-
First summer beach vacation
Childhood vacations I remember the first time I went to the beach with my family when I was a teenager. We didn’t stay right on the beach, nor did we swim in the ocean, but it was an experience all the same. I remember getting to go out on the beach at night, and I saw a shooting star. I made a wish on that star to meet the man I was supposed to spend my life with by the time I was 23, and it came true. I met Jonathan right before my 23rd birthday. Road trips were always our thing because the expense of flying was out of…
-
The importance of traditions
Childhood memories What do you remember most from your childhood? It’s likely you remember big events and any trauma you might have experienced. Those types of things tend to leave an impression. Another way memories stick with us is through repetition, often in the form of family traditions if we’re fortunate. Holiday traditions Traditions I remember most from being a kid were centered around holidays. Getting to open one present on Christmas Eve. Waking up at the crack of dawn on Christmas Day, only to be told to go back to bed for an hour while the house warmed up. Raking leaves the day after Thanksgiving (weather permitting). Waking up…
-
Ways I Save Money in our Household Budget
Where to start with a budget Budget doesn’t have to be a dirty word. I budget our household expenses to make sure we have enough money to pay our bills and don’t overspend on extras. The first step to creating a budget is to track spending for one month. Don’t skip anything. Spent $5 on a coffee for your morning commute? Write it down (or enter it into a spreadsheet). Once you see where your money goes, you can see where you’re overspending and set up pools of money for each type of expense. I like to use a monthly Excel spreadsheet that’s already set up as a budget. You…
