Even More Ways to Save Money on Your Utilities
The other day we talked about a few things that you can do in order to save money on your utility bills. With the money situation many of us are in these days, we can all use some money saving tips, am I right?
We only talked about three or four tips, so I figured we can go a little bit further in discussing ways in which we can save money on our power and other utilities. There’s never too much advice when it comes to saving money!
Even More Ways to Save Money on Your Utilities
Replace Your Appliances
Aging appliances can be a pretty heavy drain on your power consumption. If your appliances are on the older side, you may consider replacing them to save more money. Refrigerators and dryers are big ones for using a lot of power when they get older.
Unplug Electronics
When you leave your electronics plugged in all the time, they do consume energy. Even if you aren’t using them at the time. This is often called vampire electricity and it really does affect your power bill.
Get Rid of Those Old Lightbulbs
If you haven’t done it yet, be sure to get rid of those old light bulbs and switch them out for new LED ones. This is a big one, yet some of us are really attached to those old bulbs.
Close off all Drafts
Search your home for drafty air. If you find any, close it off. If it’s around the doors, put a draft stopper down. Make sure you close off any and all vents in your home, etc.
Choose Your Time of Day
The time of day that you use specific appliances/electronics actually matters. Many power companies recommend that you wait to do your laundry and cooking in the non-peak hours of the evening. Apparently, power costs more during peak hours. This is a tip that I haven’t yet tried, but I think I’m going to!
Tips for Saving Money on Utilities
With winter in full swing, many of us are seeing our utility bills rise higher and higher. If you are on that not so exciting list of people, I feel your pain! It’s easy to be overwhelmed with those bills.
If you are looking for tips for saving money on utilities, check out this list of tips that I gathered recently. Some of these tips have been used by me and I can tell you that they do work! If you have some great tips to add to this list, let us know in the comment section below.
Tips for Saving Money on Utilities
Shop Around for Service Provider
Where I live we don’t have the ability to do this with our power company, but I know that in some areas, you can! If you are able to do this, be sure and check out your options.
Clear Out Your Dryer Vents
If your dryer is taking more time than it should, be sure to clear out your dryer vents well. This doesn’t mean just your lint screen, but the vents throughout the dryer itself. Lint builds up and slows down your dryer, which means you need to use more electricity.
Keep Curtains Drawn
Yes, you can put plastic up over your windows to prevent the cold air from getting in, but I know that many people do not like doing that. If you don’t want to put up plastic, be sure to keep your curtains drawn during the cold weather. It will help conserve the warmth in the house to keep your power bill lower.
Close off all Drafts
Search your home for drafty air. If you find any, close it off. If it’s around the doors, put a draft stopper down. Make sure you close off any and all vents in your home, etc.
7 Tips to Beat the Winter Blues
It’s Winter time, which can be hard on a lot of people. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression related to changes in seasons. A lot of people can experience this during the winter months. You may find yourself a little more tired or moody. I’ve learned that you really can enjoy this season. It does require a little extra work, but it’s definitely worth it. Here are 7 tips & tricks that might just help you beat the winter blues.
Learn Something New. When your body and mind are put to work, it helps you feel like you have accomplished something. Think of a hobby or sport that you have wanted to get into but just haven’t done it yet. Now is the time to do it. You can start by signing up for a class and actually learn how to do your hobby the right way. Or, ask a friend or neighbor who knows how to do it and have them teach you. Some examples could include: swimming, skiing/snowboarding, playing the piano, guitar or other musical instrument, decorating cookies and cakes, sewing or an exercise class. Whatever it is, put your body and mind to work and do it!
Get Outside. The first thing we think of when we see the snow or rain falling outside is how much we want to stay in our pjs and lounge around inside all day. This could be fine for a day or so, but when you do this consecutively over the winter, depression could set in. Get outside no matter the weather. If it’s just for a walk to the mailbox and then around the block, that’s fine. Getting outside gives you the fresh air that you are craving but just don’t know it while you are inside. Another idea is plan a drive through the mountains or other scenic drives. Stop every once in awhile and step outside to breath in the fresh air. We all need it and it feels so good.
Serve Others. When we forget about ourselves and think of others, our moodiness suddenly disappears. We are focusing our thoughts and energy onto someone else. You will probably also notice that other people have struggles too and sometimes they are far worse than your own. Look around in your neighborhood and community. Where could you volunteer your time and talents? Who is sad and lonely? Even a nice homemade cooked meal for someone who is struggling is a big thing. If you can’t volunteer on a regular basis. Try making a goal for once a week to help someone in need. This will direct your focus outwards instead of keeping it on yourself.
Exercise. You hear it all the time, right? You need to exercise. It’s so true though. Exercise can be different for a lot of people. Taking a walk with friends around the neighborhood, or signing up for the swim class you’ve wanted to. There are many ways to exercise and you will definitely feel a difference in the way your body feels. If you’re like me and you are a social exerciser, grab your friends and plan a set day of the week that you will exercise. Then stick to it! The feel of peer pressure is so good to get you going!
Get Ready for the Day. You might be thinking… what?? This one might sound funny but it helps me so much. I have a rule that every morning I have to take a shower and get my hair and makeup ready for the day. I find that the days I stay in the comfy clothes and don’t shower, I tend to lounge around the house, I’m more tired, and I tend to get snappy at the kids. When I’m actually dressed and feel good about myself, my day goes a lot better. Plus, then I’m not running in my room to get dressed the second the doorbell rings! We’ve all been there right!? 
Be Social. We all need friends…especially women. We need to talk and…talk and eat. It’s just in our nature. So why is it when the colder seasons come along, we suddenly stop getting together with our friends? It doesn’t have to be that way. Plan lunches with your friends, go to a museum, hit the mall and let the kids play in the play area, start a book club, or just take turns hosting a get together. You may have to put more energy into actually going, but once you are there, you will notice how much you crave that friendship and conversation.
Plan a Vacation/Have Something to Look Forward to. I’m a planner, I need it. I love looking at the new year and thinking of all we can do and explore. It gets me excited. We all need that feeling of something to look forward to. So, if you don’t have any trips, outings, dates, or adventures planned yet, get going. Look into a new camping spot for the summer, or a winter wonderland you can go visit now. It doesn’t need to be big, it just needs to make you happy and give you a change in your everyday routine.
Weekend Getaway to Afton Wyoming!
I know the long winter months are starting to affect a lot of us, including myself. So, we took a little weekend getaway up to Afton Wyoming. It was the perfect way to reset and reconnect with each other. I highly recommend getting away if you can. This was only a little over 3-hour drive from Salt Lake City making it great to travel to on a weekend. Here’s what we enjoyed and the highlights of the trip.
- World’s Largest Elkhorn Antler Arch
I knew there was an Elkhorn Antler Arch in Jackson but had no idea the World’s Largest one wasn’t far from there in Afton Wyoming. This arch has a total of 3,011 elk antler. It’s a fun sight to see while you’re in town for dinner. We were lucky enough to see it light up at night.
- Snow Shoeing Trails
There are tons of trails located all around Afton Wyoming. The one we took, and I recommend, is on the Periodic Springs Trail Road. You’ll take the road as far as you can (it’s not all snow plowed) then pull out the snowshoes and start hiking up the road. We were able to stop and see the Shawnee Falls as well as tons of wildlife so keep your eyes open. You walk along the riverbeds making for a beautiful hike the entire time.
- Kodiak Mountain Resort
This place was beautiful and would be the perfect romantic getaway if that’s what you’re looking for. Our room featured a king size bed as well as a fireplace, soaker tub, dual shower head and surround sound equipment. They also have a hot tub on location and for the summer months there’s a fire pit and awesome playground for the kids. The lodge is beautiful and offers spa services as well as a full breakfast. They offer different style cabins from couples’ cabin on up to a family adventure cabin.
- Snowmobiling
There are so many groomed trails you can head out snowmobiling on. Weather you have your own or you’re looking to rent, this is an ideal place to explore. We used Alpine Adventure Rentals and they were amazing, so knowledgeable. They got us all set up and ready to go and included all our snow gear with our snowmobile rental. Then showed us some awesome trails we could go on including ones right out the door (no towing required).
- Visit Star Valley Wyoming LDS Temple
This is a beautiful site to see. A great place to stop and walk around if you’d like or even pack a small lunch and enjoy the view. This was the first temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints built in Wyoming.
Bonus
Like I said we went in the winter months, and it was perfect. But if you happen to go there over the summer, there is the Valli Vu Golf Coarse in Afton. It’s a short 9 hole coarse but sits on the side of the mountain making the view quite impressive.
The Best 12 Amazon Prime Benefits – Did You Know About These?
Do you have Amazon Prime? Or maybe you’ve been thinking about signing up? I wanted to share with you some of the awesome benefits of having an Amazon Prime Account, some you might not have even known about!
- Special Discounts. You can almost always find special deals that are exclusive to Prime members. Be sure and keep an eye out here at our website, and stalk your Amazon account to find special deals on all kinds of stuff.
- Music Streaming. Do you love to listen to music? Amazon Prime members get access to thousands of songs without having to pay for a music streaming service. That being said, Amazon does have a music streaming service that costs money, but offers even more options, however, you don’t have to sign up for it in order to enjoy your favorite music.
- Movie Streaming. Are you a movie buff? Amazon Instant Video has thousands of videos, tv shows and exclusive programs available for Prime members to stream.
- Free 2 Day Shipping. One of my favorite things about Amazon is the free shipping option. I actually buy a lot of my household stuff on Amazon (I have a toddler and barring any rock-bottom coupon deals, I exclusively shop at Amazon for diapers).
- Early Access to Lightening Deals. This is awesome especially during the Christmas season when we see some awesome lightening deals on popular items we’re planning on getting for Christmas.
- Access to free books. Prime members can also get access to Kindle books for free! Who doesn’t like a great, free read? You can simply download the app Audible and choose form tons of books to read as well as podcast!
- FREE 2-Hour Grocery Delivery. This was announced not to long ago that Prime Members are eligible for FREE Amazon Fresh Grocery Delivery. They work with participating grocers in your area to get you your orders quickly. This is only available in select cities, you can check out if your area is participating here.
- Save 10% at Whole Foods Grocery Store. Do you shop at Whole Foods? Prime Members can save 10% on your purchase when you scan your Prime Code in the Whole Foods app at checkout. Easy and quick way to save even more.
- FREE Amazon credit with no rush shipping. If you’re ordering ahead (say getting some Christmas shopping done) and don’t need your order right away, you can earn free Amazon credit when you select the no rush option. This credit changes from time to time but we’ve received credit for kindle ebooks, movie downloads, music and more.
- Unlimited Photo Storage. If you’re a Prime Member you get Unlimited Photo storage! If you’re like me that’s big, I take a lot of pictures of my kids so having it backed up with Amazon Prime is a great bonus. I don’t have to worry about space on my phone or losing precious photos.
- Amazon Wardrobe Try Before You Buy. Lately this has been an awesome benefit we’ve been taking advantage of! You can order your clothing, shoes, etc on Amazon and try them for up to 7 days before you buy them. Plus they have super easy returns with resealable box and prepaid labels.
- Dash Buttons Options. Often times I’ll be in the laundry room when I realize we’re running low on laundry detergent. With Amazon Primes Dash Button all you have to do is simple press the button. This is an awesome for popular items like Tide, Bounty, Angel Soft, Honest Company and more! It’s a fast way to reorder a product you use often while you’re thinking about it.
Do you shop at Amazon? What are your favorite benefits of being a Prime member? If you aren’t a Prime member, why not?
If you are ready to give it a shot, you can get 3 months of Prime for just $6.49 here. (After 3 months, Prime renews at $12.99/month. You can cancel at anytime)
Great Last Minute Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas
We still have a few weeks until Valentine’s Day, but if you are anything like me, you might just forget to go shopping for Valentine’s Day. Honestly, I’ve been super busy lately, so getting out to do any shopping has been difficult. If you are fully planning on needing last minute gifts, let’s just plan early for these last minute gifts.
I’m not big into thinking that Valentine’s day is all about gifting grand, beautiful things, but gifts of some sort can still be nice. That’s why I love these great last minute gift ideas so much.
Great Last Minute Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas
Groupon Experiences
I freaking love experiences that can be bought at Groupon! My family and I have done so many fun things that we have discovered through Groupon deals! Plus, Groupon often has other special deals that are great to take advantage of. I happened to check my email the other day and looked at the “promotion” tab which I almost always ignore, but I am glad that I did! I actually had two awesome deals! I had a discount for $10 off of $30 or more! Talk about the fun activities we can do!
Amazon Gift Cards
Let the love of your life get anything that they want! Okay, maybe not anything, but getting an Amazon gift card is a great way to give your love the gift of their choice of items. What better place to find a great selection like at Amazon.
Food Gifts
Have you ever heard the term, the way to a man’s (or woman’s) is through their stomach? That is so true! Seriously, I always tell my husband “the gift of chocolate tells me you love me.” Food gifts can be homemade food, or you can head to the nearest grocery store or bakery.
In all honesty, I do not like the commercialization of Valentine’s day, but chocolate in a heart shape is just as good as any other chocolate and the chocolate aisle is overflowing during Valentine’s Day so there are many, many things to find.
Fun, Frugal Date Night Ideas
Valentine’s Day is coming up! To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of Valentine’s Day. I hate to be “that person” but I really find that Valentine’s day is a little too commercialized for me. The one thing that it does for me is reminds me that I need to put more focus on date night. My husband and I are busy, busy, busy and we find ourselves putting our own time behind work and kids.
So, when it comes to Valentine’s Day, it always reminds me to put more focus on us and make sure that we are spending time together. I am not big on buying Valentine’s Day gifts, but I am all about planning out date nights! These fun, frugal date night ideas allow me to do that without spending a bunch of money or making it all about expensive gifts.
Fun, Frugal Date Night Ideas
Game Night
Do you and your love like to play games together? Grab your favorite game to play together and make dinner together. Playing games with your special someone is great fun and can bring lots of smiles. Smiling, laughing and enjoying your time together is a great way to spend your time with each other.
Groupon Date Night
There are so many awesome things that you can find to do on Groupon! If you would prefer to have a date night out, rather than a date night in, Groupon is the way to do it! Be sure to check this site before you buy in case there is a great promo code available to save even more!
Go for a Walk
After dinner together at home, bundle up, hold hands and go for a walk together. The fresh air is good for you as is the exercise. Plus, walking together adds much more togetherness than just sitting on the sofa and watching TV or staring at your phones.
10 Ways To Simplify Your Life!
We’re coming out of the busy time of year, at least for me. The holidays have us running from store to store, visiting family and friends, making extra trips to the grocery store all while making lots of memories. So I’m planning on taking this month to slow down and simply life. I’ve picked a few things so I don’t get overwhelmed but you can pick anything from this list to get started.
- Be Present
The simple act of slowing down and making yourself present will help you enjoy the little things in life. Don’t worry about missing out or what’s next, just enjoy the time you have right now. - Let Go of the To-Do List
If you’re like me there’s always a running list of thing to do. This list can range from stuff that has to get done like working, grocery shopping etc, to the stuff I want to get done such as painting, hanging curtains and so on. Make sure you don’t put pressure on yourself or make your list to long. Even cut your list down. Focus on one day at a time and write down the things you do get done instead of the other way around. - Keep a Calendar
Another way to simplify your life is to make sure you’re keeping a calendar. Staying organized with your calendar is a great way to know when you’re too busy to take on other responsibilities. Schedule time for yourself. Even a reset weekend is a great idea so you can make sure you’re taking care of you. - Declutter
This one is always inevitable when you’re thinking about simplifying. Having a decluttered home AND mind can put you at ease. It allows you to process your thoughts and make room for the things that truly matter in your life. - Take Breaks from Social Media
If you have ever done this before, you know exactly how it can impact you for the better. Taking a “fast” from social media is a great way to really find balance in your life and spend your time on what you really want. - Stop Multitasking
Do you multitask? I’m often multitasking which can lead to many of the tasks not getting completed or me not putting my best work forward. Simplify, one task at a time. Keep the tv off while you work, put the phone down while you drive, when you’re on a call – be on the call, don’t worry about what’s around you. - Learn to Say No
This took years of practice but I can tell you how freeing it really is when you only say yes to the things you really want to do and have time to do. Don’t feel like you have to give an answer right away, take the time to really process what the project would take before committing. - Find FREE Things to Do
I LOVE doing this, especially with the family. I’ve created a list of little day trips we can take to FREE activities in our area. This way I’m not creating any debt and we’re still working towards our finical goals but it simplifies our summer while still allowing us to create memories. - Watch Less TV
TV is mindlessness and a big timewaster. I’m a big tv watcher so I can say that. I’ll find myself sitting down to watch something after finishing a task only to find I’ve sat through 2 episodes and spent way to long doing nothing. So on my list to simplify, this is at the top. - Read
What a beautiful thing to get wrapped up in a book. Slow down, take a minute to read. Find something new to learn, get a self help book or relax in a romance.
Fun, Frugal At Home Activities for the Family
We have all been spending more time than usual at home. Okay, well for the last 2 years it has been the usual, but let’s be honest. Most of us are still trying to figure out how to best spend our time at home. We, as a society, are on the go all the time and we are still trying to get used to staying home.
I came to a point that I had watched just about as much TV as I can watch and as much as I love gardening and other outdoor activities, the weather here is just crummy so I’m looking for some fun and frugal at home activities for the family! We have taken on some new stuff lately and we are having a great time so I thought I would share these with you.
Fun, Frugal At Home Activities for the Family
Darts
My 5 year old got a cute little magnetic dartboard for Christmas and we all played with him and had so much fun. Because of this I decided to go to Walmart and buy a $25 dartboard. I bought a black foam board to go behind it to protect my wall and my husband and I along with our teenagers have had hours of fun playing!
Puzzles
Puzzles have definitely regained popularity over the last 2 years, and that’s for a reason. It’s fun! If you haven’t done a puzzle in a long time, try ordering a 250 piece or 500 piece puzzle and bring the family together for a puzzle night. It’s much more fun than you probably think.
Dominos
Did you know that you can play 20+ games with a set of dominos? You can! Plus, you can have fun setting them up and knocking them down. Learning games together is fun for everyone and everyone, no matter what their age, loves to knock down some dominos!
Pantry Staples that Last the Longest
Want to make your money last as long as possible? Buy food that lasts as long as possible. Seriously. It is so easy to buy food that just ends up costing you even more money because it has gone bad in your pantry and you just have to throw it away.
Making sure to fill your shopping cart with pantry staples that last the longest really will help you find yourself saving even more money! I don’t know about you, but I have slacked a bit in the last year (I may have possibly gone out to eat a lot) and I could use a little refresher when it comes to money saving tips.
Pantry Staples that Last the Longest
Canned Food
If you don’t have a good supply of canned food in your pantry, you are doing it wrong. Okay, okay, fresh is best. We all know this, but the reality is, fresh goods go bad much quicker. So, on those days that you try and make something from the crisper drawer and it is old and sad, you don’t have to go to the grocery store. Just reach into your pantry and pull out a canned version of the same thing or something similar.
Dried Pasta
Dried Pasta literally lasts 2 years in your pantry. Now that is a long time! Stock up and you’ll be set for meals for quite some time. Pasta is great for a base meal (spaghetti, lasagna, etc), but it’s also a great filler which is a necessity when you have teenagers with never ending hunger!
Popcorn
You know what will literally last forever in your pantry? Popcorn kernels. That’s right. When stored in an airtight container they have virtually no expiration date. Once popped though, it needs to be eaten in just a few days.
Sonic Toothbrush just $14.99!
If you have been wanting to give sonic toothbrushes a try, check out this Sonic Toothbrush that you can score for just $14.99!
2 MINUTES INTELLIGENT TIMER – There is a short pause every 30 seconds in use. This is the 2 MINUTES INTELLIGENT TIMER to remind you to balance the four areas of your mouth and to reach dental professional recommended brushing time.- HIGH VIBRATION – Sonic electric toothbrushes employ strong powered motors to achieve 38,000 strokes per minute. Effectively clean your teeth and gums.
- FAST CHARGE & LONG LAST – The charging indicator light flashes to remind the electric toothbrush needs to be charged. Last a total of 30 days of brushing cycle (2 minutes/2 times/day) after only 2-hour fully charged. IPX7 waterproof for easy water rinsing after each use.
- DUPONT BRUSH HEADS – The bristles are made with dupont nylon which are soft, wear-resistant and non-absorbent, provide you a safe and gentle brushing experience. W-wave brush heads perfectly fit each tooth and better remove stains.
- 5 OPTIONAL MODES – Customized your brushing experience with 5 modes: Clean mode, Polish mode, Milder mode, White mode, Mascare mode. 5 different modes fit for different conditions of teeth and gums and even take full care of your sensitive oral and teeth.
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Healthy Vegetables That Are Also Cheap
A couple of days ago we chatted about cheap fruits that will allow you to eat healthy on a budget. Today we are going to talk about some cheap vegetables that you can add to this list. Vegetables are an important part of anyone’s diet. They are healthy, packed full of vitamins, nutrients and fiber to keep you fuller longer!
It may seem difficult to eat healthy on a budget, but it is so much easier than you might think it is. These healthy vegetables that are also cheap will help you eat healthy, while keeping your grocery budget in check.
Healthy Vegetables That Are Also Cheap
These vegetables are all very inexpensive and delicious! They can really add to your dinnertime! Plus, with the health benefits they have, they will help to keep you healthy!
Side note: With the world being what it is these days, we can all use a little bit of help building up our immune systems and adding fruits and vegetables can help to build up your immune systems!! Whoo hoo!
Iceberg Lettuce – Many people claim that iceberg lettuce has little nutritional value, but the reality is that it is a great filler vegetable, it has a high water content and it always tastes so fresh! If you want to have that fresh flavor with your meal, this is the veggie to get! In many places around the country, a head of iceberg lettuce will consistently cost between $1 – $1.50.
Broccoli – Broccoli can be eaten on its own, cooked or raw, mixed into stir fry, made into salads and so many more options!
Carrots – Carrots are another vegetable that has great nutritional benefit on a budget. You can buy a bag of carrots for $1 in most places and you can use them in salads, soups, on their own, raw, cooked or even juiced!
Remember, the price of all produce (fruits and vegetables) change throughout the seasons, but the vegetables listed remain consistently inexpensive!
Healthy Fruits That Are Also Cheap
Cheap food is often not good for you. We know that processed foods can often be bought for pennies on the dollar and we all know that things like this (top ramen, frozen pizza, etc) aren’t good for you. One thing that most of us should be eating more of is fresh produce. Fruits and vegetables are healthy and packed full of healthy vitamins that are good for us!
It may seem like it’s impossible to eat healthy on a budget, but the truth is that some produce is quite inexpensive. Healthy fruits that are also cheap are all around the produce section, but with this list, you’ll know exactly what to grab!
Healthy Fruits That Are Also Cheap
These fruits are all very cost effective and oh so yummy! Plus, with their health benefits they boost your health and often keep you feeling full longer than junk filled food that holds no nutritional value.
Watermelon – averages less than $0.30 per cup and is full of antioxidants. Watermelon is also great at helping to avoid dehydration.
Bananas – Bananas are one of the least expensive fruits in the store and they are full of fiber and goodness. Plus, they are pre-wrapped in nature so they are a perfect on the go snack!
Oranges – Another fruit that comes in its own wrapping, this one is perfect for on the go snacking and it’s a must have for cold season as it is full of vitamin C. It’s also one of those fruits that just tastes fresh and delicious!
Honeydew – Honeydew is another melon that is packed full of flavor at a low price point. Who doesn’t love a good plate of melon every now and then.
Of course, the price of produce changes throughout the seasons, but these fruits are consistently inexpensive! Be sure and keep them in your kitchen and get you and your family snacking healthy all year long!
Tips for Saving up $1000
Are you a follower of Dave Ramsey? Have you been following him or his daughter (Rachel Cruz) on social media? Most people that are familiar with either of them are also familiar with the “Baby Steps.” Baby step 1 (or BS1) is to build an emergency fund of $1000 to cover any unnecessary expenses that may come up. This is a starting point for your new found debt free life.
Sometimes when we are feeling broke and down, saving $1000 may seem impossible. I promise you, it is not. In order to accomplish this you need willpower and a lot of drive. It is not as difficult as it may seem.
This list of steps to saving your first $1000 can help you get started:
- Avoid restaurants. Seriously, if you want to save money, stop going to restaurants already. The average family spends nearly $4000 per year eating out. Not kidding. That’s over $300 per month! This step alone could have you reaching your goal in just 4 short months.
- Sell the stuff you don’t use. I bet you have some old stuff hanging around in your closet or garage that you can sell. Seriously, you’ll be surprised at how much money is hiding there.
- Use what you have. How much money would you say you spend on new stuff each month? This may be clothes or notebooks or whatever. do you spend on clothes each month. Instead of doing this, wait a few months and see how much you can save. I bet you’ll be shocked by how quickly these savings can add up.
- Work more. Do you have the option to work some overtime? Do you have a side hustle? Maybe get a second job. I don’t want anyone working their life away, but its worth working a little bit extra for a while in order to build up your savings and get out of debt. It will add up quickly.
Have you already completed BS1 or saved up a $1000 emergency fund? How did you do it? How long did it take you?
How to Get Started Journaling
Is journaling on your to-do list for 2022? If you are new to journaling, they may seem a bit intimidating to you. I don’t blame you. When I was young, journaling simply meant to write down thoughts and experiences throughout your day. If you Google journaling today, the stuff you see will look a whole lot different.
The thing about journaling though is that it can look however you want it to look. Journaling is good for you and it can be very therapeutic for you, so it’s important to not overwhelm yourself by thinking that it has to be a specific way.
How to Get Started Journaling
Grab Your Journaling Supplies
Go online to Amazon or head to your nearest big box store and look for some new journaling supplies for yourself. You need a journal or notebook that you like as well as pens or pencils that you enjoy writing with (I don’t know about you, but I have very specific preferences when it comes to my writing utensils).
Pick Your Writing Topic
Of course you can write about anything, anytime, but to be more consistent with writing, it will help to know what topic that you will writing about. Each day, choose a single topic and just write. Good journaling topics include what happened in your day, what your goals are, what you are thankful for, etc.
Set a Timer
Don’t overwhelm yourself with thinking that you need to write for hours and hours. Plus, if you are like me, most of your writing includes your laptop, not writing…hands cramp easily! Set a timer for 10 to 15 minutes and just write. Don’t stop to fix your writing or make corrections to your punctuation. Just write.
When your timer goes off, read back over your writing and see how you feel about what you wrote. Take notes on what you might like to revisit later.
And just like that, you are journaling!