Five Things Friday: Gifts That Don’t Cost

by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy

The holiday season can bring families together, feelings of holiday cheer, and more stress than you can shake a stick at.

It’s also a season of “How do I possibly do this?” and “How can we manage that?”

Finding that perfect gift for someone isn’t always an option when the price tag is higher than your ceiling.

Here are few ideas for giving without going broke:

  1. Give the gift of time. Spend a few hours chatting over coffee. Catch up with an old friend. Drive over to your brother’s house. Take a loved one to
read the rest. . .
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Five Things Friday: Managing Credit

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68

Money’s a touchy subject, right? As in,

DON’T TOUCH MY MONEY!

You work hard for it, only to have five cents left three seconds after you get paid.

Now, I know I’ve given y’all a few tips for saving a little here and there, but it’s been a while since I’ve taken you down my road to credit recovery. What is it about soul-baring posts that brings us closer together? Is is the security of knowing we’re not alone? That others are in the same boat? Yes. At least, for me.

It happened when I … read the rest. . .

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Five Things Friday: My Happy Planners

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68

Okay. So, I guess we knew this post had to happen sooner or later, right? Y’all know my love for Happy Planning. I mean, from the day I brought my first one home I started telling you about it. Remember 2017 Prep: My Happy Planner? And Hobbes’ Mexican Chicken Meatloaf?

I laughed at the groups on Facebook. I saw ridiculous posts of women with four and five planners and entire shelves devoted to the art of the plan.

“No,” I told myself. “I will not be one of those. I will notread the rest. . .

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Five Things Friday: Pocket Changes

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68

You know, we’re halfway through the year and I still haven’t reached all my goals. That private jet? In someone else’s name. Book deal? Workin’ on it. Owning a writers’ cafe? Yah. That’s on the back burner for a while longer. [See what I did there? Cafe? Burner? Sigh . . . ]

So, I’m sitting here thinking, egads! [True story. I actually said “Egads!” out loud. To no one except the fur family. Some days I’m glad they can’t talk English.] But back to it. I’m sitting here thinking, egads! I’ve been so busy … read the rest. . .

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Bedford Manor on a Budget: People Feeder

This cute and creative idea was inspired by a magazine ad I saw years ago. It’s my favorite homemade craft.

This versatile project can be themed around any holiday, or any decorating style.

You’ll need:

  • A wood birdhouse with plastic windows
  • Acrylic paints
  • Glitter (optional)
  • Decorative add-ons (optional)
  • Small candies
  • assorted paint brushes
  • cleaning rag
  • water in a small dish (for brush cleaning)

Acrylic paints dry quickly, which makes this an easy afternoon craft. Starting with the inside of the birdhouse, pour a small amount of paint on the wood then use a paintbrush to spread it around and get … read the rest. . .

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