Category Archives: Life

Day 2937 – A Huge Email Time Suck Off My Mind

Posted on by
Reply

Hi, my name is Jennilyn and I’m an education junkie. I watch webinars, read articles, watch YouTube videos, read books, and sign up for a million email lists. When I set up the Journey With The G’s website, social media, and email, I started using that account to sign up for marketing emails. Now, I get dozens of emails each day that I just don’t have time to read. Yesterday, I finally had it. I’m all about minimalism in life, which I strive for, but fail often. Hi, my name is Jennilyn and I’m not perfect.

Now, if you didn’t know, Google is amazing in how they have their email set up. There is a way to route your email so it doesn’t clog up your inbox. I took the time to add a filter to EVERY email list I’m on. I took a few minutes with each to put them in sub categories, some with a little note, so when I DO have a minute to sit down and read some of the excellent content coming my way, I’m reminding myself WHY I signed up in the first place. If you have this problem too, let me walk you through what I did.

How to set up filters in Gmail
Copy the email address
Open a new window and open your settings, this makes it easier to add a bunch of filters for each email at once
Click on Filters and Blocked Addresses (at the top of the screen)
Click on Create a new filter at the top or in the middle of your screen (depends on if you have filters set up or not)
Paste the email address into the From box
Click on Create filter with this search
this is how I did mine, but there are lots of options to choose from. I wanted to file these emails right away.
Check Skip the Inbox (Archive it)
Check Apply the label:
Select New Label in the drop down
Check Nest label under:
Select to read (or whatever you call the label)
Type the company or person’s name as the new label
For example, if you signed up for the Journey With The G’s email list, you might say “Journey With The G’s (travel advice)”
Click Create
Check Also apply filter to XX matching conversations
Click Create filter

All the emails that fit that description will be moved!

Go back to your inbox window and refresh. Repeat the process until your inbox is empty. In the future, I will be adding filters when I join a list. If you’re like me, and go on a sign up binge, you totally forget why you signed up for someone’s list. I’m hoping adding this small switch in my education workflow will help me really learn and not be bogged down with 20-30 email notifications every day that I honestly won’t get to in that moment.

Now, this is what I see when I go into my gmail. 🙂

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did you like what you read? Here’s some ways you can support us and this blog!
Join our Facebook group, Planning an Epic Road Trip on Any Budget
Join the Journey With The G’s email list (bonus – you get my Epic Road Trip Budget spreadsheet)
Buy my book, Planning an Epic Road Trip on any Budget
Buy my book, Trusting God With 2 Cents: 22 Days To Becoming A Successful Christian Business Owner.
Shop on Amazon (no additional cost to you, this gives us a percentage of what you order).
Check out our resources page.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Day 2936 – Why The Dunkin App Is My Favorite

Posted on by
Reply

It’s no secret that I love Dunkin’ Donuts. I’ve shared how much I spent at one point. Oy. But I wanted to give a shout out to their app. They introduced On The Go ordering last year, and I have to say, it is amazing. I honestly didn’t start using it until they had a promotion. Basically, you got a free drink if you tried it. Since then, there are other promotions like, a $0.99 medium coffee if you order on the go. I rarely order at the register any more. Sure it takes away from interaction with the person at the register, but it takes away any mistakes in my order too. Because of the promotions, I can’t remember the last time I paid full price for my coffee. There are always promotions to help you save. Even right now, there’s one where if you add $10 to your account using Visa Checkout, you’ll get $5 free.

My favorite experience using the app was a time where I had to rush to the restroom before I ordered. While I was in the restroom, I ordered my drink using the app. By the time I was finished, my drink was ready to go. Seamless.

If you love Dunkin and aren’t using the app yet, I have to ask, do you not like saving money? 😉

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did you like what you read? Here’s some ways you can support us and this blog!
Join our Facebook group, Planning an Epic Road Trip on Any Budget
Join the Journey With The G’s email list (bonus – you get my Epic Road Trip Budget spreadsheet)
Buy my book, Planning an Epic Road Trip on any Budget
Buy my book, Trusting God With 2 Cents: 22 Days To Becoming A Successful Christian Business Owner.
Shop on Amazon (no additional cost to you, this gives us a percentage of what you order).
Check out our resources page.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Day 2935 – 5 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Me

Posted on by
1

1 – I can play the guitar and piano. I can read sheet music.
2 – I have a really dark sense of humor.
3 – I used to draw, and won first place in an older category. But my art teacher taught perfectionism, so I don’t draw anymore.
4 – I didn’t drink until I was 21.
5 – I was homeschooled K-12. I loved it.

Ha ha, I only got to 5, instead of 10, because y’all know a lot about me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did you like what you read? Here’s some ways you can support us and this blog!
Join our Facebook group, Planning an Epic Road Trip on Any Budget
Join the Journey With The G’s email list (bonus – you get my Epic Road Trip Budget spreadsheet)
Buy my book, Planning an Epic Road Trip on any Budget
Buy my book, Trusting God With 2 Cents: 22 Days To Becoming A Successful Christian Business Owner.
Shop on Amazon (no additional cost to you, this gives us a percentage of what you order).
Check out our resources page.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Day 2394 – My Rockstar Of A Car Is Approaching A BIG Birthday!

Posted on by
Reply

It’s probably not healthy, but I really love my car. His name is Sam, and he’s just been the best car. Though, my van was a really great vehicle too. But Sam has traveled well beyond what my van and I experienced – which was only about 2 years together. We’ve been together just about 12 years now. Sam has taken me across the country three times. He’s taken me to Lake Placid half a dozen time. He was our honeymoon car. He’s taken me to several rock festivals. My first date with Bret took place in Sam. He kept me safe during a hail storm/outskirts of a tornado.

Today, he crossed over the line of 240,000 miles. In less than 10,000 miles, this guy will be a quarter of a million miles old. I cannot believe it. I’ve said my goal is to make it to 250,000, but I think my little guy will make it a lot longer.

My friend said I should have a funeral for him when he finally kicks the bucket. Friends, I think I could cry my eyes out. I don’t even when to think about that yet! Oy. lol, Sam will live forever…..at least until I get my DeLorean…

What about you? Do you love your car?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did you like what you read? Here’s some ways you can support us and this blog!
Join our Facebook group, Planning an Epic Road Trip on Any Budget
Join the Journey With The G’s email list (bonus – you get my Epic Road Trip Budget spreadsheet)
Buy my book, Planning an Epic Road Trip on any Budget
Buy my book, Trusting God With 2 Cents: 22 Days To Becoming A Successful Christian Business Owner.
Shop on Amazon (no additional cost to you, this gives us a percentage of what you order).
Check out our resources page.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Day 2933 – I Never Knew This Was A Lifetime HAVE To Do – or – Thank You Hans Zimmer, Thank You, Thank You

Posted on by
1

A month or so ago, I found a Facebook event for a concert, Hans Zimmer Live with Orchestra and Chorus. I marked myself as interested, but I wasn’t sure if I would go or not. We’ve been very specific about what we spend our extra money on, if we have any. These days, it’s about paying our bills, eating, and building our businesses. But we are also trying to be purposeful in living our lives and enjoying the journey. Last week, we decided, yes, we will go to the show. I knew deep down, I would regret it if I didn’t. I am so glad that we went, because friends, this concert was the most amazing thing I have experienced in my life.

For the past few years, I have lived off of soundtracks. I play them constantly. My most played playlist includes the soundtracks to TRON: Legacy Reconfigured, Interstellar, and Inception. Once I made the connection that Hans Zimmer composed Interstellar and Inception, I dove deeper into his other work. His brilliant work includes a lot you probably didn’t realize he did. Some top things include The Lion King, The Dark Knight trilogy, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Again, I’m so glad we went to the show.

If you haven’t picked up on it yet, I’m a complete dork and do things like look up a setlist for a concert I’m going to attend. Sure, it takes away the surprise of what will be played, but in another way, I feel so prepared. As I compiled the setlist for the show, I was blown away by the range of songs. You can see my setlist on Spotify, the order wasn’t the same, but I’m pretty certain all of the songs were played.

We packed some snacks, a blanket, and two factory sealed water bottles, and headed to Merriweather Post Pavilion. I am ashamed to say I’ve never been to a show here. Or, if I have, it was when I was very young. It was such a fun venue! The fact that we could bring snacks and a blanket was so enjoyable. We arrived before the gates were opened, and snagged a very good spot. I took a quick picture and posted on Instagram using the event hashtag. Little did I know, that a little later, MY photo would be put on the big screen! It was so surreal. We enjoyed a soft pretzel with cheese, our only purchase there, and worth every penny.

The show started with Hans walking across the stage to a piano with a martini glass and shaker on top. Throughout the show, Hans took to the microphone and shared stories about the movies he had scored. He pointed out musicians who had played with him for years. He highlighted their talents, their drive, and their ability to play and have fun. He was gracious, he was heartfelt, and honest. I loved that each musician from his band was highlighted. This was no show with Hans as the star, even though this amazing music started in his mind. This show was filled with many stars, and each quite literally, got their place in the spotlight.

In some respects, I think I expected a nice symphony concert experience. What I received almost cannot be put into words. It was electric, it was magical, it was sweet, it was dark, it rocked my soul, gave me endless goosebumps, a smile almost always on my face, and tears of joy close to leaking out most of the night. It was three hours of glorious music. I love that it was such a varied crowd. One guy exuded such joy when the Lion King set came on. He danced, he clapped, he was our joy personified. There were all walks of life on the stage too. I sat there most of the night wishing I could share this experience with everyone I know. I wish I could bottle it up.

Since I can’t do that, I want to implore you to find a show and go. Make it happen any way you can. This is something you must experience. It is worth every penny. There are still plenty of East Coast shows, and a few West Coast shows, and a few in between left. If you go, I’d love to hear about your experience.

Now excuse me while I blast this playlist, and let the music fill my day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did you like what you read? Here’s some ways you can support us and this blog!
Join our Facebook group, Planning an Epic Road Trip on Any Budget
Join the Journey With The G’s email list (bonus – you get my Epic Road Trip Budget spreadsheet)
Buy my book, Planning an Epic Road Trip on any Budget
Buy my book, Trusting God With 2 Cents: 22 Days To Becoming A Successful Christian Business Owner.
Shop on Amazon (no additional cost to you, this gives us a percentage of what you order).
Check out our resources page.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel