Good Money In Bad Times

Maintaining in a rough economy takes planning, consistency and effort. It doesn't happen over night and it won't happen if you don't take the time to try. Last Christmas I received a wonderful gift from one of the parents at the day care where I used to work. It was a book about personal finance, how to get out of debt, save your money and generally live better. Lifting The Burdens of Debt by Lisa Cherry is a wonderful book, not only is it really informative but it's very inspirational. This is the book that kick started my life change towards living debt free and money wise, here are some of the things I learned and basically how I live my life now. It's a real simple formula.

*Make Sure Your Expenses Do Not Exceed Your Income: Obvious, but I see people who find themselves in this situation month to month.

• If you live on your own, get a roommate to split expenses.
• Renegotiate your cell phone, insurance, cable etc contracts. I call my companies periodically to check for better promotions and sometimes it works out. You never know.
• Smart shopping. Do the research before you buy anything. There always a deal or bargain out there. Take the time to look.
  

*Create Passive Income: Passive income basically is making money with little to no work. That's the best way to make money to me. Some ways to make passive income.

• Surveys, I've made a pretty good amount of money this way. I usually use the money to buy splurge items like over priced cosmetics and treat myself.
• Interest earned, this is a slower way but it's still free money. Put your money in a high interest bank account or CD and chill.
• Sell items you don't need anymore.
• Make money from your hobby. If you're good at something turn it into a side hustle.
  

*Create A Budget and Stick To It: A budget is a a tool to help you prioritize your spending and manage your money. A good budget helps you see and achieve your goals. All you need to know is how much you make, subtract your expenses, after that, see where you can cut costs. With this you can visualize where your money is going when you see it on paper, it makes it real. Don't forget you have got to be honest with yourself and your spending. After you know what you're working with budget for saving or debt reduction.

At the end of the day, your success is up to you. As long as you maintain consistency, adhere to the changes and keep pressing forward you will see positive results.

[Lupus] It's Official

Two weeks ago I went to BGMC to have a DEXA scan (bone density test). It wasn't too bad, it was like having an x-ray done. My Rheumatologist wanted this done because I have been having major back pain that would come and go. I had taken some back x-rays prior to the DEXA and he also noticed my a disk in my spine was a little smushed. I was like, damn!

Well, on Monday I went to my PCH to deal with this cough and she got the results from the DEXA and it did show osteoperosis, she couldn't tell me to what degree I had it but she said that I do have it. My lupies know this is due to the prednisone and that sucks cuz I have to take it for my health but it's also breaking me down. My PCH was also telling me that because of the other meds I'm on I may not be able to take meds for it, in her opinion. This is not too bad for me becasue I'm on enff. I have to wait and see what my Rheumatologist has to say though.

Right now though all I can really do is take calcium and vitamin D and try not to slip in the shower, lol. I'm not taking it too hard though because I work out regularly and eat healthy so I will be good.

Eye Candy

Now this is what I've been waiting for. Nelly in his Sean Johns, oooh weeee makes a girl wanna do some thangs.

[Lupus] Cures from the Cupboard

With lupus diet is a HUGE HUGE part of your well being. With chronic diseases you have to eat a certain way, HBP, anemia, everything. I pay close attention to my diet and see a nutritionist, having a restricted diet isn't that bad, it actually opens you up to more foods because you are forced to try new things instead of the fried greasy, processed staples. Anyways, even though this post is for my lupies anyone can benefit. Enjoy.

*Be Nuts for Nuts* Wanna lose weight?? Eat NUTS. Yes, nuts are high is fat but people who eat nuts regularly tend to be leaner than those who don't. Cholecystokinin, a hormone that curbs your appetite is increased when you eat nuts. Smokers could use this tip if they wanna quit I think. Try to keep it as natural as possible, no salted or roasted in oil variety and you will be all good.

*Berry Good* I love berries, blueberries, are my favorite and I read that berries are a natural way to reduce inflammation for people with arthritis. So lupies with RA or arthritis eat up.

*Dude, Where's My Beans* Beans beans good for the heart.... We all know the rest, but it's true beans are wonderful for your diet but it is also said to lower blood pressure down to a normal range when eaten. All beans have this benefit but pinto beans are the best. Chocolate lovers rejoice as well, the flavonoids in this perfect food is also shown to lower blood pressure.

Eat Healthy, Be Happy Y'all
Photo: www.wickedberries.com.au

[SpotLight] Vicky Stringer

Now this is an example of having a can't lose attitude that you just have to admire.

Vicky Stringer's story is amazing to me, young single mother wanted to live the good life. Instead of taking handouts she took to the streets and started selling drugs.

We've all seen the movies, and music videos, they make that lifestyle look so easy and glamorous but we all know the real deal . Well, Vicky fell into that trap and ended shooting someone and spending 7 years in prison.

Upon her release, she decided she was through with that life and decided to start hustling the book she wrote on her experience in prison, Let That Be The Reason. Today she is the CEO of Triple Crown Publications the leader in Urban Literature.

This just goes to show ANYBODY can turn there life around, if you have the strength, drive and ambition you can succeed.

I've read a couple books from Triple Crown here are my recommendations:

1. Sheisty & Still Sheisty by TN Baker
2. A Project Chick & A Hustlers Wife (excellent book) - Nikki Turner
3. Crack Head (good too) - Lisa Lennox
4. Blinded - Kashamba Williams

photo: urban-reviews.com

Random Click

Click Here

How Does Your Body React To Stress [Lupus]

I've been observing this for a while now and I'm convinced stress triggers lupus flares.

I'll find myself in a stressful situation, *argument, family drama, health concern*, I would go through it and go on my way, then like the next day my body just falls apart. It's crazy, I'll start feeling just all confused in the head, achy, weak and extremely tired as if I'd been kicking boulders up a mountain. This usually lasts about a day or two.

As you know I recently lost my job, and yes this was a SUPER stressful predicament, but I didn't stress about it. I was actually relieved to be gone, I felt stuck there. So to me it was a major blessing, but even with that state of mind, my body had a mind of it's own. The next day I wake up feeling good, birds singing, beautiful morning just chilling in bed, ah freedom. By the time I got up to make breakfast I was still alright, but by about mid afternoon I felt a shift. My mood had gotten very lack luster, I felt sleepy again and I started having body aches. This lasted two days, and just as fast as it started it just went away.

Sometimes, I just feel as if I'm just overly sensitive to situations, because I know with lupus there will be good and bad days but do you believe stress triggers lupus?

photo:We Need To Stop

Rick Ross, Busted!!

The Biggest Boss used to be a corrections officer ya'll. Aint that some ish for real. I guess he was the boss of all the prison drug cartels. Why you gotta lie Rick Ross.

Read all about it at Rhymes with Snitch.
Publish Post

HSBC Direct 3.50% APY Extended

Yeah, HSBC Direct recently announced that there 3.50% APY savings account is extended to September 15, 2008 (3 days b4 my b-day *wink*). I haven't been with them long but so far so good. It's a great place for an emergency fund, with high returns, no fees and you get an ATM card for withdrawals.

Sweet Deals This Weekend!!

Oh I love getting things at a bargin!! On Friday I went trolling the thrift stores with my mom. I'm walking through the dusty as hell store when I spot it. A yoga mat, strap and DVD for $3.00!!! I was soo excited, you know I had to buy that because I do yoga and pilates and was using a big towel, now I'm official. Yeah baby. When I get home though, come to find out the DVD is cracked, aw geeze. But fortunately for me, I already own the DVD that came with the mat already, so it's still worth it.

After that we go to Walmart and see there selling Cover Girl smudge eyeliner for $2.00, WTF Cover Girl, sweet. Usually one of those eyeliners are like $4.75 but it's like $1.00 for each I had to buy it. I got the black and expresso shades.

Today, I went to the mall to my favorite beauty supply store Buy Wise to buy some ORS Carrot Oil, please I was glad to find KeraCare at Walmart for $11.50 for the 8oz bottle. Buy Wise got them beat, the 16oz sells there for $17.99 and the shampoo was $5.00, that's the place for me from now on. (my keracare review coming soon)

Anyways bargain hunters, tell me your weekend shopping triumphs.