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“We make a good income — so where is it all going?!”
I was asking myself that exact question.
We live in a low-cost-of-living state. On paper, things look solid. But in reality? We had to cut back hard. And even then, I didn’t fully know where our money was going.
I’d look online for budget inspiration, but I kept seeing unrealistic examples. Where are the real numbers? What about all the money spent on:
- Kids’ activities
- Random Target runs
- Late-night fast food
- After-school snacks
- And the occasional “I deserve this” Amazon cart moment?
That’s the stuff I wanted to see. Because that’s real life.
Our Reality as a Busy Family of 7 (Plus One Maltipoo!)
We’re a household of:
- Two regular adults (me + husband)
- Two college-aged young adults
- Three kids (our twin girls are 11, and our son is 8)
- And yes — our busy Maltipoo!
We run a full schedule. Between school, sports, real estate, teaching, and just life, we’re often too tired to cook. And eating out is a lifesaver… but also a budget buster.
Especially now that my twins are venturing out of the kids’ menu! 😅
Even with all of us drinking water, dining out is getting out of control.
The Emotional Side of Spending No One Talks About
Let me be hones, it’s not just the money. It’s the emotions behind it.
Meal planning, grocery shopping, prepping meals; it all takes mental and physical energy. And sometimes, I just don’t have it. That’s when emotional spending creeps in.
It’s not about laziness. It’s about:
- Overwhelm
- Decision fatigue
- Wanting to give your kids (and yourself) a break
And those small $20–$40 fast food runs? They add up fast.
What Helped Us: The Sunday Check-In
For the last few months, we’ve been doing a few things that have really helped:
- Spreadsheets
- Budget meetings
- Honest conversations
- And most importantly… check-ins
So I created a Sunday Check-In Printable — and it’s been a game changer.
Each week, I track:
- Every snack or dining-out expense
- What was happening that day
- What triggered the choice
- And whether it felt like a real need or just exhaustion
📝 [Grab the Sunday Check-In Printable here – it’s free!]
Is It Helping? YES.
We now talk about our emotional spending openly.
We give ourselves permission to eat out within reason.
But we also pay attention to what’s driving those choices.
Instead of saying:
“We’re only eating rice and beans for the next month!”
We say:
“Let’s look at last week, name what was hard, and make a better plan.”
It’s not perfect, but it’s sustainable. And it works for us.
You’re Not Alone in This
Your family might look different than mine. Your triggers might be different too.
But if you feel like the money is disappearing faster than it should, and emotional spending is part of the problem, you are not alone.
Try the Sunday Check-In. Adjust it to fit your life.
Add more lines. Use it on Wednesdays. Whatever works.
And please, leave me a comment or send a message. Share your #wins, your struggles, and what’s working for your family. I truly want to hear from you.
We’re walking this road together. 💛
P.S. If you’re also navigating emotional spending and want a budgeting approach that feels personal and flexible, I highly recommend My Money My Way by The Budget Mom. Her story really helped me feel less alone.
