Photo Source: Will Lion

This whole semi-new “single-mom-trying-to-turn-her-lifelong-passion-into-a-viable-full-time-business-and-pinch-pennies-at-the-same-time” thing is definitely something that I could do without! But, as one of my good friends always says, “It is what it is…” (and it has been quite an adjustment, that’s for sure!)

How interesting (…major understatement…) it has been to be forced to choose which of life’s necessities should be paid for this month. Until now, I never fully realized just how many things I have always taken for granted…

Anyway, in light of these unplanned changes in my life and family and home over the past year-and-a-half, I now meticulously scrutinize every single expenditure like I never have before. And, I have come to realize that, aside from the love of family and friends, what Amanda and I truly need boils down to this: car, apartment, electricity, water, medications, and groceries. So, that’s where the money goes right now… absolute necessities only!

Sure, all the “no’s” that Amanda gets from me are tough (on both of us!), but I have no doubt that the time and attention and love that I am investing in my daughter today will reap far greater rewards in the years to come!

So, what about you? Are there things in your life that you could do without? I challenge you to take a moment today to reflect on the true essentials in your life, and I dare you to let go of the rest!

Photo Source: the workroom

Check out this month’s newsletter…

· feature: files & taxes
· forms: Tax Stuff Checklist, Itemized Donations, Legal Document Sake Keeping
· extras: blog highlights, power over paper, subscriber ideas

Is your cash flow running a little low now that the holiday season is over and the year is coming to an end? Well, here you go… Check out my friend, Kevin Bradley, as he talks about eliminating clutter and earning some extra cash using BookJingle.com.

Save yourself some time, energy, and frustration by planning out your holiday shopping before you hit the stores. These printable goodies will help you keep track of your recipient list, gift ideas, and final purchases—the positively gorgeous holiday gift tracker from Time Too, the ultra-sensible gift worksheet from the project girl, and the automatically-calculated holiday gift shopping list from Adam Arthur Design Group.

Finally, the shopping-made-easy planner from All Bright Ideas includes space for planning which stores you’ll visit (and in what order) on your holiday shopping trip. Enjoy!

TIP : If you have already finished all your holiday shopping, take a moment to jot down a few notes. Include a list of those for whom you bought gifts, how much you spent, and ideas for upcoming occasions (i.e., birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, baby showers). Keep this information handy and refer to it when you fill in your calendar and prepare your gift-giving budget for the new year.

Some more free planning printables for you… A quickie look at your entire Christmas budget from { simple mom }, a Christmas card list worksheet from [ real neat ] to help you track the ones you send and the ones you receive, and a complete 13-page Christmas planner courtesy of Organizing Your Way. Enjoy!