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Instagram post 2181096817764987770_6369173406 After I went on a budget, one of the biggest things I learned was the realization of how much money I actually had to spend.⁣ ⁣ Without a budget, if you look at your account balance, what you see is one number. This number is supposed to cover all of your living expenses, but it can feel like “hey….I have a good chunk of money sitting in my checking account….time to go spend some money!!!!!!!🤸🏼‍♀️🤸🏼‍♀️🤸🏼‍♀️🤸🏼‍♀️” It’s easy to overlook alllllllllllll the different budget categories that have yet to be accounted for.⁣ ⁣ With a budget, when you look at your budget category balances, you look at the bottom line, and realize you can’t spend all of your money after all.⁣ ⁣ For example, let’s say that you have $5,000 in your checking account, when you check your budget, instead of seeing $5,000, you will have a clear picture on how much you have left to spend in all your different budget categories. With a budget, you will see the balance in your account completely differently.⁣ ⁣ Having this kind of clarity allows you more options to budget for the things that matter most to you, and makes it easier to achieve your financial goals. ⁣ ⁣ What’s your favorite budget category? #debtfreecollective #debtfreecommunity
Instagram post 2180347638860125356_6369173406 The full quote by James Clear, the author of one of my favorite books “Atomic Habits” writes: "Real wealth is not about money. Real wealth is: not having to go to meetings, not having to spend time with jerks, not being locked into status games, not feeling like you have to say ‘yes,’ not worrying about others claiming your time and energy. Real wealth is about freedom.” When you become debt-free, you will have lots of freedom and options. The option to choose to work full-time, part-time, or not at all. The freedom to go on vacations when you want. The freedom to spend your time however you want. I’ve heard it said that any goal without a plan is just a wish. People who become debt-free not only perform the necessary steps to be financially prudent, but they identify themselves as someone who wins with money. They hold themselves accountable to their spending plan/budget, which ultimately supports their financial goal. It all starts with a decision to change habits. The most difficult habit change for me was saying “no” to impulse purchases. That looks something like this: *Walks into target only for deodorant, walks out with a new shirt, bathing suit, shoes, coffee creamer, hair bands, chapstick, and lots of late night snack options that I didn’t need. * Sound familiar to anyone else? Shopping with a list has been revolutionary! Before I became consumer debt-free, I never shopped with a list! It was a complete free-for-all, and that’s what happened every time I went shopping! The intentionality behind making a list, helped to change my identity. I went from a person that has no regards to what she spends, to a mindful shopper! Do you shop with a list? Do you have any tips to stay motivated on the debt-free journey?
Instagram post 2177439243161087453_6369173406 I feel like there may be a misconception about becoming debt-free. The misconception is that in order to accomplish this, you have to purchase the most inexpensive things available, and only things that are on sale. While I try to mostly buy things when they are on sale; this isn’t ALWAYS the case. ⁣ ⁣ I will purchase the least expensive brand of certain items sometimes (like the least expensive rubberbands or bobby pins), but I don’t buy the least expensive brand of every item. ⁣ ⁣ There is definitely a time, and a place for the different options available.⁣ ⁣ First, budgets are personal. You might really value purchasing a really expensive star wars figurine, while I really value buying myself a @patagonia jacket. Everyone’s choices and preferences are different, and that’s ok.⁣ ⁣ The questions you need to ask yourself with every purchase is: "Will buying this item give me the value I was looking for?" And “Is it in the budget?” If it isn’t currently in the budget, then is it worth saving for? ⁣ ⁣ What’s the point of buying a $5 pair of flip flops if they are just going to fall apart in 2 days and you will have to purchase another pair? In some cases it’s worth it to spend more money up front on something of great value that will last 10x longer than the least expensive counterpart. ⁣ ⁣ Some brands I can think of that offer great value, & customer service experience in return for the price: @jaanuubydrneela , @nordstrom, @patagonia , @athleta , @hansgroheusa @lululemon , @westelm , @fawndesign, & @olukai.⁣ ⁣ In case you missed it, I took over @jaanuubydrneela Instagram account today! Hop over if you get a chance! ⁣ ⁣ What are your favorite brands that provide great value? #debtfreecollective #debtfreecommunity
Instagram post 2175990644929871657_6369173406 Six year ago when we were paying off the majority of our debt, I was working 2 jobs as an ER Nurse which involved 50-100 hour work weeks, lots of hours on my feet, 16-hour shifts, and lots time away from my husband. This was a choice I made for my future self. I was “living like no one else so that later I could live like no one else.” (I love that quote by @daveramsey )⁣ ⁣ When it got hard, and it did, we had to remember our end goal: freedom of our time. Giving up was never an option, and if my husband or myself ever felt like giving up, we held each other accountable to our goal of achieving financial freedom. We paid off our debt with our future children in mind, to be able to spend lots of time with them without HAVING to work extra, and to give me the option to work part-time or per diem.⁣ ⁣ I would highly recommend that whatever pace you decide on, make sure it’s sustainable. You don’t want to burn out, give up, and lose sight of why you set out to achieve your financial dreams in the first place!
Instagram post 2175255409191675299_6369173406 The more grateful I am, the more beauty I see.” – Mary Davis⁣ ⁣ This quote speaks so much truth. I remember when my daughter was a baby, and she was choking, I had to give her back thrusts to dislodge a foreign body out of her airway. I will never forget that moment. Everything was in slow motion, and I couldn’t even find my cell phone that was in plain sight because I was so focused on getting my daughter to stop choking. For what seemed like forever (it was only a few minutes), my daughter kept struggling despite my back thrusts so I ran to the neighbor’s house and had them call 911 for me. Despite being an ER nurse, and knowing what to do, I knew that enough time had elapsed where my daughter was struggling and I needed backup. Between the time it took for me to get to my neighbor’s house, my daughter dislodged the item that was obstructing her airway and started crying (crying is great a sign that an airway is clear).⁣ ⁣ I remember calling my mother-in-law after that and I remember her saying “this is one of those moments after which the sun seems a littler brighter, the grass a little greener, and the sky a little bluer.” She was right. I was so incredibly thankful that my baby girl was ok.⁣ ⁣ I’ve been writing in a gratitude journal in the morning semi-regularly, and it feels like nothing can go wrong the days when I start with a grateful heart.⁣ ⁣ What are some things you are thankful for? . . . . . . . . Follow me on the LIKEtoKNOW.it shopping app to get the product details for this look and others http://liketk.it/2GNKz #liketkit @liketoknow.it #LTKhome #LTKfamily #LTKunder50 @liketoknow.it.home @liketoknow.it.family
Instagram post 2172324747425880361_6369173406 I love when pomegranates are in season because that means I can make pomegranate salsa! My mother-in-law made the first batch I ever had, and I’ve been hooked ever since! I don’t typically measure the ingredients when I make the salsa, so here are approximate measurements of what I use: ⁣ ⁣ Super simple pomegranate salsa recipe:⁣ 2 medium pomegranates deseeded⁣ 1-2 tablespoons olive oil⁣ Lime juice (to taste, usually closer to a whole lime) 1/2 bunch cilantro⁣ Red onion chopped (I use about 1/4-1/2 of the red onion)⁣ Cumin, salt and pepper to taste⁣ If you want some spice add some chopped jalapeño or serrano pepper⁣ ⁣ A special thank you to @ybbaperiot for reaching out with her pomegranate hack. I had previously talked about how deseeding a pomegranate is a labor of love, and Abby shared her hack with me. Cut the pomegranate in half, hold it over a bowl filled with cool water and hit it with a large, heavy kitchen spoon, and voila! The seeds sink to the bottom, almost everything else floats to the top! It comes out 10x quicker than my previous method!!!⁣ ⁣ Anyone else love pomegranates? What do you make with them?

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Easy Crispy Roasted Potatoes – Great for any Gathering

November 18, 2018November 20, 2018 by Lauren

I’ve been making these super easy crispy roasted potatoes for a loooooooooooong time.  There is a reason: EVERYONE LOVES THEM!!!! I love them because they are super easy to make, and we usually go through…

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Write a comment Posted in Breakfast, Hosting, Momlife, Recipes

The #1 Minimal Family Command Center You Need to Know

October 15, 2018December 6, 2018 by Lauren

If you are a planner like me, you know how important it is to have a calendar.  Having a life, family, and friends, make it imperative that we have one collective space where we can…

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Write a comment Posted in Home & DIY, Momlife, Shop Family Command Center

Happy Emergency Room Nurses Week with Jaanuu Scrubs

October 14, 2018October 15, 2018 by Lauren

Happy National Emergency Room Nurse’s Day with JAANUU Scrubs! I have been an emergency room nurse for almost 10 years, and I never knew that “our day” is the second Wednesday of October.  I still…

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Write a comment Posted in Nurselife

9 Best Fall Decorations for the Home from Etsy

October 5, 2018October 10, 2018 by Lauren

Anyone else get so excited when they can bust out the Fall Decor?  I can’t be by myself!  Layer me up.  Grab me a blanket, scarf, & booties.  Make a pumpkin spice latte.  Decorate with…

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Write a comment Posted in Home & DIY

11 Best Things to do in Kauai with Kids & Tips for Saving Money

September 10, 2018July 2, 2019 by Lauren

If you are traveling to Kauai with kids, toddlers, or your family, we learned quite a bit on our recent trip.  My family just came back from visiting Kauai for 10 days with our kids. …

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About Me

Hi! I'm Lauren: ER registered nurse, wife, mama to 2 little ones. I'm passionate about design (I designed our entire home remodel), budgets (my husband and I paid off $266k of debt in 33 months), food, and travel. Follow along to get tips, ideas, and inspiration!

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