From March 2016 to January 2019, we paid off $66,000 in debt. So how did we do it? Did we win the lottery? Rob a bank? Sell organs? No, the truth is not as crazy, sexy, or movie-worthy as any of these. Read on to see what we did and how you, too, can reach financial independence.
How We Paid off $66K of Debt in 32 Months — Part 2: Winter Wedding Bells & Debt Snowballs
This is part two of a three-part series on how we got out of debt and began the path to financial freedom. From meeting in our nutrition class, to having a glorious winter wedding less than a year later, to beginning our journey to pay off debt, this chapter was quite a whirlwind of change…
How We Paid off $66K of Debt in 32 Months — Part 3: Debt Free & Pursuing Financial Freedom
This is part three of a three-part series on how we got out of debt and began the path to financial freedom. After nearly three years, we finally made the last debt payment in January 2019, and are now on the path to full financial independence…
Happy in Fall & Winter: How to Boost Your Mood in the Dark & Cold Months
Some people looooove the fall and winter months. I am not among them. As a “solar-powered lizard,” I much prefer the bright warm days of summer. I have long struggled with seasonal affective disorder (which has the most apt acronym of all time: SAD). While others are rejoicing that pumpkin spice lattes are back on the menu, I find myself dreading the coming months of darkness, cold, and depression. Fortunately, I happened to read a book called Winter Blues: Everything You Need to Know to Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder by Norman E. Rosenthal, MD last year that changed everything for me. The book—coupled with heaps more research and experimentation I did last fall and winter—helped make fall and winter far more bearable. It’s still not my favorite time of year, but at least I now know how to make the best of it. Here now are some of the strategies that have proven most useful. If you struggle with SAD, too, I hope a few of these natural solutions can help you boost your mood through fall and winter.
Join the Sober ‘Tober Challenge
We are excited to announce our first monthly challenge: no alcohol for all of October. Or for those who share our love of rhyme: Sober ‘Tober. Why have we singled out booze for this challenge? Isn’t a glass or two of red wine a night supposed to be good for your health? Isn’t the resveratrol in grape skins supposed to protect against aging, cancer, and heart disease? As in many things, the truth is nuanced. Yes, some quantities of alcohol do seem to be beneficial for some people, but most of us would probably benefit from less C₂H₆O in our lives. How much better off could we be? That’s where this challenge comes in. Removing this chemical compound―and the accompanying social habits that go with it―for 31 days is enough time to start seeing significant affects and begin forming new alternative habits.
Reduce Your Food Bill With: Reducing Food Waste
Nearly half of the world’s food supply is wasted. Much of the groceries we buy end up spoiling before we use them. Read on to see my 5 tips for saving more money on food by never letting anything go to waste!