Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Spotify
StitcherEvery year we hear “New Year, New You” but you are just buying the same journal, the same supplement, and the same productivity tracker. In this episode, we’re calling out the pressure to constantly upgrade yourself, breaking down the marketing that preys on insecurity, and offering a different path where you don’t need a “new you.”
We don’t think you need to burn the house down and rebuild, you can absolutely renovate it.
Recognize Manufactured Desire vs Real Desire
January is famous for new beginnings and that includes self-improvement. Which is good but it also comes with a lot of marketing noise that nudges us into procastispending. Jen reminds us that you don’t need to erase who you were to improve. You can renovate from where you are, keep what works, and grow from there.
To help you avoid these tactics, Jill reminds us there’s a big difference between manufactured desire and real desire. Manufactured desire is something you didn’t even want until you saw it. Real desire connects to your values and your current season. Jen adds that self-actualization helps you tell the difference so you can spot what you truly want versus what’s just being sold to you.
Think about how self improvement benefits the people around you
After recognizing what you really desire, Jen and Jill encourage you to think about who will benefit this self-improvement. Jill believes that it is truly good for you it will also be good for the people around you. And the best part is that some of the most impactful growth is free. Like learning to regulate your emotions, practicing active listening, or doing small kind things such as complimenting a stranger or sending a simple “thinking of you” text.
Take Action with What You Have
Lastly, Jill emphasizes taking action by starting with what you already have. If it’s fitness, go for a walk, use free videos, or do bodyweight workouts. If it’s about organization, Google Sheets and Notion are free. If it’s money, try a no-spend or low-buy January. And if the end goal truly needs a purchase, that’s okay but the start doesn’t.
What action are you taking to improve today?
Jill is on a journey on knowing how to use and hit the gym so she hired a gym coach/nutritionist! Jen’s action is showing up better and course correcting whenever she makes mistakes.
✨ Join the 90-Day Debt Free Fast Track!
From Jan 1–Mar 31, join Jen & Jill for 4 live classes, 3 challenges, 2 books, and 1 shared goal — $100,000 of debt paid down in our community!
Live coaching, community accountability, and instant access to The Financial Reset (a $297 bonus course!).
🎁 Early Bird $149 (Dec 5–16)
💸 Regular $199 (Dec 17–Jan 7)
🎉 Surprise goodies for first-week enrollees!
Bill of The Week
Thank you Susan for sharing your bill about lowering your internet bill! $83 to $55 – better service, less money
Thanks so Much for Listening!
Thanks so much for listening. We love love love reading your kind reviews of our book Buy What You Love Without Going Broke and we especially loved this one from:
✰✰✰✰✰
A relatable and entertaining way to learn about finance management!
I was fortunate to receive an ARC of this book. I’ve been a fan of Jen & Jill and the Frugal Friends community for several years. Jen and Jill are both down to earth and share information in a really approachable and even fun way. I say this as someone who has felt very overwhelmed in the past when thinking about finances at all.
Jen and Jill have offered a personal finance book that uniquely addresses spending, specifically how to manage spending in an intentional and values-based manner. Throughout the book, personal anecdotes from the authors and about their Frugal Friends community members, remind readers we are not along in learning some hard spending lessons or successes. One of my favorite aspects of the book is the way the authors describe spending and debt as morally neutral, thereby taking away the typical stigma and even shame that can come with personal finances. Spending is a personal activity and how and when we spend are like voting with our values. Jen and Jill encourage readers to get on this journey with self compassion and curiosity. Additionally, each chapter gives key insights and actionable steps, such as the 90 day transaction diary.
I’d recommend this book as a way of examining your spending habits. This book encourages the reader to reflect on how our individual spending habits can actually connect us to our strongest values. Furthermore, Jen and Jill not only have written this book in a way that makes you feel like you’re having a chat with great friends, the authors remind readers that connecting with our local and wider communities can enrich values based spending journeys!
If you want to check out our monthly challenge community head to frugalfriendspodcast.com/club to see what challenge we have coming up next.
Keep leaving us reviews on iTunes or Stitcher, and sending the screenshot to reviews@frugalfriendspodcast.com. And don’t forget to share your favorite quote from the episode by using the hashtag #FrugalFriendsNote. 😉