DIVINE AND DEBT FREE

Where am I....

noreply@blogger.com (Divine and Debt Free) — Sun, 22 May 2011 14:16:00 +0000

Hey everyone!!! Its been a while since I blogged so I thought I would give you guys a quick update!!

I found an apartment/condo that is one block from work!! I spent a good while getting things situated at my new place and its about 90% done. Soon after I moved I got a job working for Real Estate One and working there has been nothing short of amazing. So far I have made 3 sales (a big deal for my first time out) and its been a whole lot of fun. With the income from my second job, I might be able to see Dave Ramsey before the summer is out!!! crossing fingers!!

Shortly after I started my job I met someone and began a serious relation with someone I hope to be my future husband = :) Time has been flying by and I have enjoyed every moment.

My plan is to eventually start a new blog with more video, but i cant say when it will be. The most down time I have is when I am working at the real estate office taking phone calls so hopefully when i get a routine down I can get back to business.

I haven't forgot about my blogging just overwhelmed with all this other stuff. I miss you guys and I will return with bigger n better stuff oh...... and a ring!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

Happy to be back home

noreply@blogger.com (Divine and Debt Free) — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 14:47:00 +0000

Its been two weeks since the move and I have never felt better! The job is going wonderfully and everyone there has been great. I am still on the hunt for an apartment and its much harder than I thought it would be. Since working and commuting from my mothers house (45min) I decided that it would be a good idea and nice to live near work. I can eliminate parking cost and also save on food and gas.

This first town house is at the top of my list. Its going for $1275 but I offered them $900 (doesn't hurt to ask right) its a 2 bedroom, 2 bath 2 car garage and its across the street from my job, which is perfect. The rent puts me at about 33% of my take home which isn't to bad considering my brother will contribute once he comes to live with me in June. The goal is the use the money he gives me to pay down debt only. Right now I am living with mom and welp there is good and bad because she isn't charging me, but ITS MOMS HOUSE, and so far I haven't saved any cash. If i don't move soon, I should have half of my student loan paid off KEY WORD SHOULD!!

All in all I am feeling great about the move and will be making a few blog changes in the near future. I will still keep this site but, I am working on a new video blog that I am pretty excited about and my buddy brad over at EOD is helping me with the design! As soon as I can come up with some good city of detroit shots I will be ready to go!!

I will keep you guys posted on other new happenings!!

(my job)

I am moving!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Divine and Debt Free) — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 12:25:00 +0000

I received word on Friday that the job I applied for in Detroit is going to be mine!!! Yup I am going back home! This is the most exciting news I have gotten this year and I am really looking forward to returning to my roots.

I moved to Lansing, MI about 7 years ago and its been a journey to say the least. I really do thank God for putting me in position to grow here, because had I not, I wouldn't have realized my full potential. I have obtained some amazing friends now family in my book and while I am going to miss them I am hopeful about the possibilities that will arrive from being home.

Though I have heard a lot about Detroit being one of the worst cities to live in, I don't at all doubt that I am going to be just fine.

I don't know where I am going to live yet but I am hoping I can find a reasonable apartment for me and my brother so I can be minutes from work and he can be close to school. I am excited about what 2011 has in store, Debt freedom and Detroit? WOW I couldn't ask for anything better (right now lol).

I can't wait to start my new job!!!!

Budget Randomness

noreply@blogger.com (Divine and Debt Free) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 10:46:00 +0000

One thing that has happened to me over the last few years of getting out of debt, is that I have become a total budget nerd. I adore my spread sheets, and e check book registers more than I enjoy eating cake (no exaggeration). My snowball has been at a stand still since around April of Last year (when I brought my car) which means I haven't really paid much, but I still know exactly where every dime went. Some people don't understand the power of knowing but I do. I honestly believe had it not been for my spread sheets I would have given up long time ago. You see my budget sheet allows me to see where I have been and where I still have the potential to go. Knowing the possibilities is a great motivation.

So while at the end of the year it may seem like NOTHING has changed, a hard look at the budget speaks to the real truth. Last year, I purchased a new used car, took SEEEEEVERAL TRIPS to visit friends and family, went on a healthy binge which caused me to spend lots of food money, and gave more freely than I ever have in the past. Am I happy Im still in debt?? Not exactly, but at least I can say I KNOW where my money went, because as they say its half the battle.

I have been thinking of how I could get out of debt by June a LOT. Its nothing quite nice about half the year sneaking up on you and being in the same place you started regarding debt. This pesky student loan has been lingering HARD, and I swear its like every time I look at the balance it has gone up! Matter of fact I KNOW its gone up because my statement reveals I paid $1,150 in interest alone! Anyway, I don't want the year to go by this time without me being able to scream I'M DEBTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Now that I don't have a home hanging around my neck, I really don't have any reason NOT to get it done. Yesterday I got a refund from my insurance company for $700 plus dollars and man was I stoked because I had no idea it was coming! I was originally going to buy a new t.v and xbox 360 (yea i know) but having this new money makes me want to really put it towards something useful. Between that, a small refund, and some savings I should be able to pay off half of my $10,000 student loan balance by the end of March.

One of the things I did with my spread sheet (yep back to that) was separate my e checkbook into months instead of having it all on one sheet. I needed to see a better view of how much I was using my debt card in a months time. Last year was nuts, because I had over 800 debt transactions for the year. To me thats totally crazy but imagine that debt being a credit card?? YIKES!!! Anyways, seeing each month broken down will help me curb my spending, because I certainly don't want to see 800 ever again in life!

In January I had 50 total transactions. If I stayed at that pace I would still be on track to having over 600 debt transactions and I don't like that either. I'm not going to give myself a limit but I am going to try to use cash more which will force me to pay attention.

1 second later........................ Ok so I really am a nerd so I HAVE to give myself a number!!!! 15 will be the magic number for the month of Feb if I miss the mark, I will put myself on amazon punishment lol.

What are you doing to make sure you stick to the budget??

Gratitude Friday & High Performance Achievement

noreply@blogger.com (Divine and Debt Free) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 12:09:00 +0000

This is a repost from March that Brad over at EOD reminded me about so I thought I would share it. Enjoy!

When I was at the Dave Ramsey live event we picked up this audio cd of Dave at a meeting for his employees. The tape was so great I decided to share the 8 Steps outlines on the tape in my opinion on how they work.

1. Establish a big, hairy, audacious goal - In the tape the goal was running a 26k marathon. In my case its becoming debt free by October.

2. Plan out in the incremental steps that will lead you to accomplish your BHAG- To become debt free I have taken on what is called the baby steps: baby emergency fund, debt snowball. Both have worked great in the last two years and I believe working the baby steps is by far the best plan out there but it only works when you get intense!

3. Find people who have accomplished the same or similar goals and find out how they did it - At first I didn't have a support group or anyone I knew that was on the same path now I have Brad over at enemy of debt (he is debt free and awesome) and a host of other people that are in the PF blogging world. Talk about motivation!

4. Heed the warning from the experts, but don't dwell on the negatives - Some warnings I have found about becoming debt free were: have a blow fund which I didn't listen too and still have problems with it sometimes. As far as the negatives I can think of any but in Daves case they told him to pace and sometimes he wouldn't and also that he would quit at the 2o mile mark, which he didn't!

5. Decide what you are willing to sacrifice to hit high-performance achievement - This was a big one for me, over the last few weeks I figured out getting out of debt was most important to me. Working at the salon is secondary, even dating is not so high on the list (scary right) but I made the choice to put debt first, when this is over I can move on to another BHAG!

6. Keep away from negative people and get around positive influences - Trust me this has been so detrimental to my success. The better things get the more I realize how much I need positivity in my life. Its important to have your own personal cheer team because right when you are ready to quit the cheer team is yelling YOU CAN DO IT!

7. Visualize your plan in your mind repeatedly - I see myself being debt free all the time and its so cool to feel a taste of what it will be like when I become debt free I just can't wait!

8. When you win, enjoy it! Celebrate - I plan too!!

Thank God I'm Married...

noreply@blogger.com (Divine and Debt Free) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 12:15:00 +0000

Pastor Eric Thomas is one of the most dynamic motivational speakers I have ever met! He came to my church I believe it was last year for fathers day to speak and all I could say was wow. He has a link on youtube called "Thank God its Monday" and each Monday he gives an encouraging message so you can start your week off great!

This message about marriage happens to be my favorite since I am a big fan of marriage especially happy ones. I am not married yet, but one day I do hope to take on the Mrs Title. Today I am happily single but even as a single this message spoke to me not just about my future but my current state. Pastor Thomas talks about being the person you desire your spouse to be. So basically if you want to see them cook for you, then cook for them. If you want them to be romantic, YOU start being romantic first.

Marriage can be hard but I promise if you listen to this message you will begin to think differently. Check him out!

I am Soul Purpose Newest Consultant

noreply@blogger.com (Divine and Debt Free) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 00:47:00 +0000

A lot of great things are beginning to unfold in my life and I am so excite to share it with you all. First things first I entered to be apart of enemy of debts DEBT REDUCTION CHALLENGE! Its going to be the first ever blog meets reality series and I am so excited. Brad is one of the first friends I met while starting my debt free journey and I have watched him do amazing things. He has a great passion for helping people get out of debt and really if you are around him enough you WILL catch the get out of debt bug.

I don't know when the contestants will be announced but If I am picked I will get to blog about it via VIDEO along with a chance to win $1,000 towards my snowball!! I mean can it get any cooler than that?

In other news, I recently interviewed for a position with the Department of Labor for the State of Michigan...... IN DETROIT!! If anyone knows me its been my 6 year goal to move back to Detroit to begin helping my community rebuild as well as live out my debt free goals. I know Detroit isn't in the greatest of conditions but when its all said and done home is really where the heart is and whenever I go home my heart just grows fonder, even in the state that its in. If I don't get the job, I will be a little sad but I have already resolved in my mind that 2011 is going to be a great year no matter what!!

Last but certainly not least I have just become a consultant for SOUL PURPOSE!! I absolutely ADORE the products and my favorite among everything is the Brown sugar (like me body scrub). I swear on everything I own this is the best body scrub in the history of man kind (no exaggeration). In efforts to beautify myself and make some extra cash in the process I have become a consultant. I am super motivated and excited to begin promoting a product and business that I stand by 100%. If you would like to know more about soul purpose feel free to contact me at www.kimike.soulpurpose.net and I will be happy to help you!!

Im so excited about new business ventures that cost less than $50 dollars to start, friends who are supporting me, and living out all my dreams. As Dave says, live like no one else so later you can LIVE like no one else!!!

Is 2011 treating you right?

My home was sold!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Divine and Debt Free) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 12:21:00 +0000

The last time I blogged I wasn't in the best place in my life but I am feeling a whole lot better. My home sold December 23, 2010 two days before Christmas. Talk about a wonderful gift right? My debt seems like its not moving even though I have been paying it... strange I know. I trashed my laptop shortly after I wrote my last post here and I now have a new one as of a month ago. So I am really excited to write again. I didn't know when the inspiration to write would come back but I'm glad its here. For a while I thought I would just wait until I became debt free but then you guys would miss all the fun and excitement in between!!!!

For Christmas I went to Chicago to visit my dads family which includes cousins, great aunts and my favorite lady my great grandma. For new years my mom, brother, and I went to New York to watch the famous ball drop. We had the most fun and it was great time with them both.

So I am back for good and I am so looking forward to paying off this last bit of debt. It keeps stalking me but I'm getting a ppo out on it and promise If it returns to my door step I won't be liable for what happens to it!!!

what have you guys been up to??

Going "Write" Through It

noreply@blogger.com (Divine and Debt Free) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 11:43:00 +0000

I am back this time with a vengeance and I got a pen in my hand! Blogging at times can be your worst enemy when you are feeling down or it can be your best friend when your feeling up! If your me however I am deciding to write myself through these hard times. Certainly I am going through some things but the fact still remains Im here and that alone is enough to write about.

So through these next few months and year I will be back to blogging for as long as my thoughts inspire me to do so. I have no idea what about but I will have something to say. When I first started this particular blog the goal was to journal my financial experience but it was also to inspire others who face similar financial struggles. Truth is you just can't always write about the good and leave out the bad because there will always be some. But hopefully my issues financial and non financial inspire others to at the very most KEEP HOPE ALIVE! (I thought that was funny).

Currently I am working on getting an interview with the author of "Girl make your money grow" Gail Perry Mason" My desire is to have her come speak at my church which I think would be amazing! I just had a light bulb moment, I could do a panel of financial guru's kinda like Oprah's debt diet at my church!!! (writing that down).

Other than that, my debt snowball is at a stand still, Im in between fighting being an utter mess and well you know that comes with plenty retail shopping. Hey don't judge me lol. Seriously being able to just buy something is allowing me to have one less thing to worry about. Yes I still keep tabs on my money but paying down debt is the last thing on my mind. ITS ON MY MIND, its just not at the front! The year is winding down and I just as soon figure that I will bring in my student loans right under 10,000 into the new year and work on some new avenues of income to push it along once I get my ball back to rolling.

Haven't heard anything regarding my home being sold but I am still praying I get the call really soon. Thats all I have for today but there is certainly more to come with a focal point of course......

whats on your mind????

Burnt Out

noreply@blogger.com (Divine and Debt Free) — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 11:54:00 +0000

A lot has happened over the last few weeks and I know instead of blogging regularly I am always giving "updates". Certainly life has me currently in a place where at times I am not sure if I am coming or going but im still here. Its easy for me to hind my stresses around everyone. Most of the time I feel when I am smiling around others I give people some sort of hope thats its possible to find happiness. Of course we know happiness is only situational and if you chase it long enough you might end up disappointed at every turn....

Church has been my source of "life" during this time of uncertainty. We recently held a conference that was a huge success and I was honored to be part of the planning team.

On the outside looking in things are great, I have friends and family that love me and a church that I absolutely adore. But on the inside I can't shake the feeling that something is missing. I honestly don't want to go to work each day. Im happy to have a job, but man I hate it. Yes I know we are in tough times so I really should not complain. But when I think about my financial goals, I remember that being able to leave my job was one of the reasons I decided to get out of debt.

Im not their yet and even when I get there sometimes I wonder if my view of my current status will change or will I remain complacent. I have been off for a few days and I am dreading returning to work. I know when I get there its the same paperwork, same people, same phone calls. Swallowing that pill is so hard when you know what you want to do but can't. I wish I could just call it quits, but I worry more about what people will think of me more than what I know I could accomplish if I didn't have my job. I have been in this place before and I remember that prayer brought me out so its what I must do.

Im not giving up, Im just gonna take a break......

Why Are You Committing

noreply@blogger.com (Divine and Debt Free) — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 04:05:00 +0000

Today, I was given an opportunity to reflect on what it means to commit to something. At some point in time, each of us find something to commit to, be it work, church, families, or ourselves. As I evaluate what it means to be committed I realized that first I have to be committed to an end result. Work = paycheck, Eating healthy = longer living and so on. We all know the old age saying "you get in what you put out" This is true in just about every area in our lives with the exception of grace and mercy given by God.

As it relates to my walk with Christ I understand that my commitment is never ending. However unless I have something to clearly aim for I will most likely always fail. For example being a bible scholar, I could pray until the cows come home for God to help me remember all the books of the bible but chances are I won't get that unless I actually STUDY the bible.

In order for me to stay on track with my walk I have to be real with the fact that I am AIMING for SOMETHING. Boldly put yes I do want something from God. Just as we reward our children for getting good grades, or cleaning their room we are rewarded by God. But make no mistake he does for us not because of our works but because we are his children. I am also aware that there are things you must do because you are apart of "this family" meaning we don't pay you to take out the "Family trash", you do it as YOUR contribution to this household. You also do it because if you didn't you might end up with a raw behind !! I honor and I respect my heavenly father. I am obedient to him because his is my "father" because of what I know I can have from my "Father" and because this is how I show him I am proud to be a part of "the Royal family"

So I say all that to say, as a leader, a future leader, or leader in the making. It is always inspirational and beneficial to know where YOU are taking us as a whole. I know through Jesus Christ I am going to heaven because I have confessed, repented and turned away from my sins. My reward is clear, I understand it and do my best to live by it to its completion . Where do you want to take your ministry. Do you want to help 100 people get saved in 1 year? Do you want to serve 300 meals to the homeless by Christmas? Do you desire to have every person in your camp "Debt free" (hey thats my vision). What are your people doing to make sure they reach that goal? Is there a time line for each of us? How are you measuring progress? Are you celebrating progress??

I have seen through out my life how God has given me a clear vision, and opened doors to get me there. We have celebrate together both publicly and privately. His commitment to me and PROMISE to me allows me to continue to be a part of HIS ministry. My goal IS to one day see heaven, but what am I gonna do while I am here on this earth.

So I set forth a task to write a vision, make it plain, measure your success, celebration your success and realize your hard work will eventually pay out. Its not about "if it doesn't we will be iight" WHY because you can't stay committed to something you can't see progressing. You can't do it alone, you need people to catch your vision but you also need a plan to get there.

October 1st and New Beginnings

noreply@blogger.com (Divine and Debt Free) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 22:03:00 +0000

I have been listening to a lot of audio books lately and they have really got me to thinking about things. As I just started listening to flight plan by Brian Tracy I have learn a lot of valuable information. He talks a LOT about goal setting and being realistic with your goals.

Right now as it stands I will probably not be debt free by April 15th. But have no fear!!! I have discovered some good things by delaying debt freedom just a bit and I will share...

1. I can start saving for things that will come after debt freedom like a vacation.
2. I will eliminate some of the frustrations I have had with not being able to shop.
3. I will be able to save up to give my little brother a $1,000 for his graduation from college.
4. I will be able to save for car repairs and other random things that pop up.
5. I can practice life after debt with a real budget as I have been so far removed from such a thing I HAVE to get back.

Of course I am making progress, but I have wasted a LOT of money from poor planning. I enjoy reading and learning about things that will challenge my thought process. I am welcoming the new start of a budget and welcoming returning back to basics.

I will be in Alabama for the weekend and I am on a NO spending plan weekend. I hope everyone enjoys the weekend and I shall return soon!

The Case For Early Marriage

noreply@blogger.com (Divine and Debt Free) — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 15:21:00 +0000

Of course my blog is mostly about finance, but its hard to ignore other issues that ultimately affect peoples finances all around the world. When I got wind of the No Wedding No Womb movement I was beyond excited. Finally a day to speak out about the issues we face regarding being unmarried with children. I'm not a writing for NWNW but hey I got a blog too so why not use it as my way of speaking out on this occasion? There are people blogging from every part of the nation about what we all can do about the disparity of single parenting. At first I wasn't sure if I would talk about women and low self esteem, or the I can do it on my own epidemic sweeping the nation. Though both of those are important topics there was one more pressing to me that I felt would hold more weight.

Waiting to long for marriage......

I have had so many conversations regarding waiting to be married that I have lost count. I think I have come to the conclusion that in my circle I am the only person that thinks waiting til you are college educated and with a career is the dumbest thing you could do. After this post I still might be the only one but really who cares??

People say you need to "find yourself" or establish your self first before you take the leap. Funny thing is the more I have the less I want to share it with anyone. But when Im jobless pressing my way through college who has much to share except love?

Without going into all the statistical data, common sense would say why would you even want to spend your college years, sleeping with every tom, dick and harry. We know everybody isn't studying because if they were we wouldn't have a movement trying to stop out of wedlock pregnancies right?? Further more how many years does the average person spend in college, 4 years, 5 or 6 are is it really that easy to wait until Im 34 before I have sex? Oh yes it can be done but how likely is that to happen? By the time Im 30 even If I am the most conservative person I have gone through at least 2 sexual partners and prayed my way or aborted my way out of a child.

I thought the last relationship was gonna be forever but I told him we should wait until we were both "established" now he is gone because my education trumps everything. Is education important? Oh certainly but who said that you have to quit obtaining a higher level of education just because your married. Oh I forgot you feed into the stereo type that you as a woman, must cook, clean and walk around barefoot and pregnant but who is having that? (not me) so I just won't be married but I will certainly make a child.

Its all so very backwards if you ask me. I would love to only have known one love and married that person and have grown with them than to "find" myself in my mid 20's and also find men along the way who didn't give to cents about me yet I still gave him my very best including my womb. Why is young love such a terrible thing? If parents would promote helping young married couples instead of condemning them we might be better off. Instead they say just wait until this or that, or don't make the same mistake I did.

You got into a car accident when, you were 21 does that mean don't ever drive a car?? Young marriage isn't easy, but it can be done. I think if we taught our youth that you can marry in love and young, still have support, and do all the things you would like in life we would be better off. We wouldn't be so afraid to marry and if we knew that marriage was really life long we would take time to pick our spouse just as carefully as we pick our shoes.

I certainly will be an advocate for my kids to marry young to spare them of the heart breaks of waiting, potential std's and babies will bring.....

I will also promote loving yourself, and not settling for something just because you think its your only option. The way we do things now certainly aren't working, so why don't we start to try something new...

The Food Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Divine and Debt Free) — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 12:46:00 +0000

Every body knows by now I am a sucker for any type of challenge. Most challenges I partake in are typicallys self made just because I like to see what I can do. When ever I come across new information I believe to be valuable, I try to find ways to incorporate it in my every day life.

I recently watched food inc, and the super size me documentary regarding the food industry. I was aghast at how the industry is only run by a few people, and what they put in our foods. I was having a conversation with my best friend and she advised me to just pray over my food and get over it. Yes I can be an extremist at times, but more and more I begin to wonder how much of what I eat affects me on a daily basis. I actually already know the answer. When I eat fast food im always tired, usually hungry a few hours later, sick to my stomach and short of breath. Some times when I am super busy I would eat out every single day which we all know is a bad idea, not to mention it takes a toll on my pocket book.

After watching super size me, I began to think about what roll eating fast food plays on my health. More specifically my asthma. I have been asthmatic since age 11 and have never had the luxury of "Growing" out of it. I have been hospitalized, put in intensive care at least 3 times and intubated once which was the most scariest thing I have experienced to date. I have gone on health binge, but have never really paid much attention to my over all health. When I eat better of course I experience weight loss, increased energy and better moods, but I don't really know if it affects my asthma.

So I am finally going to find out. If I could eat healthy and rid myself of breathing medicines and return to normal lung activity don't you think it would be worth it?? I certainly do. Although recent studies regarding poor diets and asthma are inconclusive, there is no doubt that, lack of certain nutrients cause problems for the average asthmatic. While its generally good to eat healthy all the time, I want to find out what long term benefits come with changing my diet maybe for good. I have never smoked, and I am not currently over weight so that is two positive things on my side already.

So the plan is to go 60 days eating healthy. I will not disclose what I will be eating until the end. My best friend believes its not possible because you will simply run out of good healthy stuff to eat....

To avoid that I am going make a 60 day meal plan that will include breakfast lunch AND dinner. I am also going to make a doctors appointment to check out where my health is NOW and then later after the challenge is over. Today I took one last dose of asthma medicine and I will track how often I use it over the next 60 days. I will also, (Try to) stick to mostly organic foods and track my spending regarding what I eat.

So let the eating begin!!!

Money Problems Don't Come From Lack of............

noreply@blogger.com (Divine and Debt Free) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 18:56:00 +0000

About a week ago I was finding great pleasure in helping a good friend do a budget. She reminded me a lot of my self almost 3 years ago. Confused, frustrated and hopeless. When you are deep in debt a lot of times its not the issue of wanting to get out but its about how to get out. Being in Financial Peace University not only showed me how to get out of debt, but it helped me discover how I got there.

Just like me, my friend makes decent money for a single person. You can live comfortably, buy most things you want, and do most of what you want without breaking the bank. Yet and still you can't pay your bills at the end of the money, and calling for those pay day advance companies to get you to the next week. When I looked at the situation I was thankful it wasn't a lack of money causing her issues, but a bigger problem lied ahead..... the person in the mirror.

We over spend, we give until we can't give any more, and we don't save anything for the future but we are in debt and broke because we haven't dealt with ourselves. When I found myself deeply in debt, I was attempting to be like my friends I saw going on vacation, buying lots of clothes and eating out every day. I thought that was "cool" at 25 I hadn't discovered who I was which caused me to do things that had I known myself I wouldn't have done. I spent money because I was digging my self out of deep depression (so i thought). I hated my job, I hated where I lived, and I was in one relationship after another. I thought buying things would solve my happiness, if not just for a moment. I learned after almost being fired from my job, that filling my life with stuff would not keep me happy. So through out the last few years I have been learning about what I need to be happy. I needed to accept at the time that work is really what you make it, a location is what you make it, and relationships certainly are what you make it.

In my friends situation, I quickly discovered she had a serious problem with boundaries. She was a loving person, but didn't really know how to tell people NO. Stuck in a two bedroom apartment because she couldn't tell her grandma no. Living paycheck to paycheck because her friends have weddings she HAS to attend, grandma wants to eat out EVERY night, adult brothers can't afford college so she foots the bill. She is the classic case of an enabler. Some people have it in their nature to be kind and God bless em but when you just don't have it to give you end up more stressed than you would have been, had you just said no. I love my family to death but I can't give them everything. However I learned quickly that just because I couldn't give them something they still loved me.

So I say all this to say, take a look at your money problems. Are they REALLY a result of not enough money, or is it because you have yet to deal with problems saying no to family, friends, children and spouses. Are you unhappy in a situation and you spend to mask the hurt and frustration? I challenge you to really get to the root of the problem. I can guarantee once you solve the "root" your money problems will work themselves out. Until then, you will chase after finances, and still not solving the REAL problem.

Think about it.

Debt Free Vacation!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Divine and Debt Free) — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 21:09:00 +0000

I will be leaving for St Louis in a day and I am super excited. Its just a mini trip but mini trips are what keeps me motivated to get debt free. While its not an all out vacation it gives me a little time to gather myself.

I have thought about a few places I would like to go once I am debt free on a REAL vacation and the closer I get the more research I will do to be able to make a final selection.

So here is my top 5 list:

Jamaica - Recently I attended a Caribbean festival and I must say the Jamaicans were the liveliest bunch of them all. I mean they can party until the cows come home! I hear its a really nice place and the people are the most friendly.

Florida - More specifically the Acqualina resort & spa in sunny isles beach Florida. I have a thing for luxury and when my pocket book finally catches up with my taste, this is exactly where I will be. I hear Miami is nice but I really don't want to be around a lot of people, I just want to relax on the beach with no real distractions.

New York - I do realize if I go to new york it won't be much of a vacation, but more like a crazy adventure. However I do want to shop and I hear its a good place to go if you want a lotta bang for your buck. I hear people are pretty mean too but im from Detroit, I should know how to get with the best of em right??? eh....

Martha's Vineyard - I dunno much about this place I just hear thats where the rich people go, and I just wanna pretend for a moment to be rich (until i really get there).

Los Angeles- This might be my number one pick, because im ALWAYS thinking about being in L.A wind in my hair top down on my rented high end car and palm trees galore. This is where you go when you are trying to make it and, when you make it. If I could pretend im the star for a moment this would be the place I would go to do it.

So those are my top 5 picks. I have a few other places I want to go later but one of these places will be my first get away from 3.5 years of sacrifice. But what are some of the places you love to vacation or want to vacation. I would love to hear!!

Where Have I Been?

noreply@blogger.com (Divine and Debt Free) — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 00:23:00 +0000

Hey everyone who missed me!! Its been a good week and I am in the progress of trying to secure a new apartment. I really like the space in my current apartment but this new one has a rent of $395 dollars a MONTH!! You really can't beat that with a stick in a nice part of town, and a lake, mall, and walmart in walking distance. Hopefully I will know something by tomorrow.

Ever since my lease was up at the beginning of September I have been wondering if I should stay or go. It was definitely an upgrade moving to this place and this place represents where I have come from. I really can't believe its been a year but hey time flies when you are getting debt free. Thats why Its important for me to encourage people when they say they can't do it. With anything else worth having it can take a while. However you just don't realize how fast time goes by when you are sacrificing so much. As I get closer and closer to debt freedom I am thinking of ways to increase my snowball. Renting a cheaper apartment can not only bring me closer to debt freedom faster, over the long hall I could save a LOT OF MONEY. I looked at my budget and assuming I am debt free by March I would still have over 20,000 worth of income to build an emergency fund, have a little fun with some travel, buy some toys and begin to invest in my future. It was a really exciting picture to see, and that just made me pray more that I get this new place.

I have set some goals for the rest of the year to help me stay on track. I REALLY want to call In to the Dave Ramsey show and scream I'MMMMMM DEBTTTTTTTTTTTT FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE and I can TASTE IT. I hope everyone had a beautiful holiday, stay tuned to more!!

Martin Luther King Jr Had a Dream – Do You?

noreply@blogger.com (Divine and Debt Free) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:42:00 +0000

My good buddy Brad over at Enemy of Debt.com wrote a very inspirational post (he has a gift) and today I thought I would spread some inspiration, ENJOY!!

As I had a chance to reflect on one of America’s great historic figures this weekend, I couldn’t help but think of you. Granted, what this man endured had nothing to do with personal finance, but it had everything to do with amazing self-sacrifice, determination, courage and hope. These are all things that are needed when trying to defy overwhelming odds in order to make big changes in your life.

On August 28, 1963 Martin Luther King Jr. delivered one of the most inspirational speeches ever, about a dream and a vision he had for America. That dream was inspired by something inside him that believed it was possible to change something very wrong with his country. His dream was brought on by some truly sad times of racism that I couldn’t possibly begin to understand.

What I do understand, however, is that he never gave up, even though his opposition must have been overwhelming! As he found himself jailed for his activism, he very easily could have given up, but at what cost to his dream? He could have just let his surroundings and his situation deter him from what he knew to be right. Instead of giving up though, when times were difficult, he marched on, thinking not of himself, but of those he was trying to help. He sacrificed so much for what he believed in, which in the end, cost him his life.

Martin Luther King Jr. may not have lived to see the result and impact of what he did so many years ago, but I have to believe that if he had to do it all over again—he would.

Perhaps some will say that my using Martin Luther King, Jr’s story to inspire financial freedom is quite a stretch. Maybe in content, but not in character, principle, or in action.

What I see, and how I relate the two, is very simple.
What you are experiencing today financially, may seem so overwhelming that you just can’t comprehend being able to overcome it. My assumption is that there were likely times when MLK must have thought he was fighting a losing battle, yet I have read nothing to imply that he ever thought of giving up.

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” Martin Luther King, Jr

Change comes with lots of hard work and sacrifice. It is not something that just happens because you want it to. Change is not easy, but one thing is for sure, if you keep doing the same things with your money, you will keep getting the same results. You may struggle along your path to financial freedom, but that is precisely what will teach you the most, as well as strengthen you for what is to come. Be strong—do not let your struggles and perceived failures be the reason for your financial demise. We all have struggles, even those of us who have managed to turn our finances around. Financial success isn’t reliant upon the absence of problems, it is reliant upon how you handle those problems you face.

“Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom.” Martin Luther King, Jr

Your solution, or the solution that society seems to look to first, are not necessarily your best options. It may seem as though they are at first glance, but using a debt consolidation company to manage and pay off your debt, teaches you nothing. It can also cost you more than just the fees they charge for the opportunity to do so. Most people end up right back where they started, because they didn’t learn what needed to be learned to keep from returning to the debt they eliminated. The easiest way is typically not the best way.

Bankruptcy seems like the right thing, because after all, you pretty much get to start all over. Just like with debt consolidation companies, you didn’t really solve the problem that caused the financial mess in the first place. You technically just avoided the problem all together and treated the symptom instead of the cause, which happens to be your behavior.

Think about what is at stake before you make each financial decision.

“Rarely do we find men who willingly engage in hard, solid thinking. There is an almost universal quest for easy answers and half-baked solutions. Nothing pains some people more than having to think.” Martin Luther King, Jr

Martin Luther King, Jr might have been fighting for the rights of blacks in America, but you should be using the same principles to free yourself from the bondage that enslaves you.

You may not see the light at the end of the tunnel at first, but know that it is there!
It may be difficult, and at times feel impossible, but know you can do it!
It may be hard to believe in your ability to turn things around, but keep this in mind—you are your best solution!
You are the one that must step up to the plate. You are the one that must be strong and courageous! It is YOU that will make the difference!

I hope you’re able to take from this story the message of hope and hard work, determination and courage, and above all, the belief in your ability to make great things happen.

You don’t have to be in debt. You don’t have to live paycheck to paycheck. The choice is yours, and your dream is what you make it. If you follow your dream the way he followed his, chances are, your dream will become a reality.

What is your financial dream, and what are you willing to sacrifice to accomplish it? Are you willing to pay the price and sacrifice to become financially independent? If you’re not, what cost are you willing to pay to do nothing?

Goal Setting and Education

noreply@blogger.com (Divine and Debt Free) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:20:00 +0000

Me and higher education have never been the best of friends. You could say my hatred developed somewhere in between graduated from high school and my first semester at community college. I have written post about higher education and my disdain for some people who go on to obtain degrees and deem themselves "better" than me. The older and wiser I get I realize that all of my reasoning behind not wanting to finish college made no sense (other than all that debt). I really didn't hate college because of the people, I hated college because for me it represented my failure.

I won't get into ALL the details surrounding my failure, but I will admit to one reason and that is lack of planning. Today I am here to say something that you probably already know. If you fail to plan you PLAN to fail. I have always heard this saying but it hasn't really meant anything until now. Yes I have been on a plan to get out of debt but much of the rest of my life over the last 3 years have been kinda all over the place. Im turning 28 and I think getting older always brings about reevaluation of the last year.

I want to do things differently this year and with a concrete plan,instead of this pie in the sky type of mentality I have had for so long. Total rabbit trail..... Back to education, yes I hate it but I am seriously thinking I should finish college. One thing that keeps holding me back is my inability to complete a math class. This time around I figure if I take all my math requirements I won't be so quick to drop out because of my math phobia. Right now im working on a MATH game plan, not a 5 or 6 year plan to finish college, or pay for it or anything, just MATH. Taking on to much is a sure fire way to fail so thats what I plan on NOT doing.

Paying cash will be the only way I finish and Im totally fine with it taking a while even if that means only 1 or 2 classes a year. I realized the idea of doing to much freaked me out so much to the point of doing nothing at all. I don't want to regret my life, and I want to show my kids the best way to make it in the world and while education doesn't mean EVERYTHING it is important.

How are you at goal setting? Have you ever tried to do something without a plan? How did it turn out?

Gratitude Friday & How I love My mom

noreply@blogger.com (Divine and Debt Free) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 11:42:00 +0000

I really do enjoy the relationship I have with my mother. We certainly have had our share of ups and downs throughout the years, but every year I grow older the closer we get. A few weeks ago me and my brother gave her a 49th surprise birthday party and by the grace of God next year when I am debt free I can pay cash for her to celebrate her 50th on a cruise ship. Yesterday I asked my mom to help me brain storm about how I could best promote Financial peace at my church. I promise she was talking so fast I couldn't keep up!! By the time we finished talking I was overflowing with ideas. I love my mom with all my heart and one of the blessings of being debt free is knowing she will be taken care of by her two loving children :)

What are you thankful for today?

Don't Be a Debbie Downer!

noreply@blogger.com (Divine and Debt Free) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:40:00 +0000

Occasionally I like to venture off to my favorite blogs and read up on the latest topics. I have a few on the issue of marriage, relationships, and faith, but most of them are about debt. While I was browsing I happen to check out a blog titled "paying off debt is a pain in the butt" by money plan sos The post itself was great and even most of the comments until I got to the very end to read what another person wrote. Usually I don't get worked up about comments because everyone is entitled to their own opinion but some things can just be left between you and your thoughts. The comment read "we are debt free, however our taxes are slightly higher than our mortgage payment. Unfortunately even when your out of debt you still have debt"

For some odd reason that statement just rubbed me the wrong way. On one hand you are celebrating being debt free COMPLETELY but then you are basically saying you still never get out?? I personally don't consider property taxes to be debt, but more as paying your due diligence. Like a child not getting paid to clean there room or take out the trash, hey its just what you do because you are part of this family. The statement also didn't seem to encourage others because its like hey if you are gonna technically be in debt anyway you may as well stay there right? I dunno maybe I am being pesky but its not something I want to hear when im working my butt off myself to become debt free and you say "hey mikki there really ISN'T a light at the end of the tunnel that was just me flickering my key chain lol"

I try not to be a debbie downer myself and really its something you have to practice on a regular basis. After reading that I am more motivated to watch what I say. Have you ever encountered a person who could always find the negative in something?

Its Possible To Get out of Debt (IF you want it)

noreply@blogger.com (Divine and Debt Free) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:03:00 +0000

I remember a while back ago having a conversation with a friend of mine about getting out of debt. His exact words to me were "the government is designed to keep you down and as long as you make minimum wage you will never get out of debt". While I understood what he was saying, only part of his statement was true.

First I must say the government has nothing to do with your life as a whole. They don't decide where you work, where you live, or what you do with your money. It baffles me when I hear people talk about what the government can and will do for me. I also hear stories about how medicare constantly screws people over, and how you can only buy foods on a "list" with your food stamps. I remember going to the grocery store one day with my mom and as we checked out we stood behind a woman who was dressed to the nine, with all the name brand foods in her cart, and she whipped out a load of food stamps. At the time all my mom could afford was a loaf of bread and some off brand cereal.

That day still stands out in my mind, when I think about government assistance. Now days me and my friends bawk at how people so called "Get over" on the system but how nice do you really think those people live? My guess is NOT as great as it looks. I decided long ago that as nice as it SEEMED to be, I still didn't want to allow the government to dictate my life.

As far as people making minimum wage, my friend was right. YOU can't become debt free working for pennies, but you also can't become debt free if you are constantly doing broke people things like getting pay day advances, and renting to own stuff. Becoming debt free is a personal choice and if its something you really want NOTHING can stop you. I have done a LOT of not so hot things to get out of debt that the average Joe would call crazy, like living with 3 girls to save money, buying furniture second, third and fourth hand, watching a 19"inch t.v with no cable for 3 years and driving a beater. CRAZY RIGHT? NOT AT ALL. These are just a few sacrifices I have made to eventually get to live like no one else. Right now I don't live lavish but one day I will have nice things that I pay cash for.

So for those of you who think it can't be done I am living proof that it can. Will it take a while? Maybe but when its over you will be glad you made the choice.

So I say to you, how bad do you want it?

Types of insurance that is vital to your well being

noreply@blogger.com (Divine and Debt Free) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:02:00 +0000

Health insurance
Long term disability insurance (LTD)
Long term care insurance (if you are over 60)
Life insurance 10 times your income

Things to stay away from
Return of premium (pay extra and they return your premium over 5 or 10 years)
Cancer insurance (good health insurance covers this)
Short term disability (emergency funds should cover this)
accidental death insurance

Forcing Gods Hand

noreply@blogger.com (Divine and Debt Free) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:53:00 +0000

I was sitting at work today listening to the debt free Friday Dave Ramsey show and I started thinking about what I would say when I called Dave Ramsey to do my own debt free scream. However this time my thinking took me down a much different path and I thought it would be good to share with others.

Dave Ramsey always ask his callers what the hardest part of getting out of debt is. Usually I come up with a different answer in my own mock interview, but my most recent answer was having to short sale my home. This thought process lead me to how I came to own my home in the first place and the answer struck me like lightening.

I proceeded to tell Dave how I wanted to be like my friends and have a piece of something. Also at the time I so desperately wanted to leave Lansing Michigan because well after a break up it was the last place I wanted to be, not to mention occasionally seeing your ex out and about to add insult to injury. I figured if I purchased a house where I wanted to be (Back in Detroit), God would work his magic and actually cause my job to transfer me. After months and months of applying it just wasn't happening. I am still paying the price for buying a home before it was my time though there is a light at the end of the tunnel, its the most expensive lesson I have ever had to learn.

Now days when people ask me why I brought my house, the answer finally is clear to me " I was trying to force Gods hand" The more I learn about God the more I realize forcing God to do things never works. I realize that in life we create more havoc than if we just allow God to operate in his own time. Becoming debt free has taught me a lot of life lessons but this is the one that stands out to me the most, simply because its something I struggle with everyday.

There are many things in life that you can do that will cause you to be successful, but then there are those things that no matter what you do won't change until you allow God himself to change them for you. So if you struggle with this aspect of life my advise would be to "wait on God" You can experience so much more peace when you don't try to figure out EVERY single aspect of your life. Sometimes its actually ok to just go with the flow and allow things to play out. When we try to do things our own way and make things happen, things tend to go south and we spend a life time trying to turn it back around. So do what you can and let God do what you cannot :)

Have you ever tried to force Gods hand?

What Do you spend your time doing?

noreply@blogger.com (Divine and Debt Free) — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 21:53:00 +0000

I recently picked up the Millionaire next Door book by Thomas J Stanley and its a great read. In one particular chapter Mr Stanley went on to described two types of people. Throughout the book he references the two types to drive home points. I thought it was interesting so I decided to share it....

PAW- Prodigious accumulator of Wealth: To be well positioned in the PAW category, you should be worth twice the level of wealth expected. PAWS are builders of wealth, that is they are best at building net worth compared to others in their income/age category. PAWs typically have a minimum of four times the wealth accumulated by UAWS.

UAW- Under accumulator of wealth (self explanatory)

According to Mr Stanley, efficiency is one of the most important components of wealth accumulation. People who become wealthy allocate their time, energy, and money in ways consistent with enhancing their net worth. PAWS allocate nearly twice the number of hours per month to planning their financial investments as UAWS do. I personally believe im somewhere near the UAW side of things. I KNOW I waste a lot of time doing things that have nothing to do with building wealth. I do believe that we should spend time enjoying our guilty pleasures but sometimes we can go overboard.

So what would you rather be doing, spending time watching t.v or building wealth? DON'T BE A UAW!