How to Create Financial Stability When Everything Feels Uncertain
Weekly Dose of Work Recovery Vol. 11.19.25
“Literature has identified three factors that universally lead to stress: uncertainty, the lack of information, and the loss of control.” -Gabor Mate
More than three years ago, I decided to leave the employment law firm I co-founded. Overnight, I realized that the title, the office, the partners, and even the (relatively) stable paycheck as Managing Partner and COO were no longer aligned with my wellbeing and the work I'm meant to do.
So I walked away.
The hardest part wasn’t leaving the firm or identity. It was the fear of losing “financial security."
It's the same fear that millions of people are grappling with right now, whether by choice or by force through layoffs, furloughs, and terminations. And with this economy offering anything but confidence, I want to share something that helped us feel back in control when everything felt uncertain.
How We Created More Certainty
In late 2023, Josh and I sat down for a half-day financial reckoning. I’m not a financial planner (please consult yours before making major decisions), but our effort taught me one thing: We had far more power to reshape our financial future than we had ever realized.
With a clear picture in hand and decisions made together, we rebuilt our life from the ground up around one goal: eliminate waste and align our spending with what matters most.
We believed and learned firsthand that we could create stability through bold and sometimes uncomfortable action.
We sold cars and rec vehicles we loved
We sold a dream home
We cut travel, paused excessive luxuries, simplified our life, and held each other accountable
We called our system the Waste2Wealth because we needed the truth right in our faces. There was waste, plenty of it.
By confronting the waste together, consistently, and without shame, we eliminated hundreds of thousands of debt and created more certainty and freedom.
Our financial planners didn't always love the choices we made (like paying down low interest credit line, mortgage, and student loan debt, but whatevs!). We took aligned action with our values and that’s what made it work for us.
Using the Waste2Wealth Process
If you’re navigating financial uncertainty or trying to reclaim your sense of agency for a bold move, this framework may help you find your path forward. And if it’s not for you, feel free to share it with someone who might need it.
Here’s the details of our Waste2Wealth, including a PDF reference guide. Sidenote, I'm not selling this or pitching anything - just sharing something we did that really, truly helped us in hopes one person can find greater financial clarity in this framework too.
If you’re standing on the edge of change—job shifts, layoffs, shaky markets, or simply a desire for more freedom and impact—know this:
You have more influence over your financial future than you think.
Sometimes the boldest move isn’t waiting for security. It’s creating it yourself. And taking control of your finances may be the most “unschool'd” thing you can do to reclaim your power and face your fears.
— Bree
P.S. Pssst…I haven't forgotten about the Soul Goal work, so sign up now because details will be dropping after Thanksgiving for the LIVE workshop Your 2026 Soul Goal Reset. If you want to uncover your own aligned, soul goals to support your financial new year, join the Soul Goal Session waitlist for this free Executive Unschool workshop.
This Week's Did You Know? Trophy husbands have trouble staying in relationship…
Related to finances, here’s a not-so-fun fact: when women earn more than their spouses, divorce rates go up. Money is already the biggest source of marital conflict, so what gives? The honest answer is tough. A woman’s financial and professional success can trigger resentment because of deeply ingrained gender norms and cultural expectations. Working through it requires active communication, shared resources, and a genuine pride in each other’s work, no matter who earns what. And if all else fails, try humor: you’re not trying to out-earn them… you’re trying to outlive them with better retirement savings. Jk! 😂
Source: Why Divorce Rates Go Up When Women Earn More, Business Insider
Links & Resources We Love Right Now
A listen: SoundCloud. When I learned Spotify's payout model funnels most revenue to the biggest artists, making it nearly impossible for indie musicians, I imported my entire 133 breathwork playlist library over to SoundCloud in minutes for a more artist-friendly platform.
A learn: If you accidently make a duplicate yet very, very large credit card payment (to payoff of, say, a basement project…), it'll take 7 to 10 BUSINESS days for the refund to be processed. I see you Mercury Retrograde in all your ruthlessness causing chaos…
A shoutout: Elevate Hope House gave a mission update via the GrowHer annual brunch and I was wicked inspired by their work in MN, providing transitional housing and support to young, single mothers. Their work equips families with much more than a roof: community, stability, and a fresh start.
Something I love: Sick with Covid this week, I binged the twisty turny gameshow Million Dollar Secret. It was just the right amount of suspense and intrigue to make me forget all about my searing headache.
