Welcome back for another edition of Random Ramblings (read the last post here). I kind of like putting these posts together because it lets me talk about whatever and also gives you a glimpse into my everyday brainwaves lol
A new tradition the hubs and I started a few years ago was to adopt a child or children and supply them with the things they want from Santa. Each year we partner with our favorite travel friends so we have a bigger budget to give an even better Christmas for the child/children. This year we adopted 3 children and had a blast picking out toys, craft projects, and clothes for each of them. We made it an event; shopping followed by dinner with great friends.
It feels good to give. It doesn’t have to be reserved for the holiday season, there are many ways to give back throughout the year. I challenge everyone to give back, if not financially, through service or acts of kindness.
Also finance related, this year we were given a Christmas bonus. A first for me because that’s just not something my University does. It came as a total surprise and was well used. As of today I have paid off the first of my graduate student loans!!! Insert excited scream It feels so good to pay it off in 3 months when at the minimum payments it would have been another 10 years before being paid off. It’s truly silly to sit around paying the minimum on something when you could be focusing on becoming debt free.
The hubs and I are still making progress and it feels really good. I reflected on our journey since 2015 in the Instagram post below so go check it out (and follow me please).
The best thing I did for my blog this year was to join Style Collective. Style Collective is a platform for female influencers to connect, grow, and learn how to be successful bloggers and entrepreneurs.
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I have “met” so many amazing women through Style Collective and can’t wait to see what 2018 has to offer for Lexi & Lady. Annie Spano, the founder, is a true entrepreneur and Girl Boss!
If you’re interested in learning more or joining a wonderful group of supportive and sweet ladies, visit Style Collective.
This time of year gets me thinking about what I did with the year and what I want to do in 2018. At the beginning of this year I set out to grow Lexi & Lady. While I did not achieve everything I thought I would, I learned a lot of things along the way. This year I know I want to continue to grow and impact readers positively. Please help Lexi & Lady grow by following me on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Bloglovin’), subscribing to my newsletter (enter your email address below, promise I don’t spam you!), and telling your friends and family about the blog.
The second thing I’m thinking about is doing something that scares me. Nothing amazing happens in your comfort zone! Now…I am not sure what I plan on doing in 2018. There are always things that scare me and I hold myself back from achieving and experiencing because of the fear of failure or embarrassment. This year I want to put those feelings behind and do things I normally would avoid.
What is your 2018 New Year Resolution(s)? Leave them in the comments below. I’d love to hear what your plans are! Thanks for visiting! Until next post…xoxo Becca
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As Black Friday and Cyber Monday approach I wanted to share my thoughts on gifting and all the stuff we accumulate. Take it from someone who went from a 2,000 sq ft house full of stuff to a less than 800 sq ft apartment which contains less than a quarter of what said house did. If I haven’t learned anything else from this experience, I now know the importance stuff lacks. If I can’t eat it, wear it (let’s be honest I still love clothes), or travel to it, then I don’t have a desire for it.
The holidays make people crazy with trying to find the “perfect” gift for everyone. Each of whom probably has everything they could possibly need. We spend endless amounts of time and money trying to please each other with stuff. This year I am thankful to say the family is going on a Christmas trip together rather than buying gifts. I can’t tell you how stress free I feel knowing I don’t have to hunt down the perfect gift(s) and not blow my budget.
This is the advice I offer you as we move into the holiday season. Spend time with the ones you love rather than aiming to please them with material goods. Take a trip, or if that’s not in the budget, volunteer together. Maybe as a family you adopt a family in need and spend the money providing for others. If you must buy gifts, why not gift experiences like cooking classes, a painting party (you know…the ones that are BYOB lol), or if there are kids involved a trip to the zoo, the aquarium, or the movies. We all know movies are expensive! If a city near you offers a museum pass or membership that could be a good option for families.
If you choose to participate in the craziness that is Black Friday, may the odds be ever in your favor. Until next post…xoxo Becca
One more pieces of advise, spend wisely and within your means…
Becca
born and raised Texan
Hi all and welcome to my cozy little place in the blogosphere. My name is Becca and I'm a born and raised Texan. After college I got married. Got a puppy. Got a house. And then I decided I wanted to share daily life, struggles, ambitions, and everything in between.
