Why I Chose AdvoCare!

Let's Talk About Health!

Everybody is talking about being healthy and losing weight, nowadays. So, naturally, there are many companies targeting that market. So, which ones are real and which ones are a hoax?

I DON'T KNOW! I don't think any of us will ever know unless we know it makes people sick (i.e. phen-fen) But I do know what has worked for me and what I like. I know how to make whatever goals I want to happen. And I know what I choose to do!

So, here we go! What have I tried? And what do I do now?

• Le-vel Thrive
• I quit doing Thrive because for my family, it didn't really work well. We were doing everything! We tried dieting, no caffeine, no sugar... we took everything... The most it did was help me not gain while I was on vacation. I know a lot of people have a lot of success with this program! I am not saying it is not worth trying, but I chose not to continue.

• Melaleuca
• I started doing this as a 5/1 program. Where 5 meals a day are made with your meal replacements and one meal is a lean and green. I love the shakes they have! They are super yummy and actually have a better ratio than the shakes from different companies like Isagenix. I still buy their shakes and love to have their meal bars! I also buy more traditional products to use around the house! I buy my shampoo, toothpaste, E-Mae's toothpaste, pain-a-trate, and other household products. I love that it is all natural!

• AdvoCare
• Spark. That is all I can say! I am in love with Spark! As a single mom, working, going to school, and TRYING to be a little social, it can be difficult to stay awake. I get... maybe... 3-5 hours of sleep a night... which, I know... is terrible and leading to my lack of weight loss, but I can handle it! Spark, to me, is well worth the investment. I have been drinking Spark for about 2 years now and it is a Godsend! I love the catalyst right before a workout and my ThermoPlus on days I don't. The 24-Day Challenge is a 10-Day Cleanse and then vitamins for 14 days to help your body regulate itself and to help you have all the nutrients you need! Another thing I like about it is it gives you a book, telling you when to eat, what to eat and different ideas for foods. My challenge book is my lifeline when I am on a challenge! (Which I am starting one soon if anyone wants to join me!) 

• ItWorks
• I love my greens! I truly do! I drink my greens every morning on my way to work! It is the best part of my day! (I mix them with my Spark) And I am going to do a wrap soon because obviously, I could always tone up...

So, there you have it! I think each company serves their purpose in my life. I have used many, but I keep coming back to... I love Spark! Spark is my favorite flavor of drink, it helps me stay awake. It helps me have the energy I need to be a better mom. It gives me all I need to be successful in the limited amount of hours I have in the day. It is my main reason for choosing AdvoCare as my full-time job! I could do a whole blog post about Spark, the benefits of Spark and Why I use Spark over any other product out  there...  in fact, I might! Keep watching! 

What do you use? What are your recommendations? And how do you stay healthy?

If you want to check out some of our products, go to www.advocare.com/14074701 

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5 Budgeting Tips for the Not-So Money Savvy

You see those bills piling up in front of you each month? Those are most likely because you are spending money on things you do not really need. I think the terminology I am looking for is a "Shopaholic." I completely understand!

Actually... I don't... I don't like shopping... my mom even buys my clothes. I know... It is weird that a girl won't even go clothes shopping. I don't even go food shopping! Which I guess is why it was easy for me to figure out how not to live paycheck to paycheck.

My first paycheck at my new job, I wasn't so good. I went out and bought $80 worth of E-Mae clothes and bought fast food almost every day. I was BARELY squeezing by to pay my bills. I almost didn't have enough in my account to cover my monthly expenses, which aren't that much comparitively.

Then I read "The 5 Lessons." I had to put my life in order if I ever wanted to be a stay at home mommy with my darling daughter!

Here are my 5 steps to making a budget:

#1 Locate all Expenses-

Does your money disappear? Does it seem to go as quick as you got it? Out the window? What about your savings? Does it exist? Do you even have enough left over to put any away? Where does your money really go? What do you spend your money on? What is out of luxury and what is out of necessity?

Write a list of all your bills in order of their due dates. Then measure out all your other expenses. (i.e. food, clothes, makeup, etc.) Figure out what you need and what you don't need! The only thing I really had to budget is baby stuff and food. I don't shop for myself, but I still allotted some spending money. This is the most important step in here!

I learned why I was losing so much money. It was ridiculous how much money I spent on fast food! I cannot believe I actually spent that much... I can't believe I had that much! I spent a good $200 at least on fast food! And that is not even counting the random drinks I would go get or my snacks I "had to have."

I located where all my money was going and it made it easier for me to do the next step.

#2 Stop ALL Unnecessary Spending

Since I found my spending problem, it was easier to determine what was necessary and what was not. If you are spending about $25 a day eating out, there is definitely something wrong! Didn't you know that going to places like the Wal-Mart Deli is cheaper than a meal at McDonald's? And healthier. And more filling! So, if you look at it that way, it is better for you financially to go buy fresh food and/or cheaper food.

Also, you do not need a new pair of shoes every month, ladies. You do not even need a new pair every other month. I have had shoes last me for over 5 years. I still have my favorite pair of shoes from my junior year of high school. That is about 5 years ago. Can you imagine? You can actually keep a pair of shoes for a long time!

Once you have cut your unnecessary costs, allot yourself a little bit of spending money. There are going to be times when you have to get something out of necessity or in case you have something you feel you would die without, or if you have a present to buy.

This is going to make way for step 4.

#3 Figure Out Your Earnings

What do you earn per month? What do you earn per job? Do you even have a job? If not, none of this budgeting will work for you... But what do you make every paycheck?

This is pretty much a straight forward thing... If I were you, I would figure each paycheck. Whether you get paid weekly, twice a month, once a month, it doesn't matter. What do you earn per paycheck? Do you have side jobs? How much a month would you say you earn from that?

This one doesn't need much explanation.

#4 Write One Calendar

To get all your finances in order, you must first order them. I usually start at the beginning of the month. I start on day one. Is anything due? Do I get money that day? Do that to every day of the month. It is very important this is done before going to the next step. If you do not know when your bills come out and when you are paid, how can you successfully budget anything?

I have a piece of paper where I have my due dates and my check dates all written in order. I started on the 1st and made sure each day was accounted for. Then, I figured I would take it one step further...

Leading us to

#5 Separate Each Bill With Each Paycheck

After I was able to get a calendar, I was able to see which checks were able to cover which bills based on their timing. If I have a bill on the 4th of the month, why would I pay it with my paycheck that comes the 7th? How would that make sense? Am I going to go into debt over it or am I going to be late on a payment and just get a penalty fee, again puttin me in more debt? How does it make sense to pay your debt by going into debt?

It doesn't. That is why you h
ave to separate out what each bill will and can pay for. I have everything from the 7th to the 21st on my first check and everything from the 22nd to the 6th. That way, there is no confusion. The one I do not have as many bills, that is the paycheck I take out my savings and gas money. If you have more than one job, do what I helped my friend Heather do... pay all your bills using one of your incomes. Not both. And if you can, then put the rest into savings!

When I eventually get married again, I am going to ask my husband if we can live on one of our incomes. If I keep going the way I am, I will be completely out of debt before I even have the chance to get engaged. I have been plucking my debts away a little at a time and one year later, I am more than half paid off. (inner "woohoo" ensuing in my mind)

I have helped different people write different budgets, find ways to earn money and started people on their way to savings.

Some of you are probably asking about me helping a lot of people. Well, it is not A LOT of people... I have written my friends budgets and have been able to find things they have not. It is kind of fun for me... I know... but I really like lists and organizing things that are not mine...

Speaking of which, I think I am going to start offering my services to people who just need a little help with this. I need something fun to do during my break time. Why not earn a couple dollars doing it, right? I figure, I do it quickly, efficiently, and all I need to do is ask a few questions and you will have a new budget within 30 minutes. It is that simple!

So, if you have any comments, suggestions, or want my help with a budget either comment below or message me personally. If you liked this post and think others can benefit, share it on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. :D


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Winning in the Margins

When I read "The 5 Lessons," something stuck with me and won't leave me alone. It is the concept of winning in the margins. This is the idea that every cent counts. As a kid, we all have those little jobs that we get just because we are kids... but have we thought of doing them for extra money now that we are older? Most of us probably don't... I know I didn't.

Not until I read that book, that is. I have been thinking non stop about ways to earn extra money! I have thought of things that you would expect a little kid to do, but that I wanted to do...

I have thought of:

• Tutoring
• Baking Breads
• Putting up and taking down Christmas decorations
• Going around, selling cotton candy
• Doing yard work
• House Sitting
• Garage Sales
• Ebay Arbitrage (buying and reselling)
• Selling Christmas Goodies
• Making crafts
• Pet sitting
• Babysitting
• Filing
• Online Surveys
• Freelance writing

Those are just a few of the ideas I had! There are so many ways to earn money out there that people don't usually take advantage of. People are willing to buy pretty much any service because people, as a whole, are lazy. Not that eveybody is, but have you ever noticed that most people would be willing to spend a lot of money instead of taking the time to learn a new skill?

If you have a skill that nobody else really does, use it to your advantage! For almost 23 years, my dad has carried a handyman's business license for just in case he needs the extra money or if he just wants to help repair something in someone's house.

It is a great way to have something to give you a little extra edge in the real world, where everything costs money and nothing is free (except the love of your children and spouse... and mommy)

In light of the economy, shouldn't we all be trying to start "Winning in the Margins?" I know I am going to try right away!

Another reason I want to do this is because I want to eventually go back to being an at home mom with my beautiful E-Mae and my future children.

If you have any other ideas of how to "Win in the Margins" please let me know! Either comment down below, or send me an email! If you like my posts, subscribe! =D or even share my posts on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest!

Now, go ahead and go start "Winning in the Margins"

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