tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82958169651629963322024-03-04T23:44:07.245-08:00The Lost Art of ResourcefulnessA simple blog about Financial Independence.Balanceyogaandwellness.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826595373493657772noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295816965162996332.post-74476465150482866892020-04-19T14:13:00.001-07:002020-04-19T15:49:26.033-07:00A Hike in The Woods. An Unexpected Spiritual Experience.April 20, 2020<br />
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A few weeks back a friend posted a picture of a trail and there was the lake and it looked peaceful and fairly flat. On my birthday last year I decided that this year I would hike 12 different trails and then the pandemic hit. We managed to get to three trails (one twice) by March.<br />
Every time I am in the woods it soothes me. The smell, the earth, the wind, the sun, I need it all, like my body needs air, my soul needs nature.<br />
My son Cole and I set out to the state park with honestly no idea the length of the trail or how difficult it would be. For some reason I assumed it wouldn't be very long or hard. I assumed wrong. We found the trail head and from the map it didn't look to hard, until it started going up, and up, and narrow, and over rocks and "Wow, there is the lake"! What felt like 2 miles in my son says "I think we are at a half a mile mom". What! Oh my gosh, the first mile and a half my body wanted to quit. It wasn't terrible but it was challenging and the thought of going on for 3 more miles of this I did't know if I could do. Then we hit the summit and the overlook. A nearly 360 degree view of the lake and mountains and it was breath taking. Lake Quachita is home for me. As a child my dad worked for the state park so we I literally lived there on the weekends.<br />
I believe I would like my ashes scattered here one day when I pass on. This lake has always been part of me since I was a baby and I raised my babies in this water, baptized by nature. It was here that I taught my babies about the importance of leaving things better than you found them. We would take our old party barge out and we would clean up any trash before we would swim or eat, always leaving it better than we found it.<br />
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As we were leaving the summit I could not see the trail except for the one we came in on, and my son pointed to the sign leading us on and I looked up through boulders at the small path going up and over as a man who approached said "It doesn't get any easier going that way". There was a moment I thought "I need to go back downhill the way we came". That was 1.5 miles back or we could go 2.5 miles and finish the trail, I decided to proceed. <i> *I should mention here that I am pretty fit. I walk at least a mile a day on my treadmill and my pedometer often shows on any given day I walk six to seven miles, I also do yoga, calisthenics, and cardio on the regular.</i> <i>So I knew I could do it if I had to</i>.<br />
As we went on the trail went up, and down, over rocks, near the shore, over bridges, through scrub and at one point we were at the bottom of a very rough looking hill going straight up. This is when I felt it deep inside my soul, this was a metaphor for what is happening in the world now, "Don't look up, look at what is right before you, put one foot in front of the other. You don't know whats ahead of you or how long you have to go but there will be an end to this. You can do this, you are strong." As I walked the feeling of walking the Labyrinth at our church camp came over me and that same feeling of the journey, the dark night of the soul, came over me. It may seem over dramatized but it wasn't so much the difficulty of the trail, in fact four miles is not that much for me. It was the message I was feeling in my heart. Not something you think, but something you feel in your soul. "This is beautiful and hard." Yes, life is beautiful in it's stillness and hard in the unknowing right now. There is so much pain in the world now, anger, sadness, and also so much beauty in the slowing down, learning what truly matters.<br />
We didn't know what we were in for yesterday but we knew we could do it. We had each other, water, and what we needed. We had conversation and beauty. We had our collective strength. At one point about half way through we both said later we thought about turning around at the summit and decided in our own minds to move forward. We also talked about how we both felt that after we left the summit we felt a new strength. My son was talking about his future, his career, his plans and desires for the future and I told him my feelings about proceeding with your passion & not to take the easy route. Even if I didn't fully understand what he is wanting to do, I do know that when you have a God given passion in your soul you should follow that. He told me as we reached the end of the trail, "That last part of the trail went by so fast as I talked about what I wanted for my future. It became easier as I discussed what I really cared about". (Paraphrased)<br />
Sometimes you know that you are experiencing something special and for me yesterday in the Ouachita Mountains, my home, I felt it. That message one feels from their soul is something you don't forget, it's a shift. That is what I want to convey, sometimes you feel a shift and you know that it is changing you. This life we are in right now, its' going to be hard, and beautiful, long and tough, up hill and down hill but there will be an end and you will come out of it maybe sore, tired, a little beat up and sunburned but you will have a whole new respect for yourself, your body, your mind, and what is truly important in life.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvv8BmvV5eoic_TbmFFG9wvNH6eAYC6mqAYdsZKGFnGzXdf7zPLSVEQAXlfsR0eBBsdP3qXJq3gTjTD84Dgx7WzAhRWMYp-OiEw9YtLoWkkXvuB2lmFl1rWcqxrdj1Nu2drPsUl07fc4i/s1600/IMG_4560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvv8BmvV5eoic_TbmFFG9wvNH6eAYC6mqAYdsZKGFnGzXdf7zPLSVEQAXlfsR0eBBsdP3qXJq3gTjTD84Dgx7WzAhRWMYp-OiEw9YtLoWkkXvuB2lmFl1rWcqxrdj1Nu2drPsUl07fc4i/s320/IMG_4560.jpg" width="320" /></a>Courtney and Cole (Mom and Son)</div>
Balanceyogaandwellness.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826595373493657772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295816965162996332.post-81663678670165569292020-04-17T08:59:00.000-07:002020-04-17T09:10:00.740-07:00When Grief Hits. A Pandemic Experience Story. <br />
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*Pictured my kids and myself. Miller, me, Cole, Felisha & Will. Christmas 2018.<br />
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My body aches, my joints are so sore, my temperature is lower than normal and I have brain fog. Hashimotos Thyroiditis is kicking my butt and I truly believe it's because of stress. As a Stress Management Specialist I know all to well how stress impacts the body. No one is immune from stress.<br />
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So many introverts joke about this being normal. As an introvert myself I could relate, at first, but weeks on end of not seeing my kids or parents, cancelling trips we have planned, and getting exhausted from going to the grocery store I now know it's not about introvert or extrovert. This. Is. Grief.<br />
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This week has been especially hard. It started on Tuesday, day 28 of isolation. I decided to go with my husband to look at job two and a half hours away (we own a roofing company). This job was in a rural area with no reports of the virus and we would not have to be near anyone. We packed a picnic and loaded up on gas and supplies of mask, gloves, sanitary wipes and even toilet paper (we are from Arkansas we know how to use natures bathroom, at this point it's safer to pee in the woods than go in a gas station). After getting home my whole body hurt. The stress of seeing downed trees and damage from storms combined with thousands of people with no electricity broke my heart, spirit and health. I didn't even try to do anything else, we ate some leftovers and I took to my chair. Wednesday and Thursday were no better, I did what I had to do and no more.<br />
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What does this have to do with being resourceful? In life sometimes it's not about what we "Do", it's also about what we don't do. We packed a picnic and supplies but we did not buy food out, we did not go anywhere unnecessary, I am not working on any big projects while sick, I am not getting my hair or nails done, I am not driving or spending money on gas or at the store. I tallied up my savings this month from not working and it's over $1400. I'll share a breakdown with you.<br />
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I've been poor, for a very long time and yes you will see some things on this list that if you are struggling don't spend. For me they add value and are only things I have done when all other goals were met, bills paid, savings done etc.<br />
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<b>Savings from NOT SPENDING:</b> Approx. $1500.<br />
1. I haven't had to commute 12 hours a week saving about $60 a week in gas. $240 a month.<br />
2. I didn't get my hair colored or cut $100.<br />
3. I didn't get my nails done (only every other month) $60<br />
4. I am washing my hair every other day and using up what is in the house (those half bottles you decided you didn't really care for.. you know what I am talking about) savings on hair products $14 a month.<br />
5. I am barely wearing makeup unless I go out and then it is minimal. Makeup replacement $15 a month.<br />
6. No eating out. $300 a month.<br />
7. Eating simple meals, using all the leftovers and eating supplies up. Savings of $260 a month.<br />
9. No house cleaner. I make substantially more going to work and paying someone to clean. I keep up with it and have her come every two weeks. With this all going on I ask her if I could continue to pay her and she declined. This is saving me $200 a month.<br />
10. Cancelled a trip we had planned (I had used points for the tickets and hotel) savings $400 for meals and travel expenses.<br />
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<b>Earning: This is the time to focus on getting money from any resources you can into your bank account to pay bills and stock pile money. </b><br />
1. We got the mortgage deferral that was tacked on to the end of our loan. Saved $3750. I don't have to pay now. *Banks are handling this differently, ours puts in on to the end of your loan. We are with a small privately owned bank.<br />
2. I spend my time working on getting unemployment, making sure we get our tax refund and stimulus check. Total for tax return and stimulus is approx. $7000 in income. I have no idea on unemployment and won't count on it until I get it, if I get it.<br />
3. We are still running our roofing business. I handle marketing. My husband is out looking at roofs and following the CDC guidelines. He is doing repairs and such and trying to get money coming in.<br />
I am keeping a close eye on the expenses of the businesses and will ask the accountant to adjust our quarterly taxes if we don't make much between April and June (right now I know it's substantially lower).<br />
4. I cancelled all subscriptions and trimmed the fat on all of our expenses. We are on a bare bones budget and I do not feel deprived at all. This is a good time to look over your budget if you are at home and not working.<br />
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<b>A word on Productivity and Creativity. </b><br />
There are quite a few opinions going around about either "being ultra productive" or "letting go of guilt and eating what you want, not being productive, feeling the grief..and so forth". My own experience tells me that this changes from day to day or week to week. Sometimes I feel like being creative and productive the other times I am lucky to get the dishes washed and take a shower. You do you. Guilt is good for no one. Let your own inner guide lead you.<br />
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I hope this helps someone out there. Thank you for being here.<br />
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Love,<br />
Courtney<br />
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Balanceyogaandwellness.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826595373493657772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295816965162996332.post-9504879390609682392020-03-22T11:22:00.000-07:002020-03-22T11:22:34.079-07:00 Owning our Power in Hard Times<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Today in meditation the teacher (Jean from San Diego) gave a word of the day and that word was "Power". What a great word when we all are struggling to find our own power. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_EWipjmcCW0erwAYAifp7avWgFGjTjispiHDAELMPiDXiO5WQlSoHViO2yON7GX3b3jgoMRaqiaQHlWLb8wN_YARqwIDh6TZtvBaHP94HJSYjjBgadfaojpudL_8bF2XFPc7GeajT3Dt/s1600/Serenity+Prayer.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="189" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_EWipjmcCW0erwAYAifp7avWgFGjTjispiHDAELMPiDXiO5WQlSoHViO2yON7GX3b3jgoMRaqiaQHlWLb8wN_YARqwIDh6TZtvBaHP94HJSYjjBgadfaojpudL_8bF2XFPc7GeajT3Dt/s320/Serenity+Prayer.jpeg" width="227" /></a></div>
Owning our power in hard times is tough when we may feel helpless and out of control. My job title is "Stress Management Specialist" in cardiac care. I have been a yoga teacher and yoga therapist for many years and also a veteran of Alanon (a group to support family members of addiction). So I feel like I have a black belt in "trying" to own my power, not because I am expert but because I have to try every day. My OCD was epic when I found Alanon, then subsequent therapy for many years. My job is to share those tools with others and it really is the best job in the world, however, it can often feel like I have impostor syndrome because I don't always have it as together on the inside as much as people think. I may look cool as a cucumber on the outside but on the inside I may be thinking "I've got to get some exercise, call my kids, eat a healthy meal and meditate before I fall to pieces". So I use my tools. Today I want to share those tools with you and give some tips for moving forward because statistically this is some real crazy stuff and it's possible that you could get sick but it's also very likely that most of us will make it out of this, maybe a little bruised but we will make it out.<br />
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<b>What I do daily to manage while isolating myself at home. </b><br />
It's not really a schedule so much as a list of things to accomplish. I ask myself this question "Is this getting me the goal I want to achieve?" If the answer is "No" then I make a list of what I want to achieve and get up and get on it. I may give myself breaks to scroll social media or watch a movie with my husband but after that I get back to my list.<br />
This whole thing takes me approximately four to six hours of the day. And since I am home awake for 16 hours that gives a whole lot of lazy time.<br />
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For me that list looks like this.<br />
1. <b>Exercise </b>at least 20 minutes (cardio, toning, walking, strength). Every other day I do 20 minutes of cardio toning and on the opposite days I do the treadmill for 20 minutes. When I was working some days it was 7 minutes on one day and the next day 15 on treadmill. Do what you can but don't just sit there.<br />
2. I do<b> yoga</b> for at least 10 minutes a day. I do not see yoga postures as exercise. This means doing yoga postures to find flexibility in my body and to help release energy that may be stuck in my body. Think of it as stress sitting in your upper back.<br />
3. I <b>meditate</b> for at least five minutes or more. This keeps me sane, tones my nervous system and makes me feel at peace.<br />
4. <b>I say the Serenity Prayer. </b>It reminds to let go of what is out of my control. Do what I can that is within my control and please Lord give me the wisdom to know what is best.<br />
5. I cook and <b>eat healthy meals</b>. They don't have to be complicated. My diet is strict but you don't have to be as strict as me to achieve improvement. Eat more veggies and fruits, avoid added sugar and white flour to reduce inflammation (viruses love inflammation). If you want to see what I cook and eat you might follow me on Instagram <b>cdb120.</b><br />
6. I <b>clean </b>and deep clean. Everyday I make the bed, wash the dishes, wipe down the kitchen, door knobs, light switches, and bathroom toilet flusher and faucets. I do a load of clothes if needed and run the vacuum (Roomba). *Right now I focus on one area that needs deep cleaning, it may be a drawer or a whole room. Depends on my energy how much I do but I do something. This could go on for a while so I try not to over extend myself.<br />
7. I do some kind of <b>office work that supports our business and take a look at our finances.</b> This may mean paying bills, looking over the budget to see what can be cut, handling some aspect of the business. This is the time to update files and clean them out. I'm doing some social media post or making some videos that support my book, these are free but they help those who use my book for training. It is one way I can also give back to those who we serve.<br />
8. I <b>schedule downtime</b> with my husband to watch t.v. or a movie. This is important. We have a date to meet at 8p.m. to watch a movie every night. I look forward to it and it is a nice ritual.<br />
9. <b>Call or text family members and friends</b> daily.<br />
10. Try to<b> read </b>something for twenty minutes. My eyes are failing me so reading can be hard in small font but I am trying to read at night & not stare at my phone.<br />
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<b>Other decisions (perspective) that empower me now and moving forward. </b><br />
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<li>Every financial decision is thought through. Do I need to go to the store? How much Wifi data do we need or phone data? Can I make something myself or use something else, such as homemade cleaners or using rags instead of paper towels. How can we eat up the food we have now so we can limit our time in the stores. </li>
<li>Now is a good time while you have time to learn about doing things cheaper, more frugal, start a garden on the cheap. I have started sprouting lentils inside for salads, it's pennies and buying a tiny bit at the store is $4. Think about everything you do and how you can save money on it from conserving energy, gas, to wear and tear on your car. It's a great time to save money and learn a new skill. </li>
<li>Save. And try to avoid getting into financial reserves unless you have to. We have an emergency fund. I am laid off. I know we can make it about three months without getting into the emergency fund because I also keep a balance in our checking accounts. Your life may be different but some concept of this can apply. *My Depression Era grandparents taught me well. We keep a minimum balance on all work accounts (we have three small businesses). Those balances have sustained us in hard times. Right now spend less, save more, and try not to buy anything you don't need. SAVE your money. When you go back to work start now to live a life that supports being debt free, saving three months to a years worth of emergencies and living well below your means. </li>
<li>If you get a large chunk of money (tax return) or a relief check from the government (this is a possibility) then pay your bills ahead, stock up on what you need (not hoard) so you can stay home and then save the rest. This is not the time to book those vacations even though they may be cheap. <b>NEEDS OVER WANTS</b>.</li>
<li>Learn from this. Learn what is really important. Having the newest technology on a payment plan doesn't make sense if all your income dries up. Live something similar to this ongoing and budget for big expenses after you have your savings. </li>
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<i>The peace of mind this will bring you outweighs anything fancy you can own. </i></div>
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<b>Changes we are making: </b></div>
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This has solidified my desire to homestead with garden, chickens and fruit trees. I want to learn to can, ferment, and grow inside sprouts. </div>
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We will be paying the house off aggressively and stock piling an even larger emergency fund.<br />
I'll do better at keeping the house stocked for a rainy day. Meaning from now on I'll have more supplies on hand for a month. That is not something I did before. </div>
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I will invest in the market but for now until the house is paid off and the emergency fund is built up. I will only put into our IRA's and let those grow (max them out).<br />
Not that I took work for granted but I was very focused on early retirement. For the next six years I will work hard and appreciate the larger paychecks but I will be working on the goal to retire to part time at 55. This will allow me to have a better balance. This is like a mini retirement to some extent with a little to much stress. I want freedom even more now, freedom to know I can get by without a check. However I am so grateful to have an amazing job and employer and I miss my job and the people we serve. </div>
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Much Love,</div>
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Courtney<br />
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<br />Balanceyogaandwellness.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826595373493657772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295816965162996332.post-82937864087546048522020-03-17T08:30:00.000-07:002020-03-17T08:41:38.641-07:00Financial Fears - How to Take Action Today<br />
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I have family members calling worried because their jobs are shutting down.<br />
I am so grateful to have been raised by Depression Era grandparents and their children who taught me these things and it helps with resourcefulness now.<br />
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<br />
<b>What to do if you lose your job or have a temporary shut down. </b><br />
<br />
1. Apply for unemployment immediately.<br />
2. Call all your creditors and negotiate payments, pay minimums, or get an extension.<br />
3. You may have to repeat #2 with your landlord or mortgage lender and it may or may not work but it's worth a try.<br />
4. Look for a job in the gig economy like delivering food or running errands for others.<br />
5. Sell your stuff. If you have electronics, clothes, cars, etc that you don't use or can get by without for now go ahead and sell them on Marketplace, Craigslist, etc. Many people who do have money take advantage of times like this to buy things cheap. It will help you and make you realize how much you don't actually need.<br />
6. Needs over wants. I had a trip planned to see my son when this all began and since it (Corona) hadn't spread yet I went ahead (I needed to lay eyes on him, parents get this) .We ate out a few times as planned but otherwise stayed in. I noticed at one particular outlet mall a lot of people shopping. A few folks I talked to where still planning trips or shopping. That's fine if you have the money but honestly we do, and there is no way I would be spending it on anything except needs right now.<br />
7. Identify needs. Shelter, food (basic not fancy), you probably have enough clothes, basic transportation cost (can you extend your car payment if you have one, or your car insurance?). Gas is at an all time low but at this time unless you need to drive don't.<br />
8. Reduce your utilities. While your home try to conserve. Close off rooms and vents you are not using. If you have wood heat use it. Only do full loads of laundry and dishes. Use up those old disposable plates for your kids birthday party. Turn off the lights. Put on a sweater or strip down if you are hot. Use fans in hot weather and bundle up and get some tea in cold weather.<br />
9. Think. Think "How can I save money on this, on everything".<br />
10. Make a plan for next time. It really worries me that so many folks live pay check to pay check. This is the time for starting a plan to have an emergency fund. When we come out of this, and we will, work on a plan to have three to six months worth of money in an emergency fund. At minimum get one month and hoard it like gold for times like this. I would actually tell all the Dave Ramsey fans and those in debt to have at least one month of expenses put back while you are paying off debt.<br />
11. Don't go back to your old ways of spending after this is over. Let this be a lesson that you learn from that can impact your future for the better.<br />
12. If you have a tax return coming in pay your bills ahead first and stock up your pantry and save your money! Put all other purchases on hold.<br />
13. If you can pay your bills leave your retirement accounts alone and your 401K or IRA contributions. You are dollar cost averaging and buying stocks at deep discounts right now. Historically the longest it has ever taken for the market to bounce back is 3 years, 13 months is the average. Don't look at it and don't touch it unless you are starving.<br />
<br />
Much Love and Stay Strong. You are smart and you are capable.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
CourtneyBalanceyogaandwellness.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826595373493657772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295816965162996332.post-66180364414234705912020-03-16T11:52:00.003-07:002020-03-16T11:52:57.722-07:00Beyond Beans and Cornbread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As a young girl I had a beef and pork allergy so I became a vegetarian at the ripe old age of 8, and mostly was a cheese and bread -etarian off and on for that ten years. I don't recommend that!<br />
My kids were raised on small amounts of meat and I now am a vegetarian again and my husband mostly is. I don't want to get into the why here, but yes health is a big reason. I have four kids who eat meat now and so I have developed this for them but notice that many of folks are struggling to meal plan with out meat (as there is a shortage at the time of writing this due to the quarantine), so here is an easy meal plan. Simply Google recipes if you aren't sure of the cooking skills. I'll try to give some guidelines.<br />I shopped the basic list for this yesterday in Fayettville AR and it cost me about $50 for five days of meals. Everything was in stock from this list.<br />
This is Gluten Free and Vegetarian. It is not super low in carbs, however if you want to watch carbs eat the LC meal in the evening. If you are Vegan substitute with the vegan option for dairy and eggs (you can use tofu for a scramble). This is high in fiber and will keep you full. The fat content is moderate and the protein is substantial, you will get plenty of protein on this diet. You can substitute if you have other options like peanut butter for almond butter, different veggies, sweetener of your choice. These use many of the same ingredients so you can buy once and cook many meals.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><b>Oatmeal</b> add in any of the following, banana, nuts, almond butter, sweetener of your choice (My son uses honey, I use stevia). (high fiber)</li>
<li><b>Omelet </b>with veggies, cheese and salsa (low carb)</li>
<li><b>Baked Potato or Twice Baked Potatos </b>with veggies, butter, sour cream and cheese (Or mash the insides with the sour cream and a little milk of your choice and then add in the veggies, put it all back in the shell and sprinkle cheese on top bake for 30 mins at 350 degrees for a twice baked potato). You can use Sweet Potatos to make lower carb. </li>
<li><b>Nachos </b>with whole grain chips, fat free vegetarian re-fried beans (heat first), add chopped cooked veggies, cheese and broil until lightly brown in the oven or microwave till melted, top with sour cream, salsa and jalapenos. </li>
<li><b>Broccoli Cheese Soup and Biscuits or Cornbread </b>Cook a package of broccoli per instructions, mix with cream cheese, veggie broth, cheese and optional milk of your choice, sprinkle in a cup and a half of cheese and smash or blend and heat through, add cheese on top. Buy GF BisQuick and make biscuits or make GF Cornbread from a mix. </li>
<li><b>Lentil or Legume Pasta</b> with veggies, sauce and Parmesan Cheese</li>
<li><b>Snacks: </b>Banana and almond butter, Chips and Salsa, Almond Butter and Cornbread with Honey. </li>
</ol>
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* <b>Additions</b></div>
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I purchased a bag of cutie oranges because Vit C is crucial in immune health. </div>
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<b>*Options </b>for more meals with these ingredients. </div>
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Buy some tofu and brown rice and use leftover veggies to make a <b>stir fry </b>(remember the Tamari or Soy Sauce). *I use cauliflower rice to make LC. </div>
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Quiche crust-less, literally eggs, milk, and veggies with spices poured in a pie pan and baked. (LC with out crust).</div>
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</div>
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Buy a bag of greens and make a big salad (LC) or use in smoothies with the orange and the bananas. Or frozen banana, spinach, milk of your choice, and or almond butter. There are a wide variety of options. </div>
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<b>Bonus:</b> Beans are sold out right now but if you can find them we make a batch at least twice a month and slice up tomatoes, onions and make cornbread (I use applesauce for 1/2 the oil or butter). High Fiber. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>The Cheapest Veg and Fruit :</b><br /><ol>
<li>Apples</li>
<li>Oranges</li>
<li>Bananas</li>
<li>Carrots</li>
<li>Potatoes </li>
<li>Onions</li>
<li>Broccoli </li>
<li>Spinach<br /></li>
</ol>
</div>
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<br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Grocery List for Meal Plan with Options</span></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Inside Isles</b></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>Almond Butter (non inflammatory)</li>
<li>Chips (whole grain or good quality if you can afford)</li>
<li>Salsa</li>
<li>Refried Veg Beans</li>
<li>Veg Broth (I love Edward and Sons Cubes) Chicken broth if you are not veg. is an option in a pinch. </li>
<li>Sweetener (Honey, Stevia, Maple Syrup)</li>
<li>Oatmeal (Buy the container, less waste and less than .25 cents a serving)</li>
<li>Pasta (Legume, Whole Grain GF, high fiber and non inflammatory)</li>
<li>Pasta Sauce (low sugar preferred, look at lower carbs on back and read ingredients or make your own)</li>
<li>Cornbread Mix GF or make from scratch</li>
</ol>
<div>
<b>Outside Isles</b></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>Bananas</li>
<li>Nuts</li>
<li>Onion</li>
<li>Pepper (I used Red Bell)</li>
<li>Mushrooms</li>
<li>Broccoli </li>
<li>Potatoes </li>
<li>Oranges</li>
</ol>
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<b>Dairy or Cold</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>Eggs (Tofu for scramble Veg option) Quiche and Omelet will not be an option without eggs. </li>
<li>Sour Cream (can use plant based)</li>
<li>Butter (plant based option)</li>
<li>Cheddar or mixed Mexican cheese (plant based option)</li>
<li>Parmesan (or Nutritional Yeast for Veg option)</li>
<li>Milk (or unsweet plant milk, we use Cashew or Almond) </li>
</ol>
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<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<b>Optional </b></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>Tomato (to add to omelets, salads, quiche etc.)</li>
<li>Big bag of Greens (I used Spinach, for salads and smoothies)</li>
<li>Pie Crust (GF or regular or make your own)</li>
<li>Bag of Frozen Broccoli or Chopped Spinach for Quiche and Smoothies. </li>
<li>Brown Rice (for Stir Fry)</li>
<li>Tamari or Soy Sauce GF low sodium(Or maybe you have some)</li>
<li>Cauli Rice for LC</li>
<li>Tofu if you want it in your stir fry (or you can use scrambled eggs for protein).</li>
<li>Bag of dried white beans or pinto (cook with Edward and Sons Veg Broth). </li>
<li>Apples (you can heat them with a little water and cinnamon on the stove and a bit of butter then mash for apple sauce or eat them with almond butter. </li>
</ol>
</div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
</div>
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<b> <i>*Please check the list with your recipes to make sure nothing is left out. Shop your pantry and freezer for things you already have or can substitute. </i></b></div>
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<b><br />With Love,</b></div>
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<b>Courtney </b></div>
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Balanceyogaandwellness.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826595373493657772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295816965162996332.post-34945361092985969262020-03-03T08:40:00.000-08:002020-03-03T09:10:06.726-08:00Simplicity, Health, Money, Time, and Life Satisfaction. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have an autoimmune disease that for twenty years I mostly try to ignore until I can't. You would think after twenty years I would learn but alas it seems no. I take for granted when I feel good that I can do things, all of the things and so then I plan them, I do them and then I am in bed and hurting and wondering why I am so bull headed. *I have a host of diagnosis from thyroid disease to arthritis to a bunch of other odd ball stuff but as one of my doctor puts it "It's all autoimmune". Basically my bodies immune system turns and attacks me and stress is my main trigger. Did I mention I am a "Stress Management Specialist?". We clinicians are the worst patients.<br />
<br />
Several months we were slow at work due to working in the medical field and people wanting to wait till the first of the year to start on a new deductible (I work in cardiac and cancer rehabilitation services). I thought I was handling the down time well enjoying a less hurried schedule and in the midst of this I said yes to hosting & teaching a large workshop. My personality is when I do something I go 150% and try to make it perfect. I will make myself sick working to much. So the workshop has ended and it was a great success (I do love the people) and I am now on a 12 day work streak, staying in bed until I have to get dressed to go to the clinic and coming back home and going to bed.<br />
Taking advantage of the downtime I hauled my work, my rat terrier, and my laptop to my bed. I am spending these days doing what I can from the bed and thanking the universe for the internet.<br />
<br />
Here is what I am doing in the process of trying to bring back simplicity into my life.<br />
<br />
1. I said "No" to another workshop offer and said "I am honored however, I cannot take on anymore until fall at which time I will then consider where my schedule is.". Because this means less income I have to find ways to save and be creative.<br />
2. I am going through all my bills to see what subscriptions and memberships I can cancel and where I can save money. I cancelled my Microsoft acct to use Google Docs (Free), I cancelled my email list and will use social media and targeted small emails but since I plan to take time off I don't plan on sending many anyway. Saved $21.00 a month.<br />
3. Paid off a car worth about $7000 and I am cancelling full coverage and going to liability (I keep $7000 in an account to replace it). Savings $600 a year. Sold two cars in the past two months which saves a ton on insurance and taxes and I put the money in savings. We had four cars due to our business, we are down to two that are 11 and 12 years old. I expect this total savings is well over $100 a month.<br />
4. I am on what I can call a conscious spending plan. Every expense is thought through before buying. I plan on buying a new pair of jeans. I have the cash saved up for them, they are expensive but I've been needing a good pair so I saved $100 for them. I am not doing other shopping right now. We did go out to eat but we picked the cheaper restaurant (a coffee house with vegan food) and I drink water and we didn't do any fancy add on things. We pack most of our meals and cook at home but again I am in bed and hurting so my energy is zapped.<br />
5. I will begin to focus on exercise (staring light today) and good healthy food is always a focus, also now that the weather is nicer more hiking. I plan to go this weekend for a one mile outdoor walk.<br />
6. This may sound odd but I am allowing myself mindless t.v. time. I work and I work hard. I exercise, eat right, pay my bills, volunteer and sometimes I just want to veg and not think. I do not feel guilty for watching a movie or a few hours of t.v. after all my daily to do list is checked off. In the summer we hardly turn the t.v. on because we live on a farm and there is so much to do. So now I allow myself this pleasure, no guilt.<br />
7. Cutting out the unnecessary. I ask myself the question "What needs to be done today?", "What can wait?", "What do I feel like doing based on the energy I have to give today?".<br />
8. I am also now in the stage of life I call "Preservation Mode". I started my career at age 30 and I will be 50 this year. I have built it, they came and now I want to serve those folks better. This means focusing on what is built not building more, literally or otherwise. We have three businesses (roofing, Air B & B, and my yoga business which includes 20 plus weekly hours as a medical yoga therapist, yoga speaking engagements and royalties from two books and contributing to other media). See why I have to say no to more?! Nuts right.<br />
<br />
What do you do to bring simplicity back when you feel you have lost it?<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
CourtneyBalanceyogaandwellness.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826595373493657772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295816965162996332.post-26537625207351865432020-01-09T16:01:00.002-08:002020-01-09T16:01:42.787-08:0011 Ideas for Financial Freedom and a Bonus! It's math. And basic math isn't hard. You add and subtract and total.<br />
If you are struggling financially or trying to be financially independent there are some things you can do today to help yourself move forward. Each day you do one thing and it adds up.<br />
<br />
1. <b>Mattresses.</b> Someone called me yesterday asking about a mattress. Not everyone is going to buy a used mattress I get that and I don't want to either. However three of our four mattresses are hand me downs. Three of them came from family members guest rooms when they moved. They had barely been used. I put an egg crate topper or cool gel topper and they work great. If you are looking for a mattress and you are desperate first try a topper for under $100. If you must buy a mattress and you feel it's a need not a want then shop around. There is a great variance of prices and don't buy into the hype. There is a local place here that specializes in mattresses and furniture and you can buy a set for $200 (twin) and up. Be careful of those mattress stores that only sell mattresses, they will hard sell you. I've seen many people do this and only be disappointed.<br />
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2. <b>Cut down on the coffee, soda, and eating out. </b>I shouldn't have to say it but seriously ya'll WTH! If you are stopping at a gas station five days a week or going to the drive through and spending five dollars a day (and most probably spend more and go seven days a week) you are spending $150 or more on crap that is not good for you. <u>That is $1800 a year! </u>Go today and get a nice travel mug and fill it at home. I often use a glass jar (like a marinara jar, yes seriously).<br />
It's not that you can never do these things but let them be a treat once or twice a month.<br />
<br />
3. <b>Shop your closet or house. </b>I broke my favorite spoon rest and wanted another one. I looked at flea markets and then one day I was getting dressed and looked down on my dresser at the little dish I had. It was a spoon rest I had been using as a catch all! Viola. I didn't need it in there and had something else. It's perfect in my kitchen.<br />
Yesterday I purchased a dress to go to party and will take it back. The cute flannel dress thing turns out to look like Ma Wilder going to a hoe down on me. I ended up in my winter uniform, a flannel top or sweater, leggings and boots. Turns out I would have been way over dressed at the party in the dress. Lesson learned again.<br />
<br />
4. <b>If you get a speeding ticket. </b>It happens to everyone but you don't always have to pay it. You could take a class in person or online for about $50 if it's your first one in a while and waive the fee and keep it off your record. When I was young and had no one to help me I asked for community service. I filed papers and served candy at community centers. We do what we have to.<br />
<br />
5. <b>Sell your stuff.</b> It's easier than ever. I sold text books last week to a text book store, jewelry to a jeweler, returned some stuff in my house turns out I didn't need and ended up making $176 in a day. It's easier than ever. First think about what is in your town. The resale clothing store, the auction, jewelers, text book stores. Then there is Ebay, Craigslist, Amazon, Marketplace, and so many more. If you are broke and your house if full of stuff sell it now.<br />
<br />
6. <b>Shop second hand. </b>If it depreciates you don't want to invest a lot of money in it unless it really brings value to your life. I do buy new occasionally but I often buy used cars, and other items. For years my clothes came from Goodwill or resale boutiques. I don't do this as much any more but I am not opposed to it and still shop resale a few times a year. For household items I always check Habitat and Goodwill to save tons.<br />
<br />
7. <b>Reduce your cost of housing. </b>If you are really strapped consider a roommate or moving to a cheaper place. Take care of your home as it appreciates. Fix it and keep it in good repair. As you move forward in life consider investing in properties where you can have a renter such as an apartment building or duplex. Or in our case we have a vacation rental on our farm. We put our savings into building so it's positive cash flow.<br />
<br />
8. <b>Increase your income. </b>This may not happen overnight but we can all do this. Ask for a raise, or find a way to move up in your current job to a higher paying position Find a part time job. A side hustle. Sell your stuff and other peoples stuff. Do you have a skill or talent? Use it. Maybe you have a skill and you decided to get out of that field. If it's high paying could you do it for a year or two to get ahead and then save to do your passion project. Many people can do what they have to do to become financially free then have more time for passion projects once they are more secure. Your dream job will still be there.<br />
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9. <b>Auto Expenses Car Payments, Insurance, Gas and Fee's. </b>This is one area where I see a lot of waste. Can you plan your routes to reduce wasteful driving. If you live far out can you plan your shopping or errands on the same day as you have to go out for other things. I do this. We live 25 miles from everything and I plan my shopping around when I have work or other appointments.<br />
I am seeing many people pay about double what they should be for insurance. One drive a car that you can afford and check the cost of insurance with at least three companies. I am with Allstate and happy I have heard Gieco is also reasonable. Only insure what you need. Don't do full coverage on a beater car with no loan. Buy cars for cash, then save up for the next car. Avoid interest bearing car loans if you can. If you feel you have to get the best car for the least money and pay it off quick.<br />
<br />
10. <b>Food Bill. </b>The best way to cut food expenses in my opinion and the easiest is to meal plan. Plan your dinners for the week and put in any eating out so you don't over buy. If you have a dinner date for Tuesday put that on the meal plan. Then plan two or three breakfast that you rotate and plan dinners for each night with a plan to eat the leftovers for lunch the next day. Plan some easy meals for the days you have a lot to do so you don't eat out, such as sandwiches or breakfast for dinner. I have even started keeping a frozen healthy-ish pizza for times when I am to tired to cook.<br />
<br />
11. <b>Gift Buying and Helping Others. </b><br />
Set a budget. I included helping others because I have six kids and we help sometimes it gets to be a lot. I am setting a helping budget this year and keeping a log of it. I also took out money for Christmas in cash so I don't go over. I've set budgets before but get busy &amp; I go over. When tired I forgot to keep up with cost. Cash is easier. On birthdays I set a budget and we do a meal and cake at home or go in as a group and everyone pays. If all my kids are going then I will have them meet at a lower cost restaurant for lunch which is cheaper. Recently for an event I took my mom and four kids out, a total of six people for lunch and it as only $80 plus tip.<br />
<br />
Think about optimizing everything in your life. Always ask "Can I do this for less?".<br />
<br />
The basic rules for financial freedom that everyone can follow.<br />
1. Keep your housing cost low.<br />
2. Keep your auto cost low.<br />
3. Watch your food budget<br />
4. Set limits on discretionary spending (give yourself an allowance for this, you'll spend it anyway).<br />
5. Have an emergency fund. Get started so normal emergencies like a car repair doesn't spiral your finances out of control.<br />
6. Avoid debt. Especially on things that depreciate.<br />
7. Save as much as you can. As you make more get to a modest middle class life style and save the rest.<br />
8. Don't wait to save for retirement. Always take the match! Save now and don't touch it. *Also avoid high cost brokers, use places like Vanguard and Schwab for your investments.<br />
9. Make more, live on less, save. At the point where you have enough money to live off the interest or you have money coming in from other resources like royalties or rental properties you are financially free.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
CBalanceyogaandwellness.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826595373493657772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295816965162996332.post-36037644628207396552019-11-18T14:38:00.002-08:002019-11-18T14:38:18.590-08:00Holiday Expenses and Ideas for Saving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This time of year I get excited with the thought of having all of my kids together and visiting with family and friends. Most of the things I think about do not involve gifts however, I do really enjoy watching people open gifts. Not necessarily what I give them but just the opening and seeing the surprise. This time of year also gives me some amount of dread of expectations and doubt.<br />
My dad and step mom have agreed to no gift giving between adults (not adult children, the grandchildren but between me and my husband and them). This makes it easy. My mom only has me and the grand kids and I've asked her this year to keep it to $30. She is on a fixed budget and it would only give me guilt if she spent a lot of money on me. Now I have a slew of friends, relatives and coworkers and I always have this feeling I am going to forget someone and hurt someone's feelings. I'm not a shopper but I like to give gifts. I am frugal but not cheap so I like to get gifts at a good price but the crowds and consumption wear me out. So this year I am posting this to share with loved ones about buying us gifts and about gift giving.<br />
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I am a bit of a minimalist and don't have a lot of decorations up. I don't put pictures on the walls because we have really expensive ship lap that you can't fill. Also I don't want to dust! I would prefer no one gave me decorations of any kind so I don't feel obligated to put them out. This also included decorations of the body because I have sensory issues with clothes and jewelry. It's such a nice gesture and so sweet and sometimes it works for me. I have a few pieces that friends have given me that I love but more often than not the weight of jewelry is to much for my sensory issues. Things that are stuffed or furry often aggravate my asthma so that is a challenge for me though I love a good teddy bear squeeze. I can't have the dust mites that occur over time so they end up in the cedar chest. Even writing this makes me feel guilty and somewhat ashamed because I would never want to hurt anyone's feelings. </div>
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I also think of these things when buying others gifts and so here are some ideas I have for saving money and not putting pressure on anyone to display something I have given them. </div>
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1. Be frank with your significant other about what you want or get a partnered gift or a vacation or something. This is one area after the beginning of a relationship you should be able to talk about. My husband buys my face cream ($100) this one time a year and if I need perfume ($60) this is when I get it. </div>
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2. Consumables: Make sure the recipient likes these things. My son often gets Starbucks cards and he literally never goes there. Things you can use up like coffee, tea, candles, food items, notebooks, journals, pens, pencils, scrubs or bath salts, fancy soaps, olive oil, chocolates, fun drinks, gums, makeup like mascaras or lip gloss, candies, hair products, nail products, and homemade food gifts. One year my mom made quiches for everyone and we delivered them. I loved it! </div>
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3. Gift Certificates: Again make sure the recipient will utilize, Car Washes, Movies, Coffee Houses, Restaurants, Massages, Hot Springs (I live where this is a thing) and anything else you know your loved one or friend will enjoy. </div>
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4. Useful items that you know someone will use. Comfy socks, hankies, items that people actually ask for. For instance my husband is a hunter so I know he will use up Hot Hands, warm socks, and anything camping or camouflage that he needs of course. </div>
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5. Money. It's not personal but this year I am really considering it. One son will be traveling by air and the last thing I want to give him is stuff he can't get back on a plane. I'm planning on giving the kids a little money, one gift and their stockings full of consumables.<br />
6. Experiences: Take a vacation, go to the movies, have a potluck, do an activity together. Maybe those who can pay chip in and pay and those who can't get it covered. I don't like to be out in the cold but going to look at Christmas lights while sipping something hot is always nice. Watching funny movies, having a potluck party and ugly Christmas Sweater party is fun. Assuming your celebrating Christmas.<br />
7. Helping someone out that is less fortunate that you with a meal, warm socks, mittens, hats and things they need but can't afford. Do this as a group and it's always nice.<br />
8. Ask if there is a book they want and buy that.<br />
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Lets talk about eating. Here are some ideas.<br />
1. Pick a few things and make only those. Make a meal plan and stick to it. We always go over board so this year I am picking about 5 things for Christmas morning and that is what we are having.<br />
2. Potluck. Those who can't cook bring drinks, ice, and rolls.<br />
3. Split the responsibilities. My dad and step mom do Thanksgiving, I am in charge of Christmas Eve and we do Christmas breakfast.<br />
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What ideas do you have? Please share.<br />
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Happy Holidays!<br />
Love,<br />
Courtney<br />
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*Phote Credit <a href="https://www.mesahealthandwellness.com/PreventHolidayStress">https://www.mesahealthandwellness.com/PreventHolidayStress</a><br />
* Picture Credit and Article at <a href="https://www.mesahealthandwellness.com/PreventHolidayStress">https://www.mesahealthandwellness.com/PreventHolidayStress</a></div>
Balanceyogaandwellness.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826595373493657772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295816965162996332.post-36152617187969238732019-11-13T06:07:00.001-08:002019-11-13T06:07:46.422-08:00Having to Cut Back do to Loss of IncomeSo out of the gate I want to say in a three month time my income has dropped by over 33%. Ouch. To give you a bigger picture I need to go back a few years. A year and a half ago, three years on my current job I ask for a raise and got one. We got busy, started new projects and I was making much more than I thought I would and it was good and it was hard. Hard because I had no time to keep up with anything else and my personal life and self care was suffering. We started to eat out more, I was buying more supplements to help with my auto immune issues, and buying prepackaged foods and driving a lot more.<br />
Three years ago around 2016 I said "yes" to getting married and move from my house in town to a 40 acre ranch with my now husband. I also decided to close part of my business, a yoga school I had owned at the time for 8 years. That school was highly successful and was most of my income but it along with all I had to do for it was keeping me working 28 days a month. Now you may be thinking oh so you married a rich guy and he helps with your finances. Nope. My now husband was broke when we met. With my help and business sense and his great skills and knowledge we built his small company which was simply "side work" into a successful business that makes more than our day jobs together now. However, I do not take any money from that business, we use all the profits to fund the ranch, retirement, and pay the house down. I pay half of all the house hold bills and food, etc... So a down turn is scary even though we are prepared.<br />
When I decided to close the school I chose to save a years worth of income and pay off my only debt my car. So I decided to do that and I did. I retired in May of this year, with a years worth of income, no debt and a decision to take a leap. With my savings and some help from the hubby we invested a large portion of that savings into cash flowing a cabin for vacation rental.<br />
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Now due to some issues that have more to do with holidays, insurance and some things I cannot speak about due to privacy working in the medical field, we are in a brief slow down. We expect to pick back up after the holidays but for now my income has dropped to about 40% of what I was making when I had the school. So regardless of savings and lower debt I have to cut back on spending. I've always been frugal and so I'm not a huge spender but when money is flowing in I'm more likely to take that course, buy that book, pick up something for myself or the house or the kids. Here are some ideas from my life that may be new to you and I sharing with you helps me process in my mind.<br />
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1. <b>Free Education: </b>I was literally registered for a course and it was sitting in my in box ready to pay the $295 fee when I found out that my income would drop even more yesterday. I decided to go online to my local library and find as much free info on the subject as possible instead.<br />
2. <b>Food: </b>We did have a date night out last night and we chose to drink water, no appetizers or desserts. This is a nice restaurant but my husband got a small meal because we were going to a movie and he wanted popcorn. The bill was only $20. without appetizers and wine it cut our bill in half. On groceries we had spent quite a bit over the past three weeks. I've been only picking up a small amount to fill in and avoiding a large grocery haul. This week I'll meal plan around the pantry to cut expenses even more. Keeping our food bill to $125 a week and toiletries or $500 a month or less.<br />
3. <b>Transportation</b>: I will not have to drive to work but three days a week next month, saving 120 miles off each week. This will save me four gallons of gas each day for a total of about $80 a month. Also being at home I tend to stay at home and cook and clean and organize. It gives me time to optimize my life.<br />
4. <b>Gifts: It's the Holidays! </b>- I told all my grown children I was giving them money and stockings this year. I usually have a $100 budget and go way over. So this year I'm giving them all $100 and I'm making them each a photo album of pictures from their childhood. I'll fill the stockings with little things they like and this should save me about $400. I've ask my parents and friends not to exchange gifts.<br />
5.<b> Decor: </b>So normally this is not a concern, I can do without but we are in the midst of outfitting our first Air B and B so I had to decorate. I have been trying to think what I have that will work and not over buy. I've also been shopping for deals. I don't shop. I don't like to shop but I've been going to several stores and comparing prices before I make a decision. This has saved me a lot of money. I saved about $60 on a rug, another $40 on an electric fireplace, on the furniture I bartered a table for a couch and recliner. This probably saved me $500. I'm not looking for a table and chairs and then using what I have until the cabin turns a profit.<br />
6. <b>Clothing:</b> I need some clothing. I will likely make do and make some outfits of what I have. I may order some more leggings and shop at resales shops. If I do this I will give myself a budget and I've been selling my clothes to buy new things. I got two sweaters the other day with my credit plus $6. I will likely not spend more than $50 on clothes the rest of this year until my income increases.<br />
7. <b>Housing: </b>So we have a fixed mortgage but I pay extra on it. That will stop for now and we will pay the bill. When work picks up Jim will pay extra on it.<br />
8. <b>Discretionary Spending: </b>With this most of the time I optimize. If we want a bottle of wine for the holiday it might be a cheaper bottle. Or we will do without. I will shop for small inexpensive options or go without. We will focus on needs versus wants and though I still like to be generous I will think before we buy. For instance we host a big breakfast for Christmas for about 20 people. I'll offer maybe 5 items rather than 7. I'll simplify it so to speak and I really don't think anyone will even notice.<br />
9. <b>TIME: </b>I will make a list of things that take time but not money. Organizing my house, cleaning things out and taking them to the auction for sale. Selling stuff I don't need. Cleaning out the storage building so we can let go of that bill of $120. I'll be able to save more because I will have time to sell things, to reduce bills, to optimize. I will make use of Holiday movies for free, time around the fireplace, long walks on warmer days and attending free events. I'll go to free yoga classes that I have bartered for that I often don't have time for. When you are dollar poor and time rich with a little savvy thinking you can have a richer life, it simply takes a change in perspective.<br />
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If these are helpful to you please share and share your ideas as well.<br />
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<br />Balanceyogaandwellness.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826595373493657772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295816965162996332.post-28825311639207673972019-03-25T07:48:00.001-07:002019-03-25T08:13:13.016-07:00How to Cut Expenses and Still Have a Full Life.<br />
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This past year and a half has been interesting to say the least. I've been interested in finance and how the mind works around it for many years. In my youth I would worry about what growing up would look like and how you pay bills (like the actual where does it come from and how do you have electricity worries), which is probably not normal for an eleven year old. I'm quite sure my upbringing by Depression era grandparents had a lot to do with it.<br />
I've been debt free three times in my adult life, once without a mortgage and twice with a mortgage. Now we are debt free with a mortgage that we are trying to pay off and I intend to not ever have consumer debt again. We follow the Dave Ramsey baby steps but not to the letter and that is okay.<br />
Last year I did a no buy on clothes, books, and accessories like shoes and jewelry (even those $10 earrings at Target). It was amazing and hard. I learned so much about myself and my buying habits. Though never a spend thrift I enjoy having a new outfit to wear, a new pair or sunglasses or a new fresh book to open and dive into an alternate reality for a time.<br />
This year we had some goals that have been put on hold. We paid over $35,000 on our mortgage last year, which was about 1/3 of our income, we took a big trip to Yellow Stone, and we paid off our tractor and our car. We had a good year and have not always made as much. As a matter a fact seven years ago when I met my husband together we were both making about $35,000 a year combined.<br />
This year started off with some challenges and it has caused us to have to put a hold on all extra spending. We both had unexpected health challenges at the same time, big bills, two surgeries, test, thousand and thousands of dollars of medical bills in two months time. The weather has not been conducive to keeping a roofing company busy but I know that will change. And since we got married it put us in a higher tax bracket and low and behold Uncle Sam asked for a huge chunk of our income, twice what we thought we would have to pay.<br />
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So what do you do when you have to cut back? How do you do it? I'm here to tell you the sweet spot is in the flexible spending and simply your perspective. Here are my top ideas for cutting back and actually enjoying your life more. Some will be familiar but others may not.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">How to Cut Expenses and Still Have a Full Life. </span></b><br />
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<li>Write down everything you pay for. EVERYTHING. Subscriptions, mortgage, rent, food, gas, insurance, clothes, gym membership, cable and wifi..and anything else. This tells you where you are on the map of life with spending. </li>
<li>Think logically. What is really a need. We often put our emotions into this. Think if you were helping another person who was identify needs and wants. What would you say? Often people make a want a need by emotional justification. If you spent time on your own self care then would all of these things you think you need really just be a want. You can cut your flexible spending here greatly. Eating pancakes at home rather than going out for breakfast is about $2 a person versus $15 a person when you add tax and tip. That can add up to a savings of about $175 a month if you go out to eat breakfast three days a week. </li>
<li>Identify your income. If your income is spotty or irregular add up the last three months and divide by three to get an average income. </li>
<li>Cut the cable. Get Net Flix, Watch You Tube, Go to the Library. You don't need cable. We paid $200 recently to get rid of cable. Yes that expense caused me resentment to the cable company for their terrible service but it saved me $1000 dollars over the course of the year. </li>
<li>Get rid of subscriptions. Check your statements to find any that you may have. Go to the free versions of everything. </li>
<li>Don't Shop. You won't be tempted if you aren't shopping. </li>
<li>Avoid advertising. Read books over magazines. Stay off social media more. Don't watch normal t.v. Don't make shopping a sport. </li>
<li>Find alternate things to do. Go for a walk, hike, visit a park, organize your house, clean your house and car, organize your closet. These things will make you feel better about your life and situation. Getting exercise, going outside, having a clean home and car feels good and makes you feel more in control of your life. </li>
<li>Watch something on You Tube everyday or read a blog about living a full life, financial freedom, health. something positive that contributes to your life without making you feel worse. </li>
<li>Start to think of purchases in terms of how much you have to work to pay for something. If you want to go on vacation but need to cut back and a one week vacation to the beach would cost $2000 and you make $36000 a year you will have to work about a month to pay for it after paying taxes. If your boss would pay you in a vacation instead of money, but you had to work one full month, 40 hours a week for 4 weeks would you take the money or the vacation? That begins to change your idea of what a vacation can look like. Maybe a stay-cation this year. Maybe you simply need some time off. </li>
<li>Have a mind of abundance. Instead of bemoaning having to cut back. Give thanks to the God of your understanding, the universe, whatever or whomever you give thanks to and say "Thank you for the roof over my head, thank you for my job, thank you for my family, my feet that carry me through life, my health.". Giving thanks will change your mindset. </li>
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These are principals I use when I cut back and in my daily life. Our grandson ask this weekend how we had all that we have (three paid for cars, a boat, a tractor, a forty acre farm with a cabin, barn and animals) and the truth is we pick and choose what we value. We live on less than we make. We pay cash, we save, we work hard, we enjoy our life but we value pancakes at home and walks in nature and books over shopping or fancy vacations every year. Truthfully the big things like buying new cars can take a toll on your finances but it really is the little things day to day that we take for granted that really add up. I recently cut our food bill by $400 by doing a little research on it and redoing our food budget. You can do this too and feel even happier than before. </div>
Balanceyogaandwellness.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826595373493657772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295816965162996332.post-67570958693720250182018-12-29T12:35:00.001-08:002019-07-05T06:27:54.696-07:00Setting Goals to a Simpler Less Stressful Life. Reflections After a No Buy Year and Going Forward.Do you set goals every New Years only to find by March you don't even remember what they were or are you struggling with guilt over not reaching your goals?<br />
I set goals as well but find I am often working on them decades later. And I am okay with that. At thirty I said to myself I would "practice being a better listener" at forty eight I am still practicing. Some goals are ongoing. We may decide to "get healthier" but that is something we want to maintain. There is no reach and stop.<br />
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This year after a "No Buy" year I have really been focused on how much simpler my life became with restrictions, self imposed as they were. The end results are "I want even less, far less". It was that good and yes it was hard. See in a "No Buy" year you set the rules and perimeters for yourself. You should make them so that you can and will follow them, and take hurdles as a chance to learn about yourself and explore your feelings, this is where the life changing moments happen.<br />
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On my "No Buy" year I vowed to not buy new clothes, shoes, jewelry (not even those $5 earrings at Old Navy), purses or books (that last one...H A R D). This is how I discovered HOOPLA a free book app like Audible and Kindle. So how did it go?You can watch my video to see more.<br />
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As a result of my "No Buy" Year this is what my goals are this year and below that I'll give you some suggestions for setting your own goals. My goals might seem large but many of these are in motion and I've got the ball rolling so it is a continuation of goals I've already been working on, at least many of them are.<br />
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<b>My Goals for this year: 2019</b><br />
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<b>1. Self Care and Health: </b><br />
Meal Plan weekly, cook more, walk a minimum of 3 x a week for 20 minutes (1 mile) and take one yoga class and one at home yoga session. (I generally do more but on crazy weeks less, so it needs to be doable or so easy I feel like I am a total loser if I don't:)) . Let my hair go more natural (low lights and go back towards my natural color (I think it is dirty blond) and reduce coloring and haircuts by also letting my bangs grow out. Reduce trips to get my nails done by doing them myself except for special occasions (I know this is a no brainier for some but I am horrible at nail care and I live a very public life so if I have to speak in front of 400 people I'm having a nice manicure for $20).<br />
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<b>2. Business:</b><br />
Make sure to fully collect all tuition and close out the school in May successfully and have happy graduates at the end. Teach one more class per week at work for the public. Finish at least one ebook this year (I have one about ready to go). Possibly get started on two more, but my publish goals for those are two years. Speak at two conferences where I am compensated for my time (Until now in the conference arena, not workshops but the big deal ones, I've volunteered). Grow our roofing business to a minimum of 100 roofs, we are at about 90 this year. Be smarter with keeping the roofing books and avoiding costly mistakes, this means me keeping books and letting my husband bid the jobs and organize our crews.<br />
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<b>3. Personal Finance: </b><br />
Save enough money to replace my car. Pay 1/2 the mortgage off by 12/19. Cash flow from our day jobs our home bills and food. Cash flow vacations and hobbies, gifts, personal money etc..Set up sinking funds for large expenses and save more in our emergency fund (we have 1 years living expenses now, I'd like two to four years). <i>* This is a continuation. As our incomes grew from about $40,000 a year to quite a bit more we never increased the cost of our living. We cash flow, paid off debt and lived mostly the same, this has helped us pay over $40,000 on our mortgage this year and pay cash for 1/3 of the cost of our home when we built it. Follow and subscribe to my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/CourtneyButlerYoga/videos?view_as=subscriber">You Tube </a>channel for tips on this. </i><br />
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<b>4. Environment (Home, Farm, Cars): </b><br />
Clean out the storage building. Get every room and closet cleaned out and minimized. Same goes for storage building on the farm and barn. Keep cars maintained and cleaned. Keep farm property cleaned and maintained (we are rebuilding a barn, outdoor storage, garage for equipment, and run in shelters for the pasture animals which we will cash flow).<br />
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<b>Setting up Goals for Yourself:</b><br />
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My goals are fairly large and you will see categories, also many of my goals are continuations. I have a notebook, a planner, and sticky notes stuck to the closet wall to keep me on track so I don't forget. I highly recommend this! I have a black belt in this and have been doing it since I was eight (I know I am crazy, lol). Do what you can and don't get overwhelmed. Start small.<br />
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1. Make goals in different categories or simply choose one.<br />
2. Follow the SMART method.<br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">S.M.A.R.T.</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">, it needs to conform to the following criteria: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">S: Such as I want to lose 10lbs </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">M: I want to lose 10lbs in approx 10 weeks at 1lb per week</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">A: I will follow a low carb diet, a 12 hour window of eating and an exercise plan of 2 days of yoga and 3 days of cardio.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">R: I want to feel better in my clothes and improve my health</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">T: by 3/1/2019</span></span><br />
3. Have an accountability buddy if you need one. I have a friend that we compare health and well being notes.<br />
4. Review your goals weekly or monthly and see what you can do better next week or month.<br />
5. Make it so easy you can do it! Don't plan to go to the gym everyday if you have never gone. Be realistic.<br />
6. Work your schedule around your commitment rather than trying to fit in your goal to your schedule. For instance put your exercise on your calendar and let nothing get in your way. If someone calls then say "I'm sorry I have an appointment can we do this another time". You don't have to explain.<br />
7. Know your why (That is the relevant part of SMART). If you don't have a reasonable why you will return to square one after the goal is reached.<br />
8. Have a plan to maintain your goal or get back on track. Avoid the all or nothing trap. I recently lost 15lbs by following a low carb diet and doing moderate exercise. Over the Holidays I gained 4lbs back. I am back on track now and following the plan. I didn't just give up because I had several cheat days, I just accepted that this would probably happen and I would correct for it.<br />
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Happy New Year to You!<br />
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Love,<br />
CourtneyBalanceyogaandwellness.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826595373493657772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295816965162996332.post-54550613367946911862018-12-11T10:34:00.003-08:002018-12-11T10:45:52.670-08:00Frugal VS Cheap. Frugality for me is a way to achieve a life that is richer in experiences and is in line with my values. I pursue and promote Financial Freedom because I myself have been on the other side a few times and know what it is like to be a slave to a lender. You can read back on my stories but until a few years ago my husband nor I made more than $40,000 a year. As a matter of fact until my forties I never made over $25,000 a year.<br />
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Because I had learned black belt frugality from my Depression Era grandparents I was able to survive when hard times hit, the collapse of the housing market, a financially devastating divorce and raising four teens by myself. These skills have increased the quality of my life not decreased it. I have everything I need and want and do not feel the pressure or stress of being deep in consumer debt.<br />
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Cheap versus frugal. What's the difference? For instance lets say your faucet breaks and instead of fixing your faucet you simply use a wrench to open and close it for years so you can save money, even though the fix would be less than $50 and you have it in your emergency fund. To me this is cheap (this is a true story about someone I used to know). Frugal is you go to the store and buy a quality faucet that will last because you have money saved to pay for it. If there are twenty five available to choose from so you research to find the most reliable. You may pick one you like that matches your decor but it won't be the most expensive and fancy one that you have to put on a credit card because you have planned for this kind of thing. This is frugal. You will have more quality items but not items that you cannot afford to pay cash for.<br />
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Another example is that you have a 3 pairs of quality fitting blue jeans that you purchased at a resale shop for $35 each. These jeans may have cost $100 or more brand new. You get them cheaper at resale but you could have purchased a pair of new lesser quality jeans at a big box store for $30 that wouldn't last as long or be as comfortable.<br />
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This is how I live my life. I have less but better quality. In my living room I have three high quality leather pieces. A $3500 Henredon sofa that I paid $300 for on Craigslist, a high quality leather recliner that a friend no longer needed (free), and a hand me down leather chair and ottoman from my family. New all of this would have cost me nearly $6000. I paid $300. I was patient and lived with only a couch for a while.<br />
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Some qualities of frugal people.<br />
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1. They put values first then live their life in accordance with their values. The live frugal to support their values. If health is a value they may forgo some expensive trips to afford high quality food and pay for a good treadmill. Forgoing extraneous expenses in other areas.<br />
2. They have patience and wait for a good deal.<br />
3. They do not use credit, they save for emergencies.<br />
4. They save for big expenses like vacations and cars.<br />
5. They avoid marketing (advertising) as much as possible. This may mean not watching cable t.v., staying off social media and not shopping for fun.<br />
6. They save in areas that aren't as important to them so they can spend in areas that support their values. For me I save on the daily expenses like eating out, clothing and excessive living like a bigger fancier home and car so I can travel and spend more time with loved ones.<br />
7. They find free and inexpensive ways to entertain themselves. Such as working out at home, reading from the library, having date nights in.<br />
8. They budget their money. They know what comes in every month and they know what their expenses are. In the early days I had to budget every dollar. Now that we have no debt and a higher income I don't have to do this but I have some strict habits I've developed that allow me to have a high savings rate.<br />
9. The live on less and save more. My husband of one year, who I have been with for seven, and I have not increased our standard of living as our incomes have grown. We now make two to three times what we made when we met but we still live on $45,000 a year. We save the rest and pay cash for expenses like cars and repairs. We also are paying our mortgage off quickly.<br />
10. They have an emergency fund. Start with $500 then build up to two years in the bank by the time you retire or before (this does not include your retirement savings).<br />
11. They keep a reserve in their checking and business accounts.<br />
12. They are always learning and staying up to date on information that supports them in their journey.<br />
13. They keep their mortgage or rent payments at less than 1/4 of their income. For couples it would be suggested that one income could support you in the event that one person lost their job or had to be off for an illness or special circumstance.<br />
14. They are able to cut back on work if they choose to, in order to enjoy more of their values like exercise, travel, health etc.<br />
15. They are planners. They think about what they want their life to look like and live day to day with accordance with that plan.<br />
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<br />Balanceyogaandwellness.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826595373493657772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295816965162996332.post-77447395472985387302018-11-19T10:00:00.001-08:002018-11-19T10:24:14.987-08:00Going Against the Current with Money. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday I found myself once again frustrated with a money conversation. My beliefs are very different against main stream money thinking. I began this journey back...well truthfully it's been my life growing up in my family. My grandparents were this way (frugal and debt averse) and though they passed on with about $250,000 in assets not millions, my other frugal grandma was a millionaire unbeknownst to us. So you know they are rock stars with money in my book.<br />
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So recently we found ourselves debt free except the house and wanted to know if I should pay off the house or invest the difference after paying my IRA. Well of course a financial planner with a firm is going to tell you to invest, which they did. There was a lot of talk about making more money than I was paying in interest on the house and tax deductions but I'm not sure those financial planners are as wealthy as my grandparents were. So I thought about my grandparents. They lived frugal, had all they needed and both left a legacy that helped their children. So instead of looking to what main stream society tells me I decided to look to my grandparents.<br />
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Our decision:<br />
We are paying the house off and investing the max into IRA's for now. All excess goes to the house. I'll continue to max out the IRA's after the house is paid off and either invest in real estate, index funds, or keep money in the bank in high yield checking or savings, probably some of both. I also keep us fully insured with life, home, auto and good health insurance.<br />
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Here is what my grandparents did. One passed on a millionaire the other had a paid for house, money in the bank and over $154,000 in stocks, no debt and they had over a quarter of a million in assets.<br />
They had all they needed, wanted and for the most part were normal people who didn't have to worry about money.<br />
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<b>Lessons from my Depression Era Grandparents</b><br />
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1. Eat at home<br />
2. Grow your own food when you can or catch it (we ate a lot of fish). I am not a gardener but my husband is. I can cook anything though.<br />
3. Wear it out. If it ain't broke don't replace it.<br />
4. Do without. You don't need half of what you want.<br />
5. Needs first then wants within reason.<br />
6. Keep a tidy house and car it leads to a tidy mind.<br />
7. Don't buy into trends. You don't have to remodel. You can have a nice clean house with furniture that is older. I buy antiques and furniture that is timeless, much like timeless clothing. I have a coat from the 40's that is a simple cashmere mid calf and it has never been out of style. I have Persian rugs that never go out of style. My bedroom furniture is from the 40's and it is still super cool.<br />
8. Buy quality. Research before you buy.<br />
9. Don't do debt. Pay it off. Then don't get back in.<br />
10. It's more about what you don't do than what you do sometimes. Not doing things that cost a lot of money actually saves you tons over buying stuff you don't need on sale.<br />
11. Keep a simple wardrobe or basics and a few fun pieces. Buy when you need something but not simply for an activity.<br />
12. Have simple hobbies like reading, walking, cooking, gardening. Hobbies that help you learn, keep you fit, and actually save money.<br />
13. Send in the rebate, use the coupon if you actually buy that which you have the coupon for. Don't buy crap you don't need because it's on sale or you have a coupon.<br />
14. Say "NO" to enabling others. If they can do it for themselves don't do it for them unless you truly want to gift them from your heart. If you feel resentment then you are enabling.<br />
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My grandmother was a millionaire when she passed, She lived in a modest home, drove an older Toyota Highlander, cut her own grass until she was 84, cleaned her own home, cooked her own food. She had a nice home but it wasn't over the top and it was paid for. She truly was the millionaire next door. She didn't have to worry about her food or if she could pay her bills. That is true financial freedom. I'm not saying we should never have fun or spend on life's pleasures but we should consider first that our future is secure so we are not a burden on others.<br />
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<br />Balanceyogaandwellness.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826595373493657772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295816965162996332.post-17105727921399117672018-09-07T17:03:00.001-07:002018-09-08T15:36:04.020-07:00How to handle financial distress with helpful tips. Are you in financial distress and don't know where to turn?<br />
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Maybe I can offer some help.<br />
I've been there and I've helped many people see the light at the end of financial fears. We also have six kids, three in college and five on their own. We are trying to assist them in being independent but also find that balance between helping and enabling. I've been on my own since I was seventeen and I was lucky enough to have been raised by depression era grandparents and other frugal family members who taught me well how to be resourceful.<br />
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Here are some tips.<br />
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Emergency Steps to Handle Financial Distress.<br />
<b>Don't panic there is no debtor's prison. You can fix this.</b><br />
*<i> I am assuming if you are reading this you are not homeless but I need to say this if that is the case. If you are call the nearest homeless shelter or church and ask for guidance. Then apply for all the services you can and follow their advice. You will need to contact the Department of Human Services immediately. </i><br />
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Let's say you have a place to live, you have to many bills, maybe you are behind and you don't have enough money coming in to pay everything. I'm talking to you.<br />
1. The first thing you need to do is <u>write down all your bills on paper </u>the old fashioned way. Then write down the money you have coming in, not what you think it going to come in but what actually came in the past thirty days. That's your starting point. Go by what happened last month.<br />
2. Pay your rent/mortgage first every month and your utilities. If you are behind call and make arrangements immediately (This will save you fee's and maybe eviction). If you need to find a cheaper place to live do that as soon as you can. Ask people you know as well. You never know what people might be willing to do if you ask. They could have a garage apartment or a room. They may even come down on their asking price.<br />
3. Hussel up a some money, after rent, utilities and food are paid then you need an emergency fund. Why? Because something will always happen to throw you in distress if you do not. You have to have money for emergencies when you are living that tight. Sell some stuff, take an extra job, call people you know and ask them if there is anything you can do for them and tell them your situation. You might be surprised how many older folks need chores done, shopping, or help with electronics.<br />
Quit being afraid to ask! All they can do is say "No'. Be on time and do more than you are ask. Always give your best.<br />
4. Stop all discretionary spending. If it isn't shelter, food, utilities and basic transportation stop spending on it for now.<br />
5. That means meal plan. The average person can eat healthy on about $6.00 a day. I'll share below. The average person with no money is eating fast food every day to the tune of about two to three times that. If you spend $6.00 a day eating at home versus $18.00 a day eating out you will save about $360 a month! I'm serious!<br />
6. Stop smoking, don't buy alcohol and stop all frivolous spending. This means clothes, makeup you don't need and hair products etc. This area alone is the problem for most people.<br />
7. You need to find cheap or free entertainment.<br />
8. Cut off the cable even if they tell you they will charge you..you can pay it out.<br />
9. In extreme cases cut off the Internet. You can use your phone. People not to long ago, my generation did not have cable (until I was a teen), wifi, or cell phones. I can see having basic cell service. What to do if you have no wifi or cable? You can get books and DVDs at the library (we did this for years), read, clean your house, cook your own food, garden, learn a new hobby, take care of your car and what you have. Spend your time exercising. You might actually be happier. If you need wifi go the library. If you need it for your work like me I understand this and you should write it off your taxes.<br />
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Most people these days can make $10 an hour for basic labor. You may have to find a cheaper way to live, rent a room, take on a house mate, do the tiny house thing, get a trailer....<br />
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Basic Budget for a single person making $10 an hour, working 40 hours a week. If you are broke and working less you need to find another job or an extra job. Maybe at night or weekends. * I was $1400 a month over my head about two decades ago (meaning that is what I was short to live on. I took an extra job and moved into a much cheaper house).<br />
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$400 x 4.3 (average month) = $1720 before taxes (this is high for this pay grade but average) after $1290.<br />
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Your health insurance should be about $20 a month at this pay rate.<br />
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<ul>
<li>Rent about 1/4th your income no more than $330. *This may be hard, the average may be more like $425 for a small studio. Figure out a cheaper way, be creative. </li>
<li>Utilities: electric, heat, water no more than $75 </li>
<li>Auto Insurance on an old car (liability) $30.</li>
<li>Basic cell phone service $55.</li>
<li>Total = $480</li>
<li>Balance is +$810</li>
<li>Food $75 a week x 4.3 = $322.50</li>
<li>Gas $40 a week x4.3 =$172 </li>
<li>Balance = $315.50 (save emergency fund first, then pay on debt. If you have no debt then you can save up 3 to 6 month living expenses, then pay off a mortgage if you have one. For now follow the steps in order. Don't pay your bills late. Sit down every pay period and pay bills due first and set aside money first before it is spent. DON'T GO SHOPPING.You will not buy clothes for now. </li>
</ul>
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*You should not have a car payment, if you do consider selling it and buying a used cheaper car with your tax return. If you are upside down start working on plan. If you can take public transportation.<br />
Everything below that line should be put in the order of most important. Call all your creditors and work out a plan, even if it's $10 a month. If you have a lot of debt you will need to get another job. I suggest a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Course. You can read the book for free if you are to broke to afford the course.<br />
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*If you need new skills you can often get Pell Grant money and Scholarship money. At a local technical college or community college that may leave you some money to live on and work part time. They also have night programs that are only a few nights a week. Getting skills of some kind will greatly increase your pay and most likely the quality of your life. This is what I did.<br />
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Read more of my blog for tips.<br />
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<b>Meal planning.</b><br />
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Last week I went shopping for a weeks worth of meals for two people for $85.00<br />
This was a test for myself to see if I could do it.<br />
Most of the food was organic and very high quality. I looked and figured that I could have purchased non organic cheaper products for about 25 to 30 % less. When I added up the cost of the meals it came to about $2.02 a meal for breakfast and lunch and dinners where closer to $3.00 a person. The total for organic meals was about $7.04 a day per person.<br />
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Before you meal plan look at what you have and plan around that. Do you have a jar of spaghetti sauce? Guess your eating pasta. Do you have some bacon? BLT's anyone? Do you have a loaf of bread? French toast or sandwiches. Use up what is going to go bad first. If you have some veggies or fruit that need to be eaten plan your meal around those. This will save tons of money and waste.<br />
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<i>This week I took my son out to eat for lunch at a local restaurant and it was $65 with tip! I about died. I don't have to be on a budget anymore and was treating my son, but my point is that would be one weeks worth of groceries for one person if you meal plan. </i><br />
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Here is what we had this week, I modified a bit for my low carb diet. You will have to food prep on this diet (Food Prep is fancy talk for store your left overs for the next meal). Dinner for two for seven days.<br />
1.A deli chicken with 2 veggies (frozen veg): Made 4 meals<br />
2. Enough left over to make two meals of chicken salad (2 meals) with crackers.<br />
3. Taco Salad (3 meals)<br />
4. Broccoli Soup and Crackers (4 meals)<br />
5. Spaghetti with Turkey (ground) and green beans (frozen) (6 meals)<br />
Total full meals 19 meals (Need 14 dinners for two people, then 5 days of lunch one person can take leftovers)<br />
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Lunch: Leftovers<br />
or Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich and milk<br />
or Egg Sandwich with a few slices of tomato and milk and a banana<br />
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*There was enough left over salad fixings and veggies to add a salad to a couple of meals or another side veggie.<br />
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Breakfast:<br />
Eggs and Toast<br />
Overnight Oats (Organic Yogurt mixed with fruit and topped with nuts)<br />
Oatmeal with nuts, peanut butter, butter, a half of banana and glass of milk.<br />
* I had some berries, the only fruit I purchased was banana's because they are cheap. Look for what is seasonal.<br />
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You can do this! Don't get discouraged get empowered. :) I did it, got ahead, screwed up and did it again. This time for good.<br />
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<br />Balanceyogaandwellness.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826595373493657772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295816965162996332.post-47844086710544114922018-08-16T17:58:00.000-07:002018-08-16T18:50:26.674-07:00Vacation: Bozeman Montana, Yellowstone and Jackson Hole<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well the Hubby and I returned a few days ago from a full week in Yellowstone & down to the Grand Tetons. When I was planning this trip I found some information but not as much as I would have liked that was helpful. Especially since most of the info I found was monetized (had advertising). So here's the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful of our trip and hope it helps someone else.<br />
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So this is not really so much about Resourcefulness but in a way it is. We have been on this path long enough that we could relax and finally afford a big vacation. If you follow Dave Ramsey we are on Baby Step 4, paying the mortgage. The debt it done, the 6 months savings is there, and now we are to a point that our extra money goes to our mortgage. There is now a little room to relax after many of years of simple vacations. Part of the reason we are on this path is so we can enjoy life more but it took some time to get here. It's so worth it.<br />
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My husband had open heart surgery about 3 years ago and that put everything into perspective. The value of life, experience, and living your life came clearly into focus. In a moment of clarity I made a decision to take my husband on his dream vacation, one he has talked about for years, Yellowstone. I quickly booked up everything I could find in Yellowstone sitting in a parking lot outside of a pizza restaurant. This was only 12 weeks ago. Yellowstone can book up a year in advance. I then came home and poured over info to find the best places to stay, rescheduled and moved things around, rented a car, found out where to fly into and that lead me to make some changes.<br />
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We flew into Bozeman Mt., what a beautiful place. I highly recommend it. The flights on United where substantially cheaper and we had great service from United. For two people round trip it was roughly $1000.<br />
We had one bad experience at a hotel that lead me to another one on a recommendation from a lady at a ranch supply store. <a href="https://www.cmoninn.com/bozeman">The C'mon Inn</a> (less than $200 a night). It was great! The least expensive hotel and the best priced of all of them. Highly recommend. Hotels here are expensive! Outside of the park it's possible to find something for under $200 that is nice, inside the park equivalent lodging it about double.<br />
I would recommend flying Little Rock (If you are in Arkansas) to Bozeman on United, then staying at the C'mon Inn. Go straight to Walmart and buy these things<br />
1. Bear Spray (one can should do, it cost $50 or $10 a day in the park, you figure the math).<br />
2. A cheap ice chest that is soft $4.94<br />
3. Refillable insulated cups for water to save on buying bottles, it's dry and you will need a lot of water. $6.94<br />
Then you can buy your snacks here or go to the <a href="http://www.bozo.coop/">Bozeman Co'op</a> and buy food. We ate here twice, and got our green juice. They have great picnic boxes and hot food. I am a foodie and was able to get a nice chicken curry while my cowboy husband got a salad and some organic chicken. LOVE THIS PLACE.<br />
We had dinner at Montana Ale Works twice. The food is great and it's worth a visit.<br />
We also went to the local movie theater though I don't remember the name and it was very clean and nice. Take some time to drive around the city of Bozeman, over in the neighborhoods near downtown. There are parks and walkways. It is one of the cleanest cities I've ever seen.<br />
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We then headed to Yellowstone, driving through the North Gate, Stopping at Mammoth Hot Springs. Then going down to Lake Yellowstone stopping and looking at all the sights along the way. Including the buffalo. We took the North West side down and over to Lake Yellowstone. Lake Yellowstone Inn is the most expensive hotel in the park, the food is good at the restaurant but not great for the price. It's embarrassing what we paid for a room and I wish we hadn't. It was suppose to have a lake view but the window was very small, the room was small, and though very nice it was not worth $536.00 a night to stay here. I went into Lake Lodge down the street and wish we had stayed there, it was more "cabin lodge" feeling and more our speed. Not sure the pricing but it's in between Jackson Hole and Bozeman. The lake is beautiful and we drove out to the lower west side about half way until the lake ended, a beautiful drive.<br />
This was a beautiful place to stay but be warned the hotels, lodges in Yellowstone are not that comfortable. The beds were small and hard.<br />
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The park is in the shape of the letter 8 with fingers going N,NE upper, NE lower, S, & W, five total roads out of the park.<br />
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Day 3 we drove to Jackson Hole through the Grand Tetons stopping along the way to view all the magnificent sights. I stress that this was a hard drive for a girl afraid of heights! Wow. So beautiful though I cannot begin to express the beauty of the Grand Tetons. We stayed at the <a href="https://rusticinnatjh.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjwwdTbBRAIEiwAYQf_ExcDW9h0T4ef4qwD5kig0DmSngW-xoVBGt1hRFSOLMfeHTSYvllt1xoCDdUQAvD_BwE&ef_id=W14nWgAAAKZzdmvT:20180817002131:s">Rustic Inn,</a> which was about $416 a night. It was very nice, the rooms where amazing and comfortable and all were individual little cabins, though very close together. There was a nature walk, a pool (heated), hot tub and sauna. My husband used the workout room and a very nice breakfast was included. My only complaints where they started cooking at 5 a.m. and we apparently were next to the kitchen wall! The other issue was that they needed someone to walk around and be aware of trash and picking it up around the nature area. It wasn't terrible but for that price I expected it to be picked up. They were busy so I give them that. We took full advantage of this resort and experienced all it had to offer that came with our room. They light the outdoor fire pits at night and this is very nice. The breakfast was very crowded and let's just say that Southern manners we are used to are not used here, people were a bit pushy. My husband was pretty irked.<br />
We had dinner at <a href="https://www.worthotel.com/silver-dollar-bar/">The Silver Dollar</a> an old hotel there and it was great. Service was great, very friendly staff. While there we walked downtown to <a href="https://www.hbcafeandjuicery.com/">Healthy Being</a> so I could have my juice fix (I had the beet..wow it was tart but good, I had some stevia in my purse to add to it). I would go here again, they have a basket of lawn blankets and wonderful places to sit outside. It's like a park.<br />
We also ate at <a href="http://www.jacksonwholegrocer.com/">Jackson Grocers</a>, which was really good and similar to a small size Whole Foods. <i>I really liked that they support local health food stores all over the place and there are no chain health food stores. </i>We also had lunch at <a href="http://www.jacksonwholegrocer.com/">Cafe Genevieve,</a> it was good. I had a salad and it was very good. My husband had breakfast fare and said the bread was amazing. Everyone told us to go the Million Dollar Cowboy bar but we were so tired we didn't make it. The highlight for us was the Jackson Hole Art Fair, it was amazing. We visited several parks, one of my favorite things to do and enjoyed this very much. Highly recommend visiting the local parks here for a place to rest and enjoy the natural beauty.<br />
Be prepared to walk, the traffic is bumper to bumper.<br />
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Day 4 back to Yellowstone up the South entrance, so much beauty going back that you get a different perspective and it's worth it. We drove up to Old Faithful and waited for it <u>on the second row viewing deck of the hotel.</u> Grab a drink and have a seat and enjoy from the deck. This is the best place. Visit the gift shops and relax a bit. We then drove up the west entrance a bit, so much beauty I cannot even explain, you must experience it yourself. We headed over the Canyon Village. Canyon is beautiful and we had stopped here to eat earlier on our way to Lake Yellowstone. Canyon Village is the place in Yellowstone to eat, buy gifts and see The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. The lodge looked nice but it was booked and I booked a cabin, and I loosely call it a cabin. I'm in the process of working on getting our money back. The cabins are a group of rooms that are like going to camp when you are a kid. Our room had a dirty floor, hair on the bed and was generally pretty nasty. I won't go into details but I cannot recommend the cabin, they were $313 a night and not worth $69 a night. I would choose the lodge. The chicken dinners at Canyon Village in the middle area of the Village where great. The food here was excellent. $33 for two, not bad.<br />
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The next day we went up to Roosevelt after sleeping only 2 hours. I had booked a 2.5 hour horseback ride not knowing much about what I was doing. Unless you are a seasoned rider I would not recommend this. It was great, but I was not prepared to go straight up a mountain literally inches from the side. I would recommend the 1 hour ride. Our team that led us was amazing, I loved my horse Mr. Longhorn, slow and hungry as he was he was a good boy. Even though I have horses I was not used to riding for 3.5 hours...yes that is right, 3.5 hours. The 2.5 hour ride is actually 3.5 hours. My behind still hurts.<br />
We also did the covered chuck wagon dinner, which I highly recommend but I would not recommend riding a horse to it because you will have a full belly on horse going back. Plus the guides give you so much information about Yellowstone that it's worth the money. This was about $154.00 I believe for two. Drink the Cowboy Coffee, at least taste it, best coffee ever, like mud and delicious! Very much worth it. Roosevelt is not much on food and the wait is very long. This place is old and dusty but very cool. Pack a lunch with you. We purchased some food at the gift shop or what they call General Stores and had a picnic, it was very nice. Drive out to Lamar Valley while you are here between the morning horseback ride, lunch, Lamar, and then to the Chuck Wagon for dinner. A great day!<br />
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We finished dinner around 7 and headed back to Gardiner, Mt where we stayed at the <a href="http://www.yellowstonevinn.com/">Yellowstone Village Inn</a> (about $154 a night). So clean, simple, laundry facilities and a great price. Highly recommend. They do not have coffee in the rooms but it's in the lobby. Super friendly people, spotless simple rooms, comfy beds and a heated pool, breakfast is simple but enough, we had oatmeal, an apple and peanut butter, my husband had some toast. Great outdoor sitting spaces. It was a super respite. There is a simple grocery store down the road with anything you might need.<br />
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We got up on day 6 and headed to Bozeman with a stop at <a href="https://www.chicohotsprings.com/">Chico Hot Springs,</a> $8.50 for the heated mineral hot springs pools. Pack your swimsuit and flip flops and don't miss this! For two people with two rented towels it was only $19.50. What a bargain. So worth it. We enjoyed taking our time going back to Bozeman. We needed a more restful day and it's a scenic 84 miles. We stopped in at Livingston at the <a href="https://wheatgrasssaloon.com/">Wheatgrass Saloon</a> for our juice. It was great. My husband went to a local ranch store while I stayed outside and petted the shop cat and visited with the sweetest young man, he had Downs Syndrome and he kept winking at me, smiling and talking to me, this made my day. He was such an angel. Meeting many of the sweet people and seeing the animals was really nice.<br />
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We then got into Bozeman and checked in to the C'mon Inn, went back to the Co'op for lunch, went to a local park where we walked around a pond and then to a movie and back to Montana Ale Works for dinner. We were about 10 minutes from the airport (Bozeman International). We had rented a car, a Subaru Outback for less than $500 for 7 days. The airport is small and not to busy. An hour was perfect in getting there.<br />
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We saw coyotes, elk, bison, deer, pig whistles (similar to a ground hog and so cute!), antelope, and many birds, some huge ravens and hawks. None where scared of us and they are everywhere.<br />
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The park is less than 2% developed and 98% is undeveloped. This is why the horseback ride is nice, you get to see more of the park. We had a healthy fear of bears and many had been seen so we didn't do much hiking, just walking around the park on the areas that are designated to look at the sights was a ton of walking. The animals will be very close but be careful. None where aggressive but we kept our distance. This was a trip of a lifetime. I am not sure how you would see as much if you didn't move around like we did, however this was not a restful trip, it was very active. If you are good only going to Yellow Stone I can highly recommend Gardiner as a place to stay. However if you have the time the Grand Tetons are out of this world. Some of my friends rented an Air B and B and had that as their home base. Many people told me that staying in the park was worth it. The convenience is worth it but you will pay a premium for far less amenities. Also I would recommend finding out about construction (there is a lot of roadwork in Yellowstone) and being aware of not planning to take Mountain passes at night or more than once. They are beautiful but the roads are very curvy with little to no guard rails, it's not for the faint of heart. My favorite spot was Lamar Valley and all the Bison! Also if a road says 18 miles in Yellowstone plan on about 40 minutes to an hour, you will be driving slow due to curves, mountains, wild life and constantly stopping to take in the wonder of it all!<br />
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Enjoy.<br />
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Balanceyogaandwellness.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826595373493657772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295816965162996332.post-796212934240904222018-07-28T17:46:00.001-07:002018-08-04T09:24:01.535-07:00Getting Started with Financial FreedomI have decided to do a free financial freedom coaching or consulting via the old blog and You Tube.<br />
So today I'm sick, my hands even hurt but my minds working well enough. The short story I want to share this for our kids. To offer help, but not in the "Here's a fish kind of help" but "Let me get you a fishing pole" kind of help.<br />
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Okay so follow along this journey if you want. I'll add VLOGS as we go (video blogs).<br />
*<a href="https://www.youtube.com/features">Here is a link to my old You Tube Channel that has some advice on being resourceful. </a><br />
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How to get started.<br />
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<b>1. Find your Why. </b><br />
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Why are you ready to change? Why do you want to learn how to get out of this darn mess. I was in a darn mess at age 33. $1400 negative a month (that's right). Shamefully buying groceries on my credit card. I was lost. I had been debt free just a few years before and we blew it. We weren't wild spenders we just didn't have the knowledge we needed. The bank gave us a big loan for a house we couldn't afford and it ate our lunch. I was sick and tired of being broke and scared. What's your why?<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwOBnmWlVsk">Video Lesson 1</a><br />
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<b>2. Write down all your bills and expenses (be honest) and your income (all of it). Make two columns. </b><br />
<b>First how much you make and when it comes in and total that monthly. </b><br />
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Example: Husband $950 every two weeks, Wife $1000 every 2 weeks. Random in our case. Total is $3950<br />
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Then all your bills, due date, how much: House note $1250, on the 5th.<br />
If a bill is quarterly divide it by 4 and put it in your budget.<br />
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Just look at it and add up both columns. Subtract bills from income. This is what you have leftover.<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YBQ7J7frFk&t=78s">Lesson 2 Video</a><br />
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<b>3. Now look at what you can slash or get rid of NEEDS VS WANTS</b><br />
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You don't need expensive phone plans or cable. Those are wants.<br />
Wants can be handled later. For now get busy getting out of debt.<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OXCYgwghxs">Lesson 3 Video</a><br />
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<b>4. Go on a spending freeze: </b><br />
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For the time being until you get an emergency fund make a budget for needs (food, basic transportation not joy riding) and all other spending gets frozen.<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEpNTCmBix4">Lesson 4 Video</a><br />
<b>5. Save $1000 Emergency Fund </b><br />
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Get busy selling stuff. Yard Sales, Auctions, EBay, Craigslist, Resale Shops, Facebook Marketplace, old cars to the salvage yard. Clean up your crap and get rid of it (this also has a psychological impact on you in a positive way, you start to feel lighter). Get a $1000 fast. Then ear mark it for emergencies. Your tires are not an emergency you know you have that coming up, you will now start a savings account for those types of things.<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEpNTCmBix4">Lesson 5 Video</a><br />
<b>6. Slash your budget and use excess money to pay debt. '</b><br />
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If you can slash your budget by $100 then you will put your $100 towards the smallest bill. Your goal will be to get debt paid off fast. I was a follower of this method long before Dave Ramsey was preaching this but he makes it really easy to understand. I know some people don't agree with his politics or religion or whatever but regardless just take the class and get the gist of it. It's the best program out there and it works.<br />
Here is a link to the courses:<br />
<b><a href="https://www.daveramsey.com/store/product/financial-peace-university-class#in-progress=1&center=34.746481,-92.289595">https://www.daveramsey.com/store/product/financial-peace-university-class#in-progress=1&center=34.746481,-92.289595</a></b><br />
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<b>7. I've already said it but I'm going to say it again. Sell everything you can and get out of debt.</b><br />
<b>YOU MAY NEED TO GET A SIDE HUSSEL, or as we old timers call it "a second job". </b><br />
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You can buy it again when you can pay for it. Get rid of the expensive cars, boats, phones, cable packages. I know many of you are upside down, figure out a way to get rid of all you can. You are going to have to study on how to do this. I actually sold the fancy house for $197,000 and moved into a fixer upper for $97,000 and lived there for 15 years. You heard me. We also got used cars, sold the boat and did the work ourselves on the house and it felt damn good to be out of debt.<br />
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At times in my life I've had two or three jobs (we actually still do until our farm is paid off). I've cleaned houses, taken in people's kids, dog sat, ran errands for money, worked a multitude of odd jobs. Right now I'm taking extra contracts and keeping my school open until I have a full years worth of living expenses paid up and our farm paid off.<br />
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<i>One day I opened the door because my kid ordered a pizza (with money they earned) and a friend of mine was there delivering pizza (he was getting out of debt). This made me so happy! </i><br />
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Get your butt to work. As Dave says "There is a place for broke people, it's called work".<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gngpy-S4U6g&t=13s">Lesson 6 & 7 video</a><br />
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<b>8. Maintain this idea and hang with people who support you. </b><br />
Find people who are living the same way. You will not be like the average person and they are everywhere and they are broke.<br />
78% of Americans live pay check to pay check. You are going to be the 22%<br />
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Follow things on Instagram, Facebook, You Tube that have words like "frugal, debt free, simple living" In them. Find your people!<br />
<b><br /></b><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/24/most-americans-live-paycheck-to-paycheck.html">BE THE 22%. Link to article about 78% of Americans.</a><br />
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Here are some basics while you are getting out of debt and building your emergency fund up to six months.<br />
<ul>
<li>Meal plan and eat at home. Have a little fun money set aside and use coupons or find specials and share.</li>
<li>Get rid of cable, rent movies from the library or get books. The library has tons of free resources and entertainment. FOR FREE! Well actually you pay taxes to use it, so do. </li>
<li>Wear the clothes you have or buy your clothes at resale shops. If you must buy new then shop a sale but DO NOT SHOP for fun. I still buy 95% of all my clothes at resale.</li>
<li>Pack your lunch. It's also a great way to lose weight. </li>
<li>Work out at home, take a walk, use a free app, ride your bike. The library often has free yoga. </li>
<li>You should not have one app on your phone that isn't free until you are out of debt. </li>
<li>Stop shopping unless you need something. </li>
<li>Tuesday nights are usually $5 movie nights in my town. I am not saying never have fun but find the deals and stick to the budget. </li>
<li>For meals out find the cheap places to eat or go to lunch or use a coupon. Lunch is usually 1/2 the price of dinner and 1/2 the calories. </li>
<li>Don't shop resale, garage sales, or flea markets for fun if you are getting out of debt or trying to build your savings. Only shop when you need something. </li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&ar=1&video_id=3-YmwGaw2dI">Video 8</a><br />
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<b>9. If the emergency fund gets used go back to filling it up then restart debt pay off.</b><br />
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<b>10. Once the debt is done then focus on 3 months expenses in the bank. </b><br />
If you make $4000 a month, then you will save $12,000.<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRKzlz7W-8s"> Video </a>9 and 10<br />
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<b>11. Pay off the mortgage and or invest in retirement. </b><br />
Here is where Dave and I differ. And it depends. At this point you have<br />
a. no debt<br />
b. An emergency fund that has three to six months living expenses<br />
Dave would say put 15% in retirement. It depends on your situation and how you feel about it. Right now I have a good amount saved and my husband has police retirement. I know that with no debt we will have more than what we make now. So I am choosing to pay off the mortgage first and then start putting more into my retirement. And that's not 100% true. I am self employed so each year I ask my accountant how much I should contribute to my IRA to save money and I usually add in about $4000.<br />
I also am not super confident in our government right now and don't feel great about the stock market.<br />
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<b>12. Invest in retirement and then you can contribute to your kids college fund or help them with college. </b><br />
We have six kids. That's right. Three are currently in college and they get Pell Grants (some money not full), two of them get a load of scholarships and then they have to take out some loans. We pay what we can, this summer it was two summer tuition's which we paid cash for. We also pay for their car insurance and health insurance. We have also bought them all cars and we have helped at times but we also make them work for us if they need extra money. They are expected to work part time and go to college. I did and they can.<br />
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<b>13. Help others or volunteer your time. </b><br />
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When you don't have to work or retire you can give your time to others or your money to programs and people who are less fortunate and that feels good. You may be able to help your kids go through college, or help a grand child. It feels good to give.<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YiU-S8thQs">Video Lesson 11 through 13</a><br />
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I will be posting videos and updating this frequently.<br />
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* So as a side note I was on this journey 7 years ago when I got a divorce. That threw me into a state of living in poverty. Still I stayed out of debt, worked harder, paid all my bills, paid off my car and lived pretty well taking care of four kids on less than $45,000. a year. The first few years I made only $27,000 but had some child support. It was hard as heck. Now my husband (I got remarried in Jan.) and I have worked up to having a 40 acre farm (that is our only debt and we have quite a lot of equity as we paid for a lot of it as we built it). I have a decent retirement account, we have six months expenses put back and a savings for large bills that come up like house insurance or tires. Things can come up and surprises and I know life is not perfect but we try, surprises and emergencies are much easier to recover from when you have an emergency fund. If we have a slip we figure it out but we don't give up. We don't live a lavish lifestyle, we buy used items (often) from clothes to cars. We think about our purchases and we are now able to take a nice vacation (without any credit cards). Life is easier without debt and worry.Balanceyogaandwellness.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826595373493657772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295816965162996332.post-57292748618850450112018-07-16T07:09:00.000-07:002018-07-16T07:11:22.801-07:00Why We Buy RocksThis weekend I was doing some landscaping at my house with my mom and my husband. We were talking about buying edging for the gardens and I've always been partial to those little rock walls. Thinking "Well we have forty acres of rocks so that should work", I realized that there are a lot or "rock shops" where I live that sell rocks. Yes they are easier to stack so there is that. Generally they can run between $100 a pallet to up to $900. I've actually purchased big Clinton rocks to build stairs before. Those stairs cost $900. Clinton rocks "grow" about 2 hours for me in Clinton, Arkansas.<br />
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So why am I telling you about rocks. Because I became resourceful and told my husband what I wanted to do and that man, working hard as he does, got the tractor and in 3 hours had piles of nice rocks up by my front garden beds. We will be using "Robinson" rocks off the Robinson's Ranch.<br />
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*Our cabin prior to landscaping.<br />
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We make life so complicated sometimes. One of my goals is to simplify my life and have a better quality. Moving to this big farm I have gotten where I crave it even more. I feel safe here, tucked away from the outside world of noise and crowds and consumerism. Here I feel like it's our little part of Heaven and I crave more and more time here.<br />
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Here are some of my reasons for simplifying & how I do it.<br />
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Reasons to Simplify<br />
1. You don't have to work at a job you hate if you don't have debt.<br />
2. You can enjoy relationships more.<br />
3. The quality of your relationships is better when you are not stressed.<br />
4. Having no debt brings a sense of freedom to travel or have hobbies.<br />
5. You have time to focus on your "inner" well being as well as your overall health.<br />
6. It gets you out of the rat race of consumerism that is never a long lasting thrill.<br />
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How to Simplify<br />
1. Have a plan. Design your life. Where do you want to be in 1 year, 3, years, 5 years, 10 years..etc.<br />
2. Figure out the steps to this plan. They will look something like this. Reduce bills, pay off debt (may require more work for a bit of time, short term work for long term gain), save money, work less, play more, enjoy life.<br />
3. Have clear priorities about what you want so when you make decisions (especially financial) you can ask yourself "How does this impact my long term goals?". If you want to retire in 10 years on an average income getting a bigger house and going into more debt probably isn't part of your plan. Use your own rocks. :)<br />
4. Get rid of the clutter, sale your stuff, pay off debt, save extra money.<br />
5. Reduce your bills if you can. If you need to sell the boat, sell the fancy car with debt, sell the house (I've done it all for a time being then I was able to replace with cash eventually). Get rid of debt. I moved to a smaller older home (sold the one I built years ago). I drove an older paid for car. We sold the boat. Fast forward 14 years I purchased a farm, a boat, a car and built a home and we have no debt except a small mortgage that will be paid in a few short years. All because we saved and were able to pay cash.<br />
6. Learn to meal plan, shop and cook at home. Reduce your meals out.<br />
7. Learn to live with less clothes (This is so freeing I cannot tell you). Sell what you don't wear, buy better quality clothes (I find high quality clothes for a fraction of the price at resale shops, they are a bit nicer than thrift stores like Goodwill) that last. I bought two pairs of jeans that cost over $120 new in the past two weeks. I paid about $20 for them.<br />
8. Think about entertainment cost. If we had good internet we would Net Flix everything but it's not possible where we live because we are limited on data so we are back to doing Red Box, even so a night at home with a Red Box DVD, homemade popcorn and smoothies cost us less than about $10 where a night out would be $50 to $100. I don't like crowds and would rather stay home with my honey and snuggle in my jammies and have my clean bathroom. :)<br />
9. Daily you can make choices to help you save. If you meal plan you can cut a lot off your bill. If you buy breakfast at McDonald's every day for $6 a day every week x a month this is $180 a month, if you eat at home for $1.00 to $2.00 (easy with oatmeal or eggs and toast) you are spending $30 to $60, you have saved $150 to $120 a month. In a year you are talking about $1800 saved! And people wonder where their money goes. It's about 5 choices a day like this. You feel it in your bank account. If I buy<br />
$100 a month ($1200) in retail clothing versus $200 every 6 months in resale clothing (and probably better quality) I have saved $800 a year! Recently I saw a woman on You Tube figure that making little choices like this each year saves her $14,000 a year. Seriously folks you can buy a good used car for that or pay off some serious debt.<br />
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Hope this helps. It really is the little things when it comes to money. Every once in a while you can save big like when I sold my house of 14 years and paid off my car and socked away a bunch of money. On a day to day basis you are faced with many chances to save that really add up.<br />
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Much Love,<br />
Courtney<br />
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<br />Balanceyogaandwellness.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826595373493657772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295816965162996332.post-19904913253081476862018-07-05T09:14:00.001-07:002018-07-05T09:14:52.714-07:00How to Make a Net Zero PurchaseWhat does Net Zero Purchasing mean?<br /><br />So I had this little happy accident when I put limits on my buying an spending for one year. If you follow me on my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11eyV0bl8wY&t=17s">YouTube Channel,</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-Deliberate-Life-166519923837420/">Facebook</a>, or here you know I made a pact to not spend money on clothes, shoes, purses, jewelry or books for one year. Through this I discovered the net zero purchase, which is when the money you spend on something equals or is less than the money you received for that same type of item. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Here is how it works. This year I made a caveat to my challenge. I could not buy these things unless I sold the same type of item and earned the money for it. So if I sold $11 worth of books I could spend $11 on books. I indeed spent 9.99 on a magazine and .99 cents on an ebook. </div>
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On clothing I've been doing this for years but never really thought to much about it. I sell my clothes to a resale shop and get a credit that I can either cash in for a check or use in the store. I use the credit to buy new to me clothes. </div>
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I've been thinking of doing this with my car. So my car is only three years old and I'm known to drive a car for a long time. However I've put almost 100,000 miles on my car in three years due to a crazy work life. I'm now considering driving my car two more years, saving the money I would spend on a payment and then selling my car and using that money to buy a new to me car. If I spend the amount of money I sell the car for then it is Net Zero. If I use the money I saved plus the money I sell the car for it is not Net Zero but I will have no debt. </div>
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Recently we purchased a 2009 Camry with 50,000 miles on it for a second car for my husbands business. We paid $8000 cash for the car. </div>
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If I sell my car for $10,000 in 2 years (now it's worth about $16,000) and I save $7320. Then I could spend a total of $17,320 for a new to me used car with low miles. Or I could choose to spend $10,000 on an even older car with less miles. </div>
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How can you apply this in you daily life?<br />Well you can apply the examples I've given above or similar examples but also think about the hours you work in a week.<br />If you make $20 an hour and you spend $800 a week, that is similar except you need to have some savings for when big things come up. </div>
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Start thinking about would I work this long for this item? If you want a pair of shoes and they cost $200 but you can find a similar pair for $60 or another pair at a nice resale shop for $20. Then you either work 1 hour, 3 hours, or 10 hours for that pair of shoes. Applying this to your purchases will help you keep your priorities in check. </div>
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You can also barter for services. I will sometimes barter my services for hour for hour cost of someone else's services. $60 of yoga for $60 of massage. </div>
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Living a Net Zero life and having savings and no debt will get you to a life of Financial Freedom which means being able to choose your work and how you live your life. You will be free of being a slave to the lender and have more control over your choices. </div>
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5 Tips for Net Zero Purchasing</div>
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1. Grow food and barter for other folks who grow food.</div>
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2. Barter your services for other's services in dollar value.</div>
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3. Sale your clothes and use that money to buy new clothes.</div>
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4. Sale your books on Ebay and buy new books on Ebay.</div>
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5. Sale your jewelry, sunglasses and purses and buy new to you similar items at resale shops. </div>
Balanceyogaandwellness.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826595373493657772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295816965162996332.post-39509666138675031152018-05-08T06:32:00.000-07:002018-05-08T06:47:35.111-07:00Free and Frugal Things to do in Hot Springs, Ar. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last night I was looking over my old blog from about ten years ago and an article I wrote on visiting Hot Springs for under $20 a day per person. Coming home yesterday I was thinking of all the things I like to do in my hometown that don't cost much and how I should share with others. So here is my updated list.<br />
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When I have people come visit there are many things I share with them that are not on your local websites because there is so much beauty around Hot Springs. Here is my quick list.<br />
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<li>The Stueart Pennington Memorial Running of the Tubs, the bath tub races are free and so much fun. This community event was thought up by my late step father and runs every spring or early summer. https://www.facebook.com/RunningoftheTubs/</li>
<li>Hike: Go to the visitors center for maps. Hot Springs has more trails than you could ever imagine for those who tire easy to the adventure seeker. My favorite hike is the trail at Lake Catherine to the falls. There are trails downtown, trails at Lake Catherine, Degray, Ouachita and more.</li>
<li>Go swimming at a local beach. My favorite beach is in Hot Springs Village, Balboa beach, but you will need to be a guest or get a day pass to go. It's so clean and nice. I feel like I'm in Florida when I am there. </li>
<li>The Village also has amazing hiking trails. </li>
<li>Downtown you can walk the Promenade, visit the Fordyce Bath House (My dad gives tours here), walk bathhouse row, visit the park at Arlington Lawn, stick your hands in the Hot Springs, and remember to bring your glass water bottles and jugs. Hot and cold springs abound and the water is free. Go to the visitors center for a map of the springs. </li>
<li>Take a drive to Hot Springs and West Mountain located in downtown! This is free, beautiful and fun. </li>
<li>Have a picnic at the Gorge, also part of the National Park and free.</li>
<li>Go swim at one of the many beaches at Lake Ouachita.</li>
<li>It's not free but you have to eat so pick up lunch and beef jerky at "Burls' Country Store" when visiting the beaches at Lake Ouachita.</li>
<li>Visit the local library. Need a cool place to take a bathroom break, rest, check your email, check out our local library. It's fantastic. The kids library is amazing and everyone can enjoy a little quite time. They also offer lots of free events from Blue Grass Music to movie night. </li>
<li>Tuesdays is $5 movie night and cheap popcorn and cokes at the Cinema 10 in HS. Our movie theaters are not truly that up to date but they do the job and they are clean and friendly. You will need to give your phone and email to get the movie pass. </li>
<li>Flea market shop. Hot Springs has lots of great flea markets and antique shops. Google and visit for cheap take a ways for home. </li>
<li>When my kids were little we food packed when we traveled. It would be worth your while to rent a house, condo or hotel with a kitchen. Pack your food or visit our local Health Food Store "Good Earth" and pick up food, salads, soup, and goodies. Eat lunch and dinner at home and get lunch out. Lunch is much cheaper than dinners in Hot Springs. Places that have lunch specials that are good are La Hacienda, Rolando's, Hunan's, Cracker Barrel, and I am sure there are more but these are some good ones. I love Pho Hoang My, it's great for dinner and very inexpensive. At La Hacienda I would recommend sharing the La Hacienda Nacho's. Cracker Barrel is also pretty good and inexpensive and has something for everyone. </li>
<li>We have many great city parks as well. My favorite is Energy Park for walking, fishing, and playing on the playground. Hollywood park is amazing too. </li>
<li>Visit Lake Charlton outside of Hot Springs. It's a cold spring and has waterfalls, picnic areas and ice cold water perfect for a hot southern day. </li>
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Please feel free to ad to this list and thank you for reading! </div>
Balanceyogaandwellness.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826595373493657772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295816965162996332.post-7750754900509453312018-04-30T06:05:00.001-07:002018-04-30T06:13:07.889-07:00My Previous Single Life Retirement Plan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So I was proofing my own blog and had the thought that some people may see my "Retirement Plan' blog and think "Well yeah you are married with two incomes of course you can do it". However, I was on this plan to retire by 55 before I got married. Prior to Jim and I getting married we were both raising teens and or had kids in college living at home. It was tough, really tough. I still had a retirement plan even though my average income with spousal support and child support was less than $45,000 a year and that was with me working two jobs, working about sixty hours a week.<br />
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Here is what it looked like.<br />
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I had a car, one debt, and owed my lawyer enough to buy a nice used car within 18 months of my divorce. I also had a house payment that was more than about 40% of my income. I wanted to keep the house until all my kids had graduated high school.<br />
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What was my plan and how did that feed into where I am now.<br />
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Year one as a single parent I was flat broke, we purchased nothing and I simply paid my bills monthly praying for money for the next month. I took every job I could and marketed my business as much and as cheaply as I could.<br />
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Year two through four: I grew my business and took a big loss on the way. During this time I paid off my car with the profit from my business, paid off my lawyer and paid off that debt. In total it was over $34,000 in four years. I am not actually sure how I did it to be honest, I just put my head down and paid it and every time I had a surplus I paid on debt. During that time I put $100 a month in my IRA, and was very frugal.<br />
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Year 5: I sold my car and made about $10,000 total. *I forgot to mention I was able to help two of my kids buy cars for about $2500. With my $10000, I used $5000 to make some repairs to my house and put $5000 down on a new car with a warranty. I do not recommend buying new cars, my situation was this. My job had put me traveling and I needed a car that was reliable and could get through bad weather and made me feel safe. I often found myself driving through rural country so I decided to get a slightly used Outback. When I got to the dealership the used Outbacks were more than a new Crosstrek. I purchased the Crosstrek and put $5000 down, I've paid extra on it for three years and now only owe $11000. It will be paid off soon with the sell of my house and that is my only debt. I haven't regretted it because it has saved me on some dirt roads and creeks in Arkansas and Mississippi and through some storms and slick roads. The peace of mind has been worth it. My payment is also far less than I could afford and it has never hurt. MPG is almost double my previous car and insurance is the same. Effectively it's cost me $150 a month more to drive the newer car. The peace of mind has been worth it. I always new it would be paid off early.<br />
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Year 5 through 7: I stayed debt free besides the car, got another contract job. I'm basically killing myself working right now and trying to get to a point where I don't have to do this.<br />
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So...the point was "Retirement Single" where I was and where I would be if I was still single.<br />
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I would be at this time, seven years in:<br />
1. Have a house for sale with the plan to move into a much smaller and cheaper house. *I had found one I wanted for $94,000 which would have put my payment after the down less than $500 a month with taxes and insurance.<br />
2. I would have paid off my car with the sell of the house.<br />
3. I would probably continue to work as hard as I am now because my focus has shifted to being with my husband.<br />
4. My expenses are more with my husband because we live on a big farm. I would have had 1/2 of that with my son and I. I'm happy with where I am but this would have been the difference.<br />
5. I would have probably been driven by need and worry to be quite frank to continue to work hard and save more and more so that I could still "Choose" my work by 55. My wants, needs and desires have changed since getting married.<br />
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If I was single on $40,000 a year it would look like this after the sale of the house.<br />
After taxes $2900 a month.<br />
1. House payment with taxes and insurance: $500<br />
2. No other debt<br />
3. Continue to contribute to an IRA and maybe even more.<br />
4. Build an Emergency Fund up to thee months, six months and then one year.<br />
5. I'd work on paying extra on the house note to pay it off early.<br />
6. Utilities and wife: $300 (I would not have cable only Roku)<br />
7. Health, auto and life insurance. I was getting free insurance when I was single, I imagine it would stay that way, auto is $80 a month and life was about $18 total less than $100.<br />
8. Food $500 (I am obsessive about eating healthy)<br />
9. Gas is covered and phone with my business expenses, actually so is car insurance.<br />
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MY total house payment, utilities and food would be about $1300 at the high end.<br />
My car insurance, health insurance, phone, and wifi would actually come out as a tax deduction and off the top.<br />
I would have approx $1600 left to pay on house and save and would probably use a little extra to help my kids and buy things I need or want.<br />
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You don't need a lot when you keep your expenses low and get out of debt. Debt is killing Americans. 50% of Americans cannot come up with $400 for an emergency.<br />
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If you are struggling look into a Dave Ramsey plan today. Change your mind set. Google Financial Freedom, watch You Tube videos. There are tons of people out there on $30,000 with no debt getting by comfortably. It's all about patience, mindset and being creative.<br />
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Love and Light,<br />
C<br />
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<br />Balanceyogaandwellness.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826595373493657772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295816965162996332.post-57334273159243596372018-04-29T17:10:00.003-07:002018-04-30T05:35:32.316-07:00My Five Year Retirement PlanToday I told someone I wanted to retire in five years. That's the first time I have said it out loud. Actually for many years I knew I wanted to retire by fifty five and I feel like I am on my way to doing that, but I've been on this track for seven years now. Now don't get me wrong retirement for me does not mean not working it means not having to work and choosing my work. By nature I am a creative entrepreneurial type person. Since I was a teenager I've been working as a contractor or doing my own business. Early on at the age of 15 I was doing contract modeling jobs and bartering hair cuts and color for pictures in those hair magazines. In my early twenties I started a pet sitting, plant watering, check the mail business and then went on to have an essential oil blending company before it was cool back in the early nineties. I served over fourteen stores with that little business making bath salts and oils in my kitchen.<br />
As my kids became toddlers I had to let that go and cleaned houses, something I had done off and on since I was fourteen. Until I sat down to write this I didn't really realize that I've pretty much always had a side gig, or what we used to call a second job! At thirty I started teaching yoga as a contractor, at thirty seven I opened a yoga school (back in 2008) and today, ten years later, I still own that business. During all of this I was often an employee for long stretches of time (part time usually) and always had my own business. I ceased being an employee in 2012. For the past six years I've been solely self employed. Why am I giving you all this information? Because my point is that there is always a way to make extra money. Look around at what people need and match your talents with that or simply find something you don't mind doing or you are good at and do it on the side. The hard part is being self motivated when you don't feel like working. If this is you then you might need to actually find a second job for a while as an employee. Making money usually happens more so when you are not the employee but the owner.<br />
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So my five year plan is actually a plan I've had since I was forty and I'm now 47, so it's more like a 12 year plan. At age forty, broke, divorced and the mother of four surly teens I decided "I am going to retire at 55" or at least I will be able to choose the work I do and when I do it.<br />
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Before I go any further I would like you to know that I started this plan when I was making less than $17,000 a year, and my now husband wasn't making much more. We both were going through divorces and job changes. I paid off all my debts prior to marriage (except my home) with less than $40,000 a year in income.<br />
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<b>The plan is simple.</b><br />
1. Pay off all debts including the house.<br />
2. Have plenty saved and live off some of the interest and side work as I choose.<br />
3. Now that I am married my timeline has gotten smaller, my husband retires in five years and we will live mostly on his retirement which should be around $3000 a month. Not much for some people I know but let me tell you how that will work here in a few...stay with me.<br />
4. Upgrade to two newer cars with low mileage within the next five years that will last a good long time.<br />
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1. Now we will have the car and tractor paid off by this fall when we sell my house in town.<br />
Our income varies greatly but we have been working hard and have both grown our businesses at a good rate and based on the past three years we should be able to pay the farm off in 2 to 4 years. We borrowed only what we needed and paid for cash as we built it as much as we could, therefor we have a lot of equity right now. We also got it to bank satisfaction and closed the loan. We could have borrowed more but we chose to pay for finishing the farm as we worked and had cash. So six months after we moved in we just got a driveway! Next is staining the outside, then hopefully landscaping, we will pay cash.<br />
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2. We should be able to save one years income within the next two years (I have a good start on it) and still pay off everything. We live on about 1/2 our income the rest goes to savings and debt.<br />
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3. I have a decent IRA and Jim has retirement and Social Security. I put about $1200 to $1500 a year in my IRA (my focus is more on debt freedom than the IRA).<br />
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4. We should be able to save enough to buy two newer cars within five years.<br />
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I'm not going to give all the figures here but suffice it to say that Jim and I make less than $85,000 a year with two incomes. I drive a three year old Subaru and he drives a 14 year old Ford.<br />
We live within our means and don't spend a lot of money.<br />
It's really simple, we just don't spend. We always ask ourselves "Is this a need or a want?". Sometimes we allow ourselves a want but we keep our goal in mind.<br />
We rarely buy new clothes, jewelry, or much of anything else.<br />
Most of our money goes to taking care of our farm and our animals and food. Some goes to medical expenses as needed.<br />
We have a gym membership and use if often, it's only $45 a month for both of us.<br />
We have satellite T.V. and I hope to convince him to do an antenna and ROKU once our contract is up, at that our satellite is only $60 a month.<br />
We often choose our spending around tax deductions since we own businesses. If we need to travel we try to make it around something we can do for business so we can take a deduction.<br />
We also pay for many of our expenses out of our deductions like a large part of miles we drive (by combining trips with work trips). Need to go to Office Depot for work, get personal stuff done there too.<br />
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So by the time Jim is 65 and I am 53 we should be debt free and have a good savings with a couple of years of income in the bank plus and IRA and retirement.<br />
He will get approx $3000 a month.<br />
Interest on the savings will sit there and accrue we shouldn't need it.<br />
I'll likely go to part time and still earn about $1500 a month (I am a contractor so I can pick and choose but I'll be pickier) If I need off I'll take off. My book sales (I am an author of one published book at this time and several others in the works) should generate some income and I'm working now on passive income with online material (building a store with my many years of materials from my work). This will allow me to still contribute to Social Security.<br />
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Income when we turn 65/ 53: Cowboy and Me = $4500<br />
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Utilities (Electric, Propane, Water) $175<br />
Wifi and TV = 170 (We live in the country wifi is ridiculous)<br />
Health Insurance = $675 *Hoping I can get cheaper when Jim goes on Medicare.<br />
Homeowners Insurance and Taxes = $200 a month (we will pay yearly)<br />
Car insurance = $150 a month (we pay twice a year)<br />
Total = $1370<br />
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We also currently have<br />
House cleaner = $200 per month (I may do this myself)<br />
Food at home =$600 I hope to grow more and can and freeze<br />
Fun and Food out = $200 (I am not sure we spend this much now)<br />
Gas $300 (should be even less if we are not working)<br />
Total = $1300<br />
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Total is $2670 a month for everything.<br />
If we want clothes or anything else this shouldn't be a problem. I like to figure out ways to save money.<br />
This will leave us with a surplus of $1730 a month (We will likely save so that I can eventually not need to make an income by age 59.5 when I can draw off my IRA).<br />
Saving money is like a sport/ hobby to me. I get a thrill out of finding ways to do things frugally. It's especially exciting to me to get something of high quality at a thrift store or save for it and buy it on sale. I know it's geeky but being free of debt is pretty cool.<br />
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In the event something happened to one of us we would have the option of selling part of our 40 acre farm and having a much smaller home (Right now we are at about 1700 sq feet).<br />
With a surplus of $1730 a month this should allow us to save enough to replace appliances, repair cars and make repairs on the house. When I turn 62 If we need it I can draw off my SS and IRA.<br />
I will continue to put money into my IRA for as long as we have extra money. My hope is to max it out over the five years so that when I turn 59.5 I can draw off of it and that should give me an extra $1500 a month or so.<br />
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I would like to add here some ways I save money and intend to save more money.<br />
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1. Go to the library instead of buying more books.<br />
2. Cook from scratch at home.<br />
3. Be happy with less stuff.<br />
4. Buy quality and make it last.<br />
5. Clean up and reuse what I already have (like fixing a pair of shoes or painting a lawn chair).<br />
6. Buying a good clean used car with very low miles when we upgrade.<br />
7. Taking care of what we own.<br />
8. Keeping things clean.<br />
9. Utilize deals like gift cards, coupons, and discounts (when you are in a hurry you often don't do this).<br />
10. Grow more of our own food.<br />
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Hope my plan helps some of you all. I would like to add that we would like to do some travel, though we live on a beautiful farm and truthfully don't like leaving to often. If we travel we will save and pay cash and most likely we will travel about two weeks at a time three to four times a year.Balanceyogaandwellness.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826595373493657772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295816965162996332.post-66876524944963094192018-02-11T11:25:00.000-08:002018-02-11T11:25:34.310-08:00Tons of Money Saving Tips<span style="font-size: large;">So it's about six weeks into my Resourcefulness Challenge and I can see it in our bank account and I also feel happier. My creativity is growing at a massive rate. Things shift when you impose limitations, limitations can be an amazing tool to help you grow. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's much of what has happened over the past few weeks.<br />There are tips here to help you save money, make money and build wealth, be financially free from debt and enjoy your life more. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What would life be like if you didn't have to worry so much about money?<br />Here is how we do it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love and Light,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Courtney</span>Balanceyogaandwellness.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826595373493657772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295816965162996332.post-81827612293462187782018-01-23T10:14:00.002-08:002018-01-23T11:54:41.677-08:00Have Money Trouble? Start Here.Do you struggle to make ends meet?<br />
Do you feel like you will never get ahead?<br />
There are basics for anyone to follow and you can empower yourself.<br />
Let me show you how here.<br />
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Video Part 1<br />
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The basics are :<br />
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1. <b>Make a list of everything you make each month and all your bills and expenses: </b>Include rent, mortgage, insurance, food, gas, pet care, utilities, absolutely everything. This is the first and most important step. 2 columns 1 for each.<br />
2. <b>Assess Needs Vs Wants: </b>Food, Shelter, basic clothing, medicine, enough gas to get to work those are needs. Beyond that not much is a need. Be real with yourself. I once had to find homes for two of my dogs because I could not afford them after a divorce. It was hard but had to be done. Get rid of all expenses that are not needs. Cut off cable, etc...<br />
3. <b>Tell your money where to go. </b>That's all a budget is. In column one put down all your expenses on the left side, then make four or five columns for each week of the month, or two if you get paid twice a month. Under each column at the top put down your total income for that pay period, underneath list the bills that have to be paid. Subtract the bills from the income and what is left over is the money you have for food/gas/ savings/fun.<br />
4. <b>Time to Create an Emergency Fund Fast:</b> Sell stuff , use you tax return, do what you have to do to get $1000 in the bank for Emergencies only. Needing tires is a planned expense not an emergency.<br />
Once you have one you don't have emergencies because the money is there. Leave it alone unless there is an emergency like your car breaks down or you need to go to the emergency room.<br />
5. <b>Sell Stuff to pay bills: </b>If you are strapped then start looking at what you have and sell what you don't need. Have you looked at Swap Shop online lately? I swear people will buy anything. Clothes, coffee pots, juicers, etc... get some money fast to help you get ahead. I sale my clothes at the resale shop and use the credit to buy things I need. Meet people at the Police Station Parking lot and have someone with you for safety if possible.<br />
6. <b>Get another job. </b>There has been little time in my life when I did not have two jobs. Look at your schedule and get out there and work nights or weekends. If you already work nights and weekends find some time and work extra until you get ahead. It can be done.<br />
7. <b>Meal plan. </b>This is a huge savings. If you make a pot of chili one week you can eat four or five meals off of that. Get stuff for sandwiches. There is a 300% markup on food. Eating at home saves a ton. Also make food from scratch. If you don't know how start with breakfast foods, sandwiches, and basics like spaghetti and tacos. Then check out a library book and learn to do some basic cooking. Eat leftovers and pack your meals and snacks. Avoiding going out to eat as much as possible.<br />
8. <b>If you need something check out Goodwill or a Resale Shop.</b> Don't go just to go but if you need a coffee maker and you are broke chances are Goodwill has one for under $10 vs $30 at Walmart. Be smart.<br />
9. <b>Do not use pay here places for appliances or cars.</b> This is what keeps poor people poor.<br />
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The cost of a used washer and drier is anywhere from $100 to $300, a new one is three times that. Going to a Rent a place, will cost you as much as 5 to 10 x the value of the item. If you have a washer and drier on monthly at $25 for two years by the time you pay that off you have paid $2400 for something that would have cost you $600. Ridiculous. I once sold a van and I regretted it. I saw one at a tote the note place but I had cash. The cost of that van was 3 x the value because that's how they trap poor people. As soon as you get a tax return that's the time to find a car for sale by an individual and buy it.<br />
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<i style="text-align: center;">Video 2, when to look for another job</i><br />
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<i>Video 3: Save over $600 a month, want to know how, words on meal planning and shopping for things cheap.</i><br />
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<br />Balanceyogaandwellness.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826595373493657772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295816965162996332.post-35568711981268079862018-01-16T16:05:00.000-08:002018-01-16T16:35:46.240-08:00Why I am so Obsessed with ResourcefulnessYou hear a lot these days about "story telling" and let me tell you I am about some stories. I love stories. I love to hear about people and their stories and I like to know people's "Why". Why do you do what you do. If you don't know your why it's really hard to be successful in what you are doing and meet your goals.<br />
Why do I write this blog on resourcefulness and why I have written blogs, taught classes, hosted and created large events on the subject, started groups, created book clubs and written hundreds of entries on the subject when I don't have to do it.<br />
Here is "MY WHY?".<br />
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There is no way I could begin to tell you all the reasons I am so passionate about this but I'll try with a list of 5. My main "Why" Is I would like other people to be happy! Being of service makes me happy and when you can figure things out on your own you are happier and feel more confident. I think this may be my mission in life to share the gift of being resourceful.<br />
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1. <b> Being Resourceful helps you make friends</b>: Being a child raised by grandparents and divorced parents I became very adaptable. I was also an only child until I got a bonus sister at 21. I learned to resourcefully entertain myself with whomever was available, be it senior citizens, my dads fishing buddies, or whatever stray animal would let me drag it around. I would talk to anyone, go fishing with a my dad and his buddies, or hang out with a cat in barn. This has made me learn to get along with all kinds of people.<br />
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2. <b>Being Resourceful helps you learn new things:</b>I read to learn things. You can learn so many things from books and online. Reading on my own has probably taught me more than I learned in all my years of school. I've taught myself to cook, clean, raise children, handle money, and learned a ton about my craft. Nowadays I love to watch tutorials and learn from videos as well.<br />
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3. <b>Being Resourceful give you confidence</b>: I can go to my closet right now and find something to wear for almost any occasion no money required, and I don't have a ton of stuff. I can figure out something to take to a potluck most likely without having to even go to the store (I can make bean dip out of a bag of dried beans) because I know how to cook.<br />
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4. <b>Being Resourceful helps you find keep a roof over your head. </b>Though I have a great career now I know that no matter what happens I can very likely find a job and chances are I could find a place to live and a way to survive. Why because I am not afraid to ask people if they have a job, know of a job, have work I can do, a place to stay, etc..... I have no problem asking questions and you need to know what and how to ask those questions. I know that my connections in life are important. I've cleaned houses, watched peoples pets, taken care of babies and children, answered phones, kept books and done all kinds of things because I needed a job. No job is beneath me. I would do what I had to do to eat and care for my family.<br />
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5. <b>Being resourceful builds self esteem as you learn how to do things in clever and new ways and to make things work with little resources. </b>When my kids were little we were on a government subsidy called WIC, a food voucher program. My ex and I were both in college and we were struggling with three kids. I learned how to cook every possible thing with what they provided. I made it my mission to feed my kids well with that food and we did. We did not have health insurance for some time and I took my kids to the Health Dept for shots and check ups and I also went there for my care. Humiliated? No because I knew it wasn't forever and I was not to proud to take care of my kids. Eventually we wouldn't need it but I did what I had to do to get out of poverty. You do what you have to do to care for your family and you hold your head high. Doing all of this made me realize I have the grit to do what has to be done even when it's hard and that makes me proud. And I never, never took it for granted. I was thankful to be able to find what I need. I always dressed my kids in clean clothes and kept what we had clean even though it may not have been new or the best we always looked kept and never did I allow us to look pitiful no matter if I only had a $1 in my account.<br />
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My kids are grown now and three of them are out of the house. They have watched me their whole lives food pack, budget, and take care of them even when things were tight. Now I don't have to do that as much, it's more of a choice now but my kids have those skills and that is so important to me. The other day Cole told me he needed two pair of jeans, one for work and one for daily wear. He said "I realized that at work I really didn't need anything fancy, just something without holes so I went through all my old jeans and found some that I could get by with and save the $70 cost of a new pair of Levi's." My heart was so proud. I knew I had done a good job.<br />
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<br />Balanceyogaandwellness.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826595373493657772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8295816965162996332.post-7072835886598414832018-01-12T19:14:00.000-08:002018-01-12T19:15:54.911-08:00Resourcefulness Challenge: Groceries, Insurance, and Letting Kids Figure it Out. This week I have had a lot going on and have noticed many areas where I was resourceful.<br />
For ideas here you can watch the video on saving on groceries or when you don't feel like that shopping trip, finding health coverage (not boring I promise and quick), to letting your kids figure things out to encourage resourcefulness in them, or good old ingenuity.<br />
One area I forgot to talk about was my son's glasses.<br />
<b>My son broke his glasses for the 2nd time in a month,</b> we have another pair ordered.<br />
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Due to his high prescription there is no way to get a quick pair of glasses. Our eye doctor's glasses person, not sure what you call this, was able to not once but twice find glasses in the donation box to pop his lenses into to get us through. Now that is resourceful. I am so grateful to Debbie at Rose Eye Clinic.<br />
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Love and Light,<br />
CourtneyBalanceyogaandwellness.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826595373493657772noreply@blogger.com0