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Categories: Personal Finances

18 Ways to Save Money Fast on Low Income

Most individuals who are living on a low income believe that they are at a disadvantage and are not able to start saving money. Let me start by telling you, it’s a lie! 

Depending on what state and/ or area you live in, you may be considered low income, but that doesn’t disqualify you from building a better future. Continue reading to learn the 17 ways to save money fast on a Low income. 

pink pig figurine on white surface

How to Survive When Your Broke 

Living on a low income can be done by living below your means. The concept suggests that you don’t spend more than you earn. 

If you are short on money and need to survive until the next payday, I would suggest selling something legal that could help you get out of a financial rut. 

18 Ways to Save Money Fast on Low Income

Budget Money

Most people living on a low income only take a look at their finances when they are behind or when an emergency happens and they are in desperate need of money.  The very first step to saving money is taking a look at your finances, and reviewing the areas where you may be overspending or have poor money management habits. 

Be realistic and set a budget you are comfortable committing to. 

Start Small

One of the biggest misconceptions is that if you are making a lot of money you aren’t able to save any money. The first thing you should start saving towards is an emergency fund of $1,000. 

Start with a small investment of 25.00 monthly in a high-yield savings account; so not only will you be saving money but your money will also earn interest over time. 

Save First, Then Spend

I can not stress this enough! Save your money as soon as you get paid. Whether the funds are automatically taken from your check or whether you have to physically transfer funds, always save first before you pay bills or spend any money. 

Housing 

The biggest expense we have today is the cost of housing within our basic needs. The increased cost of living over the last few years has made a huge impact on day-to-day living for individuals and families. 

  • Consider Downsizing– Downsizing to a smaller space or even temporarily bunking with another person will help you increase your savings and minimize your biggest expense. 
  • Consider Moving To Another Location– The housing cost is heavily dependent on where you live. For example, you may only be able to afford a studio apartment in NY but in Texas, you may be able to afford a 2 bedroom apartment with a patio. Search for areas where the median income is closer to your gross income. 

Pay off Your Credit Cards 

High-interest rate credit cards that carry a high balance will continue to grow if you don’t pay them on time or pay them off. Be sure to pay above the minimum limit each month to reduce debt and start saving. 

 Create a Weekly  Meal Plan 

According to AG WEB, “The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all food increased 1% from February 2022 to March 2022, and food prices were 8.8% higher than in March 2021. The food-away-from-home (restaurant purchases) CPI was 6.9% higher than March 2021 while food at home (grocery store) prices were 10% higher than one year ago in March” 

  • Save Money by Meal Planning: Once a week sit down and plan out your meals. Write a list of items you can make meals out of, using what you already have in your pantry. Pinterest is a great source for coming up with easy low budget meals. If you need additional items to complete your meals, search the grocery store ads for items that are on sale.  Create a list and buy only the items that are discounted for the week. Going to the store with a list will help decrease spending money on foods we don’t need and stop purchasing foods we want to try but later won’t eat.
  • Pack Your Lunch– Packing a lunch every day can make a great impact on your savings each month. The average American spends 50-100 dollars a week on fast food/ restaurant lunches. 
  • Prepare Freezer Meals– Leftover food can be secured in a ziplock freezer bag and stored in the freezer for a later time. Frozen foods can last between 3 and 5 months. 

Habits 

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “ your habits shape your life”. This simply means the things we do on a day to day basis are the things that determine our quality of life. 

If you are short on cash try cutting out certain habits that don’t align with your financial goals. Habits like smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, and daily trips to starbucks  can be very costly and ultimately keep you from saving money. 

Subscriptions

Monthly Subscriptions are very big income drainers. We have all been victimized by subscriptions that we forgot to cancel that unexpectedly came out of our account when we needed it the most. 

Review your monthly bank statement and highlight any subscriptions you either didn’t know were coming out or can do without. 

Your savings account is getting bigger already! 

Extracurricular activities 

Extracurricular activities are great for staying social but can also deplete your account if you don’t have sufficient income to participate in these groups. 

Car Insurance 

Thousands of Americans are over spending on car insurance each month. Shop online for the best coverage at an affordable rate. 

Use The Envelope System

The envelope system is great for budgeting and saving money. The concept is to budget your money using only cash instead of the digital banking system. 

It has been proven that using cash instead of debit or banks cards lessens over-spending because you can physically see how much money is leaving your hand. 

The envelopes are named based on what you’re saving towards( I.e rent, electric, groceries etc), and cash is placed into the envelopes based on a percentage of your income you wish to save toward that goal each month. 

Couponing

Start couponing Now!  Couponing doesn’t only apply to food, it can also be used to cut down the cost of household items and clothing.  The weekly sales ads are filled with coupons for things like paper towels, toilet paper, dish soap etc. 

But did you know you can also use coupon codes to save money on others items too.  Ask the sales clerk at the stores you like to shop at if they have any perks for signing up for their email list. 

Here is a short list of stores that sends coupons when you sign up for their reward program:

  •  H & M 
  • Childrens Place 
  • Hobby Lobby 
  • Express
  • Bed Bath and Beyond 
  • Kohls 
  • Target ( Target Circle) 
  • CVS 

 Cash Back Apps 

Cash Back Sites  are a great way to put more money in your emergency fund. 

Sites like Rakuten and Ibotta are third party websites that give you cash back when you shop through their app or site. You can earn cash back online and in stores doing what you already do. 

 Declutter 

 Declutter your home and get rid of things you no longer need. Start with clothes and move on to furniture pieces that can be sold to help you reach your savings goals. 

Cut Cable

For the past few years, more and more people are ditching cable. Although cable companies have gotten smart to create packages including cable, internet, and the telephone its still very costly. 

I recommend signing up for only the internet services, and using your cell phone as your main telephone. 

Cell Phone Plan 

Unless you’re using your cell phone for  business purposes, I would highly suggest taking a look at how much data and talk minutes you use every month. 

Try lowering your plan or shopping other cellphone companies with more affordable prices. 

Life Insurance

Many people don’t know this but they may have the wrong type of Life Insurance; and having the wrong type of insurance can cost 3 to 4 times more. I suggest making the switch to Term Insurance and speaking with a financial advisor to start saving for investments separately from your protection plan. 

Earn More Income

Once youve adjusted your lifestyle and scaled back on your expenses, if you feel there is no place else you can cut back, its time to find ways to earn more income. 

Find a profitable side hustle that can generate passive income while you sleep. 

Side Hustle Ideas:

  • Start a Youtube Channel 
  • Start a Blog 
  • Find Freelancing Work 

Conclusion

The best time to start saving is now. You’re not a disadvantage, you are actually in the best position to start saving. Start Today and start small. Although, you are low on funds, time is the most important factor when saving money. The little you save today, the more you’ll have tomorrow.

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Categories: Lifestyle

How to Plan an Easy and Fun Easter Egg Hunt Indoors

 Although Easter is not about bunnies and candy, it is a special tradition to add to the occasion. Candy filled baskets, stuffed bunny animals, and colorful boiled eggs are memories no kid would ever forget during the Easter Holiday .  In this post I share how to plan an Easter egg hunt indoors.

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Growing Up, Easter Sunday consisted of going to church, (dressed in our best Sunday clothes), participating in the church easter egg hunt, and heading over my grand mothers house to eat easter dinner. Easter was the only holiday, outside of Halloween, that we could eat lots of candy, get fun gifts, and play games.

I absolutely loved when I would wake up to a huge easter basket filled with things I enjoyed. But my favorite memories will always be the easter egg hunt; and now that I have children of my own I plan to make even more memories they’ll never forget.

 6 Steps to Planning an Easter Hunt at Home

Step 1: Clean Your Space

 The very first step to the perfect Easter egg hunt is to always make sure your home is cleaned and safe for your little ones to run and explore.

During Easter egg hunts children are usually running and jumping looking for every single egg they could possibly find. Be sure to move furniture around to make clear paths for less injuries and mishaps during Easter hunt at home.

Step 2: Gather Your Easter Egg Hunt Items

For step two you’ll need: Plastic Easter Eggs, Variety Sorted Candy, Easter Baskets, and Non-Candy Items.

Be sure to check each Easter egg to make sure they close and open properly, as some eggs may be irregular. Also pick your child’s favorite candy that is small enough to fit inside the eggs. Don’t forget to make sure you have an Easter basket for each child to have their own.

Step 3: Fill the Eggs with Fun Treats

It’s Time to fill the Eggs! Open each egg and place the candy or non-candy item inside and close securely.

Note: if you have children with food allergies, you can add non-candy items to fill each egg. . To add an elements of surprise, you can also fill eggs with  non-candy items according to the child’s gender.  

Check out this post:

40  Egg-Cellent Non-Candy Easter Egg Fillers by Heather at Howdoesshe.com

girl in green jacket playing with white and pink plastic balls on green grass field during

Step 4: Separate The Eggs By Color

To make sure each child gets the same number of eggs, separate the eggs into colors and list which color eggs belong to each child.

Separating the eggs also helps to make sure children with food allergies don’t get things they can not eat and smaller children don’t get candy they could potentially choke on.

Step 5: Plan Hiding Spots

This is my favorite step! I love to have scavenger hunts with my children, so I find picking hiding spots to be so much fun.

For older children you can get really creative with hiding Easter eggs. You can also add clues in the eggs that possibly lead to other eggs and then a grand prize.

Step 6: Have Fun!

Have Fun! This is a great way to bond with your family at home, make sure you’re mentally present in making this an Easter egg hunt no one will ever forget.

Where do you hide Easter eggs in Your House?

  • In the closet
  • Inside Shoes
  • Under the Bed
  • Behind the Toilet
  • Under the Sink
  • In the Pantry
  • In the Refrigerator
  • On the Desk
  • On the Bookshelf
  • Inside Flowerpots
  • Inside Washing Machines
  • Inside the Dryer
  • Under the bench
  • Behind Open Doors
  • Inside Toy Bins

Conclusion

Indoor Easter Egg Hunts are so much fun and rated everyone for all ages and groups. Organize your Easter hunt at home and pick the perfect hiding spot.

Happy Easter!

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Categories: Motherhood, Parenting

Stop Putting Others Before Yourself and Make Time for You as a SAHM

As stay at home mothers, we don’t always make time for ourselves. Often enough we tend to over work ourselves to compensate for the guilt we feel, believing we need to do more because we chose to stay home. Don’t let another day go by before you decide to stop putting others before yourself and make time for you as a stay at home mom.

What Do Stay at Home Moms Do?

A woman deciding to become a homemaker, housewife, or stay at home mom in today’s society is overlooked and commonly disapproved.

You may hear opinions of others telling you things like, you just sit home and do nothing or you’re wasting your life, you should get a job.

Although, contrary to what many people assume, stay at home moms, homemakers, and housewives are the primary home managers and do a lot more than sit on couches, play with children, and wipe butts everyday.

Stay at home moms have full lists of errands and tasks running through her heads, and if there was anything on the list pertaining to herself ,she is usually somewhere closer to the bottom.

Why Do Moms Put Themselves Last?

For so many generations, mothers all over the world  have been taught to take of their family; i.e husband, children, household, before taking care of themselves.

Sadly, in todays society the well being of the family is directly linked to the mother. Whether she keeps a clean house, how well her children look, and making  sure she can make delicious home cooked meals is said to be her main focus.

Unfortunately, this only means that after everyone else has been taken care of, whatever time is left belongs to her.

 Furthermore, many stay at home moms are missing personal care like everyday showers, dental appointments, doctors visits, and sleep.

The rise of anxiety and depression in stay at home moms can be linked back to sleep deprivation, poor hygiene, and lack of social interaction.

Check out this post:

The Ultimate Beginners Guide to Regaining Your Identity After Losing Yourself in Motherhood

Do Mothers Need A Break?

Every single mother needs to take a break. Being a stay at home mom is a 24/7 responsibility with no paid time off. Not one mother can successfully run errands all day, cook, clean, and actively raise her children without taking a break.

Girl, you aren’t a robot, you’re a human being; stop putting yourself last.

 Whatever chore or errand that so desperately needs to be completed, can wait until you’ve mentally recharged yourself. Sidenote: Don’t be afraid to say NO.

Why Is It Important For Moms to Take Care of Themselves?

As I stated previously, much of the household depends heavily on the wife or mom managing the home. If the mom/manager doesn’t take care of herself , how can she affectively take care of the household responsibilities without bitterness.  Usually moms will start to break down mentally before seeing physical or social changes if they aren’t taking care of themselves.

coffee in ceramic mug served on board

10 Ways to Put Yourself First as a Stay at Home Mom

  • 1. Don’t Skip Showers- Showers are super important in motherhood. Showers can reduce depression and anxiety and are perfect to help reduce feelings of overwhelm in stay at home moms.  
  • 2. Get Out Of Your Pajamas- Although you are home, you don’t have to look like you just rolled out of bed. Start each day by changing out of your pajamas and putting on an outfit that will help you feel good about yourself.
  • 3. Drink Water- The recommended amount of water to drink in a day is  8-10 Cups.  Most people don’t understand the power of water. Not drinking enough water a day can cause dehydration and lead to lack of energy.
  • 4. Get Moving- Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. Early mornings or during your childs nap is the perfect time to work out and get your body moving.
  • 5. Take a Multivitamin B6 and B12  to Boost Energy
  • 6. Say No– Its just as simple as that; Just say No. Too Often we feel guilty because we feel like we have to be everything to everyone, and that only means that we become nothing to ourselves. Take it from me, make yourself happy first.
  • 7. Take a 1-2 hour break daily- Treat homemaking as you would a typical  working job. Take time during the day to take a break, and rest up for the remainder of the evening responsibilities.
  •  Do what ever you like during this time alone, however I would suggest turning off your phone, not scrolling through social feeds, and actually mentally reset for one hour a day. Try Journaling, Mid Day Meditation and Prayer.
  • 8. Eat while your food is still hot- One of the biggest mistakes I have made  is poor eating habits.
  • Certain habits like, not eating while the food is still hot, or eating while standing up, and even eating on the go. Give yourself the decency to sit down and actually enjoy your meal.
  • 9. Get rid of Mom Guilt – Mom guilt will suffocate you, if you let it.
  • Sometimes mom guilt can make you feel like you aren’t a human being; and you shouldn’t feel certain ways about motherhood, or being a stay at home mom.
  • You may experience thoughts like, you should be grateful you have a spouse that works so you can stay home, or some women cant even have children be happy you were able to have kids.
  • Don’t let mom guilt keep you from speaking up for yourself, or doing what you love. .
  • 10. Learn to Set Boundaries- Teach your children to be more independent as they get older. and create a space between you and them that demonstrates personal priority.  
  • Whether your children sit and wait for you to finish using the bathroom before walking in, or allowing you to eat all your food before serving them seconds, you are also important and should ask others to treat you accordingly.

Conclusion

Don’t let your responsibilities get in the way of you taking good care of yourself.

Start by putting yourself at the top of your to do list, and don’t be ashamed if you have to say no to things that don’t make you happy.

Be more intentional with your life and make yourself a priority every day.   

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Categories: Motherhood, Parenting

The Ultimate Beginners Guide to Regaining Your Identity After Losing Yourself in Motherhood

Once you have children, you can get so easily caught up in being the best mom that you stop being the best you. From day one, I proudly wear “mommy” as a badge of honor. It was and still is one of the greatest accomplishments I’d ever become. However, becoming a mom guilted me into thinking that becoming the best version of myself was selfish and irresponsible. Girl, I even thought that putting my children before me was what was best for them. Soon I’d realize that was the farthest thing from the truth.

woman sitting on black chair in front of glass-panel window with white curtains

What is Motherhood Identity Crisis?

 Motherhood identity crisis is simply the loss of a woman’s sense of individuality while actively raising children. After having children, the life of a mother mainly revolves around the needs of her kids and household, and less around what makes her, her. According to Wikipedia, Identity is the qualities, beliefs, personality traits, appearance, and/or expressions that characterize a person or group

For example, prior to having children, a mother may have been known for her unique characteristics, however once she became a mom she became recognized for just that. Identity Crisis is very common in motherhood and especially common is those women who have multiple kids.  

Why is Mom Identity Important?

A mother’s identity is very important to maintain while raising children.  The needs of children are very demanding and in the cases of stay at home moms, it is a 24 hour responsibility.

 If a mother focuses solely on her children and less on taking care of herself, she may start to exemplify certain mom burnout behaviors such as emotionally distancing herself from her children, frustration, anxiety, depression, or addictive behaviors (such as alcoholism).

A mothers identity is a crucial element in raising happy children.

Prior to losing my identity in motherhood, I had independence, one that I didn’t recognize as freedom until I had lost it. I had the ability to come and go as I pleased, I ate when and where I wanted to, I slept when I was tired, and I only had the responsibility of me.

After having children and becoming a stay at home mom, I became so absorbed in motherhood that I started to neglect myself.

 I begin eating less or while standing up, not even giving myself the decency to sit down at the table, not taking daily showers, buying things the kids didn’t need, out of guilt , over buying things for myself.

Let me tell you, save yourself from this cycle, a toy todays a forgotten toy tomorrow.

Reasons Moms Lose Their Identity

Sleep Deprivation

Sleep is very important and often overlooked in motherhood. Getting 8 or so hours of sleep in motherhood is extremely important; but often due to a childs inconsistent sleep schedule mom will start to develop poor sleep habits.

 Mothers with poor sleep habits for prolonged periods of time will often start to mimic mental disorders like anxiety, depression, or unpredictable behavior.

Therefore, physical as well as mental exhaustion can lead to a mom feeling like she has lost her grip on her identity.

 Although sleep deprivation is very common in motherhood, the normality neglects its urgency. Mothers with newborn children should try sleeping while the child is sleep to rest up for the next shift.

However, this can be difficult if you have other children, or when trying to decide between sleep and washing a load of laundry.

In many cases, moms will call outside sources for help to get the rest needed.

Lack of Support

While it does take a village to raise children, some mothers don’t have the support system needed to assist with child-rearing.

 Often enough, mothers with lack of support don’t spend ample time alone, leading to the loss of identity.

Mothers who spend a lot of time handling family and household day-to-day responsibilities, are working around the clock without a substantial break.

Support allows mom to regroup and mentally recharge; helping her maintain her sense of self.

Majority of mothers will develop support systems from parents to siblings, or friends of the family.

However, if this isn’t possible, professional baby-sitting services would be an ideal option.

three woman holding hands white walking

Social Life

Social Interaction with other adults is an important factor in motherhood and identity. Identity is often identified within social concepts, especially through Family, Government Parties, Churches, Schools, Sports etc.

The loss of social interaction when actively raising children can also have a major affect on how moms view themselves.

Not remaining active within our social groups, can lead to identity crisis, making it difficult to identify our own personal value.

In addition, moms will start to develop social anxiety if social interaction is neglected routinely.



Weight Gain

Weight gain and other physical alterations like hair loss, saggy breast, larger feet, and post-baby facial changes in motherhood can be a huge factor in losing your sense of self.

Furthermore, mothers struggling to get rid added weight, tend to become more self conscious of their appearances.

 Not being able to wear your favorite jeans, or struggling to participate in activities you once enjoyed can seriously play mind games within yourself.

 

Be Sure to Check Out:

Rediscover Your Fashion After Motherhood

Things You Should Do to Look Better and Feel Better

Self Care

Self is care is not selfish. One of the biggest misconceptions in motherhood is that self care is a selfish act. Self care is extremely neglected in motherhood; mainly because of generational notions that would have us to believe putting others before ourselves is what was best for our families.

Mothers for decades have adopted this theory, and have later realized neglecting self care is actually the worst thing we can do for our families.

For me, when I neglected self care I felt like I wasn’t human; more like a robot.

Brushing my hair only when I was going to be seen outside the house, to skipping showers because I felt there was some other pressing factor that need to come before me.

Take it from me, put you first. Nothing is more important than you, because without you and all that you do your family would be devastated.

Hobbies

Hobbies are activities within our interest that we participate in regularly; keyword here is regularly.

Hobbies aren’t only pastimes we do on weekends, they can be done throughout the week and even daily.

 Prior to becoming a mom of four I loved to dance, and after having children I started to dance less and less.  It wasn’t until I recognized my sons love for dancing that I realized I hadn’t been doing what I loved.

The lack of indulging in what interest you can cause you to lose your sense of individuality.

15 Tips for Regaining Your Identity in Motherhood

`1. Take Care of Yourself First– intentionally make yourself a priority every single day. Try waking up early in the morning before your children, and spend that time brushing your hair, showering, meditating, or reading a few pages of your favorite book.

I have found that waking up early before my children has been such a life saver in maintaining my sense of individuality.  

While most people will stay up late try practicing self-care at night, I prefer the morning before the chaos so that I am well prepared for whatever the day brings.

2. Hire/ Outsource – The day-to-day household responsibilities can feel like soul sucking obligations, and are very time consuming. My ultimate nemesis is the never-ending pile of laundry that seems to always be running over the basket.

Since outsourcing our laundry I have found more time to do the things I love. For your own mental sanity hire the help.

3. Participate in Social Groups– One of my favorite social groups to attend is church. I love God, and I love to fellowship with his people.

Church is such a great place to commune with God, meet new people, attend worship events, and volunteer. Find a social group that share your likes and values and actively participate within them.

4. Hobbies – when you do what you love its not work, its fun. You have enough responsibility on you list of things to do, do what you love!

Set aside time everyday to do what you love to do; you are a priority.

5. Get some sleep– The recommended amount of sleep is 8-10 hours. However, If you’re anything like me, you probably always get the urge to scroll through IG videos while laying in bed; but put the phone down and go to sleep.

Sleep is important and needs to be made a priority in motherhood in order to feel more like yourself again.

6. Exercise- Get active. Just 20 minutes a day can make such a huge difference in your journey to rediscovering yourself in motherhood; and I did I mention youll shed some of that post-baby weight.

7.  Ask for Help- Ask close friends and family for to help you with child-raising. If friends and family aren’t available, search a trustworthy babysitting service and get the break you desperately need.

8. See a Therapist– You’re not crazy because you see a therapist. There are hidden things that may be bothering you that you aren’t able to express or things others wouldnt even understand.  Seeing a therapist is a great way to talk about your feelings and regain your sense of self.

9. Get a New Hair Do – Nothing makes me feel more like myself more than a fresh hair cut or a new do.

10. Journal Your Thoughts – At the end of everyday journal your thoughts; the good, the bad, the ugly. Journaling is a great way to express yourself, instead of holding a bunch of mixed emotions in.

11. Spend Time Outside– The “sunshine drug”, also known as Vitamin D, fights fatigue, exhaustion, and mood swings; perfect for moms struggling to feel like themselves.

12. Take a Mini Mom Vacation– Mini Mom vacations are the perfect little get-a-ways. Leave your little ones with daddy and head for the nearest hotel.

Take this time to catch up on sleep, order room service, get a massage, or take a swim in the pool. Enjoy yourself, you deserve it.

13. Invite Friends Over for Dinner- Dinner parties are always fun; they are perfect for catching up with your friends. You can play your favorite games, eat, and even watch a chick flick.

14. Limit Time on Social Media– Take a social media break. Social media sometimes confuses reality. As mothers we tend to compare ourselves to other moms who “seem” to be living better lives. Let me just tell you no one has it all together.

15. Set Boundaries– Setting boundaries is important in regaining your identity. Boundaries can be set with your children, spouse, extended family, and friends. You have to put yourself first, and no one will value you, if you don’t require them to.

Conclusion

Ditch the mom guilt of wanting to be the perfect mom and become the best version of you. Put you first, do what you love, and get some sleep because you deserve a life you can be proud of.

Start today and rediscover yourself after motherhood.

Leave a comment and share how you are regaining your sense of self.

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Categories: Lifestyle, Motherhood, Parenting

Awesome Tips for Surviving My Family Pictures with Toddlers

Nothing is worst than when It’s time to send out those cute Christmas cards, and your child is digging in their nose or crying hysterically in almost every photo. Before Now, I have found myself digging through hundreds of photos, looking for ones I wouldn’t be embarrassed to print. Not anymore! In this post I share my top tips for surviving my family pictures with toddlers. 

Family portraits have come a long way from black and white pictures taken with poloraids and flash cubes. Cameras today are able to capture every single moment, the good, the bad and the ugly! 

You definitely don’t want to send grandma a family pic of your son digging for boogies or your husband staring down at his phone. 

Pictures before today felt so robotic, and trying to  get your toddler to stand as still as possible for every photo is a recipe for disaster. 

Toddler Things to Bring to a Family Photoshoot 

Bring on the bribes!  The best tip for surviving my family pictures with toddlers is to bring rewards and things that will make your child happy. 

1. The child’s favorite toy 

2. Snacks– Raisins, Grapes, Pretzels, Apple slices, Carrots, Celery, or Fruitsnacks are great no mess snacks. Snacks are helpful when shooting in between individual poses. 

3  Water or Clear Juice

4. Childs Favorite Song- Cocomelon is one of the top toddler sing alongs and perfect for getting your child to cooperate for family photoshoots. 

5. Bring a Stroller– depending on the age of your toddler, and the location of your photos , strollers are huge helpers. 

6. Tag Along Friend- bring someone who child loves to be around to help out and to stand behind the camera to capture the child’s attention. 

Places to Take Family Photos

Usually professional family pictures are taken in a studio. Studio Photos are great during colder months, capturing babies, and business related photos. I personally love outdoor photoshoots of families. 

The natural lighting and natures background really does capture story telling photos. Outdoor places such as, the local park, State parks, beaches and lakes are awesome places to take family photos.  Check out these places to take family pictures in NJ

How long should a family photo shoot last? 

Professional family photos can last about 1 to 2 hours. It really does depend on the size of the family and the variety of poses requested. Things like outfit changes, individual portraits or a fussy  toddler can take up lots of time when taking portrait family pictures. 

I would suggest preparing the family for a long shoot by making sure everyone has eaten and is well rested before arriving. 

Also, be sure to lay outfits out the night before, all the way down to socks and shoes, to make sure the outfit changes are seamless at the time of the shoot. 

Another suggestion would be to write out certain shots that you would like get; for example I only have one son and I like to get shots of him and my husband together.

Writing out certain shots helps to give the photographer out a lot and speeds up the photoshoot. 

How Do I Get My Toddler to Cooperate for Pictures? 

First,  I would suggest you Try asking your photographer to get the child more comfortable with the camera. Allowing the child to briefly touch the camera ( with assistance) and maybe view other photos of other kids the photographer has taken. 

Create the expectation of what is about to happen. 

Next, I would ask the photographer to allow things to happen naturally. Interact with the child and capture candid moments of the child being a child.

Position the parents around whatever is happening starting out. Once the child has gotten use to the camera being in their space the child will be more likely to cooperate for the family photo.  

How Should Kids Pose for Portraits?

1. The Piggy Back – what kid doesn’t like a piggy back ride from dad. This is a great pose to capture laughs and your toddler having fun! 

2. Skipping- My girls absolutely love to skip. It’s the perfect action pose for a Surviving Family Picture Day 

3. Holding Hands- the warmth of a parental hand is always comforting for family pictures. 

4. Lap Pose– My kids love to sit on daddy’s lap. Have dad play with them to capture these awesome moments. 

5. Hug it Out- hugs are awesome poses for family portraits, especially the really big tight hugs. 

6. Folding Arms- folding arms is a such a staple pose for children it makes them feel powerful. 

A smile is worth a thousand words- Julie A. Walker 

How to Get my Child to Smile? 

You definitely don’t want a portfolio filled with family pictures of your child not smiling. To make your kid smile, start out asking the tag along friend to make funny faces behind the camera. Kids love funny faces.

The photographer will be able to capture authentic laughs and smiles and not the fake smiles no one enjoys making. 

You can also, try tickling your child. Tickles are perfect for capturing your toddler smiling. Right after he photographer says something like “say cheese” give your toddler the one finger tickle on the side. I really does help capture some of the best family photos. 

One other thing that helps capture smiles from toddlers during family shoots are the odd sayings other than “say cheese”. Try sayings like “stinky feet” or funny made up words. 

Bring on the Props for family photo shooting with toddlers. Depending on the occasion of the shoot,  Hand Puppets, building blocks, stuffed animals, and other kids of toys or props are great additions to capturing the perfect family photos. 

Conclusion 

Portraits of Families can last a lifetime. From generation to generation family pictures have told the stories and tales that live on forever. Make your next family photoshoot one you and your toddler one you’ll never forget . 

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Categories: Lifestyle

The Best Tips For An Allergy Safe Halloween

What kid doesn’t like getting candy? The kid who got candy for Halloween they couldn’t eat! Food Allergies are such a bummer this time of year because there are so many tasty treats that include allergens like eggs, nuts, milk, and soy.  It always hurts my heart to hear my son say, What am I going to eat, is there anything for me? As a mother I am always looking for food alternatives that he can enjoy that doesn’t leave him out of all the fun! In this post I am sharing the best tips for an allergy safe Halloween.

What is The Teal Pumpkin Project?

The Teal Pumpkin Project is a movement that allows 1in 13 children with food allergies to have a safe Halloween. To be a part of the project the instructions are simple, place a teal-colored pumpkin outside your door for trick or treaters with food allergies to be aware that your Halloween treats are food allergy friendly.

The Teal Pumpkin Project is to promote inclusion for those with allergies and other ailments. You can participate in Teal Pumpkin Project by simply adding your home to the Teal Pumpkin Project Map for those in your neighborhood to participate in having a allergy free Halloween.

Allergy Friendly Trick or Treating Tips

  1. 1. Start by purchasing a teal colored candy bucket for your child’s safety. This will ensure that those around them are aware your child has a food allergy.
  3. 2. Remember to carry an authorized epi-pen in case of unforeseen mishaps
  5. 3. Bring safe snacks for your child to eat while trick or treating to avoid eating candy before reading all the labels.
  7. 4. Promote Halloween fun, not just the candy to create a different expectation
  9. 5. If no one in your area is participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project, deliver allergy free items to your friends and family to allow your child to still enjoy allergy safe Halloween.
  11. 6. Read Every Label before consuming any candy you did not purchase, even on the candy you know.
  13. 7. Do not accept any food items without a label.

20 Non- Food Allergy Friendly  Halloween Toys  

The Teal Pumpkin Project encourages families to purchase non -food items for trick or treaters with food intolerances. The Kid treats listed below are non-food items you can purchase for this years Halloween.

  • Glow sticks
  • Whistle
  • Yo-Yo
  • Spin Tops
  • Play-Doh
  • Slime
  • Fun Glasses
  • Toy Spiders
  • Toy Cars
  • Slinky
  • Bracelets
  • Rubix Cube
  • Finger Skate Boards
  • Key Chains
  • Pop Its
  • Maze Toys
  • Squishy Toys
  • Rubber Toy Balls
  • Stickers
  • Bubbles

*Please be advised of small items for choking hazards. *

Allergy Safe Candy Treats

  1. 1. Pretzels
  2. 2. Yum Earth Candy
  3. 3. Zolli Pops
  4. 4. Dots
  5. 5. Enjoy Life Brand
  6. 6. Ring Pops
  7. 7. Smarties
  8. 8. Dums Dums

Halloween Food Allergy Awareness

Children all around the world are gearing up for Halloween.  Help take the stress out of this years Halloween and encourage those around you to participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project.

Every small Toy a child receives matters and is greatly appreciated.  

May you find this post to be a blessing.

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Categories: Parenting

10 Things I Wish I Knew as a New Mom

In June 2014 I was so nervous about becoming a new mom. I asked the doctor lots of questions, I read books, and I took classes. I thought all those things would teach me everything I needed to know about motherhood. Sadly, I was mistaken. I was taught how to change diapers, swaddle, and breastfeed, but nothing past the newborn stage. In this post I will share the 10 Things I wish I knew as a new mom.

person holding baby's index finger

How to Prepare Yourself as A First Time Mom

Becoming a mother usually starts with lots of questions; either to women around us that we are close to, or our family doctor. For most women, preparing for motherhood starts with taking care of yourself first.

You can start by exercising daily, taking daily vitamins, and eating healthier choice foods. Your baby’s health starts with you and will continue on for the next 9 months.

Next I would start by asking family and friends, who have smaller children, if you could be of any assistance to them. Baby sitting is one of the best ways to prepare yourself as a first-time mom.

What better way to learn than to experience mothering first hand. Familiarize yourself with things like how to change diapers, learning how to test the temperature of warm bottles, or how to burp the baby; and whatever else beyond the new born stage of motherhood.

Mothering can sometimes feel like your being thrown into a sea of uncertainty; but as you go you will grow.

Its also important to have a financial plan when growing a family. Now I wouldn’t say you need thousands of dollars to start growing a family, but you do need to have a savings plan in place.

Start by creating a baby expense fund; and saving 10% of every pay check.  Although, you will most likely start out with gifts from the baby shower, baby expenses like diapers, wipes, formula, and clothing are constantly changing and expanding in every stage of mothering.  

selective focus photography of pink shoes on wooden bench

The Hardest Part of Being a New Mom

One of the biggest challenges of being a new mom is learning to care for yourself while taking care of the demanding needs of a newborn baby.

Newborn babies need to be feed, changed, and soothed round the clock, and at all times of night. The best advice I could ever receive was to” take care of yourself and then care for the baby”.

Now in no way shape or form does this mean to neglect your baby, its simply means to learn to care for yourself and make your needs just as important as the needs of the baby.

In the early stages of mothering, it is so easy to miss showers, and neglect self-care.

Place your baby in the arms of a spouse, care giver, or a safe place like a crib or bassinet, and take a moment to maybe brush your hair, brush your teeth, and take a quick shower.

You would be amazed at how much a simple shower can impact your entire day.  

You got this mama!

Mothering can sometimes feel like your being thrown into a sea of uncertainty; but as you go you will grow.

baby's white onesie

Things I Wish I Knew As a First Time Mom

  • You won’t be an expert in motherhood overnight
    2. Motherhood isn’t a sprint, it takes time and effort to develop a bond with your child to understand exactly what your child needs. You and Your child will be learning and growing together, give it time and ask your doctor all the questions you need answered  to be more comfortable in your new role.
  • A good mother isn’t measured by how many items you cross off your To-do list   
    1. As a first time mom I spent so much time doing things that I thought would make me a great mother, crossing things off your to do list doesn’t determine your value. You don’t have to do everything none the less, do everything right or how your mother did it to be great.
  • The most expensive item, may not be the best item for your child
    1. Do not get caught up in the latest baby item, or fancy new stroller. Social media can sometimes make you feel pressured into having expensive fancy high tech baby items. If you can afford those things, great; if you can’t get what you can and always ask for recommendations before purchase big ticket items.
  • People will offer Unsolicited Advice
    2. Strangers, Friends, and Family will offer advice but it is your job to take what you need and dispose of the rest. Some advice will be very helpful, but others may feel like they are crossing a thin line.
  • Motherhood is Not Perfect
    2. An important part of motherhood is learning to pivot when challenges happen.
  • You Are The Mother
    2. If you are married, you and your spouse will make the decisions for your family. However, if you are single you will make the decisions alone. Remember you are the mother, just because your mom or grandmother did things a certain way doesn’t mean that you should do it the exact same.  
  • Your Body is Beautiful
    2. Your body has gone through a lot of changes over the last 9 months, it will not REVERT back in a day. Give yourself some grace, your body will heal in its own timing.
  • Don’t Forget to Take Care of Yourself
    2. Learning to say No is form of self care. If you aren’t up for visitors or don’t feel like attending a family function, simply say NO!
  • Never Miss The Opportunity to Spend Time with Your Spouse
    2. Children can be very demanding, don’t forget to spend time with your spouse
  • Cherish each moment, It goes by Quickly
    2. We can sometimes get so caught up in caring for the baby and the needs of our home, that we forget to stop and enjoy the moments. Don’t let life pass you by.
  • Start with Planning
    1. Get good at planning and preparation so you don’t miss any appointments or special events,.

Becoming a Mother

 Motherhood is a journey not at destination. The road of motherhood has lots of twist and turns, but it is also filled with beautiful moments you’ll never experience anywhere else.

Although, you may be anxious  and filled with lots of questions, I hope that what you know now, will help you toward your journey as a new mom.  

Always, Takia Sharee

 

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Categories: Faith, Lifestyle

Start Today: Take Action and Overcome Your Fear

Action is defined by a rhythmic movement, occurring regularly. However fear is an emotion that’s causes immobility. The art of overcoming fear is mastered in  doing the opposite of what scares you. In this post I will discuss how to take action and conquer fear. 

woman closing eyes

How I Overcame Fear and Anxiety 

At the age 14 I was involved in a bike accident that resulted in a broken leg and hip; plus an emotional scar that would last  me until my early 30s. 

I went years without ever touching a bike, even the thought of riding a bike again would bring up unwanted memories of blood running down my face or the thought of strange people standing around me calling for help! 

After years of vowing to never ride a bike again, I finally decided to ride bikes with my husband in Indianapolis on a business trip. My heart was beating as fast as it could, without passing out.      It was the worst and yet the best decision i had ever made.

 If  the feeling of being scared and liberated all at the same time was a “thing“, this moment would define it. 

The one thing that scared me the most could only be conquered by taking action. And not just any action, the action that immobilized me. I chose not to ride a bike for years because I was afraid of that 14 yr old girl getting hit by a car again. 

In order to overcome fear in life you have to take the action you are most afraid of. Doing the thing that you fear, could be the defining moment between you and your most wildest dream. 

Why Do I Fear Taking Action? 

According to verywellmind, all fears may not be the result of a traumatic experience; such as the one I discussed earlier. 

Fear can be triggered by:

  • Imagined events 
  • Future events 
  • The unknown
  • Environmental Dangers or
  • Certain Situations

However, majority of people today that are afraid of taking action are afraid of failing. Moreover, it is very unhealthy to visualize a negative outcome that has not occurred in real-time. 

The action required to conquer your fear my seem intimidating at first, but once you have begun the process it can  turn out to be quite pleasant. 

Your Failure to take action may be the result of overthinking or procrastinating to keep from starting. 

The perfect antidote to overcoming fear is taking massive action. 

The Best Actions To Take To Eliminate Fear 

Make Decisions Quickly 

Mel Robbins’, The 5 Second Rule, is such a powerful book and tool to use when you’re trying to overcome fear. in the book, Mel mentions her life before she discovered the five sec rule and the impact it made on her and her marriage. 

Interesting enough, the five second rule is the perfect strategy to over come fear and take action. To make a decision quickly, the rule suggest that you should count to 5 and without thinking to just get up and start. 

Before allowing your mind to analyze and make a valid excuse, the rule puts you right into taking action. 

Stop Over-Analyzing 

Over Analyzing can severely paralyze your ability, leaving you feeling stuck. Many people who over analyze or overthink, can’t make decisions quickly and may also suffer with anxiety. 

Over Analyzing or over thinking  is the act of spending too much time reading between the lines and less time taking action  toward the end result. 

Thinking too much and for too long only creates more doubt and worry within yourself. Girl, Start today, take action and overcome your fear. 

Visualize Positive Outcome 

As I stated in the beginning, negative visualization and programming, predicts a negative outcome; convincing yourself that worst has already taken place.

 Although that is far from the truth, the brain is a powerful organ and uses memory to protect us in the presence of danger or harm. 

Visualization and Meditation can be used to overcome fears by mindfully focusing on the result you wish to happen. Practice visualizing yourself enjoying the act of what you may be afraid of. This practice will teach the brain to reduce sensory that protect us in harmful situations. 

Overcome The Fear 

Don’t let fear keep you from living the life you wish was possible. The best decision you can make is to conquer what scares you. 

You could be one moment away from doing something you never knew you could. Whether, you are experiencing fear because of a tramatic experience, or an imagined event, if you take action your biggest challenge can become your greatest achievement. 

Start today, take action and overcome your fear. 

May you find this post to be a blessing.

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Categories: Entrepreneurship, Lifestyle

Life Hack: How To Stay Focused on Your Goals in Chaos

Life is full of distractions and detours that can camouflage as urgent or important emergencies. During moments when those inconveniences show up, it is important that you maintain composure. In this post I will discuss how to stay focused on your goals in chaos. 

In the beginning of the world wide pandemic I was getting ready to give birth and things were very chaotic.

 The ratio of doctors to patients were slim, and the shortage of Lysol and toilet paper was far more incomparable to anything I’ve ever experienced before. 

Not to mention my oldest was being switched to virtual schooling, which meant she would learn from home with a newborn and her two other younger siblings. 

You can imagine how overwhelming things got when she needed help navigating the computer, at the exact same time of an infamous episode of the exploding diaper.  

And don’t get me started on working from home, and amount of times I had to stop what I was doing to grab one of them a snack! 

Although all those things were happening around me, I didn’t let outside circumstances excuse me from staying focused on goals and priorities. 

flat lay photography of turned-on silver iPad beside Apple Pencil

What You Focus On Will Grow

Contrary to what people may believe focus is, Focus doesn’t mean you will spend hours in a corner on a computer working and watching life pass you by.  

However, it does require getting specific on what you will allow to consume your time and energy. In order to grow and accomplish your ultimate goal, you have to have a laser like focus. 

Focus includes consistency and accuracy that would demonstrate growth in a specific area.  Having a precise focus on what you want to achieve will guarantee you less explorations down rabbit holes and more clearly defined paths. 

Be more intentional about what you give your attention to, and maximize your growth potential.  

Tips to Stay Focused in Chaos 

Define the Main Goal

To maintain a laser focus, you must  clearly define your ultimate goal. When you’ve defined your goal, keep that goal at the front of your mind day in and day out. Every single decision you make should be intentional and based off reaching the ultimate goal. 

Prioritize What’s Urgent

 Every thing on your to do list is not urgent, although it may be important. Always do what is urgent before doing what is important! Once you’ve determined what has priority, you know exactly where your focus should be. 

Manage Your Time

Time Management is very important in staying focused and avoiding distractions. Spending too much time scrolling through social media post, or watching the latest mishap unfold on the news are distractions that unconsciously pull us in and away from our focus. 

Minimize Distractions 

Try as much as possible to minimize distractions around you. Although, you may not be able to eliminate every distraction, minimizing those distractions will help you stay mentally focused.

According to Fast Company, “The majority of situations that do come up to distract us are not emergencies” and can wait until a later time to address. In the meantime, you can put your phone in another room or wear headphones to drown out unwanted noise. 

Stay Focused and Never Give Up 

Life Happens but set backs don’t define you. No matter what life throws your way, stay focused and never give up on your goals. When you aren’t able to control the chaos happening around you, having a laser focus will allow you to zoom in on your priorities and keep everything else in the rearview. 

May you find this post to be a blessing. 

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Categories: Entrepreneurship, Lifestyle

How to Stop Procrastinating and Start Now

Procrastinaton is the killer of many peoples dreams and goals. Alot of us start off with writing out our goals and posting them to our calendar, but never get them out of the planning stage and into manifested results. Keep reading to find out how to stop procrastinating and start now. 

For as long as I can remember I was a very huge procrastinator; and when I say huge I mean the biggest procrastinator you’d ever meet.

Starting my day with hitting the snooze button at least 20 times, I would wait til 9 o’clock at night to eat dinner or 5 minutes before an event was about to start to leave the house. 

Procrastination was apart of my daily routine, and it wasn’t until I had children that I realized, my habits will become their habits if I didn’t change. Let’s fast forward to today….

Hi, I’m Takia, and I overcame procrastination; and you can too! 

rose gold iPhone 6s on book near Apple watch

What are The Four Types of Procrastinators? 

The Perfectionist– If you are a perfectionist then you know how difficult it is to fully complete a task. Perfectionist can face many challenges with productivity because they value flawlessness over performance.

While it is very important to show a great deal of effort in your work, it is just as important to move the task along and be timely. 

The Last Minute Doer– Do you know anyone who works best under pressure? That person is what I like to call the last minute doer. The last minute doer is a professional at procrastination, but entry level at 

The last minute doer waits until the assignment is  just about due to get started. However, this doesn’t leave any room for error or mistakes made. 

The Micro-Tasker–  The micro-tasker is someone who does what is easy or small versus what is urgent. People who pay more attention to smaller task become engrossed in doing things that are usually unimportant; causing them to procrastinate and prolong efficient performance. 

Over- Planner– Over planning is the #1 cause of many people never getting started. Now don’t get me wrong it is important to plan, however, planning is an effective tool used for guidance. Your task should consist of listed or numbered steps needed to complete a task ;but performance it measured by what is done not by what was planned. 

Is Procrastinating a Mental illness?

No, procrastinating is not a medical mental diagnoses. However, procrastinating does start in the mind. The mind is the place where things go to live, or where things go to die; depending on how you think. 

How you think is a major factor in getting started and overcoming procrastination. The best way to stop procrastinating is to simply get started. Inaction produces no results, and you’ll never reach your goals if you don’t start somewhere.

Strategies for Overcoming Procrastination 

  1. Let Go of Perfection– Stop! There is no other method as effective as letting go of perfection. I can definitely understand the desire to want things to be perfect, but there many great things that are produced from mistakes. However, those types of mistakes aren’t available to those who haven’t started. 
  1. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others– Many people have trouble starting because they are comparing their beginning to someone else’s middle or end. Comparing is the worst thing you can do when your’e trying to get started and quit procrastinating. Not only are comparing but you are also forfeiting your own creativity to produce something better rather than something similar to your counterpart. 
  1. Clarify Your Goals- people don’t know where to start because they aren’t clear on what direction they are headed. Disclaimer: Goal setting is important, but it is not the result. Your goals should be clearly defined so that you can create the best possible strategy to produce a great service or product. 

4. Ask a friend to Keep You Accountable – Ask a friend whose opinion is very valuable to you,  and ask them to keep you accountable to what’s urgent. Accountability is a perfect strategy to gain motivation to stop procrastinating. 

5. Start Early–  Overcome Procrastination by starting early in the day. According to usandco, daylight has such a major impact on your productivity. Get started as  early as you can to maximize your performance and

Stop Procrastinating and Get Things Done

Don’t let procrastination stop you from getting things done. There is still time left to go after your best life.  You’ve waited long enough, stop procrastinating and start now. 

May you find this post to be a blessing. 

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