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Kid-Free Time, Dinner Wins, and A Million Dollars

Kid-Free Time, Dinner Wins, and A Million Dollars

For moms who manage money, meals, and the messy middle.

Ann Woo
October 06, 2025

Happy Monday! Today is going to be a great day and I’m so glad you’re here. 🥰

My husband and I are heading out on a little getaway this week to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary! We did sneak away back in July for a concert, but this feels like our first real vacation—just the two of us—in forever. Honestly, I can’t even remember the last time we took a true VAY-CAY-SHUN without a wedding, event, or work involved… maybe Hawaii three years ago?

We truly love traveling as a family, so most of our recent trips have been with the kids. This getaway is a good reminder of how important that “just us” time really is. It doesn’t have to be a full-blown vacation- sometimes a date night or even a few hours doing an activity you both love doing together can go a long way.

Now I have to ask all 1,062 of you—when was the last time you traveled without your kids? I’d love to hear in the poll at the end!

From last week’s poll: 37% of you said it’s still too early to decorate for Halloween 🎃. Personally, I think it totally depends on where you live and how long your pumpkins can survive the heat! While my porch might not be screaming “fall” just yet, my meals and my closet definitely are 😁 I love fall produce and sweaters.

Follow along on my stories this week so we can all pretend we’re on vacation together!

Let’s get into it:

🍽️ What’s for Dinner

Chicken Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches - I made this on the Blackstone for a group lunch which made it so simple. Would be a great go-to for dinner, too!
One-Pan Pork Loin with Brussels and Apples - This flavor combo is one of my faves and definitely screams “fall”. Would be really good with mashed sweet potatoes.
Sheet-Pan Herby Roast Chicken With Peas and Carrots - I love this recipe because it’s super budget friendly and you can also use frozen peas and carrots. Amazing recipe for babies, toddlers, and the whole fam.
Easy Chicken Enchilada Recipe - Added shredded zucchini to this recipe and also swapped with green enchilada sauce instead of red. So easy to make and prep ahead.
One Pan Lightened Up Hamburger Helper - My kids absolutely devoured this meal and the best part is that it gets made in one pan in 30 minutes <3.

❤️ What I’m Recommending

This section contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them—at no extra cost to you (thanks for supporting the newsletter!).

Such a great price for barrel jeans and obsessed with the fit
Love the look and height of these booties
Your scent is so personal and I know you’ll love this perfume
Dishwasher friendly cutting boards - yes please
This crewneck is so soft and feels like air. Comes in lots of colors

💸 In This Economy? (Mom’s Version)

Georgia Mom with $1M Household Income Doesn’t Spend a Dime on Childcare

In This Economy? is a weekly series showcasing the costs of motherhood from real moms. Want to share your story anonymously? Submit here — no names, no judgment.

Age: mid-30s
Kids: 1 son age 3.5
Job: Financial advisor
Household Income: $1,000,000
Own or rent: Own
Childcare or daycare expense: None, grandmas split the work week
Recent purchase you regret: New roof $45,000. Not a fun purchase but had to fix darn leaks!
Splurge and don’t regret: Beach trip for my birthday
Best “mom sanity” splurge: Chef who does weekly meal prep
Weekly “kid stuff” spend: $150
Weekly spend on groceries: $200
Most spent on a kid party: $1000-3000
Saving for your kids college tuitions: Yes
Something financial you wish your parents had taught you: Self taught and now teaching my parents
Managing family budget: Honestly, I don’t budget. Very fortunate to have high income career and just make sure I have cash in the right accounts to cover expenses
Money advice for other moms: Financial literacy and independence gives you so much freedom and confidence. Ask for the promotion, pursue challenging new tasks, strive to continue learning and advocate for yourself. You and your kids deserve it!
Anything else you'd like to say? Thanks for sharing your kid-friendly recipes and everyday mom tips!

Thanks again for being here. If you love it, forward this to a mom friend—more voices make this better. And if you ever want to share, vent, or suggest something, just hit reply. I’m reading every email!

Woo you next week,
Ann