Birthday Update

Well, today I officially turned 26. I have been bouncing around some different thoughts on what to post today... Should it be like every-other day, or should it be birthday related. Birthday won. 

I talked a little bit about some of my birthday plans a few days ago, but wanted to give an update. So far, I have had some checks coming in from family and friends who wanted me to choose which of the three organizations to give to, and some incredible donations of wheelchairs. Right now, we are half way to our wheelchair goal. Four people around the world will have mobility soon because we helped!! ​

Charity: Water is, most likely, where are large portion of the money people have given me in private will be going. Since this is where my biggest goal amount is, I think that makes sense. So far we only have one contribution on Charity: Water, so we will definitely need more to get us to the goal of $500. This $500 will go towards building a $1000 well in an area of the world that does not have clean drinking. Clean water can change everything.

The final organization I chose has not been talked about much on the blog. It is an organization based in Ada, Michigan called Vicky's Pet Connection. Vicky is one of the sweetest, funniest people I have ever met. Talking to her about her mission to help dogs and cats was an inspiration to me last time we visited the rescue.

We know this rescue through family who live up in Michigan, and wanted to tour it over the summer because of some great ways they have incorporated rescuing and adopting animals into people's daily life. While we were there we got to talk with Vicky about why she started a pet rescue and some of her goals for it. We were also able to go to her home and see some of the kittens and special needs adults cats they take care of daily. Their dedication was inspiring and we ended up leaving with our little Chibi and Chuu in tow.

This rescue is an incredible labor of love. It is completely run by volunteers and ​private donors, but they have also teamed up with Bissell. If you are needing a new vacuum and shop at Bissell.com, put in the promo code ADOPT at the checkout and a portion of your purchase will go to Vicky's Pet Connection! Vicky, being the smart lady that she is, has also put together an Amazon wishlist filled with goodies needed to keep those furry buddies happy.

I would love to be able to raise at least $200 for Vicky's Pet Connection along with the $500 for Charity: Water and the $300 for Free Wheelchair Mission. This is quite a hefty goal, but it is possible and so worth it! ​So far, we have about 45% of the total goal accomplished! The donation time will be going until May, but if you are interested in giving, there is no reason to wait until then!

Thank you so much to anyone who has considered, or helped towards these Birthday goals. We are coming together to help others in need, I cannot think of a better way to spend a birthday! 

​Love, Jenni

Happy Birth Month!

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Happy Birth Month to all those March babies out there!! I am a Marchie myself and have decided to devote the first day of our birth month to my birthday plans this year.  ​

Usually, February comes around and I start trying to think of ​things that I would like to have for my birthday. This can be quite a difficult process since we are just getting off the Christmas and Valentines Day highs and things seem pretty filled out. This year, I decided to make a change and not pick anything at all... Instead, I will be giving all my birthday money to three charities. 

Charities are awesome- one for one's, medical outreach's, animal shelters, local,  global, there are so many great ones out there. This has made the decision of three quite difficult. So far, I know that Free Wheelchair Mission and Charity: Water are for sure, but the third is still undecided. With a birth date of March 20th, there is little time to decide, but for now, let's go over the two that have already been picked and maybe a few still in consideration!

Charity: Water

We have talked about both Charity: Water and Free Wheelchair Mission before on the blog, but that is no reason to not bring them up again. ​Both companies donate 100% of the proceeds to charity. This is incredible. There is no amount of donated money that goes to bills, advertisement, anything. 

Charity: Water uses corporate backers to pay there internal finances so all of our money goes to getting clean water to people in need. The foundation is quite clear about how they spend there money and what they do to make more. These guys are so precise, they can tell you what country and which well you money has gone to building. That is some air tight financing! ​

The thing that stands out to me about both these organizations is they make it easy to give a donation as a gift and make it tax deductible. ​Charity: Water has giving campaigns with pre-made, easy to navigate sites for those wanting to donate their birthdays, anniversaries, anything. This way, people can see how much you are raising, how far you have to go, and donate to your giving campaign.  

Since I am going for a few different foundations, I decided to make my pledge with Charity: Water $500. You can get to my page from here! ​

Free Wheelchair Mission

I learned about this organization a few years back while at a conference. ​We were able to watch a video of one of their wheelchair drops and hear from some of the leaders and those impacted by FWM. Honestly, I was a bundle of tears by the end of the video. It is incredible to see someone who, up until then, was either hidden away in a back room or crawling on the ground now have mobility and respect. 

FWM is one of the greatest reasons that I decided to donate my birthday to organizations. Seeing what a difference a wheelchair can make in a person's life is incredible. 

Just like Charity: Water, FWM has fundraisers available for different events. You choose the amount to raise, create your donation page, and get others involved. ​You can also opt to buy a gift card for birthday's, Christmas, anything. Gift cards are the price of a wheelchair and let the recipient choose where they would like the wheelchair to go. So nifty! 

Since there is the option of the gift card and other places to donate, I decided to make my fundraising goal $300! You can see my web page here! ​

Other Birthday Options

I am still trying to figure out one more foundation that I would love to donate to for my b-day. Right now, Tom's shoes, Vicky's Pet Connection (where we got our kitties), ​Honor Animal Rescue, The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for orphaned elephants (would so rather move there and volunteer myself!!), and WWF are all on my "must give" list. Oh boy. 

There are so many great organizations to choose from that I may just have to expand my limit of three a little. If you know any great organizations to add to my list, let me know! I would love to hear any of your favorites and suggestions!!​

Five Ways to Spend Christmas Money

Our little 6 month old 9 lb kitten. He has lion as his end goal ;)

Christmas is just around the corner and, although, it does not look a lot like Christmas here in sunny Florida, it sure does feel like it! Soon, family will be arriving and the festivities will be in full swing. But, what about after the holidays when the family is gone, the gifts are put away, and you have a wad of gift money burning a hole in your pocket? Spending that can be a big decision (I usually hold on to mine for like a month not knowing what to do- then get pillows or something ridiculous like that). To help with the "I have all this money but what do I want to do with it" dilemma, we have the list of five great, and somewhat unexpected, ways to spend holiday cash. 

Internet Finds

While perusing the internet for some great gifts for everyone else on your list, you may have run into something you had no idea you needed, but must have now. Unfortunately, the gift lists have gone out and there is no way you will be getting it this Yuletide season. Buy it! Whether it is something you saw on a blog or a shopping site like outblush or thefancy, there is bound to be something that caught your eye. Good for you for taking the high road and not buying it then. Now, you can buy it and feel uber pleased that you did not splurge! Personally, I have my eye on that ridiculously awesome, extra cushy yoga mat.

Donate It

$25 or $100 or how ever much you get over Christmas may not make that big of a difference to you, but it could be the world to a starving child or homeless kitty. Donating your extra goods to places like World Vision, Free Wheelchair Mission, or The Humane Society would keep those warm fuzzies going well past Christmas, and spread the love by helping another in need!

Get Away

For a great post-Christmas cool off time, pool your money with friends or that special someone and get away. Even if it is only for one night 45 minutes away from town, you are away. This could be a great time to catch up with friends you did not get to see over the holidays, or, spend some time alone with your favorite person!

Save It

No, this is not the most fun holiday spending idea, but it is still a good one. Saving or investing a few hundred dollars right before the new year could be great! It is a nice little cushion to fall back on for those unexpected needs, or, it could make a little extra back as an investment. Think of it more as waiting and being able to buy two pairs of shoes than spending now and only buying one!

Rejuvinate

The holidays can be a bit hectic with all the coming and going and family and you get the idea. Have a little post-holiday pamper time and forget all that stress! There are quite a few spas around that I have always wanted to go to but have not been able to rationalize the spending. If you can relate, a little holiday splurge on some R+R could be right up your ally. Go ahead, enjoy that mud mask guilt free, you deserve it!