I totally geek out at the start of the new year with a new calendar. The joy of a clean slate and all that will be filled in throughout the year. I love to have a paper planner along with my electronic calendar so I can use it as a diary of sorts. I use stickers and markers and write my to-dos and things to remember inside.

I also geek out on reflecting on the past year financially to see patterns, confidence in where I sit and areas that I need to reign in. I was really good about being diligent about tracking my expenses until the end of March last year when my IVF failed. I lost motivation to do much after that. My funk definitely cost me as my spending went unchecked.

As I start this new year, it is a new opportunity to stay on course, especially as I embark on IVF round 2. However, this time I won’t be going into $30,000 of debt because my insurance covers more of it AND medications. I just have a 20% copay. Fingers crossed that my side hustle of seeing clients can make it so I don’t get so far into debt again. I already have the second mortgage on the house so I can’t access any more money.