What I Am Taking Away

December 17, 2025

Project Money has been an incredible opportunity. I have learned so much and have seen real growth in my finances, including reduced debt, increased savings, and a much smarter approach to managing my money. These are my biggest takeaways:

Plan

I work hard for my money, so I need a plan for where it goes. I want to know that I am in charge of how my money is spent. Having a plan means having a budget—but that does not mean it is restrictive or that I am living paycheck to paycheck. It simply means I intentionally decide where my money will go each month.

Save

Saving is about more than just having an emergency fund. I now save for events and bills I know are coming. By planning ahead and saving a little each month, I avoid the stress of trying to come up with a large amount all at once.

For example, Christmas. I started saving just before Project Money began, and saving $200 per month was far easier than trying to come up with $1,200 at once. In years past, I would charge what I couldn’t afford. This year, the stress was reduced because I was prepared.

Set Goals

I have always enjoyed setting goals, but now I know I can reach them. I have learned that goals must be built into my budget every single month. This has made it easier to see progress, say no to frivolous spending, and intentionally plan where my money goes.

So, What Is Next for Me?

I will continue to create goals and action plans for my finances. My next goals are to build my emergency fund, pay for upcoming vacations with cash, better understand where I am with retirement, and begin investing more.

I will continue to teach others—especially Shaela and Hayden—about financial planning. I want them to be better prepared than I was, and I want to pass on my knowledge so others can feel as confident and successful as I do.

I will continue to hold myself accountable. I hope to find a friend who wants to take this journey with me—someone to bounce ideas off of and share both struggles and wins. Having a coach to hold me accountable made a huge difference, and I know that continued accountability will help me stay on track.

I will continue to learn by listening to podcasts, reading books, and asking questions of those who know more than I do. This is the only way to continue growing and improving.

I am so grateful for Summit and Project Money. This competition allowed me to focus on my finances, learn from a coach, and celebrate and share my growth with others. I encourage all of you to apply for the next Project Money—you never know what can happen!