Nicole

Spring & Summer 2018 Plus-Size Capsule Wardrobe

Spring is here and Summer is right around the corner. Which is why I’ve been spending time this past week thinking about which new pieces I’m adding to my 2018 Spring Capsule Wardrobe.

But this season I’ll be doing something a little different. Instead of turning over my entire closet with spring-only styles I’ll be reinvesting in a capsule wardrobe with fewer pieces that offer more wear. This is partly due to being in a year-long no-spend challenge.

Its also because I’m currently still on a weight loss journey and I’m currently in between sizes. Which is why I want to get as much usage out of the threads I have on hand. With this capsule reflecting my current minimalist lifestyle and my plus size frame. The beautiful woman who proudly wears a size 16 and is proud of the body I am in.

I’m also a person who strives to live a transparent life. As a plant-based person, I am often conflicted in keeping clothing staples that are derived from animals. But in my current season of life, I will be keeping these pieces until they no longer fit and at which time they will be donated and removed from my collection. In the meantime, I’m wearing them all!

For me, less is more when it comes to perfecting your small wardrobe. Even in tricky seasons like Spring. Where you need pieces that will suit both those end-of-winter cooler days and beginning-of-spring warmer days are a must. Like me, you’ll likely have a few items that will carry over from your winter wardrobe, but if you’re in need of some new spring style inspo, check out me finished Spring 2018 Capsule Wardrobe for ideas.

Just a few things to know about the creation of this capsule:

This capsule contains 33-pieces.
I live in the deep south, which makes for mild, breezy mornings and warmer afternoons.
My capsule goal is to have each item in my closet work with at least three other items.
Jewelry, including my necklaces, earrings, and wedding bands, are not counted in my capsule.
Not included: 2 pairs of prescription glasses, a travel umbrella, and my various canvas totes.

Here are my capsule wardrobe pieces:

Tops & Dresses:

Basic white tank top
Basic white tee
Black Tunic Tee
Basic Pink Tee
Basic White Poplin Shirt
Gray Cashmere Turtleneck
Pardon My French Tee
Gray Maxi Dress
Black Maxi Dress

Bottoms:

Cuffed Ripped Jeans
Tuxedo Dress Jeans
Dark Rinse Jeans
White Capri Tights
Gray Palazzo Pants
Dark Rinse Capri Jeans
Dark Rinse Jeans
Khaki Capris
Linen Wide Leg Pants

Outerwear:

Gray Duster Sweater
Khaki Trench Coat
Dark Rince Denim Jacket

Shoes:

Black Biker Boots.
Smokey Mary Janes
White Espadrilles
Coral Slides
Snake Print T-Strap Sandals
Robins Egg Converse
Sloggers Midsummer Gardening Clogs
New Balance Cross Trainers
Adidas Sandals

Accessories:

So, that’s it, folks! My capsule wardrobe for this Spring. I am looking forward to a more simplified, relaxed capsule this coming season. Pieces reflect my minimalist lifestyle at home.

Better still, these pieces are easy to launder at home, bring joy to my life, and add ease to my mornings.

So, everyone, I hope this post will be a good reference in helping you to establish an affordable, easy stylish wardrobe this Fall and Winter. I encourage you all to look into creating your own version of the capsule wardrobe as well.

Here’s to being comfortable in all your own clothes,

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What is zero waste living?

If you’ve read my blog for longer than a few weeks you will have heard me mention the phrase zero-waste living. But you may not be familiar with its purposed meaning.

In my home, we abide by the Zero Waste International Alliance definition of zero-waste living which states that:

Zero Waste living is a 21st-century movement that aims to shift our economic system from a linear economy (our current global system) to a circular economy. It “guide[s] people in changing their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use.

A lifestyle choice that came directly as a result of living a more simplified lifestyle at home. And with any newly adopted lifestyle choice, you want to share your success and enthusiasm with others. But often when I speak about living my own zero waste journey, the reaction I’ve come to expect is, “That’s impossible.”

And to a degree, I agree. As a human being with a family that consumes products, goods, and services in order to maintain our home and lifestyle, it is impossible for us to create absolutely no trash in the society we currently live in. As part of the economic waste stream, my purchases produce waste that I do not see, both upstream and downstream. I also live in a super small town without bulk shopping options, and aside from Amazon purchases, my local purchasing options are limited to mass retail and the seasonal access to farmer’s markets. So why do I bother trying?

At its core, zero waste challenges individuals to evaluate their lifestyle. To reflect on how our consumerist habits negatively impact the environment and communities. Examinations of how inconvenient our convenience lifestyle presents to our planet. How detrimental cheap plastics and disposable food products are to our planet’s health and our own.

After all, we all reside in the same disposable society. We are disconnected from our personal collective waste steam and have been convinced by the same susceptible marketing that suggests that buying copious amounts of stuff will make us feel worthy as human beings.

For the average person, trash and recycling are picked up from the curb weekly, never seen again. The compartmentalized deluge of our past that keep our landfills overflowing, our oceans littered, and our soil and watersheds teeming with pollutants. Leaving humanity, particularly those in the developing world, left to live amongst the billions of tons of waste that we create daily.

And this isn’t just a planetary dilemma as our consumerist reach has extended into our solar system. As our galaxy is also becoming peppered with inactive, Cold War era satellites. Archaic examples of our need to disavow fellow humans and undermine international global practices different from our own masked as human innovation.

So, what does all this mean? As a race, we have reached a point where the zero waste movement is necessary to safeguard the future of our ecosystems and our own survival as a species.

As a society, it isn’t too late to change course. But don’t fool yourself, expect to confront hostility, naysayers, and resistance from others. Every step of the way.

While the zero waste movement isn’t a new lifestyle, it is still considered a fad. Especially in our plastic veneered society. With the 20th century not only ushering in the age of plastics and with it the birth of global warming, widescale wildlife extinction, and massive soil contamination worldwide.

The zero waste movement seeks to combat this disposable mindset by offering the alternative of frugal, sustainable living. With zero wasting living being a long-term journey.

But make no mistake, this is not a perfect journey. As many living a zero-waste lifestyle can attest that the idea of the movement is to strive to be as waste-free as they are able to afford to maintain at home. Whether this means a 1% reduction or a 99% reduction in your personal trash output at home, little bit counts.

While our society may never reach zero, this shouldn’t stop any of us from trying in our own affordably-sourced way to lessen our carbon footprint each day!

Afterall, the zero waste lifestyle begins with a willingness to change. Everything from our daily consumption habits to investing in community awareness programs, sustainability projects, community gardening projects, demanding consistent environmental policies from politicians, and expecting environmental transparency from the media and their sponsored partners.

With all that said, if you want to be a part of this movement, here are a few easy ways to get started:

Realize you are needed in the zero-waste movement:

Zero-wasting is simple. Its all about aiming to send nothing to a landfill. Reducing what we need, reuse what we can, send few items to be recycled, donate when able, and compost what we cannot otherwise utilize.

To redefine our personal consumerism. By not waiting for marketing agencies and corporations to redefine the waste system. To not be complacent with being the link between a disposable economy where resources sourced from the earth are extracted, used, and redeposited in the ground.

Demanding that economy mimic nature. Instead of discarding resources, we choose sustainability instead. Which starts when you realize you are needed in the zero-waste movement!

Research:

Get the facts on landfill use. Did you know that the average North American sends 4.4lbs of trash to the landfill every day? Which makes total sense as we live in a disposable society where we don’t value the longevity of our belongings due to mass markets. Leaving not only the earth depleted but ourselves.

Landfills are also toxic basins responsible for 20% of the methane emissions in the US. Nor are they properly aerated for decomposition of natural materials. With everyday toxins from cleaners small electronics, and outdated tech components steadily leaching caustic chemicals into the soil, groundwater, and eventual ocean contamination.

Not to mention the trash that doesn’t even make it to the landfill. The deluge that litters roadsides, waterways, and watersheds worldwide. Particularly that of disposable food industry plastics.

Plastics, a petroleum byproduct, is especially dangerous to the ocean and marine life. As plastics aren’t biodegraded. They simply photodegrade into tiny molecules which are filtered through micro-plankton in the ocean. It is estimated that there is a ratio of 36:1 micro-plastic pieces to each plankton organism. A phenomenon that is so pervasive that its chemical compounds have been found in upwards of 90% of drinking water. Both from bottled and tap sources worldwide.

And for no other reason that the need for maintaining safe drinking water at home, you should join the zero waste movement!

Reevaluate your ideas on recycling:

For decades Americans were lead to believe that recycling was a cure-all to environmental blight. Unfortunately, we cannot recycle our way out of this pollution.

There’s simply too much to process and we’re just consuming way too much to meet the demands of various commercial downcycling programs in North America.

Recycling also isn’t a perfect solution. While it plays into the solution, it should never be your first resource in becoming more zero waste at home. As the best way to become more zero waste at home is to lessen our dependence on post-consumer goods from store to home.

Did you know, only 9% of plastic is actually recycled? And that in many areas of North America glass cannot be recycled at all?

Which is why there is a reason recycling is LAST resort in the zero-waste mantra: “Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Rot, then Recycle”

Recycle shouldn’t be your first line of defense, it should your last. Because when you send items to recycled you lose control over their final usage. As most recycling isn’t processed in North America. Recycling is often shipped abroad and in the process utilizes more fossil fuels to transport than it saves in utility. Where it is largely shipped to China where deregulation of environmental policies allows for the futher degredation of the downcycling systems we value domestically.

Currently, China has put a ban on paper and plastic bales over 1% contamination. Compared to recycling facilities in the United States that are currently operating at 4% contamination level. Meaning that upwards of 60% of what you place in your recycling bins will end up as landfill or marine trash.

That doesn’t mean you should refrain from recycling. Simply that you should recycle better. Focusing instead on your reusing practices at home.

Rethink what reducing means to you:

One of the best ways to enter the zero waste movement is to reconsider how you can reduce your dependence on products at home. Including many one-use products, packaged foods, and fast fashion. Consider opting for multi-use products, cleaners, small appliances, and investing in multi-seasonal clothing staples instead. By reducing what we think we need you’ll reduce what will be eventually thrown away.

Another great tip is to wait for one week before making a luxury purchase. Taking time to think about whether or not you truly need it. Then when you do buy something, opt to buy second-hand first. Reusables can not only save the planet but your wallet too!

Recognize your value:

You may be thinking, will one person really make a difference? Yes! Every day you have the decision to positively impact the planet. From how you commute to work to how you buy your groceries, each action can leave a valuable imprint on your overall personal carbon footprint. Remember, every purchase you make is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in.

Because you don’t vote only at the ballot box. You cast a ballot with each purchase you make, with each company you support, and with each marketing campaign, you engage in.

Going zero waste will also improve your quality of life. Simplified living can help you live a better, safer, healthier, more frugal, debt-free life at home. And what’s better than eating better, feeling better, saving money, having your voice heard, and not having to take out the trash at the same time?

And for those who have already taken the plant-based plunge, you’re not done! Simply cutting out meat and dairy from your diet isn’t enough. To truly want to lower your carbon footprint cutting your plastic consumption from your home is necessary too! Afterall, you may reduce your methane emissions by going plant-based but if the veggies you bring home are plastic-clad, you’re still contributing to global warming and wise-scale marine worldwide!

Rely on others:

Going zero waste has been such a liberating process for me, I want to share everything I’ve learned with you.

Because with just one step in the right direction, you can change the world. Feel free to check out the blog for sustainability topics on zero waste living, capsule wardrobes, greener living, composting, and minimalism. And if you have specific questions, feel free to drop me a line to nicole@theladyprefers2save.com or theladypreferstosave@gmail.com; I’d love to help you along your path to sustained living at home!

But if I could offer you one last piece of advice, its to please be realistic. We live in a society obsessed with instant gratification. And going zero waste is not conducive to that mindset.

Being zero waste takes time and patience. Don’t go around beating yourself up for faltering along the way. Instead, give yourself, and others, the grace to grow in your own unique zero waste journey. But no matter what, don’t be a zealot. Give others the same zero waste patience and knowledge that was given to you!

Zero waste living is centered around collective effort. The hope of change. The drive to see change happen. It’s in setting realistic goals that will help you change today and maintain that change at home in the future.

And, seriously – from the bottom of my heart thank you for trying! Together we can make a difference.

I hope that in our lifetime, we can see not only the amount of waste going into landfills be reduced but more people could choose to become healthier, more fulfilled people in the movement. People who learn to love the zero waste process. We can do this together.

In the words of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

Now, friends, I want to ask, are you considering going zero waste at home? Or have you been a zero waste veteran for some time and can offer other readers advice on making the transition at home? Share your story below. Inspire others!

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7 Tips For Pet-Friendly Spring Cleaning

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LoveTheseCleanPaws #CollectiveBias

If you’re anything like me, a house only becomes a home when a cat resides there. As an adoptive cat owner, I know first-hand that owning cats brings companionship to my days, helps me to be a more empathic person, and to have an overall better quality of life.

It goes without saying that I love cats. Particularly my cats, Boo Radley and Shadow. They are the most loving, thoughtful friends a gal could have. But with all that love and compassion comes floors stained by dirty paws, the air full of fur, and not-so-clean litter box areas in my home.

Luckily, Spring is right around the corner and now is the perfect time to Spring clean the areas my pets utilize the most throughout my home.

But before I start any seasonal cleaning project, I always make sure my cleaning caddy is stocked with all the products I need to help my pet’s areas sparkle at home.

My go-to? My local Target, of course! Because all of the pet-friendly products I need including Fresh Step® Clean Paws™ Multi-Cat Scented Litter with the power of Febreze™ Freshness is within driving distance of my home. Making it my one-stop-shop for all my pet care needs each Spring season!

I love buying Fresh Step® Clean Paws™ because it helps me keep my cat’s paws cleaner and my home fresher in the process too!

It’s my go-to litter because its low dust formula is perfect for reducing litter box tracking in my home. A must for my family as two of our litter boxes are located in my home kitchen!

What I love most about Fresh Step® Clean Paws™ Litter is its special blend of larger particles that are designed to stick less to your cat’s fur and stay in the box.

Plus, with a 10-day odor control guaranteed for multiple cats, this is the litter to buy for multi-cat households like my own!

What’s even better? Currently, there is a Target Cartwheel offer that will be running from 4/1-4/7. So be on the lookout for this offer to save even more at Target on Fresh Step® Clean Paws™ and your other pet care needs.

Now, generally speaking, my cats require little cleaning in their litter box and feedings stations, these areas in my area still require Spring cleaning. And they may in yours as well.

With that in mind, here are 7 tips to help you get started with Spring cleaning your cat’s areas in your own home this coming season.

1. Deodorize your surfaces.

When starting pet care Spring cleaning at home I always start by deodorizing all the surfaces my pets frequently touch. This includes using baking soda and 5-10 drops of my favorite pet-safe essential oils, added to a salt shaker, to deodorize soft surfaces including couches, carpets, and pet beds. I let the baking soda sit on the surfaces for one hour and then vacuum the surfaces clear.

I also use a steam mop to clean all tiled and wood surfaces in my home as well. Paying extra attention to lower surfaces my pets walk across each day.

This also includes my cats feeding station. I like to use Spring cleaning as an excuse to give these areas a thorough going over. Including their food dishes, water fountain, and food trays.

2. Toss stuffed toys in the washer.

Washing your pet’s toys can help them from to keep them from getting stinky. Including small, plush cat toys.

I like to add the toys to a washer, on the hot water setting, and then allow them to air dry naturally. This also includes collars, blankets, and carrier inserts. Making sure to wash each item as directed on its tag.

3. Give your cats a good grooming.

Brushing your pet is essential for proper coat maintenance and for keeping your homes clearer too. Especially in Spring, where furry coats can trap pollen particles on your pets and can spread these particles throughout your home. Trapping these potential allergens in your home.

It goes without saying that long-haired pets need combing regularly to remove any knots or tangles that can potentially become painful matters. Spring is also the time of year when pets shed excess fur.

Regardless if your pet is a long or short haired variety, a good brushing each Spring is a great time to groom your pet and prevent loose, allergy-triggering fur from flying about your home!

4. Dust with a microfiber cloth.

Removing pet dander and hair from furniture and other surfaces is as simple as using a microfiber cloth.

A must-have for every pet parent, like microfiber fabric, use static energy to pick up hair and dander than rags.

I use microfiber to tackle out-of-reach surfaces that may be covered with cat furs like light fixtures, fan blades, and vents with a ladder or extendable duster. Spots that can harbor allergens.

5. Wash plastic and metal food dishes in the dishwasher.

Pet food and water bowls are one of those things that slip our mind to clean – they’re used every day, but not by us.

Place plastic pet bowls in the dishwasher for a much-needed clean. Making sure to run them through the extra-duty cycle and sanitize rinse for extra Spring cleaning power!

6. Sort through your pets toys.

Spring is a great time to sort through your pets toys. Making sure to discard or donate unused toys and to stock up on new toys that might need replacing!

7. Deep clean your litter box areas.

While most cats need little training when it comes to using their litter boxes, due to their innate desire to dig and bury their waste, making cats clean, conscientious, fastidious pets. But that doesn’t always mean their fastidious nature means they are the cleanest when coming out of their litter box areas!

Each Spring I like to remove my litter boxes and give them a deep clean. Including removing all litter, hosing my boxes out, and letting them air dry. While my boxes are drying I like to give the litter box surrounds a deep clean with DIY lime-infused cleaner and a microfiber cloth.

Making citrus-infused cleaner is super simple to make too! Here’s my go-to recipe:

Citrus-Infused Vinegar Cleaner:

Combine the peels of four lemons or limes into a quart sized mason jar.
Fill mason jar to neck with white vinegar.
Seal and store for one month.
When ready to clean, strain and add to glass spray bottle.
Use full-strength to clean shower stalls or diluted for windows and countertops.

Once my cat’s litter boxes are dry, I like to refill my boxes with clean litter. As I previously mentioned, Fresh Step® Clean Paws™ Multi-Cat Scented Litter. I find that Fresh Step® Clean Paws™ is a low-maintenance, high-quality, affordable cat litter solution.

It’s the best litter for our cat’s needs. I also love that it’s pleasantly scented with the power of Febreze™ Freshness making it a winner in my book!

So, everyone, those are my seven tips for Spring cleaning your litter box and pet feeding stations at home. Now I want to ask, will you be Spring cleaning your feeding areas and litter boxes this season? Will you be using Fresh Step® Clean Paws™ in your litter boxes at home? I’d love to hear all about it below!

Connect with Fresh Step Clean Paws™ Online:

Facebook | Youtube | Twitter | Instagram

*Febreze and the Febreze Freshness logo are registered trademarks of The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio used under license by The Clorox Pet Products Company. © 2018 The Clorox Company.

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7 Ways To Increase Your Savings in 2018

Please note, this post has been sponsored by MyMazuma.com. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you.

Its hard to believe that we are in the midst of the second quarter of the year. But despite the turning pages of the calendar, there’s still plenty of time to how to for us all to save money on the biggest expenses in your budget and increase our overall savings at home.

While most people want to improve their personal finances, but don’t know how to achieve their goals. Especially during the wanderlust of the Spring. A time when it’s easy to get sidetracked all the beautiful things one can buy for their homes during the warmer seasons of the year.

For me, the key to making a meaningful financial improvement each season is to focus on the process and the things I can control.

Here are some steps anyone can easily take to improve their financial well-being in 2018.

1. Increase Your Savings Goal

When it comes to savings, bigger is always better. Whether you’re saving for your first home or for retirement, you can never have too much in your savings account. But funding those accounts can be tricky which is why increasing your savings rate can not only improve your financial health but give you more money to funnel toward your overall savings goals.

There are several ways to accomplish this goal. First, you need to know exactly how much you were able to save last year. Then you will need to create a workable savings goal higher than your previous year’s savings.

Second, you need to determine how you will be able to fund your account. Starting with work-related contributions. If you aren’t contributing the maximum amount to your company-sponsored retirement plan, such as a 401(k), then simply increase your percentage contribution to the plan.

If you are already maxing out your company-sponsored retirement plan, consider starting an IRA, Roth, taxable savings account, or investment account.

Additionally, you may be able to fund your savings goals by adjusting your withholdings from your paychecks at work, using a tax return, cashing in your initial emergency fund should you have more long-term savings account to date, or Spring cleaning your home and liquidating unused household items into cash savings.

No matter how you fund your goals, seek out several means to fund your overall savings goals. Preventing the age-old dilemma of placing all your eggs in one proverbial savings basket.

2. Regularly Track Your Spending

Once you have a small, obtainable savings goal in mind you then need to figure out ways to track your spending habits to help you meet your savings goals moving forward. With the easiest way to track your ongoing spending is to link online sites or apps such as EveryDollar or Mint.

Free services that allow you to track your spending on credit cards, bank accounts, and to have a visual reminder of your savings goals and slush funds each season as well.

Then after tracking your spending on your platform of choice for a season’s time, you will have enough data to determine your typical spending habits.

Understanding your spending habits will make it easier for you to plan for future financial goals. Including planning for retirement, saving for your children’s college funds, or making lifestyle changes such as transitioning to working from home or relocating your family.

Then, once you have tracked your spending habits you can create a working spending plan and, of course, reevaluate your savings goals accordingly.

3. Automate Your Bills, Utilities, and Donations

One of the greatest financial decisions I’ve ever made was to put my finances on autopilot. Because putting your savings, bills, and investment accounts on autopilot can greatly simplify your bill paying and exponentially increase your overall savings goals.

Starting with your checking and savings accounts. Have your workplace payroll department direct deposit a portion of each paycheck directly to your accounts. Making sure to put extra funding into your investment accounts.

If you are free of all high-interest consumer debt also direct deposit funds into separate savings account to fund yourself. Afterall, if you’re not paying yourself, what’s it all for?

Next, focus on your bills. I challenge you to find a bill that can’t be paid automatically. Everything can be paid online in an automated fashion. Including credit cards, mortgages, utilities, memberships, tuition payments, union dues, subscriptions, charitable donations, and even tithing.

Once you have your savings and bills on autopilot, you’ll need to set up automatic investing. By making your investment deposits automated, you commit to reaching your goals in an easy, practical way. You’ll also be able to avoid the trap of trying to self-track the market each season.

4. Post your financial goals

One of the best ways of seeing your financial goals come to fruition is to publically set clean, obtainable goals.

For me as a blogger and YouTuber, I like to post about my goals for the year as well as to record update videos. For some, this might be having weekly meetings with your spouse or partner to discuss your financial future.

For others simply writing down your goals and sticking them on the fridge, pin board, or in your bullet journal can help to give you the accountability you need to make your financial goals come to life.

No matter how you post your goals, first things first: You have to start by writing down your financial goals.

And no, stating you want to be rich or successful as a start-up doesn’t count. You need accurate, obtainable goals. Such as, in 2018 I want to save $10,000.00. I’ll fund this goal by taking on overtime hours at work as I am able to do so, selling my second vehicle, and by skipping buying out lunches or coffee at work. Now, that’s a specific, well-formulated financial goal!

Financial goals need to focus on 3 key terms: Time, funding, and accessibility. Without these 3 factors, it likely won’t stick! Which is why writing down a goal with an estimated date and expected cost dramatically increases your likelihood of success and helps you understand the which financial steps are most important to you and your family.

If you are stuck on creating your ongoing financial goals, match it against these questions:

Why is this goal important to me?
How much have I already saved?
How much can I set aside each month to fund this goal?

Answering each of these questions will give you a clear plan of action to tackle your goals. Because no matter your money goals, posting your goals will help you gain and maintain your financial footing for the remainder of 2018.

5. Reassess Your Budget

If you’re looking to increase your overall savings this year, you’ll need far more than simply cutting out lattes and lunch. Because according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
Americans spend almost 70% of their money on housing, groceries, and transportation.

Which makes reassessing your budget each season a true necessity. Making sure to redline your budget, looking for splurges disguised as essential spending. Expenditures that are more fluff than factual. Items that may be cutting into your savings goals at home.

The bigger the budget or a slush fund, the more time you should spend there evaluating your progress. Because chances are you’ll be able to locate found money that can help you fund your short and long-term savings goals.

Listen, you should be able to enjoy a latte every now and again. Afterall, treating yourself may very well be part of your self-care plan and can even be tied to emotions and experiences of your youth.

By making a concerted effort in cutting your big expenses, such as your housing and transportation budgets, can help you create working funds that will allow you to meet your savings goals and fund those delicious lattes you’ve been craving. And that’s something worth getting out of bed for!

6. Meal Planning

Meal planning for me is a way of life. And its something that has saved my family thousands of dollars each year. In fact, I have a meal planning mantra which is as follows: From the plan to the pan.

Without fail, I meal plan each week. I also know myself and it’s hard for me to limit dining out one meal each week. Because the more I dine out and get accustomed to all those carb-heavy favorites the more I crave them.

Instead, I try to make meal planning at home fun. I love theme nights. Small meals that can become occasions including Meatless Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, Wild Rice Wednesday (dishes that are served with rice, Thai Thursdays, Fruity Fridays (foods with a citrus twist), Salad Saturdays, and Serve-Yourself Sundays.

I also find that meal planning helps me curve impulse buying in-store. To curb excessive grocery spending I plan my meals first by accessing my food budget (which is $65.00/week for our family of 3). I then check to see what pantry staples, deep freezer finds, and produce I have on-hand and using those finds base my weekly meals.

Meal planning has also allowed me to cut my food budget by 2/3 and to still eat healthy, organic, plant-based meals every day of the week. Last year alone, meal planning saved my family over $3,500.00. Funds that were used to fund ongoing savings goals at home.

7. I educate myself on financial matters weekly

Like with seasons, financial climates frequently change. As do my own personal money-related questions. With my financial literacy needs changing throughout my lifetime.

For example, in my 20’s I needed to know things like: What’s a good credit score? How do car loans work? Have I saved enough for retirement? In my early 30’s I’ve needed to know about rates for mortgages and how to invest for retirement?

While my age and financial needs have changed, what doesn’t change is the need for clear, trustworthy resources to help answer those questions. Because the difference between knowing what to do and not to do, in terms of financial literacy, can equal up to a whole lot of money!

I set aside one hour per week to up my financial literacy game. Time blocking a portion of my week to reading online resources that help keep my savings goals focused. With my go-to site for learning about financial matters being MyMazuma.com. A site that helps consumers, moms and frugal savvy gals like myself understand money matters and make better financial decisions.

By providing financial education opportunities from trusted fiscal advisors, viewers are given an easy-to-navigate, one-stop-shop for all your financial literacy needs. Readers will find resources that are not only relevant to their level of money knowledge but to the decisions, they make every day.

Using 3 stages of financial education, financial literacy, fluency, and mastery, consumers are given a well-rounded means to achieving the financial education you seek at home. I cannot say enough great things about the site and I encourage you to check out MyMazuma. I’m sure it will become your favorite online resource for Financial Education too!

So, friends, those are my 7 favorite tips to help you increase your savings in 2018. Suggestions that will help you take your savings goals to the next level! Now I want to ask, do you currently have any new savings goals in mind? Or do you currently use any financial literacy services to help you meet those savings goals? Share your goal-setting strategies below!

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5 Ways to Save When Buying Your Next Home

Please note, this post is sponsored by Diamond Links. Thank you.

It’s official, 2020 is almost over. But before the holiday season, other important goals must be met. Including moving to your next apartment, and giving your new space an intense clean. Personally, I love the idea of cleaning up many facets of my life each Spring season. And not just the proverbial sprucing up of the interior of my home but the location of my home too!

Fall is arguably the best season when it comes to the new rentals this season. And I should know. As all of my best leasing opportunities have always occurred during the Fall of the year.

So if you too have the wanderlust for a new local, here are 5 ways to maximize your chances of moving into your new home:

1. Be decisive

With so much economic upheaval the nation over, apartment space is at a premium. Making this a landlord’s market, for sure. But just because it’s a seller’s market doesn’t mean renters are seeking to wait exasperatingly long periods of time to entertain applicant selection this season.

It’s also a buyers market. Which is why many homeowners are preferring to rent and not sell properties. Making them more likely to offer amenities, utility inclusion, application fee waiving, and even impromptu showings. As for cleaning, schedule disruption, and child and pet care arrangements that need to be made to accommodate potential renters.

Making it essential to be properly prepared to rent your next space this season. Including a copy of your credit report, explanations for a previous apartment/leasing-related offenses, pet disclosures, application fee money orders, and having your first and last month’s rent on-hand. Fall is not the season for hesitating when it comes to making housing offers. As the saying goes, fortune favors the bold.

2. Inventory can be an issue

When it comes to renting your next space, timing is key. As the most coveted leasing properties, in the best of neighborhoods and school districts, have been on a decline since 2016 and the trend will continue this season. According to Zillow, rentable inventory declined by 10.5% in the past 12 months.

With fewer homes being available for rental, now is the season to reassess your actual square footage needs. Gone are the days of living in McMansions and ethical, smaller footprint homes are all the rage. Which makes knowing how large a home you actually need a great asset to buyers as smaller homes will be easier to acquire at an affordable price than homes larger than 2,000 square feet in size according to Zumper and Apartments.com.

Consider that the costs of labor and millage continue to climb in the United States. Leaving landlords and leasing agents to raise the price of the home to cover the costs of land, skilled labor, building material, lack of buildable space, and density rates. This means that buyers can save money by opting to rent already constructed homes this Fall.

2. Prepare for disappointment

In a competitive market, it’s likely that there will be several applicants for each rentable space. With bidding wars becoming the new norm for many renters. Because unless you’re an applicant with impeccable credit and renting history, you face the very real possibility of not securing your rental of choice.

One way to lessen the blow of renters’ disappointment? Accept beforehand that this may be your renter’s outcome. It’s tough when you’ve fallen in love with a location, but it happens. Always be realistic about renting. As what you love about a particular apartment is also likely to also beloved by dozens of other prospective renters as well.

3. Know your budget

The best way to prevent the apartment of your dreams from slipping away is to be able to build strong offers for leasing agents.

Generally speaking, you should allocate no more than 30% of your gross monthly income. So, if you gross $5,000 per month, the max you should be paying for housing costs, including rent, is $1,500.

Knowing the exact amount of wiggle room in your budget will allow you to avoid having your budget-tight low-ball immediately rejected in this seller’s market. Because with multiple rental applications potentially on the table, agents and landlords are less inclined to play games with renters. Sometimes you just have to leverage your dream against your instinct to frugally haggle your way to your next home.

4. Be realistic

If there was ever a time to be financially realistic, it’s during a pandemic. Again, national home prices have climbed for 23 consecutive months. And the trend of high-value property rentals will also continue. Experts say prices will continue to increase in 2021. For some people, the uncertainty of the current market combined with rising prices may make renting more prudent in your area than buying. Knowing your personal rent versus buy equation could tilt toward renting in costly markets. Making you a more sought-after renter.

5. Get Pre-Approved

Because landlords live in the real world they know the world is full of unknowns, and have no idea about your income, credit score, or debt to income ratio. In this seller’s market, being a pre-approved renter, by way of your individual leasing agent’s requirements, will give you a leg-up in renting your next property. Reassure agents that you are are a qualified, serious renter.

All-in-all, remember that Fall is kicking up its heels making now the perfect time to start figuring out how you can best afford to buy your next home this season! But if you follow the tips outlined above, the only thing you’ll have to worry about when summer comes are tan lines and garden gatherings.

Now, friends, I want to ask, are you looking to relocate or rent your next home this season? Share your journey below!

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5 Ways to Save on Spring Allergy Medications

Please note, this post is sponsored by Diamond Links. Thank you.

If you’re anything like me, you know the discomfort that can come with seasonal Spring allergies. With April being one of the worst months for enduring seasonal allergy flare-ups from the countless outdoor allergens in my area.

Each year, everything from grass, weeds, trees, and other seasonal blooming vegetation can trigger allergic reactions in the Spring. With symptoms of seasonal allergies ranging from sneezing, a stuffy or a runny nose to watery eyes, sore throats, post nasal drip, coughing, and puffy eyelids.

Symptoms that can make it difficult to enjoy this season’s fun outdoor activities, such as planting in your garden, attending a local farmer’s market, or outdoor music event.

Because no matter how careful you are to avoid these symptoms, treatments will need to be taken into consideration. Including both preventative measures and allergy medications and their out-of-pocket costs.

So if you are seeking relief from seasonal allergy symptoms at home, here are 5 ways to save this Spring on your seasonal allergy medications this season:

1. Reduce Your Exposure to Seasonal Allergy Triggers

Like with most seasonal ailments, being able to recognize your allergy symptoms is the first line of defense in being able to keep seasonal allergy symptoms at bay.

Check the pollen forecast for your region daily before heading outdoors. Especially after Spring rains when mold spores can also be in abundance in addition to typical allergy triggers like pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds. Those necessary nuances that help to fertilize plants and trigger allergy symptoms at home.

If the pollen and mold counts are expected to be high, try to limit the amount of time you spend outside. Two Spring allergy rules to keep in mind are that ragweed levels tend to be highest during the morning and that ragweed pollen allergies can be exasperated when it is windy out and the allergens can easily spread.

2. Keep Outdoor Allergens Outside

When it comes to keeping Spring allergies at bay, one of your greatest lines of defense in maintaining allergy-proofing standards at home. A few of my favorite ways to do this are:

Run your air conditioner or exhaust fan on high pollen count days to avoid draw allergens indoors.
Keep your windows closed on windy days.
When you come in from outside, remove your shoes and keep them on a mat or tray outdoors to avoid tracking pollen into your home.
Wipe your pet’s paws down with a reusable cloth before allowing fuzzy friends indoors.
When coming home from outdoor activities, opt to immediately remove your clothing and launder those worn pieces as pollen can cling to your clothes.
Change out your home’s central air filter for allergy-friendly filters.
Clean your vacuums reusable HEPA filter and portable air machine filters to keep indoor at bay.

3. Clean Your Home on a Regular Basis

Even if you take steps to keep pollen outdoors, some of it can still make its way inside and trigger seasonal allergy symptoms. Which is why allergy-targeted cleaning your home is essential for keeping allergy symptoms in check each Spring. I like to opt for health-focused Spring sprucing routines that help keep my family healthier each allergy season at home.

4. Allergy Medications

Sometimes cleaning and preventative measures won’t be enough to keep seasonally allergy symptoms at bay. When this becomes an issue for me at home, I first like to opt for natural, holistic options. Including my DIY All-Natural Apple-Honey Cough Syrup. Perfect for soothing sore throats and minor allergy symptoms at home.

When these measures aren’t enough I will first opt for more natural over-the-counter means of alleviating allergy symptoms at home including:

Decongestants can help you breathe more clearly by reducing nasal congestion.
Antihistamines can relieve sneezing, watery eyes, itchy eyes, and a runny nose.
Eye drops can relieve seasonal allergy symptoms including itchy eyes.
Probiotic supplements to support gut health and boost my body’s immunity during allergy season.
Throat lozenges and tea to ease a sore throat and post-nasal drip discomfort.
And Nasal Sprays or Neti Pots which can help reduce nasal congestion associated with allergies.

5. Explore Prescription Treatment Options

When over-the-counter medications are not enough to relieve my or my family’s seasonal allergy symptoms, I will make an appointment with my primary care physician or naturopath to discuss other options. Including prescription-strength seasonal allergy treatments.

Sometimes this might include a regime of recommending allergy shots or taking prescription medications.

If all other options have been exhausted and my physician and naturopath are in agreement as to the necessity of taking prescription medicines I will generally follow this course of treatment.

To save on my final allergy medication costs, I make sure to utilize services such as the viibryd discount card. A service that helps to ensure I am saving the most I can on my prescription allergy medication costs this Spring allergy season. Savings that can add up in big ways!

I encourage you to check out this program so you too can save on your Spring prescription allergy medications for yourself and family too!

So, friends, those are the 5 ways I will be saving for my Spring allergy medication this season. Now I want to ask, do you suffer from Spring allergy symptoms at home? And will you be utilizing cost savings programs such as the viibryd discount card? Share your thoughts below!

Medical Disclaimer: The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Thank you!

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7 Ways You Can Better Afford To Be a SAHM

I remember the day I decided to stay home with my family as if it were yesterday. After receiving a call from my grandmother’s neurologist informing me of her early onset dementia diagnosis, coupled with also being 5 months pregnant with my first pregnancy, I knew I wouldn’t be able to stay in my work position.

I recall looking around my office and thinking, I need to go home. For good.

While I had contemplated what my life would look like post-maternity leave I had never considered life as anything other than a woman on the fast track to eventually making a partner at work.

But within a week of that fateful phone call, I was packing up my workstation and transitioning to working from home.

Within the next 9 months, I would find myself working full-time from home. For nearly half my original pay. Which was one of my greatest fears of all time- How will I be able to afford to become a stay-at-home wife, mother, and caretaker?

Because whether you’re pregnant and considering staying at home with your new baby, have small children, or are the caretaker of your baby-boomer parent, questions of finances will inevitably arise.

How will we make it work financially? Can I continue to afford my grandmother’s medical expenses? Will I be able to maintain my own retirement funding and health insurance? What will the quality of my life look like if I’m no longer working outside the home? Questions I simply did not have the answers to.

Regardless of my interpretations, I did it. I left the corporate fast-track, taking a self-imposed demotion, and transitioned to becoming a work-at-home mother too!

Before I go on I want to publicly state that I was incredibly lucky to be able to make this choice. As not everyone can afford to do so. Especially if your spouse’s income won’t cover your expenses each month at home. I was able to do so because I had a perfect storm of conditions going my way.

I was able to leverage my education, work experience, and time previously vested in my company to broker a deal with my employers to work from home. A negotiation that allowed me to not only work from home but to schedule my own hours and moonlight as needed. With the knowledge that I would never be able to reenter the workforce or make partners at my firm moving forward.

I also had my husband’s full-time income to rely on. As an educator for nearly a decade at the time, he stepped into the role of understanding breadwinner, insurance provider, and retirement matcher, with grace and precision. And without his support, I would have never been able to work from home.

I’m not going to lie, it was the hardest transition of my life. It was also one of the most rewarding moments of my life. Both in terms of personal growth and the even more important tasks of overhead and affordability.

With that sentiment in mind, I want to share with you 7 steps that helped me to transition to working from home that can help you get started on your own transition too:

1. Make a Plan

The moment I knew I wanted to stay home with my family I started making a transition plan. Because we were in debt, I knew that if I wanted to stay at home, I had to work from home to make the transition work financially.

For three years, I worked from home for my former employer in addition to taking on freelance writing assignments, blogger gigs, and even a shortlived MLM Scentsy opportunity. Then by the time my family was debt-free, I was ready to work from home on my own terms.

Keep in mind, you and your family might have a different timeline and variables to consider. Some of you will not have to work from home because your spouse can financially support your family. For others, simply cutting back on some basic expenses will allow enough wiggle room in the budget to make it work.

If you know you want to stay home with your child, I would advise you to start planning as soon as you’re ready to grow your family or step into the role of caretaker. If you know you want to have children in the near future, sit down with your partner to discuss how much money is ideal.

Talk about your variables. Where you will live, what schools your child will attend, your future career and mothering goals, and how these goals will impact your finances in the next year and beyond.

Discussing all financial matters and doing the mental math will help you brainstorm ways to make working from home feasible- Whether it’s having a certain amount of money stashed away in a slush fund or building a side business to a timed level.

Because whether you’re ready to start a family or not, having babies takes time and money. And having a workable financial plan in place before you’re pregnant and throughout your pregnancy will help you to find a way to quit your job and stay home with your baby for the long haul.

2. Set Up an Emergency Fund

Once you have an exit strategy in place you need to commit to setting up an emergency fund at home.

Setting aside emergency cash is a great way to prepare for unexpected expenses down the road. Because when your family depends on one income, an emergency fund is essential for helping your family avoid debt or falling behind on your bills.

The way my family started our emergency fund was by Spring cleaning and decluttering our home. We were able to sell excess items online on Facebook local sites, eBay, and Craigslist. For items that could not be sold, we donated to a local charity shop in exchange for tax receipts to help us with our state income taxes for the following few years.

Not only did decluttering help us jumpstart our emergency fund but it helped our family establish a working relationship with the various aspects of simplified living and helped cement our beliefs in minimalist living for years to come.

3. Pay Off Debt

Saving money is important but paying off debt should be high on your list, too. The more debt you pay off, the more wiggle room you will have in your budget. Which is especially important when transitioning to becoming a one-income family.

You can pay off debt using many different methods, so choose the one that works best for your family. My family used the Dave Ramsey snowball method to pay off close to $75,000 in medical, consumer, and student loan debt.

We found the snowball method most useful to us because we are equally emotional and mathematical in our finances. And each time we paid off a small debt it motivated us to pay off the next debt each time.

Moreover, we were able to become debt-free because I committed to earning $1,000.00 or more per month while working from home in addition to my salaried position. I found numerous side hustles along the way to help me pay off the last of our family debts. Everything from painting murals, to opening an ETSY shop, to selling second-hand books on eBay. I found ways to meet my goals.

Keep in mind, while it’s ideal to be debt-free when transitioning to working from or at home, you don’t have to pay off every one of your debts before you become a stay-at-home parent. But do consider paying off a few smaller debts that can free up a few hundred dollars a month. As this could mean the difference between successfully being able to afford to stay at home or having to maintain at-home work positions too!

It’s also important to try not to take on any new debt. For our family, this meant buying new-to-us vehicles with cash, buying refurbished consumer electronics, and not going on family vacations for five years. These trade-offs helped me be able to be a stay-at-home parent and caretaker.

4. Create a Working Budget

When we were in the process of becoming debt-free we maintained a working budget at home. A financial spending plan centered around only my husband’s contracted take-home salary each year. All extra funds initially went towards paying down debt, which was later used to fund my personal retirement accounts and health care costs.

To accomplish this, my husband and I sat down and devised a plan for our family to be able to thrive on that single income.

With pen and paper, we painstakingly devised a line item budget that allocated every dollar of every single income source into specific budgetary categories, including housing, insurance, groceries, entertainment, car maintenance, and pet care. Funding each category by maintaining a cash envelope system for each of the before-mentioned items.

For our budget, we utilized the 60/20/20 method, with 60% allocated for essentials, utilities, insurance, and tithing, 20% for short-term and retirement savings, and 20% for personal use including groceries, clothing, and entertainment. While this method worked well for us, do your own research and find a budgeting system that works best for you.

Then, take a season to test your new budget. Preferably before you quit your job. Even if you don’t have to stick to that single salary, pretend as if you do.

And if your bills are still too high, it’s time to start cutting expenses. For our family, this included replacing our cable service and downsizing to one vehicle at home.

5. Consider Working From Home

As I mentioned before, the main reason I was able to stay at home with my family is that I continued to work from home from my previous position while building several digital ventures on the side. Including blogging with various digital marketing agencies, freelance writing businesses, and my ETSY shop. All of which helped supplement our total income. Plus, working from home gave me a way to stay active in the business field, just on my own terms.

There are so many opportunities that exist for stay-at-home parents. Whether you find a work-from-home job or start your own business, find what works for you.

6. Look at your grocery receipts

One of the best ways I found to increase my saving at home when I wanted to transition from work was to streamline my grocery budget.

In the past, I would buy things without a grocery list. Purchasing items because they were new or on sale. There were weeks I was spending $150 or more for essentially little food. Plus we were eating out three times a week beyond that!

I curtailed this spending by always having a grocery list with me at the store. I also started strictly sticking to a weekly meal planning and meal prep schedule. Which included, without fail, leftovers for lunches and everyone eating what was planned for dinner. Little people and fuzzies included. We also started cooking at home each night and transitioning to a plant-based diet. Saving our family hundreds each month.

I also stopped using all paper and digital coupons and started solely utilizing digital rebate apps, such as iBotta, when grocery shopping. While we don’t buy many processed food options, we still save quite a bit with just that one app. In fact, I generally earn enough on iBotta to fund my family’s 4-Gift Christmas each holiday season at home! I also utilize receipt scanning apps that give us a portion of our food budget back when we scan our current week’s grocery receipts.

Finally, we started composting our food scraps to help save on Spring gardening costs and transitioning to zero-waste living. Replacing paper towels alone with reusable kitchen towels helped save us over $30.00 each month alone! All measures continue to save us to this day!

7. Stop trying to keep up with the Joneses

Arguably one of the hardest steps in transitioning to working and staying at home was having to stop trying to keep up with the Joneses.

This included impulse buying. For me, this meant not shopping at Target for over a year. Because for me it was a money trap. Each week I walked through that store saying, “I need this” or “It’s 80% off!” and before you know it, I’d spent $100.00 dollars on non-essentials. Then the next week? I had a standing date to do it all over again.

Now I only go about twice a year and try to keep the spending there to a minimum. Because let’s face it. I’d buy all the things if left to my own devices. And you know you would too!

Maybe Target isn’t your jam. But I bet there is at least one store in your queue that you spend a ton of money at that you don’t need to. I highly recommend not shopping there as often, when shopping using a cash budget, deleting their store app from your devices, and unsubscribing to their inbox advertisements. Whatever helps you to cut spending in-store!

I also had to get super real with myself. Finding ways to let go of the fear of missing out and letting things go. Including downsizing our home.

This was a hard thing for us to do. We formed an attachment to our home. Loving our 3,500-square-foot home with its massive mortgage payment to boot. But with working from home, living in that home simply didn’t make sense for us while transitioning to one income at home and working to become debt-free.

We downsized our home to a more affordable 2,500-square-foot home. Allowing us to not only save money but personal time too. With a smaller home to maintain, I reclaimed hours a week previously spent cleaning and maintaining our home each weekend. Giving my husband and me back enough time for a much-needed at-home date night each week!

All-in-all, no matter if you end up staying home or continuing to work, either away from home or at home, looking over your finances is always the best place to start.

Because in the end if you are wanting to stay home and your spouse is on the same page, you’ll be able to find a way to make it work. If that’s your dream, there’s a way to make it happen. Now I want to ask, are you a SAHM or WAHM? What helped you be able to stay home financially? Share your story below. And do you know friends who are looking to make this transition, pin this post!

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