What A Spreadsheet Could Never Tell Us
by Angie Carlson |
Monday started with a sound I hate at 4:56 AM even more than my alarm clock
My phone ringing.
It was my husband. The car had died. He needed a ride to work.
What happened next wasn’t in any financial planning book, but it revealed more about our financial health than any spreadsheet ever could. 👇
I texted the kids (15 & 10) in case this was the one morning they woke up early.
Then—still in pajamas, bed hair, and unbrushed teeth—I jumped in the car.
And here’s what surprised me: I was calm. Singing off-key to the radio. No caffeine, no panic.
When I picked him up, neither of us was panicking.
We were planning.
💡 “What’s our next step?” instead of “How can we afford this?”
💡 “What decisions do you want me to handle?” instead of “Who’s in charge?”
We’ve always driven older cars. We knew this day would come.
The only thing uncertain was when.
By the time he got to work, he could focus on his job.
I handled logistics:
✅ Calling a tow truck
✅ Leaving a message for the mechanic
✅ Getting caffeine
✅ Planning the day
Then came the news: The repair cost thousands more than the car was worth.
Years ago, this would have triggered months of arguments. Today? We pivoted.
Asked ourselves, “what is our next step?”
While this does not change the fact this is inconvenient and NOT how I wanted to spend this Monday, it made the mental side of this MUCH easier.
Because the only certainty with the unexpected is uncertainty.
Which means it’s time to get clear on what we desire the outcome of this to look like.
An opportunity to apply the Agree & Achieve method to our real life.
🔹 What decision will make us happy in 3-5 years?
🔹 What vehicle do we need for our growing boys?
🔹 What’s realistic after 15 years since our last car purchase?
We let those answers drive our next steps—not stress or fear.
This is what financial freedom really is.
It’s not just about money—it’s about being the kind of couple who can handle anything life throws at them together.
Financial mastery isn’t about preventing the storm.
It’s about knowing how to dance in the rain.