cutting back

there are many things i could write to talk about my spending habits, about what they should and shouldn't be.  what i want to talk about in this post is small sacrifices that add up.  we live a pretty modest lifestyle.  we dont have a lot of debt, we dont make a lot of big purchases, we havent had cable for almost 6 years, etc. in fact most of money goes to general monthly expenses, giving, experiences (day at the pool, date night, museum, pedicure) and food purchases.  

that being said, we are about to have two children which is going to make a difference in the way we spend money.  for a while we will have two kids in diapers which can cost a lot but our biggest expense will be childcare. although i feel like we have found a great solution/bang for our buck, it will still be our largest monthly cost, period.  

below are some changes i have made this month that i think really add up.  there might be a few i cant pull off or choose not to follow through with permanently but i think its a good start (note: i am well aware that i should have started this months ago so cut me some slack).  

1. starbucks - or as dave ramsey likes to call it "five bucks."  in may and june, our account reflects 12 starbucks visits, each of them being $2 to $8.  what i cannot track is the 9 times we might have stopped at the gas station to purchase one of those $3 starbucks frappuccino drinks. also, i think that the starbucks in target show up on your account as a target purchase so its hard to track those as well.  so far, july shows one starbucks purchase which was a meeting with a possible nanny.  i feel like i may have saved well over $50 this month on coffee purchases. 
2. target - lets just keep it real here.  i can spend at least $75 every time i walk into target.  and of course i "need" it all.  one of the places i hate most in this world is walmart.  the main difference here is that i will do anything to get out of walmart as quickly as possible ... that includes sticking to my list.  on the other hand, target is this wonderful place that i just love to be.  i used to take henry there on the way home just because i "needed" milk or whatever.  of course, i would stop by the starbucks and get me an iced coffee to enjoy while leisurely pushing an entertained henry down every isle.  the conclusion of this story is $80 to $120, every time.  so far i have only been to target once this month.  the total was less than $50 and we purchased mostly target brand diapers (which are kind of awesome).  i do not plan on needing to return before the month is out.  i may have saved us up to one million dollars this month by staying as far away from target as possible.
3. groceries - this is by far the saddest cutback i have made.  ever since i
   
   made the switch over to healthier foods with cleaner ingredients we spend quite a bit more on groceries.  i strongly believe that this is an investment in our health and overall well being.  i also believe that it is possible to purchase healthier, cleaner foods without spending an arm and a leg but it will require planning and effort that i am lacking right now.  this month, i have been getting our groceries from walmart which ends up with much more processed foods and junk food than i would like.  also, i have to say their produce has been disappointing.  it either lacks flavor or doesnt seem to last quite as long as it should.  the good thing is that i know i can fix this by finding other places to get better quality food without having to go to whole foods (aka one of my favorite places ever besides target). but right now, i am lacking the energy to make several stops a week with a toddler, 8.5 months pregnant so walmart it is.  
4. beauty products/services - im thinking about growing my hair out.  its well past the time for a trim so i think ill save my money and wait out the ugly stage while on maternity leave.  i mean, if im going to grow it out, it may as well be while im taking prenatal vitamins, right.  this will not only save money on the cut every 6 weeks but i will also save money on products.  since getting my hair cut short, i have been using good shampoo, root lifter, and hairspray everyday.  this stuff adds up.  i am sure i could find cheaper versions of these products but to be honest i havent found that they give me the same results.  so, i have decided to go back to the no poo method.  i tried this in february of 2013 and i didnt hate it so im giving it another go.  mainly, i ran out of shampoo this past weekend and i didnt feel like forking over $8 for another bottle.  as my
   
   hair gets longer, i wont need to use other products either.  when its long, my hair looks the same with or without root lifter and hairspray.  its basically flat and boring but maybe i will be inspired and find some great ways to wear it.  if not, i know a great hairstyle so i will just chop it off again, no harm done.  something else i ran out of a couple of weeks ago was my face lotion.  its not super nice or anything but i didnt feel like spending $7 for a new bottle at target (see above) when i have a perfectly good jar of coconut oil.  that stuff is awesome and it is a great moistener for your face and neck ... well basically your whole body.  i have oily skin and yet it rubs in well and doesnt leave me too oily.  coconut oil has replaced a lot of my everyday beauty products.  at one point i started a post about it but then i realized every blogger in the world has done a post about coconut oil so i thought i would spare you.  the last thing that falls under this category is the fact that i have not gotten a pedicure in a while and i plan on doing my own as soon as i can reach my own feet easily.  pedicures are a luxury that i am willing to forgo for now.
5. general awareness - aka, common freaking sense.  our office complex has amazing food trucks that come to a parking lot nearby.  i used to watch the schedule like a hawk and plan my whole week around these $8 to $12 meals.  the worst part is that those meals are worth every penny and mamma loves to eat :)  for july, i have sworn off these purchases.  besides a milkshake or two (paid for with leftover birthday cash) i have not purchased anything to eat for lunch and actually ate what i packed.  i know peanut butter sandwiches and cheese nips are not the most delicious and nutritious lunches but i have easily saved $50.  another thing that seems like common sense but i dont always follow is to stay off sites like pinterest and etsy.  these sites tend to make me want stuff.  even DIY projects can add up.  basically, the goal is to be content in what i have for now and concentrate on things we really need to prepare for sister.  
6. communication - husband and i have always been pretty good at this.  i guess we tell each other about most purchases over $50 that isnt groceries or gas or surprises.  we communicate a lot about money but mostly i just let him pay all the bills and then he will let me know if i need to stop spending.  for the past couple of weeks we have been communicating a lot about spending and how to save and i check the account before my wonderful trips to walmart.  this helps with the "general awareness."
7. budgeting - we have kept track of our spending over the past few months and husband always tracks our main monthly expenses.  i guess our next big step is to create a good budget and stick with it.  i think it will help out a lot with planning and saving and just keeping things as stress free as possible. 

.... and we made it.  i was able to get through the month without a weekly starbucks purchase.  who would have known, right!  i think we might celebrate tonight with some chinese takeout :)

how do you cut back when you need to?  any small changes that make a big difference in your monthly budget?  

on being a girl

anyone that knows me well, knows i was never much of a girly girl.  my love for pedicures and my hate for spiders is about the extent of it.  i cannot relate to wanting to be a princess or dreaming of my wedding day ... as far as i can remember, i have always hated pink but loved climbing trees and making mud pies. 

when we found out henry was a boy i was relieved.  mostly i was relieved because it terrified me to have to teach a person, much less a girl, about how to deal with the world and now i get to do just that.  i get to talk with "sister" about what people will expect of her and what she should expect of herself.  i get to explain how to not care what others think while at the same time, taking pride in yourself ...oh, but dont be vain.  these things can be very difficult to navigate for anyone, especially a young girl.

im sure you have all seen the always commercial about "like a girl" being used a an insult.  i think its great that the media is grabbing onto these ideas and making people aware even though im not sure it can ever undo what the rest of the media puts out there.  that will have to be done at home.  i hope i remember how important it is to have these conversations when my children get old enough.  i want to explain to henry that he doesnt always have to suck it up and "be a man" and i want sister to know that "like a girl" is not an insult.  

on being forgetful

we forget so easily, dont we?  

sometimes i vow i will focus on the positive things in life and live each day to the fullest ... and then i cant find my keys and my whole day is ruined. 

sometimes i have zero money in the account when bills are due and unexpected checks show up in the mailbox ... and then i spend like that will always happen. 

sometimes i barely get through the hardest losses ... and then i take people for granted.  

i want to remember! 

choosing joy

with mister's arrival only three months away, my list of things to do and prepare for is getting longer.  its easy to get overwhelmed and loose focus on all the blessings and goodness in my life right now.  i will admit that i tend to be a very anxious person and usually decide that i have a plan that will fix everything.  i forget that God's plan is much better than mine.  i am so glad that i live in community with other Christ followers that remind me to breathe and have faith.


last week, i mentioned what best.day.ever. means to me and how i want to try and make every day my favorite.  i thought i would share with you some bible verses that, at this moment in my life, help me be content and joyful about where i am right now ... even if i am feeling overwhelmed and a little scared.  these verses inspire me to live daily for God and trust that he has a plan for me.   

nehemiah 6:9 - for they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, "their hands will drop for the work, and it will not be done."  but now, o God, strengthen my hands. 

matthew 6:33 - but seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 

psalm 37: 3-5 - trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.  delight yourself in the Lord, and will give you the desires of your heart.  commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.  

isaiah 41:10 - so do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

i hope that if any of you are feeling overwhelmed today, that these words stir something inside you.  i pray you are able to choose joy and contentment over fear and doubt.  how, you might ask.  how can one just choose to be something they are not?  i do not have all the answers, but here are a few suggestions that have helped me change my heart:

• do something for someone else today instead of focusing on how your needs/wants will be met.
• make a list of needs/wants that have been met in the past year. 
• make a list of people in your life that are most encouraging to you ... call or text one of those people to thank them. 
• make a list of people that you want to encourage ... call or text one of them and do just that. 
• pray :)

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today is my favorite

this past sunday, a friend gave the message at church about finding contentment and joy where you are right now.  of course i have heard messages on this topic before but something she said really resonated with me.  she said that every day should be our favorite.  


examples she gave, paraphrased by me: 

• birth - "hello world, this is my favorite time."
• learning to walk - "im mobile!  woo hoo, this is my favorite"
• i got my license - "freedom!  this is my favorite"
• loosing a job - "thank you God for the opportunity to learn something new.  this is my favorite."
• failing marriage - "this is a great trial in my life that will teach me to  lean on you, Lord.  this, is my favorite"
• 5.75 months pregnant, 98 degrees outside, no air condition in either vehicle, 35 minute commute to and from work - "Lord, thank you for the summertime and 2 vehicles that get us from point a to point b.  today is hot, but its my favorite!" 

ok, so that last one is my own, but you get the point :)

i was thinking about this yesterday and it hit me ... this is what best.day.ever. is all about.  this blog is my journey of trying to make the most of every day and make it my favorite.  whats sad is, i dont think i ever really explained this to my readers because i couldnt find an easy way to explain it.  this blog started out with me seeking to be a better ... well, everything.  but it turned into me loving where i am and who i am right now. 

today is my favorite ... today is the best.day.ever.

wise wednesday

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wise wednesday

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3 more days to enter my giveaway

best. day. ever. {giveaway}

welcome to best. day. ever.  

how do you like my new do?  a big "thanks" to jess over at i rock so what, for a great job on my new banner.  

its kind of an exciting time here at my little corner of the world wide web.   i am only a month away from my two year blogiversary and this here post is my 300th!!!  can you believe it?  thats a lot of nonsense coming from my fingers to your eyes.  i wanted to say "thanks" to the peeps that have been here for a while and give a big "HEY THERE" to the newcomers.

are you wondering why the change of name?  well, im glad you asked :)  when i started this blog, i was doing a lot of seeking.  

• i have found out a lot about myself on this journey and found a lot about God and how faithful He is to me even when i just flat out suck.  
• i have taken some photos that i am really proud of and found a great way to serve others with the pictures i take.  
• i have learned to be more creative with my style.
• i have realized how to better love and serve my amazing husband. 
• i have been reminded to not to take life so seriously.  
• i have been inspired to serve my community and a heart to inspire others. 

dont get me wrong, i will always be "seeking" ... but this space has turned into so much more.  i want to share the good, the bad and the ugly and always know that it is up to me to make every day the best day ever.  i would like to inspire others to find joy in the little things.  a bit cheesy but oh so true.  

so whats next?  what can you expect from this change?  not too much.  i will still blog about everyday life, sharing stories, memories and pictures of my pups.  i will still post a lot about my style, family, things that inspire me and my faith.  you can expect a lot of sarcasm and misspelled words with hardly any punctuation with a high dose of silliness.  i would like to encourage you all to interact with me and leave plenty of comments.  i heart meeting new people!  i love hearing/reading your stories and love telling people about what God is doing in my life!  

so, welcome to best. day. ever.  grab some coffee or tea and stay a while.  

.... and now for the good stuff.  in honor of my 300th post and my face lift, i have decided to do my 2nd ever giveaway.  for those of you that follow me on instagram, facebook or twitter, you know that i recently had a accident with a special hand warming coffee mug {a dear to me gift from tara}.  it was the best mug ever!  

i always got the most compliments when i took the mug on outings ... like a lot of compliments.  so, i figured it would be a really great giveaway item along with a $20 gift card for itunes.  how bout it?  

   
 

that little pocket is for your fingers.  its like you hug your mug and it hugs you back.  FUN!  

how to enter:  

• follow this here blog
• leave a comment below between now and friday {march 2nd}.    
• also include the following information:
• email address
• the color mug you like the best from the pics above
• are you right handed or left handed?
• the thing you are most looking forward to about spring. 
• extra entry:  blog about this giveway and leave an additional comment below telling me so.

winner will be chosen randomly and announced next monday {march 5th}

giveaway open to readers with a US shipping address.

GOOD LUCK!

wise wednesday




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give anyway

i have debated on writing this post for a couple of weeks now.  i dont want it to seem judgemental or mean but this is something i feel very strongly about.  i dont think i am being a good and honest blogger if i didnt share with you what is on my heart.  just remember, this is not meant to offend you, it is meant to inspire you.  it is a call to stop saying "i should" and to take action and responsibility. 

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even though its no longer the "season of giving,"

GIVE ANYWAY! 

here we are starting the 2nd month of the year.  the holiday high is gone ... not much to look forward to.  during november and december, it is so easy to be reminded of how blessed we truly are.  we think about love and loss, of hope and grace ... tis the season, right?  what i want to remind you is that the homeless, poor, lost, widowed, needy and hungry are still all these things!  two months later, they still need your help.


yes, you may have been the answer to someone's prayers two months ago.  you may have actually saved their home or even their life.  just think about how much good you could do, if you applied this mentality to all 12 months of the year.  most of us collected coats or served in a soup kitchen in december for the 1st or 2nd time that year.  there were people paying off layaway for christmas toys and filling up food pantries all over the world.  we feel so humbled and blessed to be able to help others in need.   serving others can really make you feel good about yourself, but that is not what serving others is about.  here it is february 2012, and we can make a difference if we keep that holiday momentum going.

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - ephesians 2:10 (niv)

what it means to give sacrificially - you actually have to give something up, sacrifice your time, money and/or energy to serve someone else while wanting nothing in return.  here are a few examples of taking our service to the next level:

• if you buy yourself an $8 lunch out of a $10 bill and give the $2 you have left to a homeless guy, good for you.  BUT if you take that $10 bill and buy him lunch AND give him the extra $2, then you are doing great.  if that means you have to eat that can of soup thats been in your desk drawer for 2 months, so be it.  (ps - dont lecture the person on how they must spend the $2.  once you give it away, it is no longer your business)
• better yet, buy two $5 meals and eat with him :)
• dont go visit with someone when you can squeeze it in and its more convenient for you ... how about sacrifice your thursday night of tv or your date night to take over a pie and actually sit with them to have a piece. 
• give away something that you actually love and use often.  we have all given away an old jacket that is out of style or no longer fits and the blankets that dont match our decor or that has a coffee stain ... but what about your favorite most warmest coat you have?  that is a sacrifice! 
• serve in your local soup kitchen once a month or so, until you actually know someones name. they may even start to remember you and consider you a friend.  continue working on the friendship by taking them for coffee and getting to know them better
• serve someone anonymously.  do not tell even one person what you have done to help someone in need.  that feeling deep in your gut to spew it to the world and try to inspire others does not always come from a good place.  sometimes it just needs to be between you and God. 
• give to someone that has absolutley nothing to give back.

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let face it, one month a year just doesnt cut it!  one day in a soup kitchen every 365 days, will not change anything but how YOU feel that day or week.  we need to change how and why we serve!  most of all, we need to be an example to the people around us ... show them what it means to serve others.  when we say "we dont have time" or "i have nothing to give" then we are lying to ourselves so we can sleep at night.  look around, what has God blessed you with and how can you use it to serve someone?   

this is not just a challenge for you, i am also challenging myself to make changes.  i have a long way to go and a lot to learn.  my immediate goals are to serve more intentionally and sacrificially.  i am also challenging myself to not only serve locally but globally {and if you serve only globally, try to find out ways to serve more locally}. 

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"Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me
Break my heart from what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdoms cause"
- hillsong united

note to self



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siete of 30

30 for 30 winter time goal:  learn how to smile at 7:30am

cardigan:  thrifted

pants:  target

shoes:  american eagle

the mustard yellow flats i ordered finally came today.  i have decided that instead of them completing my 30 items, i will replace the red and white flats (because i have too many shoes) with the yellow ones and add a shirt.  i have several cardigans and sweaters but not a lot of shirts to layer with.  so for now, i have 29 items and will try to pick #30 in the next day or two.  

also, i explained to husband this morning, the definition of frumpy.  the literal definition is:  an unattractive woman who wears dowdy old-fashioned clothes.

i meant it as "well arent i dressed like a shapeless old lady today."  yes, this cardigan makes me feel a little on the frumpy side.  but it was so cheap, so soft and i love the color ... whats a girl to do other than embrace the frumpiness and try her hardest to make it look good.  

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on another note:  

i have been reminded in the past couple of weeks how blessed i am to be surrounded by Godly people.   it is so awesome to confide in someone that you know will give you truth and grace, even if its not exactly what you want to hear in that moment.  "wait it out and pray" does not have the same instant gratification as "oh no they didnt. i would not put up with that!"  this is why God wants us to be in community with each other and bear one another's burdens (galations 6:2).  

always remembering ...

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.                                                                       

                                                          ~ jeremiah 29:11

                     

psst

... i would like to share a secret with you. 

on a number of occasions, i have been told that i am a bit lacking when it comes to writing.  im sure you are all thinking "duh."  i am well aware that i cannot spell and i dont like using punctuation ... but i think its more than that.  i write how i talk and not everyone gets it.

this secret is one reason i started this blog.  i am trying to get over my fear of putting my words out there.  as i read through new years resolutions from fellow bloggers, i found that several of them have vowed to be fearless in 2011.  not the "bungee jumping" kind of fearless but the kind that doesnt hold you back from reaching goals and being who you want to be.  i guess what im trying to teach myself is to get rid of this feeling that i am inadequate.  i have felt inadequate as a student, when i write, as a wife, as a Christ follower, at my job, at photographing, as a blogger, etc.  it was really inspiring to see some other bloggers, that i really look up to, feel the same at times.  think of that one person you just know has it all together ... im sure they have felt insufficient at some point too.

my biggest relief is that God makes the best out of my shortcomings ... he uses them to his advantage.  i do not have to completely rely on myself to overcome these faults.  instead, i will rely on my God to fix what he wants to, and make the best out of everything else.

2 corinthians 12:9 says:
but He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." therefore i will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  

this year, there are 4 things i want to focus on:

1. seek   (psalm 119:10) 
2. be still   (psalm 46:10)
3. listen   (proverbs 4:20-22)
4. obey   (james 1:22-25)

if i can focus on these things, i will become less fearful of what other people think.  i know God will constantly remind me that He is strong when i am weak and how He loves me no matter what.  

happy 100th!

so, this is my 100th post.  

hip hip hurray!!!

i started this blog back in april, with plans of documenting my growth in life, my relationships, my walk with God, photography, etc.  its only been 8 months and 100 posts but i can tell i am growing.  i feel like i am in the process of figuring out the kind of person i want to be and making choices that will take me there.    

thanks to all you readers for sharing this journey with me and for your encouragement :)

i am so excited to see what God has planned for me!

"for I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
- jeremiah 29:11

i will praise Him in this storm ...

flash back friday

... saturday

my apologies for slacking off yesterday.  i did not plan ahead and husband and i spent last night at the nc state fair.  his mother sang the national anthem to open up for casting crowns.  she did such a great job, the concert was fantastic and we ate too much food :)

for this week's flash back friday, i am flashing back to when i started this blog in april.  i have not been blogging long enough to repost stuff, but today i am.  i need to remind myself what this started out as and that i must stick with it.  there are many fun things i want to add to this space, but i will try to always remain true to the fact that i am seeking ...

i seek to be a better wife, sister, daughter, friend, aunt, cousin and employee. above all, i seek God with all my heart. there is comfort knowing that if i seek Him daily, everything else will fall into place. 

i wanted to start blogging for several reasons 

1) i am so blessed! talking to people about the things God is doing in my life makes my heart smile, period. 

2) i have been blessed with a new camera. there is so much i have to learn about taking photos and capturing moments. so please bare with me.

3) my mind is full of "random thoughts by elizabeth" ... maybe someone out there cares what they are :)

this blog will be a documentation of my growth in faith, life and hopefully some talent as well.

enjoy!


in the past 6 months a lot has changed ... for better and for, well, not so better.  as i have mentioned before, life has gotten a little bit complicated.  but husband and i remain focused, hopeful and strong in faith.  
goodnight all ...

mia

i would like to apologize for my "missing in action" blogging style lately.  its kinda been a crazy time for husband and i ... lots of stress, praying and possible changes coming up (and no, im not talking about a baby).  for now, i leave you with a relaxed pic from our recent trip to the zoo and a little something from 1 peter 5:6-11.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.  To him be the power for ever and ever. 
Amen.   

He is with you

my sister shared this video with me a not too long ago. i always seem to find it again right when i need it.  

advice

never proclaim that you will not put up with something 

... chances are, you have, you will and you would.

friends, spouse, significant other, boss, coworker, parents, children ~

at some point in your life, you have looked at someone else's and said "no mam, i would not put up with that!"  secretly (or openly) we judge people that are slow to offend and quick to forgive.  always understand that you do not have all the facts.  these people we judge are most likely just doing their best to be kind, loving and forgiving people. 

it is my desire to be quicker to listen, slower to speak and slower to become angry (james 1:19-20).