Girl, listen. We all make mistakes. Like the time I accidentally dropped chocolate ice cream on Sugar’s head. There I was. Standing in the kitchen scooping ice cream into a bowl when my hand slipped.
The ice cream scooper flipped over and fell on the counter. The chocolate ice cream flew off the scooper and plopped right on Sugar’s head. Luckily, she didn’t eat it. Because…well…it’s chocolate.
However, this month has been dedicated to all of us getting our financial shift in order. So, before we step into the new year, I identify my money mistakes I made this year. This way I can learn from them, release them, and let go of the dog mom guilt before the ball drops.
This blog post is dedicated to the last piece of the financial shift puzzle. Here are 10 common money mistakes I made this year, what I learned from them, and how you can avoid them as well.
10 Common Money Mistakes & How to Fix Them
We’ve all made a few money mistakes. Honestly, they suck when you’re in the middle of them. However, some of our greatest lessons come from making a mistake. Here are 10 mistakes I’ve made this year and what I’ve learned from them.
1. Buying Dog Gear Without Testing It First
I bought Sugar this a brand-new dog bed when we moved into our new home. I figured since I was getting a new bed, so should she. We’ve been living in our new home for several weeks. She has yet to even sit in it, let alone take a nap in it. She’d rather sleep in her old bed.
What I Learned: Sometimes new isn’t always better. I bought the bed for décor. Not because Sugar needed a new one. So, I’m going to focus on Sugar’s behaviors before I make anymore purchases for her. This way I don’t waste my money on something Sugar wouldn’t use.
2. Duplicate Grocery Buys (Not Checking Inventory)
I went grocery shopping without checking my pantry. And what did I find when I was putting my groceries away? Another unopen bottle of ketchup. You mean I already had one? What a waste of money…and time.
What I Learned: That was the last time I went grocery shopping without checking my pantry and cabinets first. That’s $6.49 I could’ve spent on something else.
3. Unplanned Donations & Charity Spending
I’m all for donating and giving back. But a few times this year, I’ve donated to a cause or organization when it wasn’t in my budget. I mean really. How many people are going to hit me up for their Double Good Popcorn fundraiser? I’m on a budget.
What I Learned: I set a “Donation Budget” for the upcoming year. Each month I’ve set aside some money that’s specifically for donating to a cause, gift, or charity. Once that money is gone either the answer is “No” or I’ll have to pull the money from my “Entertainment” budget. Either way I’ve had to learn to set boundaries.
4. Ignoring “Incidental” Home Expenses
Hangers, a snow shovel, trash bags, and even Sugar’s new bowl was not in my budget. I was prepared to purchase the big items, such as furniture, for our new home. But not the little everyday items that we use on autopilot.
What I Learned: I’ve learned to budget for the incidentals. Incidentals are those little home essentials that sometimes we forget about. This way I don’t get completely caught off guard when I remember I have to buy them. These items can nickel and dime (especially since the penny passed away) you to death. I’ve also learned that I don’t have to purchase everything all at once. The best strategy is to buy a little bit over time.
5. Letting Auto-Refill Subscriptions Run Wild
I forgot to push back Sugar’s food auto-refill delivery date three times this year. So, she ended up with a 2-month supply of dog food. Which wasn’t such a bad thing for her because I could store her food for free. However, it did put a slight dent in my budget because I wasn’t expecting to pay for it.
What I Learned: Auto-fill doesn’t mean I should never look at it. I decided to review my auto-refill and renewal subscriptions each month. This way I don’t spend money unnecessarily. I can cancel or reschedule deliveries as needed.
6. Delaying the Budget Adjustment for Major Life Changes
A new home comes with new responsibility. I was so focused on budgeting to get into my first home that I didn’t think about what happens when I get there. I knew I could afford it, but I had no clue how my budget and payment schedule was going to shift. So, it’s going to take me a few months to reset financially.
What I Learned: Before I take on any major life changes, such as buying a home, going back to school, starting a business, etc., I need to think about how my budget will change. I can create an “estimated budget” as I’m making plans. This way when it’s time to make a move, I already have an idea of how I need to shift my finances.
7. Underestimating “Petflation” & Rising Costs
Sugar’s pet food wen up for the first time in years. Sugar’s a picky eater. So, it’s not like I could switch brands. My dog was boycotting kibble at 8 weeks old. “Petflation” is real.
What I Learned: I need to budget for a cost increase on Sugar’s food each year. This way I’m prepared in case “petflation” hits again. To be safe, I budgeted a 10% increase for next year. I’m hoping it doesn’t go up that much, but at least I’m prepared.
8. Failing to Plan for 5-Week Months
Monthly budgets are great for those months that only have 4 weeks. However, this year March, June, September, and December have 5 full weeks. Which means I had to make my monthly budget stretch a week longer.
What I Learned: I need to plan better for those months with 5 weeks. In 2026, March, June, August, and November all have 5 weeks. So, I reviewed my 2026 pay schedule and the due dates. This will help me map out a plan to take care of my financial responsibilities during that one-week stretch.
9. Impulse Buying Big Ticket Items (Without a Sinking Fund)
So, I found this bed. It was exactly what I wanted. Because I missed the sale at the store, the bed was not in my budget. I bought it anyway. Now, before we get out of sorts, I was able to move some money around with my furniture budget to pay for the bed. However, it would’ve probably been better for me to buy a bed in my original price range.
What I Learned: I need a sinking fund. A sinking fund is a dedicated savings account you regularly contribute to pay for future expenses. This way they don’t disrupt your budget. If I had a sinking fund, then I could’ve used some of that money to pay for the difference in price outside of the budget for my bed…instead of moving stuff around.
10. Forgetting to Practice Financial Gratitude
Sometimes we can get so goal oriented that we forget to be thankful for what we do have. A few times this year, I got so focused on my financial goals that I completely lost sight of what’s in my wallet. Yes. I would love to get a windfall of a $1 million. Most of us would? But I’m grateful for the $10 sitting in my wallet and the change sitting in my jar.
What I Learned: Be grateful for what I have every day even as I work towards my goals. Take time to be present in the little moments. Financially, look at what I already have before I decided to purchase. My biggest strategy to start doing this was to use ChatGPT to create fashion sketches with clothes in my closet. And before I bought any new clothes, I’d make a few fashion sketches with clothes in my closet too. This help me be intentional about my clothing purchases and be grateful for what I already have.
Financial Reset: How Dog Mom Math Fixed My Budget
Girl, I have no regrets. No sense in crying over spilled milk. I’ve decided to lean on my Dog Mom Math and keep moving forward.
Dog Mom Math Rule #4: “Big purchases pay for themselves over time” has been the core strategy in me resolving my mistakes and getting my financial shift in order. It helps me focus on the long-term value of my financial decisions. The rule has also helped me:
-
Determine the real cost of not planning (five-week months, inflation, unplanned donations).
-
Slow down instead on buying the “after” picture too early.
-
Figure out my financial rhythm and set up a system that helps me sustain my and Sugar’s lifestyle.
-
Release the guilt of my financial mistakes and grow from them.
Turn Your Money Mistakes into Lessons
We all make mistakes. Especially, when it comes to money. However, the important think is that we learn and grow from them. I’ve learned a lot about money this year.
However, the biggest lesson is learning about money isn’t about memorizing a bunch of terms. Money is emotional. All the money that I’ve spent, saved, or invested has been linked to love. Love of myself. My Sugar. My family. My friends. Which is why I’ve made the intentional decision to turn these mistakes into an intentional financial reset.
Now we’d love to hear from you. What was one of your money mistakes? What did you learn from your mistake?
Let’s continue the conversation “after bark.” Sign up for our P. S. After Bark newsletter to talk your shift and all things dog mom lifestyle.
Stay connected and share your stories with us @pupcakesugar.
