Author: Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®, a budget and financial strategist helping families pay off debt and live the life they've always wanted.

2015 Goal Check-In

January has come and gone, can you believe it? I’m still struggling writing 2015 on everything and now I have to write February too.  Crazy pants! At the beginning of the year I set some pretty high goals for myself.  I think it’s time to do a goal check-in with myself and see if I’m […]

Categories: New Year

Tags: goal check in

What I ate – Week 4 of Whole30

Here I am the last week of Whole30. This week was so good.  I can really tell a difference in my body and the way I react to food.  I’m not going to lie to you and tell you that I’ve been perfect on my journey.  Because I haven’t.  But I can really tell when […]

Categories: Whole30

Tags: whole30

How I stay on top of it all

I love being busy and having places to go.  If my calendar was empty day-after-day then I’d probably be pretty depressed.  I like staying busy.  It makes me feel productive.  But staying busy all the time has it’s drawbacks.  Like… being too busy to remember to get gas in my car until I can only […]

Categories: How ToOrganization

Extra Income Journal

I have a thing for budgets and paying down debt.  So it should come as no surprise that I want to keep track of any ‘extra’ income that we come across.  When I say extra I’m talking about birthday money, work bonuses, second jobs (if we get them), etc.  I’d like to know how much […]

What I ate – Week 3 of Whole30

Day 15 (Jan. 16th) Breakfast: banana and water Lunch: Kiwanis meeting so I had fajita steak and chicken with veggies, lettuce and guacamole Dinner: chicken tacos (shell-less) Day 16 (Jan. 17th) Breakfast: nothing – so bad, I know! Lunch: hamburger meat with veggies Snack: banana Dinner: fajita chicken, steak and shrimp with veggies Day 17 […]

Categories: Whole30

Whole30 Fourth Week Meal Plan

I’m down to the last 8 days of Whole30.  I’m feeling good, feeling healthier and excited to keep up eating clean after the challenge is over.  I know I won’t be perfect and I do see some grains in my future, but I’m going to try real hard to keep it to a minimum compared to […]

Categories: Whole30

Weight Loss Wednesday: Week 9

And we’re off with another installment of Weight Loss Wednesday.  I am proud to say that I’ve made some real strides this past month.  I really have to thank Whole30 for that because it kicked my butt into gear big time.  As I’m typing this – I can’t move my arms of my head very […]

Categories: Weight LossWhole30

How to Use Google Calendar to Organize Your Life

I use Google Calendar to organize my life… every aspect of my life.  I’m an A-Type, OCD, overachiever lady with a horrible memory thanks to my condition of over committing to everything.  I’ve always had the issue of saying yes to every opportunity that comes my way.  I have a fear of missing out, not […]

Categories: How To

What I ate – Week 2 of Whole30

Two weeks are down.  I’m still tired of water, but no longer want a diet coke.  I don’t even think it’ll taste good at this point.  I just want something other than water.  I found a Tazo passion fruit tea and according to everyone online it is compliant.  So I’m going to pick some of […]

Categories: Whole30