$pent Millennial

Dear Reader, 

Happy New Year!

Ah, the classic “New Year, new me” — I’ll pass on that one.

Instead, it’s new year, same me, with a little more focus and intention this time around.

That’s what I’m aiming for, at least.

You may have noticed (or maybe not!) that my posts have been a little less frequent this past month. With the holiday season in full swing, I’ve been leaning into the busyness and making room for some much-needed personal time. I’ve also taken this opportunity to slow down and reflect.

As we wrap up 2024 and look ahead to 2025, I’ve been spending time on my annual reflection. This year, a big part of that has been reflecting on my blog. I’m proud of myself for (mostly) setting aside time each week to post—turning it into an intentional habit and priority. But I’ve also been asking myself a few questions:

1. Has this blog been doing (accomplishing) what I want it to? 
2. Am I giving the blog and my posts the time, attention, and intention it (you readers) deserve? 
3. Are these weekly blog posts how I want to spend my time and energy? 

My honest answers?

Maybe. Sometimes. Not always.

That last question felt the hardest for me to answer until I realized that the reason it was so hard, the ambivalence I was feeling about it, was due to the answers to the first two questions. 

So, I dug deeper—what’s the “problem” I’m trying to solve with this blog?

The answer hasn’t changed. I want to create a space that pushes back against overconsumption and hustle culture—with compassion, understanding, and real alternatives.

My promise to this community has always been to remind you – you are not alone. It’s not just you. This is hard. But we can get through it – not perfectly, but in our own silly, messy ways that are more than good enough. ‘

So, why am I the right person to help solve this?

Because I’m real. Like, really real. I’m out here with you, figuring it out day by day. I’m not someone with millions in investments from a tech job I started at 18 or a celebrity living a dream life. And hey—there’s nothing wrong with that path, but sometimes you just want to hear from someone who’s in the trenches with you. That’s me. I’m the friend clocking out of her 9-to-5, boiling Zatarain’s for dinner, and setting the alarm for another round of home-brewed coffee the next morning.

Here’s how I know I can help you navigate this:

• I’ve faced real financial struggles. I was $30K in debt, stressed out about money, and feeling stuck. But I committed to a plan—no magic solutions, just consistency. Today, I’m debt-free and have fully funded my emergency fund.
• I’m not perfect, but I make progress. I’ve had to dig deep into my money psychology, confronting my habits and making real changes (even when it wasn’t fun). It wasn’t an overnight fix, but I stuck with it, and I’ve consistently met my financial goals—all on a realistic salary.
• I know what it feels like to be overwhelmed. I’ve had my debit card declined in a drive-thru. I’ve had debt collectors calling my job. And yes, I’ve had panic attacks wondering if my car would get repo’d.

I’ve been there. I’ve cried, laughed, and fought through those moments. And now, I’m on the other side—ready to help you get there too, or at least be with you as you work through it.

With that (hopefully) settled, I found myself asking—how do I create that sense of connection more intentionally? How do I make this space feel more personal, more real? 

While the blog has been great, I realized that email allows me to connect with you in a way that feels a lot more immediate and intimate. It’s like sitting down for a weekly coffee chat rather than writing another impersonal blog post. The truth is sometimes a weekly post feels more like an assignment than a source of community. I’ve been craving a shift towards something that feels more authentic and genuine—an update from my week and yours, not just another post going through the motions. Email feels like a more direct line, where I can share my world with you, and you can easily share yours with me.

So this year, I’m trying something different—weekly emails sent straight to your inbox (if you subscribe). Think of it like grabbing a quick coffee with me each week. I’ll share updates, thoughts, and stories as they happen—just casual, honest conversations between us.

Now, don’t worry. If the word “subscribe” feels a bit triggering, I totally get it. These days, it feels like you can’t do anything without subscribing—and it usually comes with another little withdrawal from your bank account each month

But this? It’s free. Subscribing just means the emails show up right in your inbox, making it feel a little more personal. And if subscribing isn’t your thing, no worries. I’ll still post the “email” updates on the blog, so you can find them there whenever you want..

As we step into this new year together, I’d LOVE to hear from you. Tell me what’s on your mind—what you’re curious about, working through, or celebrating. Let me know—what do you want to talk (read) about next?

Until then, thank you for reading and for being part of our community! 

With the best of wishes for you and yours in the upcoming year, 

Everett 

P.S check out my Instagram for more relatable bite-size content: @spentmillennial .