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Hello Reader,
Today's question is from "Melissa age 43”:
Lately I've been feeling exhausted all the time. Between work, family responsibilities, and just life in general, I barely have the energy to cook dinner, let alone budget, invest, or think about my financial goals. I know my finances are important, but I just feel mentally checked out. How do I keep moving forward when I'm running on empty?
Melissa, your situation reminds us of a quote that can be a beacon during hard times:
“Be aware of what season you are in and give yourself the grace to be there.” — Kristen Dalton
Life has its seasons. Everyone experiences moments when life feels sunny and bright like spring, and other moments that feel gloomy and gray like winter.
Right now, it sounds like you’re going through a difficult season. If only we could be like bears and hibernate until things get better!
Even though you feel like you’re running on fumes, there are simple, low-energy ways to help you stay on track and move forward with your finances. Here’s how to prioritize your money when you have limited time and energy.
Give yourself permission to simplify
It sounds like you have a lot on your plate. Between shuttling the kids from school to soccer practice, finishing your reports at work, and trying to get dinner on the table every night, it may feel like you don’t have room for anything else.
When life revs up, it’s crucial to allow yourself to slow down. Focus on giving your time and attention to your most essential responsibilities. Focus on right now, and what you can get done today.
Slowing down when you have a million things to do can feel like you’re regressing or not doing enough. However, trimming your 10-page to-do list down to what you can realistically accomplish today actually puts you back in control of your life
Remember: you’re trying to achieve sustainability, not perfection.
Keep the "minimum effective habits" going
Focusing on the financial habits that help you maintain your everyday life is what matters most right now.
Basic habits like paying bills on time, adding to your emergency fund, and prioritizing necessary purchases over luxury ones, will keep you in a strong financial position.
Likewise, try to avoid taking on unnecessary debt. We get it: paying with a credit card is simple. However, buying on credit means you’ll have another bill due at the end of the month, which is just another thing to worry about. Simply leaving your credit card at home when shopping can help you resist the temptation of overspending.
Automate wherever you can
Automating your bill payments, retirement contributions, and savings is one of the easiest ways to stay on top of your finances without doing extra work. Setting up these processes can take a little effort in the beginning, but once it’s done, it will make your life significantly easier.
To set up your automation, try to find just 20 minutes of free time. This might mean waking up a little earlier or taking advantage of a quiet moment when the kids are at a friend's house.
If you’ve been wanting to invest but haven’t found the time, try robo-advisors. These platforms offer automated financial management services and customize investment recommendations to help you reach your goals.
Remember, automation keeps working for you even when your motivation is low.
Reduce decision fatigue
Did you know that the average adult makes about 35,000 decisions a day? Even writing that number out makes us feel tired!
To free up mental space, let’s get rid of the stress of decision-making by making fewer choices. Consider areas where you constantly have to make financial decisions and ask yourself: How can I take decision-making out of the equation?
Here are a few examples:
- Meal planning: Plan your meals out in advance so you avoid staring at the pantry for 10 minutes trying to decide what’s for dinner.
- Grocery lists: If you find yourself talking to yourself down the supermarket aisle because you can’t remember if you’re out of lemons, make a list before you go. Base the list directly on the meals you plan to cook.
- Budgeting: If budgeting by dozens of detailed categories feels too overwhelming, simplify it.
The 70/20/10 budget is easy to follow: 70% of your income goes toward living spending (wants and needs), 20% goes toward savings, and 10% goes toward debt payments or donations.
The 80/20 budget is even simpler: 80% of your income goes to all your living expenses and debt, and 20% goes to savings. That’s it.
- Credit cards: Juggling too many credit cards to maximize points can be exhausting. Switch to using just one primary card for the time being.
- Share the decision-making: Agree with your partner that they will take charge of certain financial or household decisions.
The fewer decisions you have to make daily, the more mental energy you'll preserve.
Check in with yourself
We’ve all had days where we needed five cups of coffee just to survive the morning. However, if you notice that you’ve been feeling chronically exhausted for weeks or months, it might be time to check in with yourself.
Are you drinking enough water? Are you eating balanced meals?
Sometimes, missing out on 7–8 hours of sleep can throw off your entire day.
Giving yourself permission to rest, or making time to visit a doctor, can help you regain the energy you need to focus on your life and finances. Self-care and financial health go hand in hand.
Redefine success for this season
Oftentimes, we picture success as a continuous upward journey filled with constant milestones. However, during busy or overwhelming times, success can simply mean keeping your head above water and preventing financial setbacks.
Consider all that you do for your family, your career, and your life. Sometimes success is simply maintaining the good you already have.
When you feel like you're stagnant or just going through the motions, remind yourself that you are actually stabilizing and reinforcing your life's foundation.
Don't compare your pace
When we’re struggling, it’s easy to slip into comparison every time we scroll through social media or catch up with a friend who just got a big promotion. However, comparing your "recovery season" to someone else's "productive season" won't give you the motivation you need.
Your financial journey isn’t linear. Keep your eyes on your own path, and feel free to delete, mute, or ignore anything that makes you feel guilty for being right where you are.
Focus on one small win
Start writing down your wins—whether that’s in your phone's notes app, a journal, or on a piece of paper. This could be saving $30, canceling a subscription you don’t use, or simply glancing at your bank statement.
Remember: no win is too small.
When self-critical thoughts show up, or when you feel like you got nothing done, pull out your list and remind yourself of your progress.
Remember why your goals matter
Prioritizing your finances isn’t just about building wealth or buying nice things. When you stay on top of your money—even by doing the bare minimum—you grant yourself financial security. That security brings peace of mind, allows you to take a restful vacation, or lets you go out to dinner with your partner without guilt.
Most importantly, maintaining a solid financial foundation allows you to support yourself and your family through both high and low seasons.
Remember this
Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is protect your energy while keeping your financial baseline intact. Your pace may slow, but you haven't failed. Building wealth is a marathon, not a sprint, and some seasons are meant for steady maintenance rather than rapid growth.
And sometimes getting back on track with your financial goals means having a conversation with someone who can give you perspective and clarity.
👉 If you need more support setting boundaries and navigating this difficult situation, sign up for a 1 on 1 coaching call. Your coach will talk you through all your worries, doubt and guilt and come up with solutions.
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👉 And be sure to check out our Clever Girl Finance course community, and our Instagram channel.
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Talk soon ❤️
Team CGF
(Bola & Kiersten)
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