2014年
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Day of Preparation
I don’t know about you, but I love days off. I love being able to stay in my pajamas all day, in my house, where I can get all the things done that I want to do the other days of the week but often just don’t have time for. I wanted to share with you some ways that I use my days off wisely as a “day of preparation” so I can set myself up for success for the rest of the…
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Contentment vs. Comparison
For most of my life, I have struggled with contentment. I remember even back to my elementary school days, where I always wanted what I didn’t have: boys, clothes, friends, toys, you name it. This flaw has remained with me to this very day where I still compare my life to others. I know we can all relate to this. As wonderful as social media is, it gives us a chance, through several mediums, to compare ourselves to those we…
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Finally Free!
One day, I look forward to sharing the news of being debt-free. Today is not that day. However, I wanted to share the story of another person whose life has been changed forever, and how her story affects us. Like most of you know, when Fred and I were first married and recently graduated, we had over $90,000 in debt – the bulk of which was student loans, and a line of credit used to help pay for school and…
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Cook Like A Mom
I don’t know about you, but I sometimes get overwhelmed trying to make dinner look like a Pinterest post. I really like Pinterest – don’t get me wrong. I love getting new ideas and seeing all of the clever DIY ideas, but I know that with our grocery budget, we value cost and health over beauty. Growing up, my mom always made simple dinners that were delicious, healthy and cost-effective. I thought that once I started making my own meals,…
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Game Changer
The game is constantly changing. Maybe it’s a bit trite to call paying off our debt a “game” – maybe I should say “our reality is constantly changing” – it’s more accurate, right? Anyways, you’re probably wondering what has changed. Let me tell you. Two months ago, I shared that my husband had lost his job. It was disappointing, and we knew it would slow our debt repayment down, but we would be okay. We’d still be able to pay the…
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Ode to the Library
Some people have been using one of the best free resources out there. I wasn’t one of them. I knew that the library was awesome, and that there were a lot of great things that you could check out, but I didn’t quite believe it or utilize it. Don’t get me wrong – I didn’t go out and buy a bunch of books or movies, but I was missing out on the cornucopia that was available to me. When we…
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How To Shop For Produce on a Budget
Note: This is part of the “How To – On a Budget” series. Click here to read more ideas for doing life on a budget (building a wardrobe, having a baby, and giving gifts). We’ve all heard it: “Get your 5-a-day!” But let’s be honest. Sometimes it’s hard to invest in produce when it seems so expensive. Today I’m going to share with you some of my tips and tricks for shopping for produce on a budget so you can…
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The One Cookbook You Need to Have
Today I’m going to recommend the one book that you NEED to have in your kitchen. I have quite a few cookbooks, some that I use more than others, but this one surpasses them all in my mind. My mom got me this cookbook shortly after I graduated from university and needed to start paying back my student loans. She knew I needed to learn how to cook good food on a budget. I’ve been in love with this cookbook…
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How To Build A Wardrobe On A Budget
This is a guest post written by my friend, Tessa Hughes. I asked her to write some tips for all of us who aspire to build a great wardrobe on a tight budget. She and her husband became debt-free last year, and she managed to keep up her fashion while paying off $19,000 in debt (and raising 2 kids)! Tessa runs a styling company out of Vancouver where she helps people build great wardrobes on any budget. Check out her business…
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How To Have a Baby on a Budget
This is a guest post written by my good friend Kristen Foley. She blogs about her life as a nurse and mother on her blog, Scrubs and Pastries. I’m excited for her to share her tips for how to have a baby on a budget, a phase in life I have yet to experience. My husband and I had a baby girl in January of this year. One day last summer when it was hot out and pregnant ol’ me…