How to Not Spend Money

The contentment challenge has been just that -- a challenge.  But as I sit and delete every amazingly tempting LOFT sale email I receive, I am learning a lot about myself.  I never thought I could go this long (almost one month) without going on a total splurge trip to Target or TJMaxx.  Can't even tell you the last time I was in Michael's. Although, I will say, it helps that I live in a town with limited shopping ;)
I have learned that I can be even more creative than I think I am when I stay in my house and look around.  I can entertain myself with things that I already have - some of which need entertaining, ahem my bookshelves. I've rearranged my room and closet set up several times and just recently rearranged my desk.  I have found some fun ways to spend my time (when I'm not doing homework/working) that don't include buying something.
enroll in grad school // okay, this one is kind of a joke. But really, being in grad school brings everything into perspective.  I have TWO MORE CLASSES to complete, and student teaching, after these four I am taking this semester.  Then it's time for the real world, which by the way means real world stuff like apartments and cars and computers and phones and all of that junk.  My mom and I were discussing the purchases I will be looking forward to once I land a teaching job.  Let's just say the purchases aren't cheap, but they are somewhat necessary, so starting a savings plan now is probably a stellar idea.
washi tape // I have found some neat things to use my washi tape collection for.  For example, I covered a clear desktop organizer that I have so you can't see what's inside! Not that I'm trying to hide anything, but it looks pretty.
netflix // I have rekindled my love of Netflix.  Did y'all know how many episodes of Say Yes to the Dress are on there? Plenty.  Also my other secret obsession show: Undercover Boss. Four seasons.  That's what I'm talking about.  Almost nothing beats curling up under a blanket to watch Netflix on my iPad.
getting fancy // I'm somewhat of an overachiever when it comes to my assignments.  The units/portfolios/lessons that I am asked to create are many and I just love finding and sometimes making cute covers for them!  There is so much freeeee and CUTE stuff on my favorite teaching blogs! And since I'm a perfectionist, this task can take days.
calligraphy // I shared that I have started calligraphy and it has definitely helped me pass the time.  Here is a recent one I posted on Instagram :)  follow me @sarah_ryan3 !

 
Now, all of this doesn't mean I'm never purchasing anything ever again, but until I get a little more grounded in my finances, I am playing it smart.   One last free note, head over to Elle & Company to download a beautiful verse for your iPhone background :)

Five on Friday

Hey, y'all!   It's Friday and I'm curled up in my warm house and decided it was time for a blog post.  With my semester ramping up, I don't have a ton of time these days to blog, but I don't want to put it off completely.   I'm here today to share 5 things with you that are on my mind this week! I hope you leave inspired :)   one :: i started calligraphy

I recently started learning calligraphy because, well, I think it's pretty! I took a class on Skillshare and learned the basics - how to hold your pen, how to ink up, how to write all of the letters uppercase and lowercase. It's been so much fun & has helped me stay sane indoors since it's too dang cold to go outside.

I still need some practice, but that is the fun part! I've just been looking up fun quotes on Pinterest to write in calligraphy.  Actually, my sketchbook is pretty fun & inspirational right now. I like it.     two :: organization/planner lovers unite

If there is one thing you do today, I hope it's to visit Elle & Company! The amazingly talented Lauren Hooker just launched her "design for a simple life" company this week & you will fall in love. Her featured product is the Daybook Planner. It's so perfect -- menu planner sheets, prayer sheets, lesson planner sheets, cleaning checklist & much more! Everything is so pretty, clean & simple! You will also want to follow her blog for fun stuff, like Friday morning coffee dates :) Go give her some love!     three :: it finally snowed

Here's the rundown...schools were already closed on Monday for MLK Jr. day, but we (my job) were open so I worked for 7 hours & then drove to class for 3. It was a long day.  THEN, due to the "anticipation of bad winter weather", school was closed on Tuesday. We are only closed if it's a Code 4. Well, it was code 3, so in we went. However, we ended up closing around 10 am because the snow was still coming down hard -- although roads were fine...? The county makes no sense. Then Wednesday rolls around and I'm sure we're finally going back to school.  Nope. Another day off & another code 3. Basically, we got about 2 inches of snow, apparently somewhere in the boonies of Montgomery County it was worse and I have had to work 20 hours already this week with children who were OFF THE WALL. I know 20 hours doesn't sound like a lot, but normally I work 9-12 for the entire week. Plus, on snow days, we're basically stuck inside.  This time we let them run relay races down the hallway -- you'd think we had given them $100! They were so pumped. Needless to say I am ready for the weekend :)     four :: cleaning up pinterest

follow me! I recently took the time to "clean up" my Pinterest, although really it's still a work in progress.  I figured out you can alphabetize your boards (makes my OCD heart happy) and I also started to break up my teaching boards into more specific categories, such as Teaching History and Classroom Decor. I used to just have one classroom board.  This will really help me in the present, with assignments, and in the future, when I'm actually teaching. I have also started some boards for some of my classes, like the Assessment Portfolio one. I thought about making it private because it isn't very "pretty", but oh well :)     five :: teaching is getting real and scary

My student teaching request form is due on March 1st. That means I'll hopefully be student teaching this upcoming fall.  I'm all sorts of nervous, scared and excited when I think about how close I am to becoming a "real" teacher.  Soon I'll be thinking about job fairs and interviews - which scare me to death - and about moving! This will be a crazy year.