Q: I have worked for so many years and each month, I find I am unable to save anything. It seems all my income just goes on bills and bills. It is so overwhelming for me. What do I do? – S.O

A: Let me start off by saying I completely understand how you feel – it’s like you’re working so hard, and every month, you look at your bank account and wonder where all your money went. It can feel discouraging when it feels like there’s nothing left to save, and all you see are bills, bills, and more bills. Trust me, I’ve been there, and I know how heavy it can feel. How overwhelming it can feel.

The first thing I want you to remember is you are not alone. A lot of women, especially those juggling work, home, and everything in between, feel this way. It can sometimes feel like you’re on a hamster wheel—working hard but not seeing the progress you hope for. Please remember, God sees your hard work and He knows your heart.

In my case, I remember the time I sat on my bed and just wept because I had been working for so many years but I looked at myself and I had: zero savings, zero investments, zilch (I was hopeful because I had seed in the ground if you know what I mean) it was from one pay check to another and it just made me feel sad. Very sad. I knew I could do better.

I’ll share some steps I took that helped me. I hope you find them helpful too:

  • Start with small changes: You don’t have to completely overhaul your finances all at once. Maybe it’s as simple as cutting back on one non-essential item each week—whether it’s eating out or those impulse buys. Start small. Even a little bit saved is still saving, and it adds up over time.
  • Set a tiny, realistic savings goal: It can feel impossible to save when everything seems to go toward bills, but start with what feels doable. Even if it’s just 1% of your monthly income. Put something away. I can tell you for free that those little seeming peanuts you put away every month will grow one day to be something big. No matter the pressure, make it a habit. It might not seem like much now, but God honours the little and when we’re faithful in the small things, He can make way for the big ones.
  • Look for creative ways to earn extra income: If you have a skill or talent, think about how to put them to use to create extra income for yourself. Find a need that your skill can meet. Don’t say, ‘but I don’t know what to do’. There is something special about you (Yep, you may want to read that line again) that you can do so well. Why not make money while doing it? It doesn’t have to be a huge time commitment. Maybe it’s making food, baking, making snacks and putting them up for sale online, tutoring, or selling something you’re passionate about. God opens doors in unexpected places, but you won’t know till you do something. This scripture in Proverbs 14:23 keeps me going.

 “If you work hard at what you do, great abundance will come to you. But merely talking about getting rich while living to only pursue your pleasures brings you face-to-face with poverty.”

Another translation says, “In all work there is profit, but idle talk leads only to poverty…”
So, you see, you just need to let God guide you to do something. There is profit in your work.

  • Trust God with your finances: Philippians 4:19 reminds us that God will meet all our needs. It’s easy to get caught up in worry, but even when you feel like you’re doing all you can, He is at work behind the scenes. Keep praying, keep trusting, and keep putting in the work – He will always come through for you, ALWAYS.
  • Ask for help when you need it: There’s no shame in seeking support, whether it’s from a workplace mentor, a financial adviser or a friend who you think may have knowledge about how to get out of where you are. Sometimes, just talking it through with someone can provide clarity and help you see things in a new light.
  • Relax: Finally, relax. Remember that like a page in a book, this season doesn’t define you. It is not the end of your story. Your hard work matters, your faith matters, and with God’s guidance, you can and will move forward. Keep trusting, and keep taking small steps forward. You will get there.

You’ve got this, and God’s got you!
I will love to hear from you! What steps have you taken to manage your finances or save more effectively? Have you experienced God’s provision in/after a season of financial challenges?
Drop a comment below—your story or advice could inspire and encourage someone else! Let’s grow together.