If I’m being honest, 2025 didn’t go the way I planned financially. And maybe that’s exactly why it taught me so much.
This year was filled with uncertainty, stress, pivots, and moments where it would’ve been easier to quit. But instead of giving up, I kept going—and that alone changed everything. As we close out the year and prepare for 2026, I want to share what truly worked, what didn’t, and how these lessons are shaping the way I move forward with my money.
If your financial year wasn’t perfect, this blog is for you.
What Worked Financially in 2025: Keep Trying, Even When You Fall Off
One of the biggest lessons 2025 taught me is that progress doesn’t require perfection—it requires persistence.
I made goals this year. I fell off. I got back up. And instead of quitting when things didn’t go as planned, I chose to keep trying. That mindset shift alone made a huge difference in my financial journey.
Another major factor that worked for me? Community.
The Paper By Moe community has been a game changer. Sharing my real numbers on YouTube—budgets, closeouts, mistakes, and wins—has created a space where accountability is mutual. You all hold me accountable just as much as I hope I help hold you accountable.
✨ Coming Soon: Paper By Moe YouTube Memberships
To strengthen that accountability even more, I’ll be launching YouTube memberships soon. These memberships are designed to help us stay consistent, focused, and supported—together.
Membership Tiers (Coming Soon):
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🟢 Tier 1 — Supporter
($3.99/month)
• Members-only posts
• Early access to videos
• Accountability check-ins -
🔵 Tier 2 — Budget Builder
($6.99/month)
• Everything in Tier 1
• Members-only budgeting videos
• Monthly financial check-ins -
🟣 Tier 3 — Inner Circle
($9.99/month)
• Everything in Tiers 1 & 2
• Monthly live Q&A or budget reviews
• Goal-setting and accountability sessions
Community and accountability worked for me in 2025—and I’m doubling down on that in 2026.
What Didn’t Work: Stress, Uncertainty, Shutdowns, and Temptation Spending
Let’s be real—stress did not help me financially at all.
Worrying about things outside of my control only added pressure to my budget and took a toll on my mental health. Uncertainty around income, external shutdowns, and the constant temptation to spend as a form of comfort made sticking to a plan harder than it needed to be.
I learned that reacting emotionally to financial stress often leads to decisions that don’t align with long-term goals. While stress is sometimes unavoidable, letting it control your money choices only makes things worse.
That was a hard but necessary lesson.
Lessons Learned: Discipline, Flexibility, and Resilience Matter More Than Perfection
If 2025 taught me anything, it’s that life doesn’t always go according to plan—and that’s okay.
What helped me persevere wasn’t a flawless budget. It was discipline, flexibility, fortitude, and resilience.
Discipline helped me show up even when I didn’t feel like it.
Flexibility allowed me to pivot when plans changed.
Resilience helped me keep moving forward when things felt heavy.
Instead of forcing my budget to be rigid, I learned to let it breathe—adjusting when necessary while still honoring my goals.
How These Lessons Are Shaping My 2026 Financial Plan
Everything that happened in 2025 is preparing me to be more intentional, more prepared, and more realistic in 2026.
I’m entering the new year with:
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Clearer goals
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Stronger systems
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Better boundaries
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A deeper understanding of what works for me
Instead of hoping things go well, I’m planning for multiple scenarios. I’m prioritizing preparedness over perfection and consistency over motivation.
2025 didn’t break me—it refined me.
Your Turn: Reflect, Reset, and Plan With Me
Before jumping into 2026 goals, I encourage you to pause and reflect:
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What worked for you financially this year?
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What didn’t?
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What lessons are you carrying into the new year?
You don’t need a perfect year to have a powerful one. You just need to keep showing up.
If you’re ready to reflect, reset, and plan intentionally for 2026, I’d love for you to do it with me—through the Paper By Moe community, budgeting tools, and upcoming memberships.
Here’s to learning from 2025 and winning in 2026—together. 💛
— Moe
Paper By Moe