Financial Advice from Dave Ramsey

“What to do isn’t the problem; doing it is. Most of us know what to do, but we just don’t do it. If I can control the guy in the mirror, I can be skinny and rich.” ~ Dave Ramsey

Greetings all!
 
Would you like some financial advice from a well-known money expert? I enjoyed these suggestions from Dave Ramsey:
 
1. Eliminate debt before you invest: Ramsey does exclude mortgage, which makes sense since most people cannot afford to buy a home with cash.
 
2. Harness the power of the snowball effect: Eliminate your debt in order of smallest to largest so you can build momentum, close smaller outstanding debts, and boost your confidence. Side note: I think this also works as a productivity hack!

 
3. Build an emergency fund before you build wealth: Financial experts recommend having at least 3-6 months of your living expenses as a cushion. Totally agree with this advice! 
 
4. Give 15% of every paycheck to your future self by using a tax-advantaged account (e.g., 401k with employer match or IRA/ROTH in the United States). I love the idea of having my future self thank my present self. Also, I like the advice I read elsewhere: if you get a bonus or a salary increase, invest or save it if you can. Since you were used to your previous level of earnings, can you allocate the extra to your future self? Wouldn't it be nice if our future selves visited us in the present to disperse life wisdom?

Image from https://i.imgur.com/JHJSu0e.jpg

5. Keeping up with the Joneses is an unwinnable game – to paraphrase, do not buy things you do not need with money you do not have to impress people you do not like.
 
6. Utilize money-saving technology, such as budgeting and coupon/cashback apps, automatic savings (e.g., weekly transfers from your checking to your savings account), or lowering your thermostats. 
 
7. Go low tech: I always balance my bank account and try to cancel and/or completely avoid unnecessary subscriptions and gadgets. 
 
8. Have a plan when shopping: The article talked about grocery-shopping but I think this is good advice for any kind of shopping. Be very careful with your impulses - shopping or otherwise - when you are excited, bored, sad, angry, and/or intoxicated! I did some research and did you know that:

• 84% of all shoppers have made impulse purchases.
• The average shopper will make an average of 3 unplanned purchases in 4 out of every 10 store visits they make.
• Almost 50% of all impulse purchases are regretted. I was actually surprised that this number is not higher.

 

Image from https://www.invespcro.com/blog/impulse-buying/

9. Continue educating yourself financially, put into practice what you already know, and work with a financial professional.
 

Reflecting on the quote in the beginning of this post - “What to do isn’t the problem; doing it is” - I thought it applies to so many areas of our lives. But for now, how about just balancing your checking account?

Sources:

• https://money.yahoo.com/10-genius-things-dave-ramsey-120115148.html
• https://www.invespcro.com/blog/impulse-buying/

What did you think? Drop me a line!

Overnight Oats

Greetings all!

Are you a breakfast person? If you are, do you make breakfast every morning? I love a good breakfast but sometimes I just do not have the mental energy to think of what I want to have with my coffee. And sometimes I do not have the time to prepare something delicious from scratch. This is where a butler would come in handy but alas I am still butler-less. If you are in the same boat, try making overnight oats!

Image and recipe idea from

 https://www.traderjoes.com/home/recipes/overnight-yoats

I love this recipe - easy, healthy, delicious, and very efficient! You can make a big batch the night before to carry you through several mornings. Also, if you like variety in your meals, this recipe is super-customizable - just swap the toppings. 

Image and recipe idea from 

https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/recipe-collections-favorites/easy-overnight-oats-recipe (NATA VKUSIDEY/GETTY IMAGES) 

Ingredients: 

• Base: Rolled oats + your choice of milk (water works too). 
• Toppings: vanilla extract, bananas, fruits, berries, nuts, seeds, honey, maple syrup, pinch of salt, cacao nibs, raisins, dried fruit, etc. 

Instructions: 

• Mix oats and milk or water (1:1 ratio works well so the oats are barely covered with liquid)
• Add toppings now or before serving (if adding frozen fruit or berries, add them now)
• Refrigerate overnight in an airtight container
• Before serving, add a splash of milk
• Add additional toppings, if desired 
• You can store up to 3 days

Toppings: 

• Fruit or berries (fresh, frozen, dried)
• Granola and raspberries
• Strawberries and almonds
• Cherries and walnuts
• Mango and pineapple
• Chia seeds, honey, and nuts
• Honey and grated apple
• Honey, grated apple and carrot, walnuts, and raisins
• In Ireland, some hotels offer a splash of whiskey in your oatmeal - what a fabulous idea for a lazy weekend in!

Bon Appetit! Let me know how you like it!

March 8 – International Women’s Day: An Ode to Fearless Women

YOU ARE YOUR OWN STORY!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BknQjHoH6NX/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=5d38085a-7768-4d18-a5a0-1b393903e5c7

CALM: March-2023 Calendar

Greetings all!

Here is the March-2023 calendar from CALM: so many wonderful ideas to nourish ourselves (from https://blog.calm.com/blog/march-2023-calm-calendar).

Image from 

https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-glass-of-coffee-near-a-book-11247286/

My favorite ideas were from March 6, 8, 12, and 17. What about you?

March 1 - Make a list of things that nourish you. Reflect on how to weave these into your day(s).

March 2 - Give yourself 15 minutes of intentional screen-free time.

March 3 - Try a loving kindness meditation today.

March 4 - Take one thing off your to-do list and replace it with something restful.

March 5 - Make a plan to celebrate a small win today.

March 6 - Find a quote or affirmation to support you today.

March 7 - Add a new habit to your bedtime routine.

March 8 - Go for a walk in nature.

March 9 - Mindfully enjoy a nourishing meal today.

March 10 - Do one small thing to make your workspace more calming. Try incorporating essential oils, a plant or a simple cup of hot tea.

March 11 - Get outside and try the ‘Nourishing in Nature’ meditation.

March 12 - Give your eyes a break every hour. Close your eyes and just breathe for 30 seconds.

March 13 - Write down three reasons why you re proud of yourself.

March 14 - Lean into self-care today. Take a bath, meditate, or have a nap.

March 15 - Tune into the Self-Compassion meditation in the Relationship with Self series.

March 16 - Review your list of nourishing acts. Try another one today!

March 17 – Cuddle up with a good book and a cozy blanket.

March 18 - Kick off your day with mindful movement – Daily Move, stretching, yoga.

March 19 - Craft a loving kindness phrase. May I be ______. May I be ______. May I be ______.

March 20 - Get an early night and wind down with the “Nighttime Gratitude sleep meditation.

March 21 - Close your eyes and breathe deeply for one minute.

March 22 - Do an activity that’s just for fun.

March 23 - Check in on a friend and offer them some encouragement.

March 24 - Do one thing that will help you feel more organized for the week ahead.

March 25 - Play a Calm playlist or soundscape while you work today.

March 26 - Reflect on what you’ve learned about yourself lately.

March 27 – What’s the kindest thing I can do for myself today? Do it.

March 28 - Notice where you hold tension. Bring your awareness there and invite a softening.

March 29 - Free-write whatever’s on your mind for 3 minutes.

March 30 - Tune into your body with the “Body Scan” meditation.

March 31 - Reflect on how you nourished yourself this month. What will you take into next month?

Have a great week and remember to take some time for yourself!

Busy Is a Decision

“Busy is a decision. We do the things we want to do, period. If we say we are too busy, it is just shorthand for the thing being “not important enough” or “not a priority.” 

Busy is not a badge. You don’t find the time to make things, you make the time to do things.”

~ Debbie Millman, In the Company of Women

Sources:

• As read on https://jamesclear.com/3-2-1/october-27-2022
• Image from https://www.flickr.com/photos/toddle_email_newsletters/15599597515 by Alan O'Rourke [http://audiencestack.com/static/blog.html]

Valentine's Day Animals

Source (and more!): https://www.boredpanda.com/wholesome-animal-comics-about-love-that-doodle-guy

Spinach-Banana-Strawberry-Pineapple Smoothie

Greetings all!

If you ever need a quick, healthy, and delicious snack, try this spinach-banana-strawberry-pineapple smoothie! I actually love it as a lunch substitute when I do not have enough time for a proper sit-down meal.

Image and recipe idea from 

https://www.averiecooks.com/strawberry-banana-pineapple-smoothie 

Ingredients: 

• A handful of spinach (optional)
• 1 cup of milk
• 1 banana
• ½-1 cup of strawberries
• ½-1 cup of pineapple chunks

 Instructions and variations:

• You can use fresh or frozen fruits/veggies.
• If using spinach, add it to the blender first, then add milk and blend for a few seconds to make sure spinach is fully submerged! When I added spinach on top after all the other ingredients, it did not want to blend properly so I learned my lesson! Spinach first! Also you do not taste it in the smoothie at all!
• Then add banana, strawberries, and pineapple and blend until the desired consistency.
• You can use other dairy products, pineapple juice instead of pineapples (original recipe), or even water.
• If you add less liquid, you will have a delicious sorbet.
• If you want more of a dessert drink, do banana+milk+1 tablespoon of cacao. You can also add some ice-cream :)

Bon Appetit! Let me know how you like it!