Jan
2018

6 Life-Changing Habits that Will Get You Out of Debt

categories: Financial Freedom, Financial Inspiration, Inspiration & Motivation, Investing, Saving Money

Just as with most big changes, getting out of debt is a lifestyle adjustment.  It’s not something you do in one big moment, it’s not something that’s done once and then over.  Living debt-free is a lifestyle and a mindset… a really, really great lifestyle and mindset.

So getting out of debt isn’t just about all the things you can do to save or make money (though those help). You can actually get out of debt by simply making little adjustments to your day that have huge and lasting impact.  Because when you keep up with these little adjustments, they turn into habits. And that’s when the magic starts!

So if you want to live debt-free and thus financially free, incorporate these habits into your life and watch the magic happen!

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Jan
2018

10 Ways to Add Hygge to Your Life

categories: Inspiration & Motivation, Parenting, Tips & Tricks
10 Ways to Add Hygge to Your Life

Hygge – the Danish not-so-easy-to-define word for happiness, coziness, nostalgia, and contentment – is a big part of why Denmark is consistently ranked as one of the happiest places in the world.  We, as Americans, on the other hand,  seem to be on a constant pursuit of happiness, yet don’t rank anywhere close to the Danes.  What gives?

Maybe – just maybe – instead of pursuing the classic American dream, minimalism, capitalism, or whatever new fad is trending, we should instead pursue the tried-and-true notion of hygge.  We know it works, so why not?  We’ve got nothing to lose.

Luckily, incorporating aspects of hygge into your life is easy because you get instant gratification.  That’s because one of the most important principles of hygge is living in the moment.  So all of these things will make you feel good right now.

Ready to embrace hygge and live like the Danish do??  Here are 10 things you can do to add hygge to your life:

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Jan
2018

52 Easy Ways to Boost Your Financial Health This Year

categories: Financial Freedom, Financial Inspiration, Inspiration & Motivation, Investing, Real Estate Investing, Saving Money, Working from Home
Ways to Improve Your Financial Health

The path to financial freedom may be long, but it is exciting and full of opportunities. There are so, so, so many different things you can do to improve your financial health and there’s no better time to start than now!  

My husband and I have tons of financial goals, so I am constantly on the lookout for more ways to be a savvy investor, frugal spender, and high earner.

Obviously, the easier the task, the more I love it!  So that is what this list is.  EASY things that you can do this year (just one a week!) to totally transform your finances and get yourself one big step (or 52 little steps) closer to financial freedom and debt-free living.

Good luck!  Make this the year that changes everything!

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Dec
2017

How to Make a DIY Train Ornament with Your Kids

categories: Activities & Crafts, Christmas, Christmas Crafts, Family Fun, Holidays, Parenting
Easy Train Ornaments to Make with Your Kids

Last year was the first time that my son was really, really into Christmas.  He was so excited for Santa, Christmas music, snow, setting up our Christmas tree, and of course all of the gifts associated with the holiday.  And if you know us at all, then you probably know that also means incorporating trains into EVERYTHING.  The polar express, train cookies, trains as gifts, and the most fun of all – DIY train ornaments!

I will admit, I initially went searching to find an easy train ornament tutorial somewhere, but to my surprise I found nothing.  So I had to come up with this on my own and luckily it turned out great!  It was simple, my son was able to take part in every single step, and we were able to make enough for the whole family to receive at least one.

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Dec
2017

How to Get Rid of Your Eczema

categories: Parenting, Tips & Tricks
How to Treat Your Eczema

Ok, guys, weird topic coming to you: eczema treatment! But I’m doing this because I know I’m not the only one out there that’s putting obscene amounts of lotion on their hands in this cold, dry weather.  

And if you’ve ever had eczema before (and if you have, then I’m willing to bet your lovely kids inherited the miserableness!), then you’re probably dreading what’s inevitably ahead of you this season: a horrid case of eczema…that just doesn’t. go. away.

I’ve had it, my son had it, and with my daughter’s first winter has come her first case of eczema.

Which brings me to this post…because last year, I FINALLY found a cure for our eczema. I’m not kidding. And this year, I’ve already had a chance to test it out once again…and AGAIN, IT WORKED.

I started using our secret weapon on my daughter a week ago and…voila! Her stint as an eczema sufferer is looking to be the shortest this family has ever experienced.  And my son’s (and my) eczema still hasn’t come back.

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Dec
2017

50 Ways to Be a Happier Stay-at-Home Mom

categories: Inspiration & Motivation, Parenting, Parenting Inspiration, Tips & Tricks
How to Be a Happier Stay-at-Home Mom

Being a stay-at-home mom is a blessing…that can sometimes feel like a curse.  You get to experience every beautiful moment of your child’s life…along with every miserable one.  You get to create the home of your dreams…and witness its daily destruction and resurrection.

It’s fulfilling, inspiring, and exciting…but it’s also thankless, degrading, and lonely.  So sometimes you just need something to help you be a happier SAHM.

So when you’re having one of those moments where you just need to hit the reset button, try one of these ideas!  They will help you refresh, perk up, and be a happier you.

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Dec
2017

How to Turn Old Christmas Cards into Forever Keepsakes

categories: Christmas, Christmas Crafts, Holidays, Parenting, Tips & Tricks
How to Turn Old Christmas Cards into Keepsake Magnets

One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is opening up Christmas cards from family and friends…especially the photo ones!

So each and every year I am twisted apart trying to figure out what to do with them when the holiday season ends.  Throwing them away seems awful, saving them seems pointless.

So I end up making a choice – some stay on the fridge permanently, some sadly head to the trash.

Until this year.

Finally, I came up with a way to not only save them, but actually give them a practical purpose!

Ready for it???

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Nov
2017

10 Business Documentaries that will Completely Blow Your Mind

categories: Documentaries, Financial Freedom, Financial Inspiration, Inspiration & Motivation, TV, Movies & Books
Business Documentaries that Will Blow Your Mind

If you’re a regular reader here, I’m sure you saw this one coming!  As a documentary fanatic and personal finance fanatic, there just had to be a list of amazing business documentaries.  Because those are the best!

Most of the documentaries on this list are at the top of my all-time favorites list and quite a few of them are brand new, which makes them even better.  Not only will you learn from these, but most will also keep you on the edge of your seat!

Ok, now to the good stuff….Happy Watching!!

If you’d like more tips on saving money, making money, getting out of debt, and reaching early retirement, subscribe to my Financial Freedom Mailing List for notification when new posts are published. Or, if you want to receive notification for all new posts from MBAsahm, join my Main Mailing List and receive tips on living a fulfilled life, parenting, and raising happy kids in addition to achieving financial freedom. I hope you enjoy everything you read! Thanks for your time!

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Nov
2017

How to Get a Picky Eater to Eat More Food

categories: Food & Cooking, Parenting, Parenting Inspiration, Tips & Tricks
Strategies to Get a Picky Eater Eating More Food

My son is a seriously, seriously picky eater.  He has been for…well, basically forever.  The agony of trying to get new foods in him is something I never imagined!  And for every hour I spend trying to get him to eat new foods, I spend another hour convincing myself that pretzels might actually be nutritious.

I don’t like forcing him, which is fine because that never works anyways.  So over the past few years I have tried tons of strategies to get him to eat more.  Some have worked, some have failed.  What I can tell you is that I have yet to find a magic bullet that can transform my picky eater into a foodie.  So don’t beat yourself up if your child only eats goldfish and bread.  It’s not ideal, but it’s also not unusual.  You’re not alone!

So the strategies that you’re about to read are what have worked for a picky eater who is still a picky eater – but with a little more variety.  Because this is reality!  

Give these strategies a try to see if you can add even just one or two new things to your picky eater’s diet:

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Nov
2017

How to Turn Budgeting into a Date Night

categories: Financial Freedom, Financial Inspiration, Investing, Marriage, Saving Money
How to Create a Budgeting Date Night

I know what you are thinking: “Wow, Nikki. You guys must really have a lot of fun in your house. Budgeting date night. What a blast.”  And I get it. Budgeting gets a bad wrap.  It’s boring, restrictive, and uncomfortable.

Unless, of course, you make it fun, empowering, and inspiring.  Then, budgeting takes on a whole new life and becomes PERFECT for a date night.

THAT is what we do in our house.  We’ve turned budgeting into something we look forward to.  It motivates and excites us.  We love it so much that we do it to relieve stress and relax.  If we haven’t seen each other in a while and want to reconnect, we have a budgeting date night.

It makes us financially stronger, it helps to visualize our dreams and set goals, and every time we have one of our date nights we’re one step closer to getting to our ultimate goal of financial freedom and early retirement.

So are you ready to have the best date night ever?  Here’s what you need to do to make it perfect:

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