LaborPress | Kerri O’Brien | December 1, 2025
As the year comes to a close, many of us start thinking about resolutions: get healthier, be more present with family, get more organized. This December at LaborPress, we’re shining a light on a resolution that touches all of those goals at once: financial wellness for you and your family.
Financial wellness doesn’t mean perfection. It doesn’t mean never treating yourself or your kids. It means feeling more in control, less anxious, and more prepared for what’s ahead. As union members, you already know the power of planning, solidarity, and standing together. That same strength can be brought into your household finances — one small step at a time.
All month long, we’ll be sharing weekly blogs with suggestions and ideas (not financial advice) to help you take stock of where you are, and where you want to be by this time next year.
Make Healthcare Dollars Work Harder for You
Healthcare is often the biggest wildcard in a family budget. Even with strong union benefits, co-pays, deductibles, and surprise bills can pile up fast. One of the most empowering things you can do as we head into the new year is simply to get a clearer picture of your healthcare spending.
You might start by keeping a simple record of your medical costs: co-pays for doctor visits, prescriptions, lab tests, urgent care, and follow-up bills that arrive after treatment. It doesn’t need to be complicated — a notebook, a spreadsheet, or a note on your phone is enough. The goal is visibility, not perfection.
As you review the past few months, you might notice patterns: prescriptions you refill often, visits that could be better coordinated, or benefits you haven’t fully used. This is a good time to explore options like generic medications, pharmacy savings programs, or mail-order prescriptions if your plan offers them. These small changes can help you stretch your healthcare dollars while still taking care of your health.
In our upcoming weekly blog on healthcare financial wellness, we’ll talk more about organizing bills, asking questions when something doesn’t look right, and making the most of your union health and benefit resources.
Fun on a Budget: Affordable Entertainment for the Whole Family
Life isn’t just about paying bills — it’s also about joy, connection, and making memories. The good news is, you don’t need a huge budget to have a rich family life.
Think about entertainment in a new way: How can we maximize fun, not cost? Matinee movies instead of evening shows, local theater instead of expensive tours, free museum days, community concerts, outdoor festivals, holiday light walks, and game nights at home can all be part of a “rich” life that doesn’t drain your wallet.
Local unions, community centers, and city websites often list free or discounted events. Taking a few minutes at the start of each month to scan for deals and pencil in low-cost activities can turn your calendar into a roadmap of things to look forward to — without the financial hangover.
We’ll be sharing more ideas for low-cost family fun in a dedicated weekly blog, helping you build a year of memories that doesn’t get wiped out by a single expensive outing.
Smarter Travel: Turning Getaways into Goals, Not Stress
Whether it’s a quick road trip or a longer vacation, travel is one of the big dreams families work toward. It can also be one of the biggest sources of stress if it isn’t planned with care.
One of the most powerful shifts you can make is to treat travel as a goal you build toward, rather than a last-minute decision. That might mean setting a modest travel budget, picking dates in advance, and comparing options — whether you’re driving, taking a train, or flying. Little things like traveling off-peak, packing snacks, or choosing a nearby town instead of a major tourist hot spot can make a big difference.
Our travel-focused weekly blog will share practical tips to help you plan trips that fit your budget, so you come home with good memories instead of anxiety about the bills.
Family Money Habits: Small Steps, Big Impact
Finally, financial wellness is about the everyday habits that build stability over time. That might be choosing one shared savings goal — a weekend getaway, a special class for your child, or a home project — and setting aside a manageable amount each week. It might mean reviewing union and community benefits you haven’t tapped into yet: credit unions, scholarships, recreation discounts, financial literacy workshops, and more.
You don’t need to have all the answers. Start with questions like:
- What are we saving for together?
- What union or community benefits are we not using yet?
- What one small change could make things feel less stressful this month?
These conversations don’t have to be heavy or negative. They can be hopeful, even motivating — an opportunity to bring the same solidarity you show on the job into your home.
This December, LaborPress invites you to see financial wellness not as a lecture or a burden, but as a path to more peace, more choices, and more confidence in the year ahead. Follow our weekly blogs — and connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and at LaborPress.org — as we walk through each of these themes in more detail.
You work hard. You deserve not just a paycheck, but a sense of control and possibility. As we approach January, take this month as your invitation to pause, reflect, and take the first steps toward a stronger, more financially confident new year for you and your family.
