Skinny Seahorse

I have a confession…

May 20, 2013

“If you are going to ask yourself life-changing questions, be sure to do something with the answers.”
Bo Bennett

“So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then seem improbable and then when we summon the will, they soon seem inevitable.”
Christopher Reeve

“I have a star to catch.”
Taynia Aarnink

Everyday we are given choices.

For example…

Alarm clock goes off: get up or hit snooze?

Time for breakfast: Bacon or Ham? Or maybe it’s as simple as yes or no?

Yellow light on your way to work: Speed up or slow down? (speed up, yes? please tell me everybody speeds up!)

And that’s all in the first 60 or minutes of the day. Phew.

But what about major life choices? I made a major life change by choosing to take this year off. By breaking from my career to live a life of leisure.

I have a confession…

This year is not what I expected.

IT’S BETTER!

What could be better than a year of not working? A year of working. Yes – a year of working! Working on my terms. Doing something I love.

I entered this year with a plan. My everyday would look like this:

I’d drop the kids off with the nanny. Leave the maid a fat tip, on my way to meet the ladies who lunch.

Okay – that’s not quite accurate. (although I’ve run into a few people who seem to think this is what I do every day)

But I did have a plan – a plan to relax and do nothing, really. I was gonna hang out with my kids. Go to the beach at least once a week. And I’d make some blankets to sell on Etsy for some side cash.

Through a rather random and unexpected series of events – largely getting the equivalent of an MBA through online programs and many heartfelt emails from readers of Skinny Seahorse (specifically my Skinny Wallet Phat Life series) – I found I had 1) the experience 2) the knowledge and 3) the ability to create a product, a unique product, to help a specific group of women in debt. Women who were bored (or intimidated) by finance.

I had found the perfect opportunity to empower others to find the financial ability to follow their dreams.

And so the Fiscal Flamingo was hatched.

The most amazing thing occurred to me the other day. I am breaking all the rules. The rules I had set for myself based on society expectations.

I graduated from college with a responsible degree. I climbed the corporate ladder, making progressively more money each year – enough to be the primary (read: only) breadwinner for my family. I have 2.5 kids – a boy, a girl + a cat. We live in a modest home, we go to church and we pay our taxes. We have a decent retirement account and a fully funded emergency account.

Solid citizen, me thinks!

But I spent the last 5 (or so) years not enjoying my day-to-day life. I worked 5 days a week to live for 2 short days on the weekend. The math didn’t add up.

But wait. Wait! The stability! the security! and the pre-planned path that was laid out before me! What about those? Those were supposed to give me comfort and joy.

Hmmm.

If I continued on the same path, I knew exactly where I would be in the next 5 or 10 years. I had a fabulous career. I worked my fanny off and I was paid nicely for it. But I didn’t enjoy it and that was not going to change.

One day, this spunky little redhead entered my life. Shortly followed by her happy sidekick. I realized that I couldn’t be an example to them if I was unhappy.

If I wanted to teach them to follow their dreams, I needed to follow my own.

You see the corporate world today isn’t that of my parents. Lack of pensions and overburdened employees leave little incentive to stay with the same company for years. There is no promise of a kooshy retirement. I have zero faith in the performance of my 401k and it’s ability to provide the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow (ie the golden years).

During the first six months of my year off, I found an open door. A groovy thing called the internet. Coupled with the idea for the Fiscal Flamingo, I realized I could use this to change my life. (Boy – this post is getting more woo-woo by the minute, isn’t it. Gag! I’m almost done, I promise).

The internet is the perfect place to breed a location-independent, small-business minded, anti-corporate entreprenuer. People like me. Well, people like the me I want to be.

And so, I’ve spent the last several months “working.” I put working in quotes because it doesn’t feel like work. You know, like crunching numbers and managing staff did. And while I work around the clock (truly!) it is on my clock. My pink, happy, laying by the pool, while I work clock.

I walked out the door on my last day of traditional employment with trepidation, fear, uncertainty, vulnerability, excitement and peace. It is with these same emotions, I walk through the door open in front of me.

I’m making a choice. A choice to do it my way.

A choice to reach for my star.

A choice to refuse the broad path and to take the narrow path.

A choice to be happy.

Do you have a choice to make? A choice that has the power to change your life? Make it!

Live Life Your Way!

I leave you with a quote by Steve Jobs. You’ve seen it before. And while I’ve always felt a bit like a round peg trying to fit in a square hole, I am no troublemaker. But my daughter is. (Son – TBD) A spicy, spunky, spectacular little troublemaker. I see the genius in her. I want her to have the power to see things differently. I want her to have the power to change the world. And I want her to choose to live her life her way.

“Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

Don’t forget – today is the last day to enter the giveaway. Details here

2 Comments Filed Under: Just stuff, Kids, Landon, Me, Tatum

Saturday Morning Coffee – Weekend Blog Roll

May 18, 2013

Happy Saturday Morning friends.

As I’ve been ramping up the Fiscal Flamingo, I’ve been making an effort to keep the weekends sacred. I try not to do any “work” (even though it doesn’t feel like work). This has brought back the euphoria of Friday night / Saturday morning. I missed that. I guess five gazzilion bajillion years in the workforce will do that to you.

Let’s get this blog roll rolling…

Personal Finance

Buy + Sell Gift Cards and Save Money in the Process at Young Adult Money

The Fiscal Flamingo Financial Program Giveaway at Cents and Sensibility

How Much Do You Spend on Clothes? at L Bee and the Moneytree – something to think about. I have bought zero new clothes since I stopped working. It’s unexpectedly refreshing.

7 Inspiring Resources on Decluttering at You Only Do This Once

House + Home

Target’s Real Life “Dollhouse” Display at iHeart Organizing - OMG

How to Lay Sod: Pretend You’re Making Wine at Skinny Seahorse

BOTB 5.13.13 at Centsational Girl – two things about this post. 1) I have the yellow side table in the first picture. Only mine is lime green. I bought it at a consignment shop. How cool is that! 2) I want that clock in the second picture. Somebody please make it for me. If you click on the picture, instructions are included. Okay? Great.

Another Year, Another Homemade Fabric at Young House Love - I wish I would have done something like this. If you are just about to have a baby – do this! Oh and I just learned how to make patterns in Illustrator and I’m in the process of designing my very own fabric for the blankets over at Dainty Daffodil.

Lifestyle + Other

Tardy for the Party at Momastery – this cracks me up. ”The Po Po” Ha!

Still Got It at Momastery

A Helpful Guide to Becoming Unbusy at Becoming Minimalist - there’s that quote again! ”Stop the Glorification of Busy”. Yep – just stop!

Project Life – Tatum Turns 3! at Skinny Seahorse

Thursday Thoughts at Skinny Seahorse

Blogging

Tools + Tips for Creative Blogging at Oh My! Handmade Goodness

30 WordPress Tips You Can Use Today at Blogelina

Blogelina is once again offering her very popular 4-week blogging class — for FREE! (affiliate link) through the end of May. With this class, you get one year of free hosting, so if you are new to blogging – it’s a great way to get started for free! The only thing you will pay for is your domain name. It’s a pretty sweet deal. I took the class a few months ago just to see what it was all about and I recommend it even for those of you that are already seasoned. She has some pretty good resources she provides towards the end of the course.

Google: In Life and In Death at Adrienne Smith – something to think about

Only two more days for the Fiscal Flamingo giveaway. Details here or you can enter by clicking the peach button below that says “tweet me”.

Have a blessed day + see you next post.

1 Comment Filed Under: Saturday Morning Reads

Thursday Thoughts

May 16, 2013

Oh Thursday Thoughts – how I’ve missed you. It’s been 3 weeks, I think, since we last met. But I’m back now. Let’s get to thinking.

Stitch Fix – have you guys heard of this (*). Jennifer – I’m talking to you. :-) I caught it on the Hoda + Kathy Lee show a week or so ago. It’s not a subscription service per se. More of a personal shopper to your door type thing. You fill out a profile. They send you clothes based on your profile. You keep what you want and send the rest back. I don’t really need any clothes, since I never get out of my pajamas. (Although now that it’s officially summer around these parts – I have added a bathing suit to the mix. Yep – pjs and a bathing suit – that’s how I roll). So not sure this has any value whatsoever for me. But I signed up and we’ll see what happens.

Tatum Got Sick – Boo. Tatum was sick for only the third time in her three little years. I knew it was coming now that she’s around other children every day. I got “the call” from the school on Monday morning. A slight panic set in when I saw the phone number on my phone. Does that happen to you too? They said she had a fever and we needed to come get her. Turns out she has an ear infection. Poor thing.

International Day – Speaking of school. Tatum has her first “play” on Friday. Each kid is representing a country and Tatum (actually me) chose Costa Rica. She made a flag and I have to dress her in a traditional Costa Rica outfit and bring a traditional Costa Rica dish. I don’t know what Tico’s wear, but a bathing suit and a surf board crossed my mind. Not sure the teachers would appreciate my sense of humor. All the kids will have a little parade while they wave their flag. I can’t tell you how excited I am for this.

Parent Volunteering - What I’m not excited about and something I didn’t consider when I enrolled Tatum in school is parent volunteering. I now have another thing to add to my mommy guilt list. It seems every week they need parents to volunteer for something. I am going to the pet store today to buy the class rabbit some food. That I can handle. Anything else involving children, I’m hoping to avoid.

Costa Rica – Speaking of Costa Rica. I have picked up the idea of taking a long-term trip again. I started looking for a house to stay in for a couple months. Do any of my readers out there have a house in Costa Rica they need to rent? If so – get in touch. I have reached out to Nadine from Happier Than A Billionaire on FB and she so kindly provided a resource. I hope I can find something inexpensive (ie local prices) or find a house to housesit. VRBO and Air BnB are beyond ridiculous.

Fiscal Flamingo - In case you missed the announcement – I’d like to introduce you to The Fiscal Flamingo. Finance doesn’t have to be scary, or intimidating, or boring. If you are a smart + sassy girl who needs some help sashaying your way around piles of credit card debt and navigating your journey from big spendah to dynamite saver, you need to stop on by. Registration starts June 1st. And don’t forget to enter the giveaway for Fiscal Flamingo. I’m giving away $380 worth of Fiscal Flamingo programs to celebrate the opening of the website. Only 4 more days to enter. All you have to do is send me your debt story or tweet about it. (And because we are all so busy – I’ve made the tweeting easy for you. Just click the button below.) And if you are so lucky to not be in debt, but know someone who is – you can always gift the program. It’s transferable. More details here. Or just click below.

Have a blessed day everybody! See you next post.

(*This is an affiliate link. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission or another benefit of value to me. See my formal disclaimer here.)

Leave a Comment Filed Under: Tatum, The Fiscal Flamingo, Thursday Thoughts

How to Lay Sod: Pretend You’re Making Wine

May 15, 2013

When we bought our house the grass was poo-poo. It had been rented for a number of years prior and let’s admit most renters don’t care about the quality of their grass.

Britt gave the original grass a little love and it came back to life, however it remained in critical condition. This summer, he pulled the plug.

Having grown up in Alaska – I had never heard of sod. Now, I don’t know if this is because grass easily grows from seed due to 1) the absurd amount of daylight or 2) it doesn’t cost anything to water from seed or 3) I’m just ignorant. (I’m sure if I polled, #3 would be the resounding winner.)

And did you know there are different types of grass? Grass is a serious business down here. Like, I said – I don’t think it’s that big of a deal in Alaska. Grass just grows. But, really – we lived in a condo so I didn’t pay all that much attention.

Anyway – sod is the norm down here. And if you are an instant gratification girl, such as myself, sod is quite fabulous.

You may be thinking about the cost of sod. Wouldn’t it be cheaper to grow grass from seed. NOPE! Not in my neck of the woods. The cost of water requires one be a multi-gazillionaire to grow grass from seed. So sod wins, both in the money category and the happy category. Whoop whoop.

Britt prepping the land.

Here is the before picture – just as the grass was being delivered. Yes – you may
comment on the ridiculous shape of our driveway. I’m still not sure what the
builder was thinking.

Grass by forklift. This really makes me laugh.

It’s like Christmas for Britt. He’s wanted new grass for the front lawn for 6 years.

Don’t ask me. When I inquired, I was told something about keeping it from the sun.
All I know is it seems to me the grass gets better care than some of the humans in the household.

The right side is done!

How to lay sod: It’s quite complicated – as you can see! Just stomp your feet.
Kind of like you’re making wine.

Voila – five hours later. We have a pretty little front yard.

All kidding aside. Britt worked his tail off. Occasionally I managed to shout out “looking good” from the pool. Because I’m an awesome motivator.

He did a better job than any professional and I get the luxury of looking at a lush green yard every morning.

Thanks babe!

Have you ever grown grass or had sod installed? Tell me!

Have a blessed day and see you next post.

5 more days for the giveaway – get to tweeting folks!

If you like this post, you’ll like the rest of the Beach House series. Click the banner below for more.

Leave a Comment Filed Under: Beach House

Project Life – Tatum Turns 3!

May 14, 2013

Say what!? I’m the mom of a three-year old? Get outta town.

We had Britt’s parents over for cupcakes and presents. What a fun day.

Perhaps for her 4th, I’ll gather enough courage to host a real birthday party – you know, with other people’s kids and all….

I thought it appropriate to dedicate an entire page to her birthday. So – it’s a little busy. But that was kind of how the whole day was.

Here are the supplies I used:

Project Life Template Design A from AC Digitals

Title Card from Project Life Clementine Edition at AC Digitals

White Line Frames + Curly Cue Arrow from Jessica Sprague (provided in the materials for the Digital Project Life Class)

Background + other birthday embellishments were from the Hootenanny Complete Kit at Jessica Sprague. How can you not buy something with the name Hootenanny.

Font on title card is Cordially Yourz by Outside the Line at MyFonts

You know – one thing I’d really like to find (at least until I have enough time to make my own) is digital background mats. I used paper as the background here, but would like something more three dimensional. Do you know of a good shop for these? I might be blind but I couldn’t find any.

Have a blessed day and see you next post.

ps – of course, another shameless plug for the Fiscal Flamingo giveaway. Only 6 more days. I’ve had some really inspiring stories come in. It makes my heart swell and reminds me that starting this business was exactly what I needed. It is such an opportunity to help people fulfill their dreams of becoming debt free and moving on to bigger and better things in life. Click here to check out the giveaway details. Oh – maybe you are all good in the debt department, but if you know someone who could benefit, feel free to enter. If you win, you can give it as a gift.

2 Comments Filed Under: Holidays, Landon, Project Life, Tatum, The Fiscal Flamingo

Saturday Morning Coffee

May 11, 2013

It’s back! Saturday morning coffee. I’ve missed this lil diddy while I was on blogcation. I kept stumbling across articles, posts, etc. that I thought I better share and then realized, oh – no Saturday sharing this week.

So – I’m glad I’m back!

Here we go…

Personal Finance

6 Things to Know Before Quitting Your Day Job at You Only Do This Once

He Said She Said: On Going to Mars at Planting Our Pennies
Even if you don’t have time to read this, stop by and check out the picture of the sloth in an astronaut suit. Cracks me up.

I Never Pay For Books (But I Read a Ton) at When Life Gives You Lemons

I Proudly Announce (and giveaway) at Skinny Seahorse
If you have debt, you’ll want to read this. Only 9 more days to enter.

Student Loan Debt: Why Taking Control is Essential at Club Thrifty
If you have or have ever have had student loan debt (or any other debt for that matter), I know you can relate to the photo at the top of the post.

Words That Motivate – Financial Edition at Skinny Seahorse

House + Home

Office Update at Nesting Place
The picture she posted with her office drawers hanging open + the desk a mess. That’s why I love her.

DJ Jazzy Jen and the Fresh Shoe Box by iHeart Organizing

UHeart Organizing: A Pretty Organized Desktop by iHeart Organizing
I’ve got a post on this coming up in the next couple weeks.

Lifestyle (or maybe misc. would be better)

Mom at Skinny Seahorse

New Eyes at The Handmade Home
The mantra I live by (“stop the glorification of busy” which you can see at my about page) is listed towards the bottom! Also a new one I hadn’t heard (people wait all week) which I’ll be adding to my list!

Career Advice for Young Professionals at Brazen Life
Not just for young professionals. There are so many in this list that I’m a huge fan of.

Project Life at Skinny Seahorse

Can You go Minimalist with Potty Training by Minimalist Mom

What is Simple – Dianne’s Story at The Simple Year
A guest post by me (I’m Taynia now though. Are you confused?)

Today I Lived and You Did Too at Hands Free Mama

100 Ways to Eat a Reese’s at Something Swanky
Because you really need another way. :D

Blog
I’m introducing a new category because I get so many questions about blogging. Did you know you can get access to my list of free blogging resources by signing up over at Skinny Mermaid.

How to Start a Blog in 3 (whoops 4!) Simple Steps at Skinny Seahorse

How to Easily Compress Your Images at Adrienne Smith

How to Write Copy that Goes Viral at Seth Godin
short + to the point!

Have a great Saturday! I’ll be laying down by the pool trying to get some color before I head up to Alaska in three weeks. But I wear 50 SPF so it’s a bit of a lost cause. Ah, what’s a girl to do.

See you next post. And don’t forget to enter the giveaway.

1 Comment Filed Under: Saturday Morning Reads

I Proudly Announce…

May 10, 2013

Today, I proudly announce The Fiscal Flamingo!

Navigate your journey from big spend-ah to dynamite saver.

Registration will begin on June 1st. In the meantime, the website is live. So get your toosh in gear and head on over there.

Go ahead, I’ll wait.

To help spread the word, I will be giving away 4 prizes.

First place The Fiscal Flamingo Level One package – a $147 value.
To enter for first place, send me an email using the contact form or directly to breakfree [at] fiscalflamingo.com. In your email, tell me your debt story. I want to hear how you got in to debt and what you’ve done to try to get out. It can be humorous, or sad, or tragic. The story I find the most compelling will win. Please note, I will be sharing the story on the Fiscal Flamingo site, so if you wish to remain anonymous – that’s totally okay! Just let me know.

Second place The Fiscal Flamingo Level Two package – a $99 value.
I will award this to the second most compelling debt story. See above for details on how to enter.

Third place The Fiscal Flamingo Level Three – a $67 value.
To enter in this giveaway, tweet about Fiscal Flamingo by clicking this button:

or the same button at Fiscal Flamingo. If you don’t want to use this link – please make sure to include @skinnyseahorse on the end of your tweet so I can include you in the drawing. I will compile a list of all the tweets and the winner will be randomly drawn using List Randomizer.

Third place The Fiscal Flamingo Level Three – a $67 value.
Yep! Two third place winners. To enter, post about The Fiscal Flamingo on Facebook. Make sure the post is public, then email me using the contact form or directly to breakfree [at] fiscalflamingo.com and provide me with your facebook page link. You can share on either your personal page or your fan page, if you have one. I will compile a list of all the posts and the winner will be randomly drawn using List Randomizer.

Update - I was reading through the Facebook rules regarding promotions + giveaways. It’s unclear whether this method is permitted or not – so I have chosen to remove it as an eligible method of entry. I will draw a second 3rd place winner from Twitter.

There are no limits on number of entries and you can enter for all four prizes. You can increase your chances of winning by tweeting and posting daily and by entering for all four prizes.

Note – you will only win once, however. For example, if you have the most compelling story and are randomly chosen as the third place winner, I will draw a back-up winner for third place.

The entry period runs from today to May 20th at midnight EST. I will announce the winner on May 21st. The prizes will be delivered when registration opens on June 1st.

I can’t wait to hear from you all. I know you’re going to love the Fiscal Flamingo. Be sure to submit your stories by email. I’m dying to read them.

Thank you for all the words of encouragement as I have worked to make this product a reality. Let’s raise our glasses to making this a debt-free world.

Have a great day and see you next post.

ps – If you are the owner of a blog and are interested in spreading the word about the Fiscal Flamingo, I’d love to do a guest post for you. There is also an affiliate program you will want to join. Email me and we can chat.

1 Comment Filed Under: Money, Savings, The Fiscal Flamingo

mom

May 9, 2013

it’s been.

one year.

365 days.

8,765 hours.

525,949 minutes.

since you died.

it feels like yesterday.

it feels like an eternity.

i miss you.

incredibly.

♥

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Filed Under: Me

Project Life – March 2013

May 7, 2013

Phew. March is done.

And it’s official. I’m in love with digital Project Life. I didn’t procrastinate because I didn’t dread hauling out all the cards + boxes + markers + all other things paper. I just plopped down in front of the big screen and away I went.

I also didn’t use any ink printing pictures out or shell out any dough to Shutterfly. And thanks to my new and everyday improving Photoshop skills, I am able to make some of my own embellishments. It is my intent with time, I create pages that are wholly my own.

I’m digging it.

Here is March. As a reminder, I decided to just do one spread for the month of March so that I could get caught up. I fear I would be a grey haired granny before I finished 2013 if I stuck to a page a week. The big downside to this is choosing which photos to use.

Seriously – if you don’t love those pictures of Tatum in her goggles, than – well, we can’t be friends. They crack me up everytime I look at them.

I’m considering ordering a set of canvas photos to display on the wall because I love them that much.

What’s odd about looking back at March is how warm it was all month. Because it’s been freezing all of May. Although today was nice. (Let’s go ahead and keep it that way – Mother Nature.)

Supplies used this month were:

Project Life Template Design A from AC Digitals

For the Love Project Life Cards from AC Digitals

White Line Frames, 3 x 4 Journal Cards, Curly Cue Arrow + Ribbon from Jessica Sprague (provided in the materials for the Digital Project Life Class)

3 x 4 Calendar Card at Jessica Sprague (I couldn’t find them on her site so they must not be selling any more)

Remember from Project Life Clementine Edition Extra Elements at AC Digitals

And yes – the ribbon on the second page across the bottom is driving me crazy. It covers Tatum chin. Arrgh. But I can’t be bothered to go back + fix it. So there it stays.

Have a great day and see you next post.

ps – I’ll be linking up over at The Mom Creative today for Project Life Tuesday.

7 Comments Filed Under: Project Life

Words that Motivate (financial)

May 6, 2013

Ah. That was a nice break. It’s nice to focus, get things crossed off the to do list and just, you know, take a break.

But most of all, my mission was accomplished. I got some serious work done on the Fiscal Flamingo. The site is just about ready for the big reveal – May 10 is the big day.

What is the Fiscal Flamingo? Well. Since you asked…

The Fiscal Flamingo is a smart + sassy program to move you from deep in debt to emperor of your financial domain. (And really – with the title Fiscal Flamingo – what did you expect. I may be a CPA, but my spectacles are pink!)

If you’re exhausted from reading the same old advice about how to get out of debt, and you are so over hauling around your financial baggage, you’ll want in on this. I have a few final touches to put on the site and I’ll send a big invite out to everyone who is has signed up over here. (See you there!)

Okay I got a little side-tracked with that. I can’t help it – I’m so excited. But, back to the purpose of today.

Today in church, our minister talked about the power of words – both positive and negative. And it got me thinking. (uh oh)

Whenever I’m in a funk – whatever the cause may be – you can almost always find me pinning quotes to my Words of Wisdom board. I love me a good quote. There is nothing more powerful than encouraging words strung together in a fashion that also motivates.

So, without further ado, I share with you some of my favorite financial quotes.

“Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago” – Warren Buffet

“When you run in debt you give to another power over your liberty” – Benjamin Franklin

“A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don’t need it.” -Bob Hope

“Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.” – Will Smith
(this is one of my all time favs)

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” – Albert Einstein

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao-tzu

“People who say money is the root of all evil don’t have any. You think money can’t buy happiness? Look at the smile on my face then, ear to ear baby.” – Ben Affleck
(if he really said this, I like him even more)

“Every morning I get up and look through the Forbes list of the richest people in America. If I’m not there, I go to work.” – Jay Z

“Your bills tell your past, but they also tell your future. Every debt, every monthly payment, every dollar you owe is a claim against your future. Debt affects what you can — and cannot — do about your future. And when you pay off the credit cards and IOUs, you open up new worlds of financial possibilities for yourself. You have more to spend, more to save, and a whole lot less to worry about.” – Elizabeth Warren & Amelia Warren Tyagi

“Debt is so ingrained into our culture that most Americans can’t even envision a car without a payment … a house without a mortgage … a student without a loan … and credit without a card. We’ve been sold debt with such repetition and with such fervor that most folks can’t conceive of what it would be like to have NO payments.” – Dave Ramsey

“The rich buy assets. The poor only have expenses. The middle class buys liabilities they think are assets. The poor and the middle class work for money. The rich have money work for them.” – Robert Kiyosaki

“Your financial life is like a garden. If you tend a garden carefully, nourishing the flowers, pruning, and weeding, it’s going to be a lot more beautiful than if you just water it halfheartedly now and then.” – Suze Orman

“Living in debt is nerve-wracking, insomnia-producing, and family-wrecking. Just don’t do it. There is nothing you can buy that feels as good as being in debt feels bad.” – Ben Stein
(ain’t that the truth!)

“Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” Henry Ford

Do you have any financial qu0tes that move and inspire you? Please share.

Have a blessed day and see you next post.

Oh – WAIT! I almost forgot. You know how I am endlessly talking about the Girls Guide to Web Design. How much I love the course. How it has opened up a new door for me. One that was so hidden I was completely unaware of its existence. How it’s changed my life (really!) How I think everybody should take it. (unless you are going to hire me to design your site. shameless plug.) And how it’s the best ever.

Amanda is taking the program down temporarily while it undergoes a complete re-haul. The last day to sign up is May 10 which is this Friday. When she re-opens the door, the price will be higher (boo). So if you were considering it, you will want to sign up sooner rather than later. You’ll have access to both the current and the new materials, so really – if you were on the fence, it’s time to get down. If you’re interested – go sign up. (affiliate link). Tell her I sent you.

Did you see that? Presto chango. I’m going back to Taynia. (Just don’t say it wrong or I’ll reach my hand right out of this screen and pinch your cheek). It’s a long a. Britt says it rhymes with pain. I say it rhymes with gain. Like financial gain. See how that works.