Thanks to Creative Chic for guest posting for us today! As a warning, the next few days may be a little slower on posts. I’ll be headed to Nashville this afternoon and Jess is busy celebrating her DH’s birthday and with work. Luckily, Amelia and her girls at Creative Chic have stepped up today so read on and enjoy! Please check them out and let them know we sent you. They have lots of great tips, recipes, and DIY stuff on their blog.
We are so pleased to be a guest blogger on Saving Money & Living Life for this post!
We all lead super busy lives. Whether you are a mother, father, student, brother, sister, or work full time ‘life’is bound to get in the way. Do you ever ask yourself “Am I living my life to the fullest?” And if I am not, what is going to make me happy? There is a key word in that statement. ME. Not your husband, not your wife, boyfriend, friend..and so on. It is so easy to get caught up in the daily grind of things and we all lose sight of what is most important to us. What is most important to you? Being a good mother? Volunteering your time to an organization that NEEDS your talent? Exercising? Your fate is in your hands. Here are a few ideas of how to show your support for organizations as well as ideas to make yourself happy at the same time.
1. Volunteer- It doesn’t matter where! If you love animals, volunteer at the humane society. If you like event planning, volunteer at the American Cancer Society, or a Children’s hospitals for their benefit sector. Make a difference in a child’s life and be a mentor. The most important point is to GIVE. Giving does not have to be monetary…give your time, give your heart. In the words of Laura Bush, “Just be there”
2. Buy everyday items that actually give back to a great cause. For example, the amazing camelbak water bottle that has been proven to help you drink more water throughout the day has teamed with water.org Purchase just one bottle and you help a child get clean, safe water. Give more and you change even more lives – forever. The need has never been greater and you can make a real difference. Click here to visit their website.
*NOTE: These water bottles are back-ordered at this time, which only means they are producing more right now! You can still buy & donate!
3. Exercise, exercise, exercise. Sounds familiar right? I know everyone might tell you this but honestly this is the key to a happier, healthier you. Even if you don’t need to lose weight exercise gets the healthy endorphins pumping which in turn makes you feel happy. (with no ice cream or happy pills) You don’t even need a gym membership to be active. By the way..you can also work out and volunteer at the same time by walking or running dogs at the humane society! Take a walk outside, play any sport..the possibilities are endless.
4. Teach your children to “give” at an early age. Believe it or not, children can understand a lot more than we think they can. Teach them to recycle. It’s so easy & you can make it fun. For example, buy different colored bins, and write “Glass, Plastic, Cardboard” and so on on the outsides. Every time you need to recycle let you child decide what bin it needs to go in. Help them understand why we recycle. Another giving activity would be donating toys and clothes that they don’t use anymore. Let them be involved in making the decisions on what stays and what goes. Angel tree at Christmas time is another great way to give and kids have fun doing it!
Here are some great volunteer resource sites: (click on the organization name and it will take you to their website.)
Volunteer Match
If you are in the Birmingham area, and want to help animals the Greater Birmingham Humane Society is the place for you. I was an intern there & it holds a very special place in my heart. If you think humane societies are sad places, you have to check GBHS out. It is a beautiful, clean facility with happy, healthy animals who are ready to be adopted! Check it out at Greater Birmingham Humane Society Even if you aren’t in the Birmingham area, your local humane society needs volunteers all the time!
Serve.gov
I challenge you to make a change in your life today, whether it is big or small, YOU can make a difference in yourself & your community.
~ Volunteers are not paid — not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless. ~ unknown
