THANK GOD FOR THEM!

THANK GOD FOR REAL (give it to you straight) GIRLFRIENDS!

Seriously, there are a few women that I have been friends with for years that I know I can depend on to give me the sho'nuff truth and ALWAYS have my back and are there to support me. I'm not talking about those fair weather heffas chicks that may be here today and gone tomorrow, are not dependable when you need them, and don't know the actual meaning of friendship. Tangent: yall know how I feel about the use of the word friend. So many people use it to describe people not worthy of the title.

This fast has taught me so much about my relationship with God, myself, and my money. I that I won't be in the $5 wealth club along with so many other brown girls irresponsible with what God has blessed me with. I will be a good steward. Yes, I know that all sounds good, but what are words without action? So that means that I had to make some choices and adjustments. I swear swallowing big girl pills are not fun. And even when I complained about the decision last night, my God-sister assured me that it wasn't and that I was making responsible priorities. Thank God for her. So I moved on to another phone call I had to make regarding a decision. Again, I was met with support for my decision. So finally it came down to calling ILYT-who was clearly knocked out and wasn't accepting my calls. That meant emailing her this morning. I was so uneasy because my decision affected her (and the other two) and I was just unsure how it would go over. Her response to me literally left me in tears. God truly blesses us with people in our lives who are so incredibly supportive. I could not be more thankful. Seriously!

So here's to my girlfriends, my sisters, my best friends. Here's to growth and becoming big girls. Here's to honest, loving, no holds barred, down and dirty, open friendship. If you don't know what I'm talking about, then you should question who you call friend. Can you be open and vulnerable with your inner circle? If the answer is no, then perhaps that isn't who God has called to be in your inner circle.

Financially Fit Friday: Time is Money

I realized that I haven't blogged about it, but I started the 21 day financial fast with my church on Monday. I actually started implementing some of the principles the week before which focused mainly on hitting the grocery store and cooking or preparing EVERY meal at home and only carrying cash for the things that must be purchased (except gas and groceries). That week I kept out $15 for my "discretionary" funds and spent $5 on some Bojangles (don't judge me). The rest went to tolls I think. So since February 21st I've been on the fast. I was talking with a co-worker last night about our use of the word "discretionary funds" because she uses it for food (she's fasting too). In actuality, if she's following the principles of the fast there are no discretionary funds. We are spending cash only on the things we need and since we aren't supposed to be eating out- then that money isn't for that. Instead its for money for the metro, or tolls, groceries and gas if you aren't using debit for that. I cheated the other night and went to dinner with my cousin because he was in town. I didn't pay, but I did consume. Back on track though.

Today's chapter in The Power to Prosper was about having a sense of entitlement to spend money and purchase things that we may really want and tend to justify by our hard work, etc. The author shared a tool that I wanted to share with you all that lets you see how much time you have to work to get the money for something you want or want to do. It is the "Time is Money" calculator. Give it a try, you might be surprised just how much you are working for that thing you deserve so much.

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Big Girl Pill

I.Hate.Big.Girl.Pills.

Today was a challenging day personally. I had to make a decision that not only affected me, but people that are very close to me as well and in the end I know that someone else left the situation hurt and upset. I can't even begin to explain how hurt it actually left me in the end. The tears are countless and the hurt in my heart really sucks right now. BUT life is about making really hard choices and sacrifices. I can make concessions for things here and there but it the end it does far more harm than good. I keep reminding myself that the journey and path that God puts us on isn't promised to be pothole or hurdle free. There will be obstacles. There will be tests....and THEN comes the testimony, right? Its all about endurance. Making the right choices and getting through the test. Trusting God that the decisions you make will be for the best.