So, I started an Etsy shop...

As a kid, I was always doing some sort of arts and crafts project! My bedroom was littered with paper scraps and and the vacuum cleaner was always sucking up beads. I still love doing art projects, but I've found that my creative side has really evolved in the last decade! My canvas painting was upgraded to house painting for one thing. Most of my creative juices really went into our home for most of our early marriage. There are still home projects I'd like to do, but it's not every weekend anymore.

When I started this blog in 2014, it became a great outlet for creativity! From post ideas, to photography, and then into blog design. I'm really proud that I customized my blog personally, and I had a lot of fun designing things, like my header, and I still enjoy making blog graphics. It's actually surprised me how much I enjoy the graphics side of things. 

I'm still learning, but I've created a few graphics that I thought would make great printables for others to get use out of. So, I started an Etsy shop! Etsy is such a great tool for both creative people and consumers! I'm usually the consumer so this has been an interesting learning process.

My Etsy shop is going to start out with instant downloads of a handful of planning printables. I'm still personally digital planning, but sometimes it's nice to print out a planning sheet to help me organize my thoughts for a particularly busy day. 

In addition to daily planning sheets, I've also created a basic blog post planning sheet, a house sitter information sheet, and a packing list printable. All really helpful, and I'm using them myself!

Just for you: 10% off for my readers with code: PUGSANDPEARLS

                

I'm hoping to be creating more printables soon. I have a few more planning sheets that I think will be helpful to others. I'd so appreciate your feedback! Leave a comment below if there is a particular planning printable that you'd like to have. Are you a big Etsy shopper? Or maybe you have a shop? Leave a link down below and I'd love to see what you are creating! And let me know if you were one of those crafty kids!

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So, I started an Etsy shop...

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Shopping Woes and Better Budgeting (Plus Free Printable!)

Blogging has really affected the way I look at clothes. There are so many great fashion blogs out there, and I am constantly inspired by some really cute looks. People have talked before about the pressure blogging puts on you to have everything picture perfect, and I think that's been true for me and clothes. I feel almost obligated to have cute and new outfits planned, especially for special events that I know I will blog about later. I don't want to say that I have an addiction to shopping per se, but I do admit to being totally obsessed with having a complete closet and blog worthy looks at all times. 

This has made shopping trips real temptations for me! I do not like the feeling in a store where I feel like I have to buy something. & With online shopping being so convenient that makes it extra difficult to avoid needless spending. The problem is, even with buying new clothes all the time, I still stand in my closet thinking I have nothing to wear. 

I want to challenge myself to a new way of looking at shopping. Instead of just something to do, I want to learn to shop only for something specific I need. I know that mental state is a long way away for me, so I am starting with baby steps! 

First I'm starting with a monthly budget for clothes. My next challenge will be buying only consigned items. I also love the idea of the closets with a certain hanger number limit-but I will worry about that later. 

To begin with, I made a budget printable! I am giving myself a dollar limit for spending on the essentials. I do need to buy a cardigan or two for the fall, so I'm working that into the budget. The cool thing about this printable is that it's blank-so you can fill it out according to your budget! My budget will be changing each month. My goal is to slowly decrease this number each month. You can use this printable for your personal style budget or your whole family's. 

I've included a column for money earned with selling old clothes. I've done pretty good selling clothes on Poshmark and Ebay, as well as in consignment shops, so it will be good to see how much I earn each month for that in comparison to what I'm spending on new stuff. 

This may be a huge reality check for me, and I'm kind of nervous for that. My goal with this budget worksheet is to have a big number leftover that I can put right into our saving account. No rollovers! I do not need to buy anything big in the near future, so that should work out fine. 

Hover to Pin and Click Here to Download! 

Leave me a comment: How do you budget your shopping? Do you feel blogging pressure? Have you tried any closet makeover methods like the capsule wardrobes or limited hanger method? 

xoxo Kristen

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Here are my tips for thrift shopping, and making extra money on Ebay.

Shopping Woes and Better Budgeting (Plus Free Printable!)

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Family Goals: Less eating out! & Free Printable

Two of my new year goals are to stop eating fast food and to save more money. To do both at once, we've decided to limit our eating out at restaurants. Eating out is probably our biggest money waster. We love eating, and love going out with friends so I know this will be a challenge. I want to be realistic about it. 

I'm sharing our system with you! Each month we are allotted 6 restaurant visits (total-not per person). That rounds out to 1 night out a week, and 2 extras for a lunch or special occasion. 

Each month I am going to print up "Meal Tickets" and stick them on the fridge. Once they are gone, they are gone! I'm so excited to try this! Hopefully this system will work well and we will keep it going all year long. 

Hover to Pin!

Want to try it too? I'll share! Print off your own here. Either cut them into individual tickets, or just put a big X through each block as you use up your ticket. You'll have to tell me if you try it. & Let me know what your tips are for eating in more often. 

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Family Goals: Less eating out! & Free Printable

Monday, January 5, 2015