Feeling Discouraged About Your Finances? Read this.

First of all, let me tell you this post is not professional advice but experiences I’ve had and lessons I’ve learned in the past 4 years living on one income in California. Now back to the post.

You just had a huge unexpected expense. Your car needed new tires. There goes $800. You wonder why you even try, you feel like you’ll never reach your financial goals.

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Knowing When and How To Stop

I have been studying about how to be a more assertive person for years, so anything that has to do with setting boundaries and self-advocating is always fascinating to me. It’s such a blessing to chat with someone on the phone, have someone over for a party, or visit someone at their house. But sometimes, it can be awkward – especially when it comes to knowing when to stop and/or leave. No one teaches you how to handle these situations, and in my research there isn’t a whole lot out there about this subject, but I’m going to share what I’ve found.

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You Think You’re Being Considerate, But You’re Doing it Wrong

I believe that being considerate is a vital part of being a decent human being. We should always have empathy and think of how others are feeling. But, I also think many of us have a wrong understanding of what being considerate is, and it can prevent us from having thriving relationships and meaningful connections with others as well as receiving the help we need.

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Creativity With Constraints

I’ve Always Been a Maker

I have always loved creating. I have always loved writing, drawing, painting, decorating, making outfits, working with clay, projects, PowerPoint slideshows, scrap-booking. My favorite things to do are writing and drawing, however. When I was a little girl I drew pictures of girls with arms coming out of their head. When I was a preteen I drew… cholas. (Hey, I lived in South San Jose in the 90’s, what can I say?) When I was a teenager, I drew fantasy characters and anime. I would draw all the time. I drew more than 500 pictures in one summer (and yes, I took the time to count.) So yeah, as you see I enjoy creating.

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The Importance of Leisure

I just finished reading “Entre Nous” by Debra Olivier. It’s described as “A Woman’s Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl” As you may have noticed, I am a total Francophile. (I even took French in college!) There is much I admire about French culture. Their lifestyle of walking everywhere, the food, the appreciation for style and leisure and routine. Extra-marital affairs? Not so much. You take what you like, leave what you don’t, non? One thing is certain, the French know how to enjoy the small pleasures life.

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