Smart Spending, Debt Payoff, and Is That Brand Name Worth It?

Can Small Financial Steps Really Change Your Life?

Let’s be honest: when you’re staring down a mountain of bills, living paycheck to paycheck, or feeling the weight of your financial mistakes, hearing someone say “just take small steps” can feel… underwhelming. But what if those small steps looked like smart spending, steady debt payoff, and rethinking if that brand name is really worth it?

Here's the truth: small steps can change your life—when they’re the right small steps.

This week on the Financially Confident Christian show, we unpacked a series of simple but powerful actions that can move you from financial survival to financial peace. These steps won’t require a financial degree or a miracle windfall—just a little courage, a shift in mindset, and the willingness to break free from the shame that keeps so many of us stuck.

Borrow Before You Buy

We kicked off the week by looking at the concept of bartering and borrowing instead of buying. Whether it's a tool you’ll use once, or a kitchen gadget that will collect dust, ask yourself—do I really need to own this?

You'd be amazed how many things you can borrow from a neighbor, friend, or church member. And if you're not connected to a digital "buy nothing" group? Start your own! Trust is built one generous exchange at a time.

The Brand-Switching Challenge

Here’s a simple experiment: pick one product you regularly buy—say, paper towels or cereal—and try the store-brand version. Will it really change your life? Probably not. But if you do this with five or ten items over time, the savings add up faster than you think.

This isn't about being cheap—it’s about being intentional. That extra $5 or $10 can go toward real progress in your financial journey.

Face the Truth About Debt

This one’s hard. But necessary.

List out every single debt you owe. All of it. Even the scary ones in collections. Even the old ones you pretend don’t exist. You can’t fix what you won’t face. This step is the beginning of clarity—and clarity is the beginning of freedom.

It may feel overwhelming, but I promise: the act of naming your debts takes away some of their power.

Stop Digging the Hole

If you’re still using credit cards while trying to get out of debt, you’re fighting a losing battle. I know it’s tough. You want to keep your credit score high. You want the backup in case of emergencies. But the truth is, credit cards are the shovel keeping your hole deep.

Freeze them. Lock them up. Delete them from your phone. Whatever it takes. Let this be the day you stop digging and start climbing.

Start That Baby Emergency Fund

Before you go hard on debt repayment, stash away $500 to $1,000 as a small emergency fund. This gives you the buffer you need when life throws something your way (and it will). Don’t worry if it takes time to get there. Progress is progress.

And yes, if $1,000 feels too big, start with $100. Then $200. Build it one step at a time.

One Step at a Time

If there’s one message I want you to walk away with, it’s this: you don’t have to fix everything at once.

Pick one small step and take it this week.

• Borrow instead of buy.
• Switch to a store brand.
• List out your debts.
• Make that first extra payment.
• Start your emergency fund.

These aren’t just financial tasks—they’re spiritual wins. Each one is an act of stewardship. Each one says, “I trust God more than I trust this broken system.”

Small steps, when done consistently, can lead to massive transformation.

So, let me ask you again…

Can small financial steps really change your life?

Yes, friend. They absolutely can.