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Lately I’ve been hearing a recurring theme from clients: “We make good money, but it still feels like we’re just trying to stay afloat.”

That sentiment mirrors a recent discussion sparked by an article in the New Hampshire Bulletin titled “How Much Does It Cost to Stop Being Poor in America?” The article questions whether the official poverty line actually reflects what it costs to live a stable, functioning life in modern America.

I attended a retirement seminar for public school teachers and employees. There were 35 people in the room, all there because they care about their future and want to feel secure. At one point, the instructor asked a simple question: “Who here has a plan or budget, tracks expenses, and proactively manages their money?” Only two hands went up—my wife’s and mine. That moment stuck with me, not because it was shocking, but because it was so revealing, even in a room full of professionals planning for retirement, most people still don’t have a basic system for staying aware of where their money goes.

For anyone who feels overwhelmed or wants to master their finances, taking control begins with a simple yet powerful habit: holding a weekly financial and administrative meeting. Deciding in advance when and where you’ll hold this meeting can significantly increase your chances of success, a concept known as implementation intentions. Research has shown that forming specific plans about when and where to act can double the likelihood of following through on your goals (James Clear).

For most of us, we don’t know what it costs to be us, and figuring out our true monthly cost is a headache. It involves some guesswork, and often forgetting all those expenses that only hit once or twice a year, and infrequent expenses consume 20–25% of our income. These infrequent expenses are not an “if” but rather a “when.” They will come up, and you may or may not know when you can expect them. 

Holiday spending often feels like a race against the calendar and your wallet, leading to post-holiday debt and “January regret.” But what if there was a better way? The key isn’t to set a Christmas budget but to create a long-term “Christmas savings target.” This simple shift in perspective can transform your holiday season from a stressful financial scramble into a period of joy and peace.