Practical Ways to Save Money (While Starting a Small Business)

I am fortunate in that my current situation allows me to both freelance and stay home with my sweet toddler-girl. However, dropping my full-time employment meant a significant dip in the family weekly earnings. This list of strategies are easy ways to offset that dip...at least for a season of life!

1. Stop ordering alcohol when out for dinner. 
At our stage in life, I don't think it's reasonable to stop going out with friends and on dates. Not only is it how we relate to our friends, but it's time Husband and I can focus on ourselves. Instead, if I drop the wine or cocktail off of our order, I can still easily save 6-15 dollars every time. I can always pour a glass before we leave or after we return for 1/6 of the cost. 

2. Plan meals ahead of time.  
One grocery trip per week is my goal. With a week of meals planned, I'm not making superfluous or spontaneous purchases. Less food rots in the fridge, and I can buy in bulk purposefully. I can also make budgetary decisions upfront and not rush through them while pacing the isles with a toddler in the cart.

3. Have a monthly clothing budget.  
Having a clothing budget helps me see the true value in each clothing purchase. My thoughts typically go like this "If I buy this now, I can't buy anything next month. Is this the best (clothing/accessories/shoes) thing that will happen in two months?" I dream of being able to shop for everything on zara.com, but that day is not today, and it's worth the strictures.

4. Put gift money into savings. 
My husband's family gives a lot of money gifts for birthdays and Christmas, sometimes even for Valentines Day and Easter. Normally I feel entitled to use that gift money for fun things, but it can go a long way to make up for depleted income. Straight into savings it goes. It's a bonus anyway.

5. Live off of Flash Sales. 
Groupon and similar flash sale sites (our local version is cincysavers.com) have everything these days. By purchasing $1.00 fitness classes vs. joining a gym, or 50% off nights out at a restaurant, or replacing home goods for cheap, flash sales can save you money. It requires a little bit of flexibility, spontaneity, and discernment, but the savings can add up. Beware of spending pitfalls though - make sure you are only spending money on things/activities you would buy without coupons. No extra purchases just because it's cheap!

6. Look at your Bank Account Every Week.  
That sounds so boring. And yes, hopefully it will be! Surprises are bad in bank accounts. A little face time with my bank account keeps me knowledgeable. Fundamentally, it keeps me motivated and on track.


7. Think of Everything in Terms of Opportunity Cost.   
If this, then that. We can't have it all, and that's okay. Opportunity cost is a trade. I am highly motivated to keep my business going even through the years of baby raising. It is one of my priorities, and I have to treat it financially as such. While remembering that it's only a season, cutting corners and saving is worth it to grow my business. If putting off the kitchen renovation for 6 months means I can invest some extra time or capital into growing my business, it's worth it.


You know, it's funny. When you believe in something, small sacrifices don't seem so bad! 

Four Brave Reasons to Work Out

I can think a lengthy list of negative reasons to work out : I need to look better. I should be more desirable.  I want to be more like that girl.

It almost feels "natural" to look insecurely at myself and seek to increase my worth with the quality of my body. Unfortunately though, when the goal is to gain perceived value or self-worth and I fail, I feel discouraged and a little hopeless. It can become a rotten emotional cycle.

Through the years, I thankfully discovered that my body doesn’t affect the inherent value that I possess from God (as I believe) or from those that love me. That is true of every single woman. We can all take that pressure off ourselves!

There are wonderful, positive, and brave reasons to work! These reasons build my confidence and health instead of knocking them down.

1. For the Joy

There is a rush of joy when we use our bodies. Sometimes it takes a few weeks of effort to get there, but when we overcome a milestone, feel our lungs adjust, or get the moves right, it’s a personal celebration. Joy comes from different exercises for different women. I find joy in running and dancing, but it could come from gardening, swimming, yoga, or a team sport…anything that moves you.

2. To Set an Example

Our kids will definitely be watching us on this one. Consider how we want our kids (or anyone that looks up to us) to use their bodies.  Take those values as motivation to demonstrate ways to consider, tend to, and enjoy using our bodies for the right reasons. Let them see us swim a few laps at the pool during adult swim. Invite friends to go on a fun stroller walk around the park or join a volleyball league. We can encourage our kids to be physical by being physical ourselves.

3. To Defeat the Bad Guys (/Be Prepared for Anything)

I want to be ready. I want to be nimble enough to catch my stroller if it starts rolling away from me. I want to be strong enough to hold on to my purse if someone tries to snatch it. I want to give myself a fighting chance and trust my body to respond to my commands. Now, of course, we all hope no one has to actually defeat any bad guys :), but exercising can provide a feeling of power to face whatever crazy circumstance manifests itself around our families.

4. For Quality and Longevity

This is about experiencing life in the best way possible. When we make an effort to be healthy, we give ourselves the best shot to be spontaneous, to overcome obstacles like steep stairs or long treks, and to participate in everything going on around us. We allow ourselves the best shot to experience the wonderful relationships, activities, and opportunities in life for as long as possible.

Next time you are staring down the elliptical, give one of these motivations a try. They’ve made a big difference for me. Please share your other brave reasons to exercise and stay healthy. I'm always looking for more!

Enjoy your brave workouts!

White Chocolate Cookie Dough Fudge - YUMZ

Never again. Never again will this mama bring brownies in for the bake sale. Never again will I show up with candy cane cookies for the cookie exchange. This fudge has changed my life. 

White Chocolate Cookie Dough Fudge
It is everything it sounds like. Sweet. Buttery. Smooth and chewy. I had to freeze most of the pan so that we wouldn't eat it all in a day. It took a lot of self control. Enjoy!

 

Ingredients

Eggless Cookie Dough

• ¼ cup butter (softened)
• ¾ cup Brown sugar
• 2 tsp. salt
• ¼ cup milk
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1¼ cup flour
• ½ cup mini chocolate chips

White Chocolate Fudge

• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 2 tsp. salt
• ½ cup butter
• 2½ cups white chocolate chips
• 1 tub (7 oz.) marshmallow fluff

Instructions

1. Cream butter, brown sugar, and salt in a bowl.
2. Add milk and vanilla. Mix until combined.
3. Add flour and mini chocolate chips. Mix well.
4. Spread mixture on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Put in the freezer for 1 - 2 hours.
5. After cookie dough has refrigerated, start fudge by lining a 9x9 pan with parchment paper.
6. Place the white chocolate chips and marshmallow fluff in a big bowl. Set aside.
7. In a sauce pan melt the sugar, heavy cream, salt and butter on medium heat until it starts to boil. Cook for 5 minutes.
8. While fudge is cooking, take dough out and cut or crumble into approximately .5" x .5" chunks. Set aside.
9. Pour the hot mixture into the bowl of chocolate chips/marshmallow fluff and mix until smooth and soft.
10. Let cool for about 5 minutes.
11. Fold cookie dough cubes into the fudge, reserving a handful for later. Pour into the 9x9 pan.
12. Sprinkle the leftover cookie dough chunks on top. Put in the fridge for 3-5 hours to let it set.

A Midsummer Night's Dream : Literature Party

For my first literature party, I picked a piece that was surprisingly delightful to me: A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare. It's obviously a party for the outdoors with a ton of directly repeatable thematic elements and characters. I used the following words as a guide to develop the book into a theme party.

Mysterious
Fantastical
Whimsical

Invitations 
Digital design with white metallic backer and two white rhinestone accents. Blue metallic envelopes with white calligraphy. Invite and calligraphy done by Lisa Langenhop Designs

 

The Menu :
A Midsummer Night's Dream takes place in the woods of Athens, so the meal was inspired byGreek food and natural dishes. View the menu on Pinterest.

• Chicken Souvlakia via Lemons for Lulu (Yum! We cooked them on the grill and they were tender and tasty!)
• Roasted Cauliflower and Mushroom Quinoa Salad via Closet Cooking  
• Dilled Cucumber Salad via Our Lady of Second Helpings
• Lemon and Olive Tapenade with pita chips and baguette chips via Spoon With Me
• Champagne with white rock candy sticks
• Lemon poppy seed cupcakes

Games : 

• Quotations : I took 10 quotes from the book and rolled them into little scrolls. While eating dinner, each guest read a quote and the rest tried to guess which character spoke the line.
• Laurel Wreaths : I made basic laurel wreaths out of lavender twigs (but you could use any long frond or wire). The ladies got to put wildflowers, sprigs, and baby's breath into their own laurel wreaths to wear for the evening.

Decorations : 

• Colors : White and green with touches of purple 
• Table top : White linens, garage sale lantern, reused glass jars, and white candles
• Flowers : Everything (except the always inexpensive baby's breath) was cut from my yard : lavender, sage, oregano, evergreen fronds.

 

3 Easy Ways to Be the Best Hostess Ever

Originally Posted on Hello, Darling at :  http://www.mops.org/blog/3-easy-ways-to-be-the-best-hostess-ever


I have a small house. I have an outdated kitchen. I have an infant and a job. I am a control snob. All that considered, I might be a horrible hostess.

Over years of throwing clam bakes and Thanksgiving dinners, hosting Bible studies and impromptu girls’ nights, I’ve learned things about hosting that run against my original understanding. Hosting has shifted from stress to joy; I look forward to opportunities to bring people inside my home.  
Small changes in my outlook have made a big difference, and here are three of the easiest tips to being the best hostess ever!

1. Depart from expectation that are self-imposed.

I am a sucker for themes, decorations and excellent food. But hear me: The only person expecting perfection at your event is you.  Guests might be impressed with formal place settings, shiny chocolate ganache or seasonal décor, but they will also never notice their absence. Allow yourself leeway to invest an appropriate amount of time, energy and money for your gatherings based on your lifestyle and life stage.

As soon as these extras (gourmet food, décor, fanciness, themes) become a stress instead of a fun expression of your creativity or gifts, get rid of them. Your guests just don’t care enough. By tailoring your investments, you will feel less frazzled, more in control, and more energetic when the guests actually arrive. (And sometimes less proud, snippy and inaccessible, if we’re honest!)

2. Make eye contact and conversation with each guest.

When people come into your home, look them in the eye. Eye contact is the cheapest and fastest way to communicate respect and connection. It’s personal and honest, and this easy action will make your guests feel acknowledged.

Follow up the eye contact with a short conversation sometime during the event. Even a five minute awkward conversation you initiate will create a sense of belonging to any guest.
It’s so simple!  Eye contact and individualized attention will make worlds of difference to the comfort level of your guests; you can bet they’ll be back with the next invitation!

3. Have fun yourself.

You set the tone for your event. If you are acting like a spaz and fretting about the timing of dinner, your guests will sense the tension. If you are laughing or in the corner clinking glasses between dishes, your guests will feel emboldened to do the same. Some group dynamics are very difficult, but a happy hostess is the best remedy to keep things on track.

When you feel yourself tail-spinning toward annoyance or stress, step back. Ask a friend to take the dishes out of the fridge. Or just take a break! Sniff a candle or step outside. 


The goals of hosting are positive: fun, love, friendships, kindness. You should be experiencing them too!

These simple ideas don’t always come naturally, but they aren’t complicated. Try one out and share the results! Cheers to healthy, happy hosting!