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New Year’s Eve 2023 Thoughts

Posted on By Kelly Gilbert No Comments on New Year’s Eve 2023 Thoughts

Spiritual Enrichment Journey in 2024

New Year’s Eve Thoughts 2024

As we welcome the dawn of 2024, I aspire to embark on a  journey of spiritual enrichment and cultivating gratitude within my soul. In the upcoming year, I yearn to delve deeper into spirituality, striving to unravel its mysteries and find solace in its embrace. I commit to nurturing gratitude daily, recognizing its power to bring inner peace and contentment.

My primary goal is to undertake a meaningful journey toward spiritual growth and nurture a sense of gratitude. I hope to explore spirituality more deeply in the coming year, seeking comfort and understanding in its teachings. Simultaneously, I dedicate myself to making gratitude a central part of my daily life, recognizing its ability to bring inner peace and contentment.

While I enjoy the comfort of my home, I frequently contemplate those less fortunate. I realize the privileges we often overlook. A simple turn of the faucet grants us access to clean water for drinking and bathing, and just a few steps away, our refrigerator is filled with nourishing food, shielded from the violence that plagues many parts of the world.

Yet, life’s unpredictability may bring times when despair overwhelms us and the world appears overwhelmingly grim. In these challenging moments, I urge you to tap into the power of gratitude. Consider your invaluable gifts: good health, a safe place to live, and the means to support yourself through work. Life presents a complex journey, brimming with ups and downs, often imperfect and occasionally appearing unfair. However, the potential for growth and transformation resides within every difficulty.

How to Develop Your Own Grateful Living Journey

If you want to embark on your grateful living journey, you can visit the article Thirty Daily Practice Ideas for Living Gratefully from Grateful Living. In addition, One of my first goals for my spiritual enrichment journey in 2024 is to begin writing a daily journal. To learn more, you can visit my post, Top 5 Benefits of Creating a Spiritual Journal.

As we bid farewell to 2023 on this final night, I extend my heartfelt wishes to all of you. May security, prosperity, and happiness mark the upcoming year. May peace surround your lives, offering steadfast support as we all navigate this shared journey.

Peace be with you all,

~Kelly

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Unlock Financial Freedom: Mastering the 50/30/20 Budgeting Rule

Posted on By Kelly Gilbert No Comments on Unlock Financial Freedom: Mastering the 50/30/20 Budgeting Rule

Navigating the complex world of personal finance can be daunting, but the 50/30/20 Rule offers a clear and structured approach to managing your money. This tried-and-true budgeting guideline provides a straightforward division of your after-tax income, ensuring that essential needs, personal desires, and future financial security are all addressed.

Whether you’re a seasoned financial planner or just starting your financial journey, understanding and implementing the 50/30/20 Rule can be the key to achieving a balanced and sustainable economic lifestyle. Discover how this simple yet effective rule can transform your financial habits and set you on the path to monetary well-being.

Understanding the 50/30/20 Rule

The 50/30/20 Rule is a budgeting guideline that divides your after-tax income into three relatively simple categories:

50% – Needs

Half of your net income should be allocated towards necessary expenditures. These are the essential costs you incur in your daily life, including rent or mortgage payments, utilities, groceries, health insurance, and transportation. These are costs you absolutely cannot avoid and are necessary for your survival and well-being.

30% – Wants

Thirty percent of your budget is reserved for wants or personal choices. This category includes unnecessary expenses that enhance your quality of life, such as dining out, vacations, shopping for clothes, or indulging in hobbies and entertainment. Essentially, this is your leisure and entertainment fund.

20% – Savings and Debt Repayment

The final 20% of your budget should be directed towards savings and debt repayments. This includes contributions to your emergency fund, retirement savings, and paying off student loans, credit cards, or car loans.

Implementing the 50/30/20 Rule

Implementing the 50/30/20 Rule requires a few steps:

Calculate Your After-Tax Income
Your after-tax income is what you have left after all taxes have been deducted from your salary. It is your take-home pay, which becomes the foundation of your budget according to the 50/30/20 Rule.

Categorize Your Expenses
Next, take the time to categorize your expenditures into needs, wants, and savings/debt repayment. It might take a while initially, but once organized, it becomes easier to manage your budget.

Track Your Spending
Regularly track your spending to ensure you are sticking to the budget. This could be done through budgeting apps, spreadsheets, or a simple notebook. The key is to be consistent and honest in recording your expenses.

Adjust as Necessary
It is okay to make adjustments as you go. The 50/30/20 Rule is a guideline, not a strict rule. The percentages can be tweaked based on your circumstances to suit your financial situation better.

Benefits of the 50/30/20 Rule

Simplicity
The Rule is straightforward, making it easy to follow for people new to budgeting.
Encourages Savings

Setting aside a portion of your income for savings and debt repayment fosters a culture of financial responsibility and forward-thinking.

Allows for Personal Spending
The Rule doesn’t restrict personal spending but allocates a fair percentage of the income for personal enjoyment.

In conclusion, the 50/30/20 Rule is a financial tool that helps individuals and families create a balanced budget, encouraging a healthy economic lifestyle by effectively dividing expenditures into essential needs, wants, and savings/debt repayment categories. While it offers a simple framework for budgeting, it is flexible enough to be customized according to individual financial situations, promoting a sustainable and financially secure lifestyle.

Starting with a budget is the cornerstone of rebuilding financial stability. It’s a proactive step, a clear blueprint that can guide you from the shadows of bad credit. Financial challenges can be daunting, but many have walked this path and emerged stronger. Bad credit is not a life sentence; it’s a temporary setback. With commitment and the right tools, like budgeting, you can navigate your way to a brighter financial future. Stay focused, stay hopeful, and know that every effort you make today lays the foundation for a more secure tomorrow. One of the resources I used when I was starting out on my financial wellness journey was: What Lies in Your Debt? It Pays to Know! Click here to access a 60-day risk-free trial. I assure you you won’t be sorry.

~Kelly

This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. For more information, please see my disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting Midwest Money Savers. 

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Top Five Ways to Save Money At Target

Posted on By Kelly Gilbert No Comments on Top Five Ways to Save Money At Target


Target is known for offering a variety of ways for shoppers to save money. Here are the top five strategies to consider when shopping at Target:

  1. Target Circle: This is Target’s free loyalty program. Members earn 1% on every purchase to redeem at Target later, plus enjoy other perks. Exclusive offers and deals are available only to Circle members, so it’s worth signing up even if you shop at Target infrequently.
  2. RedCard: Target’s credit card gives you an automatic 5% off most purchases. A debit version also links to your checking account, so you don’t have to worry about another credit card bill. On top of the 5% savings, cardholders get exclusive offers and early access to special promotions.
  3. Price Matching: Target has a price match guarantee. They’ll price match if you find a lower price within 14 days after purchase. This applies to select online competitors as well. Always check online prices for big-ticket items before purchasing in-store.
  4. Use the Target App: The Target app often features digital coupons, deals, and promotions not available elsewhere. Plus, it’s a way to keep track of your Circle offers and see current promotions. The app also has a barcode scanner to quickly see if a deal or coupon is available for a product while you’re in your store.
  5. Shop the Clearance Sections: Like most retailers, Target has a clearance section where they mark down items, often significantly. These sections are typically located at the end of aisles, and there are often additional markdowns on holiday or seasonal items after the holiday has passed. The “end cap” (the display at the end of an aisle) can be an excellent place to check for these discounted items.

In addition to these strategies, always watch for in-store promotions, special deals on gift cards, and bundled offers, as they can also provide significant savings. Click here to locate the nearest Target store in your area.

Have a beautiful day!

~Kelly

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Convert Recipes to Low Carbohydrate

Posted on By Kelly Gilbert No Comments on Convert Recipes to Low Carbohydrate

Converting recipes to low-carb versions involves replacing high-carb ingredients with low-carb alternatives and adjusting the cooking methods. Here’s a guide to help you adapt traditional recipes into low-carb versions:

  1. Identify High-Carb Ingredients:
    • Start by looking for ingredients like sugars, flour, starchy vegetables (like potatoes), pasta, rice, and other grains.
  2. Substitute Sugars:
    • Instead of table sugar, use sweeteners like stevia, erythritol, monk fruit, or xylitol.
    • Watch out for sugar in sauces and condiments, and look for sugar-free versions or make your own.
  3. Replace Flour:
      • Instead of wheat flour, use alternatives such as lupin flour, almond flour, coconut flour, flax meal, or even protein powder. The ratio won’t always be 1:1; each has a unique texture and properties. For instance, coconut flour is very absorbent, so you usually need less.
      • Use xanthan gum or guar gum sparingly instead of flour or cornstarch for thickening sauces.

    Starchy Vegetables and Fruits:

    • Swap potatoes for cauliflower (e.g., cauliflower mash instead of mashed potatoes).
    • Use zucchini or spaghetti squash instead of pasta.
    • Opt for berries (like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries) with lower carbs than fruits like bananas and apples.
  4. Pasta, Rice, and Grains:
    • Zoodles (zucchini noodles) or shirataki noodles can replace pasta.
    • Cauliflower rice can be a good stand-in for regular rice.
    • Almond flour or crushed pork rinds can replace breadcrumbs.
  5. Dairy and Milk:
    • Choose full-fat dairy options over low-fat or fat-free since they typically have fewer carbs.
    • Replace milk with unsweetened almond, coconut, or other low-carb alternatives.
  6. Legumes:
    • Beans and lentils are generally high in carbs. Reduce the number of dishes used, or consider omitting them entirely.
  7. Be Mindful of Hidden Carbs:
    • Some foods, like nuts, sauces, and seasonings, might have more carbs than expected. Always check labels or nutrition information.
  8. Increase Fiber:
    • Since you’re reducing many sources of dietary fiber, incorporate foods low in net carbs but high in fiber, such as chia seeds, flaxseed, and certain vegetables.
  9. Modify Cooking Techniques:
  • Some low-carb ingredients cook differently. For instance, almond flour can brown more quickly than wheat flour, so you might need to adjust cooking temperatures or times.
  1. Taste and Adjust:
  • Remember that low-carb substitutes might have a different taste or texture. It may require some experimentation to get it to your liking.
  1. Nutrition Tracking:
  • Especially if you’re new to low-carb cooking, consider tracking the carbs in your modified recipes to ensure they meet your dietary goals. Apps and online tools can help with this.

By making these changes and being mindful of carbohydrate content, you can adapt many recipes to fit a low-carb lifestyle. Remember that experimentation is vital; perfecting a recipe might take a few tries.

This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. For more information, please see my

Enjoy!

~Kelly

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Fibromyalgia: Symptoms and My Personal Journey

Posted on By Kelly Gilbert No Comments on Fibromyalgia: Symptoms and My Personal Journey

Good morning my frugal friends! The following post is off-topic and deals with my struggle with fibromyalgia. What is fibromyalgia, you ask? Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tenderness in localized areas of the body. The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but it is believed to involve abnormalities in how the brain and spinal cord process pain signals. I have struggled with this most of my adult life.

Some of the significant symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

  1. Widespread pain: This is the most common symptom of fibromyalgia. It is characterized by a dull ache that lasts for at least three months and is present in the body’s upper and lower parts. The pain can be described as a constant, burning, or sharp sensation. Fatigue: People with fibromyalgia often experience overwhelming fatigue, even after a night’s sleep. They may also feel drained as if their energy has been completely sapped.
  2. Sleep disturbances: People with fibromyalgia often have trouble sleeping, even when extremely tired. They may wake up frequently during the night or have difficulty falling asleep.
  3. Cognitive difficulties: People with fibromyalgia may experience “fibro fog,” characterized by problems with concentration, memory, and mental clarity.
  4. Headaches: People with fibromyalgia may experience chronic headaches or migraines.
  5. Tingling or numbness: Some people with fibromyalgia may experience tingling or numbness in their hands, feet, or face.
  6. Stiffness: People with fibromyalgia may experience muscle stiffness, particularly in the morning.

It’s important to note that the severity of fibromyalgia symptoms can vary from person to person. If you have fibromyalgia, it’s essential to talk to your healthcare provider to receive a proper diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor, and the following information I’m presenting is my own opinions and experiences. Please see your physician for guidance on developing a treatment plan custom-tailored to your medical situation.

Instead of taking prescription medication for pain, I have decided to treat myself through diet, supplementation, and exercise. My physician suggested taking magnesium malate to help with my nerve pain. It also is anti-inflammatory; it helps relieve depression and increases your ability to tolerate exercise. Magnesium malate is a supplement form of magnesium that is made by combining magnesium with malic acid. It is not a naturally occurring form of magnesium found in foods, so you won’t be able to find any foods that are naturally high in magnesium malate. You can click on the picture below to see what I use.

Source Naturals Magnesium Malate

However, you can find foods high in magnesium, an essential mineral the body needs to perform various functions. Some magnesium-rich foods include:

  1. Spinach
  2. Almonds
  3. Avocado
  4. Black beans
  5. Cashews
  6. Dark chocolate
  7. Edamame
  8. Pumpkin seeds
  9. Quinoa
  10. Whole grain bread

Many other magnesium supplements are also available, such as magnesium citrate, glycinate, and magnesium oxide. Talking to your healthcare provider before taking any new supplements is essential.

Have a great day,

~Kelly

This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. Thank you for supporting Midwest Money Savers.

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