Let’s Talk FAM (Finances and Medicine...and more).

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...

  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...

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...

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...

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 ...

5 Ways to Invest for Kids Let's talk ways to invest for kids. As a parent, you are not obligated to invest for kids. BUT, this is an extraordinary gift if you can swing it. Of course, you should provide all of the basic needs for your child(ren), and the majority of us go above and beyond that! You need not be a millionaire or come into a windfall of money to do this. You may be wondering how do I start investing for my child? Let's take a look at some of the best ways to invest for kids.  1. Put your oxygen mask on first You can't truly help someone else unless you've addressed your own needs. Your future is just as if not more important than your children's. If you tend to yourself properly, it follows that your child(ren) will likely also be cared for. Your child(ren) can take out student loans to fund an education, but you cannot borrow money for your retirement. Educate yourself. Follow financial content creators, use your local library, sign up for classes and...

5 Reasons to Consider Cutting Back on Caffeine Caffeine is considered the most popular, legal, psychoactive substance in the world.  Over 90% of Americans consume caffeine according to  foodinsight.org ,  Caffeine is most often consumed in coffee and tea , but can also be found in soda, energy drinks, supplements and chocolate (commissions earned). Caffeine is a stimulant that promotes alertness and improves concentration and mood. Sounds great, right? But when it comes to caffeine, you can have too much of a good thing. Let's look at 5 instances where you might consider cutting back on caffeine.  **This post contains affiliate links. I earn small commissions for clicks that result in product(s) purchased, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! 1. Anxiety Caffeine is a stimulant. If you struggle with anxiety, the last thing you would want to do is exacerbate the symptoms. Such symptoms can include sweating, restlessness, racing thoughts, rapid heart beat ...