"When we set an example of honesty our children will be honest.  When we encircle them with love they will be loving.  When we practice tolerance they will be tolerant.  When we meet life with laughter and a twinkle in our eye they will develop a sense of humor." - Wilfred A. Peterson

Giving up is not an option

I have been very frustrated lately, life is not going my way in any situation.  The thought of giving up has crossed my mind many times.  If I gave up on the things that I am passionate about, where would I be?  I would be no happier or in any better situtation.  Instead of giving in to negativity, turn it around to positive thoughts.  I can do it!!!!!  Don't ever give up, it is not an option!

Traveling for Thanksgiving

Every year my parents, my in-laws and my family all go away for the holiday.  We find a place that suits us all and is definitely in our budget.  We split the cost of the food and the cost of the house.  This year we are heading to Virginia.  The house is costing us a total of $600 dollars for an entire week.  So that is $200 per family and the cost of the meals that family volunteers to make.  I think that is a great bargain for a vaction and holiday all in one.  Also you are only using 3 days vacation for an entire week off.  We get to spend time with our families but also get to exlore new places.  We do have our alone time with our own families and it gives us another option for Christmas shopping.
To me this holiday/vacation time is priceless.

Point, Click, and Save: Mashup Mom’s Guide to Saving and Making Money Online

Point, Click, and Save: Mashup Mom’s Guide to Saving and Making Money Online Did you know that being a stay-at-home mom can actually pay more than going to work out of the home? By the time you deduct childcare, gas, clothing, eating out and taxes, you might not be making as much as you think.
Author and blogger Rachel Singer Gordon says that if you dedicate those hours to saving money and earning a little online, you could come out ahead of the game financially and emotionally.
Rachel runs MashupMom.com where she helps moms learn how to save and earn in order to stay home with their kids. It’s the mash-up of the two that is her secret – well, not much of a secret since she wrote about it in her book Point, Click, and Save: Mashup Mom’s Guide to Saving and Making Money Online (CyberAge Books, 2010). 
http://www.mothersclick.com/home-garden/discussions/point-click-and-save-mashup-mom-s-guide-saving-and-making-money-online-book-

Taking one step at a time

As I watched my son try to walk in his new little sneakers, I realized that life is like learning to walk all over again.  Every change in our life causes a reaction; sometimes good and sometimes bad. 

He is walking really well barefoot but, as soon as you put shoes on his little feet, it's like he is teaching himself all over again.

I have been working in the same job for over 10 years and am very confident in what I do. Everything  is second nature to me because I have been doing it for so long.  Now that I have started my own business I have to teach myself to be confident in what I am doing all over again.  I know that I enjoy helping moms work from home and it really isn't like work but, I need to build up my posture.  I know that I will succeed it is just going to take one step at a time.

Saving Money while on Vacation

Camping is a great way to save money while on vacation.  We took our 13 month old son on his 1st camping trip this weekend.  It was great, he loved it. 
I have camped all my life and enjoy it much more than being couped up in a hotel.  Don't get me wrong I like the luxury hotels and spas for special occassions.  We even went camping for our honeymoon.  We towed our pop-up with no heat/ac all the way to Maine and spent the week.  It was romantic and relaxing, just what you need after planning a wedding for almost a year.  We spent well under $1000 on our honeymoom.  Not many people can say they spent less than $1000 on their honeymoon.
Money saving benefits aren't the only advantages of camping.  You have your own linens, you don't have to pack the car and unpack the car, you have your own kitchen and bathroom and these are just a few of the benefits of camping.
We now have a travel trailer with the luxuries like heat/ac, a queen size bed and our own bathroom.  Don't get me wrong tent camping is fun but it is not for me anymore.

Ways to save money while camping:
Make breakfast in the morning
Pack lunch for the day.
Go for hikes (they are free)
Ride your bikes (again free)
Cook dinner over the fire
Have family time while roasting Marshmallows andtelling stories
Take food like spaghetti, pancakes, trail mix, PB&J
Play games (free)
While in the car play I Spy or other games to occupy the time

There are many other great ideas to save money while on vacation.  Enjoying your time with your family is the most important part of vacation so don't worry about the money and go camping!

What are you willing to sacrifice?

"For everything you gain, you give up something.  How much are you willing to sacrifice for your dream?  Your answer will determine your future.  Sometimes the greatest obstacle to tomorrow's success-is today's success." Author unknown