Goodbye and good riddance! Ready to relish the final break days with my kids without the chaos of family dynamics and holiday extravagance. Despite a fantastic holiday, it was a nonstop whirlwind, including a Christmas Day urgent care visit for an ear infection. New Year’s resolution? Find a cure to dodge inevitable kid illnesses during this hectic season.

On a serious note, have you set your resolutions or goals for the upcoming year? I'm still figuring mine out. Share your thoughts on our social media – I'd love to hear what you're envisioning for the New Year!

• Holiday Debt: Strategies to finding financial freedom. 

• Cold Weather Play: How to get your kids outside even if the weather is warm and sunny.

• Dry January: Join the movement to a healthier start in the New Year.

MONEY

‘Tis the season to be debt-free.

Creating holiday magic is expensive. Fueled by the pervasive influence of social media, our perceptions are skewed, leading us to envision a celebration adorned with extravagant decorations, a cascade of parties, and an excess of gifts.

💸As CNBC reports, a staggering 25 percent of Americans find themselves still grappling with the financial aftermath of holiday debt from the previous year.

If you are facing debt and want to start the New Year with a clear plan of action, here are a few resources with helpful tips to guide you to financial freedom.

To start it off, Holistic Momma has the mom-friendly scoop on how to bid adieu to debt fast. From a debt snowball to side hustles, here’s my takeaways:

• Debt Snowball: A debt repayment method that tackles debts from smallest to largest balances, gaining momentum with each payoff. To use it, list debts from smallest to largest, pay the maximum on the smallest, minimum on others, and repeat until debt-free. Also, consider the Avalanche method.

• Side Hustles: When a tight budget falls short, consider delving into side hustles for additional income. If taking on a second job feels overwhelming, opt for short-term gigs to generate extra cash for debt repayment. 

Frugal Rules spills the secrets to achieving a debt-free life with budgets to debt consolidation.

• Create a budget: By identifying expenses, you can redirect funds toward debt payments. Unsure how to begin? Consult our budgeting guide or utilize free apps like Mint, designed to streamline financial monitoring and curb debt. Especially vital if you're missing payments, these tools help break the cycle and pave the way to financial freedom.

• Consolidate Debt: Or balance transfers simplify debt management by consolidating multiple debts into a single, organized payment. This option is particularly useful if you struggle with organizing debts and seek a more manageable monthly payment. 

Most importantly, know your “why.” 👨‍👩‍👦🏠 

Have a clear understanding of your overall goal of getting out of debt. Is it for your family? Maybe saving up for a new house? If you have clarity, it will motivate you to meet your goals.

⚠️BE ALERT: You are taking the right steps to better financial freedom but always look out for scams trying to take advantage of you in a possibly vulnerable time. Adventures of a Frugal Mom keeps it real with tips on how to avoid common scams.

PARENTING

Don’t have your kids singing the cold weather blues.

To all the moms navigating extreme cold weather with kids at home, my heart goes out to you! Now, full disclosure, I might be writing this from the sunshine state where our "winter" is the perfect season for outdoor activities (though, come July, I'll be envying your weather). But, fear not, I'm here to lend a helping hand if you're facing subzero temps and little ones bursting with energy. Let's conquer this cold weather challenge together!

Set the Stage for Outdoor Success

❄️ 🎨Imagination Station: Create an all-season imagination station for independent outdoor play, whether in your yard or on the go, by storing toys, shovels, and buckets. It ensures kids can easily engage in snow play with their favorite toys, from hiding dinosaurs for a frosty fossil hunt to using diluted food coloring to "rainbow paint" in the snow.  

The Every Mom also has very creative ideas to keep your kids warm with rechargeable hand warmers and keep the cleanup simple: Follow the link here!

🔎🐦🐛Winter Scavenger Hunt: Unleash the winter explorer in your kids with free winter scavenger hunts! Download a neighborhood scavenger hunt PDF from The Crazy Outdoor Mama and let the snowy adventures begin.

🚨WINTER PLAYGROUND HACK! 

Pack a shower squeegee to make outings to the park more enjoyable on those drafty, wet winter days.

For even more ideas…

The blog, Get the Kids Outside, helps parents discover why kids should stay active outside during winter and explore practical ways to help them do just that. From outdoor games to staying warm, this guide has you covered. Check it out here!

AND ALSO THIS. . .

Raise your glass of sparkling water!

The average American drinks more now than they have in the last 30 years.

After the festive frenzy of the holidays, Dry January has become our go-to tradition for a post-party detox. It's like hitting the reset button on our health, letting our bodies breathe after weeks of indulging in merry-making.

🚨 Health Alert: Sip Smart!

Ladies, it's time to take a closer look! “Women have increased their alcohol consumption at a higher rate than men, particularly their heavy drinking days — those when they have four or more drinks within a couple of hours,” according to Dawn Sugarman, a research psychologist in the division of alcohol, drugs, and addiction at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts.

Benefits of a Booze Break

Wondering what's in it for you? Dive into this HuffPost article to discover the perks: glowing skin, potential weight loss, better sleep, more energy, and maybe even feeling like a "well-oiled machine"! Who wouldn't want that?

🍹 Quench Your Thirst with Alternatives

Miss the taste of a good drink? Fret not! Check out these 30 alcohol alternatives and Refinery29's guide to the best non-alcoholic sips that will keep you feeling fabulous.

💤 Sip, Sleep, Repeat

According to UC Davis Health, bidding adieu to alcohol can mean better sleep, weight loss, more energy, and a plethora of other benefits. Ladies, your body deserves this break!

Let's raise a glass... of sparkling water, of course! Here's to a healthier, happier, and more hydrated you in 2024!

CALENDAR

January 1 - New Year's Day. Yes, this was yesterday but it’s not too late to make your resolution. Check out this article from the BBC on how to make a powerful (not pointless) resolution this year.

January 15 - Martin Luther King Day. How to teach your kids about the importance of MLK Day.

📺Get inspired. With these 12 popular shows to help you get on track with your New Year’s resolutions.

🎵🏋️Hit the gym. And queue your playlist with the best workout songs of 2023.

💲It’s going viral. This $10 wrapping paper storage system was purchased over 7,000 times this month.

📽️Movie lovers rejoice. Familiar with GoodReads for book recommendations? A new app is doing the same thing but for movies.

🔆Trend alert. It’s a new year, which means new goals for your health and wellness. Check out the biggest trends predicted for 2024.

🥣Doctor approved. Farm Girl launches new doctor and nutritionist-approved cereal for kids that is 100% organic.

Take your resolutions to the next level.

Embrace the New Year with renewed positivity! Explore 20 empowering New Year's affirmations tailored just for us mommas. Elevate your resolutions by choosing affirmations that resonate with you. Find inspiration and a fresh perspective on self-love and growth in the curated list provided by The Everymom. 

A few of my favorites…

🌟✨ I can do anything, but I can’t do everything.
🌟✨ My productivity does not define my worth.
🌟✨ I am the best mom for my kids.

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