Hello! Happy Friday!

How is it already Friday? This week has been a quick one, hence Five Things coming in way late on a Friday. Here are a few quick things on my mind this week:

1.Spring. The trees are starting to bloom, and every day, BG brings home a cup of Bradford Pear blossoms from school. I have really loved our wet winter, and I’m definitely not ready for our hot summer temperatures, but I am really, finally, definitely ready for Spring.

2. Money. I’m just finishing up Financial Peace University. It’s been great. Husband and I have tried budgeting several times in the past, but I’ve never stuck with it. (Yep, you read that right – it’s me. I’m the one who WANTS to budget, but then I’m the one who doesn’t follow it.) This has been a game-changer for me. I’ve learned a ton about planning for the future and staying out of debt, and I feel more confident with money than I’ve ever felt in my life. Instead of feeling restricted, I feel freedom because I know we are covering our bases, not just in our day-to-day spending, but in our planning for retirement and for college for the little people. (Also, I’ve been using Dave Ramsey’s free budget app, EveryDollar, and I love it. It’s been easier for me to use than YNAB – which is a really great app, too, BTW – but easier to use means I ACTUALLY USE IT, which is half the battle.)

3. This quote.

4. Spring Blouses. I’m ready for spring, and it feels like Spring here this week – warm days, blooming trees, bare arms. I’m getting some pretty spring blouses ready to go in my Etsy shop and feeling inspired by these above. Check back next week to see what I’ve found! (sources: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4)

5. This made me laugh. Husband takes his lunch most days – either leftovers from dinner the night before, or I pack him a lunch along with the kids’ lunches (PB&J for the win!). After I forwarded this to him, he texted back, “I’ve removed all joy from my life.” (You should know that we don’t have a TV either.)

Hope you have a lovely weekend full of lovely spring weather and actual small joys. Thanks for reading!