7 Tips to Revamp Your Spring Wardrobe on a Budget

I'm partnering with Stitch Fix to bring you this message. All opinions are 100% my own. Promise!
I'm the furthest thing from a fashion blogger. I like clothes, but I'm cheap. I would say my wardrobe is a combination of garage sale/thrift shop finds with some boutique shop clothes thrown in. If you ask me where I got something, it's probably years old and no longer in the store. But it works for me because I'm not super trendy in what I wear, and I stick with neutrals for the most part so it seems timeless. Or at least to me it does. Don't go and burst my bubble!

For the past year or so, I've had a Stitch Fix delivered every other month. I love the ease of a personal shopper and getting the Fix delivered to my doorstep feels like Christmas. Sometimes I force myself to let it sit on the counter so I can build up the excitement to open it to see what's inside! With spring upon us, I decided to send a note to my stylist to let her know what clothes I had in my closet that I wanted to work with so I could revamp my wardrobe without spending a lot of money. If there is anything you've heard me say about money saving on this blog through the years it's been to work with what you have. These are my 7 best tips on how you can revamp your spring wardrobe on a budget because I know you are all busy moms like me looking for ways to still look cute and hip, but not break the bank, because college tuition and stuff. So come check out my tips!

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8 Items I Always Shop for First at Grocery Outlet

I have partnered with Grocery Outlet to share my best money-saving tips on things you buy every week. All opinions are 100% my own. I wouldn't tell you about something I don't love. Promise!
You know how they say you should only shop the perimeter of the grocery store? That's not true if you are shopping at Grocery Outlet. I love a good bargain, so I make time to visit more than one grocery store weekly to shop loss-leaders and follow the deals. I first wrote about my love of Grocery Outlet more than five years ago when I did the series, Living Well on Less. Some of my tips and shopping habits have changed from that post {all of my kids living in my home are teenagers now!}, but the money-saving advice is the same. I still make frequent trips to my Grocery Outlet and usually shop there first before making a major shopping trip to my other local store. You just never know what you will find, but odds are you will find it at a deep discount. It's worth it for me to shop there first and I promise, if you have a store nearby, it's worth it for you too! I always go to Grocery Outlet to get my BargainBliss!

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The Best Tips for Planning a Successful Staycation

I love vacation. I often say I'm a self-proclaimed vacation expert because I'm just that good at it, but vacation doesn't have to mean going away to some far-off destination. In fact, sometimes people go away on vacation and they aren't the most relaxing and rejuvenating experiences. Look at what your goals of vacation are. Mine is usually to connect with my family and get some much-needed rest from the daily grind. Your vacation goals can usually be accomplished with a staycation and because they don't involve traveling, they can be great for the budget. I've got some of my best tips for planning a successful staycation so you can enjoy and experience new and exciting things close to home.

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Blackberry, Kiwi and Chia Pudding with Granola Recipe

Chia seeds aren't just for those furry little chia pets you find as a gag gift. Nope, they are popping up everywhere as a superfood you shouldn't be ignoring. Chia seeds actually have three times more iron than spinach, twice as much potassium as a banana and are a great source of fiber. They are a small but mighty seed and you are going to want to come up with more ideas on how to incorporate them into your daily diet.  Speaking of diet, if you are looking to watch what you eat, chia seeds can help you feel full longer since they absorb 10 times their weight in water. This blackberry, kiwi and chai pudding with granola is a great way to try load up on those superfoods. 

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Should I Get TSA Precheck or Global Entry?

Our family travels by air a lot. My husband isn't a big fan of driving anywhere so we generally fly. About three years ago, after long security lines at the airport and a few frustrating travel experiences, we decided to look into TSA Precheck. There are several different trusted traveler programs that include TSA Precheck, we ended up settling on the one we felt like gave us the most bang for our buck and we haven't looked back since. I have already told you if I think TSA Precheck is worth the money in this post. Long story short, I think it is, but you should read the post and see for yourself. The next question I get once people decide on TSA Precheck is, should I look into a program that offers TSA Precheck or should I get Global Entry? I'm sharing how we decided to get the trusted traveler program that we did. Ask every single person in our family and they would agree it's one of the best things we've done. Hopefully, you can make the decision that is right for you after reading this.

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Top 5 Things to do in Waco, Texas

When I visit Waco, Texas, or when people ask me what to do, these are the places I always recommend that they stop at. I won't miss them on my visits, so they are the ones I always tell people they shouldn't miss either. I'll go out of my way to plan my visit to Waco around these 5 best things to do in Waco, Texas.

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Family Financial Planning Tips

Over Christmas break, we had all three of our kids in the back of the minivan as we were driving home from dinner. My husband and I started talking about vacuum cleaners. We chatted animatedly about these cleaning machines and how we use them in our home for a good ten minutes before our oldest son {who is 20} grumbled {and I can only assume also rolled his eyes} and said: "remind me never to get old." The other kids had obviously tuned us out, but they joined in on the heckling and started talking about how very boring we are and how lucky our oldest son is to be away from home at college because he's no longer privy to our "boring" adult conversations. Lucky him. Truth is, we've been having a lot of "boring" adult conversations for many, many years. My husband and I got married young {I was 19, he was 20} and started having kids shortly thereafter. We bought our first house when we were 21 and 22 respectively. I chose to stay at home with the kids after college graduation and by 26 we had three kids, one income, a mortgage, and a minivan.  

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Is Removable Shiplap Wallpaper the Right DIY Project for Your Home? An Honest Opinion on the Whole Process

I love shiplap. I loved shiplap before it was a household word. I loved shiplap before I knew it had a name and people like Joanna Gaines started throwing it up left and right. I grew up in a home built in 1860. It's probably what gave me my love of old houses. I love the character and the charm of an old home. My husband, not so much. I've been begging for years to put shiplap up on a wall to which the response I always get is, why would you nail boards to the wall? I finally hit a weak moment and decided to stop thinking about it and just try a little shiplap alternative with some peel and stick textured shiplap wallpaper from Target. I'm giving my honest opinion on how I feel about it and if I'd do it again. Maybe you are considering putting up shiplap wallpaper. Is shiplap wallpaper right for your home? Read on.

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Matthew 25 Challenge Day 7: One Child at a Time

You did it! You made it to the end of our 7-day text challenge. We were in this together and I'm so glad that you joined me. In case you are new here, read a little bit more about the Matthew 25 challenge.  Now it's time to celebrate! I can't wait to see how this experience has shaped you and your family.  Several years ago, I read a quote by Shane Claiborne, in his book Irresistible Revolution that says "the problem is not that American Christians do not care about the poor. The problem is that American Christians do not know the poor" How true is this! We care when we know. When we hear about true need and crisis, American people are quick to step up and help when they can.

It's so hard to know how we can know about those needs, but I hope that this week's Matthew 25 challenge helped to open your eyes so that you have a larger world view.

Want your final challenge???

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Matthew 25 Challenge Day 6: There is Hope

This week, things on the blog and on my social media are going to be looking a little bit different. It's because this week, we are being challenged together through the World Vision Matthew 25 Challenge. To learn more about the challenge, click here.

"...whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me..." Today's challenge is to go on a 30-minute prayer walk around your community. You may be tempted to skip this challenge, but don't miss this! I really think this walk can be encouraging to you. 

Family challenge: bake cookies or some banana bread {this is my mom's banana bread recipe!}, and drop them off for a neighbor on your walk. 

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Matthew 25 Challenge Day 5: Childhood Lost

This week, things on the blog and on my social media are going to be looking a little bit different. It's because this week, we are being challenged together through the World Vision Matthew 25 Challenge. In case you missed it, you can get the whole explanation here. 
"...I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me..." Today's challenge is to pray for someone you know that is going through a hard time. 
Family challenge: put together a blessing bag you can keep in your car to hand to someone in need. A blessing bag is easy to make! Fill a Ziploc bag with non-perishable food items like granola bars and water bottles as well as personal care items like a toothbrush, shampoo, and wipes. 

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