midyear money check-in: raises, reality checks & random purchases we regret (it's giving financially literate)

back in january, we set our financial goals for 2026, and now we're seeing how things are actually going: are we ahead, behind, or exactly where we thought we'd be? from asking for raises and avoiding lifestyle creep to navigating wedding expenses, home-buying conversations, and the occasional regrettable activewear purchase, we're sharing what's changed, what's stayed the same, and the money…