How many times have you said - ‘well, that’s just the way I am’. Or how about ‘that’s the way I was raised.’ Or how about this one ‘everyone does that’. Usually this type of response comes from a question someone asked you and then you have your defensive answer - meaning - I can’t help it. 

But did you know that you can help it? You can stop being defensive and making excuses. This episode of the Positively Jane podcast is about excuses. And how living a life of excuses does not bring out your best or even the potential for you to live a content and joyful life. Hang onto your yoga pants cause this one is a biggie!

In this episode I chat about:

• The definition of excuses and how your excuses limit your full potential.

• Behaviors and examples that set the stage - how to recognize excuses in yourself.

• How it’s important that you make changes - not only for yourself but for the others around you.

• The 5 things that are happening to you when you live a life of excuses.
  

SHOW LINKS:

• Begin living your joyful life today: Joyful Living Quickstart Guide

• Track your money the easy way: You Need a Budget (YNAB)

• Get the Transcript: #19 Podcast Transcript

Let’s be Instagram friends: https://www.instagram.com/positively.jane/

Join the PJ Facebook Group: https://positivelyjane.net/PJ-Facebook

Positively Jane Website: https://www.PositivelyJane.net

Stress - you have it. I have it. It seems that everyone I know has it. Sometimes we create our own stress with overflowing calendars or to-do lists that will never get completed. And sometimes stress arrives because circumstances that are out of our control come flying in and take up space - and we don’t like that, am I right? Well…guess what? This episode of the Positively Jane podcast is about stress and how to reduce it. So stay tuned!

In this episode I chat about:

- The top 5 stress categories that create stress in the lives of most women and what you can do to combat those stressors. An action plan is included for each one.

- Stressor #1 - Money. Hands down this is the biggest stressor in the lives of most women. As a budget counselor, and after talking to hundreds of women, I know the ins and outs of women and money.

- Stressor #2 - What you eat. Garbage in = Garbage out. If you feel tired, cranky, or irritable all the time it could be what you are eating. When you eat the correct foods you will feel better.

- Stressor #3 - Organization. Or lack of it. Organization begins with a plan and ends with the action. Find the areas that need attention and create a plan…helpful hints are included.

- Stressor #4 - Clutter. Toys, laundry, dirty dishes, unmade beds - all contribute to a cluttered mind. And it's hard to enjoy your life in a cluttered environment. Establish systems and eliminate clutter.

- Stressor #5 - Daily Gratitude. Spend some time thinking about, and writing down, what you are grateful for. Your gratitude will eventually outweigh what you think you lack.

SHOW LINKS:

• Learn how to manage your stress: ‘Top 5 Stress Reducers (that no one tells you)'

• Begin your joyful life today: Joyful Living Quickstart Guide

• Get your money under control:  You Need a Budget (YNAB)

• Get the Transcript: #18 Podcast Transcript

Stressor #1 Money: 

Start with this FREE Easy Budget Plan

Step up your budgeting: Budgeting 101

Start using only cash: Cash Envelope System

From nothing to wealth inside the Financial Independence Society

Stressor #2 - What You Eat

Blog Post: Eating Healthy is Not Just For the Younger Generation

Stressor #3 - Organization

Blog Posts:

Where Does Organization Begin?

Your Daily To-Do List

Stressor #4 - Clutter

Blog Posts:

Preparing For Your Day

Eliminate the Overwhelm | The 5 Minute Declutter

Why I Make My Bed | 10 Reasons For a Clean House

25 Powerful Habits

Stressor #5 - Gratitude

Blog Posts:

Finding Joy in All Things

The Comparison Trap

Daily Gratitude Journal

Let’s be Instagram friends: https://www.instagram.com/positively.jane/

Join the PJ Facebook Group: https://positivelyjane.net/PJ-Facebook

Positively Jane Website: https://www.PositivelyJane.net

I think it’s time for some real talk. Some ‘if you were sitting across from me’ girl talk. I am going to dump some truths on you today that I normally pussy foot around. Truths that are cloaked in ‘I would like to suggest’ or ‘maybe it’s time’.

Only right now I am moving from suggestions to ‘oh my gosh girl…what are you waiting for’ truths.

What am I talking about? I am talking about money. Not budgets or spending habits but money. Real money. Money that you have and money you wish you have. So hang on - here we go!

In this episode I chat about:

- All the ladies I met who were living below the poverty line after a divorce or becoming a widow.

- How those shoes you are buying, your Target runs, and new sofa will not put help you when you are older like me and want to retire.

- It’s time to pay attention to your money now…before it’s too late.

- I ask you the same questions I asked my ladies when I was a budget counselor.

- How you need to KNOW where your money is going, if it’s invested and with who, how much is being saved, how much is being set aside for retirement.

- It’s time to stop making excuses for your lack of financial interest.

Links mentioned in this episode:

- Online budget system that takes the guesswork out of budgeting: 
You Need a Budget (YNAB)

- Download: My Financial Life

- Put the joy back in your life: Joyful Living Quickstart Guide 

- Stay in the loop: Aging Gracefully Newsletter

- Get the Transcript: #17 Podcast Transcript

Let’s be Instagram friends: https://www.instagram.com/positively.jane/

Join the PJ Facebook Group: https://positivelyjane.net/PJ-Facebook

Positively Jane Website: https://www.PositivelyJane.net

I hate to break it to you…but even if you are young you are aging. You are getting older every day. And one day, in that far future that you can’t even imagine, you will look back and wonder what happened. How did that person then become the person you are now? 

And not just in your physical appearance but in your inner heart and mind as well. And, if you are anything like me and everyone else I know who is my age, you will wish that you would have paid more attention and made the changes when you were younger.

So, if you would like to live a healthier lifestyle during your todays so that your tomorrows will better serve you, this episode of the Positively Jane Podcast is for you. I have 10 tips for choosing, and living a healthier lifestyle.

In this episode I chat about:

- Our soil in today’s world  and why supplements are important to get back what is gone.

- Hydration, exercise and food choices.

- How your thoughts and emotions can contribute or take away from the new and healthier you.

- Products that you can add to your daily routine that can help you live a healthier lifestyle and hopefully help you age gracefully.

Links mentioned in this episode:

- Keep track of your water, exercise and food + so much more. Grab the Today’s Plan PDF

- Be Well by Kelly Protein Powder: https://positivelyjane.net/bewell

- Quart Freezer Bags: https://positivelyjane.net/smoothiebags

- Strengthen your bones and more with Vital Proteins Collagen

- Drink your greens - Athletic Greens (AG1)

- Hydrate and get Salty with LMNT

- Control your blood sugar and get more energy and eliminate brain fog. Grab the Glucose Cookbook. How-to’s and great recipes: Glucose Goddess

- Episode 7: Use it or Lose it

- Learn how to create joy: Joyful Living Quickstart Guide

- Aging Gracefully Newsletter: https://positivelyjane.net/aging-gracefully

- Get the Transcript: #16 Podcast Transcript

Let’s be Instagram friends:
https://www.instagram.com/positively.jane/

Join the PJ Facebook Group:
 https://positivelyjane.net/PJ-Facebook

Positively Jane Website:
https://www.PositivelyJane.net

How would you feel if you could quit your day job at the age of 30, 40 or 50 and do something that you love instead? Or knew that you had saved enough money to comfortably live on for the rest of your life without worry?

Or you were financially independent? Meaning…you do not have to rely on your kids or the government to make sure you have enough money to live on when you are older because you know how to create financial independence?

In today’s episode of the Positively Jane podcast I am going to chat about creating wealth and independence. If you ever dreamed about having extra money, even a million dollars, this episode is for you. So hang on!

Today I chat about:

- Is it possible to save your way to wealth? How about a million dollars?

- How much money you need to save every month to have a million dollars.

- Why investing is the best way to create wealth. And why not to let investing scare you. How much would you need to invest to have a million dollars or more.

- How to find the money in your budget so you can save and invest. So you can create wealth.

And so much more.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Clothes for every woman - Chicos: https://positivelyjane.net/chicos

Find the Joy in Your Finances PDF: https://positivelyjane.net/joy-in-finances

Financial Independence Society:
https://pjacademy.positivelyjane.net/financial-independence-society

Investing for Freedom:
https://pjacademy.positivelyjane.net/investing-for-freedom

Retirement Calculator:
https://positivelyjane.net/retirement-calculator

Podcast #8 Build wealth: How Do You Begin?
https://positivelyjane.net/blog/podcast/build-wealth

Financial blog posts:
https://positivelyjane.net/blog/category/personal-finance/

Joyful Living Quickstart Guide: https://positivelyjane.net/quickstart-guide

Aging Gracefully Newsletter: https://positivelyjane.net/aging-gracefully

Get the Transcript: #15 Podcast Transcript

Let’s be Instagram friends:
https://www.instagram.com/positively.jane/

Join the PJ Facebook Group:
https://positivelyjane.net/PJ-Facebook

Positively Jane Website:
https://www.PositivelyJane.net

Do you look at model homes or open houses for inspiration and then point out the things that you love or the things you think are just plain dumb? Do you ever think ‘I would love to build a house from the ground up.

That way everything is the way I want it to be from the beginning.’ Do you hear horror stories about homes costing 15 or even 25% more than anticipated?

I used to hear that statistic and I was terrified when I built our first home. I could not afford to go that much over budget. Could you?

This episode of the Positively Jane Podcast is a tad different. Today I want to talk about how to manage those building costs to make sure you don’t go over your budget.

In the episode I chat about:

- What builder allowances are and how they affect your exact pricing.

- How to manage those allowances ahead of time so you know what your house will cost before you begin construction.

- How to keep the price of your new home in alignment with your budget.

- Questions to ask your builder.

And so much more.

Links mentioned in this episode:

- Questions to Ask Your Builder PDF

- Joyful Living Quickstart Guide

- Aging Gracefully Newsletter

- Get the Transcript: Podcast #14 Transcript

Let's be Instagram Friends:
https://www.instagram.com/positively.jane

Join the Positively Jane Facebook Group:
https://positivelyjane.net/PJ-Facebook

PositivelyJane Website:
https://www.PositivelyJane.net

I got a question for you - Do anxiety and fear have a way of just taking over your? Taking over your thought process? Your daily actions? Your life? Are you trying to figure out how to overcome anxiety and fear and hence the stress that goes along with it all?

Do you just wish those fears would go away? That you could just live your life in a joyful manner without dragging that all around with you.

I bet you do..and in this episode of the Positively Jane Podcast I am going to chat about how to overcome your fear, anxiety and stress. And, if you haven’t listened to podcast 12 yet please do - It is called ‘Are You Letting Fear Lead Your Life.’ I have linked it in the show notes.

In this episode I chat about:

- The different types of fears. The healthy ones (think crossing the street on a red light). Think necessary ones (think house burning down so have smoke alarms). And ones that are out of your control.

- What do fear and anxiety look like…I included a long list.

- How all fears have a stronghold on your heart.

- 99% of the things you worry about won’t happen.

- How to begin overcoming fear and anxiety. And exercise that allows you to look it directly in the face.

- The opportunity to work on the fears that are in your control…and to let go of the ones that are not.

- Taking a truthful look inside of you. Don’t let the fear of looking hold you back. Because once those fears are brought into the light they lose so much of the hold on you.

And so much more.

Links in this episode:

- Well Watered Women: https://positivelyjane.net/well-watered-women

- Anxiety and Fear Downloads: https://positivelyjane.net/anxiety-fear

- Prayers to print out and save: https://positivelyjane.net/prayer-cards

- Joyful Living Quickstart Guide: https://positivelyjane.net/quickstart-guide

- Aging Gracefully Newsletter: https://positivelyjane.net/aging-gracefully

- Prayers to Overcome Fear Blog Post: 

https://positivelyjane.net/blog/prayers-to-overcome-fear/

- Bible Verses for Fear, Worry and Anxiety Blog Post:

https://positivelyjane.net/blog/bible-verses-for-fear-anxiety-and-worry

- Podcast Episode #12: Are You Letting Fear Lead Your Life

-Get the Transcript: #13 Podcast Transcript

Let’s be Instagram friends: https://www.instagram.com/positively.jane/

Join the PJ Facebook Group: https://positivelyjane.net/PJ-Facebook

Positively Jane Website: https://www.PositivelyJane.net

I’m going to drop a statement here that you know conceptually…only your heart and mind like to think otherwise - You are not in complete control of your own life…no matter how hard you try. Things will happen around you.

Things that YOU did not initiate. Things that are out of your control. Things that you hate and wish were different. Things that cause great fear in you. Things that make you sad. As well as things that make you happy. Things that make you jump for joy. Things that make you want to hug everyone you meet.

In this episode of the Positively Jane Podcast I am going to talk about fear. The topic of fear is my second most read topic in my blog and I can’t wait to dive in and help you overcome your fears.

In this episode I chat about:

- There are 2 different situations in your life. #1: Things that you can control. #2: Things out of your control.

- When you are focused on the things that are out of your control you allow fear to control your life.

- In the midst of all that fear you might forget who you really are. A strong person with unique gifts and inner beauty.

- The many different types of fear. Including fear of falling, fear of crowds, fear of failure and more.

- Rather than letting fear have the last word, maybe it’s time to take action. Because you don’t need to avoid fear. It's time to face it head on.

And so much more. 

SHOW LINKS:

- Top 5 Stress Reducers: https://positivelyjane.net/5-Stress-Reducers

- Well Watered Women: https://positivelyjane.net/well-watered-women

- Joyful Living Blog Posts: https://positivelyjane.net/blog/category/joyful-living/

- Joyful Living Quickstart Guide: https://positivelyjane.net/quickstart-guide

- Aging Gracefully Newsletter: https://positivelyjane.net/aging-gracefully

- Podcast #10: What Do You See When You Look in the Mirror? 

- Get the Transcript: #12 Podcast Transcript

Let’s be Instagram friends:

https://www.instagram.com/positively.jane/

Join the PJ Facebook Group: 

https://positivelyjane.net/PJ-Facebook

Positively Jane Website:

https://www.PositivelyJane.net

Do you ever get frustrated when your desires, ones that are never communicated, are not met? What happens when you communicate one thing and expect something else to happen. Do you get upset? What happens when you put your ‘desires into the expectation box?' In today’s episode of the Positively Jane Podcast I want to chat about those desires of yours…and what happens when they become expectations.

In this episode I chat about:

- Our desires vs our expectations. Why is it that we don’t even communicate our desires? Why do we sometimes feel uncomfortable dreaming? Are we afraid that those dreams might become expectations? Or not become a reality.

- Sometimes we communicate our expectations and they can’t be met. Lack of funds. No desire or something else.

- What happens when your desires become expectations? What happens when those ‘expectations’ aren’t met? You know - the ones that were only wishes to begin with?

- What do you do with those different thought processes. Those desires vs expectations. Those desires in a relationship.

And so much more!

SHOW LINKS:

- Joyful Living Quickstart Guide: https://positivelyjane.net/quickstart-guide

- Aging Gracefully Newsletter: https://positivelyjane.net/aging-gracefully

- Vitruvi Diffusers, Humidifiers and Oils: https://positivelyjane.net/vitruvi

- Quart Freezer Bags: https://positivelyjane.net/smoothiebags

- Get the Transcript: #11 Podcast Transcript

Let’s be Instagram friends: 
https://www.instagram.com/positively.jane/

Join the PJ Facebook Group:
https://positivelyjane.net/PJ-Facebook

Positively Jane Website:
https://www.PositivelyJane.net

Are you overly critical of yourself? Do you look in the mirror and see all of the flaws? Maybe you have freckles and hate them. Or you have straight hair and want a wave. Do your teeth just make you crazy? What about what is the inside of you - what do you see there? Do you see someone who doesn’t measure up to someone else’s expectations? Do you see that big L on your forehead? Do you think of the word ‘failure’ when you see yourself? In this episode of the Positively Jane podcast I want to chat about you…and how wonderful you really are. Yup, really.

In this episode I chat about:

 - What do you see when you look in the mirror? Are you critical of how you look?

- What about the inside of you…the secret places that no one sees Has someone in your life put you down, said that you are worthless, or made you feel small?

- Do you know that you are Loved. Worthy. Enough.

- What if you could turn those negative thoughts into positively ones.

- My own personal story of a face that left a lot to be desired. And the many lessons I learned that year.

And so much more!

SHOW LINKS:

- Joyful Living Quickstart Guide: https://www.positivelyjane.net/quickstart-guide

- Above the Line Thinking: https://www.positivelyjane.net/above-the-line

- Aging Gracefully Newsletter: https://positivelyjane.net/aging-gracefully

- Vitruvi Diffusers, Humidifiers and Oils: https://www.positivelyjane.net/vitruvi

- Get the Transcript: #10 Podcast Transcript 

Let’s be Instagram friends:

https://www.instagram.com/positively.jane/

Join the PJ Facebook Group:

https://positivelyjane.net/PJ-Facebook

Positively Jane Website:

https://www.PositivelyJane.net