Winter is NOT Coming, But Maycember Is: A Dragon Queen's Guide to Surviving the Financial Frenzy

A Month of Fire and (Financial) Blood

Hmph 'Maycember,' they call it? It sounds as pleasant as a Dornish viper in my breeches! As your rightful queen I understand the weight of responsibility the burden of kingdoms and the sting of... inflated prices? Apparently this 'Maycember' is a time of great expense akin to preparing for a Dothraki wedding – minus the blood wine I presume. Graduations 'prom attire' (whatever strange garb that may be) summer camps… It sounds like a siege on the Iron Bank itself! Clearly something must be done or we'll all be eating roasted rats instead of roasted dragons.

When Dragons Fly...Your Savings Dwindle

Isabel Barrow some financial advisor of this realm speaks of a 'storm of financial stress.' I Daenerys Stormborn know a thing or two about storms! But this one this 'Maycember,' sounds as treacherous as navigating the Narrow Sea in a paper boat. She advises not to panic but tell that to the Unsullied when they face a horde of screaming Wildlings! Still her wisdom isn’t entirely without merit. Panic benefits no one especially not your purse. As I always say 'Dracarys' should be reserved for your enemies not your bank account.

From Khaleesi to Budgeting Queen

The first step it seems is to face the music or in this case the ledger. We must 'review your spending,' Barrow says. I find it easier to review the charred remains of my enemies but alas different dragons for different fires. 'Financial well being begins with awareness,' she claims. True enough. Knowing you're broke is half the battle! And if you're drowning in credit card debt tackle it with the ferocity of Drogon claiming his meal. Choose a repayment strategy – 'avalanche' or 'snowball.' I prefer 'dragonfire,' but these might be safer for your ledgers.

Automate Like an Unsullied Army

Ah automation! Finally something I can get behind. Just as I command my Unsullied to stand firm you must command your funds to march into your savings. Set up recurring transfers Barrow suggests. If your employer offers 'direct deposit splitting,' use it! It sounds like a barbaric way to divide spoils but I suppose it works. And much like training a dragon takes patience so does rebuilding your savings. Remember Rome wasn’t built in a day... and neither was my empire! Although admittedly I conquered Astapor pretty quickly.

Summer's Coming: Time to Get Thrifty

Lazetta Rainey Braxton suggests scaling back. Pack a picnic she says. Well I suppose if roast beef and fine wine are out of the question a day at the park is a sufficient distraction from your financial woes. Find free events she suggests. Perhaps I should attend one disguised as a peasant of course to see what all this 'fun' entails. She also suggests 'side gigs' like babysitting or tutoring. Perhaps I could tutor young Targaryens in the art of fire breathing... for a hefty price of course!

Plan for the Next Financial Siege

Braxton calls this 'Maycember' a 'stretch month.' I prefer to call it an abomination! 'Use your experience as a guide,' she advises. Yes learn from your mistakes lest you end up like Viserys begging for a golden crown. Tally your expenses and make a plan for next year. Create a 'Maycember fund,' she says. A separate savings account for this financial dragon? Sounds wise. Start saving early she suggests. And remember thoughtfulness trumps extravagance. A heartfelt gift is worth more than a mountain of gold or in this case dragons.