Candidly Laura

I started my nomad life one year ago, and it is almost surreal to write that! Let's talk about what I've learned this past year, what's next and what I've been up to!Want more time with me? 

Yowza! What am I traveling with? I have to say figuring out how much to pack, what to pack, and where it fits in my car was quite a process. Not t mention packing the right clothes for each season since I don't know when my Nomading will end!I'll walk you through what's in my car as a digital nomad - what I've purged these last few months - and a few other thoughts about what I brought with me.Yes, I'll talk about Kitchens and Shoes - The two most important conversations!! Want more time with me? 

Have you heard of this term? Shrinkflation! It's when companies reduce the amount of an item you buy instead of raising the prices. Everyone I've talked to is feeling the increase in spending on daily needs - so what better time than to nail down ways that you can save money?I've compiled 10 ways that you can start to take more control over your grocery bill and fight Shrinkflation :) Taking on even one of these ten will make a dramatic long-term difference to your grocery bill. Want more time with me? 

Okay, I started a print-on-demand store! I was super surprised at how easy it was - and now I found out I'm pretty good at it :) My little store is doing better than 73% of the other Etsy stores - so that's something in year one of trying this out.I'll walk you through what I'm doing and why and give you the deets on some things I've found along the way in case you want to start your own!Here's my store if you want to check it out! I'm doing a huge overhaul on how it looks this next year - so I'm excited to see how this grows. Want more time with me? 

Back again with more thoughts on living your best life! I think habits are often considered things to manage around business or being more productive. But as we continue to look at how we cancel hustle culture - habits can just as much be a way to incorporate rest, restoring, reading, and other things that help us achieve what we want! Taking baby steps to craft your most perfect joyous day - will only help our world! Listen here for more on my thoughts on habits versus productivity.Want more time with me? 

Are Blogs Dead? No. With a resounding no added for good measure.Let me walk you through why I'm adding Blogs to my list of long-term income goals and why I think the day of the blog is never going to be over! Want more time with me? 

Oftah. It's been a tumultuous couple of weeks. I had planned to stay in upstate new york until mid-December, but I ended up not being able to stay in the Airbnb that I was in.Here's the story of how I got to my condo near the beach outside Wilmington, NC.Want more time with me? 

Wowza, three months on the road! Here's an update about my time in Quebec and some thoughts on what I realized I'm doing as part of this experience.Also, to air fryer? or not to air fryer? that is the question.Special thanks to Jennifer Vosters for joining me and introducing the podcast for a while! Welcome :) Want more time with me? 

Here are a couple of ways that you can begin to detox your life! Chances are decently high that you don't do all of these already :) My suggestion is that you don't try them all at once - Give one a go for a few weeks and then come back and add in a couple of others. Want more time with me? 

Woof, I don't know about you but I'm feeling to increase of prices the most at the grocery store. Here are a few things to think about as we all look at our finances through this time of inflation. For me it's not about dramatic changes, it's about how can little bits help over time! Want more time with me? 

The list of things I didn't know was pretty long! After spending 14 years in non-profit theatre the transition to a "regular" person job has been quite interesting.In this episode, I talk through a few of the things I had to learn, research, and ask about.  Want more time with me? 

What is life design? Is it some fruity woo-woo idea? I don't think so. For me, it's the best way to start to imagine that all of the ways you have been living your life with things that don't serve you - are capable of change!Here is a brief introduction - and a way to start to look at which areas of your life might want to be created differently!A great article about how to begin designing:https://www.omaritani.com/blog/design-your-life Want more time with me? 

I've made the leap to investing in my health. I have a lifetime of inconsistent eating to try and figure out. Plus, with my weirdo autoimmune disease (See Episode 17 for more on that!) I wanted to really take on eating only the foods I can have. My energy levels are all over the place! SO, it's time to look at what changes can be made. Enter my friend Grace who has a private practice as a dietician.Here is more about what I'm doing with Grace, what I'm hoping to get out of it, and my thoughts after 2 weeks.Want to learn more about Grace? Visit her Website: https://wellbeingwithgrace.com/Or stop by her Instagram: https://instagram.com/wellbeing.with.grace Want more time with me? 

How can you unplan a trip? Well, I dunno what to call it - but it's so that you're ready to follow your feelings and mood and be prepared to do things, but not locked into a schedule!? I love exploring new places - but I want the flexibility to go with the flow.Here is how I decide what to do on a trip, on a vacation, or while traveling. And yes, I think they're all kinda different.Like what I have to say? Please like and subscribe to help our friend the Algo-Rythem see this podcast.Want more time with me? 

It is a bit surprising, this list! That's because they're unexpected, Laura. Everything from Money to Gadgets I'll tell you what I've found at 47 days of Long Term and Full time living in AirBnbs that have been unexpected perks.Want more time with me? 

How fitting for episode 30 to be about the book that changed a lot for me - that made me want to make more money and try long travel! The Four-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferris.Grab your own copy here. Or snag it with your free trial on Audible.Tim's way of thinking about taking retirement before it's too late - really stuck with me. He was also the first person to break down how travel wasn't as big of a financial burden as we all imagined it to be. Learn more about Tim here. I love his newsletters in my inbox!Want more time with me? 

This is not a high-tech operation :) and it's mostly free! Here are the steps, items, and programs I use to upload this podcast onto the interwebs.I'm not an expert - and this might be convoluted but it gets the job done :) Tonor USB MicrophoneZoom - Recording Platform - Free for short calls, records audio and video if you wantMP3 to WAV sound file converter - Free Online Audacity - FreeProgram for layering soundCanva - Free Program for creating imagesBuzzsprout - the place my podcast is hosted - this is a monthly fee of $18 if you record 6 hours or less, and can be free for 90 days! If you join Buzzsprout or buy the microphone - I get a kickback for referring you.Want more time with me? 

If I could shout from the rooftops, and everyone could hear me, I would say "YOU CAN'T SEE HEALTH! FAT DOESN'T MEAN UNHEALTHY!"TW: Fat, BMI, Fatphobia, Body image/shaming, Obesity, etc.You can't see my health. Like not at all. Not in any way shape or form. Yet we're in a society that puts skinnier people on a pedestal.  In this episode, I'll talk more about the phenomenon and ask how we start to change it!Want to dive farther into this subject? The podcast Maintenance Phase has a lot of great resources.Want more time with me? 

You know who you are those that hate all things MLM! Here are a few of my thoughts about that, from a person inside the industry.My personal thoughts - Each company is different, and even each team inside it is different. Knowing what you're signing up for is half the battle.I'll also talk about being in a "pyramid" scheme, making money off of my team, and being in sales in general.Want more time with me? 

I love books and reading and Audible! If you haven't tried audiobooks - I highly suggest you give them a try. They're a favorite way to travel in the car, clean, or just lounge in the grass.If you try Audible (even the free trial) I get a couple of dollars! Try Audible: https://amzn.to/3ddJGegAlso, take a look at your library to see if they have a free audiobook app - mine is Libby! Sometimes the wait time can be brutal - but it's worth it.Here are my top 5 favorite books: Bossy Pants - Tina FeyGreenlights - Matthew McConaugheyUnf*k yourself - Gary John BishopSong of Achilles - Madeline MillerThe House in the Cerulean Sea - TJ KluneWant more time with me? 

Let's start with - How do you pronounce it?! Then a little history, and some facts on location and size of this beautiful city! The most photographed hotel - Le Château FrontenacWant more time with me? 

Creating your life is multi-faceted! Today I wanted to talk about, and learn more about where the law of attraction began. Also, start a little research on is there a scientific basis for manifesting. For me, it's all connected to how you think about your life, and what sort of things you create.Want more time with me? 

Whew. Blurg. Blek. I've been in and out of dating for a *Long*Time* since 2014 - well maybe 2016 when I got back into dating.Here are my thoughts on being a 39-year-old digital nomad dating :) Want more time with me? 

Will your deodorant give you cancer? Short answer: No. There's no way to say it was just one product.Does that mean you shouldn't reduce toxins in your life? Also, no. Here's a brief overview of how we expose ourselves to many ingredients daily, how they aren't being regulated and how to start reducing them.Want more time with me? 

It's September 1st! And let's consider a few different ways to reset your life. Being intentional about feeling the good things and looking at a few ways to tackle life's most annoying items like spam email!It's not about an overhaul - it's about habit stacking and 1% better each day. Shout out to James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits (one of my favorite personal development books!) Want to Try Hello Fresh? You'll get $30 off your first three boxes - AND You'll also be supporting me and my eating.Want more time with me? 

My dogs are my children since I don't have any! Here are each of their stories before they came to me!  Trigger Warning - One was abused, so that may be hard to listen to.Also, We have an introduction :) Many Thanks to Caroline and Collin for their talents.Want more time with me? 

If you're often looking for outside validation - I have some thoughts! Especially if you're female identifying, I want you to keep all of your power. Here are my thoughts on why we do this - and what it's hurting.Want more time with me? 

How many provinces do you think there are east of Quebec? Or how many in Canada? Yep, I had no idea.Here's an update on our first travel day between cities - and our new digs.Want more time with me?

Is it a disorder? Is it an allergy? How about a disease?  Regardless of what you classify it as - I have it :) It's called Eosinophilic esophagitis (EOE) - IT took me a long time to diagnose, and now it's mostly under control. Except... I've just added two foods to my high alert category, which is very sad.

Toronto is winding down - as in I leave tomorrow! Whatt!!!! It's gone so fast.Here are my (current, will it change?) top 5 downfalls :)

It's an art, I tell you! Those AIRBNBS.And my choices go down pretty quickly when I have a dog, and want a washer, dryer, and strong wifi. Let me walk you through how I chose this route and my air bnbs!

Woof, Rest is something I am not good at. Maybe you are? But as I continue to destress and live a different life than when I was working in theatre - I have to fight the toxic productivity often.Burnout is real; it takes far longer to recover than I would like to admit. I think I'm still recovering even after being out for almost three years.Do you agree with these 10 ways to rest more?Two articles referenced:We don't know how to rest - Burnout equation articleTop Ten Ways to get some rest: results from a worldwide study

Just a baby introduction to your birth chart! Print out your birth chart at  astrology.comCheck out the Chani website and app to learn more AndBook a reading with Graham at mydrunkastrologyAlso, trying a new mic - can you tell!?Want more time with me?

We dread them, we loathe them, but let me tell you why they're important :) I will never say I'm an expert - but I know that by not having them, you're keeping more people at a distance than you might like. Want more time with me?

Time moves so fast! Some thoughts on my end of week three in digital nomad life. Plus, have you been to Niagara falls? I have some feelings after my visit today.Want more time with me? 

It was February 2016. Probably cold and snowy. Pull up your carpet, it's storytime about how and why I started with Beautycounter and what's been my biggest surprises and things I'm still grappling with today!!Want more time with me? 

Sometimes we just need to remember how awesome we are! Want more time with me? 

Packing, Sorting, Moving, Cleaning, Storage, Packing a car: You have to do many things to be ready to go on the road and become a digital nomad.Here are a few things that I had to do to be ready! Also, don't count how many times I say like. Mk. Thanks. Bye.Want more time with me? 

Some of my most anxious times have been when I've been worried about money. Especially as someone who chose non-profit theatre, it took me a long time to get out of the mindset that I'll always be a "starving artist." In this episode, I break down my three suggestions to just BEGIN to consider that your financial wellness is in your hands!Show Links:Personal Capital: https://www.personalcapital.com/Her First 100K: https://herfirst100k.com/You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth: https://amzn.to/3bW8gA3Want more time with me? 

TW: Loneliness, mental health, isolation, healthThe number of single people is rising, and loneliness and social isolation have only worsened since the pandemic. It's a health risk on various levels and isn't being discussed. This is just the beginning of a longer conversation - how do we evolve as a society as things change?Forbes Article - Loneliness post covid.https://www.forbes.com/sites/sophieokolo/2021/06/21/is-there-hope-for-our-loneliness-post-covid-19/?sh=356c67775e05Loneliness isn't just for old peoplehttps://theconversation.com/loneliness-is-not-just-an-issue-in-old-age-young-people-suffer-too-91931 

It's been two weeks since I started my Canadian adventure into my nomad life. I had no idea when I entered 2022 that this would become the year of Canada!Here are a few things I've noticed - that maybe my friends in America could embrace. Like composting? or reasonable work hours for everyone?!

But, what's the idea? Why are you trying digital nomad life? What's the goal?I'll talk about my digital nomad goals and life goals - Plus, tell you some of my August goals and how I'm doing :) 

It's one of the typical comments: Be safe. Oh, I hope you're safe. Be careful.New travelers ask: How safe is this country? Will I be safe there?In this episode, I walk you through how I approach safety being a solo traveler in hopes of answering some of your questions!Ready to start your audible life: https://amzn.to/3ddJGeg

This is my, I don't know how many times I've been on a road trip with Tucker! This time it was my first long trip with TWO DOGS!So, here are my before you go, while you're on the trip, and after you've arrived tips.Shout out to Audible for always helping me pass the time on the road - Using this affiliate link gives me a couple of dollars - Even if you try the free trial! Want more time with me? 

Hi friends. I'm Laura. This is my introduction episode!I packed up my house, put my belongings in the car, and am trying digital nomad life with my two dogs. We'll talk about everything under the sun: the pursuit of adventure, love, and financial freedom. (Hello, Lakehouse!) All as a single 39-year-old, traversing North America. (Did I say I was 29 during this recording? Yes. Yes, I did. I'm ten years older than that!!)Right now I'm in Toronto :) Welcome I'm glad you're here.(Next time - I won't touch the mic so much *hhaha*learning*)Want more time with me?