Amazing Gift Ideas [Ask Away Holiday Gift Guide]

Friday, November 30, 2018

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The most wonderful time of the year is finally here! It's time to get a head start on your Christmas shopping this year.  If you're Christmas shopping on a budget, great! Because the ideas I'm going to share with you today are budget friendly and there's something for everyone on your list!

2018 Christms Home Tour

Wednesday, November 28, 2018


   I love this time of year, mostly because I love transforming my home completely into a festive wonderland.  I put all of my regular home decor away, very carefully, and I spend Black Friday putting up the tree and decorating the entire house.  It's been a tradition of mine since I had my first apartment when I was 21 so of course I've kept it going.

Today, I'm super excited to show you my home tour of my Christmas wonderland!

Saving Money When You are Bad with Money

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

 Some people are great with money. They always were. They put themselves through school without ever borrowing money. They got a job as soon as they were able. They put some aside each week for a rainy day. They’ve always had savings, and they’ve never needed to borrow. These people never spend more than they can afford to and they always make sensible and well thought out financial decisions.

Unfortunately, we’re not all like this. Especially when we are young. Credit is offered as soon as we are old enough to take it and it’s all too tempting to accept. We spend more than we earn on things that make us happy and we soon find that we are in debt. Repaying these debts can mean that we’ve never got any spare cash, we struggle to afford day to day expenses, and money is always tight. There’s no chance to save, and when there is, we’re so used to our financial situation that we don’t save it. We spend it, enjoying the little extra in our pockets for a change.

But, saving is crucial. If you never save any money, you’ll never be able to pay your debts off. You’ll never be able to afford large luxuries like holidays, and even without these, at some point, you’ll want to start putting some money aside so that you can retire in comfort. Here’s a look at how you can save money, even if you have always been a spender.



Photo Credit




Change Your Mindset

If you’ve spent a long time with debts, it’s probably just become a way of life. Something that you never give much thought to. Sit down and look at what you owe. Work out what you are paying each month in interest — times that by 12 for a year. Then by 20, which is perhaps how long you’ll have that level of debt without paying it off. Which you will have if you keep spending.

This can help you to realize just how much your debts are costing you. It’s sure to be a lot more than you think and taking ownership of this information is often enough to change your mindset and your attitude towards money.

Invest it

If you are bad with money and always spend whatever you’ve got, investing can be a great option. Almost like you are hiding your money from yourself, while also letting it work to make you more money. If you’ve never invested before, read ‘https://budgetboost.co/betterment-vs-wealthfront-vs-vanguard-review/’ for some help on how to get started.

Set Yourself a Goal and Set up a Direct Debit

Ask yourself how much you want to save in the next year. Give yourself a goal. Then, divide that by 52 to see how much you’d need to save per week to hit your target. Compare this with your budget to make sure it’s a realistic target and reduce it if not.

Now, set up a direct debit to automatically transfer this amount into a separate savings account each week. Even if it’s only a small amount of money, it’s saving, and it will soon start to add up. Read more about savings accounts here, https://www.magnifymoney.com/blog/earning-interest/best-online-savings-accounts275921001/.

Enjoy it

Let yourself feel good about your savings. Even a small amount is you working to make a positive change to your life. Enjoy watching your small savings pot grow.




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Affordable and Safe Ways for Dogs to Celebrate the Holidays

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Affordable and Safe Ways for Dogs to Celebrate the Holidays


Everyone knows my dogs ARE my children so it's no surprise they play a major role in the Holidays in our home.  That being said, there's a few things you need to do in order to ensure they stay safe, and also some ways to celebrate with them that won't break the budget.  So today, I'm going to share some affordable and safe ways to celebrate the Holidays for your furry friends!


Books I Recommend You Read [November]

Monday, November 26, 2018

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I was super busy this month so I only read a few books but here they are...



8 REALLY Interesting Things About Me

Wednesday, November 21, 2018



Whether you're a longtime reader or you're just tuning into my blog, there are some really interesting things you should know about me.  Some I've shared before and some I'm just now speaking about. From my dog being stolen to eating wings at a complete stranger's house before realizing it, you're bound to get a few laughs and a few shocking gasps out of these 8 interesting things about me.

How To Christmas Shop On A Budget | FREE PRINTABLE

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Christmas Shopping on a budget


You know how it is.  You're on a roll with your money, you've been spending very carefully, your budget is completely balanced, and you haven't accumulated any more debt in the last few months.  Then, almost out of nowhere, the holidays come whooshing right in to leave financial chaos in their tracks.


Even the most disciplined people struggle with holidays because it means spending money and often times, they don't have the money to spend.  But with a little pre-planning, you can nail Christmas gifts and stay within a comfortable budget.



Tips on Lowering Utility Costs for the New Homeowner

Monday, November 19, 2018

Congratulations on the purchase of your new home! Buying a house is both exciting and nerve-wracking. Owning a home is different from renting in that all of a sudden, everything is your responsibility, including the indoor and outdoor maintenance and monthly bills like utilities and insurance. The thought of all that financial responsibility can be overwhelming, but it doesn't need to be. Here are a few tips on how to lower your utility costs and keep more money in your budget for other priorities.

How To Manage Your Child's Christmas List | FREE PRINTABLE

Are you already dreading how much new stuff your home will be full of after Christmas this year? 


Do you already envision the non stop wrapping paper mess and endless gifts from relatives?
 
Of course within a week everything is neglected and stacked in piles in the dark corners of your kid's bedroom? 


Yeah, it sounds pretty wasteful doesn't it.  So many parents seem to be embracing the idea of a more organized Christmas when it comes to the gifts their children receive from Santa, their parents, and extended family members. 


 

Age Is Just a Number: How to Stay Your Young, Vibrant Self

Sunday, November 18, 2018

The world could be accused of playing a cruel trick on us mere mortals. In the olden days, elders were given the most respect out of everyone in the clan, but in today’s world, it’s youthfulness that we admire and promote. Alas, none of us are Benjamin Button: we’re all marching in only one direction, and there comes the point where we need to wave goodbye to our youthful side. Or do we? Not necessarily. We don’t have to accept being “over the hill” any more than we have to accept anything else. Below, we take a look at a number of ways you can stay your young, vibrant self, none of which require too much effort.
Source: Pexels.com

Win $200 to Kohl's!





GIVEAWAY DETAILS 
 
Prize: $200 Kohl’s Gift Card

Co-hosts: Crayons & Cravings // Mom and More // Coupons and Freebies Mom // Capri's Coupons // Mama's Mission // Java John Z's // Time to Thrive // SWEETHAUTE // Ottawa Mommy Club // Mommies with Cents // Beautiful Touches // Surviving Mommy // Happy Mothering // GenTwenty // Sweating Champagne // Miss Mental // mail4rosey // La Passion Voutee // Home Jobs by Mom
Giveaway organized by: Oh My Gosh Beck!
Rules: Use the Rafflecopter form to enter daily. Giveaway ends 12/7 and is open worldwide. Winner will be notified via email. Please email becky@ohmygoshbeck.com with any questions regarding the giveaway.

Hey bloggers! Are you ready to grow your blog and gain more followers? Join our free email list to get the scoop on how you can be part of an awesome group of bloggers who are getting new followers fast every month. You’ll be the first to know about free giveaways, exclusive discounts and special opportunities! Visit ohmygoshbeck.com/opps for more info.
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How to Host the Holidays without Losing Your Mind [FREE PRINTABLES]

Friday, November 16, 2018

How to host the holidays without losing your mind

Remember when you were a kid and you were so excited for the Holidays and getting to run around and play with your cousins? You were so amped up for that meanwhile your mom was running around the place like a crazy woman yelling at everyone to help her clean and stay out of the kitchen while she prepares the food.

Fast forward to now, are you that parent?  Are you that host?  Do you love hosting the holidays in your home until the few days before when you realize you need to get your home in order and go to the grocery store? It's okay, because I used to be that person.  And today, I'm going to show you how you can host the holidays and stay completely sane!

My Sweet Stella Turns 9!

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

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I can't believe it myself but the youngest member of my wolf pack turned 9 over the weekend!  Sweet Stella is still under the double digits though, so I'm remaining calm. 


We celebrated Stella's birthday with tons of snuggles, some delicious wet food (which is a special treat for her), and a present!

Dating In The Modern World: Is It Easier Or Harder?

Monday, November 12, 2018



I don’t think many of us particularly enjoy the dating scene or this period of our lives, am I right? Sure there is an element of fun to it. You get the chance to meet new people, experience different relationships and it gives you the grounding to be sure on the decision for the person you want to spend the rest of your days with. I found my partner and I couldn’t be happier. But, these days I think the dating side of things can be a little more complicated than it used to.





Going back a few decades, you would attend dances or be out on the town. You would meet someone and if it felt right then that is how it would be for life. More couples these days break up than stick it out and I certainly think it is a generation issue. However, when it comes to dating, is it easier now or back then? There are so many different options to consider these days and so many routes you can explore. I guess in some respects that makes it easier as you have much more choice. But again, choice can then make things complicated. I wanted to share with you some of the options you can consider now in today's world when it comes to dating. It might give you a few new avenues to try yourself.

When Your Expenses are Greater Than Your Income | How To Fix It

How To Fix Your Expenses Being Greater Than Your Income


You're desperately staring at your budget , showing a very BIG negative number when it comes to your income MINUS your expenses. 



You feel overwhelmed and hopeless. You're already taking action to save money and curb your spending, how can you possibly do more?


You are not alone, and there are many ways you can fix this situation.  Sometimes you just don't know where to start.

And today, I'm giving you plenty of places to start.

The Many Benefits of CBD from Diamond CBD

Friday, November 9, 2018



If you haven't heard of CBD yet, you may be living under a rock because it seems everyone is talking about it and the many benefits.  Celebrities, athletes, and everyday people are turning to CBD and are proud to talk about it.  As a blogger, I enjoy educating others about things I strongly support and understand.  For years, I've embraced CBD and informed others around me about the many benefits of it.  

CBD products are popping up everywhere in a variety of forms and as a solution to a wide variety of ailments. Today, I'm going to explain to you what CBD is and I'll talk about the many benefits of using it.

My Organized Work Tote + A Giveaway from Thirty One

Thursday, November 8, 2018

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Leopard print thirty one tote bag


In an ideal world, us women would only have to carry one bag.  It would contain all of our stuff for work, play, and survival.  Somehow it would magically weight NOTHING and it would never be too big and bulky.  It would be gorgeous and it wouldn't hurt your shoulders.

Too bad this ain't an ideal world.  And as much as I love handbags I really don't think it would be possible for me to be able to haul all of my personal things AND all of my work things. And most of you can probably relate.   But did you ever notice how annoyed and grumpy we seem when we are hauling all of our stuff?  It shouldn't be like that!! And that's why I always tell people to invest in a work bag that you love!



My Complete Closet, Dresser, and Vanity Organization Makeover

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Complete Closet Organization using Container Store Products

Have you ever re-organized a closet and after a few months you still feel like it's not good enough? You continue to fumble around with your current system and try to believe that it's good enough but it's just not.  That's how I started to feel and I shook it off and tried to deal but month after month I just couldn't deal. I didn't have enough room for all of my shoes, folded pants were getting crowded, and my handbags were falling over and not fitting perfectly into the top shelf.  So I decided to do something about it and I'm so stoked to show you how it turned out! 

4 Incredible Things to Know About Geothermal Energy

Tuesday, November 6, 2018


Geothermal energy is on the rise as a source of sustainable, renewable, and clean energy. Geothermal energy has applications that range from single-home heating and cooling to geothermal power plants. Here are four incredible things to know about geothermal energy.

Geothermal Energy Is a Constant Source
494344883c48f9b8019aceb186a5aae1.jpeg
Image via Flickr by USDAgov

How To Stash Cash for Christmas Gifts in 5 Easy Steps


How to stash cash for christmas gifts in 5 easy steps

Everything is going so smoothly with your finances and then out of nowhere THE HOLIDAYS ARRIVE! It's time to panic because some how you realize you have no extra money for gifts for everyone on your gift list!  It's a terrifying thought and because of that, we tend to charge everythign to our credit card.  

But, there's another way to build up your Christmas cash stash.  Actually, there's 5 of them.  If you don't even know how much money you'll need, check out my FREE Printable Christmas List and Budget.  I always fill mine out right after Summer so I have plenty of time to work with the money I have saved up so far. 

So how do you get the money set aside for gifts? 

Beat It: How To Prevent Heart Disease

Monday, November 5, 2018




Heart disease is the most common cause of death in the world. Whilst heart failure can occur naturally, it’s most often caused by an unhealthy lifestyle that leads to high blood pressure and clogged arteries, putting an extra strain on the cardiac muscles. Here are five ways in which you can look after your heart and fend off strokes, heart attacks and cardiac arrests.

Fun Ways To Spend Evenings Indoors With Your Partner



How nice it is, to spend long summer days walking hand-in-hand with your loved one. But when the weather turns? Then it becomes more difficult to enjoy the great outdoors. No, forget that, unless you’ve got an unusual love for wet and windy weather, it’s impossible. But that doesn’t mean you can’t spend fun evenings together with your partner. When the weather outside is less agreeable, you can engage in one of the many fun activities that you can do in the house. We take a look at five options below.


Source: Pexels.com




6 Reasons I Will Always Own a Honda



Have you ever been so sentimentally attached to a car that you want to cry just thinking of someday not having it? Oh well, if you haven't then you probably think I'm basket case but if you have, then you completely relate to what it feels like to own a car you LOVE. In case you haven't noticed in my previous posts about my Honda, I am so happy with my current car.  And get this... she's 12 years old! I'm always telling people the reasons to buy a Honda but I'm highlighting my top 6 today. 

Easy Ways To Look Younger

Thursday, November 1, 2018




Reversing the effects of aging is possible and it needn’t require rigorous diets or lengthy skincare routines. Here are just a few easy ways to look younger.

Get your beauty sleep
A good night’s sleep can take years off your appearance. It’s when we’re asleep that our body does most of its healing. This can make our skin look rosier and more youthful. Puffy eyes is often associated with lack of sleep, but research suggests it could actually be the way in which you sleep – sleeping on your front causes liquid in the eyes to pool up underneath, whilst lying on your back prevents this. In other words, if you want to reduce those aging eye bags, sleep on your back.


How to Stay Safe When Exercising Outside Alone




Everyone knows that exercise is a fantastic way for you to lead a healthy life. You need to do at least 30 minutes of exercise every single day because this can really help you to gain access to a ton of benefits. The main worry that people have is that they don’t like to exercise alone and they also have a lot of concerns about being unsafe as well. If this sounds like you then there are a few things that you can do to make this happen.

Always Make Sure that you Talk to your Family

It doesn’t matter whether you are going on a hike or whether you are going out for a jog

because it is so important that you let someone know where you are going. This way, if something should happen they know where you are and you can also feel confident knowing that they can come out to help you if you need it. It also helps to have the number for the best air evac company as they can then help you if you happen to experience an injury when you are out and about.
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How To Clean Your Home for the Holidays

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Let's be real here, the holidays are a great time of year and everyone seems to be in such a celebratory mood. That is until it's a day before the gathering that YOU'RE hosting and you're scrambling to clean your home and get it in perfect shape.  


I have a neat and tidy home normally so luckily the most I have to do is actually scrub or clean surfaces but I never have to waste time on removing clutter.  But for those of you that do hate to deal with that part of the clean and prep, you're in luck because today I'm sharing a tutorial on how you can clean your home for the holidays whether it's before or after.