How I Finally Got My Financial Sh*t Together At The Age Of 30 *shopping addiction recovery*

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

Struggling with impulsive spending? I created a free 14 day journal with prompts to help you start the process towards mindful spending, heres the link! fourteendayjournal.myflodesk.com/2553181e-34cc-4be8-9fe4-599721e98ddd Happy journalling!

[@samanthadarr7097]

I'm there right now and I'm horribly embarrassed to say I'm coming to terms in my late 40s. I congratulate you for figuring it out much sooner than I did.

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

It’s never too late ☺️💕

[@achrisjones]

I’m a year off from being 50 and just started working on getting my sh!t together. I’m finally at a place that I can do this. It’s never to late to start and I’m loving your new content

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

Absolutely never too late! 🙌🏼

[@jazzyjenkins]

Your new content is amazing. I am on my first no-buy month and girl I needed this.

[@catherinele1580]

Goodluck hun, i am on my first no buy month too. 😅 only allowed essentials

[@jazzyjenkins]

@@catherinele1580 Thank you. Same to you.

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

I am so excited for you!

[@BethVonBlack]

I had my financial sh*t together pretty early on in life, as I've grown up with parents who frittered any money they did have - they have nothing to show for all the years they worked hard and I vowed from an early age that I would not be like them and I'm not. At 37 I have a modest mortgage with my husband, no debt (we've never been in debt) and travel regularly. It really is amazing to watch your latest videos as a very new watcher - being a 30-something on social media really does give you FOMO when you see other people with closets of designer goods worth multiple thousands, but I also love how you're like 'this is not okay' and have done a complete 180. Very admirable and honest, love it. x

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

Thankyou so much 💕

[@anro2697]

I have stoped taking pocket money from my parents at the age of 28.... how ? I have asked them to not give me money any more. I had a job, was able to support myself, but being in this status of a little girl, who if runs out of money can call daddy.... of course I did not have an appartment, was into compulsive shopping and had a credit card problem. Never had to face responsibility. I love how honest Caitlin is. Raw raw raw ❤

[@juliaallen2018]

I feel so ashamed that I am finally getting there now at the age of 49. I really spent a lot of money during covid to try and cheer myself up etc. being influenced all the time. I got myself into debt and am so embarrassed of that. Thank you for addressing this x

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

You can do it! Never too late to get your finances together 💕

[@armandotrevino4051]

I honestly love this ! I just turned 30 and I finally came to a realization how my spending habits were not healthy and stemmed from wanting to fit. I love luxury still but it doesn’t make me feel like I need it. Im getting my shit together and you are not alone ! Life’s a journey to discover it all . Keep it up ! Love your new content! Texan here from US

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

Thankyou so much for being here 💕

[@laurens7431]

It's more common than we think, change is always better late than never!! I too am *finally* getting better - and I'm older than you. Never too late. Also, we don't know what we don't know. Too many topics about financial responsibility are just never taught or talked about.

[@erinbeth9810]

Someone told me once that when looking at finance people often look at things they can cut instead of focusing as well on how to increase your streams of income.

[@Iquey]

I mean... I agree. *Looks around* oh God no investobots yet 😂...

[@Christinamychas]

You got this Caitlin! Be kind to yourself & keep moving forward. ❤ I was 32 when I started figuring my shit out. Never too late.

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

Thankyou so much for being here! X

[@yasmeennaheed3934]

Cailtlin my problem is everything I spend on brings me joy lol

[@paridhiagarwala5786]

Thank you for finally talking like a normal person. I am so sick of all luxury influencers doing chanel, hermes etc..unboxing evey few days. This feels more how normal people would lead their lives.

[@hairchick1985]

38 and going the same!!! so liberating!!! thank you for your openness!!!

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

You got this! Xx

[@lisatrannn]

Omg been watching you since back then, did the same thing kept buying buying buying... just because but enough is enough can't keep up with these ppl. I'm so glad you realized too!!! I love and only keep the stuff I use that's it! ❤

[@marshamarshamarsha378]

Don’t worry. I’m 37 and just started getting mine together!

[@IrinaVanRonkel]

On June 29, my 38th birthday for a first time in my life I’m planning to make myself a Birthday gift - no buy month. If I will feel comfortable enough I’ll continue with a no buy year. I’m scared and very excited at the same time 🎉😅

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

I’m so excited for you!!

[@Stephanie_SimpleStyle]

Girl, my finances are still a work in progress. You are not the only one, in this society over consumption is a problem, and is up to us to see the bigger picture when it comes to managing our finances. We are also a society who likes to reward ourselves for every single little thing. When the biggest reward should be financial freedom and financial stability. Thank you for making this video. As someone who spend her money in the past carelessly and now is trying to gain financial stability, is refreshing seeing someone who I see as extremely successful individual. Go through the same thing as I did. So thank you for that I truly appreciated it.

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

Thankyou so much for watching! 🙌🏼

[@amandam3339]

Hey Caitlin! I’m in the same boat here finally working on getting my sh*t together (also embarrassing since I’m an accountant 😅 so you’re not alone) I also am doing the spreadsheet budgeting way I created myself and will hopefully be completely financially free in early 2024 as long as I stick with it to a T. Loving your new content btw 💜

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

I am so happy for you! And Thankyou for being here and admitting that even you are on this journey too! 💕

[@MsKatze]

I've worked in accounting and finance for years and am about to turn 39, so I feel embarrassed just like you. I feel like I just recently started to wake up.

[@natashapieper3196]

It is never too late to get your financial sh*t together. Thanks for this transparent and awesome video!

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

My pleasure! ❤️

[@yo-31]

I think it is all about balance. We only have 1 life so we need to enjoy it within your budget. When you find out the "excess of certain things" then you can sort it out and implement "balance".

[@ladanhariri]

Girl, your new content is giving me life!!!!!!!!! I’m obsessed, clicked so fast! I got on the financial awareness boat when I conceived my son and realized that I needed to buy him a house and get out of my rental

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

Ahh you’re amazing Thankyou so much for being here!! 💕

[@MsSaintJo]

Girl, I’m with you. No need to apologize for your love to pink. That worked out for you! Congrats!!!

[@user-bg9ws7ys4k]

A pink spreadsheet and eliminating what doesn't bring you joy.....brilliant and thank you 🙏

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lka309]

I got my shit together at 30 too. I loved saving always, but had family responsibilities. Once those were done, I could see the savings balance going up and up and that was a wonderful feeling. I'm stingy, but I like being that way. Saving and the safety it brings is what brings me the most joy 😊

[@mwedzi]

Having every single item laid out really puts things in a new light. I’m not sponsored but I tell everybody I can about YNAB (you need a budget). I couldn’t tell from your video exactly how this budgeting approach works, if it’s more focused on what you already spent or also includes planning how you want to spend money. YNAB is also proactive on how you want to spend your money. Sounds like you figured that out anyway by highlighting which things don’t bring you joy. It’s all about priorities. And your spreadsheet is cheaper! One nice thing about YNAB is that it auto imports every transaction and you have to categorize each one according to how you said you wanted to spend your money. Anyway, you already found something that works, so congratulations !🎉

[@patkat8467]

I must say there is something magical about those damn spreadsheets. I used to spend money left right and center but was never short at the end of the months so I never thought about putting a budget together. A few months ago, because I have so save a considerable amount, I decided to create a spreadsheet and omg, my jaw hit the floor when I saw how much money I was spending. After this exercise, I think long and hard before buying anything that's not necessary. Sometimes, I will put an order through, put the clothes/shoes on, acknowledge how beautiful they are and then send them right back and the return hitting your bank account is so sweet. 😁

[@illusion513]

My lightbulb moment was when I lost my job and had no savings. I was like shit this is not good. I have to budget now cause unemployment is a lot less than I was making. And I need to build good habits before I get a new job. Admittedly there was a time I was on a strict budget cause I was the only income, and then I went a bit crazy when that was no longer the case. Spending is okay, in moderation and I gotta learn that.

[@lmcalo]

Caitlyn your new content is wonderful. You’re dropping wisdom pearls.😊

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

Thank you so much! X

[@tasiabade8107]

So curious how your ‘no purchasing’ phase of life affected your finances at that time? And how it feels today - I can feel your pride and confidence and it is wonderful!!

[@emiliabolsas]

“Smart Women Finish Rich” by David Bach is a great personal finance book. Probably US-centric (though I think he has a Canadian version) but one of my favorites.

[@officialpamipickle9261]

Yes I’m here for this ❤

[@Arlene4HO]

It has taken me a lifetime to get my finances together. I guess I am a slow learner. I was a stay at home mom for 16 years and when I started working part time, BAM! I thought I hit the big time. If I wanted it, I bought it… not good. I really saw the light when my husband and I wanted to retire. Thankfully, he was the financially savvy one and prepared us for retirement.

[@Giannas1096]

This is exactly my story. For the last 2 years I’ve been working full time for the first time since my kids were born. Before that I was a stay at home mum and worked a bit of part time to make ends meet. Now that I’ve been working full time I have gone crazy buying everything (because subconsciously I thought this was my last chance) when the plan was to save for an earlier retirement. Looks like I’ll be working a couple more years.

[@Arlene4HO]

@@Giannas1096 Oh, you have taken notice now which is a big step. Best of luck to you!

[@Giannas1096]

@@Arlene4HO thank you, and all the best to you too!

[@taniasarah5616]

I love anything financial, but not the really heavy stuff. Luckily I’ve always been into budgeting, maybe because we didn’t have that much income when I was young and my mum used the cash envelope method before it was a thing (only it was jam jars under the bed!!). I’m truly astounded at how many people bury their head in the sand about their finances. Although I can understand it somewhat, it would be really scary for me living paycheque to paycheque and only saving the bare minimum. I’m so happy when people start taking control of their finances as I find it so empowering knowing that I have a nest egg in case an emergency ever comes up, or an opportunity too. Good luck to everyone watching this. There’s a lot of resources out there to help you too x

[@barbarathompson1043]

I love this video - thank you for sharing!

[@tammy2338]

Thank you Caitlin ❤ .. I like the point of looking back at the moments money spent and if it was enjoyable time or not! Am gonna use this moving forward 😊

[@angelagreen7388]

I can relate to this 100%. Your content is genuine and I appreciate your openness to give us a place to feel less judged in a world for of criticism. Thank you! I'm still in credit card dept but I'm aiming to get it fixed. I'm no longer impulsive when it comes to shopping and working to have a fulfilled life! Thank you for this content!

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

Thankyou for watching 🥰

[@xyla2235]

I'm actually going through the same thing! Since February I started budgeting and it's been so eye opening. I'm in the US and our student loan pause is ending soon, so I'm trying really hard to up my income and pay off my loans FAST. I've had a shopping addiction for several years but it comes and goes in waves. Now I'm serious about getting out of debt and building financial freedom and wealth. I would love to see a vid of what you're thinking of selling, as I'm also starting to look at my luxury collection differently...

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

Looks like we are going along a similar path 💕

[@lovingsunshine3515]

Were you paying your student loan while it was on pause?

[@jenniferwhitaker2156]

HEY GIRL ME JEN ...DID THE SAME THING CALLED CLOSED MY ACCOUNTS FELT GREAT......TWO PAID OFF THREE MORE TO GO LOL KEEP ITUP ...I STILL BUY BUT SLOWER AND WITHIN MY BUDGET MUCH LOVE

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

I am so happy for you! Xx

[@mylifemyjourney1]

Great video Cait. I am on a low buy for this year but after July I will transition to no buy for the rest of the year. I love this new journey of yours ❤.

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

How exciting! Thanks for being here x

[@sumis8096]

Thank you thank you thank you. I was looking at my CC and I was shocked how much I spend on shopping. Silly things that don’t bring me joy. I set up a target for myself to start saving more and be more mindful when I shop. I am truly addicted to online shopping and my ADD is not helping with my impulse purchases. Like you I like pretty colors. I am so good at excel but don’t have the time to make it look pretty. And yes, a color coded spreadsheet works. At least for my brain! Thank you for recommending.

[@audreytheresee]

found you a few months before the content change up and I have to say in this overconsumption world we live in this new content is soooo refreshing!!! i love it so much its exactly what so many of us need to hear

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

Welcome aboard! Thankyou for being here ☺️

[@gorgeouss79]

I just went to the mall during my work lunch break to buy Nespresso pods. While I was driving there I was dwelling in my thoughts of how depressed I am and how boring life is. The moment I got to the mall I noticed how many women were there buying things. I immediately thought of something I recently heard: that women account for most of the retail purchases and they also have a ton of credit card debt because of it. Well, how many of us women use retail therapy to make us feel good?! I am definitely one of them. I too made crazy expensive lux purchases (esp from 2020 to 2022). I put a halt or slowed down considerable beginning September 2022 to now. It's so hard to not use retail therapy to make me feel better. I need to make a list of things I can do other than shop luxury stores.

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

This is a great conversation you have started Thankyou for this comment it’s really made me think!

[@djones2183]

Love this. I’m in the same boat of getting my financial shit together !

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

💕🙌🏼

[@BM-tt6qx]

I haven’t even started but thumbs up to the video already! Love what you are doing with your Channel!!

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

Yay! Thank you!

[@angelalani8946]

Obsessed with your new content! Thank you for sharing your journey and motivating your community towards wellness! Loving this.

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

Thank you so much!! 💕

[@marybonds1396]

Love your videos! Your content is so real

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

Thank you so much!!

[@l_raage1663]

It’s funny, I actually just started taking more of an initiative on fixing my finances a few months ago too, love the video🖤🖤🖤

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

Looks like we are on the same path ☺️

[@jadiecakes3241]

Been there, done that, bought a house and now back to square 1 😥 Its a life long thing to stay on top of, and sometimes the budget burnout is real. I follow the budget mom method, i like hers the best, but i made my own version in excel. Its not pretty but it was free and gets the job done haha!!

[@carrino15]

Thanks for this heart to heart chitchat about getting financial shit together. Its a real struggle if dealing with impulse buy or emotional spending. This was quite encouraging

[@anna-liisapitkaaho-pussila770]

Great video! I started my no buy year in January this year. I will no longer buy new clothes, shoes or bags. And it has been relieving! I enjoy what I already have. Take care! 🌼

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

Love that!

[@kimberlykidman20]

Definitely here for the next chapter with you in this journey we call life! Thank you for sharing with us ❤

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

You are so welcome! Thankyou for being here! X

[@amymaddy108]

You go girl. Love your content and I can resonate with you about not needing 2 credit cards. I can't wait to see more positive results in the future.

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

Thank you so much!!

[@catherinele1580]

Caitlin Queen 👸🏻 you are killin it with your content and regular uploads 🎉you are my favourite content creator ❤️

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

Thank you so much!! 💕💕💕

[@extrememinimalism]

Got there in my 20's BUT I had too because of being on benefits and part time wage and was super determined to not have debt. 😆

[@lolipena8051]

i was so good until 2020 lol... for 3yrs i went nuts! splurged myself with bags and anything else i wanted. now im reeling myself in. i want a car, so my focus is on that.

[@vivianhensington1717]

Omg me tooo!!!! Now it’s hard for me to go back. I just want everything. 😭🥺🤷‍♀️lol

[@lolipena8051]

@@vivianhensington1717 yes! sadly im unemployed right now, so that holding me still. but once I get a job, watch out! lol

[@iheartlux0787]

Great advice.😊💙

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

Glad you think so! 💕☺️

[@mansoor3159]

Hey! Caitlin my sister really really enjoyed watching your videos so so much and l love your hairs so so much you are my inspiration and I wish you have a beautiful day always🤗💫💖

[@kaylheecarroll3186]

Happy for you ❤😊

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

Thankyou! 💕

[@kaylheecarroll3186]

@@CaitlinPawlowski your welcome

[@lanafeulner4083]

You should shop at Department Stores to support small businesses. That is just my opinion. If you buy Chanel, I can tell you to hold on to your bags, someday they will be worth a lot of money!!! :)

[@devincristopher3]

good morning caitlin🌈🌞

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

Good morning! 🙌🏼☺️

[@Jano1998]

This Excel spreadsheet seems so good. I just can't decide between the Unicorn and Sunset color scheme 🙈😅 This seems like a great way to organize myself more. Because I am always wondering why all my money goes poof even when I am saving 😅 Edit: Just decided on the unicorn color scheme. The colors differentiate more so easier to see I guess 🙈

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

Woohooo I hope you love it as much as I do 💕

[@melocoton7]

Getting one's shit together is such a rewarding feeling, isn't it? You know how cheap I am? I just now, like 2 weeks ago, got Netflix for the first time in my life. I always thought it's too expensive and considering I was already paying for cable tv I just couldn't justify the expense 😅 but now that they have these new subscription plans, I finally got it. 12CHF a month and I'm very conscious of the fact that I am paying that. I resisted for so long. It feels wrong. The only other monthly subscription I have is Deezer because I just can't live without music. That's it. I only order from restaurants that offer their own delivery (no Uber surcharge there) or I bite the bullet and go pick it up. I am SO stingy with my money LOL. I had some Credit Card debt that I dragged on with me after my divorce (setting up a new life is expensive), not too much debt thankfully, as I was slowly bringing it down, but during Covid I finally paid it all off. Zero debt with anyone now, it's such a good feeling.

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

I’m so proud of you! 👏

[@donnadrane4977]

Well, you can be in your sixties and still trying to get your finances in order!

[@gorgeouss79]

Also, I recently came to the conclusion that nearly everyone has money issues. It's just that those with more money can hide their over-spending, and those with less money can show it much faster and be affected by it much more. Some people in my family are millionaires and they definitely over-spend in travel and homes and furniture. When it comes to luxury items they don't spend at all in that category, in fact they hardly spend at all in retail stores.

[@007lamiss]

My calculator is bright pink for a reason 💖

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

🤭

[@ginamorris4520]

Young people blame school for not teaching them these financial tips but actually school do(math, economics😂), they just don't know how to correlate it with daily life because it's not taught at home. I learn from a very early age bec of financial adversity, I told myself to strive harder. But even so, I love fashion and bags and nice things so it is discipline and habit borne out of the sting of failure that I learn how to balance and prioritize my spending. There are people that don't do lux so they don't have the dilemma we lux lovers have😂.

[@Rpa-48]

Highly recommend She's on the Money and My Millennial Money. Both are aussie podcasts and have a great supportive community wherever you are in your financial journey

[@chrsitineadriaenssen6074]

I am 65, living with nice cloths and art😊

[@CailieStar]

Loving your content and also loving my own Google Sheet that I adjusted to my own needs from @Nischa KZbin channel! If you guys do want down to earth financial advice then I really recommend her channel. For example she helped me to feel good about renting instead of feeling guilty for not being ready to buy my own place because thanks to her I understand now that renting suits my lifestyle much better and allows me live in an area where I would not ne able to buy and let’s me move around more freely.

[@tayloradams545]

Only have audio in one ear?

[@luxluv7934]

43, all the luxe gear and only starting to get an idea....

[@luxluv7934]

Can you please hyperlink the planner? It's redirecting me to a shortlinking website.

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

It should work now ☺️ sorry about that!

[@luxluv7934]

Thank you, and no worries! Xx

[@laurencameron4110]

If it’s ok, could you please tell us more about your house? From the outside you are living the dream in a beautiful cozy house with Flynn. I assume you own it, so I would like to hear more please. If that’s a boundary for you, all good. ❤

[@chrsitineadriaenssen6074]

Debts no problem

[@cp2387]

❤❤

[@y.preyer]

I enjoy watching the video about rich peoples shallow problems. What a wonderful sweet unicorn 🦄 and rainbow 🌈 bubble they are living in. 🤩🤩🤩

[@ubiquitousflow]

I thought i had my ish together until I finished renovating my house. I'm in my late 20s and feel like I'm back at square 1🫠

[@Pink_glam10]

I’ve been following you for a few years now and I like how you have changed up your channel. I’m going to be 32 this year and the same thing happened to me when I hit 30. I was like wtf am I doing with my finances lol I do tremendously better now. I still buy luxury but it’s few and far between. I have credit cards like you however in the US if you don’t use a credit card for a long period of time and they shut it off it literally drops your credit score. It has happened to me and my hubby. It’s ridiculous! So we have to make sure we use them at-least every few months to put gas in the car etc. which since we have out grown our spending stage in life it isn’t to hard. Plus you get cash back for using the credit cards. I still wish I was younger when I realized the impact all of this would have in my life. Saving for the future needs to be #1 for everyone even small amounts! 🤍

[@CaitlinPawlowski]

Thankyou for sharing this! It’s interesting to hear the differences between here and America