"Dollars and Uncommon Sense"

Dollars and Uncommon Sense by Steve Repak, CFP

I'm so excited I got this book, because it's helping check something off my 30x30 list: Becoming debt free! Confession: I have had three books by different financial guru's in my immediate TBR pile for months. So long, in fact, that one of them has been renewed from the library three times, is due back next week, and still hasn't been read. Why? It's big and intimidating! That old guy with glasses holding a wad of hundreds just staring at me...So I started with this one. It was the smallest. But I'm glad I did! It was a quick read (I read it in just one night) and very easy to understand. Repak even made it so I understand investing! Not a whole lot about investing, but a little overview. Anyways.....

Steve Repak speaks from experience in this book. He left the military with more than $30,000 in credit card debt. Now he's a CFP helping others manage their money. He offers very simple steps to recognize where your money is going, start saving, pay off debt, and start investing. It's very simple to understand, and he offers blank worksheets to help you put the lessons into practice.

I really like his uncommon-sense approach. He makes the point that most people are in debt, worry about money, and live paycheck to paycheck. "So why the heck would you want to be like most people?" One tip was something I had always thought: Pay off the debt with the highest interest rate first, not the debt with the lowest balance (contrary to what other famous financial guys say). A lot of his tips are of the common sense variety, but since they are rarely practiced, they seem like uncommon sense. For gexample: Spend less than you make.

If you are struggling with managing your money and getting out of debt, check out this book. It's a quick and easy read with great, simple tips to manage your money.

Highly recommended, 4/5 stars!

*Note: I received this book free through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer's program, in exchange for a review. I was under no obligation to provide a positive (or negative) review.

The Duvet

Once upon a time, I was trying to fall asleep in a bed that looked like this:

It was one of those nights where my mind was running a million thoughts a minute and keeping be up. For some reason, my brain decided I needed to make my own duvet cover since this blue monstrosity isn't very pretty and real duvet covers (the ones I like, anyways) are pretty expensive. So after creating it in my mind, I finally drifted off to sleep, and promptly googled "how to make a duvet cover" the next morning.

So I made a duvet cover! And I'm loving it!! I followed the directions from this site, Design Sponge (mostly. Some stuff I made up). It was such a huge help! So since I have no real tips, I'm just gonna show you what I did, okay? If you want a step-by-step, go check out Design Sponge. I started with these fabrics from Joann's:

and got started measuring and cutting

I learned how to do French seams from that website, and they are SO pretty! French seams make it so that there are no raw edges anywhere,

inside or out.

However, it takes a very long time, since you're basically sewing each seam three times. I did them for the front (picture on the left), but I cheated for the back. See, the other issue I had was that the butterfly fabric wasn't as wide as the other one. So it was going to be almost two inches shorter! I figured by cheating, I could get the look with less "waste". So I simply stitched it the regular way, then added the topstitch. And from the outside, you can't even tell! Then it was time to attach the front and back together:

Notice that the back isn't as wide as the front....the front was the perfect measurement for my comforter (according to the website).

So I did the grown-up thing. And did this:

Then I took a break. Went shopping. And did what Tim Gunn taught me: made it work! I just went with the shorter one and prayed that my comforter would fit! Then it was zipper time!

Not too shabby for my first zipper installation! I added a little inspirational quote I've read a few places lately:

"Never settle for less than butterflies". I love it! And I apply to every area of life, not just romance (which is probably what most people think of with this quote). But life's too short to not enjoy every moment!

Anyway. Without further ado, I present to you my finished duvet cover!

And guess what? The comforter fit perfectly! However, with these photos it's become apparent that I need to now get new sheets. And pillowcases. And my bed frame needs to be painted. And my room needs to be cleaned. So stay tuned! I may have more projects coming soon ;)

Pinterest Projects!

Over the past few months I've been making things off Pinterest and decided to share with you! And if for some reason you don't know what Pinterest is, go check it out! I'll wait....or pin some things til you get back!

Okay, all caught up? Good. Let's see what I've been making!

First up is the Christmas presents I made. I found the template for these boxes on Pinterest, and they were SUPER easy to make!

I made little things to put inside, including these handwarmers! There are TONS of different tutorials for these, so I kinda just made it up.

This next one came from my head, not Pinterest. I made these for the Sunday School teachers at church. So simple and cute! I bought candles at the Dollar Tree, and a packet of blank address labels. Peeled off the candle labels, printed/stamped some labels, and put them on. Added a little ribbon for flair. Gotta have flair!

Next Up: Vacation Piggy Banks made from Shadow Boxes! I love these. Just need to find a saw to make the holes in the top. My cousin and I made these to save for a cruise, hence the nautical themes.

I've also found some fabulous organizing tips on Pinterest, like the Life Binder I shared a while back. This one is amazingly simple: T-shirt filing. Fold the t-shirts, and stack them in vertically. You can fit more in the drawer, and they're easier to find!

Finally, some movie day treats! I had a girls movie day at my house for some of my teen girls and wanted to make it special. So I designed these popcorn bags, loosely based on various candy bags I saw on Pinterest. They're stitched together, which might make me crazy, but they were soooo cute! And the girls loved them! I did learn, however, that you should sew in some wax or parchment paper to prevent the oil stains.

And what good is a movie party without fun cookies?! The Pinterest ones were brownies, and since I don't do chocolate, I made these! Way cuter, in my opinion. And soo yummy!

Well, that's it for now! My fabric should be done drying so I can get started on my next project: A duvet cover! Happy Pinning :)

Love's Nerve Damage

It didn't take as long as I expected to set up my part of the free concert at the church tonight, so I decided to do a quick little blog post...

So, remember my little tryst with the bridge we call Golden Gate? Well I'm pretty sure I did permanent damage to my knee during that little exciting ride. That day was four months ago, yet my knee is still very sensitive. Certain clothes will make my skin tingle. And the slightest little bump sends shooting pain through my knee. Like tonight.

I accidentally banged my knee on a corner walking out of the sound booth. It was just a little bump. Most people would've said "ow" and moved on. Me? I started hopping in place, clutching my knee, with tears in my eyes. And now it's sending random bursts of pain whenever it feels like it. Nerve damage? I'm assuming. But I guess I'll have to live with it! Time to make the popcorn :)

<3 I believe in Love <3

Where Have All the Leaders Gone?

So I'm feeling a little convicted, and a little jealous, and a little....if-I-put-it-in-words-people-will-think-I'm-nuts. Because that is totally an emotion. I don't know how much to share. Because I don't know if it will seem petty, or mean, or justifiable, or too real. But I'm feeling so torn, I'm just going to go for it. And maybe I'm missing something, maybe one of you will have something to share or...whatever. So here's the deal:

When we went to the Global Forum on Human Trafficking this year, there were three girls (roughly our age) sitting in front of us. Through every speaker, they were talking. Getting up and coming back. Playing on their phones. Even talking on their phones. In the middle of a conference. They were being really disruptive. For a day an a half. To the point my friend, who I love and is way mouthier than me, was about to tell them to please be quiet, when they all just got up and left. Imagine our surprise when they show up on stage as the directors of different projects! My friend and I just looked at each other like, "Umm, wait. WHAT?!" They went on to share all the great work they were doing in their respective areas, but to this day, I just cannot match up the girls I saw all weekend with the leaders on stage. Where's the integrity? Leaders, in general, should be leaders both in public and private, right? That's what I've been told all my life. That's what all the good leadership books say. And if your boss, your leader is speaking....shouldn't you listen? Set the example? And you know, to be fair, we did think maybe they were having a bad day. We've all been there when we talk during a speaker. But through a whole conference? As a leader?

I know I'm not perfect. But I try very hard to make my life just that-my life. Not a church life, and a work life, and a private life. One unified life. Nothing to regret or explain to someone. Yes, I'm human. Yes, I mess up sometimes. But as a whole, I think who I am and who I present to people are pretty much one and the same. So it makes me look up at God and just kinda ask, "what gives?" when I see people doing things I would kill to be a part of, yet acting like...well, kinda like spoiled kids. That's kinda harsh, isn't it? Maybe that's not the right way to put it. But honestly, the way those girls acted when sitting in the audience had a bigger impact than anything they shared on stage.

And then, today. Today I log onto Facebook and see this post from Not For Sale:

"Three years ago someone told me not to say that we are going to change the world because very few people have actually changed the whole wide world. For a while I agreed with him. But now I think that it’s stupid to not say it, if it helps me get out of bed in the morning. And while, yes I aim to change the world, I will still celebrate each and every individual whose life I touch in even the smallest way." - Saskia of NFS Europe

And I think, "Wow! I looooove that!" and follow the link. And I find one of those girls staring me in the face. The article is great. I love the entire thing. I saved it and found at least three new quotes for my life. But knowing who wrote it sets me at odds. I read the quote thinking, "I may have just found a new role model"...until I saw the picture. Until I realized who said it. And I can't deny the fact that this girl is doing amazing work. Saving women from slavery. Ending human trafficking. But role model for me? No. The way she acted at the Forum took her out of the running. Which is a shame, because from that article, I really like her. That girl could be my role model. But not the one who sat in front of me.

That whole "people-will-think-I'm-crazy" emotion? Well, it's hard to put into words. Because it does kind of seem crazy. And petty. And cocky. And unfaithful. But, I guess I'm in this far, let's see how it goes. It's times like that that I think, "God, why not me? Why do they get to do it, but I don't?" and a lot more thoughts that I'm not so brave as to put down on blog. There is so much I want to do with my life. So much I want to see and do and accomplish. I truly want to change the world. I don't care what people say about it being impossible. And yes, deep down I know my time will come. I know God has plans that are way beyond my own. But it's really hard to wait patiently when you can feel the stirrings of Big Things in your heart. Especially when so many others "accidentally" get to do the things you want to.

Okay, so maybe that last paragraph wasn't as crazy as I thought it would be. The crazy thoughts haven't gained control of my fingers, so they're still locked in my head. (I think I've been reading too much Hunger Games; I sound like Katniss!) My thoughts are all tangled up with this because I really liked that article. Was inspired by it. Have made the words part of my mindset. Yet I can't match it up with the person who wrote it, the glimpse of the life that is supposedly living that. I don't like when people don't match up with what they say.

And with that, what do you think? Am I being ridiculous? Or am I justified in this? Ever felt like this?

Famine Kick Off!

After a personal three year hiatus, it's time once more for the 30 Hour Famine! Wooohooo!! For those of you who have no clue why I'm excited for a famine, let me explain.

The 30 Hour Famine is a yearly event where thousands of young people around the world willingly give up food for 30 hours to raise money for those who are literally starving. I've been doing this almost every year since I was 13, and it's always such a cool thing to be a part of! I'm especially excited for this year because many of our teens have never done the Famine before! It's gonna be awesome! Not only do we raise money to send to World Vision, but during those thirty hours, we will learn about hunger and do local service projects to give back.

Why is this whole event important? Every day, over 8000 children under the age of 5 die from hunger related illnesses. One child dies every 12 seconds from something that could be prevented with what many of us throw out. But we can stop it. I've lost count, but over the years, our youth group has saved over 200 children from starvation, and I refuse to stop there. In partnering with World Vision, we can make sure children not only receive the food they desperately need, but the medical care and education to make their futures bright.

Would you join me in this quest to eradicate hunger? It's easy! Check out my page here and simply click to donate! The cool thing is, every little bit makes a difference.

Only have 5 bucks? Boom! You just fed a kid for 5 days!

30 dollars? That kid's gonna make it another month!

$360?! Someone's going to see their next birthday!!

And World Vision rocks. Explore their website and you'll find that for every dollar they receive, 81 cents goes right to the kids! No guessing if your money actually makes a difference!

Please seriously consider what you can give to help kids have the best the world can offer. Together, we can kiss hunger goodbye!

One Month To Live

"I am convinced that it is not the fear of death, of our lives ending, that haunts our sleep so much as the fear...that as far as the world is concerned, we might as well never have lived."

Harold Kushner

I picked up this book by Kerry and Chris Shook a while back, but haven't read it yet. I have a bad habit of doing that. Mostly because I buy so many books at the CBD sales, so they tend to pile up. Anyways. I decided a few days ago to read this in February. Then I remembered that February only has 28 days (well, 29 this year...Happy leap year!).

So, obviously, that means I had to start it tonight!

Through their ministry, the Shook's noticed that so many people make drastic life changes when they find their time on earth is drawing to a close. Their priorities are clearer. Their lives become richer and more meaningful. Their relationships and conversations are more important. So the Shook's started thinking, "Why don't we live that way all the time?" Why do we wait until the end to be the people we want to be, to do the things we want to do?

I like the idea of living purposefully. It's kinda my mantra: "Live on Purpose", "Live Loud". These are quotes I have around on a daily basis and try to live out. But its easy to get distracted. Life gets in the way of living, sometimes. Its a weird paradox, but its true. We get caught up in the doing, the busyness, the stuff. And we forget who we are, what we're made to be. I don't want to get to the end of my life and have nothing to show for it. I want to have the stories, the proof, that I lived my "dash" to the fullest. (The "dash" is the space between the day you're born and the day you die. Think tombstone. There are only two dates on there, but the thing that matters most is how that dash between them was spent. [This idea came from the book, by the way, not my own brain.])

So for the next 29 days, I will be working my way through this book, working to purposefully live my life and make it habit. I might occasionally blog about it, or it might all be personal and live in my journal for a while. But I'm doing it. A Personal Challenge! (Unless one of you wants to pick up a copy and go through it with me!)

"We are what we repeatedly do.

Excellence, therefore is not an act, but a habit."

Aristotle