Things I believe.

I believe in serendipity.

I believe that cuss-words are the statement necklaces of the English language

I believe that Snapchat Stories are going to be everyone's biggest regret on their deathbed.

I believe their is a third tier in hell for websites that have videos that automatically start. 

I believe you can always earn more money, but you can't earn more time.

I believe in faking it til you make it. 

I believe your shoes should never match your shirt. Coordinate, yes. Match, no. Unless we're talking all black err'thing.

I believe that only boring people get bored.

I believe that friends who offer to show up in a bear suit with vodka at the doctors office to keep you company are the best kind to have. 

I believe in telling someone when they have shit in their teeth. Or a booger hanging out. Or TP on their shoe. 

I believe that wearing nothing but flats is wasting your womanhood.

I believe that a mason jar full of change is the secret window to adventures.

I believe alcohol will never solve any problem at hand, but it's sure to make the process more fun.

I believe in forgiving but not forgetting. And never burning bridges.

I believe in getting hurt. I believe in hitting rock bottom. I believe in standing back up.

I believe in the power of putting good juju into the world.

What do you believe in? 

My shiz is far from together: A post on money.

Us twenty-somethings catch a lot of slack for doing things wrong, out of order, bass-ackwards. And they try to make us feel guilty for it.

When I bought a home at the age of 23 I garnered all sorts of praise for "having my shit together".

I'll let you in on a little secret. My shit couldn't be farther apart. Seriously. It's scattered aimlessly.

I think I put maybe a couple thousand down on my house. Did I put 20% down like everyone says you're supposed to save up and do? Hell to the no.

Did I meticulously create an Excel budget with what my monthly income versus expenditures would be? Meh.

I've never made a budget in my life, save for that one assignment in Econ class senior year of high school in which I pretty much lied and said I ate WAY less food than I really do just to compensate for the "extra" category I planned on spending on clothes.

I've always lived by the "you can't take it with you when you go" philosophy. So I lead a lifestyle that makes me happy.

I bought the 'car of my dreams' my first year out of college, when I was about $500 away from paying off the existing car I owned. Hello 30k in debt. Guess what? I'm now less than a year from paying her off.

They teach you to never rely on plastic. Guess what? I've got two credit cards. For stores. (gasp) Do you know why? Because Target offers you 5% off with every purchase, and because TJ Maxx gives you coupons (and lord knows my entire wardrobe basically hails from that store).

Guess what else. I put a LOT of daily expenses - ie gas, food, other shopping - on that TJ Maxx card, just so I can get those points. And guess what else.... I pay both of those credit cards off every month, they've never held a balance and I've never once paid a penny of interest on them.

I have had a savings account since I was knee high to a grasshopper. I am always putting money into it. I take money out too. When I have to buy $400 license plates, or a $1000 vacation. Does it have the "recommended six month cushion to live" nope. No it does not. And I'm ok with that.

I've had a 401k since I started my 'big girl job' nearly 6 years ago. I've had multiple CD's throughout my life as well. Believe me, I can save just as well as I can spend!

So maybe my views on money truly are bass-ackwards, but they work for me. And why does any one else need to tell us how we "should be" handling our money?!

Oh, and I once heard you weren't supposed to discuss money. So forget you read any of this, and just take away the fact that you shouldn't ever let any one make you feel guilty for what you do with your paycheck. That's all. 

Reason for the season

I was sitting on my couch with a belly full of stuffing and a happy heart. I had just gotten home from a day of Thanksgiving goodness with my family and couldn’t shake the feeling that I was SERIOUSLY blessed. Sure I’ve had my fair share of suck this year, but overall I am still a pretty lucky little lady.

That’s when the idea popped in my head. I quickly pulled out my laptop, spent a few minutes typing and then went to bed. To be honest I woke up the next morning anxious and excited. I opened up my email and saw this

My family's wishlist. I had contacted a local domestic violence shelter about 'adopting' a family for Christmas. I quickly scanned over it and was immediately humbled. This was a Christmas list. With socks and gloves and coats. We sit around whining because we don't have the brand new iPad meanwhile this mama and her baby just left an abusive boyfriend/husband/whoever and have barely anything to their name.

I had a blast shopping for them. I wanted to get them not only what they asked for but a few other fun things, just to make sure they really felt loved! 

In fact, over half the gifts under my tree were for two people I had never even met!

This past Friday I had to bag all of their gifts up and drop them off at the organization downtown. I almost felt like the Grinch, stuffing them all into a trash bag. I was worried the bag wouldn't even fit into my car!!

They lady asked me who the donation was from, probably expecting a girl scout troop or something. When I told her it was just from me she placed her hadn on my arm and gave me the most sincere thank you I think I have ever received.

That whole experience made my holiday season this year. I am so grateful I was able to be in a position where I could spread holiday cheer to someone who needed it far more than I do! I hope that when they open their gifts on Christmas morning they know that someone out there is cheering them on, and I hope that  this is something I am able to do every year from now on!

I believe

I believe in seizing every opportunity you are given

I believe in making amends & patching up old friendships

I believe in always choosing family over anything else

I believe that ME time is the best thing ever

I believe in being super confident in yourself

I believe that any day can be a good day if you decide it will be

I believe that good company, not good happenings, makes for the best times

I believe that sometimes you just gotta roll with the punches

I believe that it’s all in WHO you know, not what you know

I believe that you only get one go at this thing called life – make it the best one you’ve got!

Just some things that are on my mind lately... What do you believe in?