Friday Round-Up: Finance, Parenting and Mom Blogs

I have a little over a week until my marathon, and as I continue to train and my excitement grows, I am left with a sense of wonder at my personal investment in a big life goal. Now that it’s here, I am in constant awe of the human body. And I just can’t wait to cross another one of my life goals off my bucket list!

Surprisingly, I have little to say about the training experience. Basically, it was long. It was hard. It was worth it.

Beyond my eloquent words about the training, I do wish to leave readers with this: you can accomplish anything you put your mind to. I am not only a formerly unfit person, but I have Type 1 diabetes. If I can run a marathon, you can do anything!

So get out there and accomplish your own huge goals. Pay down that debt. Save for retirement. Bungee jump. Learn Chinese. Whatever you want to do, all it takes is a little time investment, patience and determination. Oh, and don’t forget to enjoy the journey – it’s half the fun.

How about you: what’s on your bucket list?

Here are some great posts from the week; be sure to check them out!

• Drop by to wish Mysti well. She has major party issues that might be cured with a little encouragement.
• Niki delves into the cool sweater weather with a little blah-ness toward saving. It’s just not quite as exciting as becoming Debt Free by Thirty / paying off debts. Anyone have any awesome saving excitement tactics? Head on over to let her know!
• Take some advice from the Wizard of Oz and Lindy Mint @ Minting Nickels: Clip Clip Here, Clip Clip There. Cutting out a few unnecessary small Items from the budget can leave you a little more for paying off debts.
• Paula points out that spending on experiences can make you happier than purchasing tangible items. So book that vacation; you really can Afford Anything you truly desire.
• While Crystal is at the Financial Bloggers Conference, Kevin @ Invest it Wisely writes about The Dangers of Cubicle Living: our rat race, our cubicles and our stress. He takes the time to encourage us all to Budget in the Fun Stuff (and the exercise).
• At Life and My Finances, Derek asks what to do if you’re thinking about retirement a little late in life. My favorite tip is to make your hobbies work for you; let Derek know what your favorite tip is as well!
• Check out Money Talks for a little retirement planning game; Ashley shows us how with a little (super-early) planning your child could be ready to retire with minimal investments. Play along – it really is fun!
• Sarah @ So Says Sarah makes kid-friendly sushi. I don’t know if that’s just kid-friendly; that looks pretty adult-friendly, too!
• Think you need a peace pipe to help make peace at your house? Follow Amy @ How Did I Get Like This as she explains how to help boys get along: place them in the virtual world together.
• Blueberries may not be octopus, but if the kiddies don’t like fruit, they may as well be. Try to hide that forbidden fruit in a tasty muffin, courtesy of Kristen @ My Kids Eat Squid.
• Watch out Hitchcock – there’s a new director in town: your child! Alex @Perfecting Parenthood shows us how to create a Halloween horror movie with your kids.

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