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This blogging business is hard. Too much going on. Already time to go on hiatus. Ciao.

Stop the mindlessness spending!

I was at Target last week and standing in front of me in the checkout line was a man buying toilet paper. That was it. Toilet paper. I found myself staring at him in wonder, amazed by his ability to get out of there with just one damn thing.

You see, had I been on a toilet paper run, I would have somehow managed to also scoop up some snacks on sale, random office supplies, maybe some cute socks and a top or two for my kiddo, a new thing of makeup, a cute picture frame on clearance......and subsequently a bill of over $100 for lots of random items (and the toilet paper). 

I pride myself on being frugal, but then there are days I slip up and lose my way. So I must recommit myself to reducing the number of items I bring into my home that I just do not need as well as saving my hard-earned money.  

But you have to have a plan! Here are five tips to develop more mindful spending habits...and thus becoming one of my heroes, like the wise man who went to Target just for some toilet paper.  

Check out the following five tips and feel free to offer any additional tips in Comments.

1. Shop with a written list
This seems so simple, but is huge. A written list is key because a mental list is easily forgotten and/or added to. If it is not on the list, do not get it!

2. Control 'clutter cravings'
We all have areas of weakness when it comes to spending. For me, it is bags and small toys for my son. For my husband, it is, well, just about everything. Take a walk around your house and see where the clutter adds up due to impulse buying. Write down exactly what you buy too much of makes you feel more accountable - you will see areas where you need to exert more control and be more mindful. 

3. Follow the time rule
Make yourself wait! Some reflection before a purchase, be it 30 minutes or next week, will help you determine if you REALLY need it. 

4. Think before your buy
Ask yourself:
- Why do I need this?
- What do I already have that is like this?
- Who can I borrow this from or share with?
- Where will I keep it? 
- When will I use it?

5. Reward yourself with experiences instead of things
Looking for a way to treat yourself? Instead of buying something, give yourself an experience. I personally love a nice bath before bed or going for a walk or just being in the moment and playing with my son. 

If you buy what you don’t need, you steal from yourself. 

Swedish proverb

Thrifty Thursday

I love a good thrift store bargain. In fact, thrifting is one of my favorite things to do. Few things beat the feeling I get when I score a great find. I am obsessed. While the bulk of my thrifting is about finding clothes for my son and I, I have also decorated much of my house using thrifted pieces. It CAN be done on a budget.

Here are five quick tips for thrifting to decorate on a budget!

1. Look for colorful pieces, especially dinnerware. I get so many compliments on my dishes. They are not matchy matchy, but they have so much character. And if a piece breaks, who cares - you spent like a $1 on it and you can find something else later to fill its void.

2. SPRAY PAINT IS YOUR FRIEND. It can update just about anything - I have done tables, chairs, frames, lamps...

$3 glass table with a chipped white paint job is about to get a new lease on life!

3. I only buy picture frames at thrift stores. Buying them new is so expensive. But pictures make a house a home with their memories. Find a good frame, but it is has seen better days? Paint it!

4. Do not hoard. Thrifting is amazing, but do not buy something just because it is a good deal. Hoarding never looks good. Make sure it is something you need/will use.

5. Look for quality furniture. There is a lot of - going to be blunt here because it is necessary - shit furniture at thrift stores. Look at the legs, sit on the cushions, make sure it is made of real wood, look at the lines of the piece, etc. Ugly fabric or paint job can be fixed, but stay away if the bones are bad.

As always, go with a plan in mind and take your time looking (you never know what you will find...and you might not find anything at all on a visit and that is ok).

Finished product: Deep red paint job and a good tabletop cleaning

Where to go this summer? Affordable travel destinations

Summer is already here, but there is still time to book an affordable vacation! 

Here are 5 places to go for those eyeing a good bargain!

1. National Parks

It is the U.S. National Parks Centennial this year and thus celebrations abound, from free admission on select dates to special events. Our national parks are true treasures. My favorite is the big one: Yellowstone. Many parks are within driving distances of cities around the country, but you can also fly and rent a car if necessary. For instance, a flight from Los Angeles to Jackson Hole, WY is currently under $400 RT for most of the summer. However, finding lodging near a park might be a challenge, but still doable (just gotta do your homework and be flexible). 
www.nps.gov

2. Mexico

Popular during our winter and spring months, Mexico and its resorts quiet down come the summer and thus there are easy deals to be had. We did a search - such as with Kayak and Expedia - for two from Seattle to Cancun in mid July and found flights and weeklong hotel (3 star and above) packages starting at $700 per person. 

3. Vietnam

Summer means rainy season in Vietnam, but do not that deter you - so many flight and hotel deals waiting for you! The country is full of beauty, culture, and sites, from the bustling cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh to charming towns in the middle of the country like Hoi An. You can easily get by on $40 a day or less in Vietnam. Just be ready for more motorbikes than you have ever seen! And a long flight. 

4. Alaska Cruise

Summer time is prime time to visit Alaska, but you can score a great cruise for the cheap due to the plethora of cruising options, especially if you can go very, very soon (they want to fill up their ships) or can go at the end of the season. Where to look? We like CruisesOnly as well as working with the cruise lines directly. We recommend doing a cruise that focuses on Southwest Alaska due to its scenic beauty, time in port, and you can get great flight deals in and out of Seattle and Vancouver. And for those who want a real adventure, check out the Alaska Marine Highway (AKA Alaska ferry system)! 

5. Iceland

Gotta be upfront...Iceland is not really that cheap. But Icelandair often has great deals on flights to/from Europe AND they allow you to do a free stopover in Iceland. Iceland is in my top 5 places I have ever been and I highly recommend it to everyone I meet. It is a damn postcard. Every photo I took there turned out great and there were countless moments that the country took my breathe away (not an easy feat). How did I do an entire tour of the country on a budget? Rented a car (roads are really good), stocked up on food at local markets, and stayed in hostels (not as scary as the movies lead us to believe)...AND it was amazing! 
www.icelandair.com

Other ideas? Where do you want to go this summer?

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Flying. With Baby.

I am not going to lie. 

Traveling with a small child is hard. 

I used to like traveling. I liked going to new and/or exotic places around the world. 

Now that I have a child? Not so much. I still travel quite a bit since our family and friends are scattered everywhere. My 14 month old already has 6 countries on 3 continents under his little belt and has logged some serious miles in the air. 

I am by no means an expert nor can I claim my little global ambassador is a smooth flier all the time (but we get a lot of positive feedback on flights regarding how well he does), but here are ten tips to make the journey a bit more bearable for all involved. 

1. Try to plan travel around child's schedule, specifically sleep times, as well as off-peak travel times (less busy = less stress for all parties). If I can, I always try to book our travels for overnight or at nap time. I might not sleep well when we take a red-eye, but he does and that makes it so much easier. Like I sleep much anyway...  

2. Let people help you. I remember my mother telling me this before one of my son's first flights. I am amazed at how kind and generous strangers are, from people helping me with all my luggage (it is almost always just my son and I traveling together and thus I have my hands full) to airport and airline staff letting me board early or skip waiting in a long line to someone volunteering to hold my son so I can eat or go to the bathroom with my hands free or entertaining him or saying a kind word to me.

3. Relax. Be kind. Be positive. Be patient. A good attitude helps a lot - you are in a better mood, your kiddo picks up on your mood, people around you notice it too and often respond appropriately... In fact, I often hear about these horror stories of people berating people with small kids while traveling, but I have yet to experience any horrible people. Maybe it is luck, maybe my happy kiddo won them over with his smiles, but I am a firm believer in you get what you give out. 

4. Plan your seat ahead of time. Sometimes, airlines will accommodate small kids in the bulkhead row. Some people like this extra legroom, but I actually prefer to be elsewhere since the seats are often not as wide (so even narrower than normal...), I would rather not be in the baby aisle (grrrrreat idea: group all the babies together so they cry in unison...), and I like access to my stuff at all times. Consequently, I look for a window seat elsewhere, ideally in a row of two (if the plane's seat layout is a 2-3-2 or something). A window seat often gives you a little more width, and with a small child, especially one that breastfeeds still, or likes to cuddle in your arms, that room is nice (side note: window seats also give you a little more privacy if you are breastfeeding). 

5. Be prepared for battle anything. Bring extra diapers (at least a whole days worth in your carry-on), food for the both of you, change of clothes for the both of you, wipes (feels good to wipe the grim off both of you after a long flight), a few new and favorite small toys, medicine, Aquaphor (so many uses including diaper rash), blankets (one for floor, one for snuggling), grocery bags to put soiled items in, etc. You never know what will happen, from a delay to blowout. But also be careful about overpacking, even in developing countries you can often find what you need. Additionally, I always use a backpack instead of a regular diaper bag when traveling - baby on front, pack on my back, and I still got my hands free. 

6. Dress comfortably and simply. My little guy wears PJs whenever he travels and I am dressed comfortably too (maybe not my PJs, but you get the idea). You want to keep your kiddo's attire easy to make going through security or changing a diaper in a dodgy bathroom easier. 

7. Let them burn energy before boarding - find an empty gate or quiet part of the airport and let them go! If you are worried about germs, wash them up before boarding. There are lots of germs on that plane anyway...it is a futile battle.  

8. If you nurse, nurse away. I let my little guy nurse on demand while traveling and it helped immensely. But then bring a water bottle and snacks for you to help you keep your supply up. 

9. Wear your baby. I know not all little ones like it - every now and then my son is one of them - but 4 out of 5 times he falls asleep when I wear him. It also give me two free hands to do whatever I need to do. 

10. You can plan as much as you can, but give yourself some slack. Give yourself lots of time to get from A to B, and allow for some flexibility in your plans (if the kid wants to sleep, let them sleep). 

What words of wisdom do you have for traveling with baby or tot? 

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Summer fun on the cheap!

When I think of summer, I think of my younger days running around in sandals or barefoot all day, eating strawberries and a copious amount of ice cream, BBQs, and living in my bathing suit. Now, as a *responsible* adult, those days are few and far between. Thanks, responsibilities... But summer fun can still be had and it can be accomplished on the cheap! Here are 25 suggestions!

1. There are festivals galore out there! And most are free! 

2. Go for a walk or hike.

3. Pick berries. Tis the season for strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries...

4. Stargaze. 

5. Go to a farmers market. In season is the best season for produce. 

6. Cookout with family and friends. Make it even easier with a potluck. 

7. Make homemade popsicles or ice cream. 

8. Go camping. But you might need to book your spot in advance...

9. Wash your dirty car. 

10. Go swimming at your local pool or beach. 

11. Take a road trip, be it days away or just for an afternoon. 

12. Go for a bike ride. 

13. Visit your local library. 

14. Visit a museum (check for free/reduced price days).

15. Forget spring cleaning - do a summer cleanse of your crap (Marie Kondo would approve). 

16. You take a million selfies already...work on your landscape and/or action photography skills.

17. Find a drive-in movie. 

18. Do some yard/garage sale cruising. Hello, $2 painting that is actually a Picasso (or at least I dream of this happening to me one day...). 

19. Attend a minor league baseball game. 

20. Workout. And then take a nap. Or just take a nap. 

21. Do some yard work. Confession time: I am never a fan of doing yard work myself, but I always like the finished product...

22. Turn on the sprinkler and PLAY! 

23. Explore playgrounds in your area with your kids. 

24. Set up camp in your backyard.  

25. Eat ice cream whenever damn possible. 

The Millionaire Next Door

What does a millionaire look like? Drives a fancy car? Wears an expensive watch? Lives in a big house?

Not always. In fact, appearances are often deceiving.

Many millionaires, especially the truly financially savvy ones, are not easily recognizable.

Here are some traits of a millionaire next door:

1. She spends less than she earns. Often a lot less.

2. He knows becoming a millionaire is a product of working hard over time and accumulating wealth gradually by saving diligently. 

3. She makes her own coffee at home versus buying Starbucks day in and day out (but occasionally treats herself). She lives in a modest home (she does not want to become house poor). She drives a ten year old car. And she does not care if you think she is cheap. She is also not impressed by your overpriced luxury car and McMansion.

4. He pays off his credit cards in full every month. No interest charges for him, thankyouverymuch. If you cannot pay for something in cash, you cannot afford it. End of story.

5. She is a big believer in paying herself first - put money away for retirement and then pay your bills before anything else. And it is automatic - you cannot spend what you do not see.

6. He has a goals and a plan to achieve his goals and regularly reviews his progress to achieving them. Few people attain great success solely on luck.

7. She always has a backup plan - you never know when something bad is going to happen (loss of job, injury/illness, etc.) and thus has insurance, emergency fund, etc. for stormy times.

8. He knows the power of compounding interest and started saving young.

9. She knows that if she does not like her job, she has the freedom to do something else. Wealth means freedom.

10. He knows that money does not buy happiness. But financial freedom (AKA debt free and money in the bank) can.

Do not think you can be a millionaire next door? Think again...
Janitor amasses an $8M fortune
Modest woman turned out to be the millionaire next door
Seattle man leaves $188M to institutions

I love these types of stories! I hope to be like them when I grow up!