Today's episode is on a topic that was requested by a follower! Jesse and I share what it's been like navigating back-to-back senior years with our daughters, Kathrynne and Kaitlynn! It has been a whirlwind of emotions and logistics and Jesse and I are opening up about our experiences - the highs, the challenges, the blessings, and the unexpected lessons that we have learned along the way. Jesse and I share things we learned the hard way, how it's been different for each daughter, what has been easier about going through senior year the second time, and just fun insider information about the experiences that we haven't shared elsewhere online. Whether you have a senior or a child in high school or just are curious what we've learned, I hope that you enjoy listening to us share
In This Episode[0:35] - Jesse and I are talking today about having back-to-back seniors. [1:13] - I share insights from a devotional from a book, highlighting God's timing and unexpected blessings. [4:08] - Hear how I discovered unforeseen opportunities through MoneySavingMom.com. [7:03] - Be sure to follow @crystaliscleaning on Instagram! [9:04] - The challenges and emotional intensity of having two high school seniors in two years. [12:52] - Jesse finds our current senior year smoother compared to the previous one, crediting Kaitlynn's self-motivation. [13:44] - I reflect on simplifying preparations for Kaitlynn's graduation, learning from past experiences with Kathrynne. [22:18] - Encouraging preparedness and focusing on the next year makes for smoother transitions for children. [23:13] - Kaitlynn's openness to uncertainty and evolving plans for the future. [28:09] - What I'm learning about embracing the present while also thinking about the future.Links & Resources
LinksCrystal Paine Embraced: 100 Devotions to Know God Is Holding You Close by Lysa TerKeurst FREE Simplified Home ChecklistsSocial MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)Crystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook groupcrystal@moneysavingmom.com

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258. How We're Processing Having Back-to-Back Seniors

The Crystal Paine Show is dedicated to helping you embrace life right where you are and take practical steps to get where you want to go. Crystal says, &#34;My hope is that this podcast will serve as an inspiration to your week, a pause in your day to slow down and reflect a little, a looked-forward-to part of your weekly routine, a place where we can connect on a deeper level… and ultimately, my desire is that you come away from listening to each episode feeling motivated to bloom where you are planted and take intentional steps to move in the direction you are longing to go.&#34; Crystal is a wife, mom of 6, foster/adoptive mom, speaker, New York Times bestselling author, and online entrepreneur, best known for founding MoneySavingMom.com.

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Myquillyn Smith was my very first in-person guest to ever have on the show -- back in 2018! (Listen to episode 12.) And because I loved the in-person experience so much, we decided to ultimately only have in-person guests on the podcasts! She's also someone I've known for years and years through blogging -- back before social media was even a thing! She has a brand-new book called, House Rules: How to Decorate for Every Home Style and Budget. It's a fun and very visual book with lots of practical inspiration (and pictures of her house!). I underlined and dog-eared so many pages in the book and loved getting to ask her to share more about some of my favorite parts of the book. Listen in as Myquillyn shares about why she wrote a book on rules (you'll breathe a sign of relief to know it's not going to be a rigid system but rather simple guidelines!), the importance of authenticity, and the power of starting with what you know. She also teaches us about the "Homey Trinity" and the significance of proper lighting and decor scale. And you'll be encouraged as she talks about how limitations can actually lead to creativity in unexpected ways. Plus, we discuss the concept of clutter and how to navigate the fine line between cozy and chaotic. We close this episode with me asking Myquillin what the hardest rule is for her to follow -- you might be surprised with her answer! Throughout the conversation, Myquillyn reminds us that our homes should serve us, not the other way around. I hope that this episode helps you to see and approach your home and decorating in a brand-new light!In This Episode[0:35] - Today’s guest is returning guest Myquillyn Smith! [2:02] - Myquillyn talks about how starting online was intimidating and why she originally went by the pseudonym of The Nester. [4:33] - Teaching decor involves guidelines, but breaking rules can enhance creativity and confidence. [7:29] - Do what you know, use what you have, and finish what you started with. [9:11] - Myquillyn advises starting with inspiration, creating a Pinterest board, and identifying the needs of a room for decorating confidently. [12:12] - You'll love this story of Myquillyn's fancy drapes and how she adapted them to better suit her casual lifestyle. [15:39] - When we find ourselves overly protective of our homes, it's a sign that something needs to change. [17:54] - Owning practical, easy-to-clean furniture allows freedom in enjoying and sharing your home. [19:29] - How to appreciate thrift store finds without feeling compelled to own them brings peace and contentment. [22:00] - The "Homey Trinity" of rugs, window treatments, and lighting. [25:30] - Myquillyn identifies her biggest struggle as items left on the floor becoming "unintended decor". [26:44] - Hear my solution to Myquillyn's challenge - keeping a dumpster in the garage for donations. [30:38] - Be sure to check out 10 Weeks to a More Organized Home, and use the code PODCAST at checkout!Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineThe Crystal Paine Show - 12. How to Create a Home That Serves Your Family (with Myquillyn Smith)Myquillyn’s WebsiteMyquillyn’s Instagram PageMyquillyn’s Threads Page10 Weeks to a More Organized HomeBooksHouse Rules: How to Decorate for Every Home Style and Budget by Myquillyn SmithSocial MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)Crystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook groupcrystal@moneysavingmom.com

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* Visit armoire.style/CRYSTAL to get up to 50% off your first month, that’s up to $125 OFF! Never worry about what to wear again—try Armoire today!


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260. Simple Rules to Decorate Your Home No Matter Your Style or Budget (with Myquillyn Smith)

I recently shared a blog post on How to Graduate College Debt-Free. This post sparked so many discussions via comments and messages on my blog and through social media that I wanted to explore the topic more in-depth with Jesse on a podcast.  This is not a podcast saying that every single person should go to college with zero debt, nor is the purpose to heap shame and guilt on anyone who has college debt. Instead, our hope is just to challenge you to think outside the box a little and to share some strategies and inspiration for ways to save money on college. In this episode, we not only share personal experience from Jesse going to college and law school debt-free, but also from recent things we've learned from our girls. We discuss how it begins with mindset. If you don't believe you can do something or think something is not possible, there's a good chance you're not going to be very motivated to try. We then get really practical and dig into tips and ideas for spending less on college, how to plan ahead for college expenses, how to leverage scholarships, and ways that you can significantly lower college costs just by going a nontraditional route. I hope this episode inspires you with ideas, insights, and inspiration -- whether you are thinking of going back to college, have a child who will be starting college in the not-too-distant future, or you are just curious how it might be possible to get a college degree without debt. As always, we'd love to hear your feedback, ideas, and thoughts after you listen to the episode!In This Episode[0:35] - Today’s topic - getting a debt-free college education, was inspired by a blog post of mine. [2:27] - Belief in possibility is the initial step towards accomplishing anything. [7:33] - Debt relies on uncertain futures; prioritize your current affordability. [10:24] - Choosing in-state education and state scholarships drastically reduces college expenses. [13:21] - Community colleges offer more affordable Gen Ed credits, which can really help save money. [15:13] - Plan strategically and explore dual enrollment in high school + look into alternatives to living on campus. [18:48] - Many students transfer schools after the first year, indicating initial choices may not be your final choices. [21:45] - Challenge your own students to actively seek scholarships. Numerous opportunities exist, even for niche interests. [24:12] - Treat scholarship hunting as a part-time job, maximizing financial aid opportunities. [25:47] - Explore job opportunities offering tuition reimbursement or discounts, including college roles such as being an RA. [29:53] - A mindset shift with creative solutions helps pave the way for generational financial freedom.Links & ResourcesCrystal Paine Blog Post: How To Graduate College Debt-Free College of the Ozarks - “Graduate Debt Free”Social MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)Crystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook groupcrystal@moneysavingmom.com

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Claritin: www.claritin.com
* Check out undefined and use my code CRYSTAL for a great deal: undefined
* Visit armoire.style/CRYSTAL to get up to 50% off your first month, that’s up to $125 OFF! Never worry about what to wear again—try Armoire today!


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259. Going to College Debt-Free: Our Best Tips & Strategies

Do you ever feel like you're just barely keeping your head above water? If so, this episode of The Crystal Paine Show is for you! Jesse and I have been married for 21 years and we've learned and grown a lot in those years -- and tried a lot of different things that worked and many things that didn't. In this conversation, we share some of our simple systems that keep us sane and help us to have breathing room in our days to enjoy our life and invest in what matters most. First up, we talk about how we each have our own jurisdictions in managing our house and business and what that looks like. We also share what we expect of our kids and how us all working together really frees up a lot of physical and emotional energy for us as parents. Then, we move onto detailing changes we've made this year to simplify and how it has made such a difference: like reserving one day a week for meetings and interviews, carefully considering commitments and what that looks like for us right now, and how we have our work schedule set up so we both get time to work in. We end with sharing a number of different strategies we employ to eliminate decision fatigue and to streamline our lives: things like groceries, dishes, laundry, daily routines, avoiding paper piles, and more! I also give you a little peek into my home life growing up and talk about how my mom's organized systems influenced me. If you're ready to ditch the overwhelm and reclaim your peace of mind, I hope our ideas serve as a springboard for solutions that might work for you, and don't forget to snag your free Simplified Home Checklists!In This Episode[0:35] - Today's episode dives into practical strategies for maintaining sanity and enjoying life even if there's a lot going on. [1:52] - Delegation and instilling teamwork and work ethic in our kids. [4:35] - Gradual release of responsibility leads to independence as kids develop their own systems over time. [8:20] - Everyone is an asset to our home and we all work together. [11:05] - What simplifying has looked like for our home and schedule this year and one change that has made a big difference. [15:58] - Our current schedule for work-life balance with both of us working from home. [18:39] - How my mom's organized systems have influenced me. [20:46] - Scheduling grocery deliveries and using cost-saving programs like Kroger Boost. [22:59] - Daily routines, paper piles, and how we prep for our day the night before. [27:52] - Check out the free Simplified Home Checklists!Links & ResourcesCrystal Paine208. Slacker Parenting (AKA How to spend less time micromanaging and more time enjoying your kids)232. Why We Require Our Teens to Get a Job at 15Kroger BoostSimplified Home ChecklistsSocial MediaCrystal Paine on InstagramCrystal Paine on TwitterCrystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook groupcrystal@moneysavingmom.com

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Claritin: www.claritin.com
* Check out undefined and use my code CRYSTAL for a great deal: undefined
* Visit armoire.style/CRYSTAL to get up to 50% off your first month, that’s up to $125 OFF! Never worry about what to wear again—try Armoire today!


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257. Simple Systems That Keep Us Sane

This episode is a reminder to trust your God-given intuition. If you feel something is wrong or off, get it checked out. In this podcast, we share the story of Micah getting really sick recently and how it ended up landing him in the hospital. We got so many questions from you all about his illness and how we knew when it was time to take him to the hospital/what we experienced, that I thought recording a podcast episode sharing in-depth might be helpful. We're so grateful that Micah is doing better now and fully back to his sweet, busy, silly self! We missed all his smiles and laughter and singing while he was sick! In this episode, we also give an update on what we're reading, share a reader's response to last week's episode, and we have a fun and friendly "argument" over audiobooks. In This Episode [0:35] - This week, we're sharing about Micah's recent sickness and hospital stay. [1:27] - Jesse is still reading Three Felonies A Day by Harvey Silvergate and Alan M. Dershowitz because it’s a dense read. [2:01] - I've been reading I Want God by Lisa Whittle. [4:10] - I share a message from a listener about commentary in last episode about Farmer Boy. [6:07] - Jesse and I have a friendly discussion about whether audiobooks count as "reading" and he shares about the John Grisham audiobooks he's listened to recently, including Jake Brigance trilogy. [8:45] - I had a very full weekend planned, including my last girls-only youth group camp and attending my friend's wedding, but that all changed when Micah got sick. [12:04] - We knew we needed to do something and ended up calling and asking about getting Zofran. [14:01] - Micah's symptoms persisted, prompting a pediatrician visit. [18:39] - We ended up in the ER and it took many attempts plus two rounds of sedatives to finally get the IV in. [24:31] - After hours of IV fluids in the ER, they ended up deciding to admit Micah as his labs didn't look good. [29:23] - I touch upon some of the lessons that were learned from this experience. Links & Resources Crystal Paine BooksThree Felonies A Day: How the Feds Target the Innocent by Harvey Silvergate and Alan M. DershowitzI Want God: How to Love Him with Your Whole Heart and Revive Your Soul by Lisa WhittleFarmer Boy: Little House, Book 2 by Laura Ingalls WilderJake Brigance Trilogy by John GrishamSocial MediaCrystal Paine on InstagramCrystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook groupcrystal@moneysavingmom.com

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Claritin: www.claritin.com
* Check out undefined and use my code CRYSTAL for a great deal: undefined
* Visit armoire.style/CRYSTAL to get up to 50% off your first month, that’s up to $125 OFF! Never worry about what to wear again—try Armoire today!


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

258. How We're Processing Having Back-to-Back Seniors

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