Hey, They Call Me Connie…

Ah, the holidays. A magical time of twinkling lights, endless cookies, and the haunting sound of your credit card sighing every time it gets swiped. But now, the magic has faded, the tree is shedding needles like it bought cheap extensions, and the bills are rolling in faster than your kids asking, “What’s for dinner?” It’s time for the Great Reset. Yes, friends, it’s time to reclaim our finances, sanity, and maybe even a little dignity. Let’s dive in.

Look Your Bank Account in the Eye

First things first—log into your banking app and look at the damage. Don’t be afraid; you’re a mom. If you can face your toddler’s tantrum at Target or an epic PTA meeting debate about bake sale pricing, you can face this. Deep breaths, maybe a glass of wine. No judgment; it’s about getting real. You can’t fix what you don’t measure.

Use Rakuten Like Your Financial Life Depends on It

Rakuten is the unsung hero of every financially savvy mom. If you’re not using it, let me tell you: you are leaving money on the table, and we can’t have that. For every Target run, Old Navy sale, or random Amazon splurge (hello, last-minute science project supplies), Rakuten is like a cashback fairy godmother waving her wand.

Set a rule for 2024: If you’re shopping online and NOT going through Rakuten, you’re grounded.

Prep for 2025 Like a Mom Ninja

You know how December sneaks up on us every year? It’s like we’re all surprised that Christmas is on the same day annually. Well, not this year!

• Sales Are Your Superpower: Take advantage of sale days to stockpile gifts, school dress-up day outfits, and even holiday decor for 2025. You’ll be that smug mom in December who’s sipping cocoa instead of panic-clicking “expedited shipping.”

• Think Beyond the Calendar: School dress-up days are inevitable. Wacky Hair Day, Pajama Day, or that random Renaissance Fair costume your kid’s teacher forgot to tell you about? Stock up when clearance sales hit. Those extra 50% off tags in March? They’re your golden ticket to skipping last quarter chaos.

Build the “Oh Crap” Fund

Every mom needs an “Oh Crap” fund—a secret stash for when life happens. A busted dishwasher, a surprise birthday invitation requiring a LEGO set that costs as much as a small car, or an impulse decision to join a yoga studio (because “new year, new me”). Start with small amounts—$10 here, $20 there. It adds up and keeps you from whipping out the credit card when chaos strikes.

Normalize Saying “No”

Sometimes, the best financial reset comes from embracing the power of no. No, I don’t need to buy every single item on my kid’s “wish list” (that they forgot about 30 seconds after opening it). No, I don’t need another matching family pajama set (last year’s will do just fine). And no, I don’t need to spend $200 on that candle that promises to make my house smell like a Scandinavian forest.

Make It a Family Affair

You’re not in this alone—your kids can be part of the reset, too.

• Have them help pack up holiday decorations (and sneak in a lesson about taking care of what you own).

• Turn saving money into a game: whoever finds the best discount wins a small prize.

• Teach them about value: “Do you want the $10 toy now or save up for the $50 one later?”

Moms, we’ve survived another holiday season. Our wallets are a little lighter, our sanity a little thinner, but our hearts are full—so it’s all worth it, right? This year, let’s commit to resetting with grace, humor, and maybe even a little fun. With tools like Rakuten, the magic of sales, and a good dose of planning, 2025 can be the year we conquer the post-holiday chaos like the queens we are.

Now, go tackle those resolutions (or at least fold the laundry that’s been sitting on the couch since December 15). You’ve got this!

Cheers to financial freedom and fewer impulse buys,

Connie