A Little Bit Of Me | Lifestyle Blog by Charnita Fance

I recently woke up and realized I am 44 years old. It sounds funny to say, but for the longest time, I just drifted along thinking retirement was this far-off thing that old people do. But now, hitting my mid-40s with a husband, a duplex we are renting, and a whole zoo of pets to feed, the reality is setting in. I have about 20 years left to really aggressively save money if I want to stop working one day. I have a 401k through my job, and I contribute to it, but I started to get this nagging feeling that it wasn't enough. Disclosure: This post contains referral links; as a SoFi customer, I earn a small amount from qualifying sign-ups. I appreciate your support. That's why I finally opened an account with SoFi a couple of months ago. I went with their Robo Traditional IRA. I'll be honest with you: I chose the Robo option because I know absolutely nothing about investing. I didn't want to pick stocks and mess it up. I also realized after the fact that a Roth IRA might...

I was lying in bed the other night and couldn't sleep because my mouth felt like a desert. Dry mouth is a side effect of a medication I take, and it drives me crazy. It makes it hard to swallow, and I wake up thirsty every few hours. Since it's usually quiet and there's nothing to distract me, I just lay there and focus on how annoying it is. I started feeling sorry for myself and frustrated that I couldn't just get a good night of rest. But then I started scrolling through health articles on my phone, which is a dangerous rabbit hole. It didn't take long for me to realize how small my problem actually is. I stumbled upon lists of rare medical conditions and severe neurological disorders that people deal with every single day. It hit me hard. My dry mouth is a nuisance, but it's not ruining my life. Reading about what others endure shifted my perspective immediately. We often forget to appreciate the basic functions of our bodies until something goes wrong. He...

December hits differently when you don't have children. You might think it means zero stress. People assume you have all the free time in the world. But that is rarely the case. Instead you often become the backup plan for everyone else. You travel more. You attend every late night party. You cover shifts for coworkers who have kids. The pressure to make everything magical for everyone else can drain you fast. I used to crash hard by December 25th every single year. I would wake up sick, tired, and resentful. I realized I was pouring from an empty cup. Now I follow a strict routine to keep my sanity intact . This isn't about bubble baths or expensive spa days. This is about survival. It's about entering the new year feeling like a person rather than a shell. This guide breaks down practical ways to manage your physical and mental health this month. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links; as an Amazon Associate, I earn a small amount from qualifying purchases. I ap...

Finding a Bible that genuinely captures a child's attention is no small feat. Many Bibles for kids can feel either too simplistic, losing the depth of the stories, or too dense, making them intimidating for young readers. The challenge is to find that sweet spot: a Bible that is both accessible and substantial, one that a child would actually be excited to open. The NLT Kids Go Bible hits that mark perfectly. It’s an incredibly well-designed resource that feels less like a dusty old book and more like an invitation to an adventure. It’s the kind of gift for a niece, nephew, or family friend that you can feel confident will make a real impact. It’s designed not just to be read, but to be explored, making the profound truths of God's Word engaging and relevant for today's kids. Disclosure: I received this item free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Being lactose intolerant is no fun. I know from personal ( and painful ) experience. So, when I get invited to dinner and someone serves a creamy lasagna or a cheesy pizza, I just feel left out. The thought of that delicious, melty cheese and the creamy sauce is so tempting, but the result is always the same: bloating, gas, and a whole lot of discomfort. It's a real bummer. It’s a challenge to enjoy things with everyone else. I've tried a bunch of stuff to help. I've eaten those chewable lactase enzyme tablets, and they work pretty well, but you have to take them right before you eat. And let's be honest, I often forget. Then there's the whole "lactose-free" trend, which is a lifesaver, but finding lactose-free ice cream in a small town can be a mission. So, when a new product called Bactose came across my path, I was hopeful. Bactose is supposed to be different. It’s a probiotic that works long-term. You take it for a week, and then you’re good to go fo...

I’ve been on the hunt for new hair and body products for a while. I like to switch things up and try out different brands. I’m always looking for something that not only works well but also smells great. I was lucky enough to get my hands on the SHAMPOOHOTEL Rio line for free, and let me tell you, I was pretty excited. I’d heard about the brand and their destination-inspired hair and body care products, and I was curious to see if they lived up to the hype. The Rio line is inspired by a warm and intoxicating destination, with a scent that includes lush vanilla orchid, coconut, and sandalwood. The brand says the Rio shampoo and conditioner are supposed to add volume and body to fine, flat hair, thanks to key ingredients like bamboo extract and biotin. They also have a body wash and body lotion in the same scent. The idea of the whole line smelling the same is great. It means you don't have to worry about clashing scents from different products. Disclosure: I received the...

I've always been a little unsure about the Holy Spirit. God the Father? I get that. Jesus? He feels like a close friend. But the Holy Spirit often felt like a mystery, a concept I couldn't quite grasp. It seemed like everyone else had these amazing stories and experiences, while I was just… confused. If you've ever felt that way, like you're missing a piece of the puzzle in your faith, then I think I've found something that could help us both. I recently went through "The God You Need to Know" Bible study by Margaret Feinberg, and it completely shifted my perspective. This isn't your typical, complex theological deep dive. Instead, it’s a warm and welcoming journey to genuinely get to know the Holy Spirit. Margaret makes it feel less like a lecture and more like a conversation with a wise friend who’s excited to share something incredible with you. She takes you back to the Old Testament, showing that the Spirit has been active and present from the ...

That familiar tingling in my fingers started again, then the dull ache in my wrist that shot up my forearm. For anyone who spends their days typing, you know what I'm talking about. My carpal tunnel pain was getting worse, making my job a real pain—literally. My standard, flat keyboard forced my hands into an unnatural position, and by the end of the day, my thumbs and wrists were screaming. I knew I had to find a better way to work if I wanted to keep typing without pain. Source: Wikimedia Commons I started looking into ergonomic keyboards and quickly went down the rabbit hole of split designs. The idea seemed a little strange at first, a keyboard split into two halves. But the more I read, the more it made sense. These keyboards are designed to match the natural position of your hands and arms, not force them into a cramped, straight line. After trying one, I can honestly say it has made a huge difference. The relief was almost immediate (although, I still do have pain here and ...

I love reading the Bible, but I can admit that sometimes I get lost in the details. It's easy to see the individual books as separate stories instead of one continuous narrative. I've often wanted a guide that connects all the dots, and that's exactly what I found in The Story of God and Us by Jonathan Murphy. The first thing I noticed was the eye-catching cover, but what I found inside was even better. This book presents God's grand narrative in a way that is clear, engaging, and deeply personal, showing how we are all an important part of it. Who is Jonathan Murphy? The Author Behind the Story Before diving into the book, it helps to know the author. The Jonathan Murphy author credit belongs to the senior pastor of Stonebriar Community Church and a professor at the respected Dallas Theological Seminary . This isn't just someone with a theory; he dedicates his life to teaching the Bible. His experience as a pastor comes through in his writing. He’s not just ...