Season of Focus & Making Memories

This summer flew by in a blur of busy, crazy, memorable moments, so my website took a back seat. Between family adventures, everyday responsibilities, new hobby of gardening, swimming as much as I could, and focusing on my health, the days flew by.

One of the greatest highlights this summer was traveling to Florida to celebrate my youngest graduating high school. After covid, she began taking classes with Abeka Academy out of Pensacola, Florida, which we feel was an excellent decision for her. This gave her the opportunity to walk across stage in Pensacola for graduation. This milestone filled my heart with pride and so much gratitude. We had a ton of fun on our trip, and now I’m trying to talk my family into moving to Florida.😂

Another proud moment this summer was watching my son purchase a new car with cash. His hard work, dedication, and discipline in saving allowed him to buy the vehicle he wanted without taking on debt. What impressed me most was that he didn't just focus on the purchase price, but he also considered the long-term costs, including insurance. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch your children make wise, grown-up financial decisions and see the values of hard work and responsibility taking root in their lives.

Although I'm usually sad for summer to end, autumn brings a welcome change, not only in the weather but also in the pace of life. Now that the kids have settled into their work and school routines, I feel like I can refocus on some of my personal goals. I'm looking forward to making progress on these goals before the end of the year while also beginning to plan the goals I have for next year.

As we step into this new season, I'm grateful and excited to see what God has in store for the months ahead.

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

FOCUS

Autumn always feels like a season of reflection. A time to take stock of where we are and where we’d like to be.

This is a great time to create one or two goals to focus on for the remainder of the year.

Here are just a few current areas of focus for me:

• Health is Wealth

  • I’ve been really focused on improving my health. I still have a lot to learn, but I’m excited about the progress I’ve made, and I’m eager to see what I can accomplish in the future. Here’s to making the second half of life healthier than ever.

• Decluttering - Less can be More

  • I have big plans here as I hope to clear out most of our clutter. I've also found that decluttering helps me focus on what matters and curbs my spending, which in turn helps support our financial goals.

• Preparedness & Fine-Tuning the Foundation

  • I’m excited about what I’ve accomplished so far with our preparedness, but I’ve learned that needs change and evolve over time, so I have a few tweaks to make along with updating our organization.

• Digging Deeper in the Word

  • I've started writing verses in different Bible translations. Since writing helps me remember, it seemed like a great way to study God's Word. This has deepened my understanding and helped the verses stick better with me. My goal is to stay consistent with this habit and continue growing through it.

Remember, these goals aren't about perfection. They're just intentional steps toward a better you.

One intentional step today can lead to remarkable transformation tomorrow.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE MONTH

It’s open enrollment season for many, so now's a great time to review any beneficiary designations on your accounts.

This is one of the easiest, yet most overlooked, steps in legacy planning.

Guard what matters, and bless those you love.

This has become one of my favorite kitchen hacks. Keeping fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator door - right at eye level. I feel this has not only saved me money, but has also helped a lot in my pursuit of a healthier lifestyle.

It's unlikely you spend much time standing in front of the refrigerator debating between condiments. Placing fruits and vegetables on the door shelves keeps them visible, making you more likely to grab them for a snack before they go bad. After all, when healthy options are the first thing you see, they're more likely to be the first thing you choose.

Healthier you with less food and money waste.

Season of Saving, Season of Joy

October is the perfect time to start a savings challenge. With Christmas just around the corner and a new year on the horizon, every dollar saved now can help ease holiday stress and set you up for a stronger financial start in January. Your future self will thank you!

The best holiday gift you can give yourself is financial peace.

As the year begins to wind down, remember it's not too late to make meaningful progress. Every dollar saved, every goal revisited, and every intentional choice matters.

So be sure to create/revisit your goals, check beneficiaries on your accounts, and audit your refrigerator to avoid food waste and make healthier choices.

Let’s finish this season strong, and step into the holidays and new year with confidence and peace.

💛Thank you for being part of this journey with me. You matter more than you know.💛

We are all learning together!

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17