Minimalism in Silicon Valley

The Bay Area in California became our home post my husband receiving an employment offer from a reputable company. What a career-defining opportunity! In preparation for the move, I did some intensive research and browsed Pinterest to learn more about what I should expect from living in the most expensive area in the nation. I absolutely love northern California so far. I managed to find ways to apply minimalistic approaches to living in an affluent city. 7 Ways to Save...

The Sad Truth About Maternity Leave in America

For a nation as powerful as the United States, it is absurd that there is no federal law that guarantees paid maternity leave. The United States leaves the option to offer parental leave in the hands of employers. The Family Medical Leave Act provides some assistance but it is a rather ungenerous law. The FMLA allows employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for serious medical reasons such as childbirth. In order to be eligible to take...

Five Ways to Tap into Your Toolbox

I often wonder how interesting it is to see animals breed, co-exist, and die as they were created to experience. It is also inspiring to see how, from their genetic makeup, they are completely equipped to survive in their natural habitat and withstand certain weather conditions. It is intriguing how even their coat protects them from the environment they are destined to thrive in. Like animals, we too are equipped to live as we were designed to live. The difference...

Highlights of My Academic Journey

I completed my undergraduate studies online at Ashford University. I thank God for guiding me through that rewarding journey. I majored in English and also majored in Political Science and Government. The most memorable aspect of my asynchronous learning experience was being able to make the world my classroom. During those four years, I completed some of my school work in England, France, The Bahamas, Mexico, Haiti, Cuba, and several states in the U.S. I believed that I could have...

The Art of Feng Shui and Minimalism

Feng shui, a minimalistic decorating technique, is a Chinese geomancy. Essentially, it exercises architecture as it relates to harmonious ties between humanity, the earth, and the firmament. Feng shui is also known as qi, pronounced chi. Implementing Feng shui in any space involves being intentional of item placement, their symbolism, and associated color patterns. Feng means wind and Shui means water. One of the key areas to implement Feng shui is in the bathroom. It is believed that the restroom door...

The Power of Motivational Messages

Motivational messages enlighten, teach, and help one create new affirmations. I enjoy listening to motivational messages. I create various playlists on Youtube and I download podcasts of inspirational thoughts. I consider myself to be pretty self-motivated but I welcome and can always use a pick me up. We all can. Les Brown, Zig Ziglar, Tony Robbins, Dave Ramsey, and Iyanla Vanzant are a few of my favorite motivational speakers. Les Brown’s comical approach to motivational speaking makes him instantly likable and...

Ten Creative Ways to Make Extra Money

There are plenty of ways to make extra money these days. This social-media-centric world presents ample opportunity for people to boost their income with minimal physical labor. Whether you want to make extra money to pay off debt, save for future purchases, or just to beef up your bank account, there are opportunities galore. Traditional and modern methods to make extra money are numerous. Be sure to do additional research on the techniques listed. Explore channels such as Pinterest, Google, networking, and...

Ten Benefits of Shopping at a Farmer’s Market

Indulging in products from various parts of the globe is what I enjoy most about shopping at the farmer’s market. My go-to items include plantains, whole pineapples, fresh buffalo wings, whole red snapper, and mangoes. In metro-Atlanta, the Dekalb Farmer’s Market doubles as a tourist attraction and one of the largest indoor farmer’s markets in Georgia. Farmer’s markets sell locally grown produce, meats and the like. Consumers save money when patronizing farmer’s markets because there are minimal packaging and freight fees...

Howdy, Houston!

I ventured out to Houston, Texas for a few days to explore the Lone Star state. The trip was booked only two days in advance because a few other destinations were considered as well. I analyzed CheapTickets to compare prices among airlines and saw that Spirit Airlines had the most competitive pricing for that destination. I then went directly to Spirit’s website to book the flight which saved on paying the third party service and handling fees. When traveling for...

How to Handle Receiving Unsolicited Advice

Friends and family may think they have your best interest at heart when they share their opinions but at times, they may not and can give dogmatic, unsolicited advice. It is wise to make decisions based on your own research, values, and belief system than to simply follow someone else’s advice. After all, you are the one that has to live with the decision that is made. I purchased my first home, a newly-built, modern, and open floor plan condo...

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