Lifestyle

Campin’ Cookin’ Dutch Oven Blueberry French Toast

The last time we went camping my husband J had all kinds of fancy recipe ideas. He asked for my thoughts. I told him he didn’t want to know my thoughts. When probed for further explanation I told him I thought it was all too complicated. If I were doing the planning and cooking I would stick with simple camping classics. After discussing for a bit I told him he could do whatever he wanted but I wouldn’t be helping. I truly was not trying be manipulative! I wanted him to get to do whatever he wanted with the cooking but I knew I wouldn’t be very helpful given the direction he was going.

In the end he did all the cooking and if I’m being total honest it was the best outdoor food I’ve ever tasted. His meals were my favorite part of the trip. For real.

After posting the tasty goodness on Instagram I have had recipe requests so let me start by sharing the first thing he made on that trip which was the Dutch Oven Blueberry French Toast. This recipe and the first photo are from Fresh Off the Grid. We just made minor modifications.

Now first off you will need a 4 quart dutch oven. We inherited our cast iron dutch oven from a family member. This trip was our first time using it. We cook almost exclusively with cast iron at home and outdoors so this dutch oven has been a great addition to our cast iron collection.

Here are the ingredients you will need.

16 slices of sourdough bread

2 cup of milk

6 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

4 tablespoons cinnamon

2 tablespoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups of fresh or frozen blueberries

Jeremy measures out all the ingredients in advance and labels it for easy packing and easy cooking!

And here are the instructions

Start your fire and give it time to go down to coals. While waiting cut out a piece of parchment paper to serve as a liner inside a 10-inch Dutch oven.

Tear the bread (we used sourdough) into pieces chunks about 2 inches. Place in the bread pieces inside dutch oven on top of the parchment paper.

In a large bowl, thoroughly mix the eggs, then stir in salt, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Once those ingredients are fully incorporated, stir in the milk.

Now slowly drizzle the mixture over the bread.

Use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to lightly toss the bread until each piece is evenly coated. Sprinkle the blueberries on top and mix gently.

Cover the dutch oven and set it over the coals then add coals on top of the lid. You should have tools that came with your dutch oven to allow you to move both the hot coals and the dutch oven.

Bake for about 30 minutes.

Scoop out the individual servings and top with butter and maple or whipped cream.

My photo may not be Pinterest worthy but trust me this breakfast dish is divine! Try it next time you camp. If you get creative and modify it for at home let me know how it worked out and send me your recipe!

By Natalie|2024-03-29T18:12:09+00:00March 28, 2024|Simple Living, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Mother Daughter Trip to Sedona Arizona

I am going to overshare for this post. Sorry not sorry.

First of all it took so many miracles for this trip to happen and I am just so grateful. Also, I like to share details and links for those scouring the internet like I did, looking for suggestions and experiences before traveling (as I always do).

The trip came about because J and I have always had this idea that we would take a one-on-one milestone trip when each of our children enters the teen years. Z went to Chicago with his dad when he turned 13.

For SJ’s birthday it was my dream to show her the city of Sedona which is what she was named after. There were only two major problems with my idea.

1. Our budget is small

2. I am still struggling with PTSD from the major car wreck I was in 4 years ago. I have a hard enough time driving around locally. There is not a chance I am going to rent a car and explore another city.

That’s where Mémé stepped in (my mom and SJ’s grandma).

She worked for Delta and still gets flying benefits so we were able to get the tickets at a rock bottom price flying standby. Not only that, but because my mom travels all the time she was comfortable with driving us everywhere. This was such a blessing and the trip definitely wouldn’t have been possible without her help. So first and foremost thank you to Mémé for everything! The trip was a dream come true!

A couple of days were spent traveling so we were only in Arizona for three days, but we packed them full and thankfully the weather was wonderful!

We flew into Phoenix and stayed at hotel the first night. Then we had a two hour drive to our Airbnb so we stopped along the way at a place called Aqua Fria which was a wonderful hiking adventure.

It was mostly just SJ and I the whole time and it was so peaceful, but we bumped into a couple of other people along the trail. One friendly hiker was named Vick and he gave us the local rundown of the area and Sedona. At the end he also mentioned a John Wayne movie called “Angel and the Badman” that was filmed in Sedona and featured a baby which was played by none other than Vick himself!

I looked up the movie which turns out is now public domain and available in full on Youtube. It was neat to see the Sedona scenery in black in white. It made me a little teary eyed because my father-in-law loved to watch westerns. I’m sure he’s seen that movie and it would have been nice to talk to him about that experience. It’s sad, but I smile thinking about him.

The Airbnb we stayed at was in Clarkdale AZ. It’s called the Bitter Creek Villa and it’s just outside of Sedona in Clarkdale. I highly, HIGHLY recommend it.

We didn’t get to take advantage of the free kayaks because it was too chilly, but I absolutely loved the peaceful tranquility of the place.

There was a picturesque pond and wildlife everywhere you looked! One my all time favorite Airbnbs for sure.

We also visited Montezuma’s Castle National Monument. It’s basically a 900 year old living structure built into the rocks by the Sinagua people. That was fascinating!

The whole trip we kept gasping in awe of all the beautiful scenery!

That night I insisted SJ get dessert at the Mexican restaurant we went to (Conchos in Cottonwood). She was being very indecisive and the waiter was encouraging her to try flan. She still wasn’t certain but our waiter went from “you’ll love it” to basically ordering it for her. It was funny, but he was right! She LOVED the flan! We didn’t have much room after dinner so we took it back to the Airbnb

We ended the night with relaxing in the hot tube under a sky full of stars. Talk about the perfect ending to an amazing day.

The next morning was SJ’s birthday and she woke up to a view of the sunrise with Sedona in the distance. I couldn’t have planned it that perfectly if I had wanted to!

Then we headed out to another incredible restaurant called Crema Craft Kitchen. I got a cappuccino with rock candy on top and SJ got a pommegranite lemonade. Both were delicious.

When the server found out it was SJ’s birthday she brought her a free cinnamon roll and it was HUGE!

For the first Sedona hike we went to Fay Canyon trail. The plan was to do a photoshoot at the top. It was the most incredible view and we had a blast!

SJ is a tomboy by nature, but she has a girly side too and she picked out this new dress, jacket and shirt.

It was a fun photoshoot for both of us. That hike was my favorite part of Sedona!

Afterwards went to a few shops at the Tlaquepaque village and the Sedona Secret Garden cafe for lunch

Then we drove t0 the Airport Mesa Overlook which were jaw dropping views.

This shot is of the keychain J made for SJ for her birthday. Next up on the agenda was Chapel of the Holy Cross. That was a pretty epic chapel.

I’m so glad we stopped by and even got to go inside and pray. Last but certainly not least we hiked at Bell Rock tower. I hate to sound like a broken record, but the views were epic.

The majestic scenery went on for miles and miles. The next day I got some shots of the sunrise.

Even though it was winter there were still hummingbirds that stay in that area year round.

After we checked out of our Airbnb we had an amazing breakfast at the Flat Iron in Jerome.

Jerome is and old mining town that is now a ghost town. It’s really cool and full of fascinating history.

After poking around Jerome for a bit we were ready to head back to Pheonix. The standby flights were looking dangerously full (which meant we were at risk of not getting on) but in the end we made it back by the skin of our teeth. I was sweating it on the flights to Arizona and Cincinnati. We’ve all flown standby plenty of times, especially my mom, but for some reason this trip was especially a close call. The thing that kept going through my mind though was nothing ventured nothing gained. We took a chance, went for it, and all the risk was 1000% worth it! I know this is a birthday she’ll always remember.

By Natalie|2024-03-02T03:27:08+00:00March 7, 2023|Family, Frugal Living, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Green Onions Hack

I add green onions, chives, or spring onions as a garnish to almost every savory dish I make. J loves it and it’s mild enough that the kids don’t mind it at all and it’s extra added nutritious boost.

The thing is, a small batch of green onions is almost $2 and they wilt and turn brown within days! I saw a hack where you added the roots to a glass of water and that really helped lengthen the shelf life on my garnish, so I did that for a while.

Then one day I was checking out my compost pile and low and behold the onion roots I discarded were flourishing, BIG TIME! It was an ah ha moment for me.

The next time I bought green onions I stuck the whole plant in a small pot of soil on my kitchen windowsill and they were greener and fresher than ever before.

After that I experimented with putting them outside in a giant planter that I had. I made minimal effort to plant these things. I just made a little hole in some preexisting soil and stuck the store bought onions in the dirt and covered it. At first they looked droopy and lifeless but within days those puppies perked up and were flourishing.

Everyday I go out and harvest some green onion to add to some of the dishes I make. I never buy them anymore! Well, the first one I did a couple of years ago eventually got huge and green part was a little tough. That just wasn’t as apetizing so I simply bought another cheap bunch of green onions and started the processes over again.

I also have one on my window sill still.

I have had people ask me if they grow after you harvest each stem. They don’t, but they continue to grow new sprouts and then the outer ones whiter away. Here is what the green onions looked like after I had been doing this process for a year. This was from March 2021 with the new buds coming in after a winter frost. They stayed out the whole winter.

So that’s my green onion hack. It couldn’t be any simpler even for someone with a brown thumb. It saves us money and spruces up the meals I make. Hopefully this little tip will be helpful to someone else.

Here is a video tutorial I made to sum up the whole easy process.

https://youtube.com/shorts/Jc0D4eKf1cw?feature=share

By Natalie|2022-08-12T20:15:17+00:00August 12, 2022|Frugal Living, Natural Living, Simple Living, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Enjoy St. Thomas on a Budget!

I just returned from an incredible three day trip in St. Thomas with my mom and my two sister-in-laws.

While I have told everyone that the four of us could have gone anywhere and had a great time this was a fabulous location for so many reasons.

First of all it’s the Caribbean so it’s gorgeous.

Also, when it comes to tropical islands it’s one of the more economical options. You don’t have to have a passport. You can spend money on all kinds of activities or you could just go to the beach for free.

Everything on the island is going to be pricey so we brought our own snacks and breakfast items.

We ate out at several different restaurants and aside from terrible service at one (which I believe was a fluke) all the food was DELICIOUS. If you are searching for a good place to eat I have a few recommendations.

Iggie’s beach bar and grill was the first place we ate at. It was walking distance from where we stayed and, as with all of the places went, it was open air with a gorgeous ocean view!

We also had pizza at Sapphire beach bar. There were a few wild chickens roaming around which was fun and it really had that relaxing resort feel.

Lanai at Limetree beach was my favorite restaurant. It was soooo good!!! If you go, you have to save room for dessert. We were a little more dressed up because we went in the evening and most people around us were too.

The Airbnb at Bologna Bay comfortable fit all four of us and was reasonably priced for all that was included. I would give it five stars! We had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, dining room, multiple TVs (which of course we didn’t need) and a pool (which we also didn’t need).

It also had crazy amazing views from the master bedroom and main room and patio area.

Every time my eye caught a glimpse of the view I was reminded of where I was and it was blissful!

There are several scenic overlooks on the island and plenty of nature to discover.

We saw so many fish, crabs, snails, and more .

The coolest sighting was the sting ray and two sea turtle we saw. I will never forget it. Brewer’s Bay is perfect for snorkeling.

When we arrived my sister-in-law rented a car and while we knew she’d be driving on the left side of the road we were all shocked that the steering wheel was also on the left.

So basically it’s like having an American car in Europe. Lindsey did phenomenal, but you may want to opt for an uber if you don’t feel confident with that scenario. So that’s the whole trip in a seashell (get it? instead of nutshell). I wouldn’t change a thing!

By Natalie|2022-04-19T12:43:24+00:00April 19, 2022|Frugal Living|0 Comments

Pain-Relief Strategies That Work (And Don’t Rely On Pills)

Many people find themselves living with pain for one reason or another. For some, it’s illness; for others, it’s surgery. But, it’s always a big problem.

Here’s the issue: when you’re in pain, it’s hard to enjoy your life. You can’t be exuberant and care-free because there’s always this background tension in your body. You simply can’t enjoy yourself.

Pain-relief medications don’t really work either, as pointed out by experts, such as Sunshine Behavioral Health. They might numb it for a while, but create dependencies and addictions in the process.

The trick here is to live naturally and find alternate means to dealing with pain, particularly if it is with you long-term. Medications should be a short-term strategy to see you through, not something you depend on all the time.

Are you experiencing pain right now? Here are some of the things you might consider trying:

Therapeutic Massage Sessions

Some people experience pain because of chronic muscle tension. Either the muscle is firing when it shouldn’t be, or it can’t clear out waste products at a sufficiently high rate.

If this sounds like you, you might want to experiment with therapeutic massage sessions. Masseuses use special techniques designed to help muscles recover and restore normal function. Some people find it extremely beneficial, but it depends on the condition.

Music Therapy

If you’re experiencing pain after surgery or an accident, you might also try using music therapy. This involves listening to sounds played at certain frequencies through headphones, designed to help mask the pain centers of the brain and make you feel better. Generally, music therapy is distracting and encourages the pain to go away.

Cold And Heat

Cold showers and saunas are good for your body in general. However, there is also ample evidence that alternating between cold and heat is good for pain management too.

Cold has a numbing effect on the body. You’ll notice that if you take a cold shower, it hurts at first and then stops being as painful after a minute or so. This happens because your body essentially uses up all of its pain receptor chemicals quickly.

When you apply cold compresses, it reduces inflammation, cutting swelling.

Heat is also soothing. It’s often nice to apply heat after a bout of extreme cold. Heat gets deep into the muscle and helps to prevent it from becoming too stiff.

Move More

Exercise is critical in most forms of pain management, particularly arthritis and fibromyalgia. The more you move, the better you feel.

Lack of exercise can lead to a vicious cycle. You become too sedentary, and that makes pain conditions worse.

If you really want to build flexibility into the body, do yoga and tai chi. These are spiritual practices and affect how your body functions. You find that you’re better aligned and more in touch with yourself when you engage fully in these activities.

In conclusion, pain relief doesn’t have to be chemical-based: you can use many other strategies. Try these first before reaching for the pillbox under the direction of your doctor.

By Natalie|2022-01-10T13:16:44+00:00January 10, 2022|Natural Living|0 Comments

3 Things to Consider Before Investing in Property

When it comes to investing, putting your money into property is almost always a smart move. There’s significantly less risk involved compared with other forms of investment such as stocks and crypto, and over time your investment will grow much more than money simply being left in a high interest savings account. While the housing market fluctuates, there’s always demand for places to live, meaning your venture will never become obsolete; simply put, an investment in bricks and mortar is ‘as safe as houses’. Providing you’re properly insured to protect the building itself from damage, your investment in property is something that could be passed down through generations, or could be sold whenever you like or need. So whether you’re looking to flip houses and sell them on to earn money, or build an empire by renting them out, here are a few things to consider.

Financing the project

When it comes to investing, it takes money to make money. First things first you’ll need a way to finance your initial investment, whether that’s the deposit for a buy to let mortgage, or funds to purchase an auction property upfront ready for renovating and selling. This could be anything from an inheritance lump sum, savings or a bank loan- but consider how you’ll pay for the actual investment itself so that it can start earning you money later on. If you’re financing using a loan then you’ll need to factor in how the interest rate will affect your profits until it’s paid off.

Research, research, research

Getting clued up and doing your research is the best way to go about any financial decision, and investing in property is no different. It’s not as simple as purchasing a property you like the look of, you need to have a strategy in mind. For example, if you’re going down a renting route then flats and apartments in busy towns and cities tend to do well with young professionals, and allows you to start with a small property to begin with. If you want to appeal to the student market then a large property you can rent by the room that’s close to a college or university is your best bet. When it comes to renovation for a property like this, you’d want robust and easy to clean without the need for luxury fixtures and finishes. If you’re buying and selling for a profit then knowing about things like ceiling prices and building restrictions is going to be essential research. Be sure to seek expert advice for anything that requires it, if you’re going to jump into property and get it now then a real estate agent will let you know the ins and outs.

Which direction will you go in?

The direction you go in with property investment will depend on everything from budget to experience to personal preference. The available time that you have will also play into things, if you’re doing this full time vs in your free time that will affect the type of properties and investments you should make. From holiday rentals to flipping houses, developing your own properties and more, there are so many things to consider so think through your strategy and the route you’re going to take.

By Natalie|2022-01-03T09:48:48+00:00January 3, 2022|Home, Lifestyle|0 Comments

Five Things That They Don’t Warn You About Living in the Country

Have you ever felt the need to throw your hands in the air and pack it all in? Maybe move to the countryside and start fresh? You are not the only one. Now that we have the option to work from home, more people are thinking about throwing in the towel on city life and living it up in the countryside. But what should you know before you pack your life up and run away? Here are some things you should consider before moving.

There will be mice and rats

The countryside is known for being filled with animals, and this is great. What is not great is when they come inside your house. Mice are one of the biggest concerns as they tend to vacate the fields as soon as the tractors appear to harvest crops. Let us be very clear, if you see a tractor heading off into the field to harvest, you need to shut your windows and doors. If you do find yourself with an infestation, you need to look for pest control near me to help manage any unwanted visitors. They can be tough to handle if you have never lived in the countryside before but you will get used to stopping them all getting inside.

Nature will move you

In the city, the seasons don’t seem to flow. You might not realize it but the city never changes. The countryside is very different and the seasonal changes will make you more in tune with your own body and rhymes. It can be hard to get used to the change of the year,especially as it will be in your face for the first time. But once you are used to it, you will find that you sleep between and could have improved mental health. It might take a few years for you to truly understand the effect that the clear country air is having on you.

Internet is intermittent

When you live in the city, you have access to great internet speeds. Ok, they might not be great all of the time but they can be a lot better than you would get in the countryside. The signal for the internet and phones can be troublesome. If you are planning on working from home, you will have to check the internet service for the area. Sometimes, you might get lucky and find an area that has recently been upgraded. Unfortunately, some areas have bad internet and there is not much that can be done about it. It might be necessary to have a backup plan or find a local cafe with decent wifi.

It’s oh so quiet

Moving to the countryside for peace can be a great idea in theory. However, once you get out there, it can be unnerving. The countryside is very quiet. There will be no sounds of cars in the distance. There is no noise from people moving about. There is a stillness that can be frightening for the first few weeks. The countryside is also very dark. There is very little light pollution and you might find yourself being able to see the stars from your back door. The silence of the countryside can take a while to get used to but it is worth it. Your biggest problem might be the silence being broken by the cockerel in the morning but it is better than the sound of the bins getting emptied.

Nipping out is not an option

Have you ever run out of milk and needed to pop to the shops before everyone gets up looking for their breakfast? Ask yourself, how long did it take you to pop to the shops? At the most, it was probably a 10 minute round journey. If you live in the countryside, you can expect at least a 10 minute drive to the shop and there is a good chance that it will not be open. 24 hour luxuries are no longer a thing, you will be lucky to find a late night shop. When it comes to planning your day, you will need to plan more carefully. Otherwise, you might find yourself having to go without milk in the mornings. It is wise to keep the cupboards before you head out in case there is other stuff that you need. Although you can still go to the shops, it is a lot easier if you are better organised and don’t need to nip out for milk and bread at bedtime.

By Natalie|2021-12-01T21:13:58+00:00December 1, 2021|Lifestyle, Natural Living, Simple Living|0 Comments

Back to School After 17 Months

I dropped all four of my kids off at school today.

This is significant for SO many reasons. For one thing it’s Elle’s first time in school. She started half day Kindergarten today!

That means for a couple hours all four kids are in school at the same time which is crazy to me. For the past 14 years there has always been a baby (or babies) at home with me. The fact that all of them are in school is mind blowing!

The other reason this milestone is a big deal is because we homeschooled last year and the year before that school abruptly went to remote learning in March. That makes 17 months since my children have been to traditional school. I have so many thoughts and feeling swirling around in the middle of all this and I figured why not dump them out on the internet in case anyone else is feeling the same way?

I know the topic of masks is polarizing! I have dear friends that are all about masks and vaccines and I have those that are the opposite. I’ve always had a holistic bend. We did home birth, cloth diapers, delayed vaccines, co-sleeping, and more. You can probably guess where I fall in the midst of all this pandemic confusion. For me it’s always been about trusting my body. That DEFINITELY includes listening to Doctors and taking medications, but I lean more towards the natural approach. I’ve always been like this. My mom had an unmedicated home birth with me so I guess you could say I was literally born this way. Add to that, the fact that my daughter is 100% deaf and even with cochlear implants she relies heavily on facial expressions, lip reading, proximity, and clarity of sound.

That’s why we ended up homeschooling last year. If you had someone deliberately design the worst possible environment for my daughter to hear it would include masks, shields, and distance.

So we homeschooled for all of the 20/21 school year. There were highs and lows, but I don’t regret it at all. It was the right choice for us. Then at the end of the year I felt led to put the kids back in school (for the upcoming school year). So I contacted out district and started sorting out what that would look like. I talked to teachers, therapists, and parents. I wanted to make the right choice and J and I prayerfully decided to enroll our kids for the 21/22 school year. Everything was working out great and masks were not mandated. That was until last week when the school decided that they needed to reconsider this decision. A board meeting was scheduled for less than 36 hours before the school year started. There was a heated debate between community members proclaiming why the school would be reckless and irresponsible if they chose not to mandate masks and the other side having the same feelings if they did mandate it. It was intense. I let the kids watch and we used it as a learning experience. We discussed both sides. We also talked about the best way to get involved in a positive and respectful way when you are passionate about something.

Then someone appeared on the screen that we recognized. It was one of Z’s good friends wearing a mask and making a case for the mask mandate. “Wait.. is that…?” Zion mumbled. We all sat quietly. When he finished I paused it. I said “Did you guys know who that was?” and they said yes. “How does he feel about masks?” “He wants masks to be mandatory” Ezie said. “Z how do you feel about masks?” I asked. “I don’t like them”. He said. For the record I have never pushed this on him. He understands the rules and we always obey them. He wears glasses and hates how the mask fogs them up and his sister is deaf. He is entitled to his own opinion.

“Can Z and this kid still be friends?” I asked. “YES” they all agreed. “Was this kid brave and do a great job talking peacefully about this subject” “YES” They all said in unison.

The meeting lasted 4 hours and ended after midnight. We only watched little bits of a recording, we weren’t watching live. It was less than 24 hours before the first day of school when the school announced that the board had voted in favor of the mask mandate.

Afterwards I poked my head in Z’s room. He was on a message board typing a message to his friend that just spoke out at the board meeting. I asked what he was up to and Z said he wanted to tell him he did a good job. I tensed up a bit. I was worried this would cause conflict because maybe the kid would start name calling unmasked people or that his compliment would be confusing if Z showed up not wearing a mask. A number of scenarios rolled through my mind. But the conversation through text went like this-

Z: Hi.

Friend: Hi.

Z: Great job on your speech. I think it’s good that you care about your little sister like that.

Friend: Thanks!

Z: Do you have Rocket League?

Rocket league is a video game and the conversation went on from there. I tear up even writing that. With all the terrible mud slinging and division I have witnessed from all sides, my mind immediately went to the worst. I imagined a big rift or heated debate. I got out of the way though and let my son encourage his friend and it was fine. It was so beautifully refreshing.

Speaking of refreshing I have been fasting for 21 days in August. Church of the Highlands is leading a 21 days of prayer event with a prayer guide and online services right now (click the link if you are interested). As I faced all of the confusion this week with the last minute mask mandate I have been reminded over and over that I need to trust God. He gave me a peace about sending my kids back to school last May. Then things started going topsy turvy and the Delta variant started springing up and my inner alarm was blaring. I doubted God, but He spoke to me in my prayer time. I felt him say that HE didn’t change. The circumstances around me may have changed but He didn’t. Then right when I was explaining to J about all of this a rainbow showed up at our front door reminding me even more that God keeps his promises.

No one wants this Covid stuff to continue. It’s been a nightmare. A friend of mine told me that she was reflecting on how when Peter looked at the waves he started sinking. We can’t focus on the storm. We have to focus on Jesus. We have to keep our posture in alignment with Him. That’s made all the difference for me in this time of uncertainty.

Against all the odds I am looking forward to a great school year.

By Natalie|2023-06-12T06:24:13+00:00August 18, 2021|My Life|0 Comments

Effective Ways Your Family Can Earn Some Extra Money

Boosting your income can enable you to achieve your financial goals and enhance your quality of life. Whether you want to pay down debt, save for a luxury holiday, or support your kids as they reach the next stage in their lives, increasing your annual income now will give you the flexibility and funds you need. To get started, take a look at these very effective ways your family can earn some extra money:

Start Driving

If you have a license and a vehicle, you’re already on your way to becoming a professional driver. From signing up as a cab driver with companies like Lyft and Uber to winning hot shot trucking jobs and delivering goods, there are a variety of ways you can turn your driving skills into a budding startup or side hustle. Just make sure you have the right type of insurance in place and you’re good to go.

Become a Consultant

Whatever professional experience you have, you can optimize your income by sharing it with others. Setting yourself up as a consultant allows you to work with companies or individuals and share your knowledge and expertise. Whether you mentor new graduates and teach them how to succeed in your industry or provide advice to established businesses, capitalizing on your own hard work and professional success can be a great way to boost your income.

Use Your Home

Your family home is probably your largest asset, so why not make the most of it and use it to generate some income? If you have a spare room, you could rent it out on a long-term basis or make it available to temporary residents via sites like Airbnb.

Alternatively, unused space, such as garages or outhouses, can be transformed into handy storage units and rented out. If you have a large driveway and live near a town, city or event venue, you could even boost your income by making it available for parking.

Pet Sitting

Not only is pet sitting a lucrative way to make extra money, but it’s also extremely fun! When you become well-known as a reliable pet sitter, you can be sure that your services will be in high demand. Whether you take pets in while their owners are on vacation or you walk the dogs in the neighborhood while their owners are at work, there are a variety of ways you can earn extra money and get all the benefits of having a pet without being an official owner.

Sell Items You No Longer Need

If you could do with a little extra space at home, this will help you to declutter your living environment, as well as bringing in some extra cash. Decide which items you no longer need or want and get them listed on online marketplaces or local advertising portals before exchanging them for cash.

Transform Your Family’s Finances

When you find fun ways to bring in some extra money, transforming your finances becomes a family effort. By getting everyone involved, you can teach your kids about financial management and protect their future at the same time.

By Natalie|2021-03-19T09:40:27+00:00March 18, 2021|Frugal Living, Uncategorized|0 Comments

How to Keep Your Roof From Leaking

A roof can sometimes be a daunting project to attend to – but it doesn’t have to be. But, your roof is one of the essential features of your entire house – without it, you’d basically have four walls, and no coverage from the harsh element nature throws at us from time to time. Luckily, there are easy things to look out for when you want to check your roof and repair a few things. There are also easy steps you can take in order to properly maintain your home, thereby preventing any leakages that may cause severe damage to your home. By following the below steps, you’ll rest easy at night, knowing that your roof is in top shape and your family is safe and sound under it.

Keep your gutters clean

This is one of the most important things to remember when maintaining your roof. Clean gutters ensure that there will be proper drainage when it rains, seeing as clogged gutters can cause water to store on your roof, leading to leakages through any cracks that may exist on your roof. Gutters can get clogged very quickly if there’s a lot of foliage around or if you live in an area where weather storms are a frequent occurrence. Cleaning gutters properly can sometimes be a tricky project, seeing as one doesn’t always have the proper tools to remove all the debris from the drainage pipes as well. If you feel like it would be safer to hire a professional, it would be highly recommended to get the Best gutter cleaners near Greensboro, NC – they do a fantastic job and even go the extra mile by sweeping away all the extra leaves on your driveway to enhance your curb appeal!

Check your roof’s shingles

The best time to check your roof’s shingles would be especially after the stormier weather season. The sun’s harsh rays can also do some damage over time, so when inspecting your roof’s shingles, ensure they are still functioning correctly, are still where they should be, and are not cracked or chipped.

Look out for ice dams

If you live in an area where heavy snowfall occurs, ice dams are something you should monitor closely. Ice dams are what happens when the warmer attic’s air rises to the roof and melts the snow that’s gathered on top. The water from the melted snow then runs along the roof, reaches colder parts, and freezes all over again. These ice dams trap any further melting snow water and cause the water to seep through the roof, causing damage to your ceiling and peeling of the paint inside. The vital step to take here would be to check your attic for appropriate insulation and ventilation – this will ensure your roof stays cool during the winter months and doesn’t cause ice dams on top.

The above steps are just some of the easy ways to maintain your roof and ensure it stays in optimal condition. Not only will you feel better and more prepared for anything nature might throw your way, but you’ll spare yourself a lot of trouble and money in the future!

By Natalie|2021-03-17T22:34:24+00:00March 17, 2021|Frugal Living|0 Comments

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