The final quarter of the year is here. And what a year it’s been.
Things are hard. Really hard.
Everything seems more expensive, and I honestly find myself wondering how people are surviving.
Gas, groceries, rent, mortgage payments — it all adds up. And when everything gets more expensive, cutting out the occasional coffee isn’t going to fix the problem. You have to look at the bigger expenses.
That’s what I’m trying to do with my own money. I’m watching my recurring expenses, cutting things that don’t provide much value and being more deliberate about discretionary spending. I’m also trying to keep more cash available instead of relying on a credit card when something unexpected comes up.
My biggest takeaway right now: when money gets tight, focus on cash flow. Know what comes in, what has to go out and which expenses you can actually change. A $10 cut feels good, but eliminating a $100 monthly expense creates real breathing room.
I can’t control what happens to prices. Neither can you. But we can control what we do with the money that remains.
So as we begin the final three months of the year, that’s my focus: protect the cash flow, cut what doesn’t matter and think twice before taking on more debt.
Be careful out there.
🚆 Money well spent
Parker and I enjoyed a weekend getaway to St. Louis last weekend. We rode the train, which was her first time, and it made the trip feel like an adventure before we even arrived.
As I eagerly made plans for my birthday trip, Parker didn’t let me off the hook for a Daddy-daughter trip I had floated. So I put my birthday plans on pause and focused on our weekend. I’m glad I did.
We visited the Gateway Arch, took a riverboat cruise and did an escape room, which was a first for both of us. We ate all-you-can-eat sushi, one of Parker’s favorite foods, took a nature walk and enjoyed a free telescope viewing on the night of a full moon.
The two-night stay added $828.31 to my September spending. But I don’t regret it. There are plenty of things I spend money on that I won’t remember a month from now. This isn’t one of them.
Parker and I will remember riding the train, exploring St. Louis, laughing through that escape room and standing under a full moon looking through a telescope. Sometimes the best money you spend is money that buys you a memory.
₿ A little extra bitcoin
Cash App is offering weekly bitcoin rewards when you hold a bitcoin balance in the app and opt in. The part I like is that your bitcoin isn’t locked up or being used by the company for lending, so it remains yours while you earn the weekly reward.
The timing of my first reward was pretty cool. As Parker and I were walking out of the Gateway Arch last Saturday, I received a notification that my first weekly bonus deposit had arrived.
It was a small amount, but I’ll take it. I’m already focused on building my bitcoin stack, so anything that adds to it without requiring me to spend more money is a welcome bonus.
It’s not going to make me rich. But small amounts can compound over time, and I’m perfectly happy to keep stacking a little more whenever I can.
🧘🏾♂️ A 30-day challenge
Last month, I told you I am reducing my marijuana consumption for discipline, health and financial reasons. I decided to add alcohol to the mix.
As of last week, I started a 30-day personal challenge of no alcohol or weed. And this isn’t just about saving money. It’s more about becoming the best version of myself.
As I strive to reach a higher level in my life, I don’t want to rely on substances to reduce stress, anxiety, pressure or uncertainty. Those things aren’t going away simply because I have a drink or smoke.
And I certainly don’t want to reach a higher level and discover that I’ve brought those same dependencies with me. If I’m going to become a better version of myself, I want to break free from those vices now — not later.
Thirty days is the challenge. But the bigger goal is discipline.
Maybe you’ll join me.
The fourth quarter
Every basketball practice and shooting session I’ve seen and been a part of ended with free throws.
How I save money on gas
One of my first money moves after becoming meticulous about my spending was deciding I was done paying full price for gas.
St. Louis is a fun place to visit. Glad you made some cool memories. I have zero crypto... just not my cup of tea. I already don't smoke and drink pretty rarely. Cheering you on for sober October!
"A $10 cut feels good, but eliminating a $100 monthly expense creates real breathing room" is the line I wish more career advice led with. When you get laid off with little kids at home, the instinct is to cancel the small stuff and leave the big bills alone, and knowing exactly what has to leave the account every month is what actually buys you time.