Let’s Talk About Holiday Spending: Faith, Fitness, and Finances

As the holiday season approaches, it’s easy to get caught up in the glittering lights, endless sales, and the pressure to create picture-perfect memories. But have you ever paused to reflect on how your holiday spending aligns with your faith, values, and overall well-being? Let’s dive into the heart of financial responsibility during the holidays and explore how faith, fitness, and finances can help us find inner peace this season.

A Faithful Approach to Spending

The Bible offers wisdom on stewardship and the importance of managing our resources wisely. Proverbs 21:20 says, “The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.” This verse reminds us that being intentional with our resources is not just about money—it’s a spiritual discipline. Overspending during the holidays can lead to financial stress that lingers well into the new year, disrupting our peace of mind and faith in God’s provision. I like to remind myself that everything I need is already inside me…however those “wants” are a different story!

Instead of succumbing to the pressures of commercialism, ask yourself:

• Is this purchase honoring my faith and values?

• Does it reflect gratitude for what I already have?

• Am I being a wise steward of the resources God has entrusted to me?

Setting a Spending Budget

Creating a holiday budget isn’t just practical—it’s an act of self-care and discipline. Here are some tips to manage your spending this season:

1. List Your Priorities: Decide what matters most—whether it’s gifts, charitable giving, or family experiences.

2. Set Limits: Establish a spending cap for each category and stick to it.

3. Plan for Generosity: Remember Acts 20:35: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Incorporate giving to those in need as part of your holiday spending plan.

4. Avoid Debt: Proverbs 22:7 warns us, “The borrower is servant to the lender.” Avoid relying on credit cards to fund holiday expenses.

Incorporating Wellness into Your Holiday Routine

Financial stress can take a toll on your mental and physical health, which is why incorporating fitness and wellness practices is essential during the holidays. YOU CAN DO IT!!! Staying active, practicing mindfulness, and nurturing your spiritual life can help you remain grounded amidst the chaos! A little extra meditation time can be the difference between a fiery disagreement about canned cranberries over fresh or different views on politics with the in-laws!

Here are some ways to stay balanced:

• Prioritize Movement: Take a walk with loved ones, join a holiday yoga class, or start your day with simple stretches to stay energized.

• Practice Gratitude:  As I say in most of my yoga classes, gratitude is essential outside of November! Reflect on your blessings daily, reinforcing a mindset of abundance rather than lack.

• Create Margin: Don’t overbook your schedule. Allow time for rest, reflection, and quiet prayer. I also remind myself of 3 things that bring me joy and it usually includes some type of quiet time or reading…make space for more of those things!

Finding Inner Peace Through Faith, Finances, and Fitness

When we align our spending with our faith and focus on overall wellness, the holidays become less about materialism and more about meaning (that’s a whole word in and of itself!). By balancing faith, fitness, and finances, we invite peace and purpose into our lives - ahhh and don’t we all want a little bit more peace?!?

This holiday season, let’s challenge ourselves to prioritize what truly matters: honoring God, caring for our bodies, and managing our resources wisely. With a thoughtful approach to spending and a commitment to holistic wellness, we can experience a season of joy, not stress.

Let’s Connect

How do you plan to balance faith, fitness, and finances this holiday season? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Let’s support each other in creating a more meaningful and peaceful holiday experience.

Welcome Back to My Happy Place - Writing

Hello, dear friends!

I’ve been on hiatus with the whole “let’s open a whole 2nd studio” jazz of late 2023 and 2024; my kid said he looked me up on the internet and found out I had a blog and said “it’s very outdated”…ouch!  So, here I am - back at it trying to actually type out my thoughts and not default to ChatGPT LOL!  It feels so good to welcome you back to my little corner of the internet, where we talk about all the good stuff—faith, finances, and fitness—with a sprinkle of Jesus joy and plenty of heart. Whether you’re here for inspiration, motivation, or just a little pre/post holiday cheer, you’ve come to the right place.

This season is all about embracing gratitude, reflection, and yes, a little sparkle! As we cozy up to the end of the year, I’m so excited to share what’s ahead for December: my first 31-Day Wisdom Reading Challenge from the biblical book of Proverbs! This practice is one of my favorites—31 chapters for 31 days. Each day brings a fresh perspective on living wisely, loving generously, and leaning into the divine guidance that carries us through life. If you’re ready to join me, grab your favorite mug of matcha, tea, coffee or hot cocoa, your Bible, and let’s end the year grounded in truth and wisdom.

And about that fitness thing…

This holiday season, I’d love for you to step onto the mat with me weekly at Charlotte Family Yoga!  I’ll be recording and sharing some practices for my website/You Tube, but there’s nothing like physical connection (unless you live far and you want to do virtual with me!). Let’s flow, stretch, and sweat together as we honor our bodies and build strength from the inside out. There’s something magical about practicing yoga this time of year—feeling your breath, connecting to your heart, and making space for all that is yet to come - INTENTIONAL MOVEMENT!!  My classes are designed to lift your spirit and keep you feeling your best, no matter where you are in your movement journey!

Here’s what you can expect as you explore my blog in 2025:

✨ Faith:  From weekly scriptures to heart-centered reflections, let’s keep our eyes on the bigger picture and the One who makes all things possible.

✨ Finances:  Who doesn’t need a little wisdom about saving, giving, and planning for the future? I’ll sprinkle in tips and insights to help you thrive.

✨ Fitness:  Whether you’re a yogi, runner, or just looking for ways to move your body, I’ve got you covered with ideas to keep your health a priority—even during the busiest time of the year.

So light that candle friends, play your favorite holiday playlist, and let’s journey through December together. I’m thrilled to reconnect with you and can’t wait to share all the magic of this season. Let’s make it unforgettable—one step, one verse, one breath at a time.

With love, wisdom, and holiday cheer,

Spicy Vicie

P.S. Don’t forget to drop by class and say hello—I’d love to see you on the mat!  Let me know if you want to join virtually and I’ll drop a promo code in your inbox! Just comment in the blog post below!

Choose Your Word of the Year!

Good morning friends and Happy New Year! I hope everyone is doing well and enjoyed the holiday season! December was a nice sebattical month for me as I traveled to Whistler Canada to ski and to Zanzibar | Mauritius | Dubai to kick off my aunt/bff's 5 Trips to 50! It was an exciting month celebrating my anniversary, my birthday, my daughter's birthday and Jesus' birthday!

As we enter into a new season, I wanted to share my personal process for a "Word of the Year". Goals and resolutions are great, however having an intentional word for the year has been so powerful in my life! I've added a visual to this post, but it's really simple. Find inspiration and stay aware. Whether it's the Bible, a book of quotes, or something else. Inspiration is everywhere. I find that quieting the mind helps so my soul can begin to speak. I began to journal or write down word that come up and give them time to resonate. The one for the year will keep appearing! Once it feels right, if I didn't find the word in scripture, I began to read my Bible and see if the word is illuminated anywhere in the passages I'm reading. IT.ALWAYS.DOES! It's amazing, but it always shows up, every single year!

My word for this year is Compassionate Heart (yes, I'm aware that's 2 words!) and has SEVERAL biblical scriptures to keep me anchored. I choose Ezekiel 36:26 - 27 to start this year.

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” ‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭36‬:‭26‬-‭27‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

I pray that you will take a moment to reflect on your goals and resolutions and align a word with them! It's been so fulfilling to see my Word springs forth in every area of my life and I pray the same for you! Share your word of the year in the comments below!

Blessed to be a blessing,

Vicie