When Brian and I decided that 2019 would be our year to get debt free, I knew we had to start January 2019 out strong. I’m a firm believer in going cold turkey with things, especially things that negatively effect your life. That’s why I am starting out this year with some strict tactics for myself to get into the habit of living simply and breaking old spending habits. I’m writing my top 7 tactics I am going to use to success in my debt-free journey – I determined these were best for me. They may not be best for you, but overall they are ideas that can help you pay off debt, save money, and live more simply! No Spend January This is a popular tactic to use in January, and it’s going to be a huge challenge for me – which is why I’m starting the year off with it. If I tackle my BIGGEST challenge first, then all the little challenges will be seemingly simpler. How to do a “no spend” month? Don’t spend any money outside of necessities. Necessities are bills, food, gas, basic care items, utilities, etc. Not a necessity; a $4 latte. Get the picture? ONLY buy what you absolutely need. Tips for doing this successfully: Don’t use credit cards Stop Amazon auto-ship (unless those are your 100% necessary items you buy) Do free date-nights Stop using Credit Cards This is a hard one for me (and for many!) I trapped myself into the […]
how to prepare your home for guests
With the holiday season quickly approaching, more and more of you will be hosting guests! Personally, I love hosting guests in my home. Being able to share my home, make it cozy and comfortable, and be gracious with my house makes me so happy! We don’t have a dedicated guest room (because we rarely have overnight company) and many people don’t have space for a dedicated guest space, but you can still make their stay comfortable. I put together a list of things to do and prepare for to make your guests feel at home. Especially over the holidays, we want our company to feel at ease! One thing i’ve learned from being the guest in the situation is I hate to have to ask for anything. Asking for the wifi-password (why does that make me feel like a jerk?) where the towels are, if there is coffee, etc..it makes me feel like a nuisance at times. That’s why I am making this list – make your company love every minute at your home (but not too much or they will never leave! haha just kidding!) Whether it’s a whole family staying with you or just one person, these tips are simple and will make their life and yours easier! Wifi password This may seem like a funny thing – but I know when i’m traveling I want to check in with people or work, and connecting to wifi so I don’t have to use data is very nice. Instead of making […]
how to decorate & keep the peace
What’s more challenging – moving in with someone or deciding on a decor style for your home? How about doing both? Combining and compromising on style when you move in with a significant other can be quite the task. It can be super rewarding and fun to find a style you love together..but how about when your styles clash? Or you both has strong taste opinions? Don’t let that be something to fight about, and don’t let clashing styles hold you back from creating a beautiful home! There are many ways to combine styles, compromise, and find a happy balance for decorating your home with your partner (and contrary to what HGTV might show you – it doesn’t have to be one sided! My Story Let me start with how Brian and I did it. I, of course, felt like I needed 100% control over the design of our home. I was in fact the one with the design degree, however I quickly learned that that’s not the answer to a harmonious house. He didn’t have a strong opinion on the furniture or decor, as long as it was comfortable and functional, I got the green light. For instance, we went shopping for sofas together and tried them all out! If Brian thought it was “lounge-able” and I liked the style, it was a winner. It’s been that way for everything, and it’s worked great in our home. We also both have our own spaces to do with what we […]
What I learned during my 1st year working from home: Tips for success!
It’s been a year since I made the transition to working from home full time. To say it’s changed my life would be an understatement, and I think it’s now safe to say that I will never return to a 9-5 outside the home. If that makes me a home-body, so be it! It all started last spring when my boyfriend and I decided to bring a little wrinkly pup into our lives; Wilbur! He was undeniably the cutest thing I’d ever seen, and from all the people who would stop me to take a picture of him, I know I wasn’t alone in that belief. Having a puppy is a full time job, anyone who tells your otherwise is lying. At the time I was working 40 hours a week at a design office, and would rush home to take Wilbur out, spend an hour training him after work, and then have little time to myself. I didn’t like it, and I knew my job was a dead end, so quitting is was a no-brainer. When I landed an at home part-time design job, I was thrilled. I also did a lot of freelance interior design work in my city, and consequently got to be a stay-at-home dog mama [ dream come true right there ]. It wasn’t without much trial and error however that I learned how hard it can be though to work from home, especially when your hours are flexible. I realized I had been […]
Creating a Bedroom Sanctuary: why it matters for your health
bedroom: noun 1. a room furnished, primarily for sleeping sanctuary: 7. any place of refuge; asylum. When I moved into my new house, I focused on the rooms I felt needed the most TLC. My outdated kitchen and boring bathroom to name two. They did in-fact need a lot of love from me, and I poured all my energy into them, but I abandoned the most important room in my house; my bedroom. Creating a bedroom sanctuary and why it matters for my health never crossed my mind; I have to work on practicing what I preach! I’ll start by saying it doesn’t matter what your style is. It doesn’t matter what your budget is, the size of your home, your marital status, if you have kids, if you pet is your child, your occupation, your gender, race, or age. It doesn’t matter, because everybody in the world sleeps. We all understand that concrete concept right? But do you understand what your bedroom does for you? A bedroom should be a safe space. For kids it’s their own space, regardless if they share it with a sibling or two. Have you ever met a child who was so excited to show you their room and so proud of everything in it, because to them it’s their safe space, it’s catered to them. A child’s room is fun, it’s bright, it’s full of toys, cozy bedding, child-sized furniture. It’s adorned in things that make the child happy. Fast forwards – teenagers rooms. They are […]