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What Are My Priorities?

June 9, 2025 Hello! My name is Kelli Elert, and I am so excited to be on this journey! One of my many goals during this process is for others to learn as much as I do.All my life, money has felt tight. I grew up with a single mom who often worked several jobs. Then, I went through a divorce and suddenly found myself raising two kids on a teacher’s salary. I felt torn between giving my kids the life I wanted for them, giving myself the life I wanted, and living without debt.A few years ago, I began learning about good money habits. (My current read is You Need a Budget by Jesse Mecham.) I started a budget, got out of credit card debt, only to fall back into more credit card debt. I kept pushing myself, knowing that I didn’t want the debt. I got a second job, stayed focused on my goals, and made progress. As much as I celebrate the progress, I also feel frustrated. Frustrated that I work two jobs, stick to a budget, and still feel strapped, controlled, and stressed by money.And that brings me here! The first step for me in this journey is to determine my priorities. Where do I want my money to go? What are my goals? What will help me feel financially free?Here are my priorities:
  • Pay for our Alaska trip (this July) in full before we go, and have spending money to take with us. (NO DEBT!)
  • Pay for college as we go—no long-term debt for me or Shaela.
  • Create a sustainable budget where I get to decide where my money goes!
  • Plan for retirement.
Do you know where your money goes? What are your priorities? Do you have a budget? Start here. Let’s go on this journey together! You might also be interested in From debt reduction to smarter saving, Project Money transformed my finances—discover the lessons that changed everything... Financial freedom means control, not wealth. I’m guiding my kids early—open talks, goals, IRAs, and celebrating wins... Kelli’s prepping for retirement at 50 by boosting savings, opening a Roth, and learning to invest smart... Kelli’s mindset shift = power: she’s tackling surprise costs with strategy, not stress. Financial freedom starts with intention and control... Kelli shares how intentional budgeting brings freedom—not restriction. Saying no today means saying yes to your bigger goals tomorrow... Kelli revamped her budget by prioritizing needs, goals, and learning—turning mindful spending into meaningful financial progress... Learning to live debt-free, Kelli pays cash for college, budgets tightly, and uses envelopes to stay focused on her financial goals... Kelli got a glimpse of financial ease this summer—budgeting stayed strong, stress eased, and small, consistent steps proved key to lasting financial confidence... Kelli shares how working with her coach helped her reset her budget, stay flexible, and prioritize saving—all while celebrating a debt-free vacation...