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Showing posts from July, 2023

Back to School Picture Ideas 2023

Back to School Picture Ideas 2023 No matter how you do school, taking back to school pictures at the start of each new year is a great way to document growth and change. Let's look at a few ways to commemorate the first day of school. **This post contains affiliate links. I earn small commissions from clicks that result in qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support! Say it with a Sign  Use a  chalkboard sign  or felt letter board  (commissions earned). This is a great investment, because you can change the details year after year.  Document the grade level, interests/aspirations, teacher or parent if you homeschool. Chalk it up Use  sidewalk chalk  to create a masterpiece your child can pose with (commissions earned). Write their grade level and use their school colors or mascot for inspiration.  My mascot was a greyhound. If I couldn't tap my artistic friend to draw a greyhound, I could probably swing a set of paw pr...
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Sinking Fund Example: How to Use Sinking Funds to Pay for your Wedding

  Sinking Fund Example: How to use sinking funds to pay for your wedding Since Christmas in July is upon us, I got to thinking about sinking funds. I use a sinking fund to purchase holiday gifts and shop after Christmas with money I set aside throughout the year.  A sinking fund is a predetermined amount of money set aside over time for a specific purpose. You divide the amount of money you need by the amount of time you have to save until your target date to make the payments more affordable.  Sinking funds help you avoid debt by dividing the full payment into smaller amounts over time - you avoid needing a large sum all at once or having to use credit.  I use sinking funds in high yield savings accounts  for all sorts of things - traveling, shopping sales , splurging on luxury bedding or meaningful jewelry. But paying for my wedding definitely required the most sinking funds simultaneously, and is therefore the best sinking fund example!  Sinking funds a...
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Ship from Home: What You Need to Get Started.

Ship from home: What You Need to Get Started. Let's talk shipping from home. One of my favorite side hustles is selling online and shipping from home. It's one of the ways I avoid overspending .  Whether you're sending packages often or only on holidays or special occasions, you should ship from home. You can go to the local United States Postal Service (USPS) post office or other shipping giant such as UPS or Fedex , but nothing beats the convenience of shipping from home. Let's take a look at what you need to get started.  Stock up on Shipping Supplies USPS  delivers  FREE shipping supplies ! Create an account on USPS.com  if you haven't already. Choose from a number of supplies to fit your shipping needs, and pay the appropriate fee when you ship. I mostly ship clothing items that are less than one pound (16 oz), so I ship them first class cheaper than priority mail using 10x13 polymailers . The poly mailers are self-sealing, but I add  Scotch heavy d...
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BST Meaning. What is BST?

BST Meaning. What is BST? BST stands for Buy, Sell, Trade. BST is its own corner of the internet, typically facebook groups made up of little tribes of brand loyalists, with its own customs and language. I stumbled upon the BST world when I became a mother several years ago, and have been immersed ever since! BST can be a side hustle and a way to  address overspending . I try to purchase  brands with BST facebook groups so I can resell items my daughter didn't wear or outgrew. Some of my favorite brands are  Little Bipsy ,  Nora Madison Designs ,  Pink Chicken ,  Posh Peanut ,  Slumberkins  and  Taylor Joelle Designs . Facebook Buy, Sell, Trade groups can be brand specific, but some pages allow "all free" weekends where anything goes. BST is a great way to purchase sold out and/or gently used branded items. But buyer beware - secondhand doesn't always mean less than retail.  Certain designs, particularly collaborations with popular trad...
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What causes bumpy skin on arms? How you can get rid of it.

What causes bumpy skin on arms?  Bumpy skin on arms is caused by Keratosis Pilaris (KP). Keratosis Pilaris is a common skin variant that occurs when a protein in the skin called Keratin builds up and blocks the opening of the hair follicle causing bumpy skin on arms, legs or buttocks ( source: Mayo Clinic ). While the cause is unknown, it could be genetic or linked to conditions such as  eczema . Keratosis Pilaris is not contagious or dangerous and cannot be cured, but the look and feel of the skin can be improved if desired.  Can you get rid of Keratosis Pilaris? Yes and no. Keratosis Pilaris can't be cured, but symptoms can be controlled with the right skincare regimen. Gentle Exfoliation   Use an  exfoliation brush  while in the bath or shower to mechanically loosen and slough off dead skin that can contribute to clogging the hair follicles. Follow with a topical exfoliant such as  First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub   (commissions ...
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Popular posts from this blog

Screening colonoscopy prep and procedure: a firsthand account

Content warning: mentions cancer and death If I had a dollar for every time a patient came into my office and said they “want to be checked for cancer,” well…I probably wouldn’t be writing this blog post! There is no single universal test for cancer, but common things happen commonly. Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths when men and women are combined ( cancer.org ). Screening for colorectal cancer should be on your list to be “checked for cancer.”  For those at average risk, screening for colorectal cancer should begin at age 45 ( cdc.gov ). If you want to know more about colorectal cancer incidence, risk factors and screening methods, then check out last week's blog post  here . I am at increased risk for colorectal cancer, because my father died from complications of colon cancer when he was only 45. So though I’m only in my thirties, I’ve already had my first screening colonoscopy, which is the gold standard screening method for individuals a...
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Looking to save money? 4 High Yield Savings Accounts you should check out!

Looking to save money? 4 High Yield Savings Accounts you should check out!  Let’s talk high yield savings accounts (HYSAs). Gone are the days of having “mattress money.” Or at least they should be. Why? Because you should not be keeping your emergency fund under your bed! Wouldn’t it be better to put your money where it could make you MORE money while you sleep instead?   If you have an emergency fund, you are already ahead of the game. Check out this article  that states only 44% of Americans can cover a $1,000 emergency expense from their savings. An emergency or rainy day fund is just what it sounds like: money set aside for unforeseen costly circumstances. Think car or home repairs, medical emergencies, pet injuries - you get the picture. These things can happen to anyone, so we should all prepare for them. You’ll find that the more prepared you are, the less emergencies you will experience! So what should you do? First, aim to have $1,000 set aside. Ideally, you will...
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What Do Different Colored Pumpkins Mean on Halloween?

What Do Different Colored Pumpkins Mean on Halloween? From pillowcases to pumpkin pails, kids carry all kinds of candy receptacles to trick-or-treat. While much thought might not go into using a grocery bag, the use of different colored pumpkins for trick or treat could be intentional.  Just as trick-or-treaters can send a signal with what they carry to collect candy, people passing out treats can do the same with their Halloween decor. Whether you collect or pass out treats, arm yourself with the knowledge of what different colored pumpkins mean on Halloween to prepare for all sorts of trick-or-treaters. **This post contains affiliate links. I earn small commissions from clicks and qualified purchases at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! Teal Pumpkins  Teal pumpkins represent food allergies. Your child with a food allergy can carry a  teal pumpkin trick or treat bucket .  Decorate your porch with a  teal pumpkin  to provide a more inclusive tr...
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