How I Rebuilt My Finances After Starting Over With Two Kids
From Overwhelmed to Empowered: My Financial Rebuilding Journey and Practical Tips for Yours
Heartfelt storytelling and actionable budgeting tips to inspire your own financial comeback.
Introduction: Facing the Financial Reset
I never imagined I'd be starting over at 35—with two kids, a handful of boxes, and more questions than answers. Life doesn't always follow the plans we once held tightly. And when things unravel, it can feel like the world is watching you stumble.
After walking away from a life that no longer aligned with my growth or my peace, I found myself back in my mother’s basement. That sentence alone once made me cringe. But this chapter of my life has been both humbling and empowering. It’s where I began to rebuild—not just financially, but emotionally, spiritually, and mentally.
If you're feeling stuck in your own financial reset, I want you to know: you are not alone. What you’re experiencing is valid, but it’s not the end. This post isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about offering you a hand, a story, and some tools that helped me find my footing again.
🌿 My Journey: Rebuilding Finances as a Single Mom
At 33, I was pregnant with my second daughter and had just left a complicated relationship. I stepped into a high-stress management job, working up to 69 hours a week. Despite the long hours, my paycheck barely kept the lights on. I felt like I was working endlessly, yet getting nowhere.
Eventually, I hit a wall. I could no longer ignore the burnout. So I took a leap that felt equal parts brave and terrifying: I left my job and moved back in with my mother, daughters in tow.
In that basement, surrounded by secondhand furniture and colorful toy bins, I confronted my fears and started piecing together a new version of my life—one built on purpose, peace, and financial clarity.
💭 Shifting My Money Mindset: From Scarcity to Abundance
I grew up believing money was hard to come by. My mother worked multiple jobs just to get by. That story became my inner voice.
But something shifted when I realized that financial stability doesn’t start with numbers—it starts with beliefs.
I began paying attention to my thoughts and how often they whispered things like, “You’ll never catch up,” or “This is just how it is.” Instead, I started rewriting those thoughts:
- "I am open to receiving financial abundance."
- "My situation is temporary, but my potential is limitless."
These small shifts, paired with daily journaling and affirmations, started to change the way I showed up—not just in my finances, but in my life.
💵 Creating a Budget That Worked for Me (and Stuck!)
When I first started budgeting, it felt restrictive—as if it was yet another reminder of what I couldn’t afford. But soon I realized a budget is just a plan. And a plan, especially for a single mom navigating uncertainty, is power.
I kept things simple:
- I tracked every expense with honesty (yes, even those late-night takeout orders).
- I separated needs from wants.
- I made peace with starting small.
Most importantly, I created a system that worked for me.
That's when I developed The Wealth Flow Budget Planner—a customizable budgeting template that helped me stay focused, flexible, and financially empowered.
If you're looking for a gentle way to start budgeting, explore my Personal Digital Planners and Budget Templates. They're simple, beautiful, and made with intention.
🚀 Saving Money Without Overwhelm
With two kids, saving felt impossible. But instead of focusing on what I couldn’t do, I leaned into what I could.
- I automated small transfers—even just $10 at a time.
- I meal-planned like a boss (and found joy in it).
- I chose free family activities and said "no" to impulse buys.
- I found value in every little win, from using gift cards to shopping secondhand.
Consistency added up. And more than the dollars, I gained confidence.
💪 Why Financial Literacy Changed My Life
I didn’t go back to school for finance. I started with free resources. I read books, listened to podcasts, and followed financial educators online. Bit by bit, I learned how to:
- Set financial goals that felt good
- Build an emergency fund
- Understand credit and pay down debt
But more than that, I learned how to trust myself with money again. And that was the most powerful shift of all.
🌱 Aligning My Spending With My Values
As money started flowing more freely, I got clear on what mattered most. For me, it wasn’t about luxury. It was about freedom. I wanted to afford time—time with my girls, time to write, time to breathe.
I said no to things that didn’t align. And yes to things that lit me up. That’s the beauty of intentional living—it’s not about sacrifice, it’s about sovereignty.
Try this: Make a list of the five things that matter most to you. Now ask yourself, does your spending reflect those values?
💖 Final Thoughts: From Surviving to Thriving
This journey hasn’t been linear or easy. But it has been worth it. I’ve learned that you don’t need a perfect plan to start—you just need the courage to begin again.
If you’re in a season of financial rebuilding, I see you. You’re not behind. You’re not broken. You’re building something beautiful.
And when you're ready, I'll be here—with stories, tools, and reminders that you are not alone.
Start with what you have. Honor where you are. And believe in where you're going.
“I Am that I Am.” — A reminder that your worth isn’t defined by your bank balance. It lives in your resilience, your vision, and your willingness to begin again.
Explore More:
- Personal Digital Planners and Budget Templates
