Ok Ladies so I must admit that I have struggled with the thrill of making a purchase (especially when you think you are getting a deal). We all have, but for me during the last seven months my habits have spun out of control. Yea true I can blame it on my trails, tribulations, and stress but to be honest with myself I must have lost touch with reality. To be honest with you and myself for a student I make a nice income topped with assistance from my dad, so I have NO REASON to be living pay check to pay check. Once I sat back and thought about my debt infested life style it all boiled down to realizing two major ideals. Everything is not for everybody AND saving now will guarantee peace of mind later. Now what does that boil down to???
Everything is not for everybody, in otherwise just because the next Tom, Dick, Harry, Sarah, or Marsha can afford it that doesn't mean you can. I found myself moping around because everyone else was in NY, ATL, LA, MIA, CANCUN, and the list goes on and on. The idea that I should be doing this too crept into my mind and next thing you know I was spending Money on Six flags Great America, Trips to NY, Trips to NC, Trips to GA, and the list once again goes on and on. Truth is I didn't realize that I was paying hidden fees for all of those trips. Six Flags for example ran me the cost of admissions, gas from DC to Jersey and back, food, and also the most hidden of them all added mileage to Carmen Corolla (no need to ask who this is I think you get the picture). While all this money was being spent I didn't think about how I am usually sweating as I write the rent check... This is a major problem!
Saving now, guaranteeing peace of mind later is the harder pill to swallow. It is soooo hard to let go of temporary joys in the hopes of attaining one that is intangible. One that will "supposedly" be so great in the future and of course it is our natural instinct to say I WANT IT NOW!! But if we would just hold out on the little things we could have the big things. For example, recently I was searching for apartments in the DC area, now if you are familiar with DC or any metropolitan area you know that my options were cheap and dangerous or expensive and luxurious. I searched fervently and refused to widen my search to Maryland or Virginia to expand my options. I used the commute as an excuse, by saying I work and live in DC and I would be tired etc etc.... All of this was an EXCUSE. As you can imagine the units I found were not impressive or not in my price range. After a Long Talk with a friend of mine reality set in... I realized I was looking for new and modern when the only thing that mattered was my safety and peace of mind. While my current apartment was nice and in a perfect location for me I was paying a whopping $1250 without utilities and this was causing me great strife. I mean think about it I wasn't investing so who cared if it was granite counter tops or not. What mattered what that I could comfortably pay the bills and manage my stress. With this said I chose an apartment in Maryland that is 20 minutes from school and 10 from work. I also chose the most economical of the chooses that they had to offer and I can feel my financial burden being lifted already THANK GOD.
It is of utmost importance for us to remember simple principles such as these. They are the keys to success and stress free financial atmospheres. Cutting corners have led a lot of people happiness. I find someone in particular to be amazing, Ms. Shynea aka the Penny Pinching Diva is a stay at home mother of four who lives off a familial spending budget that would make most of us pull our hair out. Instead she does it with savvy, intelligence, and a smile. I have to admit that I have set forth to follow financially in her foots steps. Ms. PPD has the ability to walk into a grocery store and come out paying sometimes less than half the price we would normally pay and even getting a lot of her items for THE FREE, and I know how much we all love THE FREE.... I mean lets be real she can walk into the store and get two Byers yogurts and walk out having paid NOTHING for them. Her coupon stacking techniques are well worth the time and effort. It is my personal belief that we should all GET LIKE HER!!! Her website http://pennypinchingdiva.com/ features amazing deals and coupons as well as hints to making your spending worth every penny. Allow her to make a contribution to your life by subscribing to her email serve and visiting her site. You will not be disappointed.
With that said, BUDGET... keep the future in mind with every purchase and find ways to improve your quality of life and minimize your level of stress... Trust me you wont regret it....
Ms. Thang
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