Why does it always have to be about money?!

"Show me the monneeeeeyyyy!!"

I hate that money is involved in EVERYTHING.  I can try to be all positive about love and life and relationships, etc. etc...

But the reality is that money is on all of our minds EVERY day.

It's so annoying!

I don't want to think about it all the time, and I wish it wasn't such a stresser and constant thought on my mind.

This month alone, I have my regular bills (rent, BGE, verizon, gym, student loan, cell phone, gas, food).  I also had my huge 6 month car insurance payment (over $500), and I'm getting a lot of maintenance done on my car too (about $550).  Not to mention the money I have put into starting my own business (Thirty-One).  I feel like every time I feel good about money, there's always a random other bill or expense that pops up!

I wonder if my wallet/bank account are traitors! Maybe they tell everyone that I have some "extra" non-used money in my account, so that's why I get random bills/expenses?!

I have my master's degree program coming up as well.  For the first semester, I need $700.  I know that that is a severely discounted rate, considering the fact that the rest of it has been reimbursed by the county.  I reaaallllyy didn't want to, but I think I will be taking out a student loan for my master's.  My hope would be to pay some of it myself initially and then use the loan for the rest, so that when I finish my master's, it won't be for the full amount of the degree.  We shall see.

Do you ever feel annoyed that it's always all about money?!

Business Cards!

I took out my phone number for this picture, but on the real thing that is included.  Aren't they so cute?! I LOVE the pink and black, the polka dots, and just how Jessie they are! This is definitely my kind of business card!  I'm so excited for when they get here!

I even ordered a business card holder that is personalized as well!

Can you tell that I'm really excited?

I'm a 31 Consultant!

I just became an independent consultant for Thirty-One gifts!

I'm so excited!

I am in love with all of their products, and I'm already a frequent customer.  So now as a consultant I can sell them and make some extra money!

My kit just came today, and it makes me even more excited!

I even have a website!

http://www.mythirtyone.com/jstrunk/

PR here we come!

We bought our tickets and hotel reservations last week for Puerto Rico.  April cannot come sooner!

I can't wait!  I'm really excited to have a fun vacation to look forward to :)

Happy Wednesday!



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 I'm gonna be all teacher-y on you and make a personal glow on/grow on list for myself, based on how I've been doing in the New Year.  (In case you didn't figure it out...glow on is thinking about the positve things that should be praised, and the grow on are things that could still use some improvement -- we use this model a lot when we do parent/teacher conferences). 

Glow On:
*I have been much better about washing my face every night!  I used to awful at it, but now with a new skincare line (more on that later) and the results that keep me going (mostly clear skin! woo!) it's easy to stick with it.
*I have been maintaining my consistent gym routine - 3-4 times a week no matter what. 
*I have been more productive at work during the day, so I don't feel the need to stay late/come early anymore.  Sweet!

Grow On:
*I want to try and make sure Dan and I have more couple time together during the week.  I thought moving in together would mean that we would see each other automatically all the time, but in reality we really don't, given late night gym workouts, babysitting, tutoring, meet ups with other friends, dinners with parents, etc. 
*I still need to get better at saving more money, and more consistently.  I wouldn't say that I'm bad with my finances; I always pay my bills and I don't usually splurge a lot with my credit card.  However, I really want to figure out a way to save more each month, especially for retirement since my retirement benefits are pretty crap-tastic.
*I need to eat more veggies!  I have been on a fruit crave for a while now, so I'm covered with that, but I have been slacking on my veggie intake!  I hope to start packing some in my lunches from now on, whether it be a salad or some carrot sticks with hummus, or just some cut up bell peppers (Mmm!).  

I know I said I wouldn't do a New Year's Resolution post, but I guess these things can be sort of like a resolution...or just general day-to-day goals for myself.  :)