I am over 35 and I am tired. 

I am tired of the fitness influencers. I am tired of the financial gurus. I am tired of self-help books. And, most of all, I am tired of the Ozempic ads being shoved down my throat everyday.

So here I am. This blog is going to be my honest record of building a healthier, more financially stable life as a normal person in one of the most expensive places in the United States. There will be no fad diets. There will be no injections or pills. I won’t be doing the FIRE method to get rid of my debt because I actually like to enjoy life. I just want to do it on a workable budget and help other people.

The Financials

Like a lot of folks in Southern California, my household barely gets by. We make less than the median income for San Diego County. So, of course, that means feeling the constant squeeze of rising rent, grocery prices, gas, insurance, and everything else.

Along the way, the credit cards have been nearly maxed out to cover pop up expenses that go beyond the little bit we manage to save. Think car repairs. Any time one gets paid off, here comes a new emergency. Relatable, right?

The Pounds

I’ll be transparent here. I’m not as disciplined and consistent as I should be. I used to count calories until it got too annoying. I have an injury that limits what kind of, and how much, exercise I can do without being in a lot of pain. Something I learned the hard way. I thought about doing one of those keto diets, but I really like carbs. Then I thought about one of those high protein diets that are popular, but I read an article about younger people getting colon cancer because they’re too focused on protein and aren’t getting enough fiber. 

The point is, dieting or living in the gym isn’t going to work for me in a sustainable way. So I have an idea that doesn’t include shots. 

My Weight Loss Journey

If you’re riding along on this trip, this is what I can offer you:

• Realistic results for people over 35
• Affordable meal ideas
• Walking and low-cost, low-impact fitness routines
• Food swaps that won’t make you hate life
• Progress updates

My Debt Payoff Journey

If you’re interested in the financial side, I will be covering the following:

• Debt payoff progress
• Monthly budget breakdown
• Side hustle experiments
• My method to stop emotional spending

Frugal Living in San Diego

Living in San Diego is amazing, but it’s about as expensive as it gets. I’m going to prove that it’s possible to enjoy life here without going broke.

I’ll share:

• Cheap and free things to do in San Diego
• Affordable grocery stores and meal planning ideas
• Ways to save on utilities, entertainment, and eating out
• Budget-friendly self-care

What’s the Goal Here?

My goals are simple:

• Lose weight in a sustainable way
• Pay off debt without extreme deprivation
• Build healthier habits
• Stop living paycheck to paycheck
• Create a life that feels calmer and more intentional

Here’s to Change

There’s something scary about documenting your life before the “after” photo exists. I’m not trying to become an influencer or pretend I have all the answers. My grammar and spelling might not even be that good. I just want to build good habits that are workable for the average person and share what I learn in the process.

Real change happens in the tiny daily decisions. It’s in the grocery store choices, the skipped takeout orders, the 30-minute walks, the debt payments, and all of times when you choose to keep going even if progress feels slow. And maybe if you’re just an average person that’s in a similar place, behind financially, unhappy with your health, or drowning in the cost of living these days, this blog will remind you that you’re not alone.

So this is Day One.

Thanks for being here.