I see so many people, including myself, living life as if it is a dress rehearsal...It's Not! There are no do overs, we do not have 9 lives and the world we have is what we got. As you are reading this, is there something more important you should be doing? Get off the device you're on and do whatever it is in your life you should be doing. Do you stay in a relationship because you can't pay the bills alone, you are used to the stability or think no one else wants you? Get out of it. Excuses are no reason to lead someone on or be unhappy, plus, your kids know you are not happy. You're not fooling anyone. You hate your job? Find another one. Why wake up every day already regretting the hours you are about to waste? Is that paycheck really worth it? Go back to school, get a change of scenery and get a job that you enjoy. It is never too late to start over.
The worst thing I can imagine doing is lying on my deathbed and regretting not doing what I wanted to do in this life. I know in my mind, heart and soul what is important for me to do on this earth. The days, weeks, and months just fly by. Either you are part of your own problems or working on the solutions. You're reading this right now and probably thinking, hey! You don't know my struggles and you are correct, but, do you know mine? I know how I Was living, what I Was doing and what I Am doing now. The difference is going to make changes in not just my but hopefully, many lives.
Every day I wake up and pray to be a better mother, daughter, employee, co-worker, friend, confidant etc. I am not saying that I'm better than anyone or even pretend to be perfect. I don't want to be, I just want to be an exceptional person for my son to look up to. Maybe one day, I will reach that goal. Point is, I have a goal. I have numerous life goals and am working on them frequently. If you wake up and feel you have nothing to look foward to, walk to the mirror and start blaming that person. Tell the person in the mirror who you want to be, where you want to live, and that you need them to care about you more than anyone in the world. Divulge your innermost dreams for your life, no matter how out of reach they may seem and then make a plan. Literally sit down and write out the changes you want to make and goals you'd like to reach. Writing things down, seeing them and being able to look at them can be very concrete. You can never have too many dreams, there's simply no such thing.
I guess I care too much to see people just going through the motions. I see and hear people complaining about things daily that can be changed very simply. That's my opinion though. As I said before, I don't know others situations but some people need to get a grip! I wish my life were so dull that I could complain about the pointless things that some do, (not really). The last thing I want is a boring life. I'm not saying be overwhelmed but if you are "bored", you are doing something wrong. I have not been bored since I was 10.
Will it be easy? Probably not. Most things worth doing are not easy. You will hit several bumps and potholes in the road but you have to decide for yourself whether or not it's worth it. Decide where your priorities lie and who your choices effect. It is usually not easy to change and most beings are not comfortable with change. Feel the fear and do it Anyway! Will it make you a millionaire, famous or more popular? I doubt it but I can almost guarantee it will make you feel better about yourself and that alone, is worth it.
OneLove~Ophelia ☆(Andi)
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
So, you want to save some $? Do It!!
I constantly have people asking me how I get stuff for so cheap. I began really digging into extreme couponing in July 2013. I have learned so much since But, it is a learning process. I learn new stuff everyday. No one hands it to me, I have to find it. No one can "teach" a person how to coupon. I got tips, read, googled, read, youtubed, read, etc. Couponing, serious couponing, is like having a job. I spend hours and hours studying and looking for deals. People who do this for a living can easily spend 60+ hours matching coupons with deals and chasing these deals. It's not something you can spend 10 mins doing and save 90%. Like anything else, you must apply yourself if you wish to do it well.
That being said, they are several ways to save $ that take little time or preparation. You still have to do some work but the savings are definitely worth it. Here are some quick, easy shopping trips that I've made within the last week and saved a good amount of money.
1. Bath & Body Works. Ladies, we all love it and they always have sales but be patient and wait for the best ones. I got 7 hand sanitizers, regular $6.50 each, 2 mason jar candles, regular $12 each, 1 full-sized lotion, regular $12.50, 2 wallflower single bulbs, regular $6.50 each and 1 wallflower holder which was $8.50. Retail total before tax was $104.50, I paid $51.90 and that's including tax. The sanitizers were 7 for $24, the candles were on sale for $5, the bulbs were on sale for $3, I paid full price for the bulb holder and I had a coupon that got me a Free lotion. This made my purchase more than 50% off even though I paid full price for an item.
2. J.C. Penney. Rarely shop there but I needed some clothes for work. I had no time to wait for a sale so I had to deal with what they had. I bought a pair of khaki shorts, regular $30, a pair of capris, regular $44, a top, regular $24 and a polo, regular $18. My retail total was $116 before tax. I paid $53.72 including tax. The shorts were on sale for $19.99, the capris on sale for $24.99, the top on sale for 12.99 and the polo on sale for $8.99. I googled J.C. Penney coupons on my cell phone and found one for 25% off. They wrote down the coupon code and it took an extra $16.75 off my total. I saved 55% on this transaction and there was no preplanning. Side note-it kicked out a coupon for $15 off when you spend $50 in their home department. Always watch for coupons and stuff on your receipt. They can come in handy!
3. Finish Line. I never go here but my son had outgrown all of his shoes and needed some asap and I found a decent pair for work. I got him 3 pair, normally $40 each and my pair were normally $70. His shoes were on sale for $30, all 3 pair and mine were on sale for $40. I had $20 off if you spend over $100. My retail price before tax was $190, I paid $117 including tax. Almost a 40% off savings. Pretty good for Nike, Pumas, and Under Armour shoes.
4. Aeropostale. I usually only shop here for my nieces and nephews but needed work shirts. I bought 2 polos, regular $29.50, 1 shirt, regular $34.50, 1 tank, regular $24.50, 1 polo, regular $9.99, and 2 pairs of flip flops, regular $15 each. 2 polos were 50% off, 1 polo was 30% off, the shirt was on sale for $12, the tank was 60% off and the flip flops were on sale 2 for $10! That's a Great deal considering 1 pair is normally $15. The retail price was $158 before tax, I paid $73 after tax. Plus I got a free pair of sunglasses, retail $19.50, for Free for spending over $60. If I add in the sunglasses, I saved over 60%!! I had no coupons, didn't plan for this trip, I just went in because I needed a few shirts.
Here's a few tips: Always google the places you are planning to shop or even eat at, they often have coupons.
Sign up online for places you regularly shop at and even not so regularly shop at. Most send emails out all the time with coupons and sometimes even freebies.
Look for sales! I never buy anything at full price, idk why anyone would. Our economy is on the rocks but it is fairly easy to save some $.
Look at the ads in the paper or online. Often they have stuff there that is not always advertised in the store.
Take your time if you can. I know most of us have kids and jobs etc. And shopping can be a down right pain. Drop the kids off at a friends and spend an extra 20 mins looking around. It is worth it if you save an extra $40.
*Remember, there will Always be another sale. Do you really need the 72 inch big screen right now if you can save $200 on it in 2 weeks? The choice is yours but I prefer to leave a store with money still in my pocket.
If you enjoyed this, please share with your friends and leave feedback.
OneLove~Andi ☆
That being said, they are several ways to save $ that take little time or preparation. You still have to do some work but the savings are definitely worth it. Here are some quick, easy shopping trips that I've made within the last week and saved a good amount of money.
1. Bath & Body Works. Ladies, we all love it and they always have sales but be patient and wait for the best ones. I got 7 hand sanitizers, regular $6.50 each, 2 mason jar candles, regular $12 each, 1 full-sized lotion, regular $12.50, 2 wallflower single bulbs, regular $6.50 each and 1 wallflower holder which was $8.50. Retail total before tax was $104.50, I paid $51.90 and that's including tax. The sanitizers were 7 for $24, the candles were on sale for $5, the bulbs were on sale for $3, I paid full price for the bulb holder and I had a coupon that got me a Free lotion. This made my purchase more than 50% off even though I paid full price for an item.
2. J.C. Penney. Rarely shop there but I needed some clothes for work. I had no time to wait for a sale so I had to deal with what they had. I bought a pair of khaki shorts, regular $30, a pair of capris, regular $44, a top, regular $24 and a polo, regular $18. My retail total was $116 before tax. I paid $53.72 including tax. The shorts were on sale for $19.99, the capris on sale for $24.99, the top on sale for 12.99 and the polo on sale for $8.99. I googled J.C. Penney coupons on my cell phone and found one for 25% off. They wrote down the coupon code and it took an extra $16.75 off my total. I saved 55% on this transaction and there was no preplanning. Side note-it kicked out a coupon for $15 off when you spend $50 in their home department. Always watch for coupons and stuff on your receipt. They can come in handy!
3. Finish Line. I never go here but my son had outgrown all of his shoes and needed some asap and I found a decent pair for work. I got him 3 pair, normally $40 each and my pair were normally $70. His shoes were on sale for $30, all 3 pair and mine were on sale for $40. I had $20 off if you spend over $100. My retail price before tax was $190, I paid $117 including tax. Almost a 40% off savings. Pretty good for Nike, Pumas, and Under Armour shoes.
4. Aeropostale. I usually only shop here for my nieces and nephews but needed work shirts. I bought 2 polos, regular $29.50, 1 shirt, regular $34.50, 1 tank, regular $24.50, 1 polo, regular $9.99, and 2 pairs of flip flops, regular $15 each. 2 polos were 50% off, 1 polo was 30% off, the shirt was on sale for $12, the tank was 60% off and the flip flops were on sale 2 for $10! That's a Great deal considering 1 pair is normally $15. The retail price was $158 before tax, I paid $73 after tax. Plus I got a free pair of sunglasses, retail $19.50, for Free for spending over $60. If I add in the sunglasses, I saved over 60%!! I had no coupons, didn't plan for this trip, I just went in because I needed a few shirts.
Here's a few tips: Always google the places you are planning to shop or even eat at, they often have coupons.
Sign up online for places you regularly shop at and even not so regularly shop at. Most send emails out all the time with coupons and sometimes even freebies.
Look for sales! I never buy anything at full price, idk why anyone would. Our economy is on the rocks but it is fairly easy to save some $.
Look at the ads in the paper or online. Often they have stuff there that is not always advertised in the store.
Take your time if you can. I know most of us have kids and jobs etc. And shopping can be a down right pain. Drop the kids off at a friends and spend an extra 20 mins looking around. It is worth it if you save an extra $40.
*Remember, there will Always be another sale. Do you really need the 72 inch big screen right now if you can save $200 on it in 2 weeks? The choice is yours but I prefer to leave a store with money still in my pocket.
If you enjoyed this, please share with your friends and leave feedback.
OneLove~Andi ☆
Thursday, April 24, 2014
A day off work
A day off of work, Yes!! No...to be quite honest, I'd rather be working. Don't get me wrong, I love sleeping in a bit later, getting lots of snuggle time with my son and being on my own schedule, then there's what I Should be doing. I had a list a mile long of things I needed and wanted to do. I got a few done but then again, my list was enough for a week of things to do plus having a 2 yr old barking orders and fussing for no reason didn't help either. As he sits here crying, for reasons unknown, I want to be him for a day. Sleep when I want, cry when I want, have people pay attention to me because they're genuinely interested, and not have a worry in the world except to wonder if Sponge Bob is on. Maybe this seems odd or selfish to you, idk, don't really care. If I could sleep until I wanted, people would be checking on me to see if I'm dead. The world has itself in such a hurry so ya know what? I'm not going to beat myself up over what I didn't get done (which is an everyday thing for me), I'm going to be happy with what I did accomplish. I sat with my baby through therapy, did 3 loads of laundry, the dishes, went to the grocery, loved on my son and played games with him and blogged lol. It may seem like a lot to others but to most mamas, you will understand when I say I felt like I did nothing. It's O.K. It's O.K. It's O.K. The other cleaning can be done another day. The room can organized this weekend and the storage unit cleaned out...someday. Getting extra kisses from my son got done today. Allowing myself not to go 101 mph got done today. Do I do this often? No. Should I do it more often? Yes. But if I don't do it, well, you know the rest. I'm not going to allow myself to be overwhelmed because I wasn't super human today, I was just human and that's o.k. A day off work is so not what it sounds like. We too often forget that our children should get more of our time. Just because they are with us does not mean we are with them. Be with your child. Clean another day. Take a mental break. The world didn't end and probably won't, hopefully.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
A lil bit of this and a lil bit of that
2014, minimum wage is $7.25, gas is around $3.69/gallon. This means if you work an 8 hr shift, most people on minimum wage cannot fill up their gas tank from that days wages...
Hi ★♥ My name is mom, mom, mom, mama, mama, mama, mommy, mommy, mommy, mum, mum, mum or to most of you, Andi. My full name is Andrea but so many people cannot pronounce it that I started going by Andi years ago, true story. I have a beautiful 2 yr old son and yes, he is cuter and more intelligent than your child ;) I live in a pineapple under the sea and my son and I do the hot dog dance daily. I love to coupon, volunteer, work with charities etc. I like long walks on the beach, Oh wait, that's for another site.
My blog will be filled with random mommy days, tips on saving $, pieces of my past and present, food for thought, although, I'm not a great chef, remembering that we all live on this earth and share it etc. I might make you laugh or cry, I apologize in advance. My attention span is about that of when you are flipping through the channels on tv. If you get lost in translation...well, quite frankly, I'd be worried if you didn't sometimes.
I have stopped writing now at least 8 times because of my son. He just threw a bowl of Kix and pretzels on the couch and while I picked them up, I sat the bowl on the table and then his cup in the bowl, spilling it all over again. Did I mention how proud I am of all the single parents? They never told us about this stuff huh?
Save your $! Do not spend it before it is in your hands. Bad habit our society has. You get your check and are already in the negative. Pay your bills! I don't want to. Sorry you don't want to work and keep popping out kids but I pay for mine, you can do for your own. We all have hardships, just because you ran out of your fav flavor of coffee creamer does not give you the right to be a jerk. Sigh, I will be back. Mommyhood calls. This was just a brief summary, more substantial stuff coming soon! Maybe...
Namaste! This means hello, goodbye but the true meaning is I bow to the divine in you.
Hi ★♥ My name is mom, mom, mom, mama, mama, mama, mommy, mommy, mommy, mum, mum, mum or to most of you, Andi. My full name is Andrea but so many people cannot pronounce it that I started going by Andi years ago, true story. I have a beautiful 2 yr old son and yes, he is cuter and more intelligent than your child ;) I live in a pineapple under the sea and my son and I do the hot dog dance daily. I love to coupon, volunteer, work with charities etc. I like long walks on the beach, Oh wait, that's for another site.
My blog will be filled with random mommy days, tips on saving $, pieces of my past and present, food for thought, although, I'm not a great chef, remembering that we all live on this earth and share it etc. I might make you laugh or cry, I apologize in advance. My attention span is about that of when you are flipping through the channels on tv. If you get lost in translation...well, quite frankly, I'd be worried if you didn't sometimes.
I have stopped writing now at least 8 times because of my son. He just threw a bowl of Kix and pretzels on the couch and while I picked them up, I sat the bowl on the table and then his cup in the bowl, spilling it all over again. Did I mention how proud I am of all the single parents? They never told us about this stuff huh?
Save your $! Do not spend it before it is in your hands. Bad habit our society has. You get your check and are already in the negative. Pay your bills! I don't want to. Sorry you don't want to work and keep popping out kids but I pay for mine, you can do for your own. We all have hardships, just because you ran out of your fav flavor of coffee creamer does not give you the right to be a jerk. Sigh, I will be back. Mommyhood calls. This was just a brief summary, more substantial stuff coming soon! Maybe...
Namaste! This means hello, goodbye but the true meaning is I bow to the divine in you.
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