Transcript automatically generated via https://otter.ai. Its accuracy may vary.
Sally McMullen
Like we spend eight hours a day working for our money, but we won't spend 20 minutes a week managing it. Why? Why we like
Alex Hourigan
this habit chicks.
Sally McMullen
Yeah. So let's build this start reviewing your spending now. Yeah, December's a time
Alex Hourigan
Hey Jake, I'm out.
Sally McMullen
And I'm Sal. And
Alex Hourigan
this is to Burt chicks, the show that shares life lessons for the girls from the gals. And we're about to go into the last month of the year.
Sally McMullen
Can you bloody believe it?
Alex Hourigan
I know everyone says this. And I sound like a 60 year old man. But where has this year gone? Seriously,
Sally McMullen
do you think it's because the last two years were like, basically 70% locked down that this year feels like it's gone. Especially fast? Because we've been able to do share.
Alex Hourigan
Definitely. I feel like I've done a lot this year. We've done a lot of travelling Mentawai America gives me
Sally McMullen
no one's new boss wise.
Alex Hourigan
So it's just been it's been a good year.
Sally McMullen
It has been a good one for the books. I feel like a lot of
Alex Hourigan
the other years I've been a bit pessimistic. As yet shocked. And you know what they did? 2019 2020 and 2021 We're not good to me. Yeah,
Unknown Speaker
they weren't they weren't good to a lot of people. Yeah,
Alex Hourigan
but especially those ones hurt my feelings a little bit. Yeah, they
Sally McMullen
had it out for ya.
Alex Hourigan
Love the last month of the year? It's it's the best answer. Good. And for sure that week between like Christmas and New Year's where you don't even know what day it is. So good week.
Sally McMullen
That is seriously the best. Yep. So
Alex Hourigan
what we wanted to discuss today is 10 things you should do by the end of the year just to wrap 2022 up in a cute little bow.
Sally McMullen
Yeah, because just hammer can be so overwhelming to so it's good to have a little checklist to get everything sorted before the new year
Alex Hourigan
to get everything sorted. And then you can hit the ground running in 2020 to
Sally McMullen
23 Good. We're gonna
Alex Hourigan
you know that phase of the first month we just read the wrong day.
Sally McMullen
I'm still writing 2020 I'm still telling people that
Alex Hourigan
I'm 23 years old. I'm 26 I might not COVID years don't count. Yeah, they don't. Anyway, before we get into the episode, we'd like to share a life lesson of the week. So hit me Sally belly love my live co host and
Sally McMullen
I've got another gem of wisdom for you. My life lesson of the week is another take shots. No, it's not the Brita filter. One we know that didn't work from our episode with Lucy and Nikki. This one's natural. You don't need anything but you yourself and I. And it's one that our friend PR friend of the show taught me. That's the one
Alex Hourigan
not her fault. And my boyfriend.
Sally McMullen
If you listen to the, you know, I am awful at taking shots like truly awful. Like it. It is it but it's it's such like a dramatic. It's traumatic experiences really small. But this hack really does work. So you take the shot, swallow it and while it's running down your throat, take a really deep exhale out. And it really reduces the burn of the shot. I don't know why. But it does. It really, really does work.
Alex Hourigan
Paya our friend is like 20 to 70 year old not trapped in a 22 year old, gorgeous Italian woman's body. But she's the sweetest new blue at a bar. And she's like okay.
Sally McMullen
What's your life lesson?
Alex Hourigan
Yeah, it was a good night, we had fun. Okay, my life lesson is this tweet that I saw. And it is this data collection of the time that you spend with people in your life. And the learnings from this data was kind of it's very eye opening. It's a bit uplifting, but also a bit depressing. And that's a little bit depressing. So basically, there are six graphs and it's the data on who you spend time with over the course of your life peaks at age 20 And then begins declining. And so every kind of graph has key takeaways as well. So the key takeaways is that your time with family is limited. And time with parents declined very sharply after the age 20 by 30. You basically half it and you may only see your loved ones a few more times. So the life lesson of that graph is to prioritise and cherish and For a moment, and then the time spent with friend peaks at age 18, and declines sharply to a very low baseline at around 33, which I think makes sense because you kind of find who your core core six are, I would say after like your mid 20s and early 30s. Yeah. But then you start kind of having families and all that fun stuff. Fun stuff, I say in quotation marks. So embrace friendship, breaths, but focus on depths. cherish those who are with you through good times and bad and invest your energy in the healthy, meaningful friendships that last, then time spent with partner trends upwards until death. So the key takeaway with this is that who chooses a partner is the most important decision you'll ever make, because you spend basically your entire life with them. So find someone you genuinely enjoy spending time with, and Neville Neville. Choose a moment and be like never. But never settle for less than love. I love that. And then time spent with children. Not for us, but we'll read it out anyway. It peaks in your 30s and declines sharply thereafter. Similar to kind of when you spend time with your parents, it reverses back as well as if you are the parent. Yeah, it makes sense. So time with your children in short, and the magic years will fly by if you let them be present in every moment, slow down and embrace the sweetness that children bring to your life. Time spent with coworkers study during the prime years of working 20 to 60. The key lesson is you'll spend a lot of time at work, who you choose to work with is one of the most important decisions you'll ever find coworkers and work that create energy in your life. I really liked that phrase create energy in your life. And then time spent alone, the final one steadily increases throughout your life. So the key lesson with this is to learn to embrace solitude and being alone, flex your boredom muscle regularly and find happiness and joy in the time you have to yourself. There will be a whole lot of it as you get older. So in summary, family time is limited. Cherish it friend time is limited prioritise real one's partner time is significant. Never Settle. Children time is precious, be present. Coworker time is significant find energy alone time is highest love yourself are wholesome. I just when I was reading through it, I was like, I just love shit, like. And so that was so he'll bloom on Twitter that tweeted all of those kinds of key takeaways and learnings. And yeah, I just thought it was a really good thing to kind of, also look at going into the holiday season when you are going to be spending a lot of time with family loved ones and friends to you know, really take advantage of the holiday season and being able to have fun and get off your phone. That's also like waiting for me and spend time with the people that you love in your life.
Sally McMullen
I love that it's good perspective. It's good perspective because I think life, you know, passes us by and you don't really realise last year. Yeah. Oh, my God. Good one. Thanks.
Alex Hourigan
All right, let's get into the 10 things to do before the end of the year. Work who you're gonna kick us
Sally McMullen
off sale. Okay, so the first thing that you should do before the end of the day is review your personal and professional goals from the last year and see what you can do to achieve them by the end of the year if you haven't already. So for example, one of my goals at the beginning of the year was to read at least 10 books and I realised I've only read seven books. So I was like hack the system we're going short stories maybe love to add like a few short stories.
Alex Hourigan
story for you. Do you want to write a short story? Oh my god, I'm gonna write I'll give it to you for Christmas. Write a short story for you. It's gonna be crazy.
Sally McMullen
I'll do a dramatic writing all the podcast.
Alex Hourigan
Oh my god. I'm gonna do it when I've had one. Oh my god. Amazing. Yeah. It'd be like pally and calyx.
Sally McMullen
I'm into it. We should publish it. But yeah, so that's an example of one that I've done. But I think when it comes to the end of the year, like we get so busy I think so many of us lose sight of our New Year's resolutions or goals by, you know, February, March. So it's good to check in. And I think if there are some that you haven't met, that doesn't mean that's the end, you can always roll it over to 2023. But have a look at the ones that you can achieve, whether it is you know, getting a promotion at work, maybe book a meeting with your boss, or if it's, you know, to save X amount for a holiday, even if you can't save the actual money, maybe put a budget in place to make it more achievable. So yeah,
Alex Hourigan
I think as well with that, even if you didn't achieve a resolution, or a goal this year, how much better you're gonna feel doing a cute little sprint at the end of the year, whether it's, you know, whether you wanted to go to the gym a bit more, over the next, like four weeks, maybe go twice a week, twice a week, if you wanted to go every day or something that's a little bit of effort, that you're gonna be happy you did something rather than nothing. I don't. Yeah, exactly. But it also kind of he had any self.
Sally McMullen
Yeah, that's what I mean, I think, yeah, choose a couple that are achievable. And just focus on those don't try and, you know, throw yourself at everything.
Alex Hourigan
Off the back of that. The other thing to do before the end of the year is to write a done list of everything that you've achieved, big and small over the last year, it's a lovely practice to do with yourself. And it's kind of like a little bit of gratitude journaling. But if you know that kind of manifesting, gratitude practising isn't really your spiel, it's quite simple just to be like I did this. So like, for example, you know, going to Hawaii together this year, done, that's such a nice thing to look back on. And remember and think of what an amazing experience that was, as well, and you know, get a podcast and top five, done, Tick Tick kit. So there's so many things that you can just look back and write a list. You don't have to make it too long. You could do 10, you could do three, and just tick them as done. And how nice is that to have, maybe keep it in a book that you're writing every year. I love that. And you could look back on all the years of all the things that you've achieved if you got a promotion if you got a pay rise.
Sally McMullen
Yeah, I love that. I did it last night to go through and I had, I remember, I think it was our first episode of the year, I was like, I want to visit bla bla places by the end of the, and I actually did it and was like, Oh my God, and it was going through that list that made me do it. And so there were like little things like that, that I don't know, going on a holiday might not seem like it's an achievement, but it is
Alex Hourigan
to be able to pay for it. You have to you know, be in a world where you can travel and have that privilege to be able to do so.
Sally McMullen
Yeah. And then you know, there were other bigger things like I paid off my hex debt, love that features a living long years, which I'd never ever thought I would be able to do. Like, I literally thought I was gonna die with that baby. But again, like I think I would have just gotten the email from I was like seeing it and you know, the ATR being like there and let it pass by because I wrote it down. You know, just helped me appreciate it a little bit more. So write your
Alex Hourigan
done list.
Sally McMullen
Next thing that you need to do before the end of the year, December is a fun time, but it's also an expensive time. So set up a budget for Christmas and the social season. So I think it's really easy to just spend heaps of money and then look back at the at the end of December and be like oh my god, what I've done what have I done me every year, every year. So this year, I've put a budget in place in terms of how much I'm going to spend on Christmas presents. And then that was kind of enough for me. I was like that'll keep me in check. But I go
Alex Hourigan
per person as well. Like this person gets this much this person this much and like categorise Yeah. So that way like everyone's got a budget. Yeah, and then I can fit presents within that. Yeah, that's a really good idea. Because then no one gets upset. Exactly. Someone gets more than the other one. always gets the most presents for me. My my new partner was like also like, do I get as many presents as down
Sally McMullen
now? Not sure I guess.
Alex Hourigan
Dating you I'm getting kidding.
Sally McMullen
I'm kidding. But yeah, simple. I'm put a budget in place for Christmas presents for social events. Whether it's you know how much you're going to allow yourself to spend on cocktails and new outfits, maybe suggest doing a Secret Santa with your friends to try and keep the naughty Santa. We do love a naughty Santa ran outfits instead of buying new ones. You know all those things. Just try and be a little bit more intentional with how you spend your money in December and I think putting those parameters in place can help you do that.
Alex Hourigan
It all adds up Speaking of the money's, here's a cute little practice that you can do to try and save $1,000. By the end of the year, it's always good to go into the new year, with a little something in the tank, if you want to go on holiday and 2023 want to, you know, just it's always good to have money in your savings account. And I feel like the first 1000 in savings is always the hardest boy. So if you set up an automatic transfer, to your savings account for $33, you will save over $1,000 By the end of the year. And so also a cute little tip on top of that, is if you customise the name of your savings account to your goal, you will actually achieve it quicker. And that's a fun little tip that we got from a partnership we did with your bank for Black Friday. Yeah, we were meeting with them. And they said that there was data, obviously, everyone's different. And this isn't financial advice. But there's data to show that when you name your savings account your goal, whether that's a Europe trip a certain amount of money or wedding, you achieve your goal quicker and stick to it. Because it's like that constant reminder. Whereas when you see it and maybe if it's just called savings, and you're out on a night out and think around a fireball shots is a good idea, you're gonna be like, ooh, but then this is just going to take me behind away from that goal that's sitting right in front of you in the name. It makes it more real. Yeah. So if you want to save $1,000 By the end of the year, set up an account transfer of $33. And take a home daddy. Yeah,
Sally McMullen
I feel like I spend $33 on I don't even know, by the time I step out my front door. Morning, so it's a good tip.
Alex Hourigan
Like when I am being lazy and I ordered my like bagel and iced coffee on UberEATS because I am a piece of shit. It's like $20 every morning. relatable, and I hate myself. Also relatable.
Sally McMullen
Okay, next tip to do before the end of the year is do a digital cleanout. So we've spoken about the importance of doing a physical declutter around your home. But I think that a digital one is just as important. So go through your camera roll and delete any duplicate photos, old screenshots, random receipts, photos of your ex anything that you don't need, go through your inbox, do the same as you're going through unsubscribe from any emails that you no longer need, you don't want any more. And then maybe set up folders for you know, if you have like travel concert receipts is one that I always do shopping receipts, stuff like that. And you can automate that going forward just to like clean it up for the new year. Oh, and on your laptop as well. Do a declutter there. So delete any old files that you don't need, maybe reorganise your folders, empty your trash, just get everything clean. Because if you can't, if you're anything like me, I don't know what it was. But like at one point, in the last month, my laptop, my email inbox and my phone, were all being like, you have no storage, you have no storage. And I was like, Oh my God, this was freaking me out. So I like went through and just deleted, so much reorganised. And I feel so much lighter, and better and more organised.
Alex Hourigan
I know, we're a bit different in this, but my lack in the way that we would do a Declutter. But my kind of rule of thumb is like, if I didn't need to go on to that screenshot, or I forgot that screenshot was there, or in that folder, if I can't tell you what's in that folder, it's just gonna go on the bed. You don't need to spend like hours going through your laptop or your phone. Just go to the screenshots folder on your photos, and just like mass select, because chances are, you'll be able to find it somewhere. Yeah, if you need whether it's in your emails, or whatever it is, yeah, cuz I can't be arsed going through all of it. So I'll just mass select everything. I do that on my desktop all the time. And like, I don't know what any of this is. And that's the point. Like, I don't know what any of this is. So I obviously don't need it. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. So it just goes straight to the trash. Yeah. All right. Next one is to also clean out your beauty cabinet. So I don't know if anyone's like me, but I have a bunch of makeup that is 100% expired. Your mascara, your eyeliner and also your toothbrush, apparently need to be replaced every three months. Your foundation and concealer needs to be replaced every year. And things like powders like bronzers blushes setting powder needs to be replaced every two years. But some of these things are so big that you don't end up going through it. But it's off baby girl. Oh my god she ain't she ain't ready to work no more
Sally McMullen
the amount of Like 2016 Morphe eyeshadow palette,
Alex Hourigan
oh yeah. And like you're not using them. So just, like if it's still in date, there are a lot of services that you can donate to those who are in need of, you know, beauty products and you know, things like that. But it's it's off and you just holding on to it for the last two years, just put in the bin, you're not going to use it, you're not going to miss it, I promise, you're gonna be like, I need that one blue shadow from my Morphe palette. Six years ago. James Charles Morphe palettes now if you've got them, when I got got mine, it needs to go. It is time, it's time to go.
Sally McMullen
I like that. That's a good reminder. Okay, next thing to do before the end of the year is start building your habits to reach your New Year's resolutions. I love this one. So I think a lot of us it gets to January 1, and we're like, Okay, what do we do, and then we, you know, start brainstorming then and then you know, you, you have your week off, you get back into work. And then by February, like all hope is lost. So there's literally nothing stopping you from starting your New Year's resolution or your goal right now. So for example, if you want to get into a hot girl routine, where you're waking up earlier, maybe for the month of December, give yourself a little challenge to wake up 30 minutes earlier every day and ease into that routine. If you want to be more active in the new year, try going for a walk for 20 minutes every day, or at least moving your body for 20 minutes a day. If you you know need a drink more water by a hot girl water bottle, like there's so many little things that you can do, just to set yourself up because so many new year's resolutions are based on building healthy habits. So why not start them early? And like ease yourself into it? And also see if you even like it? Because if it's like Oh, I'm gonna do a Pilates, you know, challenge for the whole year. You do it for a month. And then you're like, Oh, this is bored or whatever. Yeah, yeah. So start now checks.
Alex Hourigan
Get a head start. Yeah, why not? Resolution, we were talking to someone who actually achieved that New Year's Resolution, which how? And then New Year's resolution was to never order takeaway food. And I did it for the whole year. I am I impressed that 1,000% Props to Yeah. And kind of on the wholesome wellness, right, I love how we're very, like, gotten a lot of these tips within like certain niches, but is a 30 day journal challenge. So we're actually going to put the 30 day journal challenge on our Instagram app to brute checks. And it's a five minute daily challenge to journal and kind of look over the last year. And, you know, give yourself a pat on the back and maybe get some thought provoking questions of things that you've enjoyed this year. Things that you want to improve on things that you want to stop doing and start doing and what you want to take into the new year and what you want to leave behind whether that's, you know, certain feelings you have about things or what you want to lean into a little bit more in your personal life, relationships work. And it's just a really good practice, which is what this episode is all about is tying that year in a little little bow. And she's done now.
Sally McMullen
Yeah. And I think having those prompts just makes that so much easier to do. Because it can be overwhelming that challenge like forces you to take the five minutes every day to do it. Gives you the questions to answer. It's so easy and it's fun.
Alex Hourigan
It's so much better because as well if I didn't have a prompt and I just have to sit there be like do your diary. Say I'm like, hey girl woke up
Sally McMullen
bit sleepy. My Dear Diary, mood apathetic.
Alex Hourigan
Am I gonna get a coffee? Talk to you later? You're basically my journal. I just realised that because this is what I'm doing.
Sally McMullen
Right? Yeah, exactly. It's a Live Journal Live Journal. I love it. Okay, next thing to do before the end of the year is booking solo time. Love this. As we've said so many times December is very fun. We love it. But it's very overwhelming and it can drain your social battery hard. So make sure to book in solo time I would say at least once a week. Every week between now and the end of the year. You should probably be doing this every month. Let's be real but December it is essential. So whether it's booking in a little Christmas night alone, you know put on the holiday put on the Grinch, you can come join Al and I
Alex Hourigan
we have Munna every year 23rd of December. Literally,
Sally McMullen
take yourself to the beach alone. Take a book, go to your favourite cafe and grab a coffee and treat yourself to a big brekkie just do things that are intentional that alarm time and a trading yourself, you need to recharge your social battery because you'll need it. And I think after the last, you know, we haven't really had a Christmas season for about three years now, a lot of Christmas events and social events we cancelled in 2021 and 2020. So I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of us are in for a bit of a rude shock. Coming back in and all the parties are back in full swing, literally, which is really exciting. And I'm so grateful for but definitely booking that solo time.
Alex Hourigan
It makes the biggest difference, because then like when you do have a social event coming up, yeah, absolutely. Fang in for it fully. Yeah. And then last but not least, the thing to do before the end of the year is to sorry, checks, but it's to review your spending. This is a scary, scary thing to do, especially personally. So there's a few ways that you could do this, you could either go through your emails and see what subscriptions you've got. But probably the easiest thing to do is to go into your banking app, because a lot of them supply you with an overview of your spending. And that way you can see exactly how much you're spending on for example, streaming subscriptions, your gym membership, Uber Eats after pay. And it shows you kind of what you're getting the most out of and what you can probably cancel. I know that I've spent hundreds of dollars on a gym membership this year. And I think I've stepped foot into fitness first. Four times. Yeah. Yeah, I'm not even exaggeration. Like exaggerating. I think I've gone to the gym four times. I've gone on walks and like done workouts at home, but actually going to the gym four times, and I've spent $42 a fortnight it's to actually work that out. It's time how much I actually spent. So 42 times 26. I spent $1,092 on a gym membership that I've gone to four times this year. Oh my god, that makes me want to cry. Do you know what I'm gonna do? I am going to cancel my gym membership. And I'm going to make that automatic transfer into a savings account. I love that as well as streaming services like I have all of them. I probably use about three, we only use Disney plus, it's really the only one
Sally McMullen
seriously, I read a quote. I think it was on smart women society. And it was like we spend eight hours a day working for our money, but we won't spend 20 minutes a week managing it.
Alex Hourigan
Why? Why we like this habit chicks.
Sally McMullen
Yeah. So let's build this start reviewing your spending now. Yeah, December is the time.
Alex Hourigan
And then you know how much you've got to spend on Christmas presents? Yeah, for us for me? Are you a new? Bo F All right. Well, there's your 10 things to do before the end of the year. We didn't want to hit you with too many. I think 10 is a good, good amount. And it's gonna set you up for the year gonna make you feel good.
Sally McMullen
Yeah, exactly. And 2022 on a high note checks.
Alex Hourigan
All right, so before we finish up the episode, we're going to share our product recommendations. So what do you got for me, sir?
Sally McMullen
So my product recommendation of the week is a new hairbrush. We've got a lot of hair. So we need it. This one is the ugliest one. Wet scream free brush, I think is maybe the best product name on Earth. Personally, it's $36 and it as you might have guessed from the name is designed to be used on wet hair. And I have quite like curly wavy hair but it really gets quite tangled when it's wet. And I've been loving using this either in the shower when I have product in or afterwards it doesn't pull on your hair doesn't rip your hair out unlike a lot of brushes. You know when when it's wet and that can be quite dangerous for your hair.
Alex Hourigan
quite dangerous for your hair. That is so true. It's true. Yep damaging
Sally McMullen
Can I finish place trying to wrap up he trying to end the year right.
Alex Hourigan
So important to that is very dangerous.
Sally McMullen
Anyway, so it's designed for curly hair especially but it can be used on on any hair type. And I also brought it with me to the beach the other day and found it really helpful for getting the knots out of my hair after I'd been a little mermaid.
Alex Hourigan
Yeah, that's your fork at home. Yeah.
Sally McMullen
Yeah by dinglehopper
Alex Hourigan
Little Mermaid reference for those who have no idea what we're talking about who are playing and I have my product recommendation is a brand and it is out is throwing me kissy faces right now. And it's the brand nobody denim so This denim brand specifically the jeans is the best denim that and the most comfortable that I think I've ever worn. And it's because the fabric composition isn't like that rigid denim. It still has structure but it's got this kind of spandex is stretched to it. That means it kind of you know how when you wear flares or when you wear leggings, it kind of hugs your body and it really holds it all in and make sort of really flattering kind of lifts you BAM Yeah, that is what these jeans do. They snatch you in at the waist, they hug you bomb, they kind of like scoop everything in and flattened everything that you don't want wobbling around and going all crazy. And they're just so comfy. There's so comfy, there's so flattering. And the sizing is really good because you can get in between sizes because they have the kind of 2425 2627 sizing that a 24 is a size 626 is a size eight, but you can get the 25 If you're a size seven, or you can get you know, whatever you're in between sizing is you can actually get that because that's something that I feel like I've always struggled with is that I'll you know be in between sizes and I'm like well I just don't know which ones to get. And then I always get jeans and they don't fit properly. And then I just don't return things because I'm a lazy poo. And then I ended up with literally 27 pairs of blue mom jeans that don't
Sally McMullen
fit. Yeah, so finding the perfect pair of jeans is gold.
Alex Hourigan
These nobody denim they are a bit spin either on kind of like the more expensive side of $200 upwards but check them out on Boxing Day sales because they are without a doubt the best pair of jeans I own into it so comfy. I'll be buying a pair. You can try mine on at my house if you like perfect. Cheering scary. All right, well, that is a wrap for this episode of to break checks. We're nearly at the end of the year gals. A few more episodes left.
Sally McMullen
I know it's Christ. We're gonna miss you guys.
Alex Hourigan
Don't worry. Well, we've got something in the works to keep the company over the holidays. We won't leave you high and dry. But thank you to our production team Prieta Harada and meeting Katana studios making this episode of two broke chicks happen. Let's have a very holly jolly mother and Christmas shower. Holly Jolly, Jolly. Thanks for having us in the house shakes we love to be here. Bochy, bye bye
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
