In this episode of ThimbleberryU, we dive into an increasingly common experience for those working in the tech industry: burnout. We begin by acknowledging that tech burnout is unique—fast-paced roles, unpredictable compensation, constant decision-making, and job instability combine to create chronic stress. Amy Walls shares how burnout shows up not only emotionally, but also financially, and how we can use financial planning to move from depletion to clarity and control.

We explore how burnout rewires our ability to make decisions. Stress from long hours and mental overload shrinks our decision-making capacity. This leads to automatic, often reflexive spending as a way to cope—ordering food, shopping online, or subscribing to convenience services not out of indulgence, but survival. Many of us say we make good money, yet still feel stretched. Amy explains this disconnect through the lens of decision fatigue and lifestyle inflation as coping tools, rather than conscious choices.

Then, we walk through Amy’s Burnout Blueprint, a three-pillar framework for using financial planning to support mental and emotional wellbeing. The first pillar is intentional spending. We learn to distinguish between energy-saving expenses, like cleaning services or meal prep, and stress-coping spending that signals a deeper need for rest or support. We hear how small shifts—like outsourcing chores—can buy back time and change our relationship with money.

The second pillar is career pacing. Amy shows how financial clarity gives us room to pause, reassess, or even take sabbaticals. Instead of being chained to the next RSU payout or promotion, we can model what “enough” looks like and make career decisions from a place of health, not fear.

The third pillar is structured downtime. Real rest requires more than intention—it requires the freedom to disconnect without guilt or financial worry. Whether it’s a full sabbatical or just a microbreak, planning for rest helps rebuild energy and perspective. We also look at underutilized workplace benefits that can support recovery and reduce costs.

To wrap up, Amy leaves us with a powerful reminder: burnout isn’t a personal failure—it’s a mismatch between demands and energy. Small, intentional changes around spending, work, and rest can restore control and support our overall wellbeing.

To get in touch with Amy and her team at Thimbleberry Financial, call 503-610-6510 or visit thimbleberryfinancial.com.

In this episode, we explore the emotional and structural challenges that come with transitioning from a lifetime of saving to actually spending in retirement. We focus especially on healthcare professionals—nurses, physicians, and leaders—who have spent their careers making cautious, life-impacting decisions and who now face a very different kind of responsibility: using the money they’ve carefully built.

We start by recognizing how identity plays a major role. Many in healthcare see themselves as protectors and planners. Saving becomes a symbol of safety, and shifting to spending can feel like breaking an internal rule. With the end of scheduled shifts and steady paychecks, many experience a sense of floating—losing the rhythm they’ve followed for decades. We clarify that this unease is normal, not a sign of poor planning, but a psychological adjustment.

We emphasize that the solution lies in structure. By creating an income plan that mimics the regularity of a paycheck, we restore the stability many retirees need. We walk through how to assemble an “income playbook”—a way to integrate pensions, IRAs, 403(b)s, HSAs, and savings into a cohesive plan. Each account gets a role, whether it’s for essentials or discretionary goals, and cash buffers protect against market swings. Automation is key here—turning on scheduled withdrawals and tax withholding brings back the rhythm retirees are used to.

We also break down the concept of retirement into phases: go-go, slow-go, and no-go years. Spending shifts naturally, so we help clients build flexibility into their plans. Travel and hobbies may define the early years, while later stages often involve more home time or increased healthcare costs. By projecting different scenarios and using guardrails, we help people make confident adjustments as life evolves.

Throughout, we stress that it’s okay to spend what you’ve saved. Retirement isn’t about hoarding your wealth—it’s about enjoying the life you worked hard to build. We suggest starting with a snapshot of your financial picture, visualizing what your days might look like, and even running a test month on future income to see how it feels. Ultimately, retirement is about shifting into a new, well-supported identity—one that still reflects who you are but in a new chapter of life.

To get in touch with Amy and her team at Thimbleberry Financial, call 503-610-6510 or visit thimbleberryfinancial.com.

In this milestone episode of ThimbleberryU, we celebrate 150 episodes and the 10-year anniversary of Thimbleberry Financial. Amy Walls reflects on a decade of advising clients and the timeless lessons she’s learned—lessons that go beyond finance and into life, meaning, and the value of simplicity.

We open by anchoring the episode in Thimbleberry’s core values, especially simplicity. Amy stresses how the best financial plans aren't flashy—they're clear, flexible, and focused on what truly matters. We dive into the first cluster of lessons about money and planning, starting with the idea that clarity beats complexity every time. Fancy strategies may look appealing, but real success comes from plans that are understandable and actionable. A flexible plan, one that can adapt to life’s inevitable changes, always outperforms a rigid one.

We continue by looking at how emotions play into financial decision-making. Amy explains that emotions aren't distractions—they’re data. Recognizing fear, guilt, or excitement can lead to more empathetic and accurate planning. We don't need to know everything to make progress; staying curious and asking the right questions is often enough. That curiosity can help us avoid the traps of both overconfidence and paralysis.

As we shift toward life-focused lessons, Amy reminds us that success looks different for everyone—and that’s the point. Whether it's retiring early or spending more time with family, the plan has to fit the person. Life moves faster than spreadsheets, and that’s why regular check-ins and flexibility are essential.

Amy emphasizes that the best financial plans make room for joy. Planning isn’t about restriction—it’s about creating space for what we love, whether that’s rest, giving, or travel. Simplicity, while hard, is always worth it. And finally, a good plan isn’t static—it grows with us. It's not about being perfect; it's about evolving alongside life’s changes and building confidence as we go.

As we wrap up, we focus on three key takeaways for the new year: clarity, consistency, and curiosity. It’s not about predicting the future—it's about being prepared for it. And that preparation, rooted in simple, flexible planning, is what makes long-term success possible.

00:00 – Intro & Episode 150 Milestone

00:23 – 10 Years of Thimbleberry Financial

01:08 – Simplicity as a Core Value

02:15 – Lesson 1: Clarity Beats Complexity

03:23 – Lesson 2: Flexibility Over Perfection

03:49 – Lesson 3: Markets Don’t Care—Your Plan Should

04:33 – Lesson 4: Emotions Are Data

06:39 – Lesson 5: Stay Curious

07:22 – Lesson 6: Success Looks Different for Everyone

08:15 – Lesson 7: Life Moves Faster Than Spreadsheets

09:01 – Lesson 8: Make Room for Joy

09:31 – Lesson 9: Simple Isn’t Easy

09:57 – Lesson 10: A Plan That Grows With You

10:41 – Final Takeaways for the New Year

11:53 – Contact Info & Closing

To get in touch with Amy and her team at Thimbleberry Financial, call 503-610-6510 or visit thimbleberryfinancial.com.