Paper trail detective work

Alex volunteered to help me sort through six months of financial chaos today. What started as “let’s just organize your bills” quickly turned into a full forensic investigation of where my money actually goes.

Paper trail detective work

We set up camp in the living room with every receipt, statement, and random piece of paper I’ve been shoving into drawers. Alex brought his laptop and some color-coding system he swears by. I brought wine and low expectations.

Three hours later we’d created what Alex calls “financial clarity” and what I call “proof that I spend too much on coffee.” But honestly, having someone else’s brain on this stuff made it way less overwhelming than when I tried tackling it alone last month.

Victory moment over the mystery receipt from March.

Jake walked through at one point and just shook his head at the paper explosion. Pretty sure he’s planning his own organization intervention next.