You ever click one video on YouTube… And suddenly your whole feed thinks you’re a different person? Because …. same.
I went from comedy clips and pop culture mess to “payday routine” and “five money habits that will change your life.” And YouTube was basically like, “Oh, you wanna be a big girl? Great. Here you go.”
At first, I laughed. Then I had a moment. A real moment.
Because it hit me out of nowhere: I’m 40. And compounding interest does not have the same time to do what it did when I was 20.
So now I keep thinking about my 80-year-old self. I want her to be good. I want her to be healthy.
I want her to have energy. And yes… I want her to have money.
Not “barely making it” money. I mean “I’m not stressed, I’m not scrambling, and I can enjoy my life” money.
That’s when I realized something important. This isn’t just about saving. It’s about stewardship.
It’s about paying attention. It’s about using what you already have.
And that lesson came to me in the most unexpected way. So let me tell you the moment that flipped the switch for me.
The “Leftovers” Line That Changed Everything
I was watching a video about minimalist lessons from the Bible. And I didn’t even finish the video.
Because the guy said one thing that made me pause like somebody called me by my full government name. He talked about the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000.
And after everyone ate, Jesus told the people to gather up the leftovers. Then the guy said:
“If Jesus cared about the leftovers, we should too.”
Whew. That line smacked me in the face.
Because I immediately started thinking about all the “leftovers” in my life that I waste. Not because I’m careless or because I don’t care.
But because I forgot. Or I didn’t plan. Or I replaced something without thinking.
Especially food. And then… life served me an example on a silver platter. Like, immediately.
The Orange Tree Wake-Up Call
Right after that, I walked outside and looked at our orange tree. And it looked different.
Like… bald. So I asked my husband, “What happened to the oranges?”
And he said, “Oh, I picked them all.” Cool.
But then I asked, “Where are they?” And he said, “They’re in the pantry.”
I walk into the pantry… And there were like 10 to 15 bags filled with oranges. Just sitting there.
Now listen. I love that orange tree. We got it when we moved into this house back in 2014.
Back then it was about the size of my then 2-year-old. Now? That tree is massive.
And every year it produces so many oranges. And if I’m being honest… Some of them end up going to waste.
But I couldn’t get that line out of my head. “If Jesus cared about the leftovers, we should too.”
So I told my husband, “We are not doing the forgot-about-the-oranges situation again.” Because one year we left them sitting so long we had little flies running around the house.
No sir. So I had two choices:
- Give the oranges away.
- Or figure out how to use them.
And that, my friend, is how I ended up watching videos on:
- Canning oranges
- No-waste recipes
- Making cleaners from orange peels
- Simmer pots
- Orange peel powder
- Natural insecticide
And yes. An orange liquor and orange wine that I have fermenting right now.
And you know what? Not a single piece of those oranges went to waste.
And that’s when it clicked. This started as a money moment, but it turned into a mindset shift.
Because stewardship isn’t about being extreme. It’s not about being perfect.
It’s about pausing long enough to ask: “How can I use what I already have instead of replacing it?”
Why a Sunday Money Reset Works (Even If You Hate “Budgets”)
This is the same reason Sunday prep works. Sunday prep isn’t about being a new woman by Monday.
It’s about:
- Reducing chaos
- Making fewer decisions
- Catching problems early
So the week doesn’t snatch you up and say, “Surprise!”
Money works the same way. A little weekly reset keeps you from waking up on Wednesday thinking:
- “Where did my money go?”
- “Why are we eating out again?”
- “Why does it feel like I’m always starting over?”
So I want to share a quick Sunday Money Reset. Not a full budget. Not a three-hour spreadsheet session.
Just a check-in that makes your week feel less dramatic. Something you can actually stick with.
The 5-Step Sunday Money Reset
Here’s what you’re going to do. Grab your phone, or a notebook, or the notes app.
And take 10 minutes. That’s it.
Step 1: Look Back
Ask yourself:
- What surprised me last week?
- What popped up that I forgot about?
- Where did I feel like money was “leaking”?
This isn’t for guilt. This is for awareness. Because you can’t fix what you refuse to notice.
“Look back, so you can stop getting blindsided.”
Step 2: Look Ahead
Now check what’s coming up. Look at your calendar and look at your week.
Ask:
- What bills are due this week?
- Do I have appointments (mine or the kids)?
- Any birthdays, gifts, field trips, or “random life stuff”?
Because “random life stuff” is only random when you don’t look ahead.
Step 3: Pick One Focus
Not ten things. Just one.
Pick:
- One money move
- One admin task
- One thing that will make you feel like, “Okay, I handled that.”
For me right now? It’s calling T-Mobile. Because my phone bill is a bit ridonculous.
And I learned you can negotiate bills. Especially phone and insurance.
So that’s my one thing. “Focus gives you momentum.”
Step 4: Set Guardrails
This is where you protect Future You. Meals are a big one.
Because if you don’t plan what you’re eating, you will:
- Spend more at the store
- Eat out more
- Feel like the week is expensive for no reason
So do this:
- Check the fridge
- Check the pantry
- Use what you already have
This is the “leftovers” step. And it’s powerful.
Because you probably have food right now that could become dinner with one simple plan.
Step 5: Do One Tiny Action
Tiny. Not heroic.
Pick one:
- Transfer $10 to savings
- Pay one bill
- Cancel one subscription
- Move money into a buffer category (because life likes to life)
This is how you build trust with yourself. Small actions add up. And they make you feel capable.
Your Sunday Reset Recap
Here it is again, simple and clear:
- Look back
- Look ahead
- Pick one focus
- Set guardrails
- Do one tiny action
That’s it.
And I want you to keep this line in your head this week:
“If Jesus cared about the leftovers, we should too.”
Not in a guilty way. In a pause and pay attention way.
Because you already have more than enough. You just need a moment to see it.
LISTEN: APPLE PODCASTS | SPOTIFY | STITCHER
Links Mentioned in This Episode
- I Will Teach You to Be Rich (Ramit Sethi): https://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/
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