Category: Goals

5 Reasons Why Hocking Hills Should be on Your Bucket List

12/5/2023

Looking for something fun to add to your Bucket List that won't cost you an arm and a leg or a trip around the world (I'm looking at you, overwater bungalows in Bora Bora!)?
Consider Hocking Hills, Ohio!
Feeling doubtful that there's something cool enough in Ohio to add to your Bucket List? To that I say;
A. Ohio is awesome, and there's actually plenty of cool things to do here.
and
B. Hocking Hills is definitely Bucket List worthy!
Here are my 5 Reasons Why Hocking Hills should be on your Bucket List.

1. You can rent a cabin in the woods with a hot tub and a fireplace
And isn't that all we really want?

2. Amazing hikes for hiking enthusiasts and non-hikers alike
I like hiking, but am definitely not a professional, and me and Rocco absolutely loved the hiking Hocking Hills had to offer. Even when it was 28 degrees outside, we loved it!

3. Out of this world views that you will make you believe you are not in Ohio
Holy moly, you will not believe some of the insane things you will see while exploring Hocking Hills (like the Devil's Bathtub, above)!

4. You can do as little or as much as you want here
Hocking Hills is a great place to escape everyday life, do some soul searching, mosey along a sleepy trail, relax in a hot tub, and read in front of a crackling fireplace.
Or, you can hike the 25 miles of trails, go kayaking, horseback riding, and zip lining!

5. You can bring your dog here
Rocco loved his trip to Hocking Hills (I didn't have Kramer yet), and I loved having him there.
I visited here during my divorce, and being able to get away with Rocco for a weekend was exactly what my soul needed.
I am always looking for fun dog-friendly places and activities, and Hocking Hills is the perfect place for that.

Read all about my Hocking Hills trip.

Start your Bucket List today!

Peace Love and Hocking Hills
Jess <3

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50 Things You Should Add to Your Bucket List Today

12/29/2022

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50 Things You Should Add to Your Bucket List Today

Has your Bucket List gotten a little boring as of late? Can't think of anything new and exciting to add to it?
Well today I have for you 50 ideas to infuse your Bucket List with some excitement, and to get you motivated to get out there and live!
All 50 of these are things I have already done, and come with my highest recommendation!
Some of the items on this list are completely life changing. Others are just super fun, and something you should experience before you kick the bucket!

1. Travel Solo
2. Own a business
3. Hike at Hocking Hills
4. Swim in an infinity pool
5. Fall in love

6. Adopt a dog. Not buy. Adopt.
7. Attend a yoga retreat in Vietnam
8. Go white water rafting
9. Be confident in my own body
10. Experience Atlanta

11. Go to China
12. Crowd surf
13. Go skinnydipping
14. Karaoke
15. Be able to drive manual

16. Go snorkeling
17. Kiss in the rain
18. Go to a drive in movie
19. Live in a foreign country
20. Invest $1,000

21. Ride a mechanical bull
22. Have $5,000 in my savings
23. Do volunteer work
24. Make your own sushi
25. Go zip lining

26. Go kayaking
27. Go to 10 countries
28. Visit New York City
29. Eat tacos and drink tequila in Mexico
30. Get a tattoo

31. Stay in a yurt
32. Learn to play guitar
33. Stay at a resort
34. Ride a motorcycle
35. Write a book

36. Work at a haunted house
37. Climb the great wall of China
38. See the terra cotta warriors
39. Visit Doll's Head Trail in Georgia
40. Swim in a Cenote in Mexico

41. Rage out at a Rage Room
42. Go on a cruise
43. Drink out of a coconut
44. Go to the Caribbean
45. Visit a Korean Bathhouse

46. Use a squatty potty
47. Go to the Cayman Islands
48. Visit the Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an, China
49. Go Rafting
50. See/experience paradise

Why I Stopped Buying Clothes for Six Months

5/14/2022

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I started my "Clothes Buying Freeze" in November 2021, and just finished it up at the end of April-Six months of not spending a penny on clothes, shoes, or accessories!

Why I Stopped Buying Clothes for Six Months

Shirt from a thrift store $.50, Skirt from same thrift store $2.50.

I will admit it-I love buying clothes!
I have quite the collection of clothes, shoes and accessories (if you follow my Instagram you already know this). But of course being the frugal gal that I am, almost every single article of clothing/shoes/accessories I own, are from garage sales, thrift stores, hand me downs, and bought while out of the country for super cheap!
So I do actually spend very little on clothes.

Why I'm Not Buying Any Clothes for Six Months

Dress was $1.00 from a garage sale. Earrings were $.50 from a garage sale. Purse was $1.00 from a garage sale.

So, if I really don't spend that much money on clothes, why then, did I give up buying clothes for an entire six months? Well I'll tell you why (and how, so you can do it too!)!

Shirt was from a garage sale for $2.00. Skirt from a garage sale for $.50, and shoes were also from a garage sale for $2.00.

First let me say, I have no intentions of doing this for longer than six months. If I do end up deciding to do it longer than that, then that's fine, but for now it is just a six month freeze.

Shirt was a hand me down, so cost nothing, earrings were given to me, and the pants were from Vietnam and only cost about $3.00 American.

The why I am taking a clothes buying hiatus:

The first reason, I had just bought a house!
As this was the most expensive purchase I have ever made, and the fact that I did it alone; saved up all the expenses myself, and paid for it myself, means I am buckling down, and putting my already frugal to the max lifestyle, under a frugal microscope! Since I already spend very little money, there is not a lot to choose from to cut (I have no car payment, my car insurance is only $55 a month, I have a Civic so I spend very little on gas, I pack my lunch every day etc etc.), so I decided to cut from my clothing budget.

The second reason, is that just having moved, as it usually does, it reminded me that I have way too much stuff.
Since moving, I am still in the process of going through absolutely everything I own and getting rid of everything that doesn't add value to my life, doesn't make me feel happy or look good, and reminds me too much of my past life. I have gotten rid of so much stuff, and it feels so good! So I did not want to start bringing in more things to clutter up my beautiful house that I have been working so hard on.

This dress was bought at a thrift store for only $.50, and the necklace was bought at a garage sale for $.50 as well.

The third reason was that I have some other very big financial plans and goals for my life, and that has given me even more incentive to trim all the fat off my spending!

Shirt, robe, and skirt were all $0-hand me downs, leggings were $1.00 at the thrift store, and the shoes were given to me.

The fourth reason; I have a decent amount of clothes.
That's the nice thing about getting all free/super duper cheap clothing, is that you can have lots more of them!
So I took these six months to really appreciate, and wear the clothes I already have! Focused on making fun, new outfits from existing pieces.
I also have this giant tote full of clothes that I've been meaning to upcycle, and make fun new clothes out of! So I want to spend time doing that, making new clothes for myself!

This shirt was a hand me down. Shorts from a garage sale $2.00. Leggings hand me down. Purse is a fake from China about $11.00.

So how on earth did I accomplish this crazy plan?
So glad you asked!

Bandana- $1.00 5 Below. Shirt- $1.00 thrift store. Shorts- $3.00 thrift store. Boots- given to me by my dad about 20 years ago.

The absolute best way to succeed at a Clothes Buying Freeze, is to remove temptation. Think about when you are most likely to buy clothes (when you're bored, stressed, on the weekends, etc.). Just knowing your triggers can help stop your clothes buying in its tracks! Next time you're bored, read a book instead, on the weekends find something fun that does not involve clothes shopping, etc.
Where do you like to buy clothes (a certain online shop, the mall, thrift stores [thrift stores are my weakness])? Unsubscribe from that stores' email list, avoid the mall like the plague, just stay away from the places you are most likely to buy clothes.

Shirt $3 Goodwill, Shorts $3 Rue 21, Shoes Free.

Fill your mind and time with other things.
For some people, shopping is a real habit, and something not easy to stop. That is not the case for me (although a couple weeks ago when my mother told the ladies at my favorite thrift store I was doing this challenge they were like, "Oh, so that's why we haven't seen her lately!" Hehe.). I did occasionally get that shopping itch, but it was pretty easy to ignore, because since buying my house I have been quite busy.
Even if you have not just purchased a home, I am sure you still have plenty of things to fill your time-So when you begin this challenge, why don't you start a list of things you would like to accomplish during these next six months (or 3, or 1, or 12!).
Add all those small things you've been meaning to get to and just haven't, those bigger goals and aspirations that have never been accomplished, and anything inbetween. During my 6 months of no clothes buying, I began a 100 Day Challenge, and it was a great way to make sure I was focused on the more important things in my life.

5 Reasons Why Hocking Hills Should be on Your Bucket List

50 Things You Should Add to Your Bucket List Today

Why I Stopped Buying Clothes for Six Months

I'm Jessica!

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