every financial decision being driven by survival.

That’s generational progress.

Sometimes breaking generational cycles doesn’t look dramatic. Sometimes it looks like your child not carrying the financial anxiety you once carried.

She is truly my ancestors’ wildest dreams…and in many ways, mine too. 💚

I’m grateful that some of the hardest chapters of my financial story became lessons that helped me write a different one for her.

The goal was never just to make more money. The goal was to make sure the next generation carried less financial trauma. And for that, I am THANKFUL. 🙏🏾💚

The year ain’t over yet! 💚💸
Maybe you didn’t save what you planned.
Maybe that credit card balance crept back up.
Maybe life started LIFE-ING and your budget went straight out the window. 😩

That does not mean you have to wait until January to get back on track.

We still have a little over THREE months left in 2026. That’s time to:

💰 Restart that savings goal
💳 Put some extra money toward debt
🧾 Clean up your budget and subscriptions
🎄 Start putting money aside for the holidays
📊 Review your financial goals and adjust the plan

And if you have to start over? START OVER. There’s no rule that says a financial reset has to begin on January 1st.

Yesterday I told y’all THE MATH AIN’T MATHING. 😂 Today I’m reminding you that when the numbers change, the plan can change too.

Don’t count the rest of 2026 out. You still got time! 💚

EVERYTHING COSTS MORE… SO YOUR MONEY HAS TO MOVE DIFFERENTLY. 💸

Gas is high.
Groceries are high.
Bills are billing.
And your paycheck is somewhere asking, “What exactly do y’all expect me to do?” 😩😂

But listen — this is NOT the time to give up on your financial goals.

It’s time to adjust.

Revisit the budget.
Cut what no longer makes sense.
Stock up strategically — not fearfully.
Build your emergency fund, even if it’s $10 or $20 at a time.
Plan your meals. Combine your trips. Watch your spending.

And most importantly: don't let an expensive economy convince you that managing your money doesn't matter.

You may not be able to control the economy, but you CAN be intentional about how you respond to it.

We adjust. We plan. We keep going. 💰

September is the Financial New Year You Didn’t Know You Needed.🍂💰

This past week, I sent my son off to a new school year, celebrated my dad turning 80 years old 🙌🏾, and somehow… September is already in full swing.

And it got me thinking about time.

We’re always saying, “I’ll start next month.”
I’ll start saving.
I’ll finally look at my budget.
I’ll get serious about retirement.
I’ll handle that debt.
I’ll get my business finances together.

But watching one generation celebrate 80 years while another starts a brand-new school year reminded me that time is one of our greatest financial assets.

September gives us four months before the year ends. That’s enough time to make some REAL progress.

So here’s your September financial reset: What is ONE
money goal you refuse to carry unfinished into 2027? 👀💰

Drop it below. ⬇️

Food recalls. Product recalls. Safety recalls.
Meanwhile…

🏠 Rent/Mortgage: STILL DUE.
💡 BGE: STILL DUE.
⛽ Gas: STILL COSTING.
🛒 Groceries: STILL GROCERY-ING.
📱 Phone bill: STILL DUE.
🚗 Car payment & insurance: STILL DUE.

Can somebody recall a BILL?! 😂

But seriously, we may not control rising costs, but we can control how closely we audit our bills.

💰 Know your monthly numbers and prioritize needs.

✂️ Review recurring expenses, subscriptions,
memberships, delivery fees and automatic charges. Call providers—Internet, phone, insurance and subscriptions—to ask about cheaper plans, discounts or better options.

🛒 Plan grocery trips, compare prices and check your pantry first.

💵 Build an emergency cushion, even $10 at a time.
When money gets tight, pay MORE attention—not less. Give every dollar a job before it leaves your account. 💪🏾💰

🍂 Back to school is in FULL gear… and here comes Fall right behind it!

School supplies. Bigger grocery lists. Activities. Car maintenance. Home projects. Holidays creeping up. 😩💸

This time of year can feel like everything needs your attention—and your money—at the same time.

But here’s your financial reminder: if you fail to plan, the to-do’s will pile up and your budget will feel it.

As we head into the final stretch of the year, this is the season to focus a little more on your needs and be intentional about your wants.

Here are 3 simple ways to stay ahead:

📋 1. Pick your top 3 priorities each week.
You don't have to tackle everything at once. Decide what needs to happen now, what can wait, and plan accordingly.

💰 2. Give your money an assignment.
Groceries, school expenses, car maintenance, home needs—start setting money aside before the expense becomes an emergency. Even a little at a time counts.

❤️ 3. Keep YOU on the list.
Rest, health, and peace matter too. Planning isn't just about protecting your money—it's about protecting your capacity.

We have a little over four months left in 2026. You don't have to finish the year perfectly. Just finish it intentionally.

Plan it. Prioritize it. Finish strong. 💪🏾💚

Sometimes we don’t need MORE money. We need a better SYSTEM for the money we already have. 💯

Financial disorganization can quietly COST you, so here’s the problem and the fix:

💸 Missing due dates = Late fees
📅 Put every bill on a money calendar and set reminders BEFORE it’s due.

🛒 Shopping without a plan = Overspending
📝 Take a list AND a budget. Know what you need and how much you’re spending before you walk in.

💳 No emergency fund = More credit card debt
💰 Start saving something consistently—even $25, $50 or $100 at a time adds up.

😩 Avoiding your money = Bigger money problems
📱 Give yourself 15 minutes once a week to check balances, bills, spending and savings.

💵 No spending plan = Wondering where your paycheck went
📝 Give every dollar a job BEFORE payday—bills, savings, spending and yes…a little FUN too. 😂

🏦 Relying on memory = Missed financial moves
⚙️ Automate your bills and savings whenever possible.
Let the system do some of the work for you.

You don’t need a 12-tab spreadsheet, three planners and a finance degree. 😂

You just need a system that works for YOU.

Financial organization isn’t about perfection. It’s about knowing where your money is, where it’s going and what it needs to do next.

Get organized. Get intentional. THEN make your money MOVE. 💚💰

For a while now, my son has been using his piggy bank to save money. Once a year, we cash it in, count it up, and most importantly, talk about his plans for the money.

Wellllll…this year Mama had to break out the 70/30 Money Rule. 😂

💰 70% goes to SAVINGS.
🛍️ 30% is available for PERSONAL SPENDING.

Because financial literacy for kids isn’t just about telling them to save their money. It’s teaching them to set goals, make choices, delay gratification, and understand that every dollar needs a plan.

And yes, he gets to enjoy some of his money! I want him to experience the reward of saving AND the freedom of spending, just within boundaries.

No matter how long my day has been, I’ll always make time for conversations like these. Because one day, that little piggy bank becomes a checking account, a savings account, a paycheck, a credit card, and some REAL financial decisions.

I’d rather teach him how to manage $50 now than expect him to magically know how to manage $5,000 later. 🙌🏾
Start small. Start young. Make money conversations normal. 💚

That’s how we Enlighten. Empower. Educate. the next generation.

As parents, we often spend so much time invested in our children’s expenses that we forget to teach them how to work toward the FULL RIDE. 🎓💰

Fresh clothes are nice.

A debt-free degree is nicer.

Back-to-school season is more than a shopping season—it’s a teachable moment.

Teach them the difference between looking successful and building a successful future. And while we’re at it, teach them how to ball on a budget, because they can look good now and still work toward the full ride later. 💚🎓

✨ 8TH DAY. 8TH MONTH. 8 NEW THINGS. ✨

I took a little 7-day social media break. No posting. No pressure to keep up. Just living, learning, reflecting, and being present.

And now I'm back on the 8th day of the 8th month… so it only felt right to share 8 NEW THINGS I experienced while I was away. 💚

1️⃣ 🛒 I went to Costco for the FIRST time.
Yes, y'all. 😂 And I get it now!

2️⃣ 📸 I watched my son discover something new.
He completed his first photography camp and discovered an interest in street photography. Watching your child uncover a new gift or passion? PRICELESS. 🥹

3️⃣ 📖 I read the entire book of James.
Then went back and revisited it the next morning. Whew! That time in the Word turned into tears, prayer, reflection, and a much-needed encounter with God. 🙌🏾

4️⃣ 💼 I attended a leadership retreat centered around courageous conversations. A reminder that growth as a leader isn't just about what you say—it's learning HOW to say the hard things with wisdom, clarity, and grace.

5️⃣ 💻 I tackled a new QuickBooks/payroll challenge for a client.Transitioning payroll systems, Maryland registrations, payroll taxes… all the fun financial stuff. 😂

6️⃣ 🥦 I made broccolini for the first time.
Listen… we're counting ALL the new things! 😂 Small experiences count too!

7️⃣ 🥗 I started putting my new nutrition plan into practice.
More intentional about protein. More mindful of portions. More aware of what I'm putting into my body.

8️⃣ 💰 I secured TWO new clients—without marketing.
While I was offline and taking a break from social media, my business was still working. No posts. No ads. No campaign. Just referrals, reputation, relationships, and the work I've already put in speaking for me. 🙌🏾

And THAT may be one of my biggest reminders from these last 7 days: WEALTH ISN'T JUST WHAT'S IN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT.

Sometimes you have to log off long enough to realize just how much LIFE—and business—is still happening. 💚
Day 8. Month 8. 8 new things. I'm back. And I'm still…
Enlightening. Empowering. Educating. 💚💰