Could you put your wallet on lockdown for an entire year? In this episode, Sherry tells the true story of a woman who did exactly that. We explain why she took on the 365-day spending ban, the limited exceptions that made it work, and how her experiment has inspired us to rethink everyday spending — maybe you’ll be tempted to try a similar challenge. We also discuss how much to involve kids in the design of their bedrooms, sharing practical tips to keep both children and parents happy so the finished room is functional, comfortable, and something everyone enjoys spending time in. Plus, we highlight paint colors that can improve a home’s resale value (some picks were surprising) and share a personal story about a DNA test that turned into a humbling discovery.
If you prefer to listen, this episode is available on major podcast platforms. Use your favorite podcast app to search for our show and download the episode.
What’s New
Here are a few things we mentioned in the show and resources to explore further:
- The Year of Less — Cait Flanders’ book about simplifying spending and living intentionally. It’s the book Sherry was recommending for anyone curious about a yearlong spending experiment.
- Cait Flanders’ website — a place to find ongoing resources if you want to follow her approach and learn from her tools and reflections.
- AncestryDNA kits — we mentioned doing DNA tests and how they took a few weeks to return results; if you’re curious about genealogy testing, be prepared for a waiting period.
- Ancestry research — you can also research family history through online document searches and genealogy databases without testing DNA first.
Paint Color Quiz
We reviewed paint color data and trends that influence how quickly homes sell and for how much. Zillow’s paint color analyses identify hues that historically helped homes sell for more than expected as well as colors that tended to lower sale prices. Below are several neutral, sale-friendly paint choices we’ve used repeatedly in our own projects. Each image shows one of these neutrals in real rooms to give you an idea of how it photographs and feels in a lived-in space.
- Edgecomb Gray (Benjamin Moore) — a warm, versatile neutral that looks great with crisp white trim and pairs well with natural textures.
- White Heron (Sherwin-Williams) — a soft, creamy white that brightens rooms without feeling stark. Works well for bedrooms and family spaces.
- Irish Mist (Behr) — a gentle, warm neutral that coordinates with both cool and warm accents.
- Repose Gray (Sherwin-Williams) — a balanced gray that reads neutral in most lights and creates a calm backdrop for furnishings.
Listener Question: Kids’ Rooms and Design Choices
We get asked how much to include children in the design of their bedrooms. Our approach has been to use neutral wall colors as a calming foundation and then let kids personalize with bedding, artwork, rugs, and small painted surfaces (like closet doors or a ceiling). This allows flexibility as tastes change, keeps the room looking cohesive, and makes future updates easier and less expensive.
If you want to see how our daughter’s room evolved over time, we documented several stages of her room makeover. Those photos and posts show how small design choices—like adding color through textiles, incorporating a painted ceiling, or letting a child pick a favorite accent—can make a room feel truly theirs while still fitting into the home’s overall aesthetic.
We’re Digging
This week we’re inspired by Leann and Steve from Restored By The Fords, whose layered, unexpected mixes of vintage and modern elements (and occasional playful details) illustrate how personality can anchor a space. We also mentioned a few subscription and home brands we’ve tried and liked; those mentions were shared as personal impressions rather than formal endorsements.
If you’re hunting for ideas we’ve highlighted in past episodes, we keep a master list of past “We’re Digging” picks and resources so you can revisit things that inspired you before.
Finally, a note of thanks to You Need A Budget (YNAB) for sponsoring this episode. Many listeners have found budgeting tools helpful when implementing spending changes like a temporary ban or a year of intentional living.
Thanks for listening — and for reading along. If you try a spending challenge, a paint refresh, or a kid-focused room update, we’d love to hear how it turned out!
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