Saving money may be tough, but taking small steps has a big impact. When you reduce your spending habits in small ways, this not only saves you that $15 extra dollars weekly on the treat that you buy everyday during work(example), but it also help you to build up your self control when it comes to spending money. It is then easier to apply this to greater financial decisions.

Honestly, you have to fight those urges to buy something on the spot that you “Really Need!” AKA, want. Here are a few different ways to ensure you are making the right decision:

1. How many hours of work did you do in order to buy this? Is it really worth that much of your time and effort?
2. Do you really need this, or is it just a want? It is not bad to get things we want, but really think about bringing it home and how much of an impact it would have on your life.
3. Leave it for later. Leave the store, go home, or get something to eat, and if you forget about it then you know it was not that important. If you remember it, you usually are able to feel either totally fine with going back and purchasing it, or without the pressure of it right in your hands you usually will listen to your conscience if it is a bad idea.
4. Consider the big picture. Think of something absolutely amazing and beneficial to you that really want AND need. Maybe you could really use a new washer or a new set of tools? Maybe even another more reliable car? So think about this, and every time you want to spend the money, set it aside instead. Keep a picture of that end goal on you or in your wallet, even rubber band it to your card or I.D. so you always see it as motivation to save. I guarantee you will feel more fulfilled when you reach that goal that will really help you out. Instead of buying more clothes or knickknacks every paycheck, before you know it you will have something so awesome. So save up for that new appliance or a great down payment for a car.
5. Do you have to get a new one? Is it something that could not be improvised with some things at home? Or, even from a garage sale or thrift store? People give nice things away all of the time because a million different situations and circumstances. Take advantage of these great deals!
6. Imagine the purchase out of context. Things are set up in the store to make you want it, everything is strategic.  But once the purchase is taken out of the display and is placed in your home, will it still have the same appeal?
7. Every breath you take is your chance to change things! This can go for every aspect of your life, even if it is starting with your mindset. Remember, small changes and CELEBRATE SMALL SUCCESSES. From there, bigger ones will come more naturally and easily. You CAN do anything you want to, even if it takes time. Mistakes do happen in everybody’s life, so don’t let them stop you. Saving your money and spending it wisely does not only make this life in this world easier, but it also builds your self esteem and confidence tons. Try it, the most you can lose is.. Less space in your bank account?

I am not currently trying to sway voters to Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, I have recently become more interested in following what has been going on.  With many reasons to stay aware so our informed decisions can bring and keep this country together, we need to stay focused on the facts and what the important issues are.  A new infamous headline that is filling up airtime on television and the radio was that he was not ”concerned about the very poor.” Even this was out of context.  He was then put down because he had misspoken, and the other time Romney spoke on the issue it was okay because of how he said it.  This is unnecessary sidestepping that distracts America from issues such as the war going on in Afghanistan and what we believe the true values of this country are.

I will continue to pray for this election to stay focused on the most important issues that are at hand and for everybody who will be participating in the future of the United States of America.  Good Luck!

~*K*~

I miss everyone so much, and to be honest I was in an unhealthy and dangerous situation for a while that increased greatly after I moved from Florida.  I am in an unknown location at the moment for safety measures, and I would love to hear how everybody is doing and if there is anything I can do to make YOU GUYS happy(:

I love you guys!

♥

I got home from work, very normal.  Watched a little bit of The Cheetah Girls(yes, I liked it, okay, ha)  but had to feed the dog and leave.  Weeelll, when I had opened the front door, a sweet girly puppy (that I thought was a boy for some reason) just desparately popped inside.  She was a medium-small dog, black and petite.  She had no collar, and Samantha loved her and she was just walking around as though she had lived there, all casually.  I immediately fell in love and wanted her, but I assumed she probably belonged to somebody because she was perfectly trained and loving.  I ended up driving around with her and walking her on the beach, getting all cute and practicing my cutest faces for when I asked Cooper if we can keep her, when I found out from my neighbor, who is really nice, that she knew who the owner was.  I had an instant broken heart, but then I realized that whoever her owner was must love her a lot too, and I guess he had been so sad when she had left.  It was my fault for deliberatly torchuring myself like that.

Sam, Our American Bulldog

Well, we still have lamo Sam, and we can’t help but love her dumb-butt.  JK I love you Sam(:

Good morning to everybody.

I love it so much too, because it seems to be a genuine thing for fun and enjoyment, the not keeping track of money and the openness of showing off to random people.  I think its a pretty cool thing, lucky kids(:

I don’t know about you, but I love looking at crazy houses and really unique buildings.  I have tons of ideas and think really out of the box a lot of the time, but to actually see somebody make theirs a reality is so amazing to me.  Here are some pretty cool ones I especially liked:

These wooden sphere houses are popping up in Canada, and are being bought as houses or are even just rented for a little vacation.  I would love to live here, so simple(:  Just read here about Tom Chudleigh’s cool reasoning behind this design, I think it is really awesome he was so considerate of nature(:

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This ‘Cactus House’ is so pretty, it is an apartment building.  It was so strategically built, in an attempt to give each unit as much outdoor space and indoor sunlight as possible.  I am excited, I want to go here.  It has 98 units and 19 floors, and It looks so wonderful to me.  I cannot figure out whether this building was actually made yet or is still just a design.  These pictures look pretty convincing to me though(:

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This is kind of interesting to me, why have to endure nature when you are ‘camping’ when they are now trialing the idea of travel pods,enclosed with polycarbonate glass box, courtesy of Travelodge?  They are portable hotel rooms complete with AC, DVD player, a big bed, and even a restroom.  They are 6 m long, 2.4 m wide, and 2.6 m high.  It struck me as creepy at first too because of all of the windows when night comes, but it also comes with blinds.  I do think this would be good for somebody who would love to be in the outdoors, but is held back because of really bad allergies or some other kind of preventable condition.

I am wondering how people will get them places, but they are supposed to become available soon at different outdoor events that may last pretty late or for a few days, such as music festivals of sporting competitions.

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And come HERE to see some really amazing Tree Houses(:

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Here are a few more cool buildings I really liked

<3 <3

Solid Potato Salad – The Ross Sisters (1944)

Pretty crazy, eh?  Not much needs to be said.