Jasmine Pinda had cultivated a habit of scrolling through her Instagram feed ever since she moved to the United

States. On this particular day, her phone buzzed with notifications, but there was an unusual energy in the air.

Taking a deep breath, she glanced at the bright display, her heart racing as a notification popped up that would alter

her life forever: “Jasmine Pinda is pregnant.” Her mouth fell open in disbelief as she clicked on the headline, heart pounding with a mix of excitement, anxiety, and incredulity.

The article detailed how her life was poised for a dramatic change. Jasmine had confirmed her pregnancy with her partner, Gino Palel, a few weeks ago but had yet to announce the news publicly. Now, as a jumble of emotions swirled within her, she thought about how long she had dreamed of starting a family. However, she hadn’t expected it to happen so soon, knowing full well that this new chapter would turn her world upside down.

Jasmine had built a reputation around her lavish spending habits and extravagant beauty routines, indulging in everything from luxurious facials to high-end skincare products. Just last week, she splurged on an $800 microneedling machine. The thought of her impending motherhood raised questions about whether this new chapter of her life would require a shift in her spending habits. With a furrowed brow, she picked up her phone to text Gino: “Hey babe, we need to talk.”

Upon receiving her message, Gino’s excitement bubbled over; he couldn’t believe Jasmine was pregnant. Their love story had traversed rocky terrain, yet this felt like the dawn of something beautiful. They decided to celebrate the moment by dining at their favorite restaurant. Jasmine chose a stunning outfit — a body-hugging dress that accentuated her curves and left little to the imagination. The familiar buzz of attention from fellow diners greeted her like an old friend.

“Are you ready for this, babe?” Gino asked, admiring her appearance but also displaying a hint of concern. “I am, but can you believe it? A baby!” she exclaimed, her radiant smile lighting up the table. Over dinner, they began to discuss their plans for the future, and Gino’s heart raced at the thought of fatherhood. However, he couldn’t help but voice a crucial question regarding their finances: “So, how do you feel about changing your spending habits now that we’re having a baby?”

Jasmine laughed, brushing off Gino’s concerns. “Gino, I can’t just stop everything! I love my beauty routines. What if I have a bad skin day?” she replied, her tone light but firm. Gino raised an eyebrow, suggesting they find a balance to maintain their lifestyle while preparing for their new arrival. As the weeks passed, the reality of her pregnancy began to set in, bringing with it unexpected challenges and cravings that swung from extravagant gourmet meals to late-night junk food binges.

Despite Gino indulging her every whim, he soon expressed growing concern over their finances. One evening, Jasmine immersed herself in a YouTube video about microneedling at home, admiring the results. An idea lit up in her mind: “What if I became a beauty influencer?” she mused to herself. “I could share my routines and make some money on the side.” However, Gino shook his head, skeptical about the necessity of the $800 machine. “But do we really need that?” he questioned gently.

“This is an investment in my future; you don’t understand,” Jasmine replied, frustration creeping into her voice. Their discussions about spending took a sharp turn as they navigated this new territory, signaling that becoming parents would bring about not just joy but also challenges they needed to tackle together. One morning, Jasmine awoke feeling nauseous, the unmistakable signs of early pregnancy amplifying her anxious thoughts about impending motherhood and the changes that were bound to follow.