Wealthy women don’t stumble into financial success. They approach money with purpose, seeing it not as a finish line, but as a tool for opportunity, freedom, and impact.

In this article, we’ll explore five ways women who build lasting wealth think differently about money and how you can start applying these strategies to your life.

1. They See Money as a Tool, Not a Goal

Financially confident women don’t view money as something to chase for its own sake. They treat money like a working part of the household — like another family member expected to contribute.

Money is there to create opportunities, build security, and expand the impact you can have on your family, your community, and your future. Wealthy women expect their money to participate in their lives, not just sit in a bank account.

This perspective is consistent with what financial experts have found. As noted in a Forbes article by Melissa Houston, those who build lasting wealth tend to think of money as a tool for growth, not just a safety net. That mindset shift opens the door to more strategic, values-based decision-making.

That’s why you should take a few minutes to define what you want your money to do for you.

• Is it about funding a secure retirement? 
• Helping your kids through college? 
• Giving more generously to causes you care about?

Writing these goals down can help you hold your money accountable and make financial decisions with purpose.

So, the big question is: If your money were a family member, would it be doing its fair share of work or sitting idle?

2. They Invest in Themselves Without Guilt

One of the clearest traits of financially confident women is that they invest in their growth — personally, professionally, and financially.

When we invest in ourselves, we’re not just chasing new skills or certifications. We’re strengthening the foundation that allows us to build, sustain, and enjoy wealth over time. 

That might mean hiring a coach to work through a career hurdle, finding a mentor who can offer guidance, or prioritizing physical and mental health so that we have the energy to move toward our goals.

Spending money in this way is about recognizing that our well-being is directly tied to our financial well-being. These investments build resilience, improve decision-making, and ultimately expand the opportunities we’re able to create for ourselves.

For many women, this kind of self-investment often comes after years of putting others’ needs first. They manage households, caregiving, and finances — tasks that rarely get acknowledged. As Dr. Regina Lark has explored in her work, women frequently carry the invisible weight of emotional labor, which makes prioritizing our well-being even more essential.

3. They Take Measured, Thoughtful Risks

Financially confident women don’t confuse caution with stagnation. They know that growing wealth over time requires thoughtful, strategic risk — not reckless bets, but intentional moves based on research, planning, and a long-term view.

Rather than letting fear drive decisions, they ask: What’s the real risk here? What’s the potential reward? What am I basing this decision on?

They approach opportunities with curiosity and due diligence. That might mean:

• Starting a business with a clear financial runway
• Investing in the market with a well-diversified, long-term plan
• Taking a career leap that aligns better with future goals
• Saying yes to smart financial moves even when the timing feels imperfect

Calculated risk isn’t about being fearless. It’s about being willing to move forward even when the path isn’t guaranteed, recognizing that standing still can be the biggest risk of all.

If you find yourself hesitating on a decision, try breaking it down: What’s the upside? What’s the downside? What information or support would make this step feel smarter, not just safer?

4. They Let Confidence Grow Through Action

Financially confident women aren’t chasing the next flashy trend or trying to impress anyone. Instead, they focus on quiet, consistent habits that grow their money steadily over time.

They know that you don’t build financial security in a single big moment. You need hundreds of consistent decisions over the years, like:

• Prioritizing savings before spending
• Staying invested even when the markets feel uncertain
• Avoiding unnecessary debt and lifestyle inflation
• Making conservative, long-term investment choices that align with their goals
• Regularly reviewing and adjusting their plans as life evolves

There’s no rush to “beat” anyone. No pressure to look like they’re winning. The real goal is to have options to retire when you want to, to support your family, to fund causes you care about, and to live with freedom and confidence.

If you want to build financial security, it starts with small, repeatable actions. Pick one financial habit you can strengthen this month, whether that’s automating your savings, reviewing your investments, or simply tracking your spending with more intention.

5. They Surround Themselves with Growth-Oriented People

Financially confident women know that you can’t build success alone. They intentionally seek out relationships that encourage growth, challenge their thinking, and expand what they believe is possible.

They build communities that:

• Share financial knowledge openly and without judgment
• Celebrate wins (big and small) and offer perspective during setbacks
• Challenge them to keep learning, adjusting, and aiming higher
• Model what financial health and independence can look like across different stages of life

Whether it’s through business networks, professional mentorships, mastermind groups, or hiring a financial planner, these connections matter. They normalize conversations about money, investing, career moves, and personal growth — all the things that help wealth and confidence grow over time.

If you want to level up your financial life, start by auditing your environment. Who are you learning from? Who challenges you to think bigger? And if those people aren’t around yet, consider where you might find them, like in a professional group, book club, or financial workshop.

Surround yourself with people who want to see you win. It makes all the difference.

You Don’t Have to Be Wealthy to Think Like a Wealthy Woman

If you’re searching for a secret playbook to get wealthy, or think that money comes down to privilege or luck, it’s time to rewire your thinking. It’s all about building the habits and mindset that create steady growth over time.

Financially confident women don’t wait for perfect circumstances. They work with what they have, treat money like a tool, invest in themselves, take thoughtful risks, and surround themselves with people who challenge them to rise.

You don’t have to be wealthy today to start thinking like a wealthy woman. And the sooner you do, the more options, freedom, and security you can create for your future.

If you’re ready to move from good intentions to confident action, let’s connect. Together, we’ll create a plan that fits your life, your values, and your future. 

Bonus: Free Guide

10 Questions to Ask Yourself About Money Right Now

If you’re ready to dig deeper, I have a free resource for you.

10 Questions to Ask Yourself About Money Right Now is a quick, thoughtful guide that can help you check in with where you are financially right now and where you want to go next.

Inside, you’ll find questions (and valuable tips) to help you:

• Uncover whether your money is truly supporting your biggest priorities
• Identify old habits that might be holding you back
• Build a more confident, resilient relationship with your finances

Drop your email below and get instant access to 10 powerful questions to help you make more confident financial decisions.

Jessica Lanning, CFP®

Email: jessica@lanningfinancial.com
Phone: (415) 354-5699
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jessicalanning
YouTube Channel: Lanning Financial on YouTube

Lanning Financial Inc. is a registered investment adviser. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

When it comes to managing your financial life, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and lose sight of the bigger picture. But even if you’re generally on top of things, there are certain things you should be doing – and not doing – right now to ensure your financial health.

Popular Procrastinations – Do These First

We all have a tendency to put off certain tasks, and when it comes to our finances, there are a few that tend to get put off more than others. But the best way to tackle these procrastinations is to take the next best step towards getting them done. 

That step might be as simple as making a five-minute phone call or sending an email. But by taking that step, you’ll set the wheels in motion for the rest of the tasks that need to be done.

Get your estate planning done. 

This is an important step in ensuring that your assets are distributed according to your wishes after you pass away. It’s important to review your estate plan every few years, or whenever there’s a significant change in your life (such as a marriage or the birth of a child).

Implement a password vault. 

With so many online accounts and services, it’s borderline impossible to keep track of all your passwords and not repeat any of them. A password vault allows you to securely store all your login information in one place, making it easier to protect your accounts from hackers.

Look at your investment choices.

As an investor, it’s important to regularly review your portfolio to make sure it aligns with your goals and risk tolerance. This may involve reallocating assets, selling underperforming investments, or adding new positions.

Do an insurance review with your insurance agent. 

Your insurance needs can change over time, so it’s important to review your coverage with your agent to make sure you have the right amount and type of insurance to protect yourself and your family.

Invest in yourself and manage your career. 

Your career is one of your most valuable assets, so it’s important to invest in your professional development and take steps to advance your career.

Remember the Basics

In the midst of all the complex financial decisions you’ll make in your life, it’s easy to forget about the basics. But these fundamentals are the foundation of your financial plan, and they’re just as important as the more advanced strategies.

Maximize your retirement plan contributions if that’s part of your plan. 

By contributing as much as you can to your retirement plan, you’ll be taking advantage of the tax benefits and compound interest that can help you reach your retirement goals.

Determine whether the Roth or the traditional plan is the best choice for you. 

Both Roth and traditional retirement plans have their own set of pros and cons, so it’s important to understand the differences and choose the one that aligns with your goals and tax situation.

Maximize your health savings account at work if you have one.

A health savings account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged savings account that you can use to pay for qualified medical expenses. By contributing as much as you can to your HSA, you’ll be taking advantage of the tax benefits and saving for future healthcare expenses.

Make sure your cash reserve account is adequate.

Having a cash reserve is an important part of any financial plan, as it gives you a buffer to fall back on in case of an emergency.

Pay off any credit card debt monthly. 

Credit card debt can be a significant burden on your finances, so it’s important to pay it off.  Your credit cards should not be your emergency fund.  If you are unable to pay them off monthly, re-evaluate your spending plan.  

Review your financial plan and goals. 

Or at least schedule an appointment with your financial planner. Reviewing your financial plan and goals regularly will help you stay on track and make any necessary adjustments.

Stop Doing These

Just as there are certain things you should be doing to manage your finances, there are also certain things you should avoid to keep your finances on track.

Panicking or worrying about the market. 

While it’s important to stay informed about market conditions, it’s also important to remember that you can’t control the market. Downturns are a normal part of investing, and panicking or worrying about them can lead to poor investment decisions.

Watching too much news. 

The news can be a great source of information, but it can also be overwhelming and anxiety-inducing. Limit your consumption of news and focus on the information that’s most relevant to your investments and financial goals.

Looking over the fence. 

It’s easy to compare yourself to others and feel like you’re falling behind, but remember that everyone’s financial situation is different. Stay focused on your own needs and your own plan.

Fearing failure. 

Investing and building wealth requires taking risks, and there’s always the possibility of failure. But it’s important to remember that failure is a part of the process and that you can learn from your mistakes.

Perpetuating bad habits. 

Financial success also means taking care of yourself, both physically and mentally. If you find yourself overspending, overdrinking, or overindulging in social media, take steps to reduce those habits and focus on your overall well-being.

Where To Start

When it comes to managing your finances, it can feel like an overwhelming task. But remember, you don’t have to move the mountain in one day. Start by identifying one topic you need to tackle and take the next baby step towards getting it done. A baby step could be finding a file on your computer or sending a two-sentence email to get help. By taking small, manageable steps, you’ll be able to move the mountain, one shovelful at a time.

Managing your finances is an ongoing process that requires regular attention and adjustments. By taking steps to get your finances in order, remembering the basics, avoiding common mistakes, and focusing on your goals, you’ll be well on your way to achieving financial success.

If you want to talk about your next best steps, please reach out.  

Lanning Financial Inc. is a registered investment adviser. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

To review, you should start giving your children an allowance as soon as they can count money, usually at four or five years old. Your sole purpose in providing an allowance is to give your children an opportunity to build money skills. Allowance should not be tied to chores. They get an allowance because they’re part of the household; they do chores because they’re part of the household. When it comes to allowance, you get to make the rules and enforce them. You may have values about money that you want your kids to learn. I’ll share what has worked in my house for years.

My son and daughter get an allowance every week, like a paycheck. They receive a dollar for every year of their age — at age 7 they get $7, at age 9 they get $9, and so on. This may seem like a lot of money. Keep reading.

From that amount, my kids are required to give 10%  to charity and put 20% in long-term savings. They get to spend the remaining 70% pretty much as they wish. They have individual places to put this money. For years, we used a divided piggy bank. Coffee cans work just as well. Now we use storage containers. Every week they get an envelope with all their money with the denominations available to make the allocations. You’ll need to help them when they’re young to count and sort the money — it’s a great coin identification and math exercise.

An important note: Make sure they physically handle the money, especially when they’re young, and make them count money when they pay you back for something you bought for them at the store. You want them to have a real life experience of receiving money and watching it leave their hands. We handle actual money so rarely in our society these days. For the longest time, my kids thought that if you needed cash you just went to the ATM and got some. They had no idea that you had to put money in to get money out. So make this reality of having money come into their possession and leave it a part or your kids’ early lives, so they can transfer that experience to the non-cash-oriented world when they’re older.

With all that cash burning a hole in their pockets, sooner or later your children will want to go shopping. Take them, allowing for a significant amount of time to shop, especially early on. You want to make sure they have time to walk all the aisles, pick a variety of things, put them back, choose something else, etc. But leave their money at home. Pay for their purchase yourself, then have them pay you back when you get home. This avoids a lost money crisis and allows for experiences with sales tax, how credit cards work, paying someone back, making change, etc.

Here’s the real trick:  Do NOT judge what they buy. You can set rules and constraints, but after that, hands off. For instance, I didn’t allow my kids to buy toy guns or candy. Sometimes I will put the kibosh on yet another oversized stuffed animal. After that, they can pretty much get whatever they want. This will take much discipline on your part, but I promise it will be worth it.

This plan has incredible beauty that I never saw coming. More on that next time. In the meantime, get your envelopes ready!

The financial planner in this story goes on to explain to his fellow passenger that it’s not the money you need to pass down, but the skills and values that have helped you build wealth. Money can disappear overnight, especially in the hands of those who have no skills to manage it. The old adage applies: Give people a fish and they will eat for a day. Teach them to fish, and they’re fed for life.

I’m a huge advocate of giving children an allowance for this very reason. As a general parenting philosophy, I believe it’s important to let kids have age-appropriate opportunities to screw up when the stakes are low. Direct experience and its consequences are the best teachers. I’d rather my daughter learn that it’s not such a great idea to put the heaviest block on the top of the tower when she’s three years old than wait until she’s 15, when I need her to stack the dishes in the cupboard. It’s the same with money: You want your kids to learn early.

Here’s another belief of mine: We don’t know what’s “sticking” in our children’s brains. Think about it. Memory is such a subjective and selective thing. Almost everyone has a lesson they learned about money that stuck with them. Most of us heard a parent or influential adult say something about money that influenced our beliefs about it, like “money doesn’t grow on trees.” The best thing you can do for your kid(s) is to let them have lots of opportunities to form their own beliefs about money — for example, not spending more than you have, avoiding deficit spending, delaying gratification — so they can form good money habits early. These are crucial life skills, and they don’t get built through our lectures.

I don’t claim to be an expert in this area. Most of my training has come from financial counselor Kathryn Amenta and from my son and daughter, who have been receiving an allowance since the oldest turned five. I encourage all my clients to give their kids an allowance, even if they are much older than that. Better to learn hard money lessons as late as college than when they get their first real paycheck.

How to make it work? Stay tuned.

Pick a date!

You can’t predict the future, but you need to start somewhere. Retiring at 65 is no longer the default. Your target age should stem from your values, so revisit or define them.

Ten years out

This is a time to get a reality check on your financial life and start to envision what retirement will be like.

• Time to take a basic retirement planning class. Look to your local community college, retirement system pension planners, or professional organizations. You’re not trying to become an expert or nail down your plan. But you are trying to figure out what you need to know and what you need to think about.
• How much money have you saved in a 401(k), 403(b) or other retirement account?  Do you need to save more?  Will you need to work longer?  Do you need to adjust your allocations to make them more aggressive or (more likely) conservative
• Will you get a pension? When will you reach the vesting requirements?  How much will you receive? How will it be paid out? In a lump sum, monthly, etc.?)
• Do you have a copy of your Social Security statement? How much can you expect to receive?
• What other assets and investments can contribute to your retirement? Are there any potential drains on your income?
• Start having conversations with your close friends and family members about your vision for your “retirement.”  How do you want to spend your time?  What skills might you want to keep using in part-time or volunteer work?

 Five years out

• Revisit the questions from 10 years out.
• This is a good time to start a journal. Take some of those daydreams you put away and make them more specific. For example, rather than “spend time with grandkids,” you might write “spend two dinners a week with grandchildren.”

 Two years out (or less)

Time to get serious.

1. Make sure your partner/spouse is involved, if you have one and they aren’t already. Communicate and negotiate with them about how you expect to spend your days and money.
2. Hire a financial planner if you haven’t already done so. You want a fiduciary. The Financial Planning Association is a great place to find one.
3. Create a realistic budget. Figure out if you’ll need to work for income or where you may need to cut back on expenses.
4. Figure out when you’ll take Social Security, whether and when you will sign up for Medicare, etc.
5. Turn that “stake in the ground” into a real retirement date. Put a date in the calendar to retire, whether you share this with your employer or not.
6. Get more specific about how you’ll spend your newly found time.

 I often say it’s not about the plan, it’s about planNING. Life happens. Mid-flight corrections are necessary, and you can’t schedule those.  But following this schedule will help minimize the changes and the surprises.

Take the pressure off!

You do not have to have all of the answers now, so start by separating the financial part from the how-to-pass-the-time part. I often tell clients who are “stuck” on how to begin planning for retirement to focus on the first three years and then on the last three years. This takes the stress out of a big question like, “What the heck am I going to do for 20-30 years?!”

For the first three years, write down the collection of projects you want to get done. This often leads to a very satisfying feeling of purpose and direction. It’s like you’re still working, but you’re working on the stuff you want to work on and have been putting off. I’ve had clients travel for a year, remodel homes and take care of grandchildren, to name a few.

Then write down your ideal last three years, which are also usually easy to envision. These are typically slower, easier, quieter. This part also comes with specifics, such as:

• where you’ll live,
• who you’ll rely on for companionship and support,
• how you’ll want to manage your physical slow-down,
• how you want to be cared for and who will take care of you, and
• how you’ll feel at the end of each day

This process helps you figure out how much money or assets you need to set aside to meet these criteria, which will help build the financial part of your retirement plan.

Now for the years in between. I recommend making a list of the skills you want to keep using. This will likely have far fewer specifics than the first or last three years. That’s fine. For instance,

• I’ve had teachers that want to continuing teaching, so they consider tutoring.
• Those leaving executive positions find there are all kinds of nonprofit boards looking for expertise in leadership, development and managing a budget without having to manage employees.
• Some people enjoy mentoring others and find places to create those relationships.
• Talk to others who have retired. Keep your networks going with people who are or are not in the workforce. You don’t need to know exactly what you want to do, but it’s helpful to identify those skills of which you are most proud, most willing to “give away,” and most likely to energize and satisfy you.

In my experience, most people take two to three years to settle into a “retirement groove.” They tackle all of their projects early on, then they hit the end of that list and it takes a while to figure out how to spend their days. Even those who have done a “whole lotta nothin’” in the first year of retirement realize they want to make a change in how they spend their time. This is typical and normal. I also find it takes two to three years for the budget to work itself out. Rest assured, both how to spend time and how to spend money do work out. And both begin with figuring out how to spend the first three years and how to spend the last three years.

You can buy a house and you can get a mortgage

Here is what we have been able to do in the mortgage world lately:

• More and more lenders are making appraisals easier.  We are able to use AXIS appraisals, which are based in the Bay Area (fewer Fresno- and Martinez-based appraisers doing appraisals in San Francisco).
 
• We have a lender that will do 90% loans to $979,750!!  That means we can do a purchase of a $1,088,000 home with 10% down.
 
• Rates are still low.
 
• Lenders are still lending on live-work lofts.
 
• Lenders are still doing recent condo-conversions (TICs to condo).
 
• We have lenders that will still fund in the name of an LLC or corporation.
 
• We have two banks that will underwrite and approve a borrower based upon his/her assets and derive an analytical income for qualifying for the loan versus using income derived from tax returns.  This is like a stated-income loan for those with lots of liquid assets.
 
• We have banks that will allow for a community second mortgage or an employer second mortgage, such as the SF Mayor’s Office of Housing program or Kaiser employee loans.
 
• Most condos can be FHA approved by sending in FHA approval packages to the California office or HUD.  Turn-around time is 2-4 weeks.

The rest of the market?  Just as tedious as it’s ever been.  If you have to get a mortgage, hang in there.  The paperwork is oppressive and the conditions are often silly, but it will happen. Call us if you need some help.

A little education can go a long way

It should be no surprise to you if you’re following this blog that I’m not a fan of 401(k) plans.  Most of my clients have them, though.  They need help identifying the best funds, and they need a way to manage those funds.  As you also have probably gathered, I’m a big fan of not losing money and taking advantage of opportunities to make money. 

Time for shameless self-promotion.  If you want to know if you’re in the best performing funds in your 401(k), and if you want to have some guidance as to when you should be taking advantage of the best times to make money in the markets, you ought to check out this tool:  http://lanning.mutualfundmarketalert.com/. Please fill out the sign-in form and watch the video.  I don’t spam.  I don’t sell my database to anyone at any time for any price for any reason.  You may have limited options with your 401(k).  The least you can do is make the most of them.

Put your attention on your weekly money

What you want to do now is physically separate your money into different buckets.  Here’s what you do next:

1. Set up multiple accounts at your bank.  Most of the bigger institutions will let you set up multiple accounts for free if you automatically transfer money into them each month (which you will).  Nickname these accounts.
    
2. The first account is your “static account” (call it whatever you want).  All income is deposited here.  Leave money there to meet static expenses.  The rest gets transferred to your “discretionary” accounts and your “savings” accounts.
    
3. Only money for the week gets transferred from the static account into the discretionary account.  Make an agreement with your financial partners (if you have them) as to who is going to get how much.  Each person should get a debit card.  Each person spends that money through the debit card. No credit cards.  Pay your static expenses with a credit card if you want the miles. Use the static account to pay off the credit card, but ONLY for those expenses.
    
4. IMPORTANT POINT:  Get enough money only for the week.  Not the month.  If you spend all your money by day 5 of the week, you can limp along for two days without money.  But if you run out of money on day 15 of the month, two weeks is too long to go without money.  Putting your attention in weeks also helps you focus on what you’re doing.  You will be more present.
    
5. Transfer money automatically each month into your “vacation”, “kitchen remodel”, etc. accounts at a set amount (nickname the accounts as such).  For instance, $50 into the vacation, $200 into the kitchen remodel, etc.
    
6. Watch what happens.  

Here’s what I hear from people who have actually done this:  People start to turn it into a game.  They start to see where they could reduce their static expenses.  They start to contemplate whether they really want that new grill (or purse or pair of shoes) or if they’d rather add that money to their “kitchen remodel” account.  They watch their static expenses shrink, they get more present with their decision-making around the discretionary money, and they love to watch their “kitchen remodel” accounts grow.  It’s a game. It’s fun.  It requires little accounting, as most of it’s done automatically.  You don’t have to watch every penny.  You don’t have to know how to use Quickbooks.  Brilliant.  If you have success, I would love to hear your stories.

For many, this strategy isn’t working, either right now or ever.  Those folks need to watch where their money is going.  I’ve long believed the trick to getting started, leave alone getting it right, is to make it easy and fun.  I think I might have found it.  Now, I stick to my inclination not to work with folks on budgeting, bail-outs and bad attitudes, but I’m always willing to share strategies that work.

Think of your money in three buckets—static, discretionary, and future

I will start with an admission:  I don’t actually budget the way I’m about to describe.  I’m stealing this idea from a Financial Planning Association conference I just attended (my whole life is continuing education).  I’m one of those freaky people that keeps track of just about every expenditure, tracks it in Quickbooks with help of my assistant, and analyzes where money is being spent, where it can be saved, etc.  Most people won’t do this, so I rarely, if ever, recommend it. 

What I like about this idea is that it’s easy and fun.  This step should take no more than an hour.  Here’s what you do:

1. Get out the last six months’ worth of statements that contain your expenses (checking, credit cards, etc.).  Six months is required for homeowners, in particular, so it catches semi-annual expenses.  You might want to add other annual expenses.
    
2. Add up all the expenditures and withdraws (ATM withdraws included). Divide by 6.  This is what you’re spending per month.
    
3. Now, go through those statements and identify all your “static” expenses – that is, those that happen every month as a result of passed decisions you have made.  Those expenses include the mortgage(s), property taxes, insurances, car payments, utilities, other loan payments (including credit card interest), childcare expenses (not random babysitting), etc.  Add them up.
    
4. Everything else is discretionary.  Subtract “static” from total expenses.  Remember to keep your timeframe to monthly numbers.  That’s your discretionary budget.  Divide by 4.5 (or so).  That’s your weekly discretionary budget.
    
5. Now sit down and decide what you want or need to save for.  These things could be a kitchen remodel or new clothes or a vacation.  Some folks will add to this quarterly tax payments or annual payments like life insurance premiums.

Here’s what you’ve done.  You’ve gotten a clear picture of how much money you are spending as a result of passed decisions.  That’s your static bucket.  You’ve gotten a clearer picture of what you’re spending week-to-week on food, clothes, household goods, extra babysitting, pet expenses, etc.  You’ve gotten clear about what you want to do with your money. This may take some tweaking along the way, but you’re on your way.  See next week’s post on what to do next.