Fabulous Find

I have a Gala to attend on Saturday (Tomorrow...YIKES!) and I did not plan ahead. I have no dress and little funds. I believe the attire is formal however, gowns are not my style so I had to shop for a dressy dress. I considered borrowing a friend's old bridesmaid dress but I couldn't bring myself to it. Optimistic and pressed, I shopped and found nothing except overpriced left-over prom dresses. I walked in and out of stores tired of walking and waisting gas. Then I remembered I'm creative and can make a dress out of a pillowcase ( that's for you Dina!). So, I grabbed this dress for $10 after using a store credit voucher.

What do you think?

Right on~time & right for my budget!

"My dress ain't cost nothing but seven dollars, but I made it fly." ~Erykah Badu

Grandma's Words

My grandmother always said, "Patience~is having endurance under difficult circumstances. It's not gonna be easy! But, wait on the Lord and He will see you thru! Anything in this life worth having is worth waiting for. " I was eight years old when she said all this so she wrote a little note for me. Every so often I have to pull out that old wrinkled paper and remind myself of grandma's lessons. Funny, she said when I get older and can't read it no more I won't need it. Dang! I'm not old enough yet?! LOL!
When frustrated with life and the difficult circumstances remember to eat your Ps...Patience, Power, Potential and Promise.

Inspiration

Inspiration: I enjoy looking at people while they sleep weird but true. While sleeping one appears to be at peace… no worries as the mind and body rest. Well, I was looking at my little boy as he slept he had a long and hard day of play. I thought back to earlier in the day as everything presented to him regardless of difficulty he achieved with great optimism. For that reason, I must live by example and life to the fullest leaping over stumbling blocks.

Lesson Learned

Usually, a midweek trip to the market has the potential to shake –up my budget. However, unlike most visits where I am skating down the aisles; today I am not in a rush so I have time to look for the unmarked sales. It’s me and the senior citizens LOL! I’m picking up 4 pounds of ‘greens’ for my mom at $.49/pound and there is this older lady around 80s-90s (Bless Her Heart!) there with me picking through. As I reach up to the top to grab a bundle of greens she smacks my hand away as if I was reaching into fire. I’m SHOCKED! I don't know this lady! Then she points her finger at me and says “The stems weigh the most! Just because the leaf is big and pretty doesn’t mean it’s gonna taste good." In my mind I'm thinking the greens are only $.49/pound so what if I go over $2. Naw...so what is not the answer! It’s this type of thinking and behavior that gets me into trouble. $2 was the budgeted amount and that is what I should stick to.
Lesson learned: Be observant and respectful for the wisdom elders pass on...those big pretty leaves could have cost me.

Thankful

I am so thankful to have my dad, brothers, uncles, and cousins in my life. Father’s Day was such a joyous day. During the beginning of the week I had concerns about not being prepared…I simply forgot that Father’s Day was on Sunday! Well... everything worked out and not a moment was taken for granted! There is no price tag on spending time with family.

Stepping up my game

Today, is what you call a productive day! I opened up "Nah's College Account" AND "My 1st Home Account"! It felt soooo good leaving the bank knowing that another item on my list can be checked off. I did a few other things and worked on this blog page-hope you all noticed. Then; I remembered this weekend was Father's Day. What the heck?! So many gifts to create and make cause honey my money is funny LOL ... any suggestions?

Feeling Stressed

More income needs to come my way during the summer! I just received two tuition bills for the fall...Uhh! Dang...that's only 12 weeks away so somethins got to give! This is is a perfect example of how I become financially distracted and frustrated! No time for that tho...I'm pressin' on!

Test of Faith

This weekend was the first of many tests financially. I must admit that I didn't spend TOO much money! I splurged on a few drinks (non-alcoholic of course) here and there...it was HOT! (100 plus degrees) so what the HECK! There were festivals and huge block parties in the city. I wanted to buy everything! Then, as I was sippin on my last drink (some fruity lemonade); I quickly remembered how buying little in-expensive things add up. So...so fresh in my mind a few days ago (May) I had no money and no money saved. Besides, I spent a lot of time and effort on my budget. I have to be faithful and true to me!

Yaaaay! I created a Budget!

Finally, the budget is finished! It may not be official, however; as I stated in previous posts it will be a work in progress. Furthermore, the time I had to create the budget was used wisely. I believe I a constructed a realistic budget that will allow me at least one of my favorite drinks per month (Passion fruit bubble tea) Mmm...Delicioso! Please take a look cause I'm on my way!

June 2008~ My First Budget

Rent $300
Nah’s Tuition $500
Utilities $35
Health Insurance Premium $132
Cell Phone $130
Gas $80
Car Insurance $130
Phone/Internet $24
Dinner/Lunch Out $60
Tithes $40
Clothing $60
Laundry $20
Entertainment (Movies, parks, videos) $60
Education (Tutoring, School trips) $60
Gifts: Holiday, B-Day $20
Groceries $150

Savings

Just in Case $ Account $25
Nah’s College Account $25
My 1st Home Account $25
I Need a New Car Account $25
Getaway Account $25

Total: $1901

The Beginning ~ Revised

My New Year's resolution list was compiled of some goals, some dreams, some positive affirmations, and then some really corny unrealistic things like: #6 go to the gym 5 days a week. Now, who do I think I am?! I say this in many ways.... First, I am a young single mother. I work full time plus some, go to school part-time, teach dance when I am not working, in school or chillin with my little boy. When could I possibly go to the gym FIVE days out of a 7 day week? Lol!

Anywho, today I read my list for the second time since I wrote it. Sadness came over me as I reflected back to when I originally wrote it. I was fresh, determined and proud at that time, however; I allowed self-doubt, ignorance, and other distractions get the best of me. No more! The list has been revised! I read it loud and proud! This time next year I want to proudly look back and see how much I have achieved. My life is not my own anymore so this is how I begin.

Goals and Dreams

• Pray daily +
• Budget and Save
• Don't Cheat God...Tithe right!
• Laugh, Love, Learn & have fun daily
• Pay bills on time!
• Create "Just in Case $" Account
• Create " Nah's College" Account
• Create "My 1st Home" Account
• Sign-up for workplace retirement plan ASAP
• Create " I Need a New Car" Account
• Stay consistent in school
• Don't Procrastinate...lead by example
• Exercise
• Embrace the hard times
• Don't make the same mistake twice
• Improve time management
• Volunteer
• Pay off Debt
• Forgive...life is too short!

Budgeting~Work in progress

This morning I decided to tackle a few of my issues full force. Budgeting! Uhh!!! The word makes me cringe...more so because I know it will be a long project similar to a unsolvable math problem. However, I'm sure I will feel rewarded/successfull once I get budgeting on a roll. I'm ready to buckle down and get serious about money and my future...healthy financially! I have a problem with splurging; so, at this very moment, my bank accounts are dangerously thin and that's scary. I lose sleep at night as I think about how much I do not save or budget daily. I remember my parents stressing the importance of having "Just in case money." You know the money you are suppose to save before an emergency occurs. Well, my current "Just in case" balance is $0. I really want a piece of the American Dream- a house of my own. My sacrifice will be many things during these next months/years.... It's ok! I'm wit it!

Six Months Into 2008

Well it's June already and I think I have completed one of my twenty goals for 2008. Procrastination and failure is not an option so I decided to go with #2 the list. Start a blog! I'm here and ready to work people! Whew! Together, we will be able to teach and inspire each other. By the way, I must give a shoutOut to Obama Yes We Can!!!