Update Time!

Hey folks! I hope had a wonderful weekend! As I sip on my Sunday afternoon drink, I thought I’d pop in for an update.

Well I have some awesome news as far as my debt free journey. I landed a second job at a department store for the holidays! I got offered the job on Thursday and I’m super excited to start earning the extra income and taking steps to eliminate this debt. I know it’s going to be tough but I want to reach my goal to become debt free in the next three years or so.

I did have a call from a store that’s open 24 hours but I got a little nervous about working there because I know I would never get a break from work. Although I do want two jobs, I would like to have a life outside of my debt elimination process. Here’s a few things that I’m going to continue to keep in mind about working two jobs:

1. I’m going to have less time to spend money. I’m going to be splitting time between my full time job and part time job meaning I won’t be having too much free time.

2. I think that my seasonal depression won’t be so bad with two jobs. OK so I suffer from depression and it gets worse during the winter months because where I live it’s very gloomy during the winter months. With less time to think about the things that make me down due to having two jobs, it may bother me less.

3. Less debt = less worries. The main purpose of why I’m doing this is to pay down debt. A lot of why I can’t sleep at night is the debt. So this point speaks for itself.

4. I’m going to miss my significant other more. I won’t be taking him for granted because I’ll spending less time with him.

So far, that’s the list I have that will keep me motivated to keep pushing and working the two jobs to pay off my debt. I have goals that I NEED to accomplish. I have a tendency to work better when I give myself no other choice than to bust my ass and work as hard as I can.

Are you working a second job? If so, what’s keeping you motivated? How are you handling life with two jobs? I’d like to see people’s experience with this in the comment section!

If you’re thinking about getting a second job for any reason, get out there and get a side job!

Until next time. Peace.

Stressed for Success

Hey everyone! I hope you had an awesome and safe Halloween.

So I’ve been think about quite a few things lately. As I sit and reflect on this lovely Sunday evening, I’ve realized that I stress a lot about the future. I just need to vent and hopefully I can relate to someone else.

This whole week, I’ve been applying for a second job and I’ve decided that my life would be really easier if I can land a higher paying job. I mean I wouldn’t mind working a second job for the time being but I know that it may take a toll on my relationship. A lot of people from older generations think that since I’m not married my relationship shouldn’t be a priority…but how are we going to get to the point of marriage if the relationship isn’t a priority? Well, that’s neither here nor there.

I have just been thinking all week what my plan is going to be to aggressively pay down the debt and really get to live. I’ve also been thinking that eventually I would like to leave the corporate world and work for myself and not be a slave to a time card. I can’t even tell you why I can’t stand working at a regular 9-5 job…let’s just say to a creative soul that it’s prison.

I think part of the reason I worry so much too is because of time. I’m 24 years old and I feel so much older than that. I think about my future a lot because I want a comfortable life for myself. I have a tendency to not think about certain situations as temporary. I feel like I’m going to be at the job that I currently work at forever. I know that sounds so crazy and logically I know I’m not stuck anywhere, but emotionally I feel like it’s my fate. A job can be draining when it isn’t your passion. Sundays are usually my most stressful day because I know Monday means back to reality.

I’m just trying to take one day at a time. I have to or I’ll feel like I’m not where I should be at this stage in life. I mean I have to remember than 24 is still very young and that despite how I feel, I have time. It’s just hard to not feel like a failure when you’re constantly busting your butt to make it in 2015.

Until next time. Peace. 

Let's Talk about Debt!

I know it’s been a while since I’ve been active on here but lately I’ve had a lot on my mind.

Here’s an update on my life since the last time I posted over a year ago!

1. I got a full time job working for the state government where I live.
2. I moved out of my mom’s house into my own apartment with my awesome boyfriend.
3. I bought a new car.
4. I got into some debt.

OK so now that you’re somewhat up to speed on what I’ve been up to, let’s talk about my debt free journey.

One of my main focuses now is paying off all my debt (credit card, vehicle and student loans). I’m starting to not be ashamed of talking about finances because I think every twenty something in America is going to mess up with money at some point or another. I’m really glad that I’m learning these things at the age of 24 rather than the age of 54. I don’t regret moving out of home or buying my new car or going into the debt with credit cards because it is all a part of the learning curve of adulthood. I’ve been thinking of somethings to do in order to generate some more income to throw at the debt and the one thing that I’ve chosen to do is pick up a second job.

My total debt is about $55,000. Most is from student loan debt, the next highest is my vehicle loan and the last is the credit card debt. My gross pay from work is $30,000 but after Uncle Sam gets his share I may be bringing home about $20,000 maybe more if I work over time at work. At my job, overtime doesn’t rake in the amount of money I need to make a dent in my debt which leads me to why I decided on working a part time job.

I decided that I should pick up a part-time job because I want to be debt free in the next three years. No more Credit Cards, Sallie Mae or Vehicle loan. I wanted to be able to pay off the debt and still save roughly about 15 percent of my take home pay for savings. I also use the extra overtime money for Christmas gifts. I did think about looking for a higher paying job but I wanted to stay at my job for a little while before getting a new job. I don’t want to look like a job hopper.

I feel as though American’s attitude towards debt is that is that it’s a normal part of American life. I hate it honestly. Everything here is on credit in this country and it’s turning into an epidemic!

Here’s the reasons that motivated me to start my debt free journey:

1. Debt feels like a dark cloud is always hanging over my head. I can’t sleep at night because of it sometimes.

2. I want my money to be MY MONEY. Besides rent and other living expenses, I do not want to owe anyone a dime.

3. I’m thinking about what could happen in the long term. If I have debt and go through a rough patch and lose my job, my credit would be ruined and I would have to file for bankruptcy.

4. I want to become a millionaire one day. I’ve come to realization that I cannot net worth if I have debt. When you work out your debt to income ratio, you have to be in the black and not the red.

Well, I’m happy to be back to updating on here. Hopefully someone will be able to relate to what I have going on and maybe you’ll be encouraged to get a handle on your money. If you’re currently on a debt free journey, go ahead and leave a comment below. Until next time (which will hopefully be next week). Peace.

But...I Have to Be Happy Too...

OK, so we've all done it. We've all put what someone else wants before what you want. What if those people are your parents? I know that it is easier said than done when it comes to putting what you want before your own parents. One reader said she found herself becoming self conscious based on things her parents wanted. Here's my take on that one.

I think that everyone has been a position where they feel torn into so many different directions because you want to follow your heart but at the same time you feel obligated to please your parents. Who wants to feel like they failed the people that tirelessly gave to them? I hate feeling like I disappointed my mom. Here's something in our defense though. What if I told you our parents don't really know us like they thing they do? I honestly think that parents take too much credit for knowing their children. Most parents don't really want to believe that they only know what we want them to know. I had to break this news to my mom on our way back from Georgia after Thanksgiving vacation. She didn't want to hear it but someone had to tell her. I mean there's a lot that I want that my mom would never know about because I never think she'd think I was being realistic. 

Here's a tip. Think about yourself when you turn 40 years old. Will you happy about making decisions based on what your parents wanted you to do? I mean the only people that would say yes to this are people who aren't capable to make their own sound decisions anyway. I feel like any person that everyone should like the independence of making their own decisions. 

I think the best thing to do when you start to feel like you’re getting pulled in so many different directions is grow some balls and ask yourself what it is that YOU want. YOU’RE AN ADULT! You’re young and you should be selfish at this point in life. I always tell my mom that I can still have respect for you and still do what I want to do. I mean I’m you’re not out here harming yourself are you? I DIDN’T THINK SO J

I think that there’s always going to be people trying to make you do what they want you to do. The last thing you want to do is be your own worst enemy when you’re just fighting to be happy in life. We’re all learning this (I haven’t mastered it either). You don’t want to resent your parents later on down the line because you let them live vicariously through you. Your parents have lived their lives already…now it’s your turn.

OK well I’m done. If I didn’t cover this well enough, let me know!

LEAVE ME A COMMENT FOR WHAT YOU WANT THE NEXT TOPIC TO BE!

Seeeee Yaaaa! 

Staying interested in your non-profit & Good News!

 Ok, someone yesterday asked how to combat being bored with the non-profit you create. 

My first piece of advice is to create a non-profit that solves a problem that you have. I chose to start a non-profit about self image because that was something that I've had issues with. Mine isn't about just not FEELING PRETTY, it's about making sure you know what your worth is. So, definitely try to start a non-profit for something that you've always had an issue with that you feel that you can resolve. 

Think about something that has made you hit rock bottom and how you got out of that position. If that situation is something that you feel that you can reach out and help other people with, that may be a good avenue to go down in terms of non-profit ideas. Well reader, I hope that helps you out! If you wanna know anything else just feel free to ask more questions.

Well here's the good news I mentioned in the title...ready? OK! 

Today, after I got off of work I got an email. I got an email from the government for a job I applied for with Customs and Border Protection (different from Border Patrol). Now let me give you guys a little more background information. I applied for this job before in June 2012 and I got a tentative offer letter but failed the PT test because of this step thing and I don't have any rhythm haha. Well I've been working out more since I applied to be a naval officer, so I think I'll be able to pass the PT test this time. If I get this job, this won't stop me from starting my organization because I want to leave a legacy behind. So hopefully, I'll be living in a very warm place sooner or later. 

My biggest goal has been really going somewhere warmer...A LOT WARMER! I wouldn't mind living in a place where the temperature is 90 degrees all year round. It beats the heck out of this negative whatever that Chicagoland has been getting! I feel like it’s the dang snowpocalypse out here. How are you guys staying warm? I’ve been staying IN THE HOUSE!

Ok guys, I’m rambling again so just leave me comments below and also leave me a topic you want me to write about!  

Intro and End of Day Thoughts

Hello readers! This is my first blog post and I just wanted to jump right into me and why you're going to be reading this.

Intro: My name is Niesha Thomas and I am a young 22 year old trying to forge my way through this crazy world. I graduated from college in May of 2013 and have been having a difficult time with the job market just like anyone else with a degree. Nothing special. 

End of Day Thoughts: Well I've been trying to get my business plan together to start my non-profit organization geared towards building a positive self-image. Today was honestly not a very eventful day so this post will just be some thoughts haha. 

Here are some words of wisdom to you Liberal Arts degree holders like myself: If the job you really want isn't out there, you have to create the job yourself. I've been trying to get into non-profit work and I haven't been getting any calls back so in order for me to solve this problem, I decided to create my own organization. It's going to be hard but it'll be worth it because I'm achieving my goals instead of working like a dog to help someone else accomplish theirs. Don’t let anyone tell you that getting a liberal arts degree is useless, because it isn’t. You just have to know what you want to do with it.

One of the main reasons I decided to form my own organization is because there was a problem that I wanted to address with the ongoing issue of negative self image that seems not to get addressed. I also did this, because like I said before, no non-profits were trying to give me a chance so I made my own chance. Well I don’t want to ramble, so I’ll check in with you all later!

If there’s anything that you all want me to write about, JUST LET ME KNOW!

Night All,

Niesha J