This post is part of a series.  To start the series from the beginning, click here.  To browse through the series, click here. Creating a budget is necessary in order to maintain financial freedom and live well within your means.  If you don’t have a budget, how would you know what ‘within your means’ really is? There are so many different ways to budget and each person needs to budget in a way that works best for them. One thing to think about is whether you will use Forward or Reverse Budgeting.  Reverse Budgeting is where you determine your savings ...

I've recently decided to start eating less carbs to help flatten my stomach for swimsuit season.  So, I took to the internet to see what great foods you can make with minimal carbs and I found Lettuce Wraps!  Simple, yes.  I've learned so many things to do with a lettuce wrap being substituted for a bun. My favorite Lettuce Wrap currently is to make a taco in the lettuce wrap.  I've got cheese, black beans, tomatoes, avocado, and ground beef with taco seasoning.  The one thing I found odd about this recipe is that I wanted all of the items ...

Creating your own blog photos or photo stock is very easy and inexpensive.  This is great news since photos can get quite pricey. Here's what to do: Buy some blogging goodies.  Things like paper clips, clothes pins, note pads, and anything else you would like to see in your photos.  My favorite place to get these things is at Target in the front $1-$5 section when you first walk in.  Other places you can check are the dollar store and Amazon. Find a suitable background.  I happen to have a white table and a white desk that I use as ...

I had a fantastic idea the other day while thinking about fun munchies.  In the summer, funnel cake is the most amazing thing ever.  In the winter, I'm a huge fan of puppy chow, also called monkey munch by some. So, onto the fantastic idea, Fried Puppy Chow!  Of course if you have two amazing things and you put them together you have one fantastic snack! I call this recipe an experiment because I learned a few things in the process.  I'll explain what I did and then I will explain what I think will make it even better! Chex ...

Now we all know money can't buy everything. In fact, sometimes money can be more of a hindrance than a help.  So, for those who say they never want to be rich because of the headaches and hassles that come with the territory, here is how you make sure to succeed. Don't sign up for 401k - Employers who offer 401k will match your contributions up to a certain percentage. This is a sure way to at least double, possibly even triple or more because of stock and bond increases. Don’t create financial goals – Financial goals can cause stress ...