THE FIRST FRIDAY NEWSLETTER
Volume 1: Issue 3: April, 2025
“These are a Few of My Favorite Things…” ~ Julie Andrews, The Sound of Music
I LOVE to share things that are my favorite because they should be your favorite things, too! Well, at least I hope they will be inspirational, motivational and educational! NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. I earn credits when you make a purchase through my referral links.
APRIL is one of my favorite months of the year because for me, it’s actually the start of my “New Year”. In 2024, I accidently ended up having a free 90-day trial of the year and I like it so much it’s become my new tradition.
It’s also my favorite time because it’s time for gardening (year three of building a butterfly and hummingbird garden), being outside and generally appreciating all the Spring has to offer - yes, even with the dreaded yellow pollen!
Table of Contents:
Please support my writing, Thank you!
ICYMI BLOG POST ROUND UP
Favorite BOOKS
Favorite MEALS
Favorite PODCASTS
Favorite SUBSTACK ACCOUNTS
Things I learned in “SUBSTACK SCHOOL”
PRODUCTIVITY TIPS (really appreciate Buy Me Coffee money for these! )
LIFE ADVICE COLUMN (Paid subscribers only)
One of my 2025 goals is to become a paid writer.
I’m asking you to make a donation to the “Buy Me Coffee” fund or sign up for a paid subscription after you read my posts or newsletter. In the same way that you might listen to a podcast and then subscribe. Or read the back of a book and then buy it.
Or, have a sample of food and then buy more.
You get my point, and yes, I’m directly asking you to make a donation or opt in to a paid subscription to the newsletter and the blog posts.
Why? Because one of the greatest life lessons I’ve ever learned was this:
If you don’t ask, the answer is always NO.
Are you familiar with the acronym WIFM - What’s In it For Me?
AKA “Why Should I Support your Writing?”
My mission is to inspire, motivate and educate.
So, if you were inspired, motivated or educated through my writing, then that’s why you should financially support it.
THANK YOU!
Three ways to support my writing:
READ: I won’t know unless you tell me, but the numbers will. I personally don’t focus too much on numbers, but they are helpful to include in media pitches for my writing.
SHARE: Sharing is caring! LOL There’s a share button on my website and also, restack is an option especially if you pair it with your own note.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT: On average, I write 10-15 hours a week.
I have a Buy Me Coffee option as well as an Opt-In for paid subscriptions.
BONUS: You can buy my book! Details HERE
ICYMI Blog Post Round up:
I write and publish a weekly blog post at Melissaspage.com.
Those are reposted here on Substack.
Building Fire: Life Lessons in Empowerment. March 27, 2025
Let’s Go to the Beach! March 20, 2025
The New Year 90 Day Trial March 13, 2025
A Million Dreams (A love letter to dreams) March 6, 2025
MY FAVORITE BOOKS
The “10 Little Rules” series - I just added the latest two authors to my collection! Excited to read those! I went to a Meet the Author event for Terri’s book and her story is amazing! I look forward to reading her book.
The “10 Little Rules” series is a collection of books by various authors.
From the website: “Welcome to 10 Little Rules™ …
turning personal experience into shared wisdom.”
I love that each book provides story, wisdom and a journal prompt and space!
MY FAVORITE MEALS
Breakfast: Coffee, banana and a yogurt/honey/peanut protein bar from Aldi.
Lunch: Egg Roll in a Bowl
Dinner: Chicken THIGHS with fresh green beans and Tator tots.
Snacks: plain or vanilla Greek yogurt with granola and/or drizzle of raw honey
(I’m on a weight loss plan that is NOT a diet, but rather “eat better, exercise more”)
MY FAVORITE PODCASTS
JUMP! Podcast with Traveling Jackie Episode 181
I’ve been a fan of traveling Jackie since I found out about her. This episode in particular is like a keynote speech/TEDx Talk and I found myself yelling “YES!!!” a lot while listening along in the car. SO INSPIRATIONAL!
Mayim Balik’s Breakdown: Menopause episode with Dr. Mary Claire Haver.
I’m 51 and everything Dr. Haver talked about in this episode was the “lightbulb moment” for me. Nice to know I’m not just going crazy - LOL!
I’m going to listen again and take notes!
Talking Lamar, the Bob and Sheri Oddcast: Episode from 3/28/25
I’m a HUGE fan and long time listener to the Bob and Sheri Show (listen to the podcast every day!) and as such, I’m a HUGE fan of Lamar!
This particular episode was called Opening Up a Can of Whoopass and it was incredibly funny!
MY FAVORITE SUBSTACK ACCOUNTS
Her daily notes are also hysterically funny - maybe a little truth mixed with snark and then a dash of “this is real life”. I do so appreciate her running commentary on all things “0% respect for industry norm…”
Full disclosure, Matt messaged me and asked if I’d recommend his account. I’d already been following him so I immediately said “yes, in the First Friday newsletter” AND he graciously offered a free account upgrade so that’s cool too!
Matt’s notes are inspiring and encouraging and his newsletters are FULL of information for those of us (eh, ME) who are aspiring to be PAID writers.
THINGS I LEARNED IN SUBSTACK SCHOOL
First, I literally keep a notepad on my desk to write down all the things I’m learning here! Also, I just save a lot of posts - haha! SO much information from super smart people here! Here, I’ll tag some people that regularly show up in my feed and some things I’ve learned:
Consistency is the key to reinventing yourself” (March 22)
I don’t have a plan or strategy for my Substack notes…” (well, that’s affirming!) 3/26
Winning people are the ones that DO, not the one who PLAN.” (Amen!) April 1
“You need to get super specific, clear and intentional about what you want to communicate with your people” (3/14) - ok, I’m still working on it but at least it’s a work in progress now, not just ideas floating in my head.
“Perfect is overrated, and overthinking is slowing you down.” (3/16)
GOOD REMINDER!“One of the most radical things you can do as a business owner? Decide what “consistent” looks like for you — not based on what the gurus say but based on what actually fits your life and your energy. The goal is repeatable rhythms, not rigid rules.”
I LOVED seeing this because I had already decided to do this, I question it every week BUT it’s working for me, so I stick with it. Nice to see that an expert approves!
I had never really thought about the moment that changed everything for me in this way. But I took the time to think about it and write my response.
PRODUCTIVITY TIPS (Buy Me Coffee Fund donations appreciated)
This month’s productivity tip is on AUTOMATION.
Automation decreases mental load and decision fatigue.
1. Bills: Setting up auto-pay or auto-draft is a great time saver! Also, ensure you are never late paying a bill AND that you prioritize savings/investing.
NOTE: MAKE SURE YOUR BUDGET SUPPORTS THIS OPTION. It doesn’t help to set up auto-pay and auto-draft if you don’t have the right amount of money in your account. But, once its set up and working just right, it literally makes managing income and expenses super easy!
2. Online Ordering - and NO, I don’t just mean Amazon!
I don’t hate shopping but it’s not my favorite either. I love utilizing apps to simplify my shopping. I use online ordering and pick up for groceries especially.
If you know you need/use certain items each month, set up auto delivery.
I’ve also used meal service plans through Factor Meals* and EveryPlate* when life gets SO busy I don’t have the mental capacity to decide “what’s for dinner”.
EveryPlate in particular is great for kids who are learning to cook - that’s how my boys learned. The recipes are super simple to follow and everything they needed for the recipe is included in the kit!
*Referral codes for Factor Meals and EveryPlate are included as links.
3. Household Maintenance (once it becomes routine, it becomes automatic)
Our HVAC service is automatically scheduled and on a routine maintenance.
Our pest control is automatically scheduled and on a routine maintenance.
There are certain things we do automatically (because now its routine) on the FIRST day of each month, the FIRST week of each quarter, in December and in June.
Household maintenance is an important part of home ownership! Regular maintenance can help alleviate a big repair expense!
Were these Productivity Tips helpful to you?
I’d appreciate a donation to the Buy Me Coffee Fund! THANK YOU!
LIFE ADVICE COLUMN (PAID SUBSCRIBERS only)
Q&A/FAQ section based on the things that people most commonly come to me for advice. I am naturally a “helper person” and often, give unsolicited advice. Fortunately, my friends know this and sometimes will say to me - “no advice, just listen”. I’m also learning to ask people if they want me to just listen or listen and offer solutions.
My most favorite thing to do is solve problems! I spent many years in my business as a coach/consultant and this feature is a great way for me to get back into that without the huge time/mental load commitment (which is why I retired that aspect of my business two years ago).
If you have a question or problem that needs to be solved, message me and maybe I’ll include it in next month’s newsletter!
MARCH Questions -
1. Should I pay my child for their grades?
2. How do I navigate end of life care for my pet?
3. How do I write and publish a book? (I published my first book in 2017)
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