Going back to Weight Watchers clearly didn't work for me... I just didn't give it my all. I didn't want to count, figure out the new program, weight & measure... I just gave up over and over again. I've hit a brick wall with weight loss after Benjamin was born and I had the same thing happen after Victoria was born. Right at this exact same weight.
So, I've decided to take a new approach to kick start my weight loss - I'm going to give LCHF a try. That's low carb- high fat. Though I will likely not be as strict as they tell you to be, I'm going to start by majorly cutting back my carbs and adding a bit more protein and vegetables. My husband is completely supportive and was actually thinking about meals that we already make that we can switch up a little to cut out the carbs - I'm so glad he's on board. There are a few things that I know he won't give up with me, but he's supportive and that's all the matters.
I've been warned that the first week is really tough and I'll feel crappy with headaches and such, but I'm going to stick it out and hopefully see a change - not only in my weight but in my energy levels, blood pressure and cholesterol. I also need to get back to the gym because I know that this is also really key to my weight loss and overall health.
So, bear with me as I go through this new journey, I'm sure it may spur some more blogging from me!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Operation Debt-Free
You know what drives me nuts? We need to save money, I want to pay off debt - yet we fail to do it over and over again. The other night, Derek and I were talking and I made a statement to him that I really need to find the willpower to live up to: "By the time you are done with school (next July), we can probably pay down enough debt to afford your student loans and let you stay home with the kids at least until I'm done with my MBA (March 2013)."
My biggest problem is that it's so convenient and nice to pick things up, grab a frappuccino at Starbucks, buy fountain soda a few times a week, eat out for lunch... it's like my weight loss struggle: I know what I need to do and how I need to do it, yet I fail to put the plan into action.
My goal is to really tighten my budget and get us to a point where we are snowballing our debt and paying things off so that next December when my husband's student loans go into repayment, we can afford them without having to send him back to a full-time job. He loves staying home with the kids and I would love for him to be able to stay home at least until I finish school - for my sanity.
For the month of June, I gave up frappuccinos, which cost around $5 each. That was, until June 24th when I just needed one. BUT- prior to that one, my last was on May 27th. This may not seem like a huge feat by any means, but considering that I would average 2-3 Starbucks beverages per week (sometimes more), this was huge. Yes, I still stopped at DD for iced coffee, but even stopping twice per week for an iced coffee saved us money since 2 medium iced coffees were still a few cents LESS than ONE frappuccino. Yikes. I did that as a challenge to myself. I knew it would save money, and I knew it would save some calories too.
But... fountain sodas have become my absolute downfall. We love them. They are sooooo much better than a can/bottle of soda. But, they add up - especially when my husband and I both get them a few times a week. That's one area that I really need to work on... we can easily save about $10/week on sodas. That's $120 a year on average. My plan is to start limiting myself (us) to once per week, which totals $2.53 - instead of about 4 times per week, totalling $10.12. It's a start, right?
We just dropped our home phone and switched to FiOS, which will save us $16/month or $192 per year and once we renew our cell phone contracts, I think we will be downgrading to just messaging phones (Goodbye Smartphones ... you will be missed!) and that should save us around $40/month or $480/year.
BUT, I feel like it just won't be enough. We have events ALL.THE.TIME... Parties, showers, weddings...such is life I guess. I've decided that for birthday parties there is a limit of $25 per gift. I'm trying to stick with it, sometimes even coming it at around $20. And, factor in the fact that we have kids - they are truly the wildcard. For example, in February/March we went out and got new jeans for Victoria. Apparently, she hit a growth spurt in May and none of her new jeans fit anymore. Sigh.
I know we can do it... it just takes willpower. I feel like we've already given up a lot of extras to make it work out for Derek to primarily stay home with the kids. His part-time job definitely helps. Lately he's been getting a crazy amount of hours (averaging 27/week) so that also helps pay for the extras that pop up...
So- what are your best savings tips?!
My biggest problem is that it's so convenient and nice to pick things up, grab a frappuccino at Starbucks, buy fountain soda a few times a week, eat out for lunch... it's like my weight loss struggle: I know what I need to do and how I need to do it, yet I fail to put the plan into action.
My goal is to really tighten my budget and get us to a point where we are snowballing our debt and paying things off so that next December when my husband's student loans go into repayment, we can afford them without having to send him back to a full-time job. He loves staying home with the kids and I would love for him to be able to stay home at least until I finish school - for my sanity.
For the month of June, I gave up frappuccinos, which cost around $5 each. That was, until June 24th when I just needed one. BUT- prior to that one, my last was on May 27th. This may not seem like a huge feat by any means, but considering that I would average 2-3 Starbucks beverages per week (sometimes more), this was huge. Yes, I still stopped at DD for iced coffee, but even stopping twice per week for an iced coffee saved us money since 2 medium iced coffees were still a few cents LESS than ONE frappuccino. Yikes. I did that as a challenge to myself. I knew it would save money, and I knew it would save some calories too.
But... fountain sodas have become my absolute downfall. We love them. They are sooooo much better than a can/bottle of soda. But, they add up - especially when my husband and I both get them a few times a week. That's one area that I really need to work on... we can easily save about $10/week on sodas. That's $120 a year on average. My plan is to start limiting myself (us) to once per week, which totals $2.53 - instead of about 4 times per week, totalling $10.12. It's a start, right?
We just dropped our home phone and switched to FiOS, which will save us $16/month or $192 per year and once we renew our cell phone contracts, I think we will be downgrading to just messaging phones (Goodbye Smartphones ... you will be missed!) and that should save us around $40/month or $480/year.
BUT, I feel like it just won't be enough. We have events ALL.THE.TIME... Parties, showers, weddings...such is life I guess. I've decided that for birthday parties there is a limit of $25 per gift. I'm trying to stick with it, sometimes even coming it at around $20. And, factor in the fact that we have kids - they are truly the wildcard. For example, in February/March we went out and got new jeans for Victoria. Apparently, she hit a growth spurt in May and none of her new jeans fit anymore. Sigh.
I know we can do it... it just takes willpower. I feel like we've already given up a lot of extras to make it work out for Derek to primarily stay home with the kids. His part-time job definitely helps. Lately he's been getting a crazy amount of hours (averaging 27/week) so that also helps pay for the extras that pop up...
So- what are your best savings tips?!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Boutique Bags
I just love making these bags! Thanks so much to Sara at Tangled Happy for sharing the pattern and giving me permission to sell them!
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| <3 these colors! |
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| Pretty flowers!! |
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| Simply the best little bags around!! Such a joy to make. |
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| My first "bulk" order of Boutique Bags all ready to get shipped! |
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Hooking Happiness
It's been a while since I've shown any of my projects and I'm hoping to get back on track, because crocheting is one of my best stress relievers.
Right before I started my MBA program, I was a bit crazy and thought it would be great to start a small side venture, Simply Hooked by Amanda. Well, it hasn't really taken off yet... I've made a baby blanket for the SGK auction run by Cathy's Creations and I donated a boutique bag to that auction. Now I have an order to make a baby blanket for a friend and 10 boutique bags for another friend. It's getting busy! I was also contacted about a potential partnering opportunity with another creative mom, so we will see what it brings.
Anyway, I thought since I originally created this blog to share my crafts, it was time for some photos of my current WIPs:
I adore making those bags... and I'm enjoying a nice, girly blanket too! I really need to give the blanket some attention soon though, the bags have taken over all of my crafting time, but I'm finishing them up and shipping them out this week!
Right before I started my MBA program, I was a bit crazy and thought it would be great to start a small side venture, Simply Hooked by Amanda. Well, it hasn't really taken off yet... I've made a baby blanket for the SGK auction run by Cathy's Creations and I donated a boutique bag to that auction. Now I have an order to make a baby blanket for a friend and 10 boutique bags for another friend. It's getting busy! I was also contacted about a potential partnering opportunity with another creative mom, so we will see what it brings.
Anyway, I thought since I originally created this blog to share my crafts, it was time for some photos of my current WIPs:
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Ta-Da: Adam's Blanket
Wow, this is a long overdue Ta-Da post. I didn't realize that I hadn't shared the photos of the finished blanket I made for our friends who are waiting the arrival of their first child, baby Adam.
This blanket took about 2 months to create, but between that time I also made the Power Pink blanket, so I would say maybe a month in reality.
It measured about 42" x 42" or so and was worked in the granny stripe pattern that I can now do in my sleep :) I can't wait to meet baby Adam and see him all snuggled up in his cozy granny stripe!
This blanket took about 2 months to create, but between that time I also made the Power Pink blanket, so I would say maybe a month in reality.
It measured about 42" x 42" or so and was worked in the granny stripe pattern that I can now do in my sleep :) I can't wait to meet baby Adam and see him all snuggled up in his cozy granny stripe!
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