As I’ve been sharing our journey here at The Hilltop Collective, from tackling debt to embracing a budget-friendly lifestyle, I want to take a moment to emphasize something truly important: dreams and finances are not one size fits all.
With these posts, my aim is to be genuinely authentic – sharing the good, the bad, and even the ugly parts of our experiences. But it’s crucial to remember that my journey is just that: my journey. Your life, your goals, and what brings you fulfillment will likely look different, and that’s perfectly okay.
Motherhood, for example, isn’t a cookie-cutter experience. While the fierce love we have for our children is a universal truth, the way we navigate motherhood varies greatly. Some women thrive in their careers while also being incredible mothers – and honestly, I am in awe of you boss babes! The way you juggle the demands of work and motherhood with such passion is truly inspiring. I lived that life for the first eight years of my motherhood journey, and while I loved my career, I eventually felt a deep calling to be home full-time. That was my personal goal, one I worked incredibly hard to achieve. But it’s absolutely not what everyone feels called to do, and there’s no right or wrong answer. God calls us all to different roles and seasons.
Similarly, the principles of Financial Peace University (FPU), which were instrumental in our debt payoff, are strict and tedious, and frankly, just not attainable for everyone. Some folks don’t have the option of overtime pay, or maybe you’re navigating life as a single-income household, simply working hard to make ends meet. To you, I see you! I understand the frustration of having financial goals in mind and feeling like they’re perpetually out of reach.
While I don’t have a background in finance and cannot offer personal financial advice, I can offer this encouragement: “Do what you can, with what you have, right where you are.” If that means incorporating some of my tips for creating a budget-friendly meal plan or grocery list, start there! Or maybe it simply begins with saying “no” to activities that stretch beyond your financial means. That, my friends, is a win! Small steps of obedience and discipline, even seemingly insignificant ones, are powerful.
It can feel incredibly uncomfortable to live on less or to miss out on some of the “fun” things, but I promise you, the long-term results are always going to be worth it. You will make progress towards your financial goals if you just start where you are. Make small, meaningful changes to how you approach your spending, and before you know it, you might just find some extra wiggle room in your budget to put towards your debt or savings. Remember, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5). Diligence, even in small measures, yields fruit.
Ultimately, we all know our own personal and financial goals better than anyone else. If I could encourage you to do one thing to help identify your struggles and find a path forward, it would be this: go to the Lord in earnest prayer. He longs to hear your heart. Tell Him all the challenges you’re facing and where you hope to find yourself on the other side. He will lead you there. He will walk with you, hand in hand. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).
I love something my pastor preached recently: you can’t stop at intention. It simply isn’t enough. When we make the conscious decision to be present in His world and speak to Him, He will reveal Himself and His plan to us in countless ways. (I encourage you to read 2 Timothy 3 and pay close attention to 2 Timothy 3:16-17.) It is then, with that intention ignited, that we must MOVE. Move with Him and towards Him in all things. Our faith, including our financial stewardship, requires action.
Your journey is uniquely yours. Embrace it, learn from it, and trust that you are on the right path for you.
Let’s Reflect and Share:
I believe our journeys, though different, can inspire and encourage one another. Take a moment for some self-reflection and share your insights below:
- Considering your current life stage and circumstances, what does “financial peace” or “financial freedom” genuinely look like for you? How might it differ from conventional definitions?
- What is one area of your financial or life journey where you feel you need more of God’s guidance or provision? Have you laid this before Him in earnest prayer?
- What small, intentional step can you take this week to move closer to your unique goals, recognizing that even tiny acts of faithfulness can yield significant results?
- How has God revealed Himself or His plan to you in your financial journey, perhaps through unexpected provision, a change in perspective, or strength during a difficult season?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences in the comments!