My Attempt @ A Spending Fast

I'm going to just jump right into this blog and I would like to start off by saying......"I am a shop-a-holic who is toeing the line of hoarding."  I currently do not have any rhyme or reason to the things I keep only that I buy what I see and like (especially if it's on sale).  I even think my addiction to keeping things has trickled to my online life.  I say this because I will be the first person to join a site just for the daily/weekly email updates.  And I admit I hardly ever actually open or read them.  My obsessions must stem from some deep seeded repressed feelings but I suppose that's a story for another post.....  The one daily newsletter update I actually opened and read gave me a mission to better my spending habits and possibly rid myself of the burden of debts or spending addiction.  Although it wasn't meant for me personally it was aimed at those of us who have debt or simply can't save a dime from month to month.  I looked at it as a personal challenge and it came at the beginning of a new month.  Tomorrow will be June 1st and I intend to pray and will myself through the next 30 days to spend no unnecessary money.  Through the grace of God on my side maybe I can save myself from my own monetary destruction and better the living for my son and I.  One day I will get to the point that I will feel comfortable with my finances and lifestyle.  As of now.....I am a single mother living on my own and working a part-time job trying to take care of my 4 yr old son.  I do have a problem with spending unnecessary money and not saving for a "rainy day".  It makes me think that I am not putting my son's health and safety as a priority and maybe through this challenge I will end up with the discipline to make things right in our lives.  Keep looking for my posts on my "spending fast".  I'll let you know what deal I felt like I couldn't pass up but did and I'll give you the tips on how I walked away from a good deal.  More info on the "spending fast" coming soon.

An Unexpected Insirpation

      I have to be completely honest with myself and to the general census of my readers (If i have any out there).  I don't know about the rest of the world but as far as I am concerned I only think of my job as a pay check, a way to live and raise my son.  It's no big surprise that I do not go to work to make a difference in other people's lives.  In this point in my life I had to make the decision to start over and get back to basics.  I am a bipolar, single mom with very little support (Thank you to those who are my support systems) and this means I don't handle stress as well as the next person.  I have only just recently learned about being bipolar and it has been quite over whelming.  For me, I decided to not focus on a career (because I found myself failing at life momentarily) and to focus on repairing my health for my only son who depends on me.  But I digress. My point isn't to explain my health but to share some words of wisdom from an unexpected source.  I work for a very large retail corporation who essentially wants to help families save more money so they can enjoy life. As life should be enjoyed without a failing economy. And as much as I believe this was the intention, it is not the main priority anymore.  The unfortunate truth is that we just need you to spend your money to put into their pockets.  I have to make a living too but my job is just that...a place to make a check.  Nothing particularly inspirational about that.  I am the kind of person that enjoys helping others and when I am there I do my best to greet people and let them know that not all of us are trying to steal their money to make it up that corporate ladder.  Every morning we are called into a meeting where we get preached to about how to make the customers happy so they spend more and yada, yada, yada. On one particular morning though I was in a mood to listen and really hear their message. * And here is where the real story begins* One manager said (mainly to those who come to work and expect to get paid because they showed up) "IF IT MEANS SOMETHING TO US, WE MAKE IT HAPPEN; IF IT DOESN'T, WE MAKE EXCUSES".
     Think about that for a moment....when was the last time you made an excuse?  When was the last time you did something because you felt passionate about something?  Was it for someone else or was it out of vain?  It got me thinking about my life. Including work, friends, my duty and role as a mother, my role as a person, my disability.  What she said really rattled my brain.  I work to live but most importantly I work to give my son the chance to live.  What is it that matters in life? A lot of time I lose track of the important, necessary things in life. I am often making excuses for things I do not like, things that mean nothing to me.  My challenge for myself is to stop making excuses and start coming up with reasons why things should be more important to me.  Life is hard for everyone for many different reasons.  As hard as it may be for us, we have to take charge and make life mean something to us.  I developed my motto for myself a little while ago (even though it meant something different when I came up with it) and I am confident enough to share it on my blog. My life motto is: MAKE EVERY DAY A STORY WORTH TELLING!  Start creating your stories and stop creating excuses.

Mental Health Awareness Month

May isn't only for celebrating mothers it is also for bringing awareness to the general public about mental health issues.  There is such a great stigma about mental illness.  It affects everyone around you no matter age, sex, race, or religion.  1 in 3 people are affected by debilitating depression, anxiety, or panic attacks at one point in their lives.  It could be your husband, your teenage son or daughter, it even affects adolescents as young as 5 and 6.  Just remember it is all around you. You may not suffer from it yourself but chances are you know someone who is dealing with it right now in their own lives.  Depression, anxiety, and panic attacks are NOT a sign of weakness! They are signs of having tried to remain calm for too long!  If you are suffering let it be know to someone you trust.  If you are close to someone who is suffering.....(even though truthfully it will be very difficult) lend a helping hand and try not to judge.  People who suffer from any form of mental illness (including myself)  are doing just that, suffering.  Life is hard enough but when you have a debilitating illness that isn't actually visible to those around you it makes healing and recovering a very miserable process.  Mental health advocates ask those of us who are mentally ill or know someone who is mentally ill to take a stand against stigma.  Wear a lime green ribbon to represent you or your loved ones.  When people ask you what it's for.....proudly tell them that you are fighting to break the stigma of mental health issues.  Join the fight for a group of people who want nothing more than normalcy in their lives!

A Review of Our Impromptu Vacation

It's been two weeks and I never posted anything since we returned from New
Orleans.  I often put my writing and blogging on the back burner when it comes to my emotional ups and downs.  I have returned though and I am here to tell you about our last minute trip.  I am pretty avid when it comes to saving money but there are times when I feel too lazy to spend the time searching for that good deal.  I must admit this little impromptu get away gave me little time to prepare to save money and once I was there I really didn't want to waste a minute.  There were a few things I did save on such as the hotel, parking, and a few attractions.  The hotel as I explained before was a steal.  I bid @ priceline.com and got a spectacular room for a spectacular price.  That was big saving number 1!!!!! After getting such an affordable deal we were able to spend a little more on food. I was somewhat disappointed to not get as many deals at restaurants but if there is one thing you should splurge on in New Orleans it's the food!!!  We did a lot of walking which saved us on gas and parking.  Our hotel was a short walk to all of the great things to see and do.  We valet parked at our hotel for $28 a night with unlimited access in and out as long as we were staying there. It might seem like a lot but to park anywhere in New Orleans it'll cost you.  For instance you might pay $20 for 4 hour parking.  So, I think we got a good deal on that one.  As far as attractions go we got a truly great deal that I believe is an on going promotion for 2012.  We paid $35/adult and $19/child to see the aquarium, zoo, IMAX, and the insect museum.  All of these places were quite interesting to see and fun for all ages.  The aquarium has public viewing for shark feedings a few days a week so that might be something to think of  when planning to go there.  The Audubon zoo is a short drive or bus ride from the aquarium.  Our party decided to take the bus for $1.25 that way we didn't have to worry about getting lost and it was a nice break from all the walking we were doing.  Also, a great way to see the city on a small budget.  Hopefully this is only one of the very many adventures for the year.  Each time we take and adventure you are sure to hear about it and learn some of my budget shortcuts that may help you plan your own adventure.