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Step 1: Build a Starter Savings Fund

Make sure to check out the full step by step post below! 

Starting your journey to financial freedom begins with one key step: building a starter savings fund. This may sound simple, but it sets the foundation for every financial move you make in the future.

Why You Need a Starter Fund

Life happens. Your car might break down, a medical bill could pop up, or your washer might decide to quit working. Without an emergency fund, the first reaction is often to swipe a credit card—which only digs you deeper into debt.

By saving $1,000–$2,000 (1 month of bills), you create a financial cushion that keeps you from relying on credit. This is your safety net, your first step toward peace of mind.

Spotlight: Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover

One of the core principles in Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover is the Baby Step to save $1,000 fast. But “fast” doesn’t mean magic—it means making significant cuts now.

You already know where your money is going, so now is the time to:

• Cut back on morning coffees

• Eat in more often

• Pause weekly pub nights

• Redirect all extra funds toward your emergency fund

The goal is simple: get that starter savings fund built as quickly as possible.

Choosing the Right Account

Where should you put your emergency fund? There are tons of options online, from high-yield savings accounts to money market accounts. Do your homework and pick one that’s trustworthy.

I personally use a Vanguard money market account because:

• It’s tied to my brokerage account (great for investing later)

• It currently earns 4.21% interest, compared to 0.01% at a traditional bank

• Transfers to and from my checking account are quick and easy

I keep just one month of bills in my brick and mortar savings account and the rest of my emergency fund in my money market account so it can grow safely.

Taking Action

Here’s what this step looks like in practice:

1. Open your account and link it to your checking.

2. Cut discretionary spending temporarily to free up cash.

3. Focus on building your cushion.

4. Decide whether to tackle debt aggressively (if you have debt) or continue growing your emergency fund.

Remember, this isn’t about getting rich overnight. Financial freedom looks like:

• No debt weighing you down

• A paid-off or mostly-paid-off home

• Consistent contributions to a Roth IRA and 401(k)

• Peace of mind knowing you can handle any unexpected expense

With discipline, you may not be a billionaire—but you will become a millionaire. Later, we’ll break down exactly how much money you need to never worry about finances again—it’s far less than most people think.

Wrapping Up Step 1

By the end of this step, you should have:

• $1,000–$2,000 (1 month of bills) in a high-yield savings or money market account ready for growth!

• All debts written down

• Income and expenses clearly mapped

Take a moment to pause. How are you feeling? Excited? Nervous? Motivated? That’s normal. You just laid the foundation for financial freedom, and every next step will build on this momentum.

No Storage? No Problem! Get Out On The Water Anytime!

 Have you been eyeing that creek on the way home from work for years… but live in an apartment?

You know the feeling—you’re driving past a sparkling creek or calm lake, thinking, “One day, I’ll get out there…” But reality hits: no garage, no storage space, definitely no room for a full-size kayak—unless you want to park it in your dining room.

I see it all the time at campgrounds, too. Families or couples pull up in a car, walk down to the lake, swim for a bit… and you can tell they’d love to be out there paddling. But without room to store a hard kayak or paddle board, they’re stuck on shore.

Here’s the thing: you don’t need a hard kayak or paddle board to enjoy the water. These inflatable kayaks and paddle boards are made from heavy-duty, puncture- and abrasion-resistant materials, so they’re tough enough to handle rocks, sand, and shallow water without damage. Plus, multiple air chambers provide extra safety—if one is compromised, the others keep you afloat.

Good news: you don’t have to choose between adventure and apartment living. Inflatable kayaks and paddle boards make getting on the water easier than ever. They’re compact, lightweight, and pump up in minutes. Here are some top picks:

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Solo Adventures: INTEX 68303EP Excursion Pro K1 👈Click the link here!

• Includes: Deluxe 86" kayak paddles & high-output pump

• Material: SuperTough PVC – puncture- and abrasion-resistant

• Comfort: Adjustable bucket seat

• Capacity: 1-person, 220 lbs

• Why it’s great: Packs down small enough to fit in a small tote (comes with a carry bag). Inflate in ~5 minutes, paddle away, deflate just as quickly. Perfect for solo creek explorations.

Mid-Level Fun: INTEX 68307EP Explorer K2 👈Click the link here!

• Includes: Deluxe 86" aluminum oars & high-output pump

• Material: SuperStrong PVC – tough and durable for rocks or sand

• Comfort: Adjustable seats with backrests

• Capacity: 2-person, 400 lbs

• Why it’s great: Great for a friend or partner to join. Compact enough for apartment storage, inflates in minutes.

Go Solo & Explore: INTEX Challenger Series 👈Click the link here!

• Includes: Deluxe 84" paddles & high-output pump

• Material: SuperStrong PVC – resistant to scrapes and bumps

• Comfort: Seat with backrest, removable skeg, cargo storage net

• Why it’s great: A bit more features for the explorer at heart. Easy setup and breakdown, fits in small spaces—perfect for spontaneous adventures.

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Bonus: Inflatable Paddle Board 👈Click the link here!

If you want to mix it up, inflatable paddle boards are just as compact and portable as kayaks, giving you a new way to explore lakes, rivers, and creeks.

Roc Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board

• Includes: Premium SUP paddle board accessories

• Material: Military-grade PVC with drop-stitch construction – extremely rigid and durable

• Stable & Comfortable: Wide, non-slip deck perfect for youth and adults

• Portable: Inflates in minutes, deflates for easy storage in apartments or small vehicles

• Why it’s great: Combines fun, fitness, and adventure in one lightweight package. Tough enough for rocks and shallow areas, so you don’t need a hardboard SUP.

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Essential Gear: Stay Comfortable & Dry

Even the best kayak or paddle board is better with the right gear. Here’s what we recommend for apartment-friendly adventures:

1. SEEKWAY Water Shoes 👈Click the link here!

• Quick-dry & lightweight, comfortable for long paddles

• Barefoot feel for protection on rocks, sand, and slippery surfaces

• Versatile for kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, diving, or surfing

• Unisex fit

2. Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag 👈Click the link here!

• Roll-top waterproof backpack keeps your gear safe and dry

• Includes waterproof phone case for worry-free photos

• Perfect for storing snacks, keys, wallet, and essentials

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Why Inflatable Gear Works for Those With No Storage

• Fits in a small tote or closet – no garage needed (these all come with a carry bag!)

• Inflates in minutes – high-output pumps make setup fast

• Deflates just as quickly – pack it up and go

• Durable Materials – tough PVC and drop-stitch construction make these inflatables resistant to scrapes, bumps, and shallow rocks

So next time you pass that creek or lake on your way home, or watch people at the campground wishing they could paddle, don’t just dream about it. With these compact inflatables and essential gear, water adventures are easy, fast, durable, and apartment-friendly. Paddle, explore, and enjoy—your creek is waiting.

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Pro Tip: Make Inflation Even Easier

Intex Battery-Powered Pump 👈Click the link!

While these kayaks and boards come with manual high-output pumps, you can make setup even quicker with an Intex battery-powered pump. It’s compact, portable, and inflates your kayak or paddle board in just a few minutes—perfect if you want to spend more time paddling and less time pumping.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click on one of my links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I use and trust to bring value to your adventures.

How Morning Sunlight Changed My Relationship with the Sun

I’ve always been the type of person who burns just by stepping outside. Sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses have always been part of my daily routine — not because I wanted them to be, but because I felt like I had no choice. Sunburn was a guarantee.

But recently, we started a new habit that completely surprised me.

Every morning, first thing, we step outside with a cup of coffee and sit for about 15 minutes. We just watch the sun come up and the world start to light up — and here’s the key part: no sunglasses.

At first, this was just a calming way to begin the day. It felt grounding to take in the early morning light and let our eyes adjust naturally. But after sticking with this routine, something unexpected happened.

I noticed I wasn’t burning anymore.

I stopped wearing sunglasses all the time — even while mowing the yard or camping this summer. I still wear a hat occasionally (especially to protect my forehead), but I let my eyes experience more natural light. What I found was that my eyes adjusted better, and my skin seemed to respond differently too.

The real test came at Laurel Lake in Kentucky. Normally, spending a day in the sun with my shirt off would guarantee a painful burn. But this time, I didn’t burn. I tanned, yes, but no burn. That was a first for me.

Of course, I still stay cautious. I’m not suggesting that sunburn can’t happen or that we should ignore protection altogether. I value sunlight for the vitamin D it provides — something so many people are deficient in — but I also recognize the importance of balance. The goal isn’t endless sun exposure, but rather healthy, intentional exposure that supports well-being.

This simple morning practice has made a big difference in my relationship with the sun. It’s been calming, restorative, and surprisingly protective. Sometimes small, consistent habits make the biggest difference.

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What the Science Says

It turns out there may be good reasons why this habit works:

1. Morning Light Prepares the Skin
Early morning sunlight is rich in visible and near-infrared light but low in UVB (the main burning rays). Research shows this type of light can "precondition" skin cells, activating protective pathways and boosting antioxidants before the stronger midday sun arrives. Some studies suggest it works almost like a mild natural sunscreen, reducing redness and inflammation after UV exposure.

2. Circadian Rhythms and Repair
Our skin has its own internal clock that regulates repair cycles. Morning light through the eyes helps set that clock, keeping hormone and repair systems on track. This alignment means your body may be better prepared to repair DNA damage when UV exposure does happen.

3. Balance of UVA and UVB
UVB rays, the ones most responsible for burning, are strongest between about 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Early in the morning, UVB is low, which is why you can get light exposure without the same burn risk. UVA is present all day, and while it penetrates deeper and contributes to skin aging, it’s less likely to cause immediate burning.

4. Vitamin D and Overall Health
Morning sun may also contribute to maintaining healthy vitamin D levels. Since many people are deficient, getting consistent, moderate sunlight exposure helps support overall health, while avoiding the risks of overexposure.

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Final Thoughts

I started this practice for calm and balance, but I ended up gaining something even more valuable: resilience in the sun. While more research is needed, the science suggests that early morning light might really help protect the skin and regulate the body. For me, it’s been a life-changing shift — one cup of coffee and sunrise at a time.

Jigsaw Potassium Cocktail vs. Sports Drinks: Which One Really Fuels You Better?

If you’re reaching for something to rehydrate, fight muscle cramps, or just enjoy a refreshing drink, chances are you’ve grabbed a Blue Sports Drink at some point. It’s one of the most recognizable sports drinks in the world. But is it really the best option for your body (and your wallet)?

Enter the Jigsaw Potassium Cocktail — a sugar-free, blue raspberry electrolyte drink mix designed to give your body exactly what it needs, without the junk. Let’s break down why this is becoming the smarter choice for athletes, adventurers, and everyday hydration.

This is the drink mix that my family uses daily!

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What Makes Jigsaw Potassium Cocktail Special? 

✨Click the link above and make sure to use the $5.00 coupon for additional savings! 👈

Unlike sugary sports drinks, Jigsaw focuses on delivering a balanced blend of electrolytes that your body actually craves:

• 800 mg of Potassium – more than two bananas, helping keep muscles relaxed and preventing cramps.

• 50 mg of Magnesium (Lysinate Glycinate Chelate) – a highly absorbable form that supports energy, muscle recovery, and works hand-in-hand with potassium.

• 90 mg of Sodium (from Pacific Blue Flake Sea Salt) – replaces what you lose in sweat, but in balance with potassium so you stay hydrated without bloating.

• 0 Sugar • 0 Calories • 0 Caffeine – pure hydration, no crash.

• Natural Flavoring – refreshing blue raspberry taste, without artificial dyes or preservatives.

Taken daily (many people use it as a morning hydration ritual), Jigsaw helps maintain fluid balance, support healthy energy, and keep you feeling good throughout the day.

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Jigsaw vs. Blue Sports Drink: Side-by-Side

	Jigsaw Potassium Cocktail	Blue Sports Drink (20 oz bottle)
Price per serving	✅ $0.83	❌ $2.50+
Potassium	✅ 800 mg	❌ 110 mg
Magnesium	✅ 50 mg	❌ 0 mg
Sodium	✅ 90 mg (balanced)	❌ 160 mg (higher, without potassium support)
Sugar	✅ 0 g	❌ 34 g
Calories	✅ 0	❌ 140
Food Coloring	✅ No artificial dyes	❌ Contains Blue 1 (synthetic dye)
Flavor	✅ Blue raspberry (like Blue Gatorade)	✅ Fruity blue

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Why Jigsaw Wins

Here's why many people prefer it!

• 7x more potassium than other sports drinks to support muscle function and hydration.

• Includes magnesium — a critical electrolyte missing from most sports drinks.

• Sugar-free & zero calories, so no crash and no hidden calories.

• Costs less per serving — $0.83 vs. $2.50+.

• No artificial food coloring — clean hydration without synthetic dyes.

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The Bottom Line

If you love the taste of Blue Raspberry (similar to blue sports drinks) but don’t love the sugar crash, calories, or price tag, the Jigsaw Potassium Cocktail is the smarter swap. It delivers the electrolytes your body actually needs — potassium, magnesium, and sodium — in a delicious, naturally flavored drink that costs less than a dollar a serving.

Hydration should fuel your performance, not work against it. With Jigsaw, you get the refreshing taste you want and the electrolyte support your muscles crave — without the junk.

✨Click the link here Jigsaw Potassium Cocktail-👈  and make sure to use the coupon for an additional $5 in savings!

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on a link in this post and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and trust.

Ditch Neosporin and Peroxide — Meet the Wound Care Game-Changer

 

When it comes to treating cuts and scrapes, most of us reach for Neosporin or hydrogen peroxide. But these common solutions might actually slow healing or cause unwanted side effects.

Here’s why:

• Neosporin is a salve or petroleum-based ointment that contains antibiotics like neomycin. While it keeps wounds moist, it can trap bacteria if the area isn’t properly cleaned, trigger allergic reactions, and contribute to antibiotic resistance.

• Hydrogen peroxide may look like it’s cleaning the wound, but though you see the foaming action and think it’s helping, that actually damages healthy skin cells and slows healing.

Enter Active Skin Repair, powered by hypochlorous acid (HOCl) — the same molecule your body naturally produces to fight infection. HOCl is:

• Gentle and safe for skin, eyes, and even children

• Effective at preventing infection without antibiotics

• Promotes faster, cleaner healing with less inflammation and scarring

• Versatile: works on cuts, scrapes, rashes, burns, insect bites, sunburn, and minor skin irritations

My family spends a lot of time outdoors — camping, hiking, fishing, or just riding the trails — and I’ve used Active Skin Repair for everything from bug bites and poison ivy to nasty cuts. Even getting a hook in the finger is a bit concerning, but it’s not so stressful since we made the switch.

Next time you’re patching up a scrape — or dealing with any minor skin irritation — consider making the switch. Your skin will thank you.

Active Skin Repair - 👈Click the link here!

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click on a product link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I truly use and believe in.

Detox Your Life: One Load at a Time

When most of us think about “detoxing,” we picture green smoothies or skipping sugar—not laundry. But here’s the harsh reality: the detergent sitting in your laundry room is often full of chemicals that don’t just stay in your washing machine. They touch your skin, get absorbed into your clothes, and eventually flow into our waterways.

Many mainstream laundry detergents contain:

• Harsh surfactants like SLS and SLES that can irritate skin and strip away natural oils.

• Synthetic fragrances and dyes linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and respiratory issues.

• Optical brighteners that make clothes look “whiter” but can linger on fabric and cause irritation.

• Hidden byproducts like 1,4-dioxane, a probable carcinogen that never even appears on the label.

On top of that, ingredients like phosphates and chlorine bleach wash into rivers and oceans, harming fish, plants, and delicate ecosystems. In other words—what’s marketed as “fresh and clean” can actually leave behind a toxic trail for your body and the planet.

The good news? You don’t have to settle for that. There are safer, effective alternatives that get your laundry just as clean—without the chemical fallout. Here are my top three non-toxic laundry brands, ranked from my #1 favorite down.  (We have tried all of these but my family uses #3)

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🌿 My Top Picks for Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent

🥇 1. Branch Basics  👈Click the link here!

Try their starter kit - Branch Basics Starter Kit - 👈Click the link here!

This is the brand I recommend most because it’s more than just laundry detergent. Branch Basics gives you one bottle of concentrate that you dilute in different ways to replace dozens of cleaning products in your home. (See image above for all its uses—countertops, bathrooms, floors, even pet areas!)

• Why I love it: One safe formula replaces a shelf full of cleaners. It saves money and cuts down on plastic waste.

• Key Ingredients:

  • Coconut- and sugar-based surfactants → powerful cleaners, gentle on skin

  • Baking soda → deodorizes naturally

  • Plant-based enzymes → break down stains

• Free from: SLS, synthetic fragrances, dyes, phosphates, and optical brighteners

• Best for: Anyone who wants an all-in-one safe, eco-friendly system for their whole home.

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🥈 2. Molly’s Suds 👈Click the link here!

For the powdered version - Molly Suds Laundry Powder 👈Click the link here!

Molly’s Suds was created by a mom who wanted a truly safe alternative after losing her child to chemical exposure. It has a short, simple ingredient list and is one of the cleanest powders you can buy.

• Why I love it: Minimal ingredients, effective cleaning, and safe even for cloth diapers and sensitive skin.

• Key Ingredients:

  • Sodium carbonate (washing soda) → natural water softener

  • Baking soda → odor eliminator

  • Epsom salt → boosts cleaning power

  • Organic peppermint oil → light, refreshing scent (optional)

• Free from: Dyes, optical brighteners, and synthetic fragrances

• Best for: Families with sensitive skin or those who want the simplest formula possible.

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🥉 3. Truly Free 👈Click the link here!

This is the product that my family uses because of the deals and overall price for the refills.

✨Try their Every Day Cleaner!  (It cuts right through grease on my stove top)👈Click the link here!

Truly Free focuses on two things: safe ingredients and reducing plastic waste. They send you refill pouches so you can reuse your bottles, cutting down on single-use plastic.

• Why I love it: Their mission to eliminate plastic is inspiring, and the detergent itself is safe and effective.

• Key Ingredients:

  • Plant-based surfactants (coconut-derived) → strong cleaners, gentle on fabrics

  • Mineral-based water softeners → reduce buildup naturally

  • Optional essential oils → light, natural scent

• Free from: SLS, phosphates, synthetic fragrances, and dyes

• Best for: Eco-conscious households that want to detox their laundry routine and reduce waste.

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✅ The Bottom Line

All three of these brands are excellent choices for ditching toxic detergents and embracing a safer laundry routine. For me, Branch Basics takes the top spot because it’s not just about laundry—it simplifies your whole home by replacing multiple cleaners with one safe concentrate.

But whether you choose Branch Basics, Molly’s Suds, or Truly Free, you’ll feel good knowing your laundry is clean without the harsh chemicals.

Stay tuned for the next post in this Detox Your Life series, where we’ll cover another hidden source of toxins in everyday life and how to swap it out for a safer option.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click on a product link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I truly use and believe in.