Paige Power

  It’s true that without your health you have nothing. I have a few chronic illnesses, so maintaining the best possible health outcomes is essential. Working out is key to this effort. Unfortunately I fall in to the trap of overly ambitious exercise regimens, and in 2023 I’m going to opt for less strain and more consistency buy taking on easier more forgiving work outs. I plan to walk more, row on my rowing machine more and do simple calisthenics for strength. The CDC supports the notion of consistent activity, and many physical fitness experts stress that consistently doing any activity is more effective at supporting your health than occasionally doing heavy lifting or big cardio days. Why would I tell you about exercise or mention health at all? After all I’m not a doctor, or a nutritionist, I focus on frugal living. Because maintaining your health to the best of your ability works hand in hand with a frugal lifestyle. Did you know that in America up to 60% of all bankru...

  I love listening to people tell great stories. My family is replete with story tellers. No doubt some of the tales are tall, but I love it nonetheless. Being part of a tradition of storytelling and exaggeration makes my heart sing. More likely than not this love of storytelling is what motivated me to become a writer. Often we are so busy thinking of how we will respond we don’t take time to really listen. Listening is the most important contribution you will make when communicating. I love it when I am working with a person who uses English as a second language. I really have to concentrate if they are new to the language and I enjoy this type of communication greatly. I don’t afford the same patience though with native English speakers. My thought is that people who are English as a second language are often speaking in non-controversial ways, whether they are seeking information or conveying small talk. Native English speakers are on occasion expressing controversial op...

  If 2023 came on a bit fast for you, I completely understand. I hated 2022 for all the reasons, but wasn’t quite prepared for 2023 a couple of weeks back when we rang in the New Year. Winter is a hard time for me. I get serious hibernation vibes with the cold and dark. I eat more than I should. Often the first couple of weeks of the year I’m trying to unload my refrigerator and cabinets of the leftover holiday food. So many holiday cookies, candy, breads, and cheese . I know I claim to be plant based, and mostly I am, but my cheese weakness creeps in around December 1 and wanes once the cheese is gone. My excuse is that I entertain, and what’s a social gathering without cheese, right? Along with over eating I sleep more. I like to wake with the sunrise, however in the Pacific Northwest the sun comes up late in the winter. Right now in mid January the sun doesn’t come up until about 7:50 AM. Naturally I can’t wait until almost 8:00 AM to wake up each day, so I end up being a ...

  Imagine sitting down with a sheet of paper and listing all your assets and debts. Does that stress you out? If you are like many people your financial life is lived by chance. You secure a good paying position, CHECK. You have a comfortable home, CHECK. You have several credit cards, CHECK. You earn enough to cover your expenses, just barely, CHECK. You look back on how you could possible have come to this point of living paycheck to paycheck and discover you have been on auto pilot for years and years, CHECK. Personal finance is a skill. I like living a frugal life. That is a skill that works for me, my lifestyle and my income. You are reading this because you are at least frugal curious. I encourage you to decide today that becoming the master of your finances is a goal you will achieve in 2023. Becoming financially literate is a skill that should be taught to all children when in high school. We should all have a minimal understanding of income and debt, assets versus li...

Being excited  for a new year doesn’t make for a great year. What makes for a great year is committing to a few habits that will support your larger goals. Check out my list of habits that have helped me and why I think they are important. #1: Working out consistently. It’s true that without your health you have nothing. I have a few chronic illnesses, so maintaining the best possible health outcomes is essential. Working out is key to this effort. I fall in to the trap of overly ambitious work outs, and in 2023 I’m going to opt for less strain and more consistency buy taking on easier more forgiving work outs. I plan to walk more, row on my rowing machine more and do simple calisthenics for strength. The CDC supports the notion of consistent activity, and many physical fitness experts stress that consistently doing any activity is more effective at supporting your health than occasionally doing heavy lifting or big cardio days. #2: Personal Finance Skill I like...