SNAP cuts. Gov't Shutdown. Grocery Price Hikes. Tight Budgets

Assalamu alaikum girlie 🌸

It feels like the wild wild west out here, so let’s talk about the mess.

If you’ve been on social media or have been reading the news lately, you’ve seen it: SNAP benefits cut. Government shutdown for several weeks. Grocery price hikes. Federal employees missing paychecks.

And maybe this time, it’s not just headlines.
Maybe it’s you.

You were done everything right. You were working hard, paying your bills, even started saving a little. Then suddenly the rug’s pulled - and now every grocery trip feels like a math test.

You’re not dramatic for feeling scared. It’s okay to feel the weight of what’s happening.

We’re not going to spiral into panic or guilt.
We are going to: pause, re-ground, and plan intentionally.

Step One: Face the Facts

Before anything else, breathe and look at what’s really in front of you.

Pull up your latest pay info, bank balance, and any upcoming bills. Write them down. This will be key to get a clear picture of what you’re working with.
Because when your brain is shouting “everything’s falling apart,” clarity is the first step to peace.

Once you see your actual numbers, you can make better choices: see how much more you need to earn, call your service providers if needed, or pause non-essentials. Awareness is power, and knowing your position is the first step to regaining control, bi’ithnillah.

Step Two: Shift into preservation mode

When your income is uncertain, your goal is stability, not perfection. Cover your essentials first - food, rent, family obligations. Pause extras temporarily. Not as punishment, but as protection.

And if you’re not directly affected, this is still a gentle nudge from Allah to reflect. What would happen if your paycheck paused for two weeks?
If the government can stop, your finances should be able to pause and still breathe.

That’s what true financial peace looks like - a system that bends, not breaks.

Step Three: Get Support

You don’t have to handle this alone, sis.

Reach out; whether that’s to a friend to vent, a local masjid for any programs, a community fund, or someone in your network who you can work with to get back on your feet. Sometimes, the help you need is already around you, but you won’t know until you ask.

And remember, support doesn’t just mean money. It can be encouragement, a resource, or someone who helps you see options you didn’t know existed.

If you’re feeling completely lost, I’m offering free 1-on-1 coaching sessions this week to 3 sisters directly affected by the shutdown or SNAP benefit cuts. We’ll go through your numbers, map out next steps, and help you feel grounded again.

By the end of that hour, you’ll walk away with a personalized plan and a lighter heart, Inshaa Allah.

Reply to this email to be considered — I got you, girlie!

You got this, girlie. You’ve been through harder things before, and Allah has not forsaken you. May He grant you ease, stability, and success.

Take care,

Fatimah💎