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60 Minute Money Workout—a book review

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Image1I’m a natural born Saver. Spending too much money and racking up debt hasn’t been a struggle that I’ve personally had to deal with.  But I really love reading books on finances and money management. There are always new ways to look at the same old topic of how to get the most out of the little you already have.

The 60 Minute Money Workout is a lighthearted way to take another look at your finances and help you be master of your money and the way you live, instead of your money (or lack there of) being the master of you.

The idea is to spend just sixty minutes a week taking a deeper look into aspects of your finances and how you can change to make your money management as an individual or a couple better, and each chapter has thought questions, money quizzes and really, homework to help get you on the road to financial freedom.

I must admit that my natural penny pinching tendencies make budgets fascinating and the fact that this book has lists, another addiction I readily admit made it all the more fun to read and consider!

Personally, I’ve been studying about money and budgeting and being as debt free as possible for as long as I can remember, and did not find a lot about saving money in the book that I hadn’t already put into practice. But the questions and workouts at the end of the chapters did give me some new ideas about how to help others who may find money a tense issue in their homes and marriages, as well as some fun, new approaches to how I think about our personal goals and dreams.

I must admit, while I don’t claim to know money like she does, and while I think I can agree with her principles on almost every subject, there were a couple small things that I strongly believe have a lot of exceptions to the rule. One of those was some straws, more or less, about how allowances should be given and the importance they play. While this is a topic for a whole ‘nother time, let’s just say that I think there’s a lot more flexibility in this and some of the other minor aspects of managing money than the book seemed to suggest.

Still, many of her examples were fitting, and almost all of the workouts were very helpful, and I appreciated the encouragement to take an objective look together at finances without pointing fingers and without getting angry, so that solutions can be found and progress can be made towards the goals that can help ease the strain and the burden of being out of control when it comes to money, and overall, it made finding the right balance and creating a budget fun and interesting. I think that it would make a great engagement gift to a new couple, and if you’re just beginning to look for ways to get your own finances put together, I think the book could be helpful in keeping the attitudes light while dealing with a heavy topic. The most important thing is, if you struggle with money management, to find a good place to start, and this could be a great one.You can find this book, as well as other help books by the author, Ellie Kay, through Amazon and paperbackswap has some pop up from time to time, as well.

Thanks to Blogging For Books for this free copy for review.

Eat Your Peas—a book review

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The cover calls it a “three minute forever book” that is full of simple truths and happy insights, and Eat Your Peas is full of warm sayings and affirmations and Bible Promises paired with colorful text and graphics to catch the eye.

It’s a book, friend to friend, promising support and prayers and a listening ear, and while I do think it could make a sweet “thinking of you” gift, or a nice office table book, I must admit that this particular book wasn’t exactly my style of inspirational gift choices.

It isn’t because the sayings and thoughts aren’t heart felt, it is just that they were more greeting card style; a lighter, less personal feeling sort of encouragement than I would turn to for soothing the aches of living, or to inspire hope to take hold again in my heart.

And yet, I did find a page that made me smile. It’s a page about counting gifts, what the author calls “moments of grace”, and across from a little list of lovely things like freshly washed sheets and sunshine on cold days, is a part of a quote that says “Blessed are the little things…”, those little “moments of grace” in which GOD reaches down and touches us with the evidence of His care.

I probably won’t be buying extra copies of Eat Your Peas.  Maybe I’d have liked it better in a real book I could hold in my hands instead of an eBook. But I think that I’ll keep that beautiful definition of little things tucked away in my heart as I continue to look for the little things, the moments of grace, in each day of my life.

thanks to booksneeze for this complimentary copy of eat your peas for review purposes. thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

while the world watched–a review

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978-1-4143-3636-7I am a little ashamed to admit that even though I have loved history ever since I can remember, I haven’t read a lot about the Civil Rights movement.

So reading this book was really  important to me. Civil Rights does matter to me. A lot. ButI grew up in a part of the world that often felt far removed from the struggles in other parts of our country over skin and equality. In our home, there was no difference between Asian, Hispanic, Black or European—between anyone. I never heard my parents refer to people by their skin color.

It never occurred to me as a child that it would matter to anyone else in the world, either.

Until I went to an all African American church .Two thirds of the congregation was visibly uncomfortable, and half wouldn’t even look at me. I couldn’t figure out why then. I didn’t know about anything.

As I grew up, I read some about Martin Luther King. I became much more aware of the pain between two cultures in our nation. I read some about the KKK that disturbed me and gave me nightmares. But I had a hard time imagining something I’d never seen before, besides the reverse (and perhaps out of habit formed by prior sad experiences) prejudice I experienced when I attended that church as a child.

But one day I found myself in the true south. I finally understood what racial prejudice could still be like. I was shocked to hear that there were still places that were too dangerous to go if you had the wrong color of skin, hurt by the way that fellow Americans could still treat each other after so many years in a land that is free.

When I had the chance to read and review a copy of While the World Watched, I knew it would be good for me to understand more first hand what actually went on in the heart of one of the most violent places in the Civil Rights times. I figured it would be hard to read, and I was right.

While the World Watched isn’t an easy book to read. Carolyn Maull KcKinstry experienced some first hand some of the terrible things that happened during those years in Birmingham. She was in the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church on the day it was bombed. She lost four of her friends that day, and this book tells her story—of her life before and after, and of how she dealt with the death of her friends, and the way that the world seemed so silent for so long.

And though many times tears filled my eyes and found their way down my face, it was the way that she forgave that touched my heart the most. Even as she faced the man who had placed the bomb that killed her friends, she said “by God’s grace, I forgave…it’s the difficult road, but it is the road to ultimate freedom.”

I still feel like there is a lot more I want to know about the Civil Right’s Movement, and I really don’t know a lot about who Martin Luther King, Jr. was as a person, even though I’ve read and appreciated many of His quotes, and while I personally don’t support the politics of Obama and I believe that Civil rights goes both ways…and some of the other extremes that I’ve seen and experienced on both sides of the picture have made me feel that we all have a long ways to go still. (Such as experiencing severe prejudice as a white girl in an all black community—to the extent that they would hardly sell me a cup of water when I asked.) But I am glad I understand the kinds of things that have happened better now, because it helps me understand the potential cultivated fears behind the prejudice that still exists.

So, regardless of your views on the Civil Right’s Movement—and what should or shouldn’t have been done, Martin Luther King, or your political leanings today, I would say that While the World Watched is a book well worth the reading. If only to understand what it must have been like to be there, and yet to forgive.

thanks to tyndale publishing for this copy of while the world watched for review purposes. the opinions and statements made are mine alone.

God Loves Me More Than That: A book review

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I love being an auntie, and one of the things I’m looking forward to is being able to share the love of reading and of good books with our little nieces and nephews.  Shayla loves books already, and when Gretchen reviewed “God Loves Me More Than That” over on the littlepinkhouse, I knew that this choice was a good one and was anxious to get it for myself.

My copy of God Loves Me More Than That arrived not that long ago, and I enjoyed reading the little “Dandilion rhymes” that told over and over again how much God loves us…more than the buzzes of bumble bees and soft as a summer breeze.

The little rhymes are easy to understand (or explain!) and every single page has an adorable painting featuring a little boy as he asks questions and gets answers about God’s love.

This book is perfect for toddlers and perhaps even as a simple reader for little ones just starting to read on their own, and I think you’ll agree with me that the message and the pictures are so sweet that it will be read again and again. I know I can’t wait to share it with my niece next time she is here, because even though she is a little hard on books still, I know she’ll enjoy the pictures and I want her to never forget that she is very loved…more than anything else, by our God.

Note: Thank you to Multnomah Books and the blogging for books program for this copy for review purposes.

6 Things About Thanksgiving

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I have always loved celebrating Thanksgiving Day.

I love the meaning, the history behind the day, the family time and chance to celebrate all the little things that make our lives wonderful.  These things make Thanksgiving the perfect gem in the middle of Autumn.

For most of us in the US, Thanksgiving Dinner is a big deal. It’s one of the days when we go “all out” and make it the biggest meal of the year. Bountiful tables and enough food to feed an army are sort of signatures of the modern Thanksgiving day.

But sometimes money is tight. Breaking the budget for a single meal is not a great option. And sometimes we make Thanksgiving more complicated and exhausting than it needs to be.

We’re so busy stressing about not having everything we “usually” do, or slaving the week away in the kitchen that we don’t have time to enjoy our families or even be thankful for anything!

Scott and I have had many, many lean holiday seasons in our years together. I totally understand the stress of wishing for just a few more dollars to add that little, special touch to the holiday meal. And I’ve been a part of enough giant celebrations to understand what it is like to drag to the dinner table with aching feet, and only be able to think of how many more dishes I have to wash before I can fall into bed.

But Thanksgiving Day doesn’t have to be exhausting and it doesn’t have to break the budget in order to be fun and memorable. 

Here’s a few little tips that I pull out during the holidays to celebrate our frugal, thankful holiday traditions.

thans

1. Plan Ahead

We all know that planning is important for any successful celebration. But I’m talking about planning ahead. When money is tight, having a plan in place long before the calendar rolls over to “November 1” may save you a lot more than you think it will.

Time wise, you’ll be able to work through the to-do list as smoothly as possible. And planning ahead also means you can make the most of sales through out the year and save a lot more money than you might expect. This means you can create a celebration that is meaningful and fun, even without some of the extras!

Many people already shop for deals and stock up when they can. But if money is tight, make a list of things that are strongly associated with holidays and look for deals all year long. Shop wisely and keep a few dollars tucked away to use when you see a particularly good sale on items that are shelf stable.  Watching for sales definitely pays off.  Here’s a few things I’ve done to give you some ideas of what to shop ahead for.

  • I found cans of pumpkin for .25/each one year after Christmas. And our favorite cranberry sauce went on sale for over 50% off after the holidays another year. Even though I had no need for either pumpkin or cranberry in the immediate future, I stocked up on several cans of each. Not only did I get to enjoy several meals of pumpkin waffles, but I had pumpkin on hand for pumpkin pies and cranberry sauce ready to go when the next Thanksgiving rolled around.
  • I’ve seen awesome sales in the fall for other main components of Thanksgiving dishes. Some of it can be prepped and frozen in advance (celery and onions, for example. This can not only cut down on the time consuming mise en place when you are cooking your main dishes.  Some things last really well in cold storage and will be good for weeks or a month or two in advance. Pumpkins are often $1 each after halloween. You can cook them and freeze the puree, or pop the pumpkin in the fridge until closer to Thanksgiving.
  • If you want special plates or decorations, the week after Thanksgiving is a great time to  pick up items on clearance.

 

Planning ahead isn’t just about the food, though. When you are on a tight budget, a little time and creative thinking means you can create some beautiful and thankfulness inspired decor without a lot or any cost. (Check out my pinterest board for some low cost ideas and free printables to spice up your Thanksgiving table.)

Taking time to plan out the day its self is also important. It means you can make sure you have time to spend with your loved ones. And it gives you a chance to be intentional about making Thanks the focus of your celebrations.

2. Keep it Simple

Some of my favorite Thanksgiving memories are simple things. Growing up, we had Thanksgiving food, but simplified.

We made just the things we loved, not everything just because. We skipped some of the traditional dishes, and went for a lighter, but just as delicious twist. The majority of  Thanksgiving, we had Hot Turkey Sandwiches. Our sides were a fresh vege tray with a few dips and cranberry sauce. We topped it off with a favorite dessert.

It was so much easier to create, and took much less time to clean up. The simple menu meant we had a lot more time to do some of the other things we enjoyed the most about Thanksgiving day. For us, it was more about our fun traditions than just a big meal. (More on that in a little bit.)

Now I’m married and have my own family, Thanksgiving looks different than it did growing up. But I took the principle of keeping it simple with me.  Scott and I talked about what we both thought made Thanksgiving special, and our celebrations are a melding of both of our favorite things.

So when time and money are tight, sit down and have a family talk. Decided what it is about Thanksgiving that you all love the most. Keep those parts, and let the other expectations go.

3. Create new Traditions

I am all for old Traditions. They bind families together and make some of the best memories. But not all of us are lucky enough to have extended families to go back to…and even when we do, there’s not always money in the budget for long trips over the holidays.

Growing up, one of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions was our family costumes. I love playing dress ups, even as an adult. And creating and wearing our little nod to the first Thanksgivings was a huge highlight for me.

Thanksgiving 2007. My crazy family. #traditions

A photo posted by Chantel Brankshire (@beautifu1_wp474) on

This was seven years ago. Sometime I just can't believe time. #happythanksgiving

A photo posted by Chantel Brankshire (@beautifu1_wp474) on

But marriage is all about joining and combining two lives into one. And I am a huge fan of new traditions, too! Scott isn’t as keen on dress ups as I am (He’ll play along sometimes though), but we have created our own little traditions since getting married that are a great blend of both of our backgrounds.

Some of my favorites are sharing one of our favorite moments from the past year, playing our favorite music, and cooking our favorite holiday foods together.

Now that we have a toddler, I’m sure Thanksgiving will include some crafts and outdoor play too. We’re both excited about continuing to develop traditions our kids will look back on fondly each year when they grow up.

While Thanksgivings today are not very much like the Thanksgivings I grew up with, they are wonderful too. At first, letting go of or modifying some of my favorite traditions was a little bit hard.   My gentle advice for any newly married people, or families in new seasons where it feels like everything familiar has been swept away: don’t think of changing traditions as a loss as much as a chance to create. Sometimes, new traditions pieced from the old are the best ones anyway!

4. Sharing With “Strangers”

Thanksgiving was created to be shared with others. Not just family, but community. One of my favorite things about my parents’ home is how they embraced hospitality, especially at Thanksgiving time.

I grew up in Alaska. We were thousands of miles away from any of our own extended family, and many people in our community were also alone for the holidays. Many of my growing up holidays are filled with memories of my parents’ open door. Anyone who didn’t have a place to be was invited. Sometimes our house was completely overflowing. Sometimes it was just one or two. But the warmth and love in those circles was perfect. That spirit of Thanksgiving made a big impact on me.

I don’t always have large gatherings in my own home. But those Thanksgivings have made me much more aware of loneliness and much less concerned about how my house looks than being welcoming and generous with what we have.

Maybe you can’t invite 25 “strangers” into your Thanksgiving celebration. But if you can? Find that one or two lonely people in your circles and make them feel a part of a family this year.

5. Taking time to Remember

No matter what kind of meal you make, what your favorite traditions are, or who you bring into your family gatherings, on’t forget to stop and remember on Thanksgiving day.

Look back at your year, and talk about what God is doing in your life. Remembering is one of the best ways to stop taking for granted the good things in our lives.

Sometimes life can be rough. Really, really rough. Personally, I’ve found nothing quite as inspiring as remembering the good times and the ways God has taken care of me. Taking a little time to talk about our blessings has definitely inspired a lot of courage and hope through hard times. And Thanksgiving is the perfect day to spend some time doing just this!

6. Savor every blessing

Gratitude is a big thing for me. It’s changed my attitude and in many ways my entire life outlook. So it is really important to me to be intentional on Thanksgiving and every day about being grateful.

And because life is busy and a little crazy sometimes, it’s easy to get caught up in living and forget to savor moments and little things.  I like to take Thanksgiving as chance to refocus my “gratitude” lense a little.

Take time to write down 100 tiny, ordinary things that make you feel happy.  Sing songs that make you feel thankful. Just take time to be still, and notice what’s around you. See the good in your life, and soak it all in.

Savor your Thanksgiving day and the people who make it wonderful.

You can read more about how I try to be intentional about adding “thanks” back into Thanksgiving in my home each year in this post.

I’d love to hear about how you make your Thanksgiving celebrations special!

And… most of all have a very happy Thanksgiving, y’all!

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