Money Making March Challenge: Put $500 In Your Pocket This Month!

We are closing out Frugal February and moving into Money Making March. How did it go with your no-spend challenge month? Did you participate? Even if you didn't, did some of the posts and challenges make you reexamine some of your spending habits? I know I stopped myself a few times from mindlessly scrolling on Amazon or popping on to other online stores just to take a look at their sales. I made a few minor purchase slip-ups, most of them were around the $5 mark so I call it a win. If you are new here, this year, my husband and I will be making the final payment on our home {the only debt we have}. I often get asked how we are able to live life like we do. I usually take this as a compliment because it means we are making frugal living look glamorous! I'm going to add $500 extra to my pocket this month. Want to know how? Keep reading for more!

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DIY Painted Wood Bead Garland

When it comes to home decor, DIY is my middle name! I think it's because so often when I was younger, my mom and I would be shopping and she'd always say to me, "you could make that"! {Side note, also one of the worst things you can mention out loud at a craft fair to the vendor.} I always liked the challenge of creating something and making it my own. This mostly came out of being thrifty but it also comes out of some weird calming effect the art of mass-producing things gives me. I've seen these painted wood bead garlands all over the place, from the shelves at Magnolia Market, to the baskets at the local hobby shops. I thought I'd try my hand at making them and am sharing how you can do it too! Let's go and make some DIY painted wood bead garland!

Speaking of Magnolia Market, here are 5 things you need to know before you visit!

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Living with a Traumatic Brain Injury

I consider myself a fairly open book. I am not a fan of secrets {maybe because they are hard for me to keep?} and I tend to overshare more than keep things to myself. I've been writing a blog since 2005 so sharing my life on the internet isn't something that's new to me, but keeping things to myself is. Five years ago, I was driving my minivan with our golden retriever Sophie to pick up my daughter from a friend's house. I was stopped on a two-lane road waiting for traffic to pass so that I could make a left turn into the neighborhood when a minivan {the exact same make, model, and color as my own} didn't attempt to slow down and rammed into the back of me going around 50 mph. I was able to walk away from the accident, but it didn't take long before I realized that even though I didn't have any outward scars and the bruising and swelling were going down, there was something more going on. I was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury {TBI} and now, with the insurance settlement behind me, I can talk about what it's really been like to live with a TBI.

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How to Get the Fixer Upper Style from a Thrift Shop

If you’re on a tight budget or just looking for a few ways to save some money while giving your home the Fixer Upper treatment, you don’t have to look far to snag a great bargain. Thrift shops have so many great options that need a little coat of paint or some DIY work to give you that Fixer Upper look you’ve been dreaming of! Here is how to get the Fixer Upper style from a thrift shop.

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How to Fix a Crooked Picture Frame on a Gallery Wall For Good!

Know one of my pet peeves? Crooked frames. I just cannot stand seeing a crooked frame hanging. There is one frame on my dining room wall that is constantly moving. I literally walk to it at least once a day just to straighten it. It's become my little OCD habit. One frame is one thing, but when you have a gallery wall and there are eight or twelve frames askew, watch out. I'm looking for a solution. I took to Twitter to see what you all would recommend and I loved the creative solutions. I decided to try one simple thing surprised that I hadn't thought of it before and dangit if it didn't work like a charm. So I'm sharing my secret tip on how to fix a crooked frame for good!

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How to Make the Perfect Pancakes

Whether sweet or savory, making pancakes can be a great activity to get the whole family involved. Have you ever heard of Shrove Tuesday? I hadn't until I started watching an Irish TV show. Shrove Tuesday is also called Pancake Day. Who knew? 
Pancake Day is the day before Lent commences, a Christian festival which sees people fasting and giving up rich food. It is traditional for those involved to use all their 'bad' foods up in recipes on Shrove Tuesday, hence the idea of serving pancakes with a wide range of fillings. It's always exciting for me to learn about a new cultural tradition. Even if you are just making Saturday morning pancakes or pancakes for brunch, these tips to make the perfect pancakes will still help. 

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Wants and Needs: How to Balance Both in a Budget

Budgeting is a balancing act, and a good budget helps you create a balance between your wants and needs. However, when it comes to determining your monthly budget, you need to understand whether a category is considered a want or a need. Outside of budgeting, this goes for your purchases too. Wants and needs will vary from person to person; determining whether a purchase is or not can be tricky. Here are a few ways to help you distinguish between wants and needs.

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Easy Pet Fashion Personalized Bandana with the Cricut Joy

This post is brought to you by Cricut. All opinions are 100% my own.
Our dogs are like a part of our family. I know I'm not the only one who feels this. Pet adoption rates during COVID have been soaring! If you didn't adopt a pet during quarantine, I bet you know someone who did! Today, I've got a little something for that furry member of your family...or to give as a gift! Create a fashion statement for your pet with these easy to make personalized bandanas. Using your Cricut, you can personalize just about anything for anyone, even the furriest members, and no, I'm not talking about my dad! Why not customize one of the most iconic fashion statements a dog can make and add some personality to a bandana. I'll show you how you can easily sew a basic pattern to make an over-the-collar dog bandana or personalize an existing bandana to fit the personality of your pet. Don't worry, you can even make these for your cat or other furry friends with some tweaks to the pattern. Want to find out how? Come check it out!

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Which Budget System is Right for You

Sticking to your budget can be hard no matter what method of budgeting you choose. However, choosing a budget that is best suited to your lifestyle and goals can make a huge impact on how well you’re able to stick to your budget. There are so many different ways and apps to budget that it can be challenging to pick one if you’re just getting started. So here is a guide to help you choose the best budget system for you!

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