Podcasts about yourbloggingmentor

Are you looking at gaining financial independence as a family or making more out of what you have? In this episode of Following to Lead with Kevin East, he interacts with Crystal Paine, also known as Money Saving Mom. Crystal is a wife, mom of 6, speaker, author, blogger, business consultant, and online entrepreneur, best known for founding MoneySavingMom.com and YourBloggingMentor.com. In this episode, they talk about finances in the home, how to handle money, and how extravagantly generous God calls us to be. In addition, she mentions the foundational reasons money management is important and touches on other golden tips. Are you looking to learn about financial management tips? Listen to this episode to find out more.   Follow Jesus Lead Differently. The Mentoring Alliance https://www.thementoringalliance.com/   For donations https://www.thementoringalliance.com/donate   https://crystalpaine.com/    https://moneysavingmom.com https://YourBloggingMentor.com http://www.facebook.com/MoneySavingMom https://www.instagram.com/themoneysavingmom     Similar Episodes: Ep. 106 Raising a Balanced Family with Arlene Pellicane Ep. 94 Parenting by Grace with Lucille Williams Ep. 93 Preparing your children for the future with Allen Carter Ep. 90 Intentional Parenting with Abbie Halberstadt Ep. 84 Kingdom Driven Entrepreneurship with Shae Bynes 

You aren’t enough — in your own strength. But, in Christ, you can do ALL things! As Alli Worthington says in her new book, Standing Strong, “You may not feel able to stand strong. You may be filled with self-doubt. When you hear others talk about great women of God, you may say, ‘Oh, that’s not me.’ “But friend, it is you. You are more than you think you are. “A superpower exists inside you. If you are a believer, the Holy Spirit lives in you. We can’t keep walking around feeling powerless like life is happening to us, like we are victims. The Spirit of God lives inside us, empowering us for greatness. We just have to tap into it.” Need some encouragement to live this truth out? To rest in God’s strength? To face adversity and hard things empowered by the strength of the Lord? Want to know how to practically lean into that Superpower and live in confidence in Christ? Be sure to listen to today’s episode of The Crystal Paine show — it’s just 28 minutes and will infuse you with courage, confidence, and clarity to step out in faith and live into the callings God has given you. In This Episode:  [01:59] Alli shares about her family and her business.  [03:06] What inspired her to write this book?  [06:00] I ask Alli about her perspective on what a woman's place is. [09:10] How do we know what God is calling us to?  [11:45] Does one's calling ever change? How do you know if it does? [14:58] How there is so much rest and joy when we follow God's leading in our life. [16:34] Has Alli found that she experiences more spiritual attacks because of writing this book?  [20:02] Holding yourself back and playing small is not humility. [21:40] What does it look like to focus on the God who can?  [24:51] Some words for women who feel weary and worn down. Links and Resources: Standing Strong by Alli Worthington Alli’s Website MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

"Do you let your kids have phones? If so, how do you protect your kids and what kinds of apps or parental controls do you have in place?" I get some kind of variation on this question multiple times every week. Since this topic is one that really depends so much on the family and the situation and each individual child, I was hesitant to share what we do at our house. However, after we continued to get so many questions on this, Jesse and I decided to delve into this topic on this week's episode of The Crystal Paine Show. We share the guidelines we have, why we have them, and some thoughts on when we choose to give our kids phones and what the stipulations are for having a phone at our house. We also share a recipe we've been loving, a funny anecdote about why we got 3 or 4 crockpots as wedding gifts, and what Jesse and I are reading right now. In This Episode:  [01:32] Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins are saving my life [02:31] Our crockpot is saving Jesse’s life. [04:32] Why I've been using the Eat at Home menu plan this week. [06:30] How we ended up with multiple crock pots as wedding gifts. [08:08] Learn what Jesse and I have been reading.  [10:37] Why we have to refill our cup with more than just rest.  [13:06] Our rules for kids and phones… but first, a caveat. [14:23] Out guidelines for when we give our kids a phone. [17:00] Why have a phone is a privilege, not a right. [21:55] A discussion on how we talk to our kids about the dangers of the internet and technology. [26:29] How we strive to teach personal responsibility and wise decision making. [31:49] You will make mistakes, keep pushing forward and walk in faith.  Links and Resources: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins Eat at Home Goodreads Rhythms For Life Planner and Journal by Rebekah Lyons MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com How to Listen to The Crystal Paine Show The podcast is available on iTunes, Android, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can listen online through the direct player here. OR, a much easier way to listen is by subscribing to the podcast through a free podcast app on your phone. (Find instructions for how to subscribe to a podcast here.) Ready to dive in and listen? Hit the player above or search for “The Crystal Paine Show” on your favorite podcast app.

Every day, in every hard situation, we can choose faith or we can choose fear.   We can choose to focus on the what if’s, worry about what might happen, and fret over the worst case scenarios.   Or, we can remind ourselves of how God has been faithful in the past and trust that He is going to continue to be faithful and good in the present and future — even in dark, difficult, or even downright impossible situations.   Our circumstances do not change God’s character.   I don’t know what you’re going through today or what giants you might be facing, but I do know this: our God is greater than any giant, stronger than any Goliath, and He is able to deliver and help you.   Let’s believe that God is bigger and mightier. Let’s take God at His Word.   He will never, ever, ever leave or forsake us. He is FOR us. And He is still in the miracle-working business.   Let’s talk faith, not fear.   If you need some encouragement to stop living in fear, this week on the podcast, Jesse and I talk about faith versus fear and what has helped us to stop living in a state of stress and fear. In This Episode:  [00:36] Welcome back to the show and Happy 40th Birthday, Jesse! [02:20] Perspective is saving Jesse’s life this week. Learn why.  [03:59] Electrolytes are saving my life! [06:46] Jesse is reading more of Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp novels.  [09:30] This is my first 5-star read of the year: Catch Me If You Can by Frank Abagnale. [13:44] Why we’re discussing the topic of faith over fear.  [16:20] How fear and stress affect our health.  [19:09] This acronym for FEAR is so true.  [21:32] Don’t let the future take away the joy and gift of today. [23:31] Three questions I ask myself to help me put things back into perspective.  Links and Resources: Nuun Electrolytes Vince Flynn Novels Catch Me If You Can by Frank Abagnale MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

“A woman’s highest calling is not marriage or motherhood.” @jamieivey says this in her latest book and on this week’s episode of The Crystal Paine Show. I wholeheartedly concur. But while most of us probably agree with this statement, how often do we let marriage and motherhood become completely all consuming — whether it’s the overwhelming longing to be married and/or have a baby or in how we walk out our roles as a wife and/or mom. We can let our spouse’s happiness or our kids’ success become our chief end in life. We spend our days trying to figure out how to fix, solve, and save. We want to be part superwoman and part Holy Spirit. We think our children’s academic scores, social life, and spiritual health is a direct result of our efforts. Our sole job and aim in life is to have a good marriage and great kids. Here’s the thing: I hope to have a strong marriage and I hope my kids love Jesus, but while I can love well and lead with humility, I can’t ultimately change or fix my spouse or kids — and that’s not my job nor my calling. As a Christian woman, my highest calling is, as @jamieivey shared on this week’s podcast episode: “To know Christ and to make Him known.” We unpack this and Jamie shares why we should be pursuing faithfulness over success and what this actually looks like. Download this episode on your favorite podcast player or go to the link in this post to listen in. In This Episode:  [00:33] Jamie. shares more about her background and family life. [02:52] Why did she title her most recent book the way that she did?  [05:00] What do satisfaction and success mean to Jamie?  [07:31] Learn why she feels that a woman’s highest calling is not to be a wife and mom.  [09:40] What is a woman’s highest calling?  [11:14] Jamie shares advice on how you can make time to spend time with the Lord, even in the midst of a very full schedule. [14:44] Want to change the world? Start right where you are. [17:57] What does Jamie say to the woman who feels like she has nothing to offer the world?  [20:50] How does Jamie acknowledge the work she’s done and not compare to others?  [23:27] Jamie shares how she’s built relationships with her close friends and why they’re so important to her life and business.  [26:30] What is the difference between success and faithfulness?  Links and Resources: You Be You by Jamie Ivey If You Only Knew by Jamie Ivey Jamie’s Website The Happy Hour Podcast On the Other Side Podcast MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

Want to change your life in some way? It starts by consistently changing one small thing... Get up 15 minutes earlier every day. Go to bed 15 minutes earlier daily. Exercise for 15 minutes every day. Invite one person over for coffee every week. Eat one salad every day. Drink two more glasses of water every day. Read for 15 minutes every day. Spend 15 minutes playing with your child every day. Work on that organizing project a little bit every day. Spend 5 minutes praying every morning. Show kindness to that difficult person every single day. Say “I love you!” every morning. Write a to do list every night before bed. Go outside and walk for 15 minutes every evening. Kiss your spouse for 15 seconds every day. You can’t overhaul your life overnight, but you can pick one thing to focus on daily for the next month. And little baby steps taken consistently add up to big life change over time. NOTE: I don’t think necessarily everything you want is going to be fixed or found through consistency, but I do believe that it’s time we stop blaming our circumstances, our shortcomings, or our surroundings for why we feel stuck. Let’s get brave and bold enough to start taking daily baby steps in the right direction. In This Episode:  [01:11] We are starting down the solid food road with Champ -- and we've both realized how long it's been since we've done this! [02:54] The 10-minutes to put your baby to sleep YouTube video is saving my life right now. [05:35] Baby car mirrors are saving Jesse’s life. [06:44] I might have bit off more than I can chew when it comes to books! ;) [07:39] One of the books I'm reading is Fully Alive by Susie Larson. [09:31] How do you change your life in 15 minutes a day? [14:10] Knowing the finish line is so important. [19:22] Let's talk practically how this can play out. [22:00] What’s the one small change that you are going to commit to? Send me an email and let me know! Links and Resources: Baby Sleep Video Fully Alive by Susie Larson Instagram Post MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com How to Listen to The Crystal Paine Show The podcast is available on iTunes, Android, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can listen online through the direct player here. OR, a much easier way to listen is by subscribing to the podcast through a free podcast app on your phone. (Find instructions for how to subscribe to a podcast here.)

It's the beginning of a new school year for us and many of you. With that, come new routines -- whether you are homeschooling or your kids are going to school in-person. In this episode, Jesse and I share strategies for having a better morning routine and how to set up a morning routine that serves you and your family well. We talk about why a successful morning begins the night before, how to tackle the hardest things first, and the importance of creating more than one morning routine. Say what? More than one routine? Yes, you read that right. Curious what we mean? Be sure to listen in! We also share an update on Champ, why Jesse is loving long drives, a new exercise "program" Jesse inspired me to start, why I'm loving velvet hangers, and a book I'm reading right now. In This Episode:  [00:33] The babies are joining us for this one! We give a quick update on Champ. [03:45] What Jesse inspired me to start recently. [05:36] Taking long drives is saving Jesse’s life this week. [07:32] Velvet hangers are saving my life. [09:05] I have been reading You Be You by Jamie Ivey. [13:29] A great morning starts the night before. [14:30] Waking up to a clean house is the best. Here's how to make it happen... [14:50] How I plan my days using Google calendar and the difference this makes. [16:27] What a simple morning routine looks like. [18:06] Do the hardest, most important things first. [21:39] Let's talk about why a routine isn't a schedule. [24:10] Your morning routine is not set in stone. It is to serve you. [26:58] What are the things that could consistently interrupt your mornings? Let's plan for the interruptions so they don't disrupt our days. Links and Resources: You Be You by Jamie IveyCouch to 5k Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink Atomic Habits by James Clear 5 Days to a Better Morning Routine Challenge MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com How to Listen to The Crystal Paine Show The podcast is available on iTunes, Android, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can listen online through the direct player here. OR, a much easier way to listen is by subscribing to the podcast through a free podcast app on your phone. (Find instructions for how to subscribe to a podcast here.) Ready to dive in and listen? Hit the player above or search for “The Crystal Paine Show” on your favorite podcast app.

This school year looks a lot different for many families. Some of you are never planned to homeschool and your school went virtual so you've been unexpectedly doing school at home. Some of you made the choice to homeschool this year as that was what you felt was the best choice for your family. In this week's podcast episode, Jesse and I share some of our best advice for brand-new homeschool parents. While we are currently not homeschooling, we have been asked again and again to share some encouragement that we gleaned from our 6+ years of homeschooling and from being homeschool graduates ourselves. We talk about how your attitude affects your kids, how to keep things simple in your homeschooling, how to make education a way of life, and why teaching character is much more important than having the perfect curriculum. In This Episode:  [00:33] A quick life update and what we've been up to recently. [05:30] Jesse has started adding collagen into his diet and he shares more about that this week. [07:01] Baby Signing Time is saving my life right now. [10:34] I have been listening to Be the Bridge by Latasha Morrison. [12:33] To all brand new homeschool parents, remember your attitude sets the tone for your home. [14:42] Even if you don’t feel confident or excited, fake it until you feel it. [17:43] Don’t be a slave to someone else’s schedule or the way they homeschool. [22:50] Character trumps curriculum. [25:27] Life is the best classroom. [27:21] And a word on "writing your own headlines". Links and Resources: Baby Signing Times Be the Bridge by Latasha Morrison Our Journey to Becoming Foster Parents (podcast episode) MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com How to Listen to The Crystal Paine Show The podcast is available on iTunes, Android, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can listen online through the direct player here. OR, a much easier way to listen is by subscribing to the podcast through a free podcast app on your phone. (Find instructions for how to subscribe to a podcast here.)

(See more pictures and videos of Champ here.) A year ago, we were in the middle of our foster care home study and praying for who God would bring into our home for us to love on. We were at peace about pursuing this path, but we were still apprehensive and wondering what it might mean for our future. There were so many unknowns, so many what if’s, and so many things outside our control. I look back on this last year and the 5 children we’ve had the privilege to have in our home — 4 for just a very short-term stint and sweet little Champ who has been with us for almost 4 months. There are still just as many unknowns, what if’s, and things outside our comfort zone. My heart has been broken in a hundred little pieces over the things we’ve seen and witnessed firsthand and the many kids and their stories whom we weren’t able to say yes to. I’ve cried more tears in the last 10 months than I’ve cried in the last 10 years (okay, pregnancy and postpartum probably played a part in that!). And yet, my heart is fuller and happier than I can ever remember. The opportunity to love, pour into, and nurture has filled me up in the deepest of places. Seeing my husband and kids sacrifice and serve and love so well has been one of the most amazing experiences. I don’t know what the future holds. I can imagine it will be full of heartbreak and beauty, tears and love, a roller coaster of emotions, and many things I can’t even imagine. There are many unknowns, but this one thing I know: I don’t regret for one second saying “yes” to foster care. I look at these pictures and think, “We could have missed this.” In this week's podcast episode, we talk very honestly about our foster care journey, what we are learning, how it's been different than we expected, and what has surprised us. We also give an update on how things are going with Champ and answer some of your specific questions related to his placement with us. In This Episode:  [00:36] We are back from vacation and excited to be talking with you! [01:48] Why packing in tubs saved our lives on our road trip.  [04:10] How we used them to create a system for keeping everything organized.  [06:47] Jesse’s Father’s Day present is saving his life. [10:53] Silas and I are reading The Giver.  [14:23] Jesse is still reading Near Dark by Brad Thor along with several others. [15:48] Let's talk about our foster care journey and share our answers to some of your questions. [17:51] What did it take to get our home ready for fostering?  [21:26] How long does the process take?  [23:23] We have no idea how long we will have Champ in our home.  [25:46] Why we are okay with the uncertainty that comes with fostering. [27:19] Learn how we’ve prepared our hearts to have to say goodbye to Champ at some point. [28:18] Where do children end up if there is no family to foster them?  [30:36] We have considered adopting a child that we foster but that is not our goal.  [32:07] What has surprised us the most about fostering?  Links and Resources: Ridge Wallet The Giver by Lois Lowry Near Dark by Brad Thor Our Journey to Becoming Foster Parents (podcast episode) MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

You all love it when we do Answering Your Burning Question podcast episodes. It's been awhile since we've done one, so I posted recently on Instagram asking for questions you’d like Jesse and I to answer on the podcast and you had lots of great questions. We went through as many as we could on this episode -- including talking about Kathrynne's new job, budgeting, where we'd love to travel, how we find time for intimacy (this was the number one asked question!), where would we love to travel to, date nights, would we take more foster care placements right now, and much more! Jesse and I also discuss teaching Kathrynne how to drive, our vacation to Arkansas, the books we're reading, and how I'm getting in exercise right now. In This Episode:  [00:33] We’re answering your burning questions on today's episode. [01:29] RODECaster Pro is saving Jesse’s life.  [03:26] Why Jesse is teaching Kathrynne how to drive instead of me. [04:53] This year our big trip is going to Arkansas. [06:11] Morning walks with the double stroller are saving my life. [08:22] What we’re reading right now. [10:35] How did Kathrynne land her first job?  [14:19] Why did we move to Tennessee?  [16:02] Learn more about our decision to quit the law firm and work for ourselves.  [17:44] How we find the time and energy for intimacy.  [18:59] Do we sit and go over the budget together?  [20:25] Where do we want to travel together?  [21:25] What does Jesse make fun of me for?  [22:54] What are your go-to date nights? [24:58] Would we take any more foster care placements right now?  [26:39] How do we build each other up? Links and Resources: RODECaster Pro Near Dark by Brad Thor Show Up For Your Life by Chrystal Evans Hurst MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

A few weeks ago, Jesse and I recorded a podcast episode sharing our thoughts on parenting a strong willed child (or a "strong child", as we prefer to call them). We got so many great responses from people about that episode, but one was a question from a mom asking if we could talk about how to parent a child with the opposite type of personality -- one that is more passive and people-pleasing. This was such a great suggestion and Jesse and I loved getting to talk about this and give some ideas and suggestions that we've learned over the years from parenting our child who is more on the passive side. I've had to learn to slow down, listen better, and not try to push them to make a decision before they are ready. It has been so good for my fast-moving, quick-thinking personality and I've learned so much by doing so. In this episode, we share lessons we've learned, how changing our perspective allows us to parent with greater patience and understanding, and how much our passive child has taught us. We also share some life and family updates, an app Jesse is loving, how protein is making such a difference for me (and why I changed my mind about collagen!), and the audiobooks we're both listening to! In This Episode:   [02:16] A little family update + what our topic is today. [06:32] The Couch to 5k App is saving Jesse’s life… again! [08:02] Protein is saving my life. [11:33] I’ve been reading The Way I Heard It by Mike Rowe. [13:43] Jesse is still on Scribd and is listening to Vince Flynn’s series. [15:42] We received an email from a listener asking about how to parent a child who has a quieter more passive personality.  [16:57] How you communicate your conviction will look different from person to person. [19:56] People-pleasing can be positive or negative. [23:41] Let them take their time in making decisions. [26:11] Listening is a lost art. You have to show that you value what they have to say. [27:44] Learn about their personality and call out their strengths. [29:47] Love them for who they are. Links and Resources: Vital Proteins Collagen The Way I Heard It by Mike Rowe The Way I Heard It Podcast The Mitch Rapp Saga by Vince Flynn Free 30-Day Trial to Scribd Parenting a Strong-Willed Child (podcast episode) MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com  

As promised, Shaunti Feldhahn is joining me on the podcast this week to talk all things marriage and communication around money. Shaunti and her husband Jeff are researchers who have worked together for years on numerous books and research projects. Their latest project surveyed thousands of couples on the topic of marriage and money. Throughout three years of research, they discovered five game-changing insights on what is at the root disagreements and tension surrounding relationships and money. In their latest book, Thriving in Love and Money, they share their findings and how we can learn to get on the same page with our spouse when it comes to money by changing our mindset and approach. They also share how these insights helped to change their relationship -- and many other relationships. If you struggle to have money conversations between you and your spouse, this is the episode for you. Learn more about the psychology behind our money beliefs and why being able to talk about money with your spouse is one of the key factors in strengthening your relationship... even moreso than having a great nest egg in the bank. In This Episode:  [02:31] How did Thriving in Love and Money come to be? [04:56] How did the process of researching and writing this book affect her relationship with her husband?  [06:39] One of the best ways to go through this book is at the same time with your spouse. Learn why. [08:10] What are the 5 insights detailed in the book?  [12:19] How many people were surveyed and interviewed in this project?  [13:52] Shaunti shares the first steps you should take to start opening up channels of communication with your spouse. [18:34] Listen as I share one of my favorite pieces of the book and why.  [20:57] Many of us subconsciously believe that our views are right and alternative views are wrong. Here's how to overcome the tensions that can come from disagreements. [23:22] Why Shaunti believes that being able to talk about money is more important than having a cushion in your budget when strengthening your relationship.  Links and Resources: Shaunti Feldhahn Thriving in Love and Money by Jeff Feldhahn and Shaunti Feldhahn MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com  

"I would love for you to do an episode with Jesse sometime on how he's taught your kids about budgeting, money, setting up a bank account, etc." This request came in a few weeks ago, and I knew it would be a perfect podcast topic! So, in this episode, I interview Jesse on how has has instilled wise money management principles in our kids -- especially as they have gotten older and have begun earning their own money. He shares his thoughts on budgeting, when to have your kids open up their first bank accounts, how to teach your kids to view money as a tool, why letting your kids handle money from an early age can make such a difference, when he first learned to handle money, how to teach your kids the true value of money and how that translates to real life, and much more. It was fun to get to sit back and listen in as he shared his wisdom and advice. Also, I should warn you that Jesse and I start the podcast in a bit of an uncharacteristic way... and if this is your first time to listen to one of our episodes, you might be a little, um, caught off guard?? We discuss a surprising discovery about asparagus and urine... and well, it goes a little off the rails. But I hope it makes you laugh! :) In This Episode:  [00:33] Learn a little bit more about Jesse’s 23andMe results. ;) [03:26] Pelvic floor therapy is saving my life.  [08:23] The Scribd App has been saving Jesse’s life and he’s been reading The Kill Artist by Daniel Silva.  [12:06] I am reading Thriving in Love and Money.  [15:51] When should parents start talking to their kids about money?  [18:28] Is there a right age or a certain amount of maturity to be on the lookout for?  [19:18] Which accounts should kids have?  [20:27] Setting up budgets and spreadsheets. [22:28] Should you teach your children all the same way or go with their interests and aptitudes?  [27:26] Why learning the value of money at an early age is so important. Links and Resources: Free 30-Day Trial to Scribd The Kill Artist by Daniel Silva Thriving in Love and Money by Shaunti Feldhahn How to Talk to Your Kids About Money (podcast episode) MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

Board games and card games can be such a great way to have some frugal fun! Best of all, once you've invested in a game, you can play it over and over and over again -- without ever spending another dime! In this week's episode of the podcast, Jesse and I share our family's top five favorite games. We had a very hard time narrowing the list down to just five, but we did it (well, we did mention a few other favorites at the end, because we just couldn't help ourselves!) The games we picked are ones we have played again and again and again. They are great for group games and most can be played with 4-6+ people. In this episode, we also talk about Jesse's 23&Me DNA test results (and why I don't want to take the test!), a book recommendation from a reader, a video that had me smiling, and how Jesse is getting free coffee every day. In This Episode:  [00:33] Who’s ready to chat about our favorite games? [01:15] Panera's coffee is once again saving Jesse’s life. Listen in to find out how to get it FREE all summer! [04:00] He also got his 23andMe results back and they were, um, interesting. [07:35] What’s saving my life? Another YouTube video! [09:20] Schindler’s List is also a book and it was recommended to us by one of our amazing listeners.  [13:08] Who's ready to talk about games? [13:39] First up, Dutch Blitz, the card game -- probably at the top of our list. [15:07] Next is Double Ditto, a game my parents introduced us to. [16:14] Another one is Ticket to Ride... which is Jesse and the kids' favorite. [18:36] I love Mad Gab -- especially when played with a group. [20:15] Last but certainly not least is Phase 10, a game we played a lot in our early marriage. [22:06] A few more games that didn't make our top 5 list. [26:34] What are your favorite games? Links and Resources: FREE Panera Bread Coffee Subscription 23andMe: DNA Genetic Testing Ancestry DNA 5-Year-Old's Cooking Show Video (a must-watch!) Bread Machine Cinnamon Rolls Schindler’s List by Thomas Keneally Dutch Blitz How to Play Dutch Blitz Double Ditto How to Play Double Ditto Ticket to Ride  How to Play Ticket to Ride Mad Gab How to Play Mad Gab Phase 10 How to Play Phase 10 Other games: Monopoly, Catch Phrase (note: sometimes some of the suggested phrases are not family-friendly), UNO, and Really Bad Art MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com  

One of the things our family loves to do together is watch shows and movies. Recently, someone asked what our favorite shows are to watch together as a family. So, we all talked together as a family and put together a list of some of the shows we've most enjoyed together. On this week's podcast episode, we share that list + we talk about why we don't have a TV in our living room and how we approach being intentional and careful in our TV-watching. We also talk about a book we're finishing together as a family, the Panera unlimited coffee subscription, and a YouTube video I've rewatched multiple times. In This Episode:  [00:36] Welcome back to the show… and a semi-apology from Jesse. ;) [02:46] Panera Bread’s unlimited coffee subscription is saving Jesse’s life.  [06:28] The Squirrel Ninja Obstacle Course is something I've been loving! [09:33] We’ve been reading Job in the Bible together and Jesse is excited about the next Brad Thor book, Near Dark.  [11:49] The kids and I have been reading The Boy on the Wooden Box. [15:25] This week we’re talking about our favorite TV shows! [16:35] Why we don’t have a TV in our living room. [19:14] Our TV is in our bedroom but we pretty much only watch it as a family.  [20:57] Do your research before watching shows with your kids.  [22:33] Why we loved Timeless and are sad that it was cancelled. [24:58] Our family love This Is Us as well, but we started this one off with just us before sharing with our kids.  [27:03] We're just starting watching some seasons of Survivor together. [28:15] We also enjoy The Apprentice, but be careful with the App you find it on.  [29:15] The Amazing Race is another one of our favorites because we love to travel.  [30:25] Last, but not least, is Designated Survivor. (Please only watch the first two seasons!) Links and Resources: Panera Bread’s Coffee Subscription Mark Rober’s Squirrel Ninja Obstacle Course Near Dark by Brad Thor The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson Jocko Willink Podcast Episode 219 w/ Rose Schindler: Auschwitz Survivor Plugged In Common Sense Media MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

We’re back! Jesse and I have really missed recording podcasts, but it was also nice to take a break and figure out a good rhythm of having three older kids and two babies.  In this episode, we not only share Kierstyn's birth store but we also answer the questions many of you have asked over and over (such as why we chose to go with an OBGYN versus a midwife, what was different about this birth compared to the other births, if COVID-19 impacted the birth/hospital experience in any way, etc.) This episode is a little more relaxed and less edited than usual... we wanted it to be more like sitting down and just having conversation with us at our kitchen table -- complete with rabbit trails. :) If you enjoy birth stories or are curious about more of the behind-the-scenes of our life, I think you'll enjoy it. Welcome to the world, Kierstyn! (By the way, since she was on my lap while we recorded, if you listen in really well, you’ll hear her talking to you!) In This Episode:  [03:19] Why we chose to have a hospital birth rather than a midwife birth.  [06:36] Some of the highlights from our first three births.  [09:54] When I first discovered I had postpartum depression [12:15] Our experience with midwives versus having an OBGyn.  [14:09] How COVID-19 impacted the birth.  [19:02] We were so surprised when my body started showing signs of labor two weeks before my due date! [22:20] Most of my labor was very uneventful and fast -- up until it was time to push! [26:38] Why the pushing part of labor was so much harder this time around.  [30:57] All about those first few moments after the birth! [33:24] It’s been so fun to see the differences in her personality and how the kids have stepped up. Links and Resources: MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

A lot of you have asked for my thoughts on how we’re dealing with the Pandemic as parents. In this week's episode of The Crystal Paine Show, Jesse and I share some of the ways we're approaching parenting right now and what's working for us. As always, every child is different and you know your kids best, so I’m only sharing how we are approaching things at our house... and these principles can be applied to many different seasons of upheaval. Here are some of the strategies we share in this episode: Don’t dismiss your kids’ feelings. Feelings are not right or wrong and no one can tell you how you feel or don’t feel. It’s what you choose to do with those feelings that matters most. Give them space to talk about whatever it is they are feeling — anger, sadness, loneliness, grief, frustration, boredom. Don’t preach sermons. I know it’s easy to want to use this as a way to teach valuable life lessons... but probably way more than sermons, your kids just need a listening ear and empathy. And trust me, your kids ARE going to learn many valuable lessons from this, but a listening ear goes a long way to help them feel seen, heard, and loved. Don’t stress yourself out trying to get it all right. There is no manual on how to parent well through COVID-19. We’re all just doing the best we can do! When you feel overwhelmed or unsure how to handle a situation, it’s okay to acknowledge this and give yourself some grace. If you are a Christian, this is an amazing opportunity to cry out to the Lord for wisdom and direction for how to respond and love your kids well. Do remember that you set the tone for your home. If you are extremely stressed and irritable, it’s going to trickle down to your kids and make them feel stressed and on edge. Make sure you’re not spreading yourself too thin so that you are completely zapped and exhausted. Do relax some of your usual rules/standards. We are allowing a lot more sleeping in, PJ-wearing, screen time, and junk food eating than usual. Yes, I probably just lost some followers over admitting that, but I feel like a lot has been taken away from our kids right now and as long you’re doing your chores and school, I’m pretty chill about a lot of other things in this season. Do look for the humor in everything. We’ve laughed so hard as a family in the last few weeks — over so many ridiculous things. Laughter has been such good medicine for us and we’ve sought to find the funny in the ordinary.  Important Note: This will be the last episode we'll be releasing until the end of May as I'll be on Maternity Leave until then. We do plan to pop on once during Maternity Leave to do an episode on my birth story. Look for that in the next few weeks! In This Episode:  [03:00] Jesse and I are both reading fiction books right now. [06:35] L’Oreal magic root cover up is saving my life right now. Jesse is loving the Couch to 5k Program.  [12:20] Don’t discount your kids’ feelings.  [18:03] Stop trying to get it all right.  [20:36] Remember that you set the tone for your home.  [23:21] Consider relaxing some of your usual rules. [25:16] Look for the humor in everything.  [28:20] What is working in your home?  Links and Resources: The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe Savage Son by Jack Carr L’Oreal Magic Root Cover Up Couch to 5k MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com How to Listen to The Crystal Paine Show The podcast is available on iTunes, Android, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can listen online through the direct player here. OR, a much easier way to listen is by subscribing to the podcast through a free podcast app on your phone. (Find instructions for how to subscribe to a podcast here.) Ready to dive in and listen? Hit the player above or search for “The Crystal Paine Show” on your favorite podcast app.

I usually have almost endless ideas for content. However, with the world in so much upheaval, I've struggled with how to be a podcaster. Should I only talk about the pandemic because it's impacting everyone's lives or should I go ahead with producing normal content? As I was grappling through this, I decided to ask for feedback and thoughts on Instagram on what you would like for us to share on the podcast during this weird season of unknowns. I heard from SO many of you and the resounding response was that you would love lighthearted content that wasn't COVID-heavy. While we will continue to acknowledge what's going on in our world and may have more episodes related to it in the future, we thought it'd be fun to do something different this week and take you on a journey with us (from your home!) on some of our crazy travel adventures! We share four different crazy travel stories: The first is from my first big international trip and how something I did on my return flight resulted in a big rift between Jesse and I (and on the podcast, as we were sharing the story, Jesse realized that for 5 years, he thought that I had done something I hadn't done! I guess it's good we finally cleared that up!) Next up, Jesse shares about something hilarious that went down while he was on a guys' fishing trip to Louisiana. The third story is one I was a little scared to share publicly and have only told a few people. It's definitely one of those, "I can't believe I really did that" moments!! And finally, the last story is the most bizarre... in fact, it's so crazy that you might think that we made it up. But I promise we didn't! In This Episode:  [01:02] Why we decided to do an episode on crazy travel stories. [04:04] Up first is my very first international trip to South Africa.  [06:20] We start at the end of the trip… and keep in mind that Jesse is very much a rule follower and I was brand-new to traveling internationally. [13:09] I'm glad we cleared up a 5-years-long misunderstanding on the podcast today!! [15:46] All about that time Jesse thought his bunk mate on his fishing trip had stopped breathing. [20:14] That time I did a very embarrassing thing on complete accident in the Focus on the Family lobby. [26:54] We saved our very best travel story for last -- involving flight issues, a passenger passing out on me, and a big fight on the flight. (I promise we're not making any of this up!) Links and Resources: MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com How to Listen to The Crystal Paine Show The podcast is available on iTunes, Android, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can listen online through the direct player here. OR, a much easier way to listen is by subscribing to the podcast through a free podcast app on your phone. (Find instructions for how to subscribe to a podcast here.) Ready to dive in and listen? Hit the player above or search for “The Crystal Paine Show” on your favorite podcast app.

By popular request, we had fun this week sitting down and talking about some of our favorite creative family fun things to do at home. If you are looking for some simple ideas of things you can do at home (or in the car) while still social distancing, you don't want to miss today's podcast episode! We also give you an update on what's happening in our lives, how we're adjusting to life with one newborn, and talk about how we're seeking to focus on our blessings and blessing others during this time where things are so topsy turvy. In This Episode:  [02:20] Life has been full at our house between adjusting to life with a newborn and preparing for another newborn! [07:33] I’ve still been fitting in some time to read and have recently loved The Lazy Genius Way.  [11:03] Focusing on our blessings and on being a blessing can change your perspective! [12:32] Working together as a family to have shifts throughout the day and night has been saving our lives. [17:21] We put our thinking caps on and came up with a number of different creative family fun ideas you can do while social distancing. Let's talk about scavenger hunts and around town scavenger hunts -- from your vehicle! [21:27] I share a really fun idea that one family is doing to bring together teens and young kids in their neighborhood right now. [22:25] We love old movies and musicals and this is the perfect time to watch some of those you been wanting to watch for a long time. [23:04] Kathrynne came up with the idea of putting together a letter-writing sort of "campaign" with her friends. [26:05] What about a special “Dress for Dinner” night or creating a "Bowl Full of Fun"? [28:03] This is an historic time -- keep a record, write down memories, take pictures.  Links and Resources: The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi The Lazy Genius PodcastFree Educational Games & Online Programs for Kids Free Workout Programs During Quarantine MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

Since we all have been home pretty much 24/7 recently self-isolating, we thought it would be fun to do a laid-back family episode for the podcast week. I asked on Instagram what questions you'd love for us to discuss as a family, and you all submitted such great ideas. In this episode, we talk about: Our individual pet peeves (and Jesse schools us on the origin of "pet peeve") How the kids feel about fostering One tradition the kids loved from when they were younger (their answer totally surprised me!) A few favorite family activities while social distancing + favorite board games & a snack we all love Whether the kids think they'd like to be homeschooled again Some of the kids' favorite books Sibling rivalry --  what our kids argue over the most & how they resolve conflict Our thoughts and feelings as we look forward to having two newborns soon Where we'd like to travel to once it's safe to travel again -- my answer got a little deep and serious (I hadn't prepped what I was going to say, so it kind of surprised me!) Pull up a chair and enjoy a sitting in and listening on a very typical dinnertime conversation at our house (well, except I don't usually come with a long list of questions!) In This Episode:  [01:24] We share our individual pet peeves.  [04:43] How do the kids feel about fostering?  [06:00] What traditions do the kids remember from when they were little?  [10:45] Would the kids ever want to be homeschooled again? [13:47] The kids share the books that they love. [15:30] Sibling rivalry and how they work through disagreements. [19:06] Our thoughts and feelings on having two newborns at our house soon. [25:38] Where do we want to go once it’s safe to travel again?  Links and Resources: Homemade Oobleck Dutch Blitz Phase 10 Homemade Puppy Chow Episode 37. Why We Stopped Homeschooling (an interview with our kids) The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler I Survived Series by Lauren Tarshis The Book Thief by Markus Zusak MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com How to Listen to The Crystal Paine Show The podcast is available on iTunes, Android, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can listen online through the direct player here. OR, a much easier way to listen is by subscribing to the podcast through a free podcast app on your phone. (Find instructions for how to subscribe to a podcast here.) Ready to dive in and listen? Hit the player above or search for “The Crystal Paine Show” on your favorite podcast app.

Well, like I’ve alluded to other places online, the past two weeks have been packed full of so many different, unexpected things. Some good, some hard, some just plain different than what we expected. It feels almost as if we’ve lived through an entire month in just a week’s time. In this week’s podcast episode, we sit down and talk about some of the BIG updates/changes/unexpected things that happened at our house recently, including: getting a long-term placement from foster care for a preemie who was still in the NICU (he got out of the hospital today!!!!) the kids being out of school and everything being cancelled — and how we are letting them plan their routine for the day and how that is working for us Kathrynne’s trip to Suriname where she ended up getting stuck there because the country closed their borders due to COVID-19 (she only ended up having to stay two extra days — and she shares more about that experience on the podcast) If you have some extra time and want a more newsy behind-the-scenes peek into what’s going on at our house right now, don’t miss this episode. In This Episode:  [01:25] There have been some major life changes happening lately and we’re going to discuss a few of them in-depth on the podcast today. [03:21] The kids are planning their own routines during this time and it is saving both my life and Jesse’s life. Hear why we are having our kids be in charge of this and how we went about having them set this up. [09:11] I’m reading Don’t Overthink It by Anne Bogel and I share some of my favorite quotes. [12:45] Jesse is reading Fearless by Eric Blehm. [18:36] Our sweet foster baby should be released from the hospital soon and we are so excited. [21:24] Kathrynne joins us to chat about her adventures in Suriname. She shares why she went on this trip, what they did on the trip, and her biggest highlight of the trip. [27:41] Hear all about how the trip ended very differently than any of us could have imagined and Kathrynne felt when they were told that the trip could be extended for 30 days or more.  Links and Resources: Don’t Overthink It by Anne Bogel Fearless by Eric Blehm MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

I know that the whole world is kind of in upheaval right now and there's a lot of unknown and uncertainty. I debated whether to go ahead with publishing this podcast that was planned for the week as it didn't really have much of anything to do with what's going on in the world. However, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that probably some of you would like a break from the incessant stream of news. Also, I know that many families are going to be hunkering down over the next few weeks (or longer) and spending a lot of time at home as a family. I realized that, with this in mind, maybe this was the perfect episode for this week. We moms need to be reminded that God has given us the kids He has and He knows that there is no better mom for the job of raising our kids than us, especially during hard days. In this episode of the podcast, I'm joined by Becky Keife, author of No Better Mom for the Job, to discuss what it means to feel confident in your motherhood.  Becky had three boys in three and a half years... and I think that in itself is enough for us to sit up and listen to what she has to say! :) While no parenting journey is easy, there are certainly those with more trials to go through. Becky shares what it was like having three boys at such young ages and how she managed during those times.  It wasn’t until she really leaned into her faith, however, that she found the confidence to take ownership of her motherhood. So many times she felt like she was failing her children and the the Lord had given those babies to her at the wrong time. She didn’t feel like the right mother for the job.  Through seeking the Lord and finding her confidence in His goodness and love, her attitude changed. In this episode, she shares her journey to more confident parenting, owning her gifts (and being okay with areas that weren't her gifts!), how she has learned to embrace her active and "spirited" boys and the personalities God has given them, and how parenting has changed as her kids have gotten older. I hope our conversation encourages you -- wherever you are in your parenting journey -- that there is no better mom for the job! In This Episode:  [01:19] Becky shares about being a mom to 3 spirited boys born in 3 1/2 years! [04:56] I read a quote from the book that discusses God’s love and how that contributes to confidence in parenting. [07:09] Was it a long process to get to the place of finding your confidence in God as a parent? [08:22] We talk candidly about how every mom is so different and Becky shares how she made peace with not being a mom who could take her kids to the park. [12:51] How do you approach delighting in high-energy children without crushing their spirit?  [15:57] When you’re in the thick of things, you may not feel like you’re the right mom.  [17:24] What would Becky say to the moms who feel like they aren't qualified and don't have any special gifts or talents? [20:42] There is a power in community. Learn how to build connections with other moms. [23:37] Being fine isn’t the point. Hear why! [24:49] How can you parent with confidence as your kids get older? Links and Resources: No Better Mom for the Job Becky Keife CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

Feeling burdened, weary, tired, or heavy-hearted today? Try the One-Minute Pause! Here’s how it works: Set a timer for 60 seconds. Take a few deep breaths. Then, verbally release the weight of what you are carrying. “I release my stress or worry over my job to You, God.” “I release my fear over my child’s future to You, God.” “I let it go.” Literally let yourself breathe out your fear, stress, worry, tension and breathe in God’s care and carrying of You. This simple practice isn’t going to solve all of your problems, but it can certainly help you feel a little calmer and remind you that you don’t have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. God sees you. He cares about you. And He is big enough to carry your heaviest burdens. You are not alone. Need more encouragement to stop feeling burned out and get your joy back? Be sure to listen to this week’s podcast episode with John Eldredge. We talked about simple, sustainable practices (like the One Minute Pause) he implemented in his life a few years ago when he found himself feeling completely burned out, tethered to his phone and email, and unable to really stop and savor his life. In This Episode:  [00:57] I ask John Eldredge to introduce himself and share more about his books and ministry. [04:43] What inspired John to write his newest book?  [06:11] John talks about realizing that his soul was running dry. [07:50] We discuss how hard was it for him to untether himself from his phone and email and the basic steps he took to get his job back. [11:31] Learn about how the One Minute Pause has impacted John’s day.  [13:56] The One Minute Pause isn't just for adults; you could do it with your kids, too! Check out the One Minute Pause App. [17:08] Benevolent Detachment -- what does this mean? [22:59] Why naming your stressors out loud and letting them go helps turn your day and mindset around.  [23:44] John encourages us with practical ways to drink beauty in for your soul. Get Your Life Back by John Eldredge John Eldredge - Ransomed Heart Ministries One Minute Pause App CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

Today’s culture is often one that feels so fast-paced. We are busy and strapped for time. What is this frenetic pace doing to our souls? I’ve been reading Get Your Life Back by John Eldredge and the first chapter of his book and the questions he asked inspired this episode. Many of you know that I'm currently working on a new book. As part of the writing process, I’m going through old Instagram posts -- many that I wrote 4 to 5 years ago. It was fascinating to me to read so many of these posts and recognize that there was a constant theme of me feeling how overwhelmed and exhausted. I realized that I'm no longer living in that space. Yes, there are still times when I'm tired. Yes, there are days when I bite off more than I can chew. But in reading John Eldredge's book and his questions on how to rate your soul, I was so encouraged. The changes I've made to slow down, prioritize rest, take care of my health, and delegate have made such a huge difference in the state of my soul! In this episode, Jesse and I share some of the thought-provoking questions that John asks, such as: How often do you feel light hearted? Are you excited about your future? Do you feel deeply loved? When was the last time you felt carefree? In this episode, we talk about holding grief and joy at the same time, letting go of burdens that aren't yours to carry, how our perspective can change so much, and the need to celebrate life more. In addition, we give you an update on Flu B, Thin Mints, our new ear thermometer, why I love my FitBit so much, and a book I recently re-read. In This Episode:  [00:25] Welcome back! We are so excited to be flu and fever-free. [03:55] Jesse can’t find the other box of Thin Mints (I know where they are and I finally did tell him on the episode!), but did you know that Thin Mints keep in the freezer?  [07:16] Our new Braun Ear Thermometer saved our lives this week.  [09:38] My Fitbit Alta HR is saving my life this year. [13:13] I recently re-read Eat That Frog. [16:33] Let’s talk about falling in love or back in love with your life. [18:44] John Eldredge asks several questions at the beginning of his book that helps you score your soul. Listen and rate them for yourself. [21:01] I’ve been going through Instagram posts for my book and I noticed a trend 4 to 5 years ago... I was constantly overwhelmed, overburdened, and just tired. [25:00] Is it possible to hold sorrow in one hand and joy in the other? Are you trying to carry burdens that aren't yours to bear? [28:51] A challenge to you. Links and Resources: Get Your Life Back by John Eldredge Braun Ear Thermometer Fitbit Alta HR Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy Libby App CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

"How do you stay so positive?" I've been asked this question by multiple people in multiple ways recently so Jesse and I decided to devote a podcast episode to the topic. I thought it would be insightful for us to both talk about this, because I tend to be more of glass half full kind of person while Jesse is more of a glass half empty person. But it's been so cool to watch Jesse intentionally work to develop more of a positive outlook on life. He shares how he has done that and how it has impacted him. We also talk about what it looks like to choose our attitude, practical ways we seek to do this, why gratitude can make such a difference, how to feed your souls with good things, and practical things we do to uplift our souls. In addition to talking about staying positive, we also talk about dry shampoo, Thin Mints, our kids' thoughts on how read alouds have benefited their lives, why the kids want to limit the baby's exposure to screens, the flu, and the Enneagram. As usual, it was quite a diverse array of topics! In This Episode:  [00:25] Greetings from the flu-infested Paine house. [01:53] To keep himself fortified, Jesse decided to get some Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies. ;) [02:44] A listener asks: Are you trying to hold on to your kids’ childhoods through bringing back read aloud time? [05:41] All three of our kids have very strong opinions and plans for investing in the baby's life. [08:12] My book for this week was The Path Between Us. This opened up some new methods of communication for Jesse and me. [11:14] Dry shampoo is saving my life. Learn why. [13:32] How can you stay positive when things are hard? Is it easier for some people?  [15:53] Jesse feels like he may be wired to be more negative, but you get to choose your attitude. [18:23] Even with the week they’ve had while being sick with the flu, the kids still try to see the positive as well. It’s an intentional choice to be positive. [20:36] If you’re not a naturally positive person, you have to work that muscle and it’ll get easier. [23:02] Counting your blessings and being intentional about taking them in and naming them helps bring positivity to the forefront. [25:06] Keep in mind that someone else likely would love to be in your shoes for any number of your blessings.  [26:00] An important word on when to seek professional help. Links and Resources: The Path Between Us by Suzanna Stabile Living Proof Dry Shampoo Thin Mints Girl Scout Cookies CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

"How did you manage to read 15 books in January?" I've gotten this question over and over again the past two weeks. Truth be told, I had to stop and ask that question myself when I got to the end of January and realized I had finished 15 books in the first month of the year! As I reflected on the last month, I realized that there are 4 tweaks I made in January to how I approached reading that made a big difference... even though they were really minor tweaks. How I'm Fitting In More Reading Time 1. I stopped answering Instagram messages (or getting distracted on Instagram) while on the treadmill and instead I use 20-30 minutes of my walking time each day to read a book. 2. I began setting weekly reading goals that I'm posting on MoneySavingMom.com. This has been highly motivational for me to set weekly goals instead of yearly goals. 3. I started listening to audiobooks again and try to get in at least an hour of audio listening while cleaning, cooking, getting ready in the morning, or driving by myself. 4. I revived family read aloud time again -- something that we'd let go of in recent years. In this episode, I share more about how I'm making each of these tweaks happen and the way that they are making such a difference in our life. In This Episode:  [02:46] I’ve been reading Originals by Adam Grant and had several takeaways.  [07:38] We recently got a couple of suggestions from our listeners. Listen in! [09:16] Jesse has been geeking out on our new soundboard. [11:15] My Spalding leggings have been saving my life. [13:01] I dive into how I read more. Specifically how I read 15 books in January. [15:53] How reading instead of scrolling Instagram has made such a difference. [17:32] My practical suggestions for fitting in more audiobook listening. [20:12] Why (and how!) we started prioritizing family reading time again. [22:55] The difference that tracking my reading and setting weekly reading goals has made for me. [24:27] Bonus tip: How reading multiple books at once allows me to read more quickly too. Links and Resources: Originals by Adam Grant The Birth Hour Podcast Moment Screen Time Control App Rode RodeCaster Pro Spalding Leggings 21-Day Leggings Challenge by Get Your Pretty On Carry a Big Stick by George Grant Goodreads CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

Over the past few months, we've gotten lots of questions about this very unexpected and surprise pregnancy. So we decided to devote a podcast episode specifically to answering these questions. We had so much fun answering them in this week's podcast -- and talking about the books we're reading and two things that are saving our lives right now. In this episode, we share: A body wash I'm loving How Jesse finally came to the dark side and joined me in loving joggers Books we're reading and loving right now Our thoughts on the big age gap between Silas and this baby (11 years) How having older kids has changed our perspective on this pregnancy Why we're going to an OB instead of a midwife this time What medication I took to help my nausea Differences in this pregnancy versus my other pregnancies What I'm doing differently this time around -- especially when it comes to postpartum Little snippets of the birth stories of our other three kids. And a lot more! In This Episode:  [03:06] Aromatherapy Sleep body wash is saving my life this week. [05:29] Jesse’s finally realized why I love joggers so much! [06:45] What Jesse has been reading: Hunter Killer and E-Myth Real Estate Investor. [07:57] My passionate thoughts about The Whole-Brain Child. [12:47] The pregnancy apps I've been using [15:33] Our thoughts on the age gap between the older three kids and the new baby. [20:09] Why you should give yourself grace around the fatigue that being pregnant brings. [21:20] Hear my advice for dealing with anxiety while pregnant. [23:19] Jesse shares his advice on how men can support women through the course of pregnancy. [25:11] There have been a lot of firsts with this pregnancy, like taking medications and having an OB instead of a midwife. [28:28] Listen as I share the stories of the kids’ births and how they’ve affected my outlook with this birth. Links and Resources: Bath & Bodyworks Aromatherapy Sleep body wash Men’s Joggers Hunter Killer by Kevin Maurer and Kevin McCurley E-Myth Real Estate Investor by Michael E. Gerber The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson What to Expect App CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

Last week, Jesse and I shared some of our favorite tips and tricks for keeping the spark alive in your marriage on the podcast. We didn’t want to stop there, though. This week, we invited Matt and Lisa Jacobson to come share their perspective and secrets on how to keep your marriage alive and thriving. Matt and Lisa have been married 27 years, have eight children, and are speakers, podcasters, and authors who are passionate about the topic of marriage. In this episode, they share their personal anecdotes, practical ideas, and hard won advice on how to have a truly happy marriage -- even during the unexpected and really difficult seasons of life. A few topics we discuss: how their marriage grew stronger as a result of having a child who was born with brain damage and wasn't expected to live their secrets to making dates happen (it might surprise you)! what a wife should do if she's really frustrated that her husband just keeps on disappointing her their best advice for young couples how to stop just surviving marriage and actually begin to thrive! And so much more! In This Episode:  [01:40] Matt and Lisa introduce themselves and share a bit about their businesses and books. [03:43] They have 8 children between the ages of 26 and 12 and have still managed to thrive.  [06:35] Has the topic of marriage always been a passionate subject for Matt and Lisa?  [08:20] How can you create and build a great marriage?  [09:30] Listen as Lisa relates a small moment she and Matt shared that inspired one of their books. [11:57] What can newlyweds do to set themselves up for a long and prosperous relationship?  [14:37] Your wife should feel cherished.  [16:22] What you need to do to make a great date happen. [17:31] Ladies, you don’t have to wait for your husband to pursue you! [19:38] Your man isn’t made of Teflon. Things stick. Listen as Lisa and Matt share tips and tricks for being mindful of your words.  [24:32] What can you do today to make your marriage better? Small, practical things you can do to bolster your relationship. Links and Resources: Faithful Man Club 31 Women Faithful Life Podcast 100 Ways to Love Your Husband 100 Ways to Love Your Wife 100 Words of Affirmation Your Husband Needs to Hear 100 Words of Affirmation Your Wife Needs to Hear CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

I reached over last night and took his hand and said, “I really like you.” It might seem like such a simple gesture, but after 17 years of marriage, I’m so grateful that we don’t just love each, we LIKE each other, too. A good marriage doesn’t just happen; it requires two very different people to be willing to put forth time, effort, and sacrifice. To choose their spouse everyday — on the good days and the bad days. To be faithful and loving on the dark and difficult days. To look for the good, to appreciate your differences, to ask forgiveness and to be willing to extend forgiveness. To stay when it’s hard, to persevere when it’s exhausting, to be a champion and cheerleader instead of a comparer and complainer. A good marriage is work, but it’s worth it. This week, on the podcast, Jesse and I share candidly about romance and intimacy and give you 10 ideas that have helped us keep the sparks flying (some of them are probably not what you’d expect!). In This Episode:  [01:12] In light of last week's episode, I had to tell you that I literally broke up with my phone -- unintentionally. :) [03:11] What’s saving our lives? A percussion massage gun and drinking a gallon of water. [09:18] I’m reading Killing the Rising Sun and Jesse is reading the He Reads Truth daily devotional. [13:38] Romance and intimacy… let's talk about some ways we've found to keep the spark alive. [15:29] Jesse shares 5 of his suggestions. [21:16] My 5 ideas -- and we had to laugh at how my first idea correlated to his 5th idea! [29:10] What would you add to our list?  Links and Resources: Percussion Massage Gun How I Drink a Gallon of Water Every Day Killing the Rising Sun by Bill O’Reilly  He Reads Truth CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com How to Listen to The Crystal Paine Show The podcast is available on iTunes, Android, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can listen online through the direct player here. OR, a much easier way to listen is by subscribing to the podcast through a free podcast app on your phone. (Find instructions for how to subscribe to a podcast here.) Ready to dive in and listen? Hit the player above or search for “The Crystal Paine Show” on your favorite podcast app.

About a week and a half ago, Jesse dropped his phone in the lake while duck hunting. To our surprise, instead of this being something that was a sort of frustrating expense and inconvenience, it turned into an unexpected blessing. On this episode, Jesse and I talk candidly about how addicting the phone can become, changes we've implemented to spend less time on our phones, and what has been working for us (as well as some things we are trying!) We also share some of how we are approaching phones with our kids, the dangers parents need to be aware of, and what we're learning as we're navigating having a teen and pre-teens in the age of so much connectivity and technology. In This Episode:  [01:34] Why elderberry syrup is saving my life these days. [04:37] Jesse’s phone took a swim, listen to hear how it was a blessing in disguise.  [13:53] How we turned the loss of the phone into a finances discussion with our kids. [16:20] Why phones have become an unhealthy addiction and how to break up with them. [19:12] How parents need to be aware of the dangers that are out there when it comes to our phones. [24:42] What kind of example are we setting for our kids with our phone usage?  Links and Resources: Four Mothers Elderberry Syrup CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

Our Journey to Becoming Foster Parents “What’s your plan for foster care? How many kids are you planning to accept at a time? What ages of kids are you planning to foster? Are you hoping to adopt from the foster care system?” These questions and many more have been asked by very well-meaning, caring people over the last few months as we’ve shared the news that we were becoming foster parents. If you know me, you know I’m a planner. I’m a to do list queen. I love having order and organization in our lives. I’m a big proponent of setting goals. And yet, when it comes to foster care, I don’t have a pre-determined plan or fill-in-the-blank answers. In fact, my answer to pretty much every question is, “I don’t know. We’re open to how God leads.” That might seem vague or even like a cop out. But it’s the truest answer I have to give right now. Why We Said Yes to Foster Parenting You see, we aren’t saying yes to foster care because it fits into a grand plan we’ve written out for the next 10 years of our life. In all honesty, saying yes to foster care feels pretty crazy with our current workload and responsibilities and season of life. And yet, to the deepest part of our core, we know this is God’s call on our life and we know that He has a plan for our future that is greater and bigger and crazier than what we could dream up. So we've jumped off the cliff of our comfort and plunging into the unknown in full confidence that God’s got this. He knows what the future holds and He’s the One Who holds the future — and we can trust Him to carry us, even on the really hard days. In this week's episode of the podcast, Jesse and I share in-depth how we ended up on this journey (it wasn't one we ever anticipated being on!), why we made the decision to pursue getting licensed, what the licensing process was like, and what we've learned along the way. We also answer some of your most often-asked questions regarding foster care. In This Episode:  [01:23] My exercise ball and cleaning out our closets have been saving our lives. We share why. [06:38] I just finished reading Parenting and wanted to share a few of my favorite quotes. [10:56] Jesse is reading Hunter Killer. [12:40] The unexpected path that led us to become foster parents.  [19:37] We talk about what the classes and certification were like.  [26:00] After finishing all the classes, we moved on to the home study. [29:18] What the best step to start with to look into fostering? [32:21] Why we decided to actively involve our kids in the decision-making process. [34:51] What are some of the best ways others can come alongside and help foster families?  Links and Resources: My Exercise Ball Parenting by Paul David Tripp Hunter Killer by Kevin Maurer and Kevin McCurley CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

Like usual, as the year winds down and we head into November, I start thinking of what over-arching theme I want to pursue in the following year. My word for the year came pretty easily to me, as it often does. I sat with it for a few weeks to make sure I really loved it. And then I asked Jesse for his thoughts. He agreed that the word seemed fitting for 2020. So without further ado, my word for 2020 is: Savor. What Does Savor Mean? There are a variety of definitions for savor, but the basic definition is, “to taste or smell with pleasure.” I decided to expand my own personal definition of savor to encompass slowing down and fully experiencing life through my senses. I love how Vocabulary.com defines it: Whether it’s a feeling of joy or a piece of pecan pie — when you savor something, you enjoy it to the fullest. When you savor something, you enjoy it so much that you want to make it last forever. With that in mind, savor carries a connotation of doing something slowly. If you savor that flourless chocolate tart, then you eat it slowly, bit by bit, deliberately picking every last crumb off the plate. The word is often applied to eating, but you can savor any pleasurable experience, whether it’s the winning touchdown or your moment in the spotlight. Why Did I Choose This Word? My personality is one that doesn’t tend to do life slowly. I usually have an end goal in mind with almost everything and I can put my head down, my blinders on, and just aim straight for that objective. While there are good things about this tendency, it also means that I often miss a lot of beauty and experience along the way. This year, I want to take the time to really stop and savor life, to experience the richness of the everyday, and to notice what I’m tasting, touching, hearing, seeing, and feeling. I plan to not only be aware of this as I go throughout each day, but I also am going to set 2-3 goals per week that are focused on helping me use my senses to more fully experience life. To hear more about this word and why I chose it for 2020, be sure listen to this week’s podcast episode where I share more about choosing a word for the year, a book I just finished, a remedy that’s helping with my hacking cough, and more about weekly goal-setting versus yearly goal-setting. In This Episode:  [01:07] Happy New Year! It feels like it has been forever since we’ve recorded a podcast! Listen in for a quick recap of our holiday! [05:36] Vicks VapoRub with socks is saving my life this week! [07:33] I finished An Invisible Thread on the drive home. [10:15] Why choose a word of the year and what was mine from 2019? [11:33] My word for 2020 is Savor. I share more about choosing this word. [14:13] How do I plan to live this out? [16:35] My goals for week 1 – January 2020 are… [19:31] What is your word of the year? How are you setting your goals in 2020? Links and Resources: Vicks VapoRub An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park My Word for 2019 Why You Should Choose a Word for the Year Free Printable Word of the Year Ideas My Word of the Year for 2018 One Word for 2016 CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

Do you feel like you can come to us and share your struggles honestly?” We sat the girls down last week and asked them this question. I told them that someone had requested we do a podcast episode on building trust and open communication with your kids and we wanted to get their truthful opinion on whether they felt it was a topic we could tackle. Four years ago, I was deep in the trenches of parenting for my own reputation. When a child was struggling or had made a bad choice, I approached it — unknowingly — from the perspective of, “What will make me look good as a parent?” It’s hard to admit that out loud, but it’s true. I cared way more what people thought of ME than I cared about my kids’ hearts. As a result of this, I wasn’t close with my kids. I didn’t truly know their hearts. There wasn’t a trust relationship built up and they didn’t feel like they could honestly share how they felt — because I would probably snap at them if I felt like they weren’t approaching something maturely enough. (They’ve since told me this was how they felt.) There was very little grace in my parenting and I carried around a heavy backpack full of guilt… for how I was failing, for the ways my kids weren’t living up to my expectations of them. All of this was rooted in my unhealthy prioritization of what others thought of me. In turn, I became my kids’ critic, nit-picker, and Holy Spirit. I struggled to see the good because I was constantly frustrated by how they were falling short. And every day, I was driving a bigger wedge between my kids and me. This week on the podcast — with the girls’ blessing and lots of their input and suggestions (!) — we share what has changed in the way we approach parenting. We talk about practical ways we’ve fostered trust and good communication with our kids (most of the ideas we share are suggestions the girls gave — and they did not hold back in their thoughts and opinions on this!) In This Episode:  [00:57] – Jesse and I recap our travel adventures in Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho — including our thoughts on Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Old Faithful. [19:49] – Believe it or not, Jesse read more than me this past week! He shares the two books he recently finished. [22:00] – Want your kids to keep reading over the summer? Check out this printable we created! [23:41] – On this episode, we answer another one of our listener’s questions about establishing a trusting and open relationship with our kids. We talk about the importance of making time for one-on-one conversations, but not trying to force them. {Kathrynne’s advice!} [29:19] – We also discuss how being willing to apologize and admit when we’re wrong can make such a difference. One thing that has made a big difference is us acknowledging with our kids that feelings are not wrong, but it’s how we act on those feelings. [31:57] – Ask questions to open the doors of communication and listen rather than preach sermons! Step into your kid’s world and invite them to share in yours. Spend time doing things that your kids like to do! [40:13] – We share ways we’ve let the kids make their own decisions in their lives, allowing us to build our trust. Links and Resources: Grand Teton National Park Jenny Lake at Grand Teton Jackson Lake at Grand Teton Yellowstone National Park Pike’s Peak Yellowstone Lake Old Faithful Geyser Strokkur in Iceland West Yellowstone, Montana Hope Never Dies by Andrew Shaffer The Operator by Robert O’Neill Free Kid’s Summer Reading Printable Pack Free 3-Month subscription for Kindle Unlimited – Valid through July 31st Crystal’s Favorite Things on Amazon CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com Your Blogging Mentor on Instagram Your Blogging Mentor on Facebook Crystal’s Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

We've had some pretty heavy topics on the podcast recently, so we decided to do something fun and more lighthearted this week. I asked on Instagram for your best ideas for a lighthearted podcast topic idea and many of you requested that we do a Favorite Things Episode.  So pretend you're sitting down at the table with us having coffee (or tea!) and let's talk about some of our favorite things. We tell you our favorite: Book Movie Season Place We've Lived Bible Verse Color Podcast Place We've Traveled To Fruit/Vegetable Thing We Love About Each Other In This Episode:  [01:53] - If you want to know what NOT to do when going to Iceland, we'll give you the scoop on that + some of the highlights from our trip! [07:31] - Every time I share about this tip, people have all sorts of questions. But it truly has been saving my life recently!  [12:04] - I finally got to finish Digital Minimalism while we were on our trip! [14:41] - Thanks to our followers on Instagram for today’s topic: Our Favorite Things! We start off by discussing our favorite books, music, and season. [20:35] - Then we move to talking about our favorite place we've lived, movies we've watched, Bible verses, colors, and podcasts. [29:57] - Finally, we end with our favorite places we've traveled to in the US and internationally, our favorite fruit and veggie, and we end a little on a sappy note -- with our favorite things about each other. Links and Resources: Crystal Paine on Instagram crystal@moneysavingmom.com Money Saving Mom Money Saving Mom on Facebook Money Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook group Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport Episode 27 of the Crystal Paine Show: Digital Minimalism (with Cal Newport) The Scott Harvath Series by Brad Thor Abandoned to God by David McCasland What If by The Ball Brothers The Patriot Me Before You - (the book) Air Force One Froning and Friends podcast Team Never Quit podcast The Trim Healthy Mama Podcast Crystal’s Favorite Things on Amazon CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com Your Blogging Mentor on Instagram Your Blogging Mentor on Facebook Crystal’s Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com How to Listen to The Crystal Paine Show The podcast is available on iTunes, Android, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can listen online through the direct player we’ll include in the show notes of each episode. OR, a much easier way to listen is by subscribing to the podcast through a free podcast app on your phone. (Find instructions for how to subscribe to a podcast here.) Ready to dive in and listen? Hit the player above or search for “The Crystal Paine Show” on your favorite podcast app. Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

A few months ago, I did an Instagram Live on anxiety where I talked about what to say to someone who struggles with anxiety. In that live, I opened about walking with Jesse through his anxiety and the lessons that I've learned through it. After I did that video, I got a lot of feedback and followup questions and some requests for us to do a podcast dedicated to the topic. In this episode, Jesse shares really candidly about his struggles with anxiety and how it manifests itself. He also shares what has helped him to process through his anxiety and not live life paralyzed in fear. If you've ever battled anxiety or you are close to someone who does, I think his story and honesty will really encourage you. In This Episode: [00:26] - Welcome back to the Traveling Diaries of the Paine family! I start by giving some life updates and sharing some funny . and rather crazy stories from the past few days. [12:05] - Today, Jesse is opening up to share about his battle with anxiety.  [14:10] - As he’s gotten older, his anxiety has manifested itself through health-related anxiety and travel anxiety. We talk about how some of this was likely related to trauma from his childhood. [21:56] - It was hard to know how to respond when Jesse would spin out with health-related stress -- should I have compassion or should I tell him it's anxiety? We've spent a lot of money on health-related tests and Jesse has spent hours upon hours and sleepless nights Googling his health conditions. [26:48] - We chat about what not to say to someone with anxiety and how you need to address the root of the anxiety, not just the surface manifestation. [32:08] - Jesse shares what has helped him stop being so controlled by anxiety. It's simple, but it's made such a difference.  [34:30] - Let yourself feel the pain so that you can heal from the pain. [36:12] - Not all anxiety is created equal! Make sure to treat your anxiety holistically. [39:58] - Acknowledging and healing our own anxiety has helped us to better parent by recognizing anxiety triggers and giving our kids the space to express their emotions and feelings. Links and Resources: The Wilds Christian Camp Mohs Surgery Crystal’s Favorite Things on Amazon CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com Your Blogging Mentor on Instagram Your Blogging Mentor on Facebook Crystal’s Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com   Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

Remember that goal I set in 2018 to open our home every single week? Well, it was hard and scary at first, but the more we did it, the more it's become second nature to use! Last week alone, we opened up our home all week to host three college girls who are volunteering at Pine Cove Camp in the City, we hosted the Girls' Bible Study for the teen girls at church (I think maybe 20 girls came?), we had multiple teens over, we had two couples over for dinner, and we had a family over for dinner. And I loved it! In this week's episode, Jesse and I open the show by talking more about the lessons we've learned on hospitality and how it has changed our lives to re-define what true hospitality is. (Want to hear more encouragement for practicing hospitality, even if it scares you? Be sure to check out the episode devoted to this topic with Jen Schmidt, author of Just Open the Door. We also dive into the topic of Habit Trackers and how both of us are using them this summer -- me for a specific goal and Jesse to help the kids stay on track and be more productive. I share how I've been making huge progress toward a goal with just a simple change in my perspective and by putting some accountability in place. And Jesse shares how this printable habit lists he put together for the kids have made a big difference in encouraging the kids to work hard, play hard, and spend less time on electronics!   Instead of an interview, Jesse and I answer a follower's questions on what it's really like to work together as a married couple. We discuss decision making, how we handle conflict and disagreement, who decides how the money is spent, how we make decisions on what risks to take, and how we balance being a spender and a saver who are also married and in business together. Whether you are a couple who works together or you are just curious to hear more of the behind-the-scenes of our business operations or you just want to know how we've stayed friends and business partners who are also married, you won't want to miss this episode! In This Episode: [00:51] - So many people have been in and out of our house lately that we joke that we're past the "Just Open the Door" stage and have moved onto "Just Leave the Door Open" stage! [05:46] - In addition to sharing important lessons we've learned from our commitment to open up our home every week, we also chat about how we encourage the kids to practice hospitality when inviting their friends over. [07:01] - Have you ever used a habit tracker? I just started using one to better prioritize my time and it’s working! (so far…) You can check it out here, I snagged it from Abby Lawson. [13:30] - Jesse has been using a habit tracker with the kids to keep them busy and engaged! They are working toward a big “end of summer” surprise!  [16:26] - Over the next few weeks, Jesse and I will be tackling some of the most-asked questions and topics you all have submitted as podcast episode suggestions. [17:06] - This week, we're having a very honest conversation about what it's like to be married and business partners -- and how we make it work all while staying best friends. [19:32] - How do we make big business decisions -- does one person have more say than another? We share more on our roles and how they play out. [24:09] - What if we don't agree? We chat about what we do when we don't agree and agreeing often involves waiting or compromising. [28:12] - One of us is a spender and the other is a saver (can you guess who is who?) How does this work in our business? Links and Resources: Pine Cove Camp in the City Stop Being Scared of Hospitality (lots of practical ideas in this post) Episode 4 - How I Got Over My Fear of Hospitality with Jen Schmidt Just Open the Door Habit Tracker Printable by Abby Lawson - Just a Girl and Her Blog (the one Crystal is using) Free Habit Tracker (the one Jesse is using for the kids) Crystal’s Favorite Things on Amazon CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com Your Blogging Mentor on Instagram Your Blogging Mentor on Facebook Crystal’s Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com   Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

On August 16, 2016,  I posted the above picture on Instagram with this caption: Today is a bittersweet day. After many years of homeschooling, I just dropped the kids off at the new Classical School they are attending this year. I'm so grateful for those sweet years I had to be a homeschool mom. I'm also grateful for God's direction this year (for a long list of reasons) that a different schooling option is best for our family and our kids. I won't pretend it's been an easy decision. It's one that we made with a tremendous amount of thought, prayer, discussion, and tears. Ultimately, we have so much peace as we walk into this new season. There will be new challenges and new opportunities and I'm excited to see what God has in store as we trust Him to lead one step at a time. Since posting that Instagram post almost three years ago, we've gotten a lot of questions about why we stopped homeschooling and how we knew it was the right decision for our family. I know that schooling choices and decisions are incredibly personal and can be somewhat controversial, so I wasn't sure that I ever wanted to broach this topic publicly... and I really haven't for 3 years. But then, we got many requests to interview our kids on the podcast. We decided to move forward with this and I asked you all on Instagram to submit questions you'd like for us to ask them on their podcast interview. To our surprise, there were SO many questions begging us to talk about the transition from homeschooling to private school and how it was for our kids. We asked the kids if they'd be willing to share -- and they were. So, enjoy this very honest family conversation around why we stopped homeschooling, how we came to this decision, how it's been for our kids (one child was very, very angry about it!), and the best things and hard things about switching from homeschool to private school. Ultimately, I hope that this conversation inspires you to be intentional in how you approach schooling choices (and other choices!) for your kids. And that our journey and honesty might be helpful or encouraging to you as you parent your own kids.   In This Episode: [01:08] - Jesse and I have so much to share with you today -- including some fun adventures from our recent trips to Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. [08:18] - I share a fun email we received from a listener that proves Jesse is right when he used the word "confluence" in a previous episode and promised that some people use it regularly. (You guys aren't helping me out much!!) [09:05] - My mobile hotspot and the ability to work on the road is what is saving my life this week! [11:06] - I started reading The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim DeFede and the story was insightful and impactful. You can get the book for free right now by signing up for Kindle Unlimited.  [14:21] - Today we're joined by our kids -- Kathrynne, Kaitlynn, and Silas -- and we'll be discussing a much-requested topic: why we stopped homeschooling.  [16:57] - We never expected to stop homeschooling. In fact, we had always planned to homeschool through high school. Then, we started realizing that Kathrynne needed a change. [17:59] - Kathrynne shares how she felt about her social life and gets really honest about her struggles with social anxiety and awkwardness. [21:29] - We were so excited to find a school that felt like a great fit -- but we were also scared to announce the change to Kathrynne. [23:32] - We expected Kathrynne to not be happy about the news, but we were shocked that she was as upset as she was. We ask Kaitlynn and Silas about their reaction to the news that they were starting school as well. [26:46] - The kids talk about what their first day and first weeks of school were like for them given their homeschool background. [30:52] - We've loved watching our kids really blossom and come alive in unexpected ways the last three years! [37:02] - The kids share the harder aspects of going to school like getting up early and having to be away from home all day. [39:26] - Jesse shares his thoughts on the transition and how it affected our identity as parents. We also discuss our process for evaluating each year and what is best for each child.   Links and Resources Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis, WI Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim DeFede Money Saving Mom: Kindle Unlimited Deal Crystal’s Favorite Things on Amazon CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com Your Blogging Mentor on Instagram Your Blogging Mentor on Facebook Crystal’s Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com How to Listen to The Crystal Paine Show   Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

For years, I believed the lie that I didn’t know how to be a good friend. Because of some past hurt and rejection, I told myself that I was a disappointment to those closest to me. I let this lie become my truth and I built a thick barricade around myself to keep other women at arm’s length. I was self-protecting... and when anyone would get too close, I’d pull back. I didn’t realize I was doing any of this, of course. I just thought that I struggled to make friends and felt lonely much of the time. All this changed when Jamie and Lauren entered my life. They've pressed in, even when I've wanted to pull back. They've loved me even when I've tried to self-protect. These two women have been such gifts to my life and have taught me so much about what true local friendship looks like and how amazing it can be. Here are three lessons they have taught me: 1) Focus on loving others well. Stop worrying about whether you're doing it right or wrong; just love others, really wholeheartedly love them. 2) Show up -- even when it's really inconvenient. Relationships will not fit into neat little boxes and they will require you to step out, step up, and be stretched far outside your comfort zone. Show up anyway. 3) Lean in -- even when it's awkward. Beautiful relationships never happen without awkward moments. Invite that person over, even if you don't know what you'll find to talk about for an hour. Volunteer to serve at church or go to that event, even if you don't know anyone. It will be awkward. Expect it to be. But the more you lean in to people and relationships despite the awkwardness and show up anyway, the more chances there are that you are going to begin to develop deeper relationships. Thank you, Jamie and Lauren, for loving me so well and teaching me so much about friendship. For believing the best about me. For pursuing me — even when I wanted to self-protect and had believed lies about how, “I’m not good at relationships.” Thank you for letting me show up just as I am. For speaking the truth to me when I need to hear it. For making me laugh until I cry. For listening to me vent. For walking with me through heartbreak and devastating news. For constantly checking in on me and caring about me. And for helping me to begin to believe that I’m capable of being a really great friend. Thank you for being the answer to many, many prayers I’ve had for real, authentic relationships. I never dreamed when we started Discipleship group two years ago just how much you would change my life. And little did I ever imagine that our husbands would also become great friends! I'm so honored that Jamie and Lauren and their husbands were willing to do something way outside their comfort zone and record a podcast with Jesse and me recently answering the question that one of you all asked, "How do you find couple friends?" This is a different type of podcast -- it's a little more like sitting at the table with us listening in on our conversation. There is a lot of laughter, teasing, and real-ness. I hope that this discussion will encourage you to think of ways you can dive deeper into relationships, even if it scares you! I can 100% promise you that it is worth the effort!   In This Episode: [01:23] - Meet our couple friends — Brian & Lauren and Drew & Jamie. [04:47] - Lauren shares how we all met and clicked in our Discipleship Group. [06:39] - Jamie talks about why she continued to pursue the friendship with Lauren and me, even though I put up some big walls at first. [08:00] - “It is so powerful to have someone pursue and not give up.” [09:21] - The guys jump in with their experiences in building their friendship and how their friendship has evolved. [12:32] - Discipleship helped form our friendship, but prioritizing each other and making time each week has solidified the bond. [14:10] - Brian talks about how digging in and creating roots in friendship has helped their family. [16:00] - Don’t make the friendship too complicated! Take out the expectations and just enjoy each other. Our friendship really deepened when we committed to a fun activity of going to Tuesday night trivia every week. [18:22] - We all discuss why they think having friends is so important. [20:47] - When you build your friendships, you also have a support system when times are hard. [23:14] - We delve into what makes our friendship work. Prioritizing and intentionality are two keys. [27:00] - What advice would you give someone who is looking to build close couple friendships? Friendship looks like getting out of your comfort zone to touch the lives of other people. Links and Resources Crystal’s Favorite Things on Amazon CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com Crystal’s Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!  

Today on the podcast, not only do Jesse and I share some fun book updates, a hilarious podcast review we received, and something that's saving my life, but I also am joined in studio by one of my dear local friends! Fran Maynard and I got to know each other well over the past few years as our families were in Community Group together. Then, she and I got even closer two years ago as we were in a small group in our church's Discipleship Program. This past year, Fran and I also had the privilege of leading a small group together through the Discipleship Program. During the past two years, I got to have a front row seat in watching Fran and her family go through the training and interviews required to become foster parents. Then, I've seen them open their home and hearts to a sweet little girl (see the precious blond toddler in the photo above?) and also become passionate about the great need in our community. As I have seen Fran's heart expand, as I've witnessed how this journey has impacted their family in such beautiful ways, as I've watched her advocate for children who need a temporary or permanent home and family, my heart has been deeply touched. And it has deeply impacted our family in ways we never expected (more on that story in the months to come!) In today's episode, I asked Fran to share more of her story and how foster parenting has changed their families lives in ways they could have never dreamed or imagined. I hope that her words inspire and touch you as they have inspired and touched me. Whether you have any interest in fostering at all, I urge you to listen to this episode and prayerfully consider where you are being called to step out in faith and obedience to be the hands and feet of Jesus to others -- whether it is signing up for foster parenting classes, coming alongside other foster parents, advocating for children who are in the foster care system, helping walk with families who are struggling, serving single parents, or reaching out and serving in a completely different capacity. In This Episode: [03:32] - Jesse did it! He inspired me to listen to the Killing Lincoln Audiobook by Bill O’Reilly & Martin Dugard. [06:20] - Dear Bob & Sue, the book I actually picked to tell you about this week, chronicles the authors' visits to all 58 (at the time) national parks. It is hilarious and made me want to go visit a lot of national parks -- something I've never thought I'd want to do! [08:26] - What’s saving my life this week? My eye mask! I talk about why I started using it, when I use it, and how it helps. [10:33] - We are doing a #100DaysofSummerFun Family Challenge this summer! Check out my Instagram account to see all the fun activities we do!  [12:29] - Meet my wonderful friend Fran, learn how we met, and hear about their path to foster. [14:11] - Fran shares with us a little bit about her childhood, her journey, and how it affected her decision to foster. [16:18] - I ask Fran how they were first led to consider fostering and whether they had fear going into it. [19:46] - The biggest surprise for Fran and her family in this process was the unbelievably positive response from their kids and their community. The hardest part? All the unknowns. The most beautiful part? The growth that their children have seen in their hearts and their faith. [24:14] - We talk about the great need for willing and able to foster families in every community and Fran shares some words of wisdom and recommendations for those who may want to foster in the future. Links and Resources: My Eye Mask for Sleep Killing Lincoln Audiobook Killing Kennedy Killing Reagan Dear Bob and Sue 100 Days of Summer Fun on Instagram Last Week's Podcast Episode with Our Pastor Fran Maynard on Twitter Fran's Blog America's Kids Belong Crystal’s Favorite Things on Amazon CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com Crystal’s Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

Jesse and I are excited to have our pastor on the show today! We’re part of the discipleship program that he started at our church, and you’ve probably heard us talk about the program many times if you've been following me online the last few years. Jesse actually joined the Discipleship Program shortly after we moved to TN. It ended up profoundly impacting his life. I was more reluctant to be a part of it, but I finally said yes the next year... and well, my life will never be the same! Many of you have asked me to share more details on the program, so I'm honored that Eric took time out of his schedule to record a podcast to explain more of the backstory of the Discipleship Program and how it came about. In this episode, Eric explains how he used to live his life in a performance-based way. He saw his worth as being tied to what he accomplished. He also felt that he couldn’t trust others, and had to rely on himself to get things done. Eric and his wife got stuck in a rut that they couldn’t find their way out of. They knew they needed help, so they accepted the opportunity to go away for a period of intense counseling. This turned his life upside down, even though he found it incredibly hard to have some very unhealthy patterns in his life exposed. Because of what he learned through counseling and in-depth study, he knew he could never go back to where he once was. He invited 12 men to join him on this journey of studying and reading and growing together. This became the basis for the Discipleship Program that now has impacted hundreds of lives in our local community. I’m so excited for you to hear Eric share about some of the foundational principles that have changed my life as well as some first steps you can take if you’re feeling stuck. (Also, Eric talks about some tools and resources you can dive into if you want to learn more about your emotions and how to live wholeheartedly.) In This Episode: [00:25] - Welcome back to the Crystal Paine Show! I give a little backstory about today’s guest, our pastor Eric Hoffman. [03:37] - The first six months after we moved were a low point for Jesse. He struggled to find his worth outside of his work. [06:36] - Being part of the Discipleship Program at our church is truly what God used to radically shift his perspective and understanding of God. It also helped him uncover and discover his giftings and the way he is wired.  [08:29] -I share how I was very reluctant to sign up for the Discipleship Program and talk about how exhausting and hard it was for me to go through it the first year. And yet, ultimately, it ended up changing my life in powerful ways. And then, Jesse and I have both had the opportunity to lead small groups through the program the last few years. [10:36] - Eric takes us back to his less-compassionate days, and explains what brought him to where he is today. [14:08] - We hear a story about Eric’s conversation with a friend in a coffee shop. [16:12] - How did Eric manage to keep living out of the truths of what he had learned in day-to-day life? [19:11] - I talk about how much the program has changed not only my life, but also those of the women I’ve gotten to walk through it with. [22:37] - What are some first steps that people can take to get out of living in a rut? Eric shares a lot of practical tools and resources here. [32:54] - Eric leaves us with a great idea of something that he and his wife do with their kids at the dinner table to teach them how to express their emotions in a healthy way. Links and Resources: Eric Hoffman Galatians for You by Tim Keller The Prodigal God by Tim Keller Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller Timothy Keller Wholehearted 8-Part Message Series The Bible Project: Word Study: Lev - “Heart” The Voice of the Heart by Chip Dodd What Am I Feeling? by Dr. Josh Straub and Christi Straub Crystal’s Favorite Things on Amazon CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com Crystal’s Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

Jesse surprised me as we were prepping for this episode by telling me he had recently deleted Facebook off of his phone. I had no idea that he had, but I had noticed he has been knocking things off his to do list right and left. In this episode, we not only talk about boundaries we've set for our phones, a book we are reading, and recent travels. Plus, we tackle a somewhat hot-button topic that multiple listeners requested: How our marriage works since I have such a strong personality. As we start discussing the topic, we actually offer a perfect unplanned example of how we work through conflict and misunderstanding -- because I began this segment by saying something that rubbed Jesse the wrong way. He and I walk through this together, talk about how it made him feel, what I was trying to communicate, and how I could have said it better. We then go on to discuss what we've learned in the past 16 years of our marriage and how we make it work, even when we disagree. We end up with (again, unintentionally!) sharing the ABC's of a healthy marriage: acknowledge your weaknesses, believe the best about your spouse, and communicate your hearts. In This Episode: [02:33] - Thank you so much for listening to the podcast, especially if you’ve left a review! I read a kind review that a listener recently left for the show. [03:30] - We talk about what’s saving our lives these days. I was so inspired by Jesse’s answer that I changed what I was planning to share and talked about a recent change that has made such a difference in my life! [09:47] - My book pick this week is one that my sister recommended: The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris. Have you read it? [14:38] - Are you interested in blogging? Curious about starting? I’d love to have you join me in my free blogging class! [15:43] - I explain what Jesse and I will do in our episodes now that we’re done sharing our story, and introduce today’s topic. We then accidentally demonstrate this dynamic ourselves. [20:00] - This example illustrates that it’s important for me to recognize that I tend to say things that make Jesse feel run over. [22:20] - In the context of our marriage, what has helped Jesse not feel bull dozed by my strong personality. We talk about keys we've learned for better communicating and why it's so important to recognize your differences and acknowledge when you feel hurt or shut down. [32:29] - We also offer some simple steps to a healthier marriage: acknowledge your weaknesses, believe the best about your spouse, and communicate your hearts. [33:18] - Today’s Q&A question is this: “What are some good questions to ask the person you’re dating?” We share suggestions ranging from finances to personality type to praying together. [40:19] - If you have any questions, suggestions, feedback, or a topic you want us to talk about in the future, send me an email at crystal@moneysavingmom.com! Links and Resources: Everything Food Conference The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris The Terminal List by Jack Carr Crystal’s free blogging class Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey Crystal’s Favorite Things on Amazon CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com Crystal’s Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com   Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

Last time we recorded an episode for The Crystal Paine Show, we had just gotten back from Kansas. And this time, we just got back from Destin, Florida! It was our first time there (can you believe it?), and we had an amazing trip. We haven’t gone on a long road trip by ourselves since our honeymoon, and even though it was a little bit weird to be in the car for six hours by ourselves, I’m so thankful that we got to go! Today’s guest on the show is the amazing Anne Bogel, who you may remember from an earlier episode! (She’s actually the first second-time guest on the show.) We had such a fantastic conversation that Jesse and I didn’t want you to miss a single minute of it, so we skipped our usual segments of the show to make room for the whole interview. Anne and I are both Highly Sensitive People (or HSPs). Now before you just think that means someone is overly sensitive or emotional, do yourself a favor and listen to the episode. At least 15-20% of people are HSP -- many just don't know it! I didn’t know this about myself until I learned it through reading Anne’s book Reading People. When I read her chapter on Highly Sensitive People and realized that she was exactly describing me, it changed my life! All of a sudden I understood why I big crowds drained me, loud noises over-stimulated me, certain fabrics of shirts were incredibly annoying, and why I can't function well if my house is a mess. We’ll start off by talking about how Anne came across this concept, and how it helped her regain a sense of control and improving her own life experience. We’ll also dig into the impact that being an HSP can have (some of the struggles as well as the perks!) and how to tell if you’re an HSP. Even if you’re not a Highly Sensitive Person, don’t miss this amazing conversation! You’ll likely identify someone close to you who is and it will help you have a better understanding of how to love them and interact with them (and maybe not think they are just high maintenance or needy!) In This Episode: [00:25] - Jesse and I discuss how weird (and fun) it was to go on our first road trip by ourselves (without kids) in years. [04:10] - This episode will be a little bit different because I ended up having such a long conversation with Anne Bogel that we decided to make the interview the focus of the episode.  [04:56] - I (re)introduce Anne and ask her to share about her new podcast that just launched! Check it out at One Great Book. [09:14] - When did Anne first learn about the concept of Highly Sensitive People (HSP)? She talks about when the light bulb went off for her and how discovering this idea changed things for her and helped her regain a sense of control. [15:26] - Anne and I discuss our greatest struggles and greatest strengths as a Highly Sensitive Person. [21:19] - I can’t watch certain movies or listen to certain kinds of news, because it will be too heavy and too much for me. Anne shares how she can't write when there is music playing with words. [22:17] - We talk about the best way to determine whether you’re HSP, or whether one of your kids or friends might be? ("When you know, you know," Anne explains. "HSPs often don’t even need the test.") 30:38] - What is Anne reading right now? [32:16] - Anne talks about what’s saving her life right now: walking to work (even though she works at home!). [34:39] - Did you enjoy that conversation as much as I did? Do you have any questions, comments, or feedback? Get in touch by email at crystal@moneysavingmom.com! Links and Resources: Anne Bogel Reading People by Anne Bogel I’d Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel Modern Mrs. Darcy What Should I Read Next? with Anne Bogel (podcast) One Great Book with Anne Bogel (podcast) The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron Quiet by Susan Cain Are You Highly Sensitive? test from Elaine Aron Great E-book Deals on Modern Mrs. Darcy Cal Newport Crystal’s Favorite Things on Amazon CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com Crystal’s Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

(Listen to the episode for the story behind this photo!) Today's episode not only includes details on our whirlwind trip to Kansas, my thoughts on buying markdowns, a book I loved recently, a new book Jesse is reading, and a very practical interview with Lisa Burns from This Pilgrim Life. I first connected with today’s guest, Lisa Burns, when she signed up for my four-week blog coaching class. It's been so fun to watch her blog and social media take off since that class -- and she’s now known as an Instant Pot expert and she has a cookbook coming out in May! As she admits in our conversation, she didn’t know how to cook until after she got married (and didn’t even eat vegetables as a child). As a busy mom of five herself, she’s full of wisdom and tips for getting delicious meals on the table even when your schedule is packed. We talk about menu-planning, why an a might change your life, her favorite quick and easy recipes, some fascinating behind-the-scenes details of her cookbook photo shoot (including how she make 76 recipes in a few days in her Instant Pots!!) Plus, of course, two books she's reading and what's saving her life. In This Episode: [03:20] - Jesse and I are in the middle of a kind of packed travel season. We just got back from a quick trip to visit family in Kansas for Easter. While we were in Kansas, we took the kids to Spangles. [06:01] - This episode might have a LOT of food talk... maybe it was because Jesse and I were both hungry when we recorded it! :) We talk about how Kroger markdowns save us so much money and provide an endless stream of variety in our diet. [08:58] - Jesse finished his book and started a new one!! Tune in to listen to what he started reading + a book I finished last week. [13:14] - I first connected with today’s guest during my blog coaching class, during which she did one of her first live Facebook videos -- which was accidentally sideways! She's come a long way since then and is now a Facebook live queen and cookbook author! [14:34] - Lisa talks about her family and her journey through learning to cook from scratch and how she didn't even know how to cook when she got married. [17:19] - I ask Lisa to share some of her best strategies for menu-planning and cooking from scratch when her schedule is packed. [21:51] - Lisa chats about why she’s so passionate about the Instant Pot, even though she calls herself a “kitchen minimalist.” She also tells us about some of her favorite recipes from her cookbook and blog -- yum! (By the way, if you think the Instant Pot is just for cooking soup or rice or main dishes, guess again. Lisa makes cake, bread dough, yogurt and more in her Instant Pot!) [26:22] - How many Instant Pots does Lisa have, and how many did she use when making 76 recipes in just a few days for the photo shoot for her cookbook? [27:37] - Lisa shares about two books she's reading and finding insightful + she shares what's saving her life right now. Links and Resources: Spangles Kroger How to Find Great Markdowns at Kroger Point of View by Elisabeth Hasselbeck The Terminal List by Jack Carr Family Meals from Scratch in Your Instant Pot by Lisa Burns This Pilgrim Life This Pilgrim Life on Facebook This Pilgrim Life on Pinterest This Pilgrim Life on Instagram Kitchen Staples on This Pilgrim Life Instant Pot Shepherd’s Pie on This Pilgrim Life Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore on This Pilgrim Life Instant Pot Meatloaf Family Dinner on This Pilgrim Life Creamiest Instant Pot Ranch Mac’n’Cheese on This Pilgrim Life The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile Educated by Tara Westover Crystal’s Favorite Things on Amazon CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com Crystal’s Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

Last week, Jesse and I were supposed to record an episode telling more of our story, but he had to go out of town unexpectedly and was gone for almost the whole week. In this episode, we share more about that, why we don't function very well when he's gone, but why I'm happy he was able to make the trip. We also talk about books we're reading (my book was one I almost didn't share about!), my new non-coffee healthy "mocha" I've been drinking in the mornings, and a special offer on my course, 15 Days to a Healthier You. A question we have gotten asked over and over again in recent years -- and especially since we started sharing our story on the podcast! -- is, "Why did you move to Nashville?" In this episode, we share what challenges led up to us considering moving to Nashville and why we ended up making the move.  When I first started this podcast, I thought Jesse and I would just do one episode sharing part of our story. I never envisioned we'd spend 8 whole episodes on our story!! But it has been so good for us to take the time to recount our 16 years of marriage and share the highs and lows of our journey. Thank you for listening in, sending such kind emails, and encouraging us to take the time to share our story. Your willingness to show up, show interest, and listen in has been a gift to us! And now we can finally start doing topical episodes together! We're excited to dive into some of the topics you all have written in and suggested! In This Episode: [02:58] - I'm so happy Jesse is back home! He shares why he went out of town, why he was grateful he got to go, and I share how I have so much respect for all the single parents and parents who are often flying solo! [04:37] - Jesse got some great reading in while he was traveling and he has a book update for us! [06:18] - I chat about a book I finished last week -- which I almost didn't talk about because of the crass language. But I found it so fascinating that I had to share. [08:37] - My current drink (and what’s saving my life!) is a mix of Dandy Blend and Morning Motivator. [12:21] - If you’re ready to live a healthier life, check out my 15 Days to a Healthier You course! It’s half off during the month of April, so this is the perfect time to get started. [13:01] - Jesse and I recap where we left off in our story the last time that we talked about it on the show. [15:14] - We started asking for help and bringing on some business and personal help, which made such a difference. [17:15] - I talk about how much MoneySavingMom.com exploded during this period, as well as a specific opportunity that gave us enough money to start looking at houses. [20:13] - It was so thrilling to finally be able to buy a house with cash... and we thought it was going to be our "forever home." [21:52] - But then, we began to take a hard look at our lifestyle and what we had worked so hard for. Was this what we really wanted? [25:22] - Jesse was feeling antsy, burnt out, and exhausted and we knew it was time for a change. So we began praying about what that would look like. And Tennessee just kept coming to our minds. [30:26] - It felt crazy, but we decided to take an 18-month leap of faith and try relocating to Tennessee and renting a house. To play it "safe", we didn't sell our house in Kansas so that we could easily move back if we decided that Tennessee wasn't a good fit. Well, that was five years ago. And we are so grateful to be here... even on the days when it's been a challenge and we've missed Kansas and our extended family. We know this is where we're supposed to be. Links and Resources: Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard Troublemaker by Leah Remini Dandy Blend Morning Motivator How to Earn Free Gift Cards with Swagbucks 15 Days to a Healthier You Say Goodbye to Survival Mode by Crystal Paine Crystal’s Favorite Things on Amazon CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com Crystal’s Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

We’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about the Enneagram recently, so I thought it was high time we devote part of an interview to explaining what it is and why it can make such a difference to understand. Truly, understanding the Enneagram has changed so much of my perspective on life and has improved my relationships, my compassion toward others, and has helped me to embrace the way that I am wired and see it as a gift, instead of something to be embarrassed about. My friend and virtual assistant, Leigh Kramer, is joining me to share more because she’s passionate about the Enneagram and she has helped me to process through what my number is and why it matters. Leigh will explain each of the nine Enneagram types, as well as how to figure out what yours is (and why taking online tests isn’t the best way) and how this knowledge can help you become a healthier person. In This Episode: [00:25] – I just got back home from helping out at a 7th and 8th grade camp in Kentucky… where I shared a cabin with 20 other girls/women and we had a cereal party, karaoke, and even glow-in-the-dark dodgeball. [03:37] – My kids have testing this week so they wanted me to make homemade energy bites. We love these so much! [05:06] – I have a confession to make: I didn’t read a single book last week. Can you believe it? But I share an app/site that’s been helping me stay more motivated to read (which might sound funny since I didn’t finish any books last week! But listen in for more details!) [09:08] – Ready for better mornings? Try my free 5 Days to a Better Morning Challenge! [09:56] – I’m excited to have Leigh Kramer joining me today for a conversation about the Enneagram! [12:47] – How did Leigh first discover the Enneagram system, and why is she so passionate about it? [14:57] – For listeners who are new to the Enneagram, Leigh explains more of the history of the Enneagram and what each of the nine types are. [18:35] – One of the things I love most about understanding the Enneagram is that it gives you a path to being more emotionally healthy as a person. [19:59] – What’s the best way to determine what enneagram type you are? Leigh talks about why online tests often give inaccurate results and what she recommends instead of taking a test. [23:16] – Leigh is one of the most voracious readers I know. She shares why she reads so much plus two books she’s finished and loved recently. She also shares something that’s saving her life right now: the perfect mugs! [28:04] – Ready for today’s Q&A segment? It’s all about setting goals, specifically whether Jesse also does monthly goals (like I do). [33:31] – If you need practical help with setting goals, check out our Make Over Your Year course. [34:24] – Do you have a question of your own? Or feedback or suggestions? Email Crystal at crystal@moneysavingmom.com! Links and Resources: Homemade Energy Bites Goodreads 5 Days to a Better Morning Challenge Leigh Kramer A Storied Life — Leigh’s novel All Things Enneagram on Leigh Kramer’s site The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective by Richard Rohr The Enneagram Institute The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile The Wisdom of the Enneagram by Don Richard Riso and Ross Hudson The Complete Enneagram by Beatrice Chestnut The Hollow of Fear by Sherry Thomas Lothaire by Kresley Cole Pen & Paint mugs Make Over Your Year course Crystal’s Goals for 2019: March Update Crystal’s Favorite Things on Amazon CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com Crystal’s Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

Want to know the secret to a happier marriage? Tune in to this podcast episode with Audrey & Jeremy Roloff. We loved having Audrey & Jeremy Roloff into our home last week to record this join episode of the podcast. As I talk about on the show, I actually didn't know who Audrey & Jeremy were until their publicist reached out to me a few months ago and asked if she could send me their brand-new book, Love Letter Life. I Googled their names (yes, I did!) and discovered that they are well known for being on the hit TV show Little People, Big World (which follows Jeremy's family -- and which he grew up being part of). I said that the publicist could send me the book, but I didn't expect all that much from it and wasn't planning to ask them to be on my show (as I'm super picky about who I will invite on the show and only invite people whose work/life has impacted me in a deep way.) But then, the publicist sent the book, I read it, and I truly found it very valuable. In addition, I just loved their beautiful love story, their honesty, and how well-written the book was (in fact, I wondered if they had a ghost writer for it, but Audrey told me when she was at our house that they didn't!) So we invited them to come record a podcast interview. I didn't know if it was going to work out, but not only did it work out for Audrey to come, to my delight, Jeremy was able to jump in and join her at the last minute! We got to eat lunch with them and record a podcast interview and they were truly the nicest, most gracious, most genuine people. I wished we could have had hours more with them because we loved having them at our house and getting to know them a little bit! I think you'll love hearing some of their story, finding out one of the most important things Audrey's mom did every day that impacted her life so much growing up, hearing more about what it was like to have their wedding on TV, learning their secrets for embracing their differences (it might surprise you!), and having them share more about the six questions they ask each other every week. In This Episode: [00:25] - We had an unexpected expense this past week -- but it actually turned out to be a big blessing in disguise because it means we finally have hot water after a year of not having much hot water. [03:45] - My book for this week is another audiobook and, while I didn't agree with all of it, I think it's a one that was really valuable. [05:27] - Jesse shares about a podcast he recently started listening to that he's been loving. (Spoiler alert: Each episode is around 3 hours long!!) [08:21] - I talk about a trick I employ to help me eat more healthfully at lunch time. [10:47] - Today’s podcast guests are Audrey and Jeremy Roloff, who are the authors of the brand-new book A Love Letter Life. [12:20] - Jeremy shares a little bit about the show they were a part of, Little People, Big World and why they decided to not be on the show any more and what they are doing now. [15:35] - What were some of the hardest struggles Audrey and Jeremy experienced while dating and engaged? [18:59] - Audrey shares one thing her mom did every single day when she was a teenager. This inspired me so much -- and I think all parents don't want to miss this! [21:26] - I ask whether their personality types tend to clash or complement each other and Audrey says some profound things about how our perspective [24:32] - Jeremy and Audrey have a weekly meeting every single week where they ask the same six questions. I loved hearing more about this practice and how it has impacted their life and communication in a very profound way. [27:19] - Did Audrey and Jeremy come up with this weekly meeting idea themselves? They answer, then explain that listeners can join in on the habit by getting a copy of The Marriage Journal at this link. [29:14] - This week, we have two questions of the week! First, Jesse answers a question about what his personality type is. [33:08] - The next question is about our kids’ personality types, and whether we have any advice for figuring them out. Links and Resources: Option B by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant Modern Mrs. Darcy Joe Rogan Experience #1196 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. Joe Rogan’s podcast 10 Days of Salads on Money Saving Mom Easy Bread Machine Cinnamon Rolls Recipe on Money Saving Mom Jeremy Roloff on Twitter Jeremy Roloff on Instagram Jeremy Roloff on Facebook Audrey Roloff on Twitter Audrey Roloff on Instagram Audrey Roloff on Facebook A Love Letter Life by Jeremy Roloff and Audrey Roloff A Love Letter Life Beating 50 Percent Behind the Scenes podcast by Jeremy & Audrey Roloff Little People, Big World Always More (Audrey’s clothing line) The Enneagram The Sacred Enneagram by Christopher L. Heuretz The Marriage Journal by Audrey and Jeremy Roloff The Crystal Paine Show episode 26: How Myers-Briggs Saved My Marriage (with Meg Tietz) Myers-Briggs Type Indicator 16 Personalities My Favorite Things on Amazon CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

I am super excited to bring you this week’s episode of the podcast… but I have to be honest and tell you that recording this episode was one I was pretty nervous about. You see, unlike most of my other guests, I didn’t have any relationship with Cal Newport. I didn’t know anyone who knew him. I didn’t know his publisher. And I’d never connected with him on social media (because, as we’ll talk about on the show, he doesn’t have social media!) When I read his book, Deep Work, at the beginning of 2019, I knew immediately that I wanted to try to have him on the podcast. But since I had read his book and knew how carefully he guards his time and commitments, I figured it would be a long shot for him to even consider coming on my little show. However, I decided to get brave and send him a compelling email pitching him the opportunity to come on my show. What’s the worst that could happen? He could not answer or he could respond and say no. To my surprise, not only did I get an email back, but I got an email back with a YES! I was ecstatic and excited and quite nervous to do the interview! But I’m really, really happy with how it turned out (and I don’t even think you can tell I was nervous!) I loved the insights Cal shared in this episode! We talked about: What Deep Work can look like for us in our everyday lives (including some special insight for busy moms!) His thoughts on why he doesn’t use social media (which I find fascinating!) How we can make technology serve us well and enrich our lives Why technology might be hurting our kids and what practically we can do about it. It’s a really important conversation and I highly encourage you to find 30 minutes sometime in the next few days to listen in. (My water tumbler that I talk about on the show.) In This Episode: [02:53] – This week, we talk about water tumblers, drinking a gallon of water per day, and inflammatory issues (it sounds like we’re getting old!) in the What’s Saving My Life segment. [06:55] – My book pick is one that I actually recently re-read (I rarely read books more than once, so you know I really liked it!) and recommend the book, the audiobook, AND the movie! [09:35] – Did you know you can earn cash back for shopping online? I’ll tell you how! [10:28] – I introduce today’s guest, Cal Newport and ask Cal to define the difference between Deep Work and Shallow Work. He then talks about how busy women and moms can find time for deep work. [13:16] – We hear an example of what deep work looks like in practical terms for an everyday woman. [15:15] – Cal has never had a social media account. He explains his reasoning behind this choice. It’s pretty fascinating! [18:36] – I ask Cal to share some advice for people like me who don’t ever plan to give up social media but who also find the idea of being a digital minimalistappealing. [23:08] – We talk about how to raise kids with a healthy view of technology and social media and I share a recent example of a choice we made with our oldest and how that played out in a surprising way! [26:41] – The question of the week is this: “What’s your easiest tip for saving money?” I talk about saving money on groceries. Jesse talks about goal setting and saving for bigger purchases. And we both discuss budgeting. [30:54] – Speaking of questions, if you have one you’d like us to answer, email me at crystal@moneysavingmom.com! (Also feel free to get in touch if you have suggestions, thoughts, or comments. I love hearing from you about the podcast!) Links and Resources: Cal Newport Deep Work by Cal Newport Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport Contigo water tumbler How I Drink a Gallon of Water Every Day Turmeric Curcumin with Bioperine Joint Pain Relief The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer How I Listen to Audiobooks for Free (info on the Libby app) The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (movie) My post on How to Make Money With Ebates My Favorite Things on Amazon CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com How to Listen to The Crystal Paine Show The podcast is available on iTunes, Android, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can listen online through the direct player we’ll include in the show notes of each episode. OR, a much easier way to listen is by subscribing to the podcast through a free podcast app on your phone. (Find instructions for how to subscribe to a podcast here.) Ready to dive in and listen? Hit the player above or search for “The Crystal Paine Show” on your favorite podcast app. Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

I have some big news about a change for the podcast! Jesse is officially my new co-host on The Crystal Paine Show! I've gotten such great feedback every time he’s been on the show and we have had so much fun recording together, so I'm excited to have him joining me on every episode! Today's guest is Meg Tietz is the host of the beloved Sorta Awesome podcast. Meg is really passionate about the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and I'm thrilled she agreed to come on the show and share her wisdom on this topic. Whether you’re a personality type junkie or have no idea what the letters in ENFP or INTJ mean, you’ll definitely come away from this episode with some valuable insights on how understanding our personalities and the personalities of those closest to us can change our relationships and our outlook on look. In This Episode: [01:51] - Jesse chats about the trip that he just got back from, and I explain that the house actually didn’t fall apart while he was gone (unlike some of the past trips he's taken!). [04:30] - I took off a little over 24 hours after Jesse got back for a sisters’ trip to New York City.  [06:06] - We chat about an app I recently discovered that is fascinating us and sort of saving both of our lives. [08:48] - Jesse shares a book update, because he surprised me by having read quite a bit since our last podcast.  [10:05] - My book of the week is one I started last year (which Jesse has fun teasing me about!): Everybody, Always by Bob Goff. [13:03] - Through the end of March, you can get our Make Over Your Year course for 50% off! [15:18] - Meg Tiets of the Sorta Awesome podcast is today’s fantastic guest! [16:52] - We hear about how Meg discovered the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and why it’s so important to her. [20:12] - Meg gives a very helpful overview of the Myers-Briggs system for listeners who aren’t familiar with it. [22:26] - What are Meg’s thoughts on ambiverts? Is it possible to not be a true introvert or extrovert? [23:22] - We discuss intuition vs. sensing and how it has impacted our marriages in practical ways. [25:38] - Are you a feeler or a perceiver? Meg explains how this plays out in her marriage and I talk about our marriage, too. [27:24] - And finally, are you person who prefers to explore all the possibilities or a quick-to-make-a-decision person? [29:07] - For a listener who wants to find out their type, Meg shares a website she recommends where you can go to take a test to determine your type. [31:21] - We change gears, with Meg talking about the two books she's reading right now and how she's going back to her crunchy roots. [34:59] - Jesse joins me to answer a listener question on how we encourage/enforce budgeting with our kids and whether we give them an allowance or not. Links and Resources: My Hormonology Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly Libby app Everybody, Always by Bob Goff Meg Tietz on Instagram Megan Tietz on Twitter Sorta Awesome Show Myers-Briggs Type Indicator 16 Personalities Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid The Complete Enneagram: 27 Paths to Greater Self-Knowledge by Beatrice Chestnut Diffusers that Meg recommends: Desert Mist from Young Living and Plant Therapy NovaFuse My Favorite Things on Amazon CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com How to Listen to The Crystal Paine Show The podcast is available on iTunes, Android, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can listen online through the direct player we’ll include in the show notes of each episode. OR, a much easier way to listen is by subscribing to the podcast through a free podcast app on your phone. (Find instructions for how to subscribe to a podcast here.) Ready to dive in and listen? Hit the player above or search for “The Crystal Paine Show” on your favorite podcast app. Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

After last time Jesse was on my podcast, I got a request from a listener asking if he could do more of the talking on the episodes he’s on. He's actually quite a talker when he feels comfortable in situations (and can give me a run for my money when it comes to talking!), so I loved this request because I think it encouraged him to know that you all enjoy what he has to share and he doesn't have to feel like he needs to hold back. So I'm excited that you'll be hearing more from him in this episode -- and in future episodes! I asked him if he wanted to share his own “what’s saving my life” suggestion and he brought a great resource this week and it's something that has helped him spend less time on his phone. We talk about that and about an app I've been using that has been so helpful for me, too.  We also talk about the books we've been reading and then we dive into another episode about our story. This time around, we pick up where we had just moved back to Wichita and he started his law firm. We share some of the pretty cool things that happened to help his law firm get off the ground, we talk about how my sister basically saved us when we had to move and I was middle of morning sickness, we share about our awful flea-infested house, the joys and stresses of that season, Tune in to hear more about Jesse’s law practice, the move we made during this time (while I was pregnant!), the terrible flea infestation that we had to deal with, and how I pushed way too hard and ended up wrecking my health. In This Episode: [02:12] - Ready to hear what’s saving our lives this week? In keeping with the request from a listener, Jesse and I both share today! [05:35] - Jesse talks in-depth about using the Full Focus Planner and I share why I decided it wouldn't work for me. [07:15] - I share about an app I have been using that has been working surprisingly well for me -- and saving us money! [11:07] - What do you know?? Jesse finished a book and has started another one! We talk about what both of us have been reading. [14:47] - Jesse and I chat more about moving back to Wichita and why Jesse made the decision to start his own law firm. [17:13] - An attorney who had recently become a judge had to quit his practice and completely floored us by handing over his phone number and ads to Jesse, which opened some big doors for us and became the bread and butter for beginning his business. [18:38] - Moving back to Wichita was quite the adventure! We laugh about how we always seem to move when I was in the middle of morning sickness. It was only thanks to my sister's help that we managed to pull off moving this time around. [22:13] - And then we discovered that the duplex we were going to move into was infested with fleas!! Despite the fleas, we were excited to move back and be close to family.  [25:16] - However, I was afraid of going back to barely surviving again that I pushed way too hard when it came to my work hours. In fact, when Silas was born, I didn't take really any time off to recover. All this "pushing through" hurt my health for years to come and I look back and wish I would have made different choices. [28:22] - God used this breaking down of my body to really strip me of the last vestiges of my self-sufficient legalism and I look back and am grateful that I couldn't do it all myself... because I had to really learn to rely on the Lord and to ask for help. Links and Resources: Crystal's Eat at Home Challenge Full Focus Planner Crystal's post on How She Plans Her Days Without Using a Planner More details on how Crystal uses Google Calendar to plan her days MileIQ Mileage Tracking App Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly Etched in Sand by Regina Calcaterra My Favorite Things on Amazon CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com  

When Jesse and I got married, I tried so hard to fix him. I saw all of his shortcomings, and I wanted to help him be better. Surprise surprise, this caused a lot of tension. It took a while for me to realize that my job was to focus on myself (and there’s plenty of work to do there) rather than try to change or “fix” other people. This idea goes for our kids, too! In today's episode of The Crystal Paine Show, I'm talking with Jami Amerine about how easy it is to try to fix our kids and how ineffective and stressful this is as a parent. Just recently, one of my kids was really frustrated over their grades. While I was trying to ask them questions to figure out the source of their frustration, they blurted out, “But I NEED to get all A’s!” I stopped and quietly looked them in the eye and said, “Who put that on you?” As in, where did the feeling that you need to get all A’s originate from? Is that something someone else is making you feel like you have to achieve? When I talked more with this child, they admitted that it wasn’t us or their siblings or a friend or a teacher; it was their own self. They felt like they weren’t measuring up to a standard they had set for themselves if they didn’t get all A’s. Mamas, I think most of us have done the same. We’ve created a standard of perfection we feel we must achieve to be a great parent or have a great kid. And if we’re not hitting that self-made standard, we are failing. But, who put that on you?? While we might sometimes feel like there is pressure from outside sources, in most cases, it’s something we’ve put on ourselves. And here’s what I want to gently say to you: “You don’t need to carry that any more.” Lay it down. Let it go. The sooner you stop trying to live up to an impossible standard, the sooner you’ll start experiencing deep joy and fulfillment in being okay with right where you are. As I told my child, “So long as you are doing your best, that’s all that matters.” If you are struggling with parenting or need some encouragement as a mom, you do want to miss today's episode on the secret to being a more peaceful parent (it will likely surprise you!), the importance of raising your kids to be who they are instead of who we think they should be, and how to love a difficult child. In This Episode: [03:26] - What's saving my life this week is my very favorite Apple battery case. I'm constantly asked about this when I'm with people and I am always singing the praises of it! [05:21] - My book pick of the week is an oldie but a goodie: Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay. [09:50] - Today’s guest was actually recommended by a podcast listener and I'm so grateful this listener took the time to write in and recommend Jami Amerine's book. [11:56] - I ask Jami about her early years of parenting and how she struggled with perfectionism. She shares honestly about the lessons she learned from this. [15:17] - How was Jami able to let go of trying to do everything perfectly? She expresses so much wisdom for all of us -- but especially for those who still have younger kids. [19:04] - I was intrigued by the subtitle of Jami's book and she tells the story behind it and how it wasn't what she picked... but how we both think it fits so well.  [23:20] - What is Jami reading right now? I love her outside-the-box answer! [24:44] - And then she shares how she's giving up sugar (and also gives us a little teaser about her next book that she's writing... that I want to read ASAP!) [27:58] - Today’s listener question is about emotionally adjusting to the reality of giving up being a stay-at-home mom for a new lifestyle. Links and Resources: You Need a Budget (this episode’s amazing sponsor!) Jami Amerine Jami Amerine on Facebook Jami Amerine on Twitter Jami Amerine on Instagram Sacred Ground, Sticky Floors by Jami Amerine Stolen Jesus by Jami Amerine My Favorite Things on Amazon CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com   Sponsor Spotlight This episode is sponsored by YouNeedaBudget.com — the budgeting software we have personally used for the past two years and absolutely love. We were introduced to this budgeting software by my brother-in-law, Justin, a few years ago. He and my husband, Jesse, are both what I would lovingly refer to as “nerds”. You know the kind of people… those people who think spreadsheets are fun. And who geek out over features in Excel. Yup, those kinds of people. You might as well poke my eyeballs out with a hot iron rod than get to me be giddy over creating spreadsheets. But nevertheless, I love Spreadsheet Nerds because they help keep people like me in line and on track!  Anyway, it was around Christmas time and Justin started telling Jesse about YouNeedaBudget — what we call YNAB for short. Jesse and I had both heard of this software before, but we had been using Quicken for so long that we’d not considered changing to anything else. Well, when Jesse saw the features of YNAB, he was intrigued enough to sign up for the free trial. And it was pretty much love at first sight. Truthfully, I can’t even begin to tell you how often I’ve heard him exclaiming to me, to friends, or just to himself something about, “How cool and helpful YNAB is!” I’m such a pen and paper and cash girl, but after all his raving reviews, I finally gave in and downloaded it on my phone and had him show me how it works. It’s really, really impressive. I love how we can see exactly how we’re doing in every budget in just one glance. And since we have multiple budgets for our businesses and personal, it allows us to track them all in one app. Which is so handy! They usually only offer a 30-day trial, but they are giving you all a FREE 60-day trial so you can really get a feel for it and see how well it works.  Go here to sign up for your FREE 60-Day YNAB trial. Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

I was kind of giddy about doing today’s interview… because I had listened to Melissa Radke’s audiobook, Eat Cake, Be Brave, and had fallen in love with her hilarious, tell-it-like-it-is honesty and couldn’t wait to get to talk to her in person (well, it was actually over Skype, but that was a big step up from just listening to her on audiobook!) In our conversation, we dig deep into bravery, forgiveness, and rising about negativity. As Melissa explains, bravery doesn’t always mean jumping out of a plane, scaling Everest, or not feeling fear or nervousness in your everyday life. Instead, being brave means to just keep showing up, even when things get hard. And she definitely understands things being hard! She’s gone through a lot of disappointment, hurt, loss, and heartache in her life. But she hasn’t let those hold her back from continuing to show up. You won’t want to miss this powerful episode with a truly incredible guest. If you’ve been struggling with forgiveness, fear, anxiety, insecurity, and trying to be brave (and don’t we all struggle with those things sometimes?), I think Melissa’s wisdom will truly touch you deeply and offer you practical encouragement and inspiration on how to move forward. In This Episode: [01:57] – I talk about what’s saving my life this week: how I’m making time for reading. Listen in for my tips on how I’m typically fitting in 30-60 minutes of reading every day. Hopefully it will give you some ideas on how you, too, can fit in more reading time!  [04:16] – This parenting book is one I can’t stop talking about — and truly loved! [07:46] – I think you are going to LOVE today’s guest, Melissa Radke! She is hilarious but is also such a truth-teller. [11:14] – Melissa talks about bravery, how she’s facing her fears right now, and how she still struggles with being brave. She lets us in on what bravery looks like for her and the hard-won lessons she’s learned on how to be brave. [14:18] – One of the parts of the book that was deeply moving to me was when Melissa shares about forgiving the woman who had an emotional affair with her husband. This woman also happened to be her very best friend. She shares openly about what this was like to walk through this — and to write about it in the book. [19:25] – Melissa offers powerful words to women who are struggling to hold onto their dreams and goals despite critical words being directed at them. [23:50] – We change gears to a much more lighthearted tone and talk about a book Melissa is reading that she assumed many other guests have talked about. (Surprise! No one has!) [24:34] – And then we talk about bacon and air fryers… and you just might need to order one after you hear this part of the podcast!  [27:04] – Today’s Q&A question comes from Jeanette, who wants to know how to get teens to keep their room clean. I give some caveats before I share my thoughts on this!  Links and Resources: You Need a Budget (this episode’s amazing sponsor!) Melissa Radke Melissa Radke on Facebook @msmelissaradke on Twitter Melissa Radke on YouTube Eat Cake. Be Brave. by Melissa Radke Only Love Today by Rachel Macy Stafford Libby app 40 Books I Plan to Read in 2019 by Crystal Paine Becoming by Michelle Obama My Favorite Things on Amazon CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com Sponsor Spotlight This episode is sponsored by YouNeedaBudget.com — the budgeting software we have personally used for the past two years and absolutely love. We were introduced to this budgeting software by my brother-in-law, Justin, a few years ago. He and my husband, Jesse, are both what I would lovingly refer to as “nerds”. You know the kind of people… those people who think spreadsheets are fun. And who geek out over features in Excel. Yup, those kinds of people. You might as well poke my eyeballs out with a hot iron rod than get to me be giddy over creating spreadsheets. But nevertheless, I love Spreadsheet Nerds because they help keep people like me in line and on track!  Anyway, it was around Christmas time and Justin started telling Jesse about YouNeedaBudget — what we call YNAB for short. Jesse and I had both heard of this software before, but we had been using Quicken for so long that we’d not considered changing to anything else. Well, when Jesse saw the features of YNAB, he was intrigued enough to sign up for the free trial. And it was pretty much love at first sight. Truthfully, I can’t even begin to tell you how often I’ve heard him exclaiming to me, to friends, or just to himself something about, “How cool and helpful YNAB is!” I’m such a pen and paper and cash girl, but after all his raving reviews, I finally gave in and downloaded it on my phone and had him show me how it works. It’s really, really impressive. I love how we can see exactly how we’re doing in every budget in just one glance. And since we have multiple budgets for our businesses and personal, it allows us to track them all in one app. Which is so handy! They usually only offer a 30-day trial, but they are giving you all a FREE 60-day trial so you can really get a feel for it and see how well it works.  Go here to sign up for your FREE 60-Day YNAB trial. Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

Thanks to popular demand, Jesse is back on today's episode! And this time, he’s joining me for the entire episode. We didn't really plan it... he was just sitting across from me when I went live and his mic was turned on. As you'll hear... he jumped right in! ;) We disagree about the weather, we talk about our new shower filter and how it's made such a difference in our lives, and I ask Jesse to share about the books he's been reading. And then we pick up right where we left off in our story last time. If you remember back to our last episode, we told you about a hard place that we were in, both personally and financially. Jesse had just lost his job, our second daughter had just been born, I was suffering from postpartum depression, and our marriage was on the rocks. That’s the point where we pick up the story today. In this episode, we share about how Jesse's struggle to find a job and our desperate place of needing to pay the bills actually inspired us to do some outside-the-box things. Little did we dream that what we would experiment with and set up during that dark time in our lives would end up changing the entire trajectory of our lives. In fact, there is a very good chance I wouldn't have this podcast or run MoneySavingMom.com or be living in TN or have the opportunity to help and impact millions around the world or have the wonderful friendships here we do if it weren't for that dark season of our lives. You never know what how God might use a really difficult season in your life to prepare you for something bigger and greater than you could ever dream or imagine! In This Episode: [01:48] - Jesse's mic is live -- surprise! (I didn't even realize it when we went live. I thought he was just going to wait to go live until later on in the show. But nope... that's not his style if he's sitting in front of a live mic! And I loved that he got to jump in at various parts to share!) [02:24] - My hair had been looking icky ever since we moved into our new house... I finally figured out what the problem was and share in this episode the inexpensive solution we came up with! [06:39] - I asked Jesse to share what he's reading right now. And we explain why I don't ask him this question every month, unlike my other guests. I love how honest he is and how we are so different when it comes to books and reading. [08:11] - Jesse and I talk about why we love You Need a Budget, this episode’s amazing sponsor, and Jesse shares more about how it works for him. [11:09] - We recount the time in our lives when Jesse was unemployed and I ask Jesse to share more how it was for him to walk through that dark time. [16:05] - I share about how that time in our lives propelled me to start MoneySavingMom.com -- and how I envisioned it was just going to be this little extra thing I did on the side. [18:02] - Jesse got a contract position at a big law firm right around the time I started MoneySavingMom.com and he shares more about that and how he grew so much from the various audiobooks and podcasts he listened to while doing pretty mindless document review at the law firm. [18:56] - MoneySavingMom.com took off from the get-go and far exceeded our wildest expectations. Within a year, we were making a full-time income from it.  [22:34] - Jesse and I open up about how so many people expected us to buy a house right out of law school and how people thought we were kind of nuts to keep renting. But we look back and are so glad that we did. [25:15:] - We share more about our crazy goal to pay cash for a house in 5 years and how this motivated us to continue to live as frugally as possible.  [26:08] - In hindsight, we can see so clearly how God used that difficult year to humble us, shape us, strengthen our marriage, and teach us to dream bigger. And to lead us on this journey we never anticipated... we'll share more about that in our next episode! Links and Resources: You Need a Budget (this episode’s amazing sponsor!) AquaBliss High Output 12-Stage Shower Filter This $33 Shower Filter Changed My Hair The Dichotomy of Leadership by Leif Babin and Jocko Willink The Crystal Paine Show Episode 17: The Hardest Year of Our Marriage (with Jesse Paine) Dave Ramsey My Favorite Things on Amazon CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com How to Listen to The Crystal Paine Show The podcast is available on iTunes, Android, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can listen online through the direct player we’ll include in the show notes of each episode. OR, a much easier way to listen is by subscribing to the podcast through a free podcast app on your phone. (Find instructions for how to subscribe to a podcast here.) Ready to dive in and listen? Hit the player above or search for “The Crystal Paine Show” on your favorite podcast app. Sponsor Spotlight This episode is sponsored by YouNeedaBudget.com — the budgeting software we have personally used for the past two years and absolutely love. We were introduced to this budgeting software by my brother-in-law, Justin, a few years ago. He and my husband, Jesse, are both what I would lovingly refer to as “nerds”. You know the kind of people… those people who think spreadsheets are fun. And who geek out over features in Excel. Yup, those kinds of people. You might as well poke my eyeballs out with a hot iron rod than get to me be giddy over creating spreadsheets. But nevertheless, I love Spreadsheet Nerds because they help keep people like me in line and on track!  Anyway, it was around Christmas time and Justin started telling Jesse about YouNeedaBudget — what we call YNAB for short. Jesse and I had both heard of this software before, but we had been using Quicken for so long that we’d not considered changing to anything else. Well, when Jesse saw the features of YNAB, he was intrigued enough to sign up for the free trial. And it was pretty much love at first sight. Truthfully, I can’t even begin to tell you how often I’ve heard him exclaiming to me, to friends, or just to himself something about, “How cool and helpful YNAB is!” I’m such a pen and paper and cash girl, but after all his raving reviews, I finally gave in and downloaded it on my phone and had him show me how it works. It’s really, really impressive. I love how we can see exactly how we’re doing in every budget in just one glance. And since we have multiple budgets for our businesses and personal, it allows us to track them all in one app. Which is so handy! They usually only offer a 30-day trial, but they are giving you all a FREE 60-day trial so you can really get a feel for it and see how well it works.  Go here to sign up for your FREE 60-Day YNAB trial. Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

Well, y’all, after 19 podcast episodes, I’m finally feeling like I’m starting to get my feet underneath me and feel more comfortable with this whole podcasting. So, even though it scared me a lot, this is the first episode where I didn’t plan out every word I was going to say. That’s a big deal for me as one of my big goals for this year is to be as comfortable on the podcast as I am on live video… but I keep reminding myself that it took at least 30-50 live videos before I started feeling confident. So I know it will take time with the podcast, too. (In full disclosure, it’s good for my pride for me to put out episodes that aren’t at the level of excellence I’d love for them to be because I’m still finding my groove when it comes to doing pre-recorded audio — which is SO different to me than live video! And every time someone writes in about how they don’t like the podcast because they can tell I’m uncomfortable, it’s a good reminder for me to keep persevering and practicing and getting better!) So I’m celebrating that I took tiny baby steps with this episode and didn’t rely on word-for-word notes as a security blanket! And I hope that someday soon, I’ll be able to record episodes with just a rough outline. Thanks for being on this learning and growing journey with me. Your encouragement and support has blessed me more than you know! In this episode, I invited one of my very favorite podcasters — Emily P. Freeman— to join me for a conversation about decision-making. We talk about the best antidote for procrastination, how to know what your next right thing is, and why sometimes now is not the best time to jump into an idea you have. I also ask Emily about her Theme Days and how this practice works out in her life and how it has helped her be a lot more focused and productive. By the way, Emily’s podcast (that I adore!) is called The Next Right Thing… and her brand-new book with the same title comes out in April. You can pre-order it here. You’ll want to tune in to this episode where Emily shares the story of how her amazing podcast was actually originally a book idea. She started working on the book and then realized it wasn’t supposed to be a book; it was supposed to be a podcast. But then, after a number of months of podcasting, she felt it was supposed to be book, too.  I love how Emily is so honest in sharing her struggles with decision-making and what she has learned in her own life — even in podcasting and writing a book about decision-making! In This Episode: [01:12] – I gave up coffee a few years ago. I know, can you believe it? I share why I gave it up and what I’m drinking instead. [05:38] – My book of the week is one that I listened to and one that I wanted to jump up and shout “preach it!” multiple times while I was listening to it! (And I’m not a charismatic person; this book was just THAT good!) [09:20] – Emily Freeman has deeply inspired me through her writings and her podcast, and I’m so honored that she was willing to do an interview with me for this episode. [11:30] – The Next Right Thing, Emily’s podcast, was originally a book idea. I ask her how long of a process was it for her to decide to turn her idea into a podcast instead of a book? When did she know for sure that it wasn’t supposed to be a book? [14:53] – Struggling with decision-making? Emily shares some strategies for someone who needs to figure out what the next right thing is. [17:57] – Emily makes a powerful point that many people would rather make a decision (even a bad one) than live with the uncertainty of not deciding. [20:36] – Recently, Emily talked about how she structures her week with Theme Days. I asked her to share more about this in detail. [25:48] – For today’s Q&A segment, I answer a question from a listener about how I got off my allergy medications (and other medications/supplements I was taking for acne and anxiety!). Links and Resources: You Need a Budget (this episode’s amazing sponsor!) Emily Freeman Emily Freeman on Facebook Emily Freeman on Instagram Emily Freeman on Twitter The Next Right Thing My Favorite Decaf Teas to Drink Tiesta Tea Relaxer: Cocoa Mint Chill Stash Decaf Vanilla Nut Cream Stash Chai Spice Decaf Rooibos tea Celestial Seasonings Roastaroma My Decaf Chai Latte recipe Eat Cake, Be Brave by Melissa Radke Libby app Seth Godin Surprise the World by Michael Frost The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton NeilMed Sinus Rinse Bottle My Favorite Things on Amazon CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

Now that it’s February, the excitement of the new year has probably started to fade for you. And it’s around this time of the year that it can begin to feel like you just want to give up on your goals for 2019. This episode might be just the shot in the arm you need to get back on track! I’m chatting with Tiffany King from Eat At Home Cooks — a woman who has made it her mission to help busy women spend less time and effort in the kitchen and more time as a family. She’s joining me today for us to talk about menu planning, cooking, and tips and tricks for busy families. Tune in to learn about why eating together as a family has been so impactful for Tiffany and her family (even though she readily admits it’s been a struggle at times — especially when her kids were young!). We’ll talk about how to stop over-complicating dinner, why it’s okay to have super simple dinners (and we’ll give you some ideas for what might work for your family), and how to deal with trying to juggle multiple schedules and evening activities as your kids get older! By the way, if you’d like more help, I have put together a free Eat at Home Challenge. I’ll send you a one-week grocery list + menu plan + a quick and easy crockpot recipe for each day and lots of money-saving and time-saving tips and suggestions. Plus, you’ll get access to a private Facebook Group to give you more accountability. Go here to sign up for this free resource! In This Episode: [01:40] – This week, what’s saving my life is my very favorite magnesium. I share why I take it, how much I take, when I take it, and how it’s helped me sleep better and be healthier. [03:41] – I finally picked my top reads from 2018 (better late than never, eh?) I tell you about them on this episode! [06:52] – This episode’s amazing sponsor is You Need a Budget. We’ve personally used this software for years and love it! [09:30] – Having a plan for dinner (and having it already made) is one of the best ways I’ve found to reduce chaos in the evening and spend more time with my kids. [13:47] – If you struggle to get dinner on the table at night, you’ll be encouraged with Tiffany’s tips + you’ll be inspired to hear how eating together as a family has made such a difference in their home. [16:42] – I ask Tiffany about what to do when you have kids who have evening activities or older kids with differing schedules. She shares her go-to recipes for nights when the family needs to eat at shifts instead of all together at the same time. [18:53] – Tiffany offers advice on quick and easy meal ideas for people who feel tired and stressed out, or don’t have much time or energy. She also shares about her meal-planning system, and what gave her the inspiration to start making meal plans. [26:21] – I promised you a freebie at the beginning of this episode and here it is! I put together a week-long eat-at-home challenge based on Tiffany’s menu plans to give you a taste of what they’re like. Head to this link to sign up! [27:47] – How do you get everyone out the door on time and peacefully? I share some strategies and advice that has worked well for our family — including some words of hope for young moms! Links and Resources: Calm Gummies by Natural Vitality My Favorite Things on Amazon The Top 4 Books I Read in 2018 Mom Set Free by Jeannie Cunnion Chasing Excellence by Ben Bergeron Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Peter Scazzero Goodreads Goodreads app on Google Play Goodreads app on Apple App Store My Goodreads account You Need a Budget (this episode’s amazing sponsor!) Eat At Home Cooks Eat at Home on Facebook Eat at Home on Instagram Eat at Home Tonight Cookbook by Tiffany King No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith The FREE Eat at Home Challenge CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com Sponsor Spotlight This episode is sponsored by YouNeedaBudget.com — the budgeting software we have personally used for the past two years and absolutely love. We were introduced to this budgeting software by my brother-in-law, Justin, a few years ago. He and my husband, Jesse, are both what I would lovingly refer to as “nerds”. You know the kind of people… those people who think spreadsheets are fun. And who geek out over features in Excel. Yup, those kinds of people. You might as well poke my eyeballs out with a hot iron rod than get to me be giddy over creating spreadsheets. But nevertheless, I love Spreadsheet Nerds because they help keep people like me in line and on track!  Anyway, it was around Christmastime and Justin started telling Jesse about YouNeedaBudget — what we call YNAB for short. Jesse and I had both heard of this software before, but we had been using Quicken for so long that we’d not considered changing to anything else. Well, when Jesse saw the features of YNAB, he was intrigued enough to sign up for the free trial. And it was pretty much love at first sight. Truthfully, I can’t even begin to tell you how often I’ve heard him exclaiming to me, to friends, or just to himself something about, “How cool and helpful YNAB is!” I’m such a pen and paper and cash girl, but after all his raving reviews, I finally gave in and downloaded it on my phone and had him show me how it works. It’s really, really impressive. I love how we can see exactly how we’re doing in every budget in just one glance. And since we have multiple budgets for our businesses and personal, it allows us to track them all in one app. Which is so handy! Next week, I’ll tell you more why Jesse loves this budgeting software so much and how it has benefitted our family personally, but for now, if you’d like to check it out, YNAB is offering my listeners something special. They usually only offer a 30-day trial, but they are giving you all a FREE 60-day trial so you can really get a feel for it and see how well it works.  Go here to sign up for your FREE 60-Day YNAB trial. Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

I'm doing something I've never done on the podcast before... I'm doing an entirely interview-driven episode. I usually try to keep interviews with guests to around 15 minutes and then we devote the other 15 minutes of the podcast to other segments. But as I was prepping for this particular interview, I just had this feeling that I needed to go longer in the interview. That in order for you to really hear the story well, I needed to allow the entire 30 minutes for the interview. So that's what we did -- and I hope that this story and interview blesses you deeply. I truly believe it will. My guest today is Rachel Nielson. She and I first met when she traveled with me and a small team of blog readers to South Africa (you can read about her thoughts on our time there and see a few pictures here.) Rachel is joining me today to share her incredible story of infertility and adoption. But more than that, she's going to share how she walked through learning to love someone when it was hard to love them and how she will never regret that decision. Even if you don't struggle with infertility and even if you've never considered adoption, I believe her story will powerfully resonate with you -- and it didn't turn out like you would expect, but I think you will be inspired and challenged by her words. In This Episode: [02:05] - Rachel takes us back to the beginning of her marriage and shares her thoughts on motherhood from those days. She shares why they ended up deciding to do fertility treatments AND pursue adoption at the same time and the struggles and hard things they went through during such an emotionally taxing and physically exhausting time. [05:41] - I asked Rachel if she felt lonely during this time... and I wasn't prepared for how honest her answer would be. She talks about the deep loneliness she felt in her marriage and what helped her to walk through that (she gives some spot-on relationship advice that you don't want to miss!) [08:11] - Rachel shares really vulnerably what it was like to be in the middle of fertility treatments and she shares encouragement and some practical advice for those who are going through them. [13:37] - The story of how Noah's birth mom found Rachel and her husband and asked them to adopt Noah is pretty incredible!  [17:11] - What was it like for Rachel to be in the delivery room as her adoptive son was being born? She shares how it was a holy moment and how strong and brave Noah's birth mom was. [19:26] - Navigating an open adoption had its challenges -- especially as Noah's birth mom grieved and walked through some of her own hard times. Rachel talks about how this was a challenge to know what to do, but she ultimately decided to choose to love instead of pulling away. (If you only have a little bit of time, please listen to this part of the episode. It has convicted me so deeply!) [24:53] - Rachel shares the next steps of the story after the first few years of Noah’s birth, including an unexpected and tragic turn of events. She ends the episode sharing about how the story is still being written, but she's so grateful for the fact that her body didn't work and she wasn't able to get pregnant like she wanted, because God had something much more beautiful in store than she could have imagined! Links and Resources: 3 in 30 Podcast (with Rachel) About Rachel & 3 in 30 rachel@3in30podcast.com 3in30podcast on Instagram Real Life by Jeff Carson (“I never was the same again” song) CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com  

Jesse is joining me for another really honest episode where we share our more of our story. This time around, we dig into one of the harder seasons of our life, when Jesse was still in law school and we had just had Kathrynne, our first daughter. We talk really candidly about one of the hardest years of our marriage and how stress caused such a toll on all areas of our life -- and ended up landing me in the hospital.  At the time, it felt like our world was falling apart. But we look back and see how much good came unexpectedly from hitting rock bottom... and how never would be where we are today if it weren't for that very rough season.   We’re over halfway through January and I know this is a month where many people are thinking of setting up new routines and better systems for this coming year. If you’d love to feel less frazzled and more organized in the mornings, I put together a completely free 5-day challenge for you called 5 Days to a Better Morning. When you sign up for this challenge, I’ll send you a short email every morning with a simple project for you to complete that day to help start your day well. Each of the projects are simple but straightforward — and I can guarantee they will make a big impact. Plus, you’ll also get access to an exclusive Facebook Group with daily videos from me just for those who are going through this mini course, so we can all keep each other accountable to follow through with our daily projects. Want to join the 5 Days to a Better Mornings Challenge and start your days more successfully? Just go here to sign up. It’s free and you can start immediately after you sign up. In This Episode: [02:30] - This week, what’s saving my life is a commitment I made for 2019 that has already made such a big difference. [04:18] - The first book I read in 2019 is likely going on my Top 10 list of books read in 2019 because it was just that good. [06:08] - I was so excited to get my first checkbook and write my first check. Do you remember that thrill too? If so, check out this episode’s amazing sponsor, Checks Unlimited! [07:53] - Jesse is back! We joke about our competition to say “happy anniversary” first and talk about the year I forgot our anniversary. [10:28] - Jesse talks about the time of our life when he was still in law school and we had just had our first daughter. It was the year we both look back on as the hardest year of our marriage (so far). [17:36] - We talk about how shocked we were when his boss lost the election and how a lot of our hopes and dreams died that night... and he was going to be out of work really soon, too. [19:31] - He ended up getting a new job that required a very last-minute move when I was in the middle of morning sickness. We had hopes for this job... but it ended up being incredibly stressful. The stress of the job trickled down to me and my pregnancy and ended up landing me in the hospital. [23:55] - They thought I had something severely wrong and I was tested for just about everything under the sun that they could come up with. It was a scary time -- and it was multiplied by the fact that we had just recently moved to Kansas City and we didn't have a lot of support. [27:08] - This difficult season of our life got even harder after Kaitlynn (our second daughter) was born, because I had postpartum depression and Jesse had to find a new job... and he couldn't find one. Our marriage was on the rocks, we felt our world crumbling around us, our bank account was nearing empty, and our pride was dashed to pieces.  [29:53] - I close out the show by sharing about my word I chose for 2019... I didn't mean to keep you all waiting so long before I shared it! Links and Resources: 5 Days to a Better Morning Challenge Checks Unlimited (this episode’s sponsor!) My new alarm clock Deep Work by Cal Newport Episode 13: How I Broke Free from Legalism (with Jesse Paine) Chasing Excellence by Ben Bergeron My Word of the Year for 2019 CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com   Sponsor Spotlight Checks Unlimited is offering an exclusive deal on checks for MSM readers right now! You can grab TWO boxes of checks for as low as $4.74 each, shipped! Here’s how to get this exclusive deal: Head over here, browse the designs, and choose your checks. Change the quantity to two boxes. Use coupon code R66Q in the “offer code” box before clicking the “continue” button. You should see the price drop to $4.95 for two boxes of regular checks or $5.95 for two boxes of duplicate checks. Click the “Continue” button to proceed through the checkout process. Add your banking/personal information to the checks. During checkout, be sure to decline any extras that add additional costs. Also, be sure to select the “No” box for the EZShield Check Fraud Protection Program underneath the product description on the Order Review page to not accrue additional charges on your order (You’ll need to select the “No” box 2 different times). Choose the standard shipping option to get FREE shipping on your order. You’ll just pay a $3.90 handling fee. With the handling fee, your total will be $8.85 + tax for two boxes of single checks. With tax, you’ll pay around $4.74 per box, shipped!! There are SO many designs to choose from: Disney, nature, Warner Bros, classic, animals, inspirational, sports teams, and more!! And all of them are included in this deal! This is the BEST deal we’ve seen in months on checks. Prior to this, the lowest we’ve seen them is $6.99 per box, so definitely jump on this exclusive deal! Go here to take advantage of this deal. Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!  

If you’ve been following my blog for a long time, you know that for years I said, “I’m not a fashionista!” I felt so inept when it came to putting together cute outfits and I felt like anytime anyone complimented me on my outfit, I needed to apologize for someone or deflect the compliment by saying something like, “Oh this shirt?? I just pulled it out at the last minute and I don’t really like it.” Or, “Thanks, but I don’t really know this dress is my style.” I said these things because I felt so insecure about my ability to put outfits together and I constantly second-guessed myself. When I realized how much I was doing this and how much I wished I could figure out how to put cute outfits together, I finally decided to do something about it. I started paying attention to what I liked. I began noticing outfits that other people wore that I liked and started a mental checklist of what my tastes were. I also poked around on Pinterest and Instagram and paid attention to simple and frugal outfits that other people posted that I liked. I gave myself permission to try new things. I let myself actually buy some new styles and colors — to try out and see what I thought. I learned about what outfit formulas were. I joined a program that taught me about outfit formulas and how to put together outfits — and then it gave you a few weeks of outfit formulas to follow and experiment with. I kept experimenting and paying attention. I surprised myself so much by loving the outfit formula program and being challenged to follow the formulas. I even got brave and posted pictures of my outfits for almost an entire month on social media and learned so much from seeing the photo of myself and hearing feedback from you all. It helped me to define what I like, it helped me to realize a lot of things I was doing wrong, and to figure out what was working and what wasn’t working. Now, over a year since I did that outfit formula program, I dress very differently and I find so much joy in putting together outfits. And I know what works for me and what doesn’t. I never thought this would be possible, but it’s true! And I’m so excited to be bringing on the amazing woman who created this program with the outfit formulas I mentioned that. Alison Lumbatis from Get Your Pretty On is so good at not only putting cute outfits together, but also in helping everyday women like me learn how to dress fashionably — even on a small budget! We’ll chat about how she got motivated to dress well even when she started working from home, why she created her style challenges, how inspirational her Facebook group is, and much more! Wherever you are along the path to fashion that reflects who you are and shows you at your best, don’t miss this conversation. In This Episode: [02:47] – I can’t sing the praises of Google Calendar highly enough. I know it might seem old-fashioned, but it has helped me to be so much more organized and productive. [06:39] – You can learn more about my process for using Google Calendar from my free PDF download, which you can find at this link! [07:04] – My book pick of the week is one that doesn’t have that great of reviews on Amazon, but I really enjoyed it. [11:13] – I’ve never felt like a fashionista, but I finally decided to put more effort into dressing well. Following an outfit formula program made so much difference! [13:50] – Alison Lumbatis from Get Your Pretty On created the outfit formula program that helped me so much, and she’s today’s guest! [14:49] – We hear about how Alison created her blog and brought it to the point where it is today. [17:46] – I ask Alison when she started doing her fashion and style challenges and she shares the interesting journey that led her to begin these. [21:03] – Don’t know where to start when it comes to putting outfits together? Alison shares advice and budget-friendly fashion tips. [22:36] – Alison is generously offering a freebie to listeners: her SAHM Casual Wardrobe Basics Builder! [23:14] – If Alison were to choose five must-have wardrobe items, what would they be, and why? [28:11] – I answer a listener’s question about where to take the Enneagram test! Links and Resources: Twigby (this episode’s amazing sponsor!) Alison Lumbatis on LinkedIn Get Your Pretty On Get Your Pretty On Facebook group Google Calendar Free 7-Day Make Over Your Calendar Course Adrift by Tami Oldham Ashcraft Adrift movie Libby app SAHM Casual Wardrobe Basics Builder (free gift from Alison!) Dare to Lead by Brené Brown Instant Pot This Pilgrim Life The Road Back to You by Ian Cron CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com Sponsor Spotlight Today’s episode is sponsored by Twigby — a company dedicated to providing fantastic phone service at great prices. As I mentioned in the podcast, if you are looking for a great deal on a phone for your teen (or yourself!), I’d highly recommend checking out what Twigby has to offer. Unlike traditional cell phone companies, they give you the ability to create your own custom, prepaid plan — without a contract or an unnecessary activation fee. You don’t have to mess with going to a store and picking out a phone plan. You just go to their site, pick your phone plan and either switch your current phone over or get a new phone, and they get it all set up for you. My favorite part about their service (in addition to their great prices!) is that they offer plan flexibility with the ability to change plans or phones at any time for free. You’re not locked into an expensive contract that has activation and termination fees. They also offer Free Overage Protection, so you can rest easy in knowing that you will never be charged for overages without your go-ahead! You have complete control. Special offer! Want to save 25% off your first 6 months of Twigby? Click here. Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

Happy New Year! Don’t you love this time of the year? Everything is fresh and full of opportunity! Today, on the the podcast, I share some practical ways to start your new year well. We’ll talk about everything from choosing a word for the year to meal prep to savoring life. I couldn’t think of any better way to kick off the podcast in 2019 than by inviting the woman who inspired my 2018 “word of the year” to be my guest! Monica Wilkinson is a blogger, mom, and author of the book Slow Lane. We’ll hear all about what has inspired her to slow down instead of squeeze more into every second. In this episode, we talk about what it means to live a slow life, why Monica takes yearly retreats, how to slow down even when you have a full life, how the practice of a Slow Day has shaped Monica's mothering, and what it looks like to live out the word "slow" even as your kids get older and life gets fuller. At the end of the show, I share more on how choosing a word for the year has shaped my life and I give you some practical steps I've taken to walk out my Word of the Year successfully. Here's to a great 2019 for all of us! Want to kick off the new year well? Join us for the Eat at Home Challenge starting January 7, 2019. I'll be emailing you an inexpensive crockpot recipe every day for a week that you can make in just 15 minutes or less. I'll be making these recipes on live video and will send you the recipe video each day + more tips and tricks to save money and get dinner on the table every night in just minutes! Sign up for the Eat at Home Challenge here. In This Episode: [01:01] - Getting dinner ready in the morning is such a time, life, and money-saver! I talk about the Eat at Home Challenge I'm hosting beginning January 7 and tell you how you can join me in it! I'd love to have you participate! [02:55] - Need some encouragement to prioritize rest in the new year? My book pick of the week is The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan. [06:35] - Monica Wilkinson, author of Slow Lane, is this week’s guest! She talks about what inspired her to slow down and why she takes a yearly retreat to re-evaluate her priorities and life. [10:48] - Monica unpacks what “the heart of slow” looks like for her, and how she has walked that out when her kids were little and as they have gotten older. [14:33] - Wish you could slow down but feel like there's just no way you can in the season of life you're in? Monica offers some practical tips and suggestions for you! [20:50] - I’ve gotten a lot of questions about how to choose a word of the year, so I share some thoughts on why I choose a word, how I choose a word, how I live it out practically, and how it has changed my life so profoundly. [29:00] - I’m really excited about my word for 2019 and I’ll share it in an upcoming episode! For now, share your word with me at crystal@moneysavingmom.com. Links and Resources: Twigby (this episode’s amazing sponsor!) Eat at Home Challenge The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan Slow Lane by Monica Wilkinson (you can get the ebook here) Monica Wilkinson The Homespun Heart (Monica’s blog) FlyLady Peace Like a River by Leif Enger The First Songs of Christmas by Nancy Demoss Wolgemuth OxiClean Laundry Stain Remover Spray CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com How to Listen to The Crystal Paine Show   Sponsor Spotlight Today’s episode is sponsored by Twigby — a company dedicated to providing fantastic phone service at great prices. As I mentioned in the podcast, if you are looking for a great deal on a phone for your teen (or yourself!), I’d highly recommend checking out what Twigby has to offer. Unlike traditional cell phone companies, they give you the ability to create your own custom, prepaid plan — without a contract or an unnecessary activation fee. You don’t have to mess with going to a store and picking out a phone plan. You just go to their site, pick your phone plan and either switch your current phone over or get a new phone, and they get it all set up for you. My favorite part about their service (in addition to their great prices!) is that they offer plan flexibility with the ability to change plans or phones at any time for free. You’re not locked into an expensive contract that has activation and termination fees. They also offer Free Overage Protection, so you can rest easy in knowing that you will never be charged for overages without your go-ahead! You have complete control. Special offer! Want to save 25% off your first 6 months of Twigby? Click here. Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

Well, this episode is all about Christmas and Christmas candy and cleaning your house for Christmas and one of our family's favorite stocking stuffer traditions... and then we take a hard turn and Jesse interviews me as I share more of our story and specifically how I broke free from legalism. (I know, those two topics have nothing to do with one another -- but hey, you just never know what you're going to get when you tune into the podcast each week!) To be honest, I didn't know how my conversation with Jesse was going to go as we shared this part of our story. I knew there were things I wanted and needed to share. I've shared them with people who know me personally and I've briefly touched on things in posts here and there, but I've never publicly opened up about those first few years of blogging like I did in this episode. If you were around in the early days of blogging and read my original blog, I think you will want to listen to this episode. If you weren't around when I was first blogging, but you have been curious how I went from being extremely conservative to where I am today, you will definitely want to listen to this episode. By the way, I was a little apprehensive about how this conversation was going to go, so I asked Jesse if he could lead the interview instead of me. He did a fantastic job and I loved getting to have our roles reversed a little on the podcast! (Though, of course, he had to remind me about being irritable during the few month of my pregnancy! ;)) We also share about some of our first few businesses (yup, MoneySavingMom.com was not our first business -- oh no! We tried quite a few things before then!), our business failures, and I share candidly what I learned from those. Plus, we end the episode answering a listener question about how to get over your fear of traveling. By the way, be sure to download the 2-Hour House Cleaning Checklist. It's perfect for this time of year when we're either hosting guests or wanting to get our house in more orderly shape heading into 2019! In This Episode: [01:26] - It's all things Christmas around here this episode! I talk about our favorite Christmas candy, tell you how my 2-hour House Cleaning Checklist has saved my life and how it might be the perfect checklist for your holiday season, and share about a fun family tradition for stocking stuffers we have each year that is inexpensive, easy, and so memorable. [06:54] - Jesse joins me today, but we flip things around and he serves as the podcast "host" and interviews me. [9:33] - When I realized I was pregnant (surprise!) and was so sick and had to quit working, I went online to try to learn how to make money at home. Listen in to learn about something I thought would be a good idea. [11:52] - Jesse and I talk about how that first business idea worked (or, more accurately, didn’t work). We discuss what we thought would be a great idea and why it didn't really work.  [14:34] - We talk about one of the valuable lessons I learned from that business, and how it helped with future projects. [16:10] - I talk about why I ended up starting my first blog, what it was called and why I'm pretty embarrassed about it now. I share how God used atheist and feminists (many of whom came and left very negative comments on my blog!) to open my eyes up to my legalism and to help me begin to start in on a journey of breaking free from legalism.  [21:32] - And then I get really honest and share how I've learned some important life-changing lessons through all of this and I ask forgiveness of those I offended with my very black and white, abrasive, legalistic blog posts. [25:25] - This week’s question comes from Carrie, who asks if I was afraid to travel overseas and whether I have any insights or tips on being comfortable in a foreign country. Jesse and I both share about what has helped us and how we've overcome our anxiety about traveling and long flights. Links and Resources: Twigby (this episode’s amazing sponsor!) The World’s Easiest Christmas Candy recipe 2-Hour House-Cleaning Checklist 23 Stocking Stuffer Ideas from Dollar Tree The Crystal Paine Show Episode 1 The Crystal Paine Show Episode 5 The Crystal Paine Show Episode 9 CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com Sponsor Spotlight Today’s episode is sponsored by Twigby — a company dedicated to providing fantastic phone service at great prices. As I mentioned in the podcast, if you are looking for a great deal on a phone for your teen (or yourself!), I’d highly recommend checking out what Twigby has to offer. Unlike traditional cell phone companies, they give you the ability to create your own custom, prepaid plan — without a contract or an unnecessary activation fee. You don’t have to mess with going to a store and picking out a phone plan. You just go to their site, pick your phone plan and either switch your current phone over or get a new phone, and they get it all set up for you. My favorite part about their service (in addition to their great prices!) is that they offer plan flexibility with the ability to change plans or phones at any time for free. You’re not locked into an expensive contract that has activation and termination fees. They also offer Free Overage Protection, so you can rest easy in knowing that you will never be charged for overages without your go-ahead! You have complete control. Special offer! Want to save 25% off your first 6 months of Twigby? Click here. Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!  

Other than my interviews with Jesse, this was my very first interview to do in-person -- with Myquillyn Smith (aka The Nester) sitting right across the table from me as we recorded. I loved getting to chat with her face-to-face and be inspired by her heart for creating a cozy and inviting home that serves your family well. Myquillyn and I talk about the importance of making your home into a place that fits the way you’re called to use it, and she offers practical advice for women who may feel intimidated or insecure about decorating. If you’ve ever wanted your home to be a cozy, welcoming place, but aren’t sure where to start, you don't want to miss this episode! (And while I'm not much of a decorator at all -- as I talk about on this episode! -- I surprised myself by truly being inspired by her book. Listen in as I share more on that!) I also give you some last-minute tips for simplifying December, tell you one of our favorite Christmas traditions when our kids were younger, and share some of our favorite Christmas read-alouds for younger kids. And I close out the show by sharing some encouragement from my heart to moms of littles. If you currently have babies, toddlers, or younger kids and maybe feel a little overwhelmed by this season of life, I hope that my words will inspire you and help you feel less alone! In This Episode: [01:34] - Our Christmas Bucket List is what's saving my life this week! This simple practice makes our Decembers so much simpler, calmer, and fun-filled. [06:54] - Instead of just one book, this week I tell you about some of our family's favorite Christmas picture books. [07:50] - Today's guest is Myquillyn Smith -- a woman who is well known on the internet for encouraging people to love their homes and that "it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful". [10:16] - I asked Myquillyn to share advice for women who have insecurities or fears when it comes to decorating their homes (because this is 100% me -- I was even insecure about having Myquillyn come to my home and had to talk myself out of that before she got there!) [15:17] - One of the things I often hear from women is that they wish they could redecorate or change some things in their home but they are on a really tight budget. We talk about this and Myquillyn shares some of her best tips for loving your home and making it cozy and welcoming -- on a tight budget. [17:45] - We talk about what it's like to be an introvert and how to step out and do scary things in spite of our fears. Myquillin addresses my question on how she has managed to invite 1000 people to her home for a festival and go on book tour. She shares how it's been for her and why she chose to do this, even though she knew it would be a lot. [21:58] - Myquillyn shares three books she's planning to read soon -- two of which have been on my radar screen and that I promptly ordered after she talked about them! [23:04] - And we talk about none other than baths. Yes, for real! You'll have to tune in to find out why! :) [24:45] - Many listeners have written in to ask about my advice for a first-time mom. I share some of my best advice and encouragement -- that I wish I would have learned early on! Links and Resources: Twigby (this episode’s amazing sponsor!) The Gingerbread Boy by Paul Galdone Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett Gingerbread Friends by Jan Brett The Mitten by Jan Brett The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski The Christmas Story by Jane Werner Watson B is for Bethlehem by Isabel Winer and Elisa Kleven Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo Myquillyn Smith Myquillyn Smith on Instagram @thenester on Twitter The Nesting Place by Myquillyn Smith Cozy Minimalist Home by Myquillyn Smith Remember God by Annie Downs The Ministry of Ordinary Places by Shannan Martin The Wondering Years by Knox McCoy CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

If you've ever felt like that or just even wondered how you could feel a little more rested, you don't want to miss today's episode. In it, I talk with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith (author of Sacred Rest) all about the seven kinds of rest (yes, that's right! Feeling rested is a lot more than just getting a good night's sleep) and practical advice for women who feel chronically tired. I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Dr. Saundra and love how she addresses rest from a very different perspective -- it's not just about getting more sleep or slowing down or taking a Sabbath. In this episode of the podcast, I also tell you about how I'm prioritizing relationships and how we've gone about making some of our closest friendships this year. and what that has looked like for us. And then I close out the show by answering a question on how to fix exercise in when your kids are young. In This Episode: [01:44] - I made a commitment at the beginning of this year to make relationships a priority. And one of the things that has been a result is that I've become more extroverted! Plus, I've found so much life in pursuing close friendships! I share how Jesse and I have been intentional to develop relationships and what that has looked like for us. [06:24] - Jesse found this fascinating article that I can't stop talking about, thinking about, or referring to. [09:43] - My guest today is Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, author of Sacred Rest, a book that deeply impacted me. [10:35] - Dr. Saundra shares wise advice have for the woman who feels exhausted and as if there is no way out of the exhaustion. [12:22] - Did you know there are seven different kinds of rest? I didn't until I read Dr. Saundra's book -- and it made so much sense to me why getting more sleep wasn't enough to help me feel rested. [16:12] - I talk about how the Rest Quiz fascinated and helped me and why I think every should take it. (It only takes a few minutes!) [18:34] - Creative rest is something that most people have never heard of, but it's vitally important! [20:51] - What does making rest a priority look like for Dr. Saundra in her own life? [21:57] - We hear about what Dr. Saundra is currently reading, as well as why she is loving her air fryer -- and I try to convince her to get brave and use her Instant Pot more! [25:08] -I close out the show by answering a question on how to fix exercise in when your kids are young. Links and Resources: Twigby (this episode’s amazing sponsor!) Tough Mudder (You can see pictures from our Tough Mudder experience here.) “We’re the Only Plane in the Sky”: Politico’s article about September 11 Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith on Facebook Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith’s Rest Quiz Hallelujah Anyway by Anne Lamott Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis Hard-Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot by Crystal Paine CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

I’m so excited for today’s guest! Jennifer Fulwiler has been a great inspiration to me. I first encountered her writings over a decade ago when I first started blogging, and rediscovered her this past year when I read her new book, One Beautiful Dream. If you’re a mom who works or wants to pursue your passions, I can’t recommend this book highly enough -- and I think you'll really enjoy today's conversation. (And even if you're not a mom, I think you'll get a lot from it!) In our conversation, Jennifer talks about whether she has always been okay with being imperfect, how she thinks about balancing work and motherhood, what a blue flame is and why it’s often invisible to us, and even her experiences with stand-up comedy and how she's facing a big fear with this. Tune in for this fun and enlightening conversation. In This Episode: [02:52] - I have fallen in love with this particular article of clothing and have worn it over and over again as the weather has gotten cooler. (Psst! You can see a picture of me wearing it here.) [07:05] - My book pick this week is a book by one of my favorite podcasters. It's not out yet, but you can go ahead and pre-order it! [08:28] - Today’s interview guest is Jennifer Fulwiler, a bestselling author, radio host, speaker, and mother of six. (Because she is a radio show host, she's so easy to interview and I could have talked to her for WAY longer than we had scheduled for this interview!) [10:23] - Jennifer talks about how she did wish she could portray more perfection online at one point in time, but she realized how inauthentic and untruthful that would be. [12:24] - Do you want to work or need to work and feel guilty that you won't be able to prioritize motherhood? Jennifer shares how she finds balance in the middle of a really full life -- and how balance doesn't look like you might expect it to look. [15:17] - I ask Jennifer what she would say to a woman who has no idea where to start or feels like she’s not good at anything? [17:19] - A pretty crazy example of something I do that I thought was incredibly no-brainer, but that people have said has revolutionized their lives by doing it, too. (Note: It involves peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!) [19:40] - Jennifer talks about why she has been challenging herself outside her comfort zone and doing stand-up comedy -- even though it scares her so much (she also spills the beans on a BIG thing she's launching in 2019!) [25:43] - Jennifer talks about why they got rid of their dressers and this trick that has helped them have a lot more room and storage space in their small house. [28:30] - I answer a question from Marcy on what hospitality looks like in this season of life (and how it's often not necessarily inviting a family over for dinner), Links and Resources: Zulily -- a daily deal site I often order clothes from Tea N Rose Open Front Herringbone Cardigan (pictures only; not for sale) Emily P. Freeman The Next Right Thing Podcast The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman Jennifer Fulwiler Freezer-Friendly Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches One Beautiful Dream by Jennifer Fulwiler Think Like a Warrior by Darrin Donnelly CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com   Sponsor Spotlight Today’s episode is sponsored by Twigby — a company dedicated to providing fantastic phone service at great prices. As I mentioned in the podcast, if you are looking for a great deal on a phone for your teen (or yourself!), I’d highly recommend checking out what Twigby has to offer. Unlike traditional cell phone companies, they give you the ability to create your own custom, prepaid plan — without a contract or an unnecessary activation fee. You don’t have to mess with going to a store and picking out a phone plan. You just go to their site, pick your phone plan and either switch your current phone over or get a new phone, and they get it all set up for you. My favorite part about their service (in addition to their great prices!) is that they offer plan flexibility with the ability to change plans or phones at any time for free. You’re not locked into an expensive contract that has activation and termination fees. They also offer Free Overage Protection, so you can rest easy in knowing that you will never be charged for overages without your go-ahead! You have complete control. Special offer! Want to save 25% off your first 6 months of Twigby? Click here. Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

Jesse and I are currently in India (I messed up when I pre-recorded the podcast and said we were going to be in Rome and headed to India -- I was forgetting that episode 9 dropped this week, not last week!) with some good friends of ours, so I talk about my international travel must-haves on this podcast. Plus, by popular demand, Jesse joins me again for us to share more of our story -- including some stories from our law school days you've probably never heard before. We also talk about the Enneagram and how it has impacted our marriage and our business and we answer the question of what it's like for us to work together so closely. By the way, we are still finding our groove when it comes to doing these podcasts together, but I think this one is getting closer to what you'd experience if you were sitting with us having coffee. Yes, we are pretty sarcastic with each other... and you'll probably start to hear more and more of that as time goes on. And you'll likely also hear more and more from Jesse as he warms up to this whole talking to an invisible audience thing. I can also guarantee you that you'll be hearing a lot more legalese from him since I'm always teasing him about using big legal words and attorney-speak. And he'll probably tease me about being irritable again. Welcome to our world! ;) In This Episode: [01:56] - In honor of the fact that Jesse and I are currently on an international trip, I'm sharing my 5 must-haves for international flights. Would you add anything to my list? [05:44] - Phones are a privilege, not a right at our house. And I share how this plays out in our home with our oldest, Kathrynne. [10:17] - I loved this decorating book -- which is kind of crazy since I'm not into decorating at all! [11:42] - You all were intrigued by the last episode that Jesse and I did together so he's joining me again this week for us to share more of our story -- including some of the gritty (and funny!) details of our law school struggles. [12:28] - Confluence?? Jesse brings out his legalese and I give him a hard time for it. But really, do YOU use "confluence" in your every day speech?? [15:49] - We share why Jesse decided to go to law school, why we set the goal of doing it debt-free, and what it was really like. [21:35] - Did you know I got over $1500 worth of products for around $50 by playing the "Drugstore Game". I share details on this and talk about what I did with the 100 tubes of toothpaste I got paid to buy. [24:38] - We really wanted to have kids from the time we got married, but then we thought we were going to have to give up on that dream... until I got a mysterious case of irritability and a stomach bug. (I promise I'm not a big of a grump all the time as Jesse kind of made me out to be. But hey, I teased him for using big words so I think it's only fair he got to tease me, too!) [28:20] - Jesse and I answer a question from a listener: “What does it look like working so closely with your spouse?” If you have any questions that you’d like me (or me and Jesse!) to address in a future episode, email me at crystal@moneysavingmom.com! Links and Resources: My Favorite Bose Earbuds Natural Ginger Dramamine Travelrest Premium Travel Pillow Travelrest 4-in-1 Premium Class Travel Blanket How I Packed for a 10-Day International Trip in a Carry-On on Money Saving Mom What I Pack in My Backpack for International Trips on Money Saving Mom Twigby (this episode’s amazing sponsor!) Cozy Minimalist Home by Myquillyn Smith The Nesting Place by Myquillyn Smith Courtship Rules and Our First Kiss (The Crystal Paine Show Episode #5) How to Play the Drugstore Game on Money Saving Mom CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com How to Listen to The Crystal Paine Show The podcast is available on iTunes, Android, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can listen online through the direct player we’ll include in the show notes of each episode. OR, a much easier way to listen is by subscribing to the podcast through a free podcast app on your phone. (Find instructions for how to subscribe to a podcast here.)   Sponsor Spotlight Today’s episode is sponsored by Twigby — a company dedicated to providing fantastic phone service at great prices. As I mentioned in the podcast, if you are looking for a great deal on a phone for your teen (or yourself!), I’d highly recommend checking out what Twigby has to offer. Unlike traditional cell phone companies, they give you the ability to create your own custom, prepaid plan — without a contract or an unnecessary activation fee. You don’t have to mess with going to a store and picking out a phone plan. You just go to their site, pick your phone plan and either switch your current phone over or get a new phone, and they get it all set up for you. My favorite part about their service (in addition to their great prices!) is that they offer plan flexibility with the ability to change plans or phones at any time for free. You’re not locked into an expensive contract that has activation and termination fees. They also offer Free Overage Protection, so you can rest easy in knowing that you will never be charged for overages without your go-ahead! You have complete control. Special offer! Want to save 25% off your first 6 months of Twigby? Click here. Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

As of this morning, we hit 50,000 downloads of The Crystal Paine Show. Y'all! I can hardly believe it! Your support and cheerleading as I've started this new endeavor has truly blessed me more than I can adequately express. After dreaming of having a podcast for over 4 years, this just feels surreal. Thank you for tuning in each week, for subscribing, for telling your friends, and leaving reviews. You all are the best! On this week's episode, I'm going to tell you about one of my favorite ways to earn free gift cards by scanning my grocery receipts, we'll talk about how to help your kids be more careful and avoid online bullying, I'm sharing about a book that impacted me when it comes to friendship. Anne Bogel joins me for a fun (and inspiring!) conversation about how busy women can find more time to read and where to find great book recommendations (plus insider tips on why Anne doesn't read on airplanes and how she survived book tour!). And then I close out the show by sharing the short list of things I try to do every single morning. In This Episode: [01:46] - Did you know you can earn free gift cards just for scanning your grocery receipts? Yup, I tell you the free app I use to do this! [04:44] - Online bullying is a real thing and it's something that we need to help our teens know how to navigate. I share some of the ways we are seeking to do this in our home with our oldest, Kathrynne. [08:05] - My book of the week is a book that I actually almost didn't finish... but I'm so glad I did because the second half was just so good! [11:28] - This week's guest, Anne Bogel, shares her top tips for busy women who want to find more time to read. [13:05] - Struggling to find books you will love to read? Anne talks about where to start and how to find great book recommendations (and she gently disagrees with me on the method I share for how I find great book recommendations!) [16:32] - Anne has an incredibly full and varied life and yet she still finds lots of time to read. She tells us her personal tips and tricks for making reading a priority in her own life. [19:57] - I ask Anne a kind of selfish question -- one that I've been really curious about for a long time. I loved her answer and it gave me a lot of food for thought when it comes to why I love the books I love. [22:18] - What is Anne reading right now? And how did she end up reading three different books based on Pride and Prejudice? And what's saving her life right now? [26:54] - Today’s Q&A segment question is all about what my morning routine looks like. I share the things I do every morning to start my day well. If you have any questions that you’d like me to address in a future episode, email me at crystal@moneysavingmom.com! Links and Resources Mentioned in the Show: The Fetch Rewards app -- use code WW7XJ and you’ll get a bonus 2,000 points (worth $2). (Read my full review here with details on how it works.) The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch Twigby Anne Bogel Reading People by Anne Bogel I’d Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel Modern Mrs. Darcy What Should I Read Next? with Anne Bogel (podcast) Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal Pride by Ibi Zoboi Heartstone by Elle Katharine White The Story Shop Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com How to Listen to The Crystal Paine Show The podcast is available on iTunes, Android, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can listen online through the direct player we’ll include in the show notes of each episode. OR, a much easier way to listen is by subscribing to the podcast through a free podcast app on your phone. (Find instructions for how to subscribe to a podcast here.) Ready to dive in and listen? Hit the player above or search for “The Crystal Paine Show” on your favorite podcast app. Sponsor Spotlight Today’s episode is sponsored by Twigby — a company dedicated to providing fantastic phone service at great prices. As I mentioned in the podcast, if you are looking for a great deal on a phone for your teen (or yourself!), I’d highly recommend checking out what Twigby has to offer. Unlike traditional cell phone companies, they give you the ability to create your own custom, prepaid plan — without a contract or an unnecessary activation fee. You don’t have to mess with going to a store and picking out a phone plan. You just go to their site, pick your phone plan and either switch your current phone over or get a new phone, and they get it all set up for you. My favorite part about their service (in addition to their great prices!) is that they offer plan flexibility with the ability to change plans or phones at any time for free. You’re not locked into an expensive contract that has activation and termination fees. They also offer Free Overage Protection, so you can rest easy in knowing that you will never be charged for overages without your go-ahead! You have complete control. Special offer! Want to save 25% off your first 6 months of Twigby? Click here. Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

Do you struggle to find white space in your life? Do you feel like you're always running behind or just barely surviving? Do you wish you could find a way to slow down and savor life more? In today's episode, we're going to talk about how you can invest 10 minutes a day to give you less stress and better health. Sound too good to be true? Well then listen in! :) I also share about a book that made my Top 10 list for 2018, a recipe I have been eating every single day, and how I stopped trying to stuff my brilliantly creative, sometimes-messy daughter into a neat and orderly box and how it changed both of our lives for the better.   A Special Freebie For You Bonnie is offering two free resources to my followers that you can download: 10 Practical Ways to Create Spiritual Rest (a book excerpt) + 33 simple ideas to enjoy rest from Finding Spiritual Whitespace and 28 Rest Ideas -- a beautiful, hand-lettered calligraphy printable. Download them here for free. In This Episode: [00:26] - I talk about a movie that Jesse and I recently went and saw (one of the perks of being self-employed!). [04:27] - This week, what’s saving my life is actually a recipe for banana bread... you'll have to listen to the episode to find out just why that is! :) [05:44] - My book pick this week is one I read a number of months ago, but it is totally making it to my Top 10 Books Read list for 2018! [07:50] - This week's guest, Bonnie Gray, shares some practical ways women can carve out more rest and white space in their lives -- in just 10 minutes or less each day! [16:15] - Bonnie shares how she and her husband have started creating white space for each other, which has strengthened their relationship.  [17:51] - What is Bonnie reading right now? She talks about 4 different books -- and how reading has helped her have more white space in her life.  [19:24] - Have you ever tried setting your phone to “do not disturb” mode? Bonnie shares how she uses this feature on her phone. [21:12] - In today’s Q&A segment, I answer a question on the best way to raise and nurture a child who is very different from you. Links and Resources Mentioned in the Show: Unbroken: Path to Redemption Unbroken Louis Zamperini Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand Our Favorite Banana Bread Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero Finding Spiritual Whitespace by Bonnie Gray Whispers of Rest by Bonnie Gray Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans Gilead by Marilynne Robinson The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan Reading People by Anne Bogel CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com How to Listen to The Crystal Paine Show The podcast is available on iTunes, Android, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can listen online through the direct player we’ll include in the show notes of each episode. OR, a much easier way to listen is by subscribing to the podcast through a free podcast app on your phone. (Find instructions for how to subscribe to a podcast here.)   Sponsor Spotlight Today’s episode is sponsored by Twigby — a company dedicated to providing fantastic phone service at great prices. As I mentioned in the podcast, if you are looking for a great deal on a phone for your teen (or yourself!), I’d highly recommend checking out what Twigby has to offer. Unlike traditional cell phone companies, they give you the ability to create your own custom, prepaid plan — without a contract or an unnecessary activation fee. You don’t have to mess with going to a store and picking out a phone plan. You just go to their site, pick your phone plan and either switch your current phone over or get a new phone, and they get it all set up for you. My favorite part about their service (in addition to their great prices!) is that they offer plan flexibility with the ability to change plans or phones at any time for free. You’re not locked into an expensive contract that has activation and termination fees. They also offer Free Overage Protection, so you can rest easy in knowing that you will never be charged for overages without your go-ahead! You have complete control. Special offer! Want to save 25% off your first 6 months of Twigby? Click here. Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

So, apparently you all are very curious about our courtship rules and our first kiss -- because we had almost TWICE as many downloads of last week's episode than we've had of any other episode! Wow! Thank you for the many emails and comments and messages on Instagram. It was fun to read how some of you had never, ever heard of the concept of courtship and some of you had actually had very similar upbringings. (By the way, I posted a picture on Instagram of Jesse and me at 20 and 21 that might make you smile!) Today's show is very different from last week's but I think you're going to love it and find it insightful and helpful. We'll be talking about a perspective shift I had recently, my favorite money-saving website to get Kroger deals, and I'm going to confess a secret about books I don’t think I’ve ever shared publicly before.   Plus, I’m going to be interviewing Katie Ganshert — the author of some of my favorite fiction books (and I’m taking a risk and tackling a hot button topic with her!) and then I’ll close out the show by answering a question on how I balance my life and still find time to relax (and why I've decided I can only do two things well per day). In This Episode: [01:07] - I woke up pretty overwhelmed by my day... until I read this quote on Instagram and it immediately snapped me out of that stressful space.  [03:06] - Want to save money at Kroger? I give you the scoop on my very favorite website that you must be following for all the best Kroger deals (and the deals work at Kroger affiliate stores, too!) [06:05] - This week's book pick elicit's a book confession that I don't think I've ever shared publicly before. I hope we can still be friends after you find this out! [09:31] - Today's guest is Katie Ganshert -- author of some of my favorite Christian fiction books. I love how she writes with such rawness and realness and you'll love her answer to my question on what inspires her to be so vulnerable in her writing.  [11:41] - Katie talks about how she stays inspired as a writer, tips for those who want to be a writer, and why she decided to take an entire year off from any book writing. [17:24] - I ask Katie a hot-button question about her book No One Ever Asked. We talk about race, how I can make a difference as a white woman, and how to approach this topic with grace and without ostracizing others.  [24:56] - I close out the show with a question that was submitted on the topic of balance. I talk about my six areas of priority and how I implement the strategy of only doing two things well per day.  Links and Resources: "I get to" quote on Instagram KrogerKrazy.com I’d Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel Katie Ganshert A Broken Kind of Beautiful by Katie Ganshert Life After by Katie Ganshert No One Ever Asked by Katie Ganshert The Art of Losing Yourself by Katie Ganshert Lisa-Jo Baker 15 Can’t-Miss Books You Should Have on Your Summer Reading List The Witness podcast by Tyler Burns, Beau York, and Jemar Tisby I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria by Beverly Daniel Tatum Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson The Opposite of Hate by Sally Kohn The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood The Gifting series by K.E. Ganshert CrystalPaine.com MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!) Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

I'm so excited to be bringing you my very first podcast -- something I've been dreaming of doing for over 4 years! In this episode, I share: why I started this podcast, what you can expect in every episode, some practical ideas that are helping our back-to-school transition go smoothly, and I talk about a book I finished recently. I also answer a question on marriage and introduce my husband (he'll be a regular guest on the show!) and we share how we met and fell in love. Resources mentioned in the show: MoneySavingMom.com YourBloggingMentor.com Sacred Rest Sheep No More Follow my money-saving shopping trips (and more behind-the-scenes photos and videos from my life!) on Instagram Stories. Any questions or suggestions for future episodes? I'd love for you to contact me here.

Please join us in welcoming Crystal Paine of MoneySavingMom.com to the Epic Success Podcast this week! Crystal Paine wife, homeschool mom of three, businesswoman, New York Times bestselling author, speaker and devoted child of God. In 2007, she founded MoneySavingMom.com, a site that has grown to be one of the most popular blogs on the web, currently averaging close to two million readers per month! Her mission is to challenge women to manage their time and resources wisely and live life on purpose.   On this podcast episode, Crystal will share with our tribe: Her story about starting off as a blogger in a time when blogging hardly existed. How she turned Money Saving Mom into a successful business. Her financial and debt-free journey. The importance of email marketing. Productivity hacks and how to stay focused as a work at home mom (can you say “delete” and “delegate”)? Things she wished she knew when she started blogging.   Make sure you follow Crystal on social media, read her blog and check out her courses on YourBloggingMentor.com, where she will guide you on how to start your blogging adventures off right so you can achieve success, just like her!   Connect with Crystal: Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube   Connect with Shannon: Free 5 Day Productivity Challenge Dec 11-15th with Dr. Shannon Irvine Learn 5 systems to get 2-3 hours back in your day :) Click Here to sign up!   Facebook | Instagram | Epic Success Website Join the Epic Tribe to get all of Dr. Shannon’s exclusive content she reserves only for her tribe!   Subscribe to the Epic Success Podcast today!! SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES

Crystal Paine is the founder of the popular blog MoneySavingMom.com. The mission of the blog is talking about Intentional Finance, Intentional Family, and Intentional Business. Crystal has been on the show twice before. You can find those episodes here: Goals: Crystal Paine of Money Saving Mom on Stewardship, Goals, and Discipline – BTTDL029 Priorities: Crystal Paine on priorities, saying no, and saying goodbye to survival mode – BTTDL056 Mentioned in this episode: Seth Godin’s altMBA YourBloggingMentor.com The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up Please connect with me Subscribe, rate, and review in iTunes Follow @ErikJFisher Check out more Noodle.mx Network showsThe Audacity to Podcast: "How-to" podcast about podcastingBeyond the To-Do List: Personal and professional productivityThe Productive Woman: Productivity for busy womenONCE: Once Upon a Time podcastWelcome to Level Seven: Agents of SHIELD and Marvel’s cinematic universe podcastAre You Just Watching?: Movie reviews with Christian critical thinkingthe Ramen Noodle: Family-friendly clean comedy

Crystal Paine is the founder of MoneySavingMom.com, host of The Crystal Paine Show podcast, New York Times bestselling author of Say Goodbye to Survival Mode and author of the book, Money-Making Mom. She started MoneySavingMom.com in 2007 to provide practical strategies to help women cut their grocery bill and and live on less than they make. It has grown to be one of the top personal finance blogs on the web averaging over 1.5 million unique visitors per month.   In 2017, Crystal started another blog, YourBloggingMentor.com, to teach beginning to intermediate bloggers how to make a part-time to full-time income blogging. She offers courses and blog coaching at YourBloggingUniversity.com. Crystal has been featured on Good Morning America and FOX Business, she's been spotlighted in articles in Woman's Day and All You magazine; and has earned nods via The Today Show, National Public Radio, CNN, USA Weekend, Shop Smart magazine, Real Simple magazine, and numerous other national outlets. Her desire is to help women across the globe live with more passion, purpose and intention in their everyday lives. She lives in the Nashville, TN area with her husband and three kids. In This Episode, You Will Learn: How Crystal feeds her family of five for $70 a week or less. The top areas where families can cut costs. How to save $50 on your grocery bill this week.   Connect with Crystal: 10 Ways to Save $50 on Your Grocery Budget This Week (freebie) MoneySavingMom.com GroceryUniversity.com The Crystal Paine Show (podcast) Crystal Paine products Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter Pinterest   Don’t Miss A Single Episode: Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Music. Leave a quick review on any of the podcast apps to tell people what you think about the show. Take a screenshot of the podcast and post it on Instagram or Instagram Stories. Tag us @insporising. We’ll repost and give you a shoutout! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/inspiration-rising/donations