Musings

Sometimes big events are anti-climatic. I shared in my last blog post how Fred and I recently became debt-free and compared it to my recent experience running a 5K. Both events were big for me – milestones in my life that I will look back on with pride and fondness, and yet, both events felt a bit disappointing in the moment. Don’t get me wrong – I am so glad for both of those things, and I am proud of both…

I used to think that money solved everything. This is not entirely inaccurate – money can do a lot of good things like feed hungry families, buy medicine for the sick, or provide something for someone who desperately needs it. But money is just a tool, and like any tool, it can be used for good or for evil. In addition, as The Beatles reveal to us in their famous song, there are some things it just can’t buy. This journey…

As an American living in Canada, I have the privilege of celebrating Thanksgiving day twice (and having a wonderful reason to eat a big turkey meal with loved ones in October and November)! This year, I realized that I want to practice Thanksgiving not just on those days set aside and given to us off of work, but always. Especially with Christmas coming up. This realization came mainly as I was planning my Christmas present list. I LOVE giving gifts…

It has been 2 months and 6 days since my last post. Although you should never make excuses, mine has been summed up in one word: work. I shared with you how Fred and I were both working full-time and how that was a new season for us. I’ve decided to share some of the pros and cons of being a (true) double income no kids (affectionately known as “DINK”) family. Pros: MONEY.  Fred and I were blown away at how…

For most of my life, I have struggled with contentment. I remember even back to my elementary school days, where I always wanted what I didn’t have: boys, clothes, friends, toys, you name it. This flaw has remained with me to this very day where I still compare my life to others. I know we can all relate to this. As wonderful as social media is, it gives us a chance, through several mediums, to compare ourselves to those we…

I don’t know about you, but I sometimes get overwhelmed trying to make dinner look like a Pinterest post. I really like Pinterest – don’t get me wrong. I love getting new ideas and seeing all of the clever DIY ideas, but I know that with our grocery budget, we value cost and health over beauty. Growing up, my mom always made simple dinners that were delicious, healthy and cost-effective. I thought that once I started making my own meals,…

My husband no longer has a job. This wasn’t really a surprise for us, as he was told 2 months ago that he was being let go due to enrollment (he’s a teacher). We had hoped that somehow things might change and that there might be a place for him, but the end of the school year came, and the decision was final. He officially wasn’t going back to the school he’s worked at for the past four years. Fred has been…

Yesterday was my 27th birthday. In some ways, I feel old, in other ways I feel really young. I think I’ve learned a lot over my life, and so for you today I have 27 things that I have learned in my lifetime. (I’ve grouped them into different categories for your convenience.) Ready? Here we go.    Money 1. Most money is just numbers on a paper (ex. your bank account balance) or theory (ex. your house may be “worth”…

Today is Fred and I’s 4th anniversary.  I’m currently sitting on a couch, watching Gilmore Girls and wearing my pajamas, and Fred is at a mandatory event at the school he works at. Some people might look at this situation and think “That’s so sad! Why aren’t you celebrating? I can’t believe you’re alone on your anniversary.” But I’ve never been happier.  We learned at a marriage retreat that year four is the most common year for divorce in Canada.…