Month: March 2015


Mar
2015

The Best Places to Meet New Moms When You Aren’t Working

categories: Attachment Parenting, Parenting, Tips & Tricks

I’m sure we’ve all experienced the same feeling after finishing the last year of school – how the heck do we make friends now? All of a sudden, our social circle dries up and pretty soon our friends are tied to our jobs. It’s who we see everyday and the people who start to know everything about us.

Then we leave that job to stay home with our kids. That’s when the social circle really dries up. Not to mention that now you’re at a whole new phase of life with new concerns, challenges, and a new demanding schedule.

The good news is that there are more of us than we think!  I was convinced that I would be the only stay-at-home mom around and was SHOCKED to find that there were tons of other women just like me that made the choice to stay at home.  It was just a matter of finding them at the right places.

So here’s where I got luckiest meeting other new moms: (more…)


Mar
2015

The Best Easter Basket Ideas for 1-Year Old Boys

categories: Easter, Family Fun, Gift Guides, Gift Guides for Children, Holidays, Parenting
Easter Basket Ideas for 1 Year Old Boys

I can’t wait to share these Easter basket ideas for 1-year old boys! This Easter will be a special one for our family.  While it won’t technically be the first Easter for my son, it will be the first one that he can really enjoy – and the first time I get to put together an Easter basket for him!

I’m certainly not planning on spending a lot – but I want it to be fun and I want to see his excitement.  I’m also going to be avoiding the classic Easter chocolates and candies (for obvious reasons).

So here are my Easter basket ideas for 1-year old boys!  And of course a few toys and supplies that I’ve recently gotten for him that he LOVES (so that I can pass on the good fortune to you!).

Related post: 10 Easter Basket Ideas for 2-Year Old Boys

Related post: 10 Easter Basket Ideas for 3-Year Old Boys

(more…)


Mar
2015

18 Lifestyle Upgrades that Everyone Should Own

categories: Financial Freedom, Inspiration & Motivation, Parenting Inspiration

So our taxes have been filed and I’m waiting, waiting, waiting for our money.  I have SO many things that I want to do with it!  As I wait, I’ve of course been making a list of all of the things I’d like – and I figured, why not make a list of all of the things that everyone should have? Not just stuff, but the items that end up being a truly amazing lifestyle upgrade.

So here it is!  Some of these I know from experience, some I’m just hoping will be as amazing as I imagine.

Enjoy 🙂

(more…)


Mar
2015

10 Ways to Make Your Own Luck

categories: Entrepreneurial Inspiration, Inspiration & Motivation

I am completely convinced that we each have the ability to make our own luck. Sure, there’s an element of random chance, but you also have to be at the right place, at the right time – and that we have more control over than we think. You can’t win the lottery if you don’t buy a ticket, right?

So how, exactly, do you make your own luck?

Here’s what I think you should do:

(more…)


Mar
2015

8 Different Ways to Cut $100 in Expenses Every Month

categories: Financial Freedom, Investing, Real Estate Investing, Saving Money
One of the best ways to build wealth quickly is to find big ways to save every single month. Check out this list to see if any would be easy for you!

Recently, I wrote about the plan my husband and I have to pay off our mortgage in the next 10 years.  Hearing all of your comments and ideas got me sooooo excited that I started thinking about how we could get it paid off in 5 years instead of 10.  So we started talking about all the different ways we could convert some of our expenses into making larger principal payments – easy ways that would at least cut $100 in expenses each month.

Well, we came up with some pretty exciting ideas! Here’s what we’ve got:


 (more…)


Mar
2015

How to Get Your First Freelance Writing Job

categories: Blogging, Financial Freedom, Working from Home

Freelance writing is great no matter who you are, what you do, or where your career is headed. It is personal and professional, can be done at anytime and anywhere, and will build your authority and expertise. Whether you are evaluating corporate stocks or just mommy blogging, it’s a great path to take. And best of all, it helps pay the bills.

Luckily we are in an era where content is king, so every single company and website is looking for quality articles, posts, and web copy to add to their site. Getting your first freelance writing job is nerve-racking, but it’s well worth the reward of working for yourself and having a beautiful finished product at the end of every job.

Related article: How to Start a Money-Making Blog

No matter what your background is, if you can write well, then you can write professionally.  Here is how to get your first freelance writing job: (more…)


Mar
2015

10 MORE Tricks to Staying Happy When Your Spouse is Traveling

categories: Inspiration & Motivation, Marriage, Parenting Inspiration, Travel

Last year I wrote an article about staying happy while your spouse is traveling and, much to my delight, it ended up being pretty popular.  It turns out I’m far from the only wife that finds herself home alone while her husband is off working afar.

My tricks for staying happy have always been lifesavers for me, but the past few months have proven to be extra challenging. My son is getting more active, but the real challenge has just been the winter and limited daylight. Getting outdoors, being active at night, and even just keeping flowers around the house can be EXTRA challenging.

So, I’ve been on a mission to figure out new ways to cheer myself up and keep motivated while my husband is away.  The original list still applies, so be sure to check it out here, but if you’re still finding yourself down and out, hopefully some of these will help. 🙂


 (more…)