Sarah Winfrey's blog
Posted 2 weeks 3 days ago by Sarah Winfrey
Shopping
I'm not going to beat around the bush here. I'll just say it like it is. All the hype around Mother's Day is ricidulous. For a holiday that's supposed to celebrate the precious relationship between a mother and her child, there sure is a lot to distract me from that relationship. Over the years, I've come up with some ways to give to my mom that avoid all the hype and the sappy generic-ness of the holiday as its often celebrated.
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Posted 10 weeks 3 days ago by Sarah Winfrey
Art and Leisure
So you've decided to take the plung and make this summer the one where you take your dream trip to Europe. Or Thailand. Or Australia. Or all of the above. But you survey your luggage situation and find, much to your chagrin, that you are in dire straights indeed. Do you need a bag that's extremely portable, because you don't know what sort of situation you'll find yourself in? Do you need one that can handle a sizable load but still remain manageable? Do you need something you won't be ashamed of in your posh hotel? Whatever shall you do?
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Posted 12 weeks 21 hours ago by Sarah Winfrey
Art and Leisure
You live in it. It's your work space, your meal space, your resting space, your relaxing space. It's where you drop your things when you come home and where you search for them before you leave again. It's your living room, the place where much of your life unfolds. It's easy to let this room be the "whatever" room, the room where all the old or natty furniture goes because you don't have another place for it or money to buy more. This room, however, sets the tone for your day. So make your living room a place where you can live, and live well.
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Posted 13 weeks 15 hours ago by Sarah Winfrey
General Tips
As your friendly neighborhood Wisebread writer, I took it upon myself to find some of the most interesting articles on love and money that I could, and I did it all so you don't have to (this is the part where you thank me profusely in the comments).
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Posted 14 weeks 1 day ago by Sarah Winfrey
General Tips
In an unofficial survey, 99% of my friends said they need more rest. By "rest," I don't mean sleep, but time that is refreshing and rejuvenating, time that gives and does not take away. When I asked these friends this question, they readily admitted needing more rest and knew what it would change for them. Whatever your reason for needing more rest (and my survey says you probably do!), here are 88 creative ways to get it.
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Posted 15 weeks 1 day ago by Sarah Winfrey
General Tips
I'm going to be honest with you--the last three weeks have been the most stressful I've ever experienced at work. Between moving into a new position and finding out that things are not as hunky-dory as they looked to being manipulated by an office control-freak, it's been quite the month. My head has been spinning, my sleep disrupted, and my emotions on edge. But, as I finally find the time and space to take a breather, I find that my head is still on my shoulders (what a relief!) and I've learned some things along the way.
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Posted 17 weeks 6 days ago by Sarah Winfrey
General Tips
"But Mo-om, I want it!" How many times have you heard that in the grocery store, or the toy store, or anywhere else, for that matter? Probably more than you can count. The truth is that, as adults, there are times when we keep ourselves from throwing these sorts of tantrums by buying something we don't need. We see an item, feel the same desperate need that child felt, and assuage our own feelings by buying the item. So it's time for all of us (and I include myself in this) to grow up, time to stop looking like adults on the outside but acting like chidren on the inside. To do this, we must learn to distinguish between what we need, what we need in certain conditions, and what we want.
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Posted 19 weeks 1 day ago by Sarah Winfrey
Investment
It's getting to be that kind of year again--the time when you anticipate filling out your tax returns, sighing with relief, and then realizing that you're not finished with forms yet. If you're a student looking at loans, there's at least one more to go, the dreaded FAFSA. Up until a few years ago, I approached the FAFSA with some trepidation. It wasn't the form itself--that wasn't bad at all. The problem came when I thought about taking out even more money than I already had to finance my education. Was it really worth it? Would I ever be able to pay them back? Was I getting myself further and further into debt needlessly and uselessly?
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Posted 21 weeks 1 day ago by Sarah Winfrey
Entrepreneurship
It's easy to list "Start Business" as a goal for the new year, but do you know what that actually means? About a year ago, I asked myself that question. Over these last months, I've done a ton of research on what it would realistically take to start a small business. I've had various ideas and have researched them all, and the list below contains items that seem to be true across the board.
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Posted 22 weeks 1 day ago by Sarah Winfrey
General Tips
The holidays are fun but, honestly, they're exhausting. It seems like there is more of everything than at any other time of year: more social events, more items on the to-do list, more money to spend and more stress about how to spend it. It's no wonder so many of us are tired. Here are a few ideas to perk you up.
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Posted 23 weeks 1 day ago by Sarah Winfrey
General Tips
"I know I've been eating so well and losing weight, but it's a holiday party and those desserts look excellent...it's just this once." "I said I wouldn't spend money on myself this Christmas, but these are such good sales. Just this once, I'll buy myself a present." So many of us find ourselves making statements like this to ourselves during the holiday season. We know our goals, and we're usually faithful to them, but we give ourselves special leeway over the holidays. Unfortunately, these decisions can come back to haunt us later. Not having our usual structure undermines our ability to stick with good habits. But we can develop new routines to counteract that. These will help us survive the holidays without damaging our goals.
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Posted 24 weeks 2 days ago by Sarah Winfrey
Life Hacks
Most people don't find frugality fun. Describe a thing as frugal and people will tune out. Describe a person as frugal and he immediately seems uninteresting. However, this does not have to be true. Make frugality into a game if you really want to achieve your financial goals.
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Posted 25 weeks 22 hours ago by Sarah Winfrey
Food and Drink
So it's The Day of the Turkey (at least here in the US) and we all know there will be leftovers. Since I can only eat so many TLT (Turkey, Lettuce, and Tomato) sandwiches, I've come up with some easy recipes and ideas so all that tasty bird doesn't just go bad.
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Posted 26 weeks 20 hours ago by Sarah Winfrey
Shopping
Do you want every gift you give to be from the heart? Do you dream about ending the power of materialism? Is encouraging sustainable community on your list for next year? Do you like championing local designers? Would you like to bring any of these values into your Christmas celebrations? If so, then the Handmade Pledge might be for you.
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Posted 27 weeks 2 days ago by Sarah Winfrey
Life Hacks
I don't know about you, but I hate grocery shopping. I hate it even when I get to shop at fun places, like Trader Joe's or Whole Foods. It takes so much time, and I never know if I'm getting a good deal or not, because I'm not organized enough to write down prices. Lately, I've been investigating some different ways to shop. Here are some grocery shopping alternatives that just might give you the break you need!
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Posted 28 weeks 1 day ago by Sarah Winfrey
Personal Finance
Sometimes wanting something and trying for it aren't enough. The honest truth is that, no matter how frugal you are, no matter how extensive your emergency fund, no matter how good your invetment portfolio, things can come up that ruin your financial situation. We don't like to think of these things (or, at least, I don't!), but they can happen. My family could be out on the street next month, despite our careful planning and tracking of our finances, and so could yours.
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Posted 29 weeks 20 hours ago by Sarah Winfrey
Life Hacks
A lady I know of died last night. It was expected; she was diagnosed with incurable cancer last spring. I didn't really know her, as I'd just recently moved into a place where I would have had contact with her. I wish I'd known her, as her friends are going to some great lengths to honor her. It's been really cool to see people coming alongside each other, comforting each other, speaking meaningful things to each other. One of the things that has comforted people, that I've heard them mention when they think about her and her family, is that they are in a secure place financially.
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Posted 30 weeks 1 day ago by Sarah Winfrey
Life Hacks
My guess is that many of you Wisebread readers know your financial priorities and have some idea of how you want to achieve these, though you may not have all the details ironed out (if you did, why would you read us?). However, what happens when those come into conflict, when your priorities collide and you don't know what to do next?
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Posted 30 weeks 6 days ago by Sarah Winfrey
Life Hacks
I'm not what you would call "A Good Sleeper." Never have been, at least not as long as I can remember. Since going through a day zombie-like is not fun (and not very productive, either), I've come up with some things that work to help me get to sleep and stay asleep. I hope they help you, too!
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Posted 31 weeks 6 days ago by Sarah Winfrey
Art and Leisure
It's that dreaded time of year again. No, not tax time. Nope, not time for New Year's resolutions, either. it's Halloween costume time. As in, the time of year where you wonder if you should just turn down the invitation to your friend's party because you have no idea what to wear or how much you'll have to spend for something you'll never use again. But never fear. You can accept the invitation with pleasure, because there are many easy, inexpensive, fun costumes out there.
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