If it is too yummy and delicious for words … is it a sin if I eat it anyway?? If so, I have sinned. I made chocolate fondue … from these dark semi-sweet chocolate wafers. I dipped bananas in it. Two big ones. And strawberries. Lots of them. And now I have a tummy ache [...]
The 100-Day Debt Detangler Starts Today!!
It’s finally arrived. If you are ready to tackle your debt, one dollar, and one DO at a time, then welcome aboard!
Welcome to CannyWomen.com!
"DO" away with debt! Are old debts keeping you and your family living in the financial past? Does day-to-day living clean out the checking account? Have you been waiting until "later" to begin setting aside money for your financial future? "Later" has arrived. Welcome to CannyWomen.com! Remember, we are NOT financial experts. We are simply people like you who have learned how to manage our money and make it work for us. No "get rich quick" schemes here. These are life-long money skills that we use every day.
Walk in Wonder
It doesn't cost a dime. Put on your stomping shoes. Get outside. Rediscover your neighborhood. Walk-in-Wonder! (And it's good for you too - grin!) - Cindy
Walking in a winter wonderland…
January’s Fun in the Sun (and Snow)!
Whew! It’s January. The hustle and bustle of the holidays are over. We all have a fresh clean calendar to work from. And if the pants fit a little tighter because of last month’s yummy treats… then this is the month to blow the dust off your stomping shoes and start moving again.
The retailers are ready for you (and your credit card!). They have empty plastic totes, Valentine’s Day clutter (and more chocolate – yikes!), New Year’s Resolution weight loss stuff, towels, sheets, and other linens, and more. Much more. At CannyWomen, we know that January is good month to slow down the spending. Give your credit cards (and debt) a huge break. It’s a great time to SHOP at home FIRST. Make use of the things you already own. Blow the dust off an old hobby. Light a candle. Wear a favorite comfy sweater.
Then, get outside and DO instead of BUY. Pull the kids on the sled, play with the dogs in the snow. Bring your camera. Snap photos of your local winter wonderland. Are you snow deprived? Then you get to walk without icy sidewalks (lucky you!). Explore a park. Visit a museum. Sign out a pile of books from the library. When you get home, plan a huge pot of hot winter soup. Let the kids help. Remember the story about “Stone Soup?” It’s a fun project to DO with the little ones.
Lastly, remember to PROCRASTINATE. Not with your DO’s, but with your BUYs. If you see something you think you have to BUY, wait an hour or two, or twenty-four…. There’s a good chance you’ll discover you really didn’t need it at all.
Keep the cash in your stash. The more you DO, the less you spend. And isn’t DO-ing what life is supposed to be about? Happy January everyone! – Cindy
Detangle Your Debts
Love the Home You Live In
So what do our homes have to do with our debt? Have you ever sat down and figured out how much you spend on your home? Rent or mortgage? Utilities? Maintenance and renovations? Furnature and appliances? Kitchen gadgets and linens? Cleaning supplies and toilet paper? Gardening supplies? Insurance? Home overflow storage? More....? A huge portion of your money coming in, quickly goes out again because of your home. And if you don't love your home.... lookout! More renovations, more decorations, more clutter, more spending.
We're going to take a little breather on that extra household spending and learn to love the home the way it is - especially while we diverting cash to paying off debt. And this starts with a clean home. Dust bunnies lookout! Put on your hardhat and roll up your sleeves, we are going in!
A Quick Note from Cindy...
It’s on days like this when you need an awesome stomping buddy. When you’re tired, sore, and thinking about skipping out on the walk. “Nope,” she said, “let’s go DO a short walk at least.” And we did. When I got home, I reallized I felt better than before I left. – Cindy
The Four Rules of NOT BUYing
Start here if you are new to CannyWomen!
- DO instead of BUY: Can you DO the thing instead of BUY the thing?
- SHOP at home FIRST: There's a good chance you already own one...
- EAT at home FIRST: Your meal plan is going to save you $$$'s. Try it out, just for one week.
- Procrastinate: This rule is simple. Can you put off BUYing the thing for a couple hours? How about a couple days? A couple months? There's a good chance that with a little healthy procrastination, you'll discover you didn't need to BUY the thing at all. Whew! Keep the cash in your own stash!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I miss your lovely Advent calendar, Cindy.
Cindy, your pantry/fridge/freezer inventory sheets are so helpful! I fill mine out every 6 months or so (or 12), and it reminds me what to use before it expires, and what to buy and NOT to buy at the store, even if it’s on sale. We don’t use many prepared/packaged dinners, is it’s even more important to know what ingredients I have on hand.
Barb