by Jasmine Shirley | Jul 18, 2015 | Learn + Grow
I was a young mother and although I was blessed to keep my life at home I needed to provide for my little one. I had heard all of the “horror” stories about parenthood, so to be sure that I was able to provide financially I started saving. Saving early has put me in the position to shop, travel and live comfortably at the age of 24. Here are 5 ways I was able to get here:
- Take advantage of gift cards
- When the holidays rolled around and those relatives that didn’t know what to get me gave me gift cards your girl saved them like my life depended on them. Gas cards, movie cards, restaurant cards, save them and use them whenever you are able to
- The envelope method
- The envelope method is used typically when budgeting and to save you will need a budget honey. Once my money was deposited into my bank account I would leave the amount needed for any automatic transactions such as phone bill, rent, etc.
- Then I would take envelopes and label them according to my expenses: gas, food, shopping, etc.
- The money, if any, that was left over and not needed for my automatic expenses is the money that I would take out and distribute into the envelopes.
- Buy a Safe
- Target has a few safe options you can purchase. I purchased a safe that I kept in my room. The money that I was not using for going out, shopping or eating out I would put away in this safe and pretend to forget about it
- Over time I would continue to add to the safe instead of making envelopes for leisure activities and soon I needed a bigger safe.
- Get a savings account
- I got a savings account once I got the hang of budgeting my own money. One I opened a savings account I had a certain amount of money deposited into my savings account each paycheck.
- I started off with just $5 and began to add more when I got multiple jobs or more income
- More Income
- When school was out or I had extra help with my child I was able to work multiple jobs at a time. With more income there is more money that can be saved.
- Consigning clothes was something I really got into. As the trends changed or the need for more money came I would go to consignment shops, Plato’s Closet, and sell any and everything they would take.
- Saving my change really made a difference in my income. I would throw my change in a water jug or my old save and every 6months to a year I would go to CoinStar and cash it in. You will be surprised what your change can add up to.
Spread Love and Happy Saving!
Jasmine Shirley
by Nadya Logan | Jul 8, 2015 | Family + Relationships
It’s summer time! And what better way to cool down other than spending the day at your local swimming pool? But are you aware of the problems that may arise from swimming a pool?
- If a pool looks like it’s clean, then it’s obviously clean.
Fiction! In most cases, you would be correct. But there have been instances where dangerous microorganisms have been present in a seemingly clean pool. If the pool reeks of chemicals or you see something fishy, don’t take the chance.
- I can get sick from swimming in a pool.
Fact! According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), 1,326 reported to be affected by recreational water-associated outbreaks during 2009-2010. Swallowing, breathing, or having any form of physical contact with contaminated water can spread a variety of illnesses.
- If I can smell a strong, chemical-like odor coming from the pool, then the pool is super clean.
Fiction! If you can smell the chemicals coming from the pool, it’s not because the pool was recently disinfected. The smell is a product of a mixture of chlorine and other containments that form from unhealthy chloramines growing in the water. In short, a well-maintained pool has little-to-no odor.
- It takes time for chlorine to kill all of the germs that may reside in a pool.
Fact! Even though most germs are killed within minutes, germs, such as Cryptosporidium, can live in a pool days after the pool is treated.
All in all, if it smells bad or looks bad, then 9/10 it’s probably bad. Keep safe as you have a fun summer.
by Nadya Logan | Jul 6, 2015 | Lifestyle+Culture
July is National Blueberry Month in the United States. One cup of fresh blueberries contains 84 calories, 0.49 grams of fat, 0 grams of cholesterol, 21 grams of carbohydrates 3.6 grams of dietary fiber, 1.1 grams of protein, and meets 14% of daily requirements. In honor of the eccentric holiday and healthy fruit I am going to give ten reasons to incorporate the blue fruit more in your life—or at least when it’s in season.
- Blueberries are full of nutrients.
Iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, manganese, zinc, copper, folate, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and more nutirents important for your diet.
- Blueberries can help maintain brain function and improve memory.
In 2012, the ANA (American Neurological Association) published a study that was conducted for six years that shows blueberries can delay cognitive aging for up to 2.5 years.
- Bye, Bye, UTIs!
The compounds contained in blueberries prevent bacteria from attaching to bladder walls, including urinary-tract infections.
- Milk isn’t the only substance that can build strong bones.
Blueberries contain iron, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and vitamin K—all of which contribute to the growth and maintenance of the bone’s structure and strength.
- Blueberries can put a stop to cancer.
The powerful antioxidants in blueberries help protect cells against cancer-causing free radicals. Blueberries also help to prevent the growth of tumor cells.
- Blueberries promote a healthy digestive system.
Blueberries contain fiber, which is how blueberries help to prevent constipation and assist with digestive regularity.
- Blueberries make you feel full longer.
One of the reasons that dietary fiber is recognized as an important factor in weight loss and weight management is because fiber increases satiety, reducing your appetite. The fiber that you digest consuming blueberries does all of that while lowering your overall calorie intake.
- Blueberries can be heart healthy too!
Fiber, potassium, folate, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and other phytonutrient content supports heart health, and can be found in blueberries. The fiber found in blueberries can also help to lower the total amount of cholesterol in the blood and decrease the risk of heart disease.
- Blueberries can turn the negatives to positives.
Studies have proven that blueberries have “anti-diabetic” effects because it helps to improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels.
- Don’t look like a blueberry!
The vitamin C found in blueberries works as a nutrient in our bodies to help prevent damage to our skin caused by the sun, pollution, and smoke. The vitamin C also promotes collagen’s ability to smooth wrinkles and improve the overall texture of your skin!
xoxo,
Nadya
by Nadya Logan | Jul 2, 2015 | Lifestyle+Culture
With the kickoff of summer comes the kickoff of the natural hair craze for some individuals. And if you are letting your hair free in its natural state during the summer heat, then you must have coconut oil or some type of natural oil on your bathroom counter. But did you know that coconut oil can serve more purpose besides moisturizing hair or cooking?
Organic coconut oil can be bought from almost anywhere with the prices ranging from $8 to $15.
In this article I will give you five ways to get the most use out of your jar of coconut oil and save some money in your pocket.
- Body oil
As a solid, you can use coconut oil as a replacement for your lotion.
- Lip balm
Once you scoop some coconut oil into a small container, you can apply coconut oil onto your lips the same way you would apply Vaseline or petroleum jelly.
- Eye cream
Instead of spending a bunch of money on expensive eye cream, you can substitute it for coconut oil.
- Makeup remover
Applying liquefied* coconut oil on cotton pads and allowing it to soak overnight in a container will make great makeup removal wipes.
- Shaving cream
You can use liquefied coconut oil as a substitution for shaving cream and not only will you get a close shave, but you will also have moisturized legs because of the oil.
*Generally when buying organic coconut oil it comes as a creamy solid that can turn into a liquid once heated to 76°F.
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