Money Saving High vs Shopping High

Shoes Bag

I have experienced both of these highs. Don't get me wrong there is nothing like a new handbag and shoes. I am what you would call and accessory girl. I have been known to buy clothing to match my shoes. That high is short lived though. After you bring them home and put them on your shelf they start to lose their luster. You use them or you don't. They may go out of style, you may fall out of love, or they may wear out. However, the high and feeling I get watching my savings grow and knowing that I am leaving a legacy for my family is like no other.

Bag Sunglasses Wallet

 Even though you will see me talk about the latest fashion trends and my designer collection, I am secretly very passionate about financial health. The reason I say my secret passion is because since as long as I can remember talking about money is taboo. You never ask someone how much they make or what they have in savings. However, you can ask how much those shoes were and where did you get them? I was never taught money management in High school or College. This always surprised me because this is something that is essential for your over all well being. Money is what puts food on the table, a roof over your head and clothing on your back. So why don't we talk about it?

Our culture is making it this big secret and mums the word. It is the perception that society has put to it. It can cause jealousy, and greed. You either are the have or the have nots. If you are financial stable you are lucky and you can also be "the enemy" to some people. This talk makes it seem like how much money you have is completely out of your control which is false.

You can start taking control of your money and your life. The best money advice/ life advice I can give you is Focus on what you can control.  Stop the anger you feel and saying to yourself how unfair it is that your boss makes all the money while you do all the work. That negative talk will get you nowhere. No mater how much you make, start small and focus on what you can do. Don't' focus on what others have or what they do.You can't control if you never went to college because you didn't have the money. But you can control what you read and learn about. You can work on your own education. No one can stop you from learning. Or save up and take online classes when you can. Never give up on you career goals!

Wallet

Now lets talk about saving. Saving has to start somewhere and small. I use to have a paycheck of 135 dollars every two weeks when I was in college. I had to stretch that money and save where I could. I learned quickly that kind of money didn't get me that far. So did I take out a credit card and rack up debt. No I took that money and put 25 in my savings right away, 50 went for groceries and the rest was spending cash. When that was spent I was broke. Now 25 dollars you may think was laughable savings but that 25 dollars was 50 dollars a month and then that became 600 dollars after a year. When I graduated and started my first Job I had over 2,500 dollars in my savings, while others had thousands in credit card debt. How did I do this you might ask? I was never taught how to save I had to teach myself. I controlled what I spent money on. I also got creative and sold my schoolbooks when I could and bought used from my friends or ebay. I saved every way I could. Bought my clothing second hand. Got mr pibb instead of dr pepper.

Now you have some homework to do. I want you to start writing down what you make a month. This next month I want you to track what you spent your money on and see where your money is going. This knowledge will give you power. It is time to start your legacy.

Through out this blog I will have tips and money saving strategies I have used. I hope that you start to think of where you can find and extra 25, 10, or 50 dollars somewhere to start. Just Start.