A Can Do Mom

Like it or not, you need a budget. If for no other reason, it’s incredibly helpful when it comes to saving money for a rainy day. Because let’s be honest when things are going well financially, it’s easy to forget about that little thing called a savings account . Creating a budget doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here’s a simple breakdown of how to start and what to consider along the way. Step 1: Know Your Numbers Before choosing a budgeting method, you need to understand where your money is coming from and where it’s going. Gather all your financial documents , including: Bank statements Investment account info W-2s and pay stubs Credit card bills Utility bills Loan statements (mortgage, car, student, etc.) 1099s or side hustle income Recent receipts (look back over 3 months if possible) Calculate Your Income Add up all the money you bring in each month: your paycheck, side gigs, child support, Social Security, etc. If your income varies, use your lo...

The last couple of years have really changed the way people view homeschooling. More families are exploring it—not just because of temporary school closures or concerns about curriculum, but because they want more flexibility, personalized learning, and time with their children. If you’re considering homeschooling, the good news is that there’s no one "right" way to do it. But there are some important steps to take before jumping in. Whether you're starting fresh with your kindergartener or pulling your teen out of public school, here's a roadmap to help you get started with confidence. 1. Start With Communication Before you make any major changes, talk it through. Speak with your spouse or partner, reach out to homeschooling families, and most importantly, include your children in the conversation. Even though we started homeschooling from the beginning, I made it clear to our kids that if they ever wanted to try public school, we’d talk about it. I’ve also see...

Being a parent means becoming an expert in all kinds of unexpected things, and stain removal is definitely one of them. From grass-stained knees to ketchup-covered sleeves, kids seem to attract messes like magnets. But don’t worry I’ve got your back (and your laundry pile) with this ultimate guide to removing some of the most common kid stains. Not all stains are created equal, and some take a little more elbow grease than others. Here’s how to tackle the mess, one splatter at a time. How to Remove Marker and Crayon Stains Arts and crafts are all fun and games until your child becomes the canvas. Thankfully, most of the time, you can save their favorite shirt. ✏️ Marker Stains These are trickier than crayons, but not impossible. What You’ll Need: Rubbing alcohol Paper towels Patience Steps: Place the clothing stain-side down on a stack of paper towels. Dab rubbing alcohol around the stain, then directly on it. Keep sponging the stain with a clean paper t...

I’ve heard it more times than I can count: “You should try to get 10,000 steps a day for weight loss and better health.” So when I got my Fitbit and saw that the preset goal was 10,000 steps, I was all in. Most days I could hit that without a problem, and I even bumped my goal up to 12,000. I felt like I was really doing great. So imagine my surprise when I went in for my annual physical and my doctor told me I could stand to lose a few pounds—and that my cholesterol was a little too high. Then she asked the question that changed everything: “Are you actually getting your heart rate up, or are you just getting steps?” Oof. I had to admit that most days my little “cardio zone” circle wasn’t green, even though I was walking over 5 miles a day. According to my Fitbit, I was doing plenty. But somehow, it wasn’t making the difference I expected. That’s when my doctor told me to stop focusing so much on my step count and start aiming for 30 minutes of brisk walking at least five days a...