Fun Frugal Friday

Ahhhh… it’s almost the weekend, and you and your family/friends have been working hard all week.  Time to relax, kick back and enjoy your life a bit.  So on this first weekend of Spring (after an excruciatingly looonggg winter), what can you do that doesn’t involve a screen or a lot of money? 

How about planning a weekend picnic?  Gather family or just meet up with friends and do a pot-luck picnic in the park.  Nothing elaborate, just some sandwiches and salad – toss around a football or baseball or Frisbee, go for a walk/hike, bring the dog.  If you are blessed to own a grill and have a deck or patio or yard, grill up a yummy meal to start off the season – oh won’t it smell just grand?!?!? 

Start to look around your favorite home store like Lowes for spring flowers, bulbs, herbs.  You don’t have to buy anything – just think about what you’d like to put in a garden or flower bed and begin planning it out.  Maybe get one small little pot of daffodils or herbs to brighten up your kitchen.

Check out local activities in the newspaper or online.  Libraries, museums, zoos, nearby places of interest.  Any Spring festivals going on? 

Have an impromptu night with the girls.  Choose someone’s home, pot-luck the food, maybe do a vision board together (check out my posting on vision boards – click HERE).  You could even do it as a family, or with the hubs.  It could be a lot of fun.

If you are blessed to have a fireplace, snuggle up and make s’mores and put on some background music and just… gasp… talk!  Imagine that!

Do an old-fashioned game night with family, friends, neighbors - cards, board games, etc.  When was the last time you played Monopoly or Scrabble or gin rummy?

Make plans for lunch with friends after worship service – or invite a single person/student over to your place.  Reach out and get to know someone new and find ways to bless them this weekend.

Take your journal, a devotional book/Bible/inspirational reading, and go spend time outdoors in the local park and just “BE”!  Write down all your blessings, your hopes, dreams, prayers, goals.  Write down what you see around you – birds chirping, the flowers peeking out from their winter slumbers, new buds on the trees… be mindful and intentional of the sights, sounds, scents around you. 

Take a drive “down the shore” as we say here in New Jersey.  Walk along the boardwalk and enjoy the ocean.  I love walking along the ocean when it’s still cold, with a big cup of tea in my hand.  Ahhhh…. Let those negative ions sooth away your tension.

Whatever you choose, make it a point to be outside and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation this weekend, and spend time with those you love.  Spring is a time of rebirth, renewal and restoration.  Celebrate this season of new beginnings this weekend by loving on yourself and those around you.

Be blessed and be healthy,

Coach Linda Bush

Grateful

Recently I was honored to be recognized by URS Corporation in Princeton, NJ, along with some amazing and wonderful colleagues, during the International Women's Day Week celebrations.  It's very humbling and I'm very grateful for the opportunity to bring health and wellness awareness into the everyday work environment!

Twist It Thursday

Woo-hooo we made it through the winter!!!!!!  What a reason to celebrate!!!!  IT'S THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING!!!!!

And you know what that means, don't you?!?!?!

SPRING TRAINING!

That's right, wild women, shorts and sleeveless tops and tanks and bathing suits are right around the corner, so let's get out there, stretch from a winter of gray cold dreary hibernation.  Breathe deep, face to the sun, and start movin' that body!!!

Here's a quick but powerful little Pilates move that you can do anywhere, anytime!  It's called the Standing Twist, and is demonstrated in this video clip by Brooke Siler, Pilates expert and author of Women's Health Big Book of Pilates.  As she says, it helps release and rotate the spine while challenging your core, back, inner thigh muscles and balance!

Here's the link: http://bcove.me/tyyyom2j

So start movin' and groovin and GET YOUR SPRING ON!

Blessings,

Coach Linda

Wild Woman Wednesday

Of course it doesn't grow on trees - it magically comes out of ATMs!!!!

Wild women DO NOT purposely financially handicap their kids!

When's the last time you created a long-term action plan on teaching your children how to deal with money?  Been awhile?  Ever? Still trying to figure it out for yourself?  This article in Forbes Magazine was quite informative and provided a lot of great ideas on how to teach your children well the value of the dollar!

Here's the link: 

http://www.forbes.com/sites/laurashin/2013/10/15/the-5-most-important-money-lessons-to-teach-your-kids/

It is crucial to educate your children from toddler on up about how to manage money.  There are soooooo many kids out there that have no bloody clue about how much it takes to earn a dollar, thanks to parents who have abdicated their role as parents and instead become friends who placate/reward/spoil rotten their kids with expensive toys, clothes, gifts and whatever instead of teaching them to save, or get off their sweet little dupahs and earn the money with chores, babysitting, a part-time job, etc.  You are doing SUCH a disservice to your children - you are handicapping them for life!  If they have everything handed to them, they will never feel the satisfaction/personal accomplishment of working hard for their paycheck. They will instead have a sense of entitlement to whatever tickles their fancy and all too often will expect you to provide it for them.  Or they'll just charge it (either on Mommy or Daddy's card or their own) and not realize the consequences that can mount up over that bad choice!

I want this... I want that...  Well guess what?  We ALL want things, but we ALL have to learn to wait until we have the money for it - and not join the bandwagon of all those folks who are now in debt over their heads because they racked up horrific credit card debt for instant (and not long-lasting) gratification.  Do you really want to teach THAT skill to your kids?  I think not!

So read this article from Forbes, and put it into practice - you will help your child, yourself, and the economy over the long run!  Raise financially responsible and frugal children - and be the first and foremost example to them as well!

Blessings,

Coach Linda

Tox Not Tuesday

Maybe you can't cleanse your crazy schedule and life all at once, but here's a little something that can help you healthfully detox your bod!  The editors over at Prevention Magazine posted a great article about a diet detox that isn't crazy or unsafe.  They recommend the following ingredients:  lemon, blueberries, ginger, mango, orange, parsley, peppermint, pomegranate and thyme. 

And did you know that peppermint is a natural appetite suppresant?  Hmmm... think I'll grab my essential oil of peppermint and do some pounds-dropping aromatherapy this week as I sip away at some smoothies made from these ingredients.  Yummy and fragrant!  I may even make some peppermint tea.  

Here's the link: 

http://www.prevention.com/health/healthy-living/9-essentials-diet-detox#.

Now if only it was so easy to eliminate some of the other toxic elements in life, yes?????  Enjoy!

Blessings,
Coach Linda

Wild Woman Wednesday

Wild women are sweet... and they LOVE their sweets!!!!

Unfortunately, sugar cravings are NOT always a good thing.  I'm the first to admit that the words "that's too sweet" have never as a phrase dropped from my lips.  And while I can easily pass the slice of cake (even cheesecake) and most cookies, I'm a GONER when it comes to brownies, Italian pastries, and anything "goopy"!  Over the holidays I overindulged my ravenous sweet tooth (trust me, bigger than the Grand Canyon), and I am still paying with a few extra pounds that I'm working off and those awful cravings.

Today I read a blog posting by Stephanie over at the blog site "Keeper of the Home" dealing with the topic of sugar cravings.  I think it addresses the subject well, and so I'm sharing the link with you here today:

http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2014/03/how-to-deal-with-sugar-cravings.html

Additionally, www.fitbie.com has an article entitled "The Best Sugar-Saving Restaurant Swaps" addressing the high added sugar content in much of our food.  Here's the link:  

http://www.fitbie.com/slideshow/best-sugar-saving-restaurant-swaps?cm_mmc=ETNTNL-_-1620632-_-03052014-_-TheBestSugarSavingRestaurantSwaps-hed

My body always tells me when I've had too much sugar.  I get a sugar "hangover" where my head aches and I am utterly lethargic the day after, as if I were walking through a pool of gray Jell-O!  It's not pretty...  and it's not worth it.  When I look at a brownie now, I remember the old addage "a moment on the lips, forever on the hips."  I calculate - if I scoff this bad boy down in the normal three bites, the moment of indulgence will less than five minutes.  Now how long will it take me at the gym to work it off?  30 minutes?  45?  An hour or more if I reach for the second brownie?  Is it worth it... really?!?!?!

Today, exercise your "step away from the sugar" muscles, consider how much sugar you are loading into your body, and reconsider options that will get rid of most of it!  You will truly feel soooo much better!!!

Sweetest of blessings,

Coach Linda Bush

Thrifty Time/Tracking Techniques 'n Tools Tuesday

Most busy wild women are always keeping an eye out for the holy grail of time management tools.  I admit it, I've been through a number of ways to try and management my time, tasks and life... generally always taken by the glitter, sparkle and wooing of the latest gadget or app. I remember toting every imaginable Franklin Planner -- I usually wound up breaking the spine because I crammed everything in. 

Right now I've been fairly comfortable using a combo of my Google calendar and Evernote.  Years ago I learned a very simple and functional organization/filing method from legendary time management specialist Brian Tracy.  It's called a 45-file system. This is a tickler file that lets you plan and organize your activities and callbacks for the next twenty-four months. This is how it works.

First you get a box of forty-five files with fourteen hanging files to put them in. The forty-five files are divided as follows: There are thirty-one files numbered one through thirty-one for the days of the month. There are twelve files for the months of the year. January through December. The last two files are for the next two years. This is a wonderful system that you can also use with hanging files in your desk drawer. 

Another blogger described it well - here is her blog posting: 

http://organizedlife.blogspot.com/2006/09/creating-and-using-tickler-file.html

About a year ago I was introduced to a simple and frugal method called a "Bullet Journal".  Here is the link:  

http://bulletjournal.com/  

All you use is a notebook and a pen - imagine that!  It's a beautiful thing and I encourage you to check it out.  I actually blogged about it last January!  Click HERE to read it.  I tucked it away in my memory banks, and would like to try it out, but right now I literally am juggling so many balls in the air that I'm just not ready to sit back and try to revamp my organizing methods!  I think I would like to take a mental health day this summer and steal away with just myself and my laptop and a journal/pen -- and rework my life!  

But, in the meantime, I invite you to try these recommendations in your own jugglefest called life, and do please comment or email me and let me know how it works for you, or what methodologies you find successful in your own time and life management!

Blessings,

Coach Linda Bush

Marriage-Minded Monday

You may be asking yourself, where has Linda been? 

You may have been swinging by for tips, tricks, communication and a few giggles to find the same old-same old from a week ago Thursday.  

My apologies.  I have a good reason - I have been in shock. What?  Did something bad happen?  No, no... not at all.  In fact, just the opposite.  I have become engaged to be married to my wonderful future hubs! After a lovely dinner with his family, I opened my fortune cookie and - BAM - there it was, a little piece of paper with the words, "Linda, will you marry me?"  BIG points for creativity!  Talk about being ultra-oober-surprised!!! I have been in a two week flurry of frenzied fun!  And with the wedding coming up in just sixteen short weeks, you can bet your booty that I will be featuring LOTS of workout info - because I am designing my very own "Linda's Lollapalooza Wedding Workout"!!!  

As I create my program, I am also searching the net for the best of the best.  Naturally, there will be LOTS and LOTS of pilates involved, and speaking of booties, today's video clip is a great ten minute "Bootie Barre" exercise segment that will get you kicking your own booty!  After all, when you're walking up the aisle, all eyes are on you and with your back to your family and friends, you want to be sure everything is "in place"!

So enjoy this workout -- here's two separate links that should each take you to the same video clip:

http://youtu.be/1OTZ7mMNnss

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/93660867224986720/

and have a fantastic day starting your week off right with some new exercises!

Blessings,

Coach Linda Bush

Thankful Thursday

I want to dedicate this blog post to my dear and trusted friend, Judy Craig, and my Mom who love me enough to tell me the truth when I need it, even when it hurts and kicks my butt.  Love you both!!!

I like to think of myself as being a fairly optimistic person, a little south of Pollyanna most of the time.  Like the old Monty Python song says, “Always look on the bright side of life… do do… dah doot... de doot dah doot!” 

However…

Lately I have chosen to let loose the Negative Nelly in me – she’s a bit south of Darth Vader.  Nelly is the little voice that lives to point out the bad side/points of everything in my life – from people to places to every little nook and cranny.  You gotta give her props for creativity, because she can find the down side to anything.  Some of her favorite lines usually include the words, “it’s not enough… you could do better… look at what the other person has…  it's not fair...”, and similar words that are the termites to my thankfulness.  She’s the daughter of that snake in a garden long ago that hissed doubt in Eve’s ear… and thus Negative Nelly was conceived.  She is the voice that breathes life into discontent, dissatisfaction, disgruntlement and displeasure.  Yep… she is the part of me that is the “Diva of Diss”!!!

It’s easy to allow yourself to become influenced by the circumstances of life – complex things like the economy (and how it affects you personally), the behavior/outlook of others around you... right down to the weather (she writes as yet another dreary NJ snowstorm rages outside).  It’s kind of like being a non-smoker in a room full of smokers.  You may come out a non-smoker, but the smoke has permeated your hair and clothes, it’s internalized in your lungs, and you carry the stench with you - until you choose to change those clothes, toss them in the laundry, and take a shower.  Negativity (and what we do with it) is a lot like that, isn’t it? 

It takes someone who really cares about to you have the courage to verbally hit you upside the head and call you on your “never satisfied” and “pity party thrower” sad self, and to encourage you to stop playing that same old tune and change the station! How grateful I am to have some treasured people like that in my life.

One of my favorite quotes about attitude come from Chuck Swindoll (see frame).  

So today I choose to change.  Today I will wipe the “diss” off my lenses, own my ‘tude, get down on my knees to ask God (and my longsuffering loved ones) to forgive me for being such a self-focused crabapple, and get on with the business of being grateful and thankful for the incredible life I have… right this second.  I’d rather wear a bit more rosy lenses, tinged with realism, but nonetheless more likely to see that for which I can and should be appreciative.  My blessings overflow, and it’s time my ‘tude, words, countenance and life reflected just that.

It’s like the old hymn said, “Count your blessings, name them one by one.  Count your blessings, see what God has done.”

Won’t you join me today?  Together let’s duct tape shut that Negative Nelly voice within, exercise our grateful muscles and work them out till we drop with thanksgiving!

Blessings,

Coach Linda

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  

Thirsty Tuesday

THIRSTY!  THIRSTY!  LOVE THAT WATER!!!!  GRAB A GLASS NOW!

A few years ago I found myself in the ER suffering from dehydration.  Now I didn't know it was that when I went in... all I knew was that I felt AWFUL!!!!  Two bags of fluid were administered to me via IV, and I have to tell you, when I left I felt like I could conquer the world.  It made that much of a difference in only a matter of hours... amazing!

So while this post won't be any earth-shaking news to you, I just thought it was a good time to remind you to DRINK WATER - LOTS AND LOTS!  There are countless reasons why it's good for you - just Google "Why Drink Water?" and see.  It's great for your skin (your biggest organ), your connective tissue, your organs... it hydrates from the inside out and energizes!!!



My current rule of thumb for myself  is to take my weight, divide it by two, and then drink that many fluid ounces of water per day.  That's IN ADDITION to any other liquids I drink, like tea, etc.  

Now I happen to like water, and I like it room temperature.  Perhaps you have to choke yours down... if so, just toss in some cucumber slices, or lemon or lime or orange slices, or some fresh strawberries.  I'm not an advocate of flavoring your water with artificial sweeteners or chemicals or colorings, so I don't use any of those things.  I prefer either straight up, or with some citrus or cukes (or both). I'll even put in some herbs - mint, cilantro, basil.  I sip throughout the day and usually don't chug-a-lug unless I'm working out and sweating my brains out (which always feels terrific)!!!


Exercise your gulp, gals -- get out there today and up your H2O intake!!!  You'll be glad you did - and it will give you a built in exercise plan (yes, that's what I mean, more trips to the loo)!!!

Blessings,

Coach Linda Bush  

Manage Da Money Monday

Your bucks for coffee with prices as high as the stars!

Welcome to another wonderful week, wild women. 

Begin by listing three things daily for which you are grateful!  In fact, I challenge you to join me in taking Ann Voskamp's "Joy Dare" this year!!!  To check it out click on this link: 

http://www.aholyexperience.com/joy-dares/

So today is a bit of fun for all you Starbucks addicts out there!  While I will be the FIRST to tell you that I only buy a Green Tea Latte' on a major league splurge (we're talking birthdays and maybe once or twice outside that day), I do think they make good coffee. 

That being said, I frankly thing their prices are beyond re-DUNK-ulous and any fabulously frugal diva will agree.  In fact, several years ago I was doing a bit of financial coaching with a young lady who went to Starbucks every day, 24/7/365.  She never made coffee at home.  We figured out she was spending over $1,200 a year on coffee!  That's an expensive caffeine habit, yes?  That's one thousand two hundred dollars - and no sense whatsoever!!!!

But... be that as it may... here's a frugal way to indulge just for you.  This Friday, you can buy one of their "handcrafted" liquid gold beverages (handcrafted?  what are we, an artisan flea market?  pluuueezzee) and get another one for free.  Great... two coffees for the price of one (which still means you could get about 3-4 anywhere else, or a whole pound of beans at the store). 

And be careful - the price ain't the only costly thing -- remember you can gulp down a half-day's calories with one grando biggo extra fat super foam gi-gundo mocca caramel whoop-de-doozie.

Just sayin'...

Here's your financial challenge for February -- if you are a Starbucks addict, I challenge you to add up how much of your HARD-EARNED money you are lining their pockets with for the rest of this month.  And I also challenge you to use ONLY CASH to pay for that... yes, let Mr. Lincoln slip out of your fist each morning (or afternoon or evening... whenever you are getting your "fix").  Let's make this a little more real, shall we?

Here's the link for more info - enjoy! 

http://lp.starbucks.com/loveyourlatte

Blessings,

Coach Linda

Mission Monday

Know your why?  I love that question!  But what do I mean? 

As you know, I’m passionate about purpose, and goal-setting, and bucket lists and going for the gusto to achieve your aspirations.  My work as a life coach is to help you discover your dreams and walk alongside you as together we partner to “put feet to your hopes and wishes” and make them a reality!  But before we can design your path to destiny, before those beautiful goals can be create, you need to know your why.

And that why is your purpose.  Why do you want that goal?  Why is it a passion burning inside you?  The why is the foundation upon which you build everything else.

I recently discovered a column on Forbes by Margie Warrell, and she had a wonderful column on “Know Your Why: 4 Questions To Tap the Power of Purpose.  I loved what she wrote that so accurately explained purpose:  

“The power of purpose is similar to the energy of light focused through a magnifying glass.  Diffused light has little use, but when its energy is concentrated – as through a magnifying glass – that same light can set fire to paper.  Focus its energy even more, as with a laser beam, and it has the power to cut through steel.  Likewise, a clear sense of purpose enables you to focus your efforts on what matters most…”

Today I’d like to direct you to this article – click HERE.  

I hope it will excite, encourage and inspire you and really get you to thinking.  May it be a grain of sand in your heart that spurs you on and won’t let you rest until you produce the pearl of a dream that’s been lying dormant under the blanket of can’t.

Blessings,

Coach Linda

Wild Woman Wednesday

Wild Women Need Breakfast!

Most wild women I know have precious few extra minutes at the start of their day.  The old 1950’s family breakfast where everyone has a full-blown meal sitting at the table and chatting about their upcoming day, is at best rare or just a memory!  On a good day if you’re taking the kids to school you toss them a granola bar and juice box in the car and have minimal conversation there.  I love and applaud anyone who is able to find time to gather the family together for a peaceful morning meal.  Heck, I applaud any person who can sit down for ten minutes and enjoy a leisurely breakfast before going off to work!!! 

So what is a hungry wild woman to do?

Glad you asked!  Thanks to a wonderful website from which I gleaned/adapted these two recipes (www.moneysavingmom.com) you can tote your breakfast with you AND save money.  Gotta love that combo, yes?  I think making your own oatmeal packets is a great idea – simply, fast, economical and you can control your ingredients.  Have you read the side of your nutrition label on some of the instant oatmeal packets lately?  Artificial flavorings, coloring, LOADS of sugar, and the dreaded sucralose (aka Splenda, which should in my humble opinion be banned and NEVER NEVER NEVER used).  Yep, yep, yep… so much for oatmeal being healthy.  

Here is the recipe.  Just make up a big batch on the weekend.  Take a bunch of bags and take them to the office, toss a few in the car – they will last for three months.  Add an apple or orange and you’ve got your healthy breakfast EZ-breezy.  Because it is truly important to fuel your body first thing in the morning.  You wouldn’t drive off with an empty gas tank, would you (well intentionally, anyway)?  

After you’re done making your instant oatmeal packets, take another few minutes to whip up several batches of these deeeelish homemade energy bites.  Again, EZ-breezy, no cooking involved, portable and pop-able into your mouth, perfect.  Just like the importance of having a good breakfast, I think you need to have a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack to keep your blood sugar level even and energy high.  As I always state, I’M NOT A DOCTOR, it’s simply my opinion from experience as a person, certified trainer and student/lover of nutrition.  These little bad bites do the trick.  

So there you have it, wild woman, two ways to power up your day and fuel fabulous you in a simple, easily transportable/manageable and inexpensive way.  

Enjoy!

Blessings,

Coach Linda Bush

*****************************

Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets

Add to each bag:

•1/2 cup oats

•1 Tablespoon raw sugar

•cinnamon, raisins, dried fruit, or other mix-ins

Store in an airtight container or freeze for up to three months.

To serve: Pour instant oatmeal packet into a bowl and add 3/4 cup water. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, until cooked. Stir and serve. You can also cook in a saucepan on the stove, if you prefer.

Homemade Energy Bites

2 cups oatmeal

1 cup organic peanut butter or other nut butter

2/3 cup honey (you could cut down on this – make sure there is enough to sweeten and hold the bites together)

2 cup coconut flakes, oatmeal, sesame seeds, or a mixture of all three (can also substitute protein powder, if you prefer)

1 cup ground flaxseed

1 cup carob chips or raisins or chopped up dates

2 teaspoons vanilla

Mix all ingredients together. Roll into balls.

To freeze: Place balls on a cookie sheet and freeze for one to two hours. Remove from cookie sheet and place in an airtight zip top freezer bag (or other airtight container).

To serve: Remove desired number of balls and thaw at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes. Can also warm for 30 seconds or so in the microwave. Makes around 3 dozen energy bites.

Photos courtesy of www.moneysavingmom.com

Take Note Tuesday

And speaking of finances… 

Have you noticed a $9.84 charge on your debit or credit card recently?  CNN Money/Yahoo!Finance has posted an article alerting us that this relatively small, easily overlooked charge (if you don’t pay attention to your statements) might be part of a massive, worldwide scam.  As we seek to be financially fit in ’14, it’s critical that you carefully track all charges, debit card and cash transactions.  Let’s face it, how many times have you gotten an extra $20 when you went to the grocery store checkout line, and within a few days it was gone and you had NO IDEA where it was spent?  Do that once a week, and at the end of the year you will have basically tossed $1,040 out the proverbial window!  OUCH! 

I have a freebie pocket calendar that I now carry in my purse at all times, and I am striving to write down every penny I spend for this exact reason.  It’s also useful when I use my debit card for gas, etc. -- although, I am moving towards a cash-only system using the old envelope system.  That way, when you don’t have it, you don’t spend it.  And it is truly amazing how different it feels when you feel that paper money being pulled out of your hand as opposed to swiping plastic!

Additionally, just yesterday I came across a good frugal idea.  It’s called a $5 savings plan.  Every time you get a five dollar bill (well, hellooooo, Mr. Lincoln!), DON’T SPEND IT!  Put it in a special jar and don’t touch it.  Do that for the next three months, just until April 1^st.  Not only will you be surprised at how much wealth you have accumulated you will feel like an April fool that you didn’t do it sooner!

Here’s the link to the article from CNN Money.  Please read it carefully, then go check your statements!!!

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/were-you-charged--9-84--it-might-be-fraud-203006635.html

Blessings,

Coach Linda

Make It Monday

Hi readers!  Have you missed me?  I have been combating the continuous fight again the dreaded 2013/14 cold that is going around like wildfire.  Ugh!  It has been the nastiest, long-term cold I can remember ever having, and drags on two-three weeks.  It drains and depletes and leaves you feeling, as my Grandma would say, “like a rung-out wet dishrag!”  My apologies for being absent from the blogging scene.  But thankfully, I’m back!!!!!!!

This is my year of prudence, economy and parsimony.  Yeah, I looked that third one up – it’s a fancy way of saying penny-pinching or tight-fisted!  The mantra to which I will hold fast and live by until December 31^st is “FRUGAL IN ’14!”  It fits right in with the life area of finance, and I plan on highlighting this theme throughout the year in features like “Frugal Friday” and today’s “Make It Monday”.  I hope to discover and share with you (and use personally) many ideas, tips and tricks on how to $ave money and make use of what you have, or make things that will save you money.  With the economy being what it, it’s time to be mean and lean – fit financially - makes Cents doesn’t it???

So here’s my first installment – something as simple as Epsom salts!  Epsom salts are magnesium sulfate, a common pharmaceutical preparation of magnesium.  For more info click HERE.  Anyway, this carton of salts (which can be found in most drug stores, markets and yes, even the dollar stores, has some wonderful uses from bath/body to cleaning and gardening!  I’d like to direct you to two sites that I found that listed some wonderful uses:

1. Wellness Mama:  Surf over to this link (click HERE) for 21 uses for Epsom salts.

   2.  Dear Crissy:  (click HERE) for some additional ideas

One note about taking an Epsom salts bath (when you’re using it for a detox) – read these directions from the Natural News website very carefully:

Contraindications to Epsom baths would be if you are pregnant, dehydrated or have open wounds or burns on your skin. Individuals who are suffering with cardiovascular disease should always consult with a natural health physician who is familiar with the health benefits of Epsom salt baths before starting.

How to take an Epsom salt bath:

The first step is to schedule yourself at least 40 minutes, as you need about 20 minutes to remove the toxins, and for the second 20 minutes, the body absorbs the minerals in the bath water.  Fill up your bath with warm water. Add in the Epsom salts in the following amounts and then soak!

• ·        Children under 60 lbs: Add 1/2 cup of salts to a standard size bath
• ·        Individuals between 60-100 lbs: Add 1 cup of salts to a standard size bath
• ·        Individuals between 100-150 lbs: Add 1 1/2 cup of salts to a standard size bath
• ·        Individuals between 150-200 lbs: Add 2 cups of salts to a standard size bath
• ·        For every 50lbs larger - add in an additional 1/2 cup of salts.

I hope today’s posting will help you make lots of products that will save you money -- from the bath to the kitchen to the yard!! 

Monday Miser Tip – as I’ve written about before, start emptying your pockets, wallet, and bottom of your purse for loose change.  Put that change in a big jar and SAVE IT!  You will be amazed how much money you can accumulate through something as easy and pain-free as this little financially healthy habit!

Blessings,

Coach Linda

Sources:

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium_sulfate

http://www.saltworks.us/salt_info/epsom-uses-benefits.asp

http://wellnessmama.com/8509/21-uses-for-epsom-salt/

http://www.naturalnews.com/042753_Epsom_salt_baths_remarkable_health_benefits_detoxificatin_technique.html

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Wild Woman Wednesday

Wild Women Work It!

This is a short but jam-packed power punch of a workout link post today!!!  I found a terrific site that has tons of tables/charts chock-full of exercise examples.  I'm tell you there is something for everyone -- if you can't find some exercise that will help you then you just aren't trying hard enough!

So (drumroll, please).... I give to you this workout lollapalozza link from Peggy Wang over at BuzzFeed:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/fitness-diagrams-that-make-g

Enjoy and have a wild time discovering some great new ways to get that body in gear - Fabulous in '14!!!!!

Blessings,

Coach Linda Bush

Tiss' Me Tuesday

Ahhh... ahhhh.. ahhhchoooo!!!!   BLESS YOU!

Otay.  Id's Tuesday, and I hab a very bad headcold.  Sniffle.  Ah-choo!  Ugh.... where are my tissues?!?!?!?

Yep, I have caught my very first nasty headcold in quite awhile, and it's amazing how YUCKY it can make you feel!  All I can say is God bless the makers of Puffs tissues - I am forever in their debt.

So what in the heck causes a cold anyway, Mayoclinic.org tells us that it's a viral infection of your upper respiratory tract, and is usually harmless.  Well, yeah, but it sure can knock you for a loop, to say nothing of how the constant sneezy, watery eyes and runny nose can do a gal wonders on that first date!  

The friendly Mayo Docs recommend lots of water and other fluids, gargling with salt water, and yes... good old chicken soup.  It has anti-inflammatory properties, speeds up movement of mucus (ewwwww) and who doesn't feel comforted eating warm bowl of soup when you're feeling like a truck ran over you while you slept?  Ahhh.... that, along with a hot cup of tea with honey and lemon, and I just snuggle down with my warm cuddly blanket and am ready to heal with a good night's sleep.

Now, I'm one of those folks who can't take any basic over-the-counter products, so for me (and I'm no doctor, I'm just saying what works for me), I turn to alternative methods.  I take eucalyptus oil and mix it with sweet almond oil as a carrier oil, and rub it on my chest and throat before I go to bed at night.  Then, and this is a wild one but it works for me -- I take a tissue and put about 10 drops of red thyme essential oil on it, lay it on the sole of my bare foot, do the same for the other foot, then put on a pair of socks over the tissues so the oils are next to the sole of the foot all night.  It is supposed to help bronchial issues, and has helped me and some of my friends over the years.  I also use a humidifier in my room.

Sometimes, if it's a fairly minor cold, I will go to the gym, sweat it out with a hard workout of Pilates Reformer, then go for a steam in the sauna and steam room to release all the gunk in my body.  Needless to say, I also do lots and lots of water.

This is the way I'm combating this knock-your-socks-off mega-cold that has invaded my little system.  What do you do?  I'd love to hear your remedies!  To your health!

Blessings,

Coach Linda Bush

Source:  http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/in-depth/cold-remedies/ART-20046403

Must Read Monday

I am currently going through a classic book of meditations for a month from the Bible book of John (fourth gospel in the New Testament) by author Andrew Murray.  This devotional is based on Christ’s Parable of the Vine and the Branches in John chapter 15.  In fact, several of my friends and I are going through this spiritual exercise together and then getting together once a week to discuss what we have learned, what questions it brings up, etc.

Thanks to Christian Classics Ethereal Library it is available in many formats, from a book or app you can purchase, to a free download or you can read it online.  I’m going for the “Frugal ‘14” this year (i.e., save as much as I can in 2014), so instead of simply downloading a hard copy (which costs paper and ink), or purchasing the book or Kindle book, or the app, I went to the CCEL website and chose the Read It Online version.  Then, I just saved that web link to my iPhone home screen, so now I can read it just like an app or ebook via my Kindle. 

Andrew Murray (1828-1917) is one of my favorite authors, and I want to take this time to introduce you to his books.  The spiritual insights in all his writings are both comforting and challenging.  The meditations are only about a page each, but are rich and really make you think.  It’s a wonderful way to start off each day.Take a moment to visit CCEL at www.ccel.org, where you can research, study, read and meditate!

Link to all options to read this book: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/murray/true_vine.html

The link to the free read it online option is: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/murray/true_vine.toc.html

I hope you enjoy – exercise your spiritual muscles today (opening your heart, engaging your brain) and may I encourage you to take time to read this book by Andrew Murray!

Blessings,

Coach Linda Bush