Intentional finance. Intentional family. Intentional business.

Here's what's new:

Meet Shelby Rae: A Photographer Turning Creativity Into a Family-Friendly Career

Crystal’s $250 Grocery Shopping Trips + Menu Plan (It’s BACK!!!)

Get your Black Friday Playbook! (Free Download)

Crystal’s $19.47 Walgreens Shopping Trip

Meet Shelby Rae: A Photographer Turning Creativity Into a Family-Friendly Career

I love celebrating women entrepreneurs who’ve found creative ways to blend their passions with purposeful work. Recently, I had the joy of connecting with Shelby Rae, the heart behind Shelby Rae Photography.

Her journey from being a teen with a camera in hand to building a photography business that fits around family life is both inspiring and achievable. Shelby opened up about her early fears, the encouragement that got her started, and the rhythms that allow her to serve clients while still being present as a wife and mom.

If you’ve ever dreamed of working from home or wondered if you could turn a creative hobby into something more, Shelby’s story will encourage you to take that next step.

From a Dream to a Business

Shelby Rae is a wedding and portrait photographer who specializes in capturing couples, families, and high school seniors. But her work is about much more than photos.

“As a teen and college student, I dreamed of doing something that would allow me to be a stay-at-home mom one day,” she shares. “I’ve always loved creative things, and photography was a natural fit.”

That dream became reality. Today, Shelby manages a thriving business while enjoying the flexibility to spend time with her kids and contribute extra income to her family.

Facing Fear and Taking the First Step

Like many people who are stepping into business for the first time, Shelby wrestled with doubt. With so many photographers in her area, she often wondered if she was “good enough” to charge for her work.

Instead of letting fear hold her back, she simply got started. “I sort of just jumped in and did it anyway, thanks to family and friends who trusted me to take their photos!” she says. Along the way, she sought education, practiced her craft, and built her confidence one session at a time.

Her story reminds us that the first step doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be taken.

The Power of Support and Learning

Family and friends were instrumental in helping Shelby gain traction. Their willingness to be her first clients gave her the experience she needed and helped spread the word about her business.

She also leaned into social media, creating pages to showcase her work and later building a website where people could connect with her, view her portfolio, and book sessions.

Another game-changer? Education. “Courses from Amy & Jordan Demos were so helpful,” Shelby says. “I also learned so much from Katelyn James and Rebecca Rice.” Those resources not only sharpened her technical skills but also gave her confidence in the business side of photography.

Portrait of photographer, Shelby Rae, smiling with arms crossed in front of a modern glass building.

A Peek Into Shelby’s Days

No two days look exactly alike for Shelby, but she’s built rhythms that allow her to juggle motherhood and business with grace.

Most days, you’ll find her editing photos or handling business tasks during her son’s nap time. She sneaks in email replies or quick tasks from her phone throughout the day. Sessions are scheduled when her husband is home, and weddings usually fall on weekends.

She’s intentional about not overbooking, making sure to keep days free for family time. “That’s one of the perks of making my own schedule,” she says.

Encouragement for Other Moms

For moms who want to start working from home but feel hesitant, Shelby’s encouragement is simple: “Go for it!!”

She acknowledges that balancing little ones with work can be tricky, but believes it’s worth the effort. “It’s so valuable to be with your kids daily rather than relying on outside childcare. And it’s such a gift to have something you do outside of being a mom, while also contributing to your family’s income.”

Connect With Shelby Rae

Want to learn more about Shelby or see her beautiful photography?

Website: www.shelbyrphoto.com
Instagram: @shelbyrae_photo

Shelby Rae’s story is proof that passion, persistence, and a willingness to learn can lead to a business that blesses both family and clients. Whether you’re thinking about picking up a camera, starting a side hustle, or simply taking the next small step toward your dream, let Shelby’s journey be a reminder that you don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to start.

Crystal’s $250 Grocery Shopping Trips + Menu Plan (It’s BACK!!!)

It’s been a long time since I’ve shown my grocery shopping trips. I stopped sharing them because I was honestly exhausted from constantly having people write in and critique what I bought and tell me what I was doing wrong or could be doing better.

So I took a break from it, but I’m ready to be back — and am hoping that it can be an inspiration to those who need the motivation for ideas for grocery shopping and menu planning! (And hoping that I’ll have freshly-thickened skin for those who want to email in and tell me what I’m doing wrong!)

We have raised our grocery budget quite a bit from what it used to be — mostly because we are in a season where we have more wiggle room, we are feeding more mouths than we used to, I want to be able to buy a lot of protein and some higher-priced items, and because this covers the majority of our breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for our family of 7 (Kathrynne lives 45 minutes away and only occasionally eats with us).

Amazon Deal: First up, I bought this Larabar Deal from Amazon for $18.91 shipped! (the price has gone up some more)

Kroger Shopping Trip #1:

Yobaby Yogurt – marked down to $2.49
Greek Goddess Yogurt – $3.79
4 lbs. butter – $2.99/lb
3 bags Gala apples — $1.99/lb
Total with tax: $28.77

Dollar General Shopping Trip:

2 cans green beans (BOGO) and 2 cans Cream of Chicken (BOGO) = $2.14 (including tax)

I was so excited about all the markdowns I found at Kroger!!

Kroger Shopping Trip #2:

Steaks – $4.05 x 2 (marked down)
Turkey Breast – $3.20 x 2 (marked down)
Turkey sausage – $2.24 x 2 (marked down)
Sausage links – $2.27 (marked down)
Nutpods Creamer – $4.99
Pantene travel shampoo – $0.61 x 3 (marked down)
Travel lint roller – $0.38 (marked down)
Pert travel size – $0.35 (marked down)
Therabreath travel size – $0.73 (marked down)
Half gallon chocolate milk – $1.79
Oscar Mayer Bacon – $3.99 x 2 (marked down)
Marked down bananas – 5 lbs – $1.95
Blueberries – $3.49 x 2
Potatoes – $3.99
Gold Medal flour – $2.99 x 2
Simple Truth Eggs – $3.99 x 2
Milk – $3.29
Total with tax: $76.65

Kroger Shopping Trip #3:

Yoplait yogurt – $0.39 x 5 (marked down)
Kroger Eggs – $2.49
Cheese – $1.79
Yoplait Gogurt – $0.99 (marked down + coupon)
Covergirl lip color – $2.75 x 2 (marked down)
Covergirl mascara – $3 x4 (marked down)
Jimmy Dean Meal – $1.79 (marked down)
King’s Hawaiian Rolls – $2
Tip Roast – $20.57
Beef Strip Steak – $16.29 (marked down)
Steak – $14.96 (marked down)
2 bags of cuties – $1.50 x 2 (marked down)
Rib Tips – $6.30 (marked down)
Ground Lamb – $5.67 x 3 (marked down)
Zevia x 2 – $4.49
Total with tax: $113.28

Total with tax for all groceries = $239.75

Dinners this week:

Roast, mashed potatoes, roasted carrots

Steak, mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts

Ground lamb meatballs, roasted carrots, green salad, sourdough

Turkey sausage, potatoes, carrots, and peppers in the crockpot

Turkey sandwiches on sourdough with fruit (grab & go meal)

Leftovers/fend for yourself

Dinner out

Get your Black Friday Playbook! (Free Download)

Want to save big this Black Friday without the stress or overspending? Grab your FREE Black Friday Playbook! This is your simple, step-by-step guide to shop smarter, save more, and enjoy the holiday season with peace of mind!

What if Black Friday could be simple and stress-free… and still save you the most money?

Every year, Black Friday promises incredible deals, from must-have gifts to big-ticket splurges and family essentials. But, between the hype, pressure, and “buy now or miss out” countdowns, it’s easy to overspend or end up with things you didn’t even need.

Before you know it, you’ve spent more than you planned and still don’t feel ready for Christmas.

That’s exactly why I created The Black Friday Playbook! This guide will help you shop smarter, save more, and enjoy the holidays without the chaos.

I’ve been through enough Black Fridays to know how overwhelming it can feel… the rushing, the pressure, the endless ads telling you to “buy now!” But I’ve also learned that when you shop with a plan, Black Friday can actually be fun and a huge money-saver.

A flat lay featuring "The Black Friday Playbook" - Your Stress-Free Guide to Planning, Shopping, and Saving Big.

Here’s What’s Inside the Free Black Friday Playbook:

Plan Before You Shop: Set your budget, make your must-have list, and focus on what really matters.
Stay Organized: Use simple checklists, trackers, and worksheets to keep every purchase on track.
Save More Without Stress: Stack coupons, rewards, and cashback apps to stretch your dollars further.
Avoid Traps & Gimmicks: Learn how to spot fake “sales” and avoid falling for the hype.
Shop With Confidence: Use decision guides and price trackers to make smart, guilt-free choices.

Whether you love the thrill of hunting down the best bargains or just want to stretch your Christmas budget further, this playbook will help you do it with less stress AND more savings!

Make This Your Most Intentional Black Friday Yet

With this playbook, you’ll shop strategically, save confidently, and start your holiday season on the right foot. Download your FREE Playbook today and walk into the holiday season with a plan you’ll actually feel good about.

Don’t let the chaos of Black Friday steal your peace (or break your budget).

Click here to download your free Black Friday Playbook.

Crystal’s $19.47 Walgreens Shopping Trip

Guess what?? I went and played the Drugstore Game today — for the first time in YEARS (I think it’s been over a decade, if I’m remembering correctly!!) And I had so much fun doing it and can’t wait for next week to use the Register Rewards to buy things and save even more!!

Cinnamon Toast Crunch

Buy 2 at $2.49 each
Use $1/2 Walgreens coupon (on Walgreens website/app)
Pay $2 out of pocket (plus any applicable tax)
Get $0.50 back from iBotta for each box purchased
Get $1.30/2 Fetch cash back
That’s like paying $0.84 each (plus any applicable tax) after the coupons and cash back!

Tresemme Shampoo/Conditioner

Buy 2 Tresemme shampoo/conditioner at $6 each
Use $5/2 Walgreens coupon (on Walgreens website/app)
Spend $7 (plus any applicable tax out of pocket)
Get $4 Register Rewards back
That’s like paying $1.50 per bottle (plus any applicable tax) after the coupon and Register Rewards

Crest Prohealth Toothpaste

Buy 2 Crest Pro-health toothpaste at $5 each
Use $4/2 Walgreens coupon (on Walgreens website/app)
Spend $6 (plus any applicable tax out of pocket)
Get $4 Register Rewards
Submit receipt for $2 iBotta cashback
That’s like paying $0.00 (plus any applicable tax) out of pocket

‘All total, I spent $19.47 out of pocket for everything pictured above and got back $8 in Register Rewards, a $5 off $15 coupon for my next visit, plus $3 back in ibotta cashback and $1.30 back from Fetch!

See all the BEST deals at Walgreens this week here.