New Year: New Finances

Its the beginning of a new year and most of us are hoping that this year will be greater than last year...financially speaking! We have started the year off right by saving a little extra, cooking at home, and budgeting for the week. Its a lot of work and seems like it won't balance out completely but I am a witness it can work. The hardest part is actually disciplining yourself and setting limits.

For example, lets say you set aside $50 for the week. You are going to have to be cautious not to over spend. Make up in your mind that $50 is all you have to work with. Think about all the activities you have planned for the week. Going to work, church, school activities, and social events should all be taken in consideration. Now...the next thing is to make preparations. Here's a secret...there are really only two things you have to prepare for and that is food and gas! Yes, just food and gas. First, breakfast, lunch and dinner should be planned ahead. Here's another secret...make them at home! Home cooked meals are cheaper and healthier. If need be...make your meals the day before so you will have ample time to sit and enjoy. Finally, figuring out the gas situation is next. Here is the secret for that...carpool when you can! If you're like me, public transportation, which is another affordable option, it just doesn't work for me. I can and will call a friend or co-worker for a ride. Its not always a free ride though and it shouldn't be. Ask if you can contribute to the expenses of gas or $1.50 on public transportation will get you where you need to go.

Saving money is a daily job. It will not happen if you don't actually take money and put it away, discipline yourself not to touch it, spend only the budgeted amount for that week, and plan ahead.
Everyone wants to live a comfortable lifestyle and it is possible to accomplish that. Just do it.

Black History Every Day!

So today marks the first day for many to celebrate the works and accomplishments of Blacks or African Americans if you will. February has been appointed as the month for America to celebrate Black History and those like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass who paved the way for many of us to live and have freedom. In schools, these are the names that we hear the most and have to do projects and research to find out who they were and what they did. While this is a great lesson plan, why not teach our children to learn that PLUS more.

I’m grateful for the month to celebrate but it's troubling to me that our children are not being taught that Black History is being made EVERY day. It doesn't just stop after February 28th. Goals are being reached and accomplishments are still being made. It's not being broadcasted through the different popular media streams but we still have some great living legends and some recently lost. Our history is so important and we ought to take the time to study and know what is going on in our own backyard.

A look back into the history of African Americans is more about the future than the past. Our children need to know because of the past struggles and hardships that their future can be anything they want it to be. Yes, we still have daily struggles that are not being publicized but we are too strong to allow those issues to hold us down.

We can’t help but to celebrate and honor the well-known African Americans but let’s also commit to celebrating and honoring the ones that are striving, determined and have ambition to become the best at whatever they do.

Black History is Every Day. We have to make the unknown stories known!

           

Remembering Mr. Troy Davis

My heart was deeply saddened on September 21, 2011 for the execution of Troy A. Davis. A young man whom I did not know personally but from hearing and reading his story it was very hard not to let my feelings get involved.

Mr. Troy Davis has been on death row for 20 years for the murder of Mark MacPhail, a Savannah police officer in 1989. Mr. Davis was identified as the shooter by an eyewitness the day after the murder. Mr. Davis, 19 years old at the time, was arrested and charged based on the witness testimony.  There was no physical evidence linking Mr. Davis to the murder. The murder weapon was never found and still Mr. Davis was sentenced to death.

After many appeals, each one denied, the Supreme Court allowed the state of Georgia to set the date for his execution. After hearing about his story many organizations and activists came together and rallied all over the country and outside of the country in support of Mr. Davis and his family.

This case has touched so many hearts in a powerful way and was fuel in the struggle of correcting the justice system. It has let us down once again. Mr. Troy Davis may have been an innocent man whose life was taken without any evidence of the crime. This is not supposed to be happening in America or anywhere. The death penalty, which needs to be brought to an end, is a very serious punishment and should only be put to use if there is no doubt in the case. There was much doubt in Mr. Davis’s case.

My prayers and thoughts go out to the Davis family. You are not alone in this struggle or time of grief and disappointment. Mr. Troy Davis is in God’s hands and He is taking great care of him. I pray that God will give you all strength and comfort.

WE ARE ALL #TROYDAVIS, LET’S KEEP FIGHTING!!!

Progress is Motivating!

Have you ever set forth a goal that seemed you would get close to achieving and then obstacles would get in the way? Well don’t get discouraged and lose sight of your goal and abandon all of your efforts. As you get closer to your goal, your commitment should deepen as you strive increasingly harder to achieve success. The obstacles should only make you want it more.

When people feel they have made positive progress towards their goals, they become more committed and motivated to continue their efforts to achieve their goals. The most important thing to remember is to keep your view of your goals bright. Perception is critical and can have the strongest negative or positive effect. If you don’t see yourself achieving your goal and succeeding, the progress that you are making will not be recognized. The appearance of your progress is what will keep you going and motivated to make your goal come to pass.

I was once told by my mentor that I needed to create a vision board. A vision board is a poster that has pictures of your dreams, people who inspire you and things that you would like to do. He has one of his own and uses it when he goes to speak at different events to inspire his audience. He told me that I really needed to create one so taking his advice I have started creating one. I find it totally motivating and as a constant reminder of my progress towards my goals. It’s amazing the impact that having a vision can have on your progress. It’s motivating!

The Importance of YOU!

There are a lot of people in this world but it is amazing to know that there is no one in this world like you. No one has the same fingerprint as you. You are a very unique person.  God intended for everyone to be different because we all have a different purpose in life.

I recently heard a speaker say “…don’t rob the world of your talents.” That particular sentence resonated with me for a long time.  I began to think about all the talents and gifts that God has given many people who don’t use them. That young girl who has the ability to sing and go far with her talents does not because she doesn’t think she is good enough. That young boy who has a passion for drawing and sketching and does not pick up a pencil or paint brush to improve his talent because of what others in the past has said about his artwork.

You are your own person. You decide the direction you want your life to go and how you plan to get there.  I believe that is the importance of setting goals and time limits. Where do you want to be in a year from now? 5 years? 10 years? It takes planning and a lot of hard work but don’t rob the world of your talents. We need you.  Don’t let what happened in your past be the judge of what your future will be. That can and will rob YOU of becoming the best you can be.

I’ll leave you this scripture from Proverbs 18:16. “A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.”

Manage Stress To Better Your Health

     Stress is a normal psychological but yet physical response to the demands of everyday life.  Stress mostly occurs when bad things happen as well as some good things. Stress causes chemical changes in your brain and these changes can and will have an impact on your health.  Study shows that women are the most vulnerable to stress because of the emotional and physical changes in their lives.

     When you continue to push your body and work hard without the necessary breaks, you are causing stress on your body. Your body needs time to restore itself and regain energy.  Normally, the effects of stress are colds, fatigue, depression, headaches and dermatological issues. Stress can also be a contributor to hair loss, diabetes, heart diseases, strokes, and cancer.

     While stress can be impossible to eliminate from your life there are some techniques that can help.

#1-Having a Healthy Diet

A healthy diet is important because it helps maintain and improve your health.  You are what you eat.  Most people eat when they are worrying and stressed out but they don’t always consider what they are putting in their bodies and how much. Whatever you decide to eat make sure it is providing the recommended servings of nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, calcium and protein, that you need.

#2-Exercise Regularly

Exercise strengthens your heart and lungs. When you exercise daily you will have more energy and won’t find it hard to get through the day. Not only can exercising regularly help you maintain a healthy weight but it could also help reduce anxiety and depression which are results of stress.

#3-Relax. Go Get a Massage

Adding space in your daily schedule to relax can improve productivity. You work hard all day long and when you finally get home you feel drained. This is when relaxation should come into the picture. Some relaxation techniques that may fit you are Yoga and Tai Chi. Both techniques relaxes your body and clears your mind of stress. Also, try going to your local spa to get a great massage. Massages are great for releasing the body of tension.

     Stress is a fact of life. You may not be able to get rid of stress but there are ways that can lower its levels. You only have one life to live, why not take care of your body and stay healthy.  

***Not all exercises are suitable for everyone. To reduce the risk of injury, consult your doctor before beginning any exercise programs. ***

Managing Your Lifestyle While Saving Money

The top three goals of most people for 2011 is adopting a healthier lifestyle, saving more money and losing weight and keeping it off.

     To live a lifestyle that is comfortable, manageable, and economically sustained seems to be out of the question for most Americans. With the economic downfall and rates going up from insurance to gasoline it seems that America is failing and quickly. So it is up to every American, including the President, to make every penny count. Wonder how you can do this without sacrificing your lifestyle? Here are some helpful tips.

     Tip #1 Budget, Budget, and Budget

• Don’t spend more than you can afford. Spending money you don't have, it seems impossible to do this right? WRONG! It is very easy to get in a situation where you pay out more money than you bring in. Examples are borrowing money, even if it is from family and friends, using your credit cards (which you shouldn't have many of) irresponsiblyand taking money from your savings account. All of these methods will surely create debt for you.

     Tip #2 Eating In Instead of Out

• Going out to restaurants used to be a luxury now it's more of a necessity. What ever happened to home cooked meals? I do understand that most of us are just too "busy" to fix dinner at home but I guarantee you cooking at home has some great benefits if you choose to start.
• Benefit 1-Cooking allows you to destress, relax, and unwind. You can also use this time as family time and get everyone involved.
• Benefit 2-You will have complete control over what goes inside your body and your families. There's a better chance of receiving good nutrition and know the ingredients in your food. You will become healthier and can even manage your weight.
• Benefit #3-Most importantly you will save money!! Nowadays it is common for both parents to work to survive. So the time that it takes to prepare a meal can take it's toll. Now, you don't have to cook a gourmet meal every day. A simple and well balanced meal will do. A good cooking tool to invest in is a Crock Pot. It saves so much time.

     Tip #3 Cutting Unnecessary Fees

• Before signing any contracts always be aware of the fine print. Make sure you read every little word. Those hidden fees can be a killer but if you know about them before you sign, you will have the option to decline. Being in control of your money and knowing where it goes will help you to save money.

     This is not all of the things that could help to save your lifestyle and produce more money but it is a start. Make sure you do research to make sure that you are getting the best deals. Just Save Money!!!