5 Ways I’m Saving Money as a Full-Time Caregiver (Emotional Spending, Side Hustles & Root Chakra Healing)
Welcome to my little corner of the internet… yay.
If you’re here, thank you so much for following my journey. It’s been a really big one, and honestly, very unexpected.
A few years ago, I was working in NYC, running my construction business, staying busy, and focused on building my future.
Then everything changed when my mom got sick with cancer.
I became a full-time caregiver.
And with that shift came a complete change in how I look at money, spending, energy, and stability.
Looking back now, I can see that this wasn’t just a financial shift—it was also a root chakra healing journey, whether I knew it at the time or not.
🌱 What the Root Chakra Has Taught Me About Money
The root chakra is the energy center that deals with safety, stability, survival, and grounding.
And honestly… caregiving will test all of that.
When life became unpredictable, my nervous system went into survival mode. And that showed up in my money habits, my emotions, and my coping mechanisms.
This post is about how I’ve been rebuilding my finances—and also slowly healing my sense of safety.
1. Healing Emotional Spending (and Emotional Eating)
One of my biggest money leaks used to come from emotional eating.
Whenever I felt stressed, sad, or overwhelmed, I would go straight into comfort mode.
That usually looked like:
McDonald’s (two double cheeseburgers, fries, and a milkshake)
Or store runs for cookies, donuts, and snacks
At the time, it didn’t feel like a “money issue.” It felt like comfort.
But from a root chakra perspective, I can see it differently now.
It was my nervous system trying to create safety through food and instant relief.
When my mom got sick, something in me shifted. I felt like I needed to become more grounded—not just for me, but for her too.
Slowly, I began reducing emotional eating and emotional spending almost completely.
I’m not perfect—there are still moments here and there—but overall, I’m in a much more grounded place than I used to be. And I can see how much my sense of safety has grown.
2. Setting a Small Weekly Savings Goal ($15 at a Time)
One of the biggest ways I started rebuilding stability was through consistency.
Instead of trying to do everything at once, I committed to saving just $15 a week.
From a root chakra perspective, this is what healing looks like:
small, consistent actions that teach your body you are safe.
I won’t lie—it has been hard watching my emergency fund grow slowly.
But I’ve learned something really important:
Slow progress builds real security.
Right now, I’m working toward my $2,000 emergency fund, and every small deposit feels like I’m rebuilding trust with myself.
*Please note that this post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through my link at no extra cost to you.
Using a simple savings account that separates my money and helps me stay consistent has been amazing! One high-yield savings account that I really like is SoFi.
💼 3. Side Hustle #1: Letter Writing (Flexible Income From Anywhere)
When my mom first got sick, I needed something flexible I could do anywhere—especially in hospital waiting rooms.
That’s when I tried letter writing as a side hustle.
It involved writing letters to casinos for sweepstakes programs.
It was simple, low-pressure, and gave me a sense of control during a really unpredictable time.
From a root chakra perspective, it wasn’t just income—it was a way of rebuilding stability when everything else felt uncertain.
🏠 4. Side Hustle #2: Mystery Shopping (Apartment Visits)
Another side hustle I explored was mystery shopping—specifically apartment showings.
I would go view apartments and get paid for it.
Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Pay: $80–$200 per assignment
This was especially helpful during a season where I needed flexible ways to earn money without added stress.
It reminded me that even in transition, I could still create stability for myself.
📊 5. Side Hustle #3: Focus Groups (Quick Income Opportunities)
I’ve also done focus groups over the years, which have been amazing when they come up.
These are short-term research studies where you share your opinion or complete simple tasks and get paid.
One of my favorites was making $500 for checking my blood pressure daily for a month.
These opportunities come and go, but they’ve helped me feel more supported financially during unstable seasons.
🌱 Root Chakra Reflection: What This Journey Is Really About
When I zoom out, I don’t see just budgeting or side hustles anymore.
I see something deeper happening:
I’m rebuilding my relationship with safety.
Emotional eating was about comfort and survival
Saving money is about trust and stability
Side hustles are about resourcefulness
Caregiving is what forced me to slow down and rebuild everything
This isn’t just a financial reset.
It’s a root chakra healing journey—learning how to feel safe in my body, in my life, and in my finances again.
💬 Final Thoughts
If you’re in a season of starting over financially or emotionally, I want you to know something:
You’re not behind.
You might just be rebuilding your foundation.
And sometimes that’s the most important work there is.
💬 Let’s Talk
What’s one habit you’re trying to shift right now when it comes to money, safety, or emotional spending?
