The Hot Girl Savings Plan (Money saving tips from a self-proclaimed It Girl that tries her best)
It’s January 2026. Day one million.
January is the longest month known to woman. It drags. It lingers. It overstays its welcome. And somehow, every single year, January crawls by at a snail's pace.
Statistically speaking, January is the most depressing month of the year. And if you’re reading this from anywhere in Canada it’s freezing, it’s dark, it's not the vibe.
But you know what might be even more depressing than the weather?
Your December credit card statement.
Between gifts, decor, the more- frequent-than-usual grocery store runs and Costco trips that somehow cost $400 even though you “only went in for a few things,” and the general holiday chaos… there’s a good chance you’re staring at a lingering balance. And two truly terrifying words:
Compounding. Interest.
And listen — guilty. Guilty guilty guilty.
It’s way too easy to tap, swipe, and tell yourself, “I’ll deal with it later.” We make money every day, don’t we? We work hard. And we need to live. Not just live but enjoy life. And enjoyment usually comes with a price tag.
I started writing this while sitting in an airport, waiting for my slightly delayed flight back to reality, when I had a tiny pang of guilt. The kind that whispers, “That money you just spent would have done well in a TFSA or an investment". It's hard not to think like that. The cost of living is wild. I’m the sole income earner in my household. I think about money a lot. I genuinely try to make thoughtful, financial decisions. But I am still just a girl.
But then I boarded the plane, looked out the window on the way home and watched frost form on the glass, and I smiled thinking about the memories we made over the last several days — and just like that, the guilt evaporated.
Because here’s the thing:
We are allowed to do things like go on vacations.
HOW......EVER!!!!!!
I’ve learned some financial lessons the hard way. And there’s a lot that I do — and don’t do — all year long to cut costs without sacrificing the life I love. This is how I can take my kids on vacation, pay my bills, save for retirement, and still feel like a baddie.
Let me explain....
The biggest lie about saving money is that you have to suffer to do it.
I don’t. And I won’t.
Having a cute little life isn’t about spending recklessly. It’s about spending intentionally.
Budgeting Backwards (Hear me out)
My bills are pretty consistent and most of them are on auto-pay. When it comes to what's left every month, I have to make choices.
A couple years ago, I got really honest with myself and asked two questions:
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What do I genuinely love spending money on?
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What am I spending money on purely out of habit?
Once I separated my non-negotiables from my default behaviours, everything changed.
For example:
Getting my nails done? Non-negotiable.
But instead of long, high-maintenance sets every two weeks, I opt for shorter, neutral styles that last four weeks. That alone cut the annual cost in half, and gave me back time. Precious TIME. Time is money. Time is wealth. And if you can see my four-week cuticles… you’re standing too close, my friend.
Something else I’ve cut back on significantly?
Starbucks.
Honestly, I’m kind of over it. Will I ever have a venti cold brew again? Absolutely.
Am I sprinting out of my office every day at 11 AM to spend $7 on a drink because my body is conditioned to crave it? No. And I’m weirdly proud of that. You can ask my office bestie, who is appalled at the fact that I have been boycotting Starbucks. I haven't been going, and I don't miss it.
Online shopping was another breakup I had to go through. No more impulsive 11 PM Amazon or Aritzia orders. I unsubscribed from emails, deleted the Amazon app for months, and leaned hard into out of sight, out of mind. Now, if I buy something online, it’s intentional. I seek it out. I sit with it. I add it to cart and I wait.
I Pay Full Price Where It Matters and Cheap Out Where It Doesn’t
Full-price skincare? Always. Your face is your FACE!
Expensive sunglasses? Absolutely not. I will sit on them, lose them, or abandon them on a patio table. I own one pair of Ray Bans that have survived for years, purely by miracle — and I didn’t even pay full price for those. Everything else? Affordable and replaceable.
I’d rather spend $500 at Costco feeding my family for a month than on sunglasses I’ll emotionally detach from within a week.
The same goes for clothing. I invest in staples — blazers, jackets, shoes, jeans, work stuff. I do not spend serious money on trends that will be out of style faster than you can check out at Zara.
Trends are fun, but a tailored blazer in a neutral tone is forever.
The Beauty Budget Wake Up Call
There was a time (not that long ago) when my beauty maintenance included:
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Nails every two weeks
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Unlimited spray tan membership
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Botox every three months
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Hair every six weeks (foils, extensions, or both in tandem)
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Regular facials and laser treatments
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Lash extensions
...maybe more but that's what I can think of, off the top....
I'd estimate I was spending upwards of $800 a month at one time (if we averaged out yearly amount spent divided by 12 months). And honestly? I don’t think I’ve ever looked better than I do now. These days, my approach is simpler, calmer, and more conservative. And I feel more confident in my own skin because of it.
I don’t cut corners on skincare or cosmetics. Ever. What I put on my face is sacred and well vetted.
But here’s what I do do instead:
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SPF on my face daily (prevention is undefeated)
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I do my own brows- very easy, actually kinda fun
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Weekly deep exfoliation with a quality product
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“Lived in blonde” (bleach is so harsh and so out) that looks better, grows healthier, and needs fewer salon visits. I get a full foil twice a year or so
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I trim my own split ends
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I spray tan myself- for less than the cost of one month's membership, I bought a spray tanning gun and solution and I have zero regrets about this
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I micro needle myself. To all my esthetic nurse friends, I am truly sorry if this upsets you, but this has been a game changer for me. I acquired all of the professional stuff needed from the numbing to the cartridges. I researched this heavily, started slow, and I have saved thousands of dollars by doing this. I'm not saying that you need to run out and do what I do, but I am saying that you've got options sis.
These things feel more like grounding rituals than they do chores. I actually enjoy them. They free up a lot of space in my mind, my schedule, and my bank account.
This isn’t a recommendation for everyone. It’s just what works for me.
Kids Stuff (Because IYKYK)
If you’re a parent — especially a single parent or the sole income earner — you already know. Kids constantly need something. Shoes. Clothes. Sports gear. Field trips. Birthday party gifts.
I almost never buy kids’ stuff at full price.
They grow too fast. My kids are well dressed and want for nothing — but I can’t tell you the last time I paid full price for anything outside of sports equipment. That $90 sweater is almost always $50 somewhere else.
This one is going to hit hard especially if your children have experienced divorce: don’t confuse love with spending. This one took time to learn. Kids don’t need everything they see and want: they need consistency, safety, and to feel considered. Quality time wins over things bought, every single time. I never cheap out on things that support their health, well-being, passions, or confidence. But I also don’t over-schedule them. Every extra activity costs money, time, and quite frankly our sanity. We do fewer things well instead of more things half ass. Less time and money spent on things they aren't passionate about. Like that time my daughter played T-ball, but dug her heels in every single time and begged not to go. Waste of time and money.
I will always choose vacations, experiences, and time together over 'stuff'. Toys end up at the bottom of a bin. Memories and experiences shape who they are.
[Disclaimer- I am only human and I still buy them unnecessary shit from time to time lol]
My Home
Home is where we live, where our kids grow up, where our routines and memories happen. It's your safe space and it should be honoured accordingly.
That said, these days I’m doing a lot of DIY. For me, that makes more sense right now. I pick my battles. Paint? Decor? Small upgrades? That’s between me, Chat GPT, and a beverage.
I recently got a quote to renovate my en suite bathroom. Needless to say, it was way too much money. I took to Chat GPT and asked it exactly what to do: I said I needed to neutralize the brown tile, make it more cozy and chic (thinking spa vibes), and ultimately make it look like a full renovation with a simple trip to Home Depot and my own two hands. I uploaded the photos of the space as it was, and Chat GPT told me exactly what to do, what to buy, and showed me after photos of what it would look like once it was done. I bought the exact paint it told me to, bought new lights, changed out the brushed nickel fixtures for matte black, heck I even removed the ugly and dated shower doors with my own two hands. That was a big moment for me, because I am a girly girl through and through, but as soon as I ripped that shower apart I felt so empowered. Ever since then, you literally cannot tell me shit about shit.
There is something really empowering about improving your home with your own hands. It saves money for sure but it also builds confidence. Every small project completed is a reminder that I’m capable and resourceful.
Eating Intuitively and for Survival
Sounds a little bit odd, right? But that is what eating is for. Eating wasn't always for pleasure.
Food is one of the quickest ways to cut spending or conversely, increase it drastically. I try to eat intuitively, but I also eat realistically. Meaning I don’t restrict, I don’t diet, and I don’t pretend I’m cooking elaborate meals seven nights a week. I eat what feels mostly easy and good to me, and I don't like to think too much about that.
I also only have my kids half the time, which means my grocery habits have had to become a lot more intentional. Grocery shopping for a full house every week when the house is only full half the time is the fastest way to waste food and money.
When my kids are with me, I stock up. I plan meals and keep the fridge full of stuff I know they’ll eat. When it’s just me, I scale way back.
I buy foods I actually like and will actually eat. I don’t buy “aspirational groceries” for a version of me who decides randomly one day that she's a meal prepping angel. Not every meal needs to be exciting. For the most part, food is just fuel. I also tend to eat the same things over and over, because I get in a real decision paralysis, and by the time night rolls around, I'm sick of making the calls. I want to chill. And I can't tell you how many things of spring mix have gone RIP into the garbage, with the best of intentions.
I eat out rarely but intentionally. Restaurants are for enjoyment but I try to limit how much I actually go out. I make coffee at home. I buy wine for home. Sure I enjoy a dimly lit restaurant and talking a little shit with my besties over candlelight and splitting a bottle, but I wouldn't say that's a weekly occurrence for me. Once, maybe twice a month I do that. Nothing like spending $18 on a 9oz glass of wine when you can buy a decent bottle at the LCBO for $20.
Intuitive eating isn’t just about listening to your body.
Sometimes it’s about listening to your schedule, your season, and your capacity. Fed is best! Even when they're teens, and even (especially) when you're 34.
A few years ago, I was living a life that looked rich but felt fragile. What I really want is a life that feels secure, abundant, and sustainable for me and for my kids. Of course I'm still going to buy stuff and do stuff and use my credit card and splurge on the odd thing, but I feel better about doing that knowing that the majority of the time, I am more intentional. So no, I'm not turning the furnace way down and hanging out in my parka, or clipping coupons in the dark. I'm just really thinking deeply on what adds value to my life these days. And who, but that's another post for another day.
Honestly, I think this might be my most It Girl move yet.