One Saved Penny

HAPPINESS IS: My baby girl having a baby.

I will say though, there’s something no one really prepares you for when your daughter becomes a mother.

Of course, I'm bursting with love, pride, and joy, but I wasn't expecting the rush of all the other emotions.

I'm feeling things shift. The world is so different now. So much information lives right in the palm of her hand. Her husband gets paternity leave. That was unheard of when I was having my babies. There’s a strange feeling of grief in the realization that she won't need me the way I needed my mom.

I SO wish my mom could be here to witness this moment. To see how far my daughter has come since those days spent at grandma's kitchen table. To see her great-grandson. But I also know this sweet boy already carries a piece of her with him.

This last week has been quietly changing and challenging me. It’s reminding me that growth doesn’t always look like adding more or doing more, it can actually mean doing less. Just being present, available, and allowing myself to grow into this new season.

If I'm lucky, when I'm gone, my kids, grands and great grands will be wishing I was still here to witness their miracles too.

Christmas might be over, but I still wanted to share this powerful exercise that I created a few years ago. It's a really great way to close out one year and to welcome the next.

I want to challenge you to write your own letter from Santa. Not the cheesy kind. The honest kind.

The kind that says:
“I saw what you carried this year.”
“I saw the things you handled quietly.”
“I saw the growth no one clapped for.”
“I saw the moments you wanted to quit, but didn’t.”

Write it as if Santa already knows the full story, not just the highlights. This isn’t about pretending everything was magical.
It’s about naming what was true and letting that be enough as you step into 2026.

You can write it for yourself as a way to end the year with clarity and closure. OR, you can write it as a gift for someone else who could really use it.

If you feel comfortable, I’d love to see yours too. I would be more than happy to put your letter into my template and send it back to you. Just ask.

Even if you don’t share it, I still want to encourage you to do the exercise. Some things work their magic quietly, and this is one of them.

Try it. Your Future You will thank you.

If you feel “off” after the holidays, you might not need a reset. You might just need to rest.

After days of company, noise, food, schedules, emotions, and expectations, my body wasn’t ready to create, journal, plan, or even think about 2026.

So I didn’t.

Instead, I went and sat in my shed/office.
I turned up the heat. Turned off the lights.
Watched something mindless on YouTube.
Maybe even fell asleep for a few minutes.

And about an hour later, I felt like myself again.

Nothing was wrong with my motivation. My nervous system just needed proof that it was safe to stand down.

If you’re struggling to get back on track, try this first:
warmth, quiet, and permission to do absolutely nothing.

The clarity comes back on its own.

2025 has taught me more about myself, my business, my support system, and my priorities more than any book or business plan ever could.

I learned what really matters when life interrupts your routines. And I learned how valuable it is to build a life and a business that can be flexible without breaking.

I will be moving forward into 2026 with more intention, more clarity, and a deeper respect for what’s sustainable for my health, my work, and my relationships.

I don’t feel rushed and I don’t feel behind.

I feel grounded, and I’m choosing to build from that place.

I’m grateful for the people who walked with me through it, and for what’s unfolding next. I’m still here, and this community still matters to me, more than ever.

This last weekend, I decided to drive into town for a working day, as my office and desk have been out of control with clutter.

I knew it was getting bad, because every time I would walk into my office, I immediately felt irritated and anxious. I was constantly moving piles from one spot to another, misplacing documents, and even making piles under my desk to "get to later".

So on Saturday, I rolled up my sleeves and spent the entire afternoon filing, clearing, cleaning, tossing, and organizing. For awhile there, it looked way worse than when I had started! There were a few moments that I wondered if I could get it all done that day.

I have to say, the time and effort were totally worth it. Walking into my office this morning felt completely different. The space is calm, clean, fresh, and tidy. What I wasn't expecting was that my brain would feel the same way. It really is amazing how much our surroundings impact our mood, focus and energy.

I've heard before that when we remove the physical clutter from our spaces, it makes room for mental clarity. Based on this experience, I believe that to be 100% true!

I just wanted to share this in case anyone else has been feeling the same way, and putting off the task of decluttering. Yes, it took 5 hours away from my weekend, but I can't think of anything else that has come close to bringing me such mental satisfaction and results with minimal effort.

Did You Remember to "Fall Back"? 🍂⏰

Daylight Savings Time has ended, but there’s still time to make the “extra hour" count. You might remember I shared something similar last year, but it’s worth saying again, because an hour gained is still an opportunity to:

Catch Up on Rest. If you didn’t use that extra time for sleep this morning, it’s not too late. Sneak in an afternoon nap, or simply head to bed an hour earlier tonight. Your body will thank you tomorrow.

Take a Self-Care Moment. Use what’s left of your Sunday to slow down. Watch some football or an oldie-but-goodie movie, get some fresh air, stretch, or read a few pages of a good book. Whatever helps you unwind, make time for it today.

Plan for a Smooth Week. A little planning this afternoon can make all the difference. Prep meals, organize your to-do list, or set a few goals for the week ahead.

Tidy & Refresh. Toss expired supplements or spices, swap out seasonal clothes, clean out your car, or go through that growing pile of mail. Small, simple resets can really clear the mind.

Get Moving. Even if it’s just a short walk or a few body-weight exercises at home, movement will leave you feeling more energized and ready for the week.

Connect with Someone. Call a friend or family member, send a quick message, or share a favorite old photo and say, “remember when?” A few minutes of connection can make your day (and theirs) brighter.

However you spend it, make the rest of your “bonus day” count! I’d love to hear how you chose to use your extra hour!

🍁 Welcome, November! 🍂

We don’t have to wait until the 27th to be thankful. Gratitude can start right now! Every day this month, let’s find one thing to appreciate, big or small.

What’s one thing you’re thankful for today?

HAPPINESS IS: Finally understanding my mother's obsession with the beauty of the changing seasons. I get it now. There's something so magical about the shift from summer's green to autumn's glowing color palette.

This tree stopped me in my tracks today. I had to pull over just to take it all in and to snap a quick photo. If my mom were still here today, I would have sent it to her. But since she is not, I decided to share it here with you instead.

Today, I challenge you: If you catch a glimpse of the beauty around you, take a moment to really celebrate it, appreciate it, and soak it all in. I'd love to see YOUR photos too!

💕 Are you treating yourself like someone you truly love? 💕

Think about how you care for the people you love: encouraging them, supporting them, showing them kindness. Do you do the same for yourself? If not, today is the perfect day to start. 💖

In honor of Valentine's Day, what’s one small way you can show yourself love and care this week?

Because love isn’t just about relationships. It starts with how we treat ourselves. 💖✨ Drop a comment and share one thing you love about yourself! ⬇️

Hi everyone!

Back in 2019, I created a challenge group to support and encourage each other to stay active, and it was so much fun to see how it brought people together and helped people reach their goals. Unfortunately, when I started up my business, the group took a back seat, and I eventually I just ended up abandoning and de-populating it.

Lately, I’ve been hearing from so many of you asking about starting accountability challenges again, so I decided to revive the group!
Starting this month, we’re starting with the 5x5 Challenge: At least 5 minutes of activity for at least 5 days a week.

What good is only 5 minutes, you may be asking? Well, we all know that sometimes the hardest part about doing any kind of exercise or activity is just getting started. But we also know that once you DO get started, it's a whole lot easier to keep going for a little longer. 5 minutes can easily turn into 15 minutes. And even if you only do it for 5 minutes, it's still creating a great habit!

Whether you’re walking, stretching, dancing, running, whatever! It all counts!

This is a space for positivity, support, and celebrating every little win. No prizes this time—just the joy of moving and staying accountable with a great group of people.

Invite your friends and family, and let’s make this fun and beneficial for everyone. Who’s ready to join?

It's a private group, so just let me know if you want an invitation!

Let’s Get Moving Together! 🌟

See you there!

Look what I found in my desk drawer today!

Almost one year ago, I decided that it was time to upgrade my Ideal Protein with Penny/One Saved Penny office space. We were bursting at the seams, and I knew that in order to continue growing, it would require a move.

As with all things, I put my wish list in writing.

Do you want to guess how many of these items I was able to cross off my list when we found our new home just a few months later? If you guessed 100%, you would be correct.

There was a point where I thought I wanted a different building, and when it fell through, I was really upset. When I look back at this list today, I can see why it didn't work out. The parking was always full from the medical clinic next door. The reception area was very small, and would have been set apart from the retail area. The layout was wonky, and didn't flow well. Plus, it would have added an extra 10-15 minute commute both to and from work. At the time, I couldn't see any of that. Now that my list has reappeared, it is crystal clear.

Here's another fun fact about our space. I found it, not our broker. It wasn't even listed properly.

I know you all probably get tired of hearing me preach this, but let me say it again: YOU MUST WRITE OUT YOUR GOALS AND DREAMS! And then watch what happens next.

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I would love to hear from others who have used their own "magic pencil" or vision boards! Please share in the comments, or send me a private message.