Why I disappeared (and what I found)

Hey everyone, it's Ren here…

Okay so...where the hell have I been, right?

December absolutely kicked my ass (in the best way possible). Between the silly season chaos, family stuff, and trying to actually enjoy the holidays instead of being glued to my laptop, I basically fell off the face of the earth.

Sorry about that!

But here's the thing...

I spent most of December thinking about 2026 and what I actually want to accomplish.

Not just the usual "get more organized" BS we all tell ourselves, but the stuff that genuinely matters.

And I kept hitting the same wall I always do: I know WHAT I want to do. I just can't seem to stick with it.

Sound familiar?

That's when one of my wonderful friends sent me her new 90-day guided planner and journal called "Master Yourself to Master Your Goal."

At first I thought…Mmm, I don’t need another planner (I mean, hello I also create my own yearly planners), but something kinda just ‘clicked’ with this…

This isn't about adding more to your to-do list. It's about figuring out why you keep getting in your own way.

Look, we ALL know how this goes...

You set a goal on January 1st (get out of debt,

build that emergency fund, finally stick to a budget), you're pumped for like...three weeks? Then life happens and suddenly it's March and you're back to your old habits.

Been there. Done that. Got the abandoned planner to prove it.

What I love about this journal is it's not just another "write down your goals and hope for the best" situation.

It actually helps you figure out WHY you keep sabotaging yourself and gives you the tools to work through it.

It's designed around working with ONE meaningful goal over 90 days. Not ten goals. Not a massive life overhaul. Just one thing that actually matters to you.

For me? That's finally getting our New Zealand move properly organized (hello 6 chickens, 2 dogs, and yes...still planning on that capybara 😅).

But here's why I think this would be perfect for anyone trying to sort their finances in 2026:

Getting control of your money isn't just about spreadsheets and budgets (though yes, I love those too). It's about understanding the patterns that keep you stuck.

Why you overspend when stressed.

Why that emergency fund never quite builds up.

Why the budget works for two weeks then falls apart.

This journal helps you dig into that stuff without making you feel like crap about yourself.

The whole thing is built around weekly and monthly check-ins, energy-led planning (so you're not forcing yourself to hustle when you're burnt out), and actually aligning your goals with what you genuinely care about.

Plus, it's gorgeous. Linen hardcover, smooth paper, the works. The kind of thing you'll actually WANT to use instead of letting it collect dust on your shelf.

People who've used it are saying things like "transformational" and "exactly what I needed to finally follow through."

And look, I get it. Another planner? Really?

But if you're serious about making 2026 the year you actually stick to your financial goals (or any goal that matters to you), this might be the thing that helps you get out of your own way.

You can check it out here on Amazon.

Here's to actually following through next year,

Ren

P.S. Yes, I'll be back to regular newsletters in the new year. I've got some stuff planned that I think you're going to love. Stay tuned!