Friday, January 29, 2021

GALENTINE'S DAY GIFT IDEAS


Valentine's Day weekend is only two weeks away now which includes V-Day + G-Day! I thought I'd bring some great Galentine's Day gift ideas to the blog. I love to celebrate Valentine's with my boo + Galentine's with my mom and sister! It's the perfect time to spread some love-- a little gift goes a long way in making someone feel special. I found some great gift ideas for all your favorite Gals that are super affordable. Let me know which one is your fave!

I love sharing my picks with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :) 

GALENTINE'S DAY GIFT IDEAS

1. Valentine's Day Fuzzy Socks -  I buy fuzzy socks for almost every holiday, lol. These are my favorite-- super soft + plushy. Loving both the white + grey pairs but I also just found these. Which is your fave? They're only $4 per pair so they make a great gift (& everyone loves getting socks!). 

2. Valentine's Day Teddy Bear - Okay the child in me had to include this. I think I'm too old for the stuffed animals (but like am I...?) but how adorable is this teddy bear?? She's a little fancier so I actually think it would make great V-Day decor on a couch or bed. I decorate with blush pink in my room so I'm debating on that... what do you think? Yay or nay if you're over 15? Lol! You can't say it isn't cute! 

3. Hello Gorgeous Mug - Not a Valentine's mug but SO Galentine's to me. It fits the color palette, spreads love + is only $6.

4. Le Mini Macaron Gel Mani Kit - I was given one of these for Christmas and think it's the coolest gift idea. It's an at-home gel manicure kit that comes with a macaron-shaped LED light. You also get the coordinating nail polish + tools. I love the macaron, very Valentine's + you can buy more nail polish colors separately here. **Normally these are $35 but I found on sale here for $24.50!

5. Mini Heart Waffle Maker - I have + love this. My sister bought me the mini heart-shaped waffle for Galentine's last year but I also have the regular waffle + the mini griddle. They work great + are easy to use. Comes in red or pink. 

6. Lighted Heart-Shaped Makeup Mirror - I want this mirror as a Galentine's Day gift, lol. I love that it's lighted + has a tray at the bottom. Only $20 and comes in pink, purple + yellow here.

7. Heart-Shaped Hair Bobbles - Have you guys seen these with the heart shape? I hadn't before! This set comes with three for under $5. 

8. Poo-Pourri Pink Citron Spray - Sure to bring some laughs to your G-DAY! Lol, this stuff is the sh*t if we're being real (pun WAS intended). The Pink Citron smells like strawberries + is cute packaging. Under $10 + a little goes a long way so it lasts a long time! 

9. Sugarfina Valentine's Day Bento Box - Candy is the true hero on Valentine's + Galentine's. I'm partial to Reese's but I love this Sugarfina Valentine's Set for a gift. It's a little bit fancier so it adds a wow factor (gorgeous packaging) + it's a novelty that I think most people would love to try. This one comes with two of their signature candy cubes + is $24. 


Linking everything below for you! Do you have big plans for Valentine's/Galentine's? The bf and I usually grab dinner on V-Day but nothing crazy! PS-- today's my birthday! Can't believe another year has gone by! ðŸ˜¬ Hope you have a great weekend!

xx,


Kristen


SHOP THE POST  

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

HOW I LOST 30 POUNDS | MY WEIGHT LOSS TIPS + TRICKS!


Today's post is gonna be a long one! I had it in mind that I wanted to share a few tips + tricks from my experience losing weight but I didn't realize it would be this in depth until I started writing. With us still being fresh into the new year, I thought I could help inspire those of you wanting to make a change and be a more confident version of you. I've struggled many times with body image, wanting to lose weight and failing to lose weight. I still do at times and I think that's a normal part of life that most of us deal with. It can be overwhelming and feel like a constaaaannntttt struggle, even when you're making progress. 

I love sharing my outfits with you all! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :) 

OUTFIT DEETS


Before we jump in, can we talk about this outfit? One of my new faves! These leggings are great for working out (super light + great compression) but I love them for everyday wear too. They're sporty, hit right at the ankle + I found them on sale here for $22! I'm PICKY with leggings + I love them.

This is the best top too-- it's super soft and has the twist front design which is very flattering. I of course have black but there are several colors. It's on sale for under $20 here. I'm wearing these socks from the same brand (a little thicker, more athletic) & love them. 

These are probably my most worn shoe at this point. They're easy, lightweight and comfy. They're also around $85 which is very reasonable compared to a lot of others. I just can't bring myself to spend $200 on sneaks! You can find them here in several colors. 


MY WEIGHT LOSS EXPERIENCE


I've had two of what I will call "journeys" where I've actually lost what I consider a significant amount of weight for my body. The first time was several years back during my junior year of college. For months, I felt unhappy with how I looked and was uncomfortable in my own skin. I remember weighing myself one day and hating the number I saw. I thought "I can't keep going on like this, I can't let the number keep going up." I wasn't proud of how I looked or felt and after several failed attempts, finally committed to making a change. Over the next year, I found my mojo and consistently lost a little over 30lbs. 

Fast forward to August of 2020. Since graduating college back in 2016, I would say I gained back around 10-12lbs of the weight I had lost. This was gradual over w years but I started feeling unhappy with where I was at again. I decided to cut back again doing what worked for me the first time. By November, I had lost right around 12lbs. 

**Before we jump in, I also want to add that the number on the scale and what size you wear aren't the most important things in a "weight-loss journey." While I have always had "goal weights" in mind, the biggest thing I have always found to be most important is the way I feel and being comfortable in how I look. That is different for everyone + while the numbers are great to track progress, don't let them consume you or become an obsession. Easy does it ;)**

MY WEIGHT LOSS TIPS + TRICKS

 Weight loss is sometimes made complicated but what I believe worked for me and what does work if you're consistent is consuming less calories than your body is burning. The concept is simple but is easier said than done. In my mind, this always meant "Well, I either have to eat like bird or I have to exercise to eat what I want." Being the food lover that I am, I naturally thought the only option was exercising my a** off so I could keep eating whatever I wanted. I never loved working out and after trying that for a few months, I never saw much progress and ended up quitting.

When I committed to my first journey as we're calling it, I decided to focus on my eating habits which I believe made all the difference. I read one time that weight loss/fitness is made up of 70% of your diet and only 30% exercise. If you think about how much energy it takes to burn calories vs. how easy it is to consume them, this makes a lot of sense! So for me, in order to consume less than my body is burning I focus on how much I'm eating. When I'm trying to cut back + shed a few pounds, I try to stay within a certain healthy calorie amount for the day which I do primarily by making better food choices + decisions. 
Here are the steps I use!

IDENTIFY YOUR STARTING POINT -- When starting a "weight-loss journey," I think it's extremely important to first take note of where you are now. If you're reading this post, you probably have a good idea of where you are versus where you'd like to be. With our body, this is easy because most of us are aware of how we look, how much we weigh and our mindset/level of happiness about these factors. Whenever I've successfully lost weight and stuck to a plan, it has been because I had reached a point where I was no longer happy with myself. I was unhappy with the numbers on the scale but more importantly, how I felt when I looked in the mirror. 

I don't believe weight loss is or should be strictly based upon numbers and how much weight you can lose but for me, awareness has always been important. While we know we want to change, sometimes it can be scary to face reality and accept where we are. Stepping on the scale and confirming what you feared can be difficult. There isn't a one-size-fits-all magic number on the scale that we all need to reach. Where you want to go is something you have to decide but in order to make progress, you have to know where you're starting. Once you do that, you can create a goal for yourself and track your progress.

*Tip: I would suggest writing down your starting weight + take a photo of yourself before you start! This will help you establish where you are, where you want to go + how much progress you make!* 

ESTABLISH A REALISTIC GOAL -- Once you know where you are, you can create a REALISTIC goal for yourself. It's easy to focus on the end result ("I want to lose 50lbs!") or ("I need to lose 30lbs by next May!") which can overwhelm you if you're not careful. I think it's great to take note of your ideal end goal, however in my experience healthy weight loss takes time. We all love instant gratification which doesn't usually happen with weight loss. 

I would suggest starting small with something that seems manageable + easy to do. Whether it's one pound, five or ten, make it attainable in your mind and don't focus too much on how long it takes you. It took me close to a year to lose 30lbs the first time but only three months to lose 12lbs my second time around. 

*The key is to create a realistic goal that is attainable so you achieve it. Once you accomplish this and see yourself succeeding, you can build + keep going. Consistency is HUGE. It takes time to see progress + it can be slow moving in the beginning.*

BREAK DOWN YOUR GOAL -- Once you establish your goal, break it down into increments. Since you need to burn more calories than you consume, you need to figure out what this means and how to do it. There are several factors such as your gender, age, weight, activity level, etc. that can tell you the ideal amount of healthy calories you should be consuming per day to lose weight. 

There are websites out there you can use, however I use the MyFitnessPal app for this. I started using it years ago + honestly believe it's a large part of why I've been successful. The app is amazing + helps you set up everything. It asks you to input everything from your starting weight, goal weight + how much you want to lose per week (from 0.5lbs to 2lbs). It then will guide you on how many calories you should be consuming per day to reach these goals. 

The best part is the food diary feature. It allows you to input your meals during the day to track calories/nutrition/etc. You can then see how much you're eating compared to how much you should be for your weight loss plan. (PS-- not being sponsored or paid for this. They have no clue who I am, I just love their app!) 

TRACK YOUR CALORIES -- After establishing your goal and breaking it down into how much you should aim to eat per day, I think it's important to track how much you are use to eating. This can be difficult (kind of like weighing yourself) because sometimes out of site, out of mind feels better. If you really want to make progress, you have to know what your habits have been so you can make changes. 

It's also a great exercise to learn the nutritional info on a lot of the foods you eat. I remember being shocked by a lot of what I use to eat + how many calories/fat content certain foods contained. This helps bring awareness + allows you to make better choices. I like being able to choose what's worth the calories or not. 

BE DISCIPLINED + CONSISTENT -- One of the biggest make or breaks with weight loss is consistency. It's so easy to give up and quit after a few weeks of seeing no progress. It takes time but if you are disciplined + consistent, results will come. It can feel like you're making zero progress and having to make better food choices than what you're use to can also be very difficult. You have to remember why you started + remember the first ten pounds are the hardest to lose! 

SLOW & STEADY -- This one to me is so so important and why I believe creating a time frame of when you have to lose X lbs by isn't the best. It takes time to develop consistency and new habits. In a perfect world, if you followed your calorie plan perfectly every single day then you would hopefully lose X lbs by a certain date. That is very unrealistic and puts unnecessary pressure that I think sets you up for failure. You have to find a balance between being consistent + staying with it but also giving yourself grace when you mess up. 

When I started my journey, I set my plan at 2lbs per week which advised me to consume about 1200 calories per day. Compared to what I had been eating, this was a lot less. It took time for me to adjust and find things that fit within my calorie range that I wanted to eat. I'm picky and love food! It was important for me to still have the freedom and autonomy to eat what I wanted, just more responsibly. Some days I would eat around the 1200, others I would eat closer to 1500. I always tried to be disciplined but if I went over, I wouldn't beat myself up. It's called a journey for a reason! You just start all over + try again the next day. I think that's another reason "diets" fail-- if there is too much restriction you will eventually get burnt out and give up. Take your time to find a way that works for you that you enjoy!

CHEAT DAYS -- Because I think it's important to go at your own pace to stay consistent + figure out what works for you, I think cheat days are important. I like to give myself the grace of off days/weekends to have the freedom to eat something I might not normally during the week or that might exceed my calorie range for the day. If you want to be successful, it's important to be consistent and disciplined but to not over do it. If you restrict and deprive yourself, you will end up giving up. Having two days a week to have a break and not worry about what you can't have helps me to be more consistent on my other days. 

*I would rather lose weight at a slower rate that's consistent over time versus lose a few pounds quickly only to quit later on.*

TRACK YOUR PROGRESS -- Tracking your progress is essential to see how things are going. On my first journey, I would weigh myself once a week on the same day/around the same time. I would also take pictures of myself periodically. These are great ways to keep track of your progress + look back at how far you've come! 

*I think it's important to note that some weeks you'll see some positive changes + others you might not. You might also see numbers go up + down or feel frustrated. This is normal! Just keep moving + don't focus too much on the scale.* 

THE END?? LOL! 

Sheeewwwww, that was a long one. I wasn't planning on writing out a whole novel but I realized five bullet points wasn't going to cut it. I wanted to be thorough + hopefully give you some helpful tips if you're looking to lose weight. These are the things that work for me but I am not an expert or fitness/nutritional professional. This ins't intended to be professional or medical advice so always be sure to consult a professional or your doctor.

If you have more questions for me or want to know more about my experience, feel free to comment below or message me on IG (@TheKristenDiary)!


xx,


Kristen 


SHOP THE POST

Monday, January 25, 2021

WHAT'S IN MY SEPHORA CART



My hair is needing some help these days. For years I've dealt with dryness + scalp issues which is soooooo frustrating. I've also been noticing more flyaways/dullness so I'm hoping to bring some life back to it. I'm debating whether to cut it shorter or not but also found a few new products I want to try from Sephora. Here's what I have in my cart so far! 

I love sharing my picks with you all. Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :) 


WHAT'S IN MY SEPHORA CART


1. Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector - I found this under top-rated hair masks on Sephora. There are several options but this one is part of the Clean at Sephora products (free from parabens, sulfates SLS + SLES, phthalates, mineral oils, formaldehyde, etc.) which I love. It's not my number one requirement but I like to make a conscious effort to buy clean/free if possible.

Olaplex has a whole range of hair products that get great reviews. The No. 3 Hair Perfector is a treatment that is targeted at restoring the hair and helping with damage and breakage. I like the concept of this actually repairing your hair from within which *should* hopefully help with the exterior (flyaways, etc.) 

2. Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil - The look + hype of this Gisou Honey Hair Oil drew me in! She's a boujee one but she gets great reviews. It's an oil formulated with honey that you apply to damp hair. In my experience, this either works or you wake up with greasy, weighed down hair. When I buy and try, I'll let you guys know lol. The bottle is gorg too-- very vintage, Parisian vibes.

3. Velour Lashes Fluff'N Brow Pencil - You already knew I had a few stragglers get thrown in the cart! I'm always up to try a new brow pencil + I'm almost due for a new one. I haven't heard much about this one by Velour Lashes but it gets better reviews than my two favorites from Hourglass + Anastasia. It's also a 3-in-1 with a brow pencil, a setting balm + spoolie. 

4. Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer - This brand is newish to Sephora and I haven't tried anything yet. Awhile back I saw someone mention they loved the concealer so I am curious to try. My ride-or-die under eye product for brightening is this one by MAC so we will see how it stands up! 

5. Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Concealer Brush - This one is a surprise to me, you guys. I haven't been on the hunt nor do I need a concealer brush. I always use a beautyblender or my finger but it looks like I'll be buying this one? When I searched for the Rare concealer, this came up with it. I'm not even kidding-- I don't think I've ever seen so many positive reviews on a concealer brush! It's also only $16 here (great price for a higher-end brush IF it's good). Gotta get to the bottom of this... I'll keep you guys posted! 

6. IGK Good Behavior 4-in-1 Prep Spray - Back to hair, this IGK 4-in-1 Prep Spray looks good. I haven't been using hot tools very often over the past few years so I've slipped on the heat protectant (I know, I know). I have a good excuse to get one now since my boyfriend bought me this GHD Heat Brush (I've been curious to try it out for years!). The IGK spray is suppose to work as a heat protectant, detangler (neeeeeed this too) and helps to eliminate frizz and add shine. Love their vibe/packaging as well.  

7. ILIA Lip Wrap Clean Hydrating Lip Mask - I'm constantly applying chapstick for my dry lips so I thought this lip mask looked promising. It's another Clean product + gets great reviews. 

8. LAWLESS Forget the Filler Lip Plumper Line Smoothing Gloss - As soon as Annie (founder of Lawless Beauty) shared this new lip plumping gloss, I knew I needed to try it out! Lawless is a great clean, luxe beauty brand. I have several of their products and love them (the foundation is one of my holy grails). The Forget the Filler gloss is suppose to give a plump look to the lips but also has great ingredients to hydrate + smooth. Sounds like a great concept with clean ingredients! 

9. Tower 28 Beauty ShineOn Milky Lip Jelly Gloss - I've had my eye on Tower 28 Beauty for a little bit. The packaging and clean design of their products is so cool + kind of retro? I think it reminds me of the '80s. It's also a clean brand + the price point is very reasonable/"affordable" for Sephora. The ShineOn Milky Lip Gloss looks like the perfect everyday gloss. There are several shades but I have "Oat" in my cart.

**Also going to add this Sephora Collection Scalp Massager once it comes back in stock. I've heard these are good to use while washing your hair to help with dryness + apply product. This one is only $10!**

What's your favorite product at the moment? LMK! 


xx,


Kristen


SHOP THE POST

Thursday, January 21, 2021

VALENTINE'S DAY INSPO


I love love love Valentine's Day so I had to bring some inspo to the blog! My boyfriend and I never do anything crazy on V-DAY but I live for all of the cutesy hearts + Valentine things. And the candy?? Yum yum. Do you do anything for Valentine's Day or Galentine's Day? Tell me your plans!!

I love sharing my picks with you all. Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :) 

VALENTINE'S DAY FAVES


1. Rhinestone Bobby Pins - I love that bobby pins + hair clips have been making a come back. The rhinestones on these remind me a lot of the boujee Chanel ones but you get all four for under $5! A pretty good deal compared to the Chanel... they sell for $1000-$1500 pre-owned! 

2. Lele Sadoughi Headbands (Red // White) - What do you guys think of the Lele headbands? I haven't worn headbands since I was in middle school but hers are gorgeous!! Anytime I see someone wearing one it immediately catches my eye. Love these heart studded ones for V-Day. I can't decide if I like the red one better or the white? Also love this smaller version that's half the price and this pink one with pearl heartshis pink one with pearl hearts is cute too. 

3. Kendra Scott Druzy Heart Necklace - I can confirm that these make the best gifts! I bought my sister the pink/rose gold one for Christmas and she ended up getting me the star version in black/gold (funny because neither of us asked for them). The metal on these holds up well (I've never had any tarnishing with any KS) + they are great for layering.  

4. Valentine's Day Mug Set - The limit on how many mugs you can own doesn't exist...why haven't we all bought these yet?? You get a set with both for $10

5. Heart-Shaped Sunglasses - I feel like these are just a classic at this point? They were definitely a trend a one point but to me they're very retro. This pair is a great dupe for the Saint Laurent ones. They come in several colors + are under $13. If you'd rather splurge-- Saint Laurent ones are here.

6. Valentine's Day Frenchie Pillow - Searching for the frenchie I don't own so I can buy this??? THANKS TARGET. Have you guys seen all of the frenchie videos on Tik-Tok? I love them. Can't get over this pillow either. Look at the glasses!

7. Faux Fur Heart Pillow - Would be great next to the frenchie pillow. I like the blush color but it also comes in ivory. 

8. Tie-Dye Pajamas - These are in my cart right now! They're just Valentinesy enough but would be great for Spring and Summer. What do we think about tie-dye? I love.

9. Heart Earrings - These earrings have a little bit of an edgy vibe which I love. This red color is perfect for V-Day but they also come in multi-color. You can find them here for only $13! 

10. Hanky Panky Valentine's Day Panty Set - Had to include these. They always come out with fun Valentine's sets + patterns (dying over these heart-printed ones). This set comes with 3 pairs + saves some $$$. Sometimes you have to just treat yourself and buy boujee undies.  

If you could only pick one thing, what would it be? 

xx,

Kristen


SHOP THE POST

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

ON-THE-GO CAMO


How about these photos, though?? I don't know how bloggers do it, you guys. I feel so awkward trying to take photos of myself! I took tons of pictures and these were the best four. LOL... I wish I was joking! I'm a little bit of a perfectionist which keeps me from doing things if they're not just right ("paralysis by overanalysis"). We're working on it so HERE THEY ARE! Let's do the damn thing. This is one of my favorite go-to looks on chilly days. Warm, cozy and gets me out the door in 5!

I love sharing my personal style with you all. Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping! Pretty cool, huh? :) 

OUTFIT DETAILS




My sissy got me this Camo Sherpa Pullover as a Christmas gift which is too funny-- I almost purchased this one (looks almost identical) before Christmas... she knows me!! It feels like you're wearing a blanket + is currently on sale here for 50% off! I like the spice camo brings to the party but these come in lots of styles + colors. I always lean towards a pullover style that's a little bit dressier than a hoodie but just as comfortable. 

I would also wear this with regular leggings (these & these are my favorites) but went for faux-leather ones today. This pair is the absolute best-- extremely flattering, sucks you in but is SO comfortable on. Great dressy or casual + worth the price (found a similar pair here for only $20-- gets a 5 star rating!). 

My newest shoe addition are these mini UGG booties. I shared on my IG (@TheKristenDiary) that I needed a new pair of black UGGs (I've had this style for years) and decided to go for these mini ones. I love them! People have some strong opinions about UGGs but IMO, you can't beat them! Super comfy, warm, go with everything + will last for years. If I wanted to be more sporty, I'd swap the booties out for my sneakers (on sale right now for under $60!). 

I usually keep jewelry simple. I'm wearing this mini black & gold star necklace (another gift from my sister) with an old initial necklace (similar style here) + my everyday earrings. Loving the layered necklace look! 

I'll have everything linked below! Hope you're having a great week! 

xx,


Kristen

Monday, January 18, 2021

MONEY MOVES I'M MAKING IN 2021

H A P P Y  N E W  Y E A R! Is everyone excited to dive into a fresh start? It's now 2021 which means NEW YEAR, NEW MONEY. My resolutions and goals each year always revolve around improving my money game and overall financial situation. Saving, investing + managing money is crucial to living the life you want now and in the future. While I'm not an expert or financial advisor, I love researching and learning from others. I think adding a money section to the blog can create some great conversations + I would love to learn from you all as well. Feel free to comment below what money moves you're making in 2021 + your best money advice. 

PS-- it's easy (& normal) to feel overwhelmed by what we are, aren't, should or could be doing. When it comes to $$$, it's never too late to start or to keep improving. Progress over perfection! 

MONEY MOVES I'M MAKING IN 2021

1. MAX OUT ROTH IRA CONTRIBUTIONS - I've been very fortunate over the past several years to be in a position to max out the yearly contribution limits for my Roth IRA retirement account. Being in my mid-20s, I have very low expenses which have allowed me to throw a lot of savings into my Roth. My plan is to max out the $6,000 contribution limit for 2020 by the deadline (April 15th) and begin contributions for the 2021 year after that ($6,000 limit due by April 2022).

**If you don't currently have a Roth IRA or some form of retirement account, I would HIGHLY encourage you to do some research + open one. You don't have to have a lot of $$$ to start one + every dollar invested now will pay off in the future.** 

2. INCREASE EMERGENCY FUND - I've been actively setting aside money into a savings account for years. I've always viewed it as money you leave alone for a rainy day without much thought or any goal amount of how much I wanted to save. Something I learned last year is the importance of being intentional with your money and having a plan for every dollar. I decided that long term, I would like to have a year's worth of living expenses saved in a designated "emergency fund." Because I have a healthy savings now, rushing to complete this goal isn't my top priority. I am more focused on investing and growing my money right now over saving. I've decided to keep some of my savings in this "emergency fund" and continue adding to it monthly. My goal is to save another year's worth of expenses this year.

**Most financial experts recommend starting with a $1,000 emergency fund + then growing it to 3-6 months worth of living expenses. Even if you can only save a few dollars a month, do it! Every bit helps!** 

3. FOLLOW A BUDGET - For years, I HATED the idea of budgeting. I always viewed it as being kept on a leash which was not for me. "If I want to buy something, I should be able to buy it" was my mentality. I've always been responsible with money so I didn't really see the point. After following several budget/finance gurus, I started to see the importance of being intentional with your money and knowing where it's going. In 2020, I began tracking my spending to see how much of my income I was spending/saving/etc. I then started to create a rough goal amount of how much I wanted to spend on things like food, etc. for the month. I was never super restrictive with this, however it did make me aware of how much I was spending throughout the month which I think helped me spend less and be more intentional. 

**I use the free version of the Every Dollar budgeting app by Dave Ramsey/Ramsey Solutions. You can input your income + budget for expenses each month. I like that I can easily log purchases on the go + see them all in one place!**

I then decided that I needed to order The Budget Mom's Budget By Paycheck Workbook. After watching The Budget Mom on YouTube and Instagram, I thought that tracking and budgeting in her workbook looked like fun. I even ordered these highlighters to use with the book. Who am I now??? Lol! On a serious note, I liked the idea of being able to write everything down in a book and look back on my progress for an entire year. I've started using it this month so we'll see how things go! I'll keep you posted. 

4. NON-RETIREMENT INVESTMENTS - This is a little bit of unchartered territory for me. One of my goals the past few months is to begin investing outside of just my retirement fund. While I'm young with low financial obligations, I feel it's important that I use my money to my advantage. How much I want to invest, what I want to invest in + capital gains/taxes are all things I'm working to figure out.

5. HIGH-YIELD SAVINGS - I would like to transfer my savings account over to a High-Yield Savings Account with a higher interest rate. Essentially this lets you earn a little bit more interest on your savings balance to help combat inflation, etc. I planned on doing this in 2020, however there have been dramatic drops in interest rates. Most went from 1.5%-2% down to around 0.5%-0.6%. These are still higher than my bank savings generates, however right now the ease of convenience and familiarity I have with my bank seems more valuable to me than moving everything for the interest rate. 

That is the main bulk of my financial goals + money moves for 2021. Every year I try to take a few steps to improve and increase my situation. If you're just starting a financial journey or you haven't started yet, starting small is better than not starting at all. I know it can seem stressful or overwhelming but I wanted to share my goals in hopes of inspiring you to save + better your own financial situation. 

What money moves are you making this year?


xx,


Kristen