Alexa, play "Under Pressure" because 'Maycember' is a thing

If May feels like a cruel mashup of report cards, bake sales, and field days — that’s because it is.

My toddler’s new favorite word is "NO" — shouted, whispered, and occasionally sung like she's headlining Coachella. It feels weirdly on brand for Maycember, where everyone’s demanding one more donation, one more signup, one more miracle.

Instead of trying to power through (and lose our minds), here’s how to survive the end-of-year sprint with your wallet, your sanity, and your sense of humor mostly intact.

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 💸 Budget for the “Maycember Creep” — Before It Sucks You Dry

👉 May brings a sneaky onslaught of random expenses — class gifts, party fees, extra snacks, summer deposits.

🔹 New rule: Add a $50–$100 “oh crap” line item to your May budget immediately. (It will disappear — and you’ll be glad you planned for it.)

🔹 Use up your random gift cards first: Got a $7 Target card from last Christmas? A rogue Starbucks balance? Now’s the time to cash those in. Treat them like a mini Maycember fund — spend them guilt-free on teacher gifts, party snacks, or emergency spirit week costumes. Free money > real money.

⚡️Dodge the Energy Vampires: Practice Your Nice No’s

👉 End-of-year asks come flying in like dodgeballs. Not every "volunteer opportunity" needs your energy.

Set a hard yes/no rule: If it doesn't either a) help your actual kid or b) prevent a meltdown, it's a polite no.

🔹 Fast Scripts: "We’re maxed right now but cheering you on from the sidelines!" → Copy-paste and move on.

🔹 Bonus: Remember those gift cards? If you don’t have any on hand, stock up on $5–$10 Starbucks or Target gift cards now — they’re clutch for last-minute teacher gifts, PTA leaders, or that one admin who rescued your kid’s forgotten lunchbox.

🔥 Pro move: Check Costco, Target Circle, or gift card apps like Raise for discounted bundles. Tiny savings now = big mental load off later.

🧘 Create a Summer Fun Binder: Don’t Start from Zero

👉  Even if you're working full-time, the "I'm boooooored" chants are coming. Prep now, panic less later.

🔹 Printables/reminders to stash:

• Free local parks map (check your city’s website)

• Simple scavenger hunts (like this one from Everyday m & k!)

• Museum free day schedules

• DIY coupon book (ex: “1 movie night”, “stay up 30 mins late”) → these coupons from Megan H studio are cute because we’re just printing here, not crafting

🔹 Why now? Baby steps because let’s be real. If we wait until June to make a plan, we'll already be too tired 😴.

K that’s all. You’re the best and we love you.

-The JB Crew & their “$2 dollars remain” gift cards

PS: Next week: Genius end-of-year teacher gifts that don’t involve crafts, glitter, or a second mortgage. (You’ll want to forward it to at least three friends.)