The Right Question Changes Everything
✨ Introducing Margin & Meaning
Welcome to the first edition of Margin & Meaning™ — the next chapter in the Spend With Clarity newsletter.
This rebrand marks something important.
The business is growing. The conversations are getting deeper. And the momentum from coaching incredible people 1:1 — navigating debt, investments, business growth, life transitions — is spilling over into this newsletter in the best possible way.
I get fired up in those client sessions. And just because you’re not in the room doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get the clarity that comes out of them.
This newsletter is evolving to meet that moment — with more intention, sharper insight, and a renewed commitment to helping you move forward with confidence.
So why Margin & Meaning ?
Because margin is what makes everything else possible.
It’s the systems, structures, and math that fuel financial progress — the space between what you earn and what you spend.
No matter your goal — paying off debt, investing, reducing stress, buying back your time — you need margin to get there.
But margin alone doesn’t get the job done.
Without clear goals, margin is just… math.
That’s where meaning comes in.
With every client, I’m asking: What are we optimizing for here?
A stronger bank balance? More enjoyment? Less stress? Greater simplicity?
Because the numbers don’t matter unless they move your life in the right direction.
Margin & Meaning is about both —
Building the systems and clarity to create financial margin,
And staying anchored to the purpose behind it all.
Thanks for being here — now let’s get into it.
— Andrew
P.S. If this already resonates and you’re ready to bring more margin and meaning into your own life, book a Free Clarity Session and let’s talk.
In This Edition:
✏️ When the spreadsheet wasn’t enough — and what finally worked
❓ Which matters more: margin or meaning?
📈 $15K paid off, one debt at a time
⚡️ A simple savings trick that actually works
✏️ Clarity Shift: Why She Stopped Running the Numbers
A new client of mine just wrapped up her coaching package. She came in with a big question:
Should I leave my high-paying job to start my own business?
Her numbers looked great — nearly $200K in income, no kids, strong retirement savings, a supportive spouse. But she still felt stuck.
So we got organized:
Defined clear roles for each savings account
Built a personal budget and modeled future business income
Clarified how much the business needs to generate to sustain her lifestyle
But the math wasn’t the problem. She’s analytical by nature — spreadsheets are her comfort zone.
Still, she couldn’t decide.
So I asked her a different kind of question:
“You’ve earned the right to choose. So how do you want the next 20 years to feel?”
That shifted everything.
I watched her shoulders relax, her eyes light up. She had clarity — not just about the numbers, but about the meaning behind them.
Now we're full steam ahead on her new business.
Because sometimes, clarity isn’t about finding the safest answer. It’s about asking the right question.
❓ Money Question: Margin or Meaning?
Most people default to just one.
They either optimize every decision for financial efficiency...Or they chase fulfillment without fully weighing the financial implications.
But the most sustainable path? Optimizing for both.
Your numbers should support the life you want. And your vision should be grounded in what’s financially real.
Margin gives you options.
Meaning shows you the way.
📈 Client Highlight: $15k Down — and Still Going Strong
A couple I met with this week has spent the past 18 months steadily transforming their financial reality — one debt at a time.
Their income didn’t skyrocket. They didn’t win the lottery.
They just made a decision: We’re going to keep showing up.
Here’s their progress so far:
✅ $10,500 in credit card debt → paid off
✅ $4,500 lawn mower loan → paid off
💥 $4,000 student loan → down to $3,350 (on track to zero in 2 months)
💥 $16,300 furnace loan → down to $13,500 (next up!)
Clarity came from the system.
Momentum came from the follow-through.
⚡ Quick Tip: Name Your Savings
If your savings account is one big pot, it’s easy to hesitate: Can I afford this? Should I spend it?
A better approach? Give every dollar a job.
Name your savings buckets with purpose:
✈️ Travel Fund
🧰 Home Projects
💵 Emergency Fund
🎁 Gift Giving
You’ll feel more confident spending when it’s for the right reason — and more motivated to save when you know exactly what it’s for.
Want to talk with Andrew directly?
Schedule a 30-minute Free Clarity Session to get expert eyes on your financial questions and explore what support might look like.
→ Book your Free Clarity Session
Don’t miss the next one.
The Margin & Meaning™ newsletter by Spend With Clarity is published every two weeks — no fluff, just thoughtful insights delivered straight to your inbox.
