Category Archives: Financial Freedom

Why sticking to your budget will ultimately make you a better person

I’m the spender in our family. And recently, I was reminded in full force how easily your well-planned budget can slip right through your fingers.  I had that option many times and I resisted every single time.

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Yes, I love to spend money! But, I realize that spending money now means that we’ll have less later and I refuse to dip into next month’s budget for what I want right now.  So I decided to take the more prudent road and realized that each day I didn’t mindlessly spend on things I didn’t need, it strengthened my resolve to practice financial stewardship again and again. I know it isn’t easy and, honestly, I’m glad it’s a new month and our budget has started over.  I was reminded of some pretty important lessons that I’m ready to share with you.

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The Easy, Breezy Meal Strategy to Simplify Your Life

When you’re thinking about your week, you don’t have to make a wildly difficult master plan for your meals. Figure out what you like and use the same strategy over and over to make everything easier. Plan out your week with these easy, breezy meal prep strategies.  Here are the meals you need to add to your repertoire: 

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The Easy Meal

We always keep basics for our easy meal on hand.  It’s easy to buy, easy to prep and everyone likes it. If we can’t think of any thing else to eat, our easy meal saves us a trip for take out.  You need to pick an easy meal that works for you. Here are some ideas:

  • Spaghetti with whole wheat or yellow-squash “noodles”
  • Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
  • Scrambled Eggs & Bacon

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15 tips to confidently succeed this year

Each new year, I hear people discussing their goals and resolutions, but many don’t succeed even with the best intentions.  Start this year right and realize what you can really accomplish.  Let this be your year of confidence – It will be easier than you think to make goals and stick with them this year – you can make lasting, confident change in your life and this is the year to make it happen.

1. Speak your mind. You have valuable ideas.  Confidently share your opinion and be bold with your statements.  Don’t back down.

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2. Push your limits. Your goals should be challenging and exciting. Don’t settle for the easy route, build your confidence by pushing your limits.

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The Lazy Way To Eat Healthier

You can eat healthier and be healthier and it’s easier than you think.  Make a few simple changes to your regular routine and you’ve got healthier meal options with little effort. #YouDeserveThis

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Pack your Perfect 10. Spend 10 minutes right now and make a list of your 10 favorite portable meal options.  Use this list to craft your lunches every day.  Even packing a PBJ is better than a pre-packaged/frozen lunch, even a healthy one.  The lazy solution: make extra portions of dinner and plan to eat these the next few days for lunch or freeze a few of these to save for later.

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Do One Thing: Reuse Everything For One Day

This month I’m challenging you to do one thing every day. It doesn’t seem like much if you look at it on a daily basis, but a continued focus on doing one thing will lead to amazing results.

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Save yourself tons of time! Save your money! Try this for one day, to reuse everything at least once.  Make it a game and see how close you can get to your goal. Here are some things that we regularly re-use:

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Do One Thing: Organize Your Errands

This month I’m challenging you to do one thing every day. It doesn’t seem like much if you look at it on a daily basis, but a continued focus on doing one thing will lead to amazing results.

Your errands can be more organized and an easier task to complete.  Make a few simple changes to ensure you are maximizing your time and your money with each and every trip you make.

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Make a list of NOW errands and ANYTIME errands. Just because you need it doesn’t mean you need it now. Make a list of what you need so you are ready when you have time or when you’re in the area.  The more prepared you are, the more likely you’ll get exactly what you need when you need it.  Be sure to keep NOW and ANYTIME separate.  When you hold off on items you don’t need now, you’ll save yourself money.

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Do One Thing: Easy Organized Home

This month I’m challenging you to do one thing every day. It doesn’t seem like much if you look at it on a daily basis, but a continued focus on doing one thing will lead to amazing results.

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Stock spaces correctly. And correctly has a few different key meanings: Keep items where you use them most and store similar items together.  We have our cleaning supplies in the room where we use them. I keep my umbrella, boots and coats in our home entrance. Wherever we use the item becomes where its new home is.  These sometimes change based on our family needs – and that’s ok – your active storage zones should be flexible.

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