Maverick Life

Maverick Life

Live Original

Brett & Abby Stanavich

Christ followers, parents of four, impulsive rescue dog saver, passionate about our faith, family, finances, and fitness!

A pile of Christmas presents underneath a Christmas tree

Family Finance

Christmas Shopping: Is There Such a Thing as Too Much?

Brett Stanavich

December 4, 2024 3 min read

Every Christmas season, American households plan to spend $1,300 shopping for gifts on average. In most cases, spending money, they don’t have to buy roughly $400 worth of presents per child. American culture always seems to find a way to take a nice gesture and grossly blow it out of proportion. Leading me to ask […]

A clean table with some pine branches laying on it.

Family

Tips for Cleaning Your Home Throughout the Winter Season

Abigail Stanavich

October 16, 2024 5 min read

Just as one does an annual spring cleaning, so too is it important to do a winter cleaning. If you think about it, the home becomes a very busy place in the dead of winter. Children and adults alike do less escaping to the outdoors and spend more of their leisure time inside. Naturally, the […]

A picture of a house with snow all around it and Christmas lights hanging from it.

Family

Preparing Your Outdoor Space for the Winter Season

Abigail Stanavich

September 19, 2024 5 min read

I am convinced that preparing for the long days of winter can be just as exciting as the first warm breeze of spring. All this month, I want to share what has been on my heart, as well as what has been my routine to tackle even the longest, coldest days of winter. Today, it’s […]

A guy jumping over a fire.

Faith

What Is Influencing You?

Brett Stanavich

January 2, 2025 2 min read

Have you taken a moment to evaluate what you’re opening yourself up to lately? What are you allowing to influence you?Influence is defined as: the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself. There are so many things constantly trying to compete for your […]

The book of James from the Bible.

Faith

An Impartial Way of Life

Brett Stanavich

January 2, 2025 4 min read

Why Being Partial is Wrong The simple and straightforward answer is, because God says so. However, let’s define what partiality is and dive into the topic a little further using what the Bible has to say. 11 For God shows no partiality. Romans 2:11 A Quick Side Note The book of James is one of my favorite […]

Woman in a baby nursery

Family

My Journey Through Painless Labor and Delivery

Abigail Stanavich

September 19, 2024 10 min read

If you know me either personally or through this median, you have gathered by now that I have had a history of quick, painless labors. It is a unique experience, to say the least, one that I too tell others that I am in disbelief over. This is a lengthy blog, but how can one […]

New born baby sleeping on it's side.

Family

Welcome Home – Advice for First Time Moms

Abigail Stanavich

September 19, 2024 12 min read

If you have been following our social media platforms, you already know that I recently became an aunt for the first time. I should say an official aunt, because there are several children in my life who I’ve seemingly adopted as my nieces and nephews. Nevertheless, watching my sister bring a baby into this world […]

Finance

Amazon Prime: A Useful or Needless Expense?

Brett Stanavich

September 19, 2024 4 min read

The purpose of this post isn’t necessarily for you to cancel your membership but to evaluate if having a Prime membership makes sense for you. Analyzing your spending habits or canceling your membership all together could save you more money annually. If Amazon makes shopping too convenient for you, you could end up buying more […]

Married couple posing together with the sun setting in the background.

Family

Is Your Marriage Still A Priority?

Brett Stanavich

September 19, 2024 4 min read

Every year, as the midway point approaches, I can’t help but think about the goals that I had set earlier in the year. Evaluating if I’m taking the proper steps to achieving those goals. Identify areas that need some fine tuning and adjustments. Outside of my professional goals that I set annually. There is one […]

A bunch of young plants in small planters.

Faith

Letting The Shell Go: Embracing Spiritual Growth

Abigail Stanavich

September 19, 2024 6 min read

I am always amazed at the process of gardening, the effort it takes, and the joy it brings to yield forth fruits and vegetables from seed. I am no expert by any means, but my husband and I do try to do the best to our knowledge when raising up fruits and vegetables. I had […]

A woman walking in the distance as the sun is setting.

Faith Fitness

Exercise is Spiritual: Connecting Physical Wellness with Spiritual Growth

Abigail Stanavich

September 19, 2024 5 min read

It sounds pretty bold to make the statement that bodily exercise is spiritual, but when you begin to dissect the topic, you realize that exercise and spirituality complement each other in the most unique way. We are not talking about exercise in the form of vanity, but rather exercise in response to who made you. […]

A guy working out in a gym.

Fitness

Exercises, Workouts, Programs, and Fitness Apps That I Love

Brett Stanavich

September 19, 2024 5 min read

Adding in new exercises or workouts can help keep your fitness journey feel fresh and exciting. Here is a list of my favorite exercises, workouts, programs and fitness applications. My hope is that something might help motivate you in your fitness journey. Read about our other fitness posts here. Exercises: The list of exercises are […]

A bunch of workout gear in a gym.

Fitness

The Best Fitness Equipment for Home Gyms

Brett Stanavich

September 19, 2024 4 min read

I used to have a gym membership, but I realized that I could save money overtime by investing in my own home gym. Some people need a gym to stay motivated. I understand it isn’t for everyone. It can even be difficult for me at times to sneak away and workout in my home gym. […]

The Postpartum Journey

Fitness

Advice For The Postpartum Journey

Abigail Stanavich

September 19, 2024 7 min read

As a mother, I have experienced firsthand the amazing changes your body goes through to nurture and grow another human being. A woman’s body produces miracles. For a body and its entities to tolerate such quick shifts and changes alone points to such a complex design only credited to God Himself. It is simply amazing. […]

A man holding on to a barbell with an American flag in the background.

Fitness

My Annual Challenge: Tracking Progress and Maintaining Fitness Goals

Brett Stanavich

September 19, 2024 4 min read

An annual fitness challenge gives you something to measure yourself against. Each year competing in a certain competition can help gauge where you are at in your fitness journey. The outcome will tell you year after year if you are maintaining your fitness or if it needs some attention. I think, we have all been […]

A man running along a beach

Fitness

Exercise: Something is Better Than Nothing

Brett Stanavich

September 19, 2024 5 min read

Fitting workouts in throughout a week can sometimes be very difficult. I would love to do five, one-hour workouts without any interruptions each week, but it’s not always feasible. Busy schedules, kids, and other responsibilities take priority; I’m sure you can relate. A motto that I’ve come to live by in my fitness journey is: […]

A Woman Lifting a Weight

Fitness

Fresh Look on Fitness: Balancing Body and Nourishment

Abigail Stanavich

September 19, 2024 3 min read

Fitness means different things to different people. The one thing no one can deny is that the state of being healthy has benefits for everyone. Whether you are veteran at staying fit or just getting started, we hope this month inspires you to find an outlet that will produce exactly what you hope to obtain […]

Family of 4 looking off into the distance.

Family Finance

4 Things All Parents Need: Prepare for Life’s Unexpected Situations

Brett Stanavich

September 19, 2024 4 min read

Beyond the basic necessities of providing for a family, there are 4 things that all parents need. All too often I hear of stories of people not having one of these items. Life can throw some series curveballs at times. Having the proper things in place could help ensure you can handle the unexpected. Abby […]

Person shopping with a credit card

Finance

An Honest Discussion on Money and Budgeting

Abigail Stanavich

September 19, 2024 7 min read

As a mom, specifically a stay-at-home mom, life changes regarding budgeting the very first day you commit to staying home. Never for a moment have a regretted the decision to leave the workforce, but it has come with its challenges. Going from a two-income home to one put a lot of responsibility on my husband, […]

The word mazimize on a sticky note

Finance

Ways to Maximize Your Money Each Month

Brett Stanavich

January 17, 2025 6 min read

Money doesn’t go as far as it once did. I try and do my best to be a good steward of my money, time and other resources. For me, it is very important because my household is primarily reliant on my sole income. I try my best to stick to a budget, track expenses and […]

A person holding change their hand with a small sign that says make a change

Finance

6 Ways to Donate to Charites for FREE

Brett Stanavich

September 19, 2024 3 min read

Donating has shown to increase overall mood and sense of wellbeing [1]. Helping others is empowering! There is no question that charities make a difference in the world. Charities are able to function because of generous donors. You could help make an impact by contributing to them financially. But, there may be seasons of life […]

A white house with a picket fence

Finance

The Me Ten Years Ago: Financial Peace

Abigail Stanavich

September 19, 2024 5 min read

It’s nostalgic, truly, to sit and reflect on my life ten years ago. I was seventeen, finding my place in the world, seeking my purpose in life. I was straddling a life of expectation and a life of responsibility. My thoughts are toward young women who are in this place, about to embark on the […]

5 ways to earn passive income

Finance

5 Ways To Earn Passive Income

Brett Stanavich

November 4, 2024 7 min read

Make Your Money Work For you Passive income is something every person should be striving to achieve in some way. Gone are the days, where you could simply leave your money in a savings account. Passive income can help you pay monthly bills and increase your ability to save, invest, and/ give. In this article […]

New Year Resolutions

Faith Family Finance

5 Unconventional New Year Resolutions

Brett Stanavich&Abigail Stanavich

September 19, 2024 7 min read

We have never met someone that hasn’t at least thought of a New Year resolution. Whether it’s wishful thinking or a serious resolution, less than 8% of people actually stick to their original goal. Maybe it’s due to a lack of time management, unrealistic goals or something else. Instead of going with the mundane, why […]

A group of people putting their hands in a huddle, symbolizing teamwork.

Faith Family Finance Fitness

The Role You Play in Life

Brett Stanavich

September 24, 2024 8 min read

Embracing Your Purpose and Impact Personal Goals I have always been someone that wants to be the best version of myself. A lifelong learner. Striving to push myself to excel; to do better. I’ve set goals for every area of my life: education, work, guitar, fitness, you get the idea. Life is busy and I […]