blogging: 13 things I wish I’d known sooner

Though you might not admit it to your parents or friends, you want to make money from it. You want to be “big.” You may want a book deal someday. Fabulous.

I thought since I’ve been around for awhile, & I’m really one of those late bloomers, someone who it’s taken five years to finally *get* blogging,

Blogging is the wild west of the business world (one of the many). It’s uncharted territory, & the fact is, all of us are DIYing it. We’re writing the rules as we go along. And that’s exciting.

Awhile back, a friend discovered I had a blog.

“It’s really nice,” she said.

I chuckled. I don’t like talking about my blog with others. I’m a little sheepish–it’s as if we’re talking about my journal or something.

“No really, it looks professional,” she continued.

Ha! I’d hope so. After five...

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why frozen is often better + cauliflower chickpea curry

I received an email the other day, regarding this post, about cutting our grocery bill & getting out of debt a year sooner. Essentially, my cra-crazy idea was to drastically cut the grocery budget & pretty much live on rice & beans.

When people say that–“we’re living on rice & beans”–I have serious doubts they’re only eating rice & beans. Because as much as I love rice & beans (I share two of my fave recipes in my free ebook, SIMPLE), man cannot live on rice & beans alone. I mean, is it possible? Yes. Just like it’s possible to lose weight eating only green smoothies & lettuce. You can do it. But if given the choice, would you? Probably not.

So back to the email. Denille writes:

“So it is April 2014 tomorrow, how did you do at the end of your journey?  Did you make your goal?...

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{MM} thin mint & dark chocolate ice cream bars, bluebonnets, & books

I’ve had a sore throat & fever (not strep, just a stubborn viral thing going on).

Joseph & I didn’t go out to a movie, like I’d hoped, but we did finally get around to watching Frozen. We loved it (who didn’t?).

And yesterday, we went out for a walk.

And took pictures of the bluebonnets, which are everywhere in Texas now.

I try to stay away from that place. Not just because it’s massively overwhelming for my brain (so, so many books–it’s dizzying) but also because, if I have any money at all, I must spend it on books. I have no choice. (Hi, my name is Janae & I’m addicted to buying books.)

Joseph wasn’t with me, but I did call him when I wanted to buy a book.

“Honey, I want to get this book. It’s pretty fantastic–The Best American Essays of the Century. The best essays. How can...

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