HOW TO SPEND TIME NOT MONEY

If there’s one thing I would go back and tell my younger self, it’d be to invest in time not things. As a single mom – not only was I unable to save money each month due to my strained budget, but even if I had, no one had ever taught me what to do with it … or at least I don’t remember that part.

However, I do remember that each holiday no matter how dreary my bank account was, I made sure Corrine had gifts under the tree and a pumpkin to carve. Looking back, I can tell you exactly where my money was going . . .  child care, credit cards, and bills. Even now, many years later, I find myself in awe of how much I spent on things like fancy baby formula and phone bills! From one mama to another, from one human to another, we don’t have to be doing it all wrong.

I recently tried AT&T GoPhone prepaid service on a monthly plan with Unlimited Data, Talk & Text. We wanted to see how much saving on a common everyday service can lead to investments in our family that we’re able to make with the money we’re saving. Since I’m also a girl on the go- signing up for AutoPay and saving $5 a month on my GoPhone service is just a little icing on the cake. Who doesn’t like cake! Just having the financial control and pliable spending, has made all the difference. And, AT&T GoPhone has the nation’s best data network making the switch to GoPhone even more sweeter!

Always capturing our adventures on the go! Explore explore explore!

Luna is a super model. And also an adventure pup!

I try to capture all the memories I can with my phone and now they hang on my wall. 

Why yes, that IS 2 cameras you see, and the one taking this photo, AND the 3 phones we toted around lol 

What’s in my purse? Oh, just the essentials 😉 

Isn’t she a beaute!

We now actually have savings set aside especially for family vacations, adventures with our pup Luna, weekend travels with our friends, and most importantly – as of recently, for our upcoming wedding. Money isn’t everything but it sure does fund your options, and when you’re a parent who’s also planning a wedding, money goes away when all you want it to do is flow.

To pay it forward to you, my fellow adventure seekers and dream weavers (quick what’s the next line of that song?) we’re spreading the abundance and giving away a pair of tickets to the San Diego County Fair which we’re attending, and I’ll also have a giveaway for you on social media, where you’ll get to win a little something from AT&T GoPhone!

I love the work we do but I particularly enjoy when we get to team up with a premium brand that has an ethos that falls in line with what we’re already doing. As a mom, it’s important to me to save money because every penny counts, and with extra money you realize all the things you used to have to say no to. Let’s start saying yes, and you can say yes to this opportunity and enter our giveaway 😉

We’ll be at the San Diego County Fair on Saturday June 10th and we’d love to see you if you’re in the area! You can find us at the AT&T GoPhone booth from 2pm-4pm so I hope we get to say hello and bring it in for a hug! Plus you can play skeeball, ring toss or wiffle ball toss for free with a chance to win a prize at the AT&T GoPhone booth! You can enter our giveaway by sharing with us what you’ll do with all that extra money you’ll be saving and TAG me on Instagram. Use the hashtag #ATTGoPhone and #Giveaway. You can read all about it at https://www.att.com/gophone/ and we’ll announce the winners on my Instagram before the fair! 

Okay, don’t forget to call your mom, it was just Mother’s Day and she’ll appreciate it. I hope this post inspires you to do more, save more, and connect more!

So, what would you do with extra money each month? Each year?! Share with us your bucket list, your big dreams, and even some frivolous aspirations that you have! 

This post is proudly brought to you in partnership with AT&T GoPhone. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own as always.

Jess Pointing At Rangers Pointing At Things

PLAYLIST LIVE D.C. WITH MASHABLE AND THE NPS!

Team Internet is back at it with another exciting and fun filled convention, and this year I joined Mashable and the National Park Service who brought me all the way to our nation’s capital for Playlist Live D.C.!

Video conferences like Playlist Live are a place for creators, brands, and audience members to gather and chat all things new media! It’s such an exciting time in our space and I’m so happy to announce that I’ve partnered with Mashable and the National Park Service and Foundation for their centennial celebration! 100 years of service!

In honor of this special occasion the NPS and Foundation launched operation #FindYourPark Press Play- and being the avid adventurer that I am, I was beyond excited to join the movement! It’s a YouTube based contest and the goal is that we inspire you to discover your National park and to share your adventures with us!

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

I kicked the campaign off for myself by hiking our favorite spot, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (above) – where in ONE spot you can stand and enjoy views of both the ocean and the mountains. It’s my go-to place for a reset and reflection. As creatives, we’re required to pump out daily ideas and spontaneous creativity – and for most of us that requires us to be at home. A lot. It’s nice to get out and get moving to recharge your mind and body so no matter your occupation, here’s your friendly reminder to do that.

So with my hiking footage in tow, I traveled to D.C. to meet up with Park Rangers Emily and Mathew to help announce our mission, live on stage, to Playlist Live! Here we are, right after crushing it on the main stage in the company of our amazing audience members! P.S. I moon-shuffled off stage.

Jess Pointing At Rangers Pointing At Things
Jess Pointing At Rangers Pointing At Things

Me pointing at Rangers pointing at things. This is a meme everybody, you’re welcome. Also, we became the three best friends that anyone’s ever had.

After the event I went exploring, after all D.C. is my birth place!

The Washington Monument
The Washington Monument

I made it to the Washington Monument and in true Jess form, I took about 274,388 selfies with this beautiful landmark.

When in D.C.
When in D.C.

I love Maryland for all of its seasons, good food, and good people. I can’t wait to come back! I really had a blast at Playlist Live with our team from Mashable and the National Park Service and Foundation. If you were there and we got a photo together, please TAG me on Instagram or Twitter! Perhaps you got some footage of me doing that awesome moon-shuffle off stage!

If you weren’t there here’s your chance to win FREE tickets to Playlist Live Orlando 2016, and if you were there, here’s your chance to COME BACK! 5 lucky winners from the #FindYourPark Press Play contest will win tickets to Playlist Live Orlando 2016 and here’s how you enter!

  1. Visit a national park – find one close to you here
  2. Record your adventures! Get creative and have fun … and remember, safety first!
  3. Upload the video to your YouTube channel and don’t forget to include the hashtags #FindYourPark and #Contest in your video’s description
  4. Submit your video link at FindYourPark.com/Share
  5. GOOD LUCK!!!

I can’t wait to see you next year, and guess what else!!! Amongst other awesome prizes, those 5 lucky winners will also have their videos featured on Mashable! So go be adventurous, discover your park, and share your explorations with us! You have until March 4th to submit your videos.

You can check out the article on Mashable that features my video here, and follow me on Snapchat for all of my Snap Stories! I’m back with our annual #30dayswithJess challenge, and we’re on day 5 so tomorrow we’ll take our #JessQuests on yet another adventure, and I will have that video up this Wednesday!

I’ll leave you with this photo, #SquadGoals, as you conjure up YOUR next exploration! Here’s a link to 37 National Parks you should visit recommended by my friends at montemlife.com!

Squad Goals!
Squad Goals!

 

Jess Lizama

This post is sponsored by Mashable in partnership with the National Park Service and Foundation. I am proud to explore our park for the #FindYourPark Press Play campaign.