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  • Learning to Live Without and Save Money

    Learning to Live Without and Save Money

    This is a sponsored post; compensation was received. All thoughts are my own

    Sometimes I look at my life, and I wonder, how do I do it? How have we continued to make it despite the constant struggle for employment that will cover the cost of living? I’ve been reflecting on that as we begin a new adventure in a city that is literally close to everything you could ever want. The answer for us has been simple

    Live Without.

    You can live without all the luxuries in life, and still live a full and wonderful life.

    You Don’t NEED things. You can live without, and still survive. People do it all the time around the world. There are of course a few basics every human should have – food, clothes, shelter. After that, though, the rest is just to add comfort and adventure to our life. The great news is, you can find comfort and adventure without spending a fortune. In fact, you can get those things while saving money at the same time!

    So I’m here today to tell you how you can save money, and learn to live without, while still enjoying life.

    Skip the Treats.
    This is probably the biggest for us. When it comes to our grocery budget I’m tight. Very tight! People are always asking me how I manage to feed us with our limited budget, and most of the time I honestly don’t even know. One thing though is we skip the desserts and treats. Periodically we indulge, but they are not common in our home. If we have treats, it’s most likely homemade from scratch, like my apple pie burritos.

    Free Entertainment.
    One thing I love to do is find free entertainment. When you’re living on a budget, memberships to gyms, museums.and zoos just aren’t going to happen. So instead, we walk around our local farmers market, take in some free concerts in the park, and get out in nature. Mostly, though, we enjoy hanging out in the backyard, finding new bugs, and swinging on the tree swing.

    A backyard provides free entertainment when you live on a budget

    Money saving apps.
    Then there are the apps. I love Checkout51 and Ibotta the most. The key to using these apps is not to let it sucker you into buying extra things just to get the money back. Just like coupons, I only use them if it’s something I’m already buying. So I may not have high returns, but every little bit adds up.

    Giving Assistant.
    A new favorite discovery of mine, is Giving Assistant. After living in North Dakota I finally caved to buying more things online out of necessity. With Giving Assistant, I can do my online shopping through places like Amazon (my personal fave!); get cash back, AND donate to charity! You can choose how much of the cash back you get and how much goes to charity.
    Now besides shopping my favorite site, I noticed they also have a deal with Thred Up. I’ve never personally used ThredUp, but I know it’s a way to save money on clothes. What makes that better, oh just getting cash back by shopping through Giving Assistant.

    Giving Assistant helps you stay on budget with coupons, and gives back to charities of your choice.

     

    What have you learned to live without? How do you save money?
  • Currently in February

    Currently in February

    I probably won’t be doing this weekly unless I’ve got some amazing stuff to share, but I do want to periodically let you in on my life. I think Becky’s Currently link up is a great way to do that! I’d love to hear what you’re currently up to as well!

    Loving 

    Currently I’m loving being a renter! The heating element in the oven broke, scaring me half to death, but because we rent, I don’t have to take care of it! Woot woot! I’m also loving on my crock pot while we wait for the new part to come in.  Have you cleaned your oven lately? Does it scare you to clean? Don’t overlook cleaning this appliance!! It was actually on my to do list for next week. Whether it broke from being dirty or something else, having a clean oven is just safe.

    Thanking

    Mark for buying my a crock pot for Christmas. It may have seemed like a silly present to him, but it has made our Tuesdays awesome, and this week will become very handy! The cake that was headed to the oven got a quick switch to the crock pot. 

    Counting Down

    The days to do my taxes. We’re still waiting on some W-2’s, but I’ve found a new friend to help us figure out all the information once we have it. One reason I never started a direct sales job is because I didn’t want to do taxes. Who knew blogging would force me into that! Turns out it really isn’t too bad if you know the right people to help you. 


    Organizing

    The whole house!! I’m still in a Facebook support group, and seeing other organize and clean their homes has been inspiring me to get down and dirty with out own. Currently the big chore is the bathroom – organizing the linen and toiletry shelves. One shelf down, 3 more plus the cupboards to go!

    Watching

    If you want to know right now, right this instance, we’re watching Finding Nemo. Most days it’s some kid cartoon (which I totally love). In the evenings Mark and I spend time with Captain Picard and the Enterprise Crew. When I get to pick and have a little “me time”, you can find me watching Numbers. 

    Celebrating

    We just celebrated Princess C’s birthday with lots of friends. Next on the celebration list is my brothers birthday (putting together a package this week), and shortly following that up with Mark’s. Send me you carrot cake recipes please!

    Eating

    Attempting to eat a more clean diet. I joined a 5 day Clean Eating challenge on Facebook this week as well. So far it has me drinking more water, and trying to make the small changes. I won’t go completely clean, but I do need to cut back my sweets, and be better with the fruits and veggies – and water. I need to drink more water ya’ll!
    So what are you currently up to? Share with me in the comments, or link up at Choose Happy

  • Currently in my Life…

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    When my friend Becky decided to start a “Currently” link up, I thought it would be fun to join in. This will hopefully give you a little closer look into my life at the moment, and bring us closer as friends! I’d love to hear in the comments, on Facebook or even in your own post what you are currently up to!
    Thinking About..
    Currently I’m thinking about how to make more time in my days. I have so many grand plans, but there is so little time in the day. So I’m finding ways to make more time in my day – or to be intentional about how I use my time.
    Loving…
    Life! 2014 was a really really hard year. Right now though I am just loving life. It’s still hard, but I’ve changed my perspective, and with a new word for 2015, I see things fresh. Life is good y’all. Embrace it. 
    Reading…
    I just started a new ARC for the book Lavina. I’m not sure I care for it too much, but I’m giving it a couple more chapters before I decide for sure or not. Also reading Kidnapped by Robert Louise Steven with my family (family book club rocks!). I have 2 I need to pick up from the library this week for my other book clubs as well. 
    Planning…
    Some awesome things for the blog! I whipped up a quick simple dinner the other night that was fabulous. Which got me thinking about other quick and simple dinners. A series is in the works to get you out of dinners ruts, without making too much work for you.
    Baking…
    Currently nothing. Mm, but now I want some cookies and banana bread. Some baking probably needs to happen soon. Last thing we “baked” were some No-Bakes that happen to be Mark’s favorite. The kids love them too. 
    Thankful for…
    Many wonderful friends! Recently a dear friend drove down to our Utah house and painted the counter tops for us. She doesn’t live terribly close, but she’s someone I knew could be trusted with paint and kitchen counters. Fingers crossed this new look will help sell the house. (Why would I trust someone else to do this for me? Well because she’s a more creative person then I! Check out her blog and swimwear line at Whimsey Lane Apparel).

  • Goodnight, Brian by Steven Manchester {Book Review}

    Goodnight, Brian
    by Steven Manchester
    
     
    About the Book: Fate was working against little Brian Mauretti. The food that was meant to nourish him was poisoning him instead, and the doctors said the damage was devastating and absolute. Fate had written off Brian. But fate didn’t count on a woman as determined as Brian’s Grandmother, Angela DiMartino – who everyone knew as Mama. Loving her grandson with everything she had, Mama endeavored to battle fate. Fate had no idea what it was in for.
     
    About the Author: Author of national best seller Twelve Months (read my review), and several other books, Steven is a husband and father to four.  He began writing under the pen name Steven Herberts. 
     
    My Thoughts:
    Similar to Twelve Months, Goodnight, Brian reads real to life. It felt as if Steven were writing a story he personally experienced. That is what I love about his writing style. It’s still a story, but brought to life as you find different aspects of each characters life you can relate to.  Mama very much reminded me of my aunt. I grew up near her, we went on many little adventures around New England together, and she commanded respect at all times. But she did it all out of love, and you never had any doubt that my Aunt loved you.  She was practically a 2nd mom to me.
     
    Goodnight, Brian will bring your emotions to the surface as a mother or father receiving a devastating diagnosis for your child (even if your child is just fine, any parent can imagine the emotions they must feel), as a brother or sister watching your family struggle, feeling alone because one sibling receives more attention, and learning to grow from those trials. The anger at being given such a trial, and if have faith in God, the number of prayers said for your loved ones.
     
    Steven Manchester has again pulled on my heartstrings, and turned my faith further to my God in struggling times.
     
    Connect With Steven at www.stevenmanchester.com
     
    

  • Twelve Months by Steven Manchester {Book Review}

    Twelve Months
    by Steven Manchester
     
    About the Book: What would you do if you only had 12 months left to live? For Don DiMarco this was the case. Diagnosed with colon cancer, Don wasn’t ready to go. There was so much life to live still, that he realized he hadn’t really lived life yet.
     
    “Summoning an inner strength he barely realized he possessed, Don sets off to prove that twelve months is time enough to live a life in full.”
     
     
    About the Author: Steven Manchester is the published author of Twelve Months, Pressed Pennies, The
    Unexpected Storm: The Gulf War Legacy and Jacob Evans, as well as several books
    under the pseudonym, Steven Herberts. He is a husband and father to four.
     
    My thoughts: Loved loved loved Twelve Months! In fact I loved it so much, I told my mom twice about it. There were times while reading Twelve Months I forgot it was a work of fiction. It read almost like an autobiography – First person perspective from Don, with flashbacks to his childhood days. Twelve Months is an inspiring story of a life well lived. It makes you reflect on your own life. Really, what would you do if you were told you only had 12 months left to live? How would you spend that time? I know for me, I’d let the dishes go undone and spend more time on the floor with my kids. I’d stop dreaming of things, and start doing them. I would work as hard as I could to leave my family and friends with memories instead of heartache.
    Aside from the deep meanings behind Twelve Months, Steven has added a little humor and culture into his book. I thoroughly enjoyed the small references to New England life (blowing raspberries at those Yankees, lol!). The inside look of a veteran and what they must deal with internally while their loved ones try to help and support. These small touches bring more depth and real life to Twelve Months.
     
    You can purchase a copy from Amazon

    Visit Steven on his website www.StevenManchester.com

    *I received a copy of Twelve Months for my honest review. All opinion are 100% honest. Thank you Steven for letting me enjoy this book!

     

  • Guest Post – Relieving Back Pain

    As I settle into my ‘thirty somethings’, I’m noticing that things aren’t functioning the way they used to.  My stomach throws temper tantrum when I over-do it on the dairy, my eyesight is playing tricks on me, gravity is ‘shifting things’ to and fro…and my back…my back is killing me.

    There are many reasons that women suffer from back pain. Pregnancy, osteoporosis, onset arthritis, fibromyalgia, emotional stress (causing tension), large breasts…even the wrong bra…can all be responsible for the unbearable back pain that so many of us have been trying to ‘get used to’.  It’s awful, and often agonizing.
    I’m no Madeline Manning, but I’m still far too young, to feel this old. I don’t want to move like an old lady. Even when I’m an old lady, I don’t want to be moving like an old lady. So, as I do…I hit the books in search of potential solutions to my achy-breaky-back problems.
    First, above all, seek out advice from your health care practitioner. Your doctor will be able to first assess and diagnose your situation. Any medical will first want to rule out potential disease and/or injury before deciding the best approach to treatment.
    After seeking the advice from your doctor, here are some tips for keeping your back pain in check.
    Acupuncture
    This form of traditional Chinese medicine uses needles, inserted along specifically chosen pathways, to unblock energy.  This treatment is said to calm the nervous system and release natural pain relieving chemicals.

    Breathing techniques
    Many people underestimate the power of breathing to help improve health. In relation to back health, breathing techniques can help reduce pain, can have a significant improvement on stress-levels associated with dealing with pain and disability. 

    Vitamins and Minerals
    Eating well, and maintaining a healthy supply of vitamins and minerals…is a no brainer. These nutrients however, go the extra mile.
    – Vitamin D – Chronic muscle pain has been linked to deficiencies in Vitamin D. Dose up on your Vitamin D through healthy exposure to sunlight, or an affordable supplement found through your local drug or health store.

    – Vitamin B12 – This has been shown to help problems with lower back pain, reducing pain and disability. Vitamin B12 is found predominantly through meat, eggs and dairy. For those who are cutting down, or have completely eliminated meat products from their diets – Fear Not! Vitamin B 12 Supplements are also easily tracked down through local drugstores!
    – Magnesium – Tests have suggested this mineral has a dramatic effect on the pain experienced with chronic lower back pain. Consume more magnesium by taking supplements or by eating more green leafy vegetables, dairy products, fish, meat and nuts.

    Capsaicin Cream
    Capsaicin is  found in chili peppers.  Word on the street is that when the skin absorbs capsaicin, it has a pain relieving affect. The good news with capsaicin cream, is that it can be found in nearly local drug or health store, and doesn’t come with the questionable side effects of a pharmaceutical product. 

    Yoga
    Yoga has been all the rage for some time now…but this low impact form of exercise has significant bonuses to just ‘getting fit’. Yoga focuses on creating a sense of balance within your body by developing flexibility and strength. Yoga can reduce pain and decrease flexibility. Don’t be intimidated. Everyone who started, felt silly and inflexible. That’s the point. The point is to push your limits and get stronger! Beginner classes in your community will be easy to find.

    Krill Oil
    Krill is a tiny shrimp that lives in the cold ocean waters in Antarctica. While fish oil has been getting attention for some time now, not a lot of specific attention has been placed on Krill Oil even though it has quite the impressive resume. Studies have proven that krill oil will reduce inflammation, and, by association, a lot of the pain associated with arthritis.
    With such a high Omega 3 content, krill oil is also known to alleviate some of the symptoms attached to premenstrual syndrome, boost immunity and promote cellular health.

    Massage therapy
    Massage is a common remedy (and treat!) for achy backs. A good therapist will use techniques that reduce tension, alleviate pain and provide relief to anxiety and depression. Personally, I don’t think you should even wait for back pain to get yourself a massage. Chances are, even as you read this, it’s well deserved.

    So, those are a few ‘tricks of the trade’. Nothing fancy. But I hope next time I go to pick up my nephew, I’m not stuck moaning on the couch for days afterwards.  After all, I plan on teaching the little guy how to boogie when he grows up!

    *Sandra Goldstein has been working in the nutrition industry for a number of years and prides herself on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. When Sandra is not down the gym she likes to watch TV on her couch and annoy her cat.