Wild Woman Wednesday

Are you kidding me?  Shut the front door!  Get outta here!  For real?

Wild Women Share!

How great is it when you get together with your besties/gal pals and share information on any and everything?  Last Friday night I had the privilege of going out to dinner with three fantastic friends, and we talked for hours about finance, travel, food, careers, motherhood, retirement options… concepts, notions, laughter and inspiration flowed!

Then just this morning I was chatting with two coworkers and we were discussing finances and how to save money, etc.  It’s amazing the ideas you can come up with, and how one good idea will spark another.

So here’s my frugal “friend find” to share with my Wild Women readers today as we continue in our “Frugal in ‘14” theme…  

I love my Kindle, and I love recipes, and of course the two just go hand-in-hand when you think of how many wonderful cookbooks are out there.  However… it’s all too easy to rack up debt faster than a bunch of good recipes.  What’s a cook-and-book lover to do???? 

I found a great website over at www.moneysavingmom.com, where she lists all kinds of FREE KINDLE BOOKS ON AMAZON!!!!  Oh yeah, woo-hoo, I hit the motherlode!!!  So far this year I have saved over $300 on free books.  Yep, three Benjamins and change!  How great is that?!?!?!  I’ve gotten a variety of different books, and today I snagged several cookbooks.  Here’s the link (which also does include some books for a minimal cost as well):  http://moneysavingmom.com/tag/free-ebooks.  One thing – you have to snatch up these savings quickly over at Amazon, because the free price tag isn’t forever.  If you don’t get it that day, it might go up to full price next time to click. 

I hope this will get you saving and reading today.  Go wild!  And do email me at linda@coachlindabush.com with all your tips and tricks on how you are saving money this Frugal February!  Best ideas will be posted here on the blog!

Blessings,

Coach Linda  

Wild Woman Wednesday

Wild women need their gal pals!!!  There’s just nothing like getting together with the FABULOUS female friends in your life to laugh, cry, commiserate, celebrate, hope, reminisce, dream and restore your sense of well-being and camaraderie.  I have been incredibly blessed to have the most amazing wild women in my life, from my Mom and my daughter to all my friends in between who have been there for me in good, in bad, to rejoice, to talk me off the ledge, and just to lend support and a hug. 

The problem is that it seems to get harder and harder to get together face-to-face.  Between crazy schedules, commitments and the daily chores of living, I struggle to grab time with friends who live only a few miles away!  We get so wrapped up in the minutia of busyness that before we know it, months and seasons have passed and the “oh, I need to call so-and-so” is back burnered for an unnamed date that never seems to get put on the calendar.  Wild women can easily feel isolated and overwhelmed with all we juggle, and we need the loving support of our friends.

So… today I want you to exercise your “I love my gal pals” muscle.  For the next week, seven days, I want you to make it a priority to contact your friends, one a day.  If you read yesterday’s post you know how important it is to not put things off.  So write down one gal pal’s name on each day of your planner for the next seven days and get in touch with her.  Maybe it’s been years, maybe it’s just been a few days or weeks… doesn’t matter – reach out!!!

Send a text, check her out on Facebook and post to her wall or send a message, email her, write a letter or send a card (yes, the post office still is running, Hallmark is still in business and you do still know how to write on paper), IM her, Skype.  Call and make a date!!!  

One set of my friends and I make it a point to schedule dinner 2-3 times a year, meeting at one person’s house each time.  Everyone brings something to eat/drink, and we have a blast just hanging out and talking and laughing till our sides hurt and our make-up is ruined by the tears of laughter running down our cheeks!    One of my best friends in the entire planet lives in England, but we manage to email regularly during the week.  Several of my dear friends have abandoned me moved to North Carolina, and we email – I’m also hoping to plan a trip this summer to see them.  I just downloaded an app called “WhatsUpp" to see if I can touch base with friends even faster.  Anyone else using it?

Something else I’ve been thinking of doing is having a party this summer for all my local girl friends so they can cross-pollinate!  I love introducing my friends!! 

Wild women are creative – so think in/out/around the box to make sure you stay connected, not only for yourself but for your friends.  They need YOU!  It’s too easy to drift away after a move or a job change, or a life change.  I know you’re thinking of several women right this minute – and they’ve been put on your heart and in your mind on purpose (I don’t believe in coincidence or "cowinky-dinks" as I call them).  You need her, she needs you – make it happen.  Carve out time in your schedule for your beloved friends… never ever ever take it for granted that they will always be there.  Just do it… don’t let them become buried treasure.

Gotta run – having lunch with a friend – yippee!!!!!!

Blessings,

Coach Linda

Touch Base Tuesday

Days turn into weeks… turn into months… turn into years…

It’s been said time flies, whether you’re having fun or not! Our lives are all so busy, each with our to-do lists, our daily chores and obligations. We don’t mean to become so self-focused, but it happens. I know how guilty I am of allowing my hamster wheel to become the boundary marker for my life. And the next thing I know, all my good intentions of keeping up with friends have ended up as wishful thinking sprinkled with a healthy dose of regrets.

There’s a quote from the movie Ferris Buehler’s Day Off that says, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” In the blink of an eye, the people you hold most dear can be gone. You need to make them a priority while you may, and let them know they are important to you, loved by you, treasured and cherished by you.

Before the week is out, exercise your friendship muscles and reach out to someone who you’ve been meaning to call or visit. Drop them a real live snail mail card, or an e-card, or a phone call or text or Facebook post or Twitter – but DO IT! Take ten minutes to touch base with them. As you read this, I’ll bet more than one person has crossed your mind (and heart). THAT’S the person (or people) you need to connect with now.

One of my goals this year is to be a better reacher-outter. I am blessed beyond measure with a loving family and more amazing wild women friends than you can imagine. Each person is unique and special, funny, intelligent and absolutely cherished… and I don’t want to miss one day without somehow making the time to communicate with at least one of these treasured souls. My life is better and richer and more wonderful because of their influence and love and support, and it’s time I made more of an effort to ensure they know that right down to their wild women toes! Each day this year, I will use some form of communication to touch base with one friend. I’d like to leave a legacy of love, where people would say that I made them feel special and important and loved.

That’s my goal – one day and one dear heart at a time. Life is too short – touch base today.

Blessings,

Linda