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really shows the difference volunteering and adopting can make — a second chance in these animal’s lives. Volunteering in animal shelters and fostering at home has allowed us to contribute positively to the lives of these animals and brought our family closer. It has become a significant part of our identity as a couple and as a family, teaching us about unconditional love, the joy of giving back, and the beauty of forming connections with all living beings. In case anyone is curious, Wally had been adopted before we started volunteering, so he’s also living his best life! For anyone looking to make a difference, volunteering with animals, or any community service for that matter, offers a deeply fulfilling path to touching lives and fostering a kinder, more empathetic world — just ask Marty!
–Jennifer Knight
Thanks to clever advertising and a lack of discipline in spending habits, many people spend too much on trinkets and other things they don’t need. To help us all stop impulsive spending habits, the No-Spend Challenge was developed and has gone viral on the internet. This financial detox challenge encourages us to break free from the mindless spending we may be partaking in. It’s a challenge that pushes mindfulness to reassess financial habits rather than deprive us of necessities. The first step is creating clear budgeting goals. Whether paying off debt, building an emergency fund, or saving for a specific milestone, having a concrete and well-defined objective helps you stay motivated throughout the process. This should also include an end date to achieve your goal — a year, month, or week are all options. Your plan should also identify and anticipate potential roadblocks during the no-spend period. This structure will make the challenge feel like more than just a temporary spending freeze. This accountability and the communal nature of the trend encourage you to reflect on how often you’re spending your hard-earned money. You can also rediscover the value of experiences that don’t cost anything and develop healthier financial habits. These help dismantle a consumer mindset, enabling you to use funds to fulfill goals rather than a quick adrenaline hit. When you complete the challenge, you will emerge armed with newfound financial freedom, awareness, and discipline, and you’ll be more inclined to reach short-term financial goals, practice healthy spending habits, and work toward long-term financial health. A No-Spend Challenge can foster a community of others who gain these new skills and inspire others to halt their own consumption. This intentional approach to spending will assure participants that they’re in control of their aspirations and the finances that can fund them. SUCCEED IN YOUR NO-SPEND CHALLENGE
Craveable Carrot Cake
Ingredients
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2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp baking powder
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1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
4 large eggs
1 tsp baking soda
3 cups grated carrots 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional) Cream cheese frosting (optional)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
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2 cups granulated sugar
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2.
Grease and flour a 9x13-inch pan.
3. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. 4. In a large bowl, beat together sugar, oil, and eggs. 5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, stirring until blended. 6. Stir in carrots and walnuts. Pour batter into prepared pan. 7. Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 8. Cool in pan before serving. (For extra decadence, spread with cream cheese frosting once the cake cools.)
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