To help you get to know me better, I thought it’d be nice to write out this blog post and tell you my story of getting here.

Well, here we go—attempt #3 at finding my niche and making this blog a reality.

I first jumped into the blogging world after stumbling across a $27 course on “how to start a blog.” The material was great, and I was so excited for what the future held. One of the modules covered finding your perfect niche, which, to be honest, had been a major roadblock for me. I have so many hobbies and interests, and narrowing it down to just one felt impossible. But since I was already knee-deep in learning about blogging, I decided to focus on what I knew at the time: helping people start their own blogs.

I got serious about it, creating a mini-course on starting and monetizing a blog. I felt confident I could teach it better and add more value than the course I took. Things started off well—I even began building a small business around it—but as I kept going, I realized the blogging niche was incredibly saturated. Competition was fierce, ads were expensive, and I would have to dig deep to stand out.

After some soul-searching, I realized that while the niche was valuable, it wasn’t for me. I didn’t want to spend all my time researching blog strategies—I wanted to focus on the hobbies and passions I genuinely enjoyed.

That’s when I shifted to Art & Travel, two of my favorite things. I planned to sell art originals and prints while offering travel itineraries and planning services. To tie it all together, I decided to focus on travel-inspired art. It was a fun concept, but it felt restrictive. Suddenly, painting—something I loved—became a chore. I hit a wall and started wondering if blogging was even the right path for me.

Starting a business is not for the faint of heart, and blogging is no exception. I had to work on my mindset and dig deep once again to figure out how to include more of my interests without overwhelming myself or my readers. I wrote down all my hobbies, narrowed them down to five core areas, and brainstormed ways to make them cohesive. That’s when it clicked. I realized the common thread running through my life: budgeting.

Budgeting has been a core value of mine since childhood. Growing up, I learned to view money as a tool for freedom, not limitation. But let’s be real—when most people hear “budgeting,” they think of strict rules, no fun, and cutting back until life feels boring. That couldn’t be further from the truth!

As someone with expensive taste (married to someone with even more expensive taste), I’ve learned that it is possible to live the life you want—even on a budget. Through smart spending and money-saving techniques, I’ve found ways to enjoy freedom and fulfillment without breaking the bank. And that’s what this blog is all about!

So, what can you expect to see here?

• Budgeting tips to help you spend smarter and enjoy life

• How to travel on a budget (or nearly free!)

• Travel guides to make the most of your vacations

• Easy, tasty, quick (& some healthy) recipes

• Cooking ideas to save time and money

• DIY décor for a beautiful home on a budget

• Mindset tips to help you accomplish your goals

• More original art (& art prints!)

And more!

For the first time in a long time, I feel excited and energized about this direction. Thank you for following along and for all your support—it truly means the world to me.

What’s one hobby or interest you’ve tried and realized just wasn’t for you? Tell me I’m not the only one who’s been there! Tell me in the comments below!