Thursday

"I am grateful for the changing of the seasons and the changes in my life."

Welcome to Thursday! Today, we're chatting about:

• Money dysmorphia explained

• It’s time for a year-end financial review

• A clever holiday shopping savings tip

• How to use points to buy gifts

What Is Money Dysmorphia?

Money dysmorphia can creep in quietly, especially during seasons when everyone seems to be living a highlight-reel version of adulthood. Suddenly, dinners out, weekend trips, and shiny purchases feel like the new normal, and financial reality starts to blur. It’s not that the numbers change. It’s how easy it becomes to believe everyone else is doing better, faster, or more effortlessly.

Underneath that pressure is something deeply human: the desire to belong. When comparison picks up speed, money stops feeling like a neutral tool and starts feeling like a scorecard. That emotional weight is what makes money dysmorphia so disorienting. It turns small doubts into big questions and stretches the distance between “what’s enough” and “what should be.”

A way forward starts with grounding. Not in budgets or spreadsheets, but in values. The things that genuinely matter, the parts of life that don’t have a price tag. Naming what counts most brings the focus back to reality instead of illusion.

And when life is viewed through that softer lens, money feels less like a measure of identity and more like something steady, practical, and manageable again.

How To Review Your Finances Without The Stress

A year-end financial review doesn’t have to feel like a performance evaluation. It can simply be a moment to get grounded. Looking at where money went, what supported life this year, and what didn’t, brings clarity without judgment. Start with a snapshot: what you own, what you owe, and what changed. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about noticing.

From there, patterns begin to surface. Maybe spending drifted in places you didn’t expect, or maybe you quietly made more progress than you realized. Spotting those trends gives insight into what’s actually working, and what can be simplified or scaled back in the year ahead.

Checking in on savings and investments can also be grounding. A quick review of where contributions landed and what still matters most helps realign future choices with real-life goals rather than pressure or comparison.

And once the picture feels clear, setting next-year intentions becomes easier. Not resolutions rooted in scarcity, but small, values-led adjustments that support a life that feels good, financially and emotionally, moving forward.

Costco Members: This New Policy Is a Game Changer

Do you shop at Costco? Then you know the thrill of saving money. But you might be missing other smart ways to stretch your dollars. Check out our list of genius money hacks—almost as good as that $1.50 hot dog!

Thank you to FinanceBuzz for sponsoring Note To Self. 

Clever Ways To Use Points During the Holiday Season

Holiday spending can add up fast, but credit card points can quietly soften the blow if you use them intentionally. Start by checking how many points you’ve built up. Most people forget they’ve been earning them all year. Points can cover travel, upgrade a hotel, or knock down the cost of rental cars, which makes holiday trips feel a little lighter on the wallet.

Rewards portals are also worth browsing. Many cards offer extra discounts on flights, hotels, or gift cards when redeemed through their platform. This can turn a regular purchase into something meaningfully cheaper. Cashback works the same way: applying rewards as a statement credit can cover holiday gifts or hosting costs without dipping into your paycheck.

Some cards even discount big-ticket items (think headphones, beauty tools, or gaming consoles) through their portals, often with more availability than traditional retailers. And if you’re already shopping, using your card for planned purchases can help you earn points for next year’s holiday season.

The goal isn’t to overspend. Just to let the perks you already have do more of the work.

Wellness Round-Up

A Note From Us

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ Did You Know: Looking at your finances for just 5 minutes boosts clarity. Short check-ins reduce stress more than long sessions.

• 🌅 Sunset Of The Day: Sunsets are more than beautiful—they’re actually good for your mood. Got a favorite one? Reply to this email with your best sunset or sunrise photo for a chance to be featured!

• 💭 Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: Financial wellness isn’t about having it all figured out—it’s about feeling more aware, more intentional, and more in control than you did yesterday.

Enjoying Note to Self?

Know of a great self-care tip or article you'd love to share with the community? Want to send us pictures of you completing one of your self-care rituals? Email us at [email protected]!