Finding Balance

For many people, a relationship with money doesn’t come naturally, especially if they haven’t been taught from an early age. Money habits can often be learned the hard way. Brianna Kane, Business Banking Assistant in our St. Paul market, describes her own journey as “recovering.”

“When I was young, right out of school, finances were strained. My husband and I became targets of credit card companies and got sucked into multiple cards. On top of that, I had student loans, and no one had ever taught me financial responsibility. I truly taught myself about money management. Working in banking helped a lot,” she says.

Through her career in banking, she’s become more financially savvy. Today, she relies on her trusty pen and paper to record transactions and manage her budget, and a lot of discipline. “My brain works better when I can write it out. It helps me focus,” explains Kane.

Spending on What Matters

While Kane isn’t overly materialistic, she admits she enjoys experiences and travel. “I’ll wait for a sale, and I’m picky about purchases. I read all the reviews and cross-check with other brands. But I don’t mind splurging on vacations. We’ve taken Disney cruises, traveled with Royal Caribbean, visited Disney World and Universal Studios, and even explored Savannah and Tybee Island. Experiences like that are worth it.”

At the same time, she balances those big trips with practical habits, like thrifting for her kids’ clothes and vetting nearly every purchase online. “I’m not great at returning things, so I research before I buy. That way, I usually end up with good quality products,” she states.

Planner, Not Impulsive

Impulse buying isn’t her style. She recently purchased an Amazon Alexa Echo Show 15 after months of research. Kane says, “I first started looking in December 2024, and I finally bought it in August 2025. I compared brands, features, and cost before deciding. I wanted something that could connect to our speakers, manage our calendar, and move from room to room with ease.”

She applies the same approach to bigger financial decisions. “If I’m going to use credit, it has to benefit me. For example, our Disney credit card gives us discounts and extra experiences. But I always make sure I can pay off more than the minimum.”

Balancing Today with Tomorrow

Saving for the future is a constant focus. “We budget carefully, and we have different accounts for bills, spending, and extras. We even keep an emergency fund for the unexpected. Looking at the budget often helps me know what’s a need versus a want.”

Of course, she hasn’t been immune to spender’s regret. “I call it a spending hangover. It’s that physical and mental reaction after an impulse purchase. It’s why I do so much research now. Sometimes I’ve planned to buy something on sale, then I wait too long and end up paying full price. That’s when it stings.”

Her biggest financial lesson? “Debt lasts longer than the instant satisfaction of the purchase. If you can’t afford it twice over, you can’t afford it. That mindset helps me put things back in the cart instead of checking out.”

Building Better Habits

Over the years, Brianna has learned to create guardrails against impulse spending. She’ll often fill her Amazon cart and leave it for a few days before deciding. She’s also open about the emotional side of money. “Sometimes overspending is tied to something deeper. Therapy can help. And talking to a banker can, too.”

Her story is a reminder that financial health is a journey, not a destination. With the right mix of planning, discipline, and support, anyone can recover and build better money habits.