• Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Kalyn Brooke

Simple Solutions to Manage Everyday Life

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Shop
  • Contact

Welcome to KalynBrooke.com

Jump To Recipe · Print Recipe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Hi there! If you haven’t already guessed, my name is Kalyn Brooke, and I want to personally welcome you to this little corner on the web!

Whether you need practical solutions to create a more organized and efficient home, want effortless ways to manage your money well, or simply crave balance in your busy life, you’re in the right place. I cover all of that and MORE.

Let me dive in and give you the official tour.

Bridge-Resize

About Me:

First, if you’d like to know a little bit more about me, hop on over to my About page where you’ll meet my better half and our adorable furry companion {we now have two!} You’ll also find out more about the mission behind KalynBrooke.com, and the passion that keeps me going.

This post will help you get to know me better:

  • 7 Truths About Marrying Young: Lessons from a Teenage Bride
  • This is My Story: What Depression Really Looks Like
  • We’re Ditching our 1,700+ Square Foot Home for …

How to Search My Blog:

There is a LOT of content on KalynBrooke.com, and I’ve tried to organize everything into three main sections—Money, Home, and Life—which you will see on the home page, and also on the sidebar of each blog post.

When you click one of those images, you will be brought to a category-specific page. Each category contains a list of sub-categories, as well as 5 of the most popular posts in each category. These posts are dearly loved by readers, and are the best place to start if you’ve never heard of me before and want to get a feel for what I write about.

If you’d rather just see which posts are new and recently published, click on the BLOG portion of the nav bar, and work your way through each page. If you’re really daring and have a lot of time on your hands, you can go all the way back to the beginning. Be warned—some of those early posts are quite painful to read!

And of course, you can always use the search bar up top to find whatever you are looking for. It’s pretty smart and will pull up any post related to the keyword you search.

One thing you might notice, is the name Creative Savings pops up every now and then. This blog started out as a record of my own money saving journey, but has since turned into a space where I share simple solutions for everyday life. You read more about the rebrand HERE. 

How to Share or Save Content:

If you love what you read {and I hope you do!} you might want to share a specific post or recipe with a friend, or save it to reference later.

There are share buttons located at the top and bottom of each post, so you can email the post to a friend, or share with ALL your friends on a specific social media platform.

To save a post, I recommend pinning the post to one of your Pinterest boards using the share buttons above, and/or clipping it to an Evernote folder using the Evernote Web Clipper.

Not sure how to use Evernote? Allow me to give you an introduction!

If you want to print a recipe from my Recipe Box, there’s a handy print button provided at the beginning of each recipe card. If you want to go a step further, snag my Recipe Binder so you can copy and paste the recipe to put inside.

How to stay connected with me:

If you have a question about a specific post or want to share your own view on something I’ve written, your best option is to leave a comment on that particular post. I read ALL comments and respond to as many as I can, especially those that ask a question! I don’t have all the answers, but I’ll give it my best shot.

Also, whenever I respond to your comment, you automatically get my response emailed to your inbox. That way, you don’t have to come back and check to see if I answered.

If you want to connect with me on social media, I’m most active on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. You can:

  • LIKE the KB Facebook page to join our daily discussions and find extra resources to help you simplify everyday life.
  • FOLLOW on Pinterest for cute ideas that are just as functional as they are pretty. I also share a lot of yummy and simple recipes!
  • FOLLOW on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at what I’m up to. I share books I’m reading, bullet journal pages, quick tips, and occasionally an adorable bunny….or two!

However, the absolute best way to keep up with new posts, access special perks, and receive a weekly dose of inspiration and encouragement for your weekend, is to sign up for my mailing list HERE. And if you ever need to chat, my inbox is always open at [email protected]

Thanks again for stopping by, and I hope to see you again real soon!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email


Comments

  1. Marsha says

    June 13 at 11:37 am

    I just found you! I am devouring all that you’ve written…my, you are wise beyond your years. Thank you so much for your awesome help. I am in the early stages of exploring your site. thank you again, Marsha

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      June 16 at 2:12 pm

      So glad to have you hear, Marsha!! Welcome!

      Reply
  2. Molly says

    October 28 at 12:42 pm

    I just found you as well, you have great content on here. I am going to use the article you shared about the PMI to my advantage. We have a meeting this afternoon to see if can get a house and that article gave me some tips on what to ask and what to do. Thanks, I will be coming back

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      October 29 at 10:22 am

      I just read your comment over on the PMI post but I wanted to welcome you here as well! Thanks for the encouraging and kind words. I love having you here as part of the Creative Savings community!

      Reply
  3. CAROLE MARSICO says

    March 12 at 8:00 pm

    I just found your site… I was looking for a way to organize my day and your ideas are just what I am looking for… I ordered your Brainbook Starter Package and have high hopes…. Thanks !!!!

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      March 17 at 6:17 pm

      I’m so glad! Please let me know if you have any questions through the process. 🙂

      Reply
  4. David Patterson says

    June 15 at 4:07 pm

    I just recently installed Ibotta, and then quickly googled “how do I use ibotta app?” And your tutorial video popped up. I’m glad I found your blog. Following you on insta and fb now. Thanks for being you!

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      June 16 at 2:15 pm

      Glad you found it! I also need to update that video….🤦‍♀️

      Reply
  5. Heather says

    September 1 at 11:47 pm

    Hi, I just found you on Pinterest. I like how you time block. It seems like it’s something I want to try, thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      September 2 at 3:24 pm

      So glad you’re here! I hope you love time-blocking as much as I do!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hi, I’m Kalyn—a recovering perfectionist who nerds out about organizing systems, personal productivity, and helping you prioritize what matters over the pressure to do it all. I have a feeling we’re about to become the best of friends! Learn more >>

New? Start Here!

  • Take a Tour
  • Become a BFF
  • Favorite Recipes
  • The Printable Library
  • Just for Bloggers
  • Visit the Shop

kalynbrookeco

👩‍💻 | I help value-driven women lead manageable + meaningful lives.
💬 | INFJ / Enneagram 1
🚙 | RV Life @openroading
👇 | Resources + Links

Kalyn Brooke | Virtual BFF


Minimalism ≠ Deprivation.⁣
⁣
Sadly, I find m

Minimalism ≠ Deprivation.⁣
⁣
Sadly, I find most people resist minimalism because they can't wrap their head around "having less." People tend to equate this movement with blank walls, white IKEA furniture, and decluttering everything in your home down to practically nothing so you can live full-time in an RV. Like me. 😉⁣
⁣
But, while minimalism could be all that, this mindset misses the point. Minimalism is not only about “having less.” 🚫⁣
⁣
It’s so much more than that.⁣
⁣
This week on the blog, I'm sharing the REAL definition of minimalism (that people who love their stuff can totally get behind!) as well as practical ways to incorporate minimalism into your life. 🎉⁣
⁣
Drop a heart emoji in the comments below and I'll send the link to your DM's! 💖

I love lazy Saturday mornings…as long as I have
I love lazy Saturday mornings...as long as I have a book and a cozy blanket! 😍

I wrote this in my journal the other day: 📓⁣

I wrote this in my journal the other day: 📓⁣
⁣
“I’ve been thinking about what tech boundaries I want to instill, including boundaries related to work and productivity. I’ve become less careful about my media consumption, and it’s having a negative affect on my mental health.” 💞⁣
⁣
Have you ever felt a similar tug? ⁣
⁣
I can’t begin to tell you how many times I pick up my phone because I’m bored or lonely or jealous or unhappy. It almost always makes me feel worse. And yet...I struggle to stop. 😝⁣
⁣
Here are the ideas I’ve been trying this month and I’m already seeing a positive effect:⁣
⁣
➕ No logging into social media after 8pm. I need to wind down for the night, not get lost in my phone! 📲⁣
➕ Open Instagram with a purpose—either to post or to interact. Stop endlessly scrolling.⁣
➕ My only screen time before 9am should be for Bible Study apps or News. 🗞⁣
➕ Turn my phone on Do Not Disturb during Tiger Time (when I need the most focus for work) 💪⁣
➕ Work no more than 4 hours on my business per day. If a task isn’t complete, push it to the next day. This time frame has really helped me prioritize! 💻⁣
➕ Watch one show per day (or two if they are short!) and leave movies for the weekend. 📺⁣
⁣
What tech boundaries have you set up? Are any new as of this year? I’d love to hear your ideas! 😃

What’s one thing you budget for that other peopl
What’s one thing you budget for that other people might not? I always find those interesting. 😃⁣
⁣
You might have a mortgage. I budget for campgrounds. You might want a separate clothing budget, while I’m fine combining it under “Beauty and Style.” Recently, we also added a new line item for our motorcycle—something I NEVER thought would appear in our budget. ⁣
⁣
See, we’re all different! ⁣
⁣
Recently, I rearranged my budget categories and created this “cheat sheet.” Sometimes I forget where things go, like picking up new wall art for the living room. Does this item belong in the categories of Household Items or Home Maintenance? 🤔⁣
⁣
Now I know! And I save time processing receipts each Friday. 🧾⁣
⁣
What budgeting categories do you use? Share one of your random budget line items with me in the comments below! 😃

I call 2020 the Year of Abandoned Books. ⁣
⁣
I

I call 2020 the Year of Abandoned Books. ⁣
⁣
I’m never afraid to stop reading a book if it doesn’t live up to the hype. Why invest more time in a book I’m not all that excited about when I could be exploring new authors and storylines where I can’t wait to turn the page? 🤷⁣
⁣
But in 2020, I let more books go than I normally do. I suppose my patience dwindled when I thought the world was ending. Not that I thought the world was actually ending…but you know what I mean. 😉⁣
⁣
As an Enneagram 1, I hate giving up on a book. I’m prone to the all-or-nothing mentality, even in my reading habits. My eyes could glaze over boring prose and I’d still repeat to myself: “You MUST finish this book!” 😫⁣
⁣
Why? ⁣
⁣
No one is adding a plastic star to your Book-It pin, (Remember those?) This isn’t assigned reading from your high school English class. This is YOUR reading life. ⁣
⁣
And YOU should choose what books deserve your attention. 📚⁣
⁣
There are too many good ones out there anyway.  Like one of my favorite reads from 2020. 😍⁣
⁣
This week’s newest blog post rounds up everything I read last year (43 books total!) including 5-star psychological thrillers, a delightful royal series, a couple self-help books, and of course, historical fiction.⁣
⁣
Click the link in my bio to read it! ☝⁣
⁣
What were your favorite books in 2020? Our literary styles might be a match made in heaven! ✨

My planner/journal lineup for 2021. 👆 ⁣
⁣
T

My planner/journal lineup for 2021. 👆 ⁣
⁣
These small but mighty sidekicks will be my saving grace this year. 📚⁣
⁣
1️⃣ Bullet Journal (Blue) - for everyday planning and goal setting⁣
2️⃣ Regular Journal (Yellow) - to track gratitude (5 things a day!) and to process ALL the feelings⁣
3️⃣ Growth Journal (Sand) - a space for me to brain dump everything I learn from books, podcasts, sermons, etc ⁣
⁣
That last one is new to me as of this year and I can't wait to flip back through all my notes come December! 📆⁣
⁣
What planners/journals are you using for 2021?


Load More…


Follow on Instagram


ARE YOU EXHAUSTED TRYING TO DO IT ALL?

Privacy Policy
You’ll love the freedom found inside my Saturday morning newsletter
Copyright © 2021 · Privacy Policy
ALMOST THERE!
Complete this form and click the button below to gain instant access.
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
ARE YOU EXHAUSTED TRYING TO DO IT ALL?
Privacy Policy
You'll love the freedom found inside my Saturday morning newsletter
Privacy Policy
ALMOST THERE!
Complete this form and click the button below to gain instant access.
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
ALMOST THERE!
Complete this form and click the button below to gain instant access.
Privacy Policy
ALMOST THERE!
Complete this form and click the button below to gain instant access.
Privacy Policy